Jim Goulart

Nashville Media Notes

Post-game audio -- From the press pool / locker room -- Ron Roenicke Chris Narveson Casey McGehee Pre-game interviews -- Rickie Weeks with Cory Provus Randy Wolf in a lengthy interview with WSSP's Big Show

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 12 7 .632 - - 7-1 5-6 9-1 W8 Iowa 10 8 .556 1.5 125 5-2 5-6 6-4 W1 Nashville 8 11 .421 4.0 122 5-6 3-5 3-7 L3 Memphis 6 12 .333 5.5 121 5-6 1-6 3-7 L1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Huntsville 12 6 .667 - - 7-1 5-5 6-4 L1 Tennessee 12 6 .667 - - 4-1 8-5 6-4 L1 Chattanooga 10 8 .556 2.0 51 5-5 5-3 6-4 L2 Jackson 8 10 .444 4.0 49 2-6 6-4 4-6 L1 Carolina 5 13 .278 7.0 46 5-8 0-5 4-6 W2 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 13 5 .722 - - 6-1 7-4 7-3 W6 Clearwater 10 7 .588 2.5 51 4-4 6-3 5-5 W1 Lakeland 10 8 .556 3.0 50 7-4 3-4 5-5 W1 Tampa 7 10 .412 5.5 48 2-7 5-3 4-6 L5 Brevard County 7 11 .389 6.0 47 2-6 5-5 4-6 L1 Dunedin 6 12 .333 7.0 46 2-8 4-4 5-5 L2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 13 3 .813 - - 5-1 8-2 9-1 W5 Cedar Rapids 11 6 .647 2.5 - 5-3 6-3 8-2 W1 Beloit 8 7 .533 4.5 53 4-3 4-4 5-5 L2 Peoria 9 8 .529 4.5 52 4-3 5-5 6-4 W2 Quad Cities 8 9 .471 5.5 51 3-6 5-3 3-7 W2 Kane County 7 11 .389 7.0 49 4-6 3-5 4-6 L2 Wisconsin 5 9 .357 7.0 51 3-5 2-4 3-7 L4 Clinton 5 13 .278 9.0 47 3-8 2-5 3-7 L1

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 10:50 AM pre-game; 11:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Huntsville: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:43 PM gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast via the Barons' feed: Listen Brevard County: RHP Adrian Rosario at Lakeland (Tigers), 9:30 AM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this contest... Wisconsin: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Quad City (Cardinals), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime; RHP Dan Britt is likely to see action behind Thornburg Live Audio Link

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Timber Rattlers' offense looks weathered after loss to River Bandits by Mike Woods, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Oftentimes it's said a baseball team will take on the personality of its manager. But thus far, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have taken on the personality of the local weather — cold, dreary and inconsistent. The Rattlers dropped their fourth straight game Monday on Timer Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium, shut out by the Quad Cities River Bandits 5-0 before a crowd of 546. "It's been a difficult stretch,'' said first baseman Cody Hawn, the team's No. 3 batter, who is hitting .241 and whose rocket to short was snared snow cone-style that resulted in a double play to end the game. "The routine has been messed up a little bit with the snow and the rain and things like that. It just seems things aren't going our way right now. We've run into a few good pitchers who've been on that night and we've been struggling to get on base," he said. Monday was no different. River Bandits starter Kevin Siegrist entered the game with a 2-0 record and 0.82 ERA. Siegrist limited the Rattlers to just three hits over seven innings, struck out eight and lowered his ERA to 0.50. "There've been some inconsistencies, just like the weather," said Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson. "That's what we just talked about. It's April 25 and I think we have some guys worried about what has happened the last 13 games. "They're hitting a buck 25 and that stuff has got to be thrown out. You've got to move on to the next pitch, the next opportunity. Each at-bat has got to be a different opportunity and if you're thinking about what's happened in the past, you're going to get into longer stretches like we're in offensively." The Rattlers have scored just three runs in their past four games, have been shut out twice and Monday saw their scoreless innings streak stretched to 18 1/3 innings. Though no one in the locker room will say it, having seven games postponed due to weather isn't helping anyone in finding their routine. Then again, Erickson doesn't want to hear it anyway. "I told them we can use all the excuses in the world or else we can go out and compete our butts off and try to get out of this," said Erickson. "I think they will. I think the room is full of competitors. We'll have stretches where everything will fall and we'll get on a tear. But that's part of the game. You're going to go through times when you struggle and that's when your confidence shows, your true confidence. And I think we have some guys fighting that at the plate right now." But he told the team that bad times also offer excellent opportunities. "That's up to each individual to take it upon themselves to make something happen and be a spark," Erickson said. "Each bad stretch like this gives an opportunity to someone in there to help the team pull out of it. Whether it's a pitcher on the mound or a great defensive play or guys at the plate putting something together.'' Having experienced success last year in rookie ball in Arizona and Helena, a 5-9 start is not how these players envisioned this season would begin. "You have to put all this behind us,'' said Hawn. "It hasn't been the way we wanted it to be out of the gate but we just have to find a way to turn it around. That's the beauty of the game. We get to play every day. It's going to get warm at some point and things will start going our way. Balls will start falling for us and I think it's just a matter of time before it will happen."

Sounds waste good outing for pitcher by Greg Sullivan, the Tennessean The tough luck continued Monday night for Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz (0-1) as he took a no-decision in the Sounds' 2-1 loss to Omaha. "We've got a really good team, but I know my team's struggling," said De La Cruz, who allowed one unearned run in seven innings. "I know we'll be fine. Today, I think I did good, but I made a mistake." Omaha's David Lough scored after reaching on a De La Cruz throwing error. Other than that, it was a solid outing for the right-hander, who gave up five hits and picked up third straight quality start to open the season. "I've just got to go out and throw strikes," he said. "My slider was really good today and, to be honest with you, this is my first year throwing a slider." Hart focused on return: Milwaukee Brewers slugger Corey Hart said he is looking forward to rejoining the big league team soon as he continued his rehab stint with the Sounds. "I'm just trying to get comfortable enough to go back (to Milwaukee) and produce," said Hart, who was 0-for-3 with a strikeout. "They've been playing well, and I'm excited to get back and contribute as much as I can." The Bowling Green, Ky. native, who played parts of two seasons with the Sounds in 2005 and 2006, said it was good to be near his hometown in the meantime. "We've got a pretty close-knit town, so when anybody from there comes back it's always kind of nice to see people flock out." Just like home: When former Sound Lorenzo Cain returned to Greer Stadium over the weekend as a member of the Omaha Storm Chasers, it was like he never left. Even though he wears a different uniform, the Cali Swag District's "Teach Me How to Dougie" still blares over the loud speakers in Nashville when he steps up to the plate just like it did last year. And then there are the familiar faces, including Sounds leadoff man Eric Farris, who took over his leadoff role. "From day one we clicked," Cain said of his former teammate who had been in the Brewers system with him since Farris was drafted in 2007. "It was a blast for the both of us." Cain went to the Royals in the offseason as part of the Zack Greinke deal. Cain's prospect stock soared when he batted .306 in 147 at-bats last season in a late callup by the Brewers. Even though Cain and Farris are now in different organizations, they still have to perform well on the field or risk the other taking bragging rights over the phone. "You better believe I know what he's doing all the time," Farris said. "If he's struggling a little bit, he's going to hear it from me."

Nashville Audio Archive -- April 25 - Chat with infielder Taylor Green

Timber Rattlers Lineup and Game Notes April 25, 2011 -- also pitching rotation for duration of the series

According to the transaction page at the independent Atlantic League's site, the Brewers have acquired infielder (primarily a shortstop) Hainley Statia from the Lancaster (PA) Barnstormers. Statia is a 25-year-old from Curacao and has been a member of the Dutch national baseball team. He was a longtime member of the Angels' organization (9th round, 2004). He's played 34 games at the AAA level, although he's almost certain to be assigned mid-way down the chain. Career stats No word yet on any formal placement. The Brewers definitely put out the word for SS help, and found a couple of somewhat obscure "help us out" indy league signees to fill an organizational gap.

Huntsville Media Notes

Nashville Media Notes -- DOING IT FOR THE KIDS: Sounds pitchers Justin James and Chase Wright and catcher Patrick Arlis spent this morning at Greer Stadium hosting a baseball clinic for 35 deaf and hard-of-hearing children from the Nashville Sertoma Club. The players oversaw hitting, fielding, and pitching drills during the 60-minute session then enjoyed lunch with the participants. Nice! Of course, all your on-field related minutia is included at the link as well.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 11 7 .611 - - 7-1 4-6 9-1 W7 Iowa 9 8 .529 1.5 126 5-2 4-6 6-4 L2 Nashville 8 10 .444 3.0 124 5-5 3-5 3-7 L2 Memphis 6 11 .353 4.5 123 5-5 1-6 3-7 W2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Huntsville 12 5 .706 - - 7-0 5-5 7-3 W4 Tennessee 12 5 .706 - - 4-1 8-4 7-3 W3 Chattanooga 10 7 .588 2.0 52 5-5 5-2 6-4 L1 Jackson 8 9 .471 4.0 50 2-5 6-4 5-5 W1 Carolina 4 13 .235 8.0 46 4-8 0-5 3-7 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 13 5 .722 - - 6-1 7-4 7-3 W6 Clearwater 10 7 .588 2.5 51 4-4 6-3 5-5 W1 Lakeland 9 8 .529 3.5 50 6-4 3-4 5-5 L4 Brevard County 7 10 .412 5.5 48 2-6 5-4 5-5 W2 Tampa 7 10 .412 5.5 48 2-7 5-3 4-6 L5 Dunedin 6 12 .333 7.0 46 2-8 4-4 5-5 L2 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Burlington 12 3 .800 - - 5-1 7-2 8-2 W4 Cedar Rapids 10 6 .625 2.5 - 4-3 6-3 8-2 L1 Beloit 8 6 .571 3.5 55 4-2 4-4 6-4 L1 Peoria 8 8 .500 4.5 53 4-3 4-5 5-5 W1 Quad Cities 7 9 .438 5.5 52 3-6 4-3 3-7 W1 Kane County 7 10 .412 6.0 51 4-6 3-4 5-5 L1 Wisconsin 5 8 .385 6.0 53 3-4 2-4 3-7 L3 Clinton 5 12 .294 8.0 49 3-7 2-5 4-6 W1

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Nashville (Gameday also available) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin

Monday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Frankie De La Cruz at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Huntsville: RHP Jesus Sanchez at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:43 PM gametime Live Audio Link iPad/iPhone: Listen Traditional broadcast via the Barons' feed: Listen Brevard County: TBD (likely RHP Nick Bucci) at Lakeland (Tigers), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio available for this contest... Wisconsin: RHP Jimmy Nelson at home vs. Quad City (Cardinals), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime Live Audio Link

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Actually, turns out it was Tom H. who first mentioned the shoulder issue for Andre Lamontagne back on April 6th...sorry about any confusion, although little is definitive when it comes to the prospect injury front.

Injury note: Morris struck out in the top of the 9th and was replaced in the bottom; he may have been injured somehow. UPDATE: It seems Hunter Morris dinged up a finger during that at-bat, something to keep an eye on this week. Not a big deal, it seems.

WSSP Post-Game Audio -- Ron Roenicke Post-Game with Press Corps Randy Wolf Post-Game with Press Corps Wil Nieves Post-Game with Press Corps Carlos Gomez joins Tim and Sparky after Brewers win WSSP Pre-Game: Chat with Chris Narveson

Earlier we had heard biceps tendinitis for RHP Andre Lamontagne, but Baseball America's J.J. Cooper now lists his status as "shoulder injury". That's not a good trade-off. Here's hoping...

Twitter post from the Rattlers -- RHP Austin Ross the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week, nice! Overcame the snowouts and rainouts...

Huntsville Stars rally past Birmingham on Caufield's clutch hitBy Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Chuckie Caufield went all old-school on Saturday. Then Caufield went opposite-field, and the Huntsville Stars marched away with a 4-3 victory in front of their largest crowd of the young season. Caufield sliced a two-run double in the eighth, on a 3-2, two-out pitch by Birmingham reliever Tyson Corley, to complete the Stars' comeback over the Barons. Huntsville is now 11-5 on the season, 6-0 at Joe Davis Stadium, where an announced crowd of 6,438 attended Saturday. Caufield was sporting a pair of the old-style stirrup socks, with tall arches of white sanitary socks looming over his shoetops. It's the sort of "ESPN Classic" vision that warms to aging, nostalgic hearts. "I like old school," Caufield said. "I'm an old-school guy. I liked how old-school guys competed hard. They were tough guys. I think the toughness they have is something I try to showcase every day I step on the field." But it's -- careful not to trip on the triple negative -- not that he's never going to not wear the more current solid socks most players use. "I'll alternate them. I'm not superstitious," he said. Caufield, a 27-year-old outfielder, spent most of last season with the Stars, but had no qualms about returning this year. "As long as I've got a uniform on my back, and the grace of God, I have an opportunity to go out and compete, which a lot of people wish they could do," he said. "I try to come out every day and have a good time and enjoy it." "He's a guy that always plays hard and he always gives you the best he's got," manager Mike Guerrero said. "He's the type of player that you don't know if he's going good or bad because he always busts his butt out there." He was going bad -- 0-for-3 -- when he came to bat against Corley, a sidearming righthander. Caufield faced him a few times last year and knew he relied on a devastating sinker. On 3-2, Corley threw what Caufield called "a tough pitch to handle," a sinker on the inside corner. "But I was able to get my hands inside and protect the plate and the ball found some green grass." "Incredible at-bat," Guerrero called it. "Clutch at-bat." A pitcher's duel was pretty much assured, what with the Barons and Stars coming in tied for last in the Southern League in runs scored. Huntsville started its ace, Wily Peralta, who allowed eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, whiffing six. One of the hits was a Seth Loman homer, giving the Barons a cozy 3-0 cushion going into the seventh. Birmingham countered with Dylan Axelrod, who stuffed the Stars pretty good for six innings, then allowed a Brandon Jones triple and Steffan Wilson RBI single in the seventh. The Birmingham bullpen was fickle, with Nathan Jones allowing a Jones sacrifice fly and leaving the bases loading for Corley to face Caufield. Nervous? "Not at all," Caufield said. "I've actually had the opportunity to have some big-time hits in some clutch situations. I love to be in that situation. It doesn't bother me. It actually motivates me. I feel like somebody's got to get it done. Why not me?" Huntsville Stars outfielder Chuckie Caufield (Huntsville Times file photo) http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/9513386-large.jpg

This report from the Tennessean places in print most of the quotes you heard from Zack Greinke directly in the video link above. There is also a nice Sounds photo gallery accompanying the article.

The Brewers have acquired former big league infielder Andy Gonzalez (White Sox, Indians, Marlins) from the York (PA) Revolution of the independent Atlantic League (career stats). Gonzalez will be assigned to Huntsville. The Puerto Rico native is 29 years old, and posted only a .539 OPS in his 225 big league AB's thus far. Gonzalez was set to play in the independent Can-Am League in the spring of 2010 when he suffered a torn meniscus which required surgery and kept him off the field for the entire regular season. The signing may mean trouble for newcomer Yancarlos Ortiz, who has seen very limited backup action, and less time in a shortstop experiment for Matt Cline, although Cline's presence there remains a bit intriguing, as Toby tweeted here.