Link Report for Games of Friday, July 2nd

[MassBrew]

Friday's Daily Menu :

 

All times Central except Arizona Rookie (local Mountain); pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed...

 

INDIANAPOLIS: LHP Jorge de la Rosa at Louisville (Reds), 6:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Bats' feed):

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...name=lbats

 

HUNTSVILLE: LHP Matt Ford at home vs. Mobile (Padres), 7:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: RHP David Bradley at San Jose (Giants), 8:30

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: RHP Luis Pena at home vs. Fort Wayne(Padres), 7:00 PM

 

Audio link (Wizards' feed with former Brewers' Rookie League announcer Terry Byrom):

www.wizardsbaseball.com/t...p?pageId=4

 

HELENA: TBD at Great Falls (White Sox), 8:00 PM; sorry, no online audio for this series http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

ARIZONA ROOKIE: IDLE

[deeswan]

Anybody have any idea why Salome has not played yet?

[nikip43]

I think the big league club is waiting for Bennett to hit a cold spell so they can replace him with Salome...he's that good.

 

Seriously though, I don't know. Im happy seeing Opdyke get some at bats in the lower ranks...we'll see Angel at some point this year no doubt, he is really young though and the Crew and it would be tough to justify throwing him on a fast track (passing Vander Burg, Lou, and Kade would be a nice feat) so waiting out his turn at the lowest level is probably the way to go. He'll be a fun one to follow in the future though.

 

***

 

This is Jorge De La Rosa's game to shine...it's time he puts up some numbers and quality innings or else Indy has no business starting him. I think we finially see some comand out of the young lefty tonight.

[bork]

Quote:

---

This is Jorge De La Rosa's game to shine...it's time he puts up some numbers and quality innings or else Indy has no business starting him

---

 

Yeah, Indy is better off starting Hernarndez, Weibl, Farnsworth, etc.

 

I agree that it would be nice to see de la Rosa turn it around, but he should be starting all year, even if he struggles. He is young and has an upside, unlike most of the Indy pitchers.

[nikip43]

A lot of people think the MLB team is carrying too many pitchers therfor a demotion might be in order, thats one starting pitcher and I think a few guys at AA are looking for promotions (Saenz/Houseman) so there are 2 more that could be in the AAA staff.

 

Jorge just needs a confidence booster and what a better time than the present

[filthyfrog]

a few guys at AA are looking for promotions (Saenz/Houseman)

 

You can't promote Saenz. He's the only hitter Huntsville has right now.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes (adobe needed to view):

 

www.indyindians.com/pdf/gamenotes.pdf

 

Jorge de la Rosa has been exceptionally tough against left-handed hitters allowing a .130 batting average (3-for-23).

 

Gee, maybe that LH relief specialist is on the 40-man roster after all -- might come in handy in September!

[MassBrew]

Just an FYI through the grapevine that Mark Rogers was firing at a sweet 94 MPH consistently on Thursday. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Schmidty01]

Does anyone find it strange that the Brewers signed two indy league guys instead of promoting from within?

 

Its not like there aren't guys who havent earned it.... Trufholz, Rottino in Beloit and Boyd in HD...

 

I don't see how the benefits can out weigh having your players upset with the organization. What else does someone like Boyd have to prove...

[MassBrew]

2004 4th round pick RHP Josh Baker is your Helena starter this evening.

[MassBrew]

Final: Indianapolis 8, Louisville (Reds) 2

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

Jorge de la Rosa should be "stretched out" by 2005; I still maintain (since April 1st) that switch-hitting Chris Magruder should have been with the Brewers all along -- can we end the 13-man staff in Milwaukee already? A John Vander Wal sighting...

 GAME DATE: 7/02/04 IND at LOU INDIANAPOLIS 8 AT LOUISVILLE 2 YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG LOUISVILLE AB R H BI AVG P.Bergeron CF 4 1 3 0 .230 A.Holbert RF 4 1 1 0 .274 T.Durrington 2B 4 1 1 0 .135 F.Lopez SS 2 0 0 0 .282 C.Hart RF 5 1 2 1 .281 S.Smitherman LF 4 0 0 0 .248 J.Liefer 1B 2 1 0 0 .328 C.Miller CAT 3 0 0 0 .288 C.Magruder LF 5 1 3 1 .280 J.Chamblee 3B 3 0 0 0 .262 C.Coste 3B 5 1 1 2 .273 G.Burnham 1B 4 1 1 0 .255 A.Delgado CAT 5 1 1 1 .163 K.Kelly CF 4 0 2 0 .231 S.Scarbrough SS 5 1 2 0 .234 R.Olmedo 2B 4 0 2 1 .258 J.De La Rosa PIT 2 0 0 1 .000 S.Randall PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Phelps PIT 1 0 1 0 .500 J.Cerros PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 L.Figueroa PH 1 0 0 0 .263 B.Reith PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Erdos PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Vander Wal PH 1 0 0 0 .167 B.Mallette PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 39 8 14 6 TOTALS 30 2 6 1 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 7 0 1 0 0 0 0- 8 14 1 LOUISVILLE 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 2 6 4 E--A.Delgado, J.Chamblee 2, K.Kelly, R.Olmedo. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 2, LOUISVILLE 1. LOB--INDIANAPOLIS 10, LOUISVILLE 6. 2B--S.Scarbrough (16), K.Kelly (7). SB--A.Holbert 2 (22). CS--P.Bergeron. HBP--F.Lopez. SF--J.De La Rosa. SH--S.Randall. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS J.De La Rosa 4.0 5 2 1 2 4 0 5.58 T.Phelps (W,6-3) 4.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 4.76 T.Erdos 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 8.28 LOUISVILLE S.Randall (L,1-4) 2.0 8 7 5 3 1 0 4.98 J.Cerros 4.0 4 1 0 2 3 0 3.00 B.Reith 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 B.Mallette 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2.41 HB--J.De La Rosa. SO--P.Bergeron, T.Durrington, C.Hart, J.Liefer, C.Magruder 2, C.Coste, S.Scarbrough, A.Holbert, F.Lopez 2, S.Smitherman 2, K.Kelly, R.Olmedo 2. BB--P.Bergeron, T.Durrington, J.Liefer 3, F.Lopez, C.Miller, J.Chamblee. T--2:43. A--12396

Indianapolis Game Log:

Louisville steal of home in the 2nd? Obviously, a nice 7-spot for the Tribe...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12812

[MassBrew]

Final: Beloit 4, Fort Wayne (Padres) 2

 

Beloit Site Game Notes and Player of the Game Info:

 

www.snappersbaseball.com/...me_id=1341

 

Beloit Box Score:

Why did 3B Adam Heether exit so early? Nice bounce-back start for Luis Pena; LHP Mitch Stetter has been oh-so-good...

 GAME DATE: 7/02/04 FTW at BLT FORT WAYNE 2 AT BELOIT 4 YTD YTD FORT WAYNE AB R H BI AVG BELOIT AB R H BI AVG B.Wahlbrink RF 4 0 0 0 .255 T.Trofholz CF 4 1 1 0 .310 B.Burgamy 2B 4 0 0 0 .139 W.Lewis 2B 4 0 2 0 .382 J.Pickens LF 4 0 0 0 .253 D.Anderson LF 4 1 1 0 .277 F.Valenzuela 1B 3 0 1 0 .308 L.Palmisano CAT 2 1 1 0 .310 G.Kottaras CAT 4 1 1 0 .297 V.Rottino DH 3 1 2 1 .287 B.Bonvechio 3B 4 0 0 0 .262 A.Heether 3B 1 0 0 0 .252 C.Miller DH 4 0 0 0 .180 W.Campana 3B 3 0 2 1 .353 D.Macias CF 3 1 2 0 .290 M.Ramirez 1B 4 0 1 1 .264 J.Ciriaco SS 3 0 2 1 .239 R.Deevers RF 4 0 1 0 .220 C.Tierney PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Murray SS 4 0 0 0 .169 P.Abraham PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Pena PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 H.Pence PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Stetter PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 2 6 1 TOTALS 33 4 11 3 FORT WAYNE 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0- 2 6 2 BELOIT 0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 X- 4 11 0 E--B.Wahlbrink, D.Macias. DP--FORT WAYNE 1, BELOIT 0. LOB--FORT WAYNE 5, BELOIT 8. 2B--G.Kottaras (14), J.Ciriaco (11). CS--R.Deevers. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA FORT WAYNE C.Tierney (L,1-1) 6.0 7 3 3 2 2 0 2.88 P.Abraham 1.0 2 1 0 0 0 0 6.52 H.Pence 1.0 2 0 0 1 2 0 0.00 BELOIT L.Pena (W,7-3) 6.2 4 2 2 1 4 0 3.95 M.Stetter (S,4) 2.1 2 0 0 0 4 0 2.20 WP--L.Pena. BALKS--C.Tierney. SO--B.Wahlbrink, B.Burgamy 2, J.Pickens, F.Valenzuela, B.Bonvechio 2, C.Miller, D.Anderson, M.Ramirez, R.Deevers 2. BB--F.Valenzuela, L.Palmisano 2, V.Rottino. T--3:19. A--2175

Beloit Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12500

[MassBrew]

In progress: Mobile (Padres) 5, Huntsville 5, after nine innings

[MassBrew]

Final: Huntsville 6, Mobile (Padres) 5, 10 innings

 

Huntsville Box Score:

The sometimes maligned Stars' bullpen has been incredible as of late...

 GAME DATE: 7/02/04 MOB at HVL MOBILE 5 AT HUNTSVILLE 6 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD MOBILE AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG K.Jones CF 3 1 1 0 .222 R.Weeks 2B 5 0 1 0 .247 R.Merrill SS 5 0 0 0 .253 A.Gwynn CF 4 1 1 0 .245 J.Barfield 2B 4 0 1 0 .241 P.Fielder 1B 3 0 0 0 .259 G.Sain 1B 2 2 1 1 .221 B.Nelson LF 4 2 2 1 .273 R.Washington 3B 4 0 1 1 .233 J.Gann RF 3 1 1 2 .571 B.Johnson RF 4 1 2 2 .222 C.Barnwell 3B 3 1 1 1 .239 S.Morales CAT 4 1 1 1 .253 J.Raburn SS 3 1 2 1 .272 J.Clements LF 4 0 1 0 .250 J.Alvarado CAT 4 0 1 1 .150 C.Rojas PIT 2 0 0 0 .250 M.Ford PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 A.Webb PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Rivera PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 M.Nettles PH 1 0 0 0 .200 G.Woolard PIT 0 0 0 0 .333 R.Spiehs PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 O.Chavez PH 1 0 0 0 .211 J.Gerber PH 1 0 0 0 .246 P.Stewart PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Cassel PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Johnson PH 1 0 0 0 .224 J.Novinsky PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 34 5 8 5 TOTALS 33 6 9 6 MOBILE 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0- 5 8 0 HUNTSVILLE 0 4 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1- 6 9 0 DP--MOBILE 2, HUNTSVILLE 2. LOB--MOBILE 3, HUNTSVILLE 7. 2B--R.Weeks (16), A.Gwynn (11). 3B--J.Raburn (3). HR--G.Sain (23), B.Johnson (10), S.Morales (4), J.Gann (1), C.Barnwell (5). SB--A.Gwynn (23), B.Nelson 2 (8), J.Gann (1). CS--B.Johnson. HBP--A.Gwynn. SF--J.Raburn. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA MOBILE C.Rojas 5.1 5 5 5 2 3 2 3.69 A.Webb 1.2 0 0 0 1 2 0 4.78 R.Spiehs 2.0 3 0 0 1 0 0 2.06 J.Cassel (L,2-1) 0.0 1 1 1 1 0 0 4.11 HUNTSVILLE M.Ford 4.0 4 4 4 2 1 3 4.14 S.Rivera 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 G.Woolard 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.26 P.Stewart 2.0 2 1 1 2 0 0 2.68 J.Novinsky (W,6-0) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 3.16 HB--J.Cassel. WP--P.Stewart. SO--K.Jones, S.Morales, J.Clements, C.Rojas, J.Gerber, R.Weeks, P.Fielder, J.Alvarado, S.Rivera, O.Chavez. BB--K.Jones 2, G.Sain 2, P.Fielder 2, B.Nelson, J.Gann, C.Barnwell. T--2:55. A--4169

Huntsville Game Log:

Brad Nelson drives in Tony Gwynn to win it; you can get an RBI when you hit into a double play --check out the Stars' sixth...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12009

[MassBrew]

Final: Great Falls (White Sox) 3, Helena 1

 

Helena Independent Republic Game Notes:

 

White Sox silence heavy hitters for Brew CrewBy IR Staff

 

GREAT FALLS ? Pitching and defense were paramount Friday night, it's just that the Great Falls White Sox had a little more of each.

 

Great Falls outlasted the Helena Brewers (9-5) to win 3-1 Friday night at Legion Park, snapping Helena's three-game winning streak.

 

Things looked good when left-handed batter Hasan Rasheed drove the first pitch of the game high over the right-field fence for a home run, but it was the Brewers' only offense in the game.

 

Josh Baker pitched four solid innings as Helena's starter, allowing three hits and striking out five.

 

Robert Hinton (0-1) relieved, giving up all three runs ? one each in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings ?- and allowing seven hits.

 

The Brewers managed just four hits ? Rasheed's homer, two by Tony Festa and one by Adam Mannon.

 

Helena made a run at late-game heroics once again in the ninth inning, but a fielder's choice by Mannon wiped out a leadoff walk and Clay Blevins hit into a double play to end the game.

 

Helena Box Score:

With three walks Friday, 1B Grant Richardson is getting on base at a .548 clip; each of leadoff man Hasan Rasheed's HR's this week have been described as "absolute bombs" -- but is that what we're looking for from him -- nice if it meshes with his speed tools...

 GAME DATE: 7/02/04 HEL at GRF HELENA 1 AT GREAT FALLS 3 YTD YTD HELENA AB R H BI AVG GREAT FALLS AB R H BI AVG H.Rasheed LF 4 1 1 1 .333 D.McNeil SS 3 0 0 0 .171 S.Sollmann 2B 4 0 0 0 .321 B.Berry 2B 4 1 2 0 .255 A.Festa 3B 4 0 2 0 .289 C.Kelly 3B 3 1 1 0 .353 G.Richardson 1B 1 0 0 0 .429 C.Kelly 1B 0 0 0 0 .353 A.Mannon RF 4 0 1 0 .293 T.Collaro RF 4 0 1 1 .195 C.Blevins CAT 4 0 0 0 .174 R.McCarthy DH 4 0 2 1 .500 C.Fermaint CF 3 0 0 0 .229 M.Deuchler CAT 4 0 0 0 .188 D.Bates DH 2 0 0 0 .370 J.Hansen 1B 2 0 0 0 .263 A.Escobar SS 3 0 0 0 .260 M.Perez PR 0 1 0 0 .214 J.Baker PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Perez 3B 0 0 0 0 .214 R.Hinton PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Roberts LF 3 0 3 0 .438 B.Murray PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Rivera CF 2 0 1 1 .189 T.Doyle PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Nachreiner PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.McGary PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Little PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 29 1 4 1 TOTALS 29 3 10 3 HELENA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 1 4 2 GREAT FALLS 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 X- 3 10 1 E--S.Sollmann, R.Hinton, C.Kelly. DP--HELENA 1, GREAT FALLS 2. LOB--HELENA 5, GREAT FALLS 6. 2B--A.Festa (6), C.Kelly (4). HR-- H.Rasheed (2). SB--D.McNeil (2), D.Roberts (1). CS--C.Blevins, B.Berry, R.McCarthy, D.Roberts. SF--J.Rivera. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HELENA J.Baker 4.0 3 0 0 1 5 0 5.06 R.Hinton (L,0-1) 3.1 7 3 3 2 3 0 6.75 B.Murray 0.2 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.44 GREAT FALLS T.Doyle 5.0 3 1 1 2 7 1 3.65 M.Nachreiner (W,1-0) 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.50 G.McGary 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 J.Little (S,4) 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.08 WP--B.Murray. BALKS--R.Hinton. SO--H.Rasheed 3, S.Sollmann, A.Mannon 2, C.Fermaint 2, D.Bates, D.McNeil 3, B.Berry, T.Collaro 2, R.McCarthy, J.Rivera. BB--G.Richardson 3, D.Bates, D.McNeil, C.Kelly, J.Hansen. T--2:26. A--3986

Helena Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=19395

[MassBrew]

In progress: San Jose (Giants) 4, High Desert 0, after seven innings

[colbyjack]

Does anyone find it strange that the Brewers signed two indy league guys instead of promoting from within?

 

Well, the Brewers & more specifically have claimed that they are going to be more patient in promoting their prospects and it seems as though they are sticking by their guns. After starting hot, Rottino has cooled off. Tofholz has been solid all year, but it's still his first year in Beloit. Boyd on the other hand might be a solid choice for a promotion, given his success both this year & last at High Desert.

 

I'm interested in getting MassBrew's opinion on Huntsville's new bat after campaigning the Brewers to do so for the past month or so. That's your cue MB...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

[huntsvillefan]

I tend to agree with Schmidty01 that it was a strange move and disappointing for Boyd in particular.

But if he keeps making moves like this, I might never complain about Reid again.

Jamie Gann is MAGNIFICENT and has done a lot to spark the whole team. We simply weren't winning either tonight or the previous night without him. I don't know if Reid sees a job as a coach in Gann's future or he simply decided that these prospects could benefit from actually winning a few, but, whatever his reasons, there are a lot of grateful fans here in Huntsville.

I'm not sure who will get playing time when Ryan Knox recovers, but it is a pleasant problem to have.

[950opsLHcatcher]

But if he keeps making moves like this, I might never complain about Reid again.

 

The problem being that this move would have been great about three-four weeks ago. Gann may be a great sign, but why did it have to take so long? I still maintain that it is unacceptable for any minor league team to remain short-handed for more than a day or two. It's just not fair to the affiliates or to the players.

[MassBrew]

Final: San Jose (Giants) 4, High Desert 0

 

High Desert Box Score:

Eight hits but no walks gets you no runs in this case; many of the Maverick batting averages look pretty, yet cumulatively they add up to inefficient production most nights...

 GAME DATE: 7/02/04 HD at SJ HIGH DESERT 0 AT SAN JOSE 4 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG SAN JOSE AB R H BI AVG K.Bibbs CF 4 0 2 0 .304 F.Lewis CF 3 1 0 0 .305 C.Crabbe 2B 4 0 1 0 .302 N.Schierholt 3B 5 1 1 0 .320 D.Boyd LF 4 0 1 0 .291 A.Chavez SS 4 1 1 1 .300 T.Hinton 1B 4 0 2 0 .318 C.Sosa RF 2 1 0 0 .283 J.Vanden ber CAT 4 0 0 0 .304 D.Trumble LF 4 0 0 0 .273 B.Van Iderst RF 3 0 2 0 .571 B.Vericker 1B 4 0 2 2 .286 M.Mendez DH 3 0 0 0 .259 B.Buscher DH 4 0 2 1 .250 J.Frost 3B 3 0 0 0 .259 A.LaBarbera 2B 4 0 2 0 .305 E.Cruz SS 2 0 0 0 .203 K.Anderson CAT 2 0 0 0 .179 D.Bradley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Burres PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Kusiewicz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 W.Sadler PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Kolb PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Garcia PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 31 0 8 0 TOTALS 32 4 8 4 HIGH DESERT 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 0 8 0 SAN JOSE 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X- 4 8 0 DP--HIGH DESERT 0, SAN JOSE 2. LOB--HIGH DESERT 5, SAN JOSE 10. 2B--D.Boyd (18), B.Van Iderst (3), A.LaBarbera (8). SB--C.Sosa (5). CS--K.Bibbs, C.Crabbe. HBP--E.Cruz. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT D.Bradley (L,3-5) 5.2 7 4 4 3 7 0 3.70 M.Kusiewicz 1.1 0 0 0 2 2 0 4.66 D.Kolb 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 5.44 SAN JOSE B.Burres (W,3-0) 7.0 6 0 0 0 6 0 2.45 W.Sadler 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.55 J.Garcia 1.0 2 0 0 0 3 0 2.98 HB--J.Garcia. WP--D.Bradley. SO--K.Bibbs, C.Crabbe, D.Boyd 2, J.Vanden ber 2, M.Mendez 3, J.Frost, F.Lewis, N.Schierholt, A.Chavez, C.Sosa, D.Trumble 4, A.LaBarbera 2. BB--F.Lewis 2, C.Sosa 2, K.Anderson 2. T--2:24. A--3213

High Desert Game Log:

John Vanden Berg struck out representing the tying run in the ninth...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=18904

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes:

 

Indianapolis scored seven runs in the third inning Friday night to defeat the Louisville Bats, 8-2. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak and ended a five-game winning streak for the Bats.

 

The first seven Tribe hitters reached base in the third inning as the Indians produced five singles and two walks. It is the first time that the Indians have scored at least eight runs since June 6 when the club scored 13 runs against Rochester.

 

Louisville jumped on the board in the first as Aaron Holbert stole home for the Bats first run off Tribe starter Jorge De La Rosa. Indianapolis bounced back to produce 14 hits, all singles except Steve Scarborough?s double.

 

Travis Phelps (6-3) earned the win in relief for Indianapolis, pitching four scoreless innings as the Tribe improves to 38-41. Louisville starter Scott Randall (1-4) was tagged with the loss. The Bats fall to 39-42.

 

QUOTES:

 

Alex Delgado, Indians catcher on Tribe pitching Friday night:

 

?I am so glad to catch for De La Rosa,? Delgado said. ?Some day he?s going to be a great big leaguer. He has outstanding stuff. He threw 92 or 93 fastballs all night tonight and kept their hitters off balance. Phelps was unbelievable tonight. He had good command of all his pitches. Todd Erdos threw well in the ninth.

 

Delgado on his hitting:

 

?I am happy to contribute tonight,? Delgado said. ?I?ve been hitting the ball hard recently and I got a break this evening.?

[MassBrew]

Some interesting additional details from the Louisville newspaper coverage:

Also note (I imagine to allow for each team to have 4th of July celebrations) that the teams swap venues, returning to Victory Field Saturday.

 

By BRIAN BENNETT

bbennett@courier-journal.com

The Courier-Journal

 

The Louisville Bats give new meaning to the term homesick.

 

After putting together a five-game winning streak this week, the Bats made a quick trip to Louisville Slugger Field last night and turned in another pallid effort. The 8-2 loss to Indianapolis was Louisville's seventh defeat in its past eight home games.

 

The Bats are 17-22 at home and 22-20 on the road.

 

"It is strange," outfielder Aaron Holbert said. "We really can't figure it out either. For some reason, we're a better team on the road. Something hasn't worked out for us here at home."

 

Defense didn't work out for Louisville last night either, especially in a disastrous third inning that saw Indianapolis score seven runs.

 

Scott Randall (1-4) made his first start of the season for the Bats after the Cincinnati Reds called up Jesus Sanchez yesterday to pitch against Cleveland. Randall hadn't pitched since June24.

 

The right-hander had a 2-0 lead after two innings but got no breaks in the third. Randall did not retire any of the seven batters he faced in the inning, although he kept the ball mostly on the ground and did not allow any hard hits.

 

"He really didn't pitch as badly as it appeared," Louisville manager Rick Burleson said.

 

But it turned out to be a really bad night for Randall. The Reds released him after the game, clearing room for Dustin Moseley to join the team from Double-A Chattanooga today.

 

Two walks and three singles tied the score at 2 for the Indians, and then things really got ugly.

 

With the bases loaded, Chris Coste singled past a diving Jim Chamblee at third, bringing in two. Left fielder Stephen Smitherman spotted Chris Magruder making a big turn toward third and fired to second base. Magruder then darted to third, and second baseman Ray Olmedo made a bad throw that allowed Magruder to score and let Coste get to second.

 

The next batter, Alex Delgado, slapped a grounder back up the middle that handcuffed Olmedo. Center fielder Kenny Kelly's throw home skipped past catcher Corky Miller for the second error on the play and third of the inning. The Bats made four errors on the night.

 

The highlight of the night for Louisville came courtesy of Holbert's daring baserunning in the first inning.

 

He singled, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error. With two out, he surprised all 12,396 in the stadium by stealing home, sliding headfirst under Delgado's tag.

 

Pitcher Jorge De La Rosa worked from the windup with Holbert on third, and after watching one pitch, Holbert told Burleson he was going to go.

 

"I told myself if he (De La Rosa) doesn't look, I'm going," Holbert said. "And he didn't look."

 

It was his third career steal of home.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Newcomer Gann contributes defensively, too...

 

Stars Win in Walk-Off Style, 6-5 in 10

Another night, another comeback, another dramatic win at Joe Davis Stadium. This time, the Stars rallied from 2-0 down only to see Mobile tie the game in the eighth. Huntsville responded again, prevailing 6-5 in 10 innings on all-star Brad Nelson?s walk-off, run-scoring single. The Stars (6-3, 38-41) remained one game up in the Southern League West second-half standings with their second straight win over the Bay Bears (4-5, 44-35).

 

Second-inning solo homers from Greg Sain and Steve Morales propelled Mobile to a 2-0 lead, but Huntsville answered in the bottom of the inning. Nelson led off with a single, the first of four straight hits off Bears all-star starter Chris Rojas. Jamie Gann ? one of Thursday?s heroes with three hits in his Southern League debut ? ripped his first homer, a two-run shot to right to tie the game. Chris Barnwell batted next and laced a solo homer to left, his fifth of the year. Johnny Raburn lashed a triple into the rightfield corner, and Joel Alvarado?s groundout scored Raburn for a 4-2 Stars lead.

 

After Sain walked to start the fourth, Mobile rebounded with another long ball, Ben Johnson?s line-drive, two-run shot to left. Huntsville retook the lead in the sixth, when Rojas walked Nelson with one out. Nelson stole second, then Gann drew a walk. Alan Webb relieved Rojas, and Nelson and Gann pulled off a double steal. Barnwell received an intentional walk, and Raburn?s sacrifice fly plated Nelson for a 5-4 lead.

 

In the eighth, Mobile tied the game against reliever Paul Stewart. Kennard Jones drew a one-out walk, and one out later Josh Barfield singled to left. A wild pitch pushed the runners to second and third, and Sain drew a walk. Rico Washington lined a single to right to score Jones, but rightfielder Gann gunned down Barfield at the plate. Joel Alvarado absorbed a heavy blow from Barfield and held onto the ball to end the frame.

 

The Stars? 10th-inning rally was over as quickly as it started. Reliever Jack Cassel plunked leadoff hitter Tony Gwynn Jr., who quickly stole second base. Prince Fielder received an intentional walk, and Nelson lined a 2-2 pitch into right-center, scoring Gwynn with the game-winner.

 

John Novinsky (6-0) notched his sixth win without a loss, fanning two in a perfect 10th. Cassel (2-1) suffered the defeat, surrendering one run on one hit, one walk and one hit batter without recording an out in the 10th.

 

Stars lefty Jeff Housman (1-5, 3.64) meets Bears righty Brian Whitaker (5-5, 3.57) in the series finale at Joe Davis Stadium. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. with an Independence Day Weekend Fireworks extravaganza.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Times Game Story:

 

Nelson gains redemption

Single in 10th gives Stars 6-5 victory over Mobile

By MARK McCARTER

Times Sports Staff markcolumn@aol.com

 

Brad Nelson had a pretty solid strategy for his final at-bat Friday night.

 

"Not what I did the at-bat before,'' Nelson said.

 

"The at-bat before'' was a fly ball to left, as lazy as a summer Sunday afternoon. It could have given the Huntsville Stars a lead. Instead, it doused a rally against the Mobile BayBears.

 

He got a mulligan in the 10th inning.

 

After Tony Gwynn Jr. was hit by a pitch from Jack Cassel and Prince Fielder was walked intentionally, Nelson socked a single to right-center, sending Gwynn home with the winning run in a 6-5 thriller in front of an announced crowd of 4,169.

 

"I got a good pitch to hit the time before and didn't hit it,'' Nelson said. "He (Cassel) threw a couple of balls and I knew he didn't want to walk me, so I wanted to see a ball up and put it in play.''

 

John Novinsky collected his sixth win of the season (to go along with seven saves) with a perfect 10th inning of work.

 

It was another night of resiliency for Huntsville, coming back three times from either a tie or a deficit; the Stars came from behind three times to win Thursday.

 

Under eerie skies, with lightning streaks in the distance and ominous clouds in a canopy above the stadium - "I was kind of enjoying it,'' manager Frank Kremblas said - things got off to a thunderous start.

 

Maybe it's what should have been expected, since the marquee all but screamed "pitchers' duel.'' Huntsville's highly touted Matt Ford, who spent '03 in the majors, faced Mobile's Chris Rojas, the starting pitcher for the SL West in the upcoming All-Star Game.

 

Greg Sain of Mobile triggered it with a homer in the second. No big news there. He had 22 homers coming in - and 22 singles. Steve Morales clubbed one two outs later.

 

Then the Stars' offense came back with an answer. And Rojas pitched for the cycle in one inning's time. First, a Nelson single. Then an opposite field homer by Jamie Gann, the newcomer who was 3-for-4 in his debut Thursday.

 

Chris Barnwell followed with a homer, Johnny Raburn tripled and, with two outs, Rickie Weeks doubled.

 

"Rojas only had one bad inning,'' Kremblas said, "but he got some balls up over the plate and we were ready to hit.''

 

Alas, the Stars' 4-3 lead didn't have much shelf-life. A two-run homer by Ben Johnson off Ford in the fourth tied things up.

 

After Rojas issued two walks in the sixth, Raburn tapped reliever Alan Webb for a sacrifice fly and a 5-4 lead. However, further damage was avoided when Gann was thrown out on the play, center to short to third, to end the inning.

 

Huntsville reliever Paul Stewart loaded the bases in the eighth and a Rico Washington single chased home Kennard Jones with the fifth Mobile run. Gann saved things with a perfect throw from right on the hit, nailing Josh Barfield at home in a violent collision with catcher Joel Alvarado.

 

On Mobile's last at-bat, with Ronnie Merrill at the plate, a violent collision between baseball and Novinsky's noggin was avoided. It was a screaming line drive Novinsky somehow snagged.

 

Self-defense?

 

"Absolutely,'' Novinsky grinned.

 

After his catch, he walked nonchalantly toward the dugout, letting the ball casually drop to the ground.

 

Had it all the way. Just like the Stars did.

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 45 35 .563 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 44 39 .530 2.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 39 42 .481 6.5 [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 38 41 .481 6.5[/b]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 6 3 .667[/b] WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 5 4 .556 1.0 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 5 4 .556 1.0 *MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 4 5 .444 2.0 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 2 7 .222 4.0

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB *LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 7 1 .875 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 5 3 .625 2.0 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 5 3 .625 2.0 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 2 6 .250 5.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 2 6 .250 5.0[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 6 3 .667 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 6 3 .667 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 5 4 .556 1.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 5 4 .556 1.0 *KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 5 4 .556 1.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 5 4 .556 1.0 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 4 5 .444 2.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 3 6 .333 3.0[/b]

 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 9 5 .643[/b] GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 8 5 .615 .5 BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 7 6 .538 1.5 MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 3 11 .214 6.0

 W L PCT GB ROYALS (KANSAS CITY) 6 3 .667 PADRES (SAN DIEGO) 6 3 .667 MARINERS (SEATTLE) 6 3 .667 GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO) 6 3 .667 RANGERS (TEXAS) 4 5 .444 2.0 ATHLETICS (OAKLAND) 4 5 .444 2.0 [b]BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 3 5 .375 2.5[/b] CUBS (CHICAGO CUBS) 3 6 .333 3.0 ANGELS (ANAHEIM) 2 7 .222 4.0