Link Report for Saturday 8/8 -- Shuckers and Chukars Included

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Hiram Burgos at Oklahoma City (Dodgers), 6:35 PM pre-game, 7:05 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.

 

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Biloxi: RHP Adrian Houser at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 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! All the Biloxi games for the rest of the season are available via MiLB.TV.

 

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Brevard County: RHP Cy Sneed at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:30 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link (Blue Jays' feed)

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Cody Ponce at Great Lakes (Dodgers), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime; expect RHP David Burkhalter to pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

 

Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio.

 

NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity.

 

NOTE: Great Lakes does make its games available via MiLB.TV.

 

***

 

Helena: RHP Jordan Yamamoto at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 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 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 Saturday'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

 

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:

 

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Dunedin, FL

 

Midland, MI

 

Helena, MT

 

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]

Colorado Springs' Domingo Santana mashes a two-run homer in the eighth inning of a 6-3 Friday win over Oklahoma City

 

[Mass Haas]

Baseball America Hot Prospect Sheet Chat with Matt Eddy --

 

Tim (Mil): Brett Phillips power seems to have faded since his promotion to AA. Were his power numbers a result of the ballparks he was playing in? What can we expect from him when he reaches Milwaukee?

 

Matt Eddy: Power development certainly will be the separator for new Brewers OF prospect Brett Phillips in terms of whether he will be merely an average regular or an above-average player. Lancaster plays as an extreme hitter’s and power hitter’s park, as you note, but Phillips still produced above-average power in the Cal League even after making park adjustments, and he did hit 13 HR in the Midwest League in 2014. While Phillips has many positive attributes, and is a top 50 prospect in the game, I would like to see him make more contact and prove he can handle CF. I am generally optimistic about his all-around skill set, but he ultimately might not have a carrying tool. And keep in mind that teams rarely trade blue-chip position prospects, at least not at the July deadline.

 

Nathan (Madison, WI): How improved is the Brewers farm system this season? Do you see them as a top 15 farm system?

 

Matt Eddy: They might be a top 15 system now on the strength of the enhanced depth. SS Orlando Arcia and OF Brett Phillips are top 20-ish prospects in the game, and both could be ready in 2016. That’s a good place to start. Zach Davies and Josh Hader also could join the rotation next year. Miller Park could be a good landing spot for Domingo Santana, too, because it plays favorably for HR hitters.

 

Brian (Wisconsin): Domingo Santana appears to put up big numbers in Triple A and already had a big offensive game for the Sky Sox. What holds him back from getting more buzz as an impact major leaguer?

 

Matt Eddy: A sky-high strikeout rate and ugly, ugly major league debut with the Astros last year are marks against Domingo Santana. However, I think he’s a worthwhile gamble for a team in a HR hitter’s park, such as the Brewers. For me, though, he’s third among the players Milwaukee acquired, behind Phillips and Hader.

[DHonks]

Thanks for the link Mass. I really hope the Brewers are patient with Santana. His player profile reminds me of late-to-develop Latin stars like Carlos Gomez, Jose Bautista, Jose Guillen, and Nelson Cruz. The strikeouts got tamed at later stages and the ball contact improved as they learned the nuances of pitch selection

[Mass Haas]

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

AUDIO: Friday's interview with Dir. of Baseball Operations Tom Flanagan

[WV Brew]

The Brewer Nation ‏@BrewerNation 13m13 minutes ago

 

Gord Ash also informed the media this afternoon that @twillyflash needs Tommy John surgery after all. Bad news for a guy whose stock was up.

 

I guess we were expecting this. Still very disappointing. Personally, I think they were wise to try to avoid TJ if possible but now time has been lost.

[bkrause2]

Final: DSL Braves 7, DSL Brewers 4

 

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

It was a rare short outing for Carlos Luna who lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on five hits. 6'4" 20-year-old Yan De La Cruz tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit, but Isaac Silva gave up three runs, though only one was earned, in the top of the ninth and was charged with the loss.

 

First baseman Nicol Valderrey led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in. Right fielder Anderson Jesus also had two hits for the Brewers. Franly Mallen tripled, walked and scored two runs. He started at second base before moving over to shortstop after Ignacio Otaño left the game after the sixth inning.

 

DSL Brewers Game Log

 

Not sure if it was injury related or something else, but Otaño was lifted after grounding out in the bottom of the sixth. He went 0-for-3 and has just two hits in his last 31 at bats. He also committed his 30th error of the season in the game.

 

DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th

Defensive Substitution: Alex Aquino replaces shortstop Jeremy Fernandez, batting 7th, playing shortstop.

Pitching Change: Bredio Vega replaces Deyvis Julian.

Ignacio Otano grounds out, second baseman Luis Olmos to first baseman Terrence Josephina.

Franly Mallen walks.

Anderson Jesus grounds out, shortstop Alex Aquino to first baseman Terrence Josephina. Franly Mallen to 2nd.

With Nicol Valderrey batting, Franly Mallen steals (3) 3rd base.

Nicol Valderrey singles on a line drive to center fielder Shean Michel. Franly Mallen scores.

Jay Feliciano called out on strikes.

[bkrause2]

Biloxi's game was suspended due to rain. It will be picked up tomorrow.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Biloxi Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers rebound with four in seventh to beat Great Lakes

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

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

David Burkhalter pitched three scoreless innings on Saturday at Great Lakes and earned his fourth win of the season for the Timber Rattlers.

 

MIDLAND, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers bounced back from a 3-0 deficit with a seventh inning rally to defeat the Great Lakes Loons 5-3 Saturday night at Dow Diamond. The Timber Rattlers took advantage of four errors and picked up some clutch pitching and hitting along to the way to the victory.

 

Wisconsin (38-73 overall, 15-26 second half) had an opportunity to score in the first inning. Elvis Rubio was at second and Francisco Castillo was at first after an error extended the inning. Sthervin Matos singled to center and Rubio headed for home. But, the throw from Alex Verdugo was in time to get Rubio at the plate for the final out of the inning.

 

Great Lakes 55-55, 17-25) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third inning against Wisconsin starting pitcher Cody Ponce. Willie Calhoun hit a grounder to the right side of the infield. Second baseman Blake Allemand ranged far to his left and tried to throw to second for the force out, but the throw was wild. Verdugo, the runner at second when the play started, took off for the plate, and scored ahead of a wild throw from Matos at third. The errant throw put Loons on second and third with one out.

 

Ponce minimized the damage by striking out the next two batters and keeping the lead at 2-0.

 

The Loons added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth. Verdugo singled to start the inning against reliever Josh Uhen. Kyle Garlick followed with a double into the corner in left to score Verdugo for a 3-0 lead.

 

Matos started the Wisconsin comeback with a single and a steal of second with one out in the sixth inning against reliever James Campbell. Alan Sharkey singled to left and Matos scored.

 

The Rattlers offense really got going in the top of the seventh. Mitch Meyer tripled to right to start the inning. Omar Cotto singled to knock in Meyer and the Rattlers were down a run.

 

Campbell committed a balk to send Cotto to second. Cotto stole third moments later. Blake Allemand tied the game by singling through the drawn-in infield to score Cotto.

 

Rubio drew a walk and Castillo reached to load the bases when his sacrifice bunt attempt was bobbled by Campbell and all hands were safe. Matos grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to get Allemand home with the go-ahead run. Sharkey was next and his grounder to short was misplayed for an error and Rubio scored to put the Rattlers up 5-3.

 

David Burkhalter, who came on in the bottom of the sixth inning, pitched three scoreless innings to hold the Loons in check. Burkhalter allowed two hits, hit two batters, and struck out two before turning the game over to Luke Curtis for the ninth. The big pitch for Burkhalter came in the seventh inning when he stranded runners at the corners by getting Justin Chigbogu to look at strike three on the outside corner at the knees for the final out of the frame.

 

Curtis allowed a one out single, Verdugo's fourth hit of the game, in the ninth before getting Garlick to hit into a game-ending 4-6-3 double play. Curtis earned his fourth save of the season - and second of the road trip - with his scoreless ninth inning.

 

Wisconsin's pitchers held Great Lakes to 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position on Saturday night as the Loons left ten men on base.

 

The final game of the series - and of Wisconsin's nine-game road trip - is set for Sunday afternoon at Dow Diamond. The game is scheduled to start at 1:05pm CDT and presents and interesting matchup of starting pitchers.

 

Wisconsin will send Nathan Kirby (0-0, 0.00) to the mound for his first professional start. Great Lakes has named Josh Sborz (0-1, 6.00) as their starter. Kirby and Sborz were teammates on the University of Virginia that won the 2015 NCAA College World Series on June 24. The Milwaukee Brewers took Kirby with the 40th pick in the 2015 draft. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Sborz with the 74th pick in the 2015 draft.

 

The action may be heard on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:45pm. The broadcast is also available on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. The Loons are also a team that participates in MiLB.TV and fans with subscriptions may watch the game on that platform.

 

WP: David Burkhalter (4-7)

LP: James Campbell (0-3)

SAVE: Luke Curtis (4)

 

TIME: 3:03

ATTN: 5,249

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Well this was a fun game! The pitching was mostly stellar though the defense was not. Cody Ponce continues to excel at this level allowing just 5 ER so far this year. David Burkhalter hasn't been as sharp lately but made it through clean tonight. Chris was having fun with that 63 MPH curve for while during the broadcast.

 

On the offensive side of things Omar Cotto (2-4,BB), Blake Allemand (2-5), and Sthervin Matos (2-4) posted multi-hit games. Cotto and Matos had been in the mix of a pretty horrific slumps hitting .086 and .071 respectively over their last 10. Allemand has hits in 4 of his last 5 games.

 

To top it all off Nathan Kirby gets his first start tomorrow.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[WV Brew]

Dunedin Blue Jays beat Manatees in walk-off fashion

 

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Cy Sneed pitched seven strong innings on Saturday, but left with a no decision. Dunedin won the game 3-2 in 10 innings.

Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography (used with permission)

 

Matt Dean’s walk off single in the bottom of the 10th inning on Saturday night, sent the Dunedin Blue Jays to a 3-2 win over the visiting Brevard County Manatees in game two of the weekend series.

 

The Manatees loss wasted a great pitching effort by Cy Sneed, who went seven strong innings, allowing only one earned run. He struck out eight and walked one. He struck out the side in the sixth inning and the first batter in the seventh, before giving way to Preston Gainey in the eighth.

 

Brevard County (18-22, 47-62 overall) started the scoring in the third, getting a run against Dunedin starter Alonzo Gonzalez. Angel Ortega drew a one out walk and Omar Garcia singled. Ortega headed for and was sent home when the ball was bobbled by right fielder Derrick Loveless. Ortega made it safely and gave the Manatees a 1-0 lead.

 

Gonzalez left after five innings of three-hit baseball. He allowed one run, walked three and struck out two. He gave way to Ryan Cook, who started the sixth inning.

 

Sneed had given up a single to Dean in the second and was cruising along until the fifth inning. After retiring the first two batters, Sneed gave up a single to Andy Fermin and a walk to Boomer Collins III. Loveless then made up for the error, when he singled to center. Fermin scored and he was followed by Collins, who scored when Garcia booted the ball. Right fielder Clint Coulter picked the ball up and rifled it in to Taylor Brennan at third, who put the tag on Loveless, to end the inning.

 

With Dunedin (49-62) holding on to that 2-1 lead in the seventh, the Manatees offense mounted a two out rally against Cook. Garcia singled and went to second on a balk. He didn’t stay at second long, swiping third base moments later. For Garcia, it was his 44th stolen base of the season. Chris McFarland’s single plated Garcia and tied the game, 2-2.

 

Tees’ reliever Preston Gainey took over for Sneed in the eighth and did a good job for two innings. It was his third inning of relief that was his undoing. L.B. Dantzler led off the 10th with a double and was replaced by pinch-runner J.D. Davis. That brought Dean to the plate and with the infield in at the corners, expecting a bunt, Dean lined a single to center, giving the Blue Jays a 3-2 walk-off victory.

 

Brad Allen (1-3), who pitched three innings of scoreless relief for Dunedin got the win. He allowed only two hits, struck out two and walked one. Gainey took the loss. He fell to 2-3 on the season.

 

The Manatees hope to avoid the sweep in the series finale on Sunday. They will send Javi Salas (7-8, 4.12 ERA) to the mound against Dunedin’s Jeremy Gabryszwski (7-6, 3.55 ERA).

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Tied 1-1, Shuckers and Braves suspended in the top of the sixth inning

Game to resume on Sunday at 4:10 pm, with the regularly scheduled game to follow

Biloxi Shuckers

 

BILOXI, MS - The Biloxi Shuckers and Mississippi Braves were suspended by rain and lightning on Saturday night with the game knotted at 1-1. The game will be picked up with one out in the top of the sixth inning at 4:10 pm on Sunday, as the regularly scheduled game will follow. Both games on Sunday will be nine innings with the nightcap to begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first.

 

The Shuckers jumped on the scoreboard first on Saturday in the bottom of the first inning, receiving an RBI single from Victor Roache (1x2), scoring Josh Fellhauer (0x1 2 BB).

 

Biloxi starter Adrian Houser was an out away from making the game official, with the Shuckers on top 1-0, but Braves' leadoff hitter Emerson Landoni shot a two-out single to right with two outs in the top of the fifth, scoring Braeden Schlehuber from third. Landoni increased his hitting streak to 11 games.

 

Houser surrendered just the one run on four hits over 5.2 innings, no walks and three strikeouts in his second starter as a member of the Shuckers.

 

Sunday's regularly scheduled game will feature LHP Josh Hader (1-0, 0.00) making his second Shuckers start and MGM Park debut against RHP Stephen Janas (1-4, 4.62). 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.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi game highlights

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 3, Oklahoma City 2

 

Sky Sox Stun Dodgers With Comeback Win

Colorado Springs Rallies for Three Runs in Final Two Frames to Steal 3-2 Contest

By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

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Nevin Ashley had the Sox lone hit through seven before his ninth-inning triple tied the contest in Colorado Springs' eventual 3-2 win. (File photo from prior game by Paat Kelly)

 

The Sky Sox scored three runs on the Oklahoma City bullpen to complete a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Dodgers in front of 10,576 fans at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark on Saturday night.

 

Hiram Burgos gave Colorado Springs six strong innings, allowing just two runs on five hits and a walk while striking out six Dodgers. In a reltively mistake-free evening, the Sox right-hander would only be hurt by a pair of triple/sac fly combinations in the fourth and sixth respectively. The three-baggers, courtesy of Austin Barnes and Jose Peraza, allowed Kyle Jensen and Corey Seager to drive in OKC's only two runs of the ballgame with productive flyouts.

 

Burgos has been consistently impressive over his last five starts, going just 1-1 in that time with 25 strikeouts and an all-star-like 1.93 ERA (6 ER/28 IP) to help lead the resurgent starting rotation.

 

Burgos would depart after six with his team trailing 2-0 thanks to a one-hitter being twirled by his counterpart Brandon Beachy. The right-handed Dodgers starter allowed just the one hit, a second-inning single to Nevin Ashley, while walking one with a hit-by-pitch to go along with seven strikeouts over seven brilliant shutout innings. Unfortunately for the still-recovering Beachy, the OKC bullpen would not holdup in the following frames.

 

The Sky Sox finally got broke through against Dodgers lefty David Huff, collecting thee base hits against the reliever with Kyle Wren's one-out, Matt Dominguez-scoring single serving as the big blow. Huff worked out of the frame without further trouble to keep Colorado Springs at a 2-1 disadvantage.

 

Lefty Jeremy Horst gave the Sox 1.2 scoreless innings in relief of Burgos before turning the ball over to veteran swingman Tim Dillard (3-2, 5.63) with two out in the home eighth and the bases empty. Dillard would get his man, inducing a Barnes flyout to end the inning with the Sox still trailing by one.

 

With momentum on their side, the Sky Sox would continue their late assault on the Dodgers bullpen in the decisive ninth inning. With one out in the frame, Pete Orr doubled to left off of OKC righty Juan Gonzalez to bring Ashley up for the night's most anxious plate appearance. The clutch catcher came through with a triple to centerfield, plating Orr with the tying run still with just one out in the ninth. Dominguez followed with a perfectly-placed flyout to right to allow Ashley to score from third with the go ahead run. The sac fly gave Colorado Springs a 3-2 lead to stun Beachy and the Dodger bullpen.

 

Jaye Chapman (S, 10) tossed a perfect ninth to secure the Sky Sox 3-2 comeback defeat of their division rivals, helping the team improve to 47-65 as the Dodgers fall to 67-47.

 

Colorado Springs will look to complete a five-game sweep of the Dodgers on Sunday evening as the Sox and a to be determined starter take on left-hander Eric Surkamp (5-3, 4.31) with first pitch set for 5:05 PM MDT (6:05 Central) at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Interview with Helena's Steven Karkenny, 19th Rounder out of The Master's College (CA)

[Mass Haas]

Final: Idaho Falls 9, Helena 8, ten innings

 

9-8 thriller goes to Chukars

Helena Brewers

 

The Helena Brewers (2-7) lost in extra innings for the second straight night, falling 9-8 to the Idaho Falls Chukars (8-1) on Saturday. It was the Chukars' eighth consecutive win, their longest winning streak since 2007.

 

Jordan Yamamoto would get beat up in the start, giving up eight runs on 11 hits in four innings. He would not receive a decision.

 

The Chukars put together their third five-run inning in as many days, and the second five-run first inning in the series. Brawlun Gomez hit a two-run homer, his eighth of the year, in the first to lead the offensive outpouring.

 

The visitors added two runs in the fourth on a two-run double from Roman Collins to take an 8-1 lead.

 

The Brewers would then mount a furious comeback, tying the game at 8-8 by the bottom of the ninth.

 

Drake Owenby, Quintin Torres-Costa, and Jon Olczak (0-1) combined to throw five shutout innings of relief from the fifth through the ninth to allow Helena to make it interesting late.

 

Torres-Costa, making his Pioneer League debut, tossed three innings, giving up no runs and striking out two.

 

Helena was able to put together three runs in the fourth and would score seven unanswered over the next six frames.

 

Malik Collymore put together another impressive night at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a double and two runs scored. It was his first three-hit night in the Brewers' system.

 

Trailing 8-7, Helena scored in the ninth for the second straight night. Mitch Ghelfi led off with a single and scored on the sacrifice fly of Jake Gatewood three batters later. With the bases loaded and just one out, Jose Cuas attempted a suicide squeeze but it would be caught by first basemen Josh Banuelos who then threw to third to complete a double play and end the rally.

 

Ryan Dale hit a solo homer in the top of the tenth to give the Chukars the lead for good.

 

Idaho Falls will try for the four-game sweep over the Brewers on Sunday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 PM (2:05 Central).

 

***

 

Brewers rally from early hole, fall in extras

Ryan Collingwood, Helena Independent Record

 

Thursday night saw the Idaho Falls Chukars put a five-spot on the Helena Brewers in the first inning.

 

On Friday, the Chukars mimicked that scoring spree in the second frame.

 

It was only appropriate the surging Pioneer League South club continued the trend on Saturday night by scoring its quintet of runs in first inning before dousing the Brewers' rally in extra innings in a 9-8 decision at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

And that wasn't even the most unsavory trend for the Milwaukee rookie affiliate, which trailed 8-1 in the fourth. The Brewers dropped their sixth straight home game and 12th game in 16 tries.

 

Conversely, Idaho Falls won its eighth game in a row thanks to Ryan Dale's solo, opposite-field homer in the top of the 10th inning.

 

The Brewers had ample opportunities to take their only lead, though, namely in the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 8-7, a single by Mitch Ghelfi, a double by Steven Karkenny and an intentional walk of David Denson loaded the bases with no outs.

 

Jake Gatewood's sacrifice fly scored Ghelfi to tie the game before the Chukars opted to walk Troy Stokes to load the bases again. Then, with one out, Brewers manager Tony Diggs called for a suicide squeeze from Jose Cuas.

 

Cuas' bunt down the first-base line had a little too much air under it, enough for Chukars first baseman Josh Banuelos to sprint and get his glove under the ball for the out, before turning to third base and gunning down Karkenny on a force out for the inning-ending double play.

 

"I'm sitting there thinking how that first baseman was able to make that play because he had to be even with the bag," Diggs said. "But, you know what, it's one of things where I would put the bat back in Cuas' hands and have him do that 9 out of 10 times and he would get it done."

 

Brewers left fielder Malik Collymore, who went 3 for 6 with two doubles, liked his team's resolve but pointed to his team's early-inning struggles.

 

"The team got off to a rough start with that five-spot in the first inning, but we showed a lot of resilience coming back and forcing extra innings," said Collymore, who is a new acquisition from the Cardinals. He's been with the club just two days. "But we just gotta get over that hump. The early innings are the ones that are killing us."

 

The game wasn't short on offense, as the Chukars (21-26) tallied 16 hits and the Brewers (18-27) had 12.

 

Brewers starter Jordan Yamamoto, who went four innings, struggled mightily in the first, giving up five runs on five hits in a first frame capped off by the Chukars' Brawlun Gomez pelting a two-run homer.

 

In relief, though, pitchers Drake Owenby, Quintin Torres-Costa and Jon Olczak went five shutout innings before Dale's game-deciding homer off Olczak (0-1) in the 10th.

 

After the Chukars put Helena in a hole that stretched to 8-1 in the fourth, the Brewers chipped away at the deficit.

 

In the bottom of the fourth, Cuas's two-RBI double knocked in Gatewood and Stokes, who doubled and singled. Cuas then scored the Brewers' third final run of the inning after advancing on a wild pitch.

 

In the fifth Karkenny hit a solo home run -- his seventh dinger of the season -- and in the seventh Collymore's second double of the game resulted in a run when he was knocked in from third to make it an 8-6 ball game.

 

Idaho Falls hurler Alberto Rodriguez, who entered in the ninth inning, earned the win after giving up three hits and one run in two innings of work.

 

"We're off to rocky starts; we gotta get better at giving up a big inning like we have the last three games," Diggs said. "That's been the difference each game."

 

The Brewers and Chukars meet again Sunday afternoon at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

TRANSACTIONS: The Brewers released right-handed pitcher Donnie Hissa Friday, a 21st-round selection in the 2015 MLB Draft. Hissa, a Notre Dame alum, had a 11.42 ERA in 17.1 innings with an 0-2 record.

 

Helena Box Score

 

More Collymore!

 

My goodness, this team loses consistently in the most frustrating fashion...

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Brief Malik Collywood quotes via Ryan Collingwood

[Mass Haas]

As per Dustin Daniel, RF Carlos Belonis was a late scratch from the Helena lineup (hamstring tightness).

[Mass Haas]

DSL Brewers Box Score

 

It was a rare short outing for Carlos Luna who lasted just four innings, allowing three runs on five hits. 6'4" 20-year-old Yan De La Cruz tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless relief, allowing just one hit...

 

First outing since July 9th for the former Phillie farmhand De La Cruz...

[TheCrew07]

Nice pic of Sneed throwing a change.