Jim Goulart

Follow Thursday'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

Congratulations to RHP Wily Peralta, bumped up from Brevard and now with Huntsville. Nice little progression for the young man, only turned 21 years old in May, and past the injury nexus with his 2007 Tommy John surgery. Please discuss this transaction HERE.

Thursday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Marty McLeary at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD (likely either LHP Dan Merklinger or RHP R.J. Seidel) at Fort Myers (Twins), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link (Miracle's Feed) Wisconsin: LHP Del Howell at West Michigan (Tigers), 5:40 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Tyler Cravy at Ogden (Dodgers), 7:45 PM pre-game; 8:00 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mini-Mariners; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM -- here's your Santo Domingo "Pocket Doppler" weather link -- gloomy

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

Final: Albuquerque (Dodgers) 14, Nashville 5 Isotopes Power Past Sounds, 14-5, On Wednesday NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Albuquerque Isotopes roughed up the Nashville Sounds, 14-5, on Wednesday night at historic Greer Stadium in the third game of a four-game set. Having dropped the last five games in a row to Albuquerque this year, Nashville (51-46) matched a season-high for hits allowed (18) while setting the mark for runs given up in an inning (9), team home runs allowed (6), and most home runs surrendered by a pitcher in a game. For the second consecutive night, Albuquerque did damage early to Nashville starting pitching, as starter Chase Wright's nine runs on four long balls in 2 2/3 innings were the most given up by the southpaw since July 27, 2007 as a member of the Double-A Trenton Thunder. It also marked the second time in his ten-year career that Wright allowed four homers in a contest, as four straight homers in a span of 10 pitches were hit by Boston's Manny Ramirez, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek on April 22 earlier that season. Wright (6-6) had been impressive for Nashville over the his previous six start span, tossing quality starts in four of the last six outings while allowing 10 total runs in his last 37 2/3 innings pitched. The Sounds jumped on the board in the opening frame to take a 1-0 lead. Leadoff hitter Adam Stern walked to begin the game, stole second base during the Norris Hopper at-bat, and then came home on a Mat Gamel RBI single to left field (audio available at the link above). Leadoff hitter Justin Sellers hit his fourth long ball of the year down the left field line for the first run, with Trent Oeltjen hitting a two-run homer down the right field line, his 11th of the season. After the next batter Ivan De Jesus walked, Russ Mitchell smacked his 16th home run, followed by Jay Gibbons 16th homer for a 6-1 lead. The Isotopes scored the next three runs later in the frame after loading the bases with three consecutive singles, followed by a two-run double by starting pitcher Charlie Haeger for his first hit and RBI of the season. Wright was removed from the contest after allowing De Jesus Jr. to bring home Sellers for the final run of the inning. The Isotopes tacked on another run in the inning, as former Sound J.D. Closser hit an RBI base knock to right field to score Lindsay for a 10-1 lead. The Sounds plated three runs in the Nashville fifth to reduce the lead to 10-4, as catcher Martin Maldonado extended his season-long hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff single. Stern doubled Maldonado to third, with Hopper doubling down the right field line to score both runners. Hopper scored the final run in the inning on a Gamel groundout. Albuquerque extended the lead to 12-4 in the next frame as Lindsay and Gibbons crushed back-to-back jacks off reliever Mitch Stetter. Memphis' Tyler Greene and Daniel Descalso achieved the feat on June 23 earlier this season, marking the second time this season two hitters have gone yard in consecutive at-bats against the Sounds. The Isotopes tacked on two more runs in the next inning thanks to a two-run double by Gibbons. Johnny Raburn entered the contest in bottom of the seventh inning as a pinch hitter and remained in the contest to pitch for Sounds, marking the first time a position player has pitched for Nashville since Adam Heether did so on April 16, 2009 against Oklahoma City. In two shutout innings on the night, Raburn extended his career innings pitched to 10 scoreless frames in 10 pitching outings. Nashville scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Brendan Katin doubled and later scored on a Ray Olmedo RBI single. Haeger (2-1) picked up the win after the knuckleballer allowed four runs on eight hits with six strikeouts over seven innings thrown. Donovan Hand gave up one run in 2 1/3 innings while Stetter was touched for four runs on five hits in two innings pitched. Hopper went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored while Stern added two hits and two runs in the contest. Nashville Box Score Maybe Johnny Raburn missed his calling -- that's a remarkable stat; just as Chase Wright was starting to get positive ink, that was quite the implosion; no way Mitch Stetter could have forseen such a disastrous 2010 -- talk about being totally off the radar right now; Trent Oeltjen is hitting .353 with an OPS of 1.107 in 51 AB's since joining the Dodgers' organization... Nashville Game Log

Raptors continue to feast on Helena Brewers Tony Reyna, Ogden Standard-Examiner correspondent OGDEN -- Scheduling more games with the Helena Brewers isn't going to happen, but you can't blame the Ogden Raptors for wishing so. The Raptors made it a perfect 4-for-4 against the Brewers this year--including a three-game sweep in Helena last week--with a come-from-behind 7-3 victory Wednesday night at Lindquist Field. Playing its first game at home after a successful 5-2 road trip, Ogden roughed up Helena pitching for 13 hits, but in the end it was the long ball that made the difference. More particularly it was Nick Akins' long ball that put Ogden in front and ignited the victory. With the game knotted at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Akins sent Helena starter Stosh Wawrzasek to the showers with a monster shot over the left-field wall with Jake Lemmerman and Jonathan Garcia aboard. Helena broke into the scoring column first in the third inning on a Robbie Garvey RBI single that plated Carlos George who doubled down the left-field line with one out. The lead was short-lived however as Ogden jumped in front in its share of the inning on Bobby Coyle's two-run blast over the right-field wall with Pedro Guerrero on second. It was Coyle's second home run of the year. Things remained relatively quiet until the top of the sixth when the Brewers tied the game at 2-2, setting the stage for Akins' third round tripper of the season. The Brewers got to Ogden pitching for 12 hits and six walks, but stellar plays by the Raptors defense squelched threats that could have turned the game around. The first came in the fourth inning when the Brewers had a chance to tie the game on a double by Gerald Ogrinc to the base of the right-centerfield wall with Mike Walker aboard and two outs. Walker tried to score on the play, but Garcia, playing right field, made a perfect relay throw to second baseman Pedro Guerrero who threw out Walker at the plate. The Brewers put together another threat in the eighth inning, but an outstanding inning-ending double play started by Lemmerman at short, put an end to the rally. Lemmerman fielded a slow roller, tagged second for the force and threw a laser to Blake Dean at first to complete the twin killing. Ogden picked up two more runs in the bottom of the eighth to ice the game. Mike Pericht, who leads the Pioneer league with nine home runs--three more than his nearest competitor--led off the inning with a line-drive double to left, and scored the first run of the frame on Garcia's single to right. Garcia scored later in the inning when Dean doubled to left-centerfield. The Brewers failed to go away quietly by putting three runners on in their last at bat. But another double play put an end to the rally. Ogden finished the contest with three crucial double plays. Ogden starter Red Patterson did not factor in the decision and remains perfect at 3-0. Logan Bawcom picked up the victory in relief. The Raptors improved to a league best 18-12 and maintained their lead over Casper and Orem in the South Division. Raptors Notes: Every position player for the Raptors had at least one hit. Leon Landry, Pericht, Garcia and Dean had a pair of hits each.... In addition to the two home runs, Ogden had five doubles, two by Dean....The Raptors, who lead the Pioneer League in attendance, drew 3,620 to the park Wednesday night....Ogden reduced its magic number to win the first half title to six.

Castellanos, Thomas Lead Cardinals To 3-1 Win Alex Castellanos and the Cardinals jumped on Brevard County early, and then let Kevin Thomas continue his run of dominating starts as Palm Beach took the final game of the series 3-1. Castellanos went 4-for-4 on the night, starting with a 1st inning single to drive in what would prove to be the game's deciding run. D'Marcus Ingram and Charlie Cutler led the game off with a single and a double, respectively, to put both in scoring position. Ingram put Palm Beach on the board on Niko Vasquez's RBI groundout, while Castellanos plated Cutler. Castellanos would drive a double to left field in the 6th inning, giving him 26 on the year and a share of the Florida State League lead. With two runs in the 1st inning, Palm Beach starter Kevin Thomas (6-0) had all the offense he needed. The righty has not allowed more than one earned run in a start since June 7th, a streak that continues with his seven innings of one-run ball against the Manatees. Thomas gave up just five hits while striking out five and allowing a walk. Were it not for a wild pitch, the Cardinals might have shutout the Manatees. Thomas allowed only singles, but pitch to the backstop in the 4th inning allowed Brevard's Erik Komatsu to reach second. He would score on Sergio Miranda's single. The Cardinals came right back and answered in the bottom of the frame, with Xavier Scruggs and Castellanos leading off with singles. Jarred Bogany's grounder put both in scoring position, while Luis De La Cruz brought Scruggs home on Palm Beach's second RBI groundout of the night.

This story is from the West Michigan perspective, but gives you a sense of how much the Rattlers' opponent this week has been struggling -- Whitecaps come up short against Timber Rattlers in homestand opener Steve Vedder | The Grand Rapids Press COMSTOCK PARK -- A precious few more feet on a couple long fly balls, and at least some of the sting from another long frustrating road trip by the West Michigan Whitecaps would have been eased. Instead, the Whitecaps' 3-1 loss to Wisconsin on Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark was just another step in what has become a countdown to the worst offensive season in club history. The Whitecaps, who went 1-5 and were outscored 40-24 during a road trip that ended Monday, once again had chances to win the game but couldn't come up with the key hit with runners on base. This time, however, those chances didn't result in strikeouts, weak grounders or pop ups. This time, two long fly balls, each of which approached nearly 400 feet in distance and came with a total of four Whitecaps on base, were run down by Timber Rattler outfielders to finish off the win. The toughest of the two balls came with the Whitecaps trailing 3-1 and the bases loaded in the eighth inning. Wade Gaynor's drive to the warning track in deep left center was caught within feet of becoming a game-winning grand slam. "I thought I got it, definitely," said Gaynor, who is hitting .381 with 11 RBIs over his past 10 games. "But it's part of the game. Some fields are just big, like Comerica Park. But in this situation, it's frustrating." Joining Gaynor in that frustration was the Whitecaps' Avisail Garcia, who collected two singles and a double but likely will remember his other at-bat the best. After an RBI single by Tony Plagman in the seventh cut Wisconsin's lead to 3-1, Garcia hit a ball up the gap in left center that would have driven in a run and put Garcia at least at second with one out. Instead, center fielder D'Vontrey Richardson, who was shaded to the gap in right center, ran down the ball for the second out. The Whitecaps could have used the momentum provided by a comeback win, manager Joe DePastino said. Instead, it's just another frustrating game in a long season that has seen the Whitecaps become a lock to smash the club record of scoring just 570 runs in 2003. West Michigan would have to average more than five runs over its remaining 45 games to keep from breaking the record. "I thought, no way were they going to get Gaynor's ball," DePastino said. "But when you're struggling like we are, those things are going to happen." Despite losing five of six games on the road by at least four runs, DePastino said he continues to see improvement by the offense. The Whitecaps scored 16 runs in three games against a Clinton pitching staff that ranks second in the Midwest League in ERA (3.34) before being swept by Western Division leader Kane County. "We're starting to hit the ball," DePastino said. "We just need to get guys in scoring position." To the hitters' credit, DePastino said he rarely hears complaints about the ball not carrying in mid-summer night games at Fifth Third Ballpark. "They've talked about it, but you can't let it bother you," he said. "Everyone knows the ball doesn't fly out of this park."

Final: Palm Beach (Cardinals) 3, Brevard County 1 We'll get a brief game summary from the Palm Beach perspective a bit later on... Brevard County Box Score The pitching situation is reviewed in the post above -- Trey Watten recorded ten ground ball outs and none in the air in his five innings; Brevard's boys also killed worms tonight, 13 ground ball outs in the first seven innings -- Cards' starter Kevin Thomas is a severe ground-ball hurler; Sergio Miranda had half of Brevard's six hits, all singles... Brevard County Game Log Catcher Shawn Zarraga threw out a man at second base on an attempted steal and then this has failed suicide squeeze attempt written all over it... Palm Beach Bottom 8th Alex Castellanos singles on a ground ball to second baseman Matt Cline. Alex Castellanos advances to 2nd, on throwing error by second baseman Matt Cline. Jarred Bogany out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Brandon Ritchie to first baseman Sergio Miranda. Alex Castellanos to 3rd. With Luis De La Cruz batting, Alex Castellanos caught stealing home, catcher Shawn Zarraga to third baseman Peter Fatse to pitcher Brandon Ritchie. Luis De La Cruz pops out to second baseman Matt Cline. Miranda singled in Erik Komatsu, who had also singled and then advaced on a wild pitch, for the Sea Cows' only run, in the 3rd, and the Manatees had the tying run on base in the 9th -- Brevard County Top 9th Pitcher Change: David Carpenter replaces Ramon Delgado. Matt Cline walks. Erik Komatsu flies out to right fielder Alex Castellanos. Angel Salome called out on strikes. Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to left fielder Jarred Bogany. Matt Cline to 2nd. Scott Krieger pops out to second baseman Domnit Bolivar.

RHP Trey Watten, pitching on two days' rest after a two-inning relief stint on the 18th, made the start today for the Manatees and managed to go five innings. RHP Darren Byrd, who made the six-inning start in that same game just three days ago, gave the club an inning in relief of Watten. Why this was necessary, when R.J. Seidel would have started on normal rest tonight, is unknown. Mix in Jeremy Jeffress' odd early departure last night, and plenty of uneven starting efforts up and down the chain recently, and these Brewer affiliate staffs are in various degrees of distress right now. You might even see emergency-type callups for some of the younger arms, similar to what Damon Krestalude and Nick Bucci did for Huntsville last year.

Nine other DSL games, including a 15-inning and a 14-inning game, were played this morning, but the Brewers game was among a handful that were postponed. The Brewers' kids play in the Santo Domingo area, which either is getting hit especially hard or simply has poorer drainage than other locales.

July 21st -- Nashville switch-hitting infielder Ray Olmedo

What is up the last 48 hours with these blowout starting pitching efforts? Nashville lefty Chase Wright, whose major league claim to fame is allowing four consecutive home runs to Red Sox batters while with the Yankees, allowed four home runs (not consecutively) in a disastrous nine-run 3rd inning tonight. Wright allowed eight hits overall in the inning (a double in addition to the four bombs), also walked two in the frame and didn't make it through the inning, as Donovan Hand stranded two of Wright's baserunners to finally end the pain. 9-1 Isotopes after three. Albuquerque Top 3rd Justin Sellers homers (4) on a line drive to left field. Charlie Haeger walks. Trent Oeltjen homers (11) on a fly ball to right field. Charlie Haeger scores. Coaching visit to mound. Ivan De JesusJr. walks. Russ Mitchell homers (16) on a fly ball to left field. Ivan De JesusJr. scores. John Lindsey grounds out, second baseman Ray Olmedo to first baseman Joe Koshansky. Jay Gibbons homers (16) on a fly ball to right field. Jamie Hoffmann singles on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper. JD Closser singles on a ground ball to center fielder Norris Hopper. Jamie Hoffmann to 2nd. Justin Sellers singles on a line drive to left fielder Adam Stern. Jamie Hoffmann to 3rd. JD Closser to 2nd. Charlie Haeger doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Adam Stern. Jamie Hoffmann scores. JD Closser scores. Justin Sellers to 3rd. Trent Oeltjen strikes out swinging. Ivan De JesusJr. singles on a ground ball to left fielder Adam Stern. Justin Sellers scores. Charlie Haeger to 3rd. Pitcher Change: Donovan Hand replaces Chase Wright, batting 9th. Russ Mitchell grounds into a force out, third baseman Mat Gamel to second baseman Ray Olmedo. Ivan De JesusJr. out at 2nd.

23-year-old RHP Mark Willinsky, who has really struggled in 2010 in his first year at the AA level (stats), has been transferred from Huntsville to Brevard County. The Manatees will need to announce a corresponding move Thursday. This left the Stars two men short of the full 24-man roster as they took the long bus ride to Jacksonville today. We also don't know the status yet of Huntsville RHP Michael Fiers, who exited Monday's game with an unknown injury. So expect reinforcements to fly into Jacksonville during this upcoming series.

Rattler Radio: July 21, 2010: Game Notes July 21, 2010: Tonight's Starter July 21, 2010: Lineup

Link Report Bonus: Please be sure to read this latest article (thanks for the heads-up, battlekow) on the exploits of the Canadian Junior National Team. I had the very good fortune last week locally here in Massachusetts to see the team tune up for the World Tournament as they took on a collegiate wood-bat team as part of their tour of New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) squads. Luckily, it was 7th round pick Joel Pierce's turn to start, and 19th round OF/C Rowan Wick was his batterymate. I had a wonderful evening talking things over with both young men during the pre- and post-game, and spent several quality minutes with a quality guy, the Brewers' Asst. Director of Amateur Scouting, Ray Montgomery, who was on-site. I've been trying to squeeze together a detailed update all week, but Link Report and Power 50 duties (and oh yeah, real life) have gotten in the way a bit. I plan on burning some midnight oil and typing up that update for you this evening, and we'll link to it for you here.

Canadian team takes big dreams into world junior baseball championship at home Shi Davidi/The Canadian Press Waiting for the world junior baseball championship to start hasn't been easy for Joel Pierce, and he admits to occasionally allowing his imagination to run wild. "Quite a few times, actually. When I fall asleep, I've had dreams about it," says the right-handed pitcher from Windsor, Ont. "I dream about stepping out on the mound, seeing that atmosphere, playing for Canada — it doesn't get any better. "We've been building up for it for two years now, it's like a climax to everything I've done so far." The dreaming for Pierce and his Canadian teammates, becomes reality Friday when they open the 10-day, 12-country tournament in Thunder Bay, Ont., against the Netherlands. Pierce, a seventh-round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the June draft, will be one of several future big-league hopefuls looking to make a splash in the bi-annual competition. A bevy of top prospects — including catcher Kellin Deglan of Langley, B.C., a first-round pick of the Texas Rangers — will take part in an event that is baseball's version of hockey's world junior championship, only with a much smaller profile. It brings together the exuberance of youth, the passion of playing for one's country and the intriguing unpredictability that results from both. "It's a tournament full of future major-leaguers and it's a clash of cultures, a clash of philosophies within the game of baseball," says Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada's director of national teams. "You get the Asians who play the game a little bit differently, you get the Cubans who play with a different level of bravado and energy that isn't always well received on this side of the world. "And there's a lot of talent in the tournament, but it's 16- to 18-year-old talent, so it can be interesting on a given night when the energy level becomes part of it." South Korea enters the 2010 competition as the two-time defending champion, beating the United States both in 2006 at Cuba and in 2008 at Edmonton. The Canadians have won the championship just once, back in 1991 at Brandon, Man., and last climbed the podium in '06, claiming a bronze. They will play out of Pool B along with the South Koreans and Dutch, plus Cuba, Panama and the Czech Republic. Pool A features Australia, Venezuela, Taiwan, France and Italy with the Americans. The top four teams in each group advance to cross-over quarter-finals, with the winners moving on to semifinal and final contests. How far Canada advances depends on how well its arms fare. While Deglan, outfielder Rowan Wick of North Vancouver, B.C. (Milwaukee's 18th-round pick) and Dalton Pompey of Mississauga, Ont. (Toronto's 16th-rounder) give the juniors a solid offensive base, the load will be on pitchers like Evan Grills of Whitby, Ont. (Houston's 10th-rounder), Pierce and Jonathan Paquet of Ancienne Lorette, Que. (Philadelphia's 22nd-rounder). "You've got a chance when you can pitch on any given night and I think we should pitch pretty well for this age," said Hamilton. "We've got some pretty good arms and some guys who should handle the environment really well." Hamilton has groomed most of the 20 players on the junior team over the past two years, taking them to annual camps in Florida and the Dominican Republic where they play young professional players. The idea is to pull them out of their comfort zone and test how they react to the challenge of facing stronger, more experienced players in vastly different, sometimes intimidating environments. "The competition level is huge, it's so good," said Wick. "You see better pitching, better players. My league at home (the B.C. Premier League) is good, but it's way better down there." Pierce felt the tours helped him most with his "confidence, knowing you can go out there and compete with anyone, it doesn't matter who's at the plate." "If you make the same good pitches at home or against someone in Florida, you'll still get them out," he added. A series of exhibition games against American collegians and international rivals this month only further offered the Canadians a chance to prepare for the talent jump at the championship. The one thing they couldn't simulate, however, is the emotional rush of playing at an elite-level event with Canada across the chest. Hamilton and his staff have spent plenty of time telling the players what they can expect, but it's a different story once they're out there. "You want to feed of the energy of the crowd," said Hamilton, "but you don't want that energy to take you over." The players also need to have fun. "The first thing we tell them is to enjoy the experience because for a lot of these guys it might be the only time they strap on the jersey for the country," says pitching coach Chris Begg, who suited up for Canada at the 2004 and '08 Olympics and at both World Baseball Classics. "Baseball-wise, a lot of these guys haven't played against international competition, and it's a totally different game, each country plays the game differently. "The other thing about international baseball, it's a bunch of one-game series and it's a short tournament, you can't take countries like Germany or Italy, as we found in the World Baseball Classic last year, lightly because they can take you in that one game." While Italy's stunning victory sent Canada packing from the Classic last spring, the senior national team redeemed itself somewhat with a bronze medal at the World Cup last fall. The junior team will hope to keep the program's momentum going, but even if they don't, graduates like Justin Morneau of the Minnesota Twins believe the experience they get is irreplaceable. "What Greg has done with that program has been amazing," he says. "To see young Canadian kids wanting to be baseball players it makes you feel pretty good, knowing how well Greg has done with that, and how well we competed last year at the World Cup and how far the program has come. "It's right up there with a lot of the top countries in the world." The next generation of players has the chance to prove that.

Recently released LHP A.J. Murray couldn't find another affiliated gig right away, so he signed with the York (PA) Revolution of the independent Atlantic League.

Nashville Media NotesBUTLER TO START SATURDAY; LOFGREN SHUFFLED TO BULLPEN: Right-hander Josh Butler, who was promoted to Nashville yesterday from Double-A Huntsville, will join the Sounds’ rotation and is scheduled to make his first start on Saturday in Albuquerque. Butler -- who made three starts for Nashville during his journey to Milwaukee by the end of last season -- will fill the rotation spot of Chuck Lofgren, who transitions to a relief role. Lofgren’s only previous bullpen experience during his eight-year pro career came in 2008 when he was pitching for Double-A Akron in the Indians organization (he went 1-2 with a 5.76 ERA in 13 relief outings).

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Iowa 53 44 .546 - - 29-25 24-19 7-3 W2 Nashville 51 45 .531 1.5 47 26-21 25-24 6-4 L2 Omaha 50 45 .526 2.0 47 23-22 27-23 4-6 L1 Memphis 51 46 .526 2.0 46 27-20 24-26 3-7 W1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak * Tennessee 14 12 .538 - - 10-6 4-6 6-4 W2 Carolina 13 13 .500 1.0 44 6-7 7-6 5-5 L2 Huntsville 13 13 .500 1.0 44 6-7 7-6 5-5 L3 Chattanooga 12 14 .462 2.0 43 7-6 5-8 3-7 W2 West Tenn 10 16 .385 4.0 41 4-6 6-10 4-6 W3 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 16 7 .696 - - 8-3 8-4 7-3 W3 Brevard County 15 10 .600 2.0 45 10-5 5-5 7-3 W2 Daytona 15 10 .600 2.0 45 8-4 7-6 5-5 W3 * Dunedin 11 14 .440 6.0 41 7-5 4-9 5-5 W2 Clearwater 11 15 .423 6.5 40 8-4 3-11 4-6 W1 Lakeland 8 16 .333 8.5 39 5-7 3-9 4-6 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Kane County 16 8 .667 - - 12-3 4-5 9-1 W7 Quad Cities 14 8 .636 1.0 - 8-5 6-3 6-4 W1 * Cedar Rapids 13 10 .565 2.5 47 9-5 4-5 6-4 W2 Clinton 13 10 .565 2.5 47 9-6 4-4 5-5 L1 Burlington 11 11 .500 4.0 45 10-4 1-7 4-6 L1 Wisconsin 11 13 .458 5.0 44 9-6 2-7 5-5 W1 Beloit 10 13 .435 5.5 43 8-7 2-6 4-6 W2 Peoria 9 13 .409 6.0 44 7-7 2-6 5-5 L1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Great Falls 17 12 .586 - - 6-6 11-6 6-4 W1 Helena 15 14 .517 2.0 8 10-7 5-7 3-7 W1 Billings 14 15 .483 3.0 7 7-5 7-10 6-4 L1 Missoula 12 17 .414 5.0 5 9-8 3-9 5-5 L1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 16 8 .667 - - 4-3 2-4 6-4 L2 AZL Indians 12 12 .500 4.0 29 3-3 6-1 8-2 L1 AZL Dodgers 11 13 .458 5.0 28 2-4 3-3 3-7 L2 AZL Reds 11 13 .458 5.0 28 2-3 4-3 5-5 W4 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Mariners 24 17 .585 - - 15-6 9-11 8-2 W5 DSL Cardinals 23 18 .561 1.0 31 18-3 5-15 5-5 L3 DSL Athletics 18 24 .429 6.5 25 10-11 8-13 4-6 W3 DSL Brewers 17 23 .425 6.5 26 11-8 6-15 4-6 L5

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) Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Arizona Rookie (Maryvale) DSL Brewers (If it is a twinbill, we'll link during the late night.)

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chase Wright at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: TBD (likely RHP R.J. Seidel) at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link (Select Palm Beach Cardinals for the opponents' feed) Wisconsin: RHP Maverick Lasker at West Michigan (Tigers), 5:40 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: TBD (likely RHP Stosh Wawrzasek) at Ogden (Dodgers), 7:45 PM pre-game; 8:00 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the mighty morphin power Rangers; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at home vs. the DSL Mariners, 9:30 AM -- if the weather system soon to be named "Bonnie" allows, the teams will most assuredly play twice

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

Here's to investigative journalism http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif -- From our contact at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, FL, home of the Palm Beach Cardinals: I was not at the game last night, but my press box assistant seems to think he was having some shoulder discomfort. That is not confirmed however. Nor is it a true medical opinion. So with those disclaimers, it'll be something to keep an eye on. Time for Adam, Tom, or Anthony to make a phone call or two.

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers players lend a helping hand with Miracle League of the Fox Valley Mike Woods, Appleton Post-Crescent APPLETON — It's hard to believe a six-year-old could flash more skills on the diamond than a professional baseball player. But I'm telling you, it's true. Meet Appleton's Theodore Van Domelen. He plays for the Twins. Weighs, oh, about 40 pounds. He was the bespectacled one wearing those John Lennon-style glasses with the hat that was a tad too big for his head Tuesday at John Wollner Fox Cities Miracle Field at Memorial Park. You couldn't miss him. One minute he was collecting hits off Scooter Gennett of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, one of many who ended Gennett's prospects as a pitcher as he left with an ERA hovering around 90.00 after just two innings of work. The next he was over commandeering the camera of the local newspaper photographer, helping him snap a few pictures. For good measure, he also did a little announcing and also held the hand of public address man Kirby Krueger, who apparently needed some love and support. "Most of the time it's a guaranteed smile," said Greg Van Domelen, Theodore's dad. The Miracle League, a baseball league for children ages 4-19 with physical and/or mental disabilities, is just that. "While he's here, he enjoys himself," said Van Domelen of his son. "I don't know if he realizes he's playing baseball. But he realizes this is for him. And that's what I see out of all these kids. They realize that this is for them, and that's the important thing." Tuesday's games had a little additional spice, as four members of the Timber Rattlers, along with the Appleton Post 38 Legion team, joined in to assist the teams. "I think it's a huge bonus," Lisa Robbins, who with her husband Mark founded the league and serve at its managing directors, said of the participation from the local baseball community. "It's really exciting for them to have, especially the community of baseball, appreciate what we're doing and appreciate what the kids are doing and come out here and support them. "For them to see, to them superstars, come out here and take the time to play ball with them and acknowledge them, for sure it thrills their families." Now every single Timber Rattler will tell you how much they value their days off. But hours before they had to rise at 4:30 a.m. to embark on a nine-game road trip, they took the time to make some young children's day better. "I think there should be more places like this. I'm very fortunate, I think we're all very fortunate to be out here and spend some time with the kids," said Gennett, who was joined by teammates D'Vontrey Richardson, Erik Miller and Caleb Thielbar. "Just have a good time, really. And on a day off, you can't ask for much better." And give Gennett and his teammates this. They threw any inhibitions they may have had out the door and acted, well, like kids. "That's the great thing," said Robbins. "It helps the kids feel comfortable. They feel OK going up to them and interacting with them and engaging them. It's a great thing. It makes me very proud." One Dodgers player who left with a huge smile was Alex Becher of Hortonville, the back of his jersey filled with autographs from the guests of honor. "I know for Alex, at first his mom wasn't sure about letting him play," said his aunt Amy Lecker, who also serves as Alex's buddy on the team. "And I told them I want to be Alex's buddy, I want to do this for him. Because when he's home, his brothers and sisters are outside all the time playing and stuff, and he doesn't get to participate in an organization. "And now, they say every week he is so excited he talks about it all week until the day they play. For them it really builds self-confidence." As Alex headed out he turned, smiled and waved to Amy. The game ended in a 24-24 tie. He had a shirt full of Timber Rattlers signatures. And he was headed out for ice cream. That's a guaranteed smile if there ever was one. Post-Crescent photos by Dan Powers Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' D'Vontrey Richardson has some fun with Theodore Van Domelen, 6, of Appleton during a Miracle League of the Fox Valley baseball game against the Dodgers Tuesday, July 20, 2010, at John Wollner Fox Cities Miracle Field at Appleton Memorial Park in Appleton, Wisconsin. http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=U0&Date=20100721&Category=APC0205&ArtNo=7210801&Ref=PH&Item=9&Maxw=542&Maxh=352&q=60 Dodgers team member Nicholas Smithback, 13, of Appleton enjoys his baseball game with D'Vontrey Richardson . http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20100721&Category=APC02&ArtNo=7210661&Ref=AR&Profile=1009&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0 The Timber Rattlers' Erik Miller points out a play to the Dodgers' John Klitzke, 8, of Appleton http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=U0&Date=20100721&Category=APC0205&ArtNo=7210801&Ref=PH&Item=13&Maxw=542&Maxh=352&q=60 Erik Miller and the Twins' Nicholas Hooyman, 10, of Kaukauna are ready to head to second base http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?NewTbl=1&Site=U0&Date=20100721&Category=APC0205&ArtNo=7210801&Ref=PH&Item=14&Maxw=542&Maxh=352&q=60 More photos of the kids