Jim Goulart

Nashville catcher Robinzon Diaz makes his 28th career appearance at third base tonight for the Sounds, a cameo he's made every so often going back to the beginning of his pro career in 2002. How many folks remembered Anderson De La Rosa debuted as an OF back in 2004? That surprise CF appearance Friday night was his first OF action since 2009, and first CF stint since 2006.

Via the Manatees: Saturday's game at Palm Beach has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 4:05 PM (3:05 Central).

Happy Birthday to: Nashville Sound INF Ozzie Chavez, his 30th Brevard County Manatee RHP Tyler Cravy, his 24th Dominican Summer League Brewer RHP Axel Cordero, his 22nd

Thanks to all! So after three flights today as part of an "until now" successful day dropping off "daughter Mass Haas" at a pre-college camp experience, I've been informed that the final leg of my journey from Baltimore to Providence faces a 3.5 hour delay and I'm stuck in a concourse with less-than-inspiring dinner choices. But my first wi-fi of the day, and I'll be home to watch the last few innings of the late Brewers game .

Via Wisconsin's Media Notes: TRANSACTIONS: The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that first baseman Garrett Cooper, their 6th round pick of the 2013 draft out of Auburn, has been transferred from Helena to the Timber Rattlers. First baseman Adam Giacalone has been transferred to Helena from the Timber Rattlers. Cooper's in tonight's Rattlers lineup, batting 6th.

Nashville falls in 13 (box, game story with audio highlights), Maryvale wins in 11 (box) Actually off to the airport, and although I'll be online later, if the earlybird Link Reporters can followup on those games, particularly Maryvale, so appreciated, thanks.

Helena Box Score Helena Game Log

Chukars earn split with Brewers Helena Independent Record Idaho Falls scored six unanswered runs Friday night at Kindrick Legion Field to beat the Brewers 6-3 and leave Helena with a split of the four-game series. After taking the early lead in the first three games of the set, this time the Chukars found themselves trailing the Brewers. RBI singles by Ruben Ozuna and Omar Garcia plated a pair of runs for the home team in the third inning, and Helena took a 3-0 lead in the fourth on an RBI double by Jalen Harris. But back-to-back RBI doubles by the Chukars’ Humberto Arteaga and Elier Hernandez in the next frame trimmed Helena’s lead to a run. The visitors took advantage of a pitching change in the seventh inning, when Ryan Fasano relieved Helena starter Anthony Banda at the top of the inning. The Chukars tied the game with an RBI single by Alex Marquez, then took their first lead of the game on Hernandez’s two-run shot to left field. It was the 18-year-old’s second home run of the season, as both came during this series with the Brewers. An insurance run in the eighth gave Idaho Falls some extra cushion. But Helena had a rally brewing in the bottom of the ninth, when Josiel Martinez walked Harris, and Ozuna reached on a single. With two on and Garcia representing the tying run at the dish, Corey Rhoney came into the game and got Garcia to pop out to short on the infield fly rule. Charlie Markson then struck out looking to end the game. Garcia stole his ninth base of the season to move into a two-way tie for first place in the Pioneer League. Idaho Falls third baseman Hunter Dozier saw his 21-game on-base streak come to an end, as this was the only game all year he failed to reach. Dozier, a Kansas City Royals’ first-round pick who was taken eighth overall in this year’s draft and received a $2.2 million signing bonus, was also hitless for the second straight night, going 0-for-5 on Friday. The Brewers begin a three-game set with Ogden tonight. Tristan Archer is the probable starter for Helena and will likely go up against Ogden’s Jonathan Martinez.

Banda's Performance Not Enough Hernandez's homer boosts Chukars to 6-3 win on Friday By Zac Vierra / Helena Brewers After a rough performance in his last outing, Anthony Banda bounced back in impressive fashion for Helena on Friday night. But unfortunately for the southpaw, he couldn't pick up the win as Elier Hernandez's two-run home run in the seventh inning proved to be the difference as Idaho Falls defeated Helena 6-3. Banda (above) posted his third quality start of the season for Helena after allowing two runs on seven hits while tying a career high with six strikeouts. "That was more than just a quality outing. That was him trying to reestablish who he was and what he does up there. He showed good command of his fastball today and used his off speed pitches real well," said Helena skipper Tony Diggs. With the Brewers leading 3-2 in the seventh inning, Banda was replaced by Ryan Fasano and that's when things would start to go south for the Brewers. To leadoff the seventh, Carlos Garcia would hit a sinking liner that right fielder Michael Ratterree got a glove on, but it got by him and Garcia motored to third on the error. He would tie the game in the next at bat when Alex Marquez pulled a single past the dive of Taylor Brennan at third. The Chukars would then take the lead with one swing of the bat as Hernandez hit a line drive homer to left to give Idaho Falls a 5-3 lead. Idaho Falls would add to the lead off Fasano in the top of the eighth when Frank Schwindel led off the inning with a double and would later score on a groundout. Helena would bring the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning but Corey Rhoney got Angel Ortega to pop up and struck out Charlie Markson looking to end it and give the Chukars a series split. "We made mistakes late in the game that might have cost us tonight but that's how it rolls sometimes," said Diggs. The Brewers got on the board first in a wacky bottom of the third inning. Jalen Harris reached to start the frame when he hit a fly ball to right-center and Dominique Taylor and Elier Hernandez collided on the play. Ruben Ozuna would follow by pulling a chopper into right for a single and on the play Harris tried to advance to third but he tripped about one third of the way there. When that happened, Hernandez tried to get Harris at second, but his throw was off the line, got by everyone, and became lodged behind the tarp on the third base line. Since the ball went out of play Harris was awarded home and Ozuna was allowed to go to third. With Ozuna on third, the Chukars pulled the infield in and Omar Garcia hit a blooper to shallow left-center than dropped harmlessly in between a Bermuda Triangle of the left fielder, the center fielder, and the shortstop. Ozuna scored on the play. In the fourth inning Harris would continue his hot streak to drive home another run. After Ortega pulled a double down the left field line, Harris smoked a two bagger into the gap in right-center to make it a 3-0 game. It was his fourth double of the series and his seventh RBI on the homestand. "He is swinging the bat well right now and not only is he swinging the bat well, he has hit in quality times with men in scoring position," said Diggs. The Chukars would chip away off of Banda in the top of the fifth inning. Carlos Garcia would leadoff with a single and advance to second on a grounder. Humberto Arteaga would follow with a cue shot double down the first base line that scored Garcia. Hernandez would then hit a double over the head of the left fielder Ozuna and it was a 3-2 game. Fasano would replace Banda in the seventh and the game would change dramatically in Idaho Falls' favor. The Brewers will be back at it on Saturday night as the Ogden Raptors come to town for the only time this season. First pitch at Kindrick Legion Field is at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena site photo of Anthony Banda by Seth Eikomstead http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/1/2/53602212/cuts/18_Anthony_Banda_P_72dsy9d9_mjz2op8j.jpg

Pre-game AUDIO: Helena Brewers catcher Dustin Houle talks about his transition to catcher and his playing history High praise for his batterymate LHP Anthony Banda...

Via MyNewTV 32 VIDEO -- Additional Game Highlights of the Tin Caps - Rattlers

Rattlers Report: Wisconsin loses in 13th inning by Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers decided to work overtime on Friday night. The Timber Rattlers scored a run in the eighth and one in the ninth to tie their Midwest League game against the Fort Wayne TinCaps and send it into extra innings at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Fort Wayne spoiled the comeback, though, breaking through with two runs in the 13th to beat Wisconsin 8-6. Despite the loss that left the Timber Rattlers with a 9-12 record in the second half of the Midwest League, the team is 9-6 since getting off to an 0-6 start after the Midwest League All-Star break. The difference? “We just started putting together some good games,” said Max Walla, who went four-for-six with a double and two RBI. “We’ve had some good energy and good all-around baseball. It’s been fun. We’ve had a lot of fun and continue to work hard and grind. Sometimes this game will sometimes slap you in the face and sometimes reward you big time.” Wisconsin’s run in the eighth began with a two-out walk to Victor Roache. Mike Garza singled Roache to second. After Chris Nunn came on in relief for the TinCaps, Adam Giacalone drew a walk to load the bases. Walla singled in Roache, but Garza was thrown out at the plate trying to score from second. Roman Madrid replaced Nunn on the mound in the ninth and gave up a one-out single to Orlando Arcia, who stole second. Alfredo Rodriguez tied the game with a single to center and took second on the throw home. Madrid then intentionally walked Michael Reed before Tyrone Taylor flew out to left and Roache struck out. Wisconsin put runners on second in the 10th and 11th but couldn’t deliver. Walla hit a two-out double in the 10th but Tyler Roberts lined out to right. The Timber Rattlers had a better chance in the 11th. Rodriguez hit a one-out double and Reed was again intentionally walked, but Taylor grounded to short to start a double play. Fort Wayne’s Mallex Smith led off the game by drawing a walk and stealing second. He took third on a groundout to first and scored on a groundout to short. Wisconsin tied the game in the second, when Garza led off with a walk and stole second. Walla singled in Garza but was thrown out trying to go to second. After the TinCaps scored twice in the fourth, the Timber Rattlers scored three runs in the fifth. Walla singled with one out and went to second on a single by Roberts. Arica tripled in both runners and scored on a squeeze bunt by Rodriguez. Reed then singled and stole second, going to third on an infield single to short by Taylor, but Roache popped out to first to end the inning. Fort Wayne took a 6-4 lead with two runs in the sixth and one in the seventh. Key to the Rattlers coming back to tie the game was the job Michael Strong did out of the bullpen. Entering the game in the seventh inning, Strong allowed one run on three hits and a walk in 4 2⁄3 innings. “A great effort,” Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson said. “He kept us right there and allowed us to get back into it. He’s a guy who has been involved in our tandem so he’s been extended in innings. He hasn’t done it in a while but he’s been out there for a number of pitches. I think he had 60-some pitches tonight but 4 2⁄3 innings and did a really nice job out of our pen today.” The TinCaps began the 13th inning with singles by Diego Goris and Rodney Daal, who moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Chris Burke. After Wisconsin reliever Taylor Wall intentionally walked Corey Adamson, he walked Luis Domoromo to force in the first run. Tyler Stubblefield then grounded back up the middle off Wall and Daal scored while Williams threw to Arcia for the out at second. Despite the loss, Wisconsin remains 3½ games out of first due to first-place Quad Cities losing to Bowling Green 4-3 and definitely in the hunt for a wild-card playoff berth. “I told them that this series we’ve been very competitive up and down the line-up with tough outs,” Erickson said. “We’ve gotten some good outings out of our bullpen. Tonight we had some good outings. The first game we had five scoreless innings. Yesterday we had the last six. Anytime we can get some quality pitching and play good defense. We’ve played much better defense in the second half as opposed to the first half. There’s a belief a little bit that they’re finding ways to win some ball games. Obviously, when that happens things can start rolling.” Wisconsin shortstop Orlando Arcia chases down a ground ball against Fort Wayne in Grand Chute on Friday. / Wm.Glasheen Photo/Post-Crescent Media http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20130712&Category=APC02060201&ArtNo=307120442&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Rattlers-Report-Wisconsin-loses-13th-inning

Rattler Radio Blog - Post-Game entry includes video highlights as per usual for home games

Remember this from Thursday? Barons win in a walk over Huntsville, with Stars' All-Star delegation shuffled again Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Of four Huntsville Stars originally voted to the Southern League All-Star team, only one will be heading to Jacksonville, Fla., for next Wednesday's game. The latest casualty to the Huntsville list is first baseman Jason Rogers, who suffered an oblique injury on Thursday night and will be sidelined indefinitely. He's being replaced by Huntsville catcher Adam Weisenburger. Rogers had been ticketed to participate in the pregame home run derby. Outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard was a late addition to the Southern League North squad, replacing Kentrail Davis. The Brewers promoted Davis to Class AAA earlier in the week. Pitcher Ariel Pena was also named to the squad as a replacement for Chattanooga's Rob Rasmussen, who has been promoted. Pitcher Taylor Jungmann, the starter in Friday's 6-2 loss to Birmingham, was one of the original selections and will be traveling to Jacksonville. Jimmy Nelson, who began the year in Huntsville before moving to Triple-A Nashville and received sufficient votes to make the team, was promoted before the squad was announced. It was not a stellar performance by Jungmann, who walked six men in two innings of work. Huntsville pitchers allowed 11 walks, to just three by Birmingham. Nonetheless, it was 2-2 going into the ninth. But Birmingham loaded the bases on a walk, single and error. Jared Mitchell walked to bring in the lead run, then Michael Earley cleared the bases with a double. After Birmingham's first run, on a bases-loaded walk, Nick Walker tied things in the third on an RBI single before Marcus Semien put the Barons back up, 2-1, with an RBI single in the fourth. Rene Tosoni tied the score with a double in the fifth.

Late Inning Surge Dooms Stars By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars After mounting a come-from-behind victory one night earlier, the Huntsville Stars could not overcome a ninth inning surge from the Birmingham Barons as they took a 6-2 loss on Friday night at Joe Davis Stadium. As they have in each of the first three games of the series, the Barons took the initial lead against Stars starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann. After designated hitter Michael Earley singled with one out in the second inning, Jungmann went through a stretch of walking three out of the next five hitters, including outfielder Keenyn Walker with the bases-loaded to make the score 1-0. Much like Thursday night, the Stars resiliency allowed them to trade runs with the Barons. In the top of the third inning, Huntsville provided the equalizer against Birmingham. Once Chadwin Stang was hit by a pitch to start the frame, he advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from second basemen Nick Shaw. Three batters later, a two-out RBI single from first baseman Mike Walker tied the game up at one run apiece. After a fourth inning RBI single by second baseman Marcus Semien gave Birmingham back the lead, the Stars returned the favor in the bottom half of the fifth inning. With Shaw on first following a one-out walk, outfielder Rene Tosoni ripped an RBI double down the right-field line to knot things up at 2-2. The score stayed that way into the ninth inning, where Birmingham nullified the Stars heroics from the previous night. Against Stars reliever Casey Medlen (L, 2-4), the Barons offense put the bases full with one out for outfielder Jared Mitchell. After four straight balls, Mitchell's bases-loaded walk gave Birmingham the lead for good. One batter later, a bases-clearing triple from Early gave the Barons all the run support they needed. Earning the win in relief for Birmingham was reliever Taylor Thompson, improving to 4-2 on the year after blanking the Stars through the final two innings of the game. En route to just his second no-decision of the year, Jungmann was pulled after two innings of work where he gave up a run on a season-high six walks. It was his second shortest start of the season. On offense, Tosoni led the way with three hits for his second straight multi-hit game. Outfielder Shea Vucinich also chipped in with two hits. The Stars will play game four of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium against the Birmingham Barons on Saturday. Huntsville will send RHP David Goforth (2-1, 4.60 ERA) to the bump while Birmingham will counter with RHP Michael Nix (3-1, 3.04 ERA). First pitch is 6:43 ET.

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Johnnie Lowe at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 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 David Goforth at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 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: LHP Jed Bradley at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 4:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Palm Beach option ********** Wisconsin: RHP Tyler Wagner at home vs. Lake County (Indians), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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: 32 of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel has seventeen games scheduled and WACY-TV My NEW32 plans to show fifteen games. We'll let you know when, but won't be providing day-before DVR reminders, so regularly check for proper channel and time planning (scroll to the bottom of this link). ********** Helena: RHP Tristan Archer at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 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 Idaho Falls (July) and Grand Junction (August), those games will be available for viewing online. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Athletics' kids; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Yankees #1 squad, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

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AUDIO: Former Tennessee Volunteer Kentrail Davis on Nashville Sports Talk Radio -- well-spoken, good interview!

Via the Stars: Also, Brock Kjeldgaard (T-2nd in SL with 14 HR) was added today as a late participant to the @SLeagueBaseball All-Star Home Run Derby!

Nice and much deserved! Huntsville Tweet: Congrats to @HuntsvilleStars C @aweisenburger for being added to the @SLeagueBaseball North Mid-Season All-Star roster today! Weisenburger has posted strong numbers since the start of the season. *** We should note that there are only ten Southern League teams, so a North squad made up of just five clubs is going to be well-represented by all. That being said, however, all the Stars reps should enjoy themselves and the honor. Kudos, gentlemen!

Another Bob Brainerd effort of note, this one on Victor Roache -- Power Ball!

July 1st - D.J. Short, Hardball Talk: Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com reports that the Nationals have granted Micah Owings his release after he opted out of his minor league contract with the club. After posting a 4.86 ERA over six seasons between the Diamondbacks, Reds, and Padres, Owings made the switch from pitcher to full-time position player this season. The 30-year-old was batting .265/.305/.480 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and a 71/10 K/BB ratio over 213 plate appearances with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate. He made 30 starts in left field, two in right field and 21 out of the designated hitter spot. Owings was already considered a good hitting pitcher and the pop he has displayed in the minors is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but that plate discipline isn’t pretty. While it sounds like he could have a lead on a promising situation elsewhere, one wonders if he would be more interesting to a major league club if he still pitched a little.

I think folks have been waiting for this one since the Kieschnick days...via the BrewersPD twitter account: The #Brewers have signed RHP/OF Micah Owings to a minor league contract. He will report to our complex in Maryvale Baseball Reference Big League Pitching / Hitting Numbers And the Minor League Side Owings turns 31 in September. *** We'll post this info on the Major League forum as well for any potential discussion there. *** July 1st - D.J. Short, Hardball Talk: Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com reports that the Nationals have granted Micah Owings his release after he opted out of his minor league contract with the club. After posting a 4.86 ERA over six seasons between the Diamondbacks, Reds, and Padres, Owings made the switch from pitcher to full-time position player this season. The 30-year-old was batting .265/.305/.480 with eight home runs, 31 RBI and a 71/10 K/BB ratio over 213 plate appearances with the Nationals’ Triple-A affiliate. He made 30 starts in left field, two in right field and 21 out of the designated hitter spot. Owings was already considered a good hitting pitcher and the pop he has displayed in the minors is certainly nothing to sneeze at, but that plate discipline isn’t pretty. While it sounds like he could have a lead on a promising situation elsewhere, one wonders if he would be more interesting to a major league club if he still pitched a little.

I think folks have been waiting for this one since the Kieschnick days...via the BrewersPD twitter account: The #Brewers have signed RHP/OF Micah Owings to a minor league contract. He will report to our complex in Maryvale Baseball Reference Big League Pitching / Hitting Numbers And the Minor League Side Owings turns 31 in September.

Via the Manatees: C Brent Dean has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 10th INF Cody Hawn has been activated from the disabled list and will be active for tonight's game against Palm Beach