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Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final: @Nashville 7, Las Vegas 6 Sounds Extend Win Streak To Six With 7-6 Victory Over 51sNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The red-hot Nashville Sounds extended their winning streak to six with a 7-6 victory over the Las Vegas 51s in front of 9,012 fans on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium. Nashville (62-59) has been the hottest team in the Pacific Coast League since the All-Star break, improving to 21-10 since July 14th. The six-game win streak matches the club's longest this season (second occurrence). The contest was the Sounds' PCL-leading 47th one-run affair this season (22-25 in those games). The Sounds grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Logan Schafer led off with an opposite-field, line-drive double to left off Las Vegas starter P.J. Walters, extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Jordan Brown (2-for-3) later plated Schafer with a sacrifice fly to center. 51s center fielder Mike McCoy evened the contest with one swing of the bat in the third, belting a solo homer to left off Sounds starter Sam Narron. It was his second longball of the season and made it a 1-1 contest. Nashville responded in the home half of the third, plating five runs against Walters to reclaim the lead. The Sounds took advantage of a pair of Las Vegas errors in the inning and received RBI singles from Brown and Taylor Green as well as a sacrifice fly off the bat of Mat Gamel to move in front by a 6-1 margin. Las Vegas cut the Nashville lead to 6-4 with four runs in the top of the fifth inning against Narron. McCoy delivered again for the visitors, looping an RBI single to right-center to score Ricardo Nanita from second to reduce the deficit to 6-2. After a single by Adeiny Hechevarria, Travis Snider drilled a run-scoring double to right and David Cooper added an RBI groundout. The final run of the frame scored when Adam Loewen's two-out single to deep second allowed Snider to cross home, but Loewen was out on the play to end the inning as he made a wide turn past first base. Once again, the Sounds had an immediate response to a 51s rally with a score of their own in the home half of the frame. Brown greeted new Las Vegas reliever Mike MacDonald with a double to left and scored on Erick Almonte's one-out single to left to up the lead to 7-5. Nashville missed a chance to further pad the lead, however, failing to push another run home despite having the bases loaded with one out. MacDonald struck out Caleb Gindl and induced an inning-ending grounder from Edwin Maysonet to escape the jam. The 51s trimmed the Sounds' lead to 7-6 in the top of the seventh against reliever Mike McClendon. Hechevarria doubled to left and came home on Cooper's two-out RBI single to center. However, Las Vegas got no closer as McClendon, Daniel Herrera, and Zack Segovia kept the visitors off the board the rest of the way. A trio of Sounds extended lengthy hitting streaks in the contest. Gamel singled in the fifth inning to run his longest streak of the year to 12 games, Schafer pushed his streak to 11 games with his first-inning double, and Green's third-inning single upped the infielder's current streak to 10 games. Narron (6-5) picked up just his second win in his last 13 starts for Nashville. The lanky lefty allowed five runs on eight hits over five innings, walking four batters and striking out five. Segovia recorded the final two outs of the game to secure the victory and nail down his second save of the year. Walters (7-6) absorbed the loss for the 51s after surrendering six runs (five earned) on six hits in four frames of action. The teams continue the series with another 6:35 p.m. meeting on Sunday night. Right-hander Amaury Rivas (7-11, 5.01) will toe the slab for the Sounds to face Las Vegas right-hander Kyle Drabek (2-2, 6.58), the son of former Sounds pitcher Doug Drabek. Nashville box scoreEvery Sounds starter had a hit except Gindl, and I'm sure Narron, a career .275 hitter, would have had one too had they not been using the DH. Schafer continues to do two things we love to see: hit for power and take ball four. Eric Farris had two hits. Nashville play-by-play -
Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final (game two): @Lakeland 8, Brevard County 1 (7 innings) Brevard County box scoreAnother very tough game in a lost season full of them for Mark Rogers: 3 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 2 HR. Scooter Gennett capped a great day by going 2-4 with a double on the heels of his three-hit game in the opener. Scott Krieger contributed a rare two-walk game as well as a single, and D'Vontrey Richardson cracked a double.Brevard County play-by-play I really, really hope D'Vo was bunting for a hit here: Brevard County Top of the 1stScooter Gennett doubles (14) on a fly ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia.Shea Vucinich walks.D' Vontrey Richardson hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Shawn Teufel. Scooter Gennett to 3rd. Shea Vucinich to 2nd. D' Vontrey Richardson to 1st.Kentrail Davis pops out to third baseman Wade Gaynor in foul territory.Chuck Caufield strikes out swinging.Scott Krieger walks. Scooter Gennett scores. Shea Vucinich to 3rd. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.Josh Prince flies out to center fielder Daniel Fields. A four-run 3rd inning ended Rogers' day: Lakeland Bottom of the 3rdTony Plagman singles on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis.Wade Gaynor walks. Tony Plagman to 2nd.Rob Brantly grounds out, pitcher Mark Rogers to second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Scott Krieger. Tony Plagman to 3rd. Wade Gaynor to 2nd.Avisail Garcia grounds out, shortstop Josh Prince to first baseman Scott Krieger.Corey Jones singles on a ground ball to shortstop Josh Prince. Tony Plagman scores. Wade Gaynor to 3rd.Daniel Fields homers (8) on a fly ball to right field. Wade Gaynor scores. Corey Jones scores.Michael Rockett strikes out swinging. -
Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final: Huntsville 6, @Jackson 3 Huntsville box scoreQuality start by Michael Bowman + good middle relief + excellent Santo Manzanillo outing (three batters, two strikeouts, one save) = win. Brock Kjeldgaard powered the Stars to victory with two homers, doubling his AA total, and Zelous Wheeler also went deep. Khris Davis, unfortunately, was 0-4. Jackson used a couple of amusingly named pitchers tonight, James Gillheeney and Bobby LaFromboise; LaFromboise is, of course, French for "the Fromboise".Huntsville play-by-play -
Thanks to Chris Mehring for pointing out this Jonathan Mayo video piece on Wily Peralta.
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Making noise in NashvilleTom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel The Brewers always believed if centerfielder Logan Schafer could stay healthy, he could rise quickly to the big leagues. Schafer missed most of the 2010 with groin and ankle injuries, then sat out nearly two months at the start of this season with a broken thumb. Finally healthy, the 24-year-old Schafer played very well at Class AA Huntsville, batting .302 with a .368 on-base percentage in 50 games. What he has done since being promoted to Class AAA Nashville, however, borders on the remarkable. In his first 21 games with the Sounds, Schafer batted .391 with a .447 on-base percentage and .598 slugging percentage. Considered more of a singles hitter, he compiled eight doubles, a triple, three home runs and 18 RBI. The Brewers still will have Nyjer Morgan and Carlos Gomez under control in 2012, so there is no urgency in moving Schafer to the majors. But he is starting to profile as a legitimate top prospect. Another interesting story in Nashville has been the season-long play of third baseman Taylor Green. The Brewers' minor-league player of the year in 2007 at West Virginia, then a low Class A affiliate, Green had wrist surgery before the '09 season and struggled to rediscover his stroke. Suffice it to say that Green, 24, is swinging the bat like a top prospect again. Through 109 games, he was batting .333 with 31 doubles, 21 home runs, 79 RBI, a .417 OBP and .587 slugging percentage. Because Green was not summoned to the majors, some Brewers fans worried that he is on the list of minor-leaguers from which the Mets can choose two to complete the Francisco Rodriguez trade. General manager Doug Melvin has indicated that is not the case. The Brewers must add Green to their 40-man roster over the winter to protect him and certainly will do so. His revival gives the Brewers some options for 2012 should they lose first baseman Prince Fielder to free agency as expected. Green and Mat Gamel (.325, 25 HRs, 86 RBI at Nashville), both left-handed hitters, could be allowed to battle it out for the first-base job. Or the Brewers could opt to move Casey McGehee from third to first and let Green and Gamel vie for the starting job at third, with the other going to the bench. Look for both Green and Gamel to be summoned in September, when rosters can be expanded, to provide added pop to the bench.
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Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final: @DSL Mariners 3, DSL Brewers 1 DSL Brewers box scoreA two-run 1st inning was all the hated Marineritos needed today. Nevertheless, 18-year-old Venezuelan righty Jorge Ortega, who's flown under the radar some this year thanks to a poor strikeout rate, pitched well: 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR. Eduard Reyes turned in a one-inning cameo, allowing a run on three hits. The Cerveceritos had just three hits, though six of the nine starters drew a walk. Orlando Arcia and Sthervin Matos (yes, that's his name; we confirmed it) were both shut out, 0-4. DSL Brewers play-by-playThe Brewers worked hard to avoid scoring in a couple innings, in particular the 3rd: DSL Brewers Top of the 3rdDionis Hinojosa walks.With Yonki Hernandez batting, Dionis Hinojosa steals (29) 2nd base.With Yonki Hernandez batting, Dionis Hinojosa caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Alexander Capriata to third baseman George Soto.Yonki Hernandez hit by pitch.Francisco Castillo walks. Yonki Hernandez to 2nd.Orlando Arcia flies out to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.Deivi Mejia walks. Yonki Hernandez to 3rd. Francisco Castillo to 2nd.Juan De Leon flies out to left fielder Wilton Martinez. -
Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final: AZL Royals 5, @AZL Brewers 4 (13 innings) AZL Brewers box scoreThe A-Team blew the save in the 9th but drew the game out until the 13th inning, when the Royals and their 17 hits finally conquered the Brewers. Will West didn't enter the game until the 7th inning but basically put up a starter's line, except with the blown save: 6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. Put that in innings 1-6 and it's fine work. Inversely, Justin James was the starter, making his first rehab appearance, but of course went just one inning. Malcolm Dowell was back in the lineup, leading off and playing center field, and he rapped out two hits, as did Hitaniel Arias and Jalen Harris. Arias has now posted two hits in four of his last five games and five of his last seven. Rafael Neda appeared for the first time since his one-game rehab stint on 6/29 and collected a triple and a walk in three trips before being relieved by Adam Weisenburger. Kevin Berard made his first career start and appearance at shortstop and went 1-4 with a walk while committing one fewer error than Renaldo Jenkins usually does. If you were worried about the team's defense becoming too good, though, don't: Arias picked up two himself, giving him an astounding 13--astounding because Arias only plays first base. Michael Reed out again.AZL Brewers play-by-play Infield hit to score the winning run, plus a rather ignominious end: AZL Royals Top of the 13thPitcher Change: Connor Whalen replaces Will West.Nicholas Cuckovich singles on a line drive to right fielder Ronny Puello.Jerico Blanco ground bunts into a force out, catcher Adam Weisenburger to shortstop Kevin Berard. Nicholas Cuckovich out at 2nd. Jerico Blanco to 1st.Jerrell Allen singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jose R. Garcia. Jerico Blanco to 2nd.Brian Gaylord reaches on force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Kevin Berard. Jerico Blanco to 3rd. Jerrell Allen to 2nd.Terrance Gore singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jalen Harris. Jerico Blanco scores. Jerrell Allen to 3rd. Brian Gaylord to 2nd.D'Andre Toney strikes out swinging.Humberto Arteaga called out on strikes. AZL Brewers Bottom of the 13thJose R. Garcia strikes out swinging, catcher Alexander Marquez to first baseman Brian Gaylord.Malcolm Dowell grounds out, shortstop Humberto Arteaga to first baseman Brian Gaylord.Kevin Berard walks.With Adam Weisenburger batting, Christian Witt picks off Kevin Berard at 1st on throw to Brian Gaylord. -
Link Report for Sat. 8/13 -- Sounds still sizzling
battlekow replied to Jim Goulart's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
Final (game one): Brevard County 5, @Lakeland 1 (7 innings) Brevard County box scoreThe whole suspended-game thing worked out pretty well for the 'Tees, who got to trade facing dominating Michael Morrison for two lesser lights on the mound. Eric Marzec, your de facto starter after coming in with one out in the 2nd, went 3.2 innings and only allowed one run. Scooter Gennett paced the offense with three hits, including his 8th homer. Hunter Morris also went deep, his 16th. No Shawn Zarraga after leaving early yesterday, and he's not starting game two either. Brevard County play-by-playMarzec got off to a rocky start, but Kentrail Davis's arm helped bail him out: Lakeland Bottom of the 2ndCorey Jones grounds out to first baseman Scott Krieger.Pitcher Change: Eric Marzec replaces Evan Anundsen.Daniel Fields singles on a ground ball to second baseman Scooter Gennett.Michael Rockett strikes out swinging.Eric Roof singles on a fly ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Daniel Fields to 2nd.William Bergolla singles on a fly ball to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Daniel Fields scores. William Bergolla out at 2nd on the throw, right fielder Kentrail Davis to catcher Michael Roberts to shortstop Josh Prince to first baseman Scott Krieger. -
RHP Cody Scarpetta goes on the DL at Huntsville with an unknown injury. RHP Jim Henderson transferred from Nashville to take Scarpetta's spot.
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Brewers Farmhands on Twitter
battlekow replied to mrpackersfan1's topic in Brewers Minor League Talk
As far as I know:Mitch Conner - @sweatervest36Greg Davis - @greg_davis34Gant Elmore - @GantElmoreSteve Felix - @El_caballo19Mike Francisco - @mike_ciscoMatt Franco - @matthew_francoReggie Keen - @ReGGieReg21Elliot Glynn - @ElliotGlynn07Brandon Macias - @Cias12Sergio Miranda - @sergiomira_10Jimmy Nelson - @Jimmy_J_NelsonJose Oviedo - @Jros30Stephen Peterson - @SPetey22Jimmie Pharr - @jimbo_slice31Jason Rogers - @jasonrogers2003Franklin Romero, Jr. - @RomerofjrAdam Weisenburger - @aweisenburgerConnor Whalen - @c_whalen51Rob Wooten - @rdwooten35 -
Final: @Nashville 13, Las Vegas 3 Homer Happy Sounds Crush Las Vegas, 13-3, In Home OpenerNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Right-hander Wily Peralta struck out eight in his Triple-A debut as the Nashville Sounds hung a 13-3 loss on the visiting Las Vegas 51s in the opener of a four-game series on Friday evening at Greer Stadium. Peralta (1-0) allowed three runs on six hits and one walk while striking out eight batters in six innings for a quality start. The Sounds have plated 10 or more runs in seven of their last 11 victories, including five of the last seven wins. The Sounds hit a total of four homers in the contest, while catcher Martin Maldonado went yard for the fourth time in his last seven games [audio]. Second baseman Eric Farris went 3-for-5 with a double, three RBIs, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Outfielder Jordan Brown also had three hits with a homer and three runs scored. First baseman Mat Gamel went 2-for-5 with two RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, the longest active streak on the club. Outfielder Logan Schafer also had a hit to move his hit streak to 10 games. Peralta had some trouble in the first inning, as the 22-year-old walked leadoff hitter Ricardo Nanita and allowed a double to shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria in his first Triple-A at-bat. Nanita came home for the first run on an infield groundout and Hechavarria scored as first baseman David Cooper hit a sacrifice fly to deep center for a 2-0 Vegas lead. The Sounds quickly tied the contest at 2-2 in the next frame with back-to-back jacks by outfielders Schafer and Brown. Schafer's third homer of the season and first at home was laced down the right field line. Brown's fifth home run was a line drive over the wall in right center. It was the sixth time this season that the Sounds have hit back-to-back homers. The Sounds tacked on another run later in the frame to go ahead at 3-2 after both designated hitter Erick Almonte and Gamel singled. Almonte later scored on a Farris groundout. Nashville moved to a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Farris knocked a base hit to right field, stole second base, moved to third on a Caleb Gindl single, and scored as shortstop Edwin Maysonet grounded into a double play. Third baseman Taylor Green hammered a towering solo home run in the next inning over the wall in right field that made it 5-2. It was his 21st homer of the season. Las Vegas their third and final run in the sixth on three consecutive singles, highlighted by a hard hit ground ball that deflected off of Peralta's glove into right field. Nashville pushed the lead to 11-3 as the club batted around and hit for the cycle as a team in the next inning. Farris doubled down the left line and scored the first run as Gindl hit a towering triple over the left fielder's head off the base of the wall. After Maysonet walked, Maldonado belted a three-run homer just under the guitar-shaped scoreboard. Brown completed the cycle with a broken-bat infield single, followed by walks to Green and Almonte. Gamel then added to his team-leading RBI mark with a two-run bloop single over the second baseman for his 86th RBI. After loading the bases with two outs in the eighth inning, the Sounds added two additional runs in the eighth frame on a two-run single from Farris. Donovan Hand worked a scoreless frame in relief. Daniel Meadows followed with two shutout frames to end the game. Las Vegas starter Chad Beck (1-2) scattered 10 hits for nine runs in 5 1/3 innings for the loss. The Sounds and 51s will continue their series at 6:35 pm CT on Saturday night at Greer Stadium. Left-hander Sam Narron (5-5, 4.87) will toe the rubber against Las Vegas right-hander P.J. Walters (7-5, 4.89). Nashville box scoreThis one sounds like it was almost as much fun as the Brewers game. Love seeing Peralta get off on the right foot at AAA. He threw 99 pitches, 61 for strikes. Very enjoyable box score--check it out. Nashville play-by-play
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Final: @Jackson 11, Huntsville 6 Huntsville box scoreOnly a five-run 8th inning by the Stars made it that close. Kyle Heckathorn continues to perform abysmally at AA: 5.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. His ERA is now 7.18. Making matters worse, he committed two errors, both on pickoff attempts. Heckathorn's Jackson analog, James Paxton, has gone from dominating the Timber Rattlers earlier this year to humiliating the Stars now, as he posted a 10/0 K/BB in seven one-run innings. Bright spot: Khris Davis was 3-4 with a double; I believe that's his first three-hit game since being promoted. Sean Halton and Brock Kjeldgaard each collected two hits, and Erik Komat...sigh. Huntsville play-by-play
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Final: @DSL Brewers 5, DSL Cardinals 3 DSL Brewers box score Better muerto than rojo. Joel Dicent, who turned 20 last week, continues to pitch well, as 20-year-olds should in the DSL: 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K. Carlos Sosa allowed just his fourth run of the year, but it was unearned and he closed out the save anyway. Raul Mondesi stayed hot with two more hits, and Orlando Arcia was perfectly himself with a double, a walk, and his 11th steal, though he did commit his 12th error. DSL Brewers play-by-play A four-run 7th carried the day: DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7th Raul Mondesi singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to left fielder Domingo Diaz. Raul Mondesi to 2nd. Sthervin Matos hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by third baseman Ronnierd Garcia. Raul Mondesi to 3rd. Juan De Leon to 2nd. Sthervin Matos to 1st. Jose Pena singles on a ground ball to left fielder Domingo Diaz. Raul Mondesi scores. Juan De Leon scores. Sthervin Matos to 3rd. Jose Pena to 2nd. Throwing error by left fielder Domingo Diaz. Carlos Pena grounds out, second baseman Daniel Barbuena to first baseman Rafael Medina. Dionis Hinojosa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. Sthervin Matos scores. Jose Pena to 3rd. With Yonki Hernandez batting, wild pitch by Delvi Rodriguez, Jose Pena scores. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd. Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging. Francisco Castillo pops out to first baseman Rafael Medina.
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Final: @AZL Dodgers 10, AZL Brewers 3 AZL Brewers box scoreThese guys...they aren't too good. Let's be charitable and say Michael Schaub was working on the sinker today: 5 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 1 K, 9/3 GO/FO. The Brewers committed four errors, so I'm gonna give Schaub some free advice: focus on the strikeouts, kid. Joel Pierce was not awful, striking out three and walking none in two innings, allowing one run. The other four runs came off Chad Thompson in the 8th, just to rub their noses in it. Kevin Berard, in center today, continues to hit well and get on base, collecting two hits, including a triple, and a walk. Jalen Harris and Hitaniel Arias also had two knocks. No Michael Reed after yesterday's early exit. We haven't seen Malcolm Dowell since his two-game comeback from a concussion on the 7th & 8th. Concussions are tricky, so could be he's not quite over it; perhaps Toby can find out. Renaldo Jenkins committed two more errors at shortstop, giving him 17 overall now. AZL Brewers play-by-play
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Final (game one): Brevard County 4, @Lakeland 3 (7 innings) Suspended (game two): Brevard County 0, @Lakeland 0 (1.5 innings) Brevard County box score (game one)Brevard County box score (game two)After allowing at least four runs in three straight starts, hopefully this is Tyler Thornburg rounding back into form: 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K, 1/5 GO/FO. Hunter Morris was 2-4 with a double; he hasn't really hit much since early summer. Kentrail Davis, who hasn't really hit much since last summer, was 0-2 but walked twice. Shawn Zarraga was 2-2 before giving way to Brent Dean, Scott Krieger was 2-2 with a walk, and Shea Vucinich was 2-4. Game two was suspended in the middle of the 2nd inning, which is probably a good thing because four of the seven Sea Cows to bat so far have struck out. Brevard County play-by-play (game one)Brevard County play-by-play (game two)Thornburg looked like he was going to get out of the 5th with the shutout intact: Lakeland Bottom of the 5thCorey Jones singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.Daniel Fields walks. Corey Jones to 2nd.Michael Rockett strikes out swinging.William Bergolla strikes out swinging.Jordan Lennerton doubles (22) on a fly ball to left fielder Chuck Caufield. Corey Jones scores. Daniel Fields scores.Tony Plagman pops out to third baseman Shea Vucinich in foul territory.
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Final: Missoula 5, @Helena 2 BUNGLE BREWS: Osprey hand Brewers 8th loss in 9 gamesAMBER KUEHN Independent Record Jon Griffin looked down at the beat-up old bat in his hand, a bat with more scuff marks on it than one can count, and smiled. Before Thursday’s game against Helena, the Missoula first baseman had traded it in for a newer, shiny stick. But it wasn’t his model, wasn’t the one that had been tried and true all season long. So right before his first at-bat, Griffin changed his mind, opting instead for the old one he was more comfortable with. The result? A little foul pop-up to first base. But two innings later, Griffin was sure he’d made the right decision. Griffin took a fastball from Brewers starter Kevin Shackelford and absolutely crushed it out of the park. It cleared the “hele-net” in left field, which stands an estimated 40-feet high, and just kept going to give the Osprey a 2-0 lead. The visitors went on to take the 5-2 victory over Helena at Kindrick Legion Field. It was the Brewers’ eighth loss in nine games. “I was just trying not to do too much, believe it or not,” Griffin said after the game, adding that it’s one of the hardest home runs he’s ever hit. “I just put the barrel on it.” As impressive as the long ball was, Missoula looked equally strong in the field. A night after they recorded four errors, the Osprey turned in a pair of web gems: shortstop Stephen Cardullo reached to his right to stab a hard hit ball by Parker Berberet in the sixth, and left fielder Tom Belza made a sliding catch to his knees to rob Mike Nemeth of a hit in the eighth. “We hit some balls hard,” Brewers manager Joe Ayrault said after the game, crediting Missoula’s defense. Max Walla was the highlight for Helena, accounting for both of the Brewers’ runs. The right fielder whose been one of the league’s top defensive players this season struck a solo shot to left in the fourth frame, then belted an RBI double to the warning track in left to score Ben McMahan. Walla was 3 for 4 on the night, finishing a triple shy of the cycle, but he was one of just four in the Helena lineup to crack into the hit column. The Brewers (3-9) finished with seven hits to Missoula’s 11, and the Osprey were able to win despite going 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position. Ayrault hopes getting Robbie Garvey and Kyle Dhanani back will rejuvenate the Brewers offense. Garvey had been in Las Vegas for the birth of his first child, Levi, but returned Thursday, and Dhanani’s hand is healed. Both are expected to play tonight in Missoula. Garvey and Dhanani are batting .261 and .291, respectively. “Having those guys out of the lineup definitely puts a dent in our offense,” the Brewers skipper said. “Having Garvey and Dhanani back in the lineup will definitely spark us.” Missoula pitchers were superb, striking out a dozen batters and walking none. Starter Raymond Hernandez improved to a perfect 7-0 on the season, as the right-hander gave up just four hits and an earned run while fanning nine in the longest outing of the season by any Osprey pitcher (seven innings). “He mixes his pitches very well, keeps hitters off balance,” Ayrault said. “He definitely throws like an upper-level pitcher.” Missoula (7-5) tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI single by Ryan Court, then added some more cushion in the ninth. Justin Bianco’s bunt single off sidewinder Alex Jones loaded the bases with nobody out, then Fidel Pena hit into a 4-6-3 double play that brought home a run. Belza’s RBI base knock to right field made it 5-1. Helena tried to put together a rally in its half of the inning, trimming the deficit to three runs. But Walla was left stranded at second when Tyler Roberts took a called third strike on the outside corner of the plate, ending the game. Griffin said that although the Osprey have already clinched a spot in the postseason by winning the first half, it’s still nice to walk off the field victorious. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/0/8e/08ea0af8-c490-11e0-a3ea-001cc4c002e0/4e4498a4821a2.image.jpg Brewers second baseman Adrian Williams catches the ball as Missoula's Tom Belza slides safely to second Thursday evening at Kindrick Legion Field.(Dylan Brown Independent Record) Helena box scoreHelena play-by-play
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Final: Beloit 6, @Wisconsin 4 Snappers stop Rattlers' streakBy Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Beloit Snappers coaxed ten walks out of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitchers, including five in a decisive three-run rally, and ended Wisconsin's brief two game winning streak with a 6-4 win Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Beloit (59-57 overall, 21-25 second half) took the lead with an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Daniel Santana reached on a single to start the game. Andrew Leer was next and he reached on catcher's interference. A deep fly ball to center by Lance Ray moved both runners up a base. A sacrifice fly by Jairo Perez gave Beloit the 1-0. The Snappers extended their lead to 3-0 with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Tyler Grimes walked to start the inning. Derek McCallum doubled in Grimes, went to third on a balk, and scored on a single by Tobias Streich. Wisconsin (57-59, 19-27) would rally to tie the game with three straight runs. Jason Rogers singled with one out in the second. Nick Ramirez drove him in with a double. In the fourth, Chad Stang reached on an error and stole second. Ramirez drove in Stang with a single. A Franklin Romero, Jr. single later in the inning sent Ramirez home to tie the game 3-2. The game remained tied until the top of the sixth. Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell walked the leadoff batter and gave way for reliever Stosh Wawrzasek. Wawrzasek got the first out with a strikeout, but walked the next two batters to load the bases. Greg Holle entered the game after the second walk. McCallum worked the count to 3-2 and knocked in the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly. Holle walked the next batter to reload the bases. Then, Wan-Wei Lin drove a single to right that scored two runs for a 6-3 Beloit lead. The Rattlers threatened late. Madison Boer, the 2nd round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2011 draft, entered the game in the bottom of the ninth inning as the third Snappers pitcher of the night. Boer struck out the first two batters of the frame. Then, Brandon Macias singled. Reggie Keen followed with another single. Nick Shaw completed the trifecta with an RBI single to score Macias to make the score 6-4. However, Boer recorded the final out to pick up his first Midwest League save. Wisconsin missed out on an opportunity to pick up ground in the second half playoff standings. Both Kane County and Clinton, the teams holding the playoff spots lost on Thursday night. A win would have also put the Rattlers into a tie with the Snappers in the standings. It was Beloit who picked up ground as they moved to within three games of Clinton for the second half Wild Card. The Rattlers dropped into a tie for fifth place with Cedar Rapids and Peoria. There are 24 games remaining in the 2011 regular season. The final game of the series is Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Jimmy Nelson (6-7, 4.34) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has Manuel Soliman (6-8, 4.05) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05pm. BirdZerk! returns to Time Warner Cable Field to entertain the fans with his antics on a North Shore Bank Family Night as children 12 and under eat free. After the game, enjoy a fireworks display! After the fireworks, Fazoli's invites children 14 and under to participate in Kids Run the Bases. If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Friday's game is also available on MiLB.TV. Wisconsin box score Wisconsin play-by-play
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Final: @Jackson 6, Huntsville 5 (14 innings) Stars Lose Heartbreaker in 14th After Tying It in NinthHuntsville Stars JACKSON, Tenn. – After a late, game-tying rally in the ninth, the Huntsville Stars (56-59) fell in 14 innings to the Jackson Generals (59-57) in Thursday night’s series opener, 6-5. The Generals opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo-home run by Rich Poythress. The Stars were quick to respond, scoring four runs in the top of the third. That 4-1 lead was short lived as the Generals added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a one-run lead. The Jackson lead was taken into the ninth inning when Brock Kjeldgaard hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to drive in Lee Haydel to tie the game at 5-5. It would take five more innings before the next run of the game would score. The Jackson Generals scored the game winner in the bottom of the 14th with a pair of doubles to the warning track off of reliever Santo Manzanillo (0-2). Starter Chase Wright lasted only four innings allowing the five runs to Jackson on five hits and two walks. Generals starter, Kenn Kasparek also allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks. Both starting pitchers received no-decisions. The Stars and Generals will meet in game two of the series from Pringles Park at 7:05 p.m. CST. RHP Kyle Heckathorn (0-3, 6.68 ERA) will make the start for the Stars. For more information visit huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville box score Huntsville play-by-play
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Final (game two): @Dunedin 9, Brevard County 3 (7 innings) Brevard County box scoreAustin Ross continues to just get destroyed in the FSL: 4.1 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 1 HR. I remember at one point before the season speculating that given Ross's advanced feel for pitching and the friendliness of the Florida State League, we might not find out how good he was until he got to Huntsville. It's certainly looking like we're finding out sooner than expected, and I don't like what I'm hearing. Efrain Nieves allowed three runs in 1.2 innings just to make Ross feel better. BC had eight hits, but only Scott Krieger had more than one, and the Sea Cows lived up to their nickname by not walking. Brevard County play-by-play
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Brewphoria: MustachesBy Dominic Shelden/KFBB Beards in the NBA-playoff stubble in the NHL--facial hair, its just part of sports, but beards are not allowed in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, the only sort of facial hair they can sport is a mustache, and in honor of that look, once a year the Helena squad grows out their best mustaches for the promotional event Mustache Monday.? “I started off with a little baby mustache and now you know it’s blossoming,” says outfielder Max Walla. “You gotta have confidence in the mustache, and confidence in the power of the stache, and it’ll pay off for you,” says catcher Parker Berberet. “I mean it’s like a weight lifter-you gotta work out, and you gotta eat the right foods and it’s the same with mustaches," says hitting coach Ned Yost. The event allowed anyone with a mustache, real or fake to get into the game for a discounted rate, but the players favorite part of mustache Monday is the competition amongst the team to see who has the best whiskers. “Ned keeps his up, and Parker’s is just growing all over his lips, so I mean every food he eats, he tastes his mustache,” says outfielder Kenny Allison. “Parker has the best mustache, Ned might be a little angry that I say that," says Walla. “All I know is Parker doesn’t have his face on a t-shirt-I do. If he wants to have best mustache on the team, that’s fine, because I have the best mustache in the league," says Yost. While the facial hair may be short lived for many, the team says as soon as the mustache is in full effect, there’s an undeniable transformation that happens not only on the outside, but in personality as well.? "Kinda have to have a whole different swagger about you. You go play away games, they are all over you for a bad mustache or whatever, you just gotta play through it," says Berberet “I feel a lot smarter, I read more, which is weird, I can play the flute all of a sudden…it’s weird how that happens," says Yost.
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Carlos Rodon Weighing His OptionsGoPack.com RALEIGH, N.C. — Monday will be Decision Day in college baseball. Aug. 15 is the deadline for Major League Baseball teams to sign players taken in the previous June’s MLB Draft, and NC State will be awaiting word on four drafted recruits, including Holly Springs pitcher/first baseman Carlos Rodon. The Milwaukee Brewers took the lefthanded Rodon in the 16th round, but the consensus is that he is more in line with a third- to fifth-round talent. He certainly played like a high-round pick this spring for the Golden Hawks. On the mound, Rodon went 11-0 with a 1.40 ERA and 135 strikeouts. This was after he went 10-1 with a 0.80 ERA as a junior in 2010. His career record was 23-2. Offensively, he batted .370 as a senior with three home runs and 25 RBIs. With Rodon leading the way, Holly Springs went 27-2 and won the 2011 North Carolina 4-A state championship. After a season like that, it’s no surprise that the postseason awards came flowing Rodon’s way. He was an easy pick for all-state for the second year in a row, and was named the Tri-Nine Conference player of the year, likewise for the second year running. Later in the summer, Baseball America named him a third-team high school All-American, and in early August the North Carolina High School Athletic Association named him the 2011 North Carolina High School Player of the Year to put the finishing touches on a storybook senior year. “I’ve had a lot of honors come my way this year, including North Carolina Player of the Year, and I’m truly flattered by all of them,” Rodon said. “There are so many great players in this state. To be chosen player of the year is really an incredible honor.” Before all those honors sink in, however, Rodon has a decision to make. Again, pro teams have until midnight Monday night to sign players drafted in June or lose their signing rights. For Rodon, who signed a national letter-of-intent with NC State last November, that means he either signs with the Brewers by Monday night or comes to college and plays for the Wolfpack the next three years. If Rodon opts to play collegiately, there is little question in head coach Elliott Avent’s mind that the young lefthander would make a big and immediate impact on the Wolfpack. Two-way players who can contribute both ways as freshmen are a rare commodity. The fact that Rodon grew up in NC State’s back yard is an added bonus. More important to Avent, however, is the fact that Rodon is the type of person who should fit seamlessly into the NC State locker room right away. “Carlos Rodon is obviously a great player and a great talent, but beyond that he’s a great young man and a great teammate,” Avent said. “We’re very hopeful that he’ll choose to join our program because we know that he’ll be a great representative of NC State baseball. He’s exactly the kind of young man we want in our program.” Holly Springs head coach Rod Whitesell knows Rodon well. For selfish reasons he’d like to see Rodon play collegiately, just because Whitesell would be able to watch his best player for another three years. Whitesell said that if he opts to go to NC State, Rodon’s transition to college baseball should be an easy one because of his combination of talent and competitiveness. “He throws real free and easy, and the ball just explodes out of his hand,” Whitesell said. “The ball gets on hitters really fast. Combine that talent with the fact that he’s a great kid and a great competitor and you’ve got a special player. He loves to be on the mound in big situations. He never wants to come out of a game. He wants to be out there. He competes every pitch, every inning, and he just loves to win. He’s a great kid and he works so hard. He really loves the game of baseball.” In the end, Rodon is most likely in a no-lose situation. He’s said that he won’t sign a professional contract unless the money is right. If he decides instead to play collegiately, he has a chance to further develop his talents in one of the best conferences in college baseball while getting three years of an invaluable college education under his belt. “It’s a really a hard decision,” Rodon said. “In a way, I don’t feel like I can make a wrong choice, but that just makes it harder. I would love to be part of the Wolfpack. Coach Avent, coach Holliday, coach Hart and coach Ward are all great coaches and I really get along with all the players I’ve met on the team. I’d love to be a part of that. At the same time, I have to wait and see exactly what my options will be before I make a decision. If everything works out right, I’ll be a part of the Wolfpack.” We’ll find out Monday. It will be a big day for Rodon, and hopefiully an equally big day for Wolfpack baseball.
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Final (game one): Dunedin 7, @Brevard County 6 (9 innings) Brevard County box score Well, they played nine innings again, but this time it makes sense, since the game was tied after seven. In a see-saw affair, Dunedin took the lead in the bottom of the 6th, BC took it back in the top of the 7th, and the D-Jays tied in the bottom half before winning two innings later. Roque Mercedes was charged with both the blown save and the loss--you know you had problems when you had to issue three intentional walks out of the bullpen. Scooter Gennett stayed hot with three more hits, and D'Vontrey Richardson had two hits (including a double) for the third time in his last five games (of course, in between he went 0-10). Scott Krieger homered, and Shea Vucinich had a nice day with a single, a double, and two walks. Brevard County play-by-playDunedin Bottom of the 7thPitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces Hiram Burgos.Ryan Schimpf singles on a ground ball to shortstop Josh Prince.Pitcher Change: Roque Mercedes replaces Jonathan Pokorny.Brad Glenn singles on a fly ball to left fielder Scott Krieger. Ryan Schimpf to 2nd.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Chris Hopkins replaces Brad Glenn.With Brian Van Kirk batting, wild pitch by Roque Mercedes, Ryan Schimpf to 3rd. Chris Hopkins to 2nd.Roque Mercedes intentionally walks Brian Van Kirk.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Justin Jackson replaces Brian Van Kirk.Kevin Ahrens grounds into a force out, shortstop Josh Prince to catcher Brent Dean. Ryan Schimpf out at home. Chris Hopkins scores. Justin Jackson to 2nd. Kevin Ahrens advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Brent Dean.Kevin Nolan flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Justin Jackson to 3rd.Ryan Goins grounds out, shortstop Josh Prince to first baseman Hunter Morris. Dunedin Bottom of the 9thChris Hopkins walks.With Justin Jackson batting, Chris Hopkins steals (11) 2nd base.Justin Jackson out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Brent Dean to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Chris Hopkins to 3rd.Roque Mercedes intentionally walks Kevin Ahrens.Roque Mercedes intentionally walks Kevin Nolan. Kevin Ahrens to 2nd.Ryan Goins singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Chris Hopkins scores. Kevin Ahrens to 3rd. Kevin Nolan to 2nd.
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Final: DSL Brewers 1, @DSL Athletics 0 (8.5 innings) DSL Brewers box score This is the second time now the Cerveceritos have gotten a win on the road when their opponent didn't get to bat in the bottom of the 9th. Obviously in a one-run game that's kind of important. Gian Rizzo was his usual excellent self: 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 8 K. Rizzo now has a 61/12 K/BB in 57.1 innings; he turns 18 in September, and I'll be very disappointed if he isn't in Arizona next year. Yonki Hernandez was the only 'Rito on base more than once, with two hits and a walk. Raul Mondesi tripled, and it wouldn't be a proper game without at least one hit from Orlando Arcia and Esthervin Matos.DSL Brewers play-by-play Mondesi demonstrates how to not score despite tripling with no outs: DSL Brewers Top of the 4thOrlando Arcia singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa.Raul Mondesi triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Orlando Arcia scores. Raul Mondesi out at home, center fielder Alfredo Sosa to shortstop Gabriel Santana to catcher Andy Paz.Juan De Leon singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa.Pitcher Change: Edward Almonte replaces Leonel Benzant.Sthervin Matos singles on a fly ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Juan De Leon to 2nd.Elvis Rubio grounds into double play, shortstop Gabriel Santana to second baseman Argenis Raga to first baseman Jose Rosario. Sthervin Matos out at 2nd. The Atleticitos blew two golden opportunities late; DSL Athletics Bottom of the 6thVicmal De La Cruz walks.Jonesy Zarraga singles on a fly ball to center fielder Yonki Hernandez. Vicmal De La Cruz to 3rd.Andy Paz called out on strikes.Jose Rosario pops out to shortstop Orlando Arcia.Argenis Raga pops out to second baseman Raphachel Colatosti. DSL Athletics Bottom of the 8thAlfredo Sosa singles on a fly ball to center fielder Yonki Hernandez.With Vicmal De La Cruz batting, wild pitch by Orlando Torrez, Alfredo Sosa to 2nd.Vicmal De La Cruz grounds out to first baseman Sthervin Matos. Alfredo Sosa to 3rd.Pitcher Change: Carlos Sosa replaces Orlando Torrez.Jonesy Zarraga reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Orlando Arcia to catcher Leudi Otano. Alfredo Sosa out at home.Andy Paz hit by pitch. Jonesy Zarraga to 2nd.Jose Rosario flies out to left fielder Dionis Hinojosa.
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Final: AZL Dodgers 9, @AZL Brewers 3 AZL Brewers box scoreAnd the brief one-game win streak falls by the wayside as the A-Team drops to 1-8 in August. Danny Keller continues to put up poor numbers, allowing five runs in 2.2 innings, though he fanned three while walking only one; the problem was the six hits he gave up. The Dodgers' starter hit three Brewers in five innings, allowing ten baserunners total, but the Brewers netted only two runs from them. Michael Reed was 1-2 with two walks and his first professional stolen base before leaving the game. Kevin Berard was on four times, twice via hitting the baseball and twice via it hitting him. Renaldo Jenkins was okay at the plate, 1-3 with a walk, but with the glove he committed two fielding errors, giving him 15 total; 13 of them have come in 24 games at shortstop--not exactly a great rate, but then again, young shortstops are famously erratic. No Malcolm Dowell. AZL Brewers play-by-playAZL Brewers Bottom of the 7thAlejandro Mendoza grounds out, shortstop Bryant Hernandez to first baseman Tae-Hyeok Nam.Kevin Berard pops out to second baseman Malcolm Holland.Michael Reed walks.Adam Weisenburger singles on a line drive to right fielder Ronny Lugo. Michael Reed to 3rd.Jimmie Pharr grounds out, shortstop Bryant Hernandez to first baseman Tae-Hyeok Nam. AZL Dodgers Top of the 8thDefensive switch from left field to center field for Kevin Berard.Defensive Substitution: Ronny Puello replaces center fielder Michael Reed, batting 2nd, playing right field.Defensive switch from right field to left field for Jose R. Garcia. Muscle strain?

