Link Report for Wednesday 4/12 - It's a Mudcat Morning!

[Mass Haas]

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[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times are Central

 

Colorado Springs: TBD (likely RHP Matt Garza in a rehab appearance) at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:05 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again 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 Aaron Wilkerson at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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. Erik Bremer (@Erik_Bremer) 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. Only games in Chattanooga and Mobile won't be available.

 

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Carolina: RHP Corbin Burnes at Wilmington (Royals), 9:20 AM pre-game, 9:35 gametime

 

Free Live Audio Link

 

We look forward to Mudcats audio with Greg Young (@gregyoungjr), especially after going without gameday audio for much of the Brewers' stay in Brevard County.

 

MiLB.TV - Yes, Carolina home games will be on MiLB.TV, sweet. It appears three other Carolina League teams (Salem, Myrtle Beach, and Winston-Salem) broadcast as well.

 

No TV for this series in Wilmington .

 

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Wisconsin: RHP Nattino Diplan at home vs. Burlington (Angels), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

 

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.

 

In 2017, fifteen games will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports in Wisconsin, available on channel 32 and in HD on channel 1332. We'll keep you posted with our "DVR Alerts" days in advance.

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Carolina

 

Wisconsin

 

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

 

Carolina Media Notes - Linked on the Mudcats official 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 - Carolina League Southern Division

 

A - Midwest League Western Division

 

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Sortable individual stat pages:

 

Colorado Springs

 

Biloxi

 

Carolina

 

Wisconsin

 

***

 

Weather.com:

 

Memphis, TN

 

Biloxi, MS

 

Wilmington, DE

 

Grand Chute, WI

[And That]

Corbin Burnes with another strong outing to start the season. The Mudcats' offense, however, remains underwhelming.

[WV Brew]

Another 2 lefties faced. The Mudcats are going to see a steady diet of them. I suppose that's good for development but maybe not so good for winning games.

[Mass Haas]

From Tuesday's doubleheader-- Miller Park Prospects Timber Rattlers Photo Galley

 

***

 

Just enjoyed the Mudcats matinee broadcast. Greg Young is very good on the call, and my goodness, he bas both Jeff Levering's voice and inflection. That's a good thing, although you want to carve out your own sound as well (Biloxi's excellent Chris Harris certainly does that). But Levering certainly garnered notice, so hopefully a club finds their next Levering in Zebulon. Always rooting for all the Brewer broadcasters...

[reillymcshane]

Has anyone heard anything on Brinson's return? I've looked around, but not seen anything. I know he was day-to-day - but that was five days ago. Just wondering if other folks have found any news about his return.

 

Thanks.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WXXV: Hopefully the Shuckers can fix up catcher Dustin Houle's jersey spelling before tonight's home opener (see the 21 second mark).

[WV Brew]

Mudcats take series finale in Wilmington, 3-2 in extras

Mitch Ghelfi was 3-for-4 with a RBI triple in Wednesday's series clinching victory

By Greg Young / Carolina Mudcats | April 12, 2017 3:32 PM ET

 

 

Another nice start from Corbin Burnes as previously mentioned in this thread (6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 W, 4 K, 8/4 GO/FO). Mitch Ghelfi was 3-4 with a triple which led to the first two Mudcat runs. In the Wilmington game story, Jamie Quirk says that triple should have been caught but Ghelfi has been hitting well so far this year and was due for a bit of luck. Colton Cross went 2 innings striking out 3 but giving up the game tying home run. We probably didn't expect Quintin Torres-Costa to pick up the first win for the Hawaiian contingent but it happened today.

Nate Griep got his second save but he's making it tough. The first game of the series he gave up a leadoff triple before stranding that runner with 3 straight strikeouts. This time he struck out the first two before issuing 2 walks and uncorking 2 wild pitches before striking out the final batter. Troy Stokes Jr got the game winning sacrifice fly. The winning run was scored by Carlos Belonis who got only his 2nd hit of the year to start the 10th inning.

 

Carolina Box Score

 

Carolina Game Log

 

Here is your 10th inning:

 

 

Carolina Top of the 10th

 

Pitching Change: Franco Terrero replaces Colin Rodgers.

Carlos Belonis singles on a line drive to center fielder Elier Hernandez.

With Brandon Diaz batting, wild pitch by Franco Terrero, Carlos Belonis to 2nd.

Brandon Diaz out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Franco Terrero to second baseman D. J. Burt. Carlos Belonis to 3rd.

Troy Stokes Jr. out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Roman Collins. Carlos Belonis scores.

Luis Aviles called out on strikes.

 

Wilmington Bottom of the 10th

 

Pitching Change: Nate Griep replaces Quintin Torres-Costa.

Wander Franco strikes out swinging.

Travis Maezes strikes out swinging.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Tanner Stanley replaces Nathan Esposito.

Tanner Stanley walks.

With Nicky Lopez batting, wild pitch by Nate Griep, Tanner Stanley to 2nd.

Nicky Lopez walks.

With D. J. Burt batting, wild pitch by Nate Griep, Tanner Stanley to 3rd. Nicky Lopez to 2nd.

D. J. Burt strikes out swinging.

 

The Carolina home season starts tomorrow. Still time to sign up for MilbTV if you are so inclined.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog: "Timber Rattlers hitting coach Hainley Statia is the guest on the pregame show today. Topics include hitting approaches of a few Rattlers players, what he's doing during the game, and what he remembers most about his time in Cedar Rapids as a player."

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Sky Sox Warmup with Coach Al LeBoeuf Part 1

[Jenkins5]

Another low offensive start behind no hit in 2 games.... hope that jinxed it.

[Eye Black]

Another low offensive start behind no hit in 2 games.... hope that jinxed it.

Between Biloxi and Colorado Springs (both through 4.0 innings), the teams are 0-for-24 (0-for-12 each) with no walks and 9 combined strikeouts. Hopefully they can both find a little offense sooner than later.

 

Edit: Right on cue Garrett Cooper hits a double, so it must have worked!

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via Brewers.com Wed. 4/12: Latest episode of "Brewers on Tap" with Jerry Augustine (on 1982), Jesus Aguilar, and prospect Monte Harrison

 

NOTE: The Harrison interview begins at the 19:35 minute mark...

[clancyphile]

I've liked Ghelfi as a catching propect.

 

Really think he will benefit by not playing his home games in Brevard County...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Pensacola 3, Biloxi 0

 

Pensacola's Mahle Spoils Shuckers' Home Opener on Thursday

Shuckers held to just one hit and drop third straight

 

BILOXI, MS – Pensacola Blue Wahoos starter Tyler Mahle tossed seven shutout innings and allowed just one hit as the Blue Wahoos spoiled Biloxi’s home opener on Thursday night at MGM Park, 3-0. The Shuckers dropped their third straight in front of a boisterous Opening Night crowd of 3,708.

 

Pensacola’s Alex Blandino went 3-for-4 on Thursday and capped his night with a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning. That knock was the only blemish on Shuckers starter Aaron Wilkerson's night, but the three runs that scored gave Mahle a lead that he would not relinquish.

 

Mahle took a perfect game into the sixth inning before walking Angel Ortega to start the inning. Javier Betancourt followed with a single, and pinch-hitter Dustin DeMuth followed with a walk to load the bases. Mahle struck out Mauricio Dubon and Johnny Davis – then induced a groundout from Michael Reed as the Shuckers squandered their best scoring opportunity.

 

The Shuckers managed just one hit in the game and stranded five baserunners, finishing 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.

 

Taylor Jungmann made his 2017 Shuckers debut, pitching a scoreless inning in relief of Wilkerson. Tayler Scott and Preston Gainey added scoreless outings of their own in the final three innings.

 

Davis saw his hitting streak snapped at five on the season and 13 stretching back to last season, going 0-for-4 before leaving the game in a double switch.

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Posted the game summary text tonight (online link not quite active as of the time of this post).

 

That's a discouraging home opener. Not sure if it's school vacation week in Biloxi, but over 3,700 for a Wednesday night is solid.

 

Yes, only one hit is sad, but Biloxi did reach six times via walk and once by HBP.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

You read about it, but this is even more painful in log form. Bottom of the order teed it up, top of the order did nothing with it --

 

Biloxi Bottom of the 6th

 

Angel Ortega walks.

Javier Betancourt singles on a line drive to right fielder Aristides Aquino. Angel Ortega to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Dustin DeMuth replaces Taylor Jungmann.

Dustin DeMuth walks. Angel Ortega to 3rd. Javier Betancourt to 2nd.

Mauricio Dubon strikes out swinging.

Johnny Davis strikes out swinging.

Michael Reed grounds out to first baseman Eric Jagielo.

[Mass Haas]

PHOTO GALLERY at article link -- Photo 2 is Javier Betancourt, not Mauricio Dubon as captioned

 

MGM Park sees uptick in attendance to start ‘17, but Shuckers falter

Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun Herald

 

BILOXI — Shuckers owner Ken Young felt confident prior to Wednesday night’s home opener that attendance would see an uptick at MGM Park in 2017.

 

Through one game, that prediction holds true.

 

A crowd of 3,708 showed up Wednesday night to watch the Pensacola Blue Wahoos top Biloxi 3-0. That’s a significant upgrade on the 2,542 at the 2016 home opener as the Shuckers had a slow start at the box office a year ago.

 

The Shuckers ranked eighth in attendance in the Southern League in 2016, averaging 2,692 fans a game.

 

“(The small crowds early in 2016) are not unusual, but we do need to improve that in the first six weeks of the season. That is a goal,” Young said Wednesday.

 

Wednesday night’s contest was the first of a five-game series and the two teams will meet again at MGM Park at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday.

 

“It was a pretty good crowd,” Biloxi manager Mike Guerrero said. “We just come out and the losing end.”

 

While the crowd held up its end of the bargain, the Shuckers struggled mightily at the plate Wednesday night. Pensacola starting pitcher Tyler Mahle picked up the win in a dominant performance. He allowed one hit and walked two in 7 innings, striking out six.

 

“He showed good stuff out there,” Guerrero said. “You’ve got to tip your cap when someone comes out and has the command he had and the stuff he showed. It’s one of those nights.”

 

After holding Biloxi hitless on just 51 pitches through 5 innings, Mahle finally hit a rough patch in the sixth inning.

 

He walked Angel Ortega to start the inning and Javier Betancourt came up with his first hit of the season and his team’s first of the game on a single through the right side of the infield. Mahle then walked pinch hitter Dustin Demuth to load the bases.

 

Mahle managed to get Mauricio Dubon swinging for the first out of the inning, struck out Johnny Davis and forced Michael Reed to ground out to first to end the threat and the inning.

 

Mahle (2-0) pitched an easy seventh before retiring for the night.

 

Mahle settled in early and worked quickly all night.

 

“If you’ve got a good pace going, it kind of lets the hitters think less,” Mahle said. “It kind of hurries them and keeps me in rhythm.”

 

The Shuckers managed to get two on via a walk and hit-by-pitch in the eighth, but Davis grounded out to end the threat.

 

The Shuckers combined to strand five runners Wednesday night.

 

Shuckers starting pitcher Aaron Wilkerson (1-1) lasted 5 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out seven and walked two.

 

Wilkerson managed to avoid trouble until the fourth inning when he walked Taylor Sparks to load the bases with two outs. Alex Blandino then ripped the first pitch he saw down the left field line for a double, clearing the bases to give the Blue Wahoos the 3-0 lead.

 

“I think my starting pitcher competed,” Guerrero said. “He gave us an opportunity. He only made one mistake with the bases-loaded slider and he took advantage of it. It’s part of the game.”

 

Jungmann’s outing: After dropping down recently from the Brewers, right-hander Taylor Jungmann made his first appearance of the season at Biloxi. He threw a scoreless sixth inning, striking out two and walking one.

[reillymcshane]

Sox Lose in Pitcher's Duel

Garza tosses five innings in first rehab appearance.

By Colorado Springs Sky Sox

 

Kyle Wren's RBI single in the 8th inning tied the score at AutoZone Park. (Photo: Paat Kelly)

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

 

Almost.

 

The Sky Sox almost pulled out a win, coming back to tie the Memphis Redbirds in the 8th on a Kyle Wren single - only to have Rob Scahill surrender a home run in the bottom half of the inning - leading to a 2-1 lose. Both Redbird runs came on solo HRs.

 

On the plus side, Matt Garza threw five strong innings (73 pitches), allowing a run, two hits and two walks while striking out four. Expect him back in Milwaukee shortly.

 

The bats were mostly silent for the Sky Sox. Tyler Heineman (2-3, 2B) managed a pair of hits, and Garrett Cooper (1-4) extended his hitting streak to six games.

 

Brett Phillips continues to strike out at a high rate. He has now struck out 10 times in 25 at bats.

 

Colorado Springs Game Log

 

The Sky Sox had a chance to take the lead in the 8th inning. After getting a run on Wren’s single, they had runners at the corner with only one out. Unfortunately, two consecutive ground balls couldn’t get in another runner. The Redbirds would re-take the lead in the bottom of the inning on an HR.

 

Col. Springs Top of the 8th

Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to second baseman Wilfredo Tovar.

Tyler Heineman singles on a bunt ground ball to first baseman Luke Voit. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd.

Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Eric Sogard replaces Stephen Kohlscheen.

Eric Sogard strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Arturo Reyes. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Tyler Heineman to 2nd.

Kyle Wren singles on a line drive to center fielder Harrison Bader. Yadiel Rivera scores. Tyler Heineman to 3rd.

Ivan De Jesus Jr. grounds out sharply, third baseman Patrick Wisdom to first baseman Luke Voit. Kyle Wren to 2nd.

Ryan Cordell grounds out, shortstop Paul DeJong to first baseman Luke Voit.

 

Memphis Bottom of the 8th

Pitching Change: Rob Scahill replaces Stephen Kohlscheen, batting 2nd, replacing second baseman Ivan De Jesus Jr.

Eric Sogard remains in the game as the second baseman.

Todd Cunningham strikes out swinging.

Chad Huffman homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

Luke Voit flies out to right fielder Brett Phillips.

Harrison Bader flies out to left fielder Ryan Cordell.

[And That]

Burlington tops Wisconsin 9-1

Bees outhit Rattlers 15-3 as they pull away to win series

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

(Photo: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers)

 

Wisconsin Boxscore

 

Not much to see in the box score in terms of offense. Ronnie Gideon, Mario Feliciano, and Jonathan Oquendo each had a hit, and Feliciano's was a double, dubiously making him Player of the Game. Somebody has to be. Trever Morrison continued his odd start to the season. In his first 14 PAs of 2017, he has struck out 7 times and walked 3 times. He had an error in today's game, his first of the year, which gave him one more error than he has hits.

 

Nattino Diplan had big time trouble locating, well, anything today, which is kind of the thing that usually happens to him. He gets pretty good movement on everything, but really has no idea where it is going most of the time. He generates lots of ground balls, but he often catches too much of the zone and the ground balls are hit sharply into holes. He throws hard, 92-95 at peak, but does not appear to have great arm speed, so he really has to torque the ball up there, which I believe adds to his struggles with control. Dalton Brown followed "Tino" with an equally forgettable outing. Aaron Myers did yeoman work to chew up the final 4 innings, allowing a solo home run and little other incidental damage. And yes, pop outs.

 

Wisconsin Log

 

Pop outs may be all we have, but we have pop outs from Aaron Myers:

 

Burlington Top of the 6th

Pitching Change: Aaron Myers replaces Dalton Brown.

Jack Kruger walks.

Jordan Zimmerman strikes out swinging.

Jeyson Sanchez called out on strikes.

Brennan Morgan pops out to second baseman Tucker Neuhaus.

 

Burlington Top of the 7th

Jordan Serena grounds out, second baseman Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman Ronnie Gideon.

Juan Moreno homers (1) on a fly ball to left field.

Josh Merrigan called out on strikes.

Jahmai Jones pops out to shortstop Trever Morrison.

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO: Biloxi lowlights

 

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VIDEO via WXXV: More from the Shuckers game

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Blog: "Kyle Lobner & Chris Mehring discuss Wednesday's 9-1 loss to Burlington and have interviews with Aaron Myers and Matt Erickson from the clubhouse."

[Mass Haas]

[Mass Haas]

@BrewerProspect Twitter timeline

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via WLOX: More from Biloxi