Jim Goulart

Final: Brevard County 7, Jupiter (Marlins) 4 Brevard County Box Score Lee Haydel doubled in Logan Schafer to snap a 4-4 tie in the 7th; RHP Evan Anundsen struck out nine and walked one in six innings of work, posting yet another amazing line; defense wins -- Hammerheads five errors, Manatees zero; Chris Errecart and Zelous Wheeler combined for three base hits and two sacrifice flies as every Manatee reached base at least once; Martin Maldonado, a strong defensive catcher, with his 11th passed ball -- as with the case of Jonathan Lucroy this season and Angel Salome in the past, we need to accept inflated minor league numbers in this regard, even at AA and high-A... Brevard County Game Log

Final: Wisconsin 9, Lansing (Blue Jays) 7 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Rattlers rally to victory By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers LANSING, MI -- Pete Fatse's two-out, two-run triple in the top of the eighth inning capped a four-run frame for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to complete their 9-7 comeback win over the Lansing Lugnuts Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park. The win snapped Wisconsin's four game losing streak. Lansing (33-58 overall, 7-15 second half) scored first. They got an RBI single from Balbino Fuenmayor in the second inning for the 1-0 lead. The Lugnuts loaded the bases with two more singles in the inning, but Rattlers starting pitcher Cody Scarpetta got out of the inning by inducing Kenny Wilson to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Lugnuts also loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning. But Scarpetta escaped by striking out Wilson and Tyler Pastornicky. Wisconsin's offense rewarded Scarpetta with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. John Delaney drew a walk to break a streak of 12 straight batters retired by Lansing starting pitcher Chris Holguin. Sean McCraw was next and he homered to right to give the Rattlers (46-46, 12-10) a 2-1 lead. The home run was the first since August 29, 2007 for the Rattlers catcher. But, Rattlers reliever Rigoberto Almonte could not get out of a self-made jam in the bottom of the fifth. He walked the first two batters of the inning and a bunt single loaded the bases for Lansing. Almonte got the first out, but Fuenmayor doubled down the right field to drive in a pair of runs. Later in the inning, Fuenmayor scored on a single by A.J. Jimenez for a 4-2 lead. Wisconsin went back in front with a three-run rally in the top of the sixth. Delaney doubled against Lansing reliever Ryan Koch with one out, Brock Kjeldgaard, at first and Brett Lawrie at second. Lawrie scored, but Kjeldgaard was out at the plate. Delaney took third on the throw home. That was a key play. The Lugnuts decided to walk McCraw intentionally, but the first pitch from Koch was very wide and the ball went to the backstop for a wild pitch. Delaney scored on the play and tied the game 4-4. McCraw and Derrick McPhearson both walked and Michael Marseco singled to center to chase McCraw home with the run that put the Rattlers ahead 5-4. But, Lansing rallied against Efrain Nieves in the bottom of the sixth. A two-out RBI single by Yohermyn Chavez was followed by an RBI double by Chris Emanuele to give Lansing a 6-5 lead. In the seventh, a homer by Luis Fernandez put the Lugnuts up 7-5. But, the game was far from over. Kjeldgaard started the rally in the top of the eighth inning with a leadoff homer. The blast was the sixteenth of the season for and it got the Rattlers to within 7-6. The next two Rattler hitters walked and that forced the Lugnuts to go to their closer early. Matt Daly entered to face pinch-hitter Jose Duran. Duran dropped a bunt single down the third base line to load the bases with no outs. Marseco was next and his fielder's choice knocked in the tying run. The potential go-ahead run was thrown out at the plate after a tapper to the mound by Sanchez and that set the stage for Fatse. He worked the count to 3-2 and lined a triple to center that scored Marseco and Sanchez easily to put Wisconsin up 9-7. Brandon Ritchie relieved Nieves in the eighth and pitched two scoreless innings for his second save. Wisconsin and Lansing wrap up their series on Monday night at Oldsmobile Park. Trey Watten (4-8, 4.16) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Lansing counters with Chad Beck (2-4, 6.22). Game time is 6:05 PM CDT. Wisconsin Box Score When you see a final score of 9-7, you hope for a concise game summary, and Chris came through for us, thanks -- that looks like it was one heck of an entertaining contest, all three hours, 32 minutes of it; LHP Efrain Nieves got the win, but wasn't particularly impressive, but fellow lefty Brandon Ritchie looks to be a keeper... Wisconsin Game Log

MLB.com from the D'Backs: In return for Felipe Lopez, the D-backs received outfielder Cole Gillespie and right-handed pitcher Roque Mercedes. Gillespie, who was a member of the 2006 Oregon State University College World Series championship team, was hitting .242 with 12 doubles, seven homers and 27 RBIs for Triple-A Nashville. The 25-year-old had the start of his season delayed by a sprained elbow. "Gillespie is a guy we actually liked a little bit in the Draft," Byrnes said. "[He] has gone out and performed well. He had a slow start this year, had an elbow injury coming out of Spring Training, but he's in Triple-A and we think he has a chance to be a Major League player for us." Gillespie will be assigned to Triple-A Reno. Mercedes was 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA and six saves for Brevard County in the Class A Florida State League. The right-hander walked eight and struck out 26 and seems to have taken nicely to a relief role after beginning his pro career as a starter. The 22-year-old has a low-90s fastball and what Byrnes said was an above-average slider. "We like his potential as a reliever down the road," Byrnes said. The D-backs are leaning toward starting Mercedes out at Double-A Mobile, but they could also assign him to Class A Visalia of the California League.

MLB.com from the D'Backs: In return for Felipe Lopez, the D-backs received outfielder Cole Gillespie and right-handed pitcher Roque Mercedes. Gillespie, who was a member of the 2006 Oregon State University College World Series championship team, was hitting .242 with 12 doubles, seven homers and 27 RBIs for Triple-A Nashville. The 25-year-old had the start of his season delayed by a sprained elbow. "Gillespie is a guy we actually liked a little bit in the Draft," Byrnes said. "[He] has gone out and performed well. He had a slow start this year, had an elbow injury coming out of Spring Training, but he's in Triple-A and we think he has a chance to be a Major League player for us." Gillespie will be assigned to Triple-A Reno. Mercedes was 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA and six saves for Brevard County in the Class A Florida State League. The right-hander walked eight and struck out 26 and seems to have taken nicely to a relief role after beginning his pro career as a starter. The 22-year-old has a low-90s fastball and what Byrnes said was an above-average slider. "We like his potential as a reliever down the road," Byrnes said. The D-backs are leaning toward starting Mercedes out at Double-A Mobile, but they could also assign him to Class A Visalia of the California League.

Final: Casper (Rockies) 11, Helena 3 Casper takes advantage as Brewers pitchers struggle Helena Independent Record It wasn't that Helena's bats went cold Sunday in Casper. A dismal performance from the mound in an 11-3 loss prevented the Brewers from picking up a second straight victory over the Ghosts. It also kept Helena from breaking out of a tie at the top to sit alone in first in the Pioneer League's North Division. The Brewers managed 10 hits and Scott Krieger homered once again for Helena. But Casper came out on fire, scoring three runs in the first inning off Brewers' starter Hiram Burgos, who picked up his second loss of the season. Burgos allowed nine hits and seven runs - six of them earned - in just four innings of work. Later in the game, Helena's Jonathan Pokorny also struggled from the mound, giving up seven hits and four earned runs in just over two innings. For Casper, Jared Clark couldn't have had a much better performance. The first baseman went 4-for-4 with five RBIs. The loss didn't do much to Helena in the standings. Missoula and Great Falls also were defeated Sunday, so the three teams remain tied for first in the standings. *** Great quote from Capser manager Tony Diaz -- The Ghosts haven't crept to .500 yet but have turned it around after an abysmal 2-12 start the season; they are now 8-15. Diaz expressed optimism for his team after the game, saying they've always had the character and have begun to show more maturity at the plate. "A lot of time the record and the stats are like bikinis. They show a lot but they don't show everything. Maybe we could've probably been over .500, but I don't like to dwell on the could've-would've-should've." Helena Box Score Cutter Dykstra has committed ten errors in just 18 games at second base in Helena; 13 Helena base hits but no walks drawn; only one of RHP Hiram Burgos' five outings has been successful -- the 6th round pick out of Bethune-Cookman is off to a rough pro start with an 11.50 ERA... Helena Game Log More from the Casper Star-Tribune -- in the seventh, Brewers designated hitter Mike Roberts was thrown out at third trying to stretch a double into a triple. Edgar Trejo then doubled, but the Brewers could only manage one run in the inning despite their first two batters reaching on extra-base hits...

Thanks for your patience everyone -- further updates by mid-morning. I'm negotiating for some mid-season time off, and it looks like colbyjack (and likely others) will come through for me this week. Catch up with you soon...

Final: Arizona Rangers 9, Arizona Brewers 6 Arizona Box Score Brewers scored four in the first, and it remained that way until a four-run Ranger 5th against RHP R.J. Seidel, who also didn't retire any of the three batters he faced in the 6th for a total of seven runs allowed -- after some stellar outings, Seidel likely wishes his extended rehab stint (knee surgery) in Maryvale had been moved elsewhere by now; fantastic to see 21-year-old OF Erik Komatsu back after a near three-week layoff with a hamstring injury (this coming during his wrist rehab), Erik drove in two with a single and sacrifice fly; slugging RH bat, first baseman Sean Halton, went 4-for-4 with two doubles, now sporting a .980 OPS, 2009 2nd round OF Max Walla 0-for-4 (.569 OPS), dropped to 7th in the lineup... Arizona Game Log After Komatsu left the game to begin the 6th, LF Jose Garcia was brought in. But he played only one defensive inning, before Demetrius McKelvie hit in that spot and took over. Garcia handled one ball in the 6th, and McKelvie fell to .030 (1-for-33)...

Catcher Jhonatan Javier (stats at link) was named to the DSL All-Star squad (congrats, kid) and struck out as a pinch-hitter.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 52 41 .559 - 30-20 22-21 L1 Iowa 48 45 .516 4.0 27-18 21-27 W1 Memphis 46 46 .500 5.5 29-18 17-28 W1 Omaha 37 55 .402 14.5 16-25 21-30 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Tenn 15 9 .625 - 7-3 8-6 L2 Chattanooga 12 11 .522 2.5 6-4 6-7 L1 Tennessee 12 12 .500 3.0 4-6 8-6 W1 Huntsville 11 13 .458 4.0 4-6 7-7 W2 Carolina 8 16 .333 7.0 4-10 4-6 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tampa 11 7 .611 - 4-4 7-3 W2 Brevard County 12 8 .600 - 6-6 6-2 L1 Dunedin 12 9 .571 0.5 7-6 5-3 W1 Clearwater 10 10 .500 2.0 2-5 8-5 L3 Daytona 10 11 .476 2.5 4-8 6-3 W1 Lakeland 10 11 .476 2.5 3-5 7-6 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 13 11 .542 - 7-4 6-7 W1 Helena 13 11 .542 - 5-7 8-4 W2 Missoula 13 11 .542 - 9-4 4-7 L3 Billings 8 16 .333 5.0 4-8 4-8 L2

Midwest League Standings Arizona League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

The Nashville series at Iowa is available via the MiLB.TV subscription package

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 Sunday'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_07_19_nasaaa_iowaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_19_hunaax_msbaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_19_jupafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_19_wisafx_lanafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_19_helrok_casrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_19_rngrok_brrrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles (All-Star Game): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=l_sco&sid=milb&lid=130&ymd=20090719

Sunday's Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at Iowa (Cubs), 12:50 PM pre-game; 1:05 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Mark Holliman at Mississippi (Braves), 12:50 PM pre-game; 1:05 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 12:05 PM gametime Live Audio Link (Hammerheads' Feed) Wisconsin: RHP Cody Scarpetta at Lansing (Blue Jays), 12:50 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime; LHP Efrain Nieves will pitch in relief Live Audio Link Helena: TBD at Casper (Rockies), 5:50 PM pre-game; 6:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at home in Maryvale vs. the Rangers' tykes; no more day games -- all games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; no audio, naturally... Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: Today is the DSL All-Star Game (American vs. National League kids) -- we'll look for catcher Jhonatan Javier, who may have been named to the squad...

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Link while active, text follows: Brewers beat Casper to move into tie for first Helena Independent Record Just like that, the Brewers are on top again. After beating the Casper Ghosts 9-4 Saturday, Helena is now in a three-way tie for first place in the Pioneer League North division. The win didn't come easy. After finishing their swing through Idaho Falls, the Brewers ran into trouble while traveling to Casper, running into a three-hour construction delay, finally resuming their travels at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning. On top of that, their starter, Adrian Rosario, was feeling under the weather prior to the game. He apparently felt better during the game, as he went six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out five to earn his second win of the year and lower his ERA to 1.96. Scott Krieger bounced back offensively, going 2-for-3 with four RBI. His three-run home run in the third, which came off an 0-1 fastball from Ghosts starter Clint Tilford, gave the Brewers a 4-0 cushion. It was his seventh homer of the year. He added another RBI on a sacrifice fly in the sixth. "I've had a ton of rough games on this road trip," Krieger said. "I came in trying to stay positive and get swings early in the count." After the Ghosts got back two runs in the bottom of the fourth, Helena rattled off runs in each of the last five innings. Josh Prince, who had three hits in the game, also stole his league-leading 22nd base. The Brewers have won two in a row. They face off against Casper again today starting at 5:00 Pm (6:00 Central). The Ghosts are 7-15 and are last in the South division. "There's a lot of games left," Krieger said. "We're just working hard, trying to keep playing the way we have been. We need to keep playing good defense. We pitched the ball well tonight and hopefully that continues."

Link while active, text follows: Will it be too late before town appreciates Stars? Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times Miles Prentice, the Stars' owner whose appearances in Huntsville bring to mind the words "Halley's Comet," is scheduled to be here this week. He'll meet with Mayor Tommy Battle on Wednesday. It's a meeting that's destined to be like a workout on a treadmill - much energy expended and it goes absolutely nowhere. The future of the Huntsville Stars, as shaky as Jell-O, has become a hot topic since Gord Ash, the Milwaukee Brewers' assistant general manager, did Prentice a great favor by making this statement several weeks ago: "This is a very apathetic baseball town, and something's going to have to change. They're going to be sorry in a couple of years when they don't have baseball," Ash said. It was the sort of warning/ultimatum that Prentice can't afford to make. But Ash's accurate observation seems to have resonated loudly. It's ironic in some ways, since Milwaukee's decision on its marriage to Huntsville won't determine the franchise's future. As long as Prentice chooses to keep a team in Huntsville, there will be a major league affiliate for the city. (A quick sidetrack: Huntsville will never get an affiliation with one of the sexy, big-name major league teams, not with the current facility and operation. But it's a lame excuse to blame Milwaukee as the downfall of the Stars. The Brewers have provided as much success and even more quality major leaguers coming through than did Oakland.) I think minor league baseball is one of the most important facets in the "quality of life" for a city. As a friend said the other day, "I don't like the symphony, but I think we need one." A lot of people don't like baseball. But Huntsville needs a team. From a perspective of someone who started writing about Southern League baseball in 1976, who has covered 500 Stars games since 1998, who has been to every stadium in the league and typed probably 50,000 words about the stadium issue and what other cities have done, here's what I think needs to happen to save baseball here. The stadium. A new stadium would be wonderful. So would a BMW in my garage. Neither is feasible. Don't buy into any hype that a new stadium will attract hotels, restaurants and other businesses in the vicinity. Unless you count a new Cracker Barrel on the interstate by a couple of the stadiums, among 10 Southern League cities, only in Montgomery has a new stadium truly accomplished that. Instead, spend $10 million to $12 million or so on a facelift to create a "new and improved" Joe W. Davis Stadium. Prentice, who professes that he wants to keep the Stars in Huntsville forever, could assume some of that, and it's not unreasonable for the city to spend that much on a deteriorating 25-year-old piece of its property. When I suggested that to Prentice two years ago, he said it'd be something to discuss. The staff. Prentice's major investment needs to be in the front office. It's time to spend money to make money. The Stars have been short-handed and staffed with entry-level employees who may have applaudable work ethics but don't have the experience and knowledge to generate the revenue and attention needed to be successful. General manager Buck Rogers has an unbridled imagination for promotions and in-game activities; some have added life to the ol' ballpark, and some are a distraction for purists. It's time to put that imagination to work for more traditional measures to fill the park and reach out to Huntsville and neighboring cities. The support. Prentice and his co-owners would be insane to keep a team here, losing money and with an apathetic audience, if they had a chance to move somewhere else within the Southern League footprint, like Gulfport-Biloxi, Orlando, Pensacola or somewhere in the Carolinas. To be frank, as time goes on, more and more I'm convinced the best thing for baseball's future is for Huntsville to lose the team for a couple of years. The sale. When a consortium of local owners bought the Stars from Larry Schmittou in 1994, it saved the franchise. It's time for that to happen again. The absentee ownership of Prentice, a New York attorney who has never made himself a presence in Huntsville, has not worked. Local owners will create more enthusiasm, monitor the operation more closely and have a better chance arm-twisting the powers-that-be for stadium improvements. Bottom line: Somebody new needs to buy the Stars. And the community needs to buy into the Stars. If not, Ash is right. The Stars will be just like a dramatic home-run call from a broadcaster: "Going ... going ... "Gone."

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Pitcher Chris Narveson Discusses why he accepted his assignment back with the Sounds, and the unexpected request to start again... AUDIO: Salome Drives In Sounds' Run

Link while active, text follows: Clevenger waits for his pitch, delivers win By RICK BROWN, Des Moines Register Steve Clevenger went to the plate in the bottom of the ninth inning looking for a breaking ball from Nashville reliever David Johnson. Wise choice. The Iowa Cubs catcher got his pitch and singled home the winning run in a 2-1 decision over the Sounds in front of a standing-room-only crowd of 12,316 Saturday at Principal Park. Clevenger knew what to look for because of history and the situation at hand - runners at first and third after John-Ford Griffin led off with a double and went to third on Matt Craig's single. "I played with Johnson two years ago in the fall league, so I kind of know how he pitches,'' Clevenger said. "He likes to pitch backwards, and throws a lot of off-speed pitches. I figured with runners on first and third there was no harm in walking me. I figured I'd get a breaking ball." The Sounds scored their only run in the first inning off Iowa starter Casey Fossum, who allowed five hits and struck out six in six innings. Blake Parker, the Cubs' third pitcher of the night, got the victory. Sounds southpaw starter Lindsay Gulin held Iowa at bay for a second straight game. He left after Matt Camp opened the bottom of the eighth with a bunt single. Gulin allowed just three hits but got charged with the tying run when Aaron Miles, the second batter Johnson faced, doubled down the right-field line. Miles was then thrown out at third trying to stretch his game-tying hit into a triple. In his previous outing against Iowa, on June 2 in Nashville, Gulin pitched eight scoreless innings. Clevenger got Iowa's first hit off Gulin, a single to lead off the fifth. Camp had the only extra-base hit, a double off the glove of center fielder Jason Bourgeois to lead off the sixth. "He just doesn't throw very hard,'' Clevenger said. "He does a good job of mixing speeds. He'll throw one 78 mph, then one 64. You've got to stay back." Clevenger knew what to look for against Johnson. "I really wasn't looking to get any fastballs,'' he said. "Nothing near the plate."

Link while active, text follows: Kimberly pitcher Brad Schreiber to decide between Purdue or Brewers Brett Christopherson, Appleton Post-Crescent Got a question for you all to ponder as you rub the sleep out of your eyes: What should Brad Schreiber do? At 18 years old and with a bright future still waiting to be charted, should he choose the dream offer or go with the chance to actually touch the dream? First, the offer: Schreiber, who graduated from Kimberly this past spring, has been handed a 90-percent-paid scholarship that would bring his talented right arm and sweet swing to Purdue University. Not only are we talking the opportunity to play Big Ten baseball, but the estimated cost for a non-resident to walk PU's hallowed halls this upcoming school year is - swallow hard - more than 37 grand. That's a whole lot of free schooling from a pretty swank place. A no-brainer, right? Well, that brings us to the dream: Schreiber received a nice little surprise last month in the way of an unexpected phone call. It was Harvey Kuenn Jr., an area scout with the Milwaukee Brewers, with the OMG! news that the Crew, Schreiber's favorite team growing up, would be selecting the kid in the 42nd round of the annual amateur draft. Pro ball? Brewers? Maybe even get to play in front of the hometown crowd as a member of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers? A no-brainer, right? "This hasn't been as bad as trying to make a decision on what college to go to," said Schreiber, a 6-foot-3, 215-pound standout pitcher and first baseman who guided the Papermakers to the WIAA Division 1 state title in 2007, a runner-up finish in '08 and state tournament appearances the past three seasons. "It's (Kuenn's) decision on how good he thinks I am or what kind of prospect I am. We'll see if the Brewers come up with any numbers or what Harvey Kuenn is going to end up doing. I'm just going out there and playing baseball. And whatever they think, they think." Quite a few have been glad to share their thoughts as Schreiber continues to mull his next move. The consensus is he should go to school, where he could further his growth as a player and a person while fortifying his life through a quality education. And who knows? Maybe he'd get drafted again. Maybe in a much higher round. "I was talking to the Purdue coach, and he said he never had a guy that came in drafted and then his junior year was drafted lower or didn't get drafted," said Schreiber, who's spending his summer playing amateur ball with the Menasha Macs. "So the odds are good there." According to the rules of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft, a team "retains the rights to sign a selected player until 11:59 p.m. (EDT) Aug. 15, or until the player enters, or returns to, a four-year college on a full-time basis." Also, the rules stipulate if a player opts for school, he wouldn't be eligible for the draft again until he completes either his junior or senior year or reaches at least 21 years of age. So for Schreiber, choosing the Boilers over the Brewers would mean forgoing a pro career until 2012 at the earliest. And then there are no guarantees. "But you have to realize that if you sign a contract, you're not signing a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, you're signing a minor-league contract with no guarantees," said Boilermakers coach Doug Schreiber (no relation), who considers our Schreiber "one of the marquee" guys of an eight-player recruiting class. "If he does come here, he's not saying no to pro baseball. What we've talked about is, these next four to five years of your life are, hopefully, going to set up your next 40 years of working. You want to make sure the decision you make is going to help you have a career and make a living and support a family and all of those things you want to do. College is never a bad option." Agreed, but allow yours truly to play devil's advocate. Sure, if all goes well these next three seasons, Schreiber would seem to have the kind of mad game that would keep the scouts' antennas raised high. He went 10-2 for the Papermakers this spring with 89 strikeouts and a 0.90 ERA and hit .377 with seven home runs and 35 RBI - totals that landed him state Gatorade player of the year honors, as well as his second consecutive Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association player of the year plaque. As a junior, he finished 6-2 with a 1.27 ERA and belted eight homers, drove in 47 runs and hit a sizzling .536. But say the kid goes to Purdue and blows out his arm. Or he scuffles. Or he's derailed in some other way. Bye-bye draft. Bye-bye pro contract. Bye-bye dream. "And I think that's what's hard for an 18-year-old," said Kimberly coach Ryan McGinnis, another college advocate. "That's why, in his case, he has to talk to several people and try to get all sides. The fourth-graders in our youth hitting leagues don't understand. What they see in Brad now is a Brewer. What they don't see is you could be in some rookie ball league making 1,200 bucks a month, sleeping in a hotel, eating fast food and being with a whole bunch of different guys that have a multitude of interests. And oftentimes, their interests are not baseball first. "I think there's a lot to be gained from college. I just don't think you're given that same support system in minor league baseball. It's sure a long way to Miller Park if he were to sign. It's definitely a dream, and it's a dream he wants to fulfill. But he can still fulfill that by going the Purdue route." To his credit, Schreiber hasn't been coy when asked the direction he's leaning, saying he's 90 percent certain he'll choose Purdue. He gets that his game still needs polishing, and what better place to apply a little elbow grease than at the college level? He knows taking a breather from his studies to pursue pro ball and then trying to get re-acclimated to the classroom should his career sputter could jeopardize his chances of securing that all-important degree. And he understands very few have gone from being a late-round pick out of high school to having a nameplate in a major league clubhouse. "Two of my younger brothers have actually played in the minor league system," said Schreiber's father, Jim. "So we've gotten some advice. One graduated from college and played about six years, and the other went straight from high school into the minor leagues, played two years and didn't think that was the right decision for him after looking back on it. "Nothing's a given, that Brad might be drafted again in the future. But from my perspective, I understand the value of an education, especially in today's economy and today's world. … We'll certainly give our input, but he's the one who will make the final decision. I'd be shocked if he said he'll sign with the Brewers, but I'd certainly respect his decision." Schreiber said that decision should come around that Aug. 15 date, or shortly after the Brewers - Kuenn has continued to scout him through the Macs - present their formal offer. Will he go the safe route and take the dream offer? Or does he gamble and go for the dream? "I know Purdue is one of the best schools in the Big Ten," said Jamison Wells, another Kimberly standout and graduate who's good friends with Schreiber and will be playing college baseball next spring at Northern Illinois. "It would be nice to get a diploma from a Big Ten school. He'll probably go with college - unless the Brewers offer an amazing amount of money, which I'm not sure would happen. "But it's a tough decision, I guess." What would you do? Kimberly's Brad Schreiber is deciding whether to attend Purdue University or sign with the Milwaukee Brewers. (Post-Crescent photo by Dan Powers) http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20090719&Category=APC0206&ArtNo=907190560&Ref=AR&Profile=1016&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Final: Helena 9, Casper (Rockies) 4 Helena Box Score Welcome to the red-hot spotlight of prospect radar, RHP Adrian Rosario, we've officially glommed on to you; the H-Crew scored in seven (!) different innings, one run exactly in each of the final five frames; 22-year-old RF Scott Krieger leads the Pioneer League in RBI with 26, three more than anyone else, and also hit his league-leading (tie) 7th home run here -- Krieger added a single, sacrifice fly, and walk as well, yeah, a good night; SS Josh Prince singled three times, walked, and stole his 22nd base; catcher Shawn Zarraga easily with his biggest game of 2009 -- 3-for-4 with a walk and threw out the only attempted basestealer -- 14-of-15 of Zarraga's hits this season are singles, however; DH Edgar Trejo was 2-for-5 and clubbed his 2nd home run of the season for Helena, his 4th bomb overall; Mike Brownstein and Chad Stang each singled twice... Helena Game Log

Final: Huntsville 8, Mississippi (Braves) 5 Huntsville Site Game Summary Stars Square Series at Two Games Apiece Sixth Inning Uprising Sends Huntsville Past Braves By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Donovan Hand worked seven solid innings and chipped in with a key two-run double during a six-run sixth inning rally that propelled Huntsville to an 8-5 victory over Mississippi Saturday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Trustmark Park. The Stars improved to 11-14 in the second half and 49-44 overall, while the Braves dipped to 9-15 in the second half and 40-54 overall. The Stars improved to 31-22 on the road and took a 6-3 lead in the season series. Matt Young led off the home first with a double, moved to third base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Freddie Freeman sacrifice fly to give the Braves a 1-0 lead. The home team has scored first in all four games of the series and done so in the first inning twice and in the second inning twice. Young has collected a leadoff hit in the bottom of the first inning in all four games and scored twice. Chuck Caufield led off the third inning with a walk, moved to second base on a Hand sacrifice bunt and scored to tie the game on a Shane Justis single, the second of his four hits on the night. Justis stole second base with two outs and scored the lead run on a single by Drew Anderson, who has knocked in a run in seven of his last eight games. The Stars loaded the bases with one out in the fourth but could not score, as Caufield struck out and Hand flied out. The Braves then tied the game in the bottom half of the frame on a two-out, run-scoring hit by J.C. Boscan. Taylor Green led off the decisive inning with a double, moved to third on a Vinny Rottino base hit and scored the go-ahead run on a single by Kevin Melillo that was just out of the reach of a leaping Kody Kirkland, the Braves' shortstop. Hand, after showing bunt on the first two pitches, was given the sign to swing away and he took full advantage by ripping a line drive into the alley in left-center field to chase home Rottino and Melillo to make it 5-2. Justis then followed with a triple into the right field corner to score Hand and knock Braves' starter Scott Diamond out of the game. Jerome Gamble took over and gave up back-to-back run-scoring doubles to Anderson and Jonathan Lucroy that finished off the Stars biggest scoring inning of the season. Diamond suffered his 10th loss of the season after allowing seven runs on a dozen hits, while walking two and fanning four. Freeman's two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth, his first at the double-A level, cut the lead to 8-4. Hand gave up a base hit to Willie Cabrera, who has reached base in 35 consecutive games and hit safely in 13 in a row, but got Eric Campbell to ground into an inning-ending double play. Hand matched his longest outing of the year and improved to 8-2 after allowing three earned runs on seven hits, while walking one and fanning four. Casey Baron took over and gave up back-to-back two-out doubles to Jason Heyward and Freeman that trimmed the lead to 8-5 and knocked him out of the game. Robert Hinton followed on the hill and got the last four outs to earn his 11th save of the season. The series finishes up on Sunday afternoon with Stars right-hander Mark Holliman taking the hill against Braves' right-hander Kyle Cofield. Coverage of the game begins at 12:50 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score Shane Justis (.310) is 6th in Southern League batting, Drew Anderson (.296) 10th; only 18 walks in 83.2 innings for Donovan "Mister" Hand... Huntsville Game Log

Final: Iowa (Cubs) 2, Nashville 1 Walk-off loss... Iowa Site Game Summary: Another night of difficulties for the Sounds' site... Clevenger Drives In Winning Run By Doug Vose / Iowa Cubs Steve Clevenger drove in John-Ford Griffin in the bottom of the ninth inning with the winning run in Iowa's 2-1 victory over the Nashville Sounds in front of 12,316 fans at Principal Park Saturday night. With the win, the Cubs trim the Sounds' lead in the PCL American North to four games. Griffin led off the ninth with double, extending his hitting streak to a team-high nine games. Griffin advanced to third base on a sharp single to right field by Matt Craig before coming around on Clevenger's second walk-off hit this season. Trailing 1-0 in the eighth, Aaron Miles lined a one-out double down the right field line that scored Matt Camp from second base and tied the game at one. Miles was thrown out on the play, trying to stretch his hit into a triple and Nashville reliever Dave Johnson completed the inning without further incident. Iowa starter Casey Fossum allowed just one unearned run in six innings of work. In just his third start with the Cubs, the left-hander allowed five hits and one walk while striking out six. Lindsay Gulin kept the Iowa Cubs off balance for seven plus innings as the Sounds took a 1-0 lead into the eighth. The Sounds plated their lone run in the first inning when Alcides Escobar reached on an error and was driven in on Angel Salome's RBI single. A pitchers duel paced the game until the final two frames. Gulin allowed two hits and walked four while striking out five in his seven innings. The crafty left-hander held the Cubs hitless until Steve Clevenger singled to right field leading off the fifth inning. Blake Parker picked up his first win of the season for the Cubs. He did not allow a hit in his one inning pitched. Johnson was tagged with the loss and blown save. The Cubs and Sounds will meet in the finale of their four-game set tomorrow at 1:05 PM. Right-hander Mitch Atkins (6-9, 6.82) is scheduled to pitch for Iowa and left-hander Chris Narveson (3-3, 3.38) will take the ball for the Sounds. Tomorrow's game marks the final meeting this season between the two teams. Nashville Box Score David Johnson didn't have it tonight, but this loss falls on the offense's shoulders... Nashville Game Log

Final: DSL Giants 12, DSL Brewers / Orioles 8 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score Brewers led 7-4 after five innings; Venezuelan LHP Eliezer Montano (6'7", 170 -- I can't imagine how lanky he must be) surrendered four unearned runs in an eventful 6th detailed below; RHP Edwin Linares did fare better later in the game, although he allowed two inherited runners to score in the 7th through little to no fault of his own; second baseman Joan Abreu, shortstop Andres Martinez and LF Juan Barrini all made offensive contributions, but it's troubling to see super-productive catcher Jhonatan Javier idle for a third consecutive day -- maybe one of his many HBP's has gotten the best of him; Martinez and Montano combined for four of the team's eight errors (and eight unearned runs allowed)... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log DSL Giants Top 6th Pitcher Change: Eliezer Montano replaces Yancorix Adrian. Gabriel Cornier singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Barrini. With Cesar Soto batting, wild pitch by Eliezer Montano, Gabriel Cornier to 2nd. Cesar Soto walks. Jesus Galindo grounds into a force out, third baseman Jose Jabalera to second baseman Joan Abreu. Gabriel Cornier to 3rd. Cesar Soto out at 2nd. Jesus Galindo to 1st. With Carlos Willoughby batting, Jesus Galindo steals (9) 2nd base. Carlos Willoughby strikes out swinging. Gabriel Cornier scores. Jesus Galindo scores. Carlos Willoughby advances to 1st, on throwing error by catcher Eliecer Avila. With Cesar Osuna batting, throwing error by Eliezer Montano on the pickoff attempt, Carlos Willoughby to 2nd. Cesar Osuna grounds out, shortstop Andres Martinez to first baseman Edwin Wilson. Carlos Willoughby to 3rd. Jose De La Cruz singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Barrini. Carlos Willoughby scores. With Robedluis Fuentes batting, throwing error by Eliezer Montano on the pickoff attempt, Jose De La Cruz to 2nd. Robedluis Fuentes singles on a fly ball to center fielder Wilmer Portes. Jose De La Cruz scores. Robedluis Fuentes out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Wilmer Portes to catcher Eliecer Avila to third baseman Jose Jabalera.

Final: Jupiter (Marlins) 5, Brevard County 2 Brevard County Box Score Manatees never led after a two-run Hammerhead top of the 1st, it was 3-2 after five innings; RHP Michael Bowman walked six in 5.1 innings while allowing three runs, two earned; Bowman's line was preserved by RHP Omar Aguilar who stranded all three Bowman baserunners, getting a 1-2-3 double play ball; Bowman has walked at least four men in four of his last five starts -- after walking only ten in his first ten starts, Bowman has walked double that in those five recent starts, odd, makes you wonder about the coaching influence in this particular case as he's split his season between Wisconsin and Brevard; four of the Manatees' seven hits were doubles, and Brevard, like Wisconsin, struggled with RISP (2-for-12); Eric Farris doubled, singled, and drove in two... Brevard County Game Log