Jim Goulart

Final: @AZL Angels 16, AZL Brewers 5 Maryvale Box Score Ouch. Five Brewer pitchers, none of which distinguished themselves in this one, combined to allow 15 hits (four for extra bases), while walking ten, throwing five wild pitches, and fanning only two. LHP Max Walla only retired one of the nine men he faced in an eight-run Angels 7th. RHP Gian Rizzo allowed Walla's final two baserunners to score before managing a scoreless 8th. Six singles, eight walks, and an HBP for Maryvale bats. Second baseman Daniel Leonardo reached base three times. Defensive work, please, Monte Harrison. This was Harrison's 13th game in right field, and he committed his first two errors there. But he has four errors in 11 games in center, for six on the season. Maryvale Game Log

Final: @Jackson 3, Huntsville 2 Jackson Claims Series Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Jackson, TN - Brock Hebert came through with a two-out RBI single back up the middle in the bottom of the sixth inning giving the Jackson Generals a 3-2 lead. The Generals bullpen then held on for a 3-2 win over the Huntsville Stars Thursday night at The Ballpark at Jackson. Jackson scored first in the bottom of the second against Huntsville LHP Jed Bradley (3-5). Pat Kivlehan led off with a double. Two batters Kivlehan scored when Dan Paolini produced a sacrifice fly giving the Generals a 1-0 lead. The Stars took the lead in the top of the third inning. Adam Weisenbuger led off with a double. Nick Shaw then singled into right field tying the game at 1-1. Josh Fellhauer followed Shaw's run producing hit by generating one of his own. With Shaw at second base, Fellhauer lined an RBI double off the right field wall scoring Shaw giving the Stars a 2-1 lead. Jackson tied the game in the bottom of the third. Mike Dowd led off with an infield single to third base. Hebert then put down a bunt in front of home plate. Bradley picked the ball up and threw high of the first baseman Hector Gimenez. Two batters later, Patrick Brady brought home Dowd on a fielder's choice RBI tying the game at 2-2. In the bottom of the sixth, Julio Morban reached on an infield single against Bradley. Paolini followed with a walk. Bradley then struck out Kevin Rivers. After the strikeout of Rivers, Bradley was taken out of the game for reliever Tanner Poppe. Poppe, who inherited two baserunners, got Dowd to pop out to first base on one pitch for the second out of the inning. Hebert then followed with a base hit into center scoring Morban, which proved to be the difference in the game. Bradley pitched 5.1 innings and allowed three runs on six hits (two earned). Trevor Miller (5-8) earned the win out of the Jackson bullpen. Miller pitched 2.2 scoreless innings with four strikeouts. Matt Brazis earned his first Double-A save when he got Fellhauer to ground out to second base on a force play to end the game. With the win, the Generals lead the Stars 3-1 in their series and have guaranteed themselves a series victory over Huntsville. The Stars (16-18, 62-42) and the Generals (15-18, 46-56) conclude their series on Friday night. LHP Brent Suter (9-7, 3.91) will start for Huntsville. Jackson will send LHP Tyler Pike (2-1, 5.01) to the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:50 PM CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Jed Bradley needed 96 pitches to record 16 outs, so his effort was adequate at best. Catcher Adam Weisenburger (OBP .382) doubled, singled twice, and walked. Huntsville Game Log Huntsville Top of the 8th Hainley Statia strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Joey Paciorek replaces Mitch Haniger. Joey Paciorek flies out to center fielder Leon Landry. Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging. *** Haniger, 0-for-7 with three K's upon his return, lifted there, should raise eyebrows about his status for Friday night.

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Tonight’s interview is with Sounds closer Rob Wooten, who saved last night’s game in his second outing back with the Sounds after a three-month stint in the big leagues with the first-place Brewers. Wooten describes the emotions of coming back to Triple-A and what the season has been like in Milwaukee. And of course, his beloved UNC Tar Heels came up, as his teammate Donovan Hand, during the recent Triple-A All-Star Game festivities in Durham, NC., got a tour of both UNC and Duke."

Via the Nashville Media Notes-- MAY ACTIVATED, HERMIDA PLACED ON D.L.: Catcher Lucas May, who has not appeared in a game for the Sounds since May 16th, has been activated from the disabled list. May is batting .172 in 10 games for Nashville this season. He fills the roster spot of outfielder Jeremy Hermida, who was placed on the D.L. retroactive to Tuesday. *** Lucas May did appear in eight games for Huntsville between June 21st and July 4th. Hermida (.267 / .376 / .447 - .823 OPS) had only batted as the designated hitter in the three games he's played since the AAA All-Star Break. No official word on the nature or severity of Hermida's injury at this time.

From yesterday -- And just now: David's tweet Mason Gray Goforth born at 12:29 7/24/14! 7.5 lbs, 19 3/4 long! And @Kerri_Cook was a champ! #Blessed *** Congrats from the Brewerfan user community!

Huntsville note via Steve: OF Kentrail Davis has had a slow month of July after batting .340 in June. In 18 games in July, Davis is batting only .137 with 4 rbi’s. Davis is just 3 for his last 35 at the plate in his last 14 games.

Video news report on first baseman David Denson, worth your while

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 Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale Dominican Summer League Brewers *** Weather.com: Nashville, TN Jackson, TN Viera, FL (Melbourne) Eastlake, OH Greta Falls, MT Tempe, AZ Santo Domingo, DR

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

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at home vs. Colorado Springs (Rockies), 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 Jed Bradley at Jackson (Mariners), 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). NOTE: This series in Jackson is available via MiLB.TV. ********** Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico at home vs. Palm Beach (Cardinals), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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: LHP Anthony Banda at Lake County (Indians), 9:40 AM pre-game, 10:00 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 Javier Salas at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:40 PM pre-game, 8:00 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: 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

Sounds manager Rick Sweet on keeping players focused The Tennessean A look at baseball strategy and current events from the viewpoint of Sounds manager Rick Sweet… Topic: Explain how you keep a first-place Triple-A ballclub focused when there are so many major-league call-ups during the latter parts of a season. *** Sweet says: "I use the roster flux as an incentive. I hope all the fans realize that the players love Nashville and they want to be here, but (the overall goal) is for them to reach the big leagues. "It keeps the players motivated (when they see roster moves to the big leagues). Getting guys called up can be a good thing. (For a first-place minor league club) the only time it's not a good thing is when guys are getting called up and you're not getting solid replacements. "We recently lost (Jeremy) Jeffress (July 21), but we're getting a pitcher back in (Rob) Wooten, who has done very, very well (in Nashville and at the big-league level), and should be able to come down and fill his shoes. "But the motivation is there because (the players want to be called up next). Being in first place (provides) motivation within itself. Most of these guys have not been in first place like we have for most of the year, and it's fun, it's exciting, and it keeps the adrenaline going."

Brevard County -- AUDIO, Game Highlights (Lowlights): Fort Myers defeats Brevard County, 9-2

Final: @AZL Brewers 16, AZL Athletics 6 Maryvale Box Score Nice to see the offensive outburst! Beyond Carlos Belonis (4-for-5, walk, see earlier post), Monte Harrison (HR shy of the cycle, two walks, wow), 1B Juan Ortiz (triple, single, four RBI), C Matt Martin (on base four times), and Leudi Otano, playing third base (one of three Brewers on base five times in this game), all had huge nights. In his last start as an 18-year-old, 6th round RHP David Burkhalter did a nice job. Inherited runners-scored: Torres, J 3-0, Earls 2-0. That stat makes for a harmonious pitching staff . RHP Joshua Torres helped out Burkhalter, and RHP Kaleb Earls netted the save despite the lopsided score. Maryvale Game Log Six-run inning! AZL Brewers Bottom of the 5th Monte Harrison triples (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Jake Gatewood strikes out swinging. Carlos Belonis singles on a ground ball to right fielder Vicmal De La Cruz. Monte Harrison scores. Juan Ortiz flies out to right fielder Vicmal De La Cruz. Yunior Santana reaches on a throwing error by third baseman A. J. Kubala. Carlos Belonis to 2nd. Matt Martin singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Carlos Belonis scores. Yunior Santana to 2nd. Leudi Otano walks. Yunior Santana to 3rd. Matt Martin to 2nd. Troy Stokes singles on a ground ball to third baseman A. J. Kubala. Yunior Santana scores. Matt Martin scores. Leudi Otano to 2nd. Daniel Leonardo reaches on a fielding error by third baseman A. J. Kubala. Leudi Otano scores. Troy Stokes to 3rd. With Monte Harrison batting, Troy Stokes scores on a balk. Daniel Leonardo advances to 2nd on a balk. Monte Harrison walks. Jake Gatewood called out on strikes. Let's do that again! AZL Brewers Bottom of the 7th Matt Martin singles on a ground ball to right fielder Vicmal De La Cruz. With Leudi Otano batting, Matt Martin caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Iolana Akau to second baseman Jean Carlo Rodriguez. Leudi Otano singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Troy Stokes singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Leudi Otano to 2nd. Daniel Leonardo walks. Leudi Otano to 3rd. Troy Stokes to 2nd. Monte Harrison walks. Leudi Otano scores. Troy Stokes to 3rd. Daniel Leonardo to 2nd. Jake Gatewood singles on a ground ball to left fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Troy Stokes scores. Daniel Leonardo scores. Monte Harrison to 3rd. Carlos Belonis reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Michael Soto to catcher Iolana Akau. Monte Harrison out at home. Carlos Belonis to 2nd. Jake Gatewood advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by catcher Iolana Akau. With Juan Ortiz batting, Jake Gatewood steals (4) home. Carlos Belonis steals (9) 3rd base. Juan Ortiz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Vicmal De La Cruz. Carlos Belonis scores. Yunior Santana reaches on a fielding error by shortstop Jesus Lopez. Juan Ortiz to 2nd. Matt Martin hit by pitch. Juan Ortiz to 3rd. Yunior Santana to 2nd. Leudi Otano singles on a line drive to pitcher Jesus Rivas. Juan Ortiz scores. Yunior Santana to 3rd. Matt Martin to 2nd. Pitching Change: Phillip Ortiz replaces Jesus Rivas. Troy Stokes strikes out swinging.

Via Gordon Edes -- Of course, they could have been there for others... Jake struggled.

Would have been nice if this had been a true piece on his development, defense, etc., but instead it's a fluff questionaire filler: 20 questions with Sounds catcher Shawn Zarraga

Sounds add Donovan Hand to rotation Mack Burke, the Tennessean In an effort to bolster the starting rotation after the departure of ace Jimmy Nelson to Milwaukee, the Brewers' front office has decided to slot 2014 Pacific Coast League All-Star pitcher Donovan Hand as the new addition to the Sounds' rotation. Hand has been a late-inning and middle reliever for the Sounds for most of his career with the team, dating to 2010. Before Monday night's game against Colorado Springs, Hand had started only three games with the Sounds (2012), and he started seven games for the Brewers in 2013. "We needed a starter when we lost Nelson," Sounds manager Rick Sweet said. "We talked about (a few guys), but we decided to go with Donovan because he has starter's experience, he has the pitch selection that you have to have and he needs the extra, quality work that you don't get as a closer sometimes." In Monday night's game, Hand (1-6, 5.17 ERA) tossed four innings and gave up one earned run on four hits. "I've joked with a lot people that I've been a utility pitcher throughout my career," Hand said before his Monday start. "(It's a front office move), and they want me to get some more innings in and get back on track because I kind of had a bad June numbers-wise. "(I feel like) I've thrown the ball well all year. My stuff has probably been better than it's ever been, but I just haven't gotten the great results like I have in the past." Hand said the transition into the rotation is a tough one because he has to get his body ready for longer stretches of work while trying to remain healthy. But he said he's done it before and is just ready for the opportunity to pitch and contribute more often. Former closer returns: The Sounds lost one of their best relievers in Jeremy Jeffress (4-1, 1.51 ERA with Sounds), to the big-league club Monday, but they got an experienced and talented reliever in Rob Wooten in return to replace the late-inning production. Wooten has a 1-4 record and 4.36 ERA in 37 appearances with Milwaukee this season. On Tuesday, he appeared in his first game with the Sounds since April 26, and he gave up three hits and three earned runs in one tough inning of relief. "For me, I've got to get Wooten back focused, and I've got to make sure I put him in a position where (he can get to work on his game and get back to the big leagues)," Sweet said. Said Wooten: "It's been a roller-coaster type of season. The highs have been highs, but the lows haven't been too low." Wooten was the closer for the Sounds for much of last season and converted 20 saves in 23 opportunities while posting a 2.94 ERA. "I'm going to try to fine-tune a couple of things and work on a few pitches that I (haven't thrown as much at the big-league level). I'm going to go out there and work on stuff, but I'm also going to compete, too; it's baseball, and I still have to get the job done." Falu returns: Infielder Irving Falu returned to the Sounds on Saturday after the Brewers claimed him off waivers from San Diego and optioned him to Nashville. He was waived by the Brewers on June 26 and claimed by San Diego.

The Stars' David Goforth can be excused for his outing tonight - (teammate tweet) brand new parenthood can be distracting. And from David -- "Thank you to everyone for the best wishes and prayers. Means so much to Kerri and I. Excited to start this chapter of our lives. #BabyGoGo"

2012 Dominican $550,000 bonus baby Carlos Belonis (actually, he was born in New York) is having a heck of a night in Arizona. He won't be 20 years old until next month, and like Orlando Arcia, lost his 2nd pro season to injury (broken thumb in the 2nd game of 2013). Listed at 6'3", 175, if he sticks in CF and continues to fill out and progress, well let's just say he may need to be on the tail end of those community projections you folks are planning on putting together in a couple of weeks. Still a K machine, though...

Final: @Jackson 8, Huntsville 3 Generals Run Away Late From Stars Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Jackson, TN - The Jackson Generals blew open a tight game late Wednesday night and posted an 8-3 win over the Huntsville Stars at The Ballpark At Jackson to take a 2-1 lead in their five game series. With the Generals leading 4-3 going into the bottom of the eighth, Jackson exploded for four runs off Stars RHP David Goforth. Pat Kivlehan tripled to right-center giving them a 5-3 lead. Kevin Rivers reached on a fielder's choice RBI extending it to 6-3. Steve Baron and Brock Hebert then followed with back to back run producing hits. Baron tripled home Rivers. Hebert's single scoring Baron made it 8-3 Generals. The Generals scored a first inning run in their fourth straight game against the Stars. Julio Morban produced a sacrifice fly making it 1-0. The Stars tied the game in the top of the third inning. With two outs and runners at first and second base, Hainley Statia lined a single to left field scoring Yadiel Rivera tying the game at 1-1. Hector Gimenez gave the Stars a 2-1 lead in the top of the sixth. Gimenez doubled down the right field line scoring Nick Shaw. Jackson then took the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth against Stars reliever Tommy Toledo (4-2). With the Stars leading 2-1, D.J. Peterson crushed a two-run homer to left field giving the Generals a 3-2 lead. Dan Paolini also doubled down the left field line in the inning giving Jackson a 4-2 advantage. Toledo, who suffered the loss, retired just one batter in the sixth inning. He allowed three runs on four hits. Statia homered for the second straight night for the Stars. His solo home run in the top of the eighth cut the Generals lead to 4-3. RHP Stephen Landazuri (5-2) turned in seven strong innings for the Generals. Landazuri allowed just two runs on five hits and struck out eight. The Stars (16-17, 62-41) and the Generals (14-18, 45-56) will continue their series with game four on Thursday night. LHP Jed Bradley (3-4, 4,.34) will start for Huntsville. Jackson will send RHP Victor Sanchez (5-4, 3.62) to the hill. The game can be heard starting at 6:50 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Kudos to RHP's Eric Marzec and Greg Holle for their work. Relievers Toledo/Goforth saw their ERA's bloat tonight. Mitch Haniger, playing RF, was 0-for-4 with two K's in his return. 28-year-old Hainley Statia has had a ten-year pro run, 219 games at AAA. Doesn't have the OF versatility experience of Elian Herrera, otherwise he might be in that very role somewhere in MLB. He should probably pursue that in winter ball. Huntsville Game Log

Lots of Jeremy Jeffress on the interwebs tonight, but the most thorough piece is via Jim Owczarski of OnMilwaukee.com.

Tim Dillard's latest -- All about the clubhouse music and policies therein

Huntsville Notes via Steve Jarnicki -- The Stars outhit the Generals eleven to nine Tuesday, but still lost the game. The Stars lost for only the seventh time this year when they outhit their opponent and are now 45-7 when outhitting their opponent on the season...The Stars and Generals have now played seven straight games against each other where either Huntsville or Jackson scores a first inning run. Jackson has posted a first inning run on the Stars in three straight games dating back to the last series in Huntsville… Hainley Statia hit a two-out two-run homer in the fifth inning to break up the shutout. The Statia home run was the first Stars home run since Adam Weisenburger hit a solo home run on July 16th against Tennessee. They had gone five consecutive games without a home run. Statia has hit two of his three home runs in the second half and they both have been in July on the road. The other was in Chattanooga on July 11th… In the series thus far through two games, the Stars have scored six out of their seven runs with two outs… scored four out of their five runs with two outs. The Stars are hitting .274 on the season now with runners in scoring position, which is the third best team batting average in the Southern League with RISP… SS Yadiel Rivera went 2-4 to extend his hitting streak to four straight contests. In his last 11 games, Rivera is batting .405 (15-37) with 1 RBI. Rivera’s hot hitting started on July 10th. Since July 10th to now, Rivera owns the third best batting average in the entire Southern League at .405… Joey Paciorek extended his hit streak to seven straight with an infield single in his final at bat in the 8th inning.. In 17 games in the second half of the season, Paciorek is batting .333 with 2 home runs and 9 RBI. In 11 games in the first half, Paciorek batted only .214 with 1 RBI. He also remains the best pinch hitter for the Stars with his .333 average (4-12, 4 RBI)… Nick Ramirez produced an RBI in the 1st inning Monday. Ramirez is leading the Brewers minor league system with 66 RBI. Wisconsin’s C Clint Coulter has the second most RBI with 63 rbi’s… Since the Stars clinched the 1st half championship they’ve gone 23-21.

Via @BrewersPD: Mitch Haniger has been reinstated from the DL in Huntsville. Josh Prince placed on the DL retro to July 21 *** Haniger had been out since mid-June (hyperextended elbow).

Fox11 Sports Video Report: Bullpen cart makes comeback with Timber Rattlers