Jim Goulart

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 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 Jacob Barnes at Pensacola (Reds), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 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: This opening series in Pensacola will be broadcast on MiLB.TV (with the Blue Wahoos audio feed). ********** Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 gametime 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: LHP Luis Ortega at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; RHP Milton Gomez will pitch in a tandem role 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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Via a @BrewersPD tweet -- RHP Harvey Martin has been placed on the DL with Wisconsin. RHP Brock Hudgens has been transferred to replace him on the roster. *** Martin struggled late in Sunday's Timber Rattlers game, hopefully a minor issue. Hudgens, at 23 years old, needed this opportunity to get to full-season ball. He was the Brewers' 31st round pick last June out of UNC-Charlotte.

Sitting down with Sky Sox and Brewers first baseman Matt Clark Kevin Henry, Colorado Springs Sky Sox Examiner Matt Clark watches his Opening Night home run leave Security Service Field. (Photo by Paat Kelly/Colorado Springs Sky Sox) After clubbing the first home run of the Milwaukee Brewers affiliation era with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, I had the chance to sit down with Sky Sox first baseman Matt Clark. Clark’s first-inning blast started Colorado Springs off on the right foot on its way to a 7-5 season-opening win over the Nashville Sounds. Clark is on Milwaukee’s 40-man roster after making a big impression on the Brewers last season, hitting homers in three consecutive games in September. Overall, Clark was with the Brewers for 16 games, posting a .185 average with three homers and seven RBIs. He has hit 20 or more homers in his last five professional seasons, including a career-high 29 round-trippers between Double-A Binghamton, Triple-A Nashville, and the Brewers last season. This season, through the first two games in Colorado Springs, Clark is hitting .444 with a homer and three RBIs. Kevin Henry: After tasting the big leagues last season, talk about your mentality heading into spring training and Opening Night. Clark: I knew once the Brewers signed (former Toronto Blue Jay Adam) Lind, I knew my spot with the Brewers was probably going to be on the bench. I told the front office that I knew that and that I just wanted a chance to compete for the job. I wanted them to know that I wanted to win the job. All that I’ve ever asked is a chance to swing the bat and earn my position. Henry: When you knew you were coming to Colorado Springs, what was your mindset and your focus? Clark: I want to play well and I want to play good defense. Hopefully, the Brewers will want me up there at some point soon. I want to make an impact and be ready when the time comes. It’s a matter of biding my time and getting my work in while I am here. Henry: You spent 16 games with the Brewers at the end of last season. Does that make you even hungrier to get to the majors this season? Clark: Definitely. I want to be there. Last year, I was there in September and performed when it mattered. I was able to perform in a pressure situation and that gave me a lot of confidence. Playing well and doing it during a push for the playoffs gives me a lot of internal confidence heading into this season. Henry: You came over to the Brewers last season after being released by the New York Mets organization. How did the change in affiliations help you? Clark: I always just wanted the opportunity to play. Honestly, I was stuck in a bad place with the Mets. When I was signed by the Brewers, I knew I’d have a chance to get on the field and play. For me, it’s always about getting the chance to swing the bat and show what I can do. I feel like I have that chance with the Brewers. Henry: You spent the 2013 season in Japan. What was that experience like and how did that help you grow as a player? Clark: When you play in Japan, you have to learn how to hit. It was amazing to play in front of 50,000 fans every night. I signed a two-year deal and I really wasn’t sure if I would ever play anywhere else other than Japan. After my first season there, the ownership changed and my contract changed as well. Suddenly, I was searching for a job in January. It was really a wakeup call for me and put a lot of things in perspective. I believe things work for a reason and I know now that if that hadn’t happened, I wouldn’t get the chance to play for the Brewers.

AUDIO 4/12: WSSP's Ziebart On Deck Show -- Beginning at the 9:00 minute mark, it's Roenicke, roundtable, and clubhouse interviews with Darnell Coles and Corey Hart *** AUDIO 4/12: WSSP's Postgame Show

Final: Pensacola 4, Biloxi 0, six innings, rain Shuckers Suffer First Loss, 4-0 on Sunday in six innings Orlando Arcia was 1-for-3 and has hit in all four games Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/8/8/117916188/cuts/DSC_0293_u6rrcpqh_oug3xrv7.JPG Mike Strong worked three scoreless innings of relief before rain shortened Sunday's game in Pensacola (Photo by Cristina Coca) PENSACOLA, FLA. - For the second time in three days, rain shortened a game at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. The perfect run to start the season ended Sunday as the Shuckers were shutout by the Pensacola Blue Wahoos, 4-0, in the six inning affair. Biloxi out-hit the Blue Wahoos 4-2, but could not muster up enough offense to break the scoreboard where it counts most, using only the first and sixth innings to put multiple runners on base. Biloxi (3-1) stranded six base runners and went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Sunday's game was officially called after a 49-minute delay at the conclusion of the bottom of the sixth inning. Orlando Arcia (1x3, SO) continued his season-long hitting streak with a one-out single in the first, but was thrown out trying to stretch the play into a double. The young shortstop is off to an impressive 8-for-15 (.533) start in the 2015 campaign. Starting pitcher Jorge Lopez (0-1) struggled with command, walking six while striking out three in just three innings of work. The righty needed 63 pitches - 28 for strikes - to make it through the outing. Mike Strong, making his second appearance of the series relieved Lopez and tossed three scoreless frames, walking one and striking out two in the process. The 26-year-old from Afton, Minnesota, and member of Milwaukee's Major League 40-man roster hasn't surrendered a run in five innings of relief this season. Pensacola (1-3) got on the board early when Kyle Waldrop hit a three-run homer off of Lopez in the first to put the Shuckers in a 3-0 deficit. Waldrop was Cincinnati's Minor League Player of the Year in 2014, blasting 14 a season ago with Class-A Bakersfield and Pensacola. The Blue Wahoos added their final run in the third inning when a wild pitch by Lopez allowed Zach Vincej to score from third. The two teams will wrap up the five-game series Monday night at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium, where RHP Jacob Barnes will take the mound for the Shuckers against RHP Marcus Walden. The two clubs will play a total of 20 games in 2015, with 15 coming at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM, with coverage beginning at 6:15 on 1240-AM WGCM 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. The game can also be seen, live, on MiLB.TV. Shuckers players, coaches and staff will hold a public meet-and-greet at Coast Restaurant at Beau Rivage in Biloxi from 7-9 PM on Tuesday. The event will feature player introductions, an autograph session, photo opportunities, giveaways and even a special "Shuckers Menu" for ordering. Coast will be showing Major League Baseball games on all their televisions and provide a festive atmosphere. Admission is free to the public. Fans are asked to limit autographed items to one per person and a Shuckers inaugural team photo will be provided. Biloxi Box Score At some point, we need to see better peripherals from Jorge Lopez; is the Biloxi batting order quite what we thought it might be -- not in terms of players but placement... Biloxi Game Log

Photo Gallery - Colorado Springs Gazette *** Just posted this Gazette Matt Clark feature within our Sky Sox thread

Colorado Springs first baseman Matt Clark has game that might land him with Brewers soon By Joe Paisley, Colorado Springs Gazette Sky Sox fans may want to get out to Security Service Field soon, because first baseman Matt Clark's stay in Colorado Springs may not be long. The veteran infielder opened his Triple-A stint by becoming only the 14th batter to homer in his first at-bat in a Sky Sox uniform. He is off to a good start by batting .278 with that homer and four RBIs. Those include an RBI single in the fifth inning for a short-lived Sky Sox lead in Sunday's 16-11 loss to Nashville before 3,865 fans. The 3-1 Sounds pulled ahead for good with back-to-back homers by Joey Wendle and former Sky Sox slugger Kent Matthes during a nine-run sixth. The teams combined for 10 home runs, for a total distance of 4,089 feet, including five by the Sky Sox (1-3). The record is 13 in 1988 vs. Phoenix at Spurgeon Field in Memorial Park. Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet would not be surprised to see Clark move on to Milwaukee. "There is no area where he needs to improve to move up," Sweet said. "He hits with power, draws walks and does everything a veteran hitter does. He is in his prime right now." Clark, 28, is used to waiting after his first four seasons in the Padres organization. He made a bid to play in San Diego after a combined 50 home runs and 160 RBIs in his past two Triple-A seasons in Tucson. But three general managers were hired over that span and they had their own player in mind. Each time, his chance at the bigs was pushed back. The 2008 12th-round pick by the Padres played in Japan in 2013, where he hit 25 home runs. His performance garnered him a two-year contract renewal with the Chunichi Dragons. But their new owner was not interested. In January, the security of a two-year deal was dashed when he was released. "Suddenly I was scrambling to find a job," said Clark, whose father, Terry, pitched in the majors from 1988-97. "It is not a good feeling, but it's just how my career has gone. You just work hard and be ready for when your time comes." He landed with the Brewers, who soon recognized his readiness to contribute. "He is just a pure hitter," Sky Sox left-hander Brent Leach said. "I am happy the Brewers found a home for him." He made his MLB debut Sept. 2, 2014 when he clubbed his first home run against the Miami Marlins. He appeared in 16 games with three home runs and seven RBIs in 27 at-bats. He was one of the last sent down to the Sky Sox after spring training. He has a chance to be the 17th player to start at first base since Prince Fielder left Milwaukee in 2011. "Sometimes it is just a personnel thing because there are so many elements to consider when putting together a team," Clark said. "I am confident in my ability to contribute and happy to do whatever they ask of me here." That could be getting on a plane to Milwaukee, soon.

Final: Nashville 16, Colorado Springs 11 So much for the friendly "revenge" against the Sounds thus far... Sounds Top Sky Sox 16-11 In Slugfest Teams Combine for 10 Home Runs in Series Finale By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/5/8/117913658/cuts/04_09_042_pk_7plsrtpp_dnae0dml.jpg Shane Peterson hits his first home run of 2015. (Photo by Paat Kelly) COLORADO SPRINGS, CO - 3,865 fans at Security Service Field were treated to a home run barrage at Security Service Field on a balmy Sunday afternoon in the Sky Sox 16-11 loss to the Nashville Sounds. Nashville got off to a fast start for the second straight game with the help of speedster Billy Burns. The leadoff man drilled starting pitcher Drew Gagnon's first pitch to the right center field gap and motored into third with a triple to start the action. Perhaps a bit shaken by the rude welcome to his first Triple-A appearance, Gagnon grazed two-hole hitter Andy Parrino with his very next pitch putting runners on the corners with no outs. A deep fly ball to left field off the bat of first baseman Max Muncy led to the game's first run as the sacrifice fly easily scored Burns. Gagnon escaped further trouble inducing a line out to right field by cleanup hitter Jason Pridie and high fly ball to Luis Sardinas in shallow left by catcher Bryan Anderson. The Sounds would strike again in the third with their first, but certainly not last, home run of the game courtesy of a two-run shot to right center by Anderson. The Sky Sox answered quickly, getting on the board in their half of the third thanks to a few hot-hitting infielders. With one out, Sardinas singled to extend his hitting streak to four straight games. After a fielder's choice ground out by Pete Orr gave the Sox two outs, designated Elian Herrera continued his offensive tear, taking Leon's 1-2 offering deep over the right center field fence. The two-run shot represented Herrera's fourth extra base hit and fifth hit overall in the young 2015 season. After giving a run back in the top half of the fourth to make the score 4-3, outfielder Bryan Petersen swatted his first round-tripper of the season on a two out, two-run, 456 foot blast off of Sounds starter Arnold Leon. The homer knotted the game at four and gave new life to the ballgame. Leon gave up a 5th inning leadoff single to Orr who then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by Anderson. Followed by a Herrera strikeout, Pat Venditte (1-0, 0.00) came on in relief of Leon to face opening night home run hero Matt Clark. Clark lifted a soft liner into right field scoring Orr from third, giving the Sox their first and, ultimately, only lead of the ballgame. Struggling with his command early, Venditte walked Jason Rogers then followed with a wild pitch to Shane Peterson, allowing the runners to advance to second and third respectively with just one out. The switch-pitching Venditte worked out of the fifth inning jam getting Peterson on an infield fly to short and a swinging strike out of Ben Guez on a 73 mph curveball. The failure to capitalize on this scoring opportunity further would come back to haunt the team as the Colorado Springs bullpen would give the lead right back. Left-hander Jed Bradley (0-1, 27.00) came on in relief of Gagnon after the starter put in five innings of work, allowing four earned runs on four hits while striking out three in his Triple-A debut. The newly earned lead would not last long for the Sky Sox as Bradley struggled mightily in his 0.2 of an inning. The Nashville offense strung together four consecutive hits with the last of those hits being a bases-clearing double by left fielder Anthony Aliotti. The double gave Aliotti three of his five RBIs on the ballgame as he collected at least one in three consecutive at bats. Bradley would be chased with two outs in the inning with right-hander Rob Wooten taking over on the mound in hopes of limiting the damage. Unfortunately the runs kept coming as Joey Wendle (the inning's leadoff hitter) would hit the first of back-to-back home runs off of Wooten before getting Aliotti on a shallow fly ball to cap the inning's scoring at nine. The 13-5 score after six innings would not hold up as both teams' bullpen's would allow nine more combined runs on the strength of five additional home runs, giving the game a grand total of ten. Home runs by Rogers in the seventh and Herrera and Peterson in the ninth gave Colorado Springs five on the day. With his second home run of the game, Herrera picked up his fifth extra base hit and seventh hit overall of the young season. The lone bright spot in the Sky Sox bullpen was none other than offseason trade prize Corey Knebel. The right-hander pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, setting the side down in order with two strikeouts. After falling to 1-3 on the season, the Sox will look to rebound Monday night against the visiting Round Rock Express (1-3) with right-hander Tyler Cravy (NR) making his first start of 2015 against righty Ross Wolf (0-0, 9.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM (7:35 Central) at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs Box Score We now officially know that any statistical analysis of this team taken only on raw numbers is useless. But enjoy the crooked offensive numbers and for the most part, shudder at the mound figures. Colorado Springs Game Log Ugh... Nashville Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Jed Bradley replaces Drew Gagnon. Joey Wendle singles on a line drive to right fielder Shane Peterson. Kent Matthes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Joey Wendle to 2nd. Alden Carrithers singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Joey Wendle to 3rd. Kent Matthes to 2nd. Anthony Aliotti doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Joey Wendle scores. Kent Matthes scores. Alden Carrithers scores. Billy Burns flies out to center fielder Ben Guez. Andy Parrino doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Anthony Aliotti scores. Max Muncy strikes out swinging. With Jason Pridie batting, wild pitch by Jed Bradley, Andy Parrino to 3rd. Jason Pridie singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ben Guez. Andy Parrino scores. Pitching Change: Rob Wooten replaces Jed Bradley. Bryan Anderson singles on a line drive to right fielder Shane Peterson. Jason Pridie to 3rd. Joey Wendle homers (1) on a fly ball to right center field. Jason Pridie scores. Bryan Anderson scores. Kent Matthes homers (1) on a fly ball to left center field. Alden Carrithers singles on a soft fly ball to left fielder Bryan Petersen. Anthony Aliotti pops out to shortstop Luis Sardinas.

Tortugas pitchers overwhelm Manatees in Series finale Donald Rieber Jr., Brevard County Manatees Examiner The Brevard County Manatees and Daytona Tortugas squared off Sunday in the final game of their four-game series at Space Coast Stadium. The first two games of the series were split, while game three was suspended Saturday night, because of rain. Offense was at a premium on Sunday, as each team managed just three hits. Unfortunately for the ‘Tees, the Tortugas hits were more productive, leading them to a 2-0 road victory. “Other than the homerun, I thought our pitchers did real well,” said Manatees manager Joe Ayrault. “But you can’t win many ball games with just three hits.” Daytona struck quickly in the top of the first when the second batter in the order, Robert Ramirez took Manatees pitcher Javi Salas deep, giving the visitors a 1-0 lead. Brevard County would threaten in the second inning with Taylor Brennan drawing a walk to lead off the inning and Victor Roache getting the Manatees first hit with a sharp single to left. Tortugas starter Nick Howard worked out of it though, retiring the next three batters with a strikeout and two fly balls. The third inning looked promising for Brevard County as well. Ninth place hitter Omar Garcia drew a walk to open the inning and after Johnny Davis flew out, Garcia stole second and then third. Chris McFarland drew a walk, putting runners at the corners with just one out. An attempted double steal was unsuccessful. McFarland took for second, while catcher Cam Maron threw to second baseman, Ramirez took the throw, but quickly unloaded a strike to the plate to nail Garcia. McFarland was safe at second, but he would not advance, as Clint Coulter popped out to end the inning. The Tortugas (2-1) got an insurance run in the top of the fourth when Phillip Ervin reached base on a throwing error by shortstop Angel Ortega. Ervin swiped second base and moved to third when catcher Cam Garfield’s throw to second to nab Ervin went into center field. Ervin scored on a Chad Wallach sac fly, to make it 2-0. Salas, a 10th round pick in 2014 by Milwaukee, would make it through the fifth inning, giving up two runs, striking out four and walking three. “I thought he pitched well,” said Ayrault of Salas. “He did a good job attacking the zone and going after hitters. Just the one mistake, other than that it was a solid debut in the Florida State League.” The bullpens went to work from there and did a superb job on both sides. The Tortugas allowed only one more baserunner over the final four innings, thanks to a helping hand from third baseman Taylor Sparks. He threw out Coulter in the sixth inning from foul territory and then in the seventh, robbed Roache with a diving stop and accurate throw to first. The Manatees got three solid innings from Clint Terry and he was backed up in the ninth by Scott Lieser, who retired the side in order. “I was very impressed with Clint Terry’s three scoreless,” said Ayrault. “Lieser was very impressive as well, 11 pitches and a 1-2-3 inning. Salas just made the one mistake to start off the game, other than that I thought the guys threw the ball very well.” The Manatees third hit came off the bat of Ortega in the eighth, but a fielders’ choice quickly erased him. The Tortugas brought on Evan Mitchell to save it in the ninth, and he got a 1-2-3 inning, to nail down his second save of the season. Brevard County (1-2) will be home Mondaynight to face the St. Lucie Mets, as the two teams start a four-game home-at-home series. St. Lucie (3-1) suffered their first loss Sunday at the hands of Bradenton, 7-5. All of the Mets runs came in the fifth inning. “I looked down their roster and there’s not a lot of returners, so it’s gonna be a whole new ball game,” said Ayrault. The Manatees will send Jorge Ortega (0-0) to the mound to face Rob Whalen (0-0) in a battle of right-handers. Game time is 6:35 PM (5:35 Central) at Space Coast Stadium. http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width_large/hash/ae/18/ae18153d45488b43dc6561932d44da03.jpg?itok=VnzArrEB Omar Garcia waits on a pitch during Sunday's 2-0 loss to Daytona at Space Coast Stadium Photo by Cindy Rieber

Former North standout Uhen back home with Timber Rattlers Steve Clark, Gannett Wisconsin Media http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/267cac1ad892a23c8809034614d45d27cea13719/c=191-0-3059-2151&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Oshkosh/2015/04/12/B9316950513Z.1_20150412172730_000_G9FAFS7LF.1-0.jpg Wisconsin Timber Ratttlers' Josh Uhen pitches during FanFest Tuesday, April 6, 2015, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. (Photo: Dan Powers/Gannett Wisconsin Media) The Baudelaire children experienced a series of unfortunate events in the Lemony Snicket series of children’s novels. For Oshkosh’s Josh Uhen, his series of events in regard to playing baseball in Wisconsin and in relation to the Milwaukee Brewers have been nothing but fortunate. His mother, Cheryl, went into labor while at County Stadium for the Brewers’ opening day in 1992, with Josh being born one day later on April 7. On his sixth birthday, Uhen threw out the ceremonial first pitch at a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game. Uhen would star for Oshkosh North and go on to pitch for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before being taken by the Brewers in the fifth round of the 2013 draft. And now, after completing two seasons in the Brewers’ farm system, Uhen has returned to the Timber Rattlers as a member of its pitching staff. “Seventeen years (after throwing out the first pitch) I’m a member of the team now,” said Uhen, who turned 23 last week. “It’s just kind of a weird series of events with me and Brewers baseball.” Uhen, who made his season debut on Saturday night by going two innings with two strikeouts and did not allow an earned run, was obviously excited to return to the area where he grew up and pitch for a team he had watched as a youth in Oshkosh. It also makes things much easier for family and friends to catch him in action. “The last two years, I’ve been away and now they have the chance to come out and watch me play whenever they want,” said Uhen, who pitched in Helena, Mont., last season. “I just think it’s going to be a really cool experience. I think it will be a really fun summer.” Uhen didn’t know of his placement with the Timber Rattlers until three days before the end of spring training. He said he texted family members immediately upon getting the news. “It’s tough to tell through texts but I think they were excited,” Uhen said. “I talked to them later and they were very happy and just started asking all of the questions, if I was going to live at home and things like that.” Uhen said he does plan to live at home for the season — most low-level minor leaguers group together in apartments for the season to save money — and he will have some teammates with him. Brandon Diaz and Monte Harrison will be joining the Uhen household for the next couple of months, something Diaz had been pushing for since the start of spring training. “Diaz would always give me a hard time about living with me, so once we got up here and settled I asked if he actually wanted to live with me,” Uhen said. “It will be fun to have those guys around and show them around Oshkosh a little.” Uhen admitted that living at home will help all three save some money, but there also may be an even better advantage. “My mother is a great cook and I told them that,” Uhen said. “Every opportunity she gets, she will provide us with a home-cooked meal.” On the field, Uhen will be a member of the Timber Rattlers’ bullpen to start the season and his debut did come in a relief appearance. Although he had made 14 starts in his first two years of professional baseball, the hard-throwing right-hander is comfortable in his role. He’s also no stranger to pitching on the sometimes chilly nights in April and early May, having layered up as a member of the Spartans and the Panthers. “I don’t think I would call it an advantage, but I think I definitely have the experience of learning how to throw in the colder climate and experienced in the high school and college level,” Uhen said. “I don’t think you’re ever comfortable pitching in it, but you learn how to pitch in it.” Uhen will have to adjust to pitching a full summer of baseball, something he didn’t have to do when he was in Arizona in a rookie-level league after being drafted or last year in Helena, when the season didn’t start until mid-June. With the Timber Rattlers, which is a member of the Class A Midwest League, the season stretches 144 games. Uhen obviously won’t be pitching everyday but after throwing 92 innings in his first two seasons combined, he could approach that number in a single year. “The last two seasons they did a good job of lengthening me out, getting me innings and getting me some work in,” Uhen said. “Now this year coming out of the pen, that will help, at least to start out, getting me going and help me to prepare to play for 144-game season. I definitely think I’m ready for it. “My ultimate goal is to come out of the pen, throw strikes, get outs and help my team stay in the best situation it can be to get a win.”

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry includes AUDIO interviews from the post conference (just a bit but not all duplicated from links above in this case), but also video highlights including Chris Mehring's calls *** MiLB.com jumped on the Medeiros bandwagon with their own feature article. *** Just linked to another Josh Uhen feature in our Timber Rattlers' thread - fun roommates story included

Via Brad Krause and Miller Park Prospects - Timber Rattler Photo Gallery (click on photo for slideshow) *** VIDEOS: Via Fox11 including game highlights *** VIDEO: Via WeAreGreenBay.com *** Link below includes VIDEO: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Kodi Medeiros talks about his outstanding performance in the Rattlers home opener Sunday at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. Medeiros is magnificent in Rattlers pitching debut Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/8451ea2452439142b63429aaa17461bb0d851038/c=664-0-4280-2712&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Appleton/2015/04/13/B9316951367Z.1_20150413001030_000_G23AFTSN7.1-0.jpg Starting pitcher Kodi Medeiros works during the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers home opener against the Peoria Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. (Photo: Ron Page/Post-Crescent Media) GRAND CHUTE – Number one draft picks usually have the physical tools to make baseball fans utter a flattering three-letter word. Wow. Kodi Medeiros was worthy of that superlative Sunday afternoon with a light-outs performance in his Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitching debut. The only problem was that shortly after Medeiros departed, the ballgame went from a no-no to an "oh no." Wow, did this one get out of hand. The 18-year-old left-hander was magnificent in the Timber Rattlers' home opener, only to see the game blow up on the Rattlers in the late innings. The end result was a lopsided 11-1 loss to the Peoria Chiefs and a winless opening week for the 0-4 Rattlers. Still, a sell-out crowd of 5,954 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium didn't really have a lot to grumble about. They watched the Milwaukee Brewers' prized pitching prospect turn in an extraordinary performance on a gorgeous sunny afternoon, which made for one of the warmest home openers in years. Medeiros, the 12th overall selection in the 2014 first-year player draft, threw six scoreless and hitless innings and struck out seven, before departing. "I didn't want to think about too many things out there," said Medeiros. "I just wanted to give it my best shot and pound the strike zone. I wanted to keep it simple, throw strikes and let my defense make plays behind me." The Hawaiian native had excellent control and command, walking just one and allowing only two baserunners. He threw strikes on 47 of his 63 pitches. Medeiros throws a fastball, changeup and slider, and relied heavily on the slider Sunday. "That was my strikeout pitch," said Medeiros. "The slider was really effective. My defense played well behind me and (catcher) Greg McCall and I were on the same page the whole time. It seemed like he called every pitch that I wanted to throw." Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson was one of many who was extremely impressed with Medeiros. "Kodi was obviously really good today," said Erickson. "He threw minimal pitches, got a bunch of ground balls and gave us a great chance to win the ballgame. " Medeiros got Peoria to hit into 11 ground outs and not a single fly ball was hit off him. "His ball moves so much," said Erickson. "He's got such a unique delivery and arm slot. He's got a lot of sink to his pitches. He got a lot of early-count outs and mixed in his slider to get some strikeouts. He was impressive, no doubt about it." Despite the seven strikeouts, Medeiros didn't overpower hitters, consistently hitting the low 90s with his fastball. "His tempo was really good," said Erickson. "If this is any reflection of what we're going to get out of Kodi, it's going to be fun to watch him and play defense behind him. I like his mound presence. That's something that impressed me in spring training. The first two times I saw him, he had a couple ground balls hit to him and he kicked them around a little bit, but his demeanor didn't change. He got right back on the mound, went about his business and threw strikes, and got more ground balls." Medeiros had no complaints about being pulled with a no-hitter going. "I knew about the fifth inning that they didn't have any hits, but I knew I was on a pitch count and the coaches were watching that," said Medeiros. "Everyone else has to get their work in, so it wasn't a big deal to me. I couldn't have pictured a better debut than this. I just had a mindset of throwing strikes and letting my defense back me up." Peoria actually didn't have a hit until the eighth inning when the wheels fell off for the Rattlers. Right-hander David Burkhalter followed Medeiros' lead with a hitless seventh, but the Chiefs pounded Burkhalter and Harvey Martin for eight hits in a game-breaking seven-run eighth, which erased a 1-0 deficit. Peoria finished with 13 hits, all in the final two innings. "When we were up 1-0, we had a couple chances to add more runs and left the bases loaded twice," said Erickson. "When you let a team hang around, more often than not, stuff like this happens. We let it get out of hand those last two innings. We couldn't get anyone out." The Rattlers were limited to six hits, three by third baseman Dustin DeMuth, who hit cleanup in the batting order. Center fielder Monte Harrison knocked in the Rattlers' only run with a fifth-inning double to left field. "He (DeMuth) was really comfortable in spring training," said Erickson. "It looks like he's seeing the ball early. He hit some balls hard yesterday. Today, I threw him into the four-hole because we were looking for some consistent contact there, and he hit it hard three more times. He's going to get some more opportunities there for sure." *** PHOTO GALLERY via the Post-Crescent

Chris Harris is now including audio highlights from the prior day's game on this same link. Look for it at these links. Audio Highlights from Friday's 7-1 rain-shortened victory Audio highlights from Saturday's 7-2 win

Heading to the 7th and folks may wish to listen in to the Rattlers (wink, wink...) -- Free Live Audio Link - WNAM

Posted from Saturday's action -- VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Luis Sardinas hits an RBI single as the Sky Sox fall, 5-3 to Nashville *** VIDEO: Biloxi's Yadiel Rivera smacks an RBI triple as the Shuckers top Pensacola, 7-2. A 2014 Brewer served up that triple -- Biloxi Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Kevin Shackelford replaces Carlos Gonzalez, batting 9th. Taylor Green grounds out, pitcher Kevin Shackelford to first baseman Marquez Smith. Tyrone Taylor singles on a ground ball to center fielder Juan Silva. Yadiel Rivera triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Juan Silva. Tyrone Taylor scores. Josh Fellhauer grounds out, shortstop Zach Vincej to first baseman Marquez Smith. Yadiel Rivera scores. Parker Berberet grounds out, shortstop Zach Vincej to first baseman Marquez Smith.

He will play stateside (not the Dominican), for either Maryvale or Helena, I'd imagine Helena. In the meantime, as noted in the Link Report Saturday, the kids not playing full-season ball still see nearly daily game action in the Arizona complexes.

Haven't given that page thought (or an update) in nearly two years, use Baseball Reference Player pages or cot's at Baseball-Ref...

AUDIO 4/11: The Bunt-to-Lose podcast In this episode Curt and Andrew discuss the start of the Brewers season. Joining them on the program is the official/unofficial queen of baseball on Twitter, Kristin Zenz (@10iskristin). They talk about Carlos Gomez and his role in the lineup, Adam Lind's hot start, Lucroy's cold start, Ryan Braun's injury, why Matt Clark is the hottest hitter in the organization yet he's 1,000 miles away from the team, missing the hit king Yuni B, and much more! *** AUDIO 4/11: WSSP's Ziebart On Deck Show Always thought WSSP does a great job pre-game -- you get the entirety of Ron Roenicke's pre-game presser, a roundtable discussion, and interviews from the clubhouse for home games; worth a listen even well after the game... *** AUDIO 4/11: Adam McCalvy on WSSP's Rupena's Baseball Post Game Show, and here's the link for the entire show, including the McCalvy chat.

VIDEO: Young Timber Rattlers Team Set for Home Opener

I know some Brewers farmhands dip tobacco away from the field (have seen the tweets). Not allowed at the ball park in the minor leagues. Please read Curt Schilling here, young men...

That appears to be a within-inning pitch count departure, as the "laboring" note above indicates...

Blue Wahoos Lose Third Straight; Time Clock Added To Double-A Baseball NorthEscambia.com Pensacola Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Tim Adleman said he didn’t even notice the two 2-foot by 5-foot clocks on either side of the dugouts. Third baseman Seth Mejias-Brean had a hard time seeing base balls hit by the Biloxi Shuckers because of the glare off the clocks. All Double-A teams in the Southern League began using a clock for the first time Saturday to speed up a game that averaged 2 hours, 43 minutes in 2005 and 8 minutes more in 2014. Last night, that meant the Blue Wahoos dropped their third straight game to the Biloxi Shuckers, 7-2, in 2 hours and 41 minutes. In some instances, the new time-saving measures that allows 20 seconds between pitches and 2 minutes, 25 seconds between innings, could shave anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes from America’s pastime, baseball experts have said. For the first month, there will be no penalties enforced, such as assessing a pitcher a ball, if he fails to throw his pitch in time. Adleman said he’s not sure what the effect of a clock will be on a game that’s never had one. “Will it speed up the game and engage young fans or blow up too much and never work?” asked Adleman, who took the loss after leaving the game behind, 3-1, in the sixth inning. “Honestly, I did not notice (the clocks) at all. I was so focused on hitting my spots and getting out there and getting in a good rhythm.” The first three games of the opening season series and the Blue Wahoos have managed three runs on 13 hits against Biloxi’s top-flight pitching staff. They are hitting just .153 against the Shuckers. Pensacola’s Jesse Winker, at least, snapped his 0-7 slump with a single and double in four at bats. However, he was left on third base both times. Kelly said he’s not worried about Winker or his other hitters in the middle of the lineup. “I don’t worry about how Winker is hitting ever,” Kelly said. “I feel pretty comfortable with (Marquez Smith, Mejias-Brean and Kyle Skipworth). It didn’t work tonight and hasn’t worked so far this season. But I like my chances with those three guys.” Adleman entered the game looking for his first Wahoos win as a starter after getting six starts the previous year. He was 0-3 with a 2.38 ERA in 2014. After a shaky start in which he gave up three runs on seven hits in the first two innings, including muffing a bunt hit right to him that ended up costing him two runs, Adleman settled down. He allowed just three hits over the next four innings, benefitting from two double plays. On the night, Adleman allowed 11 men on base but left the game after six innings with Pensacola trailing, just 3-1. One of the biggest Shuckers at the plate? Shortstop Orlando Arcia, the Brewers’ No. 2 prospect, has torn up Pensacola pitching, hitting .583, going 7-12 with two doubles, a triple, four runs scored and five runs batted in.

Clock or not, Biloxi keeps fast start against Wahoos Bill Vilona, Pensacola News-Journal Tim Adleman took the mound with blinders on. Those two timer clocks with orange lights glaring on either side of home plate didn’t faze him. Adleman was more concerned with the Biloxi Shuckers hitters, who have proven to be tough outs for any Pensacola Blue Wahoos pitcher so far this season. No matter how well-timed the deliveries have been. For the third time in as many games to begin the season, the Blue Wahoos yielded too many base runners and failed to seize their own opportunities in a 7-2 loss Saturday against Biloxi at Blue Wahoos stadium. “They do have some guys who can swing it,” said Adleman, who worked six full innings and left with a 3-1 deficit that got expanded against the Blue Wahoos bullpen. “It’s about locating the pitches. “And you see what happens when you don’t. They hit the pretty ball hard. And if you do (locate), you have an opportunity to get some easy outs and give you team a chance to win the game.” Another sellout crowd (5,038) watched a familiar narrative. The Shuckers, who ran away with the first half of the Southern League’s North Division title last year as the Huntsville Stars, dominated for the third time in as many games to start the season. But the difference Saturday night was a slice of league history. For the first time, pitch clocks were used as an experiment. The Southern League, along with all Double-A leagues and Triple-A level in professional baseball is implementing a 20-second timer between pitches, a 2 minute, 25 second gap between half innings. The Blue Wahoos got word shortly before the first pitch from Southern League commissioner Lori Webb that the pitch clock was in effect. The game last night was played in two hours, 41 minutes, which was noteworthy in a game that included 19 hits, seven walks and three errors. You can count Blue Wahoos manager Pat Kelly among a large group of dissenters about utilizing a pitch clock. When it goes from tryout stage to a live rule in a couple weeks, it will be an automatic ball if a pitcher doesn’t throw in 20 seconds. “My honest opinion is we don’t have a problem with the speed of the game in the minor leagues,” Kelly said. “But we’re the ones who do all the experiments. “It’s one more thing for (umpires). It’s one more thing that will cause disagreements, but they have to enforce it.” Kelly is supportive of a enforcing batters remaining in the batter’s box, which the umpires pushed along last night. “It is so early it’s hard to say,” said Adleman on the ultimate effect this could have on professional baseball. “I know I have heard a couple big league guys say it’s ridiculous and you can’t put a clock on a game that has historically been known for not having a clock. “I am not quite sure. I think it could go very well and help speed the game up and help bring more younger people into watching the game, or it can blow up and cause too much backlash and never work out.” Adleman was more concern over a miscue he made in the second inning that led to a 3-1 Biloxi lead. With Shuckers pitcher Hobbs Johnson batting and bunting, Adleman failed to handle the ball initially and Johnson beat the throw to load the bases. With two out, Orlando Arcia continued his torrid hitting and two-out production with a single that scored two runs. “That’s a play I make 99 out of 100 times,” he said. “I just didn’t (last night) and it turned out to be a big play. You just have to go back and work on that between starts and make sure you don’t allow free runs.” After the first two innings, however, Adleman settled into a groove, allowing three singles and erasing two of those base runners on double plays. The big issue for the Blue Wahoos, however, continues to be lack of production at the plate. They left two runners on in the first inning, had the bases loaded in the third when failing to score and could not get Jesse Winker home after his leadoff double in the fifth. In the eighth, catcher Kyle Skipworth, who had struck out in his first three at-bats, launched the Blue Wahoos first home run, deep over the right field scoreboard. “I feel pretty comfortable with (Marquez) Smith, (Seth) Mejias-Breen and Skipworth at the plate with runners in scoring position,” said Kelly, whose team will try and salvage the final two games of the series Sunday and Monday. “It didn’t work (last night), it hasn’t worked so far, but I will take my chances over the length of the season with those three guys.” In pounding out 14 hits, Biloxi had baserunners in every inning. The Blue Wahoos had only four in the final six innings. “They got arms coming out of bullpen,” Kelly said. “I hope that is the best we face all year.”