Jim Goulart

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - After heavy rains swept through Jacksonville Saturday night, the Jacksonville Suns (1-1) and Huntsville Stars (1-1) had game three of their five-game set postponed and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday. The Suns were scheduled to toss out the righty Angel Sanchez for his Double-A debut Saturday night, with the Stars countering with a right-hander of their own in 2011 first round pick Taylor Jungmann. Game one of Sunday's double dip is set to begin at 3:05 PM ET (2:05 Central) with game two set to begin shortly after the completion of game one.

Via Jeff Hem's blog - audio -- "Today’s interview is with right-hander Johnny Hellweg who gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings last night for the win. He discusses his outing Friday rnight, what he went through during the off-season to add 40 pounds of “good weight” and how last year’s first taste of the big leagues will make a difference for him this season."

Have a great Saturday, everyone - that's it for me until the overnight, off to Fenway tonight to cheer on stumblin' Wily and the boys. Considering this is the Brewers' 3rd trip to Boston since the Sawx visited Miller Park for their only visit in 2004, the Brewers likely won't be back to Boston for a minimum of six years, perhaps even nine, under the current interleague rotation format.

Via jacksonville.com, Jason Rogers could have had a 10 total base night -- Isaac Galloway made a diving catch in center in the fifth inning to rob Rogers of a fourth extra-base hit and prevent two runs from scoring.

Daytona Cubs fall 4-3 in 10 to Brevard County in home opener By Sean Kernan, Daytona News-Journal DAYTONA BEACH -- On a picture-perfect night before more than 5,000 fans at their home opener, the Daytona Cubs came up a run short in a 4-3, 10-inning loss to Brevard County. It was the second straight night the Cubs lost to their Florida State League rival by one run. The Cubs managed just seven hits, three by Pin-Chieh Chen and two by Bijan Rademacher, in the loss before a sellout crowd of 5,092 on Friday night at Radiology Associates Field at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. “Their pitching has been good two nights in a row, but at the same time we put ourselves in position to score some runs,” Cubs manager Dave Keller said. “When we've needed some people to have good at-bats and a good approach, they haven't done it.” The Manatees (2-0) scored their game-winning run on an RBI single by Garrett Cooper, who had struck out four times before delivering in his fifth at-bat. “I never had four strikeouts before, not in high school or my whole college career, but that's baseball, and I was just hoping for another chance to get a big hit,” Cooper said. It was the first FSL game for the Cubs at the Jack since the addition of an entry gate, concourse, covered picnic area, restrooms and concessions, concluding a $1.3 million project. The game was a sellout before the Cubs came to bat in the first inning. “We had to turn people away,” said Daytona Cubs franchise owner Andy Rayburn. “There's well over 5,000 actual (attendance). The fans keep on coming out, and the improvements for the fans paid off. There were no complaints, and everybody was happy, but nobody was happier to see this than me.” Brevard County jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first as Daytona starting pitcher Jose Rosario allowed two hits and two walks to the first four batters he faced. Rosario gave up three runs on five hits, three of them for extra bases, in just three innings. The Cubs, coming off a 1-0 loss to the Manatees in the season opener on Thursday night in Viera, struggled for hits against Brevard County starter Damien Magnifico. The right-hander boasts the best fastball in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system, according to Baseball America, and he was between 94 and 97 mph in the sixth inning. But the Cubs got their first run of the season in the third inning. Rademacher belted a leadoff double to center and Chen pulled a two-out double down the right-field line. Daytona tied the game at 3 with two runs against Magnifico, who was the victim of a costly error by second baseman Orlando Arcia that allowed a run to score. Chen was the only Cub to get a hit in that rally, which included two walks and a fielder's choice by Rock Shoulders. The Cubs had two runners on base when Manatees catcher Cameron Garfield picked off Shoulders at first base to end the sixth.

Coulter ready for another go-around with Rattlers Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — As a former state wrestling champion in high school, Clint Coulter knows all about reversals. He’s looking to pull one off this season in Grand Chute. The promising 20-year-old catcher is back with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for his second full year of professional baseball and aiming for different results after struggling with the team during the first half of the 2013 season. Coulter — a first-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers out of Union (Wash.) High School in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and the 27th overall selection — played in 33 games with Wisconsin and hit just .207 with three home runs and 13 RBI. He also committed eight errors behind the plate. Coulter eventually went on the disabled list for two weeks with an oblique strain, and spent the rest of the season in rookie league play. He hit .350 with three homers and 13 RBI in 17 games for the Arizona Brewers, but just .216 with a homer and eight RBI in 20 games at Helena. Coulter admits that he probably arrived in Grand Chute ahead of schedule last season. “Last year, I played at a level I may not have necessarily been ready for,” Coulter said. “I was 19 and trying to catch older pitchers. A lot of high school catchers don’t get a chance to play (Class) A ball their first full year. So I was glad I got a shot at it. I learned a lot and took it as a positive.” Coulter had a strong spring training in Arizona, and Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson expects a spike in play from the 6-foot-3, 222-pound Washington native. “There’s a maturity factor with guys who come back here for their second year,” said Erickson. “Both Clint and (infielder) Chris McFarland had really good spring trainings. Both swung the bat really well and physically, you can see they put some time in during the offseason. They’re both physically impressive and came into camp in great shape. Both are excited to lead this team this year.” With 119 professional games under his belt, Coulter feels that he will be more relaxed this season, both at the plate and behind it. “I’m just trying to refine my skills and be consistent,” said Coulter, who received a signing bonus of $1.675 million from the Brewers. “You always want to put on a good show, but I’m not trying to do too much, not trying to do anything too special.” Coulter is ranked by Baseball America as the 11th best prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization and the Brewers are intrigued by Coulter’s upside and his raw power. He showed the pop in his bat during Thursday’s season opener against Peoria when he slammed a long solo homer over the left field wall. “That felt pretty good,” said Coulter, a right-handed hitter. “Last year, I had an opening-day home run, too. It’s a good way to start. I feel really blessed to be here and I’m ready to go.” The Brewers like Coulter’s potential as an offensive-minded catcher, but there have been questions about whether Milwaukee will keep Coulter behind the plate, or switch him to the outfield. Coulter is expected to share the catcher’s position this season with veteran Rafael Neda. Coulter served as a designated hitter in the opener, while Neda started behind the plate. “He (Coulter) is not gonna catch every day, he’s going to get some DH time,” said Erickson. “I’m not exactly sure right now how we’re going to split it. Over the course of a long season, you need two catchers. Hopefully we can keep him healthy and his bat can come alive. “I know he’s excited about coming back here. He says his body feels good. His lower half feels a lot better.” Coulter sees himself as a catcher, but will accept whatever role the Brewers organization puts him in. He grew up playing shortstop before switching to third base and eventually catcher, where his strong throwing arm could be utilized. “You never know what the organization is thinking or what it’s going to do,” said Coulter. “I’m just trying to play as well as I can and let everything take care of itself.” Coulter is one of eight players on a youthful Timber Rattlers’ roster under the age of 21. “I guess we won’t go undefeated this year,” joked Coulter following the Rattlers’ 8-4 season-opening loss to Peoria. “We had a lot of guys who hadn’t played in weather like this. It’s also the first full season for some of them and they haven’t played in front of crowds like this. But I like what I see from this team. We’ll be good.” Clint Coulter, who was drafted in the first round in 2012 by the Milwaukee Brewers, has returned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers this season. / Wm. Glasheen/Gannett Wisconsin Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20140404&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=304080059&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Coulter-ready-another-go-around-Rattlers

FYI - While much of our home page is obsolete (we really should be known as forum.brewerfan.net), you can still see if any current Brewer (majors or minors) shares your birthday by plugging in your own (it's on the right-hand sidebar).

Final: Huntsville 5, @Jacksonville 3 Stars Earn First Win of Season Jacksonville, FL - The Huntsville Stars, the Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, broke a 3-3 tie in the ninth inning scoring two runs to beat the Jacksonville Suns, the Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins, 5-3 Friday night at Bragan Field. It was the Stars (1-1) first win of the season. Greg Hopkins and Jason Rogers each produced RBI’s in the ninth and David Goforth pitched a 1-2-3 ninth notching his first save of the season. Rogers gave the Stars a 1-0 lead on a solo home run to right field in the second. The Suns’ Ryan Fisher then tied the game with a solo home run of his own in the bottom of the second. The Stars retook the lead in the fourth when Nick Ramirez produced one of his three hits. He singled home Rogers to give Huntsville a 2-1 lead. Suns’second baseman Danny Black tied the game in the fourth on a sacrifice fly. In the sixth inning, Kentrail Davis reached on a fielding error by shortstop Austin Nola which allowed Ramirez to score and give the Stars a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the eighth though with two outs, Brady Shoemaker homered to center off Stars reliever Casey Medlen tying it up at 3-3. The Stars bounced right back to give them their fourth lead of the game when Hopkins reached on a fielders choice scoring Shawn Zarraga. Zarraga started the rally by singling. Rogers followed with an RBI double providing the Stars a key insurance run. The Stars had fourteen hits. Ramirez and Rogers led the attack with three hits apiece. Davis and D’Vontrey Richardson also had a multiple hit game. The Stars and Suns will play game three of their series Saturday night. RHP Taylor Jungmann (0-0,0.00) will start for the Stars. RHP Anjel Sanchez (0-0, 0-0) will go to the mound for the Stars. The game can be heard starting at 5:50 PM with Steve Jarnicki on 92.9 FM and 1450 AM WTKI and online at http://www.wtkiradio.com. Huntsville Box Score Congrats on the first win, again listened to Steve for the vast majority of this one, but definitely while multi-tasking, so didn't take specific notes. Most of RHP Drew Gagnon's 16 starts in Huntsville last year weren't exactly pretty, so his five-inning line (3 H, 2 R, 1 HR, 2 BB, 3 K) was a nice kickoff to 2014. LHP Brent Leach is 31 and last saw big league action in 2009, but along with 29-year-old Nashville LHP Brad Mills, they are the only southpaw relievers at AA / AAA. David Goforth doesn't have the build (5'10", 205) nor the strikeout pedigree (95 in 126 pro innings) of a typical closer, but the Brewers would love to see a Brandon Kintzler-like trajectory from him. Nice hit parade here (3 - Nick Ramirez, Jason Rogers, 2 - D'Vontrey Richardson, Kentrail Davis), with Rogers pushing an opposite field jack, oh, and two doubles for good measure. Yeah, eight total bases works most nights. Love that D'Vontrey's middle name is D'Wayne, by the way. 25-year-old Shawn Zarraga is in his 7th season with the Crew (his walk year). His second year with the Stars after three in Brevard, would be nice if health and opportunity met this year, but Zarraga (pinch-hit single here) doesn't seem to be in the everyday lineup plans, at least to begin 2014. First AA hit for Greg Hopkins, Mitch Haniger (now 0-for-7 thus far) will get his Saturday. Huntsville Game Log Huge job by Gagnon and the defense to keep this a one-run inning -- Jacksonville Bottom of the 4th Brady Shoemaker singles on a line drive to right fielder Mitch Haniger. Ryan Fisher hit by pitch. Brady Shoemaker to 2nd. Austin Nola singles on a ground ball to shortstop Nick Shaw, deflected by pitcher Drew Gagnon. Brady Shoemaker to 3rd. Ryan Fisher to 2nd. Danny Black out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson. Brady Shoemaker scores. Isaac Galloway walks. Ryan Fisher to 3rd. Austin Nola to 2nd. Andrew Heaney grounds into a double play, shortstop Nick Shaw to second baseman Greg Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Isaac Galloway out at 2nd. Similarly, Stars only scored once here. Contact play fail! Huntsville Top of the 6th Nick Ramirez singles on a sharp line drive to right fielder Joe Benson, deflected by second baseman Danny Black. Adam Weisenburger singles on a ground ball to right fielder Joe Benson. Nick Ramirez to 3rd. Kentrail Davis reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by shortstop Austin Nola. Nick Ramirez scores. Adam Weisenburger to 2nd. Nick Shaw out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Andrew Heaney to second baseman Danny Black. Adam Weisenburger to 3rd. Kentrail Davis to 2nd. Pitching Change: Greg Nappo replaces Andrew Heaney, batting 9th. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Josh Prince replaces Drew Gagnon. Josh Prince reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Greg Nappo to catcher J. T. Realmuto. Adam Weisenburger out at home. Kentrail Davis to 3rd. D' Vontrey Richardson flies out to right fielder Joe Benson. Winning rally and 1-2-3 save -- Huntsville Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Steve Ames replaces Robert Morey, batting 9th. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Shawn Zarraga replaces Casey Medlen. Shawn Zarraga singles on a line drive to center fielder Isaac Galloway. With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, throwing error by J. T. Realmuto on the pickoff attempt, Shawn Zarraga to 2nd. D' Vontrey Richardson singles on a ground ball to right fielder Joe Benson. Shawn Zarraga to 3rd. Greg Hopkins grounds into a force out, shortstop Austin Nola to second baseman Danny Black. Shawn Zarraga scores. D' Vontrey Richardson out at 2nd. Greg Hopkins to 1st. Mitch Haniger strikes out swinging. With Jason Rogers batting, throwing error by J. T. Realmuto on the pickoff attempt, Greg Hopkins to 2nd. Jason Rogers doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Alfredo Silverio. Greg Hopkins scores. Nick Ramirez strikes out swinging. Jacksonville Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Casey Medlen, batting 9th, replacing Shawn Zarraga. Austin Nola grounds out, second baseman Greg Hopkins to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Danny Black grounds out, pitcher David Goforth to first baseman Nick Ramirez. Isaac Galloway strikes out swinging.

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

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson and LHP Brad Mills (a spot start) in a doubleheader at Omaha (Royals), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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 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: LHP Jed Bradley at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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 (with RHP Tristan Archer in tandem) at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 12:45 PM pre-game, 1:05 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. 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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Audio via Jeff Hem's blog -- "Here is tonight’s pregame interview with the Sounds’ new manager Rick Sweet, who discusses why he’s so excited about this year’s club and what he feels will be the strengths of the team."

Absolutely amazing that SS Orlando Arcia is the youngest player in the Florida State League despite missing a full year of development in 2012 (broken ankle). You'll also see Rule 5 LHP Wei-Chung Wang and top prospect OF TyroneTaylor within the chart in for their respective leagues. As JJ Cooper points out, Wang, despite having not pitched above the Gulf Coast League, is older than Bryce Harper and Marlins righthander Jose Fernandez.

Recently released OF Chadwin Stang has been signed by the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Canadian-American (Can-Am) Association.

Good luck if you've tried MiLB.TV yesterday or today.

The ever-popular Walk Up Music post from Rattler Radio Kudos, Steven Halcomb, for rocking some early 80's for me...

AUDIO: This will be a weekly feature...

Via the Timber Rattlers -- Tonight's game between the @TimberRattlers & @peoriachiefs has been postponed. It will be made up as part of a twinbill on Sunday at 1:05 PM.

More Timber Rattlers Opening Night photos via their Facebook page *** This is classic - the 25 guys who make up every minor league roster - thanks to farmhand Eric Marzec for tweeting the link.

Here's Brad's Timber Rattlers Opening Night photo gallery (via Miller Park Prospects)

Weather.com: Omaha, NE Jacksonville, FL Daytona Beach, FL Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Lesson learned here, kids -- Florida April baseball weather good, Omaha/Appleton, not so much...