TooLiveBrew

Sounds Return With 3-1 Win Nashville's R.J. Seidel Fans Seven In Winning Effort Nashville Sounds http://i.imgur.com/dyUHVvO.jpg R.J. Seidel, archive photo (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) METAIRIE, La. - After heading into the All-Star Break having lost nine of their last 10 games, the Nashville Sounds got off on the right foot Thursday night at Zephyr Field, winning their first game back by a 3-1 margin over the New Orleans Zephyrs. After the one-hour and 48-minute rain delay preceding the game, Sounds catcher Robinzon Diaz, 2-for-4, recorded Nashville's first hit of the night in the fourth inning with a single to centerfield. The 29-year-old gave the Sounds a two-run lead in the following inning on a two-out single to right-centerfield that scored two runs. Nashville's Cole Garner drew a lead-off walk in the fifth inning, and Scooter Gennett and Josh Prince connected for two-out singles to load the bases for Diaz's go-ahead knock. The Sounds added a run in the sixth inning, playing small ball to plate Kentrail Davis with the safety squeeze to make it 3-0. Davis reached base on a fielder's choice, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third on Garner's bunt single before Stephen Parker got the RBI with his sacrifice bunt. Starting pitcher R.J. Seidel (2-4) commanded Nashville from the hill, limiting the Z's to four hits and one run, a Kevin Mattison home run in the sixth. The right-hander fanned seven batters and walked none en route to his second victory of the season. Zach Kroenke came to the mound in the sixth to relieve Seidel, but allowed singles to the next two batters. Michael Olmsted entered to close the inning with a strikeout. Olmsted returned for a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Reliever Kyle Heckathorn also worked a scoreless eighth. Sounds all-star Rob Wooten entered in the bottom of the ninth and beaned Bryan Petersen to bring the tying run to the plate. One fly out and double-play later, Wooten recorded his 19th save. Lefty Brian Flynn was charged with the loss for New Orleans, giving up three runs on six hits over six innings of work. The Sounds will play game two against the Zephyrs Friday night at Zephyr Field. Throwing for Nashville will be LHP Aaron Laffey (4-3, 5.69) opposite the Z's RHP Doug Mathis (4-7, 3.87). Baseball returns to Nashville on Monday, July 22, for Peanut Free Night at Greer, presented by the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center. Nashville Box Nashville PbP Nashville Gameday

I feel like it's always just easier to dismiss the argument that the Brewers could have been (or perhaps should be) run differently. Yes, if we want to always think things could be awful, Melvin's average record of 82-80 isn't bad. But all of the other clubs in the division are building well at the moment. The Brewers have gotten old, and are way behind in terms of young talent. That's not me seeking to rip on Melvin, it's the honest truth.

If someone would burn a comp. balance pick on Aoki, Ramirez, or Lohse, I'd jump all over it. Heck, same goes for Weeks, Axford, Henderson, K-Rod, Gonzalez... not saying we'd necessarily get one of these picks for any of the RPs, but you never know. I'd send Ax & K-Rod together for one sandwich-round pick.

The Central's a pretty good division right now, when you factor in the front office talent. I think jerichoholicninja's question is probably the best way to analyze the OP question.

Wow. Ouch. The truth -- it burns! That is so painful & humbling... it's ... wow. I'd never thought of it that way.

no, not really, there are no actual facts known, just speculation as to what facts MLB might/might not have. That's what I thought, but the discussion in this thread has gotten so far beyond that that I'd started to assume I might've missed something tangible.

Back on topic in this thread, please. Not that I think the discussion isn't good, but let's keep this one on Peralta. If I have time & remember after work, I'll move this string of posts to the 'state of the franchise' thread.

So can anyone with actual legal knowledge explain the case MLB would have against Braun at this point? So far, the only facts we know are that MLB saw a failed test, Braun appealed, & the ruling went in his favor.

The Rays are smart enough that I'd be shocked to see them move Guerrieri for Aoki as the main return. Glad to see this competitive balance lottery seems to be working. Next year's draft should be fun.

I moved all the recent Ramírez posts to their own thread. Please try to keep this one on Gallardo. Thanks!

I know I'm repeating myself, but the idea of Hart in RF for more than a spot start here & there just isn't realistic imo. His knees simply won't hold up.

I really don't agree. The actual value of the 'closer' is certainly fair game for debate, but in that context this is one of the greatest players ever in that position. It was a curtain call for one of the greatest pitchers MLB has ever seen. His 206 ERA+ on Baseball-Reference is over 50 points higher than any other pitcher in the history of the game. And to top it off, he's humble and simply a class act all around. He deserves all the respect he gets, and arguably more imo. Just look at this career. A 2.20 ERA, with his prime-age seasons coming in the height of the so-called steroid era. 11 seasons with an ERA under 2, including 8 of his last 9 full seasons. Trevor Hoffman was/is an all-time great reliever, and even he doesn't belong in the same conversation as Rivera.

Rob Wooten only pitched to one batter in the AAA All-Star Game, but kept the IL's lead at one run heading into the final frame: INT All-Stars Top of the 9th -Zach Walters grounds out, shortstop Chris Owings to first baseman Efren Navarro. -Jason Pridie strikes out swinging. -Pitching Change: Rob Wooten replaces Chris Rusin. -Omir Santos grounds out, second baseman Dean Anna to first baseman Efren Navarro.

I have a hard time foreseeing how this winds up with anything aside from a long battle in court. MLB doesn't have much of an argument based on what the public currently knows.

I'm analyzing value gained from money spent. Not directly comparing signing vet FAs to signing kids internationally. Genuinely not sure what's confusing about that (not being snarky). It's very likely the Brewers 'wasted' $2M of the Wolf deal... in that they didn't get production to fully match the price they paid. But Wolf himself isn't the important part -- pick almost any vet FA deal. So if there's going to be a financial attrition of sorts within most or any vet FA contracts, then I'd rather make sure the Brewers are spending/'losing' that money to attrition with the potential upside of a Miguel Cabrera, as opposed to 'losing' the money to get average FA production. The person who said these are 16 year old kids was making the point that....well.....they're 16 year old kids. Fine, they were right on Miguel Cabrera, but if the Major League draft is a crap shoot with regard to the 1st round picks, then imagine taking our all the 18 and 21 year old kids? Would you argue the Brewers were right on Wolf? Lohse? Suppan? Looper? Gagne? Not saying any one player there is inherently a huge win or huge miss... but I see a lot of wasted money in FA contracts, & would rather see them invest more on youth signings.

You don't need to use "semi-" there. They've been pretty terrible all season, and there's no real reason to expect a major turnaround.

I will be gone on both the 19th & 20th now.

Enjoy your time away! As reminder I'm out on Friday and Saturday as I'll be out of town working the High School All-Star football games. And I'm gone on Friday & Saturday as well.

Thanks again for more, MTBrew! I'll reformat this post when I have time later today... can't wait to read through all of it

Lighten up, Francis

Again, Bryce Harper is listed at the exact same height & weight. The only issue I think there is with Trout is how and when his speed will leave. Where? Their MLB.com player pages

Sounds Edged 3-2 In Decisive Finale Memphis Wins Tennessee Lottery I-40 Cup Championship Nashville Sounds http://i.imgur.com/O9Finfi.jpg Cole Garner (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) AUDIO: Cole Garner Go-Ahead RBI Single AUDIO: Narveson Scores On Scooter Gennett Groundout NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost 3-2 to the Memphis Redbird Sunday night at Greer Stadium, in the deciding contest of the 16-game season series. The loss gives the Redbirds their first Tennessee Lottery I-40 Cup Series Championship, winning the season series versus the Sounds nine games to seven. The Sounds entered the year as defending champs and would have retained the cup with a series split. With two-outs in the top of the sixth inning, the Redbirds touched Sounds starting pitcher Chris Narveson (2-6) for two run-scoring singles to take the 3-2 lead. Chad Huffman hit a single to centerfield to tie the game and Audry Perez followed with the go-ahead knock, his first Triple-A hit, which proved to be the game winner. Narverson was charged with the loss, his sixth, allowing Memphis three runs on seven hits and one walk over six innings of work. The lefty fanned four Redbirds before reliever Michael Olmsted entered to pitch a hitless seventh inning, fanning two. Both Zach Kroenke and Rob Wooten worked scoreless innings for Nashville. Offensively, the Sounds got on the board first via Cole Garner's infield single, which scored catcher Robinzon Diaz in the second inning. Memphis outfielder Adron Chambers leveled the game in the fourth inning with a solo home run to right field. It is the eight Triple-A home run allowed by Narveson this season. Tied 1-1 in the home half of the fifth inning, Narverson helped his cause by driving a double off the left-field wall to lead off for the Sounds. Josh Prince moved Narveson over to third with a sac-bunt; then with runners on the corners, Scooter Gennett legged out what would have been an inning-ending double-play, which allowed Narveson to score the go ahead run. The call at first base was contested by Memphis manager Ron 'Pop' Warner, which promptly led to his ejection, delivered by D.J. Reyburn. Picking up the win for Memphis was starter Scott McGregor (4-5), who held Nashville to two runs on five hits across seven innings. Reliever Michael Blazek picked up his second save with a spotless ninth. The Sounds and will enjoy three league-wide off days to honor Triple-A's best players in the All-Star Game in Reno, Nevada. Closer Rob Wooten will represent the Sounds and the PCL in the game on Wednesday night. Nashville will resume play on July 18 in New Orleans against the Zephyrs (Marlins affiliate). RHP R.J. Seidel (1-4, 5.93) is scheduled to throw for Nashville against LHP Duane Below (5-3, 2.39). Nashville Box Nashville PbP Nashville Gameday

Link to Eye Black's post in the MiLB forum

That is an excellent feature from Mr. Sherry. Great read.

And there you have it -- the first big propect tracker to pick up on Taylor. I think Taylor's prospect status is going to spread like wildfire the rest of the way this season, just like 'Jean Segura can't stick at SS' did around the time of the Greinke trade.