Lineups for Round 2 in Billings

Now that the pacemakers are on order … we can go ahead and prepare for the second of the four-game series between the Osprey and the Billings Mustangs. Whomever wins tonight will be in first place in the Pioneer League North Division standings by themselves. Continue reading →

Missoula – A Top Minor League Destination

If you have wondered what the players think about their travels in the Pioneer League, let’s just say that Missoula left quite an impression on them.

In a survey of over 380 minor league players, Missoula was voted the 7th best place to play in all of the minor leagues. Not only did they beat out all of the Pioneer League teams (the state of Montana itself also earned votes because, let’s face it, it’s daggone beautiful in Montana!), but they also edged out Staten Island and Brooklyn to earn the top spot in all of short-season baseball. Continue reading →

Lineups for Round 1 with Billings

Here are tonight’s starting lineups for the first of six games with the Billings Mustangs. We’re on the air at 6:45, and the first pitch is set for 7:05, on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (17-13, 35-33)
35 Evan Marzilli CF
9 Danny Pulfer 2B
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
21 Breland Almadova LF
33 Rudy Flores 1B
15 Alex Glenn DH
38 Andrew Velazquez SS
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Billings (18-12, 39-29)
41 Beau Amaral CF
4 Zach Vincej SS
23 Jesse Winker DH
13 Seth Mejias-Brean 3B
35 Carlos Sanchez 1B
26 Daniel Pigott LF
17 Jeff Gelalich RF
34 Wagner Gomez C
6 Brandon Dailey 2B
29 Drew Cisco RHP

Wednesday Lineups and More …

It’s a beautiful night for baseball on tap at Ogren Park Allegiance Field, as the Missoula Osprey play host to the Great Falls Voyagers. We’re down to the final nine games in the Pioneer League season, and the distance between first-place Billings and second-place Missoula in the North Division Second Half standings is still at one game. The Osprey will look to still be within a game or less by the end of the night.

Infielder Tyler Bream will be our pre-game show guest, and we’ll get started around 6:50 tonight, with the first pitch slated for around 7:05 on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Continue reading →

Lineups for Tuesday vs. Great Falls

We had a bunch of stuff for today’s entry, but it will have to wait … anyway, here is the stuff, Andy Green is the pre-game show guest, we’re on the air at 6:50, with a first pitch scheduled for 7:05 on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula (16-12, 34-32)

1 35 Evan Marzilli CF
.328, 0 HR, 13 RBI
2 9 Danny Pulfer 2B
.294, 2 HR, 24 RBI
3 18 Jake Lamb 3B
.317, 7 HR, 47 RBI
4 7 Michael Perez C
.299, 10 HR, 57 RBI
5 19 Socrates Brito RF
.324, 3 HR, 35 RBI
6 26 Yosbel Gutierrez DH
.317, 1 HR, 11 RBI
7 33 Rudy Flores 1B
.314, 3 HR, 26 RBI
8 21 Breland Almadova LF
.301, 1 HR, 26 RBI
9 38 Andrew Velazquez SS
.227, 0 HR, 1 RBI
P 44 Chris Pack P

Great Falls (10-18, 34-32)

1 3 Micah Johnson 2B
.280, 4 HR, 23 RBI
2 6 Michael Johnson CF
.258, 2 HR, 10 RBI
3 27 Yoandy Barroso LF
.309, 2 HR, 41 RBI
4 22 Kyle Robinson RF
.344, 2 HR, 34 RBI
5 12 Brent Tanner 1B
.274, 4 HR, 38 RBI
6 16 Thomas McCarthy 3B
.282, 1 HR, 15 RBI
7 10 Tyler Williams DH
.230, 3 HR, 11 RBI
8 11 Zachary Voight SS
.308, 0 HR, 9 RBI
9 19 Zac Fisher C
.217, 1 HR, 9 RBI
P 25 Chris Beck P
The Skinny:
The Osprey begin their final 10-game stretch of the 2012 regular season with a two-game series against the Great Falls Voyagers at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. The Osprey will have one more series at home this season – Sept. 5-6 against Billings.

Getting Up To Speed:
The final playoff spot in the Pioneer League North Division Playoffs may not be decided until the final series in Missoula. The Osprey picked a good time to go on a two-game win streak – just as the Billings Mustangs were swept by the suddenly red-hot Ogden Raptors, who are tied for first with the Orem Owlz in the Pioneer League South Division Second-Half Standings. The Osprey won their series at Idaho Falls, taking the final two games of the weekend set – a 6-4 win on Saturday and a 9-0 shutout win on Sunday. The difference is now just a game between the two North rivals – who play each other six times in the final eight games of the season. The Osprey are glad to be done with the South – they posted an 11-17 mark against the South Division teams this season.

Voyagers Finding Their Stride Again:
Great Falls started the half by losing its first nine games, but has bounced back by winning 10 of its last 18 games – including a 5-2 homestand against Orem and Grand Junction. One of their main cogs in the lineup in the first half, outfielder Kyle Robinson, is back after spending three weeks at Class A Kannapolis. Robinson was hitting .378 before his promotion, but only .261 in the 11 games since his return, with no home runs and seven RBI. However, having him back in the lineup has helped other players, like outfielder Yoandy Barroso (.309, 2 HR, 41 RBI) and catcher/first baseman Brent Tanner (.274, 4 HR, 38 RBI). The pitching has been solid, with a 4.19 ERA for the month.

On the Mound Tonight:
Missoula will send right-hander Chris Pack to the mound as he looks to get back to the winning side of the ledger. Pack (5-1, 5.83) has three straight no-decisions (the O’s won the two games he started in that span), but has won his last four decisions. His last (and only) loss came against Great Falls on July 4. The numbers have been climbing as the season progresses, with a 2-0 mark and an ERA of 9.00 in five August appearances (four starts). Between home and road, Pack has been consistent – Pack is 3-0 with a 5.82 ERA at home, 2-1 with a 5.85 ERA on the road. The non-drafted free-agent signee is looking to get back to the playoffs for the second straight summer – he helped Joliet reach the Frontier League playoffs in 2011.

The Voyagers will go with right-hander Chris Beck, who will be making his fifth start of the season tonight. Beck (3-2, 4.96) has been a little limited in innings pitched as a starter, having gone just five innings on one occasion this season, but is hoping to improve on that tonight. In his lone start against the Osprey on July 28, Beck went four solid innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits and a walk while striking out four batters. In three total appearances in 2012, Beck is 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA, striking out nine batters in eight innings pitched. That prior start came in Missoula – Beck has struggled on the road this season (1-1, 6.62), while putting together a solid home ledger (2-1, 3.00). In five appearances in August (two starts), Beck is 1-1 with a 6.14 ERA. The Jefferson, Georgia native was picked in the 2nd round of the 2012 MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox out of Georgia Southern.

Pitching Probables
Wednesday, August 29
MIS RHP Karl Triana (4-4, 5.34) vs. GF RHP Brandon Brennan (3-1, 3.64)

Thursday, August 30
MIS RHP Yoimer Camacho (2-4, 4.91) at BIL RHP Drew Cisco (4-1, 4.05)

Friday, August 31
MIS RHP Chris Thomas (2-1, 4.35) at BIL RHP Sal Romano (5-5, 5.17)

Saturday, September 1
MIS RHP Ross Gerdeman (4-4, 4.77) at BIL RHP Jon Moscot (0-1, 2.57)

Sunday, September 2
MIS RHP Chris Pack (5-1, 5.83) vs. BIL LHP Joel Bender (2-4, 8.56)

Goose eggs aplenty:
The Osprey pitching staff has five shutouts this season, which is one shy of the club record of six, posted by the 2006 pitching staff.

By The Numbers:

Current Streak:

W2

 Extra Innings:

5-4

 Team Hitting:

.290
First Half:

18-20

 Lead After 5:

21-7

 PL Rank:

3rd
Second Half:

16-12

 Tied After 5:

9-2

 Team Pitching:

4.74
June:

7-6

 Trail After 5:

4-23

 PL Rank:

3rd
July:

13-15

 One-run games:

10-10

 Longest Winning Streak:

5 games
August:

14-11

 Two-run games:

4-5

 Longest Losing Streak

6 games
September:

0-0

 Three-run games:

7-1

 HR total at home:

21
Score First:

21-10

 +3-run games:

13-16

 Pitching K total:

580
Score Last:

15-9

 Shutout Record:

5-4

 Pitching K/9IP Ratio:

8.75
Reaching 11-hit Mark:

22-5

  

Peanut Inning Success:

16/34

D-backs Minor League Report/Osprey Alumni Update:

AZL D-backs Alumni Briefing: Justin Bianco (2011-12) went 1-for-3 with three stolen bases in the AZL D-backs’ 3-1 win over the AZL Athletics on Monday. Bianco raised his average to .253, and now has eight stolen bases in 10 tries since he was sent to Arizona earlier this month.
Record: 26-28
Ends season Aug. 29

 
DSL D-backs Update: The DSL D-backs won nine of their last 10 games to win the Boca Chica Baseball City Division title.

 
Record: 43-29
Season over

 
SS-A Yakima Alumni Briefing: Blake Perry (2010) is ranked sixth in the Northwest League in ERA (2.42) while putting together a 4-1 record, with 54 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings pitched. He’s also tied for third in the league in WHIP (1.03) , and has the league’s lone complete game this season … Josh Parr (2011) has a .245 batting average six 21 extra-base hits, including six home runs, and 30 RBIs. Yakima will face Boise in the Northwest League East Division Playoffs.
Record: 14-19, 35-36
Next: vs. Vancouver, with Blake Perry (2010) getting the start for the Bears.
Class A South Bend Alumni Briefing: Chris Ellison (2011) and Raul Navarro (2010) each had two hits and a run scored, while Tom Belza (2011) added a RBI double and scored a run, but the Silver Hawks lost to Bowling Green on Monday, 11-5. Ryan Court (2011) added a base hit and a RBI.
Record: 30-33, 65-68
Next: vs. Bowling Green
Class A Advanced Visalia Alumni Briefing: The Rawhide lost to the Stockton Ports on Monday, 8-3. Diogenes Rosario (2009) and Seth Simmons (2011) combined for four shutout innings of relief, allowing just a hit and a walk with six strikeouts.
Record: 31-32, 62-71
Next: at Bakersfield, with Anthony Meo (2011) starting for the Rawhide
Double-A Mobile Alumni Briefing: David Nick (2009) had two hits, while Chris Owings (2009) and Rossmel Perez (2008) each added a base hit as the BayBears lost to Tennessee on Monday, 5-3. Owings also added a stolen base, while Yonata Ortega (2007) added an inning of scoreless relief. Three more former Osprey were added to the roster – Ollie Linton (2008) returned to the squad from injury, while Jon Griffin (2011) and pitcher Bradin Hagens (2009) was promoted from Class A Advanced Visalia. In a related move, the D-backs released former Osprey Kyle Greene (2008).
Record: 27-37, 67-67
Next: at Tennessee, with Bradin Hagens (2009) making his BayBears debut today.
Triple-A Reno Alumni Briefing: Adam Eaton (2010) may miss the rest of the regular season with a concussion. The outfielder was placed on the 7-day disabled list over the weekend. Eaton and former Aces infielder Jake Elmore (2008) – who is now with the Arizona Diamondbacks – both made the PCL Postseason All-Star squad. Eaton, who was named the PCL’s Rookie of the Year, may add some more hardware, as he is considered a candidate for the PCL Most Valuable Player award, which will be announced on Thursday.
Record: 76-61
Next: at Tacoma

Former Osprey with the Arizona Diamondbacks:

Paul Goldschmidt (2009) .287 BA, 18 HR, 66 RBI, .867 OPS Gerardo Parra (2006) .274 BA, 6 HR, 31 RBI, .731 OPS
Miguel Montero (2002-03) .279 BA, 14 HR, 74 RBI, .834 OPS Jake Elmore (2008) .167 BA (5-30), .242 OBP

TEAM: 64-65, 3rd in NL West, 7.5 GB … 7.5 GB in wildcard

Lineups for Sunday in Idaho

The Osprey got a win on Saturday night, and now they get a chance to end the road trip on a high note today, when they take on the Idaho Falls Chukars in the finale of this seven-game road trip. The Osprey are just 2-4 on the trip, but 3-4 sounds better than 2-5 … and could keep them at least two games back of Billings for first place in the Pioneer League North Division standings.

We’ll get started at 3:40 today, with a first pitch at 4:00, on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. Here are today’s starting lineups:

Missoula (15-12, 33-32)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
9 Danny Pulfer 3B
7 Michael Perez C
30 Tyler Bream 1B
33 Rudy Flores DH
21 Breland Almadova LF
15 Alex Glenn RF
12 Adam McConnell 2B
24 Ross Gerdeman RHP

Idaho Falls (14-13, 31-34)
23 Ethan Chapman CF
32 Carlos Garcia 2B
20 Nick Cuckovich 3B
6 Rainier Bello DH
22 Parker Morin C
2 Elier Hernandez RF
14 Nick DelGuidice SS
34 Jared Schlehuber 1B
27 Ysmelin Alcantara LF
18 Sam Selman LHP

Saturday lineups from Idaho Falls

One night removed from what has become the norm between these two teams – a Slugfest of the Birds – the Osprey look to bounce back and try to find a way to get a win against the Idaho Falls Chukars.

Pre-game is set for 7:00 tonight, with the first pitch at 7:15 on AM 930 and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Also, Michael Perez has been named to the Pioneer League All-Star Team. Six other Osprey make the honorable mention list. Details are available at the link.

Now, for the lineups:

Missoula (14-12, 32-32)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
35 Evan Marzilli CF
33 Rudy Flores 1B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
9 Danny Pulfer 3B
30 Tyler Bream DH
15 Alex Glenn LF
38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
8 Chris Thomas RHP

Idaho Falls (14-12, 31-33)
23 Ethan Chapman CF
32 Carlos Garcia 2B
20 Nick Cuckovich LF
43 Jin-Ho Shin DH
6 Rainier Bello 1B
2 Elier Hernandez RF
1 Diego Goris 3B
22 Parker Morin C
14 Nick DelGuidice SS
31 Ali Williams RHP

Lineups from Idaho Falls on Friday Night

Boy, is the wind a factor at the moment. It’s blowing hard (20-25 MPH) AND STRAIGHT OUT. This could be a long night.

The Osprey and Idaho Falls Chukars will commence to playing baseball at 7:15, with our pre-game show at 7 p.m. on AM 930 KMPT and online at MissoulaOsprey.com. O’s manager Andy Green is the pre-game show guest.

Here’s tonight’s lineups from the home of the Chukars … time for the Fish Hawk to rise up and get some wins!

Missoula (14-11, 32-31)
14 Pedro Ruiz SS
21 Breland Almadova CF
18 Jake Lamb 3B
7 Michael Perez C
19 Socrates Brito RF
30 Tyler Bream 1B
33 Rudy Flores DH
15 Alex Glenn LF
38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
48 Yoimer Camacho RHP

Idaho Falls (13-12, 30-33)
23 Ethan Chapman CF
32 Carlos Garcia 2B
20 Nick Cuckovich LF
43 Jin-Ho Shin C
6 Rainier Bello 1B
1 Diego Goris 3B
22 Parker Morin DH
14 Nick DelGuidice SS
39 Jerico Blanco RF
8 Alec Mills RHP

Layne latest former Osprey to make MLB Roster

Tom Layne, who pitched for the Missoula Osprey in 2007, is with the San Diego Padres. He made his Major League debut on August 14 – three days after Jake Elmore (2008) was called up to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Layne is the 38th former Osprey to make an MLB Roster.

More on the story can be found here.

Thursday Lineups from Ogden and distances …

by Ben Catley

First off, a big thumbs up to Osprey Vice President/General Manager Jeff Griffin for catching a bit of Osprey alumni update news for me. It will be revealed shortly both on here and on the Osprey website.

Second … we’re getting ready for what a couple of the members of the coaching staff call “a big game” for the Osprey, who are in a must-win mode tonight here in Ogden. With Billings still two games up in the Pioneer League North Division Standings, it’s become important for the Osprey to at least keep pace with the Mustangs, if not find a way to gain ground.

Thirdly … Jake Lamb’s home run. I will be tweeting a pic of where he hit it last night (@RadioBigCat on Twitter), and after some consulting with the coaches, it’s been estimated that the ball traveled 450 feet. There have been some impressive shots here (According to some of the locals, Ryan Howard, with Team USA, hit one on the roof of the same part of the building Lamb hit last night, which ended up in the second level of the parking garage, after bouncing on the street than runs between them.)

Fourthly … The rotations are set for this weekend’s series with the Idaho Falls Chukars. The Osprey will have one change in theirs, but first, the matchups:

Fri: RHP Yoimer Camacho vs. RHP Alec Mills
Sat: RHP Chris Thomas vs. RHP Ali Williams
Sun: RHP Ross Gerdeman vs. LHP Sam Selman

Thomas will take Jared Ray’s spot in the rotation until further notice, although pitching coach Gil Heredia was thinking it would be just one start, but nothing is for certain at the moment.

Anyway … here are the starting lineups for tonight. More to follow … although I will let you in on this at the moment, we’ll be on the air at 6:40, with the first pitch slated for 7 p.m., on AM 930 KMTP and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

Missoula Osprey (14-10, 32-30)

1 14 Pedro Ruiz SS
.321, 2 HR, 14 RBI
2 35 Evan Marzilli CF
.331, 0 HR, 13 RBI
3 18 Jake Lamb 3B
.316, 7 HR, 46 RBI
4 33 Rudy Flores 1B
.323, 3 HR, 22 RBI
5 19 Socrates Brito RF
.322, 2 HR, 30 RBI
6 9 Danny Pulfer DH
.306, 2 HR, 24 RBI
7 26 Yosbel Gutierrez C
.316, 1 HR, 11 RBI
8 21 Breland Almadova LF
.303, 1 HR, 24 RBI
9 38 Andrew Velazquez 2B
.125, 0 HR, 0 RBI
P 29 Karl Triana P
 4-4, 5.08 ERA

Ogden Raptors (12-12, 33-29)

1 12 Delvis Morales SS
.375, 0 HR, 10 RBI
2 40 Noel Cuevas LF
.295, 0 HR, 12 RBI (AZL)
3 33 Jeremy Rathjen RF
.329, 6 HR, 40 RBI
4 46 Corey Seager DH
.316, 7 HR, 30 RBI
5 17 Jesus Valdez 1B
.315, 8 HR, 50 RBI
6 10 Jose Capellan C
.345, 1 HR, 14 RBI
7 3 Justin Boudreaux 2B
.248, 2 HR, 21 RBI
8 27 Bladimir Franco 3B
.271, 2 HR, 7 RBI
9 5 Malcolm Holland CF
.240, 0 HR, 10 RBI
P 48 Luis Meza P
 0-1, 14.14 ERA