MassBrew

Indianapolis Site Game Summary: INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Indians defeated the Durham Bulls 6-4 Thursday night to sweep a two-game series at Victory Field. Joe Lawrence and Lee Stevens provided much needed power from the plate as the Tribe (4-3) exploded for a season-high 12 base hits. Lawrence, the Indians third batter of the game, started things off on the right foot when he deposited a pitch from Durham starter Jeremi Gonzalez over the left-center field fence for a three-run home run. Durham chipped away scoring one run off of Indians starter Ruben Quevedo in the second and third innings before Jay Canizaro tied the score with a solo home run off Quevedo in the fourth. Durham (4-4) then took a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth when catcher Hector Ortiz drove in former Indian Chad Mottola. For the second straight night, the Indians won the game in the late innings with a two-run home run. With two men out in the bottom of the seventh, Lawrence singled off reliever Matt Perisho (2-1). Stevens then blasted a long home run down the right field line to put the Indians ahead for good. The Tribe tacked on an insurance run in the eighth when Brady Clark led off with a single then came around to score four batters later on a single by newcomer Jason Conti. Leo Estrella (1-0) earned the win with two perfect innings of relief. He struck out four of the six batters he faced. Roberto Giron set the Bulls down in order in the ninth for his second save. The Indians welcome the Charlotte Knights, Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, to Victory Field Friday at 7 p.m. for the start of a three-game series. Indianapolis Star Game Story: Quotes from Cecil Cooper and Stevens; "Action Shot" honors for Wilton Veras, who had three hits... www.indystar.com/print/ar...6-036.html Indy Box Score: Nice clean win all around for the Tribe; Quevedo a bit more impressive than Jamey Wright this week... GAME DATE: 4/10/03 DURHAM 4 AT INDIANAPOLIS 6 YTD YTD DURHAM AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG J.Tyner LF 5 1 2 0 .286 J.Conti DH 5 1 2 1 .400 C.Truby DH 3 0 1 0 .318 M.Budzinski CF 3 1 0 0 .318 G.Lombard CF 4 0 1 0 .370 J.Lawrence 2B 3 2 2 3 .318 J.Sandberg 3B 4 0 1 0 .167 L.Stevens 1B 4 1 2 2 .333 R.Jackson 1B 3 1 1 1 .200 C.McKay CAT 4 0 0 0 .130 C.Mottola RF 3 1 0 0 .238 B.Clark LF 4 1 3 0 .259 J.Smith SS 3 0 1 1 .300 P.Zoccolillo RF 3 0 0 0 .286 J.Canizaro 2B 4 1 1 1 .115 W.Veras 3B 4 0 3 0 .167 H.Ortiz CAT 4 0 1 1 .182 S.Scarboroug SS 4 0 0 0 .050 J.Gonzalez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Quevedo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Backe PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Buddie PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Perisho PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Estrella PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Giron PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 4 9 4 TOTALS 34 6 12 6 DURHAM 0 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 0- 4 INDIANAPOLIS 3 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 X- 6 DP--DURHAM 1, INDIANAPOLIS 1. LOB--DURHAM 6, INDIANAPOLIS 7. 2B-- C.Truby (3), R.Jackson (2). HR--J.Canizaro (1), J.Lawrence (2), L.Stevens (1). HBP--P.Zoccolillo. SF--R.Jackson. SH--J.Smith. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA DURHAM J.Gonzalez 4.0 6 3 3 2 3 1 5.14 B.Backe 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 5.68 M.Perisho (L,2-1) 2.0 5 3 3 0 2 1 4.26 INDIANAPOLIS R.Quevedo 4.0 7 3 3 1 4 1 2.89 M.Buddie 2.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 1.93 L.Estrella (W,1-0) 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 0 4.91 R.Giron (S,2) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 HB--J.Gonzalez. SO--G.Lombard, J.Sandberg 2, R.Jackson, C.Mottola 2, J.Smith, J.Canizaro 2, H.Ortiz, M.Budzinski 2, J.Lawrence, C.McKay 2, S.Scarboroug 2. BB--C.Truby, C.Mottola, M.Budzinski, J.Lawrence. T--2:46. A--3563

Modesto (A's) 13, High Desert 6 Ugh... High Desert Site Game Summary: Adelanto, CA - Matt Bowser?s grand slam in the top of the eighth inning gave the Modesto A?s their first lead of the game as they went on to beat the High Desert Mavericks by a final score of 13-6 on Thursday night at Mavericks Stadium. Bowser crushed a pitch from Mavs reliever Aaron Dean (0-1) over the center field wall to give the A?s a 6-5 lead. The A?s, who trailed 5-1 entering the eighth inning, scored eight times to take a 9-5 lead. After Kade Johnson?s solo home run pulled the Mavs to within three runs, the A?s scored four more in the top of the ninth, on Isaac Garcia?s first hit of the year, a grand slam to left field off Mavs reliever Justin Gordon. The Mavs took a 2-0 lead in the second off A?s starter Stephen Obenchain. With runners at first and second, Jason Belcher grounded one back to the mound. Obenchain?s throw to third recorded the first out, but A?s third baseman Mark Teahen?s throw to first to complete a potential double play sailed down the right field line to score Brian Foster and allow Belcher to get to third. Johnny Raburn?s RBI single scored Belcher for a 2-0 lead. The A?s got one back in the top of the fifth off Mavs starter Chris Saenz. Marcus McBeth was hit and then scored on a Jed Morris two-out hit. Saenz was outstanding, allowing just one run on two hits in five innings. He struck out seven and didn?t allow a walk. The Mavs got three in the bottom of the fifth to go up 5-1, as Chris Morris had an RBI triple and Daryl Clark a two-run homer. Modesto?s Brad Weis (1-0) allowed the solo shot to Johnson, but picked up the win with two innings of work. The Mavs fall to 2-5 and are still three games back of first place Lake Elsinore, while the A?s improve to 3-4. The Mavs open a three-game series with Lake Elsinore (Padres) in High Desert on Friday, as RHP Dan Hall (0-0) faces Naboaki Yoshida (0-0) at 7:05 (9:05 Central). High Desert Box Score: It'll be critical that RHP's Chris Saenz and Tony Stavros build on their Beloit success as they did on Thursday... GAME DATE: 4/10/03 MODESTO 13 AT HIGH DESERT 6 YTD YTD MODESTO AB R H BI AVG HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG G.Thomas LF 4 1 1 1 .375 C.Morris CF 5 1 1 1 .226 J.Stotts SS 3 1 1 2 .250 D.Clark LF 3 1 1 2 .379 N.Swisher CF 5 1 1 1 .231 K.Johnson CAT 4 1 1 1 .267 M.Bowser 1B 4 2 2 4 .385 B.Nelson 1B 4 0 1 0 .419 M.McBeth RF 3 2 0 0 .174 B.Foster DH 3 1 0 0 .355 M.Teahen 3B 3 2 0 0 .185 J.Belcher RF 4 1 1 0 .400 J.Soto CAT 5 0 0 0 .000 S.Candelaria 3B 4 0 0 0 .190 J.Morris DH 3 2 1 1 .154 J.Raburn 2B 4 1 3 1 .385 I.Garcia 2B 4 2 1 4 .083 T.West SS 4 0 1 0 .350 S.Obenchain PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Saenz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Weis PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Stavros PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Mabeus PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Dean PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Bystrowski PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Gordon PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 34 13 7 13 TOTALS 35 6 9 5 MODESTO 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 8 4-13 HIGH DESERT 0 2 0 0 3 0 0 1 0- 6 E--M.Teahen. DP--MODESTO 1, HIGH DESERT 0. LOB--MODESTO 6, HIGH DESERT 4. 2B--G.Thomas (4), J.Stotts (1), M.Bowser (4), B.Nelson (1). 3B-- C.Morris (1). HR--M.Bowser (1), I.Garcia (1), D.Clark (2), K.Johnson (2). SB--J.Raburn 2 (2). HBP--G.Thomas, M.McBeth. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA MODESTO S.Obenchain 6.0 6 5 3 2 3 1 5.40 B.Weis (W,1-0) 2.0 1 1 1 0 3 1 1.93 C.Mabeus 1.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 HIGH DESERT C.Saenz 5.0 2 1 1 0 7 0 11.37 T.Stavros 2.0 0 0 0 2 4 0 3.60 A.Dean (L,0-1) 0.0 2 7 7 5 0 1 20.77 B.Bystrowski 1.0 1 1 1 1 2 0 4.50 J.Gordon 1.0 2 4 4 2 1 1 14.29 HB--C.Saenz, B.Bystrowski. WP--T.Stavros, J.Gordon. SO--G.Thomas 2, J.Stotts, M.Bowser, M.McBeth 2, M.Teahen, J.Soto 5, J.Morris, I.Garcia, C.Morris, D.Clark, B.Nelson, B.Foster 2, S.Candelaria, T.West. BB--G.Thomas, J.Stotts 2, M.Bowser, M.McBeth, M.Teahen 2, J.Morris 2, I.Garcia, D.Clark, B.Foster. T--2:49. A--1013

An in-progress High Desert report before calling it a night -- here's hoping things change late... RHP Chris Saenz bounced back huge from his first nervous High-A start. In start #2: 5 IP, 79 pitches, 1 run, 2 hits, 7 K's, zero BB's, 1 HBP Saenz had an awesome hard breaking pitch (slider?) and soft one (curve?) going tonight, or so it seemed. The 21-year-old had a 147-to-46 K/BB ratio in 121 IP prior to this year, so we didn't worry about his debut last week. RHP Tony Stavros followed with two hitless innings with four K's -- he did walk two and threw a lot of pitches. The Mavs went up 5-1 after seven innings, the big blow a 2-run HR by Daryl Clark. Brad Nelson doubled earlier in the game. Unfortunately, newcomer RHP Aaron Dean, a recent free agent signee from the Blue Jays system (there's a Gord Ash connection -- the Brewers can only bring in former Rangers and Blue Jays http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif ), imploded in the top of the 8th. He walked five of the seven men he faced, retired no one, and gave up a grand slam as Modesto grabbed a 6-5 lead, as Saenz' chance for a win on his record evaporated. RHP Bobby Bystrowski tried to limit the damage, but by the time the top of the eighth was over, it was 9-5 A's. As was the case in 2002, it really seems that the overall talent depth on the High Desert staff simply means that you can't trot out 4-5 pitchers each night and hope that they will all "have it". Someone is going to blow up. Until the starters can build up their pitch counts and then throw efficiently in that regard by pitching deep into games, the Mavericks will continue to struggle. It's very frustrating to listen to, unfortunately, even as entertaining as Mr. Lindskog makes it. Kade Johnson hits HR #2 on the year, 9-6 Mavs now trail by three...catch you in the AM.

Snappers Lose Two Heartbreakers Prince Fielder on pace for 140 HR's Game 1: Quad City (Twins) 6, Beloit 5, extra innings (8 innings) Game 2: Quad City 5, Beloit 4 Game Summaries from the River Bandits Site (yeah, so they're excited): The Quad City River Bandits came back from a five-run deficit in the first game and surged from four down in the nightcap to score a doubleheader sweep over the Beloit Snappers Thursday at John O?Donnell Stadium. Alex Romero?s game-ending solo shot provided the difference in the Bandits? 6-5 triumph in the Bandits extra-inning triumph in the first contest, and Ron Perodin?s aggressive baserunning?scoring from second base on an infielder error?brought home the winning run as Quad City completed the sweep. The River Bandits trailed 5-0 heading into the fifth inning of the first game before surging to their first come-from-behind victory of the season. After a leadoff single by Omar Burgos, Felix Molina drilled a two-out double. Trent Oeltjen drew a walk to chase starter Tom Wilhelmsen from the game. Facing a new pitcher, Seth Davidson singled into left field to scored Burgos and Molina. Bryan Kennedy followed with an RBI single to bring home Oeltjen and bring the Bandits within two runs. After two frames of scoreless relief from Justin Keeling and another inning from Erik Lohse, the River Bandits tied the game up with a two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs and Molina at first base, Seth Davidson doubled down the right field line. Facing an 0-2 count, Bryan Kennedy popped a flare single down the left field line, evening the score, 5-5. After Lohse pitched a scoreless eighth frame, Romero drove a one-out, game-winning solo homer to right field. Romero, the 13th-ranked prospect in the Twins? system, had been retired 14 straight times before his game-ending blast. Lohse and Keeling combined to pitch four scoreless innings, with Lohse picking up the win. Starter Jason Miller allowed four runs (two earned) and got no decision. In the second game, a Prince Fielder home run?his third of the series?put the Snappers on top 3-0 in the third. The Snappers added a fifth-inning run before Quad City began its second dramatic comeback of the day. The Bandits pushed three runs across the plate with the benefit of just one hit in the fifth inning. Romero began the rally with a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, and came around to score on a Kaulana Kuhaulua single up the middle. After Ron Perodin reached on an error and Trent Oeltjen walked to load the bases, Seth Davidson drove home a run with a groundout to short. Perodin moved home on a wild pitch from Gabriel Mendoza, slicing Beloit?s edge to 4-3. The Bandits won the game in wild fashion in the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and two away, Omar Burgos hit a groundball to second baseman Callix Crabbe, who fumbled with it. Crabbe hurried a sidearm throw that pulled first baseman Fielder from the base. Ron Perodin, who started at second base, never stopped moving and came around to score the winning run without a throw. Josh Johnson had started the rally with a bloop single to right, and Perodin had reached on bunt single. Trent Oeltjen reached on an error to keep the inning going for Burgos. Pat Neshek earned the win after pitching a scoreless seventh inning. Steve Murray pitched three solid innings of relief, allowing one run, but did not figure in the decision. The line scores indicate very strong starting outings by RHP's Tom Wilhelmsen and Dennis Sarfate. We'll know more Friday AM when the box scores are available.

Indianapolis 6, Durham (Devil Rays) 4 Veteran Lee Stevens hit a HR as part of a 2-run 7th as the Tribe overcame a 4-3 deficit and went on to their second consecutive home victory. The Indians are back over .500 at 4-3 on the young season. Leo Estrella got the win in relief, and Roberto Giron notched his second save. More details and box score by early Friday AM...

In order to fit OF Jason Conti on the Indianapolis roster, Milwaukee has released infielder / utility man Jed Hansen. The 30-year-old Hansen was signed as a six-year free agent this past November and saw action with the Brewers in big league camp during spring training.

As was rumored to be the case earlier, RHP David Pember has indeed been re-signed to a minor league deal by the Brewers and has been asssigned to Indianapolis, where he will likely spend most, if not all, of the season on the disabled list. The Brewers added him to Indy's online roster on their site today (4/10).

Baseball America recognizing the Snappers' efforts last night: The Brewers low Class A Beloit affiliate finally got their season started yesterday after seven straight postponements because of weather. Lefthander Manny Parra, who was invited by the Brewers to work out in Miller Park during the layoff, tossed five innings of three-hit ball, allowing one run and one walk while striking out four. Prince Fielder homered in his season debut. I think a good number of the Snappers were at that Miller Park workout, if not all of them...

Huntsville Times Game Story: Year-to-date assessment from Manager Frank Kremblas... www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...224030.xml

Nice detailed game report from the Beloit Daily News, considering it was a road game... www.beloitdailynews.com/403/snap10.htm

Daily Press High Desert Game Story: Includes all the post-game quotes, which is what we're looking for from the beat guys.... www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...8295,2226,

Thanks to rightomac13 for tracking down the Quad City report last night! After digesting your Brewer matinee early today, here?s a review of your dining listening choices for Thursday evening, all times Central and pitchers subject to change: INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Ruben Quevedo home vs. Durham (Devil Rays), 7:05 PM HUNTSVILLE: Idle HIGH DESERT: RHP Chris Saenz home vs. Modesto (A?s), 9:05 PM BELOIT: RHP Tom Wilhelmsen (Professional Debut) and RHP Dennis Sarfate in a doubleheader at Quad City (Twins), starting at 4:00 PM. Former Snapper Gerry Oakes (Kinney trade) is scheduled to start Game Two for the River Bandits. We believe audio is available from the Quad City site, www.riverbandits.com.

Modesto (A's) 10, High Desert 6 High Desert Site Game Summary: Adelanto, CA - Jeff Bruksch dominated for four innings, then held on to win his second game of the year, as the Modesto A?s snapped their three-game losing streak, beating the High Desert Mavericks 10-6, on Wednesday night at Mavericks Stadium. Bruksch (2-0) didn?t allow a hit until the fifth inning, when five straight Mavericks hit safely. Trailing 3-0, Brad Nelson, Brian Foster, Jason Belcher, Froilan Villanueva and Ralph Santana all reached safely with base hits. Belcher?s hit was a two-run double that brought the Mavs to within one at 3-2. Villanueva?s RBI double tied it, and Santana?s infield hit gave the Mavs the lead at 4-3. Mavs starter Pete Smart (1-1) ran out of gas in the sixth, as he allowed the first two men to reach before giving way to J.M. Gold. Gold allowed a two-run double to Matt Bowser as the A?s took the lead for good, 5-4. After the A?s added another run to take a 6-4 lead, Kade Johnson crushed his first homer of the year, to pull the Mavs to within 6-5. Bruksch worked six innings, but got the win after allowing five earned runs. The A?s added four more runs to pull away, as they scored one in the seventh, one in the eighth, and two in the ninth to put it out of reach. Nick Swisher?s two-run, two-out single off Mavs reliever David Nolasko in the ninth, iced the win for the A?s. That was more than enough for Steve Fischer, who got the final five outs for his second save in as many tries. The Mavs fall to 2-4 and are three games back of first place Lake Elsinore, while the A?s improve to 2-4. The Mavs and A?s meet in the rubber game of the three-game series on Thursday, as Chris Saenz (0-1) gets the start. High Desert Box Score: Brad Nelson 12-for-27 (.444), but all singles... GAME DATE: 4/09/03 MODESTO 10 AT HIGH DESERT 6 YTD YTD MODESTO AB R H BI AVG HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG M.Kiger 2B 4 2 1 2 .261 C.Morris CF 4 1 0 0 .231 G.Thomas DH 5 1 2 1 .400 D.Clark LF 2 0 0 0 .385 N.Swisher CF 3 3 2 2 .238 K.Johnson DH 4 1 1 1 .269 M.Bowser 1B 4 1 2 2 .364 B.Nelson 1B 3 1 3 1 .444 C.Myers CAT 2 0 0 0 .263 B.Foster CAT 4 1 1 0 .393 M.McBeth RF 3 0 0 2 .200 J.Belcher RF 3 1 1 2 .455 C.Tritle LF 4 0 0 0 .143 F.Villanueva 3B 4 1 1 1 .364 M.Teahen 3B 3 2 1 0 .208 R.Santana 2B 4 0 1 1 .235 J.Stotts SS 3 1 1 0 .231 T.West SS 4 0 1 0 .375 J.Bruksch PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 P.Smart PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Cullen PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Gold PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Fischer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 31 10 9 9 TOTALS 32 6 9 6 MODESTO 1 0 1 1 0 3 1 1 2-10 HIGH DESERT 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 0- 6 E--M.Kiger, M.McBeth, B.Nelson. DP--MODESTO 2, HIGH DESERT 3. LOB-- MODESTO 3, HIGH DESERT 3. 2B--G.Thomas (3), M.Bowser (3), J.Belcher (1), F.Villanueva (1). HR--M.Kiger (1), K.Johnson (1). SB--G.Thomas (3). CS--B.Nelson. HBP--C.Myers. SF--M.McBeth. SH--C.Myers. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA MODESTO J.Bruksch (W,2-0) 6.0 7 5 5 2 0 1 4.09 R.Cullen 1.1 1 1 1 1 0 0 5.40 S.Fischer (S,2) 1.2 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.00 HIGH DESERT P.Smart (L,1-1) 5.0 6 5 5 3 4 1 5.40 J.Gold 2.0 2 2 2 0 0 0 6.00 D.Nolasco 2.0 1 3 2 3 3 0 10.80 HB--D.Nolasco. WP--J.Bruksch, J.Gold. PB--B.Foster. SO--M.Kiger, M.Bowser, M.McBeth, C.Tritle 2, M.Teahen, J.Stotts, K.Johnson, B.Foster. BB--M.Kiger, N.Swisher 2, M.Bowser, M.Teahen, J.Stotts, D.Clark 2, B.Nelson, J.Belcher. T--2:45. A--1043

Orlando 6, Huntsville 5, regularly scheduled game No formal recap yet, but I listened to the first eight innings. Ben Hendrickson settled down after his rough first inning -- as of now, starter pitch counts are at 85, due to increase to 95 in their third starts. Down 4-2, the Stars had a terribly sloppy sixth inning to fall behind 6-2. 3B Corey Hart and RHP Ryan Miller had errors, and another run scored on a Miller wild pitch. The Stars rallied for three runs in the bottom of the eighth, and the tying run (Hart) was nailed at the plate on a fine defensive relay by Orlando. J.J. Hardy has hit safely in all seven games this season (he DH'd in this one). Hart's errors (two in this game - one throwing, one fielding) continue to be a concern, but hopefully will be a worthwhile growing pain. Orlando deserved to win the game, but the Stars battled, especially the little guys -- Chris Cosbey, Ryan Knox, and Richard Paz -- and made it close. No Huntsville Site Game Summary, so we rely on David Weiser for more details: The high today was as I mentioned yesterday, and as our weatherman forecasted, 51°........ But it came at midnight........ By game time at noon, the temperature was somewhere around 45° with a wind chill near freezing....... So it's little wonder the Stars had the lowest official turnout for a home game in its history --- 591....... For some reason, the figure grew with some alteration after the 2nd game was in the books....... The few brave souls that were there got their last look at the Orlando Rays in Huntsville. Next year, Montgomery takes over the unnamed franchise in the league. The first game was the completion of a suspended game from Tuesday, which was halted in the 10th inning due to a downpour ..... To go that game once more lightly, both teams swapped leads........ The Stars were down, 1-0 in the 3rd when Chris Cosbey, getting his first start of the season in right field, got on board courtesy of an error. Then on a 1-0 pitch, Geoff Jenkins hit a line drive that carried over the first row of billboards to the left of the 405' mark to give the Stars a 2-1 lead........ In the 5th, he touched starter Jose Veras deep again, this time with a monstrous blast that finally sent the ball resting somewhere near the grove of trees on the hillside beyond the right field wall. That put the Stars out in front, 4-2........ Orlando tied it, 4-4 in the 9th off closer Mike Adams, whose balk was instrumental in his 2nd blown save of the season........ Dan Grummitt hit a sacrifice fly in the top of the 14th to put pesky Orlando on top again, but in the bottom half, Cosbey led off the inning with a walk. He advanced to third on an pickoff move that went awry. Ryan Knox tied the game once again with a single and moved into scoring position on a ground out. With 1st base open, the Stars' leading hitter, J.J. Hardy, was intentionally walked....... That set up Ryan Gripp's game-winning hit to left for the win. The second game began about 1:20 pm........ Grummitt, who hit .286 against the Stars with a HR and double in 8 games last year, belted a 2-run HR in the 1st inning to give the Rays a 3-0 lead....... With the Stars down 4-0, they struck back........ Brian Moon doubled in the alley, sending leadoff hitter Chris Barnwell to third....... Cosbey then sent a 2-2 pitch down the right field line, scoring both runners. Cosbey went to third on a ground ball to short by Knox, but his journey ended when he was caught in a rundown on a ball hit to 3rd base by Richard Paz....... Hardy bounced out to end the inning........ After the disastrous 1st inning, Ben Hendrickson worked his way out of jam after jam. The Rays wound up leaving 5 men on base after 4 innings of play........ J.J. extended his hitting streak to 7 games with an RBI single in the 8th inning, making it 6-3. Corey Hart, who snapped out of his 2-for-18 slump with 3 hits in the 14-inning affair, knocked a single to left to score Knox from 2nd and make it 6-4......... That brought out manager Charlie Montoyo who called for Bartolome Fortunato, whose name sounds like a fictional mix of Shakespeare and Poe......... Brandon Gemoll hit his first pitch off the Chic-Fil-A sign for a double, scoring J.J., but long-legged Hart, representing the tying run, was nailed down by the relay throw from Jace Brewer at the plate......... A bouncer to 1st base by Cristian Guerrero ended the inning and the Stars chance to sweep and that extended Guerrero's slump to 0-for-17. The Stars now travel to Jacksonville after an off-day with a 3-4 record to think about....... They hit .235 on this first homestand...... Skewed by Luis Martinez' incredible pitching performance on Saturday, the club ERA is 3.38, but take that away and it rises to 4.50....... The bullpen's ERA is 3.49.......Paz is outhitting Barnwell, .313 to .188, as the two swap chores at 2nd base........ Hardy is putting the ball in play. He has struck out only 3 times in 30 at-bats, while hitting .400 --- 10th in the league....... After avoiding a strikeout in his first 9 ABs, Hart has struck out 8 times in his last 18....... Jenkins left Huntsville with a .250 average, pumped by his 2-for-3 performance, Tuesday. Jenkins returned to the Brewers Wednesday, and hit a 2-run HR off the Pirates' Josh Fogg in the 6th inning, providing the go-ahead run in the Brewers' 3-2 win, their second win of the season....... Knox hit safely in 6 of his 7 games and is off to a .286 start........ Dave Krynzel will be back in the lineup for Friday's game after sitting out with a sore hamstring. Since 1985, the Stars have beaten Orlando 129 times, losing 122, but in the last 6 years, the Stars record against the Rays is 45-32. Huntsville Box Scores: Completion of Tuesday's Suspended Game: RHP Matt Childers with yeoman's work in relief... GAME DATE: 4/08/03 ORLANDO 5 AT HUNTSVILLE 6 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD ORLANDO AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG G.Martinez DH 6 1 3 1 .481 R.Knox CF 6 1 1 1 .294 J.Brewer SS 7 1 1 0 .176 G.Jenkins LF 3 2 2 3 .250 F.Moore LF 7 0 3 1 .294 C.Guerrero RF 4 0 0 0 .115 D.Grummitt 1B 5 0 2 1 .348 J.Hardy SS 5 0 1 0 .407 J.Gomes RF 6 0 2 0 .222 C.Hart DH 7 1 3 0 .200 J.Cantu 3B 6 0 1 0 .231 R.Gripp 3B 7 0 2 1 .333 A.Perez 2B 4 3 1 1 .261 B.Gemoll 1B 4 0 0 0 .136 C.Isenia CAT 6 0 2 0 .273 C.Barnwell 2B 5 0 1 0 .167 A.German CF 3 0 0 1 .000 B.Moon CAT 5 0 0 1 .167 M.Diaz PH 1 0 1 0 .350 C.Cosbey LF 2 1 1 0 .200 M.Diaz CF 2 0 0 0 .350 C.Cosbey RF 2 1 0 0 .200 J.Veras PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Diggins PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Santos PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Parker PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Malaska PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Benedetti PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Rust PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 53 5 16 5 TOTALS 50 6 11 6 ORLANDO 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 1- 5 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2- 6 E--J.Cantu 2, E.Rust, R.Gripp 2, B.Moon. DP--ORLANDO 2, HUNTSVILLE 2. LOB--ORLANDO 12, HUNTSVILLE 12. 2B--G.Martinez (2), J.Brewer (3), D.Grummitt (3), C.Hart (1). HR--A.Perez (1), G.Jenkins 2 (2). SB-- F.Moore (1), C.Cosbey (1). CS--D.Grummitt, J.Cantu, A.German, B.Gemoll. HBP--D.Grummitt, B.Gemoll, C.Barnwell. SF--D.Grummitt. SH--G.Martinez, R.Knox, B.Moon. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA ORLANDO J.Veras 5.0 4 4 1 2 4 2 1.00 A.Santos 2.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 7.36 M.Malaska 2.2 2 0 0 0 0 0 1.80 J.Benedetti 3.1 3 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 E.Rust (L,0-1) 0.2 2 2 2 2 1 0 7.71 HUNTSVILLE B.Diggins 6.0 7 2 1 1 4 0 2.53 M.Parker 2.0 2 1 1 1 1 1 1.50 M.Adams 2.0 2 1 1 1 3 0 1.80 M.Childers (W,1-0) 4.0 5 1 1 0 0 0 1.13 HB--J.Veras, J.Benedetti, M.Adams. BALKS--M.Adams. SO--G.Martinez, J.Brewer 2, D.Grummitt 2, J.Gomes, A.Perez, A.German, R.Knox 2, C.Guerrero, C.Hart 2, R.Gripp, C.Barnwell, C.Cosbey. BB--J.Gomes, A.Perez 2, J.Hardy 2, B.Gemoll, C.Cosbey 2. T--3:56. A--591 Wednesday's Regularly Scheduled Game: GAME DATE: 4/09/03 ORLANDO 6 AT HUNTSVILLE 5 YTD YTD ORLANDO AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG G.Martinez DH 5 1 2 0 .469 R.Knox CF 4 1 1 0 .286 F.Escalona 3B 4 1 1 0 .292 R.Paz 2B 4 0 0 0 .313 M.Diaz RF 5 1 3 1 .400 J.Hardy DH 3 1 1 1 .400 D.Grummitt 1B 5 2 2 3 .357 C.Hart 3B 4 0 1 1 .207 J.Gomes LF 3 1 1 0 .238 B.Gemoll 1B 4 0 1 1 .154 F.Moore 2B 4 0 1 0 .286 C.Guerrero RF 4 0 0 0 .100 J.Brewer SS 4 0 0 0 .143 C.Barnwell SS 4 1 1 0 .188 D.Massiatte CAT 4 0 1 0 .235 B.Moon CAT 4 1 2 0 .227 A.German CF 4 0 1 0 .100 C.Cosbey LF 3 1 2 2 .375 J.Switzer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hendrckson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Minix PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Miller PIT 0 0 0 0 .500 B.Fortunato PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Crabtree PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Hammons PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 6 12 4 TOTALS 34 5 9 5 ORLANDO 4 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0- 6 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 3 0- 5 E--D.Massiatte, C.Hart 2, R.Miller. DP--ORLANDO 1, HUNTSVILLE 1. LOB--ORLANDO 7, HUNTSVILLE 4. 2B--M.Diaz 2 (2), D.Massiatte (1), B.Gemoll (2), B.Moon (3), C.Cosbey (1). HR--D.Grummitt (2). CS-- M.Diaz, A.German, J.Hardy. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA ORLANDO J.Switzer (W,1-0) 6.0 4 2 2 2 6 0 3.27 T.Minix 1.1 4 3 3 0 1 0 6.75 B.Fortunato (S,1) 1.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 HUNTSVILLE B.Hendrckson (L,1-1) 4.0 8 4 4 2 3 1 6.00 R.Miller 2.0 3 2 0 0 2 0 0.00 T.Crabtree 2.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 4.50 M.Hammons 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 13.50 WP--B.Hendrckson, R.Miller. SO--M.Diaz 2, D.Grummitt 2, F.Moore, J.Brewer 2, D.Massiatte, R.Knox 2, R.Paz, J.Hardy, C.Hart 2, B.Moon, C.Cosbey. BB--F.Escalona, J.Gomes, J.Hardy, C.Cosbey. T--2:33. A--692

Indianapolis 4, Durham (Devil Rays) 2, 10 innings Zocco!! And the legend grows.... Indy Site Game Summary: INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Indians made it 10 home Opening Day victories in a row on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-2 win over the Durham Bulls, fittingly in ten innings. Setting the stage for a dramatic opening day finish, the Indians tied the score on a one-out, one-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning by Cody McKay off of Durham closer Lee Gardner plating Joe Lawrence. Jason Childers pitched a scoreless inning in the top of the 10th for Indianapolis, and Lee Gardner returned to the mound in the bottom of the inning for Durham. After a Brady Clark singled to leadoff the inning, Pete Zoccolillo (3-for-4), who had twice been thrown out at the plate earlier in the game, stepped up and launched a two-run home run onto the right field lawn to propel the Indians (3-3) to the opening day victory. Childers (1-0) earned the win for the Tribe. The early innings of the game can best be described as a 'pitchers duel,' as Indians starter Francisco Campos and Bulls starter Carlos Reyes each turned in solid performances on a sunny, but cool, afternoon. Lost in the late-inning excitement was Reyes, who was perfect through five innings for Durham before giving up a double to Clark down the left field line leading off the bottom of the sixth inning. Campos, who gave up a two-out solo home run to George Lombard in the top of the first inning, lasted 6.2 innings giving up only five hits while allowing two runs before giving way to the Tribe bullpen. The Indians and Bulls will square off again on Friday night in the second game of the two-game series at Victory Field. Ruben Quevedo will start for Indianapolis and Jeremi Gonzalez will start for Durham. Box score details later on.... Indianapolis Box Score: Not an offensive show to be sure, but a nice win for the many in attendance on Opening Day... GAME DATE: 4/09/03 DURHAM 2 AT INDIANAPOLIS 4 (EXTRA INNINGS) YTD YTD DURHAM AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG J.Tyner CF 5 0 0 0 .261 M.Budzinski RF 3 0 0 0 .368 C.Truby 3B 5 0 2 0 .316 B.Hall SS 4 0 0 0 .091 G.Lombard RF 5 1 2 1 .391 J.Lawrence 3B 3 1 0 0 .263 J.Sandberg 2B 4 1 1 0 .154 L.Stevens 1B 2 0 0 0 .294 R.Jackson 1B 4 0 1 0 .167 J.Hansen PR 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Mottola LF 3 0 2 1 .278 J.Hansen 1B 1 0 0 0 .000 J.Fabregas CAT 3 0 0 0 .313 C.McKay CAT 4 0 1 1 .158 J.Canizaro DH 4 0 0 0 .091 B.Kieschnick DH 4 0 0 0 .000 J.Smith SS 4 0 0 0 .296 B.Clark CF 4 2 2 0 .174 C.Reyes PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 P.Zoccolillo LF 4 1 3 2 .364 C.Bowers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Scarboroug 2B 3 0 1 1 .063 L.Gardner PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 F.Campos PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Manning PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Giron PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 37 2 8 2 TOTALS 32 4 7 4 DURHAM 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0- 2 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2- 4 E--J.Fabregas. DP--DURHAM 0, INDIANAPOLIS 1. LOB--DURHAM 7, INDIANAPOLIS 4. 2B--J.Sandberg (1), R.Jackson (1), C.McKay (1), B.Clark (2). HR-- G.Lombard (2), P.Zoccolillo (1). SB--C.Truby 2 (2). SH--M.Budzinski. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA DURHAM C.Reyes 6.0 3 1 1 0 1 0 2.45 C.Bowers 2.0 1 0 0 1 3 0 1.80 L.Gardner (L,0-1) 1.0 3 3 3 1 1 1 9.00 INDIANAPOLIS F.Campos 6.2 5 2 2 1 3 1 5.25 D.Manning 1.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 R.Giron 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 J.Childers (W,1-0) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 WP--C.Bowers. SO--C.Truby, J.Fabregas 2, M.Budzinski, B.Hall, C.McKay, B.Kieschnick, S.Scarboroug. BB--C.Mottola, J.Fabregas, J.Lawrence, L.Stevens. T--2:44. A--5654Indianapolis Star Game Story: Campos with "Action Shot" honors... www.indystar.com/print/ar...9-036.html New Video Board A Big Hit: www.indystar.com/print/ar...4-036.html

Huntsville 6, Orlando (Devil Rays) 5, 14 innings, completion of suspended game All the details later on -- we can say that after giving up a run in the top of the 14th, the Stars rallied for the win with two runs in the bottom of the inning with an RBI from Ryan Knox and then Ryan Gripp with the game-winning hit. In the regularly scheduled game, the long delay didn't help RHP Ben Hendrickson, who gave up a 4-spot in the top of the first -- 4-0, Orlando heading to the bottom of the first inning.

Several releases to confirm, these have been added to the Home Page Transaction archive here at Brewerfan.net with the appropriate date: OF Jaisen Randolph from the Indianapolis roster -- Randolph struggled through an injury-plagued 2002 after being selected from the Mets' system in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft... Randolph's Power 50 History: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPow...playerId=2 RHP Ryan Poe: This one hurts, and not because the Brewers necessarily made a bad decision here, but because injuries derailed such a promising career for the 1998 21st round pick. So many of the releases this spring involved players with spotty injury histories. Poe had many of us intrigued because of his incredible K/BB ratio of 328-to-73 in 305 career innings, to go along with his 3.28 ERA. Poe even demonstrated skill at the AA level in his 56 IP there, with a ratio of 60-to-16. He's still only 24, so if he can get himself healthy, there will be a home for him somewhere in professional baseball. Ryan Poe Brewerfan Player Profile Page: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=262 Poe's Power 50 History: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPow...ayerId=262 C / UT Derek Patterson: Last year was the first in affiliated pro ball for the 24-year-old, who hit .240 in 40 games split between Rookie Arizona and High Desert. RHP Jake Robbins from the Indianapolis roster: The 26-year-old was signed as a minor league free agent this winter after splitting 2002 in the Atlanta and Colorado organizations. He is 40-57 with a 4.99 ERA in 292 minor league games, 106 starts. Former Texas Ranger RHP Danny Kolb took his spot on the Indy roster. Thanks to the Brewers' front office staff for getting back to us on our inquiry about these players.

Fans of Brad Nelson will enjoy this one: www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...850,38245,

Earlier in the Spring Training Transactions thread, we mentioned that LHP Bobby Sismondo had gone on the Voluntarily Retired list. He has now been reinstated from that list and placed on the Restricted list instead, perhaps what the Brewers had meant to put him on initially. The difference between the two: Restricted List: A player who fails to report or fails to sign a contract with the Club to which the player is reserved may be placed on the Restricted List. There is no minimum number of days the player must remain on the Restricted List before the player can be reinstated to the Active List. A player on the Restricted List does not count against a Club's Active List limits or its Reserve List limits. Voluntary Retired: A player who wishes to retire is placed on this list. The player may not be reinstated until the player has missed 60 playing days of the championship season. Yeah, I know, earth-shattering news here...

Normally deferring to the all-powerful colbyjack on this forum, but I thought I'd chime in with an update on the one New England draft-and-follow from the Brewers' 2002 draft, 42nd round pick Neil Avery, an 18-year-old LHP now in his first year at UConn-Avery Point, a two-year Div. II school. Avery's team went 10-0 on their Florida swing and is now 14-0. Avery was the Opening Day starter and has now pitched 21 innings, allowing only three runs (only one earned), eight hits and four walks while striking out 20. Avery pitched high school ball in the town next door to my own, and I hope to speak with him (or his dad) in May, prior to the draft. Here's my question for Ohio Scout or others -- at what point does level of play get factored into evaluation? Most high school phenoms will naturally dominate their competition -- so is it strictly a matter of tool evaluation, radar guns, and stop watches at all levels but Division I, perhaps, where level of competition may have a greater effect? Thanks.

We'll accumulate the month's moves here within this thread. We won't adjust the Player Index Page here until the news is confirmed (probably later today), but it appears that the two players released from the Indianapolis roster to make room for 1B Lee Stevens and RHP Danny Kolb are RHP Jake Robbins, the 26-year-old minor league free agent signed in January, and 24-year-old OF Jaisen Randolph, who had been selected from the Mets' organization in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft of 2001. The release of Randolph is a bit of a surprise, unless there were injury issues. The Brewers chose to keep 32-year-old vet Mark Smith, a RH bat like Randolph, as the fourth outfielder over Jaisen. The Indy OF consists of Brady Clark (on rehab), Mark Budzinski, Peter Zoccolillo, and Smith. As we saw on Opening Night, the team might plan on working Joe Lawrence (RF) into the line-up as well, it seems, when Cody McKay is catching.

Another informative effort out of the Daily Press: www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...963,36887,

Michael Rothstein's off to a good start as the High Desert beat guy: www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...120,85308, Manager Tim Blackwell feature: www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...964,76679,

From hdmavs.com: ADELANTO - If the 2003 season goes anything like the High Desert Mavericks' exhibition game on Tuesday night, fans will be treated to an offense that would make any hitting coach smile. The High Desert Mavericks pounded out 17 hits en route to a 17-1 victory over the Victor Valley College Rams at Friendly Mavericks Stadium on Tuesday night. Returning Maverick Brian Foster went 4-5 with five RBIs, including a grand slam that broke the game wide open in the sixth inning. Kade Johnson, one of the 14 returning players from the 2002 squad, also provided some offensive punch, as he went 1-2 with three RBIs and a home run. The Victor Valley College Rams got off to a great start, taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Steven Montoya doubled to right field to lead off the game, then came around to score on a Bobby Miller single. Kade Johnson?s sac fly scored Chris Morris as the Mavs tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning. After Brad Nelson was hit by a pitch, he scored the go-ahead run on an RBI double by Daryl Clark. On the hill, Brian Mazone gave up a handful of hits, but managed to hold VVC off the board after they took the early lead. Mazone went four innings, giving up the one run on four hits. Tony Stavros, David Nolasco, Greg Schaub, Dan Kolb and Bobby Bystrowski went the rest of the way, holding the Rams off the scoreboard. VVC was led by Montoya, who went three for four, with a run scored. Bobby Miller, Adam Fenton, Daniel Flores and Matt Markle also had a hit for the Rams. The Mavs open the 2003 regular season on Thursday night in Lake Elsinore against the Storm. Pete Smart, who won on the Mavs Opening Day in 2002, gets the start for High Desert. Lake Elsinore will throw right-hander Justin Germano. The Mavs home opener will be next Tuesday, April 8th against the Modesto A?s at 7:05, at Friendly Mavericks Stadium. Tuesday?s game will feature a Fireworks Spectacular, sponsored by Pepsi, and the first 1,000 fans and all DCB Diamond Club members will receive a set of FREE Mavericks Cheer Sticks, courtesy of Pepsi. Tickets are available by calling 246-MAVS. All Mavericks regular season http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif games can be heard live on 910 AM and on the net at www.hdmavs.com thanks to Live 365.com. The internet audio for Tuesday's exhibition game didn't happen because there WAS no broadcast. Technical difficulties did not allow the broadcast to take place. Have faith that when the games begin for real on Thursday night, this problem will be alleviated. Thanks for your patience! Ugh - Brad Nelson getting hit by a pitch from the local college kid - thank goodness the Mavs' didn't report any injury there -- MassBrew

There are no talks going on all they can do now is watch and chit chat . I know this because that is what the Brewers are doing to us with Dana. Just a note that the "Dana" who Mike speaks of here is Dana Eveland, a LHP the Brewers drafted in the 16th round last year. Here's what colbyjack wrote about Eveland in his fine draft-and-follow feature from a couple of weeks back: 16th round pick Dana Eveland-LHP. College of the Canyons (California-transferred from Hill JC in Texas). 6'1" 215, L/L. Eveland recently pitched an exhibition game against the University of Southern California & highly touted RHP Anthony Reyes, a pre-season All-American both this year & last year. Eveland pitched 4 strong scoreless innings against a tough USC lineup, allowing only 1 walk & no hits while striking out 3 while touching 90 mph with his fastball & showing a good curveball & overall movement. The Brewers are very interested in signing Dana this spring, and it likely will come down to a matter of giving him what he deserves. The Brewers drafted Eveland in the 16th round last year with every intention of signing him. Fortunately, they still hold his rights to do so this spring.