Jim Goulart

David Weiser's starsboxscore.com A lot of grateful to go around Stars happy to forget 2-8 road trip... Jeff Allison just happy "I'm very, very grateful to be given this opportunity," said Jacksonville starting and winning pitcher Jeff Allison. I usually don't write at length about players of opposing teams. It's enough to write about the game itself, but Jeff Allison warrants an exception. Allison, on just a few hours sleep, helped pitch the Suns to an 8-2 victory in his Double-A debut. A case of nerves maybe allowed the Stars to take a 2-0 lead after the 1st inning. But Allison is just grateful. Grateful for the second chance in baseball. Grateful for the Mariners for giving him the second chance in life. Maybe baseball has another Josh Hamilton story in the making. Hopefully, he sees his story as inspiration........ He was the 7th overall pick in the 2003 amateur draft, heralded with a fastball that touched 98 mph. He had pitched 63 1/3 innings with a 0.00 ERA to show the scouts. The reward was a $1.85 million bonus -- a lot to handle for an 18-year old. Too much, apparently....... But between then and now, Allison missed the 2006 and 2007 seasons with serious drug problems - oxycontin. The highly addictive painkiller was carving the lives out of his high school friends back in Massachusetts, and now it was taking a piece of him. He spent a lot of time in drug counseling, but couldn't stay clean. From oxycontin, he went from marijuana to heroin -- and overdosed. It looked like rock-bottom, but in 2005, he was assigned to Class A-Greensboro (SAL). After a 5-4, 4.18 season, he was arrested in October and charged with felony possession of an automobile in North Carolina, his off-season home, and felony possession of heroin, after telling the Marlins back in April he was clean........ In August 2006, police found him unconscious on the floor of a house after his second heroin OD. It was finally a wake-up call..... Thanks to a baseball clinic in Middleton, Massachusetts, he's stayed clean and sober while staying in shape to pitch. He's stayed that way for 15 months. Too much money, a lot of talent, a lack of brains, but not resiliency. Allison has so far learned his lesson, and he is grateful. The Marlins would love to see him make it to the majors, but they are not rushing him. It was back to Class A-Jupiter (Fla. State) after throwing 44 of his 59 pitches for strikes....... Hours away from making his debut with Jacksonville, Allison said, "I'm very, very grateful to be given this opportunity," he said. "It was good to get up there, help the team win. I'm very proud, and they were so nice to me and so welcoming. They took me in with open arms." Robert Hinton received the only good news any Huntsville Star got that day..... Hinton, 0-6 with a 4.20 ERA, and a 6.23 ERA in July, was promoted to Nashville. The Stars will welcome the return of Nick Green, who started a game against the Smokies on July 6, then went back up to Nashville four days later....... If Hinton does not come back to Huntsville, which would surprise me, he leaves after 112 appearances for the Stars, tying him with Steve Phoenix for 3rd on the Stars' all-time list, and 3rd in relief innings, behind Scott Whaley (200 1/3 IP) and Dave Latter (171 1/3)...... Hinton has 163 1/3 --- and counting. The Stars got all their runs on a partly cloudy 90° afternoon at The Baseball Grounds after a two-out single by Drew Anderson. A triple to the wall in left-center by Jonathan Lucroy, and a wild pitch with Taylor Green at the plate followed....... Scott Cousins, who went 6-for-19 in the series, hitting safely in every game, and driving in five runs, capped a five-run 5th inning with a two-run HR deep to right field off losing pitcher David Welch. The Suns added another run to make it 6-2 in the 6th on a fielding error by Freddy Parejo. The Stars hit into four double plays........ They have lost eight of their last nine games and had leads in five of those eight losses...... After a ten-hour trip home, the Stars will start a five-game home series with the M'Braves, Friday...... Mike Jones is scheduled to get the nod against All-Star Scott Diamond (4-10, 3.65), who is 0-1 with a 6.10 ERA in two starts this year against Huntsville....... Somewhat of a hard-luck pitcher, Diamond, the Braves' #26 pitching prospect according to Baseball America, was 3-9 with a 3.47 ERA in 17 starts before the All-Star break...... Jonesy had a fairly good July with a 2-1 record and a 3.60 ERA in 30 innings of work. 64% of his 413 pitches crossed the plate for strikes -- the highest percentage for Jones in any month this year. The Stars are perilously close to 10th in team ERA in the Southern League with a 4.25 mark. Montgomery is on the bottom at 4.30. There will be a Bobblehead Giveaway night on August 10, but the bobble head person is a closely guarded secret.

Series Opener In Colorado Halted By Rain COLORADO SPRINGS - The series opener between the Nashville Sounds and Colorado Springs Sky Sox was suspended due to rain in the bottom of the second inning on Wednesday evening at Security Service Field. Nashville grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning with an unearned run off Sky Sox starter Damian Moss. Johnny Raburn reached on a throwing error by shortstop Mike McCoy and later scored on Jason Bourgeois' two-out RBI single. The game was delayed due to lightning in the bottom of the second inning. Colorado Springs had runners on first and second with two outs against Sounds starter Chase Wright, who had a 1-1 count against Chris Frey when the game was halted. The contest was suspended following a one hour and twenty-seven minute delay. The contest will be completed on Friday evening beginning at 6:05 PM CT. The teams will follow that resumption with their regularly-scheduled game, which will be shortened to seven innings. The teams continue the series with another 8:05 p.m. CT matchup on Thursday. Left-hander Chris Cody (5-6, 4.02) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Colorado Springs right-hander Esmil Rogers (1-2, 5.63). Nashville Partial Box Score

Final: DSL Yankees #1 squad 14, DSL Brewers / Orioles 0 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score No Brewers pitched -- whew! Thought for sure that this involved Rolando Pascual somehow, sorry Rolando; Hitaniel Arias and Jhonatan Javier each were 0-for-3 with two K's... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

Final: Arizona Indians 7, Arizona Brewers 3 Arizona Box Score Rehabbing LHP Jose Romero entered a 3-3 game in the 8th inning and allowed four runs; 19-year-old RHP Blake Billings has shown marked improvement since mid-July, allowing two solo home runs here in six innings, striking out four with two walks; LF Wayne Dedrick reached base three times, including only his 3rd walk in 115 AB's; several Brewers have similar ratios -- middle infielder Connor Lind (two walks in 115 AB's), corner infielder Allixon Cequea (two walks, 113 AB's); CF Franklin Romero (five walks, 130 AB's); outfielder and bonus baby Jose Garcia (two walks, 78 AB's) has still managed a .741 OPS and doubled here as the designated hitter, his first at-bats since July 16th; non-drafted free agent switch-hitting catcher Austin Stockfisch hasn't played since July 14th... Arizona Game Log

Final: Daytona (Cubs) 6, Brevard County 3 Link while active, text follows: Jackson helps Daytona Cubs to win By SEAN KERNAN Daytona Beach News-Journal Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH -- For whatever reason Jay Jackson is here with the Daytona Cubs, manager Buddy Bailey is happy to have him. Jackson, a Southern League All-Star earlier this season, was sent down to the Daytona Cubs recently for disciplinary reasons. Chicago Cubs vice president for player personnel Oneri Fleita has described the reason as a "failure to comply with club policy." Jackson (1-0) made his second start for Daytona on Wednesday night and once again let his performance do his bidding for a return to the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. The right-hander allowed just one earned run in six innings as the Cubs beat the Brevard County Manatees 6-3 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. "The organization felt it would be best if I came back here -- that's all I know," Jackson said after striking out four, walking one and yielding five hits. "They asked me to come down. I don't have control over the powers that be. I'm just trying to have a good season, keep the numbers going up and keep getting wins for the teams that I play with. That's about it. I haven't heard anything yet (about going back up to Double-A). I'm just waiting on a phone call." Jackson did not want to go into any specifics about why he was sent down to Daytona. In the meantime, Bailey is more than happy to have Jackson. "Once we got the lead for him, he did what pitchers are supposed to do," Bailey said. "He went to another level I thought. That's what winning pitchers do. They get the lead and they're not giving it back. I thought his stuff, his command and intensity went up once we got the lead." The Manatees got back-to-back hits from Zelous Wheeler and Sergio Miranda to lead off the second inning and put runners at second and third. Jackson induced a double play from designated hitter Derrick Alfonso, but Wheeler came in to give Brevard County the early lead. Brevard County made it 2-0 in the top of the fourth inning thanks to a Jake Opitz error. Centerfielder Lee Haydel reached on the miscue and promptly stole second base. Wheeler brought home Haydel with a base hit to center field to extend the Manatees lead. The Cubs (52-52 overall, 18-19 in the second half) scored three runs in the fourth and sixth innings with a little help from the Manatees (62-38, 22-14). Daytona got a measure of revenge against Brevard County starter Evan Anundsen (8-7). It was Anundsen who tossed a no-hitter against the Cubs on April 28. Daytona took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Centerfielder Tony Campana and Nathan Samson led off the inning with two straight singles to put runners at first and third. A swinging bunt from Opitz resulted in Campana being thrown out at home on a controversial call by home plate umpire A.J. Johnson. Anundsen followed with a walk to Brandon Guyer to load the bases for Marwin Gonzalez. The Cubs third baseman grounded out to bring in the first run of the inning. Cubs catcher Mark Reed followed with a chopper over to first base that was mishandled by Chris Errecart to allow Opitz to score. Errecart then tried to recollect the ball and throw to first, but his throw was errant and Guyer came home to give Daytona the lead. The Cubs extended their advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning. Anundsen loaded the bases with two walks and a base hit before he was lifted from the game for Mark Willinsky. The first offering from the righty was a wild pitch that brought in Opitz. After an intentional walk to Jonathan Wyatt, designated hitter Jericho Jones came through with one out. The Texas-native stroked a single to centerfield to make it a 5-2 ball game. Second baseman Jose Made brought in the sixth run for Daytona by beating out an attempted double-play that allowed Gonzalez to cross home. Campana had three of Daytona's seven hits, while Guyer had two singles. Brevard County manager Mike Guerrero earned an automatic ejection in the bottom of the sixth inning after he had seen enough of A.J. Johnson's strike zone. Guerrero jumped out of the dugout knowing full well he'd get tossed for arguing balls and strikes. Brevard County Box Score Minor league two-man umpire crews have it tough -- we forget that every other game they have home plate duties, a beatdown in the summer months for sure... Brevard County Game Log

Final: Helena 10, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 8 Link while active, text follows: Brewers rally in ninth to beat Osprey By NICK LOCKRIDGE - Missoulian The Missoula Osprey thought they were through with the letdowns. They were wrong. Just three days after letting the Northern Division first half title slip through their fingers, the Osprey let a one-run lead go in the ninth as the Helena Brewers scored thrice to escape town with a 10-8 Pioneer League baseball victory on Wednesday. "Tomorrow is a new day," said Missoula manager Audo Vicente, whose club lost for the first time in the second half of the season. "We have to learn from our mistakes and keep moving." Helena shortstop Mike Marseco went 3-for-5 with three runs batted in, including the game-winner in the top of the ninth as the Brewers snapped their two-game losing skid. Mareseco plated Mike Roberts with the go-ahead run, after Roberts had just driven in Kyle Dhanani with the tying run. Dhanani led off the ninth with a walk from Osprey closer Bradin Hagens. It was Hagens second blown save of the season, but his first time taking the loss. Hagens' (1-1) inability to close - he's the team's co-leader in saves with four - was almost as shocking as Missoula's ability to rally from a six-run deficit earlier in the game. "We fell behind by six runs and then we scored seven. We had an opportunity," Vicente said. "We've got to get that first hitter out and we didn't do it. That was the key in that (ninth) inning for them." The Osprey scored seven runs in the sixth inning to rally from a 7-1 deficit and excite the 2,545 fans at Ogren-Allegiance Park, who thought they might see a three-game sweep to start the second half. Missoula, which was held to seven hits, had three of them in the sixth. Reserve infielder Adonys Canelo hit a two-run home run to power the Birds' comeback and two Brewers relief pitchers each uncorked a wild pitch that contributed to the cause. Helena used three pitchers in the sixth, much like it did two nights ago when the Brewers absorbed a 10-run inning in a 12-2 loss to the Osprey. Joel Morales, Ben Jeffers and Ryan Platt each got one out in the sixth and were hardly the follow up to Helena ace Nick Bucci, who left after the fifth inning with a 6-1 lead. Chris Ellington added a solo home run in the top of the sixth that cleared the batting cages beyond left field and likely landed in the river to build the Brewers' lead to six runs. Bucci, who began the year at Class AA Huntsville (Ala.) of the Southern League, hadn't gone fewer than six innings in his last five starts. He got a no decision. Instead, Chad Robinson got the win for Helena, his first in three seasons of professional baseball. Robinson (1-0) gave up one hit but no runs in the eighth, and Kristian Bueno worked a perfect ninth for the save. Robinson sat out most of last year with a shoulder injury and was 0-5 the season before that. Missoula's big inning helped counteract a shaky start by the O's and starting pitcher Enrique Burgos, who let four runs score in the Brewers first at-bat, and two more in the third. Helena first baseman Sean Halton went 4-for-4 and Scott Krieger crushed his 11th home run of the season to right-center field to give the Brewers a 2-0 lead in the first. Krieger is second in the league in long bombs. Canelo and Ramon Castillo each finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the O's (2-1). Helena Box Score Michael Marseco, a switch-hitter, finally gives the Brewers a left-handed bat; Mike Brownstein (.438 OBP) also reached first base three times, as he was plunked twice; just-turned 19-year-old Canadian RHP Nick Bucci's K-to-BB ratio is still a sparkling 50-to-16 in 56 innings even after an uncharacteristic five walks in five innings here -- even so, he limited the damage to one run... Helena Game Log

Final: Kane County (Athletics) 3, Wisconsin 1 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Opportunities missed By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers stranded 13 runners on Wednesday afternoon in a 3-1 loss to the Kane County Cougars. Mike Spina had three hits, including a homer, and scored twice to help the Cougars send Wisconsin to their fourth consecutive loss. Kane County (60-49 overall, 19-20 second half) staged a two out rally in the top of the fourth inning to break a scoreless tie. Tyler Ladendorf doubled in Spina with the first run of the inning. Rattlers starting pitcher Cody Scarpetta walked the next two batters to load the bases. Then, on a 3-2 count, Scarpetta hit #9 hitter Chris Berroa to force in the second run of the frame. Wisconsin (48-60, 14-24) had chances to get even or take the lead throughout the game. Their best opportunity was in the fifth inning. The first two batters drew walks against Kane County starter Murphy Smith. Then, reliever Scott Deal hit the next batter to load the bases with no outs. But, Deal got a pair of strikeouts and a grounder to get out of the inning. The Rattlers did score in the bottom of the seventh inning. Josh Prince doubled and would score on a single by Pete Fatse. A walk to Brett Lawrie put the tying run in scoring position. But, Corey Kemp lined into a double play to end the inning. The Cougars got the run back in the top of the eighth. Spina hit a lead off homer to left and the Cougars were up 3-1. The Rattlers had two runners on with two outs in the eighth and two runners on with two outs in the ninth, but could not cash in either chance. Wisconsin wraps up their homestand on Thursday night with a game against the Cougars. Daniel Meadows (12-3, 3.83) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Kane County counters with Kenny Smalley (8-4, 2.06). Thursday night is a WIXX Thirsty Thursday featuring soda and beer for $1. Also, the first 1,000 fans into the stadium will receive a soap dispenser shaped like Timber Rattlers mascot Fang. Game time is 7:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Rattlers strand 13, it's like a broken record; Josh Prince reached four times, nice... Wisconsin Game Log

Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 8, Huntsville 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary Suns' Five-Run Fifth Finishes Off Stars Huntsville Heads Home After Disappointing Road Trip By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Scott Cousins' two-run home run capped off a five-run fifth inning rally that lifted Jacksonville to an 8-2 come from behind win over Huntsville Wednesday afternoon in the last of a five-game set at the Baseball Grounds in Florida. The Suns put together a third straight comeback victory to win for a fourteenth time in their last 16 games to improve to 28-12 in the second half and temporarily move three and a half games in front of Birmingham in the South Division, while the Stars fell for an eighth time in nine games to dip to 15-25 in the second half and 53-56 overall. The Stars dropped four out of five at Montgomery and Jacksonville during their final 10-game road trip of the season. Jeff Allison, the 16th overall selection in the 2003 draft, making his double-A debut, retired the first two hitters he faced before Drew Anderson singled and scored when Jonathan Lucroy followed with a triple. Lucroy then scored on a wild pitch to give the Stars an early 2-0 edge. Allison then blanked the Stars over the next four frames on four hits to earn the victory. He walked one and struck out three and was aided by three double plays, including two that ended innings. The Suns loaded the bases on two hits and a walk in the second inning but Stars' starter David Welch got Allison to ground to end the threat and inning. Welch stranded Lorenzo Scott at third base with one out in the third by getting Mike Stanton to line out and striking out Logan Morrison for a second time. Welch was not so fortunate in the fifth inning, as he allowed five runs and suffered the loss to fall to 5-8. Scott's fielder's choice grounder chased in the first run prior to a hit by Stanton that drove in Scott to tie the game. Anderson's throw back to the infield from left field got past Taylor Green at third base, allowing Lee Mitchell to move to third base and Stanton advance to second. Logan Morrison's groundout knocked in Mitchell with the go-ahead run and Cousins followed with a two-run home run to right field, his second in as many games and 11th of the season, to finish the uprising. Welch was lifted after five frames, giving up six hits, walking two and fanning five. Levale Speigner tossed a scoreless sixth inning behind Allison and was followed to the mound by Garrett Parcell, who worked two shutout frames. A.J. Battisto closed out the game and series with a scoreless ninth inning to give the Suns' bullpen 15 shutout frames outside of the Stars' game-winning five-run rally in the ninth inning on Sunday. The Suns added a run in the sixth inning against Bobby Bramhall and two in the eighth on a home run by Chris Hatcher off of Rob Wooten to finish the scoring. The Stars return home Friday night to begin a five-game series with Mississippi and will send right-hander Mike Jones to the mound against Braves' southpaw Scott Diamond. Coverage of the game begins at 6:45 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score This squad looks primed for the playoffs in a few weeks, huh? Such is often the fate of first-half champions, but this collapse hasn't been due to an unusual amount of player promotions or such. Travel time tonight, day off Thursday, which makes one ponder Lorenzo Cain's absence here... Huntsville Game Log Three GIDP's and four double plays overall didn't help...

We pointed to this in Tuesday's Link Report, if it helps you get a sense of the evening.

From the Stars: The Milwaukee Brewers and the Huntsville Stars announced today that RHP Robert Hinton has been promoted to Nashville. Also, RHP Nick Green has been assigned to Huntsville from Nashville. You'd think Green will will be moved into the Stars' rotation. This will be Hinton's first stop in AAA, in this, the sixth year in the system for the soon-to-be 25-year-old.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 59 52 .532 - 34-25 25-27 W1 Memphis 58 52 .527 0.5 37-22 21-30 L1 Iowa 54 56 .491 4.5 30-20 24-36 L3 Omaha 45 64 .413 13.0 21-29 24-35 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 21 18 .538 - 12-8 9-10 L2 Tennessee 21 18 .538 - 8-11 13-7 L1 West Tenn 20 19 .513 1.0 7-8 13-11 W2 Carolina 15 24 .385 6.0 7-13 8-11 W1 Huntsville 15 24 .385 6.0 6-9 9-15 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 25 10 .714 - 9-7 16-3 W1 Brevard County 22 13 .629 3.0 14-7 8-6 L1 Dunedin 20 17 .541 6.0 11-7 9-10 W3 Clearwater 18 18 .500 7.5 9-9 9-9 L4 Daytona 17 19 .472 8.5 8-12 9-7 W1 Lakeland 17 19 .472 8.5 7-7 10-12 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 2-0 W4 Missoula 2 0 1.000 - 0-0 0-0 W2 Billings 0 2 .000 2.0 0-0 0-0 L3 Helena 0 2 .000 2.0 0-0 0-2 L2

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 Wednesday'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_05_nasaaa_cspaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_hunaax_jaxaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_breafa_dbcafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_kccafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_helrok_misrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_clerok_brrrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_08_05_dobrok_dyarok_1

Wednesday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chase Wright at Colorado Springs (Rockies), 7:40 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: LHP David Welch at Jacksonville (Marlins), 11:50 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime Live Audio (Cubs Feed) Link Wisconsin: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Kane County (Athletics), 11:50 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Nick Bucci at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at home in Maryvale vs. the Indians' papooses; 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 Yankees #1 squad (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

OF Caleb Gindl to the Brevard 7-day DL, retro to August 2nd. Gindl was the DH in his last two games, and sat out a game in-between, so between that and the retro-placement, signs that this is more minor in nature. We'll see...

Kraig has video of Adam Heether's home run.

Link while active, text follows: Ticket to fun Manatees owner, president believe local team is county's top value BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY Dr. Thomas F. Winters Jr. is an Orlando orthopedic surgeon with a passion for sports and baseball. He indulged that passion in 2005 when he bought the Brevard County Manatees of the Class A Florida State League. As majority owner, he and partners Dewight Titus and team President Charlie Baumann are responsible for the stadium, running the games, and a percentage of the equipment and travel. The parent Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball's National League are responsible for employment and salaries of the players, coaches and training staff as well as player development decisions. Winters and Baumann, a former kicker with the NFL's Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots, sat down for an interview at Space Coast Stadium, to discuss the team and their goals and expectations. QUESTION: What originally interested you in owning a minor league baseball team and buying the Manatees in 2005? WINTERS: I've had an interest in baseball, my father was with the press, he was the editor of the local newspaper in Norwich, Conn. The press box at the then-Norwich Navigators, it's a Double-A team up there, is named after him. I've always loved baseball. So when the opportunity came up . . . I called my uncle Dewight (Titus) and I said 'hey, let's buy a minor league team.' Q: What were your goals when you bought the team, and have you met them all? If not, which ones remain unfulfilled? WINTERS: The goals were, No. 1 to have fun, which we have had. It's a learning experience. Charlie's gotten involved with us with running it so that's been a good situation. Financially, we haven't made money on it yet and because of Charlie, we're losing a lot less than we did when we first started. BAUMANN: I would like to think we could afford more of Brevard County to come out and experience what we think is a wonderful experience here, affordable family entertainment, and focus more on getting more people here and I think then the business aspect takes care of itself. We're going to continue to develop the relationships we have, we're going to work really hard to develop new relationships -- not only with individuals but the small-, medium and large-sized businesses. Not being numerically focused but more relationship focused and I think it will take care of itself. Q: How often do you get over here for games and do you walk around and chat with fans and do any housekeeping? WINTERS: Charlie's over here a lot. I'll come over, I have a busy orthopedic practice so I don't have quite as much (time). I try to get over as much as possible, usually it's on weekends and as we get to the playoffs . . . Most of the time I'll sit down in the stands, get a chance to meet and talk to people. Q: How much smarter of an owner are you now than you were when you bought the team? BAUMANN: I don't think we're any smarter, I think we understand and realize how fortunate we are to be the stewards of this team and we realize it's the county's team, it's the area's team. If we are smarter at all it's listening to a lot of the people here who have tried to help us understand what they're looking for and how to make this a better experience. Q: The mayor of Palm Bay has proposed building a 2,500-seat capacity ballpark and the Manatees have been the subject of public discussion as a possible tenant. Have you spoken with the mayor? Also, it seems every Manatees opening day brings with it annual rumors that you want to move the team to Orlando. Can you comment on that? BAUMANN: First of all with Palm Bay, yes we have spoken to the mayor because they're a major sponsor. We've seen the same rumors and news reports that you have. We have a lease here and we're the tenant and we have a good situation. Obviously we'd like more people here. . . .Where all this comes from, what they want to do, I don't know. It could be a number of different scenarios. I don't know where that (Orlando rumors) came from. Really don't. Never let the truth get in the way of a great story. We're here. We've been here. Every year you hear the rumor, every year we have our first pitch in early April in Brevard County. WINTERS: When we first bought the team, we're from Orlando, but there's no place to play over there. It's very simple. Look at this facility here. We'd like to have more people in it, obviously. It's the cheapest, best entertainment in town.There's no question that we do have a core of fans. It would be nice to get a lot more people coming out all the time. Q: Can you speak to the facility, Space Coast Stadium? Do you have what you believe is necessary to be successful? WINTERS: I think it's a great stadium here. I think part of the problem is you just need more . . . we get a lot of fans come from south of here. It would be nice to get a few more from north of us here. Brevard County, this is the only professional team in town. Q: Having the Washington Nationals hold spring training here and then leave in favor of a Milwaukee Brewers farm team is not the ideal situation when it comes to a fan base identifying with a team. Have you tried to change that? Have you begun discussing renewal of your contract with the Brewers that runs through 2010? What's status of your sub-lease contract with Nationals? WINTERS: When we first came on board, the Brewers came to us and wanted to come over here. That was the best situation. They're a great group to work with. The Nationals, they're obviously our landlords here and it's fine. The Nationals wanted to be in Potomac (Class A Carolina League) because they thought it would help with their development up there. Obviously, the first choice, you're right, it would have been a nice situation but when they decided to go to Potomac we were very, very, very fortunate to get the Brewers. They're the nicest organization to deal with.It's just nice people to deal with. BAUMANN: We have every intention of retaining and building on our affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers. Everything's wonderful there (Nationals sub-lease). It's something, from a business perspective, we've helped them with their spring training operations in the past and we will continue to do so in the future. It's something that benefits both of us.We share a lot of expenses that without us that they would have to absorb in the summer here -- the utilities, their employees, the grounds crew and everything like that. It also benefits us. WINTERS: They're (Nationals) the ones who got the new sound system, they got the new scoreboard; all the capital expenditures are a function of the Nationals efforts. We feel very fortunate that they've come in and they've been able to work with the county in doing a lot of the improvements that were really needed . . .-- the seats, a lot of the structural issues that have been addressed. We feel really happy to have them as a business partner. Q: In Class A ball, good players draw fans but the better the player is the better the chances are he is going to move up. That's the nature of the beast. Also, the better the job the manager does in developing players means the better the team will fare and the better the chances a bunch of players will move up bringing in new players fans are not familiar with. How long did it take for you to become comfortable with this from a business perspective? WINTERS: You market different things. You market the idea that you're watching baseball, you're watching development. On any team, you're going to have, what four, five, six players who have the potential of making it to majors. The Brewers are a great organization because they draft so well. Look at their Major League level. You've got Ryan Braun, you've got Rickie Weeks, you've got (Prince) Fielder if course. You've got all these guys who came up through. BAUMANN: There are many nights when the eight position players on the field or even the pitcher, all nine are homegrown, that are Brewers farm system products. So when the players move up they replace them with very high quality players that also come with some notoriety, some pedigree and a lot of ability. Q: The Manatees won the first half championship and will host playoff games in September. How important is that to the team from the business side? WINTERS: It helps a lot. We're going to get one or maybe two more games in the first round and two to three more games in the second round. We've already chosen that we want to get games two and three. Q: Speaking of fans, are you happy with attendance? Also, do you believe the economy has hurt you? WINTERS: I think the economy has hurt us with the fact that sponsorships are down. Sponsorships, it's just difficult. . . . There's just not the money to spend for people. You're paying $7 for a ticket. As Charlie said: 'Cheaper than a movie and a different ending every night.' Brevard County Manatees majority team owner Dr. Tom Winters, left, and team president Charlie Baumann mingle with friends and family during last Friday's game at Space Coast Stadium. (Photo by Christina Stuart, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090805&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=908050328&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 3, Huntsville 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary Suns Come Back to Down Stars, Again Jacksonville Makes it Three of Four in Series By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Mike Stanton knocked in the winning run for a second straight night and the Jacksonville bullpen tossed three shutout frames in a 3-2 come from behind win over Huntsville Tuesday night in the fourth of a five-game set at the Baseball Grounds in Florida. The Suns won for a thirteenth time in their last 15 games to improve to 27-12 in the second half of the season and maintain their three-game lead on Birmingham in the South Division, while the Stars fell for a seventh time in eight games to dip to 15-24 in the second half and 53-55 overall. Scott Cousins broke up a scoreless game with a one-out home run in the fourth inning, hit to just the right of straightaway center field, 420 feet away from home plate. It was his first home run since July 9 and tenth of the season. Stars' starter Mark Holliman has yielded a long ball in four of his last five starts, five of his last seven and in 10 of his 20 turns this season. Cristhian Martinez blanked the Stars on two hits through six innings before Lorenzo Cain led off the seventh with a double and scored to tie the game on a Kevin Melillo single that knocked Martinez out of the game. The right-hander walked three and fanned a season-high seven and was followed to the hill by Chris Leroux, making his second appearance of the series. J.R. Hopf grounded out to second base to move Melillo, who had advanced to second on the throw home, to third base with one out before Yohannis Perez fanned for the second out. Chuck Caufield followed with a pinch-hit double down the left field to send Melillo home with the go-ahead run. Holliman was lifted after six innings, giving up three hits, walking a season-high four and fanning five. Robert Hinton took over in the seventh and gave up two singles and issued a walk to load the bases with nobody prior to uncorking a wild pitch that allowed Brad Davis to score the tying run. Stanton's squibbing ground ball up the first line was good enough to deliver pinch-hitter Lorenzo Scott with the lead run and hand Hinton his sixth loss of the season without a victory. Leroux picked up the win with a scoreless inning and was followed by Jay Voss, who recorded two outs, and Kasey Olenberger, who fanned Cain to end the eighth inning. Matt Peterson, the league's saves leader, retired the first two batters in the ninth inning before Perez and pinch-hitter Jonathan Lucroy singled ahead of Adam Stern, who flied out to the warning track in straightaway center to end the game. The Stars have been involved in six straight games that have been decided by either one or two runs and have emerged victorious only once. The Suns lead the season series six games to three. The series finishes up Wednesday afternoon with Huntsville left-hander David Welch taking the hill against Suns' southpaw Graham Taylor. Coverage of the game begins at 11:50 AM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score Stars Manager Robert Miscik ejected by HP umpire Tripp Gibson with two out in the 8th -- a bit odd, because no Suns baserunners reached that inning; Lorenzo Cain now has 121 AB's this season, and yes, he's rehabbed a variety of leg ailments, but it's time to pump up the .616 OPS... Huntsville Game Log

Final: DSL Marlins 5, DSL Brewers / Orioles 3 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score First baseman Hitaniel Arias 3-for-4, including a double -- now 10-for-32 and probably feeling a bit more comfortable in his home country; unusual quiet day for Jhonatan Javier; LF Juan Barrini and 2B Joan Abreu (two errors); day off for Brewer hurlers... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

Final: Missoula (Diamondbacks) 5, Helena 4 Walk-off loss... Link while active, text follows: Missoula rallies to beat Brewers By NICK LOCKRIDGE - Missoulian Come-from-behind victories were a staple of the Missoula Osprey in the first half. It appears they'll be that way in the second half as well. David Nick's two-out RBI single through the left side of the infield brought home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth on Tuesday as the Osprey won 5-4 in the second game of the second half of the Pioneer League season. Missoula, which just missed winning the first-half title four games ago, won for the second time in as many nights despite playing a mistake-filled game with Northern Division rival Helena. "We kind of grinded it out the last couple of games, and we came up short of our goal even though we tied Great Falls for the (first half title)," said Nick, who went 2-for-3 at the plate on Tuesday. "We wanted to come out and start out the second half strong." The Osprey (2-0) won 12-2 in Monday's second-half opener, but returned to their come-from-behind ways in the middle game of a three-game series with the Brewers. The series concludes on Wednesday, then goes on the road to first-half winner Great Falls for three games. Missoula and Helena (0-2) both committed four errors, including a couple gaffes on pickoff attempts, and one crucial error in the O's half of the ninth. Errol Hollinger led off with a grounder to Helena third baseman Kyle Dhanani, who air-mailed one over his first baseman's head. Hollinger, who went 2-for-4 in the game, moved to third on a sacrifice and a fielder's choice. Nick was trailing 0-2 in the count to Helena's Robert Currie when he connected for the game-winner. "He threw three straight curve balls," Nick said. "I knew he was going to throw it again. I just made pretty good contact." Michael Brownstein hit a two-run single to give the Brewers a 4-2 advantage in the seventh inning. Missoula's Henry Zaballa and Michael Noboa answered with a pair of two-out RBI singles in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game 4-4. Another blown pickoff play was to blame for setting up the second run. The game was also tied at 2-2 in the fourth and Hollinger led off the third with his second home run of the season to knot the score at 1-1. O's reliever Charles Brewer earned his fifth win of the season by pitching the final two innings. He didn't give up a run or a hit while walking three and striking out two. Brewer (5-0) was the fourth Missoula pitcher of the game. Starter Eric Smith tossed five frames and gave up just one earned run on three hits. Currie took the loss for Helena and Brownstein finished 2-for-5 with three RBIs. The two teams face off again tonight at 7:05 PM in Missoula. Helena Box Score RHP Andre Lamontagne, coming back from a sore arm, got the start, making his first appearance since July 18th, and pitched well in his controlled two-inning stint; 6th round RHP Hiram Burgos still struggling -- three hits, a balk, a walk and his own throwing error in 2/3 of a very messy and critical 7th inning; three of the runs the Brewers allowed were unearned -- ugh; I'm guessing it's an issue throughout baseball, but why can't young kids (and young Brewers in particular) play strong defense at third base? Probably the best young college and high school athletes and defenders usually play short, and then transition when they turn pro... Helena Game Log

Final: Nashville 6, Albuquerque (Dodgers) 5 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Corey Patterson photo, text follows -- Sounds Blast Three Home Runs In 6-5 Win NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds beat the Albuquerque Isotopes, 6-5, on Tuesday afternoon at historic Greer Stadium thanks to three Nashville home runs. Joe Koshansky, Adam Heether, and Jason Bourgeois all went deep in the game, tying a team-high for home runs in a game this season. Albuquerque took three of five from Nashville (59-52) in the series and holds a 7-5 advantage this season. Albuquerque leadoff hitter Tony Abreu jacked a home run to left on the second pitch of the game from Sounds starter Tim Dillard for an early Isotopes 1-0 lead. Koshansky put Nashville back in front at 2-1 in the bottom of the first with his 18th homer of the season, a two-run shot off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in left field. Koshansky's home run off the scoreboard was the second on the year, after Brendan Katin hit it earlier this season. Albuquerque shortstop Sergio Garcia led off the top of the fifth with a double down the left field line and then scored on a single by A.J. Ellis to knot the game at 2. Later in the inning with pitcher J.D. Durbin on first, Jamie Hoffman hit another double off the centerfield wall. Durbin rounded third base with intention to give the Isotopes the lead, but was thrown out at home plate by Alcides Escobar. Nashville went right back ahead in the next inning on a two-run homer to left field by Heether, his 12th long ball on the year. AUDIO: Adam Heether Home Run The Isotopes loaded the bases off Dillard in the top of the seventh with no outs. Dillard struck out pinch hitter Dee Brown for the first out, but allowed an RBI-single by Abreu that cut the Sounds lead to 4-3. David Johnson came into the game to relieve Dillard and gave up a two-run double to the next batter Jamie Hoffman, putting the Isotopes ahead for the first time at 5-4. Bourgeois tied the game in the next frame on a solo home run down the left field line over the foul pole. The home run was Bourgeois' 2nd of the season and first since May 15. Patterson then hit a bunt single to reach base and advanced to third on a throwing error by pitcher Harvey Garcia. Catcher Angel Salome followed with a sacrifice fly to left field that scored Patterson and gave the Sounds the 6-5 lead. Dillard pitched 6 and 1/3 innings while allowing five runs on 10 hits with two strikeouts. Johnson (3-1) picked up the win, striking out two in 2/3 of an inning. Reliever Jesus Colome added two scoreless innings for his second save, striking out two in the process. J.D. Durbin surrendered four runs on six hits in six innings of work for the Isotopes. Harvey Garcia (0-1) took the loss after giving up two runs in 2/3 of an inning. Sounds outfielder Corey Patterson went 3-for-4 on the afternoon with two doubles and a run scored in the win. The Sounds travel to Colorado Springs, where they'll begin an eight-game road trip Wednesday against the Sky Sox at 8:05 PM CT at Security Service Field. Sounds left-hander Chase Wright (6-6, 4.21) takes the hill against lefty Damian Moss (6-3, 3.44) for Colorado Springs. Nashville Box Score Sounds were out-hit, but won the walks/HBP battle 7-2 -- see a pattern thus far? Angel Salome a perfect day -- single, two walks, sacrifice fly; a bit ironic that newcomers Jesus Colome and Corey Patterson will likely be the next two Sounds on the 25-man Brewer roster; Brendan Katin watches Bill Hall circle fly balls in right field in Milwaukee and sighs... Nashville Game Log

Post-Crescent blog with tidbits and notes, reminding us that while in Helena, Michael Fiers only walked one all season... Post-Crescent coverage of Paul Molitor's visit, including video A must-view video -- wild play from Sunday's Rattler game...

Final: Kane County (Athletics) 4, Wisconsin 2, ten innings Wisconsin Site Game Summary Frustrating loss for the Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers took an early lead against the Kane County Cougars on Tuesday night. But, they could not add on to it and wound up on the short end of a 4-2 score in ten innings. Pinch hitter Jeremy Barfield delivered a two-out, two-run single in the tenth to send Wisconsin to their third straight loss. The early lead was courtesy of Derrick McPhearson. The speedy outfielder gave the Timber Rattlers (48-59 overall, 14-23 second half) a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. His two-out RBI single drove in Corey Kemp from third base. Wisconsin had a chance to pad their lead in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings against Kane County starting pitcher Shawn Haviland. In the fourth, Kemp doubled and Brock Kjeldgaard singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. In the fifth, Josh Prince doubled and Pete Fatse singled to put runners on the corners with no outs. In the sixth, Kjeldgaard doubled with one out. However, each time the Rattlers appeared on the verge of breaking the game open, Haviland got out of the jam. The Cougars (59-49, 18-20) cashed in an opportunity in the sixth. Steve Parker doubled to start the inning. One out later, Petey Paramore singled him home to tie the game. That was the only run allowed by Wisconsin starting pitcher Trey Watten. The righty worked six innings, allowed five hits, walked two, and struck out four. But, he was not involved in the decision. Kane County loaded the bases in the top of the seventh inning with a single and a pair of one-out walks against Rattlers reliever Brandon Ritchie. The left-hander got a strikeout for the second out, but a walk to Mike Spina forced in a run and gave Kane County a 2-1 lead. Haviland went six innings and it took the Rattlers until the eighth to get back on the board. Juan Sanchez drew a leadoff walk. An infield grounder moved him to second. Kjeldgaard, on his third hit of the night, singled to left and drove home Sanchez with the tying run. But, more walks came back to haunt the Rattlers in the top of the tenth. Spina doubled to start the inning, but he was still stranded there with two outs. Rattlers reliever Nick Tyson just missed on a 3-2 pitch to Chris Berroa and walked him to extend the inning. The newest Wisconsin pitcher, Mike Fiers, relieved Tyson and he got ahead of Dusty Napoleon 0-2. But, Napoleon drew his third walk of the night by taking a close pitch on a 3-2 offering to load the bases. Barfield pinch-hit for Arrieche and smacked a two-run single to center to provide Kane County with the winning margin. Wisconsin pitchers issued nine walks to run their Midwest League leading total to 426. Timber Rattlers hitters went 4-for-15 with runners in scoring position and two of those four hits did not score runners. Game three of the series is Wednesday afternoon. Cody Scarpetta (2-8, 3.96) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Murphy Smith (0-1, 3.72) is the scheduled starter for the Cougars. Game time is 12:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score You can't say walks are an issue throughout the organization, as Nashville, Huntsville, and Helena pitchers are doing fine in that regard, but Chris Hook's group in Appleton is having an awful time of it -- Maryvale and surprisingly, Brevard pitchers are among the league leaders in most walks allowed as well; entertaining game for the full house on a comfortable 75 degree evening; five doubles among the 11 Rattler hits -- like the Maryvale kids, they out-hit their competition but lost due to the bases on balls; CF Erik Miller just 4-for-36 since returning from a broken hand -- it was surprising to not see him in Maryvale first as part of a rehab; 23-year-old catcher Corey Kemp's .383 OBP and .787 OPS remain pretty solid... Wisconsin Game Log Frustrating doesn't begin to describe the wasted opportunities described above...