Jim Goulart

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chase Wright at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:15 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- It's the Lookouts' feed... Brevard County: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Beloit (Twins), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: TBD (likely RHP Eric Arnett) at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 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: at the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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Three ex-Huntsville Stars will start as National League All-Stars; shame so few appreciated them here By Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Ala. -- This is about a team called "Lemon's Juice," an apathetic fan base that doesn't know what it missed, some baseball history and how sometimes things do live up to the hype. All that as the wrapping to the accomplishments of three spectacular players. There are sports fans in Huntsville who stubbornly cling to early days of the Stars' franchise, with selective memory of watching Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire. There are those - I hear this once a month at least - who complain that an affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers caused them to lose interest. There are tens of thousands of other sports fans in the area whose apathy toward the Stars has screamed loudly. Now hear this: One-third of the starting National League All-Star team consists of former Huntsville Stars. That would be first baseman Prince Fielder, second baseman Rickie Weeks and outfielder Ryan Braun, all with the Brewers. "It means the Milwaukee Brewers have arrived on the national scene," Braun told The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Shame these guys never really arrived here, never really resonated with local fans. (A case for inclusion on the teams could be made for two other former Stars, Padres reliever Mike Adams, with a 1.34 ERA over the last 2 1/2 seasons as a set-up man, and Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, with 20 homers, 50 RBI; he was runner-up to Fielder in last year's Home Run Derby on All-Star eve.) Not since 1988 have three former Huntsville players started on the same All-Star team, when McGwire, Canseco and catcher Terry Steinbach did so. That was during a stretch in which McGwire was a starter four years out of five, his streak interrupted by ... Cecil Fielder, Prince's father. As dire and depressing as it may be on an average night at Joe Davis Masoleum these days, it's been a long process of erosion, this disinterest in the Stars. When Fielder and Weeks were Huntsville mainstays in 2004, along with Tony Gwynn Jr. (now with the Dodgers), the Stars drew 180,506. When Braun played here in 2006, sparking an unprecedented streak of 36 wins in the last 47 games, the Stars drew only 158,775. Fielder, Weeks and Braun have undeniably lived up to the hype. Braun, 27, was the fifth player picked in the 2005 draft. He was a college All-America at Miami. Weeks, 28, was the second player picked in the 2003 draft. He was the college player of the year at Southern University. He is enjoying a career season, batting .278 with 15 homers and his best fielding percentage yet. Fielder, 26, was the seventh player picked in the 2002 draft. He was a prodigy whom old players recall hitting tape-measure homers in big league parks while taking batting practice with his dad. At his current pace, he'll be the 2011 National League MVP. Fielder and Weeks have all but been a tandem act in their careers. Their path that winds to the All-Star Game on July 12, that spun underappreciated through Huntsville in 2004, began many years before. Chet Lemon, a former big league outfielder, had an AAU baseball team in Lake Mary, Fla., just outside Orlando. "Chet Lemon's Juice," he called it. Among his players in the mid-1990s were Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks. A simple mention of that team is guaranteed to bring a smile to Fielder and Weeks. Lemon would recall years later that Fielder was a big kid even then and that Weeks was painfully quiet and shy. That much hasn't changed. "Man," Lemon said, "we traveled the country with those youngsters." What a trip they're on now. Prince Fielder, center, and Rickie Weeks during their days with the Huntsville Stars, along with teammate Tony Gwynn Jr. (now with L.A. Dodgers) Photo by The Huntsville Times / Patricia Miklik Doyle http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9765137-large.jpg

Chattanoogan Photo by Tim Evearitt Huntville's Logan Schafer steals third base in the first inning. http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_204503_large.jpg

Helena Box Score Disappointing followup to a stellar outing for starter Tyler Cravy; how much more patience do we need with RHP Seth Lintz, scored upon in all four of his two-inning outings thus far -- many of us wrote off that 2nd round pick long ago, prove us wrong, Seth; CF Ruben Ozuna committed two of the team's five errors; RF Max Walla cooled off, 0-for-4 with three K's; this team loves to hack away -- one walk and 14 more K's, Ned Yost IV needs to get a hold of these guys... Helena Play-by-Play

Final: @Great Falls 9, Helena 3 Helena Independent Record recaps the road game -- GREAT FALLS — The Great Falls Voyagers came up with some fireworks of their own on the Fourth of July. The hosting Voyagers shelled Helena Brewers starting pitcher Tyler Cravy for seven hits and six earned runs in the first four innings and breezed to a 9-3 Pioneer League North Division win Monday in front of a holiday crowd of 4,103 at sunny Centene Stadium. The loss drops the Brewers to 8-7 on the season and locked in a first-place tie with Billings in the division. Great Falls improves to 7-8. Voyagers starter Blair Walters worked a stellar five innings while his team pounded out the early lead. He struck out eight and scattered just three hits while allowing no walks to get his first win of the season. Great Falls designated hitter Andrew Douglas led his team by going 3-for-4 at the plate, all singles, while scoring a run and plating three RBIs. Voyagers left fielder Michael Earley also went 3-for-4, adding a double and an RBI. Helena designated hitter Parker Berberet’s three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning provided the sum of the visitors’ scoring on the night and was his only hit. First baseman Nick Ramirez and left fielder Kenny Allison had two hits apiece for Helena.

Sounds pitcher hopes second stop in Nashville is his last Hand works back from Double-A by Austen Gregerson | The Tennessean Pitcher Donovan Hand hopes his second chance with the Sounds will help him reach the major leagues. The 6-foot-4 right-hander made 21 relief appearances to close the 2010 season in Nashville, but he started the 2011 season in Double-A Huntsville. After nine relief appearances there, he was called up to Nashville in May. Since then, he is 1-4 with a 3.81 ERA in 19 relief appearances, entering Monday night’s game. “I’ve been living the dream I’ve had since I was 5 years old, and now it’s all becoming real,” said Hand, 25. “You’re a phone call away from going up to the majors at any time, and seeing some of the guys I came up with get called up gives me hope. “It’s the weirdest thing because from high school to college you’re team-oriented, and I’m not saying we’re not team-oriented here, but if you do good personally it’s a good day. It is a little weird, but you root and cheer for each other because the better they do, the better you do, and you have to keep up.” Since being drafted by the Brewers in the 14th round of the 2007 draft, the former Jacksonville State pitcher has progressed through the farm system. Sounds Manager Don Money said Hand didn’t have a direct role in starting the season back in Huntsville. When roster spots are limited and a veteran’s talents need to be evaluated quickly, a prospect tends to take the hit. “In (Hand’s) case, it was just a numbers game,” Money said. “When Milwaukee added pitchers to their bullpen through free agency it forced other guys down here, so there just wasn’t any space for him in the beginning of the year.” This time, he’s made good on his opportunity. “As bad as it is to say, something bad has got to happen up (in Milwaukee) for me to get the call,” Hand said. “Either an injury or someone pitching really badly has to happen, but you also have to be pitching really well at the time it happens.” http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20110705&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=307050031&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0

Helena Brewers manager Joe Ayrault and pitchers Seth Harvey and Seth Lintz recall their favorite memories about Independence Day.

Final: @AZL Brewers 3, AZL Indians 2 Arizona Box Score Here's your Mark Rogers appearance -- AZL Indians Top of the 1st Jose Ramirez lines out to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. Jairo Kelly walks. Charlie Valerio grounds into a force out, second baseman Kevin Berard to shortstop Renaldo Jenkins. Jairo Kelly out at 2nd. Charlie Valerio to 1st. With Erik Gonzalez batting, Charlie Valerio steals (1) 2nd base. Erik Gonzalez grounds out, second baseman Kevin Berard to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. After that, RHP Francisco Rivero (2 IP) and LHP Manuel Ruiz (4 IP) kept the Indians off the board, and RHP Jose Oviedo (1 IP, 1 unearned run) and LHP Conner Whalen each survived just well enough to allow the A-Crew to hold on for a much-needed win. The 6'5" Ruiz remains intriguing -- the 22-year-old has fanned 67 in 45 pro innings. C Adam Weisenburger, DH'ing here, was 2-for-4 with a double, C Jimmie Pharr was on base three times -- 1-for-2 with two walks, 2B Kevin Berard doubled and walked, and 3B Andres Martinez walked twice and added a sacrifice fly; Pharr had an interesting day on the negative side as well -- caught stealing (twice!), catcher's interference, and passed ball... Arizona Play-by-Play LF Jose Garcia's lone hit, a leadoff triple, was huge, and led to the game-winner as it turned out -- AZL Brewers Bottom of the 7th Defensive switch from third base to first base for Erik Gonzalez. Robel Garcia remains in the game as the third baseman. Pitcher Change: Drew Rucinski replaces Xavier De Los Santos. Jose R. Garcia triples (2) on a line drive to right fielder Chia-Ching Lin. Andres Martinez out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Luigi Rodriguez. Jose R. Garcia scores. Malcolm Dowell strikes out swinging. Kevin Berard grounds out, pitcher Drew Rucinski to shortstop Jorge Martinez to first baseman Erik Gonzalez.

VIDEO: Another Caleb Gindl home run, this one off a southpaw (his 1st off a LHP this year)

Nashville Audio Archive -- July 4 - Chat with reliever Tim Dillard

Making room for Tim Dillard at Nashville, RHP Mark DiFelice goes on the 7-day DL (undisclosed injury status).

Just as I predicted http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif, Patrick Arlis remains entrenched as the 3rd active Nashville catcher and pitcher Mark DiFelice is placed on the DL with an undisclosed injury. We'll note it for posterity in the Transaction Thread.

Packed House Watches Sounds Beat Redbirds, 5-4 Sounds walk off with hit by pitch in bottom of the ninth Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Greer Stadium crowd of 9,944 fans watched the Nashville Sounds top the division-rival Memphis Redbirds in an exciting 5-4 victory on Independence Day in the opener of a three-game series. In the bottom of the ninth inning with the bases loaded, outfielder Brett Carroll was hit by a Chuckie Fick inside fastball to force the game-winning run to score from third base. Nashville loaded the bases earlier in the inning on a walk, base hit, and Memphis fielding error. You can listen to the game-winning HBP via the link to the game summary page, leading off this post. Nashville (38-46) has now played a PCL-high 39 one-run games this season, going 17-22 in those contests. Four of the five contests with Memphis this season have been decided by one run. A combined four homers were hit in the contest by both clubs. Brandon Boggs and Erick Almonte each went yard for the Sounds. Eric Farris went 2-for-5 from the leadoff spot to extend his hitting streak to a season-best 10 games, the longest active streak on the club. In a no-decision, Sounds starter Josh Butler surrendered three runs on seven hits while fanning nine over seven innings, both a season-high. His nine strikeouts on the evening matched a season-best set by Frankie De La Cruz on April 20 at New Orleans. The quality start was Butler's second in a row and fourth of the season. The Sounds jumped on the board to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Boggs worked a four-pitch walk, stole second base, and came home to score as Jordan Brown doubled down the right field line. Memphis took a 2-1 lead in the in the next frame. Adron Chambers hit an infield single and was followed by a two-run homer over the wall in right field by shortstop Tyler Greene, his first of the season. Boggs knotted the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth with his seventh homer of the season over the right field picnic area. Redbirds catcher Bryan Anderson untied the game in the top of the seventh with his fourth homer of the season. Nashville plated two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to take their first lead at 3-2. After Edwin Maysonet looped a lazy single over the shortstop's head, the pinch-hitter extraordinaire Almonte belted a two-run shot off Memphis' Corey Rauschenberger that just missed the guitar-shaped scoreboard in left center. The homer was Almonte's third of the season and second in a pinch-hitting role. The Almonte homer moved the Sounds to a perfect 5-for-5 with a homer, double, walk, and six RBIs in their last six pinch-hit opportunities. The Redbirds tied the contest at 4-4 in the next frame. Tim Dillard came into the contest to relieve Butler and allowed consecutive singles to Greene and Nick Stavinoha. Donovan Solano then singled to center field to score Greene for the tying run. Dillard (4-1) gave up one run while scattering five hits in two innings pitched for the win. Dillard is now one win away from tying Keith Brown's (1988-92) franchise-leading 35 wins in Nashville Sounds history. Memphis starter Adam Ottavino pitched a quality start for the Redbirds, allowing two runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in six innings. Rich Rundles (1-3) was charged with the loss. The Sounds and division-rival Memphis Redbirds continue their brief three-game series at 7:05 PM CT on Tuesday night at Greer Stadium. Nashville left-hander Chase Wright (5-5, 5.43) toes the rubber against Memphis southpaw Nick Additon (2-4, 3.38).

And in his ultra-detailed Rattler Radio blog postgame thoughts, we learn what happened. Click the link, you know you want to. Chris has really found his rythym with the use for the blog now. While I could appreciate his efforts, those pre-2011 posts regarding other Midwest League games or Mariner-based alumni were worthwhile for a few, but it just seems like Mr. Mehring is having a blast this season (a competitive Rattler squad helps). And to think that in early April, he limited himself to what, three post-game thoughts?

'Tees topped by Threshers on 4th of July Third straight loss for Brevard County By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- In front of a crowd of 6,772 fans, the Brevard County Manatees fell 5-1 to the Clearwater Threshers on Monday night. The loss was the third in a row for the 'Tees. Manatees (27-43 overall, 5-5 second half) starting pitcher Nick Bucci went 5 2/3 innings and allowed four runs - two earned - on four hits, while striking out three and walking three. Brevard County fell in a 2-0 hole in the fourth, when Clearwater's Jeremy Barnes hit a two-out, two-run homer to left. Khris Davis led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer to cut it to a 2-1 game. It was the 13th homer of the season for Davis and his third in the last five games. Clearwater (39-30, 5-7) would extend its lead in the sixth as they scored two to chase Bucci from the game. They would score again in the seventh to make it 5-1. For the 'Tees, other than the Khris Davis homer, they managed just three runners getting past first base. Hunter Morris was the only Manatee who notched a multi-hit game as he went 2-for-4. Brevard County will look to end their three-game skid as they play host to the Threshers again on Tuesday night at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central), in the second game of a four-game set. Hiram Burgos (3-3, 3.48) is slated to take the hill Tuesday night for the 'Tees, while the Threshers will send Brody Colvin (1-3, 4.61) to the mound. Nick Bucci allowed two earned runs in 5 2/3 innings and Khris Davis hit his 13th homer of the season as the Manatees fell 5-1 to the Threshers, in front of 6,772 fans on the 4th of July. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/07/04/Pu2YTLhX.jpg

From those media notes -- Tim Dillard is expected to join the Nashville roster prior to gametime. A counter move will have to be made to activate him. If it's not 3rd catcher Patrick Arlis back to the DL reliever Mark DiFelice going on the DL with an undisclosed (and thus who could have predicted?) injury, then I'll never predict a transaction again. Actually, would you guys hold me to that? Yikes, sweating it out now...

Nashville Media Notes

Tom's Tweet -- http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/433886516/HaudricourtandPhilliePhanat_normal.jpg @Haudricourt Tom #Brewers GM Doug Melvin visited Class A Brevard County and came back raving about closer Santo Manzanillo. Said he reached 99 mph.

At Wisconsin, OF Reggie Keen is off the 7-day DL, INF Mike Brownstein goes on, as per Chris Mehring's tweet.

Rattler Radio Media Notes

Brewers blank Voyagers by Jesse Geleynse, Great Falls Tribune With its high elevation and an almost constant wind blowing to the outfield, Centene Stadium does not lend itself to a lot of shutouts. But Sunday proved an exception as the Great Falls Voyagers lost a 3-0 decision to the visiting Helena Brewers in front of 1,332 fans as Helena pitchers Andy Moye and David Goforth combined to four-hit the Voyagers and avenge Saturday's 9-8 Great Falls win. "(That was a) phenomonal job by Moye and Goforth today," said Helena manager Joe Ayrault. "Both had been throwing the ball well and have been very impressive since minicamp. It was a good way to respond after last night's loss late in the ball game and it was a good way for us to bounce back in a day game with a victory." Moye (2-0) worked the first six innings and allowed three hits as he struck out six. Both of the lanky right-hander's wins have come against the Voyagers as Moye beat Great Falls 5-4 on June 28. "That's a good arm we ran into tonight," Voyagers manager Ryan Newman said of Moye. "We faced him over there in Helena, too, and he pitched really well there. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap — the kid did an outstanding job." The Brewers did not miss a beat when Goforth took over in the seventh inning. Goforth, whose fastball topped out in the mid-90s, allowed one hit and fanned two to pick up his first save of the season as he and Moye faced just two batters more than the minimum. Moye received all the support he needed when the Brewers struck for two runs in the top of the fifth. Parker Berberet led off with a single and Tyler Roberts followed with a walk. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Berberet scored on a groundout by Max Walla. Kyle Dhanani drove home Roberts with another groundout and Helena led 2-0. The Brewers added another run in the top of the seventh. Roberts stroked a one-out double and Walla scored him with a single to right field. "Guys stuck with it and had good at-bats," Ayrault said. "We got great defense and pitching and a timely knock today. You're gonna win every time, pretty much." Voyagers starter Sam Phippen (0-2) suffered his second loss at the hand of the Brewers. The pitcher of record for the Voyagers on June 28, Phippen was perfect through three innings before allowing singles to Ruben Ozuna and Yadiel Rivera in the fourth. But Phippen later picked Ozuna off and Rivera was caught stealing to end the inning as Phippen faced the minimum himself through four. Kevin Vance allowed one run in three innings of four-hit relief for Great Falls before yielding to Cody Winiarski, who pitched a scoreless ninth. "A 3-0 ballgame, that's good pitching all the way around," Newman said. "Phip gave us a great effort, five solid innings, and Vance came in and did outstanding." Ozuna finished 2-for-4 while Berberet was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Roberts had a hit and scored twice while Walla finished with two RBIs. Herbek, Michael Earley, Martin Medina and Jeffer Patino had singles for Great Falls (6-8), which slid back into a tie for third place with Missoula in the North Division standings. The Brewers (8-6) climbed back into a tie for first place with Billings. "You're going to have your streaks and how you come into the ballpark every single day has to be the same," Ayrault said. "You have top hit the 'reset' button every day when you come through the door and be ready to play and win every day." Monday's game will feature Blair Walters (0-0, 7.71) starting for the Voyagers against Tyler Cravy (1-0, 3.00) of the Brewers.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 46 38 .548 - - 26-18 20-20 6-4 L1 Memphis 45 38 .542 0.5 61 27-16 18-22 6-4 W4 Iowa 41 43 .488 5.0 56 24-20 17-23 9-1 W3 Nashville 37 46 .446 8.5 53 25-18 12-28 5-5 L4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 8 3 .727 - - 4-1 4-2 8-2 L1 * Tennessee 7 4 .636 1.0 59 5-1 2-3 7-3 W2 Huntsville 6 5 .545 2.0 58 4-2 2-3 6-4 L1 Carolina 4 7 .364 4.0 56 3-2 1-5 3-7 L2 Jackson 4 7 .364 4.0 56 2-4 2-3 4-6 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Brevard County 5 4 .556 - - 3-1 2-3 5-4 L2 * Daytona 6 5 .545 - - 1-2 5-3 6-4 L1 Dunedin 6 5 .545 - - 3-2 3-3 6-4 W1 Tampa 6 5 .545 - - 5-3 1-2 5-5 W2 Lakeland 4 5 .444 1.0 60 2-1 2-4 4-5 L1 Clearwater 4 7 .364 2.0 58 3-5 1-2 3-7 W1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Beloit 7 3 .700 - - 3-1 4-2 7-3 L1 Kane County 7 3 .700 - - 2-2 5-1 7-3 W1 Clinton 6 4 .600 1.0 60 3-3 3-1 6-4 W1 * Burlington 5 5 .500 2.0 59 3-3 2-2 5-5 W1 Wisconsin 5 5 .500 2.0 59 2-4 3-1 5-5 W2 Quad Cities 4 6 .400 3.0 58 2-4 2-2 4-6 L1 Cedar Rapids 3 7 .300 4.0 57 1-3 2-4 3-7 L2 Peoria 3 7 .300 4.0 57 0-4 3-3 3-7 L1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Billings 8 6 .571 - - 5-4 3-2 6-4 L1 Helena 8 6 .571 - - 5-2 3-4 5-5 W1 Great Falls 6 8 .429 2.0 23 2-3 4-5 4-6 L1 Missoula 6 8 .429 2.0 23 3-4 3-4 5-5 W1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 8 3 .727 - - 4-2 4-1 7-3 L1 AZL Indians 5 6 .455 3.0 43 3-3 2-3 4-6 L2 AZL Reds 5 6 .455 3.0 43 4-2 1-4 5-5 L1 AZL Brewers 2 9 .182 6.0 40 0-5 2-4 2-8 L8 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 22 8 .733 - - 11-4 11-4 7-3 W4 DSL Brewers 20 11 .645 2.5 40 9-6 11-5 5-5 L4 DSL Athletics 10 21 .323 12.5 30 6-8 4-13 3-7 L2 DSL Cardinals 10 21 .323 12.5 30 6-11 4-10 4-6 W2

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