Montero Occasionally Wild But Effective, Then Pen Blows Late Lead

Nashville Sounds @ Las Vegas 51s

May 25, 2016

Daniel Mengden @ Rafael Montero

Teams	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	R	H	E
Nashville	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	2	5	12	0
Las Vegas	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	3	9	1

W: Wendelken (1-2, 4.08 ERA); L: Thornton (0-1, 4.76 ERA)

Boxscore

The Highlights:

Pitchers

Rafael Montero (3.98 ERA) – 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 4 TB, 5 BB, 3 K (3 K/Sw), 1 GIDP, 7 GB: 5 FB: 4 LD: 1 PU, 97 Pitches (52 Strikes), 9 Swinging, 13 Called, 9.3% SwStr, 23.1% Whiff/Swing, 16.2 Pitches/IP, 25 BF

Josh Smoker (4.58 ERA) – 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 HR, 5 TB, 1 BB, 3 K (2 K/Sw), 1 GB: 1 FB: 1 LD: 1 PU, 36 Pitches (22 Strikes), 5 Swinging, 9 Called, 13.9% SwStr, 38.5% Whiff/Swing, 18 Pitches/IP, 8 BF

Paul Sewald (BS, 2, 2.74 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 2B, 3 TB, 3 K (3 K/Sw), 2 LD, 30 Pitches (20 Strikes), 4 Swinging, 6 Called, 13.3% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 30 Pitches/IP, 5 BF

Josh Edgin (0.00 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 TB, 1 BB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 1 GIDP, 2 GB: 1 LD, 25 Pitches (11 Strikes), 3 Swinging, 4 Called, 12% SwStr, 42.9% Whiff/Swing, 25 Pitches/IP, 5 BF

Chase Bradford (1.61 ERA) – 1 IP, 1 H, 1 TB, 2 K (2 K/Sw), 1 GB: 1 LD, 20 Pitches (12 Strikes), 2 Swinging, 5 Called, 10% SwStr, 28.6% Whiff/Swing, 20 Pitches/IP, 4 BF

Zack Thornton (L, 0-1, 4.76 ERA) – 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R (0 ER), 1 2B, 3 TB, 1 K (1 K/Sw), 3 GB: 1 LD, 14 Pitches (11 Strikes), 3 Swinging, 3 Called, 21.4% SwStr, 37.5% Whiff/Swing, 14 Pitches/IP, 6 BF

Batters

DH - Dilson Herrera - 1-6, 2 K, 1 CS, 15.8% SwStr, 33.3% Whiff/Swing, 3.17 Pitches/PA

3B - T.J. Rivera - 1-4, 1 RBI, 1 HBP, 1 K, 1 CS, 15% SwStr, 30% Whiff/Swing, 4 Pitches/PA

RF - Travis Taijeron - 1-4, 1 R, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 4.3% SwStr, 16.7% Whiff/Swing, 4.6 Pitches/PA

1B - Marc Krauss - 1-5, 3 K, 13.8% SwStr, 30.8% Whiff/Swing, 5.8 Pitches/PA

SS - Gavin Cecchini - 1-5, 1 K, 1 SB, 13.3% SwStr, 22.2% Whiff/Swing, 3 Pitches/PA

2B - Niuman Romero - 1-5, 1 K, 3.8% SwStr, 8.3% Whiff/Swing, 5.2 Pitches/PA

LF - Kyle Johnson - 3-5, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 SB, 3.4 Pitches/PA

Recapish

Rafael Montero was occasionally wild but overall effective against Nashville Wednesday night in the desert, but the Las Vegas 51s pen blew a late lead en route to a third straight loss to the Sounds. The 51s finished with 9 hits, but only managed two extra base hits (Travis Taijeron’s homerun and Kyle Johnson’s double), and only one player finished with multiple hits (Johnson).

Due to the high walk rate, Montero wouldn’t have a clean frame until the 5^th inning, but he finished strong by retiring the final 7 in a row. Four of the five walks came on 4 pitches (one was intentional), but he actually had really sharp command during the rest of game – his strike rate was greater than 70% against the other 21 batters he faced.

The Sounds struck first, getting to Montero in the 4^th without the aid of any walks. Andrew Lambo led off with a single and Matt Olson doubled him to 3B two batters later. Jaycob Brugman would come through with the RBI single in the frame, and it would’ve been a two run single if not for the great throw home from Brandon Nimmo – check out the zoomed out footage below. Josh Rodriguez was due up next, and he became Montero’s last walk, though that may have been more of a unintentional/intentional walk due to how hot J-Rod has been this series.

Fortunately for Montero, it wouldn’t take long for the 51s to get that run back for him, as Travis Taijeron launched a 93 MPH fastball out to RF for his 7^th blast of the year.

The game remained tied until Lambo went deep against Josh Smoker in the 8^th. It was the first time Smoker had been asked to go 2 innings this year, and he had thrown a pair of splitters against Lambo before he knocked the third one out of the park.

The 51s were again quick to get that run back, and this time took their first lead in the bottom half of the 8^th. T.J. Rivera (who else?) came through with the RBI single against 95 MPH heat to knock in Kyle Johnson, and then Brandon Nimmo scored on a balk to make it a 3-2 game.

With a one-run lead, manager Wally Backman went to closer Paul Sewald, who has generally been Mr. Reliable. Sewald did strikeout 3 in the 9^th, but a double, single, and wild pitch allowed the tying run to come home. Fitting that they tied the game on a wild pitch after the 51s took the lead on a balk.

The bullpens would trade zero’s over the next two frames, but the 51s blinked first in the 12^th. Leadoff batter Max Muncy reached on an E3 to open the door for a big inning, and Ryon Healy provided the big hit with a go-ahead RBI double to CF. Rangel Ravelo added an RBI infield single with two outs for some insurance, but the 51s got little going in their half of the 12^th anyway.

Brandon Nimmo had a nice night despite 0 hits, reaching 4 times via the walk. He’s suddenly up to .300/.385/.444 through 160 AB thanks to a great May. These two teams wrap up their series Thursday night at 10:05 PM, with Seth Lugo (3-2, 7.45 ERA) scheduled to pitch opposite Chris Smith (2-5, 4.33 ERA).

MiLB.tv Defensive Highlights

The Cashman Field highlights are usually not worth sharing, but here’s the Brandon Nimmo outfield assist anyway. You can still see where he threw from and that he was on line with a one-hopper to Monell.

Pitcher Coverage

Rafael Montero

Table 1 – Montero pitch stats by inning

	1^st	2^nd	3^rd	4^th	5^th	6^th	Total
Total	15	20	14	29	12	7	97
Strikes	8	9	9	13	8	5	52
Swinging*	1	1	2	1	3	1	9

*9.3% Swinging strike rate; 23.1% Whiff/Swing

Pitch types and velocities courtesy of iscorecast

1^st inning

1) Joey Wendle flied out to Nimmo (8/F)

i. 90 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 0-2

iii. 86 MPH Changeup – foul 0-2

iv. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 1-2

v. 94 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

vi. 85 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

vii. 84 MPH Changeup – in play

2) Josh Phegley walked (BB)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 82 MPH Slider – ball 2-0

iii. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 92 MPH Fastball – ball 4

3) Max Muncy flied out to Johnson (7/F)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – in play

4) Andrew Lambo flied out to Johnson (7/F)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – foul 1-1

iii. 92 MPH Fastball – in play

2^nd inning

1) Ryon Healy hit a groundout to Cecchini (63/G)

i. 91 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 91 MPH Fastball – called strike 1-1

iii. 85 MPH Slider – ball 2-1

iv. 85 MPH Slider – in play

2) Matt Olson struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 1-0

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – called strike 1-1

iii. 86 MPH Changeup – called strike 1-2

iv. 85 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

v. 86 MPH Changeup – foul 2-2

vi. 86 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 3

3) Rangel Ravelo walked (BB)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 4

4) Jaycob Brugman hit a groundout to Rivera (53/G)

i. 94 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 94 MPH Fastball – foul 1-1

iii. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 2-1

iv. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 3-1

v. 94 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-2

vi. 85 MPH Changeup – in play

3^rd inning

1) Josh Rodriguez waked (BB)

i. 91 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 2-0

iii. 92 MPH Fastball – foul 2-1

iv. 92 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 2-2

v. 93 MPH Fastball – foul 2-2

vi. 94 MPH Fastball – foul 2-2

vii. 84 MPH Slider – ball 3-2

viii. 86 MPH Changeup – ball 4

2) Wendle hit a double play grounder to Krauss (363/G)

i. 86 MPH Changeup – in play

3) Phegley reached on a strikeout wild pitch (K/Sw) -> WP

i. 83 MPH Slider – called strike 0-1

ii. 83 MPH Slider – called strike 0-2

iii. 83 MPH Slider – swinging strike 3

4) Muncy lined out to Taijeron (9/L)

i. 94 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 86 MPH Changeup – in play

4^th inning

1) Lambo singled through the right side of the infield (S9/G)

i. 92 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 1-1

iii. 84 MPH Changeup – in play

2) Healy lined out to Taijeron (9/L)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 93 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 1-1

iii. 94 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

iv. 92 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

v. 83 MPH Slider – in play

3) Olson lined a double to CF – Lambo to 3B (D8/L)

i. 86 MPH Changeup – in play

4) Ravelo intentionally walked (IBB)

i. Intentional ball 1-0

ii. Intentional ball 2-0

iii. Intentional ball 3-0

iv. Intentional ball 4

5) Brugman lined an RBI single into CF – Olson thrown out at home (S8/L) -> 82

i. 94 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 87 MPH Changeup – ball 1-1

iii. 86 MPH Changeup – ball 2-1

iv. 86 MPH Changeup – foul 2-2

v. 85 MPH Changeup – foul 2-2

vi. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 3-2

vii. 84 MPH Changeup – in play

6) Rodriguez walked to load the bases (BB)

i. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 84 MPH Slider – ball 2-0

iii. 94 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 94 MPH Fastball – ball 4

7) Wendle popped out to Cecchini (6/P)

i. 87 MPH Changeup – ball 1-0

ii. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 94 MPH Fastball – called strike 2-1

iv. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 3-1

v. 94 MPH Fastball – in play

5^th inning

1) Phegley flied out to Nimmo (8/F)

i. 92 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 91 MPH Fastball – in play

2) Muncy struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 91 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 0-2

iii. 84 MPH Changeup – ball 1-2

iv. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 2-2

v. 83 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 3

3) Lambo hit a groundout to Romero (43/G)

i. 92 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 92 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 0-2

iii. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-2

iv. 84 MPH Changeup – foul 1-2

v. 93 MPH Fastball – in play

6^th inning

1) Healy flied out to Taijeron (9/F)

i. 92 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 92 MPH Fastball – ball 1-1

iii. 85 MPH Slider – in play

2) Olson hit a groundout to Romero (41/G)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 84 MPH Changeup – in play

3) Ravelo hit a groundout to Romero (43/G)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 0-1

ii. 93 MPH Fastball – in play

Josh Smoker

7^th inning

1) Brugman struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 97 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 96 MPH Fastball – called strike 1-1

iii. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 2-1

iv. 96 MPH Fastball – called strike 2-2

v. 97 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 3

2) Rodriguez walked (BB)

i. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 93 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-1

v. 95 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-2

vi. 95 MPH Fastball – foul 3-2

vii. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 4

3) Wendle struck out swinging and Rodriguez was caught stealing to end the frame (K/Sw) -> CS

i. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 95 MPH Fastball – called strike 2-1

iv. 96 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 2-2

v. 95 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 3

8^th inning

1) Phegley hit a groundout to Romero (43/G)

i. 96 MPH Fastball – in play

2) Muncy popped out to Romero (4/P)

i. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 95 MPH Fastball – called strike 1-1

iii. 96 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

iv. 84 MPH Changeup – ball 2-2

v. 96 MPH Fastball – ball 3-2

vi. 95 MPH Fastball – in play

3) Lambo launched a homer to right center field (HR/L)

i. 95 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 83 MPH Splitter – swinging strike 0-2

iii. 84 MPH Splitter – ball 1-2

iv. 96 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

v. 84 MPH Splitter – in play

4) Healy lined a single into CF (S8/L)

i. 96 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 85 MPH Changeup – ball 1-1

iii. 83 MPH Changeup – in play

5) Olson struck out looking (K/Lo)

i. 95 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 96 MPH Fastball – foul 1-1

iii. 96 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 1-2

iv. 95 MPH Fastball – called strike 3

Paul Sewald

9^th inning

1) Ravelo struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 89 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 81 MPH Slider – called strike 0-2

iii. 82 MPH Slider – foul 0-2

iv. 80 MPH Slider – ball 1-2

v. 91 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

vi. 90 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

vii. 91 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

viii. 81 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

ix. 82 MPH Slider – swinging strike 3

2) Brugman lined a double into CF (D8/L)

i. 90 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 89 MPH Fastball – in play

3) Rodriguez lined a single into CF – Brugman to 3B (S8/L)

i. 80 MPH Slider – ball 1-0

ii. 80 MPH Slider – ball 2-0

iii. 90 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 89 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-1

v. 89 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-2

vi. 90 MPH Fastball – foul 3-2

vii. 90 MPH Fastball – in play

4) Wendle struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 78 MPH Slider – called strike 0-1

ii. 79 MPH Slider – swinging strike 0-2

iii. 81 MPH Slider – ball 1-2

iv. 79 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

v. 90 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 3

5) Phegley struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 81 MPH Slider – ball 1-0
*Brugman scored on a wild pitch, Rodriguez to 2B

ii. 89 MPH Fastball – foul 1-1

iii. 90 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

iv. 90 MPH Fastball – ball 2-2

v. 90 MPH Fastball – foul 2-2

vi. 80 MPH Slider – swinging strike 3

Josh Edgin

10^th inning

1) Muncy singled through the right side (S9/G)

i. 89 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 87 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 88 MPH Fastball – ball 3-0

iv. 88 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-1

v. 89 MPH Fastball – in play

2) Lambo hit a double play grounder to Cecchini (643/G)

i. 90 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 83 MPH Slider – ball 1-1

iii. 88 MPH Fastball – foul 1-2

iv. 78 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

v. 90 MPH Fastball – in play

3) Healy walked (BB)

i. 87 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 88 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. ? – ball 3-0

iv. 86 MPH Fastball – ball 4

4) Olson lined a single into LF – Healy to 3B (S7/L)

i. 78 MPH Slider – swinging strike 0-1

ii. 76 MPH Slider – ball 1-1

iii. 79 MPH Slider – ball 2-1

iv. 78 MPH Slider – swinging strike 2-2

v. 79 MPH Slider – ball 3-2

vi. 86 MPH Fastball – in play

5) Ravelo struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 90 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 90 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-2

iii. 91 MPH Fastball – ball 1-2

iv. 91 MPH Fastball – ball 2-2

v. 79 MPH Slider – swinging strike 3

Chase Bradford

11^th inning

1) Brugman lined a single into LF (S7/L)

i. 89 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 89 MPH Fastball – called strike 1-1

iii. 83 MPH Slider – foul 1-2

iv. 91 MPH Fastball – ball 2-2

v. 89 MPH Fastball – ball 3-2

vi. 90 MPH Fastball – in play

2) Rodriguez advanced Brugman with a sac bunt (SAC24/G)

i. 90 MPH Fastball – foul 0-1

ii. 92 MPH Fastball – foul 0-2

iii. 87 MPH Slider – in play

3) Wendle struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 93 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 94 MPH Fastball – ball 1-1

iii. 92 MPH Fastball – ball 2-1

iv. 87 MPH Changeup – ball 3-1

v. 93 MPH Fastball – called strike 3-2

vi. 87 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 3

4) Maxwell struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 87 MPH Slider – called strike 0-1

ii. 87 MPH Slider – called strike 0-2

iii. 85 MPH Slider – ball 1-2

iv. 86 MPH Slider – ball 2-2

v. 87 MPH Changeup – swinging strike 3

Zack Thornton

12^th inning

1) Muncy reached on a fielding error by Krauss (E3/G)

i. 85 MPH Fastball – in play

2) Lambo struck out swinging (K/Sw)

i. 87 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 85 MPH Fastball – foul 1-1

iii. 87 MPH Fastball – called strike 1-2

iv. 88 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 3

3) Healy lined an RBI double into CF (D8/L)

i. 76 MPH Slider – called strike 0-1

ii. 76 MPH Slider – in play

4) Olson hit a groundout to Romero – Healy to 3B (43/G)

i. 86 MPH Fastball – swinging strike 0-1

ii. 86 MPH Fastball – in play

5) Ravelo reached on an infield single to knock in Healy (S1/G)

i. 86 MPH Fastball – called strike 0-1

ii. 88 MPH Fastball – in play

6) Brugman hit a groundout to Krauss (3u/G)

i. 87 MPH Fastball – ball 1-0

ii. 87 MPH Fastball – ball 2-0

iii. 87 MPH Fastball – in play

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