Jim Goulart

Shuckers to lean on strong pitching staff in playoffs Biloxi hosts Pensacola for Game 1 Thursday By Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald BILOXI - When the Biloxi Shuckers open the Southern League South Division playoffs Thursday, they'll have one of the hottest pitchers in all of Double-A on the mound. Biloxi hosts the Pensacola Blue Wahoos at 7:10 PM Thursday in game one at MGM Park with right-hander Jorge Lopez starting on the mound for the Shuckers. Lopez (12-5, 2.26) had the most successful regular season of his career in 2015 and he appears set to make a strong showing in the postseason. "I feel great," the 22-year-old said Wednesday. "I think that 's a difference from last year. I was pretty tired, but I worked hard in the offseason. I'm still able to throw." Lopez earned the Southern League's Most Outstanding Pitcher honor and he was named the Milwaukee Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for the third consecutive month on Tuesday. "I've never personally seen (a player win three monthly awards)," Shuckers manager Carlos Subero said. "That tells you how he's pitching. Hopefully, that carries us into the first game and he gives us a chance to win the game." In 15 starts since June 2, Lopez is 9-3 with a 1.54 ERA. During that stretch, he has 94 strikeouts and 30 strikeouts with opposing batters hitting .193 off him. The last time Lopez faced Pensacola on July 26, he lasted six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits. He struck out six and walked two in the 10-2 win at Pensacola. Pensacola will counter Thursday with right-hander Daniel Wright, who has been the workhorse of the Blue Wahoos' staff this season. He is 10-11 with a 4.53 ERA in 27 starts this season, leading the team with 155 innings pitched. Wright had a rough outing in his last start against the Shuckers, giving up four earned runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings on Aug. 12 in a 4-1 win for the Shuckers. The Shuckers will be in great shape on the mound to start the five-game series. Adrian Houser (4-1, 2.92) is set to start Friday's 7:10 PM game in Biloxi and Tyler Wagner (11-5, 2.25) will get the start at 6:35 PM Saturday when the series moves to Pensacola. The first three pitchers Subero will use in the series are a combined 27-11 in 56 starts this season. "I have a lot of confidence in all of our pitchers no matter any situation they're thrown in," Biloxi catcher Adam Weisenburger. "Our bullpen has been great. Our starting pitching has been great. We're looking for some quality starts from starters and slamming the door with the bullpen. That will be our recipe for success throughout the playoffs." Lefty Cody Reed (6-2, 2.17) is set to start game two for Pensacola with right-hander Timothy Adelman (9-10) on schedule to start Saturday's game Both Pensacola and Biloxi have strong options to close out games in the series. Blue Wahoos right-hander Zach Weiss led the Southern League in saves this season with 25 and Shuckers closer Damien Magnifico features a sparkling ERA of 1.17 with 20 saves, which ranked third in the keague. The Shuckers won the season series from the Blue Wahoos, 14-6. Biloxi will get some help in the lineup with Michael Reed rejoining the the Shuckers from Colorado Springs. He was promoted to Triple-A last month, where he batted .246. With Biloxi, Reed batted .278 with five homers and 49 RBIs in 313 at-bats. The Shuckers also added an arm to its rotation in right-hander Jorge Ortega, who went 9-9 with a 2.41 ERA in 20 starts with Class-A Brevard. Ortega will likely throw the fifth game of the series, if necessary.

MLB Trade Rumors added the Reverse Standings page for 2015 today, so add to your favorites.

We forgot to tell you who was named Organizational Player of the Month.

And now Part Two.

VIDEO via WLOX: More looking forward to the Pensacola playoff series

Helena Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Andrew Potter replaces Bryant Holtmann. Jose Cuas singles on a ground ball to center fielder Joey Armstrong. With Mitch Ghelfi batting, wild pitch by Andrew Potter, Jose Cuas to 2nd. Mitch Ghelfi walks. Carlos Belonis out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Austin Byler to second baseman Kal Simmons. Jose Cuas to 3rd. Mitch Ghelfi to 2nd. Malik Collymore singles on a ground ball to third baseman Tyler Humphreys. Jose Cuas scores. Mitch Ghelfi scores. Malik Collymore to 2nd. Throwing error by third baseman Tyler Humphreys. George Iskenderian reaches on a throwing error by third baseman Tyler Humphreys. Malik Collymore scores. George Iskenderian to 2nd. Steven Karkenny flies out to center fielder Joey Armstrong. George Iskenderian to 3rd. Jonathan Oquendo grounds out, second baseman Kal Simmons to first baseman Austin Byler. That play is available via video.

Biloxi Shuckers now look to be a playoff hit By Mary Perez, Biloxi Sun-Herald

Chris Harris on his game -- already with a full preview via the Shuck Dynasty blog, you can tell he's excited.

Tom Haudricourt noted on Tuesday that the Brewers are moving OF Michael Reed to the Biloxi roster for the playoffs, somewhat fitting since he contributed so much to the first-half championship. No word yet on who will be losing their roster spot. Will Brett Phillips bruised thumb/hand allow him to be activated for Game One? Pensacola is a National League affiliate (Reds), so no designated hitter. If Phillips is good to go, you've got Victor Roache, Tyrone Taylor, Reed and Phillips all as customary starters. If Phillips is healthy, then two Shuckers will need to be dropped from the active roster.

We may add some tidbits along the way, like this in our Transaction thread, but join us here Thursday mid-day for all things previewing the Biloxi opening playoff series.

Final: Helena 3, Missoula 1 Brewers end season with 3-1 win Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (32-42) capped their season off with a win, topping the Missoula Osprey (42-33) by a score of 3-1 on Tuesday at Kindrick Field in Helena. Nate Griep pitched four excellent innings in the start. The right-hander out of Kansas State did not allow a run, gave up just one hit, and struck out four. It was his second highest strikeout total of his professional career. Bryant Holtmann was equally impressive in the start for Missoula, going six shutout innings for the visitors. He would strike out five and walk three. With the game scoreless heading to the top of the seventh, the Osprey broke through for their first and only run of the game. Junior Rincon (6-4) would walk Austin Byler with two outs. With Byler at first, Luke Lowery towered a double to center that would allow Byler to score all the way from first. Rincon set a new season-high with seven strikeouts over his four innings of relief. He finished the season leading the team in wins. The Brewers wasted no time in turning the tables, grabbing three runs in the bottom of the seventh off Andrew Potter (0-1). They were aided by two errors committed by the third baseman, Tyler Humphreys. Malik Collymore went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI to lead the Helena offense. Jon Olczak picked up his second professional save, pitching a 1-2-3 ninth. The Helena Brewers' season is now complete. Helena Box Score Trent Clark walked twice and added a sacrifice bunt; .431 OBP in 12 Helena games, a .309/.424/.430 line overall for his excellent rookie campaign. Helena Game Log

Disciples of Uecker: Sleepers (Part One)

PHOTO GALLERY: Monday's Biloxi nightcap

Lopez earns third-straight Brewers Pitcher of the Month honor Lopez was 3-1 with a 1.03 ERA over five starts in August Biloxi Shuckers

Biloxi's Nick Ramirez knocks an RBI single to right as the Shuckers top Tennessee Monday, 3-2

This helped Matt Clark earn Pacific Coast League Player of the Week honors! Colorado Springs' Matt Clark blasts his 20th homer in the final game of the season, an 8-7 loss to New Orleans

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Helena

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Colorado Springs: Season complete, the team finished the season at 62-81. ********** Biloxi: Idle until the Southern League Divisional Playoff Best-of-Five Playoff Series vs. Pensacola begins at home Thursday evening ********** Brevard County: Season complete, the team finished the season at 55-80, last in Florida State League ********** Wisconsin: Season complete, the team finished the season at 50-89. *** Helena: RHP Nate Griep at Billings (Reds), 7:45 PM Central pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link The second-year Voice of the H-Crew is Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter). *** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Season complete, the team finished the season at 23-33. *** DSL Brewers: Season complete, the team finished the season at 32-40.

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Clark collects five hits in doubleheader No. 3 Brewers prospect ties career high with four singles in first game By Andrew Kahn / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/6/4/148023164/cuts/Clark_khujqdnv_eihwz5wj_t5lr2pyd.jpg Trent Clark racked up four hits in a game for the third time in his young professional career. (USA Baseball) Holding the bat like it's a golf club, Trent Clark hits scorchers that would make any golfer proud. The unconventional grip wasn't taught by coaches, but it's been working for the Brewers' 2015 first-round pick in his first professional season. Milwaukee's No. 3 prospect collected five hits during Monday doubleheader for Rookie-level Helena, four of them in the continuation of Rookie-level Helena's suspended game against Missoula from Aug. 28. The Brewers won the resumed game, 10-3, and lost the nightcap, 6-0. Clark collected four singles and drove in three runs from the fifth spot in the batting order in the first game. The left-handed hitter went 1-for-4 in the second contest out of the leadoff spot. "He stayed on the ball well," Helena manager Tony Diggs said. "He used the entire field. Three of his four hits were to left or center field." Clark is hitting .370 over 46 at-bats with Rookie-level Helena. He batted .309 in 43 games with the Rookie-level Arizona League Brewers earlier this season. The box score marked the second time in his short career that the Fort Worth, Texas native amassed four hits. He belted a grand slam en route to hitting for the cycle in the AZL on July 9. "Is it something you teach? Not necessarily, but it's not something we're going to change if he's successful," Diggs said. "The grip felt good in his hands when he first tried it. It's something that continues to morph and change into something more conventional." Clark, the No. 78 overall prospect, won't even turn 19 until November. "He shows, for his age, that he has a pretty good idea of the strike zone," his skipper said. "That's big. Most youngsters come into pro ball, and it's really difficult for them to have a great idea of the strike zone. He doesn't have a big swing, so he gives himself a chance to barrel up balls. He shows us flashes of what the scouts saw." Diggs isn't concerned that his young charge only has two homers at this point. "You can see as he gets stronger and understands the game even more, he can add some more power as well," he said. "I think most hitters will tell you the power always comes last. It's a matter of becoming a good hitter first, and he's well on his way. It's just about learning about the mechanics of his swing, so when something's going wrong he can fix it." Diggs likes Clark's defense out in center field, particularly as he adapts to the thinner air in Montana. Still, the youngster will continue to refine his game at instructs, which will start up a few weeks after Helena's season concludes Tuesday. "He'll work on everything -- defense, baserunning, hitting," the manager said. "He can't be satisfied with what he's done, because the game will only get faster as he moves up. He has to learn how to slow the game down and make sure he doesn't give away at-bats. "All young hitters get satisfied with a couple of hits and try to take a bigger swing. I haven't seen that as much with him. I have seen him get a little complacent in a hitter's count where he should get aggressive. He's a little patient because he wants to work a walk or get deep in count."

VIDEO via WLOX: Biloxi Game One highlights - Victor Roache interview quotes Includes the Tyrone Taylor catch alluded to earlier...

Final, Completion of Suspended Game: Helena 10, Missoula 3 Final, Regularly Scheduled Game: Missoula 6, Helena 0 Via the Missoulian: HELENA -- Six Missoula pitchers combined to blank the Helena Brewers 6-0 in the second half of a Pioneer League baseball twin bill of sorts Monday evening. The Brewers completed a 10-3 win over the Osprey earlier Monday in a game that was suspended after five innings due to smoke on Aug. 28. Pitching dominated the first five innings of the nightcap. Missoula ace Bo Takahashi warmed up for the postseason with two scoreless innings before giving way to Emilio Vargas (1-0), who tossed three shutout frames. Cody Clark, Gabriel Moya, Keegan Long and Dan Savas all pitched one inning of scoreless relief. Helena starter Joshua Torres was even more impressive, throwing five two-hit innings while striking out eight. But the Osprey got to Bubba Blau (3-5), who was tagged for six runs in 3 1/3 innings. The Osprey finally drew first blood in the sixth on Austin Byler's 15th home run of the season, a two-run shot to right. Jason Morozowski had singled and stolen second in front of Byler. Missoula got four insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Joey Armstrong and Tyler Humphreys had run-scoring singles, Jason Morozowski earned a bases-loaded walk and Byler finished things off with an RBI single. Helena Regularly Scheduled Game Box Score Helena Regularly Scheduled Game, Game Log *** The Brewers made quick work of the Osprey in the completion of the game suspended by smoke. Already leading 8-2, Helena added two more in the eighth to offset one by the Osprey in the seventh. Missoula's additional run came on Byler's 14th homer of the season. But that was all the Osprey could muster against Christian Trent, who tossed the final four innings to earn his first save of the season. He allowed four hits, just the single run and struck out five. Junior Rincon (5-4) was credited with the win for his one inning of hitless relief back in August. Starter Bryant Holtmann (2-1) was tagged with the loss. He started the game and lasted 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits, six walks and five runs. Aaron Sookee threw the remaining 5 1/3 innings. He allowed eight hits and five runs, just three of which were earned. In an unusual statistical twist, Holtmann is the scheduled starter for the Osprey against the Brewers on Tuesday in Helena. Helena Completion of Suspended Game Box Score Helena Completion of Suspended Game, Game Log Kudos to Christian Trent and Joshua Torres on wrapping up their seasons in style. *** There is a Link Report Tuesday -- Helena finale!

VIDEO via KOAA: The first-year Sky Sox Brewers relationship certainly marred by Mother Nature, but folks are putting a good spin on things

Final: New Orleans 8, Colorado Springs 7 Sky Sox, Rattlers, Manatees all losing finales that kind of represent their seasons... Sox Fall To Zephyrs In Season-Ending Slugfest Teams Conclude 2015 with 15 Combined Runs and 28 Hits in Colorado Springs' 8-7 Loss By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox dropped their final game of the 2015 Pacific Coast League season to the New Orleans Zephyrs in a fitting 8-7 slugfest before a Monday afternoon crowd of 6,412 at Security Service Field. With their largest Labor Day crowd since 1990, the Sky Sox finish with a 300,209 season attendance, marking the eighth straight year the team has broken the 300,00 mark. Sox starter Josh Roenicke (7-12, 6.15) tossed a perfect first inning before serving up three runs to a consistent Zephyrs offensive attack in the top of the second. The right-hander would get Vinny Rottino to ground out to open the frame before giving up three straight base hits to Brady Shoemanker, Austin Nola and Zack Cox with the latter two collecting RBI knocks to give New Orleans a quick 2-0 lead. Jhonatan Solano flew out for the second out of the inning before Zephyrs starter Travis Blackley drove in his first run of the season with a soft line drive single to right field to pad the early advantage. Now holding a 3-0 lead after two innings of play, Blackley (5-7, 6.00) would allow the Sky Sox lineup to combine for the cycle in the bottom of the third en route to taking a 4-3 lead. Kyle Wren and Roenicke opened the inning with a double and RBI triple respectively to get Colorado Springs on the board. Pete Orr added a run-scoring single in the following at-bat to pull the Sox within one before Luis Sardinas reached on a bunt single, giving the home side four straight hits to start the frame. Michael Reed grounded into a run-scoring double play to knot the game at three and bring Matt Clark to the plate with two out and the bases empty. The slugging first baseman would have some high-flying fun for everyone, swatting his 20th long ball of the season to give Colorado Springs their first lead of the contest. Roenicke would not hold the newly attained 4-3 lead for long as the New Orleans offense once again put a crooked number on the scoreboard to chase the starter in the top of the fourth. The Zephyrs posted five runs on six hits in the big inning as Nola and Cox each drove in their second runs of the night while Isaac Galloway and Austin Wates completed the scoring with RBI knocks of their own. Rick Sweet turned to Jeremy Horst out of the bullpen to get out of the one out, one on situation in the five-run fourth. The lefty did just that, sending the Sox to the home fourth with the team trailing 8-4. Colorado Springs chipped away at the four-run lead, scoring in the sixth and seventh innings against Blackley and reliever Cody Ege. Ege came in to relieve Blackley in the sixth after the Aussie southpaw failed to record an out in the inning, allowing four straight hits with Juan Centeno's RBI single serving as the big blow. Ege worked out of the frame to preserve the now 8-5 lead before allowing an unearned run in the seventh when Centeno reached on a fielding error by Reid Brignac that helped Michael Reed cross the plate for the Sox' sixth run of the day. Blackley would be charged with five runs on 13 hits and one walk while walking one and striking out two over five innings of work as the Sox trailed by just two runs in the 8-6 contest after seven innings of play. Horst worked 1.2 scoreless frames before a combination of Rob Wooten, Brandon Kintzler and Preston Guilmet combined for three shutout frames to maintain the 8-6 score through seven and a half innings of play. Matt Long blasted his seventh home run of the season to lead off the home eighth against left-hander Greg Nappo to bring the Sky Sox within one of tying the ballgame late. The left fielder's 405 foot round-tripper would be the final run of the Sky Sox season as the Zephyrs would preserve their 8-7 lead thanks to closer Nick Wittgren. After Jaye Chapman gave the home side a scoreless ninth, the right-handed Wittgren recorded his 19th save with a shutout ninth to secure the 8-7 season-ending win, helping New Orleans to a 58-86 final record. Colorado Springs finishes their 2015 campaign with a 62-81 record in their first year of affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers. While Colorado Springs wraps up the 2015 campaign with a heartbreaker, they did secure the best team fielding percentage (.981%) after making the fewest errors (98) in Sky Sox history. 2015 also marks the first year that a Sky Sox staff has not allowed a single grand slam home run in a season. Though the squad finished at the bottom of the bottom of PCL American Northern Division, the future is certainly bright as the Sky Sox look to return to Colorado Springs with a fresh crop of talented players set to join an already talented veteran Triple-A group in 2016. Colorado Springs Box Score Whoo-hoo, no grand slams allowed! All six Sky Sox pitchers here face minor league free agency outside of a re-up (please, Jaye Chapman). My words, not his -- Matt Clark wondering how Adam Lind stayed healthy. Matt Long will find work, nice player. Brewers will likely invite ageless veteran Pete Orr back, he put a cap on a fine season today with three hits. Colorado Springs Game Log

Posted on April 11th -- Baseball America reports that veteran minor league infielder Hainley Statia, whose roster status had not been reported previously, is on the 7-day DL. It is likely as a roster stash, but we can't say that with certainty. Statia did see spring training game action. Back on December 4th, we posted this detailed summary on his career at the time of his re-signing. *** We did inquire with the Brewers weeks ago, it was one of the few inquiries we've made that just kind of fell flat... His MiLB player page does say "Free Agent", and actually still shows as as the old Huntsville Stars, but that was even the case back then. We pretty much based his status on the Matt Eddy Baseball America transaction list.