Link Report for Sunday, 8/19

[LouisEly]

Organizational scoreboard:

 

http://www.milb.com/scoreboard/index.jsp?sid=milb&org=158&ymd=20180819

 

Aaron Ashby with a very nice outing for the T-Rats.

 

Discuss.

[DHonks]

Is Taylor playing his way into a 40-man spot? Still just 24, showing that power. He needs to work on walks, but there are plenty of players that have improved their OBP in their mid-to-late 20s.

[WV Brew]

Potomac 4, Carolina 2

 

Francis Allows Two Homers in 4-2 Loss to Nationals

The Mudcats fell 4-2 in Sunday's series finale and lost two of three in their series versus Potomac

 

 

Bowden Francis had a no-hitter going through four but it all came undone in the 5th with the headlined gopher balls. Meanwhile, Mudcat hitters could only manage 3 hits. They did get the tying runs on base with Weston Wilson up and two out but he grounded out to short to end the threat.

 

Bowden Francis: 6 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Nathan Kirby: 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 2 K

Luke Barker: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K

 

Cooper Hummel: 1-3, BB

Ryan Aguilar: 1-3, 3B

 

Trivia: Luke Barker went to the same high school as Aaron Rodgers. I suppose it's too late for Rodgers to try baseball?

 

Carolina Box Score

 

Carolina Game Log

[LouisEly]

Is Taylor playing his way into a 40-man spot? Still just 24, showing that power. He needs to work on walks, but there are plenty of players that have improved their OBP in their mid-to-late 20s.

He has a low walk rate, but he also has a low K rate (16.75% this year, 12.86% for his minor league career). A little less speed than Broxton, but less strikeouts, so perhaps he has a chance to displace Broxton next year as the 5th OF/AAA-to-majors roster shuttle.

[reillymcshane]

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 3

 

Grisham Walks Off Pensacola

Shuckers' Outfielder Connects for His Second Walk-Off Hit of the Homestand

By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers

 

(Michael Krebs)

 

Biloxi Box Score

 

Trent Grisham hit a walk off HR in the bottom of the 9th to lead Biloxi to a 4-3 victory on Sunday. Keston Hiura and Clint Coulter also homered in the game.

 

On the mount, Braden Webb had an impressive start, going six innings and surrendering only one run on six hits. He walked two and struck out four.

 

Batting

 

Trent Grisham: 1-3, HR

Keston Hiura: 2-4, HR

Clint Coulter: 1-4, HR

Max McDowell: 1-2, BB

 

Pitching

 

Braden Webb: 6.0 IP, 6 hits, 1 ER, 2BB, 4K

Brad Kuntz: 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 0BB, 1K

Jon Olczak: 2.0 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 0BB, 1K, Win

 

Notes

 

Despite being a reliever, Jon Olczak has nine wins on the year, which is good for 3rd most in the Southern League.

 

Biloxi Game Log

 

First batter, walk off win!

 

Biloxi Bottom of the 9th

Trent Grisham homers (6) on a fly ball to right field.

[reillymcshane]

Is Taylor playing his way into a 40-man spot? Still just 24, showing that power. He needs to work on walks, but there are plenty of players that have improved their OBP in their mid-to-late 20s.

Taylor has a .203 batting average and a .604 OPS on the road this year. His Colorado Springs numbers are huge - .337 BA and a 1.018 OPS.

 

I think he's the classic example of how mediocre batters can really get a boost from the thin Colorado air.

[Madhawk23]

Is Taylor playing his way into a 40-man spot? Still just 24, showing that power. He needs to work on walks, but there are plenty of players that have improved their OBP in their mid-to-late 20s.

Taylor has a .203 batting average and a .604 OPS on the road this year. His Colorado Springs numbers are huge - .337 BA and a 1.018 OPS.

 

I think he's the classic example of how mediocre batters can really get a boost from the thin Colorado air.

 

Yikes - if that's not a red flag on a guy, then I'm not sure what is? Was hoping TT was regaining some of that prospect status this year, but those road/home splits are pretty alarming.

[clancyphile]

Is Taylor playing his way into a 40-man spot? Still just 24, showing that power. He needs to work on walks, but there are plenty of players that have improved their OBP in their mid-to-late 20s.

Taylor has a .203 batting average and a .604 OPS on the road this year. His Colorado Springs numbers are huge - .337 BA and a 1.018 OPS.

 

I think he's the classic example of how mediocre batters can really get a boost from the thin Colorado air.

 

Yikes - if that's not a red flag on a guy, then I'm not sure what is? Was hoping TT was regaining some of that prospect status this year, but those road/home splits are pretty alarming.

 

More inclined to give Troy Stokes the 40-man spot. Use Taylor to get some lower-level lottery tickets.

[homer]

Aaron Ashby has the makings of a stud.

[clancyphile]

Aaron Ashby has the makings of a stud.

 

The second through 10th rounds are where the Brewers really need to get hits.

 

They've struggled there over the years, but the last six years have some promise or the Brewers were able to turn those prospects into help.

 

2016 looks quite promising in that regard:

Corbin Burnes is already in the majors.

Zach Brown and Braden Webb both look very solid

Erceg looks like a good 3B option, and Henry's got a good bat at catcher.

 

After that, Weston Wilson's a versatile Hernan Perez type, Gabriel Garcia's slumped n his first full-season, but had two good years prior to that, Cam Roegner's dominated, and Cooper Hummel may be another option behind the plate.

[Mass Haas]

Just letting everyone know that I have personal affairs I must attend to, it coincides with Toby's well-earned vacation this week. I will work on filling in gaps this evening.

 

If anyone wishes to update on the Sky Sox, Rattlers, Helena or Maryvale this afternoon, that'd be OK, too .

[homer]

Just letting everyone know that I have personal affairs I must attend to, it coincides with Toby's well-earned vacation this week. I will work on filling in gaps this evening.

 

If anyone wishes to update on the Sky Sox, Rattlers, Helena or Maryvale this afternoon, that'd be OK, too .

 

I've started the thread....might need to check the links though

[bkrause2]

Final: Colorado Springs 17, Omaha 5

 

SKY SOX SWEEP STORM CHASERS IN 17-RUN LANDSLIDE VICTORY

Tyrone Taylor Comes Just Short of a Cycle while Domingo Santana Totaled Five Runs Batted In

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Sky Sox completed their second sweep of the season with a 17-5 final game victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor finished a double shy of the cycle on his four-hit, four RBI day while fellow outfielder Domingo Santana slugged two home runs and combined for five RBI.

 

The matinee scoring got off to a head start in the first inning. Omaha jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead after consecutive home runs by leadoff batter Brian Goodwin and Nicky Lopez. However, in the bottom half, the Sky Sox manufactured two runs of their own to tie the game at 2-2 on two consecutive singles by Nate Orf and Dylan Moore mixed with a wild pitch and a groundout.

 

In the home half of the second, Colorado Springs jumped out to a 6-2 advantage courtesy of Moore's two-RBI double and Taylor's two-run home run - his 18th of the season and third in as many games.

 

After the Storm Chasers plated two runs on Goodwin's second home run of the day, the Sky Sox broke out with six runs to take a towering 12-4 lead. Moore began the inning with a double while Taylor tripled and Santana homered to combine for three runs. Jett Bandy doubled to restart the inning and after a walk to Rymer Liriano, Andres Blanco connected with his eighth home run of the season -a three-run shot to right field.

 

Omaha narrowed the lead to 12-5 after an RBI single by Cam Gallagher in the top of the fifth, but again, the Sky Sox broke out with another two runs courtesy of Santana's second home-run of the afternoon, and then another two runs in the bottom of the sixth, making it a 16-5 lead. Orf doubled to plate the first one while Taylor lined a base hit and was thrown out stretching a double, which would have given him the cycle.

 

The Sky Sox capped off the afternoon with a final 17th run to tie for the most runs in a game this season.

 

The Sky Sox head into an off day tomorrow and will begin another three-game set with the Iowa Cubs Tuesday to round out their penultimate homestand of 2018. For all information on Sky Sox, follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and visit the team's website at http://www.skysox.com.

 

Colorado Springs Box Score

Colorado Springs Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Cedar Rapids 3, Wisconsin 2

 

Late-Inning Magic Eludes Rattlers in 3-2 Loss to Kernels

By Christopher Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

 

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have made a habit of come-from-behind, walkoff victories at home this month. However, the Cedar Rapids Kernels held off a late Wisconsin charge on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium for a 3-2 win.

 

Michael Helman put the Kernels (66-59 overall, 34-22 second half) up 1-0 with a one-out, solo home run in the top of the first inning. That was about it for Cedar Rapids against Wisconsin starting pitcher Aaron Ashby.

 

Ashby allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out ten over six innings as he held the Kernels to that one run. The left-hander set a new single-game high as a professional for strikeouts with his performance on Sunday.

 

Wisconsin (60-65, 29-27) had Cedar Rapids starter Edwar Colina in a few jams early in the game. In the first, the Rattlers loaded the bases with two outs. In the second, they had two on with two outs. Colina escaped from each inning without allowing a run. He settled in after that and would wind up with ten strikeouts over 6-1/3 innings.

 

The Kernels added an unearned run for some insurance in the top of the seventh against reliever Michael Petersen. David Bañuelos doubled and took third on an error with one out. Akil Baddoo beat out an infield single with two outs to drive in Bañuelos for a 2-0 lead.

 

The Rattlers managed to get to Colina in the seventh. Payton Henry doubled with one out and took third on a wild pitch. Gabriel García dumped a single into right to score Henry and the Rattlers trailed 2-1.

 

Moises Gomez took over for Colina after the single by García and promptly forgot about García because the Rattler runner stole second base on the first pitch that he threw. García made it to third base later in the inning on a wild pitch, but was stranded there when Tristen Lutz's deep fly to center was caught for the final out.

 

Cedar Rapids added a run in the top of the ninth inning when Matt Hardy allowed a two-out, solo home run to Michael Davis. That gave the Kernels their two-run cushion back. They would need that insurance run, too.

 

Lara started the bottom of the ninth inning with a triple. García drove in Lara with an RBI grounder to short, but that was the final threat for the Rattlers as they could not generate another comeback win.

 

Wisconsin has played eight home games during August. They are 6-2 in those games and seven of those eight games have been decided by one run. Opposing teams have scored first in six of the eight games at Neuroscience Group Field in August.

 

The loss to the Kernels dropped Wisconsin to five games out of the race for the top second half playoff spot in the Western Division. In the second half Western Division Wild Card race, Beloit lost 6-4 in ten innings to Burlington at home while Kane County beat Clinton 3-2 in ten innings at home. The Timber Rattlers remain 2-1/2 games behind Beloit for the Wild Card, but Kane County is just one game behind Beloit in the chase for the final Western Division playoff spot. Wisconsin has fourteen games left in the regular season.

 

The final game of the series with the Kernels is Monday afternoon. Wilfred Salaman (0-2, 8.56) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Cedar Rapids will send Tyler Watson (4-6, 4.87) to the mound. Game time is 12:05pm.

 

Monday is the last chance for the kids to come out for a day game at the stadium and the Rattlers are making sure that Kids Rock the Ballpark. Appleton Rock School will perform in front of the stadium before the game. Neuroscience Group will be handing out - and helping to fit - a limited number of bike helmets for kids. Children 12 and under will receive a voucher for a free hot dog and soda when they enter the stadium. Plus, the Kids' Zone lets the kids at the game to use the inflatables for free!

 

Purchase an entrée at any Qdoba location in Appleton, Neenah, or Oshkosh for lunch on Monday and receive a ticket to this home game on a Qdoba Q*Monday with NASH-FM 99.5 & 104.9.

 

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are many ways to catch the action. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 11:45am. The broadcast is also available on the Tune In and IHeart Radio apps. Subscribers to MiLB.tv can watch the game over the internet.

 

Wisconsin Box Score

 

I was at the Rattlers' game on Sunday and have some photos posted if anyone wants to check them out. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Aaron Ashby was outstanding after the first inning home run, striking out ten over his six innings. His fastball was sitting low-90's and he mixed his pitches well with a change that was tough to pick up out of his hand. His breaking stuff was perhaps the most impressive though, as he looked untouchable at times. He does fall off the mound toward the third base side with his delivery a little bit, but that;s fairly minor and overall he looked really good. Michael Petersen followed him and I was pleasantly surprised to see him sitting 94-95 with his fastball, hitting 96 a couple of times. I liked Eddie Silva's approach at the plate but other than that, it was a tough day for Rattlers hitters, as they struck out 12 times. The home plate umpire had a very inconsistent strike zone however and Zach Clark got tossed quickly after a few choice words following a called strike three. Both dugouts were barking at the ump throughout the game and both Matt Erickson and Hainley Statia had words for him as well.

 

Wisconsin Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: Grand Junction 6, Helena 1

 

Rockies Stifle Brewers To Win Series

Helena Held Hitless Through First 4.2 Innings

By Greg Mroz / Helena Brewers

 

 

Helena, MT - Playing their final game against Grand Junction this season, the Helena Brewers offense never got going, as the Rockies held them hitless through the first 4.2 innings. Grand Junction broke a scoreless tie with a three run fifth, cruising to a 6-1 victory over the Brewers, taking the series two games to one.

 

Justin Bullock held the Rockies scoreless through the first four innings, but Grand Junction finally broke the ice against him in the fifth. Zach Hall drew a leadoff walk, but Bullock got the next two. With the corner infielders back, Hunter Stovall put a bunt down and easily reached first base. That brought up Coco Montes, who singled to right on the first pitch, scoring Hall. Grant Lavigne then followed with an RBI single, scoring Stovall and ending the day for Bullock. Grand Junction scored one more in the inning, leading 3-0 at the completion of the frame.

 

Helena's offense was held hitless until two outs in the fifth, when Pablo Abreu doubled against Jared Skolnicki. The Brewers were also held scoreless until the seventh, when David Fry doubled home a one out single from Yeison Coca. However, the rally was stalled as Fry was thrown out trying to stretch the double into a triple.

 

Grand Junction added on a run in the eighth and ninth innings respectively, winning 6-1. The Brewers finish their season series against the Rockies 3-4.

 

The Brewers open up a four game series tomorrow against the Orem Owlz, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Joel Pinto makes the start for the Brewers, his first at Kindrick Legion Field. Tomorrow is an AARP Boomer Bogo Monday along with a Micro Monday. For more information and tickets, visit the promotions page of helenabrewers.net.

 

Helena Box Score

 

Helena Game Log

[bkrause2]

Final: AZL Brewers 3, AZL Cubs2 2

 

The Brewers rallied to tie the game with a run in the seventh and then walked off with a 3-2 win over the Cubs when they plated a run in the bottom of the tenth. Cam Robinson got the start and went 4.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned), and Johan Dominguez picked up the win after tossing the final two scoreless frames. Korry Howell had a productive day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and a sacrifice. Larry Ernesto made his stateside debut, going 2-for-4 with a walk and an RBI and Jess Williams added two hits and two stolen bases.

 

AZL Brewers Box Score / Game Log

 

Luis Avalo with a HUGE pickoff at third base in the top of the tenth to keep the Cubs off the board, which set up Ernesto's walk-off heroics.

 

AZL Cubs 2 Top of the 10th

Drew Wharton starts inning at 2nd base.

Richard Nunez out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Luis Avalo to second baseman Jess Williams. Drew Wharton to 3rd.

With Miguel Pabon batting, Luis Avalo picks off Drew Wharton at 3rd on throw to Korry Howell.

Miguel Pabon called out on strikes.

 

AZL Brewers Bottom of the 10th

Micah Bello starts inning at 2nd base.

Korry Howell out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Luis Silva to first baseman Fidel Mejia. Micah Bello to 3rd.

Jess Williams strikes out swinging.

Larry Ernesto singles on a fly ball to right fielder Drew Wharton. Micah Bello scores.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Cedar Rapids 3, Wisconsin 2

 

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have made a habit of come-from-behind, walkoff victories at home this month. However, the Cedar Rapids Kernels held off a late Wisconsin charge on Sunday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium for a 3-2 win.

 

Michael Helman put the Kernels (66-59 overall, 34-22 second half) up 1-0 with a one-out, solo home run in the top of the first inning. That was about it for Cedar Rapids against Wisconsin starting pitcher Aaron Ashby.

 

Ashby allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out ten over six innings as he held the Kernels to that one run. The left-hander set a new single-game high as a professional for strikeouts with his performance on Sunday.

 

I was at the Rattlers' game on Sunday and have some photos posted if anyone wants to check them out. As mentioned earlier in this thread, Aaron Ashby was outstanding after the first inning home run, striking out ten over his six innings. His fastball was sitting low-90's and he mixed his pitches well with a change that was tough to pick up out of his hand. His breaking stuff was perhaps the most impressive though, as he looked untouchable at times. He does fall off the mound toward the third base side with his delivery a little bit, but that's fairly minor and overall he looked really good. Michael Petersen followed him and I was pleasantly surprised to see him sitting 94-95 with his fastball, hitting 96 a couple of times. I liked Eddie Silva's approach at the plate but other than that, it was a tough day for Rattlers hitters, as they struck out 12 times.

 

 

***

 

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud: "The Timber Rattlers fell behind the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday afternoon and couldn't make up the difference in the loss. Chris Mehring & Kyle Lobner discuss some of the turning points and big plays in the game before hearing from Matt Erickson and Aaron Ashby, the latest Rattlers pitcher to strike out ten batters in a game."

[Mass Haas]

Final: Biloxi 4, Pensacola 3

 

Grisham Walks Off Pensacola

Shuckers' Outfielder Connects for His Second Walk-Off Hit of the Homestand

By Spencer Siegel / Biloxi Shuckers

 

Trent Grisham hit a walk off HR in the bottom of the 9th to lead Biloxi to a 4-3 victory on Sunday. Keston Hiura and Clint Coulter also homered in the game.

 

***

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Colorado Springs 17, Omaha 5

 

SKY SOX SWEEP STORM CHASERS IN 17-RUN LANDSLIDE VICTORY

Tyrone Taylor Comes Just Short of a Cycle while Domingo Santana Totaled Five Runs Batted In

 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Sky Sox completed their second sweep of the season with a 17-5 final game victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers Sunday afternoon at Security Service Field. Outfielder Tyrone Taylor finished a double shy of the cycle on his four-hit, four RBI day while fellow outfielder Domingo Santana slugged two home runs and combined for five RBI.

 

***

 

Home run VIDEOS:

 

Tyrone Taylor

 

***

 

[Mass Haas]

VIDEO via the Shuckers: Game highlights