Jim Goulart

DVR Alert! The Rattlers were on local TV on four consecutive evenings this week, Tuesday through Friday, with a 7:00 airtime each night. Night four is tonight, MyNew32 TV.

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Nashville: RHP Ariel Pena at El Paso (Padres), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 Tennessee (Cubs), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:15 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). NOTE: Tennessee is among the Southern League squads to offer MiLB.TV broadcasts. ********** Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:30 gametime 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. Kane County (Cubs), 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 J.B. Kole at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 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 mini-White Sox, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mets' #2 Squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day We're also going to lock in the link to Brad Krause's fantastic Miller Park Prospects - Dominican Summer League primer right here, at least for the first couple of months of the DSL campaign, for your easy review. Brad will also be adding DSL Link Report duties to his Brevard coverage for us here. Thanks, Brad!

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Yikes, David Denson's Golden Sombrero Thursday gives him 18 K's in his last ten games (34 AB's, eight walks in that span).

Brevard County -- AUDIO: Amid distractions from Ned Yost IV, 'Tees pitching coach Dave Chavarria chats with Andrew Luftglass of the Manatees Radio Network AUDIO, Game Highlights: The Cubs win game one, 6-2 AUDIO, Game Highlights: LHP Mike Strong throws his first career complete game in a 2-1 Brevard County victory

The Tennessee Smokies pulled off a walk-off victory for the second straight night against the Huntsville Stars. Dustin Geiger delivered a bases loaded RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Smokies a 1-0 win Thursday at Smokies Park. The Stars had five infielders positioned around the infield and Geiger squeezed a hit into right field against Stars closer David Goforth (5-4) scoring Albert Almora for the winning run. VIDEO: The walkoff (sigh)

Catching up with Tuesday media from Nashville's 13-3 win in El Paso -- Shortstop Hector Gomez gave the Sounds a 1-0 lead in the second when he belted his team-leading 14th home run of the year, a one-out solo shot to left off Andrew Cashner (0-1). AUDIO: Hector Gomez HR The home run show continued in the third when Matt Clark slugged a two-out, two-run homer to right to put Nashville back on top, 3-2, and chase Andrew Cashner from the contest. The blast was Clark's second in two nights and seventh on the year. AUDIO: Matt Clark's 1st HR The Sounds broke the game open with a six-run outburst in the top of the fifth inning against a pair of El Paso relievers, sending 11 batters to the plate in the frame. Clark got things started as he struck again for the Sounds, swatting a leadoff opposite-field homer down the left field line off Dennis O'Grady to up the Nashville lead to 4-2. The blast was Clark's eighth with the Sounds and 18th overall on the year. His two-homer night is the fifth recorded by a Nashville batter in 2014. VIDEO: Matt Clark hits his second homer in Nashville's 13-3 win at El Paso - Fair or foul? AUDIO: Jeff Hem's call on the 2nd HR

VIDEO: Javier Salas, Wei-Chung Wang, & Fang promoting Bergstrom’s Drive for the Cure. Wang is a natural, he nailed all his lines. It's all part of Chris' Rattler Radio Blog postgame entry.

Final: @Tennessee 1, Huntsville 0 Smokies Walk Off On Stars Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Kodak, TN - The Tennessee Smokies pulled off a walk-off victory for the second straight night against the Huntsville Stars. Dustin Geiger delivered a bases loaded RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to give the Smokies a 1-0 win Thursday at Smokies Park. The Stars had five infielders positioned around the infield and Geiger squeezed a hit into right field against Stars closer David Goforth (5-4) scoring Albert Almora for the winning run. It was a terrific pitcher's duel as both starters turned in a quality start. Tennessee RHP C.J. Edwards threw six shutout innings and gave up four hits. Huntsville lefty Jed Bradley matched Edwards with seven shutout frames. Bradley gave up six hits and struck out four. Frank Batista (4-0) earned the win out of the Smokies bullpen by pitching a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The Stars now trail first place Tennessee by two games with 17 games left in the second half schedule. The Stars (25-28, 71-52) and the Smokies (27-26, 60-62) resume their series Friday night with the Smokies leading 2-1. The Stars will feature RHP Austin Ross (0-1, 3.86) on the mound. Tennessee will have RHP Pierce Johnson (5-4, 2.49) on the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:00 CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Also no walks and seven groundouts for Jed Bradley, fantastic performance. Seven of his last eight starts have ranged from decent to stellar. Huntsville Game Log Nick Ramirez on the bench as Hunter Morris, soon to be sleeping in his own bed again, was 0-for-3 at first base. Starting Saturday, the five-game Jackson series includes the designated hitter, so things won't get real curious until after that.

AUDIO: The Voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem checks in from El Paso to Nashville Sports Talk Radio

Via the Brewers -- Hunter Morris has been reinstated from DL w/Nashville & transferred to Huntsville. Kentrail Davis has been placed on the temporary inactive list. *** Not messing with a good thing with 1B Matt Clark powering bombs for the Sounds.

Brevard County Manatees are staying in Viera Florida Today At least for now, the Brevard County Manatees are staying in Viera. The city of Winter Park announced that it has abandoned efforts to build a facility that both Rollins College and the Manatees could share. City Manager Randy Knight told the Orlando Sentinel that the financial numbers just didn't add up in four-way negotiations between the city, Rollins College, the Manatees and the Ravaudage development. "We're calling it quits," Knight told the Orlando Sentinel. "We were looking for a win-win-win-win, but we couldn't get to a deal that works for all the four parties." "We're disappointed it didn't work out," he added. "I thought it would be a nice amenity to have." The Manatees owner Dr. Tom Winters, who is a Winter Park resident, has made no secret that he would like to relocate the team. "We are disappointed," Winters said in a statement, "but we have developed a great relationship with, and respect for the city's leadership throughout this process." He added that he would be open to talks in the future. The team's future in Viera is up in the air as they sublease Space Coast Stadium from the Washington Nationals, who are also looking at different options for spring training. The team's lease with Space Coast Stadium is a year-to-year lease and Minor League Baseball has tentatively approved the move. They have called Space Coast Stadium home since 1994 as a member of the Florida Marlins organization.

Helena and Milwaukee agree to four year player development contract MILWAUKEE, WI -- The Milwaukee Brewers have announced a four-year player development contract extension with the Rookie Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League through the 2018 season. "Our affiliation with the Helena Brewers has been very positive and we're excited to extend our player development contract with the franchise," said Brewers Vice President - Assistant General Manager Gord Ash. "Many players on our big league roster started their professional careers at Helena, where they developed and honed their skills to play at the Major League level." Ryan Braun, Khris Davis, Mike Fiers, Jonathan Lucroy, Jimmy Nelson and Tyler Thornburg each began their professional baseball careers with the Helena Brewers. Wily Peralta played the majority of the 2008 season at Helena. "The Brewers have been flexible and appreciative of the efforts that we make, and I believe that the long relationship over the years has made this the best partnership it has ever been," said Helena Brewers President/General Manager Paul Fetz. "We know each other, we know what to expect and we work well together. There is a mutual respect. When I went to Spring Training a few years ago I really felt a part of the organization. I wasn't just some executive from the outside." Last season, Helena advanced to the Pioneer League championship and finished a win away from claiming the league title, dropping a best-of-three series to Idaho Falls. Helena won the Pioneer League title in 2010, the franchise's first championship since 1996 (won back-to-back championships as a Brewers affiliate from 1995-96). The Helena Brewers are located in Helena, Montana and have been a Brewers rookie affiliate since the 2003 season. Helena was also a Milwaukee farm team from 1985 through 2000.

Although just 20 years old, Dominican Summer League LHP Marcos Padilla is in his 4th season there, and his release was announced by the Brewers today. For his career, Padilla (B-Ref page) posted an 8.36 ERA over 46 appearances, all but one in relief, walking 69 men and throwing 18 wild pitches in 61.1 innings. Maybe he should have focused on position player work -- June 11, 2012 box score, Padilla reaches base four times as an emergency DH.

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: El Paso, TX Kodak, TN Viera, FL (Melbourne) Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Helena, MT Santo Domingo, DR

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Game One Brevard County Game Two Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

DVR Alert! The Rattlers are on local TV on four consecutive evenings this week, Tuesday through Friday, with a 7:00 airtime each night. Night three is tonight. TWC Sportschannel tonight, MyNew32 TV on Friday.

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Michael Blazek at El Paso (Padres), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 Jed Bradley at Tennessee (Cubs), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:15 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). NOTE: Tennessee is among the Southern League squads to offer MiLB.TV broadcasts. ********** Brevard County: LHP's Hobbs Johnson and Mike Strong in a doubleheader at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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 Javier Salas at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 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 Cy Sneed at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 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): Idle ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Braves, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day We're also going to lock in the link to Brad Krause's fantastic Miller Park Prospects - Dominican Summer League primer right here, at least for the first couple of months of the DSL campaign, for your easy review. Brad will also be adding DSL Link Report duties to his Brevard coverage for us here. Thanks, Brad!

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Also, an additional look at the game highlights via the MyNew32 TV broadcast.

Tarp tales - Manatees employees often spring to action

20 questions with Sounds pitcher Alfredo Figaro

Sounds manager Rick Sweet on game-day routines A look at baseball strategy and current events from the viewpoint of Sounds manager Rick Sweet… Topic: Explain your routine during home game days. Sweet says: "Well, I get up in the morning and usually the first thing I do is get my coffee rolling. "I start looking at lineups, I start looking at matchups and I start looking at what I want to do for the day. If it's a 7 o'clock game — a regular, normal day — I get up around 8 o'clock ... I don't go to bed until (around) 2 a.m., so basically, I get four or five hours of sleep at night. "I get up and start looking over stats — numbers and preparing what I want to do for the day — (so) I have a pretty good idea of who I'm going to play and what we're going to see ahead of time, and then I put a lineup together. ... "Usually, I come to the ballpark at about 11 a.m. to 12 o'clock every day. I get here and that's when the stats start coming in, and I can check updated stats and look at the league and where we stand. "We go outside and we usually start (batting practice and preparation) at 1:30 p.m. or 2 o'clock for a 7 o'clock start. I watch (everyone) just to see what's going on, and I talk with the (players) that I need to talk to (in order to) prepare for the game. ... "The easiest part of my day is the game."

Sounds' Michael Blazek finds his groove Mack Burke, the Tennessean Starting pitcher Michael Blazek has been on an absolute tear for the Sounds lately. In his past five starts (his most recent was Aug. 8), Blazek has combined to give up only three earned runs on 21 hits in 26 innings while striking out 14. In his four starts before this streak, he gave up 12 earned runs and 14 hits in 17 1/3 innings. Blazek was slotted as a reliever early in the season but was moved into the rotation in early June. "Getting more repetitions and throwing all my pitches has really been the biggest thing that's kept me throwing the way I've been throwing," Blazek said. "When you're able to go out there and throw 75 to 80 (or more) pitches and work on your stuff as opposed to throwing 10 to 15 in one inning as a reliever, (it really helps)." After several key departures — Jimmy Nelson and Mike Fiers to the majors and Brad Mills to Oakland via trade — the Sounds have been looking for a starter to step in and provide top-of-the-rotation-type stuff. Blazek has been that guy over the last couple of weeks. "We need that," manager Rick Sweet said about Blazek and other players getting hot late in the season. "We need that out of pitchers and out of position players. Now is the time you want to come into your own (as a player). "Right now, we're peaking at a very good time, and hopefully, that carries over after (the regular season)." Playoff push: The Sounds are on the verge of bringing the postseason to Greer Stadium in its final season as the team's home. The Sounds entered Wednesday's game at El Paso with a half-game lead over the Memphis Redbirds in the American Southern Division. The Sounds have 20 games remaining in the regular season, and eight of them are at Greer, where the Sounds are 42-21.

Final: @Tennessee 6, Huntsville 5 Walkoff loss... Almora's Walkoff Sends Stars To Loss Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Times Kodak, TN - Albert Almora, a top prospect in the Chicago Cubs organization, came through with a pinch-hit game-winning RBI double to the left center field gap Wednesday, giving the Tennessee Smokies a 6-5 win over the Huntsville Stars at Smokies Park. The Stars came back from a four-run deficit late in the game. Trailing 5-1 going into the sixth inning, Yadiel Rivera produced a three-run double with the bases loaded cutting it to a 5-4 Smokies lead. Pinch hitter Josh Fellhauer then grounded out to second base scoring Rivera tying the game at 5-5. The game stayed tied at five until Almora delivered the winning hit against Tim Dillard (5-2). Almora laced the RBI double to left center scoring Stephen Bruno all the way from first base. Bruno led off by reaching on an error by second baseman Nick Shaw. Huntsville starter Jacob Barnes took a no decision after five innings of work. He allowed five runs on seven hits. The Stars were trailing 4-0 when Barnes got the Stars on the scoreboard with an RBI double down the left field line scoring Rivera making it 4-1. The Stars now trail the Smokies and Chattanooga by one game for first place in the second half of the Southern League North standings. The Stars (25-27, 71-51) and the Smokies (26-26, 59-62) are now tied at 1-1 in their series as it continues Thursday night. The Stars will feature LHP Jed Bradley (5-6, 4.28) on the mound. Tennessee will have RHP C.J. Edwards (1-1, 3.21) on the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:00 CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Stars drew ten walks, three for Josh Prince, team 3-for-16 with RISP, though. Huntsville Game Log Kudos, RHP Greg Holle here -- Tennessee Bottom of the 7th Jae-Hoon Ha singles on a ground ball to center fielder Josh Fellhauer. Stephen Bruno doubles (25) on a line drive to right fielder Kentrail Davis. Jae-Hoon Ha to 3rd. Addison Russell strikes out swinging, catcher Robinzon Diaz to first baseman Hector Gimenez. Manny Barreda intentionally walks Lars Anderson. Defensive Substitution: Erik Komatsu replaces pitcher Manny Barreda, batting 3rd, playing right field. Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Manny Barreda, batting 7th. Christian Villanueva grounds into a double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Hector Gimenez. Lars Anderson out at 2nd.