Jim Goulart

AUDIO: Cory Provus w/Chicago Cubs Broadcaster Keith Moreland, longtime broadcaster of Texas Longhorn games, discussing 1st round pick Taylor Jungmann

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Thoughts

Gindl and Green boost Nashville Sounds offense by Austin Gwin | The Tennessean The month of June has been good to the Sounds’ bats. Nashville has scored 14 or more runs four times. The offensive explosion started June 2 when the Sounds had 22 hits in a 15-11 win over Iowa to start their season-long five-game win streak. Nashville was averaging 4.4 runs heading into that game. Since then it has averaged 8.1. “When you get 22 hits in a game, it’s a lot of fun,” outfielder Caleb Gindl said. “It sparked us a little bit.” Gindl has been a major reason for the improvement. He has a 14-game hitting streak after getting a single in Tuesday’s 5-4 win over Round Rock. During the streak, which is the Sounds’ longest of the season, he has three doubles, a triple, four home runs and 12 RBI. “It’s about concentrating every pitch.” Gindl said. “When you have a hit streak going, every pitch means something, so you focus a lot harder.” Hitting coach Sandy Guerrero said the key is staying patient at the plate. “We have stopped chasing pitches that are out of the strike zone,” Guerrero said. “We are giving ourselves a chance, extending innings and taking the walk when we need to.” Another big contributor has been third baseman Taylor Green, who has a 12-game hitting streak after Tuesday’s game. He has had an extra base hit in his past nine games. “Hitting is contagious,” Green said. “Once one guy gets on, the next guy wants to get a hit, and it goes from there.” Another key factor was the arrival of Brewers minor league hitting coordinator Darnell Coles. He was in the dugout the night the Sounds pounded 22 hits. Gindl said Coles offered him a nugget of batting wisdom. “The way (Coles) puts it to me is, ‘Don’t go up there every time trying to get a hit. Go up and there and put a good swing on it. Hit the ball hard,’” Gindl said. “A lot of the time we press too much. Where you hit it is where you hit it. You have no control over it.”

Read on about the benches emptying... *** Timber Rattlers get better of Chiefs Wisconsin rallies from 5-1 deficit, beat Chiefs 12-5 By Kevin Capie, Peoria Journal Star PEORIA — The Peoria Chiefs and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers entered the final week of the Midwest League’s first half in a playoff race. How else then to explain the fireworks in the Chiefs’ 12-5 loss to Wisconsin on Tuesday night at O’Brien Field. “We knew it was going to be hard fought; both teams have fought all year to get to that spot,” Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson said. “To me that’s what it all about. You want your games to mean something throughout the year.” The loss dropped the Chiefs three games behind Quad Cities for the Western Division wild card. Wisconsin stayed two games behind the River Bandits. The Chiefs took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the third with all the base runners reaching with two outs, helped along by two ball calls by base umpire Dustin Klinghagen after Wisconsin starter Austin Ross went to his mouth while on the rubber. Greg Rohan drew a bases-loaded walk and designated hitter Richard Jones followed with a grand slam. It was the only inning the Chiefs were able to get anything off Ross, who struck out 11. “Jones got (a pitch up in the zone to hit), but Ross threw the ball pretty good,” Chiefs manager Casey Kopitzke said. “He kept it in the bottom of the zone.” But the lead did not last as Wisconsin scored three runs in the fourth and fifth, one more in the sixth and four in the eighth on a grand slam by Mike Walker. “We could have fallen apart (after the third),” Erickson said. “We gave up the five runs, with two ball calls, and could have went in the tank, but we continued to compete.” The tension reached a crescendo after the final out of the seventh, when Wisconsin DH Chris Dennis tried to score from second on a single. The throw from right beat Dennis by 15 feet, but he shoved catcher Micah Gibbs to the ground in an effort to dislodge the ball. Gibbs held on for the out and then tossed the ball in the direction of the plate, and Dennis. Both benches and bullpens emptied, but the teams were kept apart. “Both teams play with a lot of passion, and it boiled over,” Kopitzke said. “It’s a passionate play and a lot of emotion with it, everybody needs to do a better job handling the situation.”

Nashville Audio Archive -- June 14 -- Chat with LH reliever Daniel Ray Herrera

One hour (so far) rain delay at the start for the Manatees, but CF D'Vontrey Richardson is in the starting lineup. If they play, it'll be his first game in a week.

Final, Game One: @DSL Brewers 3, DSL Mariners 2, seven innings DSL Brewers Game One Box Score Let's cut right to the chase, this seven-inning contest was scoreless until -- DSL Brewers Bottom of the 6th Defensive Substitution: Rodolfo Penalo replaces second baseman Luis Osorio, batting 2nd, playing second base. Pitcher Change: Victor Trinidad replaces Victor Veliz. Ruben Ozuna hit by pitch. Jose Pena triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Anderson De La Rosa. Ruben Ozuna scores. Deivi Mejia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Alfredo Sosa. Jose Pena scores. Deivi Mejia advances to 2nd, on fielding error by left fielder Alfredo Sosa. Juan De Leon doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Alfredo Sosa. Deivi Mejia scores. Raul Mondesi flies out to left fielder Alfredo Sosa. Natanael Mejia called out on strikes. Raphachel Colatosti flies out to center fielder Anderson De La Rosa. Then, with a 3-0 lead in the final frame, nailbite time -- DSL Athletics Top of the 7th Anderson De La Rosa walks. Renato Nunez strikes out swinging. Jose Rosario walks. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd. With Diego Ledezma batting, wild pitch by Eliezer Montano, Anderson De La Rosa to 3rd. Jose Rosario to 2nd. Diego Ledezma singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Ozuna. Anderson De La Rosa scores. Jose Rosario to 3rd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Argenis Raga replaces Diego Ledezma. Pitcher Change: Carlos Sosa replaces Eliezer Montano. With Jesus Rivas batting, wild pitch by Carlos Sosa, Jose Rosario scores. Argenis Raga to 2nd. Jesus Rivas strikes out swinging. Alfredo Sosa walks. Gabriel Santana strikes out swinging. DSL Brewers Game One Play-by-Play19-year-old 6'7" LHP (yes, we like typing "6'7" LHP) Eliezer Montano followed up his last outing, a stellar nine-inning, one-run, ten K effort, with six scoreless innings before tiring and allowing two runs in the 7th as you read. He walked four, but remains an incredibly intriguing prospect. Listed at only 170 lbs., Montano could seemingly be a beast when his frame fills out. Fellow 19-year-old closer RHP Carlos Sosa, has already filled out -- 6'6", 236 lbs. Nice bailout by Sosa noted above. The Cerveceros did not draw a walk, but the HBP of Ruben Ozuna was big. 18-year-old RF Jose Pena (the key RBI triple) continues to make strides, that's all you can ask. 21-year-old C / 1B Deivi Mejia remains hot in the early going with two hits, and 17-year-old SS Raphachel Colatosti, out of Venezuela, had his first multi-hit professional game, letting Orlando Arcia and his still-evolving litany of nicknames rest until we get a nightcap box score during the overnight. Nice work, Eliezer -- Montano rocked an 8-2 GB / FB ratio... DSL Athletics Top of the 6th Alfredo Sosa singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Ozuna. Gabriel Santana singles on a fly ball to left fielder Raul Mondesi. Alfredo Sosa to 2nd. Luis Osorio grounds into double play, second baseman Alejandro Mendoza to first baseman Deivi Mejia. Alfredo Sosa to 3rd. Gabriel Santana out at 2nd. Vicmal De La Cruz grounds out, first baseman Deivi Mejia to pitcher Eliezer Montano.

Can only speak for myself, but I'd have Jungmann at # 1, while sorting out the Thornburg - Peralta - Bradley triumverate behind Taylor. Still a big Wily fan, though.

Wisconsin Lineup and Media Notes

Nashville Media Notes

We may end up with a Saturday day / night twinbill, similar to 2008. Let's see, still much can happen. Of course, they'll never call Friday's game until they get everyone in there and get some concession / parking money from us.

I'll be in the house for the Friday and Saturday games, ten rows behind the 3rd base Brewer dugout for each contest, so my ugly mug might even make it on TV depending on the at-bat angle. On Friday night, I'm meeting my friend at our seats, so if you see this face wandering solo before the game in either a Brewers #2 T-shirt jersey (formerly a Bill Hall, now conveniently a Nyjer Morgan) or a blue Brewers jersey, come up to me and say hi. I'd love to meet and/or hang with fellow Brewerfan'ers out there pre- or post-game. -- Jim From our "About Us" page -- http://www.brewerfan.net/images/staffpix/jim_goulart.jpg And don't you know Sessile (Eric) will be in the house Friday and Saturday as well.

VIDEO / AUDIO: The second of "Mr." Mat Gamel's two home runs Monday night, just crushed

Any bases-clearing hit (double, triple, or the rare inside-the-park grand slam) easily rates as baseball's most exciting play. You'll find an audio link to Taylor Green's three-run double from Monday night here, sorry, it's "Mr." Taylor Green, of course. Thanks Stu. (Link opens with ten seconds of dead air, hang in there...)

Technically, we could drop this in last Sunday's Link Report, but more folks will get to appreciate Brad Krause's Timber Rattlers thoughts and photos here.

FYI -- Recently released (and Milwaukee native) Chris Nowak signed with the York (PA) Revolution of the independent Atlantic League.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 36 28 .563 - - 20-13 16-15 6-4 W2 Memphis 31 32 .492 4.5 77 17-15 14-17 7-3 W1 Nashville 28 35 .444 7.5 74 17-14 11-21 6-4 W1 Iowa 28 36 .438 8.0 73 14-17 14-19 3-7 L2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tennessee 41 24 .631 - - 20-10 21-14 6-4 W1 Jackson 37 28 .569 4.0 2 17-11 20-17 4-6 L1 Huntsville 33 31 .516 7.5 E 19-10 14-21 5-5 W1 Chattanooga 32 33 .492 9.0 E 15-20 17-13 7-3 L1 Carolina 19 46 .292 22.0 E 12-23 7-23 3-7 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Daytona 45 19 .703 - - 25-9 20-10 5-5 W3 Clearwater 38 26 .594 7.0 E 20-12 18-14 4-6 L3 Dunedin 35 29 .547 10.0 E 14-16 21-13 6-4 W2 Lakeland 34 30 .531 11.0 E 19-15 15-15 5-5 W1 Tampa 32 32 .500 13.0 E 14-17 18-15 6-4 L2 Brevard County 24 40 .375 21.0 E 13-20 11-20 4-6 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 41 23 .641 - - 20-9 21-14 4-6 L4 Quad Cities 35 28 .556 5.5 - 16-14 19-14 6-4 W1 Beloit 33 30 .524 7.5 6 16-15 17-15 7-3 W5 Peoria 33 30 .524 7.5 6 21-11 12-19 5-5 W3 Wisconsin 33 30 .524 7.5 6 20-15 13-15 6-4 W1 Cedar Rapids 29 34 .460 11.5 2 17-15 12-19 2-8 L2 Kane County 27 36 .429 13.5 E 14-18 13-18 4-6 W1 Clinton 21 43 .328 20.0 E 8-24 13-19 5-5 L3 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Brewers 9 4 .692 - - 3-2 6-2 6-4 L3 DSL Mariners 7 5 .583 1.5 59 4-3 3-2 6-4 W3 DSL Athletics 4 8 .333 4.5 56 2-3 2-5 3-7 L5 DSL Cardinals 3 8 .273 5.0 56 2-5 1-3 3-7 W2

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

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Mark DiFelice at home vs. Round Rock (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen MiLB.TV -- for subscribers Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP Adrian Rosario at home vs. Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- Cubs' feed Wisconsin: RHP Austin Ross at Peoria (Cubs), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest NOTE: MiLB.com does not list the DSL game as a doubleheader from the June 6th rainout, but we'll post a link to it as if it were just in case; each conest would be slated for seven innings if so

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From Chris Mehring of the Rattlers -- Some roster moves: OF Robbie Garvey & SS Yadiel Rivera down to Helena. OF Chad Stang & INF Mike Brownstein (Brownstien down from Brevard, as noted above) join team in Peoria tonight.

On the third undrafted free agent signee announced above -- Gauchos sign contracts with MLB teams Two UC Santa Barbara baseball pitchers signed free agent deals in the last week following the Major League Draft. Greg Davis, a 22-year-old 6-foot-4 right-hander, signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Beck Wheeler, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, signed with the New York Mets. Davis was one of the Gauchos' most reliable pitchers this past season, working as both a starter and a closer. He finished with a 6-5 record and a 3.40 ERA - best amongst UCSB starting pitchers. Davis began the season as the Gauchos' closer and Sunday starter, but earned his way to the Friday starting spot. "While I was a little disappointed my name wasn't called during the draft, I am very excited to join the Milwaukee Brewers organization and get a chance in the professional ranks," Davis said. "This is obviously something every player dreams about - becoming a pro - and I am thrilled to be able to take this next step in my career." UCSB Player Profile Page

From Jim Callis' Ask BA: [tt]This question gets asked every year, so who am I to break from tradition? Which of the top picks in this year's draft will become their respective team's No. 1 prospect once they sign? J.P. Schwartz Springfield, Ill.[/tt] Surprisingly, I only came up with four 2011 draftees who are locks to be their team's top prospect in the 2012 Prospect Handbook. In order of selection, they are Mariners lefthander Danny Hultzen (the No. 2 overall choice), Diamondbacks righthander Trevor Bauer (No. 3), Astros outfielder George Springer (No. 11) and either of the Brewers' two first-rounders, righty Taylor Jungmann (No. 12) or lefty Jed Bradley (No. 15). *** Not surprising...

Brewers hold first practice By Amber Kuehn, Helena Independent Record The boys of summer are back in town. The first wave of the 2011 Helena Brewers arrived Sunday afternoon, and players participated in a light workout Monday at Kindrick Legion Field. A handful of new signees watched in street clothes while awaiting results from their physicals, but those who were in uniform were already fielding groundballs and taking batting practice a week before opening day. “It’s very exciting to be back here,” said Brewers manager Joe Ayrault, who coached last year’s squad to a Pioneer League title in his first season. “It’s always good to see the guys get back on the field.” Players will continue to trickle in throughout the week and the roster is not yet finalized, but fans can expect to see some familiar faces this season. Back from last year are catcher Brent Dean and outfielders John Dishon and Kenny Allison. Other known names among Capital City fans return, like pitcher Eric Arnett, a first-round draft pick two years ago, and Joey Paciorek and Seth Lintz, who have donned Helena uniforms before and are back on rehab assignments. Paciorek, recovering from a broken hand, played third base for the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, but is being converted to a catcher. Ayrault noted that the staff’s primary goal is to develop the players’ skills so that they may move up the minor league ladder, though he admits that having athletes return can help ease the transition for those just starting out. “It’s good to have guys with experience to help guide these younger guys,” he said. Ayrault was right at home back on the baseball diamond Monday and is happy to be back in the Treasure State. The avid outdoorsman has already jammed plenty of activities in since arriving with his family on June 8. “We went to Canyon Ferry and caught some fish, then went from hanging out on the beach in our shorts to having a snowball fight and making snow angels on McDonald pass,” he said. “I’ve been enjoying the outdoors and seeing the wildlife.” A few players taken in last week’s draft have not yet signed, as their seasons continue in the College World Series. Among them is Milwaukee’s top pick from this year, Texas pitcher Taylor Jungmann. The 21-year-old was taken 12th overall and was just recently tagged with his second defeat after starting the season 13-0. The Longhorns advanced out of the Super Regionals by defeating Arizona State. Opening day for the Brewers is Monday, June 20, when Missoula comes to town for a 7:05 PM start (8:05 Central).

Still 16 years old (until next month), yet 6'3", 215, LF Elvis Rubio was pulled (as we just bolded it above) at an awkward spot after committing two errors earlier in the inning. No word on if Elvis actually left the building.