Jim Goulart

Brewers tweet: OF Logan Schafer begins a rehab assignment tomorrow w/Class-A @BCManatees. He has been on the DL since 4/20 w/a strained right hamstring.

Brad will fill us in on the Manatees 2-1 walkoff loss a bit later. The Brewers don't want to return to the California League days of High Desert, but you have a youngish High-A squad that is not offensively strong to begin with, and those guys must be extremely deflated with a .213 team average after 23 games (.602 OPS). But you can't blame everything on Space Coast Stadium or the Florida State League in general, as these league team batting numbers show. Fourteen runs in their last ten games, just painful...

Final: @Tennessee 2, Huntsville 1 Stars Four Game Winning Streak Ends Kodak, TN - Tennessee Smokies 1B Dustin Geiger hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning breaking a 1-1 tie and giving the Smokies a 2-1 victory Sunday afternoon over the Huntsville Stars at Smokies Park. The Stars were held to just one hit all afternoon. Shawn Zarraga recorded the hit in the third inning. The Stars couldn't take advantage of Smokies starter Pierce Johnson's inability to consistently throw strikes. Johnson walked three in the first inning. The Stars were only able to score once when Mitch Haniger produced a sacrifice fly scoring Josh Prince. Tennessee tied the game in the second when Rafael Lopez scored on a wild pitch by Stars starter Taylor Jungmann (1-3). Johnson walked the bases loaded in the fourth inning, but Nick Ramirez struck out to end the threat. Johnson walked eight hitters in four innings on the mound. The Stars left eight men on base through the front four innings and would not get another baserunner the rest of the game. Hunter Cervenka(2-0) threw three perfect innings followed by Armando Rivero's perfect eighth and ninth innings. Rivero recorded his fourth save of the season. Jungmann was the tough luck loser today for the Stars. The righty worked 6.2 innings giving up four hits on two earned runs. He walked four and struck out six. The Stars four game winning streak was snapped as they are now 15-9 and remain in first place. Tennessee improved to 11-13 and ended their three game losing streak. The Stars lead the series with the Smokies 3-1 as game five will take place Monday night at Smokies Park. LHP Brent Suter (3-0, 1.05) will start for the Stars while Tennessee will go with RHP Corey Black (0-1, 4.09). The game can be heard starting at 6:00 PM CT with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM, and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Shawn Zarraga walked in addition to the lone Stars base hit. He's only struck out three times in 42 AB's, and his line remains gaudy at .476/.558/.500. Taylor Jungmann (stat lines) only has the one bad outing, his other four starts can be described as solid, although four walks tonight not ideal. Huntsville Game Log Early inning frustrations await you at the link, but there were no Stars at-bats with a man on 3rd and less than two out, so there isn't that real glaring fail to identify.

There's no room for him in AA right now: Jungmann Gagnon Hall Suter Cravy They could bump Cravy back to relief to make room but he's pitching very well, I don't remember who the original 5th starter was. RHP Andy Moye is sidelined with what was termed a lower body injury.

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Today’s interview is with left-hander Brad Mills, who discusses his outing and win last night; his start to the season, which has moved him back and forth from the rotation (he’s back in now with the injury to Johnny Hellweg); the background of his go-to pitch, the changeup; and whether or not pitching for several years in hitter-friendly spots like Las Vegas (Blue Jays) and Salt Lake (Angels) changed how he works on the mound."

From Huntsville -- Josh Prince last night became the fourth Stars player to steal four bases in one game. Stan Javier did it twice in 1985. Kerwin Moore (8/28, 1998) and Dave Krynzel (5/24,2003). Prince now has 14 steals in the month of April which are the most by any Stars player in franchise history in the month of April. He broke Kevin Ward’s record of 10 stolen bases in 1989. Nick Ramirez’s home run last night was his second of the season where he hit a homer un late in the game to win it for the Stars. On April 9th, against Pensacola, he broke a 4-4 tie in the 7th with a solo HR which ultimately won the game….The Stars won their first extra-inning game of the season, improving to 1-3 in extra’s…The four hour and four minute game was the second game this season that lasted four plus hours. Just last Saturday the Stars played 4 hours and 52 minutes in a loss to Mobile. LOVE THE 8TH: The Stars have enjoyed putting together big 8th innings this year. On April 18th in Mississippi, the Stars scored 6 runs in the 8th inning. Friday, the Stars scored a new season high for most runs in an inning with 8 in the 8th inning. GOOD STARTS: Over the last 4 games, the Stars starters are 3-0 with a 2.00 ERA. ROAD WARRIORS: Entering today, the Stars have the best road record in the Southern League. At 10-3 away from Huntsville, the Stars have won five straight road games where they are outscoring their opponents 36-5 during the five game winning streak. The Stars offense is hitting .254 on the road compared to just .214 at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars pitchers have performed much better on the road too. The road team ERA is 1.70 compared to 4.12 at home.

Weather.com: Oklahoma City, OK Kodak, TN Daytona Beach, FL Geneva, IL

Sortable individual stat pages: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Southern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division

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

Did you see that in the Menu above? 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:30 game broadcast.

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Oklahoma City (Astros), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 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 Taylor Jungmann at Tennessee (Cubs), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:00 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). Tennessee does host MiLB.TV broadcasts - be among those hoping Steve's audio link synchs up nicely with your MiLB.TV investment. ********** Brevard County: LHP Jed Bradley at Daytona (Cubs), 4:05 PM pre-game, 4:35 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. All home games and many road games are scheduled to be broadcast. When road games are only available via the opponents' audio feed (or not at all), we'll let you know that. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Barrett Astin at Kane County (Cubs), 12:40 PM pre-game, 1:00 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. DVR Alert: Next local TV game is Mon. 4/28 on MyNEW32.

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

The salaries page just become too cumbersome and we couldn't include option info and such nearly as well as other locations, in particular you should bookmark Cot's site for the Brewers at Baseball Prospectus. As for your other concerns, please refer to this post and thread, also on this forum. Basically, everyone should refer family and friends to this awesome site called: http://forum.brewerfan.net/ Thanks!

Brevard County - AUDIO: Manatees outfielder Michael Reed joins Justin Rocke on the Manatees Pregame Show Studies Albert Pujols' swing, discusses his stolen base prep routine... AUDIO: The Cubs win a 2-0 pitcher's duel against the Manatees

Welcome to the Nick Ramirez portion of our program -- "This one's trouble..." VIDEO: Nick Ramirez's 13th-inning homer gives the Stars the lead in Huntsville's 4-3 win at Tennessee Also love the Tennessee (Cubbies) OF punching the wall. *** Catching up from Friday - more resignation from the Smokies' play-by-play guy: VIDEO: Huntsville's Nick Ramirez opens the game's scoring, going yard with a two-run shot in a 15-1 rout of Tennessee

Oh, and a fantastic Q&A profile of the Timber Rattlers' David Denson as well.

Timber Rattlers profile: David Denson brings big power to field by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media David Denson signs an autograph before a Timber Rattlers game earlier this season. Wm. Glasheen Photo / Post-Crescent Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20140426&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=304270215&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Timber-Rattlers-profile-David-Denson-brings-big-power-field David Denson was committed to the University of Hawaii before being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th round of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. He won the Home Run Derby at the 7th annual Power Showcase at Marlins Park in 2013, hitting four home runs longer than 500 feet, including a record 515-foot blast. All were with a metal bat. He is currently batting .171 with one home run and three RBI for the Timber Rattlers. Q&A Q: You originally committed to go to Hawaii. Did you go on a recruiting trip there? A: “Yes. It was amazing, absolutely amazing. The University of Hawaii is an absolutely beautiful campus. The coaches were amazing and it’s 10 minutes away from the beach. That was a jaw dropper for me. And their stadium is all turfed out. I went to one of their games, and it feels like a big family atmosphere out there. Everybody is straight for the team. They always bring food for the players. They treat their team like a professional team. It was amazing to me.” Q: You were drafted by the Brewers and decided to go the pro route. Why now? A: “I weighed my pros and cons. I was looking at the fact I wouldn’t be eligible for the draft for another three years. People were telling me if you wait another three years, you’ll get this kind of money. I wasn’t looking at the money aspect at all. I just wanted to play. “If I go to the pros now, I’m going to get the best coaching that there is. I’m going to get as much experience as I can. Being 19, I’m starting off young. I’m still getting my degree, still going to school online when I get home. I felt like I have the best, top-of-the-line coaching you can get and that I thought it would better my craft at the plate. I didn’t care about only getting this much money or that much money. I didn’t care about that. I just wanted to play.” Q: How were you invited to the Power Showcase? A: “Funny story. I was invited to the Power Showcase by one of my good friends, who was part of the Power Showcase in 2010. In 2011, he told the head manager of the event, Brian Domenico. He told him that, ‘Hey, a friend of mine can hit the ball.’ So he said, ‘OK, bring him out.’ And the first year, in 2011, I remember going out and hitting three home runs. It’s all I hit, three home runs. I was happy with that. I was upset because I wanted to win but at the same time I hit three home runs my first year. I made it a goal to make sure I get back. I told Brian, ‘I’m going to win this. Next year is going to be my year.’ ” Q: And? A: “So I came back the following year and everything you could possibly think could go wrong, was going wrong. The day I woke up (to go to Florida) we couldn’t find the car keys. We got to the airport late. We couldn’t get through security as fast as we thought we could. As we get to the gate, they’re closing the door and we said, ‘Wait, no, don’t close the door.’ So we get on the flight, we get out to Florida and they lost our reservation for our (rental) car. So we have to wait to get another car. We get to the hotel and the hotel lost our reservation for the room. We had to wait two hours for them to find it. We get up to our room, our TV doesn’t work. “We finally get to the field and my BP was off, my infield/outfield was off; everything was off until the very moment I had to go up and hit. So I went up and hit, and I took all my anger out on the ball.” Q: So what’s it like to be a YouTube sensation, with over 1.2 million views of your 515-foot home run? A: “Honestly, I just feel like a regular 19-year-old kid. I like for people to see me as David Denson, and not as David Denson this big slugger. Today, even when I’m back at home, I love that I’m a role model to kids. They run up to me and go, ‘You’re David Denson.’ I just say, ‘Yes, I am.’ It’s still a shock to me and I’m still not used to it because I don’t see myself that way. I just see myself as a regular person.” Q: So what’s it like to know you hit a ball 500 feet, and beat the record of Bryce Harper? A: “Honestly and truthfully, wow, that part was amazing. I remember before I went up to bat I said a prayer. I got down and said a prayer to God and thanked him for the gift that he gave me but then also said, ‘Just work through me. Let me show everybody what gift you gave me and how much it means to me.’ That kind of power that came from that, that’s not ordinary. That came from a place higher above. So when that happened, I was in awe. “When they announced it, all I could do is yell. I wasn’t screaming because I broke the record. I was screaming because I knew at that point something was working. I asked in a prayer and I got what I asked for.” Q: What was the coolest thing that happened to you in the aftermath? A: “The coolest thing that got me, it wasn’t the whole aspect of being on MLB Network or ESPN or the news. I would say the coolest thing for me is that I was a role model for kids. That was the coolest thing to me because in my area there are kids who fall off the tracks sometimes. And when I get to see kids coming up to me and saying you’re my role model, and I look up to you and this and that, it touches me in my heart. It makes me feel like I’m setting an example for these kids.” Q: Why didn’t you ever play football in high school? A: “Every day I was asked by our football coach, ‘When are you coming to see me? When are you coming down to the field? When are you going to play?’ I’m like, ‘Coach, I want to.’ I remember I used to beg my dad, day after day, to let me play. I just wanted to play. My dad was just set in stone. He said no. My dad just kept saying, ‘It takes just one hit, one wrong hit, and your baseball career is done. And you have a lot more riding on baseball than you do anything else.’ Now that I look back at it, I’m glad I didn’t.” Q: Finish this sentence. Wisconsin weather in April is best suited for … A: “Testing your mental ability as a player.” Q: You played at the same high school (South Hills) as Jason and Jeremy Giambi. How are they thought of there? A: “They have their jerseys up in the outfield. Actually, I didn’t know that when I transferred into that school. I didn’t find out until I started playing baseball for my school and I thought it was cool that I got to play on the same field that they got to play on.” Q: You’re not off to the start you wanted. How hard is it to keep in mind the bigger picture? A: “I would say I deal with it in the aspect that, there are times that I do get frustrated, but I’ve got to take it to the bigger picture as that I’m here. When something doesn’t go my way, it’s baseball. You’re going to have thousands of at-bats, and you’re going to make errors, you’re going to strike out, it’s part of the game. Some of the best players in the bigs right now have struck out thousands of times but look where they’re at. “Because you have to have that mentality and that persistence to say, ‘You know what, I didn’t get it this time, but I still have next time.’ So come at in next time ready to go. Whatever happened in the past, it’s in the past. When you’re on the field you have to separate your offense from your defense and whatever happens on the field is on the field. Once you leave the field, if you want to be mad off the field then you’re mad off the field. But once you’re on the field, you can’t drag that on the field through every inning, because things aren’t going to go the way you want it to. I just go out there with as much of a positive attitude as I can and go from there, and have fun.’’ http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20140426&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=304270215&Ref=V1&MaxW=300&Border=0&Timber-Rattlers-profile-David-Denson-brings-big-power-field DAVID DENSON FILE Age: 19. Residence: La Puente, Calif. Height/weight: 6-3, 254 Bats/Throws: Left/right FAVORITES MLB team growing up: “I would have to say my favorite team is the Dodgers.” MLB player: “Prince Fielder. The way a lot of people perceived me when I was younger, I was a big guy. But being big I kind of proved some people wrong. I was quick on my feet, still had power and he was just a role model to me the way he stepped out there and everybody was saying, ‘He’s too big, he’s too this and that.’ And he would just go out and prove them wrong.” Food: “My dad’s homemade spaghetti; three cheese, two meat.” Job you dreamed of as a kid: “I always wanted to do something with law enforcement. My uncle Danny was a sheriff, so I thought that was really cool. I looked up to that. But also one of my hobbies I like to do is dance. I’ve been part of dance ever since I was little. My sister is a professional dancer. So it was either with law enforcement or something in entertainment with dancing.” TV show: “Criminal Minds.” Movie: “Hardball.” High school memory: “It would have to be my very first game I played in high school. I didn’t play high school baseball until my senior year. The guys I played with in high school, we all grew up together. The high school I transferred in to, all the guys that I played with growing up they were all on the team. So it was like a big family reunion.”

Be sure to read the Max Walla and David Goforth feature stories posted elsewhere on this forum last night.

Former Academy star Walla is converting from OF to pitching for Brewers By Kevin Hendricks / Albuquerque Journal Staff Writer Nearly five years after the Milwaukee Brewers made him a second-round draft pick, Max Walla is right back where he started. Except now, the former Albuquerque Academy star is basically starting his career over. Walla, who was known for his prodigious power but also pitched while at Academy, is at the Brewers spring training complex in Phoenix and is in the process of converting from outfielder to pitcher. Former Albuquerque Academy standout Max Walla runs base drills at Milwaukee Brewers camp in the spring of 2011. (Jim Thompson/Albuquerque Journal) http://main.abqjournal.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d01_jd_27apr_max2-296x400.jpg “They told me the last week of spring training,” Walla said. “Initially, I basically said give me a little bit of time to think about and pray about it. And that’s what I did. I went back to the hotel for a few hours and decided that it was a good opportunity and called them and told them I’d be there tomorrow as a pitcher.” Walla, who was the 73rd pick of the 2009 draft, hadn’t thrown a pitch in a game since tossing a complete game in Academy’s 2009 state championship win but said he’s had no troubles yet in his return to the mound. “It’s going really well,” Walla said. “It’s different, obviously. I haven’t done it in a few years, so I’m down here getting my arm back in shape. I’m trying to relearn the feel and everything, but it’s like riding a bike.” Walla hit 16 home runs in 2008 and, according to the NMAA, finished his career with a state-record 34 homers (which Volcano Vista’s Andre Vigil broke last year) – but his professional career has been plagued by injuries and struggles at the plate. Walla suffered a broken ring finger in 2010, a broken index finger in 2012 and broke the same hand twice during spring training in 2013. In his five seasons in the Brewers organization – none of which was played above Class A – Walla hit .246, with 15 home runs, in 1,201 at-bats. “I missed a lot of time in the last few years due to injury,” Walla said. “It’s never easy when you go through something like that. It’s easy to fall into the thought of being short-changed. But at the same time I realize that everything happens for a reason, and I’m extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity. Honestly, my feelings have been mostly excitement and happiness and joy that I still get to play and chase my dream. My dream is just a little different now.” That new dream is beginning in Phoenix but will most likely continue in Helena, Mont., the home of the Brewers’ rookie league team. “I’m listed on their roster, so my guess is I’d go there but ideally I’d go to (Class A) Wisconsin, hopefully soon,” Walla said. “But they’ve already told me they’re going to take me pretty slow. There’s a pretty high injury rate for position players who convert to pitchers, so they’re going to take me as slow as necessary to keep me healthy.” While Walla was known for his offense at Academy, he wasn’t too bad while toeing the rubber, either. According to the NMAA, Walla’s 13 wins in 2009 are a single-season state record and he ranks sixth in career wins with 23. That ability to pitch turned out to be a Plan B for the Brewers organization. Former Albuquerque Academy standout Max Walla (31) attends the Milwaukee Brewers spring training camp in Phoenix in March 2011. He is back at the Brewers complex this spring and is in the process of converting from outfielder to pitcher. (Jim Thompson/Albuquerque Journal) http://main.abqjournal.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/d01_jd_27apr_max1-400x255.jpg “Our scouting department that scouted him as an amateur thought that if it didn’t work out for him as a position player, we could move him to the mound because he threw in the 90s,” Reid Nichols, Milwaukee Brewers director of player development, said. “So we’re just taking it slow, getting his arm in shape and making sure he’s prepared for the rigors of throwing every day as a pitcher.” The 23-year-old Walla, who throws a fastball, change-up and curveball, is looking forward to seeing what he can do now that he can focus solely on pitching. “That’s another exciting thing; I’ve never devoted all of my time to pitching,” Walla said. “I’m really excited to see what kind of results I can produce.” And despite the reboot on his career, Walla believes that if he does produce, he’ll be on a fast track to Milwaukee. “Everyone’s career path is different,” Walla said. “But I think if I go to Helena this year and succeed, I don’t think that they will have any compunction about moving me quickly. It’s still early, I haven’t thrown a game yet, but we’ll see.” If Walla is looking for a similar career path to follow to the majors, he doesn’t have to search too far. Farmington’s Mike Dunn, who was drafted as an outfielder in the 33rd round of the 2004 draft by the New York Yankees, eventually reached the big leagues as a pitcher in 2009 after converting in 2006. Dunn posted a 2.66 ERA in 75 games last season for the Miami Marlins. Los Angeles Dodgers’ closer Kenley Jansen was a catcher from 2005-09, including an eight-game stint with the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2009 where he went 5-for-27, before being converted to a pitcher. In 2011, Jansen broke the all-time record for strikeouts per nine innings when he fanned 96 hitters in 53 2/3 innings (16.1 strikeouts per nine innings). Helena’s season begins June 18, and Walla will be pitching in relief this season as he builds up his conditioning and arm strength. Walla played four games with Helena in 2009 and spent the entire 2011 season there. “In some ways it feels like I’m starting all over again. But at the same time I’ve been on the other side for the last five years and I feel like that will give me an advantage,” Walla said. “Starting over is a good word for it, but I feel like I’m a little bit ahead of the curve. I will definitely benefit from my previous experience.”

PHOTOS at LINK Former Ole Miss hurler Goforth settling in as Stars' closer By Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald David Goforth has filled a variety of roles in his baseball career, but it appears he may have settled into the job he's meant to do. The former Ole Miss pitcher is leading the Southern League in saves this season with six for the Double-A Huntsville, Ala., Stars. For a Huntsville team destined to move to Biloxi for the 2015 season, Goforth is improving his chances of making the jump to Triple-A before the Stars land in his home state. Goforth is a native of Philadelphia, Miss., where he played high school baseball at Neshoba Central before signing with the Rebels. At Ole Miss, Goforth worked out of the bullpen exclusively in his first season with a 2.80 ERA and three saves in 25 appearances. His sophomore season was a struggle with a 9.43 ERA, but Goforth bounced back in 2011 with better numbers when he made 14 appearances, all starts, and featured a 4.88 ERA. "I told (Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco) when I was there that whenever he needed me to pitch, I'd pitch," Goforth said. "If he needed me to start, close, pitch in the middle of the game, whatever. Just whenever they handed me the ball, I'd go in and pitch. That's kind of the way it's been (in the minors) as well." He showed enough in his junior season that the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the seventh round of the 2011 Major League Draft. Once Goforth landed in the Brewers organization, his roles again began to change with each season. He was a reliever in his first season at the Rookie level with a 4.43 ERA in Helena, Montana. Since then, he has shifted between reliever and starter. He made 46 starts in the minors before moving back to the bullpen when he was promoted to Huntsville last year. The 2013 season was his best as a professional with an 11-8 record, 3.17 ERA and five saves. Goforth's numbers have improved with each season, and he credits that progression to a new focus in his approach. "Just being more consistent is the biggest thing," Goforth said. "There were things in place, stuff-wise, that I've always had. It was just getting those things more consistent, and being able to come in here and do it every day. "One of biggest things too was learning how to get guys out and how to compete and win when you don't have your best stuff. I've learned that throughout my two or three years in the minor leagues. It's something I continue to work on." Goforth projects well as a closer because of his cut fastball, the same pitch that made Mariano Rivera a legendary closer for the New York Yankees. "He has that power arm you like to see from a closer," Stars manager Carlos Subero said. "He has a good secondary pitch and a good demeanor. He gave up a home run against Pensacola and we lose the ball game and he bounces back the next game with men in scoring position. His mindset is right for it."

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry Chris includes a Barrett Astin pre-game interview, some game audio, a chart (!), and a sweet Forensic Files reference. By the way, that TV show gets bonus points for only being 30 minutes - a nice option for the occasional channel surfer.

Final: Huntsville 4, @Tennessee 3, 13 innings RAMIREZ’S HOME RUN LIFTS STARS TO EXTRA INNINGS WIN Kodak, TN - Huntsville Stars 1B Nick Ramirez launched a one-out solo home run in the top of the thirteenth inning breaking a 3-3 tie. His fourth home run of the season proved to be the difference Saturday night in the Stars 4-3 win Saturday over the Tennessee Smokies at Smokies Park. The Stars bullpen combination of Arcenio Leon, Kevin Shackelford, David Goforth and Johnnie Lowe combined for seven shutout innings leading the Stars to their fourth straight win. The first place Stars are now 15-8 on the season and have won the series against the Smokies. The Stars jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first on a Jason Rogers fielder’s choice which scored Josh Prince. The Smokies tied it in the bottom of the first when Rubi Silva produced a sacrifice fly. The Stars retook the lead in the second inning on an Adam Weisenburger RBI double down the left field line scoring Greg Hopkins. In the fourth inning, the Stars took a two-run lead when Weisenburger hit into a 6-4-3 double play scoring Kentrail Davis. The Smokies came back to tie the game with a pair of home runs. Jeudy Valdez homered in the fifth, while Kris Bryant homered in the sixth. The Stars lead the series with the Smokies 3-0 as game four will take place Sunday afternoon at Smokies Park. RHP Taylor Jungmann (1-2, 4.71) will start for the Stars while Tennessee will go with RHP Pierce Johnson (0-1, 6.75). The game can be heard starting at 12:45 PM CT with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM, and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Happy player tweet. How about these 15-8 Stars? If you're going to play four hours, four minutes, you may as well win. Josh Prince attempted five stolen bases and was successful four times, now 14-for-16 on the season. It should be noted that all 13 of Prince's hits this season are singles (three in this game), so he has to run to get himself in scoring position. Both D'Vontrey Richardson and Jason Rogers endured 0-for-6 nights with two K's, although Rogers did have an RBI. Huntsville Game Log Check out this Arcenio Leon Houdini act in the 7th -- Tennessee Bottom of the 7th Charles Cutler walks. Jeudy Valdez doubles (4) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Prince. Charles Cutler to 3rd. Pitching Change: Arcenio Leon replaces Drew Gagnon, batting 9th. Wes Darvill singles on a ground ball to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Dae-Eun Rhee strikes out swinging. John Andreoli grounds into a force out, third baseman Jason Rogers to catcher Adam Weisenburger. Charles Cutler out at home. Jeudy Valdez to 3rd. Wes Darvill to 2nd. John Andreoli to 1st. Jae-Hoon Ha grounds out, pitcher Arcenio Leon to first baseman Nick Ramirez Thanks, Nick! Huntsville Top of the 13th Anthony Giansanti remains in the game as the right fielder. Pitching Change: P. J. Francescon replaces Ryan Searle, batting 2nd, replacing center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Defensive switch from right field to center field for Rubi Silva. Josh Prince called out on strikes. Nick Ramirez homers (4) on a fly ball to left center field. Jason Rogers strikes out swinging. Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a line drive to left fielder Zeke DeVoss. Greg Hopkins grounds out, second baseman Wes Darvill to first baseman Dustin Geiger. Yes, drama to the very end... Tennessee Bottom of the 13th Rubi Silva singles on a line drive to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Dustin Geiger flies out to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. With Charles Cutler batting, throwing error by Adam Weisenburger on the pickoff attempt, Rubi Silva to 2nd. Charles Cutler flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger. Johnnie Lowe intentionally walks Jeudy Valdez. Wes Darvill grounds out, first baseman Nick Ramirez to pitcher Johnnie Lowe.