Link Report for Games of Sunday, June 13th

[MassBrew]

Sunday's Daily Menu -- how convenient that you can slide from Ben Sheets to Matt Ford to Manny Parra in a nice little triple-header! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif

 

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

 

INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Jeff Farnsworth at Charlotte (White Sox), 1:15 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Knights' feed):

www.charlotteknights.com/.../index.htm

 

HUNTSVILLE: LHP Matt Ford at Tennessee (Cardinals), 4:00 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: LHP Manny Parra at Inland Empire (Mariners), 7:11 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: TBD at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 2:00 PM

 

Audio link (Kernels' feed):

www.kernels.com/radio.html

[MassBrew]

I'll be taking in a little local Northeast League independent ball game this afternoon (no old Milwaukee connections), hoping to catch the Brewer game on archive this evening. So feel free to jump in with links and reports to today's daytime action for us all later on -- thanks!

[edod]

top of the 1st

 

Fielder was on second with two out when I tuned in. (edit it was a 2b)

Nelson HBP

Knox BB

Barnwell 2 run 1B

Johnson RBI 1B

Chavez Fouled out to CA 3-0 Stars

 

bottom of the 1st Matt Ford pitching

pop out to 2B, BB, BB, fly out to LF, BB, RBI BB, K

Really tight strike zone again today.

 

3-1 Stars Be back later

 

Kroeger Inning to win, 2 outs

Barnwell 2B Congrats to Joyce for winning 50 Kroeger bucks

Johnson BB

Chavez RBI 1B, Johnson to 3rd

Kade tagged out in an attempted double steal.

 

4-1 Stars

 

Bottom of the 3rd - Ford Pitching

2B, RBI 1B reaches 3rd on play(ball in K. Johnsons glove as he is knocked on the ground from the collision at home plate, Barnwell ejected for arguing call, Rayburn in at 3B, RBI sac fly, pop out, ground out to 3rd.

 

4-3 Stars, Ford will be done due to 65 pitch limit, but will bat due to the lack of players on the bench.

 

Top of the 4th

Ford grounded out to 1B

Weeks fly outs (hard) to RF

Gwynn ground out (hard) 2B

 

Bottom of 4th Rivard Pitching

1 out, 1B, RBI 2B, steal of 3rd, scores on throwing error by Johnson, ground out to SS, 1B, fly out to LF

 

5-4 Smokies

 

Top of the 5th

Fielder 1b

Nelson K looking

Knox 1b, Prince to 2nd

Rayburn BB, Pitching change

Johnson RBI FC

Chavez ground out to 2B

 

5-5

 

Bottom of the 5th Rivard Pitching

K, ground out to 2b (great spinning play), pop out to LF (great running catch in bullpen!)

 

Top of the 6th

Rivard K looking

Weeks 1b (line drive) (announcer says he has been hot for 8 days)

Gwynn pop up

Fielder ground out to 1B

 

Bottom of the 6th

1b, 1b, 1b, RBI HBP, Zomora pitching, RBI sac fly, 1b Nelson throws out the runner at the plate, fly out to right

 

Smokies 7-5

 

Top of the 7th

Nelson bouncer to 2B

Knox line out to SS

Rayburn BB

Johnson pop out

 

Bottom of the 7th

Wasn't paying attention - RBI double by Corey Erickson 8-5

Pitcher just hit a 2-run homerun 10-5 smokies

Blah- I'll let you know what happens in the Stars half and the score.

Nelly records an out with his second outfield assist of the game assist at 2nd, announcer really praising Nelson's developing D.

 

Top of the 8th

Chavez BB

Zamora grounds out to P, Chavez to 2nd

Weeks chopper to SS, Chavez to 3rd

Gwynn lines out sharply to CF

 

Rios gives up lead off HR.

 

11-5 Smokies

 

Top of the 9th

Fielder K

Nelson K

Knox infield single

Rayburn force out.

 

Smokies win 11-5

[950opsLHcatcher]

Indianapolis at Charlotte (White Sox), ppd.

 

The game was postponed due to inclement offense, er, rain and will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow at 5:15.

[950opsLHcatcher]

Top of the 8th: Beloit 8, Cedar Rapids (Angels) 2

 

TBD does us right, whomever it was. Details pretty soon.

[batman]

Final: Beloit 9, Cedar Rapids (Angels) 4

 

'At a boy, Snappers. This one looked pretty wild. The Kernels got off to an early lead thanks to a walk and a pair of Snappers' errors in the first, one by Corporan and one by Moreira. Then it was quiet. Still quiet. Nothing yet. Still quiet. Zzzzzz. Then the Snappers, ahem, scored eight runs in the top of the fifth. Thirteen good guys came to the plate and the scoring was capped off by some Vinny Rottino yardwork. The Cap'n also went deep as part of a 2-for-5 night. And no summary would be complete without mentioning Will Lewis, who is hitting .375 after finishing today's game 3-for-5.

 

Beloit Box Score:

Good start from Greg Moreira, who improves to 5-2..... Tough day for both Dan Grybash and Simon Beresford, who combined to allow three runs in two innings..... 3,565 in attendance - not bad.

 

 GAME DATE: 6/13/04 BLT at CR BELOIT 9 AT CEDAR RAPIDS 4 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG CEDAR RAPIDS AB R H BI AVG T.Trofholz RF 5 1 2 1 .312 N.Kimpton CF 2 1 0 0 .283 S.Moss CF 4 1 1 1 .212 M.Pali LF 4 0 0 0 .292 D.Anderson LF 4 1 1 2 .260 B.Wilson 1B 4 0 0 0 .302 L.Palmisano CAT 5 2 2 2 .308 A.Peel DH 4 0 1 0 .245 V.Rottino DH 3 1 1 3 .298 B.Wood SS 3 1 2 0 .284 A.Heether 3B 5 0 0 0 .259 M.Brown 3B 3 1 1 0 .256 C.Corporan 1B 3 1 1 0 .259 B.Balkcom RF 4 0 1 2 .274 M.Ramirez 1B 2 0 0 0 .277 T.Duenas CAT 4 1 2 1 .231 W.Lewis 2B 5 1 3 0 .375 S.Rodriguez 2B 4 0 1 0 .262 G.Acosta SS 2 1 0 0 .165 A.Moreno PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Moreira PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 W.Hedden PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Grybash PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Hindman PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Beresford PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Stetter PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 9 11 9 TOTALS 32 4 8 3 BELOIT 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 0 1- 9 11 2 CEDAR RAPIDS 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0- 4 8 1 E--C.Corporan, G.Moreira, M.Brown. DP--BELOIT 1, CEDAR RAPIDS 0. LOB--BELOIT 8, CEDAR RAPIDS 8. 2B--C.Corporan (2), B.Wood (15), M.Brown (11), T.Duenas (10). 3B--B.Balkcom (1). HR--L.Palmisano (3), V.Rottino (8), T.Duenas (6). SB--W.Lewis (1). HBP--M.Brown. SH-- B.Wood. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT G.Moreira (W,5-2) 6.0 4 1 0 3 3 0 4.20 D.Grybash 1.0 1 1 1 1 0 1 5.82 S.Beresford 1.0 3 2 2 0 1 0 4.50 M.Stetter 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.25 CEDAR RAPIDS A.Moreno (L,5-4) 4.1 7 8 7 2 4 1 4.95 W.Hedden 3.1 3 0 0 3 2 0 6.60 S.Hindman 1.1 1 1 1 1 2 1 6.55 HB--G.Moreira. WP--W.Hedden. BALKS--A.Moreno. SO--S.Moss 2, L.Palmisano, A.Heether 2, M.Ramirez, W.Lewis, G.Acosta, N.Kimpton, A.Peel, B.Balkcom 2, T.Duenas. BB--S.Moss, D.Anderson, V.Rottino 2, G.Acosta 2, N.Kimpton 3, M.Pali, B.Wilson. T--2:58. A--3565

Beloit Game Log:

That eight-run fifth is a thing of beauty..... Mitch Stetter walked a man in the ninth but got the next batter to ground into a game-ending double-play.

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12635

 

~Bill

[gregmag]

That box score can't be right, because it appears to say Vinny Rottino walked twice. Yeah, right. Tell me another one.

 

Greg.

[MassBrew]

7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 8 K

 

Thank you for an enjoyable evening, Mr. Parra! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif

 

In progress: High Desert 3, Inland Empire (Mariners) 1, bottom of the 8th in San Bernadino

RHP Nick Slack comes on in the 8th for Manny...

[MassBrew]

Final: Tennessee (Cardinals) 11, Huntsville 5

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Huntsville held leads of 3-0 and 4-1, but Tennessee?s offense could not be stopped. The Smokies took their first lead with four unanswered runs, then seized control in their final three at-bats, scoring six straight for an 11-5 win over Huntsville on Sunday evening at Smokies Park. The Stars (30-34) have lost 11 of their last 13 games and five straight, equaling a season-high. Tennessee (34-30) remained in a second-place tie with Carolina, now just one game behind Southern League East leader Chattanooga.

 

Leading 4-1 in the third, Huntsville caught a bad break on a questionable call. With Nate Espy at second after a leadoff double, Gabe Johnson ? Saturday?s hero with two homers, one a grand slam ? singled to left-center, where Tony Gwynn fielded and fired home as Espy tried to score. The ball and runner arrived together, and Espy delivered a ferocious hit to catcher Kade Johnson, who held onto the ball. Espy was ruled safe by plate umpire Andy Roberts, and Stars third baseman Chris Barnwell was ejected for arguing the call. While Kade Johnson lay on the ground, ball securely in his glove, Gabe Johnson, who took second on the throw home, scampered to third. He scored on Jon Hamilton?s sacrifice fly to pull the Smokies within 4-3.

 

In the fourth, Papo Bolivar doubled home Skip Schumaker, stole third and scored on Kade Johnson?s wild attempt to throw him out. After Kade?s run-scoring groundout tied the game at 5-5 in the fifth, it was all Smokies. Dee Haynes was hit by a pitch to force in a run following consecutive singles by Chris Duncan, Schumaker and Bolivar. Espy?s sacrifice fly gave Tennesse a 7-5 lead. In the seventh, Javier Colina singled and scored on Corey Erickson?s double to right-center. Reliever Nick Stocks, in his first plate appearance of the season, slammed a two-run homer to center for a 10-5 advantage. Espy?s solo homer in the eighth closed the scoring.

 

Barnwell paced the Stars? nine-hit offensive attack, going 2-for-2 with a double, two runs batted in and one run scored before his ejection. Prince Fielder doubled, singled and scored twice, and Ryan Knox finished 2-for-5 with two singles, one walk and one run scored. Ozzie Chavez went 1-for-3 with a run-scoring single and a walk.

 

Reliever Josh Kinney (2-4) notched his second win, tossing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and fanning one. Reggie Rivard (3-1) suffered the loss in relief, surrendering four runs, three earned, on six hits and no walks with one strikeout in two innings.

 

Former Star Luis Martinez, back from a spot start for triple-A Memphis, takes the mound for the Smokies against Huntsville?s Mike Jones in game three of the series Monday night. Game time is 6:15 p.m. CT, and the FPH Financial Pre-game show starts at 6:00 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard on ESPN 1450 and at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Battle of the bullpens -- we long for 2003 when Matt Parker, Matt Childers and Ryan Miller were available...

 GAME DATE: 6/13/04 HVL at TEN HUNTSVILLE 5 AT TENNESSEE 11 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG TENNESSEE AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 4 0 1 0 .248 S.Schumaker 3B 5 2 3 0 .286 A.Gwynn CF 5 0 0 0 .237 S.Schumaker CF 0 0 0 0 .286 P.Fielder 1B 5 2 2 0 .273 P.Bolivar LF 4 2 3 1 .298 B.Nelson LF 4 1 0 0 .282 D.Haynes RF 3 0 0 1 .185 R.Knox RF 4 1 2 0 .286 M.Jaramillo SS 0 0 0 0 .194 C.Barnwell 3B 2 1 2 2 .254 N.Espy 1B 4 2 3 2 .283 J.Raburn 3B 1 0 0 0 .248 G.Johnson CAT 3 1 2 1 .280 K.Johnson CAT 3 0 1 2 .227 J.Hamilton CF 3 0 0 2 .264 O.Chavez SS 3 0 1 1 .213 J.Hamilton RF 0 0 0 0 .264 M.Ford PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 J.Colina 2B 5 1 1 0 .214 R.Rivard PIT 1 0 0 0 .200 C.Erickson SS 5 1 1 1 .205 P.Zamora PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 C.Erickson 3B 0 0 0 0 .205 F.Rijo PIT 0 0 0 0 .333 C.Narveson PIT 2 0 1 0 .136 J.Kinney PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Duncan PH 1 1 1 0 .284 N.Stocks PIT 1 1 1 2 .500 C.Cali PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 35 5 9 5 TOTALS 36 11 16 10 HUNTSVILLE 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0- 5 9 1 TENNESSEE 1 0 2 2 0 2 3 1 X-11 16 0 E--K.Johnson. DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, TENNESSEE 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 10, TENNESSEE 9. 2B--P.Fielder (12), C.Barnwell (12), P.Bolivar (10), N.Espy (5), C.Erickson (9). HR--N.Espy (5), N.Stocks (1). SB--P.Bolivar (15). HBP--B.Nelson, D.Haynes. SF--N.Espy, J.Hamilton. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE M.Ford 3.0 4 3 3 4 2 0 3.96 R.Rivard (L,3-1) 2.0 6 4 3 0 1 0 6.15 P.Zamora 2.0 5 3 3 0 0 1 6.14 F.Rijo 1.0 1 1 1 1 2 1 4.85 TENNESSEE C.Narveson 4.1 7 5 5 4 3 0 4.72 J.Kinney (W,2-4) 1.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 9.17 N.Stocks 2.0 0 0 0 2 0 0 2.19 C.Cali 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 2.78 HB--R.Rivard, C.Narveson. WP--F.Rijo, C.Narveson. SO--R.Weeks, P.Fielder 2, B.Nelson 2, R.Rivard, S.Schumaker, J.Hamilton 2, J.Colina, C.Erickson. BB--R.Weeks, R.Knox, J.Raburn 2, K.Johnson, O.Chavez, P.Bolivar, D.Haynes, G.Johnson 2, J.Hamilton. T--2:58. A--2983

No need for a game log link, thanks to edod's nice work above...

[MassBrew]

Beloit Game Summary (Cedar Rapids' Site):

 

Vinny Rottino?s three-run home run highlighted Beloit?s eight-run fifth inning and the Snappers blitzed the Kernels, 9-4, Sunday afternoon in a Midwest League baseball game played before a crowd of 3,565 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

 

The loss halted the Kernels? four-game winning streak. Although it was only their second loss in their last 11 games, it dropped the Kernels (38-24) back into a first-place tie with Kane County in the Western Division. The Cougars scored five runs in the ninth inning and beat Quad Cities, 7-2, Sunday afternoon at Davenport. Peoria is in third place, only one game back. The Chiefs beat Clinton, 11-5.

 

There are seven games remaining in the first half, which concludes next Sunday. The Kernels play all seven of their games on the road, including a three-game series at Peoria starting on Friday. The top two teams in each division qualify for the postseason playoffs and have home-field advantage in the first round, a best-of-3 series.

 

The Kernels jumped to a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Nick Kimpton drew a lead-off walk and scored all the way from first base after an errant pickoff attempt by pitcher Greg Moreira (5-2) and wayward toss back across the infield by first baseman Carlos Corporan skipped past the third baseman for an error.

 

That?s the way the score stood through four innings. But the Snappers sent 12 men to the plate in the fifth inning and turned eight hits, a walk and Kernels error into eight runs. Terry Trofholz?s RBI single tied the game, 1-1, and an RBI single by Steve Moss put the Snappers ahead. Drew Anderson followed with a two-run single and Lou Palmisano?s infield single plated another run for a 5-2 Beloit lead. Rottino then rifled a three-run home run to left to cap the scoring and send Kernels starter Abel Moreno (5-4) to the showers.

 

The Kernels added a run in the seventh when Tommy Duenas unloaded his sixth home run over the left-field wall. The Kernels pulled within 8-4 in the eighth inning on Blake Balkcom?s two-run triple. Duenas, who was 2-for-3 with a double and is 8-for-14 with three home runs off Beloit pitchers, struck out with Balkcom at third and one out. Sean Rodriguez grounded out to end the inning.

 

Palmisano?s home run leading off the Beloit ninth stretched the Snappers lead to 9-4.

[MassBrew]

Final: High Desert 4, Inland Empire (Mariners) 2

 

High Desert Box Score:

Nick Slack and Homero Rivera do enough to get through the final two innings for Manny Parra...

 GAME DATE: 6/13/04 HD at INL HIGH DESERT 4 AT INLAND EMPIRE 2 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG INLAND EMPIRE AB R H BI AVG K.Bibbs CF 4 0 0 0 .301 J.Gonzalez SS 4 0 1 0 .311 C.Crabbe 2B 4 0 1 0 .307 J.Guzman 3B 4 1 1 0 .295 D.Boyd DH 4 0 0 0 .299 G.Harris CF 4 0 0 0 .263 T.Hinton 1B 4 1 1 0 .314 J.Nelson LF 4 1 1 1 .306 J.Vanden ber CAT 4 1 2 1 .319 P.Balet DH 4 0 2 0 .299 S.Candelaria RF 4 2 3 0 .262 T.Bohn RF 4 0 1 0 .288 T.Farnsworth 3B 3 0 1 0 .190 R.Rivera CAT 4 0 2 1 .272 P.Rasmusen LF 2 0 0 1 .208 M.Hagen 1B 4 0 0 0 .218 E.Cruz SS 4 0 1 1 .198 T.Pullins 2B 3 0 0 0 .000 M.Parra PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Jimenez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Slack PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Soto PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 H.Rivera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Castillo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 4 9 3 TOTALS 35 2 8 2 HIGH DESERT 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1- 4 9 1 INLAND EMPIRE 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1- 2 8 1 E--M.Parra, T.Pullins. DP--HIGH DESERT 2, INLAND EMPIRE 0. LOB-- HIGH DESERT 5, INLAND EMPIRE 7. 2B--J.Vanden ber (10), J.Guzman (14). SB--J.Nelson (14). HBP--P.Rasmusen. SF--P.Rasmusen. SH--T.Farnsworth. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT M.Parra (W,2-1) 7.0 5 1 1 0 8 0 4.38 N.Slack 0.2 1 0 0 1 2 0 5.79 H.Rivera (S,2) 1.1 2 1 0 0 3 0 4.22 INLAND EMPIRE C.Jimenez (L,2-5) 4.0 6 3 2 0 4 0 2.50 D.Soto 3.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 4.85 R.Castillo 2.0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0.00 HB--C.Jimenez. PB--J.Vanden ber, R.Rivera. SO--D.Boyd, J.Vanden ber, T.Farnsworth, P.Rasmusen, E.Cruz 2, J.Gonzalez 2, J.Guzman 2, G.Harris, J.Nelson 2, P.Balet, T.Bohn 2, R.Rivera, M.Hagen 2. BB--T.Pullins.

High Desert Game Log:

Seven of Parra's 8 K's were swinging third strikes -- nasty...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=18055

[DHonks]

great job fellas, and a special thanks to Edod. It's always enjoyable seeing a fellow fan compile what happens in those games, since they can add what the announcer says.. That's why they beat game logs any day.

 

And anyone wanna bet that Manny Parra will be in Huntsville soon? We have one of the braintrust a few weeks ago saying he's only going to HD for a few starts, and tonight he dominates while also getting through 7 innings.

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 32 28 .533[/b] COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 32 29 .525 .5 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 33 31 .516 1.0 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 30 33 .476 3.5

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 36 28 .563 MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 36 28 .563 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 32 32 .500 4.0 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 30 34 .469 6.0[/b] MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 26 37 .413 9.5

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 41 23 .641 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 36 27 .571 4.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 31 32 .492 9.5 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) 38 24 .613 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 38 24 .613 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 37 25 .597 1.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 33 28 .541 4.5 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 33 30 .524 5.5[/b] QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 28 31 .475 8.5 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 27 35 .435 11.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 20 43 .317 18.5

[MassBrew]

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

 

THE BEAT GOES ON

The Stars are getting it from both sides in this series, it appears........ Bad calls yesterday. One bad call today. It doesn't make much of a difference, though, if your pitching staff just keeps getting bombarded.

 

But every day is a new day and a new start as the Stars tried to snap a nightmarish end to their first half of the season --- 10 losses in 12 games, and an ERA of 6.23........ The Stars faced Chris Narveson, the Southern League leader in walks, as well as strikeouts, so they knew if they could be a little patient at the plate, they just may create a lot of scoring opportunities today, and with the bats remaining hot (.264 in their last eight games) they could have a breakout game........

 

And an early 4-1 looked like the new dawn they were looking for........ With two out in the 1st, Prince Fielder (now hitting .412 in his last eight games w/two HRs and five RBIs) smouldered a 1-2 pitch past the glove of Nick Espy down the right field line for a double into the corner, his fifth double of the month. Fielder is hitting .327 for June, close to his April average, but not close to approximating the run production (seven HRs, 18 RBIs) of that month........ Brad Nelson was hit on the helmet on a breaking ball that did not turn over, putting him on 1st, and Ryan Knox walked to load the bases, his first walk since coming back. Knox, before the game, said batting 6th has given him a chance to take a longer look at his pitching opponents, in addition to taking the pressure off him in his more frequent leadoff role......... That set the stage for the hottest hitter on the club --- Chris Barnwell, also the steadiest clutch hitter on the club --- 24 RBIs the first two months, despite hitting .211........ Extending his hitting streak to ten games (17-for-35, .486), the right man at the right time lined a 1-0 pitch to shallow right-center, driving in the Stars' first two runs........ His 33 RBIs now ties him with Brad Nelson for 2nd among club leaders, despite a .254 average that is rising each game......... Kade Johnson followed that with a line single to right, scoring Knox to make it 3-0. A nice advantage for Matt Ford, with a 60-pitch limit in his 2nd start since coming off the DL.

 

The voodoo spell still clung, however........ After Skip Schumaker popped out on a 2-2 pitch, Ford walked Papo Bolivar, Dee Haynes, and with two out, Gabe Johnson, and Jon Hamilton, a veteran minor leaguer who had previous seasons with the Diamond Jaxx and the Barons, on 3-2 to force in a run....... That would be all the walks Ford would give up in this game, as the Stars went to bat in the 2nd, leading 3-1.

 

Prince Fielder missed an opportunity to make it 4-1 in the 2nd when he struck out swinging on a 2-2 breaking ball with Rickie Weeks on third to end their half, but they would get it in the 3rd, after Ford stranded a couple of Smokies in the 2nd........ Once again, the Stars would rally with two out........ Barnwell hit a rocket for a double past a diving Skip Schumaker at third into the Stars bullpen. Narveson then walked Kade Johnson on a 3-and-2 pitch inside...... Ozzie Chavez, who hasn't had a lot of hits since coming to the Stars but a few critical ones, delivered to score Barnwell -- a rocket off the glove of Narveson that caromed to short, and out of Corey Erickson's reach to shallow center, and Kade boldly went first to third....... That was the end of the Stars' fortunes, however.

 

In the bottom of the 3rd, Nate Espy pulled Ford's first pitch as he neared his 60-pitch limit right up the left field chalkline......... Gabe Johnson then following a two-HR game yesterday, softly lined a hit to centerfield, and here's where you mark the turning point in this game......... Tony Gwynn's throw to Kade Johnson was on target as Espy came around full steam to score. Espy's hit on Johnson, guarding the plate, was vicious, but Kade somehow, on his back, held onto the ball. Nevertheless, Andy Roberts, the plate umpire, called Espy safe, and then threw Chris Barnwell out of the game for arguing with the 3rd base ump (when it looked like it was Manager Frank Kremblas being thrown out)........ How is the man safe when Johnson clearly has the ball after being in front of the plate when he's hit?......... You tell me......... Apparently, Barnwell believed also that Espy missed the plate and started in with the 3rd base ump........ Kade was licked really good and was cut as he was knocked to the ground, and remained on the ground for several moments. That allowed Gabe Johnson to get to third, and score to make it 4-3 on Jon Hamilton's fly ball.

 

The Smokies made a pitching change in the 5th with the Smokies on top, 5-4, with the bases loaded and Kade Johnson at the plate....... It was the Stars best chance to take the momentum and the game back as well, but Johnson's 1-1 grounder was softly hit up the middle, allowing only one run to score, tying the game ---- the last run the Stars would get........ The Smokies would go to town on Reggie Rivard in the 6th, stringing three straight singles, before Rivard hit Dee Haynes to put the Smokies ahead for the last time......... Rivard has had his moments this year, the high point being a two-hit, five-inning spot start against the Diamond Jaxx on May 1, but has been shellacked a few too many times this season......... A 5.90 ERA in April, 5.65 in May, and so far in June, 8.21........ To add insult to injury on the day, relief pitcher Nick Stocks, in his first trip to the plate this season, hit a two-run homer to dead center to give the Smokies a 10-5 advantage in the 7th, and that wrote the book for today.

 

The Stars are now 3-12 in June, historically a good month for them......... They haven't had a losing June since 2000 (11-14) and are in peril of having the worst ever (the Stars had 12-16 Junes in 1987 and 1991)...... They've been outscored 45-16 in this five-game losing streak they're on, the 3rd five-gamer this season......... Nick Espy's 8th inning homer was the 100th run the Stars have given up this month, taking them just 14 games, an average of 7.14 runs allowed per game. The record for runs allowed in a month is 240 by the 1997 Stars in May of that year..... The most effective pitcher this month has been Glenn Woolard with a 3.00 ERA in four relief appearances. Only Brian Adams (3.38) has an ERA under 4.00 this month........ The rotation continues to be battered, now with an ERA of 7.17 this month.

 

The good news? ..... Well, besides the fact the first half is ending soon, with a three-day rest following, Ryan Knox is 10-for-28 (.357) since coming back to the team, and Brad Nelson made two outfield assists today....... Prince Fielder is hitting well, but Chris Barnwell is simply on fire, hitting .408 this month, and he's doubled in three straight games. Something to watch.

 

Former roommates Mike Jones and Luis Martinez will face each other tomorrow as the Stars try to avoid a six-game losing streak........ Jonesy's pitch limit will be 45 for that game........ A near capacity (6.000) crowd of 5,509 went through the turnstiles at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee to see leadoff hitter Sammy Sosa single to center in two at-bats in the first of three games of a rehab assignment for the Diamond Jaxx, Sunday. The Diamond Jaxx, neck-and-neck with Mobile for the first half title, beat Birmingham, 2-1. Sosa's hit came in the 5th inning. The D'Jaxx won in the 9th on an error.

[madbad2000]

Well where to start...I was lucky enough to take a trip into the Lions den and visit Cedar Rapids on Sunday to see the 9-4 drubbing of the Kernels.

 

First off, Veterans Memorial Stadium is absolutely gorgeous. Best minor league park not named Victory Field I've been too. Reminded me a lot of Victory field with concourse around top of seating so game is still visible if walking around. Weird dimensions with a wall that juts out a bit in the left field corner. Video scoreboard with clock AND mph. Top notch place to watch a game.

 

I believe the game log/recap was errant as I am 98% certain the double error in the 1st was a botched pick off by Moreira and an errant throw by Lewis who had came over from 2nd to grab the past ball and a throw that would have nailed the runner who was only 2/3 of the way to third by the time the ball was to Heether who couldn't handle it.

 

Moreira looked nice...velocity wasn't that high according to the stadium gun...only up to high 80's. Worked out of a couple of jams...once had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out after a sac bunt....two flyouts to end the threat.

 

Vinny's shot in the 5th was a no doubter.....left center and a rough estimate of probably 390 ft.

 

Grybash gave up the shot of the afternoon to the catcher Duenas who pulled his fastball to dead left. Trying to do some estimates of how far that ball went we came to a conclusion of 480- dare I say 500 ft. That hit was the furthest I have ever seen a ball hit in person. But when you throw as hard as Grybash...mid 90's you give up some dongs but man was that far. Even Prince last year never hit one like that. Also sucked as Dan had him at 2 strikes.

 

The Capn's shot looked like a double until everyone realized it didn't bounce of the fence but cleared it by about a foot. Left center...he can pull them if he wants.

 

The double play to end the game was great because it should never have occurred. Hit to the 2nd base side of Acosta at short......he ends up getting a glove on it and the ball sticks in there...one second...two...finally flips to Lewis who turns and hesitates...then makes a lazy lob that beats the runner by 2 steps. It was like watching McGwire run to first it was that slow.

 

Mitch Stetter....man is he good. I've been pimping him for a little while now. A tall, smooth throwing lefty. Name to watch.

 

Heether had a tough day. In the 5th inning he made the first out. Came up again...then made the 2nd out. Corporan saved him the chance of making the 3rd out in the same inning. Had a touch of the Jenkins....long swing, pulling head, shoulder flying open, a little spin in the box.

 

A great afternoon for baseball in a great park and a great win. Best roadtrip so far...with more to come hopefully.

[MassBrew]

Daily Press High Desert Game Story:

 

Mavs shut down Inland Empire

By KRIS REILLY/Staff Writer

 

SAN BERNARDINO ? A depleted Inland Empire pitching staff did an admirable job, but an often-maligned High Desert staff was even better.

 

Three Mavericks hurlers combined for 13 strikeouts as High Desert avoided a series sweep with a 4-2 victory over the 66ers at Arrowhead Credit Union Park on Sunday.

 

Mavs starter Manny Parra led the way with his best outing of the season, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out a season-high eight and walking none in seven innings of work.

 

Parra was knocked around for seven runs on 12 hits the last time he faced the 66ers, and he attributed Sunday's success to a change of strategy.

 

"It was a game where I didn't go out there and try to overpower them, because they're a good fastball-hitting team," Parra said. "Last time I said to myself, 'I should have started out soft and went with my harder pitches later.' My approach (Sunday) was to pitch backward a little bit, and it seemed like the pitches they hit hard were the fastballs, so I stayed with the soft pitches."

 

Parra, rated by Baseball America as the top pitching prospect in a talent-rich Milwaukee Brewers farm system, retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced, striking out five.

 

Though the Mavs lost the first two games of their three-game set with Inland Empire, High Desert allowed a total of just eight runs in the series.

 

"Certainly, the quality of the games that have been pitched has improved dramatically," Mavs pitching coach John Curtis said. "The ability has been there the whole time, but I think they're getting more comfortable pitching in this league."

 

Projected Inland Empire starter Ryan Rowland-Smith was struck with a stomach illness Sunday morning and was too sick to make the start. The 66ers (36-27) went to reliever Cesar Jimenez, who allowed three runs, two earned, on six hits in four innings of work.

 

Darwin Soto pitched three scoreless innings for the 66ers, and Ruben Castillo allowed one run on one hit in the final two innings.

 

High Desert catcher John Vanden Berg and outfielder Scott Candelaria each hit singles off Jimenez in the second inning and went on to score the first two runs of the game. Vanden Berg was driven in by an Enrique Cruz single, and Candelaria scored on an error.

 

Travis Hinton singled in the third and was driven in by Vanden Berg's double to deep center field, giving High Desert a 3-0 lead. The Mavericks nearly extended the lead when Candelaria singled to shallow left, but Vanden Berg was gunned down at the plate for the final out of the third inning.

 

Leading 3-1 going into the ninth, High Desert got an insurance run when Candelaria singled again and scored on a sacrifice fly by Pete Rasmusen.

 

High Desert reliever Homero Rivera struck out three in the bottom of the ninth, but he still wasn't out of the inning thanks to a passed ball charged to Vanden Berg. With a two-run lead, two on and two outs, Rivera got Taylor Pullins to fly out to center for the game's final out.

 

High Desert (22-42) is hoping for a turnaround in the second half, and the recent success of the pitching staff gives the team hope.

 

"I feel like the pitchers are coming around," second baseman Callix Crabbe said. "It seems like they're throwing a lot more strikes and they have better command of their pitches. We know they can pitch, and you can tell they're starting to figure it out."