Jim Goulart

Final: Round Rock (Astros) 2, Nashville 1, regularly scheduled game Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Joe Koshansky photo, text follows -- Express Edge Sounds, 2-1 ROUND ROCK - The Round Rock Express edged the Nashville Sounds, 2-1, in a seven-inning contest on Thursday night at the Dell Diamond. With the loss, Nashville (68-65) fell back to 2 ½ games behind first-place Memphis in the PCL American Conference Northern Division. Round Rock starting pitcher Mark McLemore moved to 5-10, allowing one run on four hits in five innings. Chad Paronto ended the game with his 24th save of the year. First baseman Joe Koshansky put the Sounds on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the second inning. It was Koshansky's team-leading 22nd homer of the season and 16th on the road, which ties him for first in the PCL. Express second baseman Chad Spann answered with a two-run shot in the next frame, his first home run of the season that put Round Rock ahead for good at 2-1. Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin (6-10) took a tough loss after surrendering just two runs on two hits with five strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings. Dave Johnson threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Third baseman Mat Gamel added two hits in the contest. The Sounds and Express continue with the third game of a five game series at 7:05 pm CT on Friday night at The Dell Diamond. Right-hander Tim Dillard (10-7, 4.64) mans the bum for Nashville against Round Rock lefty Polin Trinidad (5-4, 4.63). Nashville Game Two Box Score Adam Heether, at second base for this one, on base all three times -- his YTD line is easy (and pleasing) to read: .300 / .408 / .501 -- a .909 OPS for one of the most versatile and capable defensive players in the system; at age 28 next January, Heether's lack of a big league cup of tea thus far is almost inexplicable -- he's a cut above Chris Barnwell, for instance, and his suitors will be many this October... Nashville Game Two Game Log

Final: Round Rock (Astros) 6, Nashville 4, completion of suspended game Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Corey Patterson photo, text follows -- Sounds Fall 6-4 In Suspended Game Completion ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Round Rock Express, 6-4, on Thursday evening in the completion of Wednesday's suspended series opener at The Dell Diamond. On Wednesday, the Express jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of first-inning runs against Sounds starter Sam Narron. Reggie Abercrombie opened the frame with a double and scored the game's first run two batters later on Tommy Manzella's two-bagger. Matt Kata added a two-out RBI single later in the inning. Round Rock increased the lead to 5-0 in the second with a three-run outburst, two scoring unearned following a missed catch error by Sounds second baseman Hernan Iribarren. Chris Johnson drilled a two-run, bases-loaded double to left off Narron before Kata lifted a sacrifice fly to center. Nashville got a run back in the top of the third inning against Round Rock starter Andy Van Hekken. Iribarren legged out a leadoff triple then trotted home on Patrick Arlis' sacrifice fly to right. Van Hekken escaped further damage by working out of a bases-loaded jam later in the frame, retiring Adam Heether on an inning-ending popup. The game - which was halted due to rain with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning on Wednesday - resumed on Thursday with neither team scoring again until the eighth, when Round Rock's Mark Saccomanno plated Lou Santangelo with a two-out RBI single off Sounds reliever Matt Ginter. Four Express relievers combined to work four innings of scoreless, one-hit ball after the game resumed on Thursday before Sounds centerfielder Corey Patterson pulled the visitors within a pair of runs at 6-4 with a two-out, three-run homer in the top of the ninth against Casey Daigle. The blast to center, Patterson's fourth of the year, plated Arlis (double) and Adam Stern (walk). After Erick Almonte singled to bring the potential tying run to the plate, former Sound Chad Paronto was summoned from the Express bullpen and walked Heether before inducing a game-ending flyout from Mat Gamel to preserve the win and notch his 23rd save. Wesley Wright (2-1) took over on the hill for Round Rock upon the game's resumption and was awarded the victory after working a scoreless inning. Narron (1-7) was saddled with the loss for the Sounds after giving up five runs (three earned) on seven hits over 3 1/3 innings of work. Nashville Game One Box Score J.J. Hardy a pinch-hitter in this one, striking out in the 9th... Nashville Game One Game Log

Weather stops Wisconsin in Burlington By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers final game of the season against the Burlington Bees was rained out Thursday night at Community Field. Burlington had a 4-0 lead with two outs in the top of the fourth inning, when a steady rain shower became a downpour and forced the grounds crew to place the tarp on the field. After a delay of one hour, the game was called. The Bees grabbed control of the game early with four runs in the first two innings. An RBI single by Jason Taylor in the bottom of the first made the score 1-0. In the second inning, a two-out, two-run single by David Wood made it 3-0. Then, Taylor drove in one more run with a single for a 4-0 lead. But, the rain washed all of the stats out of the record books. Since this was the final meeting of the season between the Rattlers and the Bees and the game will not be rescheduled. The Timber Rattlers continue their road trip with a game against the Kane County Cougars on Friday night. Evan Frederickson (3-7, 5.15) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Cougars have Anvioris Ramirez (4-2, 2.98) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:30 PM. Wisconsin "Cancelled" Partial Box Score LHP Daniel Meadows only retired half of the 18 batters he faced, so a good one to see "disappear"...

Final: Brevard County 7, Clearwater (Phillies) 2 Brevard County Site Game Summary Anundsen, Manatees Dominate Threshers By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees (Viera, FL) Evan Anundsen pitched six shutout innings, leading the Manatees to a 7-2 win over Clearwater on Thursday night. The Manatees took three out of four in this series, and won the season series, 10-5. Anundsen (10-8) appears to be heating up once again after hitting a rough stretch. He has rebounded from a four-game losing streak (during which his ERA rose by nearly a run) to record back-to-back victories. Thursday, Anundsen allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out five. The Threshers were plagued by a lack of control both on the mound and in the field, as they walked seven Manatees and committed five errors. The Manatees also terrorized the Threshers on the base paths, where they stole five bases. This enabled Brevard County to score seven runs despite just five hits in the game. Eric Farris stayed hot for the Manatees, with two hits, two runs scored, one RBI, and his FSL-leading 62nd stolen base. He is hitting .412 in August with 20 runs scored and 16 stolen bases. Lee Haydel also added two hits for Brevard County. Clearwater's lone runs came on a seventh-inning, two-run blast by Gus Milner off reliever Michael Fiers. Fiers and newly acquired Ruben Flores combined to close out the final three innings. Darren Byrd (5-6) took the loss for Clearwater after being pounded for five runs on four hits and six walks in five innings. Brevard County wraps up the homestand with a 4-3 record. They now head to Tampa to face the first-place Yankees in a four-game series. This is followed by a stop in Clearwater for three games. The Manatees return home the following Friday, wrapping up the regular season with a three-game set against the Yankees. *** Link while active, text follows: Manatees begin final stretch in hunt for division title BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY The Brevard County Manatees, the Florida State League's remedy for droughts, are scheduled to play their final 10 regular-season games beginning tonight in Tampa, weather permitting. The Manatees, the league's North Division first-half champion, trail the first-place Tampa Yankees by seven games in the second-half standings but have the opportunity to send a message since they are scheduled to play their rivals seven times between tonight and the Sept. 6 end of the regular season. The other three games are against Clearwater. But even if the Manatees catch the Yankees, the league playoff format includes a wild card entry from each division so they will meet in the best-of-three-game first round postseason playoffs beginning Sept. 8 in Tampa, weather permitting. Awaiting will be the winner of Fort Myers Miracle vs. South Division wild card -- most likely the Charlotte Stone Crabs -- series. Fort Myers has all but clinched the South Division second half title to go with the first-half championship. Charlotte has a 61/2-game lead in the wild card race. Weather has not been the Manatees friend this season, postponing, canceling or suspending a total of 22 openings or game dates (doubleheaders count as one opening), believed to be the most in the league. In fact, if the Manatees get their final 10 contests in they will have played 128 of 140 scheduled games. "Honestly I'd love to talk to you about pitching every fifth day," joked Manatees right hander Evan Anundsen, "but it seems with the rain we get down here pitching every fifth day, that's few and far between." Anundsen struck out five batters in six innings to pick up the win on Thursday as Brevard County defeated Clearwater 7-2. Anundsen should get at least one more start before the playoffs, weather permitting. The Manatees last reached the postseason in 2007, falling in four games to Clearwater in the league championship series. They were declared league co-champions in 2001 when the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks forced cancellation of the title series. This year's championship series is scheduled to begin Sept. 11, weather permitting. Brevard County Box Score Eight of 12 in-play outs on the ground for Evan Anundsen, who, while he hasn't had the insane GB ratios of prior seasons, remains effective in that area (1.50 ratio in '09, 2.71 *wow* in '08 at West Virginia)... Brevard County Game Log Evan Anundsen looked sharp for the second consecutive start. He improved to 10-8 with a 2.73 ERA this season. (Photo by Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/08/27/A9PVgqnW.jpg

Congratulations to RHP Maverick Lasker, the Brewers' sole representative on the 14-man squad representing the post-season Arizona Summer League All-Star squad.

Final: Helena 11, Billings (Reds) 3 Link while active, text follows: Dykstra, Halton help Brewers stay in race By AMBER KUEHN, Helena Independent Record Don't think for a second that the Helena Brewers aren't eyeing the Pioneer League standings. And don't even think about counting them out of the postseason. "We're right there, man, and I think we have a really good shot," second baseman Cutter Dykstra said. "Don't be surprised if you see us in the playoffs." The Brewers showed what they're made of as they beat the Billings Mustangs 11-3 before 713 fans at Kindrick Field on Thursday to take the series. Helena remains 2 1/2 games out of first in the North, and Dykstra said it's something he and his teammates talk about during warmups. "We played with a lot of energy tonight," Dykstra said. "We all came out fired up because we've still got a really good chance to make the playoffs and we want to get there." Dykstra was electric at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, an RBI and two stolen bases. The hitting seemed contagious, as every player in the Helena lineup recorded at least one hit. If not for one error by Dykstra in the sixth inning, the second baseman would have had a near-perfect game. "The season's coming to an end and I just want to finish strong," he said. "I've got to leave everything out on the field, that's kind of been the mentality of it the past couple of weeks." Dykstra entered the game having hit .500 the previous three contests, showing life that wasn't always there at the beginning of the season. "I was struggling for a bit but now I'm feeling really confident," he said. "He just played with a lot more intensity," Brewers manager Rene Gonzales said. "He looked like he was into his at-bats and I think that's the kind of player he needs to be. He needs to play with his hair on fire. He has a firey attitude and it hasn't always been there this year." Helena wasted little time getting on the board, scoring a run in the first on Sean Halton's RBI single. The Brewers would tack on five more over the next two innings, and managed to make their way to a 7-1 lead thanks to starter Kyle Heckathorn's strong arm. The right-hander struck out three in four shutout innings, allowing just two hits and walking none. To end his outing, Heckathorn retired the final eight batters. "He got us off to a great start," Gonzales said. "Then our bats came alive." Helena pitcher Hiram Burgos would pick up his third win of the season, hurling the final four innings. He gave up seven hits but just two runs (one earned) and struck out a season-high eight. Despite blowing the game open, Helena (7-15) has been known to give up big leads before and Gonzales admitted he got a little nervous when Billings (7-15) cut it to 7-3 on a home run and single in the sixth. "Once it got to 7-3, I hated the way that was looking," the Brewers skipper said. "Of late we've been letting guys back in the game. There's no secret we've lost 9-3 leads and 5-0 leads." In a tight North Division, the second half is still up for grabs. Despite how poorly the Brewers have played this half, a postseason run is still possible. Although at the beginning of the season the Brewers were taking it one game at a time, it's no lie they're looking at the big picture now. At least their manager is. "As poorly as we've played, to still be in it?" Gonzales said. "Unbelievable. We have Missoula and Great Falls to play still and it's in our hands." The Brewers will welcome the Great Falls Voyagers to town for a two game set starting on Friday night. RHP Nick Bucci (6-2, 3.95) will take the mound for Helena to face Great Falls' RHP Gregory Johnson (1-2, 4.26). Helena Box Score Impressive day on the mound, as evidenced by your comments above -- review those lines again; it's hard to figure out what the Brewers have in Shawn Zarraga (3-for-4 here) given his inconsistent playing time, is the 20-year-old a lumbering designated hitter with minimal pop or the catcher who posted an .868 OPS as a workhorse in Maryvale in a true rookie season in Maryvale in '08? Helena Game Log Brewers' Cutter Dykstra is safe at second base as Billings' Cristobal Rodriguez drops the ball during Thursday's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/8/d0/a0b/8d0a0b16-939c-11de-bfe1-001cc4c03286.image.jpg?_dc=1251441146 Here are some additional photos, these are from Wednesday night's 6-5 loss at home to Billings -- All photos by Lisa Kunkel, Helena Independent Record Brewers' Mike Marseco tags out Billings' Yorman Rodriguez http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/a/fd/00d/afd00d8a-92b1-11de-8577-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1251340271 Adrian Rosario fires in a pitch http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/1/db/ab9/1dbab9ae-92b1-11de-bb71-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1251340026 Cameron Garfield slides safely into home plate as Billings catcher Mark Fleury drops the ball http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/0/d8/ad8/0d8ad8c8-92b8-11de-9324-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1251343006 Cutter Dykstra http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/5/a5/f4b/5a5f4b2c-92b1-11de-b7cb-001cc4c002e0.image.jpg?_dc=1251340128

Wright has been in professional baseball since 2001. Unless he chooses to re-sign a minor league deal with Milwaukee (if the Brewers even offer one up), he'll be a minor league free agent in mid-October.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 69 62 .527 - 40-27 29-35 L2 Nashville 68 63 .519 1.0 36-31 32-32 W3 Iowa 66 65 .504 3.0 38-25 28-40 L1 Omaha 56 75 .427 13.0 27-37 29-38 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Tenn 33 27 .550 - 18-12 15-15 W3 Tennessee 32 28 .533 1.0 14-16 18-12 W1 Chattanooga 31 29 .517 2.0 19-12 12-17 L1 Huntsville 24 35 .407 8.5 13-16 11-19 W3 Carolina 21 39 .350 12.0 10-20 11-19 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 41 14 .745 - 15-9 26-5 W6 Brevard County 33 20 .623 7.0 21-13 12-7 W1 Clearwater 30 29 .508 13.0 17-15 13-14 L1 Dunedin 27 29 .482 14.5 14-12 13-17 L1 Daytona 25 32 .439 17.0 12-18 13-14 L1 Lakeland 23 32 .418 18.0 9-12 14-20 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 9 13 .409 - 2-8 7-5 W1 Missoula 9 13 .409 - 5-7 4-6 L1 Billings 7 14 .333 1.5 6-6 1-8 W1 Helena 6 15 .286 2.5 3-6 3-9 L1

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. *** "Voice of the Rattlers" Chris Mehring's informative and entertaining Rattlers Radio Blog includes game notes an hour or two before gametime.

Midwest League Standings Arizona League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

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. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville Completion of Suspended Game: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_26_nasaaa_rreaaa_1 Nashville Regularly Scheduled Game: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_27_nasaaa_rreaaa_1 Brevard County: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&gid=2009_08_27_clrafa_breafa_1&cid=503&t=g_box Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_27_wisafx_burafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_27_bilrok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433

Thursday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: First, it's the completion of Wednesday's suspended contest at Round Rock (Astros) -- Nashville trails 5-1 in the 4th -- then LHP Lindsay Gulin starts the seven-inning nightcap, 5:05 PM pre-game; 5:30 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... Wisconsin: LHP Daniel Meadows at Burlington (Royals), 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Kyle Heckathorn at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: Idle -- only two games left for the A-Crew... 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.

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

http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=4209

LINK Did Bruce mis-understand this question? sagunsky: Do you ever scout coaches? If not, how does the team select a coach? Seid: That's a good question. Josh Belovsky, our Southern California scout, took over my position when I became crosschecker strictly because I saw how he did his work and was very impressed. I set up an interview with him and knew this was the guy that would be a good replacement for myself. Well, it was a good question, Bruce -- but it wasn't do you scout scouts, it was do you scout prospective coaches.... Or am I off?

Link while active, text follows: Long road for Stars' Kintzler A month ago, pitcher toiled in independent league By Brad Shepard For The Huntsville Times It had been four years since Brandon Kintzler won an affiliated professional baseball game when he pitched six scoreless and victorious innings for the Stars on Tuesday night. Considering he felt a million miles away from a major league organization a little more than a month ago, maybe the wait wasn't as long as it seemed. "I didn't think it was realistic," said Kintzler, who was pitching for an independent league team, the St. Paul Saints, on July 22. "I'd always heard of guys getting called up, and I was like, 'Wow, I wonder what that call is like.' " Kintzler found out first-hand a day after starting in the American Association All-Star game where he was routinely hitting 91-94 miles per hour. The Brewers purchased his contract, and two days later, he reported to Huntsville. One minute, Kintzler was the ace for the independent leagues' version of the Yankees, with an 8-3 record and 2.79 earned run average. The next, he was a call away from the big leagues. "They told me they were sending me to Double-A ball," Kintzler said. "I was like, 'Cool. I've never even been past A-ball.' " The 25-year-old Las Vegas native played collegiately at Dixie State Junior College in Utah before getting drafted in the 40th round by the Yankees in 2003. He decided to go back to school instead and, in '04, he was taken by San Diego in the 40th round again. After Kintzler signed, he played a couple of injury-laden seasons in the Padres organization. He was released in 2005 and had arthroscopic shoulder surgery, which sidelined him for the entire 2006 season. When nobody picked him up, he signed with the Northern League's Winnipeg Goldeyes, where he won the league's rookie of the year award. When nobody on the team was getting signed in the big leagues, he asked to be traded after going 7-6 two years ago. His contract was purchased by St. Paul, and he got noticed after half a season. In seven games with the Stars, he is 1-1 with a 5.26 earned run average and has looked good at times since moving from the bullpen to the rotation. "He has thrown the ball well with the exception of two or three innings," Stars manager Bob Miscik said. "His stuff is pretty good. I'm happy with him. "Somebody liked him enough to sign him. He commands his fastball pretty well, it seems. He has late life on it and has a good breaking ball to use effectively and is learning to mix his change-up in there. He throws strikes and works both sides of the plate with it." Miscik said Kintzler should be in the Stars rotation the rest of the season, and the pitcher just has to shake his head thinking of being in the thick of a Double-A playoff race. "When you come out of affiliated baseball, you're like, 'I'll be out of (the independent leagues) in no time,'" he said. "When you get there, you feel farther away from everybody. I never thought I'd be here this year. "It's been a long road; just a lot of work paid off."

Final: Billings (Reds) 6, Helena 5 Defense hurts another farm team -- epidemic as of late in the system... By Dan Douts / Helena Brewers HELENA, MT-- Mark Fleury hit two two-run home runs for Billings as the Brewers dropped the second game of the series 6-5 on Wednesday night. Adrian Rosario gave up six runs, three earned, in 5.2 innings pitched to record his seventh loss of the season. Luca Panerati gave up four runs on seven hits in five innings to earn the victory for Billings. Scott Krieger went 3-for-4 and drove in a run to lead the Brewers offense. Chad Stang, Sean Halton and Cutter Dykstra all added two hits for Helena. A bright spot for the Brewers was Ben Jeffers coming out of the bullpen. Jeffers relieved Rosario and recorded seven outs, six of which were strikeouts and gave up only one hit. The series will wrap up on Thursday with Helena sending RHP Kyle Heckathorn (0-0, 8.31) to the mound to face Billings' RHP Timothy Crabbe (0-5, 4.37). Helena Box Score Brewers outhit the Mustangs, but drew no walks... Helena Game Log

Link while active, text follows: Mound masters Manatees pitchers dominating Florida State League BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY When it comes to pitching dominance in the Florida State League, the Brevard County Manatees' numbers speak for themselves. After Wednesday's 14-3 win against Clearwater, the Manatees led the league in: Earned run average: 2.73 Shutouts: 17 Fewest hits allowed: 818 Fewest runs allowed: 390 Fewest earned runs allowed: 309 Saves: 42 The Manatees also are second in strikeouts (927), holds (44) home runs allowed (44) and walks and hits per innings pitched (1.22). Also, two Manatees right-handed pitchers -- Amaury Rivas and Evan Anundsen -- are in the top six in individual ERA, Rivas fifth at 2.74 and Anundsen sixth at 2.87. Rivas is tied for the lead in victories with 13, while Anundsen is tied for sixth with nine. Rivas is third in strikeouts (120) and Anundsen eighth (108). And, Manatees reliever Robert Wooten, who was called up to Class-AA about a month ago, still ranks fourth in saves, a Manatees single-season record at 18. No wonder the Manatees have secured a place in the first round of the playoffs beginning Sept. 8 and that pitching coach Fred Dabney is a happy man. But he deflects the credit. "A lot of success is the process of their development, the pitching coaches they had when they first came into pro ball until they got to me," Dabney said. "These guys (have) tremendous work ethic, great chemistry on the club, especially with our pitching staff. All those things are a huge factor to go along with, obviously, their natural ability." Rivas and Anundsen, who combined have pitched 347 1/3, or 35 percent, of the Manatees 1,011 1/3 innings this season, have their unique strengths. "Rivas is a power-type guy, Evan's a keep-you-off-stride, change-speeds, get-you-out-over-your-front-foot," Dabney said. "They're different in both ends. It's fun to watch them go about their business and have the typical same success even though they're two different type pitchers." But there also are fundamental, yet vital, similarities. "They are able to repeat their delivery, they have a great feel for their release point, both of them can change speeds very well," Dabney said. "That's the reason why they're having success." Speaking of success, Anundsen pitched a no-hitter on April 28, beating Daytona Beach, 1-0, striking out 10 batters en route to his first no-hitter. It was the first in the Florida State League since 2006, and his first complete-game shutout of his four-year professional career. To Anundsen, who is in his first season of high-level Class-A ball, the highlight of his career seems like light years ago. "It's been fun," he said. "I have to say I think I've had a pretty smooth transition. It's getting a little bit more difficult here down the homestretch just because it's a long season; wear and tear on the body." The season also has been a confidence booster. "I have realized that I've been able to pitch pretty well down here and hopefully it continues on up the ladder." He said the slider he added at the beginning of the season has taken his game to the next level. Rivas attributes his success -- he's 9-1 with a 1.78 ERA in his last 10 starts dating back to July 2 -- to a strict workout regime focusing on his rotator cuff, elbow, shoulder and running to strengthen his legs. It's working since he is obviously getting stronger as the grinding season winds down. "I work out a lot, if you are strong, you finish this year good," he said. "My fastball is consistent, 95, 94, 96. Before, I threw 95 one time." Rivas throws two-seam and four-seam fastballs clocked in the mid 90s, a change-up and a slider, four pitches that have had opposing batters off stride and outclassed to the extent that his results have been impressive. He has allowed 44 hits, 12 earned runs, 18 walks and recorded 63 strikeouts in 60 2/3 innings pitched in his past 10 starts. He also hasn't allowed more than three earned runs in a start since June 10 against Charlotte, which was the last time he lost a start at Space Coast Stadium. His 13 victories also set a team record for wins in a season. Clemente Nunez (1995), Joe Sergent (2001) and Tim Dillard (2005) each won 12 games. Rivas' numbers, like the team's, speak for themselves. Additional Facts About Fred Dabney Born: Nov. 20, 1967, Lawton, Okla. Pro debut: 1988 (nine seasons) Career highlight: Pitched no-hitter for Sarasota in 1991 Manatees tenure: Five years as pitching coach About Amaury Rivas Born: Dec. 20, 1985, La Mata de Santa Cruz, DR Height: 6-foot-2 Weight: 189 Bats/throws: R Pro debut: 2005 Manatees tenure: First full season About Evan Anundsen Born: May 17, 1988, Englewood, Colo. Height: 6-foot-3 Weight: 200 Bats/throws: R Pro debut: 2006 Manatees tenure: First season Brevard County Manatees pitching coach Fred Dabney stands between starters Amaury Rivas, left, and Evan Anundsen at Space Coast Stadium before Wednesday's game against the Clearwater Threshers. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090827&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=908270330&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0 Hmmm, Rivas looks to be packing a bit more than the listed 189 pounds...

LHP Del Howell, the soon-to-be 22-year-old out of the University of Alabama whom the Brewers enticed with early-round money out of the 15th draft round (colbyjack's plater page info), has been bumped to Helena from Maryvale.

Final: Arizona Angels 8, Arizona Brewers 6 Arizona Box Score Angels score three in the 7th to break a 5-5 tie; RHP Ryan DeLaughter, the former Nationals farmhand who was drafted as an outfielder in '05 and was a two-way prospect then, continues to get one-inning starts, perhaps rehabbing in some way; LHP Casey Baron continues his rehab; RHP Maverick Lasker (5-1) with his first pro loss; the top four in the order -- SS Carlos George, RF Demetrius McKelvie, 3B Wayne Dedrick, and Brandon Sizemore, back at second base for this one, combined to reach base 12 times... Arizona Game Log Lasker's troubles in the 7th came after he retied the first two men...

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Mike Jones As good a listen as you think it would be -- it sure will be interesting to see if Mike will be spending a 10th year in the system, 40-man roster spot or not -- even if he agrees to another minor league deal, he'd then be eligible to be plucked in Rule 5...

Racine Times with a nice quote-filled update on Vinny Rottino

Racine Times with a nice quote-filled update on Vinny Rottino

Nashville Site for a Sam Narron photo: Series Opener In Texas Suspended Due To Rain ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds and Round Rock Express had their opener of a five-game series suspended by rain in the bottom of the fourth inning on Wednesday evening at The Dell Diamond. At the time of stoppage, the Sounds trailed Round Rock by a 5-1 count. The contest will be completed to its nine-inning conclusion on Thursday evening beginning at 5:30 PM. The Sounds and Express will follow that with their regularly scheduled Thursday contest, which will be reduced to seven innings. The Express jumped out to an early 2-0 advantage with a pair of first-inning runs against Sounds starter Sam Narron. Reggie Abercrombie opened the frame with a double and scored the game's first run two batters later on Tommy Manzella's two-bagger. Matt Kata added a two-out RBI single later in the inning. Round Rock increased the lead to 5-0 in the second with a three-run outburst, two scoring unearned following a missed catch error by Sounds second baseman Hernan Iribarren. Chris Johnson drilled a two-run, bases-loaded double to left off Narron before Kata lifted a sacrifice fly to center. Nashville got a run back in the top of the third inning against Round Rock starter Andy Van Hekken. Iribarren legged out a leadoff triple then trotted home on Patrick Arlis' sacrifice fly to right. Van Hekken escaped further damage by working out of a bases-loaded jam later in the frame, retiring Adam Heether on an inning-ending popup. The game was halted with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. Round Rock had a runner on first and Kata was at the plate with a 1-1 count against Narron. In Thursday's second contest, left-hander Lindsay Gulin (6-8, 4.61) will man the bump for Nashville to face Round Rock southpaw Mark McLemore (4-10, 4.80). Nashville Partial Box Score

If Salome can't be helpful in Milwaukee due to injury, the Brewers may be the only team in all of basball not to call up a 3rd catcher for September. I've got to believe we'll see Angel next month, they at least backdated his DL stint.