Link Report for Wed. 9/3 - Let the Postseason Begin!

[MassBrew]

At least the parent Brewers are idle on Thursday, which will give us the opportunity to check in to the minor league audio more freely. Many of you probably feel that Luis Martinez' major league debut is a more compelling listen for tonight, and I can't blame you...

 

Wednesday's Daily Menu :

 

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

 

HUNTSVILLE: RHP Ben Hendrickson at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:05 PM, in the first of a best-of-five series, the league semi-finals -- note the earlier start time to accommodate a post-game fireworks show...

 

Audio link:

espn1450.com/

 

BELOIT: RHP Dennis Sarfate at home vs. Wisconsin (Mariners), 7:05 PM, in the only home game of a best-of-three opening round series, the league quarter-finals...

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...wtrattlers

 

This one game only is also being carried by a Beloit-based broadcast perspective by WTJK 1380 AM in Rockford, Illinois; it does not appear that the station has web audio, however, so unless you live in the state-line area, use the Wisconsin feed via your PC...

 

HELENA: RHP Brian Montalbo at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 8:00 PM; Missoula's in a dogfight for a playoff spot, Helena has home field in both the semi-final and (hopefully) final rounds...

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.1340kylt.com/Happenin...0A8052A72}

[MassBrew]

Beloit Daily News Playoff Preview:

Plenty of quotes....

 

www.beloitdailynews.com/903/snap3.htm

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Times Playoff Preview Article:

Former Star returns tonight...

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...312820.xml

[MassBrew]

Birmingham (White Sox) 7, Huntsville 0

Barons lead best-of-five, 1-0

 

Huntsville Line Score:

Ugh...but didn't a lot of us see this coming?

 SOU FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - BIRMINGHAM 1 0 0 0 4 0 2 0 0 7 5 0 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 FINAL WP - ENEMENCIO PACHECO (1-0) LP - BEN HENDRICKSON (0-1) HOME RUNS: BIR - JUAN PINIELLA (1) OFF BRIAN ADAMS IN THE 7TH TIME: 2:20 ATT: 1,072

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Box Score:

Let's see, three Stars baserunners all night (Corey Hart twice). Oh but wait, the Barons turn two double plays and Brad Nelson is caught stealing, so HUNTSVILLE LOB = 0. The Stars send the minimum 27 men to the plate through nine innings. What a butt-whippin'...

 BIRMINGHAM AB R H BI HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI D Sandoval 2B 3 3 1 1 A Machado 2B 3 0 0 0 J Piniella LF 4 1 2 5 D Krynzel CF 3 0 0 0 J Reed RF 3 0 0 0 J HARDY SS 3 0 0 0 G Alvarez 1B 4 0 0 1 C Hart 3B 2 0 1 0 S Bikowski DH 3 0 1 0 B Gemoll 1B 3 0 0 0 C Maldonado C 4 0 0 0 N Varner RF 3 0 0 0 T Nicholson 3B 3 1 0 0 B Nelson LF 3 0 1 0 G Reyes SS 4 1 1 0 D Clark DH 3 0 0 0 C Durham CF 3 1 0 0 M Kremblas C 3 0 0 0 TOTALS 31 7 5 7 TOTALS 26 0 2 0 BIRMINGHAM 100 040 200 -- 7 HUNTSVILLE 000 000 000 -- 0 E--J HARDY. DP--BIRMINGHAM 2, HUNTSVILLE 1. LOB--BIRMINGHAM 4. 2B--G Reyes. 3B--J Piniella. HR--J Piniella 1 (1) (off B Adams). SB--D Sandoval 1 (1). CS--B Nelson. S--J Piniella, J Reed. IP H R ER BB SO HR BIRMINGHAM E Pacheco (W,1-0) 9 2 0 0 1 5 0 HUNTSVILLE B Hendrickson (L,0-1) 5 3 5 4 2 3 0 B Adams 2 1 2 2 2 0 1 R Miller 2 1 0 0 0 2 0 WP--R Miller. HBP--T Nicholson by R Miller. SO--BIR: J Piniella 2, G Alvarez 2, J Reed. HUN: M Kremblas 2, D Clark, B Nelson, A Machado. BB--BIR: D Sandoval 2, S Bikowski, C Durham. HUN: C Hart. T--2:20. A--1,072.

[huntsvillefan]

Hard to find much positive to say, having sat through this whole sorry spectacle.

Dave Krynzel made two absolutely breathtaking catches at the wall, one of them in heavy rain. At least he was actually trying to win!

That's it really, unless you count Frank Kremblas's obvious belief that Brad Nelson is the next Ricky Henderson.

Oh yes - Mike Kremblas started a bench clearing, pimp slapping contest at the end of the game. Maybe that'll get us fired up for tomorrow night.

[MassBrew]

Beloit 5, Wisconsin (Mariners) 2

Snappers lead best-of-three series, 1-0; Dennis Sarfate with the win; I imagine we'll get several first-hand accounts of this game later tonight and Thursday AM; box score in the AM as well...

[Al the Thinking Man]

At least he was actually trying to win!

 

Has there ever been an intelligent fan who believed a player was trying to get out? What a silly statement.

[molitor fan]

At least he was actually trying to win!

 

Has there ever been an intelligent fan who believed a player was trying to get out? What a silly statement.

 

 

Al, someday I will have to tell you the story of Gary Sheffield in a Brewer uniform.

[Al the Thinking Man]

Actually, I doubt Gary ever didn't give 100% when he was here. However, saying he didn't makes him sound cool "in the hood".

 

I'd love to have a jerk like Sheff on my team, heck, I'd take 25 of them.

[xisxisxis]

I'd love to have a jerk like Sheff on my team, heck, I'd take 25 of them.

 

But you'd have to pay them more than minimum.

[colbyjack]

I just made it home from the Snappers game this evening. Doug Melvin, Jack Zduriencik & Cecil Fielder were all in attendance, along with several other scouts buzzing about the ballpark. I even used the restroom right next to Cecil Fielder...my brush with greatness http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Dennis Sarfate started off the first several innings a little slow. His fastball definitely was popping, but he had a little trouble locating it. The Timberrattlers didn't do anything to hurt him. The Sarfate & John Vanden Berg ended the 2nd & 3rd innings with strike 'em out, throw 'em out double plays, with the throw in the 3rd inning going to 3rd. John showed a pretty nice arm, as Dennis wasn't doing much to hold the runners close.

 

That seemed to pump Sarfate up, at least for a couple of innings. He cruised through the 4th & 5th, but then hit another bump in the road in the 7th. He allowed a few baserunners on, and then Weeks had a throwing error that sailed into the visitor's dugout on a double play ball. It was somewhat of a tricky play, as Michael Garciaparra faked a bunt & then pulled the bat back along to chop a grounder up the middle. Everyone was playing the bunt, which caused everyone to scramble, and while Rickie made a nice play to get the ball & make the out at 2B, he should have held onto the ball as he had no chance to get lil' Nomah. A run scored on the play.Sarfate finished the 6th inning striking out the final batter with 3 straight fastballs that simply overpowered the guy. After racking up the K, before he walked to the dugout, he flashed a little emotion as you could tell he was pumped up to get that out.

 

Speaking of lil' Nomah, he's not that impressive. Pretty weak swings at the plate, and he has the exact same odd toe tapping ritual in the batting box. I think this man is the victim of being his big brother's little brother, if you know what I mean. He needs to find his own identity, and his swing. And his D' at SS isn't going to carry him.

 

Back to the Snappers, their scoring started in the bottom of the 5th, when Chas Terni hit a booming 3B with 2 outs that scored Adam Heether. Kennard Bibbs followed that with a drag bunt (or a weak chopper to the right side, I was distracted for the actual contact), which Bibbs beat out, allowing Terni to score the second run of the game. Snappers up 2-0, before the T-Rattlers scored a run in the top of the 6th on the aforementioned play.

 

Sarfate was done after 6 innings of work. He showed some really good heat, and his breaking ball was impressive at times. He seemed to get over on it too much, forcing it too far down. It works more like a slider than a true curveball, although I've seen it work better than what it did tonight, although he did toss a few dandys, he just wasn't consistent.

 

The opposing starting pitcher Bobby Livingston showed pretty good command, and threw a lot of strikes especially early in the game (and the ump had a pretty tight strike zone). Livingston flashed a pretty good slider & curveball, as you could definitely see the difference between the 2 pitches (one was slower with a bigger break, the other was just a shade slower than his fastball, with a smaller yet sharper break). He could be a good pitcher, as I remember following his name before the '01 draft (love them lefties).

 

Again, back to the Snappers...Chas Terni wasn't done. In the bottom of the 7th, again with 2 outs, he started yet another rally with a 2B. Bibbs came through yet again with a solid RBI single. Crabbe reached 1st on an IF single (a ball hit up the middle that Garciaparra couldn't corral, a tough play if he would have), advancing Bibbs to 2B. With Gwynn at the plate, a double steal was put on, as Bibbs & Crabbe stole 3rd & 2nd without a throw to either bag. Gwynn followed that with a base hit up the middle, scoring both Bibbs & Crabbe. All with 2 outs, a great rally to give the Snappers some breathing room.

 

The Timberrattlers did score again, but I don't remember how or when (it was during the 7th or 8th I believe against Hall). Bo Hall pitched the 7th & 8th. He's a little guy that throws a decent curve & fastball, but I guess I will have a hard time believing he's going to make it very far up the ladder. Josh Alliston (not Jeff Allison http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ) closed out the 9th after walking the leadoff batter & starting the 2nd batter with a 2-0 count. He struck out the final batter of the game looking.

 

As for some of our favorite prospects not mentioned, Weeks had a tough day. He did walk the first time up in the 2nd, and exhibited very good patience at the plate overall. However, before Livingston threw home with Weeks on he picked him off of 1B. It was a great pickoff move, but still, disappointing to see Weeks thrown out. Weeks also grounded into 2 double plays, and hit a weak flyout to RF in his last AB. You can still see his tremendous athleticism & bat speed, I just caught him on a bad night.

 

Fielder was swinging at too much garbage out of the zone. I know others have noted this at times, as I've seen him less than patient a couple of times now. I've also seen him incredibly disciplined & patient at the plate, so this is something that he obviously is going to have to learn to be more consistent with. He was facing a rather tough lefty the first 6-7 innings, and the first relief pither they brought in was a lefty to get Prince & Gwynn (I believe in the 7th, which obviously didn't work in Gwynn's case).

 

So that's that. I'll see if I remember more by morning.

[huntsvillefan]

"At least he was actually trying to win!"

 

"Has there ever been an intelligent fan who believed a player was trying to get out? What a silly statement."

 

Lets not let the fact that the original comment was made in the context of Dave's defense ruin a great cliche

No-one doubts that EVERY player tries to hit the baseball. Sadly , unless you're as myopic as Al, trying to win actually involves a few other minor details, like defense, running out plays and most of all ,keeping your head in the game. Having 3 valiant swings at a passing ball doesn't actually constitute trying to win a team game.

 

I'd risk a small wager that Mike Kremblas was sent out tonight wih instructions from Frank to start that end of game semi-brawl. A desperate attempt to light a fire under a team that has shown little appetite for the game for several weeks.

 

Birmingham aren't any more talented than we are, at the minute they simply 'want it' more than we do. Trying to win involves 'wanting it' just as much as it involves not getting out deliberately.

 

I'll forego comments like 'has there ever been an intelligent fan who thought the game only involved trying to hit'

[MassBrew]

Beloit Box Score:

Give it up for unlikely hero Chas Terni -- good for him...

 GAME DATE: 9/03/03 WISCONSIN 2 AT BELOIT 5 YTD YTD WISCONSIN AB R H BI AVG BELOIT AB R H BI AVG G.Harris CF 3 1 1 0 .333 K.Bibbs LF 4 1 2 2 .500 M.Garciaparr SS 4 0 0 0 .000 C.Crabbe DH 4 1 2 0 .500 T.Bohn RF 3 0 1 0 .333 T.Gwynn CF 4 0 2 2 .500 J.Nelson DH 3 0 0 1 .000 P.Fielder 1B 3 0 1 0 .333 C.Arroyo LF 4 0 2 0 .500 R.Weeks 2B 3 0 0 0 .000 R.Rivera CAT 3 0 0 0 .000 J.Vanden Ber CAT 4 0 1 0 .250 B.Metheny 1B 4 0 1 0 .250 A.Heether 3B 4 1 1 0 .250 M.Hagen 3B 3 0 0 0 .000 M.Mendez RF 4 0 0 0 .000 C.Harrington 2B 3 1 1 0 .333 C.Terni SS 3 2 3 1 1.000 B.Livingston PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Sarfate PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Dowdy PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hall PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Ovalles PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Alliston PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 30 2 6 1 TOTALS 33 5 12 5 WISCONSIN 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0- 2 6 0 BELOIT 0 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 X- 5 12 1 E--R.Weeks. DP--WISCONSIN 2, BELOIT 0. LOB--WISCONSIN 7, BELOIT 6. 2B--C.Terni 2 (2). 3B--C.Terni (1). SB--K.Bibbs (1), C.Crabbe (1). CS--C.Arroyo, M.Hagen. SF--J.Nelson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA WISCONSIN B.Livingston (L,0-1) 6.2 10 5 5 2 4 0 6.75 J.Dowdy 0.2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 J.Ovalles 0.2 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 BELOIT D.Sarfate (W,1-0) 6.0 4 1 1 2 5 0 1.50 B.Hall 2.0 2 1 1 2 2 0 4.50 J.Alliston (S,1) 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0.00 WP--B.Hall. PB--R.Rivera. SO--M.Garciaparr, J.Nelson 3, R.Rivera 2, M.Hagen, C.Harrington, P.Fielder, J.Vanden Ber 2, A.Heether, M.Mendez 2. BB--G.Harris, T.Bohn, R.Rivera, M.Hagen, C.Harrington, P.Fielder, R.Weeks. T--2:50. A--877

[MassBrew]

Helena 7, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 2

Rollin', rollin', rollin'....

 

Helena Independent Record Game Story:

 

www.helenair.com/articles...403_02.txt

 

Helena Site with additional details:

 

Helena continued to dominate the Pioneer League beating the Missoula Osprey 7-2 on Wendsday night in Missoula, in a game that featured a twenty minute delay in the ninth because the lights went out. Helena banged out 15 hits with everyone in the lineup except Manny Ramirez gettting a hit. Missoula's only offensive success came when manger Eddie Sedar got creative, swapping first baseman Ramirez and catcher Vinny Rottino. It was Ramirez's first apperance behind the plate this season.

 

Robby Deevers went three-for-four with a triple and stolen base for Helena. Andri Gomez chipped in with three hits including a double and RBI. Nic Carter, Justin Barnes, and Rottino all had mutli-hit games for the Brewers.

 

Helena Box Score:

 GAME DATE: 9/03/03 HELENA 7 AT MISSOULA 2 YTD YTD HELENA AB R H BI AVG MISSOULA AB R H BI AVG M.Melo RF 5 0 1 1 .261 J.Kaplan CF 5 0 1 0 .272 A.Gomez 2B 6 0 3 1 .219 C.Gonzalez RF 5 0 0 0 .257 M.Ramirez CAT 1 0 0 0 .319 A.Murillo 3B 4 1 1 1 .304 M.Ramirez 1B 2 2 0 0 .319 J.Olivares SS 0 0 0 0 .220 V.Rottino CAT 4 1 2 0 .322 M.Montero DH 3 0 1 0 .301 V.Rottino 1B 1 0 0 0 .322 C.Melendez PH 1 0 0 0 .231 R.Deevers CF 4 1 3 1 .324 A.Mottram CAT 4 0 2 0 .264 C.Lozada DH 4 1 1 1 .125 J.Acosta LF 4 0 0 0 .245 J.Barnes 3B 4 1 2 2 .247 J.Brito 1B 4 1 2 0 .253 N.Carter LF 5 0 2 0 .277 J.McStoots 3B 1 0 0 0 .216 A.Septimo SS 3 1 1 1 .218 J.McStoots SS 3 0 0 0 .216 B.Montalbo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Bonifacio 2B 3 0 3 1 .209 D.Grybash PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Rosen PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 P.Hendrix PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Vaillancou PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 H.Guerrero PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Cremidan PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Allender PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 39 7 15 7 TOTALS 37 2 10 2 HELENA 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 1 2- 7 15 0 MISSOULA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1- 2 10 2 E--J.Brito, E.Bonifacio. DP--HELENA 0, MISSOULA 1. LOB--HELENA 13, MISSOULA 9. 2B--A.Gomez (6). 3B--R.Deevers (3). HR--A.Murillo (5). SB--N.Carter (4). CS--A.Gomez, R.Deevers. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HELENA B.Montalbo (W,2-1) 5.0 4 0 0 1 3 0 3.18 D.Grybash 2.0 3 0 0 0 2 0 2.82 P.Hendrix 2.0 3 2 2 0 1 1 6.38 MISSOULA M.Rosen (L,5-5) 5.0 6 3 3 5 4 0 5.81 T.Vaillancou 2.0 3 1 1 1 0 0 6.58 H.Guerrero 1.0 3 1 1 0 0 0 5.70 A.Cremidan 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.52 J.Allender 1.0 3 2 2 2 0 0 11.12 WP--B.Montalbo 2, P.Hendrix, M.Rosen, T.Vaillancou. PB--M.Ramirez 2. SO--M.Melo, M.Ramirez 2, A.Septimo, C.Gonzalez 4, M.Montero, J.Acosta. BB--M.Melo, M.Ramirez 2, R.Deevers, C.Lozada, J.Barnes, A.Septimo 2, E.Bonifacio. T--3:02. A--1411

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=317

[403137]

I really find that comment offensive, with its implication that everyone else on the team was not trying to win--even with your justification that "trying to win" has a lot of different aspects. Two men on the team got hits off a very tough pitcher and those who saw or listened to the game will know there were a number of good defensive plays besides the two Krynzel catches. Instead of making snide comments, we need to stress the positive. We need to remember that these are young men in their lower 20s, all of whom really are trying to do their best.

[MassBrew]

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

 

BAD BLOOD

A busload of Birmingham fans bolstered a shameful home crowd of just a little more than a thousand tonight for the 4th playoff meeting in history between these two clubs...... The game was interrupted by a steady rain that started in the bottom of the 4th inning, but it didn't ruin their night, as Wallyball, and not the rain, was responsible for a ruined beginning for Stars fans.

 

There's probably no better rivalry in this league and there has never been any love here at all......... In the first playoff meeting in 1987, Birmingham whipped the Stars, embarrassing them by scores of 15-2 and 17-7 in the process of a sweep....... Two years later, the Barons did it again with pitching, holding the Stars to a .145 average in a series that somehow lasted four games........ The Stars had to wait until 2001 for the next confrontation. Dominated by the Barons during the regular season, 12 games to 5, they took the Barons in four games to win the Division title, beating them in the deciding game on their turf.

 

The names may change, but the feeling always stays the same....... Earlier in the season, BIrmingham manager Wally Backman accused some of the Stars' support personnel of stealing signs, a ridiculous accusation since I know one of the persons Backman fingered........ Then there were accusations by the Barons that the Stars were joking off the final four-game sweep of the regular season, like some kind of psychological game (Casey at the Bat comes to mind), to get them cocky and over-confident........ Tonight, the war got closer to the edge.

 

The combination of Pacheco and Piniella were too much for a team that hasn't been able to beat Birmingham since July 31......... If Juan Piniella's bases-loaded triple to give the Barons a 5-0 lead in the 5th inning wasn't enough to dash any hope the Stars had, then his 2-run HR to left off Brian Adams in the 7th added insult........ After all, Enemencio Pacheco, undefeated in his last 15 starts, was pitching his best game of the year, and needed only the support of a ground attack in the 1st inning, as he shackled the Stars to just two hits, pitching five innings of no-hit ball until Brad Nelson singled through the right side of the infield in the 6th.

 

After getting behind leadoff hitter Danny Sandoval, 3-and-0, Ben Hendrickson started the game by issuing a walk on five pitches......... Wallyball was open for business......... Piniella pushed a bunt hard up the first base line. Brandon Gemoll fielded it quickly, but instead of feeding the ball to Alejandro Machado covering first, Piniella eluded Gemoll's tag as he sped up the baseline....... Jeremy Reed, a .400 hitter, surprised everyone by laying down a bunt to the 3rd base side of the mound, moving the runners into scoring position. Gabe Alvarez then drove in Sandoval with a ground ball to the right side.

 

The Stars had a runner on base just three times in this game, but left no one on base......... Nelson, who had the 6th inning single, was thrown out trying to steal second....... In the 5th, Corey Hart led off with a walk, but was erased on an inning-ending double play by Noochie Varner....... Then in the 8th, Corey blooped a single into right field, but Gemoll lined a 3-2 pitch right back to Pacheco, who turned a 1-4-3 double play......... Pacheco was not particulary fast. He topped out on the gun at 91 mph, but his fastball had lots of movement and his slider was deadly. He recorded 11 ground outs to just five fly outs to the outfield......... Scorer Larry Smith said he had seen no pitcher dominate the Stars like this since Frank Castillo (Charlotte) no-hit the Stars back in 1990.......... Oddly enough, it will be another Castillo --- Carmen --- who will go for Birmingham tomorrow against Jeff Housman.

 

The crowd saw fireworks on the field before they saw them in the sky........... Mike Kremblas had struck out on a Pacheco slider to end the game, when without warning, Kremblas erupted in anger at catcher Carlos Maldonado....... It may have been a couple of words heard by Kremblas, or Maldonado could have held up the ball in Kremblas's face. Whatever it was, Kremblas was enraged and charged Maldonado......... Both benches emptied quickly........ With league president Don Mincher watching from the press box, caps started flying all over the infield as both camps started converging on each other like the Jets and the Sharks in West Side Story, massing toward the middle of the infield........ Manager Frank, quick to defend his younger brother, came out after somebody, I couldn't tell who exactly, but he was restrained by the umps, while hitting coach Sandy Guerrero was trying to get between Mike and Maldonado........ Maldonado, meanwhile, was being pulled away by the umps........ Amazingly, no punches were thrown, and the posturing, which it what it really amounted to, lasted no more than a couple of minutes. After all that has gone on this season between these two clubs, you can just smell the gunpowder.

 

Dave Krynzel, the human highlight reel, and damn if he isn't the best centerfielder I've ever seen here, did it again........ Not once, but twice, he crashed into the wall in left-center field while making almost identical leaping catches........ The finest of the two came off Chad Durham to lead off the 3rd inning. He hit the wall more solidly the first time and I thought he may have really injured himself on that play....... The second time against Gabe Alvarez, ended the 5th inning. This time, he pulled up a little bit while still hitting the wall and making the catch........ Krynzel could be a major league outfielder today, if it were not for his flaws at the plate and the lessons that still need to be learned running the bases, especially in reading the pitcher while on first........

 

J.J. Hardy's throwing error with one out opened the gates for Birmingham's four-run rally in the 5th........ Playing the shift against Tom Nicholson, Hardy fielded his grounder while moving onto the right side of the diamond. An awkward play, but Hardy's throw to first sailed over the head of Gemoll......... Nicholson would score on a single by Danny Sandoval before Juan Piniella hit his bases-clearing triple......... There were two very nice plays in the 4th inning. Machado reacted to a bad hop that nearly scaled over his head, leaping to bring down the ball and throwing out Jeremy Reed....... Hendrickson ended that inning by coming off the mound to field a tough dribbler by Scott Bikowski on the short hop, then spinning to throw to first in time.

 

Derek Lee, his season over, was in the stands tonight......... He had asked Milwaukee management if he could return to Huntsville for the playoffs, but to climb down a notch to Double A required special permission, and the Brewers weren't going to grant it.......Funny, but Neal Cotts, who had pitched at least a couple of games for the White Sox recently, will pitch Game 4, if necessary, because the Sox optioned him to Birmingham. That's sneaky.........

 

While the Stars were losing tonight to Birmingham, Luis Martinez was making his major league debut tonight at Miller Park as the Brewers' starter against Cincinnati. Luis faced 21 hitters in 4 innings, and gave up 6 hits, 5 walks, a wild pitch and a balk, but gave up only three runs, all earned. He threw 84 pitches, 43 for strikes (51.1%)....... Though he left trailing Cincinnati, 3-2, the Brewers came back and won 9-6........ Alejandro Machado gave up his uniform #43, which was D. Lee's, for #17, perhaps to change his luck. He was 3-for-30 in his last 9 games of the season.

 

The rest of the matchups will look like this: Carlos Castillo (3-1, 3.96) will go against Jeff Housman (3-2, 3.30), Thursday. Tetsu Yofu (9-8, 3.50) will go against Jason Shelley (3-1, 2.39) at Hoover Met on Friday.......... If necessary, Neal Cotts and Corwin Malone will go in games four and five for Birmingham, but expect Pacheco to return on three days rest for Game 5......... The Stars will counter with Pedro Liriano (9-13, 3.65) and Greg Bruso (1-1, 3.60).

[batman]

What's up with Nic Carter? Is he a position player? Or a pitcher? It sure is weird how the organization is handling him. Is the conversion to pitching going to continue next year? At what level?

 

Thoughts?

~Bill

[DHonks]

What's up with Nic Carter? Is he a position player? Or a pitcher? It sure is weird how the organization is handling him.

 

When we were in Montana this summer, my brother made a journey to Helena to meet a client and they went to a ballgame. The next day's newspaper review (which he brought back with him) referred to Carter as a two-way player.

Perhaps it is about time that baseball became smarter with how they utilize players. Look at VenBechschoen (I spelled it wrong, but the guy from the Pirates)....he was considered an outstanding college hitter who 29 clubs wanted as a position player, yet he's pitching for the Pirates. While he's having success, perhaps letting him play other days in the field would yield a better return on the club's investment. Instead of having a first rounder pitching, they'd have someone making first round money with two shots at the big leagues. Kieschnick shows you can always give the other a try, but why not try both at once to increase your chances of gaining positive returns on your investment.

[lend d money]

Nic Carter has a wonderful baseball body. However, he was nothing short of a failure for the Snappers this year. Despite his frame, he did not hit for power or average and was suspect in the field. A conversion to the mound is probably his only chance. When you invest fourth round money into a guy, you want to pursue all options before giving up completely on him.

[MassBrew]

Beloit Daily News Game Story:

So who saw Bud there last night?

 

www.beloitdailynews.com/903/snap4.htm

[Mike2k33]

I didn't see Bud or Cecil, but Doug Melvin and another guy, in a suit, sat about 4 rows back of me in the last row of the General Admission bleachers. He stayed until the end of the 8th.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

I thought they were talking about Bud-dy79. Actually, have you ever seen them in the same room together?