Jim Goulart

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From the Peoria Star-Journal's game coverage, the only real Rattler reference -- Catcher Luis Flores also made the play of the day defensively in the seventh. Cutter Dykstra, son of ex-big leaguer Lenny Dykstra, laid down a well-placed bunt toward third. Flores pounced on the ball, whirled and fired almost blindly to first base to catch Dykstra by a step. “That’s something you don’t work on,” Flores said. “It’s just baseball instinct. A tough, bang-bang play. When I looked up, we had more time than I thought.” Photos by Ron Johnson / Journal-Star Logan Watkins of the Peoria Chiefs throws to first after making the force out at second base on Hunter Morris of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers during Wednesday night's game at O'Brien Field. http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x599440042/g12c000000000000000331fec73e3dbb6adf19200a1acd5088b90c330d0.jpg Hak-Ju Lee of the Chiefs takes a knee after being hit by a pitch. The Rattlers' Cameron Garfield is behind the plate. http://www.pjstar.com/archive/x390012338/g12c000000000000000fc1410abce6fda288e1db509563ca4700c61182f.jpg

This excellent article details the goings-on of the Canadian squad in some detail -- why Rowan Wick went behind the plate and how he fared there, how the tournament is proceeding, including some surprising results, and a fine game report on what should have been a cakewalk for the hosts (come on, the Czech Republic?), but wasn't. And yes, we are glossing over the undefeated U.S. squad at the juniors -- no Brewers connection...

Nice to hear from Brett at the Post-Crescent -- his blog thoughts on LHP Tony Butler[/url]

Manatees' Merklinger fans 13 Brewers prospect has 24 strikeouts in last two starts MiLB.com Dan Merklinger recorded a career-high 13 strikeouts and gave up six hits over six scoreless innings Wednesday as the Brevard County Manatees shut down the St. Lucie Mets, 5-1. Merklinger's previous best came in his last start on July 22, when he fanned 11 against Fort Myers. The 2007 sixth-round pick settled into a groove after escaping a bases-loaded jam with two outs in the third. He retired nine straight before issuing a two-out walk to Hector Pellot. Merklinger (5-4) recorded seven of his last nine outs via the strikeout. The 24-year-old left-hander wrapped up a stellar July in which he was 2-1 with a 1.42 ERA and 45 strikeouts over 31 2/3 innings in five starts. It was a marked improvement from June, when he posted a 7.32 ERA in five starts. Mark Willinsky kept the shutout intact through the eighth, but Brandon Ritchie surrendered a solo homer in the ninth. Juan Sanchez was 5-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored, while Sean Halton collected three hits and drove in a run for the Manatees. Shawn Zarraga had two RBIs and Brock Kjeldgaard doubled twice. Dan Merklinger has struck out 100 batters over 98 2/3 innings. (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/07/28/v7e7xSWS.jpg

Final: @Huntsville 6, Mississippi (Braves) 0 First, let me say that I'm a huge fan of the Stars' broadcast crew. For home games, you've got Chad, Asron, and Connor at the booth at various times, Connor did a very nice post-game on-field interview with Brett Lawrie after the game, etc. So we love you, guys, but please sneak those post-game summaries online more quickly http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. I listened to nearly all of this one, so here we go... Huntsville Box Score Michael Bowman said "I'll show this 19-year-old, 97-MPH phenom what shutout pitching looks like"; 6 IP, 2 H, 4 BB, 2 K's -- the four walks came within the first nine batters faced by Bowman, but he spaced them out just enough to avoid surrendering even a single run; RHP's Nick Green and Eddie Morlan finished up nicely; that bullpen use sets up the very real possibility that Mark Rogers and Jeremy Jeffress could pitch in the same game for the first time at the AA level (or any level?) Thursday evening -- too bad Mike Jones isn't still around for the trifecta... Drew Anderson led the offense with two doubles (each missed being a home run by a foot or so) and two walks; Caleb Gindl was 0-for-2 but walked three times -- his K rate and K-to-BB ratio is so improved over two years ago at West Virginia -- wonderful progress for Caleb, still in an age 21 season; Brett Lawrie singled twice and walked -- he stole one base and was thrown out once, but it should have been two CS's, as a tag was badly missed on the successful attempt; Lee Haydel (stats) continued a strong July with two more hits; Anderson De La Rosa doubled and singled -- he's still listed as a coach at Brevard County, perhaps telepathically -- does that mean he hasn't coached while at Nashville or Huntsville? Huntsville Game Log The Stars' three-run rally against a tiring Julio Teheran -- Huntsville Bottom 5th Brett Lawrie singles on a ground ball to center fielder Antoan Richardson. With Caleb Gindl batting, Brett Lawrie steals (27) 2nd base. Caleb Gindl walks. Zelous Wheeler out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Julio Teheran to first baseman Mauro Gomez. Brett Lawrie to 3rd. Caleb Gindl to 2nd. Drew T. Anderson walks. Chris Nowak out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Brett Lawrie scores. Caleb Gindl to 3rd. Drew T. Anderson to 2nd. Taylor Green singles on a line drive to right fielder Willie Cabrera. Caleb Gindl scores. Drew T. Anderson to 3rd. Coaching visit to mound. Pitcher Change: Benino Pruneda replaces Julio Teheran, batting 9th. Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jordan Schafer. Drew T. Anderson scores. Taylor Green to 2nd. Anderson De La Rosa strikes out swinging.

Final: Omaha (Royals) 5, @Nashville 3 Royals Drop Sounds; Koshansky Belts Team-Leading 18th Long Ball NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the division-rival Omaha Royals, 5-3, on Wednesday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the second game of a four-game series. Nashville (56-48) allowed 15 hits to Omaha as five Royals recorded multi-hit contests, led by Mike Moustakas and Kila Ka'aihue each adding three hits. Omaha got on the board in the opening frame to take a 1-0 as third baseman Moustakas hit a two-out double to right field. First baseman Ka'aihue then recorded his team-leading 77th RBI with line drive single to left field that brought home Moustakas from second base. Designated Hitter Jai Miller made it 2-0 in the Royals fourth with a solo homer to left center, his 12th of the season. The Sounds scored two runs in the next frame to knot the contest 2-2. After right fielder Brendan Katin worked a nine-pitch walk, first baseman Joe Koshansky ripped a game-tying two-run home run to deep center over the 24-foot batter's eye. It was Koshansky's team-leading 18th long ball and 59th RBI on the year (audio available via the link above). The Royals scored two more runs to regain the lead in the next inning. After Moustakas and Ka'aihue led off the frame with singles, Jordan Parraz smacked a two-out double to plate both Omaha runners for a 4-2 lead. Nashville trimmed the lead to one in the next inning to make it 4-3. Shortstop Luis Cruz was hit by a Federico Castaneda pitch, moved to second on a Ben Johnson single, advanced to third on a Lorenzo Cain sacrifice, and scored a Norris Hopper infield groundout. Omaha added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning to go up 5-3, as Moustakas hit an infield groundout to score Marc Maddox who singled earlier in the frame. Nashville starting pitcher Sam Narron (6-4) took the loss after allowing four runs on 10 hits and with one strikeout in five innings pitched. Tim Dillard contributed three innings in relief while allowing one run on four hits with a strikeout. Mike McClendon struck out one in one scoreless inning for his sixth consecutive shutout outing. Royals starter Blaine Hardy went 3 1/3 innings while giving up two runs on four hits for Omaha. Castaneda (4-2) earned the win, adding 3 1/3 innings while allowing one run. Louis Coleman threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings to pick up his first save of the season. Eric Farris extended his season-long hitting streak to 12 games with a hit on the evening, while Mat Gamel went hitless to snap his season-long 11-game hitting streak. The Sounds and Royals will continue their four-game series at 7:05 PM on Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at historic Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Josh Butler (1-0, 2.84) will make his second start of the season against Omaha right-hander Anthony Lerew (5-3, 2.84). Nashville Box Score Taco Bell Throwback? Just how old are these tacos they're throwing back? Sam Narron allowed ten hits and two walks in his five innings, so he was fortunate to give up only four runs; Tim Dillard chewed up three innings, but it's a lot easier to get excited about the presence of Mike McClendon and Donovan Hand in the Sounds' bullpen these days; so who goes elsewhere when Carlos Villanueva arrives, not to mention Brandon Kintzler's upcoming return? Dillard and fellow RHP David Johnson can be minor league free agents for the first time at season's end -- with just one month to go, it makes you wonder... Lorenzo Cain and Mat Gamel combined to go 0-for-7 with four K's (sorry all you Beat the Streakers) -- Cain did have a sacrifice bunt; Joe Koshansky was on base three times and I root that the 28-year-old eventually sees the majors again in a 3TO kind-of-way (stats); Mat Gamel with error # 13, but hey, it wasn't throwing -- it's still unfair his mistakes get pointed out, but it's a price of high prospect-dom; Eric Farris with a rare-for-him GIDP (1-6-3), looking forward to see if he's returned to a spot near the top of the order soon; Royals' 3B Mike Moustakas is going to be an MLB beast... Nashville Game Log Good chance to tie it when down 4-3 wasted here -- Nashville Bottom 7th Eric Farris singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jordan Parraz. Luis Cruz out on a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Kila Ka'aihue to second baseman Marc Maddox. Eric Farris to 2nd. Ben Johnson strikes out swinging. Coaching visit to mound. Pitcher Change: Louis Coleman replaces Federico Castaneda. Lorenzo Cain called out on strikes. Tying run at the plate for three batters in the 9th -- Nashville Bottom 9th Joe Koshansky walks. Erick Almonte flies out to center fielder Jarrod Dyson. Eric Farris strikes out swinging. Luis Cruz strikes out swinging.

Erick Almonte and his .325 average was Stu's guest Wednesday This isn't the first time we've noticed that the 32-year-old veteran is one of the classiest interview subjects going....

Actually if there was an adjustment made, it was probably four starts ago (stats) -- last four starts: 26 IP, 22 H, 3 R, 6 BB, 39 K We know who the Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Month for July is. Go back a 5th start via that link above and it's still a solid outing there.

Canada moves to 4-1 in pool play with an 8-7 come-from-behind walkoff win over the Czech Republic. Rowan Wick started in right field, but moved behind the plate in the 2nd inning, as Texas 1st round catcher Kellin Deglan was pulled after striking out looking to end the 1st. The box score doesn't indicate an ejection -- we'll see game stories in the AM. Wick had a sacrifice fly in the 4th, then had a key single as part of a two-run bottom of the 9th. Go Rowan! Canada faces Italy (2-3) on Friday as the single elimination portion of the tournnament begins. There are additional games Saturday, but in terms of winning the championship, the fun begins Friday. A vicory over Italy would set up Canada vs. the Chinese Taipei - Netherlands winner in the semi's.

Game still in progress, so we'll wait for battlekow's summary a bit later, but let's just say a certain Seton Hall lefty has really turned a corner at Brevard. Perhaps we overuse "wow", but "wow"! Yay for something clickin', whatever it may be in this case. Stephen C. Smith has Brevard audio from Space Coast Thursday -- he'll be getting a suggestion letter for a pre-game chat candidate http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif. (If you're able, Stephen, sorry to put you on the spot.)

Rattler Radio: Game notes Tonight's pitcher Starting lineup

PDF document: Nashville Media Notes Huntsville Media Notes Big-time Braves prospect Julio Teheran making his AA debut tonight against the Stars.

Chris goes into greater detail re: the Rattlers' playoff contention status here.

Standings reflect any league activity which occurred earlier in the day Wednesday -- PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 58 46 .558 - - 30-26 28-20 7-3 W1 Nashville 56 47 .544 1.5 40 28-22 28-25 6-4 W2 Memphis 56 48 .538 2.0 39 32-21 24-27 6-4 L1 Omaha 53 51 .510 5.0 36 25-26 28-25 3-7 L3 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 18 13 .581 - - 10-6 8-7 7-3 W2 Carolina 16 15 .516 2.0 38 6-7 10-8 5-5 L1 Huntsville 16 15 .516 2.0 38 6-7 10-8 4-6 L1 Chattanooga 14 16 .467 3.5 37 9-8 5-8 4-6 W1 West Tenn 14 17 .452 4.0 36 8-7 6-10 7-3 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 22 10 .688 - - 10-4 12-6 10-0 W10 Tampa 18 11 .621 2.5 38 8-5 10-6 5-5 L3 Brevard County 19 12 .613 2.5 37 10-5 9-7 7-3 W4 * Dunedin 13 18 .419 8.5 31 7-7 6-11 4-6 L2 Lakeland 12 18 .400 9.0 31 9-7 3-11 6-4 L1 Clearwater 13 20 .394 9.5 29 9-8 4-12 3-7 W1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 19 9 .679 - - 8-5 11-4 8-2 W3 * Cedar Rapids 18 11 .621 1.5 - 9-5 9-6 7-3 W2 Kane County 17 13 .567 3.0 40 12-3 5-10 5-5 L1 Wisconsin 15 15 .500 5.0 38 9-6 6-9 5-5 W1 Clinton 14 15 .483 5.5 38 9-6 5-9 4-6 L1 Beloit 13 15 .464 6.0 36 8-7 5-8 6-4 W1 Burlington 13 15 .464 6.0 37 10-4 3-11 4-6 L3 Peoria 12 16 .429 7.0 37 7-7 5-9 6-4 W2 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Great Falls 22 14 .611 - - 11-8 11-6 7-3 W4 Billings 20 16 .556 2.0 E 13-6 7-10 7-3 W3 Helena 18 18 .500 4.0 E 10-7 8-11 5-5 W1 Missoula 13 23 .361 9.0 E 9-8 4-15 3-7 L3 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 20 10 .667 - - 6-5 5-5 5-5 L1 AZL Dodgers 14 16 .467 6.0 21 4-6 5-4 4-6 W1 AZL Indians 14 16 .467 6.0 21 5-5 6-3 5-5 L1 AZL Reds 13 17 .433 7.0 20 4-4 4-6 6-4 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 28 18 .609 - - 17-7 11-11 9-1 W4 DSL Cardinals 24 21 .533 3.5 24 19-4 5-17 3-7 L3 DSL Athletics 20 26 .435 8.0 19 11-11 9-15 6-4 L1 DSL Brewers 19 26 .422 8.5 19 12-10 7-16 2-8 W1

Follow Wednesday'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 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: LHP Dan Merklinger at St. Lucie (Mets), 6:00 PM gametime Live Audio Link (Mets' Feed) Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at Peoria (Cubs), 6:40 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: Idle Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the Royals-pain-in-the-butts; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at the DSL Cardinals, 9:30 AM -- by our count, there are still four games to be made up with this squad, so the boys will likely play two; if they do, we'll keep you posted...

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As per the Rattler Radio blog, RHP Andy Sauter goes on the Wisconsin DL to make room for RHP Tony Butler.

Canada blasts Panama, 9-2. Rowan Wick reached three more times, a long double and two walks. Joel Pierce tossed two scoreless innings, but walked four (what's with that lately, Joel?). Box score Here are three game stories with mentions of the two Brewer draft picks. Canada's Rowan Wick crossed the plate Tuesday as Panamanian catcher Charlie Apu awaits the throw. http://static.tbnewswatch.com/Pictures/103353_634158762999396259.jpg http://netnewsledger.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/215.jpg

Stu interviews Mat Gamel Hopper, Hooper -- doesn't really matter, Mat; touches on his recent success, how he liked the "eight-game series", and more...

Mets Shutout By Manatees Matt Gagnon, St. Lucie Mets The St. Lucie Mets offensive woes continued Tuesday night at Digital Domain Park. The 2-0 loss at the hands of the visiting Brevard County Manatees was the Mets seventh consecutive loss and drops them to 17-15 on the second half of the season, a full game out of first place in the FSL South Division. Jeurys Familia took the hard luck loss on the night. Familia came into the game with a 2-6 record and 6.38 ERA over his first sixteen starts. Tuesday was Familia's best outing of the season tossing six solid innings allowing only two runs on six hits with seven strikeouts while only walking two batters. Sean McCraw doubled in a run off Familia in the second inning and Scott Krieger hit a solo home run off of Familia in the fourth inning accounting for the only two runs of the game. The Mets batters just could not put together a rally. St. Lucie had opportunities early but could not get the timely hit to drive in the runs. Of the five Mets hits, Hector Pellot had two and Pedro Zapata, Michael Fisher and Wilmer Flores each had one. The Mets look to snap their seven game losing streak Wednesday night at Digital Domain Park against the visiting Brevard County Manatees. Brad Holt will toe the rubber for the Mets. Holt comes into the game with a 2-3 record and an ERA of 6.00 in his six starts with the Mets this year. *** The author is a young man who graduated from the same college as me in Mass., now working in media relations for the St. Lucie club -- small world...

Kind of a "get me through six innings" for Josh in today's matinee -- box score. Only his second game with more than two walks, but the 59-to-14 K-to-BB ratio in 64.2 IP is still strong. Still trying to find a Yankee blog post where they lament losing Axford, surely it's out there somewhere. As of now, it's a great trade, but the point is, you could have both, right? Let's not pretend to compare the two right now or any time soon, though. Love the Ax-man.

Chad Jones out of the hospital after a one-month stay

Rotoworld: Indians optioned OF Michael Brantley to Triple-A Columbus. Brantley has not been seeing enough action in the big leagues and has not hit well in the starts that he's made. The 23-year-old will head back to the Triple-A level, where he was batting .320 with 11 stolen bases before his promotion. He was 16-for-102 (.157) while with the Indians. (Major / minor stats)