Jim Goulart

Daytona News-Journal With the bases loaded, Greg Hopkins hit a hard grounder to third base, where Daytona's Ben Carhart made the putout and threw to second base. Shortstop Javier Baez covered the bag and made the turn, but Hopkins just beat the throw to first. After a walk to Mitch Haniger, Nick Ramirez belted a 3-1 fastball from Matt Loosen (0-1) over the fence in right-center fie “Luckily (Hopkins) beat it out, and that extended the inning for us,” said Ramirez, an FSL North All-Star selection who now has 13 home runs. “I got in a 3-1 count and just told myself to stay smooth, not muscle up on it and put a good swing on it.”

Wisconsin video: Chris' Rattlers Radio Post-Game Blog Post Jim Henderson Interview

But he's a senior now, so last year's leverage is gone. Will be interesting to see what he signs for.

Williams gets the call by the Brewers -- Dream comes true for Camas pitcher Williams will take a few days to decide whether or not to sign a contract with the Brewers. He still has one year of college eligibility left, but the offer to turn pro is tempting. “The dream will never stop until it’s achieved. This is just the beginning of a new chapter,” Williams said. “I’m not going to stop until I make it to the big leagues.”

Won't be doing this after each appearance, and we are rooting for him, naturally, but a rough 2nd outing for Braves AA LHP Thomas Keeling on Thursday -- allowing one inherited runner to score wasn't the issue, it was the four runs of his own the following frame -- Chattanooga Bottom of the 7th Sean Burroughs reaches on a fielding error by first baseman Christian Marrero. J. T. Wise grounds into a force out, second baseman Philip Gosselin to shortstop Luis Nunez. Sean Burroughs out at 2nd. J. Wise to 1st. Bobby Coyle walks. J. T. Wise to 2nd. Jan Vazquez strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Blake Smith replaces Steve Smith. Blake Smith singles on a line drive to left fielder Kyle Russell. J. T. Wise scores. Bobby Coyle to 2nd. Pitching Change: Thomas Keeling replaces Ryne Harper, batting 3rd. Defensive Substitution: Dan Brewer replaces pitcher Ryne Harper, batting 6th, playing right field. Rafael Ynoa singles on a ground ball to shortstop Luis Nunez. Bobby Coyle to 3rd. Blake Smith to 2nd. Miguel Rojas walks. Bobby Coyle scores. Blake Smith to 3rd. Rafael Ynoa to 2nd. Joc Pederson called out on strikes. Chattanooga Bottom of the 8th Brian Cavazos-Galvez homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Sean Burroughs walks. J. T. Wise grounds out sharply, third baseman Edward Salcedo to first baseman Christian Marrero. Sean Burroughs to 2nd. Bobby Coyle strikes out swinging. Jan Vazquez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Mycal Jones. Sean Burroughs to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Osvaldo Martinez replaces Hector Nelo. Osvaldo Martinez homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Sean Burroughs scores. Jan Vazquez scores. Pitching Change: Chasen Shreve replaces Thomas Keeling, batting 3rd. Rafael Ynoa flies out to right fielder Dan Brewer.

Was doing some cleanup on our Player Index, realized that 2012 Helena infielder Andres Martinez didn't appear in this year's Media Guide. The 21-year-old has four years in the system, remember doing some projections of his 6'2" frame when he debuted at SS as a 17-year-old (career stats). The Brewers responded to our inquiry and indicated that Martinez is on their restricted list. RESTRICTED LIST- The Restricted List is used for many resons. A team can request that a player be placed on the restricted list if that player has left the team without a valid reason, or has announced his intention to retire but is still of an age or level of skill that could allow him to return to professional baseball in the future. In effect, the team states that it retains rights to the player if and when he becomes active again. A player on the restricted list cannot be signed by another team unless compensation is paid to the team who placed him on the list. The list is honored throughout organized baseball and in leagues that have working agreements to respect the contracts of organized baseball, such as Nippon Pro Baseball. The list is most often used today when a player retires at a young age without receiving his unconditional release. If he decides to return to playing, he must do so with his last team, unless a trade or other deal can be worked out.

Well, that was a quick Huntsville audio reminder, sorry -- Frankie De La Cruz de la did what Frankie de La Cruz de la does. Stars fall.

Rehab update -- Beloit Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jim Henderson replaces Taylor Mangum. Sam Roberts strikes out swinging. Chris Bostick strikes out swinging. Brett Vertigan doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Victor Roache. Daniel Robertson called out on strikes.

Stars just tied it in the 9th before a packed house in Birmingham! (audio link reminder as of 10:00 PM Central, for those reading now) Huntsville Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Austin Hubbard replaces Marquis Fleming. Mike Walker strikes out swinging. Adam Weisenburger homers (3) on a fly ball to left field. Joey Paciorek walks. Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to center fielder Kevin Kiermaier. Joey Paciorek to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Shawn Zarraga replaces Hector Gomez. Shawn Zarraga strikes out swinging. Kentrail Davis singles on a line drive to left fielder Todd Glaesmann. Joey Paciorek scores. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Jason Rogers flies out to right fielder Mikie Mahtook. There was an oh-so-close check swing to avoid the strikeout before Kentrail's big base knock. Yes, Adam Weisenburger is just insane, really throughout 2013, minus his nutty injury absence.

Sneak preview, sorry, but too clutch (Tommy Toledo on Cubs' big-time prospect Jorge Soler with bases loaded, less than two outs to preserve the huge 7-6 Manatees win) -- wait for that audio: Daytona Bottom of the 9th Zeke DeVoss singles on a ground ball to second baseman Gregory Hopkins. Wes Darvill singles on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Zeke DeVoss to 3rd. Pitching Change: Tommy Toledo replaces Kevin Shackelford. John Andreoli called out on strikes. Tim Saunders singles on a ground ball to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt. Zeke DeVoss scores. Wes Darvill to 2nd. Javier Baez singles on a line drive to left fielder T. Mittelstaedt. Wes Darvill to 3rd. Tim Saunders to 2nd. Jorge Soler strikes out swinging. Dustin Geiger flies out to center fielder Mitch Haniger.

One of the more unique Brewer farmhand careers has come to a close as Milwaukee released 22-year-old Venezuelan RHP Francisco Rivero this week, according to Baseball America. Rivero signed just before his 17th birthday in February 2008. Because the Brewers had no Latin Academy presence at that time, Rivero pitched for the Maryvale squad in 2008. In 2009, the Brewers shared a Dominican Summer League team with the Orioles, and Rivero played for that team (the only other still-active Brewer player from that shared club is current Wisconsin RHP Leonard Lorenzo, who appeared in two games as a 17-year-old). So Rivero has spent five seasons in the system, but never graduated beyond the Maryvale complex. His career high for appearances in a season was seven in 2008, career high in starts was five last season (rehab appearances, eight innings total for the season), and his innings high was only 23 in 2010. Last season, Rivero's season ended in late July with an elbow strain. Career stats

Brad tells us who's hot lately (quite a few, nice!)

Let's not forget, RHP Jim Henderson goes back to his 2009 Timber Rattlers roots as the grizzled veteran of that year when he tosses a rehab inning tonight. Bet he's going to be able to share his tale of perseverence first-hand, not to mention, build up the post-game buffet a bit...

Really tough time to see both Brooks Hall and Drew Gagnon promoted from you when you're competing for a division title. FSL first half ends after the June 19th game.

Happy 26th Birthday to the Sounds' Sean Halton!

So Jimmy Nelson's first start is against the enemy Cardinals' AAA club and their stud youngster RHP Carlos Martinez. This is where we remind you about MiLB.TV.

Here's a lengthy Brevard County audio interview with Dan O'Brien, the Milwaukee Brewers' Special Assistant to the G.M./Baseball Operations *** Some might say that every Dan O'Brien interview is lengthy by nature , but you'll find some decent insights here, although more in general terms, not player-specifics.

Weather.com: Memphis, TN Montgomery, AL Daytona Beach, FL Grand Chute (Appleton) Santo Domingo, DR

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.

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.

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 DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris

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

Programming notes: Montgomery has MiLB.TV coverage, so if you're a subscriber, you can watch this Stars' series (live and/or archived). *** DVR alert: The Wisconsin game is on MyNew32 TV out of Green Bay. "Showdown: Timber Rattlers Pre-Game" airs at 6:30 PM.

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times are Central Nashville: RHP Jimmy Nelson makes his AAA debut at Memphis (Cardinals), 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: TBD (likely RHP Drew Gagnon making his AA debut) at Montgomery (Rays), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page 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 David Goforth at Daytona (Cubs), 5:35 PM pre-game, 6:05 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: LHP Michael Strong at home vs. Beloit (Athletics), 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: 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). ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Blue Jays, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until later in the day

Here's video of Johnny Hellweg finishing off a strikeout from Thursday night.