Link Report for Monday 7/13

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: Idle - RHP David Goforth will be in Omaha Wednesday for the AAA All-Star Game

 

**********

 

Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at Tennessee (Cubs), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 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 Tennessee is available via MiLB.TV.

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at Charlotte (Rays), 9:00 AM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link - Stone Crabs Feed Only

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: LHP Luis Ortega at Beloit (Athletics), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime; expect RHP Jon Perrin 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.

 

***

 

Helena: LHP David Carver at Orem (Angels), 7:55 PM pre-game, 8:15 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.

 

***

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle

 

***

 

DSL Brewers: at the DSL Red Sox #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 Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

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 --

 

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:

 

Sevierville, TN

 

Port Charlotte, FL

 

Beloit, WI

 

Orem, UT

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

Monday's farmhand birthdays --

 

Well, as of today, he's not a farmhand, so we know it's a Happy 26th for RHP Tyler Cravy.

 

Also, Wisconsin catcher Carlos Leal (.322/.384/.422 plus excellent defense) turns 24 today - now get that man a promotion for his birthday!

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Game action from Saturday's Biloxi loss

 

***

 

Biloxi's Taylor Green smacks an RBI double as the Shuckers fall, 8-2, to Tennessee, on Sunday

 

[Mass Haas]

Here's a reminder (Sunday's Link Report) of an unusually exciting Sky Sox walkoff win. This play below wasn't the walkoff inning, but it was huge, and it also gives us a look at the Sky Sox' Grateful Dead-inspired jerseys in action --

 

Colorado Springs' Nevin Ashley clears the bases with an eighth-inning double in a 6-5 win over Oklahoma City

 

[Mass Haas]

Helena's David Denson hits his second home run in the ninth inning of a 14-10 win over Oremo on Sunday

 

[WV Brew]

Another comedy of errors by the Manatees today. I don't know how many errors they have in this 4 game series but it could easily be over 20 with an unfriendly scorer.

[WV Brew]

Manatees win. McFarland and Cooper with solo home runs in the 5th for the tying and lead runs. Jorge Ortega goes 8 with 96 pitches/75 strikes. Kaleb Earls worked a 1-2-3 ninth for the save. I will link the story later.

[BrewersAA]

just when i leave him off my top 25 Ortega goes and does something like this... AND TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF!

 

not that he had anything that need redeeming but i put salas at 25 and ortega and 26 or first out. had i submitted the list today they would be flipflopped. amazing the difference one start makes...

[WV Brew]

McFarland, Cooper Homers Lead Manatees Over Stone Crabs

Ortega Tosses Gem in 3-2 Victory over Charlotte

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

07/13/2015 2:03 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/9/4/124065994/cuts/McFarland_7wookl40_gtu38cx0.JPG

 

Chris McFarland, seen here from a game earlier this season, recorded two hits, including a home run, in Monday's victory in Charlotte. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Port Charlotte, Fla. - The Brevard County Manatees (7-11, 36-51 overall) used a combination of good pitching and powerful bats in a 3-2 victory over the Charlotte Stone Crabs (7-12, 52-37 overall) on Monday morning at Charlotte Sports Park.

 

Trailing 2-1 in the top of the 5th inning, Chris McFarland stepped to the plate with one out and launched a solo home run over the left field fence and tied the game at two. It was McFarland's third homer of the season and his second in the last five games. Two batters later, Garrett Cooper smacked a solo homer to the opposite field and gave the Manatees a 3-2 lead. Like McFarland, it was Cooper's third home run of the season.

 

Jorge Ortega (8-5, 2.16 ERA) tossed eight innings to earn the win. He allowed two runs - one earned - on seven hits. He did not walk a batter and struck out five.

 

Kaleb Earls entered the game in the ninth inning with a one-run advantage. He retired the side in order to earn his fourth save of the season.

 

Charlotte originally took the lead in the bottom of the first against Ortega. Andrew Velazquez led off the game with a triple to right field. Pat Blair then lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Velazquez.

 

Brevard County tied the game in the top of the fourth inning. With one out, Taylor Brennan walked. Two batters later, Rafael Neda walked as well. The next batter, Jose Pena, grounded a single through the left side and scored Brennan.

 

The Stone Crabs grabbed the lead right back in the bottom half of the frame. Mike Marjama lined a double to left field with no outs. After Ortega retired the next two batters, Maxx Tissenbaum reached on a fielding error by Cooper. Marjama scored on the play.

 

Buddy Borden (8-4, 2.65 ERA) was hit with the loss. He surrendered three runs on six hits.

 

The victory snapped a three-game losing streak for Brevard County. The Manatees committed four errors in the win. McFarland and Cooper each recorded two hits.

 

Tomorrow is a league-wide off day in the Florida State League. The Manatees return home on Wednesday to start a four-game series with the Fort Myers Miracle. RHP Cy Sneed (1-1, 4.09 ERA) will start for the Manatees. The Miracle will send RHP Chih-Wei Hu (5-2, 2.26 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Sorry for harping on the errors but the Stone Crabs' announcer was constantly bringing it up and it was annoying me. An unnamed Manatee even dropped a routine popup in this one. Ortega probably threw enough outs for 10 innings with a better defense behind him. He gave up a triple to start the game and then a sac. fly to the 2nd hitter and never gave up another earned run in this game. Final line: 8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB (natch), 5 K, 9/10 GO/FO, 96 pitches, 75 for strikes

Chris McFarland and Garrett Cooper both had 2 hits including the home runs.

Kaleb Earls the 1-2-3 ninth although it seemed as if he was throwing in the 'pen since about the 6th inning.

 

Brevard County Game Log

 

Here you go:

 

 

Brevard County Top of the 5th

 

Omar Garcia flies out to right fielder Yoel Araujo.

Christopher McFarland homers (3) on a fly ball to left field.

Clint Coulter flies out to center fielder Braxton Lee.

Garrett Cooper homers (3) on a fly ball to right field.

Taylor Brennan strikes out swinging.

[Mass Haas]

8 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K (Pitch count: 96 pitches, 75 strikes)

 

Just imagine how few pitches it would have been for Jorge Ortega if not for the errors, in bold are the extra at-bats/pitches:

 

Charlotte Bottom of the 3rd

 

Yoel Araujo lines out to shortstop Angel Ortega.

Braxton Lee flies out to center fielder Omar Garcia.

Andrew Velazquez singles on a ground ball to second baseman Christopher McFarland.

Pat Blair reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Taylor Brennan. Andrew Velazquez to 3rd. Pat Blair to 2nd.

Willy Adames strikes out swinging.

 

Charlotte Bottom of the 4th

 

Mike Marjama doubles (13) on a line drive to left fielder Michael Ratterree.

Granden Goetzman flies out to center fielder Omar Garcia.

Jace Conrad lines out to shortstop Angel Ortega.

Maxx Tissenbaum reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Garrett Cooper. Mike Marjama scores.

Yoel Araujo singles on a ground ball to second baseman Christopher McFarland. Maxx Tissenbaum to 2nd.

Braxton Lee reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Angel Ortega. Maxx Tissenbaum to 3rd. Yoel Araujo to 2nd.

Andrew Velazquez flies out to right fielder Jose Pena.

 

Charlotte Bottom of the 5th

 

Pat Blair strikes out swinging.

Willy Adames called out on strikes.

Dropped foul pop error by first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Mike Marjama flies out to left fielder Michael Ratterree.

 

***

 

So that's five extra batters Ortega had to face - if we not-so-generously assign even three pitches to each at-bat, that puts Ortega at 81 pitches through eight innings. Jorge actually had a 9-10 GB-FB mix today.

 

There's nobody like this guy, can't wait to see how he translates at higher levels.

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT!

 

Wednesday's Timber Rattlers game (MyNew32 TV, LHP Kodi Medeiros scheduled) and Thursday's game (TWC SportsChannel), both air at 7:00 PM local time.

 

Nice opportunity to watch given the MLB All-Star break.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Red Sox2 6, DSL Brewers 0

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

Not many positives to talk about in this one. Nattino Diplan started and allowed five runs on ten hits over six innings as he fell to 1-4 on the season. 17-year-old Deymar Alvarado, who Mass mentioned in the transaction thread, made his pro debut, working the seventh inning. He allowed one run on only one hit, but hit a couple of batters and uncorked a wild pitch. Yerison Pena was the lone bright spot offensively, going 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. Javier Castillo had a single and a walk and Adolfo Morillo picked up the only other Brewers base hit.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 8, Tennessee 2

 

Lopez does it with the arm and bat in Shuckers 9-2 rout of Smokies, take series

Jorge Lopez earned his eighth win on the mound and first career double, two RBI

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/8/0/136621980/cuts/Lopez713_hbma3386_h644rwvr.jpg

 

KODAK, TN – Starting pitcher Jorge Lopez became just the third pitcher in the Southern League to earn his eighth win on the mound, plus the 22-year-old drove in two runs with his first career double Monday as Biloxi beat Tennessee 9-2. Lopez is 8-1 since April 24. The Shuckers collected six doubles including two from Nathan Orf, who finished 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.

 

The win clinched the series at Tennessee and have won 10 of 11 series since May 17. The win also wrapped up a 10-game road trip, with Biloxi coming out 4-6 before the league-wide off day on Tuesday for the MLB All-Star Game.

 

Biloxi struck first for the fifth time in the series with a two-run second. Adam Weisenburger (1x3, 2 R, 2 BB) walked and Brandon Macias (2x4, 2 RBI, 2B, R) doubled to put two men in scoring position for Jorge Lopez (1x3, 2 RBI, 2B), who deposited a double into center to give the Shuckers a 2-0 lead. The two RBIs for Lopez give him a team-lead at the pitchers spot with four driven in this season.

 

Lopez (8-3) was just as dominant on the mound, falling an out short of recording his seventh consecutive quality start. Through 5.2 innings, the former second round pick allowed just two runs on six hits, with two walks and four strikeouts. The Puerto Rico native has not allowed more than two runs in his last seven starts dating back to May 27 against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

 

The Shuckers blew the game open in the fifth with a four-spot to put Biloxi up 6-1. Nathan Orf (3x5, RBI, 2 R, 2 2B) started things with a single and came all the way around to score on a double by Michael Reed (1x3, RBI, R, 2B, 2 BB). Victor Roache (2x3, RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, SB) singled home the Shuckers’ right fielder with a single to stretch the lead to 4-1. After a single by Weisenburger put runners on the corners, Macias plated both runners with a single to give Biloxi a five-run lead.

 

Biloxi has an off day on Tuesday before returning home for a seven-game homestand starting on Wednesday with a five-game set against the Chattanooga Lookouts. The Shuckers will send out LHP Hobbs Johnson (6-4, 3.58), while the Lookouts will have RHP Alex Wimmers (5-3, 5.01) in the series opener. 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

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Biloxi's four run fifth inning

 

Biloxi Top of the 5th

Nathan Orf singles on a ground ball to left fielder Bijan Rademacher.

Michael Reed doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Jacob Hannemann. Nathan Orf scores.

Nick Ramirez flies out to center fielder Jacob Hannemann. Michael Reed to 3rd.

Pitching Change: Michael Jensen replaces Rob Zastryzny, batting 9th.

Victor Roache singles on a line drive to left fielder Bijan Rademacher. Michael Reed scores.

Adam Weisenburger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Billy McKinney, deflected by first baseman Wes Darvill. Victor Roache to 3rd. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd on the throw.

Brandon Macias singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jacob Hannemann. Victor Roache scores. Adam Weisenburger scores.

Jorge Lopez strikes out on a foul bunt.

With Nick Shaw batting, Brandon Macias steals (2) 2nd base.

With Nick Shaw batting, wild pitch by Michael Jensen, Brandon Macias to 3rd.

Nick Shaw strikes out on a foul tip.

[reillymcshane]

just when i leave him off my top 25 Ortega goes and does something like this... AND TOTALLY REDEEMS HIMSELF!

 

not that he had anything that need redeeming but i put salas at 25 and ortega and 26 or first out. had i submitted the list today they would be flipflopped. amazing the difference one start makes...

BrewersAA, go edit your Top 25. I won't calculate things until the deadline is past, so it's not a problem.

[WV Brew]

Rattlers game at Beloit suspended by rain

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

07/13/2015 10:47 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/9/8/136609598/cuts/Beloit_July_13_WEB_vuuc31u2_o2ke6yzi.jpg

 

The struggle to get the tarp on Pohlman Field before the rain started on Monday night.

 

BELOIT, WI - A severe thunderstorm hit Pohlman Field just before the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were to take their turn at bat in the top of the fifth inning on Monday night. The game between the Timber Rattlers and the Beloit Snappers was suspended with the score tied 2-2.

 

Wisconsin (29-59 overall, 6-12 second half) scored in the top of the first. Blake Allemand doubled with one out. Dustin DeMuth followed with an RBI single and the Rattlers were up 1-0. Monday marked the fifth straight game the Rattlers have scored first.

Elvis Rubio put Wisconsin up 2-0 with a solo home run with one out in the top of the fourth inning against Beloit starting pitcher Joey Wagman. The Rattlers got a double from Greg McCall and Sthervin Matos drew a walk to knock Wagman out of the game. Mike Fagan entered from the Snappers bullpen and struck out the next two batters to keep Wisconsin's lead at 2-0.

 

Beloit (34-54, 8-10) took advantage of a pair of Rattlers miscues in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game. Wisconsin starter Luis Ortega got the first out in the bottom of the fourth inning, but Sandber Pimentel singled. Then, Ortega couldn't handle a grounder back to the mound off the bat of Iolana Akau. Jose Brizuela followed with a single to load the bases with one away and storm clouds swirling around the stadium.

 

Ortega got Justin Higley to send a sharp grounder to second. Wisconsin got the force at second, but the throw to first was high. Instead of an inning-ending double play, Higley picked up an RBI as Pimentel scored Beloit's first run. Argenis Raga knocked in the tying run with a single before Ortega could get the final out of the inning.

 

Fagan went out for the top of the fifth, but as he was throwing his warm-up pitches, there was a conference between Beloit's grounds keeper and the umpiring crew. The decision was made to clear the playing field and put the tarp on the field.

 

The grounds crew got the tarp unrolled, but a sudden strong gust of wind started blowing the tarp off the field. Players from both teams assisted in getting the tarp down in its proper position.

 

There was a brief lull before a deluge hit the stadium and the game was officially suspended after a delay of approximately 45 minutes.

 

The game will have to be picked up in the top of the fifth inning when Beloit comes to the Fox Cities for a series that begins on August 27.

 

The Timber Rattlers are off on Tuesday. They return to action at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Kodi Medeiros (4-2, 4.09) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Joshua James (2-1, 2.47) is scheduled to start for the River Bandits. Game time is 7:05pm.

 

Wednesday is Ladies' Night presented by Avenue Jewelers and a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night. Tickets are available for $5 in a special section for the ladies (Limited to the first 200 to order through this link). There will also be Barefoot Wine samples, drink specials for the ladies, and a diamond dig in the beach. Everyone can enjoy Cher-Make hotdogs and Pepsi products for $1 and those of legal drinking age can have Miller beer for $1 during the game as part of WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night!

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action.

 

MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform.

 

T-Rats Box Score

 

T-Rats Game Log

 

Rattler Radio Blog

[Mass Haas]

Congratulations!

 

Pioneer League Player of the Week

David Denson, Helena

 

(.500/.563/1.286, 4 G, 7-for-14, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 1 CS)

 

After struggling in an early season look with Class A Wisconsin, Denson was demoted back to Rookie-level Helena, where he's been a world beater through his first 15 games. The 20-year-old is batting .327 with four homers and a 1.051 OPS so far, including a breakout last week that featured three of his four home runs in the Pioneer League. The 2013 15th-rounder also sprinkled in a pair of three-hit games and collected 10 total bases while homering twice on Sunday.

[Mass Haas]

Chris Harris Tweet --

 

Since June 2, Jorge Lopez is 5-1 with 1.34 ERA (7 ER/47 IP) in 7 starts 43 K's, 13 BB's. 0.89 WHIP and .177 Opp AVG. 4th in @MiLB w/7+ GS.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: We talk with 8th round Kansas State RHP Nate Griep about recovering from a triceps strain and joining a former teammate in the Brewers' system.

 

*Hit 95 in his first game back...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 8, Orem 5

 

Helena takes series with 8-5 victory

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (10-12) beat the Orem Owlz (16-10) 8-5 on Monday at Brent Brown Ballpark to win their first series against a Southern Division opponent since the 2013 season.

 

Lefty David Carver (1-0) had a solid outing for Helena, pitching six innings in the start, giving up three runs and striking out four.

 

Helena homered twice early on to take a 2-0 lead after two innings. Monte Harrison and Jake Gatewood each had solo shots in the first and second innings, respectively. For Harrison, it was the first pitch he saw after returning from back spasms. He would go 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

 

Orem responded to the 2-0 deficit with three runs in the third. David Fletcher cranked a two-RBI double and Tanner Lubach added an RBI single to give the Owlz their lone lead of the game at 3-2.

 

The Brewers took the lead for good when they posted five runs in the sixth on four hits being helped along by three Orem errors.

 

Carlos Belonis lined an RBI triple off Ronnie Glenn (3-1) to highlight the scoring. Glenn was pulled from the game after recording just two outs.

 

Orem tried to make it an interesting game late, scoring two runs in the last two innings and putting the tying run at the plate in the ninth. With two aboard David Fletcher would fly out to right to the end game.

 

The Brewers now head back to Helena after an 11-game road trip to host the Grand Junction Rockies in a three-game series. First pitch on Wednesday from Kindrick Field is set for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

Helena Box Score

 

H-Crew banged out 16 base knocks and drew two walks, finishing 3-for-9 with RISP.

 

The box is a feast for the eyes and a nice boost across the board for the boys as seven players had multi-hit games, led by Omar Cotto's three-hit night (he DH'd here).

 

20-year-old catcher Kevin Martinez was 0-for-4, falling to 0-for-17 on the season (but with five walks). This is his first stateside season.

 

Helena Game Log

 

David Carver didn't walk anyone in his six innings, the 23-year-old 2nd year pro (35th round, Lamar) is giving up opposing hits at a .344 clip in the early going, but this was certainly an encouraging outing for him.

[Mass Haas]

Brewers put the wood to the Owlz

Neil K. Warner, (Orem) Daily Herald

 

OREM - The Helena Brewers are last in the Pioneer League in hitting with a .266 average, but it appears as though the Brewers have found their stroke.

 

On Monday night the Brewers erupted for a season-high 16 hits in an 8-5 win over Orem and this was coming off a 14-10 win over the Owlz on Sunday.

 

It was the first time Orem had lost back-to-back home games this season and it marked the first time the Owlz had lost a home series.

 

“This is the first time we’ve lost a series. They’re not used to going 20 days without a day off, not that it's an excuse, the bottom line we didn’t play well tonight there’s no sugar-coating it,” said Orem manager Dave Stapleton. “Basically, we played bad defense and when we got the lead, our pitchers haven’t been able to hold the lead. It’s unfortunate because now we’ll have to play on the road for nine games.”

 

Helena took a 2-0 lead but the Brewers could have had more had they not run themselves out of the first three innings.

 

Omar Cotto led off the game with a single to center and tried to stretch it to a double. Bad idea, because Kyle Survance Jr. threw him out easily at second.

 

Monte Harrison followed with a solo blast to center.

 

The Brewers played long ball again in the second when Jake Gatewood homered to right-center. Carlos Belonis followed with a single and he tried to test Tanner Lubach’s arm. Bad idea, he was thrown out at second.

 

Helena threatened again in the third. Cotto beat out a bunt and when Harrison hit a ground ball to Michael Pierson at third, Pierson threw out Harrison at first and Cotto got greedy. He tried to take third but after Jeff Boehm caught the ball at first, he threw back to Pierson, who had plenty of time to put the tag on him for the third out of the inning.

 

Orem then took the lead with three runs in the third. Pierson singled to lead off the inning and then caught a break when Helena pitcher David Carver, a lefty, threw over to first. Pierson took off on his first move and would have been out but when Gatewood applied the tag, the ball popped out of his glove. Tanner Lubach singled him home. Kyle Survance Jr. followed with a single and David Fletcher drove in both runners with a double to center.

 

Helena added a run in the fourth to tie the game and then broke the game open in the sixth with five runs that were aided by two Orem errors. Harrison led off the inning with a single and Steven Karkenny walked. David Denson then grounded out to first and Harrison scored when Orem reliever Ronnie Glenn struck out Gatewood swinging but the ball was in the dirt and got past Lubach. He ran down the ball and threw to first but his throw was in the dirt. Boehm threw home to try and get Karkenny but his throw was off the mark. Belonis then tripled in a run and scored when Jose Cuas beat out a bunt.

 

Orem tried to mount a comeback in the eighth. With David Fletcher singled and Boehm doubled him home but the rally died after fly outs from Jared Foster and Ranyelmy Mendoza.

 

The Owlz had one more chance in the ninth when they loaded the bases with two outs and scored on a wild pitch but Fletcher flew out to deep right center to end the game.

 

The loss dropped Orem to 16-10 on the year but the Owlz are still in first place in the South Division with a 2-game lead over Grand Junction. Helena improved to 10-12 and is in third place in the North Division.

 

Survance Jr. was one of the bright spots for the Owlz. He came into the game with the best batting average in the league at .442. He went 2-for-4. Fletcher also went 2-for-4 and drove in a run.

 

Orem will now hit the road for its Montana trip. The Owlz will begin a three-game series against Billings on Wednesday and then will travel to Helena for three games.

[Mass Haas]

Rehabbing LHP Jarret Martin (shoulder surgery) hasn't pitched in Maryvale since getting roughed up on July 2nd, that's not a good sign.