Jim Goulart

Linkwhile active, text follows: New Brewers skipper Ayrault right at home in Montana By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record It didn’t take long for Joe Ayrault to feel right at home in Helena. The Helena Brewers’ new manager walked through the clubhouse at Kindrick Field last week, shaking hands and chatting with everyone he came in contact with. Dressed in an Under Armour fleece jacket, blue jeans and Cabela’s hat, you’d think he’d been a Montana native all his life. Not so. The 38-year-old Ayrault recently made the trek from Sarasota, Fla., with his wife, Kelly, 5-year-old daughter, Haley, and 2-year-old son, Kole, to manage the Milwaukee Brewers’ top rookie affiliate in a place where he can get his baseball fix and also enjoy the outdoors. “When I was about 6 years old I got into baseball, just the love of the game, playing little league,” Ayrault said from his new office. “I knew I wanted to play pro ball.” Ayrault was drafted out of Sarasota High School in 1990, taken in the fifth round by the Atlanta Braves. He played catcher, mostly in the minor leagues, until a shoulder injury and surgeries marked the end of his playing days. Thus began his coaching career, beginning as a hitting coach for minor league affiliates of the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds. Ayrault was briefly hired to manage the Pioneer League’s Billings Mustangs in 2007, but the stint only lasted a couple of weeks before he was sent to manage Class A Sarasota. “I never went to Billings, it was in the offseason that they offered me the position,” he said. “This is my first trip to Montana.” He spent the past three seasons managing Sarasota, a Reds affiliate, going 195-220. “Baseball’s in my blood I guess,” Ayrault said with a smile. Big league memories Ayrault carries several memories from his playing days with him wherever he goes. Among them is playing Triple-A ball for the North Carolina Durham Bulls in the old stadium, and then getting the call up. “I was in Richmond, Va., actually warming up; I was supposed to catch in the game,” he recalled. “Our pitching coach, Bill Fisher, he came in and said ‘the manager wants to see you.’ ... He said, ‘you’re not playing tonight’, I said ‘why not?’ and he said ‘because you’re flying to Chicago tomorrow morning; you’re going to be playing at Wrigley Field.’ ” Ayrault was included on the World Series roster for the 1996 Atlanta Braves, and remembers being in Yankee Stadium in October like it was yesterday. It was his only year with the big-league club, but now he considers himself lucky to be able to work with young players. Passion for teaching He’s especially happy to be down a level, coaching rookie league. At one point he thought he wanted to be a teacher, like his wife, and he’s glad his current job lends itself to that. “Teaching them how to be pros, teaching them how to be a Milwaukee Brewer, the way we do things,” he said. “Being around baseball and combining that with the young players, there’s so much teaching involved, which I love. “The first-year guys, teaching them stuff on and off the field ... how to carry themselves. They play every day, whereas college it might be just Friday or Sunday, high school just 30 to 40 games. Teaching them it’s a daily grind.” Steve Wendt, director of broadcasting and media relations for the Helena Brewers, has known Ayrault since 2003 when the two worked for the Class A Stockton Ports, and thinks his personality carries over well into developing young players — his primary duty. “His enthusiasm and passion are positive qualities, and as the role changes, those don’t,” Wendt said. “He’s an advocate for the guys ... If a guy struck out and was having a hard time, he was always willing to help. If the guy wanted extra time in the cage, Joe was there.” In talking with Ayrault, one hears him mention “staying on an even keel” several times. It’s important to him to teach guys how to contain their emotions and not let things snowball on them. Especially young pitchers just learning the professional ropes. “Don’t get too high on your highs or too low on your lows,” he said. “Just stay composed on the mound to where if a fan walks into the game and the scoreboard’s broken, they don’t know whether you’re winning or losing out there. You’re the same way every time. “Our job is to develop these guys, not just to be good in this league, but to develop them into championship-caliber, major- league players.” Ayrault estimates 15 or so of the players he has managed over the past three years are in the majors. He still keeps in touch with several of them, including Jay Bruce and Chris Heisey of the Reds, and said he uses things those guys experienced as examples for players just getting their feet wet. Outdoors enthusiast Just as players have to find a way to stay composed, managers need to feel grounded as well. Ayrault’s appreciation for nature and all it has to offer has helped with that. It’s one of the reasons he’s so thrilled to be in the Treasure State. The outdoor enthusiast even bought a fly rod for his summer in the mountains. “I was in Cabela’s (in Florida) and was debating on getting something bare bones,” he recalled. “Even hunting, I’m a bow-and-arrow guy versus a gun. When I went in to get my fishing pole, I thought ‘maybe I’ll get a spinning reel, keep it simple.’ “The guy at Cabela’s gave me a smack, and said ‘you can’t go to Montana with a spinning reel! You’ve got to get a fly rod, it’s the fly-fishing capital of the world!’ So he sold me.” Ayrault already caught his first fish on a fly at home in Sarasota and is eager to test the Montana waters. “My main priority is baseball but early in the morning, getting out, days off, anytime I can,” he said, admitting he has already fallen in love with the state’s scenery. “Seeing the mountains with the snow on top, it was great.” Ayrault and his family took a short overnight trip to Yellowstone National Park the weekend before the players flew in. And he appreciates that he doesn’t have to look far to feed his outdoor appetite. “When I open the newspaper there’s an outdoor section, I love it,” he said. “When you’re at home (in Florida) you have to go the extra mile to find those kinds of things ... it seems like everywhere here caters to the outdoorsman. “It definitely seems like my kind of lifestyle.” Before baseball, hunting, fishing and golf, though, family comes first. “I’ve made all the changes in my career based on family,” Ayrault said. “Leaving the Reds organization to come to the Brewers ... I’m thankful to be given this job.” Short-season baseball gave Ayrault the opportunity to spend more time with Kelly and the kids before getting into the daily grind the sport brings. “When I was with the Reds they offered me a position to go up to another league, and I would’ve been away from my family probably six and a half months, counting spring training and stuff,” he said. “When I got the call about the Brewers job, I didn’t hesitate. I knew I needed to talk to the Mrs. first, but I wanted to tell them yes right there. “I knew it’d be a perfect fit for me.” Joe Ayrault, Brewers' new manager, talks to infielders Cody Hawn, left, Shea Vucinich and the rest of the Brewers' infielders during Friday's practice. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/e/ef/bc0/eefbc0d8-7b6f-11df-aa06-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c1c6a60ee806.image.jpg New Helena Brewers manager Joe Ayrault has come to Helena with a wife and two kids after managing in Sarasota, Fla., for four years. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/3/d5/b29/3d5b2994-7b70-11df-9e8d-001cc4c03286-revisions/4c1c6ae835b15.image.jpg

Two-Part Nashville Audio Chat with Pitching Coach Rich Gale Discusses the decision to have Tim Dillard start Friday instead of Mike Jones, more on Dillard's new delivery; Sam Narron a new dad, explaining his stint on the inactive list -- congrats! Part 2 (separate link, same page) focuses on Chuck Lofgren's pitches up in the zone; the Sounds' callups to Milwaukee; and Mike McClendon's creativity and individuality (interesting)...

Erick Almonte's bases-clearing three-run double for Nashville is captured in the "Related Content" audio link here

Link while active, text follows: No power, no game for Cougars By JAY SCHWAB, Kane County Chronicle GENEVA – The Cougars had a nice crowd on Friday night, and suspense was thick in the air. Unfortunately, that suspense had nothing to do with watching a great ballgame, but rather whether the game itself would be played. Fans milled about outside Elfstrom Stadium waiting to learn whether power could be restored following a heavy afternoon storm, but after waiting a half hour past the scheduled 7;00 PM first pitch, the answer was no. The rest of the weekend series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers is scheduled to proceed as normal, with games at 6:00 PM today and 1:00 PM Sunday. Friday’s game will not be made up, according to Cougars general manager Jeff Sedivy. The game has no bearing on the playoff race with only two days remaining in the first half of the Midwest League season. Strangely enough, Sedivy said Father’s Day weekend has brought some kind of power headache four years in a row but “we’ve always been able to pull a rabbit out of the hat.” Not this year. Heavy winds triggered the outage, Sedivy said. “[Commonwealth Edison], they rate storms by color, and most severe is black,” Sedivy said. “This was rated black. It brought 80 mph winds in some cases.” Sedivy said this year’s trouble might prompt follow-up discussions with ComEd. “There’s got to be something we can do to help prevent this,” Sedivy said.

From Chris Mehring -- POWER OUTAGE KNOCKS OUT RATTLERS & COUGARS GENEVA, IL - Friday's game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium has been cancelled. There was a severe storm that rolled through the area at 3:30 PM. Power was knocked out around 3:45 PM and was not restored before the game was called. The game will not be made up since neither team is in the first half playoff hunt in the Western Division of the Midwest League. Wisconsin and Kane County will play a single game on Saturday night at 6:00 PM. Kyle Heckathorn (4-4, 2.58) is scheduled to start for the Rattlers. The Cougars have Dan Straily (5-3, 4.76) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Fans may tune in for the broadcast on AM 1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame show at 5:40 PM. *** A bit odd that there wouldn't be a doubleheader today, unless the teams agreed to play a single. Playoff race or not, you usually see cancellations only when the teams don't meet again in the first half.

Link while active, text follows: Lakeland's Bats Stay Cold in Loss By DAVID YATES, Lakeland Ledger Correspondent LAKELAND | Lakeland's untimely hitting slump continued Friday as the Flying Tigers dropped a 5-1 Florida State League decision to Brevard County at Joker Marchant Stadium. Although Lakeland started play Thursday tied with the Bradenton Marauders with the league's highest team batting average (.265), the Flying Tigers are hitting only .190 over their last seven games, and have lost six of those games to drop out of the North Division first-half pennant race. Brevard County right-hander Cody Scarpetta took the Marchant mound Friday with a 2-7 record and 5.03 ERA but allowed Lakeland only five hits and one run in five innings to pick up his first win since April 28th. Reliever Corey Frerichs earned his first save with four hitless innings out of the Manatee bullpen Scarpetta walked four, and Frerichs walked two more, but the Flying Tigers were not able to move any of those walks around the bases, leaving 10 men on. Brandon Douglas, Billy Nowlin, and Daniel Fields all singled in the first inning to provide Lakeland's lone run. Erik Komatsu and Angel Salome hit consecutive first-inning doubles to provide the Manatees with their first run, and Canadian first baseman Brock Kjeldgaard put the visitors up for good with a long two-run homer to the top of the left-field berm in the second inning. Although Lakeland's bats have fallen silent, the team's gloves continue to sparkle as both Daniel Fields (center) and Ben Guez (left) made running catches in the outfield. The infield also turned three double plays. Lakeland (35-31) and Brevard County (25-40) will meet again 6:00 PM today (5:00 Central) in the finale of the four-game series.

Final: DSL Athletics 3, DSL Brewers 1 DSL Brewers Box Score 23-year-old RHP Rigoberto Almonte allowed one inherited runner to score upon coming in during the 3rd inning, but otherwise was big through the final 5.2 innings (no runs, three hits, no walks); you may remember that Almonte was a surprise choice to begin 2009 with Brevard County, so his performances here against kids four and five years younger mean little statistically; if he was particularly uncomfortable dealing with American culture, spending time in the DSL isn't going to address that, perhaps he has a situation at home in the D.R. that needs attention, and the Brewers are helping him accommodate that -- regardless, it's a mystery as to why he's on the island; in his second appearance and first in 16 days, RHP Joel Dicent did his best to limit the damage of three early Brewer errors and his own wildness (three walks, four wild pitches -- ouch); the Crew defense improved behind Almonte, but the offense was ineffective despite having men on base (four hits, including an Hitaniel Arias double, three walks, two HBP's)... DSL Brewers Game Log

Kintzler thriving back in MiLB fold By Benjamin Hill / Special to MLB.com Brandon Kintzler is a long way from Manitoba. After being cast aside by the San Diego Padres organization in 2006, Kintzler went on to pitch in the wilds of the independent leagues. He suited up for the Winnipeg Goldeyes in 2007 and 2008, and he toed the rubber for the St. Paul Saints last season before getting a chance to return to the affiliated fold. The hard-throwing right-hander is now a fast-rising star in the Milwaukee Brewers system, having put up some of the gaudiest numbers to have been seen in the Minor Leagues this season. Kintzler began the 2010 campaign as the closer for the Double-A Huntsville Stars, allowing just one run over 22 1/3 innings pitched and notching 10 saves in as many opportunities. He struck out 23 batters over this time and walked just one, a free pass that he passionately disputes nearly a month after the fact ("It should have been a strike!" he said, after being reminded of this rare blemish on his record). Kintzler's dominance in Huntsville led to a recent callup to Triple-A Nashville, placing him just one step away from the Major Leagues. All of this just goes to show that the road to success can have many detours, especially in the wholly unpredictable world of professional baseball. Welcome to Winnipeg Kintzler was never a prospect. He pitched for Pasadena City College in 2003 and that year was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 40th round. He didn't sign, opting instead to transfer to the paradoxically named Dixie State College of Utah. He was selected in the 40th round once again in 2004, but this time the team was the San Diego Padres, and this time he signed. "I just didn't want to be in school anymore," he explained. Kintzler went on to pitch for three San Diego farm clubs over the 2004 and 2005 campaigns, culminating in 19 appearances with Class A Fort Wayne in 2005. Throughout these collegiate and professional years filled with travel, the lone constant was a nagging shoulder pain. "Basically, all I wanted was a chance to get healthy," said Kintzler. "I kept telling [the Padres] that I didn't want shots, I wanted surgery. But they got impatient with me and let me go." Kintzler was released by the Padres in Spring Training of 2006 but eventually did get shoulder surgery. While rehabbing, he got an unexpected phone call from the Winnipeg Goldeyes of the independent Northern League. "I was like 'Winnipeg? Where's that?'" recalled the Las Vegas native. "They just told me to get a passport and then get on the plane. My arm was still aching, because it was just six months after surgery. It wasn't until the weather started to get warm that I felt OK, but when I got there it was freezing." Kintzler won the Northern League's Rookie of the Year Award in 2007, and followed that up with a solid but unspectacular 2008 campaign spent largely as a starter. Through it all, Kintzler was impressed with the level of competition. "A lot of guys get to independent ball and think they're going to dominate, but little do they know," he said. "There are a lot of guys there who have played in the big leagues, and who have played in Triple-A, and they're out there doing anything they can to get their jobs back. I'd say that the Northern League is a Double- or even Triple-A caliber of baseball." It was also a surprisingly supportive and somewhat surreal baseball environment. "A lot of the people [in Winnipeg] aren't real baseball fans -- they'll cheer for the guy on the other team if he hits a really long home run," he said. "But they show up no matter what the weather -- six or seven thousand a night -- and really make you feel like a celebrity. I got real comfortable; sometimes, in order to get motivated, I had to stop and remind myself what league I was in." The biggest problem with Winnipeg, from the eyes of those seeking a return to affiliated baseball, is its remote location. Kintzler says that only two scouts visited throughout his entire stint with the club, and as a result he asked for and was granted a trade. His new employer was the St. Paul Saints of the American Association. "I had heard that they were like the Yankees of independent ball," said Kintzler of the Saints. "They play to a packed house and have a strong track record of getting guys picked up [by Major League organizations]." Kintzler excelled for the Saints, largely in a starting role, and started the 2009 American Association All-Star Game in Grand Prairie, Texas. The next day, the Milwaukee Brewers offered him a contract. "I thought to myself, 'I should have requested a trade a long time ago!'" said Kintzler. "I was throwing 94 [mph in the All-Star Game], something I hadn't been able to do since college. The Brewers told me they'd be sending me to Double-A, when I had never pitched above low-A ball. Hey, I'll take it." The Saints, meanwhile, lost one of their best players. "That's one thing about us here in St. Paul: we do everything we can to get players signed," said Saints manager George Tsamis. "I could never look a player in the eye if a [Major League] team had called about him, and we didn't provide that opportunity. Last year we missed the playoffs by just one game, so losing Brandon Kintzler was a huge blow to us. But to go from St. Paul to the Major Leagues, that's what it's all about, that's why we're all here." Just One More Step Clearly, Kintzler has been doing well since returning to affiliated baseball. He was placed in a starting role upon arriving in Huntsville last July, but this year he has worked exclusively out of the bullpen. While in Huntsville, Kintzler was tutored by Stars pitching coach John Curtis, a man whom he referred to repeatedly as a strong and stabilizing influence. Curtis, however, deflected Kintzler's praise. "There wasn't anything I did that put him on this trajectory. Brandon did it all on his own," said Curtis. "When someone is demonstrating that kind of ability, you just get out of the way and let him play. Why mess with it? If I passed on anything to him, it's just the lesson that 'What's done is done.' The favorite expression between the two of us was 'Today is a new day.'" And Curtis, though he may have been "out of the way," was able to watch Kintzler's dominating run as the Stars' closer from a prime dugout location. "What all pitchers need if they're going to have any kind of success is stuff and command, and Brandon has both in spades," said Curtis. "He showed a Major League quality fastball every time out, it had a sink to it, and he could command both sides of the plate. His slider drew a lot of swings because it looked like a fastball coming out of his hand.I think [brewers Minor League pitching coordinator] Lee Tunnell said it best. 'This is a guy who's going to beat you in the strike zone.'" Kintzler allowed two runs and -- the horror! -- walked a batter in his Triple-A debut with Nashville on June 8. Since then, he has enjoyed three scoreless appearances while playing within the impressive facilities and renowned cities of the Pacific Coast League. "There are more fans, and the stadiums are bigger and better run," he said. "It's a reminder that you're almost there, and it motivates you to keep going, to really want to make that final step." This motivation is compounded by the knowledge of how far he's come in such a short amount of time. "It's crazy to think that just one year ago I was in St. Paul, going on 16-hour bus rides, and to compare that with where I am now," said Kintzler. "I just need to stay healthy, stay humble and not get ahead of myself." Brandon Kintzler posted a 0.40 ERA over 20 Double-A appearances. (Tony Farlow/MiLB.com) http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/06/18/8oc6EzpF.jpg

Huntsville Media Notes

Check this link as the evening approaches -- media notes should be available then -- Rattler Radio

PDF document: Nashville Media Notes

As of this post time, MiLB.com had not updated any of their standings pages to include Wednesday's or Thursday's action, so we take a break from standings coverage for another day.

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 DSL Brewers

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Tim Dillard at home vs. Oklahoma City (Rangers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Montgomery (Rays), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD at Lakeland (Tigers), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at Kane County (Athletics), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link DSL Brewers: at the DSL Athletics, 9:30 AM

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June 17 - Chat with Sounds Starting Pitcher Chase Wright

Just a single DSL game -- the league probably didn't want the Crew with back-to-back twinbills, especially when they play the same three teams over and over and there are so many opportunities to make up a game...seeing how initially TheCrew07 and I had agreed to split tonight's games with Nashville and the DSL for yours truly, I catch the breaks... Final: DSL Mariners 9, DSL Brewers 6 DSL Brewers Box Score The D-Crew trailed 9-0 after six innings before throwing up their own six-spot in the 7th to make the final score respectable; in his last two starts, both against Seattle's kids, RHP Leonard Lorenzo has allowed 11 runs, nine earned, 10 hits and eight walks in 7.2 innings -- Lorenzo had allowed zero earned runs in seven innings two starts ago -- so tough to be consistent at any level, especially these lowest rungs; LHP Juan Santiago has now walked ten in 6.2 innings over his three relief appearances; three other hurlers managed scoreless innings to finish up; Jose Pena's two-run triple was the lone Brewer extra-base hit; clean defense a plus; fantastic name for the Mariner DH who blasted two home runs and reached base all five times... DSL Brewers Game Log Might as well shine a light on the six-run frame, even in a losing effort -- DSL Brewers Bottom 7th Pitcher Change: Gregorio Aquino replaces Jochi Ogando. Juan De Leon singles on a line drive to center fielder Randy Perez. Alejandro Mendoza walks. Juan De Leon to 2nd. Yonki Hernandez reaches on throwing error by first baseman Jordy Lara. Juan De Leon scores. Alejandro Mendoza to 2nd. Erickson Salaya singles on a line drive to center fielder Randy Perez. Alejandro Mendoza scores. Yonki Hernandez to 2nd. Julio Sotelo singles on a line drive to center fielder Randy Perez. Yonki Hernandez scores. Erickson Salaya to 2nd. With Jose Pena batting, wild pitch by Gregorio Aquino, Erickson Salaya to 3rd. Julio Sotelo to 2nd. Jose Pena triples (2) on a fly ball to center fielder Randy Perez. Erickson Salaya scores. Julio Sotelo scores. Pitcher Change: Brandol Perez replaces Gregorio Aquino. Jorge De La Cruz strikes out swinging. Joan Abreu walks. Jose R. Garcia grounds out, shortstop Noe Berro to first baseman Jordy Lara. Jose Pena scores. Joan Abreu to 2nd. Juan De Leon flies out to center fielder Randy Perez.

Very nice to see Caleb Gindl in the Stars' lineup, even if it's as the designated hitter...

The Rattlers' Chris Mehring with a nice blog post introducing us to Wisconsin's new first baseman -- Meet Hunter Morris

Rattler Radio: June 17, 2010: Game Notes June 17, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitcher June 17, 2010: Lineup 2010 4th round pick Hunter Morris makes his debut at 1B, batting 5th; Chris Dennis is the DH

John Sickels **Brewers prospect Kentrail Davis was supposed to be a .300+ hitter and was drafted out of Tennessee last year in the supplemental first round with that expectation. He began this year at Brevard County in the Florida State League, resulting in a .244/.380/.341 line...he drew 17 walks in 123 at-bats and stole eight bases in ten attempts, but he hit for little power and the BA was disappointing. The Brewers sent him down to Low-A Wisconsin a couple of days ago, where he's 3-for-7 so far. I think there might be something odd going on here; he WAS controlling the strike zone pretty well, and it seems strange to pull the plug on him after just 33 games in the Florida State League. I'll see what I can find out.

Link Report Bonus: Career Minor Leaguers Who Just Won’t Quit Nashville's Johnny Raburn among a select group over 30 years old...

Wily Peralta is starting Game One for the Manatees. And Mark Rogers does indeed fill the role of TBD for the Stars. Huntsville Media Notes

In a hometown North Carolina newspaper blurb, it was noted that -- Former East Columbus player Demetrius McKelvie also will return to Phoenix in the Milwaukee Brewers' Rookie Arizona League entry, where he hit .210 in 35 games. He was an outfielder there last year, but has been switched to first base and the season begins June 21. We have a very good sense at this point of who the 25 players are who are currently in Helena, and will post those names soon. As noted in the prior post, expect a few names to be added to that Helena roster of 25. McKelvie, however, as mentioned here, is slated to begin in Maryvale.

Notice that the Sounds have to get creative by timing Chris Cody's transfer to AAA for in-between games --Nashville Media Notes CODY TO JOIN SOUNDS FOR GAME 2 START: Left-hander Chris Cody is expected to be added to the Nashville roster from Double-A Huntsville to start the second game of this evening’s doubleheader. The southpaw -- who spent the second half of last season with the Sounds and went 8-8 with a 4.90 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) in his first career Triple-A stint -- has gone 3-6 with a 5.19 ERA (29 ER / 50.1 IP) in 12 games for the Stars this year. A roster move to activate Cody will be announced between tonight’s games. Mike Jones and Cody become the 12th & 13th pitchers to start a game for Nashville this season; the Sounds had only 14 different starters in the entire 2009 campaign.