Link Report for Games of Tuesday, June 1st

[MassBrew]

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Plenty of opportunity to partake in minor league appetizers prior to the Brewers' west coast gig...

 

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

 

INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Travis Phelps at Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies), 6:00 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Red Barons' feed):

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...swbrbarons

 

HUNTSVILLE: LHP Ryan Costello and RHP Jason Shelley in a doubleheader at Montgomery (Devil Rays), 6:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: TBD at Modesto (A's), 9:05 PM; this is the Mavericks' first road trip to a Northern Division club...

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: TBD at home vs. South Bend (Diamondbacks), 7:00 PM

 

For the second consecutive series, no online audio available http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

[lend d money]

goes for the Snappers tonight. He told me so last night. Hopefully, he is up to the challenge. I told him the next four games will give them a good idea how they stack up in the league.

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes:

Wow, minus Matt Childers, Mike Adams, Ben Hendrickson, Jorge de la Rosa, etc., that Indy rotation looks awfully veteran / journeyman-laded these days...

 

www.indyindians.com/pdf/gamenotes.pdf

[MassBrew]

Just for squarepusher, from the Mavs' site -- not sure how long the photo link will be valid here...

 

http://www.hdmavs.com/Front-1.jpg

[LV Brewer Fan]

Going to the top of the third in game one Huntsville is up 1-0 on a Belcher homerun in the top of the 2nd.

[LV Brewer Fan]

2-0 Stars going to the top of the fifth. Raburn (no I am not kiddin') hit a dong in the forth. I have been in and out but from what I gather to this point Weeks is 0-1 with a HBP to start the game (he's fine), Fielder 0-2, Nelly 0-2 w/ 2k's, and Jr. is 1-2 with a single and a SB.

[squarepusher]

Khaliiiiiiid!

 

*melt*

[MassBrew]

Final, Game One: Huntsville 3, Montgomery (Devil Rays) 2

6'6" LHP Ryan Costello, plucked from the Blue Jays in last winter's minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, worked a two-hit shutout until allowing a two-run HR on a 3-2 pitch with two out in the bottom of the seventh in this seven-inning affair; RHP Glenn Woolard was then brought on to get the final out -- after allowing a bloop single which placed the tying run on first, a groundout ended things.

 

First place West Tenn (Cubs) also in a twinbill tonight, and lost game one. The Stars were 2.5 games back heading into play tonight, and have picked up one game thus far. The first half ends on Sunday, June 20th (Father's Day), and the Stars and Diamond Jaxx won't play before then, so potential swings like this evening's are crucial for those who enjoy a bit of championship pride in the midst of that "player development" stuff going on...

[LV Brewer Fan]

Stars win 3-2. Mobile scored 2 in the bottom of the 7th, but Woolard hung onto the lead for Costello.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Game One Box Score:

Versatile Johnny Raburn with a perfect day at the plate and is now 7-for-8 in SB attempts; speaking of tonight's SB attempts, Tony Gwynn now 15-for-23, Kade Johnson is 3-for-3, Brad Nelson now 5-for 12; Rickie Weeks with HBP # 16...

 GAME DATE: 6/01/04 HVL at MTG HUNTSVILLE 3 AT MONTGOMERY 2 DH GAME #1 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG MONTGOMERY AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 3 0 0 0 .247 F.Cortez 2B 3 0 0 0 .269 A.Gwynn CF 3 0 1 0 .264 J.Brewer LF 3 0 0 0 .263 P.Fielder 1B 3 0 0 0 .251 A.German CF 3 0 1 0 .283 B.Nelson LF 3 0 1 0 .290 J.Salas 3B 3 1 0 0 .285 J.Belcher DH 3 1 1 1 .283 D.DeMent DH 2 0 0 0 .277 C.Barnwell 3B 3 0 0 0 .208 B.Martin RF 3 1 1 2 .260 J.Raburn RF 2 2 2 1 .271 R.Cancel CAT 3 0 1 0 .213 K.Johnson CAT 2 0 1 0 .241 A.Clark 1B 3 0 0 0 .190 O.Chavez SS 2 0 0 1 .281 N.Perez SS 2 0 1 0 .337 R.Costello PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Matthews PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Woolard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Minix PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 24 3 6 3 TOTALS 25 2 4 2 HUNTSVILLE 0 1 0 1 0 0 1- 3 6 0 MONTGOMERY 0 0 0 0 0 0 2- 2 4 0 DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, MONTGOMERY 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 4, MONTGOMERY 3. HR--J.Belcher (3), J.Raburn (1), B.Martin (1). SB--A.Gwynn (15), J.Raburn (7), K.Johnson (3). CS--B.Nelson. HBP--R.Weeks. SF--O.Chavez. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE R.Costello (W,3-0) 6.2 3 2 2 1 7 1 4.20 G.Woolard (S,1) 0.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 6.75 MONTGOMERY J.Matthews (L,2-5) 6.0 4 2 2 2 4 2 3.00 T.Minix 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.53 HB--J.Matthews. SO--R.Weeks, A.Gwynn, B.Nelson 2, O.Chavez, A.German, J.Salas 2, D.DeMent, B.Martin, A.Clark 2. BB--J.Raburn, K.Johnson, D.DeMent. T--2:17.

Huntsville Game One Game Log:

Weeks promptly picked off after his first-inning HBP...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=20769

[MassBrew]

Final: Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (Phillies) 4, Indianapolis 2

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

Tribe now shares first place (with Columbus) for first time since Opening Day; Corey Hart with a three-hit game, including his 8th HR -- he's also now 8-for-12 in SB attempts; Brandon Gemoll still with the club, despite confusion on the transaction wire...

 GAME DATE: 6/01/04 IND at SWB INDIANAPOLIS 2 AT SCRANTON-WB 4 YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG SCRANTON-WB AB R H BI AVG R.Knox CF 5 0 1 0 .270 M.Budzinski CF 3 0 0 0 .226 M.Erickson 2B 5 1 1 0 .212 A.Machado SS 3 1 1 0 .229 C.Hart RF 5 1 3 1 .277 L.Collier 3B 4 1 1 1 .323 J.Liefer 1B 5 0 2 1 .341 J.Rushford 1B 4 1 2 0 .297 C.Magruder LF 3 0 0 0 .268 P.Ozuna 2B 4 1 1 2 .255 M.Johnson CAT 4 0 1 0 .275 M.Smith LF 4 0 0 0 .224 L.Figueroa 3B 4 0 0 0 .295 A.Hinch CAT 3 0 1 0 .239 S.Scarbrough SS 4 0 2 0 .220 J.Padilla RF 3 0 1 1 .243 T.Phelps PIT 2 0 1 0 .333 S.Bowers PIT 2 0 1 0 .500 B.Gemoll PH 1 0 0 0 .208 D.Giese PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Erdos PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Crowell PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Michalak PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Sheldon PH 1 0 0 0 .214 J.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 39 2 11 2 TOTALS 30 4 8 4 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1- 2 11 1 SCRANTON-WB 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 X- 4 8 2 E--R.Knox, L.Collier 2. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 0, SCRANTON-WB 0. LOB-- INDIANAPOLIS 11, SCRANTON-WB 7. 2B--R.Knox (7), M.Johnson (8), L.Collier (13), J.Rushford 2 (10), P.Ozuna (13). HR--C.Hart (8). SB--C.Hart (8). SF--J.Padilla. SH--S.Bowers. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS T.Phelps (L,5-2) 5.0 6 4 4 3 5 0 4.87 T.Erdos 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 7.13 C.Michalak 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.28 J.Childers 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.44 SCRANTON-WB S.Bowers (W,1-3) 6.0 9 1 0 1 4 0 4.63 D.Giese 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 1.42 J.Crowell (S,6) 1.0 1 1 1 0 0 1 1.35 WP--S.Bowers. SO--M.Erickson 2, J.Liefer, C.Magruder, S.Scarbrough, S.Sheldon, M.Budzinski, A.Machado 2, L.Collier 2, M.Smith, S.Bowers. BB--C.Magruder, M.Budzinski, A.Machado, A.Hinch. T--2:21. A--3887

Indianapolis Game Log:

Too many missed opportunities...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14148

[MassBrew]

Final: South Bend (Diamondbacks) 11, Beloit 1

Ugh...

 

Beloit Site Game Blurb and Player of the Game Info:

 

www.snappersbaseball.com/...me_id=1309

 

Beloit Box Score:

Terry Trofholz with his second four-hit effort in three games...

 GAME DATE: 6/01/04 SBN at BLT SOUTH BEND 11 AT BELOIT 1 YTD YTD SOUTH BEND AB R H BI AVG BELOIT AB R H BI AVG M.Goss RF 4 2 0 1 .280 T.Trofholz RF 5 0 4 0 .313 E.Bonifacio 2B 5 2 2 1 .281 J.Murray SS 5 1 1 0 .231 E.Varela 1B 4 0 0 0 .291 D.Anderson LF 4 0 1 0 .277 A.Frazier DH 4 2 1 3 .266 L.Palmisano CAT 3 0 1 0 .304 M.Montero CAT 4 1 1 2 .292 V.Rottino DH 4 0 0 0 .307 J.Cook CF 4 1 2 1 .228 A.Heether 3B 2 0 0 1 .264 J.Kaplan LF 4 1 2 3 .262 S.Moss CF 3 0 0 0 .156 A.Gonzalez SS 4 1 2 0 .210 M.Ramirez 1B 4 0 0 0 .252 L.Reynolds 3B 4 1 2 0 .237 G.Acosta 2B 4 0 0 0 .167 D.Glant PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Villanueva PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Muegge PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Beresford PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Slaten PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.McKenna PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Vicente PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 37 11 12 11 TOTALS 34 1 7 1 SOUTH BEND 0 0 0 1 3 1 0 3 3-11 12 1 BELOIT 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 1 7 1 E--E.Bonifacio, A.Heether. DP--SOUTH BEND 0, BELOIT 2. LOB--SOUTH BEND 3, BELOIT 11. 2B--J.Kaplan (6), T.Trofholz (5), J.Murray (1). HR-- E.Bonifacio (1), A.Frazier (5), M.Montero (2), J.Kaplan (4). SB-- E.Bonifacio (13), T.Trofholz (15), D.Anderson (5). CS--A.Gonzalez. SF--M.Montero. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA SOUTH BEND D.Glant (W,2-2) 5.0 5 1 1 3 5 0 5.75 D.Muegge 1.2 1 0 0 0 4 0 2.72 D.Slaten 1.1 0 0 0 2 0 0 2.25 R.Vicente 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 5.12 BELOIT C.Villanueva (L,4-5) 6.0 6 5 5 1 6 3 4.56 S.Beresford 2.0 4 3 0 1 2 0 4.55 D.McKenna 1.0 2 3 3 1 0 1 8.22 WP--R.Vicente. SO--E.Varela 2, A.Frazier, M.Montero, J.Cook 2, L.Reynolds 2, J.Murray, D.Anderson, L.Palmisano, V.Rottino 2, A.Heether, M.Ramirez 2, G.Acosta. BB--M.Goss, E.Varela, A.Frazier, D.Anderson, L.Palmisano, A.Heether 2, S.Moss. T--2:46. A--779

Beloit Game Log:

Well, the Snappers had them at 1-0 early...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12488

[DHonks]

nice to see Gwynn with a couple walks and a hit on the day, and Belcher with some doubles.

[MassBrew]

Final, Game Two: Montgomery (Devil Rays) 4, Huntsville 2

 

Huntsville Site Doubleheader Summary:

 

A sweep was there for the taking, but Huntsville fell one clutch hit short. After winning game one, 3-2, the Stars (28-24) stranded seven runners and lost to the Biscuits (21-31), 4-2, in the nightcap of a doubleheader on Tuesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Huntsville remained 2 ½ games behind Southern League West leader West Tenn after the Jaxx split a pair in Birmingham.

 

Jason Belcher and Johnny Raburn propelled Huntsville in game one, blasting solo homers to right in the second and fourth innings, respectively. Ozzie Chavez delivered a key insurance run with a seventh-inning sacrifice fly for a 3-0 Stars lead.

 

Ryan Costello (3-0) won game one, coming within one strike of a two-hit shutout before Brian Martin slammed a 3-2 pitch for a two-run homer in the seventh. Costello tossed 6 2/3 outstanding innings, giving up two runs on three hits and one walk while fanning a season-high seven. Glenn Woolard recorded his first save, permitting one hit and retiring one batter in the ninth. Jarod Matthews (2-5) suffered the loss, surrendering two runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

 

Down 3-0 entering the third in game two, Huntsville loaded the bases with none out, and Prince Fielder grounded into a double play, plating Chavez. Brad Nelson fanned with Rickie Weeks at third base to end the inning. In the fourth, Belcher led off with a ringing double to left, but the Stars stranded him at third. Chavez started the fifth with a double and reached third with one out. Tony Gwynn Jr. flied to shallow left and Fielder struck out to end the threat.

 

In the sixth, Nelson singled and Belcher doubled, putting runners at second and third with none out. Chris Barnwell reached on an error charged to first baseman Jose Velazquez, scoring Nelson and sending Belcher to third. After Raburn popped out to shallow center, the Stars botched a squeeze. Belcher broke from third on a 1-2 pitch to Joel Alvarado, but Alvarado swung through the pitch for strike three. Biscuits catcher Iker Franco chased down Belcher and tagged him out for a rally-killing double play.

 

Chris Seddon (3-1) notched his third victory in game two, permitting two runs on six hits while fanning five and walking three over five innings. Jason Shelley (0-1) suffered the loss in a spot start, giving up three runs, two earned, on six hits and no walks with three strikeouts in four innings, his longest stint this season. Josh Parker picked up his eighth save, walking one and fanning one in a scoreless ninth.

 

Stars right-hander Tim Bausher (1-5, 3.27) meets Biscuits lefty Jason Cromer (2-4, 5.48) in game three of the series Wednesday night at Riverwalk Stadium. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the FPH Financial Services Pre-game show starts at 6:50 p.m. Stars baseball can be heard at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Game Two Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 6/01/04 HVL at MTG HUNTSVILLE 2 AT MONTGOMERY 4 DH GAME #2 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG MONTGOMERY AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 3 0 1 0 .248 F.Cortez 2B 4 1 1 0 .268 A.Gwynn CF 2 0 0 0 .261 J.Brewer LF 2 1 1 0 .269 P.Fielder 1B 4 0 0 0 .246 A.German CF 3 0 2 1 .295 B.Nelson LF 3 1 1 0 .290 J.Velazquez 1B 3 0 0 0 .258 J.Belcher DH 3 0 2 0 .293 J.Salas 3B 2 0 1 0 .287 C.Barnwell 3B 3 0 1 1 .210 D.DeMent DH 2 0 0 1 .272 J.Raburn RF 3 0 0 0 .263 B.Martin RF 3 1 1 1 .262 J.Alvarado CAT 3 0 0 0 .175 I.Franco CAT 3 0 0 0 .179 O.Chavez SS 2 1 1 0 .294 N.Perez SS 3 1 2 0 .346 J.Shelley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Seddon PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Rivard PIT 0 0 0 0 .500 A.Coose PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Parker PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 26 2 6 1 TOTALS 25 4 8 3 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 1 0 0 1 0- 2 6 1 MONTGOMERY 2 1 0 0 0 1 X- 4 8 1 E--C.Barnwell, J.Velazquez. DP--HUNTSVILLE 1, MONTGOMERY 0. LOB-- HUNTSVILLE 7, MONTGOMERY 6. 2B--R.Weeks (8), J.Belcher 2 (10), O.Chavez (2), F.Cortez (11). 3B--N.Perez (1). HR--B.Martin (2). SB--R.Weeks (3). CS--J.Belcher. HBP--J.Salas. SF--D.DeMent. SH-- J.Brewer. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE J.Shelley (L,0-1) 4.0 6 3 2 0 3 0 1.80 R.Rivard 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5.54 B.Adams 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 1 5.10 MONTGOMERY C.Seddon (W,3-1) 5.0 6 2 2 3 5 0 3.00 A.Coose 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.60 J.Parker (S,8) 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 5.26 HB--J.Shelley. SO--P.Fielder 2, B.Nelson 2, J.Belcher, J.Raburn, J.Alvarado, J.Brewer, A.German, J.Velazquez, J.Salas, B.Martin. BB--R.Weeks, A.Gwynn 2, O.Chavez. T--2:17. A--3305

Huntsville Game Two Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16266

[MassBrew]

Final: Modesto (A's) 9, High Desert 2

Six unearned runs don't help; only 652 on hand to see the first-place A's in their home park...

 

Modesto Site Game Summary:

 

The Modesto Athletics took advantage of four High Desert miscues and beat the Mavericks 9-2 on Tuesday night at John Thurman Field. Mark Sauer pitched seven innings allowing two runs on five hits to pick up his fifth win of the season. John Suomi had two doubles and five runs batted in to pace the offense and Jason Perry, playing in his first game for Modesto this season, had two doubles and two RBI?s. The A?s have now won three in a row and 11 of their last 12 games and are 14 games over .500.

 

The A?s scored five unearned runs in the third inning off of High Desert starter David Bradley who took the loss. Suomi drove in two runs with his first double then added his second double in the fourth inning with the bases loaded to drive in three.

 

Keith Perez pitched a scoreless eighth and ninth innings following Sauer?s seven-inning performance to close out the game.

 

The series continues Wednesday night at the A?s send Matt Lynch to the mound. He will be opposed by High Desert?s Bo Hall. Game time at John Thurman Field is 7:05 PM (9:05 Central).

 

High Desert Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 6/01/04 HD at MOD HIGH DESERT 2 AT MODESTO 9 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG MODESTO AB R H BI AVG C.Morris DH 4 0 0 0 .299 E.Cornejo SS 3 2 1 0 .400 C.Crabbe 2B 4 1 2 0 .301 M.McBeth RF 3 2 1 0 .241 D.Boyd LF 4 0 1 0 .284 A.Ethier CF 5 1 0 0 .284 T.Hinton 1B 3 0 1 1 .303 N.Cruz LF 3 1 1 0 .316 J.Vanden ber CAT 3 0 0 0 .310 J.Suomi 3B 4 1 2 5 .319 S.Candelaria 3B 4 0 1 0 .255 B.Stavisky DH 4 2 1 0 .331 K.Bibbs CF 4 0 0 0 .292 J.Perry 1B 4 0 2 2 .500 J.Frost RF 3 1 2 0 .282 J.Morris CAT 4 0 0 0 .254 E.Cruz SS 3 0 1 1 .227 I.Garcia 2B 4 0 0 0 .224 D.Bradley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Sauer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Henderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .167 K.Perez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 32 2 8 2 TOTALS 34 9 8 7 HIGH DESERT 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0- 2 8 4 MODESTO 0 0 5 3 0 0 1 0 X- 9 8 0 E--D.Boyd, S.Candelaria, J.Frost 2. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, MODESTO 3. LOB--HIGH DESERT 6, MODESTO 6. 2B--C.Crabbe (9), T.Hinton (15), J.Frost (6), E.Cornejo (1), J.Suomi 2 (14), J.Perry 2 (2). HBP-- M.McBeth 2, N.Cruz. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT D.Bradley (L,3-3) 4.0 6 8 3 1 1 0 4.33 E.Henderson 4.0 2 1 0 1 0 0 6.55 MODESTO M.Sauer (W,5-2) 7.0 5 2 2 2 4 0 5.46 K.Perez 2.0 3 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 HB--D.Bradley 3. SO--C.Morris, C.Crabbe, J.Vanden ber, K.Bibbs, N.Cruz. BB--T.Hinton, J.Vanden ber, J.Frost, E.Cornejo 2. T--2:17. A--652

High Desert Game Log:

Jeremy Frost (RF on Tuesday, two errors) was drafted in the 10th round in 2002 as a catcher, but almost immediately was moved from behind the plate, losing tons of value -- he's really been a man without a true position...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=18745

[MassBrew]

Indianapolis Star Post-Game Notes:

 

The Indianapolis Indians collected 11 hits but just two runs Tuesday night in a 4-2 loss to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.

 

Corey Hart had three hits, and Jeff Liefer and Steve Scarborough two each for the Indians, who left 11 runners on base.

 

The loss dropped Indianapolis (28-22) into a first-place tie with the Columbus Clippers, who defeated Ottawa 6-5, in the West Division of the International League.

 

Scranton took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on an RBI double by Pablo Ozuna and a sacrifice fly by Jorge Padilla.

 

The Indians got one back in the fifth on an RBI single by Liefer.

 

But the Red Barons came back with two runs in the bottom of the inning for a 4-1 advantage on an RBI double by Lou Collier and an RBI groundout by Ozuna.

 

Hart closed out the scoring with a solo homer in the ninth off Jim Crowell, a former University of Indianapolis pitcher who played for the Tribe in 1997-98.

 

"He's (Hart) a good hitter and he just hit a good pitch," Crowell said in a news release from the Indians. "I'll get him next time at their place (Monday through June 10).

 

"Since I've been at Scranton, I have been able to throw more strikes than I did when I pitched in Indianapolis."

 

Scranton starter Shane Bowers (1-3) allowed one run on nine hits in six innings to earn the win. Dan Giese pitched two scoreless innings of relief and Crowell finished for his sixth save.

 

Indians starter Travis Phelps (5-2) allowed four runs on six hits in five innings.

[MassBrew]

More Indianapolis details from the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader:

 

Barons take 3 of 4 from Indians

By VAN ROSE

vrose@leader.net

 

MOOSIC - Jim Rushford slammed a pair of doubles and made a clutch defensive play, and Shane Bowers had his best outing of the season as Scranton/Wilkes-Barre posted a 4-2 victory over Indianapolis Tuesday night at Lackawanna County Stadium.

 

The Red Barons took 3-of-4 games from the West Division-leading Indians (28-22) and sport the best record (30-21) in the International League.

 

"We're coming up with key hits and everyone is contributing," Rushford said. "We're really playing well. Hopefully, we'll be in the chase for a berth in the playoffs."

 

Bowers (1-3) turned in a strong outing. He gave up nine hits in six innings of work, but limited the hot-hitting Indians to just one run. He fanned four and walked just one batter.

 

"It feels really good to contribute something positive," the veteran right-hander said. "I've been inconsistent most of the year, so it was nice to be able to keep us in the game."

 

For the most part, Bowers stayed ahead of the hitters - something he says built up his confidence.

 

"My offspeed pitches were effective, and that was largely because I was ahead," he said. "When you get behind, you tend to rely on your fastball, and sometimes that gets you in trouble."

 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre struck first, taking a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning against Indy starter Travis Phelps.

 

Rushford led off with a towering double to dead center field that narrowly missed going out. Indians center fielder Ryan Knox ran down the ball, but bobbled it, enabling Rushford to cruise into third base.

 

Pablo Ozuna followed with a double that scored Rushford. Ozuna later scored on Jorge Padilla's sacrifice fly.

 

Rushford made a sterling defensive play in the third inning that wiped out an Indy scoring threat.

 

With two outs and runners on second and third, Rushford speared a wicked line drive off the bat of Indianapolis catcher Mark Johnson.

 

"Rushford made an outstanding play," Red Barons manager Marc Bombard said. "If he doesn't make the catch, the ball goes into the gap and they score two runs."

 

The Indians trimmed the lead to 2-1 in the fifth inning when Matt Erickson scored from second on a swinging bunt single by Jeff Liefer.

 

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre widened the gap to 4-1 in the bottom of the fifth. Anderson Machado drew a leadoff walk, then scored when Lou Collier doubled into the left field gap. Collier later scored from third on a groundout by Ozuna.

 

There was a 59-minute rain delay after six innings, and Dan Giese replaced Bowers when play resumed. He pitched two shutout innings, and Jim Crowell worked the ninth to notch his sixth save.

 

Crowell gave up one hit - a monster home run by Indianapolis right fielder Corey Hart, who was 3-for-5. Hart drilled a Crowell cutter high over the left field fence.

 

Hart, who feasted on Red Barons pitching during the series, was impressed by Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's hitting.

 

"I think these two teams are evenly matched, but they came up with the big hits and we didn't," Hart said.

 

NOTES: Red Barons PR Director Mike Cummings downloaded a copy of the song "Sunglasses At Night" and planned to play it every time Indianapolis outfielder Corey Hart came up to bat. However, the format wouldn't play in the stadium's sound system. Hart is the namesake of the singer of the 1984 pop hit.

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 28 22 .560[/b] COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 28 22 .560 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 27 26 .509 2.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 25 27 .481 4.0

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 30 21 .588 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 28 24 .538 2.5[/b] MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 26 26 .500 4.5 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 25 26 .490 5.0 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 21 31 .404 9.5

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 31 20 .608 LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 30 20 .600 .5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 26 24 .520 4.5 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 23 27 .460 7.5 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 20 31 .392 11.0[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 30 21 .588 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 29 21 .580 .5 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 29 22 .569 1.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 28 24 .538 2.5[/b] CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 26 24 .520 3.5 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 23 24 .489 5.0 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 22 29 .431 8.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 17 35 .327 13.5

[lend d money]

Someone mentioned his versatility. One of the items I forgot to include in my Sights & Sounds of Huntsville thread is that one of the bullpen pitchers told me Raburn throws 90mph. So, when you see his name in a pitching line, the opponent isn't hitting off some knuckleball throwing bench player.

[hardytheman]

nice to see EHenderson throwing 4 scoreless.

 

Does this guy have any upside?

[biedergb]

Well he's lefty, and was a former 4th round pick (2000), so he has upside. Also reportedly has a wicked pickoff move to first.

 

But he's 24, already missed significant time with Tommy John surgery (I think), and has not pitched well so far in the Cal League. He's even been experimented as a DH last week, so take that for what it's worth. But a left handed throwing Brooks Kieschnick would be nice (along with our other new "Brooks" in Ben Diggins).

[lend d money]

was pitching in the low 80's in Beloit last year. Yes, he has a wicked move to 1B. In fact, last year, he picked off two consecutive runners at first in the same inning after giving up hits. His promotion was one driven more by age than performance. I wouldn't pin too many hopes on him. Regardless, he will do just fine in life as he is an extremely bright kid.

[pogokat]

Callix Crabbe is en fuego...

 

his line now: .302/.399/.404

 

callix is the new ronnie belliard...and if rickie weeks ever gets moved to cf or 3b, callix could well have a future with the brewers...i know his d has never gotten rave reports...but that obp is great...great....great

[lend d money]

He is on pace to make about ten less errors than last year. He showed good range as a Snapper. He just wasn't very sure-handed. Perhaps, Callix is making strides in this area.

[hardytheman]

thats abuot what I thought regarding hendu.

 

Man, low 80;s in Beloit last year? Yikes.

 

I guess if the guy could hit 90 consistently then he might have a future, but from what I see, guess not.