Link Report for Saturday 8/1 -- This Just In: Michael Reed is Comfortable At Colorado Springs

[Mass Haas]

Story on a retiring Brewers' Biloxi farmhand in our Transaction Thread...

[Mass Haas]

Macias' return lifts Shuckers past Generals

Doug Barber, Special to the Biloxi Sun-Herald

 

http://media.sunherald.com/smedia/2015/07/31/19/57/WDvn5.AuSt.77.JPG

 

Shuckers shortstop Orlando Arcia fields a ground ball against Jackson (Photo by Tim Isbell / Sun Herald)

 

BILOXI - Biloxi third baseman Brandon Macias celebrated his return from the disabled list Saturday night with a clutch two-run single as the Biloxi Shuckers took the rubber game of the best-of-5 series - 2-0 over the Jackson Generals at MGM Park.

 

Macias snapped a scoreless deadlock with a two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Shuckers improved to 60-42 overall, 17-17 in the second half of the season. It was the third straight win for Biloxi.

 

Then starting pitcher Jorge Lopez (10-4) worked out of a one-out bases-loaded jam in the top of the eighth inning. Lopez worked eight innings, giving up six hits while striking out six. He gave way to Damien Magnifico in the ninth, and the reliever faced the minimum of three batters to preserve the win.

 

"It's always fun, I've been on the DL for seven days,'' Macias said. "It was a good game for me. "That's something you've always looked for as a kid, two outs and runners on second and third. As a kid, you are telling yourself to hit a home run. I just told myself (tonight) to try not to do too much. And I got a slider and hit it back up the middle.''

 

The Shuckers head to Mobile on Sunday to face the BayBears at 5:05 PM, the start of a five-game road trip. Biloxi returns home on Aug. 7 to begin a 10-game homestand, with series against the Mississippi Braves and Pensacola Blue Wahoos.

 

The Shuckers broke through in the seventh against relief pitcher Andrew Kittredge. Nick Ramirez led off with a walk, and Josh Fellhauer hit an opposite-field double to left. With two outs, Macias singled to center for a 2-0 lead.

 

Macias went 2-for-3 in his return. Ramirez was 2-for-2 and Orlando Arcia went 2-for-4. Ian Miller and Tyler Smith each had two hits for the Generals.

 

Kittredge was the losing pitcher in relief of starter Misael Siverio, who worked five scoreless innings.

 

Before Saturday's game, it was announced that Shuckers' outfielder Michael Reed and pitcher Mike Strong have moved up to Class AAA Colorado Springs while Biloxi pitcher Johnny Hellweg returned to Class A Brevard County.

 

Outfielder Brett Phillips, who was acquired by Milwaukee in a trade with Houston, reported to Biloxi and was in the starting lineup. Even though he went 0-for-4, he did make a spectacular running catch in center field off a shot by Jabari Henry in the third inning.

[Mass Haas]

Timber Rattlers’ Ponce has tools to make it big

Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media

 

Also posted in full for archiving purposes within our 2015 Timber Rattlers' feature article thread...

[Mass Haas]

http://bloximages.newyork1.vip.townnews.com/qconline.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/be/7be62f6c-5992-54e8-93b5-de0320a72620/55bd911cc2ad4.image.jpg?resize=760%2C544

 

Quad Cities' River Bandits catcher Garrett Stubbs is tagged out by Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Francisco Castillo, doing the splits in order to catch the ball and tag out Strubbs at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport. Meg McLaughlin photo / qconline.com

[Mass Haas]

Final: Great Falls 6, Helena 4

 

Voyagers win third straight with big 8th inning

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (1-4) lost their fourth straight on Saturday with a 6-4 loss to the Great Falls Voyagers (4-1) at Centene Stadium.

 

Alex Farina made his first professional start for the Brewers, going four innings, giving up two runs on three hits. It would be the first runs he has given up in pro ball, coming in his eighth appearance.

 

The Voyagers took an early lead when Johan Cruz hit a solo homer in the first. They added to the tally with an RBI single from Landon Lassiter in the third to make it 2-0.

 

Helena tied it up with two runs in the fifth. Carlos Belonis scored on a throwing error by third basemen Johan Cruz and Steven Karkenny later singled to score Jose Cuas. Cuas would go 2-for-5 with a run and a stolen base.

 

Great Falls wasted no time in regaining the lead, scoring two in the bottom of the fifth. Dante Flores came up with a two-RBI double to score both Casey Schroeder and Jackson Glines.

 

With a 4-4 tie late in the game, the Voyagers would take the lead for the second straight night in the eighth innings. Antonio Rodriguez came up with an RBI triple off Bubba Blau (2-4) to score Cruz and came in to score himself on a throwing error from Jake Gatewood.

 

The Voyagers have now secured the series victory going into the final game of the four-game set. First pitch on Sunday is set for 1:00 PM 92:00 Central).

 

Helena Box Score

 

RF Carlos Belonis, again batting 9th, was 3-for-4 with a double.

 

Helena Game Log

 

Team RISP: 2-for-15.

Team LOB: 11.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Iowa 13, Colorado Springs 8

 

Early I-Cubs Onslaught Dooms Sox in 13-8 Loss

 

The Sky Sox fell victim to an early scoring barrage in their 13-8 series-opening loss to the Iowa Cubs before an Avengers night crowd of 8,294 at Security Service Field on Saturday.

 

Sox starter Josh Roenicke (5-8, 5.38) surrendered four first-inning runs (three earned) on four base hits, including a leadoff home run to straight away centerfield off the bat of Iowa speedster John Andreoli. Two costly errors did not help the right-hander’s effort as the game’s second batter Matt Szczur reached on a fielding error by shortstop Yadiel Rivera before moving into scoring position on an errant Roenicke pick-off attempt. Javy Baez struck out in the next at-bat before Christian Villanueva, Rubi Silva and Mike Olt strung together consecutive base hits to extend the Cubs lead to 4-0. Silva’s two-run double proved the biggest blow of the frame as Taylor Davis followed Olt’s RBI single by grounding into an inning-ending 1-4-3 double play.

 

Andreoli’s lead-off blast represented only the second time an Iowa Cubs player has hit a lead-off homer in a game against the Sky Sox. The only other instance was on July 2nd, 2003 when former Sky Sox outfielder Trenidad Hubbard took Sky Sox pitcher Chris Michalak deep to leadoff the contest at Security Service Field. Iowa ended up winning 16-3 that night.

 

After a scoreless home first, Roenicke looked to be settling down in the second as he retired Iowa’s eight and nine hitters with relative ease for the frame’s first two outs. The I-Cubs’ potent offense would not go away quietly however as six straight batters reached with two outs in the inning on five hits and a walk. Baez’s two-run double and Villanueva’s RBI single extended Iowa’s lead to a whopping seven runs through two.

 

Roenicke would endure one more difficult inning, allowing four runs in the third, none of which were earned, on four more hits, a walk and Rivera’s second fielding error of the night. Baez, Villanueva and Silva, Iowa’s 3-4-5 hitters combined to drive in the four-runs with Silva’s two-run double capping the Cub’s third inning scoring. After the four-run frame, the aforementioned heart of Iowa’s lineup had driven in nine total runs through its first three trips to the plate.

 

Colorado Springs would finally get to Iowa starter Tsuyoshi Wada (3-4, 3.54) in the home third, breaking through for three runs on four hits to cut into the brief 11-run lead. Luis Sardinas doubled with one out before a Jason Rogers strikeout brought Matt Clark to the plate with the chance to put his team on the board. The leftfielder would do just that, lining a single to left to plate Sardinas with the home team’s first run. Matt Dominguez and newest Sox position player Michael Reed roped back-to-back doubles with Reed’s plating the Sox second and third runs. The recently promoted outfielder’s two-bagger was his second of the night, recording doubles in his first two Triple-A at-bats. Reed would make his presence felt at the plate once more before the night was through.

 

Roenicke tossed a scoreless fourth before being lifted in favor of Tim Dillard for the start of the fifth. The tough evening resulted in Roenicke allowing 11 runs (six earned) on 14 hits and two walks while racking up just one strikeout along the way. Conversely, the side-slinging Dillard turned in four no-hit frames for the Sky Sox, issuing just one free pass while striking out six I-Cubs batters.

 

The Sox added two more runs in the fifth thanks to a Dominguez run-scoring single and an RBI sac fly by Reed, giving the Brewers’ 14th best prospect, according to Baseball America, a three RBI game in his Sky Sox debut. Wada gave the Cubs one more scoreless frame in the sixth before departing with an 11-5 lead. The Japanese import finished his night having allowed five runs one nine hits and two walks while striking out four over six, doing just enough to earn the win.

 

Colorado Springs scratched three more across in the game’s final two frames as a Rogers infield single against Armando Rivero in the eighth plated Matt Long with the sixth Sox run before tacking on two more in a mini ninth-inning rally against lefty Joe Ortiz. Dominguez led off the inning with a single before Reed drilled a run-scoring triple to the right-centerfield gap, cutting the Iowa lead to 13-7 with no out in the Sox final at-bat. With the three-bagger, Reed completed a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three extra base hits, a walk, a run scored and four RBI. Rivera grounded out to second to send Reed home from third before Long flew out to end the ballgame, securing a 13-8 I-Cubs win. Iowa improves to 57-50 with the victory, dropping Colorado Springs to 43-62 on the season.

 

The Sky Sox will look to avenge Saturday night’s loss in game two of this four-game set on Sunday evening with first pitch slated for 6:05 PM MDT (7:05 Central) at Security Service Field.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Have a AAA debut, Michael Reed!

 

Matt Clark (again in left field) and Matt Dominguez joined Reed with three-hit games.

 

Despite a two-hit game here for Luis Sardinas, the young infielders Saradinas and Yadiel Rivera are a combined 13-for-69 (.188 with one walk) in their last ten games.

 

RHP Austin Ross finding the AAA scene rough, touched up for four hits and two pile-on runs in the 9th, seven runs over two innings in his last three appearances...

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

Ejections: Iowa Cubs Manager Marty Pevey ejected by HP umpire Alberto Ruiz (4th)

 

Your team is up 11-3 in the 4th and you get booted?

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via KKTV: Look for it on the right sidebar, see one of Michael Reed's doubles on his double-double-sacrifice fly-walk-triple perfect night (in that order).

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: AZL Brewers 4, AZL Diamondbacks 2

 

Maryvale Game One Box Score

 

Four-run A-Crew 3rd inning (all scoring with two outs) offset a two-run D-Backs 6th in this seven-inning opener. Five of Maryvale's seven hits came in that inning, none bigger than Gregory Munoz's two-run single. It's rare to see a rookie ball frame like that not aided by opponent walks and errors, just raking here.

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 3rd

 

Max McDowell singles on a line drive to left fielder Logan Soole.

Yerald Martinez singles on a line drive to left fielder Logan Soole. Max McDowell to 2nd.

Kevin Martinez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Brent Jones to first baseman Ismael Pena. Max McDowell to 3rd. Yerald Martinez to 2nd.

Trent Clark strikes out swinging.

Gregory Munoz singles on a ground ball to center fielder Evan Marzilli. Max McDowell scores. Yerald Martinez scores. Gregory Munoz to 2nd.

Gilbert Lara doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder Francis Martinez. Gregory Munoz scores.

Demi Orimoloye doubles (8) on a line drive to center fielder Evan Marzilli. Gilbert Lara scores.

Pitching Change: Luis Castillo replaces Brent Jones.

With Juan Ortiz batting, Demi Orimoloye steals (14) 3rd base.

Juan Ortiz called out on strikes.

 

Glad to see catcher Kevin Martinez (DH'ing in this one) contribute with the sacrifice bunt in the inning above. The kid is now 0-for-23 on his Helena/Maryvale season (five walks).

 

Maryvale Game One Game Log

 

18-year-old 3rd round RHP Nash Walters opened with two scoreless (first outing since a wild effort on 7/21) -- nice coaching on the comeback Saturday.

 

LHP Jarret Martin's rehab continued, and wonderful to see RHP Miguel Diaz (right elbow fracture, surgery last March) round into form on the comeback trail with two scoreless (four K's).

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game Two: AZL Diamondbacks 7, AZL Brewers 3

 

Brewers the "home team" for this one in the opposing ballpark...

 

Maryvale Game Two Box Score

 

D-Backs' kids scored in five of their seven innings.

 

To be honest, it hasn't been a very pretty summer for 22-year-old 20th round RHP David Lucroy (actually, we can say the same about his older brother, can't we?).

 

Lucroy (WHIP 1.76, 26.2 IP) was touched for five runs his 2.2 inning start here, and has allowed multiple runs in each of his last five appearances, none longer than four innings.

 

Nice work by LHP Shawn Clowers behind Lucroy to keep things close.

 

Maryvale Game Two Game Log

 

Nice! Welcome back to big first baseman Tyrone Perry, first game since 7/22. He didn't miss a beat here, yanking a homer to right in his 2nd at-bat and later adding a single.

[Eye Black]

Despite the shutout, probably not Jorge Lopez best start for much of the game last night. As Chris Harris noted during the game broadcast he was having trouble getting his curveball to catch the corner for a strike and according to Chris relied on it much less than normal. Still he very much looked the part to me. His clean over the top delivery is so smooth and aside from maybe short arming some breaking pitches, it seemed relatively well repeated throughout the night.

 

Have to mention the defensive display by Biloxi was exceptional last night. Beyond Phillips running to the warning track for an over the shoulder catch as linked above, there were several nice plays throughout the night. Great job by Orlando Arcia on a first inning rundown using pump fakes to tie up a runner he was able to tag out himself. Arcia also threw some absolute BB's to first as well. One great play "that wasn't" due to what I think may have been a bad call was Jorge Lopez bare handing a ball chopped to the 3B side of the mound and throwing a one hopper to 1B in what appeared to beat the runner who was called safe. The best of the night, and the one I was really disappointed MiLB didn't post, was second baseman Nate Orf's incredible play in the 9th ranging to the left side of second base and stabbing a ball that looked clearly beyond his reach, then making a perfect Jeter-esqe jump throw to 1B for the out.

 

Lastly, while Brett Phillips had a forgettable debut at the plate, his bat speed is notable even on the pitches he was swinging through. He swung and missed a fare amount last night, but it appeared like he was ahead of most of the pitches from a timing standpoint. Very much looking forward to following his development over the next month, unfortunately it is tough timing in that the Shuckers won't be on MiLB.TV this upcoming series beginning today.