Jim Goulart

Interviews 10 & 11 for this Link Report, enjoy! AUDIO: LHP Trevor Seidenberger joins Jerry Durney on the Manatees Pregame Show to chat about Seidenberger's dominant start to the season *** AUDIO: Jerry Durney is joined by first base and outfield coach Reggie Williams on the Manatees Pregame Show Williams is always a very good listen -- he discusses Johnny Davis' loss for his outfield, and Clint Coulter's defensive progress, among other topics *** AUDIO - Game Highlights, Completion of Suspended Game: Phillip Ervin's 10th inning walk-off home run leads the Tortugas to a 3-2 victory over the Manatees *** AUDIO - Game Highlights, Regularly Scheduled Game: RHP Jorge Ortega throws a complete game in a 5-1 Manatees win

(thus far) in this Link Report is with RHP Tim Dillard, from Thursday night's Colorado Springs pregame show. This is part one with fun to come, but plenty of serious worthwhile baseball talk to start things off, enjoy.

Wrapping up Bill Michaels' day in Appleton (Grand Chute) with two more interviews -- AUDIO: Scooter Gennett *** AUDIO: Voice of the Timber Rattlers Chris Mehring

Joan De La Cruz, the 6'3", 175 lb. LHP still only 20 years old after pitching his age 17, 18 and 19 seasons in the Dominican Summer League, had Tommy John surgery last October, as per the Brewers media guide. Too bad, as you'll see by the linked player page, the native Dominican had made nice strides in his 2014 season. At least with the timing, De La Cruz will be about 20 months from surgery by the time the 2016 Maryvale and Helena seasons begin.

Via the Shuckers-- Tanner Poppe, RHP, Placed on the temporary inactive list Poppe, 24, has appeared in five games this season with no record and a 6.75 ERA. In 5.1 innings, the right-hander from Lawrence, Kansas has given up four runs on seven hits while walking three and striking out six. Poppe was Milwaukee's 31st round selection in 2013 out of the University of Kansas. The Shuckers roster stands one shy of the league-max of 25, with 24 on the active roster including two on the temporary inactive list and one on the 7-day DL.

Re: Gatewood, we await MRI results on his knee, as was detailed in Thursday's Link Report. Excellent news via the J-S' Todd Rosiak: Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash says Jake Gatewood suffered a right knee contusion and is out several weeks. Good news is no torn ligaments. Ash said the team will have a better idea of how long Gatewood will be out next week.

Excellent news via the J-S' Todd Rosiak: Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash says Jake Gatewood suffered a right knee contusion and is out several weeks. Good news is no torn ligaments. Ash said the team will have a better idea of how long Gatewood will be out next week.

Wisconsin Media Notes: RHP Mark Williams has been transferred from Helena (Pioneer League) Infielder Jake Gatewood has been placed on the DL retroacative to April 30 *** Williams, 25, was suspended last August 1st for 50 games by MiLB (amphetamines) while assigned to Brevard County. Williams pitched in 15 games at AA Huntsville in 2013, which was just his 3rd pro season. Williams was signed out of independent ball in 2011, the Brewers being his first affiliated club. The big (6'2", 247) righty will look to move back up the chain quickly. Re: Gatewood, we await MRI results on his knee, as was detailed in Thursday's Link Report.

AUDIO: Timber Rattlers LHP Kodi Medeiros via the Bill Michaels Show

AUDIO: Timber Rattlers Manager Matt Erickson via the Bill Michaels Show *** AUDIO: Timber Rattlers CF Monte Harrison, also via the Bill Michaels Show

All via the Manatees: Excellent breakdown and self-analysis by Victor Roache on his swing and approach in 2015 -- AUDIO: LF Victor Roache joins Jerry Durney on the Manatees Pregame Show to talk about Roache's hot streak at the plate *** AUDIO: 'Tees manager Joe Ayrault recaps the long road trip on the Manatees Pregame Show *** AUDIO, Game Highlights: Daytona scores two runs in the ninth to defeat Brevard County, 6-4

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site. Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site. Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Huntsville, AL Daytona Beach, FL Grand Chute, WI

Follow Friday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Completion of April 11th Suspended Game Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game Wisconsin MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Thus, Scooter qualifies for our "farmhand" birthday greeting, as today (Friday) is his 25th! *** DVR Alert! Friday evening's (6:30 PM) and Saturday afternoon's (1:00 PM, added to the original schedule) Timber Rattlers games will be broadcast on MyNew32 TV.

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 7:05 PM pre-game, 7:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: RHP Brooks Hall at "home" in Huntsville vs. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:55 PM pre-game, 7:10 gametime Free Live Audio Link We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be looking off to his very promising "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi staff indicates it is hopeful it will be eight when the new stadium opens. NOTE: No MiLB.TV from Joe Davis Stadium, sorry folks. ********** Brevard County: First, it's LHP Clint Terry at Daytona (Reds), in the completion of this April 11th game, suspended with two outs in the top of the 3rd, the Manatees' Angel Ortega on second base; 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime; this game is scheduled for nine innings Then, in the regularly scheduled game, now cut to a seven-inning contest, RHP Jorge Ortega gets the starting nod. Free Live Audio Link Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Victor Diaz at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; look for RHP Cy Sneed to pitch in a tandem role; rehabbing Brewers 2B Scooter Gennett will be playing for the Timber Rattlers through Monday Free Live Audio Link - WNAM Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule so you can coordinate your DVR activity. *** So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games.

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That's an interesting observation. The Brewers have no great options for CF other than Garcia in Brevard. They obviously aren't going to bump up Harrison, and Diaz is hurt along with Davis. Maybe Mitch Meyer goes to Brevard as an emergency CFer, with Carlos Belonis going to Appleton? Francisco Castillo used to play CF - maybe him? It's situations like this where an independent league signing would make sense. Bring in somebody to fill a gap, potentially (remotely) super-impress, but more importantly, hold down a spot that prevents the organization from rushing a legitimate prospect who may be hurt by being rushed. The Atlantic League is underway, but that tends to be more experienced players. Other leagues start play in mid-to-late May, but camps are open, and these situations often resolve via a few phone calls / trusted counterpart conversations.

As Matt Clark tweeted, his fiancé Julia Morales is enjoying this Houston Astros fast start as their sideline reporter - watch!

Manatees 3B Taylor Brennan with this tweet -- we need to remember baseball isn't played in a bubble. Best wishes, truly!

Final: Omaha 9, Colorado Springs 4 Storm Chasers Bring The Wind In 9-4 Sox Loss Colorado Springs' Offense Cannot Keep Up In Late-Inning Defeat By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/4/4/121631544/cuts/04_30_023sm_pk_8mhqprbh_enq69tpx.jpg Ben Guez's perfect night at the plate would not be enough to carry the Sox in an eventual 9-4 loss. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - The Storm Chasers followed the wind to Colorado Springs as the elements would play a factor in the Sky Sox 9-4 loss to Omaha before a crowd of 3,734 at Security Service Field on Thursday night. Tyler Cravy (1-3, 4.91) took the ball in hopes of getting the Sox back on the winning track after Tuesday's double-dip losses to Iowa. The right-hander would turn in a solid outing, tossing six innings of four-run ball (three earned) on seven hits and one walk while striking out four. After falling behind 4-0 after five and a half innings, the Sky Sox offense would begin to rally in the home sixth against Storm Chasers starter John Lamb (1-0, 3.48). Quick outs by Luis Sardinas and Matt Clark to open the frame gave Omaha two outs in the inning with Nevin Ashley coming to the plate. Ashley would slap a double down the first base line to extend the inning before the hot-hitting Shane Peterson drilled Lamb's offering over the left field fence for an opposite field two-run home run, cutting the Omaha lead in half. VIDEO: Shane Peterson belts a home run in Colorado Springs' 9-4 loss to Omaha Right-hander Mike Mariot would come on after the homer to relieve Lamb but would not be welcomed in the kindest fashion. His first batter, outfielder Ben Guez, would follow his outfield-mate with a home run of his own, going back-to-back with Peterson on a 435 foot shot to right center. The Sox offense finished the sixth with three runs scored, pulling themselves within one run at 4-3. With Cravy's night done after six, Jed Bradley and Ariel Peńa combined for 1.2 innings of work, allowing five total runs on seven hits and two walks. Omaha's scoring would be capped off by a four-run outburst in the eighth inning that clearly benefitted from strong swirling winds at Security Service Field, creating havoc for the bullpen and infielders alike. While the Sky Sox mustered one more run on the strength of a Matt Long walk, Pete Orr hit-by-pitch and Sardinas RBI single, the Storm Chasers bullpen would ultimately shut down the Colorado Springs offense the rest of the way. David Goforth added 1.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out two in mop-up duty. Guez would add a single and two walks to go along with his sixth inning round-tripper, making it a perfect night for him at the plate. The solo shot would break a string of 12-consecutive two-run home runs hit by the Sky Sox. The last non-two-run homer hit by Colorado Springs came at home against Nashville on April, 10th. That homer was a three-run shot by none other than Ben Guez. With the loss, the Sky Sox fall to 6-14 on the season while Omaha improves to 11-9. Rick Sweet's club will look to break their current three-game skid tomorrow evening at Security Service Field in game two of this four-game set. Taylor Jungmann (0-1, 10.26) will lead the charge against Storm Chasers righty, and former big-leaguer, Joe Blanton (2-1, 2.38) on Friday with first pitch set for 6:35 PM MDT (7:35 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score RHP Tyler Cravy's line should be considered very good as far as home game starts go; Sky Sox get a designated hitter opponent and we see, sigh, Donnie Murphy -- logical choice against a LHP, as only other bench bat outside of catcher Robinzon Diaz is LH bat Bryan Petersen, who has struggled; Sky Sox won't be a bat short once Carlos Gomez is activated by the Crew Saturday... Colorado Springs Game Log The rough nights for Jed Bradley and Ariel Pena -- their lines could have been worse with two inherited runners stranded each... Omaha Top of the 7th Pitching Change: Jed Bradley replaces Tyler Cravy. Francisco Pena doubles (2) on a line drive to right fielder Shane Peterson. Ryan Jackson singles on a line drive to first baseman Matt Clark, deflected by pitcher Jed Bradley. Francisco Pena to 3rd. Whit Merrifield grounds into a double play, shortstop Luis Sardinas to second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Matt Clark. Francisco Pena scores. Ryan Jackson out at 2nd. Reymond Fuentes singles on a ground ball to right fielder Shane Peterson. Cheslor Cuthbert walks. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd. Pitching Change: Ariel Pena replaces Jed Bradley. Moises Sierra flies out to center fielder Matt Long. Omaha Top of the 8th Orlando Calixte pops out to first baseman Matt Clark in foul territory. Matt Fields hit by pitch. Lane Adams homers (2) on a fly ball to left center field. Matt Fields scores. Francisco Pena doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Ben Guez. Ryan Jackson strikes out swinging. Whit Merrifield singles on a pop up to first baseman Matt Clark, deflected by second baseman Pete Orr. Francisco Pena scores. Reymond Fuentes singles on a fly ball to left fielder Ben Guez. Whit Merrifield to 3rd. Cheslor Cuthbert walks. Reymond Fuentes to 2nd. Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Ariel Pena. With Moises Sierra batting, wild pitch by David Goforth, Whit Merrifield scores. Reymond Fuentes to 3rd. Cheslor Cuthbert to 2nd. Moises Sierra strikes out swinging.

Promise we won't detail every Banda start, but since we mentioned this game was available to watch online, we'll link to the box score and post his line: 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 0 BB, 3 K. If you're an MiLB.TV subscriber, you know how to find the April 30th archive.

Final: Mobile 3, Biloxi 1 Arcia's three hits not enough as Shuckers finally drop a nine inning game Yadiel Rivera's 19-game on-base streak comes to an end Thursday Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/8/0/121619380/cuts/357150422214_Suns_at_Shuckers_oq6qmy86_paxu5jcu.JPG HUNTSVILLE, AL - The opener of the five-game series between the top two teams in the Southern League went the way of Mobile on Thursday night in Huntsville, Alabama. The Shuckers fell to the BayBears 3-1, and saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. The BayBears, winners of six-straight scored three runs in the top of the first and never looked back. Despite the loss, Biloxi is a ½ game up on Mobile in the South Division standings. The loss was the first in a nine-inning contest this season. Shuckers' starter Brent Suter (L, 1-1, 5 IP, 3 R, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 SO) labored through the opening inning, allowing three runs on five hits, but the lefty out of Harvard allowed just three base runners in his final four innings. Mobile's first four batters reached with hits as Brandon Drury brought home Raul Navarro with a double and clean-up man Rudy Flores followed by driving in Tom Belza and Drury with a single. Just like that, the Shuckers were down 3-0. Biloxi (13-7) responded with a run of its own in the bottom-half when Kyle Wren (2x5, R, SB) led off with a single and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Nick Ramirez (1x3, RBI, SO). The run batted-in for Ramirez was his league-leading 15th of the season. The Shuckers were able to stay in the game with solid relief outings by Jim Henderson (IP, H, 2 SO), Eric Marzec (2 IP, H, 2 SO) and Martin Viramontes (IP, H, SO), but the offense struggled with runners on base, stranding 10. Biloxi had multiple men on base in the second, third, fifth and sixth innings, but ended up 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Yadiel Rivera (0x5) failed to reach base for the first time this season, ending his 19-game on-base streak. Orlando Arcia (3x4) continued his hot start to the season, finishing the first month with a .407 batting average. The highly-touted shortstop finished April either in sole possession, or tied for first, in average (.407), hits (27) and runs (14). Mobile (13-7) starter Brandon Sinnery (W, 2-1) picked up the win. The 25-year-old out of the University of Michigan allowed just the run on eight hits over 5.2 innings. Biloxi will head into Friday, and the second month of the season, just a 1/2 game in front of the Mobile. Two of the top arms in the league will battle on Friday night as the Shuckers send out RHP Brooks Hall (3-0, 1.23) while the BayBears counter with RHP Gabriel Arias (3-0, 1.37). The Shuckers will wear Huntsville Stars jerseys on Friday night. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the game with funds benefitting the local Huntsville Alzheimer's Association. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM and can be heard starting at 6:55 with the Beau Rivage Biloxi Shuckers Pregame Show on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com. Biloxi Box Score Up and down the chain, LOB's a consistent problem; that was RHP Eric Marzec's season debut; 646 fans in the stadium in Huntsville Thursday... Biloxi Game Log Nice throw, Tyrone! Mobile Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Martin Viramontes replaces Eric Marzec, batting 9th. Mitch Haniger singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Arcia. Mitch Haniger advances to 2nd, on a missed catch error by first baseman Nick Ramirez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Todd Glaesmann replaces Jimmie Sherfy. Todd Glaesmann strikes out swinging, catcher Parker Berberet to third baseman Taylor Green to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Mitch Haniger steals (1) 3rd base. Gerson Montilla flies into a double play, center fielder Tyrone Taylor to catcher Parker Berberet. Mitch Haniger out at home.

Awful news for the speedster Johnny Davis, his legs are 90% of his game, and he'll be turning 26 next April as he heads back to the field. A .617 career OPS needed to be built upon in a big way this year. Good luck in rehab, Johnny... *** After two full years at the AA level, RHP Casey Medlen, 26 this August, has struggled with a 1.88 WHIP this April with the Manatees, where we was handed the closer role at the lower level. Now at 91 walks in 195 career innings... *** Fantastic start to the season for LHP Trevor Seidenberger (23 in June). He excelled in Wisconsin last season, struggled in the 2nd half after a July 3rd transfer up to Brevard, but has come out of the gates smoking in 2015, as the peripherals on his linked player page will show you. *** Former farmhand RHP Barrett Astin (3rd round, 2013, Broxton trade) is off to a nice start this year for the Reds' organization and as noted above, will face several of his old teammates in the start Friday night against the 'Tees.

Tough night for Manatees, on and off the field Michael Parsons, Florida Today Omar Garcia is starting to find his swing and the Brevard County Manatees are going to need him. Garcia, who has taken over center field since starting centerfielder Johnny Davis went on the disabled list with a knee injury, went 2-for-4 with a double in a 6-4 loss to the Daytona Tortugas. And it looks like he will have that spot for the foreseeable future as the team announced that Davis will miss the rest of the season. “Johnny tore his ACL,” Manatees athletic trainer Tommy Craig said after the game. He will fly to Milwaukee this weekend and after an exam, is scheduled to have surgery on Tuesday. The loss to Daytona on Thursday night hurt almost as bad as losing Davis as they led for most of the game. But Daytona plated two runs in the top of the ninth to steal the win. “We had some baserunning mistakes early there in the first and could not take advantage of some control issues from (Nick) Howard,” Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said. The Daytona starting pitcher lasted just 3 2/3 innings, but threw 91 pitches, 41 of them for strikes. The Manatees led 3-1 at the time but Daytona would tie it up in the fifth and again in the seventh. Brevard County closer Casey Medlen gave up two runs in the ninth on just one hit, but walked two. Victor Roache had one of the team’s seven hits, giving him a 10-game hitting streak. Garcia now has a three-game hit streak. “He got into a little bit of a rut, but he has gone back to the basics,” Ayrault said. “He and Ned (Yost IV) have been working every day in the cage and it is just trusting your approach and “not pressing too much.” The Manatees and Daytona will finish a game that was suspended on April 11 and then play the regularly-scheduled game at Daytona before returning to Space Coast Stadium on Saturday night. Jorge Ortega is scheduled to start the second game for the Manatees.