Link Report for Monday September 6th -- It's A Wrap

[MassBrew]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[MassBrew]

Wow, can't believe it's the final Link Report of the season -- no playoffs will give you that "snuck up on you, can't believe it's over" feeling. But for the players and coaches who have been in camp since February and March, I'm sure they're ready for the break. Lots of thanks to dole out:

 

Thanks to our readers, without you there wouldn't be much point in all this, would there? We figured about four-fifths of that ridiculous post count of mine has gone toward Link Report and transaction news in three years. Yup, about 7,500 little bits of Brewer minor league box scores, articles, and what-not has been passed on to you. Is the world a better place for that? Nope, but we've all had fun, I hope.

 

Thanks to the players, who let us rejoice or despair in analyzing numbers, usually (but not always) sight unseen. We can only imagine how many times they must roll their eyes (or throw chairs) regarding our comments.

 

Speaking of that, thanks to our "on-site" fans, from Indy to Maryvale and all ballparks in between. Your first-hand accounts are invaluable, and your dedication to minor league baseball is frequently incredible.

 

Thanks to the many night owls who bailed me out time and again when these East Coast eyes grew weary, and made sure that "the Report" was updated no matter what. Speaking of that, thanks to Mrs. MassBrew, just for understanding, or trying to, anyway.

 

Thanks to the several friends and families of players who join us here on the forum -- we understand why many of you slip away quietly, but it's always a kick to hear from you as you put up with our antics.

 

Thanks to Milwaukee personnel who have answered ever-so-quickly and politely our occasional inquiries on transaction and roster news.

 

Thanks to the folks who write about the affiliates for a living, instead of just for fun, especially the staffs in Huntsville, Adelanto, Beloit, and Helena.

 

Thanks to the Sports Network for game logs in 2004 -- while SN has goofed up any number of things in their inaugural season, the game logs were a nice addition to our reports.

 

Huge thanks to David Weiser for allowing us to copy and archive his fantastic www.starsboxscore.com updates for you. Thank goodness the Milwaukee - Huntsville relationship continues at least two more seasons.

 

Thanks to Stars' announcer Robert Portnoy and Mavs' voice Roxy Bernstein and their staffs. For all the broadcast links we promote here, we forget that it's only Robert and Roxy who bring us the game from a Brewer perspective night in and night out. Did anybody ever get the Indy audio link to work this year? I didn't....

 

Special thanks to High Desert General Manager Bruce Mann and all the High Desert folks -- you've been such great friends of Brewerfan. Class acts from Day One -- we truly hope that there is a wonderful relationship and a www.Rockiefan.net in your future. You will be missed around here.

 

Thanks to Brewer voice Jim Powell, still the owner of the planet's lone Link Report T-Shirt. Your frequent plugs verified that what we do here has some significance, at least in the little baseball corner of the world.

 

And thanks to my "co-workers" -- it must be our salaries that keep us here -- backroom discusions with Patrick (colby), Toby (950), Bill (batman), Michael (madbad), and of course our fearless leader Brian (square), help shape what you see throughout the site each day.

 

OK, the orchestra's playing (thanks to all who I forgot) and soon I'll sound like Sally Field (you like me! you really, really like me!), so on with the show and I'll sneak off the stage http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif ...

[MassBrew]

Monday's Daily Menu: Eat well -- it's a long hibernation to April. Looks like the Billings broadcaster will put this minor league season to bed...

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed...

 

Indianapolis: RHP Glenn Woolard at Louisville (Reds), 12:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Bats' feed):

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

 

Huntsville: LHP Ryan Costello at Chattanooga (Reds), 1:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

High Desert: RHP Travis Teeter at Lancaster (Diamondbacks), 5:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

Beloit: TBD at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 2:00 PM

 

Audio link (Chiefs' feed):

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...me=pchiefs

 

Helena: TBD at home vs. Billings (Reds), 8:05

 

Audio link (Mustangs' feed):

www.billingsmustangs.com/

 

Arizona: Season's over

[squarepusher]

Jim, thanks for making the Link Report one of the key items of the site, and for all your hard work and dedication again this summer. You know how much work you put into this site, and I hope you know that it doesn't go unappreciated. If I were in the position to dole out salaries, you'd get one hell of a raise each year.

 

Hopefully the Link Report creates new minor league fans each year here at Brewerfan.net. I know Jim Powell's down on the farm reports turned me into the minor league nut that I am today.

 

Thanks Jim. Brewerfan would not nearly be the success it is today without the link reports.... and speaking from experience, I know it probably saves me half hour per day from how I used to have to go about getting my minor league news.

[brettac1]

WORD, square, word. The Link Report is pretty much the first thing I check everyday when I go to Brewerfan, and I can't wait till next year now. Thanks MassBrew.

[homer]

Thank, MassBrew! I'm already looking forward to next season!!

[brettac1]

2-R HR by Lief in the 1st, let's hope Woolard can finish on a high note. What a great year for him, from High Desert to Indy.

[MikeRizzo]

Mass

 

Thanks again for another great year , I can only imagine how much time you put in to this as I know how much time it saves us ..........so thank you very much

 

take care

 

Rizzo's and the Evelands

 

PS Also to all the people we met up with in Beloit this year thanks for everything we had a great time .

[colbyjack]

I have to tip my hat to MassBrew as well. There are several of us that have helped out at times, and I know for a fact that it takes a lot of time to accumulate the information. I can't imagine doing them each & every day, and I admire your dedication. Even on days when I don't have time to catch up elsewhere, I always make it a point to read through the link reports. And it's not just the link reports either; keeping in touch with all of the teams from top to bottom, the transactions, the Brewers alumni list, the individual team reports, digging up stories on players from their hometown newspapers, etc. Thanks again and as always, although I'm sure you'll find stuff to dig up in the offseason http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

[iifan]

A disappointing end to the season...

Glenn Woolard pitched 6 outstanding innings, assisted by three double plays when he did get into a bit of trouble. Jeff Housman came in to pitch the bottom of the 7th, and gave up three walks and three hits including a homer -- 6 runs. Steve Scarborough hit a home run in the top of the 9th to keep some hope going.... but then the RiverBats scored on two hits in the bottom of the ninth....

 

Call-ups announced at the end of the game:

Ben Ford (yesterday)

Travis Phelps

Mark Johnson

Trent Durrington

 

??no Erickson??

[LV Brewer Fan]

Hey Mass, like everyone else just wanted to thank you for your time and effort throughout the year. Like most people here this is one of the first things I check when I turn the computer on in the morning, and just as sure as I know the sun will be up when I open the door, I know the link report will be posted! Your time and dedication are greatly appreciated!

 

Steve

[DKM4Boston]

Updates:

 

Final: Chattanooga (Reds) 6, Huntsville 2

 

Stars finish off the season getting just 6 hits. Weeks and Prince each had 2 hits. Weeks with 2 doubles, Prince with both RBIs. Ryan Costello got the loss.

 

Final: Peoria (Cardinals) 7, Beloit 6, 11 innings

 

Vinny Rottino, pitching prospect??? He sat Peoria down 1-2-3 in the top of the 9th and even struck out a batter. Terry Trofholz was stranded at 3rd base in the bottom of the 9th and Wandel Campana was stranded at 3rd base in the bottom of the 10th.

[matthewcmeq]

Not only did Rottino pitch in the season finale, he also played every position on the diamond during the extra inning game.

 

MJC

[MassBrew]

Final: Indianapolis 7, Louisville (Reds) 6

 

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes:

 

Indianapolis failed to hold on to a 5-0 lead Monday afternoon, as the Louisville Bats stormed back for a thrilling 7-6 victory to secure second place in the International League West Division. It was the second consecutive night that the Tribe failed to hold a lead for an effective starting performance.

Glenn Woolard, making his first Triple-A start , threw six shutout innings, allowing four hits, walking one batter and striking out six.

 

Indianapolis got on the board first on Jeff Liefer?s two-run home run off Juan Cerros, his 20th home run of the season, driving home Matt Erickson.

 

The Tribe added a run in the third inning, when Trent Durrington scored from third on an errant pickoff throw from catcher Steve Lomasney.

 

Indianapolis stretched the lead to 4-0 in the fourth with a single run, then added another tally in the fifth on Luis Figueroa?s RBI single.

 

Jeff Housman, making his fifth appearance for the Tribe and his second relief performance of the year, stepped in for Woolard in the seventh inning. He walked Kenny Kelly and Jim Chamblee to start the inning. Aaron Holbert then singled in Kelly for the first Louisville run. Housman then walked Lomasney, before giving up a two-run bloop single to Jermaine Alviso, cutting the lead to 5-3.

 

Louisville manager Rick Burleson then sent Stephen Smitherman in to pinch hit for pitcher Brian Rose and he hit a three-run homer off of Housman to give the Bats a 6-5 lead.

 

Louisville pitchers retired nine consecutive Indians before Steve Scarborough homered with one out in the ninth inning off Todd Coffey (1-0) to tie the game, 6-6.

 

Lomasney opened the bottom of the ninth with an infield single to deep shortstop off Tribe reliever Dan Reichert (7-4), then advanced to second base on Alviso?s bouncer back to Reichert. On the third pitch from Reichert, pinch hitter Dane Sardinha punched a soft liner to center field, scoring Lomasney with the game winning hit.

 

The Tribe finished the season 66-78 and a third place finish in the IL West Division.

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

How cool a prospect is Glenn Woolard?

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12968

 

Indianapolis Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12968

[MassBrew]

Sports Network Huntsville Game Wrap:

 

Tony Blanco ended the regular season with a monster game as the Chattanooga Lookouts closed the Southern League schedule with a 6-2 victory over the Huntsville Stars Monday afternoon.

 

Chattanooga, which has won seven-of-its-last-10, improved to 49-21 in the second half of the Southern League season. Meanwhile, Huntsville, losers of seven-of-10, fell to 33-37.

 

Blanco singled, doubled, homered and drove in three runs to pace the Lookouts, who got two walks and two runs from Edwin Encarnacion.

 

Chattanooga's bullpen was stellar with Matt Beech (3-0) pitching two shutout innings to earn the win. Casey DeHart, Brad Salmon and Daylan Childress combined on four scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

 

Losing pitcher Ryan Costello (8-8) was touched for six runs on nine hits in six innings. In the loss, Prince Fielder went 2-for-3 with two RBI.

 

While Huntsville's season ends, Chattanooga will start the playoffs with a game against Tennessee Wednesday night.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16002

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16002

[madbad2000]

Matt is correct. Vinny played every single position today in the field. He didn't look the best out there on the mound or at short. He had a heck of a fastball and gave Cardinals top prospect Daric Barton a run for his money before inducing an inning ending ground out.

 

Another interesting thing almost happened with Vinny at 2nd, Lewis at SS and Campana at 3rd. Runners on 1st and 2nd and the shortstop #33 hitting. Grounder to 3rd..Campana touches, throws to 2nd....Lewis the relay to 1st...just missed the triple play by a half a step. If the batter had only hit it a little bit harder would have been.

 

Scary moment in the top of the 10th I believe. Foul ball left field. Drew comes racing over to make a patented diving catch. His knee hits the ground...digs in...leaves a huge divot...Drew falls on his face and in doing so gets whacked right on the melon. Very scary moment.

 

It was a fun game in that Vinny played everywhere, got to see Manual Ramirez at 3rd and catcher, Lewis at SS, etc. I'm very glad I made it today. I was very impressed with Manual's arm at 3rd...very strong arm. That goes the same for Vinny as his arm is top notch there. Maybe a future position.

 

Peoria should not have scored a run in the top of the 11th as the runner was on 2nd and the ball was hit to Deevers in right....Deevers coming in went to scoop up the ball and fire home but dropped the ball....twice. Would have easily stopped the runner at 3rd as Robby's arm is second to none.

 

Truffles reached 3rd in the ninth only after Corporan had two strikes and 2 out. Little chance at that point. Plus Corp. was batting righty at the time and I think he prefers lefty.

 

Hernan with another decent game at DH. Just continues to smack it everywhere.

 

I really wish they would have won this game and even better if Corp. would have driven in Truffles so Vinny could get the win. Ah well...good luck next year Snappers and all former Snappers.

[MassBrew]

Beloit Game Notes and Player of the Game Info:

 

www.snappersbaseball.com/...de63c366f6

 

Beloit Box Score:

Second baseman Will Lewis comes out of nowhere to start the final game, and doesn't miss a beat, reaching base four times...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12530

 

Beloit Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12530

[MassBrew]

Correction on the High Desert start time -- tune in to Roxy Bernstein's pre-game show at 9:00 PM Central -- let's send the Mavs home with an audience tonight...

[madbad2000]

Forgot to mention:

 

Funny thing happened on Lewis's double. He hit down the 3rd baseline right over the bag....everyone thought it was foul...everyone had stopped including Lewis but the ump stood up and without a word put out his right hand signaling fair. One Beloit reliever was already up and after the "foul ball". So Will takes off and the Peoria defense gets bustling....Will ended up with a double that could have easily been a triple plus. Funny moment though as everyone but the ump thought it was foul.

 

Also stayed tuned as I took some photos of Vinny pitching that I will ship off in a minute to Brian to hopefully post here.

 

Tale of the game...Beloit leaves 14 on base. Kind of a theme these past few weeks. *sigh*

[MassBrew]

RHP Ryan Marion is starting the final Helena game, just underway at 8:10 Central.

[DHonks]

for someone in Huntsville, was Prince really in left?

[DHonks]

Also, is it just me, or has Deevers raised his avg like 20 points since the Miller Park game?

 

Good to see that 6 Beloit hitters finish at over .300 (with Lou close) and lots of pitchers with sub-4 ERAs

[squarepusher]

Vinnie Rottino warming up...

 

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

 

Vinnie Rottino on the hill...

 

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

[MassBrew]

In progress: Billings (Reds) 7, Helena 3, after four innings

H-Crew pitchers are reminding us again tonight why the team didn't qualify for the post-season; Steve Sollman was named team MVP, by the way...

[lend d money]

And, in spite of all of that Dhonks, no playoff spot. Why? The loss of Eveland via promotion and Pena and Montablo to injury couldn't be overcome by those left and called up. We couldn't get consistent innings out of anyone other than Villaneuva. We also had a complete meltdown in fundamentals down the stretch. Too many errors leading to too many unearned runs and further straining a depleted staff.