Jim Goulart

Final: @Arizona Giants 4, Arizona Brewers 2 Arizona Box Score Looks to be a tight game throughout, with each team scoring its runs one frame at a time; Giant pitchers walked six, Brewer pitches five, and each team threw two wild pitches, so it wasn't necessarily a clean mound game, however; RHP's R.J. Johnson, Greg Holle, and Travis Stortz split duties, with Holle taking a tough loss, surrendering one run in three innings; as battlekow has pointed out in the past, Stortz was born in fdfg, FL, which is MiLB.com code for Coral Springs... SS Yadiel Rivera with the game's only error, it wasn't costly and was only his 8th on the season, not terrible for a young 18-year-old on the Arizona League fields; catcher Tyler Roberts was 2-for-4 and yanked his 4th HR of the season, still sporting a 1.048 OPS after 92 AB's; 2B Nick Shaw's plate discipline still through the roof -- OBP now at .496 after 27 games, three walks here; Max Walla 0-for-4 with three K's, same for 22-year-old 12th round pick John Bivens, who has found the going tough both in Helena and Maryvale; oh yeah, Jody Gerut walked in four trips... Arizona Game Log R.J. Johnson, still learning his way, walked three in the 1st, but his defense helped limit the damage to one run -- AZL Giants Bottom 1st Carlos Willoughby walks. Daniel Burkhart walks. Carlos Willoughby to 2nd. Joseph Staley grounds into double play, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Jason Rogers. Carlos Willoughby to 3rd. Daniel Burkhart out at 2nd. Brice Cutspec walks. Jose De La Cruz singles on a fly ball to center fielder Kenneth Allison. Carlos Willoughby scores. Brice Cutspec to 2nd. With Rafael Rodriguez batting, Tyler Roberts picks off Jose De La Cruz at 1st on throw to Jason Rogers. Down by two runs in the bottom of the 9th, this made little sense -- AZL Brewers Top 9th Thomas Mittelstaedt walks. With Yadiel Rivera batting, Thomas Mittelstaedt caught stealing 2nd base, catcher Joseph Staley to second baseman Carlos Willoughby. Yadiel Rivera strikes out swinging. John Bivens strikes out swinging.

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.

Link while active, text follows: Hopkins sparks Brewers to 9-3 win over Billings By The Independent Record Greg Hopkins had a pair of doubles and drove in three runs as the Helena Brewers defeated the Billings Mustangs 9-3 before 1,017 in a Pioneer League game at Kindrick Legion Field on Monday night. Carlos George had three hits, while Mike Walker and Brent Dean added two each for Helena, which has won two of the first three games of its six-game series against the Mustangs. The teams travels to Billings to play three more beginning tonight. Tyler Cravy (4-3) earned the win, allowing three runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings of relief of Tyler Thornburg. It was Cravy’s longest outing of the season and his first appearance in relief. Billings took a 1-0 lead in the fourth when Billy Hamilton tripled and scored on an infield grounder. Helena responded with a pair in the bottom of the fourth against Billings starter and loser Tanner Robles (2-1) when Shea Vucinich walked, stole second and scored on Walker’s single. Walker, who had advanced to second base on a throw to the plate, then scored when Billings shortstop Devin Lohman mishandled Brent Dean’s grounder. The Brewers added two more in the fifth when Hopkins’ double scored Robbie Garvey and George. Trailing 4-1, Billings got one back in the sixth when Theo Bowe reached on an infield single, took second and later third on throwing errors and finally scored on Hamilton’s infield groundout. Hopkins’ run-scoring double highlighted a four-run seventh that extended the lead to 8-2. Walker, Dean and John Dishon also had run-scoring hits in the inning against Jesus Adames. Helena got 11 hits to just six by the Mustangs. Helena improves to 13-9 at Kindrick Legion Field this season, but now embarks on a six-game road trip.

Great name alert: Professional debut as a pinch-runner then LF for the DSL Crew tonight -- Dionis Hinojosa Still waiting on that first pro plate appearance...

Latest effort from Romanski -- wins can be fleeting, but Josh is now 7-3 in 12 starts (stats) Monday's box score line -- 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 1 K, 1 HR Four of his last five starts have been on the road -- waiting for that next home game start, when we might get more insight from any local media coverage...

INF Kyle Dhanani, a month short of his 23rd birthday, has been sent to Maryvale's squad, as INF Steve Braun gets activated off the DL at Brevard. Hey, we just document, 'em, didn't say we were going to wow you each time.

PDF Document: Huntsville Media Notes The Stars offense is batting .260 against lefties this year. Lefty Taylor Green leads the team against southpaws with a .305 average. He’s hit six of his eight home runs and 51 of his 59 RBI against LHP. Unfortunately, those are Green's numbers against RHP. He's hitting .200 in his 70 AB's vs. LHP. Amaury Rivas won't be pitching both Wednesday and Thursday as listed. Otherwise, worth a peek http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Stars' site -- Getting to Know #19 Chris Cody

A reminder on why a matchup tonight against a 26 1/2 year-old RHP at the A-ball level is interesting for long-time followers of the Brewers' chain. Tom Wilhelmsen's MiLB.com page

PDF document: Nashville Media Notes

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 61 47 .565 - - 30-26 31-21 7-3 W3 Memphis 60 49 .550 1.5 35 34-21 26-28 8-2 W4 Nashville 57 51 .528 4.0 33 29-26 28-25 5-5 W1 Omaha 56 53 .514 5.5 31 25-26 31-27 4-6 L2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 22 14 .611 - - 14-7 8-7 8-2 W4 Huntsville 20 16 .556 2.0 33 10-8 10-8 7-3 W3 Carolina 18 18 .500 4.0 31 8-10 10-8 5-5 W1 Chattanooga 16 19 .457 5.5 30 9-8 7-11 5-5 W1 West Tenn 15 21 .417 7.0 28 8-7 7-14 5-5 L4 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 25 10 .714 - - 13-4 12-6 10-0 W13 Tampa 21 12 .636 3.0 34 10-6 11-6 5-5 W1 Brevard County 22 14 .611 3.5 32 12-7 10-7 7-3 L2 * Dunedin 16 20 .444 9.5 26 9-8 7-12 5-5 W1 Lakeland 15 20 .429 10.0 26 11-8 4-12 7-3 W1 Clearwater 14 23 .378 12.0 23 9-8 5-15 2-8 L3 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Great Falls 2 0 1.000 - - 0-0 2-0 2-0 W3 Billings 1 1 .500 1.0 36 0-0 1-1 1-1 W1 Helena 1 1 .500 1.0 36 1-1 0-0 1-1 L1 Missoula 0 2 .000 2.0 35 0-2 0-0 0-2 L2 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 22 11 .667 - - 7-6 6-5 6-4 L1 AZL Dodgers 16 17 .485 6.0 18 6-6 5-5 5-5 W1 AZL Indians 16 17 .485 6.0 18 6-5 7-4 4-6 L1 AZL Reds 14 18 .438 7.5 17 5-4 4-7 5-5 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 31 20 .608 - - 18-7 13-13 7-3 W1 DSL Cardinals 29 22 .569 2.0 20 21-4 8-18 6-4 L1 DSL Athletics 22 29 .431 9.0 13 13-13 9-16 5-5 L1 DSL Brewers 20 31 .392 11.0 11 13-13 7-18 2-8 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) Huntsville (Gameday also available) Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers

Monday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Carolina (Reds), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link (Hammerheads' feed) *** We don't believe Jupiter is carrying this road series, but we'll list a link just in case... Wisconsin: RHP Jake Odorizzi at home vs. Clinton (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Tyler Thornburg at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Giants' complex in Scottsdale; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM

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

Maverick and Callix lose to nicknames, but Zelous Wheeler and his given name move on to face veteran Gookie Dawkins (he's still around)? Notice that in Zelous' bracket, the sweet 16 seeds are the 13, 14, 15, and 16. You'll never see that in the NCAA's. So vote Zelous! He's holding the banner of Brewer nation on his own now...

LHP Kristian Bueno did indeed sign with the Astros, and is pitching in the Gulf Coast League at the rookie level. His story was referenced in this post earlier in this thread. He was a Josh Kusnick (agent) player, probably still is, so kudos there to both.

Chinese Taipei defeated Australia, 8-4, to take the World Juniors' Championship. Joel Pierce struck out the lone batter he faced and Rowan Wick had a tough day (0-for-5, two K's), as Canada fell to Cuba in the consolation game, 8-2. Canada box score

Final: Arizona Angels 3, @Arizona Brewers 0 Arizona Box Score Save for 1/2 inning, a masterfully pitched game; Marshall University RHP Kevin Shackelford has eight appearances on the season -- in three starts, he's allowed three runs in 12 innings (1.50 ERA with one BB and 11 K's); in five relief appearances, he has allowed 16 runs in six innings (24.00 ERA, seven BB's, three K's); Shackelford pitched five scoreless two-hit innings here, walking none and fanning six; juco LHP Dane Amedee spiced a three-run Angel rally in the 6th with two wild pitches as he just couldn't escape two-out trouble; RHP's Brooks Hall and Jose Sanchez finished up nicely, combining to fan six over three scoreless frames... The only A-Crew members to reach base twice were two of their most impressive batsmen this summer -- 2B Nick Shaw (.971 OPS) doubled and walked -- MiLB.com lists him as batting R and throwing L (it's the other way around, naturally) and Jason Rogers, the DH in this one (.950 OPS) singled twice; Jody Gerut was 1-for-4 in a "ho-hum" footnote... Arizona Game Log The fatal 6th -- AZL Angels Top 6th Pitcher Change: Dane Amedee replaces Kevin Shackelford. Mitchell Blackburn hit by pitch. Chevez Clarke strikes out swinging. Taylor Lindsey singles on a line drive to right fielder Jody Gerut. Mitchell Blackburn to 3rd. Randal Grichuk pops out to second baseman Nick Shaw. Tyler Sanford singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Mitchell Blackburn scores. Taylor Lindsey to 2nd. With Jerod Yakubik batting, wild pitch by Dane Amedee, Taylor Lindsey to 3rd. Tyler Sanford to 2nd. Jerod Yakubik singles on a ground ball to third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt. Taylor Lindsey scores. Tyler Sanford to 3rd. With Michael Bolaski batting, wild pitch by Dane Amedee, Tyler Sanford scores. Jerod Yakubik out at 3rd, catcher Tyler Roberts to third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt. The Brewers had at least one baserunner in every inning but one yet were shut out. Best chance was here in the 7th, when Demetrius McKelvie did what he's done an amazing 41 times in 78 AB's this year -- AZL Brewers Bottom 7th Jason Rogers grounds out, second baseman Taylor Lindsey to first baseman Jerod Yakubik. Thomas Mittelstaedt singles on a line drive to center fielder Chevez Clarke. Yadiel Rivera singles on a line drive to right fielder Gary Mitchell. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 3rd. With Demetrius McKelvie batting, wild pitch by Suammy Baez, Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. Demetrius McKelvie called out on strikes. Pitcher Change: AJ Schugel replaces Suammy Baez. Derrick Shaw strikes out swinging.

Wisconsin Photo Gallery from the Post-Crescent Brad Krause with his fine photo work as well

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers starter Bucci returns to form in victory over LumberKings By Jim Oskola, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Through June 2, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Nick Bucci was having a head-turning type of season. Bucci's record was only 3-2 but he had an eye-opening 1.74 ERA with 30 walks and 40 strikeouts in 51 2[/sup]/3[/sub] innings. Those numbers helped earn him a spot on the Midwest League West Division all-star team. If that much of the season was smooth sailing for Bucci, he started to run into choppier seas starting with a four-inning, four-run outing against Bowling Green on June 9. Over Bucci's next nine appearances, he went 1-3 with a save while allowing 30 runs — 28 earned — over 40 innings. That nifty ERA climbed to 3.73. Against Clinton at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, Bucci started bringing his ERA back down as he pitched Wisconsin to a 6-1 victory over the LumberKings. "This couldn't have come at a better time," Timber Rattlers manager Jeff Isom said. "Struggling on the offensive and the pitching side. He goes out there in the first inning and set the tone for the whole game." Isom said that strong start impressed him. "He had struggled but he came out there and set the tone and allowed our offense to get out there and start swinging the bats and score some early runs," Isom said. Bucci didn't try nibbling at the corners of the plate. "We wanted him to get more aggressive with his fastball," Wisconsin pitching coach Chris Hook said. "He's got a good fastball and, instead of taking the bull by the horns, he was kind of skirting around it, trying to do other things to get to the end of the command issue that he had." Bucci grabbed the bull, allowing only three hits with no walks while tying his season high with eight strikeouts. "Our game plan from the first inning was to establish the fastball and fastball in, the first time through the lineup," Bucci said. "We did that. Then in later innings, establish the curveball and changeup and it worked out well tonight." So what led to the struggles in June and July? "He's aggressive by nature," Hook said. "He was starting to be tentative with his fastball. Tonight was a good example of pitching aggressively early and pitching in. I think that established the tone for the game." As important as this start was for Bucci, it has been equally important for the rest of Wisconsin's starting rotation. Starting pitchers have a habit of being competitive with each other. If one starter puts up a string of zeroes, the next man in the rotation will try to do the same or better it. "Jake Odorizzi is going out there Monday," Bucci said. "He's one of our best pitchers. He's my roommate and I definitely pull for him every time he goes out there." And if Bucci's game kicks off a run of good pitching performances, it will help make up for the month of July when the Rattlers pitchers surrendered 155 runs in 28 games (5.5 average) while the team scored only 121 (4.3 average). "You certainly hope that it carries over to the rest of the guys," Isom said. "We needed somebody to step up today and he did. We're hoping this performance opens up the rest of the starters' eyes so they realize that they can set the tone early in the game and let our offense work." Nick Bucci allowed just three hits and no runs in six innings for the Timber Rattlers against Clinton on Sunday at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. (P-C photo by Patrick Ferron) http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20100802&Category=APC021102&ArtNo=8020534&Ref=AR&Profile=1019&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Nashville manager Don Money The Mat Gamel situation is not discussed this time around...

Link while active, text follows: Mustangs edge Brewers in 12th By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record Facing defeat in the bottom of the ninth inning, with one out and down by a score of 5-1 to the Billings Mustangs, the Helena Brewers rallied for four runs to tie the game and force extra innings at Kindrick Legion Field Sunday. The two teams then played evenly until the top of the 12th frame, when it was Billings’ turn to push across four markers of its own. The visitors were able to hold the Brewers in check in their final at-bat, cementing the 9-5 win for the Mustangs. Helena and Billings are tied at 1-1 for the second half of the Northern Division Pioneer League standings. Great Falls swept Missoula in a doubleheader on Sunday to lead the league. The home team’s comeback in the ninth was sparked by catcher Gerald Ogrinc, who led off with a single. After an out, manager Joe Ayrault’s charges proceeded to bat through the line-up, with singles by Robbie Garvey, Brandon Sizemore, Greg Hopkins and Mike Walker, and a walk to Cody Hahn. Ogrinc’s book-end at-bat then ended the inning, but the Brewers’ had earned a second chance. Billing’s winning onslaught in the 12th was powered by a two-run homer by Danny Hernandez. Ty Cline started on the mound for the Magic City, working four scoreless innings and allowing three hits. After three Mustang relievers, Ryan Smith entered in the 10th and went the remainder of the way to collect the win. Helena starter Stosh Wawrzasek pitched 4.1 frames, giving up five runs. Four relievers later, Eric Marzec was tabbed with the defeat. The two clubs combined for 25 hits, with Billings’ 14 base knocks paced by Billy Hamilton (4 for 6, double, two runs), Juan Duran (2-5, two doubles, RBI), Trey Manz (2-4), two doubles, RBI), and Hernandez. The contest featured seven doubles all-told, but perhaps the hardest hit of the game occurred when Brewers’ centerfielder Robbie Garvey banged off the fence in left-center field running at full speed attempting to catch a long fly ball. Capital City players with two hits apiece were Sizemore (double, two RBIs), Shea Vucinich (double, RBI), Garvey and Carlos George. The two teams meet again tonight for the final tilt of the three-game series, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field.

Lawrie needs just five more to tie the Southern League's all-time record at 19. Alan Trammell set the mark in 1977 when playing for Montgomery.

Brewers rally in the ninth, but fall in extras By Brett Billings, Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers rallied for four runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game into extras, but fell to the Billings Mustangs after a four-run 12th inning. The loss puts Helena's record back at an even .500 on the year (20-20), 1-1 in the second half. The Brewers seemed flat for the first eight frames, only managing one run on four hits. The run came in the fifth inning when Brandon Sizemore hit a two-out double to score Carlos George, who reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the frame. The hit made the score 5-1 in favor of Billings and stayed the same until the ninth inning. The inning started with a single from Gerald Ogrinc. After George struck out, Robbie Garvey and Sizmore hit back-to-back singles to score Ogrinc. Cody Hawn followed with a walk and was pinch run for by Connor Lind. After RBI singles from Greg Hopkins, Shea Vucinich, and Mike Walker, the Brewers tied the game and had the bases loaded with one out. Billings' pitcher Daniel Wolford worked out of the jam, getting John Dishon to ground into a force out at the plate and striking out Ogrinc to end the inning. The score remained nodded at five apiece until the top of the 12th, and it changed in a hurry. Eric Marzec began the inning on the mound. He recorded the first two outs of the frame but allowed four runs on four hits including a two-run homerun in the process. The Mustangs had another four-run advantage in the bottom of the inning, and they held it to improve to 22-18 on the year, 1-1 in the second half. Stosh Wawrzasek (0-3, 6.43) started on the hill for Helena. He couldn't get out of the fifth and was relieved by Chad Robinson, who recorded the final two outs of the frame. Wawrzasek exited the game after 4.1 innings of work. He allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one in the no-decision. Austin Ross was solid out of the pen. The Shreveport, LA native, tossed four scoreless innings. He allowed two hits and struck out two. Ryan Bernal also made an appearance in the game. He pitched two scoreless innings, striking out one and walking one. Marzec (2-3, 2.40) received the loss. The four runs in the 12th inning were the first earned runs he's allowed in 14.1 innings of work this season. The Brewers will face the Mustangs again tomorrow night in a rubber match. LHP Tanner Robles (2-0, 4.78) is scheduled to start for Billings. RHP Tyler Thornburg (0-0, 1.50) is slated to take the mound for Helena. The 3rd round pick in the 2010 draft has been out with arm problems since his last start on July 5th. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

Now it's 5:20 Central, and we'll see if we can have similar luck as with the victorious Stars, by directing you to the Helena audio because they are tied as well in the bottom of the 10th. Details later on the big four-run bottom of the 9th rally that tied the game for the H-Crew.