Jim Goulart

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

Final: AZL Reds 7, @AZL Brewers 4 Arizona Box Score Down to 109 degrees Tuesday night; as discussed above, the one-inning starts, including this one by 6'6" 2010 13th round pick RHP Michael White, are getting disconcerting without more details from the Brewers; undrafted free agent RHP Greg Davis had the sharpest line among the three relief arms (3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 BB) but fanned none; the A-Crew drew only one walk (Ronny Puello), and 23-year-old C/ DH Steve Felix, an undrafted free agent signee last year, had the only multi-hit game -- Felix is 9-for-19 with three extra-base hits in the early going; as in past years, it's tough to find much in terms of highly regarded name recognition on the Maryvale squad -- it's up to the players there to set themselves apart, although it's tough to do so on a Hernan Iribarren-Lorenzo Cain scale. The list of players who became prominent prospects who first excelled at Maryvale (vs. starting off at Helena) is short. Hopefully DSL imports like Ruben Ozuna add to the list. Arizona Play-by-Play Brewers led, 4-1, heading to the 7th -- then the Red-Leggettes showed some thump: AZL Reds Top of the 7th Jon Matthews singles on a line drive to right fielder Ronny Puello. Phillip Bauer walks. Jon Matthews to 2nd. Robert Ramirez flies out to right fielder Ronny Puello. Wagner Gomez homers (1) on a fly ball to right field. Jon Matthews scores. Phillip Bauer scores. Brandon Dailey pops out to second baseman Kevin Berard. Humberto Valor grounds out, third baseman Andres Martinez to first baseman Steve Felix. AZL Reds Top of the 8th Pitcher Change: Elliott Glynn replaces Jeffrey Saba. Josef Terry strikes out swinging. Carlos Sanchez doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Matthew Franco. Spencer Dickinson triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Ozuna. Carlos Sanchez scores. Jon Matthews doubles (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Matthew Franco. Spencer Dickinson scores. Phillip Bauer grounds out, third baseman Andres Martinez to first baseman Steve Felix. Robert Ramirez strikes out swinging.

Actually, there is a trio joining the Rattlers (in time to play at Miller Park Wednesday night?), so we can expect roster shakeup news this afternoon. This from Nicholas Allen in Helena -- Following the contest, three Helena Brewers were promoted to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Low-A, Midwest League). Pitcher Skyler Crawford, catcher Joey Paciorek and 1B/OF Jason Rogers were all transferred. Crawford and Paciorek had been with Helena on injury rehab stints. Well, Rogers too, given his broken hand.

Final: @Helena 5, Great Falls 4 Brewers Slam Way to Series Split By Nicholas Allen, Helena Brewers It was another nail-biter at Kindrick Legion Field as the Helena Brewers defeated the Great Falls Voyagers 5-4 Tuesday. Yadiel Rivera provided the big blow in the bottom of the fifth inning, a grand slam off Voyagers pitcher Sam Phippen (0-1) that stretched the Brewers' lead to 5-0. The Voyagers would add runs in the sixth and ninth, but it was too little too late as the Brewers held on for the victory. Great Falls threatened early, working the leadoff hitter aboard in each of the first two innings. Four Voyagers earned hits in the first two frames despite batting practice being cancelled due to a late afternoon storm cell that forced the tarp onto the surface before the game. Brewers starter Andy Moye (1-0) was able to work himself out of the early jams, going on to pitch five scoreless innings and earn his first professional victory. The 2011 draft pick out of Georgia Southern would retire the final 12 batters he faced, striking out six. The Brewers got on the board in the third when John Dishon drove a ball to the right field wall. As he played the ricochet, Great Falls right fielder Randall Thorpe crumpled in pain with an apparent leg injury. Despite his best efforts to get the relay into the infield, Dishon sprinted home for an inside-the-park home run. Thorpe would be forced to leave the game. The Voyagers would not go quietly after Rivera's grand slam, scoring two unearned runs off Helena's David Goforth, who pitched three innings in his professional debut. Alan Williams pitched the ninth, allowing two runs, for his Pioneer League leading third save of the season. The Brewers will start a six game road trip Wednesday night in Billings. After a three game set against the Mustangs, Helena will travel for a weekend series against the Voyagers in Great Falls. In 2011, the Brewers are 1-1 in road games having split a two-game set in Missoula. *** Rivera’s slam helps Brewers to victory by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record Helena’s hot hitting shortstop Yadiel Rivera was a late scratch from Monday’s lineup due to illness. A day later, he found himself in the dentist’s chair receiving a root canal just hours before the Brewers game against Great Falls. No big deal. Rivera belted his first career grand slam in the fifth inning Tuesday, keeping his home hitting streak alive at six games and helping Helena to a 5-4 victory. The win was the Brewers’ sixth of the season, all of them coming by one run. It also snapped the team’s recent two-game skid. “It was very important,” Rivera said through pitching coach Elvin Nina, who served as a translator for the Puerto Rican. “It motivates the team to get ourselves back in a winning streak.” Andy Moye dazzled, fanning six and giving up just four hits through five innings of work. The starting right-hander earned the win, while closer Alan Williams worked out of a jam in the ninth for his Pioneer League-leading third save. Williams issued a leadoff walk to Mark Haddow, before giving up a single to Martin Medina. He then pelted Voyagers catcher Brent Tanner to load the bases with no outs. After recovering by striking out Jerry Puentes, the southpaw was hit hard by Andrew Douglas, whose RBI single — his first as a pro — put Great Falls within two runs. Medina then came home on a wild pitch to make it 5-4 and keep the Voyagers’ hopes alive. But as has been the case all year, Great Falls failed to complete the comeback. Williams responded with a second strikeout, then David Herbek flied out to right, where Max Walla was camped under it to make the final out. “I’ve been in that situation plenty of times, so I knew how to work out of it,” said the cool, confident Williams, an independent league signee. “I trust my stuff. Tonight there was a little wildness with my fastball, but I can always depend on my curveball.” Voyagers starter Sam Phippen suffered his first loss of the season, giving up his first earned runs. The 6-foot-9 product out of UC Santa Barbara — the only athlete in the country to play Division I baseball and basketball a year ago — faced 20 Brewers in 4 1/3 innings. He was tagged with his first earned runs of the year, all via the long ball, while walking two and striking out three. John Dishon was the first batter to really get to Phippen. The centerfielder led off the third inning with the Brewers’ first hit of the game. What appeared to be a double off the bat quickly turned into an inside-the-park home run, Dishon’s second of the year, as right fielder Randall Thorpe went down with an injury. As Dishon rounded the bases to put the Brewers on the board 1-0, Thorpe writhed in pain for several minutes before finally exiting the game with what appeared to be a serious injury to his right leg. Dishon, who entered the game batting just .105, reached again two innings later on a bunt single. That came sandwiched between of pair of base hits, loading the bags to set up Rivera for his bomb. The .300 hitter took a fastball over the right-centerfield wall, chasing Phippen and putting the hosts up 5-0. The Voyagers (4-5) tacked on a pair of runs in the fifth off reliever David Goforth, also seeing his first action as a pro. Goforth retired six straight to get through his next two innings scoreless, before the visitors’ attempt at a rally against Williams. Brewers manager Joe Ayrault was happy with how his team bounced back, responding to adversity after back-to-back losses by six and seven runs, respectively. “Not even thinking about (the skid), I was just happy with how we came out, with our energy level,” he said. Tuesday’s batting practice was cut short due to an afternoon thunderstorm. “Moye set the tone early in the game ... Dishon, getting his second inside-the-park homer, he’s just a fast runner who kept rolling. Then Yadi came up big for us.” Ayrault was also pleased with how his squad held off Great Falls in the final frame. “That’s what a closer has to do,” he said of Williams. “It’s always going to be a pressure situation. Some guys tuck their tail, but he never did.” Transactions: RHP Drew Gagnon and 1B Nick Ramirez, Milwaukee’s third- and fourth-round picks, were added to Helena’s roster Tuesday. Helena Box Score Would you undergo a root canal if it got you your first pro grand slam? Congratulations, Yadiel Rivera. Helena Play-by-Play Andy Moye surrendered three singles in the first without a run, and then take a look at his 2nd inning -- sweet! Great Falls Top of the 1st Qualon Millender singles on a line drive to left fielder Kenneth Allison. David Herbek grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to second baseman Adrian Williams to first baseman Michael Nemeth. Qualon Millender out at 2nd. Joe De Pinto singles on a ground ball to third baseman Kyle Dhanani. Michael Earley singles on a line drive to left fielder Kenneth Allison. Joe De Pinto to 2nd. Randall Thorpe strikes out swinging. Great Falls Top of the 2nd Martin Medina doubles (2) on a ground ball to left fielder Kenneth Allison. With Brent Tanner batting, wild pitch by Andrew Moye, Martin Medina to 3rd. Brent Tanner strikes out swinging. Jerry Puentes strikes out swinging. Andrew Douglas strikes out swinging. Photo by Eliza Wiley, Helena Independent Record - Helena Brewers David Goforth fires one in as Great Falls Mark Haddow thinks about making a run for second during the 5th inning Tuesday night http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/8/97/897f44ae-a216-11e0-9d27-001cc4c002e0/4e0ac1ea19957.image.jpg

Interesting Cory Provus pre-game interview with Mat Gamel prior to last night's game vs. Yankees

The most recent video highlights from Nashville -- Mat Gamel's final home run before his callup, his 18th Mike Rivera bases-clearing double

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 28 - Chat with Outfielder Caleb Gindl

Chris Mehring's audio / video highlights and thoughts following another Rattler loss -- chin up, Chris!

Rattlers' Chris Dennis is the prize by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post Crescent The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers as an organization are very involved in the community from putting on baseball clinics for children to fund-raising activities. Tuesday night during the game against the Peoria Chiefs the Timber Rattlers offered themselves up as dates. Yep. It was sort of the board game "Mystery Date" meets "The Dating Game" meets Minor League Baseball. The purpose was to raise funds for the Christine Ann Center. "The Timber Rattlers do a lot of that stuff," Rattlers outfielder and "Win-A-Date" winner Chris Dennis said. "Whatever I can do to contribute, whatever they put it toward, you know it's helping somebody. Whatever I can do and whatever the Timber Rattlers want me to do, I'm more than happy to help out." One thing the Rattlers' sauve, debonair bachelor won't have to do is plan the date. "I have no idea," said Dennis about what the date will entail. "They told me you will be taking a girl out on a date. It's part of the gig and I'm looking forward to it. It's all fun." All the Rattlers who participated as well as those fans who bought tickets to be a part of the contest deserve a pat on the back for making fun at the ballpark beneficial for a worthwhile organization.

Struggling Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lose again to Peoria Chiefs by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post-Crescent GRAND CHUTE — After finishing the first half of the Midwest League season by winning five of their last seven games and winning their first game after the Midwest League all-star break, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have hit a rough patch. Tuesday's 4-1 loss to Peoria at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium extended the losing streak to four games and dropped Wisconsin four games out of first less than a week into the second half of the season. "Everyone has just got to relax," Rattlers left fielder Chris Dennis said. "We came off a high trying to get into the playoffs in the first half. I don't know whether we're being complacent to start the second half, but we showed some good things. Obviously, we don't want to get too many games behind, but I think everybody will realize that, relax and play ball as we can." The Rattlers, who have scored only 16 runs in their last five games, chased Chiefs starting pitcher Graham Hicks after he walked two batters and gave up three consecutive singles to start the fourth inning. Brent Ebinger relieved Hicks and needed three pitches to get the final two outs of the inning. Rattlers manager Matt Erickson addressed how he wants his batters to approach such a situation. "It depends on the situation and who they're bringing in and if we've faced him before," Erickson said. "It can be any one of a number of approaches. If it's a guy who comes right at you with fastballs and throws a lot of strikes, we want to be aggressive, be ready first pitch. "If he's a guy who struggles in the zone, obviously, we may, if he's a breaking ball guy, see the ball up. Make him establish something in the zone before we go at it. There's really no one specific approach." Erickson said there were bright spots. "We did hit some balls well tonight, more than the hits indicated," he said. "They made some plays. Their shortstop made some plays. Their second baseman made a great play with runners on second and third in shallow center field and then a one-hop line drive he stabbed and another line drive he caught. It's one of those days where I thought we swung the bats better than what the score indicated." The Rattlers play at Miller Park against the Chiefs tonight. "That's a big game at Miller Park," Dennis said. "You don't need any help to get up for that game. If you do, you don't belong on a baseball field. I think a lot of guys will see it, enjoy the experience, come away with a win and build from there."

Nashville Media Notes Wisconsin Media Notes

It's another "Eric Farris at SS, Taylor Green at 2B" night. This is partially precipitated by Zelous Wheeler's presence -- of course, if Wheeler had not been hurt earlier, Green might still be at Huntsville.

Eric will have the full update later on from Brevard, but 3-for-10 in SB attempts thus far, D'Vontrey Richardson? Really? D'Vo was 17-for-32 in 2010, so those natural raw athletic talents are taking time to transfer not just to the plate, and to the outfield, but to the basepaths. That's a triple wait for all of us fans.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 42 37 .532 - - 22-17 20-20 4-6 L1 Memphis 41 37 .526 0.5 66 23-16 18-21 5-5 W1 Iowa 37 42 .468 5.0 61 20-19 17-23 7-3 W6 Nashville 36 42 .462 5.5 61 24-18 12-24 6-4 W4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 4 1 .800 - - 4-1 0-0 4-1 W4 Carolina 3 2 .600 1.0 65 3-2 0-0 3-2 W1 Huntsville 2 3 .400 2.0 64 0-0 2-3 2-3 L1 Jackson 2 3 .400 2.0 64 0-0 2-3 2-3 L2 * Tennessee 2 3 .400 2.0 64 0-0 2-3 2-3 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Brevard County 2 1 .667 - - 2-1 0-0 2-1 L1 * Daytona 3 2 .600 - - 1-1 2-1 3-2 W1 Tampa 3 2 .600 - - 2-1 1-1 3-2 W1 Clearwater 2 3 .400 1.0 65 1-2 1-1 2-3 W1 Dunedin 2 3 .400 1.0 65 0-0 2-3 2-3 L1 Lakeland 1 2 .333 1.0 66 1-1 0-1 1-2 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Beloit 4 0 1.000 - - 3-0 1-0 4-0 W6 Kane County 4 0 1.000 - - 0-0 4-0 4-0 W4 Quad Cities 3 1 .750 1.0 66 1-0 2-1 3-1 W3 Clinton 2 2 .500 2.0 65 2-2 0-0 2-2 L1 * Burlington 1 3 .250 3.0 64 0-1 1-2 1-3 L2 Peoria 1 3 .250 3.0 64 0-3 1-0 1-3 W1 Wisconsin 1 3 .250 3.0 64 1-3 0-0 1-3 L3 Cedar Rapids 0 4 .000 4.0 63 0-0 0-4 0-4 L5 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Helena 5 3 .625 - - 4-2 1-1 5-3 L2 Billings 4 4 .500 1.0 30 2-2 2-2 4-4 W2 Great Falls 4 4 .500 1.0 30 1-2 3-2 4-4 W2 Missoula 3 5 .375 2.0 29 1-2 2-3 3-5 L2 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Dodgers 4 2 .667 - - 2-1 2-1 4-2 W1 AZL Indians 3 3 .500 1.0 50 2-1 1-2 3-3 W1 AZL Brewers 2 4 .333 2.0 49 0-2 2-2 2-4 L3 AZL Reds 2 4 .333 2.0 49 2-1 0-3 2-4 L2 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 18 6 .750 - - 9-4 9-2 9-1 L1 DSL Brewers 18 7 .720 0.5 48 8-4 10-3 8-2 W3 DSL Athletics 7 18 .280 11.5 37 3-7 4-11 2-8 L7 DSL Cardinals 7 18 .280 11.5 37 5-9 2-9 3-7 W1

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

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at home vs. New Orleans (Marlins), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 11:00 AM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Andy Moye at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 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 runty Reds; 9:00 PM gametime; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at 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

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 27 - Chat with Catcher Patrick Arlis Class act, well-educated and ready for the future, in or out of baseball...

Nemeth playing for Helena Brewers in Pioneer League By Brian Fortner, The (Harrisburg, PA) Express-Times Spending a few long hours in a car had become commonplace for Bill and Leslie Nemeth to watch their son play baseball. Mike Nemeth, a 2007 Warren Hills Regional High School graduate and standout on the Blue Streaks' baseball team, was the starting first baseman for the University of Connecticut. The 3½-hour trek to Storrs, Conn., was a minor inconvenience for the proud parents. That all changed for the Nemeths on June 7 when Mike was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers. Nemeth, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound sweet-swinging, slick-fielding first baseman, was selected by the Brewers in the 21st round -- the 641st overall pick -- of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. "Yeah, my parents won't get to see too many games right now," Mike Nemeth said in a phone interview from Montana. "They've sacrificed a lot the last few years to drive to Connecticut to watch me play, but 2,000 miles is a little different." Nemeth was assigned to the Helena Brewers -- Milwaukee's Advanced Rookie League affiliate -- of the Pioneer League. Nemeth was the first player from Warren Hills to play Division I ball, and now is the first to be drafted to play in the pros. "It's pretty cool, knowing I was the first from my school to play Division I in college and now to be the first to be drafted is pretty special," Nemeth said. "It's a huge honor. Playing in the major leagues has been my dream for as long as I can remember, and it's all starting to come true." Nemeth finished his UConn career as the program's all-time leader in hits (331) and RBIs (211) and finished second all-time in doubles (50). This season Nemeth led the Huskies with a .359 batting average to go with three home runs and 51 RBIs. His 93 hits were also tops on the team, and he was recently named to the Rawlings Division I Gold Glove team for being the top defensive first baseman in the nation. The Huskies (45-20-1) finished two wins shy of reaching the College World Series by losing both games to CWS finalist and defending champion South Carolina in the NCAA Super Regional. "It was disappointing," said Nemeth, a three-time Express-Times All-Area first-teamer at Warren Hills. "The goal was to make it to the World Series and we came up short." That goal was one of the main reasons Nemeth opted to return for his senior season. "I talked to 12 to 15 (major-league) teams last season," said Nemeth, who had a monster junior season, hitting .386 with 15 homers, a team-leading 98 hits, 20 doubles and 84 RBIs. "But I wanted to come back and get my degree and finish off my playing career and possibly play for a national championship." The decision seems to have worked out for the better -- like all Nemeth's decisions have in recent years. Out of high school, Nemeth was recruited into the U.S. Naval Academy but decided a change of venue would be a better fit. Pending cutbacks in athletic time at the academy versus service time would have meant putting his baseball career on hold and possibly jeopardize his dream of playing professionally. Nemeth left the Naval Academy during the 2007 plebe summer -- the rigorous six-week training period required of incoming freshman. UConn coach Jim Penders, who had a close relationship with Navy coach Paul Kostacopoulos, offered Nemeth the opportunity to play his way onto the team since all the Huskies' scholarships had been used up. "I just wasn't ready to give up on my dream" Nemeth said. "I wanted to play baseball, and Coach Penders gave me a chance to prove myself." He proved himself by becoming a two-time American Baseball Coaches Association/NCAA All-American and being named to the Big East All-Tournament team three times. "I'm not surprised at all that Mike is getting this opportunity," Warren Hills coach Mike Quinto said. "He was the best pure hitter I've seen come through our program. And he works so hard constantly at the game." Nemeth finished his high school career second all-time in hits (107) and still holds single-season records for hits with 43 and RBIs with 34. He batted .420 for his career, was a three-time letterwinner and was voted MVP his final two seasons with the Blue Streaks. Now, he's a long way from Warren Hills. Nemeth currently is dividing his time prepping for life as a minor leaguer, which includes passing the physical exams, getting to know his host family in Helena and adjusting to the long bus rides from town to Pioneer League town. He has played in two games for Helena, going 1-for-7 with a walk. "I'm definitely doing what I always wanted to do," Nemeth said.

Eliza Wiley, Independent Record - Helena Brewers Kyle Dhanani lengthens his stride in an attempt to beat Great Falls' Leighton Pangilinan and the ball to first base Monday night in front of a packed Kindrick Legion Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/b/93/b93ec950-a14c-11e0-be46-001cc4c002e0/4e096f53d5773.image.jpg

Brewers drop second straight by Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record A rough night by Helena on the mound and in the field ultimately led to the Brewers’ demise Monday as the home team lost back-to-back games for the first time this season. Great Falls took advantage of four wild pitches, four hit batsmen and a trio of errors by the Brewers to top Helena 10-3 at Kindrick Legion Field in front of the park’s biggest crowd of the season. “There’s gonna be nights like this,” Brewers manager Joe Ayrault said. “We came out a little flat and their pitcher threw the ball very well ... but I liked the fact that our guys didn’t give up at-bats late in the ball game.” Voyagers starter Jarrett Casey shut down Helena for five innings, twirling three-hit scoreless baseball. The Brewers took advantage of the momentum change a new pitcher can often provide, scoring their first run off reliever Austin Evans. Casey, who is now a perfect 2-0 on the season and has maintained a 0.00 ERA, said he could have gone longer. The southpaw hurled 77 pitches before being pulled. “It felt pretty good. I’m not going to lie though, I wanted to go back out for more,” said Casey, the 6-foot-3, 180-pound lefty who played his college ball at Missouri State and is on a strict pitch count. “My first start I was doing a really good job of getting ahead in the count. Tonight I didn’t do that, but I was able to come back with a decent pitch.” That go-to pitch was his slider on Monday, though Casey admits he typically favors his changeup. While Brewers were able to make contact — Casey struck out just three after fanning seven in his last outing — they struggled to get the ball out of the infield. Helena recorded seven groundouts in the early innings. “He kept us off balance with his pitches, threw a nice breaking ball over the middle of the plate,” Ayrault said of Casey. “For a young left-hander to get his breaking ball over in this league and be able to throw strikes with his fastball, that’s impressive.” Helena (5-3) loaded the bases in the seventh after reliever Blake Drake walked Kenny Allison. The Brewers would plate a pair of runs in the inning, on an RBI single by Robbie Garvey that was barely beyond the reach of first baseman Leighton Pangilinan and a fielder’s choice by Kyle Dhanani. Garvey limped off the field an inning later with an apparent injury. Casey was pleased with how his bullpen performed. “Three runs, no big deal,” he said, “especially with the kind of run support we got tonight.” The Voyagers (4-4) had three innings with two runs or more, had every player in the lineup reach base and all but one athlete register at least one hit. Great Falls rapped out 10 hits, led by Randall Thorpe’s 2-for-3 performance. Jason Rogers was 2 for 3 for Helena, which had a home crowd of 1,659. “It’s still early in the season, but the fact that (Helena) is doing pretty well so far and the fact that we came out and put it to them is big,” Casey said. “We’ve had some pretty good solid offense so far, but tonight was by far one of our best.” Helena went through three pitchers before the sixth inning Monday, as Chad Pierce, Skyler Crawford and Mike Strong struggled. But sidewinder Alex Jones was the bright spot, getting back-to-back inning-ending strikeouts in the sixth, two more Ks in the seventh and fanning another in the final frame. Jones gave up just three hits over the final 3.2 innings. The Brewers will try to salvage a split of the two-game set tonight. Right-hander Sam Phippen gets the nod for Great Falls, while the Brewers start Andrew Moye (0-0, 9.00 ERA). Ayrault said the game plan is simple. “Come to the ballpark, hit the reset button,” he said. “It’s a new day.” NOTES: The Brewers have begun negotiations with their top draft pick, junior right-hander Taylor Jungmann. Jungmann hurled 141 innings for the University of Texas and was honored with college baseball’s version of the Heisman, the Dick Howser Trophy. He was 13-3 with a 1.60 ERA and 125 strikeouts while leading Texas back to the College World Series. The Brewers have until 10 p.m. on Aug. 15 to agree to signing bonuses with their remaining unsigned picks. ... Milwaukee came to terms with third-round pick Drew Gagnon, a right-handed pitcher from Long Beach State, and left-handed hitting first baseman Nick Ramirez, a fourth-rounder. Gagnon was the starting pitcher for the East Division for the Cape Cod All-Star Game at Fenway Park in 2010. Ramirez was Big West Conference Player of the Year in 2011.

Chris Mehring with his Rattler Radio Blog audio / video report and game thoughts. For your DVR settings during the Brewers - Yankees series, from Chris: By the way, Timber Rattlers Field Pass debuts on Sports 32 Tuesday night. We talk with Matt Erickson and Aaron Hahn, there is a package on the Rattlers in the MWL All-Star Game, and I found a new way to make a fool of myself as I try the visual training that the players use. Also, the Border Battle at Miller Park is on Time Warner Cable Sports 32 Wednesday evening. Locals, you've been reminded.

Timber Rattlers give up 19 hits in big loss to Peoria Chiefs by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post-Crescent GRAND CHUTE — It was a sign of things to come at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday when the start of the game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Peoria Chiefs was delayed about five minutes by rain. By the time the game ended a smidge over three hours later, the Rattlers probably wished that shower that delayed the start of the game had been a deluge that wiped it out. That is the thing that is wished for when you end up on the bad end of a 16-7 score like Wisconsin did. "There's 140 games so we came close last half so we know we're a good ball club," Rattlers shortstop Mike Brownstein said. "This is just one game and tomorrow is a new day. Same team. Now we have something to prove. We've got a chip on our shoulders. We've got to get them tomorrow." Having Peoria score that many runs on 19 hits and four errors could make one a bit testy. "You know I had two big errors," Brownstein said. "You can think about it and keep yourself up all night if you want. It's not going to bring back the play. It's not going to change anything. The only thing you can do is say, 'Tomorrow I'm going to get some extra work in and make the next play.' " It was a rude welcome back for Rattlers pitcher Matt Miller. Miller, who last pitched on May 19 against Beloit, lasted just 1 2/3 innings, giving up seven hits and eight runs (three earned). "You've got to see it for what it is," Rattlers outfielder and occasional pitcher T.J. Mittelstaedt said. "You lose a game by a lot, it's the same as losing a game by one. Losing by one really sticks with you because you thought you had a chance to win it at the end. This one you can get rid of and take the positive that we scored at the end of the game into tomorrow." The Rattlers' who had scuffled offensively, scoring only eight runs in their three games since the Midwest League All-Star break, did show some resiliency. Wisconsin scored five times in the eighth inning, including three on Mike Walker's 12th home run of the year, a mammoth shot that cleared the bullpen area located behind the centerfield wall. "We had a tough day today," Brownstein said. "You just go home, come back tomorrow and it's a new day."

He hits, he pitches, he's T.J. Mittelstaedt by Jim Oskola, Appleton Post-Crescent Timber Rattlers outfielder T.J. Mittelstaedt got called on for extra duty during Monday's 16-7 loss to Peoria at Fox Cities Stadium. Sent down to the bullpen to warm up so he could pitch the ninth inning against the Chiefs, the Rattlers took it upon themselves to rally for five runs. That got Mittelstaedt called in from the bullpen to bat after Mike Walker's three-run home run. Was Mittelstaedt winded? Nope. He responded with a single on a 3-2 count. A couple outs later he was out on the mound pitching a scoreless ninth inning. "Early in the season we had a game like this and I told Matty (Rattlers manager Matt Erickson) that I could go out there and throw some strikes if I needed to," Mittelstaedt said. "I mess around throwing a knuckleball when we're warming up. It's alright. Just throwing strikes, it's tough to hit when someone's throwing that throw." Mopping up in a game like Monday's isn't something Mittelstaedt relishing doing but he's willing to because it saves Erickson from going even deeper into the Rattlers' bullpen. "I think that's the biggest thing," Mittelstaedt said. "It's saving arms for tomorrow and the next day. They want to get in there so they can have their innings, too, but we need them in a game that matters. In this one, it really didn't matter." It's a good lesson in teamwork and stepping up when needed. *** My note -- LHP Charly Bashara really took one for the team as well -- two days after pitching two innings in relief, he went four innings here after the Matt Miller and Damon Krestalude struggles. -- Jim

Rattlers fall behind early, lose to Peoria By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Peoria Chiefs entered Monday's game at Time Warner Cable Field with a 10-game losing streak. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers swept the Chiefs in a four game series in the previous meeting between the Midwest League rivals. The worm turned a bit on Monday with the Chiefs beating the Timber Rattlers 16-7. Anthony Giansanti had four hits, including a pair of home runs, to pace the 19-hit attack of the Chiefs for the victory. Rattlers starting pitcher Matt Miller did not receive a warm welcome back from the disabled list as the Chiefs scored an unearned run in the top of the first inning. Rubi Silva reached on an error with one out. Richard Jones drove in Silva with a two-out double. That was just a prelude to the second inning. Miller, who was making his first start since May 19, gave up a single and a double to start the inning. An error allowed the first run of the inning to score. Miller rebounded to get the first out of the inning. Then, things got out of hand. Matt Szczur singled in a run. Rubi Silva followed with an RBI single. Greg Rohan also singled in a run and the Chiefs had a 4-1 lead. Miller struck out Richard Jones for the second out. But, the Chiefs stole a run. Rohan broke for second and beat the throw to second. Silva broke for the plate on the throw down to second and the return throw home was late. Micah Gibbs singled to drive in Rohan and knock Miller out of the game. Ryan Cuneo, who started the inning with a single, greeted Rattler reliever Damon Krestalude with an RBI double to cap the inning and give the Chiefs an 8-0 lead. Giansanti started the Peoria third with a home run and the Chiefs were up 9-0. Wisconsin (39-35, 1-3) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the third inning. The bases were still loaded with two outs. But, Greg Hopkins salvaged the opportunity and knocked in two runs with a single to center to make the score 9-2. However, the Chiefs responded with three runs in the top of the fourth. Jones doubled in the first run of the frame. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Cuneo. Elliot Soto scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. Peoria starting pitcher Matt Loosen allowed two runs on four hits and struck out seven over six innings of work in his Midwest League debut. He would pick up the win, but the Chiefs offense was not close to being done. They added three more runs in the sixth inning. Two came in on a double by Pierre LaPage. Szcrur followed with an RBI double. When LaPage singled in the gave every member of the Peoria batting order at least one hit in the game. Giansanti hit his second homer of the game with one out in the top of the eighth inning and the Chiefs were up 16-2. The Rattlers strung together six hits with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Cody Hawn drove in the first run with a single. Hopkins got his third RBI of the night with a double. Then, Mike Walker hit a long home run to center. The three-run blast, the 12th of the season for Walker, made the score 16-7. Walker has five home runs and 18 RBI against the Chiefs in 2011. Rattlers outfielder T.J. Mittelstaedt brought his knuckleball in to pitch the top of the ninth inning and he worked a scoreless inning, but the Rattlers could not get anything across the plate in the bottom of the ninth. The series continues on Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Maverick Lasker, a member of the Timber Rattlers in 2010, makes his Midwest League debut for 2011 as Wisconsin's starting pitcher. Left-hander Graham Hicks (1-3, 4.32) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05 PM. Tuesday night is Ladies Night at Time Warner Cable Field. The first 400 female fans aged 18 and older to attend the game on June 28 will receive pink water bottles and gift bags from Knights Jewelry. A few lucky female fans will selected for a postgame diamond dig after Tuesday's game. For the diamond dig, one diamond will be buried amongst cubic zirconium in the beach seating area beyond the outfield fence in right-centerfield. There is also a pearl pendant giveaway from Rogers and Hollands during the game. It's also a Bang for Your Buck Night means Pepsi products, Cher-Make hot dogs, and Miller Beer products are available for $1. Plus, it is a KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets. Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Timber Rattlers game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45 PM.