Jim Goulart

The Maryvale Brewers lost their 4th straight, 6-5, to fall to 12-29, the worst record by 2.5 games in the 13-team Arizona League. Details in a bit from our newest Link Reporter, along with more from Helena.

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

Sounds catcher Jason Jaramillo struggles to return to big leagues by Autumn Allison, The Tennessean Baseball is full of ups and downs. Just ask Jason Jaramillo. After three seasons in the majors and a rough spring training, Jaramillo — pronounced HAIR-uh-mee-yo — found himself with a minor-league contract in Double-A ball. Now a catcher with the Nashville Sounds, he is working to reach the big leagues again. “I’ve been handed a tough one this year, just trying to fight through it and constantly working hard,” Jaramillo said. “Things will work out.” The Wisconsin native got his professional start with the Philadelphia Phillies, who drafted him in the second round in 2004. In 2008, the Phillies’ 10th-best prospect was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the next year he had 62 at-bats. But after three straight seasons of being on the Pirates’ Opening Day roster, Jaramillo’s major league streak broke. During the past offseason, he was traded to the Cubs and invited to spring training as a nonroster player. “Had a rough spring training,” Jaramillo said. “I got hurt, and consequently towards the end of spring training I was released. Maybe with a week and half to go in spring, I signed with the Brewers.” As part of his minor-league free-agent contract with Milwaukee, Jaramillo was sent down to Double-A Huntsville. It was the first time since 2006 that he had been at that level. “It’s humbling going into Double-A and trying to work your way back,” Jaramillo said. “It’s one of those things that have been thrown at me.” Getting the contract was an opportunity for Jaramillo to play in his home state. “There was an opening here (Milwaukee) to go Double-A,” Jaramillo said. “I’d always respected this organization and in the back of my mind and heart had wanted to play for the Brewers, you know being from Wisconsin.” Until then, Jaramillo continues to work on “not focusing on where he is but on concentrating on giving it his everything every day.” But even with constant focus, Jaramillo is still working on overcoming the difficulties of the mid-season swap. “It’s kind of difficult coming in mid-season trying to adjust to the different personalities, new pitchers, different styles,” Jaramillo said. “It’s a lot to get used to.” Even though Jaramillo is still making adjustments to get “familiar to the plate,” Sounds manager Mike Guerrero sees skills and a work ethic that will succeed with time. “He does have the ability to keep working, the ability is there … just has to get in the groove,” Guerrero said. As for his return to the big leagues, Jaramillo is just waiting and trusting. “I don’t have a set timetable or anything like that. We’ll see what happens. I’m a man of faith, so I put my trust in the Lord,” he said. “This is where he has me, so I’m going to put my trust in that." A former second-round pick, catcher Jason Jaramillo has spent this season in the minors. / JOHN PARTIPILO, The Tennessean http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20120812&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=308120063&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0&Nashville-Sounds-catcher-Jason-Jaramillo-struggles-return-big-leagues

Brewers snap scoreless streak, fall to Voyagers Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers snapped a streak of 30 straight scoreless innings in the third frame Saturday, but couldn’t muster another run the rest of the way in an 11-3 loss to Great Falls. Helena had nine hits but batted just 2 for 10 with runners in scoring position. Brewers catcher Paul Eshleman singled and later scored on a wild pitch in the third inning to give the hosts their first run since Tuesday’s eighth inning. Chris McFarland and Adam Giacalone added RBIs to tie the game at 3-all heading to the fourth. That’s when the wheels came off. Brewers starting pitcher Preston Gainey was tagged with five runs in the fourth frame, and the Voyagers added three more in the seventh when third baseman Tyler Williams slammed a three-run bomb off reliever Michael Schaub. Right fielder Yoandy Barroso was 3 for 5 with three runs scored and a pair of runs batted in to lead the visitors’ offense. Giacalone and McFarland continued their hot hitting with two hits apiece, raising their averages to .367 and .305, respectively. Eshleman also had two hits, including the Brewers’ only double. Voyagers reliever Andrew Virgili earned the win after 2.2 innings of one-hit ball. The Brewers have today off before opening a seven-game road trip.

Voyagers take charge early to earn win Helena Brewers The Voyagers scored early and often Saturday night at Kindrick Legion Field. After tallying one run in each of the first three innings, it was the five-run fourth that proved to be the nail in the coffin for the Helena Brewers. When all was said and done, the Voyagers escaped town with an 11-3 victory and a two game sweep. The Brewers who entered the night having been shut out in three consecutive games, managed nine hits and three walks in Saturday's action. Leading the charge was first baseman Adam Giacalone, second baseman Chris McFarland and catcher Paul Eshleman. Giacalone, who currently sits third in the league in hitting, went 2-for-4 with one RBI. The multi-hit performance raises Giacalone's batting average to .367 on the season. For the Voyagers, the game was highlighted by multi-hit performances from Yoandy Barroso, Brent Tanner and Zachary Voight. The trio combined for eight of the 12 Great Falls hits and seven of the nine RBI. On the mound, reliever Andrew Virgili earned his second victory of the season on the strength of two shutout innings. Brewers starter Preston Gainey was tabbed for the loss after allowing seven earned runs to cross the plate in 3.2 innings pitched. The Brewers will take the road for three games at Grand Junction followed by four at Orem. Elliot Glynn successfully worked around a leadoff double in the top of the 9th. (Sleeping Giant Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/08/11/RlReGdnn.jpg

AUDIO: Helena pre-game interview with LHP Elliot Glynn

Timber Rattlers notes: Wisconsin pitchers can learn from Marcum by Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — The Beloit Snappers will probably get a bit of a boost in ticket sales this Wednesday for the game at Pohlman Field against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Shaun Marcum is expected to make his second rehab start for the Rattlers that day. While Marcum is all business when he’s with the Rattlers and focused on what he needs to accomplish, Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson hopes his staff of possible future Brewers pitchers puts Marcum’s approach to the game under a microscope. “To be very honest, be repetitive,” said Erickson on what he wants his pitchers to learn from Marcum. “That’s the one thing that stands out with him. That’s the one thing our pitching coach (Dave Chavarria) talks to our pitchers about. Staying consistent with your delivery, keeping your hand speed, believing in the grip of the pitch and making it look to the hitters like all the pitches are the same.” Rafael Neda, who was the catcher for Friday’s game with Marcum on the mound, said that Marcum’s routine for getting ready for the game was different than the standard routine that Rattlers starters go through. “He has his own routine,” Neda said. “I liked it. It was a little more relaxed in a way but he was really focussed on what he was doing. He knew what he had to do to get ready for the game.” Neda and Marcum did discuss the starting lineup for Cedar Rapids. “We talked a little bit about it,” Neda said. “But he was mainly focused on himself more than the other team. I think that’s a good thing.” Record broken: Brandon Macias might have earned himself the nickname Bruiser on Friday. When the infielder was hit by a pitch from Cedar Rapids starter Austin Wood, it marked the 19th time Macias has been drilled this season to set a Rattlers record. Luis Tinoco had held the record of getting hit 18 times, a mark he set in 1996. Strategy session: The Timber Rattlers don’t do it a lot but, for those watching the games against Cedar Rapids, you’ve seen the Rattlers put on a shift against select batters where only the third baseman is on the left side of the infield. "We have spray charts on all the hitters,” Erickson said. “This is a team that we’ve played quite a bit within our division. They have some left-handed hitters that are highly pull on the ground. “We don’t do it all the time. We don’t do it just to do it but, when the spray chart shows an astronomical amount of balls to the right side, we play the percentages. It just so happens they have three or four guys in their lineup that the spray charts say play that way.” Start another one: When Chadwin Stang’s 19-game hitting streak ended with a zero-for-four game against Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, it gave him the third-longest hitting streak in Rattlers’ history. Tinoco had a 27-game streak in 1996, while Josh Womack in 2005 had a run of 22 games with a hit. Stang batted .354 during his hitting streak, going 29-for-82. Refreshing wins: Friday’s doubleheader sweep probably got a collective sigh of relief in the Rattlers locker room. Wisconsin had gotten off to a sluggish start during August, going 2-6 and being outscored 25-5 in its previous two games. “We got hammered the last two days,” Erickson said. “We lost four in a row. They beat us up the first day in here. It was really nice to get five runs on them in the first inning and then we were able to hang on in that first game. Then we get a great pitching performance from (Mark) Williams in the nightcap. That was kind of the perfect deal.” Double-digit K’s: When Williams struck out 11 over seven innings in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, it was the first time this season that a Rattlers pitcher reached double digits in strikeouts. Michael Strong struck out nine on May 17 against Burlington and July 20 versus Great Lakes. Jacob Barnes struck out nine against Clinton on June 12 and against Burlington on Aug. 3.

Rattler Radio Blog: 3 minutes, 29 seconds worth of video highlights Check out those Jimmy Buffet jerseys...

STARS SHUTOUT BY SMOKIES KODAK, Tenn. – Three Tennessee Smokies pitchers combined to shutout the Huntsville Stars as they fell by a score of 2-0 on Saturday evening at Smokies Park. The loss wasted a tremendous effort by Stars starting pitcher Evan Anundsen, who took a no-decision after pitching five innings of shutout, two-hit baseball. With the game still scoreless in the fifth inning, the Smokies got all the run support they needed off of Stars reliever Dan Meadows. In the sixth inning, an RBI single from Jae-Hoon Ha broke the scoreless tie. Then, in the seventh inning, a two-out RBI single by catcher Mike Brenly gave Tennessee a 2-0 lead that they would not relinquish. On the pitching side, Smokies starting pitcher Dae-Eun Rhee improved to 8-6 on the season after he threw six shutout innings, giving up six hits and striking out four in the process. To finish off the shutout, reliever Tony Zych tossed two scoreless frames and closer Brian Schlitter shut the door in the ninth for his fourth save of the season. For the Stars, Meadows took the loss, falling to 1-3 on the year. Aside from Meadows and Anundsen, reliever Kyle Heckathorn also threw an inning of scoreless relief. On offense, second baseman Scooter Gennett recorded his seventh consecutive multi-hit game with 2-for-4 night at the plate. Both third baseman Andy Gonzalez and right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard had two hits apiece. With the loss, Huntsville failed to capture their fifth consecutive series win, as the Smokies and Stars have both won two games with the rubber match hanging in the balance. The scoreless defeat also capped off the seventh time the Stars have been shutout this season. The series-deciding contest of a five-game series between the two teams will take place on Sunday as the Stars will send RHP Jimmy Nelson (1-2, 4.44 ERA) to the hill. First pitch is at 4:00 CT.

At Nashville, OF Corey Patterson goes on the Temporary Inactive List while catcher Dayton Buller (slight hamstring injury) is activated from the DL, giving the Sounds three catchers (Jaramillo, Quintero, Buller) for the time being.

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

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Wily Peralta at home vs. Salt Lake (Angels), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 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 Evan Anundsen at Tennessee (Cubs), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 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 Matt Miller makes his high-A debut at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 5:35 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 Chad Pierce at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 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, plus one July Helena series (11th-13th). ********** Helena: RHP Preston Gainey 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 We're lucky to have Steve Wendt back on board for another H-Crew season. ********** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the lil' Dodgers; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at home vs. 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

Nashville audio from the 9th inning rally: Taylor Green Game-Tying Single Humberto Quintero Walks To Force Home Winning Run

Video: Voice of the Huntsville Stars Alex Cohen Interview

Post-Crescent (mostly Shaun Marcum) photo gallery

Rattler Radio Blog: Nine after 9 includes doubleheader highlights

Something brewing... By Matt Williams, Salem (MA) News Staff writer Stephen Peterson is a Tom Brady guy living and working right in the middle of Aaron Rodgers territory. The way Peterson sees it, that’s OK — the strikes he’s concerned with reside on the black of home plate rather than on the fingertips of wide receivers. Danvers’ Peterson is in the midst of his first full season playing professional baseball for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the Single-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. And aside from the occasional urge to declare that his own hometown hero, the Patriots’ Brady, is far better than the local favorite, Green Bay’s Rodgers, Peterson is loving everything about life in the midwest. “When my parents came out, we took a tour of Lambeau Field, and we made sure we told people, ‘We’re Patriots fans, we’re just here for the history’,” Peterson said with a laugh. “Really, though, the people here are great. We get almost 5,000 fans a night and being in the same state as the Brewers is great. The people here are crazy about their Brewers and it really reminds me of the way fans are back home.” Someday, those fans may be going crazy for Peterson, a 24-year-old lefthanded pitcher who turned pro last summer after his senior year at the University of Rhode Island. A 2006 graduate of St. John’s Prep, Peterson was solid in the rookie ball Arizona League in 2011 and earned himself a spot in Wisconsin in his first full spring training a few months ago. The 6-foot-3, 210 pound southpaw has rewarded his team, pitching 41 1/3 innings and limiting opposing hitters to a .196 average for a club that is 65-49 overall and won its Midwest League first-half division title. He has three wins, three saves and has thrown in all situations. Sometimes, he’ll come in for one out in a lefty-on-lefty situation, and sometimes he’s called on to throw 2-3 innings at a time. It’s all part of the learning curve in Single-A. “We’re young and they try to stay away from roles because they want you to learn,” said Peterson. “The pitching coaches at this level want to put you in different situations to see how you react, how you might control it, and project what you might be able to do as you move up. It’s all about getting innings.” Peterson has a 3.27 earned run average this season to go with 35 strikeouts. The majority of his work has come out of the bullpen, so he’s taking the conventional pitcher’s approach of getting ahead in the count with his fastball and finishing the job with his breaking stuff. “Always, if you can get ahead with that fastball you can set something up and make something happen,” said Peterson. “I think my out pitch is my breaking ball and I don’t want to show that to a hitter early in a count. It might be different if you’re going multiple innings, but coming into the situations I’ve been in, there are a lot more options once you get ahead with the fastball.” Though he’s always pitched well in all situations — for example, two no-hitters as a senior at St. John’s Prep and an All-New England senior season at URI — Peterson knows that as a lefty, he has tremendous value against lefthanded hitters as a pro. That’s why he’s focused on his changeup, a major point of emphasis in the Brewers’ organization, and setting up batters early in the count. “Since day one our pitching coach has been telling me how good the breaking ball can be in a left-on-left situation,” Peterson said. “You don’t want to show how effective that can be early in the count if you don’t have to.” With an ERA of 3.00 in 27 innings of rookie ball in 2011, Peterson has quickly learned to be effective in his first 18 months of professional baseball. He’s a smart pitcher and that’s helped him make the adjustment. “The hitters get better at every level and you have to listen and think about the game,” said Peterson. “As you get older, you get a better understanding of how to react and how to attack hitters.” There was a time when Peterson probably doubted that he’d ever play a full season of professional baseball. After helping the Prep reach the state final in 2006, he went to Marist before transferring to URI and sitting out the 2009 season due to NCAA rules. Then, while pitching for the Newport Gulls in the NECBL summer league, he hurt his elbow and required Tommy John surgery. The 2010 season was lost to rehabilitation, meaning Peterson had gone two full seasons without toeing the rubber for the Rams. “It makes you realize how much you truly love the game and how much harder you want to work,” he said. “It’s also motivation. I’d been there for two years as a student and a practice player, having fun and never putting on a jersey. I felt like I really had to show that I could play.” Peterson is extremely grateful to URI coach Jim Foster — “He never lost faith in me.” — and put up a team-best 3.06 ERA in his one season as a Ram. The lefty was an All-Atlantic-10 second team selection, won six games, fanned 69 batters and started a team-best 14 games. He was an NEIBA All-New England pick and was selected as the Pitcher of the Game in the NEIBA all-star game. The Danvers native parlayed that success into a shot with the Brewers and has the standard entry level minor league deal that could stretch as long as six years (”You’re there unless the organization decides otherwise,” he says). Regardless of how high he can rise in the Brewers’ system, he’ll always be connected to the diamonds in Danvers and at St. John’s. “My mom and dad have been out (to Wisconsin) a couple of times and they’re coming again soon. That’s always great because I wouldn’t be here without them,” said Peterson. Sure, there are hours of time to be killed on the bus and out in the bullpen. That’s the essence of the minor league baseball experience. But for Peterson, two years removed from major surgery and coming from a relatively small college in New England, it’s an experience to be savored. “For me, it’s been my dream to do this. I take this as a blessing more than anything. There are a million kids out there that would be dying to be where I am.”

I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that a Pioneer League team could go scoreless for 28 innings (and counting!). It's an offensive haven league! How do you not stumble into an unearned run even? Hitting Coach Don Money would be such an entertaining interview this AM with his "non-filter" on.... *** Parrent sets the rules Helena Brewers For the third consecutive night the Brewers simply couldn't get the bats going as Brandon Parrent and the Great Falls staff threw a shutout. The Brewers managed just four hits in the loss and fell on Friday night 3-0 to the Great Falls Voyagers. Despite only recording four hits, the Brewers did have opportunities thanks to seven walks issued by Voyager pitchers. The Brewers posed a very real threat in the bottom of the fifth trailing 2-0, thanks to back-to-back walks and a bunt single by Raul Mondesi Jr. However, with no outs and the bases loaded, Voyager starter Parrent buckled down, striking out Andres Martinez and then forcing Ruben Ozuna to ground into a double play. The Brewers were able to stay close throughout the evening thanks to quality pitching from starter Tyler Wagner, and relievers Brent Suter and Connor Whalen. The trio combined for twelve strikeouts on the evening and only allowed two earned runs to score. In spite of the strong performance Wagner was tabbed with his third loss of the season. After collecting 43 hits over three games against the Missoula Osprey, the Brewers have only hit safely 15 times since. On Friday, hits were recorded by Chris McFarland, Alfredo Rodriguez, Adam Giacalone, and Mondesi. The Brewers will face the Great Falls Voyagers in the final game of a two game set tomorrow night at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 (8:05 Central). Connor Whalen pitched a scoreless 9th on Friday night. (Sleeping Giant Photography) http://helena.brewers.milb.com/images/2012/08/10/aRSw7tcx.jpg *** Brewers held scoreless for third straight game Helena Independent Record Kindrick Legion Field hasn’t exactly been home sweet home for the Helena Brewers the last three days. They haven’t been able to find home plate, either. Friday night’s loss to the Great Falls Voyagers marked the third straight game that Helena was shut out 3-0, running the Brewers’ scoreless inning streak to 28 frames. Helena had just four hits as the offense was stymied once again. The Voyagers pitching staff was less than perfect, too, issuing seven walks to Brewers batters. Still, the hosts failed to do anything with runners upon getting them on base, stranding seven. Great Falls catcher Zachary Fisher hit his first home run of the season in the third inning off of Tyler Wagner, who fell to 0-3. Voyagers starter Brandon Parrent picked up his first win after starting the season with four straight losses. He hurled a two-hitter, and Cory McGinnis, David Putman and Brett Merkley kept the Brewers off the board the rest of the way. It was the third shutout by Voyagers pitching this season, and Merkley has now been a part of two. He earned his sixth save. Chris McFarland, Alfredo Rodriguez, Adam Giacalone and Raul Mondesi Jr. had hits for Helena, all of them singles. McFarland and Giacalone were also part of two double plays on the evening. Helena Box Score / Game Log

I really don't understand why, after nearly a decade of mining the independent ranks (second only to the Padres in sheer volume), the Brewers have abandoned this talent acquisition route all together in 2012. RHP Mark Williams was signed in August 2011, making his affiliated debut with the Brewers. Just prior to that, the Brewers' indy signings included intriguingly promising LHP Alan Williams and a youngish versatile infielder in Hainley Statia, so it's not like those most recent signings were disappointing. Here's hoping the Brewers haven't pulled the plug on having their scouting staff monitoring the independent leagues.

After striking out swinging in the DSL Brewers 5th, CF Juan Ortiz exited (injury?) prompting this merry-go-round: DSL Angels Top of the 6th Defensive switch from shortstop to third base for Raphachel Colatosti. Defensive switch from right field to center field for Yunior Santana. Defensive switch from third base to left field for Jose Dicent. Defensive switch from left field to right field for Elvis Rubio. Defensive Substitution: Carlos Belonis replaces center fielder Juan Ortiz, batting 7th, playing shortstop. So the DSL squad's top position player prospect, Belonis, didn't enter until the 6th and still managed to slug two home runs including the walkoff. Sweet write-ups tonight, thanks guys...

Huntsville Media Notes