TheCrew07

I see the connection you're trying to make Homer but I don't think it's relevant. DL stints have more of a direct correlation to age than to the medical staff. In 2008 the only serious injury was Gallardo's, I think the injury frequency was a by product of the youth movement more than anything else. Weeks and Hardy managed to have significant injuries, but the rest of the group has been very durable. This is year is case in point the opposite direction, all these oldies and a ton of DL time. Injury treatment and diagnosis has been a continual issue with this team for a very long time, since I got back into baseball around Y2K and certainly since I found Brewerfan.

I just want to make sure I'm getting this right... Neither player is making enough progress being able to work with the team's medical staff, so they are being sent home to heal "mentally" if not physically? What kind of garbage is this? I could maybe see Estrada faking it... maybe... but both players? What are the odds that 2 players who both need to perform well to stay in the bigs and extend their carreers would fake an injury in the same year? The questions our glorious 2 beat reporters should be asking is that why does one injury seemingly always lead to another with players from Milwaukee through rookie ball? Why do so many of our players return before they are actually healthy enough to perform well? Why do they wait 2 or 3 weeks to get MRIs done for injury diagnosis? Why are players being sent home to "heal'? It's fine and dandy to report the Brewers think they are faking injuries, without actually reporting it by the way (what great hearsay journalism), how about getting the other side of the story for a change? Is there additional conflict between Gerut and Macha? Gerut and the training staff? I'm not huge fan of Jody but my goodness he's overcome significant injury in the past and knows all about rehab, there's obviously something else going on here.

Not surprising that all 3 of us would lament that 2008 draft tonight.

Final: Great Falls 15, Helena 4 Helena Boxscore Seth Lintz crusied through the 1st, got a big double play in the 2nd, but blew up in the 3rd, this pick is looking a "miss" right now. Seth lasted 3.1, giving up 9 runs, 7 earned, on 8 hits, 2 walks and 1 strike out while allowing 2 HRs. Evan Frederickson also stumbled tonight, with a horrible sequence I'll highlight below when he came into the game in the 4th. Rob Currie was solid over his 2.1 IP. Tyler Keening couldn't get out of the 9th walking 5 in 2/3 of an inning so a position player, Connor Lind, came in to record the final out. Carlos George was 1-4 with a 2B, Cody Hawn was 1-4 with a HR, and John Dishon was 1-3 to round out the noteworthy offensive achievements. The pre game audio was good, but by the time I was ready to switch back from WI the feed was dead so I have no other insights to offer. The H-Crew committed 5 errors in the game, Mike Walker (3) and Carlos George (2) were the culprits. Helena Recap I would have given this the ",,," but we don't do that here. The Great Falls 3rd and 4th are all you really need to know. I'd really like know why Frederickson goes completely wild out of the blue on occasion? Great Falls Top 3rd Randall Thorpe flies out to right fielder John Dishon. Kyle Davis walks. With Dusty Harvard batting, Kyle Davis steals (2) 2nd base. Dusty Harvard singles on a ground ball to left fielder John Bivens. Kyle Davis scores. With Ross Wilson batting, wild pitch by Seth Lintz, . Dusty Harvard out at 3rd, catcher Tony Pechek to third baseman Michael Walker. Ross Wilson walks. Juan Silverio homers (3) on a fly ball to left center field. Ross Wilson scores. Rafael Vera reaches on fielding error by third baseman Michael Walker. Michael Blanke reaches on fielding error by third baseman Michael Walker. Rafael Vera to 3rd. With Leighton Pangilinan batting, wild pitch by Seth Lintz, Rafael Vera scores. Michael Blanke to 2nd. Leighton Pangilinan grounds out, second baseman Shea Vucinich to first baseman Cody Hawn. Great Falls Top 4th Michael Earley reaches on throwing error by shortstop Carlos George. Michael Earley to 2nd. Randall Thorpe grounds out, third baseman Michael Walker to first baseman Cody Hawn. Michael Earley to 3rd. Kyle Davis singles on a fly ball to center fielder Reggie Keen. Michael Earley scores. Dusty Harvard homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Kyle Davis scores. Ross Wilson singles on a line drive to right fielder John Dishon. Juan Silverio doubles (8) on a fly ball to left fielder John Bivens. Ross Wilson to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Evan Frederickson replaces Seth Lintz. Rafael Vera singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reggie Keen. Ross Wilson scores. Juan Silverio scores. With Michael Blanke batting, wild pitch by Evan Frederickson, Rafael Vera to 2nd. With Michael Blanke batting, wild pitch by Evan Frederickson, Rafael Vera to 3rd. Michael Blanke singles on a fly ball to right fielder John Dishon. Rafael Vera scores. Leighton Pangilinan strikes out swinging. Michael Earley hit by pitch. Michael Blanke to 2nd. Randall Thorpe grounds into a force out, shortstop Carlos George to second baseman Shea Vucinich. Michael Earley out at 2nd.

Final: Wisconsin 13, Beloit 5 Wisconsin cracks Snappers with 18 hits By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BELOIT, WI - Khris Davis led the way for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Thursday night at Pohlman Field. The All-Star left fielder went 4-for-5 with a homer and five RBI pace Wisconsin to a 13-5 victory over the Beloit Snappers. The Rattlers banged out 18 hits and Nick Bucci allowed three runs over seven innings for his fourth win of the season. Wisconsin (32-50 overall, 6-8 second half) grabbed the lead with a run in the top of the first inning. Davis drove in Cutter Dykstra with a two-out double. The Rattlers' bats immediately went to work in the top of the second. Chris Dennis singled on the first pitch. Two pitches later Michael Marseco tripled to send Dennis home. Austin Stockfisch blooped in the very next pitch for an RBI single and the Rattlers were up 3-0 four pitches into the second. D'Vontrey Richardson would knock in Stockfisch later in the inning with another RBI single. Davis struck again in the top of the third inning. He lined a two-run homer over the wall in right-center for a 6-0 lead. The long ball was the thirteenth of the season for Davis. Wisconsin had two on with one out in the top of the fourth and Davis stepped to the plate again. He delivered a two-run double to right field and the Rattlers were up 8-0. The Snappers (43-40, 6-8) broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning against Bucci. Yorby Martinez doubled for the first hit of the game for Beloit. James Beresford followed with a triple to score Martinez. Beresford scored on a wild pitch. Bucci retired the next two batters, but a hit batsman put a runner aboard. Anderson Hildago made Bucci pay with an RBI double to cut the Wisconsin lead to five runs. The Rattlers offense answered back with help from the Beloit defense in the top of the fifth. Marseco reached on an error and was at second after a one out walk to Erik Miller. Richardson's grounder to third went through the legs of Hidalgo and Marseco scored. Later in the inning, Dykstra singled in the tenth run of the game for Wisconsin. Gennett and Davis singled with one out in the top of the eighth inning. Morris followed with a double to drive in Gennett. Davis scored on a wild pitch. Then, Dennis picked up an RBI with a single to right that scored Morris for a 13-3 lead. Bucci exited after seven innings. He allowed three runs on four hits and was in line for his fourth win of the season. Beloit got a pair of unearned runs of Santo Manzanillo in the bottom of the eighth. But, the Snappers would get no closer. The final game of Wisconsin's nine-game road trip is Friday night at Pohlman Field. Maverick Lasker (5-3, 3.29) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has Miguel Munoz (6-5, 5.40) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:00pm. You can tune in for the broadcast on AM1280 WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm. HOME RUN: WIS: Khris Davis (13th, 1 on in 3rd inning, off Michael Tonkin, 0 out) WP: Nick Bucci (4-3) LP: Michael Tonkin (2-6) TIME: 2:54 ATTN: 807 Wisconsin Boxscore Nick Bucci's final line...7 innings, allowing 3 ER on only 4 hits while walking 1 and striking out 3. Santo Manzanillo relieved and wasn't helped all by the defense in the 8th, but Santo is just extremely inconsistent right now. Scooter Gennett (2-5) extended his hit streak to 14 games, who would have guessed that 2 of last year's high school draftees would lead the league in batting average (Mike Trout is the league leader hitting over .360)? Not only did Khris Davis have a monster day at the plate, he also made a diving catch in the Beloit bullpen during the 8th inning. As noted Kris was 4-5 including 2 doubles and his 13th HR of the season... what a stud he's been. Hunter Morris is heating up, he was 3-5 with 2 doubles. Cutter Dykstra was 2-5, Chris Dennis was 2-5, and Michael Marseco was 2-5 with the triple noted in the summary. Wisconsin Recap One of the more pleasurable recaps of the season, here is Bucci's 4th... Beloit Bottom 4th Yorby Martinez doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Erik Miller. James Beresford triples (4) on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Yorby Martinez scores. Derek McCallum lines out to third baseman Cutter Dykstra. With Josmil Pinto batting, wild pitch by Nicholas Bucci, James Beresford scores. Josmil Pinto grounds out, shortstop Michael Marseco to first baseman Hunter Morris. Steven Liddle hit by pitch. Anderson Hidalgo doubles (23) on a line drive to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Steven Liddle scores. Wang-Wei Lin grounds out, pitcher Nicholas Bucci to first baseman Hunter Morris. edit. Mass pointed out I've been spelling Khris Davis' name wrong all season. My apologies to Khris and family.

Final: Chattanooga 11, Huntsville 2 Huntsville Boxscore Another day, another first inning crooked number against one of our starting pitchers. Michael Bowman went 6 innings, giving up 3 runs on the bookends, pushing his season ERA over 6. My boy Michael only gave up 6 his, but he gave up 7 walks, struck out 3, and allowed a HR. Mark Willinsky followed and was hit hard in both innings he pitched, allowing the last 5, maybe a bit of a sacrificial lamb here. No Star had multiple hits, Dayton Buller did have a double. Huntsville Recap 4 big innings... it was a game until the 6th, hard pressed to find a cheap run in there. Chattanooga Bottom 1st Dee Gordon strikes out swinging, catcher Dayton Buller to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Trayvon Robinson walks. With Jerry Sands batting, Trayvon Robinson steals (26) 2nd base, . Trayvon Robinson advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Dayton Buller. Jerry Sands walks. Corey Smith homers (9) on a fly ball to left field. Trayvon Robinson scores. Jerry Sands scores. Andrew Lambo grounds out, second baseman Brett Lawrie to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Jaime Pedroza walks. Coaching visit to mound. Kyle Russell flies out to left fielder Chuck Caufield. Chattanooga Bottom 6th Jerry Sands walks. Coaching visit to mound. Corey Smith walks. Jerry Sands to 2nd. Andrew Lambo singles on a ground ball to right fielder Drew T. Anderson. Jerry Sands scores. Corey Smith to 3rd. Jaime Pedroza singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Corey Smith scores. Andrew Lambo to 2nd. Kyle Russell singles on a ground ball to left fielder Chuck Caufield. Andrew Lambo scores. Jaime Pedroza out at 3rd, left fielder Chuck Caufield to third baseman Zelous Wheeler to second baseman Brett Lawrie to shortstop Anderson Machado. Kyle Russell to 2nd on the throw. Jessie Mier lines out to left fielder Chuck Caufield. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Eduardo Perez replaces Brent Leach. Eduardo Perez flies out to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Chattanooga Bottom 7th Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces Michael Bowman, batting 7th, replacing left fielder Chuck Caufield. Defensive Substitution: Lee Haydel replaces pitcher Michael Bowman, batting 9th, playing left field. Dee Gordon singles on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. With Trayvon Robinson batting, Dee Gordon steals (32) 2nd base. Trayvon Robinson walks. Jerry Sands walks. Dee Gordon to 3rd. Trayvon Robinson to 2nd. Coaching visit to mound. Corey Smith out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Dee Gordon scores. Andrew Lambo grounds out to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Trayvon Robinson to 3rd. Jerry Sands to 2nd. Jaime Pedroza singles on a soft line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Trayvon Robinson scores. Jerry Sands scores. Kyle Russell lines out to left fielder Lee Haydel. Chattanooga Bottom 8th Jessie Mier triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Caleb Gindl, deflected by right fielder Drew T. Anderson. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Nivar replaces Eric Krebs. Ramon Nivar grounds out, second baseman Brett Lawrie to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Jessie Mier scores. Dee Gordon doubles (11) on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. Trayvon Robinson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Dee Gordon scores. Coaching visit to mound. Jerry Sands grounds into a force out, pitcher Mark Willinsky to shortstop Anderson Machado. Trayvon Robinson out at 2nd. Jerry Sands to 1st. Corey Smith doubles (25) on a ground ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Jerry Sands to 3rd. Andrew Lambo strikes out swinging. Drew Anderson was ejected after striking out? Perhaps a check swing call? Huntsville Top 9th Pitcher Change: Kenley Jansen replaces Eric Krebs, batting 9th. Drew T. Anderson strikes out swinging. Huntsville Stars first baseman Drew T. Anderson ejected by HP umpire Will Little. Zelous Wheeler flies out to center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Steffan Wilson strikes out swinging.

I'll just say that people who are once again making the argument against prospects either don't understand the limited value a player like Hart carries or aren't interested in acquiring inexpensive and productive talent. When trading players like Hart for a "proven" MLB pitcher, all we're getting back is a Dave Bush in return. The Bushs of the world are nice players, but they also have very limited ceilings as pitchers. Bush was never going to more than a solid #3, and honestly that type of pitching is not an organizational need, we have plenty of mid to back of the rotation guys, what we don't' have are top of the rotation starters that are going to give us 7 IP on a consistent basis. Prospects flame out, prospects haven't proven anything, prospects are unpredictable, prospects blah blah blah... What does any of that have to do with relative talent? Shouldn't it be clear that if all we ever acquire is average MLB pitching, the team is never going to be better than average? 1 minor league pitcher isn't enough? My goodness how much can we get for Hart? Minor has a K rate over 10 in his short minor league career and carries a fastball that tops around 90, what more are we going to get for a player like Hart? No one is going to give up 2 real pitching prospects for Hart, we'll be hard pressed to get 2 real pitching prospects for Fielder. I much rather trade for 1 Mike Minor than sign 1 Doug Davis every off season.

I'd be shocked if that deal happened, but I'd be alright with it as Minor is about the best we're going to do out of Hart. He's a pitchability guy, but he's young and a LHP. He could overachieve with pitching savvy, but I'd be hesitant to qualify his upside as anything more than a 3rd starter at this time. Again, it's a good trade for us value wise and a good deal for Hart.

How would a lifetime ban be different than him blowing out his shoulder except that he would have mentally trashed his career instead of physically? We aren't talking about Wlhelmsen who got an organizational death penalty in 1 season, JJ's issues have been going on for years. He's done this to himself, he's been getting all the support than Wilhelmsen didn't and has still struggled to quit smoking. By the way, Wilhelmsen hasn't given up a run and has struck out 17 in 10 IP for the AZL Mariners. If it was a wise move to protect their investment "now", then why not drop him on the 40 man last off season? Why even risk the lifetime ban? JJ really hasn't earned anything yet so far in his career, he hasn't performed above A+. That doesn't mean I don't like him as a player or sympathize with his personal struggles, but I'm really not into gifting roster spots.. ever. I remain very high on his potential as pitcher, but I'm willing to separate myself from that idea judge this situation more on my personal value system. If he earns a Sept call up that would be fantastic, but then add him at him that time. Why is he more at risk during July and August than he was in June, May, and April? Isn't it possible the potential risk of a lifetime is being overstated a tad? I really don't understand what's different today... unless he failed another team drug test and they know he'll fail another league test. As far fetched as that seems to me, even if it was true he's made his bed and has to lay in it. How many chances should people realistically get. Politics aside, we all have workplace rules we don't agree with, how much rope do we get to hang ourselves?

I agree. We'd then have a short term pitcher, but still haven't found anyone to go deep into games and save the bullpen, and we'd have a hole in RF. So what? Hart is gone anyway right? Gamel, Cain, Lawrie, etc could all possibly fill that hole long term, 1 OF spot is the least of our concerns. It's not creating another hole, it's trading up in value. Sanchez isn't a guy I'd be all that thrilled to acquire, but who care about trading any position player not name Braun? Sanchez does have plenty of talent, but he's not a long term solution, which is the only reason I'd be hesitant to acquire him. If we aren't winning with the players we have I don't understand the fascination with keeping them? We were below .500 last year, we're below .500 this year. We already unintentionally punted twice during what was supposed to be an extended run of success with this core. What we have and what we've done isn't working, time to try something else.

I wonder what the headline in the JS will be if Parra gives up 4 runs over 6 IP...

Final, 11 innings: Great Falls 4, Helena 3 Helena Boxscore Well darn, a Carlos George error ends up being the difference in the game. Hiram Burgos was solid as the starter going 5.2 IP, 1ER, 1BB, and 7SO. Adrian Rosario went the next 1.1 allowing and earned run on 3 hits. Tony Butler was more wild than the box would suggest pitching 5 straight balls at one point, but he got a huge pickoff to get himself out of a jam. Eric Marzak gets the tough loss in this one. John Dishon can really bunt with wood bats, another bunt base hit tonight. He was 2-5 with a triple. Reggie Keen was 1-5 with a 2B, Carlos George was 2-6, and Brandon Sizemore was 1-5 with a double. Helana Recap George was also picked off, not his best night. Helena Bottom 1st Reggie Keen doubles (6) on a line drive to left fielder Dusty Harvard. Carlos George singles on a ground ball to center fielder Randall Thorpe. Reggie Keen scores. With Cody Hawn batting, Carlos George steals (3) 2nd base. Cody Hawn flies out to left fielder Dusty Harvard. With Shea Vucinich batting, Carlos George caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher David Holmberg to third baseman Juan Silverio to second baseman Ross Wilson. Shea Vucinich flies out to right fielder Ryan Lee. Another costly out on the bases in the 4th. Helena Bottom 4th John Dishon triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Ryan Lee. Michael Walker walks. Brandon Sizemore reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Juan Silverio to catcher Robert Vaughn. John Dishon out at home. Michael Walker to 2nd. Gerald Ogrinc grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Juan Silverio. Michael Walker out at 3rd. Brandon Sizemore to 2nd. Gerald Ogrinc to 1st. John Bivens strikes out swinging. I tuned in just in time for this: Great Falls Top 7th Kyle Davis singles on a line drive to left fielder John Bivens. Dusty Harvard grounds out, shortstop Carlos George to first baseman Brandon Sizemore. Kyle Davis to 2nd. Ross Wilson grounds out, second baseman Shea Vucinich to first baseman Brandon Sizemore. Kyle Davis to 3rd. Juan Silverio singles on a ground ball to left fielder John Bivens. Kyle Davis scores. Juan Silverio out at 2nd, left fielder John Bivens to second baseman Shea Vucinich. The 11th. Great Falls Top 11th Pitcher Change: Eric Marzec replaces Tony Butler. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jeffrey Tezak replaces Robert Vaughn. Jeffrey Tezak walks. Michael Earley out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Brandon Sizemore to second baseman Shea Vucinich. Jeffrey Tezak to 2nd. Randall Thorpe reaches on fielding error by shortstop Carlos George. Jeffrey Tezak scores. Kyle Davis strikes out swinging. With Dusty Harvard batting, Randall Thorpe caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Gerald Ogrinc to shortstop Carlos George. Helena Bottom 11th Defensive Substitution: Jose Ramos replaces Jeffrey Tezak, batting 6th, playing catcher. Carlos George called out on strikes. Cody Hawn flies out to center fielder Randall Thorpe. Shea Vucinich reaches on throwing error by shortstop Kyle Davis. Shea Vucinich to 2nd. With John Dishon batting, wild pitch by Jacob Wilson, Shea Vucinich to 3rd. John Dishon called out on strikes.

Helena in extras, tune in if you're awake and looking for something to do. Milwaukee area native Tony Butler is currently on the hill.

Final: Beloit 5, Wisconsin 1 Citizen Kane quiets Rattlers in Beloit By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BELOIT, WI - Kane Holbrooks pitched five shutout innings for the Beloit Snappers in a 5-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wednesday night at Pohlman Field. Anderson Hidalgo had three hits and Danny Rams homered and drove in three runs to pace the offense for Beloit. The Rattlers have lost three straight and are 1-6 in the first seven games of their current nine game road trip. The Snappers (43-39 overall, 6-7 second half) scored three times in the bottom of the fourth inning to the lead. Josmil Pinto started the inning with a double. One out later, Hidalgo doubled in Pinto. One out after that, Rams hit a line drive home run to center to make the score 3-0. Holbrooks, who was a Midwest League All-Star after being the Snappers closer in the first half of the season, pitched five scoreless innings before turning the game over to the Beloit bullpen. Holbrooks allowed two hits, struck out five, and did not walk a batter. Beloit added to their lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Hidalgo tripled, his third hit of the game, to start the inning. Wang Wei Lin doubled in Hidalgo. Rams drove in Lin later in the inning with a sacrifice fly for a 5-0 lead. Wisconsin (31-50, 5-8) got their run in the top of the seventh inning. Hunter Morris doubled, his second of the game, with one out. Chris Dennis doubled with two outs to send Morris home to cut the lead to 5-1. But, the Rattlers could get no closer. Del Howell was the starting pitcher for the Rattlers. He went six innings and allowed 10 hits. The Beloit leadoff batter reached in each of the six innings that Howell worked. He struck out four in the game, but saw his record fall to 1-4. Game two of the series is set for Thursday night at Pohlman Field. Nick Bucci (3-3, 3.55) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit will send Michael Tonkin (2-5, 3.70) to the mound. Game time is 7:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame show at 6:40pm. HOME RUN: BEL: Danny Rams (7th, 1 on in 4th inning, off Del Howell, 2 out) WP: Kane Holbrooks (4-3) LP: Del Howell (1-4) TIME: 2:14 ATTN: 479 Wisconsin BoxscoreMichael Marseco got the night off after the head to helmet collision last night, more precautionary than anything else according to Chris. Del Howell wasn't as sharp tonight, giving up quite a few XBHs through his 6 complete. He allowed 10 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, and struck out 4. Mat Costello finished the game on the hill with 2 scoreless. Scooter Gennett extended his hit streak with the a fore mentioned triple, Hunter Morris was 2-4 with 2Bs, and Chris Dennis was 1-3 with a 2B. Wisconsin Recap The T-Rats had their chances but made outs on the bases. Wisconsin Top 7th Khristopher Davis flies out to center fielder Aaron Hicks. Hunter Morris doubles (7) on a fly ball to center fielder Aaron Hicks. Cameron Garfield flies out to center fielder Aaron Hicks. Chris Dennis doubles (22) on a fly ball to left fielder Reggie Williams. Hunter Morris scores. Erik Miller reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Anderson Hidalgo unassisted. Chris Dennis out at 3rd Wisconsin Top 8th Defensive Substitution: Yorby Martinez replaces center fielder Aaron Hicks, batting 1st, playing left field. Defensive switch from right field to center field for Wang-Wei Lin. Defensive switch from left field to right field for Reggie Williams. Pitcher Change: Chris Armstrong replaces Andrei Lobanov. Kyle Dhanani walks. D' Vontrey Richardson lines out to right fielder Reggie Williams. Cutter Dykstra strikes out swinging and Kyle Dhanani caught stealing 2nd, catcher Daniel Rams to second baseman Derek McCallum.

I agree BK, he's been below average, how is he on the All-Star team?

This season continues to be disheartening on a variety of levels... but we're still in it right Doug?

Final: Helena 7, Missoula 4 Helena Boxscore Tyler Cravy was the SP here today and apparently struggled a bit with his command walking 5 batters in 5.1, I actually listened in to the WI broadcast again today so I don't have any first hand knowledge of how he pitched.. Rob Currie followed allowing his first runs of the season and Brian Garman closed it for his second save of the season. The usual suspects contributed on offense: Shea Vucinich was 2-4 with a 2B, Cody Hawn 1-4 with a HR, John Dishon was 2-5 with a 2B, and Brandon Sizemore was 1-4 with a 2B. Helena Recap The H-Crew jumped out early and never looked back. Helena Top 1st Reggie Keen grounds out, second baseman Antonio Sepulveda to first baseman Bobby Stone. Shea Vucinich doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder Roberto Rodriguez. Cody Hawn homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Shea Vucinich scores. Gregory Hopkins walks. With John Dishon batting, Gregory Hopkins steals (1) 2nd base. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Connor Lind replaces Gregory Hopkins. Helena Brewers third baseman Gregory Hopkins left the game due to an injured head. John Dishon called out on strikes. Michael Walker singles on a pop up to second baseman Antonio Sepulveda. Connor Lind scores. Brandon Sizemore walks. Michael Walker to 2nd. Tony Pechek strikes out swinging. Cravy made his own mess in the 5th Missoula Bottom 5th Raul Navarro grounds out, second baseman Connor Lind to first baseman Brandon Sizemore. Javan Williams walks. Roberto Rodriguez doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder John Dishon. Javan Williams to 3rd. Adam Eaton walks. Richie Rowland grounds into a force out, first baseman Brandon Sizemore to shortstop Shea Vucinich. Javan Williams scores. Roberto Rodriguez to 3rd. Adam Eaton out at 2nd. Richie Rowland to 1st. Eric Groff pops out to first baseman Brandon Sizemore.

Final: Cedar Rapids 5, Wisconsin 0 Rattlers get the Locke-down By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Stephen Locke tossed eight shutout innings to lead the Cedar Rapids Kernels to a 5-0 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Perfect Game Field on Tuesday night. Jean Segura drove in one run, scored one run, and help to prevent a Wisconsin tally at a key point in the game. Tuesday was just the fifth time Wisconsin has been shutout this season. Cedar Rapids (50-30 overall, 7-5 second half) broke the scoreless tie with an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning. Jean Segura tripled with two outs. He scored on a passed ball. The Rattlers (31-49, 5-7) had a chance to tie the game in the top of the fifth. Erik Miller reached on a bunt single, went to second on sacrifice bunt, and took third on a balk by Locke. The Kernels brought the infield in and it paid off for them. D'Vontrey Richardson sent a grounder to second and Segura's throw home beat Miller. The Rattler outfielder charged to the plate, lowered his shoulder, and tried to knock the ball free from catcher Jose Jimenez. The Kernels backstop absorbed the hit and held on for the out. Cedar Rapids added a run in the bottom of the fifth. Mike Trout singled, stole second, and scored on a single by Segura. Locke kept the Rattlers off the scoreboard with eight solid innings. He scattered six hits and struck out three. The Kernels put three runs up in the bottom of the eighth. A two-run double by Ricky Alvarez made it 4-0. Justin Bass followed with an RBI single to center. In the top of the ninth, the Rattlers loaded the bases with one out on two walks and a hit batter against Johnny Hellweg. But, Hellweg settled down to get a strikeout and a grounder to first to finish off Wisconsin. The Kernels are 10-3 against the Rattlers in 2010. That includes a 6-1 record at Perfect Game Field. The teams will play seven more times in August. The Rattlers continue their road trip with a game against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Wednesday night. Del Howell (1-3, 5.13) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Beloit has Edgar Ibarra (4-7, 5.13) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:00pm. You may tune into the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM beginning with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm. WP: Stephen Lock (4-2) LP: Kyle Heckathorn (6-5) TIME: 2:33 ATTN: 3,807 Wisconsin BoxscoreHeckathorn wasn't a sharp tonight with his command, but still held the opposition to only 1 earned run. Caleb Theilbar wasn't sharp either allowing 3 runs in 3IP. He's now allowed an ER in 4 of his last 5 games. Only 6 hits for the T-Rats, Scooter Gennett was 2-4 with a 2B, Kris Davis was 2-3, and Custter Dystrka went 1-3 with a 2B. Kentrail Davis did not play. Wisconsin Recap Here's the play Marseco got crush on, Chris sounded genuinely concerned as he tried to describe what happened. Cedar Rapids Bottom 2nd Ricky Alvarez pops out to second baseman Ryan Gennett. Justin Bass singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Jon Karcich singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Justin Bass to 2nd. Justin Bass out at 3rd, pitcher Kyle Heckathorn to third baseman Cutter Dykstra to shortstop Michael Marseco. Jon Karcich to 2nd. Tyler Mann strikes out swinging.

Final: Missoula 8, Helena 4 Helena Boxscore Steve spoke in glowing terms of Tyler Thornburg before the game. I actually listed to the WI games tonight so I didn't catch anything beyond the pre game. Thornburg did not disappoint, striking out 4 over 2 innings while allowing a solo HR. One of my favorite names in the system, Stosh Wawrzasek, was pitching well until a disastrous 7th. Thomas Keeling saw his first action and didn't fare well either, Eric Marzec pitched a clean final 1.1 innings. Reggie Keen was a monster at the plate going 3-4 with 2 doubles and a HR, Shea Vucinich was 1-4 with a 2B, Greg Hopkins 2-5, Gerald Ogrinc 2-3 with 2 errors, and John Bivens 1-3 with a HR Helena Recap The Missoula 7th.. i think this is usually the peanut inning isn't it? Steve must have been going crazy if it was.. Missoula Bottom 7th Richie Rowland grounds out, second baseman Gregory Hopkins to first baseman Cody Hawn. Antonio Sepulveda walks. Roidany Aguila doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder John Bivens. Antonio Sepulveda to 3rd. With Raul Navarro batting, wild pitch by Stosh Wawrzasek, Antonio Sepulveda scores. Roidany Aguila to 3rd. Raul Navarro walks. Pitcher Change: Thomas Keeling replaces Stosh Wawrzasek. Chris Jarrett grounds into a force out, second baseman Gregory Hopkins to shortstop Shea Vucinich. Roidany Aguila scores. Raul Navarro out at 2nd. Chris Jarrett to 1st. Roberto Rodriguez walks. Chris Jarrett to 2nd. With Adam Eaton batting, wild pitch by Thomas Keeling, Chris Jarrett to 3rd. Roberto Rodriguez to 2nd. Adam Eaton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Reggie Keen. Chris Jarrett scores. Roberto Rodriguez scores. Adam Eaton to 2nd on the throw. With Eric Groff batting, Adam Eaton steals (7) 3rd base. Eric Groff homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Adam Eaton scores. Bobby Stone walks. Pitcher Change: Eric Marzec replaces Thomas Keeling. With Richie Rowland batting, passed ball by Gerald Ogrinc, Bobby Stone to 2nd. Richie Rowland walks. Antonio Sepulveda strikes out swinging.

Final: 7 innings: Cedar Rapids 13, Wisconsin 5 Haerther drives in 5 to lead Kernels past Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Cedar Rapids Kernels first baseman Casey Haerther made up for not coming through early on Monday night at Perfect Game Field. Haerther struck out as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, the tying run at second, and the winning run at first in a 6-5 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers win in the conclusion of a suspended game from Sunday. Haerther drove in five in the regularly scheduled game and led the Kernels to a 13-5 win. Cedar Rapids (49-30 overall, 6-5 second half) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the first inning against Rattlers starting pitcher Damon Krestalude. But, they only scored one run. An infield single by Justin Bass scored the run. In the second, the Kernels had none on with two outs. Ricky Alvarez doubled. Mike Trout followed with a single to send Alvarez home for a 2-0 lead. The Kernels tacked on three more runs off Krestalude in the bottom of the third inning. Jean Segura tripled to start the inning. Haerther's sacrifice fly scored Segura to make the score 3-0. A walk and a hit-and-run single put runners at second and third to chase Krestalude from the game. Reliever Santo Manzanillo allowed both inherited runners to score. A wild pitch and a sacrifice fly by Tyler Mann scored the two runners and put the Kernels in front 5-0. Cedar Rapids extended their lead to 8-0 with three runs against Manzanillo in the bottom of the fourth. Three straight RBI hits by Matt Long, Segura, and Haerther did the job. Wisconsin (31-48, 5-6) rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Michael Marseco drove in two runs with a single. Later in the inning, Kentrail Davis doubled in a run and an error on the play allowed another run to score to get Wisconsin to within 8-4. The Kernels pulled away in the bottom of the fifth inning against reliever Alex Jones. The bases were loaded with no outs and Jones walked Long to force in a run. After getting the first out, Jones gave up a three-run double to Haerther. That put the Kernels up 12-4. Matt Costello Came out of the bullpen to get the second out, but he gave up an RBI double to Michael Wing and Cedar Rapids had a 13-4 lead. Marseco beat out a potential inning ending double play ball in the top of the sixth inning to allow a runner to score from third to account for Wisconsin's fifth and final run of the game. The final game of the series is Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Kyle Heckathorn (6-4, 2.52) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Cedar Rapids sends Stephen Locke (3-2, 3.05) to the hill. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show starting at 6:15pm. WP: Tyler Kehrer (3-3) LP: Damon Krestalude (2-3) TIME: 2:24 ATTN: 1,169 Wisconsin BoxscoreDid anyone else do a double take on the headline? I thought it said "Heether" the first time I read it. Damon Krestalude was gone a month and I barely noticed I've been so pleased with the WI starting pitching. He struggled from get the go tonight in his first game back. Santo Manzanillo for all the talent in his arm was a gas can again as was Alex Jones... definitely not one of the better pitching performances of the season. Offensively there was quite a bit to like, Scooter Gennett was 2-4 with 2B extending his hit streak to 11 (I think), D' Vontrey Richardson 1-4 with a 2B, Kentrail Davis 1-3 with a HBP (shocking), Cameron Garfield 2-3, Chris Dennis 1-3 with 2B, and Mike Marseco went 2-3 while almost hitting his first career HR. Had it not gone foul in the corner, my summary would have been dedicated entirely to Michael. Wisconsin Reap Just ugly, read at your own risk.

Final: Huntsville 3, Tennessee 1 Pitching dominates in win over Smokies By Aaron Morse Amaury Rivas went six strong innings as the Huntsville Stars (6-8, 39-45) took the lead early and never looked back in a 3-1 victory over the Tennessee Smokies (8-6, 50-33) Monday night. Brett Lawrie started the game the right way with a double to left that Tony Campana misplayed, allowing Lawrie to advance to third. After Caleb Gindl walked, Zelous Wheeler grounded out to second, scoring Lawrie and advancing Gindl to second (audio). For Wheeler, it’s his 40th RBI of the season. With two away, Taylor Green crushed the second double of the inning for the Stars (audio), scoring Gindl and giving them a 2-0 edge against Smokies’ starter Chris Carpenter (6-4). Rivas (8-5) struggled a bit with his control in the bottom of the frame. With one out he walked Brett Jackson and hit Josh Vitters with a pitch. Blake Lalli made him pay as he singled home Jackson to make the score 2-1 (audio). To say Rivas settled down would be an understatement as he subdued the hard-hitting Smokies for his six innings of work. He surrendered the lone run on three hits, walked three and struck-out three as well. The Stars tacked on an insurance run in the top of the seventh against reliever Marcos Mateo. Drew Anderson led-off with a single to left. One out later Steffan Wilson reached on a throwing error by Smokies’ shortstop Marwin Gonzalez. Lee Haydel singled to load the bases and Dayton Buller came up big with a RBI base knock to extend the lead to 3-1 (audio). That’s all they would get though as pinch hitter Andy Machado struck-out and Brett Lawrie was robbed of a base hit by Josh Vitters for the final out of the inning. Donovan Hand retired all six batters he faced as he tossed a scoreless seventh and eighth. Jim Henderson worked a scoreless ninth for his fourth save of the year (audio). The Stars look to win the three-game series Tuesday as they play a morning game so set your alarms as first pitch is at 11:00 am central time. You can tune in only on www.huntsvillestars.com beginning at 10:45 am with the Window World Pre-Game Report. Josh Butler (1-4, 3.93 ERA) will be on the mound. Huntsville Boxscore I missed Rogers pitching yesterday visiting my new baby niece, but I love me some Amaury Rivas, some day he will be in AAA, then Milwaukee, and I will be a happy camper. He went 6 IP but allowed 3 walks and only struck out 3. Donovan Hand and Jim Henderson were excellent in relief, neither allowed a hit or walk and struck out 3 between them. at the plate Brett Lawrie was 1-4 with 2B, Zelous Wheeler was 1-4 with a 2B, Taylor Green was 1-4 with a 2B, and Drew Anderson was 2-4. A clean defensive game and solid win all the way around. Huntsville RecapJust. Beat. The. Cubs. Exactly what you would expect. Aaron summed up the game nicely.

Final, Suspended Game: Wisconsin 6, Cedar Rapids 5 Dennis delivers in Wisconsin victory By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Chris Dennis continued his hot hitting from Sunday in Cedar Rapids. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers designated hitter had a pair of hits and an RBI before the Independence Day game at Perfect Game Field against the Cedar Rapids Kernels was suspended by rain. He came back on Monday when the game was restarted and had two hits, including a home run, and two big RBIs to lead the Rattlers to a 6-5 win over the Kernels. Wisconsin (31-47 overall, 5-5 second half) grabbed the initiative with three runs on six hits against Kernels starting pitcher Garrett Richards in the first inning. Hunter Morris drove in a pair of runs with a double. Later in the inning, Dennis drove in a run with a double for the 3-0 lead. But, the Kernels (48-30, 5-5) rallied to take the lead before rain halted play. A solo homer by Matt Long in the third inning got Cedar Rapids on the scoreboard. In the fourth, Justin Bass tripled in a run and would score the tying run on a sacrifice fly. Long struck again with an RBI single later in the frame. Then, Jean Segura stepped in to bat. But after he took a pitch to make the count 1-1, a downpour forced the game to be stopped. The game restarted on Tuesday with runners on second and third for the Kernels. Rattlers reliever Efrain Nieves walked Segura to load the bases. But, Nieves got Nolan Brannon to ground into an inning ending 4-6-3 double play. Dennis tied the game with a leadoff homer in the top of the sixth inning. The long ball was his tenth of the season. The Rattlers went back in front with two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Morris beat out an infield single, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Cutter Dykstra, and took third on a balk by Skaggs. Dennis delivered Morris across the plate with a double to right-center. An error on a grounder off the bat of Austin Stockfisch later in the inning allowed Dennis to score a run to make the score 6-4 Wisconsin. Nieves pitched 4-2/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief and turned the game over to closer Jon Pokorny in the bottom of the ninth. The lefty gave up a leadoff single, but struck out the next two batters. However, Long made the game interesting with an RBI single. Then, Pokorny made it interesting by walking Segura to put the winning run on base. Pokorny struck out pinch hitter Casey Haerther to finish the game and pick up his fifth save of the season. Wisconsin snapped a seven-game losing streak to the Kernels with the victory. HOME RUNS: WIS: Chris Dennis (10th, 0 on in 6th inning, off Tyler Skaggs, 0 out) CR: Matt Long (2nd, 0 on in 3rd inning, off Maverick Lasker, 0 out) WP: Efrain Nieves (2-3) LP: Tyler Skaggs (6-4) SAVE: Jon Pokorny (5) TIME: 2:44 ATTN: 3,042 Wisconsin Boxscore I've been waiting to post but the boxscore is still broken. Maverick Lasker with a tough outing. I've been quieter about Chris Dennis this season, I'm still a big believer, I just would have expected a season from him like Kris Davis has put up, his AVE just plummeted for a long a time. Mike Trout is so good he's irritating, but the Rattlers finally managed to throw him out stealing a base, however he still had a big game, he just owns Rattler pitching. Wisconsin Recap While the Box is broken, the recap is intact.

Jeffress had to be added to the 40 man regardless or he would have been exposed to the rule 5 I believe. So Jeffress was bound for the 40 man sometime this year.Yea, he would have been added after the season, just like every other prospect we've ever had. There was no reason to add him to the 40 man in season unless he was going to end up in Milwaukee, and that could have been done in September. This isn't the first time Jeffress has been gifted by the organization, he also won the POY award when he didn't deserve it to "reward" him. I agree with Logan, there was no reason to burn an option this season for on the field reasons, this was a move made purely for off the field reasons and I'm sorry but I just won't get behind that reasoning. I like his potential as much as anyone but I believe this was dumb... we had an extra roster spot so why not? What kind of logic is that... it's just further proof there isn't any kind of well thought out long term plan of attack, we're just flying by the seat of our pants.

TH's story about Parra got under my skin for a variety of reasons. Why is Parra giving up 5 runs different than any other pitcher? His story smacked of so much bias I nearly wrote him... but what would have been the point? He's not going to change, the reporting on Parra over the last year is very similar to the reporting of Weeks early in his career. I guess they need a whipping boy for sensationalistic headlines to get people to read the stories instead of good journalism.

Final: Chattanooga (Dodgers) 7, Huntsville 6 Huntsville Boxscore What are the odds that all 3 games I would do all ended up with the Brewer affiliate losing on the same exact score? Michael Bowman continues to struggle as does Mark Willinsky. Donovan Hand bailed out Willinsky of further damage with a DP and Robert Hinton pitched through 2 scoreless frames. Caleb Gindl 2-4 and Anderson Machado 3-5 (HR) had multihit games while Sean McCraw added a double. Huntsville Recap *sigh* Chattanooga Top 6th Trayvon Robinson homers (7) on a fly ball to left field. Jerry Sands strikes out swinging. Corey Smith singles on a pop up to second baseman Brett Lawrie. Coaching visit to mound. Andrew Lambo doubles (8) on a fly ball to left fielder Lee Haydel. Corey Smith to 3rd. Eduardo Perez reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by first baseman Steffan Wilson. Corey Smith scores. Andrew Lambo to 3rd. Jaime Pedroza singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Andrew Lambo scores. Eduardo Perez to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Mark Willinsky replaces Michael Bowman, batting 9th. Coaching visit to mound. Jessie Mier flies out to right fielder Drew T. Anderson. With Brent Leach batting, Eduardo Perez steals (6) 3rd base. Jaime Pedroza steals (6) 2nd base. Brent Leach strikes out swinging. Chattanooga Top 7th Dee Gordon flies out to left fielder Lee Haydel. Trayvon Robinson singles on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. With Jerry Sands batting, Trayvon Robinson steals (24) 2nd base, . Trayvon Robinson advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Sean McCraw. Jerry Sands homers (5) on a fly ball to center field. Trayvon Robinson scores. Corey Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. Andrew Lambo singles on a line drive to right fielder Drew T. Anderson. Corey Smith to 3rd. Eduardo Perez doubles (21) on a line drive to center fielder Caleb Gindl. Corey Smith scores. Andrew Lambo to 3rd. Mark Willinsky intentionally walks Jaime Pedroza. Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Mark Willinsky, batting 9th. Jessie Mier grounds into double play, second baseman Brett Lawrie to shortstop Anderson Machado to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Jaime Pedroza out at 2nd. The boys made it interesting scoring 4 in the 7th. Huntsville Bottom 7th Drew T. Anderson walks. Coaching visit to mound. Steffan Wilson walks. Drew T. Anderson to 2nd. Lee Haydel out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Brent Leach to first baseman Eduardo Perez. Drew T. Anderson to 3rd. Steffan Wilson to 2nd. Anderson Machado strikes out swinging. Sean McCraw doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Jerry Sands. Drew T. Anderson scores. Steffan Wilson scores. Pitcher Change: Justin Miller replaces Brent Leach, batting 9th. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Taylor Green replaces Donovan Hand. Taylor Green singles on a line drive to center fielder Trayvon Robinson. Sean McCraw scores. Taylor Green to 2nd on the throw. Brett Lawrie walks. Wild pitch by pitcher Justin Miller. Taylor Green to 3rd. Coaching visit to mound. Caleb Gindl singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jaime Pedroza. Taylor Green scores. Brett Lawrie to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Jon Huber replaces Justin Miller, batting 7th. Defensive Substitution: Ramon Nivar replaces pitcher Justin Miller, batting 9th, playing second base. Zelous Wheeler grounds out, second baseman Ramon Nivar to first baseman Eduardo Perez.