Jim Goulart

Tim Dillard deserves Greer’s last pitch Dave Ammenheuser, the Tennessean http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/db837d4d2b0a107f7c71c73700d4254b7641de3f/c=240-0-4016-2832&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Nashville/2014/08/26/dillardforweb.jpg Photo: George Walker IV / The Tennessean This is a pitch for Tim Dillard to make the Sounds’ final pitch at Greer Stadium on Wednesday night. Is there better way to close 37 years at the ballpark than to hand the ball in the ninth inning to the pitcher who has played eight seasons in Nashville? He’s not only the perfect choice. He’s the logical choice. Why Dillard? With the possible exception of Ozzie the mascot, the right-handed pitcher is perhaps the most familiar face in Sounds history. He’s won more games (39) and pitched more innings (554.1) than any other pitcher. He’s also ranks second in games (207) by a pitcher and third in strikeouts (332). “I think it would be great,” said Dillard, a side-winding late-inning right-handed relief pitcher. “I would be honored to do it.” But it’s not Dillard’s decision. That decision belongs to manager Rick Sweet. He fills out the lineup card and decides when to change pitchers. And with the Sounds enjoying their best season since 2007, he’s making a lot of right decisions this summer. Sweet’s not going to reveal his pitching plan for tonight beyond the fact that Jay Jackson is the starting pitcher against the Sacramento River Cats. Only pitching coach Fred Dabney and Sweet know the Sounds’ pitching plan for the late innings. And for any Sound to make the final pitch at Greer, the home team needs to be beating the River Cats after eight innings. But, c’mon. If the right scenario presents itself, Dillard needs to be on the mound. He first came to Nashville in 2007, one of four Triple-A rookies on a veteran team. “I had never pitched in front of that many people before,” he said, recalling his first appearance. “I was nervous. What I saw was an aged stadium, but I thought it had aged well.” It did not take long before he and his wife fell in love with Music City. He and his wife, Erin, now call Nashville home. And they are raising their two children here. “It was pretty easy to make friends, it’s a melting pot,” said Dillard, raised in a small Mississippi town. “People come here and they are like, ‘I ain’t leaving.’ Nashville is just a great place. Nashville has a small-town feel, but the big city is right here, too.” He posted an 8-4 record that first season with the Sounds. It was the start of a unique relationship. He’s been used as a starting pitcher and as a reliever. From 2007-12, he pitched for the Sounds and enjoyed four stints in the major leagues with the Milwaukee Brewers. After the 2012 season, the Brewers released him. Looking for a job, he signed with the Lancaster (Pa.) Barnstormers, an independent league team. He was there for just six games in 2013 before the Brewers asked him to come back to Nashville. The same scenario played out again last winter. With so many young talented pitchers in the organization, the Brewers released him. Again. Many players would have called it quits. Not Dillard, who again signed with Lancaster. This stint only lasted two games before the Brewers called again. This time, he was needed at Class AA Huntsville. At 31, he would be the oldest player on the roster. It didn’t matter. He said yes. Appearing in 43 games, he was more than a relief pitcher for one of the Southern League’s best teams. He was a mentor to the young pitchers. It was, perhaps, a glimpse of his future; one that could include coaching on the professional level. “I really got attached to the team in Double-A,” he said. “They were a great group of guys. I don’t know if I’ve ever had more fun playing baseball.” But when the Sounds put pitcher Ariel Pena on the disabled list last week, they needed another arm in the bullpen. “All season I am thinking, ‘Man, I’d love to just be there for (closing of Greer),’ ” he said. “Nothing sneaks by me. I knew about the bobbleheads, the (commemorative) T-shirts ...” Now he’s here. “To throw the last pitch here and to be remembered that way too, that would be pretty special, especially because I live here,” said Dillard. “It’s not like I am packing up and leaving town. I am part of this, too. I want a new stadium as much as everybody else, but I have as many memories as a lot of people here.” Here’s hoping for one more. Dave Ammenheuser is The Tennessean’s sports editor. TIM DILLARD FILE • Born: July 19, 1983 in Sarasota, Fla.; Graduated from Saltillo (Miss.) High School in 2001. • Drafted: 15th round of the 2001 draft but chose not to sign; drafted again in the 34t round of the 2002 draft and signed. • In the minors: 12 seasons, 70-51 record in 375 games. He is 39-24 in 207 career games with Nashville. • In the majors: Parts of four seasons, appearing in 73 games witha 1-4 record and a 4.70 ERA.

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter. *** Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Nashville Media Notes - it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Roster" banner on the Sounds' site. Brevard County Media Notes - again, 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: (For split-season leagues, 2nd half standings are shown as the default, although overall standings are also available at the link.) AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League Central Division DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris *** Sortable individual stat pages: Nashville Huntsville Wisconsin Helena Maryvale Dominican Summer League Brewers *** Weather.com: Nashville, TN Mobile, AL Viera, FL (Melbourne) Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Missoula, MT Tempe, AZ

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Completion of Suspended Game Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game Wisconsin Helena Maryvale MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

DVR ALERT! Wednesday evening'ss Timber Rattlers game will be broadcast on TWC SportsChannel, airtime 7:00 PM.

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Sacramento (Athletics), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville 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. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: LHP Brent Suter at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Steve Jarnicki is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars - welcome aboard! Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveJarnicki. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. MiLB.TV - It appears seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games (not the Stars). ********** Brevard County: Last Sunday via the Manatees -- Brevard County will have a doubleheader on Tuesday against the Lakeland Flying Tigers (19-44, 61-69) to start a six-day, seven-game homestand at Space Coast Stadium to wrap up the 2014 regular season. Game one will begin at 5:05 PM (4:05 Eastern), and is a resumption of a nine-inning contest that began at Joker Marchant Stadium on July 10. The game will pick up with Nathan Orf at first and a 3-2 count on Orlando Arcia with no one out in the top of the first inning. Right-hander Jorge Lopez (9-9, 4.30) will get the ball for the 'Tees when Lakeland comes to bat in the bottom of the frame. Left-hander Mike Strong (2-2, 2.67) will get the start in the seven-inning nightcap. That contest will begin a half-hour after the first game's completion. Free Live Audio Link -- Select the proper link based on listed schedule 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 2014. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Barrett Astin at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM 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. For the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from seven Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (30) 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. ********** Helena: RHP Cy Sneed at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link There's a new Voice of the Helena Brewers in 2014, as Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter) takes over for legendary Steve Wendt. We look forward to Dustin building his own legacy moving forward. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Angels' complex in Tempe, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete - summary post here

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Final: @Mobile 3, Huntsville 1 Stars Fall In Pitcher's Duel Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Mobile, AL - A.J. Schugel (6-3) of the Mobile BayBears outdueled the Huntsville Stars starter Austin Ross (1-3) as the BayBears defeated the Stars 3-1 Monday night at Hank Aaron Stadium in Mobile. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning. Ross, who only allowed four hits up until the seventh, allowed a leadoff infield single to Dustin Martin in the seventh. Ross then proceeded to walk the next two hitters. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Ross got Ryan Court to hit a gronunder to shortstop. Yadiel Rivera threw to home cutting down the lead runner Martin. The bases stayed loaded and Dallas Tarleton smoked a three-run double down the right field line giving Mobile a 3-0 lead. Ross, who suffered the loss, turned in a quality start. He pitched 6.1 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked three. Schugel, who earned the win, dominated the Stars by firing seven shutout innings. He gave up only two hits and struck out four. The Stars scored their only run in the top of the eighth. With two outs, Kentrail Davis lined a single into centerfield scoring Nick Ramirez making it 3-1. The Stars (29-35,75-59) trail the Mobile BayBears (36-26,78-53) 3-1 in their series. The series concludes Tuesday. Huntsville will have LHP Brent Suter (10-9, 4.09) on the mound. Mobile will send RHP Graham Godfrey (0-0, 0.00) to the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:50 CDT on the internet only at wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Huntsville Game Log

Final: @AZL Brewers 8, AZL Diamondbacks 2 Maryvale Box Score The process is taking longer than projected for RHP Gian Rizzo, who dazzled at age 17, but the first outing in ten days for the soon-to-be 21-year-old saw him fan seven and walk zero in three innings to close out the big win. Rizzo now has a 32-to-3 K-to-BB ratio this season, 209-to-33 for his career (203 IP). Mancrush still thrives for the Venezuela native. RHP's Bubba Blau and Milton Gomez each threw three innings of one-run ball. Maryvale Game Log Brewers scored eight runs, but only had three RBI. That's a bit extreme, but the rookie leagues always see big run vs. RBI differentials thanks to errors, wild pitches, and passed balls. Spread out over four innings, none of the first six Maryvale runs were earned (the Crew should have been down 2-0 after seven). In fact, the team scored its eight runs while going 1-for-14 with RISP. Oh yeah, Monte Harrison. On base four times (OBP is now .400), the just-turned 19-year-old doubled, singled twice, and was HBP. He was also caught stealing for only the second time in 31 attempts. CF Carlos Belonis was 2-for-5 with two steals and three runs scored. Brewers maintain a 1.5 game lead for a playoff spot in the overall season standings. Four games remain for the A-Crew.

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry *** A second look at the game highlights via the MyNew32 TV broadcast.

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Tonight’s interview is our weekly chat with Sounds manager Rick Sweet, who discusses the Sounds’ recent road trip (5-3 record through El Paso and Albuquerque), the excitement of the playoff chase, the continued hot hitting of Matt Clark, the return of Hunter Morris and the injuries to Hector Gomez and Ariel Pena." *** Note: Both Gomez and Pena may be back in a week or so for the very end of the season. Sweet talks about "fighting for Gomez" to open at AAA this past spring.

Steve Jarnicki's Huntsville Notes -- With the Stars loss they will not be able to set a franchise record for most wins in a season. Currently the Stars are 75-58 with just seven games left. The franchise record for most wins in a season is 82 by the 1989 team (Athletics) that finished 82-61. That team made the postseason and lost in the Semi-Finals to the eventual champion Birmingham Barons. The 2014 Stars can still tie that club for most wins, but will have to win all seven of the remaining games… Mitch Haniger’s walk-off RBI single was the sixth time this year that the Stars had been beaten on a walk-off hit by their opponent…The Stars bullpen has allowed at least one run in five straight games…The Stars played their fourth one-run game in their last six contests, going 2-2 in these games…The Stars fell to 8-10 in extra innings this season and have played the second most (18) extra innings games only behind Mobile (20) who improved to 12-8…Hector Gimenez hit a two-run home run. The Stars have hit five home runs against the BayBears in the first three games of the series after only hitting three total against Mobile in their first ten games of the season…So far through the first three games of the series, 10 of the 12 runs accounted for have been off home runs…The Stars scored four runs and all four came with two outs…The Stars have only scored 137 runs in their last 37 games. In those games they are 16-21 and averaging a meager 3.7 runs per game…. Nick Ramirez did not play Sunday but went 0-3 on Saturday. In his last 18 games Ramirez is still batting only .138 (9-65. 2 HR, 9 RBI). Ramirez’s home run on Friday gave him at least one home run against every team in the Southern League except Jacksonville and Mississippi… Gimenez went 1-4 with a two-run homer. He has now homered in five out of his past seven games. In his last fifteen games, Gimenez has six home runs and 20 RBI. He continues to climb out of his early slump since joining the Stars. He started just 1 for 16 in his first five games. In his last 28 games, he is now 28 for 112 (.250) with seven home runs and 27 RBI…C Shawn Zarraga pinch hit Sunday and went 0-1 and is 0 for his last 15 at the plate. Since he returned to the Stars from Triple-A Nashville on August 8th, he is 10-44 (.227 with 2 RBI).

Matt Clark Named PCL Batter Of The Week Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Nashville Sounds infielder Matt Clark has been named the Pacific Coast League's Batter of the Week for the August 18-24 period. The red-hot 27-year-old posted a .536 average (15-for-28), recording multiple hits in each of last week's contests, with three home runs and nine RBIs in seven games over the stretch. Clark clubbed his 13th homer of the year on Sunday night at Greer Stadium to extend his current hitting streak to 14 games. The 14-game hit streak, during which the California-native is batting .482 (27-for-56), is the 2nd-longest by a Sounds player this season. In the month of August, Clark leads the Sounds with nine home runs, 32 hits, 20 RBIs, 21 runs and 13 multi-hit games. Overall, Clark is batting .333 (55-for-165) with 13 home runs and 33 RBIs in 45 games since joining the team on July 4. Clark's award is the second accumulated by a Sounds player during the 2014 season (also Mike Fiers, April 28-May 5) and the first PCL honor given to a Nashville batter since Caleb Gindl in 2012 (August 20-27 period). The award is the fourth weekly honor of Clark's seven-year career. He was previously honored three times by the Texas League in 2010.

Tim Dillard's latest blog entry -- “Remember, Remember The First Of September”

Congrats to Jimmy Nelson, as the 2014 All-PCL Team is announced

Marcus at Miller Park Prospects breaks down the playoff possibilities for each affiliate, including encouraging news for the Maryvale bunch. *** Happy 26th birthday to Huntsville's Nick Shaw!

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter. *** Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Nashville Media Notes - it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Roster" banner on the Sounds' site. Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: (For split-season leagues, 2nd half standings are shown as the default, although overall standings are also available at the link.) AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League Central Division DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris *** Sortable individual stat pages: Nashville Huntsville Wisconsin Helena Maryvale Dominican Summer League Brewers *** Weather.com: Nashville, TN Mobile, AL Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Helena, MT Maryvale, AZ

Follow Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Wisconsin Helena Maryvale MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

DVR ALERT! Monday's Timber Rattlers game will be broadcast on MyNew32 TV, airtime 7:00 PM.

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Billy Buckner at home vs. Sacramento (Athletics), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the play-by-play voice of the Sounds; follow him on Twitter @jeffhempbp; we'll link to his blog updates at On the Air…and Off MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Nashville 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. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Austin Ross at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Steve Jarnicki is the new play-by-play voice of the Stars - welcome aboard! Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveJarnicki. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. MiLB.TV - It appears seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games (not the Stars). ********** Brevard County: Idle ********** Wisconsin: RHP Javier Salas at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM 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. For the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from seven Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: Thirty-nine (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (30) 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. ********** Helena: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link There's a new Voice of the Helena Brewers in 2014, as Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter) takes over for legendary Steve Wendt. We look forward to Dustin building his own legacy moving forward. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the local D-Backs' tykes, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete - summary post here

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Via the Brewers Player Development Staff: OF Omar Garcia has been placed on the DL with Wisconsin; LHP Trevor Seidenberger has been transferred from Brevard to the Rattlers roster. *** Garcia last played on the 21st. No word on his injury status.

Kyle Lobner linked to this in his Frosty Mug this AM -- Arizona League Breakdown: Milwaukee Brewers Focuses on all the top picks, naturally, but still some worthwhile first-hand insights...

From earlier this month -- FYI - Ghelfi found work this week with the St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association.

Brevard County -- AUDIO, Game Highlights: The 'Tees score four runs in the ninth inning and win, 5-4. AUDIO: After the 'Tees score four runs in the ninth inning to win, Michael Reed and Victor Roache join Justin Rocke on the Manatees Radio Network.

Nashville answered the Cats' two-run rally with one of its own in the home half of the inning. Jason Rogers (3-for-4), who missed the cycle by a homer, led off with a triple to right and tied the game when he scored on a Hunter Morris groundout. Sean Halton powered the Sounds to a 3-2 advantage when he launched a massive solo homer to left, the slugger's seventh big fly of the year. AUDIO: Sean Halton Solo HR The Sounds blew the game open with their biggest inning of the year, an eight-run, seventh-inning outburst against a trio of River Cats hurlers that stretched the lead to 12-2. Matt Clark and Jeremy Hermida each delivered three-run homers during the frame; the blasts accounted for each slugger's 13th roundtripper of the year. AUDIO: Matt Clark 3-Run HR AUDIO: Jeremy Hermida 3-Run HR