Jim Goulart

We had read about a knee injury earlier.

All of 42 seconds -- AUDIO: Brevard County highlights/lowlights All these low-scoring losses by the Manatees getting really old... *** Brevard Pre-Game AUDIO: Cody Hawn Interview

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry Right in the playoff hunt despite being six games under in the 2nd half and 13 under overall. Thank you, Midwest League! *** Via the Quad Cities Times, the Astros' Mark Appel with reactions to his first pro loss.

Strong-armed Ross outduels Appel Brewers righty allows one hit in six innings to earn first victory By Brandon Simes / MiLB.com Finally all the way back after 13 months of rehab from Tommy John surgery, Austin Ross showed Monday night that his "rubber arm" seems to be as strong as ever. The right-handed Brewers prospect allowed one hit and struck out four in a season-high six shutout innings to earn the win and outduel 2013 No. 1 overall pick Mark Appel in Class A Wisconsin's 9-1 rout of Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park. "After the first couple innings, it was good. I was throwing strikes kind of a little up in the zone and off. But by the third inning, I fell into a good rhythm, keeping the fastball down, pitching to both sides and then my breaking ball started going well. Getting ahead of hitters obviously opens up a lot of the plate," Ross said. Ross (1-0) retired the first 11 batters he faced before walking top Astros prospect Carlos Correa. The 6-foot-2 right-hander quickly got a ground ball to end the fourth inning and didn't give up another base runner until Austin Elkins singled with one out in the sixth. A groundout back to the mound and a strikeout ended Ross' best outing of the year. "I knew [my pitch count] was low. Once I got through the fifth, I thought they'll probably let me go back out because I hadn't given up a hit," he said. "Obviously I'm not going to go throw the whole game with this injury, but I wanted to get through six or seven or whatever they'd let me go. I was throwing a fastball inside and let the ball drift a little over the plate too much. [Elkins] did a good job and hit it into right field." Ross had success during his first stint in Wisconsin, going 6-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 2011. During the second half of the year, he earned a trip to pitch for Brevard County in the Class A Advanced Florida State League, where he went 4-4 with a 7.49 ERA. He started 2012 back with the Manatees and had a 1.54 ERA with nine strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings when his pitching elbow popped. "Honestly, I tore it on one pitch. I kind of felt a little something, it didn't really even hurt, it was just a little pinch, a bump on the inside on the elbow," he said. "You hear stories about enormous amounts of pain, swelling up, but everyone reacts differently. For some it doesn't even hurt, for some it hurts a lot." The LSU product said the injury came as a total surprise given his rubber-arm history. "I never missed a day of playing catch in my life, never had a day in high school, college or in the pros where I felt a little soreness and needed to take a day off from playing catch or just take a light day of throwing," he said. "Just one pitch and I tore it. Obviously it had been breaking down over time. It just got to the point where it couldn't hold it anymore." The road back from surgery tested Ross' patience, but the 2010 eighth-round pick is gaining momentum. He has allowed one run on seven hits with seven strikeouts over 13 innings in his last three starts. "It feels unbelievable [to be back]. My velocity's back to where it was, my stuff's where it was. The past couple weeks, it's all fallen together for me. Before that I would show flashes for an inning or two and then go back for an inning and it wouldn't be there, there were peaks and valleys. Finally a couple weeks ago, I felt like I could put it together for a whole game," Ross said. Alfredo Rodriguez led the way offensively for Wisconsin, going 4-for-5 with a double, three runs scored and an RBI. Leadoff man Tyrone Taylor, Milwaukee's No. 4 prospect, doubled, singled and drove in three runs. Appel (1-1) gave up seven runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings to take his first professional loss. Austin Ross tossed a season-high six innings Monday night. (Ann Mollica Photo) http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/5/2/56816552/cuts/ross_la3ff8yk_4rvmvuup.jpg

Also from Sunday, Brad's latest at MillerParkProspects.com

VIDEO from Sunday: Jimmy Nelson gets a strikeout in Nashville's 3-2 win at Colorado Springs

You saw the new D'Vontrey Richardson article we linked to today, right?

Jimmy Nelson interview posted at Disciples of Uecker

Happy 25th Birthday to Wisconsin RHP Austin Ross, coming back from Tommy John surgery and starting tonight *** Happy 24th Birthday to Huntsville RHP Mark Williams

Weather.com: Reno, NV Dunedin, FL Davenport, IA Billings, MT Scottsdale, AZ San Pedro De Macoris, 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 Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at Reno (Diamondbacks), 8:45 PM pre-game, 9:05 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 $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: Idle ********** Brevard County: RHP Tyler Cravy at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:00 PM pre-game, 5:30 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 Quad Cities (Astros), 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 Barrett Astin at Billings (Reds), 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 the Diamondbacks' complex in Scottsdale, 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Blue Jays, 9:30 AM gametime, although game data won't be available until later in the day

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

Southern League Player of the Week -- Daniel Pertusati, Marlins' Jacksonville club Can't complain, dude was 9-28, seven XBH's, 9 RBI - better week than Rogers, although Jason had ten walks to Pertusati's three.

If you're not excited about D'Vo's return after reading this, please reconsider *** Welcome back, sir by Danny Aller, Albany (GA) Herald MELBOURNE, Fla. — Brevard County Manatees manager Joe Ayrault likes to have a daily conversation with center fielder D’Vontrey Richardson. And usually, it’s pretty one-sided. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t walk by him and tell him how much I enjoy watching him play,” Ayrault said. “He’s just that exciting to watch, and I know I speak for the Brewers when I say we’re glad he’s back.” So is Richardson. Arguably the most highly touted athlete to play for Lee County High School outside of San Francisco Giants catcher and 2012 NL MVP Buster Posey, Richardson carried a heavy burden when he arrived at Florida State in 2006 as one of the top recruits for both programs. The Seminoles’ football team wanted him to play the demanding job of quarterback, while the baseball team badly needed his MLB-caliber speed, bat and arm. For Richardson, balancing both was too much. So he quit football to focus on baseball in 2008. Then he quit school altogether to turn pro in 2009. Not long after, he gave up on that dream, too. “Sometimes, you just have to give it up whenever it’s not as fun as it used to be,” Richardson told The Herald in an exclusive interview almost exactly a year ago when it was learned he told the Brewers, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2009, he was going home to Leesburg and would not be returning. “It’s a game we’ve played our whole life, and we should just be able to go out and have fun doing it. Practice was fun, the games were fun, but all the traveling and being away from my family and friends (took its toll).” Then Ayrault got a call three months ago. The news? D’Vo was coming back. “Our farm director told me there was a good possibility he would coming back to our club very soon whenever he was ready, and I was very pleased to hear that,” Ayrault said. “I mean, he’s such an unbelievable athlete. The tools he possesses are off the chart. I’m real glad he’s back with us and doing a great job.” Make that a phenomenal job. Richardson, who said he started thinking about giving pro baseball one final shot while finishing his degree late last year in Atlanta, didn’t rejoin the team until midway through the high-Class A Manatees’ season in mid-June once he decided to pick up the phone and ask to come back. And despite being the new guy with plenty of rust still to knock off, a month and a half after he returned, he’s now an everyday starter in center field, hitting .355 — tops on the team — with an on-base percentage of .402, which also leads the Manatees. “I was just missing it, man,” Richardson said in a telephone interview Friday. “There I was in school, in class, day-dreaming about playing again. I just didn’t want to wake up one day and be 40 years old and wonder, ‘What if?’ You never want to have any regrets in life, and I love baseball so much, I think it took me being away from it to finally realize that. “More than anything, I’m a competitor. I always have been. And I missed competing so much. That was the turning point.” After some anxious, butterflies-in-the-stomach moments when dialing the Brewers’ front office — then pressing “end” on his cellphone a couple of times as he continued to try to gather the courage to ask for another chance — Richardson finally pressed “send.” The response on the other end was nothing short of total reassurance. “I was nervous, honestly. I thought maybe the door was closed,” Richardson said. “But they invited me right back and told me they were thankful I’d changed my mind. And I told them how thankful I was for that.” Richardson rejoined the organization in May and was first sent to the Brewers’ instructional league in Arizona — a typical first stop for a new player. And while he was expected to stay for around two months, scouts quickly saw that wasn’t necessary. “He came right in after less than a month in Arizona, hit the ground running and made an impact for us everywhere,” Ayrault said. “I can’t even pick one moment (that typifies) how good he’s been since he got back — hitting, stealing bases, making diving catches in the outfield. You name it. He does something every day that just impresses me more and more.” Starting with his very first at-bat for the Manatees. “I got a hit,” Richardson recalled excitedly, adding that his teammates gave him a raucous cheer from the dugout once he reached base. “Right up the middle. I was worried about being rusty and not doing well, but I singled my first time up. That helped the nerves kind of go away.” Since then, Richardson has delivered a game-winning hit, several go-ahead RBIs and a handful of highlight-reel catches in the outfield. “His tools …” began Ayrault, before shifting thoughts. “Let’s just put it this way: I don’t think I’ve had an opposing manager or scout who, once they see him for the first time, hasn’t asked about him. They’ll say, ‘Who’s this center fielder? This kid can really play.’ He has off-the-chart quickness, has great bat speed and good pitch-recognition. He’s running down balls in the outfield, running the bases very well and not just relying on his speed, but working on his breaks and leads. Before his career is over, he could very well become an elite base-stealer.” In just 31 games, Richardson already has eight steals, which is tied for third on the team with left fielder Ben McMahan — who needed 56 games to steal eight. Fellow outfielder Chadwin Stang leads the Manatees with 11 stolen bags, and it took him 68 games to reach that mark. Richardson, however, isn’t about to call himself the next coming of Rickey Henderson, the majors’ all-time steals leader. He knows there’s plenty of room for improvement. Lots, in fact. “I’m still not as fast running the bases as I want. I’ve made a few mistakes already,” said the 6-foot-1, 215-pound Richardson, who ran a 4.5, 40-yard dash during his freshman season at FSU. “Sometimes I think I’m being too anxious. I just need to calm down and let it come to me rather than force it.” Steve Glover, Richardon’s legal guardian, said that by the time Richardson is done working his way through the Brewers’ minor league system, he could become Milwaukee’s version of Atlanta Braves breakout star Evan Gattis. Gattis, like Richardson, walked away from baseball for a period of time, only to return and start crushing the ball this year, becoming one of the most talked-about story lines of the 2013 season. “The similarities to Gattis will be drawn to D’Vo at some point,” Glover said. “They’re both freaks on the baseball field. Gattis has the power and D’Vo has the speed. One way or another, you can’t hide a guy like that in the minors very long.” The Manatees’ three-game winning streak ended Saturday, despite Richardson’s monster night going 4-for-5 with two doubles. “He’s into it,” Ayrault said when asked about Richardson’s demeanor since his return after admitting last year he was burned out. “He’s out at the field every day early, staying late. He brings one of the most positive attitudes of anyone on the team every day. He gets after it. Like I said before, I really, really enjoy watching him play.” And now that he’s finally back pursuing his dream, Richardson — who will next head to the Brewers’ winter league after the season and, he hopes, spring training in March — has no intention of walking away. After hopping off the bus to the majors once, this time he plans to ride it until the wheels fall off. “I’m enjoying it again, I really am. I’ve never been happier,” he said. “I’m going all out, working my butt off and just living every day like it could be my last on the diamond. I made a mistake giving it up once, and I can’t thank the Brewers enough for welcoming me back in. I hope I can show them it was worth it.” Former Lee County and Florida State two-sport star D'Vontrey Richardson watches a double leave the infield during a recent game with the Brevard County Manatees, who Richardson recently rejoined after walking away from his dream of being a pro baseball player almost a year ago. Since returning, Richardson leads the team in batting and on-base percentage. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawkeye Sports Photography) http://scni.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/gps/uploads/38399/web1_DVO1_t670.JPG?b3f6a5d7692ccc373d56e40cf708e3fa67d9af9d

Final: @AZL Dodgers 4, AZL Brewers 3 Brewers with one of the most excrutiating 9th inning failed rallies of all time... AZL Brewers Box Score A-Crew and LHP Clint Terry fell behind 2-0 in an awkward 3rd inning -- AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 3rd Cristian Gomez hit by pitch. Jaylen Harris hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by catcher Jack Cleary. Cristian Gomez to 3rd. Jaylen Harris to 1st. With Josh Henderson batting, Cristian Gomez scores on a balk. Jaylen Harris advances to 2nd on a balk. Josh Henderson flies out to left fielder Elvis Rubio. Jaylen Harris to 3rd. Cody Bellinger grounds out to first baseman David Denson. Jaylen Harris scores. Griff Erickson called out on strikes. It was 4-0 after a similarly messy 5th -- AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 5th Cristian Gomez homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Jaylen Harris reaches on a fielding error by first baseman David Denson. Josh Henderson grounds out to first baseman David Denson. Jaylen Harris to 2nd. With Cody Bellinger batting, throwing error by Clint Terry on the pickoff attempt, Jaylen Harris to 3rd. Cody Bellinger called out on strikes. Griff Erickson singles on a ground ball to left fielder Elvis Rubio, deflected by third baseman Jose Sermo. Jaylen Harris scores. With Theo Alexander batting, Griff Erickson caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Jack Cleary to shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. The Maryvale Crew rallied, scoring all their runs in the 9th but you just have to read all this -- AZL Brewers Top of the 9th Luis Aviles singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jaylen Harris. Clint Coulter singles on a ground ball to left fielder Josh Henderson. Luis Aviles to 2nd. David Denson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jaylen Harris. Luis Aviles to 3rd. Clint Coulter to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Edgardo Rivera replaces David Denson. Elvis Rubio doubles (8) on a line drive to left fielder Josh Henderson. Luis Aviles scores. Clint Coulter scores. Edgardo Rivera scores. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Yonki Hernandez replaces Elvis Rubio. Pitching Change: Bladimir Franco replaces Victor Arano. With Jack Cleary batting, wild pitch by Bladimir Franco, Yonki Hernandez to 3rd. Jack Cleary grounds out, third baseman Michael Ahmed to first baseman Cody Bellinger. With Eric Williams batting, Julian Leon picks off Yonki Hernandez at 3rd on throw to Michael Ahmed. Eric Williams singles on a line drive to center fielder Jaylen Harris. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Paul Eshleman replaces Steven Halcomb. With Paul Eshleman batting, Eric Williams steals (5) 2nd base. Paul Eshleman strikes out swinging, catcher Julian Leon to first baseman Cody Bellinger. *** In other words, given those three half-innings, the Brewers didn't deserve to win. AZL Brewers Game Log RHP Devin Williams tossed two scoreless innings of relief -- AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Devin Williams replaces Clint Terry. Theo Alexander singles on a ground ball to second baseman Steven Halcomb. Michael Ahmed strikes out swinging. With Julian Leon batting, Theo Alexander steals (4) 2nd base. Julian Leon pops out to first baseman David Denson in foul territory. James McDonald walks. Cristian Gomez reaches on a fielding error by third baseman Jose Sermo. Theo Alexander to 3rd. James McDonald to 2nd. Jaylen Harris flies out to left fielder Elvis Rubio. AZL Dodgers Bottom of the 7th Josh Henderson strikes out swinging. Cody Bellinger walks. With Griff Erickson batting, Cody Bellinger steals (3) 2nd base. Griff Erickson grounds out to first baseman David Denson. Cody Bellinger to 3rd. Theo Alexander strikes out swinging. *** Brewers had runners on 1st and 2nd with no out in the 2nd, followed by three K's. The Brewers wasted a leadoff double by David Denson in the 7th. Denson also singled and walked. The 17-year-old is now at .261/.413/.446 with as many walks as base hits (24-for-92). Clint Coulter was the DH here, singled twice in four trips.

Audio links via the Manatees: Sunday game highlights -- Dunedin holds off a late Brevard County charge in a 4-2 victory *** Pre-game interview: Third baseman Nicky Delmonico joins Dave Walkovic

Nashville Pre-Game Interview with newcomer RHP Dustin Molleken Includes discussion of his time in Japan...

Sounds Edge Sky Sox In Series Finale, 3-2 Lalli Homers For Nashville, Which Gains Split Of Set Nashville Sounds Jimmy Nelson File Photo by Mike Strasinger http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/3/2/55454232/cuts/NelsonRed_peuosj6o_5y6j3lpy.jpg COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The Nashville Sounds gained a split of a four-game set with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Sunday evening at Security Service Field. Right-hander Jimmy Nelson (3-4) picked up the win for the Sounds after allowing one run on five hits and striking out five batters over his five innings of work. He lowered his Triple-A ERA to 3.54 with the effort. Blake Lalli (2-for-4) powered the Sounds to an early lead with a two-run homer in the top of the second inning off Sky Sox starter Armando Galarraga, the backstop's 11th roundtripper of the year. Josh Prince (2-for-3), who preceded Lalli with a single, also scored on the blast (audio). Colorado Springs halved the Nashville lead to 2-1 in the third when ex-Sound Hernan Iribarren led off with a single and later scored on Ryan Wheeler's one-out double to center. Nashville tacked on a run in the fifth when Eugenio Velez's sacrifice fly plated Blake Davis (audio), who had opened the frame with a single. Johnnie Lowe (1.0 IP) and Brent Leach (2.1 IP) worked scoreless relief for the Sounds to keep it a 3-1 contest until the ninth, when the Sky Sox didn't go down without a fight against Sounds closer Jesus Sanchez. After Sanchez retired the first two hitter of the inning, Jordan Pacheco, Tim Wheeler, and Iribarren strung together three consecutive singles, which made it a 3-2 game and placed Wheeler at third as the tying run. Sanchez then retired Reid Brignac on a game-ending soft lineout to third (audio). The Sounds continue their West Coast road trip on Monday in Reno, Nevada with the 9:05 PM CT opener of a four-game series at Aces Ballpark. Left-hander Chris Narveson (4-6, 4.99), who has worked a Nashville season-high 16 2/3 consecutive scoreless frames over his last three outings, will make the start for the Sounds. Reno will counter with southpaw Tyler Skaggs (6-7, 4.12).

VIDEO: From Game One of Saturday's doubleheader -- Johnny Hellweg starts a double play in Nashville's 6-2 loss to Colorado Springs

Hector Gomez photo via the Chattanoogan on his three-hit day http://www.chattanoogan.com/photos/2013/8/article.256815.large.jpg

AUDIO: Alex has game highlights from the Stars' shutout win