Jim Goulart

Linkwhile active, text follows: Outfield arm helps Biscuits to shutout By A. Stacy Long, Montgomery Advertiser Two pitchers and an out­fielder helped the Biscuits re­cord their fifth shutout of the season Thursday, a 2-0 win over the Huntsville Stars. Left-hander Alex Torres threw seven innings and combined with Dane De La Rosa on a four-hitter, while left fielder John Matulia threw out a runner at the plate. Matulia gunned down Chuckie Caufield in the fifth in­ning when he tried to score from second on a Brett Lawrie single. It preserved Montgom­ery's 1-0 lead. "That was the biggest play of the game," Torres (4-2) said. "If they score there, it's a tie game and everything is differ­ent." Matulia's throw was the op­posite of what's caused a long-running joke between Matulia and catcher Nevin Ashley. Ashley says Matulia is regu­larly off-target. "Whenever I throw it right to him in prac­tice, he makes a big deal out of it," Matulia said. Matulia says Ashley can't catch his throws. "I think I showed that I could snag it from him," Ashley said. Matulia tripled to lead off the third inning and scored on a Cody Strait groundout. In the sixth, Chris Nowak doubled, moved to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch. Torres allowed three hits, walked two and struck out three. De La Rosa picked up his first save. Hand high in support of alma mater's team Huntsville Stars pitcher Don­ovan Hand was unsure whether he'd be able to see his high school's softball team play at Lagoon Park this week, but he was sure of his support. Hand is a Hatton High grad­uate and the Hornets are a reg­ular participant in the tourna­ment. "I keep up with baseball more, but I keep with them, too," Hand said. "I probably know half the team." Hand, who played in the state baseball finals in 2003 when Hatton lost to Gordo, said Hatton's now-retired but longtime coach Rebecca Lee has actively tracked his career. Since he plays not too far from home, Hatton fans have been known to turn out for Hand's starts. "She's been a big supporter of mine, but a lot of people have been very supportive," Hand said. "I wish them the best this week." *** Biscuits left-hander David Newmann starts in the final game of Montgomery's 10-game homestand. Newmann (1-1, 3.03 ERA) surrendered two runs on six hits in five innings to lose his last start. He's issued four walks in each of his last two outings. Huntsville right-hander Alex Periard (1-2, 4.15) took a no-de­cision in his last appearance, despite giving up five runs and three home runs in six innings.

Considering the usual dearth of Florida State League newspaper coverage (Florida Today yet to post a single quote, photo or feature since before Opening Day), the Huntsville Times' surprising reduced online coverage, and the fact that neither of the two Nashville sports sections have sent a media representative to Greer Stadium in weeks, how lucky are we to have the Post-Crescent's Brett Christopherson and the commitment from the paper's sports editor? The media relations staffs put together their media notes, make available multiple copies in their respective press rooms, and I can just picture some family members of local "media" occupying those seats with no intention of covering the game, but enjoying a sandwich or two on the team's tab. Now apparently Huntsville has had recent coverage in their printed newspaper that hasn't found its way online within the antiquated al.com website, and we've been in touch with folks at the Times to get that rectified during the next homestand. The Tennessean and City Paper in Nashville have no excuse, just pitiful. All that being said, Brett's blog post from last night has several additional quotes and statistical tidbits for you. Thanks Brett, and here you go, readers.

More from Brett: D'Vontrey Richardson, Scooter Gennett and Khris Davis provided the offensive muscle to back a strong outing from Nick Bucci as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers topped the Beloit Snappers on Thursday at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. The trio, batting in the top three spots of the lineup, combined to collect seven of the Rattlers' 10 hits and drive in all three runs as Wisconsin won two straight for the first time since April 21-22. "Seven-for-12 they ended up being," Rattlers manager Jeff Isom said. " 'D-Vo,' he's been hit-and-miss at times, and tonight, we ended up getting three hits out of him, and that was a big one in the first to get things rolling. "It kind of relaxes guys when they see 'D-Vo' getting on base." Richardson put the Rattlers on the board in the third inning on a double to left center that scored Michael Marseco from first. Gennett then singled in Richardson for a 2-0 advantage. Davis added a two-out single to left in the fifth to push across the final run. Richardson finished with three hits and two runs scored in four trips to the plate, while Gennett and Davis each had a pair of singles. Bucci, meanwhile, struck out seven and scattered just three hits in a solid six-inning effort to notch his first victory of the season.

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers get a big lift from Bucci in victory over Snappers By Brett Christopherson, Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE — Five sterling innings were on the verge of being unraveled by a leadoff walk and a fluke double to right. So as Nick Bucci surveyed the potential damage and began hatching a plan to pitch himself out of the jam, he quickly surmised he had just one option. "I just felt like this was my time and I needed to bear down," the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers right-hander said. "I didn't want to let those five innings go to waste, and I wanted to pick up my team right there." He did, landing the starring role in a 3-0 Midwest League victory over the Beloit Snappers on Thursday at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The 19-year-old Canadian continued a season-long string of impressive performances, with seven strikeouts and only three hits allowed over six scoreless innings en route to his first victory of the year. Overall, Bucci has surrendered just six earned runs and 16 hits through 26 2/3 innings for a 2.02 ERA — lowest among the Wisconsin starters. "He's right there at the top of that list (in terms) of consistency," Rattlers manager Jeff Isom said. "He did a good job of attacking the zone early, working in and out and changing speeds. And the fun thing is, he works quick so the defense never gets on its heels. "He did an outstanding job to allow us to get a lead, and then he held onto it and the bullpen ends up holding on, as well." The six innings marked the longest of the season for a Rattlers pitcher. Meanwhile, Bucci's outing was the team's first official quality start in 33 games, as he provided some needed relief to a staff that entered with a league-worst 5.06 ERA. The key was his ability to command a low 90 mph, four-seam fastball while mixing in a curveball and changeup that kept the Snappers batters off-balance and had them typically battling from behind in the count. "His fastball command tonight was fantastic," catcher Cameron Garfield said. "He could go out, in — whatever you want. And his changeup, he could throw it as well as his fastball. Those two pitches were fantastic tonight, and when you have those two pitches, you don't really have to go to a third. But then he also had a curveball. "And when you mix that third in pitch, too? Great game." Bucci was at his best the two times Beloit was a hit away from cashing in on a big inning. The Snappers filled the bags, all after two outs, in the opening frame, which prompted an early mound visit by pitching coach Chris Hook. Bucci responded by inducing a dribbler to first to escape the mess, the first of 12 straight he would retire. "He just told me to bear down," Bucci said of his conversation with Hook. "I had two outs, so if I got that guy, it was over. And that's kind of what we did. I just went out there and was aggressive with that guy, and we got an out." The young pitcher relied on that same mindset to work out of a sticky situation in the sixth that was marred when a lazy fly ball to right was misplayed and wound up dropping in safely for a double. That put runners on second and third with nobody out and Wisconsin's 3-0 lead about to be pierced. But Bucci set down the next three in order on a strikeout, a pop out to third in foul territory and another strikeout swinging on a 90 mph outside fastball. The final out prompted a hard fist pump from Garfield, who called Bucci's outing one of the best he has caught this season. "I just told him, 'You're pitching great,' " Garfield said during that sixth-inning sequence. " 'That wasn't a true hit. You got him out there. This inning's huge, and you need to get these guys.' And he did. He buckled down and got it. That was a huge inning, the biggest we needed to overcome to win that game." Bucci was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 18th round of the 2008 draft and entered 2010 rated by Baseball America as the 29th-best prospect in the Brewers' system. He said he gained added confidence and experience pitching for Team Canada in last September's International Baseball Federation World Cup, where he opened eyes by tossing five shutouts innings in a 9-1 win against South Korea. And that was coming off a minor-league season in which he finished tied for second in the Pioneer League in wins (six), fourth in strikeouts (66) and fifth in ERA (4.41) in 13 appearances at rookie level Helena, Mont. "He's a prospect in our eyes," Isom said. "At times, he needs to learn how to slow games down. There are times when he gets wound a bit too tight. But that's not a bad thing. I'd rather it be that way than trying to get guys pumped up. "He just has to learn to stay within himself and not try to do too much — at times. But we see him as a big-league-type pitcher."

Wow, I apologize. I'll have to set up calendar reminders for myself, because other means of remembering just aren't working. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif Thursday's Rattler game was a Time Warner Channel 32 contest. At least I can tell you that you have two chances to DVR Nick Bucci's six shutout innings and D'Vontrey Richardson's three-hit night. Saturday, May 15: 12-3pm Sunday, May 16: 7-10pm I hope those of you with the will and opportunity, do just that. Wet noodle lash to me...

It's a one-gate doubleheader (no suspended game involved). Those who had tickets to the April 25th rainout could exchange those tickets for any other (I beleive, you can check with the ticket office Friday AM). But go and enjoy both games, 5:05 start!

Chad has filed two more Huntsville audio interviews: Manager Mike Guerrero -- sounds like Lee Haydel and Taylor Green aren't expected to be out long Mark Rogers -- adjusting for his morning starts

At Huntsville -- Good news: Lorenzo Cain is off the disabled list. Bad news: Taylor Green is now on the list, injury issue still undisclosed. Semi-good news: Green's entry is backdated to May 11th.

My mistake, no corresponding move, as Mitch Stetter's recall earlier in the week opened up a spot, so Anderson was officially added today, and the Sounds roster is at 24.

Rattler Radio: May 13, 2010: Rattlers Lineup May 13, 2010: Tonight's Rattlers Pitchers May 13, 2010: Game Notes

PDF document: Nashville Media Notes

MID Western (click column headers to sort) Club W L PCT GB Home Away L 10 Streak Quad Cities 20 13 .606 - 12-6 8-7 5-5 L1 Beloit 19 13 .594 0.5 10-8 9-5 5-5 L1 Cedar Rapids 19 14 .576 1.0 11-4 8-10 8-2 W6 Peoria 19 15 .559 1.5 14-5 5-10 4-6 L5 Kane County 17 16 .515 3.0 10-5 7-11 6-4 W1 Clinton 16 18 .471 4.5 7-8 9-10 5-5 W3 Burlington 12 21 .364 8.0 6-9 6-12 4-6 L2 Wisconsin 10 22 .313 9.5 6-11 4-11 3-7 W1

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 20 12 .625 - 6-6 14-6 L1 Memphis 16 16 .500 4.0 9-5 7-11 W3 Omaha 15 16 .484 4.5 6-12 9-4 L1 Iowa 15 17 .469 5.0 7-10 8-7 W3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 21 12 .636 - 9-9 12-3 L1 Huntsville 17 16 .515 4.0 6-9 11-7 L1 West Tenn 16 16 .500 4.5 5-12 11-4 W1 Chattanooga 15 18 .455 6.0 10-8 5-10 W1 Carolina 13 20 .394 8.0 6-9 7-11 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clearwater 22 10 .688 - 13-4 9-6 W2 Dunedin 17 15 .531 5.0 6-9 11-6 W2 Lakeland 16 16 .500 6.0 9-8 7-8 W2 Tampa 16 17 .485 6.5 8-10 8-7 L3 Brevard County 13 19 .406 9.0 7-11 6-8 L1 Daytona 13 20 .394 9.5 4-10 9-10 W1

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

Thursday's Daily Menu: Survivor, CSI -- no, we have Brewer affiliate audio for you! (Actually, I'm a huge Survivor guy, but that's for another day in Off-Topic...) Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Capuano at home vs. Tacoma (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Amaury Rivas at Montgomery (Rays), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Cody Scarpetta at St. Lucie (Mets), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: RHP Nick Bucci at home vs. Beloit (Twins), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime; LHP Del Howell will pitch in tandem Live Audio Link

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Tim Dillard enjoyed Will Ferrell on the last road trip.

Brett Christopherson's blog post takes a look at the seven Baseball America Top 30 prospects on the Timber Rattlers and surmises -- Just a hunch, but I'm guessing Milwaukee's player development staff was expecting better results as it constructed this year's roster -- particularly within a pitching staff that's supposed to be a strength but instead carried a league-worst 5.06 ERA into today's game at Quad Cities.

Stars' Rogers fond of prep past, Reid Biscuits pitcher Ryan Reid had fond memories of facing a friend in the Maine high school championships in 2003 and '04. So does Huntsville pitcher Mark Rogers, though he lost to Reid's team both years. Reid's Deering Rams beat Rogers' Mount Ararat Eagles, though they've remained friends. "High school baseball was a blast," Rogers said. "You remember times like that because of how much fun you had. We try to keep it fun like that on this team." Both remember the crowds, about 10,000 in Hadlock Field, which is also the home of the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs. Rogers also smiles over it because it was the last time he swung a bat ... until this year. At Double-A, when two National League affiliates play, the pitchers hit. Huntsville's parent club is the Milwaukee Brewers. "I remember my at-bats back then," Rogers said. "It was the last time I got to hit until this year. It was fun." Rogers is 1-for-4 with a double this season.

Nashville Manager Don Money at the May 12th audio link

Evan Frederickson may be a great young man off the field (I assume), but how did the area scout, West Coast crosschecker, Jack Z., etc. collaborate on this pick 35th overall in '08? We all know the story -- he showed up at Miller Park and lit up the gun for one particular workout, velocity he hasn't touched since. A project with zero progress in nearly three years. High risk, high reward, how about a pick that was immediately questioned by most on that draft day? Excuse my frustration, but let's list all the "mound projects" the Brewers development staff have guided successfully this decade...no, Yovani wasn't a project. Crickets.

Rattler Radio: May 12, 2010: Game Notes May 12, 2010: Today's Rattlers Pitchers May 12, 2010: Starting Lineup No Cutter Dykstra again.

The Reds recently released 27-year-old AAA outfielder Josh Anderson, and the Brewers have signed him to help ou their depleted outfield situation in Nashville. He'll be added to the roster on Thursday, when a corresponding move will be made to make room. Anderson spent all of 2009 in the majors, splitting time between the Tigers and Royals (career minor and major league stats prior to 2010). He has also seen the big league clubhouses of the Astros and Braves.

Not a big surprise -- Don Money confirms that LHP Chase Wright moves to the pen to make room in the rotation for Chris Capuano.

ESPN Milwaukee talked to Gord Ash, with much of the focus on the farm system. Rather than add this particular interview to our audio thread, we'll dedicate a thread to it and ask for your analysis. Gord sounds so subdued, almost defeated these days (OK, too strong a word, how about slightly soured). I admit I feel much the same right now, given the injury bugs and several below-average to only-average starts among the top prospects (not all, obviously). Interesting spin of words on Caleb Gindl (among others) -- what do you folks read into his comments, we'd like to hear from you.