Jim Goulart

Pena Powers Offense in 5th Straight W Left fielder goes 4 for 5 with four extra-base knocks, Helena sluggs 17 hits By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/3/2/6/57459326/cuts/17_Jose_Pena_Hi_5_9uce3n9h_hy7hvrlx.jpg The Helena bats came alive on Sunday afternoon as the Brewers slugged 17 hits in a 13-5 win over Grand Junction. It was the fifth straight win for the Brew Crew. Jose Pena (above, photo by Seth Eikomstead) led the offensive attack going 4 for 5 with a home run and two RBI. Pena doubled in the fourth, hit a solo homer to give the Brewers a 8-4 lead in the fifth, doubled in the seventh, and drove home the final Helena run of the afternoon on his fourth double in the eighth inning. He finished the day with 10 total bases. "He didn't try to change anything. Normally when a guy hits a home run it turns into, 'Let's see how far I can hit the next ball,' but instead of doing that it was a double and the next ball was a double so he remained consistent with his swing," said Helena manager Tony Diggs. Michael Ratterree also homered in the game as he gave the Brewers an early lead with a solo shot in the first. It was his tenth homer of the season and his fifth in the first inning this year. The entire offense contributed as Jesse Weiss had three hits in the contest and Taylor Brennan, Dustin Houle, Jalen Harris, and Nathan Orf all collected two hits apiece. "I don't know how many extra base hits we had but we had a number of them. We had a lot of doubles in the gap and we had a couple long balls too. Today was definitely an offensive day," said Diggs. The big inning for the Brewers would come in the fourth inning when they were trailing 3-1. Brennan led off the frame with a double to left and Houle would follow with a single to right. When the throw by the right fielder was wild, Brennan scored and Houle moved to second. Pena would follow with a bloop double down the right field line that dropped in. Harris would then pull a single to left to plate Houle. Pena scored when the left fielder bobbled the ball as the Brewers took the lead. Weiss would follow with a single and Orf would then drive home Harris with a single to make it 5-3. Weiss and Orf would later score on a pair of wild pitches to give the Brewers a 7-3 lead. The Rockies would get a run back in the top of the fifth on the second sac fly of the day by Jordan Patterson and with two outs and runners on the corners, Helena starter Zach Quintana was taken out of the game. Chris Razo then got Ryan Garvey to groundout to end the threat. In his first game back after being sent down from Wisconsin, Razo would earn the win, his sixth of the year with Helena, all of which have came out of the bullpen. "That's his forte. Not that it's necessarily a win, but to come in shut down the problem right then and let us keep playing. It's good to have him back" said Diggs. Tyler Linehan would allow just one run in the final three innings to earn his third save of the year. The Brewers will look for a sweep of the Rockies in the final game of the homestand on Monday night. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m (8:05 Central).

AUDIO: Helena Brewers pitcher Danny Keller talks about his season so far and his life off the field

VIDEO from Friday vs. Round Rock: Nashville's Stephen Parker goes yard in the Sounds' 7-4 loss

Pregame audio from Saturday -- Helena Brewers pitcher Brandon Moore talks about his recent success and how he has progressed throughout the season

Voting continues through August 29th: Moniker Madness is back, and they've abandoned the bracket format for a different voting look. Rankings as of 7:30 AM Central on Sunday for the four Brewers are Brevard RHP Damien Magnifico (8th of 75), Huntsville RHP David Goforth (40th place), Huntsville OF Chadwin Stang (46th), and Dionis Hinojosa (75th and last ). *** Stryker Trahan is your new leader.

Weather.com: Nashville, TN Huntsville, AL Daytona Beach, FL Beloit, WI Helena, MT Phoenix, AZ

STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League North Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division *** NOTE: To view first half or overall standings for Huntsville, Brevard County, Wisconsin, and Maryvale, you'll notice options at the respective links for that. Otherwise it's second-half standings as the default view for those three leagues.

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times. New this season: Brevard County has media notes; as of now, it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here. Also new this season: Helena has media notes; it's a unique link each day, but look for it just prior to game time each day within the "Stats and Scores" banner here.

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 Helena Maryvale New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 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 $39.99 season-long package ($9.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Brooks Hall at home vs. Pensacola (Reds), 3:48 PM pre-game, 4:03 gametime Free Live Audio Link Alex Cohen is the play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. It appears four Southern League teams air their home games on MiLB.TV, and we'll let you know when those dates pop up on the schedule. ********** Brevard County: LHP Brent Suter at Daytona (Cubs), 4:05 PM pre-game, 4:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the link based on listed schedule Manatees audio, hooray! Dave Walkovic is the first play-by-play voice of the 'Tees since 2007, he's joined by Andy Towne; 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, we'll let you know that. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Austin Ross at Beloit (Athletics), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 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. 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 $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, Stars' road games from four Southern League locales, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: Many of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel and WACY-TV My NEW32 will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and will try to provide day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check with us. ********** Helena: RHP Zach Quintana at home vs. Grand Junction (Rockies), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Voice of the Helena Brewers Steve Wendt is back on board, and this year he's added Twitter to the mix @steve_wendt. We've been treated to Steve's work for many years now (ten!); he is among the very best at the art of the pre-game interview, especially considering how at ease he makes all these first-time professional ballplayers. MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Athletics' complex in Phoenix, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Idle

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

Longtime readers who remember Frank Kremblas may not be surprised -- Miracle, Marauders managers scuffle Mientkiewicz, Kremblas ejected after fourth-inning incident Video and video

Huntsville AUDIO: Shawn Zarraga's big early base hit (ignore the caption, doesn't match up)

Suspended: AZL Padres 9, @AZL Brewers 2, bottom of the 7th (lightning) The Arizona Brewers game vs. the AZL Padres was suspended in the 7th inning by lightning in Maryvale. The Padres had jumped on A-Crew pitching for eight runs over the prior three innings to take a big 9-2 lead. The teams are not scheduled to play again this season, so not sure why the game is listed as suspended and not as a final. RHP Drew Ghelfi had seemed to overcome recent struggles with a nice start here, allowing only one unearned run through the first four innings. But Ghelfi saw the first four batters he faced in the 5th reach, and LHP Alan Williams could only strand one of three runners in an inherited bases-loaded, no-out situation as the Padres took a 3-2 lead. Williams ran into his own trouble in the 6th, as RHP Gian Rizzo had to come on mid-inning. Rizzo would strand one of two Williams' baserunners, but then had a dreadful 7th inning (line drives galore, say it ain't so, Gian), he was subsequently helped on the ERA front by RHP Dylan Brock. AZL Padres Top of the 7th Franmil Reyes called out on strikes. Jose Urena triples (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Jake Bauers singles on a line drive to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Jose Urena scores. Mason Smith doubles (9) on a line drive to right fielder Elvis Rubio. Jake Bauers to 3rd. Tyler Dial singles on a line drive to center fielder Edgardo Rivera. Jake Bauers scores. Mason Smith scores. Adam Ford pops out to second baseman Francisco Castillo. Rod Boykin walks. Tyler Dial to 2nd. Pitching Change: Dylan Brock replaces Gian Rizzo. Josh VanMeter grounds out to first baseman Alan Sharkey. AZL Brewers Box Score AZL Brewers Game Log My goodness, just-turned 19-year-old RF Elvis Rubio has to be my favorite development story of the summer at the low levels. Now riding a 14-game hit streak to go with his .928 OPS.

Be sure to read the feature profile on Wisconsin catcher Parker Berberet posted in the Rattlers thread this AM (via the Post-Crescent).

Timber Rattlers Profile: Parker Berberet, catcher by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent Media Leading off Age: 23. Height/weight: 6-3, 212. Residence: Yorba Linda, Calif. College: Oregon State. Acquired: Selected by Milwaukee in the 25th round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. Position: Catcher. Notes: Attended Oregon State his junior and senior seasons; prior to that, he attended Cypress College (Calif.), where he earned first-team all-Empire Conference honors as a freshman and sophomore. Has hit .304 since the all-star break to raise his average to .270. Favorites MLB team growing up: “The Dodgers. My dad was always a big Dodgers fan growing up and he passed it on to me.” MLB player: “Shawn Green. When he hit four home runs (against the Brewers in 2002) — he just had a couple of monster years for the Dodgers when I was growing up.” Food: “Pizza, any kind.” Musical artist: “That’s tough. I listen to a lot of different genres. But I’d say the Rolling Stones.” TV show: “It would have to be ‘Game of Thrones.’ ” Movie: “The Natural.” Job as a kid: “My first job was working at a baseball bat factory, testing out bats and packaging them up and making boxes. A bunch of little stuff like that. It was an aluminum bat company.” Sport other than baseball: “Basketball.” Place to go in Appleton: “Sal’s Pizza.” Guilty pleasure: “Games on my iPhone, I guess. I’ve got a couple I mix in, like Candy Crush.” Q&A Q: You’re a surfer. How hard is it to learn how to surf? A: “It’s not easy but it’s doable. A lot of people just give up because they go out at the wrong place. But if someone takes you out and takes the time to teach you, it’s doable.” Q: How long did it take you to learn? A: “To learn how, probably a couple of times. Obviously, to get to the point where you can go out on bigger surf, it took me a while. I probably started when I was 13 and have been doing it ever since.” Q: What’s the biggest wave you’ve ridden? A: “This off-season, I was out and a pretty big swell came in, probably 10-12 feet.” Q: Ever get hurt? A: “I never have, knock on wood, I guess. I try to be safe about it.” Q: Any shark encounters? A: “No, there’s been a couple of times where dolphins have swam by and I’ve paddled in. Seals, some stingrays, but no sharks.” Q: You want to become a firefighter. Why? A: “My uncle is actually a firefighter in L.A. County. It always appealed to me growing up. Unfortunately, because of baseball, I didn’t get to go to a college that could offer a fire science program. But there’s a junior college right near my house that offers a two-year program. “If baseball doesn’t work out, I might try doing that, but I’m sticking with baseball right now.” Q: Your sister Nicole played basketball at USC, so who’s the better athlete? A: “Well, I think I’m going to have to take the cake on that one just because I think I could take her in one-on-one and I don’t know how she’d do on the baseball field. But she’s a great athlete. She was a volleyball player in high school, too.” Q: How’d you end up at Oregon State? A: “Kind of a funny story. Guy I played Little League with growing up, Ryan Dunn, who actually plays for Bowling Green, his dad played with Pat Casey, who’s the head coach at Oregon State. He happened to be talking with Pat when I was a freshman in junior college, and Pat said they were looking for a catcher and he kind of threw my name out there. (Casey) came and watched me in summer ball and watched me play and the rest is history.” Q: What has been your toughest day behind the plate? A: “It was probably this year in Cedar Rapids, early in the season. It was 40 degrees tops outside and Jorge Lopez was throwing and in warm-ups he spiked one off my throwing shoulder, so I really couldn’t feel my arm all game. Got a couple more during the game, ended up just beat up and went straight to bed afterwards. “It was probably the roughest game I’ve had behind the plate.” Q: What’s been your best day behind the plate? A: “I can’t think of one off the top of my head. I guess I just like games where the other teams like to run. I like catching against teams that like to run and give me a chance to throw guys out. That’s probably the favorite thing I like to do back there.” Q: Are you one to talk much to the batter or umpire, or not so much? A: “Batter, not so much. Just a couple guys, ‘Hey, how’s it going?’ as they come up to the plate. Obviously, if I know the guy, I’ll talk a little bit more. Umpires, a little bit different. You have to establish a relationship with them. You’ve got to treat them right. You’ve got to figure out their zone, so I talk to the umpire throughout the game.” Q: Do you try to win the umpire over, so to speak, and try an get him on your side? A: “I guess that’s part of it, yeah. I know all of them by name. Just being friendly toward them helps, whether you’re going to get calls or not.” Q: Is framing a pitch an art form? A: “Absolutely.” Q: How many strikes can you, for lack of a better term, create in a game by framing pitches? A: “There was an article I just read about major league catchers, how many pitches per game they can get or can’t — they can take away strikes, too. The good ones got maybe two to four. The ones at the bottom lost like two a game. If you can get two, three strikes a game that are balls, it’s helping out your pitchers.” Q: Is that working in concert with the umpire or is that all on you? A: I think it’s definitely working with the umpire because, a lot of times, umpires don’t like certain things you do. Maybe block him off a little bit and you ask him where did you have that and he’ll say ‘I really didn’t see it. If you could give me a little better look, stay down a little more.’ “But at the same time, some umpires don’t care. They just call their zone and if you can make it look like a strike when it’s a little bit low or catch an outside corner, that’s good. Some umpires can definitely be swayed more than others.” Q: What’s your body feeling like at this stage of the season? A: Surprisingly good. I worked real hard in the off-season. My goal this year was to be a little bit lighter, a little more athletic. And it’s really paid off. Last year at this time, I was really dragging, so in the off-season I changed up my conditioning and it’s really paid off.” Q: You’re hitting .341 since August and .304 since the all-star break. You hit .235 in the first half. What has been the difference? A: “I kind of have been asking myself that same question. I hit a rough patch in the first half, I think I was 0-for-20 or something like that and I want to say if you throw that bad stretch of whatever, five, six games out, my numbers would even out a little bit better. “But the second half, I’ve just really been locked in at the plate. Coming in, staying in my routine. Just trying to get better. Working on little adjustments that maybe can help me out a little bit, working with my hitting coach. It’s been a good second half for me.” Q: You’re 0-1 in stealing bases this season. What happened? A: “Well, I’m going to have to mix one in by the end of the season because I can’t have that 0 when I look online. I’m not a big base stealer. Last year, I was actually stealing some bases the first couple of months but I hurt my knee sliding into second. “This year, I kind of said, ‘My speed is not my strength, so I’m going to be smart and take the extra base if they give it to me but not over-emphasize it and get hurt again.’ I’ll try to get that ratio up by the end of the year though.” Q: What’s the first thing you bought with your signing bonus? A: “It wasn’t much so it wasn’t anything big. Probably a tank of gas to get me home from Oregon to California.” Q: What’s your favorite piece of sports memorabilia? A: “Actually, my dad’s got a couple of bats, a couple of Louisville Sluggers that he kept when he grew up. He got them in junior college. One was a Roberto Clemente model and one was a Johnny Bench model. Those are pretty cool.” Timber Rattlers catcher Parker Berberet also plays occasionally at first base. / Ron Page photo, Post-Crescent Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20130817&Category=APC020602&ArtNo=308170334&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0&Timber-Rattlers-Profile-Parker-Berberet-catcher

Since we posted it last night, the Nashville game story has been updated to include several audio links.

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry from Chris

Brewers edge Rockies in pitchers’ duel by Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers were limited to just four hits against Grand Junction at Kindrick Legion Field on Saturday night, but two of those base knocks were home runs — which turned out to be enough offense for a 3-2 Pioneer League win for the hosts. Helena’s first round-tripper was Michael Ratterree’s two-run bomb in the first, following a walk to Charlie Markson. In the bottom of the third frame and leading 2-1, Brewer third baseman Taylor Brennan — a 6-foot, 210-pounder from Edmond, Wash. — crushed a ball over the scoreboard in left-center field that may have traveled 450 feet before falling. After the Rockies tallied one in the fourth, both teams’ pitchers put up goose eggs the rest of the way as the hosts held on for a one-run win. It was their fourth successive triumph. The Brewers move to 33-23 overall and 10-8 in the second half after the first of three games with Grand Junction. The Rockies, meanwhile, dip to 25-30, 4-13. Both teams are already playoff-bound, thanks to their respective first-half division wins. Helena starter Taylor Williams went four innings, allowing six hits and two runs. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Ryan McMahon, the Rockies’ second-round draft choice, produced their first run in the third with an RBI-single, bringing home Terry McLure. In the top of the fourth, after Grand Junction’s Miguel Dilone tripled and scored on Jairo Rosario’s single, Williams was able to work himself out of a jam. With runners on first and third and none out, he struck out McLure, picked Emerson Jiminez off first, and fanned Dom Nunez to get out of the inning with just one run scoring. Reliever Juan Santiago entered in the fifth for the Brewers and worked 3 1/3 frames of one-hit ball for the win. He whiffed two and permitted three bases on balls. With two base runners on and one down in the top of the eighth, big Andy Hillis was brought in to close the deal. The 6-6, 218-pound right hander from Brentwood, Tenn., retired all five men he faced, two by way of strikeout, for his fourth save. Grand Junction actually outhit the Brewers, 7-4, led by Ramel Tapia’s two singles. Angel Ortega had a pair of base knocks for the home team. The Rockies used four pitchers on the night, with starter Blake Shouse sustaining the loss. Relievers Daniel Palo, Helmis Rodriguez and Dylan Stamey, one-hit the Brewers over the last 5 1/3 innings, striking out four.

Thanks, MTBrew! *** Homers the Difference in Close One Ratterree, Brennan go deep, pitching is superb By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers The Brewers managed only four hits on Saturday night but two of them were home runs and that was the difference in a 3-2 win over Grand Junction. The first long ball came in the first inning when Charlie Markson reached on a one-out walk and Michael Ratterree took Blake Shouse deep to center for a two-run shot. It was Ratterree's ninth home run of the season and it tied him for the team lead with Taylor Brennan. Brennan must not have liked being tied for first as he smashed his tenth homer of the season, a solo shot to left-center, in the third inning to put Helena up 3-1. The Brewers would be held scoreless for the rest of the game and the only two other Helena hits were singles by Angel Ortega. "You would like to see a lot more line drives mixed in there so they have base runners on when they do hit those home runs. Two big hits, no doubt that's what it took tonight and they got it done so hat's off to [Ratteree and Brennan]," said Helena skipper Tony Diggs. But when the Brewers had pitching like they did on Saturday, three runs was plenty of support. Taylor Williams got the start and allowed the only two runs of the game off RBI singles by Ryan McMahon and Jairo Rosario. He would toss four innings allowing six hits while striking out four. He didn't have a walk. Juan Santiago came into the came in the fifth and allowed just one hit as he improved to 2-0 on the year. "You had an aggressive team that was swinging the bats and you had guys that were throwing it in the zone so it was working for them because they were able to throw strikes when they needed to," said Diggs. Things would get interesting in the eighth as the Rockies had runners at the corners with one out trailing by just a run. At that point Andy Hillis came into the game and struck out Terry McClure and got Dom Nunez to pop out to end the threat. "He went right after hitters and that's the one thing that we talked to him about in situations like that. Instead of feeling for it just go right after hitters and make them beat him. His stuff is good enough that he can beat most hitters and he did it tonight," said Diggs. Hillis would toss a 1-2-3 ninth inning to pick up his team-leading fifth save of the season. It was the fourth straight win for the Brewers as they improved to 10-8 in the second half and 32-23 overall. Helena and Grand Junction will be back at it Sunday afternoon. First pitch is at 1:05 PM (2:05 Central). Taylor Brennan photo by Seth Eikomstead http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/8/2/57367882/cuts/12_Taylor_Brennan_smiling_8pu5ytok_gb5deg2b.jpg

DSL Brewers 3B Sthervin Matos (8/10) and OF Yunior Santana (8/13) have missed several games now. Both players left immediately after an HBP. Santana was one of two DSL Brewer All-Stars after a hot first month, but had slipped badly after.

Stars Pitchers Two-Hit BayBears By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars To wrap up and decide a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars pitchers came through with a two-hit shutout en route to a 2-0 victory over the Mobile BayBears on Saturday night. Highlighting the combined two-hitter was a stellar performance from starting pitcher Brooks Hall. The 23-year-old righty improved to 2-5 on the year as a member of the Stars with five innings of two hit baseball while striking out four batters in the process. Over his last three outings (two starts, one in relief), Hall has not given up a run in 12 innings pitched. Much like on Friday night, the Stars bullpen capped off a strong start from their starting pitcher. Righty Casey Medlen tossed two scoreless innings while reliever Greg Holle sent down the BayBears in order over an inning for the second straight game. To finish the game, righty David Goforth blanked Mobile in the ninth in order for the second straight to ensure the two-hit shutout. For Goforth, the save was his second in as many nights and fourth of the season in four opportunities. On offense, all the Stars needed was an RBI double from Shawn Zarraga in the second inning and an RBI groundout by outfielder Eric Patterson in the seventh inning. As a team, the Stars totaled just five hits with Zarraga leading the way collecting two of them. With the win, the Stars clinched a series victory against the BayBears and evened up their season series with the Southern League South first half champions at five games apiece. The victory also marked the fifth time this year the Stars pitching staff held an opponent to two or less hits during a game and the eighth time this year that the opposition was shutout in a game. On Sunday, the Stars will continue their 11-game homestand when they welcome the Pensacola BlueWahoos to town for six games in five days. The series opener will feature Huntsville sending RHP Drew Gagnon (4-6, 5.51 ERA) to the bump. Pensacola will counter with RHP Jon Moscot (1-1, 6.60 ERA). First pitch is at 4:03 CT.

Sounds Hold Off Express For 4-3 Win Nashville Scores All Four Runs In The Fifth Inning Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds treated 9,501 fans to a 4-3 win over the Round Rock Express Saturday night at Greer Stadium, scoring all of their runs in the fifth inning and surviving a late Express rally. After four scoreless innings, the Sounds attacked Express starter Scott Richmond (4-6) for four runs in the fifth inning. Hunter Morris led off the frame with a double to the right-field corner and scored on a Hainley Statia double in the following at-bat. Blake Lalli singled to move Statia to third and set the table for Josh Prince, who reached on an RBI-fielder's choice. Stephen Parker continued the big inning with a single to the gap in left-center field, scoring Lalli, and Kentrail Davis' groundout plated the final run for the 4-0 advantage that proved to be all the Sounds would need. Right-hander Kyle Heckathorn pitched three scoreless frames to start the game for Nashville, after lefty Chris Narveson was scratched from the lineup at game time. Heckathorn allowed Round Rock only one hit and fanned three batters before Tim Dillard took over in the fourth. Dillard worked two scoreless but ran into trouble in the sixth. A pair of two-out singles and a walk loaded the bases for Dillard, who was touched by Joey Butler for an RBI infield single that made it a 4-1 game. Dillard (3-2) was awarded the win, increasing his franchise-leading wins total to 38. Richmond was charged the loss, his sixth. Reliever Dustin Molleken entered to close out Dillard's frame with a strikeout to Aaron Cunningham, stranding three inherited runners. The right-handed pitcher continued to pitch a perfect seventh. Brent Leach logged a 1-2-3 eighth before closer Jesus Sanchez finished the game for Nashville to pick up his sixth save. Sanchez allowed Round Rock a two-run rally with two hits and a walk, but secured the win for Nashville. Sounds pitchers racked up 12 strikeouts in the game to only two walks. Offensively, designated hitter Blake Lalli led the team with two hits. Outfielder Caleb Gindl recorded a single in the fourth inning to extend his hit Triple-A streak to eight games, which matches his season-best with the club. The Sounds play the rubber game of the five-game series on Sunday night at Greer Stadium. Throwing for Nashville will be RHP Alfredo Figaro, making a debut start for the Sounds, opposite Express' RHP Josh Lindblom (8-2, 2.41). The Sounds will wear camouflage uniforms for Piedmont Natural Gas Military Sunday presented by Tennessee 811. Nashville Box Score Robinzon Diaz transformed the middle of this lineup upon his arrival from Huntsville, and the team has been a fun follow in this last 6-7 week stretch. He'll definitely be offered a chance to return for 2014, but will he? Will the Brewers carry Blake Lalli on their 40-man all winter? Roster issues pending soon... Nashville Game Log Caleb Gindl photo by Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/9/8/57341898/cuts/817_gindl_2en39fni_p9kmydxp.jpg

Neuhaus had committed two errors in the top of the 1st, perhaps there was a nagging issue that contributed to that prior to his AB: AZL Padres Top of the 1st Rod Boykin grounds out, shortstop Luis Aviles to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Josh VanMeter reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Tucker Neuhaus. Dustin Peterson reaches on a force attempt, fielding error by third baseman Tucker Neuhaus. Josh VanMeter to 2nd. With Franmil Reyes batting, Josh VanMeter steals (9) 3rd base. Franmil Reyes grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Sermo to shortstop Luis Aviles. Josh VanMeter scores. Dustin Peterson out at 2nd. Franmil Reyes to 1st. Jose Urena grounds into a force out, second baseman Jose Sermo to shortstop Luis Aviles. Franmil Reyes out at 2nd.