Jim Goulart

Latest update: Biloxi admits 2015 is the realistic opening date, not 2014, as we predicted. Mark McCarter of the Huntsville Times with the latest When asked which team would move to Biloxi, Tim Bennett, head of Overtime Sports, told the newspaper, "I really can't answer that question. I have to be very careful about what I say about that right now. "I think we'll have something worked out in the next couple of weeks," said Bennett. *** Well, there's only five weeks left in the Southern League season. Like Carolina in 2011 before moving to Pensacola in 2012, either the Huntsville of Jackson affiliate will have a "lame duck" 2014 season.

Worth little to note, but -- AA first exposes pitchers to at-bats: Taylor Jungmann is 0-for-16, 1st year at AA Jimmy Nelson is 0-for-26 at AA/AAA Ariel Pena is 0-for-21 in his career Drew Gagnon is 0-for-12, 1st year at AA Other Stars pitchers outside of Andy Moye are 1-for-32 this season while with the Stars (Brooks Hall with the single). Moye is the one bright light, 4-for-18, two doubles *** Catcher Adam Weisenburger has come back to earth after his wicked early pace, 7-for-53 (.132) in July

Weather.com: Nashville, TN Huntsville, AL Viera, FL (Melbourne) Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Helena, MT 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, and Wisconsin, 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 Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers New MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Programming note, DVR Alert!: The next three Timber Rattlers games (Thurs. through Sat.) are on TV. Tonight's game is on TWC Sports 32. It'll be back to MyNew32 TV Friday and Saturday. The always worthwhile Timber Rattlers Field Pass airs tonight at 6:00 PM. Then, following "The Roundtable" at 6:30, it's game time. Of course, if watching live, synch it up with Chris Mehring's audio .

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Johnny Hellweg at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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: RHP Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 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 Chad Pierce at home vs. Bradenton (Pirates), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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 Eric Semmelhack at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 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 $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 Eduard Reyes at home vs. 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): Idle ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Braves, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

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AUDIO: Starting pitcher Jacob Barnes joins Al Hernandez on the Manatees pregame show

Positive gains for Rattlers' Gainey Former Midshipman allows one hit in seven shutout innings By Jake Seiner / MiLB.com A little over a year ago, Preston Gainey was faced with a serious life decision. How are things going for him since? "It's been a blessing," he said. The Brewers' 2012 11th-round Draft pick chose a career in professional baseball over continuing his education at the United States Naval Academy last summer. He did it hoping for nights like Wednesday, when he tossed a career-best seven innings and held Clinton to one hit in Class A Wisconsin's 9-1 victory. Gainey (4-5) struck out one and walked three in the scoreless effort, using a well-spotted fastball to induce 10 groundouts while trusting his defense to do the job behind him. It was his first scoreless effort since tossing two innings out of the bullpen for Rookie-level on July 7, 2012. Wednesday's effort reduced his ERA to 6.28 in 18 appearances, including 10 starts, this season. He's struck out 43 batters, walked 37 and given up seven homers over 67 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander said the big difference Wednesday was better focus from the rubber. "I've been focusing a lot on my mental approach to pitching, just kind of relaxing," he said. "A lot of times, I catch myself trying to do too much. I overpitch, almost, and try to be too perfect. Tonight, I was relaxed and throwing the ball over the plate." Gainey's tense tendencies aren't shocking, considering his history. While the grind of traveling and playing ball every day can wear on some new professionals, he's found the Minor League pace easy to adapt to after two years at Annapolis. The Florida native was excellent as a Midshipman, earning a spot on the All-Patriot League Tournament Team as a freshman in 2011 before being named second-team all-conference as a sophomore. He went 3-3 with a 3.25 ERA and 54 strikeouts over 55 1/3 innings in 2012, attracting Milwaukee's attention. When the Brewers drafted Gainey, he faced a stark choice. If he signed to play pro ball, there was no going back to the Naval Academy. Gainey's family has a history of military service, and while the chance to serve in the Navy was one of his goals, the chance to chase Major League dreams was too strong. About 13 months after making the decision, the right-hander has no regrets. "Absolutely," he said when asked if it was the right choice. "I kind of went back and forth on the decision of whether to leave. I prayed about it a lot. "It really has been a blast. ... [The Naval Academy] was a tough lifestyle; this is just fun, playing baseball. It's awesome. It's a blessing and a fun ride. I've learned a lot along the way and I look forward to the rest of my career." Among the hitters Gainey shut down Wednesday was 12th overall pick D.J. Peterson, who was making his Midwest League debut. The Mariners prospect went 0-for-4 with one strikeout. For Wisconsin, shortstop Orlando Arcia was 2-for-4 with a triple, a stolen base, an RBI and two runs scored and made a nifty, leaping grab to rob Gabriel Guerrero of a base hit in the second inning. Preston Gainey is 3-0 in eight outings since June 3. (Photo by Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers) http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/0/6/54683006/cuts/480_Gainey_Ann_Mollica_Wisconsin_Timber_Rattlers_od5c9hsg_6yudhchx.jpg

Final: AZL Padres 10, @AZL Brewers 3 AZL Brewers Box Score Really tough to take too many positives out of this game, looks like the bench was emptied late to get AB's for several. David Denson and Elvis Rubio both reached twice, and the team turned three double plays, so there you go. Errors, caught stealings, poor with RISP, not an A-Game for the A-Crew. 5th round RHP Josh Uhen was used in late relief with UW-Milwaukee (only 21.1 innings), so that helps explain his assignment to Maryvale instead of Helena, but he's still struggling regardless. AZL Brewers Game Log

Additional Post-Game Interview with Preson Gainey can be found at the link below from the Post-Crescent - Wisconsin routs Clinton by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — He’s often the smallest and youngest player on the field, but Orlando Arcia has no problem getting noticed. His superb defensive skills and potential for growth at the plate make Arcia a prospect who is being closely tracked by the Milwaukee Brewers. Arcia’s skill set was on full display Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The 18-year-old shortstop from Anaco, Venezuela made two terrific defensive plays, cracked two hits and stole a base. Arcia’s multiple contributions, combined with a terrific pitching performance from Preston Gainey, lifted the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 9-1 win over the Clinton LumberKings before a crowd of 5,153 in the opener of a six-game home stand. Arcia is ranked by Baseball America as the 17th best prospect in the Brewers’ organization. As a shortstop, he has exceptional range and a strong arm. Arcia’s first head-turning defensive play came in the second inning when he made a leaping grab of a line drive to rob Clinton’s Gaby Guerrero of a base hit. “It was a little bit of a surprise that I came up with it,” said Arcia through teammate Mike Garza, who served as translator. “I had to wait and time my jump.” An inning later, Arcia delivered another defensive gem. He ranged far to the right to scoop up Ketel Marte’s ground ball up the middle and gun Marte out with a difficult on-the-run throw. “I think the ball up the middle was probably the tougher play,” said Arcia. “My arm is one of the best parts of my game. If I can get to a ball like that, I can still throw him out from deep short. I felt good about my play tonight. Anything I can do to help the team is a plus. Thanks to God, I was feeling really good out there.” Arcia is hitting a modest .243 but has shown gradual improvement at the plate and excellent speed on the basepaths. The 5-foot-11, 160-pounder highlighted Wisconsin’s three-run third with an RBI triple down the first-base line. He added a single in the fifth and stole his 16th base of the season. “He’s a young man who brings great energy,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “He’s very passionate about the game and he’s one of those guys who wants to be the best player on the field on a nightly basis. That’s not always going to happen, but he has that kind of attitude. “We knew all about his defensive skills coming in and he’s gotten better at the plate. He still chases some bad pitches. With a little more patience, I think his numbers will jump.” Gainey had a major hand in the win, too. The 22-year-old right-hander limited the LumberKings to just one hit over seven shutout innings to raise his season record to 4-5. Gainey was extremely effective and leaned on his infield defense, retiring 10 hitters on ground outs. “It was my best outing of the year and probably of my pro career,” said Gainey. “I found a little bit of a rhythm and just went with it. I was living on my fastball most of the game and later on my slider really started working well. I just tried to attack hitters and locate my fastball. And my defense made some great plays behind me.” Gainey departed after throwing 82 pitches, 44 for fastballs. Ryan Gibbard finished up for Wisconsin, allowing two hits and an unearned run in two innings. “It was awesome to see that from Gainey,” said Erickson. “He’s been kind of inconsistent with his starts. In a way he was effectively wild, because he was getting to a lot of two and three-ball counts, but then he would make a pitch and find a way to get an out. He located his fastball pretty well down in the zone.” Jamodrick McGruder of the LumberKings bobbles the ball as Orlando Arcia of the Timber Rattlers slides into second at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute on Wednesday. / Photo by Ron Page, Post-Crescent Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20130724&Category=APC02060201&ArtNo=307240510&Ref=AR&MaxW=600&Border=0

More Wisconsin highlights -- these from the MyNew32 TV Broadcast *** TV postgame interview with starting pitcher Preston Gainey

Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Entry includes video highlights with Chris' calls

Stars Powered Down By Smokies By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars In game two of a five-game series, a Huntsville Stars team that scored 21 runs in their previous three games was silenced by the Tennessee Smokies by a score of 6-1 on Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. After scoring the final four runs on Tuesday in their 6-4 loss against the Stars, the Smokies continued that momentum early. In the span of three batters during the top of the second inning, both first baseman Justin Bour and catcher Rafael Lopez lofted solo homers against Stars starter Andy Moye (L, 4-11) to put the Smokies on the board. Two innings later, shortstop Javier Baez led things off with a solo blast of his own to make the score 3-0. For Baez, the homer was his second in as many games and third roundtripper in six games against the Stars this season. That run support was plenty for Tennessee starting pitcher Dae-Un Rhee and the rest of the Smokies pitching staff. The 24-year-old righty improved to 2-0 during his injury-plagued 2013 season after giving up a run on five hits in 5.0+ innings while striking out five batters. Four Tennessee pitchers, including RHP Yeiper Castillo, LHP Hunter Cervenka, LHP Zac Rosscup and RHP Tony Zych combined to shutout the Stars through the final four innings to conserve the victory for Rhee and the Smokies. On offense, the only run the Stars were able to manage was an RBI single by first baseman Jason Rogers in the fifth inning. Rogers now has nine runs batted in over his last five games. Aside from Rogers, second baseman Nick Shaw was the only Stars player to record a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 at the plate with a double. Tennessee scored two runs in the eighth inning and one in the ninth inning off of Stars reliever David Goforth for insurance purposes, highlighted by an RBI single from third baseman Jonathan Mota and a sacrifice fly by outfielder Rubi Silva. The loss for the Stars snaps their four-game winning streak against the Smokies dating back to the series the two teams played against each other at Smokies Park earlier this month. On Thursday, the Stars will play game three of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against Tennessee. Huntsville will send RHP Taylor Jungmann (9-6, 3.78 ERA) to the bump while Tennessee will counter with LHP Austin Kirk (2-3, 36.53 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

Helena Pre-Game Audio: First baseman Adam Giacalone talks about his return to Helena

Brewers hang on against Mustangs By Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers built a 10-0 lead over the Billings Mustangs and then held on for an 11-6 Pioneer League victory at Kindrick Legion Field on Wednesday. The visiting Mustangs outhit the Brewers 14-12 as the two clubs combined for 26 hits in what turned out to be a slugfest after Helena pitching held the visitors scoreless for six innings. The Brewers took a 2-0 lead after three innings, as local Tristan Archer pitched four innings of shutout ball before giving way to David Otterman. Archer allowed three hits and struck out two, without issuing a walk. Otterman worked three stanzas, giving up five hits and one run. Helena’s (20-13) big, eight-run sixth inning started with a leadoff base on balls by Adam Giacalone. Then the Brewers’ hit parade began with a double by Taylor Brennan, a two-run single by Dustin Houle and Angel Ortega reaching on a fielding error. Then a two-run single by Omar Garcia was followed by Charlie Markson’s single, preceding a two-run double by Michael Ratterree, which turned out to be the deciding runs. After another single by Giacalone, Ratterree tallied the eighth run of the frame, racing home on a wild pitch. Billings (12-21) finally got on the scoreboard with a run in the seventh, and then rallied for five markers in the eighth to make a game of it. The Mustangs belted back-to-back home runs off reliever Danny Keller; a 3-run shot by Jhimmy Lopez, and a solo tater by Jon Matthews. Ratterree helped the hosts regain a little momentum with a stand-up triple to the right-center fence in the bottom of the eighth, plating Markson for a five-run cushion and the winning margin. Sean Albury pitched the final 1 1/3 stanzas and shut out the visitors in the ninth to seal it. Garcia, Markson, Ratterree (three RBIs) and Giacalone had two hits each for the home team. The Mustangs’ offense was led by Ty Washington (two RBIs), Avain Rachal and Matthews, with three hits apiece. Luke Moran took the mound loss. Helena entered the series with a shot to win the season’s first half and, with it, a spot in the postseason. The team hasn’t made the playoffs since claiming the Pioneer League crown in 2010. The team’s magic number of three was reduced to one after the win on Wednesday, thanks to a Great Falls loss in Missoula. That means the Brewers can snap that postseason skid when the two teams meet again tonight at Kindrick Legion, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Photos by Eliza Wiley Independent Record - David Otterman, throws a pitch to Billings Jonathan Reynoso who bunts for a base hit Wednesday night at Kindrick Legion Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/fe/9fe0c246-f4d9-11e2-9c74-0019bb2963f4/51f09a478b245.preview-620.jpg Helena's Nathan Orf barely makes it back to first base before the ball Wednesday night during their game against the Billings Mustangs. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/87/a87560ba-f4d9-11e2-816e-0019bb2963f4/51f09a5608d68.preview-620.jpg

Magic Number Down to One Billings battles back but 6th inning is difference for Helena By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers Helena Site Photo of Michael Ratterree by Seth Eikomstead http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/2/0/54688120/cuts/Ratterree_poohax3h_aytqs44h.jpg It might not have been pretty at the end, but the Helena Brewers got a huge sixth inning and held on for an 11-6 win over Billings on Wednesday. With the Brewers win and a Great Falls loss on the night, the Helena magic number was cut to one. If the Brewers win on Thursday or Great Falls loses to Missoula, Helena will clinch a playoff spot and be crowned the Pioneer League North first half champions. But on a day when the Brewers arrived home from a road trip in the wee hours of the morning, picking up a victory was not as easy as the final score indicated. The Brewers jumped out to a lead in the bottom of the third doing all of their damage with two outs. After Luke Moran had gotten a pair of groundouts, Omar Garcia slapped a single to right, Charlie Markson was hit with a pitch, and Michael Ratterree walked. With the bases loaded, Adam Giacalone continued to swing a hot bat as he smoked the first pitch he saw to drive in Garcia and Markson and give Helena a 2-0 lead. Helena starter Tristan Archer would shut the Mustangs down through four innings and the game was a pitcher's dual until the Brewers opened things up in the sixth. In that frame Giacalone would walk to leadoff the inning and Taylor Brennan would follow by pulling a double to left. With the infield drawn in, Dustin Houle hit a blooper to shallow left that fell as Giacalone and Brennan scored to make it 4-0. After Moran was replaced by Zack Weiss, Jose Pena struck out and Angel Ortega reached when Weiss couldn't get a grip on a grounder back at him. After Nathan Orf moved the runners into scoring position with a grounder, Garcia hit a blooper to left that fell in as Houle and Ortega both came home on the play. Markson would then slap a single to right and Ratterree would follow by smoking a double into the left-center gap. The double not only drove home a pair but it also extended Ratterree's hitting streak to 14 games. The Brewers would score their seventh run of the inning when Ratterree eventually scored on a wild pitch to make it 9-0. "Bloopers or blasts whatever they are they end up helping out. The guys put up a big inning there and it ended up being the difference in the ballgame so a solid effort on their part," said Helena manager Tony Diggs. After Billings grabbed a run in the seventh off David Otterman (who would eventually pick up the win), Pena would add to the Helena lead when he hit his fourth homer of the season, a solo shot to left. With a 10-1 advantage the game would seem to be well in hand but Billings found a way to battle back off Danny Keller as fatigue seemed to settle in on a tired bunch of Brewers. After getting two quick outs in the seventh, Keller would hit Taylor Terrasas and walk Robert Ramirez. Jhimmy Lopez would then hit a bomb to left for a three-run shot and Jon Matthews would follow with a line drive homer to make it a 10-5 game. That would be it for Keller who was replaced by Sean Albury. Albury would give up a single to Jonathan Reynoso who advanced to second when the throw to the infield by Garcia was wild. After Reynoso advanced to third thanks a passed ball by Houle, Ty Washington would hit an RBI single to make it a four-run game. Albury would allow another double but he would get out of the inning when he retired Daniel Paula on a groundout. Ratterree would give the Brewers an insurance run in the eighth when he smoked an RBI triple into the gap in right-center and although he allowed a leadoff single, Albury would finish things off with a pair of strikeouts in the ninth to preserve the win. "We are coming off a pretty big road trip and we did a lot of things well and especially coming back late last night you want to see the guys come out and play a little bit sharper than what they did, but a W is a W in this case," said Diggs. The series will continue on Thursday night and the scenario will be simple for the Brewers: win and they clinch a spot in the playoffs.

GIDP-mania, living dangerously -- Check out Tyler Cravy's 2nd, 3rd, and 5th innings for the Manatees tonight. EDIT: And 6th!

Comedy online, and in the clubhouse Includes video...

MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff on Delmonico

MLB.com's Bernie Pleskoff on Delmonico

Lots of good discussion in the K-Rod / Nicky Delmonico thread on the Major League Forum, if you haven't made your way over there.