Link Report for Games of Friday, August 17th

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Seth McClung at home vs. New Orleans (Mets), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Steve Hammond at West Tenn (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: It's a double-dip at Vero Beach (Devil Rays), 3:45 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; LHP Rafael Lluberes is penciled in to start one of the games

 

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

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

 

West Virginia: RHP Shawn Ferguson at Lake County (Indians), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

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

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

 

Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at home vs. Orem (Angels), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime

 

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

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

 

Arizona: TBD at the lil' Angels complex in Tempe, 7:00 PM local time in Arizona, 9:00 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday'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_17_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_hunaax_wtdaax_1

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_wvaafx_lcoafx_1

 

Brevard County Game One:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_1&did=t503&sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Two:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_2&did=t503&sid=t503

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_orerok_helrok_1

 

Arizona:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_brrrok_angrok_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 Thursday's action:

 

Arizona League 2nd Half Standings:

Arizona Rookie is 13-30 overall...

 

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

 

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 75 50 .600 - 41-20 34-30 W2 Iowa 70 56 .556 5.5 39-25 31-31 L1 Omaha 64 62 .508 11.5 40-22 24-40 W1 Memphis 50 76 .397 25.5 27-37 23-39 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 33 20 .623 - 16-9 17-11 W1 Chattanooga 29 24 .547 4.0 15-13 14-11 L2 Tennessee 29 24 .547 4.0 20-10 9-14 W2 Carolina 25 28 .472 8.0 14-14 11-14 L3 West Tenn 20 33 .377 13.0 10-18 10-15 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 27 23 .540 - 17-10 10-13 W2 St. Lucie 26 25 .510 1.5 9-13 17-12 W4 Palm Beach 24 28 .462 4.0 13-16 11-12 L1 Jupiter 22 27 .449 4.5 12-11 10-16 L2 Daytona 20 33 .377 8.5 10-19 10-14 L5 Vero Beach 14 35 .286 12.5 6-16 8-19 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hickory 33 20 .623 - 20-12 13-8 L3 Lakewood 26 25 .510 6.0 13-10 13-15 W1 Lake County 25 26 .490 7.0 10-14 15-12 W1 Greensboro 26 28 .481 7.5 17-10 9-18 W2 Delmarva 25 27 .481 7.5 9-15 16-12 L3 West Virginia 25 28 .472 8.0 16-11 9-17 W1 Lexington 23 30 .434 10.0 16-14 7-16 W1 Hagerstown 18 35 .340 15.0 9-16 9-19 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 12 5 .706 - 8-1 4-4 L2 Billings 8 9 .471 4.0 5-5 3-4 L1 Helena 8 9 .471 4.0 2-6 6-3 L1 Missoula 8 9 .471 4.0 5-2 3-7 W2 

[mls4]

Mike McClendon is starting the first game for Brevard.

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: Vero Beach (Devil Rays) 7, Brevard County 3

Seven-inning game; Manatees have three doubleheaders this week...

 

Brevard County Game One Box Score:

Surely Mike McClendon is being told to pitch to contact, but there's good contact and then there's what McClendon's been doing lately; Cole Gillespie 2-for-2 with a walk; Chris Errecart 2-for-3 with his 10th HR...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_1

 

Brevard County Game One Game Log:

Manatees grounded into double plays in each of the first three innings and then again in the 6th -- to change things up, Cole Gillespie was caught stealing in the 4th just prior to Chris Errecart's home run...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_1

[Minigoon]

West Virginia with a rough start to the game. Check out how Lake County scored 2 runs without a hit.

 

Lake County Bottom 1st

• Adam Davis reaches on fielding error by third baseman Taylor Green.
• With Jason Denham batting, Adam Davis steals (19) 2nd base, . Adam Davis advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Andy Bouchie.
• Jason Denham reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Taylor Green to catcher Andy Bouchie to pitcher Shawn Ferguson. Adam Davis out at home. Jason Denham to 2nd on the throw.
• Matt McBride walks.
• Beau Mills reaches on missed catch error by pitcher Shawn Ferguson, assist to first baseman Andrew Lefave. Jason Denham scores. Matt McBride to 3rd. Beau Mills to 2nd.
• Carlos Rivero out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Charlie Fermaint. Matt McBride scores.
• Nicholas Weglarz strikes out swinging.

Yikes!

[Mass Haas]

After 36 relief appearances this season, RHP Josh Wahpepah gets a start for the Manatees tonight in Game Two.

[Mass Haas]

I can't possibly have anything more to do with the Milwaukee Brewers tonight. This is just way too painful.

 

I'll catch you after a decent night's sleep, I hope.

 

I hope the big league Brewers toss and turn all night, and reflect on what they have wrought on their fans.

 

Still with you for the long haul, guys, but it's hard to love you. Heck, it's hard to like you.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com:

Brennan, Groce drive Rays

 

Jackson Brennan had three RBIs and Garrett Groce homered as Vero Beach beat visiting Brevard County, 7-3, in the opener of Friday's doubleheader.

Brennan erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run single in the second inning and added an RBI base hit in the sixth. Groce smacked an RBI single in the second and belted a solo shot, his fifth, in the fourth as the Devil Rays (15-35) pulled away for their second straight win.

Reliever Chris Kelly (4-4) picked up the win after yielding an unearned run on three hits over 2 1/3 innings. Starter Joshua Butler allowed two runs on five hits and two walks with one strikeout over 3 2/3 frames.

Cole Gillespie, Chris Errecart and J.R. Hopf had two hits apiece for the Manatees (27-24).

Brevard County starter Mike McClendon (4-5) surrendered six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits with two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. -- Michael Echan/MLB.com

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game Two: Brevard County 5, Vero Beach (Devil Rays) 3

MiLB.com:

 

De La Rosa lifts Manatees

Anderson De La Rosa's go-ahead single in the sixth inning helped visiting Brevard County defeat Vero Beach, 5-3, and split Friday's doubleheader.

De La Rosa, who was 2-for-4, punched a base hit to right field, scoring Ryan Barba from second to give the Manatees (28-24) a 3-2 lead. Freddy Parejo also scored on catcher Christian Lopez's throwing error.

Parejo hit an RBI double in the fourth, while Ned Yost singled, walked three times and stole two bases for Brevard County, which lost the opener, 7-3.

Mike Marksbury (1-0) struck out two in two perfect innings for the win. Kevin Roberts allowed a run on a hit in the seventh, but picked up his fourth save.

Lopez clubbed his third homer in the seventh for the Devil Rays (15-36).

Vero Beach reliever Eddie De La Cruz (5-6) surrendered three runs on four hits and two walks in two frames. -- Michael Echan/MLB.com

Brevard County Game Two Box Score:

Darren Ford and Lorenzo Cain each reached three times, haven't been able to say that for a long time; Josh Wahpepah allowed six hits in his four innings, but got two inning-ending double play ground balls to limit the damage to two runs, one earned...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_2

 

Brevard County Game Two Game Log:

Ford misplayed the opening Devil Ray's batted ball into a three-base error; double-steal attempt in the Manatee 3rd resulted in Anderson Delarosa being thrown out at home; Freddy Parejo thrown out at home to end the Manatee 4th...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_breafa_vbdafa_2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Mark DiFelice:

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%208-17.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 8, New Orleans (Mets) 3

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Seth McClung photo, text follows --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2514

 

Sounds Wrap Homestand With 8-3 Victory

 

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds closed out their homestand with an 8-3 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Friday evening at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game series.

 

With the win, Nashville (76-50) improved to a season-best 26 games over .500 and wrapped up its eighth consecutive winning homestand. The club's division lead increased to 6 1/2 games over Iowa, which lost in Omaha for the second consecutive evening.

 

The Sounds' magic number to clinch their third consecutive PCL American Conference Northern Division title stands at 11 entering play on Saturday, August 18.

 

Any combination of Nashville wins and/or losses by the second-place Iowa Cubs equaling this total will result in a Sounds division title. Because Nashville won the season series against Iowa by a 9-6 margin, the Sounds win advance to the playoffs if the clubs end up tied at the conclusion of the regular season.

 

The Sounds belted three home runs in the contest to highlight the come-from-behind victory.

 

The visitors grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on veteran Fernando Tatis' opposite-field, one-out homer to right off Sounds starter Seth McClung. The tater, his 19th of the season, accounted for the first run allowed by the Nashville right-hander in 14 1/3 innings since joining the club in late July.

 

The Zephyrs doubled the advantage to 2-0 in the second when Chip Ambres led off with a solo homer to center off McClung, his 19th longball of the year. New Orleans added a run later in the frame when former Sound Chad Hermansen singled and scored on a one-out RBI double off the bat of former Milwaukee Brewer (1999) Robinson Cancel.

 

Nashville rallied to grab a 5-3 lead with a five-run fourth inning that chased Z's starter Philip Humber from the contest. Humber had held the Sounds hitless through the first three frames.

 

Sounds third baseman Brad Nelson tied the game at 3-3 with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fourth inning when he swatted a three-run home run that sailed over the right field foul pole. The blast, which scored Tony Gwynn and Drew Anderson, was his 19th of the year. Andy Abad followed Nelson's shot with one of his own, a solo shot to right-center that gave Nashville a 4-3 lead. The back-to-back shots were the Sounds' third set this season and second in three contests.

 

AUDIO: Nelson Game-Tying HR

 

McClung helped his own cause later in the frame when he ripped his first career hit, an opposite-field RBI double off the left field wall that plated Ozzie Chavez.

 

Nashville added a run in the fifth when Gwynn, who had extended his season-best hitting streak to nine games earlier in the contest, doubled to right and scored on an Anderson run-scoring single.

 

Rivera wrapped up the Sounds' scoring in the seventh with a two-out, two-run homer to right-center off Zephyrs reliever Ambiorix Burgos, the backstop's 17th blast of the year.

 

McClung (2-0) allowed three runs on five hits while striking out a season-high eight batters over his five innings of work.

 

Humber (10-9) gave up five runs on four hits in just 3 2/3 innings, only the second time he failed to last at least four frames in an outing this season.

 

The Sounds travel to Round Rock, Texas tomorrow for a four-game road series against the Express (AAA-Astros) before returning to Greer Stadium on Wednesday to open a nine-day, 10-game homestand against Oklahoma and Omaha.

 

Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (10-5, 3.69) will man the bump for the Sounds in Saturday's 7:05 p.m. CT series opener. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Juan Gutierrez (5-9, 3.96).

 

Nashville Box Score:

The Sounds will need to make a move to accommodate RHP Chris Spurling's return; Steve Bray another strong outing, and Mitch Stetter has been wonderful in his little LOOGY-sized stints since his return from the D.L....

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070818/SPORTS0401/708180352/1328/SPORTS

 

Sounds pitcher has his first hit in win

By TYLER BLANK

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Pitcher Seth McClung's third start with the Sounds didn't begin well but got progressively better as the game wore on.

 

McClung allowed three runs, including two home runs, in the first two innings but recovered to record his second win with the Sounds and his first career hit in Nashville's 8-3 win over New Orleans Friday night.

 

The 260-pound right-hander gave up five hits and finished with eight strikeouts through five innings in his third start with Nashville since coming over from the Tampa Bay organization. He also had an RBI double off the wall in a five-run fourth inning.

 

"I know I'm only going to go about five innings," said McClung (2-0). "You've got to step up and be a man and put your team in a situation to win."

 

McClung gave up home runs to the Zephyrs' Fernando Tatis and Chip Ambres. He had pitched 14 1/3 scoreless innings before that.

 

"I gave up two solo shots and then they manufactured a run, and then we shut it down," McClung said.

 

McClung allowed only one hit after the three early runs.

 

The Sounds' Brad Nelson and Andy Abad hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth to give Nashville a lead it would not relinquish.

 

"Nelson hit a pitch up in the zone and Abad hit a change-up," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "It was pretty good hitting."

 

McClung hit a deep drive three batters later, but his first career hit bounced just below the top of the wall in left field.

 

"It felt really good. I thought maybe I had gotten it," said McClung, who knocked in Ozzie Chavez for his first career RBI. "I was just pleased to get second and we scored a run to push the lead a little bit."

 

Mike Rivera added a two-run blast to right field in the seventh for his 17th home run of the season.

 

Reliever Steve Bray took over for McClung in the sixth inning, allowing just one hit through 2 1/3 innings with two strikeouts.

 

Dennis Sarfate came in for the ninth inning, giving up two hits before retiring the Zephyrs' final batter Shawn Wooten.

 

The victory gave Nashville the series win over New Orleans at three game to one.

 

What they said: "We had a big inning. These guys (my teammates) put all of us in a situation to drive in runs." - McClung on the five-run fourth inning.

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070818/SPORTS0401/708180353/1328/SPORTS

 

Sounds' magic number drops to 11

By TYLER BLANK

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Nashville has the best record in Triple-A baseball at 76-50 after Friday's 8-3 win over New Orleans. Nashville's magic number to clinch its third consecutive division title and fourth in five seasons stands at 11.

 

The Sounds are a season-best 26 games over .500. The highest Nashville has ever been over .500 is 28 games, set July 30 (66-38).

 

Hit streaks: Left fielder Tony Gwynn extended his hitting streak to a season-best nine games with a single to center in the fourth inning. Gwynn has gone 15-for-33 with a .455 average since rejoining Nashville from Milwaukee July 30.

 

Back-to-back: Sounds third baseman Brad Nelson and first baseman Andy Abad hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning.

 

It marks the third occasion of the year in which Nashville batters have hit back-to-back home runs. Mike Rivera and Laynce Nix hit back-to-back shots in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Zephyrs. Rivera and former Sound Joe Dillon also accomplished the feat in a 5-2 win over Albuquerque.

 

Strikeout kings: The Sounds' pitching staff leads the Pacific Cost League with 1,008 strikeouts. Sounds pitchers are on pace to record 1,145 strikeouts this season. That total would break the team's franchise record of 1,117, set in 2005.

 

Nashville pitchers have recorded 1,000 strikeouts for the sixth consecutive season and the ninth overall in the team's 30-year history.

 

Next up: Nashville goes to Round Rock, Texas, to open a four-game series today. The Express sit last in the American Conference's Southern Division. The Sounds return to Nashville Wednesday for a 10-game homestand against Oklahoma and Omaha.

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 4, Huntsville 2

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1324

 

Woerman and the Long Ball Wear Down Stars

 

Joe Woerman worked seven strong innings and was supported by the long ball in West Tenn's 4-2 win over Huntsville Friday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx won for a second time in the series to improve to 21-33 in the second half, while the Stars slipped to 33-21 in the second half and saw their lead in the North Division over Tennessee trimmed to three games. The Diamond Jaxx have hit at least two home runs in each game in the series and have clubbed nine in the four games.

 

Stars' starter Steve Hammond retired the first four hitters he faced before Matt Tuiasosopo launched a solo home run, his seventh of the season and fourth against the Stars, to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Jeff Frazier followed with a double, moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a balk, the second against the Stars' starting pitcher in as many nights, to make it 2-0.

 

Hernan Iribarren led off the fourth inning with a home run, his fourth of the year, to get the visitors on the board. However, West Tenn answered in the bottom half of the frame, as Marshall Hubbard led off with a double and scored on a one-out triple by Frazier, his first of the year. Hammond retired Mike Saunders and Erick Monzon to get out of the inning, strand a runner at third with one out for a second time in the game and keep the score at 3-1.

 

Hubbard belted a one-out home run in the sixth to make it 4-1 West Tenn, as Hammond allowed his 16th long ball of the year, second most of any pitcher in the league. The lefty worked out of further trouble by fanning Monzon to end the inning with runners at the corners. Hammond suffered his first loss since June 21 after yielding four runs on eight hits over seven frames. He struck out three and walked one and lost to Woerman for a second time in three meetings to fall to 7-8.

 

Woerman allowed a single run on seven hits, walking one and striking out five to earn the win and square his record at 6-6. Mumba Rivera gave up a run in the eighth on a passed ball that scored Mel Stocker from third base but struck out Adam Heether and Brendan Katin to end the frame. Michael Hrynio retired the side in order in the ninth to record his second save of the year.

 

The series wraps up Saturday night, as left-hander Sam Narron starts for Huntsville against West Tenn right-hander Andy Baldwin. 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:

Welcome back, Steve Sollmann; Hernan Iribarren on base three times, still hot; Bo Hall two K's in a 1-2-3 "keep-it-close" 8th inning...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_hunaax_wtdaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_hunaax_wtdaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Lake County (Indians) 8, West Virginia 6

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER RALLY LATE BUT FALL SHORT

 

The West Virginia Power erased a 6-0 deficit on Friday night at Classic Park, but still fell two runs short as the Lake County Captains took the first game of the series with an 8-6 victory.

 

The Power committed three errors in the bottom of the first which contributed to a pair of Lake County runs. Jason Denham scored on Shawn Ferguson's throwing error and Carlos Rivero's sacrifice fly plated Matt McBride to bring in the final run of the inning. In the fourth inning, Roman Pena ripped an RBI single and Jason Denham walked with the bases loaded to give the Captains a 4-0 lead. Nick Weglarz hit a two-run homer in the fifth to put the Captains up 6-0.

 

The Power began their comeback in the sixth inning. Andy Bouchie led off the inning with a walk before Jimmy Mojica broke up the no-hitter. Bouchie scored on Andrew LeFave's single and Taylor Green's sacrifice fly brough Mojica home. John Alonso made it a two-run game in the seventh inning with a two-run bomb, his fifth of the year. The Power tied the game with a pair of runs in the eighth inning. LeFave began the inning with a solo home run, his 15th, and Steve Chapman's sacrifice fly plated Green. Matt McBride's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning scored the first of two runs, and Nick Weglarz walked with the bases loaded to bring in the second run.

 

Luis Perdomo (3-6) retired four of the five batters he faced in the eighth and ninth inning to get the win, and Matt Kretzschmar (0-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering a pair of runs on a hit and two walks in one inning of relief.

 

The Power fell to 73-48 overall and 25-29 in the second half, while the Captains improved to 57-65 overall and 26-26 in the second half. Mojica and LeFave both had two hits for the Power.

 

The Power will continue the four game series against the Lake County Captains at Classic Park on Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Jeremy Jeffress (7-5, 3.66) and the Captains will counter with right hander Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.73. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

Matt LaPorta 0-for-5 with four K's, yikes; 5th HR is nice, would like to see more frequent glimpses of 21-year-old John Alonso's power bat; none of the four West Virginia pitchers effective in this one...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_wvaafx_lcoafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_wvaafx_lcoafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Interview with RF Caleb Gindl:

Be sure you're on the archive of August 17th, go to the 15:30 minute mark --

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 8, Orem (Angels) 1

 

Helena Site Game Summary:

 

Mercedes Pitches Gem, Helena Defeats Orem

 

HELENA - Brewer starter Roque Mercedes threw eight innings of one-run ball as Helena defeated the Orem Owlz one night after being shut out. Helena scored two runs in the first and added six more in the later innings, but needed just the two as the Brewers won 8-1 Friday night.

 

Mercedes (7-2) allowed five hits and did not allow a run until the sixth inning while the Brewer batters provided plenty of support. In the first inning a fielding error allowed baserunner Eric Farris to score and Steffan Wilson singled in the eventual winning run for a 2-0 lead.

 

The Brewers added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Mike Goetz scored on a passed ball. Helena had a two-run rally in the seventh and added the final three runs of the game in the eighth inning. Jonathan Lucroy and Caleb Gindl had RBI hits in the seventh inning while Zelous Wheeler scored on a wild pitch and Farris knocked in two runs in the eighth inning.

 

Reliever Nick Tyson pitched the ninth inning and allowed no runs on two hits. Tyson also struck out two batters.

 

Offensively Farris paced the Brewers with a 4-for-5 performance and two RBIs. Gindl also had two RBIs on one hit. Lucroy was the only other Brewer with a multi-hit game as he went 3-for-4.

 

The Brewers (35-21, 9-9) and Owlz (26-30, 9-9) will wrap up their three-game series at 7:05 PM on Saturday night (8:05 Central) to determine the series winner.

 

Helena Box Score:

It's going to be awfully frustrating if Roque Mercedes falters again the next time he's promoted above Helena; Eric Farris and Jonathan Lucroy very impressive in the 2-3 spots in the lineup; speedy but struggling Lee Haydel moved to the # 9 spot, 1-for-4 Friday night, thrown out at home trying to score on a single to end the Brewer 2nd...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_orerok_helrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_orerok_helrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/08/18/sports/b01081807_01.txt

 

Are they back? Brewers blitz Owlz

By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record Sports Writer

 

The Helena Brewers bounced back from Thursday's loss to the Orem Owlz to blitz the visitors 8-1 at Kindrick Legion Field Friday night.

 

The contest took place in front of one of the largest crowds of the season, with 1,503 in attendance.

 

The Brewers were led by the pitching of Roque Mercedes, the hitting of Eric Farris and Jonathan Lucroy, and a plethora of web gems by their defense.

 

Mercedes improved his record to 7-2, hurling eight innings of five-hit ball, whiffing four and not allowing a walk. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound right-hander from the Dominican Republic retired the side in order in the first, second, fourth, seventh and eighth innings.

 

Mercedes also made several athletic defensive plays around the mound on ground balls and attempted bunts. Reliever Nick Tyson came in and closed the ninth.

 

Helena (35-21, 9-9) out hit Orem 12-7, scoring two runs in the first, one in the fifth, two in the seventh and three in the eighth stanza. The home team's offense was spearheaded by Farris, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Lucroy was 3-4, crossing the plate twice and collecting an RBI.

 

Farris' assault with the lumber raised his batting average 13 points from .290 to .303. Lucroy is now hitting a cool .364.

 

Caleb Gindl and Zelous Wheeler each ripped doubles, with Gindl collecting two RBI and Wheeler plating a run.

 

On a night that had the Brewers flashing all kinds of leather, third baseman Wheeler may have been the most impressive.

 

In the sixth frame, he dove on a hard smash to his right, gloved the ball cleanly, popped to his feet and gunned down the runner with plenty of time to spare. And in the final inning, Wheeler climbed the ladder to haul down a smoking line drive that looked like a sure base hit to left.

 

Shortstop Matt Cline made a great play in the fourth. Cline roamed far into the hole to his right to snag a ground ball, leaped and spun around, making a long throw in midair to first to get his man.

 

In the seventh, Gindl made a lengthy running catch of a difficult fly in shallow right field, and catcher Lucroy fielded a tough bunt and fired a seed to first for the out even as his feet slipped out from under him.

 

Owlz starter Chris Armstrong went four innings and gave up two runs for the loss.

 

Orem's (26-30, 9-9) lone tally came in the sixth on a double by Hector Estrella and an RBI single by Jeremy Moore. Rian Kiniry had two hits for the L.A. Angels farm team.

 

The two teams meet again tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Angels 9, Arizona Brewers 4

Arizona Box Score:

Brewer batters strike out a ridiculous 18 times while drawing just two walks; oh joy, the kids also commit five errors; newcomer Scott Houin on base three times; Brett Whiteside has been seeing a lot more time at first base than behind the plate...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_brrrok_angrok_1

 

Arizona Game Log:

Do you really want to?

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_brrrok_angrok_1

[LouisEly]

1) Free Steve Bray!

B) Andrew Lefave, professional hitter.

3) Brad Nelson has quietly had a decent season, and if he can play a decent 3B it gives me the confidence to give him a shot as a 4th/5th OF and/or utility guy. Particularly if Jenkins is not back, they could use some left-handed power on the team. I don't think he will be a superstar, but you could do a lot worse for a backup OF/1B/3B. Gives you some flexibility in PH/double-switch situations.