Link Report for Wednesday 7/6

[Mass Haas]

Seriously?

 

Wake up and see the Brewers' clubs went 0-7 Wednesday night?

 

Thanks to Matt Garza, 0-8 for the organization!

 

Isan Diaz and a few other individual highlights can only brighten the morning so much.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Billings 4, Helena 2

 

Ninth Inning Rally Not Enough

Brewers Losing Streak Hits 7 Games

By Craig Durham / Helena Brewers

 

BILLINGS, MT - The Helena Brewers dropped their seventh straight contest on Wednesday night in Billings, as the Mustangs completed the sweep of a three game series with a 4-2 victory at Dehler Park.

 

Things went sour for the Brewers in the second inning when Billings batted around, scoring three runs on a hit, three walks, a hit batsmen and an error. Michael Petersen (1-1) started the inning by hitting Colby Wright, and four batters later he issued a bases loaded free pass to Beau Amaral with one out. Alejo Lopez then delivered the only hit of the inning, a two run single with two outs to make it 3-0.

 

Wuilder Rodriguez followed Petersen and followed his lead in the third inning when he, too, hit Colby Wright to start the frame. Wright would advance to second on a groundout, and score on back-to-back passed balls to make it 4-0 Billings after three.

 

That 4-0 score would hold all the way into the 9th, when the Brewers bats finally came to life. Cooper Hummel brought in the Brewers first run, grounding out to second with Demi Orimoloye on third, and Joantgel Segovia singled home Gilbert Lara two batters later. That was where the comeback would end, however, as Lucas Benenati came on to strike out Jonathan Oquendo and end the ballgame.

 

Trey Supak turned in an electric performance on the mound, effectively silencing the Mustangs bats after entering the game in the fifth. The right-hander allowed two infield singles while striking out four.

 

Orimoloye led the offense, finishing the game 3-for-4 with a run scored.

 

Following this disappointing 0-6 road trip, the Brewers return to Helena to open a three game series with the Missoula Osprey on Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

 

***

 

Few other notes via the Helena Independent Record on this road game --

 

The Billings Mustangs made the most of their five hits in a 4-2 win over the Helena Brewers Wednesday night at Dehler Park.

 

Helena, which dropped its seventh straight game, trailed 4-0 after three innings and didn't score until the ninth when it brought the potential winning run to the plate. The Brewers registered two runs and three hits during the last-gasp rally in the final frame.

 

Brewers starter Michael Petersen gave up three runs and three hits in just 1 2/3 innings before relievers Wuilder Rodriguez and Trey Supak shut down the Mustangs the rest of the way.

 

Supak went four innings, giving up just two hits, striking out four and walking none -- but the damage had already been done.

 

Demi Orimoloye went 3 for 4 with two stolen bases to lead a Brewers team that started the season 5-1 before winning just three of its next 13 games. Lucas Erceg went 2 for 4.

 

Neither team had an extra-base hit.

 

First-place Billings, now 12-7, saw starter Ian Kahaloa earn the win after yielding no runs and just two hits in four innings along with five strikeouts.

 

The last-place Brewers (8-11) outhit the Mustangs 8-5, begin a five-game home stand with Missoula Osprey Thursday.

 

Helena Box Score

 

So, as noted, individual positives - Trey Supak! Orimoloye, Erceg...

 

Erceg does have six errors in 11 games at third base, though.

 

After 62 at-bats, all 13 of Gilbert Lara's hits are singles (OPS .500). He did single and walk here.

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona White Sox 4, Arizona Brewers 1

 

Weather: 104 degrees, partly cloudy.

Wind: 8 mph, Out to LF.

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

RHP's Nelson Hernandez and Cam Roegner combined to retire all 15 men they faced in the late innings.

 

Tommy John rehabber RHP Victor Diaz got the start) see below).

 

Maryvale Game Log

 

Talk about a bummer of a first inning --

 

AZL Brewers Top of the 1st

 

Nic Pierre doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Hanleth Otano.

Trey York singles on a ground ball to pitcher Andres Sanchez. Nic Pierre to 3rd.

With Jay Feliciano batting, Trey York steals (3) 2nd base.

Jay Feliciano lines into a double play, second baseman Luis Curbelo to third baseman Maiker Feliz. Nic Pierre doubled off 3rd.

Nick Cain walks.

Payton Henry grounds into a force out, third baseman Maiker Feliz to second baseman Luis Curbelo. Nick Cain out at 2nd.

 

AZL White Sox Bottom of the 1st

 

Joel Booker called out on strikes.

Amado Nunez flies out to right fielder Nick Cain.

Zack Collins singles on a line drive to left fielder Jay Feliciano.

With Jacob Cooper batting, wild pitch by Victor Diaz, Zack Collins to 2nd.

Jacob Cooper singles on a ground ball to center fielder Nic Pierre. Zack Collins scores. Jacob Cooper scores. Throwing error by catcher Payton Henry. Throwing error by center fielder Nic Pierre.

Pitching Change: Miguel Sanchez replaces Victor Diaz.

Luis Curbelo singles on a line drive to center fielder Nic Pierre.

Franklin Reyes singles on a ground ball to shortstop Francisco Thomas. Luis Curbelo to 2nd.

Ylexander Villarroel singles on a ground ball to right fielder Nick Cain. Luis Curbelo scores. Franklin Reyes to 3rd.

Hanleth Otano flies out to right fielder Nick Cain.

 

***

 

CF Nic Pierre had three of the team's six hits, including a double.

 

17-year-old 8th round SS Francisco Thomas played for the first time since June 22nd.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma City 3, Colorado Springs 2

 

Sky Sox Fall 3-2 To OKC Dodgers

Arcia homers, but Sky Sox are swept in Oklahoma City

By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

As always, a solid write-up provides many details...

 

***

 

 

***

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WDAM: Biloxi game

[Mass Haas]

Maybe should have gone to press with this one before the sweep at first-place Oklahoma City

 

Sky Sox Having A Blast On And Off Diamond

By Aaron Cheris, Sky Sox blog

[Eye Black]

Final: Dunedin 6, Brevard County 4

 

'Tees ninth inning rally stalls in loss to Dunedin

By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball

 

Some very solid game photos once again embedded within the game story.

 

***

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

In his past two starts (4.0 innings apiece) Bubba Derby has given up 11 earned runs combined. In addition to the 5 earned runs scored against him tonight, Derby gave up 10 hits and 2 walks while striking out 2. The damage occurred in 4th inning as well as the 5th inning in which he was unable to record an out before being replaced.

 

At this point just pencil Dustin DeMuth in for a 2-for-4 day, it was his third straight game with two hits in four tries. The other multi-hit Manatee was Elvis Rubio (2-for-4).

 

Corey Ray was back in the DH role and finished 1-for-5 including an RBI single in the 3rd inning.

 

Brevard County Game Log

 

The Manatees plated a pair in the 3rd inning to take a 2-0 lead.

 

Brevard County Bottom of the 3rd

• Jose Cuas grounds out, third baseman Dickie Joe Thon to first baseman Ryan McBroom.
  Omar Garcia singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Almonte.
  Corey Ray singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Almonte. Omar Garcia scores. Corey Ray to 2nd. Fielding error by right fielder Josh Almonte.
  Blake Allemand strikes out swinging.
  Dustin DeMuth singles on a line drive to right fielder Josh Almonte. Corey Ray scores. Dustin DeMuth to 2nd on the throw.
  Elvis Rubio strikes out on a foul tip.

 

Clint Terry inherited the jam left by Derby. A run scored on what according to the game story may have been a phantom hit by pitch. The call ignited arguing and the subsequent ejection of Brevard County manager Joe Ayrault.

 

Dunedin Top of the 5th

• Richard Urena singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Bubba Derby.
  Jonathan Davis singles on a line drive to right fielder Clint Coulter. Richard Urena to 3rd.
  With Ryan McBroom batting, Jonathan Davis steals (23) 2nd base.
  Ryan McBroom singles on a ground ball to second baseman George Iskenderian. Richard Urena scores. Jonathan Davis to 3rd.
  Gunnar Heidt singles on a line drive to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Jonathan Davis scores. Ryan McBroom to 2nd.
  Pitching Change: Clint Terry replaces Bubba Derby.
  Andy Fermin reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Dustin DeMuth. Ryan McBroom to 3rd. Gunnar Heidt to 2nd.
  Dickie Joe Thon grounds into a double play, third baseman Blake Allemand to catcher Dustin Houle. Ryan McBroom out at home. Gunnar Heidt out at 3rd. Andy Fermin to 2nd. Dickie Joe Thon to 1st.
  Mike Reeves singles on a line drive to right fielder Clint Coulter. Andy Fermin to 3rd. Dickie Joe Thon to 2nd.
  Josh Almonte hit by pitch. Andy Fermin scores. Dickie Joe Thon to 3rd. Mike Reeves to 2nd.
  Brevard County Manatees Manager Joe Ayrault ejected by HP umpire Dave Attridge.
  Andrew Guillotte lines out to right fielder Clint Coulter.

[Eye Black]

Three Brewers prospects listed in Baseball Prospectus' BP Top 50, their ranking of the best mid-season prospects.

 

7. Orlando Arcia, SS, Milwaukee Brewers

Why He'll Succeed: The high-contact approach translates to a top-of-the-order bat to pair with good speed and exceptional defense.

 

Why He Might Fail: If his aggressive approach is exploited by more advanced arms, it could culminate in a glove-dependent profile that doesn’t get on base enough to avoid the bottom third of an order

45. Josh Hader, LHP, Milwaukee Brewers

Why He'll Succeed: Hader has two pitches that can give big-league hitters fits: A mid-90s fastball that has plenty of life, and a slider that is a true swing-and-miss pitch with its tilt and depth.

 

Why He Might Fail: The change is still in the developmental stages, the command and control both leave a lot to be desired, and his mechanics scare the heck out of many.

49. Brett Phillips, CF, Milwaukee Brewers

Why He'll Succeed: If gains in power and approach that he made at Double-A stick around, it turns him into an above-average offensive weapon with an impact arm in center.

 

Why He Might Fail: If his laugh cascades around the rafters of Miller Park, it could touch off a seismic event that dislodges the beer slide and initiates a Rube Goldbergian series of events that drowns Bernie Brewer, knocks the sausage-race Brat unconscious, and leads to a pitchfork-wielding mob chasing him to Sheboygan, where he’s last seen jet skiing off across the dark waters of Lake Michigan.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Brewers.com: Latest episode of Brewers On Tap featuring Farm Director Tom Flanagan

 

***

 

VIDEO: The Tom Flanagan interview was also filmed for the site, watch it here

 

Just guessing that if you're a Link Report reader, you're certainly going to make time for the Flanagan interview.

 

If I'm Nate Orf, I'm loving the conversation.

 

Also, Lane Grindle passed along my inquiry (Lane had asked for suggested questions via Twitter), regarding meeting dietary needs at all levels of the organization, and it does seem some real strides are being made in that regard, good to hear.

[Mass Haas]

This --

 

[reillymcshane]

Diaz has a nice quick swing - pretty effortless looking - yet there's the obvious power. Very encouraging.

[Mass Haas]

Boy, was this big at the time --

 

Kuo Hua Lo entered the game in the top of the ninth inning to close out the game for the Kernels, but he walked Brandon Diaz and Stokes with one out. Mitch Ghelfi was next and he crushed the first pitch of his at bat to right field for a three-run homer and an 8-7 lead for the Timber Rattlers.

 

[And That]

Lost in the much-deserved Isan Diaz love is that Troy Stokes has a .389/.532/.556 slash since the break.