mls4

Sounds Earn Series Split With 5-2 Victory Date Posted: 8/13/2007 http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/news/dickey.jpg NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds gained a split of their series with Albuquerque by posting a 5-2 victory over the Isotopes on Monday evening at Greer Stadium. With the win, Nashville (73-49) improved upon the best record in Triple-A baseball and maintained its 4 ½-game lead over Iowa in the PCL American Conference Northern Division. Nashville native R.A. Dickey (10-5) pulled into a tie for the league lead by earning his tenth victory of the year. He allowed two runs on six hits over his eight innings of work, matching his longest outing of the season. The knuckleballer tossed a season-high 126 pitches in the outing and improved to 6-1 with a 2.01 ERA (17er/76.0ip) over his last 11 starts. Albuquerque took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Reggie Abercrombie doubled with one out and later scored on a Dickey wild pitch. Brad Nelson tied the contest in the bottom of the frame with a two-out RBI double off the center field wall to plate Callix Crabbe, who opened the inning with an infield single. The run-scoring knock extended Nelson's hitting streak to eight games. Vinny Rottino gave the Sounds a 2-1 lead in the third when he slugged a one-out solo homer to left-center off Albuquerque starter Chris George, his tenth roundtripper of the year. Abercrombie knotted the score once again at 2-2 when he led off the sixth inning with a solo home run off Dickey that cleared both walls in center field, the outfielder's tenth longball of the year. The Sounds pulled ahead with a three-run sixth against George. Rottino broke the tie when he led off with a single and later scored on a Mike Rivera fielder's choice grounder. Laynce Nix followed with his 16th home run of the year, a two-run shot to right that made it a 5-2 game. Luther Hackman worked a scoreless ninth to secure the victory and earn his team-leading 18th save of the year. George (5-10) was tagged with the loss for Albuquerque after he surrendered five runs on nine hits over his six frames of action. Shortstop Chris Barnwell went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to a season-high-tying seven games for Nashville. The Sounds continue their homestand on Tuesday by welcoming the New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA-Mets) to town for a four-game series that is a potential playoff preview. Entering play on Monday, the Z's held a 3 1/2 game lead in the PCL American Conference Southern Division. The season series between the clubs is tied, 6-6. Left-hander Zach Jackson (9-8, 4.69) will look to end a seven-start winless stretch when he mans the bump for the Sounds in the 6 p.m. series opener. New Orleans will counter with right-hander Jose Santiago (5-7, 5.49). (from Nashville Sounds website)

"The name 'Hebrew Hammer' is obviously a term many Brewers fans use for Ryan Braun. It's a little tasteless but only offensive by the highest of PC standards." For the record, I am not offended by the term, but the way you defend it, I feel like I should be. To be honest, I was surprised when I saw it the first time. I did not know that it referred to Ryan Braun, which makes me wonder how "obvious" this is. Maybe I'm the only one who has never heard Braun called by this name. A question that comes to my mind now is how do we define "a little tasteless" compared to plain "tasteless"? And at what point does tasteless become not accepted? I guess I don't know so I'm glad I don't have to make the decisions.

"Wasn't Wise allowed to go three innings recently? Could one of our stat heads trace Wises troubles back to either that extended outing or the accidental beaning of the Pedro Lopez?" A look at his game log reveals that Wise pitched in one game between the 3-inning save and the beaning. Four days after the 3-inning save, he pitched 1.2 innings against the Reds and gave up a hit. Two days later, he pitched again and hit Lopez. Starting with the game in which he hit Lopez, until last Wednesday, he pitched in 6 games and faced 22 batters. He retired 6 of those batters, 10 hit safely, 4 walked, one reached on an error, and of course the HBP. Though after Saturday's game, we hope that his problems are over.

I noticed Nashville won as well: Sounds Snap Skid With 3-2 Win Over 'Topes Date Posted: 8/12/2007 NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds defeated the Albuquerque Isotopes by a 3-2 count thanks to a late-inning surge on Sunday night at Greer Stadium. First baseman Andy Abad's solo homer started a two-run seventh inning that propelled the Sounds to victory, snapping a three-game skid for Nashville (72-49). Nashville starter Seth McClung had another impressive outing in his second start of the season. The right-hander received a no-decision in the contest but continued his dominance of PCL hitters by striking out a season-high seven batters in five innings while maintaining his flawless 0.00 ERA. McClung has a 10.92 strikeouts/nine inning ratio since joining the Sounds. Nashville jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the second after Abad (1-for-2) was hit by an 0-1 pitch from Albuquerque starter Nic Ungs. Laynce Nix followed with a one-out single to center field that put men at first and second. Ozzie Chavez plated Abad for his 28th RBI of the year with another single up the middle to give Nashville a 1-0 advantage. During the game, Abad would reach base three times during the game and score two of the Sounds' three runs. Albuquerque (60-60) took the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Tim Dillard came in to relieve McClung. He gave up a one-out single to Isotopes left fielder John Gall before the veteran stole his eighth bag of the year. He would score two batters later on a Scott Seabol bloop single to right. Knoxville native and MTSU product Brett Carroll inflicted more damage with a triple to right-center, scoring Seabol and giving the Isotopes a 2-1 lead. The Sounds mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an Abad leadoff homer to deep right-center on reliever Erasmo Ramirez's 1-1 offering. It was Abad's 10th four-bagger of the season. Nix again followed with a single to center before moving to second two batters later when shortstop Robert Andino misplayed a grounder from Ozzie Chavez. Charles Thomas loaded up the bases with a pinch-hit single through the gap on the left side before Callix Crabbe hit a sac fly to center to plate Nix with the go-ahead run in unearned fashion, giving the Sounds all they needed for the win. Dillard (5-4) got the win after throwing two innings of relief, giving up two runs and striking out one batter. Greg Aquino recorded the final five outs for the Sounds to notch his third save in three opportunities this season. Nashville pitching continued to take a toll on the Isotopes as the Sounds have fanned Albuquerque 42 times during the series, including 10 K's on Sunday evening. Ramirez (5-1) took the loss after giving up two runs (one earned) in 1/3 of an inning. The teams will meet for the final time in 2007 on Monday night at 6:00 p.m. at Greer Stadium. Nashville native R.A. Dickey (9-5, 3.78 ) will take the hill and face Albuquerque southpaw Chris George (5-9, 5.68 ).

Tim Harikkala is back in the major leagues for the first time since 2005 and started for Colorado in today's game against the Cubs.

"Russell Branyan was signed to a minor-league contract by Cleveland." And now Cleveland has traded Branyan to the Phillies. A reunion of the Helms-Branyan platoon?

Russell Branyan was signed to a minor-league contract by Cleveland. Royce Clayton was released by Toronto. Julio Franco cleared waivers and was assigned to Single-A Rome by Atlanta.

"I assume he would be added to the playoff roster? Not sure howthat works if you are on the DL? Do you have to be added by the 31st?" From the brewerfan.net FAQ page, the player must be on the 40-man roster, not necessarily the 25-man roster: "Which players are eligible are allowed to be on the post-season roster? Players that are on the 40-man roster by August 31st are eligible to be on the post-season roster. If a player is injured, any player in the organization can be used. The restriction in this case is that a hitter be substituted for a hitter, and a pitcher be substituted for a pitcer."

I do like the ideas, but.... "1) Bill Hall and Jeff Suppan for Roy Oswalt" I just don't see Houston agreeing to that, even if you throw in a top prospect (who's left?) "2) Claudio Vargus and Tony Gwynn Jr. for Akinori Otsuka and Frank Catalanotto" Our team is soon going to be made up of all former Rangers and Diamondbacks... wouldn't it be odd for Otsuka to set up Cordero again, after taking his job last year? Seriously though, I think Otsuka's a free agent after this year, and has Catalanotto ever been an everyday player? I like him but I think of him as a good backup. He has a .681 OPS in 316 career ABs against LH pitchers. I guess 316 ABs isn't giving him much of a chance to hit LHP. But the problem is both of your backup OFs are LH batters, so at least, you'd probably have to find a RH batter for the OF, keep Mench or Hall, use Graffanino in the OF more, something.

You can hear Uecker's HOF speech in the JSOnline.com archives here or on the mlb.com archives here but if it's on video somewhere, I don't know. While we're on the subject of looking for video... a couple weeks ago I was listening to the game and Uecker went on and on about Weeks slamming into the catcher to score a run, but I can't remember what game it was and can't find reference to it anywhere. Does anyone know what I'm talking about and if there's video of it?

The Brewers may be able to afford Cordero next year, after all.

"What RHP Robbie Wooley is up to" I caught part of Wooley's first start with Sioux City on TV here in the Twin Cities as he pitched against the St Paul Saints- unfortunately it did not go too well with 10 baserunners and 6 ER in 3 innings. Also pitching in that game was Jon Huizinga, who pitched for Milwaukee's Beloit affiliate in 2003.

Here's an article I found about Joe Thatcher: THATCHER GETS ATTENTION AS HE REPORTS TO PADRES Independent Baseball Insider (Vol. 5, No. 24, July 26, 2007) By Bob Wirz 07/27/2007 I cannot recall a previous time when a true Independent Baseball find reached the major leagues with advance billing to the point the player was truly expected to contribute. I feel certain it did not happen with Chris Coste or George Sherrill (Sioux Falls); probably not with Kevin Millar (St. Paul), although all of these players and a number of others before them did help out. Lefty Joe Thatcher was due to pull on a major league uniform for the first time in a regular season at Houston?s Minute Maid Park Thursday night, and he already had his new boss, San Diego General Manager Kevin Towers, saying he expected this Frontier League product to help in the Padres? National League West title chase. ?We think Thatcher can give us some quality innings late in a ballgame,? Towers told MLB.com, while commenting on Wednesday?s trade in which San Diego sent proven setup man Scott Linebrink to N. L. West-leading Milwaukee for three hurlers. Thatcher is the only one of the trio going to the major leagues immediately. The man who signed the now 26-year-old midway in 2005 during his second season at River City (O?Fallon, MO) also praised Thatcher, even though he was leaving the Brewers? organization. ?Joe did a fantastic job with the opportunity of beginning a pro career in the Independent leagues,? Brewers scout Brad Del Barba told me via email. ?I?m really happy for him, as he is not only a very nice pitcher, but also a quality person.? Thatcher, an Indiana State University product, has been exceptional all season, working largely as a left-handed specialist. He was scored on only twice in his last 18 appearances at Triple-A Nashville, where he finished with 33 strikouts, seven walks and 19 hits allowed over 21.2 innings in 24 appearances. His 2.08 earned run average speaks well of him although his first 14 games this season produced a 0.55 ERA at Class AA Huntsville, AL. Combined, Thatcher fanned 53 and walked nine while giving up 30 hits in 38 innings. Good luck, Joe.

"when is the last time -- anywhere in professional baseball -- that a catcher hit two triples in a game?" Sorry I'm late, but the last time in the majors was 7/1/2000 by Jason Kendall. No idea on the rest of professional baseball.

Didn't see it mentioned.... in this series with the Cardinals, the Brewers got 26 hits in the first 12 innings, and got 3 hits in the past 15 innings. Unbelievable.

I think the argument is that the Brewers cannot manufacture a run when they need one. If they get a runner on, the next batter will try to advance him around the bases by aiming for the fences, rather than bunting, sacrificing, hitting to the right side, sac flying, or whatever "small ball" ways it takes to get him around the bases.

That picture of Linzy looks like he's 60 years old.

I know this is kind of like the Cubs IGT, but in other games, Bonds hit number 754. Just in case you hadn't already heard.

"most importantly, he can go to the minors" He must be in his last option year. He spent 2003 with the Rays, spent all of 2004 on the DL, spent parts of 2005 and 2006 with the Rays but was optioned for a month or two each year. This year he has been optioned for the whole year so far.

It's Seth McClung from Tampa Bay. Here's his relief pitching AAA numbers from this year. link Very good except for the walks.

Brewerfan.net only has 5 votes in the "best online baseball community" voting. I know we're better than that; are we above voting for ourselves? Link

Well at least we lost with our best relief pitcher on the mound this time. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Funny, anyone calling for Linebrink to be our new closer yet?

Can anyone recall any similar trades made in the past few years? Here are some trades I could find involving 3 players being traded for a relief pitcher. 7/16/03 Armando Benitez traded by the Mets to the Yankees for Jason Anderson, Anderson Garcia, and Ryan Bicondoa. Benitez was a proven closer, an all-star averaging 30+ saves per year for the past few years. Anderson was a pitcher with good minor-league numbers and was in his rookie year with the Yankees, but never was able to stick in the major leagues. Bicondoa and Garcia were fairly non-descript single-A pitchers, Bicondoa never made it to AA, while Garcia finally made it to the major leagues this year. 7/11/03 Ugueth Urbina traded by the Rangers to the Marlins for Adrian Gonzalez, Ryan Snare, and Will Smith. Urbina was coming off a 40-save all-star season, had 26 saves when traded but had regressed some, then pitched very well for Florida down the stretch. Gonzalez was a former #1 overall pick in AAA that didn't have that impressive minor-league numbers, but subsequently has turned into a good player. AA pitcher Snare and single-A OF Smith had decent minor-league numbers but are no longer anywhere to be found. 7/28/02 Paul Shuey traded by the Indians to the Dodgers for Ricardo Rodriguez, Terry Mulholland, and Francisco Cruceta. This seems like the most similar, although Mulholland was not a prospect. Shuey was a top set-up reliever, acquired to bolster LA's bullpen down the stretch, although they weren't able to chase down Arizona. Mulholland was on the downside of his career and had pitched horribly for LA, but was servicable for Cleveland. Cruceta was a single-A pitcher with good numbers but wasn't able to stick with Cleveland, and Rodriguez was a AAA pitcher with fair numbers that pitched a couple years for the Indians with ERAs over 5. 11/18/97 Robb Nen traded by the Marlins to the Giants for Joe Fontenot, Mike Pageler, and Mike Villano. Not a deadline deal, Nen was coming off a couple of 35-save seasons with Florida, and was probably one of the top-10 closers in the game. Can't remember any of the 3 pitching prospects? Fontenot was a former 1st round pick in AA who ended up pitching in 8 major-league games. Pageler (single A) and Villano (AAA) were fairly non-descript minor-leaguers that never made the bigs. 12/9/80 Bruce Sutter traded by the Cubs to the Cardinals for Ty Waller, Leon Durham, and Ken Reitz. Again not very comparable, Sutter already had a Cy Young Award by this time. Still, the Cubs didn't get much back. Durham had a decent few years, but Reitz was at the end of his non-descript career and Waller was a never more than a fringe major-leaguer.

Well I've given myself a few hours to digest this trade before commenting, plus I read through most of the comments here, but I'm not sure I like it any more now then when I first heard about it. I'm really trying to take off the Power-50-tinted glasses and look at this objectively, but I'm just not convinced Linebrink makes enough of a difference. If it had been 2 players being traded away, I think I could handle that, but 3 players just seems like too much. At any rate, I am glad we are in a position to make this type of trade, even if it means overpaying.

A DH can move to a fielding position, but the DH is lost for the rest of the game. See the Twins game on July 6. Redmond was hurt and Mauer had to move from DH to catch. Starting pitcher Garza then was forced to bat in Redmond's spot in the order. link to box score