Jim Goulart

Wow, what you don't know about a person. Powerful backstory there, and I'm sure other players must have their own personal inspirations. Much respect, Franklin.

First posted back on July 14th --Junior Achievement by Bob Brainerd, sports32.com (Time Warner Cable)http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Holle-2.jpg Photos by Brad Krause Baseball is a team sport dictated by individual play. In many ways, the game is a family affair made up of soloists who function in harmony at times; isolated to flourish and thrive as individuals most of it. Such is life, and baseball, for Timber Rattlers outfielder Franklin Romero Jr. who prefers to see the Junior tagged onto his moniker. http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Romero-on-deck1-199x300.jpg “I use it a lot because to me, I’m proud,” said Romero, a former 2009 draft pick of Milwaukee in the 20th round. “My dad has taught me a lot about not just baseball, but life. I am who I am because of him.” Unlike a Ken Griffey Jr. who had a famous baseball father preceding him on the diamond, Franklin Sr. didn’t play baseball, at least not at the same level his son now excels in. “He’s in the music business, but he knows baseball,” said Romero Jr. “He’s a diehard baseball fan and he loves it. When he was small, he used to play baseball but never at the professional level. But he knows so much about baseball that you’ll think where did he play? You’d be surprised with the things he comes up with. “He reads a lot…hits the books. There are things he knows about baseball that I didn’t even know.” Romero Jr. not only followed his father’s advice and tutelage, but he also followed him around the country and beyond, born in New York, moving to New Jersey then Florida, then to the Dominican Republic. “It was hard in a way but everywhere I went I just found a place to play,” said Romero. “Teams asked me to play with them and thank God for the ability that I have, because I learned so much at all the different places I played. You get to know different ways baseball is played and it really taught me a lot.” There was even a stop in California, where Romero attended Cerro Coso Community College and earned First Team All-Foothill Conference honors as a sophomore in 2009 hitting .417. Romero never got his feet planted in one place for an extended period of time, but he did stick around each location long enough to absorb some critical knowledge. “I would just pick something up and then keep on going,” said Romero. “In the Dominican, if you were 10-years-old and good enough, you could play with 15, 16-year olds.” http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Romero-swings-300x199.jpg The hop scotching didn’t stop once the Brewers tabbed Romero two years ago with the 616th pick overall. His collegiate sophomore season in California extended into Arizona with Milwaukee’s rookie league team. He even played in five games with Helena, the Brewers' rookie league team in Montana. Last season, Romero made the rounds, first in Appleton with the Timber Rattlers, back to Helena, and a six-game stay with Class A Brevard County. “I’m just trying to learn as much as I can and find out what kind of player I am,” said Romero. “Moving around, that’s kind of hard for a player to just focus in one place and think, oh man, they’re going to move me somewhere else. But you learn from all these things and that’s one of the things about this game is you learn so much. “I’ve learned so much these last few years in professional baseball and I’m a much better player. Seeing the different types of players out there from different teams and different leagues, I can see the difference.” The difference maker for Romero might just be his wheels, a speedy outfielder who is still trying to figure out how to best utilize one of the baseball tools he was blessed with. “Last year I didn’t use that speed I have, but then I realized, wow, speed kills,” said Romero. “You hit the ball down and beat it out, and then if a pitcher forgets about you for just one minute, you can be on the next base. And not just on the bases, on the defensive side speed helps me to cover so much ground. Speed is an amazing thing.” http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Romero-sliding-300x199.jpg And class is always in session for Romero, even if his name isn’t on Matt Erickson’s lineup card. “Even on the bench, there are sometimes where I’ll just sit and look at the pitcher and just see what he does out there, and then when there are people on the bases, I pick up what he does to pick people off,” said Romero. “You can learn just as much sitting on the bench as you would being in the game. “This game is about learning, and you can learn a lot just watching the game.” Down time off the diamond includes keeping up with family, friends and fans on Facebook and Twitter. Besides the day to day nuggets, Romero will often dispense inspirational words to his followers, another trickle down byproduct of Senior. “My dad is the kind of person to give good advice, and I started reading a lot, and so many things I read it just sticks in your head,” said Romero. “There are things sometimes I just say to myself and they motivate you. That’s what life is about, and not just in baseball. Words can just change your whole mindset and change who you are, not just on the field but off the field.” They are words that flow from the heart. Back in 2003, Romero was sent into sudden shock when he received the news that his four-year-old brother, Farrell, fell into a lake and drowned when a small bridge he was crossing in the Dominican Republic collapsed beneath him. Miles away, his big brother never had a chance to reach out and save his sibling. “I was actually in Florida and he was in the Dominican and I got a call,” recalls Romero. “It was one of the main reasons I moved to the Dominican to be closer to my family. “It happened in seconds. It was bad.” His younger brother was gone, and so was Romero’s inner drive to continue playing baseball. Digging out from the sadness and sorrow of losing a loved one seemed like an impossible task. “It’s hard because family members also went through the hard times,” said Romero. “It hit me a little bit harder because I was so close to him and he was so close to me. I just saw myself doing nothing, feeling worthless. “That was my little brother and he looked up to me a lot. That’s something I really miss, somebody looking up to me. And after that happened, I didn’t even want to play baseball anymore.” Death is often coupled with rebirth, and the only remedy Romero could muster to excavate himself out from his darkest doldrums to rediscover his purpose on the field. “Your life changes, and one day I was doing nothing, but he would have wanted me to be better because he looked up to me,” explained Romero. “The reason he looked up to me was because I was a baseball player, because I was his big brother, because he wanted to be so much just like me and that’s what motivates me now.” “Every day I come out here and he’s my motivation…every single day.” Franklin craves constant reminders of Farrell, displaying his late brother’s picture on his cell phone, saying a silent prayer during the National Anthem that signals the start of a new ballgame not to mention his rebirth and purpose on the field. “If it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would be playing baseball,” said Romero. “Maybe I would, but not with as much motivation as I have now.” http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Romero-tounge-199x300.jpg Motivation from the past that Franklin Martin Romero Jr. hopes will someday provide inspiration for kids like his brother, who never got a fair shot to live life or realize their dreams. “The dream is to play professional baseball in the big leagues and that’s been my dream since I was a kid watching games on TV,” said Romero. “I want to be there…I want to be that person you see on TV and have kids look up to you. And I want to be able to help those kids, especially in the Dominican, because there isn’t much hope for those kids who can’t afford a glove or have money to be in the leagues. “It’s my dream to play in the major leagues not just for me, but so that I can help others see me as a role model; see me as somebody who they can look up to and have motivation to have their own dreams.”

Narveson should have shopped for his scissors here. http://www.leftorium.com/images/leftorium_400.jpg Actually, there's this real one in London: http://www.anythingleft-handed.co.uk/images/shop_large.jpg

One run, one win in doubleheader for Cougars By Kevin Druley, Kane County Chronicle GENEVA – Shutout in one game, shut out the next. Tuesday's doubleheader split with Wisconsin encapsulated the Cougars' season, which still carries a strong bid for the Midwest League playoffs despite a Jekyll and Hyde attack. Five hits and one run in 13 turns at bat helped the Cougars stay six games ahead of Beloit for a postseason spot, but the club ultimately knows its offense needs a tune-up as September looms. The Cougars won Game 1, 1-0, before Timber Rattlers lefty Brian Garman and reliever Dan Britt limited them to one hit in a 5-0 loss in the nightcap. "I know the first game was only 1-0, but some guys were starting to get into grooves," left fielder Brian Fletcher said. "Coming into the second game, it was a little tough just because the guy was doing a great job of keeping the ball down and getting calls. It was really tough for us to fight back and come back." Kane County first baseman Jake Kuebler singled off Garman's glove to shortstop with two outs in the second inning for the team's lone hit. Continuing a seasonlong struggle against soft-tossing southpaws – Garman's fastball topped out in the mid-80s – the Cougars went quietly after that. Wisconsin (18-26 second half, 56-58 overall) retired the final 13 batters of the game. Both contests were seven inning games. The Cougars (26-18 second half, 54-59) breezed to a similar victory in the opener, winning in a brisk 1 hour, 38 minutes behind another strong outing from right-hander Leondy Perez. Perez notched his fourth straight win and quality start with six innings of one-run, four-hit ball, staying in line for the victory after Nick Rogers' shaky save situation in the Wisconsin seventh. With men on the corners and Franklin Romero at bat with one out, the Cougars caught Greg Hopkins between third base and home. Romero squared to bunt for a safety squeeze and missed, allowing catcher Kevin David to nab Hopkins in a run-down. "We've always been taught when someone bunts through it, you just throw it behind because the runner always freezes," David said. "It just happened to work out where we got the out and Rogers did a great job of going and finishing it off." Hopkins watched from the dugout when Romero struck out to end the game. Savvier baserunning produced the lone run in the opener, as Geulin Beltre scampered from first to third on pitcher Brooks Hall's errant pickoff attempt in the bottom of the first. He scored easily on Brett Eibner's double later in the at-bat. Eibner added another double in the third. Beltre and Orlando Calixte had the team's other hits. The Cougars averaged 3.5 runs per game in the first half but enter tonight's series opener against Peoria at 4.5 runs per game since the All-Star break. With club wins and ERA leader Greg Billo set to start against the Chiefs, runs figure to be in short supply for one side. Eyeing the organization's fourth straight postseason trip, the Cougars are eager to do their part at the plate after Tuesday's showing. "You just look at it and move on from it," Fletcher said, "and just hopefully come back tomorrow."

Brewers’ offense silenced in seventh consecutive loss by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Mike Strong had a career night on the mound and a final line that many pitchers would be envious of. Helena’s hurler struck out a personal-best 13, walked none and allowed just two runs on six hits. But with the Brewers’ offense struggling to string hits together — they had just three on Tuesday night and failed to score a run in the two-game series — the left-hander was tagged with a tough-luck loss. The Billings Mustangs won 2-0 to hand Helena (2-8) its seventh straight defeat and improve to .500 in the second half (5-5). They did so despite striking out a season-high 16 times, riding the arms of their pitchers to victory. The Billings staff continued to dazzle, and has now held opponents scoreless through 30 straight innings. “We’re on a pretty good roll right now,” said Mustangs manager Pat Kelly. “Our starting staff has kind of solidified this second half, they’re taking us late into the game, and our bullpen’s been solid all year.” Southpaw starter Tony Cingrani retired the first 11 batters he faced, showing good command of his mid-90s fastball. Parker Berberet’s two-out single in the fourth frame broke up Billings’ no-hit bid, but the shutout remained intact. Cingrani gave way to Cole Green after throwing 58 pitches — the former Rice University reliever is on a pitch count of 60 — and Green threw a one-hitter for the win. After Erik Miller pitched an inning, James Allen closed out the game for his Pioneer League-leading seventh save. Meanwhile, Strong was left with his third loss after what was his best performance by far this season at Kindrick Legion Field. “Can’t really blame it on anyone, really it was just the other pitcher — I have to tip my cap to him, too. He went out and competed,” the Oklahoma State product said. “Our hitting slacked a little bit, but I have faith in our hitters. “I haven’t pitched very well at home so it was kind of nice to get this one out of the way. Yeah, I did take the loss, but it felt good. I’m just gonna go with it.” On an evening where Strong couldn’t go wrong with any of the pitches in his arsenal — fastball, curveball, changeup — nothing seemed to go right for the Brewers at the plate. “Our hitters got themsevles out early in the count, broke some bats,” Helena skipper Joe Ayrault said. “There were a few hard shots that could’ve fallen in there. We had a few good at-bats ... it’s just a matter of getting things rolling and getting hot.” All of Helena’s hits were singles, and two of them came with two outs. John Dishon managed to move into scoring position after his base hit in the sixth, with his 15th stolen base this season, but Yadiel Rivera struck out swinging to end the threat. The tying run came to the plate again in the eighth after Kenny Allison singled, but both men were thrown out at second base. Strong worked out of some jams of his own. Twice Billings had runners on third base with less than two outs — once with no outs — and both times Strong stranded them there. With Ryan Wright on third in the seventh after a leadoff single, a stolen base and an error, Strong struck out the side. “The way Strong battled, he just rose to the occasion when guys got on base. He definitely did his job tonight, and (Jacob) Barnes finished it off,” Ayrault said, referencing his closer’s two frames of one-hit ball. “It’s just one of those things ... we get good pitching one day, and the hitters don’t hit. We’ve just gotta get everything clicking together. “That’s what happens when you’re in a little bit of a rut, but we’ve got a lot of season left, thank goodness.” Ayrault said the attitude in the clubhouse remains positive despite the recent skid. His players know it’s just as easy to get on a hot streak as it is to lose back-to-back games. “This game can be a roller coaster, it’s just a matter of trying to stay on that even keel,” Ayrault said. Billings got on the board in the second, when Junior Arias laced an RBI triple that scored Kyle Waldrop, who reached on a double. The Mustangs made it 2-0 when Nick O’Shea drilled a blast to dead center with two outs for his seventh homer of the season. Not shook up in the least, Strong struck out the next three batters after giving up the long ball. “They held us tight,” Kelly said. “It was only a 2-0 ballgame and you’re never really comfortable when you have a lead that small. Their pitching was outstanding this series, even (Monday) night they held us to three runs. “Fortunately, we just didn’t give up any.” Photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record - Helena left handed pitcher Mike Strong delivers a pitch in the sixth inning Tuesday night, while playing against the Billings Mustangs. Strong had 13 strike outs and zero walks. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/0c/20c2960a-c2ff-11e0-8717-001cc4c002e0/4e41f80858c7c.image.jpg Helena second baseman Adrian Williams catches the ball before tagging out Billings' Juan Silva http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/4/50/4508a054-c2ff-11e0-aa42-001cc4c002e0/4e41f84532ec6.image.jpgHelena centerfielder John Dishon hits a line drive for a single http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/f/8e/f8e25c56-c2fe-11e0-9e25-001cc4c002e0/4e41f7c571b2a.image.jpg

Nashville Audio Archive -- August 9 - Chat with Infielder Taylor Green Credits Sandy Guerrero for helping him lose a pull-happy approach...

Manatees have chance to make playoffs by Mark DeCotis, Florida Today If there ever was a make or break stretch of the second half of the Florida State League baseball season for the Brevard County Manatees, this is it. The Manatees are in the midst of a 14 games-in-12 days stretch that could very well determine whether their season concludes on Sept. 4 or if they earn a spot in the postseason. Heading into Wednesday's scheduled doubleheader at Dunedin beginning at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central), the Manatees are 20-21 and in fourth place in the FSL North Division, but only 2 1/2 games behind first-place Tampa. Daytona Beach won the North Division first-half title, earning a spot in the postseason. But as of Tuesday, the Cubs were in fifth place -- three games behind Tampa. The first- and second-half winners from the North and South Divisions compete in the postseason and Manatees Manager Jeff Isom believes his team still has a shot. "You're 21/2 games back and you've got until Sept. 4, anything can happen at this point," Isom said Tuesday. "We've just need to catch fire and continue with it. We've shown we can win in spurts and then all of a sudden we'll lose in spurts. We've got to not do that and just continue to win. "I like our chances."

Final, Game One: @DSL Brewers 3, DSL Cardinals 1, seven innings DSL Brewers Game One Box Score Just-turned 20-year-old RHP Leonard Lorenzo survived his own wildness (6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 WP, 1 HBP) to earn the victory; hulking 6'6", 236 lb. closer Carlos Sosa (not quite 20 years old) earned his 14th save, and has a 28-to-4 K-to-BB ratio in 19.1 innings. RF Raul Mondesi, Jr. homered for an insurance run in the 6th - he singled earlier; SS Orlando Arcia singled and walked in three trips; Francisco Castillo, playing CF in this one, was caught stealing for the 10th time in 22 tries... DSL Brewers Game One Play-by-Play Wunderkid 17-year-old Sthervin Matos (stats) was money, giving the Cerveceritos an early 2-1 lead they would not relinquish -- DSL Brewers Bottom of the 1st Francisco Castillo singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. With Dionis Hinojosa batting, Francisco Castillo caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Luis Cruz to second baseman Robelys Reyes. Dionis Hinojosa strikes out swinging. Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. Raul Mondesi singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. Orlando Arcia to 2nd. With Sthervin Matos batting, wild pitch by Jhonatan Escudero, Orlando Arcia to 3rd. Raul Mondesi to 2nd. Sthervin Matos doubles (5) on a fly ball to center fielder Jhohan Acevedo. Orlando Arcia scores. Raul Mondesi scores. Julio Sotelo flies out to left fielder Domingo Diaz. Matos played first base for the 6th time (20 games at third base).

The H-Crew (Mike Strong and Jacob Barnes) strikes out 16, walks none, and somehow loses 2-0. Wisconsin fans, feel free to be less than excited about 2012 -- this is not an exciting Helena / Maryvale bunch.

You do read Chris' Rattler Radio Blog Post-Game Thoughts (Post-Doubleheader Thoughts in this case), right? Shame on you if not, they're just one click away! Wisconsin Top of the 3rd Franklin Romero hit by pitch. With Nick Shaw batting, Leondy Perez picks off Franklin Romero at 1st on throw to Jacob Kuebler. Nick Shaw grounds out, shortstop Yowill Espinal to first baseman Jacob Kuebler. Mike Brownstein singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brett Eibner. With T. J. Mittelstaedt batting, Mike Brownstein picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Leondy Perez to first baseman Jacob Kuebler to shortstop Yowill Espinal. Still smelly, but Chris provides some background...

Garman, Timber Rattlers toss one-hitter By Ashley Marshall / Special to MLB.com Brian Garman enjoys going 1-on-1 with hitters, battling to get the upper hand and finding ways to record outs. When Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson called on the reliever for an emergency start Tuesday, Garman relished the opportunity. The Brewers prospect gave up an infield single over five innings in his first professional start and combined with Dan Britt on a one-hitter in the Timber Rattlers' 5-0 blanking of the Kane County Cougars. The victory gave the Brewers' Class A affiliate a split of its doubleheader after it was beaten, 1-0, in the first game. "We needed somebody to burn some innings and I jumped all over it. I was pretty excited about it," Garman said. "I got to hang out there a little bit longer than normal. Usually, my outings are just one or two innings, so I was jazzed. "It doesn't matter if you're in the game at the beginning, the middle or the end, you still have to throw the ball over the plate. But as a starter, you get more chances." Selected in the 17th round of last year's Draft, Garman (3-2) used an inning-ending double play to erase Geulin Beltre's one-out walk in the opening frame, then worked around Jacob Kuebler's single in the second. Only his own hesitation stopped him from making a play on Kuebler's tapper back up the middle. "I wish I had been able to make that play," the 23-year-old left-hander said. "He didn't hit it very well, but I thought it was coming harder than it was. As a pitcher, it's just self-preservation. I didn't set my feet or get in front of it like I should have and I just stabbed at it. It was a pretty soft roller and it bounced off the end of my glove. "If you can get guys to roll over pitches and get ground balls, it's OK. I wouldn't want to re-do that at-bat because I was pleased with the outcome. It if isn't tattooed and you get a weak ground ball, you're happy." The University of Cincinnati product cruised thereafter, setting down the Cougars in order over the next three frames before turning things over to the bullpen. "I'm pretty happy with it. To be part of a one-hitter as a professional is something that I'm proud of," said Garman, who lowered his ERA to 3.23. "I wasn't sure what to expect, but I'm glad it went the way it did. "I was throwing my off-speed stuff for strikes and my catcher, Joey [Paciorek], was on the same page. I shook him off a couple times, but for the most part we were in a groove. I was able to get ahead a lot with first-pitch fastballs and then go to the off-speed pitches later in the count." Britt retired all six batters he faced to finish off the Timber Rattlers' sixth shutout. While Garman, who has made 33 relief appearances this season, enjoyed his start, he said he'll likely be returning to the bullpen. "I was a starter for three years in college, but I was streaky," he said. "If they need me again, I'll jump right back out there, but if I had to guess I would say my starting days are over." Mike Brownstein went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs and Chad Stang, Jason Rogers and Nick Ramirez plated the other runs for Wisconsin. Kane County starter Santiago Garrido (1-4) took the loss after surrendering two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out a pair over four innings.

Final, Game Two: Wisconsin 5, @Kane County 0, seven innings Garman & Britt one-hit Cougars for 5-0 win in game two By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GENEVA, IL - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Brian Garman didn't look like he was making his first professional start when he took the mound for game two of Tuesday's doubleheader at Elfstrom Stadium. Garman allowed one hit and no runs over five innings and was backed up by five runs in a 5-0 win over the Kane County Cougars to help the Rattlers to a split in the twinbill. Wisconsin (56-58 overall,18-26 second half) took the lead in the first inning. They loaded the bases on singles by Nick Shaw and Mike Brownstein and a walk to T.J. Mittelstaedt. Cleanup hitter Chad Stang took another walk to force Shaw home. Jason Rogers was next and he singled to right to send Brownstein home for a 2-0 lead. The Rattlers added a run in the top of the fifth inning. Nick Ramirez served a single into left field with two outs to score Mittelstaedt from second base for a 3-0 lead. Garman was making his first start as a professional on Tuesday night. The lefty out of the University of Cincinnati made 22 relief appearances last season with the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League. The 17th round pick of the Brewers in the 2010 draft made 33 relief appearances for the Timber Rattlers before game two on Tuesday night. Garman stepped into the spot start and made it look easy after the Rattlers gave him the early lead. Geulin Beltre reached on a walk with one out in the first, but was erased on a 1-6-3 double play. Garman retired the first two batters of the second inning, but gave up a single to Jake Kuebler and a walk to Orlando Calixte. Garman got the final out of the second with his first strikeout. Garman retired the next nine batters he faced before turning the game over to the bullpen. But - before Dan Britt could enter the game - the Rattlers offense tacked on to their lead. Mike Brownstein's two-run double in the top of the sixth inning put Wisconsin up 5-0. The Cougars (54-59, 26-18) went down quietly against Britt as the Rattlers reliever retired the final six Kane County hitters in order. The Timber Rattlers begin a six game homestand on Wednesday night. The Beloit Snappers are the first team in to Time Warner Cable Field and game time on Wednesday is 7:05 PM. Matt Miller (4-6, 4.86) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Beloit has Blayne Weller (4-3, 4.45) as their scheduled starter. Wednesday is a Bonus Bang for Your Buck Night with Pepsi products, Cher-Make hot dogs, and Miller Beer available for $1. It is also an American TV Win-It Wednesday and every fan aged 16 and older will receive a scratch-off ticket. Every ticket is a winner with prizes from the Timber Rattlers and American TV of Appleton. The first 1,000 fans to attend the game will receive a metal lunch box from Rasmussen College. Plus, fans are encouraged to bring donations for a clothing drive to support the Community Clothes Closet. If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45 PM. Wednesday's game is also available to MiLB.TV subscribers. Wisconsin Game Two Box Score Garman and Britt combined for a 14-to-2 GB ratio in addition to combining on the one-hitter, just awesome; clean defense, clear skies, 75 degrees at gametime -- that's nirvana... Wisconsin Game Two Play-by-Play

Junior college...

Sean Halton of Huntsville hadn't played in a week, 0-for-3 in that Game One return.

Final, Game One: @Kane County 1, Wisconsin 0, seven innings Cougars stop Rattlers 1-0 in game one By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first inning and held off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 1-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Elfstrom Stadium on Tuesday night. Leondy Perez and Nick Rogers combined to hold the Rattlers off the scoreboard for the first time since July 9. Kane County (54-58 overall, 26-17 second half) struck three batters into the game. Geulin Beltre singled with one out and moved around to third on an errant pickoff throw by Rattlers starting pitcher Brooks Hall. Brett Eibner followed with a double off the base of the wall in right-center to score Beltre. Wisconsin (55-58, 17-26) had opportunities in the second and fourth innings against Perez. In the second, Wisconsin had runners at second and third with one out after singles by Jason Rogers and Chad Stang and an error. In the fourth, the Rattlers loaded the bases with one out when Rogers singled, Nick Ramirez walked, and Stang was hit by a pitch. However, Perez escaped without a run scoring both times. Perez worked six innings, allowed four hits, hit two batters, struck out two, and walked one before turning the game over to Rogers for the top of the seventh. The Rattlers threatened in their last at bat of game one. Greg Hopkins reached on an error with one out. He stole second to get into scoring position. Tony Pechek followed by scorching a base hit to right. But, the ball was hit too sharply and right at Beltre. Hopkins had to hold at third base. It appeared that the squeeze was on, but the bunt was missed and Hopkins got trapped in a rundown before being tagged for the second out of the inning. Rogers got the final out with a strikeout to preserve the Kane County victory. Wisconsin Game One Box Score Brooks Hall with another very effective effort -- how long can he keep up serving fly balls (while keeping them in the park) and not striking out batters (except for his outlier 10 K July 29th start)? He's walking a very narrow peripheral tightrope. RHP Adrian Rosario with a 1-2-3 6th. T.J. Mittelstaedt has finally hit a rough patch, 2-for-33 in his last ten games. Wisconsin Game One Play-by-Play Chris Mehring has to ride the bus with these guys, but we don't. Surely the players appreciate his protective ways (and in many ways, we do, too -- focus on the positive), so we get to identify those who failed when one clutch base knock would have made the difference -- Wisconsin Top of the 2nd Jason Rogers singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brett Eibner. Nick Ramirez lines out to second baseman Angel Franco. Chad Stang singles on a line drive to right fielder Geulin Beltre. Chad Stang to 2nd. Jason Rogers advances to 3rd, on fielding error by right fielder Geulin Beltre. Greg Hopkins pops out to shortstop Yowill Espinal. Tony Pechek lines out to pitcher Leondy Perez. Wisconsin Top of the 3rd Franklin Romero hit by pitch. With Nick Shaw batting, Leondy Perez picks off Franklin Romero at 1st on throw to Jacob Kuebler. Nick Shaw grounds out, shortstop Yowill Espinal to first baseman Jacob Kuebler. Mike Brownstein singles on a ground ball to center fielder Brett Eibner. With T. J. Mittelstaedt batting, Mike Brownstein picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Leondy Perez to first baseman Jacob Kuebler to shortstop Yowill Espinal. As for the frame just described -- REALLY? Wisconsin Top of the 4th T. J. Mittelstaedt pops out to shortstop Yowill Espinal. Jason Rogers singles on a fly ball to center fielder Brett Eibner. Nick Ramirez walks. Jason Rogers to 2nd. Chad Stang hit by pitch. Jason Rogers to 3rd. Nick Ramirez to 2nd. Gregory Hopkins strikes out swinging. Tony Pechek grounds out, second baseman Angel Franco to first baseman Jacob Kuebler. And then the botched squeeze -- Wisconsin Top of the 7th Pitcher Change: Nick Rogers replaces Leondy Perez. Chad Stang grounds out, second baseman Angel Franco to first baseman Jacob Kuebler. Gregory Hopkins reaches on fielding error by third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert. With Tony Pechek batting, Gregory Hopkins steals (13) 2nd base. Tony Pechek singles on a line drive to right fielder Geulin Beltre. Gregory Hopkins to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Brandon Macias replaces Tony Pechek. With Franklin Romero batting, Gregory Hopkins picked off and caught stealing home, catcher Kevin David to third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert, Brandon Macias to 2nd. Franklin Romero strikes out swinging.

RHP Mark Willinsky, just released from Brevard County, found work with the Evansville Otters of the independent Frontier League.

Final: @AZL Brewers 6, AZL Indians 5 Walkoff, baby! AZL Brewers Box Score Game was enetertaining to follow, even at game log scrolling standards; given the usual attendance of about a dozen (if that), wonder how much jumping around you do after a walkoff sacrifice fly, but the A-Crew kids (now 9-29) deserved a game like this; 22-year-old RHP Jose Oviedo has seen very limited action, but his middle relief work was key here; LHP's Manuel Ruiz and Elliott Glynn (coming off his one-game emergency left field start last week) saw action pre- and post-Oviedo -- Glynn's 1-2-3 top of the 9th was nice after he had allowed what apperaed to be a costly insurance run for the baby Tribe in the 8th. Offensively, the Brewers received a lot of help, so the numbers don't jump off the box score -- 2011 5th round pick Michael Reed (in LF here) doubled, singled, and walked in his 3rd pro game; oddly, Reed wasn't in center, but Kevin Berard, normally a second baseman, was in CF, 3rd time this season. Berard and SS Renaldo Jenkins reached base twice, as did newcomer Alejandro Mendoza, the DSL'er who squeezed into Berard's normal second base spot. AZL Brewers Play-by-Play The Indians committed six errors to the Brewers' two, and the Crew took advantage, or in some cases, were just handed runs -- Two gimme's here -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 6th Kevin Berard singles on a fly ball to left fielder Andrew Campbell. Michael Reed reaches on throwing error by third baseman Erik Gonzalez. Kevin Berard to 2nd. Jimmie Pharr pops out to shortstop Jorge Martinez. Hitaniel Arias flies out to right fielder Juan Romero. Jalen Harris strikes out swinging. Jalen Harris advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Charlie Valerio. Wild pitch by pitcher Luis Morel. Kevin Berard scores. Michael Reed scores. Throwing error by right fielder Juan Romero. Jose R. Garcia flies out to right fielder Juan Romero. Winning run scored with two outs; down 5-4 heading into the bottom of the 9th, a two-run rally on just one base hit -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 9th Pitcher Change: Manuel Carmona replaces Matt Curtis. Renaldo Jenkins walks. Andres Martinez hits a sacrifice bunt. Throwing error by third baseman Erik Gonzalez. Renaldo Jenkins to 3rd. Andres Martinez to 1st. Alejandro Mendoza singles on a line drive to right fielder Juan Romero. Renaldo Jenkins scores. Andres Martinez to 2nd. Kevin Berard out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Leonardo Castillo. Andres Martinez to 3rd. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd. Manuel Carmona intentionally walks Michael Reed. Jimmie Pharr out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Hunter Jones. Andres Martinez scores.

Nashville Media Notes Wisconsin Media Notes (and Ernie Banks!)

Helena and Maryvale not representing -- the two Rookie League squads have combined to lose 14 in a row and are 28-56 overall.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 64 52 .552 - - 35-27 29-25 7-3 W1 Memphis 59 57 .509 5.0 23 34-21 25-36 7-3 W2 Nashville 58 59 .496 6.5 22 34-25 24-34 6-4 W2 Iowa 52 65 .444 12.5 16 32-26 20-39 5-5 W3 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 26 17 .605 - - 10-10 16-7 6-4 W1 * Tennessee 23 20 .535 3.0 25 14-6 9-14 8-2 W1 Huntsville 19 23 .452 6.5 21 8-14 11-9 5-5 L1 Carolina 19 24 .442 7.0 20 9-11 10-13 5-5 L2 Jackson 19 25 .432 7.5 20 9-11 10-14 5-5 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 24 20 .545 - - 12-11 12-9 4-6 L1 Clearwater 23 21 .523 1.0 26 17-9 6-12 6-4 W1 Dunedin 23 21 .523 1.0 26 9-8 14-13 7-3 W1 Brevard County 20 21 .488 2.5 25 8-12 12-9 4-6 W3 * Daytona 21 23 .477 3.0 24 10-11 11-12 5-5 L1 Lakeland 18 24 .429 5.0 23 8-11 10-13 5-5 L3 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 26 16 .619 - - 14-7 12-9 7-3 L1 Kane County 25 17 .595 1.0 - 10-10 15-7 6-4 L1 Clinton 23 20 .535 3.5 26 11-10 12-10 5-5 W2 Beloit 19 23 .452 7.0 23 10-11 9-12 3-7 W1 Peoria 18 25 .419 8.5 21 10-12 8-13 8-2 W4 Wisconsin 17 25 .405 9.0 21 8-14 9-11 4-6 W1 Cedar Rapids 17 26 .395 9.5 20 11-11 6-15 3-7 L4 * Burlington 14 29 .326 12.5 17 9-12 5-17 4-6 L2 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Great Falls 7 2 .778 - - 4-2 3-0 7-2 W1 * Missoula 5 4 .556 2.0 28 4-1 1-3 5-4 L1 Billings 4 5 .444 3.0 27 1-2 3-3 4-5 W2 Helena 2 7 .222 5.0 25 0-4 2-3 2-7 L6 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 22 17 .564 - - 12-8 10-9 7-3 L1 AZL Indians 21 18 .538 1.0 17 12-8 9-10 6-4 W3 AZL Reds 21 18 .538 1.0 17 11-8 10-10 6-4 L1 AZL Brewers 8 29 .216 13.0 6 4-15 4-14 1-9 L8 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 38 18 .679 - - 20-9 18-9 3-7 L2 DSL Brewers 34 22 .607 4.0 13 17-12 17-10 6-4 L1 DSL Cardinals 21 35 .375 17.0 E 13-15 8-20 6-4 L3 DSL Athletics 20 38 .345 19.0 E 11-15 9-23 4-6 L1

19-year-old Venezuelan infielder Alejandro Mendoza (stats), a 2nd year pro, makes his stateside debut today. The slight Mendoza (5'11", 156) has been transferred from the DSL squad to reinforce the Maryvale roster. Given his numbers, it may be more of a reward for effort (or perhaps even developing his English skills), or a matter of overall maturity and readiness for the U.S. experience.

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

Nashville Audio Archive -- August 8 - Chat with Catcher Mike Rivera

Actually, we're not going to get that video, but we do get Martin Maldonado's 3rd blast in four games.

Listen to Taylor Green's walkoff, we'll probably get video later on...