Jim Goulart

At Kindrick Legion Field, there were bright spots for the home team — like Elliot Glynn’s 3-for-4 performance. Glynn, a reliever on the Brewers’ pitching staff, was pressed into duty in left field due to a shortage of healthy position players. He finished with three singles and an RBI, one of five Brewers with multi-hit games. *** Let's see, longer-term injuries were to Tyrone Taylor, Michael Reed, Yonki Hernandez, Andres Martinez, and more recently Ruben Ozuna. That Kevin Berard mid-season release will remain a mystery....

Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers weren’t ready to bid goodbye to the 2012 season. They went down fighting, just as they did so often this summer, but fell 14-10 in extra innings to the Great Falls Voyagers. It was a wild season finale that lasted 3 hours and 53 minutes, and a fitting ending to a tough-luck season. The Brewers finished the year 24-52, their worst record since returning to Helena in 2003. Helena took a 10-8 lead into the ninth inning, but Great Falls tied it on a wild pitch in the ninth. The Voyagers then plated four runs in the 10th, to head into the postseason with a win. Great Falls, the first-half champions in the Pioneer League North, heads to Missoula to take on the Osprey in a playoff series, a rematch of last year’s North Division championship. Missoula clinched the second-half division title with back-to-back wins over Billings, including an 8-5 victory Thursday in a win-or-go-home game for the two squads. At Kindrick Legion Field, there were bright spots for the home team — like Elliot Glynn’s 3-for-4 performance. Glynn, a reliever on the Brewers’ pitching staff, was pressed into duty in left field due to a shortage of healthy position players. He finished with three singles and an RBI, one of five Brewers with multi-hit games. The team’s MVP of the season, Adam Giacalone, finished the season with two hits and four RBIs in the final game. Great Falls started the game with an offensive outburst, scoring five runs and chasing Brewers starter Tyler Wagner in the first inning to put Helena in an early hole. But Helena bounced back with five runs of its own, beginning with a Michael Turay solo shot and five straight hits after that. Joe Andrade tied the game with an RBI single, and the game had seen a combined 15 runs on 16 hits before it was more than two innings old. The Brewers took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Andrade singled up the middle to plate the go-ahead run for Helena, and Glynn — who also played outfield once last season in the Arizona League — followed with his first professional RBI to make it a 10-8 advantage. What started as a shootout then turned into a pitchers’ duel, however, as neither team would score the next four innings. But the Voyagers roughed up Mike Francisco, who relieved Connor Whalen to start the ninth. Whalen, whose family was in attendance after missing their flight out of Helena, had just worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Tyler Williams led off the ninth with a double, then the Voyagers loaded the bags with two outs. Adam Heisler came home on a slider in the dirt to tie the game, and the Brewers couldn’t get anything going in the ninth, forcing extras. Patrick Palmeiro’s RBI single on a hanging slider from Francisco proved the winning hit for Great Falls, and the Voyagers tacked on three more insurance runs with a two-run single on Michael Johnson’s first hit of the game and an RBI from Zachary Voight. Helena had two men on in the home half of the inning, but Alfredo Rodriguez grounded into a double play and Giacalone grounded out to short to end the comeback threat and the season. The Brewers were the comeback kids of the Pioneer League, leading the league with three ninth-inning come-from-behind wins. But a rally was not in the stars on the final evening of the season, as what was left of the 1,036 fans left Kindrick Legion disappointed at about 11 p.m. The Voyagers were the Brewers’ nemesis all season long, as Helena went just 2-14 against the Electric City squad. The best-of-three North Division championship begins tonight in Missoula.

Helena Independent Record Photo Gallery (still not giving away final score until next post...)

Helena Finale Video Highlights to keep you hanging on the final score...

Fond du Lac's Pierce pitches shutout as Wisconsin evens series against Burlington by Tim Froberg, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Chad Pierce watched Burlington pitchers mow down Wisconsin hitters in a disappointing Timber Rattlers postseason opener. He reversed the scenario in a must-win Game 2. The poised right-hander from Fond du Lac blanked the Bees on a three-hit shutout to keep the Rattlers’ season alive with a 4-0 Midwest League playoff win Thursday night before a small but energized crowd of 1,756 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers pulled even at 1-1 in the best-of-three first-round series and will try to win it tonight at home in the decisive finale set for a 6:35 p.m. start. In a near identical Game 1 Wednesday that resulted in a different outcome, Burlington prevailed by the same 4-0 score on a three-hitter by three Bees pitchers. “Pierce did exactly what their pitchers did to us in the first game and that’s what we needed,” said Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. “Now, the momentum is back on our side.” Pierce delivered the first nine-inning complete-game shutout of the Timber Rattlers’ season. Tyler Thornburg was the last Wisconsin pitcher to pull off the same feat, on May 29, 2011, against Kane County. Cha Seung Baek was the last Wisconsin pitcher to threw a nine-inning complete-game shutout in the postseason, on Sept. 8, 2000, against Beloit. Despite his stellar performance, Pierce insisted he didn’t have his best stuff. He wasn’t overpowering, striking out just three, but he pounded the strike zone and walked only two. Of his 104 pitches, 64 were for strikes. “It was a battle,” said Pierce, with shaving cream still in his hair after getting a celebratory shaving-cream pie in the face from teammates in the clubhouse. “I really didn’t have anything going. I couldn’t get my curve or change-up to work. Honestly, it was just fastballs the whole game.” With family and friends from Fond du Lac watching his first professional shutout and playoff start, Pierce seemed to grow stronger by the inning. He was especially effective in a 1-2-3 ninth, fanning leadoff hitter Sam Roberts with a 94 mph fastball for the first out. “The ninth was probably my best inning,” said Pierce. “This game was awesome. Some people talk about the playoffs being pressure, but baseball is about opportunity. I just wanted to keep the season going and show some people in the organization that I can take the ball in a big game.” Wisconsin collected seven hits and did all of its damage in the first two innings. The Rattlers jumped on Burlington early with a three-run first highlighted by an RBI double by Cameron Garfield and run-scoring singles by Nick Ramirez and Yadiel Rivera. “In a playoff game, it’s about who gets the momentum first and then trying to carry it through the game,” said Garfield. “We got some big knocks that first inning and just got the train rolling. With Pierce out there throwing every pitch for strikes, that really helped the team. “We came into this game almost like it wasn’t a playoff game because everyone was loose. We had really high energy in the clubhouse.” Wisconsin backed Pierce with some exceptional defense. The Rattlers played error-free baseball and made several impressive plays in the field. Outfielders Ben McMahan and Max Walla had fine running catches in the first inning, while third baseman Brandon Macias made a diving stop of a ground ball to retire a hitter on a force out at second to end the fourth. “Our defense was spectacular,” said Pierce. “They always tell you to throw strikes and let your defense take care of you, and they made a lot of plays.” Pierce got into the defensive act in the top of the sixth, spearing a hard grounder right back at him off the bat of Sam Roberts and turning it into a 1-6-3 double play. You will find both a photo gallery and video interview with Chad Pierce at the link kicking off this post.

Sounds site: Season in Review

Reminder -- tonight's playoff game is on TWC Cable Sports 32

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 (FINAL) AA - Southern League North Division (FINAL) High-A - Florida State League North Division (FINAL) A - Midwest League Western Division (FINAL) Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League (FINAL) DSL - Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris Division (FINAL) *** NOTE: AAA Nashville, Rookie Maryvale and the DSL do not play a split schedule. When you click on a standings link for Huntsville, Brevard County, Wisconsin, and/or Helena, you'll then be able to choose 1st half and/or overall standings in addition to the 2nd half standings.

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Wisconsin Helena

Thursday's Daily Menu: Times listed are Central Nashville: Season complete; final stats here. ********** Huntsville: Season complete; final stats here. ********** Brevard County: Season complete; final stats here ********** Wisconsin: RHP Chad Pierce at home vs. Burlington (Athletics), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; second game of the first round best-of-three; Bees lead series, 1-0 Free Live Audio Link - 1280 AM WNAM ********** Helena: RHP Tyler Wagner at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Season complete; final stats here ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete; final stats and analysis here

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

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

Players in the minor leagues make $32,500 in their first year on the 40-man roster, $67,300 in their second year, and $97,500 in their third year. Any player with major league service time makes at least $67,300, regardless of how many years of service.

Players in the minor leagues make $32,500 in their first year on the 40-man roster, $67,300 in their second year, and $97,500 in their third year. Any player with major league service time makes at least $67,300, regardless of how many years of service.

AUDIO: Brewers Pre-Game Interview with Eric Farris

Rattler Radio Blog: Post Game One Thoughts

Sure, I'll be starting a separate AFL box score / game log thread when the time comes, just build on the thread for the entire AFL season, please. Thanks!

VIDEO: Helena Game Highlights

Bob Brainerd on Timber Rattlers third baseman Brandon Macias -- you could make a case for him as team MVP, a nice go so far for the undrafted infielder *** VIDEO INTERVIEWS:

Brewers can’t hold lead, fall 7-3 against Great Falls Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers took a 3-1 lead after two innings over Great Falls Wednesday, but were shut out the rest of the way as they dropped their second-to-last game of the season to the Voyagers, 7-3. The loss at Kindrick Legion Field in front of 1,150 fans dropped the Brewers to 24-51 on the year. After the hosts put two runs on the board in the opening frame, Helena scored its third and final run in the second inning, when Michael Turay’s perfect hit-and-run single to right field advanced Emanuel Quiles from first to third. Quiles then came home on Raul Mondesi Jr.’s groundout to the shortstop. Great Falls answered back with two runs in the third to tie it up, on three Helena errors and two passed balls. After taking the lead in the fifth, the Voyagers extended their advantage to the final 7-3 margin in the sixth stanza, when they pushed across three more runs. The Electric City crew was led offensively on the night by Justin Jirschele, who went 3 for 5, rapping two doubles and driving in a run. Teammates Patrick Palmeiro and Thomas McCarthy chipped in with two hits apiece. Andrew Virgili pitched the win, while Ryan Bollinger collected the save. Mondesi (triple) and Paul Eshleman paced the Brewers with two base hits each. Ryan Fasano, who relieved in the fifth and sixth innings, was saddled with the loss. Helena starter Leonard Lorenzo worked four innings, giving up two hits and striking out six. NOTE: In a special ceremony after the third inning, Helena first baseman Adam Giacalone was presented with the Jensen Jewelers Brewers’ MVP award. Photo by Dylan Brown, Independent Record Leonard Lorenzo delivers a strike in the first inning of Wednesday's game against Great Falls http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/37/437ea01c-f7c4-11e1-8126-0019bb2963f4/5047ffc596260.preview-620.jpg

Voyagers vanquish Brewers 7-3 Helena Brewers With the playoffs on the horizon the Great Falls Voyagers are doing their best to heat up in the last couple of games of the season at Kindrick Legion Field. On Wednesday, the Voyagers got off on the right foot and earned a 7-3 victory over the Helena Brewers. Leonard Lorenzo started the game for the Brewers and lasted four innings allowing just one earned run on six strikeouts. Unfortunately, Lorenzo also allowed two unearned runs to cross the plate. Reliever Ryan Fasano followed and let four more Voyager hitters score in two innings of work and was tabbed with the loss. The Brewers did manage nine hits and seven walks in the contest. First baseman Adam Giacalone, who was awarded the honor of Jensen Jewelers MVP during the game on a fan vote, went 0-for-3 on the evening. Giacalone did manage to extend his on base streak to 34 games thanks to a walk in the bottom of the first. If Giacalone can reach base tomorrow night, he'll match the longest on base streak for a Pioneer League player in 2012 at 35. Raul Mondesi Jr. went 2-for-4 on the evening and recorded his sixth triple of the season. Catcher Paul Eshleman also recorded a multi-hit game going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Jose Pena, Alfredo Rodriguez, Chris McFarland, Emmanuel Quiles and Michael Turay each recorded a hit a piece. The Brewers are home again Thursday night against Great Falls to play in the final game of the 2012 season. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Raul Mondesi Jr. legged out his sixth triple of the season on Wednesday night. (Sleeping Giant Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/09/06/D2FyixnR.jpg

AUDIO: Helena Brewers Broadcaster Steve Wendt takes a moment to chat with Special Instructor/Hitting Coach Don Money Telling it like it as, as always...

Also posted in our DSL thread for archiving purposes -- Brewers Planning An International Change Ben Badler, Baseball America The Brewers are not planning to renew the contract of Fernando Arango, who has been one of the team's top scouts in Latin America since 2003, according to a team source. More at the link...

Brewers Planning An International Change Ben Badler, Baseball America The Brewers are not planning to renew the contract of Fernando Arango, who has been one of the team's top scouts in Latin America since 2003, according to a team source. More at the link...