Jim Goulart

I must say it's a warm fuzzy feeling to have the opposing broadcaster gush (OK, if not gushing, then at least being very complimentary) over the electric stuff of Zach Braddock following up Rogers' stint.

Rogers faced the minimum over three innings, and the Stone Crabs announcer said he was at the mid-90's with his fastball.

The Mark Rogers audio for his start (don't blink, you'll miss it -- what's an "audio" version of blink, zone out?) will begin at approximately 1:05 - 1:10 PM Central.

Final, Game One: Charlotte (Rays) 6, Brevard County 4 What happened to all the "Port's" in the FSL? Charlotte used to be Port Charlotte, St. Lucie was Port St. Lucie, anyway... Brevard County Game One Box Score The Manatees had the tying run at the plate with no outs in the final (7th) inning, but things fizzled; if things had worked out, Brevard would have stolen this one, because in effect, the Stone Crabs dominated; did Lee Haydel know the team was down two in the 9th when he bunted after Brent Brewer's base hit? If I had not been listening to the game, I would question the game log that indicated "sacrifice bunt", but that's how it sounded on the audio as well -- still, we should assume Haydel was bunting for a hit; Haydel and Zelous Wheeler each tripled; Amaury Rivas with very pedestrian numbers here, as his normally strong WHIP ratio took a hit today... Brevard County Game One Game Log With catcher Martin Maldonado having the game off, Charlotte ran wild on the Manatee battery-mates (5-for-5)...

After just one-half an inning, it's apparent the boys, particularly Amaury Rivas, aren't "morning people" -- Stone Crab announcer is suitable, it seems... 3-0 Charlotte Charlotte Top 1st Shawn O'Malley hit by pitch. Emeel Salem singles on a line drive to center fielder Lee Haydel. Shawn O'Malley to 2nd. Gregory Sexton hits a sacrifice bunt. Missed catch error by second baseman Eric Farris, assist to pitcher Amaury Rivas. Shawn O'Malley scores. Emeel Salem to 3rd. Gregory Sexton to 1st. Cody Cipriano out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Steffan Wilson. Emeel Salem scores. Reid Fronk singles on a ground ball to right fielder Steffan Wilson. Gregory Sexton to 3rd. Henry Wrigley out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Lee Haydel. Gregory Sexton scores. John Matulia singles on a line drive to right fielder Steffan Wilson. Reid Fronk to 3rd. Christian Lopez flies out to right fielder Steffan Wilson.

No idea what the quality of the Charlotte broadcast will be, but I hope to listen to quite a bit, with particular attention to what / how Rivas and Rogers are throwing today. The more ears the better, all you office types...

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 34 26 .567 - 17-14 17-12 W3 Memphis 30 29 .508 3.5 18-13 12-16 L2 Iowa 30 30 .500 4.0 15-13 15-17 W2 Omaha 24 35 .407 9.5 11-21 13-14 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 35 23 .603 - 12-13 23-10 W3 Carolina 33 26 .559 2.5 18-12 15-14 W1 Tennessee 26 34 .433 10.0 15-18 11-16 W5 Chattanooga 23 36 .390 12.5 13-17 10-19 L5 West Tenn 23 37 .383 13.0 12-18 11-19 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 34 17 .667 - 14-10 20-7 L2 Clearwater 27 27 .500 8.5 13-13 14-14 W2 Daytona 25 28 .472 10.0 11-10 14-18 L1 Tampa 25 30 .455 11.0 14-17 11-13 W1 Dunedin 24 31 .436 12.0 10-19 14-12 L1 Lakeland 22 29 .431 12.0 12-16 10-13 L5

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_10_chaafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_10_chaafa_breafa_2 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_06_10_kccafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&gid=2009_06_10_dobrok_dgirok_1&cid=3130&t=g_box

Midwest League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

Wednessday'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 Stone Crabs' audio via this link. Nashville: Idle Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP's Amaury Rivas and Mark Rogers in a double-dip at home vs. Charlotte (Rays), 10:00 AM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Wisconsin: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Kane County (Athletics), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at the DSL Giants squad (see this thread for some roster background) -- all games are 10:30 local time in the Dominican, and no need to ask about web audio; we usually won't see updated box scores until the overnight...

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

Link while active, text follows: Rattlers catcher McCraw shines on defense By Cory Jennerjohn Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - The speakers blare the confident movie line after every failed steal attempt. "Go ahead, make my day." Timber Rattlers catcher Sean McCraw cut down three potential thieves as Wisconsin beat Beloit 3-1 in a Midwest League game at Fox Cities Stadium on Tuesday night. "That's where it starts, right there behind the plate," said Steven Braun, who was on the receiving end of all three McCraw throws in his Rattlers debut at second base. "He just did a good job all night of controlling the running game." Snappers first baseman Jon Waltenbury only had one stolen base all season, making the first throw out at second, in the second inning, a relative breeze. The 23-year-old McCraw was tested, however, the next inning when Beloit's stolen base leader, shortstop James Beresford, was cut down trying for his ninth stolen base of the season. "Anytime you throw out the team leader, that's a great accomplishment," McCraw said when he was informed that Beresford led the Snappers in steals. "The biggest accomplishment is throwing out the league leader." His final throw was another no-doubter as McCraw nailed Juan Richardson trying to steal second in the fifth. McCraw raised his season total of runners caught stealing to 18 and lifted his thrown-out percentage to .333. "You can't do it alone," said the 2005 eighth-round draft choice of the New York Mets. "You got to have a quick move from your pitcher and a good time to the plate to even have a shot." When he wasn't sending runners back to the dugout, he was preventing runners from advancing. In the fourth, Braun made a poor throw to first baseman Corey Kemp that bounced away and McCraw quickly gobbled it up in the grass right in front of the Snappers dugout. "Catchers will get lazy and say, 'Well, he'll make the play here,' " said Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom. "Then they're not in the right position. But he gets in the right position every time and he's always backing up bases. He's a hustle-type guy that takes pride in his defense." Right now, he has to, because, after going zero-for-three, his .223 batting average is just 38 points away from reaching his listed 185-pound weight. "If you're not going to hit, you better find a way to stay in the lineup," Isom said. And McCraw also has to range from being an easy listening psychologist to a hard-working drill sergeant to keep the pitching staff motivated. "He tries to get the buttons pushed on these guys," Isom said. "That's what a veteran-type catcher will do. He has to have an understanding of what makes these guys tick." Just the fact that he's willing to do the stuff that doesn't get noticed is what has made McCraw close to a promotion. "If he could hit, he could play at the higher levels," Isom said. "There's no question about that, because of his defense. He could be a guy that could catch in the big leagues right now if he could get his offense going."

He had major knee surgery after falling on ice last winter -- out for the season...

Final: Wisconsin 3, Beloit (Twins) 1 Wisconsin Site Game Summary WISCONSIN WINS WITH TEAMWORK GRAND CHUTE, WI - Wisconsin Timber Rattler hurlers Evan Frederickson and Wily Peralta worked the tandem pitching system about as well as it can be worked. Frederickson allowed one run over the first six innings in a 3-1 win over the Beloit Snappers. Peralta pitched the final three innings, struck out six, and picked up the save. Corey Kemp added three hits and an RBI for the Rattlers. Wisconsin (27-31) took the lead on back-to-back doubles by Kemp and Chris Dennis in the bottom of the fourth. Dennis would score later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Michael Vass. Ozzie Lewis got Beloit (20-37) on the board with a long homer to left to lead off the fifth. Frederickson was tested in the top of the sixth. Beloit had runners on second and third with one out. The lefty struck out the next two batters to keep the Rattlers in front. Frederickson allowed seven hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out four in his six innings. Kemp delivered a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to pad Wisconsin's lead to 3-1. Peralta, who relieved Frederickson to start the bottom of the seventh, gave up a couple of hits in the seventh, but worked around them thanks to a sparkling defensive play by third baseman Jose Duran. Peralta pitched a 1-2-3 eighth and got the first two batters in the ninth. But, Beloit got a pair of singles to bring the lead run to the plate. But, the hard-throwing right hander struck out Alexander Soto looking at a 3-2 pitch to pick up his first save of the season and close out the Snappers. The Timber Rattlers begin the final leg of their 12-game homestand on Wednesday night against the Western Division leading Kane County Cougars. Dan Merklinger (1-1, 2.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Cougars will send Anthony Capra (1-3, 4.05) to the hill. Game time is 7:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Kudos to pitching coach Chris Hook, great strides by Evan Frederickson; doesn't appear Wily Peralta is related to the Rockies' reliever Joel Peralta; Steve Braun singled, John Delaney was thrown out at home on the base hit; rough night for Derrick McPhearson, 0-for-3, three K's... Wisconsin Game Log Did a Beloit baserunner try to advance two bases on a wild pitch with two out in the 4th? Foolish...

Brevard County Site Doubleheader Summary: Stone Crabs Take Two from Manatees (Viera, FL) After two days of boredom while watching torrential rains douse Space Coast Stadium, the Brevard County Manatees are sure to be even more frustrated after being swept in Tuesday's doubleheader against the Charlotte Stone Crabs. The Stone Crabs won the two games, 2-1 in Game 1, and 3-1 in Game 2, despite being outhit by Brevard County in both games. Sloppy fielding ruined two masterful pitching performances from Evan Anundsen (6-4) and Jeremy Jeffress (1-1), who each took a loss in a complete game effort. In Game 1, the Stone Crabs scored both of their runs in the fifth inning. Ryan Royster singled in the first run on a slow grounder to shortstop Brent Brewer. The second run came in on Christian Lopez's sacrifice bunt, when Anundsen's throw home was late and too wide for Martin Maldonado to handle. The Manatees rebounded with a run in the sixth inning, but their rally fell short when Zelous Wheeler was left stranded at second base in the seventh inning. Jesse Darcy (1-5) recorded his first win for Charlotte, and Matt Gorgen earned his ninth save. In Game 2, Jeffress pitched well enough to win most games, but was done in by two key sequences. In the second inning, two consecutive pitches went for a passed ball and a wild pitch, allowing Greg Sexton to go from first to third. Sexton scored when John Matulia's grounder found an opening through the middle of the Manatees' infield, which was drawn in. With one out in the seventh inning of a tie game, Sergio Miranda botched a ground ball which could have been an inning-ending double play for the Manatees. Ian Paxton made the Manatees pay for the mistake, blasting a two-out, two-run double to give Charlotte the 3-1 lead. All three of the runs allowed by Jeffress were unearned. The only run scored by Brevard County came on a Lee Haydel home run to lead off the first inning. Justin Garcia (5-0) picked up the win in relief for Charlotte, extending his perfect record. The two teams meet for another doubleheader Wednesday morning, with Game 1 starting at 11:00 AM (10:00 Central). Depending on the length of the games, the teams could complete the extremely rare feat of playing four games in a 24-hour span.

Final, Game Two: Charlotte (Rays) 3, Brevard County 1 Brevard County Game Two Box Score Jeremy Jeffress, like Evan Anundsen before him, with a complete game seven-inning loss, all three runs allowed unearned; Jeffress did walk three, hit a batter, and threw a wild pitch -- it seems like nit-picking, but those little things count, too; Lee Haydel led off the Brevard 1st with his first professional home run in 977 at-bats; Manatees did not draw a walk; Martin Maldonado caught both games despite the presence of three other players capable of catching (Anderson DeLaRosa, Brett Whiteside, and Michael Roberts) on the roster... Brevard County Game Two Game Log Chris Errecart with a less-than-scintillating first inning performance, you'll see; Maldonado again helping his starter with his arm in the 2nd -- he's going to be "guiding" many of these pitchers for years; an unlucky double play liner in the Manatee 2nd; another interference call in the final inning, this one a "batter's version" that went the Manatees' way...

Final, Game One: Charlotte (Rays) 2, Brevard County 1 Game Notes from the website RaysProspects.com: Wow, they're on top of things... The Charlotte Stone Crabs beat out the Brevard County Manatees 2-1 in the first game of the doubleheader Tuesday evening at Space Coast Stadium. Jesse Darcy and Evan Anundsen went pitch for pitch keeping runners off the bases and the scoreboard. The Stone Crabs broke up the pitchers duel in the top of the fifth inning by posting two runs to the scoreboard. Cody Cipriano led off the inning will a single to center, followed by a walk issued to Greg Sexton. Cipriano and Sexton advanced courtesy of a sac bunt by Reid Fronk to give the Stone Crabs two runners in scoring position. Ryan Royster broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single to score Cipriano. Christian Lopez followed with a sacrifice bunt that scored Sexton and gave the Stone Crabs a 2-0 lead. Brevard County tried to come back in the bottom of the sixth as Steffan Wilson singled home Lee Haydel. But Matt Gorgen came in to the game and closed the door giving the Stone Crabs a 2-1 victory in seven innings. Jesse Darcy picked up his first victory of the season by pitching 5 1/3 innings only allowing one run on five hits while striking out one and walking two. Matt Gorgen recorded the save allowing one hit and striking out two in 1 2/3 innings. Anundsen was the losing pitcher for Brevard County. Brevard County Game One Box Score Evan Anundsen went the distance -- seven innings, nine ground ball outs for the just-turned 21-year-old -- Anundsen did walk three, hit a batter, and committed two errors, so it was an uneven "good" performance; all six Manatee hits were singles, only Steffan Wilson (single, walk) reached more than once... Brevard County Game One Game Log Catcher Martin Maldonado's arm twice helped out Anundsen in the early innings; looks like Brent Brewer may have made too big a turn at second base to end the 5th; unusual "interference" error on first baseman Chris Errecart in the final inning -- didn't hurt...

Final: DSL Royals 3, DSL Brewers / Orioles 2 DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score 17-year-old Venezuelan LHP Eliezer Montano, all intriguing 6'7" of him, retired the first five he faced in relief before being pulled after two walks; catcher Jhonatan Javier received partial rest as the DH (0-for-4); outfielder Ronny Puello 0-for-3; Luis Chirinos a pinch-hit single in the 9th and then was pinch-run for, so apparently not a burner; 17-year-old SS Andres Martinez 0-for-4 (now 1-for-11); 17-year-old Juan Barrini was the 2nd pinch-runner used in the 9th, but the Brewers' Martinez flied out to right field to end the game... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log

Rotoworld: Rays signed RHP Jorge Julio to a minor league contract, and assigned him to Triple-A Durham. The Rays dumped Chad Orvella to make room on Durham's roster. Julio began the season with the Brewers, but was released after posting a 7.79 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 13/15 K/BB in 17 1/3 innings. It's hard to see him fitting in with the Rays, but we shall see.

Rotoworld: Rays signed RHP Jorge Julio to a minor league contract, and assigned him to Triple-A Durham. The Rays dumped Chad Orvella to make room on Durham's roster. Julio began the season with the Brewers, but was released after posting a 7.79 ERA, 1.73 WHIP and 13/15 K/BB in 17 1/3 innings. It's hard to see him fitting in with the Rays, but we shall see.

Rattler Radio Blog: Probable Pitchers (vs. Kane County) (Series starts Wednesday) June 9, 2009: Game Notes June 9, 2009: Tonight's pitchers (Frederickson / Peralta) June 9, 2009: Starting Lineup (Steve Braun at second base, Derrick McPhearson in CF)

Final: Huntsville 6, West Tenn (Mariners) 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary Bullpen, Timely Hitting Help Huntsville Down Diamond Jaxx ROAD WARRIORS WIN AGAIN AT WEST TENN Mark Holliman worked into and out of trouble for 5 1/3 innings and the bullpen provided scoreless relief to protect Huntsville's 6-2 win Tuesday afternoon in the last of a six-game set at Pringles Park. The Stars took five of six to lift their record to 35-23 and increase their lead in the North Division to three games over Carolina, pending the outcome of their game later tonight at Jacksonville. The Diamond Jaxx fell to 23-37 after losing to the Stars for a thirteenth time in fifteen games. The Stars have won twelve of the fourteen games in their last two road series to push their road record to 23-10. The Stars scored in the first inning for a second straight game, and for a third time in the series, when Shane Justis doubled and crossed the plate when Jonathan Lucroy followed with a two-base hit to drive in his 30th run of the season. Lucroy delivered a run-scoring hit in the third to push the Stars lead to 2-0 before Brent Johnson cut down Justis trying to score from second base on a Vinny Rottino single to end the inning. Oswaldo Navarro led off the home third with a single, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a one-out single by Marshall Hubbard that sliced the Stars lead to 2-1. Holliman then got Brent Johnson to ground into his second inning-ending double play of the game. Holliman finished each of the first three innings by getting a ground ball double play with two runners on base and induced Matt Mangini to bounce into a twin-killing to finish off the fourth inning, as the Stars' turned a season-best four double plays. Logan Schafer tripled with one out in the third and scored to push the lead to 3-1 after Chuck Caufield singled into center field. The Stars at that point had scored on Justin Souza in seven of the nine innings he had started against them in his three turns. The right-hander was lifted after four frames, giving up three runs on eight hits, marking the first time in six starts that he had allowed more than two runs. He took the loss to fall to 4-5 on the season. Huntsville tacked on three more runs in the sixth against Matt Renfree, to push their lead to 6-1, on run-scoring hits by Taylor Green and Caufield and a run-producing fielder's choice grounder off the bat of Johnny Raburn, who drove in his third run of the season. Green hit safely in all six games in the series and drove in a half dozen. Hubbard's leadoff long ball, his second of the series and second off of Holliman this season, cut the Stars' lead to 6-2. The Huntsville right-hander was lifted after a one-out single by Johan Limonta, allowing nine hits, walking two and fanning two. Omar Aguilar retired the next two hitters to end the sixth and worked out of a bases loaded two-out situation in the seventh by getting Johnson to ground out. Robert Hinton closed out Holliman's third straight win and fourth of the season with two scoreless, hitless innings. The Stars return home Thursday to begin a five-game series against Jacksonville with left-hander David Welch taking the hill against Suns' right-hander Nic Ungs. 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 Shane Justis, 26, was a pretty astute Rule 5 pick (minor league phase), now with an .843 OPS; Jonathan Lucroy on base three times, including a double; Logan Schafer continues to get more comfortable, now with six games in at AA... Huntsville Game Log Omar Aguilar's eventful 7th inning -- West Tenn Bottom 7th Jose Yepez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Oswaldo Navarro walks. Jose Yepez to 2nd. Mel Stocker strikes out swinging. Greg Halman strikes out swinging. Coaching visit to mound. Thomas Hubbard walks. Jose Yepez to 3rd. Oswaldo Navarro to 2nd. Brent Johnson grounds into a force out, shortstop John Raburn to second baseman Shane Justis. Thomas Hubbard out at 2nd.

Recent quotes we've read indicate that Butler's stint at AAA has been extended. He's done with Brevard though, and if he goes anywhere, it'll be Huntsville.

I've listened to a good portion of the Stars' game, although I did have to break away for the past while. Stars up, 6-2 after six, and the early story was Mark Holliman and the Stars' defense, as each of the first four Diamond Jaxx turns at bat ended with a double play grounder. Brett's inflection got admittedly more excited as each inning ended. Good stuff. Chuckie Caufield continues to rake at nearly a .450 clip with runners in scoring position. The reserve outfielder / pinch hitter now has 20 RBI on only 26 hits.

Link Report Bonus: Mehring Monday 6/8: Painful Enjoy -- or not...ouch