battlekow

Baseball America said in their handbook that Ross had a below-average changeup, so that's promising stuff right there. I love the coaches' comments in these player profiles.

Final: @Nashville 7, Albuquerque 6 Gamel Powers Sounds To Come-From-Behind WinNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - First baseman Mat Gamel put an exclamation point on his 5-for-5, five-RBI evening with a go-ahead double in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Nashville Sounds to a come-from-behind 7-6 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium. Gamel accounted for all seven Nashville runs by scoring twice and driving in the other five to help Nashville (9-13) snap a five-game losing streak with the victory. He matched career highs for hits and RBIs in a game, finishing a triple short of the cycle. Trailing 6-5 entering the home half of the eighth, the Sounds rallied for two runs to grab their first lead of the evening. Pinch-hitter Brendan Katin led off the frame with a solo home run to left on a 1-1 pitch from Albuquerque reliever Jon Link. Brett Carroll followed with a walk and, after Taylor Green popped out on a sacrifice bunt attempt, came around to score the go-ahead run on Gamel's double off the bottom of the wall in left-center. The game-winning two-bagger was Gamel's third double of the night, one shy of the Nashville single-game record. Mark DiFelice took the hill for the Sounds in the ninth and worked around a one-out Corey Smith single to post a scoreless frame and nail down his first save of the year. Nashville reliever Zack Segovia (1-1) worked two scoreless innings and was the beneficiary of the late Sounds rally, securing his first win of the year. Link (1-1) was saddled with the loss after suffering a blown save, allowing two runs in his lone frame of action. Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz, who entered the contest with the PCL's 2nd-best WHIP (0.86), was uncharacteristically ineffective in the game. The right-hander didn't make it out of the second inning, allowing two runs on two hits while walking five batters and fanning two. De La Cruz threw 59 pitches but only 29 for strikes. After putting a pair of runners on base in a scoreless first, Albuquerque broke through with a pair of runs against De La Cruz in the second. The visitors loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks sandwiched around a Damaso Espino single. Isotopes starting pitcher Francisco Felix lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right to plate ex-Sound Trent Oeltjen with the night's first run. Dee Gordon (3-for-4) followed with an RBI single to left that made it a 2-0 contest. Albuquerque extended its lead to 3-0 in the third with an unearned run against reliever Tim Dillard. After leading off with a walk, Jamie Hoffmann stole second and advanced to third on an errant throw by Sounds catcher George Kottaras. Espino followed with an RBI single to right. Gamel pulled the home team back within a run with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the third, belting a two-run homer to deep right off Felix. The blast, which also plated Green (walk), was Gamel's first roundtripper of the season and made it a 3-2 game. Espino (3-for-4) continued his solid night in the fifth when he slugged a two-run homer off to left off Dillard, his first home run of the year. The teams exchanged single runs over the next two half-innings as the score increased to 6-3. After Luis Figueroa delivered a two-out RBI double for the Sounds in the bottom of the fifth, ex-Sound Jay Gibbons got that run right back for the visitors with a run-scoring single in the top of the sixth. Nashville rallied to pull within a run once again at 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth off Isotopes reliever Ramon Troncoso, courtesy of a Gamel two-run double. Left-hander Manny Parra made his sixth rehab appearance for the Sounds and allowed one run on three hits in his lone inning of work. Outfielder Nyjer Morgan made his second rehab appearance for Nashville and went 2-for-3 with a run scored as he played seven innings in right field. The teams wrap up the series with a 2:05 p.m. matinee on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Josh Butler (1-1, 4.85) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Albuquerque right-hander John Ely (1-1, 3.79). Nashville box scoreWow! Just your average 11-total-base performance from Mat the Batt. He'd been slumping lately in the power department, but tonight cleared that right up, and his line now sits at a fine .321/.400/.476. Green walked three times; he's hitting just .222 for the Sounds but has been a secondary-skills fiend with 11 walks, three doubles, and three homers in 68 plate appearances, giving him an OBP/SLG of .343/.444. Caleb Gindl was hitless but also drew a walk; his numbers are poor, but it's important to remember that he's only played in eight games because of his oblique strain. Perhaps curiously, Gindl played center field and Morgan right. Katin's slugging percentage is an obscene .692 after clobbering his 6th homer. Eric Farris wasn't in the lineup but lined out for Parra in the 6th. George Kottaras took an 0-5 collar and committed two errors, which gives him three already in his brief time at Nashville; given that he lost out on the backup catcher job because of his defensive deficiencies, that doesn't bode well for a return engagement in Milwaukee any time soon. Nashville play-by-play

Final: @Brevard County 6, Lakeland 1 Brevard County box scoreA mere sixteen hits for the 'Tees tonight. Scooter Gennett led the way with three, including a double, and also walked; he's hitting .318/.380/.386 on the year. Obviously the power is down, but this is the FSL & Space Coast Stadium, after all. All in all, a fine April for the mighty mite. Kentrail Davis also had a great night with a triple, single, and walk, plus an outfield assist. Hunter Morris, Khris Davis, Brock Kjeldgaard, and Josh Prince also had two hits. Hey, even D'Vontrey Richardson had a hit! In fact, all nine Manatees in the lineup did. Nick Bucci got the start for BC and courted disaster early on: he allowed eight baserunners (four hits, four walks) through four innings while striking out just one, but somehow managed to avoid letting in a run. He settled down in the final two frames, continuing to keep the Flying Tigers off the board while adding two punch-outs and surrendering just one additional hit. He continued to keep the ball on the ground well with a 10/3 GO/FO. Jon Pokorny capped a tough April by allowing another run; his ERA stands at 8.22. Santo Manzanillo struck out two and walked two in a scoreless inning, giving him a 15/4 K/BB in 11.2 April innings.Brevard County play-by-play Bucci must have known he was charmed after the 1st: Lakeland Top of the 1stGustavo Nunez triples (3) on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis.Brent Wyatt grounds out, pitcher Nicholas Bucci to first baseman Hunter Morris.Tony Plagman grounds out, second baseman Ryan Gennett to first baseman Hunter Morris.Wade Gaynor walks.Jordan Lennerton pops out to third baseman Shea Vucinich in foul territory. His only 1-2-3 inning was his last, the 6th.

Final: @Mississippi 7, Huntsville 2 Huntsville box scoreDan Merklinger had a blah start: 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 86 pitches, 45 strikes. Dan Meadows had kind of a weird line, fanning four and walking none in two innings, but allowing three runs (one earned) on five hits. I guess that means he was around the zone a lot, and indeed, 45 pitches and 32 strikes. Roque Mercedes allowed two runs for the third time in five outings. Not much going on on offense. Anderson de la Rosa was 2-3 with a walk. Erik Komatsu was on three times with a single, a walk, and a HBP. Lee Haydel drew another walk and stole his 5th base. Komatsu is back to hitting 6th for some reason. Huntsville play-by-play

Final: Clinton 5, @Wisconsin 2 Rattlers miss opportunities in lossChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outhit the Clinton LumberKings 12-7 on Saturday afternoon. But, the Rattlers stranded 13 runners – including eight in scoring position – and fell 5-2 to Clinton. Four LumberKings pitchers limited the damage of those 12 Wisconsin hits to beat Wisconsin and take two out of three games in the series. Rattlers starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson kept the LumberKings (7-16) from getting their first hit until the fourth inning. But, that first hit was a home run by Stefen Romero that followed a one out walk to Tim Morris. Romero’s second homer in as many games put Clinton up 2-0. The Rattlers (7-12) answered in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI infield single by Franklin Romero. The Rattlers’ Romero had three hits in the game, including a double to pace Wisconsin’s offense. The score remained 2-1 in favor of the LumberKings until the seventh inning. Shaver Hansen singled with one out against Nelson. Julio Morban tripled into the right field corner to drive in Hansen and knock Nelson out of the game. Thomas Keeling entered the game and the Rattlers infield played in to try to get Morban at the plate. Keeling got what he wanted, a grounder right at an infielder. The ball was hit sharply to Cody Hawn at first base. Hawn threw to the plate, but there was confusion on the play. On the video replay, catcher Tyler Roberts appeared look for the ball in the air and was not expecting the throw to the plate. The ball skipped to the backstop and Morban scored for a 4-1 lead. Roberts got partial redemption in the bottom of the seventh as he drove in a run with a two-out single to make the score 4-2. But, Clinton scored a run off Brian Garman in the top of the ninth inning for a 5-2 lead. Tyler Burgoon closed out the Rattlers with a scoreless ninth for his third save. George Mieses was the starting pitcher and the winner for the LumberKings. He allowed a run on eight hits over five innings. He also walked three and struck out three in the game. The Timber Rattlers will send Dan Britt (2-0, 0.00) to the mound for his first start this season. Quad Cities has Kevin Siegrist (3-0, 0.50) as their scheduled starter. Game time at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport, Iowa is 5:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 4:40pm. Wisconsin box scoreThe process seems to be okay for Nelson--he posted a sterling 13/1 GO/FO and threw plenty of strikes (60 in 89 pitches)--but the results weren't there, as he allowed four runs on six hits, three walks, and a hit batter. He punched out five LumberKings. Keeling hasn't allowed a run since his first outing, but he issued his eighth free pass in just 6.1 innings and hit a batter. Garman is off to a really rough start--allowing the one run on a hit and two walks actually lowered his ERA to 15.88. Stosh Wawrzasek turned in a clean outing, tossing a perfect inning with two whiffs. Nice game from @Romerofjr. Greg Hopkins was also on three times, with two hits and a walk. Roberts and Carlos George also had two hits. Nick Shaw was 0-5, dropping his average to .120, but the 16 walks he's draw are keeping his OBP afloat at .333. Reggie Keen doubled but was caught stealing third, already the 4th time he's been cut down this year. Wisconsin play-by-playNelson's line could have been much worse had he not gotten out of this jam: Clinton Top of the 5thSteven Baron walks.Shaver Hansen grounds into a force out, first baseman Cody Hawn to shortstop Carlos George. Steven Baron out at 2nd. Shaver Hansen to 1st.Julio Morban strikes out swinging.Tim Morris singles on a fly ball to center fielder Reggie Keen. Shaver Hansen to 2nd.Stefen Romero strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Jimmy Nelson. Shaver Hansen to 3rd. Tim Morris to 2nd. Stefen Romero to 1st.Mickey Wiswall grounds out to first baseman Cody Hawn.

Haudricourt: "Brewers RHP Takashi Saito expected to miss 4-6 weeks with left oblique strain. Had MRI and injection today."

Rogers is having hand surgery.

Rattlers' Miller spins three-hit shutoutAshley Marshall/Special to MLB.com It took Wisconsin's Matt Miller a couple of weeks to figure out what he needed to do to be successful in the Midwest League. Now that he has, he's getting better every time he takes the mound. The Brewers prospect pitched a three-hitter for his second straight complete game Friday as the Timber Rattlers blanked the Clinton LumberKings, 5-0, in the first game of a doubleheader. Miller (1-2), who had an extra day's rest following Thursday's rainout, walked one and struck out six. "You have to get ahead of guys and pound the zone," he said. "That's what I learned tonight. You have to remember that you are in charge out there. Taking the pressure off yourself and putting it on the hitters is the key." Miller is the third Minor Leaguer to toss two complete games this season and the first Midwest League pitcher to pitch a complete-game shutout. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up a leadoff single in the first inning to Shaver Hansen, but Julio Morban grounded into a double play and Tim Morris struck out. Miller retired the side in order in the second and the Wisconsin defense helped bail him out in the third. Marcus Littlewood drew a leadoff walk and Steven Baron singled, but Littlewood was thrown out at third base by center fielder Reggie Keen. Baron was nailed trying to steal second and Miller got through the inning unscathed. "My defense was big behind me," the 2010 fifth-round Draft pick said. "Reggie threw out the guy going first to third and right after that Tyler Roberts threw the runner out at second. Me and Tyler were clicking all night long." Miller, a Pioneer League postseason All-Star last year, faced just one batter over the minimum the rest of the way, yielding a leadoff double in the fifth to Mickey Wiswall. "We had a lot of success throwing the fastball tonight," the University of Michigan product said. "They were a predominantly left-handed lineup, so we were going hard away and then changing the pace. "Once we got ahead, we could use the changeup in any count and that helped us get a lot of ground balls." Miller, who lowered his ERA to 4.43, had a rough introduction to the Midwest League. He gave up five runs on four hits and five walks over four innings in his season debut on April 8, then surrendered four runs on four hits and three walks over 5 1/3 frames in his second start. Last time out, Miller allowed three runs -- two earned -- on three hits and three walks over six innings. "I've made a few changes to my mechanics and my delivery, and that has started to work," he explained. "I was making things too complicated, but each start it is coming around. "My delivery is becoming more comfortable, I am keeping my weight back and getting a good angle and tilt. I'm not over-thinking things now." http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/29/LpdIhatv.jpg (Ann Mollica/Timber Rattlers)

Brad Krause's photos from the Timber Rattlers games.

106 pitches, 69 strikes.

Chris Mehring informs us of his postgame thoughts.

Manatees drop series finale to DunedinFrank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- The Brevard County Manatees were unable to hold onto a two-run lead as they dropped the series finale to the Dunedin Blue Jays 3-2 on Friday night at Space Coast Stadium. Manatees (9-13) starting pitcher Hiram Burgos had a solid outing as he went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just one run on six hits, while walking three and striking out six. The Blue Jays (8-13) went on top early with a run in the third, but Hunter Morris gave the 'Tees a 2-1 lead in the fifth with a two-run blast to right. Corey Frerichs relieved Burgos in the sixth and retired the first five batters he faced via the strikeout, but then ran into some trouble. With one on and two out in the eighth, Justin Jackson hit a triple over the head of Kentrail Davis in center to tie the game at 2-2. Frerichs would allow a walk to put runners on the corners, before being relieved by R.J. Seidel. The first batter that Seidel faced - Chris Hopkins - ripped a single into right to give Dunedin a 3-2 lead. Brevard County's final crack at tying the game came with Kentrail Davis on second with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Khris Davis grounded out to end the game. Both Kentrail and Khris Davis each had multi-hit games as Kentrail went 3-for-5 and Khris Davis went 2-for-4. The Manatees will welcome the Lakeland Flying Tigers to Viera for a three-game series beginning on Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Brevard County took two of three from Lakeland on the road last week. Nicholas Bucci (2-1, 3.00) is scheduled to start on the hill for the Manatees. The Flying Tigers (11-11) will send Cole Nelson (1-1, 4.87) to the mound. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/29/qZL68OwK.jpg Hunter Morris (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography)

Final (game two): Clinton 6, @Wisconsin 1 (7 innings) Rattlers get Snow-ed under in game twoChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The way the weather has been for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers over the last two weeks, you had to figure a pitcher with the last name of Snow would give them trouble. Forrest Snow tossed a complete game for the Clinton LumberKings to beat the Rattlers 6-1 in game two of a doubleheader on Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Snow allowed a run on five hits and struck out seven to help Clinton get a split in the twinbill after Matt Miller tossed a complete game shutout for the Rattlers in game one. Clinton (6-16) got on the board with a little help from the Rattlers in the third inning. Carlton Tanabe struck out to start the frame, but he reached on a passed ball. Back-to-back bunt singles by Shaver Hansen and Julio Morban loaded the bases with no outs. Wisconsin starting pitcher Del Howell hit Tim Morris on a 2-0 pitch to force in a run. Then, Stefen Romero singled to drive in two runs for a 3-0 Clinton lead. Romero would score on a sacrifice fly by Ramon Morla to put the LumberKings up 4-0. On the play, Timber Rattlers catcher Cameron Garfield was injured as he twisted a knee trying to catch the throw to the plate and get a tag on Morla going by him. Garfield left the game after the play. Clinton added a run in the top of the fourth inning. Howell walked the first two batters of the inning and was replaced by Damon Krestalude. Tanabe greeted Krestalude with a single to right, but right fielder Franklin Romero threw out Jabari Bash trying to score from second for the first out of the inning. Hansen followed with a fly ball to left that was just out of the reach of Robbie Garvey at the wall. Tanabe went halfway at first to make sure the ball was off the wall before moving to second. However, Shaver was running all out and passed Tanabe in the basepath for the second out. Marcus Littlewood scored on the play for a 5-0 Clinton lead. The Rattlers (7-11) got their only run off Snow in the bottom of the fourth. Cody Hawn lined a homer over the wall in left. It was the first Midwest League home run for Hawn. Clinton answered with a solo homer by Stefen Romero in the top of the fifth to account for the final score. Snow did give up a leadoff double in the bottom of the fifth, but retired the final nine batters he faced to close out the Rattlers and earn the doubleheader split. The final game of the series and of the homestand is Saturday afternoon. Jimmy Nelson (0-1, 4.97) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. George Mieses (0-2, 4.58) will start for the LumberKings. Game time at Time Warner Cable Field is 1:05pm. If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in to AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com for the broadcast starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Wisconsin box score (game two)Well, good to see Hawn break his homeless skein at least. Garfield may have been seriously injured; he screamed loudly in pain and had to be helped off the field. Howell did not have a successful encore to his six-inning, one-run complete game on the 23rd: he allowed five runs (three earned) on four hits and two walks in three innings, fanning three. He threw 57 pitches, 32 of them strikes. This was Krestalude's first appearance of the year after opening the season in extended spring training. Thomas Keeling turned in his third straight scoreless outing, striking out the side in the 6th around two walks. Reggie Keen threw out a runner at third in both halves of the doubleheader. Wisconsin play-by-play (game two)

Final: Albuquerque 4, @Nashville 1 Sounds Lose To Isotopes, 4-1, On Friday NightNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Alberto Bastardo tossed a quality start as the Albuquerque Isotopes dropped the Nashville Sounds, 4-1, in front of a season-high 9,116 fans on Saturday Night at Greer Stadium. The Sounds (8-13) have now lost their last five consecutive contests, and have scored just one run in the last three games. The first three hitters in the Nashville lineup went a combined 0-for-10 on the night. Bastardo (2-0) earned the win for Albuquerque, allowing one run on five hits with five strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings. In his third rehab appearance for the Brewers, Zack Greinke (0-1) took the loss after surrendering two runs on seven hits in five innings. He walked one while striking out seven on 75 pitches (50 strikes). Greinke also went 1-for-1 at the dish, doubling down the left field line in the third inning. In the opening frame, Greinke threw 13 pitches (7 strikes) and allowed one hit while striking out one. Greinke tossed a scoreless second frame on 18 pitches (13 strikes). After retiring first two batters on strikes, Greinke gave up a single to A.J. Ellis, followed by a double to Wilberto Ortiz. As Ellis rounded third to try and score Albuquerque's first run, right-fielder Brett Carroll threw out the Isotopes catcher at home plate for Nashville's league-leading 11th outfield assist. Greinke added another shutout frame in the third with 16 pitches (10 strikes). He struck out two batters sandwiched between a walk to Dee Gordon. On the first pitch to the rehabbing Jay Gibbons, Dee Gordon was thrown out while trying to steal second base to end the inning. Greinke ran into trouble in the fourth inning, giving up both of his runs on three hits on 17 pitches (11 strikes). After giving up a single to Corey Smith, Jamie Hoffmann hit the first pitch from Greinke over the wall in left field to give Albuquerque for a 2-0 lead. Next batter and former Sound JD Closser then doubled down the right field line, but was stranded on third base as Greinke fanned Wilberto Ortiz for the third out. Nashville plated its only run in the bottom of the fourth inning. After Brendan Katin smoked a double off the wall in left center, Carroll hit a soft RBI base hit to center field to plate Katin. Greinke allowed one hit while striking out one on 11 pitches (9 strikes) in his final inning of work. The Sounds threatened to do damage in the bottom of the eighth inning, but stranded two runners while trailing by one run. Nashville put runners on first and second with one out to knock Bastardo from the contest. Albuquerque reliever Merkin Valdez then retired Eric Farris and Mat Gamel to end the rally. The Isotopes tacked on two insurance runs in the ninth inning, highlighted by two wild pitches by Justin James and an RBI-triple by former Sound Trent Oeltjen. Albuquerque closer Roman Colon pitched a perfect ninth for his third save of the year. Left-hander Sam Narron tossed three shutout innings in relief, allowing three hits while striking out one. James was tagged for two runs in one inning in relief. In his first rehab appearance, Nyjer Morgan entered the contest in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter and finished the game defensively in center field. He went 0-for-1 with a walk in the game. The Sounds and Isotopes will play the third game of a four-game set at 6:35 pm on Saturday at Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (0-1, 1.85) will start against Albuquerque right Francisco Felix (1-0, 4.00). The Sounds will be wearing purple jerseys in support of Alzheimer's awareness. Fans have the opportunity to participate in an in-game silent auction in order to take home a player's jersey right off his back following the contest. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/29/aVkCsiBO.jpg (Mike Strasinger/Nashville Sounds) Nashville box scoreMan, of those 11 assists, how many belong to Carroll? Six? Listen to his latest kill here. As much as I've enjoyed Greinke's time in the minors, I'm ready to see him on a big-league mound; this yearning is exacerbated by Jake Odorizzi's 30/4 K/BB in 20 innings for Wilmington. Gamel, Farris, and Taylor Green all went hitless. Caleb Gindl was 0-1 with a walk before being lifted for Morgan in the 5th, I assume because Morgan needed some action and not because of anything wrong with Gindl. Greinke, who famously loves to swing the bat, doubled in his one plate appearance. Nashville play-by-play

Final: @Mississippi 6, Huntsville 4 Huntsville box scoreThe Stars made a game of it with two in the 7th and one in the 9th but couldn't come all the way back. Wily Peralta started and though the six hits he allowed in his five innings is pretty normal, he suffered from a lack of control, throwing just 52 of his 92 pitches for strikes, leading to four walks and four runs. Though he gave up a homer, in general he kept the ball on the ground well, tallying an 8/0 GO/FO. He also hit a homer, the first of his career and his second hit as a pro (the first was a double, so Wily's got some pop). Sean Halton also homered for Huntsville, his second on the year. Erik Komatsu went 1-4, and Lee Haydel was 0-1 after entering the game late on a double switch. Huntsville play-by-play

Final: Dunedin 3, @Brevard County 2 Brevard County box scoreThe Sea Cows took a 2-1 lead into the 8th inning, but Corey Frerichs gave up a two-spot to spoil a good start from Hiram Burgos. Burgos allowed ten baserunners but just one run 5.2 innings while striking out six. R.J. Seidel turned in another scoreless 1.1 innings in relief. Hunter Morris homered for the second straight night and drew his third free pass of the year, Kentrail Davis had three hits, and Khris Davis singled twice and walked. Scooter Gennett was 1-5 with a stolen base and his 7th error. D'Vontrey Richardson, 1-29 since his three-hit debut, had the night off. Brevard County play-by-playFrerichs bailed Burgos out by preventing the Blue Jays from getting a big two-out hit in the 6th: Dunedin Top of the 6thJon Talley grounds out, second baseman Ryan Gennett to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.Kevin Nolan strikes out swinging.Brad McElroy walks.Justin Jackson walks. Brad McElroy to 2nd.Ryan Goins reaches on fielding error by second baseman Ryan Gennett. Brad McElroy to 3rd. Justin Jackson to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Corey Frerichs replaces Hiram Burgos.Chris Hopkins called out on strikes. ...but Seidel couldn't do the same for Frerichs in the 8th: Dunedin Top of the 8thJon Talley called out on strikes.Kevin Nolan walks.Brad McElroy flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.With Justin Jackson batting, wild pitch by Corey Frerichs, Kevin Nolan to 2nd.Justin Jackson triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Kentrail Davis. Kevin Nolan scores.Ryan Goins walks.Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Corey Frerichs.Chris Hopkins singles on a line drive to right fielder Scott Krieger. Justin Jackson scores. Ryan Goins to 3rd.Ivan Contreras flies out to center fielder Kentrail Davis. The 'Tees could have used some two-out lightning of their own in the 7th from Scott Krieger: Brevard County Bottom of the 7thRyan Gennett grounds out, shortstop Ryan Goins to first baseman Jon Talley.Kentrail Davis singles on a line drive to left fielder Brad McElroy.Hunter Morris flies out to left fielder Brad McElroy.Pitcher Change: Dumas Garcia replaces Frank Gailey.Khristopher Davis singles on a line drive to second baseman Ivan Contreras. Kentrail Davis to 2nd.Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Khristopher Davis to 2nd.Scott Krieger strikes out swinging.

Rogers: "chilling in arizona, getting ready for my surgery next wednesday, rehabbing for 6-8 wks, then back to wisconsin!!!"

Final (game one): @Wisconsin 5, Clinton 0 (7 innings) Miller mows down ClintonChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – Matt Miller’s start was worth the wait. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher was held off a day due to Thursday’s rain. He came out with a vengeance on Friday and pitched a complete game shutout in game one of a doubleheader with the Clinton LumberKings. Wisconsin won 5-0. The Rattlers broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning. Cody Hawn started the inning with a single and an errant pickoff throw by Seon Gi Kim moved Hawn to second. Back to back walks to Mike Walker and Greg Hopkins loaded the bases. Robbie Garvey sent a grounder halfway up the first base line. Kim fielded the ball and looked home. But, he had no play on Hawn. Then, Kim flipped the ball to first too high for Tim Morris. By the time the ball was corralled, Walker had scored; Hopkins was at third; and Garvey was at second. Carlos George followed with a two-run single to center and the Rattlers were up 4-0. Miller allowed just three hits and walked one while striking out six to earn his first Midwest League victory. He faced one over the minimum in the game thanks to a double play, an outfield assist, and a caught stealing erasing Clinton base runners. Tyler Roberts added to the Wisconsin lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning. Game one on Friday was the second straight complete game for Miller. He had tossed a complete game in a loss at Burlington in the first game of a doubleheader on April 23. http://wisconsin.timberrattlers.milb.com/images/2011/04/29/rYHmhSzH.jpg Matt Miller fires a strike to the plate in the seventh inning of game one on April 29, 2011. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin box score (game one)Matt Miller. Pretty good. Easily his most impressive start of the year. He'd struggled with his control previously, but he was on today, needing only 84 pitches for his seven innings, 61 of them being strikes. Hawn, who singled twice, had the only multi-hit game; Hopkins walked twice. Wisconsin play-by-play (game one)Half of the baserunners Miller allowed came in the 3rd, but the defense was up to the task: Clinton Top of the 3rdMarcus Littlewood walks.Steven Baron singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Keen. Marcus Littlewood out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Reggie Keen to third baseman Gregory Hopkins.With Carlos Ramirez batting, Steven Baron caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Tyler Roberts to shortstop Carlos George.Carlos Ramirez flies out to left fielder Robert Garvey.

Rawnsley: Getting Gray sure would be nice.

Final: Huntsville 6, @Mississippi 5 Huntsville box scoreMichael Fiers blew the save by giving up the tying run in the 8th, as MH mentioned above, but vultured a win when Huntsville answered with the go-ahead run in the 9th. For the second time in less than a year, the Stars hung four runs in four innings on big-time Braves prospect Randall Delgado. Brandon Jones (single, double) was the only Star with multiple hits, but seven walks buoyed their cause. Sean Halton, in a welcome sight, drew two of them, which doubles his season total; he also had a single. Lee Haydel singled, walked (already his 10th!), and stole his 4th base. Martin Maldonado, who left yesterday's game after being hit by a pitch, was back in the lineup and smacked another extra-base hit, a two-run double. Erik Komatsu had a rare off night, 0-5. Michael Bowman started and allowed three runs in 5.2 innings.Huntsville play-by-play The Stars scored five runs between the 4th & 5th: Huntsville Top of the 4thSean Halton strikes out swinging.Brandon Jones singles on a line drive to right fielder Geraldo Rodriguez.Steffan Wilson walks. Brandon Jones to 2nd.Erik Komatsu flies out to center fielder Cory Harrilchak.Martin Maldonado doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Geraldo Rodriguez. Brandon Jones scores. Steffan Wilson scores. Martin Maldonado to 3rd on the throw.Matt Cline strikes out swinging. Huntsville Top of the 5thMichael Bowman walks.Lee Haydel grounds out to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. Michael Bowman to 2nd.Sergio Miranda doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Cory Harrilchak. Michael Bowman scores.Pitcher Change: Luis Avilan replaces Randall Delgado, batting 9th.Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Cory Harrilchak. Sergio Miranda scores.Brandon Jones doubles (6) on a line drive to center fielder Cory Harrilchak. Sean Halton scores.Steffan Wilson flies out to right fielder Geraldo Rodriguez in foul territory.Erik Komatsu grounds out, second baseman Jordan Kreke to first baseman Ernesto Mejia. The winning rally: Huntsville Top of the 9thLee Haydel singles on a ground ball to right fielder Geraldo Rodriguez.Sergio Miranda out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Benino Pruneda to second baseman Jordan Kreke. Lee Haydel to 2nd.Benino Pruneda intentionally walks Sean Halton.Brandon Jones lines out to first baseman Ernesto Mejia.Steffan Wilson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Cory Harrilchak. Lee Haydel scores. Sean Halton to 2nd.Erik Komatsu strikes out swinging.

It would be difficult for a one-year, $1.75M contract to be a bust.

Final: Albuquerque 5, @Nashville 1 Sounds Lose Series Opener To Isotopes, 5-1Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds dropped their fourth straight game on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium, losing 5-1 to the Albuquerque Isotopes in the opener of a four-game series. Isotopes pitchers held the Sounds to four hits in the contest and Nashville (8-12) went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position on the evening. Albuquerque third baseman Corey Smith (2-for-3) gave the visitors a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning with a two-out solo home run to center off Sounds starter Amaury Rivas that cleared the wall just to the left of the 24-foot high batter's eye. The blast was the infielder's third of the year. The Isotopes doubled their lead in the sixth when ex-Sound Jay Gibbons (2-for-5) took Rivas deep to right on a 2-0 pitch for his first longball of the season. The Sounds halved the lead to 2-1 in the home half of the sixth. Pinch-hitter Brendan Katin led off with a double to center off Isotopes starter Tim Redding. After moving to third on a groundout, Katin scored Nashville's lone run of the night when Taylor Green lifted a sacrifice fly to right. Redding (1-2) authored a quality start to pick up his first win of the year for Albuquerque, holding the Sounds to one run on four hits while striking out three batters in his six frames of action. Rivas (3-2) took the loss for the Sounds after giving up two runs, both on homers, in his six innings of work. It was his third quality start in five trips to the hill this season. Brewers right-hander Takashi Saito came on to pitch the seventh inning for Nashville in a rehabilitation appearance while recovering from a left hamstring strain, but was removed from the contest mid at-bat while facing his third batter. Saito allowed a leadoff single to former Sound Trent Oeltjen, who was then caught stealing, and struck out A.J. Ellis for the second out. After a first-pitch ball to Justin Sellers, trainer Dave Yeager visited the mound and Saito subsequently left the contest. The Isotopes stretched the lead to 5-1 in the top of the ninth with three two-out runs against the Sounds' bullpen. Sounds reliever Mike McClendon issued a two-out, bases-loaded walk to former Sound JD Closser, which plated Smith, then was unable to field a Dee Gordon tapper back to the mound which allowed Ellis to score in unearned fashion. Trayvon Robinson followed with an RBI single to right that pushed it to a four-run Isotopes lead. Left-hander Manny Parra made his fifth rehab outing for Nashville and was charged with two runs (one earned) on two hits over two innings of work and now carries a 6.48 ERA (6er/8.1ip) in his five appearances for the Sounds. The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. meeting on Friday evening. Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke (0-0, 6.75) will make his second rehab start for the Sounds and is expected to throw approximately 75 pitches in the contest. Albuquerque will counter with left-hander Alberto Bastardo (1-0, 4.70). Nashville box scoreYou can discuss Saito's injury in this thread on the Major League forum. Rivas allowed just five baserunners (four hits and a walk), but the two homers were obviously costly--he didn't get the preponderance of grounders he does when he's on, evidenced by his 7/6 GO/FO. Tough outing for McClendon; the run is the first he's allowed this year, though it's unearned as a result of his own error. Green added a double to his sac fly. Caleb Gindl was 1-3. Mat Gamel and Eric Farris were each 0-4. George Kottaras still searching for his first hit as a Sound. Listen to Brett Carroll make a nice play--in center field, with Gindl in left--here. Nashville play-by-playGreen led off the 4th with his double but was immediately picked off second with Gamel up.

Final: @Brevard County 5, Dunedin 2 'Tees top Jays 5-2Frank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- A little rain and a 31 minute delay didn't phase the Brevard County Manatees on Thursday night, as they defeated the Dunedin Blue Jays 5-2 at Space Coast Stadium in Viera on Thursday night. Manatees (9-12) starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn ran into a little trouble early as he gave up two runs in the second inning, but Brevard County answered in the third inning with four runs of their own. The 'Tees ripped six hits in the inning, which was highlighted by a two-out, two-run triple by Khris Davis that scored Hunter Morris and Kentrail Davis. Shea Vucinich also had a RBI single, while Scooter Gennett scored Josh Prince on a sacrifice fly in the inning. Heckathorn finished his outing strong as he retired 11 out of the last 12 Dunedin (7-13) batters he faced. He went six innings and struck out five, en route to his third win of the season. Brevard County's bullpen did the job as well as Efrain Nieves and Rob Wooten combined for three shutout innings. Wooten earned his first save of the season in 1 1/3 innings of work. Morris padded the 'Tees' lead in the sixth as he hit a solo shot to center field for his third homer of the season and gave Brevard County a 5-2 lead. Khris Davis, Morris and Vucinich all had multi-hit games. Davis had three hits and two RBI as he raised his average to .329, while Morris and Vucinich each had two hits and one RBI each. The rubber game of the series between the Manatees and Blue Jays will be Friday night at 7:05 p.m. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/28/bTlrGn3F.jpg Kyle Heckathorn (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Brevard County box scoreHeckathorn allowed four hits and walked three, which isn't a big deal except when you realize that he'd walked one batter in 23.2 innings coming into tonight. As usual, he got a ton of grounders, posting an 11/2 GO/FO. Wooten struck out two and did not allow a baserunner. Khris Davis's line now sits at an impressive .329/.376/.630. Kentrail Davis was on twice with a single and a walk; Gennett, batting leadoff, was 1-3 with the sac fly. D'Vontrey Richardson took yet another oh-fer. Brevard County play-by-playWooten got Nieves out of a small jam in the 8th: Dunedin Top of the 8thSean Ochinko flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.Brad Glenn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis.Jon Talley walks. Brad Glenn to 2nd.A. J. Jimenez flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Brad Glenn to 3rd.Pitcher Change: Robert Wooten replaces Efrain Nieves.Kevin Ahrens called out on strikes

Saito's first rehab appearance: Albuquerque Top of the 7thPitcher Change: Takashi Saito replaces Amaury Rivas, batting 9th.Trent Oeltjen singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jeremy Reed.With A. J. Ellis batting, Trent Oeltjen caught stealing 2nd base, catcher George Kottaras to second baseman Eric Farris.A. J. Ellis called out on strikes.Nashville Sounds pitcher Takashi Saito left the game due to an injured leg.Pitcher Change: Manny Parra replaces Takashi Saito, batting 9th.Justin Sellers strikes out swinging. Uh oh.

Chris Mehring's postgame observations including the following: Tyler Roberts. Home run AND a single. He has seven hits (in 36 at bats) this season and six are for extra bases.Defense needs to tighten up. ?Six errors today.Bullpen needs to tighten up. ?Four blown saves this season…In seven opportunities.