Link Report for Sat. 9/8 -- Five Playoff Game Extravaganza, Can You Handle It?

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Saturday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at home vs. New Orleans (Mets) in Game Four of a Best-of-Five series, 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime; Zephyrs lead the series, 2-1, it's do or die again

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller at Tennessee (Cubs), 3:50 PM pre-game; 4:05 gametime; Game Three of a Best-of-Five, series tied 1-1; why are they playing an afternoon game coming off travel last night?

 

Audio link:

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: It's Game One of the Best-of-Five Florida State League Championship Series, with TBD on the mound at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime; the audio link isn't set up yet on MiLB.com, but I can't imagine it won't be available, especially for these home games -- hopefully someone from the Manatees will post in this thread with an update on the audio situation for the series and with the name of tonight's starting pitcher...

 

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

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

 

West Virginia: RHP Donovan Hand at home vs. Hickory (Pirates), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime; deciding Game Three, must have

 

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

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

 

Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime; Game One of a Best-of-Three Series

 

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

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

Arizona: Season complete

[Mass Haas]

This is certainly the first time since Brewerfan's 2001 inception that five, count 'em, five, postseason games fall on the same day.

[Mass Haas]

Follow Saturday'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_09_08_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_hunaax_tenaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_clrafa_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_hicafx_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_helrok_grfrok_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]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/SPORTS/709080325

 

Sox open playoffs with road-tested Brewers

By SCOTT MANSCH

Great Falls Tribune Asst. Sports Editor

The Great Falls White Sox have been virtually unbeatable at Centene Stadium - except when the Helena Brewers provide the opposition.

The Sox hope to turn around that trend here tonight at 7:00 PM (8:00 Central) in the most important game of the Pioneer League season, the opener of a best-of-three series for the Northern Division title. The winner advances to another best-of-three series against the Southern Division champion for the Pioneer pennant.

"We've only accomplished our first goal," said Great Falls manager Chris Cron, whose club won the Northern Division's second-half title to qualify for the postseason. "Our mission statement is to finish it off."

The Sox, a league-best 29-9 at home this season, won only four of nine games at Centene against the Brewers of manager Jeff Isom. Helena won the first-half title in the Northern Division, thus earning homefield advantage in the first round of the playoffs. The Brewers could have selected to play the first game at home in the postseason, but instead opted to play Game 2 and, if necessary, Game 3 at Kindrick Legion Field in Helena.

"It's almost like we've played better on the road, not just in Great Falls," said Isom, in his first season with the Milwaukee organization. "Our guys for one reason or another have felt pretty comfortable away from home."

The Brewers were 26-12 on the road this year, including the 5-4 mark in Great Falls. The Brewers, who played a home game Friday night in Helena, will make the short 90-mile trip to the Electric City this afternoon. The White Sox, on the other hand, arrived home in the wee hours this morning after playing a twinbill Friday night in Billings.

"That's definitely not going to hurt us," said Isom of his team's apparent advantage because of the long bus trip for the Sox. "But in this this league you get used to the travel pretty quickly."

Great Falls has been the best-hitting team in the Pioneer all year, while Helena is second. Both teams are also near the top in team pitching and defensive statistics.

Cron plans to send left-hander Aaron Poreda and his 99 mph fastball to the mound tonight against Helena righthander Roque Mercedes. The 6-foot-8 Poreda, a first-round pick in the 2007 amateur draft out of the University of San Francisco, is 4-0 with a 1.17 earned-run average.

"I'll take my chances with that guy," said Cron, who plans to pitch righty Juan Moreno in Game 2 of the series. Moreno (6-4, 2.39 ERA) was named the Pitcher of the Year in the Pioneer.

Said Isom: "I've seen Poreda a couple of times and he's really impressed me. I'm sure he'll be in the big leagues one day."

Isom said the 20-year-old Mercedes (7-4, 3.75) is an experienced, reliable starter.

"He won't $%#% you away with the fastball," Isom said. "He's more of a guy who locates pitches well."

Cron, a former second-round draft pick of the Braves who was named this year's Pioneer Manager of the Year, has been a minor-league skipper since 1995. He's taken several teams to the playoffs but has never won a championship.

Cron said this year's Great Falls club is special - but not because it's filled with bonus babies.

"We've got some really really good baseball players, not quote-unquote superstars, but kids who know how to play baseball," Cron said. "We've got some potential big-leaguers, there's no doubt about it, but we have a whole lot more who will play pro baseball for a long time. More than normal teams (in the minors), because they're the kind of guys who make teams better."

Outfielder Salvador Sanchez (.347, 10 triples, 7 homers, 51 RBI) and Moreno were the only Great Falls players named to the league all-star team. Several others could have been, including third baseman C.J. Retherford (.389, 29 doubles, 12 homers, 44 RBI), outfielder Jimmy Gallagher (.332, 9 homers) and versatile slugger Christian Marrero (.306, 12 homers, 62 RBIs).

"One of the best players on the team (Retherford, a former Arizona State Sun Devil) wasn't even drafted," Cron said. "We've got some free agents who really took the opportunity and ran with it."

For the first time in 18 years, the Sox won at least 50 games.

"Hunger is a good word for this team," Cron said. "And giving up is not something that's in their repertoire. They're very good at picking each other up."

Helena's hitting attack is led by outfielder Caleb Gindl, a just-turned 19-year-old who won the Pioneer batting title (.372) after Milwaukee drafted him in the fifth round out of Milton, Fla. Gindl has 22 doubles, three triples and five homers.

"He's quite impressive for a young kid," Isom said. "The main thing with him is his plate discipline. He sees a lot of pitches and gets himself in a lot of hitting counts."

Infielders Steffan Wilson (.328, 12 homers) and 2007 third-round pitck Eric Farris (.371 in August) are also key players for the Brewers.

"Both teams can swing the bats," said Isom. "I'd say it will come down to pitching and defense."

NOTES: David Wilder, senior director of player personnel for the Chicago White Sox and former member of the Milwaukee Brewer front office, will be in attendance tonight. Chisox farm director Alan Regier is expected to travel to Great Falls for the Pioneer championship series, should the White Sox qualify....Orem and Idaho Falls will meet in the Southern Division playoffs. Orem has won one Pioneer championship, in 2005. Idaho Falls has captured four Pioneer pennants, the last in 2000...Great Falls has won seven Pioneer League championships, the last in 2002, and has been in the league playoffs six times since 1997. Helena has won three Pioneer pennants, the last in 1996, and has made the playoffs five times in the last 11 seasons...Helena is without outfielder Mike Goetz, who played in 46 games and batted .318 with 27 RBIs for the Brewers before being promoted to Double-A...Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's first-round draft pick in the 2007 draft, hit two homers in seven games for Helena before being promoted more than a month ago...C.J. Retherford was named MVP of the Great Falls White Sox despite missing the first 16 games of the Pioneer season because of several reasons, including the fact his Arizona State team was in the College World Series. Retherford tied the all-time Pioneer record with 29 doubles....Great Falls won the overall series with Helena 9-6, but the Brewers went 4-2 against the Sox in July en route to winning the first-half title in the Northern Division.

 

***

 

Also, MiLB.com's Detailed Series Preview linked here

[MrBoozer]

Jim,

 

The audio link is now available on both milb.com and manateesbaseball.com

 

I was told by Fred Dabney, following the game three clincher against the Mets that tonights starter will be Rafael Llubares

 

Thanks for all that you are doing.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

http://www.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070908/SPORTS/709080341/1002/SPORTS

 

Manatees: New ballgame

Brevard County hosts Clearwater in tonight's opener

BY MARK DeCOTIS

FLORIDA TODAY

VIERA --After 136 regular-season games dating back to April, and three division playoff games, the Brevard County Manatees open the Class A Florida State League championship series at home tonight against the Clearwater Threshers at 7:00 PM (6:00 Central).

The series continues Sunday evening at Space Coast Stadium before shifting to Clearwater for the final three games of the best-of-five matchup.

The Threshers defeated the Sarasota Reds 4-3 Friday in the third and deciding game.

The opponent didn't really matter for Manatees manager John Tamargo.

"We've seen them already eight times," he said of Clearwater and Sarasota following the Manatees' division-clinching 13-2 victory over the St.

Lucie Mets on Thursday night in the rubber game of their three-game series to decide the Eastern Division champ.

"Any time you get in a series like that, you've got to get off quick. We've got two home games. We've got to win at least one, hopefully two, before we go on the road. That's just what we've got to do. It doesn't matter what team we are playing. It's a whole different ballgame once you get in the playoffs."

Lefty Rafael Lluberes (6-10 regular-season record, 4.02 ERA in 28 games) starts tonight for the Manatees with lefty David Welch (6-7, 3.43 in 29 games) likely to get the nod for Game 2.

Offensively, the Manatees, an affiliate of the National League's Milwaukee Brewers, banged out 24 hits and scored 20 runs in their two series victories against the Mets. The awakening followed an 8-0 whitewashing in the series opener at St. Lucie, where the Manatees were held to just four hits and a 6-1 deficit after 5 1/2 innings in Game 2.

Since then, the Manatees have scored 19 runs in 12 innings. They will look to first baseman Chris Errecart (home run, triple, double and five RBIs in the final two games), third baseman Mat Gamel (three RBIs in two games, including Wednesday's game-winner) and second baseman Mike Bell and shortstop Yohannis Perez (three RBIs apiece) to keep things going.

The division championship wasn't the first for Tamargo, who skippered three other teams to first-place finishes: Columbia in the South Atlantic League in 1983, Binghamton in the Eastern League in 1994 and New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League in 1998. But it was special nonetheless.

"This is good because we've done it with this club the whole year," he said. "We didn't get anybody in here for the playoffs or anything like that, and we've had the same crew here offensively for most of the year and it's a good feeling to see these guys respond."

Speaking of responding, Manatees general manager Buck Rogers and his staff are beating the bushes to draw fans for the team's final two home games of the season. He also vowed to open the stadium gates no matter the time of day if the Manatees return from the west coast with the championship trophy.

But first things first, and that is winning the series. Rogers needed to look no further than the opposing dugout for a lesson in perhaps looking too far ahead.

With St. Lucie leading the series 1-0 and up by a 6-1 count in Wednesday's game, Rogers was in the Mets' clubhouse and came across an interesting sight.

"They were getting the champagne out and trying to roll it down into the dugout and I said, 'Guys, don't put that stuff out too quick, we're a fourth-quarter team. So I wouldn't get that champagne out too quick.' They just smiled at me."

However, Rogers was prescient, and his team enjoyed its title-winning celebration Thursday courtesy of the Mets.

"I said, 'You know what, I'll buy that stuff from you (Thursday) night, keep it around here,' " he said. "And they were stunned when we came back and won (on Wednesday).

"And they knew coming in, I talked to their staff (Thursday) morning, they said 'Buck, we've got these 50 (championship) T-shirts printed up, they're generic . . . and the champagne, the total bill is about $700, will you buy it if you beat us (Thursday)? I said absolutely."

So the Manatees went on to celebrate with six bottles of champagne and 60 bottles of sparkling water, and proudly wore the generic orange-and-blue St. Lucie-colored championship T-shirts.

"They did all the dirty work and we just took it from them," Rogers said.

That could be said of the series as a whole. Now one more remains before the Manatees can claim their second league championship.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com's FSL Championship Series Preview

Their apologies for naming Patrick Ryan as "Ryan Patrick"....

[jjfanec]

Matt LaPorta is a machine right now. Another home run. His post season average is .600!

[Mass Haas]

Final: Tennessee (Cubs) 11, Huntsville 6

Stars trail Best-of-Five, 2-1, next two games in Huntsville are must-wins...

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Bo Hall, Jeff Housman, and Vince Perkins all absolutely implode in relief to ruin a decent offensive effort and Derek Miller's start; details from Stars' site soon...

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_hunaax_tenaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_09_08_hunaax_tenaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1357

 

Smokies Slug Their Way to Series Lead

 

Casey McGehee and Issmael Salas belted two-run home runs in the seventh inning to help overturn an early four-run deficit and power Tennessee to an 11-6 comeback win over Huntsville Saturday at Smokies Park. The Smokies pounded out 16 hits one night after not collecting any and grabbed a 2-1 series lead in the best of five North Division playoffs. The scene shifts back to Huntsville for what is now an elimination game for the Stars on Sunday.

 

Bo Hall walked Jemel Spearman to lead off the seventh and was replaced by left-hander Jeff Housman, who got the lefty-swinging Eric Patterson to bunt into a force play at second base for the first out. McGehee then lined the first pitch he saw over the wall in left-center field for a home run to give the home team its' first lead of the day at 6-5. Kyle Reynolds then doubled into left field and scored when Salas launched a long home run to left field to push the lead to 8-5. Housman had not allowed a home run since July 30 and the Smokies' show of strength marked the seventh time this season the Stars gave up two long balls in an inning.

 

The Stars scored in the eighth inning on a ground ball out by Guilder Rodriguez to slice the lead to 8-6 but any suspense was removed in the bottom half of the inning when Eric Patterson blasted a three-run home run off Vince Perkins to account for the final margin. The Smokies also hit four home runs in a game against Huntsville at Joe Davis Stadium on July 5 in an 8-0 win. McGehee finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle, while Salas wound up a double shy of doing the same.

 

Alcides Escobar hammered a 1-0 offering from Smokies' starter Jeff Samardzija down the left field line for a home run in the first inning that staked the visitors to an early lead. An Escobar sacrifice fly and run-scoring extra base hits by Hernan Iribarren and Adam Heether in the third inning pushed the visitors lead to 4-0.

 

Derek Miller gave up a two-out single to Tyler Colvin in the third that trimmed the lead to 4-1 and a sacrifice fly by Patterson in the fifth cut the Huntsville lead to 5-2. Miller was taken out after five frames and 80 pitches having allowed two runs on seven hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter in his first post-season start. The Stars' bullpen, which had allowed one run over eight innings in the first two games, was torched for nine runs on nine hits over three frames behind Miller. The Smokies closed the gap to 5-4 in the sixth on a two-run home run off of Hall by Gary Cates, who had narrowly missed hitting a home run in his prior at-bat.

 

The series continues on Sunday evening with left-hander Lindsay Gulin taking the hill for the Stars against Smokies' southpaw Donnie Veal. Coverage begins at 5:50 pm central time locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia better hold on, or this could be one disastrous evening...

[Mass Haas]

The Sounds season is over, no contest tonight.

 

Another reason that if you live in a minor league town, you absolutely want to be in a AA league. More "kids", true prospects in their key year, and the major league club doesn't ravage your team as the playoffs begin.

 

That's written purely from a minor league fan's general perspective. The Brewers did exactly what they needed to with Nashville's roster, and Sounds fans should realize that.

[Mass Haas]

Congratulations, Power!

 

You'll be playing for the South Atlantic League Championship starting Monday in Charleston!

 

Details soon...

[Mass Haas]

Manatees drop Game One, again details soon...lefty Tony Drinkard's in Brevard, mopping up in a loss? That transaction snuck by...

 

Helena up early, 2-0, against a terrific starter and Great Falls squad...

[colbyjack]

I don't know, the Brewers ravaged the Sounds roster pretty well last year, and they still managed to win the PCL. I'd hate to simply write off the Sounds demise in the playoffs because the Brewers did their best to take away their best players.

 

Adam Pettyjohn, who has been pretty dang good down the stretch, didn't put his team in the greatest position to win in game 2, and while Dickey pitched well enough to win in game one, DeFelice didn't in game 3 despite seeing his team win. In addition, Crabbe, Gwynn and Anderson, mainstays for the Sounds for much of the season, did a pretty poor job getting on base for guys like Nelson, Abad and Nix.

 

I don't mean to sound like I'm down on the Sounds, but in reality, they just didn't play that well, and again, they can't be blaming that on the players they didn't have.

 

They still had a great season, and I still wish they would find a way to get a new stadium built. Vanderbilt's stadium is 100x better than the Sounds'.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Catcher J.R. Hopf:

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%209-8.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Looks like the affiliate site game summaries are a bit delayed this evening, if I could ask one of my "co-workers" to assist later tonight, otherwise see you in the AM.

 

Good luck to Helena the rest of the way tonight, and Nashville, thanks for a super season.

[Minigoon]

Final: New Orleans (Mets) 6, Nashville 0. New Orleans wins the series 3-1.

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Zach Jackson photo, text follows --

 

http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2553

 

Sounds Season Ends With 6-0 Loss To Zephyrs

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds' 2007 season came to a close with a 6-0 loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium in Game Four of the PCL American Conference Finals.

 

The victory gave the Zephyrs a 3-1 series win and a berth in the PCL Championship Series, where they will face the winner of the Pacific Conference Finals between Salt Lake and Sacramento; the Bees led 2-1 entering late action on Saturday night.

 

Zephyrs starter Kevin Mulvey (1-0) turned in an outstanding outing in his second career Class AAA start, earning the win after holding the Sounds to four hits over seven scoreless innings while accumulating eight strikeouts.

 

The 22-year-old right-hander was the victor in a clinching game for New Orleans for his second straight outing. He worked six scoreless frames in his Triple-A debut on Sunday at Round Rock as the Z's wrapped up the PCL American Conference Southern Division title.

 

Seven of the Zephyrs' 13 hits on the evening went for extra bases, including six doubles. Every New Orleans batter recorded at least one hit in the contest except former Sound Chad Hermansen (0-for-3).

 

New Orleans took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a pair of two-out runs against Nashville left-hander Zach Jackson. Jesus Feliciano led off with a single and moved to second on a passed by charged to catcher J.R. Hopf before scoring the game's first run on a Fernando Tatis RBI single to left. Tatis scored later in the frame in unearned fashion following a fielding error by left fielder Drew Anderson and an RBI knock by Ramon Castro, who joined the Zephyrs on a rehab assignment prior to the game.

 

The Z's extended the advantage to 3-0 in the fourth with another two-out tally against Jackson. Chip Ambres led off with a double to the wall in left-center and scored three batters later on a Feliciano opposite-field two-bagger just inside the bag at third base.

 

The visitors pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fifth with yet another two-out run. After the first two batters were retired, Castro drew a walk and Andy Tracy singled to chase Jackson from the contest. Matt Ginter took over on the hill and was greeted by an RBI double off the bat of Ambres.

 

Feliciano (3-for-4) continued his big night in the eighth when he put the contest on ice with a two-run homer to right off Sounds reliever Tim Dillard.

 

Jackson (0-1) took the loss after he allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings of work. He walked one batter and struck out six. It was the southpaw's fourth loss in five starts against New Orleans this season.

 

Baseball returns to Greer Stadium in April 2008 when the Sounds open their 31st season of competition. Season tickets are available now by calling 615-242-4371 or visiting the Greer Stadium box office.

Nashville Box Score:

The Sounds managed only 4 singles and no walks. Crabbe, Barnwell, Nix, and Hopf with the hits tonight.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Log:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_09_08_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

[wvpowerblkwel]

Power pound out the hits, play MUCH better defense and get good pitching from all involved! See related celebration below!

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/02115f9474e8ccebc1ce03ad9b71e4f8cc22b3c.jpg

[wvpowerblkwel]

LaPorta under the weather tonite, but still manages to hit big and get another big fly! Additional related celebration below!

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/dec3546a9efd798ce1b4ce5eee37a1ac9b9269a.jpg

[colbyjack]

Final: Clearwater 8, Brevard County 1

 

MiLB Game Wrap:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_wra&gid=2007_09_08_clrafa_breafa_1

 

Johnson, Threshers take Game 1

 

Nate Johnson fired six strong innings as visiting Clearwater rolled to an 8-1 victory over Brevard County on Saturday in Game 1 of the Florida State League Finals.

 

Johnson allowed a run on six hits and two walks with four strikeouts as the Threshers took the opener of the best-of-5 series. The 25-year-old right-hander, who made only five starts during the regular season, led Clearwater to its third straight playoff win following a series-opening 2-0 loss to Sarasota in the opening round.

 

"To win those two in a row was a big momentum-builder for us," said Johnson, who began the season with Double-A Reading. "I just wanted to give my team a chance to win tonight and keep that momentum on our side.

 

"It was a great atmosphere tonight. The crowd was really into it. I just wanted to go at them with fastballs, and the defense played great behind me."

 

Cory Willey walked one and struck out five in two scoreless innings before Brett Harker allowed a hit and fanned one in the ninth as Clearwater moved within two wins of its first FSL title since 1993.

 

Jake Blalock went 3-for-5 and snapped a scoreless tie in the fifth with a three-run homer, his first of the playoffs. P.J. Antoniato and Brad Harman added RBI singles later in the frame as the Threshers opened a 5-0 lead. Harman added a two-run blast, his first, in the ninth.

 

Brian Burgamy, who delivered a go-ahead RBI single in the deciding game against Sarasota, went 3-for-4 with a run-scoring single in the seventh. Clay Harris had two hits and scored twice for Clearwater, which took five of eight regular-season meetings with the Manatees.

 

"We're just taking it one game at a time," said Johnson. "[Game 2 starter Andrew] Cruse will give us a good chance tomorrow and hopefully the offense will come through again and we can get a win."

 

Manatees starter Rafael Lluberes (0-1) gave up four runs on eight hits and four walks while striking out three over 4 1/3 frames.

 

Mat Gamel belted a solo homer, his first, in the fifth for Brevard County.

 

Brevard County Box Score:

Gamel represents the offense this evening as the pitching staff looks rather ugly.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_clrafa_breafa_1

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_09_08_clrafa_breafa_1

[colbyjack]

Final: Hickory 4, West Virginia 9

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER WILL PLAY FOR SALLY LEAGUE TITLE

 

The West Virginia Power used a four run third inning to defeat the Hickory Crawdads 9-4 on Saturday night at Appalachian Power Park to secure their first appearance in the South Atlantic League Championship in 15 years.

 

Matt LaPorta put West Virginia on the board with a solo homerun in the bottom of the first inning. Hickory plated a pair of runs in the third to take their only lead of the game on back-to-back RBI singles from Bobby Kingsbury and Jonel Pacheco. West Virginia regained the lead with a four run third inning and never looked back. Chuckie Caufield singled in Martin Maldonado before LaPorta doubled into left field to score Brent Brewer. The two-bagger knocked Jared Hughes out of the game before Taylor Green ripped a two-run double off Tony Watson.

 

Hickory scored twice on doubles from Jared Keel and Eddie Prasch in the sixth inning to pull within a run. Caufield's second of three hits on the night was perhaps his biggest as he smashed a two-out double off the left field wall to score Brewer in the bottom of the sixth. Maldonado reached on a fielder's choice in the seventh and scored John Alonso. Alonso singled in a run in the eighth inning and Kenny Holmberg scored the final run of the game on Steve Chapman's groundout.

 

Donovan Hand (1-0) gave up four runs on ten hits over six innings to get the victory while Jared Hughes was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits through two and a third. Bobby Bramhall, Patrick Lawler and D.J. Lidyard combined to toss three scoreless innings of relief.

 

Caufield's three hits paced the Power. He was one of four Power players with a multi-hit game. Caufield, LaPorta and Green all drove in two-runs a piece. The last time they were in the South Atlantic League Championship, they were called the Charleston Wheelers, an affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds back in 1992. The franchise hasn't wont the South Atlantic League Championship since 1990.

 

The Power will begin the best of five South Atlantic League Championship Series against the Columbus Catfish on Monday night at Appalachian Power Park. Right hander Alex Periard (7-7, 3.55) will start for the Power. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

 

West Virginia Box Score:

The Power knock around a couple of notable college pitchers from the past two draft, RHP sinkerballer Jared Hughes and LHP changeup specialist Tony Watson. It's a good thing they did, as Donovan Hand got knocked around himself. The bullpen goes 3 scoreless, while the top 5 Power batters go 10 for 22 providing most of the offense.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_hicafx_wvaafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_09_08_hicafx_wvaafx_1

[colbyjack]

Final: Helena 2, Great Falls 0

 

Helena Box Score:

White Sox prospect and first-round pick Aaron Poreda got most of the pub before this game, and kudos to the H-Crew for making the most of a few early opportunities and pushing a couple of runs to give their pitching staff a chance to prove to be the better arms on display. Roque Mercedes and Nick Tyson collectively pitch an incredible ballgame while keeping the rest of the staff fresh.

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_08_helrok_grfrok_1

 

Helena Game Log:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_09_08_helrok_grfrok_1