battlekow

Brewers' prospect Jeffress determined to stay clean Tom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel St. Louis — When you're one strike away from the baseball death penalty, every day presents a unique challenge. Any misstep and your career is over. Jeremy Jeffress knows that feeling all too well. "It is scary," he said. "It's like you're walking on eggshells." The Milwaukee Brewers' hard-throwing pitching prospect put himself in that dangerous position by being unable to stop smoking marijuana. Jeffress knew he would be tested. He knew the consequences. Yet he could not stop. "It is a life-threatening thing, not just a baseball thing," said the 22-year-old right-hander, a first-round pick in the 2006 draft. "I had to fix it, or I wasn't going anywhere. It would take me to the ground." Jeffress was confronted with the possible premature ending to his career when he was suspended for 100 games for a positive test for a "drug of abuse" last season at high Class A Brevard County. It was the third time he got caught with marijuana in his system. The first offense resulted in counseling under the Minor League Drug Treatment & Prevention Program. When Jeffress tested positive again in 2007 while pitching for Class A West Virginia, a 50-game suspension was levied. It took the 100-game suspension - and threat of a lifetime ban with another offense - to finally snap Jeffress to attention. "The hardest part for me was knowing I had the mentality to do the right thing, and didn't do it," he said. "I let myself down. It got in my head. "It's the worst feeling in the world. I felt so bad about it." With support from the Brewers, as well as agents Howard and Josh Kusnick, Jeffress enrolled in a comprehensive rehabilitation program in Milwaukee. He participated in three separate sessions last winter, coming away each time more determined to stay clean. "It was a great place to go," he said. "I'd recommend it to anybody. I took it to heart. I did a lot of praying, a lot of talking." As for being one strike away from playing professional baseball for the last time, Jeffress said, "You can't think about that. You have to fix the problem. "I think I've matured a lot the past couple of years. I just feel like nothing can stop me now. I know the things that I can do, the things I need to do." Jeffress' suspension carried over to the 2010 season, forcing him to sit out the first two months. He remained in Phoenix after minor-league camp ended, pitching in games in extended spring training. Another bump There was one last obstacle to clear before returning to the mound. Only days before the suspension ended, Jeffress experienced forearm tightness. He was shut down for more than a week, then placed on a throwing program that delayed his activation. "It was a pain I hadn't felt before," he said. "I let the trainers know. They wanted to be cautious with it. It wasn't anything major, just some inflammation in the elbow. "I actually liked being in extended (camp). The pitching coach there, Steve Cline, is awesome. They call him 'Doc' because he can fix anything. That's a perfect name for him." In an effort to ease Jeffress back into competition, the Brewers assigned him to low Class A Wisconsin. He began the 2009 season at Class AA Huntsville but struggled badly, resulting in a demotion to Brevard. The Brewers also wanted to limit off-field temptations for Jeffress, so they switched him from starting to relieving. The thinking was that Jeffress would have to stay focused and ready to pitch on a daily basis rather than having four days off between starts to find trouble. With a fastball that registers in the high 90s (mph) with regularity, a knee-buckling curveball and an improving changeup, Jeffress was a man among boys in the Midwest League. In five relief outings, he pitched eight hitless innings, with three walks and 14 strikeouts. "Actually, it's challenging," Jeffress said Wednesday morning before the Timber Rattlers played a noon game against Quad Cities at Fox Cities Stadium. "They're going to swing the bat. I'm not just throwing. I've been working on my pitches. I've been trying to keep my fastball down in the zone. My curve has been good." Figuring Jeffress could use a stiffer challenge, the Brewers moved him up Thursday to Brevard. Two days earlier, they raised the eyebrows of many throughout baseball by placing Jeffress on their 40-man roster, five months before being required to do so to protect him from other clubs. Teams normally don't put a minor-leaguer on the 40-man during the season unless he is being summoned to the majors. Brewers general manager Doug Melvin said the move was made to reward Jeffress for being a "model citizen" in the wake of the 100-game suspension. An odd situation The move came with an obvious ulterior motive, however. Players on the 40-man roster cannot be suspended for testing positive for "drugs of abuse." Because he had prior positive tests, Jeffress can and will be subject to further testing for "cause." The penalty cannot be a suspension, however, removing the lifetime ban from the table. In essence, the Brewers freed Jeffress to resume smoking marijuana. He adamantly insisted that won't happen. "Watch my actions. That's what's going to tell," he said. "I don't look at it that way. This is my career. Who says they can't take me off the 40-man? "The Brewers have tested me a couple of times this year. So have the minor leagues. I passed all of those. I will not give them any cause to test me again." After getting the exciting and unexpected roster news from Melvin that "blew me away," Jeffress quickly called his parents, Fred and Yolanda, in rural South Boston, Va. His father had dispensed plenty of tough love during the multiple marijuana violations but was bursting with pride over the latest development. "He called everybody in town," Jeffress said. "My dad was upset at me (before), but he loves me and supports me. My parents went crazy when I told them." Moving on Jeffress still talks weekly via telephone with an Employee Assistance Program counselor affiliated with Major League Baseball. He doesn't plan to stop his aftercare treatment despite being added to the 40-man roster. "That will go on as long as I need it," he said. "Recovery is just like life. You keep going. It's an ongoing thing. It's someone who can talk to you to get thoughts out of your mind that are bad. "The cravings are always going to be there. Triggers are going to be there. You can't get away from triggers. Some triggers remind you of things. There are temptations. It's a problem in life that's always going to haunt me." Melvin told Jeffress that if he keeps moving forward, he could find himself wearing a Brewers uniform in September. The motivation to stay clean is obvious. A lot is at stake, for both Jeffress and a team that has struggled to develop pitching prospects. "That's what I'm shooting for," Jeffress said. "Nothing's going to stop me now. It's time for me to step up and get the work done that needs to be done. "It's been a tough time. I had everything taken away from me. I've been to the bottom. I said there's nowhere else to go but up. It's up to me to make it happen." http://media.jsonline.com/images/mjs-jeremy-jeffress.jpg (Appleton Post Crescent)

I didn't notice yesterday, but it appears that Caleb Gindl, not Lee Haydel, is the new center fielder for the Stars in the wake of Lorenzo Cain's promotion.

He can swing it Tom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Class A Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom likes what he sees from leftfielder Khris Davis, a seventh-round draft pick in 2009. Entering Saturday, Davis, 22, was batting .303 with 18 doubles, four triples, 11 home runs, 42 RBI and a .932 OPS for the Timber Rattlers. The Midwest League player of the week for last week, Davis also put on a power display at the league's all-star home run derby, winning the competition by socking 25 out of the park in three rounds. "He's a baseball rat," said Isom. "His dad's a scout in the Diamondbacks organization. He's been around baseball his whole life. He played in the College World Series with Cal State-Fullerton. "He is an advanced bat. He gets himself into good hitting counts. If he gets 2-0, 3-1 in the count, he puts a pretty good swing on it. He has a plan every time he goes to the plate." Though Davis is not considered one of the top prospects in the system, Isom believes he can make it to Milwaukee via his offensive prowess. "I think with that bat, he has a chance to play in the major leagues," said Isom. "He's an intriguing guy."

Aaron Morse interviews LHP Chris Cody

Rattler Radio: Game notes Tonight's pitcher Starting lineup Kentrail Davis not in the lineup a day after being hit by a pitch.

Manatees postponed.

Huntsville Media Notes

Final: New Orleans 4, @Nashville 3Sounds lose 4-3 to Zephyrs on Friday Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the New Orleans Zephyrs, 4-3, in front of 6,373 fans on Friday night at historic Greer Stadium in the second game of a three-game series. New Orleans scored the winning run in the top of the ninth inning to go-ahead, 4-3. With one out in the inning, reliever Chris Smith fanned Gookie Dawkins, but a wild pitch allowed Dawkins to reach first. After next batter Logan Morrison walked, Brendan Katin dropped a fly ball, but threw in time to second for the second out. Danny Richar then followed with a line drive double to left field that allowed Dawkins to score the go-ahead run. In his 2010 Sounds season-debut, center fielder Lorenzo Cain went 2-for-5 with a double. Mat Gamel and Katin each hit solo home runs for Nashville (44-37), as it was the eighth consecutive game that the club has hit a home run this season. Sounds starter Chuck Lofgren got into trouble to begin the game, walking the first two New Orleans hitters on a combined 14 pitches. After Morrison flew out for the first out of the frame, Lofgren got Hector Luna to fly out to shallow left field to Norris Hopper, who then doubled up Dawkins at first base for an inning-ending double play. Donnie Murphy hit his 12th home run of the season in the top of the second inning to put New Orleans on the board, a solo shot to centerfield for a 1-0 Zephyrs lead. Katin crushed a solo home run over the out-of-town scoreboard in left field to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning, his team-leading 11th homer of the season. The Sounds tacked on another run to go up 2-1 thanks to an RBI double by Ray Olmedo later in the inning. With runners on second on third with two outs in top of the sixth inning, Tim Dillard came in to relieve Lofgren and got Brett Carroll to ground out and end the jam. New Orleans tied the contest at 2-2 in the top of the seventh inning. Scott Cousins doubled to left field to begin the inning and scored on a two-out RBI single to left field by Bryan Petersen. The Zephyrs took a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning, beginning with Carroll recording a two-out single to reach base. Catcher Neil Wilson then doubled down the third base line to score Carroll and put New Orleans ahead. In the next frame, Gamel belted a deep, game-tying homer to right center off Adalberto Mendez, his third long ball on the year and first since June 16. Lofgren took a no-decision, allowing one run on four hits and four walks with two strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. Dillard added 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits in relief. For the first time in his last five outings, David Johnson allowed one run on two hits and a walk in one inning pitched. Smith (2-3) took the loss, allowing one run on one hit with two strikeouts in one inning pitched. New Orleans starter Sean West surrendered two runs on five hits with a season-high seven strikeouts in six innings thrown. Mendez (3-1) backed into the win, with Armando Benitez picking up his second save of the season. The Sounds and Zephyrs will play the 6:35 pm CT finale of a three-game series on Saturday evening at historic Greer Stadium. Left-hander Chase Wright (6-3, 4.01) takes the mound for Nashville against New Orleans righty Tom Mastny (1-0, 1.71). A spectacular Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza will follow the action on the field. Nashville box score Gookie Dawkins! Wow, there's a name that hadn't crossed my mind in awhile. You can listen to Gamel's homer here. Nice successful debut for Cain, who hit .158/.273/.158 in six games for the Sounds in 2008. Nashville play-by-play

Final: Helena 4, @Billings 1Helena box score Hiram Burgos was outstanding, allowing one run in seven innings on four hits with his trademark outstanding K/BB ratio, 8/0 tonight. He really needs to get another shot at Wisconsin before the year's over. Franklin Romero drove the Brewers' offense, 3-3 with two triples; Romero wasn't even in the starting lineup but came on as a pinch runner when Carlos George left the game after being hit by a pitch to begin the game. Shea Vucinich started the game in left field but shifted to shortstop after George's injury--nice to know he's at least the backup shortstop. Vucinich was 0-3 with a sac fly, Cody Hawn was 0-4, and Greg Hopkins was 1-4 with a double. Helena play-by-play

Final: @Huntsville 4, Chattanooga 1Chris Cody stellar on the hill Huntsville Stars The Huntsville Stars guaranteed at least a series split Friday night with a 4-1 win over Chattanooga at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. Drew Anderson broke a five and a half inning stalemate with a sixth inning single and his first stolen base of the season. With one out, Lee Haydel continued the hitting with a single that moved Anderson to third base. The hero of Wednesday’s double header, Andy Machado again came through for the Stars with a sac fly for the first run of the contest (audio). Sean McCraw followed with a walk, and after throwing his sixth shutout inning of the night, Chris Cody showed his offensive prowess by launching a run-scoring double over the head of Lookouts right fielder Jerry Sands (audio). Chattanooga’s relay that followed was executed to perfection to cut down McCraw at home to end the inning. Anderson again struck one inning later with a double that scored Huntsville All Star Brett Lawrie (audio). He then chugged home from second base on a passed ball to extend the Stars lead to four runs (audio). Stars starting pitcher Cody carried the offense for much of the game with his best start of the year. Cody dealt 97 pitches over eight shutout innings. Not known as a strikeout artist, Cody fanned eight lookouts and walked only two while scattering four hits. Nearly 70 percent of Cody’s throws were strikes. Huntsville plays host Saturday in the final game at “The Joe” before the Southern League All Star game comes to Huntsville on Monday July, 12. First pitch is set for 6:00 CDT. All Stars games are streamed live online at www.huntsvillestars.com . Huntsville box score Sounded like Cody had some really excellent breaking stuff working. Haydel was 4-4, with two singles being of the conventional line-drive variety and two being of the infield variety, one of those on a bunt. Lawrie was 2-5, with both singles coming off right-handed pitching, a welcome sight. Gindl and Anderson also both had two hits. Great to see Taylor Green pinch-hit late in the game, showing he wasn't hurt too badly the other day. Huntsville play-by-play You read that right in the recap--Anderson scored from second on a passed ball: Huntsville Bottom 7th Brett Lawrie singles on a line drive to left fielder Andrew Lambo. Caleb Gindl grounds out to first baseman Eduardo Perez. Brett Lawrie to 2nd. Zelous Wheeler grounds out, second baseman Jaime Pedroza to first baseman Eduardo Perez. Drew T. Anderson doubles (6) on a fly ball to center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Brett Lawrie scores. With Steffan Wilson batting, passed ball by Jessie Mier, Drew T. Anderson scores. Steffan Wilson walks. Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to pitcher Bobby Blevins. Steffan Wilson to 2nd. Anderson Machado grounds out, first baseman Eduardo Perez to pitcher Bobby Blevins.

Final: @Burlington 6, Wisconsin 1Bees sting Rattlers with another rally Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA – A crucial Wisconsin Timber Rattler error in the bottom of the seventh inning allowed the Burlington Bees score the go-ahead run Friday night at Community Field. The Bees tacked on four more runs to defeat Wisconsin 6-1. Three Burlington pitchers combined to hold Wisconsin to one run on three hits. The Bees had also rallied late to defeat the Rattlers on Thursday night. Khris Davis gave Wisconsin a 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly in the top of the first inning. D’Vontrey Richardson and Scooter Gennett had back-to-back doubles to start the inning, but Richardson did not score on the double by Gennett because there was a chance that the ball would be caught in right-center and he had gone back to tag up. Davis’s sac fly made sure that Richardson scored. Jose Bonilla brought Burlington back to even with a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the fourth. Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell fell behind Bonilla 2-0 and the Bees catcher cracked the next pitch over the wall in right-center for his first home run of the season. The Rattlers (30-46 overall, 4-4 second half) tried to put together a rally with two outs against Burlington starting pitcher Sugar Ray Marimon in the sixth inning. Kentrail Davis was hit by a pitch. Khris Davis singled. Hunter Morris walked. But, Marimon got a popout to keep the game tied. Marimon allowed one run on three hits over six innings, but was not involved in the decision. Burlington (26-51, 4-4) took the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Howell walked Bonilla to start the frame. Fernando Cruz dropped a sacrifice bunt up the third base line, but none of the three Rattler defenders around the ball fielded it. The play went for a single. Luis Del Rosario was next and he dropped a sacrifice bunt to move runners to second and third. Howell got the next batter to pop out for the second out of the inning. Then, Gerard Hall sent a grounder to short for what should have been the final out of the inning. But, the usually sure-handed and slick-fielding Michael Marseco did not come up with the grounder and was charged with an error as Bonilla scored the go ahead run. Rattlers reliever Caleb Thielbar entered the game at this point and gave up a two-run triple to JD Alfaro that put Burlington up 4-1. Rene Oriental hit a two-run homer of Thielbar after a lead-off walk in the bottom of the eighth inning and Burlington grabbed a 6-1 lead. Sam Runion pitched retired all six batters he faced over the seventh and eighth innings to pick up his first win of the season. Scott Kelly pitched a scoreless ninth to close out Wisconsin. Game three of the series is set for Saturday night at 6:30pm. The Timber Rattlers have Nick Bucci (3-3, 3.46) as their scheduled starting pitcher. The Bees have Nick Wooley (2-5, 6.93) set to start. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or www.timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm. Wisconsin box score Thielbar and the Rattlers' defense really distorted what was a fine effort from Howell, whose final line was 6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K. Morris, who walked twice, and Kentrail Davis, with a single in addition to his HBP, were the only Rattler to reach more than once. A note about Davis's HBP--it actually hit him twice, ricocheting off his shoulder and hitting him in the ear flap, knocking his helmet off. Sounded like the shoulder took the brunt of the blow, but with the luck he's had on HBP this year, you don't like to hear stuff like that. In fact, Mehring said that Kentrail's moved back from the plate since coming to Wisconsin after getting hit so much at Brevard County. Cameron Garfield was the player who popped out with the bases loaded to end the 6th. He sounded pretty upset with himself, approximately as upset as Chris was with the infield on the bunt "single" in the 7th. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final: @Dunedin 3, Brevard County 2 (11 innings) Brevard County box score The Manatees took a 2-0 lead into the 9th inning only to lose it on a two-out, two-run homer and then lose the game on a series of wild pitches in the 11th. Cody Scarpetta, after getting a few extra days off, came back with a vengeance, ringing up five shutout, one-hit innings with eight strikeouts and two walks. According to Dunedin's announcer, Scarpetta got by mostly with his fastball, throwing only two of his trademark curveballs, both times using them to get strikeouts. Mike Ramlow struck out four in two scoreless innings of relief, followed by a scoreless frame for Darren Byrd in his Brewers debut, before Andre Lamontagne gave up the game-tying blast. Corey Frerichs then came in and picked up the loss. Erik Komatsu singled and doubled in five trips, the only Manatee with multiple hits. Angel Salome celebrated his outrighting with a single and a walk, and Steve Braun doubled and walked. Scott Krieger was 1-4, which actually raised his batting average to .183, but the one was a homer--nine of Krieger's 16 hits this year have been for extra bases (four doubles and five homers). Brevard County play-by-play Lamontagne struck out the side in the 9th, but... Dunedin Bottom 9th Pitcher Change: Andre Lamontagne replaces Darren Byrd. Tyler Pastornicky walks. Brad McElroy strikes out swinging. With Brian Van Kirk batting, Tyler Pastornicky steals (22) 2nd base. Brian Van Kirk strikes out swinging. Michael McDade homers (15) on a fly ball to right field. Tyler Pastornicky scores. Jon Talley strikes out swinging.Dunedin Bottom 11th Tyler Pastornicky singles on a line drive to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Brad McElroy out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Corey Frerichs to first baseman Sean Halton. Tyler Pastornicky to 2nd. Brian Van Kirk flies out to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Corey Frerichs intentionally walks Michael McDade. Jon Talley strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Corey Frerichs. Tyler Pastornicky to 3rd. Michael McDade to 2nd. Jon Talley to 1st. With Mark Sobolewski batting, wild pitch by Corey Frerichs, Tyler Pastornicky scores. Michael McDade to 3rd. Jon Talley to 2nd.

Final: DSL Brewers 1, DSL Cardinals 0DSL Brewers box score Jeez, don't see too many 1-0 gems in the DSL, do you? A day after being the starting DH, Rolando Pascual tossed six shutout, one-hit frames; he walked four and struck out four. 21-year-old lefty Manuel Ruiz continued to carve up the DSL naifs, fanning five over the last three innings to pick up a long save. 18-year-old CF Ruben Sanchez continues to rake, 2-4 today to bump his line to .356/.467/.458 through the first 21 games of his pro career. Yonki Hernandez, Allixon Cequea, and Joan Abreu all also had two hits. Jose R. Garcia and Jose Pena, both struggling mightily, were 0-3. Hitaniel Arias and Andres Martinez did not play. DSL Brewers play-by-play The lone run: DSL Brewers Bottom 6th Yonki Hernandez flies out to right fielder Jose Pena. Ruben Sanchez singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Pena. With Allixon Cequea batting, Ruben Sanchez steals (8) 2nd base. Allixon Cequea singles on a ground ball to third baseman Rafael Medina. Ruben Sanchez to 3rd. Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to left fielder Eduardo Celestino. Ruben Sanchez scores. Allixon Cequea to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Edouard Estalis replaces Delvi Rodriguez. Jose Pena hit by pitch. Allixon Cequea to 3rd. Juan De Leon to 2nd. Jose R. Garcia flies into double play, right fielder Jose Pena to catcher Luis Perez. Allixon Cequea out at home on the throw.

For the Red Sox. Come on now, that's just being disingenuous.

Mehring just said that Odorizzi's turn would be skipped next time through the rotation.

MLB.com's Jordan Schelling reports than Angel Salome was outrighted off the 40-man roster. That means he passed through waivers with no team in baseball claiming him. Discuss the Salome transaction here.

Nashville media notesHuntsville media notes Rattler Radio: Game notes Tonight's pitcher Starting lineup

From Baseball America's transactions report, we learn that 36th-rounder R.J. Johnson, a prep righty from Mississippi, has signed. You can read colbyjack's scouting report on Johnson, who sounds at least modestly promising, here. We also learn that 3B Wayne Dedrick, OF Juan Barrini, and newly signed LHP Tony Butler were all put on the 7-day DL at Arizona. Dedrick hasn't played yet this year and might still be recovering from knee surgery. EDIT: Actually, the transactions listed run through 6/27, and Butler pitched on 6/28, so I'm not sure what to make of that.

In lieu of a regular Hot Sheet, this week BA presented their prospect all-stars, with Lawrie taking the honors at second base: And a Lawrie question from the chat: [tt][/tt]

Sounds like Oeltjen did indeed activate his out clause:

OF Lorenzo Cain was (finally) promoted to Nashville, with utilityman Juan Sanchez returning to Huntsville from Brevard County. If you'd like, discuss Cain's promotion in this thread.

Final: Chattanooga 4, Huntsville 1 (15 innings)Huntsville box score Not sure if the lateness will prevent Chad & co. from putting up a recap tonight, so I'll go ahead and do a mini one. There's good detail on the goings-on in the posts above; suffice to say, this was not a pretty defeat. Brett Lawrie was 2-5 (again, both his came off a lefty, albeit a very good one in Aaron Miller) with two walks, one of the walks being of the unintentional intentional sort at the hands of another lefty. Lorenzo Cain was 3-7 with a double, and Zelous Wheeler was 2-7 with a solo shot, his seventh. Chuckie Caufield also had two hits and walked once. Caleb Gindl had a bit of a tough night, 0-5 with three strikeouts, though he did walk once and laid down a sac bunt. Josh Butler started and turned in his best performance of the year, allowing just an unearned run in six innings on three hits, hitting a batter, walking none and fanning three. He also posted an outstanding 11/2 ground out/air out ratio. Robert Hinton struck out four in two scoreless innings while allowing just a single; it sounded like he was flashing the great stuff that made him a nice relief prospect once upon a time. Nick Green also pitched well for three innings before running out of gas in the 15th. Huntsville play-by-play Here's the winning rally from the Lookouts: Chattanooga Top 15th Jessie Mier doubles (6) on a ground ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Elian Herrera out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Zelous Wheeler to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Jessie Mier to 3rd. Nick Green intentionally walks Dee Gordon. Coaching visit to mound. With Eduardo Perez batting, throwing error by Nick Green on the pickoff attempt, Jessie Mier scores. Eduardo Perez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Dee Gordon to 3rd. With Jerry Sands batting, Eduardo Perez steals (5) 2nd base. Jerry Sands called out on strikes. Corey Smith doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Dee Gordon scores. Eduardo Perez scores. Andrew Lambo lines out to left fielder Chuck Caufield. And here's the Stars coming up empty twice against starting third baseman Corey Smith (who, you'll notice above, knocked in two insurance runs in between mound turns): Huntsville Bottom 14th Defensive Substitution: Eduardo Perez replaces pitcher Cole St. Clair, batting 2nd, playing third base. Pitcher Change: Corey Smith replaces Cole St. Clair, batting 4th, replacing pitcher Corey Smith. Dayton Buller walks. Nick Green strikes out on foul bunt. Brett Lawrie flies out to center fielder Elian Herrera. Lorenzo Cain flies out to center fielder Elian Herrera. Huntsville Bottom 15th Caleb Gindl flies out to left fielder Andrew Lambo. Zelous Wheeler lines out to center fielder Elian Herrera. Steffan Wilson walks. Chuck Caufield strikes out swinging.

Final: Billings 4, Helena 0Helena box score The H-Crew's hot bats were cooled off by 12 strikeouts from the Mustangs' staff. Cody Hawn and John Bivens each had two hits (one of Hawn's a double), but the rest of the Helena batters combined for only one more. Bivens drew a walk, as did Greg Hopkins and Mike Walker. Both Johnny Dishon and Franklin Romero fanned thrice as part of 0-4 efforts. Starter Tyler Cravy allowed four runs, three earned, in six innings, giving up seven hits, walking two, and striking out three. Chad Robinson tossed 1.2 scoreless innings in relief before leaving with what Steve speculated was yet another shoulder injury. Sounded like Robinson was in significant pain. I'm a little confused by Carlos George continuing to play shortstop with Shea Vucinich, supposedly a fine defender, on the team. As we're all well aware, and as I beat somewhat to death earlier this year when George and Scooter Gennett were keystone partners, George is not exactly a defensive wizard. Helena play-by-play The Brewers' best chance to score came in the 8th: Helena Top 8th John Bivens singles on a line drive to left fielder Theo Bowe. With Tony Pechek batting, John Bivens steals (1) 2nd base. Tony Pechek grounds out, third baseman Oliver Santos to first baseman Jonathan Kaskow. Carlos George singles on a ground ball to pitcher Blaine Howell. John Bivens to 3rd. John Dishon grounds into double play, third baseman Oliver Santos to second baseman Billy Hamilton to first baseman Jonathan Kaskow. Carlos George out at 2nd.

Final: Burlington 7, Wisconsin 6Victory slips away in Burlington Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers led the Burlington Bees 6-0 heading into the seventh inning stretch Thursday night at Community Field. But, the Bees rallied to beat Wisconsin 7-6 and spoil another strong start by Rattlers pitcher Jake Odorizzi. Wisconsin (30-45 overall, 4-3 second half) started the game with a four run first inning. Scooter Gennett doubled with one out. Kentrail Davis and Khris Davis had consecutive RBI triples for a 2-0 lead. Hunter Morris singled to knock in Khris Davis. Chris Dennis capped the scoring for the Rattlers in the first with an RBI single, the sixth hit of the inning for the Rattlers, to send Morris home for a 4-0 lead. The Rattlers could not add to their lead against Burlington starter Keaton Hayenga, who would work through the fifth inning. Odorizzi kept the Bees (25-51, 3-4) off the scoreboard through the first six innings and was rewarded for his effort with two more runs in the top of the seventh. Dennis start the inning with a solo homer to right off reliever Brandon Barrow. The Rattlers designated hitter launched a 2-0 pitch to right for his ninth long ball of the season. Khris Davis delivered a two-out RBI single later in the frame for a comfortable 6-0 lead. At least it seemed comfortable. The Bees had other ideas. Luis Del Rosario singled with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. An errant pickoff throw by Odorizzi allowed Del Rosario to charge around to third base. An infield single off the glove of Odorizzi by Drew Robertson got the Bees on the scoreboard. Odorizzi closed out the seventh with a strikeout. The right-hander allowed a run on eight hits, walked one, and struck out eight. In three starts against Burlington this season, Odorizzi has allowed one run and struck out 26 over 18 innings. He looked like he was in line for his third win against the Bees, too. But, Burlington took advantage of the Wisconsin bullpen in the eighth inning. Santo Manzanillo relieved Odorizzi to start the eighth. JD Alfaro singled. Carlo Testa walked. Joey Lewis singled to score Alfaro. Rene Oriental walked and the game was suddenly 6-2 with the tying run at the plate. Manzanillo struck out the next batter, but walked Del Rosario, a .190 hitter on the season, to force in a run. That would be all for Manzanillo. Alex Jones, a 2010 draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers who joined the Timber Rattlers on Thursday, got pinch hitter Jose Bonilla to tap back to the mound. But, Jones went to first for the out instead of home for the force out and potential inning-ending double play. Lewis scored on the play to make the score 6-4. Hilton Richardson, a .194 hitter on the season, walked to reload the bases with two outs. Then, Gerard Hall, the ninth man to hit in the inning singled to drive in the tying runs. Michael Marseco drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth inning and he was sacrificed to second base. But, he was left stranded. The Bees completed their comeback in the bottom of the ninth. Testa walked to start the inning against Jones. A wild pitch allowed Testa to take second base. One out later, Oriental singled to left and Testa scored the winning run with ease after a bobble by left fielder Khris Davis. The blown save was the thirteenth of the season for the Rattlers who now fall to 3-21 in games decided by one run. Game two of the series at Community Field is Friday night. Wisconsin has Del Howell (1-2, 5.67) as the scheduled starting pitcher. Burlington will counter with Sugar Ray Marimon (1-2, 10.80). Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280 WNAM or www.timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm. Wisconsin box score Ugh. The contrast between Odorizzi and Manzanillo/Jones was stark, to say the least. Mehring's consternation at Jones' decision to go to first on the tapper back to the mound was obvious. I did learn that Jones is a true sidearmer; no wonder his slider can be so effective. D'Vontrey Richardson singled to lead off both the first and second innings but was immediately erased both times, the first on a pickoff and the second on a pitch-out. Gennett added a single to his double, Khris Davis walked and singled to go with his triple, and Dennis singled in addition to his homer. Wisconsin play-by-play Parental guidance suggested for this PBP: Burlington Bottom 8th Pitcher Change: Santo Manzanillo replaces Jake Odorizzi. J. D. Alfaro singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Carlo Testa walks. J. D. Alfaro to 2nd. Joey Lewis singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. J. Alfaro scores. Carlo Testa to 2nd. Rene Oriental walks. Carlo Testa to 3rd. Joey Lewis to 2nd. Deivy Batista strikes out swinging. Luis Del Rosario walks. Carlo Testa scores. Joey Lewis to 3rd. Rene Oriental to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Alex Jones replaces Santo Manzanillo. Jose Bonilla grounds out, pitcher Alex Jones to first baseman Hunter Morris. Joey Lewis scores. Rene Oriental to 3rd. Luis Del Rosario to 2nd. Hilton Richardson walks. Gerard Hall singles on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Rene Oriental scores. Luis Del Rosario scores. Hilton Richardson to 3rd. J. D. Alfaro strikes out swinging.

Rattlers imploding.