Jim Goulart

Final: Colorado Springs 5, Sacramento 3 Nelson, Sox Bullpen Steal 5-3 Win From River Cats Chris Nelson's Pinch-Hit, Three-Run Double Fuels Sox Win Over Sacramento Despite Just Four Team Hits By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/3/6/127958436/cuts/chris_nelson_double_sm_tk942cml_y6rpdmhk.jpg Chris Nelson's pinch-hit, three-run double in the fourth gave the Sox a 5-3 lead that they would not relinquish on Monday afternoon. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Sky Sox took full advantage of their limited opportunities in Monday's matinee matchup with the Sacramento River Cats, earning a series-split in their 5-3 win before a crowd of 2,194 at Security Service Field. With Colorado Springs' originally scheduled starter Tyler Cravy getting the call up to the big club on Sunday night, reliable reliever Tim Dillard would get the spot start for the Sox. The side-winding righty would provide his squad a serviceable four inning performance, allowing three runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two. Dillard's composure would get the veteran out of trouble on numerous occasions, however, he could not escape the outing without falling victim to one big blow. Casey McGehee would come to the plate in the top of the second with two on and two-out, taking his former Brewers teammate's offering an estimated 390 feet over the left field fence for his second long ball in as many days. The round-tripper gave the River Cats an early 3-0 lead and the Sky Sox crowd an uneasy feeling. Dillard would settle down and keep Sacramento off the board in his final two frames before turning the ball over to an exceptional bullpen in the fifth that would continue the trend. The Sky Sox offense would come alive for one inning, notching three of their four total base hits in the home fourth as the lineup piled on five runs to take the lead for good. After River Cats starter Juan Gutierrez tossed three scoreless to open the ballgame, Pete Orr and Shane Peterson would open the fourth against right-hander Curtis Partch (1-1, 3.20) with back-to-back singles before a Nevin Ashley fielder's choice groundball to third allowed Orr to score, beating McGehee's throw to home to give the Sox their first run. Now with runners on the corners and just one out, Logan Schafer would help the Sox cut their deficit to one, reaching on a throwing error by first baseman Adam Duvall that also allowed Peterson to scurry home from third. Partch came back to strikeout Yadiel Rivera in the next at-bat before walking Donnie Murphy to load the bases. Manager Rick Sweet would call upon fan-favorite Chris Nelson to pinch-hit for Dillard with the bases loaded, two-out and his team trailing by one. Known for his flare for the dramatic, Nelson would not disappoint as he cleared the bases with a line drive double down the right field line to give the Sox their first lead of the ballgame. Matt Long's groundout in the next at-bat ended Colorado Springs' fourth inning offensive outburst , but not before the home team took a 5-3 lead that would not be relinquished. After allowing three hits and a walk while striking out two, Partch was charged with just one earned run in the five-run frame en route to the hard-luck loss. Left-hander Jed Bradley (2-3, 9.13) and righties Ariel Pena and Rob Wooten would finish out the ballgame for the Sky Sox, tossing a combined five scoreless innings in relief of Dillard. Led by Bradley's 2.1 inning performance, the trio allowed just three hits without issuing a walk while striking out two. The Sox offense would also be shut down for the remainder of the game as Sacramento's righty/lefty combination of Cory Gearrin and Steven Okert allowed just one base runner (an Ariel Pena walk in the home seventh) with five Sox batters going down on strikes over the game's final four frames. Wooten took over on the mound in the top of the ninth for Colorado Springs, nailing down his first save of the season to secure a 5-3 win and series-split in Sacramento's lone visit of the 2015 season. The Sky Sox move to 20-30 despite being outhit 8-4 with nine strikeout victims in the ballgame, stealing a victory from the now 23-29 River Cats thanks to superior fundamental play. The Sox welcome MLB.com's #1 prospect Carlos Correa and the Fresno Grizzlies to Colorado Springs for the first of a four-game set on Tuesday night. Taylor Jungmann (2-2, 6.49) will look to make it two straight for the Sox as he faces off with Grizzlies left-hander Luis Cruz (1-2, 4.76) at Security Service Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score Chris Nelson just 7-for-50 with the Sky Sox, but boy, that was a big pinch-hit... Colorado Springs Game Log We really need to archive this Jed Bradley effort -- more of this, please! Sacramento Top of the 5th Pitching Change: Jed Bradley replaces Tim Dillard, batting 9th, replacing Chris Nelson. Adam Duvall grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark. Jarrett Parker grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark. Juan Perez lines out to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Sacramento Top of the 6th Ronny Cedeno bunt grounds out to first baseman Matt Clark. Trevor Brown flies out to right fielder Shane Peterson. Cory Gearrin grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Matt Clark. Sacramento Top of the 7th Darren Ford grounds out, third baseman Donnie Murphy to first baseman Matt Clark. Casey McGehee singles on a ground ball to right fielder Shane Peterson. Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Jed Bradley, batting 9th. Ehire Adrianza strikes out swinging. Adam Duvall pops out to first baseman Matt Clark in foul territory.

Thanks! We have been chronicling this in our Biloxi-specific team thread. You may have missed Part One, linked here. Closing this mini-thread, thanks.

Latest from Jeff Levering's Minor Details blog

Adam Rygg of the Brewer Nation blog and Twitter account indicates the Brewers have released RHP Harvey Martin from the Timber Rattlers roster, where he had been on the DL since mid-April. Martin was an undrafted free agent signee after the 2013 draft, he'll turn 26 in July. We wish him well.

First AB in the Sky Sox game featured Tim Dillard (a Brewer since 2003) throwing to Darren Ford (originally a Brewer way back in 2005). Ford grounded out, 3-1.

Day off for Scooter Gennett today (0-for-his-last-11). Counting spring training, Gennett has worked three non-intentional walks in 2015, in 192 AB's.

Via our friend Brad at Miller Park Prospects -- Going To The Show: Tyler Cravy

From Sunday's Link Report -- Whoa, I nailed that one...

As you'll see here, RHP Tyler Cravy is one of only two players to reach the major leagues thus far from his draft round (17th round, 2009). The other, RHP Steven Ames, made four relief appearances with the Dodgers in 2013, and is currently out of baseball. Cravy will be the 8th player to reach the majors from the Brewers' much-maligned 2009 draft (much-maligned because of the failures of their first five picks that year, all taken within the first two rounds). And RHP Brooks Hall has a chance to be the 9th to reach in the coming years.

Look for more details from the Shuckers later, but Biloxi SS Orlando Arcia is the reigning Southern League Player of the Week.

VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Nevin Ashley hits his second double of the night in a 10-5 loss to Sacramento on Sunday

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site. 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 *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Birmingham, AL Viera, FL Grand Chute, WI San Pedro de Macoris, DR

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

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: TBD at home vs. Sacramento (Giants), 2:05 PM pre-game, 2:35 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: LHP Hobbs Johnson at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 looking off to his very promising "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi staff indicates it is hopeful it will be eight when the new stadium opens. NOTE: This series is available online for MiLB.TV subscribers. ********** Brevard County: RHP Brandon Woodruff at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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: RHP Cy Sneed at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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. *** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Red Sox #2 team, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day 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

Brewers announce RH reliever Wirfin Obispo is moved from Biloxi to Colorado Springs (takes Tyler Cravy's roster spot). It appears there's also room on the roster for catcher Juan Centeno's return to AAA later today.

Congratulations, RHP Tyler Cravy, now on the 25- and 40-man rosters, up from Colorado Springs. RHP Tyler Wagner optioned to Biloxi, partly due to circumstances with the 17-inning affair Sunday. The Shuckers won't need to make a move to make room for Wagner until he formally reports, which may not be until Wednesday.

AUDIO: After throwing his third complete game of the season on Friday, RHP Jorge Ortega joins the Manatees Radio Network (translation assist to RHP Javi Salas) *** AUDIO, Saturday Game Highlights: Brevard County defeats Lakeland, 14-0 *** AUDIO: RHP Eric Marzec joins the Manatees Radio Network on Sunday's Pregame Show (as noted above, fascinating Lucroy points) *** AUDIO, Game Highlights: Clint Coulter has three hits in Sunday's 8-3 Brevard County win *** AUDIO: 1B Garrett Cooper joins the Manatees Radio Network after collecting three RBI in an 8-3 win

VIDEO: Wisconsin's Devin Williams (mound highlights)

Final: Sacramento 10, Colorado Springs 5 No Pitcher Safe In Sox 10-5 Loss To River Cats The Sky Sox Could Not Contain Sacramento's Offense, Allowing 15 Hits and 7 Walks In an Ugly Loss By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/5/6/127816656/cuts/05_17_015_pk_z1n1b9d7_fzzugq7h.jpg Nevin Ashley had a perfect day at the plate, recording two doubles and two walks while scoring twice in the Sox 10-5 loss. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The River Cats offense was relentless on Sunday afternoon, pounding out 15 base-hits en route to a 10-5 win over the Sox before a crowd of 3,611 at Security Service Field. Sacramento would get to Sox starter Drew Gagnon (1-7, 7.91) early and often, scoring in four consecutive innings to hang the right-hander with five earned runs on nine hits and a walk over five innings of work. Gagnon would strike out two along the way. After working a scoreless first, Gagnon would toss a scoreless first before Jarrett Parker took him deep in the second, blasting his 10th long ball of the season an estimated 440 feet over the right-field fence. Parker would add another solo shot, his 11th, off of Gagnon in the fifth, which would ultimately be the starter's final frame. The first Parker homer would open the flood gates for Sacramento's offense as they would add one run in each of the next three frames. The Sox would chip away at the River Cats leads most of the afternoon with runs in the second, fourth, sixth and eighth, however the bullpen could not keep the team in it as Jim Henderson, Michael Kirkman and Nick Additon would combine to allow five runs of their own over the final four innings of the ballgame. Kirkman would have the roughest bullpen outing, allowing three runs in his 1.1 innings on three hits and three walks while striking out three. River Cats righty Robert Coello (6-3, 3.50) pitched effectively and would do just enough in his time on the mound to maintain his team's lead. The starter tossed seven innings of four-run ball (three of the runs being earned) on seven hits and two walks while striking out four. Former Brewer Casey McGehee record his first home run as a member of the River Cats, launching a 414 foot shot just inside the left field foul pole off of Henderson in the seventh. Matt Clark, Nevin Ashley and Matt Long, the Sox 4-5-6 hitters, each collected multi-hit games in Colorado Springs' nine-hit performance with Clark and Ashley scoring two runs apiece. Clark, Long, Yadiel Rivera and Pete Orr notched the team's RBIs as Rivera extended his Sox season-high hitting streak to 11 games with a fourth inning single. Michael Broadway would record the lone scoreless outing in the slugfest as he retired the Sox side in order in the bottom of the ninth, locking down the River Cats' second straight win after having lost 10 consecutive games coming into Saturday night's contest. With the loss, Colorado Springs falls to 19-30 on the season while Sacramento improves to 23-28. The Sox are back at it tomorrow in the series-finale against this same River Cats squad. Tyler Cravy (5-4, 4.04) was scheduled to lead his team to a series-split against Sacramento right-hander and former Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy (0-1, 11.57) as he works his way back from injury. However, the starter is now TBD as Cravy earned his first big league call-up on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 PM MDT (1:35 Central) for a Monday matinee at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs Box Score Keep rockin', Nevin Ashley. Heck, give Tim Dillard a spot start Monday afternoon... Colorado Springs Game Log

Well, this doesn't address the pending overflow, but via the Manatees -- RHP Manny Barreda has been transferred from Brevard County to Biloxi. RHP Kaleb Earls has been reinstated from the Brevard County DL. *** Earls, with 13 K's and just one walk in 16.1 innings this season, had been sidelined since 5/13.

Manatees' McFarland gets into swing of things in May Michael Parsons, Florida Today http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/337d88cbb36c9b6e2ac85e7526f827cc19dbfbaa/c=246-0-4043-2848&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/05/31/Brevard/B9317524249Z.1_20150531174856_000_GK7AUK77J.1-0.jpg Brevard County’s Chris McFarland gets high fives after scoring a run during a recent game. (Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY) As just linked to in our season-long Manatees' feature thread...

Manatees' McFarland gets into swing of things in May Michael Parsons, Florida Today http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/337d88cbb36c9b6e2ac85e7526f827cc19dbfbaa/c=246-0-4043-2848&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/2015/05/31/Brevard/B9317524249Z.1_20150531174856_000_GK7AUK77J.1-0.jpg Brevard County’s Chris McFarland gets high fives after scoring a run during a recent game. (Photo: Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY) Don't tell Chris McFarland that he is on a hot streak. The Brevard County Manatees second baseman would rather think of it as his new norm. The Lufkin, Texas, native came into the month hitting .233 and will leave hitting close to .300. In 29 games this month, he is hitting .345 and has recorded at least one hit in all but five of them with 14 multi-hit games. "It's all about being consistent for me, not trying to be too big, just hit singles and doubles and steal some bags," McFarland said before a game last week. It is a philosophy that he has had since he was a young boy, growing up like many his age idolizing Derek Jeter. "I grew up watching Derek Jeter, that is my type of game," McFarland said. "Even when I was younger I had an oppo-type of swing, every pitch — even if it is an inside pitch — I am trying to stay right up the middle with it." Like Jeter, McFarland grew up playing shortstop but was moved to second base once he became a pro. "Honestly, my first year of pro ball it was hard. The hardest thing was the double play turns because it is totally different," McFarland said. "I have a lot of work to do still, but I feel very comfortable at second base now. I love it there." The 22-year-old has also found his way to the top of the batting order, hitting either first or second in the lineup now that leadoff hitter Johnny Davis is out for the season. "I love the two-hole, it is probably my favorite," said McFarland, who comes in with 60 hits already this season. "You can do a variety of things, bunt, hit and run, drag bunt. A lot of stuff." And that is what makes the right-handed hitter so special: he can do so many different things to help the team win. "He has a great approach at the plate," Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said. "He gives you quality at-bats, seeing it really well and is just really focused right now." McFarland has always been focused on his goal, which was to play professionally. But the decision was not an easy one when he was drafted in the 18th round out of Lufkin High School. "It was a tough decision, one of the toughest of my life," McFarland admitted. And he waited until the final day to make that decision. He was actually already enrolled at Rice University and was not sure he was going to sign. "Honestly, I have no regrets," McFarland said. "I love the pro ball atmosphere and what I have learned over the four years ... I can always go back to college and get my degree." But, for now, he is concentrating on his game and seeing just how far it can take him.

The umpires finally called this one after a 32-hour rain delay (never got underway). Looks like June 20th will be a makeup game as part of a twinbill.