Jim Goulart

Final: AZL Brewers 9, @AZL Indians 8, 12 innings AZL Brewers Box Score So 2nd rounder Devin Williams did this. Nice! So 2nd rounder Tucker Neuhaus did this. Sweet! After four games, David Denson sports a .529 OBP and 1,085 OPS and reached four times here. After six games, 2B Francisco Castillo has a .414/.469/.517 line, and reached three times here. If they were on Twitter, well, you know... Brewers drew 11 walks in addition to their ten hits. 2nd-year 1B Alan Sharkey tripled and walked twice. Brewers allowed four unearned runs which complicated things. Just-turned 21-year-old 18th round pick LHP Clint Terry has fanned 11 and walked zero in his first six innings. AZL Brewers Game Log Trailing 6-4 entering the 9th, the A-Crew scored four to go up 8-6: AZL Brewers Top of the 9th Alan Sharkey walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Elvis Rubio replaces Luis Aviles. Elvis Rubio walks. Alan Sharkey to 2nd. Francisco Castillo hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by pitcher Ramon Rodriguez. Alan Sharkey scores. Elvis Rubio to 3rd. Francisco Castillo to 2nd. Brandon Diaz strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Ramon Rodriguez. Elvis Rubio scores. Francisco Castillo to 3rd. Brandon Diaz to 1st. Pitching Change: Jose Zapata replaces Ramon Rodriguez. Tucker Neuhaus singles on a line drive to left fielder D'vone McClure. Francisco Castillo scores. Brandon Diaz to 2nd. David Denson strikes out swinging. With D' Vontrey Richardson batting, Brandon Diaz steals (2) 3rd base. D' Vontrey Richardson walks. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. Eric Williams flies into a sacrifice double play, center fielder Joel Mejia to first baseman Grant Fink to third baseman Luis Hernandez. Brandon Diaz scores. Tucker Neuhaus out at 3rd. But then the Indians scored two in the bottom of the 9th to tie: AZL Indians Bottom of the 9th Defensive switch from third base to shortstop for Tucker Neuhaus. Defensive Substitution: Joe Andrade replaces Elvis Rubio, batting 9th, playing third base. Pitching Change: Tanner Poppe replaces Chris Matulis. Joel Mejia singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. Clint Frazier singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Joel Mejia scores. Clint Frazier to 3rd. Fielding error by center fielder Brandon Diaz. Ivan Castillo grounds out, third baseman Joe Andrade to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Luis Hernandez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Brandon Diaz. Clint Frazier scores. Grant Fink strikes out swinging. More patience leads to the go-ahead final rally: AZL Brewers Top of the 12th Pitching Change: Jeffry Cleto replaces Jose Zapata. David Denson walks. D' Vontrey Richardson out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Jeffry Cleto to second baseman Ordomar Valdez. David Denson to 2nd. Eric Williams grounds out, shortstop Ivan Castillo to first baseman Grant Fink. Jack Cleary walks. Alan Sharkey walks. David Denson to 3rd. Jack Cleary to 2nd. Joe Andrade walks. David Denson scores. Jack Cleary to 3rd. Alan Sharkey to 2nd. Francisco Castillo flies out to center fielder Joel Mejia. Obviously a fun game log for you to invest a few minutes in...

Helena Box Score (so far) Helena Game Log (so far)

Brewers-Mustangs suspended in ninth due to rain, will resume Thursday Billings Gazette The Pioneer League baseball game between Billings and Helena was suspended late Wednesday after a two-hour rain delay. The game will resume at 6:00 PM today (7:00 Central) at Dehler Park with the score tied 3-3 with one out in the top of the ninth inning. It will precede the originally scheduled game between the Mustangs and Brewers. Helena’s Jalen Harris was batting with an 0-1 count versus Mustangs relief pitcher Joe Mantoni when a steady rain began to fall, forcing the 3,431 in attendance to run for cover. The game was delayed at 9:14 p.m., and was expected to resume at 11:15. The field underwent heavy treatment by the grounds crew, but the decision was eventually made to suspend the game due to what were described as unplayable field conditions. Helena’s Jose Pena and Billings’ Phillip Ervin each homered. Pena hit a solo shot to tie the game in the second inning. The Brewers knotted the game again in the seventh. After the completion of Wednesday’s game, Billings right-hander Luke Moran is expected to face Helena righty Danny Keller. Both pitchers come in with identical 1.80 ERAs. The Mustangs' Taylor Terrasas tags out Helena's Angel Ortega at third in their game in Billings. Photo by BOB ZELLAR/Billings Gazette Staff http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/50/75035c50-deef-11e2-a139-001a4bcf887a/51cbd652e9f2c.preview-620.jpg

Well, now they're back to ESPN radio at the Billings link, with further update pending.

The Helena game is going to continue tonight. The Billings broadcast is setting things up for a return now as of 11:20 Central. The rain has become a light drizzle, they are working on the field, which took on a lot of water apparently. So guessing approx. 11:30 - 11:45 Central, although you should tune in now if reading this in time, since the H-Crew is so close to finishing a top of the 9th inning go-ahead rally (2nd and 3rd, one out). Haven't heard Steve come back yet, when he does, the Helena broadcast would be here.

Brief video report/interview: Helena's Brennan belts 3 homers in the early going

Scooter optioned to Nashville as Halton comes up.

Well done, Sean Halton!

YES!

Maryvale box score for Devin Williams' debut: Weather: 116 degrees, clear. That, we believe, is a 12-year Link Report high.

Via the Bunt-to-Lose podcast: Discussion with 2nd round SS Tucker Neuhaus Nice job, guys, kid just turned 18, awfully polished on the interview...

Seidel's seven seasons Kyle Deckelbaum, wkbt.com DES MOINES, Iowa - Central grad R.J. Seidel hopes to follow in the footsteps of Damian Miller, Scott Servais, and George Williams -- Major League Baseball players from the Coulee Region. After seven long years in the minors, he's one step away from doing so. Seidel signed with the Milwaukee Brewers as a senior at Central High School, turning down a full scholarship to play at Arkansas. Now, he's pitching for the Brewers' AAA affiliate, the Nashville Sounds. "Leaving home at 18, most kids get driven to college. We put him on an airplane and he left us," Lynda Seidel, R.J.'s mom said. In seven years, R.J. has played in Helena, Montana; Charleston, West Virgina; Phoenix, Arizona; Appleton, Wisconsin; Melbourne, Florida, and Huntsville, Alabama. Finally, this May, he was called up to Nashville. "A lot of travel, a lot of cool experiences a normal person doesn't get to go through," R.J. said. "A lot of ups and downs, though." "It was tough on R.J., not only physically, but mentally," said his dad, Dick, who pitched in the Yankees organization. "I spent a lot of time on the phone, with my dad especially, talking through outings, and the bad outings, when you don't know how to handle them, and you can't even fall asleep at night because you're thinking about it, thinking I wish I could take that pitch back," R.J. said. "It's tough," Lynda said. "Your child wants to reach this goal, and not a lot of kids make it. So every level he's gotten to, I've just been so proud." With all the miles Seidel has traveled, and the miles he still hopes to go, there's one place he still loves to travel: La Crosse. "I appreciate everything the city's done for me," R.J. said. "I'm very, very proud of where I've come from." http://www.news8000.com/image/view/-/20716634/highRes/1/-/maxh/221/maxw/245/-/otu9sn/-/IMAGE--RJ-SEIDEL.jpg

Via the Manatees: CLEARWATER, Fla. - The scheduled game on Wednesday, June 26 between the Brevard County Manatees and the Clearwater Threshers at Bright House Field in Clearwater has been postponed due to inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, June 27, beginning at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central) in Clearwater. The Manatees and the Threshers will play two seven-inning games.

Umpire Ryan Goodman and Birmingham Barons Manager Julio Vinas separate Huntsville Stars' Kentrail Davis (right) and Birmingham Barons' Miguel Gonzalez after Davis was hit by a pitch at Regions Field in Birmingham, Ala., Wednesday, June 26, 2013. (Photos by Mark Almond/malmond@al.com) http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/pgmain/img/birmingham-news/photo/2013/06/-81ef473ed5b3fb63.JPG http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/pgmain/img/birmingham-news/photo/2013/06/-7306503bd675c495.JPG http://imgick.al.com/home/bama-media/pgmain/img/birmingham-news/photo/2013/06/-0692976c67c22c4e.JPG

The game was briefly interrupted in the top of the sixth inning as Barons reliever Jacob Petricka hit Stars right fielder Kentrail Davis. Words were exchanged, benches cleared and bullpens emptied. There was some shoving but no punches were thrown. Video of the very mild aftermath at this link, along with the game story, and yet more photos (not just the ones below).

Looking forward to extra analysis our own minigoon may provide, but Alex has provided the game story and audio highlights, hope folks don't mind -- *** Stars Halt Losing Skid at Four By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars After dropping the first two games of their five-game set at Regions Field by a score of 26-4, the Huntsville Stars rebounded with an 8-2 victory against the Birmingham Barons on Wednesday afternoon. The Stars began their scoring against Barons starting pitcher Stephen McCray (L, 7-6) in the second inning. To begin the frame, third baseman Mike Walker launched an opposite-field solo homer over the left-field wall to put the Stars on the board. Following a double from designated hitter Robinzon Diaz, shortstop Hector Gomez came though with an RBI single to make the score 2-0. In the fourth inning, the Stars were able to continue that momentum by sending 12 batters to the plate. Highlighted by a two-run double from outfielder Rene Tosoni, two-run single by outfielder Brock Kjeldgaard, RBI double from outfielder Kentrail Davis and a sacrifice fly by second baseman Nick Shaw, the Stars took a commanding 8-0 lead and chased McCray from the game. The six runs in the frame tied the Stars season-high for most runs in any single inning. That eight-run lead was plenty for Stars starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann. The Brewers 2nd ranked prospect (per MLB.com) improved to 8-6 on the year after giving up one run and five hits in six innings while striking out and walking four batters each. The eight wins for Jungmann now ties him for the Southern League lead with four other pitchers, including Barons hurlers Erik Johnson and Scott Snodgress. Birmingham scored their only run against Jungmann in the fifth inning on an RBI single from third baseman Dan Wagner. The Barons only other run came on an RBI single by catcher Miguel Gonzalez against reliever Greg Holle in the eighth inning. On offense, the Stars were paced by Tosoni with two doubles, marking his third multi-hit game in his last five contests. Gomez also chipped in with two singles. For the second game in a row, the Stars had double-digit hits (11) as a team, something they had failed to do the previous six games. Prior to Wednesday's win, the Stars were outscored by a margin of 37-6 in their previous three contests, which were all losses. The victory also marked the first time the Stars scored five or more runs in a game since June 9th, a 14-game span. On Thursday, the Stars and Barons will play game four of a five-game series at Regions Field. Huntsville will send RHP Brooks Hall (0-1, 10.13 ERA) to the bump to try to even the series. Birmingham will counter with LHP Spencer Arroyo (5-4, 3.46 ERA). First pitch is at 7:05 CT. Audio Highlights

Several Stars included in the photo gallery from Birmingham (Tuesday's game)

Tweet from 2nd rounder Devin Williams, Maryvale debut set for tonight

Via Chris and the Rattlers Blog: Lineup note: Max Walla is making the first start at first base in his pro career tonight. He made appearances at first base after defensive switches three times in 2012: 6/12 @ Clinton, 7/13 @ Lake County, & 8/28 @ Peoria.

Via the Brewers: RHP Marco Estrada (strained left hamstring) & RHP Alfredo Figaro (right oblique strain) will report to Arizona on Friday to rehab.

Sounds pitchers picked changeups over layups Despite height, pitchers say their sport is baseball by Mack Burke, The Tennessean The Sounds have been mistaken for a basketball team while they were on a road trip. With six pitchers who are at least 6 feet, 5 inches tall, there’s good reason. But among the Sounds’ tallest players, none seriously considered playing basketball after high school. The tallest basketball junkie on the team is 6-1 closer Rob Wooten. The tallest player is Johnny Hellweg, who is 6-9 and has a fastball that reaches the high 90s. Hellweg grew up in a soccer and baseball family and only got into basketball when he was in middle school. “I played both soccer and baseball all through grade school,” Hellweg said. “I started playing basketball in fourth grade and played it until eighth grade. I wasn’t awful at it, I just didn’t really have fun playing it, so I kind of gave it up once high school hit.” Hellweg said he was 6-4 in high school and grew to his current height in his 20s. “In 2009 to 2010, I grew like 4 inches after I got drafted,” said Hellweg, who was drafted in the 16th round by the Angels in 2008. “I’m asked the question like three times a day, ‘You must play basketball?’” If Hellweg were to make it to the major leagues, he would be tied for fifth among the tallest pitchers in the league. The average major league pitcher is 6-2. Relievers Michael Olmstead and Kyle Heckathorn and starter Jimmy Nelson are all 6-6. “We have a big staff,” said Heckathorn, who is Hellweg’s roommate. “I guess if we ever had a brawl, we’d be all right, and I think we have a scrappy group.” Starting pitcher R.J. Seidel, who is 6-5, grew up playing basketball. He was born in La Crosse, Wis., and followed the Wisconsin basketball team. “I played (basketball) all the way up until I was 18, and it’s one of my favorites,” Seidel said. “But I always knew my future was in baseball. “But everywhere I go, people always think basketball is the first sport I play.” Reliever and spot starter Johnnie Lowe, who is 6-5, said most of the basketball talk in the clubhouse centers around North Carolina, thanks to Wooten. “There’s always a little jabbing going around (about basketball),” Lowe said. “If you were to put a hoop and a basketball out here and say, ‘All right, guys, let’s see who can do what,’ then it’d get pretty competitive. “I’ve got Wooten being a pretty good shooter. He seems like one of those skill guys.” Lowe said he mainly played rec ball growing up. Wooten was born and raised in North Carolina, and he bleeds Carolina blue. He pitched four years for the Tar Heels before being drafted by the Brewers in the 13th round in 2008. “My dad was a basketball player in college, so he put the basketball in my crib before baseball, but we all knew what my ticket would be and that wasn’t basketball,” Wooten said. “My focus started shifting more toward baseball, and I started drawing more interest in baseball than in basketball. After my junior year, I stopped playing basketball to focus on baseball because I knew I had a chance to go to North Carolina, my dream school, and I knew it wouldn’t be in basketball.” The height of pitchers, from left, Johnnie Lowe, Kyle Heckathorn, Johnny Hellweg, Rob Wooten and R.J. Seidel could cause the Sounds to be mistaken for a basketball team. / Sanford Myers Photo, The Tennessean http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20130626&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=306260123&Ref=AR&Profile=2072&MaxW=640&Border=0&Nashville-Sounds-pitchers-picked-changeups-over-layups

Tuesday audio: OF Rene Tosoni hits a solo home run as the the Stars lose to the Birmingham 12-2

RHP Mark Williams, who has split his 2013 between High-A and AA, was returned to the Stars, partly, we're sure, to the heavy workload the Huntsville pen had seen in recent days. To make room, C/Utility man Joey Paciorek (fielding diversity stats) was placed on the 7-day AA DL. Paciorek was needed Tuesday for a mop-up inning on the mound - we don't believe he Canseco'd himself into surgery, or at least we hope not. Manatees roster one below the league limit for now.

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio: LHP Daniel Meadows talks about transitioning from an over the top delivery to a side arm delivery

Two Huntsvile Stars share exact birthdays today -- RHP's Brooks Hall and Drew Gagnon each turn 23 today, the youngest of the Stars.