Jim Goulart

Standings news -- well, Nashville was hoping to be closer heading into this series in Omaha Basically, a four-game sweep is a must just to continue breathing. *** OK, here's the apparent DSL scoop. Last night, the first-place Mariners won the first game of their doubleheader and the second game was cancelled. With each team playing just once today, it seems the closest the Brewers could come is within percentage points of first place -- a virtual tie but still behind. There are five divisions in the DSL, all listed here. That would seem to indicate that at least one wild card team makes the playoffs, and guess what, your 2011 DSL Cerveceritos appeared to have won that spot Friday night. Here's your Wild Card Standings. Congrats, boys! (at worst, a percentage point lead.) Wow, now that's a lot of teams in a standings list. So how do the playoffs work? Here's what the MiLB.com info page says. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif So, end of long story, it appears there will be DSL Brewers playoff baseball!

PCL Amer. Northern Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 71 55 .563 - - 36-28 35-27 7-3 W5 Memphis 66 60 .524 5.0 13 40-23 26-37 7-3 W2 Nashville 64 63 .504 7.5 11 38-29 26-34 6-4 L2 Iowa 59 68 .465 12.5 6 34-26 25-42 7-3 W4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 32 21 .604 - - 16-13 16-8 6-4 W1 * Tennessee 31 23 .574 1.5 16 16-9 15-14 7-3 W4 Carolina 24 29 .453 8.0 9 12-13 12-16 5-5 L1 Jackson 23 31 .426 9.5 8 12-17 11-14 4-6 L5 Huntsville 22 31 .415 10.0 7 8-16 14-15 3-7 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Dunedin 30 24 .556 - - 13-11 17-13 7-3 W1 Tampa 28 25 .528 1.5 16 13-14 15-11 4-6 W2 Clearwater 27 26 .509 2.5 14 17-11 10-15 5-5 W2 Brevard County 25 27 .481 4.0 12 10-14 15-13 4-6 L2 * Daytona 25 27 .481 4.0 12 13-12 12-15 5-5 L1 Lakeland 22 29 .431 6.5 10 10-16 12-13 4-6 L2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Kane County 31 22 .585 - - 13-15 18-7 5-5 L1 Quad Cities 30 23 .566 1.0 - 15-9 15-14 4-6 L2 Clinton 29 24 .547 2.0 17 14-13 15-11 6-4 W2 Beloit 25 28 .472 6.0 13 12-14 13-14 5-5 W1 Peoria 22 31 .415 9.0 10 12-17 10-14 4-6 W2 Wisconsin 22 31 .415 9.0 10 11-17 11-14 5-5 L2 * Burlington 21 32 .396 10.0 9 12-13 9-19 7-3 L1 Cedar Rapids 21 32 .396 10.0 9 11-14 10-18 4-6 W1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Billings 11 8 .579 - - 4-3 7-5 7-3 W3 Great Falls 11 8 .579 - - 4-3 7-5 4-6 L1 * Missoula 11 8 .579 - - 8-4 3-4 6-4 L2 Helena 6 13 .316 5.0 15 3-9 3-4 4-6 L2 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 30 18 .625 - - 15-9 15-9 8-2 W2 AZL Reds 27 21 .563 3.0 6 14-9 13-12 6-4 L2 AZL Indians 25 23 .521 5.0 4 13-10 12-13 5-5 W2 AZL Brewers 14 34 .292 16.0 E 6-18 8-16 6-4 W2 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 44 24 .647 - - 21-13 23-11 4-6 W2 DSL Brewers 44 26 .629 1.0 3 21-15 23-11 7-3 W2 DSL Cardinals 26 44 .371 19.0 E 15-19 11-25 5-5 L1 DSL Athletics 24 45 .348 20.5 E 14-20 10-25 4-6 L3

Follow Saturday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers

Saturday's Daily Menu: Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Nashville feed from the MiLB main audio page MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Jesus Sanchez at Mississippi (Braves), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Jackson feed from the MiLB main audio page Brevard County: RHP Nick Bucci at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Matt Miller at Burlington (Athletics), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: LHP Mike Strong at home vs. Oren (Angels), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle DSL Brewers: Regular season finale -- at the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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It's part of a very recent general system discussion, but feel free to continue the Gindl chat in this thread.

Do they plan on moving him full time to OF, or is he playing there because of a lack of bodies and a surplus of catchers? Obviously they need extra catchers in rookie ball with the extra work they give the pitchers on the side. IIRC, McMahan was 2nd string behind perhaps the best catcher in the NCAA and thus was a little under the radar. Unless he is a significant defensive liability, I'd like for them to keep him at C.In a recent pre-game interview (sorry, not archived), McMahan indicated that he is making the transition to the outfield. Helena broadcaster Steve Wendt could see why, it's a matter of getting Ben's cleanup-worthy RH-bat in the lineup every day.

Brewers pitcher from Maine suspended By Kevin Thomas, Kennebec (ME) Journal Staff Writer Major League Baseball announced today that it has suspended Mark Rogers of Orrs Island, a pitcher in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, for 25 games for his second violation of the league’s policy against the use of stimulants. Rogers, 25, might not begin serving the suspension until next year because he is scheduled to have surgery soon to relieve carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists. It was not disclosed what stimulant Rogers used, or when Rogers’ first violation occurred. His agent, Jack Toffey, said the stimulant was not amphetamines. Toffey said there may have been a problem with “the number of medications related to the carpal tunnel syndrome." “Obviously, I’m surprised and disappointed,” Toffey said. “But the rules are in place. There is no disputing it. You cannot appeal.” Rogers could not be reached for comment today. Toffey said his client “did not want to talk about it.” Major League Baseball rules concerning stimulants call for counseling for a first offense. A second offense is a 25-game suspension. A third offense is 80 days. A fourth offense is a lifetime ban. The rule took effect before the 2006 season.

Brewers drop series opener vs. Orem by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Bullpen blunders left Orem in a couple of sticky situations late in the game, but a pair of Owlz relievers were able to work out of jams when it mattered most. Helena left the bases loaded in the seventh and eighth innings as the visitors came out on top, 6-3 on Friday at Kindrick Legion Field to take the first game of the three-game set. It was a story of missed opportunities for the Brewers, who also had a man at third with less than two outs on three different occasions early in the game and failed to bring them home. With three on and the Brewers trailing 5-3 in the eighth, Orem reliever Nick Mutz got back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning and help the Owlz preserve the lead. It followed a seventh inning where Aaron Meade also worked out of a bases-loaded jam. “It was good for my ulcer,” Orem manager Tom Kotchman joked after the game, before adding seriously, “Mutz definitely turned something that could have been bad into something good.” The Owlz at one point led 5-0 and were looking at their first shutout bid of the season heading into the bottom of the seventh. But as has often been the case this season, Orem’s bullpen unraveled. The Brewers scored three runs on two different pitchers, despite getting just one hit — a double by Steve Felix — in the seventh. They were issued three free passes, John Dishon was hit by a pitch and one run was walked in, as the other two counters came courtesy of RBIs by Yadiel Rivera and Gant Elmore, who each reached on a fielder’s choice. Ben McMahan was thrown out at second base for the third out of the inning, after the Brewers batted around. Unlike the hosts, the Owlz made the most of every hit — and they were few and far between. The Pioneer League’s top offensive team, with a .309 batting average and .378 on-base percentage, was mostly held in check by Helena starter Tommy Toledo. The right-hander allowed just four hits, but the Owlz plated three runs on sac bunts and sac flies, the kind of small ball preached throughout the Angels organization. “I scouted Florida and saw Tommy for five years, but you can have a scouting report and it doesn’t matter,” Kotchman said. “We obviously didn’t do a whole lot often, but did just enough to get a lead.” Orem leads the South Division with a 12-7 record, but dropped three of four games in its previous series in Missoula. Kotchman said it was important to bounce back, especially against the second-best pitching staff in the league. The Owlz finished with eight hits in the game, after averaging 11 hits per game throughout the season. “(David) Goforth was very impressive and we didn’t have much of a chance against him,” Kotchman said of Helena’s right-handed reliever, who retired the first seven he faced before allowing a double and insurance run in the final frame. “I know that we’re playing a team that’s always prepared ... and good pitching beats good hitting.” A team that typically relies on its bats instead depended on one of its own arms — a righty who joined the Owlz just a month ago after being drafted in the ninth round. “Mutz did a great job,” Kotchman said, after the closer picked up his first save of the season. Taylor Lindsey was the hot hitter for the Owlz, getting two doubles, scoring two runs, and knocking in a run. The second baseman fresh out of high school is now hitting .367, one of four Orem sluggers batting over .350. Gant Elmore was 2 for 4 for the home team, the only Brewer with a multi-hit game. “Our guys battled tonight,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said, before noting that the Brewers had their chances, but that missed opportunities were what spelled the Brewers fate. Helena left a dozen men on, and were 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Southpaw Mike Strong will try to right the ship for the Brewers tonight, as he gets the start for game two. Right-hander Baudilio Lopez takes the bump for Orem. NOTES: Entering Friday’s game, Orem was leading the league in hits (631), runs scored (381), total bases (990), RBIs (355), slugging percentage (.486) and on-base percentage (.378). Four Owlz rank in the top seven in the league in batting average.

Photo by Ron johnson / Peoria Journal-Star Peoria Chiefs second baseman Arismendy Alcantara can't make the tag on Brandon Macias of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at second in time during Friday's game at O'Brien Field. http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x386670133/g12c00000000000000094c8c196790297e5cef4e1e20ae6ff913db4c735.jpg *** Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts

Media Notes: Huntsville Wisconsin

News from Huntsville: RHP Kyle Heckathorn has been placed on the disabled list retroactive to August 16. Heckathorn is currently 0-4 with a 7.18 ERA (36.1 IP / 29 ER) in seven starts with the Stars. The right-hander went 5-6 with a 3.95 ERA (79.2 IP / 35 ER) in 15 starts for the Brevard County Manatees (High-A), including one seven-inning complete game. Heckathorn was selected by Milwaukee in the supplemental first round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. With these moves, the Stars active roster is at 23, one below the AA limit.

Nashville Media Notes

PCL Amer. Northern Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 70 55 .560 - - 36-28 34-27 7-3 W4 Memphis 65 60 .520 5.0 14 39-23 26-37 7-3 W1 Nashville 64 62 .508 6.5 13 38-28 26-34 7-3 L1 Iowa 58 68 .460 12.5 7 34-26 24-42 7-3 W3 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 31 21 .596 - - 15-13 16-8 6-4 L1 * Tennessee 30 23 .566 1.5 17 16-9 14-14 7-3 W3 Carolina 24 28 .462 7.0 11 12-13 12-15 5-5 W1 Jackson 23 30 .434 8.5 10 12-16 11-14 5-5 L4 Huntsville 22 30 .423 9.0 9 8-16 14-14 3-7 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Dunedin 29 24 .547 - - 13-11 16-13 7-3 L1 Tampa 27 25 .519 1.5 17 13-14 14-11 4-6 W1 Clearwater 26 26 .500 2.5 15 17-11 9-15 4-6 W1 Brevard County 25 26 .490 3.0 14 10-13 15-13 5-5 L1 * Daytona 25 26 .490 3.0 14 13-11 12-15 5-5 W1 Lakeland 22 28 .440 5.5 12 10-15 12-13 4-6 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Kane County 31 21 .596 - - 13-14 18-7 6-4 W1 Quad Cities 30 22 .577 1.0 - 15-9 15-13 4-6 L1 Clinton 28 24 .538 3.0 17 13-13 15-11 6-4 W1 Beloit 24 28 .462 7.0 13 12-14 12-14 5-5 L1 Wisconsin 22 30 .423 9.0 11 11-17 11-13 5-5 L1 * Burlington 21 31 .404 10.0 10 12-12 9-19 7-3 W4 Peoria 21 31 .404 10.0 10 11-17 10-14 4-6 W1 Cedar Rapids 20 32 .385 11.0 9 11-14 9-18 3-7 L5 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Great Falls 11 7 .611 - - 4-3 7-4 5-5 W3 * Missoula 11 7 .611 - - 8-3 3-4 6-4 L1 Billings 10 8 .556 1.0 20 4-3 6-5 7-3 W2 Helena 6 12 .333 5.0 16 3-8 3-4 4-6 L1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 29 18 .617 - - 14-9 15-9 8-2 W1 AZL Reds 27 20 .574 2.0 8 14-9 13-11 7-3 L1 AZL Indians 24 23 .511 5.0 5 13-10 11-13 5-5 W1 AZL Brewers 13 34 .277 16.0 E 5-18 8-16 5-5 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 43 24 .642 - - 21-13 22-11 4-6 W1 DSL Brewers 42 26 .618 1.5 4 21-15 21-11 6-4 L1 DSL Cardinals 26 43 .377 18.0 E 15-18 11-25 5-5 W1 DSL Athletics 24 43 .358 19.0 E 14-18 10-25 4-6 L1

Follow Friday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers Game One DSL Brewers Game Two

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! Nashville: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Tucson (Padres), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Nashville feed from the MiLB main audio page MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: LHP Dan Merklinger at Mississippi (Braves), 7:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Jackson feed from the MiLB main audio page Brevard County: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Eric Arnett at Peoria (Cubs), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Tommy Toledo at home vs. Oren (Angels), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mini-Reds; 1:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: Doubleheader at the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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Getting to Know "Big Sexy', Erick Almonte

All photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record - Brewers manager Joe Ayrault congratulates Ben McMahan on his home run Thursday evening at Kindrick Legion Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/1/6e/16e6f642-ca0e-11e0-90ac-001cc4c03286/4e4dcf9c6237f.image.jpg Brewers shortstop Yadiel Rivera throws a collected ball to first base http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/ca/4caa1200-ca0e-11e0-8257-001cc4c03286/4e4dcff69095e.image.jpg Brewers pitcher Tyler Cravy delivers a strike in the third inning http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/0d/80d72438-ca0d-11e0-9a05-001cc4c03286/4e4dcea09b7d6.image.jpg Brewers pitcher Tyler Cravy walks off after being relieved in the fifth inning http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/c3/bc31c484-ca0d-11e0-bb7a-001cc4c03286/4e4dcf0436434.image.jpg

Raptors top Brewers 9-1 by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Ogden first baseman Matt Kirkland said the team’s hitting coach called a meeting after the Raptors batted just .231 against the Helena Brewers through three games. Jay Washington’s advice was simple and to the point, and the Ogden players heard every word: Start hitting the ball. The Raptors did just that, belting out 10 hits Thursday at Kindrick Legion Field to prove why they’re second in the Pioneer League in batting average. The Raptors won 9-1 to earn the series split with the Brewers, who failed to string three victories together for the fifth time this season. “You’re gonna have those off nights,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said. “You don’t wanna be happy with playing .500, but at the same time splitting the series with the first-half winner in the opposing division is good, they have a good ball club.” Kirkland continued his hot hitting of late, going 3 for 4 with a two-run homer in the seventh that helped the visitors pull away. The Knoxville, Tenn., native entered the game batting .455 through his last five contests, a testament to some adjustments he made at the plate. “Just working with our hitting coach on getting my foot down, seeing the ball better,” Kirkland said. “Just little things, but the little things count.” Helena DH Ben McMahan started things off with a solo shot in the second inning, his second homer in as many nights. It was the first hit of the game by either team and, unfortunately for the hosts, would be the only scoring by the Brewers. McMahan had the only other extra-base hit for Helena, a leadoff double in the ninth. “Their starting pitcher did a nice job: mixed his pitches, had some plus stuff,” Ayrault said of Derek Cone, who earned the win after allowing just three hits and the home run through six frames, striking out seven. Tyler Cravy started out well for the Brewers. He faced nine batters before giving up a hit, but a costly error by Helena third baseman Kyle Dhanani set up Scott Wingo for an RBI single to tie the game. Cravy set the Raptors down in order in the fourth, but was roughed up in a four-run fifth inning. The right-hander was pulled with two outs and two men on in favor of Chad Pierce, but Joc Pederson struck a two-run single to left field on Pierce’s first offering. “It was a team effort and we got it done,” Kirkland said. “We just had a meeting with our hitting coach and what he said paid off.” Seth Harvey was the bright spot in relief for the Brewers, fanning the first four he faced and giving up just a single through 2 2/3. Still, Ayrault was pleased with what he saw from Cravy, who missed his last start with tenderness in his arm. “He felt good after the game,” the Brewers skipper said. “That was my main concern on the night was making sure he was OK and good to go.” Helena begins a three-game set with first-place Orem today. Tommy Toledo is on the bump for the Brewers, while Logan Odom starts for the visitors. NOTES: Great Falls pitchers Scott Snodgress, Blake Drake and Joe Dvorsky combined for a no-hitter in Casper on Thursday, the Pioneer League’s first of the season and second in as many years. Snodgress picked up his first win of the season, striking out nine through six innings of perfect ball ... Ogden catcher Andrew Edge struck out in all four of his at-bats, as he and Jeff Hunt — the 8- and 9-hole hitters — were a combined 1 for 8 with seven strikeouts Thursday.

Daytona Cubs win on wild pitchBy Sean Kernan, Daytona News-Journal Staff writer DAYTONA BEACH -- Daytona broke a 3-3 tie in the eighth inning when pinch-runner Matt Szczur scored on a wild pitch by Brevard County's Roque Mercedes, leading to a 4-3 Cubs' win Thursday night. Daytona closer Frank Batista closed out the victory in the ninth with his 24th save of the year. Daytona improved to 25-26 in the second half and 72-49 overall with a win that opened a four-game homestand at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The Manatees slipped to 25-26 and 52-69. Michael Burgess led off the bottom of the eighth with a double to center. Szczur came on to pinch run and was bunted to third by Elliot Soto before scoring the game-winning run. The Manatees had scored twice in the top of the second inning, but the Cubs came right back with two runs on a walk and four singles. Burgess drew a base on balls before Soto and Chad Noble loaded the bases with singles. Evan Crawford knocked in Daytona's first run with a single to center, and Matt Cerda's RBI infield hit to short tied it at 2. In the sixth inning, Soto reached on a two-base error by Brevard County third baseman Shea Vucinich and was driven home on Crawford's third hit of the night for a 3-2 Cubs' lead. The visitors got an unearned run in the eighth, tying the game at 3. On a throw from Daytona right fielder Michael Burgessm, catcher Chad Noble tags Brevard's Michael Roberts out at home to end the second inning at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday. (N-J photo by Nigel Cook) http://www.news-journalonline.com/sports/assets_c/2011/08/cubs819-thumb-260x260-20932.jpg

M-Braves fall short of Stars, 5-4 Braves plate four runs after the seventh, but fall short of a comeback By Miranda Black / Mississippi Braves PEARL, MS-After a three-run eighth inning and a leadoff homer by Mycal Jones the bottom of the ninth to make it a one-run game, the M-Braves fell short as the Stars held on to claim a 5-4 victory at Trustmark Park Thursday night. Huntsville (22-30, 59-63) jumped on the Braves (24-29, 49-74) early, taking a 1-0 lead in the first. Matt Cline singled and took second on a wild pitch. A ground out moved him over to third before Sean Halton drove him in with a sac fly to center field. Steffan Wilson launched a solo home run to left-center to make it a 2-0 game in the top of the second. Hainley Statia led off the sixth with a triple to left field. Halton followed with an RBI-single to center field, and Zelous Wheeler singled to drive in Halton and extend the Stars' lead to 4-0. Statia led off the eighth with another triple before coming in to score on Wheeler's sac fly, extending Huntsville lead to 5-0. Ernesto Mejia and Ed Lucas led off the bottom of the eighth with back-to-back singles. Cory Harrilchak followed with a single to center field, plating the M-Braves' first run of the night. Braeden Schlehuber then delivered a two-run double down the left field line to make it a 5-3 game. Jones launched his seventh home run of the season, a solo homer into the M-Braves bullpen, in the bottom of the ninth to make it a one-run game, but the Stars held on with an inning-ending double play to defeat the Braves 5-4. Michael Bowman (5-10) limited the M-Braves to just five hits and two walks while fanning three in six innings of work. Santo Manzanillo (S, 4) came on in the ninth and worked around the leadoff homer to notch the save. M-Braves starter Luis Avilan (3-8) gave up four earned runs on seven hits, a home run, one walk, and six strikeouts in five and 1/3 innings pitched. Right-hander Aaron Shafer (1-2, 7.80) takes the hill in game four of this five-game series against the Stars. He'll counter Huntsville lefty Dan Merklinger (7-7, 4.16). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM.

Rattler Radio Post-Game Thoughts -- The Peoria Rally Vegetable version...

Ninth-inning bases-loaded single gives Chiefs 5-4 win By Kevin Capie of the Peoria Journal Star PEORIA — It isn’t often a Midwest League game turns into a chess match, but that’s what happened at O’Brien Field on Thursday night before the Peoria Chiefs declared check mate Dustin Geiger’s one-out, bases-loaded single to left field with a drawn-in outfield in the ninth inning gave Peoria a 5-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. “You love being in that situation,” Geiger said. “You always dream of that as a kid, being able to win the game for your team.” The ninth set up perfectly for the Chiefs with the top of the order due up to start the inning. Arismendy Alcantra drew a walk from Brian Garman. When Rubi Silva turned a sacrifice bunt attempt into a deep infield single, Alcantara took third and the game was afoot. “You have to like the chances when the top of the order comes back around,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “The key to the inning was getting (Alcantara) going first to third, it changed the dynamic of the game.” Wisconsin elected to intentionally walk Anthony Giansanti to get a lefty-lefty match-up with cleanup hitter Richard Jones, who tied the game at four with a single in the seventh against an overshifted defense. This time, the Timber Rattlers employed a five-infielder, all-the-way-in defense against Jones, moving shortstop Nick Shaw to the second-base side of the bag and bringing left fielder T.J. Mittelstaedt in where the shortstop normally plays. The ploy almost worked as Jones grounded to second baseman Brandon Macias, who retired Alcantara at the plate. However, there was not enough time to double up Jones at first. “It’s definitely interesting seeing that alignment,” Kopitzke said. “They almost got the double play on us and broke our backs.” Wisconsin moved Mittelstaedt back into left field and brought the outfield and infield in to face Geiger, who lined into left for the winner. “I just wanted to put the ball in play,” Geiger said. “I was lucky enough to get enough of it and get the ball down.” The Chiefs trailed 3-0 after the first half inning when starter Luis Liria walked three and gave up a double. The Chiefs tied the game with two runs in the second and one in the fourth. Wisconsin reclaimed the lead with an unearned run in the top of the seventh before Jones’ RBI single in the bottom of the inning. The win snapped a four-game losing streak for the Chiefs. “We don’t try to think about the losing streak too much,” Geiger said. “We just try to do our job every day.”

Final: DSL Mariners 7, @DSL Brewers 3, completed early (7.5 innings) Weather: 90 degrees, sunny. Apparently a weather system moved in because the Cerveceritos didn't get their 8th or 9th inning at-bats. The good guys now trail their arch-enemy by 1.5 games (two games in the loss column), and each club has just three games remaining (doubleheaders Friday, single game Saturday, none against each other). DSL Brewers Box Score Brewers scored three runs in the 3rd to tie things up at 3-3, but ususally solid 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Jorge Ortega allowed a lead-off HR in the very next half-inning, and the Mariners squad tacked on later against not-usually solid 19-year-old RHP Javier Belen; SS Orlando Arcia (15th in the league in OPS) 2-for-4, now hitting .299, just a bit more, kid... DSL Brewers Play-by-Play