Link Report for Games of Thursday, May 3rd

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Thursday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Tim Dillard at Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: LHP Manny Parra at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: LHP Rafael Lluberes at home vs. Palm Beach (Cardinals), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime

 

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

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

 

West Virginia: Birthday Boy (19) LHP Luis Ramirez at Hagerstown (Nationals), 5:25 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime

 

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

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Thursday'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:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hagafx_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]

Because Iowa now video streams all their home games, the Sounds' doubleheader is available to MiLB.TV subscribers or on a one-time basis for a small fee today - (these games will also archive):

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../video.jsp

[Mass Haas]

Standings as of "post time", 4:00 PM Central -- there were several day games in each league today that are reflected in this late-afternoon snapshot of the standings:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 15 12 .556 - 7-4 8-8 W1 Memphis 15 13 .536 0.5 12-4 3-9 L2 Omaha 13 15 .464 2.5 11-5 2-10 W2 Iowa 12 15 .444 3.0 8-4 4-11 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 12 12 .500 - 5-6 7-6 W3 Tennessee 12 12 .500 - 5-8 7-4 W1 West Tenn 12 15 .444 1.5 6-6 6-9 W3 Carolina 11 15 .423 2.0 6-5 5-10 W2 Chattanooga 11 15 .423 2.0 7-8 4-7 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 15 10 .600 - 7-6 8-4 W2 Brevard County 15 11 .577 0.5 7-5 8-6 L2 Daytona 13 13 .500 2.5 7-5 6-8 L2 St. Lucie 12 14 .462 3.5 5-9 7-5 W1 Vero Beach 11 14 .440 4.0 8-6 3-8 W2 Jupiter 11 15 .423 4.5 4-8 7-7 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 18 5 .783 - 11-3 7-2 L1 Greensboro 15 11 .577 4.5 11-4 4-7 L1 Lake County 14 12 .538 5.5 9-4 5-8 L1 Lakewood 11 12 .478 7.0 5-7 6-5 L1 Lexington 12 14 .462 7.5 7-8 5-6 W1 Hickory 11 14 .440 8.0 4-3 7-11 W1 Hagerstown 10 16 .385 9.5 6-7 4-9 W1 Delmarva 9 16 .360 10.0 4-7 5-9 W1

[DHonks]

I'm amazed at just how many talented lefties the organization currently has. I remember when it seemed the only ones were Parra, Eveland, and Housman.

[TheCrew07]

I used to watch the boxes for about 1 player per level. That's not the case anymore, I'm probably following about 20.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Site Update:

Link, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2296

 

Road Trip Finale Rained Out In Iowa

 

DES MOINES ? Thursday evening?s scheduled series finale between the Nashville Sounds and Iowa Cubs at Principal Park has been rained out.

 

A makeup date for the game has not been announced.

 

The Sounds return home to Music City on Friday to begin a brief four-game homestand against the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) in a rematch of last season?s American Conference Finals playoff series (won by Round Rock, three games to two). The series will be the first of four played between the clubs in 2007.

 

Right-hander Tim Dillard (0-2, 3.68) makes his sixth start of the year for the Sounds in Friday?s 7:00 p.m. series opener in search of his first career Triple-A victory. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Juan Gutierrez (1-2, 3.18).

[Boy Jeenius]

3 scoreless for Roque Mercedes. A flicker of promise?

[pogokat]

Final: West Virginia 10, Hagerstown 5

 

This team is unreal

 

West Virginia Box Score:

 

Steve Chapman on base 4 times...Mike Brantley with his 7th stolen base and 3rd caught stealing.

 

As mentioned, Roque Mercedes with about the best performance of his life..

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb..._hagafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb..._hagafx_1

[pogokat]

Final: Palm Beach (Cards) 5, Brevard County 1

 

Brevard Box Score:

 

Lorenzo Cain with three hits, including his first triple of the year...David Welch allows 2 inheritted runners to score...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb..._breafa_1

 

Brevard Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb..._breafa_1

[brosto1]

I waived Cain this week from my roto team, so he should really heat up.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 5, Chattanooga (Reds) 2

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1138

 

Stars Take Over Top Spot in Division

 

Manny Parra tossed six solid innings and Huntsville scored three times with two outs in the sixth inning to come from behind to down Chattanooga 5-2 Thursday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars have fashioned their first four-game win streak of the season to climb to 13-12 and take over sole possession of first place in the North Division after Tennessee was blanked at Birmingham. The Stars have not been over the .500 mark since an April 18 victory over Jacksonville increased their record to 6-5.

 

Hernan Irribarren singled to lead off the sixth inning and advanced to third base with one out on an errant pickoff attempt by Jared Burton, who took over for starter James Avery at the start of the frame. Lou Palmisano grounded to third for the second out of the inning before Brendan Katin singled to center field to plate Iribarren to tie the game at two. Ulyses Davenport reached with a bad hop single to right field that advanced Katin to third and Jeff Eure followed with a single to right to push Katin across with the go-ahead run and move Davenport to third. Yohannis Perez completed the rally with a single to center field that plated Davenport to collect his second run-scoring hit in as many nights.

 

Iribarren singled with one out in the seventh, stole second base and scored on a single by Steve Moss to push the Stars? lead to 5-2 and chase Burton from the game. The right-hander was saddled with his first loss after allowing four runs on seven hits in just 1 1/3 innings. Avery allowed a run, on a Katin home run, on six hits over his five frames.

 

Chattanooga tallied twice against Parra in the third on a run-scoring hit by Drew Anderson and a run-scoring ground out by Enrique Cruz. The southpaw blanked the visitors over the next three frames on two singles to win for a third time in as many starts at home. He fanned five, walked two and lasted at least six innings for a fourth time in five starts.

 

Robert Hinton worked a scoreless inning and a third before giving way to Joe Thatcher, who retired both batters he faced to close the eighth. Marino Salas worked a scoreless ninth and earned his fifth save in as many chances after getting pinch-hitter Luis Bolivar to bounce into a game-ending double play.

 

The series continues Friday night with left-hander Adam Pettyjohn making the start against Lookouts left-hander Camilo Vazquez. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 AM WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score:

Stars toss four Power 50 pitchers in this one...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...amp;coll=1

 

Stars flash leather, top Lookouts

Hosts combine great defense with timely hitting in 5-2 win

By MARK McCARTER

Huntsville Times Sports Staff, markcolumn@aol.com

 

Third baseman Jeff Eure dove perfectly to his left and snared the bouncing ball, a spectacular play for a man more known for his versatility than his virtuosity.

 

Shortstop Yohannis Perez went Spider-Man on a diving catch of a smoking line drive. Second baseman Hernan Iribarren skidded on his knees to steal a hit. Finally, in the ninth, Mel Stocker nearly ran through the fence in left to prevent an extra base hit.

 

The Huntsville Stars mixed up a perfect formula of solid pitching, opportunistic hitting and - did we mention? - sensational defense Thursday to knock off Chattanooga 5-2, extending the Stars' win streak to a season-high four games.

 

The Stars host Chattanooga again tonight at 7:05 (with a fireworks display following the game) and on Saturday at 2:05 (Stars' cap giveaway).

 

"I said in spring training I didn't know how much we'd hit, but we should be able to catch the ball," Stars manager Don Money said. "Stocker makes a great play in the ninth to keep us out of trouble, and the infielders all had great plays."

 

It hasn't been about how much they would hit but when they did it.

 

Once again, the Stars were dangerous when backed into a corner. Three of their four runs in Wednesday's series opener and the first four runs Thursday came with two outs, including Brendan Katin's solo homer and clutch RBI single.

 

Katin's homer in the fourth was his fourth homer of the year but only the 11th for the Stars in 25 games.

 

They are tied with Birmingham for last in the league.

 

In the sixth, the Lookouts brought in Jared Burton, who is on major league rehab assignment from Cincinnati. Hernan Iribarren greeted him with a single and took third on an errant pickoff throw. Then Burton quickly got two outs.

 

Uh-oh. Wrong thing to do.

 

Katin followed with an RBI single up the middle, then Ulyses Davenport reached on a bad-hop hit. Jeff Eure and Yohannis Perez followed with run-scoring singles. A Steve Moss RBI hit in the seventh piled onto the lead.

 

Huntsville starter Manny Parra improved to 3-1 on the year, allowing only a pair of third-inning runs. Said Money, "He wasn't as sharp tonight, but after he gave up those two runs he kept battling and kept us in the game."

 

After solid work by Robert Hinton and Joe Thatcher in set-up roles, Marino Salas earned his third save in three games, by retiring the Lookouts on one hit - and surviving Ryan Hanigan's warning-track blast - in the ninth.

 

The crowd was announced at 927, perhaps impacted by the early rain that left the short-staffed grounds crew scrambling and forced a 21-minute delay. It was the seventh of 12 home dates in which attendance has been in only triple figures.

[Mass Haas]

MiLB.com Brevard County Game Notes:

 

Cardinals tame Manatees

 

Adam Ottavino and two relievers combined on a four-hitter as visiting Palm Beach defeated Brevard County, 5-1, on Thursday night.

 

Ottavino (2-3) tossed five innings, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts. Scott Vander Weg walked one in three hitess frames before Zachary Zuercher fanned one in a perfect ninth inning.

 

Mark Hamilton, who went 2-for-4, delivered a two-run single in a three-run sixth for the Cardinals (16-10).

 

Allen Craig was 1-for-1 with four walks, a stolen base and a run scored for Palm Beach, which moved 1 ½ games ahead of the Manatees (15-12) for the lead in the Florida State League East Division.

 

Brevard County starter Rafael Lluberes (2-2) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on five hits and six walks in 3 2/3 innings.

 

Lorenzo Cain tripled and had three of the Manatees' four hits. Brevard County has lost four of five following a season-high seven-game winning streak. -- Shane Figueroa/MLB.com

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER DOUBLE UP SUNS

 

The West Virginia Power offense rebounded well on Thursday night after being shutout for the first time as they used a six-run third inning to beat the Hagerstown Suns 10-5 to take their third game of the series.

 

Steve Chapman snapped a scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single in the top of the second inning. The Suns tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Brett McMillan?s sacrifice fly that scored Chris Marrero.

 

West Virginia?s offense exploded in the third inning as they sent nine batters to the plate and scored six runs on five hits. After Jimmy Mojica and Darren Ford were issued back-to-back walks to begin the inning, Brent Brewer slapped a single into left field to score Mojica. Chuckie Caufield and Andrew Lefave hit back-to-back RBI singles before Kenny Holmberg ripped a two-run double. Holmberg scored later in the inning on Chapman?s double.

 

The Suns battled back with a four-run third inning. Mike Daniel knocked in a run on a base hit and Marrero followed with a three-run homer, his third of the series. In the fourth inning Mojica scored his second run of the game on Michael Brantley?s sacrifice fly. The Power scored again in the fifth inning on Andy Bouchie?s RBI single. West Virginia scored one final time in the seventh inning when Holmberg touched home plate after a wild pitch.

 

J.T. King (3-0) pitched a scoreless fifth inning to get the win. Roque Mercedes and Omar Aguilar came in after King and combined to toss four scoreless innings out of the pen. Edulin Abreau (0-2) was tagged with the loss.

 

Andrew Lefave paced the Power three hits and scored three times. Steve Chapman and Kenny Holmberg both knocked in two runs each. Chapman went 12 for 30 on the road trip with 10 runs scored and 14 RBI. West Virginia went 6-2 on their eight game trip.

 

The Power improved to 19-5 with the win and the Suns fell to 10-17 with the loss.

 

The Power will begin a four game series with the Lexington Legends at Appalachian Power Park on Friday night. The Power will start left hander Brae Wright (1-1, 5.84) and the Legends will counter with left hander Dave Qualben (3-1, 1.90). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Charleston Gazette:

Link, text follows --

 

www.wvgazette.com/section...2007050349

 

Red-hot Power returns home

 

Holy hot streaks, Batman!

 

The West Virginia Power, winner of 17 of its last 19 games, returns home to Appalachian Power Park tonight to begin a four-game homestand against the Lexington (Ky.) Legends. Tonight is also Super Hero Night, as fans dressed like their favorite crime fighters receive free admission to the game.

 

The first-place Power (19-5) won 10-5 at Hagerstown Thursday night and is off to its best start since joining the South Atlantic League two decades ago thanks in large part to an offense that has been Kryptonite to opposing pitchers.

 

The Power is hitting a Sally-best .295 and ranks fifth in the 16-team league with 145 runs scored. Outfielder Darren Ford leads West Virginia with a .359 average and is second in the league with 15 stolen bases. Chuck Caufield leads the team with 18 RBIs, followed by Stephen Chapman with 17 and Kenny Holmberg with 16 and a team-high four home runs.

 

Wednesday?s 4-0 loss at Hagerstown was the first time the Power has been kept off the scoreboard this season. During its recent streak, the Power scored 10 or more runs six times.

 

West Virginia?s pitching has been equally impressive of late.

 

Power pitchers carried a combined 3.57 earned-run average into Thursday?s series finale at Hagerstown. Mike McClendon (2-0) and Zach Braddock (2-1) have been among the Power?s most consistent starters. McClendon has a 2.52 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 25 innings. Braddock sports a 1.14 ERA and has fanned 33 in 23 2/3 innings. No Power pitcher has won more than two games.

 

This weekend?s series marks West Virginia?s second of the season against the rival Legends. Last week, the Power took the first three games of a four-game set from Lexington before the Legends snapped West Virginia?s 14-game win streak in the final game of the series, 9-1.

 

Following the short homestand against Lexington, West Virginia heads back to Hagerstown for four games with the Suns. After this weekend, the Power is on the road for 10 of its next 12 games.

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Audio Coaches Chat with Pitching Coach Stan Kyles:

Starts off with a Lindsay Gulin discussion --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%205-3.mp3