Jim Goulart

Via the Tennessean -- Down season had some ups

Pena’s two homers lead Brewers past Mustangs By Troy Shockley, Helena Independent Record Two things were reinforced Sunday at Kindrick Legion Field. In the Pioneer League, no lead is safe. But when a game’s being played at Kindrick, odds are good the Brewers will win. That’s just what happened against the visiting Billings Mustangs, who rallied from a four-run, first-inning deficit only to see the Brewers pull away for a 10-7 win. The victory moves Helena to 41-28 overall and betters its home record to an impressive 23-10 — including an 11-2 mark in August. Leading the offensive fireworks was Jose Pena. His is a name the Mustangs are beginning to dread. The outfielder sent two pitches out of the park Sunday, driving in four runs. They were his eighth and ninth homers of the season — and the fifth and sixth against Billings. “You could see it from the first at-bat on, he was really locked in and didn’t get fooled by much,” manager Tony Diggs said. “He was looking for his pitch and got it a couple times.” The first time was in the first inning — but he didn’t start the scoring. Doing that was Michael Ratterree, named on Saturday the Pioneer League MVP. He hammered a two-run double down the third-base line in his first appearance since being honored, as he had the night off Saturday. Then came Pena’s two-run shot, coming on a 1-1 pitch from starter Luke Moran. The ball sailed to deep left-center field, bouncing off the top of the wall just to the right of the scoreboard and Helena had staked itself to a 4-0 lead. Brewers starter Danny Keller started the game with a 1-2-3 first, but the second inning wasn’t so kind. By the time the right-hander managed to escape into the bottom of the frame, the Mustangs had picked up five runs on six hits and an error. The score remained in favor of the visitors until Pena came up to bat again, this time sending a solo shot down the third-base line and out to lead off the fourth inning. In the fifth, it was again Ratterree’s turn, and his RBI single gave Helena a lead it would hold the rest of the day. He finished the afternoon 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a pair of runs scored. “He’s a solid player, and that’s what you expect,” Diggs said. “Get a little bit of a breather to catch his breath a little bit and then be ready to play every day. That’s what we emphasize to all our players — just be ready to go, every day.” Following Ratterree’s hit, Diggs called for a double steal with men on first and second. The throw from home to second was close to on-target but managed to bounce off Ratterree’s arm and into center field, which allowed Dionis Hinijosa to trot home for a 7-5 advantage. Billings got one run back in the top of the sixth, but in the seventh … Pena. This time the slugger’s shot didn’t leave Kindrick, but instead went into the books as a sac fly that made it a two-run lead. That advantage grew when, with the bases loaded, Renaldo Jenkins laid down a surprise bunt. The play caught Billings reliever Oswaldo Mieres off-guard, and a bobbled fielding effort led to a rushed throw to first and an error. That left Jenkins safe and pushed another run across. A walk to Nathan Orf — his third of the day — forced in another run and made it a 10-6 game. Billings did threaten in the ninth, scoring one and getting the tying runner to the plate. But the Brewers ended it — with a running catch in left by Pena. Keller earned the win, his first of the season. He allowed five runs on seven hits, just one of them after his struggles in the second, with five strikeouts and just one walk. “Keller did a great job after having the second inning that he did,” Diggs said. “He came back in and threw strikes, made them swing the bats. The big thing about today, even though he gave up those five runs, he made them swing the bats that inning. “We have been a little bit prone to walks, but he did a good job of not allowing that to happen.” Tristan Archer got the save, going four innings and allowing two unearned runs. The two teams finish their series at Kindrick Legion Field today in a Labor Day matinee. Then it’s off to Billings for a quick, two-game set before the Brewers return to Helena to finish out the season with a four-game series against Great Falls. NOTE: Great Falls officially clinched a playoff spot on Saturday night, meaning the Brewers now know who they will face in the first round of the upcoming playoffs. The three-game series will start Sept. 9 in Great Falls with Game 2 set for the following day in Helena. A third game, if necessary, would also be played in Helena on Sept. 11. Photo by James Ridle, Blackfoot Media Group Jose Pena connects on a two-run home run in the bottom of the first inning Sunday in a home game against the Mustangs at Kindrick Legion Field. Pena hit two homers on the day and added a sacrifice fly to pick up four total RBIs. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/6a/86a97ff0-138f-11e3-871c-001a4bcf887a/5224208ec406b.preview-620.jpg

Now that's analysis you're only going to get at Brewerfan . Hope Mrs. Sessile didn't mind...

Pena Slugs Two Homers in Victory Outfielder has four RBI, Ratterree drives in three By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers Jose Pena was locked in at the plate on Sunday afternoon. The slugging outfielder smashed a pair of homers and drove in four runs as the Brewers beat the Mustangs 10-7. Pena's first bomb came in the first inning with the Brewers up 2-0. On a 1-1 pitch from Luke Moran, Pena (photo below by Seth Eikomstead) hit a fly ball to deep center field. The ball bounced off the top of the fence and left the ballpark as Pena had his eighth homer of the year. With Helena trailing 5-4, Pena would belt his second homer, a solo shot, to lead off the fourth inning. It was his sixth home run against Billings this season. Pena's sac fly in the seventh inning would start a three-run rally, which ended up being the difference in the game. "You could see it from the first at bat on he was really locked in and didn't get fooled by much. He was looking for his pitch and got it a couple times," said Helena manager Tony Diggs. Pena wasn't the only one who was seeing the ball well on Sunday. After a day off on Saturday, Pioneer League MVP Michael Ratterree got right back to business in the first inning pulling a bullet down the left field line for a double to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead. After Pena had tied the game in the fourth, Ratterree would put the Brewers ahead 6-5 with a RBI single in the fifth. The Brewers would not trail again in the contest. Ratterree would finish the afternoon 2 for 4 with three RBI and two runs scored. "He's a solid player and that's what you expect, get a little bit of a breather to catch his breath a little bit and be ready to play every day and that's what we emphasize to all our players, just be ready to go every day," said Diggs. Helena starter Danny Keller earned his first win of the season. Keller stumbled in the second inning, allowing five runs on six hits but he would settle down allowing just one hit in the next three frames. "Keller did a great job after having the second inning that he did. He came back in and threw strikes, made them swing the bats. The big thing about today even though he gave up those five runs he made them swing the bats that inning. We have been a little bit prone to walks but he did a good job of not allowing that to happen," said Diggs. Tristan Archer was given the save after pitching the final four innings. He allowed two unearned runs and got out of a jam in the ninth when the Mustangs brought the tying run to the plate. The Brewers and Mustangs will finish the series on Monday. It will be the second straight afternoon contest as there will be a special 1:05 PM start (2:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field on Labor Day. http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/7/6/59261276/cuts/17_Jose_Pena_Hi_5_p5xt35oj_jr3t6k23.jpg

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame entry

Brief VIDEO interview with Jason Rogers at the link *** Southern League RBI title in reach for Huntsville Stars' Jason Rogers by Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times Tough to gripe about a double that doesn't land until it's nearly 400 feet from home plate. But a ground-rule double in the seventh inning of the Stars' 7-0 win over Jackson on Sunday afternoon didn't do Jason Rogers any favors. Rogers had a sure RBI had the ball not bounced over the fence. Nonetheless, he finished with two RBIs, helping him maintain a four-RBI lead over Birmingham's Dan Black atop the Southern League statistics with one game remaining in the season. As the Stars close their 2013 season Monday at 1:03 against the Jackson Generals, the drama will involve individuals more than the game itself. Rogers, the Stars' All-Star first baseman from Riverdale, Ga., can sew up the RBI title, barring a monster day by Black, who went 2-for-3 with two RBIs Sunday in the Barons' 7-1 win over Montgomery. Rogers said he was merely taking things "day by day" and not getting wrapped up in statistics. The Stars' Brock Kjeldgaard has 23 homers to lead the league, one more than Rogers. However, the Stars will take a 58-79 record into the finale, the fifth straight losing season for the franchise. A couple of statistical champions provide at least some consolation. "It's small, bright spots that you look for," said hitting coach Kenny Dominguez. "As a hitting coach I'm disappointed we didn't do better as a club. But to see certain guys get certain accolades it gives you a sense of joy we were able to help somebody get better, that somebody heeded the message and did some good things and had a good year." This will give the Stars' the RBI and home run champ for the second consecutive season, as Hunter Morris led the league in both categories in 2012. Huntsville will have had the home run champ in three of the past 11 seasons (Brendan Katin in 2007 along with Morris) and RBI leader in five of the last 11 years (Corey Hart in 2003, Katin in 2007, Mat Gamel in 2008 along with Morris and this year's champ). Rogers is batting .272 after his 2-for-3 game Sunday, a nice recovery from a June in which his average for the month hovered around the .200 mark. "I had a lot of ups and downs and I just tried to battle back and stay strong," he said. "The biggest thing with him has been zone discipline and plate discipline," Dominguez said. "When he went through that slump in June and knowing that he's a guy that drives in a lot of runs for us, he was trying to make things happen. When you put up the numbers he was putting up you get a target on your back from other teams and they're not going to let you beat them."

AUDIO link within game story *** http://Stars Shutout Generals, Even Series at Two By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars To even up their series at two games apiece, the Huntsville Stars blanked the Jackson Generals by a score of 7-0 on Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium. As they did the previous two nights, the Stars offense took the initial lead on the ballgame. Following two walks by Generals starting pitcher Trevor Miller in the bottom of the first inning, first baseman Jason Rogers came through with a two-run double to put the Stars on the board. For Rogers, the two runs batted in gives him 87 for the season, a total that leads the Southern League. Two innings later, the Stars were able to put the game out of reach against Miller and the Generals. With the bases-loaded and two outs, outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard roped a payoff pitch down the line, scoring outfielders Chadwin Stang and Rene Tosoni as well as Rogers to make the score 5-0 (audio). That lead was plenty for Stars starting pitcher Ariel Pena. The Brewers 17th ranked prospect dazzled in his final start of the season, improving to 8-9 on the year by tossing five scoreless frames while giving up just two hits and striking out six batters. Pena now ranks in the top-five in the league with 131 strikeouts and finishes off the season with five straight starts of giving up two runs or less. Huntsville tacked on their two insurance runs with an RBI groundout from second baseman Nick Shaw in the fourth inning and a sacrifice fly by third baseman Mike Walker in the seventh inning. On offense, the Stars cranked out nine hits, with two apiece from Stang, Rogers and catcher Shawn Zarraga. To ensure the victory for Pena and shutout for the Stars, right-handed relievers Micah Owings, Greg Holle, Eric Marzec and Arcenio Leon each pitched an inning of scoreless relief. For Owings, the scoreless frame came one day after he went 2-for-4 at the plate with a two-run homer as the Stars designated hitter. Overall, the Stars hurlers struck out 12 batters, tying their second-highest total of the season. The win for the Stars marks the 10th shutout of the season for the pitching staff and fourth over the last calendar month. On Sunday, the Stars wrap up a series against the Jackson Generals and their 2013 regular season at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville will send RHP Brooks Hall (2-4, 4.37 ERA) to the bump to try to capture the series victory while Jackson will counter with LHP Cam Hobson (1-1, 1.25 ERA). First pitch is 1:03 CT.

Looks like Joe Ayrault had some fun with the top half of the Manatee lineup for the finale.

Via MLB.com: Haniger, 22, was the Brewers' priority pick and should play regularly for the Saguaros. He hit a combined .266 with 11 home runs and 66 RBIs for Class A Wisconsin and Class A Advanced Brevard County through Monday, and has a .353 on-base percentage in his first 138 Minor League games.

Catcher Brent Dean activated from the Manatee DL for their finale today. Another member of the Brevard rotation, RHP Chad Pierce, sent in a paper move to the Maryvale roster to make room.

Weather.com: Nashville, TN Huntsville, AL Daytona Beach, FL Burlington, IA Helena, MT

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division *** NOTE: To view first half or overall standings for Huntsville, Brevard County, Wisconsin, Helena and Maryvale, you'll notice options at the respective links for that. Otherwise it's second-half standings as the default view for those three leagues.

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times. New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here. Also new this season: Helena has media notes; it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

Follow Sunday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: LHP Zach Kroenke at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Ariel Pena at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 3:48 PM pre-game, 4:03 gametime Free Live Audio Link Alex Cohen is the play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. It appears four Southern League teams air their home games on MiLB.TV, and we'll let you know when those dates pop up on the schedule. ********** Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico at Daytona (Cubs), 4:05 PM pre-game, 4:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed, we'll let you know that. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Jorge Lopez at Burlington (Angels), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of four Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: Many of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and WACY-TV My NEW32 will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and will try to provide day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check with us. ********** Helena: RHP Danny Keller at home vs. Billings (Reds), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers. MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Season complete (23-33), final individual stats found here ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete (26-45), final individual stats found here

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Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry

James Ridle photo, Blackfoot Media Group Helena’s Michael Turay hits a double in the bottom of the first inning Saturday in a game against the Billings Mustangs. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/df/5dfe447a-12cf-11e3-b4a7-0019bb2963f4/5222de4194d8c.preview-620.jpg

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers profile: Alfredo Rodriguez, infielder by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media Link includes "Favorites", "Q&A", etc.

Home Winning Streak is Snapped Despite big night by Turay, Billings wins 8-6 By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers When the Brewers took an early 1-0 in the first inning on Saturday, it looked like Helena might be on the fast track to its ninth straight win at home. Six unanswered runs by Billings later, and the Brewers found themselves in an unfamiliar position: trailing at Kindrick Legion Field. Helena chipped away all night and even brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but ultimately the game belonged to the Mustangs who came away with an 8-6 victory. "We just didn't do enough things to win," said Helena manager Tony Diggs. "We had a chance to push some extra runs across but we didn't. They just beat us today." Trailing 7-3 in the sixth inning, the Brewers took advantage of a pair of errors to get back in the game. With one out and Nathan Orf on first, Charlie Markson hit a grounder back to pitcher Nolan Becker but his throw to second drew shortstop Carlton Daal off the bag. The throw to first by Daal was then wild and instead ending the inning on a double play, the Brewers had another life. Michael Turay (photo below by Seth Eikomstead) would immediately make the Mustangs pay as he blasted a 1-0 pitch from Becker to left for a three-run homer to make it a 7-6 game. "Turay comes up with a big three-run blast that puts us back within one, keeps us in the game," said Diggs. The Mustangs would get a run back in the seventh when Jose Ortiz and Ty Washington hit back-to-back doubles to make it 8-6. The score would remain the same in the bottom of the ninth when Dionis Hinojosa led off the inning with a single. But the Brewers couldn't rally as Joe Mantoni retired the next three batters, two via strikeouts, to close out the game and earn his seventh save of the season. "We had the tying run come up to the plate and we had three chances we just didn't do it tonight," said Diggs. Angel Ortega made a pair of miscues in the game that cost his team three runs. With the Mustangs up 4-1 in the third inning, Ortega made a two-out error on a groundball off the bat of Jhimmy Lopez that allowed a pair of runs to score. After Helena got a run back in the bottom of the third when Clint Coulter hit an RBI single to plate Taylor Brennan, Ortega made a mental mistake that cost the Brewers another run. With Gabriel Rosa on first Aristides Aquino hit a ball that went just off the glove of Ortega and into left field as Rosa went to third. When Ortega retrieved the ball in shallow left, he had his back to the plate and held onto the ball allowing Rosa to scamper home and score. Aquino would be credited with an RBI on the play. Nathan Orf would pinch hit for Ortega in his next at bat. Helena starter David Otterman was handed his fourth loss of the season after he allowed six runs, four of which were earned, in three innings. He didn't help his own cause walking five on the evening. Turay led the offense with three hits and three RBI while Brennan, Hinojosa, and Ruben Ozuna chipped in with two hits apiece. Before the game the Brewers learned that Michael Ratterree was named the 2013 Ralph Nelles Award winner, which is given to the most valuable player in the Pioneer League. "You look at what he has done this entire season and you put up his numbers against anybody in this league and he deserves it. He has had a great season and hopefully he continues to do well and even into the playoffs. Solid young man deservedly wins an award that he put forth the effort in," said Diggs. Diggs was named the manager of the year for the Pioneer League. http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/6/6/59194166/cuts/15_Michael_Turay_3B_fielding_lj3cnoln_acgcwkwp.jpg

Friday Pre-Game Audio: Helena Brewers Director of Marketing/Group Sales Nick Allen talks about his position the operations of the team & his path to Helena *** Saturday Pre-Game Audio: Helena Brewers catcher Jack Cleary talks about his first game with Helena and his season in Arizona

VIDEO from Friday: Nashville's Johnny Hellweg strikes out Mike Olt in the second inning of a 3-2 win over Iowa (full at-bat)

AUDIO links embedded in game story *** Owings, Stars Snap Skid Against Generals by Alex Cohen, Huntsville Stars Owners of a five-game losing streak coming into the game, the Huntsville Stars bucked that dubious trend by beating the Jackson Generals by a score of 5-3 on Saturday night at Joe Davis Stadium. As they did the previous night, the Stars offense took the initial lead on the ballgame in the bottom of the second inning. Following a leadoff single from designated hitter Micah Owings, back-to-back RBI doubles from third baseman Mike Walker (audio) and shortstop Hector Gomez (audio) against Generals starting pitcher Anthony Fernandez (L, 9-8) gave the Stars a 2-0 lead. With the score remaining the same in the bottom of the fifth, the Stars were able to build on that lead. After a leadoff triple from Gomez, outfielder Chadwin Stang lofted a sacrifice fly to put Huntsville up by three. That lead was plenty for Stars starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann. The Brewers 2nd ranked prospect snapped a three-start losing streak, improving to 10-10 on the year after giving up two runs on four hits in 5.2 innings pitched. Jungmann sent down the Generals in order through his first trip around the order, but gave up a two-run double to designated hitter Ramon Morla in the fifth inning as his only blemish on the night. Huntsville tacked on their two insurance runs in the sixth inning on one swing of the bat. With outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard on base following a leadoff walk, Owings drove a ball well over the left-field wall for his first roundtripper in a Stars uniform (audio). Since starting the season 2-for-31 at the plate with the Stars, the former big league pitcher now has two straight multi-hit games and has five hits in his last eight plate appearances. His batting average has gone up 113 points (.067 to .180) in that time. Aside from Owings, the Stars were paced offensively by three hits from Gomez. The former big league shortstop was just a homer away from the cycle. To ensure the win for Jungmann and the Stars, righty Michael Olmsted tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief while reliever David Goforth gave up a run in two innings of work to notch his sixth save of the season. The win for the Stars snaps a five-game losing streak overall and snaps a five-game losing skid against the Generals dating back to their last series at The Ballpark at Jackson in late July. On Sunday, the Stars will play game three of a five-game series against the Jackson Generals at Joe Davis Stadium. Huntsville will send RHP Ariel Pena (7-9, 3.87 ERA) while Jackson will counter with RHP Trevor Miller (3-1, 4.01 ERA). First pitch is 4:03 CT.

Even without playoffs, Manatees opened some eyes Michael Parsons, Florida Today The Brevard County Manatees wrap up the 2013 season tonight in Daytona Beach. And after just missing the first-half title by a half game, you could say this season was a disappointing one for the club. But you would be wrong. “Overall, a good year,” Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said before a recent game. “Coming that close in the first half, missing by a half game was tough, but seeing the guys get better and guys move up and have success, a few of them have really opened eyes. That is good to see.” Don’t get Ayrault wrong, he is as competitive as the next guy and wants to win, but his job is to teach and help the players improve as well. And that is one thing this team has done. “I am a guy who comes to the ballpark expecting to win every day, too, but these guys give their best effort every day and have worked hard all year,” he said. That hard work has paid off as numerous players have been called up to Double A, some even reaching the major leagues. Hiram Burgos began his season with the Manatees and made six starts (1-2) with the Milwaukee Brewers over the summer. Of course, Francisco Rodriguez began his comeback here and he did so well with the Brewers that he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles. Kevin Shackelford is another pitcher that has opened some eyes. He is pitching out of the bullpen at Double A now. “Shackelford is one of the guys that really came on in the bullpen, moved up to Double A. His velocity has jumped and his slider is coming along and doing a really good job,” Ayrault said. Offensively, the team has seen some growth as well with Nick Ramirez becoming a much better hitter and D’Vontrey Richardson doing it all in the second half of the season as the Florida State graduate looks like he has a bright future in the game. “Managing a guy like that, with those tools is great to be around. Fun to watch. You see him improving every day with the experience that he gets in the field,” Ayrault said of Richardson. “His approach at the plate, very very professional. He has a nice, line drive approach. There is just a different sound when the ball comes off his bat. I am glad he is back with us, he is really making a name for himself.” So, at the end of the day, the Manatees will not be heading to the playoffs this season but have definitely accomplished a lot of their goals this season just the same.