Link Report Wed 8/30 - Rottino on Fire; Maryvale Season Ends

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

 

All times Central; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: RHP Ben Hendrickson at Memphis (Cardinals), 7:20 PM pre-game; 7:35 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/

 

Huntsville: Idle -- well deserved!

 

Brevard County: Scheduled game at Jupiter canceled

 

West Virginia: RHP Shawn Ferguson at home vs. Greensboro (Marlins), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link:

www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower.

 

Helena: LHP Luis Ramirez at home vs. Casper (Rockies), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime

 

Audio (click on "Listen Live"):

www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php

 

Arizona: RHP Jesse Harper at home in the Maryvale complex to face the Rangers' kids, 11:30 AM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League -- this matinee completes the Maryvale season

[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:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_albaaa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

 

Arizona Rookie:

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime:

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

[Mass Haas]

Standings through Tuesday's action:

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 74 64 .536 - 41-27 33-37 L1[/b] Iowa 71 67 .514 3.0 43-28 28-39 L2 Memphis 55 83 .399 19.0 34-39 21-44 L2 Omaha 52 86 .377 22.0 31-37 21-49 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Huntsville 38 25 .603 - 21-12 17-13 W7[/b] Chattanooga 35 30 .538 4.0 20-15 15-15 L1 Tennessee 35 30 .538 4.0 18-12 17-18 L1 West Tenn 29 36 .446 10.0 19-11 10-25 L8 Carolina 27 38 .415 12.0 19-11 8-27 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 34 27 .557 - 18-11 16-16 L1 Daytona 35 28 .556 - 24-13 11-15 L1 St. Lucie 35 30 .538 1.0 18-15 17-15 W1 [b]Brevard County 26 33 .441 7.0 13-13 13-20 W3[/b] Vero Beach 23 36 .390 10.0 14-16 9-20 W2 Jupiter 22 40 .355 12.5 12-20 10-20 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 44 19 .698 - 24-7 20-12 W2 [b]West Virginia 34 29 .540 10.0 21-11 13-18 W4[/b] Lake County 32 30 .516 11.5 17-16 15-14 L3 Hickory 32 32 .500 12.5 15-18 17-14 W1 Greensboro 31 31 .500 12.5 16-18 15-13 L1 Lexington 26 38 .406 18.5 17-14 9-24 L3 Delmarva 25 37 .403 18.5 15-15 10-22 L1 Hagerstown 25 39 .391 19.5 13-18 12-21 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 21 9 .700 - 12-2 9-7 W2 Missoula 18 12 .600 3.0 11-5 7-7 W1 [b]Helena 17 13 .567 4.0 10-6 7-7 W4[/b] Great Falls 8 22 .267 13.0 6-8 2-14 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 18 8 .692 - 5-3 13-5 L1 AZL Padres 18 8 .692 - 11-4 7-4 W6 AZL Royals 19 9 .679 - 9-6 10-3 W2 AZL Giants 16 11 .593 2.5 8-6 8-5 L1 AZL Athletics 13 13 .500 5.0 9-4 4-9 W2 AZL Cubs 11 15 .423 7.0 4-9 7-6 L1 AZL Mariners 11 16 .407 7.5 8-6 3-10 L3 AZL Rangers 8 19 .296 10.5 6-9 2-10 L3 [b]AZL Brewers 6 21 .222 12.5 4-9 2-12 W1[/b]

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with RHP Roque Mercedes (Select date for August 29th, skip to the 19:00 minute mark) --

Give the young man credit for working on his english...

 

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

[Mass Haas]

Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Tom Hindman

West Virginia Power third baseman Mat Gamel steps in against Greensboro Tuesday. Gamel, one of a South Atlantic League-high four Power players to make the league?s All-Star team in 2006. Gamel is batting .289.

 

http://www.dailymail.com/images/Gamel83006.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.dailymail.com/news/Sports/200608306/

 

Power hitting coach tabbed league's best

Christopher Wade

For the Charleston Daily Mail

 

Last year, Mike Lum was on top of the world, receiving a World Series ring from the Major League baseball champion Chicago White Sox.

 

The feeling didn't last long for Lum, however, after the long-time member of the Chisox organization, was released shortly thereafter.

 

Lum spent the previous 16 seasons in the organization as their minor league roving hitting instructor.

 

After getting released by the White Sox, Lum was hired by the Milwaukee Brewers organization and was sent to Charleston to become the West Virginia Power's hitting coach this season.

 

The White Sox's loss quickly turned into the Brewers' gain. Lum was selected as the South Atlantic League's Coach of the Year on the 2006 SAL All-Star Team Tuesday.

 

The team was voted on by all of the 16 SAL teams' field managers, general managers, and team broadcasters.

 

"They probably just named the oldest," the 60-year old Lum said, laughing, when he was informed of the honor after the Power earned a 3-2 victory over Greensboro at Appalachian Power Park on Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 2,783.

 

"I'm very proud of the honor, and it really means a lot to me for the simple reason that I was with the White Sox for all those years, and the reason they didn't hire me back was because they said I had lost my passion for teaching."

 

In addition to Lum winning the SAL coach honor, the Power placed the most members on the All-Star team of any of the 16 SAL clubs, with four players.

 

The Power selections are pitcher Will Inman, third baseman Mat Gamel, catcher Angel Salome, and outfielder Lorenzo Cain.

 

Lum has been coaching for 23 years. During his tenure, he had never instructed at the Class A level before this year with the Power.

 

The Hawaii native was the hitting coach at the big league level for the White Sox in 1985 and with the Kansas City Royals in 1988-89.

 

Lum also played 15 years in the Major Leagues with the Braves, Reds and Cubs, sporting a career batting average of .247 with 90 home runs, 431 runs batted in, and played in over 1,500 Major League games.

 

This season, Lum has coached the Power to the highest batting average (.277) of any team in the league. That would be a Charleston Class A club record, if it stands. The next highest is Asheville at .271.

 

"We have a lot of very talented kids who do a lot of good things naturally, and we aren't finished yet," Lum said. "We still have six games left with them but certainly, some have a bright future."

 

Power Manager Mike Guerrero added, "These guys have worked so hard and haven't stopped all season. We have great talent with great attitudes all around with this ball club."

 

Four of the five All-star selections were pivotal in the Power's home victory over Greensboro on Tuesday.

 

Despite earning a no-decision, Inman was on the mound and had another great performance, pitching six strong innings, giving up two runs on three hits. He struck out 11 Greensboro batters. He's 10-1 with a stellar 1.40 ERA.

 

Meanwhile, in a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the ninth inning and after the first two Power players were retired, Cain and Gamel drew walks, and Mike Bell hit a line single to right-center field to give the Power (34-29), in second place in the SAL Northern Division, its fourth straight victory and eighth win in the last 10 games.

 

Leading up to all three players delivering, they were a combined 1-for-11 at the plate in their previous trips to the plate throughout the night.

 

"We all push each other to just stay upbeat and get it done in clutch situations," Cain said. "It goes back to Coach Lum. He tells us to keep our heads up and stay at an even keel, not getting too high or low. He's a great hitting coach."

 

He's also one that Milwaukee is certainly glad to have.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Brewers 3, Arizona Rangers 1

A-Crew ends a rocky season on a high note...

 

Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log:

Awesome way for young RHP's Evan Anundsen and Alexandre Periard to enter the offseason; Brent Brewer two hits, including a double; Mike Goetz made a nice comeback from early-season woes -- just turned 22, maybe he can sneak into the 4th outfield spot in low-A next season; tough season for the Rangers' starter Shane Funk, a 2005 4th rounder (0-9); see you next year in Maryvale, kids...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

[Mass Haas]

Tuesday's Nashville Game Audio Highlight: Chris Barnwell in a Straight Steal of Home --

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-29.mp3

 

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

 

www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-29.mp3

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1

 

Stars continue their good luck even without playing

After rainout, Huntsville adds half-game to lead

By BRUCE McLELLAN

Associate Sports Editor, brucem@htimes.com

 

It could have happened only in the quirkiest of seasons for the Huntsville Stars.

 

In a summer marked by drought, a short thunderstorm washed out the Stars' regular-season home finale Tuesday. It happened because a gust of wind shortly after 3 p.m. ripped a tarp that should've protected the field at Joe Davis Stadium.

 

But in another twist, Don Money's Stars gained one-half game in the standings without playing. Chattanooga and Tennessee, tied for second in the North, both lost on Tuesday.

 

Now a team that has the best record (38-25) in the Southern League's second half - after having the worst (24-45) in the first half - will go to Birmingham for six games that'll determine whether the Stars return home for a playoff game. Tuesday's game against Mississippi won't be rescheduled.

 

"If we take care of the business we should take care of, we'll be back for sure," Stars second baseman Callix Crabbe said.

 

But mindful of the twists this season has taken with wins and losses, Crabbe quickly added: "That's not a guarantee."

 

Money, the Stars' manager, feels his team needs three wins in Birmingham to be guaranteed the second half pennant although mathematically Huntsville would finish at least one-half game ahead of all challengers with two wins in Birmingham.

 

Regardless, a pennant would complete a remarkable turnaround.

 

"I don't think anybody could foresee this coming," Money said. "Right now we're playing pretty solid in all areas."

 

The biggest difference in the two halves of the season is the five-man starting rotation. Only two of the starters - Corey Thurman and Tim Dillard - began the season with Double-A Huntsville. Yovani Gallardo and Steve Hammond were promoted from Single-A and Manny Parra arrived after a short Single-A stint to complete rehabilitation from surgery.

 

"You run starters out there that are quality, you know you have a chance to win," Money said. The guys feel like they can win every game."

 

He gave as an example Monday's 6-5 victory over Mississippi. The Stars fell behind 5-3 in the top of the eighth inning before rallying for their seventh straight victory.

 

"First half, we lose that game outright," Money said.

 

Tuesday's game was canceled after Money and Mississippi manager Jeff Blauser decided the area around second base - which the ripped part of the tarp would've covered - was too soggy and presented an injury hazard.

 

Crabbe said his teammates want the season to continue. If Huntsville wins the North, it'll play at first-half champion Chattanooga on Sept. 7-8. The best-of-five first-round series would return to Huntsville on Sept. 9, with games here the 10th and 11th if needed.

 

"It's exciting," Crabbe said. "I don't think there's one person with the way we're playing as a team that wants to go home.

 

"It's a chance to get a championship ring."

 

After a scheduled day off today, the Stars play in Birmingham at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. Parra, Tuesday's scheduled starter, will now pitch Thursday, with Thurman throwing Friday. Hammond and Gallardo will follow in a doubleheader Saturday, with Dillard starting Sunday.

[molitor fan]

I am surprised that this guy has not been a cult figure around Brewerfan. He finished up his season this year as only Santo could - not recording an out in his 4 batter appearance, walking every batter he faced for the Arizona Brew.

 

His season ending stats show Santo walked 47 batters this season - in 15 2/3 innings pitched.

[colbyjack]

Awesome way for young RHP's Evan Anundsen and Alexandre Periard to enter the offseason;

 

It seems every year the baby Brewers are pretty hard to watch, at least in the standings. Probably due to the makeup of the team, as they're not really made for winning, but at least they seem to have a little more talent sprinkled in from year to year. Talent that is rough around the edges, to be sure, and it's good to see a few of the guys end strong as Jim noted.

 

Brewer finishes by hitting .333 in the month of August. Too bad he missed a few games in the middle of the month.

 

As for the Stars, it's times like this that I really miss huntsvillestarsfan's, or whatever his board handle was, first-hand observations. If you're still out there, please come back. I seem to remember a self-imposed leave of absence due to an argument with another poster, but please allow me to say that you shouldn't take any comments around here that seriously.

 

Anyway, the Stars' games over the next few days should be extremely interesting to follow. Given that pitching staff, I like their chances.

[bork]

The minor league teams are now a combined 6 games under .500. Could we see our first winning season since 2001? Quite a turnaround after being something like 25 games under earlier this month.

[pogokat]

The minor league teams are now a combined 6 games under .500. Could we see our first winning season since 2001? Quite a turnaround after being something like 25 games under earlier this month.

 

with the AZL season mercifully over, i think we can expect a quick jump to .500

[brewmann04]

the Stars staff looks poised to take at least 3 games this series.

[DHonks]

Awesome way for young RHP's Evan Anundsen and Alexandre Periard to enter the offseason; Brent Brewer two hits, including a double;

 

my thoughts exactly. I saw these three in the boxscores, and thought positive things

[brettac1]

His season ending stats show Santo walked 47 batters this season - in 15 2/3 innings pitched.

 

That is crazy. I can't believe that's even possible.

[And That]

I really hope Manzanillo makes the big leagues someday just so his 2006 walk stat can be thrown out there to a national audience. They stuck with him the whole year, so there must be more to him than meets his 27ish BB/9 rate.

[molitor fan]

just to correct an earlier error of mine - Manzanillo did record two outs - giving him 16 1/3 innings pitched to go with those 47 walks

[pogokat]

Final: Greensboro 8, West Virginia 1

 

West Virginia Box Score and Game Log

There is something about this Power ballclub that is very similar to the brewers...they have plenty of talent...but something stands between that talent and actually winning a lot of ball games...i'm very excited about a few of the players on this team, but some of the player surrounding them are not helping the cause...best of luck to these guys next year...i know they are all doing their best...

 

www.minorleaguebaseball.c..._wvaafx_1

[pogokat]

West Virginia Site Game Review

 

GRASSHOPPERS END POWER WINNING STREAK

 

On a night where very little went right for the West Virginia Power, the Greensboro Grasshoppers scored eight runs on eleven hits and snapped West Virginia?s four game winning streak with an 8-1 victory at Appalachian Power Park.

 

Greensboro scored twice in the second inning to take the lead and never looked back. Brad Correll hit a solo homer, and Greg Burns knocked in the second run on a groundout. In the fourth inning Burns came through again with an RBI single to put the Grasshoppers ahead by three. Greensboro scored four times in the sixth inning to pull away. Jonathan Fulton drove in the first two runs on a double and he scored later in the inning on Agustin Septimo?s squeeze bunt. Paul Witt knocked in the final run of the four run frame with a single.

 

West Virginia avoided the shutout in the bottom of the eighth inning on Ryan Barba?s two out RBI single and Greensboro scored the final run of the game in the top of the ninth inning on a Sacrifice Fly from Brett Hayes that scored Brad Correll.

 

The Power left a runner stranded at third base three times. They left 12 men on base overall.

 

Joel Fountain (1-0) pitched five scoreless innings to get the victory in his Greensboro debut while Shawn Ferguson (2-3) suffered the loss. The Power are 73-60 on the year and 34-30 in the second half after the loss while the Grasshoppers improved to 68-65 overall and 32-31 in the second half after the win.

 

The Power will finish the series and play their final home game of the season against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Appalachian Power Park on Thursday night. The Power will throw left hander Dave Welch (7-6, 2.45) and Greensboro will counter with left hander Sean West (8-4, 3.37). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

[Mass Haas]

There is something about this Power ballclub that is very similar to the Brewers...they have plenty of talent...but something stands between that talent and actually winning a lot of ball games

 

The Power are 73-60 on the year and 34-30 in the second half after the loss

 

Yours is a mis-conception, pogo; the Power will finish in second place in both halves AND will have the second best full-season record among the eight teams in their division, trailing only second-half leader Lakewood (Phillies).

 

The team has had both individual and team on-field success, and has to our knowledge been well-behaved off-the-field and in the community. Power management would seem a bit greedy if they don't re-up considering attendance went up in year two, etc.

 

The big-league Brewers would kill for 73-60.

[Mass Haas]

Charleston Gazette Photographer: Kenny Kemp

The Power?s Mat Gamel jogs into second base with a stand-up double during Wednesday night?s loss.

 

http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/SAFE1.jpg

[Mass Haas]

An updated thread on the only unsigned draft pick among the top 16 Brewer selections in 2006, RHP Chad Robinson, for those of you who don't get to the Draft Forum this time of year (and you should visit year-round):

 

p092.ezboard.com/fbrewers...=915.topic