Link Report for Games of Thursday April 22nd

[MassBrew]

From the Huntsville Site:

Dennis Sarfate scuffling in his first three AA starts -- it's early yet...

 

It took a torrential downpour to stop the offenses on Thursday at Pringles Park. With Huntsville trailing the Diamond Jaxx after two complete innings, 6-3, rainfall postponed play in game one of a doubleheader. Game one will be resumed and game two played in its entirety as part of West Tenn?s visit to Huntsville, May 1-4.

 

Chris Barnwell ? coming off a three-run homer in Tuesday?s 7-6 win ? delivered a two-out, two-run single in the top of the first for a 2-0 Stars lead. The Diamond Jaxx responded with a three-run first on the strength of Micah Hoffpauir?s two-run homer and Dennis Sarfate?s errant pick-off throw that scored Mike Dzurilla.

 

Huntsville tied it in the top of the second, when Tony Gwynn, Jr. was hit by a pitch with two outs. Ryan Knox drew a walk and Prince Fielder ? Tuesday?s hero with a go-ahead two-run homer ? singled to right-center. Gwynn, Jr. scored easily and skipper Frank Kremblas sent Knox home all the way from first. Richard Lewis? relay throw nailed Knox in a close play the plate.

 

The Jaxx reclaimed the lead in the home second. Ronny Cedeno led off with a double and Dwaine Bacon walked, then Richard Lewis doubled home Cedeno and sent Bacon to third. Jemel Spearman?s double off the leftfield wall scored Bacon and Lewis to put West Tenn up, 6-3.

 

Sarfate surrendered six runs, five earned, on six hits, one walk and one hit batter in two innings. Jaxx starter Renyel Pinto permitted three runs on four hits, three walks and one hit batter over two frames.

 

The Stars resume play Friday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville against the Tennessee Smokies. Stars righty Mike Jones (0-1, 6.60) faces Smokies right-hander Brad Thompson (1-0, 1.00). Game time is 7:05 p.m. with a Friday Fireworks spectacular following the game.

[MassBrew]

hey Mass, just wondering if we'd heard anything about why Neugy was scratched and when he'll throw again

 

DHonks, the Brewers won't release specific injury news on players, but we haven't really pursued an answer on Neugy as of yet -- let's give it a few more days, or maybe we'll learn a tidbit during a Mavs' broadcast...

 

According to the Huntsville site, Game 1 starts at 11am. I don't know why it was posted here as 10am.

 

Sorry Mike, I believe SportsNetwork listed the start time as 11:00 Eastern Time. I will admit that much more time-consuming than the post-game links is the compilation of the Daily Menu, trying to confirm starting pitcher info and working with those time zones http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif

[squarepusher]

As one of the first "Brewerfan babies", I gotta say i'm proud as heck of Ben Hendrickson. It was about when Ben was in Helena, that I _really_ got into minor league baseball.

 

To me, it's going to be much more gratifying when the players i've been following all these years break through to the majors. It looks like Ben could very well be one of the first, if he keeps this up.

 

Congrats on the seamless transition to AAA!

[MassBrew]

It was about when Ben was in Helena, that I _really_ got into minor league baseball.

 

Helena, Ogden, hey it was a town with mountain views...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[bork]

Quote:

---

Helena, Ogden, hey it was a town with mountain views...

---

 

Actually, Square was right. It was the old Helena team.

[MassBrew]

In progress: Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 2, High Desert 0, after one inning

 

Three Maverick errors in the first -- yuck...

 

But the real news is LHP Eric Henderson, and his amazing pick-off move, which has been discussed in some detail here in the past. Henderson picked three runners off first in the first inning, although technically it was two, as first baseman Travis Hinton dropped one of the throws for an error.

 

Henderson should be brought to Milwaukee just for that one special skill -- he'd never have to throw an actual pitch if used correctly...

[MassBrew]

www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...layerId=16

 

To be fair to squarepusher, there may be a bit of a bug with the player profile pages recording service time in Ogden and assigning it to Helena instead.

 

Ben was in Ogden in 2000 (the media guide concurs), and his index page here has been adjusted.

[MassBrew]

The Mavericks have struck out in seven (and counting) consecutive at-bats here in the early going -- still down 2-0 after 2.5 innings...

[MassBrew]

Eric Henderson with pickoff # 4 -- well, technically no, because the Mavericks botched the subsequent run-down.

 

Amazing, although on the downside, what are all these guys doing on base to begin with?

 

Not exactly a clinic being put on by the High Desert boys tonight; instead of the inning being over, a three-run HR zings Henderson and the Mavs are down 5-0 in the third...

[MassBrew]

More details are in on the Indy victory:

 

Dave Krynzel and Corey Hart each hit solo home runs in the first two innings of play Thursday night at Fifth Third Field to lead Indianapolis (8-3) to a 5-2 victory over Toledo (5-9). Krynzel, the Tribe?s leadoff hitter, extended his consecutive games hitting streak to seven games.

 

Tribe starter Ben Hendrickson (2-0) picked up the win with a superb pitching performance. Hendrickson shut out the Mud Hens in 5.1 innings. He allowed three hits, struck out a season-high seven and walked two.

 

?I just wanted to go out and basically get ahead,? said Hendrickson. ?I worked a lot on my changeup this year and I threw it in fastball situations tonight. We came out with good hitting and defense tonight. I?m fortunate that this is happening when I pitch.?

 

Krynzel started the game with a solo home run to right field off Toledo starter Andy Van Hekken, his second of the season. He came into the contest ranked seventh in the International League (IL) with a .476 on-base percentage, providing the spark to the Tribe?s quick start this season.

 

Hart, ranked seventh in the IL with a .718 slugging percentage, also homered in his first plate appearance, his fourth of the season, with one out in the second inning, to deliver a 2-0 Indianapolis lead.

 

Indianapolis added a single run in the fifth. Steve Scarborough was hit by a Van Hekken pitch to start the inning. He later scored on Jeff Liefer?s double to left field.

 

The Tribe added two more runs in the sixth. A double by Hart and a double by Scott Sheldon scored Hart. Then Krynzel produced his second hit of the night, a single up the middle, to score Sheldon for a 5-0 lead.

 

In the sixth inning, Tribe reliever Mike Adams checked in for Hendrickson. Adams gave up two runs to the Mud Hens in the eighth. Rich Gomez scored on a Warren Morris single to left field. Later in the inning, Eric Owens scored on a throwing error by Tribe second baseman Scarborough.

 

Cecil Cooper brought in Brian Bowles to close the contest for the Tribe and he picked up his first save of the season.

 

The two teams play the final game of the three-game series Friday at Fifth Third Field. Indianapolis will send right-hander Pedro Liriano (0-0, 3.60) to face Toledo right-hander Ariel Prieto (1-0, 0.00).

[MassBrew]

History in the making in Rancho?

 

The Mavericks not only do not have a baserunner through five innings, they have fanned 10 times in the 15 at-bats.

 

Quakes pitcher Steven Shell, who came in to the game with a 7.20 ERA in two starts, has been, as you can surmise, dominating.

 

Eric Henderson has hit four Quakes' batters in this truly unique game...

[MassBrew]

Perfect game, no-hitter, and shutout over in Rancho.

 

Mavs get a run in the sixth -- down 5-1.

 

Overnighters, enjoy the rest of your evening.

[rluzinski]

Could Hart be one of those guys that, despite everyone saying he isn't special, proves everyone wrong? I've been following the mino rleagues for about a year and half, and most seem to dismiss him as being anything more than a possible average majorl eaguer. I don't know if I agree anymore....

[pogokat]

Final: Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5, High Desert 2

 

High Desert Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 4/22/04 HD at RC HIGH DESERT 2 AT RANCHO CUCAMONGA 5 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG RANCHO CUCAMONGA AB R H BI AVG C.Morris CF 3 0 0 0 .304 J.Rodriguez 2B 4 1 0 0 .143 C.Crabbe 2B 4 0 0 0 .259 R.Melgarejo CF 3 0 1 1 .294 J.Eure 3B 4 0 1 1 .242 R.Melgarejo RF 0 0 0 0 .294 T.Hinton 1B 3 0 0 0 .300 E.Aybar SS 3 2 1 0 .440 J.Vanden ber CAT 4 0 2 0 .364 M.Napoli 1B 4 1 3 1 .385 P.Rasmusen DH 3 0 0 0 .091 D.Gates DH 4 1 2 3 .250 J.Frost LF 3 1 0 0 .261 R.Budde CAT 2 0 0 0 .225 M.Mendez RF 4 0 0 0 .176 A.Pavkovich 3B 3 0 0 0 .313 O.Chavez SS 2 1 1 0 .170 J.Sugden RF 2 0 0 0 .000 E.Henderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Sugden LF 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Weed LF 4 0 0 0 .316 R.Costello PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Willits CF 0 0 0 0 .234 S.Shell PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Touchstone PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Bilke PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 30 2 4 1 TOTALS 29 5 7 5 HIGH DESERT 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0- 2 4 3 RANCHO CUCAMONGA 2 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 X- 5 7 1 E--C.Morris, T.Hinton 2, N.Touchstone. DP--HIGH DESERT 1, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0. LOB--HIGH DESERT 6, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 7. HR--D.Gates (4). SB--J.Rodriguez (1), R.Melgarejo 2 (4), E.Aybar (6). CS--J.Eure, E.Aybar, D.Gates, R.Budde. HBP--R.Budde 2, J.Sugden 2. SH--R.Melgarejo. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT E.Henderson (L,0-1) 5.0 6 5 3 1 2 1 5.00 D.Nolasco 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 10.80 R.Costello 2.0 1 0 0 1 5 0 15.68 RANCHO CUCAMONGA S.Shell (W,1-1) 6.0 1 1 0 1 11 0 4.50 N.Touchstone 1.0 1 1 1 4 1 0 5.40 A.Bilke (S,2) 2.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 2.35 HB--E.Henderson 4. WP--R.Costello, A.Bilke. BALKS--S.Shell. PB-- R.Budde. SO--C.Crabbe, J.Eure 2, T.Hinton 2, J.Vanden Berg 2, P.Rasmusen 3, J.Frost, M.Mendez 2, O.Chavez, J.Rodriguez, R.Melgarejo, E.Aybar, M.Napoli, D.Gates 2, J.Sugden 2. BB--C.Morris, T.Hinton, P.Rasmusen, J.Frost, O.Chavez, E.Aybar, A.Pavkovich. T--2:46. A--2069

High Desert Log:

Bases loaded, one out, no runs in the 7th; then a hideous caught stealing on an attempted double steal with Travis Hinton at the plate representing the tying run in the eighth -- MassBrew...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=19081

 

Costello good in relief...

[MassBrew]

More on the Indy game from the Toledo Blade:

 

Some of the credit for last night?s struggles goes to Indians starter Ben Hendrickson. The 23-year-old right-hander, ranked as the eighth-best prospect in the stacked Milwaukee system, shut out the Hens for 51/3 innings. He struck out seven and allowed just two runners to reach second base.

 

"I think some [of our problems on offense] are a credit to their pitcher,?? Hens manager Larry Parrish said. "He?s got a very good curveball and he commanded the ball in and out very well. He threw pretty well tonight.??

 

Hendrickson?s 81-pitch outing included 55 strikes, with just two non-strikes among 20 pitches in the fourth and fifth innings.

 

"I was throwing my fastball on both sides of the plate, and all three of my pitches were working for me,?? Hendrickson said. "I just went by the game plan. I just tried to attack them with my strengths, and it worked out for the best.??

 

The Hens fell behind quickly when Dave Krynzel whacked Toledo starter Andy Van Hekken?s fourth pitch of the game off the facing of the Roost in right for his second home run of the season. The following inning Corey Hart slammed his fourth homer of the season, a long fly off the bricks of the scoreboard in left, to make it 2-0.

 

In the fifth Indianapolis scored an unearned run thanks to a one-out error by Danny Klassen on what looked to be a sure double-play grounder. Chris Magruder followed that gaffe with a single to left that loaded the bases, and Jeff Liefer doubled off the wall in right to score Steve Scarborough.

 

Eric Owens chased the ball down and threw out J.J. Hardy at the plate to limit the damage of Liefer?s hit, and Van Hekken got Chris Coste to ground out to end the threat.

 

But two more runs by the Tribe in the sixth put the game out of reach. Hart led off with a double down the left-field line, and one out later Scott Sheldon?s sinking liner to left fell for a run-scoring double. Sheldon moved to third on a groundout and scored on a single by Krynzel.

 

Toledo finally broke through in the eighth when Warren Morris singled to left for one run and a second scored on a wild throw by Scarborough at second.

[MassBrew]

High Desert Game Story from the Ontario Daily Bulletin:

 

Quakes pitcher Steven Shell didn't look like his former all-star self in his first two starts of the season.

 

In his third, he looked like a Cy Young candidate.

 

Shell, an all-star a year ago, took a perfect game into the sixth inning as the Quakes beat High Desert, 5-2, in front of 2,069 fans at the Epicenter.

 

Shell had struggled to a 0-1 record with a 7.20 ERA in his first two starts, but put it all together Thursday night.

 

Shell sat down the first 15 Mavericks batters, including striking out seven in a row at one point, before Jeremy Frost drew a walk on a full-count to start the sixth inning.

 

Shell then struck out Mario Mendez, his 11th strikeout of the game, before Ozzie Chavez ended Shell's bid for the first no-hitter in Quakes history with a single to center.

 

A passed ball on catcher Ryan Budde would allow Frost to score to break up the shutout, but Shell would get Chris Morris and Callix Crabbe to fly out to end the inning.

 

Shell exited the game after the inning and his 92-pitch performance will go down as one of the better showings in franchise history. His 11 strikeouts were two short of the franchise record and he struck out the side in three innings.

 

Shell was the California League starter in last season's midseason All-Star Game, but arm trouble ended his season soon afterward.

 

The Quakes broke out of their brief scoring slump with aggressive base-running and by taking advantage of the Mavericks' mistakes.

 

Javy Rodriguez reached on an error, the first of three in the inning, to lead off the game. Rodriguez stole second and scored from there on a sacrifice bunt by Ransel Melgarejo. The throw went to first base and Rodriguez broke to home and slid under the tag.

 

Erick Aybar singled and scored on a Michael Napoli single to give the Quakes a quick 2-0 lead.

 

In the third, David Gates blasted his fourth homer of the season, a three-run shot to right-center field off starter Eric Henderson (0-1), to put the Quakes up 5-0.

 

The Mavericks added a run in the top of the eighth on an RBI single by Jeff Eure.

 

Notes: The series will now switch to Adelanto for a three-game set starting tonight at Mavericks Stadium. Daniel Davidson (0-0, 2.61 ERA) will get the start for the Quakes. He will be opposed by High Desert's David Bradley (1-0, 3.18 ERA).

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 8 3 .727[/b] COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 5 6 .455 3.0 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 5 7 .417 3.5 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 5 9 .357 4.5

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 7 5 .583[/b] BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 7 6 .538 .5 MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 7 7 .500 1.0 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 5 6 .455 1.5 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 4 10 .286 4.0

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 11 3 .786 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 8 6 .571 3.0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 7 6 .538 3.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 7 7 .500 4.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 5 10 .333 6.5[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 9 5 .643 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 9 5 .643 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 7 7 .500 2.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 7 7 .500 2.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 6 7 .462 2.5 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 6 8 .429 3.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 6 8 .429 3.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 5 9 .357 4.0[/b]

[clancyphile]

MassBrew

 

I think Kremblas is going to be asking if anyone can spare a pitcher... or two.

[MassBrew]

Daily Press High Desert Game Story:

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...134,52791,

[filthyfrog]

Could Hart be one of those guys that, despite everyone saying he isn't special, proves everyone wrong?

 

Hart isn't exactly a sleeper. A lot of people, including Jim Powell, myself, and other Brewerfan posters, have been pimping Corey for a long time. Comparisons to Richie Sexson and Chipper Jones have abounded.

 

But I do agree that he's underrated, largely because of his low walk rate. I think he'll hit at the big league level and I hope that he'll learn to walk a little more as he progresses. In his peak seasons, I could see Corey hitting .290 with 30+ HRs and 100 RBI. So yeah, I think he'll be better than an average Major Leaguer.

[DHonks]

My questions with Hart basically stem from him never really dominating a level. He won the MVP, but had two teammates who would have beaten him had they not slumped in August. Corey's very steady. He finally has a position. He's showing more power, and he's hitting for average. Basically he won the MVP without hitting lots of homers and without hitting .350. Even then it was without a position.

[rluzinski]

I'm sorry, but if you are MVP of ANY league you are doing something right.

[Katuluu]

He won the MVP, but had two teammates who would have beaten him had they not slumped in August.

 

Now how exactly is that a mark against Hart?

[filthyfrog]

I think that Hart earning the SL MVP has literally hurt his prospect standing more than it's helped it. Skepticism about whether he deserved it or not has lead to skepticism about his play in general. Negativity begot negativity.

 

I say whether or not he deserved it, he's a heck of a prospect and I'm giddy with anticipation for his Major League career.

 

Ok, tangent time. Hart has been compared to Sexson a lot because of their similar body types. One poster (I forget who you are, sorry) posted their minor league stats, which are eerily similar at the same ages/levels.

 

Hart's stats

 

Sexson's stats

 

Here are their HR totals by age:

 

Sexson Hart

19: 14 11

20: 22 24

21: 16 13

22: 31 4 (so far)

 

Beginning at age 22, Sexson has hit 30+ HRs every year, except 2002, when he hit 29.

 

I'm anxious to see if Hart approaches 30 this year. Normally, I dismiss apparent statistical coincidences like this, but given their body type, it's worth keeping an eye on to see if Hart's power stroke by age continues on Sexson's path.

 

And for the record, Sexson's career minor league AVG and SLG: .273 and .474. Hart's (not including this year): .300 and .487. (Sorry, I don't have OBP numbers, but it's no secret Sexson didn't really start taking walks until recently.)

 

I'm not saying Hart is the next Sexson. I'm just watching these numbers because the similarities are too close to ignore.

[MassBrew]

From Baseball America's Daily Dish:

 

Triple-A Indianapolis righthander Ben Hendrickson has been on cruise control. The Brewers' No. 8 prospect went 5 1/3 innings last night in a 5-2 win over Toledo. Hendrickson, who relies on an 88-92 mph fastball, cutter and exceptional curve, allowed three hits, struck out seven and walked two. For the season, Hendrickson is 2-0, 1.10 and has allowed just 10 hits over 16 innings.

 

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