Jim Goulart

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Nashville: RHP's Michael Blazek and Ariel Pena in a doubleheader at Oklahoma City (Astros), 3:45 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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 home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 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: LHP Hobbs Johnson at home vs. St. Lucie (Mets), 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: RHP Victor Diaz at home vs. Bowling Green (Rays), 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 Josh Uhen at home vs. Orem (Angels), 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 Cublets, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Blue Jays, 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

As per his own tweet, 1B/3B Garrett Cooper's rehab stint (quad) in Maryvale is over, and he's been transferred from Wisconsin to Brevard County (where he began the season), activated from the DL.

Brewers power past Owlz by Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers — and Sthervin Matos — used two big innings to pound out a 15-7 win over the Orem Owlz in Pioneer League action at Kindrick Legion Field on Thursday. The Brewers scored five runs in the fourth inning to go up 8-2. After the Owlz closed the gap to just one run in the seventh, the hosts answered back with an emphatic seven-run inning to stretch their cushion to 15-7. Matos, a first baseman from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, blasted a pair of home runs and posted six RBIs. Helena improves to 12-18, while Orem slips to 20-10. In the fourth frame, the Brewers sent eight men to the plate, with the big blow being Matos’ three-run homer over the left-field fence. Also sparking the offense was Gregory Munoz’s double, and singles by Eric Williams, Edgardo Rivera and Tucker Nuehaus. Orem mounted a comeback and scored two in the fifth, but it could’ve been much worse if not for a stellar play by Helena’s defense. With runners on second and third with none out, Bo Way drove a shot that bounced high off the left-field wall. Wendell Soto scored, but when Andrew Daniel was also waved home, a perfect relay from Mitch Meyer to shortstop Munoz to catcher Greg McCall resulted in the Orem runner being nipped at the plate by McCall’s swipe tag. Matos again led the charge in the seventh with a two-out, two-run homer over the left-center field wall. The inning started badly for the visitors. After Elvis Rubio was hit by a pitch, Meyer drove a single to center, and both Brewers wound up scoring thanks to the throwing error by third baseman Zach Houchins. Adding to the inning’s onslaught were Williams with a solo home run, and base raps by Rivera, Francisco Castillo and Nuehaus. The Brewers outhit their opponents 17-12 on the night, led by Matos, Nuehaus and Rivera, with three base knocks apiece. Matos, a 6-foot-1, 185-pound 19-year old, lifted his season batting average to .447. Houtchins went 3 for 5 for Orem, driving in three runs. Helena used three pitchers on the night, with starter Luis Ortega notching the win. He went five innings and allowed eight hits, while giving up four runs. Junior Rincon and Cy Sneed performed the relief work, with Sneed getting the save. Owlz starter Arjenis Fernandez was saddled with the loss. The teams meet for the rubber match of the three-game series — Orem won 10-7 on Wednesday — tonight at Kindrick Legion Field, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Photo by Thom Bridge / Independent Record- Teammates lines up to high-five Sthervin Matos after his home run brought 3 runners including himself across the plate. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/3/b9/3b92179c-0e2b-11e4-9fc7-0019bb2963f4/53c893c60ff04.preview-620.jpg

Rattler Radio blog- Postgame Entry Audio, photos and video...

Final: @AZL Brewers 6, AZL Indians 4 Maryvale Box Score Successful five-inning start for 19-year-old 3rd year pro RHP Miguel Diaz (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 1 HBP, 5 K, 1 HR). First round LHP Kodi Medeiros followed with a scoreless inning, both fanning and walking two -- one LH bat was fanned, one was walked: AZL Indians Top of the 6th Pitching Change: Kodi Medeiros replaces Miguel Diaz. Yu-Cheng Chang strikes out swinging. Bobby Bradley strikes out swinging. Emmanuel Tapia walks. Li-Jen Chu walks. Emmanuel Tapia to 2nd. David Armendariz flies out to center fielder Carlos Belonis. Maryvale Game Log RF Monte Harrison had the lone multi-hit game, and had a key throw as part of a relay play at the plate in an 8th inning against LHP David Carver that saw the lead shrink to 5-4. AZL Indians Top of the 8th Yu-Cheng Chang singles on a fly ball to center fielder Carlos Belonis. Bobby Bradley singles on a fly ball to left fielder Juan Ortiz. Yu-Cheng Chang to 2nd. Emmanuel Tapia grounds out, second baseman Jorge Quiterio to first baseman Tanner Norton. Yu-Cheng Chang to 3rd. Bobby Bradley to 2nd. Li-Jen Chu doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Monte Harrison. Yu-Cheng Chang scores. Bobby Bradley out at home, right fielder Monte Harrison to second baseman Jorge Quiterio to catcher Milan Post. David Armendariz homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Li-Jen Chu scores. Pitching Change: Brock Hudgens replaces David Carver. Hector Caro grounds out, shortstop Jake Gatewood to first baseman Tanner Norton. Here's the four-run 3rd inning for the good guys --- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 3rd Jorge Quiterio singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Armendariz. Carlos Belonis out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang to first baseman Bobby Bradley. Jorge Quiterio to 2nd. Juan Ortiz reaches on a fielding error by pitcher Shao-Ching Chiang. Jorge Quiterio to 3rd. Monte Harrison singles on a ground ball to second baseman Alexis Pantoja. Jorge Quiterio scores. Monte Harrison to 2nd. Juan Ortiz advances to 3rd, on a throwing error by second baseman Alexis Pantoja. David Denson walks. Garrett Cooper pops out to second baseman Alexis Pantoja. With Tanner Norton batting, passed ball by Li-Jen Chu, Juan Ortiz scores. Monte Harrison to 3rd. David Denson to 2nd. Tanner Norton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Bobby Ison. Monte Harrison scores. David Denson scores. Jake Gatewood strikes out swinging. Day off for Troy Stokes as Carlos Belonis batted leadoff and manned center field, while SS Jake Gatewood is still adjusting to pro ball (.443 OPS).

Final: Tennessee 4, @Huntsville 1 Smokies Blow Past Stars Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Huntsville, AL - The Tennessee Smokies came back from a 1-0 deficit on the strength of three home runs leading them past the Huntsville Stars 4-1 Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. The Stars scored a first inning run with two outs against Tennessee starter Corey Black (5-6). With Josh Prince at second base, Robinzon Diaz scored him on an RBI single into centerfield giving the Stars a 1-0 lead. Huntsville starter Jacob Barnes did not allow a hit in any of the first three innings. In the fourth inning though with one out, Addison Russell hit a solo home run to left field tying the game at 1-1. MiLB.com feature article - Russell's homer sparks Smokies to win Tennessee took the lead in the top of the sixth. With two outs, Russell singled. Jorge Soler blasted a two-run bomb to left field, his sixth of the season and the Smokies took a 3-1 lead. Barnes (2-4), who took the loss went seven innings allowing three runs on four hits. He walked two and struck out two. The Smokies got a key insurance run in the top of the ninth. With two outs, Christian Villanueva hit a solo home run to left against Tommy Toledo. The Smokies took a 4-1 lead after their third home run of the game. The Stars threatened in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Ramirez struck out swinging but advanced to first base on a dropped third strike by catcher Luis Flores. Frank Batista was then summoned out of the Smokies bullpen. After Diaz flew out to left field, Greg Hopkins drew a walk. With the tying runner at the plate, Erik Komatsu drilled a ball down to first base. Dustin Geiger fielded the ball and started a game ending 3-6-3 double play. Batista earned his fifth save of the season. Black earned the win as the Smokies starter turned in an impressive six inning performance. He limited the Stars to four hits and struck out eight. The Stars (13-13, 59-38) and the Smokies (14-13, 47-49) are even now at 1-1 in their five game series. Game three will be Friday. The Stars will have LHP Jed Bradley (2-4, 4.85) on the mound. Tennessee will feature RHP Pierce Johnson (2-3, 3.74). The game can be heard starting at 6:15 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Huntsville Game Log

Via Joshua Kusnick (agent39), we learn that 25-year-old RHP Manny Barreda, drafted in the 12th round in 2007 out of an Arizona high school by the Yankees, has signed as a minor league free agent with the Brewers. Used primarily in relief, especially in recent years, Barreda has reached AA (Trenton, Eastern League), full stat lines here via Baseball Reference. Look for him to likely be assigned to Huntsville. Here's a recent article -- Barreda has come a long way from his southwest roots By Paul Franklin / The Times of Trenton June 25, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/gT3PdSa.jpg (Photo Courtesy Dave Schofield) TRENTON — Helicopters fly over his house, checking a main drug route and entry points for illegal aliens along the Mexican border. “It’s really common to see patrol helicopters every day and see a couple of chases a week,” Manny Barreda was saying last weekend, a few hours before the relief pitcher struck out four batters in two innings for the Trenton Thunder. “Even us, they recognize our cars and we come up in the computers, but I’ve been stopped a few times to make sure we aren’t carrying any aliens or drugs.” When he is not pitching — including winter ball as he did the past two years in Puerto Rico and Mexico — Barreda lives with his parents, older sister and younger brother in Amado, Ariz., about 20 minutes from Mexico. “There’s a checkpoint five minutes from my house,” he said. “We go into Mexico about once a week, though, to buy fruit and other stuff we don’t have in the States. My parents still carry on their Mexican traditions.” That includes baseball. His 51-year-old father still plays as a catcher in a local senior league. His son has a built-in bullpen mate when he’s home and keeping his arm loose. “I never knew anything but baseball growing up,” said Barreda, who will turn 26 this fall. “My earliest memories are picking up a baseball and a glove.” There were other activities as well, of course. “We’d take our trucks and go out to the desert and hang out,” he said. “That was our thing. Sometimes we’d go camping. I’ve almost been bit a few times by a rattlesnake. We were just a bunch of country boys. “The town is growing now. There was no stoplight at our high school, no McDonald’s. We didn’t have anything. Now there’s a stoplight, a McDonald’s and gas stations. “Arizona is all about the scenery,” he added. “It’s mostly desert, but you go to Sedona, Rim Rock, and you’ll have the best sunsets you’ve ever seen in your life. It’s not dry up there. There’s rivers, canyons, and it actually snows in winter. I’ve never been to the Grand Canyon. To us, we see all nature’s stuff where we are.” Besides, they’d rather play baseball. The Southwest also has reservations and missions, remnants of a history that encompasses both Native American and Mexican culture. Barreda talked about Father Eusebio Francisco Kino, who in the 17th century founded more than 20 missions in the area while it was under the control of Spain. Among them is San Xavier del Bac, a historic Spanish Catholic mission Kino founded in 1697, is located about 10 miles south of downtown Tuscon on the Tohono O’odham San Xavier Indian Reservation. The mission’s church, which dates to 1783, is the oldest intact European structure in Arizona. “There aren’t many left,” Barreda said of the reservations. “Fifteen minutes from home, there’s a bunch of forts still standing where the conquistadors used to be. We used to take field trips there all the time. “Up in Flagstaff you can see replicas of teepees still on reservations, but just to bring in money from tourists. You can use their roads, but instead of a city cop stopping you, the ‘rez’ (reservation) police stop you.’’ When Sahuarita High School was built in 1998, a few miles from Tuscon, Native American pottery was discovered. Barreda said a lot of it remains on display in the school’s front office. “It’s pretty neat to be part of all that stuff,” said Barreda, who graduated from Sahuarita in 2007. Barreda had Tommy John surgery on his right arm and missed nearly three full seasons, from 2008 to 2010. On his return he was clocked throwing 97 miles per hour. He is currently 4-0 with an ERA of 2.68 for the Thunder. And he wants to keep playing the game he’s played forever. “I still have a dream to play in the big leagues, even though there have been tough times when I thought about quitting,” Barreda said. “But I always had people who helped me get over that. They helped me realize I still had what it takes to put it all together, and I think that’s where I am now. “If I don’t follow this dream, I’m always going to live a life of regret.” *** Here's Josh's tweet from earlier this week -- Work never stops. Bad - had a really good prospect released on all star game day. The good - got him a job with a new club exactly two minutes later. Boom *** Adam McCalvy notes that Barreda has twice been a big league spring training invite.

RHP Andy Moye has been placed on the DL with Huntsville, retroactive to July 15, via the Brewers Player Development Twitter feed. Tough go for the 26-year-old, that's his second stint in the 2014 season (hamstring back in April). No word on nature or severity of injury this time. You'll remember he exited after just two scoreless innings of work on Sunday.

Some Huntsville notes from Steve -- The Stars won their sixth straight game over Tennessee, all of which have been in Huntsville… Drew Gagnon turned in a quality start. It was the first time Huntsville strung together two consecutive quality starts since June 25th and June 26th when Jed Bradley and Gagnon did it against Montgomery. The Stars starters have now turned in a quality start in three out of their last four games. When the Stars get a quality start, they are 31-7…Huntsville starters in their last 16 starts are 5-6 with a 5.12 ERA (47 ER, 82.66 IP)… In the month of July, the Huntsville pitching staff has the third highest ERA in the Southern League at 4.36. Adam Wiesenburger hit his first home run of the season, and his first since last July 23rd in Huntsville also against Tennessee. Weisenburger hit five home runs last year. The Weisenburger home run was the Stars' 8th home run in their last eight games… Nick Ramirez recorded a three-hit game, his sixth of the season. He added two more RBI to his total, which is now at 65. He now has seven RBI in his last eight games…. Josh Prince went 0-1 with three walks. Prince has now walked 47 times which are the 5th most in the Southern League. It was the second time in the last four games where he walked three times (7/12 at Chattanooga). He is now 17 for his last 60 (.283) at the plate. Prince stole his 29th base of the year which now leads the Southern League. Since the Stars clinched the 1st half championship they’ve gone 20-18.

So, instead of Johnnie Lowe in another spot start, Nashville's Monday starter is listed as RHP Donovan Hand. The rotation now sits at Blazek - Pena - Fiers - Jungmann - Hand. Hand's spot could simply be a rotation place-holding turn as well, like Lowe, he's hardly fully stretched out.

Of course, the Brevard doubleheader is being delayed by wet grounds...

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: Oklahoma City, OK Huntsville, AL Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Helena, MT Maryvale, AZ 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 Maryvale DSL Brewers MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

DVR ALERT! Thursday's Timber Rattlers game will be televised on TWC SportsChannel. Broadcast time 7:00 PM, scheduled postgame is the new documentary on Paul Molitor's 39-game hit streak, you may want to stay tuned for that as well. NOTE: The TV schedule for this week had a late change, and Friday's game is no longer scheduled to be broadcast locally.

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Michael Blazek at Oklahoma City (Astros), 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 Jacob Barnes at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 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: RHP Tyler Wagner and LHP Mike Strong in a doubleheader at St. Lucie (Mets), 3:30 PM pre-game, 4:00 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 Preston Gainey at home vs. Bowling Green (Rays), 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: LHP Luis Ortega at home vs. Orem (Angels), 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 baby Indians, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Blue Jays, 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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Welcome back, Irving! Via the team -- The Brewers have claimed INF Irving Falu off waivers from San Diego and designated RHP Kevin Shackelford for assignment. *** We've documented Shackelford's AA struggles all Link Report season (yet he was fantastic back with the Manatees in-between Huntsville stints). Bet they're hoping not to lose him to another organization, but at this time, they value the minor league veteran Falu's versatility more. Because Falu has an option left, you imagine he'll be assigned to Nashville while remaining on the 40-man roster. EDIT: Yes, optioned to Nashville.

Miller Park Prospects: Marcus with DSL All-Star News Young Mr. Segovia of Venezuela won't even turn 18 until November.

Pitching keeps Sounds in first Mack Burke, The Tennessean Coming off the All-Star break, you may not be able to discern the status of this Sounds squad from last season’s squad at the same time. Although they have several players from last year’s team, the Sounds are 51-47 at the break and leads their division. At this time last season, they were sitting in the cellar with a 33-65 record. Many things have gone right so far, leading to a superb level of consistency. The pitching staff is the best in the Pacific Coast League thanks to a 3.54 team ERA. Mike Fiers (6-5, 2.52 ERA), Brad Mills (4-2, 1.56 ERA) and Milwaukee Brewers top prospect Jimmy Nelson (10-2, 1.46 ERA) have anchored the starting rotation for most of the season. “You win championships with starting pitching, and our starting pitching has been the best in the league,” Manager Rick Sweet said. Mills was traded to the Oakland Athletics on June 17, and Fiers and Nelson have each spent time at the big league level. Nelson was called up again — maybe for good — on July 11. Johnnie Lowe (1-3, 5.46 ERA) and Alfredo Figaro (4-1, 4.08 ERA) have provided solid spot starts, while relievers Brent Leach (3-1, 3.27 ERA), Jeremy Jeffress (4-1, 1.58 ERA) and Dustin Molleken (2-2, 3.66 ERA) have been consistent and effective. “Overall, the biggest thing … is executing pitches and keeping us in ball games,” pitching coach Fred Dabney said of the staff. Over the past month, the offense has performed at a high level and, despite its season numbers, can be considered one of the best in the league. “Right now, we’re probably swinging the best we have all year,” Sweet said. “We’re really starting to come around. I want to make sure we continue to stay aggressive and play good baseball. We have to stay focused.” Veteran infielder Pete Orr hit .313 in his last 30 games going into Sunday’s game against Round Rock. Outfielder Sean Halton hit .297 in his last 10 games, but he has only five home runs on the season. “Halton has had an incredible June and July,” hitting coach Bob Skube said. “He’s right at the .300 mark, he’s driving in runs and he hit a home run a few nights ago, and I anticipate him hitting a lot more home runs at this point.” Hector Gomez, one of the best defensive shortstops in the PCL, was hitting .368 with two home runs and six runs batted in in his last 10 games. Infielder Eugenio Velez and outfielder Jeremy Hermida were hitting .303 and .286, respectively. “I really like our lineup right now,” Skube said. “I’d match it up against anyone in the league right now.” The veterans have played a big role in the team’s overall success, Skube said. “The biggest difference in the team, with the new, winning atmosphere, is that these guys have come together as a team. They know what they are capable of doing, and they’re very aggressive and they don’t like losing,” he said. “… It’s a loose atmosphere, but it’s an intense atmosphere.” The Sounds kick off the second half of the season on Thursday at Oklahoma City.

Congratulations, Donovan Hand and family!

Fox 11 News -- GRAND CHUTE – Kids often fantasize about playing professional sports together. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have a trio; Taylor Williams, Taylor Brennan, and Clint Coulter who’ve made that dream a reality. The three players grew up playing with and against each other in Washington. They are all now members of the Brewers organization and playing for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2014. Click on the video to learn more about their connection.

Final: @AZL Indians 19, AZL Brewers 1 Maryvale Box Score Hey, RHP Milton Gomez pitched a scoreless 2nd inning -- AZL Indians Bottom of the 2nd Simeon Lucas walks. Victor Cabral grounds into a double play, third baseman Garrett Cooper to second baseman Daniel Leonardo to first baseman David Denson. Simeon Lucas out at 2nd. Silento Sayles reaches on a throwing error by shortstop Jake Gatewood. With Alexis Pantoja batting, Silento Sayles steals (6) 2nd base. Alexis Pantoja grounds out, third baseman Garrett Cooper to first baseman David Denson. It would be the only scoreless inning for A-Crew pitchers. Gomez' 2.78 ERA is pretty, but he's allowed 11 unearned run in 22.2 innings. We still don't know why RHP Andy Hillis, coming off a wonderful 2013 Helena debut, got a late start in Maryvale, but he's had a very tough go in two of his four outings, which we'll refer to as rehab of some sort. Maryvale Game Log The A-Crew managed only two hits and six walks. 6'6" Garrett Cooper (6th round, Auburn, 2013) is not a third baseman, three fielding errors here. That experiment probably won't end well. It appears Cooper's current Maryvale assignment is no longer a rehab stint for his quad, but a standard assignment, perhaps to begin the position switch test.

The score was closer, but there wasn't much to enjoy in the Helena game, either. Nothing personal to the guys, but the Helena roster is pretty uninspiring, and we shouldn't ever be saying that about the Rookie Advanced level, where normally we can still dream on numerous guys.

Rattler Radio blog - Postgame Entry Postgame audio (indicates the help the roving coaches can provide as a visiting voice), photos, and video highlights...