Jim Goulart

Link includes video interview with Tyler Wagner Wagner gives Wisconsin good start in doubleheader split by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent Media GRAND CHUTE — Tyler Wagner was a closer in college, but it didn’t take long for the Milwaukee organization to convert him to a starter. It’s looking like a good call by the Brewers. Wagner’s bullpen days will likely be over with more performances like the gem he delivered Wednesday for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in the opening game of a doubleheader against the Clinton LumberKings. The 22-year-old right-hander tossed a seven-inning, three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts in a 5-0 victory. Clinton came back to salvage a split and snap a six-game Wisconsin winning streak with a 4-2 win in the second game. Wagner’s lights-out showing was clearly the best game thrown by a Timber Rattlers pitcher all season. It was the first complete game and first individual shutout of 2013 for Wisconsin. “That was probably my best performance as a professional,” said Wagner. “Everything was just on, our defense played well and I got great run support.” The 6-foot-4, 195-pound Las Vegas native consistently pounded the strike zone. He threw strikes on 67 of his 95 pitches and walked just two. Wagner threw a two-seam and four-seam fastball that topped out at 93 mph in the seventh, and also mixed in a slider and change-up. “I had all three pitches working and the big thing was that my fastball was down in the zone,” said Wagner. “I was able to throw all my pitches in any count. My change-up has good sinking action to it. My slider is more of a slurve because it isn’t that tight and isn’t that hard. But it’s been a pretty good pitch for me.” The LumberKings didn’t hit a ball hard the entire game against Wagner. Two of the hits he yielded were infield hits and Clinton had just two outfield fly outs. Wagner raised his season record to 3-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.40. He leads the team in strikeouts with 28. “He did a very nice job and that’s three quality starts in a row for him,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “He’s getting his off-speed stuff over early in the count. His two-seamer is working really well against lefties and he throws his four-seam when he has to. He’s throwing strikes and getting a lot of outs.” Wagner was a fourth-round pick out of the University of Utah by the Brewers in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Wagner was the Utes’ closer and holds Utah school records for career saves (17) and single-season saves (11). Milwaukee immediately made Wagner a starter and he went 1-4 with a 7.77 ERA in 13 starts with the Helena Brewers last summer. Despite the high ERA and losing record, Wagner showed arm talent, fanning 47 in 48 2/3 innings. “It was hard last year and early this year to really get the mentality down of having to go longer in games, “ said Wagner. “But now I realize that I can take my closer’s mentality into every inning for seven innings. It definitely helps to have that mentality of, ‘they can’t score this inning, every inning.’ They’re totally different roles, but I like the situation I’m in now.” Erickson compares Wagner to David Goforth, a 2012 Rattlers pitcher who was a closer at the University of Mississippi before making a successful transition to a starter. “We did the same thing with Goforth last year,” said Erickson. “It’s not that uncommon in A ball to take some of your best arms and throw them in a tandem and try and get them in a five-day routine. It’s easier to control their pitch count and innings that way. Wagner made a lot of appearances in college, but didn’t pitch a lot of innings. The Timber Rattlers gave Wagner all the offensive support he would need with a four-run first. An RBI single by Mitch Haniger followed by a two-run single by Chris McFarland highlighted the inning. Jose Sermo doubled in Wisconsin’s final run in the sixth. The Timber Rattlers also received solid starting pitching in the second game. Left-hander Mike Strong pitched four shutout innings before Clinton finally broke a string of 11 scoreless innings against the Rattlers with a run in the fifth on Guillermo Pimentel’s two-out RBI single. The LumberKings chased Strong and wiped out a 2-1 deficit with a three-run sixth, culminated by Gaby Guerrero’s go-ahead single off reliever Jono Armold. “Our pitching has been pretty tough the last six games,” said Erickson. “I thought Mike Strong put us in position to win the game. Jono (Armold) was put in a tough spot, coming in with a guy on third and no out. “The guy (Guerrero) hit a good pitch. It was right off the end of the bat and it found a hole.” Post-Crescent Photo Gallery

VIDEO - Brief Huntsville highlights

Brevard County audio: Game Highlights Brevard County Pre-Game Audio Interview: LHP Daniel Meadows

Huntsville audio: Final out of the 1-0 victory Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview: OF Rene Tosoni

Check out what Jesus Sanchez is doing, including today. Plus Sanchez is on the 40-man, so he's ahead of Wooten on the pecking order. Wooten might be added to the 40-man this fall, as he'd be a potential Rule 5 target, even as a 28-year-old. As Brandon Kintzler is showing, having "minimum-wage" (and effective) guys filling the bullpen slots can be very valuable.

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- Audio from Nashville — Pitching Coach Fred Dabney Today’s interview for the Sounds’ 11:05 a.m. CT start on Sports Talk 830-AM is pitching coach Fred Dabney, who discusses the Sounds’ pitching staff through the first 30 games of the season, the struggles of Tyler Thornburg, the success of returning relievers Rob Wooten, Donovan Hand and Jesus Sanchez, and the exciting raw ability of flame-throwing right-hander Johnny Hellweg.

Via this podcast (go to the 11:00 minute mark), and listen to the Voice of the Manatees Dave Walkovic discuss Brevard's pitchers.

Voice of the Manatees Dave Walkovic tweet -- K-Rod looked sharp tonight. His slider especially. He really attacked the righties with it. Fastball was in the low 90s.

Huntsville audio: A solo homer from Stars third basemen Shea Vucinich gives Huntsville their first home run in eight games. RBI Double for Huntsville CF Rene Tosoni in the second inning cuts the Stars deficit to 4-1.

Brevard County Pre-Game Audio with LH starting pitcher Brent Suter Keep an eye on the kid from Harvard Yard...

Stars Drop Series Opener with Generals By Alex Cohen / Huntsville Stars To begin a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Jackson Generals by a score of 8-3 on Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the Stars, they trailed for virtually the entire game, starting in the first inning. With a pair of RBI doubles from Generals shortstop Brad Miller and catcher John Hicks, Jackson took an early two-run lead through just five batters faced by Stars starting pitcher Jimmy Nelson. Later in the inning, an RBI single from third baseman Vinny Catricala made the score 3-0. After a solo homer by Jackson first baseman Steve Proscia put the Generals lead at four in the top of the second, the Stars were able to get a run back in the bottom half of the frame. To start off the inning, first baseman Jason Rogers and left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard drew consecutive walks against Generals starting pitcher Roenis Elias. Two batters later, an RBI double from center fielder Rene Tosoni scored Rogers to cut the Stars deficit to three. Unfortunately for the Stars, that momentum would be short-lived. Back-to-back RBI singles from Catricala and right fielder Fernando Martinez gave Jackson a 6-1 lead in the third and ultimately chased Nelson from the game. The 23-year-old righty was tabbed with his second loss of the year after giving up six runs (four earned) on ten hits. The closest the Stars were able to get following that point was three, as solo homers from third baseman Shea Vucinich in the third and catcher Robinzon Diaz in the fourth made the score 6-3. Vucinich and Diaz also combined to have five of eight Huntsville hits, the backstop for the Stars coming up with three of them. Jackson tacked on their final two runs in the fifth inning, as Generals designated hitter Julio Morban greeted Stars reliever Mark Rogers with a solo homer to start off the inning. Then, after a four-pitch walk to Catricala and two straight balls thrown to Martinez, Rogers was taken out of the game after nine total pitches (eight balls) in his fifth MLB rehab outing with Huntsville. A sacrifice fly from left fielder Leon Landry later scored Catricala to make the score 8-3. On the bright side, the Stars bullpen was able to blank the Generals offense through the final five innings of the game. Lefty Brian Garman led the way with three shutout frames, while relievers Thomas Keeling and Eric Marzec tacked on a scoreless inning each. For the Stars, the loss at home was their fifth straight and now brings their record at The Joe to 3-13 on the season. The Stars and Generals will play game two of their five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium on Wednesday. Huntsville will send RHP Ariel Pena (1-2, 4.32 ERA) to the bump to square off against Jackson RHP Chance Ruffin (1-0, 3.10 ERA). First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

Charlotte Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Francisco Rodriguez. Taylor Motter called out on strikes. Jake Hager strikes out swinging. Richie Shaffer strikes out swinging. Three right-handed bats; Meadows has been sweet with his new sidearm motion, but he actually needs to face more lefties.

Manatees RHP Brooks Hall to the 7-day DL after his start Tuesday to make room for Mike Fiers. Hopefully just a way to control his pace / innings and not a significant injury.

Weather.com: Nashville Huntsville Viera (Melbourne) Grand Chute (Appleton)

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

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

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP R.J. Seidel makes his AAA debut at home vs. Fresno (Giants), 10:45 AM pre-game, 11:05 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 Ariel Pena at home vs. Jackson (Mariners), 6:28 PM pre-game, 6:43 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 Mike Fiers at home vs. Charlotte (Rays), 9:05 AM pre-game, 9:35 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Brevard County feed from the MiLB main audio page 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 Tyler Wagner and LHP Mike Strong in a doubleheader at home vs. Clinton (Dodgers), 4:45 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings 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).

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Hmmm, that Donovan Hand link via Jeff's page isn't working tonight, listen here instead.

The only thing going for Mark Rogers is that he's earning a big league salary right now. If his injury is serious (again), he'll get his half-million this year. The word tragic shouldn't be associated with baseball regardless, but lots of guys with talent fell short via injuries without the big signing bonus or the big league salary time. Feel bad for him, yes, but...

Nice video compilation with radar and pitch readings of Johnny Hellweg's weekend start in Round Rock.

Via Jeff Hem's blog -- Jeff catches up with audio interview links of Donovan Hand and Khris Davis. Mike Guerrero, too, although we linked to that yesterday.

Nashville Video from Monday - Khris Davis HR to left field