Jim Goulart

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 28 .517 3.0 18-12 12-16 L1 Iowa 29 30 .492 4.5 14-13 15-17 W1 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 34 23 .596 - 12-13 22-10 W2 Carolina 32 26 .552 2.5 18-12 14-14 L1 Tennessee 25 34 .424 10.0 14-18 11-16 W4 Chattanooga 23 35 .397 11.5 13-17 10-18 L4 West Tenn 23 36 .390 12.0 12-17 11-19 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 34 15 .694 - 14-8 20-7 W1 Clearwater 26 27 .491 10.0 12-13 14-14 W1 Daytona 25 27 .481 10.5 11-10 14-17 W1 Lakeland 22 27 .449 12.0 12-16 10-11 L3 Dunedin 24 30 .444 12.5 10-19 14-11 W2 Tampa 24 30 .444 12.5 13-17 11-13 L1

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. Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_09_hunaax_wtdaax_1 Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_09_chaafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_06_09_chaafa_breafa_2 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_06_09_belafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572 Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&gid=2009_06_09_dryrok_dobrok_1&cid=3130&t=g_box

Midwest League Standings Dominican Summer League Standings

Tuesday's Daily Menu -- Big league team starting a homestand, MLB draft tonight, doesn't matter, the Link Report just rolls on... 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: RHP Mark Holliman at West Tenn (Mariners), 11:50 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen and TBD (probably RHP Jeremy Jeffress) in a double-dip at home vs. Charlotte (Rays), 4:00 PM gametime; each contest slated for seven innings Wisconsin: LHP Evan Frederickson at home vs. Beloit (Twins), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Dominican Summer League Brewers / Orioles: at home vs. the DSL Royals 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: Brett Christopherson column: Wisconsin's Braun OK with comparison to Brewers' Braun Appleton Post-Crescent The reminder could be seen on the cover of those Milwaukee Brewers 2009 media guides floating around Fox Cities Stadium, a triumphant Ryan Braun raising his right arm and howling in celebration of the playoff-clinching dinger he launched last season. And there he was, the immensely popular Brewers slugger, one of Major League Baseball's brightest young stars, among the National League's leading all-star vote-getters, splashed across that color photo hanging near the office of Wisconsin Timber Rattlers skipper Jeff Isom. Heck, it's all over the newest Rattler - a spitting image if there ever was one. So, kid, what's life like always having BRAUN stitched onto your jersey nameplate? And is it a blessing or a curse to be the younger brother of such a famous big league celeb? "I treat it as a blessing more than a curse," Steve Braun said as he grabbed a breather from a pregame workout prior to Wisconsin's 7-5 Midwest League setback to Beloit on Monday. "Obviously, there are times when you put more pressure on yourself regardless. But I just try to make the most of it and take advantage of it. I ask for advice. I ask for help. And I try to make the most of what I'm given." But nothing has been given to this Braun, despite big brother's emergence as perhaps the face of the Brewers' rising franchise. Steve, a 24-year-old middle infielder added to the Rattlers' roster on Monday, had been busting his hump under the scorching Arizona heat, taking his hacks in the cage like every other dreamer and shagging an endless stream of ground balls to fill those long and grueling days of extended spring training. He signed with the Crew as an undrafted free agent last July and then struggled at rookie ball, hitting just .175 with one homer and six RBI in 25 games at Helena (Mont.). Meanwhile, the 25-year-old Ryan - the fifth overall selection of that celebrated 2005 draft class - has been living in a fantasy world. As his brother scuffled at Helena, he was in the midst of an MVP-type season, hitting .285 with 37 bombs and 106 RBI in leading the Brewers to their first playoff appearance since 1982. And that followed a brilliant 2007 in which he hit .324, stroked 34 homers and drove in 97 runs on his way to National League Rookie of the Year honors. So again, isn't it a bit imposing to be a Braun, especially with all of the inevitable comparisons that come in collecting a paycheck from that organization? "Not at all," said Steve, who described himself as a gap-to-gap hitter, a guy who's more of a table-setter than a run-producer. "I'm very proud of what he's done. Anything where I can get attention from him, I have more respect towards him and what he's done and it makes me work harder. I've seen what he's done, and I've seen the way he's gone about his business to get where he's gotten. "So I just try to work harder everyday so hopefully we can be on the same team one day." For now, Steve just wants to stick with his current team. He was summoned from extended spring training to fill a roster spot vacated by second baseman Brett Lawrie, placed on the disabled list on Monday after undergoing nose surgery. Lawrie, the Brewers' top draft choice from a year ago, is expected to be sidelined for only seven-to-10 days, which means Steve could soon find himself on a flight back to Arizona and gearing up for another season of rookie ball. If so, fine. But since he has been given a shot to advance his game a level, he plans on hanging around for as long as he can. "That's obviously what I intend to do," said Steve, who was taken by Oakland in the 35th round of the 2005 draft out of junior college but instead chose to further his collegiate career at the University of Maryland, where he graduated last May. "Now, will it happen? I'm not sure. But I'm going to do everything I can to make it tough on them." Added Isom: "We'll see how much paying time he gets. It's an emergency backup plan for us, just in case something happens to the regular guys we have on our roster. We've got to make sure we get our prospects their playing time, and we'll see how much playing time we can get Braun." Indeed we will. But in the meantime, Steve will look to control the things he can control - like his mental and physical preparation - while letting this trip to Wisconsin, the state his brother is beginning to own, play out. He'll continue to chat with Ryan on a daily basis and pick his brother's brain about anything and everything baseball. And he'll swallow every last drop of advice. "He knows what I can do," said Steve, who didn't see the field in Monday's loss. "And I know what I can do. It's just a matter of proving myself. Now, I have the opportunity. I'm just going to try to make the most of it. Just have fun and make the most of my opportunity. (He said), 'If you don't start, be ready to play. If you start, just have fun and play hard.' " And don't forget to stay real, too. "There's definitely some added pressure, but I try not to look at it that way," he said. "I just try to be my own player and know we're different players. I'm not going to go out there and do what he does, but not many people will. "So I'm just going to try to stay within myself and play hard. And that's all I can do." Steve Braun, brother of Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun, coaches first base for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Monday. Post-Crescent photo by Patrick Ferron. http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20090609&Category=APC021102&ArtNo=906090580&Ref=AR&Profile=1019&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

From Omaha: Nashville's bullpen hasn't allowed an earned run since May 29, a streak covering 11 games and 28.1 innings. -- WOW! Hot shot: Nashville shortstop Alcides Escobar, considered Milwaukee's top prospect, went 9 for 16 (.563) in the series with three doubles, a triple and a homer. In 16 games against Omaha this year, he has hit .362 (21 for 58) with two homers and eight RBIs and scored 13 runs.

Post-Crescent Game Blog (full post here) includes these numbers: Stat pack 0: Runs allowed by Trey Watten over his last two outings, spanning 11 innings. The right-hander threw five innings and allowed just one hit - a fourth-inning single - in a no-decision on Monday. Watten has seen his ERA dip from 5.36 to 4.28 during his scoreless stretch. 0: Runs allowed by Rattlers reliever Nick Tyson in seven appearances this season, spanning nine innings. The right-hander tossed 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief in Wisconsin's 4-1 setback to Beloit on Sunday in the second game of a doubleheader. .245: Wisconsin's team batting average heading into Monday's contest, which ranked 13th in the 14-team Midwest League. The Rattlers were hitting just .194 over their previous 10 games.

Link Report Bonus: Talkin' baseball with Ken Sanders (Post-Crescent Blog)

From the Cincinnati Enquirer Cushy job? Not if you're a scout By Tom Groeschen tgroeschen@enquirer.com Chris Buckley, Reds senior director of scouting, figures he travels between 150 and 200 days a year. Dodgers scout Marty Lamb said he drives an estimated 40,000 miles a year to watch baseball games. Brian Hiler, a Cincinnati-based scout for the Kansas City Royals, said the scouting life is short on glamour and truly a labor of love. "I can't remember the last time I sat down and ate a meal," Hiler said recently, speaking by phone from parts unknown. "There's a lot of motels, a lot of fast food. You don't see a lot of good, in-shape scouts." Yet … "I get paid a pretty good chunk just to be a part-time guy," Hiler said. "You have to love it." Hiler recently had a day when he scouted a game in Vincennes, Ind., at 11 a.m., then drove five hours to somewhere in Ohio to see another game. Same day. Then, back to the hotel to write reports. Buckley, who oversees the Reds' scouting of amateur players, was back in Cincinnati recently for just one day. "Guess I'd better do some laundry," Buckley said. Not seeing family Lamb, who advanced to the rank of East Coast cross-checker for the Dodgers, opted to switch back to regional scouting this year because he was not seeing his family as much. Lamb said his current gig scouting Tennessee, Ohio, Kentucky and part of Indiana means 60 fewer travel days per year. Lamb, married with three young children, is 43 years old. He is, like many scouts, a former player (Ventura, Calif., Junior College) who wanted to stay in the game. "I'm not sure it's always the smartest route, all this travel," Lamb said. "If you do find (prospects) and they make it, you get that satisfaction." No financial bonus, even if your player turns into Albert Pujols? "You don't always get something for that, depending on the team," Lamb said. "Just the good feeling that you were a part of it." Some teams do offer financial bonuses to scouts if a prospect makes it, depending on what level the player achieves. Associate scouts, known variously also as area scouts or part-time scouts, usually get paid expenses and other compensation, depending on the organization. Anecdotal evidence, interviews, Internet research and other sources say scouts above the part-time rank can start in at around $20,000 per year and that scouting directors for most teams top $100,000 per year. Area scouts/part timers might not get much more than gas mileage and expenses. Experience matters The book "Inside Pitch," by former Detroit Tigers farmhand George Gmelch, said the Baltimore Orioles had a system in which they paid associate scouts $100 when their player was signed and kept on a roster for 90 days; another $100 if the player advanced to Double-A ball; $200 if he reached Triple-A; and $500 if he reached the majors. Most scouts are men, with baseball a male-dominated industry consisting of many former players from various levels. Teams such as the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers have employed female scouts, but most scouts are predominantly male. "It's a very hard business," the Reds' Buckley said. "Practical experience is pretty important." Hiler, also general manager of the Cincinnati-based amateur powerhouse Midland Redskins, said it helps to have an understanding family. "(Wife) Nora loves me," said Hiler, married with one child and another on the way. "I'm lucky." Scouting involves lots of driving and, once you get there, lots of standing around. If there is no room to stand behind the backstop, you might have the pleasure of sitting on those hard, back-wrenching high school bleachers. You do sometimes get a virtual hero's welcome, when you pull up with the Juggs radar gun and your briefcase. "The high school coaches almost always oversell their kids," Hiler said. "They're usually pretty glad to see you." Guarding trade secrets High school fans are sometimes atwitter when they notice a gaggle of scouts behind the backstop, which is usually the best vantage point to evaluate both hitters and pitchers. Scouts generally wear windbreakers and/or polo shirts, sneakers or casual shoes. Some wear shirts or hats with their team's embroidered logos. Others go lower-key, with just a business card or maybe a team sticker attached to a briefcase. Rarely do scouts talk to the media, at least for the record. Some scouts interviewed for these Enquirer stories had to get approval from their teams before commenting. Trade secrets are guarded with a Fort Knox-like air. Are the Cubs scouting that guy up in Indiana? Are the Brewers on that guy from Kentucky? How many guys were scouting that CovCath-Beechwood regional title game? Tom Keefe, who scouts parts of Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been in the business for 17 years. "I employ the total-immersion theory," Keefe said. "I go to as many baseball games as I can, to try to get a feel for what's out there." Keefe is also proof that someone need not be a baseball lifer to be a baseball scout. Keefe played Knothole ball before gravitating to swimming at St. Xavier High School, where he still is an assistant varsity swim coach. Keefe also is vice president/general counsel for Patriot Signage, a Northern Kentucky-based firm. Keefe returned to baseball in the early 1990s as a college summer league administrator and was urged to get into scouting by friends such as former UC assistant coach and current Moeller assistant Mike Jones. "Over time, you can begin to identify players and build a database," Keefe said. "You learn what to watch for in players, their makeup, how they react in certain situations." Keefe, one of the more visible scouts on the Cincinnati scene, also meets and greets as many local high school coaches as he can. Keefe was involved in the scouting process for Chad Billingsley, the current Dodgers pitching ace from Defiance, Ohio. Yet Keefe, who also has scouted for the Florida Marlins, also found it rewarding when he recommended former Western Hills High pitcher Mike McNutt in the early 2000s. McNutt had little fanfare, with a radar pitching speed in the upper 70s out of high school. He went on to the College of Mount St. Joseph, where Keefe continued to see something. McNutt eventually reached the Triple-A professional level. "He ended up being a low-90s (mph) guy," Keefe said. "It doesn't take a great baseball mind to determine Junior Griffey was a good athlete. Evaluating the guys that don't necessarily stand out, then seeing them progress … it's really gratifying." Moving up the chain Once an area scout identifies a player, he might recommend the player to his scouting supervisor. In Keefe's case, that supervisor is Lamb, who has been a Dodgers East Coast cross-checker among several roles with the club. "Guys like Tom Keefe are invaluable because they know so many people," Lamb said. If a player merits more than a look-see, Lamb notifies the Dodgers' office. Meetings upon meetings, data upon data, printouts upon printouts, and then comes the draft each June. Lamb, with Keefe's help, made the call on Billingsley right before the 2003 draft. One of Keefe's assignments was simply to attend one of Billingsley's final starts and report which other clubs were there scouting. Billingsley wound up going in the first round (24th overall). "We got that one right, but sometimes you don't always get the chance to pick the guy you want," Lamb said. Most drafted players will not make it to the majors. Only 5.6 percent of high school players will even play in college, and only 0.5 percent of high school seniors are drafted by major-league teams. The odds are slim, but the scouts keep chasing. "It's a grind out there," Lamb said. "Some guys can make it, some can't, and that's what you've got to try to figure out. You try to make an educated guess with athleticism, tools and makeup, but with 18-year-olds, you just don't know. "It's a high-stakes poker game, and only the strong survive."

Maybe a mod more technically savvy than myself can combine this thread and this one (Brewers one of three favorites to sign Dominican OF Jose Pena) within this forum under "2009 International Free Agent Season" -- it's an awkward call betwen this and the draft forum for now.

Rotoworld: Padres activated RHP Mike Adams from the 60-day disabled list. Adams hasn't pitched at all this as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery. He was 2-3 last season with 10 holds in 65 1/3 innings. He also had an impressive 1.04 WHIP to go along with 74 strikeouts. He will provide a boost to San Diego's bullpen and may work himself into the setup role for closer Heath Bell. Padres optioned LHP Joe Thatcher to Triple-A Portland. Thatcher had a 4.50 ERA, 1.63 ERA and five strikeouts in eight innings pitched since being recalled in mid May. Part of this may have been an 18-inning game the Padres had Sunday in which Thatcher allowed two runs in the 6th.

Rotoworld: Padres activated RHP Mike Adams from the 60-day disabled list. Adams hasn't pitched at all this as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery. He was 2-3 last season with 10 holds in 65 1/3 innings. He also had an impressive 1.04 WHIP to go along with 74 strikeouts. He will provide a boost to San Diego's bullpen and may work himself into the setup role for closer Heath Bell. Padres optioned LHP Joe Thatcher to Triple-A Portland. Thatcher had a 4.50 ERA, 1.63 ERA and five strikeouts in eight innings pitched since being recalled in mid May. Part of this may have been an 18-inning game the Padres had Sunday in which Thatcher allowed two runs in the 6th.

Huntsville Site Game Summary Stars Shut Down Struggling Jaxx Huntsville Picks Up a Game in Division Race By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Chuck Caufield doubled in the winning run and the bullpen backed Bobby Bramhall with four scoreless frames to preserve Huntsville's tense 2-1 win over West Tenn Monday night in the fifth of a sixth game set at Pringles Park. The Stars have taken four of five in the series to lift their record to 34-23 and increase their lead in the North Division to two and a half games over Carolina, which fell at Jacksonville. The Diamond Jaxx dropped to 23-36 after losing to the Stars for a twelfth time in fourteen games. Jaxx starter Danny Christensen walked the first three hitters he faced before Kevin Melillo's fly ball scored Adam Stern to give the Stars the early lead. Vinny Rottino singled to reload the bases but the veteran southpaw struck out Taylor Green and Logan Schafer to work out of further trouble. He then got Caufield on a comebacker and struck out Yohannis Perez to end the fourth inning by stranding runners at second and third. Bramhall worked out of a huge jam in the fourth inning with one out and runners at second and third when he fielded a Leury Bonilla comebacker and started a rundown that resulted in Marshall Hubbard getting tagged out between third base and the plate and Johan Limonta getting caught and tagged out on his way back to second base. The Jaxx got the game tied in the fifth on a Yamid Haad leadoff long ball, his fourth of the season and second in the series. Bramhall was lifted after five frames, surrendering the lone run on three hits, while walking four and fanning four. He picked up the win to improve to 2-3. Rottino drew a one-out walk in the sixth, moved to second base on a Green single and scored the go-ahead run on Caufield's two-out, two-bagger that chased Christensen from the game. The southpaw gave up two runs on five hits, while walking four and fanning four and suffered the loss to drop to 0-4. Ricky Orta took over and retired all seven batters he faced and gave way to Mumba Rivera, who tossed a scoreless ninth inning. West Tenn strung together three singles in the bottom of the seventh against Josh Wahpepah before the right-hander struck out Oswaldo Navarro and got Mel Stocker to ground out to escape the jam and preserve the lead. Wahpepah threw three scoreless frames and was followed by Casey Baron, who retired the first two batters in the ninth before Haad and Erick Monzon singled. The Stars' southpaw then struck out Navarro to end the game and earn his first save of the season. The Stars are now 13-6 in one-run games and 19-11 in games decided by two runs or less. The series wraps up Tuesday afternoon with right-hander Mark Holliman starting for Huntsville against West Tenn right-hander Justin Souza. Coverage of the game begins at 11:50 AM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score Logan Schafer singled twice and stole his first base at the AA level -- Schafer is 9-for-12 stealing this season... Huntsville Game Log Bobby Bramhall a big pickoff of a runner at second base in the 2nd; both teams with chances well beyond what the final score indicates...

Final: DSL Rays 5, DSL Brewers / Orioles 4, 12 innings DSL Brewers / Orioles Box Score A mixed bag (mostly positive) for the three Brewer pitchers who toiled over the final 7.2 innings in this one -- 18-year-old Venezuelan RHP Francisco Rivero, just outstanding (again), including stranding two inherited runners, followed by soon-to-be 20-year-old LHP Jose Ramos, who was hurt by his own wild pitch on a strikeout and some shaky defense in an awkward 8th inning, and then 19-year-old RHP Edwin Linares, who deserved better over 3.1 innings of his own but took the loss... 21-year-old catcher Jhonatan Javier hit his first pro home run -- he has to make it to Milwaukee for the spelling of the first name alone; Luis Chirinos (walk) and Ronny Puello each singled; Joan Abreu, Andres Martinez, and Juan Barrini (pinch-runner / caught stealing) saw action late... DSL Brewers / Orioles Game Log The winning run was considered unearned, but as you view the log, while that is true, Linares did finally tire, surrendering three line drive singles after the leadoff man reached on a fielding error by the second baseman...

Final: Huntsville 2, West Tenn (Mariners) 1 Details from Brett shortly -- another fine call from Mr. Pollock tonight, I really hope he gets a chance to progress in his field; new dad Josh Wahpepah returns in style with a clutch three-inning relief stint, 30-of-44 pitches were for strikes; Casey Baron closed out the tight one, but not without some two-out drama; Stars extend their division lead...

Final: Beloit (Twins) 7, Wisconsin 5 Wisconsin Site Game Summary A tale of two games By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers held a 1-0 lead over the Beloit Snappers before a long rain delay in the bottom of the fifth inning on Monday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. After the delay, both teams turned on the offense. But, it was a six-run sixth inning for the Snappers that gave them a 7-5 victory. The game started in cool temperatures with wind and a slight drizzle. It was in these conditions that the Rattlers (26-31) grabbed the lead with a pair of extra-base hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Brock Kjeldgaard tripled with one out. Michael Vass doubled him home with a two-out hit. The game was halted by a worsening downpour with the Rattlers batting in the bottom of the fifth inning and a runner at first. Rattler starter Trey Watten allowed one hit, a two-out single in the fourth inning, over his five innings of work in the wind and rain. But, when the game resumed after a delay of 1:28, the hitters took over the game. John Delaney, who was at the plate against Beloit starter Bobby Lanigan when the delay began, welcomed reliever Michael Tarsi to the game on the restart with a two-run homer to left field. It was Delaney's first homer of the season and Wisconsin was up 3-0. Rigoberto Almonte relieved Watten to start the sixth inning and it did not go well. Angel Morales doubled and a bunt single by James Beresford put runners on the corners. One out later, Ramon Santana dumped a base hit into right field, and Vass slipped on the wet grass. The play went for a double and two runs scored. Almonte got the second out of the inning, but could not get the third. Ozzie Lewis tied the game with a single. Another single and a walk loaded the bases. Alexander Soto singled to left to drive in two runs for a 5-3 lead. Morales, the first batter to face Almonte, was the last batter to face Almonte. He singled in a run to make the score 6-3. Wisconsin scored single runs in the sixth and seventh on RBI grounders by Vass and Delaney to get to within 6-5. But, Michael Harrington launched a homer to right with two outs in the top of the ninth inning to give the Snappers a two-run cushion. Joe Testa got the final two outs of the game for his fourth save of the season. The final game of the four-game series is Tuesday night. Evan Frederickson (2-3, 5.94) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Beloit will counter with Brad Tippett (5-2, 3.19). Game time is 7:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score RHP Liam Ohlmann stranded two of Rigo Almonte's runners and pitched well over the final 3.2 innings; Brock Kjeldgaard tripled and doubled -- he's been scuffling, 3-for-28 prior to today's game; LH bat Sean McCraw doubled twice... Wisconsin Game Log Rattlers wasted a leadoff double in the 3rd -- Juan Sanchez struck out with one out and a man of third; Sanchez played with a lot of the Beloit kids as a former Twin farmhand, today's broadcast hinted he may be over-trying vs. his old mates...

Manatees Fans, Tonight's double-header (Mon. 6/8) has been postponed due to dangerous field conditions. After repeated showers today, the staff and grounds crew could not get the grounds at SCS playable. We have scheduled tomorrow as a double-dip beginning at 5pm as well as a double-header on Wed. The game time for Wednesday's game has not been determined at this time. We look forward to seeing you soon under sunny skies. Best regards, Kyle J. Smith General Manager Brevard County Manatees

RightFieldBleachers is doing a live interactive blog from the TimberRattlers game. That's a pretty unique idea, nice job, guys. Be sure to post here in the future with a "heads up" should you do another one in the future.

Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Brendan Katin photo, text follows -- OMAHA, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds won the final game of a four-game series with the Omaha Royals 7-4 on Monday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium. Nashville's (34-26) win improves the team to 15-6 in days games and gives the Sounds an 8-8 season-series split for the second consecutive year, keeping the all-time series tied at 183-183. Alcides Escobar went 3-for-5 with one home run, triple, and three RBIs on the afternoon. Scott Thorman hit his ninth home run to right field to give Omaha a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. The Sounds tied the game in the next frame on Escobar's RBI-triple, and took a 2-1 lead when Joe Koshansky brought home Escobar with a single to left field. Omaha's Tug Hulett singled in the bottom of the third and was doubled home by Brian Buchanan to tie the game at 2. After Jason Bourgeois hit a leadoff single to begin the fifth, Escobar belted a two-run homer to give the Sounds a 4-2 advantage, his third of the year. Omaha's Buchanan followed in the bottom of the frame with his own two-run homer, tying the game again at 4. Brendan Katin continues to stay hot for Nashville, hitting an opposite-field, two-run shot to put the Sounds back ahead at 6-4. Katin's team leading 13th home run was his eighth in his last 19 games, and now ranks fourth in the PCL. Carlos Corporan's sacrifice fly scored Hernan Iribarren for insurance and a 7-4 Sounds lead. Nashville starting pitcher Chase Wright picked up a no-decision on the afternoon, throwing 5 and 1/3 innings while giving up four runs on 12 hits. Chris Narveson (3-3) earned the win after throwing 3 and 1/3 innings scoreless innings while fanning six, and extended Nashville's bullpen shutout streak to 11 games (28.1IP). Tim Hamulack (2-2) took the loss for Omaha, allowing three runs on four hits over four innings. The Nashville Sounds travel back to Music City to open a four-game series with the division-rival Memphis Redbirds on Thursday evening at 7:00 PM CT at historic Greer Stadium. Righty Josh Butler (0-1, 3.60) makes the start for Nashville. Nashville Box Score Everybody but Angel Salome (0-for-5) with a contribution, four with multiple hits; Chase Wright danced around 12 base hits while getting 16 outs -- it's the first time all season he's had a game quite like that -- he's just been overly ordinary thus far; that's a heck of an effort by Chris Narveson in relief... Nashville Game Log

Final: Nashville 7, Omaha (Royals) 4 Nice win for the Sounds, details a bit later... Apparently the TimberRattlers game (1-0 Wisconsin, bottom of the 5th) is set to resume shortly (it's now 3:00 Central). Here's the direct link with very mellow adult non-comtemporary music to bide the time.

Tyler Stover of the Brevard County staff summarizes the recent Sarasota series.

Formal press releases are sure to be forthcoming, but your Florida State League Pitcher of the Week is Jeremy Jeffress.

Chris Narveson really bailed out Chase Wright in a tie game in the 6th. It sounds like WNSR in Nashville is picking up the Omaha feed. I just missed hearing the reason just now, but it sounds like Voice of the Sounds Chuck Valenches was unavailable fro some reason, so that's a nice courtesy of the Omaha and Nashville media folks working together.

Alcides Escobar with a triple and now a go-ahead two-run home run in the 5th. What a player.