Link Report for Saturday, August 13th - A Cycle in Arizona

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

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

 

Nashville: LHP Jeff Housman at Memphis (Cardinals), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: RHP Dennis Sarfate at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

If that link is down for bandwidth, use:

specs.eyecentric.com/pres...opup.shtml

 

Brevard County: RHP Forrest Martin at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 6:00 PM; no audio for this series

 

West Virginia: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Lexington (Astros), 6:05 PM

 

Audio link:

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

 

Helena: TBD at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 8:05 PM

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.ifchukars.com/home/default.asp

 

Arizona: TBD at the Giants' complex vs. the rookie San Francisco kids, 7:00 PM local time; never any web audio for Arizona Rookie ball...

[Mass Haas]

Links to follow Saturday's action as it happens:

 

Nashville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_biraax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona:

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

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_giarok_1

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 68 52 .567 - 31-29 37-23 W5[/b] Memphis 58 61 .487 9.5 30-31 28-30 L1 Omaha 58 62 .483 10.0 26-30 32-32 W2 Iowa 55 61 .474 11.0 36-27 19-34 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 29 16 .644 - 17-10 12-6 L1 West Tenn 26 21 .553 4.0 12-10 14-11 L4 Tennessee 21 26 .447 9.0 11-11 10-15 W1 [b]Huntsville 20 27 .426 10.0 8-15 12-12 L2[/b] Chattanooga 17 30 .362 13.0 10-16 7-14 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Vero Beach 31 16 .660 - 17-8 14-8 W1 Palm Beach 28 21 .571 4.0 13-12 15-9 L1 [b]Brevard County 27 21 .563 4.5 11-13 16-8 L1[/b] St. Lucie 26 22 .542 5.5 11-12 15-10 W1 Daytona 21 26 .447 10.0 13-12 8-14 L1 Jupiter 17 29 .370 13.5 12-11 5-18 W3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delmarva 30 16 .652 - 17-3 13-13 W1 Hickory 27 19 .587 3.0 15-10 12-9 W1 Lexington 25 21 .543 5.0 16-11 9-10 L1 [b]West Virginia 25 21 .543 5.0 13-10 12-11 W1[/b] Lake County 20 24 .455 9.0 9-12 11-12 L1 Lakewood 21 26 .447 9.5 13-12 8-14 W1 Greensboro 20 27 .426 10.5 8-13 12-14 L1 Hagerstown 14 29 .326 14.5 5-12 9-17 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Helena 10 2 .833 - 4-2 6-0 L2[/b] Billings 4 8 .333 6.0 1-3 3-5 L1 Great Falls 4 8 .333 6.0 2-4 2-4 L2 Missoula 4 8 .333 6.0 3-5 1-3 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Giants 8 4 .667 - 3-3 5-1 L2 AZL Mariners 8 4 .667 - 4-2 4-2 W1 AZL Athletics 8 6 .571 1.0 6-2 2-4 L2 [b]AZL Brewers 6 5 .545 1.5 2-4 4-1 W1[/b] AZL Royals 6 5 .545 1.5 4-2 2-3 W4 AZL Rangers 7 6 .538 1.5 4-3 3-3 W2 AZL Angels 5 8 .385 3.5 1-1 4-7 L1 AZL Padres 4 8 .333 4.0 1-6 3-2 L2 AZL Cubs 3 9 .250 5.0 1-6 2-3 L1

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

 

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

[Katuluu]

Looks like it will be Josh Habel pitching for Huntsville tonight instead of Dennis Sarfate.

 

Also Mark Rogers is taken out in the 5th inning. Sounds like it's entirely due to pitch count.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes for Saturday (PDF format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

 

By the way, Corey Hart not in the lineup tonight...hmmmm.....

 

Nashville Pre-Game Audio with RHP Clint Weibl:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-13.mp3

[molitor fan]

Though he does not have enough at bats to qualify, Braun, who has 2 more double tonight, is 2nd in the South Atlantic League in OPS, trailing only Hunter Pence. Braun now has 27 extra base hits in 173 at bats so far.....

 

Braun should be in the top 5 amongst Brewer prospects.

[Katuluu]

Monster game by Braun, and he finishes it off with his second walk-off homerun.

[Brian the Automator]

Cameron who?

[ThePurpleStorm]

So much longer does he tear up WV before he moves to Brevard County?

[Anders34]

In Jack Z. I trust. I think Braun stays in W. Va. the rest of the season. I think he will go to the AFL afterwards and then to AA next year, just like Weeks. Heether is going to have to play a different position at AA next year if he wants to move up.

[molitor fan]

General Patton with yet another dinger for Helena....

 

 

 

wondering who that is - well here is the explanation from our draft thread that day....

 

Holmberg possesses outstanding intangibles and instincts? his leadership and passion for the game have earned him the nickname ?General Patton??batted .424 with a .638 on-base percentage and a .447 slugging percentage during the fall exhibition period? the first All-Conference shortstop to return for senior campaign in Embry-Riddle history?his leadership, instincts and savvy are all keys for the Eagles to achieve their goals in 2005.

[jvrocksaz]

Big OUCH for Jeff Housman... Can we please get Sarfate up to AAA!!!!!

[Diskono]

Any idea why Sarfate was skipped? Can we start the roster move speculation yet?

[jvrocksaz]

Their is actually talk in the Major League forum that their are more callups to Milwaukee than just Corey Hart... Could this be why Sarfate was skipped???

[pogokat]

i honestly think that dennis francis would have told us by now if that were the case....

[brewmann04]

maybe because either Lit Ben or Capplean have been recalled and Dennis finally gets his shot at 3a

[Past Member]

Hey pogokat, I'm sure whoever you guys find out from is a credible source but I work in the clubhouse and we set up the 2 new guys lockers and found out who they were coming up for as a result of 2 DL additons. There will be 2 more new players in addition to Corey Hart.

[brewmann04]

another good start for Hammond tonight.

[pogokat]

no i believe you...the source i'm referring to is Dennis sarfate's dad and he posts here semi-regularly

[And That]

Sarfate may have been promoted to Nashville, that's always a possibility, especially if a Nashville pitcher or two was promoted to Milwaukee. Besides Bradley, who else would you promote from Huntsville?

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 5, Idaho Falls (Royals) 3

Back on track...

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...405_03.txt

 

Brewers outduel Chukars for win

By JOSH JORDAN - IR Sports Writer

 

Helena's game with Idaho Falls lacked some of the offensive firepower the Brewers have shown this season, but none of the excitement as the home team pulled out a 5-3 win over the Chukars in front of 907 fans at Kindrick Legion Field on Saturday night.

 

Helena starter Ryan Marion pitched five innings and allowed just one run and Will Inman improved to 5-0 on the year with 1 2/3 innings of hitless relief as four Brewers' pitchers outdueled the Chukars with a five-hitter.

 

"They did an excellent job throwing strikes and the defense played well behind them," Helena manager Ed Sedar said. "The outfielders made a few big plays."

 

The Brewers (11-2) overcame an early deficit, a costly error and a solid pitching performance by the visitors to end a two-game skid after opening the second half of the Pioneer League season with 10 straight wins.

 

Helena's high-powered offense has led the Brewers at the top of the Pioneer League standings all season, but Saturday's clutch plays were more mild ? and just as effective.

 

The Brewers broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth on a pair of infield singles and a two-run bloop single by Mat Gamel.

 

Idaho Falls (6-8) tied the game at 3-3 in the top of the seventh but Helena scored the winning run in the bottom of the frame when Michael Bell drew a bases-loaded walk that scored Darren Ford who had walked to start the inning.

 

Gamel scored on a wild pitch moments later to give the game its final score.

 

While the Brewers have happily relied on their offense this season, the small-ball style win ? keyed by solid pitching and defense and timely hitting ? shows the club can win in other ways.

 

"We're going to have to continue to pitch well," Sedar said. "Our defense has been playing a lot better of late and they're going to have to continue to do that as well."

 

Ford made an over-the-shoulder catch running away from home plate at the warning track in center field to rob Andrew Larson of an extra-base hit in the fourth inning. Ryan Crew got the second out of the sixth with a sliding catch in left field that held a runner at first as the Brewers defense came through in the clutch.

 

Marion's only blemish came on the fourth pitch of the game when leadoff hitter Ethien Santana lined a home run over the right field wall.

 

Marion didn't let the early deficit get to him, however, as he allowed just two more hits and a walk with five strikeouts in his five innings of work.

 

Kenny Holmberg got the Brewers on the board in the third when he pulled a Ryan DePietro pitch down the left field line and over the wall for his eighth home run of the season.

 

Crew and Ford legged out infield singles to open fifth and scored on Gamel's hit that landed between three Chukars in shallow left-center field to make it 3-1.

 

Idaho Falls tied the game in the seventh thanks in part to a two-base error on a high throw from Gamel that glanced off first baseman Ned Yost's glove to put Brenan Herrera at second base with one out. Josh Johnson drove in Herrera with a single to to right field and the Chukars went on to load the bases. The tying run scored when Inman hit Brady Everett with the bases loaded to bring in Johnson.

 

But the Brewers answered in the bottom of the frame and Inman struck out a pair of Chukars in a scoreless eighth.

 

Dane Renkert struck out two in the ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

 

The two teams meet again tonight at 5:05 p.m. (6:05 Central).

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...405_01.txt

 

Got fans?

By JOSH JORDAN - IR Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers have blasted past the mid-way point of the 2005 Pioneer League season.

 

The Brewers used the league's most potent offense and a strong pitching staff to win the North Division's first half title and the party hasn't stopped as a reworked lineup - five players were called up to class-A West Virginia in late July - opened the second half with 10 straight wins. Helena is now 11-2 and holds a six game lead over three teams tied for second in the north division. The Brewers' 35-16 record, a .686 winning percentage, puts them on pace for one of the best records in franchise history.

 

Helena leads the Pioneer League in team batting (.325), home runs (67) and ERA (4.01), and is second in stolen bases (76) and strike outs (423). Brewers are packed atop the individual league leaders in every major statistical category, especially on offense where Helena has looked to be in a league of its own.

 

Despite these gaudy numbers, Helena's attendance numbers are only slightly higher than they were a season ago, and are lower than they were in 2003.

 

Helena is the smallest market in the Pioneer League, but with such a prolific offensive team and the league's best record it's hard to believe that the Brewers rank last in the league in attendance. After 26 home games this season, the Brewers are averaging a paltry 1,079 fans a game. That is 227 fewer than Casper which ranks seventh in attendance in the eight-team league.

 

Ogden and Billings, both teams in much larger markets, are averaging 3,647 and 2,883 fans a night respectively.

 

Things were picking up in Helena over the first two games of the Brewers' current seven-game homestand. Kindrick Legion field hosted 1,213 fans for the first game and 1,647 for game two.

 

But temperatures in the low 50's kept fans away from the third game and the Brewers played Casper in front of a season-low 517 fans on Friday night.

 

Saturday's attendance was a modest 907. The low numbers is nothing new in Helena which has traditionally been near the bottom of the league in attendance. In 2001 just 21,063 fans came to the ballpark to watch the Brewers.

 

That played a role in the franchise moving in 2002 when the affiliation changed from the Brewers to the Angels and the club moved to Provo, Utah, where 51,919 fans came out in 2001 and 55,050 in 2002.

 

But owner D.G. Elmore and the Elmore Sports Group brought professional baseball back in 2003 when the current Brewers franchise left Medicine Hat for Montana's Capital City.

 

The return of professional baseball and a division-winning team brought in 47,493 fans in the first season back, still last in the league, but a respectable number.

 

Last year, however, the Brewers brought in a league-low 37,568 fans in 37 home dates - an average of just over 1,000 a game.

 

But it appears local baseball fans need not worry about the Brewers pulling up roots in search of greener pastures. General Manager Paul Fetz said the Brewers have had success in Helena's small market in the past and thinks that trend will continue.

 

"We've been successful every single year with what we've been able to get and I see us going in the same direction this year," he said.

 

Part of the low average attendance this season can be explained by an opening homestand that had a rain-out and three more games affected by poor weather. The average attendance for the series was just 770 fans. The numbers have also plummeted with the drop in temperatures in recent days.

 

"You always want more people, but we're not really disappointed in the numbers," Fetz said. "The difference between this year and last year is that opening weekend. That's the difference and it is beyond our control."

 

The Brewers have had home games when big events, such as the Last Chance Stampede and the Mount Helena Music Festival, were taking place. The outdoor recreational opportunities that abound in Montana are also a draw that the Brewers must compete with.

 

"There's a plethora of activities to do in this area," Fetz said. "There's all this stuff going on when we have games, especially on weekends. There are a lot of other activities for people to do in this market and I think a lot of people diversify."

 

There is more to running a financially successful baseball team than ticket sales. The Brewers have a favorable lease with the city through the 2006 season and Fetz thinks the relationship is working for both sides.

 

"I think we've got a very solid relationship with the fans that we have, as well as the city," he said. "We probably have one of the better leases in all of minor league baseball so why would we want to walk away from either of those items?"

 

That's not to say there aren't other options for the Milwaukee Brewers' minor league affiliate.

 

There are many cities throughout the region that might like a professional baseball team. Some, like Pocatello, Idaho, have had Pioneer League teams in the past, others are itching to get one.

 

Last year the team in Provo moved to nearby Orem and became the Owlz. While the management wanted to stay in the same area of Utah - Orem and Provo are less than 80 miles apart - there was interest from cities in Colorado, Idaho and Utah about acquiring the franchise.

 

"There are definitely some cities within the Pioneer League boundaries that would love a team," Orem General Manager Ryan Pace said. "Some of them have had a team before and some would love to have one for the first time."

 

But it appears that cities interested in a Pioneer League team will have to look to other teams at least through next season.

 

And a growing fan base with a successful team could go a long way in keeping the Brewers in town for years to stay.

 

"In the meetings we've had with the Elmore Group, I think they're happy with the city and the city is certainly happy with them," Helena City Manager Tim Burton said. "It's been a good partnership."

 

Helena Box Score:

Looks like the Brewer error mentioned above was charged to Yost, not Gamel...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Jon Ebelt IR Staff Photographer - Empty seats at this weeks Brewers game contributes to Helena ranking last in season attendance so far this year. The Brewers only average 1,079 fans a game, even as the team continues to dominate the Pioneer League in offense statistics.

 

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2005/08/14/sports_top/b01081405_01.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 4, Lexington (Astros) 2

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

Braun hits walk off two-run homer in Power win

Charleston, WV ? On Saturday night at Appalachian Power Park, Ryan Braun came to the plate with Hernan Iribarren on first base and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Braun delivered a walk-off two-run homer, quite like he did two weeks ago against Hickory, and the Power beat the Legends 4-2.

 

Lexington scored their only two runs of the game on Mitch Einertson?s single in the top of the first inning to take a 2-0 lead. Will Lewis knocked in the first Power run of the game on an RBI groundout in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Power tied the game at 2-2 on Braun?s RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning. In the bottom of the ninth inning, with Iribarren on first base and one out, Braun hit his eighth home run of the season with the Power, and his second walk-off home run of the season.

 

Grant Richardson went 0 for 3 in the game, but he did draw a walk, marking the 31st straight game that he has reached base safely.

 

Braun?s walk-off homer marked the fifth time the Power have won on a walk-off home run this season.

 

Ben Stanczyk (5-2) earned the victory, and Ryan Thompson (3-6) obtained the loss. The Power are 26-21 in the second half after the win and the Legends move to 25-22 with the loss.

 

The Power will conclude the four game series with Lexington on Sunday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park. The Power will throw RHP Kevin Roberts (1-1, 4.50) and Lexington will counter with right-handed pitcher Juan Gutierrez (8-4, 2.86). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 PM (1:05 Central).

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2005081337

 

Power wins on Braun?s walk-off homer

By Jay Srinivasan

For the Charleston Gazette

 

Tired of all the wasted opportunities, Ryan Braun decided to take matters into his own hands.

 

Braun slammed a two-run homer and had three RBIs to lead the West Virginia Power to a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over the Lexington Legends in front of 4,204 paid fans at Appalachian Power Park Saturday night.

 

?You always envision yourself with an opportunity to win the game,? said Braun. ?It was a great team effort and fortunately we came out on top.?

 

Tied 2-2 in the bottom of the ninth, leadoff hitter Charlie Fermaint struck out and Hernan Iribarren walked. Braun then connected to left on a 1-0 pitch off closer Ryan Thompson to send the crowd roaring and spark wild celebrations among the Power players.

 

?I had faced the pitcher before. He had great stuff,? said Braun. ?And he actually threw me a pretty good pitch. I knew we had a really fast runner at first, and I knew as long as I made solid contact, we are going to have an opportunity to score.?

 

Earlier, West Virginia missed two great chances to get the go-ahead run with runners in scoring position.

 

Down 2-1 in the sixth, Iribarren walked and Braun hit a double to tie the score. After Braun moved to third on a fielder?s choice, an intentional walk and a wild pitch helped Carlos Corporan reach second. But Angel Salome struck out to finish the inning.

 

In the seventh, Josh Murray and Hasan Rasheed led off with consecutive walks. Two outs later, reliever Jamie Gant intentionally walked Braun to load the bases. But Gant forced Grant Richardson into a ground out to close the inning.

 

?We wasted so many opportunities from the sixth inning on, I said, ?Oh my Lord, how many more we are gonna miss,? ? said the Power manager Ramon Aviles. ?But Braun came through again.?

 

The Legends jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning against a shaky Mark Rogers. Drew Sutton and Bryan Triplett started off with singles and Justin Humphries walked to load the bases. Mitch Einertson then hit a single to right to score Sutton and Triplett. Next up, Ryan Reed walked to load the bases again. But Rogers pitched out of the jam, first striking out Lou Santangelo and then forcing Edwin Maysonet to fly out.

 

?Rogers kept his composure to pitch out of the jam,? said Power pitching coach Jim Rooney. ?That was some of the best that I have seen from him all year.?

 

West Virginia got on board in the bottom of the fourth. Braun doubled, moved to third on a fielder?s choice and scored when Corporan singled to center.

 

Power closer Ben Stanczyk (5-2) got the win after pitching a perfect ninth inning. For the Legends, Thompson (3-6) took the loss after yielding two earned runs, four hits and one walk, while striking out three.

 

The Power plays the last of its four-game home series against the Legends today. The Power will throw right-handed pitcher Kevin Roberts (1-1, 4.50) and Lexington will counter with right-hander Juan Gutierrez (8-4, 2.86). The first pitch is scheduled for 2:05 p.m (1:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

Not to be overlooked is Derek DeCarlo's stellar middle relief work; shortstop Alcides Escobar hurting? Misses his second straight game...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 5, St. Lucie (Mets) 1

 

Brevard County Site Game Summary:

 

The Manatees good pitching and timely hitting helped them cruise to a 5-1 win over the St. Lucie Mets on Saturday night.

 

Manatees starter Steve Hammond showed off an impressive array of pitches in his six-inning effort. He stifled Mets batters in his fourth win of the year, allowing only one run on three hits while striking out six. Jeremy Lewis pitched three scoreless innings on his way to recording his eighth save.

 

Mets starting pitcher Chuck Smith wasn't fooling the Manatees hitters as he allowed all five runs in the Manatees victory. The 'Tees managed to put up runs in the second and fifth innings before breaking out for three more in the bottom of the seventh. With one out in the seventh, Ozzie Chavez's bunt single would start things off. Nestor Corredor's RBI double scored Chavez, and Steve Sollmann walked to bring up Steve Moss. Moss would do the job with an RBI double to plate Corredor. Drew Anderson would follow with a single to bring in Sollmann and finish off the scoring for the night.

 

The Manatees conclude their homestand Sunday afternoon against the St. Lucie Mets.

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Lefty Steve Hammond showing that his quick promotions from Helena to West Virginia to Brevard County were warranted...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Birmingham (White Sox) 6, Huntsville 0

Just ain't happening for this bunch...

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Darren Blakely hit a home run and knocked in four runs to back the shutout pitching of Charlie Haeger in Birmingham?s 6-0 blanking of Huntsville Saturday night in the third game of a four-game set at the Hoover Met. The Barons won their fifth straight game to improve to 29-15 in the second half and maintained their game and a half lead over victorious Jacksonville in the South Division, while the Stars lost for the eighth time in their last nine games to drop to 20-28 in the second half. The Barons have won eight of the ten games played between the two teams, including four in a row and five out of six in Birmingham.

 

Chris Young opened the home first taking starter Josh Habel?s first two pitches for balls and that drew the ire of Stars pitching coach Rich Sauveur, who argued with home plate umpire Jeff Latter that similar pitches in the top of the inning thrown by Haeger had been called strikes. The argument ensued, as manager Don Money also got involved, and Sauveur eventually earned his second ejection of the season. Young wound up walking on four pitches, moving to second base on a deep fly out by Andy Gonzalez, stealing third and scoring on a single dumped into center field by Blakely.

 

Habel worked out of a bases loaded two-out situation in the second inning by inducing Gonzalez to bounce into an inning-ending force play and kept the home team off the board until the fifth. Young walked with one out and scored when Blakely blasted a two-out home run to left field. It was his 17th long ball of the season and only his third as a right-handed hitter.

 

The Barons knocked Habel out of the game in the seventh after run-scoring doubles by Gonzalez, Blakely and Ryan Sweeney. Habel suffered his fifth loss in six starts since rejoining the Stars and matched Ryan Costello for the longest losing streak this season by a Stars pitcher. Gerrit Simpson retired all four hitters he faced in relief and has tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings since joining the team.

 

Meanwhile, Haeger allowed three singles through the first seven innings before Kennard Bibbs opened the eighth with an infield hit and moved to third on a one-out single by Tony Gwynn, Jr., who pushed his hitting streak to a season-high ten games. The Stars lone scoring threat ended when Callix Crabbe bounced into an inning-ending double play. Bibbs was the only Stars runner to reach third base, as the visitors were blanked for an eleventh time on the season.

 

Haeger improved to 5-1 with his first complete game of the season and Birmingham?s third. The right-hander struck out three and walked two and has now held the Stars scoreless in 22 of the 23 innings he has worked against them this year. Huntsville?s only four runs against Haeger were scored in the fourth inning at the Hoover Met on July 22.

 

The series wraps up Sunday evening with Stars right-hander Dennis Sarfate taking the mound against Birmingham left-hander Daniel Haigwood. Coverage of the game gets underway at 5:45 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_biraax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_biraax_1