Jim Goulart

Final: Nashville 5, Reno (Diamondbacks) 0 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for new Mike Burns photo, text follows -- Sounds Open Homestand With 5-0 Victory NASHVILLE - Right-hander Mike Burns turned in his sixth consecutive quality start and combined with reliever Chris Narveson on a three-hit shutout in the Nashville Sounds' 5-0 victory over the Reno Aces on Tuesday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. The shutout victory was the third of the season for Nashville (18-15), which has won its last three contests overall. Burns (5-0) picked up a win for the third straight outing and pulled into a tie for the Pacific Coast League lead with his fifth win overall after fanning seven batters over six scoreless frames. His ERA dropped to 2.27 on the year with the effort. Narveson earned his fourth save of the year by working the final three innings in hitless fashion for the Sounds. The Sounds grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning against Reno starter Billy Buckner. Tony Gwynn led off with a triple and scored one batter later on Alcides Escobar's RBI single to left. Nashville increased the lead to 4-0 in the sixth. Mat Gamel drew an inning-opening walk from Buckner and Hernan Iribarren reached on a two-out single before both scored on Jason Bourgeois' two-out, two-run triple to left-center off Aces reliever Jon Coutlangus. Bourgeois scored the third run of the inning for the Sounds when Reno second baseman Ruben Gotay mishandled Cole Gillespie's grounder. Gillespie wrapped up the evening's scoring in the bottom of the eighth when his RBI double to left off Aces reliever Jose Marte plated Iribarren, who had walked, to bring the score to its final 5-0. AUDIO: Cole Gillespie RBI Double Buckner (1-2) took the loss for the Aces after giving up two runs on five hits over five innings. The teams continue the series with an 11:00 AM matinee on Wednesday morning. Left-hander Chase Wright (1-4, 5.34) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Reno right-hander Hector Ambriz (0-1, 10.13). Nashville Box Score Find a desperate big league team and see if there's interest in a hot hand in 30-year-old Mike Burns; Hernan Iribarren with an .853 OPS and only one error at second base... Nashville Game Log Four more cleanly handled ground balls for Mat Gamel; Alcides Escobar needlessly thrown out trying to steal third base with two outs in the 1st; doesn't get much more exciting than a two-out, two-run triple (Jason Bourgeois)...

Tony Gwynn a leadoff triple tonight, and Brevard's Lee Haydel is insanely hot, with multiple hit games in seven of his last eight (15-for-36, I believe -- all singles but for a lone triple, but still). Between Gwynn, Adam Stern in Huntsville, and Haydel, there's some impressive work out of the leadoff spot going on. Haydel does need to pick up the walk pace. Jeremy Jeffress -- *sigh*

From Chris Mehring: CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - Tuesday's game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field was rained out. The tarp was placed on the field about 30 minutes before game time and the rain did not start falling until 20 minutes after the scheduled 6:30 PM start time. The decision was made to postpone the game due to the prospect of a long delay before the game could start. The teams will play a doubleheader on Wednesday evening. The first seven inning game will begin at 5:35 PM. There will be a 30 minute break at the conclusion of game one before the start of game two. The tentative pitching match up in game one will be Efrain Nieves (1-2, 6.10) for the Timber Rattlers against Ryan Chaffee (0-1, 3.60) for the Kernels. Game two is scheduled to be Trey Watten (1-4, 5.76) for Wisconsin against Will Smith (0-1, 8.00) for Cedar Rapids. You wonder how they will handle the piggy-back situation with seven-inning games, as Cody Scarpetta needs to get his work in.

We have no idea why the Brewers are choosing to get creative with temporary assignments to the Helena roster this year (something we don't believe they can do once the Pioneer League season begins), but like Nashville's Wes Littleton earlier, Huntsville RHP Josh Wahpepah has been assigned to Helena in a paper move, to make room for returning reliever Juan Sandoval. Wahpepah last pitched on the 7th (not unusual given all the AA rainouts) and has walked 15 in 17.1 innings. Not sure if he's headed to Maryvale for workouts or whether he'll remain in Huntsville for side sessions with pitching coach John Curtis.

As long as we're linking to R.J. Swindle audio, here's a link that was just posted today, although it comes from Swindle's brief stay with the big club a couple of weeks ago.

Mitch Stetter peaked at # 30 on the Power 50. Chris is in good company, and yes, he'll be higher up next time out.

From Monday: Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Reliever R.J. Swindle Discussed the Bugs Bunny curveball, and find out that the Phillies stiffed him on some jewelry -- cheap buggers; Chuck Valenches with a nice job as usual, but Swindle wasn't a waiver claim, they signed him as a minor league free agent, helping to seal the deal with a 40-man roster spot...

Midwest League Standings

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 17 12 .586 - 9-4 8-8 L2 Iowa 17 13 .567 0.5 10-6 7-7 W2 Omaha 17 14 .548 1.0 8-8 9-6 L2 Nashville 17 15 .531 1.5 6-9 11-6 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 15 12 .556 - 6-7 9-5 W5 Tennessee 14 13 .519 1.0 5-5 9-8 L1 West Tenn 11 17 .393 4.5 5-8 6-9 W1 Carolina 12 19 .387 5.0 6-9 6-10 L2 Chattanooga 12 19 .387 5.0 7-8 5-11 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 22 9 .710 - 10-4 12-5 L2 Clearwater 17 14 .548 5.0 7-9 10-5 W4 Daytona 13 17 .433 8.5 6-9 7-8 L3 Dunedin 13 17 .433 8.5 4-10 9-7 L3 Lakeland 13 17 .433 8.5 9-8 4-9 W1 Tampa 13 17 .433 8.5 5-10 8-7 W3

Rattler Radio Blog: Probable Pitchers (@Cedar Rapids) -- four-game series through Friday May 12, 2009 Game Notes -- SCORER'S DECISION: After Sunday's game, an error on a hard hit ball off the bat of Corey Kemp in the top of the ninth inning was changed to a hit. Kemp's day went from 0-for-3 to 1-for-3. That switch allowed Kemp to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Kemp is 10-for-29 (.345) during the streak. May 12, 2009 Timber Rattler Pitchers -- Nieves / Scarpetta

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):

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_12_renaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_12_cngaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_12_clrafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_05_12_wisafx_cedafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Link here for the live audio choices - audio will no longer archive. Sorry, no audio for this Brevard County series. Nashville: RHP Mike Burns at home vs. Reno (Diamondbacks), 6:35 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Huntsville: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at home vs. Chattanooga (Dodgers), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 PM gametime Brevard County: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: LHP Efrain Nieves at Cedar Rapids (Angels), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime; RHP Cody Scarpetta will also pitch

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David Weiser's starsboxscore.com It's getting to be a habit 10-5 in one-run games, Stars win 5th straight A one-out single by Kevin Melillo and a fielding error by Adam Godwin set up Vinny Rottino's game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 9th that handed the Stars a season-high 5th straight victory and their 10th one-run win this season. The Stars are now 10-5 in those squeakers. They were 16-31 last year, and didn't win their 10th until June 25th..... Vinny singled in Adam Heether with the Stars' first run in the 4th..... Winning those close games have allowed the Stars to take a one-game lead over the Smokies in the North.... Omar Aguilar, who got his first win as a Huntsville Star (he was 0-3 last year), kept the few fans there on the edge of their seats in the 9th with a pair of walks, one intentional, and leaving a runner on third before Justin Sellers flied out to end the inning. Aguilar threw only five of his 15 pitches for strikes....... Robert Hinton preceded Aguilar in relief and continued his scoreless streak on the mound -- 9 1/3 scoreless innings over eight consecutive appearances. That reduced his ERA now to under 4.00 for the first time this season. He began his streak with an ERA of 7.36. It's now down to 3.98. In 2007, Hinton started the season with seven consecutive scoreless innings in relief and finished it with nine straight, including playoff appearances against Tennessee and Montgomery -- 13 consecutive scoreless innings....... Starter Chris Cody pitched into the 7th and threw a season-high 97 pitches, 58 for strikes (59.8%) and lowered his ERA to 1.93 -- 6th best in the Southern League....... Bryan Augenstein, who shutout the Stars 3-0 on April 12, and is 2nd in ERA with a microscopic 0.78, will not be with the Bay Bears, at least we hope, when the Stars go to Mobile Saturday. Augenstein, who started out 5-0, was promoted to Arizona and will start for the Diamondbacks Wednesday. He's a replacement for Yusmeiro Petit, who's on the DL with a shoulder injury. Blame the unseasonably cloudy and cool (63°) weather for the poor attendance again. This has been the rainiest May in Stars history. Eight games in the first nine days of this month have been rained out, including a couple of make-up double-headers. They are four games behind teams that have been able to play every scheduled game so far. Speaking I guess for other Stars fans, we're all hoping for a break in this continually wet weather. It has not been continuous, but rain has fallen every day for what seems like the past two weeks. We're supposed to get a break Tuesday, but the chance for rain will rise again every day this week, peaking at a 70% chance on Sunday, but the Stars will be in Mobile by then. Juan Sandoval was returned to the Stars Sunday. Sandoval, who was promoted to Nashville April 23, picks up with two saves and a 3.38 ERA in six appearances. In four games with Nashville, he left a 6.75 ERA for 5 1/3 innings work....... Carlos Corporan, who became the 183rd former Star to make it to the majors when he singled against the Reds' Paul Janish last May 6, is expected to be optioned back to Nashville when Mike Rivera finishes his rehab stint in Nashville. Adam Heether has hit safely in all six of the games he's appeared in for the Stars since coming down from Nashville. He's hitting .345 with three doubles and a home run....... Adam Stern, who's had a pair of eight-game hitting streaks, is working on one of six. He's 10-for-27 (.370) on this one with seven RBIs. A pretty good figure for a leadoff hitter in that short span...... Vinny Rottino, who hit .242 in April, is on a .273 clip this month....... Kevin Melillo, hitting .208 since April 23, has had just one extra-base hit in his last 14 games. That was on a 4-for-6 day last Wednesday. Travis Chick, who is pitching in his 6th season in the Southern League with stops in-between, will start for Chattanooga, Tuesday against Jeremy Jeffress (1-1, 5.06). The Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League released former Stars outfielder Travis Ezi last Wednesday, May 8. Ezi hit 4-for-34 in 11 games...... The Diamond Jaxx have placed Patrick Ryan on the temporary inactive list.

Link while active, text follows: Schedule could help out Sounds Nashville faces two of PCL's worst teams By Maurice Patton THE TENNESSEAN After playing virtually .500 ball for the first five weeks of the season, the Nashville Sounds have a chance to get on a roll over the next week or so. Today marks the opening of an eight-day, eight-game homestand at Greer Stadium against Reno and Las Vegas - teams that have two of the four worst records in the Pacific Coast League heading into this week's play. The Reno Aces, relocated from Tucson over the offseason, were 13-17 through Sunday under first-year Manager Brett Butler, who began his 17-year major league playing career with the Braves. Following the scheduled four-game series with the Aces, the Las Vegas 51s - whose 11-20 record through Monday includes more losses than any other PCL team - come to town on Saturday for a four-game set. Nashville, 17-15 overall and 5-4 over its just-completed nine-game road swing, could use momentum to boost itself in the PCL American North standings. The last-place Sounds trailed division-leading Memphis by 1 ½ games after Monday's games. First-year Sounds Manager Don Money typically downplayed the significance of the upcoming homestand. "We're not really looking at who we're playing or not playing," he said. "We'll come home and play Reno and (Las Vegas) and do the best we can. We've still got 112 games left. We're not looking at this as that important a series. Every series is important. "(With) a hit here or there, we win the first three games of this series (versus Omaha). Their guys made a couple of good plays on us. We don't worry about that. We just play the best we can and hopefully we come out on top." After winning three of four games at Iowa, the Sounds lost three of their five at Omaha - splitting a Sunday doubleheader to grab the one victory prior to Monday's win. One bright spot through the early portion of the season has been the Nashville bullpen, particularly Chris Smith. The Sounds lead the PCL with 12 saves (in 14 save opportunities). Smith, who saved 15 games for Triple-A Pawtucket last season, has converted seven of his eight chances this year, including back-to-back saves Sunday and Monday. "It's all fallen into place," Money said of Smith's emergence. "We didn't really know what roles guys were going to be in, but it looks like he's going to be the closer. He throws strikes when he comes in, throws all his pitches over (home plate). That's what you need coming into a tight situation. He's done a pretty good job." Among the attractions for the homestand are post-game fireworks on both Friday and Saturday nights as well as an autograph session with Sounds players and coaches prior to Sunday's game.

Link while active, text follows: Manatees finding success Coach: Fundamentals, execution key to winning BY MARK DeCOTIS FLORIDA TODAY Brevard County Manatees manager Mike Guerrero is in the business of developing players, and he has a simple approach. "I am a big believer that winning develops players," he said while filling out his lineup card before Sunday's home game against Clearwater. And the Manatees have been winning, including a nine-game streak that ended last week. Heading into Monday's game, they had won 11 out of their last 13 and 21 of their last 25. They are 22-9 and lead the Class A Florida State League North by five games over Clearwater. But winning doesn't just happen in baseball. It's especially not easy at the long-season Class A level. Players from many different backgrounds are doing their best to improve and to cope with the grind of the 138-game season, many for the first time. Success comes down to two things: fundamentals and execution of those fundamentals. "When you develop the right way and the players play the game the right way and execute, good things are going to come out," said Guerrero, who is in his 14th season as a manager in the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system and his second with the Manatees. "Our guys have done a wonderful job so far and we are looking forward to keep doing it day-by-day, one day at a time." That approach is something Guerrero preaches: Forget about yesterday, don't worry about tomorrow and concentrate on the moment, whether it be stepping up for the next at-bat or facing the next hitter. To that end, although naturally pleased with the progress of his players, it doesn't matter to Guerrero that the Manatees are on a roll. "I don't really care how many games we won in the past," he said. "Today's what is more important." Guerrero isn't concerned about how many games remain in the first half, whether the Manatees finish in first -- guaranteeing themselves a postseason North Division playoff -- or anything in that vein. "When the first half is over, if we're on top, we're on top," he said. "Even when the first half is done, we're not done yet." Development and improvement never end. The Manatees already have lost outfielder and designated hitter Cole Gillespie to Triple-A Nashville, but developing chemistry and an environment where a player can excel are important. Guerrero has a simple approach there, as well: focus on the positives. But still there are expectations. "There's plenty of space to grow in all areas," Guerrero said. The message is resounding in the Manatees clubhouse. "We want to win," said rightfielder Caleb Gindl, a graduate of Pensacola Pace High School who hit a team-leading .333 over the first 30 games, good for third in the FSL. "We're just not going to come out here every day because we're seven games up and lay down. We want to win every game and our goal is not to be up by 10 or whatever. Our goal is to win every single day." It all comes back to Guerrero's mantra: execute and win. "A guy gets on, bunt him over, the next guy gets him in . . . that's what we really concentrate on . . . the situational hitting that we're getting very good at, putting pressure on other teams, stealing bags, doing little things like that. I think we do a very good job of that," Gindl said. "I think they're doing a nice job of development. They really focus on the little things to make you a better player. And they do a very good job of that." The success hasn't been limited to the hitters. The pitching has been stellar and has included a no-hitter from right-hander Evan Anundsen. Right-handed reliever Mark Willinsky, who has an .071 earned run average in 12 2/3 innings, can speak to that. "Timely hitting, timely hitting, we're never out of games because our offense is doing so well and we play defense," said Willinsky who played college ball at Santa Clara University in California. "It's really easy to pitch when guys are making plays behind you." And making those plays has gotten the Manatees to where they are today, no surprise to Willinsky. "When we were in spring training, we were together for a little bit, this team, this group of guys, and you could see there was something special in spring training. I think we have all the right pieces to be a good team." For those good teams, its full circle: Winning develops good players and developing players develops winners. And it all comes down to one thing: execution. "I have to tip my hat to my guys at this time," Guerrero said. "The way they're going about their business is the professional way." Brevard County reliever Mark Willinsky has been solid out of the bullpen for the Manatees this season. ( Photo by Dennis Greenblatt, Brevard County Manatees) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20090512&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=905120332&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Link while active, text follows: Ex-teammate high on Manny Stars' Stern says suspended star works hard to be great By PAUL GATTIS Huntsville Times Sports Staff, paul.gattis@htimes.com Huntsville Stars center fielder Adam Stern played 46 games with the Boston Red Sox as a teammate of Manny Ramirez. Chattanooga Lookouts prospect Andrew Lambo may eventually be Ramirez's replacement in left field with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And both said before Monday's game at Joe Davis Stadium that, when it comes to Manny being Manny, it's all about hard work. "I know Manny Ramirez works harder than anybody on the field," said Lambo, ranked the Dodgers' top prospect by Baseball America. "It may not look like it to people when you see him. "He's the type of person who works when no one's watching. That's the type of person you want to play with." These days, of course, no one is playing with Ramirez - who last week was suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for violating the league's drug policy. According to ESPN.com, Ramirez tested positive for Clomid - a female fertility drug commonly used after a steroid cycle. "He didn't do a good thing," Lambo said. "But don't kid yourself. Manny Ramirez off steroids is still unbelievable. (New York Yankees star) Alex Rodriguez off steroids is still unbelievable. "They didn't need steroids to hit the ball. It was all about playing 160 games. That's the difficulty. Consistently being prepared and being 100 percent at 160 games is the thing." Stern, who spent parts of the 2005 and 2006 seasons with the Red Sox when Ramirez was the slugging hero of New England, assessed Ramirez's work ethic in almost the exact words as Lambo. "He's a hard worker," Stern said. "No one ever sees it, how much he works hard in the weight room and the video room. There are things that goes into his game that people don't see. They just think he shows up. There's a lot of stuff behind it." In fact, Stern said there is a lot about Ramirez that fans often overlook. "I liked him," Stern said. "He was a character. He kept you on your toes in the dugout, kept it light in the clubhouse. You didn't know what he was going to do. Everybody always asks and all I can say is he was great to me." Is he misunderstood? "I think so," Stern said. "I think sometimes he doesn't always make himself available (to the media), so people assume stuff in the media and things snowball on you. Some things get taken out of context. My experience, from what I saw, I thought he was a good guy and a superstar. "He was quite easy to get along with." Lambo's appreciation of Ramirez began last year when he asked Los Angeles Dodgers hitting coach Don Mattingly who the best hitter in baseball was. "Don said 'Absolutely, hands-down, Manny Ramirez,' " Lambo. "I said 'Why?' He said his work ethic is the best I've ever seen. So you've got the best hitting coach in baseball saying his work ethic is unbelievable." Stern said several of his teammates with the Stars asked about Ramirez last week after the suspension was announced. And Stern said he was just as shocked as everybody else. "I would have never guessed - ever - when I played with him," Stern said.

Final: Huntsville 2, Chattanooga (Dodgers) 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary More Ninth Inning Magic for Stars Huntsville Moves Into Top Spot All Alone By Brett Pollock / Huntsville StarsV Vinny Rottino's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth pushed Huntsville past the Lookouts 2-1 Monday night in the opener of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars have won a season-high five in a row to improve to 15-12 and take a one game lead over Tennessee in the North Division, while Chattanooga dropped to 12-19 and five games behind. All six of the Stars' home wins have been decided by a run and they are now 10-5 in one-run games. Kevin Melillo singled with one out in the ninth against Matt Sartor to end a string of 14 straight Huntsville hitters retired. Jonathan Lucroy followed with a fly ball to center field that Adam Godwin got to, got his glove on but couldn't hold on to in front of the wall, which allowed Melillo to advance to third base and Lucroy to second. Drew Anderson was intentionally passed before Rottino lined an 0-2 pitch to left that was caught by Andrew Lambo. Melillo was able to tag and score ahead of the throw home to give the Stars their fifth straight walk-off win on home soil. Stars' starter Chris Cody retired the first 10 batters he faced before issuing back-to-back walks to Russ Mitchell and Josh Bell. However, he battled back to fan Jamie Hoffman and Lambo to end the frame. Cody kept the Lookouts hitless until Mitchell's single with one out in the sixth and took a 1-0 lead into the seventh. Rottino's two-out, run-scoring hit in the fourth had produced the game's lone run to that point. Lambo led off the seventh with a single, moved to third base on a Lucas May double and scored to tie the game on a Godwin infield hit. Juan Gonzalez advanced the two runners with a sacrifice bunt and Cody was removed in favor of Robert Hinton, who got pinch-hitter James Tomlin and Justin Sellers to ground out to keep the game tied. Cody was charged with a run on four hits, while walking two and fanning four over 6 1/3 innings, the longest outing by a Stars' starter this season. Lookouts' starter Jesus Castillo worked six innings, yielding a run on three hits, walking one and striking out a season-high six. He set down the last seven batters he faced and was followed to the mound by Jesus Rodriguez, who threw two perfect innings. Sartor started the ninth and suffered his second loss, while Omar Aguilar threw a shutout ninth inning to grab his first win. The series continues Tuesday night with right-hander Jeremy Jeffress taking the hill for the Stars against Lookouts' right-hander Travis Chick. 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 Super-clutch work by Robert Hinton; FYI -- Johnny Raburn getting the starts at second base as of late, Shane Justis is home with the loss of his grandfather, our best to his family; the Huntsville Times notes that Adam Stern singled in the first and now has a nine-game hitting streak and that Hinton hasn't allowed a run in his last 9 1/3 innings over eight games... Huntsville Game Log

Final: Clearwater (Phillies) 4, Brevard County 3, ten innings Brevard County Box Score The 549 in attendance got their money's worth in this one. Not sure why we're not getting a game summary from the 'Tees for these recent home games, but if ever we suggested to review the game log, this would be the time to do so -- you can almost chew on the late-inning tension; the Manatees were down 2-1 heading into the bottom of the 9th when a Zelous Wheeler sacrifice fly tied the game. Brevard then loaded the bases with one out setting things up nicely for Brent Brewer, who is just struggling mightily, and did so again in this at-bat, striking out. Steffan Wilson grounded out and on to the 10th they went. Mark Willinsky surrendered two runs in the top of the 10th, but Brevard fought on, and had the bases loaded with one out and Caleb Gindl at the plate. A wild pitch brough the boys within one and all the runners moved up. The normally reliable Gindl then struck out however, as did Chris Errecart to end the game, but obviously Gindl's one-out at-bat, like Brewer's the inning before, was the key there. Brevard County Game Log Did Brent Brewer and his .545 OPS get a "mental break" by acting as the designated hitter? 0-for-5 says it didn't help; it's cool that Zelous Wheeler can fill in at shortstop; Eric Farris with three singles and a walk, but didn't score; Wheeler walked three times, Chris Errecart reached base three times; left-on-base -- oh yeah, tons, Manatees stranded 17, that must be a season high for the organization; Josh Butler with an impressive seven innings...

Chris Cody is pitching well in a "you-should-start-to-listen-in" kind of way (wink, wink).

Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Tony Gwynn photo, text follows -- Sounds Take Series Finale, 5-3 OMAHA , Neb. - The Nashville Sounds won the final game of a five-game series, 5-3, on Monday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. Outfielder Tony Gwynn led the way for the Sounds, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and his first home run of the season. The Royals on the day stranded 14 men on-base and went a combined 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position. The Sounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead when Gwynn homered to right field on the second pitch of the game from Bruce Chen. Gwynn's leadoff shot was his first home run in 167 at-bats, leading back to August of last year, and was the first game opening home run since Callix Crabbe on July 27, 2007 vs. Fresno. AUDIO: Tony Gwynn Leadoff Home Run Joe Koshanksy's sacrifice fly scored Alcides Escobar, giving the Sounds a 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Kila Ka'aihue knotted the score at 2-2 with his double in the bottom of the first inning that scored Irving Falu and Brayan Pena. The Royals rallied in the bottom of the fifth inning to load the bases off starter Lindsay Gulin. Reliever David Johnson came in with no outs and allowed Brian Buchanan to single home Ka'aihie for a Royals 3-2 lead. Johnson was able to get out of the inning only surrendering one run and striking out two in the process. Nashville was able to tie the game at 3-3 in the next frame with Jason Bourgeois' two-out RBI single, scoring Erick Almonte. Leading off the top of the seventh, Gwynn singled to centerfield, collecting his third hit of the afternoon. Gwynn then stole second base on the first pitch to Escobar. Newly activated Mike Rivera, on Major League rehab from Milwaukee with a sprained left ankle, knocked in Gwynn for a Sounds 4-3 lead. Koshanksy extended the lead to 5-3 with his two-out RBI single that scored Escobar. All of Koshanksy's 20 RBIs have come on the road this season. The Royals loaded the bases again in the bottom of the eighth inning, but were unable to produce a run. R.J. Swindle relieved Johnson with the bases loaded, but got Ed Lucas and Falu to ground out, surrendering no runs. Chris Smith came in the ninth and got the Royals out in order, picking up his seventh save of the season. Johnson (1-0) earned his first win of the season, pitching 2.1 innings and striking out three. Greg Atencio received the loss for Omaha, allowing three runs over 1.1 innings. The Sounds return to Nashville and open an eight-game homestand tomorrow at 7:00 PM at Greer Stadium by welcoming the Reno Aces (AAA-Diamondbacks) to town for the clubs' lone series of the year. Reno is a new PCL franchise in 2009, replacing the Tucson Sidewinders. Sounds starter Mike Burns (4.0, 2.63) takes the hill to face Reno's Billy Bucker (1-1, 5.29). Nashville Box Score Alcides Escobar three walks (not a misprint), and he stole his 16th base in 19 attempts (commented in his interview he'd like to steal 60-70 this season); Mike Rivera 0-for-4 with the RBI in his first rehab game... Nashville Game Log Mat Gamel handled three groundouts and a pop-up cleanly...

Final: Nashville 5, Omaha (Royals) 3 Turns out the Tony Gwynn home run hit the foul pole, so it may or may not have actually "left the yard". http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif Full details from the Sounds' site later this afternoon...

Baseball America reports the Brewers have signed 22-year-old RHP Ivan Rusova, by way of the Ukraine, Cuba, Newfoundland, and Toronto (2005 article explains that). Plenty of video available on the kid the Pirates released this past April after a season in his system. He saw time in the Giants' system in 2006 and 2007. Career statistics show 36 walks in 29 innings.

Wow, continuing today's theme with the Sounds now up 5-3 after seven -- another escape act, this time when R.J. Swindle came on for David Johnson: Omaha Bottom 7th Defensive Substitution: Angel Salome replaces catcher Mike Rivera, batting 4th, playing catcher. J. R. House flies out to center fielder Tony Gwynn. Travis Metcalf singles on a line drive to left fielder Cole Gillespie. Brian Buchanan doubles (3) on a fly ball to left fielder Cole Gillespie. Travis Metcalf to 3rd. Pitching change: LHP R.J. Swindle in for RHP David Johnson. Tommy Murphy hit by pitch. Ed Lucas grounds into a force out, third baseman Mat Gamel to catcher Angel Salome. Travis Metcalf out at home. Brian Buchanan to 3rd. Tommy Murphy to 2nd. Ed Lucas to 1st. Irving Falu grounds into a force out, fielded by third baseman Mat Gamel. Tommy Murphy out at 3rd.