Jim Goulart

Orem trailed 5-4 entering the bottom of the 10th inning, and former Utah Valley University pitcher, Taylor Mangum, was looking for the save. Wade Hinkle walked with one out to put the tying run on base. Two batters later, Chevy Clarke doubled off the wall with two outs. Hinkle did not slide at home and was tagged out on a close play at the plate.

Would have liked to see more recent quotes and updates, but his hometown Florida paper, the Sun Sentinel, has an article on Brewer pitcher and former Naval Academy student Preston Gainey.

STARS FALL IN EXTRAS TO MONTGOMERY HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – In their fifth straight loss, the Huntsville Stars fell to the Montgomery Biscuits by a score of 4-3 in ten innings on Thursday night at Joe Davis Stadium. With the score tied 3-3 in the top of the tenth inning, Stars reliever Kyle Heckathorn got out the first two batters of the inning. Biscuits center fielder Ty Morrison hit a single through the hole at second and advanced to second with a stolen base. Third baseman Omar Luna hit the game-winning single to bring home Morrison and give Montgomery the final lead. In the first inning, the Stars took their first lead of the entire series. Following a one-out double by third baseman Hainley Statia, a RBI single by second baseman Scooter Gennett put the Stars up 1-0. After the Biscuits scattered two unanswered runs off of Stars starter Josh Stinson, Huntsville regained the lead in the sixth inning. To begin the frame, Gennett crushed a solo home run over the right field wall to tie up the ballgame. Two batters later, first baseman Hunter Morris hit his Southern League leading 23rd home run, a solo shot, to give the Stars a 3-2 lead. In the eighth inning, Montgomery tied up the game on a RBI infield single by Mikey Mahtook to send it into extras. The Stars couldn’t plate another run, giving the Biscuits the 4-3 win. The loss wasted yet another strong start from Stinson. The 24-year-old righty gave up just two runs on five hits in seven innings of work. For the second game in a row, Stinson pitched seven innings and gave up less than two runs while earning a no decision in the process. This was his fourth start in search of his 12th victory. Reliever Brian Garman recorded one out in relief, giving up an unearned run on one hit. Darren Byrd was stung with his fifth blown save of the season, working 1.2 innings, giving up one hit. Heckathorn took the loss, his 11th of the season, pitching one inning and giving up the one run on two hits. On offense, the Stars were led by Gennett and right fielder Kentrail Davis, who paced the bunch with two hits. For Gennett, the multi-hit game was his tenth in his last eleven contests. For the Stars, the loss was their fifth straight overall and clinched their second straight series defeat. Game four of a five-game series take place on Friday when the Stars send RHP Evan Anundsen to the mound. First pitch is at 6:43 PM.

You've got to think Dunedin's Kevin Pillar has been interviewed on MLB Network's "Intentional Talk" with Kevin Millar, right? Dude rakes, too...

For Nashville Sounds, defense becomes routine by Nick Cole, The Tennessean When it comes to defense, the Nashville Sounds are versatile and effective. Nashville leads the Pacific Coast League in fielding percentage at .983 and has committed a league-low 79 errors. “We take pride in our defense,” infielder Edwin Maysonet said. “All our guys will tell you that pitching and defense win championships, and that’s why we work hard to get better each day.” Defense and pitching, which is fourth in the PCL (4.43 ERA), have helped Nashville (57-68) offset a team batting average (.256) that is tied for last in the league. Maysonet, a 10-year veteran, has spent time at five positions this season (shortstop, second base, third base, left field and right field) and is one of several Sounds who play multiple positions. Eric Farris, who leads all PCL second basemen with a .989 fielding percentage, also has spent time at shortstop, left field and right field. “It’s all about practice,” Farris said of learning the new positions. “When we’re out taking batting practice, it’s not just hitting. A lot of that time is dedicated to getting work in at other positions that you’re not as comfortable with.” Manager Mike Guerrero works his team through a steady routine of groundballs in warmups, something Maysonet and Farris attribute to the team’s strong defense. “Mike is really good with the fungo,” Maysonet said. “Whenever you have a good guy on the fungo and you’re able to get your work done quickly, it’s a good thing.” “We see it all off the bat from Mike,” Farris said. “He wants us to practice the tough plays. Having someone who challenges us when we’re practicing is definitely important.” Outfielder Caleb Gindl, who has played errorless ball this season, says defense is something the Brewers set a priority on throughout their system. “With the whole organization, from top to bottom, defense is a big thing,” Gindl said. “It’s always been like that. They preach defense; everybody works hard on it.” Seeing at least 20 games at all three outfield positions, Gindl knows that versatility can sometimes mean the difference between getting a call to the big leagues and being passed over. “Trying to get to the big leagues, being able to play multiple positions definitely helps,” he said. “I’ve got to take as many balls as I can off the bat (during batting practice), because I’m trying to play all three (outfield positions).” Farris sees the defensive work as a necessity for a team that is lacking power hitters, with first baseman Sean Halton as the only active player with a double-digit home run total for the season at 12. “We’re not a big power-hitting team, so we’re not going to provide a lot of thump at the plate,” Farris said. “You’re going to be in a lot of close ballgames, and in close ballgames defense wins them.” This season Edwin Maysonet has played five positions for the Sounds. / GEORGE WALKER IV, THE TENNESSEAN http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20120817&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=308170077&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&For-Nashville-Sounds-defense-becomes-routine

It is interesting that you see Seid see "thoroughly' outmatched. Are you building a thread to discuss, or should we do it here? No, no specific thread planned. More an indication that the discussion will probably be ripe when we look into a post-season analysis and review. Anyone can feel free to kick something off any time...

The two Brewers' rookie level squads are now a combined 30-71. If it wasn't for Matt Erickson and his staff somehow coaching up water-into-wine a not-so-deep-in-top-prospects Rattlers team to relevance (amazingly strong in fundamentals, that unit), we'd forget that last season's rookie clubs performed very poorly as well. And this isn't just about wins and losses, these clubs aren't even competitive day-to-day. This organization has been thoroughly outdrafted in the Bruce Seid era -- it'll get it's own thread soon enough, but hopefully Keith Law's hint has some merit regarding the Brewers' scouting director.

I've lost track of who's doing Maryvale write-ups. Whoever's available first please detail the latest A-Crew loss *sigh*, and then we'll tweet out a "complete" report, thanks. I hope to find a few more add-ons for today's thread as well.

Brevard site game summary is up Yikes, the Stars and Manatees did not handle playoff chase pressure well the past few days...Brevard away from Space Coast - not good.

The DSL box score *** Rattler Radio Blog - Postgame Thoughts

I almost commented on that defensive replacement, it seemed so random. That must have been one heck of a strikeout. Helena Top of the 7th Ruben Ozuna strikes out swinging. Kevin Berard strikes out swinging. Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging. Grand Junction Bottom of the 7th Defensive Substitution: Michael Turay replaces third baseman Kevin Berard, batting 9th, playing third base. You release a 20-year-old while you're on a road trip in Utah? It couldn't have waited less than a week to get back to Helena where his host family, possessions, etc., are? On the surface, the organization is sending a message. There's probably much more to this story, but unfortunately all we can do is speculate, which isn't fair to player or organization. We had linked to this pre-game audio interview just nine days ago. The fact Berard was limited by his ankle injury earlier (thus just the 79 AB's) makes things even more cloudy.

Wisconsin Media Notes Last night's game story from the Beloit Daily News “Marcum looked like he was throwing a wiffleball up there”

More on the Brewers options if they seek a new AA home

Nashville Media Notes *** AUDIO: Doug Melvin on WTMJ this AM *** Could this be the end of the affiliated career of 30-year-old former Brewer Adam Heether? released by the Angels... *** And this from Clint Coulter: Moment: We got in trouble for taking ice out of the cooler one time, putting our hands in what we were drinking out of. So we got Gatorade taken away for two weeks. We were drinking water for two weeks as professionals, and I was loving it. Experience: This is the perfect atmosphere to get better. We're on the move from 12:30 to midnight. No off-days over here. Coming into pro ball, I thought it would be more relaxed because we're playing everyday, but it's definitely pretty intense, and that's how I like to play. Adjustment: In high school, I had 41 at-bats my last year, so I hadn't seen pitching, let alone pro pitching, and got off to a slow start. Every game is like playing in an elite high school tournament and facing the best pitcher in the tournament. I got a lot of catching instruction from my high school coach back home, Tom Lampkin, and he played 13, 14 years in the big leagues. So I had a lot of good fundamentals, and it's been a lot of cleaning things up, little adjustments, how to call games, a lot of little things. Teammate: Angel Ortega, our shortstop -- I first got to know him at the Brewers' pre-Draft workout and I was like, "Man, this guy's pretty good." And now playing with him, I realize this guy's really good: really strong arm, good instincts, battles at the plate. Opponent: Joey Gallo (Rangers) has been killing it, hitting homers. I've caught against him, and he had two hits and a double, but we kept the ball on the right side of the fence, so I count that as almost a success. Headline: Coulter, Crew score 17 -- in first inning on 7/8.

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 *** 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 Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Nashville Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Tacoma (Mariners), 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). We imagine the audio feed is from the home team. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. ********** Huntsville: RHP Josh Stinson at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 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. MiLB.TV subsciption note: Huntsville road games in four locales (Mississippi, Tennessee, Jacksonville and Pensacola) will be broadcast. ********** Brevard County: RHP Nick Bucci at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 5:30 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Tampa feed from the MiLB main audio page 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. There are no Florida State League games on MiLB.TV this year. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Mark Williams at Beloit (Twins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 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: Tyler Wagner at Orem (Angels), 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: at the DSL Blue Jays, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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

Hoping to pick up a lagging Helena offense and rewarding a young man for good work, the Brewers have promoted 19-year-old OF Jose Pena (career stats) from Maryvale, and he'll join the H-Crew in Orem, Utah. After two really poor seasons in the Dominican Summer League, Pena raked in Maryvale from Day One in 2012. Congrats to him, and to the Brewers, for seeing the beginning of a return on an initial $400,000 investment. *** On the flip side, the Brewers have released 20-year-old Helena infielder Kevin Berard (career stats), the team's 2010 22nd round pick out of a Louisiana high school. Berard spent two long summers in the Maryvale sun, not unusual for a mid-to-late round high school pick, and he was really very solid in 2011 (.753 OPS). His dismissal after just 79 Helena at-bats seems a bit harsh, but most of them do. Here's betting we see Kevin elsewhere in affiliated ball down the road.

Bob Brainerd features Oak Creek RHP Eric Semmelhack of the Rattlers

Stars, Brewers headed to bargaining table as working agreement nears renewal time By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Doug Melvin, the executive vice president and general manager of the Milwaukee Brewers, expects discussions to begin soon with the Huntsville Stars regarding their working agreement, which is up for renewal at season's end. Melvin, making a stop in Huntsville to check out his team's Class AA prospects, said he could have a phone conversation with team owner Miles Prentice as soon as today. Prentice, who was last here the first week of the season, was traveling Wednesday en route from the New York-Penn League All-Star Game; he also owns a team in that league. According to the website minorleaguesource.com, only eight of the 30 player development contracts (PDC) between Double-A teams and their major league affiliates have not been extended. The PDCs are signed for two- or four-year increments at the end of even-numbered seasons. "We'll eventually be making a decision," Melvin said. "When we have a decision we'll announce it." Milwaukee, Miami, Seattle, Oakland, San Diego Cleveland, the Mets and Angels are the only teams not renewed, according to the website, one of the most reliable trackers of minor league developments. Melvin addressed a number of subjects during the Stars' game with Montgomery Wednesday night. Various Brewers officials have voiced their concern with aging Joe Davis Stadium. "They're the same (concerns)," Melvin said. "Take last year's story and reprint it." In September, major league rosters expand to 40 players, but Melvin said "we haven't decided" which players might be called up from the minors to fill those spots. First baseman Hunter Morris and second baseman Scooter Gennett have clearly been Huntsville's best players and both should be Southern League All-Stars at season's end. "They've both had very, very good years," Melvin said. "Staying here the whole year (has helped). I'm a big believer at staying a whole year at one level and having a big year." Melvin related that, in his six minor league seasons, he was never promoted or demoted in-season, comparing it to going up the ladder in elementary school. "Today, it's all about when a guy is doing well, it's 'When are we going to see him?' A fan in Nashville is saying, 'When is Hunter Morris coming up?'" Melvin said. The Brewers organization has been pleased with the work of manager Darnell Coles and his staff of Chris Hook and Dwayne Hosey. "(Coles) has done a very good job here," Melvin said. "I know our guys like him. (Assistant GM) Gord Ash is very happy with him. Reid (Nichols, special assistant to the general manager) is happy. We're all pleased with the job he's done. He played in the big leagues. He's been through it all. He's been a hitting coach. He has leadership qualities. He understands the games, the highs and lows of the game. He understands the development process and understands the balance of that with trying to win ball games." While Morris was the first Huntsville native to play for the Stars, a second is waiting in the wings. Lefthanded pitcher Jed Bradley, a 22-year-old who played at Huntsville High and was a first-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2011, was 5-10 with a 5.53 ERA at Class A Brevard. "He's got a little bit of fatigue at this time," Melvin said. "There are some physical things with him. He's a hard worker, almost to the point where he works too hard. We need to get him with the understanding ... that you step into pro ball, it's not a 50-game college season. It's 140 games. "He started off real well. He hasn't had success recently and we think it's a little bit of physical aspect to that."

Helena video

Huntsville video -- Brock Kjeldgaard is stong (infrequently with contact, but strong)

Brewers swept away in Grand Junction Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers were swept away in Grand Junction, falling 5-4 Wednesday night to the Rockies after blowing an early lead. The Rockies won all three games of the series at Suplizio Field to extend their win steak to four straight games. They are within a game of .500 in the second half, while the Brewers are tied for last place with Great Falls at 4-13 in the Pioneer League North Division. Helena has lost seven straight. (NOTE: Helena now an ugly 17-38 overall). The Brewers wasted no time taking the lead Wednesday. Their first three batters of the game reached with base hits, and the visitors wound up scoring two runs in the inning to grab a quick lead. After not having a base runner in the first three innings of the game, the Rockies bats finally got to work in the bottom of the fourth. Matt Wessinger started the inning with a bunt single. He stole second, then stole third and scored after catcher Paul Eshelman threw the ball away to get the Rockies on the board. After that, Jeff Popick singled to keep the inning alive. He got to third when Jeremy McLeod singled and scored on a Ben Waldrip double to tie the game at 2. In the fifth, Grand Junction took the lead. Max White hit his third home run of the season to make it a 3-2 game, his second homer in as many games. Then with two out, Matt Wessinger walked, and he scored when Dahl doubled to left center field to make it a 4-2 game. Dahl scored after a two-base error on Eshleman to make it 5-2. Helena scored a pair of runs in the ninth, and the Brewers had the tying run on third base – a common trend this season. But Scott Oberg got Chris McFarland to pop out to end the game, securing his 10th save of the season. Johendi Jiminian started on the mound for the Rockies, and after a rough first inning, he didn’t allow a run the rest of the night. In five innings he walked two and struck out five, picking up his first win of the season. Leonard Lorenzo was tagged with the loss for Helena. The Brewers travel to Orem, Utah today to begin a four-game set against the Owlz. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena Brewers catcher Paul Eshleman tags Jeremy McLeod of the Grand Junction Rockies at the plate for the final out in the bottom of the fourth inning of Wednesday's game at Suplizio Field in Grand Junction. Photo by GRETEL DAUGHERTY Grand Junction Daily Sentinel http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/ac/6acde8a0-e764-11e1-92d4-001a4bcf887a/502c874de8976.preview-620.jpg By the way, how cool is the name Gretel?