Jim Goulart

Adam McCalvy: The Brewers named outfielder Lorenzo Cain and right-hander Cody Scarpetta their Minor League player and pitcher of the month for July. Cain batted .320 in a month split between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville that also included a weeklong stint in the Majors. He was promoted back to the big leagues Friday afternoon. Scarpetta was 3-0 with a 1.41 ERA in July for Class A Brevard County. ... The Brewers are close to naming their picks for the 2010 Arizona Fall League, general manager Doug Melvin said. The club has a priority pick at second base, making it very likely that 2008 first-round Draft pick Brett Lawrie will be one of the selections. Melvin also said the club was hoping to send outfielder Logan Schafer, who is recovering from hernia surgery.

D-Jays lose doubleheader against Manatees By Tim Livingston / Dunedin Blue Jays Considering how well Dunedin had played at home this season, an eight game homestand seemed like a good time for the D-Jays to prepare themselves for the stretch run of the season and get ready for the playoffs. Unfortunately, the homestand has been more nightmarish than perhaps even Dunedin had envisioned. Starting off a four-game series over three days with the Brevard County Manatees, the D-Jays could not come all the way back in game one of the doubleheader before the bats went dormant in the night cap, losing the first game 4-3 in nine innings before being shutout, 4-0. Dunedin (59-55, 18-26 2nd half) scored 11 runs in their lone win of this homestand so far, and since then, the offense has been hit or miss. In the five losses, they have scored a total of 12 runs, and their pitching staff has given up 24. Game one saw Brevard County (54-59, 27-17 2nd half) and Dunedin go scoreless for two innings before rain quickly fell at Dunedin Stadium, saturating the infield to the point where there was a rain delay that lasted just shy of two hours. When the game finally started up again, it took a while for the bats to wake up. Brevard County finally pushed a run across on an RBI groundout in the fourth to make it 1-0. With both games scheduled for only seven innings, Dunedin was down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh before Brian Van Kirk stepped to the plate against Manatees closer Corey Frerichs (8-3) and delivered a game tying solo homer to left to send the game to extra innings. A scoreless eighth brought a very interesting ninth inning, as Brevard County got the first two runners aboard for Sergio Miranda. Miranda, being an excellent bunter, brought the Dunedin defense in a bit in preparation for a sacrifice, but Miranda brought the bat back after squaring around, smashing a double over the head of center fielder Anthony Gose to bring in both runners and give the Manatees a 3-1 lead. Sean Halton then followed with a single to left field to plate Miranda and make it a 4-1 ballgame, putting the Manatees in good position going into the bottom of the ninth. But the D-Jays kept coming, even after the first two batters of the inning went down on strikeouts. Yan Gomes doubled to left-center field and then after Van Kirk walked, Justin McClanahan was hit by a pitch to load the bases and put the tying run aboard. Frerichs was replaced by Buddy Flores, who promptly gave up a two-run single to Welinton Ramirez, making it a 4-3 game and putting McClanahan in scoring position to perhaps tie the game again. But Flores got Brad McElroy swinging to end the game and give the Manatees the win. With starter Scott Richmond unable to come back to the mound after the rain delay and the Dunedin bullpen running short on available arms, Frank Gailey came in and pitched very well during his longest outing of his professional career, going six innings and allowing only two hits and one run while striking out three. Dumas Garcia (3-4) took the D-Jays loss, giving up the three runs in only one inning. In game two, the Dunedin offense was stifled by Manatees swingman Trey Watten (3-8), who struck out seven in five innings while allowing only one hit and one walk. While Watten did his magic on the mound, the Manatees offense did enough to make things easy for Watten and Mark Willinsky. Shawn Zarraga singled home Brock Kjeldgaard for Brevard County's first run in the second. In the sixth, the Manatees got runners on second and third with nobody out and got an RBI single from Angel Salome to make it 2-0. A bases-loaded walk brought in a third run for the Manatees, and then an Erik Komatsu RBI single closed the scoring. Already scrambling to find pitching for the doubleheader, Dunedin sent Chad Beck to the hill in place of the ailing Ryan Page, who was placed on the disabled list before Sunday's games with kidney stones. Beck was originally scheduled to pitch on Tuesday, but had to be pushed up, leaving Dunedin with a tough decision as to what they need to do for the series finale. Also earlier in the day, Boomer Potts was promoted once again to Double-A New Hampshire, allowing Dan DeLucia to come off the disabled list, but Page's injury forced Bobby Bell to come over to Dunedin for an emergency relief appearance. Bell had been rehabbing with the Gulf Coast League on a rehab assignment with New Hampshire. At the end of the night, Dunedin has guaranteed itself a losing homestand, as they have now lost five in a row and are now 4-9 against the Manatees this year. The D-Jays will hope to turn things around on Monday night in game three of their series with the Manatees, as they send Chuck Huggins to make the first pitch at 7:00 Pm (6:00 Central). Notes: Kyle Heckathorn got the start for the Manatees in the opener, going the two innings before the rains came. He and Dunedin starter Chad Jenkins were teammates at Kennessaw State University, and both players were selected in the 2009 draft, with Jenkins being a first round choice of Toronto's and Heckathorn being a second round pick by Milwaukee.

Link while active, text follows: Brewers can’t rally in Great Falls Helena Independent Record GREAT FALLS — The Helena Brewers scored four runs in the seventh inning but never completed the rally Sunday as they dropped their second straight to the Great Falls Voyagers 9-5. Brandon Sizemore hit a two-run homer after Greg Hopkins reached on a fielding error, scoring Shea Vucinich as the Brewers (4-5) began their attempt at a comeback in the top of the seventh. Franklin Romero, Jr. followed with a triple, but Robbie Garvey popped out to end the inning. The Brewers trailed 5-0 heading into the inning as Stephen McCray went six hitless innings with six strikeouts before giving up the mound to Nelson Curry. Curry lasted just one inning, giving up all three of the Brewers’ hits. Great Falls (6-3) built its lead thanks to a two-run homer by Rafael Vera in the third to make it 4-0 before Earley scored what would be the game-winner on a sacrifice fly by Ross Wilson. Earley hit a two-run blast in the eighth to give the Voyagers breathing room. McCray (3-2) picked up the win while Jacob Wilson picked up his third save of the season, striking out three in the final two innings. Helena’s Jose Oviedo (0-2) was tagged with the loss after giving up four earned runs on five hits while walking two. The Brewers return home to face Billings (4-5) in a meeting between the two second-place teams of the Pioneer League North Division. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field. Great Falls Voyagers second baseman Ross Wilson, right, looks to the umpire for a close call at home during third-inning action against the Helena Brewers at Centene Stadium, Sunday. Wilson was tagged out on the play by Helena catcher Gerard Ogrinc. (Great Falls Tribune Photo / Daniel West) http://cmsimg.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=G1&Date=20100809&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=8090310&Ref=AR&Profile=1006&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Caleb Gindl Pre-Game Interview Huntsville audio -- discusses playing center field and batting leadoff, also how most potential draft teams wanted him as a pitcher...

Link while active, text follows: Smokies' offense gives Huntsville trouble again Stars pitchers give up nine hits, nine walks, two wild pitches BY ADAM GREENE, sports@knoxnews.com SEVIERVILLE - Another day, another disaster for the Huntsville Stars' pitching staff at Smokies Park. Four Stars pitchers teamed up to give up nine hits, walk nine batters and send two wild pitches into the backstop to lose 13-3 to the Tennessee Smokies on Sunday night. The Smokies (27-16) stretched their lead in the second half Southern League North standings to three games over Huntsville (24-19). Tennessee has scored 22 runs on the Stars in two games. Right-hander Mark Rogers (5-8) was the Smokies' first victim of the day. Sitting on a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first, Rogers walked four consecutive batters to give Tennessee its first run. A passed ball by Huntsville catcher Dayton Buller tied the game 2-2. Smokies left fielder Brandon Guyer cleared the bases with a three-run homer. "You've got to look at the hitters we've got going up there," Smokies manager Bill Dancy said. "They were patient, they worked the strike zone and then Guyer comes up and he (Rogers) gives him a ball in the middle of the plate. That's going to cause some problems." Rogers went two more innings and the Smokies built a 7-2 lead. Rogers gave up a line-drive home run to Tennessee right fielder Brett Jackson in the second. A Nate Sampson sacrifice fly scored Steve Clevenger in the third. In the fourth inning, Rogers was pulled after giving up six earned runs and four walks on only two hits, both home runs, with two strikeouts. Smokies starter Chris Rusin (1-1) was having a completely different experience. In his second start for Tennessee, Rusin gave up eight hits over six innings, but mostly kept the Stars in check after a rough first inning. Rusin had four strikeouts and no walks. "He (Rusin) came out after we scored the five runs and got the outs," Dancy said. "That kept the momentum going." The Smokies relievers held Huntsville to two hits and one run the rest of the way. The Stars' bullpen was not quite so lucky. Already down 7-3, Huntsville's Robert Hinton gave up six runs - including a 351-foot home run from Tony Thomas that landed in the left-field picnic area. Hinton also helped keep Blake Lalli's 12-game hitting streak alive. Lalli was 0-for-3 before the eighth inning, but an RBI double kept the streak going. Lalli has been the Stars' destroyer this season, hitting three home runs. "I was just trying to get a couple of extra runs at the end," Lalli said. "Sometimes you can have better series against some teams. They (Huntsville) have a lot of pitchers back from last year so it's kind of about knowing who you're facing."

Two new Nashville interviews, utility man Johnny Raburn and reliever Brandon Kintzler. Kintzler is a native Las Vegas kid, all kinds of fans in attendance this week for him...

Final; Nashville 10, @Las Vegas (Blue Jays) 5 Sounds Beat 51s, 10-5, End Four-Game Losing Streak Norris Hopper And Ray Olmedo Each Record Four Hits LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The Nashville Sounds snapped a four-game losing streak by topping the Las Vegas 51s, 10-5, on Sunday night at Cashman Field in the opener of a four-game set. Nashville (60-55) banged out 16 hits in the victory, while Norris Hopper and Ray Olmedo each recorded four hits apiece. The Sounds also walked eight times in the game after only posting six walks through the club's first seven games this month. The Sounds took an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as Nashville loaded the bases with one out by a Hopper single and walks by Mat Gamel and Brendan Katin. Erick Almonte and Olmedo each followed with two-run singles to center field to plate the four runs in the inning (Almonte's single available on audio via the link above). Nashville tacked on three more runs in the top of fourth. After Katin doubled and Almonte walked, Luis Cruz belted the first pitch he saw from Luis Perez over the outfield wall in right center. The three-run shot was Cruz's seventh of the season and his first since June 22nd at Memphis. Las Vegas scored five unanswered runs in the next two innings to come within two runs at 7-5. Doubles from Jason Lane and Aaron Mathews scored the first two runs, while Mike Jacobs brought the 51s within three at 7-4 in the next inning with a two-run single to right field. Brad Emaus then doubled home the final run. The Sounds added a three insurance runs in the sixth and ninth innings to go up 10-5. All three runs were recorded from sacrifice flies from Johnny Raburn, Martin Maldonado, and Eric Farris. Josh Butler (3-1) earned the win, giving up five runs on eight hits with three strikeouts in five innings pitched. Mike McClendon added four scoreless innings while fanning one, his longest relief outing of the season. Perez (4-4) was roughed up for seven runs on 11 hits in four innings pitched in the loss for Las Vegas. The Sounds and 51s will continue their four-game series at 9:05 pm CT on Monday evening at Cashman Field in Las Vegas. Right-hander Tim Dillard (2-5, 4.97) makes a spot start against 51s right-hander Lance Broadway (2-10, 7.71). Nashville Box Score Mat Gamel got a defensive break as the designated hitter; Mike McClendon needed only 32 pitches, 23 of them strikes, to toss the final four innings: no runs, three hits, no walks, one K.-- look smart in front of your friends and start tossing the 25-year-old 6'5" RHP's name out there now in your bar conversations about next spring... Nashville Game Log Zach Jackson, not impressing in 2010....

In his latest outing, Romanski took a no-decision, allowing one run, scattering seven hits over five full innings, with a walk and six punchouts, including five of the final six batters he faced. Box

Good mojo so far, a four-run 1st for the Sounds...

You have to go back to a two-run HR he allowed on June 27th -- 25.1 innings, I believe, covering 12 outings. It may be hard to believe sometimes, but Brewer brass will always say as long as you have a uniform on, you will get their full coaching attention. 49th round picks, take note. Meadows has...

Final, Game Two: Brevard County 4, @Dunedin (Blue Jays) 0, seven innings as scheduled Brevard County Game Two Box Score Throwing on only two days' rest after tossing 3.1 impressive innings last Thursday, RHP Trey Watten came up big with five near-perfect innings, facing only one batter over the minimum -- one hit, one walk, one GIDP; RHP Mark Willinsky completed the shutout with a two-inning save; the 'Tees played flawless defense and banged out 12 hits, so a heck of an effort all around... Sergio Miranda, playing third base here, doubled and singled thrice. That's 4-for-4 for those not a fan of "thrice"-- he still doesn't walk or hit for power, but the .289 average and 117 hits thus far are two raw numbers Miranda can feel good about; Angel Salome was 2-for-4, again as the DH -- perhaps you heard Charlie Greene refer to the notion he could return to catching again in our archived audio thread; C Shawn Zarraga, still only 21 years old, singled twice and is up to .292 (.766 OPS); 2B Steve Braun singled and walked, it only took 79 AB's (.127 average), but the 25-year-old Braun drove in his first run of the season with a bases-loaded walk -- we wish you well, Steve, but thanks for allowing Ryan to have the vast majority of baseball DNA in the family... Brevard County Game Two Game Log

OK, it's 9:25 PM Central Time, the Sounds are just underway and need our love --listen to Stu here while enjoying your normal browsing routine tonight.

OK, let's see if my browser doesn't crash again putting together this post -- frustrating... Final, Game One: Brevard County 4, @Dunedin (Blue Jays) 3, nine innings, scheduled for seven Brevard County Game One Box Score It's actually going to be easier if we first show you how the 9th inning, which was actually the second of the "extra" innings, went down. The game was tied 1-1 entering the 9th. Brevard County Top 9th Pitcher Change: Dumas Garcia replaces Frank Gailey. Erik Komatsu singles on a ground ball to third baseman Mark Sobolewski. Angel Salome singles on a line drive to left fielder Brad McElroy. Erik Komatsu to 2nd. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Josh Prince replaces Angel Salome. Sergio Miranda doubles (16) on a fly ball to center fielder Anthony Gose. Erik Komatsu scores. Josh Prince scores. Sean Halton singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brad McElroy. Sergio Miranda scores. Brock Kjeldgaard grounds into a force out, third baseman Mark Sobolewski to second baseman Justin McClanahan. Sean Halton out at 2nd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 1st. Sean McCraw walks. Brock Kjeldgaard to 2nd. Juan Sanchez grounds into a force out, pitcher Dumas Garcia to shortstop Ryan Goins. Brock Kjeldgaard to 3rd. Sean McCraw out at 2nd. Juan Sanchez to 1st. Peter Fatse flies out to left fielder Brad McElroy. Dunedin Bottom 9th Josh Prince remains in the game as the designated hitter. Mark Sobolewski strikes out swinging, catcher Sean McCraw to first baseman Sean Halton. Jon Talley strikes out swinging. Yan Gomes doubles (14) on a fly ball to center fielder Erik Komatsu. Brian Van Kirk walks. Justin McClanahan hit by pitch. Yan Gomes to 3rd. Brian Van Kirk to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Ruben Flores replaces Corey Frerichs. Welinton Ramirez singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Yan Gomes scores. Brian Van Kirk scores. Justin McClanahan to 2nd. Brad McElroy strikes out swinging. So there's your 4-3 final. As noted in earlier posts, a two-hour rain delay forced a short outing by RHP Kyle Heckathorn. Big 6'5", 235 LHP Daniel Meadows continued his impressive 2010, four innings of scoreless three-hit ball, walking none and fanning four -- still just 22, the former 49th round pick has always posted fine K-to-BB ratios, but he's been a beast this season, 73-to-17 in 77.1 innings, with only 67 hits allowed. It doesn't seem like it, but it was the 6th blown save for RHP Corey Frerichs (same school as Meadows, by the way, Temple College in Texas, a JUCO) when he allowed a solo homer to tie the game at 1-1, just one out away from victory in regulation. A few of those blown saves must have come in middle relief inherited runner situations. CF Erik Komatsu doubled and singled (.322, OPB over .400 -- what a season) -- CF sure has become an organizational strength, or at least corner guys capable of playing CF has; 1B Sean Halton singled twice and walked; we know Angel Salome is painfully slow, but he sure has been an automatic pinch-run candidate in recent days -- guess that means he also has been reaching base late in games consistently... CF Anthony Gose, who went from Philly to Houston to Toronto as part of the Roy Oswalt deal and netted the Astros 1B Brett Wallace, has now been caught stealing 29 times this year (38 stolen bases). 29 times! Brevard County Game One Game Log Uneventful early innings, but this is how Brevard carried that 1-0 lead to the bottom of the last regulation frame-- Brevard County Top 4th Angel Salome reaches on fielding error by third baseman Mark Sobolewski. Sergio Miranda grounds out, second baseman Justin McClanahan to first baseman Michael McDade. Angel Salome to 2nd. Sean Halton singles on a line drive to right fielder Welinton Ramirez. Angel Salome to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard grounds into a force out, third baseman Mark Sobolewski to second baseman Justin McClanahan. Angel Salome scores. Sean Halton out at 2nd. Brock Kjeldgaard to 1st. Sean McCraw grounds out, pitcher Frank Gailey to first baseman Michael McDade.

Here's a note to all those Brewer farmhands toiling today, maybe particularly those at the lowest levels. I haven't read any game reports from today's Brewer game (I did watch, with an occasional fast-forward on the DVR after a nice summer family day), so I apologize if this is in print online elsewhere already or was mentioned by the TV or radio guys. Did you catch how homegrown the Brewer lineup was today? Weeks Hart Fielder Braun McGehee Cain Escobar Lucroy Gallardo Keep plugging away on the farm, young men. You will get rewarded down the road.

Fixed, sorry. Actually, for each Nashville interview this season, we've simply linked to the audio archive page on Nashville's site.

Link while active, text follows: Great Falls clobbers Brewers By Helena Independent Record GREAT FALLS — A pitching staff that had done so well for the Helena Brewers in the last four games struggled mightily Saturday, as the Brewers dropped a Pioneer League contest to the Great Falls Voyagers, 15-2. Tyler Cravy was tagged with his fourth loss of the season after allowing six runs on seven hits in two innings of work. The Voyagers put three runs on the board in each of the second, third and fourth innings. Starter Tyler Thornburg went just one inning as he continued to make his way back from a ribcage strain that cost him a month. He struck out two and walked one. Brewers reliever Ryan Bernal worked the fourth inning, giving up a leadoff double to Dusty Harvard, who scored on Michael Blanke’s RBI sacrifice fly. Right fielder John Dishon recovered the ball easily, but the throw home to catcher Brent Dean was not in time. Shortly after, Ryan Hamme tattooed a two-run homer over the right-field fence to put the hosts up 9-2. While the Brewers’ bullpen ran into a buzzsaw, Great Falls pitchers couldn’t have been much better. The Voyagers at one point set down 10 straight, and held Helena to just five hits in the contest. There were a couple of bright spots for the Brewers in the blowout defeat. Franklin Romero Jr. entered in the bottom of the seventh as a defensive replacement in center field. Romero had been out since Sunday with concussion-like symptoms. Mike Walker also hit his fourth home run of the year to put the Brewers on the board in the second inning.

Link while active, text follows: Brent Brewer hitting with Vols, not Brewers BY PATRICK BROWN, sports@knoxnews.com Brent Brewer flashed a wide smile. “Oh yeah, a lot of fun,” the baseball player-turned-Tennessee defensive back said after Saturday's practice. “Just being out here with all the fellas, hitting.” Brewer spent more than four years playing baseball in the Milwaukee Brewers’ minor-league system before deciding to play football at UT in June, and the 6-foot-2, 205-pound freshman couldn’t be happier with his choice. “I was really over baseball,” he said. “I wasn’t having fun anymore. Baseball is, you just go out there, going through the motions, go out to the game and have no fans. “It’s a different thing out here. There’s a lot more excitement.” UT coach Derek Dooley said Brewer’s time as a baseball player will help his football career. “A lot of those baseball guys, you love them cause they’re so mature,” Dooley said. “They really have a nice comfort zone with coaches, I think it’s the nature of that sport. “I think he’s going to be a steal for us. He’s a great athlete, he’s instinctive. The problem is he hasn’t played (football) in five years, and that’s a long time.” Brewer signed to play football at Florida State out of Sandy Creek High School in Tyrone, Ga., in 2006, but chose baseball after Milwaukee drafted him in the second round (60th overall). Brewer, who’s working at strong safety, said he’s handled the physical transition to football. Now all that’s left is the mental aspects of learning the defense and making reads. “Every day is going to be a big time for me,” he said, “so I’ve got to come out here and prove myself.” “How soon, I don’t know,” Dooley said, “but I’m glad we have him.”

Link while active, text follows: Local players speak out on HGH testing By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record They grew up idolizing sluggers like Barry Bonds and Mark McGwire, back before performance enhancing drugs were as associated with baseball as hot dogs, peanuts and pine tar. They’re the ones who are trying to make a profession in a sport that now has a tarnished reputation because of the steroid era. And now, they’ll be the “guinea pigs” as Major League Baseball begins to take steps to improve its image. On July 22, MLB implemented random blood testing for human growth hormone for players in the minor leagues. The tests will be limited to these players still climbing the ladder to the big leagues, because they are not members of the players’ association, which has long been against blood testing. The Pioneer League is no exception, though not everyone agrees it’s a step in the right direction. “It’s not going to have much of an impact in the minors,” said Helena Brewers outfielder Robbie Garvey. “We don’t make enough money to buy that stuff, so unless you’re a bonus baby it’s tough to get your hands on. HGH is super expensive.” Blood samples will be randomly taken from a player’s nondominant arm after games. HGH isn’t like other steroids, which can help build muscle and make players stronger, therefore enhancing their performance. It’s primarily taken because players believe it helps them prevent injuries, as well as recover from injuries faster. But it’s been difficult to detect in the past, because there are already some traces of HGH in each one of us. Different HGH levels are present at different times, depending on exercise, sleep, emotional stress and diet. “I think it’s pointless to begin it in the minor leagues and not immediately test for it in the majors,” Garvey said. “They might catch one here and there, but it’s not like steroids where it just makes you bigger and stronger. When you’re older, you might need it more to recover, and the guys in the big leagues are older than us. I would think they’d be the ones using it.” HGH testing already takes place in the Olympics, but the recent implementation means MLB becomes the first professional sports league in the United States to conduct the blood test. Some players are thrilled that the organization is finally taking an aggressive stance against doping. “I think it’s a great way to level out the playing field,” said Brewers catcher Tony Pechek. “I’m all for it ... there’s no reason for me to do it. I’m not real worried about it, but it’s going to be in the back of people’s minds that if you do something like that, it’s a risk and you’re going to get caught now.” But not everyone agrees that players who currently take HGH will stop just because there is a chance they’ll get in trouble. “As far as the HGH goes, people still take it,” said Helena pitcher Eric Marzec. “I’ve talked to guys who have access to it and are willing to take it just because it can’t be tested for. Now they have something in place to test it ... but it’s a job, it’s a career, and if that’s the only way they can perform they’re probably just going to walk the tightrope and hope to not get caught, just ride it as long as it lasts.” Marzec said while it may not be immediately effective, the more testing there is the better. “I feel it will filter out some of the weeds in the system in baseball, where guys use that kind of stuff to get ahead,” the reliever said. Great Falls Voyagers manager Chris Cron is the first to admit he doesn’t know a lot about HGH, or the proper way to test for it. “I’m so naive to the whole process,” he said. “I know it’s out there. I know people do certain things to get edges — it’s an issue with pro sports in general. It’s good baseball’s trying to take a stand, but I know it’s going to be a tough test to administer.” Cron understands the league’s rationale for beginning testing in the minors, while major league players will not be tested, at least not now. He gave examples of other rules the minors implemented before big league players had to abide, like prohibiting chewing tobacco. “You’ve got to start somewhere, but it’s different worlds,” Cron said. “Maybe that deters players from bad habits early on so they don’t do certain things when they get to the major league level. If there is something going on, it’s important to keep an eye on it.” First-year Brewers manager Joe Ayrault said it will be a great test, especially if it results in pushing HGH out of the game. He said he doesn’t have any problems with the fact that only minor league players are being tested for now. “Whatever they want to do is fine by me,” he said. “I work in baseball, whoever makes those decisions ... I just go with them. I’m just one of those guys, anything to do with all that I just stay out of it. “As long as it’s none of our players, I’m not going to worry about it.” Some people in the profession feel that baseball has been unfairly targeted, saying their sport isn’t the only one with a drug problem. They said in light of the Mitchell Report, people simply associate steroids and doping with baseball more than others, but that it doesn’t mean baseball players are all cheaters or that other athletes aren’t also using. The Voyagers skipper believes the fact that baseball is such a numbers game, with a heavy emphasis on stats, is why it’s targeted more than others. “We have been picked on a little more because our records are more sacred,” Cron said. “We know there’s certain numbers, like Hank Aaron’s 755. But now, like Barry Bonds’ record for instance, we don’t know for sure ... we don’t know what to believe. So numbers have been shattered.” What’s it going to take for players to stop using HGH or never begin at all? “Somebody’s gotta get caught first,” Cron said. Voyagers shortstop Kyle Davis hopes the league gets positive feedback from the test and that it eventually makes its way to the big leagues. He’s eager for baseball to be seen in a more positive light. “It’s definitely a tough subject to talk about,” Davis said. “The steroid era’s always going to be associated with baseball. Some guys didn’t know the consequences. In a sense, it was just part of the game.” In a sport where people are trying to not only survive the daily grind but get ahead and have success, everyone is constantly looking for advantages. The Chicago White Sox prospect who was drafted last year and finds himself playing at the rookie level knows how high that ladder can seem. “Guys who have taken it, I can understand why,” Davis said. “It’s not that it’s right, but there’s so much pressure to succeed, and a desire to get over that hump or get that contract. People can talk bad about it, and I don’t condone it, but I can see why people would do it.” Davis said he was surprised to hear the testing was implemented, and believes blood testing is the only way it could work. He’s fine with the more invasive method if it means it will clean up the game. “It’s blood testing ... you can’t piss in a cup and say it’s not yours,” he said. Still, it doesn’t mean the tests will be flawless. Critics say the current HGH test has a limited period of detectability and is unproven, which could lead to false-positives. Scientist Don Catlin, who worked to develop a urine test for human growth hormone, told The Associated Press in a July 24 story that the blood test baseball plans to use for minor leaguers can only detect the substance for 6-12 hours. Billings pitcher Pat Doyle said it’s just another test. Players are already administered blood tests as part of routine physicals prior to the season, which check for street drugs. Doyle is all for HGH testing, even if it’s random. And he has no problem with it beginning with guys like himself. “It’s better to catch guys when they’re younger,” he said. “Nip it in the bud early. Sometimes it’s too late by the time they get into the big leagues. “You hear so much about it, it sucks to have that reputation,” Doyle said of baseball’s bad rap. “But MLB and the minors are taking steps in the right direction to clean it up.” Fellow Mustangs pitcher Tyler Cline said the fact that some guys have cheated shouldn’t make it seem like the steroids were the only reason for their success. Especially when it comes to HGH. “You’ve still gotta be able to hit,” he said. “It’s not like it helps with your power or strength.” Pechek, the Brewers catcher, holds the same belief. He hopes his sport can get a few untarnished records, but holds nothing against the guys who did use. Even those sluggers who made him want to play the game when he was younger. “I can’t be mad at them,” he said. “They were trying to get the best out of their performance and there’s no reason to hate them for doing that. They were doing the best they could at the time, they didn’t know the risks, didn’t know it was as illegal as it was or that it was frowned upon. “They are still my idols, if they did use or didn’t use,” Pechek continued. “In my mind it still takes hand-eye coordination to hit a baseball and takes a God-given talent to have an arm.”

Check these links just prior to the respective game times -- PDF documents: Nashville Media Notes Huntsville Media Notes *** Rattler Radio

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 66 48 .579 - - 34-26 32-22 8-2 W4 Memphis 62 53 .539 4.5 26 34-23 28-30 6-4 L2 Omaha 61 54 .530 5.5 25 28-27 33-27 7-3 W1 Nashville 59 55 .518 7.0 24 31-26 28-29 3-7 L4 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 26 16 .619 - - 15-7 11-9 8-2 W4 Huntsville 24 18 .571 2.0 27 14-9 10-9 7-3 L1 Carolina 20 22 .476 6.0 23 9-10 11-12 4-6 W1 West Tenn 19 23 .452 7.0 22 8-8 11-15 4-6 L1 Chattanooga 17 24 .415 8.5 21 10-12 7-12 2-8 L5 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 27 13 .675 - - 13-7 14-6 8-2 W1 Daytona 27 15 .643 1.0 29 14-6 13-9 5-5 L1 Brevard County 25 17 .595 3.0 27 13-8 12-9 5-5 W1 Lakeland 19 22 .463 8.5 22 11-8 8-14 6-4 W2 * Dunedin 18 24 .429 10.0 20 10-11 8-13 4-6 L3 Clearwater 18 25 .419 10.5 19 12-9 6-16 5-5 W1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 24 15 .615 - - 9-11 15-4 4-6 W1 Kane County 24 17 .585 1.0 - 16-6 8-11 7-3 W1 * Cedar Rapids 23 17 .575 1.5 30 10-8 13-9 4-6 W2 Clinton 22 18 .550 2.5 29 11-8 11-10 8-2 W6 Beloit 20 19 .513 4.0 26 13-9 7-10 6-4 L1 Peoria 19 20 .487 5.0 27 10-8 9-12 6-4 L1 Wisconsin 18 23 .439 7.0 24 12-10 6-13 3-7 L3 Burlington 15 24 .385 9.0 22 11-7 4-17 2-8 L5 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Great Falls 5 3 .625 - - 3-2 2-1 5-3 W1 Billings 4 4 .500 1.0 30 3-2 1-2 4-4 L1 Helena 4 4 .500 1.0 30 2-1 2-3 4-4 L1 Missoula 3 5 .375 2.0 29 1-2 2-3 3-5 W1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 24 13 .649 - - 8-7 7-6 6-4 L1 AZL Dodgers 19 19 .500 5.5 14 7-7 7-6 6-4 W1 AZL Reds 19 19 .500 5.5 14 7-5 7-7 7-3 W2 AZL Indians 19 20 .487 6.0 13 7-7 9-5 5-5 L2 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 35 22 .614 - - 19-9 16-13 7-3 W4 DSL Cardinals 31 25 .554 3.5 13 21-6 10-19 6-4 L2 DSL Athletics 24 33 .421 11.0 5 14-16 10-17 3-7 L2 DSL Brewers 24 34 .414 11.5 4 14-15 10-19 5-5 W2

Follow Sunday'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) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Game One Brevard County Game Two Wisconsin Helena

Sunday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at Las Vegas (Blue Jays), 8:50 PM pre-game; 9:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Mark Rogers at Tennessee (Cubs), 3:45 PM pre-game; 4:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD and TBD (expect RHP Kyle Heckathorn to make a start) in a doubleheader at Dunedin (Blue Jays), 2:00 gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Jake Odorizzi at Clinton (Mariners), 1:40 PM pre-game; 2:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Jose Oviedo at Great Falls (White Sox), 4:45 PM pre-game; 5:00 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle DSL Brewers: Idle

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MiLB.com finally got around to posting Game Two from Friday's DSL action, but we'll post it here -- Final: DSL Brewers 6, @DSL Athletics 2, eight innings (scheduled for seven) DSL Brewers Box Score No game log is posted, but the Cerveceros scored two in the top of the 7th to tie it and send it to extra innings, where they put up a four-spot in the first extra frame for the final margin; "veteran" closer Rigoberto Almonte with two scoreless, got the win (remember he surprisingly opened 2009 at Brevard County?); previously highlighted leadoff CF Ruben Sanchez was 3-for-5 with a double, three RBI, and two stolen bases...

Final: @DSL Brewers 4, DSL Cardinals 3, ten innings Tie it in the bottom of the 9th, walk off an inning later... DSL Brewers Box Score RF Jose Pena hit a solo blast with one out in the 9th to tie it, then a fielding error by the Cardinal shortstop ended the game on a "walk-off error" -- who do you celebrate around, the guy who made the error? I imagine the young man who scored, in this case infielder Alejandro Mendoza, who singled earlier in the inning; by the way, the game featured dueling right fielders named Jose Pena; 19-year-old LHP Juan Santiago made his first pro start after eight relief appearances and pitched well, five innings, two runs (both unearned), four walks, and eight strikeouts; two 18-year-old RHP's, Javier Belen and Elvis Mora, combined to throw five innings of one-run ball; SS Andres Martinez left the game after the 5th, he had committed errors in both the 2nd and 5th innings... DSL Brewers Game Log The winning 10th inning gift -- Alejandro Mendoza singles on a fly ball to center fielder Amaury Capellan. Yonki Hernandez out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Edouard Estalis to second baseman Jorge Lopez. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd. Ruben Sanchez flies out to center fielder Amaury Capellan. Ronny Puello singles on a fly ball to center fielder Amaury Capellan. Alejandro Mendoza to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias reaches on fielding error by shortstop Robelys Reyes. Alejandro Mendoza scores. Ronny Puello to 2nd. The Brewers signed so many players this winter and spring to field a full squad for the first time -- most will repeat in 2011, so it'll be interesting to see how many players are dropped or added this off-season, as next year's Maryvale club could have more of a Latin flavor... This was big, soon-to-be 19-year-old CF Ruben Sanchez, the squad's most impressive player despite being picked off earlier in this one, with a key throw -- DSL Cardinals Top 8th Andres Beras strikes out swinging. Jose Pena called out on strikes. Fernando Baez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Amaury Capellan singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Fernando Baez to 2nd. Jorge Lopez singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Fernando Baez out at home on the throw, center fielder Ruben Sanchez to catcher Carlos Pena.