Link Report for Tue. 6/12: Elvis (Yo) Sighting in Memphis

[pogokat]

Taylor Green isnt a wiz on defense, but he's a passable third baseman...he's got really quick hands..i'm amazed by him this year...

 

check out andy lefave as well...he's been michael brantley with power...i know he's older and unheralded, but he's raking at an epic level...

 

mat gamel is batting well over .500 in june...cool.

[Boy Jeenius]

Thanks for the scouting report Kat. Green is still only 20, so plenty of time for polish.

2 Jacks for Bouchie, including a grand Slam. 40 hits total already in tonights game, now going to the 9th. Hickory has scored 10 runs and is only down by 14. They're going to really need those rally caps in the 9th.

[EdgarDiazRocks]

Chuck went off because I wore my Power shirt today.

 

Maybe if I just plunk down the dough for a Jersey with his name on it he wouldn't be so spotty.

 

But of course that's the reason I fell in love in the first place.

 

VIVA LA FERMAINT!

[Boy Jeenius]

Wendte may be older for this league, but he had 2 scoreless innings in the midst of all the carnage tonight. Results like this have to count towards something.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 2, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 1

 

MiLB.com:

 

Miller contains Cardinals

 

Derek Miller tossed seven solid innings and Mat Gamel homered as visiting Brevard County edged Palm Beach, 2-1, on Tuesday.

 

Miller (3-4) allowed one run on four hits while striking out four and walking one in 6 2/3 innings. Patrick Ryan recorded four outs and E.J. Shanks worked around a hit in the ninth inning for his second save for the Manatees (38-27).

 

Gamel hit his first homer of the year, a solo shot in the second, to extend his hitting streak to 14 games. He is batting .510 during that span.

 

In the sixth, Alcides Escobar singled and scored on Lorenzo Cain's RBI double. Cain and Escobar each had two hits for Brevard County, which has won five straight.

 

Cardinals starter Fernando Salas (2-1) gave up two runs on four hits without walking a batter, fanning four in six innings.

 

Dan Nelson singled in sixth to drive in the lone run for Palm Beach (33-31). -- Steve Conley/MLB.com

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Alcides Escobar is 2nd in the league in batting average, first in base hits, 4th in steals; heading into the game, Mat Gamel was tied for 5th in doubles...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Log:

Sweep on the road -- incredibly impressive; great job by Miller and Ryan with a runner in scoring position in the 7th...

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_pbcafa_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 2, Nashville 1

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Yovani Gallardo photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2381

 

Gallardo, Sounds Lose Pitchers' Duel In Memphis

 

MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? It was a pitchers? duel as advertised on Tuesday evening at AutoZone Park and the Nashville Sounds came up on the short end of a 2-1 loss to the division-rival Memphis Redbirds.

 

Memphis starter Anthony Reyes (1-1), who has posted a 1.64 ERA in three PCL starts after being sent down from St. Louis, emerged victorious after holding the Sounds to one run on four hits over eight innings of work. The right-hander walked one batter and struck out six.

 

Yovani Gallardo (8-3) drew a loss for his second straight outing for Nashville despite working his team-leading ninth quality start of the year.

 

The 21-year-old prospect matched his career high with 12 strikeouts, including four K?s in his sixth and final inning, while allowing two runs on four hits over six frames. He threw 95 pitches, 63 for strikes.

 

AUDIO: Gallardo Fans Four In An Inning --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...206-12.mp3

 

With his 12 punchouts, Gallardo increased his minor-league lead in that category to 110 through 77 2/3 innings this season.

 

Catcher Mike Rivera gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning when he drove a 3-2 Reyes pitch over the right field wall for an opposite-field, two-run homer, his team-leading 11th longball of the season.

 

Memphis tied the contest with a two-out run in the bottom of the frame against Gallardo. Tagg Bozied was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame and moved to second on a Rico Washington two-out walk before Matt Pagnozzi dropped a bloop RBI single into shallow center to knot the score at 1-1.

 

Redbirds leftfielder Nick Stavinoha broke the tie in the bottom of the fourth when he slugged a two-out solo homer to left-center off Gallardo, his ninth roundtripper of the year. The blast brought the score to its final 2-1 as neither club scored over the final 4 ½ innings.

 

Brian Falkenborg struck out the side in the top of the ninth to notch his team-leading 13th save for the Redbirds.

 

The teams continue the series with a 7:10 p.m. meeting on Wednesday night. Left-hander Zach Jackson (7-3, 4.64) will start for the Sounds and face Memphis right-hander Blake Hawksworth (3-8, 3.61).

 

***

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.commercialappeal.com/...73,00.html

 

Sounds pitcher the real deal

But Redbirds pull out victory against Gallardo

By Jim Masilak, Memphis Commercial Appeal

 

Yovani Gallardo doesn't remember anything terribly special about the day he left his home in Michoacan, Mexico, for a new life in the United States.

 

Gallardo was 4 when he and his mother, Eulalia, crossed the border into Texas and joined his father, Jorge, in the Fort Worth area.

 

"Better living," is the simple reason Yovani gives for the family's emigration. "That's pretty much it."

 

It could soon be better than they ever dared to imagine.

 

Regarded as the top prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system, and one of the most promising young talents in the minor leagues, Gallardo's meteoric rise with the Nashville Sounds has been arguably the biggest Pacific Coast League story this season not named Rick Ankiel.

 

The Brewers' minor league pitcher of the year last year, when he led the minors with 188 strikeouts, Gallardo "is on a fast track" to the big leagues, Memphis manager Chris Maloney enthused.

 

Entering Tuesday night's game against the Redbirds at AutoZone Park, Gallardo led the PCL in wins (eight) and strikeouts (98) and was second in earned-run average (2.89).

 

The 21-year-old righthander had fanned 24 more batters than any other PCL pitcher, and he was tied for second in all of professional baseball in that category behind Baltimore Orioles lefthander Erik Bedard (103).

 

Gallardo came up second best to Redbirds ace Anthony Reyes in Memphis' 2-1 victory Tuesday night. But his 12-strikeout performance in defeat -- four of which came in his sixth and final inning of work -- underlined why so many are so high on his future.

 

"He's the best pitcher we've seen in this league, that we've faced," Maloney said.

 

On Tuesday, however, Reyes was a little bit better.

 

In winning his first game of the season at any level, Reyes (1-1) struck out six, walked one and allowed just one run in eight innings. It was his third straight sharp outing since being demoted from St. Louis last month.

 

"That was outstanding," Maloney said. "That was a big win for him. He went out there in the seventh and eighth and had a one-run lead and got six straight guys. That shows you what kind of a horse he is."

 

Reyes, who has not spoken to the media since being sent down, once again declined comment following Tuesday's highly anticipated matchup with Gallardo.

 

A second-round choice by Milwaukee in the 2004 draft, Gallardo came into Tuesday's showdown with Reyes on the back of his worst performance of the season.

 

In Omaha on Thursday, Gallardo was roughed up for seven runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings. He walked six batters and gave up two home runs to end a streak of 10 starts without a loss.

 

"I'm having a pretty good start to the season and I'm looking forward to keeping it up," he said. "My last start (against Omaha) wasn't too good, but I've forgot that already."

 

Gallardo isn't especially overpowering, but he rarely strays far from the plate.

 

Armed with four pitches -- fastball, curve, slider and changeup -- that he's comfortable using in any situation, the 6-1, 209-pound Gallardo's impressive strikeout figures are more a result of his command and sharp movement than velocity: His fastball touches the mid-90s but he works between 89-94 mph.

 

"When you hear about him, you picture a 98- or 99-mph (flamethrower), but it's not that," Nashville manager Frank Kremblas said. "His command is above average, and that's huge. He can throw more than one pitch for a strike."

 

As he continues to cut a swath through the PCL, it appears to be only a matter of time before Gallardo ends up in Milwaukee.

 

Gallardo can hardly wait for the call.

 

"Obviously I'm really excited. I can't wait until I go to the big-league club but I don't control that," he said. "Hopefully that opportunity will come. It will be exciting when it does."

 

Nashville Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

1st and 3rd, nobody out for the Sounds in the 4th -- no runs; somebody will have to explain what happened in the bottom of the 6th -- did Jose Macias stray off 2nd base after a walk to Joe Dillon, incorrectly thinking he was being forced to third?

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 24, Hickory (Pirates) 13

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

Hickory, NC - The West Virginia Power and Hickory Crawdads tied the South Atlantic League record for the most combined runs scored in a game on Tuesday night in Hickory, as West Virginia scored 24 runs on 25 hits, six of which were home runs in a 24-13 slugfest.

 

West Virginia scored ten runs on eight hits and sent 13 batters to the plate in the top of the first inning. The inning was highlighted by a pair of three-run bombs. Taylor Green hit the first one, it was his ninth of the year and Andrew Lefave hit the other, giving him four RBI in the inning. John Alonso doubled in two runs and Charlie Fermaint scored on Brent Brewer's double.

 

West Virginia's offense wasn't done. In the second they took a 17-0 lead, sending 13 batters to the plate again, scoring seven runs on five hits. Alonso hit the third three-run homer of the game, his first of the season. Kenny Holmberg and Fermaint both hit RBI singles. Chuckie Caufield drew a bases loaded walk and Alonso was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded later in the inning.

 

The Power scored their final seven runs on home runs. Andy Bouchie's first of two home runs was a grand slam in the sixth inning, his second grand slam of the season. Charlie Fermaint hit a solo bomb in the seventh inning and Bouchie's second homer was a two-run shot in the eighth .

 

The Crawdads scored 13 runs on 19 hits in a losing effort. The Power and Crawdads tied the league record for most combined runs in a game set back in 1996 when Macon defeated Charleston 22-15.

 

Mike Ramlow (3-2) allowed eight runs on eleven hits over five innings to get the win, and Dionis Rodriguez (0-1) was tagged with the loss.

 

The Power improved to 45-17 with the win and the Crawdads fell to 25-37 with the loss. The 24 runs and 25 hits were both single game season highs. Charlie Fermaint paced the Power with six hits while eight of nine Power players had multi-hit games. John Alonso and Andy Bouchie both drove in six runs for the Power. All nine in the starting lineup on both teams hit safely.

 

The Power will finish the three game series against Hickory at L.P. Frans Stadium on Wednesday night. Right hander Roque Mercedes (0-3, 8.05) will make the start for the Power and Hickory will counter with right hander Jeff Sues (0-2, 15.75). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

 

***

Link to MiLB.com:

Notice that this article contains audio links to Bull Barch's "Jack-Jackety-Jack!" home run calls for Andrew Lefave and Taylor Green in the ten-run first inning --

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...;fext=.jsp

 

Power punt Crawdads, 24-13

By Denis Gorman / Special to MLB.com

 

West Virginia went to Hickory to play baseball Tuesday and a football game broke out.

 

Not exactly, but John Alonso and Andy Bouchie each plated six RBIs as the Power trounced the Crawdads, 24-13.

 

"It wasn't that [the score] was surreal, it was that it took so long," Alonso said of West Virginia's output. "That's what our team does, drive the ball the other way.

 

"We had a pretty good idea (what pitches Hickory pitchers were going to throw)," he added. "We've been working on driving the ball the other way. We had a good idea going to the plate."

 

Alonso doubled home two runs in the Power's 10-run first inning. He scored three times and hit his first homer of the season -- a three-run shot over the right-field wall in the team's seven-run second. He was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second and doubled in the eighth.

 

Alonso had waited a long time for such production as he collected a career high in RBIs.

 

"I had a pretty good night. It was bound to happen eventually," he said.

 

Bouchie homered twice, smacking a grand slam with two out in the sixth and a two-run shot in the eighth. The catcher, who has eight home runs, crossed the plate four times on a 3-for-5 night.

 

Every West Virginia player had at least one hit and scored at least once. Charlie Fermaint had five hits, including two doubles and a home run, and scored four times, Andrew Lefave plated four runs and Brent Brewer had four hits and scored three times.

 

Power starter Mike Ramlow (3-2) pitched five innings for the win. He allowed eight runs -- seven earned - on 11 hits and four walks, striking out two.

 

The Crawdads (25-37) also had a big night at the plate, with everyone in the lineup picking up at least one hit and a run scored. Francis Poni, Kent Sakamoto, Jim Negrych and Wanell Macia each drove in two runs for the Crawdads.

 

Starter Dionis Rodriguez (0-1) took the loss, allowing 10 earned runs on eight hits while walking two in one inning.

 

West Virginia Box Score:

It was pad the numbers night for the nine starters -- you can just hear the bench guys screaming to get out there -- none did...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hicafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

Do you dare -- seriously, do you dare?!

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hicafx_1

 

John Alonso plated a career-high six RBIs on West Virginia's behalf in the slugfest. (John M. Setzler Jr./MLB.com)

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/06/12/DBs8oqXr.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.floridatoday.com/apps...002/SPORTS

 

Manatees GM has his head in the game

BY JIM CAWLEY

FLORIDA TODAY

 

The Brevard County Manatees' playoff run could turn into a hair-raising experience for Buck Rogers.

 

The team's general manager last week agreed to let a "lucky" fan shave his head at Space Coast Stadium's home plate if the 'Tees don't qualify for the postseason.

 

Odds are, Rogers will get to keep his hair -- the Manatees own a 41/2 game lead over second-place Palm Beach, thanks to a three-game sweep of the Cardinals since Rogers' made the bet.

 

The magic number stands at two -- meaning Brevard County can clinch the division as early as today.

 

But there are still five games remaining for the Manatees (at home vs. Daytona today and Thursday; at home vs. Vero Beach June 18-20). And as Rogers points out, there's no telling what can happen.

 

"You can never quit," Rogers said. "You can never lower your guard in this league."

 

The last time the Manatees made the playoffs was 2001. The last time Rogers -- formerly the Daytona Cubs GM -- was involved in the playoffs was 1999.

 

"I told our staff, 'You'd better enjoy this,' " Rogers said. This is a rarity, especially in the FSL -- it's so cutthroat."

 

Fans should get out and enjoy it too.

 

The Manatees (38-27), who own the second-best record in the league, are playing solid baseball. Strong pitching and timely hitting allowed them to win 10 of 11 games and 16 of 19 last month.

 

They are sending three players to Saturday's FSL All-Star Game at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, including starting pitcher Will Inman. Shortstop Alcides Escobar and outfielder Cole Gillespie also will make the one-hour trip north.

 

Inman leads the FSL in strikeouts (98) and is second in the league in ERA (1.72). Escobar is tied for second in the league in batting at .322 and leads the league in hits with 86. Gillespie has a team-high six home runs and 36 walks.

 

Mat Gamel is fresh off FSL Player of the Week honors in which he batted .563 during that span. The third baseman has raised his average to .300.

 

First baseman Chris Errecart and outfielder Lorenzo Cain also are hovering around the .300 mark. Since joining the Manatees on May 1, catcher Angel Salome has batted .309.

 

Brevard County's pitching staff features eight players who have thrown an least 25 innings with an ERA less than 3.50.

 

"I think it's like every 10 years you might get a team like this," Rogers said. "I think the stars and the planets have to line up for you."

 

Apparently, they've been lined up throughout the organization.

 

From Milwaukee right on down through the Class A South Atlantic League, Brewers teams are thriving.

 

The Brewers hold a five-game lead over the Cubs atop the NL Central. The Nashville Sounds (AAA) are 2 1/2 games out of first, the Huntsville Stars (AA) lead their division by a game and the West Virginia Power -- the level right below Brevard County -- are blowing away the competition with a 10-game lead.

 

"The Brewers are talent-loaded with their youth," Rogers said. "They're stacked."

 

Right now, the playoff odds are stacked in favor of the Manatees, who also own the tiebreaker.

 

"But I'm not taking that," Rogers said. "I want to win this thing outright."