Link Report for Saturday 7/25

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Drew Gagnon at Omaha (Royals), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 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.

 

**********

 

Biloxi: LHP Hobbs Johnson at Pensacola (Reds), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 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: Pensacola does provide MiLB.TV coverage for this series (Blue Wahoos' feed, naturally)

 

**********

 

Brevard County: First, it's RHP Cy Sneed picking up where they left off in Thursday's suspended game (bottom of the 1st, review the game log here) and RHP Brandon Woodruff in the regularly scheduled nightcap. The games will be played at home in Space Coast Stadium, but St. Lucie (Mets) is the home team in the completion of the suspended game, 3:30 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

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: LHP Kodi Medeiros at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

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: RHP J.B. Kole at home vs. Billings (Reds), 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 home vs. the baby Cubbies, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

***

 

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County Completion of Suspended Game

 

Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game

 

Wisconsin

 

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:

 

Omaha, NE

 

Pensacola, FL

 

Viera, FL

 

Grand Chute, WI

 

Helena, MT

 

Maryvale, 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]

DVR ALERT!

 

Tonight's Timber Rattlers game is on local MyNew32 TV, 6:30 airtime.

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Farmhand Birthday --

 

Happy 20th to very promising Timber Rattlers RHP David Burkhalter!

[WV Brew]

At the moment, storms are both north and south of Viera but looks clear there. Hopefully, it stays that way for a few hours.

 

Now there is a delayed start!

[WV Brew]

The stormy stuff that was north of Viera is now there. Looks like there may be quite a delay if they ever get in any play. This is getting old. The interesting thing is that on Weather Underground, if you select the Wundermap and zoom in far enough they have Space Coast Stadium on the map so you can tell exactly where the cells are in relation to the stadium.

[WV Brew]

Manatees are supposed to start at 7:30 ET now.

[WV Brew]

Milb is not updating the Manatees game at the moment. Jorge Ortega allowed a 3-spot in the first although one runner was inherited. Manatees trail 3-1 after one in the resumption of the suspended game.

[WV Brew]

Nicol Valderray made the All-Star game in the DSL. I notice he was 4-4 today with 3 doubles (against the Cubs-get used to it Nicol).

[DHonks]

Sharkey has nice OBP skills. Can he do much else?

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Cubs 1, DSL Brewers 8

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

As WV Brew previously mentioned, first baseman Nicol Valderrey had a huge day at the plate, going 4-for-4 with three doubles as the Brewers defeated the Cubs 8-1. Fellow All-Star Carlos Luna started and got the win, going six innings and allowing just one run. Juan Diaz worked the final three scoreless to get the save. Yerison Pena homered and knocked in three runs and Henry Correa added a triple.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

The Brewers got two in the second but had chances for an even bigger inning

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 2nd

Nicol Valderrey doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Samir Lara.

With Yerison Pena batting, wild pitch by Wander Cabrera, Nicol Valderrey to 3rd.

Yerison Pena walks.

With Dilson Fernandez batting, wild pitch by Wander Cabrera, Yerison Pena to 2nd.

Dilson Fernandez reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Franklin Tineo. Nicol Valderrey scores. Yerison Pena scores. Dilson Fernandez to 2nd. Missed catch error by catcher Raymond Pena.

With Henry Correa batting, Dilson Fernandez steals (2) 3rd base.

Henry Correa strikes out swinging.

Roosevert Chal strikes out swinging.

Adolfo Morillo strikes out swinging.

[bkrause2]

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 2

 

Johnson deals Shuckers a second straight win over Wahoos

Victor Roache improved to 7-for-14 in the series going 3-for-3 on Saturday

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/3/6/138792436/cuts/shuckersfull_55_dp22iv8j_gc0mfdfr.jpg

Hobbs Johnson earned the win on Friday matching a season-high with seven innings and eight strikeouts (Jason Clark)

 

PENSACOLA, FL – Hobbs Johnson gave up a first inning home run to Jesse Winker, but shrugged it off, on his way to a 4-2 victory for Biloxi over the Pensacola Blue Wahoos on Saturday night at Bayfront Stadium. Johnson picked up where Wagner left off on Friday, notching the clubs 38th quality start of the season. The Shuckers’ starter earned his second win in July and defeated Pensacola for the second time this season. Victor Roache continued his torrid series by going 3-for-3 with another double and walk and the former first rounder is now 7-for-14 in set.

 

The win forces the rubber match of the five-game series on Sunday with the Shuckers 2-3 in such games this season.

 

For the third time in four games, Pensacola (17-12) struck first with a solo homerun in the first, this time coming off the bat of Jesse Winker to grab an early, 1-0, lead. Pensacola threatened for more in the second with back-to-back walks to Juan Duran and Seth Mejias-Brean, but a double play and a walk to Juan Perez brought up opposing pitcher Josh Smith, who bounced out to second to end the frame.

 

Johnson (7-4) took control from that point on, retiring the final 16 batters he faced to end his night after seven innings. The southpaw from North Carolina tied a season-high with his seven innings of work and eight strikeouts en route to his second quality start of the season and first since June 13 against the Mississippi Braves (also went seven innings and struck out eight).

 

Biloxi (13-15) grabbed the lead with a two-run second. A walk to Nick Ramirez (0x2, RBI, R, BB) and a single by Roache (3x3, R, 2B, BB) started the inning for the Shuckers before Taylor Green (2x4, 2 RBI, R, 2B) roped a double into right field to plate the base runners for the one-run advantage.

 

The Shuckers padded onto their lead in the sixth after Nick Shaw (2x3, R, BB) drew a free pass to get things started. Michael Reed (1x4, 2B) bounced a grounder to third that Mejias-Brean sailed into right field on his throw to second, sending Shaw to third. Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Shaw to cross and give Biloxi a two-run lead.

 

Reed (12) and Roache (11) both extended their on-base streaks in the winning effort.

 

Jacob Barnes (IP, R, 2 H, 2 SO) came out of the bullpen to take the eighth inning and set Kyle Skipworth down on strikes to begin the inning before allowing a double to Juan Perez, snapping a string of 17 consecutive set down by Shuckers’ pitching. Bryson Smith followed two batters later and drove in Perez with a two-out double to cut the Shuckers’ lead to one.

 

Biloxi gained an insurance run in the ninth on a RBI bunt single for Parker Berberet (1x4, RBI) to bring home Green for a 4-2 lead.

 

Yhonathan Barrios (SV,1) came on for the save opportunity in his team debut since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, in exchange for Aramis Ramirez. The 23-year-old walked Marquez Smith and gave up a single to Juan Duran with one out, but got Mejias-Brean to fly out and Yovan Gonzalez to pop out to first to preserve the victory.

 

Biloxi looks to take the rubber match from Pensacola on Sunday night, with RHP Jorge Lopez (8-4, 2.70) taking on RHP Barrett Astin (2-1, 3.45). First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m., with coverage beginning at 3:50 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 www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

Shuckers debut for the newly acquired Barrios

 

Pensacola Bottom of the 9th

Pitching Change: Yhonathan Barrios replaces Jacob Barnes, batting 9th, replacing Josh Fellhauer.

Jesse Winker flies out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

Marquez Smith walks.

Juan Duran singles on a fly ball to center fielder Tyrone Taylor. Marquez Smith to 2nd.

Seth Mejias-Brean flies out to center fielder Tyrone Taylor.

Yovan Gonzalez pops out to first baseman Nick Ramirez in foul territory.

[TheCrew07]

Ventura Ks 11 in 4-0 Wisconsin win

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/9/6/138770796/cuts/7_July_25_Ventura_WEB_g8omcxgn_t5ullz41.jpg

Angel Ventura tossed six scoreless innings and struck out eleven in Wisconsin's 4-0 win over Clinton on Saturday night. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Angel Ventura tossed six scoreless innings and struck out a career-high eleven batters for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 4-0 victory over the Clinton LumberKings on Saturday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The win was the second straight for the Timber Rattlers.

 

Wisconsin (33-66 overall, 10-19 second half) broke the scoreless tie with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Elvis Rubio singled and Alan Sharkey walked to start the inning. Sthervin Matos dropped a sacrifice bunt and the throw to first was in time, but into the baseline. Matos collided with the glove of first baseman Kristian Brito and the ball popped free. Rubio sprinted home with the first run of the game. The Rattlers loaded the bases on a walk to Tucker Neuhaus. Clinton starter Jarrett Brown struck out the next two batters and looked like he might get out of the jam. Omar Cotto made sure the Rattlers wouldn't waste the opportunity.

 

Cotto, who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Southern California after the 2015 draft and joined the team from Milwaukee's Pioneer League affiliate in Helena, Montana earlier in the day, blooped a single into shallow right to drive in Sharkey and Matos for a 3-0 lead.

 

Clinton (32-67, 6-24) collected two hits in three innings against starting pitcher Kodi Medeiros. They did not fare any better when Ventura came in as the second pitcher in Wisconsin's tandem.

 

Ventura retired the first seven batters he faced in the game. He got the first out on a grounder to short and struck out the next six Clinton batters in a row before giving up a hit to Gianfranco Wawoe in the sixth. Wawoe would have the only other hit off Ventura when his eighth inning flyball to center was lost in the lights for a double.

 

Ventura would strand Wawoe at third in the eighth by ending the frame with a grounder and his ninth strikeout of the game.

 

The Rattlers pitcher finished off the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning, including strikeouts number ten and eleven for the final two outs of the game.

 

Ventura, who became the first Wisconsin pitcher to reach double digits in strikeouts this season, went 2-0 in two games this week. He also won at Kane County on Monday night. For the week, Ventura pitched twelve shutout innings and struck out thirteen.

 

The Timber Rattlers and LumberKings conclude their three-game series Sunday afternoon. David Carver (0-1, 9.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has named Pat Peterson (4-5, 4.52) as their starter. Game time is 1:05pm.

 

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Wily Peralta is the latest former Timber Rattler to be immortalized as a bobblehead. The first 1,000 fans to attend Sunday's game will receive a bobblehead of Peralta courtesy of U.S. Cellular.

 

Also on Sunday, McClone Insurance and Bergstrom Automotive present Strike Out Cancer Day to benefit local families battling pediatric cancer. Local stylists will be at the ballpark for fans who wish to participate in the Wigs for Kids hair donation and Be the Match bone marrow registry will also be at the game with information on how to be the match and donate. Additionally, a portion of tickets sold on the day of this game will go to Strike Out Cancer Day Fund.

 

Fans may play catch on-field courtesy of Rasmussen College starting at noon. Players and coaches will wear their Brewers-themed jerseys for this game as part of Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan. Bernie Brewer will be at the game for photos with fans. After the game, players will be available for an autograph session sponsored by Tundraland Home Improvements, too.

 

If you can't make it out to the game, the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform.

 

WP: Angel Ventura (5-4)

LP: Jarrett Brown (1-5)

 

TIME: 2:29

ATTN: 4,914

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I apologize as I had a charity golf outing today and I ended up golfing the longest 18 holes of my life, over 6.5 hours and I just couldn't make it to the game so I had to eat a ticket. I really wanted to verify Angel Ventura's velocity tonight, and of course he pitched the best of game of his career just to rub in the fact it didn't work out, but what a performance.

 

Carlos Leal (2-3) had the lone multi-hit game for the Rattlers, he's bumped his ave up to .326, I know I keep saying this but I just have a hard time getting over what a wonderful surprise he's been.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Rain Can’t Slow Mets Offense in Game One Win

Taylor’s Five Shutout Innings Buoy 10-Hit Effort

 

Viera, Fla. – In a game that spanned three days, the St. Lucie Mets (14-13, 49-48

overall) needed little time to warm up on Saturday as they used an early outburst to win

their suspended game over the Brevard County Manatees (12-14, 51-54 overall), 5-1 at

Space Coast Stadium.

In the portion of the game that was played in Port St. Lucie on Thursday, the Manatees

took a quick lead when Omar Garcia reached on an infield single, stole second and third

base and then came home to score on a sacrifice fly by Clint Coulter. Yeixon Ruiz

reached on an infield single in the bottom half of the inning against Manatees starting

pitcher Wei-Chung Wang before the rains ensured no further baseball would be played

that day.

After the rain in Viera prevented a doubleheader from being played on Friday and then

delayed Saturday’s start by two hour and 25 minutes, the Mets took a lead they would not

relinquish against Jorge Ortega, who was working in relief. With the game re-starting on

an 0-2 count, Jeff McNeil slapped the first offering from Ortega into centerfield to

advance Ruiz. They would then successfully executed a double steal to put two in scoring

position for Maikis De La Cruz, who brought home Ruiz on a groundout. After a

Dominic Smith flyout, Matt Oberste doubled to right, plating McNeill to put St. Lucie on

top. Stefan Sabol followed with a base hit to left, bringing home Oberste to cap the

inning.

The Mets padded the lead in the bottom of the third, ignited by a leadoff double by De La

Cruz. After a Smith flyout, Oberste’s single to center would bring home De La Cruz to

increase the Met lead to three.

 

St. Lucie put the game on ice in the bottom of the fifth, which was led off by a De La

Cruz single. He would advance to third when Steven Halcomb misplayed a Smith

grounder at second. That set up runners at the corners for Oberste, who delivered once

again with a single to left but Smith would be thrown out at third by Michael Ratterree

after Smith tried to advance when he overran the ball in left.

After being held scoreless for 21 straight innings coming into the doubleheader, the Mets

logged 10 hits with three each for Oberste and Ruiz.

Logan Taylor earned the win by throwing five shutout innings, giving up just one hit in

the process.

 

Game 1 Box Score

 

The Manatees did almost nothing well in this game. Jorge Ortega had not pitched in almost a week and it showed. He was not sharp and threw far more pitches than normal for him although he only issued one walk.

 

Game 1 Game Log

[WV Brew]

Manatees Overcome 4-0 Deficit, Earn Split in Doubleheader

Brennan’s Two-Run Homer Caps Comeback

 

Viera, Fla. – The Brevard County Manatees (13-14, 42-54 overall) scored the final six

runs of the game in a 6-4 victory over the St. Lucie Mets (14-14, 49-49 overall) in game

two of Saturday’s doubleheader at Space Coast Stadium.

Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the first, Omar Garcia walked to lead things off. With

Chris McFarland batting, Garcia stole second. After St. Lucie starter Miller Diaz retired

two batters, Garcia stole third with Garrett Cooper at the plate. Diaz then uncorked a

wild pitch that scored Garcia and put the Manatees on the board. Cooper drew a walk and

Taylor Brennan followed up with a single to center. After Diaz hit Michael Ratterree,

the bases were loaded for Jose Pena. Pena grounded a ball up the middle that hit the

second base bag and deflected into center field. Both Cooper and Brennan scored to cut

the deficit to just one.

Diaz ran into trouble again in the fifth inning. With the Mets still leading 4-3, Cooper

singled on a liner to left field with no outs. Brennan stepped up and smacked a two-run

homer over the left-center field wall. Brennan’s third home run of the season gave

Brevard County a 5-4 advantage. Ratterree then singled to left field and advanced to

second on a ground out by Pena. Ratterree advanced to third on Diaz’s second wild pitch

of the night. With two outs, Angel Ortega blooped a single down the right field line and

scored Ratterree to complete the scoring.

Tristan Archer (2-4, 4.62 ERA) was brilliant in relief for the Manatees. He tossed five

shutout innings and allowed just three hits to earn the win. He did not walk a batter and

fanned six.

Diaz (5-8, 3.95 ERA) was hit with the loss. He gave up six runs on eight hits in 4.2

frames.

Brevard County starter Brandon Woodruff lasted just two innings. He surrendered four

runs on six hits.

 

The Manatees will start a four-game series with the Palm Beach Cardinals at Space Coast

Stadium tomorrow night. RHP Cy Sneed (2-1, 2.88 ERA) will get the start for Brevard

County. LHP Corey Littrell (5-6, 3.01 ERA) will head to the hill for Palm Beach. First

pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.

 

Game 2 Box Score

 

Tristan Archer, as noted in the story, pitched magnificently in this game. He had been slated to start one of these games had they got in the doubleheader on Friday. Brandon Woodruff had not pitched since June 24th so about a month between appearances for him. Taylor Brennan, after doubling in game 1, had 2 hits including the go ahead home run. Jose Pena had two hits.

 

Game 2 Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers’ Nathan Kirby eased back to mound

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/fe07b4234723d882e8b3da0522cf5d01292bc83a/c=327-0-3249-2197&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/07/25/Appleton/B9318210526Z.1_20150725170212_000_GDDBENOCM.1-0.jpg

 

GRAND CHUTE – Nathan Kirby was jacked after throwing the final pitch to win college baseball’s greatest prize and wanted to celebrate with gusto.

 

But Kirby’s instincts told him to do something else: Get out of the way and don’t get buried on the bottom of the victory dog pile.

 

***

 

Also posted in full (thanks, Eye Black!) in our season-long Timber Rattlers feature article archive thread...

[Mass Haas]

Chapman back on path toward majors

Dustin Kent, Panama City (FL) News Herald Assistant Sports Editor

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — In the fall of 2012, Jaye Chapman got the opportunity of a lifetime. After six seasons and 252 Minor League games, the former Mosley Dolphin and Chipola Indian player was getting called up to the big leagues.

 

***

 

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

[Mass Haas]

PHOTO GALLERY: Timber Rattlers via the Post-Crescent (Friday's game)

 

***

 

Timber Rattlers’ Uhen close to return after month on DL

Alex Wolf, Oshkosh Northwestern Media

 

http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/adeeaaee0585afe32d551d088604947aa42f1e89/c=190-0-3059-2152&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/07/25/Oshkosh/B9318196786Z.1_20150725205100_000_GGLBE9GER.1-0.jpg

 

Josh Uhen, an Oshkosh North graduate, is 1-2 on the season with a 5.93 ERA. (Photo: Gannett Wisconsin Media file photo)

 

GRAND CHUTE – Since having Tommy John surgery done in 2011, Josh Uhen takes even the slightest things seriously when it comes to his elbow.

 

So when Uhen — an Oshkosh North graduate who is in his first year as a member of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers — experienced some pain in his elbow in late June, he decided to take some time off to help recover.

 

After a month of time off and rehab, Uhen is ready to get back onto the field.

 

“I don’t even know if it’s an injury, it’s just one of those things where it was too uncomfortable to throw,” Uhen said. “I just wanted to make sure, because I have had Tommy John surgery in 2011 and now I just have to be careful with things like that and I just wanted to make sure everything was good.”

 

Uhen woke up with pain on June 27, the day after a game in which he gave up nine earned runs in 1 2/3 innings of work. While it turned out to be the worst outing of the season, Uhen said his elbow didn’t bother him while he was pitching.

 

“I felt fine during the game and I came in the first inning of that night and it was probably my best inning all year and I went back out there in the second inning and I was out of the stretch more that inning and just couldn’t find it,” Uhen said. “It was one of those innings where you couldn’t minimize the bleeding, everything went wrong. I woke up the next day and my elbow was a little tight and I got to the field and tried throwing and it was bothering me so just getting that taken care of right now.”

 

When he first got on the disabled list, Uhen would spend four hours throwing and working out to get his elbow healthy each game day.

 

Now, he’s on the same schedule as the rest of the players.

 

“I’m pretty close to coming off (the DL),” Uhen said. “When I was first on DL, we get to field at 1 p.m. and I’m usually busy from rehabbing and working out from 2 p.m. until game time, which is about 7 p.m. It’s usually four hours of work.

 

“Now I’m on normal schedule with other team because I’m close to being back, so I’ll get out to the field at 3 p.m., stretch at 3:30 p.m., condition, have batting practice, then we are on our feet for eight hours a day. It’s a grind, but you get used to it.”

 

Before his injury, Uhen was having a successful first half of the season for the Timber Rattlers, despite what numbers may indicate.

 

He is currently 1-2 with a 5.93 ERA this season, appearing in 20 games. In 27 1/3 innings of work, he has one save, has given up 31 hits and has 30 strikeouts — which is impressive. Before going on the DL, he pitched in the third most games as a relief pitcher.

 

Before his last outing, where he gave up nine runs, Uhen was sporting a 3.16 ERA and had a 10 1/3 scoreless inning streak. But that’s how baseball can be sometimes — a bad inning can make your numbers inflate — so Uhen is trying to stay positive about it.

 

“(The season) has been going well,” he said. “I’ve been learning and taking steps along the way and getting used to playing in a full-season setting. I’m trying to look past that one inning. It’s crazy that one inning can change, at least from an outsiders prospective.

 

“But yeah, if you take away that inning I’ve had good success this year. I found a groove and learning how to pitch out of the bullpen again. I’ve been doing well, I need to build off that inning I struggled in.”

 

Team wise, the Timber Rattlers are struggling. Coming into Thursday’s game, they are currently in last place in the Midwest League Western Division with a 31-65 record.

 

Uhen, however, said the team has been positive and knows that record doesn’t reflect on how the team has been playing.

 

“It’s probably the worst team I’ve been on record-wise, but it’s one of those things where all of the guys get along, all of the work we put in is good work, the stuff before and leading up to the games, the performance on the field is really good and our manager says that all the time,” Uhen said. “We put good work in and that’s why he’s not too frustrated with us because he sees the effort level is there.

 

“It’s tough when the game starts, one day we’ll pitch well and won’t score runs or we’ll score a bunch of runs and won’t pitch well. We’re close to being a solid team and we are losing the close games instead of winning them.”

 

Being a part of the Timber Rattlers, the Class A affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers, has given Uhen the opportunity to play with some major leaguers. Wily Peralta, Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis — current Brewers — all played for the Timber Rattlers for a few games this season during rehab.

 

“It’s cool, you don’t get used to them being there but you see those guys in spring training and get to know them and you learn really quickly and get to see when they play with you that they’re no different than us, they are just playing at a much higher level,” Uhen said. “Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett and Wily Peralta, they are great guys. You hear stories about big leaguers coming down and not being the nicest people but those guys are modest and cool and hang out with us. It’s a cool experience for sure.”

 

Being so close to home has been a huge advantage for Uhen. He is currently living at home with another player — Brandon Diaz — so he’s able to save money.

 

It’s also been an advantage for his family and friends. Being only about a half hour from Fox Cities Stadium, they can watch him play whenever they want.

 

“It so happened that it worked out this year that I’m close to home,” Uhen said. “It’s been fun this year, getting close to home, family and friends. More so, I have a lot of friends living in Milwaukee after college and the Miller Park game was cool watching all of those guys come out there.”

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio (wait, Reindeer Radio) Blog Postgame Entry -- Photos, four brief audio interviews and these video highlights --

 

 

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VIDEO: A second look at the game via the MyNew32 TV broadcast

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Rattlers' Tucker Neuhaus Eyeing Success on the Diamond

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi game --

 

Ejections: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly ejected by HP umpire Alex Ziegler (9th); Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Kyle Skipworth ejected by HP umpire Alex Ziegler (9th)

 

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VIDEO - WOW: You really need to see this show, my favorite part is the resin bag deodorant routine, read the story as well for postgame comments.

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi Game Highlights via the Blue Wahoos --