Jim Goulart

LHP Stephen Peterson of the Rattlers won't be available in the playoffs, via his tweet, looks like a knee procedure, hopefully a scope only.

Two Maryvale RHP's are joining Helena for the final week. 23-year-old 2012 30th round pick Jono Armold (stats) and 22-year-old undrafted free agent Ryan Fasano (stats).

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times.

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 Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League 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 current 2nd half standings.

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the new 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: Idle ********** Brevard County: RHP Matt Miller at Lakeland (Tigers), 5:30 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this series... Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective ********** Wisconsin: RHP Chad Thompson at home vs. Beloit (Twins), 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 only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and Stars' road games from four Southern League locales. ********** Helena: LHP Taylor Wall at Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page We're lucky to have Steve Wendt back on board for another H-Crew season. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Indians' complex in Goodyear; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete; final stats and analysis here

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Nashville game story now includes audio highlight links

Billings Gazette game story

Nelson, Stars able to blank Barons Brewers prospect tosses seven one-hit frames in shutout By Zack Cox / Special to MLB.com After losing nearly a month of his season to injury, Huntsville pitcher Jimmy Nelson proved Tuesday night that the shoulder is just fine. The Brewers' No. 9 prospect turned in one of his best performances of the year, blanking Birmingham over seven one-hit innings in the Double-A Stars' 4-0 victory. "I just did a better job of getting ahead of hitters and attacking the zone," Nelson said. "[i wasn't] trying to make perfect pitches, just trying to let myself work in the zone and trust in our defense. They made some good plays out there and I was just letting them do the work for me really." The Barons' lone hit came in the form of Andy Wilkins' first-inning single. He promptly was thrown out attempting to steal second by Huntsville catcher Adam Weisenburger. Nelson (2-4), who walked two and hit a batter, did not allow a runner past first base. "It's the best outing, for sure, since I've been in Huntsville," the 23-year-old said, "but I had a few in Brevard that were up there too." Milwaukee's second round Draft pick in 2010 began the season in Class A Advanced Brevard County, where he went 4-4 with a 2.21 ERA, allowing an earned run or fewer in seven of his 13 starts. Nelson has been in the Southern League since mid-June, but Tuesday marked just his 10th start for Huntsville. The 6-foot-6 right-hander spent nearly all of July on the disabled list with a shoulder injury, which made for a difficult transition to Double-A. "I knew it was going to be a learning process coming here with better hitters and a little tighter zone," Nelson said. "The level of play is just a lot higher. It took me a little bit. I was kind of shaken early on in the first few outings, then I went down for a month with a little shoulder fatigue. "Now since I've been off the DL, I've just been trying to attack the zone and learn from my earlier outings in Double-A. I think it's going a little better." Nelson earned his first win Tuesday since his Huntsville debut back on June 15, improving his ERA to 3.91. The seven-inning performance was the longest since his promotion. "I was just trying to get hitters to make contact and put the ball into play in three pitches or less," the Florida native said. "That's something we preach in this organization. I did that and the defense really backed me up out there. We got some good key hits that helped carry us to the win." Right fielder Kentrail Davis opened the scoring in the second, driving in Brock Kjeldgaard with an RBI double to give the Stars a 1-0 lead. First baseman Hunter Morris doubled the lead with a solo homer in the fourth, and Davis added two more RBIs with a two-run single in the sixth. Nick McCully (1-4) took the loss for Birmingham, allowing four runs on four hits and five walks over 5 2/3 innings. Tuesday's start was Jimmy Nelson's fourth scoreless outing of the season. (Jason Clark) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/08/29/d2cBx6Sk.jpg

Gagnon spins three-hitter for Manatees Brewers farmhand earns his first Florida State League victory By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com Drew Gagnon tries not to pay too much attention to box scores. But he'll be pleased to see his name in the win column tomorrow for the first time in two months. The right-handed Brewers prospect scattered three hits over seven innings as the Class A Advanced Brevard County Manatees blanked the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 6-0, in the first game of a doubleheader Tuesday. He struck out seven batters and issued one walk in the first complete-game shutout of his young pro career. "I glance at [the statistics] here and there, but I'm not threatened by them," said Gagnon, who has one start remaining this season. "I never think, 'Oh my God, I've given up four runs, that's going to hurt my ERA.' You progressively get worse if you worry about that instead of what's going on. "I got my first [Florida State League] win today, so that was awesome. I had a lot of quality outings in Wisconsin, but this was definitely in my top three of the year." In the second inning, Gagnon allowed a two-out double to Adolfo Reina and James Robbins followed with a walk, a problem the California native admits happens sometimes when he's forced to pitch out of the stretch for the first time in a game. But Gagnon induced a routine fly ball off the bat of Hernan Perez to end the inning. He retired 12 of the next 13 hitters -- James Robbins doubled in the fifth, but was stranded at third base -- and he worked into and out of trouble in the seventh. Wade Gaynor beat out an infield single to lead off the seventh and Gagnon hit Dean Green with a pitch. But then he retired the final three batters to complete the shutout. "To be honest, the command was there with the fastball, and I was able to throw the changeup wherever I wanted," said Gagnon, selected by the Brewers in the third round of the 2011 Draft out of Long Beach State University. "It was one of those days where everything was working. I was throwing my curveball as an 0-2 or 1-2 pitch, and in the [final three frames], I had really good command of it. "I was in that zone where whatever the catcher put down, I was happy to throw. I have been eliminating my walks quite well. I've been getting ahead in the count and my strikeout-to-walk ratio has been a lot better." The 21-year-old was 6-1 with a 2.83 in 14 Midwest League games before his promotion. But since making his Class A Advanced debut June 30, he was 0-2 with a 3.15 ERA in his first 10 starts at the new level.

Brewers drop series opener in Billings Helena Independent Record Catcher Paul Eshleman went 3 for 4, and Alfredo Rodriguez hit the first home run of his professional career, but it wasn’t enough as the Helena Brewers fell 7-6 to Billings on Tuesday night at Dehler Park. Rodriguez hammered a game-tying grand slam in the top of the eighth inning off of Mustangs closer Mo Wiley, who hadn’t given up an earned run all season prior to that. But Billings regained the lead in the home half of the inning, a crazy frame that featured skipper Pat Kelly’s ejection, a ball that got caught in the webbing of first baseman Adam Giacalone’s glove and the game-winning run scored on a wild pitch from Mike Francisco. Jesse Winker recorded three hits for Billings, including two of three Mustangs home runs in the contest. Carlos Sanchez also smashed one out of the park. The victory helped Billings maintain its grip on first place in the Pioneer League North second half. The Mustangs now have a league-best overall record of 39-28 and are 18-11 this half. Wiley picked up the win despite giving up the grand slam, while Michael Schaub took the loss despite a good job on the mound for Helena. Preston Gainey started for the Brewers, giving up four runs on four hits through four innings of work. The two teams meet in the Magic City again tonight. Billings sends 2012 3rd round right-hander Dan Langfield to the mound, while the Mustangs will face Brewers southpaw Taylor Wall. Helena slipped to 8-21 in the scond half with the loss, 21-46 overall.

Jimmy Nelson's one-hit pitching leads Stars past Barons in Huntsville home finale By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- The Huntsville Stars closed out their home season with a flourish Tuesday night, fittingly, led by representatives of the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Jimmy Nelson, who pitched for Alabama, threw seven innings of one-hit ball, striking out five, in the Stars' 4-0 win over Birmingham. Hunter Morris, who played at Auburn, had his 25th homer of the season. It leads the Southern League and ties him with Jose Canseco for the fifth-most homers in a season for a Huntsville player. There was an announced crowd of 1,789, boosting the season total to 130,131, nearly 36,000 more than Huntsville drew in 2011. The Alabama-Auburn connection got some help from the University of Tennessee faction. Kentrail Davis, a former Vol, doubled home a run in the first, then brought home two more runs with a sixth-inning single. Kyle Heckathorn, a north Georgia native who occasionally sports a UT cap, threw two innings of hitless relief to follow Nelson. Andy Wilkins' two-out first-inning single was the Barons' only hit. It was Nelson's second victory as a Star, his first since June 15. Morris continues to be the Southern League's most productive hitter. He now has 104 RBIs, second in the league. He's seventh in Huntsville history for most RBIs in a season. With 274 total bases, he passed Scott Brosius to move into second in that category, behind Mike Coolbaugh's 303, set in 1997. The Stars close the season with five games at Montgomery, beginning tonight.

Audio from Nashville — A Chat with Brandon Kintzler Jeff Hem's note -- Tonight’s interview is with Sounds reliever Brandon Kintzler, who worked two scoreless innings in Monday’s Sounds victory and has given up just two runs in 7 2/3 innings since coming up from Double-A Huntsville. Kintlzer, who is working his way back from a stress fracture in his right forearm that required surgery last year, discusses his road back, his major league debut in ’10 for Milwaukee, his 2 1/2 seasons of Independent League ball (’07-’09) and his thoughts about the upcoming off-season and being a minor league free agent.

Have yourself a game, Drew Gagnon! Way to preserve the shutout! Lakeland Bottom of the 7th Wade Gaynor singles on a ground ball to third baseman Mike Walker. Dean Green hit by pitch. Wade Gaynor to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-runner Austin Schotts replaces Dean Green. Adolfo Reina flies out to center fielder Franklin Romero Jr. Wade Gaynor to 3rd. James Robbins strikes out swinging. Austin Schotts steals (1) 2nd base. Hernan Perez flies out to right fielder John Dishon.

Infielder Mike Garza feature article via Bob Brainerd

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times. Huntsville is posting theirs more consistently (last did so Saturday, however). Rest your pointer under the "Roster" banner on the Stars' home page shortly before game time to see the link.

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 Rookie Advanced - Pioneer League North Division Rookie - Arizona Summer League 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 current 2nd half standings.

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Game One Brevard County Game Two Wisconsin Helena Maryvale

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Jeff Hem is the new 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 Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 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 new play-by-play voice of the Stars; follow him on Twitter @alexmcohen. It's fantastic that Huntsville is returning to what will be a traditional broadcast format this year. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be broadcast. ********** Brevard County: RHP's Drew Gagnon and Nick Bucci in a doubleheader at Lakeland (Tigers), 4:00 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Sorry, no audio available for this series... Once again this season, Brevard does not have its own audio coverage. It appears two teams in the Manatees North Division (within which the majority of games are played) have audio, and all six teams in the South Division have audio (at least for their home games), so there will be opportunities to listen to approx. 70% or Brevard's games this season, just all from the opponent's perspective ********** Wisconsin: RHP David Goforth at Peoria (Cubs), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 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 only two (Great Lakes) Midwest League clubs that have all their home games available via MiLB.TV; Chris' call provides the audio. So for the $39.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sounds games, all Timber Rattlers home games, and Stars' road games from four Southern League locales. ********** Helena: RHP Preston Gainey at Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page We're lucky to have Steve Wendt back on board for another H-Crew season. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Reds' complex in Goodyear; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Season complete; final stats and analysis here

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Stars' GM optimistic about future despite losing campaign in 2012 By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Even as this Huntsville Stars' baseball season limps to a close - tonight's 6:43 game against Birmingham is the final one at Joe Davis Stadium this year - team general manager Buck Rogers has some sense of optimism. "I'm more excited because I think something's going to happen," Rogers said, expressing optimism that a new stadium remains a viable possibility for Huntsville. "Maybe we'll get a ballpark downtown, and we can be rocking and rolling into the future," Rogers continued, sitting in his office Monday evening before the Stars' 9-5 loss to Birmingham in which the Barons lashed 17 hits. Though Rogers said he has "heard more talk (about a stadium) now than ever before," it was never a major topic in the mayoral race being contested today. Former Mayor Loretta Spencer is not in favor of a new stadium, nor is challenger Jackie Reed. Spencer said she would work with the Stars to make improvements to Joe Davis Stadium. Incumbent Mayor Tommy Battle has talked about a new stadium as part of downtown development, but only in a private-public partnership with team ownership that would "have some skin in the game." He has also said he'd like to see local ownership of the team. Another reason for Rogers' optimism is a rise in attendance. Though the Stars drew only 751 Monday night, they'll still likely finish last in attendance again this year. Their season total is 128,442, more than 34,000 than the 2011 figures. "The first reason, Darnell Coles and his players were unbelievable in community relations," said Rogers. "They were better than any team I've ever been around." Rogers also pointed to the improved weather this summer - drought that's bad for farmers is good for baseball - and "on top of that, we had great cooperation from our community partners, people going to bat for us." He also lauded praise on "a lot of good interns who got out there and hustled." What had been obvious, but not official until Monday, is that the Stars are out of the playoffs and won't finish above .500. They're 63-71 on the season with six games to play and seven games behind Chattanooga for what could be a potential wild-card spot. They end the season with five games at Montgomery, which is dueling Jacksonville for a Southern League South playoff spot. Though Scooter Gennett's solo homer and Josh Prince's three-run homer tried to keep the Huntsville offense in Monday's game, starter Evan Anundsen gave up six runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings. Andy Wilkins had four hits and Brady Shoemaker homered for the Barons, who have won nine of their last 11 against the Stars. The Stars haven't reached the playoffs since 2009 and haven't finished about .500 since 2008. Stars' general manager Buck Rogers http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/10109943-large.jpg

Adam Giacalone's friend wrote: How Does the Relationship Between Athletes and Agents Change Over Time?