Link Report for Fri 5/25 - Inman Unreal; Salome Walk-Off HR!

[Will Inman Fan]

Roberts gets the win... good thing him and Will are roomates... atleast they can celebrate together!!!!!

[Boy Jeenius]

Salome with a jack each game. Heating up a bit.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 3, Sarasota (Reds) 1, regularly scheduled game, seven innings

 

Brevard County Box Score:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

[TrueBrew]

Inman is my favorite prospect as well. He is unbelievable. I get excited every day when I look at the link report and see he is pitching.

 

I have done this in the past with other prospects, but I can't remember a pitcher being as awesome as Inman. I love it.

[DHonks]

Wow, Angel with a nice pace so far. It's a young season for him, but he might hit 15-20 jacks in Brevard (amazing) in only 4 months

[Mass Haas]

media@spacecoaststadium.com

 

Answer to your question above, Will Inman Fan.

[And That]

I think Gallardo is the better pitcher, but Inman is a very close second. I definitely get amped every time it is his turn in the rotation.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 3, Mobile (Diamondbacks) 1

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1180

 

Pettyjohn Pitches Stars Back Into Top Spot

 

Adam Pettyjohn worked eight sensational innings in his longest outing of the season to pitch Huntsville past Mobile 3-1 Friday night in the middle game of a five-game set at Hank Aaron Stadium. The Stars won for the first time in the series, snapped a four-game road losing streak and moved back into a first place tie with Tennessee atop the North Division at 24-22, while the BayBears slipped to 25-23 and fell six games behind South Division-leading Mississippi.

 

Jarrred Ball legged out a bunt base hit to open the third inning, stole second and scored on a one-out double to give Mobile a 1-0 edge. Huntsville had left runners at second and third with one out in the first when Ruben Mateo popped up and Carlos Corporan flied out and left the bases loaded in the third inning when Corporan flied out to left field.

 

Drew Anderson doubled with one out in the fifth, moved to third base on a single by Steve Moss and then scored when shortstop Emilio Bonifacio could not handle the relay throw from Ball, the left fielder. Moss advanced to second on the error, to third on a ground ball out and then scored on a single by Corporan that put the Stars on top, 2-1. Ruben Mateo, who had been hit by a pitch in the at-bat before Corporan?s, scored from second on a two-out single by Adam Heether, who knocked in his first run on the road since April 23 at Montgomery.

 

Pettyjohn retired nine in a row following the Bonifacio double before Wilkin Castillo doubled with one out in the sixth. The veteran southpaw then set down the next six batters he faced before a Ronnie Merrill infield single. Pettyjohn retired the next two hitters he faced and finished the night allowing a season-low one run on four hits, while walking one and striking out four. Pettyjohn earned his first win since April 23 at Montgomery and his third on the road by recording 14 ground ball outs. Marino Salas gave up a one-out single in the ninth before striking out Justin Upton and retiring Carlos Gonzalez on a soft liner to first to preserve the win and earn his ninth save in as many chances.

 

The series continues Saturday night when Huntsville will send left-hander Steve Hammond to the hill against BayBears? right-hander Matt Green. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Kind of an outfield squeeze in the many Southern League series without a DH - Brendan Katin off the bench tonight...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Greenville (Red Sox) 7, West Virginia 5

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

GREENVILLE DRIVES PAST POWER

 

The Greenville Drive used a five-run seventh inning to take the first game of the series at Appalachian Power Park as they defeated the West Virginia Power 7-5 on Friday night.

 

The Power took the lead in the bottom of the first inning on Brent Brewer?s RBI single. Chuckie Caufield struck with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the third to put the Power up 2-0. Lars Anderson ripped a solo home run in the fourth inning to cut the lead in half and Manny Arambarris tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the fifth.

 

Greenville took the lead in the seventh inning. Anderson reached on a fielder?s choice with the bases loaded to plate the first run of the inning and Jon Still hit Greeville?s first grand slam of the season to cap off the big inning. The Power came within two on Steve Chapman?s three-run homer in the eighth inning, his seventh of the year.

 

Brian Steinocher (2-5) pitched two scoreless innings of one hit ball and struck out four to get the win, Josh Paplebon (8) got the save and Roque Mercedes (0-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering six runs on four hits over three innings.

 

The Power fell to 30-15 with the loss and the Drive improved to 20-27 with the win. Brent Brewer paced the Power with his second three-hit game in a row.

 

The Power will continue the four game series against Greenville Saturday night. The Power will start left hander Brae Wright (3-3, 6.70). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

20-year-old Roque Mercedes continues to really struggle; just-turned 19-year-old LHP Luis Ramirez needed an outing like this, he worked around six hits in four innings, allowing one run (no walks); yup, that's one of three Papelbon brothers in pro ball, this one also in the BoSox system...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com Game Notes:

 

Manatees finish off Reds

 

Ryan Crew went 2-for-2 with three RBIs to lead Brevard County to a 5-2 victory over visiting Sarasota on Friday in the completion of a suspended game.

 

Crew delivered a two-run single in the second inning before play was halted due to rain on Thursday. He also lifted a sacrifice fly in the fifth to give the Manatees (29-18) a 5-1 cushion.

 

Michael Bell and Angel Salome hit solo homers, their second and third, respectively, to power Brevard County to its second straight win and seventh in nine games.

 

The victory went to reliever Josh Wahpepah (4-4), who gave up one run on three hits over 2 2/3 innings. He walked one and struck out two. Dave Johnson tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames for his fourth save.

 

Reds starter Johnny Cueto (2-4) dropped his third straight decision after surrendering four runs on five hits in three-plus innings.

 

Jay Bruce singled twice and scored a run for Sarasota (32-15), which had a seven-game winning streak snapped. -- Daren Smith/MLB.com

 

***

Manatees sweep away Reds

 

Angel Salome hit a walk-off two-run homer to give Brevard County a 3-1 win over visiting Sarasota and a sweep of Friday's doubleheader.

 

With the score tied, 1-1, Lorenzo Cain led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a single off reliever Luis Montano (2-1). After Michael Bell struck out, Salome deposited a pitch over the right-field fence for his second homer of the twinbill and fifth this season.

 

The blast made a winner of Kevin Roberts (2-0), who tossed a 1-2-3 seventh.

 

Brevard County starter Will Inman struck out a career-high 12 batters over six innings, limiting the Reds (32-16) to one run on three hits and a walk. He grabbed the overall Minor League strikeout lead with 77 and tops the Florida State League with a 1.36 ERA.

 

In his last five starts, the 20-year-old right-hander has given up only three earned runs on 20 hits over 31 innings with 43 strikeouts and nine walks.

 

After taking the opener, 5-2, the Manatees (30-18) trailed, 1-0, before pinch-hitter J.R. Hopf delivered an RBI single in the sixth. It came off reliever Derrik Lutz, who allowed one run on one hit and three walks with one strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.

 

Reds starter Daryl Thompson pitched 4 1/3 scoreless frames, scattering five hits and three walks with three strikeouts.

 

Michael Griffin led off the game with his fourth homer to account for Sarasota's offense. -- Daren Smith/MLB.com

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Manager Frank Kremblas:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-25.mp3

[NastyTwig]

I think Inman took over the minor league strikeout lead from Yo in this one (77 to 76).

 

Please God/Buddah/Allah, don't let these two get hurt.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Albuquerque (Marlins) 5, Nashville 4

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Dennis Sarfate photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2341

 

Sounds Fall To Isotopes In Road Trip Opener

 

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. ? Sounds reliever Dennis Sarfate issued a four-pitch, bases-loaded walk to Robert Andino with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning to force home the game-winning run in Nashville?s 5-4 loss to Albuquerque on Friday evening at Isotopes Park in the opener of a four-game series.

 

The loss was Nashville?s 13th in the club?s last 17 road games as the team?s woes away from Greer Stadium continued. The Sounds (25-23) suffered their tenth loss after the opponent plated the winning run in its final turn at the plate.

 

After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the eighth, Sarfate gave up consecutive singles before walking pinch-hitter Todd Sears to fill the bags for Andino.

 

Sarfate (1-4), who took the loss, was replaced on the hill after walking Andino and was ejected following a verbal exchange with the home plate umpire as he exited the field.

 

The Sounds struck first, plating a run in the top of the first inning against Albuquerque starter Paul Mildren. Callix Crabbe drew a game-opening walk, was bunted to second by Chris Barnwell, advanced to third on a balk, then scored on a Laynce Nix sacrifice fly to left.

 

Albuquerque knotted the score at 1-1 in the home half of the second when John Gall tripled off Sounds starter Tim Dillard then scored on a Brett Carroll RBI single. Gall finished 3-for-4 and missed hitting for the cycle by a single.

 

The Isotopes jumped in front in the fourth with back-to-back home runs against Dillard. After former Sound Andrew Beattie walked to open the frame, PCL home run leader Val Pascucci blasted his 12th longball of the year, a two-run shot to left, to give Albuquerque its first lead of the night. Gall continued his strong evening when he followed with his fourth roundtripper of the season, a solo shot to left.

 

Nashville got a run back in the sixth when Crabbe walked and later scored when Mildren?s strike three pitch to Nix escaped Isotopes catcher John Baker.

 

The Sounds pulled within a score in the top of the seventh to make it a 4-3 contest. Vinny Rottino led off with a double to center and came plateward one batter later on a Jose Macias RBI single to left.

 

Nashville completed its comeback in the eighth against the Isotopes bullpen when Crabbe crossed the plate for third time. The Sounds? leadoff batter doubled to left off Harvey Garcia and moved to third on a Chris Barnwell fly out before scampering home on a Baker passed ball.

 

Nate Field (4-2) backed into a victory as the beneficiary of the late Albuquerque score after blowing a save in his two-thirds of an inning worked.

 

Ross Wolf picked up his second save of the year by working a perfect ninth inning for the Isotopes.

 

Dillard took a no-decision for the Sounds after allowing four runs on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. Joe Thatcher turned in a solid relief outing behind Dillard, working 1 1/3 hitless frames and recording four strikeouts.

 

The teams continue the series with another 8:05 p.m. CT meeting on Saturday evening at Isotopes Park. Nashville will send right-hander Chris Oxspring (2-3, 3.32) to the hill to face Albuquerque right-hander Nic Ungs (2-1, 5.82).

 

Nashville Box Score:

Sarfate lucky Luther Hackman stranded his baserunners, or an ugly outing could have been uglier; Joe Thatcher just biding his time, baby...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_albaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_albaaa_1

[pogokat]

lou palmisano absent from huntsville lineup...

 

he doesnt play every day, but this could mean he's on his way to aaa

[DHonks]

brad, brewers.com says Aquino was optioned to AAA

[DKM4Boston]

Quote:

---

brad, brewers.com says Aquino was optioned to AAA

---

 

While that's true, the Sounds' roster still stands at just 23 men since they have not yet filled the spot vacated by the Zumwalt trade. Nestor Corredor was lifted for J.R. Hopf in the sixth inning in the Manatees' nightcap for whatever that's worth. If Palmisano goes to AAA, perhaps Corredor fills the catching void left at AA, leaving Salome and Hopf as the two remaining catchers at high-A.

[Will Inman Fan]

Thank you so much Mass Haas! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[Mass Haas]

WTMJ Milwaukee's interview with the voice of the West Virginia Power, Andy "Bull" Barch -- the WTMJ guys have to get it right, all together now, it's "Jack-Jackety-Jack". Anyway, Bull with some great recollections of Ryan Braun's time in Charleston -- he's the first Power player to reach the big leagues:

 

media.620wtmj.com/Desktop...wsid=16093

[Mass Haas]

Link while activfe, text follows:

 

www.al.com/baybears/mobil...amp;coll=3

 

Pettyjohn, Stars stop BayBears

Huntsville's 3-1 victory ends Mobile's three-game winning streak

By ARTHUR L. MACK

Mobile Press-Register Sports Correspondent

 

Huntsville pitcher Adam Pettyjohn allowed only four hits in eight innings as the Stars defeated the Mobile BayBears 3-1 on Friday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.

 

Pettyjohn had not had a Southern League victory since April 23 when Huntsville defeated Montgomery 10-3. But he improved his record to 3-2 as he struck out four and walked one in front of an announced crowd of 4,116.

 

Marino Salas relieved Pettyjohn in the top of the ninth and got his ninth save of the year.

 

"I was just glad to get our team back on track, especially after losing the first two games of the series," said Pettyjohn, who pitched for the Detroit Tigers in 2001. "We just moved our fastball around, and I think the biggest key to keeping them off-balance was using our changeup. The first five innings, we kept our slider in our back pocket, but we started using it a lot more."

 

"He did an outstanding job," Huntsville manager Don Money said. "His breaking ball was hitting his spots, and he rose to the occasion today."

 

Mobile manager Brett Butler also was impressed with Pettyjohn's performance.

 

"He was pitching us inside and out, and he pretty much kept us off-balance the whole night," he said. "We only got five hits the whole night, and he pitched well, and you have to give credit where credit is due."

 

Steve Moss, Carlos Corporan and Adam Heether provided the hitting for the Stars as they all had RBIs. Huntsville had 10 hits as the Stars broke Mobile's three-game winning streak and improved to 24-22.

 

Pettyjohn was backed by strong glovework by his teammates, who made several great fielding plays -- one of them coming in the bottom of the eighth inning when first baseman Steve Sollmann snagged Wilkin Castillo's liner with a runner on first.

 

"That would have probably been a double, or even a triple with a run in, maybe, but Sollmann did a great job over there," Money said.

 

Jonathan Castellanos took the loss for Mobile, working five innings and surrendering nine hits and three runs without recording a strikeout. To make matters worse, the BayBears also committed three errors -- one which led to Huntsville's first run.

 

Mobile's only score came in the bottom of the third when Jarred Ball bunted, stole second and went home on Emilio Bonafacio's double to give the BayBears a 1-0 lead.

 

The lead held up until the top of the fifth, when Huntsville erupted for three runs.

 

Drew Anderson doubled to start the inning and made it home on a throwing error after advancing to third on Moss' single. After Castellanos hit Ruben Mateo with a pitch to put runners on the corners, Corporan and Heether followed with RBI singles to make it 3-1.

 

Mobile managed to get only three runners on base the rest of the game.

 

The fourth game of the series starts at 7:05 tonight. Right-hander Matt Green is scheduled to start for Mobile, while left-hander Steve Hammond is the scheduled starter for Huntsville.

[Mass Haas]

By the way, within all the Link Report text copies over the years, no name has been misspelled more often than Steve Sollmann's (it's two N's at the end, everyone).

 

I find myself adjusting that with each report, regardless of the media outlet (well, David Weiser, gets it right -- speaking of which --)

 

David Weiser's

 

www.starsboxscore.com/

 

NOTHING PETTY AT ALL

It looked like the same problem that had plagued the Stars the last two nights -- the clutch was missing.

 

It started with the very first inning....... With one out, a Steve Moss single to right was followed by a double down the right field line by Steve Sollmann, but with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Ruben Mateo popped out and Carlos Corporan, who wound up leaving six runners on base in the game, flied to right to end the inning.

 

In the 2nd, Yohannis Perez hit into a double play, and in the 3rd, with two out and the bases loaded, Corporan flied out to left. Another golden opportunity wasted...... Mobile took charge in the bottom half, scoring on a line drive double to right by Emilio Bonifacio......... While Mobile had a 1-0 lead, Perez hit into another double play in the 4th, this time to the outfield where Carlos Gonzalez took his fly ball then winged it to first to double-up Guilder Rodriguez.

 

But while the Stars were squandering four innings worth of opportunities, starter Adam Pettyjohn was going about his businees, pitching the best game of his career with the Stars....... Through the first four innings, he had gotten Mobile to hit into eight ground outs. For his eight innings, 14 ground outs, and six fly outs, three singles, and two doubles, one coming in the 3rd inning....... In nine previous starts, he hadn't gone more than 6 1/3 innings, and in his last start, you may recall he lasted just 1/3 of an inning against the Diamond Jaxx. I'm sure that weighed on his mind for the last five days.

 

But in the 5th, the one person responsible for killing those rallies, came through........ With one out, Drew Anderson doubled to left, then moved to third on a single by Steve Moss. When Emilio Bonifacio was unable to handle the relay throw from left fielder Jarred Ball, Anderson scored to tie the game....... Steve Sollmann then grounded out for the 2nd out, moving Moss to third. Ruben Mateo then was hit with a pitch for the 4th time in the eight games he has been with the Stars........ With runners on the corners and two out, Carlos Corporan delivered this time -- dropping a single into left to put the Stars ahead, 2-1. Adam Heether followed with the insurance run, lining a single which was overrun by centerfielder Justin Upton........ It was his first RBI on the road since April 23, and it stretched his hitting streak to a personal-high of eight games, matching the streak he impressed Stars fans with when he first came to Huntsville in 2005....... Heether is now 11-for-30 in his streak (.367), raising his average from .155 when it started to .214.

 

Pettyjohn retired nine in a row following Bonifacio's double in the 3rd inning and 12 of 14 after the Stars took the lead. Marino Salas preserved the victory with his 9th save -- his first since May 14 and he is the first closer since Mike Rossiter in 2000 to hit that total in the first two months of the season. (Rossiter had 14 the first two months, and 22 for the year.)

 

Drew Anderson hit a milestone in the 3rd inning when he stole his 1st base of the season. It was also the 3,000th in Stars history.

 

Steve Hammond, who has earned a decision in each of his nine starts this year, gets the start in Game 4 of this series against righty Matt Green, who was beaten by Hammond, May 10, in a rain-shortened five-inning game....... Hammond, who has actually come up with the decision in his last 10 starts going back to last year, needs another to become the first pitcher since Doug Johnston in 1999 to get the decision in his first 10 starts of a season.

 

The Brewers have released pitcher Jesse Harper........ Harper was 2-3 with a 5.91 ERA for the Brevard County Manatees this year. He pitched in one game without a decision for the Stars on August 1, 2004 vs. Birmingham at Joe Davis Stadium, giving up two runs in 5 1/3 innings and is one of a dozen of players -- all pitchers -- in Stars history who have made just one lone appearance for the Stars.

 

Note: Please click on the link above for David's chart of these pitchers -- it'll be available online for a day or two in a nice clean format, otherwise it's pasted below:

 

Kevin Tapani 9/30/87 6 IP in last game of '87

Mike Norris 5/21/89 4-0 win in comeback attempt

Gustavo Gil 5/24/94 4 IP in no-decision vs. Carolina

Luis Silva 8/28/96 2 2/3 relief IP in 11-3 loss

Bert Bradley 9/1/97 Stars pitching coach went 1 1/3

Hideo Nomo 5/2/99 7 scoreless IP, win vs. GRV

Kyle Peterson 8/17/00 4 2/3 IP, 7 R vs. Mobile

Jeff C.D'Amico 6/11/01 Rehab start vs. Chattanooga

Gus Gandarillas 6/9/02 2 1/3 IP in rehab start vs. MOB

Doug Davis 7/15/03 Beat Mobile, 6-2, in rehab start

Jesse Harper 8/1/04 see above

Jose Capellan 8/7/06 1 inning, 2 Ks in rehab start

 

Wow, Gus Gandarillas -- that '02 season was just filled with memories, huh Brewer fans? -- Mass Haas

 

Back to David Weiser --

 

Ryan Braun made his major league debut Friday night....... He went 1-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs in an 8-6 loss to San Diego, a sacrifice fly in the 6th that scored Rickie Weeks and a double to the gap in left-center on a 1-2 breaking ball off Doug Brocail. It scored Tony Gwynn, Jr. In the field, he made one play -- an assist -- on a ground ball by Kevin Kouzmanoff in the 7th....... Braun is the 165th former Star to advance to the majors.

 

The Oakland Athletics acquired former Huntsville Stars pitcher Alec Zumwalt from Nashville in a cash trade with Milwaukee. Zumwalt was 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA this season for the Sounds....... For the Stars in 2005, Zumwalt was 1-2 with a 4.15 ERA in 28 games, getting his first promotion to Triple-A after pitching 8 1/3 scoreless innings for the Stars in August.

 

Now that the kids are out of school, the Stars can hopefully get some bigger crowds into the Joe when they come back for the Memorial Day weekend........ The Stars are 9th in attendance in the Southern League, and there's a lot of room for improvement, which brings me to this thought. Whether or not you go to Joe Davis Stadium, if you have a creative flair, a stunt you'd like to see, a promotional suggestion, anything crazy idea you may have that would get people to the Joe -- I don't care how wildly creative, or how critical -- e-mail me at

dweiser26@hotmail.com and I will pass them on to management......... This is YOUR team, YOUR BALLPARK, and this is the greatest time of the year to be outside....... Why not come out and relax for a couple of hours and watch some future major leaguers -- or better yet, to cheer for YOUR team as it competes for 1st place in the league........ Do you love Huntsville? You have a professional baseball team that represents you! Take pride in that! Come out! Have a Coke or a beer, some popcorn...... Or just sit and enjoy the evening air while you read the paper. (Just watch out for foul balls.).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2007052546

 

Drive slams Power 7-5

By Mike Whiteford

Charleston Gazette Staff Writer

 

On his last baseball visit to Charleston, Gabe Kapler played outfield for the Fayetteville Generals against the Alley Cats.

 

He still remembers the historic venue, Watt Powell Park.

 

?It was a great park, a cool park. I like old parks,?? said Kapler, a member of the 2004 Boston Red Sox who now manages the Greenville Drive. ?I remember the league was struggling when it came to facilities. Now we have six or seven relatively new parks vs. back when I played in the league it was 90 percent old.??

 

Amid the modern facilities of Appalachian Power Park, Kapler watched his designated hitter, Jon Still, stroke a monstrous seventh-inning grand slam over the left-field wall and onto Smith Street, breaking open a close game and helping the Drive to a 7-5 victory over the Power Friday night. A crowd of 4,568 ? many of whom groaned when the ball left Still?s bat ?attended.

 

If baseball still were being played at pitcher-friendly Watt Powell, Still?s homer would have cleared the distant left-field wall and bounced onto Venable Avenue toward the tennis courts.

 

?You can see the ball really well here,?? said Still, a former North Carolina State player.

 

Entering the seventh of a 2-2 game, the Drive made use of an error by shortstop Brent Brewer, a walk and two singles to take a 3-2 lead. Still then strode to the plate, worked the count to 3-2 and hit a high Roque Mercedes fastball for his fifth homer of the season.

 

Among other things, Mercedes threw too many pitches, said Power pitching coach John Curtis.

 

?I?m not overly pleased with his approach ? 68 pitches in three innings,?? said Curtis. ?That?s a lot of pitches. We?re emphasizing fastball command, and he was relying heavily on that slider. I?d like to see him do a little better job with the fastball. I feel like he could have been a little more aggressive with his fastball.??

 

The Power tried to rally. Steve Chapman hit a three-run homer to right in the eighth, and Darren Ford and Brewer reached on infield singles in the ninth, bringing the potential winning run to the plate, but Michael Brantley grounded into a game-ending double play.

 

Earning the save and recording the final four outs was Greenville closer Josh Papelbon, who throws in a severe submarine style and is the brother of Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon.

 

?He?s closing for the big-league team,?? said Still, referring to the Drive?s parent team, ?and his brother is closing for us, so it?s working out pretty well.??

 

Brewer, who had three hits Thursday, had three more Friday.

 

The Power?s 4 1/2-game lead in the South Atlantic League?s Northern Division slipped to 31/2 with Greensboro?s victory over Kannapolis.

 

POWER POINTS: The Power and Drive will play a 7:05 game tonight, a 2:05 game Sunday and conclude the home stand with a game beginning at 1:05 p.m. Monday. (Adjust all times back one hour for Central time -- Mass Haas)...

 

Milwaukee?s first-round pick in the 2006 draft, right-hander Jeremy Jeffress, has been assigned to the Power after a stint at the Brewers? extended spring training facilities. The 19-year-old Jeffress, who played at Halifax County (Va.) High School, throws in the high 90s. He will replace left-hander Zach Braddock, who has been placed on the disabled list. In eight games and seven starts, Braddock posted a 3-1 record with a 1.30 ERA. ... The reports on Jeffress have been positive, said Curtis. ?Everything I?ve heard is good,?? he said. ?They have him on what they call the 80-40 plan. One time out, he?ll go 80 pitches; the next time 40, then 80, then 40.?? Jeffress is scheduled to pitch Tuesday. ...

 

Power general manager Ryan Gates will subject himself to a head-shaving on the field tonight in response to a bet. The Power and West Virginia Radio competed in fund-raising for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, a 5-kilometer race that took place May 5. The Power raised more than $7,000, but West Virginia Radio raised more than $13,000.

 

Charleston Gazette Photographer: Kenny Kemp

West Virginia?s Darren Ford (15) steals second base as Greenville?s Pedro Vasquez bobbles the ball in Friday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park. The Memorial Weekend series continues through Monday.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/POWG1.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Will Inman is 2-0 with a 0.87 ERA over his last five starts. The 20-year-old right-hander has given up only three earned runs on 20 hits over 31 innings with 43 strikeouts and nine walks over that span.(Jerry Hale/MLB.com)

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/05/26/QCJSFpUe.jpg

[rotoherb]

Capt. Lou is only 6 for his last 35 (.185) with no extra base hits, so while he's still hitting .318 overall, he's really been scuffling recently. On the bright side, he's walked eight times over that same timespan. He has 24 walks in 107 at-bats this year, which is nuts. His walks alone give me hope that some day he'll be a useful catcher in the majors.

[MrBoozer]

The play-by-play voice of Kirk Agius can be reached at kirk@920wmel.com