Jim Goulart

FYI -- Milwaukee went with Dustin Houle in the eighth round and will give him a look as a catcher. The native of Canada was primarily a third baseman in high school.Brewers nab Houle in eighth round By Gary Ahuja - Langley (BC) Times While cell phones in class are not permitted, Tuesday was a special circumstance. "I had warned my teacher ahead of time that I might be getting a call and he told me to go ahead and take it if it came," explained Dustin Houle. The teacher realized this was not an ordinary phone call. Houle was sitting in English class at Brookswood Secondary when his phone rang shortly after noon. On the other end was Houle's advisor calling with the great news that the 17-year-old had been taken in the eighth round, 251st overall, by the Milwaukee Brewers. "I was shocked to go that high," Houle admitted, figuring he would go between the tenth and 15th rounds of the 50-round draft for all high school, college and university players in North America. "But over the past month, I have been tearing it up." "I am just really excited right now; it is a surreal moment." Houle, a third-baseman/catcher, spent most of May in the Dominican Republic with Canada's junior national team. Upon returning a few weeks ago, the Brewers invited him to a pre-draft workout just last week (June 3). And Houle made a very lasting impression. Already on the organization's radar — Milwaukee has chosen six players from the Blaze program since 2004 — Houle belted a 420-foot home run. Following that monster shot, he said one of the team's scouts began calling him the 'Canadian King Kong.' After talking to his advisor, who will soon become his agent, Houle called him mom back in Penticton, and he said she got pretty emotional over his accomplishments. Houle left home last year to join the Blaze, knowing it would open more doors and opportunities for his baseball career. "I just owe a lot of credit to coach Doug (Mathieson) and coach Jamie (Bodaly) for all the support and good coaching along the way," Houle said. "I appreciate them a lot for everything they have done." Bodaly says Houle is arguably one of the best hitters in the country. Houle will remain in the Blaze line-up for the time being. Through 19 games, Houle is hitting .304 with a team-high 15 RBIs. He is also tied for the Blaze lead with seven extra-base hits, including a triple and home run. He is also just two RBIs behind the Premier Baseball League lead, despite playing three less games and having 16 less at-bats. Last season, he batted .289 with 19 RBIs over a full season in Langley. According to MLB rules, he cannot sign a pro contract until after graduating. He admits he is leaning towards signing, which would mean his pro career would start this summer in rookie ball in Arizona. Should Houle choose not to sign, he does have a scholarship to Florida's Chipola College. Dustin Houle was selected in the eighth round of Major League Baseball's draft on Tuesday. Photo by Garrett James/Langley Times http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/364*395/37540langleyDustinHouleBlazebaseballwebversion.jpg

Article link, relative portion noted here -- SMART MOVE BY HOULE PAYS OFF WITH DRAFT Dustin Houle decided two seasons ago that if he was going to make his baseball dreams come true, he had to make a move to the Lower Mainland from his home in the Penticton area. On Tuesday, the move paid off after the Milwaukee Brewers selected the third baseman/catcher from the B.C. Premier League's Langley Blaze in the eighth round of the MLB draft, 251st overall. "It was an easy decision to leave, but it was tough leaving my friends and my family," said Houle, a senior at Langley's Brookswood Secondary. "I just knew that going away for baseball was the right thing to do." Houle found out he had been drafted when his mom Fay, who had been following the proceedings via computer, called from Penticton with the good news. Said Doug Mathieson, his coach with the Blaze: "I like everything about him. He's all about baseball and he works his butt off." *** Much more on Houle shortly...

Brewers select Strong in 10th round of MLB Draft By STUART GROSKREUTZ, Stillwater (OK) Gazette Mike Strong has 18 hours of course work left at Oklahoma State University to get his degree in education, but his first job out college will not be in the classroom. The 2007 Stillwater Area High School graduate will be working and playing outdoors as a pitcher in the minor leagues after the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 10th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday afternoon. He was the 311th player chosen. "I was really excited," Strong said. "I wanted to go in the slot rounds and that's where I went. I'm pretty happy with the 10th round. The Brewers guy called me and said 'congratulations, you're a Brewer'. I just said thank you very much. It's a great feeling." This marks the third time Strong has been drafted, but unlike previous years the option of returning to college baseball does not exist. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 22nd round a year ago and by the White Sox in the 25th round after completing his second year at Iowa Western Community College in 2009. He more seriously considered signing with the White Sox two years ago when he was offered a contract that could well be higher than the one he eventually signs with the Brewers, but the maturity and growth over the last two years has raised his confidence and bolstered his ability to deal with the rigors of professional baseball. "My sophomore year was the most money I would have got, but I knew I wasn't ready," Strong said. "I knew if I don't perform they'll release you just like that. I knew going back to school was the best option for me." He has worked as a starter and out of the bullpen for the Cowboys and says he is willing to do whatever the Brewers request, although his preference is to be a starter. Strong said he'll meet with representatives from the Brewers in a few days and expects to sign and get assigned within a week or two. After his rookie season of pro ball, the left-hander plans to finish up his degree at Oklahoma State in the fall - even if he hopes he won't need to fall back on his Plan B if his baseball career winds down sooner than expected. "Wherever they send me and wherever they need me to fill that role as best I can," Strong said. "I prefer starting, but I just want to be able to help out the club and if they need me in a relief role I've done that, too. I feel comfortable about both. If it's relief, I'll do that. I just want to work my way up and try to get to the highest level where I can stay awhile. I want to get up there as fast as I can, but I want to come back and finish school this fall so I can have my degree. As far as getting to the major leagues, I want to be there in the next one to four years, but it's probably going to be later than one to two years. I want to be up there and successfully help the Brewers win a World Series." Strong compiled a 5-1 record with a 3.61 ERA in 15 appearances - 13 were starts - for the Cowboys this season. He struck out 70 while allowing 64 hits and 25 walks in 72.1 innings. Opponents batted just .241 against him. In his bio on the Oklahoma State baseball website, Strong lists the Twins as his favorite team, although that may have changed with his selection by the Brewers on Tuesday. Going into this year's draft he felt the White Sox - who have been tracking him since high school - showed the most interest. "The Twins would have been nice, but (Milwaukee) is pretty close to my hometown, too," Strong said. "It was a shocker, but it was kind of cool because it's right close to where I live." The left-hander was an all-state performer for the Ponies as a senior when he posted a 6-1 record with a 1.07 ERA. He struck out 69 in just 47 innings. Stillwater Activities Director Ricky Michel was his high school coach and hasn't been surprised by Strong's success. "The biggest difference I see is the size," Michel said. "He was kind of a thin kid with a live arm. He was a lefty and worked hard, but he really thickened up in college and he's made great strides and his curveball is more consistent. I watched him throw for St. Cloud in a wooden bat league and I think in college he got better command of his pitches. He was an excellent high school pitcher and he had a great career, but he learned how to pitch when he went to college." Michel's experience with Strong goes back much further than two years on varsity. "I just remember him loving the game of baseball," Michel said. "Even at Day Ball when he was a fifth- or sixth-grader, he always had that smile on his face and he just loved playing baseball when he was out there on the mound or with his friends. Now he gets to do it for money." Strong also becomes the fourth Stillwater player to get drafted since 2004 when current Minnesota Twins pitcher Glen Perkins was taken out of the University of Minnesota in the first round. Ryan Lindgren, a 2005 Stillwater grad, was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round of the 2005 draft and by the Detroit Tigers in the 27th round in 2006, and St. Olaf outfielder Andrew Schmiesing was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 11th round of the 2007 draft. Arm injuries ended the career of Lindgren - who was the hardest thrower Michel has coached - and Schmiesing is also out of professional baseball. Perkins, meanwhile, was enjoying an exceptional season with the Twins before going on the disabled list. When asked to compare the two left-handers, Michel said there are similarities and differences between Perkins and Strong. "Velocity wise, they were very similar," Michel said. "Glen had better command, but Mike had an idea in high school of developing a third pitch and Glen never really had to because he could go fastball, curveball. Mike was a little more developed as far as having a third pitch. "I think for him the biggest thing they're going to look at it - I'm sure they like the velocity - is going to be the innings to walk ratio. That has to come down to get to that next level. I do know that he likes to pound the ball inside and at that level with the wood bats he's going to like that."

Article link, relative portion noted here -- The Milwaukee Brewers chose Eagles' junior right-hander Jacob Barnes in the 14th round. With Barnes being chosen lower than expected, it becomes a question of how bad Milwaukee - which traded a lot of prospects for major-league pitching the past three years - wants a 6-foot-2, 230-pounder who can throw in the mid 90s but hasn't had huge success on the mound. He was 1-4 with four saves and a 4.58 earned run average this past season. "There's a good chance he may not get quite the money he wants," FGCU assistant coach Rusty McKee said. "He also may want to get his degree." *** FGCU junior Barnes selected By Dana Caldwell, Naples (FL) News ESTERO — Florida Gulf Coast University baseball coach Dave Tollett was so antsy he couldn’t stay in his office to monitor Tuesday’s second of the three-day Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He figured prize signee Granden Goetzman — a five-tool outfielder from Palmtetto — would go in the second round. He was right. Tampa Bay snatched up the 6-foot-4, 195-pounder with the 75th overall pick. Tollett spoke with Goetzman, mostly to congratulate him, but also to keep the door open to FGCU. But it’s highly unlikely Goetzman will make it to campus, Tollett admitted. Tollett also was sweating out the immediate future of rising junior Jacob Barnes, a 6-2, 230-pound right-hander. Barnes was only 1-4 with a 4.58 ERA last season, but he led the Atlantic Sun and is 10th nationally in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.13. Barnes also had a team-high four saves and his size and velocity (up to 96 mph) made him a hot commodity. Tollett figured Barnes to go between the third and 10th rounds, most likely in the sixth or seventh. Milwaukee selected Barnes in the 14th round with the 431st overall pick. “I think we’re going to send Jacob out to play this summer and see where it falls,” Tollett said. Drafted players with remaining collegiate eligibility have until Aug. 15 to declare if they’ll go to school or the pros. Last year FGCU freshman outfielder Sean Dwyer of Leesburg was taken in the 15th round of the 2010 draft and did not make his decision until the last few days. “I think this (Barnes’ decision) is going to be very similar,” Tollett said. Barnes may have been more nervous than Tollett on Tuesday. He said he thought he might fall to the 10th round. “When I saw that wasn’t happening, I was bummed, but once I got a call in the 10th or 11th round, I got a call asking if I was ready to sign, I was fine and I told them, ‘Yeah,’ ” Barnes said. But he might not be ready just yet. Barnes said he believed the signing range (not slotted like early rounders) for the 14th round will be around $70,000. Barnes said a Brewers representative told him he’d be in touch in “a couple of days to talk money and stuff like that. Depending on that, I’ll have a better clue if I’m going to sign with them or come back to school. I would probably have to get a little more than the average, but I haven’t really sat down with my family to talk about that. So I’m not completely sure what it would take. “I would have to consider the benefits and the risk of both.” Barnes said it’s a win-win situation. “I’ve got FGCU to fall back on, which is a pretty good plan,” Barnes said. “Either way, it will work out for me, so I’m really happy about that.”

Article link, relative portion noted here -- Carlos Rodon, a left-hander who was chosen MVP of the NCHSAA 4-A state championship series last week, was taken much later than projected, falling to the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round (491st overall). One of the major reasons Rodon, who was projected by most outlets as being a top-five-round selection, fell hundreds of picks later was what baseball pundits call "signability." Rodon and his parents value the college experience and education, and MLB teams knew it would take a signing bonus in the range of supplemental round's slotted range (about $750,000 to $800,000) to sign him away from his commitment to play at N.C. State next season. The Brewers called Rodon in the fourth round to ask if he would sign for that round's slot money, which is estimated at about $250,000. He declined and was taken by the team 12 rounds later without a phone call beforehand. "It's definitely a business. I've learned a lot about how people truly are," Rodon said. "I got drafted a lot later than I expected, but it happens. Being drafted is pretty great, and especially on top of a state championship (last week)." Rodon struck out 135 batters this season, the most in the Triangle, with a 1.40 ERA. Over his past three seasons, he went 23-2 as a starter. During a complete-game two-hit shutout in the first game of the 4-A championship series, his fastball was clocked at 93 mph in the first inning and only trailed off to 90 mph by the seventh.

Article link, blurb noted here -- Doral Reagan High catcher Mario Amaral, a Florida State signee, waited at home for hours to hear his name called and finally left to go play billiards with his girlfriend when the Brewers took him in the 17th round, 521st overall. “We were getting a little anxious and a little nervous and the rounds just kept going by,” Amaral said. “It was a really good moment to finally know. It’s a dream come true. I had no expectations. A year and a half ago I had no idea I’d have a scholarship to a big time school, much less get drafted.”

McFarland taken on second day of MLB draft By JOSH HAVARD/The Lufkin (TX) Daily News A pair of Lufkin Panthers’ baseball players took the next step to accomplishing a lifetime goal as Gandy Stubblefield and Chris McFarland were taken on the second day of the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday afternoon. Stubblefield, a standout right-handed pitcher, was taken in the 14th round by the Houston Astros, while McFarland, a star shortstop, was taken by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round. The players helped Lufkin advance to the regional quarterfinals this year and will now get the chance to continue their playing careers. “This is a great day for two really good kids,” Lufkin head coach Clay Berry said. “They’ve both got a great intensity in the field and they very well could be in the majors in the next three or four years.” McFarland was a powerful bat in the Lufkin lineup while playing shortstop for the varsity in the last three seasons. He said that while it was an exciting process, it’s one he’s glad is over. “It’s a stressful thing to go through, but I just give God thanks for helping me through it,” McFarland said. “I still don’t know what I’m going to do. There will be a lot of negotiating but everything will work out for the best.” McFarland also has the option of attending a prominent baseball school as he has signed a letter of intent with the Rice Owls. He said either option is intriguing for him. “Rice definitely isn’t a Plan B or a fallback plan,” McFarland said. “I really can’t go wrong either way because whichever I decide to do will be a good decision.” McFarland said he was in no rush to make the decision. “I’m not in any rush right now,” McFarland said. “I’ll probably take the summer to think about it.”

Brewers take UNCW's Cain in round 12 of draft By Chuck Carree, Wilmington (NC) Star-News UNC-Wilmington junior outfielder Andrew Cain was chosen in the 12th round Tuesday by the Milwaukee Brewers in the annual Major League Baseball Draft. The Brewers were the first team to contact Cain in both the fall and the spring and he is pleased with the round he was picked. "I have a decision to make now,'' he said. "It is right in the middle where I got drafted. It is not extremely high, but I am satisfied with it.'' He was the lone current Seahawk taken thus far. The draft resumes at noon Wednesday and concludes after 50 rounds. Cain is a 6-foot-6, 215-pound right fielder known for his athleticism. Scouts say he runs well, throws well and can hit with power. He belted a career-high 10 home runs and drove in 48 runs while batting .302 in the spring. He also swiped 18 bases in 21 attempts, and had two outfield assists. Baseball America considered him the 20th best prospect in the state.

Jones considering options by A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser Wetumpka's Bradley Roney and Jefferson Davis High School's D.J. Jones are both in a wait-and-see approach after being taken Tuesday in the annual baseball draft. Roney was an 18th-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles, while Jones went in the 22nd round to the Milwaukee Brewers. Neither would say what money figure might sway them from going to school. "I don't know yet," Jones said. "We haven't really talked about the money issue and all that." Teams have until Aug. 15 to sign their draft picks. Jones was on a field when he learned he'd been picked. Jones is an instructor at a Strike Zone camp this week -- "I'm trying to make a little extra money" -- and was umpiring a game when his phone rang. He answered just before a play started and called a runner out just as he learned the news. His phone had barely stopped ringing by early Tuesday evening. "I knew I was going to get drafted, but I didn't know exactly when," Jones said. "You could say I'm pumped."

Gagnon is happy to go to Brewers Milwaukee takes Dirtbag pitcher in third round, wants to use him as starter By Bob Keisser, Long Beach Press-Telegram Staff Writer Drew Gagnon has been a starting pitcher for as long as he can remember playing baseball. So there was a sense of relief when the Milwaukee Brewers called his name in the Major League Baseball Amateur draft Tuesday morning. The Long Beach State junior right-hander was selected with the 10th pick of the third round by the Brewers, the 100th player overall. Of all the teams that spoke to Gagnon, his family and his advisors during the scouting process, Milwaukee expressed the most interest in him as a starting pitcher. Several others viewed him as someone who could close games even though he started 43 of 44 games for the Dirtbags. The one relief effort was a 5 1/3-inning drop-in performance in his second collegiate game. "I'm not sure why they thought of me as a reliever, it's just what they told people," he said. Gagnon said there were a few interested teams that said they might draft him in the second round, but he had no problems going when and where he did. "I've always been a starter and it's what I want to do," he said. Gagnon becomes the 19th Dirtbag since 2001 to be selected in the first three rounds of the major league draft, and the 10th pitcher. It's the ninth time in the last 11 years that a Long Beach product has been selected in the first three rounds. "All I know about Milwaukee is that they have a cool park and some good young players like Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun," he said. "I expect to sit down with the team and my family in the next couple of days and take the next step."

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 33 26 .559 - - 17-11 16-15 6-4 W2 Memphis 28 30 .483 4.5 82 16-15 12-15 7-3 W4 Iowa 27 32 .458 6.0 80 13-14 14-18 5-5 L2 Nashville 26 32 .448 6.5 80 16-14 10-18 6-4 L1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tennessee 37 22 .627 - - 20-9 17-13 5-5 W1 Jackson 35 24 .593 2.0 10 17-11 18-13 7-3 L1 Huntsville 29 29 .500 7.5 5 15-9 14-20 4-6 L1 Chattanooga 27 32 .458 10.0 2 14-20 13-12 3-7 W1 Carolina 18 41 .305 19.0 E 11-19 7-22 4-6 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 42 16 .724 - - 22-7 20-9 6-4 W2 Clearwater 37 22 .627 5.5 7 20-12 17-10 6-4 L1 Dunedin 31 27 .534 11.0 2 11-15 20-12 5-5 L1 Lakeland 30 28 .517 12.0 1 17-13 13-15 6-4 L3 Tampa 30 29 .508 12.5 E 13-16 17-13 9-1 W4 Brevard County 21 37 .362 21.0 E 12-19 9-18 4-6 L2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 40 19 .678 - - 19-5 21-14 5-5 W2 Quad Cities 32 26 .552 7.5 - 13-12 19-14 7-3 W1 Peoria 30 28 .517 9.5 11 18-9 12-19 3-7 L2 Wisconsin 30 28 .517 9.5 11 17-13 13-15 4-6 L1 Beloit 28 30 .483 11.5 9 11-15 17-15 6-4 L2 Cedar Rapids 27 31 .466 12.5 8 15-12 12-19 3-7 L5 Kane County 26 32 .448 13.5 6 13-14 13-18 5-5 W1 Clinton 20 39 .339 20.0 E 7-20 13-19 7-3 W3 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Brewers 7 0 1.000 - - 3-0 4-0 7-0 W7 DSL Athletics 4 3 .571 3.0 63 2-1 2-2 4-3 W2 DSL Mariners 2 4 .333 4.5 62 1-2 1-2 2-4 L3 DSL Cardinals 0 6 .000 6.5 60 0-4 0-2 0-6 L6

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin DSL Brewers

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: Idle Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- it's the BayBears feed Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link -- select the Dunedin feed from the main MiLB.com audio page Wisconsin: RHP Jameson Dunn at home vs. Lake County (Indians), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM, although game data won't be available until late afternoon at the earliest

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

Lee Haydel now with only seven steals in 16 attempts. Ouch. *** Huntsville's Lee Haydel is caught stealing as Mobile shortstop Taylor Harbin makes the second inning tag Tuesday June 7, 2011 at Hank Aaron Stadium. (Press-Register Photo, Chip English) http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9676564-large.jpg

As playoff push begins, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers get pushed around by Mike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent GRAND CHUTE — This was supposed to be the start of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' playoff push. But Tuesday on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium, the Rattlers just got pushed around by Lake County as they suffered a costly 9-0 loss in Midwest League play. Rattlers manager Matt Erickson didn't mince words when assessing his team's play. "We played like horse crap tonight," he said. "That was, I think, all around the worst ballgame we've played all season." With 12 games to play in the first half, the Rattlers remain tied with Peoria in the standings and are two games behind Quad Cities for the final playoff spot. The Rattlers committed four errors on the night, managed just six hits and had a decent outing going from struggling starter Jimmy Nelson (1-6) until the sixth when, after setting down the first two hitters, gave up two walks, three singles and four runs. Also mixed in were a wild pitch and an error. "It's very disappointing," said center fielder Reggie Keen. "We came out lackadaisical, nonchalant, didn't make plays. Four errors tonight, left some guys on base. "We really need to focus on making the playoffs. That's what they've been stressing to us the past couple weeks. Everybody here wants to make the playoffs, but we can't come out and play like that.'' It was certainly mystifying to Erickson who, after seeing his team win its final two games on its lengthy 13-game road trip, was expecting a far better effort. "We put ourselves, with the body of work we've done through this first half, to be in a pretty good situation for a playoff run here in the next two weeks," he said. "Tonight it was frustrating because there didn't seem like a sense of urgency. "I was excited. We had played well at home recently. We've been pretty good here. We had a good workday today. Everything in our preparation leading up to the game. I thought, was good and we laid an egg. No doubt about it." After what could only be termed an embarrassing performance, the Rattlers are eager to make amends. And if they are to stay in the playoff chase, they must. "We were all excited to come back home and play in front of the home crowd and we were just lazy tonight," said Keen. "I guess it happens sometimes in baseball, but it won't happen the next couple of nights, I can bet on that. We're going to come out and play hard." Erickson also believed his team would turn things around, but not before some extra work before today's noon start. "But that's the beauty of the game of baseball," said Erickson. "We get to show up here tomorrow and prove that that's not our team."

Planning your day? We've got Huntsville and Wisconsin with noontime games (Central) Wednesday. Link Report will be available shortly before.

Chris' post-game thoughts and video highlights (yes, it's very brief highlights)

VIDEO: Erick Almonte's silent movie three-run home run

Photo by BRETT DUKE / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE Nashville Sounds (5) Eric Farris prepares to tag out New Orleans Zephyrs (7) Josh Kroeger who was trying to steal second base in the first inning at Zephyrs Field in Metairie Tuesday, June 7, 2011. http://media.nola.com/tpphotos/photo/2011/06/9675358-standard.jpg

Our good friend TooLiveBrew is kindly going to fill in for Sessile (and me) again this evening, look for his Huntsville and Wisconsin recaps late tonight / very early this AM.

Wisconsin Media Notes

Final: DSL Brewers 13, @DSL Cardinals 5 Who dat say gonna beat dem Brewers? DSL Brewers Box Score OK, now we're just getting silly here with 16-year-old SS Orlando Arcia -- grand slam in the 8th, his 3rd HR in just 26 AB's (2-for-5 with a walk in this one). 18-year-old RF Raul Mondesi, Jr. (of course RF, right dad?) also homered, 3-for-5 with four runs scored; every Brewer starter reached at least twice, and several thrice -- 14 base hits, five walks, three HBP's; there were six HBP's combined, not a rarity in this league -- can you imagine if the folks at Plunk Everyone covered things in the DSL; in what will be an oft-used pun the next several years, 19-year-old RHP Joel Dicent was decent (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 2 HBP, 6 K, 2 WP); 17-year-old RHP Gian Rizzo finished up with three innings of two-run ball, but walked none (one HBP). This club is playing defense (clean today), throwing strikes, and ripping it up offensively. Not only that, but we have Orlando Arcia (trumpets blare)! Perspective -- for the entire 2010 DSL season, the Brewers hit 22 home runs as a team! Ronny Puello led the team with four. Orlando Arcia (trumpets blare)! has nearly matched that after one week of play. In other news, he gets his learner's permit this Saturday. Wonder if the two catching Mejia's are brothers -- 20-year-old Deivi (the elder) is raking. DSL Brewers Play-by-Play Behold Orlando -- DSL Brewers Top of the 8th Juan De Leon walks. Raul Mondesi singles on a fly ball to center fielder Amaury Capellan. Juan De Leon to 2nd. Joan Abreu walks. Juan De Leon to 3rd. Raul Mondesi to 2nd. Alejandro Mendoza reaches on force attempt, fielding error by second baseman Daniel Barbuena. Juan De Leon scores. Raul Mondesi to 3rd. Joan Abreu to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Anthony De La Cruz replaces Alberth Almeida. Yonki Hernandez pops out to first baseman Rafael Medina on the infield fly rule. Orlando Arcia hits a grand slam (3) to left field. Raul Mondesi scores. Joan Abreu scores. Alejandro Mendoza scores. Dionis Hinojosa called out on strikes. Jose Pena walks. Deivi Mejia called out on strikes. DSL Cardinals now 0-6. Take that!

You may be surprised to see just how few 18 and 19 year olds are in the Midwest League. 20 and 21 year olds, I'll grant you that.

Final: @New Orleans 5, Nashville 4 Sounds End Winning Streak With 5-4 Loss In New Orleans Nashville Sounds METAIRIE, La. - The Nashville Sounds lost, 5-4, to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Tuesday afternoon at Zephyr Field in the finale of a four-game set. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for Nashville, who took the first three games of the four-game series. The one-run loss for Nashville (26-32) was the club's PCL-leading 16th of the season, which has accounted for half of the club's total defeats. Brett Carroll and Taylor Green each homered in the loss, while Jordan Brown added two hits with two runs scored. The Sounds quickly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After Brown singled to center field, Carroll belted a two-run homer to left. The long ball was his seventh of the season. You can listen to Stu's audio call of the HR via the link leading off this post. New Orleans knotted the contest at 2-2 in the next frame. With runners on second and third and two outs, Zephyrs outfielder Josh Kroeger knocked a two-run single to center field. Oscar Salazar gave New Orleans a 3-2 lead in the next inning with a solo shot to left field, his second of the season. The Sounds were able to tie the contest at 3-3 in the top of the third inning. Brown led off the frame with a single to left field, moved to third on a Carroll double, and scored on a Mike Rivera RBI groundout. Sounds starter Josh Butler ran into trouble in the fifth inning as the right-hander walked the bases loaded and was removed from the contest. Reliever Justin James came into the jam and allowed a bases-loaded RBI base hit to Ruben Gotay for the first run, and an RBI groundout to Jesus Merchan for a 5-3 New Orleans lead. Green brought the Sounds within one run at 5-4 with a solo home run to right field in the top of the eighth inning. Green's homer was his eighth of the season, and second in consecutive games. New Orleans closer Jose Ceda struck out the side to pick up his PCL-leading 16th save of the season. Caleb Gindl extended his hitting streak to eight games, while Green's 2-for-4 effort extended his hitting streak to six games. Tossing 103 pitches through four plus innings on the afternoon, Butler (3-4) was charged for five runs on eight hits with five walks in the loss. James gave up no runs on one hit, but allowed two of three inherited runners to score in his inning. Daniel Herrera added a scoreless inning in relief. In his first appearance since begin optioned by Milwaukee three days ago, Mike McClendon fanned two over two shutout innings. This season, McClendon has pitched 11.0 consecutive scoreless innings over seven outings, both a team-best. New Orleans starter Chris Sampson (3-0) took home a win after allowing three runs on eight hits with five strikeouts in five innings. After an off-day on Wednesday, the Sounds continue their road trip with a four-game series with the Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA-Dodgers) beginning at 8:05 PM CT on Thursday night at Isotopes Park. Right-hander Mark DiFelice (1-1, 2.29) makes his second start of the season for the Sounds against Isotopes southpaw and former Milwaukee Brewer Dana Eveland (6-3, 2.90). Nashville Box Score Anybody else getting pretty ramped up about Taylor Green's future contributions to the big league club? Yeah, me too. This was a bit of a make-or-break year and Taylor's choosing "make". Caleb Gindl doubles and walks -- y'know Green and Gindl have suddenly made this AAA season fairly relevant. Mat Gamel was 0-for-4, and Don Money has had him tied with cement shoes to the 5th spot in the lineup for some time now. Mike McClendon so does not belong in Nashville, but neither do any of the guys in Milwaukee now. Eventually Takashi Saito and Brandon Kintzler will be able to go live, and while Mitch Stetter probably would be optioned to AAA upon becoming healthy, that's still another Nashville body to disperse. And that's not even factoring in a Manny Parra sighting, which seems totally unnecessary right now. Nashville Play-by-Play Josh Butler has walked 13 in his last 14 innings -- his last two starts have been particulary "not good". Hope he didn't have flashbacks to his near skull-knocking partially grazed shot form a few weeks ago here -- New Orleans Bottom of the 4th Jesus Merchan singles on a fly ball to right fielder Caleb Gindl. Chris Sampson strikes out on foul bunt. Mike Cervenak singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Brown. Jesus Merchan to 2nd. Joe Thurston lines into double play, pitcher Josh Butler to first baseman Mat Gamel. Mike Cervenak out at 1st. When Butler came back on the mound, this happened -- New Orleans Bottom of the 5th Vinny Rottino walks. With Chris Aguila batting, Vinny Rottino steals (8) 2nd base. Chris Aguila walks. Josh Kroeger walks. Vinny Rottino to 3rd. Chris Aguila to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Justin James replaces Josh Butler, batting 9th. Two of those runners would score. By the way, free Daniel Ray Herrera. And finally, quietly saying good night -- Nashville Top of the 9th Pitcher Change: Jose Ceda replaces Victor Garate, batting 4th. Jordan Brown strikes out on foul tip. Brett Carroll called out on strikes. Mike Rivera called out on strikes.