Jim Goulart

Maryvale's Tucker Neuhaus was lifted mid-AB in the 1st inning. He was not ejected, but was charged with striking out although Francisco Castillo took over for him during the plate appearance. Perhaps a foul ball off his foot? That's a guess, obviously. We jinxed Neuhaus with the comment about leading the club (easily) in games played in yesterday's Link Report.

Via Manatees Radio on an early departure -- Update on Nicky Delmonico: He left the game with right elbow inflammation. He's considered day-to-day.

Via Adam McCalvy -- The Brewers are more than a week away from finalizing assignments to the prospect-rich Arizona Fall League, but outfielder Mitch Haniger is expected to headline their list of participants. Haniger, 22, was a supplemental first-round pick in 2012, and he is batting .267 this season with 11 home runs and 58 RBIs between Class A Wisconsin and advanced Class A Brevard County. The Brewers expect to name three position players and four pitchers to the AFL. Right-hander Michael Olmsted, one of the Brewers' final cuts in Spring Training, was sent from Triple-A Nashville to Double-A Huntsville on Saturday. He had a 6.71 ERA in 49 games at Nashville and, most troublingly, walked 6.9 batters per nine innings, triple his walk rate from last season and nearly double his career mark. "We're trying to put him in a place where he can have a nice two weeks and finish with some confidence," assistant general manager Gord Ash said. Ash noted that Olmsted is still reaching 96 mph on occasion and was working hard to fix his command issues -- perhaps too hard. Olmstead has committed to continuing that work in winter ball. *** Here's Adam's Jimmy Nelson-related rotation/callup note as well.

Just-turned 24-year-old Brevard RHP Tyler Cravy is working his way towards Arizona Fall League consideration, and actually, his name will be in the Brewers war room discussion regarding a 40-man roster spot this fall, to protect from Rule 5. We should be debuting our annual minor league free agent and Rule 5 threads later this week, be on the lookout!

Jeff Hem tweet -- Not sure what reason is, but just found out Kyle Heckathorn is making the start tonight for the Sounds, not the scheduled Chris Narveson. Kyle ended up tossing three scoreless, nice year for him.

Via Alex and the Stars -- On Saturday, Stars RHP Mark Williams was placed on the disabled list (retroactive to 8/14). In 15 appearances with the Stars this season, Williams has a 0-0 record with a 5.40 ERA in 30 innings. *** You'll see via the link that Williams has had more success while with Brevard this season.

Via young Alec Dopp -- here's video of RHP Tyler Wagner from Friday night.

RHP Chris Razo, who made the jump from Helena to Wisconsin, earlier this season, now tweets he's heading back to Helena, so it's a Fasano-for-Razo swap.

Weather.com: Nashville, TN Huntsville, AL Viera, FL (Melbourne) Beloit, WI Helena, MT Maryvale, AZ Boca Chica, DR

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson 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. Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 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: RHP Tyler Cravy at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 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 Jorge Lopez at Beloit (Athletics), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 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 Taylor Williams at home vs. Grand Junction (Rockies), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:05 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 home vs. the pint-sized Padres, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Rojos (Reds' #2 squad), 9:30 AM gametime, although game data won't be available until later in the day

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

The Brewers option Donovan Hand to Nashville as Yovani Gallardo comes off the DL. When Hand formally reports, the Sounds will need to make a roster move. It's the first minor league option used on Hand. It's not a big deal regarding saving options on the 27-year-old Hand, but it's too bad that options were needed for both he and Alfredo Figaro (Figaro's final option) so close to September 1st. If the options had been used within ten days of September 1st, the pitchers could have been recalled without the options being counted.

According to the farmhand twitter stream, look for 23-year-old RHP Ryan Fasano's promotion from Helena to Wisconsin to be announced formally later today.

Final: AZL Brewers 7, @AZL Mariners 5 AZL Brewers Box Score Four-run Brewer 5th broke a 2-2 tie. Six Mariner errors in the game, yet the A-Crew earned their pay, with only one of their runs technically a gift. Top of the order with a nice job, please check out the box score for the specific mentions this AM. SS/3B Tucker Neuhaus has played in 44 of Maryvale's 46 games. The next highest number is 2B Francisco Castillo at 39. AZL Brewers Game Log Moundwise, we already mentioned Martin Viramontes earlier; Devin Williams fanned six in three innings (two ER), and LHP Clint Terry proved weeks ago that he should have been placed in Helena, not Maryvale, three scoreless here. Brewer pitchers combined to whiff 17 (five walks, one HBP, one WP).

VIDEO from Thursday -- Nashville's Caleb Gindl triples in the fifth inning of a 7-3 win over Reno Yet, the audio on the play is of a fine Nashville defensive play - so, kind of enjoy both, as messed up as it is. Go Caleb!

Helena Box Score Every so often be sure to check out each affiliate's individual stats page, here's Helena's. Enjoy those offensive numbers, Helena position players. It's a Pioneer League kind of thing, y'know. Still, good for the first-half division champs. Helena Game Log

Brewers blow lead, rally to win by Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record After squandering a 5-0 lead to the visiting Orem Owlz, the Helena Brewers rallied back from a 6-5 deficit with a four-run seventh inning, highlighted by Charlie Markson’s two-run triple. The Brewers tacked on three more runs in the eighth and finished with a 12-7 victory Friday over the Owlz at Kindrick Legion Field. Helena wins the four-game Pioneer League series 3-1 over Orem, improving to 32-23 overall and 9-8 in the second half. The Owlz drop to 29-25, 9-7. The Brewers scored three runs in the second frame and two in the fourth for their early advantage. Orem got on the board in the fifth, but Helena still led 5-1 going into the sixth thanks to the combined five-hitter by pitchers Eduard Reyes and Brandon Moore. In the bottom of the fifth, Owlz third baseman Alex Allbritton peformed his best Brooks Robinson impression. He robbed Dustin Houle, Jose Pena and Angel Ortega of base hits by leaping for two screaming line drives, followed by an acrobatic play on a bunt. Then the Utah club put up a five-spot in the top of the sixth, with Ryan Dalton’s RBI-single plating the go-ahead run. Next, Helena manager Tony Diggs was thrown out of the game in the top of the seventh after arguing a questionable safe call at first base. The incident seemed to spark the home team, as it rallied for four runs on Adam Giacalone’s double; singles by Houle, Ortega and Pena; and Markson’s triple to the right-center wall. In the top of the eighth, shortstop Angel Ortega showed the fans he could play a little defense, too. He made an incredible play deep in the hole behind second base to throw out Ranyelmy Mendoza for the first out, and then got the third out on another web gem against Dalton. Sean Albury collected the mound win, going 1 2/3 innings of scoreless ball. Tanner Poppe got the save, working the final two frames, allowing two hits. The hosts outhit their counterparts 14-13, led by Dionis Hinojosa (double, two RBIs) and Ortega (two runs, two RBIs), with three base hits each. Michael Fish and Dalton had a pair of RBIs apiece for the visitors. Next, the Brewers host Grand Junction in a three-game set at Kindrick Legion, beginning today at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Photo by James Ridle, Blackfoot Media Group Helena’s Dionis Hinojosa dives back to base to avoid a pick-off attempt during the Brewers’ series finale against the Orem Owlz. Helena won, 12-7. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/9b/79b207de-0702-11e3-b7fa-001a4bcf887a/520f127c2c853.preview-620.jpg

Final: @Helena 12, Orem 7 *** Angel Blesses Brewers in Win Ortega makes incredible play, has three hits in series finale By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/8/8/57276688/cuts/10_Angel_Ortega_fielding_xh3oi5vc_fubacy8p.jpg Angel Ortega (photo above) had a big two-run single in the eighth inning on Friday night to give the Brewers some much-needed insurance. But ten years from now the 843 people in attendance will most likely forget that Ortega had three hits in Helena's 12-7 win over Orem. What they will remember is the incredible play that the silky smooth shortstop made in the top of the eighth inning. After the Brewers had just taken a 9-6 lead, Ranyelmy Mendoza led off the seventh with a ground ball up the middle. Ortega ranged to his left and right before the ball reached him, it took it took a strange hop to the shortstop's right. Ortega then lunged to his right, barehanded the ball, and in one motion, while falling on to his backside, threw a perfect strike to nab Mendoza at first. "I was making a diving catch and I saw a bad hop and I grabbed it with my hand. We throw every practice from behind the base so I had the angles right and I just threw it and see what happens," said Ortega with a smile. It was reminiscent of Ozzie Smith's barehanded web gem with the Padres in 1978 and Ortega described it as the best play of his career. Ortega, who has been spectacular defensively all season, made a play to end the fourth inning that would have made the highlight reel on any other night. In that frame, Alex Allbritton hit a grounder that looked destined for center field but Ortega slid behind the bag and spun around and threw to nail Allbritton. The 19-year-old shortstop also had a successful day at the plate going 3 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored. It was his second three-hit game of the season. "I saw the ball really well and I just got lucky. You have to keep swinging it and that's what I do every day," said Ortega. The Brewers took a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning but the Owlz rallied for one in the fifth and took the lead off Eduard Reyes and Sean Albury with a five spot in the sixth. After Helena manager Tony Diggs was ejected in the in the top of the seventh for arguing a call at first base, his team rallied in the bottom half of the inning. With the Brewers trailing 6-5, Adam Giacalone led off the frame with a bullet double to right-center and he advanced to third when Taylor Brennan grounded out to the right side. Helena would tie the game at six when Dustin Houle hit a single up the middle to drive home Giacalone. After a fly out, Ortega pulled a single to left. With two on and two out, Charlie Markson hit a 3-1 pitch into the gap in right-center. When the ball rolled all the way to the wall, Houle and Ortega scored and Markson slid in with his first triple of the year as the Brewers took the lead. "We have done that all season. We have a pretty good team, good teammates that pick you up every time so I think that's the type to get behind you and get ahead again," said Ortega. With the third baseman playing deep, Nathan Orf would follow with a perfect bunt single to score Markson and give the Brewers a 9-6 advantage. Helena would add three insurance runs in the eighth when Ortega hit a two-run single and Jose Pena scored on a wild pitch. Tanner Poppe pitched the final two innings to earn his second save of the game. The win clinched the ninth series victory for Brewers this season. On Saturday, Helena will face the Grand Junction Rockies, the South Division First Half Champions, for the first time this season. The Rockies are the only Pioneer League team the Brewers have not seen this season.

AUDIO: Helena Brewers pitcher Tristan Archer (21st round, 2013, Tennessee Tech) talks about his start on Thursday and his typical game plan with his pitches

Wagner solid but Wisconsin falls to Peoria by Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — Wisconsin’s 7-2 loss to Peoria was far from the outcome the Timber Rattlers wanted at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Friday night but, at this level of baseball, the game is as much about improving as it is about winning. Improvement is what people are seeing when Wisconsin right-hander Tyler Wagner takes to the mound. Against Peoria, Wagner went six innings, allowing six hits and two runs. “I’m just sticking with my approach, sticking with the process,” Wagner said. “I’m learning new things every outing and taking parts, bit and pieces into the next outing. That next outing is a brand new one in itself. All I can really worry about is executing the next pitch.” Since June 21, when Wagner gave up five runs in four innings against Cedar Rapids, he has pitched 61 1⁄3 innings. Over that span, he has allowed 53 hits and 17 runs. “He’s done a nice job, especially the second half,” Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson said. “He’s got a little more confidence. Even when he’s not winning counts early, he’s making quality pitches behind in the counts and finding ways to get ground balls. It was unfortunate in that two-run fifth inning. The lead-off guy hit a ball hard but then we made a play and there were three infield singles in a row.” Those four singles allowed Peoria to overcome a two-run deficit that Wisconsin had built on a double by Tyler Roberts that scored Parker Berberet in the second inning and a double by Mike Garza in the the third inning that scored Michael Reed. While it’s a long way from the Midwest League to Milwaukee, Wagner has been taking the steps necessary to improve. “There’s been some delivery issues that he’s been working on since Day 1,” Erickson said. “I think he’s a lot more comfortable with his delivery now. There were a couple tweaks to that to try and get his hand up and get a little more sink, or tilt on his fastball. He’s doing a little bit of that. “He’s throwing some really good sinkers, as opposed to just having the ball run on the same plane. That’s something he’s been working on with Chavi (pitching coach Dave Chavarria) pretty hard and he’s having some good results with it in competition.” Wagner had Peoria beating the ball into the ground for most of his six innings, with 14 of the 18 outs he recorded coming on ground balls. Having logged 130 2⁄3 innings in 24 appearances, Wagner has been able to maintain his arm strength. “It’s just being consistent with the workouts,” Wagner said. “The everyday grind is keeping my arm in good shape.” With 17 games remaining in the season, Wagner expects that he has about three starts left. His goals? “Just stick with the process,” he said. “Try to get my fastball command down and just stick with the process of learning new things.”

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Post -- Michael Reed exits early, Cardinals farmhands know how to pitch to Victor Roache, the brief video highlights, and... http://mlblogsrattlerradio.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/sigh.jpg?w=555