Link Report for Wednesday 7/29

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: LHP Nick Additon at New Orleans (Marlins), 5:30 PM pre-game, 6:00 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.

 

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Biloxi: RHP Brooks Hall at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 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!

 

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Brevard County: RHP Javier Salas at home vs. Palm Beach (Cardinals), 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.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Eric Hanhold at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 Milton Gomez at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 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): Idle

 

***

 

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

 

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

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

DSL Brewers

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Missoula, MT

 

San Pedro de Macoris, DR

[Mass Haas]

DVR ALERT!

 

Timber Rattlers on local MyNew32 TV tonight, airtime 7:00 PM, dessert after your big league afternoon meal

[Mass Haas]

Colorado Springs' Yadiel Rivera smacks an RBI double as the Sky Sox fall, 5-2, Tuesday, to New Orleans

 

[Mass Haas]

Taylor Green hits a two-run homer in Biloxi's 7-5 Tuesday loss to Jackson

 

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Jake Gatewood's RBI double within the brief highlight package from Tuesday's game in Missoula

[FVBrewerFan]

Here's a wake-up call for some big bats in the system: Arcia, Coulter, Lara. We'll find out if it works.

[Mass Haas]

Suspended: Colorado Springs 0, New Orleans 0, top of the 5th in New Orleans

 

Wednesday's game suspended by rain

MILB.com

 

Severe weather forced the suspension of Wednesday's game between the New Orleans Zephyrs and Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the fifth inning.

 

The Zephyrs and Sky Sox will resume the game on Thursday at 5:30 PM. Colorado Springs will have runners at first and third with two outs in the top of the fifth. The game will be played a full nine innings, to be followed by the night's regularly scheduled game, which will last seven innings.

 

Colorado Springs Partial Box Score

 

No-hitter jinx update!

 

RHP Hiram Burgos allowed zero hits through four innings, and thanks to a lineout double play in the 4th, has faced the minimum.

 

Colorado Springs Partial Game Log

 

So Logan Schafer's a three-hole hitter now, well he could be a big leaguer again soon (Gomez trade).

 

EDIT: Gomez trade, guess not...

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Brewers 10, DSL Yankees2 7

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

The Brewers scored single runs in each of the first three innings, then scored seven over the final three frames to pull out a 10-7 victory over the Yankees. 21-year-old Rodrigo Benoit started and went seven innings, allowing three earned runs, and got the win. Joaquin De La Cruz gave up three runs over the final two innings but picked up the save. Third baseman Josue Herrera doubled and tripled while Nicol Valderrey and Julio Mendez each added three hits. Ignacio Otaño went 2-for-5 with a triple.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Eric Hanhold RHP

• Missed first 22 pitches in traffic jam.
  All velocities are likely 1-2 MPH off (low) due to seat location.
  Pitch 33 is 2nd HR

 

[pre]01) 86 (21) 80

02) 82 (22) 88

03) 88 (23) 87

04) 81 (24) 87

05) 89 (25) 82

06) 87 (26) 87

07) 90 (27) 27

08) 88 (28) 88

09) 90 (29) 87

10) 81 (30) 81

11) 88 (31) 77

12) 88 (32) 87

13) 88 (33) 86

14) 88 (34) 78

15) 90 (35) 81

16) 83 (36) 79

17) 83 (37) 89

18) 87 (38) 83

19) 89 (39) 91

20) 89[/pre]

[TheCrew07]

Castillo delivers walkoff hit for Rattlers fifth straight win

Wisconsin beats Peoria 4-3 on Wednesday night

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/0/6/139630606/cuts/7_July_29_Celebration_WEB_wkwdg78w_2ojsl92y.jpg

Francisco Castillo is mobbed by his teammates after his walkoff hit on Wednesday night.

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Francisco Castillo drove in the game-winning run for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in a 4-3 walkoff victory over the Peoria Chiefs on Wednesday night. The Rattlers trailed 3-2 heading to the bottom of the eighth, but Castillo had a hand in the tying run and the winning run to send the Rattlers to their fifth straight win.

 

The Chiefs (54-47 overall, 21-12 second half) were up 2-0 two batters into the game. Oscar Mercado drew a leadoff walk and stole second base to start the game. Paul DeJong followed with a homer to the beach in right-center and Peoria was in front.

 

Wisconsin (36-66, 13-19) tied the game in the bottom of the second on their own two-run homer. Sthervin Matos singled with one out. Alan Sharkey lined the first pitch he saw to right for his third homer of the season and a 2-2 tie.

 

Peoria used the long ball to go back in front in the top of the fifth. Kenny Peoples-Wall cracked a solo homer to left with one out and the Chiefs were up 3-2. Scott Lieser came out of the Wisconsin bullpen after a one out single to relieve starting pitcher Eric Hanhold. Lieser kept the Rattler close with 3-2/3 scoreless innings out of the pen. Lieser allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out two.

 

Castillo started the Wisconsin comeback with a double off the top of the wall in left to start the bottom of the eighth inning. A bunt by Matos moved him to third base. Peoria reliever Steve Sabatino got the second out of the inning and kept Castillo at third. Then, the Chiefs went to right-handed closer Kyle Grana in to face right-hand hitting Luis Aviles. Grana got Aviles to swing at two straight curves for strikes, but Aviles blooped a third straight curve to shallow left near the line just out of the reach of Peoples-Walls to drive in Aviles with the tying run.

 

Luke Curtis took over for Lieser to start the top of the ninth and pitched around a leadoff walk and a two-out single to set the stage for the bottom of the ninth.

 

Grana, who had been 15-for-15 in save opportunities this season prior to Wednesday night, got the first out in the bottom of the ninth, but walked Blake Allemand, Carlos Leal, and Elvis Rubio to load the bases. That brought Castillo back to the plate and a five-man infield drawn-in on the grass for the Chiefs defense.

 

Castillo was down 1-2 in the count, but he lined the next pitch inside the first base bag and into right field to score Allemand for the game winning hit. This was Castillo's second walkoff with the Timber Rattlers. He also had a walkoff sacrifice fly to beat Quad Cities on June 2, 2014.

 

Wisconsin has won five straight games for the first time this season. They have also won six straight home games dating back to a victory over Quad Cities on July 17.

 

The final game of the series is Thursday afternoon. Jon Perrin (1-1, 6.32) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Austin Gomber (10-3, 3.36) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 12:05pm.

 

The first 1,000 fans to attend Thursday's game will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers outfielder Brandon Diaz courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. This is poster number seven in a series of ten that are being given away this season. A 95.9 KISS-FM Thirsty Thursday means soda, beer, and Arty's Old Fashioned drinks are available for just $2. Since this is an afternoon game, the Baker Tilly Business Person Special and the WVBO/WNAM Seniors Special is available for this game, too!

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform.

 

HOME RUNS:

PEO:

Paul DeJong (2nd, 1 on in 1st inning off Eric Hanhold, 0 out)

Kenny Peoples-Walls (5th, 0 on in 5th inning off Eric Hanhold, 1 out)

 

WIS:

Alan Sharkey (3rd, 1 on in 2nd inning off Dewin Perez, 1 out)

 

WP: Luke Curtis (7-2)

LP: Kyle Grana (1-2)

 

TIME: 2:52

ATTN: 6,009

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

I haven't been to a Wednesday game since my brother bought the restaurant (6 years) so I had forgotten what a zoo those games are... I was actually on track to be 40 minutes early so I could get some shopping in but didn't get to my seat until there were 2 outs in the top of the 1st. Regardless, what a fun game to attend.

 

Alan Sharkey has pull power, but I haven't seen him go the opposite way with power so far this season. Blake Allemand (2-4,BB) and the hero Francisco Castillo (2-5,2B) had the multi hit games for the Rattlers. Omar Cotto made a real nice sliding/diving catch in the 6th and Sthervin Matos also made a very nice play down the 3B line but somehow Sharkey dropped the throw.

 

I believe Devin Williams is being skipped this time through but I haven't verified that, and the timing stinks because I only need him, Angel Ventura, and John Uhen and I've gotten all of the pitchers on the gun.

 

Scott Lieser and Luke Curtis both have legit velocity but need to work on the rest of their arsenal.

 

Wisconsin Recap

 

edit. Forgot to include a note I had written about Carlos Leal... I haven't seen a legit steal on him in months, every successful steal is first move on the pitcher. He'll have an occasional poor throw, usually high, but on those he rushes because the runner has such a head start and he didn't really have a chance from the start.

[TheCrew07]

Scott Lieser RHP

• Once again velocity readings will be low

 

[pre]01) 89 (21) 90 (41) 87

02) 76 (22) 76 (42) 89

03) 73 (23) 90 (43) 87

04) 75 (24) 89 (44) 76

05) 70 (25) 89 (45) 79

06) 73 (26) 88

07) 90 (27) 90

08) 88 (28) 88

09) 77 (29) 74

10) 78 (30) 88

11) 72 (31) 89

12) 89 (32) 87

13) 86 (33) 87

14) 88 (34) 86

15) 78 (35) 84

16) 88 (36) 77

17) 88 (37) 74

18) 90 (38) 86

19) 77 (39) 88

20) 89 (40) 87[/pre]

[TheCrew07]

Luke Curtis RHP

• These readings are accurate I was able to move lower

 

[pre]01) 94

02) 92

03) 93

04) 93

05) 93

06) 90

07) 92

08) 93

09) 83

10) 94

11) 81

12) 93

13) 93

14) 93

15) 93

16) 92

17) 84

18) 92

19) 92

20) 83

21) 81

22) 93

23) 92[/pre]

[bkrause2]

Final: Jackson 3, Biloxi 2

 

Shuckers drop second straight to open series on Wednesday

Victor Roache and Michael Reed up on-base streaks to 14 games in the loss

Biloxi Shuckers

 

http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/7/4/139636374/cuts/BRP_7379_mo1u3vhr_5bqlevbf.jpg

Michael Reed extended his on-base streak to 14 games in the loss on Wednesday. (Benton Reed Photography)

 

BILOXI, MS – The Shuckers dropped their second-straight game to start a series for the second-straight set, falling 3-2, to the Jackson Generals on Wednesday night at MGM Park. The loss dropped Biloxi to 11-15 in July, ensuring the first month of the Inaugural Season, under .500.

 

Biloxi (14-17) utilized the extensions of on-base streaks to 14 games from both Michael Reed (1x2, R, 2 BB) and Victor Roache (1x4, RBI, 3B) to take an early lead in the first. With two outs, Reed’s walk was followed by Roache’s third triple as a Shucker to put the home team up, 1-0. Roache is batting .390 over the 14-game on-base streak with 11 extra-base hits and a .456 on-base percentage and Reed is batting .306 with six extra-base hits and a .443 on-base percentage.

 

Shuckers’ starting pitcher Brooks Hall (7-7) worked around four singles, an error and a walk to make his way through the first five innings, but came an inning short of being eligible for a quality start.

 

The game would be delayed with one out in the top of fifth inning by rain, but the game resumed promptly after a 27 minute delay.

 

Jackson’s (10-21) Tyler Smith started the sixth with a home run off of Hall to tie the game at one. Julio Morban followed with a double and came around to score on Dan Paolini’s RBI single, knocking Hall from the game after taking a 2-1 lead.

 

Biloxi manager Carlos Subero summoned Manny Barreda (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 SO) from the bullpen who struck out Jordy Lara to begin his appearance, but a single by Tyler Marletee and a hit batter by Aderlin Rodriguez loaded the bases for the Generals. A single by Tyler Bortnick moved the runners up 90 feet and plated Paolini to put the Shuckers in a two-run hole.

 

Hall struck out six batters for the fourth time this season in his five-plus innings of work, allowing all three runs on seven hits and a walk while tossing 85 pitches – 55 for strikes.

 

The Shuckers crawled within a run in the seventh after a Josh Fellhauer (0x3, R, BB) started the frame with a free pass and came around to score all the way from first on Nick Shaw’s (1x3, RBI, BB) double.

 

Damien Magnifico (IP, 2 BB) made his fist appearance out of the bullpen since July 10 and walked two, but did not allow a run in an inning of work.

 

Biloxi’s bullpen did not allow a run for the third straight game and has not allowed a run in its last 13 innings dating back to July 25 against the Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

 

Biloxi will look to get back into the series on Thursday night in game three of the five-game set. RHP Tyler Wagner (7-5, 2.53) will toe the rubber for the Shuckers, while the Generals will counter with RHP Stephen Landazuri (0-2, 4.14). 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 www.biloxishuckers.com.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Biloxi Game Log

[WV Brew]

Petree, Beach Birds Blank Brevard, 9-0

By Jerry Durney / Brevard County Manatees

07/29/2015 11:26 PM ET

 

 

Viera, Fla. - The Palm Beach Cardinals (23-9, 55-47 overall) scored early and often in a 9-0 victory over the Brevard County Manatees (14-17, 43-57 overall) on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

The Cardinal offense first came to life in the top of the second inning against Manatees starting pitcher Javi Salas. Luke Voit started the inning with a base hit to left and then advanced when Blake Drake hit a tapper back to the mound that Salas fielded, but his throw to first base pulled Taylor Brennan off of the bag, putting two on. Following a Carson Kelly groundout, Derek Gibson brought home both runners with an opposite-field single to left to give Palm Beach a lead they would never relinquish.

 

The surprise of the night would lead off the top of the third as C.J. McElroy took a Salas pitch to the opposite field and into the Palm Beach for his second home run of the season and professional career.

 

The game would be put out of reach the following inning, which was led off by a walk to Voit. Drake singled to right and moved Voit up to second. After Salas uncorked a wild pitch, Kelly plated the fourth run of the game with a sacrifice fly to right field. Gibson followed up with an RBI single to center field that scored Drake. After a Robelys Reyes single, McElroy delivered another run with the second sac fly of the inning. Danny Diekroeger followed up with a single to put runners on the corners. Brett Wiley then doubled to deep center field to score both runs and end Salas' night. Tristan Archer was summoned from the bullpen. After a wild pitch advanced Wiley to third, Collin Radack reached first on a strike out and a wild pitch. Wiley touched home on the play to complete the scoring.

 

Salas (7-7, 3.93 ERA) was saddled with the loss. He surrendered nine runs - seven earned - on eight hits over 3.2 innings.

 

Archer was one of the lone bright spots for the Manatees. He tossed 4.1 scoreless innings and struck out four. Tyler Spurlin pitched a scoreless ninth inning.

 

Nick Petree (3-2, 3.05 ERA) was dominant in the win. He threw seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit. He did not walk a batter and fanned five.

 

The Manatees will head on the road tomorrow to start a four-game series with the Jupiter Hammerheads. RHP Brandon Woodruff (1-4, 4.44 ERA) is scheduled to start for Brevard County. First pitch at Roger Dean Stadium is at 6:35 p.m.

 

____________________________________

 

The good news: Javi Salas had a 1-2-3 first inning and averaged 96 MPH in the frame. Everything went downhill from there. Javi failed to get through 4 innings, throwing 80+ pitches in the process. His last good start was June 17th when he went 9 innings. Since then:

 

6/26 5.1 IP 6 H 4 ER

7/01 5.2 IP 6 H 3 ER

7/07 6.0 IP 9 H 3 ER

7/12 3.2 IP 8 H 3 ER

7/18 4.0 IP 6 H 5 ER

7/29 3.2 IP 8 H 7 ER

 

They skipped his turn last time but the results are still bad. This is Javi's first full professional season and maybe he has hit a wall physically. I'm not watching the games but it seems to me that when he reaches these higher velocity levels, he has a tendency to get the ball up in the strike zone and/or his ball straightens out at higher speeds and he becomes easier to hit.

Dustin Houle and Taylor Brennan got singles. Manatees drew zero walks. That's the offense.

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: RHP Mark Williams joins the Manatees Radio Network to talk about the keys to his recent success out of the bullpen

[Mass Haas]

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Entry -- Multiple photos, multiple audio interviews, multiple videos -- yeah, you'll click...

 

***

 

MORE VIDEO: Another look at the Rattlers game via the MyNew32 TV broadcast

[Mass Haas]

Final: Missoula 10, Helena 4

 

Osprey win it 10-4 to split series

Helena Brewers

 

The Missoula Osprey (1-1) picked up a 10-4 win on Wednesday to split their two-game series with the Helena Brewers (1-1) to start the second half.

 

Bo Takahashi (5-0) sent his winning streak to five games, pitching a sloppy five innings, giving up four runs and five hits. He would walk four and strike out five. It would be enough for the victory, however, as the Brewers surrendered nine runs in the first four innings.

 

It was the third and fourth frames that would allow the Osprey to run away with this one, as they scored four runs in each.

 

Milton Gomez (2-1) was dealt his first loss of the season, giving up five runs in three innings on eight hits.

 

Jake Gatewood added his 15th double of the year for Helena. He is just two off the league lead which belongs to Missoula's Austin Byler.

 

Marcus Wilson went 3-for-4 for the O's, picking up his eighth double of the year and scoring three runs.

 

Luke Lowery would also add two triples for Missoula, scoring two runs and batting in two.

 

Conor Harber was solid in relief for the Brewers, pitching two shutout innings and facing just one over the minimum.

 

The Osprey pitching staff stymied the Brewers down the stretch, having a streak of eight consecutive batters retired on strikeouts. They would strike out 14 in the game.

 

The Brewers now head to Great Falls to take on the Voyagers in a four-game series. First pitch on Thursday from Centene Stadium is set for 7:00 PM (8:00 Central).

 

***

 

Birds beat up on Brewers, 10-4

By A.J. Mazzolini, The Missoulian

 

Everyone's heard of rally caps, baseball's form of good juju from the fans to stoke an offensive fire. Some, perhaps, are even familiar with the rally monkey from a few years back.

 

Well, make way for the rally duck.

 

After a loss to open the second half of the Pioneer League schedule against the Helena Brewers on Tuesday, a four-run third inning that featured stray waterfowl sparked the Missoula Ducks – err, make that Osprey – to a 10-4 victory.

 

Moments after Luke Lowery clubbed a triple to the right gap in Helena's outfield, a long drive that scored Marcus Wilson all the way from first base, a lost duck buzzed the diamond and went beak-first into the netting behind home plate, fluttered to the backstop dirt.

 

After a brief timeout called by home plate umpire Ryan Thacker to allow the bird to soar away – it refused, settling comfortably into the foul (fowl?) territory grass – play resumed. On the very next pitch, Lowery scampering home on a wild pitch.

 

"Tough little duck," Lowery said. "That was a little bizarre start, but it worked well I guess. We scored some runs."

 

The bird was shooed away in between innings – after another run-in with the net, sparkling in Missoula's setting sun – but the Osprey had more work to do up 5-1.

 

The O's added another four-spot in the fourth with a few more wacky bounces. With the bases loaded, Lowery struck out swinging, but the pitch in the dirt rode Helena catcher Mitch Ghelfi's shinguard like a ramp and sailed over the backstop net to keep them juiced and move all the runners up a slot.

 

Austin Byler promptly cleared them with a double, the third run on the aid of an error in left field. The O's led by a whopping 9-1 margin.

 

"It's been a bizarre summer," Osprey manager Joe Mather began. "We've seen some things that we hadn't seen in baseball in, oh, however many years we've all been around.

 

"I think that's somewhat normal for this level, though. They kind of surprise you every day."

 

Helena wasn't without offense, though.

 

The Brewers got their first run in the top half of the third on a nifty double steal play. Troy Stokes drew a walk then went all the way to third on Joantgel Segovia's single. When Segovia took off for second, drawing a throw from Lowery, the Missoula catcher, Stokes broke for home and scored easily.

 

"We were up 1-nothing at the time and it was early, so we were going to let Luke try and throw that guy out," Mather said. "It kind of ended up being the worst scenario for us with both guys safe, but we were going for the out."

 

Helena also put together a quick three-run rally in the fifth when O's starting pitcher Bo Takahashi briefly lost his command. Takahashi, who moved to 5-0 by pitching the first five innings, served up three hits and a wild pitch and another passed ball to give Helena the smallest glimmer of hope.

 

The Osprey bullpen was having none of it, though. Starting in the sixth inning, three O's pitchers combined to strike out eight straight Helena batters. Austin Mason had a pair to end the sixth and then Cody Clark and Gabriel Moya struck out the side, respectively, in the seventh and eighth.

 

"We just got into a rhythm right there," said Clark, whose team racked up 14 Ks in all. "You hope (to pass it on), and we did. Great night for the bullpen."

 

Missoula totaled 12 hits with four batters each clubbing at least two, Wilson tops among them with three. Lowery smacked a pair, both going for triples to the same deep section of Ogren-Allegiance Park.

 

"I'd be honest with you, I was a little tired," Lowery joked about his second three-bagger, completing his first two-triple game since maybe Little League. "But I'll never be ashamed to hit a triple."

 

To go with all those hits from their batters and strikeouts from their pitchers, the Osprey also stole four bases, turned a double play and got an outfield assist from Jake Peevyhouse. The left fielder smoked Helena's Steven Karkenny at second trying to stretch a single in the first inning.

 

"Clean game and bullpen was lights out," Mather said. "It's how they come to the yard. They don't like losing."

 

The Osprey improved to 1-1 in the second half, 24-15 overall with a first-half title in tow. Helena is 1-1 as well, 17-21 overall.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Helena Game Log