Jim Goulart

Opposing manager gave RHP Johnnie Lowe some props last night, even if he only went five innings (with four walks): “it wasn’t much a game after the first three innings,” Smokies manager Buddy Bailey said. “We fcaed a AAA guy who knows how to move the ball around the zone ... kept us off balance all night. We got some productivity from the pitchers getting on base, just didn’t get enough from them on the mound.” Wow, Buddy Bailey is still managing...

As we mentioned all week, the Rattlers' game is on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 tonight.

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: Huntsville Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: Idle ********** Huntsville: RHP Ariel Pena 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 Drew Gagnon at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 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 Shaun Marcum in his first rehab start at home vs. Cedar Rapids (Angels), 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, plus one July Helena series (11th-13th). ********** Helena: RHP Leonard Lorenzo at home vs. Missoula (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 home vs. the baby Indians; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: Idle

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Rattler Radio Blog: Nine after 9 (includes "highlights" from 15-1 loss)

Offense missing in action as Brewers fall to Osprey by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record It was another terrific outing by Helena Brewers pitchers Wednesday, but an even better one by Missoula. Osprey starter Yoimer Camacho combined with relievers Chase Stevens and Vince Spilker on a four-hit shutout, as the trio struck out 13 Helena batters in a 3-0 victory at Kindrick Legion Field. Missoula turned the tables on the Brewers 24 hours after being held without a run, and ended a hot streak by Helena’s offense. The Brewers had recorded 10 hits or more in their previous three games. “We’ve been swinging the bats well, but tonight we ran into a hot pitcher in Camacho,” Helena manager Jeff Isom said. “He ended up locating his fastball on both sides of the plate, commanding his offspeed pitches, just had us off-balance all evening. We tip our cap to him, he did a nice job.” Isom said he began to see batters deviating from their approach the second time through the lineup, and said he spoke to his players after the game about keeping that consistency. “At times you do have to make adjustments depending on the pitcher, but we got way out of what we do well,” he said. Ruben Ozuna led off the game for the Brewers with a single, but it was the only offense the hosts would muster until the fifth inning. Camacho retired 12 in a row before walking Emmanuel Quiles and giving up a single to Michael Reed. “Camacho threw probably his best game of the year so far today,” Osprey skipper Andy Green said. “He really spotted it up a lot better than he has been. Then the bullpen came in. Chase Stevens was outstanding and Spilker closed it out. … He had a couple days off and he looks fresh again, so that’s good to see.” Camacho got the win and Spilker the save after he struck out the side in the ninth. Brewers starter Ryan Gibbard took the loss, his third of the season. Gibbard allowed three runs on seven hits before giving way to Damien Magnifico, who came out of the bullpen throwing heat. The right-hander lived up to his name, showing good command of his upper-90s fastball and mixing his off-speed pitches well. Magnifico fanned five in four innings of relief and gave up only one hit – an infield single by Daniel Pulfer. “He was magnificent out there,” Isom said. (Unintended pun, apparently.) “He threw the ball very well, that’s the best outing we’ve seen … that was a treat; that was fun to watch. “If he can show the fastball command that he had tonight and show he’s got average off-speed stuff, he’s gonna be somebody. He’s got a great arm.” Pulfer was the only player to record an RBI in the contest, as Missoula’s other runs scored on an error and a wild pitch. After playing picture-perfect defense the previous night, the Brewers had three miscues in the field. Green was pleased with the bounce-back win following Tuesday night’s struggles, especially considering the tough losses the Osprey have endured at Kindrick in the past. “We haven’t played well in Helena at all, so we talked about staying away from the ballpark for most of the day and coming a little bit later,” he said. “We tried our hand at a different pregame approach, just kind of washing yesterday away to get ready for today. It worked well, so we’ll try it again tomorrow and see if we have success again.” Tonight marks the last time these two teams will meet this season. Leonard Lorenzo is scheduled to start for the Brewers, while fellow right-hander Jared Ray goes to the mound for Missoula. First pitch is 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). All photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record Brewers second baseman Chris McFarland dives for a line drive.. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/a/1e/a1e8e09a-e1cb-11e1-b95c-0019bb2963f4/50232335cf618.preview-620.jpg Brewers third baseman Andres Martinez throws the ball to first for an out.. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/9/1f/91f1eb82-e1cb-11e1-9724-0019bb2963f4/5023231a5244d.preview-620.jpg Brewers' Alfredo Rodriguez watches a strike pass him by. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/7/b6/7b63d6d2-e1cb-11e1-bf5e-0019bb2963f4/502322f43c314.preview-620.jpg

STARS CRUISE TO VICTORY AGAINST SMOKIES KODAK, Tenn. – Opening up a five-game series in Kodak, Tenn., the Huntsville Stars cruised to a 7-2 victory against the Tennessee Smokies on Wednesday night. From the get-go, the Stars got a lead that they would not relinquish. With two outs in the top of the first inning, the Huntsville bats started a rally with a single by second baseman Scooter Gennett. After third baseman Andy Gonzalez was hit by a Dallas Beeler pitch to put runners on first and second, first baseman Hunter Morris brought them all home with a booming three-run home run to give the Stars a 3-0 lead. For Morris, his homer was his 22nd on the season, tying him for the league lead with Jackson’s Joe Dunigan. Up 3-2 in the third inning, the Stars offense struck again. With back-to-back-to-back singles to begin the frame by center fielder Josh Prince, shortstop Hainley Statia and Gennett, the Stars loaded the bases with nobody out. After a bases-loaded walk by Gonzalez brought home one run, an RBI groundout by Morris brought home another. A fielding error by Beeler on the Morris grounder allowed Gennett to score to make the score 6-2. That run support would be plenty for the Stars pitching staff. Starter Johnnie Lowe improved to 2-2 on the season after giving up two runs on five hits in five innings of work. Relievers Brian Garman, Dan Meadows and Evan Anundsen combined to shut out the Smokies for the final four innings. On offense, Morris led the way, going 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBIs. Aside from Morris, Gonzalez also reached base all four times he was at the plate and also hit a solo homer of his own in the fifth inning. In addition, Both Gennett and Statia each had two hits. For Gennett, the multi-hit game for him was his fourth in a row. Game two of a five-game series will take place on Thursday as the Stars will send Ariel Pena (0-0, 4.50 ERA) to the mound. First pitch is at 6:15 CT.

AUDIO: Helena catcher Michael Turay joins the Brewers pre-game show to discuss the start to his career so far

Mike Fiers has eclipsed 50 big league innings, which at least under old P50 rules, makes him ineligible now. Martin Maldonado similarly ineligible. Then again, this is your P50 .

Helena LHP Will West tweet: Season cut short this year. Minor surgery on Friday and then home to Florida. Thankful for a good year with awesome teammates

Audio Interviews: Gord Ash Tuesday night on ESPN540 Doug Melvin Wed. AM on WTMJ

Every so often somebody deserves an in-progress Link Report post: Hunter Morris three-run 1st inning jack-jackety-jack!

Completing the Media Notes trifecta: Wisconsin

Media Notes: Huntsville

VIDEO: Highlights from Tuesday's 7-0 Helena win

From Huntsville: RHP Hellweg to DL; RHP Valiquette Activated KODAK, Tenn. – The Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars have made a pair of roster moves prior to tonight’s series opener at Tennessee. RHP Johnny Hellweg has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to August 7, and LHP Philippe Valiquette has been activated from the DL. Hellweg has gone 2-0 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts for the Stars since coming to the Brewers organization in the trade that sent Zach Greinke to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim back on July 27. In those two starts, the 23-year-old pitched 10 innings, giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits. He struck out 10 batters and walked nine. In his first outing, he allowed just one hit over five innings to Chattanooga. Valiquette was placed on the DL back on July 29, retroactive to July 26. The left hander is 0-0 with a 11.05 ERA (7.1 IP / 9 ER) in six appearances this season. With these moves, the Stars active roster is at 25 *** Tom Haudricourt spoke with Gord Ash. "LHP Jed Bradley has arm fatigue and probably won't pitch again in 2012. Was checked and not an injury." "Brewers put RHP Johnny Hellweg on DL more to manage innings. Will pitch only in relief when activated to control his work."

More Jean Segura audio -- this one with Joe Block on Tuesday's Brewers pre-game

From the Manatees: ROSTER MOVES: LHP Jed Bradley placed on the DL retro to 8/6. RHP Matt Miller transferred to Brevard from the TimberRattlers. *** No word on the nature of Bradley's ailment; it was a groin issue that sidelined him for ten days in mid-May. Congratulations to Matt Miller -- big contributor to Wisconsin, and now thrust into a playoff race with Brevard. (Miller's move frees up the spot for Michael White on the Rattlers roster.)

Speaking of MiLB.TV, Alec put it to good use to put together this detailed Tyler Thornburg report

Marzec learns lessons during roller-coaster baseball season By Josh Weir, CantonRep.com (Ohio) staff writer Baseball provides hard lessons. Failure is frequent. Supposed consistency often proves fleeting. For Eric Marzec, his 2012 season has provided an important — as well as humbling and sometimes maddening — study in the psychology of baseball. The Central Catholic High School graduate feels better for it. A right-handed pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers system, Marzec, 24, has endured a roller-coaster season of high expectations, surprising struggles and adversity conquered. Right as he gained traction, Marzec learned he had mononucleosis. He is back in Stark County to rest and get well until fall ball begins in September in Arizona. His 2012 minor league season likely is over. If so, what a revealing season it was for Marzec. “The entire first part of the season — with promotions and demotions — kind of went haywire,” he said. “I think I learned a really great lesson. I would say this season has taught me a lot more than last season. “Last year was great statistically. But what I learned this year will help me along the way and blow through the rest of my obstacles and get to the majors.” Marzec’s 2011 opened eyes. In his second year of pro ball after the Brewers drafted him in the 30th round out of Youngstown State, Marzec went 4-2 with a 1.69 ERA and four saves in 42 appearances (all but one out of the bullpen). Most of the season was spent with low Single-A Wisconsin, but he also pitched for high Single-A Brevard County (Fla.) and registered two scoreless appearances for Triple-A Nashville (Tenn.). A meticulous worker and organized person, Marzec had his 2012 season planned in his mind before it started. He would start at Double-A Huntsville (Ala.), earn a promotion to Nashville at some point, then get a September call-up to the Brewers and make his Major League Baseball debut. But after struggling to a 7.53 ERA in 10 appearances for Huntsville to begin this season, Marzec found himself back in Brevard County and fighting serious doubts for the first time as a pro. “It’s strictly confidence,” he said. “Had nothing to do with the physical and ability as far as pitching mechanics and things like that. It’s simply trust in yourself. “Everyone is trying to change you and put their mark on you. ‘You can be better if you do this.’ Then when something doesn’t work, you start questioning yourself and not trusting your stuff. You start thinking irrationally. As a pitcher, you’re digging yourself a hole.” A midseason talk with coaches offered Marzec reassurance that the organization believed in him. He started turning the corner toward the end of June, and returned to his old self in July. In seven July appearances, covering 15 innings, Marzec did not allow an earned run. During that stretch he made two spot starts and flourished to the tune of no runs, four hits, 11 strikeouts and four walks in nine combined innings. “There’s a lot you can’t control in baseball,” said Marzec, who was 2-3 with a 3.88 ERA in 33 combined 2012 appearances. “Learning what I can control, especially as a pitcher, I’m fully confident that some good things are going to happen pretty soon. I feel like I’ve put in enough hard work.” The Brewers planned to promote him back to Huntsville, Marzec said. But mono intervened. Marzec began noticing increased fatigue during workouts about three weeks ago. Then strep throat hit. Marzec didn’t eat for four straight days because of throat pain, he said. He lost about 15 pounds overall. With only about a month left of the minor league season, the Brewers decided to shut him down. Marzec has rebounded enough to start light workouts. He already has recruited Central alumni Taylore Baker and Alex Grove to throw with him. After the Brewers minicamp in September, he hopes to get an invite to the highly competitive Arizona Fall League. He also is considering playing winter ball in Latin America. Marzec wants to get back on the mound. Stoking his fire is seeing two friends — Tyler Thornburg (Brewers) and Dan Straily (Athletics) — make their major league debuts. Straily, who played summer league baseball with Marzec in college, allowed one run in six innings against Toronto on Friday. “I was like, ‘Wow, that’s my dude and he’s starting in the Show,’ ” Marzec said. “It’s not really that much of a dream any more. It makes you realize you can definitely do this.” Maybe the hardest lesson already has been learned. http://www.milb.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_594916.jpg Eric Marzec Season / Career Stats

Another great job by Jim Owczarski of OnMilwaukee.com -- Brewers reliever Henderson has had a long road to the majors

VIDEO: Nashville's Jordan Brown homers in the fourth inning of the Sounds' 5-3 Monday win over Sacramento