Jim Goulart

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Second baseman Cutter Dykstra was scratched from the lineup after getting hit in the nose during the ceremonial first pitch. Sorry Cutter, I know it's been a tough year for you, but this is unique. Did they have the radar gun out? Who threw this pitch? Hopefully it wasn't some 80-year-old grandmother. Did the Brewers' immediately sign the honoree to a contract?

Final: Missoula (Diamondbacks) 7, Helena 3 Link while active, text follows: Brewers' skeleton squad can't hold up against Osprey By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record Call it a little bad luck for the Helena Brewers. Helena's Chris Ellington and Scott Krieger were already out with injuries, Chad Stang was out with the flu and the top team in the Pioneer League North was in town. Then second baseman Cutter Dykstra was scratched from the lineup after getting hit in the nose during the ceremonial first pitch. It was just the way things went for the Brewers (7-19) on Tuesday night, as the Missoula Osprey rolled into Kindrick Field and beat Helena 7-3 in front of a crowd of 748 fans. "That's just the way it's going for us," Helena manager Rene Gonzales said, shaking his head when asked about the night's oddities. Things went awry for the Brewers from the very beginning. Helena starter Kyle Heckathorn gave up nine hits in the first two innings and Missoula scored three runs in the top of the first. The Osprey plated six before Helena ever got on the board. "Now the deficit is so large, we need big runs so we've got to play for big innings," Gonzales said. The Helena skipper said he wasn't concerned with the three in the first inning. "There's so much game left," he said. "We can still chip away at it. More devastating is when we put runs up on the board and allow them to answer." Every time the Brewers tried to get something going, the Osprey (14-14) made sure it didn't happen. Three different innings the Brewers had leadoff singles, only to be erased when the second batter grounded into a double play. It seemed as if the omen was lifted in the ninth, as the Brewers' Joey Paciorek had a leadoff single against reliever Diogenes Rosario and Edgar Trejo followed with a base hit of his own. But as Gonzales' optimism increased and the fans got back into the game, any chance of a late Brewers' rally was extinguished when Helena's next three batters struck out. "We got beat tonight," Gonzales said. "Heckathorn's ball wasn't moving as it usually does." The Brewers first-round pick in the supplemental draft typically throws a heavy sinker, but Tuesday Heckathorn had trouble with location and was handed his first loss. Helena reliever Adrian Rosario, who entered with a 2-7 record and a 5.51 ERA after struggling lately, looked strong in five innings of relief. Rosario gave up one run on five hits and struck out six. "He's got good stuff, he's got a great arm," Gonzales said. Helena had a couple of new faces on the field and a host of new names on the roster. The Brewers brought up seven guys from the Arizona League, with Franklin Romero getting the start in center field and Carlos George making the unexpected start at second after Dykstra was beaned in pre-game. Gonzales thought the new guys showed promise. "Arizona League is for developing and you hope you get guys who know how to play the game," Gonzales said. "George can play short, second, all the infield positions. He's well aware, he turned a nice double play today." Ellington, who was hit in the arm during batting practice on Monday, is day-to-day. Krieger is also day-to-day, nursing a wrist injury he suffered during the Brewers' last homestand. Helena finished the game with 12 hits to Missoula's 14. The Osprey's 19-year-old second baseman David Nick had a two-run homer during the contest. Ramon Castillo had a three-run shot in the first to give the Osprey their first runs. Sean Halton led the way for Helena, going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs. No player in the Brewers lineup managed an extra-base hit. One bright spot for the Helena defense, however, was a clean game. An error-prone squad didn't have any miscues in the contest. The Brewers will try to end a four-game losing skid as they face the Osprey again tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Former big leaguer Chris Capuano is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Brewers against Osprey southpaw Mike Belfiore. Helena Box Score Can you imagine what the lineup would have been if not for Tuesday's callups? Helena Game Log

Final: Birmingham (White Sox) 1, Huntsville 0 Huntsville Site Game Summary Barons Blank Stars to Finish Series Huntsville Heads Home For Final Five Games of Season By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Kyle McCulloch threw seven scoreless frames and combined with two relievers on a six-hit shutout in Birmingham's 1-0 win over Huntsville Tuesday night at Regions Park. The Barons won the last four games of the five-game set, all by one run, to lift their record to 40-25 in the second half and 88-46 overall, while the Stars fell to 25-39 in the second half and 63-70 overall. The Barons won the season series 11-4, including taking nine of eleven in Birmingham. Clevelan Santeliz opened the ninth on the hill for the Barons and fanned the first two hitters he faced before Jonathan Lucroy singled and Taylor Green walked. The right-hander got Lorenzo Cain to fly out to end the inning and the game to earn his second save of the series and ninth in 11 chances. Huntsville finished the season with a 36-38 record on the road. Dayan Viciedo singled with one out in the fourth inning, moved to second base on a Jim Gallagher hit, advanced to third base on a walk to Javier Colina and scored the game's only run on a Lee Cruz sacrifice fly. The Stars put runners at the corners with two outs in the fifth before McCulloch picked up his first strikeout of the night by fanning Shane Justis to end the inning. McCulloch allowed one hit in each of the first five innings and was aided by three ground ball double plays turned behind him. He recorded 13 ground ball outs to beat the Stars for the first time in three tries to even his record at 9-9. Ricky Brooks worked a perfect eighth inning to turn the game over to Santeliz, who finished off the Barons 51st win in 69 games at home. Stars' right-hander Mark Holliman lasted a season-high 7 2/3 innings, yielding the lone run on seven hits, while walking one and striking out four. He suffered a seventh straight losing decision to fall to 7-9 and remain winless since July 1. The Stars have scored two runs over the last 23 1/3 innings that he has been on the hill in his last four starts. The Stars return home Thursday night to begin the final series of the regular season against Jacksonville. Huntsville will send right-hander Nick Green to the hill against Suns' left-hander Graham Taylor. Coverage of the game begins at 6:45 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score Jonathan Lucroy 2-for-4... Huntsville Game Log

From Monday night: Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Infielder Hernan Iribarren Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 9, Nashville 1 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Mat Gamel photo, text follows -- Sounds Drop To Second Place With 9-1 Loss NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds lost 9-1 to the Memphis Redbirds on Tuesday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the second game of a four game series. With the loss, Nashville (72-66) drops to a half game behind Memphis in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division. Memphis left-hander Evan MacLane (7-11) earned the win after holding the Sounds to one run on three hits while striking out eight in eight innings of work. The Redbirds batted around in the top of the third inning, plating seven runs on Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin. After two walks to lead off the frame, Memphis recorded six hits, including two two-run doubles from third baseman David Freese, and outfielder Mark Shorey. Outfielder Jon Jay finished the rally with another RBI double of his own that extended the lead to 7-0. Freese added his ninth home run in the next frame, a solo shot to right field that gave the Redbirds an 8-0 advantage. Sounds third baseman Mat Gamel answered with a solo shot in the next frame, belting his 11th home run of the season and scoring the Sounds' lone run. Brian Barden added an RBI base hit in the top of the ninth that extended the lead to 9-1. Gulin (6-10) took the loss after giving up eight runs on nine hits with three walks in four innings for Nashville. Nashville's bullpen remained strong again, allowing just only one run in relief. It was the first run surrendered in 15 1/3 innings over the last three games. Ryan Houston provided three scoreless innings in relief, while Juan Sandoval gave up a run in two innings in his Sounds return. Nashville's 10 strikeouts marked the first time all season that the Sounds have recorded double-digit strikeouts in consecutive games after fanning a season-high 15 batters last night. The Sounds and Redbirds continue with the third game of a four-game series at 12:00 PM CT on Wednesday afternoon at historic Greer Stadium. Nashville right-hander Mike Burns (7-2, 2.55) makes the start against Memphis righty Oneli Perez (3-3, 3.09). Nashville Box Score Sounds outhit, 13-3; if this had been a final series of the year game, then Lindsay Gulin certainly would not have been left in to absorb the punishment he did... Nashville Game Log

Final: Clearwater (Phillies) 4, Brevard County 3 Florida Today: Manatees fall short in 17 innings Derrick Mitchell's single to left field drove in Fidel Hernandez with the game-winning run in the 17th inning as the Clearwater Threshers defeated the Brevard County Manatees 4-3 Tuesday night. Hernandez walked to lead off the bottom of the 17th inning. Yonderman Rodriguez's sacrifice bunt moved Hernandez to second base. Cody Overbeck walked, and Mitchell followed with his clutch single to left field. Esmelvin Jimenez pitched three scoreless innings of relief to earn the victory for the Threshers. Logan Schafer had three hits for the Manatees. Eric Farris, Chris Errecart, Lee Haydel, Sergio Miranda and Brent Brewer each had two hits for Brevard County. The Manatees pounded out 15 hits. Clearwater had 10 hits. The teams will play Wednesday in the second game of the three-game series. Brevard County will return to Viera Friday to face the Tampa Yankees. Brevard County Box Score Utility man Sergio Miranda took the loss on the mound in his second inning of work; it was noted above that Miranda's error way back in the 2nd inning cost the team two runs; 2-2 after nine innings, then each team scored a single run in the 14th; the teams combined to go 6-for-30 with RISP; Manatee pitchers didn't allow an earned run until the 14th inning... Brevard County Game Log Best chance for a Manatee win came in the 16th but Lee Haydel and Brent Brewer had miserable at-bats-- Brevard County Top 16th Chris Errecart doubles (20) on a fly ball to center fielder Arlon Quiroz. Lee Haydel bunt pops out to third baseman Cody Overbeck in foul territory. Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to left fielder Derrick Mitchell. Chris Errecart to 3rd. Brent Brewer pops out to second baseman Fidel Hernandez. Anderson De La Rosa pops out to second baseman Fidel Hernandez.

Link while active, text follows: Beast on the basepaths Brevard County's Farris far ahead in season steals BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY Eric Farris' run to the Florida State League stolen base title this season has been nothing short of remarkable. After Tuesday night's game at Clearwater, the Brevard County Manatees second baseman had stolen 68 bases in 74 attempts leaving the Class A Florida State League's other swipers in the dust. But thievery on the bases is nothing new for the 5-foot-10, 170-pound Sacramento, Calif. native. After all, he stole: Sixty bases in 78 attempts in 151 games in three seasons at Loyola Marymount University. Twenty one bases in 26 attempts in 63 games with Helena in the Pioneer League in 2007. Thirty two bases in 42 attempts in 103 games with West Virginia in the South Atlantic League in 2008. Also, he ranks fourth in Florida State League in batting with a .295 average, is tied for third in hits (136) and seventh in runs scored (64). He not only gets on base but makes opposing teams pay for allowing him to do so. When he does reach, his prowess is more about feel than it is pure speed. "I'm not the fastest runner, but I feel as if I'm smart on the base paths and I get good jumps and I pick the right times to run," Farris said. "I don't think base running's really about speed, it's just about making the right decisions out there. And he's made the right decisions, basing them on feel. "The thing that helps me is if I feel like I don't got it, I'll shut it down before it even gets going," he said. "I think that's mainly why I'm successful. If I think I'm going to go and I don't get the jump that I was looking for, I'll just stay . . . I'm not going to try to force anything. Get a good jump and don't force it, just let it happen." Farris is closing in on the Manatees team record of 71 steals, set by Julio Ramirez in 1998. The Florida State League record is 116 steals, set by Allan Lewis of Leesburg in 1966. Farris' goal coming into the season, in consultation with Manatees Manager Mike Guerrero, was to reach 70. "He thought I could do it, I thought I could do it," Farris said. He's almost there. But all of his thievery wouldn't be possible if he didn't reach base. "You can't steal first base," he said with a smile. Guerrero credited Farris' skills, which fit into the Manatees and parent Milwaukee Brewers philosophy of being aggressive on the bases. The Manatees are playing that to the hilt, leading the league in steals by wide margin and approaching 200 for the season. "We run the bases, steal bases, take that extra base when you can," Guerrero said. "You get thrown out, so what. "You take chances. That's how you develop players." That being said, the art of stealing takes a blend of skill and willingness to learn. "You can teach a lot," Guerrero said. "You teach how to read pitchers, what their first movement (is). A lot of pitchers set themselves a different way when they're going to pick to first. If you learn how to read the pitchers, learn their first movement, learn when they're going to pick, what counts and all that, you're going to have your opportunities." Farris has gotten them and taken advantage of them, using a quick first step and an equally as fleet finish. "You've got to start strong, finish strong," he said. Additional Facts about Eric Farris Full name: Eric Michael-Jay Farris Born: March 3, 1986, Sacramento, Calif. College: Loyola Marymount Height: 5-foot-10 Weight: 170 Bats: Right Throws: Right Manatees tenure: First season Steals this season vs. righthanders: 46 Steals vs. lefthanders: 19 Brevard County Manatees infielder Eric Farris leads the Florida State League in steals this season. (Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090902&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=909020325&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Thanks, TC07 -- Chris is a ridiculously classy guy.

Lindsay Gulin definitely did not have "it" today, Nashville's in a huge hole in the 3rd. Michael Bowman the victim of a Sergio Miranda error, while the Manatees are still looking for their first hit after four.

RHP Kyle Heckathorn with the Helena start tonight. If you're able, and again, it's a shame with no archive, but Chris Capuano will be Steve Wendt's guest on the pre-game, that's around 7:50 Central tonight at the Helena audio link in the Menu.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 72 65 .526 - 37-31 35-34 W4 Memphis 71 65 .522 0.5 40-27 31-38 L2 Iowa 71 66 .518 1.0 43-25 28-41 L1 Omaha 60 77 .438 12.0 31-39 29-38 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 34 30 .531 - 0-0 0-0 L2 West Tenn 34 30 .531 - 18-12 16-18 L2 Chattanooga 33 31 .516 1.0 19-12 14-19 L1 Huntsville 25 38 .397 8.5 13-16 12-22 L3 Carolina 23 41 .359 11.0 10-20 13-21 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 44 17 .721 - 17-11 27-6 W1 Brevard County 36 22 .621 6.5 22-13 14-9 L1 Clearwater 33 31 .516 12.5 17-15 16-16 W2 Dunedin 31 30 .508 13.0 18-13 13-17 W4 Daytona 27 35 .435 17.5 14-21 13-14 L2 Lakeland 23 36 .390 20.0 9-12 14-24 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 13 14 .481 - 6-7 7-7 L1 Great Falls 12 14 .462 0.5 3-8 9-6 W3 Billings 8 18 .308 4.5 7-9 1-9 W1 Helena 7 18 .280 5.0 4-8 3-10 L3

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated a few hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): *** We're going to include the link to Kraig McNutt's Nashville blog in the same post as the Nashville media notes link going forward. *** Midwest League Standings

Follow Tuesday'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. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_09_01_mrbaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_09_01_hunaax_biraax_1&did=t559&sid=t559 Brevard County: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&gid=2009_09_01_breafa_clrafa_1&cid=503&t=g_box Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_09_01_misrok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433

Tuesday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 5:35 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Mark Holliman at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD (either RHP Michael Bowman or LHP Lucas Luetge) at Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: Idle Helena: TBD at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: Season complete (12-16 first half, 13-15 second half, 25-31 overall) Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: Season complete -- the squad finished 27-43, 11th place in the 12-team division, 24.5 games behind the first-place DSL Giants. If it makes you smile, the DSL Cubs #2 squad finished last at 15-52, and lost their final 19 games of the season.

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Like clockwork, OF Jon Knott and INF Johnny Raburn come off the Nashville DL today. How about that Sounds medical staff? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Also, RHP Tim Dillard has been placed on the Sounds DL, retroactive to August 29th. As noted in his recent audio interview linked on this forum, he did take a ball off his pitching hand this week, but will likely be activated in five days. With him, the Sounds have a six-man rotation as is, with Mike Burns' return. While not officially posted yet, look for Sounds' OF Adam Stern to hit the Temporary Inactive List soon for the World Cup, representing Canada.

Formally joining Huntsville reliever Jim Henderson (Canada) and Helena LHP Efrain Nieves (Puerto Rico) on the organization's Temporary Inactive List, are Helena RHP Nick Bucci and Huntsville's Brett Lawrie (both representing Canada) and Huntsville LHP David Welch (Australia). Lawrie and Welch will be replaced in Huntsville by Wisconsin INF Mike Brownstein and Timber Rattler RHP Cody Scarpetta, as you learned from the post just above. In other moves, LHP Casey Baron has been activated from Huntsville's 7-day DL, and to make room at AA, RHP Juan Sandoval has been bumped to Nashville, taking the spot of Chris Smith, who was recalled to Milwaukee. As most of you must know by now, J.J. Hardy was the only other call-up from Nashville at this time.

The Manatees site with more details on their All-Stars.

Chris Mehring summarizes the latest set of transactions in his blog post here -- Chris has a dedicated follower who is very involved in rooting his Timber Rattlers on as well, with his comments included at the link. Nothing wrong with that. So we'll build Chris' view count up by simply telling you that two youngsters, including one drafted just this season, will get to take part in Huntsville's postseason, and another gets rewarded for the Maryvale season I praised yesterday. No doubt that the Manatee squad is being "rewarded" by being kept together for their first-round battle with the Tampa Yankees, thus a couple more "leapfrogs".

The Tom Wilhelmsen story seemed like a wonderful fairy tale there for a few weeks, but Baseball America reports that the Brewers have released Wilhelmsen. Now, is it a possibility that the transaction refers to the voiding of Wilhelmsen's initial contract in preparation for new paperwork? Perhaps, but unless we tell you otherwise, Wilhelmsen never threw a Brewer pitch in his "comeback" appearance after five years away.

Here's the line for 2009 for Michael Brantley. Josh, is this your first official big leaguer? Please give us a list of your players at AAA or AA if possible -- some folks might want to track some of your non-Brewers as well.

Helena Independent Record: Lightning postpones Brewers' game Monday's Pioneer League game between the Helena Brewers and the Great Falls Voyagers was suspended in the bottom of the first inning due to local lightning activity and a malfunctioning bank of lights in Centene Stadium in Great Falls. The teams will make up the contest over nine innings on Tuesday, Sept. 8 in Great Falls at 6:00 PM local time. That day's originally scheduled game will immediately follow and will be played over seven innings. The bank of lights above the stadium was not damaged by the inclement weather, but failed to illuminate prior to the game. Helena hosts Missoula Tuesday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

Post-Crescent: It's official: Sunday's loss officially knocked the Rattlers out of the playoff picture. Wisconsin trails wild-card leading Burlington by eight games with six games to play. This is the fourth straight season in which the Rattlers have missed the playoffs.

Link while active, text follows: Sounds return to division lead with HR in 12th By Maurice Patton THE TENNESSEAN Corey Patterson's solo home run with two outs in the 12th inning not only gave the Nashville Sounds a 6-5 win Monday night over visiting Memphis, but also the division lead. The Sounds moved into sole possession of first place in the Pacific Coast League's American Northern Division. Memphis and Iowa - which lost 3-1 at Omaha - are tied one-half game behind Nashville. "We were fortunate to come out of it with the win," Sounds Manager Don Money said after his team left the bases loaded in the eighth, ninth and 11th innings. The Sounds also stranded 15 runners while hitting just 3-for-16 with runners in scoring position. For Patterson, the late longball made up for a baserunning blunder that prevented the Sounds from winning three innings earlier. Following his leadoff double and an infield groundout, Patterson was at third base when Joe Koshansky lifted a flyball into medium center field. However, Patterson came down the third-base line and wasn't able to tag up. After back-to-back intentional walks, Hernan Iribarren grounded out. "I think even if I had tagged - if (Memphis centerfielder Shane Robinson) makes a good throw, he's got me," Patterson said. "If the ball drops, I've got to score. But that's not what happened." The Sounds rallied from an early two-run deficit, scoring four in the first on J.J. Hardy's two-run homer and Iribarren's two-run double, then tied the game at 5-5 with Adam Stern's RBI double. After the game, Hardy and reliever Chris Smith were both called up by the Milwaukee Brewers. "I'm excited to go back up there," said Hardy, who was optioned down on Aug. 14 and has hit .254 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 18 games. "This team's in a race for the playoffs and it was nice to be able to help, but I came to work on some things. I feel like I got better, and hopefully I can keep moving forward."

Final: Nashville 6, Memphis (Cardinals) 5, 12 innings Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for big celebration photo, text follows -- 12th-Inning Patterson Blast Puts Sounds In First NASHVILLE - Corey Patterson belted a two-out home run in the bottom of the twelfth inning to power the Nashville Sounds back into first place with a 6-5 victory over the Memphis Redbirds on Monday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. With the win, Nashville (72-65) leapfrogged the Redbirds in the PCL American Conference Northern Division standings to take a half-game lead over Memphis and a one-game lead over Iowa. Patterson (3-for-6) drove Memphis reliever Matthew Scherer's 2-1 offering well over the wall in right field for his fifth longball of the season to give Nashville its 12th last at-bat victory of the year. The Sounds improved to 7-4 in extra-inning action this season. AUDIO: Corey Patterson Game-Ending HR Nashville finally broke through to record the win after missing multiple opportunities to break the tie in the late innings, leaving the bases loaded three times: in the eighth, ninth, and eleventh frames. Memphis got started quickly, grabbing a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Sounds starter Mike Jones. Jon Jay led off with a single and Tyler Greene walked before both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch. Allen Craig put the visitors on the board with an RBI infield single and David Freese added a sacrifice fly. Right fielder Tike Redman and second baseman Hernan Iribarren combined to stifle the Redbirds' attempt to do further damage in the frame, throwing out Craig at the plate as he attempted to score from first on a Mark Hamilton double. Nashville rallied against rehabbing Memphis right-hander Todd Wellemeyer in the bottom of the frame, plating four runs to take a 4-2 lead. Sounds shortstop J.J. Hardy evened the contest when he belted a two-run homer to left off Wellemeyer. The blast, which scored Patterson (walk), was the infielder's fourth of the year. Iribarren, who leads Nashville with a .402 average with runners in scoring position, came through in the clutch again when he put the home team in the lead with a two-out, two-run double to right that chased Wellemeyer. Memphis shortstop Tyler Greene got into the longball act in the third, pulling the Redbirds with a run at 4-3 with a leadoff solo shot to left off Jones. The Redbirds re-claimed the lead an inning later. Jay tied the contest when he slugged his tenth homer of the year, a one-out solo shot to right-center off Jones. Memphis moved ahead 5-4 later in the frame on a Craig RBI single. The Sounds tied the contest once again at 5-5 in the bottom of the fourth when Iribarren scored on Adam Stern's two-out RBI double down the left field line. Carlos Corporan was thrown out at home on the play to end the inning. Neither team scored over the next seven frames. The Nashville bullpen was particularly impressive, combining for 8 2/3 innings of two-hit scoreless ball to close out the contest. John Axford (4-0) picked up the win for the Sounds after fanning three batters over two scoreless frames. Scherer (3-4) took the loss after allowing the game-winning homer to cap off his 1 2/3 innings of work. The teams continue the series with another 6:00 PM meeting on Tuesday night. Left-hander Lindsay Gulin (6-9, 4.59) will man the bump for Nashville to face Memphis southpaw Evan MacLane (6-11, 4.27). Nashville Box Score Mike Jones' outing the only bummer here; relievers Robert Hinton, Dave Johnson, Chris Smith, and John Axford just fantastic, striking out 13 over the 8.2 scoreless innings of work; Sounds were intentionally walked five times (all successful strategically) in the later innings... Nashville Game Log Lots to digest here and in the very full box score...