Link Report for Games of Wednesday, July 7th

[MassBrew]

Wednesday's Daily Menu -- how's this for an appetizer to Brewers-Cubs? Manny Parra at 3:00 PM...

 

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 Syracuse (Blue Jays), 6:00 PM; keep it up, Jorge -- we've been seeing progress each time out since the DL stint...

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Skychiefs' feed):

skychiefs.com/

 

HUNTSVILLE: LHP Matt Ford at Montgomery (Devil Rays), 7:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: LHP Manny Parra at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 3:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: RHP Greg Moreira at South Bend (Diamondbacks), 6:00 PM; sorry, no online audio for this series http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

HELENA: RHP Robert Hinton at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 8:05 PM; sorry, no online audio for this series, either http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

ARIZONA ROOKIE: IDLE, wait another day for Mr. Rogers' neighborhood...

[MassBrew]

Link Report Bonus -- see how Rickie Weeks compares to the other top minor league 2nd base prospects

 

www.milb.com/insider/?id=1992

[madtownbrew]

Anyone planning on listening today that could provide inning updates on Manny's outing today for those of us at work that are unable to tune in? It would be great appreciated.

[emunney]

Hey Mass, you mentioned that you have access to scheduling info for Arizona games. I live in Tucson. Can you help me out? I'd like to go see Rogers pitch tomorrow.

[MassBrew]

emunney, I probably mis-spoke relating to teams in the Tuscon area. Three teams who train in Tuscon for spring training do not have teams in the Arizona Rookie League (Diamondbacks, White Sox, Rockies). If each of the nine Arizona Rookie League teams play where their teams train, then the locations are as follows:

 

Angels -- Tempe, Cubs -- Mesa, Rangers and Royals -- Surprise, Brewers -- Maryvale, A's -- Phoenix, Padres and Mariners -- Peoria, and Giants -- Scottsdale.

 

You'll find the Arizona schedule in the far right column here:

 

milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...e_2004.pdf

 

We're still waiting for our first on-site report from Arizona this summer -- enjoy should you be able to catch a game or two. The night games begin later this summer, as the link above shows.

[foamboy1]

We're still waiting for our first on-site report from Arizona this summer

 

Nobody is better at this job than DHonks. Let's toss our money in a hat and send him to a game.

[emunney]

Is that schedule accurate, Mass? It doesn't match up with yours.

[madtownbrew]

According to sports network, it looks like our man Parra has pitched two scoreless/hitless frames thus far. Anybody with any first hand updates from the radio feed?

[Schmidty01]

Heading into the Bottom of the 9th ... Mavs up 4-3

Aybar for Rancho gets a home run in the bottom of the ninth and the send it, into extra frames. 4-4.

 

Top of the 10th.

Van Inderstein leads off with a double. Farnsworth follows up with a single no outs. Mendez with an RBI single. Now 5-4 mavs, in the 10th.

Cruz out. Bibbs singles in two, Mavs now lead 7-4,.

 

Mavs win in 10. 7-4

 

 

Parra goes 5 and 2/3 with all 3 runs earned.

 

 

 

Hinton is 4-5 on the day... the Mavs bullpen seems to be holding up.

[MassBrew]

Is that schedule accurate, Mass? It doesn't match up with yours.

 

Did you scroll down to July? Looks good to me.

[DKM4Boston]

Pretty good game in Rancho. Cruz tied it up w/ a solo shot, as mentioned before. Homero Rivera gave up a solo shot in the bottom of the 9th to send it into extra innings.

 

The Mavs have added on 3 runs in the top of the 10th so far..including a run double by Bibbs.

 

Bibbs was just caught stealing to end the inning. 7-4 Mavs...bottom 10.

 

Sorry about this post...looks like Schmidty already posted the update.

[MassBrew]

Final: High Desert 7, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 4, 10 innings

 

High Desert Box Score:

Thanks for the updates earlier today, guys...

 GAME DATE: 7/07/04 HD at RC HIGH DESERT 7 AT RANCHO CUCAMONGA 4 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG RANCHO CUCAMONGA AB R H BI AVG K.Bibbs CF 5 2 2 2 .294 E.Aybar SS 5 2 3 1 .349 C.Crabbe 2B 6 0 1 0 .293 R.Willits CF 4 0 2 1 .255 F.Villanueva CAT 3 1 1 2 .243 G.Porter 3B 5 0 1 0 .312 T.Hinton 1B 5 0 4 1 .319 M.Napoli CAT 5 0 0 0 .303 J.Frost LF 5 0 0 0 .262 J.Abruzzo DH 5 0 1 0 .286 B.Van Iderst RF 5 1 1 0 .393 M.Abram 1B 4 1 2 0 .167 T.Farnsworth 3B 5 1 1 0 .176 A.Pavkovich 2B 4 1 2 1 .206 M.Mendez DH 4 1 2 1 .262 J.Sugden RF 2 0 0 0 .208 E.Cruz SS 5 1 1 1 .200 D.Gates PH 0 0 0 0 .272 M.Parra PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Weed LF 5 0 0 1 .262 R.Rivard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Shell PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Kusiewicz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Carroll PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 H.Rivera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Thompson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 43 7 13 7 TOTALS 39 4 11 4 HIGH DESERT 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 3- 7 13 0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 1 0- 4 11 1 E--S.Shell. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0. LOB--HIGH DESERT 10, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 11. 2B--B.Van Iderst (5), R.Willits (13), M.Abram (3), A.Pavkovich 2 (18). HR--F.Villanueva (8), E.Cruz (6), E.Aybar (4). SB--K.Bibbs 2 (24), C.Crabbe (22), T.Farnsworth (1), M.Mendez (5), E.Aybar 2 (38). CS--K.Bibbs. HBP--F.Villanueva, J.Sugden. SH--A.Pavkovich, J.Sugden. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT M.Parra 5.2 7 3 3 1 6 0 3.94 R.Rivard 1.1 2 0 0 0 0 0 1.42 M.Kusiewicz 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 4.35 H.Rivera (W,1-1) 2.0 2 1 1 1 4 1 5.09 RANCHO CUCAMONGA S.Shell 6.0 5 2 2 1 9 1 3.32 J.Carroll 2.0 2 1 1 1 2 0 3.35 R.Thompson (L,1-2) 2.0 6 4 4 1 3 1 4.67 HB--R.Rivard, S.Shell. SO--K.Bibbs 2, C.Crabbe, F.Villanueva, T.Hinton, J.Frost 3, T.Farnsworth 2, M.Mendez 2, E.Cruz 2, E.Aybar, G.Porter, M.Napoli, J.Abruzzo 2, M.Abram 2, A.Pavkovich 2, J.Sugden 2, B.Weed. BB--K.Bibbs, F.Villanueva, M.Mendez, R.Willits, M.Abram, D.Gates. T--3:10. A--5004

High Desert Game Log:

Say what you will about Enrique Cruz' season, but a tie-breaking HR in the 9th is big; 14 K's by Maverick batters -- win overshadows that stat...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=19116

[MassBrew]

Final: Syracuse (Blue Jays) 4, Indianapolis 3, game called after 5.5 innings, rain

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

Jorge de la Rosa lifted after facing just one batter in the 2nd -- unless there was a rain delay right there (don't think so), that can't be good...

 GAME DATE: 7/07/04 IND at SYR INDIANAPOLIS 3 AT SYRACUSE 4 YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG SYRACUSE AB R H BI AVG D.Krynzel DH 3 0 0 0 .224 J.Matos SS 3 1 0 0 .325 P.Bergeron CF 3 1 1 0 .233 S.Fagan 1B 3 2 2 1 .238 C.Hart RF 3 1 2 1 .284 G.Gross LF 3 0 0 0 .286 J.Liefer 1B 3 0 0 1 .299 G.Williams 2B 2 1 2 1 .265 B.Gemoll LF 3 0 0 0 .223 S.Pond 3B 3 0 1 2 .258 T.Durrington 2B 3 0 1 0 .182 G.Quiroz CAT 2 0 0 0 .245 M.Erickson 3B 2 1 0 0 .262 C.Hermansen RF 2 0 0 0 .270 A.Delgado CAT 1 0 0 0 .170 T.Whittaker DH 2 0 1 0 .308 S.Scarbrough SS 2 0 1 1 .251 J.Guiel CF 2 0 0 0 .200 J.De La Rosa PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Glynn PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Phelps PIT 0 0 0 0 .500 D.Maurer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 23 3 5 3 TOTALS 22 4 6 4 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 2 1 0- 3 5 1 SYRACUSE 1 0 1 0 2 X- 4 6 1 E--T.Durrington, J.Matos. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 0, SYRACUSE 0. LOB-- INDIANAPOLIS 4, SYRACUSE 5. 2B--S.Scarbrough (19), S.Pond (16), T.Whittaker (5). 3B--P.Bergeron (3), C.Hart (5). HR--S.Fagan (8). HBP--G.Quiroz. SH--A.Delgado. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS J.De La Rosa 1.0 1 1 1 1 1 1 5.66 T.Phelps (L,6-4) 4.0 5 3 2 0 0 0 4.74 SYRACUSE R.Glynn (W,3-1) 5.0 3 3 3 1 4 0 4.19 D.Maurer (S,2) 1.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 3.96 HB--J.De La Rosa. PB--G.Quiroz. SO--C.Hart, B.Gemoll 3, T.Durrington, M.Erickson, S.Pond. BB--M.Erickson, G.Williams. T--1:40. A--4746

Indianapolis Game Log:

Tribe had a chance to tie in the final inning...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14214

[MassBrew]

Final: Beloit 2, South Bend (Diamondbacks) 1

 

Beloit Box Score:

Nice to see RHP Carlos Villanueva's return (in a relief role) -- we never did learn why he's been idle...

 GAME DATE: 7/07/04 BLT at SBN BELOIT 2 AT SOUTH BEND 1 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG SOUTH BEND AB R H BI AVG T.Trofholz RF 4 1 2 0 .306 J.Kaplan LF 5 0 1 0 .294 W.Lewis 2B 3 0 0 0 .372 M.Goss RF 1 0 0 0 .288 D.Anderson LF 4 0 1 0 .285 L.Garcia CF 3 1 1 0 .241 L.Palmisano CAT 4 0 1 0 .311 J.Cook RF 4 0 0 0 .255 V.Rottino DH 4 1 2 0 .284 J.Cook CF 0 0 0 0 .255 A.Heether 3B 4 0 1 1 .253 A.Frazier DH 4 0 1 0 .273 W.Campana SS 3 0 0 0 .273 M.Montero CAT 3 0 1 0 .290 S.Moss CF 3 0 0 0 .205 E.Varela 3B 4 0 0 0 .264 C.Corporan 1B 3 0 0 0 .226 E.Varela 1B 0 0 0 0 .264 G.Moreira PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Gonzalez SS 4 0 1 0 .231 C.Villanueva PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Reynolds 3B 2 0 1 0 .225 T.Taubenheim PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Mottram PH 1 0 0 0 .256 A.Mottram 1B 1 0 0 0 .256 E.Bonifacio 2B 3 0 1 0 .244 D.Glant PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 32 2 7 1 TOTALS 35 1 7 0 BELOIT 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0- 2 7 2 SOUTH BEND 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0- 1 7 2 E--W.Campana, C.Corporan, M.Montero, L.Reynolds. DP--BELOIT 0, SOUTH BEND 1. LOB--BELOIT 4, SOUTH BEND 9. 2B--L.Palmisano (13), A.Heether (18), L.Garcia (10). SB--T.Trofholz 2 (29). SH--W.Lewis. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT G.Moreira (W,6-4) 5.2 3 1 0 2 3 0 4.64 C.Villanueva 1.2 4 0 0 0 0 0 4.75 T.Taubenheim (S,7) 1.2 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.42 SOUTH BEND D.Glant (L,3-3) 9.0 7 2 1 0 3 0 4.68 WP--G.Moreira, D.Glant 2. SO--T.Trofholz, W.Lewis, L.Palmisano, J.Kaplan, J.Cook, A.Frazier, M.Montero. BB--M.Montero, E.Bonifacio. T--2:27. A--2124

Beloit Game Log:

Tough-luck complete game loss for the SilverHawk pitcher...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=15383

[MassBrew]

In progress: Montgomery (Devil Rays) 1, Huntsville 0, after seven innings

This game is being delayed by rain in the top of the eighth...

 

In progress: Great Falls (White Sox) 1, Helena 0, after four innings

[MassBrew]

Final: Montgomery (Devil Rays) 1, Huntsville 0, game called after seven innings, rain

Mother Nature not a fan of the Brewers' minor league system tonight...

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Matt Ford heeded Toby's Power 50 comment; I know all about "pitcher's league", "young for AA", and "decent OBP", but somehow I still can't get past seeing .252 next to Prince Fielder's name...

 GAME DATE: 7/07/04 HVL at MTG HUNTSVILLE 0 AT MONTGOMERY 1 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG MONTGOMERY AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 3 0 1 0 .248 D.DeMent 2B 3 0 0 0 .275 A.Gwynn CF 4 0 1 0 .255 V.Harrison 3B 3 1 1 1 .111 P.Fielder 1B 4 0 0 0 .252 A.German CF 2 0 1 0 .259 B.Nelson LF 3 0 0 0 .276 C.Isenia DH 3 0 0 0 .273 J.Gann RF 3 0 1 0 .360 E.Reece 1B 3 0 0 0 .233 C.Barnwell 3B 3 0 1 0 .243 J.Brewer SS 2 0 0 0 .259 J.Raburn DH 3 0 0 0 .273 B.Martin LF 2 0 1 0 .244 O.Chavez SS 3 0 1 0 .217 A.Clark RF 2 0 0 0 .210 J.Alvarado CAT 1 0 0 0 .155 D.Massiatte CAT 2 0 2 0 .179 M.Ford PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Prochaska PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 F.Rijo PIT 0 0 0 0 .286 A.Coose PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Henderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 27 0 5 0 TOTALS 22 1 5 1 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 0 5 0 MONTGOMERY 0 0 0 0 0 1 X- 1 5 1 E--J.Brewer. DP--HUNTSVILLE 1, MONTGOMERY 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 9, MONTGOMERY 4. 2B--C.Barnwell (14), A.German (7), D.Massiatte (1). 3B--O.Chavez (1). HR--V.Harrison (1). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE M.Ford 5.0 4 0 0 1 2 0 3.64 F.Rijo (L,2-4) 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 4.19 MONTGOMERY M.Prochaska (W,2-4) 6.0 4 0 0 2 4 0 4.15 A.Coose 0.2 1 0 0 1 0 0 2.49 B.Henderson (S,1) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 SO--A.Gwynn, P.Fielder, B.Nelson, O.Chavez, V.Harrison, A.Clark. BB--R.Weeks, J.Alvarado 2, A.German. T--2:07. A--2944

Huntsville Game Log:

One out, bases loaded in the fifth -- Gwynn and Fielder strike out...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16279

[MassBrew]

Beloit Game Summary from the South Bend Site:

 

Normally, the months of November and December are reserved for giving. Wednesday at The Cove, the Hawks celebrated those months by helping the Beloit Snappers win their third game in four tries at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium with a 2-1 victory over the Silver Hawks.

 

The Snappers grabbed their first run in the second inning. Starting pitcher Dustin Glant (5-4) gave up a lead off single to Vinny Rottino and promptly threw two wild pitches, moving Rottino to third. Rottino scored on a ground out by Adam Heether.

 

Beloit scored its second run in the sixth. Terry Trofholz reached on an infield single and moved to second on a sacrifice. He then advanced to third on a stolen base and came home when Hawks catcher Miguel Montero threw the ball into left field.

 

The Hawks tallied their lone run in the bottom of the sixth on a throwing error by first baseman Carlos Corporan allowing Lino Garcia score after he reached on a two base hit and made his way to third after Miguel Montero walked with runners at first and second.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes:

Ok, de la Rosa was pulled after the rain delay...

 

After rain held up the game for 70 minutes in the second inning, the final game between the SkyChiefs and Indianapolis was called after 5 ½ innings due to a downpour that swept over Syracuse.

 

The SkyChiefs prevailed, 4-3, winning three of the four games.

 

Syracuse scored early with one run in the first off of a Shawn Fagan home run and another unearned run in the third when Julius Matos reached base on an error, advanced on a groundout and scored on a Glenn Williams single.

 

The Indians tied the game with two runs in the top of the fourth on a Peter Bergeron triple, a Corey Hart RBI triple and Jeff Liefer?s RBI fielder?s choice.

 

The Tribe took the lead briefly in the top of the fifth when Matt Erickson walked to lead off the inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Steve Scarborough?s double down the left field line.

 

But in the bottom of the fifth, Simon Pond?s two-run double put Syracuse ahead for good, 4-3. The Indians had runners on first and third with two out in the top of the sixth inning, but Erickson struck out swinging to end the threat. The umpires then called the game due to wet conditions.

 

Indians reliever Travis Phelps took the loss, moving his record to 6-4. The Indians drop to 40-45.

 

Scarborough (1-for-2) extended his hitting streak to eight games.

 

The Indians return to Victory Field Thursday at 7 p.m. for Beatlemania Night at the ballpark.

[MassBrew]

Final: Helena 6, Great Falls (White Sox) 3

Everyone in the lineup contributes; solid pitching from Robert Hinton and Josh Baker; this team is buff, folks...

 

Helena Box Score:

Fear Grant Richardson, all you Great Falls pitchers -- yes, that's 0-for-0 with five walks; Gilberto Acosta (three errors) still struggling after demotion from Beloit...

 GAME DATE: 7/07/04 GRF at HEL GREAT FALLS 3 AT HELENA 6 YTD YTD GREAT FALLS AB R H BI AVG HELENA AB R H BI AVG A.Ricks 2B 4 1 2 0 .500 G.Acosta SS 5 0 1 0 .217 R.McCarthy DH 4 0 1 0 .250 S.Sollmann 2B 5 1 1 0 .306 C.Kelly 3B 4 0 0 0 .324 A.Festa 3B 3 1 1 0 .306 T.Collaro 1B 4 1 1 1 .196 G.Richardson DH 0 1 0 0 .419 S.Martin LF 4 0 1 0 .283 C.Lozada 1B 5 2 2 2 .341 F.Alvarez RF 4 0 0 0 .207 J.Serfass RF 4 0 1 0 .143 D.Lucy CAT 3 0 0 0 .244 C.Fermaint CF 4 1 1 2 .246 M.Perez SS 3 1 0 0 .209 A.Segura Cor CAT 3 0 1 1 .318 J.Rivera CF 3 0 0 0 .213 H.Rasheed LF 1 0 1 0 .333 T.Doyle PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.De La Cruz LF 3 0 2 0 .133 G.Hansen PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Hinton PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Banks PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Baker PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 3 5 1 TOTALS 33 6 11 5 GREAT FALLS 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 1- 3 5 4 HELENA 0 0 0 0 3 3 0 0 X- 6 11 3 E--C.Kelly, T.Collaro, M.Perez 2, G.Acosta 3. DP--GREAT FALLS 1, HELENA 0. LOB--GREAT FALLS 5, HELENA 11. 2B--C.Fermaint (3), A.Segura Cor (2). HR--T.Collaro (4). SB--S.Sollmann 2 (4), A.Festa 2 (2). CS--G.Acosta, G.Richardson, C.De La Cruz. HBP--D.Lucy, A.Festa. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA GREAT FALLS T.Doyle (L,0-2) 4.2 7 3 3 4 2 0 4.24 G.Hansen 2.1 4 3 2 2 1 0 5.84 D.Banks 1.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2.25 HELENA R.Hinton (W,1-1) 5.0 1 1 0 1 5 0 4.60 J.Baker (S,1) 4.0 4 2 1 0 5 1 4.30 HB--T.Doyle, R.Hinton. WP--T.Doyle, J.Baker. SO--A.Ricks, R.McCarthy, C.Kelly 2, T.Collaro, F.Alvarez 3, M.Perez 2, G.Acosta, S.Sollmann, J.Serfass. BB--M.Perez, A.Festa, G.Richardson 5, A.Segura Cor. T--2:41. A--1453

Helena Game Log:

Big two-out RBI hits from Charlie Fermaint and Alberto Segura in the 3rd...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16563

[nikip43]

I must admit when the Crew took Grant Richardson I was scratching my head...I think prooving me wrong is his unknown motive. He's doing a tremendous job though...way to go GR. Our Notre Dame buddy is hitting well at 2nd base also

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

In a rain-shortened pitcher?s duel called after 6 ½ innings, Huntsville fell 1-0 to the Biscuits on Wednesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. The Stars (8-6, 41-43) dropped three of four to Montgomery and remain one game out of first in the Southern League West second-half standings.

 

Stars lefty Matt Ford crafted his best start since returning from the disabled list in early June. Ford allowed just four hits and one walk while fanning two over five scoreless innings. He departed with the game tied, 0-0, following a visit from Stars trainer Greg Barajas after warming up for the sixth.

 

?He attacked the zone aggressively and executed his pitches as we expected,? Stars pitching coach Fred Dabney said. ?It was by far the best performance he?s had since he?s been injured.?

 

Biscuits lefty Mike Prochaska (2-4) picked up the win with six shutout frames, permitting just four hits and two walks while striking out four. The Stars? had their best chance against Prochaska in the fifth, when Ozzie Chavez ripped a one-out triple into the rightfield corner. Joel Alvarado and Rickie Weeks walked to load the bases. Prochaska struck out Tony Gwynn Jr. with a high fastball and caught Prince Fielder looking on a knee-high fastball to end the threat.

 

Stars fireballer Fernando Rijo relieved Ford and faced Vince Harrison, seeking his first hit in his third game since joining Montgomery. Harrison sent a first-pitch fastball deep to left for a solo homer, the game?s only run. Rijo (2-4) suffered the loss, allowing just the Harrison homer with no walks and no strikeouts in the sixth. Brian Henderson notched his first save, retiring the only batter he faced in the seventh.

 

Stars lefty Jeff Housman (2-5, 3.43) meets Mobile right-hander Brian Whitaker (5-6, 3.77) in the opener of a four-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m. on a WTAK Thirsty Thursday night at the ballpark.

[MassBrew]

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville update:

 

STARS LEAVE NINE, COME UP EMPTY

Late afternoon thundershowers have been a ritual here for over a week...... Overcast skies that were the norm for much of the month of June have run past their due, but for the most part, the Stars have been lucky to get their games in. There wasn't been one postponement in June, but a week into July, with the trend just beginning to change, the rains came to put the stopper on the Stars during the 7th inning stretch........ Mike Prochaska, winless in a month, and Matt Ford, winless since Opening Day, traded goose eggs until Fernando Rijo finally left one up for Vince Harrison in only his third game as a doughboy in the 6th inning and drove in deep to left........ It was his first Double-A hit and it won the game.

 

Ford gave up a hit in four of his five innings, and a walk in the 4th, but left Montgomery starving......... The Stars with just five hits on the night, managed to leave nine runners on base, leaving a runner in three of the first four innings, but left their golden chance behind in the 5th........ After Johnny Raburn flied out to left, Ozzie Chavez ripped an 0-1 breaking ball inside the right field line. Aaron Clark had a little trouble digging it out of the corner at the 333 mark. It stuck for Clark, allowing Ozzie to slide in at third....... Joel Alvarado had home run distance on an inside pitch at 1-and-0, but just missed a home run as it landed on the concourse. A 3-and-2 pitch in the dirt put him on first instead....... Rickie Weeks, who by admission hates to walk (12 times in 118 plate appearances in June) took a pitch that was way outside to load the bases, but Tony Gwynn, ahead of the count and on an eight-game hitting streak, struck out on a 3-2 high fast ball and Prince Fielder struck out looking to end the inning.

 

The Stars left two on in the 7th, but there would never be another chance.......The rain was blowing sideways across the field in sheets, puddling in the warning track at two spots when this game should have gone into the bottom of the 7th......... It was called at 9:15 CDT........ The Stars' next encounter vs. the Biscuits will come in just a little more than a week at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Ryan Knox will come off the disabled list tomorrow, but admitted he was sore after a Wednesday workout and would prefer a pinch-hit role on Thursday when the Stars come home to take on Mobile....... Gary Jones' mother died, so he will not be in Huntsville for the four-game series or the Southern League All-Star game next week......... Manager Frank Kremblas will take over that role........ The Bay Bears scored in every inning, Wednesday night, to beat Birmingham, 12-5, so the Stars remain one game out.

[MassBrew]

Additional Huntsville details from the Montgomery Advertiser:

 

After hitting 11 homers for Bakersfield before being called up on July 4, Vince Harrison's first home run as a Biscuit came after Huntsville manager Frank Kremblas pulled his starter, Matt Ford, due of an injury.

 

Ford took his warm-up tosses prior to the start of the bottom half of the sixth, but called for the trainer before throwing an official pitch in the inning.

 

"He told me he had a kink in his neck when he came off the field after the fifth," Kremblas said. "He told me he wanted to go out and try it. I had a feeling his neck would stiffen up while he sat on the bench. Obviously, he couldn't go after that."

 

Montgomery's Amado German looks to the umpire for a call after sliding in safely ahead of Rickie Week's tag. The Biscuits won the rain-shortened game, 1-0.

-- Lloyd Gallman, Advertiser

 

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/images/news_daily/070804/SPORTS_biscuits708%20copy.jpg

[MassBrew]

Helena Independent Republic Game Story:

 

Pitching duo keep Sox at bay

By KEVIN SHIVELY - IR Sports Writer

 

Robert Hinton and Josh Baker combined for ten strikeouts to help the Helena Brewers win the first game of their homestand, a 6-3 victory over Great Falls. Hinton pitched five innings for the win, striking out five and allowing only one walk and one hit.

 

Baker finished the game for his first save, striking out five more, and allowing no walks and only four hits.

 

"Any time our pitching can hold the other team to three runs, we have a chance to win," Helena skipper Johnny Narron said. "I think this was one of the best ball games we've thrown all year."

 

The only earned run the White Sox managed was on a solo home run with no outs in the ninth inning from first baseman Tom Collaro.

 

The solo shot was followed by a long single from Scott Martin, but Baker and the Brewers recovered, sitting down the next three batters, one of which Baker struck out swinging.

 

"Baker's really become comfortable as a professional," Narron said. "Every game he throws, he gets better."

 

The Brewers had 11 hits of their own in the game, scoring three runs in the fifth and three in the sixth.

 

Catcher Charlie Lozada led the Helena club at the plate. He was 2-for-5 with two RBI and two runs scored.

 

Lozada singled to put Grant Richardson in scoring position in the fifth, and then had a two-run single in the sixth before scoring on one of the White Sox's four errors.

 

"They made a few errors, but I think our aggression helped us get baserunners," Narron said. "We hit the ball hard and put some pressure on them that caused a few errors."

 

Carlos De La Cruz, who is listed as an infielder but has pitched and played outfield this season, took over in left field in the fourth for Hasan Rasheed, who was benched with a back spasm.

 

De La Cruz was 2-for-3 and made several plays in the field.

 

"We don't win because of a few guys or our so-called ?starting lineup,' " Narron said. "We win as a ball club. We have lots of different kids come in and have an opportunity to rise to the occasion."

 

Helena shortstop Alcides Escobar didn't play in the game either. Gilberto Acosta filled the position.

 

"We had to give him a rest," said Narron of the 17-year-old Venezuelan, Escobar. "He's playing at a much higher level than most kids his age and we wanted to give him a break."

 

Escobar is expected back in the lineup today, when the two teams will meet again at 7:00 PM (8:00 PM Central).

 

Photo by Jon Ebelt IR Staff - Helena's Alberto Segura, right, is called safe at third base as Chris Kelly of Great Falls makes the catch. However, Segura was sent back to second base after the sacrifice bunt by teammate Gilberto Acosta was ruled a foul during fourth inning action Wednesday at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2004/07/08/sports_top/b01070804_01.jpg

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 47 38 .553 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 48 40 .545 .5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 41 46 .471 7.0 [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 40 45 .471 7.0[/b]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 9 5 .643 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 8 6 .571 1.0[/b] WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 7 7 .500 2.0 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 5 9 .357 4.0 *MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 5 9 .357 4.0

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB *LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 9 3 .750 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 8 5 .615 1.5 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 7 6 .538 2.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 5 8 .385 4.5 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 5 8 .385 4.5[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 9 5 .643 *KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 9 5 .643 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 8 5 .615 .5 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 8 5 .615 .5 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 7 7 .500 2.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 6 7 .462 2.5[/b] WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 5 8 .385 3.5 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 5 8 .385 3.5

 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 12 7 .632[/b] GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 10 8 .556 1.5 BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 9 8 .529 2.0 MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 5 13 .278 6.5

 W L PCT GB MARINERS (SEATTLE) 9 4 .692 GIANTS (SAN FRANCISCO) 9 4 .692 ROYALS (KANSAS CITY) 8 5 .615 1.0 RANGERS (TEXAS) 8 5 .615 1.0 PADRES (SAN DIEGO) 7 6 .538 2.0 [b]BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 5 7 .417 3.5[/b] ATHLETICS (OAKLAND) 5 8 .385 4.0 ANGELS (ANAHEIM) 4 9 .308 5.0 CUBS (CHICAGO CUBS) 3 10 .231 6.0