battlekow

After putting in a few games in the AZL, C (yes, he's catching) Angel Salome debuted at High-A last night for our old friends the High Desert Mavericks. He did all right: 4-5 with two homers and a triple. Mariners prospect watcher Jason Churchill thinks Salome could be in the big leagues soon.

Final: Wisconsin 3, @Cedar Rapids 2 Whoa, Nellie!Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson showed why he was a second round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010. Nelson struck out seven over eight shutout innings and the Rattlers held on for a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday night at Perfect Game Field. Cody Hawn broke the scoreless game with home run off the scoreboard in right-center field. The homer was the fifth of the season for Hawn and it came off Kernels reliever Justin La Tempa. The Rattlers got another run off La Tempa in the top of the eighth inning when Nick Shaw doubled down the left field line to send TJ Mittelstaedt across home plate. Wisconsin (41-36 overall, 3-4 second half) cracked the scoreboard one more time. Chad Stang's fielder's choice sent pinch runner Franklin Romero home from third for what turned out to be an important run. Nelson allowed four hits and walked two. Early on the Rattlers defenders helped out by turning three double plays. Nelson settled into cruise control as he went deeper into the game and retired the final ten batters he faced. Closer Greg Holle entered the game in the bottom of the ninth. He walked the leadoff batter and allowed a ground rule double to put the first to Kernels on base. Jeremy Cruz singled to left to drive in a pair and make the score 3-2. Kernels cleanup hitter Ricky Alvarez was next, by Holle induced a 4-6-3 double play to stop the momentum. Holle got the final out on a liner to left and picked up his sixteenth save of the season. Holle is three saves from tying the franchise record for saves in a season. John Thompson recorded 19 saves in 1995, the first season of the Rattlers franchise. Cedar Rapids falls to 34-43 overall and 2-5 in the second half. Game two of the series is Friday night at Perfect Game Field. Wisconsin will send Del Howell (1-3, 4.03) to the mound. PJ Jang (0-1, 2.25) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Kernels. Game time has been moved back to 6:45pm. Tune in for the action on 1280AM, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:25pm. Wisconsin box scoreVery nice. Nelson and Hawn reclaiming a bit of glory for the Timber Rattlers' remaining high draft picks from last year. 96 pitches, 65 strikes for Nelson, and an 8/3 GO/FO that shows Nelson can induce grounders while at the same time missing bats. Shaw had a great night, reaching four times on two hits and two walks. He hasn't done much when he swings the stick this year, but when he doesn't he's been quite effective--that's 51 free passes now. Stang and Jason Rogers also had two hits. For the second time recently, Stang was involved in a weird baserunning play. The other day he turned a triple into a single and an out when he didn't touch second base, and today he was called out on batter's interference when the throw from the catcher on his topper hit him. Mittelstaedt continues to succeed, on two more times today with a single and a walk. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final (game two): @Huntsville 7, Mississippi 2 (7 innings) Huntsville box scoreA seven-run 4th inning provided all the offense Huntsville needed to pick up the doubleheader split. No Star had more than one hit, though Steffan Wilson and Brock Kjeldgaard each added a walk to their safety, and Matt Cline was hit by two pitches. Erik Komatsu was 0-3 with a walk, Sean Halton was 1-3, and Logan Schafer 1-2 after entering the game in the 4th. No Martin Maldonado, since he caught the first game. Jesus Sanchez started and allowed two runs in four innings, but Dan Meadows, back from Nashville, stole the show with three hitless innings of relief featuring six strikeouts.Huntsville play-by-play Huntsville Bottom of the 4thSteffan Wilson reaches on missed catch error by first baseman Ernesto Mejia, assist to shortstop Tyler Pastornicky.With Brock Kjeldgaard batting, wild pitch by Benino Pruneda, Steffan Wilson to 2nd.Brock Kjeldgaard walks.Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to left fielder Dan Nelson. Steffan Wilson to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd.Anderson De La Rosa strikes out swinging.Matt Cline hit by pitch. Steffan Wilson scores. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd. Sergio Miranda to 2nd.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Logan Schafer replaces Jesus Sanchez.Logan Schafer singles on a line drive to center fielder Mycal Jones. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Sergio Miranda to 3rd. Matt Cline to 2nd.Erik Komatsu walks. Sergio Miranda scores. Matt Cline to 3rd. Logan Schafer to 2nd.Zelous Wheeler called out on strikes.Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to right fielder Cory Harrilchak. Matt Cline scores. Logan Schafer scores. Erik Komatsu to 3rd. Sean Halton to 2nd on the throw.Steffan Wilson doubles (15) on a fly ball to center fielder Mycal Jones. Erik Komatsu scores. Sean Halton scores.Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

Final: @Round Rock 6, Nashville 5 Sounds' Win Streak Snapped With 6-5 Loss In Round RockNashville Sounds ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds had their season-best five-game winning streak snapped with a 6-5 loss to the Round Rock Express on Thursday evening at The Dell Diamond in the opener of a four-game series. The loss was the PCL-leading 22nd one-run defeat of the year for Nashville (37-43), which participated in its league-high 38th contest decided by a single run. The Sounds continued their June power surge by belting three home runs in the contest and finished the month with 42 longballs. Nashville grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Eric Farris drew a one-out, first-inning walk and later scored the contest's first run on an Erick Almonte groundout. Round Rock jumped in front, 4-1, with a four-run outburst in the second against Nashville starter Chase Wright. The Express used four consecutive base hits following a one-out walk to ex-Sound Brad Nelson to do their damage. Joey Butler tied the contest with an RBI double before Julio Borbon (4-for-5) put the home team in front with a two-run single to center. Omar Quintanilla wrapped up the four-spot with a run-scoring single to right. Nashville pulled back within a run at 4-3 by plating belting solo homers in the fifth and sixth innings. Brandon Boggs led off the fifth with his sixth roundtripper of the year and Caleb Gindl (3-for-4) swatted his ninth big fly of the season with two outs in the sixth. Both taters came off Feldman. The Express got those two runs back in the bottom of the sixth against Sounds reliever Zack Segovia to extend their lead to 6-3. Butler led off with a double against Wright and scored one batter later on a Borbon single. Borbon, who advanced to second on the play due to a Boggs fielding error in left, later scored the inning's second run in unearned fashion on a Mike Napoli sacrifice fly. Brett Carroll (2-for-4) pulled Nashville back within a run in the seventh when he crushed his 12th home run of the season, a two-out, two-run shot to left off Round Rock reliever Darren O'Day. Farris (2-for-4) preceded Carroll with a single and also scored on the blast. Carroll extended the Sounds' longest active hitting streak to eight games, one shy of his best effort of the year. Feldman (2-0) earned the win with a quality start for Round Rock, holding the Sounds to three runs on eight hits over six innings. Tommy Hunter retired the side in order in the top of the ninth, striking out two of his three batters face, to secure the win and nail down his first save of the year. Wright (5-5) took the loss for the Sounds after giving up four runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 frames of action. The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Friday. All-Star left-hander Sam Narron (4-3, 3.70) will man the bump for the Sounds to take on rehabbing Texas Rangers right-hander Brandon Webb. The 2006 National League Cy Young winner will make his first rehabilitation appearance for Round Rock in the contest. Nashville box scoreGreat games from Gindl and Farris, who also stole his ninth base. Taylor Green was 1-4. Justin James worked the final two innings, allowing no runs on three hits with a strikeout. Nashville play-by-play

Final: @Clearwater 5, Brevard County 4 Brevard County box scoreSure, they lost, but when you take away the four runs Rolando Pascual allowed in a third of an inning, it's a nice win. R.J. Seidel started and kept the ball down well, posting an 8/1 GO/FO over five one-run innings. Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis each went yard for the Sea Cows, and Kentrail Davis and D'Vontrey Richardson each tallied two hits, with one of D'Vo's being a triple. Kh. Davis was also hit by a pitch, Hunter Morris doubled, and Shawn Zarraga was 1-3 with a sac bunt. Ke. Davis stole his 18th and 19th bases against just three caught-stealings. Weird thing about Kentrail: he walked 17 times and was hit by 10 pitches in 150 plate appearances last year for BC, but this year he has just 26 and 8 in 312 trips to the plate. Zarraga committed his second catcher's interference in four days. Brevard County play-by-playThe 'Tees got off to an explosive start: Brevard County Top of the 1stScooter Gennett grounds out, second baseman Cesar Hernandez to first baseman Darin Ruf.Kentrail Davis singles on a line drive to center fielder Jiwan James.Hunter Morris flies out to left fielder Michael Dabbs.With Khristopher Davis batting, Kentrail Davis steals (18) 2nd base.Khristopher Davis homers (11) on a fly ball to center field. Kentrail Davis scores.D' Vontrey Richardson triples (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Jiwan James.Scott Krieger grounds out, third baseman Jeremy Barnes to first baseman Darin Ruf. Josh Prince couldn't make contact here, though Sanchez running probably didn't help: Brevard County Top of the 4thD' Vontrey Richardson singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Jeremy Barnes.Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brian Gump. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.Shawn Zarraga out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Brody Colvin to first baseman Darin Ruf. D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd. Scott Krieger to 2nd.Juan Sanchez singles on a fly ball to left fielder Michael Dabbs. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Scott Krieger to 3rd.Josh Prince strikes out swinging. Juan Sanchez steals (1) 2nd base.Scooter Gennett flies out to left fielder Michael Dabbs. They put runners in scoring position for their best hitters late in the game but couldn't plate the tying run: Brevard County Top of the 7thJosh Prince flies out to right fielder Brian Gump.Scooter Gennett homers (4) on a fly ball to right field.Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.Hunter Morris doubles (22) on a fly ball to right fielder Brian Gump.With Khristopher Davis batting, wild pitch by Jordan Whatcott, Hunter Morris to 3rd.Khristopher Davis called out on strikes. Brevard County Top of the 9thJuan Sanchez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jiwan James.Josh Prince out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Jeremy Barnes to first baseman Darin Ruf. Juan Sanchez to 2nd.Scooter Gennett flies out to left fielder Michael Dabbs.Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.

Final: @DSL Athletics 14, DSL Brewers 0 DSL Brewers box scoreI guess this is what happens when you don't play Orlando Arcia. The sweet-swinging 16-year-old shortstop sat out today's game, but then again, it looks like most of his teammates did as well. After a four-run 1st, starter Jorge Ortega settled down and allowed only one more run over the next four innings, leaving the Cerveceritos with a large but not impossible five-run deficit. Javier Belen came on to pitch a scoreless 6th--and then the 7th inning happened. Belen faced six batters, retired none of them, and combined with Juan Francisco combined to allow nine runs. The Cerveceritos managed just six baserunners. Raul Mondesi and Elvis Rubio both picked up 0-4s. Jose Pena joined Arcia on the bench. If you're keeping track, that's a cumulative score of 27-1 against in the three games completed so far today in the system.DSL Brewers play-by-play DSL Athletics Bottom of the 7thLuis Osorio doubles (6) on a fly ball to right fielder Raul Mondesi.Renato Nunez singles on a line drive to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Luis Osorio to 3rd.Vicmal De La Cruz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Raul Mondesi. Luis Osorio scores. Renato Nunez to 2nd.With Wilman Martinez batting, wild pitch by Javier Belen, Renato Nunez to 3rd. Vicmal De La Cruz to 2nd.Wilman Martinez walks.Jose Rosario singles on a fly ball to center fielder Yonki Hernandez. Renato Nunez scores. Vicmal De La Cruz to 3rd. Wilman Martinez to 2nd.Argenis Raga singles on a ground ball to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Vicmal De La Cruz scores. Wilman Martinez to 3rd. Jose Rosario to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Juan Francisco replaces Javier Belen.Jesus Rivas reaches on force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Raphachel Colatosti. Wilman Martinez scores. Jose Rosario to 3rd. Argenis Raga to 2nd.Alfredo Sosa grounds into a force out, third baseman Raphachel Colatosti to catcher Carlos Pena. Jose Rosario out at home. Argenis Raga to 3rd. Jesus Rivas to 2nd. Alfredo Sosa to 1st.With Gabriel Santana batting, wild pitch by Juan Francisco, Argenis Raga scores. Jesus Rivas to 3rd. Alfredo Sosa to 2nd.Gabriel Santana strikes out swinging.Luis Osorio singles on a line drive to right fielder Raul Mondesi. Jesus Rivas scores. Alfredo Sosa scores.Renato Nunez doubles (7) on a ground ball to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Luis Osorio scores.Vicmal De La Cruz triples (3) on a line drive to center fielder Yonki Hernandez. Renato Nunez scores.Wilman Martinez pops out to catcher Carlos Pena. Not sure if he was just getting the last at-bat of a long game off, but we'll see if Juan de Leon plays tomorrow: DSL Athletics Bottom of the 8thJose Rosario doubles (4) on a fly ball to center fielder Yonki Hernandez.Argenis Raga flies out to center fielder Yonki Hernandez.Jesus Rivas grounds out, shortstop Francisco Castillo to first baseman Juan De Leon. Jose Rosario to 3rd.Alfredo Sosa grounds out, pitcher Juan Santiago to first baseman Juan De Leon. DSL Brewers Top of the 9thDeivi Mejia strikes out swinging.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jorge De La Cruz replaces Juan De Leon.

Final (game one): Mississippi 8, @Huntsville 1 (7 innings) Huntsville box scoreCody Scarpetta was torched for eight runs on ten hits in five innings. Actually, it more like "barbecued", because there was no one big inning; he gave up three in the 1st, two in the 3rd, one in the 4th, and two in the 5th. Safe to say Cody did not have it today. Touted Braves pitching prospect Randall Delgado did, however: he scattered nine hits and posted a 6/0 K/BB while picking up the (abbreviated) complete-game win. Roque Mercedes contributed his first scoreless outing since the 2nd but was demoted to Brevard County after the game for his troubles. Lee Haydel and Sean Halton had fine days, each picking up a single and a double. Martin Maldonado stayed hot with a double as well, Logan Schafer was 1-4, and Erik Komatsu struck out as a pinch hitter. Huntsville play-by-playDown three runs after the top of the 1st, this could have gone better: Huntsville Bottom of the 1stLee Haydel doubles (7) on a fly ball to left fielder Dan Nelson.Logan Schafer flies out to center fielder Mycal Jones.Sean Halton flies out to left fielder Dan Nelson.Zelous Wheeler strikes out swinging. Only one of the hits Scarpetta allowed came on a grounder; the rest were on line drives or fly balls.

RHP Roque Mercedes to Brevard County to square everything up.

Final: @Nashville 3, New Orleans 2 Sounds Sweep Zephyrs With 3-2 WinNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds swept the New Orleans Zephyrs with a 3-2 victory on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game set. The win was Nashville's fifth straight, which matches the club's longest of the season from June 2-6. The sweep was Nashville's first of the season and last since the Sounds swept New Orleans from April 24-27, 2010 at Zephyr Field. The victory gave the Sounds a 12-4 season series win over the Zephyrs, which is also the best mark against an opponent since Nashville went 12-4 against the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) in 2007. Nashville has now played a PCL-high 37 one-run games this season, going 16-21 in those contests. Tossing a season-high 6 2/3 innings for his second consecutive start, Sounds starter Josh Butler surrendered two runs (one earned) on five hits while fanning seven. The quality start was Butler's third of the season and Nashville's fifth straight. The Sounds scored their first run in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Erick Almonte led off with a ground rule double in over the wall in right-center. Almonte moved to third on a groundout and scored as Taylor Green singled to right field. New Orleans tied the contest at 1-1 in the next frame. Former Sound Vinny Rottino reached on an infield single and moved to second on a Zelous Wheeler fielding error. After moving to third on a groundout, Rottino scored on a softly hit fly ball to left field. The Zephyrs briefly moved ahead, 2-1, in the top of the seventh inning. After a Brad Davis walk, Rottino hit a two-out RBI double off the wall in right-center, removing Butler from the contest. Nashville came right back and scored their final two runs to go back ahead at 3-2. Reliever Victor Garate came into the contest recorded the first two outs before giving up a single to pinch hitter Brett Carroll. Garate then walked Brandon Boggs and hit Jordan Brown to juice the bases. Next batter Eric Farris then hit a perfectly-placed fly ball just inches inside the foul line between the first baseman, second baseman, and right fielder that allowed the hustling Boggs and Carroll to score. Justin James (2-2) tossed 1/3 of an inning while stranding his only inherited runner for the victory. In a rehab appearance for the Brewers, Takashi Saito worked around a single in a scoreless frame. Saito struck out two and allowed a pop out on 15 pitches, 11 for strikes [audio of one of the strikeouts]. Sean Green converted his sixth save in six chances with a perfect ninth. Chris Sampson matched with a quality start, allowing one run on four hits and two walks in six innings. Garate took the loss after giving up two runs in 1 2/3 innings. Following's a league-wide off day tomorrow, the Sounds begin a short four-game road trip at the Round Rock Express (AAA-Rangers) beginning at 7:05 pm CT on Thursday evening at the Dell Diamond. Left-hander Chase Wright (5-4, 5.22) takes the mound against righty Scott Feldman. Nashville box scoreUnexpectedly good start from Butler, who walked just two. Green and Farris each had two hits, one of Green's being a double. Caleb Gindl was 0-4 with two strikeouts. Nashville play-by-play

Final: Peoria 4, @Wisconsin 1 Rattlers drop fourth straightChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – Richard Jones hit a pair of home runs and Brent Ebinger pitched 4-2/3 innings of shutout relief to lead the Peoria Chiefs to a 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Timber Rattlers. The Chiefs (35-40 overall, 2-3 second half) scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Matt Szczur started the game by bunting. The ball was fielded by pitcher Maverick Lasker, but his throw went down the right field line to allow Szczur to take second. A single by Pierre LaPage sent Szczur to third. Greg Rohan knocked Szczur in with a grounder to first for a 1-0 lead. Jones struck for the first time in the game with one out in the top of the fourth inning. His home run to left made the score 2-0. The Rattlers (39-36, 1-4) threatened in the bottom of the fourth. The Rattlers had two walks and three hits, but only scored one run. Nick Shaw started the inning with a walk, but was out 1-3-6 on a caught stealing. Cody Hawn, who was a the plate when Shaw was caught trying to steal, drew a walk. Greg Hopkins and Mike Walker followed with singles to load the bases. Chris Dennis drove a single to right to score Hawn and keep the bases loaded. But, that single knocked starter Graham Hicks out of the game. Ebinger relieved Hicks and retired the next two Rattlers to keep the score at 2-1. Jones padded the lead to 4-1 with a two-out, two-run homer in the top of the sixth. That was enough for Ebinger. The lefty tossed 4-2/3 innings of shutout relief and allowed one hit while striking out three. PJ Francescon, the Chicago Cubs 40th round pick in the 2011 draft, gave up a hit in the ninth, but struck out a pair to pick up his first professional save. The series shifts to Miller Park on Wednesday night as the Rattlers and Chiefs play the final game of the three game set at the home of the Milwaukee Brewers. Wisconsin has Brooks Hall (3-1, 3.38) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Peoria has Austin Kirk (4-4, 2.69) scheduled to start for them. Game time is 7:05pm. Tickets for the game are $10 general admission and may be purchased at the Miller Park ticket office. If you can’t make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or on timberrattlers.com. The Miller Lite Pregame Show kicks everything off at 6:45pm. Wisconsin box scoreLasker had mixed results in his first post-demotion start. Going seven innings is good, and he threw more strikes (64 in 93 pitches) while not walking anyone, but he wasn't exactly overpowering; then again, he never has been. Stosh Wawrzasek finished the game with two scoreless innings; he allowed two hits, no walks, and a HBP with one strikeout. Walker and Dennis each had two hits; the rest of the team had one total. Hawn's slugging percentage this year is .368. Chad Stang has been on base six times in eight games since being activated. Wisconsin play-by-play

Michael White pulled after one inning at Maryvale. He went 5.2 in his first start, so probably not a good sign.

Even if he spends a year each at Arizona and Helena, he'd be in AAA at 22, same as Alcides Escobar, who famously was assigned to Helena at 17.

Final: DSL Brewers 6, @DSL Cardinals 5 DSL Brewers box scoreThe Cerveceritos scored four runs in the 7th to beat the Cardenalitos for the sixth time in six tries this year (#CardenalitosEatBebés). Unsurprisingly, Orlando "No G" Arcia led the way offensively with two doubles in four trips, pushing his line to .329/.438/.506; he also stole his fifth bag. The kid has walked 13 times while only striking out five---that's in almost 100 plate appearances. I know we spend a fair amount time wishcasting on these anonymous kids, sometimes tongue-in-cheek, but I think the Brewers really have something here from the youngest player in the entire system. Plus, look at what his brother's done so far in his career; clearly the kid has good genes. Okay, moving on. Eliezer Montano wasn't much as the starter, allowing four runs in 3.2 innings, but newcomer Orlando Torrez was great in relief, posting a 5/0 K/BB over the next 2.1 innings while allowing just a hit and a HBP. Angel "Ace" Ventura followed Torrez with two more scoreless innings. Carlos Sosa almost blew the save in the 9th, allowing a run on three hits to narrow the lead to one, but eventually pulled it out. DSL Brewers play-by-playDSL Brewers Top of the 7thAlejandro Mendoza strikes out swinging.Jorge De La Cruz walks.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Raphachel Colatosti replaces Jorge De La Cruz.Yonki Hernandez walks. Raphachel Colatosti to 2nd.Joan Abreu reaches on throwing error by second baseman Daniel Barbuena. Raphachel Colatosti scores. Yonki Hernandez to 3rd.Orlando Arcia doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder George Araujo. Yonki Hernandez scores. Joan Abreu to 3rd.Deivi Mejia singles on a line drive to left fielder George Araujo. Joan Abreu scores. Orlando Arcia scores. Throwing error by center fielder Amaury Capellan.Raul Mondesi grounds into a force out, third baseman Rafael Medina to second baseman Daniel Barbuena. Deivi Mejia out at 2nd. Raul Mondesi to 1st.With Dionis Hinojosa batting, Raul Mondesi picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Anderson Gerdel to first baseman Domingo Diaz.

It's from March and we recapped it here.

With Brock Kjeldgaard's promotion to Huntsville, it appears the BC team record of 18 home runs, tied by Kjeldgaard last week, will stand. Obviously, Big Brock would have shattered it--perhaps doubled it--had he not been promoted.

1B/OF Brock Kjeldgaard finally earned his promotion to Huntsville, with OF Brandon Jones being released.

Mankind? Is that you?

Final: @Brevard County 3, Tampa 0 BC blanks Yanks in Tuesday matineeFrank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- Kyle Heckathorn threw six shutout innings and three 'Tees homered as Brevard County took the series finale against the Tampa Yankees 3-0 on Tuesday afternoon at Space Coast Stadium. Hunter Morris got the 'Tees on the board first with a one-out solo homer in the third. With two outs in the fifth, Kentrail Davis made it a 2-0 game with his six homer of the season. Brevard County would get another two-out solo homer in the sixth, this time off of the bat of Shea Vucinich, his sixth of the year. Heckathorn retired 18 of the 22 batters he faced and allowed just two hits and a walk, while striking out four. Bradley Blanks relieved Heckathorn and went two scoreless and then Santo Manzanillo shut the door in the ninth for his 10th save of the season. Morris was 3-for-4 with a double and his third inning homer. The win gave the Manatees a 2-1 series win over the Yankees and improved Brevard County's record to 3-1 in the second half. The 'Tees will now hit the road for a five-game road trip and will open a three-game series with the Clearwater Threshers on Wednesday at noon. Nick Bucci (4-5, 4.21) is slated the take the mound for the Manatees. Brevard County will return home on July 4 to begin an eight-game homestand. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/06/28/yD3BFea7.jpg Heckathorn/Morris (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Brevard County box scoreHopefully a sign of things to come as the Sea Cows take a series from the T-Yanks. Great start from Hecakthorn with just four baserunners allowed (he also hit a batter). He's still apparently on a bit of a short leash: he threw just 70 pitches (48 strikes). Manzanillo allowed a hit and a walk while striking out one; Jim Breen reports that he's been hitting 98 on the stadium gun. Half of Kentrail Davis's six homers have come in the last seven games; he's hitting .366/.381/.634 over his last ten. Scooter Gennett, Khris Davis, and D'Vontrey Richardson were each 1-4.Brevard County play-by-play Heckathorn was a little shaky initially: Tampa Top of the 1stAbraham Almonte bunt grounds out, pitcher Kyle Heckathorn to first baseman Hunter Morris.Walter Ibarra singles on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.Melky Mesa hit by pitch. Walter Ibarra to 2nd.Kyle Roller lines into double play, second baseman Scooter Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris. Melky Mesa doubled off 1st. ...but then didn't allow another baserunner until a one-out single in the 5th.

I figured it out. Because Herrera debuted over three years, he had to clear optional (that's what they're called; they're mandatory) waivers before being optioned. In order to use his roster spot immediately rather than wait for him to clear those waivers, the Brewers designated him for assignment.

MH pointed out to me today that we hadn't seen Reggie Keen in action since the 18th. I asked Keen on Twitter what was up and he said he was dealing with a pinched nerve but was almost back to 100% and hoped to play in Miller Park tomorrow.

"Erik Komatsu has no arm at all. Throw home on Castro SF didn't even reach the cutoff man. "

To reiterate the exchange Toby and I just had on Twitter: The only way it makes sense to option a player who has already cleared waivers is if you're concerned he'll reject the outright assignment, something Herrera did not have the right to do since he had not been previously outrighted (though I thought he had). Regardless, even had Herrera that right, the Brewers could have just optioned him originally; designating him for assignment and clearing the 40-man spot temporarily served no purpose. Basically the Brewers took him off the 40-man roster for a couple days for no particular reason.

And not correcting for HR/FB% which makes absolutely no sense at all, sorry I just don't like FIP at all so always gotta bring that up~. Either you try to get the luck/park/defense out or you don't, FIP is just an odd stat all around. No single stat works for pitching but I consider FIP to be one of the weakest of the bunch, its almost as bad as straight up ERA. Then just use xFIP, which does correct for HR/FB rate.

this link says he was optioned: http://milwaukee.brewers....ear=2011&team_id=158 the brewers' 40-man roster pages still lists herrera. he had at least one option remaining, and the roster was at 38 when we learned he was designated for assignment. i couldn't figure out why the brewers didn't option him . . . in spite of his terrible impression left. Hmm. Some places have him being outrighted, which is certainly consistent with being designated for assignment, which removes a player from the 40-man roster. Herrera couldn't be optioned after being DFA'd unless he was added back to the 40-man in between, which would be odd. I'll see if I can get clarification. Either way, there's plenty of room on the 40-man roster. EDIT: Thanks for reporting back from McCalvy. I don't really understand the transaction(s), but whatever.

Final: Peoria 16, @Wisconsin 7 Wisconsin box scoreWe'll have Chris's recap in the morning, but I'm tired. You read earlier about Matt Miller's disastrous return from an oblique strain that kept him out for over a month, and Damon Krestalude and Charly Bashara (four runs each) weren't a whole lot better. Bright side: at least Miller was getting killed on hits alone, albeit some of them well-struck; 34 of his 50 pitches were strikes and he didn't walk a batter (alternate interpretation: if the pitcher is throwing BP, why take pitches?). Naturally, TJ Mittelstaedt was the only Rattlers "pitcher" to go unscored upon, allowing one hit in a scoreless 9th. Mittelstaedt, Mike Brownstein, Cody Hawn, and Greg Hopkins all had two hits, and Mike Walker, Timber Rattler, knocked one out of the park for the 12th time this year. How about a game featuring 23 runs taking only 3:05 to play? Merciful, for Chris's sake. Wisconsin play-by-playThe fun inning: Wisconsin Bottom of the 8thFranklin Romero strikes out swinging.Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur.Mike Brownstein singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Nick Shaw to 2nd.Cody Hawn singles on a ground ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Nick Shaw scores. Mike Brownstein to 2nd.Gregory Hopkins doubles (7) on a fly ball to right fielder Matthew Szczur. Mike Brownstein scores. Cody Hawn to 3rd.Michael Walker homers (12) on a fly ball to center field. Cody Hawn scores. Gregory Hopkins scores.T. J. Mittelstaedt singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rubi Silva.Pitcher Change: Larry Suarez replaces Alvaro Sosa.Chad Stang reaches on throwing error by third baseman Greg Rohan. T. J. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.Tyler Roberts strikes out swinging.Franklin Romero strikes out swinging.