Link Report for Wed 8/9 - WV's Ford Day-to-Day (Bone Bruise)

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: Idle

 

Huntsville: RHP Corey Thurman at Mississippi (Braves), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450radio.com/

 

Brevard County: TBD at Sarasota (Reds), 6:00 PM; sorry, no web audio for this series

 

West Virginia: LHP Rafael Lluberes at home vs. Rome (Braves), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

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

 

Helena: LHP Brandon Parillo at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime

 

Audio (click on "Listen Live"):

www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". 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.

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_msbaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona Rookie:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_royrok_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:

 

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

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Tuesday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 63 55 .534 - 35-25 28-30 L2[/b] Iowa 60 57 .513 2.5 34-27 26-30 L1 Memphis 46 71 .393 16.5 26-33 20-38 W1 Omaha 45 73 .381 18.0 27-32 18-41 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 26 19 .578 - 16-9 10-10 W1 Chattanooga 25 20 .556 1.0 16-9 9-11 W2 [b]Huntsville 22 22 .500 3.5 12-12 10-10 W2[/b] West Tenn 21 24 .467 5.0 14-6 7-18 L6 Carolina 19 26 .422 7.0 13-7 6-19 W6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 26 18 .591 - 18-10 8-8 W1 St. Lucie 25 19 .568 1.0 13-9 12-10 W3 Palm Beach 24 22 .522 3.0 13-8 11-14 W5 [b]Brevard County 19 25 .432 7.0 9-9 10-16 W1[/b] Vero Beach 19 26 .422 7.5 11-14 8-12 W2 Jupiter 18 26 .409 8.0 11-13 7-13 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 29 16 .644 - 14-5 15-11 L2 Lake County 25 18 .581 3.0 12-9 13-9 W2 Hickory 24 21 .533 5.0 12-15 12-6 W3 Greensboro 22 21 .512 6.0 13-11 9-10 W1 [b]West Virginia 22 22 .500 6.5 12-8 10-14 W2[/b] Hagerstown 19 25 .432 9.5 10-15 9-10 L2 Lexington 18 27 .400 11.0 12-11 6-16 W4 Delmarva 15 28 .349 13.0 8-12 7-16 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 6 4 .600 - 5-1 1-3 L1 Billings 5 5 .500 1.0 2-2 3-3 L2 [b]Helena 5 5 .500 1.0 4-1 1-4 W1[/b] Great Falls 4 6 .400 2.0 3-2 1-4 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 8 2 .800 - 2-0 6-2 W6 AZL Padres 7 2 .778 0.5 4-1 3-1 L1 AZL Giants 8 3 .727 0.5 3-2 5-1 W3 AZL Royals 8 3 .727 0.5 4-2 4-1 W2 AZL Athletics 4 6 .400 4.0 3-2 1-4 L4 AZL Mariners 4 6 .400 4.0 4-2 0-4 L1 AZL Rangers 3 7 .300 5.0 3-3 0-4 W1 AZL Cubs 3 8 .273 5.5 1-5 2-3 L3 [b]AZL Brewers 1 9 .100 7.0 1-4 0-5 L1[/b]

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp

 

Meet West Virginia's Toastman

By Lisa Winston / MLB.com

 

By day, Rod Blackstone is the assistant to Charleston, W.Va., Mayor Danny Jones. But by night, or at least nights when the West Virginia Power have a home game, he morphs into Toastman.

 

And while you might think that being the right-hand man to the mayor of a state capital is pretty prestigious, Blackstone's "alter ego" has far more fame and notoriety in the world of Minor League baseball.

 

Last week, I was chatting with Kinston Indians manager Mike Sarbaugh and happened to mention I was going to be heading down to Charleston to see the Milwaukee Brewers' South Atlantic League farm team.

 

His eyes immediately lit up.

 

"You're going to see Toastman!" exclaimed Sarbaugh, who managed the Lake County Captains in the Sally League in 2005 (he was also a hitting coach in the SAL in 1995-96).

 

Well, Blackstone wasn't the reason we scheduled the trip, but rest assured, he ended up being one of the highlights of the visit to Appalachian Power Park (you can see all of those highlights on the Around The Minors video show that airs Wednesday, Aug. 9).

 

How can I explain Toastman in a nutshell? (Or a crust, I guess). Diehard fan doesn't begin to describe it.

 

A season ticket holder, Blackstone holds court in the front row of Section 107, in the aisle seat just to the visiting dugout side of home plate (the better to rag on the visiting players in the on-deck circle).

 

He's really hard to miss because, among other things, he has a TV table set up in front of him which holds an electric toaster with piles of freshly made burnt toast (he deliberately burns it so no one will eat it).

 

When an opposing batter strikes out, Blackstone will lead the fans in a chant of "You are toast! You are toast! You ... are ... toast!" and fling pieces of toast into the stands.

 

He also sports an impressive collection of handmade signs that include individualized cheers for each member of the Power as well as taunts for the opposition. He's rarely at a loss for words, be they caustic for the visitors (though never quite bordering on personally insulting) or encouraging for the home team.

 

He is the consummate heckler crossed with the fanatical fan. Love him, hate him, you've gotta admire him.

 

Toastman was born (or harvested, I guess) in 1990, when the city's home team was the Charleston Wheelers. It was August, the team was gunning for the Sally League title, and Blackstone and a friend got caught up in the Minor League spirit for the first time.

 

They began leading fans around them in cheers when Blackstone made an interesting discovery.

 

"We suddenly realized that people will follow you and say what you want if they know what to say," he said. "So we started coming with signs."

 

In 1991, they spontaneously added the "You are toast" chant one night when an opponent struck out. And it was so well received that it became a part of their cheer lexicon. One night, the team owner let them in on a little secret.

 

"He told us, 'You know, there's an outlet on the other side of the wall there,'" Blackstone recalled, referring to an electrical outlet that was actually on the playing field side of the backstop. "'You could plug in a toaster there.'"

 

And that, my friends, was the genesis of Toastman.

 

"We started waving around the pieces of toast so the opposition felt really good about striking out," Blackstone explained. "The batboy would plug the toaster in for us and in the 14 years that we were at the old ballpark (Watt Powell Park), no opposing player ever unplugged it, though they could have."

 

One year, however, when the Greensboro Bats were a Yankees affiliate, two players stuffed bubble gum into the outlet in an attempt to sabotage Toastman. Coincidentally, Blackstone had just happened to bring some extra burnt toast slices from home that day.

 

Blackstone is more than just a guy who waits for the strikeout and pops the lever on his T-Fal. He does more homework than an honors student, able to hold forth on every negative statistic or embarrassing gaffe a visiting player may have made at any time in his career (though, of course, preferably against the Power), to single out (loudly) a player's slump or weak point.

 

"It's all about trying to get the opposing team to think about me, if only for a second, so they're not thinking about the next pitch or the next play," he said. "Quality heckling is about distraction. The usual shouting isn't going to do it. I like to think we're more creative here."

 

In 2005, the team moved to brand new Appalachian Power Park with a brand new name -- the West Virginia Power -- and a new affiliate, the Milwaukee Brewers.

 

When the new park was designed, the owners agreed to place an outlet on the seating bowl side of the wall, right by Blackstone's seats so he could be self-sufficient (and this was before he was a municipal employee).

 

Mayor Jones has the seats right behind his assistant, and though he will indulge in a bit of heckling, he has yet to become Peanut Butter Man or Jelly Man.

 

My own introduction to Toastman was memorable:

 

The Power were hosting the Columbus Catfish (Dodgers) in the first game of a homestand following an eight-game road trip. The temperature topped 100 degrees, yet the club still drew an impressive crowd for a weekday evening.

 

Toastman's table was piled high with stacks of frozen bread that was thawing pretty quickly. As we chatted, he kept up a steady stream of chatter and a steady progression of four slices into the T-Fal. Up pops the burnt toast, four more slices into the T-Fal (he ended the night with a lot of unused toast, however, as even with ace Will Inman on the mound, the Power fanned only five batters).

 

After a local woman sang the national anthem (she does not get heckled), it's Prime Time for Toastman. Infielder Ivan DeJesus led off for the visiting Catfish.

 

"Welcome to Charleston, Ivan," Toastman calls politely as the strains of Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" play over the PA system. Inman quickly gets two strikes on DeJesus, the son of the former Major Leaguer who also, coincidentally, managed in the Sally League with the Lexington Legends (Astros).

 

"Smell the toast, Ivan! Surely, your dad warned you about the toast!"

 

But DeJesus flied out and the toast had to wait.

 

The next batter was first baseman/DH Jason Mooneyham, who was reassigned to Columbus from Class A Advanced Vero Beach in early May, despite hitting .279 at the time.

 

"Mooneyham," Toastman calls to him in the on-deck circle. "You were hitting .279 at Vero and you're sent down? What is wrong with that picture?"

 

Mooneyham's lips definitely twitched as he tried not to laugh.

 

There are individualized barbs for each Catfish batter, but not one strikes out against Inman in the first inning and the toast sits there -- cold, burnt and neatly piled.

 

In the bottom of the first, signs were raised for fans to chant for their hometown heroes while Toastman and company are simultaneously getting all over Columbus pitcher Marlon Arias for the fact that he's given up a South Atlantic League season-high in home runs.

 

They decided to change his name to Jack in honor of the "jacks" he'd allowed and dubbed the night "The age of Jack Arias."

 

Their timing couldn't be more perfect as West Virginia catcher Angel Salome ("Hark the Herald Angel Swings," read Toastman's homemade sign) went deep off Arias to take the SAL RBI lead.

 

Toastman's disciples have a few witticisms of their own, though he might also want to give a course in Heckling 101 with a lesson on how NOT to heckle.

 

Example: We've all heard the singsong chant "pitcher has a big butt" from the movie "Rookie of the Year" too many times to count. But one young fan felt the need to sing the ditty to Arias several times. At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Arias practically disappears when he turns to the side. The pitcher had NO butt.

 

Son, you're in the presence of a master. Sit, listen, learn.

 

Excitement grew as outfielder Lucas May's turn in the Columbus batting order approached. This may have been one of Blackstone's more creative potential heckles.

 

May came into the night with 107 strikeouts. Blackstone printed up a few dozen bright yellow signs that read MAY K and distributed them to everyone sitting in Section 107. When May came up, they all waved them in the air.

 

The plan was that if May fanned for the 108th time, everyone would hand their sheets over to the folks in the NEXT section for the rest of the night, and so on. Sadly for the fans, and happily for May, he did not strike out that night or the next night.

 

I assume fans are still sitting there in Section 107 with their MAY K sheets waiting for him to be toast.

 

In the second, however, Adam Godwin finally gave Power fans a chance to get their burnt toast as he struck out swinging at an Inman offering. Frisbee-slung burnt toast slices flew around Section 107 like ... well, like toast at a Power game.

 

In case you were wondering how hard it was to be creative, innovative and original, we found out that it's not all spontaneous when newly acquired Power shortstop Ryan Barba came to the plate for the first time.

 

Signed by the Brewers in July as a non-drafted free agent out of New Mexico, Barba started the season in the Arizona League and joined the team on its recent road trip, so this was his first Appalachian Power Park appearance.

 

No signs, no nickname, no chant was ready, though they tried.

 

At first, Blackstone tested a call-and-answer with the fans to "I say Barba, you say Q," but it didn't really work. At least, not at first. Bet you by the end of the homestand Ryan Barba has a nice catchy phrase all his own.

 

As it turned out, we were really seeing Toastman in fine form that night.

 

"I'm not usually saying something about everyone on the other team during every at-bat, though our cheers for the home team are that regular for every at-bat," he explained later, apologizing if he seemed too harsh on the "bad guys."

 

"I had the benefit of an eight-game road trip following the end of church softball season that added to my preparation time for this team. Quite honestly, I'm usually not quite that comprehensive."

 

And truth be told, not every visiting player suffers the barbs ... or Barbas ... of Blackstone's unique version of heckling. At least one player was spared. Temporarily, anyway.

 

When catcher J.R. House came through the South Atlantic League in 2000 with the Hickory Crawdads (Pirates), even Blackstone couldn't quite bring himself to turn the Pittsburgh prospect into toast.

 

A local high school football hero from the Charleston suburb of Nitro, House had set all sorts of national records as a quarterback. And in case you hadn't heard, they're pretty serious about their high school football in West Virginia.

 

House's first appearance in Charleston that season happened to coincide with a primary election night party that Blackstone had convinced his boss at the time (the governor of West Virginia) to throw at the ballpark.

 

"He struck out in his first at-bat, probably a little anxious with so many family, friends and football fans in the stands," Blackstone recalled. "I pointed and shouted, "You are ... J.R.!"

 

The Charleston players later gave him some grief, but, as he told them, "He's more popular in the town than I'll ever be, and you have to know your audience."

 

Later that season, Blackstone met with House and explained to him that to save face with his home team, he was going to have to "toast him" eventually.

 

"He understood, and I finally did toast him when he struck out that night in what was a close game," Blackstone said. "He looked up at me heading back to the dugout and I said, 'This is hurting me more than it's hurting you.'"

 

As much as Toastman is known for his roasting of opponents, it's more important to him that his Power boys know he and the other fans are supporting them every step of the way (he's even a host parent to players during the season; don't ask what they have for breakfast).

 

Power outfielder Lorenzo Cain (his sign is "Raisin' Cain!") understands that.

 

"I can hear him ragging on the other teams all the time," he said. "I'm just glad he's on my side."

 

While some players and field staff have reacted angrily (he's been flipped off more than a few times), others understand that it's all in fun. Perhaps the most creative response came from, not surprisingly, Asheville Tourists manager Joe Mikulik, who got his own share of notoriety earlier this season when his on-field histrionics earned him an ejection, suspension, fine and airtime on most of the national morning talk shows.

 

"Last year, one of our guys struck out against them in a key situation," Blackstone recalled. "Mikulik had his guys throw toast out of the dugout."

 

An opponent must have struck out because Rod Blackstone is tossing toast to the crowd. (West Virginia Power photo)

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2006/08/04/aY4keB2g.jpg

[Mass Haas]

BaseballChannel.TV is the video show mentioned above, and it's airing now (at 11:00 AM Central) Wednesday from West Virginia.

 

We'll archive to it when available.

 

mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/me...p#20060809

 

MLB.com radio shining spotlight on Power baseball

Charleston Gazette

 

A SHORT VISIT to Charleston?s Appalachian Power Park by MLB.com radio continues to put the West Virginia Power in the spotlight this week.

 

MLB.com radio is an increasingly popular free Internet-only audio service. ?Around the Minors? co-host Lisa Winston stopped in to check out the West Virginia Power last week, broadcasting live from the APP Wednesday and Thursday. If you missed the extensive discussion of Charleston?s South Atlantic League affiliate, the archives of those programs that air live weekdays at noon are available at www.mlb.com.

 

Click on the MLB radio link near the bottom of the main page, where you will then find the program archives.

 

MLB Advanced Media operates minorleaguebaseball.com (or www.milb.com), where a long article by Winston on Charleston?s Rod ?The Toastman? Blackstone is featured.

 

Winston, who covered the minor leagues for more than a decade for USA Today?s Baseball (now Sports) Weekly, interviewed Blackstone prior to the Power?s first game of the current homestand against the Columbus Catfish last Wednesday.

 

Winston?s interview with Blackstone, along with video clips of his toast-throwing antics and interviews with Power standouts like catcher Angel Salome, will be available in a new ?Around The Minors? video show that debuts Wednesday at www.milb.com.

[Mass Haas]

Your "TBD" starter for Brevard tonight was LHP Sam Narron, stretched out to four very good shutout evenings tonight. Josh Wahpepah in the new role of piggy-back, allowed two runs (one earned) upon entering in the 5th -- 2-0 Sarasota, the Hurricane 2-for-2 thus far...

[Diskono]

Nice outing by Narron. Any chance he'll get promoted to AA (or maybe even AAA) once he gets stretched out a bit more? He held his own for over 100 innings in a hitter's park in AAA before getting hurt, so he seems like a guy who could help us sooner than later, once he's sure to be 100%.

[NastyTwig]

Gillespie still missing...

 

Him and Errecart should be moved up.

[pogokat]

Final: Sarasota (Reds) 2, Brevard County 0

 

Milb Game Wrap:

link, then text:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...=t503

 

Cueto, Reds baffle Manatees

 

 

Johnny Cueto and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as Sarasota blanked visiting Brevard County, 2-0, on Wednesday.

 

Cueto (3-2) allowed four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings, snapping his two-game losing streak. It was Cueto's eighth start for the Reds since being called up from Class A Dayton in June. The 20-year-old right-hander was 8-1 with a 2.59 ERA in 14 starts for the Dragons.

 

Abe Woody struck out two over two perfect innings, and Jeff Bruksch tossed a perfect ninth to earn his second save.

 

Marland Williams' RBI double in the fifth snapped a scoreless tie. Paul Janish added a run-scoring single later in the frame.

 

Jay Garthwaite went 2-for-2 with two walks for the Reds (24-22), who have won three of their last four games.

 

Manatees reliever Josh Wahpepah (5-8) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits and a walk while striking out two over four innings. Starter Sam Narron yielded one hit and a walk over four scoreless frames.

 

Hernan Iribarren went 2-for-4 for Brevard County (19-26), which has dropped five of six. --Chip Haunss/MLB.com

 

 

Brevard County Box Score and Game Log Link:

Hernan with a couple more singles...Gotta admit, it seems like Wahpepah did the exact same thing when he hit about 70 innings last year...went from being stellar, to below average...this would suggest that wahpepah is headed for the bullpen at some point

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._sarafa_1

 

Edit: accidental emoticon

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site:

 

Stars and Braves Rained Out in Mississippi

 

The Stars and Mississippi Braves have been rained out Wednesday night in Jackson, MS and will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Thursday evening starting at 6:05 p.m. central time. Heavy rains fell for 45 minutes before the game was called and steady lightning was a presence throughout the area around the stadium for more than an hour and a half before the decision was made to call the game off. This is only the third game that has been postponed because of rain since Trustmark Park opened on April 18 of last season.

 

The Stars will send right-hander Corey Thurman and southpaw Steve Hammond to the mound in the twin bill, while the Braves will counter with left-handers Francisely Bueno and Chris Waters. Coverage of the games will begin at 5:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Mass Haas note: Tennesse won tonight -- the Stars are four games out of first (three in the loss column). The Stars don't play the Smokies again this season. Season ends Labor Day, September 4th.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Rome (Braves) 17, West Virginia 11

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

BRAVES OUTSLUG POWER

 

Wednesday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park saw the West Virginia Power and Rome Braves combine to score 28 runs on 28 hits as the Rome Braves won the series finale and earned a series split with a 17-11 victory.

 

Quentin Davis scored the first of 28 runs on a wild pitch in the first inning. In the bottom of the first the Power scored four runs to take their only lead of the game. The four-run first was highlighted by a pair of bases loaded walks and Tony Festa?s RBI single. Rome scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead and never looked back. The Braves tied the game in the third on Cody Clark?s sac fly and they took the lead on Josh Morris?s first of two home runs on the night.

 

Rome added to their lead scoring six times in the fifth. The six-run frame was highlighted by a two-run shot from Jaime Trejo and an RBI triple from Davis who came a home run away from the cycle. In the seventh inning Morris hit his second homer of the game, a solo blast to make it a 12-4 game, and the Braves put the game out of reach with a four run eighth inning which involved RBI singles from Clark and Morris and was capped off by Trejo?s two-run double.

 

West Virginia didn?t go quietly as they scored seven more runs in the game. In the eighth they scored five times, getting RBI singles from Nate Yoho and Kenny Holmberg, while Michael Brantley walked with the bases loaded, Lorenzo Cain drove in a run on a groundout and Ryan Barba plated a run on a fielder?s choice. Rome scored their last run in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Eric Campbell, while the Power scored twice in the bottom of the ninth on Barba?s RBI groundout and Holmberg?s run scoring double.

 

West Virginia finished the eight game home stand with a 5-3 record. The 17 runs and 17 hits allowed are the most allowed by the Power in a single game this season.

 

Nelson Payano (3-3) got the win, and Rafael Lluberes (4-7) obtained the loss. The Power are 61-53 overall and 22-23 in the second half after the loss while the Braves improved to 62-53 overall and 20-25 in the second half after the win.

 

The Power will begin a four game series against the Delmarva Shorebirds at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium on Thursday night. Right hander Brandon Erbe (5-8, 3.47) will make the start for Delmarva and the Power will counter with left hander Steve Garrison (5-4, 3.66). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score and Game Log Link:

Mat Gamel reaches base five times, Tony Festa four; rough night for Angel Salome -- 0-for-5, two catcher's interference calls, a passed ball, and baserunners 5-for-6 in SB attempts; only Patrick Ryan acquitted himself well on the mound...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with 2006 6th round pick out of Oklahoma State, LHP Brae Wright (Select date for August 7th, skip to the 10:30 minute mark) --

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with RHP Chris Jean (Select date for August 8th, skip to the 13:00 minute mark) --

Interesting concept, broadcaster Steve Wendt conducts the interview from the pitching coach's office with Jean as Chris conducts film study work of a recent outing...

 

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

[pogokat]

Final: Missoula (Diamondbacks) 10, Helena 9

Not a great pitching performance by Parillo tonight, but plenty of offense...

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...006_04.txt

 

Osprey trip up Brewers

By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Independent Record Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers did everything they could to battle back against the Missoula Osprey Wednesday night, but in the end they just gave their visiting foe too much a cushion.

 

The Osprey claimed sole leadership of the Pioneer League?s North Division standings as they outscored the Brewers 10-9 in a rollercoaster ride at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

The Osprey held leads twice in the game, the first by three and the second by six.

 

?All the losses are hard. Once they scored the seven runs, we actually had a chance to bounce back and had a chance to win again,? said Brewers manager Ed Sedar.

 

After giving up a three-run first inning, the Brewers fought back in the third to tie eventually lead the game.

 

With two outs and bases loaded, Zach Clem cracked a hit into shallow center field allowing Chuckie Caufield and David Parker to score. Chris Errecart came home when Osprey?s starting pitcher, Daniel Fournier, balked, evening the score.

 

Then, the Brewers took a one-run lead in the fourth, when Parker hit a chopper straight into the dirt in front of the plate. The ball had enough spin to roll about seven feet toward the left field line, and Fredy De La Cruz sped past the throw at home to score.

 

The lead lasted until the sixth inning when the Brewers gave up three walks and two errors, allowing the Osprey to bat through the order.

 

Parker errored at second when he missed a grounder, and after going five innings without a walk, Brandon Parillo gave up two in a row to load the bases.

 

Jose Romero came in to relieve, but he gave up two hits to left field that would score three and send dominoes falling.

 

The Osprey scored seven runs in the inning to take a 10-4 lead.

 

?Parillo did a good job, but when our infielders do make errors ? and they?ve played very well I think ? the pitchers make little body gestures,? Sedar said. ?Maybe the pitchers need to suck it up one time and go after and get the outs on their own instead of throwing balls after the error because he was frustrated.?

 

Just when it looked like the Brewers had given up, they rebounded to nearly tie the game in the seventh.

 

Fredy De La Cruz cracked a three-run homer over the left field wall to score Andy Bouchie and Parker. Bill Rowe had singled just before to score two.

 

The hits combined for five runs, bringing the game to its final score.

 

?(De La Cruz) put a good swing on it. It sure wasn?t a home run swing, he was trying to hit a line drive and squared up the ball quite well,? Sedar said.

 

The Brewers kept up moment, getting runners in scoring position in the eighth, but Giornale Sena struck out two in a row to finish the inning without giving up a run.

 

Brad Miller gave the team a last breath of hope when he flied out to within two feet of the centerfield wall where Missoula?s Daniel Perales made the catch. It was the last play of the game

 

The loss drops the Brewers to 5-6 in the second half, third in the North Division. The Osprey have climbed their way to the top with a 7-4 record.

 

Helena Box Score and Game Log:

Chris Errecart and Andy Bouchie reach four times apiece; Fredy de la Cruz 3-for-5 with his home run; RHP Stuart Sutherland with a pretty relief line -- he did allow two inherited runners to score, but they scored on an error, showing how that stat can be skewed by defense...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._helrok_1

 

Jon Ebelt Independent Record Staff Photographer - After converting the force out at second base, Helena?s David Parker, left, is true on the throw to first base for the fourth inning double play against Missoula Wednesday. At right is Osprey baserunner Daniel Perales.

 

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2006/08/10/sports_top/b01081006_04.jpg

[And That]

Santo Manzanillo watch:

 

13.2 IP, 34 BBs allowed. He's like the 3TO of pitching.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Royals 10, Arizona Brewers 4

 

Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log:

Brewers team ERA a league-worst 6.52 (WHIP 1.77); we recognize catcher Jesse D'Amico's first pro HR, a three-run shot in the 9th...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_royrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with C/1B J.R. Hopf (Select date for August 9th, skip to the 8:00 minute mark) --

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section.../200608101

 

A painful night for Power, Salome

Four errors by the team, two catcher?s interference calls, one unfortunate pitch in the cup, highlight 17-11 loss

By Nick Scala

Charleston Gazette Staff Writer

 

Look homeward, Angel.

 

Or, at least, look out, because it?s been a rough week.

 

Catcher Angel Salome had missed the West Virginia Power?s last four games with an injured thumb, and when he finally returned to the lineup Wednesday night, he left again in pain after taking a ninth-inning pitch off his protective cup.

 

To make his pain even worse, the South Atlantic League RBI leader was called ? unjustly, Salome said ? for catcher?s interference on the play, his second such infraction of the night. He was also hitless in five at bats as the Power got pummeled by the Rome Braves 17-11 at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Salome, whose 79 RBIs are tops in the SAL, said this latest injury won?t keep him out of the lineup, but it was scary nonetheless. After the indelicate collision of ball against cup, he was writhing on the ground in pain for several anxious minutes.

 

?I was feeling bad for a minute,? he said. ?I almost passed out.?

 

Rome?s Quentin Davis was awarded first base for catcher?s interference for the second time. The first came as the first batter of the hot, sticky night.

 

But according to Salome, the latter call was incorrect.

 

?The umpire must have heard the sound of the ball hitting me in the cup, and thought it was me hitting his bat,? Salome said. ?But it didn?t hit nothing, it just hit me.?

 

The team?s biggest bat should be in the lineup tonight when the Power begins a four-game road trip to Delmarva, so there won?t be any injury to add to Wednesday night?s insult. Salome said he?s already missed enough time after getting hit on his left wrist on a backswing while catching Friday night against Columbus.

 

?I?ll be fine,? he said. ?Things happen. You have to take it the way it is.?

 

The Power ended its eight-game homestand with five wins, but the finale was an ugly mess. Counting the two catcher?s interference calls, the Power committed four errors, allowed 17 hits and found itself trailing 16-4 going into the bottom of the eighth.

 

Rome?s big lead wasn?t built in an inning; it was built in three huge frames. The Braves scored four runs in the third inning, six in the fifth and four in the eighth.

 

Rome needed them, because the Power offense was also clicking to the tune of a four-run first frame, a five-run eighth and a two-run ninth.

 

?We had some plays we should have made that opened up the big innings for them,? Power manager Mike Guerrero said. ?A couple popups that should?ve been caught, a couple errors. When you give a team that?s pretty good some extra outs, that?s what?s gonna happen.?

 

Davis reached base five times for Rome, going 3-for-4 with a double and triple. Josh Morris clubbed two home runs ? his first two of the season ? for the Braves in a 3-for-5, three-RBI night, and Jamie Trejo added a two-run homer, also his first, and a two-run double.

 

Tony Festa, coming off a 5-for-5 game in Tuesday?s win over Rome, went 3-for-4 and Kenny Holmberg was 2-for-4 with three RBIs for the Power. Shortstop Ryan Barba also drove in three runs despite going 0-for-4, bringing in runs on a sacrifice fly and two groundouts.

 

Power starter Rafael Lluberes (4-7) took the loss, allowing five runs ? but just one earned run ? on five hits in four innings. The Power bullpen was charged with the other 12 runs, 11 of which were earned, over the final five innings.

 

Nelson Payano (3-3) picked up the win in relief for Rome.

 

POWER POINTS: The crowd of 2,429 pushed the Power?s season attendance over 200,000. ... The Power dropped to 22-23 in the second half and 61-53 overall, while Rome improved to 20-25, 62-53. ... Lefty Steve Garrison (5-4, 3.66 ERA) will start for the Power tonight at Delmarva, while the Shorebirds will counter with right-hander Brandon Erbe (5-8, 3.47).

 

Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis

The Power?s Michael Brantley (14) is safe at second as Rome?s Elvis Andrus applies the late tag.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/Power2.jpg

[brewmann04]

Bouchie seems to be comming on abit in rookie Ball ,but it nice to see especially as Private Lou Batting Average Drops.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.dailymail.com/story/S...home+loss/

 

Power gets offensive in home loss

Jack Bogaczyk

Charleston Daily Mail Sports Editor

 

Two of the pivotal figures Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park were Josh Morris and Josh Louis.

 

Still, no joshing around, Rome's rout of the West Virginia Power was one of those South Atlantic League baseball games you don't see every night.

 

A crowd of 2,429 witnessed a ballpark-record number of runs as the Braves gained a split of a four-game series with a 17-11 triumph over the Power. Rome's runs also tied a record (Lakewood, 17 at home on June 5, 2005) for a West Virginia opponent in two Power seasons.

 

Morris' two solo homers -- his first and second as a professional -- helped the Braves gain the Power Park record for most runs by a visiting team. That matched the 17 scored twice this season by West Virginia (May 4 against Lexington, including a Class A all-time record six homers in one inning, and June 23 against Kannapolis).

 

The game also included 11 extra-base hits and two catcher's interference calls for the same Braves' hitter (Quentin Davis) against West Virginia's Angel Salome.

 

The second came in the Rome ninth when a Patrick Ryan fastball crashed untouched into Salome's protective cup as home plate umpire Mike Brundage awarded Davis first base.

 

Salome said he never touched the bat, but ended up prone for five minutes before leaving the game.

 

That wasn't the only ouch for the Power (22-23 second half) on a difficult night. West Virginia closed the first inning with a 4-1 lead, but Rome scored the next 15 runs against three Power pitchers. Seven runs in the final two Power at-bats salved the pain a little.

 

"When you don't make routine plays on fly balls and line drives, like we didn't, and you give a pretty good team chances like that, this is what's going to happen," Power Manager Mike Guerrero said.

 

Seven weeks ago, Morris was with Georgia in the College World Series. The first baseman is one of three Braves who played in Omaha in June, joining pitchers Kevin Gunderson (NCAA champ Oregon State) and Lee Hyde (Georgia Tech). All were drafted two months ago and signed after the series.

 

Atlanta must have liked Morris, a first baseman who owns UGA's single-season (23) and career (51) home run marks.

 

The Braves drafted him in the 12th round (No. 370 overall), but gave him about seventh-round bonus money ($100,000 neighborhood) to sign.

 

"The first month here there was a real learning curve," said Morris, whose belts made a 10-hour bus trip back to his home state a shorter ride.

 

"I was kind of surprised to go to low (Class) A right away.

 

"Now, I'm getting comfortable. The biggest difference between here and the Southeastern Conference, really, is the wooden bat.

 

"There was great pitching in the SEC. I think it helped prepare me for this."

 

Although the score seemed like someone was using metal, Rome used that wood better than the Power.

 

While West Virginia was held hitless from the second through sixth innings by wild Brave starter Beau Jones and winner Nelson Payano (3-3), the Braves pounded reliever Louis in a six-run fifth, then added four in the eighth off lefty Julian Cordero, just acquired by Milwaukee 10 days ago in the Carlos Lee deal with Texas.

 

Power points -- Salome, just back in the lineup after having a slight sprain of his left (catching) wrist, said he was OK after taking a pitch in the groin. He also had a tough 0-for-5 night, but still leads the SAL with 79 RBI. ... Guerrero said regular Power center fielder Darren Ford remains "day-to-day" with a bone bruise in his right leg. Ford, with 55 stolen bases, is only six thefts shy of the Charleston Class A record of 61 set by Alley Cat Mike Curry in 1999. ...

 

West Virginia's league-best team batting average remained at .277. ... The Power climbed past 200,000 in attendance for the second straight season. West Virginia's season attendance is 201,989 (3,811 average). Last season's Charleston baseball record attendance was 234,160. The Power has 13 remaining home dates scheduled. ...

 

Rome starter Jones was the No. 41 overall pick in the 2005 draft (supplemental first round selection) and got an $825,000 bonus from Atlanta. The lefty walked six in four innings and his 68 bases on balls tops the SAL. ... The Power opens a four-game set tonight at Delmarva, sending Steve Garrison (5-4) to the mound against the Shorebirds' Brandon Erbe (5-8). ...

 

West Virginia returns home Tuesday to start an eight-game homestand, divided between Hickory and Hagerstown. ... The loss to the first-half Southern Division champion Braves left the Power with a 25-22 record against SAL Southern teams this season. West Virginia is 36-31 in intra-division play.