Jim Goulart

RHP Nick Green returns to Nashville after a single start in Huntsville. To make room, LHP Chase Wright goes on the 7-day DL with an undisclosed injury.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 47 37 .560 - 26-18 21-19 L1 Iowa 44 41 .518 3.5 25-17 19-24 L1 Memphis 40 43 .482 6.5 25-16 15-27 W3 Omaha 34 49 .410 12.5 15-23 19-26 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Tenn 10 5 .667 - 4-2 6-3 W5 Tennessee 8 8 .500 2.5 3-3 5-5 L2 Chattanooga 7 8 .467 3.0 4-2 3-6 L1 Huntsville 7 8 .467 3.0 4-5 3-3 L4 Carolina 5 11 .313 5.5 3-7 2-4 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dunedin 7 3 .700 - 5-2 2-1 L1 Clearwater 8 4 .667 - 1-2 7-2 L1 Brevard County 7 4 .636 0.5 3-3 4-1 W2 Tampa 6 4 .600 1.0 3-3 3-1 L3 Daytona 6 6 .500 2.0 2-4 4-2 W1 Lakeland 4 7 .364 3.5 1-3 3-4 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 8 5 .615 - 5-2 3-3 L1 Helena 8 5 .615 - 3-2 5-3 W1 Missoula 7 6 .538 1.0 4-2 3-4 L1 Billings 3 10 .231 5.0 2-6 1-4 W1

Midwest League Standings Arizona League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated a few hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): *** We're going to include the link to Kraig McNutt's Nashville blog in the same post as the Nashville media notes link going forward. *** "Voice of the Rattlers" Chris Mehring's informative and entertaining Rattlers Radio Blog includes game notes an hour or two before gametime.

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_albaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_wtdaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_breafa_tbyafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_wisafx_burafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_idarok_helrok_1&did=t433&sid=t433 Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_07_07_brrrok_cubrok_1 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&gid=2009_07_07_dblrok_dobrok_1&cid=3130&t=g_box

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: TBD at home vs. Albuquerque (Dodgers), 6:35 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Huntsville: RHP Mark Holliman at home vs. West Tenn (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Live Audio Link Brevard County: TBD at Tampa (Yankees), 6:00 PM gametime No audio for this series Wisconsin: LHP Dan Merklinger at Burlington (Royals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime Live Audio Link Helena: RHP Adrian Rosario at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Live Audio Link Arizona Summer League: at the Cubs' complex in Mesa; no more day games -- all games begin at 7:00 local time in the desert; no audio, naturally... Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at home vs. the DSL Blue Jays (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...

Nashville 1B Joe Koshansky outrighted -- link to Major League Forum thread, placed there because of the 40-man roster implication.

Let any speculation begin -- call-up not on the 40-man roster previously? Acquisition via trade? The Brewers freed up a 40-man roster spot today by outrighting first baseman Joe Koshansky to AAA Nashville. The Brewers had claimed Koshansky on waivers from Texas this spring -- the Rangers owned him for a few days after claiming him from the Rockies, where he posted fine career numbers in the high air of the PCL and other Rockie affiliates.

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

Full article now available -- Link while active, text follows: Brewers Asst. GM calls Huntsville 'a very apathetic baseball town' Fans are scarce at Joe Davis Stadium and the Brewers are concerned enough to consider moving the Double-A affiliate out of Huntsville By Brad Shepard For The Times Without more fan support, the Huntsville Stars are in danger of losing their affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers when the current contract expires after the 2010 season, said the major league club's assistant general manager Gord Ash. Ash was at Joe Davis Stadium for the July 4 game that ended in fireworks and drew 7,819 fans. He also witnessed the crowd of 660 on hand Sunday - a number more indicative of the Stars' lagging attendance the past three seasons. Though the Stars won the Southern League North Division's first-half crown, Huntsville owns the worst attendance in the 10-team league - averaging only 1,540 fans entering Monday. "This is a very apathetic baseball town, and something's going to have to change," Ash said. "They're going to be sorry in a couple of years when they don't have baseball. I don't know if they're going to lose the team, but they're going to lose our interest in being here because there's no enthusiasm." Though attendance struggles of recent summers fueled doubt about Huntsville's minor-league future, the Brewers' front office had kept mum on the topic until Ash's comments. "The record of the quality of clubs we've put here doesn't warrant the lack of support," Ash said. When Huntsville reached the league championship series in 2007, the Stars were next-to-last in attendance with an average of 2,449 fans per game, ahead of only West Tenn. Last year, despite featuring five of the Milwaukee organization's top 10 prospects for most of the season, the Stars finished next-to-last again, averaging 2,389 fans. This season the Stars are in the cellar, averaging 703 fewer fans per game than the Diamond Jaxx of Jackson, Tenn. It's a trend that alarms the Brewers, who have cultivated a rich farm system in recent years. "This is a player development center for us, and part of the development of players is learning to play in front of crowds," Ash said. "I mean, you could replicate this in a complex somewhere. The reason we don't do that is playing with pressure, playing with a need to win is part of development as a major league player. "My point is, in too many communities, there's always a lot of concern after something's happened. What I'm suggesting is there needs to be some kind of proactivity before that happens." Ash declined to discuss specifics when asked what needs to occur for Huntsville to remain affiliated with the Brewers. He said the organization has effective contact with Stars second-year general manager Buck Rogers, who discusses the Brewers' desires with team ownership and city officials. Rogers said he cannot fathom Huntsville losing its minor-league team. "If it happens on my watch, I'd be devastated," Rogers said. "This is the 25-year anniversary of baseball in Huntsville, and we're working as hard as we can to make sure it's here 25 more years." Rogers said he has met with city officials to discuss the Brewers' desire for drastic stadium upgrades, including the addition of indoor-hitting facilities. Renovations Joe Davis has experienced in Rogers' two years as general manager is an improved sound system and air-conditioning units in the pressbox paid for by the city, as well as a noticeably cleaner and decorated concourse. "We plan to keep baseball here alive and kicking," Rogers said. "If we get our plan laid out before ownership and the city of Huntsville, we'll be OK. We've just got to get it done." Brewers business manager Scott Martens, who also oversees the team's minor-league operations, was more blunt about the Stars' future. "In my opinion, in order for baseball to survive and thrive in Huntsville, a new stadium is needed," Martens said. "A stadium where fans will want to come out and support the team." Rogers claims that ticket revenue has increased from last season, but he said attendance has been impacted by inclement weather and the swine flu scare. Despite the hearty Fourth of July crowd, Rogers reasoned the Stars were hampered by home dates on Memorial Day, Good Friday and Easter - occasions when fans were more likely to travel. He also said the club can no longer afford the popular "buyout nights" of past seasons. That promotion, whereby local companies were sold hundreds of tickets at drastic discounts, was discontinued after an audit ruled teams must pay taxes on tickets that were, essentially, given away. Rogers insisted Monday night that "We're going to fix this operation. We're in this for the long haul." Still, the lack of fan support is noticed on the diamond. Stars manager Bob Miscik said discussing the shortage of fans "isn't my area," but he added that "it's a lot more fun to play in front of big crowds." His players agreed. "You're used to an atmosphere when you're playing a game, and it hasn't been that atmosphere here," said Huntsville Stars infielder Vinny Rottino. "Absolutely (playing in front of crowds) is part of the development of players." Diamond Jaxx second baseman Mel Stocker, who played for the Stars in 2007, wasn't surprised by Sunday's tiny crowd at Joe Davis Stadium. He has seen it in Jackson, and he saw it during his Huntsville stint. "When a crowd is not here, as a player, not only is it frustrating, it's discouraging," Stocker said. "If you're not in a pressure situation in the minors and don't have people yelling at you when you do something wrong, you're not going to be as ready when you get to the big leagues. This is supposed to be a dress rehearsal." Ash said the dropoff in community support puts Huntsville's relationship with the Brewers in peril. "Huntsville has a good history as a minor-league affiliate, but the last few years I've been here, I have to tell you it's been pretty apathetic," Ash said. "Even the players comment on it. "When you look at this league and see the attendance in the Southern League, not only are we last, we're last by a long way. That's concerning to us. Let's get proactive and make something happen or somewhere down the line, you'll risk not having this form of entertainment, and it's better to think of it now before something happens. (Joe Davis Stadium) is an aging facility that's been dressed up as much as it can be, and I don't think there is much more than can be done with it. It's pretty apparent that I don't spend enough time in Huntsville to know why people don't want to come here. Is it because of the facility? Is it because of the cost? I don't think so. It seems pretty reasonably priced to me. All I'm saying is there needs to be some proactivity in the concern area."

Baseball America lists some moves that were not noted here previously: Placed on suspended list: SS David Fonseca (2007 8th round pick) Placed on 7-day DL: RHP Garrett Sherrill, LHP Jose Romero Placed on 60-day DL: RHP Travis Nevakshonoff, LHP Josh Romanski For Sherrill, we had earlier linked to this article which included the following -- The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in Sherrill's right elbow - the joint that launched hundreds of wicked sliders, made him a devastating right-handed pitcher and helped him become a 12th-round draft pick by the Milwaukee Brewers a year ago - has put him on the shelf. Tommy John surgery is a phrase the 6-foot-5 Sherrill hears often these days, but he and the Brewers are still looking at that option as a last resort. On a separate note, promising 21-year-old outfielder Erik Komatsu, the 2008 8th round draft pick who was rehabbing a wrist injury with the Maryvale squad and has not appeared in a game recently, apparently suffered a fairly severe hamstring injury during a game in Arizona and will be sidelined for a while yet based on that.

Final: DSL Giants 6, DSL Brewers / Orioles 2 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score RHP Rolando Pascual's ugly 1.2 innings detailed below -- do you realize this is the 4th year the now-20-year-old has been toiling in the Brewers system? 16-year-old Luis Chirinos left the game after being hit by a pitch in the 4th; Jhonatan Javier later tripled in that same designated hitter spot; Juan Barrini singled and Andres Martinez was hitless, each in limited action... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log DSL Giants Bottom 4th Jhonatan Javier remains in the game as the designated hitter. Defensive Substitution: Eliecer Avila replaces catcher Carlos Paez, batting 8th, playing catcher. Pitcher Change: Rolando Pascual replaces Joan Jimenez. Eduardo Lopez walks. With Rey Duran batting, Eduardo Lopez steals (1) 2nd base, . Eduardo Lopez advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Eliecer Avila. Rey Duran called out on strikes. Eduardo Lopez out at home, catcher Eliecer Avila. Gabriel Cornier walks. With Gilberto Almonte batting, passed ball by Eliecer Avila, Gabriel Cornier to 2nd. Gilberto Almonte walks. Jorge Lopez singles on a line drive to left fielder Juan Barrini. Gabriel Cornier scores. Gilberto Almonte out at 3rd on the throw, left fielder Juan Barrini to third baseman Felix Bido. DSL Giants Bottom 5th Jose Cedeno walks. Jesus Galindo walks. Jose Cedeno to 2nd. With Carlos Willoughby batting, wild pitch by Rolando Pascual, Jose Cedeno to 3rd. Jesus Galindo to 2nd. Carlos Willoughby strikes out swinging. Cesar Osuna strikes out swinging, catcher Eliecer Avila to first baseman Dick Guanipa. Eduardo Lopez walks. Rey Duran singles on a fly ball to right fielder Deibisson Rozon. Jose Cedeno scores. Jesus Galindo to 3rd. Eduardo Lopez to 2nd. Gabriel Cornier walks. Jesus Galindo scores. Eduardo Lopez to 3rd. Rey Duran to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Mike Rodriguez replaces Rolando Pascual. Gilberto Almonte walks. Eduardo Lopez scores. Rey Duran to 3rd. Gabriel Cornier to 2nd. Jorge Lopez hit by pitch. Rey Duran scores. Gabriel Cornier to 3rd. Gilberto Almonte to 2nd. Jose Cedeno strikes out swinging.

Final: Arizona Angels 10, Arizona Brewers 1 Arizona Box Score Brewers outhit, 14-2 -- Ryan Braun contacted Reid Nichols after this one and demanded changes be made in Maryvale; actually, a hidden gem of an effort by not-quite-20-year-old RHP Tyler Cravy, the 2009 17th round pick who struck out seven in three scoreless innings, facing just one over the minimum; both Blake Billings and Kris Dabrowiecki struggled, but Billings is 19 and Dabrowiecki 23 -- the undrafted Dabrowiecki just hasn't been able to find a comfort zone in Maryvale or in a prior stint with Wisconsin; Jose Garcia tripled and scored the lone run -- he K'd in his other three trips; Max Walla the only Brewer to reach twice (walk and HBP)... Arizona Game Log Now this is the A-Crew we've come to know over the years, 5-8 having lost their last three...

Final: Burlington (Royals) 4, Wisconsin 2 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Bees pick off Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA - The Burlington Bees defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 Monday night at Community Field. Tim Melville matched his professional career high for strikeouts with seven over six innings and Eric Hosmer homered and drove in a pair of runs to pace the offense. Wisconsin had opportunities, but had three runners picked off first base -- including one in both the eighth and ninth innings. Hosmer put the Bees (34-47 overall, 5-6 second half) in front with a two-out solo homer in the first inning. Wisconsin (41-40, 7-4) tied the game with an unearned run in the top of the second. Corey Kemp drew a one-out walk and made it to third when shortstop Juan Rivera couldn't handle a Brock Kjeldgaard grounder. Martin Maldonado, who joined the Timber Rattlers earlier on Monday, drove in Kemp with a sacrifice fly. The Rattlers took the lead in the top of the third. Peter Fatse, a 24th round pick of the Brewers in the 2009 draft, hit his first professional homer to give Wisconsin a 2-1 advantage. In the top of the fourth inning, Kjledgaard walked with one out, but was called out on a close play after a pickoff throw by Melville. The Bees rallied for a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jason Taylor doubled with one out. David Wood followed with an RBI single to tie the game 2-2. Burlington strung together four consecutive hits in the bottom of the fifth inning against Rattlers reliever Rigoberto Almonte to take the lead. Marc Maddox and Nick Van Stratten started the inning with back-to-back singles. Hosmer followed with a single that drove in Maddox for the 3-2 lead. Nick Francis followed with a single, but right fielder Juan Sanchez threw out Van Stratten at the plate to keep the deficit at one run. Wisconsin got the tying run aboard in the top of the eighth inning as Michael Marseco drew a one-out walk against reliever Blaine Hardy. But Hardy picked Marseco off first base and got Sanchez to line out to second to end the inning. The Bees tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. They loaded the bases with no outs against Evan Frederickson and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jose Bonilla. Fatse drew a leadoff walk in the top of the ninth inning. But Hardy picked him off. Lorenzo Cain drew another walk to bring the tying run to the plate. Brett Lawrie set a deep fly to center that hung up long enough for Patrick Norris to chase down on the warning track. Hardy got Kemp to ground out to end the game for his second save. The Rattlers wrap up their brief road trip to Iowa on Tuesday night. Dan Merklinger (2-2, 3.09) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Wisconsin. Mike Lehmann (3-3, 4.02) is set to go for the Bees. Game time is 6:30 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Both late pickoffs were by a LHP, but still; RHP Wily Peralta had spoiled us with his prior five dominant appearances, so tonight's decent effort looks very ordinary; LHP Evan Frederickson walked three (one intentionally) in three innings, but still has not allowed more than two earned runs in any of his last eight appearances; the first four batters to face Rigo Almonte singled, and he was lucky to surrender just the one run in his lone inning; the Rattlers only managed two singles beyond Peter Fatse's home run... Wisconsin Game Log

Final: Brevard County 6, Tampa (Yankees) 3 Brevard County Box Score Manatees never relinquished the lead in this one after scoring two in the first, although it was a tight one throughout; yeoman efforts from RHP's Jim Henderson and Roque Mercedes over the final five innings, and LHP Rafael Lluberes was just effective enough to cover for Mitch Miller's early injury departure, which was detailed above; Lluberes allowed four hits and two walks, plus mixed in a wild pitch and a balk in his 2.1 inning stint, but only allowed one inherited runner and one of his own to score; Lee Haydel stole three bases (now 26-for-32) and even worked a walk after our notation on that this week; Chris Errecart doubled twice, singled, and added a sacrifice fly; with Brent Brewer (two hits) still at third base, we see Eric Farris starting at shortstop and Zelous Wheeler at second base -- absolutely can't hurt to allow these guys to develop positional flexibility, particularly the previously-tied-to-second-base Farris, who stole his 36th base in 39 attempts in this one; a clean defensive game for all, by the way... Brevard County Game Log Logan Schafer began the game with a triple, his 4th (tied with Lee Haydel for the team lead); Haydel ended the Yankee 4th with a throw to home to nail a runner; Henderson pitched around a leadoff triple in the 5th; perfect Brevard small ball in the 7th; it only generated one additional insurance run, but the 'Tees singled four times in the 9th; the Yankees have their own Brewer (Daniel)...

Time for a new Joe?

Link for text and reader comments: Brewers assistant GM warns Huntsville may lose Stars HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - Milwaukee assistant general manager Gord Ash says the Brewers have sent plenty of talented minor-leaguers to Double-A Huntsville, but the fan support hasn't been reciprocated. "This is a very apathetic baseball town, and something's going to have to change," said Ash, scanning Sunday's sparse crowd of 660 fans at Joe Davis Stadium. "They're going to be sorry in a couple of years when they don't have baseball." The Stars' attendance ranks last in the 10-team Southern League this season after ranking ninth the past two years. *** Ash's comments have struck a nerve, with a high number of fan comments posted. Some comments are obviously better thought-out than others, but here's a sampling -- "Does the lack of fan support somehow diminish the talents of those players? Mr. Ash sure makes it sound as though it does." *** "I am a season ticket holder and have been since my arrival here in 1991. I have supported this team through winning seasons and non-winning seasons. I would be absolutely heartbroken if this team were to move. The problem lies within management. The current regime has snubbed its season ticket holders and in many cases, isolated those who have supported the most. Current management offers little or no incentive for the average fan to come to the ballpark, examples being fewer promotions, higher ticket prices, and fewer food options as compared with other teams in the league. If the current regime is genuinely interested in keeping the team in Huntsville (of which I am not convinced based on some of managements shenanigans this season) it needs to harken back to the days when the Oakland A's were the parent club. That means things like Buyout Nights, quality giveaways, major league exhibitions, and cheaper parking and ticket prices. And finally, the city needs to step up and fix issues such as the marquee on the Parkway, the scoreboard (which has never worked correctly), and dedication of a permanent year round restaurant on the grounds. There are other things Huntsvillians could spend their money on, but this town deserves a baseball team. Especially for those of us transplanted from major league cities who adore the game of baseball...." *** Check the link for all the comments, quite a few worthwhile and most emotional one way or the other...

Link Report Bonus: One bad inning still haunts Pena Ex-Stars closer took loss in 2007 league title game By Brad Shepard For the Huntsville Times The last time Luis Pena pitched in Joe Davis Stadium was forgettable. Unfortunately, he can't forget it. It was Sept. 16, 2007, and Sunday's West Tenn starting pitcher who was an all-star Stars closer at the time was two outs away from giving Huntsville a Southern League championship. That's when Montgomery's Sergio Pedroza belted a three-run home run in the top of the ninth off Pena to send the Biscuits to a 4-3 championship series-clinching win. "I always think about that game," Pena said. "You know, I had a great season that year, but I still think about not getting those outs and us not getting that ring." The 26-year-old Pena at least added a better memory from Joe Davis on Sunday. In his second start of the season and first since April 13 when he pulled a muscle in his back, the 6-foot-5, 200-pounder worked five innings, allowing six hits and three earned runs. He picked up the win for the Diamond Jaxx, which jumped ahead early and hung on for an 11-8 win over Huntsville. After spending the past two years as a closer in the Brewers organization - one with Huntsville and one with Triple-A Nashville - Pena has a fresh start and a new role with the Mariners organization. Despite the injury setback, Pena impressed West Tenn manager Phil Plantier with his adjustment from reliever to starter. "He did a nice job of keeping his emotions under control until the last inning," Plantier said. "I think he let his blood pressure get high in that last inning, but prior to that, I was happy." With a built-in familiarity and support system in the Mariners organization, Pena believes he is better suited for such a drastic change this late in his career. Following last year, former Brewers director of player personnel Jack Zduriencik became Seattle's general manager. He brought several former Milwaukee farmhands with him. When the Los Angeles Angels signed Bobby Abreu, they designated current Stars pitcher Nick Green for assignment. Green was claimed by the Brewers, who, in turn, designated Pena for assignment. Zduriencik signed Pena to the Mariners. Along with Pena, the Diamond Jaxx also have former Stars Mel Stocker and Steve Bray on their roster. Patrick Ryan was with the team earlier this year, and Steve Moss is in Single-A. For older minor leaguers looking for any advantage to make it to the majors, Stocker said going somewhere where they know people is very important. "Any time you can come into an organization where they know you, it helps take some of the pressure off," said Stocker, who hit .255 with 35 steals with Huntsville in 2007 before getting promoted to the Brewers briefly. "My contract wasn't renewed with Milwaukee, and I had the opportunity with Seattle, and I'm going to take that. I think having people know what you're capable of can help you get to the big-league level."

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 7, Huntsville 5 Huntsville Site Game Summary West Tenn Plays Small Ball to Down Stars Jaxx Score Early, Hang on Late to Beat Huntsville By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Justin Souza spun seven solid innings and West Tenn withstood another late rally to down Huntsville 7-5 Monday night in the third of a four-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Diamond Jaxx have won a season-high five in a row to improve to 10-5 in the second half and open a two-game lead in the North Division over Tennessee and a three-game cushion over the Stars, who lost a fourth straight to drop to 7-8 in the second half and 45-39 overall. The Stars put runners at the corners with one out in the first against Souza, who struck out Kevin Melillo and got Jonathan Lucroy to ground out to end the threat. The visitors then tallied twice in the second inning against Bobby Bramhall on a run-scoring hit by David Espinoza and a Jimmy Mojica double play grounder with the bases loaded. The Jaxx scored four times in the third inning on a Melillo throwing error, a run-scoring ground out by Colt Morton, a Guillermo Quiroz sacrifice fly and a two-out single by Mojica that chased Bramhall from the game. The Stars' southpaw was charged with the loss and dropped to 4-6 after allowing six runs on nine hits and two walks. Juan Sandoval, Casey Baron and Robert Hinton combined to throw 6 1/3 innings, allowing one unearned run on three hits, while fanning four. A Lucroy passed ball in the sixth inning allowed Mel Stocker to score to make it 7-2 and Souza left with that same lead after allowing five hits, walking one and fanning six. He beat the Stars for the first time in four tries to improve to 6-6 after working a combined 8 1/3 frames in his first three starts against them, giving up 11 runs on 19 hits. Nick Hill took over in the eighth and retired the first hitter before a Matt Mangini throwing error on a Drew Anderson grounder was followed by a Melillo hit and Mike Wilson fielding error that put runners at second and third. Lucroy's groundball out scored Anderson to make it 7-3 before Melillo scored on a base hit by Taylor Green, who went to second on the throw home and scored to make it 7-5 on a Vinny Rottino double that chased Hill from the game. Anthony Varvaro took over and retired Chuck Caufield to end the inning and retired the side in order in the ninth to earn his fourth save of the year and second in as many days. The series wraps up Tuesday night with Stars' right-hander Mark Holliman taking the hill against West Tenn right-hander and former Huntsville Star Steve Bray. 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 LHP Bobby Bramhall has made 16 starts, with quality ones very, very sparse (two in late June among his last ten); Taylor Green was the DH in his first game back; it would be interesting to see the wild pitch numbers from the Stars' staff -- ten passed balls by Jonathan Lucroy as of July 6th? Flukish or troubling? Huntsville Game Log

MiLB.com: Pioneer League Michael Fiers, Helena 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 G, 0 GS, 3 SV, 5 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO Brewers prospect Michael Fiers' three saves and five appearances on the season are both league-toppers. Fiers was perfect this week, not allowing a baserunner over four appearances. Selected in the 22nd round of this year's Draft, the right-hander has probably been a bit of a pleasant surprise to the Brew crew.

Final: Albuquerque (Dodgers) 6, Nashville 5, regularly scheduled game (seven innings) Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Angel Salome photo, text follows -- Sounds Drop Close One To Isotopes, 6-5 NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Albuquerque Isotopes, 6-5, in a seven-inning contest on Monday evening at historic Greer Stadium. With the loss, the first place Sounds dropped to 6-11 in one run games on the year. Isotopes right fielder Jamie Hoffman went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs to lead Albuquerque. After Nashville starter Lindsay Gulin walked the bases loaded in the first inning, Albuquerque first baseman J.D. Closser brought home Tony Abreu on a soft bloop to centerfield that gave the Isotopes a 1-0 lead. Gulin was able to induce a groundball double play to get out of the inning. In the next frame, Albuquerque starter Scott Elbert matched Gulin by walking the bases full, and then surrendered a bases-loaded walk to Brendan Katin that scored Hernan Iribarren to tie the game at 1. Abreu singled in the top of the third inning, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a base hit by Hoffman that put the Isotopes back in front at 2-1. Albuquerque scored another run to extend the lead to 3-1 in the next inning on a sacrifice fly by Sergio Garcia, scoring Jason Repko. Hoffman hit his third home run of the season in the fifth inning, a two-run shot to left field that increased the Isotopes' lead to 5-1. Nashville got two runs back in the next frame on an Angel Salome opposite field homer to right field, trimming the Albuquerque lead to 5-3. Salome's fifth homer of the year was his first belted at historic Greer Stadium. Adam Heether walked later in the inning, and was brought home on a Katin double to left-center field that moved the Sounds within one at 5-4. AUDIO: Brendan Katin RBI Double With the bases loaded and two out, the Isotopes got a run back on a John Axford wild pitch that scored Repko from third base. Axford walked the next batter to load the bases again, but struck out Dee Brown to end the jam. Shortstop Alcides Escobar walked in the bottom of the sixth, and scored on another base knock by Salome that brought the Sounds back within one at 6-5. Scott Strickland picked up his 17th save of the season, striking out the side in the seventh inning to secure the win. Erick Threets (2-0) earned the win after throwing 1/3 of an inning. Elbert allowed four runs on five hits with six walks in 4 and 2/3 innings. Gulin (4-5) took the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits and four walks over five innings. The Sounds wrap up their four-game series at 7:00 pm CT on Tuesday night at historic Greer Stadium. Right-hander Jason Schmidt (2-0, 3.38) starts for Albuquerque on a rehab assignment against TBA for Nashville. Nashville Game Two Box Score What to read into "TBA" -- LHP Chase Wright hasn't pitched since June 27th, as his spot was skipped last time out. He's listed as Wednesday's starter, why not pitch Tuesday? Ah yes, the intrigue; Matt Ginter, a spot starter in the past, pitched the final inning here; after a stretch of 4-of-5 quality starts, Lindsay Gulin with a clunker just when you think he may be tempting Brewer brass; on a night when the Sounds drew eight walks, you'll know that Alcides Escobar has now walked in five straight games, if you've been reading along tonight; Angel Salome catches both games, as the Patrick Arlis "Where's Waldo?" watch continues, not that we mind; Freddy Parejo spelled Jason Bourgeois in this nightcap... Nashville Game Two Game Log Quite a bit packed into seven innings...

Final: Nashville 5, Albuquerque (Dodgers) 3, completion of Saturday's suspended game Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Adam Heether photo, text follows -- NASHVILLE - Third baseman Adam Heether homered and drove in three runs to lead the Nashville Sounds to a come-from-behind, 5-3 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Monday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the completion of the teams' Saturday game that was suspended due to rain. In the first portion of the game on Saturday, Nashville took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning when Cole Gillespie led off with a single against Isotopes starter Charlie Haeger and later scored on Hernan Iribarren's two-out RBI triple to right-center. Albuquerque rallied to take a 2-1 lead against Sounds starter Tim Dillard. Jamie Hoffmann drew an inning-opening walk and moved to third on a single by ex-Sound J.D. Closser. Luis Maza tied the contest with a sacrifice fly to left before third baseman Juan Gonzalez put the visitors in front with a single to center. The game was halted at 8:24 p.m. on Saturday due to another rainstorm with two outs in the top of the fourth inning. Following a rainout on Sunday, the teams resumed play on Monday evening. A two-out walk to Sounds pitcher Chris Cody came back to haunt Isotopes hurler Eric Stults in the bottom of the fifth as Nashville rallied to tie the contest. After Cody drew his free pass, Alcides Escobar singled to right before Iribarren continued his role as the club's top hitter with runners in scoring position, knotting the score with an RBI single to left off Stults. Heether gave the home club a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the sixth with a two-run double down the left field line. Brendan Katin and Joe Koshansky, who had opened the frame with consecutive singles, scored on the two-bagger. Isotopes right fielder Jamie Hoffmann pulled the visitors back within a run at 4-3 in the top of the eighth with a two-out solo homer to left off Cody, his third longball of the season. Heether struck again for Nashville when he answered Hoffmann's shot in the bottom of the frame by leading off with his ninth roundtripper of the season, a solo shot to left off Albuquerque reliever Cory Wade. Cody (3-3) picked up the victory after allowing only one hit, Hoffmann's homer, over his 4 1/3 innings of work in relief of Dillard. Ryan Houston worked a scoreless ninth to notch his fourth save. Stults (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance for the Isotopes on the year after giving up three runs on six hits in three frames of work. Nashville Game One Box Score Chris Cody allows only the one home run and one walk in 4.1 innings, striking out four; big Ryan Houston has earned the closer's job, he walked two in a scary 9th; except for Joe Koshansky, the starting lineup was all homegrown, pretty impressive for AAA; Freddy Parejo 1-for-3 in his AAA debut; Adam Heether's just ridiculous -- .952 on the season, another big game here, home run and double; Alcides Escobar a walk and single -- he's drawn walks in four consecutive games, yee-hah! Nashville Game One Game Log

Darn, new Brevard County pitcher Mitch Miller injured on a line drive -- Tampa Bottom 2nd Brandon Laird grounds out, third baseman Brent Brewer to first baseman Chris Errecart. Kevin Smith doubles (5) on a line drive to right fielder Logan Schafer. David Adams lines out, pitcher Mitch Miller to first baseman Chris Errecart to pitcher Mitch Miller. Kevin Smith to 3rd. Brevard County Manatees pitcher Mitch Miller left the game due to an injured arm. Obviously will mess up Brevard's staff for the night and the next day or two, but I'm always a fan of the undrafted player getting chances (see my Joe Thatcher obsession). Hopefully he's OK.

Midwest League Standings Arizona League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 46 36 .561 - 25-17 21-19 W1 Iowa 43 40 .518 3.5 25-17 18-23 L1 Memphis 39 43 .476 7.0 24-16 15-27 W2 Omaha 33 49 .402 13.0 15-23 18-26 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Tenn 9 5 .643 - 4-2 5-3 W4 Tennessee 8 6 .571 1.0 3-3 5-3 W3 Chattanooga 7 7 .500 2.0 4-2 3-5 W1 Huntsville 7 7 .500 2.0 4-4 3-3 L3 Carolina 3 11 .214 6.0 1-7 2-4 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dunedin 7 2 .778 - 5-2 2-0 W4 Clearwater 8 3 .727 - 1-1 7-2 W1 Tampa 6 3 .667 1.0 3-2 3-1 L2 Brevard County 6 4 .600 1.5 3-3 3-1 W1 Daytona 5 6 .455 3.0 1-4 4-2 L1 Lakeland 3 7 .300 4.5 1-3 2-4 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 8 5 .615 - 5-2 3-3 L1 Helena 8 5 .615 - 3-2 5-3 W1 Missoula 7 6 .538 1.0 4-2 3-4 L1 Billings 3 10 .231 5.0 2-6 1-4 W1