Jim Goulart

Brevard County -- AUDIO: INF Alfredo Rodriguez joins Justin Rocke on the Manatees Radio Network to talk about his move to first base AUDIO, Game Highlights: Charlotte defeats Brevard County in the opening game of the series, 6-2

The Sounds grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning by posting three straight two-out doubles against Express starter Scott Richmond. Eugenio Velez (2-for-5) got things started when he bounced a ground-rule two-bagger over the wall in left-center before Elian Herrera and Jason Rogers (2-for-4) ripped back-to-back RBI doubles. AUDIO: Elian Herrera RBI Double Matt Clark belted his first home run as a Sound to make it a 4-1 game in the home half of the sixth, smacking a two-out solo shot to right off Round Rock reliever Lisalverto Bonilla. The big fly extended the first baseman's hitting streak to six games (8-for-22, .364). AUDIO: Matt Clark Solo HR Kevin Mattison (2-for-4) got into the longball act an inning later, cranking the first offering he saw from Bonilla over the right field wall for a two-run home that stretched the lead to 6-1. Hector Gomez, who preceded Mattison with a single, also scored on the outfielder's seventh roundtripper of the year. AUDIO: Kevin Mattison Two-Run HR

Here's a second look at the Rattlers video highlights via the MyNew32 TV broadcast. They include the lowlights, too...

By the way, RHP Rodolfo Fernandez was not surprisingly bumped to High-A by the Athletics, and has made two appearances for Stockton in the California League.

McFarland sharp in Rattlers' loss Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE - Five weeks on the disabled list seemed more like five years for Chris McFarland. McFarland's impatience was understandable. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' second baseman is a grinder, who loves coming to the ballpark every day. McFarland is healthy these days and making up for the 30-plus days of lost diamond time. The 21-year-old second baseman collected three hits Friday night to lead a 13-hit attack, which wasn't enough for the Rattlers in a 10-5 loss to visiting Quad Cities. McFarland has hit the ball well since coming off the disabled list a few weeks ago and has raised his batting average to .282, second best among Rattlers starters. "That was tough, missing that much baseball," said McFarland. "It makes you appreciate the game that much more. It's a blessing to be back. McFarland went on the disabled list with a bad ankle sprain following a collision in the outfield with center fielder Omar Garcia. "You never know, I could have ended up rehabbing in Arizona the rest of the year," said McFarland. "To be back here finishing up the season, I feel fortunate. I spent a lot of time working with Pax (trainer Jeff Paxson) to build strength back in that ankle. He's a great trainer and it's gotten a lot better." McFarland has some pop (six home runs) for his position and can run. He's third on the team in stolen bases with 15. "Chris does a lot of things well," said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. "He swings the bat well, gives you production out of that two-hole and he runs well. It's good having him back in the lineup." With Johnny Davis and Garcia adding two hits apiece and newcomer Dustin DeMuth knocking in two runs, the Rattlers had plenty of offensive production. But their bullpen continued to struggle and was the difference in the game. The River Bandits rocked Wisconsin relievers Harvin Martin and Luke Curtis for five runs in the top of the eighth inning to erase a 3-2 Rattlers lead and seize control of the opener of a four-game series at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. A night earlier in Cedar Rapids, Wisconsin took a 4-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth, only to see the Kernels batter the Rattlers' bullpen for five runs in a 7-5 win over the Rattlers. The Rattlers bullpen has been weakened significantly in recent days with the promotion of stellar left-hander Trevor Seidenberger to high Class A Brevard County and the trade of right-hander Rodolfo Fernandez to the Oakland Athletics. "That's three times in the last five days that we've had leads in the eighth inning and have given up big innings," said Erickson. "We lost our best two guys, at least numbers-wise, and that opens spots for others. We've got to have some guys step up, whether it's the back end of our tandem or those four guys in the bullpen. Those guys are going to get more opportunities in pressure situations with the game on the line. And we have to find a way to get it done if we're going to have some success." Timber Rattlers starter Preston Gainey pitched a solid game, allowing two runs on six hits in six innings of work. Gainey had a shutout going until the top of the sixth when he loaded the bases on two walks and an infield hit and allowed a two-run single to Jake Rodriguez. "That's his second straight start against these guys (Quad Cities) where he's kept it close and has given us a chance to win," said Erickson. A two-out double by Michael Ratterree in the bottom of the seventh broke the 2-2 tie and gave Wisconsin a temporary lead, before the bullpen collapsed in the eighth." "We've got to find a way to come out of that bullpen with guys wanting the baseball and figuring out how to get guys out," said Erickson.

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry Back home in Appleton, so we have video, audio, and photos again...

Photographer Bill Mitchell -- Kodi Medeiros FB was up to 94, worked around 92. FB command was off tonight. Also threw SL 79-81.

Described this Kodi Medeiros debut as "uneven" on Twitter -- figured that was kinder than "shaky" -- AZL White Sox Top of the 1st Eddy Alvarez strikes out swinging. Johan Cruz grounds out, shortstop Jake Gatewood to first baseman David Denson. Michael Suiter homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. Cody Yount walks. (That's Robin Yount's nephew, by the way...) With Micker Adolfo batting, passed ball by Milan Post, Cody Yount to 2nd. Micker Adolfo flies out to left fielder Troy Stokes. AZL White Sox Top of the 2nd Antonio Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to right fielder Juan Ortiz. Jake Jarvis walks. Antonio Rodriguez to 2nd. Michael Hollenbeck walks. Antonio Rodriguez to 3rd. Jake Jarvis to 2nd. Blair Moore strikes out swinging. Eddy Alvarez grounds into a force out, shortstop Jake Gatewood to second baseman Daniel Leonardo. Antonio Rodriguez scores. Jake Jarvis to 3rd. Michael Hollenbeck out at 2nd. Eddy Alvarez to 1st. Pitching Change: Miguel Diaz replaces Kodi Medeiros. With Johan Cruz batting, Eddy Alvarez steals (4) 2nd base, Jake Jarvis scores. Eddy Alvarez to 3rd. Throwing error by catcher Milan Post. Johan Cruz grounds out, second baseman Daniel Leonardo to first baseman David Denson.

Garrett Cooper (quad strain) will make his first rehab appearance in Maryvale tonight. He's also making his first pro appearance other than at first base, playing third base.

Latest from Tim Dillard -- “More Like Guidelines, Than Actual Rules” More educational than 95% of the articles we feature here...thank you, Tim

Johnnie Lowe needs to frame the first page of the Sounds' media notes tonight (see the on-tap section). Sorry Nashville, I point out the one error (it was cute) from all season. Fantastic media department there....

Give him this, Ben Hendrickson had one heck of a half-season in 2004, in some ways Jimmy Nelson-like. Hendrickson was named to start what turned out to be a very exciting game (box score), but he was lucky to allow only two runs in two innings (three hits, three walks). But what was most telling was this was the first time (of what would be several) of a televised deer-in-the-headlights look. Boy, I had looked forward to that game broadcast. No such concerns with Jimmy Nelson, but the Brewers have chosen to pull him from his AAA All-Star start just in case .

Should also note that MyNew32 will also have Saturday's game, that one a 6:30 airtime.

Catching up from yesterday -- Catcher Lucas May has been reinstated from the disabled list with Nashville. INF Hainley Statia to Huntsville from the Sounds.

Miller Park Prospects: Farm Progress Report Lots of positives....

A's Covey overcoming diabetes Beloit righty has no regrets after walking away from first-round bonus By Curt Rallo / Special to MiLB.com

Weather.com: Nashville, TN Chattanooga, TN Viera, FL (Melbourne) Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Orem, UT Maryvale, AZ Santo Domingo, DR

Sortable individual stat pages: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale Dominican Summer League Brewers

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

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

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.

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

As per our highlight above, if you only want to make a one-month commitment to MiLB.TV for Helena (plus the other Brewer affiliates), here's the link for the $12.99 purchase. *** Also, DVR ALERT! As we've been indicating for days now, the next televised Timber Rattlers game is tonight's, Friday, July 11th on MyNew32 TV (7:00 PM airtime).

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Nashville: RHP Ariel Pena at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 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 Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:00 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). ********** Brevard County: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Charlotte (Rays), 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 Preston Gainey at home vs. Quad Cities (Astros), 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: First, it's the completion of Thursday's suspended game at Orem (Angels) - Brewers trail 1-0, top of the 5th, 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime, followed by Friday's regularly-scheduled game, now a seven-inning contest; LHP Luis Ortega is tentatively scheduled to start in the nightcap. 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. MiLB.TV -- This entire seven-game road trip (Orem and Grand Junction) will be available for viewing by MiLB.TV subscribers, including archived broadcasts. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the little 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 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!

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