Link Report for Tue 8/22 - Huntsville Jumps Into First Place

[pogokat]

Final: Hagerstown (O's) 3, West Virginia 1

 

West Virginia Game Review

 

SUNS AVOID POWER SWEEP

 

The Hagerstown Suns held the Power offense in check on Tuesday night surrendering a run on only four hits as they defeated the Power 3-1 to avoid the four game sweep.

 

The Suns scored in the top of the first inning on a two out RBI single from Nick Evans. Hagerstown added another run in the seventh inning on Drew Butera?s two out RBI double and they scored their final run in the eighth inning on Ryan Coultas?s run scoring single.

 

The first two batters reached for West Virginia in the bottom of the ninth inning. With runners on second and third and one out Tony Festa hit a deep fly ball that drove Hagerstown right fielder Jonathan Sanchez to the wall, but Sanchez made the catch. The Fly ball was deep enough to score Lorenzo Cain from third, but that was the only run the Power scored all night.

 

The Power finished the eight game home stand with a 6-2 record. They also finished the season series with the Hagerstown Suns with an 8-8 record.

 

Ryan Meyers (3-10) got the victory while Kevin Tomasiewicz (16) earned the save and Steve Garrison (6-6) suffered the loss despite only allowing a run on five hits through six innings. The Power are 68-58 on the year and 29-28 in the second half after the loss while the Suns improved to 50-77 overall and 22-35 in the second half after the win.

 

The Power will begin a three game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at First Horizon Park on Wednesday night. Left hander Aaron Thompson (8-8, 3.68) will make the start for Greensboro and the Power will counter with right hander Will Inman (9-1, 1.38) . The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

 

 

West Virginia Box Score and Game Log

Well, it sucks that Inman is pitching the night I can't be there...everyone pray for a rainout and a double header on Thursday...

 

Power only on base 5 times tonight---props to Mat Gamel for drawing the only walk...Of course, Michael Brantley and Lorenzo Cain with their usual singles...Good outing for Garrison

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._wvaafx_1

 

Edit: accidental emoticons...

[And That]

Joe Thatcher is apparently the greatest pitcher who ever lived

 

Thatch, if you're reading this, Brian Shouse won't hang around forever, and the Brewers have been historically deficient in the lefty specialist catagory. Do your job, and the job will be yours.

[Mass Haas]

On a similar note, the phenom Alex Periard has had a number of good appearances in a row. Almost wouldn't surprise me to see him in West Virginia next spring. Alex has a very, very good arm and has more pro pitching experience than 99.9% of other pro pitchers.

 

Pretty sure you meant pro pitchers his age (19 last June). There's that Clemens guy you know, and oh yeah, Julio Franco, who could pitch if he wanted to. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[And That]

Pretty sure you meant pro pitchers his age (19 last June). There's that Clemens guy you know, and oh yeah, Julio Franco, who could pitch if he wanted to.

 

Semantics!

 

Tho, I could mention that I might not be too far off, given the number of young guys signed and released over the course of baseball history. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[molitor fan]

Keeping on board the Joe Thatcher lovetron tonight since I just found out we were both alums of Indiana State. Do not forget that Thatcher also pitched 9 shutout innings in Brevard last year, meaning that in 40 combined Brevard innings, he has given up 1 earned run and only 27 base runners.

[pogokat]

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 7, Helena 4, ten innings

Cole Gillespie and Chris Errecart auditioning to be opening day outfielders in Brevard County...Gillespie, especially, should be challenged ASAP.

 

Helena Box Score and Game Log

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._idarok_1

[LouisEly]

Gwynn goes yard two nights in a row. No power you say?

 

Of course they had to point out that Drew Anderson was the lone starter who didn't get a hit, but he did get an RBI.

 

And will somebody please talk to Brewers brass and find out what the heck Joe Thatcher is still doing in A+ ball? He could be another Jack Krawczyck (mentioned in my friend Steve Sullivan's book "Talking Baseball Amongst Friends), but for crying out loud, the dude's dominating A-ball. Move him up and let's see what he can do.

[And That]

Gwynn goes yard two nights in a row. No power you say?

 

Yes. 2 HR in 2 nights, or even 5 HR in 5 nights would help his career minor league ISO of <.090. Kid doesn't have any loft in his swing. He's never gonna hit more than a few HR in the bigs in any season, even if he gets 500 PA. He's just a power liability.

 

Of course they had to point out that Drew Anderson was the lone starter who didn't get a hit, but he did get an RBI.

 

Anderson might become an alright hitter, but he doesn't hit for any power, and that won't translate into any regular time in the bigs at LF/RF/1B. He needs more power, or he'll never stick without a lot of luck.

 

And will somebody please talk to Brewers brass and find out what the heck Joe Thatcher is still doing in A+ ball?

 

I don't know either.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona A's 9, Arizona Brewers 8

 

Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log:

Undrafted free agent signing Andrew Lefave continues his fine season for the 12 in attendance -- those must be family members or diehards, so they must be Brewerfan readers -- hello to you!

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Media reports from last night at lunchtime today...

[JohnBriggs12]

"Gwynn...He's just a power liability".

 

You could have said the same thing about his dad who will go into the Hall of Fame next year.

 

Every player in the lineup doesn't have to have power to be an offensive plus on the team. Gwynn is a leadoff hitter with speed who can play CF, usually not considered any better than the 5th most power position (behind LF, RF, 1B, 3B).

 

Besides he has slugged higher this season than he did at a lower level last year.

[homer]

But the difference between Jr. and Sr. was that Sr. got on base at a .388 clip for his career. If TGJ could do that we might have something.

[pogokat]

also, his dad was capable of hitting 20 hrs a year..something TGJ will never do

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.dailymail.com/news/Sp...006082316/

 

Hagerstown 'really wanted this win'

Christopher Wade

For the Charleston Daily Mail

 

It was only fitting that home plate umpire Rory Hawkins got the last word.

 

One night earlier, Hawkins was the first base umpire and saw the other member of the two-man crew, Chet Hortin, eject a Hagerstown pitcher and Manager Frank Cacciatore for arguing balls and strikes.

 

Tuesday at Appalachian Power Park, it was Hawkins' turn to face the stares and hear the complaints from both Hagerstown and Power players all night long.

 

And much like Hortin had done Monday, Hawkins eventually had heard enough before ejecting Hagerstown designated hitter Jonel Pacheco in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

 

Hawkins also emphatically called out Power designated hitter Kenny Holmberg on a third strike to end the game, giving Hagerstown a 3-1 victory over the Power in front of a crowd of 2,915.

 

"We're just glad to get a win after everything," said Cacciatore. "Everything seems to be hard with us. There are certainly no laughers."

 

Cacciatore and his Suns were willing to do whatever it took to salvage the last game of the four-game series here and avoid a sweep.

 

The Suns even attempted a suicide squeeze with one out in the seventh inning. They were leading 1-0 at the time.

 

"We really wanted this win," Cacciatore said.

 

"We had been playing pretty well but had been having one bad inning. We've been having to scratch our runs across and tonight were finally able to get some key hits."

 

The Suns not only got timely hits, they also got some solid pitching. Three pitchers combined to limit the Power to just four hits.

 

Only a ninth-inning sacrifice fly by Power first baseman Tony Festa stopped the shutout. However, a few more feet and Festa's drive, which was caught at the warning track by Suns' right fielder Jonathan Sanchez, would have tied the game at three.

 

Brandon Wilson pitched the first three innings for Hagerstown, allowing just one hit. Ryan Meyers came on in relief and pitched the next five innings, allowing just two hits, and Kevin Tomasiewicz earned the save, pitching the ninth inning.

 

Cacciatore was especially pleased with Meyers, who earned the win after entering the game with a 2-10 record and an earned run average of 5.44.

 

"Ryan has actually pitched a heck of a lot better since he's been coming out of the bullpen," Cacciatore said. "He's been good in the long relief role and that might just be his ticket."

 

Hagerstown led 1-0 on a first-inning RBI single by Nick Evans. After the attempted suicide squeeze was fouled off, Drew Butera doubled in the Suns' second run in the seventh inning.

 

The Suns added an insurance run in the eighth inning.

 

Michael Brantley led the Power offensive attack, getting two of the team's four hits. Starting pitcher Steve Garrison (6-6) suffered the loss despite pitching well, allowing one run on five hits in six innings.

 

Despite the loss, the Power ended the eight-game homestand with a 6-2 record and Manager Mike Guerrero was hopeful the winning ways will carry over into a three-game series on the road starting tonight in Greensboro.

 

"All you can do is tip your hat to them (Hagerstown) tonight," said Guerrero. "They did a nice job, pitched well, made the plays defensively and got some clutch hits. We had a good homestand but now we're looking forward to the road trip."

 

POWER NOTES: The Power is now 68-58 overall and 29-28 in the second half. Hagerstown is 50-77, 22-35. ... Left-hander Aaron Thompson (8-8, 3.38) will make the start for Greensboro tonight and the Power will counter with right-hander Will Inman (9-1, 1.38). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) at Horizon Park in Greensboro.

 

Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis

West Virginia Power shortstop Ryan Barba (left) tags Hagerstown's Sean Henry, who was picked off first base and tried to steal second Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/Suns.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds leave town on high note

By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent

 

Next time the Nashville Sounds play in Greer Stadium they very well could be a completely different-looking ballclub. Nashville wrapped up its eight-game homestand with a 6-2 victory over Albuquerque at Greer on Tuesday.

 

The Sounds won six of eight over this homestand but don?t return to Music City until Sept. 1. Of course, that?s the day major league rosters expand to 40 men and the Milwaukee Brewers could promote some of Nashville?s best players like center fielder Tony Gwynn and starting pitcher Carlos Villanueva, among others.

 

Gwynn and Villanueva made their case for a promotion against the Isotopes to help the first-place Sounds (71-60) maintain a four-game lead over Iowa in the American Northern Division. Gwynn hit a lead-off homer and Villanueva became the first Sounds pitcher to win seven straight decisions since Brian Meadows in 2003. Villanueva is 7-0 on the season.

 

?It?s good, you always want to win your home series,? Sounds shortstop Chris Barnwell said. ?You want to win your road series too, but you have to take care of business at home.?

 

Last season Milwaukee only called up one player on Sept. 1, but a handful of Nashville?s best players had already been promoted a few weeks earlier. Gwynn said he hoped to get promoted but wouldn?t be disappointed if he stayed with the Sounds through the end of their season.

 

?Everyone would rather be up,? said Barnwell, who also could get promoted. ?But if we?re down here, we want to win.?

 

The Isotopes drew first blood when Edgar Gonzalez hit a solo homer in the first inning. But the lead didn?t last long because the Sounds came back with a pair of runs of their own. Gwynn smacked his homer to start the inning ? his second in as many nights. Barnwell doubled and scored off the bat of Graham Koonce to give Nashville the lead.

 

The Sounds added a run in the fourth inning and three more in the seventh to distance themselves. Koonce?s two-run double in the seventh was the straw that broke the Istopes? back.

 

Villanueva stayed perfect, overcoming Gonzalez?s homer and his own lack of control in the process. After retiring seven batters in a row, Villaneuva walked the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth but the Isotopes couldn?t manage a run. He left after allowing two hits and four walks over six innings.

 

In the ninth, reliever Dennis Sarfate walked the first three batters and was spelled by Alec Zumwalt. After allowing one run, Zumwalt recorded his 15th save.

[Mass Haas]

AUDIO: Tony Gwynn's Leadoff Homer --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-22.mp3

 

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Zach Jackson:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-22.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....328/SPORTS

 

Offense powers Sounds to win

By BRYAN MULLEN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Nashville generated power against the Isotopes.

 

One day after the Sounds shut out Albuquerque, Nashville relied on extra-base hits and a workmanlike performance by its starting pitcher to defeat the Isotopes 6-2 in front of 5,317 at Greer Stadium.

 

Nashville maintained its four-game lead over Iowa in the Pacific Coach League's American Conference Northern Division. The Sounds also finished the eight-game homestand with a 6-2 record and will begin a nine-game road trip today at Memphis.

 

"It's important that we just try to take care of what we can take care of," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "We've had a much better approach at the plate lately. That's helping us get some runs."

 

The Sounds' Tony Gwynn led off the first with a home run, and Graham Koonce had a double and three RBIs to lead the Nashville offense, which seems to have hit another gear in terms of power in August.

 

Nashville (71-60) received another strong performance by a starting pitcher.

 

Carlos Villanueva (7-0) had to battle out of a few jams against the Isotopes (63-66) but finished with the win and became the first Sounds pitcher to win seven consecutive decisions since Brian Meadows in 2003.

 

The fourth inning was symbolic of Villanueva's grit. With two outs, Villanueva walked three consecutive batters to load the bases but got Isotopes starting pitcher Yusmeiro Petit to foul out to get out of the inning.

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....328/SPORTS

 

Gwynn's bat power tends to be streaky

By BRYAN MULLEN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

No one would go as far to say Nashville's Tony Gwynn is a streaky hitter. After all, he's hitting .298 and leads the Sounds with 116 hits.

 

But the streaky tag does apply when it comes to Gwynn's power numbers.

 

The centerfielder began Monday with only two home runs for the entire season. A couple of days later he had doubled his total. On Monday, Gwynn belted a solo home run against Albuquerque, marking his first home run in 225 at bats. Tuesday night Gwynn led off the bottom of the first inning with a deep home run to right to tie the score at 1-1.

 

The go-to guy: With Nashville looking to win six of its last seven games last night, there was no one the Sounds wanted on the mound more than Carlos Villanueva. And despite working out of several jams, he didn't disappoint.

 

The 22-year-old righty increased his record to 7-0 record and went six innings and allowed only two hits and one run.

 

Villanueva's success with the Sounds began during his first start with the club. It came on July 15 against Memphis and resulted in a combined no-hitter.

 

A hot August: Nashville's Jermaine Clark wasn't in the lineup last night and Isotopes pitchers must have been relieved.

 

Clark has eight hits in his previous 15 at-bats (.533) and is hitting .395 in August, the ninth-best average in the Pacific Coast League this month.

 

Quick pitches: Gwynn became the third Sounds player to lead off the game with a home run. Kennard Bibbs did it on July 23 and Dave Krynzel accomplished the feat on May 5. ? The Sounds have scored a combined seven runs in the first inning of the past two games. ? The Isotopes took a 1-0 lead in the first on a deep home run to left by Edgar Gonzalez. ? Brent Abernathy was inserted to pinch hit in the seventh, marking his first appearance for the Sounds since Aug. 12. He grounded out to short.