Link Report for Games of Tuesday, August 30th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu: The Arizona Summer League season wraps up...we'll miss those temperature and attendance reports...

 

All starts Central Time except for Arizona Rookie; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Wes Obermueller at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: RHP Ty Taubenheim at Tennessee (Diamondbacks), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

Brevard County: Steve Hammond at Vero Beach (Dodgers), 6:00 PM; no audio for this series

 

West Virginia: RHP's Mark Rogers and Justin Barnes in a double-dip at home vs. Delmarva (Orioles), 5:05 PM

 

Audio link:

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

 

Helena: RHP Robbie Wooley at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 8:05 PM

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.missoulaosprey.com/

 

Arizona: TBD at home in the Maryvale complex vs. the toddlin' Rangers, 7:00 PM local time; never any web audio for Arizona Rookie ball -- this is the Arizona squad's season finale

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_vbdafx_1

 

West Virginia Game One:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Two:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_2

 

Helena:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona:

Not updated live, but usually later during the overnight...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Go you Manatees http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ! Technically, the Arizona squad hasn't lost nine in a row, but the way the suspended game victory went back to August 9th, it shows up that way...

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 71 65 .522 - 33-35 38-30 L1[/b] Omaha 68 69 .496 3.5 32-37 36-32 L2 Memphis 65 70 .481 5.5 33-31 32-39 L3 Iowa 63 69 .477 6.0 38-29 25-40 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 36 26 .581 - 21-13 15-13 W2 West Tenn 35 28 .556 1.5 20-12 15-16 W1 [b]Huntsville 27 35 .435 9.0 12-18 15-17 W4[/b] Tennessee 26 36 .419 10.0 13-14 13-22 L5 Chattanooga 24 39 .381 12.5 15-20 9-19 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 37 27 .578 - 18-14 19-13 L3 Vero Beach 35 27 .565 1.0 19-13 16-14 L3 [b]Brevard County 34 29 .540 2.5 15-17 19-12 W3[/b] St. Lucie 33 30 .524 3.5 15-16 18-14 W1 Daytona 31 31 .500 5.0 19-13 12-18 W3 Jupiter 25 36 .410 10.5 17-14 8-22 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delmarva 39 22 .639 - 22-9 17-13 L1 Lexington 35 27 .565 4.5 20-15 15-12 W1 Lake County 31 30 .508 8.0 14-14 17-16 L2 Hickory 30 31 .492 9.0 17-13 13-18 L2 [b]West Virginia 29 31 .483 9.5 15-14 14-17 W2[/b] Lakewood 29 33 .468 10.5 18-18 11-15 W2 Greensboro 28 34 .452 11.5 11-16 17-18 W1 Hagerstown 23 37 .383 15.5 11-16 12-21 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Helena 19 9 .679 - 9-6 10-3 W1[/b] Missoula 15 13 .536 4.0 9-6 6-7 L1 Billings 13 14 .481 5.5 6-6 7-8 L2 Great Falls 12 15 .444 6.5 6-7 6-8 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Giants 18 9 .667 - 8-6 10-3 W6 AZL Athletics 17 10 .630 1.0 10-4 7-6 W1 AZL Mariners 17 11 .607 1.5 10-5 7-6 L3 AZL Royals 15 13 .536 3.5 9-6 6-7 W3 AZL Rangers 14 13 .519 4.0 8-7 6-6 L1 AZL Padres 12 14 .462 5.5 5-9 7-5 W5 [b]AZL Brewers 10 15 .400 7.0 3-9 7-6 L9[/b] AZL Angels 9 17 .346 8.5 2-5 7-12 L1 AZL Cubs 8 18 .308 9.5 4-10 4-8 L4

Stats and League Leaders, USA Today (or go to MILB.com):

 

www.usatoday.com/sports/b.../index.htm

[Mass Haas]

You'll be in good Link Report hands over the next couple of days with colbyjack and the Brewerfan staff as I reward the family for their patience with me this spring and summer with some fun in small-town Vermont, hoping to avoid Hurricane Katrina's remnants.

 

I'll be checking out more of those northern New England pitching prospects -- I've got great leads on three guys: Larry, his brother Darryl, and his other brother Darryl...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

 

Don't be fooled if you see my handle the next couple of mornings in the posts -- I've done some prep work for the boys.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Well they are playing in West Virginia and Rogers has walked 5 in 4 innings along with 4 earned runs.http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eyes.gif

[colbyjack]

From the Vero Beach Dodgers site:

 

Tuesday Aug 30, 2005

Storm, Manatees Rain on Dodgers Parade

08/30/05 - Two separate three-run home runs from the Brevard County preceeded a rainstorm that washed out Tuesday night's game with the Manatees leading the Dodgers 7-0 in the top of the 2nd inning. The game will be completed Wednesday in its entirety beginning at 4:00 PM. The regularly scheduled game will take place afterwards and will be shortened to 7 innings. The Dodgers entered the night one game behind division-leading Palm Beach, while the Manatees are 2 1/2 games back.

 

According to the box score, Drew Anderson hit a grand slam, not a 3-run HR, in the top of the 2nd. Jeff Eure hit a 3-run blast in the first.

[jackalope02ca]

Well at least the year is almost over and we can start convincing ourselves Rogers has a future again.

 

Not sure how the Brewers can be anything but disappointed in the year. On the bright side Yo has looked good.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Not sure how the Brewers can be anything but disappointed in the year. On the bright side Yo has looked good.

 

It is OK to not be down on a 19 year old hitting triple digits, but it is a long road to the bigs and it looks like Rogers wants to take his time. It is hard to imagine him in Brevard to start next year.

[colbyjack]

Final: Huntsville 9, Tennessee (D-Backs) 2

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Heether Helps Stars Hammer Smokies

Adam Heether collected four hits, scored three times and knocked in a pair of runs to push Huntsville past Tennessee 9-2 Tuesday night in the opener of a four-game set at Smokies Park. The Stars won their fifth straight game to improve to 28-35 in the second half, while the Smokies lost their sixth in a row to fall to 26-37 in the second half. Huntsville has fashioned its? first five-game winning streak since beating Mississippi on April 27 and taking the next four games at home over the Smokies.

 

Noochie Varner delivered a pinch-hit double in the seventh inning to score Matt Morgan to slice the Stars lead to 3-2 before Jarred Ball walked and manager Don Money removed starter Ty Taubenheim after 6 1/3 innings of work. Stephen Drew sent a line drive off of Jerome Gamble and the relief pitcher was able to pick the ball up on the infield grass in between the mound and first base and retired Drew at first for the second out of the inning, as the runners advanced one base. Gamble then struck out Dan Uggla, the league leader in runs batted in, on three pitches to end the inning.

 

Doug Slaten took over for starter Tony Pena in the eighth inning and hit Heether to open the frame. Brad Nelson followed with a single to move Heether to second base and Enrique Cruz followed with a base hit to plate Heether and push the visitors lead to 4-2. Brandon Gemoll dropped down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners up one base and Kennard Bibbs delivered Nelson with a sacrifice fly to left field that chased Slaten from the game. Mike Schultz, a right-hander, was brought in to face the righty-swinging John Vanden Berg, who foiled the strategy by doubling in to right field to score Cruz to push the visitors lead to 6-2. The Stars tacked on three runs in the ninth against Schultz on a run-scoring double by Heether and a two-out, two-run single by Gemoll.

 

Gamble went on to retire six of the next seven hitters he faced, including setting down the side in order in the ninth, to earn his fifth save of the season. The right-hander has gone 13 2/3 consecutive innings without allowing a run over his last six appearances. Taubenheim was charged with two runs on eight hits and grabbed his second win with Huntsville and his first since August 2 at West Tenn. Pena was charged with three runs on 10 hits over seven innings and suffered the loss to drop to 7-12. The right-hander is 0-2 with two no-decisions in four starts against the Stars this season.

 

Heether doubled twice and singled twice and reached base in all five of his at-bats. He became the seventh Stars? hitter to collect four hits in a game this season and has hit safely in all seven games he has played in since joining the team. Every Huntsville hitter had at least one hit in a 17-hit attack, the most the Stars have mustered in a game since a season-best 20 against Montgomery on July 31.

 

The series continues Wednesday afternoon with a doubleheader caused by Monday night?s rainout. The Stars will go with left-hander Josh Habel and right-hander Carlos Villanueva, while the Smokies will counter with right-hander Adam Bass and southpaw Clint Goocher. Coverage gets underway at 4:15 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

As noted in the game summary, every starter (outside of the pitcher) had at least one hit, with 6 of the 8 starters with at least 2 hits. Heether and Nelson with the big lines today, as Heether reaches in all five plate appearances. Nelson's 3 hits put him back to .300 (hooray!). Heether continues to hit the ball well, with 4 hits of his own, 2 of those being doubles. Taubenheim picks up his second win since his promotion.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

This game was a lot closer heading into the 8th. The Stars do a nice job producing 3 runs in both the 8th and 9th innings. Let's hope the Stars can get out of Tennessee before Stephen Drew re-discovers his stroke.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1

[ja002h]

It is hard to imagine him in Brevard to start next year.

 

Probably true, although if his main problem is throwing a strike, it probably doesn't really matter what level he's at.

[colbyjack]

Nashville Site:

 

Sounds Rained Out Again In Memphis

Date Posted: 8/30/2005

MEMPHIS -- Unplayable field conditions resulting from rains related to Tropical Storm Katrina have forced the second consecutive postponement of the series opener between the Nashville Sounds and Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park on Tuesday evening.

 

As a result, the teams will play back-to-back 6:05 p.m. doubleheaders on Wednesday and Thursday evenings.

 

Right-hander Gary Glover (6-3, 2.93) will start Wednesday's twinbill opener for the Sounds before right-hander Dennis Sarfate (NR) makes his career Triple-A debut for Nashville in the nightcap. Memphis will counter with right-handers Anthony Reyes (7-6, 3.82) and Adam Wainwright (8-10, 4.66).

 

The Sounds will enter play on Wednesday with a magic number of five or four, pending the results of second-place Omaha's contest against Iowa this evening.

[colbyjack]

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

Power take two from Delmarva

Charleston, WV (August 30, 2005) ? The West Virginia Power extended their winning streak to four games with a pair of victories over the Delmarva Shorebirds on the final Two-For-Tuesday at Appalachian Power Park. The Power erased a four run deficit and won the first game 7-4 and they took the second game by the final of 3-1.

 

In game one Jason Fransz smashed a two run homer in the top of the first inning to give Delmarva the early advantage. Arturo Rivas made it a 4-0 Delmarva lead when he hit a two run double in the top of the third inning. The Power cut the lead in half when Grant Richardson smacked a two run single in the bottom of the third inning. The Power scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take the lead and they never looked back. Hasan Rasheed, Agustin Septimo, Hernan Iribarren and Angel Salome all contributed with RBI singles. The Power plated the final run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning when Hasan Rasheed hit his second RBI single of the game.

 

In game two Delmarva was the first to score when Jason Fransz drove in Paco Figueroa on an RBI single in the top of the first inning. Angel Salome and Hasan Rasheed both hit RBI singles to give the Power a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. Brendan Katin provided the Power with an insurance run on a two out RBI single in the bottom of the third.

 

In game one Kevin Roberts (2-2) earned the victory, Ben Stanczyk (9) earned the save and Radhames Liz (1-3) obtained the loss. In game two Justin Barnes (9-2) earned the win, Robert Hinton (13) earned the save and Luis Ramirez (9-7) obtained the loss. The Power are 31-31 in the second half after the wins and the Shorebirds move to 39-24 with the losses.

 

The Power will continue the final four game series of the season at Appalachian Power Park with the Delmarva Shorebirds on Wednesday night. The Power will throw left-handed pitcher Greg Kloosterman (4-18, 5.28) and the Shorebirds will counter with right-handed pitcher Josh Potter (3-3, 5.27). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

 

Final, Game One: Delmarva (Orioles) 4, West Virginia 7

 

West Virginia Box Score, Game One:

Mark Rogers owes his offense dinner after they bailed him out of 4 rough early innings so he avoided picking up his 10th loss on the season. Roberts and Stanczyk pitch three scoreless innings in relief, as Stanczyk notches his ninth save of the year. Fermaint and Iribarren ignite the Power's offense at the top of the order with two hits a piece. Hasan Rasheed stays hot with a 3-3 night, scoring 2 and driving in 2.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log, Game One:

Rogers decides to follow in Doug Davis' footsteps this evening. With 2 outs in the first, Rogers walks a batter and gives up a 2-run HR. He did get a couple of double plays during his 4 innings of work and was also aided by having a runner gunned down at home plate on an attempted double steal. Quickly look at the game log to see how much faster the 5th, 6th and 7th innings went.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Final, Game Two: Delmarva (Orioles) 1, West Virginia 3

 

West Virginia Box Score, Game Two:

Justin Barnes one out away from a complete game. No problem, Robert Hinton comes in, records one out, and picks up his 13th save of the season. Salome, Richardson & Rasheed each with two hits, Gamel strikes out twice in two at-bats.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_2

 

West Virginia Game Log, Game Two:

Barnes cruises through the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th innings. He was removed in the 7th with two outs and one on, not in a jam, but likely was lifted more due to his pitch count than perceived struggles.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_2

[colbyjack]

In progress, Game Two: Delmarva (Orioles) 1, West Virginia 2, bottom of the 3rd

Justin Barnes the starter in game two, as Kevin Roberts pitched in relief in game one.

 

In Progress: Missoula (D-Backs) 5, Helena 3, bottom of the 6th

Wooley gave up 5 ER in the 2nd, but has pitched through the 6th, with 8 strikeouts. Michael Brantley continues his presence on the bases, going 1 for 1 with 2 walks, leading to two runs scored.

[DHonks]

the AZ boxscore up already...no big names, but 2 walks for Cain

[colbyjack]

Thanks for the head's up DHonks. Since it is the last day of the Arizona Rookie League, they must have been anxious to wrap things up.

 

Final: Arizona Rangers 12, Arizona Brewers 7

 

Arizona Box Score:

As DHonks noted, Lorenzo Cain, one of the lone bright spots on the Arizona club, with two walks in the game. He went 0-2, but added a sac fly. Alirio Ledezma, the less heralded of the two (Roque Mercedes) relatively big-name international signees from last offseason, with the only respectable pitching line, another bright spot on this club.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

 

Arizona Game Log:

Get your fix while you can. This may be the last year of the Arizona Rookie League.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[colbyjack]

Final: Missoula (D-Backs) 12, Helena 3

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_01.txt

 

Brewers fall to Osprey, lead shrinks to three games

By KEVIN SHIVELY - IR Sports Writer - 08/31/05

 

The Missoula Osprey showed the Helena Brewers that they weren't the only ones who could post big wins.[

 

The Osprey responded to Helena's nine-run win Monday by beating the Brewers 12-3 on a blustery Tuesday night at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

The win brought the second place Osprey (16-13) only three games behind the Brewers (19-10). A second half win would put the Osprey in the playoffs.

 

"Every game in this last stretch is big," said Missoula catcher Mike DeCarlo. "Right now we feel like we can play with anyone."

 

They proved that against the Brewers, winning two in the three game series.

 

Tuesday night, the Osprey were able to string several hits together and collected five hits in the second inning when they built a 5-2 lead.

 

After the second, Helena pitcher Robert Wooley allowed only one hit and threw four scoreless innings but it was not enough to stop the Osprey who are battling Billings for a place in the Pioneer League playoffs.

 

Wooley gained accuracy as he went, striking out the side in the sixth, his last inning on the mound. He had eight strikeouts in the game.

 

In the seventh, Brandon Parillo took the mound and hit the first three batters he faced. With the bases loaded, the lefty settled down and struck out the next two.

 

Will Crouch managed to put bat to ball and singled to shortstop Ryan Crew. Crew made an athletic snag, but then tried to flip the ball behind his back and threw it away.

 

Two runs scored on the play and Parillo struck out the last batter to get out of the inning.

 

In an attempt to save their pitching, the Brewers put outfielder Adam Mannon on the mound. Mannon, who pitched a couple of innings while playing in West Virginia, gave up a two-out grand slam to designated hitter Steve Mena.

 

Mena was 2-for-5 with four RBI and two runs scored.

 

The Brewers, who only had seven hits in the game didn't manage a single extra base knock.

 

The Brewers scored two of their three runs in the first inning. Darren Ford crossed the plate on a ground out from Stephen Chapman, and Michael Brantley scored on a single from Ned Yost.

 

Brantley was 1-for-2 with three walks and Ford was 2-for-5.

 

Helena will travel to Great Falls tonight for a pair of games before heading to Missoula for a four game series later this week.

 

"We play the Brewers four more times this season," said DeCarlo. "We've got to make sure we win both series."

 

Helena Box Score:

Michael Brantley finishes with three walks in this one, proving that the plate discipline exhibited in Arizona was no fluke. How many times have the Helena Brewers been unable to record a single extra-base hit this season?

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log

Are the Helena Brewers running low on fresh arms, or is Mannon getting a look as a pitcher? The 9th inning grand slam didn't mean much as the H-Crew was unable to re-group after Missoula's 5-run 2nd.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

[brewmann04]

can we Consider Heether our top prosect at 3rd.

[pogokat]

no, braun is our top prospect at third...but heeter is a good prospect

[DHonks]

I'm still amazed that Heether went from 3b who can't hit to a .300 hitter. Supposedly the power potential is still there, but how does one jump like 60 points?

[CaliBrewer]

Looking over Adam Heethers stats. I would say that he is a top prospect. In Brevard (playing 20 less games) He was #2 in average, #3 in Home Runs., #2 in RBIs, #2 in Doubles. All which were very close to the next leader. The biggest accomplishment was his turn around of strike outs. 98 Ks last year to 48 Ks this year. Thats discipline..... Now at Huntsville is is doing pretty darn good. Check out his stats.

[CaliBrewer]

Whats up with Braun? I heard that he is already injured! Maybe they should put all their draft picks out of college in a shorter season. What do you think?

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.dailymail.com/news/Sports/200508316/

 

Power gets two victories, runs streak to four wins

Michael Dailey

Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter

 

Down nine and a half games in the standings with just eight to play, the West Virginia Power began Tuesday evening's double-header against Delmarva with no hope of reaching the Class A South Atlantic League playoffs.

 

But the Milwaukee Brewer farm team did enter the four-game homestand with an opportunity to influence the Northern Division standings.

 

And that's exactly what the Power did with a 7-4 and 3-1 double-header sweep over the division-leading Shorebirds in front of 2,345 fans on a soggy Two-For-Tuesday evening at Appalachian Power Park.

 

The Power evened its record at 31-31, while Delmarva dropped to 39-24.

 

The sweep decreased the Shorebirds' lead to 3 1/2 games over the Lexington Legends and officially designated the Power as a spoiler in the title chase.

 

"We had a chance to win and we ended up coming back to win the game and beat the team that's in first place," said Power first game starter Mark Rogers. "Hopefully, we can play spoiler.

 

"We were talking about it as a team during yesterday's rainout," said Rogers, who tossed four innings in his final home start.

 

"We know we're out of contention for a playoff spot, but we're going to give it everything we've got down the stretch.

 

"We're going to go play spoiler and try to carry some momentum into the offseason."

 

West Virginia trailed the opener 4-0 after 2 1/2 innings, before rallying for a pair of runs in the third, four in the fourth and a single run in the fifth.

 

Hasan Rasheed paced the Power comeback by going 3-for-3, including a pair of RBI singles.

 

Grant Richardson also had two RBI for West Virginia.

 

Charlie Fermaint, Hernan Iribarren and Agustin Septimo each had two hits.

 

"We're just trying to go out on a positive note," said Power outfielder Will Lewis, who started the third inning rally before coming around to score. "We love being the spoiler. At least we can do something."

 

Kevin Roberts (2-2) pitched two innings of relief to pickup the win for the Power.

 

Ben Stanczyk worked the seventh inning for his ninth save.

 

In the nightcap, West Virginia again rallied from an early 1-0 deficit on RBI singles by Angel Salome, Brendan Katin and Rasheed.

 

Power starter Justin Barnes (9-2) pitched 6 2/3 strong innings to pick up the win.

 

Barnes allowed just three hits and came within an out of registering the first complete game of the season for a Power pitcher, before giving way to Robert Hinton, who recorded his team-leading 13th save.

 

Power Manager Ramon Aviles was happy with his team's effort on an evening that was extended by more than an hour due to passing rain showers.

 

"We told the kids that it is very important that we finish the season strong to prepare for next year," said Aviles. "A lot of these kids are going to instructional league after the season, so it's important to play well and carry it over into the instructional season and to get ready for next year.

 

"We just want to go out there and do the best job we can. Whatever happens, happens. We just ask the kids to play hard and they're doing that. I have no problems with that."

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section.../200508314

 

Power takes two from Delmarva

By Jay Srinivasan

For The Charleston Gazette

 

The West Virginia Power may be out of the playoffs, but it is still fighting.

 

Power batters and pitchers turned it on to sweep the Delmarva Shorebirds 7-4 and 3-1 in Tuesday night?s doubleheader in front of 2,345 paid fans at Appalachian Power Park.

 

?I wish the season wasn?t [nearly] over,? said the Power manager Ramon Aviles with a wry smile. ?But, there is still next year.?

 

In the first game, the Power batters found their range to rally from a four-run deficit.

 

Down 4-2, the Power exploded in the bottom of the fourth. Will Lewis walked, moved to second on a fielder?s choice and scored when Hasan Rasheed singled. Agustin Septimo then tied the game at 4 with another single to center.

 

With the momentum turning, Charlie Fermaint slammed a double to put runners on second and third, chasing Delmarva starter Radhames Liz in the process. Two more RBIs by Hernan Iribarren and Angel Salome put the Power in front 6-4.

 

Lewis continued the onslaught in the bottom of the fifth with a triple to right-center. One out later, Rasheed singled to left to score Lewis.

 

In all, West Virginia laced 12 hits compared to Delmarva?s six in the opener.

 

?We played a very good game tonight,? said Aviles. ?We were very aggressive with the bat. We were down four to nothing but we made a great comeback and won the game.

 

?They started going with the pitch, not trying to do too much. It?s something we have been trying to tell them all year. So, it?s finally starting to sink in and they hit the ball the opposite way ... and they see the results.?

 

The Shorebirds jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on Jason Fransz?s homer to right. Arturo Rivas then made it 4-0 in the top of the third with a two-run triple to right.

 

The Power started its rally in the bottom of the third. Rasheed, Fermaint and Iribarren singled to load the bases. Grant Richardson followed with a single to left to cut the deficit to 4-2.

 

For the Power, Kevin Roberts (2-2) earned the win after pitching two innings, yielding only one hit while striking out one. Ben Stancyzk worked the ninth inning for his ninth save.

 

In the second game, Justin Barnes (9-2) took the center stage, pitching 6 2/3 strong innings. After allowing a run in the top of the first on a Fransz RBI single, Barnes shut out the Shorebirds in the next six innings. At one stage, he retired 11 straight batters.

 

Power pitching coach Jim Rooney described Barnes? effort as outstanding.

 

?He showed flashes when he won a couple of times in relief,? said Rooney. ?So, we knew he could do the job. Tonight he had the fastball command. He had the ability to go in and out, also coming with some change ups. He had a pretty good curveball, too.?

 

The Power took the lead with two runs in the bottom of the first. Fermaint doubled, moved to third on an Iribarren sacrifice bunt and scored when Salome hit a single to right. Rasheed then hit the go-ahead run with a single to right. An RBI by Brendan Katin in the bottom of the third made it 3-1.

 

West Virginia?s Will Lewis steps back to first base on a pickoff throw to Delmarva?s Jason Fransz during the Power?s doubleheader with the Shorebirds Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park.

Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chris Dorst

 

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

[colbyjack]

Mass Haas wastes no time. He gets back from vacation and immediately starts cleaning up the mess I made http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Welcome back Jim. As always, a tip of the ballcap to you on the great work you do. Filling in for the link report 2-3 days is manageable, but I can't imagine doing this for an entire season, and for that dedication I thank you.