Jim Goulart

Chris Mehring fills us in on more roster juggling (non-injury) as Jameson Dunn makes the start Saturday -- RHP Dan Britt to the DL retroactive to June 16 RHP Jameson Dunn activated from the DL

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 17 - Chat with starting pitcher Amaury Rivas Nice job with the English, Amaury; discusses the origin of developing his change-up, his bread and butter...

Final: @Memphis 1, Nashville 0 Sounds Lose Series Opener In Memphis, 1-0 Nashville Sounds MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis first baseman Freddie Bynum lined a two-out RBI single to right with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to break a scoreless deadlock and give the Redbirds a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday evening at AutoZone Park in the opener of a four-game series. It marked the second straight pitchers' duel and 1-0 decision for the Sounds, who won a 1-0 contest against Round Rock on Thursday at Greer Stadium. Each of Nashville's last five games has been decided by a single run. A pair of Memphis hurlers combined on a four-hitter, the Redbirds' first shutout of the season and their fifth consecutive victory overall. The Sounds put only one runner on base over the final seven innings of action as Memphis hurlers combined to retire 21 of the final 22 Nashville hitters. Edwin Maysonet led off the ninth with a single but was stranded on first. In the decisive ninth, Matt Carpenter grounded a one-out single up the middle off Sounds reliever Daniel Meadows then stole second as Aaron Luna struck out for the second out of the frame. Bynum stepped into the box and roped Meadows' 0-1 offering to right to plate Carpenter with the game-winning run in the Redbirds' walkoff victory. Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz was locked in, retiring the first 11 Memphis batters in order and throwing seven scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. He recorded 13 groundouts against only two flyouts to go along with five strikeouts in the outing (you can listen to the last of those five K's via the link available in the lead of this post). De La Cruz allowed only two Redbirds baserunners to reach scoring position during his seventh quality start of the year but took a no-decision for his efforts. Rehabbing Brewers right-hander Takashi Saito followed De La Cruz to the hill and worked a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and striking out two batters while throwing 15 pitches (11 for strikes). Memphis starter Brandon Dickson matched De La Cruz's effort by throwing only 58 pitches during seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball before being removed to allow a rehabilitation appearance by Cardinals right-hander Bryan Augenstein in the eighth. Dickson retired the final 18 batters that he faced, following a Mike Rivera single that led off the second inning. Augenstein (1-0) picked up where Dickson left off, working a pair of scoreless innings while allowing only one baserunner for the Redbirds to earn the victory. Meadows (0-1) took the loss for Nashville after allowing the game-winning run. It marked his first career Triple-A decision. Nashville center fielder Brett Carroll singled in the top of the first inning to extend his season-best hitting streak to seven games, the longest active streak for the Sounds. The teams continue the series with a 6:05 PM meeting on Saturday evening. Right-hander Josh Butler (4-4, 5.77) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Memphis right-hander Adam Ottavino (3-4, 3.63). Nashville Box Score What a difference it makes playing in the PCL's eastern-most locales vs. the mountain and west coast stadiums; De La Cruz is Mr. No Run Support for 2011; welcome back, Takashi -- see you in Milwaukee very soon, but at whose expense? Nashville Play-by-Play

VIDEO: One hit, one run, one 1-0 win -- Brett Carroll's home run As a bonus video, here's a less exciting opposite-field home run by Carroll the night before in a losing team effort.

Press Release on the Bradley Blanks independent league signing mentioned above -- *** The Windy City ThunderBolts have announced that the Milwaukee Brewers have purchased the contract of closer Bradley Blanks. Blanks becomes the first ThunderBolt of the season to be picked up by a Major League team. He was 0-1 with a 4.32 ERA in nine games, but was leading the team in saves with five. Blanks had one of his best outings of the season before being signed, throwing a perfect ninth inning while striking out the side June 14 against the Rockford RiverHawks. Blanks also had a solid 2010 for the ThunderBolts in which he went 1-2 with a save and had just a 2.73 ERA in nineteen appearances. He was signed over the all-star break in 2010 by the Philadelphia Phillies and went 4-1 with a 2.73 ERA in 16 appearances with low-A Williamsport. This will be his second stint in affiliated ball. Blanks will be assigned to high-A ball in the Brewers system which means he is headed to the Florida State League to play for the Brevard County Manatees. Numbers from 2010 in the Phillies' system

Reminder for those wondering -- Opening Day for Helena is Monday, June 20th. The Maryvale Brewers open on Tuesday the 21st.

The following posts are two news reports from Helena, each has a focus on high profile draft picks Eric Arnett and Max Walla.

Eric and I wish to thank our Link Report friend TooLiveBrew, who will be doing the majority, if not all, of the updates the next two nights while we're watching Brewer romps at Fenway over the dreaded Sawx. Whatever TLB may not be able to get to late each night, we'll get to in the early morning hours. Our regulars can, as always, feel free to chime in with your pre-game summary thoughts as you do occasionally. Go Brew Crew! Go Rattlers! Go Peoria Chiefs!

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 37 30 .552 - - 21-15 16-15 6-4 W1 Memphis 34 32 .515 2.5 76 20-15 14-17 8-2 W4 Nashville 30 36 .455 6.5 72 19-15 11-21 5-5 W1 Iowa 30 37 .448 7.0 71 14-17 16-20 3-7 L1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tennessee 42 25 .627 - - 21-11 21-14 6-4 L1 Jackson 37 29 .561 4.5 E 17-12 20-17 3-7 L2 Huntsville 35 32 .522 7.0 E 21-11 14-21 6-4 L1 Chattanooga 33 34 .493 9.0 E 15-20 18-14 7-3 W1 Carolina 20 46 .303 21.5 E 12-23 8-23 3-7 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Daytona 46 21 .687 - - 25-10 21-11 5-5 L2 Clearwater 39 28 .582 7.0 E 20-12 19-16 3-7 L2 Dunedin 37 30 .552 9.0 E 16-17 21-13 6-4 W2 Tampa 35 32 .522 11.0 E 16-17 19-15 7-3 W3 Lakeland 34 33 .507 12.0 E 19-16 15-17 4-6 L3 Brevard County 26 41 .388 20.0 E 14-21 12-20 5-5 W2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Burlington 44 23 .657 - - 23-9 21-14 6-4 W3 Quad Cities 37 29 .561 6.5 - 16-14 21-15 6-4 L1 Wisconsin 37 30 .552 7.0 4 20-15 17-15 7-3 W5 Beloit 36 31 .537 8.0 3 19-16 17-15 8-2 W3 Peoria 33 34 .493 11.0 E 21-15 12-19 3-7 L4 Cedar Rapids 30 37 .448 14.0 E 17-15 13-22 3-7 L3 Kane County 27 39 .409 16.5 E 14-18 13-21 2-8 L3 Clinton 22 45 .328 22.0 E 9-26 13-19 4-6 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Brewers 11 5 .688 - - 4-3 7-2 5-5 W1 DSL Mariners 10 5 .667 0.5 57 5-3 5-2 8-2 W6 DSL Athletics 5 10 .333 5.5 52 2-4 3-6 3-7 L1 DSL Cardinals 3 11 .214 7.0 51 2-7 1-4 3-7 L3

Look for the Nashville and Wisconsin media notes here and here later on, respectively. If Huntsville posts theirs, and they are doing so more consistently now, it will be found by placing your cursor over the "roster" banner at the Stars' home page.

Follow Friday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Wisconsin DSL Brewers

Because of the playoff implications for the Rattlers this weekend, we'll leave a bonus box score link for you here -- Peoria is at Quad Cities You're rooting for a Quad Cities loss.

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:43 PM gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast -- Birmingham feed Brevard County: Idle for the All-Star Weekend -- FSL All-Star game is Saturday night Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at the DSL Indians, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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The Rattler Radio blog post-game thoughts, including the “irrational exuberance” early portion.

Two Nashville Sounds say thrilling trip awaits Vanderbilt in Omaha Sounds players vividly recall CWS experience by Austen Gregerson | The Tennessean The two current Nashville Sounds who have played in the College World Series say Vanderbilt players should enjoy the view that few ever get to experience. Outfielders Brendan Katin (Miami) and Jordan Brown (Arizona) made it in 2004. “Even though we didn’t win it all that year it was one of the greatest things I’ve ever been a part of,” Katin said. The CWS has been played in Omaha for more than 60 years, and Vanderbilt will open a new stadium, TD Ameritrade Park, when it plays North Carolina on Saturday. For most it will be the largest crowd they ever play in front of. “I remember getting off the bus having this tightness all over my body, and it didn’t really go away until my second at-bat,” Brown said. “There are about 30,000 people there, and there are pre- and post-game interviews, which you’re not used to. With college baseball you played on national television maybe once a year, so that was the first time you knew all of your boys were watching, and it’s actually for a title.” As a Miami Hurricane, Katin said he got used to being unwelcomed wherever he went. “It’s crazy because you have each team’s diehard fans in the stadium, and Miami got dominated by all the LSU fans there when we played them,” Katin said. “If there were 30,000 in the stadium, at least 20,000 were rooting for LSU. Everybody hated us, it was mayhem.” While Arizona and Miami didn’t play each other that year, Brown had some familiarity with the Miami squad. Some of Brown’s teammates had grown up with Hurricane star shortstop Ryan Braun, now an All-Star left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers. “We all had a dinner together before we started playing,” Brown said. “I remember thinking after meeting (Braun) that he was pretty cocky, but really he wasn’t. I was probably just jealous.” SOUNDS NOTES All-Star coach: Sounds pitching coach Rich Gale was selected as the Pacific Coast League's pitching coach in the 2011 Triple-A All-Star game. Gale has spent the past two years with the Sounds after being on the coaching staff for the Albuquerque Isotopes in 2007 and 2008. "I'm happy to be picked as a coach for the game, although they may have just picked my name out of a hat," Gale said. “It'll be nice to see some of the other guys' pitching staffs and see what I can bring back here for scouting reports when we play them later." Jordan Brown while playing for Arizona Wildcats. Now he is with Nashville Sounds. ARIZONA ATHLETICS http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20110617&Category=SPORTS0602&ArtNo=306170065&Ref=AR&MaxW=300&Border=0

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 16 - Chat with first baseman Mat Gamel No, it's not Tim Dillard doing his Mat Gamel impression. Great to hear how Mat is now doing so well turning on inside pitches, something that's been an issue at the big league level.

Stu Paul updated his blog back on the 14th.

There is also a photo gallery at the article link. Manatees share moment with Braves by Mark DeCotis, Florida Today VIERA — Bent and bowed by age but hardly broken, the men who comprised the Melbourne Braves a generation ago got their moment in the spotlight Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. Nine members of the barnstorming, all-black semi-pro baseball team were special guests of the Brevard County Manatees who wore replica Braves jerseys for their game against the Daytona Beach Cubs. The old ballplayers brought along wives and kids and grandkids to soak in the admiration. And thanks to three touching ceremonies, the crowd of 1,524 learned a lot about the Braves. "For me it's very special, because I played for the Braves for quite a while," said John Williams who made an eight-hour drive from his home in Jackson, Ga., just to attend the game. "And they called and told me they were having this tonight . . . and it was so special I just got in my car and came down here. "It feels real good. I just wish I was young enough to play. It feels real good." The Braves contingent participated in a mass throwing of the first pitch and then as both teams stood along the foul lines, the Braves stood in a straight line behind the pitchers mound for the National Anthem and then shook hands with all members of both teams. They also signed autographs for several players and a lot of autographs for fans. Among those seeking the keepsakes was Darrell Bursey whose father Levi Bursey of Melbourne was one of the former Braves honored. "It means a whole lot because first of all, this gentleman is my daddy," he said pointing to his father in a picture taken when the players were young and in their prime and which was widely distributed on Thursday. "I went to a lot of games in the '60s and '70s all over Florida. It's an honor to be here. They were great, they were great. Believe me I saw them win a lot. "It's good for this to happen to them. They really, really drove a lot of miles with this stuff." Manatees players were well aware of the Braves presence from the replica jerseys – which were subject of a silent auction starting at $70 – to the replica hats and a blow-up of a team picture posted on the wall outside the clubhouse entrance. And when the players came out of the clubhouse and found the former Braves standing along the dugout railing, there were many smiles and introductions and handshakes. Nine players then went to home plate to catch the nine first pitches. Among them was Manatees catcher Sean McCraw. "That was special, seeing these guys wearing the same jerseys," McCraw said. It was special for the former Braves as well. "This is very special tonight," said Lonnie Bacon of Melbourne. "My grandkid (Cameron Noel, 10 of Melbourne) is out here and I'm teaching him baseball and I would be very proud if he became a baseball player. "I have butterflies already," he added before the first pitch. But then the old player came to the surface. "I wish I would be able to play the game today," he said. "It's going to be very exciting to get on that field again." It was the same for the Manatees. Asked if the ceremonies and meeting the former Braves was as special as he thought it would be, Manatees outfielder and Florida State League All-Star Khris Davis admitted he was at a loss for words. "I didn't know what to say to them," he said. His actions and those of fellow players Kentrail Davis and D'Vontrey Richardson spoke volumes as they rushed on to the field before the anthem, Richardson punctuating his approach with a slide, to pose for a picture for posterity with those who came before them. The former Braves in attendance were John Williams, Bacon, Bursey, Louis Williams of Melbourne, William Pressley of Melbourne, Joe Sellers of Melbourne, Otis Williams of West Melbourne, Gino Williams of Cocoa and Walker "Bubba" Holmes of Melbourne. But they weren't the only ones in the park who once wore the white and blue of the Braves. Two white men who played in the latter years, Wayne Tyson of Palm Bay, the former baseball coach at Brevard Community College, Florida Air Academy and Palm Bay High, and Bob Creech of Orlando and formerly of Satellite Beach, both made a point of getting out to the park to reminisce and rub elbows. "I played in high school, Babe Ruth and I played college and that was the best baseball that I was involved in," said Creech who played for the Braves in 1963 and 1967. For Tyson who played for the Braves in 1972, the memories were still sharp. "Great bunch of guys, great ballplayers as well," Tyson said. "Traveling was fantastic. It was a blast. It was a great experience for a young kid." And the experience for the older men on Thursday wasn't diminished by all the years that had passed since their time in the sun.

Heckathorn spotless in mini-outingBrewers prospect tosses four perfect innings for the Manatees By Robert Emrich / Special to MLB.com Two weeks after his worst outing as a professional, Kyle Heckathorn was untouchable Thursday. Heckathorn tossed four perfect innings for the Class A Advanced Brevard County Manatees en route to a 2-0 shutout of the Daytona Cubs, 2-0. Heckathorn struck out four before giving way to the bullpen, which scattered five hits over the final five frames to preserve the shutout. A compensation pick by the Brewers in 2009, Heckathorn had not pitched since June 1 against Bradenton. That game was the worst outing of his professional career, as he allowed six runs on four hits while recording only one out. It was the only time the 22-year-old Georgia native has failed to pitch one inning. Heckathorn has had a roller-coaster season for the Manatees, going 4-5 with a 4.35 ERA. The 6-foot-6 right-hander got off to a strong start, winning three games in April, but struggled in May, allowing 14 earned runs in 28 innings. Florida State League hitters are batting .279 against Heckathorn, and he's struck out 51 batters while walking 17. After posting a 2.96 ERA with Wisconsin last season, Heckathorn earned a promotion to Brevard County, where he was 4-0 with a 3.00 ERA in eight starts. Mark Willinsky (2-1) was credited with the win after allowing a hit in the fifth inning. Santo Manzanillo notched his sixth save, giving up three hits over the final two frames. Hunter Morris hit a solo homer for the Manatees, his second longball in as many days. Jeffrey Lorick (4-2) took the loss, allowing a run on six hits over five innings for the Cubs, who clinched the Florida State League North Division crown Monday. Kyle Heckathorn is 4-5 with a 4.35 ERA. (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/06/16/N8WKhLpn.jpg

According to the same Matt Eddy report linked in the prior post, two RHP's, 2008 2nd round pick Seth Lintz, and former Marlin farmhand Skyler Crawford, will open the season on Helena's disabled list. While we know nothing of their injury status, players are rarely formally placed on the disabled lists at the rookie levels because of the larger roster sizes (35 players). So their "spots" are rarely needed. Hopefully not, but these are likely long-term injuries. Although, newly-coverted catcher Joey Paciorek (broken hand) was also placed on the DL, so we'll see on the pitchers.

Look for the Wisconsin media notes here later on. If Huntsville posts theirs, it will be found by placing your cursor over the "roster" banner at the Stars' home page. They last did so on the 13th.

Nashville Media Notes