Starting lineups in a moment … the Osprey have added right-handed pitcher DJ Johnson to the roster. The Arizona Diamondbacks bought Johnson’s contract from the Traverse City Beach Bums of the Frontier League.

Johnson will likely be used as a reliever for the Osprey. He will wear #48.

The Osprey will look to go to 4-1 as they wrap up this five-game road trip tonight in Helena. Here are tonight’s lineups:
Missoula (8-8)
30 Chris Ellison LF
14 Josh Parr SS
38 Stephen Cardullo 3B
35 Jon Griffin 1B
12 Eric Groff 2B
11 Tom Belza DH
7 Jeremia Gomez RF
23 Fidel Pena C
18 Justin Bianco CF
47 Enrique Burgos RHP 

Helena (8-8)
82 Robbie Garvey LF
16 Adrian Williams 2B
54 Nick Ramirez DH
49 Tyler Roberts C
30 Max Walla RF
79 Mike Nemeth 1B
15 Yadiel Rivera SS
31 Kyle Dhanani 3B
75 Ruben Ozuna CF
57 Kevin Shackelford RHP 

Pre-game guest is starting pitcher Robby Rowland. We’re on around 6:40 on AM 930, KMTP, as well as http://www.missoulaosprey.com.

It’s getaway day in Helena… and the Osprey are trying to do something that has been rare for them since the 2007 season – take four games on a road trip. In fact, the last time they won four or more games on a road trip was in 2009, when Missoula went 5-2 through a swing of Billings and Helena. The Osprey also went 5-2 in a swing through Casper and Idaho Falls during the 2007 season.

The best road trips, since 2007:
– August 3-9, 2010 – Osprey went 3-3 in Great Falls and Billings.
– August 28-September 3, 2009 – Osprey went 5-2 in Billings and Helena. That run started a streak of nine wins in the final 15 games, which enabled Missoula to clinch the wild-card berth for the Northern Division playoffs.
– June 28-30, 2008 – The Osprey won two of three in Helena, including winning 1-0 on a no-hitter on June 30. The Osprey would only win 17 more games the remainder of the season.
– July 11-17, 2007 –  The Osprey went 5-2 through Casper and Idaho Falls. This trip included the club’s first-ever triple play.

Other notes:
– The Osprey want Josh Parr at the plate against the Brewers – he’s hitting .400 (8-for-20) this season against the Brew Crew.

– Sans for a pinch-hit appearance, Tom Belza has been on fire as of late. The pinch-hit miss ended up in what would have been a seven-game hit streak, all of them the multi-hit variety. Including the pinch-hit appearance against Great Falls, Belza is 15-for-32 (.469 batting average) in his last eight games, and his current five-game hit stretch have all come with two hits or more in each.

– Helena has three players hitting over .300 against the Osprey … first baseman/DH Parker Berberet (.333 – who is not in today’s starting lineup for the Brewers), Robbie Garvey (.304) and Yadiel Rivera (.320, 3 HR).

– You will see an update on this tomorrow, but here is the comparison between road and home games for the Osprey pitching staff, as it relates to strikeouts:
Home: 67 IP, 91 Ks – 12.22 Ks per 9 innings pitched.
Road: 82 IP, 80 Ks – 8.78 Ks per 9 innings pitched.

Starting lineups coming shortly … as this gets posted, we’re about a half-hour away from departing the hotel and heading to Kindrick Legion Field. Remember, Robby Rowland is today’s pre-game interview.

by Ben Catley

We’re behind schedule yet on time … go figure … here are tonight’s starting lineup for Missoula at Helena:

Missoula (7-8)
Chris Ellison LF
Josh Parr SS
Ryan Court 3B
Jon Griffin 1B
Eric Groff 2B
Tom Belza DH
Jeremia Gomez RF
Fidel Pena C
Justin Bianco CF
Robby Rowland RHP

Helena (8-7)
82 Robbie Garvey CF
16 Adrian Williams 2B
54 Nick Ramirez 1B
68 Parker Berberet DH
30 Max Walla RF
79 Mike Nemeth 3B
15 Yadiel Rivera SS
73 Douglas Elliot C
6 John Dishon LF
95 Eric Arnett RHP 

OK – other notes:
– With the Great Falls win over Helena last night, the Osprey could be at least in second place with a win tonight.
– While the Osprey are 4-4 on the road, they have won four of their last six games away from Ogren Park Allegiance Field.
– Former Osprey reliever Jose Valverde (2000) was named to the AL All-Star squad on Sunday. Valverde – who had earned back-to-back All-Star nods with the Detroit Tigers – is 2-3 with a 3.00 ERA and 20 saves – tied for third-best in the AL.

I have a bunch more in the note department, but we’ll have to save it for a post tomorrow afternoon.

Pre-game interview is with starting pitcher Enrique Burgos. By the way, a big thanks to Steve and Emma, for making sure I have a snack if needed during the game. Gotta love apples … cut-up, even.

It’s hot in Billings. LEt’s hope the Osprey bats and Taylor Siemens can be as hot as the weather.

Missoula (5-8)
Chris Ellison LF
Roidany Aguila C
Stephen Cardullo SS
Jon Griffin 1B
Ryan Court 3B
Eric Groff 2B
Tom Belza DH
Jeremia Gomez RF
Justin Bianco CF
Taylor Siemens LHP

Billings (8-5)
Kurtis Muller CF
Dayne Read LF
Robert Maddox 1B
Sean Buckley 3B
Kyle Waldrop RF
Nick O’Shea C
Junior Arias DH
Adam Muenster 2B
Cristobal Rodriguez SS
Mitch Clarke LHP

No pre-game interview today … we’ll look around the Pioneer League instead. The rest of the road trip – pitching coach Gil Hererdia tomorrow, pitcher Enrique Burgos on Tuesday and we’re aiming for pitcher Robby Rowland on Wednesday. Subject to change.

Other news:
– Adam Eaton is now in Mobile.  The former Osprey outfielder (2010) was promoted on Saturday and made his debut on Saturday night, 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI in a 6-3 win over Montgomery. In that game, Paul Goldschmidt (2009) had a triple, RBI and run scored. Jarrod Parker (2007) went five innings, scattering four hits and allowing a run to pick up the win.

– Derek Eitel (2010) is telling his friends that he has been promoted to Triple-A Reno. Eitel will be among a number of roster changes involving pitchers in recent days – including former Osprey left-hander Tom Layne (2007) being sent back down to Double-A Mobile, which took place on July 1.

Last but not least …

Happy 4th of July everyone!

The lineups ….

2011 Pioneer League Baseball Great Falls Voyagers at Missoula Osprey Starting Lineups — July 1, 2011 Ogren Park at Allegiance Field

Great Falls Voyagers Overall Record: 5-6 Manager: Ryan Newman
No.	Player	Pos.	Avg.	HR	RBI
6	Quanton Millender	CF	.326	0	6
2	David Herbek	SS	.278	3	8
7	Joe De Pinto	2B	.286	1	6
23	Leighton Pangilinan	1B	.300	2	4
11	Michael Earley	LF	.316	0	2
25	Mark Haddow	RF	.242	2	7
20	Jimmy Jacquot	C	.226	0	4
16	Brett Tanner	DH	.000	0	0
18	Jerry Puentes	3B	.250	0	2
44	Stephen McCray	RHP

Missoula Osprey Overall Record: 4-7 Manager: Hector De La Cruz
No.	Player	Pos.	Avg.	HR	RBI
30	Chris Ellison	LF	.297	1	6
14	Josh Parr	SS	.244	1	7
38	Stephen Cardullo	DH	.458	2	10
35	Jon Griffin	1B	.273	1	7
23	Fidel Pena	2B	.333	0	6
7	Jeremia Gomez	RF	.290	0	3
11	Tom Belza	3B	.267	0	1
16	Bryan Henry	C	.250	1	1
18	Justin Bianco	CF	.195	0	1
47	Enrique Burgos	RHP

The Notes ….

PEANUTS!!!: The success the Osprey have had in the “Peanut Inning” this season has made Osprey fans long for more. Through six home games, the Osprey have scored in the bottom of the sixth inning three times this season – which means in those three games, the loudest fans in the park get a free bag of peanuts. Jon Griffin’s home run in the home half of the sixth on Thursday ended a three-game drought.

Back on the Road Again: After tonight’s game, the Osprey will break out for a five-game road trip, including a series which will have a pair of day games. Missoula heads to Billings for a three-game set – Saturday night, Sunday afternoon and a rare 2:05 Monday afternoon contest – before playing a two-game set in Helena. A five-game homestand follows before the Osprey get an off-day – July 12, when the team will embark on a seven-game swing through Casper and Idaho Falls.

On the Mound tonight: Missoula will send out right-hander Enrique Burgos in search of his first win of the season. Burgos (0-1, 8.00) has struggled in his first two outings this season, but has traditionally been a slow starter – he was 2-0 in September 2009 for the Osprey, and was 2-1 with a 2.27 ERA with Yakima in August and September last season. The Voyagers counter with right-hander Stephen McCray, who has also been bumped around a bit this season. McCray is currently 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA, and gave up four runs on nine hits in four innings of work against the Osprey in his last start on Sunday.

The Alumni Update ….

The DSL D-backs (10-16) lost to the DSL Padres on Thursday, 15-7.

The Arizona League D-backs (4-4) did not play on Thursday.

SS-A Yakima (4-10) dropped a 6-4 setback to Spokane on Thursday. Raul Navarro (2010) had another two-hit night to raise his batting average to .222.

Class A South Bend (4-3, 38-38) won at Lake County on Thursday, 4-2, thanks to a four-run 8^th inning rally. Roberto Rodriguez (2010) doubled and also reached base in the rally, while Ramon Castillo (2009) and Ender Inciarte (2009) drove in runs in the rally. Bradin Hagens (2010) allowed just a hit in three innings of work, while the back third of the game was handled by former Osprey Dan Taylor (2010), who picked up the win; Keith Cantwell (2009) and Blake Cooper (2010), who notched his eighth save.

Class A Advanced Visalia (4-3, 35-41) needed 11 innings, and a wild pitch with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 11^th, to beat Inland Empire on Thursday, 6-5. Keon Broxton (2009) continued his recent tear with a two-hit night, while Adam Eaton (2010) went 1-for-3 with three walks, including one in the 11^th inning rally His .461 on-base percentage is not only second in the California League, it’s also ranks second in all of minor league baseball. The former Osprey ruled the mound – Eric Smith (2009) had a decent start, but Mike Belfiore (2009), Christian Beltre (2007), Taylor Sinclair (2008) and eventual winning pitcher Yonata Ortega (2007) combined for six shutout innings, scattering four hits and four walks while striking out five batters.

Double-A Mobile (5-3, 43-35) used a three-run home run by Paul Goldschmidt (2009) to help beat Montgomery on Thursday, 7-6. Goldy now carries a .317 batting average, has a minor league-leading 25 home runs and has 74 RBIs (tied for 2^nd in all of the minors) in 78 games.

Triple-A Reno (48-32) beat Salt Lake on Thursday, 9-6. Esmerling Vasquez (2004) allowed a pair of runs on a hit and a walk in his inning of work, while Bryan Shaw (2008) pitched around a hit in the ninth to secure his fourth save of the season at the Triple-A level.

Schedule:
AAA Reno vs. Salt Lake
AA Mobile vs. Montgomery
A Adv. Visalia vs. Inland Empire
A South Bend at Lake County – Right-hander JR Bradley (2010) gets the ball tonight for the Silver Hawks.
SS-A Yakima vs. Boise – Randy Hamrick (2010) gets the call for the Bears tonight.
AZL D-backs vs. AZL Angels
DSL D-backs at DSL White Sox

Great Falls lineup …
Millender CF
Herbek SS
De Pinto 2B
Pangilinan 1B
Earley LF
Haddow RF
Jacquot C
Patino 3B
Douglas DH
Walters LHP

By the way … outfielder Chris Ellison is the pre-game guest …

News and notes from the … Game Notes …

Defense doesn’t rest for Court:
Ryan Court continues to work hard on his defense, and made a splendid play on a ball Monday night to turn a double into an out. On Tuesday, the bat came to life again for Court, who went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a solo home run, his second of the season. Both of Court’s homers have come at home, and have gone out to right field. The effort boosted Court’s average to a healthy .278, and played error-free baseball in the series with the Mustangs.

K-riffic:
This is beginning to become a hot topic – Osprey pitching and their uncanny ability to induce strikeouts. Thanks to their 15-K night, the Osprey pitching staff now has 101 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings pitched, or a ratio of 10.61 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. While it is still early, that would put the club ahead of the record set by the 2005 staff of 9.14 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. That staff was led by 2005 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Greg Smith, who fanned 100 batters in 86 innings pitched.

Osprey Alumni Update/Minor League Report:
The DSL D-backs (10-15) scored twice in the bottom of the 9^th inning to beat the DSL Reds on Tuesday, 8-7. Former Osprey outfielder Alan Santiago (2009) went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the game, and laid down a key sac bunt in the 9^th. Santiago raised his average to .279 with the effort.

The Arizona League D-backs (4-3) dropped an 8-3 decision to the AZL Cubs on Tuesday. Domingo Soriano (2010) continues to swing the bat well, now hitting .318 with three doubles and four RBIs.

SS-A Yakima (4-8) won at Spokane on Tuesday, 7-5. Catcher Jae Yun Kim (2009-10) hit a solo home run in his 2-for-4 effort, while reigning Northwest League Pitcher of the Week, Kable Hogben (2009) allowed a run – his first of the season – in two innings of work. Hogben watched his ERA rise to … 0.90.

Class A South Bend (3-2, 37-37) used seven more scoreless innings from left-hander David Holmberg (2010) and two-hit nights from former Osprey Ender Inciarte (2009), Raywilly Gomez (2009) and Chris Jarrett (2010) in a 7-1 win over West Michigan on Tuesday.

Class A Advanced Visalia (2-3, 33-41) knocked out Inland Empire, 6-2, thanks to six solid innings from right-hander Derek Eitel (2010) and big nights at the plate from David Nick (2009), who had three hits, Bobby Borchering (2009) and Keon Broxton (2009), who each had two hits, including a home run.  Eitel fanned eight in six innings, while left-hander Taylor Sinclair (2008) added five K’s to his night, which spanned two innings. And Adam Eaton (2010) went 0-for-2, with two times being hit by a pitch. He has been hit by a pitch 14 times this season.

Double-A Mobile (3-3, 41-35) scored three runs in the bottom of the 8^th to beat Montgomery, 9-8. Paul Goldschmidt (2009) had two RBIs, jumping his total to 69 for the season, while both Jake Elmore and Ollie Linton, 2008 Osprey teammates, each singled and doubled. Josh Ellis (2007) picked up the win in relief, while Bryan Henry (2007) collected his first save.

Triple-A Reno (47-32) had their game with Sacramento rained out.

Schedule:
AAA Reno has an off-day on Wednesday.
AA Mobile vs. Montgomery
A Adv. Visalia vs. Inland Empire – Right-hander Diogenes Rosario (2009) gets a chance to improve on his 4-1 mark.
A South Bend at West Michigan – Right-hander Jeff Shields (2010) gets the call for the Hawks.
SS-A Yakima at Spokane
AZL D-backs at AZL Dodgers
DSL D-backs at DSL Twins

Let’s begin with the following … the Osprey lineup:
Chris Ellison CF
josh Parr SS
Ryan Court 3B
Jon Griffin 1B
Stephen Cardullo DH
Eric Groff 2B
Roidany Aguila C
Jeremia Gomez RF
Westley Moss LF
Dexter Price RHP

We don’t have the Great Falls lineup as of yet … because the team is late in arriving. We will post that, and the rest of today’s notes, when we receive it.

One other quick mention though … former Osprey Kable Hogben (2009) was named the Northwest League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Hogben has allowed just one run in 10 innings of work this season.

Here’s tonight’s lineups:

Missoula (3-5)
Chris Ellison RF
Josh Parr SS
Ryan Court 3B
Jon Griffin 1B
Stephen Cardullo DH
Eric Groff 2B
Fidel Pena C
Justin Bianco CF
Westley Moss LF
Taylor Siemens LHP

Billings (4-4)
Dayne Read CF
Devin Lohman SS
Robert Maddox 1B
Drew Poulk LF
Nick O’Shea C
Kyle Waldrop RF
Junior Arias 3B
Danny Vicioso DH
Sammy Diaz 2B
Kyle McMyne RHP

Pre-game interview is Mike Bell, part 2 … we’re on at 6:50 MT.

Now to the news of the day:
– Robby Rowland is bouncing around like he normally does. He is slated to start on Thursday, but that is provided he is ready to go. Raymond Hernandez is ready to go if needed, and will likely pitch on Thursday no matter what.

– The D-backs made a roster move, sending down a pair of Osprey pitchers to Triple-A Reno. Both Esmerling Vasquez and Bryan Shaw head back to the minors. Vasquez (2004) posted a 1-1 record and 4.15 ERA (14 ER in 30.1 IP) with 13 walks and 20 strikeouts in 31 games with the D-backs. Shaw (2007) posted a 4.15 ERA (2 ER in 4.1 IP) with 3 walks and 4 strikeouts over 5 games with the D-backs in his first stint in the Majors.

Notes from the … yeah, game notes …

Mr. Versatility:
He’s listed as an infielder, but Tom Belza can play just about anywhere. And the bat is showing signs of coming to life as well. Belza made a start at second base on Monday, and collected a pair of hits and a RBI. Already this season, Belza, who has a .286 batting average in his first four games this season, has played at first and second base, but will likely see time at every infield and outfield position before the end of the season.

Osprey Alumni Update/Minor League Report:
The DSL D-backs (9-15) lost at the DSL Rockies, 2-0. Former Osprey outfielder Alan Santiago (2009) went 0-for-3, as his average slipped to .262 for the season.

The Arizona League D-backs (4-2) picked up a 6-0 win over the AZL Athletics on Monday. Former Osprey pitcher Blake Perry (2010) has made two starts, posting a 1.80 ERA, with seven strikeouts in 10 innings pitched.

SS-A Yakima fell to 3-8 after a 10-0 loss to Tri-City on Monday. Former Osprey shortstop Raul Navarro (2010) had one of the Bears’ five hits on the night, while relief pitcher Justin Albert (2010) pitched a scoreless inning of relief.

Class A South Bend (2-2, 36-37) picked up a win, while former Osprey right-handed pitcher Kevin Eichhorn (2008-10) had a good night for West Michigan. Eichhorn (5-3, 3.45 ERA) took a shutout into the ninth inning, but was charged with two runs while allowing just five hits and a walk, and collected five strikeouts. Outfielder Chris Jarrett (2010) had three hits and a run scored, while Roberto Rodriguez (2010) plated a run in the 4-2, 11-inning Hawks win.

Class A Advanced Visalia (1-3, 32-41) rallied with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to beat Inland Empire, 4-3.  Adam Eaton (2010) hit a solo home run to start the rally for the Rawhide, while Bobby Borchering (2009) added a base hit and scored on a three-run homer. Right-handed reliever Christian Beltre (2007) struck out the only batter he faced to pick up the win (3-3, 3.34), while Yonata Ortega (2007) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to pick up his eighth save.

Double-A Mobile (2-3, 40-35) managed to use a double and two RBIs by Paul Goldschmidt (2009) and two RBIs by Taylor Harbin (2007) to beat Mississippi, 7-4. Jake Elmore (2008) added two hits and two runs scored, while Josh Ellis (2007) picked up the win in relief of starter Jarrod Parker (2007).

Triple-A Reno (47-32) received a strong start from left-hander Tom Layne (2007) in a 9-2 win at Sacramento on Monday. Layne improved to 7-3 with the effort. Jordan Norberto (2006) added a solid scoreless inning in relief.

Schedule:
AAA Reno at Sacramento
AA Mobile vs. Montgomery
A Adv. Visalia vs. Inland Empire
A South Bend at West Michigan
SS-A Yakima vs. Tri-City
AZL D-backs vs. AZL Cubs
DSL D-backs vs. DSL Reds

First, starting lineups:
Missoula (3-4)
Chris Ellison LF
Josh Parr SS
Ryan Court 3B
Jon Griffin 1B
Stephen Cardullo DH
Tom Belza 2B
Fidel Pena C
Jeremia Gomez RF
Justin Bianco CF
Jesse Darrah RHP

Billings (3-4)
Kurtis Muller CF
Juan Silva LF
Devin Lohman SS
Robert Maddox 1B
Sean Buckley DH
Kyle Waldrop RF
Junior Arias 3B
Sammy Diaz 2B
Yovan Gonzalez C
Radhames Quezada RHP

Today’s pre-game interview is likely going to be Stephen Cardullo. If it’s not him, we’ll air Part 2 of my interview with D-backs Director of Player Development Mike Bell.

Now, to the other stuff … first, the bumps from Thursday night. All is much better. The most we can tell you is that we’ll have an update on tonight’s broadcast on the situation.

Items from Today’s Game Notes:

Stat Line of the Weekend:
Talk about a season debut. IF Stephen Cardullo made his first 2011 appearance on Friday, and the Florida State product – who hit just .172 in 20 games with the Osprey in 2010 – made quite a statement. Cardullo went 7-for-11 in the series (.636), with three doubles, a home run, and four RBIs. Cardullo was the DH on Friday then showed his defensive versatility by playing at shortstop on Saturday and at third base on Sunday, where he made a diving stop of a line drive to cut short a Voyager big inning in the second.

K-riffic:
The pace may have slowed a bit, but the Osprey pitching staff still has been striking out the opposition at an impressive pace. Entering this homestand, the Missoula arms have collected 76 strikeouts in 66 2/3 innings pitched – which works out to be 10.25 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. While it is still early, that would put the club ahead of the record set by the 2005 staff of 9.14 strikeouts per 9 innings pitched. That staff was led by 2005 Pioneer League Pitcher of the Year Greg Smith, who fanned 100 batters in 86 innings pitched.

And … finally …
Osprey Alumni Update/Minor League Report:
SS-A Yakima is now 3-7 after a 6-5 win over Tri-City on Sunday. Outfielder Henry Zabala (2009) is having a solid start to the season, hitting .283 with a homer and four RBIs … Right-handed pitcher Alex Capaul (2011) has allowed just three hits and has struck out a pair in his two outings, spanning five innings of work.

Class A South Bend (1-2, 35-37) will face former Osprey right-handed pitcher Kevin Eichhorn (2008-10) and West Michigan tonight. Eichhorn (5-3, 3.59 ERA) is 1-0 in two starts against the Silver Hawks this season, and has won his last three decisions … Hawks Left-handed pitcher David Holmberg (2010) has pitched 27 consecutive scoreless innings.

Class A Advanced Visalia (1-3, 32-41) could not outscore High Desert on Sunday, falling 15-13. While outfielder Adam Eaton (2010) has been slowed a bit, he is still in the Top 10 in the California League in hitting (.339, 7^th) and is 3^rd in the Cal League in on-base percentage (.457) … Third baseman Bobby Borchering (2009) leads the club with 14 home runs, and is second with 54 RBIs while posting a .271 batting average … Second baseman David Nick (2009) also has posted solid numbers – a .279 batting average, 14 doubles, a triple, six home runs and 28 RBIs while committing just seven errors in 69 games.

Double-A Mobile (1-2, 39-34) had their game suspended due to a power outage at Mississippi. The Braves lead 4-1 in the 9^th inning. Goldy Watch: First baseman Paul Goldschmidt (2009) is hitting .316 at the moment, with 23 home runs and 65 RBIs. He leads the minors in home runs, and also leads the Southern League in RBIs, on-base percentage (.436), slugging percentage (.636), OPS (1.072), runs scored (57), total bases (169) walks (56) and intentional walks (11).

Triple-A Reno (46-32) took care of Sacramento, 9-2 on Sunday … utility man Kyle Greene (2008)is hitting .282 in 16 games with the Aces, with six RBIs … Among the current pitchers on the staff, left-hander Tom Layne (2007) is second on the squad with six wins (6-3, 6.53).

Schedule:
AAA Reno at Sacramento
AA Mobile at Mississippi – Jarrod Parker (2007) gets the call for the BayBears
A Adv. Visalia vs. Inland Empire
A South Bend at West Michigan
SS-A Yakima vs. Tri-City
AZL D-backs (3-2) at AZL Padres
DSL D-backs (9-14) at DSL Rockies

Back at you tomorrow …