Jim Goulart

Reminder -- Huntsville family, friends, and fans: The series against Tennessee is available for viewing on MiLB.TV ($9.99 for all of August, live and archived games, plus all Nashville games). There is another Stars' series (at Mississippi) later this month that will also be available.

WSSP does a nice job with their On-Deck show, love how they also carry Ron Roenicke's home pre-game interviews, which we're normally only referenced to in print highlights. Here's their Tuesday pre-game inteview with SS Jean Segura (go to the 26:00 minute mark).

Here is quite the video report / photo gallery on aging Joe Davis Stadium in Huntsville. While this report also focuses on the dedicated group who sit in the section known as "the Den" (and kudos to them), several of the photos within the gallery of the rusted ("rustic"?) sections of the ballpark are a bit scary. And while attendance has been better in 2012, the visitor was obviously there on a "sparse crowd" night.

Josh Flickinger, an old friend of Brewerfan, was the latest to profile Lance Roenicke, and did so for the Beloit Daily News Tuesday -- Namesake doesn’t faze Roenicke Manager’s son off to solid start with Timber Rattlers

Visual from Sacramento — Photos of Raley Field Jeff Hem's note -- Here’s a look at Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats, which has hosted the Sounds the past four days. It’s a great facility that this year is averaging about 7,800 fans per game (3rd in the PCL behind Round Rock and Albuquerque)…

Nashville Media Notes are already up for the Sounds' matinee

DVR ALERT! As we like to do, here's some notice for you. This Thursday August 9th, Time Warner Cable Sports 32 TV will broadcast the Rattlers home game vs. Cedar Rapids (Athletics) at 7:05 PM. Shaun Marcum (rehab stint) is the scheduled starter. The big leaguers are idle Thursday.

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

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Hiram Burgos at Sacramento (Athletics), 8:50 PM pre-game, 9:05 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 Johnnie Lowe 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 Brandon Williamson 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 Jacob Barnes 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 Ryan Gibbard 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 mini-Diamondbacks; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Braves, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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Stars Bats Silenced in Loss to Pensacola HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – To wrap up a five-game series and a ten-game homestand at Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars lost to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos by a final score of 6-1 on Tuesday night. Throughout the entire game, the Stars bats were silenced by Blue Wahoos starting pitcher Wirfin Obispo. In seven innings, Obispo shutout Huntsville, giving up just four hits while striking out eight batters to improve to 4-0 on the season. The win also improved Obispo to 2-0 against the Stars this season. From an offense perspective, the Stars scored their only run of the ballgame in the eighth inning. Following a leadoff double by center fielder Josh Prince, Huntsville got an RBI single by Scooter Gennett off of Blue Wahoos LHP Wilkin De La Rosa. Gennett also recorded his third straight multi-hit game with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. On the pitching side Stars starter Jimmy Nelson took the hard-pressed loss on the evening. The 23-year-old righty fell to 1-2 on the year by giving up three runs on just three hits while striking out six batters. For Pensacola, a three-run home run by Donald Lutz and a two-run homer by catcher Tucker Barnhart highlighted their offensive attack. Overall, the Stars won both series of their ten-game homestand and finished off with a 6-4 record. Starting on Wednesday, the Stars will travel to Kodak, TN to begin a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies. First pitch is at 6:15 PM.

PHOTO AT LINK Turay is tearing it up in for the Helena Brewers By Bruce Gallaudet, the Davis (CA) Enterprise HELENA, Mont. — Mike Turay was trying to concentrate. He was in a summer school class at the University of Nevada, but understandably, his attention was divided. The Major League Baseball draft was going on that June day and the Milwaukee Brewers had taken some interest in the 2008 Davis High graduate. Turay, who spent his last collegiate season at Stanislaus State after three seasons playing in Reno, was hopeful as he quietly watched the MLB selection process on his laptop … probably hearing every other word from his professor. “When I saw my name pop up, I was pretty much in shock,” Turay told The Enterprise after he went in the 24th round to Milwaukee. “I couldn’t really say anything because I was in class, so I just ran outside and called my dad. “It was definitely a cool moment.” And that cool moment has become an exciting summer as Turay enters his third month with the Pioneer League Helena squad. He’s been everything Brewers scout Justin McCray (a Davis resident) hoped he would be, hitting .288 in 20 games played. He hammered his first professional homer on July 6 (note - homered again last night), drove in the winning runs in a couple of games and has been solid behind the plate. Turay thinks he’s settling in just fine. “I can’t say that I was surprised (by anything),” says the veteran of four college baseball seasons. “It was just a new experience. It was kind of like transferring schools last year — going into a new environment, not knowing what to expect. “But baseball will always be baseball, so there weren’t that many surprises.” One thing that has been an interesting change for the right-handed hitter has been playing with teammates from other countries. “It was a little bit of a culture shock, I’ve never played with foreign guys, so it took some getting used to. But they are all great guys.” Turay, who hit .432 his senior season at DHS and led the Blue Devils four games deep into the Sac-Joaquin North Section playoffs in 2008, will be in Montana through at least Sept. 6 (playoffs pending). At that point, the 22-year-old hopes to get an instructional league assignment. If not, he says baseball is over until spring training of 2013. “Instructional league is an invite-only assignment. It is more one-on-one training with all of our coordinators,” Turay says. “It lasts for about three weeks, so I really hope that I get invited.” Turay has been loving his new world. “I’m living in Helena with a host family,” Turay says. “It works out well because our host family is very helpful with transportation and making us food. “And I love Montana. It’s an awesome state, a lot of really cool outdoors things to do like fishing and hiking. We really don’t have that many off days, but when we do we usually float the Missouri River or hike Mt. Helena. (The city) is definitely a small town, but it is a cool place to play ball.” Turay’s parents Colleen and Tom just finished an extended stay watching their son play — “it was awesome to see them!” — and his girlfriend came in from Denver for a visit. “It has been nice to see the people that are very important in my life,” the ex-Devil adds. But for now, the focus is baseball and Turay is doing all he can to help his rookie-league Brewers make the postseason. The first half, during which Turay spent hitting over .300, saw Helena finish last in the North Division. The Brewers’ second half record is 3-5 and manager Jeff Isom thinks his squad can make a move. If Turay keeps taking steps forward, he might just make the difference in Helena’s pursuit of the playoffs. Notes: “(Being drafted) was just a very cool feeling, a dream come true,” Turay recalls. “I was definitely surprised I went the 24th round … I kind of figured that I would go a lot later. I’m very thankful to Justin McCray for taking time to come out and watch me play. I wouldn’t have gotten this opportunity without him.” … Turay, who wore No. 7 at DHS, Reno and Stanislaus, is wearing No. 15 in Montana. … After signing his deal with the Brewers before family and friends in a ceremony at DHS earlier in the week, Turay debuted with Helena on June 20 with a 1-for-3 outing, scoring twice. On July 3, he had his first three-hit game.

Audio from Sacramento — “Johnny (Doskow) On the Spot” Jeff hem's note -- Tonight’s interview is with one of the nicest guys you could meet — Johnny Doskow, the longtime radio voice of the Sacramento River Cats (Triple-A, Oakland A’s). Pardon the cheesy pun, but earlier this season Johnny enjoyed his own “call-up,” as he filled in on A’s Radio for 34 games while the A’s lead radio voice, Ken Korach, had and recovered from a knee operation. Doskow discusses his big league opportunity, the amazing run the Oakland A’s have had this season, the remarkable success the River Cats have had (10 division titles in 12 years) and what he thinks about the Bobble-nose Doll of his likeness the River Cats gave to fans earlier this year. http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRdgc9fr5d7lezHhgxaQrqq61koQSJ0LV31ecfwZhDL1kRcnt4JCw http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/c0.35.309.309/p403x403/599372_10150965953998224_2030827635_n.jpg

I hope everyone finds the time to check out the audio links we post. This young man is pretty impressive: Helena Brewers broadcaster Steve Wendt takes a moment to chat with catcher Emmanuel Quiles

Wall leads Brewers to first shutout this season By Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Fourteen hits, four double plays, zero runs allowed. How’s that for a win? “We’re on a roll, aren’t we?” Helena Brewers manager Jeff Isom chuckled after his team’s 7-0 victory Tuesday over second-place Missoula. Taylor Wall and Martin Viramontes combined for a five-hit shutout, the first by the Brewers’ pitching staff this season. Viramontes struck out the side in the ninth, stranding Breland Almadova 90 feet from home, and Helena’s bats were back at it 24 hours after pounding out a season-high 18 hits. “All together we’re playing a lot better this second half,” said Brewers second baseman Chris McFarland, who finished with three hits for the second straight game. “I’ve been spending some extra time in the cage with (hitting coach) Don Money. It’s helped a lot, and I credit him for that.” All it took was one pitch from Osprey starter Karl Triana for Helena to get on the board. Ruben Ozuna sent the first offering sailing over the Kindrick Legion Field fence to give the Brewers a 1-0 lead, and an RBI single from Emmanuel Quiles scored McFarland from second to make it 2-0 before the first inning was over. With Missoula at the plate, Wall was in the zone. He fanned four and walked two before being relieved by Viramontes, who picked up his first save of the season. “The main thing has just been throwing strikes, getting ahead of guys — that’s the number one goal,” Wall said after allowing just three hits in six innings. “From there, establishing both sides of the plate, mixing pitches and keeping hitters off balance. I think we did a nice job of that tonight, and the defense behind me was great.” In what Isom referred to as the Brewers’ most complete game of the season, Helena played errorless baseball and turned a season-best four double plays. Despite getting their leadoff man aboard four straight innings, the Osprey failed to do anything with it. McFarland attributed the Brewers’ sudden surge to balance and a different practice mentality. “Sometimes you have to balance yourself because it’s a long season,” he said. “Sometimes you have to take less reps in the cage. … Defensively, we’re definitely on the same page. It’s about quality practices over quantity.” Michael Turay slammed his second home run of the season in the fourth frame, a solo shot just to the left of the scoreboard that gave Helena a three-run advantage. The Brewers then doubled their lead an inning later, getting singles from McFarland and Adam Giacalone, a two-run double by Quiles and an RBI single by Michael Reed. Reed’s RBI single in the seventh provided the knockout punch in a game that was never in doubt. Helena outhit Missoula for the third night in a row. “They always say hitting is contagious, and Giacalone’s kind of been the key guy that got things going for us,” Isom said of his .364 hitter, now among the top 10 sluggers in the Pioneer League. “Now guys are feeding off of that.” And a pitching staff that struggled early in the year — the Brewers are last in the league in ERA — is starting to come around. “Taylor Wall started that game off and kind of set the tone for the game,” Isom said. “He commanded three different pitches tonight … it was an outstanding performance on his part, the best we’ve seen from a pitcher for us all year. Then Viramontes comes in and gets the job done as well. “We’ve been talking to pitchers, telling them to limit those runs they’re giving up. Tonight they did that.” The homestand continues tonight, as Helena again takes on the Osprey at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Right-hander Yoimer Camacho comes to the mound for Missoula, while Ryan Gibbard gets the nod for the Brewers. NOTES: Brewers reliever Michael White was promoted to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday. White, who appeared in 64 innings between the Arizona League and Helena, had been superb out of the bullpen lately. In 21 innings this season he struck out 22 and posted a 4.71 ERA. … It was Michael Perez’s birthday on Tuesday, but Missoula’s designated hitter went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. Perez entered the game as the league leader in runs batted in (45) and slugging percentage (.622). All photos by Dylan Brown, Helena Independent Record - Brewers pitcher Taylor Wall delivers a pitch in the second inning Tuesday night. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/6/7a/67a318a6-e0fe-11e1-bc66-001a4bcf887a/5021cae42df32.preview-620.jpg Brewers' Ruben Ozuna celebrates with his teammates after he hit a home run in the first inning Tuesday night, while playing against Missoula. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/ac/5ace4290-e0fe-11e1-a505-001a4bcf887a/5021caceb5b82.preview-620.jpg Brewers second baseman Chris McFarland throws the ball to first for an out against the Osprey in the second inning Tuesday afternoon. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/5/19/519351ac-e0fe-11e1-8bb3-001a4bcf887a/5021cabf51159.preview-620.jpg 3-D! Taylor Wall delivers the first pitch of the evening at Kindrick Legion Field, while playing against the Missoula Osprey. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/65/4650e016-e0fe-11e1-856c-001a4bcf887a/5021caac46e0b.preview-620.jpg

Brewers pitching bulldozes through Osprey Helena Brewers The Brewers took charge from the offset on Tuesday evening when after a 1-2-3 top of the first, left fielder Ruben Ozuna blasted the first pitch of the bottom half of the inning over the center field fence at Kindrick Legion Field. In the end, the score stood 7-0 and the Brewers earned their first shutout victory of the season. After clubbing 29 hits in the last two games, the Brewers recorded 14 more on Tuesday evening. Seven of the nine Brewers hitters reached base in the first game of the three game set and six Brewers hitters recorded multi-hit performances. Ozuna entered the contest batting .289 on the season, but .357 in 28 at bats against the Osprey. The Santo Domingo native continued to have Missoula's number on Tuesday going 2-for-4 with a home run and 1 walk. The showing raised Ozuna's season batting average to .297. The Brewers received their second home run of the evening from catcher Michael Turay, who hit his second dinger of the season in the bottom of the fourth. The home run pushed the Brewers lead to 3-0 and the team never looked back. On the mound the Brewers pitching staff was spectacular. Lefty Taylor Wall was lights out in his second consecutive start going six innings while allowing no runs and just three hits. The start pushed Wall's scoreless streak to nine consecutive innings and dropped his ERA to 3.19. The win improved his record to 2-1. Reliever Martin Viramontes shut the door in the final three innings throwing three scoreless frames. The former USC Trojan's five strikeout performance secured the first save of his professional career and dropped his ERA to 9.33. The Brewers will head on the Missoula Osprey for game two of the three game series at Kindrick Legion Field tomorrow night. First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Ruben Ozuna homered on the first Missoula pitch of the game on Tuesday. (Sleeping Giant Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/08/08/XMGZ8bvQ.jpg

Media Notes: Nashville Wisconsin

Fangraphs -- Detailed report on Jean Segura

Logan Schafer (sore knee) only missed a week with Nashville. He's back, and INF Andy Gonzalez was transferred to fill the open roster spot at AA Huntsville to make room.

DVR ALERT! As we like to do, here's some notice for you. This Thursday August 9th, Time Warner Cable Sports 32 TV will broadcast the Rattlers home game vs. Cedar Rapids (Athletics) at 7:05 PM. Shaun Marcum (rehab stint) is the scheduled starter. The big leaguers are idle Thursday.

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