TooLiveBrew

Thanks Mass... always fun to write up a dominating win like yesterday's. Thank you for catching the note on Padilla, that's definitely cool to see. I wanted to note in my recap, but forgot, that Carlos Belonis extended his hitting streak to 6 games yesterday with his 9th-inning triple. He's only posted a .250 (7-28) AVG over this stretch, but he's tallied three doubles and the triple. He's driven in 5 RBI and stolen bases at a 6/6 clip during the streak. At least in peering through the looking glass of DSL boxscores, Belonis appears to be a speed merchant who looks to drive the ball at the plate. Listed at 6'3" and 175 lbs. at just 17 years old (he'll turn 18 in mid-August), there should be plenty of projectability in his frame. With the speed implied by his SB success rate, you have to imagine he's also covering a lot of ground at short. I realize it's a little early to get excited about the young man, but this isn't your stereotypical 5'10"/150 lb. DSL shortstop here. It'll be interesting to see if this short hitting streak is the start of a special season from the youngster, or if he's in for some struggles in his age-17 season. Did you know? -- Belonis was born in New York City

DSL Brewers 11, @DSL Tigers 2 DSL Box Although it's early in the season, the DSL Brewers have really gotten good pitching thus far. Their team ERA -- 2.54 on MiLB's site at the time of this post -- ranks 7th of 35 DSL teams (yes, some clubs have more than one DSL squad, including the Cubs & Pirates). Orlando Torrez continued that trend in his first start of the season, just his second professional start. The 20-yo righty, listed at 6'3" and 195 lbs., held down the Tigers bats: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R/ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 7:3 GO:AO. 17-yo Miguel Diaz pitched well in relief, and I'm guessing he's more piggyback SP than true RP. The righty had appeared in just one other game, back on the 7th, when he allowed only one hit in two shutout innings. Today's line: 3 IP, 2H, 1 R/ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0:1 GO:AO... and one runner picked off at first. Doni Arias (RHP) pitched a scoreless 9th to secure the win. The Cerveceritos ran wild on the basepaths today, but almost exclusively in the 1st inning. They took five stolen bags in their half of the first frame, including a steal of home by shortstop Carlos Belonis. Belonis may have scored on a throw down to second on a steal attempt by trail runner Elvis Rubio, but the play was a perfect description of the inning. Belonis stole three bases, two in the first; Francisco Castillo (CF) also nabbed two stolen bases in the first, but didn't add to his total. Belonis's other SB included him advancing to 3B on a throwing error by the catcher. The Brewers finished with seven SBs on the game. Belonis also had the big hit today, with a bases-loaded-clearing triple in the top of the 9th that opened the scoring in a six-run inning. The Brewers were leading 5-2 prior to that hit, but it put the game out of reach for the Tigers. The triple was Belonis's only hit, but leadoff man Castillo, Alejandro Mendoza, & Marcos Padilla had two hits apiece. Mendoza & Padilla also walked twice. C Carlos Pena made yet another start, going 0-3 with two BBs. Rubio, Castillo, Mendoza, and Raphachel Colatosti each added one RBI. The Brewers also pulled off an error-free game today, a bit of a rarity in the DSL. Just a good win all around. DSL P-b-P The wild first inning -- DSL Brewers Top of the 1st -Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. -With Raphachel Colatosti batting, Francisco Castillo steals (6) 2nd base. -With Raphachel Colatosti batting, Francisco Castillo steals (7) 3rd base. -Raphachel Colatosti flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez. -Carlos Belonis hit by pitch. -With Elvis Rubio batting, Carlos Belonis steals (4) 2nd base. -Elvis Rubio singles on a ground ball to left fielder Felix G. Santana. Francisco Castillo scores. Carlos Belonis to 3rd. -With Juan Ortiz batting, Carlos Belonis steals (5) home. Elvis Rubio steals (3) 2nd base. -Juan Ortiz pops out to third baseman Francisco Contreras in foul territory. -Carlos Pena grounds out to first baseman Lenny Pena. And salting the earth in the 9th -- DSL Brewers Top of the 9th -Pitcher Change: Miguel Montero replaces Harold Rosario. -Marcos Padilla walks. -Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Marcos Padilla to 2nd. -Raphachel Colatosti singles on a ground ball to left fielder Felix G. Santana. Marcos Padilla to 3rd. Francisco Castillo to 2nd. -Carlos Belonis triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Marcos Padilla scores. Francisco Castillo scores. Raphachel Colatosti scores. -Elvis Rubio walks. -With Juan Ortiz batting, passed ball by Omar Oses, Carlos Belonis scores. Elvis Rubio to 2nd. -Juan Ortiz strikes out swinging. -Carlos Pena walks. -Pitcher Change: Gregory Morillo replaces Miguel Montero. -Alejandro Mendoza singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Elvis Rubio scores. Carlos Pena to 2nd. -Kevin Martinez grounds into a force out, second baseman Eurys Felipe to shortstop Gregoris Hidalgo. Carlos Pena to 3rd. Alejandro Mendoza out at 2nd. Kevin Martinez to 1st. -With Marcos Padilla batting, wild pitch by Gregory Morillo, Carlos Pena scores. Kevin Martinez to 2nd. -Marcos Padilla flies out to right fielder Ignacio Valdez.

In semi-related news, MLB has re-fired Shayam Das in response...

So... thoughts on the season & season finale?

It was kinda crazy to me, but the Padres pitched Weeks like he was Fielder or Votto yesterday. They just seemed to want no part of giving him anything to hit.

I actually couldn't watch The Pacific all the way through. That's how bad I thought it was, & I was ready to love it no matter what. Although in fairness, it's probably that it just sucked in comparison to how awesome BoB is.

@DSL Brewers 5, DSL Blue Jays 2 DSL Box It's really late, so I'm going to keep this brief. The strong Cerveceritos pitching continued today, as starter Milton Gomez combined with reliever Juan Santiago to hold the DSL Jays to 7 hits & just the two runs. The Jays scored both runs with Gomez on the mound in the 5th, but only one of the two runs was earned. Gomez finished with a line of 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R/1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 5 GO/5 FO. Santiago went 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 5 K, 4 GO/1 FO. Centerfielder & leadoff man Francisco Castillo paced the DSL Crew with two hits, while 2-hitter/3B Raphachel Colatosti dealt a decisive blow late with a 2-out, 2 RBI double to cap off the Cerviceritos' 3-run 8th inning. After the Jays took a 2-0 lead in the 5th, the Crew fought back with single runs in their halves of the 5th & 7th innings to tie. Once the dust had settled after the bottom of the 8th, however, the Crew had scored all they'd need to go on to win. DSL PbP

DSL Angels 4, @DSL Brewers 2 DSL Box The Cerveceritos cruised along behind starter Jorge Ortega's strong start -- 6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 10 GO:2 FO. When Ortega left the game, the DSL Brewers were leading 2-0. Unfortunately, reliever Eliezer Montano instantly found trouble after entering the game in relief of Ortega. Montano was only able to induce one out, and the DSL Angels had scored four runs after the dust had settled on Montano's brief but disastrous outing today. Junior Flores & Melvin Tejada combined to work the final 2.2 innings in scoreless fashion. Shortstop Carlos Belonis led the way on offense as the only Brewers player with two hits, including a double. Francisco Castillo, Juan Ortiz, and Yunior Santana each added a single apiece, and were the only others with hits today. Ortega's strong performance is what stands out from today's game. This was just his second start of the 2012 season, with the first also having come against the DSL Angels. Last time out, Ortega allowed two runs on six hits in five innings of work, so the Angels didn't exactly benefit from having seen him before. Ortega posted a 3.16 ERA in 2011, his age-18 season, and had a GO:FO rate of just 0.90 After today's start, that rate is sitting at 3.40 on the young '12 campaign, so hopefully Jorge can keep the ball on the ground & keep building on his success. DSL P-b-P The ugly & decisive 7th inning -- DSL Angels Top of the 7th -Pitcher Change: Eliezer Montano replaces Jorge Ortega. -Angel Almao walks. -With Erick Salcedo batting, wild pitch by Eliezer Montano, Angel Almao to 2nd. -Erick Salcedo hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Eliezer Montano. Angel Almao to 3rd. Erick Salcedo to 1st. -Juan Moreno singles on a ground ball to center fielder Francisco Castillo. Angel Almao scores. Erick Salcedo to 2nd. -Angel Montilla grounds into a force out, first baseman Elvis Rubio to shortstop Carlos Belonis. Erick Salcedo to 3rd. Juan Moreno out at 2nd. Angel Montilla to 1st. -Ayendy Perez walks. Angel Montilla to 2nd. -Ismael Dionicio walks. Erick Salcedo scores. Angel Montilla to 3rd. Ayendy Perez to 2nd. -Pitcher Change: Junior Flores replaces Eliezer Montano. -Enyelber Vivas walks. Angel Montilla scores. Ayendy Perez to 3rd. Ismael Dionicio to 2nd. -Gabriel Santana walks. Ayendy Perez scores. Ismael Dionicio to 3rd. Enyelber Vivas to 2nd. -Ranyelmy Mendoza grounds into double play, shortstop Carlos Belonis to first baseman Elvis Rubio. Gabriel Santana out at 2nd.

I haven't been to one yet, either. And I believe I'll have to miss it tomorrow as well. But I have no doubt it's great.

I've been wondering for a couple weeks now if an injury is involved. Rickie's been wearing a compression sleeve on his left forearm this season that I don't recall being part of his standard equipment (I could be wrong on that last part), and then there was the HBP on his left hand... I don't know, I realize it's entirely possible that he's just lost up there, but I really am having a hard time believing that this is 100% not due to an injury.

Lemurs, of course, being indigenous to the rainforests of southern Texas...

I wasn't aware I'd reached "outcry" level. Sorry about that, folks. I mean, Trout went 28th(or 27th)...the pick that we were SUPPOSE TO HAVE(calm down....starting to turn green...shirt starting to tear....woo-saa.....alright...better now) when the Yankees decided to sign Mark Texiera as well This had me chuckling... I know that was a difficult time for you. ... in our first three picks. To be nitpicky, the third pick was Haniger, while Taylor was #4.

Yeah I agree, reilly. Rickie needs to start seeing the bench more. And yes, I'm aware he needs to play to work his way through his swing issues, but it's to the point now where it's gotten ridiculous. Add in that he's been an injury risk over the course of his career, and more days off going forward just makes sense.

Could be that he's dinged up.

Wow, BoB for $15?! That's a steal. Enjoy, it's nothing short of fantastic.

DSL Brewers 9, DSL Braves 4 DSL Box Well, Mass Haas was right to highlight Gian Rizzo today with a tweet. The Cerveceritos starter appeared to breeze through his start today, with the exception of some shoddy defense behind him. Rizzo's line today: 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R/0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K (4/5 : GO/FO). One would have to guess that Gian won't go too much longer before he gets a call to head stateside -- he posted a dominant 1.82 ERA last year (13 G, 10 Starts), in his age-17 season. So far this season, the Venezuelan's ratcheted it down to a 0.90 ERA -- with peripherals to back it up -- in two overpowering starts. 17-yo righty Miguel Diaz worked two scoreless innings in relief of Rizzo, and he was followed with a scoreless frame by another 17-yo righty, Junior Flores. 19-yo RHP Doni Arias worked the 9th, & allowed two earned runs. Back-to-back-to-back two-run innings in the 2nd, 3rd, & 4th were enough to overwhelm the DSL Braves, although the Cerveceritos tacked on three runs in the 9th just to make certain of the victory. Catcher Carlos Pena had two hits... including a triple, two RBI, & two BB to lead the way offensively for the Cerveceritos; Pena also cut down the only attempted basestealer for the DSL Braves. 3B Raphachel Colatosti, 1B Elvis Rubio, & LF Juan Ortiz were the only other DSL Brewers with two hits; Ortiz & SS Carlos Belonis each doubled once. DH Kevin Martinez & CF Francisco Castillo added one hit each. Castillo walked once as well, along with going 1/1 in stolen base attempts... pushing his success rate to 5/5 on the season. 1B Rubio was credited with two errors, while SS Belonis, P Flores, & 2B Alejandro Mendoza each were credited with one error. DSL Play-by-Play Rizzo took matters into his own hands to close out the 5th inning & his workday, after his defense made two errors behind him on one play... DSL Braves Bottom of the 5th -Cristian Palacios grounds out, pitcher Gian Rizzo to first baseman Elvis Rubio. -Yunior Aybar singles on a fly ball to center fielder Francisco Castillo. -Gustavo Gomez reaches on fielding error by first baseman Elvis Rubio. Yunior Aybar scores. Gustavo Gomez to 3rd. Throwing error by first baseman Elvis Rubio. Throwing error by second baseman Alejandro Mendoza. -Jose Morel called out on strikes. -Ibrahim McKenzie strikes out swinging.

So you're essentially taking your own scouting report and then questioning who the Brewers have rated as BPA? Not trying to be a jerk, but you're the one who referenced something to the afect of "what happened to BPA." When I read that some evaluators had questions about Taylor's swing, I wanted to watch some video, and I felt like I saw some of what said evaluators were talking about. So yes, then I question whether or not Taylor was actually BPA at that point, since there seemed to be several HS arms regarded to have high ceilings still available. I don't doubt that if Taylor overhauls his swing & discovers a power stroke that he'll be tremendously valuable... it's that I question whether or not he was really BPA. And in doing so, I don't claim to be any kind of a scout (even a bad one). But I also don't think it's unreasonable to see two very formulaic looking first-few-rounds-strategies in back-to-back seasons & question what's going on.

I told Kalle I'd do the same, but hadn't gotten around to doing it yet. Thank you, pretend astronaut! The other angle I offered to cover for Kalle & his new wife is to put together a tailgate for the game on August 18th. I was already going to this game, which is one that Kalle & the Mrs. will be attending. So I don't have any full plan about this tailgate, but I was surprised to learn when I asked Kalle that they hadn't already had an offer to tailgate. So it'd be cool if other BF.netters wanted to get together to help them experience a true Wisconsin tailgate! Kalle told me he was very excited about the idea, so how can you not get excited about sharing that experience? Any & all are welcome... details to come.

DSL Tigers 10, @DSL Brewers 8 DSL Box Score Third baseman Sthervin Matos was pulled from the game after his strikeout to end the bottom half of the first inning. Last year, in his age-17 season, Matos posted a respectable .775 OPS and was 13/16 in stolen base attempts. We'll have to keep an eye on any potential injury update here. As for the game itself, the top of the 3rd inning proved too much to overcome for the Cerveceritos. Two errors, followed by two groundball singles & then two doubles added up to a 5-run frame for the DSL Tigers. All the hits came with two outs, in a rally that shouldn't have had a chance to start. Brewers starter Eduard Reyes (RH) only lasted through that 3rd inning, with a final line of 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R (1 ER), 0 BB, 5 K. Righty Orlando Torrez came on in relief of Reyes and pitched a strong 4 innings -- 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R/ER, 1 BB, 5 K. Righties Melvin Tejada & Angel Ventura combined to allow three runs over the final three frames, after the Cerveceritos had rallied back behind Torrez & tied the game at 7-7. The #6 & #7 hitters for the Crew both knocked out solo HRs -- Juan Ortiz & Yunior Santana. 9-hitter Kevin Martinez accounted for two RBI. Shortstop Carlos Belonis & replacement 3B Alejandro Mendoza added one RBI each. Leadoff man Francisco Castillo accounted nicely for his error in centerfield to lead off the Tigers' big 3rd inning; he singled twice, walked twice, and stole second base twice. The Cerveceritos got offense from up & down their lineup -- Matos was the only DSL Brewer to not record at least one hit. Catcher Carlos Pena, first baseman Elvis Rubio, and shortstop Belonis each doubled once. Castillo, Rubio, & Santana were the only Cerveceritos to have more than one hit, notching two apiece. DSL Game Log After falling behind 7-1 in the visitors' half of the 5th, a pair of big two-out RBI hits got the Cerveceritos back in the hunt DSL Brewers Bottom of the 5th -Kevin Martinez hit by pitch. -Francisco Castillo grounds out, second baseman Eurys Felipe to first baseman Lenny Pena. Kevin Martinez to 2nd. -Raphachel Colatosti strikes out swinging. -Carlos Belonis doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Kevin Martinez scores. -Alejandro Mendoza singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Carlos Belonis scores. -Elvis Rubio singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd. -Pitcher Change: Jesus Guzman replaces Janry Obispo. -With Juan Ortiz batting, Alejandro Mendoza caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Jesus Guzman to third baseman Francisco Contreras. The DSL Crew didn't wait around to get their rally started in the 6th, but they got help from four WPs & one PB, and scored three runs on just two hits... DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th -Pitcher Change: Gregory Morillo replaces Jesus Guzman. -Juan Ortiz homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. -Yunior Santana singles on a ground ball to center fielder Samuel Crafort. -Carlos Pena walks. Yunior Santana to 2nd. -With Kevin Martinez batting, passed ball by Felix A. Santana, Yunior Santana to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd. -With Kevin Martinez batting, wild pitch by Gregory Morillo, Yunior Santana scores. Carlos Pena to 3rd. -Kevin Martinez flies out to center fielder Samuel Crafort. -Francisco Castillo walks. -Pitcher Change: Juan Falcon replaces Gregory Morillo. -With Raphachel Colatosti batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Carlos Pena scores. Francisco Castillo to 2nd. -With Raphachel Colatosti batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Francisco Castillo to 3rd. -Raphachel Colatosti walks. -With Carlos Belonis batting, wild pitch by Juan Falcon, Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd. -Carlos Belonis strikes out swinging. -Alejandro Mendoza strikes out swinging. The Cerveceritos got one more run in their half of the 7th to tie the game, and then one more run on Santana's solo shot in the 9th. However, the aforementioned back end of the bullpen failed to do its job, and 8 wasn't enough today for the DSL Crew.

I recall reading somewhere that next season will be the last. Of course I can't remember where or verify that. This season finale might actually seem a little let-down-ish, since almost literally every ep. this whole season has been outstanding. But I still can't wait for it.

Yeah, I mean who can sit there & say they honestly think that the Brewers have gone by BPA & not org. need the past two drafts? Last year the team practically came out & admitted they'd be drafting for need (at pitching), & the first 4 picks were arms... & now this year the first four picks are... bats! It's not that I have a huge problem with focusing on certain areas with the draft, it's that a lack of long-term vision really seems to be an organizational-wide problem at this point (just imo). I will freely admit that there's no way I'll ever realistically know who the Brewers had as BPA at any given spot in any draft, but the approach last year really seems to mirror the approach this year. And if Tyrone Taylor was who Seid & Co. had rated as BPA at his pick, then let's just say I have some questions as to how that decision was reached.

Well, now that you put it like that... USA! USA! USA!

This is me, excited for this game. Yay. Come on Brewers, change my mindset.

Yeah, it bothers me just how badly "politics" has been turned almost exclusively into a team sport... when the actual idea behind it all is to govern in the best interests of the populace, regardless of party affiliation.