Link Report for Tue. 8/7 -- Stars Sweep, but Escobar Injured

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP R.A. Dickey at Tacoma (Mariners), 8:50 PM pre-game; 9:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Sam Narron 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: Idle (Licking their wounds)

 

Helena: RHP Evan Anundsen 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: TBD at home in the Maryvale complex vs. the mini-Mariners, 7:00 PM local time in Arizona, 9:00 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games

[Mass Haas]

Follow Tuesday'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_07_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_hunaax_msbaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_tbyafa_breafa_1&did=t503&sid=t503

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_bilrok_helrok_1

Arizona:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_mrnrok_brrrok_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 Monday's action:

Arizona League Standings:

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

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 70 46 .603 - 37-17 33-29 W1 Iowa 64 53 .547 6.5 38-24 26-29 L1 Omaha 58 59 .496 12.5 37-20 21-39 L2 Memphis 47 70 .402 23.5 26-34 21-36 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 27 17 .614 - 13-7 14-10 W5 Chattanooga 25 20 .556 2.5 14-11 11-9 W2 Tennessee 23 22 .511 4.5 16-9 7-13 W1 Carolina 21 23 .477 6.0 13-11 8-12 L2 West Tenn 18 26 .409 9.0 9-16 9-10 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 24 17 .585 - 14-8 10-9 L1 St. Lucie 20 22 .476 4.5 8-12 12-10 W6 Jupiter 18 22 .450 5.5 9-8 9-14 L2 Palm Beach 19 24 .442 6.0 11-15 8-9 L5 Daytona 18 26 .409 7.5 10-14 8-12 L3 Vero Beach 10 30 .250 13.5 5-15 5-15 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hickory 28 17 .622 - 15-9 13-8 W2 Lakewood 22 21 .512 5.0 13-10 9-11 L2 Lake County 21 22 .488 6.0 10-14 11-8 L4 Delmarva 21 23 .477 6.5 9-15 12-8 W3 Greensboro 20 25 .444 8.0 12-7 8-18 L4 Lexington 19 26 .422 9.0 12-10 7-16 L4 West Virginia 19 26 .422 9.0 10-9 9-17 L5 Hagerstown 14 30 .318 13.5 9-15 5-15 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 6 2 .750 - 2-0 4-2 W5 Billings 4 4 .500 2.0 2-1 2-3 W2 Missoula 4 4 .500 2.0 3-2 1-2 L2 Helena 2 6 .250 4.0 2-4 0-2 L5 

[Mass Haas]

Nice to see LHP Chris Cody was able to make the Brevard County start tonight, even if he was on a limited pitch count.

 

Manatees up, 6-1, bottom of the 4th at Space Coast.

[Kevbo74]

Mat Gamel has doubled his season home run total in ONE WEEK.

I knew it was coming.. good to see.

 

EDIT>> spoke too soon, it should read... More than doubled.... hit 2!

even sweeter that it came against those stinking yankees!

[homer]

Wow, holy Gillespie. 4/5 with 3 doubles and a dinger. I'd love to see him finish strong. The Crew could really use an advanced outfield prospect.

[Mass Haas]

From MLB.com's Adam McCalvy:

 

http://brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070807&content_id=2135598&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil

 

New duties: His teammates jokingly call Corey Hart, "Corey Gammons," a nod to the sportswriter turned ESPN analyst. The Brewers outfielder broke some baseball news on Monday night when he was the first to tell J.J. Hardy and others that first baseman-turned-outfielder Brad Nelson had started for Nashville at third base.

 

Note: We hope that Corey is a Link Report regular...

"I'm sure it's because the team is not happy with the third baseman here," Hardy said, jokingly referring to Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan Braun.

Hardy spoke with Nelson on Tuesday and said the 26-year-old was excited about his new duties, especially considering the fact that Nelson will be a six-year free agent this winter and could use the promise of versatility as a selling point to other clubs. Melvin said that the decision to use Nelson at third did not come from the big-league club.

Once considered Milwaukee's top prospect, Nelson has fallen down the depth chart in recent seasons but has enjoyed a solid 2007. Through Monday he was hitting .266 with 16 home runs and 54 RBIs in 91 games.

[pogokat]

i really think hitters like gillespie and gamel will dominate in huntsville next year...we could see .900 ops' out of both of them...

 

brevard really suppresses anythign above singles power...hernan irabarren was fine there, as well as alcides and yohannis, but it's murder on the power guys...

 

just from looking at ryan braun, it's clear that the fsl is tougher than the majors http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

Rickie Weeks and Gabe Gross both hit doubles, and Brad Nelson homers in a five-run Nashville first inning. This Sounds club is just oh-so-much-fun.

[bretsky07]

What's the deal with Gwynn not playing the last few days in Nashville?

[And That]

Wasn't I saying like 5 years ago that Nelson should be given a shot at third base? I win!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Mariners 5

Arizona Box Score:
D.J. Neyens with a pinch-hit walk-off walk; some worthwhile pitching outings, although eight combined walks; RHP Santo Manzanillo has rewarded the Brewers' patience -- he's the youngster who walked 47 in 16.1 IP last season; catcher Brett Whiteside drew three walks; SS Luis Sanchez now 28-for-95 (.295; two singles Tuesday, five extra-base hits this season); Sanchez committed his 20th error, not unheard of for shortstops in this league...

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_mrnrok_brrrok_1

Arizona Game Log:
Brewers were down 4-0 after two innings...

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_mrnrok_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Billings (Reds) 8, Helena 2

 

Helena Site Game Summary:

 

Billings Sweeps Helena

 

HELENA - Helena's second-half struggles continued Tuesday night as the Brewers lost 8-2 to the Billings Mustangs in the last matchup of their three-game series. The Brewers have now lost six in a row after starting the second half 2-1.

 

Helena scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on a Jonathan Lucroy RBI single. Billings got three runs off Helena starter Evan Anundsen in the fourth inning and the Brewers lost the lead for good. Brandon Waring provided the big hit of the inning on a two-run double.

 

Reliever Curtis Pasma replaced Anundsen in the fifth inning. Pasma threw three innings and gave up a single run in the sixth inning; he also struck out five batters. Nick Tyson pitched the eighth inning and allowed three runs. Craig Langille entered for the ninth inning and gave up the final Billings run.

 

The Brewers collected just two hits between the second and eighth innings. Helena's hitters did not give up, however, and attempted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth inning. Brewer hitters rapped out three hits, yet could only come away with one run before the final out was recorded. Matt Cline collected his second hit of the game and knocked in the lone run in the ninth inning.

 

Anundsen took the loss while Mustang reliever Dan Zeffiro got the win after tossing three innings of shutout relief. Helena will enjoy a day off Wednesday before taking to the road to play the Orem Owlz at 7:05 PM Thursday (8:05 Central) in the first of a four-game series.

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

Mustangs keep Brewers reeling

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers scored bookend runs last night at Kindrick Field, one in the first inning and one in the ninth, falling to the Billings Mustangs, 8-2.

 

The Brewers started out like gangbusters in their half of the opening frame, as the first four batters got on base. But then the visitors shut them down.

 

Leadoff man Lee Haydel walked, followed by a bunt single by Eric Farris. After No. 3 hitter Caleb Gindl drew a walk, Jonathan Lucroy delivered a single to right, scoring Haydel. With the bases loaded and none out, Mustang hurler Matt Klinker struck out the side to end the inning.

 

Helena led 1-0 through the first three stanzas, until Billings broke loose for three scores in the top of the fourth. They tallied one in the fifth, three more in the eighth and one in the ninth.

 

Brewer starter Evan Anundsen pitched four frames and was hung with the loss, giving up five hits and three runs, while striking out four. Anundsen (5-3) had a personal four-game winning streak snapped. It was his first loss in six starts since July 7.

 

Curtis Pasma came in and worked three innings, allowing two hits and a run. Pasma whiffed five batters. Nick Tyson and Craig Langille pitched the eighth and ninth frames, respectively.

 

The Brewers' threatened again in their half of the seventh, putting men on first and second with none out, but a double play on a soft liner to the second baseman put a halt to the uprising.

 

The home team's ninth- inning score was provided by Zelous Wheeler, Curt Rindal and Matt Cline. Helena scratched out seven hits altogether, paced by Wheeler and Cline, with two singles each.

 

Cline paced the Brewers' defense with two sparkling web-gems at his shortstop position.

 

Billings' Klinker went the first four innings, being replaced by Dan Zeffiro, who also pitched four frames, and was awarded the win. Anthony Romero closed in the ninth. The Mustangs (5-4) banged out 13 hits, led by Brett Bartles, Brandon Waring, Kyle Maunus, Frank Meade and Wayne Kendrick.

 

Helena (2-7) has now lost six games in a row.

 

Helena Box Score:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_bilrok_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_07_bilrok_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.wvgazette.com/section/Sports/2007080744

 

Slumping Power back home tonight

Charleston Gazette

 

With the start of the South Atlantic League playoffs just four weeks away, the West Virginia Power is looking nothing like a playoff team of late.

 

Maybe the arrival of a slugging first-round draft pick will help turn things around.

 

The Power, which begins an eight-game homestand tonight with the first of four games with the Savannah Sand Gnats, added Matt LaPorta to the roster Tuesday.

 

LaPorta, the first-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the June draft, will be in uniform tonight. The Southeastern Conference player of the year in 2005 at Florida, LaPorta played in seven games for the Brewers' rookie-level affiliate at Helena, Montana, batting .259 with two home runs and four RBIs.

 

LaPorta played multiple positions at Florida. The Power plans to use him in left field or at designated hitter.

 

To make room for LaPorta, the Power placed left-handed pitcher Mike Ramlow on the disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 1. Ramlow is 4-5 with a 6.52 ERA.

 

The Power could use some help. The team has lost five in a row - including a four-game sweep at Rome - seven of its last eight and 15 of its last 19.

 

A 19-26 second-half record puts the Power in a tie for sixth place (with Lexington) in the eight-team Northern Division, nine games behind Hickory, which has built a five-game lead in the standings.

 

It's a far cry from the Power's first half, when a 48-20 mark earned the club a playoff game in runaway fashion. The Power's first-half margin over second-place Greensboro was a whopping 11 games.

 

What's gone wrong? Well, having some of the team's best players promoted didn't help. Key offensive producers Darren Ford and Michael Brantley, who both were hitting .335, were bumped up, as were starting pitchers Mike McClendon (5-2, 2.87 with the Power) and reliever E.J. Shanks (3-0, 1.72, nine saves). Zach Braddock (3-1, 1.15) has been sidelined with arm trouble.

 

The Power offense put up 6.72 runs per game and a .305 batting average in the first half. Since then, West Virginia is averaging 4.6 runs and hitting at a .241 clip.

 

The offensive slump can be credited to more than just the loss of Ford and Brantley, but that's a big part of it. Charlie Fermaint, who replaced Ford in center field, is hitting .224 in the second half.

 

Also, though, some players who were part of the hot hitting in the first half have cooled off considerably. For instance, Taylor Green, who hit .339 with nine home runs in 183 at-bats in the first half, is hitting .274 with just three homers in 135 at-bats since the break.

 

The pitching dropoff has been less dramatic, going from a 4.37 first-half ERA to 4.53 after the break.

 

The Power's most consistent and productive hitter in the second half has been Andrew Lefave, who leads the Sally League with a .349 batting average - 20 points higher than second-place John Raynor of Greensboro - and ranks second in on-base percentage at .432, just a point behind Greenville's Jonathan Still. Chuckie Caufield's 77 RBIs are tied for third-best in the league, and Steve Chapman leads the Power with 18 home runs, tied for sixth in the league.

 

The Power opens the best-of-three Northern Division playoffs on Sept. 5 - most likely at Hickory.

 

For now, though, the Power has a chance to get back on a winning track against Savannah, which is 14-29 in the second half and is also in a deep slump. The Sand Gnats have lost six of their last seven and 12 of their last 14.

 

Tonight's 7:05 game (6:05 Central) will be the first meeting of the season between the Power and the Southern Division cellar-dwellars, whose 34-79 overall record is by far the worst in the Sally League.

 

Left-hander Luis Ramirez (1-2, 5.89) will start for the Power tonight. Savannah will counter with right-hander Jeremy Mizell (3-11, 5.65).

 

After four games with Savannah, the Power meets Southern Division-leading Charleston (S.C.) in another four-game set. The RiverDogs are 28-16 in the second half, but four teams are within three games of Charleston.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 11, Tampa (Yankees) 6

 

MiLB.com:

Gillespie, Errecart, Gamel pound Yanks

Cole Gillespie homered and drove in four runs and Chris Errecart plated three as host Brevard County outslugged Tampa, 11-6, on Tuesday.

Gillespie, who went 4-for-5, ripped an RBI double in the first inning, belted a two-run homer, his 10th, in the third and capped his night with a run-scoring double in the sixth. Errecart, also 4-for-5, smoked a two-RBI double and scored in the first, laced an RBI single in the sixth and another in the eight. He also scored in both innings.

Mat Gamel, who was 3-for-5 with three runs scored, slugged two solo homers to bring his season total to nine, and Ryan Barba chipped in two hits and an RBI as the Manatees (24-17) pounded out 17 hits.

Lorenzo Cain was hitless in four at-bats, snapping his 14-game hitting streak.

Brevard County reliever Ben Stanczyk (7-1) won his sixth straight decision, allowing two runs on three hits and a walk, fanning three over four frames.

Austin Jackson went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two RBIs, and Jose Tabata and Christopher Malec added solo shots for the Yankees (30-15).

Tampa starter Elvys Quezada (3-3) was roughed up in 2 2/3 innings, surrendering six runs -- four earned -- on six hits and three walks while striking out four. --Chip Haunss/MLB.com

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Some combined batting lines you don't often see in this league, particularly in Space Coast Stadium...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_tbyafa_breafa_1&did=t503&sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_07_tbyafa_breafa_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070808/SPORTS/708080383/1002/SPORTS

 

Area fans missing out on the Manatees

BY JIM CAWLEY

FLORIDA TODAY

Solid pitching, timely hitting, late-inning heroics -- Sunday's Brevard County Manatees-Tampa Yankees game had it all.

Except the fans, that is.

Fewer than 1,000 people sprinkled the seats at Space Coast Stadium that night to watch the Florida State League rivals and division leaders battle out a nail-biter that ended with a 10th inning walk-off home run by Brevard County catcher J.R. Hopf.

Those who have been to a few Manatees games know this is the rule, and not the exception. Non-fireworks games often feature crowds in the hundreds for a ballpark that holds more than 8,000.

My family and I have been coming to Manatees games since we moved to the Sunshine State three years ago. Plain and simple -- we love it. And others who attend games seem to feel the same way.

So why then are so many other families staying away? Let's break it down:

• Price? Well, it's only $7 a ticket, and except for a small number of marked seats reserved for season-ticket holders, you can sit anywhere you want. Often times, discount tickets are available. Oh yeah, parking is free.

Analysis: It's not the price.

• Quality? In Class-A Advanced baseball, the talent level is there. That's particularly true in pitching.

In some cases, the league features highly-skilled players who are on the fast track to the big leagues. Nowhere is that more prevalent than Brevard County, which boasts three players -- Ryan Braun, Yovani Gallardo and Manny Parra -- who played for the Manatees last season and are making major contributions for the Milwaukee Brewers right now.

The playoff-bound Manatees, who won the first half of the regular season, are on top of the Eastern Division again.

Analysis: It's not the quality.

• The ballpark? Some minor-league ballparks are a little rundown. You get to your seat, look around and just don't get the feeling you're in for a professional experience.

That's not the case at newly-renovated Space Coast Stadium. From the finely-manicured field right down to the new seats and fresh paint on the stadium walls, the ballpark has a professional feel.

Analysis: It's not the ballpark.

• Entertainment? Every game -- and I mean every single game -- there is some sort of promotion going on. There are giveaways, raffles, on-field contests and prizes launched into the crowd in between innings.

For kids, there is an inflatable play area, speed pitch and a friendly Manny the Manatee mascot. There also are opportunities to sprint in the outfield and run the bases.

Autographs, along with baseballs that regularly fly into the stands, are within a fan's reach.

Analysis: It's definitely not the entertainment.

So why then, fellow Brevardians, are you skipping over Space Coast Stadium? Is it the weather? Well there's not much GM Buck Rogers and his staff can do to stop the heat and rainstorms that frequent Florida in the summer months. But with most games starting at 6 or 7 p.m., even that is minimized to a degree.

Now I'm officially out of guesses. So how about some help? Come see me at a game sometime and we'll figure it out together.

[Mass Haas]

With all due respect, Mr. Cawley, when your newspaper chooses to send a reporter to each home game, to provide quotes and analysis, to take more than the occasional photo, perhaps your readers will have additional interest. It certainly would help us out here.

 

Here's the game report from Tuesday night:

 

Manatees rock Yankees

BY FLORIDA TODAY

 

In Viera, Brevard County pounded out 17 hits en route to an 11-6 victory against Tampa on Tuesday night at Space Coast Stadium.

 

Chris Errecart and Cole Gillespie combined to go 8-for-10 with four doubles, a homer and seven RBIs for the Manatees (24-17). Mat Gamel went 3-for-5, including a pair of solo home runs in the win.

 

Austin Jackson, Jose Tabata and Christopher Malec homered for Tampa (30-15).

 

That's just pitiful.

 

How many college students in the Melbourne area would practically "volunteer" to be the Manatees' beat reporter at little or no cost, just for the exposure and experience it would bring? Dozens? Hundreds? Why do sports editors not see that, if we can? -- Jim

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 7, Mississippi (Braves) 5

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1312

 

Stars Comeback to Sweep Away Braves

 

Brendan Katin's two-run single capped off a four-run eighth inning rally that lifted Huntsville to a 7-5 come from behind win Tuesday night to complete a five-game series sweep over Mississippi at Trustmark Park. The Stars won their sixth straight game to push their second half record to 28-17 and their lead over Chattanooga in the North Division to three games, while the Braves slumped to14-31 in the second half and fell 15 games behind division leading Jacksonville in the South. The Stars claimed the season series by winning seven of the ten contests and left town with a 26-24 mark against the Braves since they relocated to Mississippi in 2005.

 

Steve Sollmann, hitless in his last 11 at-bats, started the winning rally with a bunt base hit, moved to second base on a walk to Adam Heether and to third base on a looping single to right field by Lou Palmisano that loaded the bases. Hernan Iribarren ripped a double down the right field line to chase home Sollmann and Heether to trim the Braves' lead to 5-4. Katin then ripped the first offering from Wes Wilkerson into center field for a base hit to give the visitors their first lead of the night and take over the league lead in RBI with 77. The Stars tacked on an unearned run in the ninth for the final margin.

 

David Johnson worked two scoreless innings to record his second save of the series and fourth since joining the Stars, who recorded a save in all five games. Huntsville won four times by two runs and once by a run to finish off their third five-game series sweep in the second half. Bo Hall worked a perfect sixth inning and E.J. Shanks earned his first win at the double-A level with a perfect seventh inning in relief.

 

The Braves plated four runs in the second inning on run-producing hits by Mark Jurich and Clint Sammons and a two-run single by J.C. Holt against Stars' starter Sam Narron, who had allowed only four earned runs over his last five starts covering 35 2/3 frames. The southpaw allowed five runs, four earned, over five frames and has not lost since June 23 at Tennessee. He allowed eight hits, struck out one and issued his first walk in 38 innings when he put Kala Ka'aihue on with one out in the third.

 

Braves' starter Francisely Bueno allowed seven hits, all singles, did not walk a batter and did not allow a runner to advance past second base in his six shutout innings of work. He struck out four and left with a 5-0 lead but remains winless since July 3. Brad Nelson gave up a pair of runs in the seventh inning on a pinch-hit run-scoring triple by Mel Stocker, who broke up an 82 at-bat drought without an extra-base hit, and a two-out, run-scoring single by Alcides Escobar, who left the game with an injury after being thrown out trying to steal to end the frame.

 

The Stars return home to begin a five-game series with Birmingham Wednesday night with right-hander Corey Thurman taking the hill for Huntsville against Barons' left-hander Wes Whisler. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Hopefully Alcides is OK, he was 4-for-4 prior to the injury; LHP Steve Hammond grounds out as a pinch-hitter; 98 degree heat for this one...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_hunaax_msbaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_07_hunaax_msbaax_1

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds with a nice 6-3 win.

 

I can't give the game justice right now, on my way to my "real" job, but I hope to chime in later this AM with all the details, if not at lunch time. Thanks.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Infielder/Outfielder Brad Nelson:

Third base talk...

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%208-7.mp3

 

Final: Nashville 6, Tacoma (Mariners) 3

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Brad Nelson photo, text follows --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2495

 

Nelson Powers Sounds Past Rainiers, 6-3

 

TACOMA, Wash. - Brad Nelson belted two home runs to power the Nashville Sounds to a 6-3 victory over the Tacoma Rainiers on Tuesday evening at Cheney Stadium.

 

With the win, Nashville (71-46) extended its lead to seven games over Iowa in the PCL American Conference Northern Division. The Cubs' game against Las Vegas was suspended due to rain earlier in the evening.

 

The Sounds got off to a fast start against Tacoma spot starter Jon Huber, plating five runs in the top of the first inning.

 

Callix Crabbe opened the contest with a walk and moved to third when Gabe Gross extended his hitting streak to seven games with a double. Rickie Weeks followed with a two-run two-bagger to center to put the Sounds on the board and later scored the frame's third run on an Andy Abad sacrifice fly, giving Nashville a 3-0 lead.

 

After Laynce Nix drew a walk, Nelson belted his 17th home run of the season, a two-out, two-run shot to right that chased Huber from the contest and made it a 5-0 game.

 

Nelson homered again in the fourth, walloping Tacoma reliever Jorge Campillo's 1-0 offering out of the ballpark to right for his 18th roundtripper of the year and his second two-homer contest of the year.

 

Audio: Brad Nelson's Second HR --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Highlight%208-7.mp3

 

Tacoma halved the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with three runs against Sounds starter R.A. Dickey. Nick Green led off with a single and moved to third on a one-out Mike Morse double. Bryan LaHair put the Rainiers on the board by plating both runners with a single to center, then made it a 6-3 game later in the frame when he scored on a Jeff Clement RBI single.

 

The Rainiers brought the potential tying run to the plate with no outs in the bottom of the ninth against Greg Aquino when Brant Ust singled and Sebastien Boucher drew a walk.

 

The Sounds worked out of the jam, however, as three pitchers retired the next three batters in order. Aquino induced an infield fly popout from Green, Mitch Stetter retired Jeremy Reed on an infield fly popout, and Luther Hackman closed out the victory by drawing a game-ending groundout from Morse to notch his 17th save.

 

Dickey (9-5) worked eight innings for the Sounds and allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out seven batters to earn the win, improving to 5-1 in his last 10 starts.

 

Huber (1-3) took the loss after surrendering five runs in only two-thirds of an inning of work on the evening.

 

The teams wrap up the series with a 2:05 p.m. CT meeting on Wednesday afternoon. Left-hander Zach Jackson (9-7, 4.71) will make the start for Nashville and face Tacoma southpaw Robert Rohrbaugh (5-1, 2.77).

 

Nashville Box Score:

Kudos to inning-eater R.A. Dickey; this will spice up the Brad Nelson thread on this forum even further...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_07_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_07_nasaaa_tacaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Some insight from Tacoma as to why the Sounds were able to score early and often:

 

http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/story/128277.html