Jim Goulart

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 37 26 .587 - 20-14 17-12 W6 Iowa 32 31 .508 5.0 17-14 15-17 L1 Memphis 30 32 .484 6.5 18-13 12-19 L5 Omaha 25 37 .403 11.5 11-21 14-16 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 36 25 .590 - 13-15 23-10 L1 Carolina 34 28 .548 2.5 19-14 15-14 L1 Tennessee 28 35 .444 9.0 15-18 13-17 W2 Chattanooga 25 37 .403 11.5 13-17 12-20 W1 West Tenn 25 38 .397 12.0 12-18 13-20 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 38 18 .679 - 15-11 23-7 W4 Daytona 28 28 .500 10.0 13-10 15-18 W3 Clearwater 28 30 .483 11.0 14-16 14-14 L2 Tampa 28 31 .475 11.5 15-17 13-14 W2 Lakeland 26 29 .473 11.5 15-16 11-13 W4 Dunedin 27 32 .458 12.5 10-19 17-13 W2

Look to the Rattler Radio Blog for game notes and such as game time approaches...

Midwest League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

Follow Sunday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_14_mrbaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_14_jaxaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_14_breafa_pbcafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_06_14_wisafx_burafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

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.

Sunday'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 Cardinals' audio via this link. Nashville: RHP Mike Burns at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 5:35 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Huntsville: LHP Bobby Bramhall at home vs. Jacksonville (Marlins), 12:45 PM pre-game; 1:00 gametime Brevard County: TBD at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 4:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: RHP Wily Peralta at Burlington (Royals), 3:45 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: Idle

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

14th round second baseman Mike Brownstein among three New Mexico Lobos drafted and interviewed in the sports office in this video.

His coach expects 38th round infielder Casey Stevenson to return to Cal-Irvine for another season.

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers' bullpen a saving grace Relievers again maintain lead against Cougars By Brett Christopherson Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - How do you spell relief in these parts? R-A-T-T-L-E-R-S B-U-L-L-P-E-N. "I don't know, in particular," Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hurler Brandon Ritchie said when asked if he could spit out the statistics he and his fellow relievers have strung together in recent outings. "But I know we're doing pretty well." Try fantastic. Ritchie's two scoreless innings of relief was backed by a scoreless ninth out of closer Jim Henderson for his 15th save in 15 tries as the Timber Rattlers nipped Western Division-leading Kane County 3-1 on Saturday to cap a four-game Midwest League series at Fox Cities Stadium. The showings were just the latest in an impressive stretch of relief performances by Wisconsin pitchers, who extended their scoreless streak to 20 1/3 innings over the last five games. "That's our job, to come in the game and shut it down," said Ritchie, a 22-year-old left-hander who earned the win to improve to 4-0 on the season. "Basically, try to not let them score. It just comes down to the situation in the game and try to go out and do what we can." The situation on Saturday was maintaining the momentum set forth by starter Trey Watten, who turned yet another stellar outing by allowing one earned run and matching his career high with eight strikeouts in a six-inning no-decision. "It takes a lot of the pressure off my shoulders," the right-hander said of the bullpen. "You know when you come out of the game, for the most part, the game is going to be taken care of. I can just go out there and do what I do and just give my team a chance." Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom said it's no coincidence his club has won four of its past five games, which includes taking three out of four against the Cougars, with the relievers pitching so well at the same time. "The bullpen has been a big contribution to our success," he said. "I wasn't aware (the scoreless streak) was at 20-plus innings, but that doesn't surprise me. We've got some quality arms down there. … The guys go out and get right after you. They give you a chance to win the ballgame. That way, we can scratch a run or two across the board and pick up W's."

Brett Christopherson at the Post-Crescent: Chris Dennis legged out a leadoff triple in the seventh and then scored the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers staved off Kane County 3-1 on Saturday in a Midwest League series finale at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute. The Rattlers took three out of four against the Western Division leading Cougars. Dennis lined a shot to left center that bounded off the wall and away from Kane County center fielder Chris Berroa. That allowed the Wisconsin left fielder to scoot to third and then score one batter later on Brock Kjeldgaard's flyout to deep center. The Rattlers evened the game at one apiece in the fifth thanks to a pair of throwing errors that allowed Jose Duran to score from first. They tacked on an insurance run in the eighth on Corey Kemp's two-out, two-strike double down the left field line. Wisconsin starter Trey Watten matched a career high with eight strikeouts and scattered five hits in a six-inning no-decision. The right-hander, selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 2008 June draft, has fanned 19, has allowed just 10 hits and surrendered only one earned run over his last 17 innings. "I guess when you're going good, just try to extend it as long as possible," Watten said. "But I feel good out there. I've been working with (Rattlers pitching coach) Chris Hook on a number of things and it's starting to show out there, with the location and what-not." Added Rattlers manager Jeff Isom on Watten: "He's been with Chris, doing a lot of bullpen sessions, working on his sinker, off-speed stuff, locating his fastball. The catchers and starting pitchers, they go to Chris daily on formulating a game plan. And when they go with that game plan and execute, it makes things a lot easier." Turning point The Cougars had a chance for a big fourth inning when Watten hit a batter and then yielded an infield single to load the bases with two outs. But a popout to second followed to end the threat as the game remained scoreless. Stat pack 6: Games Wisconsin won during its now-completed, season-long 12-game homestand. 11: Victories by the Rattlers this season when scoring four runs or less. They have 25 losses in such contests. 102,999: The Rattlers' final first half home attendance total, a club record. The previous high of 92,563 was established in 1998. Lawrie update Isom said he expects second baseman Brett Lawrie to be pulled off the disabled list on Monday. The 19-year-old was shelved after undergoing minor surgery to repair the broken nose he suffered on May 21 at Kane County. He's hitting .264 with eight homers and 39 RBI in 54 games. 2009 record: 30-32. 2008 record through 62 games (as a Seattle Mariners affiliate): 28-34. Saturday's attendance: 4,363. Overall attendance through 33 dates: 107,362 (3,253 average). On deck Game time: Wisconsin vs. Burlington on Sunday at 4:00 PM at Burlington, Iowa. Season series: Burlington leads 2-1. Up and throwing: Wisconsin - Wily Peralta (0-1, 3.88 ERA); Burlington - Bryan Casey (4-5, 3.53 ERA).

David Weiser's starsboxscore.com It's only a scratch Stars keep three-game lead despite Sunburn Far out of the reach of first place Birmingham, the Jacksonville Suns have been playing this series as if there was something more at stake than just pride. The 14-1 pounding the Stars took is the most lopsided loss of the season and the biggest since a 15-0 loss at Mobile, June 21, 2006....... Mike Jones, who took the loss, is 1-2 lifetime against the Suns. He threw only 60 pitches. Of his 10 first-pitch strikes to 19 batters, five came as the result of foul balls and one other was Graham Taylor's sacrifice bunt in the 2nd on the first pitch he saw. After an auspicious 1-0, 1.38 start in two May starts, he's 0-2 in June and has given up 14 runs in 12 innings in three starts. At least the rain stayed away, even though dark clouds loomed overhead, but the sky was dominated by patches of blue sky here and there, keeping the threat of rain less and less a chance as the game wore on....... The Stars welcomed a large military contingent from the Arsenal to the ballpark. They sat on the first base side in the upper level and it was hard to tell whether they were entertained by the game, or they were entertaining themselves as Jacksonville poured on to their lead....... After hitting just .167 with runners in scoring position for most of June, the Suns have gone 12-for-26 (.462) with RISP in the last two games against Stars pitching....... John Axford made his Stars debut. His line belies his performance. In the 6th inning, his first as a Huntsville Star, he struck out the side on 13 pitches, getting up to 94 on the gun a few rows in front of me......... The Stars avoided the ignominy of being shutout in the 9th inning, rallying for a run on a slow bases-loaded roller by Shane Justis on the third base side, scoring Taylor Green, after Adam Stern had struck out with the bases loaded....... Justis, a .365 hitter in May, and hitting .326 so far this month, has taken, imho, the MVP role in the lineup away from Stern, who in April, always seemed to be getting the key hit with runners on base. Stern is still hitting over .300, but he's hit just .256 this month and has been inconsitent, while Justis, who hits .346 with runners on base, has been lately Mr. Clutch. I think he was better served in his #2 hole today, rather than the top spot. Kevin Melillo, who filled the #2 hole in tonight's game, is hitting .314 with the bases empty, but only .247 with runners on and .220 with runners in scoring position..... 63 balls were put into play in this game, more than I've seen in some time. Official scorer Don Rizzardi made a scoring change in Friday night's ballgame and it came in that wild and crazy 5th inning. In the 5th with the bases full, Drew Anderson hit a grounder to third. Lee Mitchell came in on the ball on the edge of the grass near the line, a tough play, and threw the ball home in an attempt to get a force out, but Anderson threw the ball high and away from catcher Brad Davis. Originally called a hit, the hit has been taken away and Anderson reaches first now on a fielders choice and takes 2nd on the play on the throwing error. Only one of the four runs that inning, rather than three, are now ruled earned against starter Willie Glen. Bobby Bramhall, who is slowly getting that ERA down, gets the call Sunday afternoon at 1:00 PM against Kyle Winters. The Stars came home with a new pitcher on the roster...... Axford, a 42nd round draft pick of the Cincinnati Reds in 2005, was promoted from Brevard County where he was 4-1 with a 1.63 ERA. That's from a talent-laden staff that's leading the Florida State League with a 2.57 team ERA. Among pitchers with over 20 innings, Axford was 4th in ERA. He was allowing just 14 hits in 27 2/3 innings....... Juan Sandoval was placed on the disabled list to make room....... The Manatees, from where the Stars' well springs, have not just the best record in their league, but the best record in minor league baseball with a 36-18 record. Relief pitcher and future Huntsville Star Rob Wooten set Brevard County's all-time record for saves when he picked up his 15th in a 4-3 win over Dunedin. This season, he's allowed just one earned run in 19 innings for a ridiculous 0.47 ERA! The Brewers selected a pitcher for their first pick in this year's amateur draft for the first time since Jeremy Jeffress was chosen #1 in 2006. He's 6'5" right-hander Eric Arnett from Indiana University. Arnett was the first pitcher from Indiana to be named Big 10 Pitcher-of-the-Year and win All-American honors. He was 12-2 with a 2.50 ERA for the Hoosiers. Milwaukee expects to sign him quickly, which is funny cause his agent is Joe Speed. He could get a signing bonus of $1.2-$1.3 million. He's expected to start out at Helena (Pioneer)........ Almost half of the Brewers' first 27 selections have been pitchers, and more than 2/3 have been college players....... To see the list, go to the "standings" link and scroll down some. When life gives you lemons, grab the tequila and salt. That's GM Buck Rogers' philosophy....... We all know how the bad weather has impacted this season. There were six rainouts the first nine days in May and eight so far this season, not to mention the number of games that went on in spite of the rain, or were rain-delayed...... So for the remainder of the season, anytime the tarp is on the field, the following menu items will be 50% off at the ballpark while you're waiting: Hot Dogs, Hamburgers/ Cheeseburgers, French Fries, Popcorn, Nachos, Candy, Pepsi products, Pretzels and Peanuts...... That's 50% off!

Link while active, text follows: A new ballgame Curtis has watched times change since MLB drafts of 1960s Contact Mark McCarter at his al.com blog at http://blog.al.com/mccarter Huntsville Times It was a showroom-new 1968 Buick Riviera, sleek and cool, a big hunk of American iron that went through gas the way a frat house goes through a keg. John Curtis, 41 years later, still halfway kicks himself that he didn't negotiate the dealer down from sticker price for it, considering he wandered in armed with a pocket full of cash. "Back then, it's how you showed off your status, how you drove up to spring training," Curtis said. Some things don't change. The journey from amateur athletics into professional athletics typically has a layover at a luxury car dealership. Sign a pro contract, minutes later sign the papers for a new car. Except now, elephantine SUVs and massive trucks have replaced Rivieras and Cadillacs. This past week's major league baseball draft will do more for the flagging automotive industry than anything President Obama might conjure. Curtis, the Huntsville Stars' 61-year-old pitching coach, was a first-round draft pick. Not once, but twice. After pregame batting practice one evening last week, Curtis sat in the Stars' dugout, with "Free Bird" blaring on the P.A. system, to take a drive down memory lane. In 1966, the Cleveland Indians made Curtis their first pick, No. 12 overall, 10 spots after a guy named Reggie Jackson. Curtis and his father George had informed the major league teams he wouldn't sign, that he was going to college first. That was George's strong advice. They recognized that the maturing process would best be done in the stricter confines of a college athletic program than a minor-league clubhouse. Cleveland took a chance, though, and dangled a $60,000 bonus offer, eventually raised to $73,000. Tempting, since the elder Curtis was then unemployed after working in personnel for American Airlines. But they stuck to their plan. In 1968, after two years at Clemson University, Curtis was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round, the No. 10 pick overall. Two spots later, the Dodgers drafted Steve Garvey. The Sox offered $80,000, plus a scholarship that enabled him to finish at Clemson. Said Curtis, "I ended up making some money on the deal." He gave half his bonus to his father. He took the other half. And a Buick dealer on Long Island took a chunk of that half. "What I knew was, being drafted No. 1, you were going to be a major league pitcher," Curtis said. "It was for you to figure out how you were going to get there." Curtis got to the majors and spent the better part of 15 seasons there. He made his debut on Aug. 13, 1970, retiring Cookie Rojas, Amos Otis and Lou Piniella 1-2-3 in a Kansas City romp over Curtis' Red Sox. George Curtis was fighting cancer then. He lived long enough to know that his son had made it to the show, but never got to see him pitch a major league game. 'The biggest thrill' Forty-one years after Curtis negotiated his deal with the Red Sox, inflation and hype have hijacked the baseball draft. Last year's No. 10 pick, catcher Jason Castro, signed a $2.07 million bonus with Houston, 25 times what Curtis signed for. The current draft class could be followed on ESPN and the Internet, ballyhooed as the "next so-and-so" for months. Nobody heard of John Curtis, outside of a few grizzled scouts and high school opponents. He did a radio interview with a station in Cleveland in 1966. The Long Island writers who covered him during high school interviewed him. "The biggest thrill for me was seeing my name in the New York Times," said Curtis. "That was something." Other than that, no attention. No hype. And nowhere near as many zeroes at the end of the bonus figure. For all those changes, in the most important aspect, nothing has changed, as Curtis is quick to remind. "It's an exciting time for youngsters who look forward to becoming a professional and realizing a dream of pitching in the major leagues," he said. "The most difficult thing to understand is the journey is only starting. To think you've spent 75 percent of your life, if you're an 18-year-old, getting to the point to where you attract professional scouts. And you get into the business and you realize you're an extra fly on the cake." That's the constant from 40 years ago to 40 years from now. The opportunity presents itself. The journey starts. They're just traveling in a little different style these days.

No available box score on the DSL kids as of the overnight hours. Not sure how you'll all sleep without it, but we'll see you in the AM...

Final: Jacksonville (Marlins) 14, Huntsville 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary Loss Not Damaging in Standings Mitchell Leads Suns to Lopsided Win By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Lee Mitchell collected four hits and knocked in five runs and Graham Taylor spun 5 2/3 shutout innings in Jacksonville's 14-1 decision over Huntsville Saturday in the middle of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Suns improved to 30-33, while the Stars fell to 36-25 but held on to their two and a half game lead in the North Division after Carolina lost at home to West Tenn. The Stars fell to 13-15 at home in suffering their most lopsided loss of the season. The Suns took advantage of a Kevin Melillo fielding error in the first inning to score their first run before Mitchell singled in Mike Stanton with the second run of the frame. The Suns would add another run in the second and two more in the third, including a two-out, run-scoring double by Bryan Peterson that made it 5-0 and knocked starter Mike Jones out of the game. Jones suffered the loss to fall to 1-2 after allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits, while walking one, hitting two batters and recording one strike out. Mitchell singled in another run in the fourth to extend the lead to 6-0 against Josh Wahpepah, who gave up a run on two hits over 2 1/3 innings. John Axford struck out the side in order in the sixth in his double-A debut but then allowed a solo home run to Chris Hatcher and a two-run double to Logan Morrison in the seventh. Omar Aguilar took over in the eighth and gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Andy Jenkins and then a three-run home run by Mitchell in the ninth that made it 14-0. Every Suns position player had at least one hit and scored at least one run, while five crossed the plate at least twice. Hatcher had two hits, scored three times and drove in three, while Petersen had three hits and Scott Cousins and Morrison chipped in with two apiece to pace an 18-hit attack. Taylor allowed only one hit, a second inning double by Freddy Parejo, and was lifted after his second walk in the sixth inning. Chris Leroux took over and tossed a scoreless inning and a third before Carlos Vasquez worked a perfect eighth inning. The left-hander then gave up two hits and issued a walk in the ninth to load the bases before Shane Justis pushed across the home team's only run with a ground out. Taylor improved to 3-2 after walking four and fanning four. The series continues Sunday afternoon with left-hander Bobby Bramhall taking the hill for the Stars against Jacksonville right-hander Kyle Winters. Coverage of the game begins at 12:45 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score You'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger organizational disappointment (vs. expectations) than reliever Omar Aguilar; Mike Jones getting hit hard and only 11 K's in 25 AA innings -- looks like the feel-good story is bursting back into reality, sorry to say; we'll give 24-year-old 4th outfielder Freddy Parejo credit for his three-hit game amongst all the rubbish of this box score... Huntsville Game Log Stars two games under .500 at home, 13 games over on the road; thank you's to that awful West Tenn team for coming up big in Carolina this weekend...

Final: Nashville 4, Memphis (Cardinals) 3, ten innings Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for new Erick Almonte photo, text follows -- Packed House Watches Sounds Edge Redbirds NASHVILLE - Pinch-hitter Erick Almonte delivered a bases-loaded RBI infield single with one out in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Nashville Sounds an exciting 4-3 victory over the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds in front of a season-high 8,176 fans on Saturday night at historic Greer Stadium. The first-place Sounds (37-26) extended their longest winning streak of the year to six games with the triumph, their fourth last at-bat win of the year. The contest was the fourth extra-inning affair for the Sounds (3-1) and the seventh of the year for the Redbirds (5-2). Hernan Iribarren, who extended his longest hit streak of the year to 11 games with a 1-for-3 evening, opened the Nashville tenth by drawing a walk from Memphis reliever Josh Kinney. Joe Koshansky followed with a single to right that put runners on the corners and Adam Heether was hit by a one-out pitch to load the bases for Almonte, who improved to 8-for-18 (.444) as a pinch-hitter with his game-winning knock. AUDIO: Erick Almonte Game-Winning Hit Sounds reliever Ryan Houston (3-1) picked up the victory after working a pair of scoreless frames, while Kinney (1-1) was dealt the loss after allowing the game-winning run in his 1 1/3 innings. Sounds right fielder Brendan Katin got the scoring started in the bottom of the second inning when he slugged his team-leading 14th homer of the year, a leadoff solo shot to right off Redbirds starter Clayton Mortensen. The visitors evened the contest at 1-1 in the top of the third with a longball of their own as Shane Robinson drilled a line drive solo shot to left off Tim Dillard to open the frame. Nashville pulled back in front in the bottom of the inning when Iribarren delivered a one-out RBI single that brought in Alcides Escobar, who preceded him with a double to left. The Sounds increased the lead to 3-1 in the fifth when Dillard drew an inning-opening walk and later scored on an Iribarren groundout. Memphis rallied to tie the contest in the eighth as the Sounds' bullpen suffered a rare letdown. Robinson continued his big night for the Redbirds by roping a two-out, two-run single up the middle off David Johnson, who suffered his first blown save of the year. Prior to that two-run outburst, Sounds relievers had given up only three earned runs in their previous 42 2/3 innings of work over a 17-game span. Center fielder Jason Bourgeois went 3-for-5 in the contest, his fifth consecutive multi-hit effort, to extend his season-best hit streak to seven games for Nashville. Dillard took a no-decision for the Sounds after he worked his fourth quality start of the year, allowing one run on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings of work. He left in line for his PCL-leading eighth victory of the year. The Sounds look to complete the sweep when the teams wrap up the series with a 6:00 PM finale on Sunday evening. Right-hander Mike Burns (6-2, 2.98) will man the bump for Nashville in his first outing since returning from a week-long stint with Milwaukee. Memphis will counter with a yet-to-be-determined hurler. The ZOOperstars, a traveling entertainment act, will rock the house throughout the game with routines that fans of all ages will love. Nashville Box Score Angel Salome doubled and singled, and R.J. Swindle stranded the bases loaded for Tim Dillard, otherwsie all the game's stars were highlighted in the (as usual) excellent Sounds' site recap above; boy, it's so easy to just picture some of these hot AAA bats spicing up the big league lineup, but we know things don't work that easily... Nashville Game Log

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Chris Cody Change-up is key for the soft-spoken lefty...

Rattlers set first half attendance record

Final: Wisconsin 3, Kane County (Athletics) 1 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Wisconsin wraps homestand with a win By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers defeated the Kane County Cougars 3-1 Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Brock Kjeldgaard and Corey Kemp each had key RBI for the Rattlers. Jim Henderson moved up the team's single season save list with a scoreless ninth inning. The game ended a 12-game homestand for the Timber Rattlers and the team went 6-6 during over those twelve games. Jason Christian just missed giving Kane County (37-25) the lead in the third inning. Carlos Arrieche was at first with two outs and Christian hit a fly ball deep to right-center. The ball hit on the track as Arrieche rounded third, but the ball then bounced over the wall for a ground rule double and Arrieche had to hold on at third. Rattler starting pitcher Trey Watten got out of the inning with the game still scoreless. Christian took the ground rules out of play with one out in the top of the fifth inning. He lined a 2-1 pitch from Watten over the wall in right for a solo homer and a 1-0 Cougars lead. That run ended Watten's scoreless streak at 15-1/3 innings. Watten would allow that one run on five hits and match his career high for strikeouts in a game with eight. But, the Texan would get a no decision. Kane County starting pitcher Kenny Smalley was cruising through the first four innings as he had allowed one hit. In the fifth, he walked Jose Duran with one out. Smalley got the second out of the inning. Then, he tried to pick Duran off first. The throw was wild and Duran raced for third base. Cougars first baseman Steve Kleen tracked the ball down and threw wildly to third allowing Duran to score the tying run. Wisconsin (30-32) grabbed the lead in the bottom of the seventh. Chris Dennis tripled to start the frame. Kjeldgaard sent him home with a sacrifice fly. Kemp gave the Rattlers a little insurance with a two-out, RBI double in the bottom of the eighth for a 3-1 lead. Brandon Ritchie relieved Watten to start the seventh and worked two scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts. Henderson allowed a two-out double and struck out three in the top of the ninth for his fifteenth save to wrap up the Wisconsin win. The Rattler closer is all alone in fifth place on the Wisconsin single season saves list. John Thompson of the 1995 Timber Rattlers holds the record with 19. The Timber Rattlers begin an eight game road trip to end the first half of the Midwest League season on Sunday. Game one of the trip is at Community Field in Burlington, Iowa as the Rattlers face the Burlington Bees. Wisconsin has Wily Peralta (0-1, 3.88) as the scheduled starting pitcher. The Bees send Bryan Casey (4-5, 3.53) to the hill. Game time is 4:00 PM. Wisconsin Box Score In his first ten appearances, Trey Watten had struck out 27 and walked 18 in 32.2 innings, but in his last three starts, he's sporting a positive 19-to-5 ratio in 17 innings; Brandon Ritchie leads the team in holds with five; catcher Corey Kemp, who got a late start to his season, among the league leaders in doubles with 16; Chris Dennis still managing to keep his OPS above 1.000 (1.017) through 97 AB's... Wisconsin Game Log

Manatee Press Release: Manatees Clinch First Half Championship (Jupiter, FL) With tonight's win, the Brevard County Manatees have clinched the first half championship in the Florida State League North Division. By winning the first half, the Manatees have clinched a berth in the FSL playoffs in September. In all three of the previous three Manatees' playoff appearances, they went on to win their first round series for the FSL East Championship. Brevard County's run to the playoffs has been fueled by the best pitching staff in all of baseball. The Manatees have posted a team ERA of 2.57, easily the best of all professional teams. Their staff has been led by Josh Butler (now with AAA Nashville) and Evan Anundsen, who are tied for second in the FSL with six wins apiece. Anundsen pitched a no-hitter at Daytona on April 28, and is second in the FSL with a 1.95 ERA. The Manatees bullpen has been nearly automatic this season, led by closer Rob Wooten, who has set a Manatees' single-season record with 17 saves this season. Although the theory of momentum would seem to favor the second half champion, FSL first half champions are a respectable 15-17 in the first round of the FSL playoffs. As first half champions, the Manatees will have the choice of hosting either Game 1, or Games 2-3 of the FSL East Championship Series. Tyler L. Stover Director of Media Relations Brevard County Manatees

Final: Brevard County 4, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 0 Brevard County Box Score In 20.1 innings, 21-year-old Zach Braddock has allowed 10 hits and two runs, with a 32-to-3 K-to-BB ratio -- that is not a typo; Braddock did hit two batters here -- ouch for them; just-turned 20-year-old Damon Krestalude looks to fit right in with the rest of those gaudy ERA's; as noted above, Brent Brewer a big game; catcher Anderson DeLaRosa two singles and a big throw-out of a baserunner in the 1st... Brevard County Game Log Palm Beach left 11 runners on base tonight, twice with the bases loaded. Krestalude got the Cards to ground in to three double plays...

Link while active, text follows: Brewers: Lawrie appears to be next in line By DENNIS PUNZEL The Capital Times APPLETON - Dominating the wall of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' office are two framed jerseys worn by the franchise's most celebrated alumni, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz. Someday, team president Rob Zerjav would like to have to find a spot for another jersey on that wall: The No. 13 worn this season by Brett Lawrie. To be sure, Lawrie, the Milwaukee Brewers' No. 1 draft pick a year ago, has miles to go before he comes close to achieving the status of an A-Rod or a Big Papi. But no one who has watched Lawrie's debut season would put anything past him. "We'd love to have his jersey up there with those guys," said Zerjav, whose team is in its first season as the Brewers' Class A Midwest League affiliate. "We've had a ton of big players come through here. But it's just going to be a little more special and mean a little more to the fans in this area when a Brett Lawrie No. 13 jersey is hanging here and they're able to go down to Miller Park to watch him play." Lawrie, a native of Langley, British Columbia, is the marquee attraction for the Timber Rattlers, who have seen a 60 percent increase in attendance through the first two months of the season. The numbers so far are solid. Lawrie is hitting .264 and ranks in the top 10 in the league in home runs (8) and RBIs (39). He's done this at age 19, the youngest player on the Rattlers' roster and among the 10 youngest players in the league. And he's done it while learning a new position - second base. "He's done a very good job," manager Jeff Isom said. "It's been an adjustment for him, being away from home and just out of high school. But he's very mature, his athleticism is unbelievable, he's got a mind for baseball and he's an advanced bat." Searching for a position It was Lawrie's prodigious hitting with the Canadian Junior National team last spring that inspired the Brewers to make him the 16th pick in last year's draft. They talked about a five-home run doubleheader performance in the Dominican Republic and a hitting display against major league pitchers in extended spring training in Florida. Defensively, Plan A was to make Lawrie a catcher, a position he had played sparingly. After a month in instructional ball, Plan B went into effect and he was moved to second base. "I figured that out for myself," said Lawrie, who originally was enthusiastic about catching. "That month of catching in instructional league was tough for me. I hadn't caught that much day after day. Blocking balls and getting beat up every day just wasn't my plan of attack. It wasn't that fun for me. Being back there day after day, it didn't seem like it was a position I could really see myself playing.'' After getting a glimpse of Lawrie at second early in spring training, Isom wasn't so sure that was his position either. But after some tutoring from minor league infield instructor Garth Iorg, things started looking up. "It was rough the first three or four days," Isom said. "But after Garth Iorg worked with him on proper mechanics and fundamentals, he really came on. He's turned into a pretty good second baseman.'' With incumbent second baseman Rickie Weeks just a couple of years away from potential free agency, the path to Milwaukee could be wide open for Lawrie. But if Weeks should stay with the Brewers, it shouldn't hold Lawrie back. "(Assistant general manager) Gord Ash has come up here numerous times and the question has been raised: Where do you see this guy playing in the big leagues?" Isom said. "My answer is, 'Where do you need him to play in the big leagues?' I tell them if you give him a year at a position he could do it. You need him to play center field, he could do that. If it's a corner outfield, he's got a good enough arm and he's got the bat to play there. He could even play shortstop … maybe not as well as J.J. Hardy or (Alcides) Escobar, but he could play there. And he could easily play third base. He's just a great athlete." Said Lawrie: "I'm open to any position because I know I can play.'' It's that kind of attitude that has led many in the organization to compare Lawrie with another first-round pick, Ryan Braun - big-time hitters with big-time confidence. Lawrie's reputation for self-confidence - some might call it cockiness - preceded him to Appleton. "He's got that kind of swagger, like Braun," Zerjav said. "I'm very impressed with Brett and his attitude. He's been a great teammate, a very positive influence in the clubhouse. His work ethic is tremendous. He definitely has the desire and drive to be a major league ballplayer." Plenty to learn Lawrie got an up-close look at some big leaguers this spring as a member of the Canadian team in the World Baseball Classic. Among his teammates were major leaguers Justin Morneau, Russell Martin, Joey Votto, Jason Bay, Matt Stairs and Mark Teahen. Although his only action in the WBC was as a pinch-runner, Lawrie said the experience was beneficial, even better than playing for Canada in the Beijing Olympics. "The WBC is probably where I gained the most," he said. "We had almost all big-league guys in our starting lineup, so you just look at the talent and know that's your ultimate goal, to do what they're doing." The WBC also gave Lawrie an opportunity to meet up with Braun, who played for the U.S. team. "We bumped into each other at the World Baseball Classic banquet in Toronto," Lawrie said. "We were playing each other the next day so we were messing around about who was going to win. He's an awesome player and that's why he's a star." Lawrie understands he still has a ways to go before he joins Braun in the Brewers' lineup. If not exactly humbled, he's had his eyes opened by the demands of the daily grind of baseball. "The biggest challenge is just playing every day," said Lawrie, who is on the seven-day disabled list after undergoing surgery to repair a broken nose he suffered thanks to a bad hop grounder. "I've never been in a situation where I had to play every day, so just coming out to the park every day and trying to channel your energy is something I've had to learn to deal with. I have trouble dealing with failure, just like everyone does. I'm learning that you have to forget pretty quickly. "I'm just focused on trying to hit the ball right now. Obviously, I know there's struggles and I'm just trying to hit my way out of one now. That's baseball and everyone goes through it. I get frustrated, but you can't dwell on it. You just have to know there's always tomorrow." Isom sees that process as part of Lawrie's education as a ballplayer and one that will help him when he does get to Milwaukee. "He's realizing that it's not as easy as maybe he thought it was going to be," Isom said. "But he's grinding it out and doing a good job.'' Lawrie, who got to play a game in Miller Park in April when the Timber Rattlers played the Chicago Cubs' Class A Peoria team, originally set a two-year timeline to arrive in Milwaukee on a permanent basis. That still sounds about right to him, although he knows it depends on his own performance. "Obviously, I know I can do it," Lawrie said. "I'm just trying to impress the people that need to be impressed. In baseball there's no timetable. You can set one, and I've set goals for myself. But you just have to keep playing. My goal is the same as it's always been, to get there as fast as I can." Brett Lawrie, the Brewers' first-round pick in 2008, recently broke his nose but his hitting .264 with eight homers and 39 RBIs with the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. http://cdntn.madison.com/images/articles/wsj/2009/06/13/111433.jpg

Brevard County first to clinch division Minor League-best Manatees capture FSL North first-half crown By John Torenli / Special to MLB.com It should come as no surprise that the Brevard County Manatees became the first team to clinch a division title in the Minor Leagues this season. Owners of the Minors' best winning percentage as well as the Florida State League's top team batting average, ERA and fielding percentage, the Manatees locked up the North Division first-half crown Saturday with a 4-0 blanking of the Palm Beach Cardinals. "It feels pretty good," second-year skipper Mike Guerrero said. "We've been blessed to have a good group with a lot of ability and we've been able to execute. In 16 years of managing, this is the best chemistry I've seen in any ballclub." Damon Krestalude tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start of the season and former second-round pick Brent Brewer homered, doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice as the Manatees returned to the postseason. In 2007, they won the first-half East Division title before losing to Clearwater in the Championship Series. Needing a win over Palm Beach or a loss by Daytona to wrap up the division, the Manatees knew their fate was in their own hands after the Cubs' game with Fort Myers was rained out. Krestalude, who allowed a run on one hit over two innings against Sarasota in his season debut on June 6, struck out three and walked four before turning the game over to the Brevard County bullpen. "It was an emergency start and he did a good job," Guerrero said of Milwaukee's 18th-round pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. "Right now, he's probably going to be back in the bullpen." Palm Beach threatened to spoil the clincher in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, before Zach Braddock struck out Jose Garcia and Thomas Pham to end the inning. "That's one arm that can come out and strike out the side," Guerrero said of Braddock. "He's got Major League stuff and it's just a matter of time for him to get there." Brandon Rapoza (1-0), Braddock and Roque Mercedes combined to allow three hits over the final 4 1/3 frames as the Manatees completed their Minor League-leading 11th shutout. Brewer sparked a two-run third with an RBI double, then led off the fifth with his first homer of the year as the Manatees opened a 4-0 lead and never looked back. Though his team already has locked up a playoff berth, Guerrero doesn't expect any drop-off in effort for the remainder of the season. "I don't think this group is that type of group," he said. "This group is not going to go through the motions in the second half. "Their main goal is not just to win one half. The main goal is to prepare to get to the next level and play the game the right away. That's why we accomplished this goal." Mike Guerrero has led the Manatees to a Minor League-best 38-18 mark this year. (Mike Janes/Four Seam Images) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/06/13/5rIWwLMq.jpg

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Oops - not quite there -- Tonight could be the night the 'Tees wrap up the 1st half FSL North Division. Game time is 6:05 PM (5:05 Central) at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter. With the magic number of 1, the Sea Cows will clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Daytona loss.