Link Report for Games of Tuesday, July 24th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at home vs. Fresno (Giants), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller at Jacksonville (Dodgers), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: First, it's the completion of Monday's suspended nine-inning game (Manatees lead, 2-0, after three innings), then it will be a seven-inning nightcap at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 3:50 PM pre-game, 4:00 PM gametime; RHP Robert Hinton will either be picking up in the suspended game or starting the nightcap

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

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

 

West Virginia: RHP Alex Periard at home vs. Delmarva (Orioles), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

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

 

Helena: RHP Donovan Hand at home vs. Casper (Rockies), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

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

 

Arizona: 17-year-old Dominican RHP Adrian Rosario, who's had some nice moments this summer, will make his second pro start and 7th overall appearance at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale, 10:30 AM local time in Arizona, 12:30 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games

 

NOTE: Bill Hall, playing CF for the A-Crew, scheduled to see action.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens:

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

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_jaxaax_1

 

Brevard County Completion of Suspended Game:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

[Mass Haas]

These links will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally they are updated an hour or two prior to gametime, with Nashville's usually earlier:

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

 

Huntsville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Monday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 62 40 .608 - 32-14 30-26 L2 Iowa 57 46 .553 5.5 34-22 23-24 W2 Omaha 49 54 .476 13.5 33-18 16-36 L1 Memphis 42 61 .408 20.5 22-30 20-31 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 19 12 .613 - 10-5 9-7 L1 Chattanooga 16 15 .516 3.0 7-9 9-6 W1 Carolina 15 16 .484 4.0 8-7 7-9 L1 Tennessee 14 17 .452 5.0 11-5 3-12 W1 West Tenn 14 17 .452 5.0 7-9 7-8 W6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 17 13 .567 - 8-6 9-7 W1 Jupiter 15 15 .500 2.0 7-4 8-11 W4 Palm Beach 14 16 .467 3.0 7-12 7-4 W1 St. Lucie 12 18 .400 5.0 4-11 8-7 L2 Daytona 12 19 .387 5.5 6-11 6-8 L2 Vero Beach 8 23 .258 9.5 3-12 5-11 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hickory 20 12 .625 - 12-7 8-5 W7 Lake County 17 13 .567 2.0 8-8 9-5 W1 Lakewood 17 13 .567 2.0 10-5 7-8 L3 Delmarva 15 16 .484 4.5 5-11 10-5 W3 Lexington 15 17 .469 5.0 9-8 6-9 L1 West Virginia 15 17 .469 5.0 7-7 8-10 L6 Greensboro 13 19 .406 7.0 8-6 5-13 W5 Hagerstown 9 22 .290 10.5 5-11 4-11 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helena 23 10 .697 - 10-6 13-4 W9 Great Falls 22 11 .667 1.0 14-3 8-8 W1 Billings 17 16 .515 6.0 10-6 7-10 W2 Missoula 14 19 .424 9.0 6-11 8-8 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Mariners 19 7 .731 - 10-2 9-5 W3 AZL Angels 17 9 .654 2.0 14-4 3-5 W2 AZL Padres 15 10 .600 3.5 8-3 7-7 L3 AZL Giants 14 12 .538 5.0 8-5 6-7 L1 AZL Cubs 13 13 .500 6.0 6-6 7-7 W1 AZL Athletics 11 15 .423 8.0 6-6 5-9 W4 AZL Royals 11 15 .423 8.0 5-8 6-7 L2 AZL Rangers 10 16 .385 9.0 4-8 6-8 L2 AZL Brewers 6 19 .240 12.5 2-11 4-8 L3

[Bambis Bombers]

A rare win for the baby Brewers this afternoon, 6-3 over the tiny Giants.

 

This is a very young team, with 29 players under the age of 20. Scanning the rosters of the other AZL League teams, most of the other team carry half that many teenagers (14 for the league leading Angels, 11 for the second place M's). I can see why this team is struggling in the win column against more seasoned competition.

 

Has there been any research done to see if there is any long-term benefit of bring young Latin American players to the US earlier (vs. fielding a team in the DSL or VSL)?

[Bambis Bombers]

It's nice to see Yohannis Perez have another strong game for the 'Tees.

 

Has anyone seen him play recently? The early reports were that he had a lot of rust from a two year lay-off. I'm hoping that he is back in decent playing shape and that he can prove himself at AA later this year.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Giants 3

Let's give credit here -- nice all-around effort...

 

Arizona Box Score:

Carlos Hereaud, playing first base today, doubles and is on base four times; RHP Luis Jimenez, who gets the win in middle relief, is a 6'7" 18-year-old; starter Adrian Rosario with a nice effort as well...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

 

Arizona Game Log:

Bill Hall struck out swinging, popped out, hit an RBI ground single, drove in another run with a sacrifice fly, and grounded into a double play -- quite the smorgasbord...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

[Mass Haas]

Final, completion of suspended game: Brevard County 10, St. Lucie (Mets) 1

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Ben Stanczyk with three scoreless innings to begin today's play; nice to see newcomer Mike Marksbury with two good innings in his second outing after a shaky debut; Yohannis Perez drives in six on four hits -- can you imagine if he had played at Huntsville like he's played at Brevard, we'd be ga-ga right now; Mat Gamel, Cole Gillespie and Chris Errecart combine to reach base 11 times...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

[DHonks]

Not only is Yohannis Perez playing better, but he's hitting more doubles. I kind think he's a likely candidate for the AFL this year, since he doesn't have a native country for Winterball. To make that happen, he has about a week before his promotion back to AA.

[colbyjack]

That's a good call DHonks, and in hindsight, knowing that Perez hadn't played baseball for two years before the Brewers signed him, putting him at AA was an aggressive placement.

 

And here I thought he was a darkhorse to make the big-league team as a utility infielder http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Unfortunately he and Alcides Escobar swapped spots in more ways than one.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 5, St. Lucie (Mets) 4, regularly scheduled game

Four-run final inning rally to win 5-4 for the Manatees in the nightcap! Chris Errecart two-run walkoff single -- we'll link to the Manatee audio later, that must have been fun!

 

Brevard County Box Score:

RHP Josh Wahpepah just fine, Robert Hinton not so much...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Bottom 7th (Final Inning)

 

- Pitcher Change: Jose De La Torre replaces Eric Brown.

Freddy Parejo strikes out swinging.

- J. R. Hopf grounds out, first baseman Nick Evans to pitcher Jose De La Torre.

- Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Mat Gamel replaces Nestor Corredor.

- Mat Gamel doubles (31) on a fly ball to left fielder Sean Henry.

- With Darren Ford batting, passed ball by Teddy Dziuba, Mat Gamel to 3rd.

- Darren Ford singles on a ground ball to third baseman Dan Murphy.

- Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Lorenzo Cain replaces Ryan Barba.

- Lorenzo Cain singles on a line drive to center fielder Dustin Martin. Mat Gamel scores. Darren Ford scores.

- Yohannis Perez singles on a line drive to right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion. Lorenzo Cain to 3rd.

- Michael Bell walks. Yohannis Perez to 2nd.

- Chris Errecart singles on a ground ball to center fielder Dustin Martin. Lorenzo Cain scores. Yohannis Perez scores. Michael Bell to 2nd.

[Boy Jeenius]

Quietly, Michael Brantley has now raised his Huntsville avg to .270 and his OBP to .386. Atta boy! 20 years old in AA. Don't give them any reason to send you anywhere but up.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Delmarva (Orioles) 7, West Virginia 2

This is a little more than a funk now -- the boys aren't handling adversity well at the moment...

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

SHOREBIRDS EXECUTE POWER SWEEP

 

The Delmarva Shorebirds scored seven times on Tuesday night to send the Power to their seventh straight loss as they executed the four game sweep with a 7-2 victory over West Virginia at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Delmarva took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the third. Brandon Tripp hit a solo home run and David Cash doubled in Pedro Florimon. Andrew Lefave?s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning scored Charlie Fermaint to cut the lead in half. Delmarva put up two more runs in the top of the fifth inning on a two-run blast from Michael Pierce. In the bottom of the inning, Fermaint stole third base and Michael Pierce?s throw to third went into left field allowing Fermaint to score.

 

The Shorebirds scored three times in the seventh inning to pull away. Pierce?s double scored Tripp before Cash?s sacrifice fly brought Pierce home. Bill Rowell ripped a two-out RBI single to finish the three-run frame.

 

Kyle Schmidt (4-8) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out seven over six innings and got the win, snapping his six game losing streak. Alex Periard (5-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering four runs on eight hits over six innings.

 

The Power fell to 63-38 overall and 15-18 in the second half, while the Shorebirds improved to 50-49 overall and 16-16 in the second half with the win. The Power have now lost seven in a row, and were swept for the first time this season. Fermaint had a pair of hits and three stolen bases while Steve Chapman went 2-for-4 with a pair of two-out doubles.

 

The Power will begin a four game series against the Hagerstown Suns at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. The Power will start left hander Mike Ramlow (4-5, 6.37). 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:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Jim Powell Pregame Interview with Manny Parra

[pogokat]

Steve Chapman's got a good bit of power...so does Mike Bell...all those guys need to do is walk more and they'll both be serious prospects in a hurry...that said, i think the guy in the low minors with a ton of power is more projectable than the guy who walks alot...here's hoping both walk more as they move up..

[colbyjack]

Steve Chapman's got a good bit of power...so does Mike Bell...all those guys need to do is walk more and they'll both be serious prospects in a hurry...that said, i think the guy in the low minors with a ton of power is more projectable than the guy who walks alot...here's hoping both walk more as they move up..

 

While I do agree that power is more appealing than walks (you can't teach power), as Bill Hall and Corey Hart have proved, among others, that patience can be learned, I believe it is one's ability to hit that will eventually make or break them.

 

Which to me means Chapman and Bell are going to have to hit a lot better than .262 and .267 respectively before I consider them serious prospects. Chapman's K rate (107 in 343 ABs) is particularly concerning.

 

Of course Bill Hall really didn't hit outside of High Desert, although he is an example of a player that you should never overlook based on his pure athletic ability. Chapman has that kind of ability, but he really needs to start putting his entire game together since he has spent a few years in the lower levels of the system. Again, the power has been incredibly exciting to see, as I don't mean to sound too hard on the guy (keep in mind I was a big proponent of him garnering some MVP consideration last summer in the Pioneer League).

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 6, Jacksonville (Dodgers) 3

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1285

 

Heether Helps Stars Get Back Into Win Column

 

Adam Heether belted a home run and the bullpen continued its fine work in protecting Huntsville?s 6-3 win Tuesday night over Jacksonville in the second of a five-game set at the Baseball Grounds. The Stars won for a 13th time in their last 14 games to improve to 20-12 in the second half and 57-43 overall, while the Suns slipped to 22-10 in the second half and will await the result of the game between Mobile and Montgomery to see if their two-game lead over the Biscuits remains the same or is reduced. The Stars defeated the Suns for just a third time in the last 17 meetings dating back to last season.

 

Steve Sollmann doubled with two outs in the first inning and scored on a throwing error by Suns? shortstop David Nicholson that also allowed Lou Palmisano to reach first base. Heether followed with his seventh home run of the season to give the Stars a 3-0 lead. Huntsville has scored in the first inning in five of their last seven games and in both games in this series. Alcides Escobar knocked in a run in the third inning with a sacrifice fly to push the visitors? edge to 4-0.

 

Suns? starter James McDonald was lifted from his third double-A start after yielding back-to-back two-out singles to Steve Moss and Escobar, who extended his hitting streak to six games, in the fifth. He was charged with four runs, one earned, on seven hits and suffered his first loss in three double-A starts. Brian Akin retired Stars? starter Derek Miller for the final out but gave up a two-out, run-scoring triple to Palmisano that gave the Stars a 5-0 lead.

 

Miller had retired 10 in a row before walking Xavier Paul with one out in the sixth and giving up back-to-back home runs to Blake DeWitt and Kevin Howard that suddenly trimmed the Huntsville lead to 5-3. The Stars have given up two home runs in an inning four times this season and have yielded back-to-back jacks to the Suns twice. Miller was then lifted after issuing a two-out walk to Cory Dunlap and replaced by left-hander Mitch Stetter, who struck out the lefty-swinging Anthony Raglani to end the inning.

 

Miller allowed three runs on four hits over 5 2/3 innings to pick up his second win in four starts with the Stars. David Johnson, Jeff Housman and Luis Pena each tossed a scoreless inning, combining to allow two hits and fan two. Pena earned his fourth save in five tries, as the bullpen has combined to allow only one earned run over its last 31 innings of work over the last 12 games.

 

The series continues Wednesday afternoon with Stars southpaw Lindsay Gulin taking the hill against Suns? right-hander Justin Orenduff. Coverage begins at 11:50 am central time and can be heard via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_jaxaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_jaxaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Fresno (Giants) 1, Nashville 0

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Zach Jackson photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2468

 

Sounds Blanked By Fresno In Homestand Opener

 

NASHVILLE ? The Nashville Sounds opened their homestand on the short end of a 1-0 loss to the Fresno Grizzlies on Tuesday night at Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series.

 

Fresno starter Travis Blackley combined with a pair of relievers on a four-hitter, the Grizzlies? third consecutive shutout and the club?s eighth straight victory. It was the sixth blanking suffered by the Sounds this season and their second in the last three games.

 

The defeat was the third in a row for Nashville (62-41), which fell to just 11-16 in series openers this season.

 

Callix Crabbe (3-for-4) recorded three of the four Nashville hits on the evening, all singles. The second baseman also stole a pair of bases to increase his team-leading total to 14 thefts on the year.

 

Fresno plated the game?s lone run in the top of the fourth inning when William Bergolla led off the frame with a double off Zach Jackson and scored on Daniel Ortmeier?s RBI single. Nashville left fielder Jose Macias prohibited a second run from crossing the plate when he combined with shortstop Chris Barnwell to throw out Scott McClain at the dish to end the inning.

 

Blackley (8-5) earned the win after he held Nashville scoreless while allowing only two Crabbe singles over his six innings of work. He struck out seven batters while walking three in the outing.

 

Scott Atchison followed with two scoreless frames before Brian Wilson kept the Sounds at bay in the ninth to preserve the shutout and earn his eighth save of the year.

 

Jackson (9-6) took a tough-luck loss for the Sounds after allowing one run on seven hits while matching a season high with nine strikeouts over eight frames of action. It was the southpaw?s sixth quality start of the year.

 

Outfielder Gabe Gross went 0-for-4 with one strikeout in his Sounds debut.

 

The teams continue the series with a noon matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Nashville left-hander Adam Pettyjohn (6-2, 3.76), who pitched for the Grizzlies in 2004, will man the bump to face Fresno right-hander Chris Begg (7-2, 4.13).

 

Nashville Box Score:

Laynce Nix 0-for-22 and counting...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

 

Perez propels Manatees

 

Yohannis Perez drove in a career-high six runs as host Brevard County battered St. Lucie, 10-1, in the completion of a suspended game Tuesday.

 

Perez continued his blistering July as he went 4-for-5 with a triple while driving in over half the Manatees' runs. The 24-year-old shortstop got Brevard County going with an RBI single in the second inning and delivered a two-run base hit in the fifth before legging out a bases-loaded triple in the eighth.

 

The Cuban defector is batting .340 in the Florida State League, thanks in part to a .361 average in July, and has driven in 18 runs in 18 games. He has 25 RBIs with Brevard County, although only five of hits 35 hits have gone for extra bases.

 

Perez started the season with Double-A Huntsville and hit .195 with 16 RBIs in 56 games.

 

Mat Gamel went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two walks, a stolen base and two runs scored for the Manatees (18-13). Chris Errecart was 2-for-4 with a double, a walk and three runs scored.

 

Reliever Ben Stanczyk (5-1) tossed three scoreless innings, giving up two hits and a walk while striking out four for the win.

 

The Mets (12-19) scored their only run when Dustin Martin led off the ninth with a double and came home on Dan Murphy's groundout.

 

St. Lucie starter Deolis Guerra (1-6) (1-6) lost his fifth straight decision after allowing two runs -- one earned -- on three hits and a walk in three innings. The 18-year-old right-hander is winless since April 23. -- Michael Echan/MLB.com

[TheCrew07]

Quote:

---

Quietly, Michael Brantley has now raised his Huntsville avg to .270 and his OBP to .386. Atta boy! 20 years old in AA. Don't give them any reason to send you anywhere but up.

---

 

That's sort of half true, and only because he doesn't hit for power. I say again putting the power issue aside, what's not to like about him?

[pogokat]

re: Bell and Chapman...

 

I agree complettely Patrick...I think both of these guys are interesting prospects...Chapman has all sorts of tools...i guess these two guys just stick out to me because the power this year has been legitimate...the brewers have rarely had guys that hit a bunch of homers in the low minors, and i've been pretty excited to see it coming from these two...

 

i think the thing to note with Bell and Chapman is that they aren't perfect prospects....Chapman hasn't hit lefties at all this year...but even as a platoon guy, with the power he has he could bee really useful...especially considering that he can play all 3 outfield spots. Bell has a lot of potential in my eyes because he's a middle infielder...

 

Youa re right when you note that neither are hitting for much average, but neither are embarrasing. Chapman has been extremely streaky this year...he's been down to the .2240's and as high as the .300's...i think he'll wind up around .280, which, with his power, would give him an OPS of .850...not great, but a good year...add some plate discipline to that, and he looks really strong. Bell hit well in WV, but flailed early in BC...however, his last couple months he's been great...

 

i think we have these guys pegged right at the moment...Steve's a 25-30 prospect and Bel's a little lower, but i think they are intriguing because they seem to be power guys rather than speed guys or tools guys(although Chapman is projectable)...there really aren't that many guys in the system like these two...perhaps you could add Brendan Katin, but that would be the end of the list..

[pogokat]

Quote:

---

I say again putting the power issue aside, what's not to like about him?

---

 

a couple things...

 

He doesn't play brilliant defense...which means he's a corner outfielder or first baseman...

 

which leads me to...

 

Without power, his walk rate will decrease at higher levels...i love Brantley... and i think he's a better prospect than Tony gwynn Jr., but i can't knock TGJ and not point out that Brantleey's walk rate is unsustainable without some power

 

Brantley also isn't that fleet afoot. He's not slow, but he's no base stealer...

 

So, the OBP has been great, and he hits for a decent average...and man, is he young...but he's still quite a ways a way developmentally in a ffew other areas...

 

He's the exact opposite of Steve Chapman...if you could combine the twwon, you'd have a superstar...but Michael needs more power to play his position, otherwise you'll have to expect Podsednick without the speed playing LF...

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

 

Errecart, Manatees clip Mets

 

Chris Errecart hit a walk-off two-run single as Brevard County edged visiting St. Lucie, 5-4, on Tuesday.

 

The Manatees (19-13) were trailing, 4-1, when Mat Gamel's two-out double sparked a four-run rally. After Darren Ford hit an infield single, pinch-hitter Lorenzo Cain drove both home with a base hit. Yohannis Perez singled and Mike Bell walked to load the bases for Errecart, who lined an 0-1 pitch from Jose De La Torre (3-7) to center field for the win.

 

It was the only hit of the game for Errecart, who improved to .158 (6-for-38) with two outs and runners in scoring position.

 

Ford went 3-for-4 with a solo homer, his fourth, in the sixth for Brevard County, which also took the completion of a suspended game and has won three straight.

 

Manatees reliever Josh Wahpepah (7-4) surrendered three hits while striking out two without a walk in three scoreless innings. Starter Robert Hinton gave up four runs on seven hits with two strikeouts in four frames.

 

Dustin Martin launched a three-run homer in the first and Ambiorix Concepcion added an RBI single in the third for the Mets (12-20), who have dropped four straight.

 

St. Lucie starter Eric Brown yielded one run on seven hits while striking out three in six innings. -- Ryan McConnell/MLB.com

 

***

Link to the Manatees' audio link for the 24th -- go to the 4 hour, 40 minute mark as the rally begins, culminating at the 4:59 minute mark:

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Final: Casper (Rockies) 9, Helena 7

Shocker...

 

Helena Site Game Summary:

 

Rockies Rally Late to Top Brewers

 

HELENA--The Casper Rockies played the role of spoiler Tuesday night as the Helena Brewers failed to win and extend their lead over second-place Great Falls. Rockies catcher Austin Rauch hit a no-doubt, two-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to give Casper an 8-7 lead; Casper added another run in the inning and Helena failed to score in its last at-bat losing 9-7.

 

The Brewers longest winning streak of the season ended at nine games with the loss. Helena scored the game's first five runs and took a 5-0 lead into the fourth inning, but defensive miscues allowed Casper to cash in with more opportunities as the game progressed.

 

Mike Goetz hit his second home run of the season in the second inning to put Helena ahead 2-0. Steffan Wilson continued his hot streak by blasting his fifth home run of the year in the fifth inning to give the Brewers a 7-4 lead.

 

The Rockies began their charge in the fourth inning when Jordan Pacheco touched starter Donovan Hand for a three-run home run. The home run cut the Brewer lead to 5-3. Casper scored one run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to make a 7-6 game. The Brewers held the lead until the ninth, but Rauch's home run gave the Rockies their first lead of the series.

 

Helena dropped its first game of the year when leading after six innings; they were previously 21-0. The Brewers will look to take the rubber match of the three-game series against the Rockies when the two teams meet for the final time of the season at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) on Wednesday night.

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...507_01.txt

 

Brewers' win streak snapped

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers were riding a nine-game win streak and a 7-6 lead over the Casper Rockies going into the ninth inning at Kindrick Field Tuesday. Until Rockies' catcher Austin Rausch put a charge into one.

 

Bo Bowman led off the top of the final frame with a single, and was pinch ran for by Chad Lembeck. And then Rausch, with a full count and none out, belted a drive high and deep into the night, over the scoreboard in left-center field, for the game-winning dinger. The ball traveled an estimated 440 feet.

 

The visitors scored once more against losing pitcher Wes Etheridge, for a 9-7 final.

 

When the Brewers' Eric Farris flied-out to the warning track in left to end the game, Casper's comeback was complete.

 

For the second night in a row, the home team jumped out to a 5-0 lead after three innings. Lee Haydel opened the scoring in the first, with a walk, a stolen base, advancing to third on a groundout, and sprinting home on a wild pitch. In the second, Mike Goetz scalded a bullet to right-center for a solo tater. The ball was still rising when it crashed into the netting 10 feet above the fence.

 

Helena's three tallies in the third were provided by Haydel, Farris, Steffan Wilson and Zelous Wheeler. In the fourth frame, Casper's Gordon Pacheco ripped a three-run homer off of Brewer starter Donovan Hand, getting his club to within 5-3. When Brewer cleanup hitter Wilson crashed a two-run blast to deep center in the fifth stanza, with Farris on board, the locals enjoyed a 7-4 advantage. It was Wilson's fifth homer of the season, each circuit blow coming against the Rockies.

 

Hand gave up another run in the fifth, and then was relieved by Dan Merklinger, who permitted two runs in the seventh. Craig Langille relieved for 1.1 innings, before Etheridge entered in the fatal ninth.

 

Helena (23-11) came into the game with the best pitching in the Pioneer League, with a 3.64 earned run average, and one of the loop's top defenses. But their closer came up a little short, and the defense committed four errors, in the team's unsuccessful bid for 10 straight wins.

 

Achieving multi-hit games for manager Jeff Isom's Brewers were Farris and Wheeler. Colorado (9-25) outhit the Capital City group 12-9, led by Pacheco (3-for-5), Rausch, Leonardo Reyes and Bowman.

 

The Rockies' Randall Taylor relieved the last two innings and was credited with the victory.

 

Helena Box Score:

 

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Helena Game Log:

 

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George Lane, Helena Independent Record Staff Photographer - Brewers left fielder Mike Goetz smashes a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning.

 

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