Link Report for Games of Friday, August 18th

[Mass Haas]

While my previous Mark Rogers post was fairly dramatic, I should note that it was RHP Shane Hill, not Rogers, who walked two batters to open the third inning.

 

The A-Crew has lost its 6-1 lead, it's now 7-7 after seven and a half, Jeremy Jeffress with a scoreless 8th inning.

 

The boys have been outscored 353-264 in only 46 games, that's hard to do.

[wibadgers23]

Quote:

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Inman has got to be bored with A ball.

---

 

And I think Braun is bored with AA ball. 3 for 5 tonight with a homer, double, and 5 rbi's.

[pogokat]

Final: AZL Giants 8, AZL Brewers 7, ten innings

 

Jeffress gives up the killing blow. His control hasn't been all that great...perhaps thats why toby felt the need to compare him to Mark Rogers earlier this week...It's a small sample, and the k's are good, so i'm not worried.

 

Arizona Box Score and Game Log

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._brrr

 

EDIT: extra innings

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1

 

Stars score early and often

Huntville routs Carolina 13-5; 1 1/2 games out of first

By SKIP VAUGHN

For The Huntsville Times, skipv@htimes.com

 

At this time last year, the Huntsville Stars were 23-32 for the second half of the season and 9 1/2 games out of first place.

 

Now they're contending for a playoff berth.

 

Before the game, Stars manager Don Money described the difference between being in a playoff race and just finishing out the schedule.

 

"Every player down in the clubhouse comes to the ballgame basically with a reason - to win the night's game," he said. "And when you're out of it, you basically do it for yourself (for the individual stats). When you're in a pennant race, basically that's secondary. Now you're trying to do it for the team."

 

Sparked by a seven-run fourth, the Stars did it again to Carolina with a 13-5 win before an announced crowd of 3,558 at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville moved to within 1 1/2 games of Tennessee because the Smokies lost 8-7 to Mississippi.

 

"We scored early, got a lot of hits," Money said. "You score early, you try to take the other team out of their game."

 

The Stars (30-23) took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Steve Moss' groundout with the bases loaded scored Drew Anderson. Guilder Rodriguez scored the second run on a wild pitch by Mudcats starter Adam Brandenberg (1-2).

 

Huntsville starter Tim Dillard (9-7) helped himself at the plate by going 3-for-3 with an RBI single in the fourth and a run-scoring double in the fifth. The Stars' seven-run outburst included Ryan Braun's grand slam, Brad Nelson's homer and Callix Crabbe's RBI hit. Nelson's followup to Braun's shot marked the third time this year Huntsville has had back-to-back homers; and it produced a 9-0 lead. The Stars made it 11-2 in the sixth and 12-5 in the seventh.

 

"It was a total team effort today," said Braun, who went 3-for-5 with a double and five RBIs. "I was just happy to be able to contribute."

 

Dillard went six innings with six strikeouts, two runs, four hits, one walk and hit one batter.

 

"We had great defense and we had great offense," Dillard said. "That pretty much sums it up right there. You're going to win a lot of ballgames when you have that working."

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2006081845

 

Inman?s strong effort wasted in Power loss

By Christopher Wade

For Saturday Charleston Gazette-Mail

 

Just as it has nearly all season, the West Virginia Power got yet another solid outing from ace Will Inman.

 

However, the bullpen couldn?t hold the lead after Inman left the game in the sixth inning, and Hickory took full advantage, earning a 6-3 victory over the Power at Appalachian Power Park Friday night in front of a crowd of 4,819.

 

Inman threw 5 2/3 innings of shutout ball, allowing just three hits and striking out eight, but didn?t factor in the decision.

 

It was the second straight outing that Inman pitched well but earned a no-decision. In his last outing at Delmarva, he pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit and struck out a season-high 11.

 

Inman?s record remains at 9-1 and he lowered his earned run average to 1.38.

 

?The last two outings, Will has thrown really well. He pitched great again but the guys just didn?t pick him up,? said Power manager Mike Guerrero.

 

With Inman out of the game, Hickory began its comeback from a 2-0 deficit in the seventh inning against reliever Dane Renkert.

 

With one out, Wanell Macia doubled and scored on a single by Eddie Prasch. Cameron Blair followed with an infield single, and Shelby Ford?s infield out left runners at second and third.

 

After a walk, Brad Corley hit a grounder that bounced over the head of Power third baseman Mat Gamel, bringing home two runs and giving the Crawdads 3-2 lead.

 

The Power was charged with just one error, but Guerrero was not pleased with his team?s defense.

 

?The routine plays,?? he said, ?if you can?t make them, they?re going to cost you. Defensively, we didn?t make the plays, and they took advantage of their opportunities.??

 

Two more runs in the eighth inning off Renkert gave Hickory a 5-2 lead. The Power scored a run in the bottom of the eighth on a RBI double from right fielder Lorenzo Cain, and Hickory added a run in the ninth.

 

The Power scored in the second inning on a hit-and-run single by catcher Nestor Corredor, bringing home Tony Festa. Ryan Barba delivered a two-out RBI double in the inning.

 

Corredor and Barba each had two of the Power?s seven hits. Corredor left with an ankle injury in the seventh inning.

 

?Nestor hit the ball well tonight,?? said Guerrero. ?He twisted his ankle a little bit, but he?ll be OK [today]. We just didn?t hit the ball as well tonight. We missed some opportunities when we did have them.?

 

With the loss, the Power is 26-27 in the second half of the season and 65-57 overall. The Power opens a four-game series at Appalachian Power Park against the Hagerstown Suns starting at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Nix sparks Sounds win, gets call-up by Brewers

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Nashville came back to life in the Nix of time Friday night against New Orleans.

 

Outfielder Laynce Nix, who, for the second consecutive night hit a home run in his first at-bat, later helped revive the Sounds with a double to the right field wall.

 

Nix then scored from second in the seventh inning on another double to the right field wall, this one by Graham Koonce, in the Sounds' 6-1 victory.

 

After the game, Nix was called up by the Brewers.

 

Nix was acquired from the Rangers in the Carlos Lee deal last month.

 

A Greer Stadium crowd of 5,542 saw Nashville (68-59) wrap up the series with New Orleans (65-61) with a 3-1 edge.

 

The Sounds begin a four-game homestand tonight at 6 against Albuquerque.

 

Nix's first-inning homer Thursday propelled Nashville to a 5-3 win. Friday night's homer over the center field wall was a two-run shot that scored Tony Gwynn and gave Nashville a 2-1 lead in the first inning.

 

Nix homered in four of Nashville's last six games. He extended his hitting streak to seven games.

 

In 13 of the last 28 games Nix has had extra-base hits.

 

"I was just trying to get to them early with the home runs I've had,'' Nix said.

 

"I was looking for something early in the count and getting it. You see the ball well here in the first inning before the lights go on."

 

The Zephyrs, who got a home run from Marlon Byrd in the first, did not get another hit until the fourth inning when Byrd singled.

 

After the Sounds loaded the bases and scored on a walk by Zach Sorensen in the sixth, Nix gave the Sounds' offense the boost it needed in the seventh. The double was his fifth since he's been with the Sounds.

 

"I didn't hit it high enough, but I crushed it,'' Nix said of his double. "I hit it real well on an inside pitch.''

 

New Orleans didn't get back-to-back hits until the eighth when Alberto Castillo and Josh Labandeira both singled.

 

Sounds pitcher Mitch Stetter, who had relieved Dennis Sarfate, then walked Tyrell Godwin, loading the bases for the Zephyrs with two outs.

 

Allan Simpson replaced Stetter to face Kenny Kelly. Kelly took a full count before flying out to right field.

 

Nashville padded the lead with two runs in the ninth. Gwynn's shot in the gap to left field scored Jermaine Clark. When the ball squirted away from the catcher, Kennard Bibbs also scored.

 

What they said: "We've been hitting well and if this team hits we're going to win (the Pacific Coast League). Because the pitchers are great and we'll shut down the other teams. We just have to hit a little bit, put some runs on the board and take some pressure off the pitchers and we'll do well.'' -- Koonce.

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Four Sounds attend Exhibit open house

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Four Sounds will be in attendance at the Metro Archives Open House today from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.

 

Sounds mascot Ozzie will also be in attendance.

 

Pitchers Ben Hendrickson, Dennis Sarfate and Mitch Stetter along with outfielder Kennard Bibbs will attend the function. They will sign autographs from 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. A presentation on the history of the old Sulphur Dell ballpark will begin at 1 p.m.

 

The open house, which is free of charge, coincides with Metro Archives' summer-long Grand Slam baseball exhibit of vintage photographs, autographed baseballs, game programs, rare newspaper accounts and other memorabilia.

 

The exhibit runs through Sept. 15 and offers fans a nostalgic look at the history of professional and amateur baseball players, teams and the historic fields in Nashville where they have played.

 

Metro Archives is located next to the Mall at Green Hills at 3801 Green Hills Village Drive. For more information call Metro Archives at 615-862-5880.

 

Walk this way: The Sounds Jermaine Clark was walked all four times he was at the plate Friday. That tied a Nashville record for walks in a game.

 

Clark became the 14th player to be walked four times in a game. Graham Koonce also was walked four times in a game this season.

 

Clark's third walk, which came in the sixth inning, loaded the bases for Nashville, and the Sounds scored later in the inning when Zach Sorensen also was walked.

 

Still streaking: New Orleans' Marion Byrd extended his hitting streak to seven games with a first-inning home run. Byrd's homer gave the Zephyrs a 1-0 lead, which marked the first time New Orleans scored the first run in the series, which ended Friday night.

 

Another steal: Clark got his 29th and 30th steals of the season Thursday night. That mark leads the Sounds. It also marked the fifth time in Clark's 11 pro seasons that he's reached 30 steals or more.

 

TV game: The Sounds will appear on television for the first time this season in a 7 p.m. game Thursday at Memphis. The game will be shown live on CSS as part of the network's Minor League Game of the Week. Matt Stewart will handle the play-by-play and will be joined by former minor league manager Nick Belmonte.

 

Tonight's perks: The first 2,000 fans for tonight's game against Albuquerque will receive free mini-bats. There also will be a fireworks show at the conclusion of the game.

 

And she can sing: Miss Tennessee 2006 Blaire Pancake will make an appearance at Greer Stadium Monday to sing the national anthem prior to the 6 p.m. game against Albuquerque. Pancake, 23, who is from Chattanooga, was crowned Miss Tennessee June 24.

 

***

Can you just picture Homer Simpson saying, "Mmmmmm, Pancake"....

 

http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_83699.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Helena Independent Record:

 

Errecart, Bouchie help Brewers win

 

Chris Errecart and Andy Bouchie each drove in two runs as the Helena Brewers stopped Casper 7-3 in a Pioneer League contest.

 

Bouchie opened the scoring in the second inning with a triple that plated Errecart and Bill Rowe.

 

Errecart was a perfect 3-for-3 and he drove home Brad Miller and Cole Gillespie with a double in the third inning.

 

Those two runs gave Helena 4-0 lead and they would never be threatened again.

 

Miller was 3-for-4 in the game and Carlos De La Cruz also had two hits.

 

Amaury Rivas pitched six strong innings and he struck out three and allowed two earned runs.

 

Steve Palazzolo picked up his fifth save with two innings of work. He allowed one hit and no runs in that span.

 

Helena was aggressive on the base paths, stealing three bases on the night.

 

Helder Velazquez and Hector Gomez each had two hits for the Rockies.

 

The win kept Helena 2 1/2 games behind North Division Leading Billings. The Mustangs knocked off Orem Friday night.

 

Helena will travel to Idaho Falls today to take on the Chukars in the first meeting of the season between the two teams.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Site Game Two Game Summary:

 

Paulk shuts down Manatees

 

Robert Paulk tossed his first career complete game as St. Lucie blanked host Brevard County, 1-0, to split Friday's doubleheader.

 

Paulk (2-0) allowed five hits and a walk while fanning two. It was the 25-year-old right-hander's first win in three starts since returning from Double-A Binghamton, where he went 5-2 with a 2.82 ERA in 26 appearances.

 

The Mets (30-23), who managed two hits, got their lone run in the second when Armand Gaerlan drew a two-out walk and scored on Fernando Martinez's double to right field. Caleb Stewart had a two-out double in the third.

 

Corey Coles walked twice but saw his hitting streak end at 13 games.

 

Brevard County starter Mike Jones (0-2) took the hard-luck loss, allowing one run on two hits over four innings. He struck out three and walked four.

 

Ryan Crew had a hit and a walk for the Manatees (23-31). --Chip Haunss/MLB.com