Recap
Nashville (AAA): With some of their best pitchers now residing in Milwaukee, the Sounds are struggling to hold on to first place in the PCL. Nashville went 2-4 over the past week, splitting a four games series with the Frenso Grizzlies (SFG) and losing three of four against the Sacramento River Cats (OAK). At 26-20, the Sounds are the only team in the organization over .500, and they are a game ahead of the Memphis Redbirds (STL) and the Iowa Cubs in the Pacific Coast League northern division.
Huntsville (AA): The Stars went 1-4 over the last week, with their only win coming in the first game of a double-header yesterday against the Birmingham Barons (CWS). The relief pitching just wasn't getting it done for the Stars last week, with blown saves by Robert Hinton and Nick Green. Mat Gamel and Josh Butler will join the Stars for the next few games as they rehab their various injuries. At 23-24, the Stars are now third in the Southern League north division, 5 games back from the first place Tennessee Smokies (CHC).
Brevard County (A+): The Manatees had a week to forget, losing 5 straight since the last Review and 7 straight overall, getting swept in a four game series by the Charlotte Stone Crabs (TB) and swept by the Daytona Cubs. Coincidentally, they broke that losing streak yesterday, in similar fashion to their parent club, with a walk-off walk by Shawn Zarraga. The Manatees are now 17-30, last in the Florida State League north division.
Wisconsin (A): The Rattlers, on the other hand, had a great week. They won five straight, taking three of four against the Burlington Bees (KCR) and the first two against the Kane County Cougars (OAK), before the Cougars got two runs against Santo Manzanillo last night to avoid the sweep. Great outings from starting pitchers Jake Odorizzi, Eric Arnett, and Kyle Heckathorn helped to fuel the Rattlers streak. The T-Rats are now 18-29 and have moved into second-last place in the Midwest League eastern division.
Transactions (from brewerfan.net)
- A few names joined the organization over the past week. 2009 Rule 5 pick Eduardo Morlan was claimed on Thursday and 2004 Brewer Jeff Bennett signed on Tuesday.
- Wisconsin native RJ Seidel was promoted to Brevard Co.
- Buddy Flores and Casey Baron were placed on the 7-day DL. Angel Salome was too, but that was pretty much a given already
- Mat Gamel and Josh Butler continue their rehab work and were promoted from Brevard Co. to Huntsville.
Five Up
1. Kyle Heckathorn- Last year's supplemental first round pick has been making a name for himself lately. In two outings over the past week, Heckathorn has pitched 14 innings and only allowed 2 ER (5 R), while walking 2 and striking out 10. He's now 2-3 and has his ERA under 3, at 2.97.
2. Josh Prince- After collecting a single yesterday, the Mantees' SS extended his hitting streak to 7 games. He doesn't have a single extra-base hit over that time, but still, it's worth noting. Prince is hitting .313 since the last Review and has also stolen 4 bases.
3. Cameron Garfield- In addition to celebrating his 19th birthday, the Rattlers' catcher hit .333 over the past week. He hit his third homer of the season and has 4 RBIs over his last 5 games.
4. Lorenzo Cain- Cain's 8 game hitting streak was snapped in the night game of a double-header yesterday. Still, he hit .313 over past week (5-16) with a triple and a double.
5. Brett Lawrie- Lawrie was another player who had an 8-game hitting streak snapped yesterday when he failed to collect a hit in the night game of the Stars' doubleheader. Lawrie hit .316 (6-19) over the past week with a homer, a triple, and 5 RBIs.
Five Down
1. Michael Marseco- The tiny Rattler SS only collected one hit over the past week, covering 6 games. Although, to be fair, that one hit was a 3 RBI triple. He wasn't very patient either, only collecting one walk
2. Cody Scarpetta- The big righty has had some very good starts this season, and also some very bad ones. His last start qualifies as one of the very bad variety. He lasted only 2.2 innings and gave up 4 ER (5 R) on 5 H and 4 BB. Scarpetta is now 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA this season.
3. Chris Waters- Waters has been pretty decent this season, but not so much over the previous week. In his only start, Waters allowed 7 ERs (8 R) over 3.1 innings on 8 H, 5 BB, and 3 HR.
4. Scooter Gennett- Scooter has not collected a hit in two straight games. I expect more than that, Scooter.
5. Caleb Gindl- It pains me to put him here, but my personal favorite prospect did not have a good week. Gindl has only collected 2 hits over the past week and is mired in an even deeper slump. His walks are down, his strikeouts are up, and he has only collected 2 extra-base hits in the past 10 games. Every time a see an 0-4 for Gindl, a little part of me dies.