Link Report for Saturday 8/27

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: RHP Junior Guerra and LHP Josh Hader in a doubleheader at Oklahoma City (Dodgers), 4:00 PM pre-game, 4:35 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson)

 

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 Luis Ortiz at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:10 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Chris Harris is the play-by-play voice of the Shuckers. Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. Thaddeus Krzus (@Shucks1stIntern) joins Chris often. 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 Cody Ponce at Tampa (Yankees), 5:00 PM gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link (Tampa feed)

 

Unfortunately, the Manatees have dropped their broadcast coverage for 2016.

 

No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. Ten of the 12 Florida State League teams provide audio (some only for home games), we'll do our best to let you know when an opponent's audio is going to be available.

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Jordan Desguin at Quad Cities (Astros), 5:40 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime; expect RHP Matt Smith to pitch in a tandem role

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

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.

 

MiLB.TV - Eight of the 16 Midwest League teams telecast their home games, and Wisconsin, once again, is among them. We'll let you know when a road TV feed is available.

 

NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on local TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (10) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (29) 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.

 

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Helena: RHP Wuilder Rodriguez at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We welcome and look forward to hearing first-year Voice of the H-Crew Craig Durham (@CraigMDurham on Twitter).

 

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Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mini-Mariners, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league

 

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DSL Brewers: Game cancelled (rain), season is over, see below

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs Game One

 

Colorado Springs Game Two

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

[Mass Haas]

Look for these just prior to the respective game times --

 

Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog

 

Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog

 

Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog

 

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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 Division

 

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Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Brevard County

 

Wisconsin

 

Helena

 

Maryvale

 

DSL Brewers

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Oklahoma City, OK

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Tampa, FL

 

Davenport, IA

 

Helena, MT

 

Maryvale, AZ

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Farmhand Birthday's:

 

Two 2016 Draft Picks --

 

8th round Maryvale SS Francisco Thomas is 18

 

34th round RHP Matt Smith, scheduled to go moundward for Wisconsin, turns 23

[Mass Haas]

The DSL Brewers finish 26-44.

 

See how they compared in league pitching and league batting.

 

As for any individual hopefuls, it seems to be a lean year.

 

Individual Stats

 

First-year RHP Miguel Sanchez, who will be 23 in December, made just two DSL appearances, was bumped to Maryvale, and is now helping Wisconsin in their playoff push.

 

Another first-year pro, RHP Johan Dominguez, faded a bit late, but had a fantastic season (1.05 WHIP). Really like the fact the Brewers are giving chances to slightly older pitchers who may not have debuted earlier for family or other reasons. Not every future big league contributor needs to be signed at 17 and added to the 40-man at 22.

 

The Brewers seemed to do well identifying those who would do well as starters. Including Dominguez, RHP's Joaquin De La Cruz, Harold Chirino, and Henry Medina fared well with nice WHIP's and BB/K ratios, although no Brewer pitcher showed strikeout dominance and innings from LHP's were few and far between. No star like 2015's Carlos Luna (now rehabbing Tommy John).

 

***

 

Offensively, corner OF Jay Feliciano made his way to Maryvale early on, which was expected.

 

Second-year infielder Javier Castillo, just 18 years old, posted a fine .677 OPS.

 

Despite hitting just .226, 17-year-old Venezuelan catcher Moises Perez slugged ten doubles and seven home runs among his 33 hits. He outshined more heralded newcomer Jose Sibrian (.562 OPS in 32 games, who was slowed by various injuries, it seemed).

 

A few others showed some OBP savvy despite anemic batting averages, so there may be something to build on.

 

But otherwise, it didn't seem to be a particularly fruitful season at the academy on the island.

[Mass Haas]

From Friday's Link Report, so enjoy tonight's scoreboard watching!

 

Just making sure (while we're talking playoffs), that you read this snippet from the Timber Rattlers' game summary --

 

The Rattlers are just one game behind the Burlington Bees with nine games left to play in the season. Quad Cities remained five games behind the Bees.

 

Wisconsin does not play Burlington in anymore this season, but the Rattlers hold the tie-breaker over the Bees by virtue of winning the season series between the teams. If the Rattlers and Bees would finish the season with the same record, the Rattlers would go through to the playoffs.

 

So yes, Link Report fans, we do have fun scoreboard watching down the stretch.

 

Heck, it would still be very improbable overall, but talk to us Monday AM if the Sky Sox win all three games at Oklahoma City this weekend, including Saturday's doubleheader. Then we can talk at least a AAA possibility as well. Without a three-game weekend sweep, not really worth discussing.

 

A weekend sweep puts the Sky Sox 3.5 games back with eight to play, just two back in the loss column.

 

Southern League Scoreboard

 

Midwest League Scoreboard

[Mass Haas]

Sky Sox release 2017 schedule 2 months early amid falling attendance, confusion over team relocation

 

Includes these notes, but see the full article for more...

 

ON-FIELD IMPROVEMENTS

 

The Sky Sox’s drop in attendance can’t be blamed on the team’s performance, as fans have been treated to one of the most exciting teams in the minor leagues.

 

The Sky Sox lead all full-season baseball teams across all levels in come-from-behind victories after the sixth inning. They are second in the 16-team Pacific Coast League in home victories, and they’ve sent 16 players to Milwaukee through this season.

 

The team hasn’t yet been eliminated from playoff contention, but it would be a stretch to the say second-place Colorado Springs (64-64) is in a pennant race as it trailed first-place Oklahoma City by 6.5 games entering Saturday with just 11 games remaining. Still, that’s a major improvement for a club that had gone a combined 66 games under .500 over three straight losing seasons.

[Mass Haas]

Thank you, thank you, thank you, WV Brew, for your Dominican Summer League Link Reporting!

[WV Brew]

Glad to help MH!

 

I would say Jose Sibrian, while he didn't hit a lot, seemed to be a quality defensive catcher especially when you compare him to the other 3 catchers they signed last year who sometimes struggled defensively.

[BrewersAA]

Hader so far, 1 called strike, not 1 swing and miss, throwing 89-92

[BrewersAA]

Brinson's double hit the top of the wall right at the 415 sign, he hit it 414.5 ft

[MoreTrife]

I know it's a convenient scapegoat but it really sucks having a pitching graveyard and a hitting graveyard in the same system.

[Eye Black]

Final: Tampa 4, Brevard County 1

 

Ray Supplies Manatees Offense in Loss to Tampa

By Donald Rieber, Jr., 27 Outs Baseball

 

***

 

Brevard County Box Score

 

A rain delay pushed the start of the game back over an hour.

 

The Manatees managed 2 hits, both of which were off of Corey Ray's bat. Ray was 2-for-4 with a solo home run.

 

An up and down outing for Cody Ponce over 6.0 innings pitched.

 

Brevard County Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Win streak snapped after 4-1 loss to Generals

Will Middlebrooks picks up two hits, RBI, in first rehab start for Biloxi

Biloxi Shuckers

 

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Nick Ramirez went 2-for-4 in Biloxi's loss on Saturday (Michael Krebs)

 

Biloxi Boxscore

Luis Ortiz' peripherals continue to be uninspiring though the ultimate result has been excellent, his scoreless streak was finally snapped tonight with a HR.

 

Jacob Nottingham recorded his 20 PB tonight which is less than spectacular, I had settled on 20 as the next benchmark to point out, and we've arrived.

 

Biloxi Recap

 

It looks like something happened here with Javier Betancourt but I was at a charity golf outing today and regardless I would have listened to the T-Rats if I was home so I'm not quite sure what to make of this.

 

Biloxi Bottom of the 5th

• Angel Ortega strikes out swinging.
  Javier Betancourt singles on a soft fly ball to center fielder Leon Landry.
  Tyrone Taylor walks. Javier Betancourt to 2nd.
  Brett Phillips lines out to center fielder Leon Landry.
  Will Middlebrooks singles on a ground ball to left fielder Patrick Brady, deflected by third baseman Adam Law. Javier Betancourt scores. Tyrone Taylor to 2nd.
  Clint Coulter grounds out, third baseman Adam Law to first baseman Ryan Casteel.

 

 

Jackson Top of the 6th

• Defensive Substitution: Gabriel Noriega replaces second baseman Javier Betancourt, batting 9th, playing second base.
  Leon Landry strikes out swinging.
  Adam Law lines out to center fielder Brett Phillips.
  Tyler Marlette strikes out swinging.

[TheCrew07]

Rattlers Edge Bandits 3-2 for Third Straight Win

Gatewood homers, Griep earns save #22

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

Manager Matt Erickson had lamented recently in both radio and television interviews that this team hadn't gotten hot and gone on a run all year, boy would it be fantastic if they got on one of those rolls going into the post season. Chris has a bunch of nuggets to lead off the game story, please check it out.

 

I know this will seem out of character for me to say, but Jordan Desguin pitched well outside of the walks. Erickson followed him with the big guns, running out Scott Grist and Nate Griep to close it out. Grist was particularly strong striking out 4 in just 2.1 innings.

 

The Rattler hitters got the most out of 4 walks and 4 hits to pull out the victory, all of the necessary details are in the game story.

 

Wisconsin Recap

[reillymcshane]

Sky Sox Start Twin Bill With 1-0 Loss

Sky Sox held to three hits in extra-inning loss in OKC.

By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

Colorado Springs Boxscore

 

Ugly game for the Sky Sox hitters as they were held to three hits (all singles) and a walk over nine innings. Only Ramon Flores (2-4) and Nate Orf (1-4) managed hits. Lewis Brinson (0-4, BB) had the team’s only walk.

 

Junior Guerra had a solid outing, giving up only a hits, two walks and no runs in 3.1 innings of work.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

[reillymcshane]

Sky Sox Slammed In 5-1 Loss To OKC

Sky Sox swept in twin bill as Hader suffers sixth loss.

By Aaron Cheris / Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

Colorado Springs Boxscore

 

Josh Hader was hit hard for Colorado Springs in a 5-1 lose. Hader gave up five runs in four innings of work, including a grand slam.

 

Lewis Brinson (2-4, 2B) and Michael McKenry (1-2, 2B, BB) had good games, but the team as a whole managed only five hits and a pair of walks.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

The Sky Sox were undone by a terrible 2nd inning. Oklahoma City had four hits and a pair of walks to go with an error and a passed ball.

 

Okla. City Bottom of the 2nd

O'Koyea Dickson doubles (25) on a line drive to left fielder Kyle Wren.

Alex Hassan grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Garrett Cooper.

Micah Johnson singles on a line drive to left fielder Kyle Wren. O'Koyea Dickson to 3rd. Micah Johnson advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by third baseman Andy Wilkins.

Jack Murphy walks.

With Brandon Hicks batting, passed ball by Michael McKenry, O'Koyea Dickson scores. Micah Johnson to 3rd. Jack Murphy to 2nd.

Brandon Hicks walks.

Lisalverto Bonilla pops out to second baseman Nate Orf.

Drew Maggi hits a grand slam (2) to left field. Micah Johnson scores. Jack Murphy scores. Brandon Hicks scores.

Chris Taylor triples (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Lewis Brinson.

Yasiel Puig flies out to center fielder Lewis Brinson.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Billings 9, Helena 5

 

Ten losses in eleven games...

 

Four photos at link, along with game summary

 

Brewers falter late, drop sixth straight game

 

Helena Box Score

 

12th round Oregon State SS Trever Morrison's glove had a rough night, four errors (only six prior to Saturday)

 

Helena Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Mariners 10, Arizona Brewers 6

 

Only one game left for the 23-29 A-Crew...

 

Maryvale Box Score

 

It was 10-1 after five innings, young RHP Michael Gonzalez fared poorly, defense didn't help.

 

The interesting task of being an undrafted free agent, like RHP Jake Smith of Nicholls State - you head to the desert in front of no fans and basically pitch one inning every six days. Hope to impress in workouts and otherwise, and make your mark next spring.

 

Two singles for rehabbing (finger) Tucker Neuhaus, and impressive Gabriel Garcia (DH'ing here) had two knocks inclucing a double.

 

Maryvale Game Log

[Mass Haas]

As also archived in our season-long Biloxi archive thread --

 

Excellent work here by Patrick Magee and John Fitzhugh of the Biloxi Sun-Herald chronicling Brandon Woodruff's baseball journey, and Brandon speaks on camera for the first time about the loss of his brother Blake and the impact he had on his life.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi game

 

***

 

MORE VIDEO: Shuckers' tattoo tale (Brett Phillips cameo)

[Mass Haas]

Despite their loss, a Pensacola win and Mississippi loss means good news for Biloxi, while Wisconsin remains just one game out of the playoffs, although another day came off the schedule.