Jim Goulart

(All Photos by Lisa Kunkel, Helena Independent Record) Brewers' Josh Prince jumps over Idaho Falls' Chanse Cooper after turning the double play during Wednesday's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/09/sports/top/50spl_090709_brewers-2.jpg Brewers' Chris Ellington bats http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/09/sports/top/50spl_090709_brewers-3.jpg Brewers' Edgar Trejo dives back to second base while Idaho Falls' Angel Franco shows the umpire the ball http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/09/sports/top/50spl_090709_brewers-4.jpg Brewers' Josh Prince throws to first http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/09/sports/top/50spl_090709_brewers-5.jpg

It looks like the Stars needed Josh Wahpepah to make a spot start only, between Josh Butler going to the DL and Nick Green moving up to AAA. A rotation of Hand - Bramhall - Holliman - Jones - Welch isn't very inspiring at the moment, though. Hand is certainly of interest, at least, despite his last outing.

Nashville Notes: Jason Bourgeois first game in several days, and a Patrick Arlis sighting behind the plate as a late-inning replacement. Interviews with two of the three Sounds All-Stars (Brendan Katin's interview was linked two days ago) -- Chat with All-Star Reliever R.J. Swindle Had forgotten that Swindle's a Canuck... Chat with All-Star Shortstop Alcides Escobar His command of the language is thorough, a wonderful transformation in that regard -- ready for Cory Provus and Telly Hughes...

Sounds Site: Katin To Participate In Triple-A Home Run Derby Two Portland area high school players who qualified through preliminaries earlier this season at PGE Park will join the Triple-A sluggers. That's cool.

McCalvy: Bush to begin rehab Friday in Appleton

News from Brevard: Tonight's game between the Clearwater Threshers and the Brevard County Manatees has been postponed due to heavy rain and wet field conditions. The game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Thursday, July 9. Both games will be seven innings, and the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central).

Helena's play-by-play voice Steve Wendt helps us out --Interviewed Roberts on July 4th, sorry it got missed. He said that he was proud of the fact that he could play both positions and thought that other players respected his athleticism because of it. He talked about how much he's grown as a player but also a person in just one year. He also discussed that he was really frustrated by being sent down (from a brief stay at Brevard) but talked with Rene Gonzales and was told that he will play here and have opportunities. He and Gonzo have a terrific relationship.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 48 37 .565 - 27-18 21-19 W1 Iowa 44 41 .518 4.0 25-17 19-24 L1 Memphis 41 43 .488 6.5 26-16 15-27 W4 Omaha 34 50 .405 13.5 15-23 19-27 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Tenn 11 5 .688 - 4-2 7-3 W6 Tennessee 8 8 .500 3.0 3-3 5-5 L2 Chattanooga 7 8 .467 3.5 4-2 3-6 L1 Huntsville 7 9 .438 4.0 4-6 3-3 L5 Carolina 5 11 .313 6.0 3-7 2-4 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dunedin 8 3 .727 - 5-2 3-1 W1 Clearwater 8 4 .667 0.5 1-2 7-2 L1 Brevard County 7 4 .636 1.0 3-3 4-1 W2 Tampa 6 4 .600 1.5 3-3 3-1 L3 Daytona 6 7 .462 3.0 2-5 4-2 L1 Lakeland 4 7 .364 4.0 1-3 3-4 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 9 5 .643 - 5-2 4-3 W1 Helena 8 6 .571 1.0 3-3 5-3 L1 Missoula 8 6 .571 1.0 5-2 3-4 W1 Billings 4 10 .286 5.0 2-6 2-4 W2

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. Kraig's blog is a must-view tonight, fun stuff with Tommy Lasorda, a cute little fan in Nashville, Brendan Katin's HR and Erick Almonte's walk-off single, all on video. *** "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_07_08_rreaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_08_hunaax_cngaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_08_clrafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_08_wmiafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_08_idarok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&gid=2009_07_08_dchrok_dobrok_1&cid=3130&t=g_box

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Nick Green at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 6:35 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Josh Wahpepah at Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series Wisconsin: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. West Michigan (Tigers), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime; LHP Efrain Nieves will pitch in relief Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Hiram Burgos at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: Idle; this league has 11 teams, so somebody's off every day Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at home vs. the DSL Cubs #2 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...

Great name for the latest non-drafted free agent -- 23-year-old switch-hitting catcher Austin Stockfisch out of Grand Canyon University, a transfer from Arizona State, assigned to the Maryvale Brewers -- stats listed below are 2008, click here for 2009 stats Sr., C 6-2, 205 Scottsdale, Ariz. High School: Desert Mountain Previous Schools: Arizona State University Date of birth: 4-26-86 Career Highlights: GCU: All-PacWest second team … Led team in batting average (.373), hits (63) and doubles (17) …also scored 30 runs and had 25 RBI … had .996 fielding percentage (2008) … ASU: Freshman record-holder for consecutive hits in a season (2007) … High School: Twotime Class 5A all-state selection … 5A all-star game selection .. Super 50 all-star team … Three-time 5A all-conference team. Favorite food: Steak Sandwiches Favorite movie: Chariots of Fire Most unusual thing that's happened to me: Playing at two of the three NCAA four-year colleges in Arizona. What I love most about Grand Canyon: Tradition of Excellence Photo at link Sophomore season ASU bio link

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We're rockin' the hometown articles lately -- always nice to learn about farmhands we know little of prior... Link while active, text follows: A Perfect Fit Brandon Rapoza makes a quick impact in pro baseball STUART KORFHAGE, staugustine.com (FL) VIERA -- A little more than a year ago, local pitcher Brandon Rapoza was just another guy wondering and hoping his name would be on the major league baseball draft list. In the months since, the former Bartram Trail and Flagler College standout has found himself playing among the best prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers farm system. And the 31st-round pick has shown he belongs right there. Playing for the Brevard County Manatees in the advanced Class A Florida State League -- a full-season league -- Rapoza is a respectable 2-1 with a 2.50 ERA with 24 strikeouts and just six walks in 36 innings. He didn't allow a single earned run through his first 14 appearances. "He's done outstanding in his first full season of pro ball," Manatees pitching coach Fred Dabney said. "When it's his time to pitch, he gets it done." Quick starter When Rapoza was drafted in 2008 following his senior season at Flagler College, he was sent to the rookie-level Arizona League. It's the place most high-round draft picks and other younger players usually start. It compares to the Gulf Coast League. The games are played in front of virtually no fans during the afternoon. After eight mostly successful appearances there, Rapoza was "promoted" to Helena, another rookie-level team. Helena is different, though. It's in a more traditional Pioneer League, which has teams in different cities and playing games at night with people actually watching. "It was just a lot of fun to keep playing," Rapoza said. "I was very fortunate to get called up from Arizona. I just went there (to Helena) and pitched and had a great time. The atmosphere was a lot better. It felt more like real baseball." The Brewers had to have liked what Rapoza did in Helena. Over 26 innings in 13 games, Rapoza allowed just three runs for an ERA of 1.03. Having such success right away allowed to Rapoza to relax and play confidently. "I was able to play and enjoy myself," he said. "That's all I've been doing. I try to throw as many strikes as possible and get as many outs as possible." Stage II After starting at the very bottom of professional baseball, it didn't take Rapoza long to climb a few rungs. In the Florida State League, Rapoza and the Manatees play at Space Coast Stadium, the same facility used by the Washington Nationals in spring training. The Manatees enjoy a huge clubhouse and play on a major league caliber field, just with fewer seats. Players don't get to the Florida State League without showing they're serious prospects. "This league is a pitchers' league," Dabney said. "The best of the best come to this league. They put on a uniform (here) and they have an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues." During spring training, Rapoza figured he'd end up in low-A Wisconsin of the Midwest League. But the Brewers moved him along even faster. "I personally believe I was very fortunate I made the squad," Rapoza said. "When I found out I made it, I was ecstatic. I got to skip the low-A team and get to come here." Not only is it an advancement, but the assignment to Brevard is convenient. Playing just two hours from St. Augustine, Rapoza gets to sneak home on off days or go see his fiancee in the Orlando area. And he's been able to play in front of family and friends. Going somewhere As much as Rapoza has accomplished already, playing for the Manatees is not his ultimate goal. He wants to get to the big leagues like everyone else. If he's going to keep advancing, Rapoza is going to have to continue to develop his command of four pitches. In a June 24 game at Space Coast Stadium, Rapoza was consistently hitting 88-89 mph on the radar gun. It's good velocity, but not enough to overpower most professional hitters. He's got to use the curve, slider and change-up proficiently. "To have success, you have to be pretty consistent with the secondary pitches," Dabney said. "Brandon does pitch to contact and he does change speeds, which is key to success." The good outings have certainly outnumbered the bad ones. Rapoza has not allowed an earned run in 19 of 23 appearances so far. Rapoza is quick to add that he hasn't necessarily been dominant every time he's pitched a shutout inning, though. But that's part of being a professional and not agonizing over everything. At this point, Rapoza said he's past worrying about every pitch he throws being scrutinized by scouts. He knows people in the organization are paying attention, but he's comfortable just playing baseball the way he always has. "It's definitely what I expected," he said. Dabney said one of his jobs is to try to put pitchers in roles in which they can succeed and in which they have a major league future. So far, Rapoza has mostly pitched in middle relief with a few chances to finish games. The important thing for anyone is just to do well when called upon. Dabney said players advance because they produce, not because they received a big signing bonus. "If you are a big league pitcher, you are going to pitch in the big leagues," he said. "If you have the ability, it doesn't matter how much money you got. "Once the draft is over, it's over." Rapoza sees no reason to doubt that. He clearly was not a big-time prospect coming out of college, but Rapoza is pitching on the same team with a lot of players who were drafted ahead of him. He knows he's getting the same chance afforded those who the Brewers have more invested in. "They have done a really good job about trying to give everybody an opportunity to showcase their ability," Rapoza said. "They're getting me on the mound a pretty good (amount). "When it's all said and done, I know I'm going to have done everything I could to make it happen and be happy when I look back on it. And (I'll) feel like I really did do everything; nothing else I could have done." http://www.staugustine.com/images/070809/30012_512.jpg http://www.staugustine.com/images/070809/30030_512.jpg

There's no doubt that Huntsville would have baseball after 2010, the question is for how long. At some point there will be a community that sees an opportunity for what they hope to envision in a new downtown ballpark setting within a population that could support an acceptable level for AA baseball. That community would locate and work with an ownership group (such as Miles Prentice's of the Stars) to try and lure and lock in a move or an ownership transfer. If Milwaukee chooses not to renew with Huntsville, they would have to hope at least one other team (or locale) is unhappy with their AA situation. The Brewers would hope to impress one of the other locations that frees up so a partnership could be formed. Someone would end up in Huntsville, kind of holding the short end of the stick. This happens to non-West Coast big league clubs often when they are "stuck" with one of the less desirable high-A California League affiliates, after they lose their Carolina or Florida State League affiliations. I imagine another community, perhaps in the Carolina League, could step up and say they want to move to a AA affiliation from high-A and join the Southern League. That would involve a lot of discussions among MiLB hierarchy. But it's not as though the Southern League trustees are going to "kick Huntsville out" any time soon.

Y'know, to me, these look like some very legitimate reasons for concern among Huntsville fans -- this list was taken from those comments that are maybe less reactionary or wiseguy-ish (well, except the "uniform" complaint). Hopefully they get things squared away among all parties. No reserved seating? LINK to text below -- Former Stars Fans Speak Out About Team's Attendance Woes It's unclear what the future holds for the Huntsville Stars, but for now, the baseball team is staying put. However, it's possible that The Milwaukee Brewers will not renew their contract with the Stars because of the downward spiral in attendance. That contract is up at the end of next season. The Stars are dead last in attendance in the 10 team Southern League this year, and have been next to last the past couple seasons. General Manager Buck Rogers says sales are not down, but admits attendance is. However, he says whatever the Milwaukee brass decides, baseball will stay in Huntsville. "Whether the Brewers resign with us next year at the end of our agreement with them our two year agreement is up it's a normal renewal if they go away we're still going to be the Huntsville Stars the year after. Same uniform, same jersey, same stadium." The controversy came after the Assistant G-M of the Brewers told the Huntsville Times that baseball in the city was in jeopardy because of the poor attendance. On Saturday, there was a sellout crowd to see the 4th of July Fireworks. Sunday, less than 700 people showed up. On Tuesday, we asked you what you thought about the situation. We got plenty of reaction. Sue wrote this note on the WAAY 31 Morning Show Facebook page : "We are season ticket holders, and the way they changed those tickets this year really turned us off. No reserved seats? Come on...! Also, when we attended a game a little over a week ago, the display board wasn't working, there was no more organ (just canned rock music)... It just isn't fun baseball anymore." Bob commented : "The Brewers have to realize that 1.)The economy has scared people to death 2.)The stadium needs to be replaced 3.)The uniforms are not attractive at all in my opinion. 4)No more reserve seating! That's a joke. In my opinion I think that Huntsville will refuse to build a new stadium and this minor league team will move out to I-565 and 65 when the new Bass Pro shop is built with all of the other shopping. This same thing happen in Knoxville, TN with the Smokies. Just my opinion." Amanda wrote : "It's really the most absurd set up I've been around in Minor League Baseball. Of all the places I've traveled when watching my husband play it's the most costly. Nothing to attract families or to engage children. Definitely could use some fresh ideas." Alan e-mailed the newsroom with his thoughts : "(Stars General Manager) Buck (Rogers) has turned the baseball games into a circus. He has gotten away from focusing on the game. Too focused on selling horns. I have followed the Stars for years, and usually went to at least 35 home game and listened to most all games on the radio... All my friends that went a lot will not go either. It's like a soap, you have to watch every day. If you go to stand in line to get a beer there are no longer TVs to watch the game. Years ago we could listen and watch the game on the Internet. Tell Buck to point the finger at himself not the fans. The low fan count proves his ideas have been wrong. Get back to thinking about the fans of baseball. It's a baseball game, not a circus." Amy blamed the humid southern weather : "I have been to the Joe Davis Stadium in recent years, but it has just been much too hot to sit out like that and sweat!" Cora agrees : "We love baseball but attend only 2 - 3 games a season. It's hot and humid. No local channel telecasts Brewers' games so we can watch players who move up to the Majors. A 20-ounce bottle of water costs $3.50 and you aren't allowed to carry in your own water... that much money for that little water is ridiculous and dangerous." Kelly called our You Tell Us Hotline and left this message : "The reason why I don't attend the Huntsville Stars games anymore is because the noise level. It's very annoying, especially the horns that they sell to the children to blow during the game, it makes it very distracting to watch the Huntsville Stars. We used to go frequently, 4 or 5 times a season, and now we don't go at all."

Link while active, text follows: He's Still Striving By Brad Shepard For the Huntsville Times When Michael Garciaparra is approached for an interview, the greeting is always the same friendly smile and a variation of the same request: "Remember," he said after Tuesday night's game against West Tenn, "I don't want to hear any statistics or anything." The 26-year-old Huntsville Stars infielder may not have the same bizarre, batting glove-tugging idiosyncrasies as his more famous brother Nomar of the Oakland A's, but he does have that one quirk. He can sympathize with the golfer on the 18th hole who doesn't want to look at the leaderboard. After eight minor-league seasons and three organizations, the former first-round draft pick knows what works for him and what doesn't. "I used to worry about statistics a little too much, so now, I just try to worry about what I'm doing day-by-day," he said. "There are enough worries in this game as it is." If Garciaparra would take a peek at the box score from the past two years, he'd like what he sees. Last season, he hit .340 in 44 games with the Stars, and he began this year in Triple-A Nashville. But there weren't enough at-bats to go around with the Sounds. With star prospect Alcides Escobar at shortstop, former major leaguer Hernan Iribarren getting time at second base and Adam Heether manning third, Garciaparra's opportunities were limited. He batted .271 as a spot player. So, when he was demoted to Huntsville a little more than a week ago, the frustration of yet another step back was tempered by the prospect of more at-bats. "Yeah, I'm playing a little more now, so that's a good thing, he said. (A sense of urgency) is something you try not to think about, but you do think about it. You want to be there, and you're confident you can play in the big leagues, but you just can't rush it." As a veteran who can play many positions, Garciaparra now looks around the clubhouse at plenty of players with the same attributes. That's a luxury Huntsville starting pitcher David Welch said benefits the team. "Michael's one of the older guys, a former first-round pick and has been with a couple of teams. He's a picture of baseball," Welch said. "He's a great guy to have in the clubhouse along with the other great guys we have here." After playing on a Stars team full of top prospects who dwelt too much on numbers last year, Garciaparra seems more at ease this season. With girlfriend Krystle and his two dogs Foxy and Kingston joining him in Huntsville now, he said he's in a good personal place. "It's great that I can leave the field - whether it's been a good day or a bad day - and go home and see them," Garciaparra said. "I can talk to Krystle, play with the dogs, get a good night's sleep and get after it the next day. I like it that way."

Final: DSL Blue Jays 11, DSL Brewers / Orioles 4 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score LHP Jose Ramos took the loss, and Brewer teammate RHP Edwin Linares couldn't strand two of Ramos' baserunners, albeit with none out; catcher Jhonatan Javier doubled in four AB's as the DH to push his OPS over 1.000; youngsters Andres Martinez and Juan Barrini still struggling at the plate, Martinez did have a sacrifice; outfielder Luis Chirinos did not play after his HBP departure earlier this week; we'll have to assume 6'6" outfielder Ronny Puello is out with a serious injury of some sort, idle since June 24th... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

Final: Arizona Cubs 10, Arizona Brewers 7 Arizona Box Score Notice how every Helena interview with a former Maryvale Brewer includes a reference to escaping Arizona; three Brewer pitchers walked eight -- Stosh Wawrzasek also hit three batters; Brewers committed four errors, then add a passed ball, a balk and two Maverick Lasker wild pitches; outside of just-turned 19-year-old Venezuelan Allixon Cequea, converted to first base this season and batting 9th here, the box score lines don't necessarily reflect seven runs of production... Arizona Game Log

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 2, Helena 1 Link while active, text follows: Errors cost Brewers in pitchers duel By CURT SYNNESS - Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers were handed a tough loss in the first outing of a seven-game homestand Tuesday, being edged by the Idaho Falls Chukars on an unearned run, 2-1. The contest was tied at 1-1 in a well-played pitcher's duel until the top of the eighth frame, when the Brewers committed an uncharacteristic three errors in one inning. J.D. Alfaro of the Chukars led off with a groundball to third baseman Kyle Dhanani, whose throwing error allowed Alfaro to reach second base. Alfaro advanced to third with two outs, and then dashed home with the winning run when Brewer shortstop Josh Prince cleanly fielded Tito Espinosa's routine groundball, but threw wildly to first. Both teams managed just five hits apiece, but the home team committed four errors, compared to Idaho Falls' one. "The errors made the difference," said Helena manager Rene Gonzales. "We're better than that." Brewers' starter Adrian Rosario and the Chukars' Ivor Hodgson were putting up mostly goose eggs in their matchup. Hodgson allowed three hits and one run in 4 2/3 innings, while Rosario permitted five safeties and a run in his six stanzas of work. (Note: Bonus points to Curt for working both "safeties" and "stanzas" into that sentence -- Jim). The Brewers got on the board first, when designated hitter Edgar Trejo jacked a 3-0 pitch over the scoreboard in left-centerfield in the second inning. Prior to the miscues in the eighth, Helena made several sparkling defensive plays, highlighlighted by outfielders Chris Ellington and Mike Roberts. Ellington made a fine running catch on a hard-hit ball up against the fence in left in the second. In the next inning, Roberts made a spectacular diving catch on a sinking liner in shallow centerfield. Alfaro scored the Chukars' first run in the sixth, when he doubled and was driven in by Carlo Testa's single to right. Rosario, who struck out seven men, was relieved by Andre Lamontagne. Lamontagne suffered the loss, while Idaho's Cole White earned the win. The Chukars' Carlos Arias came in and closed the last two innings, retiring six Brewers in a row, four by way of strikeout. "Both of our pitchers, Rosario and Lamontagne, did really well," Gonzales said. "Rosario's fastball was his out pitch. He just made one mistake all night, when he hung a slider to Testa." Trejo ripped a double to go along with his dinger, and teammate Roberts stroked a pair of singles. This is the Brewers' first game against a Southern Division team this year. Although the Brewers are in the Northern Division, all games count towards league standings. Idaho Falls moves to 9-3, while maintaining its division lead. The Brewers slip to 8-6, one game behind Northern leader Great Falls, at 9-5. Helena hosts the Chukars again tonight in the second of a four-game series. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field. Helena Box Score Mike Roberts must be one athletic dude, transitioning to the outfield, specifically center field, from catcher -- he'd be a good pre-game guest if he hasn't been one already (hint to Steve Wendt), and how about TheCrew07 with these audio captures, huh? Outstanding! Looks like there's another Dominican RHP to keep an eye on in 19-year-old Adrian Rosario, who spent his first two pro seasons in Maryvale -- just the fact the Brewers have targeted him for a starting role is promising; certainly pitching the only strong phase here among the three of baseball, tough night otherwise... Helena Game Log Rosario pitches around a leadoff double in the 1st while the H-Crew bats waste a big 1st inning opportunity; Hitaniel Arias K'd in the 7th with a man on 3rd and one out -- killer... (Both Photos by Eliza Wiley, Helena Independent Record) Edgar Trejo gives a thanks above after knocking one out of the park Tuesday night, giving the Brewers a 1-0 lead over Idaho Falls in the bottom of the second inning. Trejo's solo shot would be the only run scored for the Brewers, who were beaten 2-1 by the Chukars. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/08/sports/top/50spl_090708_brewers.jpg Adrian Rosario winds it up during Tuesday night's game against Idaho Falls. The Brewers' starting pitcher gave up one earned run in six innings of action, striking out seven and walking one. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2009/07/08/sports/top/50spl_090708_brewers-2.jpg

Game suspended after five innings: Wisconsin 1, Burlington (Royals) 1 To be completed on 8/25/09 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Rain suspends Rattlers and Bees By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Burlington Bees got through five innings of a steady rain at Community Field on Tuesday night. But, they could go no farther. The rain fell harder as the sixth inning began and forced the suspension of play to August 25 when the Rattlers return to Burlington. The game was stopped with the score tied 1-1. Martin Maldonado gave the Rattlers a 1-0 lead with an RBI grounder in the top of the second inning. Wisconsin starting pitcher Dan Merklinger was going along fine after retiring the first eight batters he faced. But, a two-out solo homer by Juan Rivera tied the game in the bottom of the third. The home run was the first for Rivera since August 28, 2007. The game stayed tied 1-1 and was played in a steady rain. After Jose Duran was hit by a pitch to led off the top of the sixth inning, the umpiring crew called a halt to the game and had the grounds crew place the tarp on the field. The game was halted after a rain delay of about 45 minutes. The suspended game will be picked up on Tuesday, August 25 at 6:00 PM. The regularly scheduled game will follow the conclusion of the suspended game. The Timber Rattlers begin a six-game homestand with a game against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Wednesday night. Cody Scarpetta (1-6, 3.42) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Luke Putkonen (5-4, 3.86) is set to start for the Whitecaps. Game time is 7:05 PM. Wednesday is Peanut Free Night at Time Warner Cable Field. The stadium has been cleaned of peanut residue and there will be no peanuts or peanut products on site to allow fans with peanut allergies to attend the game. It is American TV Win-It Wednesday with 103.9 WVBO, too. Fans 16 and older will receive a scratch-off ticket from American TV. Every ticket is a winner. Also, The first 1,000 fans will receive a player poster of Timber Rattlers All-Star pitcher Daniel Meadows from Express Convenience Centers. Wisconsin Partial Box Score LHP Dan Merklinger shined; big Brock Kjeldgaard in left field, usual catcher Corey Kemp at first base; Juan Sanchez spelled Michael Marseco at short; three errors in the outfield in eight games for normally-an-infielder Peter Fatse... Wisconsin Partial Game Log

Game suspended, one out, top of the 4th in Tampa: Tampa (Yankees) 1, Brevard County 0 To be completed on 8/28/09 Brevard County Partial Box Score Talk about flexibility and experimentation -- Brent Brewer at second base, Eric Farris again at shortstop, Sergio Miranda at third base -- guess what, each committed an error in the first three innings with groundball pitcher Evan Anundsen on the mound; wait, there's more -- your outfield, left-to-right was Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindl, and Lee Haydel...

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 6, Huntsville 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary Diamond Jaxx Finish Off Sweep of Stars West Tenn Widens Its' Lead in Division Race By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Steve Bray spun seven solid innings and West Tenn completed a four-game series sweep with a 6-1 win over Huntsville Tuesday night at Joe Davis Stadium. The Diamond Jaxx won their season-best sixth in a row to improve to 11-5 in the second half and open up a three-game lead in the North Division over Tennessee and a four-game cushion over the Stars, who lost a fifth straight to drop to 7-9 in the second half and 45-40 overall. Mike Wilson's leadoff long ball put the visitors on top1-0 in the second inning, as they scored first in all four games. Chuck Caufield's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning tied the game and gave him a run batted in during seven of his last ten games at home. The Jaxx grabbed the lead for good by scoring three times in the fourth inning against Mark Holliman, who suffered his first loss since May 19. David Espinosa bounced into a force out at second base with the bases loaded to drive in Marshall Hubbard with the go-ahead run before Matt Mangini tripled in two runs. Hubbard's triple in the fifth delivered Greg Halman, who had walked with two outs, to make it a 5-1 game. Holliman was lifted after a leadoff single by Jimmy Mojica in the sixth and followed by Zach Braddock, who gave up a scoring fly ball to Hubbard that pushed the Jaxx lead to 6-1. Holliman was charged with a season-high six runs on nine hits, while walking three and fanning two to fall to 7-3. The Jaxx scored in 16 of their 36 at-bats in the series and collected at least 10 hits in all four games. Meanwhile, Bray had retired 11 out of 12 before Taylor Green singled with two out in the seventh. The former Stars hurler, who pitched for them in 2006 and again last year, then set down Caufield, who lost a 12-game hit streak, to end the inning and close his outing. Bray won for the first time since May 28 after giving up three hits, walking one and striking out a pair. Josh Fields gave up back-to-back singles to open the eighth but got Adam Stern to bounce into a force out at second before Shane Justis grounded into an inning-ending double play. Mumba Rivera retired the side in order in the ninth to end the game and finish off the first sweep of the Stars this season. The Stars open a four-game series Wednesday night in Chattanooga with a starter still to be determined against Lookouts' right-hander J.D. Durbin. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score Taylor Green still DH'ing only -- that won't be an option vs. Chattanooga; night off for Jonathan Lucroy... Huntsville Game Log

Final: Nashville 5, Albuquerque (Dodgers) 4 Nashville Site Game Summary: 9th-inning run gives Sounds victory The Nashville Sounds sent their fans home happy on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium, plating a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to record a 5-4 victory over the visiting Albuquerque Isotopes. With the win, Nashville (48-37) took two of three from Albuquerque in the rain-shortened series. Cole Gillespie led off the Nashville ninth with a double off the right field wall against Hyang-Nam Choi. After Freddy Parejo laid down a sacrifice bunt and Gillespie beat the throw to third to put runners on the corners, Sounds pinch-hitter Erick Almonte poked a game-winning single through the right side of the infield. The late run made a winner out of Ryan Houston (5-1), who retired the only batter he faced in the contest. Choi (2-1) took the loss after allowing the game-winning score in his one-plus inning of action. Albuquerque took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Jason Repko led off with a double against Sounds starter Sam Narron and later scored on an A.J. Ellis groundout. The Sounds squared the contest at 1-1 in the third against rehabbing Major Leaguer Jason Schmidt. Gillespie opened the frame with a walk and later scored on a Hernan Iribarren groundout. Right fielder Brendan Katin gave Nashville a 4-1 lead with one swing of the bat in the fourth when he slugged a three-run homer to right-center off Schmidt, his team-leading 19th of the year. Angel Salome and Adam Heether (3-for-4), who each singled earlier in the frame, also scored. Isotopes second baseman Tony Abreu pulled the visitors back within a run in the fifth when he smacked a two-run homer to left off Narron, his second of the year. Schmidt, who opened the inning with a single, scored on the play. Albuquerque rallied to tie the contest at 4-4 in the top of the eighth against the Nashville bullpen. Repko started the inning by drawing a walk from David Johnson, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on a groundout, and knotted the score when Isotopes pinch-hitter Luis Maza greeted new Sounds reliever R.J. Swindle with an RBI single to center. Narron left in line for a win for the Sounds but ultimately took a no-decision after he worked his first quality start of the year, allowing three runs on seven hits over his six innings of action. Schmidt gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out six in his six frames of work in his rehab start for Albuquerque, also leaving with a no-decision. The Sounds continue their homestand on Wednesday evening when they welcome the Round Rock Express (AAA-Astros) to town for the 7:00 PM opener of a five-game series. Right-hander Nick Green (2-3, 5.40) will make his first start for Nashville since late May. He'll be opposed by Express left-hander Mark McLemore (2-4, 4.03). Nashville Box Score Alcides Escobar 29-of-36 in SB attempts, reaches twice, OBP .354; this team is certainly more entertaining than the parent club at the moment; Jason Bourgeois idle since July 2nd -- if you have news, post it here, please... Nashville Game Log