Link Report for Games of Thursday, August 24th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Buck Rogers, Brevard County General Manager:

 

The Brevard County Manatees and Palm Beach Cardinals game tonight has been postponed until tomorrow night (Friday, 8/25) as part of a doubleheader. The field at Space Coast Stadium is almost completely underwater and because of the amount of rainfall this week, it is draining very slowly and hopefully will be gone before sunset tonight so the grounds crew can have enough time to make necessary repairs for Friday night's DH. The amount of rain received on the Space Coast this afternoon had equipment and garbage cans floating in the dugouts.

 

We have one of the best grounds crews in the business and we're confident that if (or when) the rains stop that they'll have us playing baseball again.

 

Anybody wanting a photo of the Ponds of Space Coast Stadium (i.e., the outfield) can email info@spacecoaststadium.com.

 

Rock On!

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Justin Lehr at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:10 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Manny Parra at West Tenn (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450radio.com/

 

West Virginia: RHP Shawn Ferguson at Greensboro (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower.

 

Helena: The impressive RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime

 

Audio (click on "Listen Live"):

www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php

 

Arizona: TBD at the Mariners' complex to face the Seattle kids, 9:00 PM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_gboafx_1

 

Helena:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona Rookie:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_mrnrok_1

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime:

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

 

Following Nashville's lead, Huntsville now makes its media notes available as well, nice:

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Wednesday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 72 60 .545 - 41-27 31-33 W3[/b] Iowa 68 64 .515 4.0 40-27 28-37 W5 Memphis 52 80 .394 20.0 31-38 21-42 L1 Omaha 50 82 .379 22.0 31-37 19-45 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Huntsville 33 25 .569 - 17-12 16-13 W2[/b] Tennessee 33 26 .559 0.5 18-12 15-14 W1 Chattanooga 31 28 .525 2.5 17-13 14-15 W2 West Tenn 29 30 .492 4.5 19-10 10-20 L2 Carolina 25 34 .424 8.5 19-10 6-24 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 33 24 .579 - 17-12 16-12 W2 Daytona 32 26 .552 1.5 21-12 11-14 L1 Palm Beach 31 26 .544 2.0 18-11 13-15 L1 [b]Brevard County 25 33 .431 8.5 13-13 12-20 W2[/b] Vero Beach 21 35 .375 11.5 13-16 8-19 L2 Jupiter 21 38 .356 13.0 11-18 10-20 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 40 18 .690 - 24-7 16-11 W3 Lake County 31 25 .554 8.0 16-13 15-12 W1 [b]West Virginia 30 28 .517 10.0 18-11 12-17 W1[/b] Greensboro 29 28 .509 10.5 14-16 15-12 L1 Hickory 30 29 .508 10.5 14-18 16-11 W1 Lexington 24 35 .407 16.5 15-14 9-21 L2 Delmarva 22 35 .386 17.5 12-13 10-22 W1 Hagerstown 22 36 .379 18.0 11-18 11-18 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 18 6 .750 - 12-2 6-4 W10 Missoula 15 9 .625 3.0 8-2 7-7 W1 [b]Helena 13 11 .542 5.0 6-4 7-7 L2[/b] Great Falls 7 17 .292 11.0 6-8 1-9 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 15 6 .714 - 5-1 10-5 W2 AZL Royals 16 7 .696 - 8-4 8-3 L1 AZL Giants 15 7 .682 0.5 7-4 8-3 W2 AZL Padres 13 8 .619 2.0 8-4 5-4 W1 AZL Athletics 11 11 .500 4.5 9-3 2-8 W3 AZL Mariners 10 12 .455 5.5 8-3 2-9 L2 AZL Cubs 9 13 .409 6.5 4-7 5-6 L2 AZL Rangers 7 16 .304 9.0 6-7 1-9 W1 [b]AZL Brewers 3 19 .136 12.5 3-8 0-11 L9[/b]

[colbyjack]

Hey pogo, I don't know what happend to your post that I read in here about an hour ago, but there is a slight chance David Welch will pitch tomorrow. Earlier today I went back and looked at the starters for WV the past 4-5 days knowing you were checking out this series and noticed Brandon Parillo and David Welch pitched a double header on the day that would be five days ago from tomorrow. So, there is a slight chance Welch would get the nod in that situation.

 

I still would like to hear about both Ferguson and Parillo, both of whom we know next to nothing about. I can't wait for your reports, thanks in advance.

[Mass Haas]

Reminder to our readers in the Southeast or satellite TV viewers:

 

CSS To Televise August 24 Sounds Game

 

CSS, available on channel 27 on Comcast cable in Middle Tennessee, will televise the Nashville Sounds' game at Memphis on Thursday, August 24 as part of its 10-week, 2006 Minor League Game of the Week broadcast schedule.

 

The Pacific Coast League game will be televised live from AutoZone Park on CSS (Comcast/Charter Sports Southeast) at 7:00 p.m. (CT). CSS is a regional sports channel that reaches 4.5 million cable subscribers in 11 states across the southeast.

 

For a third consecutive season, CSS sports anchor Matt Stewart is calling the play-by-play for the network's minor league baseball coverage. He is joined this season by former minor league manager Nick Belmonte, who has worked with CSS for a number of years on its college baseball coverage.

[heresrobin]

I don't know if this was already mentioned but the player profile links on milb.com have been drastically improved. A lot more statistical info as well as a little more personal info.

[Mass Haas]

Wow, that just changed today -- here's Ben Hendrickson's for example...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...pid=430608

[Mass Haas]

Be sure to click on the correct date, this is from Monday:

 

Monday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with hitting coch Johnny Narron (Select date for August 21st, skip to the 15:00 minute mark) --

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[plowjockey]

I'm starting to get excited about Manny Parra again. 6k's thru 5. And then he gets shelled in the 6th. No more mid game posts for me.

[pogokat]

ok, i'm just gonna review the guys that really did something tonight:

 

Lorenzo Cain

Lorenzo smoked a single in his first ab. In the second at bat, he got hit in the leg, and was ready to charge the mound, but he was escorted to first. Of course, he was still furious, and so it seemed that his immediate stealing of 2nd, and then third, were both done on pure intensity. Lorenzo runs very well--he's nearly as fast as Darren Ford, who is incredibly fast. Anyway, Lorenzo may have misplayed one ball in the outfield, which unfortunately led to the winning run scoring, but he has a cannon for an arm. He threw that guy out at second from the corner by the wall, and it was a laser beam. Lorenzo is quite an athlete, and every time i see him I'm more convinced that he's going to be a very good major leaguer. Oh, i should say that the error Lorenzo reached on should have probably been ruled a hit---the 3b never really came up with the ball, but it was a tough play, and as mentioned, Cain is fast.

 

Darren Ford

Darren is probably the most improved player on the roster versus what I saw earlier in the season. His Home run was a line drive that probably traveled 380 feet...if he had a little more loft in his swing, he could probably hit quite a few more home runs...i think he may even hot 15 in a season sometime. He's a very solid defender, and with his speed he can cover a huge amount of ground. On his walk in the 8th? you could tell he was really watching the pitches closely....took 5 straight pitches to get the count full, then fouled one or two off, then walked...I'm impressed.

 

Mike Bell

Bell Dh'd tonight, so i didn't get to check out his D, but his power is legit. His homer was a no-doubter...probably over 400 feet. I would assume that if he can stick in the middle infield he will rise pretty quickly...Of course the fact that Ryan Barba is playing the field over him is not a good sign.

 

Mat Gamel

Mat got on base tonight and continues to impress. This is an interesting team without any true power guys---its fun to watch them work the count and steal bases...really an exciting group. Most exciting of all was Mat's near game tying out in the 9th. Don't know if anyone was listening to the game, but Gamel's flyout was gone...Greg burns, Greensboro's CF robbed him...the ball was probably a foot over the wall. Mat was in disbelief. He walked back to the dugout slowly and stopped twice to watch the replay on the scoreboard...it was a great play, but cool to see Mat crush it like that.

 

A few more notes: Shawn Ferguson throws in the 89-91 ranges, and as the box score can attest, was pretty wild. Actually, upon looking at the box score, he was extremely wild... that pretty much covers it. Ryan Marion is a local guy, so he got nice applause coming in and coming out, but he didnt show great stuff and his control was pretty off as well. Dane Renkert looked solid, but his fastball was also only hitting 91, which seemed a little slower than early in the year---perhaps they've adjusted their gun in Greensboro. Kenny Holmberg is a very good hitter and he shows an almost uncontrollable amount of intensity. kenny looked ready to punch the entire Grasshoppers lineup throughout the game. Michael Brantley predictably walked, but once again proved that he has no power at all...he just doesn't hit the ball hard, and really has to be in Cf to have a chance at making it...unfortunately, I think Cain and Ford are probably both ahead of him defensively. I suspect he will repeat at low-A next year, opening a spot in the Brevard outfield for Cole Gillespie

 

I'll have more details tomorrow night...if you've got any specific questions from tonights game, or anything you want to know for tomorrow, feel free to message me or post it in here or tomorrows link report...

[bork]

Thanks for the report. Good stuff. Any comments on Gamel's defense?

[pogokat]

he didn't do anything great or stupid, so no nothing new from tonight...sadly, with D you need to see a guy get a bunch of opportunities before you can really make a judgement or statement about it..

[Mass Haas]

Thanks, pogo -- good stuff, indeed...

 

Final: Greensboro (Marlins) 6, West Virginia 5

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

FOUR RUN SIXTH NOT ENOUGH IN POWER LOSS

 

The West Virginia Power scored four runs in the sixth inning of Thursday night?s game in Greensboro to eliminate a three-run deficit, but it was not enough to take down the Grasshoppers who took the second game of the series 6-5.

 

The Grasshoppers plated their first run of the game in the second inning when Shawn Ferguson walked Agustin Septimo with the bases loaded. A half inning later Darren Ford tied the game on a solo homer, his sixth of the season. Greensboro regained the lead in the bottom of the third when Andy Jenkins scored on a wild pitch. Jenkins struck again in the fourth inning on his first of two, two-run singles to put the Grasshoppers ahead by three.

 

The Power scored four runs on five hits in the top of the sixth inning to take the lead. Mike Bell tied the game with a towering three-run homer, his 11th of the season. A few batters later Michael Brantley knocked in Tony Festa on a sacrifice fly. Andy Jenkins, who had been a thorn in West Virginia?s side all night long, provided a clutch two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Hoppers the lead for good.

 

Kenny Holmberg had three hits on the night, giving him five in the series. Darren Ford stole two bases, and he is one away from tying former Charleston Alley Cat Mike Curry?s franchise record of 61 set back in 1999.

 

Jason Iehl (3-3) got the victory, Brad Stone (4) earned the save while Ryan Marion (1-1) suffered the loss. The Power are 69-59 on the year and 30-29 in the second half after the loss while the Grasshoppers improved to 66-62 overall and 30-28 in the second half after the win.

 

The Power will finish the three game series against the Grasshoppers at First Horizon Park on Friday night. Right hander Ryan Tucker (7-11, 5.17) will make the start for Greensboro and the Power will counter with right hander Matt Kretzschmar (3-4, 5.99). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score and Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_gboafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 6, West Tenn (Cubs) 5

Stars remain a slim 1/2 game ahead of Tennessee; details from the Stars' site later...

 

Huntsville Box Score and Game Log:

Nice job by the bottom of the order and closer Joe Valentine...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

[pogokat]

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals)13, Helena 1

 

No Chris Errecart, and obviously not a productive day for the pitchers. Stephen Chapman on base twice.

 

Helena Box Score and Game Log

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._helr

[pogokat]

Huntsville Site Game Summary

 

Stars Survive Late Threat and Down Diamond Jaxx

 

Joe Valentine extinguished a late rally by retiring all five hitters he faced and Steve Moss and Ryan Braun each knocked in two runs in Huntsville?s heart-stopping 6-5 win over West Tenn Thursday night in the final game of a five-game set at Pringles Park. The Stars rallied to take the last three games after dropping the first two to improve to 34-25 in the second half and and maintain their half-game lead over Tennessee in the North Division after the Smokies knocked off Carolina 6-2 at Five County Stadium in Zebulon, NC. The Stars earned their first series win in five tries against the Diamond Jaxx, who won 18 of the 25 games between the teams.

 

Guilder Rodriguez led off the seventh inning with a single and stayed at first base when pinch-hitter Travis Ezi struck out against starter JR Mathes, who was then taken out of the game and replaced by Lincoln Holdzkom, making his second appearance of the series. Steve Moss greeted Holdzkom with a double to center field that chased home Rodriguez to tie the game at four. Callix Crabbe singled to move Moss to third base and the Stars? center fielder came in to score when Ryan Braun came through with a base hit to give the visitors a 5-4 lead. Thomas Atlee took over in the eighth for West Tenn and gave up consecutive one-out singles to Lou Palmisano, Rodriguez and pinch-hitter Carlos Lee to load the bases. Moss flied out deep enough to right field to allow Palmisano to score to push the lead to 6-4.

 

Travis Phelps opened the bottom of the eighth on the hill for Huntsville and was taken out of the game after giving up a single to Richard Lewis and walking Jake Fox and Scott Moore to load the bases with one out. Joe Valentine got Brandon Sing to fly out to center field, deep enough for Lewis to score to trim the lead to 6-5. The Huntsville right-hander retired Tony Richie on a ground ball to end the eighth, struck out Albenis Machado to open the ninth before getting Carlos Rojas and pinch-hitter Miguel Negron to fly out to end the game. Valentine earned his eighth save in 11 chances and his second of the series.

 

Trailing 3-1, Chris Walker doubled to lead off the sixth inning and scored one out later after stealing third base and advancing on an errant throw into left field by Palmisano, the catcher. Jake Fox doubled into left field to chase Parra, who lasted 5 1/3 innings in his longest outing in five turns with the Stars. Luther Hackman, who tossed four scoreless frames in relief on Tuesday, threw a strike to Scott Moore, who then blasted the next pitch over the wall in right-center field for a two-run home run to give the Diamond Jaxx a 4-3 lead. It was his 21st home run of the year, fifth against the Stars and the first run allowed by the Huntsville bullpen in the series over 11 2/3 innings. Hackman set down the next two hitters and picked up his second win of the series and third in five outings since joining the team.

 

The Stars return home to begin their final series of the year at Joe Davis Stadium Friday night against Mississippi with right-hander Corey Thurman taking the hill against Braves? right-hander Sean White. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[pogokat]

Final: Nashville 4, Memphis (Cards) 2, in 12 Innings

 

Nashville Site Game Summary

link, featuring a pic of Justin Lehr then text:

www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2125

 

Sounds Edge Redbirds In 12 Innings, 4-2

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? The Nashville Sounds scored three runs in the top of the twelfth inning and held on to defeat the division-rival Memphis Redbirds by a 4-2 count on Thursday evening at AutoZone Park.

 

With its fourth straight victory, Nashville (73-60) maintained its four-game cushion over Iowa in the American Conference Northern Division. The Cubs stayed hot, winning their sixth straight game with a defeat of New Orleans earlier Thursday evening.

 

The Sounds, who notched their 13th last at-bat victory of the season, have won nine of their last 11 contests overall and eight in a row against the cross-state rival Redbirds.

 

The extra-inning contest was the 13th of the year for Nashville. The Sounds are 5-8 in such contests.

 

Vinny Rottino led off the top of the 12th with a double to right off Memphis reliever Matt Perisho. Andrew Beattie drew a walk then both runners moved up a base when Drew Anderson reached on a sacrifice bunt, loading the bases. Chad Moeller lifted a sacrifice fly to right to plate Rottino with the go-ahead run. Pinch-hitter Kennard Bibbs and Tony Gwynn each added an RBI single later in the frame to push the lead to three runs.

 

Mitch Stetter took over on the mound for Nashville in the bottom of the inning and retired his lone batter before giving way to closer Alec Zumwalt, who was greeted by a John Nelson solo homer to right. The blast was the shortstop?s 20th of the year. After striking out Brian Martin, Hernandez singled to bring the potential tying run to the plate in the person of Brian Esposito, who flew out to the warning track in left to end the contest.

 

Memphis jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a third-inning unearned run against Sounds starter Justin Lehr. With one out, Redbirds starter Chris Narveson reached second on a throwing error by shortstop Chris Barnwell. Reid Gorecki followed with an RBI single to right-center to put the home team on top.

 

Nashville rallied to tie it in the top of the eighth. Anderson (2-for-4) led off with a single, was sacrificed to second by Moeller, moved to third on a Zach Sorensen flyout, and scored on a passed ball charged to Memphis catcher Michel Hernandez.

 

Moeller, who reached safely after his bunt was mishandled by Redbirds relievers Andy Cavazos, attempted to give the Sounds the lead when Graham Koonce followed with a single but was thrown out at the plate by right fielder John Rodriguez on the play.

 

Steve Bray (2-0) worked two scoreless frames to earn the win for the Sounds.

 

Perisho (2-4) took the loss for the Redbirds after allowing three runs on three hits in his lone frame of work.

 

Lehr turned in a solid start for Nashville, allowing one unearned run on five hits while striking out seven batters during his no-decision. The quality start was the hurler?s seventh quality start in his last eight outings.

 

The teams continue the series with another 7:10 p.m. meeting on Friday evening. Right-hander Ben Hendrickson (9-7, 2.73) will make the start for Nashville opposite Memphis right-hander Ricardo Rodriguez (2-2, 5.73).

 

Nashville Box Score and Game Log

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._mrbaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 10, Arizona Mariners 5

First road win in 12 tries this second half of the season for the A-Crew...

 

Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log:

Four strong innings for Rolando Pascual - nice; John Alonso rocks; Mariners steal seven of eight bases against converted-to-catcher Anderson de la Rosa; Brent Brewer walks twice but commits error # 22 at short...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_mrnrok_1

 

And Jeff Sackman's splits site is great, but the new MiLB player pages are very convenient now -- click on Brent Brewer's name in the box score and see he's 2-for-29 against lefty pitching, although he's a right-handed stick...

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with 1B/OF Chris Errecart (Select date for August 24th, skip to the 9:00 minute mark) --

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Five more Sounds photos from the Tennessean (Wednesday's Nashville game):

 

tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....amp;Ref=PH

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Acting Manager Gary Pettis:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-24.mp3

[homer]

Quote:

---

Bell Dh'd tonight, so i didn't get to check out his D,

---

 

Given that he has something like 40 errors this year, I'm guessing it wouldn't have been that impressive. Although I would like to know if most of those are on throws or bobbles. You are correct that it's best to judge defense in person.