Link Report for Games of Wednesday, May 2nd

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

With the big league Brewer matinee, we imagine the Stars and Manatees have the best chance to grab your audio attention tonight -- give Brett and Scott some airtime at your PC this evening...

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP R.A. Dickey and LHP Lindsay Gulin in a double-dip at Iowa (Cubs), 11:50 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime; each game scheduled for seven innings

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

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

 

Audio link:

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Brevard County: TBD 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: LHP Zach Braddock at Hagerstown (Nationals), 11:55 AM pre-game, 12:05 gametime

 

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

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

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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 Game One:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_1

 

Nashville Game Two:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_2

 

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]

When listening to the minor league broadcasts, we absolutely encourage you to email the booth, as each of the affiliate broadcasters encourage you to do so -- Brevard has even established an instant messaging system:

 

Fans this is your chance to get in on the game: the Manatees Radio Network has been hard at work all season trying to make the broadcast the best it can be. We want you the fan to get involved.

 

We have created a new instant messenger account on Yahoo and we invite your questions and comments during the game. It's faster than email and fun to interact. Just log onto Yahoo instant messenger. It's free and if you don't have an account it only takes a minute or two to set one up. Already have a Yahoo account? Find us on Yahoo Messenger at Manateesradio@yahoo.com. We will also take emails at this site. During games you can send us your questions and your comments and we will answer them on the air. We may even give away a few prizes as well.

 

So whether it's Chuck in Nashville, Brett in Huntsville, Scott with the 'Tees, or Andy, aka "Bull" in Charleston, keep them tuned in to what Brewerfan readers are thinking...

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Tuesday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 15 11 .577 - 12-4 3-7 W5 Nashville 14 11 .560 0.5 7-4 7-7 W1 Iowa 11 14 .440 3.5 7-3 4-11 L1 Omaha 11 15 .423 4.0 9-5 2-10 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 11 12 .478 - 4-6 7-6 W2 Tennessee 11 12 .478 - 5-8 6-4 L1 Chattanooga 11 14 .440 1.0 7-8 4-6 L1 Carolina 10 15 .400 2.0 5-5 5-10 W1 West Tenn 10 15 .400 2.0 4-6 6-9 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 15 10 .600 - 7-4 8-6 L1 Palm Beach 14 10 .583 0.5 7-6 7-4 W1 Daytona 13 12 .520 2.0 7-4 6-8 L1 Jupiter 11 14 .440 4.0 4-7 7-7 W2 St. Lucie 11 14 .440 4.0 5-9 6-5 L2 Vero Beach 10 14 .417 4.5 8-6 2-8 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 18 4 .818 - 11-3 7-1 W2 Greensboro 15 10 .600 4.5 11-4 4-6 W2 Lake County 13 11 .542 6.0 8-3 5-8 W3 Lakewood 11 11 .500 7.0 5-6 6-5 W1 Lexington 11 14 .440 8.5 7-8 4-6 L1 Hickory 10 13 .435 8.5 4-3 6-10 L2 Hagerstown 9 16 .360 10.5 5-7 4-9 L2 Delmarva 8 16 .333 11.0 3-7 5-9 L7

[Mass Haas]

According to MiLB.com, LHP Derek Miller is the Manatee starter tonight.

[brewmann04]

ho hum

Braun goes 2-4 in game one

and already 1-1 in game two

 

Braddock with the loss even decent #'s

[homer]

Braun now 3 for 3 in game #2.

[SheetsCyYoung04]

10 hits 1 walk and NO RUNS in 5 innings http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/eek.gif

[Mass Haas]

Final: Hagerstown (Nationals) 4, West Virginia 0

Someone finally slows this juggernaut down...

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

SUNS BLANK POWER

 

After scoring 28 runs on 32 hits in the first two games of their series against the Hagerstown Suns, the West Virginia Power were held to just five hits and they were shutout for the first time as they fell to the Hagerstown Suns 4-0 on Wednesday afternoon at Municipal Stadium.

 

There was no score until Justin Maxwell hit a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning to snap a scoreless tie. One inning later Chris Marrero hit a solo homer, his second of the series, to give the Suns a 3-0 lead. The Suns added one more insurance run in the seventh inning on a two-out RBI single from Erick San Pedro.

 

West Virginia left a runner stranded at third base twice and left a runner stranded at second base three times. Their only big threat came in the seventh inning when they had the bases loaded and two outs with Darren Ford at the plate. On the first pitch of the at-bat, Hagerstown catcher Erick San Pedro threw behind Taylor Green at first base and picked him off to end the inning.

 

Marco Estrada (1-2) pitched five scoreless innings of three-hit ball and struck out four to get the win. Lefty Zach Baldwin, a native of Barboursville, W.V., tossed three scoreless innings of relief for the Suns. Zach Braddock (2-1) allowed two runs through four and two thirds on four hits and struck out five but was tagged with the loss.

 

Ford and Kenny Holmberg were the only two batters to reach twice for the Power and no Power players had more than one hit. The five hits tied their season low.

 

The Power fell to 18-5 with the loss and the Suns improved to 10-16 with the win.

 

The Power will finish the four game series with Hagerstown Thursday night. The Power will start left hander Luis Ramirez (1-0, 3.38) and the Suns will counter with right hander Edulin Abreu (0-1, 5.00). The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM (5:35 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score:

So like Alex Periard, LHP Luis Ramirez gets a starting opportunity -- he'll be pitching on his 19th birthday Thursday...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hagafx_1

 

West Virginia Game Log:

That was a brutal pick-off of Green as described above...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hagafx_1

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: Iowa (Cubs) 2, Nashville 1, eight innings (scheduled for seven)

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for R.A. Dickey photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2294

 

Sounds Suffer Hard-Luck Loss In Twinbill Opener

 

DES MOINES ? The Nashville Sounds suffered a tough 2-1 loss in eight innings in the opener of a Wednesday doubleheader with the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. Both Cubs runs in the game were unearned against R.A. Dickey.

 

Both teams scored unearned runs in regulation before Iowa plated the game-winner in the bottom of the first extra frame.

 

Dickey (1-4) went the distance for Nashville and turned in a solid outing, allowing two unearned runs on six hits over 7 2/3 innings. However, the knuckleballer took a hard-luck loss, his fourth defeat in five starts this season.

 

In the Iowa eighth, Angel Pagan reached on a one-out single and Carlos Rojas followed with a routine grounder to second baseman Chris Barnwell. The normally sure-handed defender mishandled the potential double-play ball to allow both runners to remain on the basepaths. After Chris Walker singled to load the bases, Eric Patterson lifted a game-ending sacrifice fly to left on which Pagan beat Vinny Rottino?s throw to the plate.

 

The teams are currently playing the nightcap. Complete results will be posted at the conclusion of today's on-field action.

 

Nashville Game One Box Score:

One thing you can write in indelible ink for 2008 -- Vinny Rottino will be up all year with the Brewers in Tony Graffanino's spot, with more flexibility, and for about $3 million less...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_1

 

Nashville Game One Game Log:

Check out the Nashville first inning -- wasted bases loaded, no out opportunity -- setting the tone for the whole day with men on base...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_1

[monkeyman343434]

Braun up to .366 with 8 hr..... 4-4 in the second game... not bad i guess

[DHonks]

Braun might be pushing .400 before he gets called up. I've been excited about the HR and BB:K so far. Very nice.

 

Another interesting development is that Balfour has been striking out everyone. Could he become our new Chad Fox (aka, fantastic strikeout 7th inning pitcher)

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game Two: Nashville 2, Iowa (Cubs) 0

 

Nashville Site Doubleheader Summary:

Link for Ryan Braun photo, text follows --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2294

 

Braun Blast Give Sounds A Doubleheader Split

 

DES MOINES ? Ryan Braun belted his team-leading eighth home run, a two-run shot in the top of the seventh inning, to cap off a 4-for-4 contest and give the Nashville Sounds a 2-0 victory in the second game of a doubleheader against the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Principal Park.

 

With the blast, Braun also gave Nashville (15-12) a split of the doubleheader. Iowa won the afternoon's first game, 2-1 in eight innings. The 2-0 win in the nightcap was the Sounds? first shutout victory of the year.

 

Braun, who matched a career high with his four hits in the second contest, finished the afternoon a combined 6-for-8 to raise his team-leading average to .366 on the year. His eight home runs tie for the Pacific Coast League lead.

 

Chris Barnwell joined Braun with a solid afternoon at the plate, going 5-for-8 over the two contests to extend his hitting streak to a season-best four straight games. Vinny Rottino hit safely in both contests to up his season-high hit streak to five games.

 

The Sounds and Cubs played scoreless baseball for six innings in the nightcap before Nashville broke through in the top of the seventh against Iowa reliever Randy Wells. With two outs in the frame, Barnwell singled up the middle and scored a batter later on Braun?s go-ahead blast.

 

Wells responded to Braun?s longball by throwing up and in at Vinny Rottino with his very next pitch then plunked the Sounds outfielder and was immediately ejected by the game for his unprofessional action.

 

The Iowa defense did a great job of keeping Nashville off the board earlier in the contest, throwing out two runners at the plate to end innings and turning three double plays.

 

Left-hander Lindsay Gulin turned in a solid outing for Nashville in his first start of the season. The left-hander worked four scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out three, but did not factor in the decision. He was removed due to a pitch count limit after throwing 66 pitches.

 

Jose Capellan (2-1) followed Gulin with a pair of scoreless frames and was awarded the victory. Grant Balfour worked a 1-2-3 seventh to notch his first save for the Sounds.

 

Wells (1-3) took the loss for Iowa after allowing Braun?s game-winning homer.

 

The Sounds suffered a tough 2-1 loss in eight innings in the twinbill opener, Nashville?s third extra-inning contest of the year. Both Cubs runs in the game were unearned.

 

R.A. Dickey (1-4) went the distance for Nashville and turned in a solid outing, allowing two unearned runs on six hits over 7 2/3 innings. However, the knuckleballer took a hard-luck loss, his fourth defeat in five starts this season.

 

The Sounds missed a golden opportunity to take an early advantage, squandering a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the top of the first inning against Iowa starter Sean Marshall. After Callix Crabbe walked and Barnwell and Braun reached on consecutive singles, Marshall recovered to induce a foul popout from J.D. Closser then struck out Mike Rivera and Rottino in succession to escape the jam unscathed.

 

Nashville grabbed a 1-0 lead in the third when Crabbe scored an unearned run on a two-out infield single off the bat of catcher Rivera.

 

The Cubs tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth with an unearned run of their own. Koyie Hill singled to open the frame, moved to second on a Rivera passed ball, advanced to third on a Scott Moore single, and scored on an R.A. Dickey wild pitch.

 

In the Iowa eighth, Angel Pagan reached on a one-out single and Carlos Rojas followed with a routine grounder to Barnwell at second base. The normally sure-handed defender mishandled the potential double-play ball to allow both runners to remain on the basepaths. After Chris Walker singled to load the bases, Eric Patterson lifted a game-ending sacrifice fly to right on which Pagan beat Rottino?s throw to the plate.

 

Howard (2-1) picked up the victory for Iowa after allowing one hits and striking out four batters over three scoreless innings.

 

Barnwell, Braun, and Rottino each recorded two hits for the Sounds in the opener.

 

The teams wrap up the five-game series with a 7:05 p.m. finale on Thursday evening at Principal Park. Right-hander Tim Dillard (0-2, 3.68) makes his sixth start of the year for the Sounds in search of his first career Triple-A victory. Iowa will counter with southpaw Ryan O?Malley (0-2, 4.88).

 

Nashville Game Two Box Score:

Braun's OPS at 1.165 -- wow!

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_2

 

Nashville Game Two Game Log:

21 hits and three walks gets three runs in the twinbill...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_iowaaa_2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Catcher Mike Rivera:

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%205-2.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Final: Huntsville 4, Chattanooga (Reds) 3

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

Link to Stars' Home Page for Sam Narron Photo --

 

www.huntsvillestars.com/

 

Timely Hitting Helps Stars Top Lookouts

 

Sam Narron worked seven strong innings and Brendan Katin drove in a pair of runs to lead Huntsville to a 4-3 win over Chattanooga Wednesday night in the opener of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars have put together their first three-game win streak of the season to even their record at 12-12 and remain tied for first place with Tennessee, an extra innings winner at Birmingham, while the Lookouts fell to 11-15 and two games off the pace in the North Divison.

 

Narron blanked the visitors on three singles through five innings before Drew Anderson opened the sixth with a double, went to third base on a Paul Janish sacrifice bunt and scored the game?s first run on a sacrifice fly by former Stars? shortstop Enrique Cruz, who knocked in his ninth run of the season.

 

Justin Mallett shut out the home side through five innings on two hits in his first start of the season and longest outing of the year before being replaced by Tyler Pelland. The southpaw retired the first two hitters he faced before Lou Palmisano walked and scored the tying run on a Katin double. Ulyses Davenport, a .121 hitter with two runs driven in entering the game, then singled into center field to push Katin across with the lead run.

 

Narron struck out five, did not walk a batter and yielded four hits in his longest outing since 2004 and was replaced by Mark DiFelice, who allowed the tying run when Anderson doubled home Ryan Hanigan, who had doubled. Carlos Bohorquez replaced Pelland and opened the home eighth by walking Steve Moss, who advanced to third base on a single by Palmisano and scored the go-ahead run on a Katin sacrifice fly. Mel Stocker was hit by a pitch and Yohannis Perez broke an 0-for-17 slump with a single to center that plated Palmisano to make it 4-2 Huntsville.

 

Marino Salas gave up a leadoff home run to Jay Garthwaite in the ninth before retiring the next three hitters to earn his fourth save in as many opportunities.

 

The series continues Thursday night with left-hander Manny Parra making the start against Lookout?s right-hander James Avery. 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:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

 

Huntsville Game Log:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

[Mass Haas]

Final: Brevard County 6, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 5

 

MiLB.com Game Notes:

 

Craig powers Cardinals

 

Allen Craig slugged a pair of two-run homers before Ian Church's sacrifice fly in the ninth inning lifted visiting Palm Beach over Brevard County, 6-5, on Wednesday.

 

Craig helped the Cardinals (15-10) rally from a five-run deficit with a blast to right field in the fourth. He connected for his seventh homer in the fifth to tie the score at 5-5.

 

Palm Beach went ahead in the ninth when A.J. Van Slyke scampered to third base on an error by reliever Josh Wahpepah (1-4) and Isaias Garcia's sacrifice. Church's sacrifice fly to left field plated him.

 

Cardinals reliever Nick Webber (2-0) walked two and struck out one in a hitless eighth before Luke Gregerson fanned two in a 1-2-3 ninth for his second save. Starter Tyler Norrick surrendered five runs on seven hits while striking out three and walking two in seven innings.

 

Manatees starter Derek Miller allowed five runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and one walk in five innings.

 

Cole Gillespie connected on a two-run blast, his third of the season, in the opening frame for Brevard County (15-11), while Alcides Escobar chipped in two singles. -- Michael Blinn/MLB.com

 

Brevard County Box Score:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503

 

Brevard County Game Log:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

 

24-year-old reliever Ben Stanczyk got some "just missed" Power 50 respect, check out his numbers after nine outings:

 

web.minorleaguebaseball.c...pid=444457

[Mass Haas]

Please look for much more, including the media reports, David Weiser's Huntsville update, etc. back here by mid-day. Thanks! -- Jim

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

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

 

Stars lead North after latest win

By MARK McCARTER

Huntsville Times Sports Staff, markcolumn@aol.com

 

Marino Salas threw a little drama into things before again saving the day for the Huntsville Stars.

 

Salas, owning a two-run lead, yielded a leadoff homer in the ninth before retiring three in a row, giving the Stars a 4-3 win over Chattanooga Wednesday before an announced crowd of 704.

 

"He throws the ball hard," Stars pitching coach Rich Sauveur said of Salas. "And he's very aggressive. He goes out there and he knows what his job is."

 

He was the bookend to a nifty job by starter Sam Narron, who allowed only four hits and a run in seven innings.

 

After ex-Star Enrique Cruz gave the Lookouts a 1-0 lead in the sixth, Brendan Katin and Ulyses Davenport drove in a pair of runs in the bottom half. After Chattanooga tied the game in the eighth off Mark DiFelice, Steve Moss led off the Huntsville eighth with a walk and, with Stars manager Don Money gambling on the hit-and-run, Lou Palmisano chased him to third. Katin followed with a sacrifice fly, then Yohannis Perez singled home what would prove an important fourth run.

 

Before the game, catcher Max St. Pierre was released. Carlos Corporan has been promoted from Brevard County.

 

With their season-high three-game win streak, the Stars are 12-12 and atop the Southern League North. They host Chattanooga again tonight at 7:05.

 

***

David Weiser's

 

www.starsboxscore.com/

 

PEREZ BREAKS THE SPELL WITH A KEY HIT

T'was nice to finally come to the Joe and see a game without a jacket, without freezing hands, and without the fear of catching another dilly of a cold because the wind is swirling straight in your face. Even on the best of those April nights, it wasn't as good as this...... The Stars are back in town for a ten-game stay, trying to put together their first bonafide winning streak. They came into town with a losing record that would get them in last place in the South, but in this division, they're somehow in 1st place........ So the challenge for this club is to get hot, because no one else seems to want to be king of the hill....... They got off to a good start, although most of the bats are still as tepid as ever.

 

The Stars open the month with the first major changes of the season -- and the first release....... Gone is catcher Max St. Pierre, who was acquired in March from the Kansas City Royals for Ben Hendrickson. St. Pierre finished his career with the Stars with a .156 average, and drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in his final at-bat in the Stars' 8-0 win at Birmingham last Saturday....... Joining the Stars from Brevard County is catcher Carlos Corporan, who debuted with the Stars in the tail end of last season, when they were on the road in Birmingham. Corporan picked up three hits in nine at-bats in his run. He left behind a .363 average at Brevard. Corporan was pushed up because Angel Salome is now on the Manatees' roster, after a time in extended spring training...... Just what we need -- another catcher who can hit :-) ....... He had three HRs and drove in 19 runs in 23 starts and was 2nd in the Florida State League in batting and 3rd in slugging....... Also, Luis Villareal was promoted to Nashville. Curious move. He had a 6.75 ERA in eight appearances....... Filling the pitching spot is Jeff Housman, who comes off the disabled list, where he was making stunning progress with his shoulder. Housman was 1-4 with a 3.67 ERA in 11 starts and a relief appearance before his season ended on June 22 last year.

 

Tonight's victory against Chattanooga before a Rookie-Level crowd of 704 on this warm 75° night, was the 6th straight against this club, going back to August 1st of last year, when their second half started turning around....... The first five innings went by so quickly, I thought this game would be over in less than two hours. Justin Mallett and Sam Narron dueled each other until the Lookouts broke the ice in the 6th......... Up until then, Mallett had struck out eight in five innings and given up just two hits -- a 1st inning leadoff double by Steve Sollmann off the base of the wall in center field and a double to the wall in right by Ron Davenport in the 4th......... Narron gave up just three hits in the first five innings and struck out five.

 

Leadoff hitter Drew Anderson, in the 6th, fouled Narron's first two pitches, then hit a 1-2 pitch into the left field corner for a double, one of six in the game....... Paul Janish laid a tough bunt down for Jeff Eure, but he made a good pickup and throw just to catch him in time at first, but moving Anderson to third...... Former Huntsville Star Enrique Cruz, hitting .299 and one of two former Stars on the Lookouts (J.C. Boscan being the other), then mashed Narron's 7th pitch to him deep to center field. Steve Moss made a fine over-the-shoulder catch, his momentum taking him crashing into the wall, but there was no way he could pull a Willie Mays, spin around and catch Anderson at the plate like Mays did with Vic Wertz in 1954...... Chattanooga led 1-0.

 

Tyler Pelland, who was originally penned to be the starter in this game, came into the game in the bottom of the 6th....... Pelland didn't have Mallett's velocity. (Mallett was throwing consistently at 91-93, topping at 96, until the 5th inning), but Pelland did open by getting Hernan Iribarren looking at an 82 MPH curve and Moss on a fly to right....... Then Pelland got deep in the count to Lou Palmisano and walked him on eight pitches. He got ahead on Brendan Katin 0-and-2, but Brendan pulled a liner hard inside the left field line, rolling in foul territory to the corner, scoring Palmisano, tying the game....... Next, he got ahead on Ron Davenport 0-and-2, but Davenport, after fouling off a pitch, lined a ball off the mound, skipping up the middle into centerfield to drive in Katin, giving the Stars a 2-1 lead.

 

Narron pitched a strong seven innings, giving up four hits -- his best game yet in five starts for the Stars, but he was to be denied his first win....... Mark DiFelice took over in the 8th, and right off the bat, catcher Ryan Hanigan, a .385 hitters against the Stars last year, doubled on a 1-1 pitch off the left field wall. The tying run was in scoring position. Manager Jayhawk Owens sent Jeremiah Piepkorn straight out of the pages of Charles Dickens to hit for Pelland....... One might think he would have sent him up there to bunt, but Piepkorn, who was hitting .346 for Class A-Sarasota (Fla. St.), went up there to swing the bat....... Piepkorn, making his AA debut, grounded out to 3rd, where Jeff Eure easily could check the runner back before throwing the newcomer out.

 

The strategy may not have worked, but the Lookouts got their run and played the spoiler........ Drew Anderson hit his 2nd double of the game, lining a 2-1 pitch down the right field line to tie the score, 2-2...... With two out, Enrique Cruz nearly put the Lookouts ahead, but his deep fly ball to the alley in left-center was tracked down in front of the wall by Mel Stocker, who had come in place of Ron Davenport as the inning started.

 

The Stars now saw Carlos Bohorquez for the first time....... Bohorquez had held opponents scoreless in his last four appearances. In 41 games for Sarasota last season, he held a 2.80 ERA, but control problems could crop up occasionally. In 12 innings this year, he walked eight and struck out seven....... Steve Moss, who is very patient at the plate and very fast, led off with a walk...... Lou Palmisano, 0-for-2 with a walk, was due. On a 1-1 pitch, the Captain hit a single to left and a speedy Moss slid safely into third...... With runners on the corners, Brendan Katin lifted a 2-2 pitch just deep enough to left to bring home Moss a step ahead of the Jay Garthwait's throw........ The Stars led 3-2.

 

It sure would be nice now to have an insurance run. Bohorquez hit Mel Stocker with an 0-1 pitch to give the Stars such an opportunity, but now Yohannis Perez, riding an 0-for-18 slump, was at the plate....... Lo and behold, Perez broke the spell at the right time, chopping a single straight up the middle, splitting the infielders, and enabling Palmisano, no slouch on the basepaths himself, to score, giving the Stars a 4-2 lead....... And that insurance paid off, for in the top of the 9th, Garthwait lined a 1-0 Marino Salas pitch over the wall in right-center, resounding with a big bang as it hit the middle deck of ads out there.

 

Salas, who threw nine scoreless innings in relief over seven appearances, now had given up three in his 2nd straight undertaking, but he picked up his 4th save of the year by fanning Chris Dickerson on a 93 MPH fastball, getting Cody Strait to bounce back meekly in front of the mound, then baffling Tonys Gutierrez on fastballs of 93, 94, and 96 MPH to end the game.

 

Thursday night, Chattanooga's James Avery (3-2, 3.49) will oppose Manny Parra (2-1, 2.59)....... Parra's holding Southern League hitters to a .246 average and has had a quality start in at least three of his four starts so far........ Avery, a right-hander, has won his last two starts.

 

The Stars have now won three in a row for the first time this year, but they have had only one ten-hit game in their last 13. They are hitting .224 in that span....... Jeff Eure is 6-for-43 (.140) in his last 13 games........ Hernan Iribarren came in to tonight's game hitting .293 at home, but his slump continues, nonetheless. He's now 4-for-32 in his last eight games...... Lou Palmisano, on the other hand, has hit safely in nine of his last ten games, and is stroking the ball at a .405 clip with 14 RBIs in ten games...... Steve Solllmann has hit safely now in 14 of his last 16 games, going 22-for-54 (.407) with 16 runs scored.

 

One Southern League note ... Mississippi's top prospect, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, was promoted to Atlanta earlier in the day, and in Atlanta's 4-3 win over Philadelphia, he started and went 0-for-2 with a walk.

[Mass Haas]

More later today, along with Thursday's Link Report...

[WV Brew]

Another interesting development is that Balfour has been striking out everyone. Could he become our new Chad Fox (aka, fantastic strikeout 7th inning pitcher)

 

Gotta change his name. How about Strikthree?