battlekow

Dan Powers of the Post Crescent has a nice photo album from today, including this cool shot of Reggie Keen: http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=U0&Date=20110427&Category=APC0206&ArtNo=104270807&Ref=PH&Item=6&Maxw=620&Maxh=465&q=60

Final (game two): @Wisconsin 3, Quad Cities 1 Ross on a rollChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Austin Ross stayed on his early season hot streak. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher tossed a complete game in the nightcap of Wednesday doubleheader and the Rattlers beat the Quad Cities River Bandits 3-1. Ross struck out five and gave up four hits for his second win of the season. Quad Cities (9-10) got to Ross in the first inning. Greg Garcia doubled with two outs. Jonathan Rodriguez was next and he doubled to knock in Garcia for a 1-0 lead. Bandits starter Trevor Rosenthal also tossed a complete game and he struck out eight over six innings. But, Wisconsin got to him in the second inning. TJ Mittelstaedt singled with one out. Cameron Garfield, in his first at bat since coming off the disabled list, doubled into right and Wisconsin (6-10) had runners at second and third. Carlos George knocked in Mittelstaedt and moved Garfield to third with an infield single. Franklin Romero dropped a hard bunt up the first base line and Garfield, who was not running on the pitch, beat the throw home and Wisconsin was up 2-1. Reggie Keen manufactured a run in the bottom of the third inning. He singled to start the frame, stole second, and took third on a grounder by Nick Shaw. Cody Hawn's sacrifice fly plated Keen for a 3-1 advantage. Ross, the reigning Midwest League Pitcher of the Week, took over from there. The right-hander out of LSU worked around a one out single in the fifth, a one out double in the sixth, and a two out walk in the seventh to record the complete game. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Rattlers. Wisconsin continues their homestand on Thursday evening with a game against the Clinton LumberKings. Matt Miller (0-2, 6.46) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Seon Gi Kim (0-1, 4.20) is set to start for Clinton. Game time is 6:35pm. If you can't make it out to Time Warner Cable Field, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or on timberrattlers.com at 6:15pm starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/27/3Y2erUFq.jpg Ross is congratulated by Tony Pechek after the final out of Ross's complete game victory over Quad Cities in the nightcap of Wednesday's doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin box score (game two)Ross has been phenomenal--he's allowed only five runs (three earned) in 25 innings, with a 21/6 K/BB. He walked two today and hit a batter. We don't have a pitch/strike count on him yet, but maybe Chris will put it up for us tomorrow. Keen's steal was his 8th of the year, making up for some of his baserunning misadventures in game one. Hawn is scuffling mightily out of the gate, batting just .233/.277/.267; he has just two extra base hits. Chris observed early on that Hawn was having bad luck on balls in play; perhaps that's still the case. Wisconsin play-by-play (game two)

Final (game one): Quad Cities 7, @Wisconsin 5 (7 innings) Bandits steal game one in their last at batChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Quad Cities River Bandits scored three times in the top of the seventh inning to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 7-5. Packy Elkins tied the game with an RBI single. Then, two runs scored on an error to bring the River Bandits back from a 5-1 deficit. Wisconsin grabbed an early lead on a two-run home run by Mike Walker in the bottom of the first inning. Walker's blast, his fourth of the season, was just to the right of the batter's eye in center field. Tyler Roberts blasted a two-run homer, his first of the season, to left-center in the bottom of the second. Later in the inning, Reggie Keen singled in Nick Shaw and the Rattlers were up 5-1. Tyler Thornburg, Wisconsin's starting pitcher, had allowed an RBI single to Yunier Castillo in the second inning and a solo homer to Jonathan Rodriguez in the fourth inning. But, he ran into trouble in the top of the fifth. Thornburg walked Michael Swinson with one out and gave up a two-run homer to Nick Longmire. The home run just curled around the foul pole in left field and cut Wisconsin's lead to 5-4. Thornburg walked the next batter and was replaced by Dan Britt. Thornburg struck out seven and walked four over 4-1/3 innings. Britt entered the game and got a pair of grounders to end the threat. Britt got a pair of outs in the top of the sixth, but left the game after an error allowed the Bandits to put runners on the corners. Brian Garman would strikeout Swinson to end the Bandits rally. Garman struck out Longmire to start the seventh and final scheduled inning. Greg Garcia doubled to start the charge. A single by Cody Stanley and a walk to Rodriguez loaded the bases. Elkins lined a single just out of the reach of second baseman Shaw to drive in the tying run. Then, a hot shot off the bat of Kyle Conley went under the glove of third baseman Greg Hopkins for an error and a pair of runs to give the River Bandits a 7-5 lead. Wisconsin tried to come back in the bottom of the seventh. Carlos George singled with one out. Roberts followed with a single to center, but George was thrown out trying to reach third. Shaw walked and Keen reached on an error to load the bases for Cody Hawn, but he flew out to center to end the game. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/27/gOs7LWiP.jpg Packy Elkins ties game one with a bases loaded single in the top of the seventh inning on Wednesday afternoon. (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) Wisconsin box score (game one)The Rattlers sure have lost a lot of games like this over the last couple years, haven't they? Garman has been awful--he's allowed ten runs (nine earned) in 4.2 innings this year. Thornburg's getting stretched out, throwing 93 pitches (53 strikes) today. Nice to see Walker continue to take batting practice during the game and also Roberts get his first round-tripper of the year. Roberts was the only Rattler with multiple hits, though Shaw (shocker) walked three times--he's already taken ball four 16 times this year. Wisconsin play-by-play (game one)Keen was on twice in the first two innings with a HBP and a single, but he was picked off first the first time and caught stealing home (missed sign?) the second. The Rattlers didn't have a baserunner between the 2nd and the 7th.

Final: Dunedin 3, @Brevard County 0 Manatees blanked by Blue JaysFrank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- Coming off of a 4-2 road trip, the Brevard County Manatees were rudely welcomed home by the visiting Dunedin Blue Jays as the 'Tees were shutout 3-0 on Wednesday night at Space Coast Stadium. Dunedin (7-12) took an early lead in the first as A.J. Jimenez's two-out, two-run single gave the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. Manatees (8-12) starting pitcher Maverick Lasker (0-4, 5.82) settled down after giving up those two early runs, as he retired 13 straight Dunedin hitters. He finished the night going seven innings and giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out four. While Lasker was able to keep the Jays at bay, the 'Tees couldn't find an offense of their own. Brevard County's best chance to get on the board was in the fourth inning as they had the bases loaded with two outs, but Shea Vucinich struck out swinging to end the rally. The Blue Jays padded their lead in the top of the ninth when Jon Talley hit a solo shot off of Santo Manzanillo to make it 3-0 Dunedin. Brevard County managed just three hits and only one extra-base hit, which was a double off the bat of Khris Davis. The Manatees and Blue Jays will continue their three-game series on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at Space Coast Stadium in Viera. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/27/yrRe3bRd.jpg Scooter Gennett takes a throw at second. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Brevard County box scoreNice start from Lasker in a losing cause; he didn't walk anyone and posted a 10/5 GO/FO. R.J. Seidel pitched a scoreless 8th; he's quietly given up just one earned run (though four unearned ones) in 11.2 innings, though he struck out just his third man of the year tonight. Gennett and Hunter Morris had the 'Tees' other two hits--nice to see Morris back quickly after missing yesterday with a finger injury. Kentrail Davis and D'Vontrey Richardson each drew a walk. Brevard County play-by-playEven bigger than Vucinich's strikeout in the 4th was Khris Davis's GIDP: Brevard County Bottom of the 4thKentrail Davis walks.Hunter Morris singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brad Glenn. Kentrail Davis to 2nd.Khristopher Davis grounds into double play, shortstop Ryan Goins to second baseman Ivan Contreras to first baseman Jon Talley. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Hunter Morris out at 2nd.D' Vontrey Richardson walks.Brock Kjeldgaard hit by pitch. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.Shea Vucinich strikes out swinging.

Final: @Huntsville 7, Birmingham 3 Huntsville box scoreThe Stars were down 3-0 before a seven-run explosion in the 7th inning carried them to victory. Cody Scarpetta didn't have his best day and went through a lot of pitches, needing 85 (56 strikes) to get through four innings. He gave up three runs on five hits and two walks while fanning four. Darren Byrd got the win with three scoreless innings--he's yet to allow a run this year--though he wasn't particularly sharp, surrendering three hits and two walks and striking out just one. Roque Mercedes kept the Barons off the board for the last two innings, punching out three. As David noted above, Martin Maldonado stayed hot with a three-run homer but left after being hit by a pitch. Chuckie Caufield and Sergio Miranda each had two hits, and Brandon Jones was on three times with a triple, walk, and HBP and also threw out a runner at home. Erik Komatsu and Lee Haydel were each 1-4. Weird stuff going on with the lineup--Komatsu had been inexplicably hitting sixth but was moved up to second today, while Haydel hit last; Komo got to rest his legs in the DH spot, with Haydel taking over center field for him. Huntsville play-by-playByrd had to work out of a couple jams: Birmingham Top of the 6thJosh Phegley reaches on fielding error by third baseman Steffan Wilson.Seth Loman singles on a line drive to right fielder Chuck Caufield. Josh Phegley to 2nd.Christian Colonel flies out to center fielder Lee Haydel.Tyler Kuhn flies out to left fielder Brandon Jones.Ozzie Lewis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brandon Jones. Josh Phegley out at home on the throw, left fielder Brandon Jones to catcher Martin Maldonado. Birmingham Top of the 7thKyle Shelton walks.Brandon Short singles on a ground ball to third baseman Steffan Wilson. Kyle Shelton to 2nd.Andrew Garcia out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Darren Byrd to first baseman Sean Halton. Kyle Shelton to 3rd. Brandon Short to 2nd.Darren Byrd intentionally walks Christian Marrero.Josh Phegley grounds into a force out, third baseman Steffan Wilson to catcher Martin Maldonado. Kyle Shelton out at home. Brandon Short to 3rd. Christian Marrero to 2nd. Josh Phegley to 1st.Seth Loman strikes out swinging. The Stars' big inning: Huntsville Bottom of the 7thBrandon Jones walks.Chuck Caufield singles on a fly ball to right fielder Christian Marrero. Brandon Jones to 3rd.Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to right fielder Christian Marrero. Brandon Jones scores. Chuck Caufield to 3rd.Martin Maldonado homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Chuck Caufield scores. Sergio Miranda scores.Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Short.Matt Cline reaches on force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Christian Colonel. Lee Haydel to 2nd.Erik Komatsu ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Nathan Jones to third baseman Christian Colonel. Lee Haydel out at 3rd. Matt Cline to 2nd. Erik Komatsu to 1st.Sean Halton singles on a fly ball to right fielder Christian Marrero. Matt Cline to 3rd. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Tyson Corley replaces Nathan Jones.Steffan Wilson out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Tyler Kuhn. Matt Cline scores.Brandon Jones triples (2) on a line drive to center fielder Brandon Short. Erik Komatsu scores. Sean Halton scores.Chuck Caufield strikes out swinging.

Final: Brevard County 12, @Lakeland 3 Brevard County box scoreThe 'Tees tallied a five-run 3rd and were up 9-0 by the top of the 4th. As part of the 18-hit barrage, all four of the K-Boys had three-hit games: Kentrail Davis, Khris Davis, Scott Krieger, and Brock Kjeldgaard; Kjeldgaard also walked. Both Davises and Kjeldgaard homered--that's Khris's fifth (all on the road) and Kentrail's first. In addition to the three home runs, the Sea Cows racked up six doubles, two by Kentrail, one by Khris, one by Krieger, one by Kjeldgaard, and one by D'Vontrey Richardson. That's Richardson's first hit since his first game, snapping an 0-18 skid, and his first extra-base hit of the year. I haven't even mentioned Scooter Gennett, who could have done better than 2-6 if he spelled his name "Skooter". Adrian Rosario started and allowed a three-run 4th but nothing else in five frames; he struck out two and walked one. Unusually, Mark Willinsky, Jon Pokorny, and Trey Watten all pitched without allowing a run. Brevard County play-by-playBatting around is fun: Brevard County Top of the 3rdJosh Prince singles on a ground ball to second baseman Corey Jones.Ryan Gennett singles on a line drive to center fielder Daniel Fields. Josh Prince to 2nd.Kentrail Davis homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Josh Prince scores. Ryan Gennett scores.Khristopher Davis singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.Scott Krieger doubles (7) on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt. Khristopher Davis to 3rd.D' Vontrey Richardson doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. Khristopher Davis scores. Scott Krieger scores.Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.Shawn Zarraga singles on a ground ball to pitcher Jared Wesson. D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd.Pitcher Change: Dan Gentzler replaces Jared Wesson.Mike Brownstein reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Wade Gaynor to catcher Eric Roof. D' Vontrey Richardson out at home. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd.Josh Prince grounds out, third baseman Wade Gaynor to first baseman Jordan Lennerton.

At Wisconsin, C Cameron Garfield and 1B/OF Jason Rogers trade places on the DL, with RHP Eric Marzec also disabled and RHP Damon Krestalude transferred from Helena.

The Rattlers might be rained out again. EDIT: The Sounds, too.

Our friend David Weiser indicates that the Huntsville score could have been even worse, as Birmingham had a home run ruled a double by the umpire.

Chris Mehring's postgame thoughts indicate that Jimmy Nelson?had some bad luck with seeing-eye singles. He also notes that the Rattlers have received four straight quality starts--and lost all four games. Highlights:

Final: Quad Cities 5, @Wisconsin 0 Siegrist shuts down WisconsinChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Kevin Siegrist and a pair of Quad Cities River Bandits relievers held the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scoreless on four hits in a 5-0 victory at Time Warner Cable Field. Siegrist struck out eight over seven innings, allowed three hits, and sent the Rattlers to their fourth straight loss. Quad Cities (8-9) loaded the bases on three straight singles to start their half of the third inning. An RBI fielder's choice by Greg Garcia got the first run home for the River Bandits. Then, Rattlers starter Jimmy Nelson uncorked a wild pitch that let the runner from third score and allowed Garcia to make it all the way around to third base. A sacrifice fly by Cody Stanley plated the final run of the inning. Wisconsin (5-9) had a good chance to get on the scoreboard against Siegrist in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nick Shaw was at second and Cody Hawn smacked a sharp single to right. But, Michael Swinson fired a strike to the plate to cut down Shaw for the second out of the inning. Siegrist retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced and did not give up another hit. Nelson worked six innings for the Rattlers and allowed five hits, but he was tagged with the loss as the Wisconsin offense was shut out. The River Bandits tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh inning with the benefit of just one hit. Eric Marzec relieved Nelson to start the inning and walked three batters while recording two outs. Stosh Wawrzasek took over for Marzec and gave up a two-run single for the final runs of the game. In the ninth, Wisconsin had runners at first and second with one out against reliever Boone Whiting. However, Hawn lined into a game ending double play and the Rattlers saw their scoreless streak run to 18-1/3 innings. Game two of the series is Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Tyler Thornburg (0-0, 1.04) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Quad Cities will send Zach Russell (0-1, 3.86) to the mound. Game time is 6:35pm. Wisconsin box scoreThe Rattlers have scored 54 runs in 14 games (3.9 runs/game); if you want to have fun with the postponements, they've scored just three runs since April 17th. Nelson had his sinker working, getting a remarkable 11 groundouts against just two flyouts; he threw 53 strikes in 81 pitches, a pretty good ratio, but still walked three. Wawrzasek also issued three free passes, so he and Marzec combined to walk six while getting just five outs. Suboptimal. Hey, Tyler Cravy finally had a scoreless outing, though it was just one batter long. Reggie Keen (two singles) was the only Rattler with multiple hits; Shaw walked twice. Country Roberts was 0-3 with two strikeouts, dropping his average to .152, and also committed his 5th passed ball, though he did throw out another attempted base thief. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final: @Lakeland 4, Brevard County 3 Brevard County box scoreThis was the system's best chance for a win tonight--and its only road game--but BC coughed up two runs in the bottom of the 9th to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Nick Bucci started and again pitched well: 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 8/2 GO/FO. He gave up two in the 2nd inning but kept the Flying Tigers off the board from there on out. Corey Frerichs and Trey Watten were each responsible for one of the two 9th-inning runs, but Jon Pokorny ultimately let the winning run in. Rob Wooten pitched a scoreless inning with a strikeout, working around a hit and a walk. Scooter Gennett had a really nice game, walking three times plus a single. Josh Prince had two hits and stole his 7th base (but was also caught stealing), Kentrail Davis and Khris Davis each drew a walk, Shawn Zarraga had a rare extra-base hit, a double, and D'Vontrey Richardson remained hitless since his debut, though he did take ball four once. Hunter Morris did not play; he's day-to-day with a finger injury. Brevard County play-by-playZarraga's double was even on a fly ball! The end of the game: Lakeland Bottom of the 9thPitcher Change: Corey Frerichs replaces Robert Wooten.Julio Rodriguez called out on strikes.Ryan Soares singles on a ground ball to pitcher Corey Frerichs.Pitcher Change: Trey Watten replaces Corey Frerichs.Brent Wyatt singles on a fly ball to left fielder Scott Krieger. Ryan Soares to 2nd.With Daniel Fields batting, passed ball by Shawn Zarraga, Ryan Soares to 3rd. Brent Wyatt to 2nd.Daniel Fields singles on a fly ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Ryan Soares scores. Brent Wyatt to 3rd.Pitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces Trey Watten.Tony Plagman grounds out, pitcher Jonathan Pokorny to first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard.With Wade Gaynor batting, wild pitch by Jonathan Pokorny, Brent Wyatt scores. Brutal. Just when it looked like Pokorny had gotten out of it with a clutch comebacker...

Final: Birmingham 6, @Huntsville 2 Barons Hand Stars First Home LossJill Cacic/Huntsville Stars Huntsville, AL- The Birmingham Barons' (10-8) solid offense ruined the Huntsville Stars (12-6) perfect record at home with a 6-2 loss Monday night. Right fielder Christian Marrero and second baseman Tyler Kuhn led the Barons offensive charge, both going 2-4 at the plate with two RBI. Kuhn's RBI came on a two-run home run in the second inning and Marrero's on a two-run triple in the sixth. The Stars only managed two runs the entire game. Their first run came in the first inning, thanks to back-to-back doubles from Sean Halton and Brandon Jones. The Barons put up two in the second only for the Stars to tie it up in the bottom of the third. Steffan Wilson hit a single to score Halton after Birmingham's first baseman Seth Loman was ejected. Clutch hitter Chuckie Caufield followed up with a single of his own to score Jones, who was thrown out at the plate. Huntsville starter Jesus Sanchez left the game in the bottom of the sixth, after giving up three runs that inning and taking the loss. The Stars would never recover from the three-run deficit. The nail on the coffin came with one final run for Birmingham in the top of the ninth off reliever Dan Meadows. Justin Edwards took the win for the Barons, going five innings, giving up two runs on eight hits. He walked one and struck out four. Gregori Infante recorded his fifth save of the season. The Barons and Stars face off tomorrow night at 6:43 p.m. LHP Charlie Leesman will toe the rubber for Birmingham against Huntsville's RHP Cody Scarpetta. Gates open at 6 p.m. for the Halfway to Halloween celebration and the tribute to the boys basketball 4-A State Champion Butler Rebels! Huntsville box scoreSanchez's final line: 5.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 7/1 GO/FO, 83 pitches, 53 strikes. Based on those peripherals, he deserved a bit better fate. The run off Meadows was, like Justin James above, the first he's allowed all year. Halton and Jones each had a single and a walk to go along with their doubles. Erik Komatsu hit leadoff and was 1-5; Lee Haydel did not play. Huntsville play-by-playYeah, Sanchez lost it a bit in the 6th, mainly with his first two walks of the game and a wild pitch; a bunt single and a ground-ball triple are some bad luck. Birmingham Top of the 6thBrandon Short singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Steffan Wilson.With Andrew Garcia batting, Brandon Short steals (3) 2nd base.Andrew Garcia walks.Christian Marrero triples (2) on a ground ball to right fielder Brandon Jones. Brandon Short scores. Andrew Garcia scores.With Josh Phegley batting, wild pitch by Jesus Sanchez, Christian Marrero scores.Josh Phegley strikes out swinging, catcher Martin Maldonado to first baseman Sean Halton.Kyle Shelton walks.Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Jesus Sanchez.Christian Colonel pops out to second baseman Matt Cline.With Tyler Kuhn batting, Kyle Shelton steals (1) 2nd base.Tyler Kuhn flies out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.

Final: Omaha 2, @Nashville 1 Ninth-Inning Run Leads Omaha Past Sounds, 2-1Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Johnny Giovatella's two-out RBI single off Sounds reliever Justin James in the top of the ninth inning gave the visiting Omaha Storm Chasers a 2-1 victory over the Sounds on Monday evening at Greer Stadium. The loss, the Sounds' third in a row to their division rivals, was the league-leading seventh one-run defeat suffered by Nashville (8-11) this season. In the top of the ninth, Eric Hosmer (3-for-4) led off with a single to right. After a pair of flyouts, Hosmer stole second and then scored when Giovatella laced his game-winning single into the gap in right-center, resulting in the first run allowed by James all season. The right-hander opened the year with 8 2/3 scoreless frames of relief for Nashville. Omaha reliever Luis Mendoza (1-0) retired the Sounds in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win. The right-hander earned his first win of the year with three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief for the Storm Chasers. James (0-1) drew the loss after permitting the game-deciding run in his two frames of work. Both starting pitchers turned in quality starts for their respective clubs and were on cruise control early, as the teams played scoreless baseball through the first 5 ½ innings. Nashville struck first, plating a two-out run against Omaha starter Everett Teaford in the home half of the fifth. Caleb Gindl (2-for-3) delivered an RBI single to left to bring home Taylor Green for a 1-0 Sounds lead. The Storm Chasers evened the contest with an unearned run in the next half-inning against Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz. David Lough reached on a one-out infield single and advanced to second on the play as De La Cruz overthrew first base. After advancing to third on a wild pitch, Lough came plateward with the tying run on an Eric Hosmer single to left. De La Cruz twirled his third quality start of the year for the Sounds, holding the Storm Chasers to one unearned run on five hits while fanning seven batters in his seven innings. With the solid effort, the right-hander lowered his ERA to 1.85 through 24 1/3 innings of work on the year. Teaford also turned in a quality start for Omaha, allowing one run on three hits while striking out three batters in his six frames of action. Milwaukee Brewers right fielder Corey Hart went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in the contest and is now hitting 2-for-15 through five games with the Sounds during his rehab assignment. The teams wrap up the series on Tuesday morning with an 11:05 a.m. finale that will feature thousands of participants in the Nashville Sounds Reading Club in attendance as a reward for reaching their educational goals. Left-hander Sam Narron (0-0, 6.14) will make the start for Nashville on Tuesday to face Omaha southpaw Danny Duffy (0-0, 1.29). Nashville box scoreGindl makes the audio cut again; listen to his RBI single. Brendan Katin and Mike Rivera, each with a single, had the only Sounds hits apart from Gindl's two. No walks, no HBP, so those were your only baserunners on the night. De la Cruz has been phenomenal, posting a 27/7 K/BB in 24.1 innings to begin the year; he threw 96 pitches, 67 for strikes. As Toby pointed out, Gindl was in left tonight as opposed to center. Nashville play-by-play

Following up on Mikie Mahtook and BA's Aaron Fitt:

Baseball America has a mock draft of sorts; it's not actually who they project teams would pick, but rather who they themselves would pick were they calling the shots:

Final: @Huntsville 11, Birmingham 6 Huntsville box scoreThe Stars put up a five-run third and tacked on runs here and there after that, enough to weather a minor bullpen conflagration in the 8th that saw the Barons close to within 10-6. Dan Merklinger started and, while wild, kept Birmingham off the board until the 6th inning; his final line: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K, 89 pitches, 49 strikes. Robert Hinton and Donovan Hand got battered in relief, allowing eight hits between them in 2.2 innings. Michael Fiers finished the game with a perfect frame, including two strikeouts. Just-demoted Martin Maldonado took out his frustration about getting sent down, going 3-4 with a homer and two doubles. Erik Komatsu was also sharp, with four singles in five trips; he's hitting .412/.524/.559 since being activated 12 games ago. Lee Haydel, Sean Halton, and Steffan Wilson each had two hits. Haydel (.327/.422/.345) and Halton (.329/.333/.457) are also off to hot starts, though each has obvious warts: Haydel has just one extra-base hit on the year and Halton just one walk. Huntsville play-by-playThe Stars' big inning: Huntsville Bottom of the 3rdChuck Caufield grounds out, shortstop Andrew Garcia to first baseman Christian Marrero.Matt Cline singles on a ground ball to right fielder Justin Greene.Martin Maldonado homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Matt Cline scores.Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Short.Sergio Miranda walks. Lee Haydel to 2nd.Sean Halton singles on a fly ball to right fielder Justin Greene. Lee Haydel scores. Sergio Miranda to 3rd.Brandon Jones singles on a fly ball to center fielder Brandon Short. Sergio Miranda scores. Sean Halton to 2nd.Steffan Wilson grounds into a force out, shortstop Andrew Garcia to second baseman Greg Paiml. Sean Halton to 3rd. Brandon Jones out at 2nd. Steffan Wilson to 1st.Erik Komatsu singles on a fly ball to left fielder Tyler Kuhn. Sean Halton scores. Steffan Wilson to 2nd.Chuck Caufield hit by pitch. Steffan Wilson to 3rd. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.Matt Cline lines out to third baseman Christian Colonel. Hinton and Hand getting into trouble in the 8th: Birmingham Top of the 8thTyler Kuhn triples (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu.Greg Paiml homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Tyler Kuhn scores.Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Robert Hinton.Justin Greene singles on a ground ball to shortstop Matt Cline.Brandon Short doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Brandon Jones. Justin Greene scores.Andrew Garcia flies out to left fielder Brandon Jones.Christian Marrero singles on a fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Brandon Short scores.Josh Phegley flies out to center fielder Erik Komatsu.Christian Colonel strikes out swinging.

Some nice photos from the Sounds game in this album by Gage Matthews. Zack Greinke makes a nice play: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5029/5651065637_e5506b5e54_z.jpg George Kottaras thrilled to be in Nashville: http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5268/5651057371_8acdb6cd06_z.jpg

"I just really wanna play baseball, really." I feel you, Zack. I really want you to play baseball, too.

Final: Omaha 7, @Nashville 3 Greinke, Sounds Can't Defeat Omaha In Easter MatineeNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost an Easter Sunday matinee to the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers, falling 7-3 at Greer Stadium. Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Zack Greinke, currently on a rehabilitation assignment while recovering from a cracked left rib, made his first start for the Sounds after one rehab outing at Advanced-A Brevard County last Tuesday. Greinke - who took a no-decision for Nashville - allowed two runs on three hits over 2 2/3 innings, throwing 54 pitches (32 strikes). He walked one batter and struck out two. He is expected to make another rehab start with the Sounds on Friday evening against Albuquerque at Greer Stadium, a 7:05 p.m. contest. In the first inning, Greinke threw 12 pitches (7 strikes) and retired the Storm Chasers in order on three consecutive groundouts. Sounds designated hitter Brendan Katin spotted the home team a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when he belted a two-out, two-run homer to deep left off Omaha starter Jeff Suppan. The blast was Katin's team-leading fifth longball of the year. Both runs scored unearned following a fielding error by Storm Chasers second baseman Irving Falu earlier in the frame. Greinke had to work a little harder during a scoreless second, when he threw 31 pitches (19 strikes). He faced three consecutive long at-bats in the frame, a 10-pitch strikeout of Clint Robinson, a six-pitch at-bat against Lance Zawadzki that resulted in a double, and a seven-pitch walk to Gregor Blanco. He stranded both baserunners and recorded two of his three outs in the inning via strikeouts. Omaha touched Greinke for a pair of runs in the third to tie the game at 2-2. Lorenzo Cain and David Lough smashed back-to-back, one-out, line-drive triples over the head of Sounds center fielder Caleb Gindl to plate the first score, then Eric Hosmer lifted a sacrifice fly to right to plate the tying run. Greinke was replaced after throwing 23 pitches in the inning (13 strikes) and 54 total in the contest. Right-hander Tim Dillard took over on the Nashville hill and was greeted with a rough full first frame of action in the fourth, as Omaha sent eight runners to the plate to score three runs and take a 5-2 lead. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases with one out on walks to Robinson and Blanco followed by a Falu single. Manny Pina followed with a go-ahead, two-run single to center and David Lough later added a two-out RBI double to stretch the visitors' advantage to three. Suppan (2-2) settled down after Katin's homer, retiring 16 of the next 18 Sounds batters the final 11 in a row he faced from the third through the sixth frames. The veteran tossed a quality-start victory against Nashville for the second time in seven days, allowing two unearned runs on three hits while striking out two over his six innings of work. Dillard (2-1) took the loss for Nashville after giving up three runs on four hits in his 3 1/3 innings of work. Omaha tacked on pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Blanco plated Robinson with a one-out double to left off Jim Henderson to push the lead to 6-2. Later in the inning, former Sound Lorenzo Cain greeted new reliever Mike McClendon with an RBI single to center to close out the Storm Chasers scoring. Eric Farris singled for Nashville with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, ending a stretch of 16 straight Sounds batters retired by Omaha pitching. The Sounds put the game's final run on the board with a two-out rally against Omaha reliever Kanekoa Texeira in the bottom of the ninth. After the first two batters were retired, new Sounds catcher George Kottaras drew a walk and moved to second on a Jeremy Reed single before plating the afternoon's final run on a Brett Carroll single. Texeira recovered to induce a game-ending groundout from Gindl. The teams continue the series with a 7:05 p.m. matchup on Monday evening. Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (0-1, 2.60) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Omaha southpaw Everett Teaford (1-1, 3.27). Nashville box scorehttp://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uj_QeQVH3-g/TKYWGgnF_fI/AAAAAAAAArc/FMnPh0VFIN8/s1600/kirk_screams_khan.jpg SUPPAAAAAAAAAAAN! You can listen to Katin's homer here. Between Kottaras, McClendon, Reed, Dillard, Suppan, Cain, and Mat Gamel there was quite a collection of former Brewers in the game, and that's not even counting Greinke (or Texeira, who was drafted by the Brewers in 2004 but did not sign). Gamel was 0-4; Gindl and Taylor Green each had a single. Nashville play-by-playThe sac fly by Hosmer was the only out Greinke got in the air; the other seven came via five groundouts and two strikeouts.

Nice shot of Greinke and the famous guitar scoreboard at Historic Greer Stadium: http://a.yfrog.com/img610/7946/jybgb.jpg (Matt Dudley)

Yep, last time out Suppan got Mark Rogers; hopefully Greinke gives him a better run for his money today. With the bat, I mean. Greinke's gonna take him deep.

Hunter, Manatees battle a slow startMark DeCotis/Florida Today There are times in pro baseball when the ball leaving the pitcher's hand looks like a pill. And there are others when it looks like a pumpkin and that's what Brevard County Manatees infielder Hunter Morris has been seeing this season for the Class A-Advanced Florida State League team, an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Heading into Saturday night's game at Lakeland, Morris was hitting .281 with a team-leading 18 hits in 64 at bats. He ranked second in the league in doubles with six. His presence in the middle of the lineup is vital to a slowly awakening Manatees offense. "I feel like I started out great, which was real important to me," Morris said Friday. "If you can get off on the right foot and start by going well, hopefully that makes, the last couple of games for me have been not very good, obviously. But hopefully, the bounce back or the recovery from that and getting back to where I need to be is a little bit easier because you're not just fighting an uphill battle the whole time. "It's certainly easier when you start doing well." Morris, 22, is a 6-foot, 2-inch, 200-pound product of Auburn University who wields a lethal left-handed bat. A native of Huntsville, Ala., he is in his second year of minor-league ball, joining the Manatees after playing 71 games at Class-A Appleton, Wis., in 2010. He hit .251 with 73 hits, including 19 doubles, in 291 at-bats. He drove in 44 runs. Morris then spent the postseason in the Brewers Instructional League. He also played in the Arizona Fall League, competing against some of the top minor league players in the nation. That established the foundation for this season and what he hopes will be an eventual step up to his hometown Huntsville Stars, the Brewers' Double-A affiliate. "It would be awesome," said Morris, who is husband to wife Macie and six-month old son Tripp who are in Brevard County with him. "To be at home and play in front of my family and my friends. Every bit of family I've got lives in North Alabama. To have them close would be great. To be able to play in front of my parents, my in-laws, my grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. To be home spending time with them, live in my own house would be a great feeling. It's definitely a huge goal of mine to get back there at some point. At the same time, once I get there I don't want to stay there for too long." As long he continues to hit and play solid defense -- he has committed two errors in 16 games -- the move up could happen. "He's an absolute natural power guy," Manatees hitting coach Dwayne Hosey said Friday. "He has a real simple swing, he's staying simple right now. "He's new, no one knows who he is. Teams will start adjusting on him, we'll have to see what he has to do, what he can do when teams start making adjustments on him. Right now, he looks pretty good. He's very selective. They're throwing the ball in that red zone. He's not missing it." Morris has struggled a bit lately, going hitless in his past 11 at bats entering Saturday night's game. "He's had a tough last couple of days though, but I'm sure he'll make some adjustments," Hosey said. "When they're having a hard time like right now, this is a good time to see what kind of hitter he is." Unfortunately for all hitters in the FSL, struggles are common. "This league and the California league to me are real challenging because they are the highest A ball leagues," Hosey said. "Teams tend to send their best . . . prospects here . . . and these fields play pretty big out here. "Guys pretty much have command of their fastball here, and they can control a second pitch. That's what makes it difficult in this league." Morris acknowledged that and admits he has been pressing a bit, which in baseball can only exacerbate a slump or a bad stretch. "A key point for me in college last year . . . when it started going really well, when I just able to relax and just basically go back to . . . see the ball and hit it," he said. "This game is very hard. Everybody knows that. We can't make it any harder on ourselves as players. It's all about making it simple and as easy as possible because it's a hard game and once you take all the mental part out of it and you just relax and let it happen, things tend to go a little better, at least for me." And when things go easier, it becomes easier to beat the odds. "There's nine guys out there trying to get you out and there's only one of you," Morris said. "Just became you hit the ball good doesn't mean good things are going to happen." http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20110424&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=104240325&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0 (Craig Rubadoux/Florida Today)

Final: Brevard County 9, @Lakeland 6 (11 innings) Brevard County box scoreThis game was great, but I guess I'm the only one who wants to write about it on a Saturday night. BC blew a 6-2 lead by giving up four runs in the 8th but won it with three in the 11th. Hiram Burgos started and Burgosed it up, allowing two runs on eight hits in five innings but with no walks and five punchouts. Jon Pokorny and Mark Willinsky continued to struggle, between them responsible for the Flying Tigers' rally. Santo Manzanillo and Corey Frerichs locked it down after that, though, combining to toss three perfect innings with four strikeouts. Hunter Morris cracked his second homer of the year, Scott Krieger had three hits, and Scooter Gennett singled twice and drew a walk. Mike Brownstein and Shea Vucinich were also on three times. D'Vontrey Richardson continues to struggle after his three-hit debut, 0-5 tonight with a HBP. He continues, though, to do interesting things out of the batter's box--both good and bad; he threw out another runner with his shoulder-mounted missile launcher but was himself thrown out on the bases as well. Khris Davis had a hit and a walk. Kentrail Davis did not play. Brevard County play-by-playHere's how the Manatees built their lead: Brevard County Top of the 6thKhristopher Davis grounds out, shortstop Gustavo Nunez to first baseman Tony Plagman.D' Vontrey Richardson grounds out, shortstop Gustavo Nunez to first baseman Tony Plagman.Scott Krieger singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to center fielder Daniel Fields. Scott Krieger to 2nd.Shea Vucinich doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Daniel Fields. Scott Krieger scores. Brock Kjeldgaard scores.Pitcher Change: Jordan Pratt replaces Zach Samuels.Michael Roberts called out on strikes. Brevard County Top of the 7thMike Brownstein grounds out, second baseman Corey Jones to first baseman Tony Plagman.Ryan Gennett reaches on missed catch error by first baseman Tony Plagman, assist to shortstop Gustavo Nunez.Hunter Morris homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Ryan Gennett scores.Khristopher Davis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt.With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, Khristopher Davis steals (2) 2nd base.D' Vontrey Richardson hit by pitch.Scott Krieger flies out to right fielder Avisail Garcia.Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt. Khristopher Davis scores. D' Vontrey Richardson out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Brent Wyatt to third baseman Wade Gaynor. ...and here's how they lost it: Lakeland Bottom of the 8thPitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces R. Seidel.Daniel Fields walks.Tony Plagman pops out to first baseman Hunter Morris in foul territory.Wade Gaynor reaches on fielding error by shortstop Shea Vucinich. Daniel Fields to 3rd.Jordan Lennerton doubles (4) on a fly ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Daniel Fields scores. Wade Gaynor scores.Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces Jonathan Pokorny.Avisail Garcia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Shea Vucinich. Jordan Lennerton to 3rd.Corey Jones out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Jordan Lennerton scores.Brent Wyatt singles on a line drive to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Avisail Garcia to 3rd.Julio Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Avisail Garcia scores. Brent Wyatt to 2nd.Ryan Soares singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Brent Wyatt out at home on the throw, center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson to catcher Michael Robert Wow. Huge throw by D'Vo. The decisive 11th: Brevard County Top of the 11thMike Brownstein singles on a line drive to right fielder Avisail Garcia.Ryan Gennett singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brent Wyatt. Mike Brownstein to 2nd.With Josh Prince batting, wild pitch by Dan Gentzler, Mike Brownstein to 3rd. Ryan Gennett to 2nd.Josh Prince reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Corey Jones. Mike Brownstein scores. Ryan Gennett to 3rd.Khristopher Davis grounds out to catcher Eric Roof. Khristopher Davis out on batter interference.With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, passed ball by Eric Roof, Ryan Gennett scores. Josh Prince to 2nd.With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, wild pitch by Dan Gentzler, Josh Prince to 3rd.D' Vontrey Richardson reaches on a fielder's choice out, shortstop Ryan Soares to catcher Eric Roof to third baseman Wade Gaynor. Josh Prince out at home. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd on the throw.Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Avisail Garcia. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Scott Krieger to 2nd on the throw.Brock Kjeldgaard flies out to center fielder Daniel Fields. Injury note: Morris struck out in the top of the 9th and was replaced in the bottom; he may have been injured somehow.

Final: Omaha 9, @Nashville 0 Omaha Blanks Nashville, 9-0, In Homestand OpenerNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vin Mazzaro tossed a quality start while the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers dropped the Nashville Sounds, 9-0, on Saturday night in front of 8,251 fans at Greer Stadium. Mazzaro (1-0) gave up just five hits while tossing seven scoreless innings with five strikeouts in the win. Former Sound Lorenzo Cain went 3-for-4 with a home run and two runs scored in his first game returning to Greer Stadium for the visiting Storm Chasers. Sounds starter Mark Rogers ran in trouble in the opening frame, as the Storm Chasers took an early 4-0 advantage. After Rogers walked the first three Omaha batters, Mike Moustakas tripled off a hard lined ball over Caleb Gindl's head in center field to empty the bases. Clint Robinson then hit an RBI groundout that scored Moustakas for the final run of the inning. Omaha tacked on another four runs in the top of the third inning to go up 8-0. The Storm Chasers loaded the bases again to begin the inning, which removed Rogers from the game. After reliever Chase Wright came into the contest, Johnny Giavotella hit a two-run single to left field for the first two runs. Wright retired the next two batters before allowing another two-run single to Paulo Orlando for the other two runs. Cain's solo homer in the eighth inning was his first of the season that extended the Omaha lead to 9-0. Rogers (0-2) was charged with the loss after surrendering seven runs on just three hits, but matched a season-high five walks in two plus innings pitched. Wright followed with four innings in relief, surrendering one run on five hits in four innings thrown. In his fourth rehab appearance for the Brewers, Manny Parra allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings scoreless innings in relief. He allowed one hit on 20 pitches throw, 13 for strikes. Sounds designated hitter Jeremy Reed went 2-for-3 on the night, with his two hits accounting for Nashville's only hits through the first five innings. Right fielder Corey Hart went 0-for-3 with one flyout and two groundouts. The Sounds and Storm Chasers will play at 2:05 pm CT on Sunday afternoon at Greer Stadium in the second -game of a four game set. 2009 American League Cy Young Winner Zack Greinke will take the mound for Nashville in his second rehab start for the Brewers against Omaha right-hander Jeff Suppan (1-2, 6.91). Nashville box scoreOkay. If you want to keep it positive, it's better than Rogers did last time out against Omaha. Really though, he was terrible: 60 pitches and only 27 strikes. Obviously things can't continue like this much longer; having Rogers throw so many high-pressure pitches is a huge injury risk, not to mention frustrating as hell for all involved. Not many things you'd want to highlight from this game, but you can listen to Gindl make a nice diving catch here; he also had an assist in his first game action since coming off the DL. Eric Farris (who started at second base) and Mat Gamel each had singles, and Taylor Green drew a walk. Nashville play-by-play