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Daily Clips August 18, 2014

LOCAL

Scoring change erases 'E' in D-backs-Marlins tilt By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article/ari/scoring-change-erases-error-in-d-backs-marlins-tilt?ymd=20140817&content_id=90084422&vkey=news_ari

Communication key for Harkey with influx of rookies By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90077002&notebook_id=90076842&vkey=notebook_ari&c_id=ari

As pitchers learn Peralta, rookie learning to adjust By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90077002&notebook_id=90077246&vkey=notebook_ari&c_id=ari

After Collmenter falters early, 'pen digs deeper hole By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_17_arimlb_miamlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=ari

Diamondbacks' Josh Collmenter showing signs of fatigue By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-josh-collmenter-showing-signs-of-fatigue/14207083/

Marlins cruise past Diamondbacks to close out series By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/1010-am-diamondbacks-close-out-series-with-marlins/14192067/

Diamondbacks hope they can turn Brett Jackson back into a top prospect By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-hope-they-can-turn-brett-jackson-back-into-a-top-prospect/14206103/

Soaring athlete salaries don't stop per diem By Sarah McLellan / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2014/08/17/soaring-athlete-salaries-stop-per-diem/14214797/

Cory Hahn finds D-backs' career despite paralyzing injury By FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/video/cory-hahn-finds-d-backs-career-despite-paralyzing-injury-081714?vid=318657091660

Inciarte a bright spot as D-backs fall to Marlins By AP / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/stanton-marlins-pull-away-from-d-backs-081714

Marlins rough up D-backs' Collmenter, Delgado for series win: By The Numbers By Andrew Gilstrap / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1759301/Marlins-rough-up-Dbacks-Collmenter-Delgado-for-series-win-By-The-Numbers

After three starts, Hudson satisfied with progress By Mark Brown / The Examiner (Phoenix) http://www.examiner.com/article/after-three-starts-hudson-satisfied-with-progress

NATIONAL

Stanton's homer, 4 RBIs lift Marlins over D-backs By Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/17/bbo-diamondbacks-marlins-writethru-idUSMTZEA8HGWFS3F20140817

Giancarlo Stanton powers Miami Marlins to victory over Arizona Diamondbacks By Clark Spencer / Miami Herald http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/17/4294608/giancarlo-stanton-powers-miami.html

Arizona Diamondbacks release South Kitsap grad Cunningham By The Kitsap Sun http://www.kitsapsun.com/sports/arizona-diamondbacks-release-south-kitsap-grad-cunningham_72411106

Giancarlo Stanton: NL MVP? By Heath Clary / Vavel.com http://www.vavel.com/en-us/mlb/381189-giancarlo-stanton-nl-mvp.html

Quite a turnaround: Marlins claim 62nd victory, match 2013 win total By Christina De Nicola / FOX Sports Florida http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/marlins-claim-62nd-victory-match-2013-win-total-081714

Diamondbacks Rumors: Kirk Gibson to be fired soon? By Josh Hill / FanSided (CNNSI) http://fansided.com/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-rumors-kirk-gibson-fired-soon/#!bFoAs3

Werner has good idea of how baseball can be improved By Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe

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http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/08/16/sunball/Ou0wql2ruwCcDcy7IqySEK/story.html

Arizona Diamondbacks - PlayerWatch By Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/17/bbo-diamondbacks-playerwatch-idUSMTZEA8HGN9PVH20140817

Stanton powers Marlins back to .500 By Maria Torres / MLB.com http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_17_arimlb_miamlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=mia

Arizona Diamondbacks - TeamReport By Reuters / The Global Post http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140818/arizona-diamondbacks-teamreport

Summer Sports Institute scores a win in its debut year By University of Oregon http://around.uoregon.edu/content/summer-sports-institute-scores-win-its-debut-year

RENO ACES

Zephyrs beat Aces in pitcher's duel By Reno Gazette-Journal http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2014/08/18/zephyrs-beat-aces-pitchers-duel/14219239/

Heaney carries no-hitter into 8th inning in Zephyrs’ 1-0 win By Dave Sachs / Sports NOLA http://sportsnola.com/heaney-carries-hitter-8th-inning-zephyrs-1-0-win/

New Orleans wins pitcher's duel, 1-0 By Chris Dierken / Reno Aces http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90174316&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t2310

MOBILE BAYBEARS

With twice the ice, Mobile BayBears take on ALS ice bucket challenge and support Alabama chapter By Emily Hill / AL.com http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/with_twice_the_ice_mobile_bay.html

Chris Morgan takes over for the BayBears By FOX 10 TV (Mobile) http://fox10tv.com/2014/08/17/chris-morgan-takes-over-for-the-baybears/

VISALIA RAWHIDE

Steady Rawhide Attack Bests Modesto By Visalia Rawhide http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140818&content_id=90213946&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t516&sid=t516

SOUTH BEND SILVER HAWKS

Splendid Sunday Swings Secure Success in Series for Silver Hawks By WNDU.com

http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/Splendid-Sunday-Swings-Secure-Success-in-Series-for-Silver-Hawks-271606301.html

HILLSBORO HOPS

Ratliff Homer Wins 17-Inning Marathon By Hillsboro Hops http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140818&content_id=90222824&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t419

Hops take 17-inning marathon By Bob Clark / The Register-Guard http://registerguard.com/rg/sports/32027801-81/hops-take-17-inning-marathon.html.csp

MISSOULA OSPREY

Idaho Falls Drops Missoula, 4-1 By Missoula Osprey http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90200108&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t518

NATIONAL

MLB NEWS August 18, 2014 • MLB.com http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/news/mlb_news_index.jsp ASSOCIATED PRESS August 18, 2014 • Sports.yahoo.com http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews MLB TRANSACTIONS August 18, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

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LOCAL

Scoring change erases 'E' in D-backs-Marlins tilt By Joe Frisaro / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article/ari/scoring-change-erases-error-in-d-backs-marlins-tilt?ymd=20140817&content_id=90084422&vkey=news_ari After further review, the decisive run scored in the Marlins' 2-1 victory over the D-backs on Saturday night is now earned. Official scorer Ron Jernick took another look at the play and submitted the change to MLB. So an error that was initially charged to D-backs shortstop Cliff Pennington has been removed. And Jeff Mathis was credited with an RBI. The D-backs played sloppy defense all night. But instead of five errors, they officially have four now. The play in question came in the seventh inning. With the score tied at 1 and Marcell Ozuna on third base, Arizona moved its infield in. Mathis tapped to short, and Pennington threw wide to catcher Miguel Montero. Initially, it was scored a fielder's choice and an error to the shortstop. Jernick gave the play a closer look, and he felt Pennington's angle to the plate was partially obstructed by where pitcher Wade Miley was standing. So rather than give the shortstop a tough error, the revised ruling was a fielder's choice RBI to Mathis. Instead of allowing two runs, with one unearned, for Miley, both runs in his outing are now earned.

Communication key for Harkey with influx of rookies By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90077002&notebook_id=90076842&vkey=notebook_ari&c_id=ari D-backs pitching coach Mike Harkey has had to familiarize himself with a lot of new faces this year. Entering Sunday, the D-backs have had 11 players make their big league debuts this year, including seven pitchers. "We've been doing a lot of coaching this year," Harkey said. "It's pretty rare to have that many rookies." Arizona manager Kirk Gibson praised the job Harkey has done in getting so many rookies up to speed, crediting the first-year pitching coach's communication skills. One of the keys is not overwhelming them with too many mechanical changes or information right off the bat. Harkey takes some time to watch each pitcher in their first few outings before deciding what tweaks might need to be made. He also has a resource in bullpen coach Mel Stottlemyre Jr., who had previously been the organization's pitching coordinator, so he had seen most of these pitchers in the Minors.

"I'm very fortunate to have Mel here, because he knows almost every kid that we've brought up," Harkey said. "So I've had someone to bounce things off of. He gives me a heads-up on certain tendencies and things to look for and that helps out a lot. Then we come up with a plan to get them where we think they need to be."

As pitchers learn Peralta, rookie learning to adjust By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90077002&notebook_id=90077246&vkey=notebook_ari&c_id=ari In the back-and-forth game between hitters and pitchers, it's David Peralta's move. The D-backs' rookie outfielder who got off to a hot start after being called up at the beginning of June, entered Sunday's action in a 2-for-27 slump, as opposing pitchers have made adjustments in the way they've worked him. "They are making better pitches," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "They're pounding him inside, throwing a lot of offspeed pitches." The onus now is on Peralta to adapt and to be a little less aggressive at the plate if he's getting more offspeed pitches. "You have to make adjustments," Peralta said. "They're making adjustments to me, so I just need to be a little more patient, which I'm trying to do now and adjust myself." One of the things that has helped Peralta during the slump is the fact that Gibson continues to put him in the lineup on a daily basis. With Gibson showing confidence in him, it's easier for Peralta to have confidence in himself. "It's going to happen, because everyone goes through it," Peralta said. "You just have to keep working and keep doing your program. You just need to keep positive. For me, it's like a test to see if I can handle that. I'm just trying to be positive every day and play my game."

After Collmenter falters early, 'pen digs deeper hole By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_17_arimlb_miamlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=ari Josh Collmenter's last start was wiped out by rain as if it never existed. The D-backs right-hander probably wishes he could have washed away Sunday's first inning, as well. The Marlins scored four runs off Collmenter in the opening frame as they beat the D-backs, 10-3, to take three out of four in the series at Marlins Park. "He didn't seem to have his good stuff today at all," D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said. "He struggled, his velocity was way down. He really didn't have it today."

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Collmenter (8-7) started against the Tribe on Tuesday night in Cleveland, and after three innings, that game was postponed due to rain. Since it had not gone at least five innings, it was restarted the next day. There would be no do-over Sunday. "I felt fine, just everything was a little flat and the pitches didn't do what they were supposed to do, and I think that's why they hit them out of the park," Collmenter said. The Marlins got a double from Christian Yelich to start things off for them and Jeff Baker followed with a walk. Giancarlo Stanton quickly cleared the bases with a home run to left -- his 32nd of the year -- to give Miami a 3-0 lead. It was the first homer the D-backs had allowed to Stanton this year. One out later, Garrett Jones homered to right to push the Marlins' advantage to 4-0. Collmenter threw 92 innings out of the bullpen last year and is already at 129 1/3 this year after being thrust into the rotation in April. Considering Collmenter's velocity was also down in the first inning, the question is whether the added workload this year might be too much. "There's a lot of reasons why guys' velocities vary from start to start," pitching coach Mike Harkey said. "He's working on 130 innings. He hasn't done that in a couple of years. We're going to have to reevaluate if it's something going forward that we need to be concerned about. We'll figure it out. He says he feels good." Collmenter did not blame the workload for his performance, but he also did not rule out the role it could play in his velocity being down. "I haven't thrown this many innings in over a year, so it could be," Collmenter said. "But I try to do everything to be ready to throw a lot of innings, whether it's out of the 'pen or as a starter. It could have something to do with it -- I'm not so sure." Gibson said the team will have discussions about whether to make any changes with Collmenter, but that skipping one of his starts or moving him out of the rotation are not options at this point. "He just didn't seem to be himself today," Gibson said. "He said he was just a little sluggish and didn't throw the ball like he can. We'll have more conversations, and maybe we'll adjust his routine in between and freshen him up." Said Harkey: "We're going to evaluate it soon. We don't know if it's fatigue or just a bad day. There's been a couple of outings where he's struggled early in a game and ended up giving us six or seven innings. He just didn't have it today. We're don't want to hurt anybody. But if he says he feels good, you're usually not going to make a determination on one start. We'll have to look at a few of them and see what happens."

After the Marlins pushed the lead to 5-0, the D-backs' offense finally broke through against right-hander Tom Koehler in the sixth. Mark Trumbo drove home a run with a double to center and Jake Lamb capped the inning with an RBI single to pull the D-backs to 5-2. The Arizona bullpen, however, was not able to keep things close, as the Marlins battered Randall Delgado for five runs in the seventh. "Got within 5-2, and then Randall came in and the wheels came off," Gibson said. "He's been throwing the ball good for us, but we let that inning get away and didn't play particularly well again today. You get five runs, we chip away, we got two and you're at least in the picture, but you've got to hold them and we didn't do that."

Diamondbacks' Josh Collmenter showing signs of fatigue By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-josh-collmenter-showing-signs-of-fatigue/14207083/ Josh Collmenter told reporters the same thing he told the Diamondbacks coaching staff on Sunday afternoon. Everything feels fine, he said. There's nothing wrong physically. But after the Miami Marlins torched Collmenter in a 10-3 loss, the Diamondbacks were left wondering what's going on with their durable and versatile right-hander. In a perfect world, Collmenter probably wouldn't be approaching the 130-inning mark. He wouldn't be taking the ball every fifth day. But circumstances conspired against the Diamondbacks this season. Contingency plans were needed. And now the Diamondbacks appear to be considering another change in plans might be needed over the season's final six weeks. Marlins cruise past Diamondbacks to close out series "We're going to have to re-evaluate if it's something going forward that we need to be concerned about," pitching coach Mike Harkey said. "We'll figure it out. He says he feels good. "We don't want to hurt anybody. But if he says he feels good, you're usually not going to make a determination on one start. We'll have to look at a few of them and see what happens." In a four-run first inning against the Marlins, in which he gave up two home runs, including a three-run shot to Giancarlo Stanton, Collmenter threw 24 fastballs. Only three of those pitches registered above 83 mph, according to Pitch-f/x data. Collmenter fell behind in the count 2-1 to the first batter he faced, Christian Yelich, who then laced an 83 mph fastball into the right-center field gap for a double to open the bottom of the first. After Jeff Baker walked, Collmenter again fell behind. With the count 3-1 on Stanton, Collmenter threw a change-up that Stanton deposited over the left-field wall to make it 3-0. Two

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batters later, he hung a curveball that Garrett Jones launched out to right field for a solo homer. "I felt fine," Collmenter said. "Just everything was a little flat and the pitches didn't do what they were supposed to do and I think that's why they hit them out of the park." The quality and velocity of Collmenter's pitches ticked up as the game went on, but the Marlins continued to hit balls hard. They added another run on a Yelich RBI double in the fourth before manager Kirk Gibson hit for Collmenter in the top of the fifth inning. "He didn't seem to have his good stuff (Sunday) at all," Gibson said. "He struggled. His velocity was way down. His command was way down." Gibson also thought Collmenter's stuff was down last week in Cleveland, when he pitched three innings before the game was rained out. With four innings, Collmenter's season total is at 129 1/3, leaving him 25 innings shy of his career high. But that was established in 2011; over the previous two seasons, he has thrown 90 1/3 innings and 92 inning while working in a long relief role the club believes best suits him. "I haven't thrown this many innings in over a year, so it could be," Collmenter said. "But I try to do everything to be ready to throw a lot of innings, whether it's out of the pen or as a starter. It could have something to do with it. I'm not so sure." With the Diamondbacks hit hard by injuries and unexpected struggles from their starters, Collmenter shifted into the rotation on April 14, and quickly provided stability to the unit. His high point came on May 29, when he faced the minimum in shutting out the Cincinnati Reds. But he has posted just a 5.21 ERA in 67 1/3 innings since, and his velocity has trended in the wrong direction. After averaging more than 86 mph with his fastball for the season's first three months, he was at 85.8 mph in July and was down to 84.8 mph in August entering Sunday. "He just didn't seem to be himself today," Gibson said. "He said he was just a little sluggish and didn't throw the ball like he can. We'll have more conversations and maybe we'll adjust his routine in between and freshen him up."

Marlins cruise past Diamondbacks to close out series By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/1010-am-diamondbacks-close-out-series-with-marlins/14192067/ The Miami Marlins jumped on right-hander Josh Collmenter for four runs in the first inning on Sunday, then blew the game open with a five-run seventh inning en route to their third win in this four-game series. The Marlins got home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Garrett Jones in the first and got two-run hits from Marcell Ozuna (double) and Jarrod Saltalamacchia (single) in the seventh.

Missed chance: The Diamondbacks came up empty in their first scoring opportunity against Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler. After Koehler quickly retired the first two batters of the game, the Diamondbacks loaded the bases on a David Peralta single and walks from Mark Trumbo and Miguel Montero. But Koehler recovered by striking out Diamondbacks rookie Jake Lamb on a 93 mph fastball. It appeared Lamb might have done Koehler a favor by swinging at the pitch, which might have been up and out of the strike zone. Another mistake: After first baseman Mark Trumbo had trouble with a pair of pickoff throws from left-hander Wade Miley on Saturday, another pickoff attempt went bad on Sunday. With Christian Yelich on first base in the seventh, right-hander Randall Delgado's throw got past Trumbo, allowing Yelich to advance to second. The error was charged to Delgado. Clawing back: Trailing 5-0 after four innings, the Diamondbacks got back in the game with two runs in the top of the sixth. Ender Inciarte and Cliff Pennington started the inning with singles, and a double by Trumbo and a single by Lamb made it 5-2. The Marlins, however, scored five runs off Delgado in the seventh. "We chip away, we got two and you're at least in the picture," Gibson said. "But you've got to hold them and we didn't do that."

Diamondbacks hope they can turn Brett Jackson back into a top prospect By Nick Piecoro / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/mlb/diamondbacks/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-hope-they-can-turn-brett-jackson-back-into-a-top-prospect/14206103/ The Diamondbacks can't be sure what they're getting in outfielder Brett Jackson, whom they acquired on Thursday night in a waiver trade with the Chicago Cubs, but they believe his potential upside was worth a gamble. Before the 2012 season, Jackson, a former first-round pick out of Cal, was one of the game's top prospects. Baseball America called him a potential All-Star, compared his offensive ability to Jim Edmonds and ranked him the 32nd best prospect in baseball. But Jackson's minor-league production has fallen off precipitously ever since, so much so that the Cubs were willing to take a fringe prospect, right-hander Blake Cooper, in exchange for him. "We just thought a change of scenery might be good for him," Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers said. "With guys who are first-round picks and are really good athletes, sometimes they blossom late."

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Among those Towers consulted with before making the trade was first-base coach Dave McKay, who was familiar with Jackson from the two years he spent on manager Dale Sveum's staff with the Cubs. "When I went over there my first year (in 2012), I remember telling people (during spring training) that we've got a guy over here who is like Larry Walker," McKay said. "He was a Larry Walker type of player. He was big, fast, had a nice swing. He ran them down in the outfield. He could do it all." But in 2012, his always-high strikeout total climbed even higher. Over the past three seasons, he has struck out in nearly 40 percent of his at-bats. The Cubs brought him to the majors at the end of the 2012 season to allow Sveum, a well-regarded hitting instructor, to work with him. Sveum and Cubs President Theo Epstein said later the promotion was probably a mistake. "I think this is a real good opportunity for the organization to get a guy like that and see if he just needs a change of scenery," McKay said. "Maybe a different approach to hitting or maybe go back to what you were doing and revamp it a little bit. Or instead of trying to maybe overdo cutting down on strikeouts — he kind of looked like he was lost when I saw him (late in 2012). But there is so much talent there. So much there." Jackson did not get off to a great start with his new organization, going 0 for 5 with four strikeouts on Saturday in his debut with Triple-A Reno. Still learning Manager Kirk Gibson used to like to talk about outfielder Gerardo Parra's evolution with his throws, how he learned to harness his strong arm to be more accurate and effective. Rookie Ender Inciarte might have similar strides to make. In the second inning on Saturday, he launched a throw over home plate, allowing a runner to take an extra base. He also overthrew his target in the fourth inning on Sunday. "I remember asking Parra how Ender's arm was this year and he said, 'El Canon,'" Gibson said. "He's got a good arm. He hasn't played up here long enough to understand that it can be a real asset but you can also get yourself in trouble with that. That's a work in progress." Short hop The official scorer changed shortstop Cliff Pennington's seventh-inning error on Saturday night to a fielder's choice. So instead of five errors, the Diamondbacks were charged with four in the 2-1 loss. Up next Diamondbacks at Nationals When: Monday 4:05 p.m. Where: Nationals Park, Washington D.C.

Pitching matchup: Diamondbacks LHP Vidal Nuno (0-3, 3.92) vs. Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-5, 2.92). TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-AM (620), KMVP-FM (98.7), KSUN-AM (1400). Notable: Nuno threw 5 2/3 innings in the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in Cleveland, giving up two runs on six hits. … He has been up and down in his starts starts with the Diamondbacks, turning in three quality starts. The Diamondbacks have allowed him to throw 100 pitches just once. … Zimmermann is having another impressive season, ranking ninth in the NL with a 2.92 ERA. … He has a 1.69 ERA in his past four starts. … He has a 3.62 ERA in five starts against the Diamondbacks in his career. Nationals update: The Nationals have used a 19-11 run to go from being tied for first place on July 19 to owning a six-game lead in the National League East entering Sunday. They've outscored opponents 119-87 in that span. LF Bryce Harper, back from a thumb injury that cost him 57 games, is starting to swing the bat better, going 11 for 37 with three homers in his past 10 games. CF Denard Span has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball for the better part of three months, hitting .334 with a .387 on-base since May 20. Starters LHP Gio Gonzalez (4.06 ERA) and RHP Stephen Strasburg (3.53 ERA) haven't been as dominant as expected, but the rest of the Nationals' rotation – RHPs Jordan Zimmermann, Doug Fister and Tanner Roark – have picked up the slack. They rank as the second-best rotation in the league behind the Dodgers. Their bullpen has been storng as well, with RHPs Rafael Soriano, Tyler Clippard and Drew Storen putting up very good numbers. Upcoming pitchers Tuesday: At Washington, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Chase Anderson (7-4, 3.16) vs. Nationals RHP Stephen Strasburg (9-10, 3.53). Wednesday: At Washington, 4:05 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Trevor Cahill (3-8, 4.68) vs. Nationals RHP Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.93). Thursday: At Washington, 1:05 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley (7-9, 4.46) vs. Nationals LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-9, 4.06).

Soaring athlete salaries don't stop per diem By Sarah McLellan / azcentral sports http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/2014/08/17/soaring-athlete-salaries-stop-per-diem/14214797/ It's been almost 50 years since Joe Proski joined the Suns as a trainer, and yet the lifestyle that surrounded the players in the late 1960s seems more memorable than the one that evolved to exist in 2000 when Proski retired from his post after a 33-season career in the NBA. Staffs were cozier, and it wasn't unusual for Proski and then-coach Johnny Kerr to huddle over mugs of beer on off-days or after games with a handful of players.

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The next morning, a wakeup call went out at 4 a.m. to catch a commercial flight, and the destination very well might have been a Holiday Inn, which was the go-to place in Buffalo, N.Y. Perhaps that's why it's so easy for Proski to recall the buffer between the action from years and years ago because no one could possibly confuse it with the five-star hotels, private planes and lavish spreads that accommodate today's athletes. "It was a different time," Proski said. Escalating salaries and a boon in league revenue have no doubt helped carry out this transformation in all four professional sports leagues, which has affected even the most basic elements of the business — such as per diems, a daily allowance handed out to cover living expenses during travel for work. Many overlook the per diem issued to pro athletes considering their salaries dwarf the norm. But it, too, has been on a steady rise, clearly reflecting the evolution that's in play. "Everything has changed," Proski said. Last season, the per diem in the NBA was $124. Next season's amount hasn't been decided, but it will be slightly higher. When Proski broke into the league in 1967 as a trainer with the Chicago Bulls, he recalls an $8 stipend for staff and players. "Now you can't get a hot dog for seven or eight bucks," he said. Maybe that's where the camaraderie among coaches, players and support staff that Proski remembers stems from — their life on the road was similar. But in the NBA, that bond hasn't seemed to deteriorate as the players got richer. Previous Suns stars such as Danny Manning, Jason Kidd, Dan Majerle and Kevin Johnson were known to pass off their per diem cash to athletic trainers or equipment managers. Marcin Gortat used to give his per diem allowance to one athletic trainer on every road trip for a season. Some have left the envelopes on the team bus or in a hotel room. Current players Marcus and Markieff Morris are carrying on the generosity tradition. "I give it to the staff sometimes or get them food or give it to the rookies," Marcus said. "More than likely, I give to the staff to show them some appreciation because our rookies get a lot of money." Still, the rookies are conscious with their spending. While most veterans choose the pricey convenience of room service, some rookies are thriftier so that they can pocket the difference. "I won't lie. There's probably some guys that eat McDonald's every day," center Miles Plumlee said. "If you're willing to do that, then you're going to save a lot of it. But a lot of guys care about what they're eating."

Really, with increased focus on nutrition, the per diem is an easy way to fuel the body wisely. This seems particularly helpful with NHL players, who eat approximately four meals a day with snacks mixed in. Their per diem was $101 last season and since it's adjusted every summer for cost of living, players will receive $103 in 2014-15. "They'll order room service, whether it's cereal or fruit or something before you go to bed," Coyotes winger Dave Moss said. "When you're on the road, you don't have the luxury of going downstairs to grab whatever you'd grab at night before you go to sleep. So it provides for that, too, which is nice." Moss's teammate, defenseman Chris Summers, might be the exception, as he used the per diem he received two years ago for something else. "I was like, 'I think a moped would be really cool,' " Summers said. "So I went to the dealership and paid cash for it." Many baseball players also choose not to use the money at restaurants, opting instead to devote their per diems to daily clubhouse dues which cover laundry expenses and the food options provided at the ballpark. "Especially the younger guys, they will probably generally eat more meals at the field," Diamondbacks right-hander Brad Ziegler said. "They feel they're already paying for it in their dues so may as well take advantage of it." This season, MLB's per diem is $99 and it's tweaked annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. Signs of a per diem in baseball can be traced back to the 19th century. In 1889, Harry Lyons successfully negotiated out of bearing the cost of his travel expenses with Rochester of the American Association. By 1897, Bill Hoffer's contract with Baltimore included a clause that stated teams would pay for meals on the road. "So at some point between 1890 and 1897, it became standard practice," said John Thorn, MLB's official historian. Now, per diem is a regular piece of collective bargaining agreements. In the NFL, that amount typically increases 10 percent annually during the term of the CBA. When it's time to travel for games, players are reimbursed for meals not provided by the team — $22 for breakfast, $32 for lunch and $50 for dinner. But what's unique about the NFL is its per diem is allocated from the first day of preseason training camp until one week prior to the first regular-season game, allowing a source of income before salaries kick in. For 2013-14, first-year players are given $925 a week while veterans accrue $1,700. "The purpose, obviously, is for those players who are rookies, especially undrafted rookies who have never made any salary,

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didn't get a big signing bonus, who are living day to day," Cardinals kicker Jay Feely said. For players who are cut during camp, this allowance guarantees some type of payment for the work they've already put in, and many devote it to their living expenses and taking care of their families. And, actually, this money comes from the players' share of league-wide revenue. Feely, the Cardinals player representative, said players are continuing discussing how much should go into this fund to take care of each other. In a way, this is how that tight-knit spirit that was prevalent in Proski's days still lives on amid the competition for jobs, money and — ultimately — stability. "You want to try help those guys as well," Feely said, "because you know those guys are working just as hard as anybody else." Follow the money azcentral sports' three-part series on athletes, teams and finances kicked off Saturday. SATURDAY: Paola Boivin's story on deferred money written into contracts – did you know the Diamondbacks are still paying a player who retired in 2001? -- and the issues it raises. SUNDAY: Bob McManaman explores the actual dollars paid to minor league baseball players from a first contract through a major league promotion. MONDAY: Sarah McLellan examines the "per diem" – the daily allowance handed out to cover living expenses during travel for work in pro sports. Escalating salaries and a boon in league revenue have led to its steady rise. So what do today's millionaire athletes do with that additional $100 or so, per day, in baseball, football and basketball?

Cory Hahn finds D-backs' career despite paralyzing injury By FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/video/cory-hahn-finds-d-backs-career-despite-paralyzing-injury-081714?vid=318657091660 (VIDEO IS EMBEDDED)

Inciarte a bright spot as D-backs fall to Marlins By AP / FOX Sports Arizona http://www.foxsports.com/arizona/story/stanton-marlins-pull-away-from-d-backs-081714 A bunt single by Ender Inciarte was one of the few bright spots for the Arizona Diamondbacks in their latest loss. The rookie center fielder and leadoff man extended the longest hitting streak in the majors to 17 games Sunday in a 10-3 loss to the Miami Marlins.

"I'm not trying to do anything different," Inciarte said. "I'm just practicing every day and trying to do the same things. Hopefully, I can be more consistent every day." Inciarte bunted for a hit and scored in the sixth inning. He added an RBI single in the ninth. The 17-game streak is the longest ever by a Diamondbacks rookie. He is hitting .320 (24 for 75) during that stretch. "He's a smart player and he utilizes his tools very well," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "He plays hard." Mark Trumbo and Jake Lamb also drove in runs for the Diamondbacks (53-71). "It was a bad thing that we couldn't keep them close," Inciarte said. "We've got to be able to give ourselves a chance to in the game." Giancarlo Stanton hit his major league-leading 32nd homer and drove in four runs for the Marlins. Stanton has a career-high 88 RBI, one more than he had in 2011. He went 7-for-14 with four walks and six RBIs in the four-game series against Arizona. Garrett Jones also homered for the Marlins, who have won five of seven to get back to the .500 mark at 62-62, equaling their victory total for all of last year. Marcell Ozuna and Jarrod Saltalamacchia each drove in two runs and Christian Yelich had three hits. Tom Koehler (9-9) pitched six innings, allowing two runs. Stanton hit a three-run homer and Jones also connected in the first against Josh Collmenter (8-7). Trumbo and Lamb hit RBI singles in the sixth that pulled Arizona within 5-2. The Marlins broke open the game by scoring five times in the seventh. Stanton hit an RBI single, Ozuna had a two-run double and Saltalamacchia singled home two runs. Diamondbacks reliever Randall Delgado was charged with five runs and got just one batter out. This was Miami's highest-scoring game since an 11-6 win at Tampa Bay on June 5. TRAINER'S ROOM Diamondbacks: RHP Daniel Hudson (Tommy John surgery) threw one scoreless inning on Saturday night in the Arizona League, allowing one hit and striking out one. UP NEXT Diamondbacks: Arizona travels to Washington for a four-game series beginning on Monday night. LHP Vidal Nuno (0-3, 3.92) starts against Nationals RHP Jordan Zimmermann (8-5, 2.92). COLLMENTER STRUGGLES

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Collmenter also allowed seven hits and walked a batter while striking out four. "He just didn't seem to be himself today," Gibson said. "He told me (in the dugout) he was just a little sluggish and said he wasn't throwing the ball like he could. We'll adjust his routine and try to get him freshened up."

Marlins rough up D-backs' Collmenter, Delgado for series win: By The Numbers By Andrew Gilstrap / Arizona Sports http://arizonasports.com/42/1759301/Marlins-rough-up-Dbacks-Collmenter-Delgado-for-series-win-By-The-Numbers The Miami Marlins scored a whopping 10 runs Sunday, and they were all attributed to two Arizona Diamondbacks pitchers. Miami came out with a boom by slugging two home runs and scoring four in the first inning off Josh Collmenter, and the Marlins added another run in the fourth before the Diamondbacks starter was replaced. For as bad as the final score looked, Arizona was actually knocking on the door for a little while. The D-backs scored two runs in the sixth inning and had runners on the corners before Alfredo Marte flied out to center field. The team was down just three at that point, but Miami struck again in the bottom of the seventh off reliever Randall Delgado, who allowed three runs to score before he was pulled after only getting one out. Delgado left two runners in scoring position, and both scored when catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia singled off Bradin Hagens. Arizona would score one run in the top of the ninth, but it was not nearly enough as the club lost to the Marlins 10-3, winning only one of the four-game series at Marlins Park. Here's a look at Sunday's blowout by the numbers: 2 (part I) Between Collmenter and Delgado's poor showings, left-handed reliever Eury De La Rosa threw two scoreless innings for the Diamondbacks while striking out one and allowing just one hit. His ERA is now 2.37 with the strong appearance. 2 (part II) Rookie third baseman Jake Lamb drove in the second run of his career with a sixth-inning single that brought Arizona to within three runs. Lamb went 1-for-4 in the game and now has seven hits since being called up in early August. His batting average is now .219. 4 It was the fourth time this season that Collmenter has allowed five or more runs in an appearance. The right-handed starter only lasted four innings, and he gave up seven hits to go along with the five runs. Collmenter also walked one while striking out four. His two homers allowed now put him at 17 surrendered on

the season, which is second-highest behind Wade Miley for most on the staff. 5 Five earned runs were attributed to Delgado, which are the second-most he's allowed all season. (The six he gave up in Colorado on April 4 came in four innings of work.) The 24-year-old right-hander only recorded one out and allowed three hits and two walks in the seventh inning Sunday. His ERA jumped to 6.00 with the poor outing. 6 Rookie outfielder David Peralta got the first hit of the game -- a first-inning single -- and then his sixth stolen base of the season, which is fifth-highest on the team. The right fielder finished 1-for-4 from the plate in the contest. 8 First baseman Mark Trumbo continued his strong play of late. He went 2-for-3 in the game with one walk and his eighth double of the year -- which gave him his 36th RBI. Trumbo has recorded a hit in 12 of his last 13 games, and he is batting .333 in August. 9 Second baseman Cliff Pennington recorded his ninth multi-hit game of the year by going 2-for-5 Sunday. He also scored one run and is now hitting .280 on the season. 11 The last time Arizona gave up double-digit runs to an opponent was 11 games ago -- a 12-2 loss to Kansas City, which was the first of a three-game sweep. Sunday was the third time since the All-Star break that the Diamondbacks allowed 10 or more runs to their competitor. 12 The Diamondbacks lost the series 3-1 and are now just 4-8 over their last 12 games -- dating back to the aforementioned Kansas City blowout. Ariozna is still fourth in the NL West despite dropping to 53-71 with the loss. 17 Center fielder Ender Inciarte extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a bunt single in the sixth inning. He later drove in a run with another single for the Diamondbacks' final run of the game. The RBI was his 14th of the year, and he is now batting .266 after going 2-for-5 Sunday.

After three starts, Hudson satisfied with progress By Mark Brown / The Examiner (Phoenix) http://www.examiner.com/article/after-three-starts-hudson-satisfied-with-progress The feel-good part is over and now it’s time to get to work.

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That’s the point where Diamondbacks’ right-hander Daniel Hudson finds himself down the long and winding road. Having undergone two Tommy John surgeries for ligament damage to his right elbow and not pitched in a major league game in over two years, Hudson’s patience remains strong but the competitive fire is eating at his soul. Still, it appears the 27-year-old native of Virginia Beach, Va. could be back in Sedona Red within two weeks. Hudson took another significant step to reaching the mound once again in Chase Field on Saturday by throwing one strong inning for the Diamondbacks rookies in an Arizona League game at Salt River against the Texas Rangers rookies. Afterward, Hudson pronounced himself pain-free and looking to advance in his rehab program. “Feel great but I know I need to work on some things to get major hitters out,” he said. “My breaking ball right now is not where I want it to be but I’m okay with my fast ball and fast ball command.” Going forward, the plan, no matter which level he is pitching, is have Hudson go only one inning each time out. If his pitch count reaches into the mid-20s, then he may be pulled. Yet, the organization is limiting Hudson to just one inning per appearance for the rest of the season. For the immediate task at hand, Hudson says his curve command is important. ‘Since I will be coming out of the bullpen, I want to keep hitters guessing with the curve,” he said. “I told (catcher Tyler Clark on Saturday) I was sorry for shaking off fast balls but know I need throw the curve for strikes.” During his rehab period, the Diamondbacks made a slight adjustment to Hudson’s delivery. Previously, he displayed a noted sling and quasi-sidearm delivery. Now, he is attempting to throw more overhand and the change is visible. “I'm over the top more, the ball is coming out of my hand better,” he said. “The mechanics are a little messed up now but it’s nothing that can’t be ironed out in a short period of time. The bottom line is health and everything is good for now.” Against the Rangers, Hudson showed a good economy of pitches and command in placing several pitches down and away from right-handed hitters. For his one inning work, Hudson threw 13 pitches and seven for strikes. Of the four hitters he faced, he threw two, first pitch strikes and struck out first baseman Zack Stephens on a breaking pitch, low and away, to end the inning. In his three rehab appearances to date, Hudson has thrown three innings, allowed one run, struck out three and has a 3.00 ERA. Going forward, Hudson will complete this week with the rookie D-backs and then head to Triple-A Reno for the Aces’ final week of their season next week.

If all is well, Hudson is then scheduled to join the Diamondbacks in San Diego on September 1. Regarding progress at this point, Hudson smiled, “I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.” RECORD HITTING STREAK With a 2-for-5 afternoon Sunday against the Marlins, centerfielder Ender Inciarte extended his hitting streak to 17 games, an Arizona club record for a rookie. In the streak, Inciarte is 24-for-75, and that’s a .320 batting average. Overall on the season, he is hitting. .266. IN THE SHADOW OF THE WHITE HOUSE After dropping four of their first six games on this 10-game trip, the Diamondbacks move into Washington for four with the Nationals. On Monday night, Vidal Nuno (0-3, 3.92 ERA) takes on righty Jordan Zimmerman (8-5, 2.92). For Tuesday night, rookie Chase Anderson (7-4, 3.16) gets the ball from manager Kirk Gibson and opposes right-hander Stephen Strasburg (9-10, 3.53). On Wednesday night, Trevor Cahill (3-8, 4.68 and four straight quality starts) draws righty Tanner Roark (12-7, 2.53) as his opponent. In the finale Thursday, look for Wade Miley (7-9, 4.46) to go against lefty Gio Gonzalez (6-9, 4.06). Some numbers. Against Zimmerman Monday night, Aaron Hill is 4-for-11 (.364) and Miguel Montero is 4-for-14, .286 but has struck out six times facing Zimmerman. Against Strasburg Tuesday night, Hill is 2-for-12 (.167) but three strikeouts. Aside from first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, out for the season with a broken left hand (.471 batting average), Hill is the only Diamondback with any numbers against Strasburg. Against Cahill, Asdrubal Cabrera is 3-for-12 (.281). Ex-Diamondback Adam LaRoche is 4-for-11 (.364) while Denardo Span is also 4-for-11. On Thursday, Nats’ reserve Scott Hairston is 5-for-13 (.385) and Jayson Werth is 2-for-9 (.222) against Miley. Hill is 2-for-10 (.200) and Mark Trumbo is 3-for-12 (.250) against Gonzalez but has struck out six times the Nats‘ lefty. Then, the Diamondbacks return to Chase Field for an eight-game home stand. First up are the Padres and home stand opens with Josh Collmenter (8-7, 4.31 ERA) taking on righty Jesse Hahn (7-3, 2.96) at 6:40 p.m Friday night. The Dodgers for two and the Rockies for three follow San Diego.

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NATIONAL. Stanton's homer, 4 RBIs lift Marlins over D-backs By Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/17/bbo-diamondbacks-marlins-writethru-idUSMTZEA8HGWFS3F20140817 Stanton's homer, 4 RBIs lift Marlins over D-backs MIAMI -- In Tom Koehler's past two starts, Miami Marlins teammate Giancarlo Stanton has combined to produce three home runs and seven RBIs. On Sunday, Stanton had a three-run homer and four RBIs to help Koehler and the Marlins reach .500 with a 10-3 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Marlins Park. "I hate to say we expect him to do that because that's not fair to (Stanton)," Koehler said. "But every time he swings the bat, I feel there's a good chance he's going to hit a homer." Stanton, the right fielder, leads the majors in homers (32) and the National League in RBIs (88). His RBI total represents a career high. Marlins manager Mike Redmond was asked about Stanton in regards to the MVP race. "I think his numbers will speak for him," Redmond said. "He continues to get big hits, and he brings an intimidation factor to the other team." Another Marlins hitting star was left fielder Christian Yelich, who had two doubles, a single and a steal. He is batting .464 during a current seven-game hit streak. Koehler (9-9) got the win, getting past a rough start to allow just two runs in six innings. Right-hander Josh Collmenter (8-7) took the loss, allowing five runs -- including two homers -- in four innings. "Everything was a little flat," Collmenter said. "My pitches didn't do what they were supposed to do, and that's why they hit them out of the park." Miami (62-62), which started the day in sixth place in the NL wild-card race, 3 1/2 games back, took three out of four from Arizona in this series. Miami is 5-2 on this homestand with two games against Texas remaining. Arizona (53-71), which is out of playoff contention, is 5-10 this month. Koehler survived a 27-pitch, two-walk first inning unscathed when he struck out third baseman Jake Lamb on a 3-2 fastball with two outs and the bases loaded. Miami scored four runs in the bottom of the first. Stanton pulled his homer to left, and first baseman Garrett Jones, who hit a solo blast, did the same to right.

It was the first time since 2012 that the Marlins have hit two homers in a first inning. Stanton, who is now in sole possession of second place on the all-time Marlins home run list with 149 -- five behind Dan Uggla -- said he didn't get what he was looking for in the first inning. "I was waiting for him to throw the changeup," Stanton said. "But he threw the fastball, and I went down and got it." The Marlins stretched their lead to 5-0 in the fourth. Shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria hit a one-out single, advanced on Koehler's sacrifice bunt before scoring on a Yelich double. Arizona got on the board with two runs in the sixth. Center fielder Ender Inciarte extended his career-long hitting streak -- the longest active streak in the majors -- to 17 with a bunt single. He advanced on a single by second baseman Cliff Pennington, and the RBI hits were a double by first baseman Mark Trumbo and a single by Lamb. Arizona manager Kirk Gibson, despite the loss, had praise for the streaking Inciarte. "He's a smart player," Gibson said. "He utilizes his tools very well." Miami put the game away with a five-run seventh. Stanton hit a run-scoring single, center fielder Marcell Ozuna added a two-run double and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia capped the inning with a two-run single. Koehler said there were a couple of "big moments" in the first inning. "Being able to strike that guy out (Lamb) on a 3-2 pitch -- I'm not sure where the pitch was, but it was pretty close (to a ball)," he said. "It would have been interesting to see if he didn't swing what was called there. Fortunately for me, he did swing." Koehler also praised Baker for working a walk after falling behind in the count 0-2. Had Arizona retired Baker with Yelich at second, the Diamondbacks may have pitched around Stanton, and the entire inning may have been different. "That was huge," Koehler said. "If (first base is open), who knows how they pitch to (Stanton). But they had to pitch to him, and he does what he does. I don't know how many times he's hit a home run for me in the first inning, but I love it." NOTES: The Marlins' revolving door at second base continues with Jeff Baker, who started at first base on Saturday, getting his turn on Sunday. The Marlins have started seven different second basemen this season. ... Arizona's Cliff Pennington made his fourth start in this series and his third at a different position. He started twice at third base, once at shortstop and Sunday at second. ... Arizona SS Chris Owings (shoulder strain) will step up his rehab program on Friday when he reports to Triple-A Reno. ... Marlins RHP Henderson Alvarez and Diamondbacks LHP Wade Miley reported no further issues after their injury scares on Saturday. ... Next up, the Diamondbacks conclude their 11-game road trip with four at the Washington Nationals, Monday through Thursday. ... Miami concludes its nine-game

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homestand with games Tuesday and Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. The Marlins are just 2-7 all-time in home games against Texas.

Giancarlo Stanton powers Miami Marlins to victory over Arizona Diamondbacks By Clark Spencer / Miami Herald http://www.miamiherald.com/2014/08/17/4294608/giancarlo-stanton-powers-miami.html Giancarlo Stanton isn’t ready to proclaim the season a success simply because the Marlins are back at .500 and lurking in the playoff hunt. But neither is he complaining. He’s smiling a lot these days. For the first time since Stanton went from “Mike” to “Giancarlo,” Miami is playing meaningful baseball in August, and the bright mood inside the clubhouse is a welcome change from what it had been. “It’s not a morgue here every time you walk in [with] black drapes,” Stanton said of previous years, when the Marlins were stumbling to three consecutive last-place finishes. “That’s the way it feels like when you’re like that.” Stanton on Sunday powered the Marlins to a 10-3 blowout victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, walloping a three-run homer and driving in another run with a single as Miami continued to hang on the periphery of the playoff picture. The victory improved the Marlins to 62-62, giving them a .500 record this late in the season for the first time since 2010 and as many wins as they totaled all of last season, when they lost 100 games. They remained 3 1/2 games back in the National League wild-card race. “Getting back to .500 is huge because I don’t think any team’s making the playoffs under .500,” winning pitcher Tom Koehler said. “We know we have a lot of work to do, and there’s a bunch of teams ahead of us. To sit here and say we’re all satisfied at being .500, I don’t think that’s the case.” But Koehler said those around baseball are probably looking at the Marlins with greater respect. “It’s no longer, ‘Oh, those Fish,’ ” Koehler said. “When we play good baseball, we can play with anybody.” The Marlins did what they had to accomplish with the Diamondbacks, taking three out of four games in the series. They put Sunday's finale out of reach early. Stanton’s first-inning shot off Josh Collmenter fell in the Arizona bullpen and was his 32nd of the season. It was also the 149th homer of Stanton’s career, moving him into second on the team’s all-time list behind Dan Uggla, who

hit 154. He also established a new career high by raising his RBI count to 88 with a single in the seventh. "I don't know how many times he's hit a home run for me in the first inning, but I love it," Koehler said. Garrett Jones also homered for the Marlins in the first, providing Koehler with ample support, and the Marlins scored five times in the sixth to put the game out of reach. Though he got off to a shaky start by loading the bases in the first inning, Koehler worked out of the jam -- striking out Jake Lamb on a 3-2 pitch to end it -- and made it through six innings to improve to 9-9. "I think there were a lot of moments in the first inning that kind of changed the complexion of the game," Koehler said, pointing out Jeff Baker's walk to set up Stanton's home run as one of those moments. With a man on second, Baker fell behind 0-2 in the count before working a walk out of the at bat. Instead of having first base open, a scenario that would likely have resulted in Collmenter either walking or pitching around Stanton, the Arizona right-hander he was forced to pitch to him and "Stanton does what he does right there," Koehler said. "I hit to sit here and say we expect him to do that, because that wouldn't be fair to him," Koehler said of Stanton. "But I know every time he swings the bat, I feel like there's a chance he's going to hit a homer. And when he's playing at a MVP caliber level like he is, when he kind of takes the team on his back…when your big guy is producing the way he is, you've got a good chance of winning the ballgame." It was the most runs scored by the Marlins since an 11-6 win over Tampa on June 5. The Marlins' next five games will be against the two teams with the worst records in the majors, Texas and Colorado.

Arizona Diamondbacks release South Kitsap grad Cunningham By The Kitsap Sun http://www.kitsapsun.com/sports/arizona-diamondbacks-release-south-kitsap-grad-cunningham_72411106 The Arizona Diamondbacks released South Kitsap grad Aaron Cunningham on Sunday. Cunningham, a well-traveled outfielder since being drafted by the White Sox in 2005, hit .255 with no home runs over 92 games at Triple-A Reno. Cunningham, 28, last played in the majors in 2012. He hit .219 over five seasons in the majors between 2008-12. Also Jason Hammel, another South Kitsap product, fell to 1-5 since his trade to the Oakland A’s after a 7-2 loss on Friday. Hammel

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has a 7.00 ERA. He gave up five runs on six hits in three innings. ... Ripken Reyes of Stockton, California, was invited to compete for a spot on the 18U national baseball team. Reyes is the son of Olympic grad Paul Reyes and Central Kitsap grad Heidi Westoff.

Giancarlo Stanton: NL MVP? By Heath Clary / Vavel.com http://www.vavel.com/en-us/mlb/381189-giancarlo-stanton-nl-mvp.html Miami Marlins' outfielder Giancarlo Stanton launched his 32nd home run of the season on Sunday afternoon, a bomb deep into the left field bleachers. His 4 RBIs not only singlehandedly would have beaten the Diamondbacks, but it also gives him 88 on the season, already surpassing his previous career high. The fact that Stanton has long been regarded as one of the best power hitters in the game makes it even more impressive that he has already set his career high with over 40 games remaining. Is it possible for the outfielder formerly known as Mike to win the coveted MVP award? Maybe, but one cannot forget that even though the Marlins are one of the bigger surprises in 2014, they are not expected to make the playoffs. Right or wrong, MVP voters give the player's team's performance a lot of consideration when casting their selection. In other words, if two players have very similar statistics, but Player A plays on a playoff-bound contender, and Player B's team is nowhere near the playoffs, Player A is going to win the award nine times out of ten. I don't agree with that mindset, but that's just how it is. However, if there is ever a year where there is not a clear-cut favorite for the award, it is now. Think about it. Andrew McCutchen has had a fantastic season, but he is currently on the 15-day Disabled List with a rib injury. There is plenty of uncertainty regarding his return, and he isn't the only one. Paul Goldschmidt and Troy Tulowitzki were both having tremendous years, but their respective seasons were both curtailed by season-ending injuries. Jonathan Lucroy has been a vital part of the Brewers' turnaround, but he has cooled off considerably since the All-Star Break. And then there's Stanton, who continues to rake. He leads the NL in home runs, RBIs, slugging percentage, and Wins Above Replacement (WAR). He is second in the NL in both on-base percentage and OPS, as well as third in runs scored. Stanton has showed no signs of stopping, either, hitting .292 with five home runs in the last 15 days. Stanton also boasts phenomenal plate discipline for a power hitter of his acumen. He has struck out only 138 times to go along with 77 walks, a terrific ratio for a power hitter in this day and age. He also boasts a .295 batting average and 10 stolen bases, outstanding numbers for a buff man who stands 6'6" and weighs 240 pounds.

Obviously, if McCutchen recovers from his injury without any setbacks and returns to his stellar self, he will probably be looking at back-to-back MVPs. But if he doesn't, Stanton is very well-deserving of major consideration. He has been the best player in the National League in my opinion, and how his team finishes the season should not take away from his wonderful 2014 season.

Quite a turnaround: Marlins claim 62nd victory, match 2013 win total By Christina De Nicola / FOX Sports Florida http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/marlins-claim-62nd-victory-match-2013-win-total-081714 On Aug. 17, 2013, the Miami Marlins were 46-75 and 28 games back in the National League East. They would finish the season 62-100 for their second-worst record in franchise history. With a 10-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon, the Marlins matched last year's win total as their remarkable turnaround continues. Right-hander Tom Koehler, in his second full season with the ballclub, started Sunday's game and allowed two runs over six innings with seven strikeouts for his ninth win. For just the sixth time in franchise history, Miami has reached 62 wins by Aug. 17 and the first in nine years. ''I'd be lying if I said I didn't think about that today,'' Koehler said. ''After we won to think that it took us until the last series of the year last year to get to 62 wins it just shows a great job the front office has done putting together a competitive team and a quality group of guys that are going to battle to the end. ''We knew coming into this thing that we were going to play hard. We didn't know what the results would be but we knew we would be giving everything we got every time we went on the field. We're seeing that and we're starting to see things fall in our favor after last year they didn't.'' In 2013, 11 rookies appeared in games. Miami went 24-35 in one-run games compared to a major-league best 31-18 so far this year. The offense set records for futility. So the Marlins attacked their areas of need over the offseason, signing Casey McGehee, Jarrod Saltlamacchia and Garrett Jones. That trio went 4 for 11 with three runs, a homer and three RBI on Sunday. Despite its struggles at times, each player provides postseason experience, professional at-bats and a consistent presence to the lineup. Manager Mike Redmond doesn't let the steady progress go unnoticed -- not after last year, his first at the helm. Sunday's achievement -- though not the end result by any means -- will be enjoyed when he leaves the ballpark and relaxes during Monday's day off. ''I think about it all the time,'' Redmond said. ''And I said it last year. Last year was a rough go and I think we knew, well not all of us, we knew it was gonna be a tough season but we knew we would be better for it this year. For the majority of guys that

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were here it was a battle. We appreciate where we are and where we're trying to go. We just gotta keep going out there and playing the way that we have. This is a special group of guys that fight to the end and they battle, they pick each other up, they do all the things that championship teams do. ''So to be sitting here right now with the same amount of wins we had last year for me is a pretty good feeling.'' Since dropping a season-high eight games below .500 on July 19, the Marlins are 18-10. Sunday marked he first time at .500 since July 29 after failing to achieve that benchmark two times earlier in the week. Miami sits just three games back of the second National League wild card spot behind St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants (the Pittsburgh Pirates and Atlanta Braves are ahead of the Marlins in the standings). There are 38 games remaining. ''.500 is always that mark where you talk about getting to and really going forward and we've been there, we've been close, so to get back to .500 at this point at this stage of the season is huge for us,'' Redmond said. ''Definitely right where we want to be. We talked about coming into this series needing to take care of business and win this series. Tough to win a four-game series from any team whether it's at home or on the road. To win three out of four here is huge.'' Like he has done all season, Giancarlo Stanton led the charge with a three-run homer in the first and an RBI single in the third. Stanton has already surpassed a career high with 88 RBI. His first-inning dinger gave him the major-league lead (32) and pushed him into second in franchise history with 149 total. Sunday was his 124th game of the season -- his most since 2011. ''I hate to sit here and say we expect him to do that because it wouldn't be fair to him but I know every time he swings the bat I feel like there's a chance he's going to hit a homer,'' Koehler said. ''When he's playing at the MVP-caliber level that he is he takes the team on his back. ''When your big guy's producing the way he is you've got a chance of winning a ballgame. When you see him swinging the bat well it makes everybody else not press and just go out there and do what they're capable of doing in that game and not too much.'' Early in spring training, a reporter asked Stanton what it felt like being part of losing teams over his first four seasons. As September approaches, he is playing the meaningful games he has craved. What a difference a year makes. ''It's different to come to the field,'' Stanton said. ''It's not a morgue in here every time you walk in and just the black drapes and everything. I'm telling you, that's the way it feels when you're like that. So it's good. We're loose, we understand what's ahead. We're not kicking back at all.''

Diamondbacks Rumors: Kirk Gibson to be fired soon? By Josh Hill / FanSided (CNNSI)

http://fansided.com/2014/08/17/diamondbacks-rumors-kirk-gibson-fired-soon/#!bFoAs3 The Arizona Diamondbacks put together a good season not that long ago, but the tides have changed and it may come time for a managerial switch in the desert. Kirk Gibson has lead the Diamondbacks through a lot but the wins aren’t piling up the way the front office would like to see them doing so, which may result in Gibson being fired after the season is over. According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, the Diamondbacks skipper may find himself out of a job soon if the losing ways continue, although there’s no signs that Gibson’s firing is imminent. Gibson is on the list of managers who could possibly be fired after the season. If he is, it would be Tony La Russa’s first big decision in Arizona. There’s be a lot of speculation about Joe McEwing, a third base coach with the White Sox, or Mike Aldrete, the bench coach for the Cardinals. GM Kevin Towers would also likely to have a say. There’s not a whole lot of writing on the wall, but this final stretch of the season will be critical in determining how safe Gibson’s job is. It could also be that Tony La Russa wants to get his own guy in the job, meaning Gibson could win out and still lose his job. It’s going to be a rough stretch for Arizona but the team will be playing for Gibson’s job the rest of the way through the season. Be sure to stay glued to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumbling from the baseball hot stove this trade season.

Werner has good idea of how baseball can be improved By Nick Cafardo / Boston Globe http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/08/16/sunball/Ou0wql2ruwCcDcy7IqySEK/story.html So, what did Red Sox chairman Tom Werner advocate during his presentation to major league owners on Wednesday and Thursday? Werner, who finished runner-up to Rob Manfred in voting to be the next commissioner of baseball, gave us a glimpse of his message, which he hopes will be adopted by Manfred, stressing pace of play, drawing young people to baseball, diversity, and bringing Major League Baseball into a new media age where young people can access games in ways other than television. “Too many people are leaving games in the sixth and seventh innings because they can’t watch 3½-hour games, so they’re leaving the game at the point where the game should be getting exciting,” Werner said. “You wouldn’t make a 3½-hour movie. The NFL makes changes almost on an annual basis. They’re considering making the extra point from 35 yards rather than from the 8-yard line. Related “I respect tradition, but I don’t revere it.”

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Werner suggested a pitch clock. While there is a 12-second rule in the books for the length of time the pitcher has to deliver the baseball when there’s no one on base (Rule 8:04), it isn’t enforced. Werner said it doesn’t have to necessarily be 12 seconds, but he said he doesn’t consider a clock blasphemy. “In 1954, the NBA introduced a shot clock, and while it was considered radical at the time, it’s something that stuck through the years,” Werner said. “It would speed up play and it would give fans something to look at. Baseball is too slow and there’s a lot of inaction. If a pitcher is holding the ball for 40 seconds between pitches, you’re losing an audience.” Werner said the idea of a pitch clock should at least be tested at the minor league level to gauge its effectiveness in improving pace of play. Werner is also for limiting the number of times a batter can step out of the box. And he would like to add some show business to the game. He suggested miking up players and coaches and umpires on a delay so fans can have an insight on what is said on the field. Obviously, things relating to strategy would not be revealed so not to tip off the competition, but Werner feels the conversations on the field should go from the fans guessing to actually hearing what is said. Werner also would limit the number of catcher and pitching coach visits to the mound. One of Werner’s main ideas is to eliminate warm-up tosses by relievers entering games, the feeling being that the pitcher already has warmed up for some time in the bullpen, so why should he get more warm-up pitches? Werner equated a reliever coming in to a field goal kicker. “Does the field goal kicker get to have a practice kick?” Werner said. Werner also made a pitch to pursue deals that would advance the game in the era of hand-held devices. “We have the capacity to do it, we just have to make an economic arrangement to get it done,” he said. Werner is all about adapting to the times, modernizing the game, and attracting young audiences to expand fan bases. Werner believes that with attention spans shrinking, the game has to be quickened and tightened up. He said the average age of those who watched the World Series last year was 54, so baseball has lost a big audience. “We know we need to attract a diverse fan base,” Werner said. Werner believes there has to be dialogue between the owners and players to get some of these ideas implemented. He had support for these ideas and others, and not just from the teams that initially voted for him to be commissioner. Werner’s message also resonated with Manfred, who agrees that MLB has to do something to attract younger audiences, and keep its audience with shorter games.

Werner said he genuinely wanted to be commissioner. “I was ready to do the job,” he said. “That would have meant difficult decisions because I love the Red Sox.” Werner’s candidacy drew passion from his supporters. But those supporters eventually collapsed on Thursday, when Manfred had secured the necessary 23 votes to be elected after several ballots. The feeling Thursday was that if Manfred didn’t get the 23d vote, forcing a continuation of the process, that Werner might have gained steam. Werner now hopes for a chance to have his ideas heard, discussed, and perhaps implemented. opening bids Red Sox would like to hit on Castillo The Red Sox recently created their own Cuban market when they traded for Yoenis Cespedes, but for the most part they have been shut out of this hotbed for hitters. So, it stands to reason they are one of the teams trying to land Cuban infielder/outfielder Rusney Castillo, who is short but “extremely strong,” according to a rival American League scout, who thinks the 27-year-old has the potential to be a No. 2 or 5 hitter and could make a huge impact on a team like the Red Sox at third base or in center field. The Red Sox are believed to be one of a few teams who already have made an offer on Castillo, hoping it doesn’t fall short like their offer to Jose Abreu, who went to the White Sox and is having a fabulous year that should lead to being named AL rookie of the year. “We are involved but just one of several teams,” general manager Ben Cherington confirmed. Castillo will go to the highest bidder, but it’s hard for teams to gauge what will be the top offer. Abreu wound up going for $68 million over six years (the Red Sox falling $5 million short), but Cespedes was four years at $36 million, and the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig was seven years at $42 million. Castillo may be a strong arm away from having five tools, but it isn’t that big a concern for most scouts, who believe his arm is adequate enough to play center field given his other attributes, which include speed and power. “He’s a legitimate leadoff hitter/center fielder,” said Giants GM Brian Sabean, who is also in on the bidding. It’s interesting how teams view Castillo. The Tigers see him as a center field candidate to replace Austin Jackson, whom they traded to Seattle. The Yankees see him as a second baseman. Stephen Drew is playing there now but there’s a chance he could be the replacement for Derek Jeter at shortstop. Signing Castillo would be important for the Red Sox because they have to go into the 2015 season with more certainty in center field and third base than they have now.

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Castillo, according to one scout who watched him at last month’s showcase, which drew nearly 100 scouts, is a cross between Kirby Puckett and Cespedes. Another felt his body type compared to Rickey Henderson. That’s pretty high praise. Losing out on Abreu was clearly frustrating for the Red Sox, considering how close they came to landing him. At the time, the Red Sox were thinking about playing Abreu at third base, though in retrospect and given his body size, he may not have lasted there. Castillo, a defector who hasn’t played organized baseball in a year, is trying to wade through offers with the hopes that he can sign and play in the majors in 2014. The Red Sox hope that’s in Boston. Apropos of nothing 1. So, if the money is close between one team and another for a free agent, what’s the tiebreaker? Amenities. What does the organization offer the player and his family? David Ross calls them “the little things.” “I think there are pros and cons to every place,” said Ross, “but for families this is the best place I have been. Just a great family room and bus on away games, for example. They feed kids and wives. They just go above and beyond to make sure they are taken care of. I never have to worry about my family during the game. It’s the little stuff you appreciate as a player.” The little things may be what lures Jon Lester back to the Red Sox. His family was always taken care of by traveling secretary Jack McCormick. And not that other organizations don’t offer similar things, but the consensus among players who have been multiple places is that Red Sox and Yankees are the teams that offer more of “the little things.” 2. Justin Verlander is 23-23 since turning 30. 3. We are reminded with the Little League World Series under way that Jason Varitek participated in the Little League World Series in 1984, College World Series with Georgia Tech in 1994, and the World Series with the Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. How’s that for a baseball legacy? 4. We’re sure they’ll be more activity toward the end of the month, but there have been only four waiver deals in August, the big two being Josh Willingham going from Minnesota to Kansas City and Kevin Correia going from Minnesota to the Dodgers. 5. No cycles in major league baseball this season. The last time a full season was played without one was in 1983. 6. Nobody’s been able to break Curt Schilling’s record of 147 consecutive starts of at least five innings, which he accomplished from July 21, 2001, to Sept. 26, 2006. 7. Mets righthander Matt Harvey said at last November’s Boston Baseball Writers dinner that he would pitch in 2014 after Tommy John surgery. Harvey has reached the point where he feels he can do it, but the Mets won’t let him. 8. Who knew Seattle’s pitching would be this good? Manager Lloyd McClendon, that’s who. McClendon said in spring

training, “I think we have shutdown pitching.” The Mariners not only have the best team ERA in the majors (2.95), they could become the first team in 25 years to finish below 3.00. 9. Buck Showalter is the best manager in baseball. But what do you make of Kansas City’s Ned Yost. Three weeks ago he was a candidate to be fired, and today he’s in the discussion for manager of the year. Updates on nine 1. Daniel Nava, OF, Red Sox — The Red Sox have put only two players on revocable waivers (Craig Breslow and Kelly Johnson). Nava has drawn interest from the Royals (before they traded for Josh Willingham) and the Tigers. But Nava has not been put on waivers. Not sure he would clear. The Red Sox likely will put him on later in the month to see what type of interest he’d garner. The Sox’ outfield looks crowded next season with Allen Craig, Jackie Bradley Jr., Shane Victorino, Yoenis Cespedes, Mookie Betts, and Brock Holt all in the mix. 2. B.J. Upton, CF, Braves — There’s probably no chance the Braves would release Upton with three years remaining on his contract, which may go down as one of the worst in history. Upton is getting roasted by the Atlanta media. The Braves have no choice but to ride it out because he’s untradeable. They tried him at leadoff and that was a disaster. Upton has a .197 average with 18 homers and 56 RBIs in 826 at-bats with the Braves over the last two years for an OPS of .586. Like Carl Crawford, he’s really struggled since leaving Tampa Bay. 3. Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies — His hip surgery surely puts an end to trade talks this offseason. Tulowitzki wants to be part of a winning situation, but it looks like he’ll remain with the Rockies through the winter. He just can’t stay healthy enough for a team to take the chance, given the $118 million remaining on his contract. 4. J.J. Hardy, SS, Orioles — Hardy’s power is reemerging after a season in which he had a few nagging injuries that may have curtailed it. Hardy will be a free agent, and while the Orioles want him back, Hardy could draw big-time interest from the Yankees, who also have the option on re-signing Stephen Drew to play shortstop. Hardy had hit 30, 22, and 25 homers for the Orioles before this season. If he departs, would the Orioles move Manny Machado to shortstop? Machado’s knee problems could stop that thought. 5. Nick Swisher, OF-1B, Indians — One of the real busts of the 2014 season, Swisher, who averaged 27 homers and 84 RBIs from 2006-12, has managed only eight homers and 42 RBIs this season, and is now on the DL. The Indians needed him to be a big producer as the highest-paid player on the team, but it didn’t materialize. 6. David Ross, C, Red Sox — The Red Sox will decide after the season whether they would like to retain Ross. They would certainly love for him to keep working with Christian Vazquez, but Ross’s recent bout with plantar fasciitis has slowed him. Ross said there have been no contract talks with the Red Sox but he would like to return.

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7. Kirk Gibson, manager, Diamondbacks — Gibson is on the list of managers who could possibly be fired after the season. If he is, it would be Tony La Russa’s first big decision in Arizona. There’s be a lot of speculation about Joe McEwing, a third base coach with the White Sox, or Mike Aldrete, the bench coach for the Cardinals. GM Kevin Towers would also likely to have a say. 8. Brian Cashman, GM, Yankees — Just because owner Hal Steinbrenner was noncommittal about Cashman’s future (his contract is up), it doesn’t mean Cashman won’t return. Cashman has done a strong patchwork job trying to replace his starting rotation, and did a good job trading for Brandon McCarthy and bringing on Chris Capuano. Cashman’s free agent signings — Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, and Jacoby Ellsbury — didn’t hit to their potential, but the feeling around baseball is for Cashman to have the Yankees where they are, he’s done a lot right. 9. Jonathan Papelbon, RHP, Phillies — With the need for back-end bullpen help, Papelbon could still be in play for a deal before the end of the month. He cleared waivers and continues to have a good season — 27 saves, a 0.872 WHIP, and eight straight appearances without allowing a run entering Friday. Now the question becomes does a team such as the Tigers make one last attempt to bolster their bullpen before the playoffs? Extra innings There are only three players with double figure homers who have more homers than walks this season: Adam Jones (23 HR/15 BB), Mike Zunino (18/13), and Sean Rodriguez (11/9). . . . In 2012, there were eight hitting streaks of at least 20 games. There were three last season, and so far this season there have also been three: Nolan Arenado (28), Jose Abreu (21), and Evan Gattis (20). . . . Happy birthday, Dustin Pedroia (31), Alex Cole (49), Butch Hobson (63), Skip Lockwood (68), and Diego Segui (77).

Arizona Diamondbacks - PlayerWatch By Reuters http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/17/bbo-diamondbacks-playerwatch-idUSMTZEA8HGN9PVH20140817 LHP Matt Reynolds, who had Tommy John surgery on Sept. 24, 2013, on Friday faced live batters for the first time since his operation. Reynolds threw 29 pitches during a minor-league rehab assignment. Last season, Reynolds, who turns 30 in October, had a career-best 1.98 ERA last season while pitching out of the D-Backs' bullpen (27 1/3 innings). He's a big guy at 6-5 and 240 pounds, but Reynolds has allowed a higher batting average vs. lefty hitters (.262) than righty hitters (.252). His on-base and slugging percentages are similar in that they are worse vs. lefties, which sort of kills using him as a specialist who comes in to dominate lefties. RHP Josh Collmenter probably can't wait to face the Marlins on Sunday. First of all, he has a stellar 0.64 career ERA in 14 innings against the Marlins, including one start. Secondly, Collmenter was pitching well in his most recent start, on Aug. 12, when the game was rained out. Collmenter's stats that day -- one run allowed in three innings -- do not count. Collmenter lacks quality stuff but gets by on deception. Last season, he was mostly a long reliever. He led NL relievers in innings (92). Injuries, have forced him to become a starter this year.

LHP Wade Miley was victimized by five errors -- including one of his own -- on Saturday in his 2-1 loss to the Miami Marlins. The Marlins' winning run in the seventh inning was unearned due to an error on 1B Mark Trumbo. Miley (7-9) also survived an injury scare. He made a putout at first base that ended the sixth inning, but he tumbled over the bag and stayed on the ground for a minute before returning to the dugout. He stayed in the game for seven innings and allowed four hits, one walk and two runs, one earned. He entered the game with a 0.89 career ERA against the Marlins and pitched well again ... except for the errors. SS Chris Owings, who has a strained left shoulder, took live batting practice on Friday in the minors. He should start a rehab assignment soon. Once he returns, it will be interesting to see where he plays. Owings, 23, has played 74 MLB games at shortstop and his other three at second base. He was the team's Opening Day shortstop, and was having a Rookie of the Year-type season until he got hurt. It would make sense to put him back at short, but some scouting reports said his arm plays more at second base. In that scenario, Didi Gregorius could play short, and Aaron Hill would move from second base to third. It's a lot for Arizona to sort out, but the organization's main concern is getting Owings healthy.

Stanton powers Marlins back to .500 By Maria Torres / MLB.com http://miami.marlins.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2014_08_17_arimlb_miamlb_1&mode=recap_home&c_id=mia Runs were at a premium throughout the Marlins' four-game set with the D-backs at Marlins Park. Each of the first three games were decided by one run. But on Sunday, Giancarlo Stanton had four RBIs and his bat propelled the Marlins to .500 for the first time since July 29 as they beat Arizona, 10-3, and secured their third consecutive series win. The Marlins have won seven of their last 10 games, and the .500 threshold is pivotal for them if they want to put together a late-season run in the National League Wild Card race. The last time they were above an even mark was on June 20. "To get back to .500 at this stage of the season is huge for us," manager Mike Redmond said. "Definitely right where we want to be. We talked about coming into this series needing to take care of business. ... To win three out of four here is huge." Stanton and the Marlins wasted no time getting to Arizona's Josh Collmenter. Christian Yelich led off the first with a double and Jeff Baker drew a walk, bringing up Stanton. The slugger hit a towering home run into left field that landed in the D-backs' bullpen for an early 3-0 cushion. Stanton's season total for RBIs climbed to an NL-best 88, surpassing his career-high of 87 set in 2011. Although he joked about not breaking 100 yet, he recognized the importance of helping Miami secure 62 wins on Sunday. The Marlins had 62 wins all of last season.

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"It's helping us win," he said. "That's more than any single accolade I could have." "It's an intimidation factor that [Stanton] brings to the ballclubs, and this guy just continues to do it," Redmond praised. "We just played a long stretch of ballgames and guys are tired and emotional and on tilt. ... To come out on a day game -- they're always tough to play -- [and] for him to set the tone was huge." Stanton drove in the first run of the Marlins' seventh inning after Yelich, who'd reached third on an error and a stolen base, led off the inning with his third hit of the afternoon. The scoring didn't stop there. The Marlins sent nine to the plate and added five total runs in the frame, thanks to a pair of walks and RBI hits by Marcell Ozuna and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. "We've had close games all the way down to the wire for a while now, so to be able to secure this in the seventh inning was good," Stanton said. The Marlins also saw each of their one through eight batters reach base in the game. Garrett Jones put together a 2-for-3 afternoon, including a first-inning solo homer, after entering the game with one hit in his last six contests. The offensive outburst provided plenty of support for starter Tom Koehler, who ran into trouble in the first and sixth innings, as he posted his ninth win of the season. "When your big guy [Stanton] is producing the way he is, you've got a chance of winning a ballgame," Koehler said. "When you see him swinging the bat well, it makes everybody else not press and just go out there and do what they're capable of doing in that game." Koehler needed just seven pitches to get the first two outs of the game, but then he allowed a single and two walks. Pitching coach Chuck Hernandez trotted out to the mound after Koehler threw five straight balls, one of which was a wild pitch. The message Hernandez delivered about slowing down clearly paid dividends, because Koehler struck out Jake Lamb with the bases loaded to end the inning. He then retired 11 of the next 12 batters before giving up two runs in the sixth. Koehler struck out seven batters and walked two through six innings. "He got a little wild, but he got back together," Redmond said. "Chuck went out there, settled him down. ... He had some really nice innings. In the sixth inning, he kind of just ran out of gas." Miami has scored 10 runs six times this season, but Sunday's total was the most they'd scored since they beat the Rays, 11-6, on June 5.

Arizona Diamondbacks - TeamReport By Reuters / The Global Post http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/thomson-reuters/140818/arizona-diamondbacks-teamreport Right-handers Archie Bradley and Braden Shipley are more than just two minor-league players.

Together, these two 22-year-olds carry much of the hopes and dreams of the Arizona Diamondbacks fans and front-office executives. The current Arizona pitching staff ranks next-to-last in the National League in team ERA. Part of the problems is a lack of power arms. No pitcher on the current D-Backs staff can consistently throw north of 94 mph. Enter Bradley, the ninth-best prospect in all of baseball. He can hit 97 mph with his fastball. Enter, too, Shipley, who is ranked baseball's 62nd-best prospect and can dial it up to 98 mph. Bradley, a 6-4, 235-pounder out of Oklahoma, was Arizona's first-round pick in 2011, No. 7 overall. He went 12-6 in 2012, his first full year of pro ball, and was dominant last year, going 14-5 with a 1.84 ERA as he shuffled between Class A and Double-A. This year, though, Bradley has struggled. He went 1-4 with a 5.18 ERA in five Triple-A starts before being sent back down to Double-A, where he is 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA. But scouting reports indicate he has a "plus, plus fastball with late life" and a "plus curve". He also has a changeup that could become an above-average pitch. Some scouts consider him the game's premier power-pitching prospect. Shipley, who is 6-3 and 190 pounds, played shortstop as a college freshman at Nevada-Reno. But he was converted to pitcher before his sophomore year and soon became a dominant college pitcher and the D-Backs' first-round pick -- No. 15 overall -- in 2013. He's 6-10 with a 4.16 ERA so far in his minor-league career. But he has averaged more than a strikeout per inning and recently joined Bradley at Double-A Mobile. Scouts say Shipley has a "clean, repeatable" delivery and has developed very quickly given his late start on the mound. Could we see either or both of these talented pitchers in the big leagues next month when MLB rosters can expand up to 40 players? It's possible -- certainly, Bradley's agent has been publicly pushing for his client to be promoted to the majors. But it's also very possible that neither is quite ready yet and the D-Backs decide to wait until sometime next year. ----------------------------------------------- MLB Team Report - Arizona Diamondbacks - NOTES, QUOTES RECORD: 53-71 STREAK: Lost two

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NEXT: Diamondbacks (LHP Vidal Nuno, 0-3, 3.92 ERA) at Nationals (RHP Jordan Zimmermann, 8-5, 2.92 ERA) PLAYER NOTES: --LHP Vidal Nuno, technically still a rookie, won one game for the New York Yankees last year and two this year. But he is still looking for his first win with Arizona and will get another opportunity on Monday at the Washington Nationals. This will be the first time Nuno, 27, faces the Nationals. He has a 4.53 career ERA and has allowed three runs or less in four of his seven starts for the D-Backs. In his most recent start, a 3-2 loss to the Cleveland Indians, Nuno got a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings. --RHP Josh Collmenter (8-7) got off to an awful start on Sunday against the Marlins. He allowed a double to Christian Yelich to lead off the first inning. Then he got ahead of Jeff Baker 0-2 but lost him with four straight balls. Had he retired Baker, he could have worked around Giancarlo Stanton with first base open. Instead, he fell behind 3-1 to Stanton, gave in on a fastball, and the result was a three-run homer. Stanton leads the majors in homers with 32 and the National League with 88 RBIs, so having to challenge him there was a big problem for a pitcher who does not have a blazing fastball. Garrett Jones added a solo homer later in the first inning, and Collmenter ended up allowing five runs in four innings, taking the loss. --CF Ender Inciarte had a bunt single on Sunday against the Marlins, extending his hit streak to 17 games. That's the longest hit streak ever for an Arizona rookie. It's also the longest active hit streak in the majors. The only MLB player to have a longer hit streak this season was Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox, who did it twice. He had streaks of 18 and 21 games. --1B Mark Trumbo has reached base in 16 game consecutive games, the second-longest streak of his career. He reached base in 27 straight from Sept. 30, 2012 to April 27, 2013. Trumbo went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and an RBI against the Marlins on Sunday. QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's a smart player. He utilizes his tools very well." -- Arizona manager Kirk Gibson, of CF Ender Inciarte, whose bunt single Sunday extended his hitting streak to 17 games. That's the longest hit streak ever for an Arizona rookie. ----------------------------------------------- MLB Team Report - Arizona Diamondbacks - ROSTER REPORT MEDICAL WATCH: --SS Chris Owings (strained left shoulder) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to June 26. An MRI exam July 1 showed no structural damage. He hit balls off a tee Aug. 7. He will step up his rehab on Aug. 22 when he reports to Triple-A Reno. --LHP Wade Miley (foot) reported no further issues after his injury scare on Aug. 16.

--CF A.J. Pollock (broken right hand) went on the 15-day disabled list June 1. He underwent surgery June 2 to repair a fractured fourth metacarpal. He took batting practice July 22. He began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona League on Aug. 1. He was hit by a pitch in the right hand in an Arizona League game July 31, D-backs manager Kirk Gibson said, but it was in a different spot than the place he was hit when he suffered a fourth metacarpal fracture May 31. X-rays were negative, and Pollock returned to action in the Arizona League on Aug. 2. He transferred his rehab to Triple-A Reno on Aug. 4. He played for Reno on Aug. 8 but experienced a setback that day. The timetable for his return is uncertain. --1B Paul Goldschmidt (fractured left hand) went on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 2. He is expected to be out until at least mid-September. --RHP Daniel Hudson (Tommy John surgery in June 2013) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 29, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 19. He threw breaking balls in a bullpen session May 13, the first time he has spun the ball since returning to the mound in April. He threw a simulated game June 24. He threw a simulated game the last week of July and a bullpen session July 31. He began a rehab assignment in the rookie-level Arizona League on Aug. 5. The D-backs hope to get him into three to six games in September, after rosters expand. --OF Cody Ross (left calf strain) went on the 15-day disabled list July 22. --RHP Bronson Arroyo (complete tear of right ulnar collateral ligament) went on the 15-day disabled list June 16. He underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery July 15. --LHP Matt Reynolds (Tommy John surgery in September 2013) went on the 15-day disabled list March 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on June 1. He threw his first bullpen session June 10. There is no timetable for his return. --RHP David Hernandez (Tommy John surgery in April 2014) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 14. He will miss the entire season. --LHP Patrick Corbin (Tommy John surgery in March 2014) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 19, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on April 4. He will miss the entire season. ROTATION: LHP Wade Miley RHP Chase Anderson LHP Vidal Nuno RHP Trevor Cahill RHP Josh Collmenter BULLPEN:

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RHP Addison Reed (closer) RHP Brad Ziegler LHP Oliver Perez RHP Evan Marshall RHP Matt Stites LHP Eury De La Rosa RHP Randall Delgado RHP Bradin Hagens CATCHERS: Miguel Montero Tuffy Gosewisch INFIELDERS: 1B Mark Trumbo 2B Aaron Hill SS Cliff Pennington 3B Jake Lamb INF Didi Gregorius INF/C Jordan Pacheco OUTFIELDERS: LF Alfredo Marte CF Ender Inciarte RF David Peralta OF Xavier Paul

Summer Sports Institute scores a win in its debut year By University of Oregon http://around.uoregon.edu/content/summer-sports-institute-scores-win-its-debut-year The UO School of Law's Summer Sports Institute just crossed home plate to wrap its inaugural year, and participants are calling it a win. Watch a story on the program's opening year, from Eugene's KEZI-TV, here. "I think it's phenomenal, because there aren't a lot of law schools that offer curriculum in sports law," Nona Lee, general counsel for baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks and an institute guest speaker, told KEZI reporter Jennifer Richardson.

About two dozen law students from across the country arrived at the UO on July 5 for the five-week program, which was the first of its kind on the West Coast. The institute wrapped up Aug. 11. "We (got) to be part of something brand new," student Ryan Rourke of Seattle told KEZI. "I don't think any other university is really doing this." Students heard from sports law experts and athletes, practiced negotiation and visited historic Hayward Field during the IAAF Junior World Championships. Other activities included tours of the Autzen Stadium complex and a trip to Portland to see the Nike campus in Beaverton, the Portland velodrome cycling arena and a Portland Timbers soccer match. They even did some rafting on the Willamette River. The law school plans to make the institute an annual event and expects double the students next year. This year's class already has volunteered to spread the word about the program. "Our students, our faculty and our guests made this a success," institute director and UO law professor Rob Illig said. "I think everyone was thrilled with how it went and how much everyone got from the experience."

RENO ACES

Zephyrs beat Aces in pitcher's duel By Reno Gazette-Journal http://www.rgj.com/story/sports/2014/08/18/zephyrs-beat-aces-pitchers-duel/14219239/ New Orleans pitcher Andrew Heaney allowed one hit in eight innings as the Zephyrs shut out the Reno Aces, 1-0, on Sunday in New Orleans. Heaney had nine strikeouts. Closer Arquimedes Caminero allowed a hit in the ninth, but the Zephyrs remained unscathed. Heaney picked up his fifth win of the season and Caminero his seventh save. Mike Jacobs got a hit off Heaney in the eighth inning, and Ronny Cedeno added a double in the ninth. Andy Marte's 16-game hitting streak ended when he flew out and stranded Cedeno on second base to end the game. Aces starter Charles Brewer went six innings, allowing one run on five hits. He struck out six batters. Enrique Hernandez had a homer in the sixth inning to score the game's lone run. The teams play at 5 p.m. Monday when the Aces send right-hander Lucas Harrell (6-3, 5.29 ERA) against Zephyrs RHP Anthony DeSclafani (2-3, 3.09 ERA).

Heaney carries no-hitter into 8th inning in Zephyrs’ 1-0 win By Dave Sachs / Sports NOLA http://sportsnola.com/heaney-carries-hitter-8th-inning-zephyrs-1-0-win/

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Andrew Heaney carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, and Kike Hernandez hit a sixth-inning homer to provide the game’s only run in the New Orleans Zephyrs’ 1-0 win over the Reno Aces on Sunday. Heaney (5-4) previously took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on July 22 in Iowa, but on Sunday went one inning further in his quest for the Zephyrs’ first no-hitter since Brian Powell in 2001. The Aces were still without a hit when Mike Jacobs led off the eighth with a sinking line drive to right field, which momentarily froze Kyle Jensen. The ball landed a couple of steps in front of the Z’s right fielder, but Heaney bounced back to set down the next three batters to complete the longest outing of his career, needing 103 pitches over eight innings. Arquimedes Caminero worked around a two-out double by Ronny Cedeno in the ninth to record his seventh save and finish off the Zephyrs’ eighth shutout of the season. Only two batters reached base against Heaney through the first seven innings. Garrett Weber drew a leadoff walk in the second, but was quickly erased on a double play grounder by Jacobs, and Andy Marte walked with two outs in the fourth before Heaney fanned Weber to end the inning. Reno starter Charles Brewer matched Heaney’s zeroes until the sixth, when Hernandez took a 3-2 pitch the opposite way for a home run barely out of the reach of right fielder Zach Borenstein. It was Hernandez’s 10th home run of the season, and second in nine games since joining the Zephyrs. That proved to be all the support Heaney needed. The Marlins’ top prospect retired 10 consecutive batters after the walk to Marte, and racked up nine strikeouts. The Z’s got doubles from Jensen in both the second and fourth innings, making Jensen the third Zephyr to record 25 doubles and 25 home runs in a season, joining Tim Unroe in 1996 and Mike Coolbaugh in 2004. Juan Diaz followed Jensen’s second double with single to put runners at the corners with two outs, but Brewer struck out Rob Brantly to escape the threat. Brewer (6-10) was the hard-luck loser, allowing five hits in six innings with six strikeouts and two walks. The Zephyrs and Aces continue the series on Monday at 7 p.m.

New Orleans wins pitcher's duel, 1-0 By Chris Dierken / Reno Aces http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90174316&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t2310 New Orleans starter Andrew Heaney nearly recorded a no-hitter on Sunday as the Zephyrs beat the Reno Aces, 1-0. Reno's first hit of the night came off the bat of Mike Jacobs to lead off the eighth inning. The Aces also broke up a no-hit bid in the eighth inning almost exactly two years ago in Tacoma on

Aug. 18, 2012. In that game, Adam Eaton singled with two outs in the eighth for Reno's only hit. Heaney was pulled after the eight scoreless innings. He struck out nine Aces batters in the game. Aces starter Charles Brewer was equal to the task for most of the game, until Enrique Hernandez led off the sixth inning with an opposite-field homer to right field for the game's only run. Brewer went six innings and allowed just the one run on five hits while walking two and fanning six. In two career games against New Orleans, Brewer is 0-1 despite only allowing one run on seven hits over 12 innings. Reno got its second hit of the night in the ninth inning with two outs, when Ronny Cedeño doubled to left-center field. But Cedeño was stranded on second, as Andy Marte flew out to left to end the game. It also signaled an end to Marte's 16-game hitting streak. Arquimedes Caminero worked the scoreless ninth inning for New Orleans for the save. The Zephyrs' only two-hit game belonged to Kyle Jensen. Reno and New Orleans will meet again tomorrow night for game three of the series. Right-hander Lucas Harrell (6-3, 5.29) is scheduled to start for the Aces, and the Zephyrs will turn to righty Anthony DeSclafani (2-3, 3.09). First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. Single-game tickets are on sale for the final eight home games of the 2014 season. For more information, or to purchase an Aces ticket plan, call (775) 334-4700. For up-to-date news and notes throughout the offseason, visit www.RenoAces.com, follow the club on Twitter (@aces) or like the team on Facebook.

MOBILE BAYBEARS

With twice the ice, Mobile BayBears take on ALS ice bucket challenge and support Alabama chapter By Emily Hill / AL.com http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2014/08/with_twice_the_ice_mobile_bay.html Mobile BayBears representatives took on the ALS ice bucket challenge Sunday afternoon after they were challenged by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos. BayBears Engagement Coordinator Megan Fannon said the ice bucket challenge has gone national but people are forgetting about local groups. "We are supporting the ALS Alabama group and want to bring more awareness to the local chapter," Fannon said. Ten Mobile BayBears office staff members took the ice bucket challenge to the next level. They stood inside of barrels filled with ice water, challenged the Arizona Diamondbacks, Reno Aces and Visalia Rawhide, then poured ice water on top of themselves. Those three teams now have 24 hours to complete the ice bucket challenge, or donate $100 to ALS.

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The ALS Association Alabama Chapter, headquartered in Huntsville, believes more ice bucket challenges are yet to come. Cassie Barber, executive director of the ALS Association Alabama Chapter, informed AL.com of a couple of state events to support the local chapter without getting soaked with ice water. The Huntsville Walk to Defeat ALS is Saturday, August 23 at the HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Registration opens at 9 a.m. and the walk begins at 10 a.m. The Birmingham Walk to Defeat ALS is Saturday, October 11 at the Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Registration opens at 10 a.m. and the walk begins at 11 a.m. The ALS Association Alabama Chapter began in 2004, and since then the chapter has served 611 people living with ALS and their families in 63 counties, Barber said in a news release. The chapter provides care services directly to ALS patients including home visits, information and referrals, support groups, grants for respite care, equipment loans, transportation and home modifications all at no cost to the family. The Alabama group also operates a multidisciplinary clinic for ALS symptom management with Crestwood Medical Center in Huntsville.

Chris Morgan takes over for the BayBears By FOX 10 TV (Mobile) http://fox10tv.com/2014/08/17/chris-morgan-takes-over-for-the-baybears/ The Mobile BayBears have a new general manager: Chris Morgan. He’s no stranger to Mobile. In fact, he’s been in Mobile since 1996 where he began as the first community relations manager with the ball club. He later moved back to the Senior Bowl where he’s been ever since. Now, he’s back and ready to get to work. “Had I not started with the BayBears in 1996, prior to that first season the ’97, I doubt I would’ve ever had an interest in this job. But being there, and being around minor-league baseball, it stayed with me during my entire 16 years with the Reese’s Senior Bowl. It’s just one of those things that just never left. I wanted to get back into minor-league baseball. I had opportunities here and there but they would’ve taken me out of Mobile. My wife and two daughters have established firm roots year so really moving wasn’t an option,” said Morgan. “Right around the beginning of the season, previous leadership, Bill Shannahan, was here from day one decided to move back to Columbia, South Carolina and I had discussions with the ownership group about this position. The more we talked, the more excited I became about it. To be back in Hank Aaron Stadium, where it started back in 1996, again, words really cannot express how excited I am to be here,” he said. One of the biggest challenges he faces right off the bat: attendance at games.

“In minor-league baseball, on field success, or even on field failure doesn’t necessarily equate to fan support. This is one of the best teams in minor-league baseball. They’ve had a run that he rarely see, winning two of the last three championships. Winning the first half. On page 2 in the second half. Going into the playoffs with kind of a momentum. You have to sustain everything that you did to get those fans out here in the first place. In those first couple of seasons, we were everywhere. We were very active in the community, very active with the media, and that’s what we got to get back to doing. We’ve got to treat everything moving towards the 2015 season as if we’re back in 97 again. And prior to that season getting ready. And that’s were going to do. We got a lot of hard work ahead of us. We know that it sounds very simple to say we just got to work hard and go out and really talk the bay Bears up and people will still start flocking to Hank Aaron Stadium again. I wish it was that simple but trust me, we’re going to be out in the community as hard as we never been. Probably even more so then we were back in 96 prior to the first season. If you’re a true baseball fan and you want to see some great baseball at the AA level there’s not many places better to see it than Hank Aaron Stadium,” said Morgan. (VIDEO IS EMBEDDED)

VISALIA RAWHIDE

Steady Rawhide Attack Bests Modesto By Visalia Rawhide http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140818&content_id=90213946&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t516&sid=t516 The Rawhide scored in 6 of their 9 at-bats, banged out 17 hits, and defeated Modesto 8-5 on Sunday night at John Thurman Field. Visalia scored 3 in the top of the first; after a Breland Almadova single, Alex Glenn hit a 2-run inside-the-park home run, on a ball that caromed off the center field wall. It was Glenn's 23rd homer of the year, and undoubtedly his most tiring. They added another on a double by Rudy Flores and a single by George Roberts. The 'Hide scored another in the 2nd; Alex Glenn tripled, and Breland Almadova brought him home with a sacrifice fly. Modesto got one back in the bottom of the 3rd, and the two teams traded runs in the 3rd, making it 5-2. The Rawhide tacked on another in the 5th; Socrates Brito singled, went to 2nd on a walk, and scored on a Ryan Gebhardt single. It was 6-2. Visalia added to their lead in the top of the 7th inning on a strange play: Socrates Brito, after doubling, was picked off of 2nd...but came around to score when the throw from the mound sailed into center field. That made it 7-2 'Hide. Modesto's Dean Espy hit an impressive opposite field home run to right in the bottom of the 7th, brining Modesto to within 7-3. But the Rawhide got that run right back in the 8th. Raul Navarro started the rally with a single, stole 2nd, and with 2 out, Rudy Flores flared one into shallow left field to give the 'Hide an 8-3 lead.

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The Nuts made things a bit interesting in the bottom of the 9th, scoring twice and bringing the tying run to the plate, but the Rawhide turned to their lights-out closer Enrique Burgos, who recorded the final out and remained a perfect 26 for 26 in save opportunites, giving the Rawhide an 8-5 win. Visalia remain 1 game behind San Jose for the Wild Card lead with 14 games to play. The 'Hide and Nuts will play the final game of their series tomorrow night, before the Rawhide return home to face Rancho on Tuesday!

SOUTH BEND SILVER HAWKS

Splendid Sunday Swings Secure Success in Series for Silver Hawks By WNDU.com http://www.wndu.com/sports/headlines/Splendid-Sunday-Swings-Secure-Success-in-Series-for-Silver-Hawks-271606301.html The South Bend Silver Hawks (71-53) got on the scoreboard at the first possible moment Sunday afternoon at Four Winds Field. Leading the Hawks to a 3-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (56-68), shortstop Andrew Velazquez took the very first pitch thrown by Lansing starter Starlyn Suriel (L, 1-3) over the wall in right field, just inside the foul pole. The home run for Velazquez was his second in two days, and his 8th of the season. The Hawks tacked on another run in the bottom of the second. Right fielder Justin Williams led off with a grounder to first. While Justin Atkinson was able to field the ball, he was unable to secure it in his glove as he turned to tag the base. The E-3 fielding allowed Williams to reach safely. After second baseman Jamie Westbrook singled to right, catcher Grant Nelson drew a walk from Suriel to load the bases. With two outs, Velazquez hit a grounder toward the edge of the dirt by first. As Atkinson attempted to make the play, the ball caromed off his glove allowing Williams to score as Velazquez collected an infield single. While the ball was still loose on the field, Westbrook rounded third and headed for home. Atkinson’s throw to the plate beat Westbrook as he was tagged out by the catcher to end the inning with the Hawks in front 2-0. The Lansing Lugnuts, Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, cut into the Hawks’ lead in the top of the sixth. With two outs, designated hitter David Harris belted a 1-2 offering from South Bend starter Sean Furney (W, 8-6) over the right field wall. The single run was all that Furney surrendered to the Lugnuts as he tossed six complete innings, allowing five hits while striking out three. South Bend added a needed insurance run in the bottom of the seventh. First baseman Marty Herum led off the frame with a single to left and then advanced to second on Nelson’s 5-3 sacrifice bunt. Left fielder DJ Bowman lined an offering from Lugnuts reliever Alonzo Gonzalez into the right field corner. As the ball reached the corner, it ricocheted off the top of the railing between the playing surface and the lawn seating. Derrick Loveless followed the bouncing ball in right, Bowman reached third for a triple and Herum came around to score for a 3-1 Hawks advantage.

Lansing added another long ball in the top of the eighth. With two outs, Loveless cranked a Nick Sarianides 2-2 pitch off the Leinenkugel’s sign on the video board in right. The Lugnuts did not get any closer, as Sarianides got Harris to ground out to short to end the eighth. Then the Hawks called upon Midwest League saves leader, Silvino Bracho (S, 24) in the ninth. Bracho sat the Lugnuts down in order to secure the Hawks 3-2 victory and his 24th save of the season. The South Bend Silver Hawks welcome the Dayton Dragons, Class-A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, to Four Winds Field Monday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. Ryan Doran (7-6, 3.22) is scheduled to start for the Hawks and Amir Garrett (7-6, 3.22) will take the mound for the Dragons. It’s Belly Buster Monday, presented by Kayem Foods! A $15 ticket and wristband gets you unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and peanuts during the game.

HILLSBORO HOPS

Ratliff Homer Wins 17-Inning Marathon By Hillsboro Hops http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140818&content_id=90222824&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t419 Hops center fielder Taylor Ratliff hit his first professional home run --- in his 105th pro game --- to snap a 7-7 tie in the top of the 17th inning on Sunday night in Eugene. The two-run shot put Hillsboro up 9-7, and Mike Cetta worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the 17th to earn his first professional win. Hillsboro (15-9 in the second half, 37-25 overall) moved into sole possession of first place in the South Division with 14 games left, one game up on Salem-Keizer. Eugene (11-13, 26-36) fell into fourth place, four games out. The game got off to an inauspicious start for the Hops, as starter Austin Platt was chased after 2/3 of an inning. Emeralds first baseman Trae Santos hit a grand slam to put Eugene up 5-1 five batters into the bottom of the first. After Eugene re-loaded the bases, Tyler Toyfair came out of the Hops bullpen and induced a ground-out to end the frame. Toyfair allowed two runs in 2.2 innings, after which the Hops' pen threw 13.2 innings of shutout baseball. Jake Mayers and Nate Robertson hit back-to-back doubles in the top of the fourth to key a three-run rally that pulled the Hops to within 5-4. Eugene scored twice in the bottom of the fourth off Toyfair, but Hillsboro tied it 7-7 in the top of the fifth when first baseman Kevin Cron homered, Zach Esquerra belted an RBI double and Ratliff lifted a sacrifice fly. The first four and a half innings took well over two hours, but the game then picked up speed. And though the next 23 half-innings were all scoreless, they weren't without drama. Eugene came within inches of winning it in the bottom of the 12th. With two out and Santos at second, Eugene catcher Michael Miller lined a base hit into left field. Hops left fielder Jordan Parr threw to the plate and catcher Stryker Trahan short-hopped the throw and tagged Santos out to end the inning.

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Hillsboro left a runner at third base in both the 13th and 14th innings, and Eugene left a runner at third in the 15th. But the best drama was saved for the final two frames. With Eugene's bullpen spent, Santos moved from first base to make his professional pitching debut in the top of the 16th. A single by Ratliff, a walk to Pedro Ruiz and a sacrifice bunt by Steve Nyisztor put runners at second and third with one out. Santos, though, escaped damage by inducing Trahan to fly out to shallow left and Cron to foul out to first. Then, in the bottom of the 16th, all looked lost for the Hops. Second baseman Felipe Blanco singled, went to second on a wild pitch and stole third. Incredibly, with the winning run on third and no one out, Cetta struck out Joey Epperson, induced Miguel Del Castillo to ground out to the drawn-in Ruiz at shortstop, and retired center fielder Edwin Moreno by spearing a hard one-hop come-backer that looked headed into center field. After Santos --- who had pitched in college in 2011 and 2012 --- had thrown two innings, Eugene turned to another position player, third baseman Epperson, to work the top of the 17th. Epperson, with no professional or college pitching experience, walked Zach Esquerra to start the inning. Up came Ratliff. His drive to right field over the head of Nick Torres landed beyond the low right-field fence and in the Eugene bullpen, giving the Hops a 9-7 lead. In the bottom of the 17th, first baseman Cron made a superb diving play to rob Eugene's Franchy Cordero of a hit. That became important when the next two hitters, Torres and Santos, rocketed first-pitch singles off Cetta. Miller struck out, but Jose Urena drew a walk to load the bases with two out. With the tying run at second and the winning run at first, Cetta whiffed Blanco on a breaking ball to end the game. Kyle Anderson (2.2 ip), Dan Savas (2 ip), Dustin Loggins (2 ip), Nick Baker (2 ip), Zac Curtis (2 ip) and Cetta (3 ip) combined to allow no runs on nine hits with two walks and 17 strikeouts in 13.2 innings. Ruiz played a flawless shortstop, recording 14 assists, 13 of them after the sixth inning. As a club, Hillsboro continues to play strong defense. Their club-record four games-plus without an error ended in the bottom of the 15th. The game lasted five hours and 28 minutes, tying the Hops franchise record set July 7, 2013 in a 19-inning win at home over Vancouver. Hillsboro pitching recorded 21 strikeouts, three shy of the Northwest League record. The two teams combined to log 36 K's, one fewer than the league mark. The three-game series concludes at PK Park on Monday night at 7:05. The pregame show begins at 6:30 on Rip City Radio 620 AM and www.foxsportsradio620.com.

Hops take 17-inning marathon By Bob Clark / The Register-Guard

http://registerguard.com/rg/sports/32027801-81/hops-take-17-inning-marathon.html.csp It started off as a slugfest. It turned into a duel of relief pitchers. Along the way were plays that could have decided it long before it ended, in the 17th inning with Hillsboro posting a 9-7 Northwest League victory over Eugene at PK Park. Why did it seem like Trae Santos was involved in almost every way? Because he was, with a bases-loaded homer in the first inning, a slide into home that almost won the game for the Ems in the 12th and then worked two scoreless innings on the mound after Eugene had gone through eight of its regular pitchers and needed to use position players to pitch. “It’s something I’ll never forget,” said Santos, who started and finished the game as the Ems first baseman. “It was a long one … especially long for me because I got to live out one of my dreams and cross off something on my bucket list and log an inning as a professional pitcher.” Santos was in a jam in the 15th inning when he gave up a leadoff walk that got a runner to third with one out, but a short fly to left and a foul out kept the game tied, and he then pitched a 1-2-3 16th inning. “It was nerve wracking but fun,” said Santos, who was expected to pitch along with hit as a collegian at Troy, until he underwent elbow surgery. “I felt kind of locked in just to be serious about this one thing I had so much fun doing.” After Santos returned to first base in the 17th inning, the Ems moved Joseph Epperson from third base to the mound, and he gave up a two-run homer to Taylor Ratliff that won the game for the Hops (15-9), who moved into sole possession of first place in the South Division with Salem-Keizer a game back. The Ems (11-13) trail by four games with 14 games left in the second half. There aren’t likely to be many like Sunday’s contest. The teams combined for 33 hits, including three home runs and seven doubles, and also stole 11 bases, though 14 of the 16 runs were scored in the first five innings. After that, the pitchers took over and combined for 36 strikeouts with few threats in the final 12 innings. Twice the Ems almost won it in extra innings, including getting a runner to third with no outs in the 16th, only to see a strikeout and two groundouts leave that potential winning runner stranded. In the 12th, it was Santos who blooped a two-out double into left field that was followed by Mike Miller’s single, but Santos was thrown out at the plate on a close play. “I was just a little gassed,” said Santos, who had trotted across the plate on his first-inning slam that put the Ems up 5-1.

MISSOULA OSPREY

Idaho Falls Drops Missoula, 4-1 By Missoula Osprey

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http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140817&content_id=90200108&fext=.jsp&vkey=recap&sid=t518 With a pair of two-run home runs early in the game, Idaho Falls defeated Missoula 4-1 in front of 3,285 fans at Ogren Park Allegiance Field. Missoula (10-11, 27-32) starter Yefrey Ramirez (1-1) gave up two-run long balls in the first and third innings to Ryan O'Hearn and Robert Pehl for his four runs off six hits. Ramirez finished strong with three strikeouts and one walk in his start. The bullpen for Missoula was dynamite with eight strikeouts. Will Landsheft had four in two innings with only one hit. Cody Clark and Anthony Bazzani each struck out two in one inning to limit the visitors. Missoula only churned out four hits in the loss with two-hit games by Trevor Mitsui and Tyler Baker. One of Mitsui's two walks on the game came in the seventh inning, when Chukars reliever Austin Fairchild walked the bases loaded and then sailed his fourth and final base on balls to Stewart Ijames. Idaho Falls (11-9, 31-27) received a season-best outing from Torey Deshazier (4-1) in relief. The righty came in for Kyle Zimmer, who was on a short pitch count in the 2012 fifth overall pick's first appearance of the season, and had season-high eleven strikeouts. Deshazier went 5.2 innings and gave up two hits in his shutout appearance. After Fairchild struggled in the seventh inning, Jon Fitzsimmons came on for the final 2.1 innings to notch his third save with a hit and three strikeouts. Missoula concludes the seven-game homestand tomorrow with a 7:05 p.m. tilt against Idaho Falls. Tickets for all Osprey games are available at the MSO Hub Box Office, by phone at (406) 543-3300 and online at MissoulaOsprey.com.

NATIONAL

MLB NEWS August 18, 2014 • sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/morenews August 18, 2014

Petulant umpire Tony Randazzo ejects Lloyd McClendon with a wave of his hand 8:53 am EDT (NBC Sports)

Freddie Freeman mad that GN’R’s “Welcome to the Jungle” didn’t play on throwback night 8:18 am EDT (NBC Sports)

And That Happened: Sunday’s scores and highlights 5:30 am EDT (NBC Sports)

Team Report - LOS ANGELES DODGERS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - DETROIT TIGERS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - BOSTON RED SOX 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - PITTSBURGH PIRATES 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - NEW YORK YANKEES 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - CHICAGO WHITE SOX 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - HOUSTON ASTROS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - LOS ANGELES ANGELS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - MILWAUKEE BREWERS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - MIAMI MARLINS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - SEATTLE MARINERS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - TEXAS RANGERS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - NEW YORK METS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - TAMPA BAY RAYS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - COLORADO ROCKIES 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - CHICAGO CUBS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - TORONTO BLUE JAYS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - OAKLAND ATHLETICS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - KANSAS CITY ROYALS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - ATLANTA BRAVES 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - CLEVELAND INDIANS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - MINNESOTA TWINS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - WASHINGTON NATIONALS 4:00 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Cubs, Red Sox could have bright futures 3:53 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Back from DL, Rockies' Cuddyer hits for cycle 2:41 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Reds-Cardinals Preview 2:13 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Reuters Sports Schedule at 0600 GMT on Monday, Aug 18 2:00 am EDT (Reuters)

Baseball-Highlights of Sunday's MLB games 1:51 am EDT (Reuters)

Cuddyer hits for cycle as Rockies sweep Reds 1:41 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Cuddyer's cycle helps Rockies sweep Reds 1:38 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Garcia making presence felt for White Sox since his return 1:20 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

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26

Castro's homer in 9th lifts Cubs over Mets 2-1 1:16 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Altuve's slam lifts Astros over Red Sox 1:15 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Gillaspie grand slam helps White Sox beat Jays 7-5 1:15 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Hairston's SF lifts Nationals past Pirates in 11 1:14 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Early look at Marlins 2015 roster 1:13 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Upton's 2-run HR helps Braves top Lester, A's 4-3 1:13 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Rewind: No remedy yet for A's current slide 1:11 am EDT (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Braves-Pirates Preview 1:02 am EDT (The Associated Press)

Daily Dose: On The Wild Side 12:41 am EDT (Rotoworld)

Michael Cuddyer hits for the cycle 12:20 am EDT (NBC Sports)

SportsNet Central Update: Arietta dazzles in Cubs win 12:15 am EDT (Comcast SportsNet Chicago)

Tigers take chance on Johnson 12:10 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

Braves edge A's to complete sweep 12:01 am EDT (The SportsXchange)

August 17, 2014

Team of destiny? Taney wins on dramatic walk-off 11:49 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Diamondbacks-Nationals Preview 11:18 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Must-see interview: Matthew McConaughey discusses fanny packs at Fenway Park 11:05 pm EDT (NBC Sports)

Morse paces Giants past Phillies 5-2 11:01 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Instant Replay: Lester, A's unable to contain Braves 10:59 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Werth fights through injury to help Nats in 6-5 win over Pirates 10:26 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Joe Maddon not thrilled with cheers for Derek Jeter at Tropicana Field 10:20 pm EDT (NBC Sports)

Nationals complete sweep of Pirates in 11th inning 10:02 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Rockies rally for 10-9 victory over Reds 9:54 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Instant Replay: Taney walks off vs. Texas at LLWS 9:51 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Stubbs' three-shot caps Rockies' rally 9:31 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Aroldis Chapman walks four batters, Rockies walk off on Drew Stubbs’ home run 9:30 pm EDT (NBC Sports)

Amaro likens Mo'ne Davis to Jonathan Papelbon 9:26 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

Phils strand 10 in loss, fall to season-worst mark 9:17 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia)

MLB roundup: Scioscia says Hamilton 'not the same' 9:13 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Nats 6, Pirates 5: Washington steals win from Pittsburgh in 11 9:08 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Mid Atlantic)

Mariners-Phillies Preview 8:53 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Hanley Ramirez expected to be ready to come off of the disabled list when eligible 8:40 pm EDT (NBC Sports)

Lucroy leads Brewers to sweep of Dodgers 8:37 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Rangers come back in 9th to top Angels 8:25 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Angels-Red Sox Preview 8:19 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Lucroy powers Brewers over Dodgers 7-2 8:16 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Lincecum survives shaky outing as Giants top Phils 8:11 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

September Callups Preview 8:10 pm EDT (Rotoworld)

LIVE: A's vs. Braves 8:06 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Royals-Twins Preview 8:02 pm EDT (The Associated Press)

Gentry to begin rehab assignment soon 8:00 pm EDT (Comcast SportsNet Bay Area)

Team Report - ST. LOUIS CARDINALS 7:58 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - CINCINNATI REDS 7:58 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Team Report - SAN DIEGO PADRES 7:58 pm EDT (The SportsXchange)

Alex Rodriguez working out in preparation for the 2015 season 7:45 pm EDT (NBC Sports)

MLB TRANSACTIONS August 18, 2014 • MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

Last updated: Mon, August 18, 2014, 01:30 EDT

Sunday, August 17, 2014

Team

Player Transaction

Boston Red Sox

Steven Wright

Called Up from Minors

Boston Red Sox

Corey Brown Designated for Assignment

Chicago Cubs Dan Straily Sent to Minors

Chicago Cubs Matt Szczur Called Up from Minors

Cleveland Indians

Tyler Holt Sent to Minors

Cleveland Indians

Danny Salazar

Called Up from Minors

Detroit Tigers

Melvin Mercedes

Sent to Minors

Detroit Tigers Jim Johnson Purchased From Minors

Detroit Tigers

Kevin Whelan

Designated for Assignment

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27

Miami Marlins

Derek Dietrich

Sent to Minors, For Rehabilitation

New York Yankees

Austin Romine

Sent to Minors

New York Yankees

Brian McCann

Removed from 7-Day DL, (Concussion)

Pittsburgh Pirates

Brent Morel Called Up from Minors

Pittsburgh Pirates

Charlie Morton

Placed on 15-Day DL, (Right hip inflammation)

Seattle Mariners

James Jones Sent to Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Kevin Siegrist Sent to Minors

St. Louis Cardinals

Carlos Martinez

Called Up from Minors