Link Report for Wednesday 7/1

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at home vs. Oklahoma City (Dodgers), 7:35 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch

 

MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link.

 

NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup.

 

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Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at Montgomery (Rays), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast.

 

MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them!

 

NOTE: This series in Montgomery is available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at Tampa (Yankees), 6:00 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - Yankees Feed Only

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Jon Perrin at Kane County (Diamondbacks), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime; expect LHP Luis Ortega to pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

 

So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

 

NOTE: This series in Kane County is available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Helena: LHP David Carver at Grand Junction (Rockies), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome back and again look forward to hearing second-year Voice of the H-Crew Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter).

 

MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction and Orem in July, and Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online.

 

NOTE: This series in Grand Junction is available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

 

***

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Yankees #2 squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

 

We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

DSL Brewers

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

[Mass Haas]

Look for these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site.

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

***

 

STANDINGS:

 

AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division

 

AA - Southern League South Division

 

High-A - Florida State League North Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

Pioneer League North Division

 

Arizona League Central Division

 

Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

 

***

 

Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Colorado Springs, CO

 

Montgomery, AL

 

Tampa, FL

 

Geneva, IL

 

Grand Junction, CO

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Via Baseball Prospectus Milwaukee -- Prospect Profile: Helena RHP Marcos Diplan

[Mass Haas]

Signing scout for two of the top three Brewer picks - OF Trent Clark and RHP Nash Walters

 

***

 

K.J. Hendricks makes it to majors — just not as he expected

Jordan Mason, Killeen (TX) Daily Herald

 

K.J. Hendricks has become accustomed to living out of a suitcase for weeks at a time and hustling from airport to airport to the point they start to run together.

 

As a high school senior at Ellison, it was the life he dreamed of as part of a Major League Baseball organization.

 

Hendricks, however, isn’t doing it as a player for the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

He is doing it as a scout — and loving every minute of it.

 

“I had those goals and aspirations when I was (at Ellison) in ’99,” Hendricks said, “and I’ve been very fortunate and blessed to see a lot of them come true.”

 

After graduating from Ellison, Hendricks attended Temple College for a year before heading to the University of Texas at Arlington where he was drafted by the Colorado Rockies after his junior season.

 

Hendricks played professionally for six years, climbing as high as Double A, but saw his career stall when he had to have his shoulder reconstructed shortly after reaching Double-A.

 

The injury all but ended his hope of reaching the majors, at least as a player, but in hindsight Hendricks said it was the best for his life and career.

 

“It was the worst thing professionally, but it also allowed me to sit still for about a year and really just evaluate my priorities in life — and mine were a little backwards,” Hendricks said. “So, it was one of those things where adversity ended up being a good thing for me.”

 

When he finished playing, Hendricks returned to UT Arlington to finish his degree and eventually earned a coaching opportunity, which turned into a five-year stint.

 

Then in 2013, Hendricks joined the Brewers’ staff as a scout, which has led to the touch-and-go life of a professional scout that he currently enjoys.

 

“You’re waking up in hotel rooms and they all start to blend together and airports look the same and you’re having to shake your head and figure out where you’re at again,” Hendricks said. “It can be wild in the spring especially. It can take you all over.”

 

But building relationships with players and fellow scouts, which he also did at UT Arlington, never gets old, Hendricks said, nor does searching for the next potential superstar in the major leagues.

 

And while Hendricks said he always tells players to enjoy the high school years — “those are special memories that you’re making,” he said — he also can’t be happier with where baseball has taken him at this point in his life.

 

Even if it is a tad different than he dreamed as a senior at Ellison.

 

“That’s one thing sports has really been such a blessing to me and the things I’ve gotten to do, the people I’ve gotten to meet, the places I’ve gotten to live and travel,” Hendricks said. “That’s what baseball has really done for me.”

[Mass Haas]

The Brewers have signed seven non-drafted free agents this summer, and they've done very well thus far, as hinted at in prior Link Reports.

 

Only one at Helena:

 

OF Omar Cotto, 23, USC -- .308/.455/.385 (.839 OPS), 11-for-11 in SB attempts

 

Cotto is also the lone non-pitcher.

 

***

 

The Maryvale arms:

 

RHP Alex Farina, 22, Lafayette University -- 3 G, 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 12 K, 0.00 ERA

 

RHP Aaron Myers, 21, Longwood (VA) University -- 2 G, 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 0.00 ERA

 

RHP Evan Parker, 22, Dixie State (UT) University -- 1 G, 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 0.00 ERA

 

RHP Jose Flores, 22, University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma -- 4 G, 7.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1.23 ERA

 

LHP Brad Kuntz, 22, Baylor -- 4 G, 10 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 12 K, 1.80 ERA

 

LHP Shawn Clowers, 22, Liberty (VA) University -- 2 G, 4 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 4.50 ERA

 

***

 

Now obviously these are the tiniest of samples, and these guys are all older than the league norm. But it's pretty cool that none of them blew up in their first few pro outings (can't say that about all the drafted players), and just goes to show there's potential talent beyond the 40 draft rounds.

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

AUDIO at the link: The Nick Ramirez and Adam Weisenburger HR calls from Tuesday

[Mass Haas]

Manatees with a four-run 1st and a four-run 2nd. Clint Coulter pops out in each inning and misses out on the fun, but Taylor Brennan has three walks through three innings as he looks to follow up on this dude from last night's Biloxi game.

[Mass Haas]

The first ten Kane County Cougars reached in an eight-run 2nd inning, RHP Jon Perrin the main victim.

 

Kane County Bottom of the 2nd

 

Marty Herum singles on a ground ball to left fielder Sthervin Matos.

Colin Bray homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Marty Herum scores.

Michael Perez walks.

Henry Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Michael Perez to 3rd.

Joe Munoz singles on a line drive to left fielder Sthervin Matos. Michael Perez scores. Henry Castillo to 2nd.

Victor Reyes singles on a ground ball to second baseman Tucker Neuhaus. Henry Castillo to 3rd. Joe Munoz to 2nd.

Chuck Taylor singles on a line drive to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Henry Castillo scores. Joe Munoz to 3rd. Victor Reyes to 2nd.

Ildemaro Vargas singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jon Perrin. Joe Munoz scores. Victor Reyes to 3rd. Chuck Taylor to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Luke Curtis replaces Jon Perrin.

Cody Regis walks. Victor Reyes scores. Chuck Taylor to 3rd. Ildemaro Vargas to 2nd.

Marty Herum singles on a ground ball to left fielder Sthervin Matos. Chuck Taylor scores. Ildemaro Vargas scores. Cody Regis to 2nd.

Colin Bray lines out to right fielder Elvis Rubio.

Michael Perez flies out to center fielder Brandon Diaz.

Henry Castillo flies out to left fielder Sthervin Matos.

 

***

 

On the bright side, Brandon Diaz' catch was a real web gem, hopefully it gets archived online.

[Mass Haas]

Helena Tweet:

 

We have been rained out again. Doubleheaders Thursday and Friday. 5:00 PM start Thursday (6:00 Central) and Friday is TBD. 3 days straight of no baseball.

 

Bummer, was looking forward to watching tonight...

 

***

 

Going to listen to Chris M. and the Rattlers at least until Wisconsin gets a hit...

[markedman5]

Chris Harris ‏@CHarris731 1h1 hour ago

Reserve catcher Jake DePew takes Lopez deep to break the scoreless tie. His first HR since 4/28. Lopez, 6.2 IP, R, BB, 7 K's

 

Chris Harris ‏@CHarris731 49m49 minutes ago

Lopez lost his first 2 starts of the season, then went 7-0 over next 12 starts. And tonight his 8th quality start, lowering ERA to 2.54.

[TheCrew07]

Kane County scores big to beat Wisconsin

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/0/2/135638702/cuts/Allemand_WEB_aiiwjghs_vm2hsfqr.jpg

Blake Allemand had three hits, scored two runs, and drove in one run for the Rattlers on Wednesday night at Kane County.

 

GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars scored eight runs in the bottom of the second inning and rolled to a 15-5 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Wisconsin did get to within four runs late, but the Cougars added to their lead with six runs in the bottom of the eighth.

 

The first ten Kane County hitters to bat in the bottom of the second inning reached base. Eight of them scored. The inning started with a single by Marty Herum. Next, Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Jon Perrin and Kane County's Colin Bray battled for eleven pitches as Bray fouled off six different two-strike pitches and worked the count to 3-2. Bray belted pitch number twelve of the at bat over the wall in right for a two-run homer.

 

The next two batters reached on a walk and a single. Joe Munoz would come through with an RBI single and the Cougars (48-34 overall, 12-2 second half) were up 3-0. The next hitter would single to load the bases. Chuck Taylor and Ildemaro Vargas connected on back-to-back RBI singles to make it 5-0 and chase Perrin from the game.

 

Luke Curtis took over for Perrin and issued a bases loaded walk to Cody Regis to force in a run. Herum, in his second at bat of the inning, lined a single to center to drive in two more runs and the Cougars were up 8-0.

 

Wisconsin (28-56, 5-9) loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fourth inning against Kane County starter Josh Taylor. The Rattlers scored a run when Alan Sharkey grounded into a 4-6-3 double play.

 

The Rattlers added two more runs in the top of the fifth. Elvis Rubio and Greg McCall singled to start the inning and a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Tucker Neuhaus drove in Rubio with a sacrifice fly. Blake Allemand knocked in McCall with a two out single.

 

Wisconsin threatened again in the sixth inning when Sthervin Matos and Dustin DeMuth started the inning with singles. Sharkey was robbed of a hit when his line drive was snared at third by Munoz. Then, Yency Solis took over for Taylor and retired the next two batters on routine flyouts.

 

Luis Ortega, Wisconsin's third pitcher in the game, worked 2-2/3 scoreless innings until he gave up a run in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out RBI single by Regis to make the score 9-3.

 

The Rattlers rallied again in the eighth inning against reliever Luis Ramirez. Allemand picked up his third hit of the night with a single. A two-out single by Alan Sharkey put runners on the corners. A balk by Ramirez allowed Allemand to score and Sharkey to take second base. Carlos Leal singled to left to drive in Sharkey and the Rattlers were within four runs.

 

Kane County put any thoughts of a ninth inning comeback by the Rattlers away with six runs in the bottom of the eighth to go up by ten runs. Ortega got the first out, but the next seven batters reached base against him. Vargas had an RBI single. Herum added a two-run double. Bray singled home a run. Michael Perez added an RBI when his grounder was misplayed and that knocked Ortega out of the game.

 

Reliever Zach Cooper gave up an RBI double to Quinnton Mack and hit the next batter to load the bases before getting an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. But, the Cougars were up 15-5 when the smoke cleared.

 

Wisconsin got a walk to start the ninth, but Zac Curtis retired the next three batters to finish the game.

 

The Timber Rattlers and Cougars conclude their series on Thursday night. Angel Ventura (3-2, 2.47) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Chris Oliver, who had a 4-5 record with a 4.04 ERA with the Lakewood BlueClaws in the South Atlantic League, will make his Midwest League debut with the Cougars after joining them in a trade between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies. Game time is 6:30pm.

 

There are several ways to catch the action from Kane County. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform with the Kane County announcers.

 

HOME RUN:

KC:

Colin Bray (2nd, 1 on in 2nd inning off Jon Perrin, 0 out)

 

WP: Josh Curtis (1-0)

LP: Jon Perrin (0-1)

 

TIME: 3:09

ATTN: 3,228

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Well on the pitching side there's nothing positive to say. This team doesn't have a single reliever who can stop an inning before it gets out of hand. A couple have decent ERAs but that is mostly because they are giving up runs charged to other pitchers. I really like the starting pitching but if those guys lay an egg it's pretty much a done deal as far as that game goes.

 

At least the bats showed up, everyone but Diaz and Neuhaus recorded a hit. Blake Allemand's best day since joining the T-Rats was highlighted above.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Brevard Bats Explode Early in 10-2 Victory

Manatees Cruise to 10-2 Win in Tampa

Brevard County Manatees

07/08/2015 10:16 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/7/0/121863170/cuts/SM2_1672a_XL_zp906qhc_qgc4c8jd.jpg

Jorge Ortega, seen above from a game earlier this year, picked up his seventh victory of the season on Wednesday night. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Tampa, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees (5-8, 34-48) scored four runs in each of the first two innings and never looked back in a 10-2 victory over the Tampa Yankees (7-6, 41-42) on Wednesday night at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

 

The Brevard County offense established their dominance early in the first inning. Chris McFarland led off the game with a single to left field against Tampa starter Vicente Campos (0-2, 13.50 ERA). After McFarland stole second, Taylor Brennan walked. Two batters later, Garrett Cooper smacked a ground-rule double over the right-center field wall that plated McFarland and opened the scoring. Cameron Garfield then reached on an infield single that scored Brennan. Two batters later, Rafael Neda drove home a pair with a double to center. Brevard County led after one inning, 4 -0.

 

The Yankees scored a run in the bottom of the first on an RBI double by Mike Ford, but Brevard County's offense went right back to work in the second frame. Omar Garcia and McFarland singled consecutively to start the frame. The two then executed a double steal with Brennan at the plate. Brennan walked to load the bases. With one out and the bases loaded, Garrett Cooper scored Garcia with a sacrifice fly to center. Garfield then singled home McFarland and made it 6-1. After Campos walked Michael Ratterree to load the bases, Tampa went to the bullpen. Luis Alberto Niebla came on with one out in the second. Neda smacked a two-run single to right field. Brennan and Garfield scored and gave Brevard County an 8-1 advantage.

 

The Manatees added another run in the fourth on an RBI double by Angel Ortega.

 

Manatees' starter Jorge Ortega (7-5, 2.25 ERA) turned in another brilliant performance. He allowed just one run on seven hits over seven innings. He walked one and struck out two.

 

Garcia smacked his first career home run with two outs in the ninth to make it 10-1, Brevard. Garcia finished 4-for-5 with two runs scored.

 

McFarland, Garfield and Neda each collected three hits. Neda had four RBI.

 

Preston Gainey pitched the final two innings for Brevard County. He allowed one run on three hits and two walks.

 

Brevard County and Tampa will play the rubber match of the three-game series tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Cy Sneed (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will be on the bump for the Manatees. Tampa will send RHP Cale Coshow (4-1, 1.64 ERA) to the mound.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Vicente Campos with his 2nd start after Tommy John surgery for the Yankees. Omar Garcia, in addition to his 4 hits, stole his 30th base of the season. Clint Coulter was 0-5 but did have another outfield assist. Taylor Brennan and Michael Ratterree had 3 walks each.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 0, Montgomery 1

 

Shuckers blanked in series finale at Montgomery

Jorge Lopez earns eighth quality start, but suffers first loss since April

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/7/4/135639574/cuts/shuckershuntsvillefullres_89_e3hstgrs_xmf4n04f.jpg

Jorge Lopez has allowed just three earned runs over his last 27.1 innings pitched. (Jason Clark)

 

MONTGOMERY, AL - Jorge Lopez allowed just one run over 6.2 innings on Wednesday night, but Montgomery's Austin Pruitt become the first opposing pitcher to toss a complete-game shutout against the Shuckers.

 

The Biscuits took the series finale, handing the Shuckers their third straight loss, 1-0. The loss was the Shuckers' third straight and for the first time this season, dropped four of five in a series. The 10-game road trip continues on Thursday night against Tennessee, in Kodak.

 

Both pitchers dueled into the night, but it was Lopez (7-3) who blinked first, allowing a solo home run to Jake DePew in the bottom of the seventh to put Biloxi behind, 1-0. The Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month was fantastic, yet again, allowing the single run on five hits, two walks and seven strikeouts. Over the 22-year-old's last four starts, the righty has allowed four runs - three earned - over 27.1 innings with eight walks and 27 punch outs.

 

The Shuckers were held to just three hits on Wednesday, a second inning double by Nick Ramirez (1x3) and singles from Michael Reed (1x3) and Parker Berberet (1x3). Reed reached base safely in all five games in the series.

 

Austin Pruitt (5-4) held the Shuckers' offense at bay throughout the night, recording the first-ever complete game shutout against Biloxi. The 25-year-old surrendered five hits and struck out five. Pruitt, over two starts did not allow a run in 17 innings against the Shuckers.

 

Biloxi will head north to take on the Tennessee Smokies for the first time in franchise history, in game one of a five-game set on Thursday. LHP Hobbs Johson (5-4, 3.36) takes the mound for the Shuckers, while the Smokies will send out RHP Felix Pena (5-4, 3.81). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 5:50 p.m. on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to http://www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Tough loss for Jorge Lopez who was excellent once again. He scattered five hits and struck out seven while walking just two and induced seven ground ball outs compared to just two in the air.

 

The game was played in a quick two hours and four minutes.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

The only run of the game

 

Montgomery Bottom of the 7th

Justin O'Conner strikes out swinging, catcher Parker Berberet to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

Jake Bauers pops out to third baseman Nathan Orf.

Jake DePew homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field.

Thomas Coyle walks.

Pitching Change: Mike Strong replaces Jorge Lopez.

Juniel Querecuto grounds out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to first baseman Nick Ramirez.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Yankees2 2, DSL Brewers 3

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Brewers jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the first but the Yankees kept it close and tied things up with a run in the top of the eighth. The Brewers answered right back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the eighth and held on for a 3-2 win.

 

21-year-old right-hander Rodrigo Benoit started and went seven innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five. 18-year-old Venezuelan Maiker Pinto pitched the eighth and allowed one run but picked up the win and 19-year-old Jesus Brea worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his second save.

 

Shortstop Julio Mendez had a single and a double in five at bats. He also committed two errors defensively. Marcos Pinero, another of the Brewers talented Venezuleans, had two singles and a walk, extending his hitting streak to nine games and also stole a base. Second baseman Franly Mallen and catcher Dilson Fernandez each chipped in two hits.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Intriguing 18-year-old DSL shortstop Ignacio Otano (.890 OPS) hasn't played since a full game on July 2nd.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Video from the Biloxi game

 

***

 

MiLB Biloxi game report focuses on the Rays' starter

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 8, Oklahoma City 7, ten innings

 

Sky Sox Rally, Stun Dodgers In 8-7 Walk-Off Win

Rogers, Wren and Dominguez set up Rivera for Clutch Walk-Off Knock

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/8/6/133943486/cuts/06_21_056sm_pk_njryaj0w_rwqw8mg4.jpg

 

Matt Dominguez's eighth-inning RBI double tied the ballgame at seven before the Sox walked off on the Dodgers in 10. (Paat Kelly photo)

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox broke their five-game losing streak in dramatic fashion as they sent 1,505 smiling fans home with an 8-7 walk-off victory over the OKC Dodgers on Wednesday night at Security Service Field.

 

Coming off the best start of his season, Sox starter Drew Gagnon would not benefit from the same fortune this evening. The right-hander surrendered seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and a walk in five innings while striking out three. Gagnon's night featured just one scoreless inning with a perfect top of the second.

 

Dodgers outfielder Darnell Sweeney went 3-for-3 against Gagnon with a double, solo home run and a single in those at-bats while scoring three OKC runs. Chris Heisey also enjoyed success in his three at-bats against the Sox starter, recording three hits and a run scored in his first few trips to the plate. Darwin Barney, Corey Seager and Austin Barnes added five combined RBIs to help the Oklahoma City cause as the visiting squad took a 7-1 lead into the sixth inning.

 

Dodgers lefty Eric Stults held the Sky Sox to just four hits over six strong innings of three-run ball (two earned) while striking out six. The big blow to the OKC starter's line came courtesy of a mammoth Jason Rogers two-run blast that sailed an estimated 433 feet over the centerfield wall.

 

Tim Dillard worked three impressive frames in relief of Gagnon, shutting down the Dodgers offense with just two hits allowed while striking out three to give the Sox a late rally chance. Ramon Troncoso gave Oklahoma City a scoreless seventh before taking the mound again in the eighth. The righty would fail to record an out in his second inning of work as he allowed a walk to Donnie Murphy and single to Elian Herrera to leadoff the frame before being pulled in favor of left-hander Ryan Buchter.

 

Buchter struggled in his lone inning, giving up three base hits and a walk that allowed his inherited runners to score before surrendering two runs of his own. Back-to-back doubles by Kyle Wren and Matt Dominguez did the bulk of the damage for the Sox lineup as they combined for three RBIs to knot the ballgame in dramatic fashion. Buchter eventually worked out of further trouble to send the ballgame into the ninth with the two sides deadlocked at seven.

 

David Goforth and Austin Ross (1-0, 0.00) each provided Colorado Springs with scoreless frames to send the tie game into the home tenth. Goforth would benefit from a defensive gem to close out the ninth without a Dodgers run scoring as Matt Long caught a Corey Seager fly out in right field foul territory before firing home to nab the speedy Sweeney at home to secure the 7-7 score.

 

Randy Fontanez (1-1, 1.77) stayed on the mound for the home tenth after tossing a scoreless ninth for the Dodgers. The Sox would not miss their opportunity to end the game. Dominguez led off the 10th with a single before Nevin Ashley's sac bunt moved the third baseman into scoring position with one out. Yadiel Rivera followed with a base hit to right fielder Kyle Jensen, prompting manager Rick Sweet to send the not-so-fleet-of-foot Dominguez home. Dominguez scored standing up as Jensen's throw skipped past Barnes, allowing the Sky Sox to send weary fans home happy with a 8-7 walk-off series-opening win.

 

The Sky Sox improve to 33-51 with the improbable victory as Oklahoma City falls to 53-31.

 

Colorado Springs looks to ride this high into a second straight win on Thursday night as the Sox face off with these same Dodgers in game two of an extended five-game set. Nick Additon (4-2, 5.75) is set to take the ball against a yet to be determined Oklahoma City starter with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central).

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

T: 2:50 (2:15 delay).

Att: 1,505.

 

How many do you think were on hand at the end of this one?

 

Contributions throughout, good for the guys...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Would-be engineer Austin Ross faring well as Sky Sox reliever

By Kristen Gowdy, Colorado Springs Gazette

 

Recent Sky Sox call-up Austin Ross definitely does not come from a baseball family.

 

***

 

Also posted in full in our season-long Sky Sox feature article archive thread...

[Mass Haas]

Also via the Gazette --

 

Sky Sox reliever David Goforth will replace Tyler Cravy on the Pacific Coast League's All-Star team after Cravy was recalled to the Brewers on July 3. Goforth owns a 2.84 ERA with 26 strikeouts and two saves in 25 appearances for the Sky Sox this season. Pitching coach Fred Dabney is the other Colorado Springs representative.

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's game --

 

Elian Herrera triples home two runs in Colorado Springs' 13-6 loss to Memphis

 

[dacbrewers]

Also via the Gazette --

 

Sky Sox reliever David Goforth will replace Tyler Cravy on the Pacific Coast League's All-Star team after Cravy was recalled to the Brewers on July 3. Goforth owns a 2.84 ERA with 26 strikeouts and two saves in 25 appearances for the Sky Sox this season. Pitching coach Fred Dabney is the other Colorado Springs representative.

 

Herrera deserved an all star spot. Been a hitting machine at AAA.