Link Report for Sun. 4/18 -- Tough Act To Follow!

[MassBrew]

How will the Brewer farmhands follow-up all of Saturday's heroics? It won't be easy...

 

Sunday's Daily Menu items, unfortunately most up against the Brewers and Roger Clemens:

 

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

 

INDIANAPOLIS: LHP Jorge de la Rosa at home vs. Richmond (Braves), 2:00 PM

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

HUNTSVILE: RHP Chris Saenz at Montgomery (Devil Rays), 2:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.espn1450.com/

 

HIGH DESERT: LHP Ryan Costello at home vs. Bakersfield (Devil Rays), 5:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: RHP Luis Pena at Fort Wayne (Padres), 2:00 PM

 

Audio link (Wizards' feed):

www.wizardsbaseball.com/t...p?pageId=4

 

Former Ogden announcer Terry Byrom (Brewers' Rookie Level squad, 2002) calls the action for the Fort Wayne club at the above link...

[MassBrew]

Well, everyone, the wonderful weather you had in Wisconsin earlier this week has made its way to the Northeast.

 

As per usual on a Sunday, I hope to replay the Brewer game late tonight, and won't be available for the updates on the four minor league afternoon games.

 

Whether it's Brewerfan "staff" or our readers, please keep in mind the following link. Click on the appropriate league for results, and enjoy. Thanks!

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...ate=041804

[Center field]

Brad Nelson has hit two three run home runs,absolute bombs. The first was a oppo jack to left and then one to center. Seanz has given up one hit going into the botom of the fourth.Score: 9-0 Stars.

Final 14 -1 Stars.

[Kraft4a3]

Indy tied 6-6 going into the 10th.

 

 

Tribe loses 6-8.

Tribe gives up 2 in the Top of the 10th while giving up no hits. Hit Batsman and a JJ Hardy throwing error, among other plays, lead to the extra inning loss.

 

Brightspot: Krynzel BB, Single, Double, and Triple.

JJ, with Krynzel on, has a chance to atone for his mistake but hits one to the warning track to end the game.

[HonoluluBrew]

I have a feeling that Nelson and Hart are more major league ready then some people think. Hart is absolutely tearing it up, and with Nelson healthy he is going to dominate AA. I got to see Nelson a lot in Beloit when he was in A, and just by watching him you can tell he has great natural hitting ability. I have no doubts in my mind he is going to be an absolute stud in the majors.

[edod]

Not a great outing for De La Rosa.

 

I think we may see Michalak sooner than later.

[DHonks]

although edod, we haven't had a moment yet where we've said "we need a lefty." I'd have Adams, M. Childers, Wise, and Santos ahead of Michalek, especially if we want someone who can start

[edod]

I don't think they get called up before Michalak. There hasn't been a situation like that, but it's all about options. I'm sure the need is played down by Yost and the announcers plenty.

[brewcrewkid14]

Anyone have any updates of the High Desert Game? Just think if they won the Farm System would be 7-1 this weekend. I like that. 6-2 ain't bad either but i like 7-1 a lot better. I don't think Nelson is going to see any AAA this year because of his injury last year. They'll probably want him to have a full year of AAA. Nice to see that Krynzel was 3-3 and walked. He was only a HR away from the cycle. He should be ready for the majors next year. Well, if anyone could find an update on the High Desert game then I would aprecciate it greatly if you could get it to me.

[molitor fan]

What a great outing by Saenz!!!!!!!!

 

one hit, no walks over 6 innings with 8 k's........awesome

[RyDogg66]

I like what I am seeing from Hart and Nelson. But about either one of them being close to being ready for the Majors, I don't see it.

 

Corey Hart, yeah he is the closer of the two, but like Al said, he needs to take a walk (well, if he keeps going 2-4 every game he doesnt). I think Hart will be ready for the Big Leagues next year, but a full year in AAA will do him well. A September call-up would be wonderful if he earns it.

 

Nelson - he may be the real deal - yes, but he needs a full year in AA to be fully evaluated. If he tears it up there this year he can start in AAA next year with an eye on Milwaukee in 2005 or 06.

 

Also, someone said something about Krynzel being close as well. Well, one good game and you cannot promote the guy, his biggest problem has been consistency. If he can keep it up all year he might be able to fight hart for the 3rd OF spot next year, but he still has a lot of work to do - like cuttingdown on the Ks and being more successful stealing. If he can do that, I welcome him to Milwaukee.

[edod]

Anyone have any updates of the High Desert Game? Just think if they won the Farm System would be 7-1 this weekend. I like that. 6-2 ain't bad either but i like 7-1 a lot better.

 

High Desert is down 12-5 in the 9th, I'm thinking you may have to settle for 6-2.

 

I am happy to speculate that the hamate bone is healed.

 

Hey, how bout that Woah Solvdd kid!!!

[MassBrew]

Richmond (Braves) 8, Indianapolis 6, 10 innings

What, no love for Chris Coste (1.051 OPS) in the earlier posts?!

 

Indianapolis Game Summary:

Not quite sure why Cecil Cooper felt so distraught after this one, other than the loss itself...

 

Richmond (4-5) broke through with two runs in the top of the 10th inning as the Braves battled back from a 6-4 deficit to hand the Indianapolis Indians (5-3) an 8-6 loss.

 

The Tribe had a chance to win the game in the ninth. With one out, Chris Coste, who collected four hits, doubled down the left field line off Braves reliever Matt Whiteside. Pinch hitter Jeff Liefer received an intentional pass. After Corey Hart popped out to first baseman Mike Hessman, pinch hitter Jon Nunnally struck out looking.

 

The two teams traded leads five times in the contest. Indianapolis managed to stake a 6-4 lead after six innings. Dave Krynzel and Steve Scarborough each added two hits during this run.

 

Richmond scored a pair of runs in the eighth off reliever Chris Michalak to tie the game, 6-6. Nick Green singled to right field to lead off the inning and came home on Ryan Langerhans? home run.

 

The Braves scored the winning run off losing pitcher Michalak (1-2). Michalak hit Green with a pitch to open the inning. Langerhans, attempting to sacrafice, dropped a bunt which Michalak fielded and threw late to second base behind Green. Lee Evans then walked to load the bases.

 

Joe DePastino followed with a fly out to right field. Tribe right fielder Hart fired a perfect strike to home plate as the runners held their ground with the exception of Langerhans at second base. As catcher Mark Johnson threw to shortstop J.J. Hardy, Green broke for home plate. Hardy?s throw was off line and Green scored the eventual winning run. The Braves added another run in the inning. Michalak intentionally walked Mike Hessman to re-load the bases, but Pete Orr drove a deep fly to center field, scoring Langerhans.

 

?This is a game that we should have won,? said Tribe manager Cecil Cooper. ?I take the blame for this loss. We?ll grow from this and start all over tomorrow. For me, this loss will not disappear quickly. I feel like I let this team down.?

 

Indianapolis will meet the Braves in the rubber game of a four-game series Monday at Noon on Baseball In Education Day at Victory Field.

 

The Tribe will send Travis Phelps (0-0, 40.50) to meet Trey Hodges (0-0, 3.38) tomorrow.

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 4/18/04 RMD at IND RICHMOND 8 AT INDIANAPOLIS 6 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD RICHMOND AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG N.Green 2B 4 2 2 0 .269 D.Krynzel CF 5 3 3 0 .321 R.Langerhans CF 2 3 1 2 .217 J.Hardy SS 6 0 1 2 .211 R.Branyan LF 3 1 0 0 .238 C.Magruder LF 5 0 1 2 .280 M.Whiteside PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Coste CAT 5 1 4 0 .419 L.Evans PH 0 0 0 0 .308 C.Coste 3B 0 0 0 0 .419 T.Drew PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Sheldon 1B 4 0 1 0 .227 J.Depastino CAT 5 1 1 3 .346 J.Liefer PH 0 0 0 0 .346 M.Hessman 1B 4 1 2 1 .333 J.Liefer 1B 0 0 0 0 .346 D.Hollins RF 2 0 0 0 .120 C.Hart RF 4 1 1 0 .387 R.Glynn PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Scarbrough 3B 4 0 2 2 .286 R.Colon PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Nunnally PH 1 0 0 0 .300 P.Orr LF 1 0 0 1 .391 M.Johnson CAT 0 0 0 0 .273 W.Betemit 3B 4 0 0 0 .080 L.Figueroa 2B 3 0 1 0 .188 J.Velandia SS 3 0 0 0 .143 M.Adams PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 R.Aguilar PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 C.Michalak PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 C.Thomas RF 2 0 0 0 .200 J.De La Rosa PIT 2 1 0 0 .000 M.Erickson 2B 3 0 0 0 .087 TOTALS 32 8 6 7 TOTALS 44 6 14 6 RICHMOND 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 2- 8 6 0 INDIANAPOLIS 1 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0- 6 14 1 E--J.Hardy. DP--RICHMOND 0, INDIANAPOLIS 2. LOB--RICHMOND 4, INDIANAPOLIS 11. 2B--D.Krynzel (2), J.Hardy (4), C.Coste 2 (6), C.Hart (2), S.Scarbrough (2). 3B--D.Krynzel (1). HR--R.Langerhans (1), J.Depastino (1), M.Hessman (1). CS--D.Hollins. HBP--N.Green, R.Langerhans, J.Velandia. SF--P.Orr. SH--R.Langerhans. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA RICHMOND R.Aguilar 5.0 9 5 5 2 1 0 8.00 R.Glynn 1.0 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.05 R.Colon 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 10.80 M.Whiteside (W,1-0) 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 T.Drew (S,1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 INDIANAPOLIS J.De La Rosa 5.0 3 4 4 3 3 2 5.40 M.Adams 2.0 3 2 2 0 2 1 5.14 C.Michalak (L,1-2) 3.0 0 2 0 2 2 0 1.42 HB--J.De La Rosa, C.Michalak 2. SO--R.Branyan, M.Hessman, P.Orr, W.Betemit 2, J.Velandia, C.Thomas, C.Magruder, J.Nunnally, M.Adams, C.Michalak. BB--R.Langerhans, R.Branyan, L.Evans, M.Hessman, D.Hollins, D.Krynzel, J.Liefer, C.Hart. T--3:07. A--6590

Indianapolis Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14061

[MassBrew]

Huntsville 14, Montgomery (Devil Rays) 1

 

Huntsville Game Summary:

Courtesy of the Biscuits' site:

 

Huntsville's Chris Saenz gave up just one hit over six innings of work and Brad Nelson added a pair of three-run homers as the Stars won easily over the Biscuits 14-1 on Sunday in front of 5,062 fans at Riverwalk Stadium. The win gave Huntsvile the series vicory 2-1, and pushed their lead in the season series to 5-2 against the Biscuits.

 

The Stars struck in the first innng for the second straight day, as Ryan Knox scored from first on a Prince Fielder double to the left-center field wall. Huntsville extended its lead in the third when Nelson hit his first homer of the game, and first in Riverwalk Stadium history, a bomb that went over the left field wall and off of a train parked behind the stadium.

 

Nelson struck again in the fourth, when he hit his second home-run of the game, this time a 415 shot to center field that landed in the outfield picnic area to push the lead to 9-0 for the Stars. He now has four dingers on the year.

 

The Biscuits lone run came in the seventh inning when pinch hitter Aaron Clark took the first pitch he saw over the center field wall for his first home run of the season.

 

A moment of laughter came through the stadium in the ninth when Biscuits catcher Robinson Cancel took the hill to finish the game for Montgomery. He was greeted by Huntsville's Kade Johnson who hit a mammoth shot that left the ballpark and landed over the first set of train tracks behind left field.

 

Saenz (1-1) picked up his first win of the season while Biscuits pitcher Jason Cromer (0-2) dropped his second straight decision.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 4/18/04 HVL at MTG HUNTSVILLE 14 AT MONTGOMERY 1 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG MONTGOMERY AB R H BI AVG A.Gwynn CF 6 1 2 1 .176 F.Cortez 2B 4 0 0 0 .162 R.Knox RF 4 1 0 1 .269 B.Upton DH 4 0 1 0 .370 P.Fielder 1B 4 2 3 2 .229 J.Velazquez 1B 2 0 0 0 .286 B.Gemoll 1B 1 0 0 0 .143 A.Clark PH 1 1 1 1 .211 R.Weeks 2B 5 2 2 1 .263 A.Clark 1B 1 0 0 0 .211 B.Nelson LF 5 2 2 6 .258 J.Salas 3B 3 0 1 0 .357 C.Barnwell 3B 5 0 0 0 .143 D.DeMent LF 3 0 0 0 .368 J.Belcher DH 5 2 3 0 .217 A.German CF 3 0 1 0 .250 K.Johnson CAT 4 2 3 2 .421 B.Martin RF 3 0 0 0 .147 J.Raburn SS 3 2 2 1 .300 I.Franco CAT 1 0 0 0 .238 C.Saenz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Isenia PH 1 0 0 0 .143 R.Rivard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Isenia CAT 1 0 0 0 .143 B.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Perez SS 3 0 0 0 .188 J.Cromer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Flinn PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Coose PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Cancel PIT 0 0 0 0 .087 TOTALS 42 14 17 14 TOTALS 30 1 4 1 HUNTSVILLE 1 0 3 5 2 0 1 0 2-14 17 1 MONTGOMERY 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0- 1 4 0 E--C.Barnwell. DP--HUNTSVILLE 1, MONTGOMERY 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 6, MONTGOMERY 2. 2B--A.Gwynn (2), P.Fielder (2), J.Belcher (1), K.Johnson (2), J.Raburn (2). HR--B.Nelson 2 (4), K.Johnson (2), A.Clark (1). CS-- F.Cortez. SF--J.Raburn. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE C.Saenz (W,1-1) 6.0 1 0 0 0 8 0 3.86 R.Rivard 2.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 8.59 B.Adams 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.69 MONTGOMERY J.Cromer (L,0-2) 3.1 9 7 7 3 2 1 12.27 C.Flinn 2.2 4 4 4 0 3 1 10.80 A.Coose 2.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 5.14 R.Cancel 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 1 18.00 SO--A.Gwynn, P.Fielder, R.Weeks, B.Nelson 2, F.Cortez 2, B.Upton 2, J.Salas, D.DeMent 2, A.German, B.Martin 2. BB--R.Knox 2, K.Johnson, J.Raburn. T--2:30. A--5062

Huntsville Game Log:

Those Chris Saenz innings look impressive, don't they? 16-to-1 K/BB ratio in only 9.1 IP thus far...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16240

[MassBrew]

Bakersfield (Devil Rays) 14, High Desert 5

Seems to me this is just as ugly as Saturday's Brewer game lost with the same score...

 

High Desert Site Game Summary:

 

BLAZED BY HOMERS

The High Desert Mavericks had trouble keeping the ball in the yard on Sunday, allowing four home runs to the Bakersfield Blaze in a 14-5 loss before 1,443 at Mavericks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

 

Four different Bakersfield hitters went yard, amounting to 17 hits for the Blaze, with Eric Reece leading the Blaze offense with a 3-for-3 afternoon with a home run, four RBI?s, and two walks. Joey Gomes, Luis Mateo, and Irwin Centeno also homered for Bakersfield.

 

After allowing a run each in the first and second innings, the Mavs allowed the deciding runs in the third inning, when Bakersfield tallied four runs, all off home runs, to take a 6-0 lead. Gomes launched a three-run homer off Mavericks starter Ryan Costello to begin the scoring, while Luis Mateo hit a solo homer two batters later.

 

Travis Hinton got High Desert (3-8) on the board with his second homer of the year in the third, a solo shot off Bakersfield starter Mike Prochaska to draw the Mavs within five.

 

Bakersfield (2-6) answered with a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, before the Mavs struck back with three in the bottom of the sixth. Hinton began the mini-rally by knocking in two runs on an RBI triple to right-center, then Mario Mendez followed by lacing an RBI single to right, scoring Hinton, drawing the Mavs within 8-4.

 

Bakersfield put the game away with four runs in the eighth off High Desert reliever Craig Breslow, one on an RBI single by Shawn Riggins and three more on Reece?s homer to right.

 

Irwin Centeno added a solo home-run in the ninth, followed by a Riggins RBI single to finish off the scoring.

 

Hinton provided a bright spot for the High Desert offense, going 3-for-5 at the dish with two RBI?s. Eric Reece led the Blaze with a 3-for-3 afternoon and four RBI?s.

 

Bakersfield takes the three-game series in their only appearance at Mavericks Stadium this season, winning two of three. Joe Yarbrough (1-0) picked up the win for Bakersfield in relief, while Costello (0-3) took the loss.

 

The Mavericks take to the road for a brief four-game series in Rancho Cucamonga against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, with Forrest Martin (0-0) taking the hill for the Mavs against the Quakes counterpart Phil Wilson (0-1) in an early Monday morning start at 10:30 a.m. at The Epicenter.

 

High Desert Box Score:

You'll notice Nick Neugebauer was announced as the starter but never took the hill that's not good, but let's not speculate...

 BAKERSFIELD 14 AT HIGH DESERT 5 YTD YTD BAKERSFIELD AB R H BI AVG HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG I.Centeno CF 5 2 2 1 .250 C.Crabbe 2B 5 0 0 0 .256 L.De Paula 2B 6 3 3 1 .265 D.Boyd LF 3 0 1 1 .366 V.Harrison 3B 5 3 3 1 .385 J.Eure 3B 4 0 0 0 .222 J.Gomes LF 5 1 2 3 .206 J.Frost DH 5 1 2 0 .375 S.Riggans CAT 6 1 3 3 .407 S.Candelaria SS 5 0 2 0 .222 L.Mateo DH 6 2 2 1 .436 J.Vanden ber CAT 5 1 2 1 .333 M.Rico RF 5 1 1 0 .290 T.Frost 1B 5 2 3 2 .324 E.Reece 1B 3 1 3 4 .231 M.Mendez RF 3 1 1 1 .222 M.Maniscalco SS 4 0 0 0 .138 K.Bibbs CF 4 0 1 0 .229 M.Prochaska PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Neugebauer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Cromer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Costello PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Yarbrough PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Walton PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Breslow PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Slack PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 45 14 19 14 TOTALS 39 5 12 5 BAKERSFIELD 1 1 4 1 0 1 0 4 2-14 19 1 HIGH DESERT 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0- 5 12 1 E--V.Harrison, S.Candelaria. DP--BAKERSFIELD 1, HIGH DESERT 2. LOB--BAKERSFIELD 11, HIGH DESERT 12. 2B--L.De Paula (3), V.Harrison 3 (4), S.Riggans (3), L.Mateo (5), J.Frost (3). 3B--L.De Paula 2 (2), T.Frost (1). HR--I.Centeno (1), J.Gomes (2), L.Mateo (1), E.Reece (1), T.Frost (2). SB--J.Gomes (1), E.Reece (1), M.Maniscalco (3), D.Boyd (1), M.Mendez (1), K.Bibbs (3). HBP--J.Eure. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BAKERSFIELD M.Prochaska 4.2 4 1 1 3 3 1 2.79 N.Cromer 1.1 4 3 3 0 1 0 15.43 J.Yarbrough (W,1-0) 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5.40 S.Walton 2.0 2 1 1 1 3 0 1.50 HIGH DESERT N.Neugebauer 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18.00 R.Costello (L,0-3) 3.0 9 6 5 0 2 2 19.44 D.Nolasco 4.0 4 2 2 5 5 0 12.00 C.Breslow 1.0 3 4 4 1 0 1 15.19 N.Slack 1.0 3 2 2 1 1 1 6.75 HB--S.Walton. BALKS--N.Cromer. SO--L.De Paula, V.Harrison, J.Gomes 2, L.Mateo, M.Rico 3, J.Eure, J.Frost, S.Candelaria, J.Vanden ber 2, T.Frost, K.Bibbs. BB--I.Centeno, V.Harrison, J.Gomes, M.Rico, E.Reece 2, M.Maniscalco, D.Boyd 2, M.Mendez 2. T--3:24. A--1443

High Desert Game Log:

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=17892

[MassBrew]

Beloit 5, Fort Wayne (Padres) 3

 

Beloit Box Score:

Once again, no cut-and-paste; Baseball America lists the pitchers incorrectly...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=13629

 

Beloit Game Log:

Not to pick on catcher Tim Marks (two hits today) as DH, but aren't the Snappers playing a body short if Steve Moss is going to be out approximately a month as we heard earlier? Moss isn't officially on the disabled list that we know of...

 

www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=13629

[DHonks]

Good to see Hinton doing fairly well. Now that he's healthy, playing in High Desert and the CA league could help him find his stroke and put him on the prospect radar for corner OF.

[MassBrew]

Actually from Saturday's game, but we'll link it here as we try to include the photo opportunities whenever possible -- any slide looks awkward, some more than others...

 

Montgomery Advertiser:

 

Biscuits infielder Fernando Cortez holds his glove up for the umpire to see the ball during Saturday's game. Huntsville's Ryan Knox was out at second base.

 

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/images/news_daily/041804/sports_biscuits2.jpg

[MassBrew]

How does the Indianapolis Star not have a reporter cover any of the action at home from this past weekend? No quotes, no analysis, just a wire report game blurb -- not good. Ah well, they sent a photographer, anyway...

 

The Indianapolis Indians' Dave Krynzel makes it to second base just ahead of the tag of Richmond's Nick Green. Krynzel, the Tribe's leadoff hitter, went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. -- Adriane Jaeckle / The Star

 

http://www.indystar.com/images/pics2/image-139410-1216.jpg

[MassBrew]

It must be "slide into second base picture day".

 

More details from the Huntsville site:

Let me selfishly say I take great pride for hopping on the Chris Saenz bandwagon long before his Power 50 re-entrance last December http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

 

If Sunday was a preview of things to come, Stars fans are in store for a treat. Right-hander Chris Saenz dazzled for six shutout innings, and Huntsville?s lineup pounded out a season-high 17 hits in a 14-1 rout of Montgomery (3-7) in the third-ever game at Riverwalk Stadium. On the heels of a five-game losing streak, the Stars (5-5) have won two straight to climb back to .500.

 

Saenz had no-hit stuff, allowing only three fair balls to leave the infield. He permitted just one single and retired the last 13 batters he faced. For the second straight outing, Saenz fanned eight batters ? he has 16 strikeouts in his first 9 1/3 innings this season. Saenz (1-1) faced one batter over the minimum in six dominant frames, walking none on route for his first win.

 

Brad Nelson paced the Stars? 17-hit barrage, slamming three-run homers in the third and fourth innings ? the first and second homeruns in the history of Montgomery?s new ballpark. The first one slammed off the side of a railcar parked beyond the leftfield wall, the second cleared a small grandstand to the right of the batter?s eye in dead center.

 

Prince Fielder finished 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Kade Johnson went 3-for-4, smashed a two-run homer and scored twice. Jason Belcher was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Tony Gywnn, Jr., Rickie Weeks and Johnny Raburn all had two-hit games. Gwynn wound up 2-for-6 with a double and one RBI, Raburn went 2-for-3, doubled, drove in one and scored two, and Weeks was 2-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored.

 

Jason Cromer (0-2) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Stars reliever Reggie Rivard tossed two innings, permitting one run on two hits while fanning one, and Huntsville lefty Brian Adams threw the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one.

 

On Monday night, Stars lefty Matt Ford (1-1, 1.13) faces West Tenn righty Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 0.00) in the opener of a four-game series at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the FPH Financial Pre-game Show starts at 6:20 p.m.

[MassBrew]

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

An injury update included here...

 

On this date 19 years ago, the fledgling Huntsville Stars had a slugger named Nelson who had four HRs on April 18. His name was Rob and he wound up with 32 at the end of the season, a record that remains to this day....... Brad Nelson was three years old at the time....... Now in the Stars 20th season, this Nelson reincarnate is naturally being talked about here as the slugger who could break that mark........ Who knows? We could still see a "Mantle-Maris" situation here, in which both Nelson and Prince Fielder trade knocks. Fielder, with a .242 average and two HRs, is just starting to crank up, but Brad hit his 3rd and 4th this day, MONSTER BLASTS, tying him for the Southern League lead.

The Stars have never had a pair of 30 HR-hitters on their team. Hell, they've had only two --- Rob Nelson and Mike Coolbaugh in 1997 in their history, but if you look at comparisons of this team and the 1985 team, it's not so far-fetched, assuming of course, Fielder and Nelson stay with the club long enough......

 

Only three other Stars teams have hit as many home runs after their first 10 games The 1985 team, with 16 HRs, were the best. The 1997 team had 12, which is what this team now has....... The comparison between Rob Nelson, even in 1985, with two former # 1 Brewer prospects is still ridiculous, but Rob had as many HRs at this stage of the season as Brad now has........ For a more detailed look at how these Stars stack up with former Huntsville teams 10 games into the season, go to the standings link.

 

http://www.starsboxscore.com/standing.html

 

Despite the slow start (5-5) and team average of .219, the Stars now look like aroused and angry giants....... They collected eight extra-base hits among the season-high 17 they had today (the most in a 9-inning game for the Stars since June 30 of last year), and another season-high of 14 runs (also the most since last June 30) to derail Montgomery, 14-1, and win another series against this team........ The Stars now travel to Jackson, where they start a four-game series at Pringles Park. Matt Ford is scheduled to start the first game against a team that is just ½ game ahead of the Stars, and tied for first.

 

Chris Saenz was in total command, allowing only a line drive single up the middle by Amado German on a 2-2 fastball. Along the way, Saenz mixed in fastballs and sliders to strike out eight....... The Stars, for the second day in a row, scored in the first inning. A one-out double to the left-center field alley by Fielder, where he has considerable power according to the scouting reports, scored Ryan Knox, who walked.

 

The Stars nearly scored again in the 2nd inning after Kade Johnson walked, and Johnny Raburn singled to center........ Anthony Gwynn hit a check swing roller to third. Johnson overran the bag after sliding in safely and was tagged out. Third baseman Juan Salas landed on him after applying the tag and Kade was out --- literally --- sprawled out on his stomach for awhile, giving some worrisome moments to trainer Greg Barajas, but he was alright.

 

Brad Nelson hit the first of his two home runs in the 3rd --- a 3-run HR that gave the Stars a 4-0 lead. The inning started with a one-out rap to left-center by Fielder, who hit a breaking ball by Montgomery starter Jason Cromer, almost to the same spot as his first inning double, and a single past Nestor Perez to left by Rickie Weeks...... Nelson then drove a fast ball over the head of Dan DeMent, clean out of the stadium, beyond the 15-ft. left field wall, beyond the railing on the walkway on that wall, and off a Union Pacific railcar parked there. The wind was blowing out, but Robert Portnoy, delivering the call, said the shot would have made it without the help of the wind.

 

Nelson hit his 4th home run In the Stars' big five-run 4th inning...... Cromer issued a four-pitch walk to Raburn. Three more balls to Gwynn followed, before Tony Jr. lined a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner for a double advancing Raburn to third....... With one out, Fielder hit a 1-1 pitch that ate up Perez at short, scoring Raburn........ Biscuit manager Charlie Montoyo saw enough. He made the call for Chris Flinn, who already in two previous apperances, had given the Stars five runs on five hits in two innings. After he gave up an RBI single to left by Weeks, Nelson stepped up and homered to dead center....... Awesome power. Nelson is really making up for a season lost to a broken hamate bone, a small bone, which by its inherent nature, is tough to heal and takes its time....... That capped the inning. Flinn retired Chris Barnwell and Jason Belcher in order, but the Stars had a 9-0 lead....... It was all over.

 

Aaron Clark put up the first pinch-homer in Biscuit history in the 7th inning off Reggie Rivard, but the Stars were in charge of the stockade this afternoon......... Averages went up........ Kade Johnson, who never cooled since the start of the season, is now hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles, two HRs, and only four Ks........ Anthony Gwynn, Jr. raised his average to .176 after going 3-for-10 his last two games........ Prince Fielder is up over .200 (.229) for the first time since April 10. It looks like he's found his stroke....... Rickie Weeks is 4-for-10 and now hitting .263 after snapping an 0-for-21 slump........ Jason Belcher who went 3-for-5 and had his 1st extra-base hit today, is over .200 for the first time this season. The contact was always there. He has just two strikeouts in 23 at-bats....... And Brad Nelson is up to .258 with four HRs (tied with three others for the league lead) and 11 RBIs (2nd in the SL).

 

The Stars show another poor start after 10 games, however....... The .227 average is only better than the 2002 team that started 3-7, for a record low start at the plate........ The Stars have not hit better than .240 at this stage since 1999....... After saving two of the first three games of the season, Roberto Giron is out of action for awhile, getting back treatments from trainer Greg Barajas......... In the bottom of the 1st, Chris Barnwell had Fernando Cortez's grounder dribble off his glove for an error, the 19th by the Stars after 10 games of the season, two short of the record set last year........ Cortez was batting leadoff for Joey Gathright, who was transferred to Class A-Hudson Valley (NYP) on a rehab assignment. In return, Catcher Chiaron Isenia returned to the Montgomery roster.

 

The Colorado Rockies purchased the contract of pitcher Tim Harikkala from Class AAA-Colorado Springs (PCL). They plan to use him as a middle reliever. Harikkala was 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 22 games for the Stars in 2000.

[MassBrew]

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on the Beloit Game:

 

Wizards' late rally falls short

Clutch hit eludes Bochy in final at-bat

By Stacy Clardie

The Journal Gazette

 

After a slow start at the plate, all manager Randy Ready could hope for was for his Fort Wayne Wizards to regroup and make a late push.

 

The Wizards did, bringing the winning run to the plate in the ninth inning against the Beloit Snappers on Sunday.

 

But with runners on the corners and two outs, Greg Bochy didn't come through in the clutch.

 

That was a common occurrence for the Wizards during their 5-3 loss in front of 2,435 fans on a windy day at Memorial Stadium.

 

Fort Wayne (2-8) got plenty of hits - it outhit Beloit 13-12 - but left 13 runners on base, including a pair in the second, fifth, sixth and ninth innings.

 

"We had opportunities to score, I mean, a pitch here, a strikeout here, a base hit here, a timely hit here, was probably the difference in the game," Ready said. "But I think the kids, just as impressive, they continued to battle. That's what I ask of them."

 

Beloit (5-5) led 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Fernando Valenzuela had a single down the third-base line with one out, but the next batter, George Kottaras, struck out looking. Jordan Pickens followed with a single to left that put runners on first and second for designated hitter Billy Hogan.

 

Hogan fell behind 0-2 and then fouled a pair of pitches straight back before knocking a single to center that scored Valenzuela and moved Pickens to third.

 

That brought up Bochy, playing in his first game since coming off the disabled list. He swung at Ty Taubenheim's first offering and popped the ball into shallow left to end the game.

 

"I think he just missed it," Ready said of Bochy's at-bat. "We've got to be aggressive in the strike zone. I thought the pitch was up in the zone and something he could have done some damage with, and it just didn't work out.

 

"Are we taking by any means? No. We're ready to hit."

 

The Snappers certainly came out ready.

 

They tagged Wizards starter Daniel Moore for three hits and two runs in the first inning. Tim Marks and Vinny Rottino had RBI singles.

 

It was the second straight rough start in as many outings for Moore. He walked three and allowed a two-run single in the first inning of his first start of the season April 13 at Battle Creek before settling down to retire the side in order in three of the next four innings. He got the victory.

 

On Sunday, Moore again found a groove, scattering five hits, walking one and allowing only one run from the second through fifth innings to give the Wizards plenty of time to get back into the game.

 

"I was kind of shaky, left some balls over the plate, about belt high," Moore said of his start. "They didn't hit them that hard, but they hit them for base hits. I felt like after that I settled down. I was down in the zone."

 

But Moore couldn't hold off Beloit for long. The Snappers, who have the second-highest batting average in the Midwest League, got their bats going again in the sixth.

 

After Moore walked leadoff hitter Adam Heether, Gilberto Acosta and Terry Trofholz had back-to-back singles to load the bases. Moore got Guilder Rodriguez to ground to third, forcing Heether at home, but then Moore was lifted for reliever Dirk Hayhurst.

 

"I just didn't command my fastball like I needed to," Moore said of the sixth inning. "But those middle four innings, I thought I did a pretty good job. I just have to focus next time out and kind of come out with that fastball down in the zone and then at the end of the game be able to finish it off as well."

 

Hayhurst struck out Robby Deevers on a high fastball but couldn't completely get out of the jam. Beloit's next batter Lou Palmisano lined a 3-1 pitch down the third base line that played Acosta and Trofholz for a 5-0 lead.

 

The Wizards managed six hits in 5 2/3 innings against Beloit starter Luis Pena (1-0). None were consecutive, but several were hard shots that Beloit infielders snagged.

 

"I wouldn't say it was their starter, I'd say it was a late start by us," said Drew Macias, who went 2 for 3 and extended his hitting streak to six games. "I don't think any of the pitching in the league is going to stop us.

 

"It's just a matter of us not starting out flat and playing a whole nine innings hard."

[MassBrew]

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 5 3 .625[/b] TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 5 6 .455 1.5 COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 4 5 .444 1.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 4 6 .400 2.0

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 5 4 .556 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 5 4 .556 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 5 5 .500 .5[/b] MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 4 6 .400 1.5 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 3 7 .300 2.5

 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 8 2 .800 LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 7 3 .700 1.0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 5 4 .556 2.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 4 7 .364 4.5 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 3 8 .273 5.5[/b]

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 7 3 .700 KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 6 4 .600 1.0 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 5 5 .500 2.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 5 5 .500 2.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 5 5 .500 2.0[/b] QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 4 6 .400 3.0 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 4 6 .400 3.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 4 6 .400 3.0

[igor67]

OK so it's great that Nelson is trying to make most of us feel bad for doubting him, and Prince looks to be awakening, and Saenz is also showing that great pitchers can survive HD, but the real question is Kade Johnson for real? Moeller's fine, but Bennet will wilt away just like Perez did last year after a fast start, and leave us looking at catcher as something of a problem with Captain Lou still aways off.

Here's the essential problem with trying to figure out Kade aside from the teeny sample. He's repeating the level. When prospects repeat a level they tend to do much better even dominate sometimes, but this tends to be an unreliable indicator of true talent. The obvious counter point though is that aside from seeing fewer ABs last year for being a catcher, he also spent a good chunk of the year in HD.

All of which is true Kade only registered 213 ABs in Huntsville last year. And he did seem to start showing signs of life in the playoffs. Perhaps it's a more reasonable way to approach the issue by treating the start of this year as an add on to last and recalculate his performance?

Doing that his mere 20 plate appearances this season push him from a .192 BA to a .211. His OBP from .271 to .279. And the biggest mover his SLG from .296 to .350. The total numbers still stink, but if by time he gets to 300 ABs he can push that line to something like a .250/.300/.400 line that's not bad for a catcher in the Southern League. To do that he'd have to go 26 for 68 (.382) wouldn't have to register a single walk in that time to have a .301 OBP. And of those 26 hits he'd have to generate 13 more total bases, which would be like 4 HRs and a double, or 3 HRs 3 doubles.

[MassBrew]

Daily Press High Desert Game Story:

Cool picture continuing our theme...

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...9151,3373,

 

Scott Smeltzer/Staff Photographer

The Blaze's Shawn Riggans (29) is forced out on a double play by High Desert shortstop Scott Candelaria (26) and second baseman Callix Crabbe during Sunday's game at Mavericks Stadium. High Desert fell 14-5 to Bakersfield and is now 3-8 this season.

 

http://www.vvdailypress.com/storypics2/041904_mavs.jpg