Jim Goulart

This and that -- Do you think catcher Tyler Roberts wants to escape the 110 degree Arizona heat? My goodness... Brevard's Matt Cline stole a base on his first attempt since I chided him on his SB ratio two nights ago. Way to show me, Matt. Five triples on the season for the Rattlers' Michael Marseco. Chris Mehring's call of his three-bagger tonight expressed sheer bliss at watching him scamper. Why is the Brewer box score always the very last one reported off the Dominican Republic each night? *** And on a more serious note: It absolutely mystifies me when a 1st or 2nd round pitcher can't get out of his own way. Do you realize how often and how carefully they are scrutinized during the pre-draft process? Area scout, cross-checker, scouting director, late private workouts -- multiple, multiple viewings. If your organization has reached a consensus by draft day, then I'm sorry, but that kid should be able to guarantee he won't flame out prior to at least reaching AA on stuff alone. High school or college, doesn't matter. The wasted combined value (thus far) on the Arnett - Lintz - Frederickson - Adams selections is going to prove decimating in the long run. End of rant (for now).

Same organization (Red Sox), same assignment (Salem -- High-A), RHP Mark Holliman (Huntsville 2009) plucked from independent Winnipeg four days ago. Same indy to affiliated ball return.

It doesn't get much better than when released farmhands go the independent route, perfrom really well, and then find their way back to affiliated ball. That's the case for RHP Patrick Ryan (career stats prior to 2010), the newest Red Sox prospect. RYAN SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON Bluefish pitcher has contract purchased (Bridgeport, Conn. – July 8, 2010) – Bridgeport (CT) Bluefish team officials today announced that pitcher Pat Ryan has had his contract purchased by the Boston Red Sox organization. The righthander will report to High-A Salem of the Carolina League. “We are very glad for Pat and wish him the best of luck,” says Bluefish manager Willie Upshaw. “He has transitioned extremely well into the starting role and has been a solid anchor for this pitching staff.” Ryan appeared in 19 games (six starts) for the Bluefish in 2010, posting a 5-1 record, while holding opposing hitters to a .183 batting average over the course of 58.1 innings of work. After beginning the year in the bullpen, he acclimated well to the starting rotation, becoming one of the Atlantic Leagues top hurlers. Pat led the league with a 1.39 ERA and ranked fourth with 65 strikeouts. In 21 appearances last year with the Bluefish, the righthander recorded an impressive 0.73 ERA with 25 strikeouts, four saves and held opposing hitters to a .204 batting average over 24.1 innings pitched. Ryan joined the ‘Fish after spending the majority of 2009 with West Tennessee (AA, Mariners) of the Southern League. In 2008, the 26-year-old made his first appearance at the Double-A level with Huntsville (Brewers) of the Southern League. In 39 games, he posted a 2.52 ERA with six saves and 38 strikeouts over 61 innings of work. In 207 career minor league appearances, Ryan has a record of 23-17 with a 2.60 ERA. He has recorded 20 saves and 311 strikeouts over 391.1 innings pitched, while holding opposing sluggers to a .234 batting average. *** Congrats to Patrick, hard work does pay off quite often...

Rattler Radio:Game notes Tonight's pitcher Starting lineup Still no Kentrail Davis.

Spend five minutes watching RHP Wily Peralta toss this inning to Shawn Zarraga, from Monday evening. Tampa Top 1st Raymond Kruml doubles (6) on a fly ball to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Jose Pirela grounds out, second baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Sean Halton. Raymond Kruml to 3rd. Corban Joseph strikes out swinging. Bradley Suttle grounds out, pitcher Wily Peralta to first baseman Sean Halton. We all underappreciate the two-man umpiring crews -- here's to you as well, gentlemen! Video courtesy of Stephen C. Smith's site.

Huntsville Media Notes

What would the same people who are questioning the addition to the 40-man roster say if Jeffress was not placed and was banned prior to this fall? The Brewers would be slammed for not protecting their investment, if not necessarily protecting Jeffress from himself.

PDF Document: A LONG NIGHT: The Sounds played 20 innings of baseball (7 hours and 54 minutes of game time) last night during a doubleheader in Oklahoma City, dropping both games. The 13-inning, 4-hour-and-15-minute nightcap was Nashville’s longest contest of the season, both in terms of innings and time of game. Following the on-field action, the Sounds bussed 7 1/2 hours to Memphis. *** Fun...huh? Nashville Media Notes

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Memphis 47 39 .547 - - 24-16 23-23 6-4 L1 Omaha 45 39 .536 1.0 59 20-20 25-19 5-5 W2 Iowa 45 40 .529 1.5 58 24-23 21-17 5-5 W1 Nashville 45 40 .529 1.5 58 23-18 22-22 5-5 L2 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 9 7 .563 - - 6-4 3-3 4-6 L3 Carolina 8 8 .500 1.0 54 4-2 4-6 6-4 L1 Huntsville 8 8 .500 1.0 54 3-3 5-5 6-4 W3 * Tennessee 8 8 .500 1.0 54 5-4 3-4 4-6 L3 West Tenn 6 10 .375 3.0 52 4-3 2-7 4-6 W1 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Tampa 9 2 .818 - - 4-1 5-1 8-2 W2 Daytona 8 5 .615 2.0 57 5-1 3-4 6-4 L1 Brevard County 6 7 .462 4.0 55 5-4 1-3 4-6 W1 * Dunedin 6 7 .462 4.0 55 3-3 3-4 5-5 L1 Clearwater 6 8 .429 4.5 54 5-1 1-7 5-5 L4 Lakeland 3 9 .250 6.5 53 2-4 1-5 2-8 W1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Clinton 7 4 .636 - - 4-2 3-2 7-3 W2 Quad Cities 7 4 .636 - - 3-2 4-2 7-3 W1 * Cedar Rapids 7 5 .583 0.5 59 4-2 3-3 6-4 W2 Burlington 6 5 .545 1.0 59 5-1 1-4 6-4 L1 Beloit 6 7 .462 2.0 57 4-3 2-4 5-5 W1 Kane County 6 7 .462 2.0 57 4-2 2-5 5-5 L1 Wisconsin 5 8 .385 3.0 56 4-2 1-6 2-8 L3 Peoria 4 8 .333 3.5 56 2-4 2-4 3-7 W1 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Helena 11 6 .647 - - 6-2 5-4 5-5 L1 Great Falls 10 7 .588 1.0 21 4-5 6-2 6-4 W1 Missoula 7 10 .412 4.0 18 5-5 2-5 5-5 W1 Billings 6 11 .353 5.0 17 2-5 4-6 4-6 L1 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 10 4 .714 - - 0-1 0-1 0-2 L1 AZL Dodgers 8 6 .571 2.0 41 1-0 1-0 2-0 W2 AZL Reds 6 8 .429 4.0 39 0-1 1-0 1-1 L2 AZL Indians 4 10 .286 6.0 37 0-0 1-0 1-0 W1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Cardinals 20 14 .588 - - 15-2 5-12 6-4 W2 DSL Mariners 18 15 .545 1.5 38 12-5 6-10 6-4 W4 DSL Brewers 15 18 .455 4.5 35 11-5 4-13 6-4 L1 DSL Athletics 14 20 .412 6.0 33 8-9 6-11 1-9 L8

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

Nashville diehards can view the entire series in Memphis via a subscription to MiLB.TV.

Thursday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chase Wright at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Michael Bowman at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Nick Bucci at Beloit (Twins), 6:40 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Seth Lintz at home vs. Great Falls (White Sox), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at home vs. the young Royals; 9:00 PM; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM

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

Rather than place this in the Alumni thread, we'll post this here as it provides perspective on signing out of high school as a Brewer draft pick. RHP Robbie Wooley was the Brewers' 6th round pick in 2003, an interesting draft year because position players were drafted in rounds 1-5, and then five pitchers, none of which came close to making it at all, were drafted in rounds 6-10. Here are Wooley's pro stats, including his time in independent ball since 2007. The reason Padre reliever Joe Thatcher is mentioned a few times is that he is also a Kokomo, Indiana kid. *** Wooley back in Kokomo, taking it one step at a time Taylor grad happy taking the fastpitch softball diamond for now Kokomo’s Robbie Wooley is back in Kokomo after an injury put a halt to his professional baseball career. Wooley, a Taylor High School graduate, was drafted in the sixth round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2003 amateur draft. Wooley started with the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League and then moved on to the West Virginia Power. He had stints with the Southern Illinois Miners, the Sioux City Explorers, Alexandria Aces, the Amarillo Dilla and finally the El Paso Diablos. Last week the Kokomo Perspective caught up with the right-handed pitcher. Kokomo Perspective: So what are you doing now that you are out of baseball? Wooley: I am working as a financial planner with CFD here in Kokomo. I am still working on getting my financial degree at Indiana University Kokomo. The Brewers actually took care of that with a scholarship. That has me on pace to finish up in the next few years. I have also been working with youth players and high school players that are headed to college. There are a lot of good prospects around Howard County. I am just trying to stay busy and stay active. KP: Looking back at your baseball career, how would you assess it? RW: Being young out of high school and being drafted at age 18, a lot mental aspects come into play. There is a lot of how to deal with your money and learning how to work out with the guys and how to get along with the guys. And learning how to be dedicated in the off-season when there isn’t anyone around to work with you. During the season you are competing with everyone else as a right-handed pitcher. There are a lot more right-handed pitchers out there than lefties. So we were a dime a dozen. So it was all about your numbers and finding the right time in the right place. It all about the right time. A lot of the time it is the off-season work ethic. That is how you reach the top. KP: Starting from the beginning, what happened when you were drafted? RW: I was drafted in the sixth round back in 2003 by the Milwaukee Brewers. The other day I was on Baseball America and my name is still in the data base. It had me listed as a five-star athlete, which would translate into a second or third round pick. At the time, my dad (Ted Wooley) ran into B.J. Upton’s agent. Dad mentioned my name and he said ‘Robbie Wooley. I know him, but he will be sleeper.’ And my dad took that to heart and realized that I was going to be one of those guys that went a little deeper than the first or second round. And it ended up being the sixth round. That was the borderline between going to college or should we play pro ball. It took about a month and a half to make a decision. The money wasn’t where we wanted it to be at first but then eventually we got it closer. KP: How do you make the decision between college and pro ball? RW: I was going to the University of Cincinnati. At first it was going to be a 90 percent scholarship offered by Brian Cleary (the coach of the Bearcats). After I was drafted, he came up to me and offered me a full ride. I said ‘That would be great. I’d love to accept that.’ About 15 days later we came back for the North-South All-Star game and I found that Mike Farrell of the Brewers wanted to offer me the money he did. That’s kind of how it has to happen. It’s a matter of negotiating. My agent at the time told me the chances of getting drafted a second time is much, much worse after you’ve been drafted the first time. KP: Was it an easy decision? RW: No it was not. Cincinnati was not exactly a top college for baseball. But the full ride was a great deal. Once I started realizing that my agent was right, that the chances of being drafted in the top five rounds again were slim, I felt logically that the decision I made was the right one and I stuck to it. KP: Where was your first stop? RW: First stop was Arizona for low rookie. I threw real well out there. I asked a coach out there what the chances were of me going up the ladder quickly. He said, ‘You are young. Just sit back and enjoy the ride.’ From there on, I knew the Brewers were going to take someone like me very slowly. Someone like Joe Thatcher (of the San Diego Padres), when I watched him in the system it was like a guy on a rocket. He moved very quickly through every open door possible. Because I was a young, drafted guy it was more of a “Sit back and enjoy the ride” kind of deal. KP: Was minor league baseball what you thought it was going to be? RW: My dad and I knew going into it what it was going to be like. He was more like my agent. But it came down to who was more mentally prepared. I think I adjusted well. Then I had the elbow injury. As far as the travel goes, minor league baseball was definitely better than independent baseball. They give you more benefits. It gets better the higher you go. KP: You played in two places with Joe Thatcher, right? RW: We played together in Montana and then in West Virginia. We actually roomed together for a while. KP: So what are your plans now? RW: I don’t want to rule out a return to baseball. I might wait a year or so and see how things go. I am not that old and you never know what could happen. KP: You are playing fastpitch with the CFD Saints, right? RW: I am. I am still learning how to pitch fastpitch. But they like having my bat in the lineup as well. *** We interviewed Wooley in August of 2004.

At least Mat Gamel's 0-for-7 game did include this: In the nightcap, Craig Gentry made a leaping catch at the wall in the third inning to take away a home run from Mat Gamel.

More details (and quotes) here -- Vineland baseball star chargedBy JOSH FRIEDMAN and KRISTI FUNDERBURK, DailyJournal.com (N.J.) Staff Writers VINELAND -- A standout Vineland High School baseball player who has spent several years in the minor leagues made up a story about being robbed at gunpoint outside the city's Motor Vehicle Commission office last fall, police said. Darren Ford, 24, has been charged with conspiracy, filing a false report and other offenses, Vineland police Detective Lt. Thomas Ulrich said Wednesday. Ford, the starting center fielder for the Double A Richmond Flying Squirrels, an affiliate of the San Francisco Giants, said Wednesday he's innocent. The VHS graduate has played in every game since being charged Friday. "It's a distraction," he said. "It shouldn't be going on. I'm just going to try to take care of this as quickly as possible and get back to doing what I do best." On Nov. 18, Ford told police someone robbed him at gunpoint in the parking lot of the Motor Vehicle Commission office on West Landis Avenue. He claimed someone stole a bank deposit bag belonging to his then-employer, RK Chevrolet, his cell phone and $300 in cash. Police said Wednesday the story was made up. Ford has been charged with making false police reports to police, obstruction of administration of law, conspiracy, and theft by failure to make proper disposition of property received, Ulrich said. Ulrich declined to explain how police came to charge Ford. "I'm not going to comment on the specifics, but the investigation led to the conclusion that this was a falsely reported act," Ulrich said. The bank deposit bag Ford reported stolen still has not been recovered, Ulrich said. He wouldn't say how much money was in the bag, but noted it would range between $500 and $75,000 because the theft was a third-degree offense. Ulrich also wouldn't explain the details of Ford's conspiracy charge other than to confirm that such a charge means a suspect plotted the incident with another person. Ulrich said RK Chevrolet was not the co-conspirator. "RK Chevrolet is an innocent victim," he added. Employees at the Delsea Drive car dealership referred comments to general manager Jim Gee, who could not be reached Wednesday. Ford took a job at RK Chevrolet as a lot attendant last October. He told The Daily Journal in late November -- shortly after he reported the robbery to police -- that he took the job at RK "to stay busy and make sure I stay out of trouble." Ford is now in his sixth season in the minor leagues. He came to the Giants organization in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. He was added to San Francisco's 40-man roster just two days after the November incident was reported to police. Ford has played 77 games with Richmond this season. He turned himself in to Vineland police Friday afternoon after he was notified of the complaints. Police processed and released him pending court action. "I know I'm not guilty," Ford said Wednesday. "I'm not worried about the situation." Ford has played in every one of the Squirrels' games since being charged and was in the Squirrels' lineup Wednesday in Harrisburg, Pa. Richmond General Manager Bill Papierniak said he was unaware of Ford's legal issues, but Bobby Evans, vice president of baseball operations for the San Francisco Giants, said the organization knew about it but didn't plan to take any action until the matter was resolved. "In general, whenever there are accusations made against a player or charges brought against a player, the organization awaits the investigation and the results," Evans said. "There is really no action to be taken until we know the results of the investigation." Evans said Ford wouldn't see less playing time either. San Francisco has been very pleased with Ford, he said. "Darren Ford has been an excellent addition to the Giants organization," Evans said. "He has in every way performed on the field and in the clubhouse and in spring training as a professional." Ulrich said all the charges Ford faces are indictable and would be handled at the Superior Court level, though Vineland police are still investigating the incident. "The next action is up to the Prosecutor's Office," he said. "It's in their hands now." Cumberland County Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McRae declined to comment.

Kudos to our "leader in the clubhouse", martinezfan, on a current 16-game hitting streak, tied for the longest active streak in the nation right now, leaning heavily but not exclusively on Scooter Gennett. So based on an 18-game streak earlier this season, martinezfan has actually established the two longest streaks in our competition, and is closing in on the nationwide longest streak established earlier this spring of 23 games. Nobody else in sight currently -- I've had one double-digit streak http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif.

Final, Game Two: Oklahoma City (Rangers) 5, Nashville 4, 13 innings (scheduled for seven) Sounds Lose Marathon Nightcap, 5-4 In 13 Nashville Sounds OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Craig Gentry's fifth hit of the game gave Oklahoma City a 5-4 victory in a 13-inning marathon nightcap as well as a doubleheader sweep of the Nashville Sounds early Thursday morning at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. The teams played 20 innings of baseball on the night over their two contests, with Gentry's game-winning knock bringing a conclusion to play shortly after 1:00 AM CT. The Sounds held leads in both contests, including a brief one-run advantage in extra frames in the nightcap, but were unable to record a win on the night as they fell to 2-6 in doubleheader play on the year. After Oklahoma City hung an 11-6 defeat on the Sounds in the opener, the teams battled to a 4-4 tie through 13 innings in the nightcap before Gentry (5-for-7) blooped Mitch Stetter's 0-1 offering for a two-out, game-ending single in front of a hard-charging Lorenzo Cain in shallow center field to plate ex-Sound Hernan Iribarren to saddle Nashville with a heartbreaking 5-4 defeat. Gentry's effort was the first five-hit game against Nashville since New Orleans' Mike Vento produced six hits versus Sounds pitching in a PCL record-tying, 24-inning contest on May 5-6, 2006 at Greer Stadium. In the nightcap, the Sounds left a season-high 18 runners on base and were just 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Nashville second baseman Johnny Raburn (2-for-6) spotted the visitors a 1-0 lead in the second frame with a two-out RBI double to center off Oklahoma City starter Elizardo Ramirez. After the Sounds left the bases loaded during a scoreless top of the third, the RedHawks struck in the home half of the frame, registering three runs against Chuck Löfgren to take a 3-1 lead. All three runs came via the longball as Gentry belted a one-out solo shot to left, his third of the year, before Chris Davis swatted a two-out, two-run bomb to right, his tenth roundtripper. Catcher Ben Johnson, who went 3-for-6 in his first game for the Sounds since May following a month on the disabled list, tied the contest at 3-3 in the top of the sixth when he slugged his second home run of the season, a two-out, two-run shot to right off RedHawks reliever Wille Eyre. Nashville had a chance to pull in front in the top of the seventh but Gentry, the RedHawks' center fielder, threw out Brendan Katin at the plate as he attempted to score from second on Erick Almonte's single. Raburn put the Sounds in front by a 4-3 count in the top of the ninth inning when his two-out RBI single to right off Zachary Phillips plated Katin, who opened the frame with a walk (audio available at the lead link in this post). In the bottom of the frame, Brandon Kintzler inherited a first-and-third, one-out jam from Mike McClendon and uncorked a two-strike, two-out wild pitch to allow Gentry to scamper home from third with the tying run to make it a 4-4 game. Neither team scored over the next four frames until Gentry's two-out game-winner off Stetter (2-2), who took the loss. Michael Ballard (5-5) picked up the win for Oklahoma City after working one scoreless inning of relief in the nightcap. Nashville Game Two Box Score Mat Gamel's 9th error in 33 AAA games, his 3rd of the doubleheader, did not prove costly; Gamel went 0-for-7 with four K's in this nightcap, down to .264; Norris Hopper reached base five times, two singles and three walks; Luis Cruz on base four times, Brendan Katin, Erick Almonte, and Ben Johnson thrice each -- and the Sounds lost despite decent mound efforts! The kind of night that will be tough to bounce back from, two losses and a tired bullpen... Nashville Game Two Game Log

Link while active, text follows: Brewers KO’d in extras By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record It took 11 innings to do it, but the Great Falls Voyagers gained some much-needed ground in the Pioneer League North standings Wednesday. Jeff Tezak came home in the top of the 11th on a Carlos George error, and the Voyagers stranded Helena second baseman Shea Vucinich 90 feet from home to secure the 4-3 victory in the opening game of a crucial series. Great Falls (10-7) now sits just one game back from the first-place Brewers (11-6). A series sweep would put the Voyagers atop the standings. “Of course it’s nice to win ball games on a team that’s right in the race with you, but you want to win every game,” said Helena manager Joe Ayrault. “This early in the season, you don’t want to put too much pressure on.” The Brewers struck early in their first game back at Kindrick Field after a weeklong road trip when George brought leadoff batter Reggie Keen home on an RBI single in the first. But Helena would strand seven runners over the next five innings, not scoring again until John Dishon and Mike Walker batted in a pair of runs in the seventh. “The guys played hard,” Ayrault said. “We had some opportunities early in the game, situational hitting where we could have put some more runs up on the board.” Helena has now left 48 runners on base over the last four games, but Ayrault isn’t concerned. “It’s so early in the season,” the skipper said. “We’ve got a good group of guys ... we just got a little overanxious in those situations, trying to do too much. In extra innings we’ve got to make sure we’re shortening the swings, thinking line drive rather than trying to win the ball game with one swing of the bat.” The Voyagers took their first lead of the game in the fifth when Kyle Davis pounded a triple off of Helena starter Hiram Burgos, the league leader in strikeouts. Davis would go on to score off George’s first error of the game, giving Great Falls the 2-1 edge. The Brewers took advantage of a late Voyager error, and the crowd of 1,155 erupted when it appeared the “Cardiac Kids” had yet another comeback brewing. With two outs in the bottom of the 11th, Vucinich reached second after what should have been a routine ground-out was overthrown by shortstop Davis. He then advanced to third on a wild pitch by closer Jacob Wilson, who struck out Dishon looking to get out of the jam and escape with the win. Wilson picked up his second win of the season, fanning three and walking one in two innings of work, while not giving up any hits or runs. “They played hard-nosed baseball, good defense the whole game,” Ayrault said of the visitors. “And tip your hat to their pitchers, they did well.” DIAMOND NOTES: Brewers infielder Greg Hopkins is out for an indefinite time with a mild concussion after Tuesday night’s collision in Missoula...Hopkins was batting .375 for Helena...Centerfielder Franklin Romero was promoted to High-A Brevard during the recent road trip following a 3-for-3 performance against Billings. All Photos by Dylan Brown Independent Record Helena's John Dishon charges Great Falls' catcher, Rob Vaughn, but is ruled out by Mr. Corey Mattea Tuesday night at Kindrick Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/8/a9/ecd/8a9ecd00-8a43-11df-b762-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c354a598cf43.image.jpg Helena's John Bivens reacts after striking out. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/9/99/e70/999e704e-8a43-11df-9091-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c354a72e7a36.image.jpg Helena's Reggie Keen hits a ball deep into right field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/c/22/465/c22465be-8a43-11df-875e-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c354ab69ccfb.image.jpg Keen bunts the ball. He was thrown out at first. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/b/5b/0d9/b5b0d920-8a43-11df-a8d3-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c354aa1bce7f.image.jpg Hiram Burgos is greeted by fellow teammates after he pitched into the sixth inning. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/a/8b/4f7/a8b4f71a-8a43-11df-a3c6-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c354a8c0cff6.image.jpg

Missed Opportunities By Brett Billings, Helena Brewers There wouldn't be a complete game at Kindrick Field if there weren't a little drama. Unfortunately, the Helena Brewers were on the wrong end as they fell against the Great Falls Voyagers 4-3 in extra innings. The Brewers (11-6) got on the board in the first inning. Reggie Keen led the inning off with a double, and Carlos George singled him in a few pitches later. Great Falls (10-7) answered back in innings four and five, scoring a run in each frame. Hiram Burgos started on the mound for Helena. He totaled 5.2 innings, allowing only one earned run while striking out seven Voyagers batters. He allowed one walk and seven hits. The Brewers entered the seventh inning trailing by two but erased the deficit after two walks from Keen and Shea Vucinich and two singles from John Dishon and Mike Walker. Tony Butler pitched three scoreless innings. He walked two and struck out one. Butler, 6'7" 220 lbs, was signed as a free agent by Milwaukee after being released by the Orioles in June. He is currently in Helena on a rehab assignment. The score stayed deadlocked until the 11th inning. Great Falls' Jeff Tezak led off with a walk. He reached second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored when George misplayed a ground ball through the middle. Eric Marzec took the loss. He pitched the top of the 11th and allowed one unearned run. The Brewers look to bounce back tomorrow night as they host the Voyagers again at Kindrick Field. RHP Thomas Royse (0-1, 7.71) is scheduled to start for Great Falls. RHP Seth Lintz (0-0,12.20) will take the mound for Helena.

After six innings of the scheduled seven-inning Nashville nightcap, the Sounds and Redhawks are tied at 3-3, courtesy of a two-run 6th inning home run by catcher Ben Johnson. It's 10:50 PM Central, all respect to Stu Paul, but because Nashville has a Gameday, you can "watch" their game while listening to Steve in Helena. Of course, once the H-Crew wraps up, listen to Stu should the Sounds still be in action http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif.

Vineland minor league baseball player Darren Ford charged with lying about robbery Atlantic City Press In March, Vineland's Darren Ford came off a spring training where he hit .500 and was considered one of the San Francisco Giants' most outstanding minor league baseball players. Now, Ford faces charges that he lied to Vineland police when he told them he was robbed of $300 at gunpoint last fall. In November, Ford told police he was carrying a bank deposit bag from RK Chevrolet when he stopped at a state Motor Vehicle office before going to the bank. Then, a gunman pointed a double-barreled shotgun at him and demanded he turn over his belongings, Ford said. Police say the Nov. 18 robbery did not happen that way. They charged Ford on July 2 with making false reports to law enforcement officers, obstruction of administration of law, conspiracy, and theft by failure to make proper disposition of property received. Ford was released that same day on a summons complaint. The 24-year-old is the starting center fielder for the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Giants' double-A affiliate. He led off for Richmond on Wednesday in their game in Harrisburg, Pa. Ford returned to Richmond on Saturday and missed just one game last Friday. When reached by phone, Ford would not comment and referred any questions to his lawyer, Henry Hockeimer, who also declined comment. Representatives from the Flying Squirrels could not be reached for comment. Heading into Wednesday's game, Ford was hitting .236 with four home runs, 26 RBIs and 26 stolen bases in 77 games. Ford was added to the Giants' 40-man roster in November. In more than five seasons in the minors, Ford is a career .266 hitter with 32 home runs, 248 RBIs and 277 stolen bases. Speed has been Ford's biggest asset as he's averaged 50.2 stolen bases during his first five minor league seasons. He won the Harry S. Jordan award this spring given annually to the top Giants player in his first major-league spring training camp. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder was selected as the 526th pick of the 18th round by the Brewers in the 2004 amateur draft. Milwaukee traded him to the Giants in July 2008. Police released information about the charges Wednesday and said the investigation is continuing. No other information would be released, police said. *** A commenter on the newspaper site said Ford should stick to stealing bases. Alas, this is also probably a commentary on minor league salaries, although obviously that's no excuse.

This is the story on Ford from last November -- now apparently a big lie, another fire for agent Josh to put out -- *** Minor league baseball prospect victim of armed robbery in Vineland VINELAND, NEW JERSEY — An armed robber held up minor-league baseball player Darren Ford at gunpoint last week and fled with a bank deposit bag, $300 in cash and a cell phone, police said. Police have not said how much money was in the bank deposit bag. The robbery took place at 12:15 PM Nov. 18 at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office at 76 W. Landis Ave. Police said Ford, 24, who works during the off-season at RK Chevrolet, was carrying a bank deposit bag with him from the dealership when he stopped at the NJMVC office. Ford said a gunman, whom he identified as black or Hispanic, pointed a double-barreled shotgun at him and demanded he turn over his belongings, according to police. Police said the suspect fled in a car. No other description of the suspect or the vehicle was available. Ford, a rising prospect for the San Francisco Giants, was added to the team’s 40-man roster last Friday. Ford, a former Vineland High School star, hit .300 with nine home runs, 50 RBIs and 35 stolen bases for San Jose, a member of the Class-A Advanced California League this year. The 5-foot-11, 195-pounder was selected as the 526th pick of the 18th round by the Brewers in the 2004 amateur draft. Milwaukee traded him to the Giants in July 2008. Police are asking that anyone who was in the area of 76 W. Landis Ave. that day contact Detective Kristin Kirchner at 856-691-4111, ext. 4656 Crime Stoppers of Vineland is offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspects. Crime Stoppers telephone number is 856-691-0345.

Box Score Romanski, RiverDogs Send Tourists Packing, Win 4-2 to Split Series CHARLESTON, SC - Josh Romanski gave up just two earned runs in 7.0 full innings of work to lead the Charleston RiverDogs over the Asheville Tourists, 4-2, in front of 3,548 soaking wet fans in South Atlantic League action at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on Wednesday for Big Splash Day 2010. With the victory Charleston improves to 6-8, 37-46 overall, while Asheville falls to 9-5, 38-45. Romanski (3-2), who won his second straight, surrendered four hits in his 7.0 frames, with seven strikeouts and zero walks. The former University of San Diego Torero has fanned 23 batters in his last three starts combined. Romanski had a perfect game through 3.0 innings, when Eliezer Mesa singled to open the fourth and moved into scoring position, when Romanski plunked Avery Barnes in the face, who was taken out of the game for pinch-runner Delta Cleary, Jr. Nolan Arenado's RBI groundout plated Mesa from third for the 1-0 lead. "He made quality pitches, hit his spots and pitched well under pressure," said RiverDogs pitching coach Jeff Ware. "He did well today." http://postandcourier.media.clients.ellingtoncms.com/img/photos/2010/07/07/baseball_t600.jpg?4326734cdb8e39baa3579048ef63ad7b451e7676

I'll save battlekow a few keystrokes on his DSL assignment tonight by mentioning that, once again, the Brewers game was among the few postponed on the island earlier this morning.