Link Report for Games of Sunday, July 3rd

Salisbury, MD ? The Delmarva Shorebirds had a record of 10-5 against the Power going into Sunday afternoon?s game at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds scored the first three runs of the game and never looked back, completing the four game sweep of the Power with a 3-2 victory.

Jason Fransz broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the second inning on a solo shot, his seventh home run of the season. The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth inning when Brian Bock knocked in Jake Duncan on an RBI single and C.J. Smith knocked a run in later in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to make it 3-0 Shorebirds.

Josh Murray brought the Power within a run on a two-run blast in the top of the fifth inning. The home run was his sixth of the season and made it a 3-2 contest. The Power had the tying run on second base in the top of the ninth inning when Tony Festa flew out to left field to end the game.

Dennis Robinson (3-7) earned the victory, Justin Henington (3) earned the save and Forrest Martin (1-5) obtained the loss. The Power fall to 3-7 in the second half with the loss and the Shorebirds improve to 7-3 with the win.

The Power will begin a new series against the Lexington Legends at Appalachian Power Park on Monday night. The Power will throw RHP Josh Wahpepah (4-3, 3.74) and the Legends will counter with RHP Ronnie Martinez (5-3, 5.17). The game will be preceded by a B.E. Taylor Concert, and the first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

West Virginia Box Score:

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_delafx_1

West Virginia Game Log:

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_delafx_1

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Nashville Media Notes for Sunday (PDF format):

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Final: Arizona Angels 5, Arizona Brewers 3

Weather: 104 degrees, sunny.

Wind: 3 mph, Varies.

T: 2:22.

Att: 16.

Wow - 16 fans, must have been a bobblehead day http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Arizona Box Score:

Fine relief work behind a struggling Roque Mercedes, clubbed for five extra-base hits among other difficulties...

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

Arizona Game Log:

Mercedes' outing could have been much worse -- two Angel runners thrown out on the basepaths, and bases left loaded in the third; go-ahead run at the plate for the Baby B's in the 9th, not to be...

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

In progress: Helena 4, Great Falls (White Sox) 0, after five innings

2002 3rd round RHP Eric Thomas with five shutout innings, facing one over the minimum -- he's 24 years old, but after two lost seasons, this is a welcome sight..

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Final: Brevard County 4, Daytona (Cubs) 0

LHP's Josh Habel and Jeremy Lewis combine on the shutout -- no box score or game log details until morning, apparently; Steve Sollman's two-run single gave the 'Tees an early 3-0 lead; Manatees now 8-3 on the second half -- nice...

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Final: Helena 6, Great Falls (White Sox) 5, ten innings

Game Summary from the White Sox Site:

Sox One Hit Short

Sunday afternoon the Great Falls White Sox showed a new side, and one that was very promising for the future of their season: they came back from a five-run deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the eighth inning. Unfortunately, the Brewers scored a single run in the top of the ninth that the Sox couldn't answer in their half of the inning and they went on to lose their ninth game in twelve decisions, 6-5.

The Brewers are 11-1 on the season, while the White Sox fell to 3-9.

Ryan Rote (0-1) took the loss as he worked the ninth inning, allowing a single run. The win went to David Welch (1-0) for the Brewers, who worked two innings, blowing a save opportunity, but picking up a victory by holding the Sox scoreless in the ninth.

The Brewers scored first in the first inning when Ryan Braun singled home Charlie Fermaint. In the third, Helena scored twice more. Angel Salome singled home Kenny Holmberg before Braun had a sacrifice fly to bring home Fermaint once again.

Up 3-0 in the fifth, Helena increased the lead when Darren Ford came home during a rundown at second base. Another run scored in the eighth when Fermaint singled home Ford to put the Brewers up 5-0.

The Sox finally got on the board in the seventh when Daron Roberts tripled off the center field wall. He scored when Matt Tribble hit a sacrifice fly to left.

In the eighth, the Sox sent nine men to the plate to tie the game. Francisco Hernandez, Brandon Allen, and Daron Roberts all had RBI hits before Manny Rodriguez came up as a pinch hitter and tied the game on a sacrifice fly.

But the Brewers retook the lead for good in the ninth on a two-out, two-strike single by Salome to put the Brewers up 6-5.

Monday night the Sox play the final game of this six-game home stand by closing out their three-game series against the Brewers. Starters for the game are Carlos Torres (RHP) for Great Falls and Steve Hammond (LHP) for Helena. Game time is at 7:00 pm (8:00 Central).

Helena Box Score:

Ford, Fermaint, and Salome are lethal at the top of this order; SS Michael Bell, super-productive prior to tonight, stranded six men in scoring position with two out; Bell is also up to seven errors now at short...

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_grfrok_1

Helena Game Log:

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_grfrok_1

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Final: Huntsville 5, West Tenn (Cubs) 3

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Gemoll Gives Stars a Series Split

Brandon Gemoll knocked in two key runs and Dana Eveland worked a solid six innings to push Huntsville past West Tenn 5-3 Sunday night in the final game of a four-game set at Pringles Park. The Stars earned a series split and improved to 7-5 in the second half and maintained their hold on first place in the North Division, while the Diamond Jaxx fell to 6-6 and one game off the lead.

Brandon Sing singled to lead off the second, moved to third base on two ground ball outs and scored the first run of the game on a passed ball by Jeff Winchester. The Stars came right back in the third inning to grab the lead for good with a pair of runs. Ben Van Iderstine led off with a double and scored when Kennard Bibbs followed with a two-base hit to tie the game at one. Bibbs, who picked up his first extra-base hit since May 27 and his first run batted in since June 19, would steal third base and score on a Callix Crabbe groundout to put Huntsville on top. Enrique Cruz doubled with two outs in the fourth and scored on a base hit by Gemoll, who has knocked in a run in five of his last six games, to give the Stars a 3-1 edge.

Sing would open the fourth with a walk, move to third on two ground ball outs and score on an infield hit by Jose Reyes that trimmed the visitors lead to 3-2. Eveland would allow two runs on five hits to earn his league-best ninth win of the season and sixth in his last seven starts, all of which have followed Stars losses.

Sean Marshall was taken out after six innings and suffered his first loss in three starts with the Diamond Jaxx. The southpaw was charged with three runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out eight. Van Iderstine greeted Federico Baez with a single on the first pitch the right-hander threw, moved to second on a Bibbs sacrifice bunt and scored on a pinch-hit double by Guilder Rodriguez, who collected his first extra-base hit of the season. West Tenn pulled back to within a run in the home seventh against Khalid Ballouli when Dwaine Bacon scored from first base on a single to center field by Matt Murton, who knocked in his 42nd run of the year. Bacon broke on a 3-2 pitch and never slowed rounding third base and slid safely in ahead of Crabbe?s relay throw from second base.

The Stars tallied the final run of the night in the eighth when Brad Nelson singled with one out, moved to second base on a ground out and scored on a Gemoll single. Nelson reached base with 10 hits and four walks over 18 plate appearances in the series.

Mitch Stetter recorded the final two outs in the eighth inning and worked a scoreless ninth inning to earn his eighth save of the season, with three of his last five coming in games won by Eveland.

The Stars return home to open a four-game set Monday night against Birmingham in the first meeting between the two teams this season. Huntsville will send right-hander Dennis Sarfate to the mound against Barons right-hander Charlie Haeger. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:50 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

Huntsville Box Score:

Only one fly ball out against Dana Eveland in his six innings; five doubles among the Stars' nine base hits, looks like Guilder Rodriguez' pinch-hit double was mistakenly credited to Eveland in this early box score...

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

Huntsville Game Log:

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wtdaax_1

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Final: Nashville 8, Memphis (Cardinals) 7, ten innings

Another incredible come-from-behind win for Frank Kremblas' squad as Corey Hart ends it with a walk-off bomb!

Nashville Site Game Summary:

NASHVILLE ? All-Star outfielder Corey Hart crushed a 2-1 Jimmy Journell offering deep to left for a game-ending home run in the bottom of the tenth inning on Sunday evening at Greer Stadium to cap off a string of seven unanswered Nashville runs over the final three innings of play in the Sounds? 8-7 victory over the second-place Memphis Redbirds in the finale of a four-game series.

With the dramatic come-from-behind victory, Nashville (46-38) re-extended its lead over Memphis to a season-high 4 ½ games in the PCL American Conference Northern Division.

The win was the Sounds? 15th last at-bat win of the year and the club?s 14th in a game in which it trailed in the seventh inning or later.

Hart?s blast ? his eighth of the year ? capped off Nashville?s incredible comeback. All three Nashville wins in the series against the Redbirds came after the club trailed in the seventh frame or later.

Audio Link to Corey Hart's Walk-Off Jack:

Or, as the Sounds site simply says as it points to this link, "Corey Hart is the Man!"

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%207-3.mp3

Trailing 7-1, Nashville made a game of it in the eighth by plating four runs against Memphis starter Kevin Jarvis to pull within 7-5. Shortstop Chris Barnwell extended his hitting streak to a season-best five games with an RBI double to bring home Tony Zuniga. Ryan Knox slugged a three-run homer later in the frame, the outfielder?s fourth of the season, to pull the Sounds within two.

The Sounds completed their six-run comeback in the ninth with a pair of runs against the Memphis bullpen. With two on and two outs, pinch-hitter Steve Scarborough delivered an RBI single to right to make it a 7-6 game and place runners on the corners for Knox. Before the outfielder could take a hack, Redbirds reliever Josh Kinney uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Julio Mosquera to scamper home from third with the tying run.

Memphis right fielder John Rodriguez put the visitors up 2-0 with a two-out homer off Nashville starter Rick Helling in the top of the first inning. Skip Schumaker, who opened the game with a triple, scored on the blast, which landed on Chestnut Street beyond the right field wall for Rodriguez?s tenth of the year.

The Redbirds upped their early lead to 5-0 with three more in the second against Helling, two of which were unearned resulting from a throwing error by the Sounds hurler. Schumacher ripped an RBI double and Rodriguez added his third RBI of the night with a run-scoring single in the frame.

Jarvis was on cruise control early for the Redbirds, allowing no hits and only one baserunner (Knox via a walk) through the first 4 1/3 innings. Sounds outfielder Nelson Cruz broke up his no-hit and shutout bids with one swing of the bat, however, crushing a solo homer to right to put Nashville on the board. The blast, which made the score 5-1, was Cruz?s second with the Sounds. He has hit safely in each of his four contests at the Class AAA level this season.

Memphis came calling again in the sixth against Helling, plating two more runs to extend its lead to 7-1. With runners on the corners and one out, the Nashville right-hander balked to plate John Nelson. Schumaker completed the inning?s scoring with a two-out RBI double, his third extra-base hit of the evening.

Hart extended his hitting streak to a career-best 12 games with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning. The streak is the third-longest by a Sounds player this season.

Russell Branyan finished 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his sixth rehab game with Nashville. He played six innings in right field then the final four at third base but did not have a defensive chance at the hot corner for the second straight evening.

Mike Adams (2-1) picked up the victory after fanning two batters during a scoreless inning of work for the Sounds. Journell (1-4) took the loss after giving up Hart?s game-ending shot.

The Sounds travel to New Orleans tomorrow to begin a seven-game road trip with the 6:05 p.m. opener of a four-game series against the Zephyrs (AAA-Nationals). The series will be the teams? last of four this season; Nashville has won eight of the 12 meetings between the clubs in 2005.

Nashville right-hander Justin Lehr (7-6, 4.61) will start Monday?s series opener and face New Orleans southpaw Ed Yarnall (4-6, 6.38).

Baseball returns to Greer Stadium on Thursday, July 11 following the Triple-A All-Star break, when the Sounds open an eight-game homestand.

Nashville Box Score:

Don't overlook that spiffy bullpen work; how big was Steve Scarborough's pinch-hit, wow...

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Game Log:

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Mass Haas · July 3, 2005

Nashville Pre-Game Audio with Russell Branyan:

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%207-2.mp3

colbyjack · July 3, 2005

Josh Habel continues to deal without much pub. Great to see, as the Manatees have an impressive rotation right now with Habel, Taubenheim, Villanueva and Dillard all pitching well.

Monday night the Sox play the final game of this six-game home stand by closing out their three-game series against the Brewers. Starters for the game are Carlos Torres (RHP) for Great Falls and Steve Hammond (LHP) for Helena. Game time is at 7:00 pm (8:00 Central).

Hammond has been dealing lately, too bad there's no audio for this game, especially since the Brewers game will probably be over right around when this one is underway. Our Pioneer League affiliates have been a lot of fun to follow ever since Jack Z. took over as scouting director.

Wytlaf · July 3, 2005

Fermaint Picked Off twice and Caught Stealing twice, and he still scored 2 runs? Or am I reading that box score wrong?

Seth

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Fermaint Picked Off twice and Caught Stealing twice, and he still scored 2 runs? Or am I reading that box score wrong?

Review those handy game logs. Unfortunately, MILB.com's box scores indicate a pick-off play as both a "PO" and a "CS" if the runner attempts to move on to the next base and is out, so it is confusing. But that's only the box score, there's no double-whammy in the YTD SB / CS stats.

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link while active, text follows:

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1

Stars Notebook (through Friday's game)

Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times

Covering the bases

It didn't take long for the players involved in last week's swap to make an impact. In his first game with Huntsville, after being demoted from Triple-A Nashville, Brad Nelson went 4-for-4 with a home run Thursday and went 3-for-4 on Friday. His average was an absurd .875 going into Saturday's game. So much for the concern that follows any player who is sent down and how disappointment might impact him. ...

In his first game with Nashville, after being promoted from Huntsville, Nelson Cruz had a two-run homer and double to lead the Sounds to a win. He followed by going 1-for-1, with two walks and an RBI, on Friday. ... Vinny Rottino has had eight multi-hit games in 10 second-half starts and improved his average to .310. Maybe he still has fun as a catcher, and maybe it's just coincidence, but his offense has improved drastically since he's being used primarily at third. ... If there are any last-minute holes to fill on the Southern League All-Star team, Rottino deserves a nod. ...

He may not be the most dazzling, or the most overpowering, but pitcher David Bradley has been as valuable as any member of the staff. He's had several roles in the bullpen and has now won back-to-back as a fill-in starter and has a 2.23 ERA. ... Ex-Star Bucky Jacobsen, such a hit late last season in Seattle, continues his rehab in extended spring training in Arizona after offseason knee surgery.

Around the league

Adam Bass, the Tennessee Smokies pitcher from Huntsville, can't catch a break. He's a deceptive 2-7, and missed a chance for a win Thursday when he left after six innings with a 7-2 lead and the Smokies bullpen blew the lead. His 3.80 ERA is 14th in the league. ... The Tennessee closer has typically been outstanding, though. Casey Daigle, who will parenthetically be forever known as "Jennie Finch's husband,'' notched his 10th save Friday. ...

The Smokies are 8-0 against Chattanooga going into Saturday night. ... On Thursday, Montgomery's Delmon Young - the league's homer leader with 19 - and Birmingham's Chris Young - No. 2, with 17 - both homered at the Hoover Met. Covering the game for The Birmingham News, Ryan Young. No relation among any of the three. After a 1-for-26 slump to end the first half, Chris Young is 15-for-35 with six homers in eight second-half games. ... Chris Young and Mississippi pitcher Chuck James are the most recent Southern League player and pitcher of the week. ... Mississippi has hit only 14 homers in 35 games at home. ...

Should the Southern League borrow from the Futures Game notion, and play only a seven-inning game at its July 13 All-Star Game in Mobile?

Brewings

Triple-A Nashville Sounds (45-37, first place in Pacific Coast League American Division): P Jose Capellan, acquired in the offseason from Atlanta in the trade for Dan Kolb, 11 consecutive scoreless innings in relief, four saves

Single-A Brevard County Manatees (6-3, first in Florida State East Division this half): P Ty Taubenheim 10-2, 2.61 ERA

Single-A West Virginia Power (3-5, seventh in South Atlantic League Northern Division this half): P Mark Rogers, the Brewers' top pick in 2004 draft, 0-6, 4.62 ERA

Rookie League Helena Brewers (9-1, first place in Pioneer League): 3B Ryan Braun, the Brewers' top pick in 2005 draft, .273 in five games

On deck

The Stars return to play Birmingham in a four-game series beginning Monday.

There will be a July 4th fireworks display as well as an appearance by Birdzerk! in the opening game of the series.

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link while active, text follows:

miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/...7047350803

Jaxx fall before second-largest crowd in Pringles Park history

By DAVID BRANDT

dbrandt@jacksonsun.com

For the first time in his four years as manager of the Diamond Jaxx, Bobby Dickerson saw a monster home crowd break into the wave.

In front of the second-largest crowd to ever witness a game at Pringles Park, Huntsville edged the Jaxx, 5-3, on Sunday night.

But regardless of the outcome - for at least one night at The Big Chip - the magic was back with 6,735 screaming fans in attendance.

''It was awesome,'' Dickerson said. ''The intensity with our players was incredible. You could see it in their eyes. Every at-bat was contested and it was a great atmosphere to play in.''

Admittedly, most of the crowd showed up for post-game fireworks. But with a well-played game by both sides that saw West Tenn rally on several occasions, the fans were loud and proud from about the fifth inning to the final out.

The Jaxx (50-31, 6-6) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but never led again, as Huntsville managed to stop West Tenn rallies without too much harm.

Huntsville's Dana Eveland (9-4) and the Jaxx's Sean Marshall (0-1) hooked up in a strong pitching duel through the first six innings. Eveland struck out nine and gave up only one earned run, while Marshall struck out eight and gave up only four hits.

''I felt good about tonight even though we lost,'' Marshall said. ''I threw some pretty good pitches that they made good swings on. But I always look forward to playing in a park where the crowd's into it like tonight.''

The Jaxx out-hit Huntsville (36-45, 7-5), 10-9, but leaving 10 runners on base doomed West Tenn.

Matt Murton, Dwaine Bacon, Brandon Sing and Jose Reyes each had two hits, but the Jaxx couldn't find a way to string base hits together for a big inning.

''You just have to tip your hat to Huntsville's pitchers,'' Murton said. ''We had some success, but every time (the Stars) needed an out, they were able to get it.''

The Jaxx narrowed Huntsville's lead to 4-3 in the seventh inning when Bacon scored from first base on a single by Murton. But the Jaxx's bullpen couldn't hold the momentum as Thomas Atlee gave up a run in the top of the eighth that set the final 5-3 margin.

''That's the job of the bullpen - put up a zero on the scoreboard when we're trying to get the momentum back,'' Dickerson said. ''But we just couldn't do that tonight. Our relievers let the first batter get on base in every inning and it cost us.''

The loss drops the Jaxx out of first place in the Southern League's North Division and catapults the Stars into the top spot. The season series between the two teams stands at 6-4 in favor of the Jaxx.

Huntsville got two hits from Brandon Gemoll, Ben Van Iderstine and Kennard Bibbs, and then Mitch Stetter silenced the West Tenn bats in the eighth and ninth innings to pick up his eighth save of the season.

''Good pitchers throw strikes and that's what Stetter did at the end,'' Huntsville manager Don Money said. ''He's not overpowering, but he'll be in the big leagues someday. He's got that poise.''

Game sketch

Score: Huntsville 5, Jaxx 3

Player of the game: Huntsville's starting pitcher Dana Eveland kept the Jaxx offense in check, striking out nine over six innings and giving up only two runs.

Play of the game: Huntsville closer Mitch Stetter snagged a line drive back to the mound to end the

Noteworthy: Pringles Park hosted easily its biggest crowd of the season - 6,735 strong. Those in attendance saw a pre-game ceremony in honor of Independence Day, then a post-game fireworks show.

Jaxx fact: After a sizzling 31-11 start to the season, the Jaxx have been 18-20 over the past month and a half.

Photo by LINDSAY MCDONALD/The Jackson Sun - The Jaxx's Ryan Theriot makes the turn on a double play over Huntsville's Callix Crabbe (15) during Sunday's 5-3 loss. Looking on is Buck Coats.

http://miva.jacksonsun.com/miva/photos/200507047350803.jpg

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link while active, text follows:

www.delmarvanow.com/apps/...40315/1006

'Birds 'playing good baseball'

Delmarva wins 5th straight, improves to 7-3

By Tim Brennan

Daily Times Sports Writer

SALISBURY -- Everything has been coming together for the Shorebirds in the second half, and Sunday afternoon against the West Virginia Power at Perdue Stadium was no different.

A strong pitching performance from the starter, pitching changes made at the right time, defense and offense all added up to a 3-2 victory. It was Delmarva's fifth win in a row and seventh in its first 10 games of the second half.

"Right now, we're playing good baseball, but we're getting some breaks," Shorebirds manager Gary Kendall said. "Early in the year, it seemed like everything (our opponents) hit, it didn't matter who we were facing, it seemed like the ball got through. Right now they're hitting it at our guys."

The Shorebirds offense, which has been finding the holes lately, came from places the Shorebirds have come to expect it.

Jason Fransz got into a 2-and-0 pitch from West Virginia starter Forrest Martin leading off the second inning. His high fly ball to left field cut through the wind blowing across the field and touched off the back wall for a solo home run and a 2-0 lead.

"You're taught to look for the fastball (with a 2-and-0 count)," Fransz said. "I got a good pitch. I was kind of scared, because the winds been kind of blowing in, but I got enough to get it out."

After Jake Duncan led off the bottom of the fourth with a sharp-hit single, Fransz doubled to right. Duncan scored on Brian Bock's single to left field, and Fransz scored on a sacrifice fly to right for a 3-0 Shorebirds lead.

Duncan entered the game batting .611 in his last five games, Fransz was .353 in his previous five games, and Bock was five for his previous nine entering Sunday.

"I'm just trying to get in there, do the job and try to help the team," Bock said. "Getting hits helps the team and trying to drive in some runs. We've got a lot of offense now, so we're just trying to keep it going, get a couple of wins."

Following the game, Bock was informed that he was heading up to High-A Frederick.

Dennis Robinson made just one mistake while earning his third win of the season. That mistake came in the fifth inning. With the 3-0 lead, Robinson gave up a line drive single up the middle followed by a two-run home run by Josh Murray, his sixth of the season. Robinson ended up working 5 2/3 innings, scattering seven hits and walking just two.

"I was just confident, getting ahead in the count and the guys were making the plays behind me," Robinson said. "You get out to an early lead, you want to make sure you hold the lead down."

Leading 3-2 with a runner on first and Clay Blevins coming to the plate with two outs in the top of the sixth, Kendall pulled Robinson, who had thrown just 74 pitches. Southpaw Russ Petrick was called on to pitch against the left-handed hitting Blevins, who was 2-for-2 against Robinson on the day.

"Lefty-lefty (matchup) and Petrick's pretty good with the left-handers," Kendall said. "Robinson was effective and that fifth, sixth inning is always the threshold for Dennis, it seems like. And I didn't want him to walk out of that game with a no-decision or a loss."

Petrick promptly sat down Blevins on strikes. Casey Cahill worked two perfect innings before Trent Baysinger came on in the ninth. Baysinger got a strikeout and allowed a hit before being replaced by Justin Henington, who got two quick outs for his third save of the season.

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link while active, text follows:

www.news-journalonline.co...070405.htm

Daytona can't shift into winning gear

By SEAN KERNAN

Daytona Beach News-Journal Staff Writer

DAYTONA BEACH -- The Daytona Cubs couldn't keep pace with the Brevard County Manatees on NASCAR Night, a special promotion following NASCAR's summer visit to Daytona International Speedway.

Daytona fell behind shortly after the green flag dropped and Brevard County went on to lap the Cubs 4-0 before a crowd of 2,707 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday night.

Cubs right-hander Alfredo Polanco (0-1) was called up from Peoria in the Midwest League and given the start to fill in for Lee Gwaltney, who was unable to pitch because of a blister on the thumb of his pitching hand.

Polanco, who had started only one game this season prior to Sunday, was tagged for three runs in the first two innings, including two on Steve Sollmann's single after Polanco had walked the bases loaded in the second.

The Cubs, who have lost five straight, weren't able to challenge Brevard County after Polanco settled down with two scoreless innings and three relievers combined to limit the visitors to just one more run.

"The kid actually did pretty well," Cubs manager Richie Zisk said. "He pitched behind a little bit, which is understandable because he was probably a little nervous. His last two innings were pretty solid."

The bigger problem facing the Cubs is how to get the lineup going on a consistent basis. Daytona has scored only two runs in its last three games. The Cubs couldn't even get a run against Brevard despite two Manatees errors in the fifth inning.

"Our approach at the plate was better," Zisk said. "We hit some balls well in the middle of the diamond right at people. That's baseball. But we're barely breathing offensively. We just can't seem to get the bats going, and I don't have an answer right now."

The Cubs have lost 12 of their last 16 games dating back to the first half of Florida State League action. Daytona is 3-9, last in the East in the second half, and 38-41 overall.

The Manatees, affiliated with the Milwaukee Brewers, are off to an 8-3 start this half and stand 34-45 overall.

Brevard's Josh Habel (4-4) and Jeremy Lewis combined on the six-hit shutout. Habel scattered five hits over seven innings and had six strikeouts without a walk. Lewis allowed one hit in two innings.

"It's not gonna be like this through the end of the season," Zisk said. "Streaks usually follow streaks. It's about time we put together one going the other way."

Monday: BREVARD COUNTY MANATEES AT DAYTONA CUBS

WHERE: Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. (6:05 Central)

OVERALL RECORDS: Brevard County 34-45, Daytona 38-41.

SECOND-HALF RECORDS: Brevard County 8-3, Daytona 3-9.

PROBABLE STARTERS: RHP Carlos Villanueva (5-0, 1.54 ERA); Daytona, LHP Yorkin Ferreras (0-2, 10.13).

ETC.: A post-game fireworks show is scheduled to celebrate the Fourth of July . . . The usual Belly Buster promotion for Monday night will not be in effect tonight . . . Former area high school standouts Bo Hall and Nick Slack are with the Manatees.

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link for Charlie Fermaint photo while active, text follows:

www.greatfallstribune.com...40318/1006

White Sox fall despite late rally

By MIKE TOWNE

Great Falls Tribune Sports Writer

A big come-from-behind victory just wasn't in the cards for the Great Falls White Sox early Sunday evening.

After rallying for four runs to tie the red-hot Helena Brewers at 5-5 in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Sox gave up a run in the top of the ninth and dropped a 6-5 decision before 3,262 fans at Centene Stadium.

No. 9 hitter Ken Holmberg drew a leadoff walk off Ryan Rote, Great Falls' fourth pitcher, and pinch-runner Agustin Septimo scored the winning run on the third hit by the Pioneer League's RBI leader, Angel Salome.

David Welch, the Brewers' third reliever, earned the win after retiring the White Sox in order in the bottom of the ninth.

In winning its fourth straight game, Helena boosted its Northern Division-leading record to 11-1, good for an eight-game lead over third-place Great Falls (3-9).

The Brewers appeared to be in complete control after seven innings, having outhit the Sox 9-5 to build a 5-0 lead. But Great Falls, behind a lively crowd that hadn't given up on manager John Orton's club, sent nine batters to the plate in its half of the eighth and pushed across four runs to tie the game.

"(Helena) shut us down early, but we battled back and had a chance to take the lead. We stayed in the game," Orton said. "Our guys played hard. We've just got to get on the winning side and start gaining some confidence.

"We can play with these guys (the Brewers)."

Helena manager Ed Sedar agreed. "Great Falls showed their mettle, coming back with four runs in the eighth," he said.

Leadoff hitter Brandon Johnson, No. 9 in Great Falls' order, ignited the Sox's eighth-inning comeback with a single up the middle. After Evan Tartaglia reached on the second error of the game by Brewers shortstop Michael Bell, Johnson tagged up and took third on a fly ball by Garrett Guest.

Franciso Hernandez then collected his second hit, a single to right, to score Johnson and whittle Helena's lead to 5-2.

Cleanup hitter Brandon Allen followed with a single to left, plating Tartaglia to make it 5-3. Brewers left fielder Darren Ford made a diving attempt, but the ball popped out of his glove and the liner was ruled a hit.

Daron Roberts, fresh off a triple in the seventh inning, followed with a single to left that scored Hernandez. Allen moved to third and Roberts took second base on the throw home.

Welch, in relief of Josh Louis, who was shelled for four hits in just a third of an inning, then intentionally walked Matt Tribble to load the bases.

A sacrifice fly to center by Manny Rodriguez, who was pinch hitting for designated hitter Mike Landry, scored Allen to knot the score at 5-5.

With Roberts on third and Tribble at second, Rolando Acosta took a called third strike for the final out of the inning.

Holmberg walked to lead off Helena's half of the ninth. He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Ford and scored on Salome's sharp liner to left. It was Salome's second RBI of the game and 21st of the season, in only 12 games.

"Angel is a pretty clutch hitter, even with two strikes," Sedar said.

"Overall it was a pretty good win. Our pitchers did a good job," he added. "We're a little banged up right now, but we're making do."

Although the four Helena pitchers gave up nine hits, they surrendered only one walk, and that was the intentional pass to Tribble in the eighth inning.

Great Falls starter Eric Everly turned in a respectable outing, allowing four runs on seven innings in five complete innings. He struck out two Brewers and walked only one. He didn't get solid defensive support, however, as the Sox committed three errors behind him.

"Everly was OK," Orton said. "He gave us a chance. He kept us in the game."

Nick Lemon allowed one run on two hits in two innings of relief work for Great Falls.

Jay Marshall was sharp in his lone inning of work, retiring all three batters he faced in the eighth.

Ryan Braun singled home Charlie Fermaint to give Helena a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

Salome had an RBI-single and Braun stroked a sacrifice fly as the Brewers increased their lead to 3-0 in the third.

Ford scored as Fermaint was caught stealing second base in the fifth. That made it 4-0.

Fermaint's RBI-single gave Helena a 5-0 lead in the seventh frame.

Great Falls finally got on the scoreboard in its half of the seventh. Roberts tripled to deep center with one out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tribble.

Fermaint and Salome each had three hits for Helena.

Guest and Fernandez each had a pair of hits for Great Falls.

"Helena is solid, but we helped them out a little," said Orton, referring to five errors by the Sox. "You can't do that against a good team and expect to win."

WHITE SOX NOTES:Johnson had a solid game at third base for Great Falls, making five assists. ... Sox right-hander Carlos Torres (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will face lefty Steve Hammond (1-0, 0.00) in the final game of the three-game set, on tap tonight. In two appearances this summer, Torres has collected 13 strikeouts in nine scoreless innings. Hammond has worked 11 innings in three appearances for Helena. ... Tickets remain for the game, which will feature a fireworks show shortly after its completion. The Juke Box Band will provide entertainment between innings. ... The Sox play Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at Helena.

Mass Haas · July 4, 2005

Link while active, text follows:

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

Hart HR in 10th powers Sounds

Nashville trails by six late, but pulls out win

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

Down by six heading into the eighth inning? The Nashville Sounds had the Memphis Redbirds right where they wanted them last night.

For the third time in the four-game series, the Sounds mounted a late comeback to grab a victory. Corey Hart's 10th-inning solo home run capped an 8-7 win.

Nashville trailed 7-1 before scoring four runs in the eighth inning ? three on a Ryan Knox homer ? and two more in the ninth. Julio Mosquera scored the game-tying run on a Josh Kinney wild pitch.

"I'm surprised we came back," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said following the win, which gives his team a 4½-game lead over the Redbirds in the Pacific Coast League American Conference Northern Division.

"Down 7-1, with (Memphis starter Kevin) Jarvis throwing it the way he was throwing it ? He'd only given up two hits until then, and he wasn't showing signs of being tired."

Jarvis retired only one hitter in the eighth, though, and the visiting bullpen was ineffective to the tune of four hits and three runs in two innings.

Nashville's relief corps, on the other hand, stoned Memphis ? giving up just one hit and striking out five in four innings. Sounds starter Rick Helling gave up an atypical five runs in 7+ innings.

"(The bullpen) holding them after that was probably the key to the whole thing," Kremblas said.

Hart, who previously extended his hitting streak to 12 games ? the third-best effort for the Sounds this season ? knew the game was over immediately after he connected on the 2-1 pitch from Jimmy Journell and gave his team its 15th win of the season in its final at-bat.

"It was closer than I thought. It went out, though. It was nice. It's definitely better to be on this side than on that side. When you come back and win like that ? that's what you play ball for."

Branyan on the move: Third baseman/outfielder Russell Branyan is expected to end his rehab assignment and rejoin the Brewers today for their series at Florida. Recovering from a broken left middle finger, he batted .294 (5-for-17) with a homer and three RBIs in six games with Nashville. He was 0-for-4 last night with three strikeouts.

To make room on their active roster for Branyan, the Brewers are expected to option first baseman Prince Fielder back to Nashville. Fielder will likely join the team tomorrow in New Orleans, although he has 72 hours to report.

Time change: Tonight's series opener in New Orleans, originally set for 7:05 p.m., has been moved up an hour and will start at 6:05.

Game at a glance

? Winning pitcher: Mike Adams (2-1).

? Big stick: Hart, 2-for-5, game-winning solo homer; Knox, 1-for-4, three-run homer.

? How they won: Nashville had eight of its 10 hits in its final three at-bats, rallying from a six-run deficit for the second time this season (May 4 at Iowa, 13-8 in 10 innings). Chris Barnwell's RBI double preceded Knox's three-run shot in the eighth that cut it to 7-5. Sounds scored twice more in the ninth before Hart's heroics.

? What they said: "It's nice going out (on the road) on a win like that. You can't count this team out. That's a good thing. There's nothing different you try to do ? just when you get the chance, the opportunity, stay within yourself and get it done." ? Kremblas.

? Tonight's pitchers: Sounds ? RHP Justin Lehr (7-6, 4.61 ERA). Zephyrs ? LHP Ed Yarnall (4-6, 6.38).

Wytlaf · July 4, 2005

Ahh I see, thanks Mass

Link Report for Games of Sunday, July 3rd

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