Jim Goulart

Final: Brevard County 4, Lakeland (Tigers) 3, 11 innings BC tops Lakeland in 11 innings By Frank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA - The Brevard County Manatees got their first win of the second half of the season in a 11 inning thriller that saw Anderson De La Rosa drive in the winning run in the 4-3 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Friday night. The Flying Tigers jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on RBI singles from Billy Nowlin and Bryan Pounds off of Manatees starter R.J. Seidel. But those would be the only runs that Lakeland would score against Seidel as he would allow just two more hits as he went five innings and struck out two. It didn't take long for Brevard County to strike back as Brock Kjeldgaard blasted a two-out solo homer in the second and Sergio Miranda ripped a one-out triple in the third to score Juan Sanchez as the Manatees tied the game at 2-2. De La Rosa led the seventh off with a double to right and two batters later Matt Cline dropped a double just inside the chalk to score De La Rosa and give the Manatees a 3-2 lead. Miranda walked to load the bases and it looked as if Brevard County would do some more damage but Erik Komatsu grounded into a 1-2-3 double play to end the inning. Brandon Ritchie, who relieved Seidel, ran into some trouble going into his third inning of work as a throwing error by him on a bunt attempt and an error on Cline on a flip to second led to Lakeland tying the game at 3-3. The game would remain 3-3 to the 11th as Kjeldgaard led off the inning with a single up the middle. Scott Krieger then popped a ball into shallow right that no Lakeland player could get to, to put two on with no outs. Brevard County would then benefit on an errant pickoff throw by Jose Ortega as Kjeldgaard moved to third and Krieger moved to second with De La Rosa at the plate, who would single to left to win it for the Manatees. Kjeldgaard and Kriger each had three hits, while Miranda and De La Rosa had two apiece. Daniel Meadows picked up his second win of the season in relief. Brevard County and Lakeland will play the rubber match of the series on Saturday night at Space Coast Stadium beginning at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). Brevard County Box Score Tough blown save charged to Andre Lamontagne, as he entered the game in the 8th with men on 1st and 2nd, none out, and the error mentioned above tied the game – Lamontagne would go on to toss an additional two scoreless innings; R.J. Seidel with a sweet 11-to-1 GB / FB ratio in his five innings (two K’s, only one walk); Angel Salome 0-for-5 as the designated hitter, who knows if he’s getting in pre-game outfield work at this point – it’s hard to find the right adjective to describe just how awkward his situation has become; after hitting a single home run in each of April and May, Brock Kjeldgaard has six blasts in June… Brevard County Game Log Nice bounceback by Seidel as four of the first five men he faced singled…

Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 6, Huntsville 4 Suns hold off Stars By Aaron Morse, Huntsville Stars Steffan Wilson tallied three hits and drove in two runs but the Huntsville Stars (2-2, 35-39) fell to the Jacksonville Suns (2-2, 42-32) by a final score of 6-4 Friday night. The Stars took an early 1-0 lead when Wilson went yard for his fifth homer of the year in the second. Brandon Tripp and the Suns came roaring back against Stars’ starter Josh Butler in the fourth. Tripp hit a long ball to start the inning and then they played some small ball to take the lead. Vinny Rottino reached on an error and immediately stole second base. He moved to third on a fly ball and scored on a ground-out as the Suns went up by a score of 2-1. One swing of the bat cost Butler again in the sixth as a two-out three-run home run off the bat of pinch hitter Jason Delaney gave the Suns a 5-1 lead. Jeff Allison went six innings, giving up the lone run on only three hits, but the Stars got to reliever Daniel Jennings in the seventh. With one away Taylor Green doubled to right. Wilson followed with his second RBI of the game on a single to right. Down 5-2, the Stars kept at it as Lee Haydel reached on an infield single. That combined with a throwing error put runners on second and third. Dayton Buller grounded out to short, driving home Wilson to make the score 5-3. Jacksonville tacked on one more run in the seventh against reliever Mark Willinsky. The Stars made one last run at the game in the top of the eighth. Down 6-3, Lorenzo Cain singled to left with one away. Caleb Gindl doubled him home to make the score 6-4. Zelous Wheeler singled to left, moving Gindl to third. Wade Korpi entered the game only to walk Green to load the bases. Wilson and Haydel both had chances against reliever Todd Doolittle but neither was able to come through as the Suns escaped still up 6-4. That’s how the game would end as Jhan Marinez worked a scoreless ninth to pick up the save. Butler (1-4) suffered the loss as he went six innings, giving up five runs, four earned, on six hits. He walked three and struck-out six. Allison (4-3) got the win. The Stars will look to take back the series lead Saturday evening. First pitch is at 6:05 PM central time. Huntsville Box Score At some point, Josh Butler needs to settle in and make a statement that he's ready to return to 2009, and not 2008, form -- granted, this was not a horrid outing; Brett Lawrie quieted finally on an 0-for-5 night; do you ever think back to 2004 and remember just how insane Vinny Rottino's season was -- Brewer minor league record 124 RBI in 140 games... Huntsville Game Log This should not happen -- down two runs in the 9th, Dayton Buller leads off with a base hit, and your subsequent pinch-hitter for the pitcher's spot is closer Jim Henderson? Chuckie Caufield must be sidelined, the Stars didn’t turn to once-a-week catcher Sean McCraw, and the club is playing one roster spot short while in the midst of a six-game non-designated hitter series… Huntsville Top 9th Pitcher Change: Jhan Marinez replaces Todd Doolittle, batting 9th. Dayton Buller singles on a ground ball to shortstop Osvaldo Martinez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jim Henderson replaces Mark Willinsky. Jim Henderson strikes out swinging. Brett Lawrie strikes out swinging. Lorenzo Cain strikes out swinging.

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 7, Nashville 6 One of the more painful minor league losses of the year for sure... Memphis Scores Six Runs In Ninth, Edge Nashville 7-6 MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Trailing 6-1 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, the cross-state rival Memphis Redbrids scored six runs to top the Nashville Sounds, 7-6, in the finale of a five-game set on Friday night at AutoZone Park in Memphis. After retiring the first batter of the inning, Chris Smith walked the next hitter and then allowed four consecutive singles by the Memphis lineup to trim the Nashville lead to 6-5. With the tieing run on second base, Tyler Greene singled to right field and caused Mark Shorey to attempt to score and knot the contest, but Brendan Katin threw a strike home to Martin Maldonado in time to tag out Shorey. Entering the ballgame to replace Smith with two outs and close the ballgame, Brandon Kintzler walked pinch hitter Bryan Anderson, and then allowed a bases loaded, two-run single by Allen Craig to end the ballgame. Memphis won three of the five games in the series, as the loss was Nashville's (40-35) second defeat of the season leading after eight frames. Smith (2-2) was charged with six runs in 2/3 of an inning, taking the loss. Rich Rundles (1-1) earned the win, throwing one scoreless inning in relief. Trent Oeltjen scored Nashville's first run after leading off the game with a line drive single to right field. Oeltjen moved to second on a throwing error by Memphis' P.J. Walters, advanced to third on a Ray Olmedo sacrifice bunt, and then came home on a Mat Gamel sacrifice fly to right field. The Redbirds tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a two-out RBI single to left field by catcher Matt Pagnozzi, which was the only hit recorded by Memphis through the first seven innings. The Sounds went ahead 5-1 after dropping four runs on Walters in the next frame, beginning with a leadoff double by Maldonado, who extended his hitting streak to a season-high six games. Oeltjen crushed his team-leading 21st double to left field to score Maldonado for the first run (audio available at the link above), followed by Gamel bringing home Oeltjen again with a single. The final two runs of the frame came on a two-run bomb over the center field wall by Katin, his ninth home run of the season. Nashville added another run in the top of the fifth inning that made it 6-1. After Olmedo was beaned by Walters and moved to third on another hit by Gamel, the Sounds' second baseman scored on a Katin line drive to right field for his third RBI of the game. Recording a quality start for the first time in his last six outings, Chris Waters allowed one run on just one hit and five walks while fanning two hitters. David Johnson threw two shutout innings for the Sounds in relief. Walters gave up six runs (five earned) while scattering 10 hits with seven strikeouts over seven innings for Memphis. Batting third and fourth in the Sounds lineup, Mat Gamel and Brendan Katin went a combined 6-for-8 in the ballgame, driving home five of the six runs. Trent Oeltjen also contributed two hits and the other RBI from the leadoff spot. The Sounds travel back to Music City to open a four-game series with the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) beginning at 7:05 PM CT on Friday evening at historic Greer Stadium. Nashville will send left-hander Chuck Lofgren (7-4, 5.29) to the hill to face Round Rock southpaw Polin Trinidad (3-6, 4.48). Nashville Box Score Well, that reeked, didn't it? I could tell from some of the adjustments made in the game summary that it was being prepared (rightfully so for quick release) as an easy Sounds victory before a change of focus and content obviously had to be made; Waters vs. Walters in the starting pitcher matchup -- you notice things like that while still getting over the nasty collapse; Brendan Katin has 29 RBI in only 31 games played this season -- wow; when you read the game log of the fateful Memphis 9th inning below, notice that Martin Maldonado had to be removed after the Katin assist at the plate, something to keep an eye on Saturday... Nashville Game Log Ouch... Memphis Bottom 9th Pitcher Change: Chris Smith replaces David Johnson, batting 9th. Allen Craig grounds out, shortstop Luis Cruz to first baseman Joe Koshansky. Ruben Gotay walks. Donovan Solano singles on a line drive to right fielder Brendan Katin. Ruben Gotay to 2nd. Kevin Howard singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin. Ruben Gotay scores. Donovan Solano to 2nd. Fielding error by right fielder Brendan Katin. Matt Pagnozzi singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin. Donovan Solano to 3rd. Kevin Howard to 2nd. Mark Shorey singles on a line drive to right fielder Brendan Katin. Donovan Solano scores. Kevin Howard scores. Matt Pagnozzi to 3rd. Jon Jay singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin. Matt Pagnozzi scores. Mark Shorey to 2nd. Tyler Greene singles on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin. Mark Shorey out at home on the throw, right fielder Brendan Katin to catcher Martin Maldonado. Jon Jay to 3rd. Defensive Substitution: Patrick Arlis replaces catcher Martin Maldonado, batting 8th, playing catcher. Pitcher Change: Brandon Kintzler replaces Chris Smith, batting 9th. Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Bryan Anderson replaces Rich Rundles. With Bryan Anderson batting, Tyler Greene advances to 2nd on defensive indifference. Bryan Anderson walks. Allen Craig singles on a line drive to left fielder Trent Oeltjen. Jon Jay scores. Tyler Greene scores. Bryan Anderson to 2nd.

June 25 - Stu's Chat with LH reliever Mitch Stetter

Link while active, text follows: Ex-Niceville star Nelson signs with Milwaukee Brewers Adam Pruiett, Crestview (FL) News Bulletin Jimmy Nelson is officially one of the newest members of the Brew Crew. The former Niceville High School star pitcher made the expected decision to forgo his senior season with the University of Alabama in favor of signing a professional contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, who chose him in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft. “It just seemed like I was ready to take the next step, and the money was right,” Nelson said. “I had a good three years at Alabama and learned a lot. It’s probably the most important three years I’ve had as far as maturity. I think I needed that. It made me ready for the next step.” Nelson flew to Milwaukee on Monday and took his physical Tuesday before signing his contract. That evening, he watched the Brewers take on the Minnesota Twins from the owner’s suite, where he mingled with Milwaukee owner Mark Attanasio and general manager Doug Melvin. “It was kind of surreal,” Nelson said. “I was trying not to be star-struck. I didn’t want it to seem like it was my first rodeo.” Nelson is playing his short-season baseball in Helena, Mont. During a Thursday interview, he was riding on the team bus while “Bull Durham” — the classic minor-league baseball movie starring Kevin Costner and Susan Sarandon — was playing in the background. Nelson had a breakthrough season for the Tide as a junior, compiling a 9-3 record in 17 starts. The 6-foot-6 right-hander boasted a 4.01 ERA and a team-best 98 strikeouts while also throwing three complete games. Nelson said negotiating with Milwaukee on a contract “wasn’t a very complicated or long process.” He and the Brewers had agreed on a price the day of the draft, and the team honored that figure. Nelson’s emotions were in check while signing his pro contract. He viewed it largely as a beginning, not an end. “It was kind of mixed feelings,” Nelson said. “I was happy because it’s something I worked years and years for. But it’s not my final dream or destination. It’s just a steppingstone. My goal is to get to the Major Leagues and win at the highest level. “ … I don’t feel like I’m close to pleased with what I’ve accomplished so far.” Nelson believes his first start in Helena will be Tuesday. Since he pitched 110 innings for Alabama, Nelson said his pitch count will likely be around 35 pitches and his starts probably won’t last beyond two or three innings. “They’re looking at the long haul, not just this season,” Nelson said. While Nelson’s goal is to pitch for Milwaukee’s big club, the 21-year-old hurler isn’t going to set a goal anytime soon on when that will happen. Said Nelson: “This year is more of a learning year and getting acclimated to the lifestyle.” Alabama's Jimmy Nelson pitches against Georgia Tech during the first inning of an NCAA regional tournament baseball game June 5, 2010, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Amis)

PDF Document: Huntsville Media Notes

Lawrie Excited to Showcase Talent Connor Shreve, Huntsville Stars

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/players/mugshot/ph_543434.jpg I'm on the "Sheet", but at what #?

Draft Forum update on the Brewers 50th round pick, NY Giants safety Chad Jones

PDF Document: Nashville Media Notes Rattler Radio -- A New Look for the Site: June 25, 2010: Game Notes June 25, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitcher June 25, 2010: Lineup

PCL American North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Omaha 39 33 .542 - - 19-19 20-14 6-4 L1 Iowa 40 34 .541 - - 22-19 18-15 6-4 W1 Nashville 40 34 .541 - - 19-15 21-19 7-3 W1 Memphis 39 35 .527 1.0 70 20-16 19-19 3-7 L1 SOU North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Chattanooga 3 0 1.000 - - 3-0 0-0 3-0 W5 * Tennessee 3 0 1.000 - - 3-0 0-0 3-0 W4 Huntsville 2 1 .667 1.0 67 0-0 2-1 2-1 W1 West Tenn 2 1 .667 1.0 67 0-0 2-1 2-1 W2 Carolina 0 3 .000 3.0 65 0-0 0-3 0-3 L5 FSL North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Daytona 1 0 1.000 - - 0-0 1-0 1-0 W1 Lakeland 1 0 1.000 - - 0-0 1-0 1-0 W3 Tampa 1 0 1.000 - - 1-0 0-0 1-0 W1 Brevard County 0 1 .000 1.0 69 0-1 0-0 0-1 L1 Clearwater 0 1 .000 1.0 69 0-0 0-1 0-1 L2 * Dunedin 0 1 .000 1.0 69 0-1 0-0 0-1 L1 MID Western Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Beloit 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Burlington 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 * Cedar Rapids 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Clinton 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Kane County 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Peoria 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Quad Cities 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 Wisconsin 0 0 - - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 PIO North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak Helena 4 0 1.000 - - 4-0 0-0 4-0 W4 Great Falls 3 1 .750 1.0 34 0-0 3-1 3-1 W3 Billings 1 3 .250 3.0 32 1-3 0-0 1-3 L3 Missoula 0 4 .000 4.0 31 0-0 0-4 0-4 L4 AZL Central Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak AZL Brewers 3 0 1.000 - - 0-0 0-0 0-0 W3 AZL Reds 2 2 .500 1.5 52 0-0 0-0 0-0 W1 AZL Dodgers 1 2 .333 2.0 52 0-0 0-0 0-0 L1 AZL Indians 1 3 .250 2.5 51 0-0 0-0 0-0 L1 DSL S.D. North Club W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10 Streak DSL Cardinals 13 8 .619 - - 10-1 3-7 7-3 L1 DSL Mariners 11 10 .524 2.0 50 7-4 4-6 8-2 L1 DSL Athletics 10 11 .476 3.0 49 6-4 4-7 3-7 W1 DSL Brewers 8 13 .381 5.0 47 6-4 2-9 3-7 W1

Follow Friday'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, family and friends can catch the finale of the series in Memphis via a subscription to MiLB.TV.

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Waters at Memphis (Cardinals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Josh Butler at Jacksonville (Marlins), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this game... Wisconsin: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Burlington (Royals), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Stosh Wawrzasek at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:45 PM pre-game; 8:00 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): at the Mariners' complex in Peoria; games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; never audio for games in this league DSL Brewers: at the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM

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

Link while active, text follows: BREWIN WITH KUEHN: UCLA alum Dean has plenty to cheer about By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record Helena Brewers catcher Brent Dean has been on his cell phone a lot lately since arriving to the Capital City. Dean has been exchanging good luck text messages with his former teammates and coach at his alma mater UCLA, which is in the College World Series for just the third time ever and first since 1997. The Bruins recently picked up their first-ever wins in Omaha, and take the field again tonight against TCU in the Bracket I championship. Dean, who picked off three attempted base stealers at second base in Monday’s season opener, was almost a member of this year’s UCLA squad that began the season 22-0. But when his request for a fifth year of eligibility was denied, Dean was thankful the Brewers came calling. After working out with the team prior to spring training, Dean signed a free-agent contract on the spot and is happy to be in Helena. “I’m excited to be here with this team,” he said. “I definitely would have loved to have been (to the College World Series) when I was in college, but I’m having a good time being here. “Still, it’s nice to have joy for those guys with what they are going through...they have an unbelievable pitching staff.” The native of Torrance, Calif., still keeps in touch with his former teammates and is good friends with several of those aces, like Rob Rasmussen, the lefty who pitched the win against Cal State Fullerton in a Super Regional. He also played with Garett Claypool and Blair Dunlap, and got to know pitcher Gerrit Cole a little last season. The sophomore struck out 13 and carried a one-hitter into the seventh inning in a 6-3 win over the Horned Frogs on Monday. Dean has his own work to do, but has still kept tabs on his college team. “I definitely don’t get to watch too many of their games on TV, but I at least catch replays,” Dean said. “I’m happy for them and I’m pretty excited for the coaching staff there, too. They’ve been working hard to get that program to where it is right now.” UCLA owns a record 106 championships, with the most recent coming by the softball team. The baseball team has never won a title, though, even with well-known alums like Jackie Robinson. Dean said he has received several well wishes from UCLA coach John Savage as he makes the transition from college to pro ball. “We send a lot of texts back and forth, ‘good luck’, ‘hope you have a good series’, this and that,” Dean said. “He sends me advice.” Comeback kids The Brewers trailed by four and five runs, respectively, in their first two games of the season. Only unlike last year, those deficits didn’t translate into losses. Helena was 4-33 when trailing after eight innings in 2009. This year, the Brewers are 2-0 when down heading to the final stanza, after battling back in the bottom of the ninth to win Monday and Tuesday’s contests in walk-off fashion. The Brewers also rallied to win Wednesday’s game, but did so in the seventh. Key connections Two players on Missoula’s roster hail from Division III Keystone College, which went 30-9 this past spring. Right-hander Victor Lara, who closed out Tuesday’s game, is a former Keystone Giant who was a 34th-round draft pick this month. He was college teammates with Osprey third baseman Eric Groff, who has helped turn a couple of double plays so far in the series. Groff was taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 44th round. Four Keystone players were drafted this year. Only one player from the little-known Pennsylvania school had ever donned an Osprey uniform prior to this season. Home-run Hawn Helena first baseman Cody Hawn immediately felt right at home in Kindrick Field, picking up where he left off at the University of Tennessee. The Knoxville, Tenn., native left the school in third on the all-time home run list with 34 long balls after playing just two seasons for the Volunteers. In Hawn’s second game in a Helena Brewers uniform, the lefty hit two solo shots over the wall at Kindrick, one an opposite-field homer. After Tuesday’s game, he credited Helena hitting coach Ned Yost, who gave him tips on his stance earlier in the day. Hawn is second on Tennessee’s single-season homer list, behind Todd Helton of the Colorado Rockies. Helton is also a Knoxville native.

Just a huge thanks to the Helena Independent Record, especially Amber Kuehn, for their Brewer coverage -- they have spoiled us in seasons past as well.

Link while active, text follows: Brewers finish series sweep of Osprey with 1-0 victory By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record For his 22nd birthday, Helena Brewers outfielder Franklin Romero Jr. got a face full of shaving cream, and he couldn’t have been happier about it. Romero made the play of his life in centerfield on Thursday night, preserving the pitchers’ duel and helping the Brewers to a 1-0 win and a sweep of the Missoula Osprey at Kindrick Field. On the final play of the game and with the tying run on first for Missoula, Romero made a diving catch on the run to retrieve pinch hitter Chris Jarrett’s slam to left-center, then got up and threw across the infield to first baseman Cody Hawn to complete an 8-3 double play. “I’ve made a few (good plays), but that one might be the best,” a grinning Romero said afterward. Romero had one of only four hits for the Brewers, who found themselves in the midst of a pitchers’ duel after the two Pioneer League squads combined for 44 runs in the first three games. “I told the guys after the game that’s going to be tough to beat; that one, that’s the play of the year right there,” Helena manager Joe Ayrault said of Romero’s game-ending heroics. “He’s a stellar athlete, Romero. That kid has got the wheels, arm, and is swinging the bat well. He’s really starting to show off his tools.” Romero wasn’t the only Brewer to show off his stuff, with right-hander Matt Miller making his pro debut. Miller gave up just five hits, walked one and had four strikeouts in five shutout innings. “I didn’t realize I was in a pitchers’ duel until I looked up in the fifth inning and it was still 0-0 with just one or two hits,” Miller said. “(Tyler) Thornburg and (Robert) Currie came in and did a great job in relief, and Romero made that unbelievable play at the end, so it’s an exciting win.” The Osprey (0-4) outhit Helena 10-4 but struggled all night to get runners home. The visitors had runners in scoring position seven different times, and stranded nine runners total on the night. “We’re stressing defense,” said Ayrault, whose crew is the only unbeaten team in the league at 4-0. “We played solid defense tonight. Carlos George early in the game got us out of a jam ... we just made the routine plays.” The Helena offense struggled against Missoula southpaw Daniel Taylor, who flew in for Thursday’s game from high Class-A Visalia. The move came after the Osprey bullpen blew leads in the previous three contests, and Taylor threw a complete game in what will be his only start for Missoula. He’ll immediately head back to Class-A ball, but turned in a tremendous start Thursday for the 1,154 in attendance. Taylor struck out a career-high 11 over eight innings, with just one earned run on one hit allowed. “You’ve got to tip your hat to that kid, he pitched a great game,” Ayrault said. As for the Brewers, they are off to their best start since 2005, when Helena also opened the season with a sweep of Missoula, that time on the road. The ’05 Brewers won the first seven games and 11 of 12. They began the second half 10-0, and lost to Orem in the Pioneer League title game. “We can’t get ahead of ourselves, it’s just the first four games out of 70-some-odd games,” Miller said. “It’s a long season, but it’s definitely a good way to start.” DIAMOND NOTES: Catcher Tony Pechek made his first start in a Helena Brewers uniform Thursday night and was 1-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts...Helena recently added another catcher to the roster, Wright State’s Gerald Ogrinc, who signed a free agent contract this year. All photos by Dylan Brown, Helena Independent Record Helena's Tony Pecheck hits a single, which enables Shea Vucinich to score against Missoula Thursday night at Kindrick Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/3/4d/a28/34da281c-800f-11df-b431-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4c242b93c43c5.image.jpg Helena's Shea Vucinich is greeted by fellow teammates Thursday night after Tony Pechek hit a single at Kindrick Field, allowing Vucinich to score. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/dc/778/4dc778c0-800f-11df-9f38-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4c242bbde908b.image.jpgHelena's Franklin Romero Jr. is thrown out at first at Kindrick Field. Missoula's Bobby Stone is catching the ball. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/4/31/130/43113056-800f-11df-85fc-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4c242bac02599.image.jpg Helena's center fielder, Franklin Romero Jr., catches a pop-fly to end the top of the fourth inning against Misosula, Thursday. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/dd/4fe/5dd4fed6-800f-11df-ab6b-001cc4c002e0-revisions/4c242bd927a1a.image.jpg

Link while active, text follows: Manatees lead off 2nd half with loss Manager looks for better effort BY MARK DeCOTIS, FLORIDA TODAY VIERA — Brevard County Manatees Manager Bob Miscik is taking a realistic approach to his team's first-half performance but has high expectations for the second half. The Manatees finished the first half in last place in the Florida State League's North Division with a 27-42 record and managed just five hits in losing 3-1 to the Lakeland Flying Tigers in the first game of the second half Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. "I'm not happy that we were 15 games below .500," Miscik said. "I'm not disappointed, I will be if I don't see the adjustments that we need to make be made in the second half." Those adjustments include pitchers issuing fewer walks -- the Manatees issued the most in the league (277) -- and hitters getting timely hits with runners in scoring position -- they were ninth of 12 teams with 280 runs scored. "There's no defense against the walk," Miscik said. "And we need to make the key play, that was the difference in our first half." And he told his players as much Thursday afternoon. Now he and his staff will see how the players, many getting their first taste of the competitiveness inherent in high-level Class A ball, will respond. "We (staff) learned what they need to do to adjust, now we're going to find out if they're able to make it and how long it takes them to do it because they know what they need to do," Miscik said. There were bright spots. Three Manatees -- outfielder Erik Komatsu, and infielders Matt Cline and Sergio Miranda were selected to the FSL All-Star game and pitchers Wily Peralta and Michael Fiers were later added to the roster as replacements. And, Manatees General Manager Kyle Smith said attendance is up 9 to 10 percent -- even though the Manatees rate seventh according to totals each team submits to the league -- and sponsorships are up 25 percent.

Final: Nashville 7, Memphis (Cardinals) 0 Davis Sharp, Sounds Blank Redbirds MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Left-hander Doug Davis twirled five scoreless frames in his second rehab start for Nashville and combined with a pair of relievers on a six-hit shutout of the Memphis Redbirds in the Sounds' 7-0 victory on Thursday evening at AutoZone Park. Davis (1-0) was stellar on the hill, retiring 16 of his 19 batters faced over five scoreless innings of work. He allowed two hits (one single, one double) while striking out nine batters against one walk in his 82-pitch effort (52 strikes). Tim Dillard followed Davis with two scoreless frames before Mike McClendon closed out the contest with two goose eggs of his own. With their sixth shutout win of the season, the Sounds (40-34) evened the series at 2-2 heading into Friday's finale against their division rivals. Every member of the Nashville lineup recorded a hit in the contest except Mat Gamel (0-for-4), including two-hit efforts by four players. The Sounds got out to a quick start against Redbirds right-hander David Kopp, scoring in each of the first three innings to grab a 4-0 lead. Kopp made his career Triple-A debut in the contest. Brendan Katin (2-for-4) put the visitors on the board with a first-inning RBI single, then Trent Oeltjen (2-for-4) doubled the advantage in the second when he drew a two-out walk and later scampered home on a Kopp wild pitch. Nashville first baseman Joe Koshansky (2-for-3) made it a 4-0 contest in the third when he belted his first home run in nearly a month, a two-run shot to center off Kopp. The blast, which also scored Katin, was the slugger's seventh of the year. Katin offered up his second run-scoring single of the night in the fifth to plate Ray Olmedo for a 5-0 Nashville lead. Nashville wrapped up its scoring with a pair of eighth-inning runs off Memphis reliever Andrew Brown. Shortstop Luis Cruz (2-for-3) continued to be a run-producing machine for Nashville, driving in his team-leading 43rd run of the year with an RBI single. Koshansky scored on the play after preceding the infielder with a double. Adam Stern followed with a run-scoring single of his own to up the Sounds' lead to 7-0. Kopp (0-1) took the loss in his first Triple-A outing after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits over five innings of action. Sounds catcher Martin Maldonado singled in the second inning to extend his season-best hitting streak to five games. The teams wrap up the five-game series with a 7:05 finale on Friday evening. Left-hander Chris Waters (4-4, 3.52) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Memphis right-hander P.J. Walters (1-2, 2.43). Nashville Box Score Let the roulette wheel pointing to the Brewers' already full 13-man staff spin -- what does Doug Davis' outing mean now for the big league staff? Joe Koshansky reached three times on a home run, double, and walk; Trent Oeltjen's stolen base was his 13th in 15 tries; Brendan Katin also added a walk to his two base hits; Mat Gamel committed his 6th error in his 22nd AAA game this year; Sounds romp despite hitting into four double plays... Nashville Game Log

June 24 - Stu's 2-Part Chat with LHP (and brand new dad) Sam Narron

2010 2nd round pick Jimmy Nelson, the University of Alabama RHP, has officially joined Helena. Also, catcher Gerard Ogrinc has been transferred from Arizona to Helena.

It's up now...

The inning would have been over without the passed ball on the strike three, so all the inning's runs were unearned...

Still in progress and game details later, but "Wow, Doug Davis" -- Player IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Davis, D 5.0 2 0 0 1 9 0 1.13