Link Report for Monday, July 25th - Lunchtime with Nashville

[Mass Haas]

I wish they had audio, would make it easier to follow. Though I still enjoy listening to the sounds when possible.

 

Although it's opponent audio, we do get to hear about 75% of Helena games, and I've dipped in often after Milwaukee games this year.

 

If you had listened tonight, there were five home run calls to enjoy, even if the Mustang announcer wasn't thrilled to make the call.

 

This team is a beast...

[Wytlaf]

I listen to the games bud, I just don't like listening to the other side, so to speak.

 

Seth

[BrewCrewWS2008]

I wonder if coach has heard about the match up today in Helena Salome vs. HS team mate Rafael Gonzalez(came in in the 4 or 5th inning) Angel had a homer off of him so that most of been a great feeling for him. I guess he won some bragging rights over Gonzo tonight!!!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 12, Billings (Reds) 0

RHP Robbie Wooley's had his struggles this year, but this qualifies with any performance we've seen this season as a "Start of the Year" candidate, right up there with the best from Taubenheim, Villanueva, Dillard, Eveland, etc. -- good Billings team, slight wind blowing out, trying to hold on to first place -- here's hoping Robbie's got it all figured out now...

 

Helena Box Score:

Let's not overlook the error-free play by the H-Crew; three three-run HR's, two solo shots for the boys; two doubles and a HR for Kenny Holmberg; Matt Gamel on base four times; Charlie Fermaint just amazing. Does Helena deserve this team? 948 in attendance -- still dead last in the league, "small market" or not, that's poor...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...605_02.txt

 

Brewers shutout Mustangs with home run help

By TOM STUBER - IR Sports Writer

 

If you've got it all, why not use it?

 

The Helena Brewers did just that as they combined pitching, hitting and fielding to drub Billings 12-0 in a key Pioneer League Northern Division matchup at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Helena pitchers Robbie Wooley and Dane Renkert combined on a two-hitter. The Brewers hit five home runs, including three three-run shots. They made just one error albeit with one out in the ninth.

 

Helena is now 23-10 and moved a full four games ahead of Billings (19-14) in the first half pennant chase.

 

Wooley went seven innings and struck out eight against just one walk.

 

"It was our second shut out and it couldn't have come at a better time," Helena pitching coach Mark Littell said. "Wooley was super. He was efficient and effective. He took charge and that's what we needed."

 

Wooley got all the support he would need from Helena's first batter.

 

Charlie Fermaint ripped the second pitch he saw over the leftfield wall on a line.

 

Wooley was rolling so well he was allowed to go a few pitches over the 80-pitch count that is standard for the Brewers.

 

"All my pitches were working tonight," Wooley, who cites his fastball, curveball and change-up as his top pitches, said. "I threw a few balls with my change-up, but I kept it low.

 

"It builds your confidence when you have a team like this behind you. Both with the bat and the glove."

 

While Helena scored lone runs in the first and second it was a key series of events in the fifth that may have decided the game.

 

Fermaint and Ryan Crew led off the fifth with a double and single, respectively to prompt Billings manager Rick Burleson to pull starter Aaron Garrison.

 

The move proved to be a costly one as reliever Rafael Gonzalez was greeted by a three-run blast off the bat of Angel Salome.

 

The blow gave Helena a 5-0 lead and the Brewers would collect three-run homers from Ned Yost in the seventh and Matt Gamel in the eighth to put the game out of reach.

 

Kenny Holmberg, who also had two doubles, followed Gamel's shot with a solo round-tripper to cap off the scoring.

 

"We played well tonight," Wooley said of the team's all-around play in what was possibly Helena's most complete game of the year.

 

"We've got a good bunch of hitters and they do it in the field, too."

 

Holmberg was as hot with the glove as he was at the plate. The second baseman took a hit away from Michael DeJesus in the fourth and also came up with back-to-back gems in the seventh.

 

The teams play again tonight at 7:00 (8:00 Central) with Kevin Roberts (1-1, 1.96) on the mound for Helena and Phillipe Valiquette (0-0, 0.00) up for Billings.

 

Angel on his three-run blast http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif :

 

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/other/salome2.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Morris sounds off again, this time for Nashville

BY CRAIG SESKER

OMAHA WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

 

It's been more than nine years since he hit arguably the most famous home run in College World Series history.

 

But Warren Morris still feels nostalgic every time he walks into Rosenblatt Stadium and thinks back to that magical day in 1996 when his walk-off homer boosted LSU past Miami for the CWS title.

 

"This place will always be special for me," Morris said. "It's neat every time I walk in here. It seems like the first thing I do is look down in that corner and think back to when I hit the home run. I remember how loud it was and how many people filled this stadium. It was exciting."

 

Now trying to make it back to the major leagues as a member of the Class AAA Nashville Sounds, Morris snapped an 0-for-13 skid by slamming a two-run homer Monday afternoon to boost Nashville to a 7-1 Pacific Coast League baseball win over Omaha.

 

Morris was 0 for 10 in his most recent visit to Rosenblatt before uncorking a drive to right-center field in the second inning. He added a single in the seventh on another smoldering day before 2,514 fans at Rosenblatt.

 

"I think it's very important to jump way ahead of a team early when it's this hot," Morris said. "I think you can take a lot out of a team when you do that. It's tough to come back sometimes in this kind of heat."

 

The Sounds led 2-0 before striking for three unearned runs in the second. After two quick outs, Nashville's Dave Krynzel struck out swinging. But the ball eluded Omaha catcher Paul Phillips and Krynzel reached base. Corey D. Hart followed with an RBI double before Morris went deep.

 

Morris, 31, who logged time in the majors with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers, opened the season in the Cleveland Indians organization. He broke his right ring finger in spring training and was out two months.

 

He was activated in late May and played five games for Class AA Akron before being released. He joined the Sounds last month after he signed as a free agent with the Brewers. In 33 games with Nashville, he is batting .256 with six homers and 21 RBIs.

 

"I'm obviously looking for another opportunity to play in the big leagues," said Morris, whose 1996 CWS feat is honored with a statue outside Rosenblatt. "I've been around long enough to know it does you no good to try and figure things out yourself. I just go out here and play and do what I can."

 

Nashville starter Ben Hendrickson (5-7), Milwaukee's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2004, earned the win. He allowed just one run in seven innings. He struck out four and walked one.

 

"Ben was real effective with his fastball, curveball and changeup," Nashville manager Frank Kremblas said. "That makes it very tough on the hitters when a guy has all three pitches working. He's pitched well his last six or seven outings."

 

Omaha starter Ryan Jensen (1-4) took the loss. He allowed five runs in three innings. Three runs were unearned.

 

Royals infielder Luis Ugueto pitched a scoreless eighth, recording one strikeout.

[Mass Haas]

Brevard County Site Game Summary:

 

MANATEES SINK TIGERS

Dillard Wins Again

 

Good pitching and clutch hitting boosted the Brevard County Manatees to victory Monday night over the Lakeland Tigers, 7-5. A crowd of 1,959 watched as the Manatees scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth to cap off a successful ?80's Night? at Space Coast Stadium.

 

A day after giving up nineteen hits and fifteen runs, the Manatees pitching staff was able to hold off the Tigers for the win. Manatees starter Tim Dillard looked sharp despite surrendering three home runs in six innings. Landon Stockman pitched a perfect seventh, and Jeremy Lewis would pitch two scoreless innings to record his fifth save.

 

The Manatees jumped on the board early with two outs in the first inning. After two two-out singles by Lou Palmisano and Adam Heether, Wandel Campana doubled to drive in Palmisano. Jeff Eure followed with a single to score Heether and Campana, and make it 3-0 Manatees. An Ozzie Chavez bases loaded walk in the third and a Drew Anderson RBI single would help put the Manatees on top 5-2.

 

The Tigers would tie the game in the top of the fifth on a monster three-run home run by Garth McKinney over the batter's eye in centerfield. The Manatees would regain the lead for good in the sixth. After Steve Sollmann led off the inning by reaching on an error, Robby Deevers' double would put runners on second and third with none out. An RBI single by Travis Ezi, and a sac fly by Anderson would be all the Manatees needed to finish off the Tigers.

 

The Manatees continue their homestand against the Lakeland Tigers tomorrow night at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM Central).

[Mass Haas]

Earthquake in Helena:

Don't worry, moms, everyone's OK:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...605_01.txt