Jim Goulart

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Nashville: RHP Mike Fiers at Reno (Diamondbacks), 8:50 PM pre-game, 9:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Nashville feed from the MiLB main audio page MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman and LHP Dan Merklinger in a doubleheader at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 4:43 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional Broadcast Live Audio Link -- Select the Tennessee feed from the MiLB main audio page Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 6:00 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Dunedin feed from the MiLB main audio page Wisconsin: RHP Brooks Hall and TBD in a doubleheader at Kane County (Royals), 3:40 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link Helena: LHP Mike Strong at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Helena feed from the MiLB main audio page Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): LHP Manuel Ruiz makes his first start of 2011 (11th appearance) at home vs. the baby Indians; 1:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: Doubleheader at home vs. the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Minor League Baseball president concerned about 'long-term future' of Huntsville Stars franchise By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times Pat O'Conner, president of Minor League Baseball, has two schools of thought when it comes to faltering operations and aging facilities among the 160 franchises under his watch. http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/8829759-large.jpgNear-empty Joe Davis Stadium is typical occasion Huntsville Times Photo by Dave Dieter "My evaluation boils down to real simple terms: unwilling or unable," O'Conner said Monday night on a visit to Huntsville. "Some are willing and unable. Some are unwilling. And you've got to cut to the root and find out if they don't care if baseball is here, how long should we? And I don't have the answer. And I don't like having the conversation." The collective "they" would be the city of Huntsville, the landlord of 26-year-old Joe W. Davis Stadium, the oldest in the Southern League; potential fans; and the ownership and management of the Huntsville Stars, headed by president Miles Prentice and general manager Buck Rogers. "I have real concerns about long-term future," O'Conner said of the franchise, reiterating a comment he made last August on a fact-finding trip here. O'Conner was in town this time to present a check for $20,000 on behalf of Minor League Baseball Charities to the Huntsville Salvation Army for tornado relief. Funds were raised through a "15 for 15" program, in which teams agreed to donate 15 percent of their online merchandise sales to the charity during a 15-day period. "When we have communities that get in trouble, it's what we do to come to their aid," O'Conner said. "It is a characteristic of Minor League Baseball and our clubs and our executives, and I'm very proud of them." O'Conner sat down for an interview an hour before Monday's Huntsville-Tennessee Smokies game was rained out, the third in six dates. Not good news for a franchise that already has the lowest attendance of the nation's 30 Class AA teams, averaging 1,696 per date. Though he acknowledged "the club is struggling," O'Conner said he typically doesn't become involved in the day-to-day decisions of the franchises or attendance woes. He has not had any conversation with Prentice about the future of the team. Prentice, a long-time attorney in New York, also owns a short-season Class A team in Norwich, Conn., that he purchased last winter as well as the Midland A's of the Texas League. Prentice, who has relocated to Key West, has been heavily involved this summer in the development of a group of Five Guys Restaurants he purchased. "I refuse to believe people don't know (baseball) is here," O'Conner said. "I refuse to believe people don't like baseball. I think people have made a conscious decision that this is a place they prefer not to be and to spend their summer." Some fans have complained about the Stars' management and others point to the working agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers as two reasons for apathy. Ownership, the Brewers and O'Conner have all suggested that a park drastically renovated to become more fan-friendly, or a new stadium, would assure a brighter future. What impact an old stadium that is not fan-friendly has on attendance is subjective. Whether it's even suitable for Minor League Baseball remains another question. O'Conner made several demands last August to assure the stadium was brought up to minimum standards. He gave the stadium only a cursory inspection -- an official inspection recently took place and O'Conner will see the results later this month -- and said, "On the surface, it's not greatly changed." However, the lighting and drainage issues that were top priorities were taken care of in the off-season. "My concern is, are we putting Band-Aids on a big problem? And if we are, how long are we collectively going to be able and willing to do that?" he said. "I don't know where we are with this ballpark. It's better, and I applaud that. It may not yet to be where it needs to be. "Quite honestly, this building is too big, it's too old and the infrastructure issues we talked about a year ago are still there. It's major dollars (to fix it). Are we trying to make a pig sing here?" O'Conner continued. O'Conner said he is aware "that cities are in a jam right now (with) public money" and is not pronouncing a death notice on the team. "Can they get by? Yeah, they can probably get by for a while," he said. "But at some point, there is a diminishing return for a need for a continuing investment by Miles and the city. "I think Huntsville is a good enough baseball town to have Southern League baseball. My concern," O'Conner said, "is if it loses baseball, it could be a considerable amount of time before it gets it back. ... If they lose it, it'll cost more to get back in than it'll cost to keep it."

Mustangs hand Brewers 6th straight loss Helena Independent Record It started out as a scoreless pitcher’s duel through the first four innings between the Billings Mustangs and Helena Brewers on Monday. Helena starter Tommy Toledo had given up three hits and struck out six through four, while Billings hurler Wes Mugarian was even better, working on a one-hitter. Then, with nary a cloud in the sky, lightning struck twice for the Mustangs, as Kyle Waldrop and Ryan Wright jacked the fifth frame’s first two pitches over the fence for back-to-back home runs. Billings (27-26) added a run in the sixth, and went on to a 3-0 Northern Division Pioneer League win at Kindrick Legion Field. It was the Brewers’ (20-27) sixth straight loss, and the first time they’ve been shutout all year. Mugarian, a 6-foot-1, 185-pounder from Pensacola, Fla., carried a no-hitter into the fourth. At that point, he had struck out seven Brewers’ batsmen, including the last five in a row. Mugarian then lost his no-no when the next man he faced, John Dishon, led off the fourth stanza with a single. But the slow-working 19-year old – who was drafted by Cincinnati in the fifth round – went on to pitch a masterpiece. Before being relieved by Ryan Kemp, Mugarian went six innings and allowing just two hits. He finished with nine Ks and gave up only two bases on balls. A graduate of Pensacola Catholic High, Mugarian passed up a baseball scholarship to the University of Alabama to turn pro. The visitors outhit the Brewers 11-4, led by Kurtis Muller, who went 3 for 4, with a double. Magic City teammates with two base raps each were Waldrop, Wright and Junior Arias. Wright added a two-bagger to go along with his dinger. Dishon had the big night for the hosts, going 3-4, with a double. Helena’s other base knock was a double by Parker Berberet. Berberet, normally the Capital City’s first baseman, was called into action behind the plate in the eighth inning, after regular catcher Tyler Roberts was ejected for arguing a fair ball call. Berberet’s arm passed its first test in the ninth, when he gunned down Waldrop on an attempted steal of second. Toledo went five innings and took the loss, giving up six hits and striking out seven. Seth Harvey worked the last three scoreless stanzas for the Brewers, permitting three hits and fanning five. The contest was a well-played defensive show. Neither team committed an error, with Billings turning two double plays, and manager Joe Aryault’s Brewers performing three twin-killings. Photo by Eliza Wiley, Independent Record - Helena Brewer Adrian Williams tags Billings' Sean Buckley as he rounds first and heads to second causing the second out of the third inning Monday night at Kindrick Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/e/d3/ed3c3d32-c230-11e0-8701-001cc4c002e0/4e409e1588e2f.image.jpg

First posted back on May 26th -- Keen Interestby Bob Brainerd, sports32.com (Time Warner Cable)http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Holle-2.jpg http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Keen-pic-1-199x300.jpg In Reggie Keen’s theatre of baseball, the show must go on regardless if he’s on the field or behind the scenes. “I want to entertain people when I’m out there in the field,” said Keen, an outfielder with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. “It’s fun to make awesome catches in the field and track balls down. You hear the ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from the fans when you get to a ball that they don’t expect you to get to.” Keen has provided the unexpected in Appleton, patrolling centerfield with a purpose. With a frame under six feet but built for speed, Keen covers plenty of prime real estate in Class A outfields in pursuit to either rob a hitter of a base hit, or throw one out on the base paths. Keen recorded nine of Wisconsin’s 18 outfield assists in the first two months of the season, tops in the Midwest League. “I take a lot of pride in my defense, but stealing bases is also fun,” said Keen, the Timber Rattlers team leader in that statistic as well with 19 swipes in the first 45 games (NOTE: now 35 of 48 in 92 games). “Most of the time, when I take off, I feel like I got a bad jump. So I have to tell myself ‘you need to get there, you need to go!’ Just before I get there I’m sliding hard and just hoping that catcher made a bad throw or something so I beat the throw. Most of the time it works.” http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Kenn-pic-4-300x199.jpg Keen possesses a keen eye on the base path, but also tries to glean an advantage when he observes from the sidelines. “When I’m in the dugout, I just take note when someone else is on first, and then you’ve just got to have that spark plug mentality, whenever you get that instinct to go, you just go,” said Keen. “Never second guess yourself. I asked a buddy who plays Triple-A to give me a tip on stealing bases because I want to steal a bunch of bags this year. He said ‘just go…the catcher has to make the perfect throw to get you out.’ A stolen bag can spark a game, so I’m always looking to run.” Born to run? Reggie certainly was. But he quickly found out being quick was not speed entitlement for a lifetime. “When I was nine, 10 years old, I used to be the fastest kid on the field,” said Keen. “And then I started sitting around and being lazy, eating a lot and I gained some weight. And my speed went downhill. I was slow; had parents of my teammates in high school saying I ran like I had a piano on my back. Once I got to college my freshman and sophomore year I had buddies tell me ‘man, you are slow, and with your size you have to be faster.’” Keen had a one-man press conference with himself during his time at Radford University, realizing without a power stroke to hit home runs, his ticket to remain on the diamond would be to regain his jets. “So I went to the gym and did leg workouts, and in my spare time I would go to the football stadium and run bleachers,” Keen recalled. “I just started running, doing a lot of sprint work. I always tell myself speed kills in this game for defense and stolen bases.” The sleeker, more aerodynamic Keen finished as a Second Team All-Big South selection after hitting .353 with 31 stolen bases during his senior season with the Highlanders. His speed was never to be questioned again, but whether or not he would be drafted became a nerve-wracking puzzle. “In the beginning it was a frustrating process going through the days of the draft not seeing my name come up on the computer, not getting any phone calls,” said Keen. “When the last couple picks wound down I packed up, went home and talked to my parents about it. They told me to keep my head up, told me you know you’re a good ballplayer and there’s somebody out there that’s going to want you on their team. “Keep the faith, keep praying, and don’t let it bring you down.” Keen’s college coach phoned his former player and reiterated the case made by his parents. He also reminded his prized pupil that free agency was still a possibility. Luckily, there was a fallback plan in place. Keen was busy behind a desk in his Virginia hometown working as a marketing and sales intern for the Rookie League Danville Braves. “The only reason I didn’t get as frustrated as I probably should have was that I was already working,” said Keen. “My boss told me ‘hey, go ahead and watch the computer all day, take the day off.’ While I’m sitting there watching the computer, not seeing my name, not getting any phone calls, I just started doing work to keep my mind off of it.” http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Keen-Blooper-3-191x300.jpg Keen went about his business at Danville, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, pitching in to help set-up for nightly game promotions, place phone calls to local businesses and even sell tickets. One of the more unique chores found Reggie donning the team mascot costume for a local preschool appearance as Blooper. When his stint in a colorful bird outfit wrapped up, Keen discovered his cell phone was jammed with missed calls from the Brewers. “It’s just a lot of hoping and praying and luckily I got the call,” said Keen. “From then on, I told myself I was going to make the best of it. I’m putting in all the hard work because I’m very fortunate and blessed to be here.” Swapping the hot and sweaty Blooper costume for a uniform with the Rookie League Helena Brewers was a slam dunk. Despite playing among side Milwaukee’s upper tier draft picks, the non-drafted free agent flourished in the Pioneer League, hitting .348 in 17 games. Keen was swiping bases, scoring runs and having a blast, until an errant pitch plunked Keen on the left wrist to end his inaugural professional season. “After I broke my hand, I told myself this is a long sport and things can happen,” said Keen. “So when I came back from my injury I worked hard, made this ballclub (Wisconsin) and I’m just trying to make the best of it.” Speed means little if you can’t get on base, so there is keen awareness on Reggie’s part to perfect his approach at the plate. “When I was coming up through college I was always a fastball hitter, hitting early in the lineup, getting a good share of base hits,” said Keen. “I saw a number of curveballs and taught myself to sit back and hit the curve. Now I’m seeing guys mixing up pitches and I’m trying to teach myself to wait on the ball; be more patient. I can hit the fastball, but I need to learn how to wait back and hit that changeup, and stay off the sliders in the dirt. I work on that every day now, taking reps in the batting cage, standing in and tracking pitches. http://www.sports32.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Keen-pic-3-stars1-199x300.jpg “They (Brewers) told guys like me and others guys of my stature we need you on base, find a way to get there. If you have to drag bunt, if you have to get hit by a pitch, if you have to walk or get a base hit, just find a way to make something happen and score runs.” If Keen can pull it all together, he hopes the taste of Major League Baseball he experienced becomes a long lasting feast. Keen was one of a select few chosen to showcase his talents at Miller Park in the Brewers Rising Stars game back on April 2. “My baseball dream is to make it to the big leagues for any team and have that experience,” said Keen. “Playing in the Rising Stars game, being in that stadium, being in that clubhouse, walking out there on that field just made me want to get there even more. “I feel like I have the ability to do it, I just have to keep working hard.” Keen admits that he sometimes sneaks a peek at the promotions going on between innings at Fox Cities Stadium in Appleton. Whenever his on the field baseball run is complete, Keen plans to stick around the game to help pump it up. Regardless of his job description, Reggie Keen punches the time clock the only way he knows…with an infectious smile. “I’m having fun,” said Keen with a smile. “Not many people get this opportunity and a lot of people are here noticing you day in and day out. I’m a friendly guy. I like to interact with all the guys on the team. I try not to let it get to me, because once you get down…snowball effect. I try to stay in good spirits every day.” Photos by Brad Krause -- minus the mascot one http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

'Tees take two from Lakeland By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- The Brevard County Manatees (47-64 overall, 20-21 second half) swept the Lakeland Flying Tigers (54-58, 18-24) in an unique doubleheader on Monday night. The 'Tees won the suspended game from Sunday in 13 innings, by the score of 5-4 and then won the second game, 6-5. GAME ONE - Brevard County 5, Lakeland 4 (13 innings) Shea Vucinich singled home Kentrail Davis in the bottom of the 13th to give the Manatees a 5-4 win, early Monday evening in a game that began at 4:39 PM on Sunday. Play from Sunday was suspended due to inclement weather in the bottom of the 10th inning, when the 'Tees had two runners on with no outs, but were unable to end the game right away, when play resumed on Monday. Davis led the 13th off with a single and would reach second on a wild pitch with two outs. Vucinich proceeded to knock in Davis and end game one. The game started on Sunday with Tyler Thornburg on the mound and while he went six innings and struck out eight, he gave up four runs on three hits and five walks. Eric Marzec relieved Thornburg and while he walked three batters, he was able to keep Lakeland from scoring for three innings. Roque Mercedes entered the game in the 10th and came back to the mound when the game was restarted and threw four innings and struck out five, while allowing just one hit. Davis, Vucinich, Scooter Gennett, Chuck Caufield, Shawn Zarraga and Scott Krieger all had two hits each as Brevard County pounded out 13 total. GAME TWO - Brevard County 6, Lakeland 5 (7 innings) Mark Rogers struck out seven in five innings of work and Hunter Morris hit the eventual game-winning home run in the bottom of the sixth as the 'Tees took game two from Lakeland, 6-5. Rogers allowed four runs (all earned) on six hits and one walk in five innings of work. Down 2-1 in the fourth, the 'Tees plated four in the frame with Shea Vucinich driving in D'Vontrey Richardson with an RBI single and Juan Sanchez driving in three with a bases-clearing double with two outs. Sanchez was thrown out at third trying to extend it to a triple, to end the big inning. A two-run, two-out homer by Wade Gaynor in the top of the fifth off of Rogers cut the deficit to 5-4. Lakeland would tie the game in the top of the sixth off of Evan Anundsen on an RBI groundout by Shawn Roof. The Manatees would take the lead back on the first pitch that they saw in the bottom of the sixth as Hunter Morris homered to make it a 6-5 game. It was his 15th home run of the season. Anundsen retired the side in the seventh, as the 'Tees took game two and completed the sweep of both the doubleheader and the three-game series from the Flying Tigers. Morris, Richardson and Chris Dennis all had two hits each. Dennis also hit his second homer of the season in the second inning. UP NEXT: Brevard County moved into fourth place in the North division's second half standings. The 'Tees are just 2 1/2 games out of first place. The Manatees will travel to Dunedin for a three-game series against the Blue Jays. Brevard County is just 4-11 against Dunedin (62-52, 23-21) in 2011. Hiram Burgos (3-7, 4.80) will start for the 'Tees in the series opener. Following their series with Dunedin, Brevard County will travel to Lakeland for a three-game set, with a doubleheader scheduled for Friday. The Manatees will return home to Space Coast Stadium on Sunday, August 14 to host the Flying Tigers for a doubleheader that will begin at 4:05 PM.

VIDEO: Logan Schafer's three-run bomb (off a lefty) from Sunday night's game in Reno.

Important sweep for the Manatees in a very mediocre division for the second half chase. Brewers really, really hoping there's a postseason opportunity for Rickie Weeks to rehab somewhere -- final Brevard regular season game is 9/4. If Weeks' injury takes him to the far end of the 2-6 week timeframe, as many of us imagine it will...

Nice write-up on Jorge Lopez from MLB.com.

This won't be confusing -- the Brewers go to the same independent league club that gave them promising LHP Alan Williams (stats) and similarly issue a first-affiliated contract to RHP Mark Williams. WILD THINGS' MARK WILLIAMS SIGNS WITH MILWAUKEE BREWERSThe Washington Wild Things, presented by Washington Financial, announced they sold the contract of Mark Williams to the Milwaukee Brewers. “We’re really pleased to see Mark move up,” said Darin Everson, manager of the Wild Things. We signed him out of our post-draft try-out. We recognized his arm strength, and we were convinced he would be great.” In his last four outings Williams has allowed no runs, no hits, and he’s struck out eight players. “I hit a rough stretch when I signed with the Wild Things,” said Williams. “But with the help of Mark Dewey, I began to develop into the kind of pitcher I wanted to be. Jhonny Montoya even helped me because we’re so similar in style.” According to Everson, “I was certain that if Mark found his zone, he’d have a good shot at making it to affiliated ball. If you look at his last six or so outings, you can see how much he has developed. Mark Dewey did a great job in showing him how to command the zone. We actually had three teams looking at him. The Brewers’ scout had seen him at Marietta and saw how he had found the zone…he signed him immediately.” Williams will report to Milwaukee this week for his team physical. At that point he will be assigned to a team. “We’re really going to miss Mark, but we’re thrilled for him, and we wish him the best as he continues to improve and hopefully will rise up the ladder to the Major Leagues,” added Everson. Two other Wild Things’ pitchers’ contracts (Alan Williams and Vidal Nuno) were sold to affiliated teams earlier this year. *** Video report here. *** Here is an informative press release from this spring when Williams signed with the independent league Wild Things. *** Marietta College Player Profile Page*** Williams turns 22 years old on Friday. *** All about the power arm -- pro stats from Washington (PA). At Division II Marietta this past spring: 1.59 ERA, 79 IP, 48 H, 23 BB, 97 K, .173 BAA

Wisconsin Media Notes

Sounds' pitching coach tips his cap to defense Bosio's no-hitter showed value of preparation by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean It’s not hard to realize why Nashville Sounds pitching coach Chris Bosio appreciates good defensive positioning. He is best known for a no-hitter at Seattle’s Kingdome in 1993 to lead his Mariners past the Boston Red Sox. It was, perhaps, one of the greater testaments to advance scouting, considering he posted only four strikeouts in the 7-0 win. “The turf was about as hard as this parking lot,” said Bosio, who took over as the Sounds pitching coach after Rich Gale resigned in June. Bosio was pitching coach here in 2009 before finishing that season as the pitching coach in Milwaukee. Bosio spent the past two seasons as an advance scout and as a pro scout for the Brewers organization. While Bosio said he will return to advance scouting after this season, he said he hopes he can pass along some of his passion for strategy and preparation while he’s here. “Our preparation for that game (in 1993) helped us get a no-hitter,” Bosio said. “We had guys in positions to make plays, to take away balls down the line and in the gaps. For pitchers, we’re nothing without those players that are behind us. That’s something that we’re trying to bring here since these players are so close to the big leagues.” Bosio said his preparation as a player led a mutual friend to tell now-Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash about his studious nature and potential as a coach and scout. Likewise, Bosio said he already has noticed two current Sounds pitchers who could have a bright future in the scouting profession if they choose. “Sam Narron and Mark DiFelice prepare themselves very, very well,” he said. “Usually the guys that are the most prepared and make the best adjustments will be the best scouts because they know what to look for and how to read.” Sounds players, too, appreciate the insight of Bosio, who played with the Brewers and Mariners from 1986-96. “You always want a fresh set of eyes,” said longtime Sounds pitcher Tim Dillard, who is currently pitching in the Milwaukee bullpen. “He told me the other day that I could work on my change-ups a little bit and I hadn’t even thought of that. You need somebody that can tell you things like that.” Bosio also can tell the Sounds about perseverance. In the weeks leading up to the no-hitter, his grandfather had just died, his house in California had been robbed and his dog was run over by a car but survived. He was winless in his first three starts as a Mariner and he had the flu, but finally on April 22 something went right against the hot-hitting Red Sox, although not at first. “I walked the first two guys of the game,” Bosio said. “Sammy Ellis, our pitching coach, came out and said, ‘Hey, what’s going on out here?’ I said, ‘Hey, you’re the flipping pitching coach, why don’t you tell me.’ ” “He goes, ‘Well if that’s the case, why don’t you get a ground ball, strike somebody out and let’s get out of the inning.’ “So first pitch we get a double play ball and turn two and then I strike out Andre Dawson on three cutters and next thing I know I woke up out of a coma being sick in the eighth inning of a no-hitter.” Former Brewers teammate Ernie Riles’ chopper over a leaping Bosio with two outs in the ninth nearly spoiled the outing. “I remember looking up and going, ‘Grandpa, you got that one?’ And I remember Omar Vizquel’s hat flying off, he barehanded the ball and threw it over to first base for the no-hitter.” http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20110808&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=308080042&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0 Sounds pitching coach Chris Bosio, right, gives credit to his defense for helping him throw a no-hitter for the Seattle Mariners in 1993. / Photo by JAE S. LEE / THE TENNESSEAN

At Nashville, RHP Jim Henderson goes on the DL retroactive to 8/6. RHP Sean Green is activated off the DL.

Nashville Media NotesSam Narron pitching on three days' rest... Huntsville Media Notes

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 63 52 .548 - - 34-27 29-25 7-3 L1 Memphis 58 57 .504 5.0 24 34-21 24-36 6-4 W1 Nashville 57 59 .491 6.5 23 34-25 23-34 5-5 W1 Iowa 51 65 .440 12.5 17 31-26 20-39 5-5 W2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 25 17 .595 - - 10-10 15-7 6-4 L1 * Tennessee 23 20 .535 2.5 26 14-6 9-14 8-2 W1 Carolina 19 23 .452 6.0 22 9-11 10-12 5-5 L1 Huntsville 19 23 .452 6.0 22 8-14 11-9 5-5 L1 Jackson 18 25 .419 7.5 21 9-11 9-14 5-5 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 24 19 .558 - - 12-10 12-9 5-5 W3 Clearwater 22 21 .512 2.0 26 16-9 6-12 6-4 L1 Dunedin 22 21 .512 2.0 26 9-8 13-13 6-4 L2 * Daytona 21 22 .488 3.0 25 10-11 11-11 5-5 W1 Brevard County 18 21 .462 4.0 25 6-12 12-9 3-7 W1 Lakeland 18 22 .450 4.5 25 8-11 10-11 5-5 L1 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 22 20 .524 4.0 26 11-10 11-10 5-5 W1 Beloit 19 23 .452 7.0 23 10-11 9-12 3-7 W1 Cedar Rapids 17 25 .405 9.0 21 11-11 6-14 3-7 L3 Peoria 17 25 .405 9.0 21 9-12 8-13 7-3 W3 Wisconsin 17 25 .405 9.0 21 8-14 9-11 4-6 W1 * Burlington 14 28 .333 12.0 18 9-11 5-17 5-5 L1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Great Falls 6 2 .750 - - 3-2 3-0 6-2 L1 * Missoula 5 3 .625 1.0 30 4-1 1-2 5-3 W3 Billings 3 5 .375 3.0 28 1-2 2-3 3-5 W1 Helena 2 6 .250 4.0 27 0-3 2-3 2-6 L5 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 22 16 .579 - - 12-8 10-8 8-2 W3 AZL Reds 21 17 .553 1.0 18 11-8 10-9 7-3 W1 AZL Indians 20 18 .526 2.0 17 11-8 9-10 5-5 W2 AZL Brewers 8 28 .222 13.0 7 4-14 4-14 1-9 L7 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 38 17 .691 - - 20-8 18-9 4-6 L1 DSL Brewers 34 21 .618 4.0 14 17-11 17-10 6-4 W3 DSL Cardinals 21 34 .382 17.0 1 13-15 8-19 6-4 L2 DSL Athletics 20 37 .351 19.0 E 11-15 9-22 5-5 W1

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Completion of Suspended Game Brevard County Regularly Scheduled Game Wisconsin Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers

Monday Morning Prospect: Logan Schafer

Monday's Daily Menu: Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at Reno (Diamondbacks), 8:50 PM pre-game, 9:05 gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Nashville feed from the MiLB main audio page MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:43 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Select the Huntsville feed from the MiLB main audio page iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional Broadcast Live Audio Link -- Select the Tennessee feed from the MiLB main audio page Brevard County: First, it's the completion of Sunday's suspended game at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 4:05 PM gametime; (full details thus far here), it'd be a shame if the Manatees won't finish this set-up -- Brevard County Bottom of the 10th Pitcher Change: Kenny Faulk replaces Luke Putkonen. Juan Sanchez singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Kenny Faulk. Scooter Gennett singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Kenny Faulk. Juan Sanchez to 2nd. Then, it's RHP Mark Rogers in what appears will be a full nine-inning contest (don't hold us to that).Sorry, no audio available for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Eric Arnett at Kane County (Royals), 6:10 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Tommy Toledo at home vs. Billings (Reds), 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-Diamondbacks; 1:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Dodgers, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Final: @Missoula 12, Helena 9 Longballs power O's to win By Michael Heinbach of the Missoulian It wasn't the best of evenings for Missoula Osprey pitchers Sunday night at Ogren-Allegiance Park. But the way the O's swung their bats, it really didn't matter. Designated hitter Jon Griffin hit a pair of home runs, seldom-used catcher Bryan Henry also went deep and had three hits as Missoula totalled five longballs en route to a 12-9 Pioneer League victory over the Helena Brewers. While four Missoula hurlers were tagged for nine earned runs on 15 hits, the Osprey offense picked them up, belting 17 safeties of their own, including six extra-base hits as the O's completed a five-game homestand with four wins and their third straight. The Osprey improved to 5-3 in the season's second half and a league-best 30-16 overall. "I think that's what makes our team great this year and part of why we were Pioneer League (North Division) first-half champions," said Henry, who raised his batting average 63 points to .257 after going 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI stemming from his sixth-inning solo blast. "When our pitching doesn't come around, we have the type of offense where we can put up 12, 13 runs - those crooked numbers." Ryan Court and Ty Linton also went yard for the Osprey, while Fidel Pena, Tom Belza, Griffin, Court and Henry collected three hits apiece. Missoula third baseman Eric Groff extended his franchise-best hitting streak to 24 games with what was ruled an infield single on a ball misplayed by Helena shortstop Yadiel Rivera in the third. "(Helena) actually threw some pretty good arms at us today and we did really well against those good arms," Griffin said after slugging his ninth and 10th homers of the season. "The ball was really carrying out, not as much as I've seen carry out here, but it was carrying good enough for us." The Missoula defense backed its pitchers by playing error-free baseball and turned a total of four double plays, including a pair of 4-6-3 twin killings, a 1-6-3 and one of the strike-'em-out, throw-'em-out variety. Osprey starting pitcher Robby Rowland was mostly ineffective in his 5 1-3 innings of work, allowing six runs on seven hits while walking two and and fanning two. Winning pitcher Seth Simmons (2-0) wasn't much better in allowing a run on four hits in 1 1-3 and Matt Sample's ninth-inning relief appearance yielded two runs on three hits. Missoula's best pitching performance came from D.J. Johnson, who held the Brewers scoreless while giving up only one hit in 1 1-3 innings. Helena reliever Chad Pierce (1-4) took the loss. He entered a 6-6 game in the sixth and was immediately greeted by Linton, who smacked his first professional home run on a 2-2 fastball. After Pierce fanned Justin Bianco, Henry took him deep to left on an 0-1 count. "That's pretty much the name of the game at this level - when you get your opportunities you have to make the best of them," said Henry, who began the day 6 for 31 in just 10 appearances. Helena, which slipped to 2-6, 20-26, was led by designated hitter Ben McMahan, who was 4 for 5 with a double and his second home run of the season. Brewers right fielder Max Walla added three singles and three runs scored. Notes: The Osprey haven't lost consecutive games since June 27-28 when they dropped back-to-back contests at home to the Billings Mustangs. Since then, the O's are 27-10. ... Groff, who is eight games shy of tying the PBL's longest hitting streak of 32 games set by Chris Valaika of Billings in 2006, is hitting .412 (40 for 97) with 12 doubles a triple and seven home runs during the streak. ... The O's were one home run shy of tying the franchise record for homers in a game. They hit six on Aug. 25, 2004, against Casper and on Aug. 3, 2007, against Billings. Helena Box Score Brewers committed four errors, Osprey none; H-Crew pitchers didn't walk a single batter, but were much too hittable, obviously; starter Tyler Cravy struck out seven in five innings and was one of the "pretty good arms" referred to above, as was RHP David Goforth, who has seen his high velocity pitches punched around for 17 hits in his last nine innings (only one walk, just too much plate). Anxious to see what Max Walla does next year in Wisconsin in what will be his age 21 season. The Pioneer League is even more hitter-friendly than the Pacific Coast League, enjoy your numbers while you can, young bats... Helena Play-by-Play

Final: Tennessee 11, @Huntsville 4 Huntsville Box Score There are no newspaper reports, team press releases, etc., available on this contest, and it's just as well; Kyle Heckathorn allowed three earned runs over the first four innings, but didn't retire any of the four batters he faced in the 5th, and R.J. Seidel allowed all three inherited runners to score while then allowing three more in what became a seven-run frame for the Smokies; it got to the point where veteran infielder Anderson Machado tossed the 9th inning (scoreless of course, don't they always?); so after four mundane starts to begin his AA career, Hechathorn has been crunched twice; Khris Davis singled twice in five trips to get his AA average up to .200 after 40 AB's; four others had multi-hit efforts for the Stars, but that didn't matter here... Huntsville Play-by-Play Cover your eyes -- Tennessee Top of the 5th Junior Lake doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Khris Davis. Trey McNutt walks. James Adduci singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Kyle Heckathorn. Junior Lake to 3rd. Trey McNutt to 2nd. Jae-Hoon Ha singles on a fly ball to left fielder Khris Davis. Junior Lake scores. Trey McNutt to 3rd. James Adduci to 2nd. Pitcher Change: R. J. Seidel replaces Kyle Heckathorn, batting 9th. With Josh Vitters batting, wild pitch by R. Seidel, Trey McNutt scores. James Adduci to 3rd. Jae-Hoon Ha to 2nd. Josh Vitters strikes out swinging. R. J. Seidel intentionally walks Blake Lalli. Luis Flores pops out to catcher Dayton Buller in foul territory. Nelson Perez walks. James Adduci scores. Jae-Hoon Ha to 3rd. Blake Lalli to 2nd. David Macias walks. Jae-Hoon Ha scores. Blake Lalli to 3rd. Nelson Perez to 2nd. Junior Lake singles on a fly ball to right fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Blake Lalli scores. Nelson Perez scores. David Macias to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ty Wright replaces Trey McNutt. Ty Wright singles on a soft ground ball to third baseman Zelous Wheeler. David Macias scores. Junior Lake to 2nd. James Adduci grounds out softly, third baseman Zelous Wheeler to first baseman Steffan Wilson.

Huntsville routed 11-4, Helena out-muscled, 12-9 Details in a bit, box score links above for now...

Nashville Audio Archive -- August 7 - Chat with Manager Don Money

Final: Nashville 11, @Reno 5 Sounds Win Series Opener In Reno, 11-5 Nashville Sounds RENO, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds opened the second portion of their West Coast road trip with an 11-5 victory over Reno on Sunday evening at Aces Ballpark in the first game of a four-game series. The win marked the seventh straight series opener victory for Nashville (57-59). The Sounds took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Logan Schafer led off the contest with a single and later scored on a Mat Gamel groundout. Reno responded with a pair of runs in the home half of the frame when cleanup hitter Andy Tracy belted a two-out, two-run homer to right off Nashville starter Frankie De La Cruz. The veteran's 14th big fly of the season gave the Aces a short-lived 2-1 advantage. Nashville exploded for four runs to grab a 5-2 lead in the top of the second, with three of those scores coming on Schafer's second Triple-A home run - a three-run shot to right off Reno starter Wade Miley. The Sounds added a run in the third on catcher Mike Rivera's leadoff homer to left off Miley, his seventh roundtripper of the year. A two-out walk came back to haunt De La Cruz in the fourth as Reno cut the Sounds' lead to 6-3. After Juan Miranda drew the free pass, Konrad Schmidt and Angel Berroa strung together back-to-back, two-out singles to plate the Aces' third run of the night. In the top of the seventh, Nashville plated a run against ex-Sound Jeff Bennett when Eric Farris led off with a double and later scored on a Gamel RBI single. In the bottom of the inning, Reno got a double of runs back from De La Cruz to make it a 7-5 game. Schmidt led off by belting his ninth homer of the year for Reno, a solo shot to left. After a pair of singles and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with one out, Mark Hallberg hit a comebacker to De La Cruz that drove in Berroa from third. Edwin Maysonet (4-for-5) delivered a big two-out, two-run single against Bennett in the top of the eighth to extend the Sounds' lead back to four runs at 9-5. Both runs crossed home in unearned fashion following a fielding error by Berroa at shortstop earlier in the frame. Nashville closed out the night's scoring with a pair of ninth-inning runs against Aces reliever Brian Stokes. Sounds third baseman Taylor Green led off the frame with his 19th home run of the season, a solo shot to right off that extended the visitors' lead to 10-5. Gamel followed Green's blast with a single and later scored on a two-out Brandon Boggs double. De La Cruz (7-6) picked up a victory for his fourth consecutive start for the Sounds. He allowed five runs on six hits while striking out seven batters and walking five in 6 2/3 innings of action. Miley (3-1) suffered his first defeat of the year after giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits in six frames of action. The teams continue the series with a 9:05 PM CT contest on Monday. Left-hander Sam Narron (5-5, 4.78) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Reno right-hander Barry Enright (8-3, 5.14). Nashville Box Score 16 hits for the good guys; it would take real patience and statistical adjustment among fans to follow one of these western-based PCL squads all season -- as it is, we have to digest properly these Nashville road trips; that being said, keep whackin'! Nashville Play-by-Play Frankie De La Cruz' 126 K's (in 137 innings) leads the PCL.

After three successful starts down in Maryvale (stats), LHP Del Howell returns to the Timber Rattlers. RHP Maverick Lasker (stats) is placed on the DL, no word on the nature or severity of any injury, real or "convenient".