Link Report for Friday 7/17

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Josh Roenicke at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:30 PM pre-game, 7:00 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.

 

**********

 

Biloxi: RHP Johnny Hellweg at home vs. Chattanooga (Twins), 6:55 PM pre-game, 7:10 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!

 

**********

 

Brevard County: RHP Tristan Archer at home vs. Fort Myers (Twins), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015.

 

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

 

**********

 

Wisconsin: RHP's Cody Ponce and David Burkhalter in a doubleheader at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 4:45 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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 Jake Drossner at home vs. 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 Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online.

 

***

 

Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the White Sox' complex in Glendale, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

***

 

DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Braves, 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 Friday's action as it happens with box score / game log links:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin Game One

 

Wisconsin Game Two

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site.

 

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:

 

New Orleans, LA

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

Helena, MT

 

Glendale, AZ

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[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]

MiLBY Award for Best Team -- Nice Honor, Biloxi!

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs' Jason Rogers smashes his second homer of the game in the Sky Sox's 5-2 Thursday win over New Orleans

 

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi's Wily Peralta notches a strikeout of Adam Brett Walker II in his rehab appearance, a 3-0 Thursday win over Chattanooga

 

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Braves 8, DSL Brewers 3

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Braves scored eight runs on 21 hits to beat the Brewers 8-3. Wuilder Rodriguez started for the Brewers and went five innings, allowing just one run and left with a lead, before the bullpen coughed it up. Joaquin De La Cruz went two innings, giving up three runs. Juan Diaz followed and couldn't make it out of the eighth, giving up four runs on six hits and retiring only two batters. Isaac Silva worked an inning and a third scoreless.

 

Ignacio Otano reached base four times, collecting three singles and a walk. He also stole two bases, but was cuaght stealing twice as well. First baseman Nicol Valderrey had two hits in four at bats while Marcos Pinero singled, drew a pair of walks and stole three bases.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Bandits take game one 4-2 over Rattlers

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 of Wisconsin's five hits in their game one loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits in Friday's doubleheader

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Quad Cities River Bandits defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 in game one of a doubleheader on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

 

Jason Martin gave the River Bandits (58-31 overall, 13-8 second half) the lead in the second inning. Martin launched a home run to right with one out on a 1-1 pitch from Wisconsin starter Cody Ponce. The solo shot made it 1-0.

 

Quad Cities added to their lead with a two-out rally in the top of the third. Alex Bregman singled with two outs and nobody on base. Nick Tanielu was next and he doubled into the corner in left to drive in Bregman. Ramon Laureano was next and his double off the base of the wall in left field knocked in Tanielu for a 3-0 lead.

 

The Timber Rattlers (29-61, 6-13) threatened to get on the board with a two-out rally in the bottom of the third and Brandon Diaz drew a walk with two away and Blake Allemand reached on an infield single. Dustin DeMuth sent a line drive to the gap in left-center, but centerfielder Bobby Boyd ran down the ball and made the game for the final out.

 

Ponce got the first two outs in the top of the fourth inning, but things got a little sloppy for the Wisconsin defense and that allowed a run to score. Ryan Bottger's sinking line drive dropped between Mitch Meyer and Brandon Diaz as there was miscommunication between the outfielders as to who would make the play. The ball rolled all the way to the fence for a triple. The relay throw from Allemand to third hit Bottger. The ball skipped to the sidewall behind third base and Bottger jogged home with the run to make it 4-0.

 

Wisconsin rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning. Greg McCall drew a walk to start the inning against Bandits starter Francis Martes. He was on third with two outs after a pair of grounders. Martes mishandled a slow chopper out in front of the plate off the bat of Diaz and McCall scored. Allemand kept the inning going with a single, his third hit of the game. DeMuth cashed in Diaz with a single to pull the Rattlers to within 4-2 and knock Martes out of the game.

 

DeMuth also extended his current hitting streak to nine games with his RBI single.

 

Michael Freeman, the seventh round pick of the Houston Astros in the 2015 draft, took over for Martes and got the final out of the fifth to keep Quad Cities up 4-2. Freeman would allow a one out walk in the sixth and a one out double in the seventh, but would not allow a run to earn his first professional victory.

 

The Timber Rattlers are 0-8 against the River Bandits this season.

 

HOME RUN:

QC:

Jason Martin (7th, 0 on in 2nd inning off Cody Ponce, 1 out)

 

WP: Michael Freeman (1-1)

LP: Cody Ponce (0-1)

 

TIME: 1:50

 

Wisconsin Game 1 Boxscore

Blake's Allemand's day highlighted above was about it in this one as the Rattlers managed 5 hits and 3 walks.

 

Wisconsin Game 2 Recap

[WV Brew]

Miracle Rout Manatees, 12-1

Five-Run Second Lifts Fort Myers

By Dave Walkovic / Brevard County Manatees

07/17/2015 10:24 PM ET

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/8/0/123834580/cuts/IMG_3296_bady9xrs_2hvkjajs.JPG

Garrett Cooper, seen above, had a hit and an RBI in Friday's loss. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

 

Viera, Fla. - The Fort Myers Miracle (13-9, 51-41) smacked 19 hits in a 12-1 victory over the Brevard County Manatees (9-12, 38-52) on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The Miracle scored five runs on four hits in the top of the second inning against starter Tristan Archer to open the scoring. With two outs, Tanner Vavra singled into center field to put runners on first and second. Zach Granite then walked to load the bases. Alex Swim drilled a two-run single up the middle to open the scoring. Mitch Garver walked to load the bases again. Brett Doe stepped up and lined a base hit back through the box to plate a pair of runs. With Ryan Walker batting, Archer uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Garver to score. After two innings, Fort Myers led, 5-0.

 

Archer (1-4, 5.12 ERA) lasted just four innings in the spot start. He surrendered five runs on eight hits and four walks. He struck out three.

 

Fort Myers added a pair of runs in the fifth inning against reliever Stephen Peterson. With two outs, T.J. White doubled to right field. Chad Christensen then hit an RBI triple into deep center field. Vavra singled to the opposite field to plate White. Vavra's hit gave the Miracle a seven-run advantage.

 

Brevard County was able to get on the board in the sixth inning. Omar Garcia led off with a single to left field. Two batters later, Clint Coulter ripped a ball to third that was scored an error and moved Garcia to third. Garrett Cooper then singled up the middle and scored Garcia.

 

The Miracle scored three in the eighth and two in the ninth to complete the scoring.

 

Peterson tossed three innings and allowed five runs on eight hits.

 

Tyler Spurlin pitched the final two innings. He surrendered two runs on three hits and two walks.

 

Miracle starter Mat Batts (4-2, 1.66 ERA) earned the win. He tossed seven strong innings and allowed just one run. Batts struck out five.

 

The Manatees and Miracle will wrap up the four-game series tomorrow night. RHP Javi Salas (7-6, 3.12 ERA) will get the start for the Manatees. RHP Kohl Stewart (4-5, 3.28 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Miracle.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Omar Garcia had 2 hits.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Wisconsin hangs on for a win in game two

Rattlers top River Bandits 3-2 to earn doubleheader split

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/0/0/128487400/cuts/6_May3Burkhalter_pxswc5b9_c2viluln.jpg

David Burkhalter pitched six scoreless innings in game two of Friday's doubleheader against the Quad Cities River Bandits and earned his third win of the season.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers took a 3-0 lead into the final inning of the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader against the Quad Cities River Bandits at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Quad Cities loaded the bases with one out, but the Rattlers held on for a 3-2 victory thanks to a diving catch of a line drive by first baseman Alan Sharkey for the final out.

 

Wisconsin (30-61 overall, 7-14 second half) grabbed the lead with two runs in the first inning. Blake Allemand singled and took second on an error. Dustin DeMuth extended his current hitting streak to ten games with a towering ground rule double to deep right-center field to knock in Allemand. Carlos Leal followed with an RBI single to send DeMuth home for a 2-0 lead.

 

David Burkhalter made the start for the Timber Rattlers and pitched six scoreless innings. Burkhalter, the sixth round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2014 draft, allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out one in the longest start of his professional career.

 

The Timber Rattlers added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. DeMuth, who went 3-for-3 in game two, singled to start the inning. Sthervin Matos lined a triple to right with one out to drive in DeMuth for the insurance run to put Wisconsin up 3-0.

 

Quad Cities (58-32, 13-9) rallied in the seventh against reliever Luke Curtis. Jason Martin tripled and Drew Ferguson drew a walk to start the inning. Curtis got the first out on a shallow fly to left field, but walked Alex Hernandez on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases. Garrett Stubbs knocked in Martin and send Ferguson to third with a sacrifice fly to right.

 

Curtis got ahead of Luis Reynoso with two quick strikes, but the number nine hitter in the River Bandits order lined an 0-2 pitch to right to get Ferguson home and make the score 3-2.

 

Bobby Boyd was next and he hit a hard, low liner heading to right field on the first pitch he saw. But, Sharkey dove to his right and snared the liner for the third out to preserve the Wisconsin victory. Curtis picked up his second save of the season.

 

Allemand went 5-for-7 in the doubleheader and DeMuth added four hits over the twinbill.

 

Burkhalter, who picked up his third win of the season, was aided by Leal, his catcher, throwing out three Quad Cities runners on the bases in the game.

 

The victory over the River Bandits was the first of the season for Wisconsin in nine tries.

 

The Timber Rattlers begin a six-game road trip with a game against the Kane County Cougars on Saturday night. Devin Williams (2-6, 3.36) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ethan Elias (9-3 2.52) is set to start for the Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. Game time is 6:30pm.

 

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 announcing crew.

 

WP: David Burkhalter (3-5)

LP: Christian Powell (1-1)

SAVE: Luke Curtis (2)

 

TIME: 1:40

ATTN: 4,943

 

Wisconsin Game 2 Boxscore

David Burkhalter wasn't as sharp as he's been, but he got the job done, such low strike out totals have been a rare occurrence for him this season.

 

Literally every noteworthy hit and or hitting performance was covered in the game story but quite the day for both Blake Allemand and Dustin Demuth.

 

Alan Sharkey can really pick it at 1B, saving the Rattlers in this one!

 

Wisconsin Game 2 Recap

[bkrause2]

Final: Chattanooga 6, Biloxi 5

 

Lookouts survive ninth inning rally by Shuckers

Raucous crowd of 4,482 see Shuckers fall just short in middle game of the series

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/8/8/137175888/cuts/BRP_9780_hdi0kyo8_yw1xkks8.jpg

Taylor Green reached base three times and was 2-for-3 with a run scored on Friday night (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BILOXI, MS - The Shuckers and Lookouts waited out a 1 hour 41 minute rain delay on Friday night, and at 11:56 p.m. With the MGM Park crowd on their feet, Michael Reed, who saved two runs with outfield assists, grounded out to short with the bases loaded, leaving the tying run at third in a 6-5 loss to the Lookouts at MGM Park. The Shuckers dropped their second one-run game in the series and fall behind 2-1 in the five-game set.

 

Friday's game went to the bottom of the ninth with Biloxi down 6-3. Taylor Green (2x3, R, BB) started the ninth with a walk against closer J.T. Chargois (SV, 7) and made it to second as Brandon Macias (0x4, R) reached on an error by the third baseman Niko Goodrum. Josh Fellhauer (1x4, RBI, R) struck out for the first out of the inning, but Adam Weisenburger (1x2, RBI, 2B, 2 BB) drew the second walk of the inning for the Shuckers to load the bases. Nick Shaw (1x5, R) pounded a grounder to first, but Kennys Vargas' throw home got away from catcher Stuart Turner allowing Green to score, trimming the Shuckers' deficit to two.

 

A fly out by Tyrone Taylor (1x5) gave Biloxi two outs, but Orlando Arcia (1x3, 2 RBI, 2 BB) drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to force home Macias from third and bring the Shuckers within a run at 6-5 for Michael Reed (1x5). The centerfielder would ground out on a 3-2 pitch to short, ending the game.

 

Chattanooga (6-14) started the scoring in the second, taking a 1-0 lead. Steve Wickens was hit by a pitch to start the frame and came around to score two batters later on a RBI single by Shannon Wilkerson.

 

The Shuckers tied the game in the third with a two-out, RBI single by Arcia to bring home Shaw. The 20-year-old extended his hitting streak to five games with the single in the third. It's his seventh hitting streak of five games or longer.

 

The Lookouts opened up a two-run advantage in the fourth. Three straight, one-out singles by Wickens, Stuart Turner and Heiker Meneses brought in the first run of the inning for Chattanooga, with Reed picking up his first assist of the game on a throw from center that gunned down Turner at the plate for the second out. Shannon Wilkerson followed by reaching on an error on a low throw by third baseman Macias to score Meneses for the second run on the inning.

 

Johnny Hellweg had his best outing as a Shucker, though the box score may not be indicative of his third start with Biloxi. The St. Charles, MO native worked 3.2 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - on six hit, two walks and five strikeouts.

 

Biloxi (10-11) tied it once again in the bottom-half of the fourth with Nick Ramirez (1x4, R, 2B) starting things out with a double to put a runner in scoring position with nobody out. Fellhauer drove the runner in two batters later with a single to right to pull the Shuckers within a run. Weisenburger roped a double to center to bring in Fellhauer from first to tie the game at three apiece.

 

Chattanooga pulled ahead for good in the sixth, using an RBI groundout by Wilkerson and a RBI single from Kennys Vargas to give the Lookouts a 5-3 advantage. Adam Brett Walker added an insurance run in the ninth on a RBI single to bring in Max Kepler, putting the Shuckers in a three-run hole.

 

Reed prevented another run from crossing the plate for Chattanooga by throwing a dart to Weisenburger at home after Marcus Knecht tried to tag from third on a fly out to center by Turner to keep the Shuckers within two. The 22-year-old has tied a career high with 10 outfield assists this season, a record he set in 2014 while with the Brevard County Manatees.

 

Jed Bradley (0-1) suffered his first loss in a Shuckers' uniform, allowing two runs on three hits and two strikeouts in 1.2 innings.

 

The Shuckers look to force a rubber match with a win on Saturday night. RHP Tyler Wagner (6-4, 2.50) will take on LHP Jason Wheeler (0-1, 3.24). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m., with coverage beginning at 6:55 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

[Mass Haas]

PHOTO GALLERY: 17 images from the Sun-Herald's Tim Isbell

[Mass Haas]

 

***

 

"Web gem by Sharkey ends it!"

 

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Starting pitcher Wei-Chung Wang joins the Manatees Radio Network

[Mass Haas]

Final: AZL White Sox 8, AZL Brewers 0

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

LF Nicolas Pierre was 0-for-4 atop the lineup in his first action since the 11th; RF Yerald Martinez drew the A-Crew's only walk - it was the 19-year-old's first action since the 9th...

 

Demi Orimoloye, DH'ing here, continues to excite, 1-for-3 with two stolen bases, now 8-for-9 in SB attempts in just 12 games - God help the middle infielders placing the tag on the charging 6'4", 225 lb. 18-year-old.

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

17-year-old starting RHP Gentry Fortuno allowed only one unearned runs in four innings (4 H, 1 BB, 0 K).

 

Posted after the June 12th game --

 

Wishing him well in turning things around, but it's hard to start out with a 27.00 ERA after your pro debut and then watch your ERA actually climb after each of three subsequent outings, but 33rd round UC-Santa Barbara RHP Connor Baits has seen that happen, now at 40.50.

 

Oh my. Baits faced four batters --

 

AZL White Sox Bottom of the 8th

 

Pitching Change: Connor Baits replaces Jose Flores.

Jacob Cooper walks.

With Felix Mercedes batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper to 2nd.

Felix Mercedes hit by pitch.

With Jake Fincher batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper to 3rd. Felix Mercedes to 2nd.

With Jake Fincher batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jacob Cooper scores. Felix Mercedes to 3rd.

Jake Fincher walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Connor Baits. Felix Mercedes scores.

With Jordan Yallen batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jake Fincher to 2nd.

With Jordan Yallen batting, wild pitch by Connor Baits, Jake Fincher to 3rd.

Jordan Yallen walks.

Pitching Change: Evan Parker replaces Connor Baits.

Tyler Sullivan out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Nicolas Pierre. Jake Fincher scores. Jordan Yallen to 2nd.

Bradley Strong triples (4) on a ground ball to right fielder Yerald Martinez. Jordan Yallen scores.

Cody Daily called out on strikes.

Corey Zangari grounds out, second baseman Daniel Leonardo to first baseman Tyrone Perry.

 

Catcher Beau Wallace was the catcher who got the workout (six wild pitches, if you lost count). This is not making light of things, but how did Baits' bullpen session go? Would you want your young valuable batters facing him right now? Yikes.

 

RHP David Lucroy was roughed up a bit prior to Baits' arrival.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 8, New Orleans 2

 

Rogers Slams Sky Sox Past Zephyrs 8-2

Jason Rogers extends hitting streak to 15 games with 3-for-5 night including a Grand Slam home run

By Nick Dobreff / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/0/8/136983608/cuts/04_12_103_pk_fpww5lp4_pn553ugb.jpg

 

Jason Rogers hit a Grand Slam home run and finished 3-for-5 in the Sky Sox 8-2 win over New Orleans on Friday. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

Jason Rogers continued his hot hitting ways Friday as the Colorado Springs Sky Sox defeated the New Orleans Zephyrs 8-2 in front of 6,765 fans at Zephyr Field.

 

Rogers, who hit a pair of home runs against New Orleans on Thursday, finished 3-for-5 with a grand slam as the Sky Sox extended their winning streak to three games. The slam came in the fourth inning against reliever Travis Blackley and extended the Sky Sox lead to 7-0.

 

The Sky Sox took an early 3-0 lead in the second inning against starter Jarred Cosart (0-1, 6.06) on an RBI double by Juan Centeno and a two-run single by Elian Herrera. Herrera finished 2-for-4 with a run scored in the game.

 

Starter Josh Roenicke (5-7, 5.26) picked up the win scattering five hits and striking out three over 5.0 scoreless innings pitched.

 

Rogers, who's played in 15 games for the Sky Sox this season and 51 with the Milwaukee Brewers, has at least one hit in all 15 games he's played for the Sky Sox and is hitting .400 overall. The grand slam was the seventh for a Sky Sox batter against the New Orleans Zephyrs but only the second time at Zephyr Field in Metairie, LA. The only other time a Sky Sox player has hit a grand slam against the Zephyrs on the road was on April 8th, 2000 in the 11th inning by Phil Hiatt off Zephyrs pitcher Rick Huisman. It was the only extra-inning grand slam homer on the road in team history as the Sky Sox beat New Orleans, 10-6 in 11 innings.

 

With the win, the Sky Sox improved to 36-54 while the Zephyrs fell to 42-50. The Sky Sox will look to clinch a series victory Saturday night as RHP Hiram Burgos (1-1, 4.28) takes the hill against LHP Adam Conley (8-2, 2.33). First pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM MDT (6:00 Central).

 

***

 

Via the New Orleans Advocate --

 

Colorado Springs took charge with a three-run second inning, highlighted by catcher Juan Centeno’s double to left field, and first baseman Jason Rogers hit a grand slam in the fourth on Friday night at Zephyr Field.

 

The loss was the sixth in seven games for New Orleans (42-50). Colorado Springs (36-54), which has the Pacific Coast League’s second-worst record, has won the first two games of the series and three games in a row overall.

 

“When it rains, it pours,” Zephyrs manager Andy Haines said. “When starter (Jarred Cosart) goes an inning-and-a-third, it puts your team in a tough spot. … (Reliever) Travis Blackley got backed into a corner by the hottest hitter on the planet.”

 

Rogers hit two homers in the series opener, Thursday’s 5-2 win.

 

He is on a 10-game hitting streak since coming from the parent Milwaukee Brewers and came into the game hitting .382 in the previous nine.

 

Cosart exits early

 

Cosart left the game in the top of the second inning after throwing just 30 pitches. Sweating profusely, he had problems standing up and was assisted from the field by Haines and trainer Chris Olson. Cosart has battled vertigo, a condition in which the afflicted experiences dizziness.

 

“We thought he was over it, but if flared up again,” Haines said. “It’s unfortunate for Cosart. The most important thing is him and his health. I think we’re going to re-evaluate it and see if we can prevent it from happening.”

 

Cosart, who the Marlins obtained in a multi-player trade with Houston last season, was in Miami’s rotation when the season began but went 1-3 with a 4.08 earned-run average. On May 19, he was placed on the disabled list with vertigo.

 

He appeared in games on June 11 (Omaha, two runs on nine hits, 5.2 innings) and June 16 (at Round Rock, four runs, seven hits, in 5.1) before being sent down to Double-A Jacksonville. He gave up one run on three hits at Charlotte on June 21.

 

He returned to the Marlins on July 4 but was sent to the Z’s on July 8 and pitched four innings at Round Rock on July 10, allowing two runs on three hits in four innings.

 

Clark looks to get hot

 

By Matt Clark’s admission, it’s been “an up and down season.”

 

Clark, who played at LSU in 2007 and ’08, is in his eighth pro season since being drafted in the 12th round by the San Diego Padres. Heading into Friday’s game, he was batting .262 (79-for-302) with 12 home runs, 16 doubles, 42 RBIs and 27 walks.

 

“It’s been hard to be consistent,” said Clark, who has played first base and left field with the Sky Sox. “I’ve had back and forearm injuries that have been bothering me.”

 

Not to mention The Shift. A left-handed pull hitter with power, Clark increasingly has gone against defensive alignments shifted heavily to right field. He usually sees the second baseman in right field, the shortstop shifted over to second base and the third baseman at shortstop.

 

“Sometimes I lay down a bunt” down the third-base line, he said. “It’s a hit. But I’m not going to change too much. I figure if I hit it over the fence, there’s nothing they can do.”

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

OF Kyle Wren has not started either of the first two games post-All Star Break, has come off the bench...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

David Goforth helps out Tim Dillard here --

 

New Orleans Bottom of the 7th

 

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Isaac Galloway replaces Lay Batista.

Isaac Galloway grounds out, pitcher Tim Dillard to first baseman Jason Rogers.

Reid Brignac strikes out swinging.

Vinny Rottino singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Kila Ka'aihue hit by pitch. Vinny Rottino to 2nd.

Marcell Ozuna singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Vinny Rottino scores. Kila Ka'aihue to 2nd.

Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Tim Dillard, batting 1st.

Brady Shoemaker flies out sharply to right fielder Matt Long.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Interview with Helena's Christian Trent, 24th Round LHP out of Ole Miss

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 5, Grand Junction 1

 

Brewers Pitching Shuts Down Rockies

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (13-14) won their rubber match 5-1 over the Grand Junction Rockies (15-14) on Friday at Kindrick Field in Helena.

 

Jake Drossner, Marcos Diplan (2-0) and Junior Rincon combined for the best pitching performance of the season for the Brewers, throwing two-hit baseball while striking out a season-high 12 batters.

 

Helena took the first lead with a run in the second. Jake Gatewood walked to lead off the inning and scored when Jose Cuas doubled off Mike Nikorak. Nikorak, a first-round selection for Colorado this year, made his pro debut Friday. He gave up one run in 2 2/3 innings in the start.

 

Sam Hilliard hit a solo homer for the Rockies in the fourth to tie the game up, but it would be the only run they were able to plate in the game. It was also the only hit Drossner allowed in his four innings.

 

The Brewers ran away with it when they scored three runs in the eighth to solidify a 5-1 advantage. Gatewood hit a two-run home run off Dakota Behr to highlight the frame.

 

The Brewers will now face the Orem Owlz in a four-game series starting Saturday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 5:30 PM (6:30 Central).

 

***

 

VIDEO via KTVH: Game highlights

 

***

 

Seventh-inning double steal sparks Brewers to win

Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record

 

PHOTO GALLERY: Nine images via Gary Marshall, Blackfoot Media Group at the article link

 

Assertive base running has been Helena Brewers manager Tony Diggs' hallmark since the fledgling stages of the 48-year-old's career.

 

His club's Pioneer League-leading 68 steals attests to that fact.

 

So when the third-year skipper saw runners on the corners Friday night in the seventh inning against the Grand Junction Rockies, it was more apropos than bold to signal for the double theft.

 

With two outs, Rockies catcher Chris Rabago took the bait when the Brewers' fleet-footed Troy Stokes bolted for second. Stokes was caught in a brief pickle but, meanwhile, 6-foot-3, 250-pound David Denson booked it down the third-base line and beat the throw to home to give Helena a one-run cushion.

 

From there, the Brewers, whose bats were stagnant in a game where hits came at a premium for both teams, knocked the cover off the ball in a 5-1 win at Kindrick Legion Field to the take seven-game season series from the Rockies (15-14).

 

Jake Gatewood's two-run homer in the eighth followed by a Jose Cuas sacrifice fly padded the lead for the Brewers, who picked up five of their nine hits in the late frames.

 

Helena starter Jake Drossner and relievers Marcos Diplan and Junior Rincon combined to give up just two hits. Diplan (2-0) earned the win, giving up just one hit in four innings and striking out six.

 

It was the double steal, though, that ultimately turned the tide for the Brewers, who've now won 10 of their last 16 games.

 

"In that situation right there, you're in a ballgame where pitchers on both sides are doing a pretty good job, so you want to put a little pressure on the defense," Diggs said. "Denson should have broke a little earlier, but (the Rockies) kind of helped us out with a later throw. It was a product of the game. It was a 1-1 ballgame."

 

Stokes thought the dual steal came at an opportune time.

 

"The idea was to catch them sleeping," he said. "When I went late, their catcher was surprised and he just slung it down to second, which allowed Denson to score. They weren't prepared."

 

Diggs believed the one-run cushion in the pitching-ruled game loosened up his charges in their final at-bat in the eighth.

 

"It was one of those things where you can tell they were relaxed a little bit. And look at the next inning -- they decided to go swing the bats well," Diggs said.

 

The Rockies' first two pitchers, first-round pick Mike Nikorak, the starter, and reliever Chad Zurat gave up just two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings. The Brewers' offense feasted on Dakota Behr in the eighth, though, scoring three runs on three timely hits.

 

"We've been playing with a lot of confidence. We've been swinging the bats well, and pitching well," Stokes said. "We've just been trying to stay focused and do all the right things. "

 

Denson, the reigning Pioneer League Player of the Week, went 3 for 4 at the plate to lead the Brewers, who play host to the Orem Owlz at 5:30 PM Saturday (6:30 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

TRANSACTIONS: The Helena Brewers called up a familiar face from the Arizona League in catcher Dustin Houle. Houle, who made the flight from Phoenix early Friday before crouching behind the plate all evening as a starter with his new team, was a member of the 2013 Brewers squad that won the Pioneer League North and advanced to the league championship series. An injury and 19 months of rehab stalled his career. Houle, 21, is a 2011 eighth-round draft pick out of Canada ... Brewers pitcher David Carver was called up to the Single-A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers after going 1-0 with a 5.91 ERA, striking out 12 batters in 21 innings. Carver was a 35th-round pick in the 2014 draft out of Lamar University ... After playing in just seven Pioneer League games, reserve catcher Kevin Martinez was sent to the Arizona League, going 0 for 17 at the plate.

 

Helena Box Score

 

No offense to LHP Jake Drossner and RHP Junior Rincon, but what a pretty line for RHP Marcos Diplan - 4 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 6 K, 2 WP.

 

Helena Game Log

 

Weather: 68 degrees, overcast.

 

Figured it was 108 in Arizona, but no, only 98 Friday night.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n4KTP5Vlf4

[JohnBriggs12]

Rogers is making a statement that he's ready for full time shot if Lind gets dealt.