The Micro Brew Review: 9/3/10

Recap

Nashville (AAA): The Sounds finished 5-3 overall this week. They won two of their final three against the New Orleans Zephyrs (FLA) (and four of five overall in that series) and then took three of five from the Oklahoma City RedHawks (TEX). The Sounds may be 10 games above .500 (75-65), but that's now nearly good enough for the PCL American North Division. They are still in last place and are 5 games back of the Iowa Cubs and Memphis Redbirds (STL), who are tied for first. The season is running out, too, so they better kick it into high gear if they hope to make the playoffs. And by "kick it into high gear," I mean winning every single game.

Huntsville (AA): The Stars had to fight their way through rain delays on both Friday and Saturday to complete their schedule this week. Once the skies cleared, they split a double-header against the Mobile BayBears (ARI) and lost two of three to the Montgomery Biscuits (TB). After finishing 2-3 this week, the Stars are now 32-33, 8.5 games back of the Tennessee Smokies (CHC). The Stars only have a five game series against Mobile before their season ends. The news on the front of the Huntsville website tells me that they are in contention for the Southern League Wild Card, but they will need to rely on Chattanooga Lookouts (LAD) to lose to make it to the playoffs.

Brevard Co. (A+): The Manatees have decided to finish the season on a low note. Granted, the season is not yet over (only three games left), but they looked like the first half Manatees this week. They went 1-5 this week, including a streak of four straight losses. They were swept in a three game series by the Clearwater Threshers (PHI) and lost two of three to the Tampa Yankees. The Sea Cows are now 35-32, third place in the FSL North Division, and 7.5 games back of the Tampa Yankees. They'll finish off their season with a weekend series against Clearwater.

Wiconsin (A): They began their week by winning the final game in their series against the Burlington Bees (KC) and then split a four game series against the Kane County Cougars (OAK). They lost the first two games in their current series against the Quad Cities River Bandits (STL), including a disappointing, extra-innings loss last night, after they came back from a 4-run deficit late in the game. The Rattlers are now 31-35 on the second half of the season, 10.5 games back of Quad Cities. With only 4 games left, I'm pretty sure the Rattlers aren't making the playoffs. Its hard to believe how a team with so much talent could be so bad. Reminds me a lot of their parent club.

Helena (R+): The Helena Brewers had a pretty decent week. They won their first four games this week (part of an 8-game winning streak), all four against the Idaho Falls Chukars (KC), and then split a double-header against against the Billings Mustangs (CIN). However in their series against the Great Falls Voyagers (CHW), they've lost the first two. After finishing 5-3 this week, the H-Brewers are now 19-12, a half game ahead of second place Great Falls.

Arizona (R): The Baby Brewers finished their season off on a high note. They won the Arizona League championship, beating the Arizona Reds in the final game. They also beat the Arizona Rangers to advance to the final game. If you count those two playoff games, they won their final three games of the season. They finished their season with a 34-22 record, 2.5 games ahead of the Arizona Reds.

Transactions

• Wisconsin 3B Cutter Dykstra and Nick Bucci were activated from the 7-day DL.
• Dan Merklinger was promoted from Brevard Co. to Nashville.
• Dexter Bobo was promoted from Arizona to Brevard Co.
• Charley Bahara, Jose Sanchez, Tyler Roberts, Nick Shaw, Kenny Allison, and Alex Periard were promoted from Arizona to Helena for the last few days of the season.

Five Up

1. Erik Komatsu: Komo is having a solid finish to his very solid season. He went 9-23 (.391) over the past week with 4 doubles, 5 RBIs, 6 runs scored, and three stolen bases. The Mantees OF has been probably the most consistent player throughout the entire system this year.
2. Jason Rogers: Rogers had a decent season for the Arizona Brewers, but he earned his spot on the Five Up list mainly for his performance in the AZL playoffs. He hit .429, including a 3-hit, 5 RBI performance in the championship game. He also finished a triple shy of the cycle in that game.
3. Cutter Dykstra: If the Brewers gave out a Comeback Player of the Year award, it should probably go to Cutter Dykstra. Lil' Nails went 13-29 (.448) last week including 5 RBIs, 5 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases. He now leads the Rattlers with a .316 avg. and is second in OBP to Kentrail Davis. The only thing missing from his game is power; all of his hits last week were singles. A .421 slugging % probably won't do for a major league 3B.
4. Brendan Katin: The slugging Sound gets an 'A' for power this week, but he also gets an 'A' for overall avg. He went 12-28 (.429) this week and currently has a 7 game hitting streak going. Katin hit 5 homers and drove in 13 runs, including 7 in one game.
5. Chris Dennis: Dennis started the season out red-hot, but then cooled off as the summer went on. But he's making a late season push to improve his overall numbers for the year. This week he went 10-25 (.400) including 2 doubles, 2 homers, 7 RBIs, and 8 runs scored. 

Five Down

1. Corey Frerichs: The Brevard Co. reliever made three appearances this week, two of which were rather forgettable. In his first outing he allowed 4 runs and couln't even record an out. He also allowed a run in his .1 inning pitched on Tuesday. Overall: 5 ER in 2 innings pitched. 
2. Scooter Gennett: I'm not sure if Scooter has realized this, but Cutter Dykstra has passed him up as batting average department. After hitting .340 for much of the season, Scooter has seen his average fall all the way down to .309. Gennett hasn't collected a hit in his last three games and went 4-29 (.138) this week.
3. Eric Farris: The Nashville 2B also hasn't collected a hit in his last three games, although he doesn't seem quite as lost at the plate as his Wisconsin counterpart. Farris went 6-27 (.222) this week.
4. Matt Costello: Costello made three relief appearances this week and allowed at least one run in each. In 6.2 innings pitched he allowed 5 R (4 ER) on 4 H and 4 BB. He took the loss in last night's 11-inning games against Quad Cities.
5. Greg Hopkins: If the Helena Brewers hope to make the playoffs, they'll need Hopkins to get back on track. The 3B went 6-31 (.194) last week and hasn't collected a hit in his last 4 games. At least one of his hits this week was a home run.