Jim Goulart

Via the Stars -- LHP Brian Garman was placed on the disabled list. In 20 appearances out of the bullpen with the Stars, Garman was 1-0 with a 4.25 ERA. The 24-year-old southpaw last pitched on June 22nd, giving up two runs in two innings against the Suns.

Bouncing ball RHP Frankie De La Cruz has been sent back to Huntsville (well, to Birmingham to meet the team there). Nashville needed to free up a spot to account for Chris Narveson's formal arrival on the roster after his outright last week. When De La Cruz formally joins the Stars, Huntsville will need to make a move, almost assuredely with its pitching staff (at 14 members with De La Cruz), to make room.

Lonely Stars' video highlight -- Robinzon Diaz's 9th inning HR to avoid the shutout

Final: AZL Reds 4, @AZL Brewers 3 Arizona Brewers Box Score 5th round RHP Josh Uhen out of UW-Milwaukee and Oshkosh with his pro debut, three runs (one earned) in a three inning start. Also a pro debut for 20-year-old RHP Dylan Brock out of Glendale Community College, two scorless innings to keep it close in relief late - the 34th round pick must have had friends / family among the usual few in attendance. Nice work by RHP Joel Dicent (22 in August), a vet of the AZL and DSL, in the middle innings. Second baseman Francisco Castillo finally had a tough game, 0-for-4 with two errors. You saw the two HR's in the prior post, 18-year-old CF Brandon Diaz tripled (and walked), so the A-Crew had three extra-base-hits along with three singles. Cruz also had an assist in this odd 8-5-6 play: AZL Reds Top of the 8th Pitching Change: Dylan Brock replaces Joel Dicent. Ronald Bueno doubles (2) on a line drive to left fielder Eric Williams, deflected by third baseman Luis Aviles. Kevin Garcia flies into a double play, center fielder Brandon Diaz to third baseman Luis Aviles to shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. Ronald Bueno out at 3rd. Aristides Aquino grounds out, third baseman Luis Aviles to first baseman David Denson. Arizona Brewers Game Log Down 4-3 late, bases loaded, one out, not happening -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Wagner Gomez replaces Ibrahin Redan. Francisco Castillo strikes out swinging. Brandon Diaz walks. Tucker Neuhaus singles on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Garcia. Brandon Diaz to 2nd. Joe Andrade walks. Brandon Diaz to 3rd. Tucker Neuhaus to 2nd. Pitching Change: Soid Marquez replaces Wagner Gomez. Elvis Rubio pops out to third baseman Yonatan Suero. David Denson flies out to left fielder Jonathan Martijn.

Mustangs edge Brewers 4-2 for short-series sweep By Curt Synness, Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers were shaded by the Billings Mustangs 4-2 for their third loss of the young Pioneer League season, but the Brewers’ pitching and hitting improved as the game went on. And at least the Brewers weren’t shut out in their home ballpark at Kindrick Legion Field Sunday, thanks to Jose Pena’s two-run, ninth-inning home run. Catcher Daniel Paula was the hitting star for Billings, going 3 for 4 with a double, a solo home run and two runs scored. Teammates Evan Rachal, Phillip Ervan and Ty Washington (double, RBI) stroked two hits each. Nick Benedetto chipped in with an RBI. Billings scored two runs in the second inning and one each in the next two stanzas. Mustangs starter Jose Guzman earned the win, working five scoreless innings and allowing just three hits, while striking six Helena batsmen. The visitors used three relivers, with Abel De Los Santos nailing down the final two outs after Pena’s shot for the save. “We did a better job pitching as the game progressed,” said first-year Helena manager Tony Diggs. “We were careless early and not spotting our pitches, but then our pitchers settled down, and we threw the ball well the last half of the game.” Brandon Moore started on the mound for the hosts, and was tabbed with the loss. Moore gave up two runs and four hits, in two innings. Eduard Reyes and Estevenson Encarnacion relieved the final seven innings and collaborated to shut the Magic Crew out over the last five frames. Helena (1-3) went into the ninth with eight goose eggs on the scoreboard, but then Garrett Cooper stroked a one-out single to center, followed by Pena’s bomb over the center field fence. BrewCrew shortstop Angel Ortega went 2 for 4 on the day, while catcher Dustin Houle laced a double. Houle also showcased his strong throwing arm in the first inning, when he gunned down Billings’ Jon Matthews attempting to steal second. “Another positive is that we came into the ninth inning today ready to play offensively,” Diggs said. “We made some adjustments at the plate, but we have to make those adjustments earlier.” Brewers hitters drove about five or six long fly balls to the warning track, each time just getting under the baseball. “The reason for the high flies was because our swings were too big,” the Helena skipper explained. “If we stay within ourselves we’ll start hitting more line drives for hits.” Billings now travels to Missoula, while Helena will remain at home for the start of a two-game series against Great Falls.

Video interview: Manager Matt Erickson sits down to discuss the Timber Rattlers' season-to-date

A-Crew trails 4-2 in the bottom of the 6th, but it's been an eventful three half-innings -- *** AZL Reds Top of the 5th Yonatan Suero strikes out swinging. Dalton Carter grounds out, shortstop Tucker Neuhaus to first baseman David Denson. J. R Reynolds hit by pitch. With Cory Thompson batting, passed ball by Tanner Norton, J. R Reynolds to 2nd. Defensive Substitution: Joe Andrade replaces catcher Tanner Norton, batting 4th, playing catcher. Cory Thompson lines out to shortstop Tucker Neuhaus. 105 degrees, you almost always see catchers split game duties, but odd removal point there. AZL Brewers Bottom of the 5th Elvis Rubio homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. David Denson homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Paul Eshleman strikes out swinging. Eric Williams lines out to second baseman Ronald Bueno. Luis Aviles pops out to first baseman Logan Uxa in foul territory. NICE! AZL Reds Top of the 6th Ronald Bueno flies out to left fielder Eric Williams. Kevin Garcia homers (2) on a fly ball to left field. AZL Brewers Manager Nestor Corredor ejected by HP umpire Kale Rodrigues. Aristides Aquino pops out to catcher Joe Andrade in foul territory. Logan Uxa flies out to center fielder Brandon Diaz.

Stars fall as Suns win in rout Matthew Raines/ Huntsville Stars Jacksonville, FL. – The runs came early and often in The Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville for Sunday’s game between the Huntsville Stars and the Jacksonville Suns. Unfortunately for the Stars, the runs were for the Suns. Using a six run third inning, Jacksonville cruised to an 11-2 win, dropping Huntsville further into a hole to start the second half. The Suns scored first in the bottom of the second when Ryan Fisher singled, bringing in Aaron Dudley to make the score 1-0. The Suns then exploded in the third inning. Jacksonville plated six runs in the inning, capped by pitcher Henderson Alvarez’s three-run home run, bringing the score to 7-0 Suns. Jacksonville added two runs in the fourth and two in the seventh to make the score 11-0. The Stars made an effort in the top of the ninth, when pinch hitter Robinzon Diaz hit a two-run homer to left field, plating himself and Joey Paciorek, and making the score 11-2. Unfortunately, that was the last gasp for the Stars as Suns pitcher Jordan Conley finished the game by striking out Brock Kjeldgaard and Mike Walker back to back. Huntsville pitcher Andy Moye (3-8) took the loss, tossing three innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs. He struck out four while walking two. Four Stars pitchers gave up 14 hits and 11 runs on the night, their worst performance since June 10th. Alvarez (1-0) got the win for the Suns, going six and two thirds innings, giving up three hits and no runs. He struck out six and walked none. Alvarez also went two for three at the plate on the day including his home run . Huntsville was led at the plate by Diaz, who drove in the only two Stars’ runs in his only at-bat of the game. Diaz’s home run was his third of the season. Stars batters combined for more strikeouts on the night, nine, than they did hits, four. J.T. Realmuto led Jacksonville at the plate, going three for four with two runs scored. Fisher added two hits and three RBI’s as Chris Gutierrez had two hits, both doubles, two runs scored and two RBI’s. With the loss, the Stars fall to 30-43 on the year, 1-4 in the second half. The Suns improve to 38-34, 4-1 in the second half. For the Stars, this second half start is exactly opposite of the first half when they started 4-1. Huntsville will next travel to Birmingham, AL. where they will face the Birmingham Barons for a five game series starting on Monday. The Stars return home on Saturday, June 29th when they start a series against the Chattanooga Lookouts.

From Chris' Saturday postgame blog entry: Weird play in the top of the second inning. There were two outs and the bases were loaded. Kepler hit a high fly ball that was slicing towards foul territory. Victor Roache made a long run to get to the ball. Then, he stopped at the foul line and reached to make the catch. It looked like he was trying to catch a pass and keep his feet in bounds. He made the catch, but it just looked…weird. That play is among the game lowlights and highlights from the TV broadcast. And yes, the calls make you appreciate Mr. Mehring...

Marco Estrada's postgame video interview with reporters after his less-than-successful rehab start, hamstring is barking

From Saturday's Timber Rattlers TV broadcast - Postgame interview with OF Michael Reed

Pre-game audio before Ben's four-hit Sunday -- Manatees' outfielder Ben McMahan talks about his recent hot hitting, his personal goals for the second half, and team goals

DSL photos

These photos are from the June 5th doubleheader vs. the shared Reds / D-Backs squad: 20-year-old 3rd year DSL pro RHP Angel Ventura http://www.dominicansummerleague.com/images/sampledata//Cin-reds_en_Min/ANGEL%20VENTURA%203.JPG Rookie 17-year-old SS Daniel Leonardo makes the throw http://www.dominicansummerleague.com/images/sampledata//Cin-reds_en_Min/OLVIS%20JUMENEZ%20-%20DANIEL%20LEONARDO.JPG More photos, but unidentified beyond our barely-educated guesses, here.

From Saturday -- You'll notice the linescore is incomplete, but the box and log are fine. DSL boys allow 21 hits, 17 walks, hit a batter, throw four wild pitches -- and win.

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- Audio from NOLA — Sean Halton (and his hair) Here is today’s interview with Sounds outfielder Sean Halton, who discusses his RBI single on Saturday (the only run in the Sounds’ 1-0 win), the confidence the team has when Johnny Hellweg (6-0 in last 7 starts) is on the hill, Halton’s success at Zephyr Field the last two seasons (12-for-29, 3 HRs), the impact the background in center field has on a hitter and the latest on his flowing locks and manicured facial hair (always a topic among his teammates). Beneath Halton’s photo you can see photos of people Halton’s been compared to… *** Very funny, check out the link, the photos, and the discussion...

I meant to post this Friday because I happened to see it via Gameday Pitch-by-Pitch and it was awesome. This was reliever Greg Holle's inning in his 2nd Nashville outing. Iowa Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Greg Holle replaces Jesus Sanchez, batting 9th, replacing Anderson De La Rosa. Donnie Murphy grounds out, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. Brett Jackson singles on a line drive to left fielder Khris Davis. J. C. Boscan singles on a ground ball to right fielder Sean Halton, deflected by first baseman Hunter Morris. Brett Jackson to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Darnell McDonald replaces Guillermo Moscoso. Darnell McDonald grounds into a double play, shortstop Blake Davis to first baseman Hunter Morris. J. C. Boscan out at 2nd. Nice job, right? Scoreless frame. Pitches-strikes: Seidel 66-38, Sanchez, Je 15-8, Holle 5-5 Batters faced: Seidel 18, Sanchez, Je 5, Holle 4 This wasn't one of those spring training Gameday's either with the abbreviated pitch details. This was legit. So Holle allowed two singles and got three outs on five pitches. The only extra pitch was a swinging strike prior to Boscan's ground ball. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...

Weather.com: New Orleans, LA Jacksonville, FL Viera, FL (Melbourne) Grand Chute, WI (Appleton) Helena, MT Goodyear, AZ

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

Programming Note: Jacksonville has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch this Stars' series (live and/or archived).

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Hiram Burgos in a rehab start at New Orleans (Marlins), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 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 Andy Moye at Jacksonville (Marlins), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 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 Brent Suter at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 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 Marco Estrada in a rehab start at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Twins), 12:50 PM pre-game, 1:05 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: 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 Brandon Moore (17th rounder out of the University of Arkansas) makes his pro debut at home vs. Billings (Reds), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 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 pinkish-hue Redleg kids; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Idle

As of this AM, the traditional DSL box and log from that wild game had still not yet posted. DSL kids with their usual Sunday off to recover (us, too!).