Link Report for Games of Sunday, June 26th

[H0FFY]

Man oh man, 'on fire' does not describe it, Hart was 3 for 4 tonight, so is now batting .307. I do believe he was around a .100 for a while at the start of the year.

 

Heck, now we can forget about the start or middle or now. The guy is just the reigning AA MVP and batting over .300 in AAA and swiping a few bases along the way... and a good possible improver.

 

There seem like some no brainer promotions to occur. I can see an outfielder chain reaction and a pitcher chain reaction.

 

I love the way they are handling Nashville right now. I would be tempted to promote many and then chain reaction UP. But they have done great (our management). They have promoted a couple of guys and given a cameo here and there, and they have backfilled with old guys that are performing great.

 

So, if you are a Nashville fan, you saw Weeks become a super star, and when he left, he was not replaced with some overmatched AA guys. So the team keeps winning. What a great combo. Promote a couple of guys, fill them in without losing production.... happy all around.

 

And I am sure the AAA guys can smell promotions in the air. So they really, really are busting their guts. Man oh man the mojo is good in the minors right now.

[molitor fan]

First of all Hoffy, I like that perspective...interesting

 

Helena thoughts....nice to see Popeye (little guy w/huge arms) Salome with 4 hits - 2 doubles amongst them; I will forget about the passed ball and throwing error.

 

Braun with a 2 hit, 1 stolen base evening

 

Bell continues to rake

 

Nice outing for 5th rounder Roberts.....

 

6-0 and counting

[Minigoon]

Not good news from Arizona as the AZ Brewers lost 7-1 to the AZ cubs. Here is the link to the box score.

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[huntsvillefan]

The guy is just the reigning AA MVP

 

He's doing great, but he was MVP two years ago. This is his second time round AAA. He really should get the next corner OF promotion to MIL.

 

Defensive wizzes N Cruz and TGJ with an error apiece tonight. I know I always say that error count doesn't give a fair picture and in their case it doesn't. They're both worse than their count suggests

[H0FFY]

thanks h-fan, I thought I lost a year there re Corey's MVP. But it sounded better to write it that way.

 

Good luck on your second half. I hope the errors are all bunched in those games where they dont count. But I sure wish our guys improved on D in their paths through the minors.

 

I was always told 'you cant teach good hitting, it is a God given skill, but you can teach D'. If that were true, our guys should be improving. And it is so important. 15 hits extra in a year turns an average year batting into a good year. So, it should be just as good to AVOID 15 error or perhaps make 15 great extra plays on D.

 

re Helena... I guess we can start projecting the Crew's lineup in 2010.

[Past Member]

Awesome, another win for Helena tonight and Salome went 4-5 with 2 doubles and Ryan Braun went 2-4 as DH in his professional debut.

[colbyjack]

I checked Hart's season stats and I was impressed by his walk total. He's maintaining that one BB for every 10 ABs, something I know many of us were concerned about.

 

And, he smacks his 22nd double on the season. While the HR totals aren't gaudy, the extra base hits are there. The man just keeps on hitting.

[pogokat]

i'll take the .900 ops without the long ball....

 

i still think he'll hit 25 hr's a year in the majors...or at least as many as kevin mench hits this year...

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Audio Plays of the Week:

Monty Python version...

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...206-26.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 10, Oklahoma (Rangers) 4

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

 

Sounds Turn Three, Come Back For 10-4 Win

OKLAHOMA CITY ? The Nashville Sounds handed the Oklahoma RedHawks their 12th consecutive defeat on Sunday evening, scoring nine late runs to post a 10-4 victory at SBC Bricktown Ballpark in the second game of a four-game series.

 

With the win, Nashville (42-36) extended its lead in the PCL American Conference Northern Division to a season-best 3 ½ games over second-place Memphis, which lost earlier in the day in New Orleans.

 

Outfielder Corey Hart went 3-for-4 to continue his red-hot hitting, first baseman Tony Zuniga drove in a season-high four runs and slugged his second homer of the year, and the Nashville defense turned four double plays or better behind Sounds pitchers.

 

Every Nashville batter with an official at-bat recorded at least one hit with the exception of center fielder Dave Krynzel, who had his six-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-for-4 effort.

 

The come-from-behind victory was the Sounds? 11th this season in games in which they trailed in the seventh inning or later. Nashville posted a double-digit run total for the 11th time this year; four of the efforts have come in their 10 games against the RedHawks.

 

The Sounds added to the record books early on when they turned the sixth triple play in the franchise?s 28-year history in the bottom of the first inning. After Esteban German and Ian Kinsler opened the frame with consecutive singles off Nashville starter Jeff Housman, Chad Allen hit a line drive to Sounds second baseman Warren Morris with the runners in motion. Morris caught the ball, stepped on second, and threw to Zuniga at first base to complete the team?s first triple play since July 28, 2000.

 

Housman ran into control problems in the bottom of the second, walking four consecutive batters to allow Oklahoma to grab an early lead. The southpaw struck out Jason Botts and retired Jason Conti on a groundout for the first two outs of the inning. Housman followed by issuing walks to Adrian Gonzalez, Rashad Eldridge, and former Sound Keith McDonald before Jace Brewer drew an RBI base on balls to put the RedHawks ahead, 1-0. German followed with a two-out, two-run single to right to up the lead to 3-0.

 

Housman lasted only two innings, his shortest outing of the season, and allowed three runs on three hits and four walks.

 

Clint Weibl came on in relief for the Sounds in the third inning and gave up an RBI double to Conti in the frame as the RedHawks extended their advantage to 4-0.

 

After the early wildness, Nashville pitchers settled down and allowed only one hit and zero walks over the final six innings of play.

 

Hart ripped his team-leading 22nd double in the top of the fourth inning to extend his hitting streak to six games.

 

Nashville got on the board in the sixth when Morris? two-out RBI single to left against RedHawks starter John Hudgins brought in Krynzel, who had walked earlier in the frame, to make it a 4-1 game.

 

The Sounds erupted to take a 6-4 lead with a five-run top of the seventh. Zuniga tied the contest at 4-4 and extended his hitting streak to a season-best seven games with a three-run home run off Hudgins. The blast ? Zuniga?s second of the year ? scored Hart and Brad Nelson, who had singled and walked to open the inning, and chased Hudgins from the ballgame.

 

Nashville catcher Julio Mosquera greeted Oklahoma reliever Kelvin Jimenez with a double to left and moved to third when Chris Barnwell grounded out for the first out of the inning. Sounds shortstop Steve Scarborough followed with a two-run homer, his eighth of the year, to break the tie and give Nashville its first lead of the night at 6-4. Scarborough?s eight home runs lead all active Sounds hitters.

 

The Sounds continued to pour it on in the eighth, tallying four more runs against the Oklahoma bullpen. Reliever Michael Tejera opened the inning on the hill for the RedHawks and left the contest four batters later after failing to retire anyone. Morris walked before Hart and Nelson singled to load the bases for Zuniga, who continued his solid night with an RBI single to left up the lead to 7-4.

 

Jose Veras came on in relief of Tejera, and Mosquera quickly drew an RBI walk on four straight pitches from the right-hander to up the lead to 8-4. Scarborough and outfielder Ryan Knox, who tied a Nashville record by striking out in his first four plate appearances, each added a run-scoring single later in the frame against Veras to push Nashville into double digits and a 10-4 lead.

 

Infielder Corey Hart made his Sounds debut with a walk in the top of the ninth inning, fittingly doing so as a pinch-hitter for outfielder Corey Hart.

 

Reliever Kane Davis (4-1) made his first appearance in eight days and fanned three batters over two perfect innings to earn the victory for Nashville. Jimenez (2-6) absorbed his team-leading sixth loss of the year after allowing two runs in his lone frame of work.

 

The teams meet again on Monday evening at 7:05 p.m. CT. Right-hander Rick Helling (5-3, 4.17) takes the hill for Nashville and will face Oklahoma right-hander Josh Rupe (1-1, 7.33).

 

Milwaukee Brewers third baseman Russell Branyan, who has been out of action since June 1 after fracturing his left middle finger on a bunt attempt in San Diego, is scheduled to join the Sounds to begin a rehabilitation assignment as the club?s DH in Monday?s contest.

 

Nashville Box Score:

Wonder if Branyan will leadoff in order to maximize plate appearances; Mike Adams with a better outing in this one...

 YTD YTD NASHVILLE AB R H BI AVG OKLAHOMA AB R H BI AVG D.Krynzel CF 4 1 0 0 .266 E.German 3B 4 0 2 2 .335 R.Knox LF 5 0 1 1 .227 I.Kinsler 2B 4 0 1 0 .272 W.Morris 2B 4 1 1 1 .320 C.Allen DH 3 1 1 0 .303 C.Hart DH 4 2 3 0 .307 J.Botts LF 4 0 0 0 .277 C.Hart PH 0 0 0 0 .307 J.Conti CF 4 0 1 1 .240 C.Hart DH 0 0 0 0 .307 A.Gonzalez 1B 2 1 0 0 .289 B.Nelson RF 4 2 2 0 .248 R.Eldridge RF 3 1 0 0 .287 T.Zuniga 1B 5 2 2 4 .407 K.McDonald CAT 2 1 0 0 .267 J.Mosquera CAT 4 1 1 1 .215 J.Brewer SS 1 0 0 1 .244 C.Barnwell 3B 4 0 1 0 .216 J.Hudgins PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Scarboroug SS 4 1 2 3 .256 K.Jimenez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Housman PIT 0 0 0 0 .133 M.Tejera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Weibl PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Veras PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Davis PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 H.Mercado PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 10 13 10 TOTALS 27 4 5 4 NASHVILLE 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 4 0-10 13 0 OKLAHOMA 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0- 4 5 1 E--J.Hudgins. DP--NASHVILLE 3, OKLAHOMA 1. LOB--NASHVILLE 6, OKLAHOMA 3. 2B--C.Hart (22), J.Mosquera (11), J.Conti (13). HR--T.Zuniga (2), S.Scarboroug (8). CS--W.Morris. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA NASHVILLE J.Housman 2.0 3 3 3 4 1 0 5.38 C.Weibl 3.0 1 1 1 3 1 0 5.03 K.Davis (W,4-1) 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3.13 M.Adams 2.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 5.40 OKLAHOMA J.Hudgins 6.0 6 4 3 2 4 1 4.75 K.Jimenez (L,2-6) 1.0 2 2 2 0 1 1 3.98 M.Tejera 0.0 3 4 4 1 0 0 5.96 J.Veras 0.2 2 0 0 1 2 0 3.58 H.Mercado 1.1 0 0 0 1 3 0 0.00 SO--D.Krynzel, R.Knox 4, W.Morris, C.Hart, B.Nelson, J.Mosquera, C.Barnwell, E.German, I.Kinsler, J.Botts 2, J.Conti 2, A.Gonzalez, R.Eldridge. BB--D.Krynzel, W.Morris, C.Hart, B.Nelson, J.Mosquera, C.Allen, A.Gonzalez 2, R.Eldridge, K.McDonald, J.Brewer 2. T--2:52. A--6600

Nashville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_orhaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Helena 10, Great Falls (White Sox) 4

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...705_01.txt

 

Braun leaves respectable first impression

By KEVIN SHIVELY - IR Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers seemed to cool off a bit after a one-hour rain delay Sunday afternoon, but were able to pick things up in the final innings to secure their 10-4 win over the Great Falls White Sox.

 

The win kept the Brewers perfect on the season with a 6-0 record.

 

First-round draft pick Ryan Braun had a very respectable outing in his first professional game.

 

Braun was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a sacrifice fly as the Helena club's designated hitter.

 

The Brewers were down 1-0 after the top half of the first when Braun hit the sac-fly to land his first RBI and spark a hitting streak by the Brewers that led to six runs on six hits.

 

In the bottom of the third, the rain came down and the tarps came out, suspending play for over an hour.

 

After the delay, Helena didn't score again until the seventh inning when Braun hit an RBI single to score center fielder Charlie Fermaint. White Sox pitcher James Casey walked in the second run of the inning.

 

Fermaint was 3-for-5 in the game with three runs scored.

 

In the eighth, Helena catcher Angel Solome picked up his fourth hit, second double and second and third RBI with a hard double off the left field wall.

 

Christopher Jean started on the mound for the Brewers, pitching three complete innings before the rain delay and allowing only four hits and one run.

 

Rafael Lluberes relieved Jean after the rain let up and pitched four innings of five-hit baseball, posting his first win of the season.

 

Yunior Novoa gave up six runs in his two innings on the mound and collected his second loss of the season.

 

Brandon Allen led the White Sox at the plate, collecting three RBI. Evan Tartaglia scored on a fielder's choice from Allen in the first, and then Allen sent a 3-1 pitch over the wall in the fifth to score twice more.

 

Helena will look to keep its perfect record tonight as they play host to the Missoula Osprey. Tyler Morrison (1-0, 3.00) will take the mound for Helena and Derik Nippert (0-0, 10.80) will pitch for the Osprey. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m (8:05 Central).

 

Helena Box Score:

Angel Salome now 12-for-26 with six extra-base hits, OPS of 1.379; West Virginia management must be salivating when reviewing this lineup...

 YTD YTD GREAT FALLS AB R H BI AVG HELENA AB R H BI AVG E.Tartaglia CF 5 1 1 1 .174 D.Ford LF 5 2 2 0 .435 D.Guest 2B 4 0 1 0 .188 C.Fermaint CF 5 3 3 0 .375 C.Getz SS 4 1 2 0 .350 A.Salome CAT 5 2 4 3 .462 B.Allen 1B 4 1 2 3 .409 R.Braun DH 4 0 2 2 .500 M.Rodriguez LF 3 0 1 0 .318 B.Willcutt 1B 4 1 0 0 .250 M.Tribble RF 4 0 0 0 .250 B.Katin RF 2 1 1 1 .333 M.Sharp DH 4 0 1 0 .250 M.Bell SS 3 1 1 3 .235 E.Hollis CAT 4 1 1 0 .267 R.Crew 3B 4 0 2 1 .444 B.Johnson 3B 4 0 1 0 .286 K.Holmberg 2B 3 0 0 0 .421 Y.Novoa PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Jean PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 I.Chirino PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Lluberes PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Lemon PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Roberts PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Casey PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Pena PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 4 10 4 TOTALS 35 10 15 10 GREAT FALLS 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0- 4 10 2 HELENA 6 0 0 0 0 0 2 2 X-10 15 1 E--C.Getz, B.Johnson, A.Salome. DP--GREAT FALLS 2, HELENA 1. LOB-- GREAT FALLS 7, HELENA 7. 2B--M.Sharp (1), E.Hollis (1), C.Fermaint (1), A.Salome 2 (4), M.Bell (2). HR--B.Allen (2). SB--A.Salome (1), R.Braun (1), R.Crew (2). CS--R.Crew. SF--R.Braun. SH--D.Guest, K.Holmberg. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA GREAT FALLS Y.Novoa (L,0-2) 2.0 8 6 6 1 0 0 10.80 I.Chirino 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 N.Lemon 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 7.71 J.Casey 2.0 4 2 2 2 1 0 14.40 L.Pena 1.0 2 2 1 0 0 0 8.10 HELENA C.Jean 3.0 4 1 1 1 0 0 3.18 R.Lluberes (W,1-0) 4.0 5 3 3 0 2 1 7.71 K.Roberts 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 WP--C.Jean. PB--A.Salome. SO--M.Rodriguez, M.Tribble, B.Willcutt, B.Katin, M.Bell, K.Holmberg. BB--M.Rodriguez, B.Willcutt, B.Katin 2, M.Bell. T--4:30. A--713

Helena Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Cubs 7, Arizona Brewers 1

 

Arizona Brewers Box Score:

Definitely a strong Latin presence on this squad...

 YTD YTD CUBS AB R H BI AVG BREWERS AB R H BI AVG E.Serrano 2B 5 0 0 0 .154 S.McKnight 2B 3 1 1 0 .125 R.Brown CF 4 1 0 0 .167 A.Delarosa CF 4 0 1 1 .222 J.Defendis RF 5 2 3 0 .444 M.Brantley LF 3 0 0 0 .143 N.Crouch 3B 2 1 0 0 .200 J.Jimenez 3B 4 0 0 0 .000 M.Mercedes DH 5 1 0 0 .222 H.Mejia SS 4 0 1 0 .333 R.Episcopo LF 5 2 4 2 .444 A.Ayala 1B 4 0 0 0 .000 R.Canzler 1B 3 0 1 1 .167 J.Blanc RF 4 0 0 0 .000 P.Farina CAT 2 0 1 0 .500 B.Dennis III CAT 2 0 1 0 .500 J.Morgan PH 0 0 0 0 .500 O.Vicioso DH 3 0 1 0 .167 J.Morgan CAT 1 0 1 2 .500 J.Garcia PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Rivera SS 4 0 2 1 .375 M.Kretzschma PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Fernandez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 W.Labasta PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Williamson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Villar PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Pina PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Lefort PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 7 12 6 TOTALS 31 1 5 1 CUBS 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 2- 7 12 0 BREWERS 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 1 5 2 E--H.Mejia, B.Dennis III. DP--CUBS 1, BREWERS 1. LOB--CUBS 9, BREWERS 6. 2B--J.Defendis (1), R.Canzler (1), A.Delarosa (1). SB--M.Mercedes (1), R.Episcopo (1). CS--R.Canzler. HBP--R.Brown, N.Crouch 2. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA CUBS R.Fernandez 2.0 4 1 1 0 3 0 4.50 S.Williamson 2.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 5.40 J.Pina (W,1-0) 3.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 1.50 M.Lefort 2.0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0.00 BREWERS J.Garcia 4.0 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.25 M.Kretzschma 2.0 3 0 0 0 3 0 0.00 W.Labasta (L,0-1) 1.2 3 4 2 3 3 0 10.80 N.Villar 1.1 4 2 2 1 1 0 13.50 HB--J.Garcia, W.Labasta, N.Villar. WP--M.Kretzschma. SO--E.Serrano, R.Brown, N.Crouch 2, M.Mercedes, R.Episcopo, R.Canzler, A.Rivera, S.McKnight, A.Delarosa, J.Jimenez 2, A.Ayala 2, J.Blanc 2. BB-- N.Crouch, R.Canzler 2, P.Farina, S.McKnight, M.Brantley, B.Dennis III. T--2:30.

Stats through two of the four games that have been reported on, again to help familiarize you with the names...

 AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB Angoma, Ruben, C ... .200 5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 *Ayala, Angel, 1B ... .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Blanc, Jhonathan, OF ... .000 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 *Brantley, Michael, OF ... .143 7 1 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 1 Cain, Lorenzo, DH ... .600 5 1 3 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 Delarosa, Anderson, OF ... .222 9 2 2 1 0 1 2 0 2 0 Dennis III, Bernie, C ... .500 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 Jimenez (Luna), Herman, 1B ... .000 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 #Jimenez, Jose, 3B ... .000 6 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 Leclercq, Lenny, OF ... .000 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 *McKnight, Scott, 2B ... .125 8 3 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 0 Mejia, Harold, SS ... .333 9 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 1 0 #Vicioso, Osvaldo, 3B ... .167 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0

 W L ERA G SV IP H R ER BB SO SO/9 Cespedes, Carlos 0 0 13.50 1 0 0.2 3 3 1 0 1 13.5 Fermin, Jorge 0 0 6.75 1 0 1.1 2 1 1 0 1 6.8 Garcia, Jose 0 0 2.25 1 0 4.0 2 1 1 0 1 2.3 Kretzschmar, Mathew 0 0 0.00 1 0 2.0 3 0 0 0 3 13.5 Labasta, William 0 1 10.80 1 0 1.2 3 4 2 3 3 16.2 Ledezma, Alirio 0 1 0.00 1 0 2.2 2 2 0 1 2 6.8 Periard, Alexandre 0 0 6.00 1 0 3.0 4 2 2 1 0 0.0 Rivas, Amaury 0 0 3.00 1 0 3.0 3 1 1 0 3 9.0 Villar, Nathanael 0 0 13.50 1 0 1.1 4 2 2 1 1 6.8

Arizona Brewer Game Log:

Nice job, MILB.com -- never thought I'd live to see a game log from Maryvale...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Andy LaRoche collected four hits, including a home run, scored three times and knocked in two to pace a 17-hit attack in Jacksonville?s 12-5 victory over Huntsville Sunday night in the second of a four-game set at Joe Stadium. The Stars dropped to 4-2 in the second half of the season and maintained their share of the lead in the North Division after Carolina was defeated by Birmingham, while the Suns improved to 3-3 in the second half and 41-34 overall. The Stars had a four-game win streak snapped and fell for a fifth time in eight games against the Suns.

 

The visitors jumped on starter Ryan Costello for four runs in the first inning on a two-run, bases loaded single by Joel Guzman, a run-scoring ground out by James Loney and a two-out, run-scoring hit by Nick Alvarez. The Suns tacked on four more in the second on a two-run double by Delwyn Young and a two-run clout by LaRoche, his fifth long ball in 10 games with the Suns and 26th of the season. Costello then walked Tydus Meadows for a second time and was taken out of the game and replaced by Glenn Woolard, who made his first appearance in relief after 14 starts. Costello suffered the loss to drop to 0-4 after being charged with eight runs on seven hits and three walks in an inning plus five batters.

 

The Stars got on the board in the third inning on a run-scoring ground out by Tony Gwynn, Jr. but Jacksonville answered with four more in the fourth on run-producing singles by Guzman and Alvarez and a fielding error by Kennard Bibbs that allowed two runs to score. Enrique Cruz countered with a three-run home run in the home fourth, his 10th of the season and second in as many nights.

 

Eric Hull lasted five innings to earn his fifth win despite giving up four runs on six hits and a pair of walks. Hong-Chih Kuo worked two scoreless frames in his Jacksonville debut and fanned six. The Korean left-hander has now worked 18 scoreless innings this season during which he has fanned 35. Chad Billingsley and Jonathan Broxton finished up with an inning of relief work each and the four hurlers combined to strike out 11, the third time this season Stars hitters have fanned that many times in a game.

 

The series continues Monday with left-hander Dana Eveland starting for the Stars against Suns right-hander Joel Hanrahan. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:50 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2005062623

 

Power shackles Captains 2-0

 

It may have only been two games, but the West Virginia Power claimed its first series sweep of the season Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Lake County (Ohio) at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Josh Wahpepah and three relievers combined on the five-hit shutout. Wahpepah worked the first five innings, striking out six and allowing just one base runner ? a first-inning single to Captains shortstop Brian Finegan. The 6-foot-5 right-hander threw 60 pitches, 40 for strikes.

 

Forrest Martin took over in the sixth and pitched out of a jam in the seventh. After a walk to designated hitter Wyatt Toregas and a single by right fielder Chad Longworth, Martin settled down and caught third baseman Matt Whitney looking to end the inning.

 

In the eighth inning, Justin Barnes (5-1) allowed only a two-out single to Lake County second baseman Marshall Szabo before giving way to Robert Hinton. The All-Star fanned Finegan to open the ninth, gave up a base hit to Toregas and induced a game-ending double play off the bat of left fielder Mike Butia to pick up his fifth save. The shutout is the fourth of the year for Power pitchers.

 

West Virginia scored both its runs with two out in the eighth inning.

 

Alcides Escobar opened the rally with a base hit to center field. He promptly stole second base and scored on Hernan Iribarren?s broken-bat single to left. Iribarren swiped second and scored on a Will Lewis single.

 

Chris Niesel (5-3) took the loss for Lake County, allowing both runs on three hits. Captains starter Chuck Lofgren was nearly as impressive as Wahpepah, scattering two hits and a pair of walks over seven innings.

 

West Virginia (3-3) returns home July 4 for a three-game homestand with the Lexington Legends.

 

Photos by Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis

Hernan Iribarren steals second, leading to the Power?s second run. Fielding the throw for Lake County is second baseman Marshall Szabo.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/PWR2.jpg

 

Josh Wahpepah was sterling Sunday afternoon, holding Lake County to one hit in five innings. He and three relievers combined for the Power?s fourth shutout of the season. Justin Barnes took the win, improving to 5-1.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/PWR1.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Suns too hot at plate for Stars

By JOHN FERRY

Times Sports Staff jferry@htimes.com

 

Statistics mean something when it comes to the Jacksonville Suns.

 

At least, they did on Sunday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Jacksonville leads the Southern League in runs scored, walks, hits and home runs. Andy LaRoche, with the team just 10 games after being called up from Vero Beach, has a total of 26 homers this season.

 

That number, by the brother of Braves outfielder Adam LaRoche, is as good as there is in minor league ball.

 

LaRoche belted his latest homer against the Huntsville Stars, one of four hits he collected, and Jacksonville rolled to a 12-5 victory.

 

The Suns out-hit the Stars 17-10.

 

Jacksonville might not have outdone the tricks of Jake the Diamond Dog, who was very entertaining in a promotion as he served drinks to the umpires, took bats back to the dugout, and caught Frisbees, but the Suns had way too much firepower on this night.

 

"We've been doing this the last couple of months," said Jacksonville hitting coach Steve Yeager, the former Dodger from the mid-1980s who is back in pro ball this season.

 

"I don't do anything myself. Our players take pride in themselves."

 

Catcher Jeff Winchester, who produced three hits for the Stars, gave credit to the winners, who had built a 12-1 lead in the fourth inning.

 

"Jacksonville has exceptional hitters," Winchester said. "There's no relief in sight in their lineup."

 

The defeat broke a four-game winning streak for the Stars.

 

"We hit a snag after playing some pretty good baseball," Winchester said. "That Mobile series (three wins in four tries) built our confidence level."

 

Vinny Rottino also collected three hits for Huntsville, which fell to 4-2 in the second half while Jacksonville evened its record at 3-3.

 

Joel Guzman had three hits for Jacksonville, which put the game away by scoring four runs in the first inning and four more in the second. The Suns added a final four in the fourth.

 

Ryan Costello (0-4) took the loss for the Stars, lasting five batters into the second inning. Glenn Woolard went the next six innings and Brett Evert the final two.

 

Starter Eric Hill (5-4) picked up the win for Jacksonville, going the first five innings.

 

A two-run single by Guzman was the highlight of Jacksonville's first four-run inning. Delwyn Young doubled home two in the second, just ahead of LaRoche's homer that made it 8-0.

 

In the third, Winchester reached on an infield single and scored on a ground out.

 

Guzman singled in a run in the Suns fourth, and an outfield error allowed two more to come across. Guzman scored on a wild pitch, making it 12-1.

 

The Stars put together three runs in their fourth. Rottino singled, Brandon Gemoll walked, and Enrique Cruz belted a long homer over the fence in left.

 

In the eighth, Winchester doubled and scored on a single by Evert.

 

Huntsville produced four double plays but also left 10 runners on base.

 

The Stars and Suns play the third game in the four-game series tonight at 7:05. Dana Eveland (8-4) is scheduled to pitch for Huntsville against Joel Hanrahan (4-3).

[dadofandrew]

Note that Corey Hart replaced Corey Hart in the Nashville game.

 

I forgotm about Kane Davis, who while nothing but a middle reliever, could allow the Crew to deal another middle reliever (or Santos).

[DHonks]

Al, do we know what Davis throws these days. 3 or 4 years ago he was the talk of Mets spring training when he was throwing 100 mph.

[dadofandrew]

Davis is a generic middle reliever, I think he throws a slightly plus fastball and a breaking ball. As I said, he's a bit generic, but his AAA secondary numbers are outstanding, meaning he'd at least be a decent 11th/12th man.

 

Long term, such rotation hopefuls as Ben H, Dennis S, etc. may man those spots, but if someone offered enough for Santana/Botallico, et al, it's nice having Kane at AA to hold down the fort.