Link Report for Games of Friday, July 25th

[MassBrew]

Friday's Daily Menu -- we'll be plugging in the standings for playoff-contending Huntsville, Beloit, and Helena within the Daily Menu while pertinent; Huntsville's fighting for a second-half crown that would provide additional home field advantage in the playoffs; Beloit's looking to qualify with a second-half division championship -- they can also automatically qualify with a second-place finish, and Helena's looking for a first-half title (their first-half ends this Sunday, July 27th).

 

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

 

INDIANAPOLIS: LHP Doug Davis at Durham (Devil Rays), 6:00 PM; hey, still no roster room for infielder Richard Paz -- likely a move to be announced later this afternoon...

 

Audio link:

www.newstalk1430.com/

 

HUNTSVILE: LHP Jeff Housman vs. Tennessee (Cardinals) at home, 7:05 PM; there's just something about being "new" that makes things so fun -- it's as if we can't wait for Jeff to pitch again tonight and for Jason Shelley to deal on Saturday...

 

Audio link:

espn1450.com/

 

 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 17 15 .531 MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 16 15 .516 .5 [b]*HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 16 15 .516 .5[/b] BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 16 15 .516 .5 CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS (CINCINNATI) 15 18 .455 2.5

HIGH DESERT: RHP Chris Saenz at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 9:05 PM

 

Audio link:

www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm

 

BELOIT: LHP Eric Henderson at Kane County (A's), 7:00 PM; the Cougars have given the Snappers fits this season; Kane County has a wonderful audio set-up in which you can check out the game live or on archive...

 

Audio link (opponent's):

www.kccougars.com/kcchome...sters.html

 

 WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 21 13 .618 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 21 13 .618[/b] PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 20 14 .588 1.0 *KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 19 15 .559 2.0 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 18 16 .529 3.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 15 19 .441 6.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 13 21 .382 8.0 %WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 12 21 .364 8.5

HELENA: LHP Mitch Stetter, the 2003 16th round pick out of Indiana State, makes his first start after seven relief appearances at Great Falls (White Sox), 8:05 PM; there's potential for a very much southpaw-laden rotation in Beloit next year, nothing wrong with that; unfortunately, no web audio is available for this game http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/frown.gif

 

A Helena win Friday night coupled with a loss by Billings (Reds, home to Missoula) will give the Brewers the first half North Division championship tonight. Watch the champagne, young'uns...

 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 23 13 .639[/b] BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 21 14 .600 1.5 GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 20 15 .571 2.5 MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 18 18 .500 5.0 

ARIZONA: The Brewers host the rookie Royals #1 squad tonight; starting pitcher info unavailable at "post time"

[MassBrew]

First, we've received confirmation that Manny Parra "should be fine" after being hit on his pitching hand by a batted ball last night -- great news!

 

Indianapolis Media Notes for Friday:

 

TONIGHT: The Indians continue a six-game road trip with the opening game of a four-game series at Durham. The Indians have had only two home games since July 12, and are 2-6 in eight road contests during that period. After this trip, however, the Indians will be home on 11 of the next 13 dates, and will finish the season at Victory Field on 21 of the final 34 dates.

 

The Tribe is heading to Durham Bulls Athletic Park for the first time since April 15 and 16. The Tribe dropped both of those contests during a seven-game losing streak. The teams met at Victory Field on April 9 and 10 with the Indians sweeping that two-game series. The teams split the 12-game season series last year.

 

KEEPING IT CLOSE: After going 19-10 in June, the Indians are 7-14 in July. The team is hitting .274, and the pitching staff has a 4.87 ERA. Of the Tribe's 21 games in July, nine have been decided by one run (3-6) while five have been decided by two runs (1-4).

 

ROSTER MOVES: RHP Wes Obermueller has been recalled by Milwaukee and will start at Colorado tonight. The Brewers have optioned LHP Shane Nance back to the Indians. Nance pitched in seven games for the Brewers in July going 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA. Second baseman Rich Paz has been promoted from Double-A Huntsville where he was hitting .246-1-24 in 73 games. He leads the Southern League with 58 walks and ranks second with a .406 on-base percentage. Outfielder Ryan Knox has been sent to Huntsville.

 

YESTERDAY: Luis Martinez pitched 6.1 shutout innings in his Triple-A debut after being promoted from Huntsville earlier in the day. Steve Scarborough went 4-for-4 with two doubles, a three-run homer and two runs scored as the Indians salvaged a split of a two-game series at Richmond with a 6-1 win. Pete Zoccolillo hit a two-run homer for the Tribe.

 

ON THE MOUND: Lefthander Doug Davis makes his second start for the Tribe since signing with Milwaukee on July 14. He took the loss at Rochester on July 20 giving up five runs in 7.0 innings. All five runs scored in the fourth. Davis allowed just two hits in the other six innings on the mound. Davis is pitching for his fifth team and third organization in 2003. He started the season with the Rangers and pitched for both Triple-A Oklahoma (3-0, 3.25) and Texas (0-0, 12.00). Toronto claimed him off waivers on May 1, and Davis made 12 appearances over a two-month period for the Blue Jays (4-6, 5.00).

 

HOT AT THE PLATE: Over the last 60 games Jim Rushford is hitting .339 (78-for-230). Since May 19, Rushford has not gone more than two games without getting a hit. In 24 games since June 21, Cody McKay is hitting .360 (27-for-75).

 

SCARBOROUGH - MORE THAN FAIR: Steve Scarborough is making a bid to be the first Indian to win IL Batter of the Week honors this season. Through the first four games of the week, the Tribe shortstop has gone 8-for-16 (.500) with three multi-hit games. He has two doubles, one triple and two home runs. One of his homers was a walk-off grand slam against Columbus Monday night, while he added a three-run shot Thursday at Richmond. Scarborough has scored four runs and driven in seven. Scarborough is hitting .275 for the month of July with a .512 slugging percentage.

 

UPCOMING PROBABLES:

Saturday at Durham - LHP Nate Teut (2-3, 3.67) vs. RHP Doug Waechter (0-1, 2.51)

Sunday at Durham - RHP Pasqual Coco (8-5, 4.49) vs. RHP Delvin James (3-6, 4.19)

Monday at Durham - RHP David Manning (5-7, 4.70) vs. RHP Carlos Reyes (9-1, 1.67)

[MassBrew]

Durham (Devil Rays) 5, Indianapolis 3, 10 innings

Indy went up 3-2 in the top of the 10th on a Jason Conti HR, but Jason Childers couldn't close it out, serving up a walk-off HR to Durham catcher Pete LaForest (Futures Game).

 

Indy Site Game Summary:

 

DURHAM, N.C. -- The Indianapolis Indians, who had two dramatic wins in the bottom of the ninth inning at Victory Field earlier this week, had another late win snatched from their grasp Friday night. After Jason Conti homered in the top of the 10th to give the Indians a 3-2 lead, Pete LaForest belted a three-run shot in the bottom of the inning as the host Durham Bulls rallied for a 5-3 win.

 

The Indians (45-59), who had won three of four coming into the contest, have had 15 of their 22 games in July decided by two runs or less. They are 4-11 in those games, and 7-15 overall in the month.

 

Conti drove in all three of the Indianapolis runs. With the Tribe trailing 1-0 heading to the seventh inning, Cody McKay greeted reliever Todd Belitz with a single to right, and Keith Luuloa followed with a double off the wall in left to put two runners in scoring position. Belitz struck out Pete Zoccolillo and newcomer Rich Paz, but Conti came through with a two-run single to put the Indians ahead.

 

Conti's second hit of the night, and the sixth of seven for the Indians, came on an 0-2 pitch in the top of the 10th when he hit a Todd Williams offering over the fence in right to put the Indians in the lead again. Conti's hit came after three Bulls relievers had retired eight in a row.

 

Both Tribe leads were short-lived. Jason Smith tripled and scored in the seventh to tie the game at two.

 

In the 10th, Indians closer Jason Childers (2-4) got Ryan Jackson to pop out to start the inning, but Jeff Liefer and Jared Sandberg both hit ground ball singles to set the stage for LaForest who connected on his ninth home run of the season.

 

Tribe starter Doug Davis, who made 12 starts in the majors with Texas and Toronto earlier this season, left after the seventh having allowed six hits and two runs in his second start with the Indians. Lefthander Shane Nance, who was optioned to Indianapolis from Milwaukee earlier in the day, turned in two shutout innings of relief striking out three.

 

The Indians went down in order in five of the 10 innings. Durham starter Bartolome Fortunato allowed just two hits over six shutout innings in his third start at the Triple-A level. He retired the final 11 batters he faced before departing with the 1-0 lead.

 

The four-game series continues Saturday when Indians lefty Nate Teut (2-3, 3.67) faces Doug Waechter (0-1, 2.51).

 

Indianapolis Box Score:

2B Rich Paz 0-fo-3 with a walk in his AAA debut; assuredly LHP Doug Davis will get the call the next time the Brewers need to plug a new starter into their rotation, as they invariably will...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 INDIANAPOLIS 3 AT DURHAM 5 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG DURHAM AB R H BI AVG J.Conti CF 5 1 2 3 .230 J.Tyner CF 5 0 2 1 .317 W.Veras 3B 4 0 1 0 .230 B.Badeaux 2B 3 0 0 0 .238 J.Rushford 1B 4 0 0 0 .321 R.Jackson 1B 5 0 0 0 .292 M.Smith LF 5 0 2 0 .297 J.Liefer LF 5 1 1 0 .315 C.McKay CAT 5 1 1 0 .239 J.Sandberg 3B 5 1 1 0 .224 K.Luuloa DH 4 1 1 0 .262 P.LaForest CAT 4 1 1 3 .289 P.Zoccolillo RF 4 0 0 0 .277 C.Truby DH 3 1 1 0 .253 S.Scarboroug SS 2 0 0 0 .228 J.Smith SS 4 1 2 0 .294 R.Paz 2B 3 0 0 0 .000 G.Lombard RF 4 0 2 1 .266 D.Davis PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Fortunato PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Nance PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Belitz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Haines PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Williams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Seay PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 3 7 3 TOTALS 38 5 10 5 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1- 3 7 2 DURHAM 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3- 5 10 0 E--C.McKay, D.Davis. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 0, DURHAM 1. LOB--INDIANAPOLIS 8, DURHAM 9. 2B--M.Smith (22), K.Luuloa (21), C.Truby (17). 3B--J.Smith (10). HR--J.Conti (9), P.LaForest (9). SB--S.Scarboroug (3), J.Tyner (7), G.Lombard (14). SH--B.Badeaux. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS D.Davis 7.0 6 2 2 2 4 0 4.50 S.Nance 2.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 2.20 J.Childers (L,2-4) 0.1 3 3 3 0 0 1 2.98 DURHAM B.Fortunato 6.0 2 0 0 3 4 0 2.50 T.Belitz 0.2 3 2 2 1 2 0 4.50 T.Haines 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.11 T.Williams 1.2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1.80 B.Seay (W,3-0) 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.08 WP--S.Nance, B.Fortunato. SO--J.Conti 2, W.Veras, C.McKay, P.Zoccolillo 3, R.Paz, B.Badeaux, R.Jackson, J.Liefer, J.Sandberg 2, P.LaForest, J.Smith. BB--W.Veras, J.Rushford, S.Scarboroug 2, R.Paz, B.Badeaux, P.LaForest, C.Truby. T--3:10. A--10290

[MassBrew]

Beloit 4, Kane County (A's) 1

Nice error-free win for the first place Snappers...

 MID FINAL R H E - - - BELOIT 4 11 0 KANE COUNTY 1 6 4

[SNAPPERS MVP]

Snappers 4 Cougars1 Final

[MassBrew]

Huntsville 11, Tennessee (Cardinals) 5

Stars earn split in the series; Brad Nelson with his first two AA base hits and first AA RBI; LHP Jeff Housman now 2-0 in Huntsville, although he uncharacteristically walked five; OF Noochie Varner with three hits, including a three-run HR; 2B Chris Barnwell with three singles as Alejandro Machado gets the night off; finally for now, Corey Hart with two hits, giving him multi-hit games in five of the last six.

 

Huntsville Line Score:

 SOU FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E - - - - - - - - - - - - TENNESSEE 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1 5 11 2 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 5 x 11 13 0 FINAL WP - JEFF HOUSMAN (2-0) LP - JULIO VILLALON (4-2) HOME RUNS: HUN - NOOCHIE VARNER (4) OFF JULIO VILLALON IN THE 4TH TIME: 2:59 ATT: 4,792

[MassBrew]

Helena 3, Great Falls (White Sox) 1

But Billings wins, so the Brewers' magic number is one with two games to play in the first half of the schedule...

 PIO FINAL R H E - - - HELENA 3 6 0 GREAT FALLS 1 9 0

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Box Score:

Corey Hart reaches base four times (plunked twice); Ryan Knox arrived just in time for a pinch-hit appearance (reached on an error and scored); Brad Nelson walked in addition to his two hits -- he played LF tonight after playing 1B Thursday...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 TENNESSEE 5 AT HUNTSVILLE 11 YTD YTD TENNESSEE AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG C.Erickson 3B 3 1 2 0 .225 D.Krynzel CF 4 0 0 1 .300 C.Cosme LF 2 0 0 0 .292 B.Nelson LF 4 1 2 1 .250 J.Nelson SS 4 0 1 1 .242 J.Hardy SS 5 1 1 0 .288 P.Bolivar CF 5 0 2 0 .288 C.Hart 3B 3 3 2 2 .298 B.Jacobsen 1B 5 1 1 0 .297 B.Gemoll 1B 3 1 0 0 .254 S.Krause 3B 2 2 1 1 .297 N.Varner RF 5 1 3 4 .283 S.Krause RF 2 0 1 0 .297 K.Johnson CAT 3 0 1 1 .190 C.Weekly 2B 1 1 1 0 .269 C.Barnwell 2B 5 2 3 0 .249 Y.Molina CAT 5 0 0 1 .251 J.Housman PIT 3 1 1 0 .333 A.Benjamin LF 2 0 0 0 .188 M.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .167 A.Benjamin RF 3 0 1 0 .188 R.Knox PH 1 1 0 0 .254 J.Villalon PIT 1 0 0 0 .091 K.Ray PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Burns PH 1 0 0 0 .318 T.Johnson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Schumaker PH 0 0 0 0 .259 J.Figueroa PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Moylan PH 1 0 1 2 .256 M.Lyons PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 37 5 11 5 TOTALS 36 11 13 9 TENNESSEE 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 1- 5 11 2 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 5 1 0 0 5 X-11 13 1 E--S.Krause 2, C.Hart. DP--TENNESSEE 0, HUNTSVILLE 2. LOB--TENNESSEE 12, HUNTSVILLE 9. 2B--C.Erickson (17), S.Krause 2 (15), C.Hart 2 (28). HR--N.Varner (4). SB--R.Knox (28). HBP--C.Hart 2. SF--D.Krynzel, K.Johnson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA TENNESSEE J.Villalon (L,4-2) 4.0 5 5 5 3 2 1 2.82 T.Johnson 1.0 2 1 1 0 2 0 3.00 J.Figueroa 2.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 2.77 M.Lyons 1.0 6 5 4 0 2 0 3.65 HUNTSVILLE J.Housman (W,2-0) 5.2 6 2 2 5 2 0 1.54 M.Childers 2.1 3 2 1 1 1 0 3.06 K.Ray 1.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 3.03 HB--J.Villalon, T.Johnson. WP--J.Villalon, M.Lyons. SO--C.Erickson, P.Bolivar, Y.Molina, K.Burns, D.Krynzel 2, J.Hardy, C.Hart, B.Gemoll 2, C.Barnwell, J.Housman. BB--J.Nelson, S.Krause, C.Weekly 4, S.Schumaker, B.Nelson, B.Gemoll 2, K.Johnson. T--2:59. A--4792

[MassBrew]

Beloit Game Summary (Kane County Site):

 

Cougars bumble, taken by Snappers 4 - 1

Geneva, IL ? The Beloit Snappers (22-13, 54-48) got a great pitching performance by Eric Henderson (2-0) and received a go ahead home run by Prince Fielder to beat the Cougars (19-16, 60-45), 4-1 in front of 12,218 at Elfstrom Stadium.

 

Henderson yielded five hits and one run through seven innings of work for the Snappers. The 23-year old lefthander earned his second win in three starts with Beloit. Fielder hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, giving the Snappers the lead for good.

 

Craig Breslow earned his second save of the season, working two scoreless innings in relief for Beloit.

 

Matt Lynch (0-1) had a solid outing, surrendering only two runs in six hits during a six-inning stint. Lynch did not issue a walk and fanned three in his fourth start of the season. Leonard Landeros relieved Lynch and gave up four hits and two runs (one earned) in 1 2/3 innings pitched. Shawn Kohn pitched scoreless ball over the final 1 1/3 for the Cougars, striking out two.

 

The Cougars scored the first run of the game, plating home a run in their first at-bat. Francis Gomez reached on an infield hit and advanced all the way to third base on a wild pitch by Henderson. Nelson Cruz came through with a two-out double to score Gomez and pick up his 62nd RBI (3rd in the league).

 

Beloit tied the game in the third inning on Tony Gwynn?s two-out RBI single to center field. Gwynn earned his 20th RBI in his 27th game with Beloit.

 

The Snappers scored two runs in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Chas Terni and Callix Crabbe.

 

The Cougars and the Snappers play game two of their series on Saturday night at Elfstrom Stadium; game time is 6:00 PM. RHP Brigmer Leon (1-1, 3.54) makes his 4th start of the season for the Cougars; RHP Dennis Sarfate (8-2, 2.71) will make the start for Beloit.

[MassBrew]

In progress: High Desert 5, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 1, after eight innings

 

I had better not have jinxed the Mavericks with the early post.

 

RHP Chris Saenz with an organizational "game of the year" candidate performance:

 

7 IP, 0 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 9 K

 

Saenz should go to 7-8 in this, his 20th start of the season. Now with 100 K's in 93.1 IP, Saenz will look back someday at his 2003 High Desert experience as a good one, despite his ERA of over six and a half.

 

See you in Huntsville in 2004, Chris.

 

Back with the final score shortly.

 

Update: Final -- High Desert 5, Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 1

RHP Justin Backsmeyer wrapped up the final two innings, allowing one run; Froilan Villanueva with the game's only HR...

 

Nice start to the 10-game road trip -- all Southern Division opponents, so no hotels -- just lots of bus rides back and forth -- here's to a winning stretch for the High Desert kids...

[MassBrew]

Arizona Brewers 5, Arizona Royals (Team One) 2

 

Arizona Box Score:

Five players with multiple hits: SS Gilberto Acosta bangs out three and steals two bases -- he's not pleased with his drop from the Power 50 this week http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ; 6th round RHP Robbie Wooley shakes off some dust and makes his debut, tag-teaming with 8th round RHP Ryan Marion -- hopefully the two high-schoolers will blossom together for years to come; RHP Forrest Martin continues to fare well against mostly younger competition; yes, we know, 4th round HS OF Charlie Fermaint still sidelined -- let's assume he'll be out awhile...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 ROYALS-1 2 AT BREWERS 5 YTD YTD ROYALS-1 AB R H BI AVG BREWERS AB R H BI AVG B.Powell 2B 4 0 1 0 .322 D.Bates LF 4 1 2 0 .273 C.Lubanski CF 4 1 2 0 .295 W. Lewis 2B 5 1 1 1 .357 P.Phillips DH 3 1 2 0 .667 G.Acosta SS 5 1 3 0 .368 B.Mc Fall 1B 3 0 1 1 .284 A.Mannon RF 5 1 1 1 .302 M.Vega 3B 3 0 0 0 .000 C.Corporan CAT 4 0 2 0 .253 A.Batista 3B 1 0 0 0 .384 G.Olayemi PH 1 0 0 0 .050 K.Springer LF 4 0 1 0 .392 G.Olayemi CAT 0 0 0 0 .050 E.Solis SS 4 0 0 0 .231 F.Mejia CF 2 0 2 1 .314 A.Donachie CAT 1 0 0 0 .214 C.Lozada DH 4 0 0 0 .340 R.Oriental RF 2 0 0 0 .241 R.Pijuan 1B 3 1 2 0 .239 C.Caballero PH 1 0 0 0 .277 J.Phillips 3B 4 0 1 0 .167 C.Rosa PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Wooley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Palmer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Marion PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 F.Martin PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 30 2 7 1 TOTALS 37 5 14 3 ROYALS-1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0- 2 7 3 BREWERS 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 X- 5 14 0 E--B.Mc Fall, K.Springer, R.Oriental. DP--ROYALS-1 0, BREWERS 1. LOB--ROYALS-1 8, BREWERS 12. 2B--B.Powell (7), P.Phillips (1), K.Springer (10), G.Acosta (3), F.Mejia (3). SB--D.Bates (2), G.Acosta 2 (14), A.Mannon (2), F.Mejia (1). CS--C.Lubanski, A.Donachie. SH--D.Bates. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA ROYALS-1 C.Rosa (L,3-2) 5.0 8 3 2 2 5 0 3.96 L.Palmer 3.0 6 2 1 1 3 0 4.34 BREWERS R.Wooley 2.0 2 1 1 3 2 0 4.50 R.Marion (W,1-0) 4.0 4 1 1 2 4 0 3.48 F.Martin (S,2) 3.0 1 0 0 2 5 0 2.87 WP--C.Rosa, R.Wooley 2, F.Martin. PB--C.Corporan 2. SO--B.Mc Fall, M.Vega 2, K.Springer 3, E.Solis 2, A.Donachie, R.Oriental, C.Caballero, D.Bates, G.Acosta, G.Olayemi, C.Lozada 2, R.Pijuan, J.Phillips 2. BB--B.Powell, P.Phillips, B.Mc Fall, A.Donachie 3, R.Oriental, F.Mejia 2, R.Pijuan. T--2:42.

[MassBrew]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Brad Nelson looks sharp in his Huntsville hat...

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=237

 

Huntsville Times Game Story:

A similar recap with a few additional details; tough to get quotes on "getaway" night...

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...154250.xml

[MassBrew]

High Desert Site Game Summary:

Nice headline...

 

All Saenz Point to Mavs Win

Rancho Cucamonga, CA ? Chris Saenz pitched seven shutout innings as the High Desert Mavericks snapped a two-game losing streak, by defeating the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes by a score of 5-1 on Friday night at the Epicenter in Rancho. Friday's game was the first of a ten-game road trip, and will hopefully be a sign of good things to come for the Mavs.

 

Saenz (7-8) was dominating, matching his season-high with nine strikeouts, while issuing just one walk. Saenz got all the support he needed from first baseman Froilan Villanueva.

 

Villanueva set the tone early in the first inning, making a diving backhanded catch on a two-out line drive, ripped by Dallas McPherson with a runner at third base.

 

Villanueva's two-run single off the track in left field scored Johnny Raburn and Daryl Clark in the fourth inning, as the Mavs took a 2-0 lead off Quakes starter Tim Petke (1-2).

 

Villanueva's fourth homer of the year, a shot to left-center field, put the Mavs up 4-0 in the seventh. High Desert scored a run in the eighth to go up 5-0, as Chris Morris tripled and scored on a Raburn sac fly.

 

Justin Backsmeyer came out of the bullpen and allowed a run to score on a two-out single by Jeff Mathis in the eighth, but would come back to work a scoreless ninth to secure the win.

 

The Mavs are in Rancho for game two of the series on Saturday night, as Tommy Marx (0-0) takes on Jake Woods of the Quakes. Game time on Saturday night is 7:15 (9:15 Central).

 

High Desert Box Score:

1B/3B (and former catcher) Florian Villanueva is a 24-year-old from the Dominican now in his sixth year in the Brewers' system (first three years in the DSL)...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 HIGH DESERT 5 AT RANCHO CUCAMONGA 1 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG RANCHO CUCAMONGA AB R H BI AVG C.Morris CF 4 2 2 0 .266 T.Murphy SS 4 1 0 0 .277 J.Raburn DH 2 1 1 1 .271 J.Rodriguez 2B 3 0 0 0 .319 D.Clark LF 2 1 0 0 .350 J.Mathis CAT 3 0 2 1 .323 S.Candelaria 3B 3 0 0 0 .291 D.McPherson 3B 4 0 0 0 .315 F.Villanueva 1B 4 1 3 3 .295 N.Gorneault LF 4 0 1 0 .315 R.Santana RF 3 0 1 0 .273 J.Aspito RF 4 0 1 0 .275 B.Foster CAT 4 0 0 0 .191 A.Corbeil 1B 4 0 1 0 .266 T.West 2B 4 0 0 0 .253 D.Gates DH 4 0 1 0 .229 O.Chavez SS 3 0 0 0 .227 N.Kimpton CF 2 0 1 0 .241 C.Saenz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Petke PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Backsmeyer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Griffith PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 29 5 7 4 TOTALS 32 1 7 1 HIGH DESERT 0 0 0 2 0 1 1 1 0- 5 7 0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0- 1 7 3 E--J.Mathis 2, A.Corbeil. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0. LOB--HIGH DESERT 3, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 7. 2B--J.Aspito (26). 3B-- C.Morris (3), J.Mathis (3). HR--F.Villanueva (4). SB--C.Morris (54), J.Raburn (23), D.Clark (1), R.Santana (19), N.Kimpton (15). CS-- J.Mathis. SF--J.Raburn. SH--J.Raburn, S.Candelaria, R.Santana, J.Rodriguez. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT C.Saenz (W,7-8) 7.0 5 0 0 1 9 0 6.36 J.Backsmeyer 2.0 2 1 1 1 2 0 5.47 RANCHO CUCAMONGA T.Petke (L,1-2) 7.0 5 4 2 2 3 1 2.37 D.Griffith 2.0 2 1 1 0 3 0 4.75 WP--D.Griffith. SO--C.Morris, D.Clark, B.Foster 2, T.West, O.Chavez, T.Murphy, J.Rodriguez, J.Mathis, D.McPherson, N.Gorneault 2, A.Corbeil, D.Gates 3, N.Kimpton. BB--D.Clark 2, J.Mathis, N.Kimpton. T--2:16. A--4962

[MassBrew]

Beloit Box Score:

How huge would it be if 2000 4th round pick Eric Henderson has put all his injury issues behind him at age 23? 2003 11th round selection 3B Adam Heether out of Long Beach State with two doubles as the DH; OF Kennard Bibbs is second in the league with 46 SB's (in 60 attempts)...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 BELOIT 4 AT KANE COUNTY 1 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG KANE COUNTY AB R H BI AVG K.Bibbs LF 4 1 2 0 .295 M.McBeth CF 4 0 2 0 .256 C.Crabbe 2B 4 0 3 1 .262 N.Rogers DH 4 0 1 0 .257 T.Gwynn CF 5 0 1 1 .321 F.Gomez 2B 4 1 1 0 .269 P.Fielder 1B 4 1 1 1 .311 B.Colamarino 1B 3 0 0 0 .242 J.VandenBrg CAT 5 0 1 0 .297 N.Cruz RF 3 0 1 1 .237 J.Eure 3B 4 0 0 0 .247 J.McCurdy SS 3 0 0 0 .239 M.Mendez RF 4 0 0 0 .249 J.Basil CAT 3 0 0 0 .241 A.Heether DH 4 1 2 0 .210 C.Tritle LF 3 0 0 0 .216 C.Terni SS 4 1 1 1 .238 K.Wayment 3B 3 0 1 0 .244 E.Henderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Lynch PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Breslow PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Landeros PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Kohn PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 4 11 4 TOTALS 30 1 6 1 BELOIT 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0- 4 11 0 KANE COUNTY 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 1 6 4 E--M.McBeth, B.Colamarino 2, K.Wayment. DP--BELOIT 1, KANE COUNTY 0. LOB--BELOIT 10, KANE COUNTY 3. 2B--A.Heether 2 (4), N.Cruz (20). HR--P.Fielder (23). SB--K.Bibbs (46). CS--M.McBeth, K.Wayment. SH--K.Bibbs, C.Crabbe. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT E.Henderson (W,2-0) 7.0 5 1 1 1 2 0 3.00 C.Breslow (S,2) 2.0 1 0 0 0 4 0 5.24 KANE COUNTY M.Lynch (L,1-1) 6.0 6 2 2 0 3 1 1.96 L.Landeros 1.2 4 2 1 0 1 0 1.17 S.Kohn 1.1 1 0 0 1 2 0 2.96 WP--E.Henderson. SO--T.Gwynn, P.Fielder, J.VandenBrg 2, M.Mendez, C.Terni, M.McBeth, B.Colamarino, N.Cruz, C.Tritle, K.Wayment 2. BB--P.Fielder, B.Colamarino. T--2:36. A--12218

[MassBrew]

Helena Independent Record Game Story:

This article says the Brewers have clinched a playoff berth, but have they?

 

www.helenair.com/articles...603_02.txt

 

Helena Box Score:

Brewer management, both in Milwaukee and Helena, have to be thrilled with the club that's been put together here -- an explanation of the playoff scenario follows...

 GAME DATE: 7/25/03 HELENA 3 AT GREAT FALLS 1 YTD YTD HELENA AB R H BI AVG GREAT FALLS AB R H BI AVG G.Rodriguez 2B 4 0 0 0 .233 A.Gray 2B 1 0 0 0 .320 T.Trofholz CF 4 2 2 0 .362 A.Gray 3B 3 0 0 0 .320 L.Palmisano CAT 3 0 0 0 .379 R.Nanita CF 4 0 2 0 .375 V.Rottino 1B 4 1 2 1 .360 M.Myers SS 3 0 1 0 .310 M.Ramirez DH 4 0 1 1 .359 C.Lee DH 4 0 1 0 .318 R.Deevers RF 3 0 0 0 .301 S.Morris RF 4 1 1 0 .263 J.Barnes 3B 3 0 1 0 .269 C.Lisk CAT 4 0 3 0 .286 N.Carter LF 3 0 0 0 .268 C.King LF 4 0 1 1 .261 A.Gomez SS 3 0 0 0 .192 C.Kelly 1B 3 0 0 0 .217 M.Stetter PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Kelly 3B 0 0 0 0 .217 K.Durost PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hodges 2B 2 0 0 0 .000 N.Slack PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Bounds PH 1 0 0 0 .326 B.Bounds 1B 0 0 0 0 .326 D.Ulacia PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Reed PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 31 3 6 2 TOTALS 33 1 9 1 HELENA 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1- 3 6 0 GREAT FALLS 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0- 1 9 0 DP--HELENA 0, GREAT FALLS 1. LOB--HELENA 2, GREAT FALLS 6. 2B-- V.Rottino (6), C.Lisk 2 (5). CS--L.Palmisano, J.Barnes, R.Nanita, M.Myers. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HELENA M.Stetter (W,4-1) 5.1 5 0 0 1 6 0 2.70 K.Durost 1.0 3 1 1 0 0 0 4.58 N.Slack (S,6) 2.2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1.23 GREAT FALLS D.Ulacia (L,0-2) 5.0 3 2 2 0 7 0 8.10 R.Reed 4.0 3 1 1 1 5 0 4.63 WP--R.Reed. PB--C.Lisk. SO--L.Palmisano 3, V.Rottino, M.Ramirez, R.Deevers 3, J.Barnes 2, N.Carter 2, A.Gray 2, R.Nanita, S.Morris 3, C.King, B.Hodges. BB--L.Palmisano, M.Myers. T--2:14. A--4786

From the Pioneer League site:

 

Our 2003 regular season opens June 17 and closes September 5. Over the course of the season, each team will play 76 games in a split schedule. The first half of the season ends July 27. Playoffs for the League Championship begin September 6. In the playoffs, first-half division winners will play second-half division winners in best-of-three series. Then the division playoff winners will meet for a final best-of-three series.

 

The Pioneer Baseball League is classified Rookie Advanced. This makes us a starting place for players beginning their professional careers. Each team is limited to a roster of 35 active players, with no more than 30 players in uniform for each game. Our Player Eligibility Rule states that no more then 17 of the 35 active players may be 21 and older, provided that no more than two of the 17 are 23 or older. Also, no player on the Active List may have more than three years prior service.

 

Here's your current standings:

 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 24 13 .649[/b] BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 22 14 .611 1.5 GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 20 16 .556 3.5 MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 18 19 .486 6.0

Now both Helena and Billings play games both Saturday and Sunday. Until we see otherwise from the Helena site, we'll contend the Brewers' magic number is still at "1".

[igor67]

Well it would help if we knew why Billings had played one less game? If it was rained out it might not count as part of the first half schedule Jim. Helena only has 1 more game in their first half, so even if Billings does get to make up there game the best they can do is tie and Helena might have a tie breaker already too.

[MassBrew]

igor, why do you think the Brewers have only one game left? Saturday and Sunday...

 

Oh, I see, again the article indicates the first half ends tonight.

 

But here's the official Pioneer League schedule. Again, I think the newspaper account is mistaken...

 

www.pioneerleague.com/03%...lendar.htm

[MassBrew]

Daily Press High Desert Game Story:

 

www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...195,22986,

[igor67]

No offense Jim but I jsut used simple math half of 76 is 38 Helena has played 37 games. They'll win tonight just to make sure of course, but just trying to help out on the explanation.

[Al the Thinking Man]

Congrats to Helena, unless Drew Jr. is working for the local paper, I have to believe they clinched a spot.

[MassBrew]

Durham's Pete LaForest, who had the game-winning extra-inning HR against Indy last night, on Tribe LH starter Doug Davis:

 

LaForest was complimentary of the starter's efforts.

 

"He was good," LaForest said. "He mixed up all his stuff, and his changeup was unbelievable. When he mixes it in with that fastball that comes in at 93 or 95, he really messes people up."

[Al the Thinking Man]

Nance also pitched well, once again, in AAA. I find it funny Ned said, "Well, he wasn't getting a chance to pitch here", as if it's a chance thing. Set your guys up to fail...

 

Davis should be called up to replace Burba. Dave has no place with a young team. His only job was to be an emergency starter, and that's done now. Move on.

[whizkid]

Nance also pitched well, once again, in AAA. I find it funny Ned said, "Well, he wasn't getting a chance to pitch here", as if it's a chance thing. Set your guys up to fail...

 

If memory serves, Nance was used twice in significant game situations after being recalled. The first time he gave up an important home run as I recall. The second time he walked the bases loaded or close to it. That second time he also appeared flustered on the mound ala Ford. It's just one game but by contrast last night after giving up the 3 runs, Obermueller didn't have the deer in the headlights look and went back to getting guys out. I'm not giving up on Nance, he seems to have decent stuff, but you can make mistake pitches and walk guys in AAA and get away with it alot more than in the majors.

 

Davis should be called up to replace Burba. Dave has no place with a young team. His only job was to be an emergency starter, and that's done now. Move on.

 

I'm hopeful that there will be some activity in the next 5 days that will open some slots. But with only 2/5s of a consistent starting staff right now (Kinney having struggled lately), if you're going to have a guy sitting around not getting much work waiting to go 5 or 6 innings after a bad start from Kinney, Rusch or Obermueller, I'd rather it be an old guy like Burba.