Jim Goulart

Final: Missoula 11, Helena 1 Osprey crush Brewers as 1st half of season winds down Helena Independent Record A day after clinching its first Pioneer League North first-half title since 2011, the Missoula Osprey thumped the Helena Brewers, 11-1, at Kindrick Field. The 11 runs were a season high for Missoula and were plenty for starter Yefrey Ramirez and the Osprey pitching staff. With an Orem loss, the Osprey (23-14) now hold a share of the best record in the Pioneer League. Ramirez turned in a quality start in the victory, tossing the first six innings and allowing just one run on six hits and a walk while striking out three. The Osprey scored four times in the third, four in the fifth, once in the seventh and twice in the ninth to set the new benchmark for runs. Isan Diaz highlighted the four-run third with a three-run homer. The round-tripper, which came as part of a 2-for-3 effort with three runs scored, was his fifth of the season, and extended his hitting streak to 16 straight games. Helena’s lone run came in the sixth inning on Steven Karkenny’s fifth home run of the year. Karkenny finished the game 2 for 3 with a run scored -- the homer and a double. The Brewers will wrap up the first half of the 2015 season Monday with a 7:05 PM game (8:05 Central) against Missoula at Kindrick Legion Field. Helena Box Score 19-year-old RHP Jordan Yamamoto (7.82 ERA) has allowed 60 hits in 38 innings; 21st round NC State RHP Jon Olczak made a successful Helena debut, retiring all four men he faced and stranding one of Yamamoto's baserunners... Helena Game Log Also making their Pioneer League debuts after stints in Maryvale were catcher Mitch Ghelfi (1-for-3 with a walk) and 19-year-old switch-hitting second baseman Jonathan Oquendo (0-for-4). Four Brewers had four home runs prior to the game, but Steven Karkenny broke the tie with David Denson, Jake Gatewood, and Carlos Belonis. Karkenny's 5th tied him for 11th in the league.

Final: Omaha 3, Colorado Springs 1 Storm Chasers Solo Shots Send Sox To 3-1 Loss Eibner's 2 RBI Game Enough for Brooks, Omaha By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/9/8/128506498/cuts/04_27_006_pk_br61vrye_gf2a247s.jpg Tyler Thornburg gave the Sox a quality start but would wind up with the loss as they fell 3-1 on Sunday. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Sky Sox offense was kept relatively quiet on Sunday afternoon as Omaha held Colorado Springs to just five hits in the Storm Chasers' 3-1 win before a crowd of 5,388 at Werner Park. Starters Tyler Thornburg (2-7, 5.28) and Aaron Brooks (6-5, 3.71) each provided their teams with quality six-inning performances, though Brooks would fare slightly better with his ability to keep the ball in the park. Pete Orr and Jason Rogers reached with a single and double respectively before Matt Clark's groundout to second allowed Orr to score from third with the game's first run in its first frame. The Sox took a 1-0 lead into the Omaha first but the Storm Chasers would quickly erase the deficit as Thornburg gave up three consecutive two-out singles, the last an RBI knock by Brett Eibner to score Whit Merrifield from second. The game remained knotted at one through two and a half innings before Thornburg served up a solo homer to Eibner with two out in the Omaha third. The blast gave the Storm Chasers a 2-1 lead that would ultimately prove enough. Brooks' day was done after tossing six innings of three-hit, shutout ball. The right-hander walked one batter while striking out two in the impressive effort. The long ball would come back to haunt Thornburg once again in the sixth with Jose Martinez leading off the frame with a blast to straight away centerfield to extend the Storm Chasers lead to 3-1. The Sox starter would set down the next three batters in order before being replaced by Rob Wooten in the seventh. Despite giving up two dingers on the day, Thornburg turned in a quality start for Colorado Springs, allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings. Wooten and Jaye Chapman combined for two perfect innings to finish the afternoon for the Sky Sox pitching staff and give the offense a chance to rally. Unfortunately the Storm Chasers bullpen was just as effective this day as a trio of Louis Coleman, Troy Patton and Michael Mariot (S, 7) twirled three combined innings of shutout baseball in relief of Brooks to secure the 3-1 for Omaha. The win improves the Chasers to 58-44 while Colorado Springs' third straight loss drops their record to 40-59 on the season. The Sky Sox will look to salvage the final game of this four-game set in Omaha on Monday night as Josh Roenicke (5-7, 5.24) leads the way against Storm Chasers righty Yohan Pino (6-3, 5.26) with first pitch set for 6:05 PM MDT (7:05 Central) at Werner Park. Colorado Springs Box Score Bottom six in the order 0-for-20 with two walks... Colorado Springs Game Log RHP Tyler Thornburg must be pretty miserable, questioning his big league status as a starter (which he's been successful in), yet knowing he's been shifted from long relief to an earned 7th inning relief role back to long relief / spot starter and now AAA "bide my time guy". But he's out of minor league options, so it'll be make-or-break in 2016 with Milwaukee (or elsewhere on a possible waive claim).

Jason Rogers double, single, walk today, now 1.079 OPS in 88 AAA AB's. Matt Clark (.761 OPS in PCL) just hasn't grabbed the brass ring.

Helena facing D-Backs Arizona State rookie OF Jake Peevyhouse today. Does not live in a shed in Jake Peavy's backyard...

The Manatees Examiner had a detailed post on Saturday's doubleheader -- included are a few quotes from Manager Joe Ayrault Game two of the doubleheader got underway at 10:11 p.m. St. Lucie picked up right where they left off in game one, scoring four times in the top of the first inning against Manatees starter Brandon Woodruff. Woodruff, who was making his first start since June 24 at Lakeland, had been on the disabled list with an oblique injury. Technically, Woodruff never went on the DL, but was idle for a month, this is the first we've read of the nature of his injury. Woodruff would give up a single to McNeil in the second, but made it through the inning. He was done after two innings of work. “He was at a 35-pitch limit, trying to get him back after his injury,” said Ayrault. “A little bit of tough luck in there, but at least his stuff was there and he’s healthy. It was good to get him back in there.” Again, additional quotes at the link...

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Entry -- Photos, four brief audio interviews and these video highlights --

Fortunately, the disabled list stay for Biloxi RH closer Damien Magnifico was brief. He is activated, while utility infielder Brandon Macias goes on the 7-day DL (undisclosed injury, possible "taxi squad"-type move).

Except for that five-year age difference... Have to hand it to you, Clancy, been here together for 14 years and you certainly still manage to pick out your own unique players to gravitate to...

Colorado Springs' Elian Herrera hits a two-run homer in the Sky Sox's 7-6 Saturday loss to Omaha

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.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site. Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers *** Weather.com: Omaha, NE Pensacola, FL Viera, FL Grand Chute, WI Helena, MT Mesa, AZ

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

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Thornburg at Omaha (Royals), 1:35 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: RHP Jorge Lopez at Pensacola (Reds), 3:50 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them! NOTE: Pensacola does provide MiLB.TV coverage for this series (Blue Wahoos' feed, naturally) ********** Brevard County: RHP Mark Williams at home vs. Palm Beach (Cardinals), 3:50 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: LHP David Carver at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link - 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. NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity. So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. *** Helena: RHP Jordan Yamamoto at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 4:45 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome back and again look forward to hearing second-year Voice of the H-Crew Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter). MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online. *** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Cubs' complex in Mesa, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league *** DSL Brewers: Idle We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men.

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

Final: AZL Cubs 11, AZL Brewers 0 Maryvale Box Score A six-run 9th vs. struggling RHP Connor Baits (four walks, two HBP's and five wild pitches in 1.2 innings, only one run earned, but still a tough go) took the game from 5-0 to a true blowout. 21-year-old RHP Jordan Desguin, the 36th round RHP out of Florida Gulf Coast University, made his professional debut with a two-inning start (4 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K). LHP Jarret Martin (Shawn Zarraga trade) began a 2nd attempt at a rehab assignment (shoulder), last pitched July 2nd... CF Trent Clark singled twice, but quiet 0-for-4's for SS Gilbert Lara and RF Demi Orimoloye... Maryvale Game Log

Final: Billings 9, Helena 6 Mustangs Sweep Brewers With 9-6 Win Helena Brewers The Billings Mustangs (15-20) swept the Helena Brewers (16-19) in a two-game series with a 9-6 win on Saturday at Kindrick Field. Tanner Rainey (1-0) picked up his first pro win, pitching five innings in the start for Billings and giving up just one hit. The second-rounder out of West Alabama struck out two while giving up two runs. J.B. Kole (0-3) was shaky for the Brewers, giving up five runs in five innings and surrendering six hits. Kole would take a liner off his hip in the third inning when Blake Trahan drove one back up the middle. He would stay in the game, but would be in noticeable pain. Trahan had another solid night at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double, three runs, and two RBI. George Iskenderian extended his hitting streak to eight games for the Brewers, coming up with an RBI double in the eighth off Sandy Lugo. Helena was stymied by the Mustangs' pitching staff, coming up with just four hits all night and scoring a majority of their runs courtesy of walks and defensive mistakes. They would post just two hits through the first seven frames. The Brewers will now face the Missoula Osprey in the first of a two-game series Sunday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 4:05 PM (3:05 Central). Helena Box Score In his Helena debut, CF Joantgel Segovia had an eventful day, 1-for-4, SB, HBP, outfield assist... Helena Game Log 16th round RHP Conor Harber (University of Oregon) made his pro debut with a scoreless frame -- Billings Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Conor Harber replaces J. B. Kole. Mitch Trees flies out to center fielder Joantgel Segovia. Zach Shields strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Conor Harber. Zach Shields to 1st. Joe Jocketty grounds out, shortstop Jake Gatewood to first baseman Steven Karkenny. Zach Shields to 2nd. Blake Trahan grounds out, pitcher Conor Harber to first baseman Steven Karkenny.

AUDIO: Pregame interview with one of the new members of the Helena roster, non-drafted free agent RHP Alex Farina (stats) A very interesting ride to pro ball, easy to root for...

Final: Omaha 7, Colorado Springs 6 Late Comeback Falls Short In 7-6 Loss To Omaha Sky Sox score four runs in the ninth but fall to Storm Chasers in Omaha By Nick Dobreff / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/8/2/138786382/cuts/04_12_094_pk_h6k016cl_7uk00ixy.jpg Elian Herrera hit a two-run home run in Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Storm Chasers. (Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Colorado Springs Sky Sox dropped game two of their four-game series against the Omaha Storm Chasers by a score of 7-6 in front of 6,804 fans at Werner Park. The Sky Sox took a brief 2-1 lead in the third inning after a two-run single by Logan Schafer against reliever Clayton Mortensen (6-8, 5.94). However, RBI hits by Jose Martinez, Brett Eibner and Angel Franco in the bottom half of the inning allowed the Storm Chasers to retake the lead for good at 4-2. Trailing 7-2 in the ninth, the Sky Sox rallied to close the deficit to one run with four runs in the inning. A Pete Orr RBI single and an RBI groundout by Matt Long pulled the score to 7-4. Elian Herrera would follow with a two-run home run, cutting the deficit to 7-6. However, Scott Alexander induced a flyout by Jason Rogers with a runner on to end the game, while earning his 11th save. With the loss, the Sky Sox fell to 40-58 while the Storm Chasers improved to 57-44 with the win. The Sky Sox will look to snap a two-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon as RHP Tyler Thornburg (2-6, 5.33) takes the hill for the Sky Sox against RHP Aaron Brooks (5-5, 3.84). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM MDT (2:05 Central). *** Storm Chasers survive scare in ninth to win sixth straight By Tim Perera / Omaha World-Herald correspondent The Omaha Storm Chasers probably didn’t envision Colorado Springs sending the go-ahead run to the plate when they went to the ninth with a 7-2 lead. But that’s exactly what Omaha and reliever Scott Alexander faced after a four-run ninth brought the Sky Sox to within 7-6. Alexander, who came on in relief of Chris Dwyer after a two-run homer by Elian Herrera got Colorado Springs to within one, allowed a single to Logan Schafer to bring Jason Rogers to the plate. Rogers ripped a 3-1 pitch from Alexander to left, but left fielder Jose Martinez hauled it in to preserve a 7-6 win in front of a Werner Park crowd of 6,804. The win was Omaha’s sixth in a row and, combined with Oklahoma City’s 7-4 loss to Round Rock, got the Chasers to within five games of the American Northern division lead for the first time since May 14. Alexander said he was trying to keep the ball down and force Rogers to hit a ground ball, but Rogers was able to get the ball up. “I just tried to attack the zone, try to put something down. Fortunately he hit a line shot right at someone,” Alexander said. Alexander got credit for the save, his 11th of the season and 10th in his last 12 appearances. Omaha (57-44) opened the scoring in the first without the benefit of a hit as Rey Fuentes drew a leadoff walk and came home on a wild pitch by Drew Gagnon to take a 1-0 lead. Chasers starter Brandon Finnegan and reliever Clayton Mortensen combined to retire the first eight Sky Sox batters. But Mortensen surrendered three straight hits in the third with two outs, including a two-RBI single by Schafer, as the Sky Sox (40-58) went ahead 2-1. Jose Martinez and Brett Eibner each had an RBI-double in the third inning and Angel Franco singled in another as the Storm Chasers regained the lead at 4-2. Gagnon, who entered the game with a 6.96 ERA, lasted just 2 1⁄3 innings and surrendered four runs on four hits and four walks. Gagnon fell to 1-11 with the loss, while Mortensen got the win to improve to 6-8 this season. Eibner drew a walk with the bases loaded in the fourth inning to force Christian Colon home as Omaha extended its lead to 5-2. Whit Merrifield collected his third hit of the game in the sixth inning, doubling in Colon, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Martinez as the Chasers’ lead grew to 7-2. Storm tracking: Former Iowa Western Reiver Jeremy Horst pitched the seventh inning for Colorado Springs on Saturday. Horst, who played at Iowa Western in 2004 and 2005, allowed a leadoff single to Kotchman before retiring the next three Storm Chasers in his first appearance with the Sky Sox. Colorado Springs Box Score Let's get RHP Drew Gagnon out of the rotation, just for his own sanity - he also committed an error on a pickoff throw... Colorado Springs Game Log

Friday's game -- Colorado Springs' Jason Rogers hits a solo homer in the Sky Sox's 4-2 loss to Omaha

Biloxi Game Highlights via the Blue Wahoos --

Biloxi game -- Ejections: Pensacola Blue Wahoos Manager Pat Kelly ejected by HP umpire Alex Ziegler (9th); Pensacola Blue Wahoos catcher Kyle Skipworth ejected by HP umpire Alex Ziegler (9th) *** VIDEO - WOW: You really need to see this show, my favorite part is the resin bag deodorant routine, read the story as well for postgame comments.

VIDEO: Rattlers' Tucker Neuhaus Eyeing Success on the Diamond

VIDEO: Rattlers' Tucker Neuhaus Eyeing Success on the Diamond

Rattler Radio (wait, Reindeer Radio) Blog Postgame Entry -- Photos, four brief audio interviews and these video highlights -- *** VIDEO: A second look at the game via the MyNew32 TV broadcast

PHOTO GALLERY: Timber Rattlers via the Post-Crescent (Friday's game) *** Timber Rattlers’ Uhen close to return after month on DL Alex Wolf, Oshkosh Northwestern Media http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/adeeaaee0585afe32d551d088604947aa42f1e89/c=190-0-3059-2152&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/07/25/Oshkosh/B9318196786Z.1_20150725205100_000_GGLBE9GER.1-0.jpg Josh Uhen, an Oshkosh North graduate, is 1-2 on the season with a 5.93 ERA. (Photo: Gannett Wisconsin Media file photo) GRAND CHUTE – Since having Tommy John surgery done in 2011, Josh Uhen takes even the slightest things seriously when it comes to his elbow. So when Uhen — an Oshkosh North graduate who is in his first year as a member of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers — experienced some pain in his elbow in late June, he decided to take some time off to help recover. After a month of time off and rehab, Uhen is ready to get back onto the field. “I don’t even know if it’s an injury, it’s just one of those things where it was too uncomfortable to throw,” Uhen said. “I just wanted to make sure, because I have had Tommy John surgery in 2011 and now I just have to be careful with things like that and I just wanted to make sure everything was good.” Uhen woke up with pain on June 27, the day after a game in which he gave up nine earned runs in 1 2/3 innings of work. While it turned out to be the worst outing of the season, Uhen said his elbow didn’t bother him while he was pitching. “I felt fine during the game and I came in the first inning of that night and it was probably my best inning all year and I went back out there in the second inning and I was out of the stretch more that inning and just couldn’t find it,” Uhen said. “It was one of those innings where you couldn’t minimize the bleeding, everything went wrong. I woke up the next day and my elbow was a little tight and I got to the field and tried throwing and it was bothering me so just getting that taken care of right now.” When he first got on the disabled list, Uhen would spend four hours throwing and working out to get his elbow healthy each game day. Now, he’s on the same schedule as the rest of the players. “I’m pretty close to coming off (the DL),” Uhen said. “When I was first on DL, we get to field at 1 p.m. and I’m usually busy from rehabbing and working out from 2 p.m. until game time, which is about 7 p.m. It’s usually four hours of work. “Now I’m on normal schedule with other team because I’m close to being back, so I’ll get out to the field at 3 p.m., stretch at 3:30 p.m., condition, have batting practice, then we are on our feet for eight hours a day. It’s a grind, but you get used to it.” Before his injury, Uhen was having a successful first half of the season for the Timber Rattlers, despite what numbers may indicate. He is currently 1-2 with a 5.93 ERA this season, appearing in 20 games. In 27 1/3 innings of work, he has one save, has given up 31 hits and has 30 strikeouts — which is impressive. Before going on the DL, he pitched in the third most games as a relief pitcher. Before his last outing, where he gave up nine runs, Uhen was sporting a 3.16 ERA and had a 10 1/3 scoreless inning streak. But that’s how baseball can be sometimes — a bad inning can make your numbers inflate — so Uhen is trying to stay positive about it. “(The season) has been going well,” he said. “I’ve been learning and taking steps along the way and getting used to playing in a full-season setting. I’m trying to look past that one inning. It’s crazy that one inning can change, at least from an outsiders prospective. “But yeah, if you take away that inning I’ve had good success this year. I found a groove and learning how to pitch out of the bullpen again. I’ve been doing well, I need to build off that inning I struggled in.” Team wise, the Timber Rattlers are struggling. Coming into Thursday’s game, they are currently in last place in the Midwest League Western Division with a 31-65 record. Uhen, however, said the team has been positive and knows that record doesn’t reflect on how the team has been playing. “It’s probably the worst team I’ve been on record-wise, but it’s one of those things where all of the guys get along, all of the work we put in is good work, the stuff before and leading up to the games, the performance on the field is really good and our manager says that all the time,” Uhen said. “We put good work in and that’s why he’s not too frustrated with us because he sees the effort level is there. “It’s tough when the game starts, one day we’ll pitch well and won’t score runs or we’ll score a bunch of runs and won’t pitch well. We’re close to being a solid team and we are losing the close games instead of winning them.” Being a part of the Timber Rattlers, the Class A affiliate for the Milwaukee Brewers, has given Uhen the opportunity to play with some major leaguers. Wily Peralta, Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis — current Brewers — all played for the Timber Rattlers for a few games this season during rehab. “It’s cool, you don’t get used to them being there but you see those guys in spring training and get to know them and you learn really quickly and get to see when they play with you that they’re no different than us, they are just playing at a much higher level,” Uhen said. “Khris Davis, Scooter Gennett and Wily Peralta, they are great guys. You hear stories about big leaguers coming down and not being the nicest people but those guys are modest and cool and hang out with us. It’s a cool experience for sure.” Being so close to home has been a huge advantage for Uhen. He is currently living at home with another player — Brandon Diaz — so he’s able to save money. It’s also been an advantage for his family and friends. Being only about a half hour from Fox Cities Stadium, they can watch him play whenever they want. “It so happened that it worked out this year that I’m close to home,” Uhen said. “It’s been fun this year, getting close to home, family and friends. More so, I have a lot of friends living in Milwaukee after college and the Miller Park game was cool watching all of those guys come out there.”