Jim Goulart

Veteran Huntsville Stars club rides four-game win streak into Wednesday's home opener Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - The Huntsville Stars are finally here, fresh from spring training and riding a four-game win streak from their season-opening series in Jacksonville. Quite frankly, not all are thrilled to be here. And that's a good thing. The 2014 Stars, who host Pensacola at 6:30 Wednesday at Joe W. Davis Stadium in the home debut and opener of a five-game home stand, are the most veteran-laden team since the club that manager Frank Kremblas steered to the Southern League championship series in 2003. A number of players who have already proven themselves at the Double-A level were assigned to Huntsville this season because of the proverbial "numbers game." There are players ahead of them at Triple-A Nashville that the parent Milwaukee club is unwilling or unable to part with. The Stars, as individuals and a team, must cope with that fine line between "disappointed" and "disgruntled." The right approach can mean a pennant, the wrong one can be acidic. "If it doesn't bother you to repeat a league, you're doing this for the wrong reason," new manager Carlos Subero acknowledged. "They all want to play in the big leagues. It's our job to make sure they know why they're back and know their roles and hopefully to get them go compete and succeed." For a manager, experienced players can be a gift. "I like the character. I like having kids in this league that know the expectations," said Subero, himself with a breadth of Southern League experience. The 41-year-old native of Venezuela managed at Birmingham in 2008 and in Chattanooga from 2010 through 2012. Perhaps the most eye-catching returnee is Josh Prince, the versatile and affable Louisianan who spent a brief portion of 2013 in the majors. The Brewers don't seem able to settle on a position they want Prince to play. He was an all-star caliber player in Huntsville in 2012 as a centerfielder, went to the Arizona Fall League and batted .404 last season, but the one-time college shortstop is now being transformed into a second baseman. Jason Rogers, who had 22 homers and a league-high 87 RBIs last year for the Stars, is back at first base. Brock Kjeldgaard, with 244 games and 128 RBIs in a Stars uniform, is back in the outfield. Ditto Kentrail Davis, who has batted .275 in 213 Double-A games and spent much of 2013 at Triple-A Nashville. The Stars, 4-1, lost the opener in Jacksonville while managing only three hits. In the four games since, they averaged 10 hits and nearly six runs per game. They are hitting .277 as a team. Meanwhile, the pitching staff has a league-best 0.93 WHIP and second-best ERA of 2.03. "We've pitched well and we've had timely hitting," Subero said. "We do have a good offensive club. And we're playing solid on defense, making routine plays." Exactly what would be expected from a veteran team. Josh Prince was a fan favorite with the Stars in 2012 and he's back again. Huntsville Times File Photo http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/14652459-large.jpg

Recently released and former 40-man roster RHP Santo Manzanillo has signed with the Joliet (IL) Slammers of the independent Frontier League. That's the same club 1B Adam Giacalone signed with a couple of weeks ago.

Weather.com: Des Moines, IA Lakeland, FL Comstock Park, MI

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

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at Iowa (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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: Idle ********** Brevard County: LHP Hobbs Johnson at Lakeland (Tigers), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:30 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 Zach Quintana (with LHP Tyler Linehan in tandem) at West Michigan (Tigers), 5:15 PM pre-game, 5:35 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. MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; Wisconsin is one of four Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV. West Michigan, tonight's opponent, is an MiLB.TV carrier. So 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 TV game is Monday 4/14 (My NEW32).

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VIDEO: Nashville's Ariel Pena gets Christian Villanueva swinging in a 4-1 loss at Iowa *** VIDEO: Huntsville's D' Vontrey Richardson doubles home two runs in the Stars' 8-2 victory over the Jacksonville Suns

Brevard County AUDIO: The Manatees hold off Daytona in a 5-4 victory - Game Highlights 'Tees OF Michael Reed joins Andrew Luftglass on the Manatees Pregame Show

Huntsville overpowers Suns' pitchers again by Jeff Elliott, Jacksonville.com A year ago, the Jacksonville Suns took four out of five games in two different series with the Huntsville Stars. The Stars got a measure of revenge by earning a fourth consecutive win with an 8-2 victory Monday night to close out their season-opening, series dominance of the Suns at the Baseball Grounds. After posting a 3-1 win in Thursday’s season opener, Jacksonville’s pitching and hitting were no match for the Stars. Suns manager Andy Barkett had labeled the team’s starting rotation as “maybe the best in all of minor league baseball.” But against the Stars, the Suns didn’t even have the best rotation in the series. Anthony DeSclafani held Huntsville to one run and two hits over six innings in the opener, but the Suns’ other four starters were roughed up. They combined to allowed 29 hits and 15 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings. Statistics don’t lie and in this case, they show the domination of Huntsville in the last four games of the series: *The Stars outhit the Suns 39-17 and outscored them 23-6. *Huntsville batters struck out 16 times, the Suns 26. *The Stars had 14 extra-base hits, the Suns 5. *As a team, Jacksonville hit .157 (17-for 108), Huntsville was at .305 (39-of-128). *Huntsville never trailed in the final four games. The strong showing in the first series was satisfying to Huntsville manager Carlos Subero. “We came here and had a very good series against good pitching,” Subero said. “But our pitching was very good too. You always want to win a series, and taking this fourth game on the road like this, that’s very meaningful to our guys. “One of our strengths is our hitting. We have some guys who are polished hitters for this league. That’s important for the new guys coming up from High-A ball who are feeding off their success at the plate.” The latest one-sided loss included a five-run second inning by the Stars that stretched their lead to 6-0. Leading the Huntsville attack again was Kentrail Davis. Davis now leads the Southern League with a .533 average (8-for-15). His latest effort against the Suns included a single, double, one run scored and one run batted in. The early success has exceeded the type of start the 25-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder had hoped for. “This is more than I expected. I didn’t play that well in spring training so this is nice,” Davis said.

Manatees pick up 3rd one-run win over Daytona Cubs By Sean Kernan, Daytona News-Journal DAYTONA BEACH — It’s been seven years since the Brevard County Manatees won the season series against the Daytona Cubs and held the I-95 Trophy. But the Milwaukee Brewers’ affiliate has a 3-1 lead over the Cubs after taking a 5-4 victory Monday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. It was the Manatees’ third one-run win over the Cubs, who have struggled to hit and score in those losses. Monday night, before a crowd of 1,807 that waited out a 36-minute rain delay, Daytona’s bats were quiet with the exception of a three-run second inning. “We let (Brevard County starter Jorge) Lopez off the hook,” Cubs manager Dave Keller said. “We had a chance to score more runs.” Tim Saunders and Pin-Chieh Chen, the Cubs’ leadoff and No. 2 hitters, respectively, went a combined 0 for 7 with five strikeouts. Lopez (1-0) worked out of jams in the third and fourth innings, and when the Cubs (1-3) did score the Manatees (3-1) answered right back. “We scored, and they scored,” Keller said. “We scored again, and they scored again. You have to be able to hold guys after you score.” The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second on four hits, including a two-run double to right field by Rock Shoulders. Daytona added an unearned run in the third as Albert Almora worked his way around the bases after a one-out single. But the Manatees scored twice in the third and fourth innings, knocking four doubles against Daytona starter Rob Zastryzny. Cameron Garfield and Victor Roache each had RBI doubles in the third, which began with a Tyrone Taylor two-bagger. Taylor also doubled in the fourth, driving in two runs. The Manatees scored an unearned run in the fifth to break a 4-4 tie before Lopez and relievers Jacob Barnes and Tanner Poppe combined for five scoreless innings. They retired all but one of the last 17 Cubs batters. Brevard County’s Orlando Arcia attempts to turn a double play after getting the out on Daytona’s Rock Shoulders. News-Journal Photo by Nigel Cook http://www.news-journalonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20140407&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=140409544&Ref=AR&imageVersion=Main&MaxW=445&border=0

Final, Huntsville 8, @Jacksonville 2 SUTER LEADS STARS TO FOURTH STRAIGHT WIN Jacksonville,FL - Huntsville Stars lefty Brent Suter (1-0) pitched five effective innings leading the Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers past the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins 8-2. With the win, the Stars (4-1) won their fourth straight game and sent the Suns (1-4) to their fourth straight defeat. The Stars also took four out of five from Jacksonville in the season opening series. Suter, who was making his Double-A debut, worked five innings allowing just two hits on one run. He also struck out three. The Stars offense backed Suter with plenty of offensive support early and often. In the first inning, D’Vontrey Richardson led off with an infield single against Suns starter Jose Urena (0-1). Richardson then stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher J.T. Realmuto. Nick Ramirez scored Richardson on a sacrifice fly. The Stars pulled away in the second. They sent nine batters to the plate scoring five times. Nick Shaw made it 2-0 on his RBI single. Richardson then followed two batters later, by hitting a laser down the left field line scoring a pair of runs. Ramirez also added a two run single in the five run second. Kentrail Davis and Shawn Zarraga also added RBI’s in the fifth inning. Richardson and Ramirez each contributed two RBI’s for the victories Stars who outhit Jacksonville 10-3. Davis also had his fourth multiple hit game of the young season. The only run Suter allowed was in the fifth when opposing pitcher Robert Morrey lined a single into center. The Suns scored only once more which came against Stars reliever Casey Medlen in the sixth. Joe Benson hit his first home run of the season which made it 8-2. The Stars will travel back to Huntsville, Alabama and have an off day Tuesday. Wednesday will be the home opener for the Stars as they host the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (Double-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds). RHP Carlos Contreras (1-0, 0.00) will start for Pensacola while RHP Brooks Hall (0-1, 4.50) will start for Huntsville. The game can be heard starting at 6:15 PM with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM WTKI and online at www.wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score The Marlins' AA staff includes some heralded arms, and the Stars have had their way with them the past four games. There were four doubles among the ten Huntsville base knocks. Greg Hopkins singled, walked twice, and added a sacrifice fly. Kentrail Davis is laying waste to nearly every pitch that comes his way. Great to see D'Vontrey Richardson off to a fine AA start. Go Harvard! Brent Suter's never going to light up a radar gun, but the former 31st round southpaw gives us a nice change of pace to follow every five days. Huntsville Game Log Five spot! This one was over early -- Huntsville Top of the 2nd Kentrail Davis singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Isaac Galloway. Shawn Zarraga singles on a sharp line drive to pitcher Jose Urena. Kentrail Davis to 2nd. Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd. Nick Shaw singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Alfredo Silverio. Kentrail Davis scores. Shawn Zarraga to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd. Brent Suter grounds into a force out, pitcher Jose Urena to catcher J. T. Realmuto. Shawn Zarraga out at home. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Brent Suter to 1st. D' Vontrey Richardson doubles (1) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Alfredo Silverio. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Nick Shaw scores. Brent Suter to 3rd. Greg Hopkins walks. Nick Ramirez singles on a line drive to left fielder Alfredo Silverio. Brent Suter scores. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Greg Hopkins to 2nd. Jason Rogers grounds into a double play, third baseman Alex Burg to second baseman Alfredo Lopez to first baseman Brady Shoemaker. Nick Ramirez out at 2nd.

Sneaking in an Alumni update: VIDEO: Former Guilford star Cody Scarpetta on comeback trail (off to Lancaster, PA for a new start, this one in independent ball)

Be sure to visit the transaction thread -- Jeff Hem has the update on injured RHP Jose De La Torre. *** Even more photos from Sunday's Timber Rattlers double-dip -- via the Wisconsin Facebook page (Rollie Fingers, too)

Took a break from listening to Huntsville pour it on early -- Via Jeff Hem's blog -- AUDIO "Like previous years, every Monday will bring us a weekly chat with the Sounds manager. So, until I come up with something more clever, here is this week’s installment of “Sweet Mondays” with Rick Sweet. He discusses the team’s four-game split in Omaha and gives an update on reliever Jose De La Torre, who left Sunday’s relief outing with an injury." *** De La Torre: Grade A right shoulder contusion -- will miss 4-5 weeks, collision with a baserunner down the first base line

Two RHP's left ballgames unexpectedly Sunday, as noted in the Link Report. Each, Nashville reliever Jose De La Torre and Huntsville starter Andy Moye now lands on the 7-day DL, no word on the nature or severity of their injuries. Two RHP's who were among the organization netherworld without Opening Day spots, have been added in their steads (Kyle Heckathorn to the Sounds, Johnnie Lowe to the Stars). Info via the Brewers Player Development account

Bookmark this if you'll be in Maryvale between now and early June -- 2014 Extended Spring Schedule That's where Orlando Arcia broke his ankle two years ago. So let's hope it's a quiet spring there, and no, we won't get much in the way of updates.

Manatees Blog post - Bullpen Magic *** While Brent Suter and Jorge Lopez make their debuts at AA and High-A, respectively, this is Ariel Pena's Nashville debut, but not AAA debut. Pena made one four-inning start for Salt Lake City (Angels) in 2011. *** From Steve Jarnicki with the Stars: LENGTHY TRIP TO HUNTSVILLE: After tonight’s game in Jacksonville, the Stars will travel to Huntsville on a 9 hour and 11 minute bus ride. The 541 miles traveled and 9 hour and 11 minute bus ride is the longest the Stars will endure this season. The rest of the road trips are all under 5 hours and 45 minutes.

Weather.com: Des Moines, IA Jacksonville, FL Daytona Beach, FL

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.

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