Link Report Wed 5/3 - Updated w/ Kevin Roberts photo, quotes

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 11:40 AM pre-game, 12:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Nashville Game Day Feature from MILB.com:

Please note that GameDay links will not become active until approximately 1-2 hours before game time

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville: RHP Tim Dillard at West Tenn (Cubs), 10:50 AM pre-game, 11:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

Brevard County: TBD at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:00 PM

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.jupiterhammerheads.com/

 

West Virginia: RHP Kevin Roberts at home vs. Lexington (Astros) 9:25 AM pre-game, 9:35 gametime

 

Audio link:

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

[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". Activate the Nashville Gameday. For the other links, 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. It's sweet!

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_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

[Team Canada]

Yikes, Dillard got rocked.

 

 

The first 3 times I read this thread title, I thought it said "Three Manitees to choose from" http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Katuluu]

Steve Moss, all he does is hit doubles. I know he was catching heat from people early in the year, but it should be noted he's putting up some nice numbers so far, and it seems he's re-learned how to take a walk. And has been stated before, good grief the Brewrs are loaded with CF prospects.

[bork]

By my count, Bibbs now leads the organization with 4 outfield assists.

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Tenn (Cubs) 8, Huntsville 4

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Sprowl, Schappert Spur Jaxx to Victory

 

Jon-Mark Sprowl collected three hits and knocked in three runs and Paul Schappert tossed three perfect frames in relief to lead West Tenn to an 8-4 win over Huntsville Wednesday afternoon at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx halted a two-game slide and improved to 15-12, while the Stars dropped to 15-12 and saw their two-game win streak brought to an end.

 

The Diamond Jaxx struck for three runs in the second inning against Stars? starter Tim Dillard on a run-scoring single by Sprowl, a double play grounder by starting pitcher Carlos Marmol that scored a run and a two-out single by Chris Walker that plated Sprowl. Dillard has given up multiple runs in six of the 28 innings he has started this season.

 

The Stars rallied for three runs in the top half of the third to tie the game on a bases loaded single by Ozzie Chavez that scored Callix Crabbe, who had opened the frame with a double, a double play grounder off the bat of Steve Moss that chased home Dillard and a two-out, run-scoring single by Greg Sain. West Tenn answered right back in the home third to take the lead for good with a pair of runs. Scott Moore walked, stole second base and scored on a double by Jose Reyes, who then scored when Sprowl followed with a base hit to center field that chased Dillard from the game. The right-hander suffered his second loss of the season after yielding five runs on eight hits and a pair of walks.

 

The Jaxx tacked on three runs in the fourth inning against Andy Pratt, who pitched for West Tenn two years ago. Moore delivered a run with a sacrifice fly, a passed ball by J.C. Boscan allowed another run to score and Sprowl capped the rally with a double that scored Reyes, who also had three hits in the game.

 

Schappert earned his first win of the year and combined with Marmol to retire 13 hitters in a row. The southpaw fanned four of the nine hitters he faced in his longest outing of the season. Federico Baez allowed a run on two hits in the eighth inning and retired the side in order in the ninth to close out the game. Moss doubled in Kennard Bibbs in the eighth to push his hitting streak to 14 games, matching Tony Gwynn, Jr?s 14-gamer from last season set between August 4th and 18th.

 

The series continues Thursday evening when the Stars send right-hander Corey Thurman to the mound against West Tenn southpaw Chris Shaver. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1450 AM locally and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Lexington (Astros) 3, West Virginia 1

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

Roberts throws six strong innings in loss to Lexington

Kevin Roberts had a no-hitter going into the sixth inning of Wednesday morning?s game against the Lexington Legends. In the top of the sixth inning, the Legends not only broke up the no hitter, they snapped a scoreless tie and beat the Power 3-1 at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Roberts?s no-hitter was broken up by Tommy Manzella?s one-out single in the top of the sixth inning. After issuing a two-out walk to Josh Flores, putting runners on first and second with two out, Eric King came through with a two-run triple to give the Legends a 2-0 lead. In the seventh inning Mark Ori hit his first home run of the year for Lexington, a solo shot that put the Legends up 3-0.

 

The Power plated their only run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on Ned Yost?s run-scoring single. In the bottom of the ninth the Power had runners on first and second with one out, but Sam Gervacio slammed the door on West Virginia striking out the next two batters.

 

Tip Fairchild (2-3) allowed one run through seven innings and earned the victory. Gervacio earned the save (2) and Roberts (2-3) took the loss despite striking out six and allowing only two runs on two hits through six innings. The Power are 12-13 after the loss and the Legends improved to 15-11 with the win.

 

The Power continue the six game series against the Legends at Thursday night. Lexington will start left hander Brian Bogusevic (0-1, 5.68) and West Virginia will counter with left hander Derek Miller (1-1, 2.74). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

Two double plays hurt...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[JoeHova]

Corey Hart with the walk-off home run in Nashville.

[Team Canada]

We seriously need to trade an outfielder or 2. Cruz and Hart are destroying this league.

[Mass Haas]

Corey Hart with the walk-off home run in Nashville.

 

All the (at-the-time unheralded) 11th round pick has ever done is rake -- no matter the level, the league, the competion.

 

Only fitting he's getting some time as # 1 on the Power 50.

 

The Brewers have given Nashville and their fans a pretty good show since the affiliation began, haven't they?

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 4, Iowa (Cubs) 3

Nashville site details in a bit...

 

Nashville Box Score:

Sounds 5-for-5 on the basepaths; Vinny Rottino went from the .230's to .279 awfully quickly; we mention Chris Barnwell every day only because he's producing every single day (now at .366); Zach Jack's first home start after four on the road...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

Just need to get Brad Nelson going -- back up to the 5th spot today, perhaps to try and boost his confidence...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for celebration photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1934

 

Hart Homer Gives Sounds 4-3 Last At-Bat Win

 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Outfielder Corey Hart blasted a one-out, game-ending solo homer off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in left-center in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Nashville Sounds a dramatic 4-3 victory over the division-rival Iowa Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium.

 

Hart?s blast, which came against Cubs reliever Brandon Emanuel, gave the Sounds their third last at-bat win of the year along with their third win in a game in which they trailed in the seventh inning or later. It was the fourth longball of the season for the outfielder, who extended his hitting streak to a season-best eight games with a 2-for-5 afternoon.

 

AUDIO: Corey Hart's Game-Winning HR --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%205-3.wma

 

The win was the seventh in the last eight games for Nashville (18-8), which improved to a season-best 10 games over .500.

 

Every Sounds position player recorded a hit in the contest except catcher Mark Johnson, who had his season-best five-game hit streak come to a close following an 0-for-4 effort.

 

The Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Iowa starter Jerome Williams but missed an opportunity to do further damage. Nashville had the bases loaded with none out and plated only one run in the frame on a Nelson Cruz sacrifice fly. The Sounds finished the contest just 1-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

 

Iowa jumped into the lead in the fourth with a pair of runs against Sounds starter Zach Jackson. Augie Ojeda and Buck Coats opened the frame with consecutive doubles to tie it before Coats gave the visitors a 2-1 lead when he scampered home on a Jackson wild pitch.

 

The Cubs increased the lead to 3-1 in the fifth on a two-out RBI single by third baseman Casey McGehee, but the Sounds got that run right back in the bottom half of the inning when Jermaine Clark, who stole two bases in the inning to up his PCL-leading total to 11 thefts on the year, scored on a wild pitch by Williams.

 

Hart tied the contest in the bottom of the seventh when he plated Tony Gwynn with an RBI fielder?s choice. Gwynn had opened the frame with a single and moved to third on a Clark single.

 

Sounds shortstop Chris Barnwell turned in a 2-for-4 effort to extend his on-base streak to 19 consecutive games. Third baseman Vinny Rottino went 3-for-4 and now has six hits in his last eight at-bats.

 

Nashville catcher Mike Rivera, who holds the PCL?s longest hitting streak of the year at 15 games, did not play in the contest.

 

Allan Simpson (1-2) picked up his first victory of the season as the beneficiary of Hart?s heroics after tossing one scoreless inning. Emanuel (0-2) took the loss after surrendering the game-ending blast.

 

Jackson fanned a season-high seven batters over five innings for the Sounds but took a no-decision and is still looking for his first victory as a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday evening at Greer. Left-hander Dana Eveland (2-0, 0.75) ? who leads the Pacific Coast League in ERA ? will man the bump for the Sounds to face Iowa right-hander Jae-Kuk Ryu (1-2, 3.72).

[dadofandrew]

We seriously need to trade an outfielder or 2. Cruz and Hart are destroying this league.

 

Nope, need to extend the ones we have.

 

:)

[Mass Haas]

In progress: Jupiter (Marlins) 3, Brevard County 3, after two innings

Lots going on in this one -- LHP Manny Parra working out the rust in his first 2006 appearance; Charlie Fermaint returns after a few days off (unknown reasons); Hernan Iribarren with his first long ball of the season...

[Mass Haas]

Dana Eveland, Yovani Gallardo in the latest BA Hot Prospect List:

 

www.baseballamerica.com/t...61181.html

[Mass Haas]

Final: Jupiter (Marlins) 11, Brevard County 3

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Not where we hoped to see Manny Parra and Mike Jones in the linescore at this point in their careers; Jones needs to be in Milwaukee to start the 2008 season, when he'll be out of options -- the path progression will have to become aggressive at some point -- disappointing line for Mike tonight...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Hart homer hits right chord for Sounds

Scoreboard shot gives Sounds walk-off win

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

The Iowa Cubs suffered a Hart attack Wednesday afternoon.

 

Nashville Sounds outfielder Corey Hart, who came into play with a .424 average during his seven-game hitting streak, hit his fourth home run of the streak, a one-out solo shot off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in the ninth inning to give the Sounds a 4-3 come-from-behind victory.

 

It was Hart's second hit of the day, following a first-inning single that extended the streak to eight games. He's hitting .421 (16-for-38) with 12 RBIs and 10 runs in those eight games.

 

"I'm just trying to get a pitch to not necessarily hit out, but get on base and get something going," said Hart, who hit two game-ending homers in a 17-day span last July, both vs. Memphis.

 

"I probably relax more, try not to do too much, and it happens. I just want to sit back, try to put the ball in play the best I can."

 

Hart, who had four hits that resulted in final-at-bat wins for the Sounds last year, rescued them again after Iowa rallied for a 3-1 lead against starter Zach Jackson. Making his first Greer Stadium start, the former Toronto minor leaguer struck out seven in five innings, but allowed seven hits.

 

"Zach kinda lost it there late ? a little in the fourth and then in the fifth, he lost his command," Manager Frank Kremblas said. "I don't know if he got a little tired or what. It was kinda hot. But it's ... not a bad outing."

 

Nashville, which managed just one run out of a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the first inning, stranded eight runners in scoring position.

 

"It's always nice to have the middle of the order coming up at that time of the game, in that situation," Kremblas said.

 

"You hope (No. 2 hitter) Jermaine Clark gets on to lead off the inning. He had a tough at-bat, made (Cubs reliever Brandon Emanuel) work hard. You don't know if that had anything to do with Corey's at-bat or not. But the pitch he threw was a mistake pitch. You don't want to throw that good a fastball to Corey there."

 

What they said: "When you come in the game, you've got to hold it close, whether you're up two or down two. With our offense, we can score any time. We had our chances early and we didn't score, but we can score any time. We've got a lot of guys that can take the ball deep, and we've been hitting well." ? reliever Allan Simpson.

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Rivera, Johnson splitting time

MAURICE PATTON, The Tennessean

 

"Here today, gone tomorrow" would be an appropriate description of Mike Rivera's appearance among the Pacific Coast League statistical leaders.

 

The Nashville Sounds catcher was atop the league's batting average charts entering Wednesday's play, hitting at a .422 clip, and topped the slugging percentage category as well (.750).

 

However, as part of a platoon with Mark Johnson, Rivera will likely stay right at the required 2.7 plate appearances per team game for inclusion among the leaders all season.

 

Rivera was not among the leaders prior to Monday's series opener against visiting Iowa, despite entering the day with a .436 average.

 

He and Johnson have been used pretty much on a

two-games-on, two-games-off basis all season. After playing Monday and Tuesday, Rivera yielded to Johnson for Wednesday's matchup with Iowa.

 

Despite the sporadic use, Rivera has a 15-game hitting streak that is the longest in the PCL this season. Of his five home runs this season, three were in his last four games, and he's scored in each of his last eight games.

 

"Last year, I had to be ready," said Rivera, who hit .285 with

16 home runs and 43 RBIs with the Sounds after signing out of the independent Atlantic League in mid-May. "I didn't play every day; I split time with (Julio) Mosquera. I had to work hard every day and be ready for whenever Frank put me in the lineup. I think that helped me mentally prepare, to be ready."

 

Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas is committed to keeping both Rivera and Johnson ? who had a five-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday ? rested and sharp.

 

"It's probably good for both of them," he said. "You don't want to go too many off in a row; that makes it hard to get in a rhythm.

 

"Mike's swinging the bat well. He's doing a much better job of situational hitting. He still gets out of himself at times, but he's staying with his plan pretty well."

 

Off-days overrated: Outfielder Nelson Cruz is the only Sounds player to start each of the team's 26 games. He's batted cleanup in each of those games, and his numbers reflect his opportunities, as he leads the club in home runs (7), doubles (9) and RBIs (22).

 

Only four other Sounds have had 20 defensive starts this season ? Chris Barnwell (24), Vinny Rottino (23), Jermaine Clark and Tony Gwynn (22 each).

 

Cruz's 16 extra-base hits entering Wednesday were the second-highest total in the PCL, and his .617 slugging percentage ranked him fourth in the league.

 

Still stealing: The Sounds padded their stolen-base lead in the PCL with five in Wednesday's win, giving them 50 for the season. Clark had a pair for a league-leading 11.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=49591

 

Hart beats Cubs in ninth

By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent

 

Corey Hart played the role of Batman to perfection Wednesday, hitting a walk-off solo home run to propel the Nashville Sounds to a 4-3 victory over the Iowa Cubs at Greer Stadium.

 

The role of Robin was a group effort, played brilliantly by the Sounds? bullpen, which has been sensational all season long.

 

Hart?s shot, which thumped off the guitar scoreboard in left-center field, came off Brandon Emanuel with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

 

?At the end of games, you?re not looking to hit a home run,? Hart said. ?You?re just looking to getting on base and getting a pitch to hit.?

 

Hart?s game-winning homer gives him three walk-off blasts in the last two years at Greer. The home run came off the Iowa bullpen, which allowed the tying and go-ahead runs in the game?s final three innings.

 

Nashville (18-8) received four scoreless innings out of its bullpen. Mike Meyers, Mitch Stetter and Allan Simpson pinned down the Cubs batters.

 

Sounds relievers came into Wednesday?s game with a miniscule 1.85 ERA over the past 12 games.

 

?The pitching overall has been excellent,? Stetter said. ?It?s awesome to be in this bullpen. The hitters are doing their job and it makes it easier on us. To do your job and then Corey Hart comes up big and we get a big victory.?

 

The bullpen and Hart saved the day after starter Zach Jackson threw five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks.

 

The Nashville offense managed just two runs off Iowa starter Jerome Williams, who struggled early but settled down after the first inning. Williams allowed three walks and loaded the bases in the first, but gave up just one run.

 

In addition to his game-wining blast, Hart also notched a game-tying RBI single in the seventh, which scored Tony Gwynn.

 

The Sounds had a chance to score in the eighth but were held in check, setting the stage for Hart?s heroics in the final frame.

 

?Since I?ve been here, [the bullpen] has been unstoppable,? Hart said. ?Everybody is picking each other up, especially when the starters don?t go late in the game. That?s how you win games, the bullpen keeps [close]. Then you just get a few runs here and there.?

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2006050362

 

Legends spoil no-hit bid, trip Power 3-1

By Mike Whiteford

Charleston Gazette Staff writer

 

To break up the monotony of their six-day stay in the Kanawha Valley, the Lexington Legends make regular visits to Charleston Town Center Mall.

 

The bus loads up at the team?s South Charleston motel early in the afternoon and deposits the players in downtown Charleston, where they find a place for lunch and pass the time before leaving for Appalachian Power Park.

 

They played a morning game Wednesday as part of Grand Slam Kids Day and, against Power right-hander Kevin Roberts, were making outs with monotonous regularity.

 

Through five innings, they didn?t have a hit, but they spiced things up in the sixth with a single, a walk and Eric King?s triple to dead center that landed on the warning track and brought home two runs.

 

It was enough to give Lexington a 3-1 victory over the Power on a day when thousands of school kids livened up the place with occasional chants of ?Let?s go, Power?? and a constant buzz familiar to elementary-school teachers everywhere. Total attendance was 4,131.

 

The Legends, who visited APP for three games in mid-April, are in the midst of a six-game, six-day series in Charleston, which may be unprecedented in local history. The series continues through Sunday, giving the visitors several more bus rides downtown.

 

?We?re pretty familiar with the mall,?? said King, a California native.

 

Roberts, a 21-year-old native of Pearland, Texas, faced the minimum number of hitters through five innings. He allowed two baserunners on walks but both were erased ? one on a double play and the other on a caught stealing. He also had six strikeouts.

 

?I located my fastball pretty decent,?? said Roberts, ?and that set up my offspeed, which was working pretty well today.??

 

But with one out in the sixth, Lexington?s Tommy Manzella broke up the no-hit bid with a sharp single to left and, one out later, Josh Flores walked. King then jumped on a 1-1 curveball.

 

?It was right in the strike zone,?? said King. ?It was a good pitch for a hitter. I was fortunate to make good contact.??

 

Roberts knew he was perhaps one good pitch away from escaping trouble.

 

?It?s frustrating when you have two outs, and you know it?s your last inning and all you have to do is make one or two pitches and you?re out of it,?? he said. ?They got one big hit.??

 

Meanwhile, Lexington right-hander Tip Fairchild allowed just six hits and a run in seven innings for the victory and blanked the Power through six innings. By keeping the ball low in the strike zone, he accumulated 14 ground-ball outs.

 

?Defense is key,?? said Fairchild. ?They do all the dirty work. Basically, I just throw the ball over the plate and let the defense do the work.??

 

The Legends added a run in the seventh on Mark Ori?s home run off Wilfrido Laureano, and the Power scored its only run in the bottom of the inning on Mike Bell?s double and Ned Yost?s RBI single.

 

POWER POINTS: The series continues with games Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and concludes with an afternoon game Sunday. After the game Wednesday, which ended before 1 p.m., the Legends took batting practice and worked on fundamentals. ... Reid Nichols, the Brewers? director of player development, attended Wednesday?s game. In 1980, he played against the Charleston Charlies at Watt Powell Park as a member of the Pawtucket Red Sox and spent eight seasons in the big leagues. ... The Power entered Wednesday?s game with an average attendance of 3,247 in 10 home games, several of which have been played amid showers. Power attendance ranks eighth in the 16-team South Atlantic League. Greensboro leads with a 6,311 average.

[Mass Haas]

Link for Tim Dillard photo while active, text follows:

 

www.jacksonsun.com/apps/p...40313/1006

 

Jaxx 8, Huntsville 4: Sprowl is making the most of 3rd stint as Cubs farmhand

By JOSHUA PARROTT

jparrott@jacksonsun.com

 

Less than a month into his third stint in the Chicago Cubs' organization, Jon-Mark Sprowl admits he is just trying to fit in with the Diamond Jaxx.

 

"I'm not trying to take anybody's job," Sprowl said.

 

But Sprowl might just do that if he keeps playing like he did on Wednesday afternoon. Making only his second start of the season, Sprowl went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to lead the Diamond Jaxx past Huntsville, 8-4, before a season-best crowd of 4,290 at Pringles Park.

 

Sprowl - who was signed by the Cubs before spring training, released on April 4 and resigned on April 22 - entered the game with only one hit in six at-bats this season. His RBI singles in the second and third innings and RBI double in the fourth keyed West Tenn's offensive outburst.

 

"Obviously getting the opportunity to come back (to this organization) is big for me," said Sprowl, who hit .228 in 63 games last season for the Tampa Yankees, the High-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. "I was able to drive in some runs today."

 

Sprowl wasn't alone. Jose Reyes and Nic Jackson added three hits apiece for the Jaxx (15-12), who moved into a second-place tie with Huntsville (15-12) in the Southern League's Northern Division. Reyes also scored three runs and added an RBI.

 

With three hits, Jackson continued his recent hot streak at the plate. He now has a 20-game hitting streak, which started with a 13-game streak at High-A Daytona earlier this season.

 

Between third baseman Scott Moore, pinch-hitter Micah Hoffpauir, Reyes and Sprowl, West Tenn's Nos. 5-7 hitters went a combined 6-for-11 with five RBIs and six runs scored.

 

Huntsville manager Don Money said the Jaxx took advantage of a "very uninspired day" by Stars right-hander Tim Dillard. Selected as the Milwaukee Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Year last season, Dillard (2-2) was handed the loss after getting ripped for five runs on eight hits in 2.1 innings of work.

 

"His velocity was down, and you can't do that," Money said. "You've got to go after hitters with your best stuff."

 

Jaxx starter Carlos Marmol didn't have his best stuff on Wednesday. He gave up three runs and three walks in only four innings before being pulled for reliever Paul Schappert.

 

Schappert (1-0) struck out four in three perfect innings to grab the win as the Jaxx avenged a heart-breaking 4-3 loss to the Stars on Tuesday night.

 

Game 3 of the five-game series is at 7:05 p.m. today. Lefty Chris Shaver (1-1, 2.25 ERA) will start for the Jaxx, while righty Corey Thurman (1-2, 0.98 ERA) will take the mound for the Stars.

 

The Jaxx started strong on Wednesday, scoring their eight runs in the second, third and fourth innings, respectively. Sprowl drove in the game's first run in the second inning when he smashed a single into right field to score Moore from third.

 

Reyes scored on a Gary Cates groundout later the same inning, and Chris Walker added an RBI single up the middle to give the Jaxx a 3-0 lead.

 

In the top of the third, the Stars answered. After Callix Crabbe opened the inning with a double, Dillard laid down a bunt and reached base when Sprowl dropped the throw from Marmol.

 

Stars shortstop Ozzie Chavez followed by knocking in Crabbe with an RBI single to make it 3-1. Another run scored when Steve Moss grounded into a double play. Greg Sain added an RBI single to tie the game at 3.

 

"I give our guys credit," Money said. "We battled back."

 

But so did the Jaxx in the third inning. Reyes stroked an RBI double and Sprowl followed with an RBI single to put West Tenn up 5-3.

 

The Jaxx put the game out of reach with three more runs in the fourth as Moore had a sacrifice fly, Luis Montanez scored on a passed ball and Sprowl pounded an RBI double to right field.

 

After a 15-minute rain delay forced both teams into their respective dugouts before the start of the ninth inning, the skies cleared long enough for Jaxx reliever Federico Baez to pitch a perfect inning to close out the win.

 

Despite his breakout performance, Sprowl doesn't necessarily expect his role as a utility player to change. He still plans on bringing the same blue-collar mentality to the clubhouse everyday.

 

"All you can do is go out and get it done if your name's on the (lineup) card," said Sprowl, who can play catcher, first base, third base and in the outfield. "I'm taking my role and just trying to help this team win."

 

And that's an approach Jaxx manager Pat Listach appreciates.

 

"The great thing about Jon-Mark is that he comes to the ballpark ready to play whether he starts or not," Listach said. "I wish some of our other guys were more like that.

 

"We're lucky to have him."

[clancyphile]

Why's Krynzel not playing?

[chowyo123]

Quote:

---

Why's Krynzel not playing?

---

No idea. I know he got banged up from running into the wall, but then a few games after that incident he pinch hit once.

 

Edit: Just wanted to thank you Mass for all you've put into the Minor Leagues. I don't believe I've thanked you before. I wouldn't have a clue about any of our minor leaguers without you.

[Mass Haas]

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www.dailymail.com/news/Sp...006050424/

 

Power pitcher finds his zone

Jacob Messer

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

One mistake cost West Virginia Power ace Kevin Roberts a victory, but even that miscue shouldn't detract from a performance that all agree was the best of his six starts this season.

 

Roberts carried a no-hitter and a shutout into the sixth inning Wednesday, but the Lexington Legends ended both with two hits and two runs in the frame.

 

Those were the only hits and runs Roberts allowed during the morning game, but they were enough for the Legends to collect a 3-1 win over the Power in front of a Grand Slam School Day crowd of 4,131 fans at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Lexington (15-11) remains in a two-way tie for first place in the South Atlantic League Northern Division with Lake County (15-11). The Power (12-13) is 2 1/2 games behind the co-leaders.

 

"I tried to keep them off balance with a good mix of pitches," said Roberts, whose repertoire features a four-seam fastball, a two-seam fastball, a curveball, a palmball and a changeup.

 

Roberts breezed through the first five innings, throwing 13 pitches in the first, 10 in the second, 11 in the third, 11 in the fourth and nine in the fifth.

 

His most impressive inning was the second as he struck out the side with only one pitch called a ball.

 

"I was feeling pretty good at the time," said the 21-year-old Roberts, a 6-foot, 190-pound right-hander that the Milwaukee Brewers selected in the fifth round of last year's draft.

 

"The ball I did throw was an intentional ball to set up the next pitch. I hit my spot 10 times in a row and it worked out pretty good."

 

Two close calls hurt him in the top of the sixth, when the Legends snapped a scoreless tie.

 

Roberts surrendered a one-out single to Tommy Manzella, then issued a two-out walk to Josh Flores.

 

He thought he struck out both batters on 2-2 counts, but the umpire disagreed and both hitters capitalized on the extra opportunities at the plate.

 

"You have to work around it," said Roberts, noting there are as many instances where umpires hurt pitchers by calling a strike a ball as there are instances where umpires help pitchers by calling a ball a strike. "It was an unfortunate situation ... but you have to battle through it."

 

Eric King followed Flores with a two-run triple that proved to be the difference maker.

 

"Kevin Roberts threw the ball outstanding," Power Manager Mike Guerrero said. "He had one mistake and it really, really cost him."

 

Guerrero thought Roberts should have pitched more aggressively against Manzella (a .206 hitter) and Flores (a .224 hitter). That way, he might have avoided King (a .333 hitter).

 

"That was his only mistake in the entire outing," Guerrero said.

 

Roberts, a former two-way star at the University of Houston who never pitched before college, finished with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings.

 

It marked his longest performance this season and represents only the third time a Power starter has pitched six innings or more this year.

 

Roberts, ranked the Brewers' 29th-best minor league prospect by Baseball America, owns a 2-3 record and a 4.30 earned run average.

 

He has allowed 23 hits and 14 runs (all earned) in 29 1/3 innings. Roberts also has recorded a team-high 31 strikeouts compared to a league-leading 18 walks.

 

"He has pitched well (this season), but this (performance) stands out," said Power pitching coach John Curtis, who is concerned about Roberts' walks and wants him to lower the number of free passes he issues to batters.

 

"Unfortunately, he came out on the short side of the butcher."

 

POWER PLUGS: Mat Gamel extended his hitting streak to eight games -- the longest this season for any Power hitter -- with a sixth-inning single. ... The Power is 3-5 against the Legends and 5-7 at Appalachian Power Park this season. ... Reid Nichols, the Brewers' director of player development and assistant to the general manager, is in Charleston this week to scout the Power. "I think you will see this team jell and they will have a much better second half," Nichols said. "These guys had a lot of success together in Helena (Mont.) last season."

 

Charleston Gazette Photo: Bob Wojcieszak

West Virginia Power pitcher Kevin Roberts, who never pitched before playing at the University of Houston, had six strikeouts and three walks in the Power?s game Wednesday against Lexington.

 

http://www.dailymail.com/images/0504%20Kevin%20Roberts.jpg