Link Report for Games of Friday, May 7th

[MassBrew]

The TGIF Daily Menu:

 

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

 

INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Ben Hendrickson at home vs. Charlotte (White Sox), 7:00 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

Alternate audio link (Knights' feed):

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

 

HUNTSVILLE: RHP Dennis Sarfate at Jacksonville (Dodgers), 6:35 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: LHP Eric Henderson at Lancaster (Diamondbacks), 8:30 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: RHP Greg Moreira at home vs. the mighty walking machine that is Kane County (A's), 6:30 PM

 

Audio link (Cougars' feed):

www.kccougars.com/

 

The Cougars' feeds archive, so you can go back and listen to any critical moments if you wish -- nice...

[kanyeJ]

alright,

 

 

Sarfate goes tonight. Im praying that he has a great start this evening. Same with Hendrickson, but Dennis needs one badly.

[MassBrew]

We'll see if we can help our friends with the Snappers by promoting attendance during the current homestand:

 

The Snappers return home tomorrow for eight days. Friday, May 7th through Monday, May 10th Beloit will face the Kane County Cougars, class A affiliate of the Oakland A's. That series will be followed up with four games against the Cedar Rapids Kernels, class A affiliate of the Anaheim Angels, from Tuesday the 11th through Friday the 14th.

Here's a list of promotions and game details for the homestand:

 

Friday, May 7th at 6:30PM - Family Fun Fridays

 

For just $30 you receive four box seats, four hot dogs and four sodas. Each additional person is just $8!

 

Saturday, May 8th at 6:30PM

 

Sunday, May 9th at 2:00PM - Mother of all Promos

 

Bring up out to Pohlman Field for a great day at the park sponsored by our friends at Beloit Floral. Every mom in attendance will receive a carnation, and make sure she stops by the Avon booth on the concourse and gets a massage provided by Country Garden Spa in Janesville. Make sure to get the buy-one-get-one free coupon in the CSI Sunday Shopper, and remember kids run the bases after every Sunday home game.

 

Monday, May 10th at 6:30PM - All You Can Eat

 

This is the first of five All-You-Can-Eat Nights at Pohlman Field. All tickets are $10 each (kids under four are still free). Your ticket includes your choice of seat for the game and you can eat for the All-You-Can-Eat menu for free all night long! Tweleve ounce cups of Miller Lite and MGD are 99 cents all night long thanks to our friends at Ott-Schweitzer and 99.9 WJVL.

 

Tuesday, May 11th at 6:30PM - Plastic Bottle Bargain

 

Plastic bottles of Miller Lite and MGD are only $2.75 all night thanks to Ott-Schweiter!

 

Wednesday, May 12th at 6:30PM - Wet Your Whistle Wednesday

 

Plastic bottles of Bud and Bud Light are only $2.75 all night long thanks to ESPN Radio 1380AM The Jock and Wisconsin Distributors.

 

Thursday, May 13th at 11:00AM - School Days

 

This is our annual Learn With The Snappers Day at the park. Gates will open up at 10:00AM and there will be games for everyone on the concourse.

 

Friday, May 14th at 6:30PM - Family Fun Fridays

 

For just $30 you receive four box seats, four hot dogs and four sodas. Each additional person is just $8!

 

You can order tickets to any of the above games, or any 2004 home game by calling the Snappers offices at 1-888-SNAP-2-IT or ordering online at www.snappersbaseball.com.

 

All promotions are subject to change.

[MassBrew]

Kane County (A's) at Beloit, postponed, rain

 

5/7/2004- The Snappers 6:30 p.m. game with the Kane County Cougars scheduled for Friday, May 7 was postponed due to rain. The game will be made up on Sunday, May 9 as part of a double-header starting at 2:00 p.m. The two teams will play two seven inning games.

 

Tickets dated May 7 are now good for any other 2004 home game except for 5/10, 6/14, 7/19, 8/9, and 8/30.

[scoop53714]

charlotte has 2 hits and 0 runs through 7 vs Indy. Perhaps a nice audition for Ben H.

 

Huntsville is also up 2-1 late.

[DuWayne Steurer]

Nice outing for Ben H eh? thanks for the update Scoop!

[deeswan]

Stars give up a run on a bad throw by Cruz. E-6, game tied at 2 in the 9th.

[dman]

great outing by ben unfortunately michalek got lit up and indy loses 4-1, 7ip 1er 1bb 3k's 4h

[deeswan]

Prince with a 2-out, bases loaded, 2-run single after Gwynn K'd with 1 out.

 

His Royal Highness breaks an 0 for 9 mini-slump and the legend of the soon-to-be-20 year old grows.

http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

 

However, with the Huntsville bullpen in about the same shape as Milwaukee's, super-utility player Johnny Raburn will try to close it out in his second inning of relief work.

 

And Raburn does it despite giving up hits to the first 2 men in the inning. Stars win 4-2. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/happy.gif

[RyDogg66]

Johnny Raburn is pitching? Did I hear that correctly? How long has this been going on?

[DHonks]

I still would like to hear if Raburn pitching is to attempt to improve his value. Like I said, with the money invested in these kids, might as well give them every possible chance to succeed. Especially prep players we draft who were known as two way players

[deeswan]

I don't think so, it didn't sound to me like his fastball got past the low to mid 80s. I think it's a situation where they had nobody else in the pen (Novinsky & Rivard both unavailable due to injury) and had to go with somebody. Since Raburn pitched 1 other time this year, he got the call. Sounds to me like it's emergency only, it just happened that tonight's emergency was with the game on the line.

[pogokat]

From MassBrew:

 

Pogokat, you're the man for those nightowls -- thanks again! I didn't want to blow away your comments here, when adding the cut-and-paste box scores below, so readers can follow the links if they choose, but boxes are below also.

 

Indy Box:

 

milb.sportsnetwork.com/me...MEID=14110

 

hey, Rich Paz can STILL get on base....where's the o guys?

 

Huntsville Box:

 

milb.sportsnetwork.com/me...MEID=12275

 

a little better for sarfate...wasn't someone asking for jason belcher to get it together??? well, he did pretty good today

 

High Desert Box:

 

milb.sportsnetwork.com/me...MEID=19020

 

ummm...dan boyd is good???

[Dollarbill13]

Someone mentioned the other day about how much Rickie gets hit by pitches... he got hit twice more tonight.

[JoeHova]

yeah, Rickie's been hit by 10! pitches this year.

[MassBrew]

Final: Charlotte (White Sox) 4, Indianapolis 1

 

Indianapolis Star Game Blurb:

Again just off the news wire only; heck, the Star could send a college intern to get quotes and actual coverage (maybe a photo) for free; so much for the homestand -- we're just learning almost nothing about this team in terms of media coverage this season...

 

INDIANAPOLIS - Five of Charlotte's eight hits went for extra bases Friday night, including eighth-inning triples by Mario Valenzuela and Bryant Nelson, in a 4-1 International League victory over Indianapolis.

 

The Indians took a 1-0 lead into the eighth before the Knights scored all of their runs in that inning.

 

Valenzuela opened with a triple to right and scored on a single by Scott Bikowski. Andres Torres drove in Bikoswki with a double, then scored on the triple by Nelson. With two out, Rich Paz reached base on an error, allowing Nelson to score the final run, unearned.

 

Jose Santiago went the final two innings for starting pitcher Josh Stewart (1-2) and did not allow a base runner.

 

Reliever Chris Michalak (2-3) took the loss for Indianapolis. Indianapolis starter Ben Hendrickson did not factor into the decision despite allowing just four hits and a run in seven innings plus.

 

The only run for the Indians came in the fourth inning on a double by Ryan Knox, an error and a sacrifice fly by Matt Erickson.

 

The Indians managed only four hits off Stewart. On Thursday night, Indianapolis had 20 hits in a 19-3 victory over Charlotte.

 

Indianapolis (16-10) remains in first place in the West Division, 41/2 games ahead of Toledo. Only North Division leader Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (17-10) has a better record.

 

The Indians depart on a nine-day northeastern trip with four games each at Ottawa and Rochester.

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 5/07/04 CHR at IND CHARLOTTE 4 AT INDIANAPOLIS 1 YTD YTD CHARLOTTE AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG A.Torres RF 4 1 2 1 .282 R.Knox CF 4 1 2 0 .357 B.Nelson 2B 5 1 1 1 .291 M.Erickson 2B 3 0 0 1 .261 J.Reed CF 4 0 1 0 .317 C.Magruder LF 3 0 1 0 .309 M.Bell 3B 3 0 0 0 .245 J.Liefer 1B 3 0 0 0 .310 B.Smith SS 4 0 0 0 .250 J.Hardy SS 3 0 0 0 .276 R.Paz 1B 3 0 1 0 .320 S.Sheldon DH 3 0 0 0 .185 R.Hankins CAT 4 0 0 0 .161 C.Hart RF 3 0 0 0 .287 M.Valenzuela LF 4 1 1 0 .220 S.Scarbrough 3B 3 0 1 0 .265 S.Bikowski DH 4 1 2 1 .180 A.Delgado CAT 3 0 0 0 .000 J.Stewart PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hendrckson PIT 0 0 0 0 .286 J.Santiago PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Michalak PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 35 4 8 3 TOTALS 28 1 4 1 CHARLOTTE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0- 4 8 1 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0- 1 4 1 E--J.Stewart, S.Scarbrough. DP--CHARLOTTE 0, INDIANAPOLIS 1. LOB-- CHARLOTTE 7, INDIANAPOLIS 1. 2B--A.Torres 2 (4), R.Paz (1), R.Knox (3). 3B--B.Nelson (1), M.Valenzuela (1). CS--R.Knox. HBP--M.Bell. SF-- M.Erickson. SH--A.Torres. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA CHARLOTTE J.Stewart (W,1-2) 7.0 4 1 1 0 1 0 3.44 J.Santiago (S,4) 2.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.95 INDIANAPOLIS B.Hendrckson 7.0 4 1 1 1 3 0 2.48 C.Michalak (L,2-3) 2.0 4 3 2 0 1 0 2.70 HB--C.Michalak. WP--J.Stewart. SO--A.Torres, J.Reed, M.Valenzuela, S.Bikowski, M.Erickson, S.Scarbrough. BB--R.Paz. T--2:13. A--7649

Indianapolis Game Log:

We're only linking directly to it, the SportsNetwork shouldn't have a problem with that...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...meID=14110

[MassBrew]

Final: Huntsville 4, Jacksonville (Dodgers) 2, 12 innings

Raburn shines, but only thanks to another Enrique Cruz miscue -- ugh, that whole "carry Cruz through all of 2003" thing is looking more disastrous all the time...

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

The Stars blew a 2-1 lead in the ninth, sent a position player to the mound in the 11th, and still somehow found a way to win. Prince Fielder, named the Southern League Hitter of the Week earlier in the day, lined a clutch two-run single, then outfielder Johnny Raburn pitched a scoreless 12th in Huntsville?s improbable 4-2 win over Jacksonville (18-10) on Friday night at the Baseball Grounds. The Stars (15-13) reclaimed a share of first place in the Southern League West.

 

Jason Belcher put Huntsville in front, 1-0, with a monstrous second-inning homer, a solo drive that cleared the grandstand beyond the rightfield wall. With the score tied 1-1 in the fourth, Chris Barnwell, a native of the Jacksonville area, singled home Brad Nelson to put the Stars up, 2-1.

 

With Stars closer Roberto Giron pitching the ninth ? he was 5-for-5 in save chances entering the game ? Suns catcher Tony Socarras led off with a single. Wilkin Ruan sacrificed Socarras to second, and Giron fanned Jason Repko for the second out. On a 1-2 pitch, Nelson Castro hit a ground ball to short, but Enrique Cruz?s errant throw short-hopped Fielder at first and bounced far enough away for Socarras to score the tying run.

 

Stars relievers John Novinsky (elbow) and Reggie Rivard (knee) remained unavailable due to injury, and all other Huntsville relievers had been used in the game or one day prior. Enter Raburn, the same Stars utility player who tossed a scoreless inning in Chattanooga on April 30. He pitched a perfect 11th, and Fielder?s two-out, two-strike, bases-loaded single delivered two runs in the top of the 12th for a 4-2 Stars lead.

 

Nick Alvarez and Willy Aybar led off the Suns? 12th with singles, but Raburn pounced on Brennan King?s bunt and nailed Alvarez at third. With Derek Michaelis at the plate, Raburn?s first pitch hit the dirt, and Aybar bounced too far off second. Catcher Joel Alvarado ran at Aybar before feeding Cruz for the tag. After Michaelis? infield single, pinch-hitter Edwin Bellorin flied to center to end the game.

 

Raburn (1-0) notched the unlikely win, tossing two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and no runs while fanning one. Elvin Nina (3-3) suffered the loss, permitting two runs on three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in two innings.

 

Huntsville lefty Jeff Housman (0-2, 4.24) meets Suns left-hander Randy Leek (1-0, 2.38) in game three of the series Saturday night at the Baseball Grounds.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Lots to digest here -- Rickie Weeks batting leadoff, nice change-of-pace there with Mr. OBP; with Brandon Gemoll, Brad Nelson, and Jason Belcher not capable of playing CF, Tony Gwynn's not getting the breaks in the schedule he needs; Gemoll and Belcher are both getting penalized for being on the same team that needs a DH so rarely; why such a short outing for Dennis Sarfate -- low BB and K count, they must be fouling off a ton of pitches; Paul Stewart with more yeoman "save the staff" work; 27 combined K's in this one...

 GAME DATE: 5/07/04 HVL at JAX HUNTSVILLE 4 AT JACKSONVILLE 2 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG JACKSONVILLE AB R H BI AVG R.Weeks 2B 4 0 1 0 .265 J.Repko CF 6 0 2 0 .348 A.Gwynn CF 6 0 0 0 .211 J.Repko LF 0 0 0 0 .348 P.Fielder 1B 6 0 1 2 .310 N.Castro SS 6 0 0 0 .235 B.Nelson LF 6 1 2 0 .283 N.Alvarez LF 4 1 3 0 .313 B.Nelson RF 0 0 0 0 .283 N.Alvarez 1B 0 0 0 0 .313 J.Belcher RF 4 1 3 1 .286 W.Aybar 2B 6 0 3 1 .278 F.Rijo PIT 0 0 0 0 1.000 B.King 3B 5 0 0 0 .295 R.Giron PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Michaelis RF 6 0 1 0 .313 B.Gemoll PH 1 0 0 0 .213 J.Hoorelbeke 1B 2 0 1 0 .197 B.Gemoll LF 0 0 0 0 .213 F.Osoria PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Barnwell 3B 5 0 1 1 .175 B.Dowdy PH 1 0 1 0 .333 J.Alvarado CAT 3 1 0 0 .211 E.Nina PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Cruz SS 4 0 0 0 .164 E.Bellorin PH 1 0 0 0 .317 D.Sarfate PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 T.Socarras CAT 5 1 2 0 .262 P.Stewart PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 G.Bott PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 J.Raburn RF 2 1 1 0 .262 S.Garcia PH 1 0 0 0 .306 J.Raburn PIT 0 0 0 0 .262 L.Gonzalez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 W.Ruan CF 1 0 0 0 .186 TOTALS 44 4 9 4 TOTALS 46 2 13 1 HUNTSVILLE 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2- 4 9 1 JACKSONVILLE 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0- 2 13 0 E--E.Cruz. DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, JACKSONVILLE 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 9, JACKSONVILLE 14. 2B--J.Belcher (2), N.Alvarez (5), J.Hoorelbeke (7). HR--J.Belcher (1). SB--P.Fielder (2). CS--B.Nelson, J.Repko. HBP-- R.Weeks 2, J.Hoorelbeke. SH--B.King, W.Ruan. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE D.Sarfate 4.0 3 1 1 2 3 0 5.87 P.Stewart 3.0 4 0 0 0 4 0 3.42 F.Rijo 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.00 R.Giron 2.0 2 1 0 1 4 0 1.80 J.Raburn (W,1-0) 2.0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 JACKSONVILLE G.Bott 6.0 5 2 2 1 7 1 2.89 L.Gonzalez 2.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 3.65 F.Osoria 2.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.86 E.Nina (L,3-3) 2.0 3 2 2 1 4 0 5.68 HB--D.Sarfate, G.Bott, E.Nina. SO--A.Gwynn 3, P.Fielder 2, B.Nelson 3, J.Belcher, B.Gemoll, C.Barnwell, E.Cruz, D.Sarfate, P.Stewart, J.Repko 3, N.Alvarez, B.King 2, D.Michaelis 2, J.Hoorelbeke, T.Socarras 2, G.Bott, S.Garcia. BB--J.Alvarado 2, E.Cruz, N.Alvarez 2, J.Hoorelbeke. T--3:45. A--8957

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12275

[MassBrew]

BOB MACK/The Florida Times-Union, Photo

The Suns' Nick Alvarez slams into Huntsville Stars catcher Joel Alvarado at home plate as he attempts to score from first base on a hit by Willy Aybar in the bottom of the third inning Friday night at the Baseball Grounds. Alvarado lost control of the ball, allowing the run, but Huntsville won the game, beating the Eastern Division leaders 4-2 in 12 innings.

 

http://www.jacksonville.com/images/050804/31123_400.jpg

[MassBrew]

Jacksonville futility pointed out the Times-Union:

 

Consider that the Suns:

 

*had at least one hit in every inning except the first, fourth and 11th.

 

*placed a runner on base in each of the first 10 innings.

 

*stranded a base runner in every inning except the seventh and 11th.

 

*had at least one runner in scoring position with less than two outs four times between the fourth and eighth innings and again in the 12th, but couldn't score.

[MassBrew]

Final: High Desert 6, Lancaster (Diamondbacks) 4

 

High Desert Game Summary:

From the Jethawks' site, so from an opponent's perspective for now...

 

Jarred Ball hit a pair of home runs for the JetHawks, but a five run fifth inning would lead the High Desert Mavericks to a 6-4 win over the JetHawks on Friday night at The Hangar in front of 2,323 fans.

 

With the game scoreless in the bottom of the fourth inning, Ball hit the first of his two solo home runs to give the JetHawks a 1-0 lead.

 

However, in the top of the fifth, the Mavericks would score five runs on seven hits to take a 5-2 lead. Froilan Villanueva hit his third home run of the year, and Kennard Bibbs added a two-run triple in the inning for High Desert.

 

Ball would again hit a solo home run to lead off in the sixth for the JetHawks, becoming the fourth JetHawks player to hit two home runs in a game this season. Ball now has four home runs on the year. Lancaster added a single run in the seventh inning, but could not get any closer in the loss.

 

Adam Bass (2-2) was charged with the loss for the JetHawks, allowing five runs on eight hits over five innings.

 

Neb Brown had his season high nine game hitting streak snapped in the game. Conor Jackson and Carlos Quentin both had four game hitting streaks snapped for the JetHawks. Quentin also had a streak of reaching base safely in 19 straight games snapped.

 

High Desert Box Score:

SS Ozzie Chavez continues his amazing run at the plate as of late, citing a new "aggressiveness"; nice to see young closer Nick Slack settling in nicely in his last few outings...

 GAME DATE: 5/07/04 HD at LNC HIGH DESERT 6 AT LANCASTER 4 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG LANCASTER AB R H BI AVG K.Bibbs CF 5 1 2 2 .289 J.Ball CF 4 2 2 2 .273 C.Crabbe 2B 4 0 0 2 .239 D.Brooks DH 4 1 0 0 .278 D.Boyd LF 4 0 2 0 .307 C.Jackson LF 3 0 0 0 .318 T.Hinton DH 5 0 1 0 .352 C.Quentin RF 4 0 0 0 .238 J.Eure 3B 4 0 0 0 .209 J.D'Antona 3B 3 1 1 0 .308 F.Villanueva CAT 4 1 2 1 .188 P.Avlas CAT 4 0 1 0 .377 S.Candelaria RF 4 1 1 0 .270 M.Santana 1B 2 0 0 1 .220 J.Frost 1B 4 1 1 0 .264 J.Cota PH 1 0 0 0 .364 O.Chavez SS 4 2 2 1 .292 M.Morgan SS 3 0 2 0 .214 E.Henderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Brown 2B 3 0 0 0 .320 D.Kolb PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Bass PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Slack PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Gonzalez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.White PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 6 11 6 TOTALS 31 4 6 3 HIGH DESERT 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 1- 6 11 0 LANCASTER 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 0 0- 4 6 2 E--M.Morgan, N.Brown. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, LANCASTER 2. LOB--HIGH DESERT 7, LANCASTER 3. 2B--T.Hinton (10). 3B--K.Bibbs (1). HR--F.Villanueva (3), J.Ball 2 (4). SF--C.Crabbe, M.Santana. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT E.Henderson (W,1-2) 6.2 6 4 4 2 4 2 5.63 D.Kolb 1.1 0 0 0 0 2 0 5.16 N.Slack (S,3) 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 5.25 LANCASTER A.Bass (L,2-2) 5.0 8 5 5 0 3 1 6.83 E.Gonzalez 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 3.86 B.White 2.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 2.20 WP--E.Henderson 2, B.White. SO--K.Bibbs, C.Crabbe, T.Hinton 2, O.Chavez 2, J.Ball 2, D.Brooks, C.Jackson, C.Quentin, J.D'Antona, J.Cota, N.Brown. BB--D.Boyd, C.Jackson, J.D'Antona. T--2:23. A--2323

High Desert Game Log:

Nobody reached base for either side until the 4th...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=19020

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 16 10 .615[/b] TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 13 16 .448 4.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 12 16 .429 5.0 COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 11 15 .423 5.0

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 15 13 .536 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 15 13 .536[/b] BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 14 13 .519 .5 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 13 14 .481 1.5 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 11 17 .393 4.0

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 19 10 .655 LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 17 11 .607 1.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 15 13 .536 3.5 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 13 16 .448 6.0[/b] RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 12 16 .429 6.5

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 17 11 .607 KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 16 11 .593 .5 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 16 12 .571 1.0 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 16 12 .571 1.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 13 14 .481 3.5 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 13 14 .481 3.5[/b] WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 12 16 .429 5.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 11 17 .393 6.0

[MassBrew]

Daily Press High Desert Game Story:

Excellent game account, analysis and quotes...

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...902,42063,

[gregmag]

Do we know how bad Novinsky's elbow is? When I hear "elbow," I reflexively think "finished."

 

Prince Fielder has an off day at one for six (forget for a moment that the hit was a clutch game-winner). So what does he do? He steals a base.

 

Looking forward to the further adventures tonight of the strikeout-racking android that has replaced Jeff Housman.

 

Greg.

[whizkid]

When I hear "elbow," I reflexively think "finished."

 

When I hear shoulder, I reflexively think finished. When I hear elbow, I reflexively think setback. I'm looking forward to reading about Ben Diggins pitching toward the end of the year.

[MassBrew]

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

Includes latest injury updates...

 

THAT ELUSIVE STRIKE

From blowing a 2-1 lead, one strike away from victory, the Stars came back in the 12th to win, 4-2........ For the 13th consecutive time, he Stars avoided a streak of any kind, following a loss on April 23rd with a win, and continuing that pattern to the present point....... That is a club record, previously set in 1995 at 11 games.

 

Here we go again, I thought...... The game started with Rickie Weeks, crowding the plate as always, being hit on the sleeve by a pitch, but the game progressed for 12 innings without incident. There would be enough excitement without one.

 

Jason Belcher had quite a day --- his best since becoming a Huntsville Star...... ......In the bottom of the 5th, Belcher made it a 3-for-3 day with a double into the alley in left-center, but finished a triple short of the cycle....... No Huntsville Stars hitter has ever hit for the cycle........ He put Huntsville in front, 1-0, with a monstrous 2nd inning homer, a solo drive that cleared the grandstand beyond the rightfield wall.

 

The Stars took a 2-1 lead in the 4th inning. Jacksonville-born and bred Chris Barnwell was at-bat with Brad Nelson on 2nd and Belcher on 1st......... The runners were in motion when Barny hit a pitch up and out of the strike zone, nevertheless getting a single to center. That scored Nelson easily, but Belcher was nearly hung out to dry. Belcher had rounded 2nd base much too far, but the Stars caught a break when centerfielder Jason Repko failed to throw in behind the runner, throwing instead to third........ The runners moved up to 2nd and 3rd when Joel Alvarado grounded out. Enrique Cruz took a full count, then walked, but Dennis Sarfate popped out to end the inning, pounding the bat on the ground to express his frustration...........

 

Alvarado in the bottom of the 7th inning, score still 2-1, made a great diving catch of a popped up bunt attempt in foul ground by Nelson Castro. Plate ump Jimmy Roebuck said it touched the ground before he got his glove under it, bringing out a very irate Frank Kremblas. Roebuck brought in the rest of his crew, Brandon Bushee and Jeff Latter and the call was reversed --- a rare break, which of course got some feedback from Jacksonville manager Dino Ebel. I thought we were going to have another bench-clearing display, but Ebel just wanted to know what was going on.......... Wish I could have been there to see it. It really got announcer Robert Portnoy excited.

 

Paul Stewart pitched out of big jams in nearly every inning he worked...... In the 5th, Nick Alvarez hit a one-out double into the gap that got past Belcher and Tony Gwynn, Jr.......... Jason Repko held up at third........ Willy Aybar, with a chance to tie the game, popped out to Barnwell, then Stewart struck out Brennan King on a slider to end the inning...... In the following inning, Stewart got two big strikeouts to strand a pair in scoring position......... In the 8th, the Suns had the tying run 90 feet away, but Fernando Rijo threw a 1-2 fastball past Jesse Hoorelbeke to end that inning. The Suns had now left nine runners on base. That's almost as far as the Stars' incredible luck would stretch.

 

Now it was up to Giron, the last available pitcher from the bullpen, to get the save for Stewart........ John Novinsky, who hasn't pitched since April 30, and Reggie Rivard were unavailable. Novinsky is having some backside elbow problems and Rivard's knee has been a problem since throwing five sterling shutout innings in an emergency start, May 1. After the game, his knee swelled to the point where he had to have it drained and it hasn't been the same since, although he threw from the bullpen, Friday....... There were no options after Giron, unless you bring Johnny Raburn in and hope for a quick end to this ballgame........

 

The Suns got a runner in scoring position in the 9th with one out, thanks to a sacrifice by Wilkin Ruan......... After fouling off a couple of pitches, Giron got Jason Repko swinging for the second out......... Giron was one strike away from erasing the next batter, Nelson Castro. Castro hit a 1-2 grounder to Enrique Cruz who backhanded the ball on a knee, but threw low to Prince Fielder, who couldn't make the short hop play. The Stars tried to get Tony Socarras at the plate, but the throw was late and the Suns had tied this ballgame......... It was the first time this season the Stars had let a game get away this late.

 

In the 10th, Giron struck out Brennan King on a slider and Derek Michaelis, a left-handed hitter with power, on a 1-2 high fastball. After pinch-hitter Bret Dowdy's infield single, Giron fought back from 2-and-0 to strike out the agitator Tony Socarras on a fast ball........ But that was it for Giron and the Stars bullpen. Now it was up to Raburn, who pitched a scoreless inning at Chattanooga on April 30........ Raburn was actually seriously considered as a closer when he was at the University of South Florida, but complained that it was too hard on his arm, so he gave pitching up to become an infielder. Pitching coach Fred Dabney caught Raburn on the side throwing one day and said Raburn actually had some movement....... You couldn't ask for much more from him. He struck out Repko on a breaking ball to get the 2nd out in the 11th inning, then retired Nelson Castro on a liner to third. He was ahead on every hitter he faced.

 

The Stars got the runs they needed for Raburn In the 12th...... Joel Alvarado walked, Raburn singled to center, and Weeks was hit on the elbow, the 10th time he's been hit this season, all within a span of 12 games....... With a chance to drive in a run or two with one out, reliever Elvin Nina, back for his 2nd season with Jacksonville, struck out Tony Gwynn swinging, giving him the 0-for-6 collar, the first 0-for-6 since Brandon Gemoll last year on July 2. That dropped his average to .211 from .223....... Now it was up to Fielder, a disciplined hitter, who was 0-for-5 --- and due........ He fouled a couple of pitches off then on 1-and-2, singled to left driving in Alvarado and Raburn, and giving the Stars the final 4-2 lead.

 

It would be won or lost in the bottom of the 12th inning........ Raburn was back for one more try, but trouble found him right away. Nick Alvarez, behind on the count, singled through short and third and Willie Aybar hit the first pitch to him to right field for another single.........Brennan King tried to move them over on a bunt, but did not get it far enough away from Raburn and Alvarez was retired at third....... The runners tried to advance on the first pitch to Willie Aybar, which was in the dirt, but the lead runner was hung up between second and third, and Enrique Cruz tagged Nick Alvarez for the second out........ On a 2-0 pitch, Derek Michaelis grounded a ball up the middle. Cruz made a diving stop and may have been able to get a force at second, but the ball popped out of the webbing, and King advanced to second........ Edwin Bellorin, batting .322, comes in to pinch-hit for Nina with the tying run on second base, but hit an 0-1 pitch to Gwynn for the final out......... With a desperately depleted bullpen, Johnny Raburn became the first position player since 2nd baseman Eric Martins in 1996 to pick up a win for the Huntsville Stars. This one will be remembered at the end of the season as a candidate for my Top 10 games-of-the-year.

 

The Stars injury list is longer than I've seen in years, but some of the news is encouraging.......... Mike Jones and Ryan Miller continue on the road to recovery....... Jonesy, if all things go well, will throw off the mound for the first time in Mobile. He threw 60 feet pain-free in the outfield, Friday.......... Matt Ford is starting to feel much better and he says he has a shot to pitch in Mobile....... Brad Nelson is hot. 8-for-18 in his last five games (.444), raising his average from .247 to .286........ Dennis Sarfate threw 73 pitches, 43 for strikes........Prince Fielder was named the Southern League Hitter of the Week for April 30-May 6, hitting .360, hitting four HRs, driving in nine runs and scoring five times.

 

The Huntsville Stars have set the dates for three annual events season ticket holders can take advantage of this season....... On May 22, all season ticket holders, Stargazer members, advertisers, and sponsors are invited to the stadium to take part in batting practice. Actually get down on the field and take your best shot. That starts at 10 am....... May 17th will be the annual season ticket holder picnic from 6-7 pm. And August 2nd will be the annual Stargazer pizza party from 6-7 pm.