Link Report for Wednesday 4/18 - AM Baseball for Mudcats, Wisconsin Afternoon Matinee

[Mass Haas]

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

 

Organizational Scoreboard including starting pitcher info, game times, MiLB TV links, and box scores

 

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Links for affiliate audio

 

Have great seasons Dan and Erik in Colorado Springs, Garrett as he jumps up from Helena to Biloxi, Greg in Carolina, and Chris in Appleton!

 

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Media notes, standings, and sortable stat pages

 

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The entire local TV Timber Rattlers broadcast schedule

 

The first TV game is Monday April 23rd.

 

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Must-follows for you on Twitter -- In addition to the affiliate Twitter accounts, please follow:

 

@BrewersFarm

 

@BrewCrewBlue

 

Believe me, the way they supplement any coverage and links we might be able to provide is invaluable.

[Mass Haas]

How often do the big league Brewers play an early afternoon matinee, yet you can still enjoy an entire warm-up game on the farm first?

 

Nathan Kirby's starting today for the 9:35 AM Central Mudcat game in Wilmington.

 

Chris Mehring has the noontime Central Timber Rattler game, but that one bumps into the big league broadcast. T-Rats diehards, tune in!

[WV Brew]

Keston Hiura splits going into today:

 

vs LHP: .417/.583/1.000

vs RHP: .188/.107/0.295

 

Early yet.

[Mass Haas]

As also posted in our 2018 Sky Sox archive thread of feature articles --

 

Story has been shared in prior years, but still a fine read with new quotes --

 

Johnny Davis is baseball’s biggest underdog story

by Bobby DeMuro

 

[Mass Haas]

Notes from the Sky Sox (Tuesday):

 

Fear Not the Southpaw: With the win in Sunday's game one over Round Rock's left-hander David Hurlbut, the Sky Sox are now 3-0 versus left-handed starters this season.

 

Starters Starting Strong: Aaron Brooks' loss for the Sky Sox in game two of Sunday's doubleheader against Round Rock was the first loss taken by a Colorado Springs starter so far this season. Prior to that, Sky Sox starters were 5-0 on the year.

 

Swiper No Swiping: The Sky Sox are now 17 for 21 on stolen base attempts so far this season and have successfully recorded at least one stolen base in eight of their last nine games.

 

Still Taller Than Altuve: With yesterday's addition of Robie Rojas as back-up catcher, Rojas is listed as 5' 7", making him only the second player listed at 5' 7" to play for the Sky Sox. The only other player listed at 5' 7" was in elder Houston Jimenez, who was listed as 5' 7" during the inaugural 1988 season. The only other recent Sky Sox player in that same vicinity is Nate Orf, who is listed as 5'8". Here is the list of players that have played for the Sky Sox listed at 5' 7" or 5' 8": Houston Jimenez (5' 7") (1988), Robie Rojas (5' 7") (2018), Ron Belliard (5' 8") (2003), John Cangelosi (5' 8") (1999), Eddy Garabito (5' 8") (2005), Trenidad Hubbard (5' 8") (1993-1996), Ced Landrum (5' 8") (1995), Quinton McCracken (5' 8") (1995), Frank Menechino (5' 8") (2007), Aaron Miles (5' 8") (2004-2005), Nate Orf (5' 8") (2016-2018), John Stefero (5' 8") (1988), Eider Torres (5' 8") (2010).

 

First Homestand in the Books: The Sky Sox completed their first homestand of the 2018 season with a record of 5-2 (.714). In seven games, Sky Sox batters averaged a .322 average with 19 doubles, five triples, six home runs and 38 RBI with 13 stolen bases. Sky Sox pitching finished out holding a 3.97 ERA over 59 innings pitched allowing 28 runs (26 ER), five home runs, 23 walks, and 56 strike-outs.

 

To the Road We Go: After a successful start to the season in Omaha, going 3-1 in the initial series, the Sky Sox look to keep the momentum alive. Last season, Colorado Springs posted a 4-3 record against the Baby Cakes on the road. In Round Rock on the road, the Sky Sox posted a 3-5 record.

 

The Week's Expectation: The Sky Sox are set for a seven-day road trip where they will be playing the same two teams that they just got finished facing at home. First the Sky Sox will play for a four-game set against the Baby Cakes, followed by a three-game set against the Express in Round Rock. The team will then have an off day on the 24th before starting another homestand on Wednesday, the 25th.

[And That]

Well, the odds are against the Rattlers losing by one run for a fifth straight game. So there's that.

[WV Brew]

Carolina 9, Wilmington 7

 

Wilson and Hummel Power Mudcats to 9-7 Victory

The Mudcats wrapped up their first road trip with a series win in Wilmington

 

 

The Mudcats jumped out to an 8-0 lead and held on by the skin of their teeth as the lead run came to the plate in the bottom half of the 9th for Wilmington. Three more strikeouts for Keston Hiura today. He is striking out at around a 30% clip which maybe we were not expecting. Three scoreless inning for Nathan Kirby.

 

Keston Hiura 1-5, 3 K

Ronnie Gideon 3-4

Weston Wilson 2-5, HR, 3 RBI

Cooper Hummel 1-2, HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB

Ryan Aguilar 1-3, 2B, 2 BB

 

Nathan Kirby 3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Victor Diaz 4 2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 K

Chase Williams 2/3 IP, Save

 

Carolina Box Score

 

The critical damage was done by the Mudcats in the 4th inning, when they scored 5 runs, all with 2 outs, topped off by Cooper Hummel's 3 run shot.

 

Carolina Top of the 4th

 

Luis Aviles Jr. strikes out swinging.

Keston Hiura strikes out swinging.

Tucker Neuhaus singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rudy Martin.

Ronnie Gideon singles on a line drive to right fielder Kort Peterson. Tucker Neuhaus to 3rd.

Clint Coulter singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Nick Heath. Tucker Neuhaus scores. Ronnie Gideon to 2nd.

Weston Wilson singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Rudy Martin. Ronnie Gideon scores. Clint Coulter to 2nd.

Cooper Hummel homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Clint Coulter scores. Weston Wilson scores.

Ryan Aguilar grounds out to first baseman Chase Vallot.

 

Carolina Log

[adambr2]

I gotta ask, for all the preseason hype, what the heck is going on with Lutz?

[brewmann04]

I very happy to see the Box Score with Kirby Results.

[Jenkins5]

I gotta ask, for all the preseason hype, what the heck is going on with Lutz?

 

Very few prospects at 19/20 in our system have came to Wisconsin & hit ground running. Tyron Taylor may be the last one. Most have been similar to Lutz & Garcia. 30-40 degrees and overall weather conditions usually don’t help most young hitters.

 

May and early will be the big month and a half to see if he starts to click. If no, per usual, he will go back down to Helena to get hot before coming back up in August.

 

Literally absolutely nothing unusual. Harrison is a rising star in minor leagues and he was terrible before being sent down ( got hot & then injuried in Helena) in first try. List goes on. Give him time to adjust. He is a player.... just had a tough start like many young kids do with the advanced placement

[Jenkins5]

Quinton Torres Costa is maybe the most intriguing pullpen arm in system. Think he is a kid who can force his way up by season end. Another filthy lefty with Hader like K numbers.

 

Tyrone Taylor is really showing life of a former top prospect of our system. Still think he’d be a really solid 4th OF. Another guy I wouldn’t be surprised to see by end of season

[reillymcshane]

Final: Mobile 6, Biloxi 5

 

Home Runs And Hit By Pitch Undo Shuckers In Mobile

BayBears Rally Twice to Beat Shuckers

By Garrett Greene

 

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Biloxi had the opportunities to win it on Wednesday, but they could not capitalize when the opportunities arose. The result was a 6-5 lose to Mobile. The Shuckers went 2-11 with runners in scoring position and left 10 men on base.

 

On the mound, starter Zack Brown was victimized by the long ball, giving up a pair of home runs - and five runs - in five innings of work. Quinin Torres-Costa was impressive to close out the game.

 

Batting

 

Troy Stokes Jr.: 1-4, BB, SB

Lucas Erceg: 2-4, BB

Nick Franklin: 3-5

Jake Hager: 1-3, 2B, BB

Dustin Houle: 0-2, 2BB

 

Pitching

 

Zack Brown: 5.0 IP, 5 hits, 5 ER, 2BB, 6K

Josh Uhen: 0.1 IP, 0 hits, 1 ER, 1BB

Quintin Torres-Costa: 2.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 0BB, 4K

 

Notes

 

Reliever Quintin Torres-Costa has had nice start to the 2018 season. Torres-Costa has struck out 11 in 6.2 innings while not surrendering any runs.

 

Biloxi Log

 

The 5th inning was a big one - for both teams. Biloxi walked five times in the inning - plus had one hit. It lead to three runs and the lead. However, Mobile would get back all three runs with a Matt Thaiss HR.

 

Biloxi Top of the 5th

Troy Stokes Jr. walks.

With Lucas Erceg batting, Troy Stokes Jr. steals (3) 2nd base.

Lucas Erceg strikes out swinging.

Nick Franklin singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendon Sanger, deflected by second baseman Hutton Moyer. Troy Stokes Jr. scores.

With Jake Gatewood batting, Nick Franklin steals (2) 2nd base, . Nick Franklin advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Michael Barash.

Jake Gatewood walks.

Dylan Moore walks. Jake Gatewood to 2nd.

Jake Hager walks. Nick Franklin scores. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Dylan Moore to 2nd.

Wendell Rijo strikes out swinging.

Dustin Houle walks. Jake Gatewood scores. Dylan Moore to 3rd. Jake Hager to 2nd.

Pitching Change: Ryan Clark replaces Sean Isaac.

Corey Ray flies out to left fielder Zach Gibbons.

 

Mobile Bottom of the 5th

Brendon Sanger singles on a fly ball to center fielder Corey Ray.

Wade Wass walks. Brendon Sanger to 2nd.

Brennon Lund grounds out to first baseman Dylan Moore. Brendon Sanger to 3rd. Wade Wass to 2nd.

Matt Thaiss homers (2) on a fly ball to right center field. Brendon Sanger scores. Wade Wass scores.

Taylor Ward called out on strikes.

Hutton Moyer strikes out swinging.

[wallus]

I gotta ask, for all the preseason hype, what the heck is going on with Lutz?

 

A Texas HS kid playing in the weather we have had is a recipe for early struggles.

[Mass Haas]

Thanks reillymcshane for the Biloxi box and notes.

 

The club has now posted their summary for additional details.

 

Home Runs And Hit By Pitch Undo Shuckers In Mobile

BayBears Rally Twice to Beat Shuckers

By Garrett Greene / Biloxi Shuckers

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO via the Sky Sox Pre-Game Soundcloud: RHP Bubba Derby

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 8, New Orleans 5

 

Summary not online yet, but we were able to get this for you --

 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – The Colorado Springs Sky Sox evened this four-game series with the New Orleans Baby Cakes at one game apiece after scoring eight unanswered runs late in the game to take an 8-5 victory.

 

For the second time in this series it was New Orleans who scored first, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning off of three singles. Magneuris Sierra singled to right field for the Baby Cakes' first hit of the evening, then moved up to third as Christian Adames also singled to right field on the very next pitch. Colorado Springs' starter Michael Brady then got Scott Van Slyke to strike out swinging on the ninth pitch of the at-bat after eight consecutive fouls for the second out of the inning. Isaac Galloway then lined a two-out RBI hit to center field for the Cakes' third single of the inning and first run of the game, scoring Sierra from third to put New Orleans up 1-0.

 

In the bottom of the fourth Galloway led off the inning with his second single of the night, which proved enough to knock Brady from the game. He was replaced on the mound by Aaron Brooks, who promptly gave up a single to Johnny Giavotella, moving Galloway to third. Galloway then scored on an Austin Nola ground ball out to make it 2-0 New Orleans.

 

Brett Phillips began the sixth inning by reaching on a New Orleans error, followed by a Tyrone Taylor single to put two on for Gabriel Noriega. Noriega laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Phillips and Taylor up 90 feet, before Andres Blanco knocked in both with a single to right field to tie the game at two apiece. Recent roster addition Tyler Heineman then flew out for the second out of the inning, and Shane Opitz grounded into what looked like the third out of the inning, but ended up reaching safely on the Cakes' second error of the inning (fielding error by Van Slyke). Nate Orf then came in to pinch-hit in the pitcher's spot, lining a single and scoring both Blanco and Opitz to give the Sky Sox a 4-2 lead.

 

The Sky Sox followed their four-run sixth inning with a four-run seventh to blow the game open 8-2. It started when Mauricio Dubon led off with a single, and then Phillips reached on the Baby Cakes third error of the evening. Dubon scored on a wild pitch and Taylor walked to make it 5-2 with two on. Noriega hit another sacrifice, this time a fly ball to right field, to score Phillips. Blanco then homered to bring in Taylor for his third and fourth RBI of the night, putting the Sox up 8-2.

 

New Orleans scored once more in the bottom of the penultimate inning to make it 8-3 off a Van Slyke solo homer.

 

The Baby Cakes were down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth inning when Van Slyke knocked in two more to make it 8-5, forcing the Sky Sox to change pitchers. Radhames Liz came into the game on the mound for Colorado Springs, striking out the only batter he faced to earn his first save of the season and secure the Sky Sox win.

 

Though the Baby Cakes had been sharp defensively for most of this young season, tonight they gave up three costly errors late in the game that allowed the Sky Sox to take the lead. Two days ago on April 16 the Round Rock Express also committed three errors in one game against Colorado Springs.

 

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Box Score / Game Log

 

Inherited runners-scored: Brooks 1-1; Zagurski 2-0; Liz 2-0.

 

The box will show it was a true bullpen game, 14 K's vs. just one walk, all but RHP Angel Ventura fared OK to very good.

 

Tyrone Taylor, 24 years old, two singles and a walk, .960 OPS. What a pleasant 2018 bonus.

 

Speaking of OPS, Andres Blanco, who played 2B-1B-SS here, has a 1.104.

[Mass Haas]

[And That]

Final: Kane County 13, Wisconsin 2

 

Cougars Freeze Rattlers 13-2

Wisconsin drops fifth straight with a loss at Dozer Park

By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

Home sweet temporary home

 

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Wisconsin Box Score

 

The Rattlers avoided a fifth straight one run loss by losing by 11 runs instead. They lead 1-0 after an inning but the pitching totally fell apart after that as Nelson Hernandez, Matthew Hardy, Jenri Montas, and Rodrigo Benoit combined to cough up 12 runs in 6 innings. Those runs came on just 9 hits but 11 walks - yikes. Robbie Hitt and Gabe Friese each pitched a scoreless frame and infielder Nick Roscetti closed the game out, giving up only an unearned run in his first pro pitching appearance.

 

Joangtel Segovia continues to be one of the better offensive stories in the farm system in the early going. He got two more base knocks, one a double, to raise his average to .417. He had a truly dreadful year in Wisconsin in 2017, so really nice to see him bounce back. While he didn't steal a base in Wednesday's game, Segovia is 7 for 7 in stolen bases this season. He's never been a big stolen base threat, with a career-high of 11 last year, and he's had a lowsy caught stealing percentage for the most part. Perhaps some offseason work paying dividends.

 

On the flip side of that, have to note that the Tristen Lutz-KJ Harrison-Gabriel Garcia troika ended the game hitting .056, .038, and .086, respectively. Back in 2015, they let Jake Gatewood and Monte Harrison struggle for about 200 PAs in Wisconsin before sending them off to the Helena roster. That may end up applying to Lutz and Garcia, but the struggles of KJ Harrison are a bit baffling. He's a really good hitter and will recover, and I doubt he's even under consideration to be sent back to extended spring training but the longer his struggles persist, the more the Brewers will need to consider doing something about it.

 

Wisconsin Game Log

 

Nope.