Jim Goulart

Nashville's series in Oklahoma City available for subscription viewing via MiLB.TV.

If Helena can't pull out the win, does the eight-game winning streak end? Or does it get officially assigned to August 9th? Guessing the latter. Go out and grab the victory anyway, boys...

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP's Chase Wright and Chuck Lofgren in a doubledip at Oklahoma City (Rangers), 4:50 PM pre-game; 5:05 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Live Audio Link Huntsville: TBD (perhaps RHP Michael Bowman) at Montgomery (Rays), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD (perhaps RHP Kyle Heckathorn) at Tampa (Yankees); 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Jake Odorizzi at home vs. Kane County (Athletics), 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: First, it's the completion of this August 9th suspended game at home vs. Billings (Reds) -- Brewers trail 3-0 after four innings, still looking for their first hit, then it's RHP Tyler Thornburg set to start the seven-inning nightcap, 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Reds' squad, 9:00 PM; this is a one-game final for the Arizona Summer League championship DSL Brewers: Season complete

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

Along with Eric Farris, perhaps no Brewer farmhand spurs more discussion among our posters than Brendan Katin. Katin chats with Stu here.

Brewers complete perfect road trip with win over Idaho Falls By The Helena Independent Record IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Carlos George never wanted to get home quite this badly. The Helena Brewers shortstop had suffered through a miserable night, committing four fielding errors, one of which had allowed the tying run to score. But, standing on third base in the ninth inning of a tie game, George took advantage of a wild throw on a pickoff attempt by Idaho Falls catcher Travis Jones and raced home with the winning run as the Brewers completed a perfect seven-game road trip with a 5-3 Pioneer League victory over the Chukars on Monday night. Helena, which comes home for a crucial doubleheader against Billings today at Kindrick Legion Field, extended its season-high winning streak to eight games and its lead over Great Falls to 2 ½ games in the Pioneer League’s North Division. Billings, which finished two games ahead of Helena in the first half of the season, trails the Brewers by 4 ½ games, meaning a Helena sweep tonight would all but guarantee the Brewers a spot in the Pioneer League playoffs. George’s throwing error with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning allowed Justin Trapp to score and tie the game at 3. But George beat out an infield single with one out in the ninth to start Helena’s winning rally. Shea Vucinich followed with a bloop single down the rightfield line, moving George to third. Vucinich then stole second base without a throw. But Jones caught George leading too far from the bag at third and fired to third baseman Correy Figueroa. But the throw was high and both George and Vucinich scored on the play to give Helena a 5-3 lead. The Brewers (37-28 overall, 18-9 second half) had to withstand some nervous moments in the bottom of the ninth, however. After Eric Marzec (4-3) retired the first two batters routinely, Jovan Pickett reached on George’s fourth error of the game. But Marzec got Thomas Zebroski to fly out to center for the final out.

The Florida State League announced their full-season 2010 All-Star Team. Congratulations to outfielder Erik Komatsu and utility infielder Sergio Miranda.

Brad Krause with plenty of Rattlers notes and thoughts and his usual excellent series of photograph galleries. This may be Brad's last report for 2010, if so, thank you very much!

Jim Oskola, also on the Post-Crescent blog: Where the T-rats came up short

Post-Crescent's Cory Jennerjohn: The Timber Rattlers playoff hopes just got exponentially tougher after a ninth-inning rally fell short. Wisconsin is now 4 ½ games back in the second half Western Division wild card race with just seven games to play. “We’re going to keep playing, keep battling, keep trying to win and whatever happens, happens,” said Rattlers third baseman Cutter Dykstra, who saw his 13-game hitting streak come to an end. In the final inning, Kentrail Davis legged out a singled off the right leg of Cougars reliever Connor Hoehn, who would allow Davis to score on a wild pitch. That was followed by a Hunter Morris double to left center, a Khris Davis walk and a D’Vontrey Richardson one-run double off the left field wall that just missed being a game-winning home run by five feet. With the bases loaded, Cameron Garfield grounded into a 5-2-3 double play and Michael Marseco hit a line drive right to leaping Cougars third baseman Leonardo Gil. “I like the fight our guys had there down 4-1,” said Timber Rattlers manager Jeff Isom. “Michael Marseco puts a good swing on a ball. If that gets down, two runs score.” The strike zone was a point of contention all day that saw Timber Rattlers pitching coach Chris Hook and Kane County outfielder Myrio Richard get tossed. “You can’t get out of your gameplan,” Dykstra said. “You still got to go up there and you know compete. So there’s nothing you can really do about it.”

Have not done detailed research into franchise / affillite sentiment regarding current arrangements, but these are simply direct ballpark info links regarding the five AA relationships Mark McCarter mentions above -- someone gets Huntsville in this game of musical chairs: Erie, PA -- Tigers (opened in 1995); Eastern League San Antonio, TX -- Padres (opened in 1994); Texas League Richmond, VA -- Giants (opened in 1985); Eastern League Arkansas (Little Rock) -- Angels (opened in 2007); Texas League West Tenn (Jackson, TN) -- Mariners (opened in 1998); Southern League; they never draw well, but that seems to be a population issue rather than a stadium issue *** Oklahoma City (AAA) and Little Rock are 340 miles (five hour drive) apart. Make it happen, Brewers!

Getting to know reliever Eddie MorlanHey, Amaury Rivas is a good dresser...

This is all so tiring -- please hope for stable and fruitful AAA and AA relationships beginning in 2011 -- *** Link while active, text follows: President of Minor League Baseball offers negative assessment of Joe Davis Stadium Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, AL. -- The condition of Joe W. Davis Stadium "is not conducive to the long-term health of baseball in Huntsville," according to Pat O'Conner, president of Minor League Baseball. O'Conner met with Huntsville Stars general manager Buck Rogers and Southern League president Don Mincher at the stadium on Friday for an informal tour of the 26-year-old city-owned park and said "the status quo is no longer acceptable." O'Conner said his organization will "enforce the rules" to see that the park meets standards set by Minor League Baseball. In an extreme measure, "We can force the club to leave eventually," O'Conner said in an interview with The Times on Monday. "That's the death sentence, so to speak, and we prefer not to do that. "I'm not coming in here complaining or threatening. It's an honest assessment of the situation," he said. "I'm not trying to be overly critical. I'm just trying to be a pragmatist about it," O'Conner said. "They need a ballpark. They need a gross renovation or a (new) ballpark and I'm not sure a renovation will help them there." O'Conner is "a problem solver (who) attacks things head-on," according to Mincher, a former owner and general manager of the Stars. O'Conner was en route to Nashville when he stopped in Huntsville because "I know (the stadium) is going to be an issue this winter," he said. The Milwaukee Brewers have not renewed their player-development contract with the Stars for the next two years, and Brewers' business manager Scott Martens said Monday there "is nothing new" on that front. If the Brewers exercise the right to negotiate with potential other minor league ownerships and cities, which will be permitted beginning Sept. 13, the only available major league affiliates are expected to be the Anaheim Angels, Detroit Tigers, San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners. The Brewers have expressed their displeasure with the city's response to requests for improvements, but Mayor Tommy Battle has said the team's attendance, coupled with the city's $15 million budget deficit, does not warrant substantial investments in renovation or replacing Joe Davis Stadium. Battle has said he's not thrilled about the city's contract with the Stars, which was already in place when he took office in late 2008. The Stars pay the city just $10,000 per season to use the stadium, he said. Meanwhile, the city is obligated to pay expensive stadium maintenance and upgrades. Among other things, the city is contractually obligated to replace the infield and outfield grass before next baseball season. Battle's chief of staff, Trent Willis, said that could cost as much as $100,000. "We have cities in (Minor League Baseball) that are unable to do things and we have cities that are unwilling," O'Conner said. "I'm not sure yet where Huntsville fits." Miles Prentice, the Stars' majority owner, has repeatedly insisted he plans to keep the Stars in Huntsville "forever," and announced his intention last April to extend the annual $10,000 lease with the city five more years. However, Prentice told The Times he has "gotten inquiries" from other cities and ownership groups. Ground has been broken for a new stadium in Pensacola, Fla., and a major league affiliate will be sought for that park as soon as 2012, though it would infringe upon territorial rights owned by the Southern League and the Mobile BayBears franchise. "It would break my heart to see Huntsville lose baseball," Mincher said. O'Conner's tour was not part of the annual official inspection conducted by Minor League Baseball that examines lighting, the playing surface, safety issues and team clubhouses. "It looks best from the outside," O'Conner said of the stadium. "When I pulled up, I was pleasantly surprised at the appearance. When we went onto the field and saw the seating bowl and the general appearance, it seemed fine. But when you start to peel the onion back, there are some serious problems there. Very serious problems." Recently, drainage issues left the dugouts flooded from midday storms, raining out two games for which there were sunny skies by game time. A similar incident caused major PR problems for the Stars when the Alabama All-Stars Sports Week's baseball doubleheader was canceled. "It's a great embarrassment for Minor League Baseball when we get rained out because the dugouts get flooded," O'Conner said. "The place leaks like a sieve," he said, prompting concerns about health and safety issues that might result from water damage. "When it happens over and over and over and the solution is, 'Well, that's just the way it is' and people throw up their hands and say 'That's part of the deal,' Well, it can't be part of the deal. Not long-term," O'Conner said. Mincher said that "it's not up to the league office to bring things up to standards. It's the club's responsibility and Minor League Baseball's response to see that it's done." That's where O'Conner's problem-solving trait might exhibit itself. "What we can do is offer assistance, to mediate talks (between the Stars and Huntsville), to come up with ideas," O'Conner said. "For instance, I could have a lighting company in there tomorrow to address that situation. The problem is, nobody wants to pay for it. "There are other needs ... that have gone un-met," O'Conner said. "I don't know if it's the ballclub's responsibility or the city's. I'm not going to micromanage the situation. The bottom line is that something needs to be done. Meaningful conversations ought to be held or Huntsville and that ballclub are going to lose control of that conversation." Photo by Dave Dieter/Huntsville Times Near-empty Joe Davis Stadium is typical occasion http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/joe-davis-stadiumjpg-787876f01cba3618_large.jpg *** Whether it's in the Tennessean (Nashville) or the Huntsville Times, no one ever comments on the rare "baseball" articles, but when the stadium articles publish, watch out -- lots of venom here.

Final: @Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Rangers 5 MiLB.com: Brewers overcome early deficit, rally past Rangers Kyle Dhanini hit a key double and Yadiel Rivera homered to lead the Brewers to a 6-5 win over the Rangers. Dhanini hit a go-ahead two-RBI double with one out and the bases loaded in the eighth inning. It was the only hit of the night for the Brewers' 2009 43rd-round pick. Rivera slugged a three-run homer in the second after the Rangers jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first. Brewers starter Charly Bashara allowed four runs on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings. Greg Holle was credited with the win in relief, allowing a hit and fanning three in 2 2/3 shutout innings. Rangers starter Carlos Melo struck out 13 and allowed three runs on four hits over six innings. Arizona Box Score On to play the Reds in Maryvale Tuesday night for the league championship, as the Reds defeated the Giants, also 6-5; LHP Dexter Bobo, RHP Greg Holle, and RHP Jose Sanchez finished up nicely after an uncharacteristic shaky outing from LHP Charly Bashara; BOO! to the fancy new playoff box score format -- you'll notice that, at least for now, the detailed stats for the Rangers offense are listed twice, the Brewers batters not at all; 2B Nick Shaw tripled and singled out of the leadoff spot; LF Derrick Shaw (no relation) had the other multi-hit game; Brewers were out-hit, 12-7; stats don't count towards regular season totals... Arizona Game Log Brewers shook this off quickly -- three in the 2nd, then the huge 8th inning go-ahead rally... AZL Rangers Top of the 1st Teodoro Martinez singles on a line drive to center fielder Kenneth Allison. Luis Sardinas doubles (1) on a line drive to center fielder Kenneth Allison. Teodoro Martinez scores. Odubel Herrera grounds out, third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt to first baseman Jason Rogers. Tomas Telis singles on a line drive to right fielder John Bivens. Luis Sardinas scores. Christian Villanueva doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Derrick Shaw. Tomas Telis to 3rd. Travis Meiners flies out to right fielder John Bivens. Jhonny Gomez singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Bivens. Tomas Telis scores. Christian Villanueva scores. Alberto Puello grounds out, third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt to first baseman Jason Rogers. AZL Brewers Bottom of the 2nd Kyle Dhanani strikes out swinging. Derrick Shaw singles on a line drive to right fielder Ruben SierraJr. John Bivens walks. Derrick Shaw to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Derrick Shaw scores. John Bivens scores. Nick Shaw triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Teodoro Martinez. Kenneth Allison strikes out swinging. Jason Rogers strikes out swinging. AZL Brewers Bottom of the 8th Nick Shaw singles on a ground ball to left fielder Travis Meiners. Kenneth Allison singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Christian Villanueva. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Jason Rogers walks. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Kenneth Allison to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Joseph Van Meter replaces Anthony Haase. Thomas Mittelstaedt walks. Nick Shaw scores. Kenneth Allison to 3rd. Jason Rogers to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Jose Monegro replaces Joseph Van Meter. Tyler Roberts strikes out swinging. Kyle Dhanani doubles (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Teodoro Martinez. Kenneth Allison scores. Jason Rogers scores. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 3rd. Derrick Shaw pops into double play, second baseman Odubel Herrera to catcher Alberto Puello. Thomas Mittelstaedt out at home. Tight to the end -- AZL Rangers Top of the 9th Pitcher Change: Jose Sanchez replaces Gregory Holle. Jhonny Gomez grounds out, second baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Jason Rogers. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Johnathan Moore replaces Alberto Puello. Johnathan Moore grounds out, third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt to first baseman Jason Rogers. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Drew Robinson replaces Ruben SierraJr. Drew Robinson singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Bivens. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Braxton Lane replaces Drew Robinson. Teodoro Martinez singles on a ground ball to right fielder John Bivens. Braxton Lane to 2nd. Luis Sardinas flies out to left fielder Derrick Shaw. Wow, check out Holle's work here in the 6th! AZL Rangers Top of the 6th Christian Villanueva doubles (2) on a fly ball to left fielder Derrick Shaw. Travis Meiners triples (1) on a line drive to left fielder Derrick Shaw. Christian Villanueva scores. Jhonny Gomez grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jason Rogers. Pitcher Change: Gregory Holle replaces Dexter Bobo. Alberto Puello strikes out swinging. Ruben SierraJr. strikes out swinging.

Figures it was Reyes -- the first pitcher of note mentioned in our season-wrap up post: 6'0" RHP Eduard Reyes (stats) turns 20 this week and had wonderful peripherals over nine appearances (seven starts).

We'll occasionally update the Alumni thread with posts, but certainly not to this extent (start-by-start). The unique circumstances made this season's thread a curiosity.

Strong August 29th outing (tough-luck loss) Sunday for Romanski, his 2nd with Tampa in the FSL. He'll likely get one more start this season, and then we'll put this thread to bed for good.

PDF document: Nashville Media Notes

MiLB.com takes a brief look at the four Arizona League playoff participants.

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 77 58 .570 - - 37-31 40-27 6-4 W1 Memphis 77 59 .566 0.5 9 45-25 32-34 8-2 W6 Omaha 74 62 .544 3.5 6 36-32 38-30 4-6 L1 Nashville 72 63 .533 5.0 5 39-31 33-32 7-3 W2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak *# Tennessee 40 23 .635 - - 25-10 15-13 6-4 L1 Huntsville 31 31 .500 8.5 E 18-13 13-18 3-7 W1 Chattanooga 30 33 .476 10.0 E 16-19 14-14 5-5 L1 West Tenn 28 35 .444 12.0 E 15-13 13-22 4-6 L4 Carolina 26 35 .426 13.0 E 12-18 14-17 3-7 L1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 39 22 .639 - - 19-9 20-13 6-4 L1 Daytona 37 25 .597 2.5 6 22-11 15-14 5-5 W1 Brevard County 34 30 .531 6.5 2 18-17 16-13 3-7 L5 Lakeland 31 31 .500 8.5 E 14-11 17-20 5-5 L1 Clearwater 28 34 .452 11.5 E 15-14 13-20 6-4 W3 * Dunedin 27 36 .429 13.0 E 15-19 12-17 5-5 W1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Helena 17 9 .654 - - 7-5 10-4 9-1 W7 * Great Falls 16 12 .571 2.0 10 10-4 6-8 8-2 W2 Billings 13 13 .500 4.0 9 8-6 5-7 6-4 L1 Missoula 11 17 .393 7.0 5 6-8 5-9 2-8 L4 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak # AZL Brewers 34 22 .607 - - 13-12 12-10 3-6 W1 & AZL Reds 31 24 .564 2.5 E 12-8 14-9 8-2 W6 AZL Dodgers 30 25 .545 3.5 E 12-11 13-8 5-5 L1 AZL Indians 21 35 .375 13.0 E 8-14 10-13 2-8 L2 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak # DSL Mariners 43 28 .606 - - 23-13 20-15 7-3 L1 DSL Cardinals 39 32 .549 4.0 E 24-11 15-21 5-5 L2 DSL Athletics 32 39 .451 11.0 E 17-19 15-20 6-4 W2 DSL Brewers 28 43 .394 15.0 E 17-18 11-25 3-7 W1

Follow Monday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville (Gameday also available) Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale)

A $6.95 subscription to MiLB.TV will allow you to see live and archived games from the four-game Helena series at Idaho Falls which began Friday, along with the coming Nashville series in Oklahoma City, which starts today.

The rest of Monday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Tim Dillard at Oklahoma City (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: Idle Helena: RHP Austin Ross at Idaho Falls (Royals), 8:00 PM pre-game; 8:15 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Rangers' squad, 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league -- this is a one-game playoff to reach the league championship game DSL Brewers: Season complete

Stars split twinbill with Mobile By Aaron Morse, Huntsville Stars Caleb Gindl enjoyed a 5-for-6 double header and the Huntsville Stars (31-31, 64-68) won game two by a final score of 2-1 after dropping game one 5-3 in Sunday’s twinbill with the Mobile BayBears (35-26, 71-58). Game one did not go the Stars’ way from the beginning. With one out in the first, Huntsville starter Wily Peralta (1-3) issued back-to-back walks. Konrad Schmidt made him pay as he unleashed a three-run home run to give Mobile a 3-0 lead (audio). Ryan Wheeler followed with a homer of his own to extend the advantage to 4-0 (audio). The Stars clawed back against Mobile starter Joshua Collmenter in the fourth. With two gone, Zelous Wheeler singled to left. Collmenter got a bit wild at that point as he walked the next two hitters. That set up Gindl who crushed a two-RBI double to cut the BayBears’ lead in half (audio). Mobile chased Peralta from the game in the fifth. Collin Cowgill led-off with an infield single. Peralta walked two batters in a row to load the bases with nobody out. In came Robert Hinton, who got Ryan Wheeler to fly out to shallow center. Then Taylor Harbin hit a tailor-made double play ball to Zelous Wheeler at short. But Wheeler bobbled the ball and his only play was to first. Cowgill scored on the play to make it 5-2 in favor of the BayBears (audio). Huntsville appeared to be in business in the sixth against new pitcher Josh Ellis. With one away, Chris Nowak and Gindl smacked back-to-back singles. Then with two down, pinch hitter Andy Machado came up big with an RBI single (audio), putting runners at the corners and bringing Lee Haydel to the plate with the score 5-3. The BayBears brought in Daniel Strange to pitch and he immediately picked-off Machado at first to end the threat. The Stars went down harmlessly in the seventh to dip to under .500 in the second half. They weren’t under .500 for long as game two was a nail biter, but it was Gindl who once again provided the clutch offense. With runners on second and third and two outs in the third inning, Gindl doubled to deep center field (audio). The two runs that scored on the play were enough for starter Andre Lamontagne (4-3) and reliever Jeremy Jeffress to hold the lead. Lamontagne bounced back from his previous start with a strong outing, going 5.2 innings, giving up three hits, one run (earned), while walking two and striking out an impressive nine batters. The sixth inning chased him from the game as with two outs Chris Rahl singled and was driven in by a Bryan Byrne double. Enter Jeffress, who got Sean Coughlin to ground out to third to end the frame with the Stars still up 2-1. He’d nail down his third save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to get the Stars to within three games of the West Tenn Diamond Jaxx, who lost Sunday (final out). The Stars open a four game series at Montgomery Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7:05 PM and all the action can be heard on the Stars Radio Network and www.huntsvillestars.com.

Wisconsin: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Kane County (Athletics), 11:45 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link *** Box Score / Game Log Wisconsin *** MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 37 24 .607 - - 12-15 25-9 5-5 L1 Clinton 35 27 .565 2.5 - 20-13 15-14 7-3 L1 Kane County 33 28 .541 4.0 7 17-12 16-16 5-5 L1 * Cedar Rapids 33 29 .532 4.5 7 17-14 16-15 4-6 W1 Beloit 31 28 .525 5.0 5 17-13 14-15 5-5 W2 Peoria 30 30 .500 6.5 4 17-15 13-15 5-5 W1 Wisconsin 30 32 .484 7.5 4 16-14 14-18 6-4 W1 Burlington 20 39 .339 16.0 E 14-17 6-22 4-6 L3*** Rattler Radio: August 30, 2010: Midwest League Playoff Pitcure August 30, 2010: Game Notes August 30, 2010: Today's Starting Pitcher August 30, 2010: Starting Lineup