Jim Goulart

Molitor Q&A with Brett at the Post-Crescent

From Brett Christopherson of the Post-Crescent: Delaney update Wisconsin Manager Jeff Isom said infielder John Delaney suffered a concussion after being hit in the head by a pitch during last week's series at Fort Wayne and won't return to the field during the team's upcoming eight-game road trip. "He should be back here for our next homestand I would imagine," said Isom, whose club won't return to Fox Cities Stadium until Aug. 15. "We're being very cautious with him since this is, I think, his second (concussion) this season. Anytime you have an injury with the head, you're going to be very cautious. So we're going to be in no hurry to get him going." Delaney, currently on the disabled list, is hitting .222 with 16 doubles, one homer and 21 RBI in 60 games. He was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 25th round of the 2008 June draft.

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers leave chances for win stranded on the bases By Brett Christopherson Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had the tying run standing at second with only one down in the ninth. But then came a strikeout, followed by another. And that meant another tough loss. Sound familiar? "Right now, there seems to be a lot of pressing, especially with guys in scoring position," Wisconsin hitting coach Matt Erickson said in the wake of Thursday's 4-3 Midwest League loss to Kane County at Fox Cities Stadium - an outcome that secured a four-game series sweep for the Cougars while handing the Rattlers their 19th loss over their past 22 games. "We spent the last couple of weeks talking bat control and being short to contact, putting the ball in play, putting pressure on the defense. We're unable to make the adjustments right now. And until we do that, we're going to continue to not have very much success offensively. "But we'll keep working on it. Obviously, there's some frustration. But that's why they're here. It's player development. We still have a month left to try to improve. Those that make the adjustments will move on. Those that don't, won't." The Rattlers scored just seven total runs in the series despite having a runner reach safely in 33 of the 37 innings that were played. They hit just .222 with runners in scoring position (eight-of-36) and stranded 36 runners, including that key one in the ninth to cap Thursday's loss and conclude a 1-6 homestand. "We've just got to keep doing our hitting (work) and, hopefully, that will translate into the games when the pressure's on," said outfielder Michael Vass, who belted a solo home run in the second but was one of the two retired by strikeout in the ninth. "Just every day, we've got to come out here and try to get it done." The Cougars found a way to get it done in the clutch with a pair of two-out, two-run homers by Tyler Ladendorf and Nino Leyja, both of which came on first-pitch offerings from Daniel Meadows. Adding the proverbial salt to the wound is this: Ladendorf's homer was his first of the season, and he's hitting just .226. Leyja, meanwhile, has only two homers and is hitting a paltry .195. "That's been our Achilles' heel," Rattlers manager Jeff Isom said of his own club's inability to scratch across runs when the opportunities are presented. "We'll continue to work on it, but we just have to do a much better job to do that."

Final: Kane County (Athletics) 4, Wisconsin 3 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Kane County goes yard for sweep By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI -- The Kane County Cougars scored four runs thanks to a pair of two-out, two-run homers and it was enough to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-3 Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. The Cougars swept the four game series from Wisconsin with the win. The Rattlers (48-61 overall, 14-25 second half) scored a run without a hit in the bottom of the first. Josh Prince walked to start the inning, stole second, and went to third on a flyout to right. A two-out wild pitch by Kane County starter Kenny Smalley let Prince score for a 1-0 lead. Michael Vass hit a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the second for a 2-0 advantage. Kane County (61-49, 20-20) tied the game in the fourth. Steve Parker started the inning with a single, but he was still on base as Rattlers starting pitcher Daniel Meadows got the next two batters. But, Tyler Ladendorf smacked the first pitch of his at bat over the wall in left-center for his first home run of the season to mke the score 2-2. Wisconsin retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jose Duran's RBI fielder's choice gave the Rattlers a 3-2 lead. But, in the top of the fifth Kane County went back in front and they again used the long ball to do it. First, Leonardo Gil singled with two outs to keep the inning alive. Then, Nino Leyja homered on the first pitch he saw from Meadows to almost the same spot in left-center and the Cougars went up 4-3. That was it for the offense as the pitching took over the game. Meadows and Wisconsin reliever Mike Fiers allowed three hits over the final 4-1/3 innings to keep the Cougars off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game to give the offense a chance. The Rattlers hitters had runners on fifth, seventh, and eighth innings but didn't have a good chance to tie the game until the bottom of the ninth. Brock Kjeldgaard was hit by a pitch from Cougars reliever Trey Barham to start the inning. Duran sacrificed him to second with a bunt. But, Barham struck out the two batters to nail down the Kane County sweep. The Rattlers finished their seven-game homestand with a 1-6 record and have a record of 3-19 in their last 22 games. Wisconsin begins an eight-game road trip on Friday night with a game at O'Brien Field in Peoria, Illinois against the Peoria Chiefs. The Timber Rattlers have Evan Frederickson (3-7, 4.92) as the scheduled starting pitcher. The Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs will send Jeff Antiqua (0-0, 1.80). Game time is 7:00 PM. Wisconsin Box Score 3-19 in their last 22? Now there's a happy clubhouse. How's it going for the Rattlers? The only player with two hits, Erik Miller, was caught stealing twice.... Wisconsin Game Log

Final: Brevard County 5, Daytona (Cubs) 3 Link while active, text follows: Poor fielding dooms D-Cubs By Sean Kernan, Daytona Beach News-Journal Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH -- Ugly weather. Ugly game. Dark clouds hovered over Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Thursday and eventually the rain came, forcing a delay of one hour and 18 minutes. When the game got under way, someone forgot to tell the Daytona Cubs, because sloppy play in the form of four errors in the first three innings helped the Brevard County Manatees get off to a 3-0 start in a game the visitors eventually won 5-3. Daytona entered the game with the worst fielding percentage (.967) in the Florida State League and the Cubs lived down to that billing on a night with sinkerball pitcher Ryan Searle (6-9) on the mound. A first-inning error by Jake Opitz led to an unearned run, and two Marwin Gonzalez errors gave the visitors another run and made things a more difficult for Searle. Gonzalez had another error in the third inning but started an inning-ending double play on a ground ball one batter later. Searle lasted just three innings in large part because of the extra outs the Cubs gave up behind him. The right-hander -- who has won just once in his last eight starts -- gave up three hits, including an RBI triple to Steffan Wilson after Eric Farris had drawn the first of two walks issued by the Australian hurler. Back-to-back singles by Chris Errecart and Lee Haydel put runners on the corners in the top of the fifth, and the Manatees made it 4-0 on Zelous Wheeler's sacrifice fly to center. The Cubs cut their deficit in half in the bottom of the fifth. Brevard County shortstop Brent Brewer dropped a line drive off the bat of Brandon Guyer for an infield hit. Brewer followed with a bad throw to second on a fielder's choice that allowed Opitz to reach base. Guyer advanced to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Luis Flores. Opitz went to second after Jericho Jones walked. A two-out single by Jonathan Wyatt scored Opitz. The Cubs got within a run in the eighth when Nate Samson singled to right, bringing in Tony Campana after he reached base on a fielder's choice and stole second. Brevard County Box Score Logan Schafer, Eric Farris and Juan Sanchez had two hits apiece; Farris also stole his league-leading 50th base of the season. It was the Manatee debut for Sanchez, up from Wisconsin -- Sanchez was in right field for this one; RHP Alex Periard (faced the minimum in his three innings), LHP Dan Merklinger, and RHP Jim Henderson combined to allow only one earned run... Brevard County Game Log

Final: Nashville 8, Colorado Springs (Rockies) 7 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Jason Bourgeois photo, text follows -- Sounds Win Wild One Against Sky Sox, 8-7 COLORADO SPRINGS - The Nashville Sounds scored the go-ahead ninth inning run to beat the Colorado Springs Sky Sox 8-7 on Thursday night at Security Service Field. During a double steal attempt, Jason Bourgeois scored the winning run in the final inning on a Sky Sox wild pitch. AUDIO: Jason Bourgeois Winning Run After a Memphis loss on Thursday night, Nashville (60-52) picks up full game in the American Northern Division. Left fielder Adam Heether went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored, while Sounds catcher Angel Salome chimed in with four hits. The Sounds were able to strike first, putting two runs on the board off three hits. Heether led off the top of the second inning with a base hit and was doubled home by Mat Gamel for the first run. Salome then advanced Gamel to third with another single in the inning, with Johnny Raburn hitting a sacrifice fly to bring home Gamel for a 2-0 lead. Colorado Springs first baseman Daniel Ortmeier his seventh homer of the season in the next frame, a solo shot to centerfield that trimmed the Sounds lead to 2-1. Alcides Escobar added his fourth home run of the season in the next inning that gave the Sounds a 3-1 advantage. Later in the inning, Heether gave the Sounds a second run on another RBI base knock by Salome for a 4-1 Nashville lead. The Sky Sox struck back in the next frame, loading the bases on Sounds starter Chris Cody, who walked home a run. Right fielder Matt Murton followed with a sacrifice fly that trimmed the Sounds lead within one run at 4-3. The Sounds had the bases juiced against Sky Sox starter Esmil Rogers in the top of the fourth inning, and Heether emptied the bases with a three-run double to left field, extending the Nashville lead to 7-3. Colorado Springs catcher Paul Phillips brought the Sky Sox back within two runs at 7-5 with a two-run base hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring Murton and Ortmeier. The Sky Sox were able to tie the game at 7 in the bottom of the eighth inning. With two outs in the inning, Eric Young tripled, followed by four consecutive walks before the final out was recorded. The Sounds took the lead in the top of the ninth inning on a wild pitch by Colorado Springs pitcher Scott Munter. Team leaders in stolen bases, Bourgeois and Escobar executed a double steal to put themselves in scoring position, while Munter threw a wild pitch that allowed Bourgeouis to score the winning run. Cody allowed five runs on seven hits in six innings while striking out three. Reliever John Axford (2-0) took the win after throwing 1/3 of an inning for the Sounds. Ryan Houston pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his seventh save. Rogers surrendered seven runs on nine hits over four innings for the Sky Sox. Munter (4-4) earned the loss for the Sky Sox, allowing a run in the ninth inning. Nashville stole five bases in the game, with Escobar swiping two bags to become the 11th Sound in team history to steal at least 40 bases in a season. The Sounds and Sky Sox continue with their series on Friday evening, where the two teams will resume the suspended game from Wednesday and follow with their regularly-scheduled game, which will be shortened to seven innings. The action begins at 6:05 pm CT on Friday at Security Service Field. Left-hander Lindsay Gulin (5-7, 4.44) takes the hill for Nashville against Sky Sox righty Adam Eaton (3-3, 2.64). Nashville Box Score Welcome to PCL ball, Colorado-style; 43-year-old reliever Mike Timlin hoping for a call-up to the Rockies... Nashville Game Log

From Wednesday: Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with First Baseman Joe Koshansky From Thursday: Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Outfielder Corey Patterson

Actually, he had appeared a couple of days prior, on August 2nd, at which point we noted it was his return. There was also a reference to him earlier as being "absent" during his month away, although we had no specifics.

RHP Tom Wilhelmsen's Power 50 history, before his sudden departure from the organization back in the spring of 2004.

Link while active, text follows: Former Triton adjusts to life in minor leagues Two months into his professional baseball career, Kyle Dhanani has very few complaints, save for the fact that his new team - the Helena Brewers - have had just four days off since he joined the team in mid-June. The Peninsula native, who spent the past three seasons manning the infield with the Thompson Rivers University Wolfpack, has been adjusting well to the professional ranks with Helena, the rookie league affiliate of Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers. "Life has been good so far as a professional," said the former White Rock Triton, who was drafted by the Brewers this summer. "Lots of hard work, pretty much daily, and we only have three more days off for the (rest) of the season, so it's a grind. But it's been fun." Dhanani, who moved from the Peninsula to Blaine, Wash. to play high school baseball as a teenager, has excelled in his brief stint in Montana. A shortstop at TRU, the six-foot-two infielder has been spending most of his time with the Brewers at second base, third base and designated hitter. In 25 games, he is hitting .269 with 13 RBI and six stolen bases. "I had to adjust my swing after a few weeks to get used to the pitching," he explained. "I've been hitting well of late, (but) pitchers can be really dirty at times." Though Dhanani, 22, has been experiencing the same growing pains as any young player adjusting to pro ball, he has still impressed his new manager, who has not hesitated to throw Dhanani into new roles. "He is a great person to have on a team. He is a great athlete and very valuable because he can play many positions," Rene Gonzales said. "He has as good a pair of hands as anyone in the league. He does need to work on his plate discipline, but that will come with time. "I'm very glad to have him here." Dhanani said he has also adjusted well off the field, despite coming to a brand new team and city where he knew only one player - former Blaine teammate Joey Paciorek, also a Brewers' draft pick. "I feel like a rookie for sure, because a lot of the guys came from spring training and knew each other already. But I'm like every new draft pick who didn't know anyone... but playing with my ex-high school teammate (has) made the transition a lot easier," he said. Kyle Dhanani is adjusting to life as a pro baseball player with the Helena Brewers. Dean Hendrickson photo http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/400*329/4087whiterockDhanani-Kyle0809.jpg

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 59 52 .532 - 37-22 22-30 W1 Nashville 59 52 .532 - 34-25 25-27 W1 Iowa 55 56 .495 4.0 31-20 24-36 W1 Omaha 46 64 .418 12.5 22-29 24-35 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 22 18 .550 - 13-8 9-10 W1 Tennessee 22 18 .550 - 9-11 13-7 W1 West Tenn 20 20 .500 2.0 7-8 13-12 L1 Carolina 15 25 .375 7.0 7-13 8-12 L1 Huntsville 15 25 .375 7.0 6-9 9-16 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 26 10 .722 - 10-7 16-3 W2 Brevard County 22 14 .611 4.0 14-7 8-7 L2 Dunedin 20 18 .526 7.0 11-8 9-10 L1 Clearwater 19 18 .514 7.5 9-9 10-9 W1 Daytona 18 19 .486 8.5 9-12 9-7 W2 Lakeland 17 20 .459 9.5 7-7 10-13 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 2 1 .667 - 0-0 2-1 L1 Missoula 2 1 .667 - 2-1 0-0 L1 Billings 1 2 .333 1.0 1-2 0-0 W1 Helena 1 2 .333 1.0 0-0 1-2 W1

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 59 52 .532 - 37-22 22-30 W1 Nashville 59 52 .532 - 34-25 25-27 W1 Iowa 55 56 .495 4.0 31-20 24-36 W1 Omaha 46 64 .418 12.5 22-29 24-35 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 22 18 .550 - 13-8 9-10 W1 Tennessee 22 18 .550 - 9-11 13-7 W1 West Tenn 20 20 .500 2.0 7-8 13-12 L1 Carolina 15 25 .375 7.0 7-13 8-12 L1 Huntsville 15 25 .375 7.0 6-9 9-16 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 26 10 .722 - 10-7 16-3 W2 Brevard County 22 14 .611 4.0 14-7 8-7 L2 Dunedin 20 18 .526 7.0 11-8 9-10 L1 Clearwater 19 18 .514 7.5 9-9 10-9 W1 Daytona 18 19 .486 8.5 9-12 9-7 W2 Lakeland 17 20 .459 9.5 7-7 10-13 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 2 1 .667 - 0-0 2-1 L1 Missoula 2 1 .667 - 2-1 0-0 L1 Billings 1 2 .333 1.0 1-2 0-0 W1 Helena 1 2 .333 1.0 0-0 1-2 W1

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

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 Saturday'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_08_nasaaa_cspaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_msbaax_hunaax_1&did=t559&sid=t559 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_lakafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_wisafx_peoafx_1 Helena, Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_helrok_bilrok_1 Helena, Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_helrok_bilrok_2 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_athrok_brrrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_08_dobrok_ddorok_1

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: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_nasaaa_cspaaa_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_breafa_dbcafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_kccafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_helrok_bilrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_brrrok_pdrrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_06_dpirok_dobrok_1

Saturday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at Colorado Springs (Rockies), 7:40 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Nick Green at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 5:45 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 6:05 PM gametime No audio for this series Wisconsin: RHP R.J. Seidel at Peoria (Cubs), 6:15 PM pre-game; 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHPs Andre Lamontagne and Jake Odorizzi in a doubleheader (two seven-inning contests) at Billings (Reds), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at home vs. the Athletics; no more day games -- all games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; no audio, naturally... Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at the DSL Dodgers (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...

Thursday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Cody at Colorado Springs (Rockies), 7:40 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: TBD at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio (Cubs Feed) Link Wisconsin: LHP Daniel Meadows at home vs. Kane County (Athletics), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: LHP Donald Brandt at Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at the Padres' complex in Peoria; 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 Pirates (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

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

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: The Brewers are expected to promote newly signed reliever Jesus Colome from Triple-A Nashville as early as Friday. Colome, released by the Nationals last month and scooped up by the Brewers, pitched two more scoreless innings on Tuesday to preserve his perfect ERA. He struck out 11 batters in seven innings over his first four appearances for Nashville. ... Milwaukee would have to free up 25-man and 40-man roster spots.

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com: Right-hander Nick Bucci was named the Brewers' Minor League pitcher of the month for July after going 5-0 with a 2.13 ERA for rookie-level Class A Helena. Outfielder Logan Schafer was the player of the month. He hit .346 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 27 games. Both players were 2008 Draft picks.

Link while active, text follows: Versatile Sanchez has found a home with Timber Rattlers By Ricardo Arguello Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - Fox Cities Stadium has been Juan Sanchez's home away from home. And the 22-year-old's strong work ethic has followed him more than 2,600 miles from his home town in Bejuma, Venezuela. Whether it's taking extra fielding or batting practice or working on his footwork, Sanchez's desire to improve himself every day has caught the attention of Timber Rattlers manager Jeff Isom. Sanchez had a single, stolen base, walk and was hit by a pitch in the Timber Rattlers' 3-1 loss to Kane County on Wednesday in front of 3,830 at Fox Cities Stadium. "He works hard. It's the way he plays the game," Isom said of Sanchez. "And he has fun doing it. "He's the first one to the stadium and the last one to leave." Finding a place for Sanchez to play hasn't been difficult. The 5-foot-11, 167-pound Sanchez has played six different positions this season and his extreme versatility has conjured up images of former St. Louis Cardinals utility player Jose Oquendo. Oquendo, who had a 12-year career in the big leagues, once played all nine positions in a game. Sanchez entered Wednesday's game against Kane County batting .251 with a home run and 27 RBI. Sanchez can play all outfield positions, third base and the "premium" infield positions of second base and shortstop. And there's no dropoff in performance at any of them, according to Isom. "When I got here they asked what position I would like to play," Sanchez said. "And I told them I like to play them all. And I try to make adjustments at each position." Defense is something Sanchez takes pride in and he points to major league shortstop Omar Vizquel, a fellow Venezuelan, as someone he would like to follow career wise. "He has 11 gold gloves," Sanchez said. "I like defense and I want to stay in the game and play for (a long time)." Sanchez had three personal goals before the season started, according to Isom: improve as a person, get 400 at-bats and try to become fluent in English. Sanchez, who spoke no English before joining the Rattlers, has picked up the language steadily this season. It's yet another area that Sanchez puts a lot of effort and time into perfecting. "Every day I'm learning more," he said. "I'm so much better now than when I came here in April. Now I can talk with my American friends in the infield and with coach Isom."