Jim Goulart

Gee, where did I read that before? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif See above, zzzman, but thanks....

Link while active, text follows: Ogden takes out Brewers By CURT SYNNESS - Helena Independent Record After being shut down Monday, the powerful Ogden Raptors bounced back in a big way on Tuesday, rapping the Helena Brewers 16-6 at Kindrick Legion Field. Ogden, who fell to the Brewers 8-1 the night before, pounded out 12 hits in the rout, led by the hot bats of Nick Akins, Brian Covasos-Galvez and Gorman Erickson. The Raptors, who won the Pioneer League's Southern Division first half championship, improved to 4-4 in the second half and 28-18 overall. Helena slips to 2-5 and 22-23 with the loss. The Raptors came into the contest as the second-best hitting team in the league, with a club average of .285. They are managed by Damon Berryhill. Berryhill spent 11 seasons in the major leagues (1987-97), with the Cubs, Braves, Red Sox, Reds and Giants. The Utah squad scored one run in the third inning, three in the fourth, two in the fifth, four in the seventh and six in the ninth. Akins went 2-for-5 with five runs batted in, crushing a grand slam home run and a double. Covasos-Galvez belted a homer, drove in three runs and scored three times, while Erickson was 2-5, with a double and three runs. Austin Yount, Blake Smith and Bryant Hernandez produced two RBIs apiece for Ogden. Antonio Castillo pitched the win, and Joseph Paxson earned the save. Defensively, the visitors' flashed some fancy glovework in the sixth, when they retired the side in order. Akins caught a tricky fly ball in left field, falling down in the process, and then hurler Castillo made a tough play on a dribbler on the third base side, before spearing a screaming comeback line drive to the mound. The Raptors were also able to kill a Brewers rally in the seventh, twisting a double play with two on none out. The hosts trailed 4-0 going in to the bottom of the fourth. But the Brew-crew tied it up with four tallies of their own, on a single by Scott Krieger, Chris Ellington's fielder's choice, Sean Halton being hit by a pitch, and Edgar Trejo's RBI base on balls. Catcher Michael Roberts then ripped a three-run double to right. Helena plated two more in its last at bat, to finish with 10 hits. Roberts, Krieger and Ellington cracked two base knocks each. Starter Nick Bucci suffered his first loss of the year, after reeling off six consecutive victories. He gave up six runs in five innings of work. Kristian Bueno, Ryan Platt and Joel Morales relieved the last four stanzas. The two teams square off for the third of a four-game series tonight at Kindrick Field, with the first pitch slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Ogden Raptors' Brian Ruggiano collides with Helena Brewers' Mike Brownstein as he tries to turn a double play in the fifth inning of Tuesday's game at Kindrick Legion Field. Ruggiano was out at second. (Photos by Clare Becker, Helena Independent Record) http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2009/08/12/sports/top/50spl_090812_brewers.jpg Brewers starter Nick Bucci delivers a pitch to an Ogden batter during their game Tuesday. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/08/12/sports/top/50spl_090812_brewers-2.jpg

Nashville Site Game Summary: SALT LAKE CITY - The Nashville Sounds posted an 8-4 victory over the Salt Lake Bees on Tuesday evening at Spring Mobile Ballpark. Despite the win, Nashville (63-55) fell back into second place in the PCL American Conference Northern Division behind Memphis, which took a half-game lead with a doubleheader sweep in Colorado Springs. Left-hander Chris Cody (6-6) turned in a quality start to pick up the victory for Nashville, allowing three runs in his six innings of work. After Terry Evans homered in the first inning to give the home club a 1-0 lead, Nashville knotted the contest at 1-1 in the second when Adam Heether scored on an Angel Salome sacrifice fly then stormed out to a 5-1 advantage with a four-run third against Bees starter Brad Salmon. Corey Patterson (3-for-4) gave Nashville the lead with an RBI double, one of his three two-baggers on the evening. Mat Gamel (3-for-5) added a two-run single in the frame before Salome lifted his second sacrifice fly of the night. Heether increased the visitors' lead to 6-1 in the fourth when he drew a bases-loaded walk from Salt Lake reliever Daniel Davidson, then wrapped up the Nashville scoring in the ninth by drilling his 13th home run of the season, a two-run shot off Jeremy Hill. Salmon (4-4) took the loss for the Bees after surrendering six runs on seven hits in just 3 1/3 innings of work. Chris Smith closed out the contest for Nashville to earn his 13th save of the year. The teams wrap up the four-game series with an 8:05 PM CT finale on Wednesday night. Left-hander Sam Narron (1-5, 5.63) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Salt Lake right-hander Mike MacDonald (6-11, 6.20). Nashville Box Score Contributions everywhere... Nashville Game Log

Link while active, text follows: Milestone eluding Manatees BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY Something worth having is certainly worth waiting for, and the Brevard County Manatees will wait yet another night for their chance at a 1,000th victory as a franchise. The Dunedin Blue Jays handed Brevard County its second loss in two nights, 3-2 on Tuesday before an announced crowd of 724 at Space Coast Stadium, keeping the Manatees stuck at 999 victories since their debut in 1994 as a Class A Florida State League team. The Manatees get another crack at the Blue Jays and the landmark victory Wednesday night in Viera. The Manatees outhit Dunedin, 9-5, but left runners on base in crucial situations, had a runner cut down at home and appeared listless. They didn't get their first hit until Eric Farris led off the fourth inning with a single to left. He was caught stealing two batters later after which Chris Errecart singled. Lee Haydel flied out to end the inning. The Manatees broke through in the fifth when Brent Brewer singled and Juan Sanchez followed with a broken bat tapper that sent Blue Jays pitcher Andrew Liebel to the showers. Liebel threw the ball away, putting runners at second and third with one out. Derrick Alfonso struck out and Logan Schafer missed a double down the right field line by mere inches on a disputed foul call. Schafer then ripped a ball through the hole into right field, scoring Brewer and Sanchez for a 2-0 lead. Dunedin got one back in the sixth when Matt Liuzza doubled, advanced on a wild pitch by Daniel Merklinger and scored on Kevin Ahrens' sacrifice fly. Errecart led off the sixth with a booming triple to dead center for the Manatees but was doubled off on Zelous Wheeler's fly out to shallow right to end the inning. The play would be key as Bradley McElroy homered to right leading off the seventh to draw the Blue Jays even. The Manatees had another chance in the bottom of the eighth when Farris singled with one out for his third hit of the game. Steffan Wilson struck out. Farris stole second but Errecart struck out to end the threat. Dunedin went back ahead for good in the top of the ninth when McElroy led off with a double to right, was sacrificed to third by John Tolisano and scored on Merklinger's second wild pitch. But the Manatees weren't finished. Haydel led off the last of the ninth with an infield single. Wheeler skied out to Dunedin first baseman Jesus Gonzalez. Brewer followed with sharp single to left but Sanchez hit into a double play to end it. Around the horn The Manatees results with Dunedin have been hot and cold this season. The Manatees won the first nine games between the teams only to lose the three most recent matchups, getting swept at home to close the first half and losing Tuesday night. The Manatees are now 31-24 at home this season, 16-10 in the second half.

This 1,000th win promotion is at least getting the locals to cover the Manatees. Look, a photo gallery!

Final: Nashville 8, Salt Lake (Angels) 4 Full details in the AM -- the waking AM, that is...

Final: Ogden (Dodgers) 16, Helena 6 Helena Box Score Brewers trailed only 6-4 through six; RHP Nick Bucci was due for a rough outing, but he still managed to strike out eight through five innings (six runs allowed); more detail from the Helena press in the early AM on the tough night at Kindrick Field... Helena Game Log

Final: Arizona Brewers 3, Arizona Athletics 1 Arizona Box Score Break up the A-Crew -- whoo, on a roll! Wow, after newcomer RHP Ryan DeLaughter (great name) tossed a scoreless first, RHP Maverick Lasker (even better name) dominated over seven scoreless innings walking zero and fanning ten! We have a new runner-up (to Evan Anundsen's early season no-hitter) for organizational stat line of the season. In Lasker's last seven appearances, the 19-year-old has gone 29 innings allowing only three earned runs, with a K-to-BB ratio of 25-to-1, are you kidding?! Hopefully he'll escape Maryvale and get rewarded with a bump to Helena for his next time out. Demetrius McKelvie reached four times and drove in two, CF Franklin Romero tripled and doubled, and catcher Tyler Roberts added two base knocks, but this one was all about Lasker... Arizona Game Log

Final: Dunedin (Blue Jays) 3, Brevard County 2 Nothing personal to our Brevard front office friends, but don't others see this "Win # 1,000" as very trivial, even for Manatee local diehards? Will the players storm the mound after they win? Anyway, on to the game... Game Summary from the Manatees: Manatees Forced to Wait For Win No. 1,000 Tyler L. Stover Director of Media Relations (Viera, FL) Brevard County was unable to hang on to a 2-0 lead Tuesday night, dropping a 3-2 decision to the Dunedin Blue Jays. The Manatees' quest for their 1,000th win will have to wait another day, as they dropped their second straight game. After starting the year with nine straight wins over the Blue Jays, the Manatees have now lost four straight to their FSL North rivals. The Manatees struck first, scoring two runs in the fifth inning. Brent Brewer started things with a one-out single up the middle. Juan Sanchez followed Brewer with a tapper back to the mound, but Blue Jays pitcher Andrew Liebel bobbled the ball, then threw it away, leaving Sanchez and Brewer on second and third. Logan Schafer followed with what appeared to be a two-run double on a line shot down the right field line, but it was ruled foul. After a lengthy debate, Schafer stepped back to the plate and ripped a two-run single to right field. Dunedin's Matt Liuzza led off the sixth with a double to the gap in left-center field. After a wild pitch moved him to third, he scored on Kevin Ahrens' sacrifice fly to close the gap to 2-1. Bradley McElroy led off the seventh inning with a solo blast to right field, tying the game at 2-2. McElroy added further damage in the ninth, leading off with a double down the right field line. John Tolisano moved McElroy over to third base with a sacrifice bunt. Daniel Merklinger then uncorked a wild pitch, allowing McElroy to score the go-ahead run. The Manatees threatened in the ninth with singles from Lee Haydel and Brewer, but Sanchez grounded into a double play to end the game. The Manatees take another crack at getting their 1,000th win Wednesday night. Amaury Rivas (10-6, 2.89) looks to continue his recent hot streak. He is 6-1 in his last seven starts, compiling a 1.73 ERA during the span. He has not allowed an earned run in his last two starts, both wins at home. He will be facing Vincent Bongiovanni (6-6, 3.93) of the Blue Jays. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). Brevard County Box Score RHP Alex Periard was lifted after retiring the leadoff man in the 4th, so obviously his post-injury pitch count is in effect -- he's another Brewer 40-man pitcher, like Mark Rogers, who needs AFL time; Manatee pitchers K'd 11, but walked seven; Eric Farris (3-for-4) with two steals and one caught, so he's 57-for-62; Brent Brewer (OPS just .566) singled twice but also struck out for the 98th time in 300 AB's; former Oriole top pitching prospect Adam Loewen walked three times -- he's carrying a .731 OPS in his conversion to the outfield for the Jays... Brevard County Game Log

More detail from Buck Rogers in Huntsville: A severe storm is passing thru and winds tore our brand new tarp that was staked down earlier this afternoon. The staff and some fans fought to keep the tarp on the field and the winds body-slammed a few, one who is receiving medical attention. The aluminum benches from the dugouts couldn't hold the tarp back from the wind and our staff couldn't keep the tarp on the field. Between the wind, rain and lightning, Mother Nature won this round. The Stars head out on the road tomorrow and return home to The Joe next Monday night to begin a 10-game homestand. Yikes. A few days to fix the tarp at least...

Final: DSL Brewers / Orioles 5, DSL Rays 0, completed after 5.5 innings, rain DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score No Rolando Pascual wisecrack tonight, the righty went five scoreless one-hit innings, striking out nine (he did walk five and balked twice) -- so Pascual faced 20 batters, only six of which put the ball in play; the amazing Jhonathan Javier singled twice in two at-bats and was also hit by a pitch for the 17th time this season, pushing his OPS back over 1.000 at 1.010 -- Javier also stole his 11th base but was thrown out stealing home to end the 5th, perhaps trying to advance on a wild pitch; still just 16 years old until the end of this month, LF Luis Chirinos singled twice, drove in two runs, and sports a more than respectable average of .282 and OBP of .364 (only 85 AB's); 2B Joan Abreu the only other Brewer to see action... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

From Huntsville: Last Game of Five-Game Set Won't Be Played By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars The game scheduled between Huntsville and Mississippi Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium has been rained out. The contest will not be made up, as the two teams do not face each other during the remainder of the regular season. The teams evenly split the 14 games played during the three series between them. The Stars open a five-game series in Mobile Wednesday night with right-hander Brandon Kintzler taking the hill against BayBears' southpaw Tom Layne. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. *** Jonathan Lucroy, Taylor Green, and Lorenzo Cain were penciled in at 4-5-6 in the scheduled lineup.

Will this thread be a safe haven from the complete putridness of your major league squad? Let's see -- first up, a tough loss... Final: Cedar Rapids (Angels) 3, Wisconsin 2 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Kernels edge Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels grabbed a 3-0 lead Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Then, they outlasted a delay of over an hour for a power outage and a late Wisconsin rally for a 3-2 win. Tyler Chatwood tossed six shutout innings and allowed two hits while striking out six for the win. A typical Cedar Rapids rally garnered the Kernels (65-50 overall, 25-20 second half) two runs in the bottom of the second inning without a ball leaving the infield. Matt Crawford dropped a bunt single to start the frame and a throwing error allowed him to take second. Rattlers starting pitcher Daniel Meadows hit Angel Castillo and Jon Townsend followed with another bunt single to load the bases. Darwin Perez drove in the first run of the inning with an infield single. Then, Tyson Auer hit into a 6-4-3 double play to send another run across the plate. Cedar Rapids added a run with a two-out rally in the bottom of the fifth. Roberto Lopez singled and stole second to get into scoring position. Beau Brooks followed with an RBI single to right for a 3-0 lead. Wisconsin (49-65, 15-29) put two runners on with one out against Chatwood in the top of the sixth inning, but the hard-throwing righty got out of the inning with a strikeout and a lineout. Rattlers reliever Liam Ohlmann retired the first two batters of the bottom of the sixth inning and was ahead of Townsend 1-2. Townsend fouled off the pitch and before it landed a bank of lights on the roof went out. The rest of the lights in the stadium were not affected, but this set going out plunged the home plate and first base areas in semi-darkness. There was a delay of one hour and 16 minutes before play resumed with Nick Tyson striking out Townsend looking on one pitch. Before the delay, the Kernels had Vladimir Veras, one of their better relievers, warmed up and ready to go for the top of the seventh. But, the long pause forced the Kernels to go to Reyes Dorado. The Rattlers took advantage. Erik Miller doubled with one out. On ball four to Kyle Dhanani, the ball rolled away from catcher Beau Brooks and Miller took off for third. The throw from Brooks to third wound up in left field and Miller scored to break the shutout. Jose Duran followed with a double to put runners on second and third with one out. Sean McCraw sent Dhanani home with a grounder to cut the lead to one run. But, Dorado got out of the frame with a popup to strand the tying run at third. In the eighth, Wisconsin's first two batters were retired by Kernels reliever Andrew Taylor. Then, Corey Kemp walked and Brock Kjeldgaard singled. Taylor uncorked a wild pitch with Miller at the plate and pinch runner Derrick McPhearson moved up to third and Kjeldgaard took second. But, Taylor got out of the inning with a strikeout. Taylor retired the side in order in the top of the ninth with a pair of strikeouts and a grounder to third to close out the Rattlers and get his fifth save of the season. The Timber Rattlers and Kernels continue their series on Wednesday night. Wily Peralta (3-3, 3.54) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Cedar Rapids sends Manaurys Correa (6-7, 4.60) to the mound. Game time is 6:35 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Rattler pitchers didn't walk a batter, although LHP Daniel Meadows did hit two; Wisconsin is last in the league in hitting at .237, though they are 2nd in the league in walks with 405 -- the amazing Fort Wayne club (Padres) has drawn 571 walks... Wisconsin Game Log Wisconsin opportunities were rare -- Brett Lawrie K'd with men on 1st and 2nd and one out in the 6th, Lawrie did single and stole his 18th base (in 28 attempts) earlier to no avail...

In a corresponding move to the Mike Fiers promotion, RH reliever Jim Henderson (stats) also gets his second bump of the season, from Brevard to Huntsville.

Chris Mehring with a nice update on a former Rattler facing the Manatees tonight. Those of you familiar with me know it's a topic near and dear... 2005 article -- odds obviously against Ketchner now at this much later date, still a good story.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 61 54 .530 - 37-22 24-32 W2 Nashville 62 55 .530 - 34-25 28-30 W1 Iowa 58 58 .500 3.5 34-22 24-36 L1 Omaha 47 68 .409 14.0 23-33 24-35 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 25 20 .556 - 16-10 9-10 W1 Tennessee 23 22 .511 2.0 9-11 14-11 W1 West Tenn 23 22 .511 2.0 10-10 13-12 W1 Carolina 17 28 .378 8.0 7-13 10-15 L1 Huntsville 16 28 .364 8.5 7-12 9-16 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 30 11 .732 - 11-7 19-4 L1 Brevard County 25 16 .610 5.0 16-9 9-7 L1 Dunedin 23 19 .548 7.5 14-8 9-11 W3 Clearwater 21 20 .512 9.0 11-10 10-10 W1 Lakeland 19 23 .452 11.5 7-9 12-14 W1 Daytona 18 24 .429 12.5 9-13 9-11 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Missoula 5 2 .714 - 2-2 3-0 L1 Billings 3 3 .500 1.5 3-2 0-1 L1 Great Falls 3 4 .429 2.0 0-3 3-1 W1 Helena 2 4 .333 2.5 1-0 1-4 W1

Midwest League Standings Arizona League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

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.

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_08_11_nasaaa_slcaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_11_msbaax_hunaax_1&did=t559&sid=t559 Brevard County: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&gid=2009_08_11_dunafa_breafa_1&cid=503&t=g_box Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_11_wisafx_cedafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_11_ogdrok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_11_brrrok_athrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_11_ddrrok_dobrok_1

Tuesday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Cody at Salt Lake (Angels), 7:40 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Brandon Kintzler at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Alex Periard at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series Wisconsin: LHP Daniel Meadows at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:20 PM pre-game; 6:35 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Nick Bucci at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at the Athletics' complex in Phoenix; no more day games -- all games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; no audio, naturally... Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at home vs. the DSL Rays (see this thread for some roster background) -- all games are 10:30 local time in the Dominican, and no need to ask about web audio; we usually won't see updated box scores until the overnight...

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

RHP and closer Michael Fiers, the 2009 22nd round pick, is doing exactly what he needed to do considering he turned 24 in June. He dazzled in stops in Helena and Wisconsin, and now joins the Manatees. The Rattlers roster is now one short at 24. Here's colbyjack's draft day scouting comments on Fiers.

From Sunday's game in Salt Lake, here's Angel -- photo by Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News http://www.deseretnews.com/photos/midres/1619831.jpg

Link Report Bonus: Link while active, text follows: 25-year-old makes Greer Stadium dirt look its best Sounds groundskeeper brings knowledge well beyond his age By Bryan Mullen THE TENNESSEAN The computer keyboard is caked with dirt and grass. It's inside a tiny office underneath Greer Stadium. A bucket full of pulled weeds sits nearby. Thomas Trotter is right at home. Trotter, 25, is the head groundskeeper for the Sounds and one of the youngest in minor league baseball. He has the behind-the-scenes responsibility of making the playing surface as pristine as possible. His duties range from picking weeds to scrutinizing dew points. On a recent Thursday at 9:30 a.m, he pecked away at his keyboard with dirty fingers and a frazzled brain. He was checking multiple weather radars online. A storm was on the way and the Sounds had a 7 p.m. game. "This is the first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before I go to bed," Trotter said. "And I check it countless times in between." Rain or shine, Trotter is at the field with his two-man crew about 9:30 a.m. for night games. These are 13-15 hour days. Typical pregame duties include pulling the tarp off the infield, readying the bullpen dirt, mowing every inch of grass, sodding worn spots, and constantly watering the infield dirt. "It's like this is a hobby to me," Trotter said. "When we were starting a 15-day break recently, I left the stadium, took a shower, and drove straight to Birmingham, Alabama, to help a friend with a Double-A All-Star game." There is endless worry, however. Trotter was at a friend's wedding in Louisville recently when he heard that a strong storm was nearing Nashville. The Sounds were out of town but Trotter left the wedding at 11 p.m. and drove directly to Greer Stadium to make sure the tarp was holding up. "The stress does wear on you," Trotter said. "I'm constantly nervous when the team is in town. And the players will not hesitate to tell you if something is wrong." But there is a flip side. "The best compliment we get is, 'Is that real grass?' " said Nick Vikstrom, 24, Trotter's only full-time employee. The players are also appreciative. "The dirt plays very true no matter if it's a wet day or dry day," Sounds infielder Adam Heether said. "It's to the point where no one even talks about it. Good fields don't get as much attention because there is nothing wrong with them." A young veteran Surrounded by prospects, Trotter is a rising star in his own right. He grew up in Greenville, S.C., and began working at a golf course in high school. He attended Clemson and earned a degree in turf grass science. Trotter interned with the San Diego Padres in 2005, an experience he still smiles about. "The weather is so perfect in San Diego. I didn't even know where the tarp was during the first month I was there," Trotter said. After spending two seasons with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, Trotter was hired by the Sounds in April. There are a couple of big league clubs he would like to work for, but for now, he is trying to gain more experience. One example is his sod testing ground behind the left field wall. Trotter experiments with different fertilizers, and the turf is like a country club fairway. He hopes the more impressive his credentials become, the less potential employers will focus on his youth. "I think most people probably do look at the age," Trotter said. "But I was thrown into the fire at a golf course when I was 15, running every piece of equipment. Once they talk to me a little bit, maybe it won't matter if I'm 25." One last check That Thursday game was rain-shortened, so the fieldwork was sloppy. Trotter, however, was in his element. "I will never work in an office," Trotter said. "When we have staff meetings in the press box, I always sit up against the window so I can see the field." After his typical 13-hour workday, Trotter retires to his apartment for his other routine. He said he takes a shower, watches television, then heads to bed knowing he will be back at Greer Stadium in a few hours. But not before checking the radar one more time. Players have complimented Sounds groundskeeper Thomas Trotter for the field condition at Greer Stadium. Photo by SANFORD MYERS / THE TENNESSEAN http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20090810&Category=SPORTS04&ArtNo=908100349&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

The quality of coverage we're getting from Helena this year is absolutely fantastic, by the way -- Link while active, text follows: Burgos, Brewers rebound strongly By AMBER KUEHN - Helena Independent Record Hiram Burgos had a feeling when he woke up Monday morning. The Helena Brewers pitcher spoke on the phone with his family in Puerto Rico and told his dad he was going to get his first win as a professional baseball player. The right-hander did just that, using outstanding command of his fastball to give his team an 8-1 win over the Ogden Raptors in front of 852 fans at Kindrick Legion Field. Burgos allowed just one hit in five innings, giving up no runs and striking out seven. He walked just two batters. "I had confidence in myself," said Burgos, who struggled early this season and entered Monday's game with a 9.91 ERA. "I feel really proud," he said with a ton of emotion in his voice, the win still sinking in. Ogden, normally a solid hitting team, struggled to get men on base. At one point, the Raptors went through a six-inning dry spell without a hit. "My confidence in my fastball, working ahead, that's what made me good today," Burgos said. The 22-year-old had been working a lot with his pitching coach, Elvin Nina, and it showed Monday. Burgos retired 13 straight at one point in the contest. It was just the game the Brewers had been hoping for. Helena was solid throughout the lineup and the team seemed to click in every phase of the game, be it offense or defense. "We played as a team," Burgos said. "If we continue to do that we're going to be good this half." So much of baseball is a mental game, and Burgos said having the right mindset factored into his win Monday. "I was talking to my dad and he knew I hadn't been pitching the way I'm capable of," Burgos said. "I just forgot about everything in the past and said it's a new game." Burgos was supposed to get the start for Helena, but Chad Robinson took the mound for one inning at the beginning. Robinson was just coming off of an arm injury and gave up Ogden's lone run of the game off a pair of hits. Jonathan Pokorny was awarded the save, throwing three innings in relief, fanning four and giving up three late Raptors hits. Still, this gem belonged to Burgos. "Control," Brewers manager Rene Gonzales said when asked what worked for his winning ace. "He threw a good breaking ball and had command of his fastball." Burgos' teammates provided back-up for their hurler, breaking the game open and holding the lead. On an 0-2 count, Helena left fielder Chris Ellington stroked a two-run double in the seventh to give the Brewers a six-run cushion. Gonzales couldn't have been more pleased. "Just the way things have been going, those three-run, four-run leads haven't been good enough," the Brewers skipper said. "When we got a lead, the tempo and the pace of the game just favored us." The Brewers hit a small speed bump in the ninth when the southpaw Pokorny, needing just one final strike to end the game, gave up two singles. Brewers fans held their breath as Nina went out to speak with Pokorny, and then a 6-3 out was all Helena needed to close out the game and open the homestand with a victory. "Hopefully this is a stepping stone for us," Gonzales said. "But at least (people) see what we're capable of."