Jim Goulart

Rattler Radio Blog: May 2, 2009 Game Notes THREE DOUBLE PLAYS, NONE ROUTINE: The Loons lined into a trio of double plays last night. Lawrie turned an unassisted double play in the fourth inning. The second baseman snagged a liner and stepped on second to double off the runner. In the seventh, shortstop Michael Marseco caught a line drive and fired to Lawrie to double another runner off second. In the eighth, Dykstra caught a line drive in center and threw to first to double a runner off. May 2, 2009 Starting Pitcher (Trey Watten) May 2, 2009 Starting Lineup (Corey Kemp cleanup at DH, Shawn Zarraga behind the plate)

Nashville Media Notes: 'HEE' GONE; ALMONTE REJOINS SOUNDS: Infielder Adam Heether was transferred to Double-A Huntsville this morning after opening the year by batting .375 (9-for-24) in eight games for the Sounds. His departure clears a roster spot for returning infielder Erick Almonte, who was on the Sounds' temporary inactive list for the past two days while home in the Dominican Republic to join his wife for the birth of the couple's child. Almonte has batted .263 (10-for-38) with six RBIs in 15 contests for Nashville in 2009.

News via Huntsville: The Milwaukee Brewers and Huntsville Stars announced today that INF Adam Heether has been assigned to Huntsville. Heether spent parts of the 2005 and 2006 seasons and all of the 2007 season in Huntsville. He spent 2008 and the beginning of this season in Nashville (AAA). Also, yesterday (April 30) the Brewers assigned Stars 1B Chris Errecart to single-A Brevard County. Heether will be in uniform for the Stars for tonight's doubleheader against the Tennessee Smokies. No word yet on a corresponding move for Brevard County to free up that roster spot. You would think Heether would be in line for more AB's in Huntsville, as the AA team gets even more "veteran". Adam must be counting the days until he hits minor league free agency next October and can select an organization that might best provide an opportunity, given that several should be interested for a AAA spot. Unless this is a move because Chris Errecart needs to DH for a while, Errecart has definitely dropped off, or nearly off, the prospect radar scereen.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 13 8 .619 - 9-4 4-4 W3 Omaha 12 8 .600 0.5 4-3 8-5 W2 Iowa 13 9 .591 0.5 6-2 7-7 L3 Nashville 11 10 .524 2.0 5-8 6-2 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 11 9 .550 - 5-4 6-5 W2 Huntsville 10 11 .476 1.5 5-6 5-5 L4 West Tenn 9 12 .429 2.5 5-4 4-8 L2 Carolina 8 14 .364 4.0 2-5 6-9 L3 Chattanooga 8 14 .364 4.0 5-5 3-9 W5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 15 6 .714 - 8-2 7-4 W4 Clearwater 12 9 .571 3.0 6-5 6-4 W1 Daytona 9 12 .429 6.0 5-6 4-6 L4 Dunedin 9 12 .429 6.0 3-7 6-5 W2 Lakeland 9 12 .429 6.0 6-5 3-7 L1 Tampa 9 12 .429 6.0 4-6 5-6 L3

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):

Midwest League Standings

Follow Saturday'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 Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_omaaaa_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_omaaaa_nasaaa_2 Huntsville Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_tenaax_hunaax_1 Huntsville Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_tenaax_hunaax_2 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_lakafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_05_02_lanafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

Saturday's Daily Menu: Full plate... 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 and LHP Chase Wright in a doubleheader at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 4:45 PM pre-game; 5:00 gametime; each contest seven innings Huntsville: LHP Chris Cody and TBD (it's Bobby Bramhall's turn) in a twinbill at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 3:45 PM pre-game; 4:00 gametime; each contest seven innings Brevard County: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 6:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: RHP Trey Watten at home vs. Lansing (Blue Jays), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

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Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers' Duran breaks out with a solid night in victory over Great Lakes By Cory Jennerjohn Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - It was a night of firsts for Jose Duran. The kid with the catchy last name - if you're a fan of a certain 80s band - got his first hit and first RBI in a Timber Rattlers uniform Friday night as Wisconsin beat Great Lakes 6-4. Duran ignited the Timber Rattlers offense in the bottom of the third with a leadoff triple to right-center that one-hopped the 405-foot fence. "He had a tough first game, but he proved what kind of character he has and comes back in a second chance and makes the most of it," said designated hitter Corey Kemp, noting Duran's zero-for-three outing in his Rattlers debut on April 28 compared to going three-for-four with three RBI on Friday. "He's the all-star of the game tonight." One inning later, he notched his first RBI with a fielder's choice ground ball to score Kemp. But Duran wasn't finished. He laced a two-out single to right to score Juan Sanchez and Kemp in the sixth, giving the Rattlers much-needed insurance. That prompted the former Texas A&M star and 2008 Big 12 player of the year to smack his hands at second. "The base hit there to score two runs kind of opened up that game for us," said Wisconsin manager Jeff Isom. "A welcome addition to our club and he came up with a big one right there." Duran, 22, joined the club after being a sixth-round draft choice last year and playing for the rookie league Helena Brewers. Despite not making the Rattlers' opening-day roster, he has remained "Hungry Like The Wolf." "Your initial reaction is you're a little down because you didn't make the team," said Duran. "Unfortunately, (John) Delaney got hurt and then they called me up. But you just got to work hard, try and try to get out there every day." The baseball bloodlines run deep for Duran. His 24-year-old brother German is a third baseman for the Texas Rangers. He admitted that they don't talk much after each one has a lousy game, but coyly said that he would be sending his brother a text message after raising his average from .000 to .429 as a Timber Rattler. Aside from Wisconsin (9-11) winning its second straight home series, it made a glaring mistake. In the third, after Brett Lawrie singled to right, Cutter Dykstra was called out at the plate trying to score from second and Sanchez, who was trailing Dykstra by about 10 feet, also found the same fate from the umpire while trying to score from first. "It comes down to bad baserunning in that situation," Isom said. "We've got to be able to score that first run easily and I would've probably held up the second run."

Final: Wisconsin 6, Great Lakes (Dodgers) 4 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Duran rocks Loons By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Jose Duran had three hits and three runs in his first start at Time Warner Cable Field to help the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 6-4 win over the Great Lakes Loons on Friday night. Duran, the 6th round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2008 draft, collected a triple and two singles in the Rattler victory. Wisconsin (9-11) got a pair of runs in the third inning. Duran, who just joined the Timber Rattlers from extended spring training on Monday evening, tripled to start the inning and Sean McCraw drove him in with a sacrifice fly. Michael Marseco doubled and Cutter Dykstra singled to put two on with one out. Juan Sanchez drove in Marseco with a single while Dykstra moved to second. Brett Lawrie was next and he lined a pitch to the gap in right-center. That was when the confusion started. Dykstra went back to second to tag up in case the ball was caught. But, Sanchez was running all out to second on contact. Dykstra reversed course and headed for third as rightfielder Jerry Sands tracked down the ball at the wall. Both Dykstra and Sanchez rounded third and headed for home as the relay from second baseman Jaime Pedroza came to the plate. Catcher Tony Delmonico tagged out Dykstra who slid to the back side of home plate and Sanchez who slid to the front side of the plate within a split second for an inning ending double play. Delmonico got the Loons (11-10) to within a run in the top of the fourth on an RBI single. Wisconsin rallied for a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI fielder's choice by Duran. But, the Loons made it a one run game again on an RBI single by Austin Gallagher in the top of the fifth. The score remained 3-2 until the bottom of the sixth inning. Duran delivered a two-out, two-run single with the bases loaded to give Wisconsin a little breathing room. A wild pitch later in the inning allowed a run to score and give the Rattlers a 6-2 lead. A balk by Rattler reliever Brandon Ritchie allowed a Great Lakes run to score in the top of the seventh. Rattler closer Jim Henderson allowed a run on a two-out single by Pedroza in the ninth, but he collected his sixth save of the season by getting the final out. The Timber Rattlers begin a three game series with the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night. Trey Watten (1-2, 3.45) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Lansing counters with Henderson Alvarez (1-3, 5.21) game time is 6:35 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Cody Scarpetta walked three in the first, stranded them all; not sure why the Great Lakes outfielder wasn't given two assists on the bizarre play at the plate... Wisconsin Game Log

Final: Brevard County 2, Lakeland (Tigers) 0 Brevard County Site Game Summary Butler, Manatees Blank Flying Tigers, 2-0 By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees Josh Butler pitched six scoreless innings, and the Brevard County bullpen took care of the rest Friday night as the Manatees shut out Lakeland, 2-0. With the win, Brevard County has now won four straight games, and 14 of their last 16. At 15-6, the Manatees have opened up a three-game lead over second-place Clearwater in the FSL North Division. Butler (4-0) continued his strong season, allowing just three hits and one walk to the Flying Tigers while striking out three. He is now tied for the FSL lead in wins with Darin Downs of Charlotte. Zach Braddock, John Axford, and Rob Wooten combined to allow just one hit in their three innings out of the bullpen, and struck out five. Wooten earned his sixth save in as many attempts, tying him for the FSL lead. He has allowed just one run in 9.1 innings, and has fanned 14. The Manatees piled up 12 hits on Lakeland, but struggled to string together a rally. They pushed across the first run of the game when Sergio Miranda doubled to center field, scoring Lee Haydel. Zelous Wheeler also tried to score on the play, but was gunned down at the plate. The Manatees added their second and final run in the fifth inning, when Haydel roped a single to right field, scoring Eric Farris from second. Both runs were charged to losing pitcher L.J. Gagnier, who dropped to 1-2. Miranda and Farris led the Manatee offense with three hits apiece. Miranda also had two doubles for the second consecutive game, while Farris stole three bases, giving him 12 for the season, second-most in the FSL. Haydel and Wheeler each added two hits. The two teams meet again Saturday night. Mark Rogers (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will look to extend the Manatees' winning streak, as he takes on the Flying Tigers' Andrew Hess (1-1, 2.25 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). Brevard County Box Score Eric Farris 12-for-12 in steals -- last season at West Virginia he was 32-for-42; is Steffan Wilson being labeled a DH already -- Sergio Miranda seeing action at first base as of late... Brevard County Game Log Josh Butler continued his strong season, improving to 4-0 and lowering his ERA to 2.96. (MiLB.com photo by Dennis Greenblatt) http://brevardcounty.manatees.milb.com/images/2009/05/01/2gcDvEqe.jpg

Just wanted to say that all the comments like the ones above are always appreciated, all are insightful and really add to the Link Report overall. To both our Link Report regulars and any newbies who wish to chime in likewise, thanks! Stars and Smokies Washed Out By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Due to heavy rain throughout the day, the Huntsville Stars and Tennessee Smokies have been rained out on Friday night. The teams will play two seven inning games on Saturday afternoon beginning at 4 pm central time. Coverage of Stars baseball can be heard at www.huntsvillestars.com and will begin at 3:45 PM central time on Saturday afternoon.

Of course, you could be cheering Cody's first name and last name, or well, if Scarpetta actually found out he was Chris' long lost brother, he'd be Cody Cody...

Rattler Radio Blog: Pitching Matchups (vs. Lansing) (starting Saturday) May 1, 2009 Game Notes -- includes this -- NUMBER NINE: Rattler outfielder Erik Miller went 1-for-2 last night to extend his current hitting streak to nine games, the longest streak by a Rattler this season. He is 12-for-34 (.353) during the streak. This hitting streak is Miller's longest streak as a professional. May 1, 2009 Starting Pitcher (Cody Scarpetta coming off a tough relief stint) May 1, 2009 Starting Lineup Sports Bubbler -- Chris Mehring on the Rattlers' week and middle of the night bus arrivals

Good for Stephen Chapman (and agent39) -- Chapman was signed quickly out of the independent ranks by the Cincinnati Reds organization.

The note and the discussion actually fell within our Transaction thread. When the suspension was first announced, there was no indication why, so it all got updated there. Since it's probably our most-read thread, just as well this time around, but thanks. We'll leave this thread open in case this specific item is to be discussed further beyond what was in the linked thread above.

Midwest League Standings

Follow Friday'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_05_01_tenaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_01_lakafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_05_01_swmafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! 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: Rained out Huntsville: LHP Chris Cody at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Brevard County: RHP Josh Butler at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 6:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: RHP Cody Scarpetta at home vs. Great Lakes (Dodgers), 6:20 PM pre-game, 6:35 gametime

Update from Nashville: Sounds, Royals Rained Out Tonight Tonight's scheduled 7 p.m. game between the Nashville Sounds and Omaha Royals at Greer Stadium has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a 5 p.m. CT doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, May 2nd. Right-hander Mike Burns (2-0, 3.91) will make the start for Nashville in Saturday's first game to face Omaha left-hander Lenny DiNardo (1-0, 3.00). Sounds left-hander Chase Wright (1-2, 4.09) will toe the rubber in the nightcap to square off against Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar (4-0, 1.44).

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To fill the open roster spot at high-A, LHP Zach Braddock has been activated from the Brevard County disabled list, as he's working his way back from nerve-related arm surgery. Sweet! The already most interesting (and productive) affiliate roster thus far gets a nice surprise addition.

Link while active, text follows: Soft-tossing Cody still effective Southern League's pitcher of the week does it without heat By PAUL GATTIS Huntsville Times Sports Staff, paul.gattis@htimes.com Chris Cody leaned against a wall in the Huntsville Stars clubhouse Thursday, striking a most unimposing look. Hitters get much the same view when they look at Cody on the mound. He's only 6-foot tall, and at 180 pounds he does less damage to the scales than any other pitcher on the Stars. Cody's fastball isn't going to scare hitters either - topping out at about 85 mph. But somehow, this smallish pitcher with the smallish fastball is getting huge results. "That's the key to being a pitcher, having confidence," Cody said. "You have to have that swagger about you." Check out this swagger: Cody is 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 21 innings. On Monday he was named Southern League pitcher of the week. "The best thing about him is that he's not afraid to pitch inside," Stars manager Bob Miscik said. "That sets up everything else." The Stars are 4-0 in games Cody has started - a string that will be on the line tonight when Cody goes against the Tennessee Smokies. But this is nothing new for Cody and his not-so-fastball. In 51 minor-league games coming into the season, Cody had an ERA of 2.12 with 261 strikeouts in 285 innings. Still, can Cody keep advancing toward the majors the way his numbers suggest in spite of the numbers on the radar gun? "He'll go to the next level and see if it's good enough," Miscik said. "He is what he is." You won't find Cody listed among the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospects - not with an 85 mph fastball. Of course, among the 16 pitchers in the Brewers' top 30 prospects as rated by Baseball America, none have an ERA close to Cody's career mark - now at 2.06. "That's all right," Cody said. "That's the way it's always been. It doesn't really bother me. I just let the numbers do the talking. "A lot of people like the radar gun and I've never been a radar gun type of guy." And given the choice between a big ERA or a small fastball, it's a no-brainer. "For me to worry about my velocity when I'm putting up zeroes would be pretty foolish," Cody said. "When my fastball starts getting hit hard, then maybe I'll start worrying about how hard I'm throwing." Relaxed as Cody sounds about his pitching, that's how he pitches - delivering the ball with a smooth, easy motion that actually makes his fastball seem a bit faster than it really is. "It's not a max-effort deal," Miscik said. "It's loose and the ball gets on you a little quicker than the hitters think. That's the deceptive part." While Cody mixes in his fastball, his best pitch is a change-up that Miscik said is "above average." Cody also has developed a cut fastball. But with pinpoint control with the fastball on the inside corner, Cody keeps getting outs. "There's a lot of stuff I can still work on, that's for sure," he said. "I'm not perfect. But luck has been on my side."