Link Report for Tue. 8/28 - Jeffress pitches, will Villanueva?

[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 Carlos Villanueva at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 5:45 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

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

 

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

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: Idle

 

West Virginia: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at Lexington (Astros), 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 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 the Royals' complex in Surprise, 7:00 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_28_omaaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_wtdaax_hunaax_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_wvaafx_lexafx_1

 

Helena:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_helrok_bilrok_1

 

Arizona:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_brrrok_royrok_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]

The West Virginia series in Lexington is available via MiLB.TV for a small daily fee:

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Monday's action:

 

Arizona League 2nd Half Standings:

Arizona Rookie is 18-35 overall...

 

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

 

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 84 53 .613 - 46-23 38-30 W3 Iowa 76 61 .555 8.0 42-26 34-35 L1 Omaha 69 68 .504 15.0 45-27 24-41 L1 Memphis 54 83 .394 30.0 28-37 26-46 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 35 28 .556 - 18-15 17-13 L1 Tennessee 33 30 .524 2.0 21-12 12-18 W1 Chattanooga 32 31 .508 3.0 16-19 16-12 L1 Carolina 30 32 .484 4.5 15-15 15-17 L2 West Tenn 28 35 .444 7.0 12-18 16-17 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 34 29 .540 - 16-15 18-14 L1 Brevard County 32 32 .500 2.5 18-12 14-20 W1 Palm Beach 32 33 .492 3.0 17-18 15-15 W1 Jupiter 27 34 .443 6.0 15-13 12-21 L1 Daytona 25 40 .385 10.0 13-22 12-18 W2 Vero Beach 21 41 .339 12.5 12-19 9-22 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hickory 37 26 .587 - 23-13 14-13 W1 Lake County 32 28 .533 3.5 17-16 15-12 W5 Greensboro 33 31 .516 4.5 22-11 11-20 L1 Lakewood 31 30 .508 5.0 15-13 16-17 W2 West Virginia 30 32 .484 6.5 18-12 12-20 W2 Delmarva 30 33 .476 7.0 14-17 16-16 L5 Lexington 26 38 .406 11.5 16-15 10-23 L3 Hagerstown 22 41 .349 15.0 10-20 12-21 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 18 8 .692 - 10-3 8-5 W1 Helena 14 13 .519 4.5 6-8 8-5 L1 Billings 13 14 .481 5.5 7-7 6-7 W1 Missoula 12 15 .444 6.5 7-6 5-9 L1 

[Trowekamp]

Count me in for one vote for Jeffress to be our Joba Chamberlain...

 

I am kidding of course but great to see him improve so much.. can't wait to see Braddock, Rogers, and him in Brevard County together next year.

[Kevbo74]

Count me in for one vote for Jeffress to be our Joba Chamberlain...

 

I am kidding of course but great to see him improve so much.. can't wait to see Braddock, Rogers, and him in Brevard County together next year.

 

Braddock, Rogers and Jeffress in Brevard next year. The thought makes me warm and fuzzy. I'm liking Jeffress's improvements, was hoping to see the walks stay at 1,2, or 3, but I'll take a one hitter with 8 Ks and 4BB I suppose.

 

Speaking of Rogers, didn't I read somewhere that he was going to throw (off a mound) this fall or something? Would like to hear more about that...

Rogers could come back and make us not miss Inman :-) now that's warm and fuzzy.

[Trowekamp]

Count me in for one vote for Jeffress to be our Joba Chamberlain...

 

I am kidding of course but great to see him improve so much.. can't wait to see Braddock, Rogers, and him in Brevard County together next year.

Braddock, Rogers and Jeffress in Brevard next year. The thought makes me warm and fuzzy. I'm liking Jeffress's improvements, was hoping to see the walks stay at 1,2, or 3, but I'll take a one hitter with 8 Ks and 4BB I suppose.

 

Speaking of Rogers, didn't I read somewhere that he was going to throw (off a mound) this fall or something? Would like to hear more about that...

Rogers could come back and make us not miss Inman :-) now that's warm and fuzzy.

Even more warm and fuzzy.. is the first set of Triplets (Gallardo, Parra, Villy) will be all settled in Milwaukee waiting for the second set (Braddock, Jeffress, Rogers)..

 

I know a lot of people are down on Rogers but I just have a feeling he will figure it out.

 

[DHonks]

Interesting to see Alonso at 3b...I remember Toby telling me that he really only has one position--DH. And I'm enjoying seeing LaPorta hit for avg and power...but the strikeouts are a bit high and the walks a bit low for an advanced, disciplined college hitter

[JoeHova]

Villanueva pitched ok. 4.1 innings 2 hits 0 walks 5 strikeouts. 1 of the hits was a home run though, so he gave up 3 earned. Only 2 hits and no walks is encouraging though.

[Mass Haas]

Wow, how tempting is it to interject a Major league wisecrack here -- restraint, Jim, restraint.

 

Serenity Now!

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/91/Seinfeld_s9e3.jpg

 

On with the Link Report...

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 4, Lexington (Astros) 3

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER PREVENT LEGENDS COMEBACK

 

Ralphie Henriquez doubled in a pair of runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning of Tuesday night's game at Applebee's Park to bring Lexington within a run of West Virginia, but Jared Sutton retired Nick Moresi on the very next pitch to secure the victory for the Power as they took the second game of the series 4-3.

 

Taylor Green began the second inning with a triple off the right field wall and scored two pitches later on John Alonso's RBI double. In the seventh inning Jimmy Mojica's second of three singles on the night scored Brent Brewer to give the Power a 2-0 edge. Drew Holder cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run.

 

Matt LaPorta put the game away a half inning later with a two-run homer. It was Laporta's seventh of the year, his fourth in five games against Lexington and his third home run of the road trip. Ralphie Henriquez ripped the two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to plate Jhon Florentino and Andrew Darnell but it was not enough.

 

Jeremy Jeffress (9-5) was sensational, tossing five scoreless innings of one-hit ball and struck out eight batters to earn the victory. Sutton (2) got the save and Leandro Cespedes (0-1) was tagged with the loss after allowing a run on five hits over five and two thirds. Jeffress has struck out 23 batters and allowed one earned run on four hits over his last three starts.

 

The Power improved to 79-52 overall and 31-32 in the second half, while the Legends fell to 57-77 overall and 26-39 in the second half. West Virginia homered in four of the five games on the trip and they've hit 13 home runs in their last six games. Mojica and LaPorta both had three hits for the Power. LaPorta came a triple away from the cycle.

 

The Power are off on Wednesday but will continue the four game split home-and-home series against the Lexington Legends at Appalachian Power Park on Thursday night. The Power will start left hander Luis Ramirez (1-2, 5.86) and the Legends will start left hander Dave Qualben (10-8, 3.92) The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

LHP Casey Baron gives up a solo home run in two innings in his Power debut; Jeremy Jeffress now at 86.1 IP on the season, plus he'll get some postseason experience -- a perfect developmental season for him; anybody else think Matt LaPorta will never see Brevard County next year? John Alonso with 25 doubles in less than 250 AB's -- there's a stat you surely didn't know...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_wvaafx_lexafx_1

 

West Virginia Game log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_28_wvaafx_lexafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Notes from MiLB.com:

 

Jeffress, Power repel Legends

Jeremy Jeffress allowed one hit over five scoreless innings as West Virginia held off host Lexington, 4-3, on Tuesday.

Jeffress (9-5) struck out eight and walked four while lowering his ERA to 3.13 in 17 starts. The 19-year-old right-hander has fanned 91 and walked 44 in 86 1/3 frames.

Jared Sutton notched his second save, despite yielding two runs on a hit and two walks in the ninth inning.

Matt LaPorta went 3-for-5 with a two-run homer, his seventh of the year and second in as many games. John Alonso and Jimmy Mojica drove in the other runs for the Power (31-32), who've won three straight.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Nashville 7, Omaha (Royals) 3

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Carlos Villanueva photo, text follows --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2535

 

Sounds Win Again, Take Down Royals 7-3

 

NASHVILLE - The division-champion Nashville Sounds continued their winning ways on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium, picking up a 7-3 victory over the Omaha Royals.

 

With its fourth straight victory overall and the sixth consecutive win against the division-rival Royals, Nashville (85-53) improved to a season-best 32 games over .500.

 

Laynce Nix went 4-for-4 and Andy Abad scored three runs to pace the Sounds' offense.

 

Omaha took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning on Justin Huber's two-run homer to left-center off Sounds starter Carlos Villanueva. The longball, which scored Mike Sweeney (walk), was the Aussie's 17th of the year.

 

Nashville answered in the bottom of the frame with a five-run outburst against Royals spot starter Nate Hoelscher. After loading the bases with none out, Ozzie Chavez delivered an RBI single through the left side of the infield to extend his season-best hitting streak to eight games and cut the lead in half to 2-1.

 

After Jose Macias grounded into a forceout at the plate, Callix Crabbe ripped a two-run double down the left field line to plate Mike Rivera and Chavez to push the home team into the lead. Vinny Rottino followed with a two-run single up the middle to make it a 5-2 contest.

 

AUDIO: Crabbe Two-Run Double

 

Omaha got a run back in the fifth on Derek Wathan's two-out RBI double off Sounds reliever Tim Dillard, who had taken over for Villanueva one batter earlier.

 

Nix made it a 6-3 game in the bottom of the inning when his second double of the night, a two-out rip off the base of the center field wall, scored Abad with two outs.

 

The Sounds tacked on the game's final run in the eighth when Chavez drove an opposite-field RBI single to left off former Nashville hurler Ben Hendrickson.

 

Dillard (7-4) earned the win after holding the Royals to one hit over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief behind Villanueva.

 

Villanueva allowed three runs on two hits while striking out five batters over 4 1/3 innings of action. He threw 59 pitches, 42 for strikes.

 

Hoelscher (5-3) took the loss for the Royals after he gave up five runs on seven hits over his three innings of work.

 

The teams continue the series with a noon matinee on Wednesday afternoon at Greer. Left-hander Zach Jackson (10-10, 4.76) will toe the rubber for Nashville to face Omaha right-hander Luke Hochevar (1-3, 6.14).

 

Nashville Box Score:

Tim Dillard's best appearance in months, literally; Ben Hendrickson reduced to middle relief, with only 61 K's in 127.1 IP this season...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_omaaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_28_omaaaa_nasaaa_1

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville, Helena, and Arizona all on the short end of scores right now -- if one of my compatriots or a loyal reader like "mls4" isn't in the neighborhood during the overnight, then we'll have all the details in the AM.

 

Sleep tight, Brewer fans, win the next two and you're in second place and 1/2 game out of first, but if the Cards win the next two, you'd then still be a half-game out of first but also in third place -- ahh, who are we kidding? Serenity now!

[And That]

I can't even look at the major league forum right now. Good to see CV only give up 3 runs in 4.1 IP. 6.23 ERA today. Yippitee crap. Sure glad we got another bullpen arm for Inman, Garrison and Thatcher. Whoppee.

 

Disgust is the best word I can come up with. This minor league postseason will bring me almost no joy, but good luck to the affiliates.

[Mass Haas]

Yup, we feel your pain. Just check out our Scoreboard feature on the Home Page this morning.

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 9, Huntsville 7

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1338

 

Stars' Offense Comes Alive But They Still Fall to Jaxx

 

Jesus Merchan drove in two runs and finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in West Tenn's wild 9-7 win over Huntsville Tuesday night in the fourth game of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Diamond Jaxx improved to 29-35 in the second half by winning for a third time in the series and for the 10th time in their last 14 games, while the struggling Stars dipped to 35-29 in the second half and saw their lead in the North Division over Tennessee trimmed to one game after the Smokies' win over Chattanooga. The Stars have dropped seven out of nine on the current home stand and 10 of their last 14.

 

Merchan homered to lead off the fifth inning to tie the game at three. Adam Heether committed a throwing error on a Matt Tuiasosopo ground ball later in the frame that allowed Luis Valbuena to score the go-ahead run before Jeff Frazier's check swing, two-run single capped off a four-run rally to put the visitors on top 6-3. Stars' starter Steve Hammond suffered the loss after allowing six runs, only two earned, over six innings during which he walked a season-high five and fanned four.

 

Merchan and Brent Johnson delivered back-to-back run-scoring doubles with two outs in the eighth to give the Diamond Jaxx a seemingly comfortable 8-3 lead before things really got interesting. The Stars received a two-out, run-scoring triple from Steve Moss and an infield hit by Alcides Escobar that scored Moss to trim the lead to 8-5 in the bottom half of the inning. Steve Sollmann doubled and Heether walked to load the bases before Craig James got Lou Palmisano to ground out to end the threat. Six different Stars batters collected at least two hits and Hernan Iribarren, the team's hottest hitter for a month, was the only starter not to pick up at least one.

 

West Tenn tacked on another run in the ninth against Vince Perkins before the Stars strung together four straight two-out hits, including run-producing singles by Guilder Rodriguez and Escobar, in the bottom of the inning to close the gap to 9-7. Sollmann came to the plate with two on, two out and a home run shy of hitting for the cycle but flied out to left field to end the game. Michael Hrynio picked up the win with 2 2/3 innings of shutout relief and was the only one of the six pitchers in the game who did not give up a run. The Stars stranded 14 runners, including at least one in seven innings and at least two in five different frames.

 

The series wraps up Wednesday night with left-hander Sam Narron taking the hill for Huntsville against West Tenn right-hander Joe Woerman. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Box score and game log indicate 9-6, but are incorrect -- Stars left two on base to end it, not the bases loaded; nine innings, nearly four hours -- yikes; Adam Heether remains a superb defensive third baseman, but he does have 19 errors, and a costly one here; 18 hits, six walks, and you lose? Sigh...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_wtdaax_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_28_wtdaax_hunaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.al.com/stars/huntsvilletimes/index.ssf?/base/sports/1188379678109080.xml&coll=1

 

Stars' lead shrinks

Huntsville up by only 1 game after loss to West Tenn

By BRAD SHEPARD

For The Huntsville Times

 

With the bullpen blowing up, they probably didn't deserve it. But the Stars had two chances in the final two innings to win a wild one Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

Lou Palmisano grounded sharply to second with the bases loaded down three runs in the eighth, and Steve Sollmann flew out to left down by two with two runners on in the ninth as the Stars fell to West Tenn 9-7. A crowd of 1,392 saw an entertaining game but left empty-handed.

So did the Stars, who dropped their ninth in 11 games. With Tennessee's win over Chattanooga, Huntsville's lead shrank to a single game in the Southern League North.

 

Palmisano and Sollmann trotted back to the dugout frustrated. This loss, however, belonged to the entire team. A 3-1 early lead disappeared along with the home run balls starter Steve Hammond allowed.

 

Then, when the Diamond Jaxx built a 6-3 lead, the bullpen couldn't hold them there as the cushion swelled before and then after the Stars' eighth-inning rally. The game was drenched with dazzling defense on both sides, but one Stars mistake proved costly.

 

After Hammond blew the lead in the fifth, Matt Tuiasosopo ripped a two-out grounder down the third-base line that Adam Heether backhanded nicely. He had to rush the throw, though, and his one-hopper sailed wide of Stars first baseman Steve Sollmann's glove. Luis Valbuena scored from second to give the Diamond Jaxx the lead. Then, Jeff Frazier ripped a two-run single to break open the game.

 

Heether's miscue was especially unfair because he made two other beautiful defensive plays to go along with shortstop Alcides Escobar's charging backhand of a short-hop and throw to first for another highlight-reel play.

 

Huntsville squandered solid scoring opportunities in the fifth and again in the seventh.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/SPORTS0401/708290427/1328/SPORTS

 

With playoffs set, Sounds continue to relax, have fun

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Relaxed and at ease, the Sounds gave Omaha anything but an easy time Tuesday night.

 

The Sounds, who last Sunday clinched the Pacific Coast League American North title and a playoff spot, beat the Royals 7-3 in front of a Greer Stadium crowd of 2,641.

 

Carlos Villanueva and Tim Dillard allowed just three hits while striking out eight in the Sounds' fourth consecutive win.

 

It also was the Sounds' sixth straight win over Omaha. The Sounds opened the season 0-5 against the Royals and now won have eight of the past nine against them.

 

"It is a different mind-set out there now,'' said Dillard, who improved to 7-4 after pitching 4 2/3 shutout innings. "You're going to go out there and have a little more fun. There's not much pressure because what we strived for all season, the playoffs, luckily we reached our goal early."

 

Dillard said he simply followed the lead Villanueva set up for him. By the time Dillard entered the game, the Sounds already had taken a 5-2 lead. Villanueva struck out five batters and Dillard struck out three.

 

"I was just trying to keep up with Villanueva,'' Dillard said. "That guy's amazing. If I minimized the hits and minimized the runs our guys were swinging it. That's all I had to do."

 

Villanueva's only glitch was a two-run homer by Justin Huber, which gave the Royals a 2-0 lead in the second inning.

 

Nashville answered in the bottom of the inning with five runs, including back-to-back two-run hits by Callix Crabbe (double) and Vinny Rottino (single).

 

Laynce Nix added an RBI double in the fifth and scored another run for the Sounds in the eighth to give them a 7-3 lead. Nix was 4-for-4.

 

"I would say maybe there is a different mind-set, the players would have to answer that,'' Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said.

 

"We come ready to play and play - it's the same game. Because it's going to be the same game when we start the playoffs as it was that we played tonight. It's just against a different team."

 

The series continues today in the Sounds' final regular-season day game. It starts at noon.

 

***

 

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070829/SPORTS0401/708290428/1328/SPORTS

 

Former Vols pitcher Hochevar will face Sounds today

By MIKE ORGAN

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Former Tennessee pitcher Luke Hochevar will be on the mound today for the Omaha Royals against the Sounds.

 

The 6-foot-5 right-hander, who is 1-3, has lost his last two starts, including a 6-0 decision Friday to Round Rock.

 

Hochevar's only win came July 26, a 4-2 victory over Salt Lake when he struck out four and allowed eight hits.

 

He was 3-6 in Double-A Wichita before moving up to Triple-A Omaha on July 15.

 

During his final season at UT in 2005, Hochevar won the Roger Clemens Award as the national college pitcher of the year and was the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year and an All-American.

 

Chavez extends streak: The Sounds' Ozzie Chavez extended his longest hitting streak of the year with an RBI single in the second inning of Tuesday's 7-3 win over Omaha. It was Chavez's eighth consecutive game with a hit and gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead. Chavez had another single as the leadoff batter in the fourth.

 

Throwing heat: The Sounds pitching staff leads the Pacific Coast League with 1,098 strikeouts. Carlos Villanueva and Tim Dillard combined for eight strikeouts Tuesday.

 

Nashville's pitchers are on pace for 1,146 strikeouts, which would eclipse the single-season franchise record of 1,117 set in 2005.

 

Sounds pitchers have surrendered only 113 home runs, the fewest allowed in the PCL.

 

Omaha's Justin Huber hit a homer off Villanueva on Tuesday.

 

Dry spell: After Huber's home run, which came with one out in the second inning, the Royals did not get another hit until the fifth inning when Huber led off with single to center field.

 

Ben's back: Former Sounds pitcher Ben Hendrickson entered the game in the sixth inning for Omaha. Hendrickson finished the game and allowed one run on two hits.

 

See you in the playoffs: Thursday's 7 p.m. game against Omaha will be the Sounds' final regular-season game at Greer Stadium. They leave Friday for a four-game series at Memphis and then begin the playoffs on the road Wednesday.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Billings (Reds) 10, Helena 3

MiLB.com:

 

Mustangs coast by Brewers

Kyle Maunus homered to spark a five-run eighth inning as Billings defeated visiting Helena, 10-3, on Tuesday.

Maunus clubbed a solo homer, his fifth, and Brandon Menchaca ripped a two-run triple before scoring on a wild pitch by Brewers reliever Curtis Pasma to cap the outburst.

Angel Cabrera went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs scored and Francis Meade doubled, tripled and scored twice for the Mustangs (14-14).

Billings reliever Jeremy Horst (3-2) gave up two hits and a walk while striking out three in three scoreless innings and Raymond Jeffords fanned four and pitched around a pair of walks in two frames for his first save.

Curt Rindal went 3-for-3 with a homer and two RBIs for Helena (14-14).

Brewers starter Roque Mercedes (7-4) surrendered five runs -- three earned -- on five hits and three walks while fanning three over four frames. He has lost back-to-back starts after winning seven of his previous eight decisions. -- Shane Figueroa/MLB.com

 

Helena Box Score:

Curt Rindal's numbers are fantastic, but he has to know we must temper enthusiasm because he'll be 24 years old next month...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_helrok_bilrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_28_helrok_bilrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Royals 3, Arizona Brewers 0

 

Arizona Box Score:

Three of the young Latin pitchers end their individual seasons combining on a four-hitter, but the offense doesn't support them; the A-Crew has been shut out five times since July 18th...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_28_brrrok_royrok_1

 

Arizona Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_28_brrrok_royrok_1

[colbyjack]

anybody else think Matt LaPorta will never see Brevard County next year?

 

I've been thinking the same thing too recently Jim. I'm sure someone will pop in and say he better based on his age and the fact that the Brewers drafted him 7th overall, blah blah blah, but it's hard not to be impressed with his season so far. I think how he does in the AFL against more advanced pitchers will have a determining factor on where he's placed to open 2008.

 

And yes, I'm cranky too http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.