Link Report for Games of Saturday, July 30th

[jvrocksaz]

I didn't say till he fails... I only said until he struggles...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[jvrocksaz]

I agree that Heether should be up at Huntsville already...

[ja002h]

I agree, Heether to AA, Braun to A+. If he keeps hitting, he'll at least be in AA to start next year, and that's pretty darn quick.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Braun to A+. If he keeps hitting, he'll at least be in AA to start next year, and that's pretty darn quick.

 

See: Zimmerman, Ryan

[huntsvillefan]

some dude named castro is playing 3b for the stars

 

Actually Vinnie Rottino is getting a lot of his playing time at 3b.

Despite Reid Nicholls saying less than a month ago 'We know Vinnie can play catcher' that experiment seems to have been mostly (and wisely) abandoned.

I assume that they are hoping that Vinnie might still be the Brewers future 3b.

He and Ben Van I filled the corner OF spots tonight - that really is the Defensive OF from hell. Neither of them are really suited to positions that require you to run anywhere.

Actually 3b seems to be Vinnie's best position, he's a bit stiff but he usually makes a reasonable throw to 1B.

 

EDIT I just checked back a couple of weeks and it looks like Vinnie is only spending just over 50% of his time at 3B and the rest in the corner OF spots. I had thought it was more like 75% of his time at 3B, but it looks like I just have been lucky in the games I attended.

I guess Vinnie's value is going to be as a utility guy who plays the less taxing defensive slots adequately. Bringing Heether up would more or less confine him to OF starts and I assume they aren't ready to do that just yet.

[jvrocksaz]

Braun to A+. If he keeps hitting, he'll at least be in AA to start next year, and that's pretty darn quick.

 

See: Zimmerman, Ryan

 

Agreed...

Zimmerman is hitting .292 in his first 31 games at AA... He has 4 HR's and a .848 OPS...

 

I feel Braun could succeed at AA also...

[jvrocksaz]

Any else notice that Helena still had 6 players in their starting lineup tonight hitting over .300??? Even after all the promotions!!!! Wow...

Holmberg with a big nite, and having a solid season thus far... But he is a 2nd baseman, so where can he go from here???

[And That]

Holmberg would have been bumped up, had it not been for Iribarren being there with the Power. If WV needs one more bat in the final week or week and a half of the season, the Brewers will move him up. Can WV come back from 6.5 out? This may be the main story as the second half of the season rolls on.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 9, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 3

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...105_03.txt

 

Brewers open second half with win

By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor

 

Kenny Holmberg did his father proud Saturday night.

 

Holmberg cracked a go-ahead home run in the sixth inning Saturday night helping lift the Helena Brewers to a 9-3 win over Missoula in a Pioneer League contest at Kindrick-Legion Field.

 

The shot was Holmberg's sixth of the season which equalled the season best of his father, Dennis, who played for Billings in the Pioneer League in 1969. Dennis is currently a coach in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

 

The younger Holmberg was 4-for-4 at the plate Saturday night and his solo shot cleared the left-center field wall and broke a 2-2 tie. He worked the count full and jumped on an offering by Missoula pitcher Mark Romanczuk. Holmberg had seen a steady diet of off-speed pitches in his first two at bats against Romanczuk, but the Osprey hurler decided to go with his fastball six straight times in the third at-bat and paid the price.

 

"I got pitches to hit and anytime you do that, you can't miss them," Holmberg said.

 

Romanczuk lasted three more batters, and Helena would push across two more runs in the inning. Those came on a single by Freddy Parejo who was sent down to Helena from Class A West Virginia Thursday.

 

Parejo appeared to not mind the demotion as he went 3-for-4 and drove in two runs and scored another in his first appearance for Helena.

 

"He showed no signs of pouting," said Helena coach Eddie Sedar. "That is the game of baseball. He might do well and get called up again."

 

The Brewers put the game out of reach with two runs in the seventh and two more in the eighth.

 

The final pair of runs were driven across by Holmberg who ripped a double to score Ryan Crew and Mat Gamel.

 

The win opened the second half of the season for the Brewers, who claimed the first-half Northern Division title, but saw several key players promoted.

 

"The guys that were called up deserved that honor," Sedar said. "There is a lot of talent on this team. "I believe in our pitching and I believe in our hitting."

 

Brewers pitching was solid in the contest, limiting Missoula to six hits. Five different Helena pitchers took to the mound with none pitching more than two innings. The win went to Brandon Parillo, who didn't give up a hit in two innings of work.

 

The Brewers play Monday in Great Falls.

 

Helena Box Score:

Our apologies to Mat Gamel -- all public mention of his name, including the official MILB.com site, includes the unusual spelling of "Mat", so we'll stop adjusting that; still waiting for LHP Brandon Parillo to have an off night -- it's been nearly two seasons now; Adam Mannon a walk as a pinch-hitter and then a base hit later in his return to the H-Crew...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Arizona Padres at Arizona Brewers, postponed, rain

That must have been a welcome rainstorm!

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Site Game Summary:

 

Dillard Downs Yankees

'Tees Shut Out Yanks

 

Manatees starter Tim Dillard pitched seven shutout innings on the way to a 3-0 victory over the Tampa Yankees.

 

Dillard was impressive in allowing only four hits and two walks while striking out seven. He improved his record to 10-7 without allowing a runner past second all night. Dillard's ERA now stands at a sterling 2.50. Reliever Jeremy Lewis would pitch two scoreless innings to record his sixth save.

 

The Manatees got on the board offensively in the fourth inning on a Jeff Eure bases loaded walk against Yankees starter Brett Smith. Eure would strike again against the Yankees in the bottom of the sixth. After a two-out single by catcher Lou Palmisano, a double by Eure down the left field line would plate Palmisano all the way from first base. A line drive single by the next batter, Ozzie Chavez, would score Eure and cap off the night for the Manatees.

 

The Manatees look to take the fourth and final game of the series against the Yankees tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM (noon Central).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Big inning bites Sounds

Sacramento scores all five runs in sixth

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

The largest crowd in two years showed up at Greer Stadium last night only to see the Sounds disappear in the sixth inning.

 

The Sounds gave up five runs in the sixth on the way to a 5-3 loss to Sacramento.

 

It was Nashville's fourth consecutive loss and trimmed its division lead over Memphis, a 4-3 winner over Fresno last night, to five games.

 

It also was the Sounds' first series-opener loss in its last 11.

 

The standing room only crowd of 12,333 was the largest for a home game since July 4, 2003.

 

And it appeared the fans would be treated to a win before the River Cats erupted at the plate in the sixth.

 

Sacramento failed to get a hit through the first five innings and didn't get another in the last three. But the River Cats clubbed three consecutive hits to start the sixth. They finished with five hits and five earned runs.

 

Charles Thomas, John Baker, and Freddie Bynum scored before Bobby Smith crushed a two-run homer to right field, scoring Matt Watson and giving the River Cats a 5-2 lead.

 

Baker's double was particularly tough to stomach for Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas because it barely stayed fair after bouncing down the left field line.

 

"I'm sure those first three hits got them going, but that second one was just freaky,'' Kremblas said. "It was one of those that was just a squibber off the end.

 

"But the big blow was the two-run home run. That was with two outs. If we can get that guy out instead of giving up a homer, we're looking a little better. But, they did what they needed to do.''

 

The five runs allowed by Sounds pitcher Gary Glover (3-2) matched his season high.

 

He was pulled in the sixth with two outs and replaced by Jeff Bennett.

 

It was Bennett's first appearance since July 15. The native of Gordonsville was re-activated yesterday after being on the disabled list with viral meningitis.

 

Bennett ended Sacramento's rally by striking out Andrew Beattie and was replaced by Mitch Stetter in the seventh.

 

The Sounds threatened to re-emerge in the ninth inning.

 

Tony Zuniga hit a line drive shot, his second hit of the game, down the right field line for a single that scored Nelson Cruz from second.

 

But Sacramento's Jairo Garcia struck out Mike Rivera, and Zuniga was thrown out on his way to second after Chris Barnwell grounded to third. Garcia earned his 12th save.

 

"We got the middle of the order coming up,'' Kremblas said. "We had a good feeling about it. We get Cruz on, Zuniga got another hit, an RBI.

 

"We had a chance; the tying run was at the plate. That's all you could ask for.''

 

Game at a glance

 

? Losing pitcher: Gary Glover (3-2)

 

? Big stick: Sounds center fielder Dave Krynzel was 2-for-4 with a triple, a double and an RBI.

 

? How they lost: Sacramento scored five runs in the sixth inning, including a two-run homer by Bobby Smith.

 

? What they said: "He probably got a little tired in the fifth, but then again he might not have.'' ? Kremblas about Glover.

 

? Today's starters: Nashville RHP Wes Obermuller (0-0, 2.57). Sacramento ? RHP Juan Cruz (3-0, 1.54).

[igor67]

We've all paid a fair amount of attention to Vinny, and despite some defensive struggles he's done alright. A utility player with a bat is always an asset. Enrique Cruz though with another solid night. I haven't looked back, but my recollection is that his current .830 OPS is about what Hart did in his MVP year. I'm not sure exactly where he fits in, but he certainly adds some real depth in the middle infield for the short term should we need it.

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Link for Ben Van Iderstine photo, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=683

 

Ben Van Iderstine homered and knocked in three runs to back the solid pitching of Dennis Sarfate in Huntsville?s 7-1 win over Montgomery Saturday night in the middle game of a three-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars won their second straight to improve to 16-19 in the second half, while the Biscuits lost their third in a row to fall to 15-20 in the second half. The Stars seven runs were the most they have scored since a 9-2 win over Mobile on July 18 and their 14 hits were the most they collected since gathering 14 in a 6-2 win at Mississippi on July 9.

 

Sarfate struck out Gabriel Martinez and Scott Neuberger with one out and runners at second and third base in the second inning to keep the game scoreless. Brad Nelson led off the home second with a walk, moved to second base on a Vinny Rottino single and scored on a double by Enrique Cruz that pushed Rottino to third base. Van Iderstine followed with a bouncing ball through the middle into center field to score both runners to give the home team a 3-0 lead.

 

Shawn Riggans? single in the fourth scored Rico Washington and moved Wes Bankston to third base with one out to trim the Stars lead to 3-1 before Sarfate escaped further damage by fanning Martinez and getting Neuberger to pop out to second base. Van Iderstine deposited his first long ball of the year just over a leaping Neuberger, just over the right field wall with one out in the bottom of the inning to push the Huntsville lead to 4-1. Van Iderstine finished with three hits in a game for the fifth time this season and drove in three in a game for the first time all year.

 

Sarfate lasted six innings, allowing a lone run on six hits and a walk, the first time since May 15, a stretch of 11 starts, that he issued fewer than two bases on balls. The right-hander ended a four-game losing streak and earned his first win since June 23 at Mobile. Keith Stamler retired all six hitters he faced and Jerome Gamble worked a scoreless ninth.

 

The Stars added a run in the seventh and a pair in the eighth on a run-scoring single by Tony Gwynn, Jr., who finished with three hits, and a sacrifice fly by Nelson Castro.

 

The series concludes on Sunday evening with right-hander Glenn Woolard throwing for the Stars against Biscuits? right-hander Chris Flinn. Coverage of the game gets underway at 5:50 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...amp;coll=1

 

Sarfate strong as Stars secure another victory

By JOHN FERRY

Times Sports Staff, jferry@htimes.com

 

It wasn't a complete-game win, like teammate David Bradley had Friday night.

 

Still, what the Stars' Dennis Sarfate did Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium was very impressive. For himself and for his team.

 

In six innings, the hard-throwing Sarfate did not allow Montgomery batters to get around on his deliveries. Of his 106 pitches, 35 were fouled off, and the only six hits he allowed were singles.

 

The Huntsville offense was also on, producing 14 hits in a 7-1 victory, the Stars' second straight in a three-game series that concludes tonight.

 

"I had my best fastball since the beginning of the season," said Sarfate, who was out two weeks this month because of a blister and then lost his next three starts.

 

"I threw a fastball and changeup tonight. Once I figure out the slider (which he said he throws 12-15 per game) I'll be good to go."

 

Ben Van Iderstine and Tony Gwynn Jr. led the Stars' attack with three hits each.

 

"We've actually caught some breaks the last two games," Van Iderstine said. "Some balls dropped in and we got some infield hits. Things went our way."

 

Van Iderstine was part of an outfield that handled few chances as Sarfate and relievers Keith Stamler and Jerome Gamble made it easy.

 

"Sarfate had dominating stuff," Van Iderstine said. "As long as he finds the strike zone he gets guys out. He worked on his changeup and had them guessing at it."

 

In the second inning, Brad Nelson led off for the Stars by walking. Vinny Rottino singled, and Enrique Cruz doubled Nelson home. Van Iderstine then came through with a two-run single to make it 3-0.

 

Montgomery got a run back in the fourth. Rico Washington, Wes Bankston and Shawn Riggans produced one-out singles, with Washington scoring.

 

A Huntsville outfield not known now for its power made some noise in the fourth when Van Iderstine's drive to right just cleared the fence for his first home run of the season. That made it 4-1.

 

In the seventh the Stars scored with the benefit of two miscues by the Biscuits. Gwynn began it with an infield single, stole second, and then throwing errors got him both to third and across the plate.

 

In the eighth, the Stars (16-19 in the Southern League North Division, second half) loaded the bases with none out. Gwynn singled for one run and Nelson Castro got the final run of the night across with a sacrifice fly.

 

Brandon Gemoll, Rottino and Cruz had two hits each for Huntsville, which played errorless ball.

 

Jamie Shields took the loss for Montgomery, throwing six innings and allowing eight hits and four runs. He struck out eight.

 

Juan Silas finished up for the vistors.

 

Washington, Bankston and Riggans had two hits each in a seven-hit attack by the Biscuits (15-20).

 

Tonight Glenn Woolard (4-9) is scheduled to pitch for the Stars against Chris Flinn (3-4). The game marks the end of the current homestand, with the Stars moving on to West Tenn for a Tuesday night game.

[SenatorShriv]

I agree with Igor that Cruz gives us some nice depth to the middle infleild. I was really looking for him to have a nice year at the plate, and he has more than surpassed my expectations. I think that Cruz will be great trade bait in the not too distant future. His numbers and ceiling make him the perfect throw in to seal a deal for us. Hopefully they never look at his defense though!