Link Report for Games of Monday, June 14th

[batman]

I saw him several times in the Fall League, and I think he could be a 4 man right now, and eventually top out as a 2 or 3. Does he throw 95? no. But he changes speeds very well, has devastating offspeed stuff (as we saw), and they don't hit balls hard off of him. Lots of groundouts.

 

Agreed. I don't think he'll be a world beater, but he has the potential to do even that. The consensus seems to be that Little Ben is likely a middle-of-the-rotation prospect, and I don't think he'll have any trouble being within reach of league average as soon as this year. He's never going to throw 95, either... it's not like keeping him in Indy forever will make that happen. And for those that question his curveball, I honestly don't know what you're basing that on. His one big league start? Little Ben's yellow hammer is almost unaminously considered one of the best in minor league baseball. That's his bread and butter. One outing where he didn't have it does not a problem make.

 

I won't be too upset of Ben is kept in Indy for a while longer, but he's earned the promotion. There's always going to be more that someone can do or something else to prove... at some point, you've just gotta let the guy pitch in the big leagues. He'd likely be an upgrade over both Victor Santos and Wes Obermueller, and this half season of work in the big leagues (pitching every five days) is going to be just as valuable as the equivalent amount of work in AAA.

 

There are service time issues, but he's 23. It's not like Ben is a little kid anymore. I'm usually one to advocate caution, but I think that's what we've showed with Mr. Hendrickson. If we don't have room for him at the big league level right now, so be it. But if he's a better option than someone who is currently starting in Milwaukee, then I think he deserves the opportunity. There are no more super 2 concerns, and we'll have him until he's 29. That's good enough for me.

 

~Bill

[LV Brewer Fan]

Sorry about the post on Jones earlier. I turned off the game after 3 innings (wife's soccer game) and Portnoy sounded pretty sure that Jones would be done after his third inning of work. Through three he had faced the minimum, but I guess ran into trouble in the fourth. Sorry about the earlier premature post.

[danzig6767]

I think he's got plenty to keep him busy at Indy. If our #5 guy was pitching like Navarro was a few years ago, I'd be all for it. But, Wes has given us quality starts a good % of the time in about 20 starts for us since being acquired 11 months ago, despite being far from "good".

 

I dont know if i'd say Wes has given a alot of quality starts,so far this year

 

IP/ER

 

5.1--5

 

6.2--0

 

2.0--5

 

5.1--5

 

3.0--7

 

6.0--5

 

6.0--3

 

6.1--1

 

5.0--4

 

6.1--3

 

In ten starts,half of them he gave up 5 runs or more.Granted most teams have poor 5th starters,but Wes is hardly good enough to hold back any sort of young pitcher who might have a future.Melvin would know better than me if Hendrickson is ready to pitch every 5th day in the bigs,but Wes blocking his path wouldnt be much of the consideration for me.

[mothershipconnection]

Granted most teams have poor 5th starters,but Wes is hardly good enough to hold back any sort of young pitcher who might have a future.Melvin would know better than me if Hendrickson is ready to pitch every 5th day in the bigs,but Wes blocking his path wouldnt be much of the consideration for me.

I agree that Wes has been pretty darn bad on several occasions, and I wonder if having all these Mondays off factors into the decision to leave Hendrickson at AAA at all since those off days make us less reliant on a #5 starter than if our off days were scattered throughout the week. Since we don't have to rely too heavily on our #5, it may be smarter to leave Hendrickson in the minors to get lots of work and avoid blowing service time by giving him the #5 spot. Later in the season we won't be able to skip the fifth spot as much, and that may be the best time to bring Ben up with a shot of staying in the bigs for good.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes:

 

The Charlotte Knights erupted for 15 runs in the first game of a doubleheader and tagged Tribe starter Jeff Farnsworth for 9 runs in 2 innings to cruise to a 15-6 victory.

 

The first game featured eight home runs, three by the Indians. Corey Hart started the barrage with his ninth home run in the first inning, Brandon Gemoll tagged a two-run homer in the second, and Steve Scarborough belted his first four-bagger of the year, a two-run home run, in the third.

 

For Charlotte, Bobby Smith led the scoring, hitting a three-run home run in the second inning and a grand slam in the third, finishing the first game 2-4 with 7 RBI.

 

Trent Durrington, sent down from Milwaukee this weekend, played his first games at third base, finishing the first game 1-3 with a strikeout and a stolen base.

 

In the second game, Mario Valenzuela tallied the first RBI with an infield single.

 

The Indians answered with a Peter Bergeron triple in the sixth and scoring on a sacrifice fly by Jon Nunnally.

 

Mark Johnson walked to lead off the seventh, stole second, advance to third on a ground ball to the right side, but could not reach home as pinch-hitter Chris Magruder flied out to deep center field to end the game.

 

After the game, Bobby Smith, who powered the Knights in the first game (2-4, 2 R, 2 HR, 7 RBI) and recorded the final out on Magruder?s long fly ball, said ?I have to go get [the ball]. We?ve been struggling a bit and I have to make that catch.?

 

When asked about his offensive explosion, Smith responded, ?I?ve been struggling a little bit, but I found some good pitches to hit, and hopefully I can stay there and keep swinging.?

 

Pedro Liriano, the Indians? starter for the second game, recorded the Tribe?s first complete game this season, going the distance (six innings), yielding two runs on six hits, walking two and striking out five.

 

The losses drop the Indians to 32-30, one game away from first place. They continue their road trip tomorrow as they send right-hander Adrian Hernandez to the mound to take on the Southern Division-leading Durham Bulls Tuesday at 6 p.m.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Despite dropping their season-high sixth straight game, a rain-shortened, seven-inning, 3-0 loss to Tennessee (35-30) on Monday night at Smokies Park, Huntsville (30-35) saw encouraging signs for the second half. With the pitching staff struggling through the first two weeks of June, Mike Jones and Jeff Housman gave reason to hope the second half could follow a different path.

 

Jones, making his second start after six weeks of rehabbing his sore right elbow, retired eight of the first nine batters he faced, fanning two. Jones required the minimum nine hitters to finish three innings, erasing an infield single with a double-play ground ball. Jones allowed his only walk and a bloop single to lead off the fourth. He exited after throwing 39 pitches, just shy of his designated 45-pitch limit.

 

After struggling in his previous two appearances, Housman entered with runners at first and third and none out in the fourth. He surrendered a run-scoring single to his first batter, Dan Moylan, then Housman?s two wild pitches helped the Smokies to two more runs. Trailing 3-0, Housman turned nasty, fanning seven over his final three frames and retiring eight of the last nine hitters he faced. Housman permitted just four hits and one run through four innings before rainfall terminated the game after seven innings.

 

Former Star Luis Martinez (5-6) picked up his second win against Huntsville and fifth of the year, shutting out the Stars over 6 1/3 innings, fanning four while allowing five hits and four walks. Jones suffered his fourth loss, allowing two runs on two hits and one walk with two strikeouts in three innings. Tyler Johnson picked up his second save, retiring both batters he faced in the seventh, fanning one. Housman gave up just one run on four hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in four frames of relief.

 

Huntsville righty Chris Saenz (4-4, 4.41) faces Smokies right-hander Jeremy Cook (2-1, 3.33) in the series finale on Tuesday at Smokies Park. Game time is 11:00 a.m. CT. The FPH Financial Services Pre-game Show starts at 10:45 a.m.

[MassBrew]

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

 

FACED WITH LEMONS, YOU MAKE LEMONADE

Mike Jones vs. Luis Martinez...... Looks like a Huntsville Stars all-time Fantasy League match-up, especially when you add Matt Parker in relief........ This was real, though, and there were certain realities....... Martinez was recalled from Memphis where he was supposed to have made a spot start Saturday against Omaha, but the game was rained out, then the Smokies, needing a spot starter after scheduled starter Josh Axelson had pitched in relief that same day, called him back........ Jones, in his 2nd start coming back from the DL, was given a 45-pitch limit.

 

The Stars lost their 6th straight game, their longest losing streak since August 13-18 of 2002, but at this point, you don't look to this half anymore, you look to the future and there are some positives to draw before the Stars begin the second half of the season........ First, Jones looked great and unaffected by the elbow problems rising from his delivery, mechanical problems Jones and pitching coach Fred Dabney and Brewers roving instructor Jim Rooney have been working with.

 

Additionally, Matt Ford, who has had two starts already under his belt after his DL time ended, should be ready to give the Stars much-needed rotation support, and with luck, there's no reason a rotation starting with Jones, Ford, and Jeff Housman, and whoever the Stars come up with, can bring the Stars a shot at the second half title.

 

Reversing a trend, the pitching on both ends looked a lot better....... Unfortunately, the offense wasn't there, as it had been the past week, and the rain coming down for most of the game, turning into a deluge in the 7th, cheated the Stars out of two innings, and Chris Barnwell out of an at-bat. His hitting streak ended at ten games tonight......... Jones looked sharp, retiring eight of the first nine he faced tonight, serving up an inning-ending double play. He came out in the 4th, not because he walked Skip Schumaker and gave up a single to Papo Bolivar, but because he was at 39 pitches, and close to his limit.

 

Housman allowed both of Jones' runners to score --- a single to Dan Moylan, scoring Schumaker, and a wild pitch scoring Papo Bolivar, who moved up after Nick Espy's fly ball to right......... Moylan eventually scored on another Housman wild pitch, but after a rocky start, Housman retired eight of the last nine to face him, striking out five....... His slider was right and his breaking ball had several hitters walking back to the dugout....... Housman pitched around a bunt single and an error, but stranded two in the 5th inning, which is far as the Smokies got for the rest of the game.

 

The Stars had several chances to rally........ Their best chance came in the 1st inning, after a 39-minute rain delay, when Rickie Weeks led off with his 11th double of the season, smashing a 3-2 pitch against the wall in left. He reached 3rd on a sac by Tony Gwynn, Jr., but Prince Fielder's fly ball to center wasn't deep enough on Schumaker's arm to allow Weeks to try to score, and Brad Nelson hit a weak grounder to 2nd end the inning........ In the 3rd, the Stars put runners on 1st and 2nd with two out, but Fielder hit into a force.......... In the 4th, Ryan Knox reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to second on Luis Martinez's balk, and stole third (taking advantage of Luis' weakness in holding runners due to his high leg kick), but was thrown out at home on Barnwell's grounder to short........

 

The Stars had their best chance in the 7th since the start of the game........ Ozzie Chavez ripped one to right field, the ball getting stuck in the bullpen area, either behind a chair or wedged somehow between a ball bag and the fence. Umpire Brian Kennedy held Chavez to second........ After Joel Alvarado struck out (his 23rd in 79 ABs), Housman drew a base on balls, bringing Tennessee pitching coach Blaise Ilsley, a former Southern League pitcher himself, out....... Matt Parker took over and walked Weeks on five pitches (Frank Kremblas gave him the green light on 3-and-0)....... That loaded the bases........ Flamethrowing lefty Tyler Johnson, owner of a mid-90s fastball, was called in........ Gwynn lifted a 1-0 fastball to left, again not deep enough to get Chavez in........ Johnson then threw three pitches at Fielder to end the inning, a heater at the belt, the second one, fouled off, and the third, a breaking ball to end the inning........ After Housman retired the Smokies in order with the rain coming down in buckets, the game was called off for good......... Luis Martinez picked up his second win of the year over the Stars.

 

Tuesday's game pitting Chris Saenz (4-4, 4.41) and Jeremy Cook (2-1, 3.33) is an 11:00 AM Central start time, not 7:15 EDT as shown on sportsnetwork.com......... Rickie Weeks is 11-for-33 in his last nine games with six runs scored, as many as his his previous 14 games........ His fielding is still a work in progress, but he did the pivot really well tonight on a 6-4-3 double play in the 2nd........ As I've probably already mentioned, Weeks has pulled that left foot off the plate, which was producing all those HBPs, but more importantly, giving his quick wrists more time to come around. It may have already been paying dividends, but we should wait till the end of the season, when we have a better barometer........ The latest news on Ryan Miller is not good. He may be out for the year. An MRI revealed a bone spur with several bone chips in his elbow that have to be removed. Despite the news, he blew off a little steam before the game with some tarp slides before the game.

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 33 29 .532 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 34 31 .523 .5 [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 32 30 .516 1.0[/b] LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 31 33 .484 3.0

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 37 28 .569 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 36 29 .554 1.0 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 33 32 .508 4.0 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 30 35 .462 7.0[/b] MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 27 38 .415 10.0

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 41 23 .641 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 36 28 .563 5.0 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 32 32 .500 9.0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 29 35 .453 12.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 22 42 .344 19.0[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 39 24 .619 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 38 25 .603 1.0 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 37 26 .587 2.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 33 29 .532 5.5 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 34 30 .531 5.5[/b] QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 28 31 .475 9.0 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 28 35 .444 11.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 21 43 .328 18.5

[igor67]

I guess I wouldn't have a problem ifthe Brewers decided to punt on Wes and install Ben as the 4th man in the rotation skipping Wise or Santos. Then again both ofthose guys are due for something of a reality check and waiting to promote Ben until someone is getting hammered isn't a bad plan either. Ben can pitch into the low 90's nad his curve is awesome. I'd give him even odds at being an innings eater #3, 10% a #2 and another 10% a #4 with the remainder a burnout most likely due to injury.

[Member]

I think it's time for Little Ben to make the move to Milwaukee for good.

 

Nice of you to join us, Bill. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[deeswan]

I agree that Wes has been pretty darn bad on several occasions, and I wonder if having all these Mondays off factors into the decision to leave Hendrickson at AAA at all since those off days make us less reliant on a #5 starter than if our off days were scattered throughout the week.

 

We should soon find out if that had anything to do with it, because, starting today, the Brewers play 26 games in 27 days up to the All-Star break, then come back after the break with 18 games in 18 days. They will need consistency from that 5th spot if they are going to do well in this stretch. My guess is that Oby & Santos will be given relatively short leashes, with Wise being the next option. After that Hendrickson has to be the next guy to get an opportunity, particularly if he keeps throwing as well as he has so far this season.

Also, I don't care if he doesn't throw 95 mph. If his command is good and he changes speeds well, he'll get guys out.

[MassBrew]

Beloit Daily News Game Story:

Quotes, etc...

 

www.beloitdailynews.com/604/snap15.htm

[MassBrew]

Tennessee Smokies catcher Dan Moylan tags out Huntsville?s Ryan Knox as he attempts to score in Monday night?s game.

CATHY CLARKE

KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL

 

http://mas.scripps.com/KNS/2004/06/14/0615smoke1e_e.jpg