Jim Goulart

Brewers' rally falls short in loss to Mustangs By Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Considering the events that unfolded in Wednesday night’s game, the Billings Mustangs weren’t about to take a five-run lead for granted heading to the bottom of the ninth. Twenty-four hours after Helena’s late-game heroics gave the Brewers a comeback victory at Kindrick Legion Field, the hosts found themselves in a similar situation Thursday. Back-to-back base hits by Kevin Berard and Chris McFarland gave the Brewers life, but Michael Reed lined into a double play to end the inning and erase any chance of history repeating itself. Billings came away with the 9-4 win, breathing a sigh of relief after blowing a four-run advantage an evening earlier. The Mustangs (4-1) are now tied for first with Missoula in the Pioneer League North Division second-half standings. “We continue to battle on the offensive side no matter what the situation, that’s what I like about this club,” Helena manager Jeff Isom said afterward. “We give ourselves opportunities, I just wish we could see some of those at-bats we’re seeing late earlier in the game. But we do battle, we don’t give in and unfortunately we came up short. But I hate that we put ourselves in that situation on a nightly basis — it’d be nice to go out there with a lead going into the ninth a couple times.” Helena led 3-1 after five frames, thanks to Raul Mondesi Jr.’s solo shot in the fourth and a pair of runs in the third plated by Reed and Berard. Brewers’ starter Taylor Wall had breezed through Billings batters in his best outing of the season, at one point retiring 10 in a row and allowing just three hits while striking out six. Seth Mejias-Brean’s RBI single in the first — which extended his hitting streak to a season-best 19 games — was the only damage done so far by the visitors. The wheels came off the wagon in the sixth inning. Five straight Mustangs reached against Helena reliever Martin Viramontes. Mejias-Brean slammed an RBI double to tie the game, and Daniel Pigott followed with a two-run, go-ahead double that would give Billings the lead for good. “We put a couple good at-bats together and once we get runners on, we’re real aggressive at getting guys home,” Mejias-Brean said. The Mustangs third baseman has made consistency look easy in recent weeks. Mejias-Brean, one of only three players in the Pioneer League to record five hits in a game this season, credited his current hit streak to a strong mental focus. “Right now I’m just seeing the ball really well,” he said. “I’m more focused on just getting good at-bats and putting good swings on the ball. Luckily it’s working out for me.” Mejias-Brean said he tries not to think about the hit streak on the line when he steps to the plate, but admits it’s difficult when so much attention is given to it. After leaving it in doubt until his final at-bat Wednesday, he took the pressure off early with his first-inning single Thursday night. “It feels good to get that first one out of the way and not have to think about it too much after that,” the eighth-round draft pick said. Viramontes exited after giving up five runs on four hits in just two innings. “He wasn’t on his game by any means,” Isom said. “A good hitting team like Billings, if you elevate pitches and give them stuff to hit, they’re going to take advantage of it and that’s what they did off of Viramontes tonight.” Adam Giacalone continued his hot hitting for the Brewers (2-3), going 3 for 4 for the second straight night. The Brewers first baseman is hitting better than .500 over his last five games, and seems to have put his early season struggles behind him for good. Giacalone began his college career with just one hit and a dozen strikeouts in his first 27 at-bats, but Isom said he always saw promise in the 16th-round pick from the moment he showed glimpses of greatness in preseason minicamp. “I remember looking on the stat sheet and seeing him at I think 0-for-20 at one point. It’s hard to believe it’s the same guy now, hitting .341 on the season,” the Helena skipper said. “It’s a credit to him. It bothered him a lot when he started his professional career out hitting zero, but he didn’t give in. He continued to work with Don Money and he knew he was a better hitter than what he was showing. “He ended up making adjustments with his swing and he also caught up to the speed of the game a little bit. … He’s probably one of the better hitters in the league right now.” Mejias-Brean would likely be considered among them as well. When asked if he could keep his streak going to 38 games, the Pioneer League record set in 2006, he smiled. “I got it,” he said. Billings and Helena close out the series Friday at Kindrick. Andrew Cisco is slated to start for the Mustangs, while the Brewers send right-hander Ryan Gibbard to the mound. Helena Independent Record Photo Gallery

Brewers unable to repeat Wednesday's magic Helena Brewers One night after the Brewers mounted a five run rally in the bottom of the 9th, it seemed that it would be more of the same on Thursday. With one out and two men on Michael Reed ripped a line drive toward right field that was caught by Mustangs first baseman Carlos Sanchez. Sanchez then stepped on first for the double play to seal the Mustangs 9-4 victory. The Brewers bats hit in game two of the three game series. All but one Helena hitter recorded at least one hit with Adam Giacalone and Kevin Berard pitching in multi-hit performances. Giacalone, who entered the contest hitting .500 in his last ten games, went 3-for-4 on the evening to raise his batting average to .341 on the season. On the mound, the Brewers received a strong outing from starter Taylor Wall. The 22nd round selection lasted a season long five innings while allowing one run on three hits and no walks. The twenty-two year old lefty also poured in a career high six strikeouts to push his season total to 24. Mustangs reliever Dan Langfield (Reds' 3rd round 2012 pick) earned his third victory of the season, while Helena's Martin Viramontes was tabbed with the loss. The defeat knocked the Fresno, California resident's record to 1-4. With the victory the Mustangs move to 4-1 in the second half, while the Brewers fall to 2-3. The Brewers will face the Billings Mustangs in the rubber match the three game series tomorrow night at Kindrick Legion Field. First pitch is slated for 7:05 (8:05 Central). Taylor Wall threw five innings of one-run ball Thursday night. (Sleeping Giant Photography) http://www.milb.com/images/2012/08/02/hpSUfcHf.jpg

AUDIO: Helena Brewers broadcaster Steve Wendt takes a moment to chat with pitching prospect and former Oklahoma Sooner Damien Magnifico

Perhaps the most offbeat twisted detour of a minor league thread here in ages, but I will add that it was my pleasure to tell the Mrs. that "it's OK, I got this, you rest here on this bench" while proceeding to wait in line at Disney World with the daughter years ago to gawk at (excuse me, meet) Ariel. Apparently several other dads in line near me had the same idea .

Amber Kuehn (Helena Independent Record) tweet: Brewers LHP Will West was sent to the Arizona League Brewers on injury rehab. Believe it's a hamstring

Huntsville Media Notes

Audio from Fresno — “Going Way Back with Eric Farris” Tonight’s interview is with Sounds second baseman Eric Farris (@eRoc86), who went 4-for-6 with a homer, three RBIs and two runs scored in the Sounds’ extra-inning marathon last night in Fresno. Farris, a Sacramento native, discusses his return to California, his season to this point (103 games played of the team’s 112), his recent power surge at the plate (5 Hrs on season, 3 in last couple weeks), what it takes to get through a long season and his unique, entertaining relationship with pitcher Brian Baker (@TheBakeShow14).

Fresno Bee tidbit: Nashville's last visit to Chukchansi (the park in Fresno) was in 2010 when current San Francisco Giants lefty Madison Bumgarner opposed now-Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Chris Capuano.

Two former Fresno City standouts in town to face Grizzlies By Bryant-Jon Anteola - The Fresno Bee From the moment that the Nashville Sounds got off the airplane Wednesday, most groaned as they were introduced to the furnace-like Fresno weather. But not Sean Halton and Dayton Buller, who grew up playing in the heat. "You feel that?" Halton asked a teammate. "You see that sky? That's a completely different kind of blue sky right there. "This is home. I'm happy to be back." Halton, the former Fresno High and Fresno City College standout, is playing for the first time at Chukchansi Park as Nashville arrived for a four-game series against the Fresno Grizzlies. It was a successful return, as the Sounds scored twice in the 11th and won 7-5. Halton, a 25-year-old in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, had been to the downtown ballpark before -- but only as a fan. He got off to a rough start as a player, hitless in five at-bats before an RBI single accounted for an add-on run in the 11th. Buller, a 31-year-old who starred at Yosemite High and Fresno City, played at Chukchansi in 2008 with the Grizzlies. But he only gets to watch on this trip after landing on the disabled list with a left hamstring strain a week ago. "It's not my first time back like Halton as a pro so it's not as exciting," said Buller, who is hitting .253 in 75 at-bats. "But it feels good to be back for a little bit. Maybe some friends will show up, and I'll visit with them. I know Sean's excited." Halton is enjoying another solid season, his fourth as a pro. Since being selected in the 13th round out of Lewis-Clark State in the 2009 draft, he's moved up each season. He is not a top-10 prospect in the Brewers system, but the 6-foot-5, 265-pounder has been consistent. He is hitting .270 with 11 homers and 40 RBIs in 91 games for Nashville. Last season at Double-A Huntsville, Halton hit .298 with seven homers and 65 RBIs. At two Class-A stops in 2010, he hit .280 with 10 homers and 88 RBIs. "What worked for you yesterday might not work for you today," Halton said of adjustments he's made along the way. "Triple-A is about facing guys with experience. You're playing with and against guys who've played for a while. So you try to learn as much as you can." Buller might be Halton's biggest mentor. The two are roommates in Nashville. They have known each other since Halton played at Fresno City in 2006 and Buller would come back as a volunteer. Though Buller is a long shot to get a major league call-up at this point in his career, Halton still figures to have a shot. "I'm just trying to take care of the task at hand and let things take care of itself," Halton said. "When you get drafted, you envision the big-league life. The road there isn't as glamorous." Photo by ERIC PAUL ZAMORA/THE FRESNO BEE Nashville Sounds first baseman Sean Halton -- a former Fresno High and Fresno City College standout -- can't corral an errant throw as Fresno's Ryan Lollis gets to the bag during Wednesday evening's game at Chukchansi Park. http://media.fresnobee.com/smedia/2012/08/01/21/17/jg2oe.St.8.jpeg

Brewers honor Hiram Burgos and Khris Davis with monthly honors for July. Talk about well-deserved...

At the link, click on Stars Lookouts under "Sports" -- guessing this will only be available until some time Thursday night: Check out the Kentrail Davis "in-and-out-and-back-in-his-glove" catch in this video highlight package from Tuesday's 5-3 Huntsville loss More from Wed. night if you click on "Car Survivor with Ronnie Duncan", including Johnny Hellweg.

Getting To Know The 2012 Sounds: Broadcaster Jeff Hem

Catching up on AA video highlights: Khris Davis (then with Huntsville) hits a solo homer in the Stars' 3-2 win over Pensacola on July 26th Huntsville's Scooter Gennett hits a two-out double in the first inning of the Stars' 7-5 loss to Pensacola July 27th Hunter Morris hits a two-run homer in the fourth inning of the Stars' 6-4 loss to Pensacola July 28th

Latest is from Adam McCalvy

Here's Jeff Hem audio from last night's exciting Nashville win -- how strong is Khris Davis? Home run apprently looked to be "popped up" off the bat. Eric Farris Solo HR Khris Davis RBI Double Farris Go-Ahead Single Davis 11th-Inning HR Sean Halton RBI Single

Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton is playing for Jupiter against Manatees at Space Coast Stadium.

The Rattlers game was delayed briefly by rain, looks like an approximate 12:30 local time start.

Media Notes: Nashville Wisconsin

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.

From Helena staff: Here is the pic of Adam Giacalone getting mobbed by his teammates after the walkoff!

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 does not play a split schedule. The other leagues, including the rookie leagues, do. When you click on a standings link for Huntsville, Brevard County or Wisconsin, 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 Tyler Thornburg at Fresno (Giants), 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 Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers), 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 Andy Moye at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 5:35 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Jupiter 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 Eric Semmelhack at home vs. Burlington (Athletics), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM 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: LHP Taylor Wall at home vs. 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 Athletics' complex in Phoenix; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Tigers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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VIDEO: Jill Cacic (Huntsville Media Relations Director) interviews Johnny Hellweg