Jim Goulart

Maryvale trails 6-1 after two innings. You want to be positive and also considerate to these young men, whether new to pro ball, new to the states, or just a year or two removed from high school. Then you remember that all their opponent's are basically in the same boat, and you just have to say "yikes". You hate to see this get to laughable status.

VIERA, Fla. – Due to inclement weather stemming from Tropical Storm Debby, the scheduled game on Sunday, June 24 between the Brevard County Manatees and the Charlotte Stone Crabs has been postponed. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Monday, June 25 beginning at 5:05 PM (4:05 Central). Brevard County and Charlotte will play two seven-inning games.

It looks like Homer Bailey has turned himself into a viable long-term big league rotation member, and I've always thought that Rogers profiled very similarly. That's value. One could also look at his injury past and also say that he may very well be past the "injury nexus" as well.

Audio from Albuquerque — “Roaming the Outfield with Schafer” Jeff Hem's note -- Tonight’s pregame interview is with Sounds outfielder Logan Schafer, who discusses his two-homer game and near-cycle Friday in Nashville, his hot hitting in June, the improvement in the home run department (7 already this year, 5 last year) and roaming the expansive outfield at hitter-friendly Isotopes Park. *** Honestly, at this point, wouldn't every knowledgeable Brewers fan be willing to say goodbye to Nyjer Morgan (especially after today's gaffe) and just hand the likely long-term answer in CF the job on Monday in Cincinnati?

Just going to include this as a for-what-it's-worth - no special tweet, just a Link Report bonus. Actually, I'll copy this into a Transaction Rumor thread so if you want to discuss, do so there. *** From a fan at the Nashville / Albuquerque game Sat. night -- said Mark Rogers was maxing out at 97. Apparently there were an unusually high number of scouts on hand for this one (as many as 12-15 teams). The buzz around those scouts was that Rogers would be back in the big leagues soon. My own thoughts because this could go in so many ways -- other than the fact that multiple scouts could have been there for any number of reasons, as after all, the Dodgers will likely move prospects as well. Rogers, even with no minor league options left for 2013, would still be a prized power arm for another GM to acquire should the Brewers go into a buyer's mode. The Brewers have never shown an inkling that Rogers would best be served in a relief role, and given the current big league's staff problem with relief bases on balls, it doesn't seem like it's a wise time to finally transition Mark now. If the Brewers go into seller's mode, there are going to be big league rotation openings, certainly even one departure could conceivably free up a spot for Rogers. With no 2013 minor league options remaining, Doug and Ron would want to know what they have in terms of Rogers 2013 by seeing what he could do later this season on the big league level -- and in some ways, August innings mean much more than September innings. I guess the best thing to take out of this is that Mark looks to be back on track (has been trending that way for a few weeks now), and that there's value there in terms of trade value and keeper performance. FYI, there was no update re: his departure last night (possible hand issue?), so until we read otherwise, consider that a non-issue. (Remember, please limit discussion posts on the topic to the Transaction Rumor Forum thread linked above, thanks.)

Nothing conclusive here, but I posted this in the Sunday Link Report and wanted to provide a landing spot for possible discussion. Just going to include this as a for-what-it's-worth - no special tweet, just a Link Report bonus. Actually, I'll copy this into a Transaction Rumor thread so if you want to discuss, please do so. *** From a fan at the Nashville / Albuquerque game Sat. night -- said Mark Rogers was maxing out at 97. Apparently there were an unusually high number of scouts on hand for this one (as many as 12-15 teams). The buzz around those scouts was that Rogers would be back in the big leagues soon. My own thoughts because this could go in so many ways -- other than the fact that multiple scouts could have been there for any number of reasons, as after all, the Dodgers will likely move prospects as well. Rogers, even with no options left for 2013, would still be a prized power arm for another GM to acquire should the Brewers go into a buyer's mode. The Brewers have never shown an inkling that Rogers would best be served in a relief role, and given the current big league's staff problem with relief bases on balls, it doesn't seem like it's a wise time to finally transition Mark now. If the Brewers go into seller's mode, there are going to be big league rotation openings, certainly even one departure could conceivably free up a spot for Rogers. With no 2013 minor league options remaining, Doug and Ron would want to know what they have in terms of Rogers 2013 by seeing what he could do later this season on the big league level -- and in some ways, August innings mean much more than September innings. I guess the best thing to take out of this is that Mark looks to be back on track (has been trending that way for a few weeks now), and that there's value there in terms of trade value and keeper performance. FYI, there was no update re: his departure last night (possible hand issue?), so until we read otherwise, consider that a non-issue.

Mike Woods of the Post-Crescent with a feature on supplemental 1st round OF Mitch Haniger, who appears oddly topless in his photo

Look for Nashville and Wisconsin media notes at the links just prior to their game times. Huntsville's posting theirs more consistently. Rest your pointer under the "Roster" banner on the Stars' home page to see the link.

DVR Alert! When the Timber Rattlers return home on Monday, they will be on TV on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 (7:05). They will be up against a big Brewers - Reds broadcast (Gallardo / Latos), so kind of an odd scheduling choice. But that's what DVR's are for, so we give you the heads up. RHP Mark Williams is scheduled to start.

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

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Nashville: RHP Brian Baker at Albuquerque (Dodgers), 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 Hiram Burgos at Jackson (Mariners), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 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 Taylor Jungmann at home vs. Charlotte (Rays), 4:05 PM gametime Free Live Audio Link -- Select the Charlotte 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 David Goforth at Burlington (Athletics), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 gametime; RHP Chad Pierce will pitch in a tandem effort 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 24 Stars' road games (one Helena series this summer, too). ********** Helena: RHP Michael Schaub at home vs. Billings (Reds), 1:50 PM pre-game, 2:05 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 Diamondbacks' youngsters; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league ********** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Angels, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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Mustangs extend win streak vs. Brewers by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Opening night now seems like a distant memory for the Billings Mustangs. Six days removed from a season-starting, blowout loss to Missoula, the Mustangs have won five straight – the latest a 7-3 victory over the Helena Brewers. Billings is in first place in the Pioneer League North Division, and looks like a team that belongs there with quality pitching, timely hitting and a defense that doesn’t let up no matter how big the lead. “We’re on a nice roll,” Mustangs manager Pat Kelly said following Saturday night’s win. “Our pitching and defense have been solid, and the last two nights we’ve been swinging the bat well.” It was déjà vu all over again at Kindrick Legion Field. Billings again broke open the game in a big sixth inning, this time scoring five runs in the frame. Robert Maddox again blistered the Brewers with his hot bat, with his second 3-for-4 performance in as many nights. And once again, Helena managed to muster some late-game drama, only to see the comeback come up short. “It’s been the same story every night it seems like,” said Brewers manager Jeff Isom. “Big innings and comeback chances. We need to make sure we’re getting the same quality at-bats early in the game, because what I’m seeing is guys are dialed in late. “We’ve got to be able to carry that through the whole game.” Billings starter Wes Mugarian was masterful through five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits for the win. Michael Garza put the Brewers on the board in the sixth, with an RBI single off reliever Joel Bender. The hosts would tack on another run in the eighth, but some poor decisions on the base paths prevented them from scoring more. Isom has often praised the Brewers for their aggressiveness in that regard, but admitted that that same mentality didn’t work when trailing by six runs. McFarland was thrown out at the plate after missing the stop sign at third on Michael Reed’s double, and Garza was picked off at second. “We’ve got to understand which situations call for more patience,” Isom said. The Brewers had a chance to rally in the ninth inning against a wild Jesus Adames. The Mustangs right-hander walked Emmanuel Quiles on four pitches, then walked Kevin Berard and Adrian Williams to load the bases with one out. One run scored on a wild pitch. Enter the calm and collected Mo Wiley, the closer who already had one save this season for the Mustangs (5-1). Wiley fanned Raul Mondesi, Jr. on a pitch that just grazed the inside corner of the strike zone, then struck out McFarland to end the threat. “He did a nice job bailing us out of trouble, and that was big,” Kelly said. “It was especially key with the lineup turning over there, we were getting into their best hitters.” Will West was tagged with his second loss of the season, after the Brewers southpaw gave up 11 hits and seven earned runs in just over five innings of work. After striking out the side in the fifth, the 19-year-old starter ran out of gas in the sixth, giving up four base hits and a walk before being pulled. The Mustangs have now scored 11 runs in sixth innings alone this series, and have combined for 26 hits against Helena. In addition to Maddox, Carlos Sanchez tore it up for the visitors Saturday with two doubles, a pair of singles and 3 RBIs. The Brewers will look to end a four-game skid today when they take on Billings at 1 p.m. Right-hander Robert Stephenson, a first-round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds, gets the nod for Billings this afternoon, while fellow right-hander Michael Schaub takes the mound for Helena. NOTES: Billings catcher Fray Sosa stayed in the game Saturday night after being shaken up on a collision at home plate. Sosa was hit hard while blocking McFarland and making the out in the eighth ... the Mustangs’ pitching staff leads the league in strikeouts with 54 ... Brewers first baseman Adam Giacalone ended an 0-for-16 slump to start the season with his double in the second inning — his first professional hit.

Generals Outshine Stars JACKSON, Tenn. – A complete-game by pitcher Anthony Fernandez in his Double-A debut highlighted a 5-1 loss for the Huntsville Stars over the Jackson Generals on Saturday night at Pringles Park. In the second inning, the Stars managed their only action off of Fernandez in the entire ballgame. After a double by Stars newcomer Hainley Statia, a RBI single by left fielder Scott Krieger gave the Stars an early 1-0 lead. For Krieger, it was his third consecutive game with a run batted in. However, from that point on, the Generals dominated the rest of the game. The Stars lead vanished for good in the third inning with a two-out rally from the Jackson offense off of Huntsville starter Kyle Heckathorn. After a walk by shortstop Gabriel Noriega and a single from third baseman Leury Bonilla, second baseman Stefan Romero hit a three-run home run to put the Generals up 3-1. Jackson would then plate insurance runs in the sixth inning on a solo home run by designated hitter Joe Dunigan and in the seventh inning on a RBI triple by Romero to increase their lead to 5-1. That lead was plenty for Fernandez. The 22-year-old lefty went the distance in his first ever Double-A game, only giving up one run on five hits while striking out five. Prior to his debut, Fernandez was 2-5 with a 3.48 ERA with High-A High Desert this season. After being tabbed with the loss, Heckathorn fell to 2-7 on the season after giving up four runs and seven hits in six innings of work. The 24-year-old has not won a game since May9th. On the pitching side, LHP Dan Meadows gave up a run in an inning of relief and RHP Darren Byrd pitched a scoreless frame. Game four of a five-game series will begin on Sunday as the Stars will send RHP Hiram Burgos (2-1, 2.40 ERA) to the mound to square off against Generals RHP Brandon Maurer (5-1, 3.82 ERA). First pitch is at 6:05 PM.

Media Notes -- Nashville Huntsville Wisconsin

The DSL team is now 9-6 and their stats are up-to-date on MiLB.com, even without the two formal box scores on their site.

A pre-cursor of getting Edwin Maysonet back to Nashville -- Huntsville Media Relations: The Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars have made a roster move prior to tonight’s game at Jackson. Infielder Hainley Statia has been transferred from Triple-A Nashville to Huntsville. Statia is hitting .279 (36-129) in 49 games with the Sounds. The Curacao native hit five doubles and has 12 RBIs. The 26-year-old spent 95 games with the Stars in 2011, batting .279 with 22 extra-base hits and 40 RBIs. With these moves, the Stars active roster is at 25, the Southern League limit.

DVR Alert! When the Timber Rattlers return home on Monday, they will be on TV on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 (7:05). They will be up against a big Brewers - Reds broadcast (Gallardo / Latos), so kind of an odd scheduling choice. But that's what DVR's are for, so we give you the heads up. RHP Mark Williams is scheduled to start.

That was a really sweet win for the 'Tees Friday (the only win Friday thus far in six games for the farm). Jason Rogers looks nice in that cleanup spot -- our friends behind the scenes with the Brevard front office are really good folks, and they deserve the fun that a competitive second-half club would bring. 2-0 thus far, Fear the Sea Cow!

Turns out we're not missing just one DSL box score, but two -- at least as of this post at 6:15 AM Central time. The DSL Brewers and Braves were postponed at the Braves' complex earlier in the week, and rather than wait to make it up at that location later this week, the league had scheduled two games for Friday night, with each team acting as the home team once. Here is the link specifically to Friday's date DSL scoreboard. (Naturally, only the two Brewers games are missing.) Between TC07 and/or myself, we'll backfill later on. The Cerveceritos are idle on Saturday.

Who needs draft picks on the mound in Maryvale? Undrafted Taylor Mangum brought some sanity to the proceedings. I don't believe I can remember this before. Catcher Deivi Mejia began the bottom of the 8th behind the plate and ended up on the mound (and he stranded the bases loaded for his fellow non-pitcher, IF Andres Martinez). AZL Athletics Bottom of the 8th Pitcher Change: Andres Martinez replaces Taylor Mangum. Michael Soto grounds out, second baseman Taylor Smith-Brennan to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Luis Baez doubles (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Malcolm Dowell. With Luis Osorio batting, wild pitch by Andres Martinez, Luis Baez to 3rd. Luis Osorio strikes out on foul tip. Christopher Wolfe walks. Shawn Duinkerk singles on a ground ball to first baseman Alan Sharkey. Luis Baez scores. Shawn Duinkerk to 2nd. Christopher Wolfe advances to 3rd, on throwing error by first baseman Alan Sharkey. Hershcel Powell walks. Pitcher Change: Deivi Mejia replaces Andres Martinez, batting 2nd. Defensive Substitution: Jose Garcia replaces designated hitter Dustin Houle, batting 3rd, playing catcher. Hiram Martinez pops out to catcher Jose Garcia in foul territory. Six errors and two passed balls for the A-Crew, yikes...

Homer the Polecat (skunk) was born in 1995 after skunks were seen coming out from behind the outfield wall and running past the outfielders. The players are very grateful to have Homer close by instead of the skunks that preceeded him!! Homer resides behind the center field wall and loves to participate in his favorite promotion, the BASE RACE. Unfortunately, Homer is 0-585 against the fans here at Joe Davis Stadium in the nightly run around the bases. http://www.celsius1414.com/images/homer_the_polecat.jpg *** Now here's why I reminded everyone about Huntsville's mascot. This article from the Jackson Sun includes the following: Thursday night’s game between the Jackson Generals and Huntsville Stars provided one of the more unusual occurrences at Pringles Park in a long time when the game went through a brief “skunk delay” that created a big stink at the ball park. With the Generals batting, the Stars called time for a visit to the mound. During the visit, everybody’s attention turned to left field for a few minutes as a furry woodland creature apparently wanted to get up close and personal to the action. The scene resembled one of the old Looney Toons shorts with Pepe le Pew, the skunk looking for love but never finding it in return, as the Stars’ left-fielder Kentrall Davis quickly avoided being within nose shot of the animal. After about five minutes of the skunk looking for a place to escape in the wall in left field and centerfield, Stars centerfielder Josh Prince shooed the skunk out of the stadium with the help of Carter Capps, the Generals’ closer who’d come over from the bullpen to help. According to Generals radio broadcaster Chris Harris, the skunk was allowed to escape without harm and listen to the game in the safety of the woods behind right field. But the Generals might want to consider allowing the skunk back into the stadium. He or she made its appearance when the Generals were coming back after falling behind 3-0. But soon after the skunk left, the Stars hit a home run in the top of the ninth, and the Generals were rendered unproductive in the bottom half of the inning. I’m wondering if the Generals missed an opportunity with this. *** When you click on the link above, the author, Brandon Shields, discusses possible marketing opportunites for the Generals. But the point really is that Homer made the road trip, visited the Huntsville outfielders to say hello, and ensured a Stars victory!

Maddox powers Mustangs past Brewers by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record No amount of bad memories could deter Robert Maddox on Friday night. The Billings first baseman may have struggled mightily at Kindrick Legion Field a year ago, but he rewrote the past with each swing of his bat in the Mustangs’ 9-4 victory over the Brewers. Maddox took a high curveball from Helena starter Brent Suter and sent it sailing over the right-field wall to tie the game in the second inning. He slammed another home run in the Mustangs’ momentum-changing, six-run sixth inning, that one a two-run blast off of reliever Tyler Wagner. And he was all smiles after the game. “All you can do is laugh about it,” said Maddox, who went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs in his return to Helena and the ballpark that haunted him last season. He batted below .100 through his first five games at Kindrick last year (2 for 21), and admittedly had it on his mind coming back here this weekend. “I know I struggled here last year and I know it’s cliché, but it’s a new year,” he said. “I have a lot better focus and approach at the plate now and that’s gonna carry over no matter where we play. That said, this is the ballpark I really want to do well in, just because of my previous average. “So yeah, I had a little more focus. I wanted to quiet the crowd today, and we did that as a team overall.” The 879 fans in attendance witnessed some strong Mustangs pitching, as five members of the deep, 20-player staff combined on a five-hitter. Billings starter Drew Cisco gave up two hits and an unearned run, but was pulled after two innings since he is still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Carlos Gonzalez earned the win in relief, striking out four in two innings and not allowing a hit. Tony Amezcua, Carlos Ramos and Nick Routt were also effective, and at one point, 12 straight Brewers batters were retired. “We saw some pretty good arms, they kept bringing them out one after another,” Helena manager Jeff Isom said following his team’s third straight loss. “But we’ve got to do a better job of getting in counts we can get hits out of. I think we swung through a handful of fastballs tonight and we shouldn’t be doing that.” The Brewers (1-4) mustered up some late offense in the eighth, getting two runs off of Alfredo Rodriguez’s triple and Michael Turay’s double. But it was too little too late after digging themselves a big hole in the sixth, when Billings batted through the order. All six Mustangs runs in the frame came with two outs. “That’s what we talked about as a team,” Isom said. “We’ve gotta stay out of that big inning. If tonight we didn’t have that, it would have been a different ballgame. But unfortunately you can’t undo it.” Billings (4-1) entered the game with the worst batting average in the Pioneer League, hitting just .208 as a team. The Mustangs’ victories had come courtesy of their consistent pitching thus far, and Maddox said it was nice to finally be able to give them some run support. The visitors bats came alive for 11 hits Friday, after recording just 26 hits total through the first four games at Dehler Park. “We joked about that in the clubhouse today actually,” he said. “Pitchers were like ‘maybe if you guys gave us more runs the games wouldn’t be so close.’ It’s a good feeling to be able to help our pitchers out. They did a great job back home — we just have a lot more focus this series.” Isom hopes his team can stay focused despite the disappointing start. “Starting out 1-4 is not where we wanted to be,” he said. “There’s a lot of first year players, a lot of heads down, and we’re like ‘hey, you still have a lot of baseball left.’ We’re glad they’re taking it that seriously, but we want them to realize it’s a long season, there’s a lot of baseball left, and it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” NOTES: Tonight’s starting pitchers will be right-hander Wes Mugarian (0-1) for Billings and left-hander Will West (0-1) for the Brewers. ... Helena outfielder Lance Roenicke was called up to Wisconsin (Midwest Low-A) on Thursday. Helena Independent Photo Gallery