Jim Goulart

AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Tonight’s interview is with Sounds closer Rob Wooten, who pitched for the Sounds last night on four days rest and for the first time since returning from the Brewers, where he went when former Sound Brandon Kintzler was placed on the disabled list. Wooten discusses his outing last night, his time with the Brewers (who hold an MLB-best 17-6 record) this year and last year, and his personal experience with “Tommy John” elbow surgery in 2010 and what advice he would give teammate Johnny Hellweg if Hellweg indeed has to undergo surgery on his right elbow."

My, oh my -- Rattlers just gave up a 4-spot in the 9th to walkoff lose, 5-4. Sometimes game summaries must be written under major duress. Ouch...

Remember when I wondered here a couple of days ago what the Brewers were thinking when grabbing Taylor Jungmann two spots before Jose Fernandez was drafted in 2011? Looks like Adam McCalvy then asked Doug Melvin about that, and the answer that will make you feel at least a little better about that is included in this Twitter conversation.

Per the Sounds Media Notes, LHP Brad Mills' start is not considered a spot start, he'll step in to Johnny Hellweg's rotation role.

Happy 24th Birthday, Timber Rattlers' OF Johnny Davis!

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: LHP Brad Mills 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 Drew Gagnon at Tennessee (Cubs), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:15 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). Tennessee does host MiLB.TV broadcasts - be among those hoping Steve's audio link synchs up nicely with your MiLB.TV investment. ********** Brevard County: RHP Damien Magnifico 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. 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 Taylor Williams 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.

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Via the Courier-News: When the Kane County Cougars jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning of Friday’s series opener with Wisconsin, Cougars manager Mark Johnson had just the man he wanted on the mound. Known as a strike-thrower, Daury Torrez was able to settle in with a big lead and pound the zone, and the Timber Rattlers didn’t find an answer until the seventh inning. By that time, it was too late, and the Cougars held on for an 8-4 win to push their winning streak to four games. Their 15-6 record is tops in the Midwest League. “He throws a lot of strikes,” Johnson said. “After we put those runs up, he’s exactly the guy we need. He set that tempo. They were coming out swinging, too, so it played right into his strike-throwing capabilities.” The Cougars got to Wisconsin starter Zach Quintana (0-1) early and often. They batted around in the first, scoring five runs. The big blows were a three-run double from Will Remillard and a two-run single from Danny Canela. In the second, Jacob Rogers’ RBI groundout and a run-scoring single from Canela plated two more. “He was up in the zone a lot early,” Johnson said of Quintana. “Usually when that happens, you get hit hard.” With a seven-run cushion to work with, Torrez (3-0) was able to feast on the overly aggressive hitters from Wisconsin (10-10). He retired the first 13 hitters he faced before David Denson broke up the perfect game with a one-out single in the fifth. Through 6 1/3 innings, he allowed only two base runners and struck out seven. “It’s typical for me to get a good tempo and be aggressive and try to get outs early in the count, get them to hit the ball on the ground,” Torrez said through his translator, pitching coach David Rosario. “Today, because I had a lot of two-strike counts, I had the opportunity for punch outs and I was lucky enough to be able to locate my pitches and take advantage of it.” Wisconsin got to Torrez in the seventh before Juan Paniagua came on for the save. The last five Timber Rattlers Torrez faced reached base, and they scored three runs. Aside from a Michael Ratterree solo home run in the eighth, Paniagua pitched well in his outing, recording his first save. He will resume his regular spot in the rotation his next time through. “His aggressiveness was a lot better tonight than it has been his last couple outings,” Johnson said. Yasiel Balaguert and Carlos Penalver each had three hits for the Cougars. Canela, Danny Lockhart and Remillard each had two hits in the 13-hit outburst. The Cougars have scored 33 runs in their current four-game win streak.

Offense improves, but Manatees still suffer defeat Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY The Brevard County Manatees showed signs of snapping out of the offensive slump they have been in, but it was not enough Friday night as they fell to Daytona 6-3 at Space Coast Stadium. The Manatees, who have now scored just 14 runs in the past 10 games, had eight hits in the game, including Garrett Cooper's first home run of the season. "Ned (Manatees hitting coach Ned Yost) talks to the guys about controlling what you can control. Your approach, your plan and your purpose," Brevard County Manatees manager Joe Ayrault said after Thursday's loss. "It is one of those things, it is early in the season and we don't want to press and try to do too much." And the trio of Michael Reed, Alfredo Rodriguez and Brandon Macias each seemed to swing the bat better as each had two hits in the game. But once again, the Manatees could not score late in the game, watching an early lead disappear for the second straight night. The Manatees (11-10) were up 2-0, and after starting pitcher Tyler Wagner gave up two runs in the fourth, they took the lead back in the fifth. But that was the last time they scored, while Daytona scored twice in the seventh and two more in the ninth to post its second straight win over the Manatees. Wagner left after five innings and got the no decision, but was not as crisp as he had been in the past four outings, walking five and striking out four. "Guys had a great spring, they were swinging the bats well," Ayrault said. "They have a lot of potential, so it is just a matter of time before things start clicking." Maybe it will start on the road as Brevard County plays away from Space Coast Stadium for five straight games, beginning tonight in Daytona. It's the third of the four-game series with the Cubs. Damien Magnifico will take the mound for the Manatees. Brevard County Manatee starting pitcher Tyler Wagner earned a no-decision Friday against the Daytona Cubs. (Photo: Hawk-Eye photography) http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/5ff275b00b1eb14722cd09f8f08c10ff45422250/c=280-0-4873-3453&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Brevard/2014/04/25/-tylerwagner1.jpg20140409.jpg

VIDEO: Huntsville's D'Vontrey Richardson opens the game with a homer as the Stars beat Tennessee, 3-1, on Thursday (no sound)

Final: Huntsville 15, @Tennessee 1 Eight Run Eighth Earns Stars Win Kodak, TN - The Huntsville Stars exploded for an eight-run eighth inning Friday night leading them to a 15-1 victory over the Tennessee Smokies at Smokies Park. With the Stars leading 3-1 going into the eighth inning, the Stars put together their highest scoring inning of the season. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Mitch Haniger drew a walk scoring Nick Ramirez. Kentrail Davis followed with a two-run double down the right field line scoring Jason Rogers and Shawn Zarraga. Nick Shaw also added an RBI single. With the Stars leading 7-1, Davis and Shaw each scored on wild pitches before RBI singles by D'Vontrey Richardson and Zarraga made it 11-1. The Stars sent eleven batters to the plate in the eighth on their way to the blowout win. Brock Kjeldgaard added a grand slam in the ninth. It was his first home run of the season as he sliced it down the right field line. Ramirez also homered for the Stars, who improved to 14-8 and remained in first place in the Southern League North standings. The Stars got an excellent start from RHP Brooks Hall. Hall improved to 2-1 after he threw five shutout innings. He allowed just two hits and struck out four. Zarraga finished 3-4 with an RBI. Ramirez, Davis and Shaw each added two RBI's in the Stars victory. The fifteen runs and fifteen hits are both season highs for the Stars offense. The Stars can win the series Saturday night with a win over the Smokies. RHP Drew Gagnon (2-1, 2.66) will start for the Stars while Tennessee will go with RHP Jake Arrieta, who will be making a rehab assignment start for the Chicago Cubs. The game can be heard starting at 5:00 PM with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM, and wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Pad those numbers late, boys, 12 runs in the final two innings! Shawn Zarraga on base four more times in five trips, now with a line of .487/.563/.513, 18 of 19 hits singles, that's still quite the BABIP for an obvious non-speedster. Nick Shaw also reached four times, two singles, two walks - OBP .367 despite a .156 average. Brooks Hall departed after five scoreless, 79 pitches, only five baserunners allowed. Hall and four relievers only allowed five hits and fanned seven, although they also combined to walk four and hit three Smokies. Huntsville Game Log How a 3-1 game becomes a rout -- Huntsville Top of the 8th Nick Ramirez singles on a sharp ground ball to right fielder John Andreoli. Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Rubi Silva. Nick Ramirez to 2nd. Shawn Zarraga walks. Nick Ramirez to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd. Mitch Haniger walks. Nick Ramirez scores. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd. Kentrail Davis doubles (4) on a line drive to right fielder John Andreoli. Jason Rogers scores. Shawn Zarraga scores. Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Pitching Change: Tony Zych replaces Jeff Lorick, batting 7th. Nick Shaw singles on a fly ball to left fielder Zeke DeVoss. Mitch Haniger scores. Greg Hopkins singles on a line drive to left fielder Zeke DeVoss. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd. With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, wild pitch by Tony Zych, Kentrail Davis scores. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Greg Hopkins to 2nd. With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, wild pitch by Tony Zych, Nick Shaw scores. Greg Hopkins to 3rd. D' Vontrey Richardson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Rubi Silva. Greg Hopkins scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Brock Kjeldgaard replaces Casey Medlen. Brock Kjeldgaard walks. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd. Nick Ramirez grounds into a double play, second baseman Stephen Bruno to shortstop Jeudy Valdez to first baseman Dustin Geiger. D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard out at 2nd. Jason Rogers walks. Shawn Zarraga singles on a ground ball to second baseman Stephen Bruno. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Jason Rogers to 2nd. Mitch Haniger flies out to center fielder Rubi Silva. Huntsville Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Anthony Giansanti replaces Tony Zych, batting 4th, replacing catcher Rafael Lopez. Defensive Substitution: Taylor Davis replaces pitcher Tony Zych, batting 7th, playing catcher. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Shea Vucinich replaces Kentrail Davis. Shea Vucinich called out on strikes. Nick Shaw walks. Greg Hopkins singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Andreoli. Nick Shaw to 2nd. D' Vontrey Richardson reaches on a force attempt, missed catch error by second baseman Stephen Bruno, assist to shortstop Jeudy Valdez. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Greg Hopkins to 2nd. Brock Kjeldgaard hits a grand slam (1) to right field. Nick Shaw scores. Greg Hopkins scores. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Nick Ramirez called out on strikes. Jason Rogers grounds out, shortstop Jeudy Valdez to first baseman Dustin Geiger.

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Post: Includes Pre-Game AUDIO with OF Michael Ratterree, fresh back from his Huntsville stint

Brevard County -- AUDIO: Brewers Roving Pitching Coordinator Rick Tomlin joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Pregame Show to discuss his trip to Brevard County AUDIO: Highlights/lowlights, Daytona wins, 6-3

Okla. City Bottom of the 2nd Defensive Substitution: Hainley Statia replaces second baseman Pete Orr, batting 3rd, playing second base. Game log provides no clues on that early exit for the Sounds. *** AUDIO via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Tonight’s interview is with Sounds pitching coach Fred Dabney, who talks all things Sounds pitching, including what he’s seen so far from Mike Fiers, Ariel Pena and Hiram Burgos and how he feels about the elbow injury to Johnny Hellweg. Entering tonight, the Sounds pitching staff ranks 2nd in the 16-team PCL in team ERA (3.88), first in fewest homers allowed (11) and tied for 7th in fewest walks (65). The Sounds’ rotation owns a 3.13 ERA, and the bullpen’s ERA is 5.14." A good listen, as always... *** VIDEO: Nashville's Hunter Morris slugs a three-run homer as the Sounds beat Oklahoma City, 5-3, on Friday VIDEO from Thursday: Hector Gomez doubles in Nashville's 6-1 loss to Oklahoma City

Via Chris Mehring - Fun Fact someone else may have pointed out already: Brewers v. Cubs in MLB, Southern League, Florida State League, & Midwest League tonight

C Paul Eshleman has been placed on the DL.

Huntsville Notes from Steve: ROAD WARRIORS: Entering today, the Stars have the best road record in the Southern League. At 8-3 away from Huntsville, the Stars have won three straight road games where they are outscoring their opponents 17-1 during the three game winning streak. The Stars offense is hitting .249 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 1.72 compared to 4.12 at home. WELCOME BACK: With Kentrail Davis coming of the DL yesterday, the Stars have their entire outfield back in place. D’Vontrey Richardson just came off the DL on Wednesday. Richardson so far in his two games back has been very productive at the lead-off spot. Richardson is 3-8 with a HR, 3B, and 2 RBI’S. Richardson has also produced the Stars first runs in each of the last two games. On Wednesday, his RBI single in the 7th broke up a scoreless game. Last night, he homered in the 1st giving the Stars an early 1-0 lead. Davis went 0-4 with a strikeout in his return. BACK IN THE VOLUNTEER STATE: It’s somewhat of a homecoming for Stars OF Kentrail Davis. He played his college baseball at the University of Tennessee which is about 20 miles away from Kodak. His final season as a Volunteer was 2009. In his two year career at UT, he batted .319 with 22 homeruns, 74 rbi in 109 games played. RECAPPING THE MOBILE SERIES: For the first time in four series this year, the Stars lost a series. Mobile came to Huntsville and took three out of five from the Stars. The series included a 4 hour 52 minute 12 inning contest in game 1, with Mobile winning it ultimately on an inside the park grand slam. The series also saw the Stars give up a season high 17 hits and 13 runs in game 4. The Stars batted just .208 with 2 hr and 17 rbi. They were just 10-47 (.213) with RISP. They stole 8 bases in 9 attempts. GOOD DEFENSE: The Stars defense leads the Southern League in most double plays turned with 24, and has committed the fewest errors in the league with 12. CLOSE CALLS: 15 out of the first 21 games that the Stars have played have been decided by 3 runs or less and three have gone into extra innings. The Stars are 8-7 in these contests and 0-3 in extra innings. SCORING EARLY: The Stars have enjoyed scoring runs in the 1st innings of games this season. In 9 games or in 43% of games played thus far, the Stars have scored at least 1 run in the 1st inning. When the Stars score a 1st inning run they are 6-3.

The Brewers have re-signed OF Chadwin Stang, their 2009 8th round pick (career stats), who had just been released back on March 27th. News comes per the Can-Am Independent League transactions page (Milwaukee purchases his contract from the New Jersey Jackals - normally the Jackals would retain his rights if things don't work out with the Brewers). No word yet on where Stang will first be assigned, or when (perhaps some extended spring Maryvale time first, as the indy league schedule had yet to begin). The just-turned 25-year-old right-handed bat split 2013 between Brevard County and AA Huntsville. It may have happened before, but no instance quite like this pops into my head, where the Brewers have brought someone back like this so quickly, goes to show that at the time, Stang was caught in a true numbers crunch moreso than a weak performance analysis by the organization. Congrats to Chadwin!

Weather.com: Oklahoma City, OK Kodak, TN Viera, FL (Melbourne) Geneva, IL