Jim Goulart

DVR Alerts: The next three televised Timber Rattlers games are all this week, Tue. 7/1 on MyNew32 TV, Wed. 7/2 on TWC Sportschannel, and then back to MyNew32 TV on Thurs. 7/3, 7:00 PM airtimes each night. *** With the Brewers' unique schedule this week, Timber Rattlers fans will be able to watch all three broadcasts with no big league conflict.

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Ariel Pena at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 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 Drew Gagnon at Mississippi (Braves), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 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: Mississippi does broadcast their games via MiLB.TV. ********** Brevard County: RHP Tyler Wagner at Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 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 Zach Quintana at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 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: 21-year-old 8th round (Villanova) RHP J.B. Kole makes his first pro start and 2nd pro appearance at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 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. MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction, Orem, and Idaho Falls (one series each), those games will be available to watch online. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Mariners' complex in Peoria, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league Miller Park Prospects - Arizona League Primer ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Yankees #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!

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

Goforth makes his move Brewers' No. 13 prospect enjoying seamless switch to Stars bullpen By Guy Curtright / Special to MiLB.com A seventh-round pick in 2011, David Goforth is 3-3 with a 3.35 ERA and a league-high 16 saves this year. (Huntsville Stars photo) http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/1/4/82371214/cuts/David_Goforth_l53rwdjw_ha13t3w1.jpg The Milwaukee Brewers made a couple of Minor League player development decisions last July that could prove significant for years to come. David Goforth moved from the rotation to the bullpen, and Tyler Cravy made the opposite switch. In the case of Cravy, it was more a move of need that turned out to be fortuitous. In the case of Goforth, it was a well-thought-out switch long in planning. "I didn't know what the timing would be, but I knew the Brewers were going to make the move eventually," said Goforth, Milwaukee's No. 13 prospect. Both pitchers thrived in their new roles, with Huntsville the short-term beneficiary and Milwaukee the long-term one. Cravy was the top starter in the Southern League during the first half, going 8-1 with a 1.72 ERA and 0.85 WHIP before being promoted to Triple-A Nashville. Goforth leads the Double-A circuit with 16 saves in 19 opportunities and has been the anchor for a pitching staff that helped lead the Stars to the first-half title in the North Division while posting the SL's best record. Cravy got his chance in the rotation last season with Class A Advanced Brevard County after Goforth was promoted to Huntsville following an appearance in the mid-June Florida State League All-Star Game. Nothing changed for Goforth initially as he built on his first-half success as a starter with Brevard County, going 3-1 and posting consecutive seven-inning scoreless outings for the Stars. The Brewers, though, had a plan for the right-hander, and he was moved to the bullpen after the mid-July All-Star break despite being the reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week. Goforth was 5-for-5 in save opportunities as Huntsville's new closer and then shined again in the Arizona Fall League in that role, making the Rising Stars Game and posting four more saves. Goforth, 3-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 33 games this season, has had a few rough outings but many more impressive ones for the Stars. "The Brewers should be high on him. He's quality," said Chattanooga's Razor Shines, who managed Goforth on the North team in the Southern League All-Star Game. Goforth has a fastball that can reach the high 90s and the assortment of other pitches befitting a former starter. The seemingly sudden switch from the rotation to the bullpen last season wasn't as difficult as you might suspect for Goforth, because he had been in both roles while pitching in the SEC for the University of Mississippi. The Brewers, who took Goforth in the seventh round of the 2011 Draft, liked what they saw in both cases, but always considered the bullpen his ultimate landing spot. "They wanted me to start at first to build up my innings and work on my pitches," the 25-year-old Mississippi native said. "But I was ready to go to the bullpen whenever they decided to make the move. "I think they thought I'd accomplished what I needed to as a starter and that's why the switch was made when it was. I was fine with it and ready to get going with the transition." The Arizona Fall League helped Goforth get fully comfortable in relief. "After starting for a couple of years, I had to get back in the groove of coming out of the bullpen," he said. "It worked out good and really helped me." As a starter, Goforth would reach 97-98 mph with his fastball, but it took him a while to build up his velocity. Now he comes out of the bullpen throwing heat from the start. "It took me a while to get used to warming up quick, but now it is no problem," he said. The problem lies with opponents trying to hit Goforth and the other Huntsville pitchers. Cravy is gone, but the Stars are still tough on the mound. "It's been a fun season so far," Goforth said.

Miller Park Prospects- Wisconsin Photo Gallery via Brad Also from the site, a Farm Progress Report (posted on the 27th)

Timber Rattlers' Victor Diaz making strides on mound Diaz threw five shutout innings to push his scoreless innings streak to 15 before it ended in the top of the sixth Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media Twenty-year-old pitchers who throw strikes and keep putting up zeroes fall into the prospect category of intriguing. Put Victor Diaz into that group. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' promising right-hander delivered a strong start Monday afternoon, but didn't get much help from his bullpen. Consequently, Wisconsin's game marking the finish of a four-game series with Burlington got away from the Rattlers in a 4-3 loss to the visiting Bees. Diaz, signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as an international free agent out of Venezuela in 2012, was charged with the loss, but deserved a better fate. He threw five shutout innings to push his scoreless innings streak to an impressive 15, before it ended in the top of the sixth. That's when Burlington loaded the bases against Diaz on a pair of hits and a walk. Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson then pulled Diaz after 84 pitches, but the strategy backfired. Reliever Trevor Seidenberger walked in a run, then threw a pair of wild pitches to let in two more before Ranyelmy Mendoza finished off Burlington's game-changing four-run sixth with an RBI single. "Victor was rolling along pretty good doing what he's been doing, throwing up zeroes," said Erickson. "But his pitch count was getting up there and Seidy was ready to go. That's a situation where Seidy has had some success in the past. I really didn't want to leave Victor out there because he had pitched so well. He's been pitching in a tandem with Anthony Banda and hasn't really been extended a lot. I thought it was the best option for that situation." Despite departing with a 2-0 lead, Diaz was charged with all three of the Burlington runs and the Bees' sixth-inning eruption marred an otherwise solid performance. Of his 84 pitches, 52 were strikes and he was able to consistently get ahead of hitters. Diaz struck out three and walked two, while allowing six hits. "I was feeling good, even in the sixth," said Diaz through shortstop Angel Ortega, who served as his translator. "I was trying to get ahead with the fastball and paint the ball outside when I got two strikes. I wasn't tired. I just didn't execute my pitches that last inning." Erickson likes what he has seen from Diaz, who allowed just one hit in six scoreless innings in his previous start. He is 2-3 on the season with a 3.59 ERA, a 1.18 WHIP and 44 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. Entering the game, opponents were hitting just .206 off him. "He's been doing a nice job every time he goes out there," said Erickson. "He's a great competitor, he throws the ball over the plate and he mixes his pitches well." Diaz put together a 16-inning scoreless streak earlier this season. He's not overpowering, with a fastball that topped out Monday in the low 90s, but has good command of his pitches and has a knack for finding a rhythm on the mound. "What jumps out about him is his overall competitiveness and his tempo," said Erickson. "I was telling Elvin (Nina, the Wisconsin pitching coach) the other day that as an old infielder, I'd love to play behind a guy like that. He has great tempo, he pounds the zone and pitches to contact." The Rattlers added a run in the bottom of the eighth on a bases-loaded walk to Taylor Brennan, but Omar Garcia grounded out to end the threat. Overall, Wisconsin collected eight hits, with second baseman Chris McFarland and shortstop Steve Halcomb leading the way with two apiece. McFarland, who just came off the disabled list after a severe ankle sprain, has gone 4-for-8 at the plate the past few days. "The first night he came back it looked like he hadn't played in awhile, but Chris has looked good the past few days," said Erickson. "I like him in the two hole. He does a nice job of staying inside the ball."

Billings Gazette / Helena Game Story Gregory McCall rounds third base during the Billings Mustangs vs. Helena Brewers game Monday at Dehler Park. Hannah Potes photo / Billings Gazette http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/8b/b8bf319e-00db-11e4-900c-0019bb2963f4/53b23f6a9e8fb.preview-620.jpg

More from the Orlando Sentinel

Brevard County (all from Sunday) -- AUDIO: Cameron Garfield chats with Andrew Luftglass of the Manatees Radio Network to recap Saturday's wild 6-4 win AUDIO, Game Highlights: The 'Tees complete the sweep of Clearwater with a 5-3 win AUDIO: After sweeping Clearwater, Andrew Luftglass chats with 'Tees RF Michael Reed and LHP Mike Strong

From Sunday -- VIDEO: Nashville's Hunter Morris hits a solo home run (off LHP Brad Hand) in the first inning of a 6-4 win over New Orleans VIDEO: Local TV News Report Monday's game -- Sean Halton's two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning erased a 3-2 deficit and provided the Sounds with their tenth come-from-behind victory of the year. The slugger went 2-for-4 on the night and is hitting .440 (11-for-25) over his past seven games. AUDIO: Sean Halton Go-Ahead Double Halton halved the Redbirds' lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the second when he slugged a solo homer to left-center off Boone Whiting. The blast was Halton's fourth of the year and first in his last 126 at-bats. AUDIO: Sean Halton Solo HR VIDEO: Local TV News Report

Final: AZL Mariners 6, @AZL Brewers 5, 14 innings Maryvale Box Score 13th round RHP Kaleb Earls (Limestone College, South Carolina) with a valiant effort, but in his 4th inning of work, the Mariners used small ball and some well-placed ground balls to take the lead -- AZL Mariners Top of the 14th Alex Jackson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Monte Harrison. Gareth Morgan out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Sthervin Matos to first baseman Tanner Norton. Alex Jackson to 2nd. Arturo Nieto called out on strikes. Lachlan Fontaine singles on a ground ball to right fielder Monte Harrison. Alex Jackson scores. Jose Leal strikes out swinging. SS Jake Gatewood had the best line -- double, two singles, sacrifcie fly, and a walk. Please click the box score link to digest all the other lines. Maryvale Game Log What a strand-fest! A-Crew strands 15, Mariners 13! It all started in the very first inning, oh my! AZL Brewers Bottom of the 1st Troy Stokes grounds out, pitcher Kevin Gadea to first baseman Leurys Vargas. Jake Gatewood singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Jackson. Monte Harrison singles on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Jake Gatewood to 2nd. Sthervin Matos singles on a line drive to left fielder Gareth Morgan. Jake Gatewood to 3rd. Monte Harrison to 2nd. Tanner Norton grounds into a double play, second baseman Ismael Alcantara to shortstop Rayder Ascanio to first baseman Leurys Vargas. Sthervin Matos out at 2nd. The 3rd inning started well -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 3rd Troy Stokes walks. Jake Gatewood walks. Troy Stokes to 2nd. Monte Harrison strikes out swinging. Sthervin Matos pops out to second baseman Ismael Alcantara. Tanner Norton strikes out swinging. OK, enough -- trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the 9th: AZL Brewers Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Tyler Herb replaces Nick Kiel. Jake Gatewood doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Luis Liberato. Monte Harrison doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Luis Liberato. Jake Gatewood scores. Sthervin Matos strikes out swinging. Tanner Norton called out on strikes. Carlos Belonis singles on a line drive to right fielder Alex Jackson. Monte Harrison scores. Juan Ortiz strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Tyler Herb. Carlos Belonis to 2nd. Juan Ortiz to 1st. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Matt Martin replaces Milan Post. With Matt Martin batting, Carlos Belonis steals (3) 3rd base. Juan Ortiz steals (1) 2nd base. Matt Martin strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Tyler Herb. Carlos Belonis scores. Juan Ortiz to 3rd. Matt Martin to 1st. Daniel Leonardo strikes out swinging. OK, so there was help (there also was when the Brewers scored two 4th inning runs), but still a nice rally. 30th round Delta State RHP Taylor Stark pitched around two singles and a walk in the Seattle 10th. So this was a big Monte Harrison K in the bottom of the 10th -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 10th Arturo Nieto remains in the game as the catcher. Troy Stokes singles on a ground ball to shortstop Rayder Ascanio, deflected by third baseman Lachlan Fontaine. Jake Gatewood out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Tyler Herb to first baseman Leurys Vargas. Troy Stokes to 2nd. With Monte Harrison batting, wild pitch by Tyler Herb, Troy Stokes to 3rd. Monte Harrison strikes out swinging. Sthervin Matos grounds out, shortstop Rayder Ascanio to first baseman Leurys Vargas. This is tough to read -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 13th Monte Harrison walks. Sthervin Matos out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Lachlan Fontaine to second baseman Ismael Alcantara. Monte Harrison to 2nd. Tanner Norton singles on a ground ball to center fielder Luis Liberato. Double play, center fielder Luis Liberato to catcher Arturo Nieto to shortstop Rayder Ascanio. Monte Harrison out at home. Tanner Norton out at 2nd. The Brewers were retired in order only three times -- in the 5th, 11th, and 14th.

Darn, wish this Maryvale game had audio, wow -- set up a kid with a transistor remote somehow... (For you overnight readers, details in the AM.)

Mahoney struck out 11 and walked zero in a six-inning win on Saturday (three ER). He's now walked only four while striking out 24 in 16 innings. Having served on a Mormon mission, the BYU junior and Brewers 23rd round pick turned 22 in May.

Voting comes to a close in Biloxi "Name the Team" contest Voting in the "Name the Team" contest for Biloxi's new Double-A baseball team has come to a close with nearly 60,000 votes being cast on the team's website. The name won't be announced until sometime in the fall following a process that includes trademark and logo development. "Thanks to everyone for being so passionate about this process," team general manager Buck Rogers said Monday in a press release. "The team name and logo are going to represent this region very proudly. We are very excited to move on to the next step in our evolution." The Milwaukee Brewers' Double-A team, the Huntsville Stars, will be moving to Biloxi for the 2015 campaign. The team's new home, MGM Park, is under construction across from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino on U.S. 90 in Biloxi. Voters chose between six finalists - Beacon, Black Jacks, Mullets, Schooners, Shrimpers and Shuckers. A grand total of 59,769 votes on the team's web site came from across the world, including Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Israel, Germany, Italy and Bahrain. In fact, votes were received from six continents (North America, South America, Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania. *** For those linking to this post via Twitter today, simply scroll up for prior conversation (and suggestions).

Somebody remind Logan Schafer he's in Nashville to regain his stroke, please.

Final: @Mississippi 6, Huntsville 0 Ross Fires Gem To Blank Stars Steve Jarnicki, Huntsville Stars Pearl, MS - Mississippi Braves RHP Greg Ross (2-0) threw a complete game shutout in just his second Double-A start, leading the Braves to a 6-0 shutout win over the Huntsville Stars Monday night at Trustmark Park. Ross scattered six hits through his gem. Nick Shaw and Yadiel Rivera each had two hits apiece in the Stars loss. Jed Bradley suffered the loss, dropping the left-hander to 1-4 on the AA season. Mississippi scored five runs against Bradley in the bottom of the fourth inning. Matt Kennelly was able to work a walk after trailing in the count 0-2. Barrett Kleinknecht then launched a two-run homer over the left field wall putting the Braves ahead 2-0. The Braves made it 3-0 when Kyle Wren grounded an infield single off of Bradley. Cedric Hunter added a sacrifice fly and Jose Peraza stole home giving the Braves a 5-0 advantage. Bradley allowed five runs on five hits in his four innings on the mound. The Braves scored their final run in the 8th on Wren’s RBI single. Wren led the Braves attack by going 3-5 with 2 RBI. Ross walked Joey Paciorek with two outs in the ninth, but was able to get Erik Komatsu to ground out to first to end the game. Ross helped earn Mississippi’s Southern League best tenth shutout of the season. The Stars were shutout for the first time since June 9th. The Stars (7-4, 53-28) and Braves are tied at 1-1 in their five game series. Game three will be Tuesday. RHP Drew Gagnon (5-2, 3.05) will start for the Stars. Mississippi will have RHP Williams Perez (3-4, 2.66) on the mound. The game can be heard starting at 6:45 pm CDT on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score SS Yadiel Rivera adjusting nicely to AA, 2-for-3 with a triple, sweet. Jed Bradley hit two batters, walked three, yet managed to throw 50 strikes in his 78 pitches. This will be his 2nd half AA get comfortable season (hopefully), and he'll likely open up in Biloxi next spring. Huntsville Game Log

Be sure to see the Omar Garcia / Johnny Davis collision as the final highlight -- looks like they dodged a serious injury bullet...

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Tonight’s interview is this week’s installment of “Mondays with the Manager” with Sounds skipper Rick Sweet, who discusses the injury status of Hunter Morris, who left Sunday’s game after getting hit by a pitch; the additions of Jason Rogers and Shawn Zarraga from Double-A Huntsville; the recent surge from the team’s offense; and Jeremy Jeffress’ taking over the closing duties for the time being."

DeMuth flourishing in pro ball By Zack Eldridge, LaPorte (IN) Herald Argus Staff Writer For Dustin DeMuth, getting drafted professionally and signing was the culmination of a lifelong dream. After playing four years of college baseball for Indiana University, the former La Porte High School baseball standout was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth round of the Major League Baseball draft with the 146th overall pick on June 6. It was the second time DeMuth was drafted. He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round of last year's draft, but decided to return to IU for his senior season. "I was happy to get drafted again and to get it out of the way," DeMuth said. "And I could finally find out where I was going and who I was playing for. I didn't really technically know of any certain team or didn't really lean towards any team that I thought could pick me." DeMuth has begun his pro career at Helena, Montana, with the Helena Brewers, the Class A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. And he's thrived in Helena, despite playing only 11 games. Through Sunday, DeMuth is hitting .422 with six RBIs. He has 19 hits, including three doubles, a triple and a home run. He hit his first professional homer on Saturday, a solo home run. DeMuth credited Indiana University for aiding his fast start in Helena. "IU helped me a lot, just maturing in college," DeMuth said. "It helped me a lot. It helped me realize the game doesn't forgive much. You've got to work hard every day, and if you do go 0-for-4 or 0-for-5 one day, the next day you won't go 0-for-4. Kind of playing with an even keel, not getting too high or too low. Just trying to focus on what I can control." He added he will be playing a mixture of third base and first base in Helena. Prior to getting drafted, DeMuth finished his sensational college career. His robust .374 batting average led the Hoosiers this past season. He also belted five home runs and had 40 RBIs. He earned All-Big Ten Conference first team honors and helped IU win the conference. For his career, DeMuth hit .344 and was a two-time All-American. His 63 career doubles are the most in Hoosier history and he closed his career with the second-most hits in program history with 316. He is one of just three Indiana players to ever surpass the 300-hit mark in a career. "It was a great four years," DeMuth said. "I wouldn't change any of it for anything. There were a lot of ups and downs, and I'm thankful for coach Tracy Smith for giving me the opportunity at IU. I love IU. I love everything about it. I enjoyed my time there." DeMuth added the biggest adjustment between Division I college baseball and Minor League A Level baseball is kind of the manner in which the game is played. "It's a little different," he said. "A little different pace, different atmospheres. I'm just kind of getting used to the way professional people think, and the way pitchers think, and the way pitchers try to attack you. Getting used to that. And getting used to playing every day, not having many days off."

Rattler Radio blog - Postgame entry Postgame audio with RHP Victor Diaz and Manager Matt Erickson, photos, and video highlights... *** Kyle's BrewCrewBall followup - incorporates the interviews included above...

Steve with the Huntsville club: The Stars won their fourth game this season when trailing by three runs at any stage of a ballgame. The Stars racked up 12 hits, a day after they posted a season high 18. In their last two games, the Stars offense is batting .417 (30-72). Out of the 40 hits, only five have gone for extra base hits. Joey Paciorek, who delivered the pinch-hit two-run single Sunday, has now hit safely in five straight games. In his last five, Paciorek is 8-17 (.471) with a home run and 4 RBI. Kentrail Davis went 3-3 with 3 RBI on his 26th birthday. Including Saturday’s game after his first at bat, Davis is 7 for his last 7 with four RBI. He has also been on base in nine straight plate appearances. Davis enters today on a seven-game hit streak and has been on base in 18 consecutive games, the third longest active on base streak in the Southern League. For the month of June, Davis is tied with Mississippi’s Cedric Hunter for the 8th best batting average in June in the Southern League at .344. The Stars improved to a season best 25 games above the .500 mark with their overall record now at 53-28. The Stars did not homer last night, but still have hit 16 homeruns in their last 16 games and their 21 in the month of June are tied with Mobile for the most in June in the Southern League…Josh Prince went 1-4 with an RBI. After going 1-22 recently, Prince is now 10 for his last 24 (.417)… Nick Shaw did not play, but still his been on base in ten consecutive games… The bullpen for the Stars tossed 3.1 scoreless innings Sunday and has now thrown 11.1 consecutive scoreless innings…RHP Jose De La Torre did not pitch last night. De La Torre has thrown ten consecutive scoreless innings… Since the Stars clinched the 1st half championship they’ve gone 14-9…In the month of June alone, the Stars are 14-11.

Via Justin of the Manatees' Broadcast Team -- Orlando Arcia named FSL Player of the Week VIERA, Fla. – The Florida State League announced on Monday that Brevard County Manatees shortstop Orlando Arcia was named the league’s player of the week for the period of June 23-29. In seven games last week, Arcia hit .485 (16-for-33) with two home runs, a Florida State League-leading 13 runs batted in and scored eight runs. He also doubled six times, tripled and stole a base. Arcia recorded five multi-hit games during the week and fell one hit shy of the cycle three times. On June 25, he set a career-high in hits with a 5-for-5 performance against the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Arcia also tied a career-high with five runs batted in and was a home run away from the cycle. On June 27 and 28 in Clearwater, he went a combined 6-for-11 and fell a triple shy of the cycle both nights. In the latter game, Arcia hit a game-tying, two-run home run with two outs in the top of the ninth inning en route to a 12-inning, 6-4 Manatees victory. Arcia was signed by the Milwaukee Brewers as a non-drafted free agent on October 22, 2010 from Anaco, Venezuela. *** MLB.com provides an additional feature.

Burkhalter feeling his way through the minor leagues by Tabby Soignier, Monroe (LA) News Star It’s understandable for an athlete to get a little homesick the first time he leaves the place he was born and raised. It’s even more so whenever you go from a team full of players that you grew up with to the Minor League Baseball system, such as the case with former Ruston Bearcat turned professional pitcher David Michael Burkhalter. “It’s the same ole, same ole,” the sixth-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers said. “You’ve still got to throw strikes and get guys out. Also, practice is a little different for me. I’m so used to being team-oriented. Here, everybody’s job is kind of like you. There’s still certain workouts and stuff, but everyone is on their own schedule.” “Here,” is Arizona where the rookie league is located. Burkhalter has not had to endure the long, infamous bus rides of the minor leagues with every team being within 45 minutes, but he has been initiated into the league with his first outing. The right hander made his minor league debut last Monday with the game tied against the Indians rookie league team and gave up the eventual game-winning run in his two innings of work. However, Burkhalter still managed to work through his nerves after the hits were just small and fortunate enough to fall in, instead of getting rocked and chased off the mound. “I knew all day I was going to be throwing that night,” said Burkhalter, who is used to being a starting pitcher throughout his career. “It’s a little different for me coming out of the pen, being in there and being really antsy and anxious and ready to go.” His name finally got called in the seventh inning. “Whenever it was time, I just got up and got going,” Burkhalter said. “All the guys were making fun of me, saying, ‘You’re obviously not a bullpen guy.’ Throughout the game I was still stretching making sure I was ready. I’ve got to get used to the bullpen.” Burkhalter’s parents already made the trip west to see their son’s minor league debut, which came at a good time since he admitted to feeling a little homesick in the beginning. However, it does help that he has a local player to remind him of home to make the transition smoother. Former Sterlington standout Chad Reeves was drafted in the 33rd round by the Milwaukee Brewers after one season at LSU-Eunice. The left hander finished his prep career in 2009 and originally signed with ULM before taking some time off from baseball. Both Reeves and Burkhalter were All-NELA Pitchers of the Year following their senior seasons in high school. In his one outing so far, Reeves threw one inning and gave up one hit in last Tuesday’s win against the Indians. Reeves came in with the Brewers already winning 9-1 in the eighth inning. Burkhalter cut his ERA in half this past Friday night when he came on in relief with the game tied again, this time against the Padres rookie team. The righty pitched the fifth and sixth innings and allowed no runs on one hit, one strike out and one walk. The pitchers are on a five-day rotation with the team on a schedule of four days on and a day off.

So while not completely nixed, the 2016 move of the Manatees to the Winter Park area of greater Orlando has hit a location snag. These things never go very smoothly, do they?

Kyle Lobner in Appleton today, here's a pregame report on Chris McFarland and Garrett Cooper.