The Micro Brew Review: 8/27/10

Recap


Nashville (AAA): The Sounds have had a pretty medicore second half, but this week was one of the highlights. The won their final game against the Colorado Spings Sky Sox (COL) and split a four game series against the Iowa Cubs. The've won the first two games in their series against the New Orleans Zephyrs (FLA) and currently have a four game winning streak going. Unfortunately, their 5-2 week didn't do much to improve their position in the tough PCL American North Division. They are still in last place, five games back of the Iowa Cubs.

Huntsville (AA): The Stars, on the other hand, had a pretty disappointing week. They lost two of their final three in their series against the Birmingham Barons (CHW) and then lost two of three to the Montgomery Biscuits (TB). Last night they lost thier first game in their series against the Mobile Bay Bears (ARI) to drop their record to 2-5 for the week and 30-30 this season. After their disappointing week, the Stars still managed to hold on to second place, but just barely. They have a one game lead over the Chattanooga Lookouts (LAD), but they are a full 8 games back of the Tennessee Smokies (CHC) in the Southern League North Division.

Brevard Co (A+): The Manatees finished an even 3-3 this week. Their week was complicated by a series rain delays and postponements. They started off their week by losing the final game in their series against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (DET). They then won two of three to the Daytona Cubs and lost two of three to the Tampa Yankees. The Sea Cows are now 34-27 on the second half of the season, third place in the FSL North Division and 5.5 games back of the Tampa Yankees.

Wisconsin (A): Despite the almost complete absence of Scooter Gennett, the T-Rats managed to finish 4-3 this week. They started off by losing the final game in their series against the Beloit Snappers (MIN). They then split their four game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (LAA), highlighted by the combined no-hitter by Jake Odorizzi and Adrian Rosario (for full details see the Five Up section). They've also split the first two games in their series against the Burlington Bees. The Rattlers are no 28-31, second last in the Midwest League Western Division and 8.5 games back of the Quad Cities River Bandits.

Helena (R+): The Helena Brewers had probably their best week since the first week of their season. They won two of three against the Idaho Falls Chukars (who comes up with these names?) and then swept a three game series against the Casper Ghosts (COL). The Brewers now have a four game winning streak going and have raised their second half record to 14-9. They're still in first place in the Pioneer League North Division, one game ahead of the Great Falls Voyagers (CHW).

Arizons (R): The Baby Brewers finished 3-5 this week, beating the Arizona Reds, Dodgers, and Indians and losing to the Arizona Dodgers twice, Reds twice, and Indians once. At 33-21, the Brewers are still in first place in the Arizona League Central Division and 3.5 games up on the Dodgers. The Arizona League only has two games left, so the Brewers will advance to the playoffs. 

Transactions

• This year's 10th round pick C Rafael Neda was promoted from Arizona to Helena.
• Wisconsin RHP Nick Bucci was placed on the 7-day DL. He will be replaced on the roster by Eric Arnett, who was activated from the DL.
• In a similar situation, C Dayton Buller was placed on the 7-day DL. C Patrick Arlis, who was activated from the DL, will take his place on the Huntsville roster.

Five Up

1. Jake Odorizzi: Odorizzi obviously did not like being on the Five Down list. So to make sure that it didn't happen again, he pitched 8 no-hit innings in his only start for the Rattler's this week. He struck out 10 and walke only 1. Hats off to Adrian Rosario who pitched a hitless ninth to complete the no-hitter.
2. Tim Dillard: Starter. Revieler, Starter. Reliever. Starter. The Brewers just can't decide what to do with Dillard. They moved him back to starting this week and he responded with two very solid starts. Dillard pitched 15 innings and allowed 1 ER on only 3 H and 3 BB.
3. Cody Hawn: If Hunter Morris doesn't work out, I'd say we've got another legitimate 1B prospect. Cody Hawn was on fire this week and has been all summer. Hawn went 12-21 (.571) with two doubles, a homer, 4 RBIs, and 6 runs scored.
4. D'Vontrey Richardson: The Rattlers CF has seemed like a different player over the past couple weeks. He went 12-28 (.429) this week, including 5 doubles, a triple, a homer, 5 RBIs, and 6 runs scored.
5. Dan Merklinger: Yahoo, two weeks in a row for Merklinger! In his two starts this week Merklinger tossed 15.2 innings and only allowed 3 ER (4 R). He allowed 11 H and only 1 BB while striking out 25! Once again, I must ask: Why haven't you been promoted yet?!

Five Down

1. Chris Nowak: Nowak had perhaps the worst week in Five Down history. He went 0-22, even collecting a golden sombrero for himself on Sunday against Birmingham.
2. Brett Lawrie: Lawrie was pretty much on fire this week compared to Nowak, but for Lawrie, it wasn't a good week. He went 4-26 (.154) this week. He's still getting on base though, as he's collected 6 walks over the past five games.
3. Maverick Lasker: Lasker hasn't looked very good at all over the last month and this last week was probably the low point of his season. In his two starts this week he allowed 14 R (13 ER) on 19 H and 4 BB in only 8 innings.
4. Efrain Nieves: Yikes. You'd think previous results as a started would scare managers away from using Nieves as a starter. But apparently not. The south paw made one start this week and allowed 8 R (7 ER) on 10 H and 1 BB in only 1.1 innings pitched.
5. Taylor Green: It was just a bad week for the Huntsville infield. Green went 3-25, but at least two of those hits were doubles.