Link Report for Games of Monday, August 6th

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

 

 

[Mass Haas]

Monday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Seth McClung at Tacoma (Mariners), 8:50 PM pre-game; 9:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Steve Hammond at Mississippi (Braves), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: TBD at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 5:45 pre-game, 6:00 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503

 

West Virginia: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at Rome (Braves), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

 

Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Audio link (game will also archive at this link):

www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

 

Arizona: Idle

[Mass Haas]

Follow Monday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

Huntsville:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_hunaax_msbaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_tbyafa_breafa_1&did=t503&sid=t503

 

West Virginia:

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_wvaafx_romafx_1

 

Helena:

 

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_bilrok_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

These links will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally they are updated an hour or two prior to gametime, with Nashville's usually earlier:

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

 

Huntsville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Sunday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 69 46 .600 - 37-17 32-29 L1 Iowa 64 52 .552 5.5 38-23 26-29 W4 Omaha 58 58 .500 11.5 37-19 21-39 L1 Memphis 47 69 .405 22.5 26-34 21-35 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 26 17 .605 - 13-7 13-10 W4 Chattanooga 24 20 .545 2.5 13-11 11-9 W1 Tennessee 22 22 .500 4.5 15-9 7-13 L3 Carolina 21 22 .488 5.0 13-10 8-12 L1 West Tenn 17 26 .395 9.0 9-16 8-10 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 24 16 .600 - 14-7 10-9 W4 St. Lucie 19 22 .463 5.5 7-12 12-10 W5 Jupiter 18 21 .462 5.5 9-7 9-14 L1 Palm Beach 19 23 .452 6.0 11-15 8-8 L4 Daytona 18 25 .419 7.5 10-13 8-12 L2 Vero Beach 10 29 .256 13.5 5-14 5-15 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hickory 27 17 .614 - 15-9 12-8 W1 Lakewood 22 20 .524 4.0 13-9 9-11 L1 Lake County 21 20 .512 4.5 10-12 11-8 L2 Delmarva 20 23 .465 6.5 8-15 12-8 W2 Greensboro 20 24 .455 7.0 12-7 8-17 L3 Lexington 19 25 .432 8.0 12-10 7-15 L3 West Virginia 19 25 .432 8.0 10-9 9-16 L4 Hagerstown 13 29 .310 13.0 8-14 5-15 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 5 2 .714 - 2-0 3-2 W4 Missoula 4 3 .571 1.0 3-1 1-2 L1 Billings 3 4 .429 2.0 2-1 1-3 W1 Helena 2 5 .286 3.0 2-3 0-2 L4 

[Mass Haas]

Arizona League Standings:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...;period=h2

[Mass Haas]

Buck Rogers, Manatees GM:

 

Just in case you didn't take our advice in our last email newsletter and attend tonight's game #1 of the four-game series against the Tampa Yankees, you missed a gem. J.R. Hopf jacked a two-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th to seal the deal for the Manatees. The win moves the Manatees 5.5 games into first place in the second half of the season and the end of the season only four weeks away.

 

The Palm Beach Cardinals have a 4.5 game lead in the wild card standings over the St Lucie Mets and Jupiter Hammerheads.

 

Game #2 of the Yankees-Manatees series is Monday night. Gates open at 6:00 pm for a 7:00 pm start.

 

The Manatees and Yankees series is everything you want to see in a baseball. The drama is there. Both teams are in first place. The Yankees are fighting for their existence as the Dunedin Blue Jays are 1.5 games back. The Yankees and Manatees have faced each other in the FSL's League Championship Series both times that the Manatees have advanced that far; the Yankees won one of those series (1994) and the team tied the other (2001) because the 9/11 events cancelled the series.

 

This is your chance to see the best of the best. This series is like an All-Star Game every night. A lot of these guys will be household names in a few years and if you think I'm joking it's just like having Braun, Gallardo and Parra around, only a lot more of them! If you miss this series you're going to be the guy next year that says, "Hey, didn't they play here last year?"

 

All you have to do is visit the autograph pit before the game to know that these guys are in it to win it. It's like a bunch of kids on Christmas morning. You can stay home and watch King of Queens, Seinfeld or Desperate Housewives or you can get that stuff on DVD at Wally-World or Tar-zhay and catch live action right here at Miller Lite Park.

 

You have a choice: plant your kids in front of the computer playing video games while you watch reruns from the living room set or you can come on out to Manateeville because here's what's on tap:

 

1-It's another Coca-Cola's Case of the Mondays Monday. One lucky fan will win a Office Space Prize Pack and a Case of Coke (20 ounce bottles) just to get you over the Monday morning blues.

 

2-The first 500 fans in the gate will receive hand clappers (serious noise-makers) courtesy of our friends at Dillard's.

 

3-I'll go ahead and guarantee a win now just because everybody will be making noise and driving the Yankees crazy. If we lose this game I will personally be at the gate to hand you out a complimentary ticket to Wednesday night's game where we'll have another giveaway from Dillard's and two more contestants will be selected in our Teresi Win-a-Car Wednesday promotion.

 

4-Because we had some technical difficulties with the sound system, if we can't get it fixed tomorrow our staff will be wearing clown white make-up for the game tomorrow night as it will become Pantomime Night at the Ballpark. We will do our version of Silent Night, including slow-mo re-enactments of close plays like our good friend Mike Veeck had his staff do a couple years ago. When life gives you lemons, grab the tequila and salt. Heck, we'll have fans with a mega phone introducing the next batters while setaed in the stands.

 

OK, let's review:

 

The Manatees and Yankees don't like each other.

The Manatees need to help some teams on the left coast secure playoff berths.

The Yankees swept us four straight at their place.

You will get a chance to back a nice prize package, including a case of Coke.

You'll get some hand-clapper noise makers to drive the Evil Empire nuts.

You'll get a free ticket to Wednesday night's game if we lose.

You'll get start-studded talent from a staff full of pantomimes if the sound system doesn't get fixed.

You'll get a case of baseball fever because our hot dog vendors don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Wait, strike that last line.

You'll get your kids away from the video games and out for a fun night together as a family.

You'll have fun. We guarantee it or we'll buy your ticket back.

What do you have to lose?

 

Nothing.

 

Happy Anniversary tonight to our Hitting Coach Ken Berry and his wife Aleda. That's 31 years of happiness. Tomorrow is the Tamargo's 36th Wedding Anniversary. Happy Anniversary to JT and his wife, Vilma.

 

Rock On!

[Team Canada]

Because we had some technical difficulties with the sound system, if we can't get it fixed tomorrow our staff will be wearing clown white make-up for the game tomorrow night as it will become Pantomime Night at the Ballpark. We will do our version of Silent Night, including slow-mo re-enactments of close plays like our good friend Mike Veeck had his staff do a couple years ago. When life gives you lemons, grab the tequila and salt. Heck, we'll have fans with a mega phone introducing the next batters while setaed in the stands.

 

You gotta love minor league baseball.

[foamboy1]

McClung is starting for Nashville? I thought he was strictly a reliever.

[dadofandrew]

They are trying to build up Seth's arm, they let him go 3 innings in his first outing...they probably want to see as much of him as they can, as they'll have to decide whether or not to keep him on the 40. No way his arm would slip through waivers.

[wvpowerblkwel]

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/ac2356d691127653e567c43ee385f74e2406f24.jpg

Here's to a big night from Jeffress! Let's hope the arm strength catches up to the determination in the face!

[And That]

As was asked the other night, where is the WV offense? It has gone in the tank further than Lindsay Lohan on a Columbian safari.

 

And J.V. Romero just had an outing that will kill his otherwise good year statistically.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Rome (Braves) 10, West Virginia 0

Wow, the Power is just a mess right now...

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

BRAVES POUND POWER

 

The Rome Braves hit three home runs and scored seven times in the sixth inning of Monday night's game at State Mutual Stadium as they swept the four game series, defeating the West Virginia Power 10-0.

 

The Braves hit a pair of bombs in the bottom of the first to take an early edge. Travis Jones began the first inning with a solo homer and two batters later, Jon Mark Owings followed Phil Britton's single with a two-run shot. It remained a 3-0 game until the Braves opened up a huge lead with a seven-run sixth inning. Ernesto Mejia hit a bases-clearing, three-run triple and scored on a wild pitch. Britton struck later in the sixth with a three-run homer.

 

The Power were held to just four hits on the night. Charlie Fermaint, Andrew Lefave and Martin Maldonado all chipped in with base hits and Kenny Holmberg's one-out double in the fifth inning was West Virginia's only extra-base hit of the game. The 10-0 loss was the third shutout loss of the trip.

 

Chris Vines (2-0) tossed five scoreless innings and struck out four to get the win, while Jeremy Jeffress (7-5) was tagged with the loss after giving up three runs on four hits over five innings.

 

The Power fell to 67-45 overall and 19-25 in the second half, while the Braves improved to 54-60 overall and 25-19 in the second half with the win. West Virginia has now lost five in a row. They went 1-7 on the eight game trip.

 

The Power are off on Tuesday but will begin a four game series with the Savannah Sand Gnats at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. The Power will start left hander Luis Ramirez (1-2, 5.89) and the Sand Gnats will counter with right hander Jeremy Mizell (3-11, 5.65). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

Imagine if the postseason began today? Get your act together, boys....

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_wvaafx_romafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

Rome hits for the cycle against Jose Romero in the 6th...

 

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_06_wvaafx_romafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Tampa (Yankees) 3, Brevard County 1

Free tickets to Wednesday's games for fans tonight, unfortunately...

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Mat Gamel and Mike Bell two hits apiece, but the Manatees were outhit 12-7, as Mike McClendon allowed 12 baserunners in just 5 2/3 IP...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_tbyafa_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_06_tbyafa_breafa_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 5, Mississippi (Braves) 3

Y'know, it's really far past the time we should tip our hats to this club, becuase without any fanfare or gaudy production, all they've done is win. Having said that, other than the Dodger juggernaut in Jacksonville, are the other eight Southern League organizations weak at the AA level this year, because on the surface, this Stars squad seems to be over-achieving (although there's nothing wrong with that); game details from the Stars site later on...

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Steve Hammond a fine night at the plate as well as on the mound -- what a fantastic turnaround of his sseason the last 5-6 weeks; Hernan Iribarren 0-for-4 with a walk, four K's; Steve Moss on base three times...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_hunaax_msbaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_06_hunaax_msbaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Infielder Chris Barnwell:

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%208-6.mp3

[tyguy20204]

Ug, why can't Weeks hit like this in the big leagues? They must pump him fastball after fastball in AAA.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

Brad Nelson is playing third base? Where have I been?

[DHonks]

SheetsCyYoung04, just realized that too. I believe he was drafted as a 1b/3b, so perhaps they're giving him a chance to work on his utility game. It's possible that he could be considered for the '08 roster as a LF/RF/1b/3b. He's not dominating in AAA, but he's showing plenty of power for his age, which is nice for the bench. With him, Counsell, and Rottino (assuming Nelson can play some 3b adequately), we likely wouldn't need a 5th OF, 7th IF, or 3rd catcher. By having them all we could keep a lot of pitchers. At this point, if they are serious, then it wouldn't surprise me to see Nelson go to the AFL as a utility guy like they tried with Hart a few years ago

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 6, Tacoma (Mariners) 0

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Seth McClung photo, text follows --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2493

 

McClung, Sounds Blank Tacoma, 6-0

 

TACOMA, Wash. - Seth McClung combined with a pair of relievers to notch a five-hit 6-0 shutout of the Tacoma Rainiers on Monday evening at Cheney Stadium.

 

With the win, Nashville (70-46) became the first Triple-A club to reach the 70-win plateau and increased its lead to 6 ½ games over Iowa in the PCL American Conference Northern Division.

 

The shutout was the league-leading tenth of the year for the Sounds, who lowered the PCL's best team ERA to 3.61 with the effort.

 

McClung (1-0) was outstanding in his first start of the season. The recently-acquired right-hander allowed three hits over his six scoreless frames while walking two batters and striking out four.

 

In three appearances for Nashville since joining the club in late July following a trade from the Devil Rays organization, McClung has worked 9.0 scoreless innings.

 

Marino Salas followed with three scoreless innings of work before Greg Aquino kept Tacoma at bay in the ninth to preserve the shutout.

 

Catcher Mike Rivera gave Nashville a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a bases-loaded RBI single to left that plated Callix Crabbe. After Tacoma starter Brad Thomas induced a grounder from Andy Abad that forced Gabe Gross at home for the second out, Laynce Nix drew a bases-loaded walk to increase the Sounds' lead to 2-0. Thomas fanned Brad Nelson to escape the frame with no further damage.

 

The Sounds added pair of runs in the fourth against Thomas to make it a 4-0 game. Drew Anderson scored on Gross' bases-loaded double play grounder after leading off the frame with a single to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, matching his longest of the year (third occurrence). Rickie Weeks ripped an RBI triple to center to chase Thomas and bring home Chris Barnwell for the inning's second score.

 

Abad pushed the visitors' lead to 5-0 in the eighth with a two-out RBI single off Jose De La Cruz that plated Crabbe.

 

Anderson completed the evening's scoring in the ninth when he belted a one-out solo homer to right off Rainiers reliever Jason Mackintosh. The blast was the outfielder's third longball of the year.

 

Thomas (5-6) took the loss for Tacoma after he allowed four runs on nine hits in only 3 2/3 innings of action.

 

The teams continue the series with another 9:05 p.m. CT meeting on Tuesday. Right-hander R.A. Dickey (8-5, 3.81) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Rainiers right-hander Jorge Campillo (7-6, 3.49).

 

Nashville Box Score:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_06_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

 

AUDIO: Drew Anderson Diving Catch --

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Highlight%208-6.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Final: Billings (Reds) 8, Helena 3

 

Helena Site Game Summary:

 

Mustangs Take Another From Brewers

 

HELENA - The Helena Brewers collected 11 hits, but the Billings Mustangs managed to string together hits and manufacture more runs. Helena led 2-0 after four innings, but Billings turned it on over the final half of the game to win 8-3 on Monday night.

 

Mustang starter Enerio Del Rosario pitched one-plus innings; he left in the second after sustaining two hits to his leg in the first inning by Lee Haydel and Matt LaPorta. Eric Fryer knocked in the first run of the game on a ground-rule double down the left field line to give Helena a 1-0 advantage. The Brewers scored one more run in the third inning on a LaPorta RBI single through the left side.

 

Brewer starter Roque Mercedes threw four scoreless innings, but the Mustangs finally got to him for four runs in the fifth inning--all unearned. Billings scored twice in the sixth innings--one earned, a Brandon Waring solo home run.

 

Reliever Casey Baron pitched 1.1 innings of no-run baseball. Pitcher Corey Frerichs allowed two runs and Brock Kjeldgaard shut down the Mustangs in the ninth inning to round out the Brewer pitching on the day.

 

The Brewers scored another run when Jonathan Lucroy drove in a run during the eighth inning to cut the deficit to 8-3. Helena, however, did not manage to bring the game any closer. Mercedes took his second loss of the season. Offensively Haydel, Lucroy, Fryer, and Eric Farris each collected two hits.

 

Helena (28-18, 2-6) will look to avoid a three-game sweep by Billings (24-21, 4-4) on Turnback Tuesday at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) before enjoying an off day Wednesday.

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/08/07/sports_top/b01080707_01.txt

 

Second half slump: Brewers' record falls to 2-6

By JASON SCOTT, Helena Independent Record Sports Writer

 

Make it five in a row.

 

The Helena Brewers lost another matchup against the Billings Mustangs 8-3 on Monday night, thanks to a big fifth inning that saw the Mustangs bring eight batters to the plate.

 

For the first four innings, Brewers starter Roque Mercedes was virtually untouchable, allowing only one hit while striking out four.

 

The Helena bats were alive early as well, putting up two runs in the first three frames before cooling off considerably.

 

In the first, leadoff man Lee Haydel smacked a line drive off starting pitcher Enerio Del Rosario's glove, sending the ball bouncing toward short for an infield hit. Two batters later, Matt LaPorta drilled another liner at the pitcher, this time off his leg. Del Rosario was able to pick up the ball and throw LaPorta out to end the inning, but had to be helped off the field.

 

Del Rosario returned in the second, but gave up a single past his ankles. After throwing two balls to Brewer third baseman Steffan Wilson, Del Rosario was pulled because of the earlier injury. Reliever Philippe Valiquette walked Wilson, who came home on a ground rule double by Eric Fryer.

 

In the second, LaPorta drove in Eric Farris with the team's third consecutive single of the inning, but was called out stealing second base when it was ruled that DH Jonathan Lucroy interfered with the catcher's throw. Lucroy struck out on the pitch to make it a double play.

 

After that, the Mustangs' bullpen all but silenced the Helena hitters.

 

Mercedes had great stuff until his second time through the Billings lineup, when things started to go wrong.

 

In the top of the fifth, Brandon Waring reached on a Wilson error, then was moved to second on a bunt single by right fielder Brett Bartles. A single by Jake Long drove in Waring. Two outs later, leadoff hitter Justin Reed singled to bring in Bartles, followed by a Brandon Menchaca RBI double that made the score 4-2. Helena never regained the lead.

 

"(Mercedes) hit a wall," said Brewers manager Jeff Isom. "He was well below his pitch count, but he made some mistakes and they made him pay for it."

 

In the sixth, Mercedes returned to try to settle in again, but the Mustangs had other ideas.

 

Brandon Waring hit a one-out solo homer to bring the score to 5-2. After a deep flyout, Mercedes was pulled for Casey Baron.

 

Long later reached first on an error and scored when Wayne Kendrick singled through Baron's legs.

 

The Brewers had other opportunities in the game, but timely double plays ended each threat.

 

"We took ourselves out of some innings," said Isom.

 

In the eighth inning, the Mustangs scored two more after their first two batters reached on base hits.

 

Bartles and Long both singled, then Kendrick doubled to left to bring in Bartles and send Long to third. Reed sacrificed Long home to make the score 8-2.

 

In the bottom half, Farris led the inning off with a double for the Brewers. Two outs later, Lucroy crushed a ball that bounced off the top of the wall in left center field. Lucroy hustled to third for an RBI triple.

 

In the ninth, Helena fell short again when closer Jeremy Horst struck out the last two batters to end the game.

 

Isom said he's not worried about his team's current trend. The Brewers did pound out 11 hits, but couldn't find the clutch hits when they needed them.

 

"We've got to continue what we've been doing all season long," said Isom. "We need to focus on scoring early. Pitchers need to limit their mistakes."

 

The Brewers are now 2-6 in the second half and are in the cellar of the North Division.

 

They have one more game against Billings before heading on a seven-game road trip in Utah against Orem and Ogden. They play tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field.

 

Helena Box Score:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_06_bilrok_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_06_bilrok_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Helena KCAP Audio Interview with Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin:

Be sure you're on the August 6th archive, go to the 10:30 minute mark --

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/multimedia/audio.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1311

 

Hammond Handles the Bat and Hurls Stars to Victory

 

Steve Hammond worked seven strong innings and chipped in with a big two-run double to pitch and swing Huntsville past Mississippi 5-3 on a hot and steamy Monday night in the fourth game of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Stars improved to 27-17 in the second half and maintained their two and a half game lead over Chattanooga in the North Division, while the Braves slumped to 14-30 in the second half and to 56-58 overall after winning the first half South Division title. The Stars clinched a victory in the season series with their sixth win in nine games and improved to 31-26 on the road.

 

Lou Palmisano singled with one out in the second inning, moved to second base on a walk to Brendan Katin and scored on a base hit to left field by Steve Moss to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. Alcides Escobar singled to load the bases before Hammond ripped a 1-0 offering from Kelvin Villa into the alley in left-center field to plate Katin and Moss to increase the lead to 3-0. Shortstop Diory Hernandez's relay throw to second base to try to cut down a sliding Hammond was an errant one, allowing Escobar to score and Hammond to advance to third. The Stars put together their second four-run second inning rally against in as many starts against Villa, who suffered the loss after allowing five runs on six hits in four frames. The Braves' bullpen trio of Michael Nix, Rich Scalamandre and Jose Ascanio allowed only one hit over the last five frames and struck out nine.

 

Carl Loadenthal doubled with two outs in the third and scored on an infield hit by Diory Hernandez to trim the Huntsville lead to 4-1. Isaiah Ka'aihue then walked and Josh Burrus hit a fly ball to left field that should have been the third out of the inning but was instead lost in the changing night sky by Ryan Crew and fell in for a double that chased home Hernandez to cut the visitors' advantage to 4-2. Hammond worked out of further trouble by fanning Matt Young to end the inning.

 

Hammond reached on a looping single to center field with two outs in the fourth, stole second, his third steal of the season, stayed put when Iribarren walked and then scored on a single by Crew to make it 5-2. Hammond finished with two hits and two knocked in after entering the game with three hits and one RBI in 25 tries.

 

The Stars' southpaw improved to 7-7 after allowing two runs on seven hits, while walking two and fanning five. Robert Hinton worked a perfect eighth inning before Luis Pena gave up a two-out run in the ninth on a double by Van Pope but retired Clint Sammons to end the game and record his third save in the series.

 

The series concludes Tuesday night with left-hander Sam Narron taking the hill for the Stars against Braves' left-hander Francisely Bueno. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[Mass Haas]

Lou Palmisano photo is # 6 in this Braves' gallery -- photo # 8 is funny:

 

http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=D0&Date=20070806&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=708060801&Ref=PH&Profile=1254

[Mass Haas]

This article from Tacoma points out just how big Drew Anderson's catch was last night:

 

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/127447.html