Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: Lasker sharp as Rattlers silence Chiefs By Peter Lindblad, For The Post-Crescent Being independent and stubborn, mavericks usually like to go it alone. This one wanted all the help he could get. Allowing just one unearned run, three hits and one walk in seven innings of work, Maverick Lasker throttled Peoria hitters Tuesday as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers downed Peoria 5-1 with a gritty effort in front of a packed house of 5,765. "I really didn't have my best stuff tonight," Lasker said. "But I threw just enough changeups to keep them off-balance and found my fastball command late in the game." One particular heater that tailed high and tight inside to the Chiefs' Jae-Hoon Ha in the seventh inning had the Peoria outfielder completely fooled. It started off like it was headed straight down the middle, the pitch took a sharp right turn into Ha, who swung at it just to protect himself. The weak pop-up dropped right in front of Lasker, who threw Ha out at first on a contested bang-bang play. "Yeah, usually I have a lot more movement," Lasker said. Retiring the side in the first, second and fifth innings, Lasker held the Chiefs in check by getting Peoria to fly out 12 times out of the 21 outs he recorded before reliever Matt Costello came in and tossed two spotless innings to get the save. "I don't know if it's usual or not, but that's what was working for him tonight," said Timber Rattlers manager Jeff Isom. "He used the whole field." Some sparkling defense by left fielder Khris Davis helped keep the Chiefs off the base paths. In the top of the fourth inning, after Wisconsin had scored three runs to go on top 4-1, two coming on a Chris Dennis double, Davis crashed into the wall to take a hit away from Logan Watkins. Then in the sixth, Davis, on a dead run, dove to his right to snare what seemed to be a sure bloop single off the bat of Hak-Ju Lee. "I told him after one of the innings, 'Great job, but I expect that out of you,' " Lasker said. About the first of Davis' gems, Isom said, "That was when momentum was still in the swing, and I thought once he caught that one, things settled in pretty nice for Lasker on the mound. (Davis) probably had eight of the fly balls. The good thing about Khris Davis is he's struggling, that's no secret. He's struggling on the offensive side of the ball right now, but he's separating the offense from his defense and he continues to go out there and work his tail off in left field, not letting his at-bats carry over to the defensive side." As for Lasker, redemption came with the victory. His last time out against Peoria, on July 28, he allowed five runs on five hits in five innings in the Chiefs' 8-3 win. This time, Lasker, whose record now stands at 7-4 with an ERA of 3.26, didn't give an inch. "He located some off-speed stuff and he located his fastball as well, and he got some good defensive plays behind him," Isom said. "And he forced them to put the ball in play, executed the game plan and got out there and pumped the strike zone." With some timely hitting from Dennis and Kentrail Davis, who combined to go four-for-six and drive in all five runs, this was the kind of all-around performance Isom would love to see more of as the Rattlers, now 17-20 in the second half of the season and 43-62 overall, make a push for a playoff spot in the Western Division wildcard race.

New sod approved for Brevard's stadium

From Huntsville Tuesday: Jeremy Jeffress Pre-Game Interview Not sure if we've heard Jeremy in past years, maybe with Bull back in West Virginia; interviewer Aaron does touch on the suspension issues, move to bullpen, fast-moving worthwhile discussion... Drew Anderson Post-Game Interview Drew comments on the state of the current roster, reminds us that it's pretty darn impressive at the moment...

Stars match their longest winning streak of the year with blowout win By Aaron Morse, Huntsville Stars Drew Anderson tallied three hits, Mark Rogers went six strong innings, and the Huntsville Stars (22-16, 55-53) rolled to a 10-2 win over the Carolina Mudcats (18-20, 48-59) Tuesday night. It’s the Stars’ fifth consecutive win, a feat they’ve accomplished only twice before in the 2010 season. With the victory the Stars move into a tie for first place atop the Southern League North Division with the Tennessee Smokies. The game was close through the first six innings of action. Huntsville did jump out to a 3-0 lead against Mudcats’ starter James Avery (0-1) in the first. With one away Caleb Gindl singled to center. Zelous Wheeler followed with a single of his own and Anderson singled through the right side to load the bases. That’s when Chris Nowak laced a double down the left field line, driving in two (audio) and setting up Taylor Green who smacked a sacrifice fly to make the score 3-0 Stars (audio). The Mudcats chipped away at the deficit as they got one run in the third on a two-out Dave Sappelt RBI single (audio). Sappelt delivered a two-out RBI triple in the fifth to cut the Stars’ lead to one (audio). But he proved to be the only Carolina hitter who could figure out Rogers. The former first round pick went six innings, scattering four hits, giving up two runs (both earned), walked only two and struck out ten. The ten strikeouts are the most by a Stars’ pitcher this season. Nevertheless the game was close even after Nowak blasted his second homer as a Star in the sixth to extend the lead to 4-2 (audio). That’s when Carolina’s defense fell apart. With two outs and Gindl on first via a walk, Anderson hit a blooper into shallow center field. Sappelt attempted to make a diving catch and the ball got slightly behind him. Anderson attempted to stretch the single in to a double and in his rush to try and throw Anderson out, Sappelt made a poor throw back to the infield. The ball squirted away from second base and Gindl came around to score. The error also advanced Anderson to third (audio). The saying is when it rains, it pours, and the Mudcats proved that when Nowak’s routine grounder went off the leg of shortstop Kris Negron, scoring Anderson and giving the Stars a 6-2 lead (audio). The good Stars offense and the bad Carolina defense continued in the eighth. With one out, Dayton Buller and pinch hitter Andy Machado singled. Brett Lawrie followed with his 25th double of the year, driving in Buller (audio). After Gindl walked, Wheeler singled to right to drive in Machado. Mike Guerrero held Lawrie at third initially, but right fielder Sean Henry’s throw to the plate sailed to the backstop, allowing Lawrie to score (audio). A sacrifice fly off the bat of Anderson completed the scoring onslaught, leaving the Stars ahead 10-2 (audio). Final out for Nick Green Huntsville looks to extend the winning streak Wednesday night and clinch the series with Carolina as well. They’ll send Amaury Rivas (10-5, 2.67 ERA) to the mound. Tune in on www.huntsvillestars.com beginning at 6:45 PM central time for the Window World Pre-Game Report.

Linkwhile active, text follows: Chris Nowak goes from Stars' nemesis to Stars' hero Mark McCarter, The Huntsville Times HUNTSVILLE, AL -- Late on a September night in 2007, then-Stars manager Don Money leaned back behind his desk and groused about an opposing player, "He's hitting us like he's Babe Ruth." The streaking player had just hit his third home run in three playoff games against Huntsville -- after hitting only seven all season long. Two nights later, in the decisive game of the Southern League Championship Series, he would trigger a ninth-inning rally to help steal the title from Huntsville. Maybe it's not exactly a "Curse of the Bambino" that's been lifted, but since Chris Nowak -- the aforementioned streaking player -- joined the Stars after being released by Tampa Bay in mid-July, they are 12-7. The most recent victory was a 10-2 rout of the Carolina Mudcats, ignited by a two-run Nowak double in the first and solo homer in the sixth. Mark Rogers (5-7) got the win with 10 strikeouts in six innings. The Stars, who host Carolina tonight at 7:05, have won five in a row to move into a first-place tie with Tennessee in the Southern League North. Nowak was playing for Montgomery in September 2007 when he was named the Most Valuable Player of the championship series, overwhelming the Stars by going 11-for-18 with six RBIs in five games. Not that you'd expect him to apologize but there are "no guilt feelings," said Nowak, who is batting .265 with 15 RBIs in 18 games for the Stars. Huntsville blew the title game when ace reliever Luis Pena offered a clothesline straight fastball to a kid just up from A-ball, Sergio Pedroza, who drove it opposite-field for a three-run homer in the ninth. "I remember standing on third base yelling for the ball to go over the fence. And it did," Nowak recalled Tuesday. "It was one of my best memories I've had in this park and in my career." Pedroza is playing for an independent league team in California. Nowak, now 27, is trying to extend his career in the minor league system of his hometown team, the Milwaukee Brewers. "Growing up watching the Brewers, getting a chance to come over here and hopefully help the team win the second half is a good opportunity," he said. Reflecting on the '07 championship, Nowak said he "had just come off a not-so-good series before," but made some adjustments at the plate and "it was one of the few times you can actually say you were locked in," he said. "Any pitch that was hittable I was going to hit it." "I think every time you bring in a quality guy like he is, as a person and as player, it brings a lot to the table," Stars manager Mike Guerrero said. "He's a guy capable of carrying a team any time. ... He can make everybody around him better." Huntsville's learned that once. It's getting a reminder now. Photo by Bob Gathany/Huntsville Times Chris Nowak delivers homer, three RBIs in Huntsville's win http://media.al.com/sports_impact/photo/nowakjpg-af2c8a6ae5843666_large.jpg

Final: @Billings 5, Helena 3 Amber makes the road trip to cover the game -- nice! Hamilton, Mustangs rally past Brewers By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record BILLINGS — The Helena Brewers didn’t have an answer for Billings Mustangs pitchers Tuesday night, and they certainly didn’t have an answer for second baseman Billy Hamilton. The Brewers jumped out to a 3-0 advantage only to have that lead erased after an inning, and Helena managed just one hit over the final eight frames to fall 5-3 in a Pioneer League game to the Mustangs in front of 2,891 fans at Dehler Park. Every player in the hosts’ lineup had a hit, but Hamilton was the one who caught Helena manager Joe Ayrault’s attention. “He’s an all-around pure athlete,” Ayrault said. “He was a second rounder last year and I had the opportunity to watch him in the Gulf Coast League. He can fly around the bases and he’s starting to hit to all parts of the field. He’s the most exciting player in this league to watch, he’s a tick above the rest.” The speedy Hamilton was a big reason for Billings’ victory. Hamilton ran his hitting streak to 12 games, had three of the Mustangs’ five stolen bases in the contest (he also leads the Pioneer League in thefts by a lot, 10 more than anyone else), and is hitting over .500 during his streak. Billings starter Daniel Tuttle started slowly, and Helena, typically a late-inning team, came out hot. Shea Vucinich reached base in the first with a one-out double, bringing Cody Hawn to the plate. Hawn hit a hard shot that went over the left field wall and appeared to fall foul, but the ball was ruled a home run. Helena’s designated hitter rounded the bases to a chorus of boos. “Honestly, I didn’t see it,” Hawn said of the two-run shot. “When I first hit it I thought it was fair, but I thought it was a double; I didn’t think I hit it well enough to be out. When I got halfway down to first I thought it might be foul the way it was curving, but I turned around and they signaled fair.” Brent Dean would hit a two-out, RBI double later in the inning to score Mike Walker. But Billings had an answer of its own. Hamilton had a leadoff single on Jose Oviedo’s first pitch of the game, and it was all downhill from there for the Brewers. Devin Lohman and Oliver Santos both had RBI singles and Dominic D’Anna added an RBI groundout to quickly tie the game. “It’s frustrating,” Hawn said of the Mustangs’ quick comeback. “We felt like we came out doing what we wanted to do, swinging the bats early, then they answered. Baseball’s all about momentum. When you get three and then they come out and score three it hits you in the gut.” Tuttle would settle down and earn the win, striking out seven. Billings (2-2) used two relievers, and neither allowed a Brewers’ baserunner. Oviedo was tagged with the loss, but the Brewers had a bright spot out of the bullpen in Rob Currie, who hurled 3 2/3 innings of shutout ball, facing the minimum. He gave up no hits and walked one, which was later erased on a double play. “Currie was excellent in relief,” Ayrault said. “(Carlos) George played solid defense, (Billings) just did an excellent job getting hits tonight.” The first inning provided plenty of excitement for fans, with a couple of runs coming home involving collisions. When Walker scored the Brewers’ final run, he plowed into Billings catcher Tucker Barnhardt, who was unable to come up with the ball. The play would be mirrored half an inning later, when Hamilton came crashing into Helena catcher Dean. John Dishon had a solid throw from right field, but Dean was unable to apply the tag at home. Watch video of the fair /foul home run and Brent Dean's home plate collision in this report from Billings. “It was an exciting first inning,” Ayrault said. “There were two collisions at home, the home run and both teams were able to string together a bunch of hits. Those are the fun ones for the fans.” Photos by BOB ZELLAR/Billings Gazette Staff Billings catcher Tucker Barnhart loses the ball as he collides with Helena's Mike Walker (54) at Dehler Park on Tuesday. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/1/e2/208/1e2208fc-9f8f-11df-a101-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c59049169572.image.jpg Billings' Donald Lutz, 48, steals second as Helena's Carlos George, 7, and Shea Vuchinich, 15, lose the ball. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/billingsgazette.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/7/5e/daf/75edaf78-9f8f-11df-926c-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c590524348ca.image.jpg More on future Reds' second baseman Billy Hamilton's big night from the Billings Gazette Helena Box Score 21-year-old Venezuelan RHP Jose Oviedo finding too much of the plate, faced 21 batters -- allowed 11 base hits and two walks; Oviedo was drafted out of a Florida JUCO, so while born in Venezuela, he may have been in the States for some time... Helena Game Log

Two-part audio interview with LHP Sam NarronVery appreciative for his new chance in affiliated ball (and hey, hasn't he been very effective), his new baby daughter, pitching in Southern heat...

During a very recent Milwaukee TV broadcast, the subject of outfield arms came up with Brian Anderson and Bill Schroeder, and the name Raul Mondesi, the former Dodger with a cannon arm, was mentioned. And I thought, you know, the Brewers are getting smoked, and of course, the TV audience is never really introduced to players at the lowest level of the minors (and I can understand that), but what a good time for a cool and interesting tidbit that could be shared with the Brewer audience. If only the guys mentioned, even in passing, that Raul's son had recently been signed and was playing for the DSL squad, and that, in the comments we've read from Gord Ash, that at his young age, he's not the imposing specimen his dad was, at least not yet. So I'm practically screaming at the TV for Brian to mention this, but of course, the opportunity passes. At least I know Cory Provus is a Link Report fan (Jim Powell made sure of that), along with Adam M. and yes, even the J-S guys to some extent.

Final: DSL Athletics 2, DSL Brewers 0 DSL Brewers Box Score 19-year-old 6'5" RHP Juan Francisco allowed eight baserunners in four innings in his start, surrendering both Athletic runs; also 19, LHP Juan Santiago had his best outing, 3.2 innings of scoreless walk-free baseball, fanning five; 18-year-old RHP Elvis Mora stranded two of Santiago's runners, then added a scoreless 9th inning... That mound work was wasted, though, as the Cerveceros had only four singles (two by DH Orton Rodriguez) and two walks; still only 18 for a bit longer, statistically impressive CF Ruben Sanchez has only had a bit role in each of the last four games, perhaps ailing somehow... DSL Brewers Game Log Francisco worked his way into and out of trouble in a pretty remarkable initial frame -- DSL Athletics Top 1st Rodolfo Penalo walks. With Gabriel Santana batting, Rodolfo Penalo steals (5) 2nd base. Gabriel Santana walks. Reynaldo Mateo hit by pitch. Rodolfo Penalo to 3rd. Gabriel Santana to 2nd. Michael Soto pops out to second baseman Jorge De La Cruz on the infield fly rule. Diego Ledezma lines out to third baseman Juan De Leon. Luis Osorio grounds out, second baseman Jorge De La Cruz to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. Down 2-0 in the 7th, it became pretty comical for the D-Crew on the basepaths -- DSL Brewers Bottom 7th Orton Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Charli Blanco. With Hitaniel Arias batting, Orton Rodriguez steals (3) 2nd base. Hitaniel Arias walks. Ronny Puello flies out to left fielder Jose Sayegh. Orton Rodriguez to 3rd. With Jose Pena batting, Hitaniel Arias picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Cristhian Perez to first baseman Michael Soto. Jose Pena walks. Pitcher Change: Victor Trinidad replaces Cristhian Perez. With Juan De Leon batting, Jose Pena picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Victor Trinidad to first baseman Michael Soto.

An update from Monday's Link Report -- Mass Haas wrote: The Helena media indicated he had suffered from arm soreness, and he hadn't pitched in four weeks. Thornburg's one inning makes sense for his return. *** We've now since learned that the initial Helena report was erroneous. Thornburg missed that time with an intercostal (side muscle) issue, so while it's not good he was out, the injury was not related to his arm -- nice!

A convenient reminder here, since Stephen has a Manatee game this evening. The walking tour of the playing field is especially nice, I'm convinced no one has ever hit a ball over the batters' eye directly in center field, which is completely in play. Also, it must have been an optical illusion that the wind was blowing out to left on the day Stephen filmed. When watching the 18-minute game highlight video, keep this roster link handy, which has the player / coach numbers of the Manatees.

Courtesy of the Rattler Radio Blog -- fun lineup, Cutter leading off, Khris Davis hasn't hit as low as 6th in forever, and Scooter at SS. Wouldn't read too much into that -- Michael Marseco has the night off, and he's really the only regular shortstop on the roster. Cutter Dykstra...3B Scooter Gennett..SS Hunter Morris....1B Kentrail Davis...RF Chris Dennis.....DH Khris Davis......LF Cameron Garfield..C Joey Paciorek....2B Erik Miller......CF Maverick Lasker..SP August 3, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitcher August 3, 2010: Game Notes SECOND HALF WEST DIVISION WILD CARD RACE CLUB........W-L..GB Peoria.....17-17 - Clinton....17-18 0.5 Beloit.....16-18 1.0 Wisconsin..16-20 2.0 Burlington 15-19 2.0

PDF documents: Nashville Media Notes Huntsville Media Notes

Stu's Blog -- The Rain, the Park and the Other Things (with apologies to The Cowsills)

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 62 47 .569 - - 30-26 32-21 8-2 W4 Memphis 60 50 .545 2.5 33 34-22 26-28 7-3 L1 Nashville 58 51 .532 4.0 32 30-26 28-25 5-5 W2 Omaha 57 53 .518 5.5 30 25-26 32-27 5-5 W1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 22 15 .595 - - 14-7 8-8 7-3 L1 Huntsville 21 16 .568 1.0 33 11-8 10-8 8-2 W4 Carolina 18 19 .486 4.0 30 8-10 10-9 4-6 L1 Chattanooga 17 19 .472 4.5 30 10-8 7-11 5-5 W2 West Tenn 15 22 .405 7.0 27 8-7 7-15 4-6 L5 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 26 11 .703 - - 14-5 12-6 9-1 L1 Tampa 23 12 .657 2.0 33 10-6 13-6 6-4 W3 Brevard County 23 14 .622 3.0 31 13-7 10-7 8-2 W1 * Dunedin 16 20 .444 9.5 25 9-8 7-12 5-5 W1 Lakeland 16 20 .444 9.5 25 11-8 5-12 7-3 W2 Clearwater 15 23 .395 11.5 22 9-8 6-15 3-7 W1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 23 11 .676 - - 9-7 14-4 7-3 W3 Kane County 21 15 .583 3.0 - 14-4 7-11 5-5 L1 * Cedar Rapids 20 15 .571 3.5 35 9-8 11-7 5-5 L4 Peoria 17 17 .500 6.0 33 10-7 7-10 7-3 L1 Clinton 17 18 .486 6.5 32 10-8 7-10 4-6 W1 Beloit 16 18 .471 7.0 30 9-9 7-9 5-5 W1 Wisconsin 16 20 .444 8.0 30 10-8 6-12 3-7 L1 Burlington 15 19 .441 8.0 30 11-6 4-13 3-7 W1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Great Falls 2 1 .667 - - 0-0 2-1 2-1 L1 Helena 2 1 .667 - - 2-1 0-0 2-1 W1 Billings 1 2 .333 1.0 35 0-0 1-2 1-2 L1 Missoula 1 2 .333 1.0 35 1-2 0-0 1-2 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 31 21 .596 - - 18-8 13-13 7-3 L1 DSL Cardinals 29 22 .569 1.5 20 21-4 8-18 6-4 L1 DSL Athletics 22 29 .431 8.5 13 13-13 9-16 5-5 L1 DSL Brewers 21 31 .404 10.0 11 13-13 8-18 3-7 W2

Follow Tuesday'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 Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Josh Butler at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Carolina (Reds), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link (Stephen C. Smith at SpaceCoastBaseball.com) Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at home vs. Peoria (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Jose Oviedo at Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM; there is a chance this will be a doubleheader based on a July 22nd rainout; if so, we'll let you know...

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

Stars' Rogers seems all the way back after lengthy rehab By Guy Curtright / Special to MLB.comIt has been a long and winding road for Mark Rogers, who was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers with the No. 5 overall pick in the 2004 First-Year Player Draft. There have been no detours this season, though, and he may finally be headed in the right direction on the trip that he hopes will take him all the way to Milwaukee. "He's come back from the calamity with his arm as well as you could have every imagined," Huntsville pitching coach John Curtis said. "After a couple of debilitating injuries, he's to where you'd never know it happened. It's great to see. He's worked his butt off." Rogers, who received a signing bonus of $2.2 million from the Brewers, was shut down late in the 2006 season, missed the next two years after multiple surgeries and pitched only on a limited basis last season. "It was tough sitting back hurt and watching players you were drafted with advance and make it to the Major Leagues," said the 24-year-old right-hander. "But I had to get over feeling sorry for myself real quick. That was my situation, and I had to deal with it." Patience and hard work have paid off for the Maine native, who is back throwing his fastball in the mid-90s and is now a pitcher rather than just a thrower. "I wasn't on the mound for two years, but it wasn't all lost time," Rogers said. "I learned a lot about pitching, and I think that has really helped me." Although Rogers is only 4-7 with Huntsville, he ranks 11th among Southern League qualifiers with a 3.37 ERA and has made steady progress month to month. Rogers had a 2.06 ERA for his five starts in July and capped the month with his best outing of the season in a no-decision against Mississippi. He allowed just two hits and an unearned run, striking out five and walking two in a season-high seven innings. "Command wise, he's come a long way," Curtis said. Control is still an issue at times, as shown by Rogers' ratio of 56 walks to 79 strikeouts over 87 2/3 innings. But opponents are batting just .194 against him. "My velocity is all the way back, which is great," said Rogers, who made one start for Triple-A Nashville in June. "And now, I have a changeup to complement it. I don't throw the curveball as much anymore, but my slider is getting more consistent. I feel real good about the way everything is coming along." Top prospects from Maine are rare, and Rogers went to a small high school. He battled control problems after signing, and the Brewers worked to revamp his mechanics. Curtis was also Rogers' pitching coach during his first year of full-season pro ball with West Virginia in 2005. "You always saw a real power arm, but there were some things in his delivery that concerned us as far as his long-term health was concerned, and we worked on fixing that," Curtis said. "The irony is that he blew out his arm the next year anyway." Rogers had surgery on his shoulder, then another operation and a second season lost. Now he appears on track again, seemingly better than ever. "I'm fortunate to have my arm come back like it has and, hopefully, I'm on the road to the big leagues now," Rogers said. Mark Rogers has limited hitters to a .194 mark in 87 2/3 innings. (Bill Mitchell/Four Seam Images) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/08/02/PuFsJjmD.jpg

Via Chris Mehring's blog: LHP Caleb Thielbar has been transferred from Wisconsin to Helena. LHP Efrain Nieves has returned from the Central American Games, and has been reinstated from Wisconsin's temporary inactive list. *** Hopefully we'll read about Nieves' trip and results, as there didn't seem to be any online coverage.

Thanks for your comments, I've copied them into our recent thread on this topic.

Text is from poster rcon14 -- A lot of our prospects at the lower-end of our system are having a lot of success (Odorizzi, Davis, Roberts). Do you think any of these guys could expect promotions prior to season's end? Personally I think Odorizzi has to be promoted before the end of the season. He's been coddled through the low levels and is pitching to a 3.04 ERA with the T-Rats and I'd like to see him continue his success in Brevard County before season's end to see if he could be in Huntsville in early 2011. I have a similar case with Kentrail Davis, who's been annihilating the ball with the T-Rats, he struggled with a "heat related illness" in Brevard earlier this year but he has to show he can hit against better pitching and I'd like to see Davis in Huntsville at some point in mid 2011. I don't expect a promotion from Tyler Roberts who's hitting great in Rookie Ball, only 19 he may ride out the rest of the season there and then start 2011 with the T-Rats. Brett Lawrie could very well get a promotion to AAA, but he'd probably have to change positions in order to see any substaintial and consistent playing time at only one spot. As for other guys, I expect Lorenzo Cain to be promoted again following the Carlos Gomez likely concussion (he reportadly has dizziness). I don't see why Amaury Rivas isn't in AAA right now, he's pitched well at every level and I think he needs to show that he can pitch against more experienced hitters, right now I see him as a Carlos Villanueva clone. Mat Gamel will be up in September, but barring injury we won't see him before hand. Scooter could very well find his way to Brevard, but he's so young they might be better served keeping him in WIS.

Link while active, text follows: Former Milwaukee minor leaguer Wilhelmsen gets career back on track with Mariners By Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — A 5-5 record, a 2.76 ERA and a spot on the Midwest League All-Star squad. That was Milwaukee Brewers prospect Tom Wilhelmsen for the Beloit Snappers in 2003. Monday night, Wilmelmsen was back in the Midwest League, pitching for Clinton, throwing seven innings of two-hit, one-walk baseball and leading the Lumber- Kings to a 5-0 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. "Tonight's the first time I've seen him in eight years," Clinton pitching coach Dwight Bernard said. "I was the pitching coordinator in Milwaukee when he was in Beloit at that time. "He overthrew a couple pitches, but still he made enough quality pitches that got him by at this level right now. Obviously, this is not where we want him to stay." In a sport that cherishes pitchers with strong arms, the Mariners are certainly hoping that Wilhelmsen can recapture what made him a seventh-round pick of the Brewers in 2002. "This go-round is a much better experience than it was seven years ago," Wilhelmsen said. "I'm a lot more mature and better understand how baseball works at this level. I'm having a lot more fun because I'm more responsible and understand it." Coming out of Tucson Magnet High School and becoming a professional baseball player was more than the then-teenager could handle. There were two suspensions for failed drug tests when Wilhelmsen was in the Brewers system. Then in 2005, he retired from the game. Before rediscovering his love for baseball, Wilhelmsen bartended and backpacked but found he missed the game. "I started just running every day and doing a bunch of arm exercises," said Wilhelmsen about getting back in baseball shape before pitching for the Tucson Toros of the Golden Baseball League in 2009. "I want to be another 10 or 15 pounds heavier but during the season, it's just working out to stay in shape. That's what I will focus on now." According to a story in The Seattle Times, Wilhelmsen got the call from the Toros the day before his wedding. There was now a clearer direction on the road he was traveling. Wilhelmsen signed a minor league free agent contract with the Mariners before the 2010 season, pitching eight times for the Arizona League Mariners and Everett Aquasox before being promoted to Clinton. In those eight appearances, he struck out 22 and walked two in 15 innings. Then came Monday's start where Wilhelmsen allowed just one walk through four innings before Cutter Dykstra ended the thought of a no-hitter by bunting for a single leading off the fifth. No problem. Wilhelmsen got three outs on a pair of flyballs and a groundout, went 1-2-3 with the Rattlers in the sixth and finished off his night pitching out a seventh-inning jam when Kentrail Davis tripled with one out. Bernard wasn't expecting seven innings out of Wilhelmsen. "In the six neighborhood is where we were looking," Bernard said. "If he did that, we'd be satisfied, but he sailed through a few innings and the pitch count was down." Wilhelmsen wasn't expecting to go seven innings, either. "I think the furthest I've gone this year is five," he said. "Going an extra two felt good." Next up for Wilhelmsen is critiquing his performance with Bernard. "That's what I'm taking into this whole experience," he said. "Sitting down for five or six years, you don't realize how much of the mental aspect of pitching you've lost. That's what I'm gaining back. Physically, my fastball is there, my curveball, my pitches are there. Knowing what pitches to throw at certain times is the one thing I want to work on." How many more starts Wilhelmsen makes for Clinton is unknown, but Bernard has high hopes. "Hopefully, even at the age of 26, he can move up the ladder pretty quick," Bernard said. "I was pleased with what I seen." There's even a touch of fatherly pride that comes from Bernard in seeing Wilhelmsen back in the game. "You've got to take your hat off to a kid who signed, got some money and had some issues but overcome all of that," Bernard said. "As hard as he's worked in order to get himself back to this point, it's a tremendous thing. Nice to see."

Stars shining brightly as they win fourth in a row By Aaron Morse, Huntsville Stars Taylor Green smacked a walk-off two-run homer in the 13th and the Huntsville Stars (21-16, 54-53) won in come-from-behind fashion by a final score of 5-3 over the Carolina Mudcats (18-19, 48-58) Monday night. It’s the Stars’ fourth straight win and second consecutive victory in extra frames. The win moves the Stars to within one game of first place in the Southern League North as the Tennessee Smokies lost to the Montgomery Biscuits by a final count of 4-3. Also, the Stars now have a winning record overall for the first time since May 22. Carolina took the early 1-0 lead in the second as Sean Henry got things going against Stars’ starter Michael Bowman with a ground-rule double to the right-center field gap. After a grounder moved him to third, Chris Denove legged out an infield single, driving in Henry for the first run of the ballgame. They kept the pressure on the Stars with runs in the fourth and the sixth. Luis Terrero led-off the fourth with a single to center. A Brett Lawrie error allowed the Mudcats to put runners at first and third with nobody out. Bowman proceeded to uncork a wild pitch and just like that it was 2-0. Terrero also started the Mudcats’ offense in the sixth with a double to left. One out later Henry singled him in to extend the lead to 3-0. Bowman pitched a fine game, going seven innings, scattering six hits giving up three runs (all earned), walking one and striking-out three. It didn’t look like it’d be enough though until the Stars came roaring back in the seventh and eighth. After being shut down by Mudcats’ starter Travis Webb for the first six frames, Huntsville got to reliever Bradley Boxberger in the seventh. Green drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a Lee Haydel single. Anderson De La Rosa singled to load the bases but pinch hitter Andy Machado popped out. Lawrie hit a grounder to second; the Mudcats got the lead runner for the second out. However, the hustling Lawrie beat the throw to first, driving in Green and cutting the deficit to two. The eighth inning would be huge as Mudcats’ reliever Joseph Krebs couldn’t hold on to the lead. A Zelous Wheeler infield single was followed by a Drew Anderson two-run blast, knotting the game up at three. From then on it was a battle of attrition as the Stars’ bullpen shined. Jim Henderson tossed an inning of shutout ball and Robert Hinton followed that up with two of his own. It was Lucas Luetge (2-2) who emerged as the pitching star in extras though, as he tossed three shutout innings. Both teams had plenty of chances to take the lead as Carolina left nine men stranded and went 2-11 with men in scoring position. Meanwhile the Stars left 10 men on base and went 2-8 with men in scoring position. It looked like the Mudcats would take the lead when they loaded the bases with two away in the 11th. Taylor Green had other ideas, making a great diving play on a grounder off the bat of Kris Negron, robbing him of a hit and ending the inning. Green followed up his defensive heroics with the decisive two-run bomb in the bottom of the 13th off Mudcats’ reliever Jerry Gil (3-6). His homer scored Chris Nowak who had reached on an infield single to third. Audio: Taylor Green Walk-Off Homer Anderson, Nowak, and De La Rosa tallied multi-hit games and Anderson and Green each drove in two runs with their respective homers. The Stars managed to get the victory despite Lawrie and Caleb Gindl going a combined 0-12. The four-game winning streak is one short of the Stars’ longest of the year. They’ll look to get another win over the Mudcats Tuesday as Mark Rogers (4-7, 3.39 ERA) takes to the hill. Join us on www.huntsvillestars.com beginning at 6:45 PM central time for the Window World Pre-Game Report.

Nashville home run king (and surprisingly rock-solid starting pitcher) Marty McLeary is Stu's guest. The now-35-year-old fought back from a blood clot in his shoulder two years ago.