Jim Goulart

During Brewerfan.net's Minor League Season-Opening Roundtable, three of four staff members picked the Rattlers to be the most successful team in the Brewer system. I didn't pick Brevard (picked Huntsville), but I was also the one who didn't pick Wisconsin. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif I'd like to publicly apologize to Joshua -- I was supposed to get back to him with some responses to his Rattler questions for this piece, and failed to do so in a timely manner, if at all. My bad, sir -- nice job by you, though.

MLB's Adam McCalvy: Triple-A Nashville tweaked its pitching rotation Monday, and recently demoted lefty Manny Parra will make his Minor League season debut Wednesday, a day earlier than originally forecast. He will be pitching one day short of regular rest, but he worked only 1 2/3 innings against the White Sox on Saturday. Nashville projected its next five starters, and Mike Burns wasn't in the group. He pitched seven scoreless innings Sunday, and he is a candidate to join the Brewers when they next need a fifth starter on June 27.

Adam McCalvy from this past weekend: Gord Ash also said that right-hander Nick Green, whose Triple-A season has been interrupted by soreness in the 'lat' muscle behind his right shoulder, is rehabbing in Phoenix and is "a couple weeks away" from returning.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 38 27 .585 - 21-15 17-12 L1 Iowa 33 32 .508 5.0 18-14 15-18 L1 Memphis 31 33 .484 6.5 19-13 12-20 W1 Omaha 25 39 .391 12.5 11-21 14-18 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 37 26 .587 - 14-16 23-10 L1 Carolina 36 28 .563 1.5 21-14 15-14 W2 Tennessee 28 37 .431 10.0 15-18 13-19 L2 Chattanooga 26 38 .406 11.5 13-17 13-21 W1 West Tenn 25 40 .385 13.0 12-18 13-22 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 40 18 .690 - 15-11 25-7 W6 Daytona 30 29 .508 10.5 15-11 15-18 W1 Clearwater 29 31 .483 12.0 15-16 14-15 L1 Dunedin 29 32 .475 12.5 11-19 18-13 W4 Tampa 28 33 .459 13.5 15-18 13-15 L2 Lakeland 26 31 .456 13.5 15-17 11-14 L2

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. *** AAA All-Star voting is here with your MiLB.com online account.

Midwest League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

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_06_16_rreaaa_nasaaa_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_16_breafa_jupafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_06_16_wisafx_burafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&gid=2009_06_16_dpirok_dobrok_1&cid=3130&t=g_box

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Link here for the live audio choices - audio will no longer archive. For this Brevard County series, you can pick up the Hammerheads' audio via this link. Nashville: LHP Chase Wright at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 6:35 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP Amaury Rivas at Jupiter (Marlins), 5:35 PM gametime Wisconsin: RHP Cody Adams at Burlington (Royals), 6:15 PM pre-game, 6:30 gametime; LHP Daniel Meadows will back Adams up Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at home vs. the DSL Pirates (see this thread for some roster background) -- all games are 10:30 local time in the Dominican, and no need to ask about web audio; we usually won't see updated box scores until the overnight...

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Link while active, text follows: The other Gwynn plays leading role for Padres He's center stage, and becoming a hit By Chris Jenkins, Union-Tribune Staff Writer If the name wasn't so familiar, wasn't exactly the same as you know who, wasn't a name that much of San Diego grew up hearing on an almost daily basis, the questions would be asked and asked often. Asked out of genuine surprise. With every slashing single and double into the corner, with every 10-pitch walk, with every sprint between bases, and even with the times the youthful confidence in his own jets got the best of him, there would be those who see what he does and wonder with delight: Who is this guy? And, where'd he come from? If not for the name, little would have been made of the trade that brought Tony Gwynn from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Padres on May 21. To be more specific, San Diego got him from Nashville, where he was playing for the Brewers' Triple-A club and perhaps not destined for a return to Milwaukee any time before September. Less than a month later, however, the otherwise struggling Padres seem to have found that rare commodity. They've got somebody at the top of their batting order with speed, a leadoff hitter who knows how to get on base, who knows how to work a pitcher, knows how to put the bat on the ball and knows how to steal a bag, if not always the right time for the derring-do that comes with swiftness. Twenty-one games is just a starting point, and Gwynn admits that pitchers have yet to impose their own adjustments on him, but to this point his impact has been immediate and profound. Within hours of arriving back in his hometown and dressing out as a Padres player - not as a batboy, not as the teenage son of the greatest player in team history - he drew a walk as a pinch-hitter and scored the winning run. Basically handed the center-field position, he has held onto it during the absence of Scott Hairston by posting exemplary leadoff numbers, maintaining a batting average of .341 and on-base percentage of .453 for June. Gwynn has hit safely in eight straight games and 15 of the past 16. "He's swinging very well, getting good at-bats, getting on base, which is what we need at the top of the order," manager Bud Black said. "He's getting line drives reminiscent of his father, all around the park." There it is, the unavoidable, the reference to Anthony Keith Gwynn Sr. No problem. Tony Jr. doesn't try to avoid it. To the contrary. He's running with it. "What impresses me is, knowing what his dad means to San Diego, you'd think he'd be playing under a lot of pressure," outfield-mate Brian Giles said. "He seems to kind of thrive on the excitement of playing for the same organization his dad played his whole career with. That's pretty impressive for such a young guy." Although this is his fourth season in the majors, Gwynn's still a veritable rookie in many respects, since the most at-bats he's recorded in one year was 123 in 2007 and he had a total of 119 in his other two stints with Milwaukee. Built more for power, the banging Brewers were no longer such a great situation for Gwynn, whose enthusiasm over the trade for Jody Gerut was as much professional as personal. Because he grew up with the Padres, too, Gwynn has a solid understanding of why it might be especially meaningful to their most tenured fans to have a player who gets by on speed, bat control and a discerning eye batting first in the San Diego order. "It's hard to remember too many 'typical' leadoffs," Gwynn said. " . . . My dad led off a couple years just because they had nobody else and knew he'd get on." For the record, Tony Sr. had 512 plate appearances as a leadoff hitter, batting .324 with a .389 OBP. Fact is, there was a time when Tony Jr. wondered whether there would ever be a place for him in the majors. He was at San Diego State, hopeful of baseball becoming his career, but also painfully aware that pro ball had become a slugger's game. "I remember watching the World Series my freshman year and asking myself, 'How am I going to pull this off? How am I gonna get my foot in this door?' " he said. "A lot's happened since, and somebody gave me that opening. Not just me, but a lot of guys who play the game this way. "The game's coming back full circle. For years, all anybody wanted was the guy who hit the ball out of the ballpark, because so many guys were hitting the ball out of the park. Now you're starting to see, on a lot of teams, what I guess you'd call your old-school leadoff guy. He's not gonna hit a whole bunch of home runs. He's gonna be on base a lot, see a lot of pitches." One night last week at Dodger Stadium, Gwynn saw 33 pitches, turning three of them into hits and four into a walk. That same night, his hustle backfired, All-Star catcher Russell Martin picking up a loose ball and throwing out Gwynn at third on an attempted steal. This was different from the first time, though, more acceptable than Gwynn getting nailed trying to steal third against Arizona with two out and Adrian Gonzalez on deck. "I'm still learning," Gwynn said. "(The play in L.A.) was the first mistake I made that, I guess you could say, I felt comfortable with. I could go to sleep with it. If I had it to do the same thing over again, maybe I don't, maybe I do. "There've definitely been times where I wasn't comfortable making an out, though, and those are the ones that stick with you. You don't want to make those mistakes two years from now, three years from now. You have to get those behind you." GWYNN GETTING BETTER He's been a Padre for less than four weeks, but Tony Gwynn has shown great improvement with San Diego compared with the three partial seasons he played in Milwaukee: Seasons G | AB | R | H | 2B/3B | BB | Avg. | OBP | Slg.| OPS 2006-08 130 | 242 | 23 | 60 | 9 | 18 | .248 | .300 | .298 | .598 2009 21 | 69 | 14 | 23 | 7 | 12 | .333 | .432 | .464 | .896

Blurb from this article: FSU is still waiting word from underclassman D'Vontrey Richardson plus a host of signees to make their plans following the Major League Baseball draft. Two-sport athlete Richardson has said he will probably sign with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Link while active, text follows: Madison County standout McDaniel decides on FSU Committment will forgo pro baseball for college football By Aimee Sachs DEMOCRAT STAFF WRITER Jacobbi McDaniel thought he had it all figured out. He was so certain he wanted to play football at Florida State, the defensive tackle from Madison County committed to FSU a year before his signing day. But then his world was rocked on Thursday when McDaniel found out - much to his surprise - that the Milwaukee Brewers had selected him in the 33rd round of the MLB Amateur Draft. McDaniel was shocked because he had already told Brewers scout Ryan Robinson that he intended to go to college. But when the big leagues call, you don't take it lightly. McDaniel spent much of the weekend soul searching. He decided on Saturday that he would stay the course at FSU - because his first love is football, but also because he felt the Brewers had retracted a pre-draft offer of $800,000. "For me just to walk away from football was going to be a big thing," McDaniel explained. "And I told (Robinson) the only thing that was going to make me walk away from football was the money they were going to offer." McDaniel said he had been texting the Brewers about money in the days leading up to his selection. He said he saved many of the messages, and even shared them with FSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. McDaniel said the day before he was drafted, a Brewers scout texted him: "What would it take for you to play baseball?" "I said $1 million to $1.5 million or better," McDaniel said. That's when McDaniel said he was offered $800,000. Robinson wouldn't specify the amount that was discussed, but did specify the context of the exchange. "I said, 'Would you sign for that?'" Robinson said. "But he said no. But that was just gauging his signability. That doesn't mean that was what we would have given him. The most important thing here is there was never an official offer." Robinson said the Brewers "fully expected" McDaniel to stick with football, but their interest in him was very real. "If he ever changed his mind, we wanted to be the team that drafted him," Robinson said. But the stress of the last week has taken a toll on McDaniel enough for him to say he doesn't feel like playing baseball anymore. His mother, Darlann Choice, believes differently. "He always played all three sports ever since he was 5," Choice said. "I'm sure that's in him to play baseball as well as football." If he decided to pursue professional baseball, McDaniel would have had to lose 50 pounds and convert from third base to first base. And then there's the nonstop travel schedule of a minor-league team - and the uncertainity of that elusive big-league call-up. "I'd rather go to college and be happy," McDaniel said, "than be on a bus for eight hours a day being miserable." Madison County graduate Jacobbi McDaniel, right, will forgo a career in professional baseball to play college football at Florida State. (PHIL SEARS/Democrat files) http://cmsimg.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=CD&Date=20090616&Category=FSU03&ArtNo=906160322&Ref=AR&Profile=1008&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Link while active, text follows: They have arrived By JASON SCOTT - Helena Independent Record Brewers pitcher Chad Robinson spoke for all his team members Tuesday. "I'm just itching to get back out there, to get back on the mound," the Las Vegas native said. Team members flew in Monday from Arizona, then took a bus ride to Kindrick Legion Field to drop off some equipment. The returning players also got to soak in the cosmetic changes to the ballpark. Thanks to a city grant in the offseason, the field has new lights, a new scoreboard display and a revamped clubhouse. "It's like night and day," Robinson said of the changes to the park. "It looks great." This year is different than previous seasons, as the Brewers will hold a minicamp this week, weather permitting. The camp will be a unique opportunity to flesh out starting players and a strong rotation and might help the Helena squad's chances this season. At least 18 team members walked off the plane from the Grand Canyon State into much cooler weather. "It's like 106 degrees in Arizona right now, so this weather is nice," said catcher Derrick Alfonso, who is coming back for his second year in Helena. Each Helena player has a different mindset going into the season, but most came down to a common goal. "My goal for this year? Win," said Rico Salmon. "Not lose, like last year. Being behind by 12 games, I don't want that. Obviously I want to do better, but winning is the big thing." Alfonso echoed his teammate's sentiments. "For me, it's all about winning," said the 23-year-old. "My goal is to try to help this team win a championship again." Alfonso and Salmon aren't the only returners this year. Among others, they are joined by a Helena favorite, Cutter Dykstra. Brewer fans might do a double take when they see where the son of Phillies great Lenny Dykstra is playing this year. "I've come back in a position change," the former centerfielder said. "When I was in Appleton (Wis.) they told me they wanted me to play second base. I came back to Arizona and started playing second. I kind of knew a change might have been coming. I'm happy with it now. I think second base fits me more as a player and I'm much more comfortable." Dykstra has a promising chance to work with a former major league infielder in head coach Rene Gonzales. "I'm really excited this year because he played infield in the big leagues for a while and he can really help me throughout the year at second base," Dykstra said. "I'm excited to have that kind of knowledge there to help guide me through." Another returner, Shawn Zarraga, said he looks forward to working to better know Helena and its inhabitants. "I'm used to a small town, because Aruba is what, 100,000 people?" he said. "I would love the environment as it is, if it's small. It's family oriented. "People know everything about you and you know everything about them," Zarraga, a newly designated first baseman, said with a smile. "There's some pros and cons with that." More players are scheduled to arrive today, first-time players coming in from their hometowns after finally signing the pro baseball contract they've always dreamed of. Whether it's for fortune or fame or love of the game that the players strive for, everyone will know his place before next Tuesday's opener against the Missoula Osprey. The mini camp, which is open to the public, will give fans and coaches like Gonzales a chance to see what this year's crop of Brewers looks like. "It's going to be fun playing here," Zarraga said. "A new city, a new town. New people." Photo by Eliza Wiley Independent Record The first round of Helena Brewer's made their way off the plane Monday at the Helena Regional Airport. More of the team will be coming in today and they will begin a training camp later this afternoon also. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2009/06/16/sports/top/50spl_090616_brewers.jpg

2007 24th round OF Jonathan White (Vanderbilt) drafted by Giants in 40th round, signs (story)

Link while active, text follows: First-half title nearly checked off for Stars Slim divisional lead will be tested with series at Birmingham By Paul Gattis Huntsville Times Sports Staff Almost immediately after splitting a doubleheader Monday against Jacksonville, the Huntsville Stars began packing for their biggest road trip of the season. With six games remaining in the first half, the Stars lead the Southern League North Division by 1 1/2 games over Carolina. Hang on to that lead for the next six games at Birmingham - the first-half South champs - and the Stars will clinch a playoff spot. "We've played hard all first half and we deserve it," Stars infielder/outfielder Vinny Rottino said bluntly. That the Stars are in such an envious position may come as a surprise. The team is 14-16 before the home crowd at Joe Davis Stadium while going 23-10 on the road. And the home crowd is a bit of a misnomer. The Stars have by far the worst attendance this season in the Southern League and typically plays before gatherings of less than 1,000 people. Nevertheless, a balanced offense that's second in the league in batting average and runs scored has the Stars in position to make the postseason for the third time in four years. "I would like to see them win it," first-year manager Bob Miscik said. "They've done everything right, the way they've prepared themselves and how they approach the games. "I would feel good, for them, if they won it. I'd like to see them finish it off and I told them that today." The Stars inched closer on Monday, winning the first game 7-2 as catcher Jonathan Lucroy went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Shane Justis had two hits, scored two runs and knocked in one. And starting pitcher Bobby Bramhall allowed two runs in five innings. "He pitched the best he's pitched all year," Miscik said. The Suns won the second game 4-3 in eight innings even as Justis had two more hits and another RBI. The Stars had the winning run at third with two outs in the seventh but Drew Anderson struck out to end the threat. But the Stars burgeoning confidence is evident in the clubhouse. "We know where we stand," Justis said. "It's in our hands. We keep playing like we did today, we'll be fine." Birmingham is among the winningest teams in the minor leagues this season, splitting four games against the Stars this season. "We can play with them for sure," Justis said. "We can play with anybody." Rottino described the Stars as "a team full of grinders" and there is more grinding to be done. Shortstop Yohannis Perez is out with a sore hamstring and isn't expected to return until Friday's doubleheader at the earliest. The Stars have also lost top pitcher Chris Cody to a promotion to Triple-A Nashville and will get a start on Wednesday from righty Josh Butler - who was sent down last week from Nashville as a replacement for injured starter Mike Jones. "We're going to go and do what we've done for the first 63 games," Miscik said. "If you try harder, that doesn't work in this game. You just go play baseball and take what it gives you." Said Rottino, "We've got a bunch of winners on this team and we're going to win."

Final: DSL Brewers / Orioles 9, DSL Yankees (#1 squad) 4 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score 17-year-old 6'7" LHP (can't type that often enough) Eliezer Montano struggled some in his one inning, which we'll paste below; Mr. 0.00 ERA, Edwin Linares, was called on for the save, striking out his only man with the bases loaded and the tying run on deck; breakout game for 17-year-old SS Andres Martinez (4-for-5 with a double and two RBI) -- won't it be something in six years when Alcides Escobar is a year from free agency and you'll say, "I remember when that Mass Haas guy typed about Andres Martinez back when he was just 17", although Escobar was in the Pioneer League at that age; 6'6" RF Ronny Puello (Corey Hart, anyone?) was 3-for-4 with a double and three RBI, but was lifted for a pinch-hitter late with another RH bat; 16-year-old LF Luis Chirinos two singles and an RBI; catcher Jhonatan Javier reached and scored twice; 17-year-old CF Juan Barrini (3-for-24) tripled his season's hit count with two singles and two runs scored; Martinez committed an error, and Javier had two passed balls, but obviously a fun numbers day for the DSL youngsters... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log DSL Yankees1 Bottom 8th Pitcher Change: Eliezer Montano replaces Yancorix Adrian. Carlos Urena hit by pitch. Edwin Fulgencio strikes out swinging. With Edwin Beard batting, wild pitch by Eliezer Montano, Carlos Urena to 2nd. Edwin Beard walks. Yeicok Calderon grounds into a force out, shortstop Andres Martinez to third baseman Felix Bido. Carlos Urena out at 3rd. Edwin Beard to 2nd. Yeicok Calderon to 1st. Josue Rodriguez triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Juan Barrini. Edwin Beard scores. Yeicok Calderon scores. Ronald Morillo walks. Jerison Lopez flies out to center fielder Juan Barrini

Wow, someone locally takes note -- Link while active, text follows: Nothing minor about Manatees Brevard County has best winning percentage in all of baseball BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY There's something special brewing -- pun intended or not -- at Space Coast Stadium where the Brevard County Manatees have the best winning percentage of all Minor League Baseball teams. That's not just among teams in the Class A Florida State League, but all teams at all levels of Minor League Baseball played in the United States. The Manatees, a farm team for the Milwaukee Brewers, are 40-18 for a winning percentage of .690. And they've already clinched the North Division first-half championship, guaranteeing themselves a berth in the September playoffs. They've won six straight games -- not losing since dropping the first game of a doubleheader on Wednesday -- and are not likely to take their foot off the accelerator anytime soon. After all, using a foundation of what General Manager Kyle Smith called extraordinary team chemistry, they play a relentless style of baseball that has left opponents gasping. That made an early impression on Smith. "Probably about the middle to late April you kind of got the feeling that if a team didn't put us away when they had the chance, that we were going to come back and make them pay for it with our aggressive style of base running," he said. "If anyone gets on (base), it wreaks havoc." The Mantees lead the FSL in stolen bases with 104 heading into Monday's games, 47 more than FSL South Division-leading Fort Myers. Brevard County also leads in batting average (.267), home runs (16), earned run average (2.50), fewest hits allowed (392), runs allowed (174), earned runs allowed (139), holds (36), strikeouts (473), shutouts (12), saves (23) and is tied with Jupiter for the top fielding percentage (.977). Manatees right-hander Evan Anundsen, who pitched a no-hitter in April, is third in the league with a 1.95 ERA. Right-handed reliever Rob Wooten leads in saves with 18. First baseman Steffan Wilson is tied for third in batting average (.319) and is fourth in hits (66). Second baseman Eric Farris is second in the FSL in stolen bases with 30. Third baseman Zelous Wheeler is tied for second in walks (34). In short, it's been dominance. But interestingly, the Manatees started the season 1-4. "After that it was like a circus, you had to put us away if you were ahead," Smith said. "If not, our bullpen just shut teams down. We didn't give teams the opportunity very often to beat us . . . when they did, if they didn't capitalize, we were going to win." That's all fine and well but the Manatees are in business for one main reason -- developing players for the Brewers. And that means any player can be sent up to Class AA or AAA at any time, taking away a big bat or a strong, reliable pitching arm. The result can be a team dropping in the standings like a rock. But Smith isn't worried. "I think one through nine, we lose a guy in the lineup, I still think we're all right," he said. "We're probably going to lose some pitchers and we'll probably lose a couple of hitters. But we're young and I think the fact we're young might keep a few guys here. But unless there's a big-time rash of injuries above us . . . I think being one through nine and deep and I think we are very deep, especially in the pitching staff, I don't think it would effect us as much as a lot of teams." Second-year manager Mike Guerrero also cited the team's chemistry. "They're not satisfied for just one day," he said. "They go out there and try to prove themselves every day. In our organization, we're trying to . . . let the player know what you've done yesterday is done, you've got to come on and prove it today." And he expects that attitude to continue through the second half. "Winning the first half is something you earn with the work that you have done," he said. "My main priority is to develop these guys and get them ready for the next level and prepare them for the big leagues. If we do what we need to do as individuals and play the game correctly, wins are going to come." We as an organization are not going to change because we have accomplished something that every team wishes to do. We're not looking to sit down and just throw the glove out there. We're looking to play the game every day and play the game even harder. "We want to get better." Brevard County infielder Eric Farris is one of eight Manatees who have made the Florida State League All-Star team this season. Farris has 30 stolen bases this season. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090616&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=906160329&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Final: Burlington (Royals) 7, Wisconsin 4 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Rattlers leave a bunch By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense stranded 14 runners and struck out 14 times in a 7-4 loss to the Burlington Bees Tuesday night at Community Field. Wisconsin's defense also committed two errors in the game that eventually led to three unearned runs. Burlington (27-37) staked themselves to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Patrick Norris reached on an error and stole second to start the inning. Then, Rattlers starter Alex Periard, in his first action of the season, gave up a single to Nick Van Stratten and a two-run triple to Eric Hosmer. Nick Francis capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to knock in Hosmer. Periard settled in after the shaky start. He retired nine of the final ten batters he faced. That allowed the Rattler bats to get going against Burlington starter Tim Melville. Brett Lawrie, who was activated off the Timber Rattlers disabled list earlier in the day, doubled in the third inning to drive in Juan Sanchez with the first Wisconsin run of the game. Burlington's defense betrayed the Melville in the top of the fourth. Jose Duran reached on an error. Sean McCraw singled to move Duran to second. Duran had stopped at second, but right fielder Nick Francis threw wildly to third and both runners advanced on the overthrow. Sanchez sent a grounder to third that was misplayed for an error. Both Duran and McCraw scored on the play to tie the score 3-3 while Sanchez took second. Michael Marseco put the Rattlers (31-33) in front with an RBI double. That double by Marseco was the last hit by a Rattler with a runner in scoring position. On the evening, Wisconsin went 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Nick Tyson pitched a scoreless fourth inning in relief of Periard to run his scoreless streak to 10 innings over eight appearances, but the Bees would rally against Dan Merklinger in the fifth. Antonio Jimenez tripled to start the inning and scored on a one-out single by Norris to tie the game. The Bees retook the lead in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a crucial error that started the rally. David Wood reached on a dropped throw to Merklinger at first with one out. Salvador Perez followed with a double to send Wood home with the go ahead run. One out later, Jimenez singled to drive home Perez for a 6-4 lead. In the top of the eighth, the Rattlers had two runners on with one out against reliever John Thompson. He struck out the next two batters to end the inning. Chase Fontaine grounded into a 4-3 double play with runners at the corners in the bottom of the eighth inning to put the Bees up 7-4. In the top of the ninth, the Rattlers made it interesting against Thompson. Lawrie started the inning with a single, his third hit of the night. Thompson walked the next two hitters to load the bases. Then, Thompson struck out the next three batters to close out Wisconsin. Thompson struck out six over the final 2-1/3 innings to earn his fourth save. Game three of the series is Tuesday night. Cody Adams (1-4, 4.91) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Sam Runion (2-4, 6.60) is set to start for the Bees. Game time is 6:30 PM. Wisconsin Box Score For the most part, the Wisconsin pitchers who go back-and-forth between piggyback starts and reliever stints post significantly lower ERA's as starters -- it must be a mentality thing, like closers in non-save situations; Michael Marseco's double "lifts" his OPS to .470 in a pretty big sample (206 AB's) -- the kid posted a sterling .775 OPS in Helena last season, you can't say the jump in playing level is that severe; Brett Lawrie hardly missed a beat, huh? Wisconsin Game Log The log of un-clutchiness...

Final: Round Rock (Astros) 5, Nashville 0 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Lindsay Gulin photo, text follows -- Express Blanks Sounds, Win Streak Ends At Seven NASHVILLE - Round Rock starting pitcher Bud Norris turned in a dominant performance on Monday evening at historic Greer Stadium, holding the Nashville Sounds to two hits over eight scoreless innings to lead the visiting Express to a 5-0 victory in the opener of a three-game series. Norris (3-4) combined with reliever Brendan Donnelly on the two-hit shutout. Joe Koshansky and Carlos Corporan each singled to account for the Sounds' lone hits on the evening. With the loss, the first-place Sounds (38-27) had their season-best seven-game winning streak come to a close. It was Nashville's fourth shutout defeat of the year. Center fielder Yordany Ramirez put the visitors on the board in the top of the fourth inning when he belted a three-run homer to left off Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin, his seventh longball of the season. Chris Johnson and Mark Saccomanno, who had preceded Ramirez with singles, also scored on the blast. PCL veteran John Gall upped the Express lead to 4-0 in the fifth with a one-out RBI double to left that plated Reggie Abercrombie, who had drawn an inning-opening walk from Gulin. Gall wrapped up the evening's scoring in the top of the ninth when he smashed his sixth home run of the year, a one-out solo shot to left off Sounds reliever David Johnson, to bring the score to its final 5-0. Gulin (3-3) took the loss for Nashville after allowing four runs on six hits over six frames. He fanned a season-high eight batters in the outing. Nashville had a pair of long hitting streaks come to a close in the contest. Second baseman Hernan Iribarren went 0-for-4 on the evening to snap his season-best hitting streak at 12 games, and center fielder Jason Bourgeois saw his eight-gamer end with an 0-for-4 effort. The teams continue the series with another 7:00 PM meeting on Tuesday evening. Left-hander Chase Wright (4-5, 4.34) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to face Round Rock right-hander Yorman Bazardo (7-2, 2.45). Nashville Box Score Not going to win many games when you're out-hit 13-2 -- I'm not one who has experimented much with Baseball-Reference.com, but has it ever happened in the bigs? Nashville Game Log

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Mike Burns Appreciative and contrite, and he certainly is trying to make his case for a return trip to Milwaukee...

Final: Brevard County 5, Jupiter (Marlins) 1 Brevard County Box Score Evan Anundsen (1.84 ERA in 68.1 innings) goes 8.1 innings here, with Roque Mercedes stranding one baserunner for Evan, who was given an opportunity at his second shutout of the season, the first being his no-hitter; Anundsen allowed seven hits, walked two, and struck out five, so he must have had plenty of early-count contact to get that deep into the game; Anundsen only turned 21 years old in May, and we've commented on this before, but the 2006 4th rounder is the poster child for the proper development plan of a high school pitcher -- slow and steady (sometimes bordering on spectacular) progress, with nary a health concern -- don't worry, no jinxes here; Caleb Gindl's two-run HR off Jeff Allison in the 6th made it 4-0 at the time; Caleb also walked twice, stole a base (11-for-14 on the season), and scored three runs; as noted above, Brent Brewer is salvaging the first half of this season nicely as of late... Brevard County Game Log Regular readers here know that catcher Martin Maldonado is constantly helping out his pitchers with plays like this -- Jupiter Bottom 6th Miguel Fermin grounds out, shortstop Brent Brewer to first baseman Steffan Wilson. Osvaldo Martinez strikes out swinging. Gregory Burns doubles (7) on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. With Geraldo Valentin batting, Gregory Burns picked off and caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Martin Maldonado to second baseman Eric Farris to third baseman Sergio Miranda.

Final, Game One: Huntsville 7, Jacksonville (Marlins) 2 Final, Game Two: Jacksonville 4, Huntsville 3, eight innings (scheduled for seven) Huntsville Site Doubleheader Summary Carolina Creeps Closer in Division Race Stars and Suns and Split Twin Bill Brett Pollock, MiLB.com Lee Mitchell's sacrifice fly chased in the winning run in the eighth inning of game two to give Jacksonville a 4-3 win and a doubleheader split with Huntsville Monday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars won the opener 7-2 and now lead Carolina by a game and a half in the North Division pennant race with six games left to play. The Suns return home 31-34 and will close out the first half against Mobile. Logan Morrison led off the decisive frame with a single and moved to third base on a Scott Cousins single with one out. Mike McClendon was brought on to face the right-hand swinging Mitchell, who lifted a fly ball to right field to chase home Morrison with the lead run. Southpaw Casey Baron was tagged with the loss after Matt Peterson retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to earn his league-leading 13th save. The Suns scored two runs in the first inning on a throwing error by starting pitcher Mark Holliman and a run-producing double by Mike Stanton and added another run in the second on a two-out, run-scoring hit by Lorenzo Scott. Holliman departed after five frames, trailing 3-0, after allowing one earned run on five hits, while walking one and fanning two. Aaron Thompson blanked the Stars on one hit through four innings before the home side rallied for three runs in the fifth to tie the game on a Chris De La Cruz fielding error, a Kevin Melillo run-scoring groundout and a Vinny Rottino fielder's choice grounder. Thompson went six innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits, walking two and fanning three. Kasey Olenberger grabbed the win after a scoreless seventh inning during which he struck out Drew Anderson to end the frame with runners at second and third base. The Stars fell to 14-16 at home after splitting a doubleheader for a third time this year. Huntsville Game Two Box Score There were two close calls at first base in the bottom of the 7th in which play-by-play man Brett Pollock though the umpire was incorrect -- so did Manager Bob Miscik, who was tossed -- turned out to cost the Stars the game; Stars had as many errors (four) as hits, and all singles... Huntsville Game Two Game Log Jonathan Lucroy, Rottino and Melillo had run-scoring hits in the first inning of the opener against Kyle Winters that staked Bobby Bramhall to an early 3-0 lead. The Stars blew the game open with four runs in the fourth on consecutive run-producing hits by Shane Justis, Lucroy and Anderson to push their lead to 7-1. Winters took the loss after yielding five runs on six hits over 3 1/3 innings and dropped to 1-2. Chris Hatcher knocked in a run with a base hit and launched a solo home run to account for the Suns offense against Bramhall, who improved to 3-3 with his first win at home. He allowed two runs on four hits, walked two and struck out four and was followed by Robert Hinton, who tossed two scoreless innings to preserve the win. The Stars begin a six-game series Wednesday morning in Birmingham with right-hander Josh Butler taking the hill against Baron's right-hander Charlie Shirek. Coverage of the game begins at 10:45 AM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Game One Box Score First time this season that 170 lb. lefty Bobby Bramhall has put together two consecutive decent starts -- can't quite say quality, as each was five innings in length; Jonathan Lucroy continues to progress nicely, addeda pinch-hit walk in the nightcap... Huntsville Game One Game Log Shane Justis, Lucroy, and Drew Anderson with back-to-back-to-back two-out RBI singles in the 4th -- a manager's dream...

Rattler Radio Blog: Guessing that Chris Mehring didn't type this from memory Polyvalente Deux Montagnes High School in Deux Montagnes, Quebec June 15, 2009: Tonight's pitchers (Periard / Merklinger) June 15, 2009: Game Notes

Here you go (Sounds site)

Link Report Bonus: Tyler Stover recaps the Brevard County / Palm Beach sweep -- nice photo of Caleb Gindl