Jim Goulart

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Ariel Pena 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: LHP Brent Suter at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 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). Jacksonville does host MiLB.TV broadcasts - I'll be among those hoping Steve's audio link synchs up nicely with my MiLB.TV investment. ********** Brevard County: RHP Jorge Lopez at home vs. 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: Idle

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VIDEO highlights via the Rattlers -- - Go, Johnny Davis! - And more Johnny Davis! Honestly, has Carlos Gomez ever had a day with three such grabs? Wow!

DSL I don't think we'll ever see a latin signee debut in Maryvale, regardless of how heralded.

Here's Brad's photo gallery from Sunday's Timber Rattlers doubleheader. Wisconsin rocked the gold jerseys in Game One.

Timber Rattlers tied for first! Timber Rattlers tied for last!

Final, Game One: Huntsville 7, @Jacksonville 1 Final, Game Two: Huntsville 3, @Jacksonville 0 Stars Sweep Suns In Doubleheader (Jacksonville,FL) - The Huntsville Stars (3-1), the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, swept a doubleheader from the Jacksonville Suns (1-3), Sunday afternoon at Bragan Field. The Stars received clutch hitting from Shawn Zarraga and a quality start from Taylor Jungmann (1-0) in game one leading them to a 7-1 win. In game two, the Stars earned their first shutout with a 3-0 victory. In game one, Nick Ramirez provided the Stars an early 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly in the first. In the top of the second inning, Zarraga, who had a 3-3 performance and four RBI's, drove in Kentrail Davis on a single to push the lead to 2-0. Jungmann was in control the entire way. The only run the Suns scored off him was on a groundout to second base in the third. Jungmann worked six innings, allowing four hits while striking out four. The Stars put the game away for good in the third inning. The bases were loaded and Zarraga produced another RBI single scoring Jason Rogers. Nick Shaw drew a bases loaded walk scoring Mitch Haniger to extend the lead to 4-1. Jungmann then hit into a double play plating Davis to make it 5-1. Zarraga had one more hit up his sleeve as he drove in a pair of runs on a two-run single in the fifth. Here's video of Zarraga's game capper (a nice look at the left-handed swing for the switch-hitter who I talked up a bit earlier this weekend - MassHaas). In game two, Stars starter Andy Moye left the game in the second inning. However, the trio of Tyler Cravy (1-0), Kevin Shackleford and David Goforth combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings. Cravy earned his first Double-A victory by pitching 2 1/3 innings and striking out three. Goforth (S, 2) nailed down his second save by striking out J.T Realmuto to end the game. The Stars scored their runs on a Jason Rogers RBI triple in the first inning and a Brock Kjeldgaard two-run triple in the third inning. The Stars and Suns will wrap up their five game series Monday night. LHP Brent Suter (0-0,0.00) will start for the Stars. RHP Jose Urena (0-0, 0.00) will go to the mound for the Suns. The game can be heard starting at 5:50 PM with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM, 1450 AM WTKI and online at www.wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Game One Box Score Excellent start to the 2014 season for Taylor Jungmann, best part zero walks; Shawn Zarraga now 4-for-4 on the season, four singles; CF D'Vontrey Richardson the only position player not to reach base; Kentrail Davis doubled, singled, HBP... Huntsville Game One Game Log Of course Nick Shaw walked with the bases-loaded in the three-run 4th inning - that's just Nick being Nick -- Huntsville Top of the 4th Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to left fielder Joe Benson. Mitch Haniger hit by pitch. Jason Rogers to 2nd. Kentrail Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Silverio. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Mitch Haniger to 2nd. Shawn Zarraga singles on a line drive to center fielder Alfredo Silverio. Jason Rogers scores. Mitch Haniger to 3rd. Kentrail Davis to 2nd. Nick Shaw walks. Mitch Haniger scores. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd. Pitching Change: Tyler Higgins replaces Angel Sanchez, batting 9th. Taylor Jungmann grounds into a double play, second baseman Austin Nola to shortstop Danny Black to first baseman Brady Shoemaker. Kentrail Davis scores. Shawn Zarraga to 3rd. Nick Shaw out at 2nd. D' Vontrey Richardson grounds out, third baseman Ryan Fisher to first baseman Brady Shoemaker. RHP Eric Marzec made his season debut in style after his winter Down Under (where it was summer, of course) -- Jacksonville Bottom of the 7th Pitching Change: Eric Marzec replaces Taylor Jungmann, batting 9th. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Alfredo Lopez replaces Edgar Olmos. Alfredo Lopez strikes out swinging. Austin Nola called out on strikes. Isaac Galloway strikes out swinging. *** Huntsville Game Two Box Score The Jacksonville site confirmed that RHP Andy Moye exited with an injury, but nothing more; RHP Tyler Cravy stranded both of Moye's inherited runners - always such an important stat line in any box score; 40-man roster RHP's Kevin Shackelford's development (blossoming, really) is such a plus -- he threw 20 of 26 pitches for strikes here in his two innings. A strong Stars squad? Hey, we could get used to this, it's been a while! Huntsville Game Two Game Log Josh Prince focusing on second base is interesting -- yes, he's off the 40-man now, but he could be what Rickie Weeks should be, a very occasional starter at second base, and super-versatile defensively; RBI triples are fun, aren't they, Jason Rogers and Brock Kjeldgaard?; Joey Paciorek made his season debut in Game 4 as a pinch-hitter...

If the Brewers were an American League team, Nashville's hacktastic catcher Robinzon Diaz could benefit from some designated hitter opportunities. Martin Maldonado could seemingly go 0-for-the-season and his defense will still keep him on board (don't necessarily disagree), but Diaz should rake all summer for the Sounds. VIDEO: Sounds' Robinson Diaz goes yard as Nashville falls to Omaha 4-3 in Game Two of Saturday's doubleheader (not a packed house in Omaha) *** VIDEO: Nashville's Hunter Morris drives his second double of the game in a 6-5 loss at Omaha

Click on the link for a video interview with Wisconsin starting pitcher Preston Gainey Timber Rattlers pitcher Preston Gainey adds zip to fastball by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — As a pitcher, Preston Gainey is getting faster. The added zip on his fastball could accelerate the baseball career of the 23-year-old right-hander. Gainey threw five shutout innings to give the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers the lift they needed to gain a split of a Midwest League doubleheader with a 3-1 win over Peoria in the second game Sunday. The Chiefs won a 3-2 opener before a crowd of 2,244 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Gainey was sharp in his first start of the season, allowing just three hits and walking one, while striking out four. “The velocity on his fastball is up a little bit this season,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “He’s gained a couple more miles on his fastball. He’s capable of throwing in the mid-90s and he’s popped the gun pretty good this spring training. He was one of the guys that our pitching coordinator, Rick Tomlin, was talking about in spring training about players who had improved their arm strength. The ball is coming out of his hand pretty good.” Gainey reached as high as 94 mph on the radar gun Sunday, and was able to throw his breaking pitches for strikes. He threw strikes on 45 of his 69 pitches. “This past offseason, I did a lot of work on my delivery and my mechanics,” said Gainey. “I actually came into spring training throwing the ball harder than last year. Everything feels good. I’m taking stress off my arm by using my legs more.” This is Gainey’s second season with the Rattlers. He spent all of 2013 in Grand Chute, compiling a 4-7 record in 25 games and 13 starts with an ERA of 5.11 and 70 strikeouts in 98 2⁄3 innings. “He’s a guy that’s repeating here and you kind of hoped he would come out like this,” said Erickson. “We need it. He pounded the zone and put us in a good position to win the game. He’s got a little slider to go with his fastball and he’s working on his changeup. “Last year, he’d get in trouble because he really didn’t have much command, or control of his off-speed pitches. He’d fall behind and they would just sit on his fastball. Throughout spring training, I saw a couple of his starts and noticed he was getting his breaking stuff over. And that makes his fastball a little bit better.” The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Gainey pitched at the United States Naval Academy for two seasons before being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 11th round of the 2012 first-year player draft. “I have a good idea of how to face these guys after spending all of last season here,” said Gainey, a native of Boco Raton, Fla. “I started off last season a little bit rocky, but I kind of figured things out as the season went along. I think I have a little bit of an advantage, knowing the hitters and what they struggle with, especially at the beginning of the season in the cold weather. “Today, (catcher Clint) Coulter and I were on the same page. I tried to attack guys and go right at them without trying to nibble around the plate.” Despite the stellar outing, Gainey didn’t get a decision. He departed with a 1-0 lead, but Peoria second baseman Mason Katz greeted Wisconsin reliever Harvey Martin with a game-tying solo home run in the top of the sixth. Wisconsin (2-2) pushed across two runs in the bottom of the sixth to escape with the split. The Rattlers loaded the bases and speedy outfielder Johnny Davis raced home from third with the go-ahead run on a throwing error at the plate following Michael Ratterree’s ground ball to second. A ground out by third baseman Taylor Brennan produced the final run. Brennan socked a solo homer to right center in the second for the Rattlers’ only other run. The 22-year-old Brennan showed good power last season in rookie ball at Helena, with 12 homers and 45 RBI. “I got behind in the count and figured I’d shorten my swing and try and put the ball into play,” said Brennan. “It was a fastball up and away. Felt good. Hopefully, they keep coming.” In the opener, Wisconsin’s lack of timely hitting cost the Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin matched Peoria’s total of six hits, but left an alarming 13 runners on base.

Always a plus when Kyle Lobner spends the day with the Rattlers, especially on a doubleheader day. Here's his Wisconsin report, posted to BrewCrewBall.

In addition to Nashville reliever Jose De La Torre, Huntsville starter Andy Moye left his game abruptly -- Jacksonville Bottom of the 2nd Ryan Fisher strikes out swinging. Alex Burg singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Austin Nola hit by pitch. Alex Burg to 2nd. Ross Wilson lines out to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Pitching Change: Tyler Cravy replaces Andy Moye, batting 9th. Alfredo Lopez called out on strikes. Opposite of good... We wait for news.

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Today’s interview is with with Sounds right-hander Jimmy Nelson, who yielded just one run over six innings in Game 1 of Sunday’s doubleheader. The Sounds won, 2-1, before losing, 4-3, in Game 2. Nelson discusses his outing yesterday, his off-season after working about 160 innings last year, how he approaches improving as a pitcher mentally in addition to physically and what he took away from his first taste of the major leagues last September with the Brewers."

Manatees play ‘one to forget’ Michael Parsons, FLORIDA TODAY VIERA – In the course of 90 games, there are bound to be nights like Saturday night. That doesn’t make them any easier for Brevard County Manatees manager Joe Ayrault, whose team lost 13-2 to the Daytona Cubs in front of 1,826 fans at Space Coast Stadium. “They are going to happen; I guess we got it out of the way,” Ayrault said. “I guess we won’t go undefeated this year.” Not the way Cubs starting pitcher Tayler Scott pitched on Saturday. Scott held the Manatees without a hit into the seventh inning. He used a hard sinker to induce eight groundball outs and struck out another two in seven shutout innings. “He worked very fast,” Ayrault said. “We had a lot of hard hit outs, the guys had a good approach, they were just hitting a lot of atom balls tonight. Tip your hat to the kid.” While Scott was cruising through the Manatees order, Brevard starter Jed Bradley struggled. The former first-round pick gave up seven earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, four of the seven coming after getting two outs in the inning. “First couple innings were good, then there was a two-out hit,” Ayrault said. “Just one of those things, you know, a pitch here and a pitch there and maybe he puts zeroes up in those innings.” The Cubs finished with 21 hits, led by Albert Almora’s 5-for-6 night. He drove in three runs as did Tim Saunders and Pin-Chieh Chen. Those top three hitters in the lineup combined for 11 hits, nine RBIs and six runs scored. The Manatees finally got on the scorebard in the ninth inning as Michael Reed drove in Tyrone Taylor and Orlando Arcia, who had both walked. Arcia, Reed and Victor Roache had the only hits for the Manatees, who fell to 2-1 on the season. “That is just one to forget about,” Ayrault said. The Manatees are off today before finishing the four-game series in Daytona Monday night. Jorge Lopez is scheduled to make his first start for the Manatees. *** MiLB.com had more on this one.

Via Baseball America's Minor League Transaction log, compiled by Matt Eddy -- "The Brewers cut ties with lefthander Will West, who in January got hit with a 100-game suspension on top of the 50-game penalty he incurred last August. He has failed three tests for recreational drug use plus another for a performance-enhancer (amphetamine), which will seriously impair the 2011 nondrafted free agent’s chances of latching on again in affiliated ball." *** West was a unique signing as a 19-year-old undrafted free agent in June 2011. We linked to an article discussing those circumstances back then.

Weather.com: Omaha, NE Jacksonville, FL Grand Chute, WI (Appleton)

Timber Rattlers - Saturday's Win: Brad's Photo Gallery via Miller Park Prospects VIDEO:

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. 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 Game One Huntsville Game Two Wisconsin Game One Wisconsin Game Two MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Wild ballgame, as many of you must know by now. Actually shared the evening with the dad of a Brewer farmhand, wonderful memorable night.

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Hiram Burgos at Omaha (Royals), 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's Taylor Jungmann and Andy Moye in a doubleheader at Jacksonville (Marlins), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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). Jacksonville does host MiLB.TV broadcasts - I'll be among those hoping Steve's audio link synchs up nicely with my MiLB.TV investment. ********** Brevard County: Idle ********** Wisconsin: LHP Anthony Banda (with RHP Victor Diaz in tandem) and RHP Preston Gainey in a doubleheader at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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. 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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Appleton Post-Crescent Game Story includes a Photo Gallery “The middle of the lineup — 4-5-6-7 — was real good,” Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said. “Collectively, we got seven hits out of that group today.” Chris McFarland picked up his first hit of the season when he launched a one-out home run to center in the bottom of the seventh inning. “I would have taken a single,” McFarland said. “Just to get that first hit helps a lot.”

AUDIO from Friday's opener -- SS Hector Gomez Three-Run HR *** VIDEO from Saturday, Game One: Nashville's Jimmy Nelson gets Brian Bocock swinging in the Sounds' 2-1 win over Omaha *** Catching up Brevard AUDIO this week -- Prior to Thursday's season opener - 'Tees manager Joe Ayrault on the Manatees Pregame Show Discusses the Yadiel Rivera / Orlando Arcia playing rotation and much more... From Friday -- 'Tees CF Tyrone Taylor on the Manatees Pregame Show Friday's game highlights -- The Manatees knock off Daytona 4-3 in 10 innings Friday's postgame -- Justin Rocke catches up with 1B Garrett Cooper after his 10th inning RBI single propelled the 'Tees over Daytona in extra innings Saturday pre-game -- 'Tees SP Damien Magnifico, talking about his last start and his work at spring training