Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: (written from the perspective of last week, posted online today) This kid can't miss, or can he? By Terry McCormick, Nashville City Paper Mat Gamel's bat has him on the fast track to reach the major leagues. His glovework is apparently the only roadblock between here and Milwaukee. Just through the first five games of the Nashville Sounds season, the highly regarded third baseman has shown exactly what his past few seasons have suggested about him. He has opened the year batting a scorching .556 with two home runs and 10 RBIs already. Of course, those slow-pitch softball numbers won't continue all year, but as advertised, Gamel is quite the hitting prospect. On the other hand, however, is the defense, where Gamel is still adjusting and trying to improve his fielding to the point where the Brewers can take full advantage of his potent offensive abilities. Gamel already has three errors in five games at third base, including a 10th inning error against New Orleans on last Sunday that opened the floodgates for six runs in the extra frame of an 11-5 loss. In Monday's 4-3 victory over Oklahoma City, Gamel hammered a home run and had a fielding error as well. Gamel is well aware that while he is quite the hitting prospect that there is work to be done before he is a finished product ready for an extended stay in the big leagues. "I'd love to start up in Milwaukee, but this is a good learning experience to see what I have to work on and improve on to better my chances to stay up there," Gamel said. He has a good mentor and instructor in Sounds manager Don Money, himself a former major league third baseman and veteran of 16 major league seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Brewers. "He put good numbers up. That's how you get on the fast track. He had very solid numbers last year in '08 and he hit .300 in '07," said Money, who managed Gamel at Double-A Huntsville last year. "His Achilles heel is his defense, and he made very solid progress from '07 to '08 and now we just have to continue making progress from '08 to '09." Gamel batted .329 for the Huntsville Stars last year, then got a five-game call-up with the Sounds where he batted .238, and even got two at-bats and his first major league hit last September with the Brewers. Defensively, however, Gamel has been a work in progress. He had 34 errors at third base in 2006, his first full year of pro ball, 53 errors in the Class A Florida State League in 2007 and 32 more last year. But Money is seeing improvement. "He made 55 errors or whatever it was. Hopefully, you get better," Money said. "When I asked him, I said, 'What's your problem - throwing or fielding.' And he said 50-50. I said, 'We're going to eliminate a lot of your throwing errors, because that's all footwork, and his footwork was all fouled up." The throwing error on Sunday came because Gamel didn't square his body after making a nice stop, according to Money. But the manager hopes to use it as a learning tool. "I said, 'Just tell me you knew what you did wrong,'" Money said. "And he said, 'I didn't get my shoulders turned." So at least he knew what he did wrong. Our job is to get these players ready. We're trying to win, too. You're trying to win as many games as you can. It's our job to get them ready, make sure they get their work done." Gamel knows there is work to be done, in all aspects of his game, such as making the jump up another level and facing the tougher pitching before going on to the majors. But he is trying to shore up the defensive aspect of his game as well. "I have lots to work on at third base and just defense in general. I'm starting to get more comfortable. But I just have to keep working on it every day," Gamel said. Gamel also doesn't take his status as a top prospect - he was a fourth-round pick out of Chipola Junior College in Florida in 2005 - for granted either. "It doesn't mean I'm going to get to the big leagues. You've still got to come out and play the game and do a lot of other things to get there," Gamel said. "I just try to come out and focus on what I'm supposed to focus on, which is here in Nashville. Hopefully, I get a call-up, but in the same breath, I can't worry about when it's going to happen, because then I won't be focused 100 percent on what I have to do here." Is there the thought of doing with Gamel what the Brewers eventually did with Ryan Braun just to get Gamel's potent left-handed bat in the lineup? Braun started out as a third baseman, tore Triple-A pitching apart at Nashville for about six week in 2007 and went on to be National League Rookie of the Year in just 113 games with a .324 average and 34 homers for the Brewers. It was his 26 errors at third that eventually shuttled him to the outfield for good the next spring. "We'll have to determine all those things," said Money, pointing out that third base is still the priority for Gamel. For his part, Gamel is most comfortable at the hot corner as well, saying, "I've been a third baseman since I can remember." So for now and the foreseeable future, Gamel will work on his game in Nashville, readying for a call to Milwaukee that both he and the Brewers hope is permanent. And he won't assume a call-up is in the works, until he knows for sure. "Right now, we're just waiting for him to get more innings and at-bats under his belt and to be more successful at the Triple-A level," Money said. "He had a very good year at the High-A level, a solid year last year and defensively got better. This year, we have to see him get better. "Third base is just waiting for him in Milwaukee. It's just a matter of time when he gets there." Photo by Mike Strasinger for The City Paper Mat Gamel hopes his time with the Sounds will help him get to and stay in 'the show.' http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/files/citypaper/imagecache/story_floated/images/Sounds_gamel1.jpg

Link while active, text follows: Ex-Sound Mark DiFelice sees persistence pay in a big way By Bryan Mullen THE TENNESSEAN Instead of postgame meals of hot dogs and chicken fingers, Mark DiFelice feasts on steak, lobster, shrimp and pasta. Instead of bus trips and commercial planes, there are luxurious chartered flights with every amenity imaginable. He plays in the best parks and gets the best perks. And the salary? That's the best part. Mark DiFelice spent more than a decade in the minor leagues, including most of last season with the Nashville Sounds. Now the affable 32-year-old pitcher has been thrust into a fantasy world as a dependable relief pitcher with the Milwaukee Brewers. It's a dream not lost on the 25 current members of the Nashville Sounds, who are all-too-aware that they're just one phone call from what baseball players call "The Show." "I shake my head at it," DiFelice said of his new environment. "I spent 11 years in the minor leagues. It makes every one of those years so worth it." DiFelice, who has a 1.29 ERA in five games this season, made approximately $9,000 a month last season with the Sounds. Not bad money at all, but his recent bump in pay is life-changing. He makes the league minimum of $400,000 with the Brewers, which comes to more than $33,000 a month. "If I make the minimum the rest of my career, I'll be happy," DiFelice said. He allowed himself a gift recently and purchased a new Chevy Tahoe. But DiFelice is quick to point out that he is cautious. With a plummeting economy, he doesn't want to come across as unappreciative. And he also doesn't know exactly how long he'll remain in the big leagues. One bad inning or one sore shoulder could find him back in Nashville. "When you first get up (to the majors), you don't know how long you're going to stick," DiFelice said. "I didn't want to blow all my money. I'm trying to do the things where I can be around for a few more years. Talking to the guys, they say if I keep throwing my pitch - my cutter - you're going to have success for years to come. Lord willing, I stay healthy. We'll see." It's 'Show' time After toiling through the minors for more than a decade, shoulder surgery in 2001, and after playing independent league baseball just three seasons ago, DiFelice got the call last season after posting solid numbers for the Sounds. In his Major League debut, he faced one of the more potent 2-3-4 combos in baseball history. First up was American League MVP Dustin Pedroia, then David Ortiz, then Manny Ramirez. "Pedroia hit a double off the Green Monster, Ortiz hit a two-run home run, and I struck out Manny Ramirez," DiFelice said laughing. "It was a crazy debut. I started out with a 27.00 ERA but worked it all the way down to like a 2.84." After settling in, the Pennsylvania native made 14 more appearances before the season ended. After spring training this year, he was one of the last players added to the Brewers' big league roster. "It makes you realize how close you are to being there because he was a guy I played with the last few years," said current Sounds outfielder Brendan Katin, 26, who is in his fifth professional season. "You do get envious a little bit, but you try to be happy for those guys." Sounds reliever Lindsay Gulin sees DiFelice's move as a reason to stay optimistic. Gulin, 32, is the same age as DiFelice. He is in his 15th professional season but has yet to be called up to the majors. "The dream is to make it to the big leagues," Gulin said. "DiFelice worked 11 years to follow his dream and he made it, and deservedly so. It's good to see someone who has put in the time to get that opportunity." The pressure to perform well against the world's best hitters can be overwhelming, however. DiFelice said he is becoming more comfortable with every pitch he throws, and is going to make the most of his big break. "Baseball is all about right place, right time," DiFelice said. "Throughout my career, things never really worked out for me. But then I came over with the Brewers and everything clicked. I just got that opportunity and the next thing you know, I'm having a pretty good go of it." Additional Facts MARK DIFELICE FILE Height/weight. 6-2/190 Position. Relief pitcher Age. 32 Residence. Havertown, Pa. Note. After spending 11 seasons in the minors, made his Major-League last year with the Milwaukee Brewers and pitched in 15 games. … Currently has a 1.29 ERA in five games with the Brewers. … Went 5-1 with a 3.22 ERA in Nashville last season. … Played college baseball at Western Carolina … Selected by Colorado in the 15th round of the June 1999 draft. Photo by SCOTT PAULUS / MILWAUKEE BREWERS http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20090420&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=904200341&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Nashville Press Release on Trevor Hoffman's scheduled AAA rehab stint

Link while active, text follows: Zephyrs find offense, still fall to Sounds by Bob Fortus, Times-Picayune The game Sunday was baseball, not hockey, but the Nashville Sounds went on the power play against the Zephyrs at Zephyr Field. Joe Koshansky homered over the swimming pool in right field to give the Sounds the lead in the seventh, and Mat Gamel hit a two-run homer onto the levee in center in the eighth to boost Nashville past the Zephyrs 9-7. Hernan Iribarren also hit a home run for the Sounds. Matt Ginter (1-1) pitched one inning for the victory, and Chris Narveson pitched the ninth for his third save this season. The Zephyrs, who scored two runs in the first two games of the series, broke out of their offensive funk. Andy Gonzalez hit a three-run double, Manny Mayorson had three hits, and Dave Matranga led off the ninth with a homer for the final run for New Orleans. But the Zephyrs couldn't avoid their fourth consecutive loss. With the score tied at 6 and one out in the seventh, Koshansky unloaded on a pitch from Carlos Martinez (0-1), and the ball sailed into the trees behind the pool. "A 1-1 slider kind of stayed up and over the plate," said Koshansky, who is 5-for-11 in the series after starting the season 1-for-17. "It was a struggle the first eight games at home. It was pretty bad." Gamel, who hit .329 last year at Double-A Huntsville before getting brief trials with the Sounds and the Milwaukee Brewers, is off to a fast start this season. He drove home three runs Sunday and is batting .436 with three homers and 14 RBIs. "I felt good last year," said Gamel, 23. "I feel like I'm carrying over my approach, trying to get better." The Zephyrs left the bases loaded without scoring in the second and third innings against Nashville starter Lindsay Gulin. But Gonzalez came through with the bases loaded and two out in the fourth. After fouling off two 3-2 pitches, he lined a three-run double down the left-field line to give New Orleans a 4-2 lead. Nashville scored in the fifth on a sacrifice fly by Gamel off reliever Jason Standridge, but the Zephyrs answered with two runs against Dave Johnson in the bottom of the inning. John Raynor hit an RBI double, and Gaby Sanchez hit an RBI single. The Sounds tied the score with three runs in the sixth. After Jason Bourgeois hit an RBI single, Martinez relieved Standridge with runners on first and second and one out. Pinch-hitter Erick Almonte greeted Martinez with an RBI single. With two outs, Alcides Escobar singled home Bourgeois from second with the tying run. "They're good hitters," Zephyrs Manager Edwin Rodriguez said of the Sounds. "They're a good team. One through eight, they're good hitters." The Zephyrs took their first lead at home this season with a run in the first inning. With one out, Mayorson drove the ball over the head of left fielder Bourgeois for a double, and John Lindsay drove Mayorson home from second with a two-out single. Nashville tied the score in the second when Irabarren hit a homer off Zephyrs starter Mike Wood onto the levee in right center. A snappy double play helped Wood avoid trouble in the third. With one out and Tony Gwynn Jr. breaking from first on the pitch, second baseman Mayorson made a backhand stop of a hard grounder hit by Escobar. While on the ground, Mayorson flipped the ball to shortstop Gonzalez, who made a quick relay to first. The Sounds took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Angel Salome. NOTES: Zephyrs right-hander Brett Sinkbeil (1-1, 11.57 ERA) will pitch against Sounds left-hander Sam Narron (0-1, 4.50) in the final game of the four-game series. Game time is 11:30 a.m. ... Sanchez extended his hitting streak to 10 games. ... Irabarren is 7-for-14 with five RBIs in the series. ... After being thrown out at the plate by Zephyrs left fielder Raynor in the seventh inning, Salome was ejected by plate umpire Will Robinson.

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Nick Green Young man sounds very personable, likable... Final: Nashville 9, New Orleans (Marlins) 7 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Joe Koshansky photo, text follows -- Sounds Win Third In A Row In New Orleans METAIRIE, La. - The Nashville Sounds recorded their third straight win at Zephyr Field on Sunday afternoon, coming from behind to prevail in a see-saw 9-7 battle against the New Orleans Zephyrs in the third game of a four-game series. Every starting Nashville position player recorded a hit in the contest, led by two-knock efforts from shortstop Alcides Escobar, catcher Angel Salome, and second baseman Hernan Iribarren. Third baseman Mat Gamel homered and drove in a team-high three runs for the Sounds. New Orleans (4-7) grabbed a 1-0 lead against Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin in the bottom of the first inning. Manny Mayorson (3-for-4) ripped a one-out double and later scored the game's first run on John Lindsey's two-out RBI single. Sounds second baseman Hernan Iribarren evened the tilt in the second when he slugged his first home run in 449 at-bats, a two-out solo shot to center off Z's starter Mike Wood. The blast, which extended the infielder's hitting streak to a team-best 10 straight contests, was his first since August 17, 2007. Nashville pulled ahead in the fourth when Brendan Katin extended his hitting streak to eight games with a one-out triple off Wood then hustled home two batters later on an Angel Salome groundout. The Zephyrs responded in the bottom of the frame, taking a 4-2 lead with a two-out rally as a pair of walks came back to haunt Gulin. Mayorson reached on a one-out single before the Sounds left-hander issued free passes to Gaby Sanchez and Jai Miller to load the bases for shortstop Andy Gonzalez, who ripped a three-run double to left to chase Gulin and put the home club back in front. The Sounds (6-5) pulled back within a run at 4-3 in the top of the fifth when Jason Bourgeois scored on a Mat Gamel sacrifice fly off Z's reliever Jason Standridge. New Orleans added two more to its lead in the bottom of the fifth against Sounds reliever David Johnson on a John Raynor RBI double and a Sanchez run-scoring single. Nashville rallied to tie the contest with a three-run sixth as Carlos Martinez suffered a blown save for the Z's. Joe Koshansky walked and Angel Salome singled to open the frame before an Iribarren fielder's choice put runners on the corners with one out. Bourgeois delivered an RBI single to right to chase Standridge and reduce the deficit to 6-4. After Martinez took over on the hill, Sounds pinch-hitter Erick Almonte greeted the right-hander with a run-scoring single to center. Two batters later, Alcides Escobar knotted the score at 6-6 with a two-out RBI single to left that brought in Bourgeois. As the back-and-forth battle continued, Koshansky put the Sounds back in front, 7-6, in the top of the seventh when he belted his first home run of the year, a one-out solo shot to right off Martinez. AUDIO: Koshansky Go-Ahead HR Nashville's opportunity to pad the lead later in the frame was thwarted when pinch-hitter Jason Tyner stepped to the plate with the bases full but flew into an inning-ending double play that saw Salome thrown out at the plate by Raynor, the Z's left fielder. Salome was ejected following the play by the home plate umpire for protesting the out call. Gamel - the Sounds' leading hitter and RBI man this season - provided a pair of insurance runs in the eighth when he slugged his team-leading third home run of the year, a two-run shot to right-center off Z's reliever John Koronka. The Brewers' #2 prospect leads Nashville with a .436 average and 14 RBIs. Reliever Matt Ginter (1-1) picked up the win for Nashville after working a scoreless inning. Ryan Houston worked two scoreless frames behind Ginter before turning things over to Chris Narveson. Veteran infielder Dave Matranga greeted the left-hander with a solo homer to open the ninth, his second roundtripper of the year, to pull the home club within 9-7. Narveson recovered from the blast to record the final three outs and nail down his third save of the year. Martinez (0-1) took the loss for New Orleans after giving one run of his own as well as two inherited runs in his 1 2/3 frames. Neither starter factored in the decision. Gulin gave up four runs on six hits while walking seven batters and striking out three over 3 2/3 frames in his initial start of the year for the Sounds. Wood, also making his first start, allowed two runs on four hits over four innings for New Orleans. Nashville leadoff hitter Tony Gwynn doubled in the fifth inning to extend his hitting streak to nine games. The Sounds will look to finish off the series sweep when the teams wrap up the four-game set with an 11:30 AM tilt on Monday morning. Southpaw Sam Narron (0-1, 4.50) will toe the rubber for Nashville in search of his first victory in his third start of the season. New Orleans will counter with right-hander Brett Sinkbeil (1-1, 11.57). Nashville Box Score That's a preety sweet lineup for the Sounds right now... Nashville Game Log

Saturday, April 18, 2009 Wrapping It Up, With Emotion Brett Pollock, Voice of the Stars The Stars wrap up their season-opening 10-game homestand tonight with the annual Little League Opening Night ceremonies in which area youngsters have the opportunity to come to the ballpark in uniform and walk around Joe Davis Stadium and, maybe even dream about what it might be like to play here one day. I think we all started dreaming of playing in the big leagues when we first took to the field as youngsters and, although, I was never good enough to do that, I do feel very fortunate to have the chance to become a broadcaster and watch and get to know many future big leaguers. On a personal note, this is a very emotional day for me with the Phillies honoring their legendary announcer Harry Kalas, who was the inspiration for me to get into the broadcasting business. I consider myself exceedingly fortunate to have not only grown up listenting to him during the Golden Era of Phillies baseball but to also have met him early in my career and told him that HE WAS THE REASON FOR ME CHOOSING THIS PROFESSION. I worked in double-A baseball for six years in El Paso, TX and was also fortunate to interview him three different times over the phone while doing a pre-game sports talk show, including once shortly after he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. It truly is amazing to see the outpouring of emotion for someone on the surface who was a baseball broadcaster, but really so much more. As Governer Rendell so aptly put it, "he was always there." That is the beauty of baseball throughout the long, six month season, during wins and losses, ups and downs and wherever you may be tuned in, the voice of the team is always there.

Rattlers rained out in Clinton By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CLINTON, IA -- Sunday's series finale between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Clinton LumberKings was rained out. The teams will make up the game as part of a doubleheader on Sunday, May 17 when Clinton is at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The first game will be scheduled to start at 1:05 PM and the second game will follow. Both games are scheduled for seven innings.

Rattler Radio Blog: April 19, 2009 Game Notes Rattler batters are 4-for-37 (.108) with runners in scoring position and two outs. April 19, 2009 Timber Rattler Pitcher (Michael Bowman) Quick Weather report

Listen to Todd Coffey discuss the ridiculous placement of the bullpen at Citi Field in this pre-game interview.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 6 3 .667 - 5-2 1-1 L1 Iowa 6 4 .600 0.5 1-1 5-3 L1 Nashville 5 5 .500 1.5 3-5 2-0 W2 Omaha 5 5 .500 1.5 0-2 5-3 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 5 5 .500 - 5-5 0-0 L1 Tennessee 4 5 .444 0.5 2-2 2-3 L1 Carolina 4 6 .400 1.0 0-0 4-6 L4 West Tenn 4 6 .400 1.0 0-0 4-6 L5 Chattanooga 3 7 .300 2.0 2-3 1-4 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 5 4 .556 - 5-1 0-3 W4 Clearwater 5 4 .556 - 3-4 2-0 L3 Tampa 5 4 .556 - 2-0 3-4 W2 Daytona 4 5 .444 1.0 3-3 1-2 L1 Dunedin 4 5 .444 1.0 0-2 4-3 L2 Lakeland 4 5 .444 1.0 3-1 1-4 W1

Midwest League Standings

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 Sunday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_04_19_nasaaa_nozaaa_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_04_19_dunafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_04_19_wisafx_cliafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

Sunday'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: LHP Lindsay Gulin at New Orleans (Marlins), 1:45 PM pre-game; 2:00 gametime Huntsville: Idle Brevard County: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 12:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: RHP Michael Bowman at Clinton (Mariners), 1:40 PM pre-game, 2:00 gametime

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Link while active, text follows: Spending cuts leave Stars radio-free Huntsville first team in Southern League to drop from the dial By PAUL GATTIS Huntsville Times Sports Staff, paul.gattis@htimes.com In their silver anniversary season, the Huntsville Stars have been forced to confront a dubious piece of history - going without radio broadcasts for the first time since the team began play in 1985. Becoming the only non-radio team in the Double-A Southern League was a harsh financial reality for Stars general manager Buck Rogers, who said the club couldn't afford to buy airtime this season. "You can't spend what you don't have," Rogers said. "I don't work for Uncle Sam. There is no bailout coming. That was our approach." The Stars had one season remaining on a three-year deal to broadcast games on WUMP-AM 730. But the team and radio station ended the contract under what Rogers termed a confidential agreement. "We wish it could be on radio, but we have some hard costs we have to pay in other areas," Rogers said. "The UMP are great people to work with and we want to get back on next year. That's our goal." Rogers said he had received only "four or five complaints" about the team's disappearance from the dial. WUMP's general manager Bill West said staffers told him the station has yet to receive a single complaint. "The demand, I don't think, is there for the radio portion. Usually when we take something away that is wanted, we get a ton of calls." Stars broadcasts now exist solely online, with play-by-play announcer Brett Pollock calling games on HuntsvilleStars.com. "Our coverage is exactly the same - the same Brett, whatever commercials he sold he's running (and) we're sending him out on the road," Rogers said. While that doesn't help much if you're driving around town, Pollock said the quality of internet broadcasts have improved this year. "Everybody I've talked to said the actual sound quality is much, much better than it has been in years past," Pollock said. "We're real happy to hear that. "I know it's a little tough for people, but the majority of the people listen on the Internet as it is anyway. That's kind of the way things are going." Still, Rogers hopes the Stars return to radio in 2010, describing the broadcasts as an "image thing" needed to emulate major league teams. "I'd love to get back on the UMP for next year," he said. "Businesses are finding new ways to stay in business. We're a small business. "If I can get the sponsors, I'll be back on (radio) tomorrow."

Final: Mississippi (Braves) 6, Huntsville 3 Huntsville Site Game Summary No Ninth Inning Magic Tonight Big Inning Carries Braves to Win By Brett Pollock / MLB.com Pitcher Ryne Reynoso's home run keyed a four-run fourth inning rally that pushed Mississippi past Huntsville 6-3 Saturday night in the last of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Braves salvaged the final game of the series to stop a five-game slide and improve to 3-7, while the Stars' four-game walk-off comeback win streak was halted, as they finished the first home stand of the season at 5-5. Stars' starter David Welch got Travis Jones to ground into a double play with two runners on in the third that pushed J.C. Boscan to third base. Reynoso, an outfielder for two years at Boston College, jumped on Welch's first offering and clubbed it over the wall in right field to give the visitors a 3-1 lead. Gorkys Hernandez followed with a single and scored when second baseman Shane Justis tried to make a sliding grab on a Matt Young grounder and inadvertently kicked the ball into the Braves bullpen. Young advanced to third and scored on an Eric Campbell single that completed the rally and knocked Welch out of the game. The southpaw suffered his second loss after allowing four earned runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out one. Boscan singled, stole second and scored on a two-out double by Brandon Hicks to make it 6-1 Braves in the fifth. Huntsville answered in the home half of the frame on a pinch-hit two-run home by J.R. Hopf, who collected his first hit of the season in 10 at-bats. Reynoso was removed later in the inning with two runners on base and followed by Jeff Lyman, who got Jonathan Lucroy to ground into a force play to end the frame. Lyman grabbed his first win after tossing 3 1/3 scoreless frames, allowing two hits, walking one and striking out the side in the eighth. Rafael Cruz, who blew two save chances earlier in the series, fanned pinch-hitter Chris Errecart with two runners on base to end the game. The Stars begin a five-game series against Carolina on Monday night in Zebulon, NC with right-hander Jeremy Jeffress taking the hill against Mudcats' right-hander Dallas Buck. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 PM central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score David Welch's struggles one of the surprises of the early season; Kevin Melillo (OBP .441) reached three times; Jonathan Lucroy at .212 (7-for-33, one HR), but only four K's, he'll come along... Huntsville Game Log Melillo thrown out at home to end the 1st; Welch's troubles came after two were out in the 4th; called third strike to tying run Chris Errecart to end things...

Final: Clinton (Mariners) 4, Wisconsin 1 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Pribanic pops Wisconsin By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers CLINTON, IA -- Clinton LumberKing starter Aaron Pribanic allowed one run over 5-2/3 innings and struck out five to get the win in Clinton's 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin has lost six straight games. Clinton (7-2) scored first for the third straight game in the series. Rattler starter Cody Adams hit Maximo Mendez with one out. Mendez stole second and scored on Denny Almonte's single to center. A hit-and-run single to right by Luis Nunez put runners on first and third. Scott Savastano followed with another single and Almonte scored. Nate Tenbrink's sacrifice fly put the LumberKings up 3-0. Pribanic took that lead a ran with it. He retired 11 in a row at one point. The LumberKings added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. Mario Martinez walked with one out and scored on a triple by Kalian Sams. Wisconsin (3-6) got on the board in the seventh. Michael Vass doubled with one out. One out later Corey Kemp singled to right and Vass scored to spoil the shutout for Pribanic. Kemp was the last batter Pribanic faced. Over 6-2/3 innings, Pribanic walked two, struck out five, and allowed that one run. Bobby LaFromboise and Ruben Flores got the final seven outs to close out the game. Flores, a Timber Rattler pitcher in 2006, picked up his first professional save by striking out the side in the top of the ninth. The final game of the series is set for Sunday afternoon. Michael Bowman (0-0, 4.50) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton counters with Kenn Kasparek (0-1, 9.00). Game time is 2:00 PM. Wisconsin Box Score The Timber Rattlers are last in the 14-team Midwest League in batting average (.189), OBP (.252), OPS (.557), strikeouts (tied for last, 87), my, oh, my; can't blame the weather, another decent game time temperature, 64 degrees -- take away a ten-run game in the season's second contest and, yikes; John Delaney singled twice and walked in this one; Cody Adams had just the one tough inning; Wily Peralta pitched out of a leadoff triple jam in the 7th, thanks to an outfield assist from Michael Vass... Wisconsin Game Log

Final: Brevard County 9, Dunedin (Blue Jays) 2 Brevard County Site Game Summary Manatees Clobber Dunedin, 9-2 By Tyler Stover / Brevard County Manatees (Viera, FL) Brevard County continued to feast on Dunedin pitching Saturday night, winning 9-2. The Manatees did their damage early for the second night in a row. They pushed across three runs in the first inning, then scored two runs each in the second, third, and fourth innings. Caleb Gindl belted his first home run of the season on a rocket over the right field fence. Zelous Wheeler and Logan Schafer each added two hits and two RBI. Eric Farris scored three runs from the leadoff spot. Mike Jones (1-0) earned the win for the Manatees, pitching five innings and allowing just two unearned runs on four hits, while striking out six. Dunedin's Ryan Page (0-2) was pummeled by the Manatees lineup for nine runs in just 3.2 innings. Brevard County has rocked Dunedin for 21 runs and 28 hits in the first two games of the series. The series finale is Sunday at 1:05 PM (12:05 Central), as the Manatees will look to add to their four-game winning streak. Amaury Rivas makes his second start of the season for the Manatees, facing Andrew Liebel of the Blue Jays. Brevard County Box Score It's been a long time since we've seen a Manatee squad put up offensive numbers like this, even in any nine-game stretch; 6-for-12 with RISP always works; Eric Farris on base three times with two stolen bases from the leadoff spot; Cole Gillespie drew three walks; 22-year-old Zelous Wheeler is raking, two doubles here -- one of four Manatees (Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindl, Gillespie) slugging .559 or higher; Roque Mercedes and Rigo Almonte finished up nicely behind Mike Jones... Brevard County Game Log Nice work by Jones escaping the 1st allowing just the two unearned runs... Mike Jones was on top of his game Saturday night, earning the victory. (MiLB.com Photo by Dennis Greenblatt) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2009/04/18/KANAnitM.jpg

Rogers not Rodgers... http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif Come to think of it, Breward County does make more sense, doesn't it?

Final: Nashville 5, New Orleans (Marlins) 2 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Tim Dillard photo, text follows -- Sounds Knock Off Zephyrs Again, 5-2 METAIRIE, La. - The Nashville Sounds recorded back-to-back victories for the first time in 2009, defeating the New Orleans Zephyrs by a 5-2 count on Saturday evening at Zephyr Field in the second game of a four-game series. The Sounds (5-5) got off to a quick start against New Orleans starter Daniel Barone, plating a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to grab a 2-0 lead. Nashville opened the second with four consecutive singles off the right-hander. After Joe Koshansky led off with a knock to right, second baseman Hernan Iribarren extended his hitting streak to nine games with an infield single. Jason Bourgeois and Carlos Corporan followed with back-to-back RBI singles to bring in the contest's first runs. The Z's halved the lead to 2-1 in the fourth when second baseman Chris Coghlan led off with a triple to center against Nashville starter Tim Dillard and came home to score one batter later on a Gaby Sanchez sacrifice fly. The Sounds increased the lead to 4-1 in the sixth when Iribarren plated Brendan Katin with an RBI double off Z's reliever Willie Collazo. A second run scored in the frame following a fielding error by New Orleans third baseman Manny Mayorson. AUDIO: Hernan Iribarren RBI Double Iribarren wrapped up the Nashville scoring an inning later with an RBI single off Nate Field. Outfielder Tony Gwynn (2-for-5) ran his hit streak to eight games while Katin (2-for-5) extended his hitting streak to seven games in the contest. Third baseman Mat Gamel finished 0-for-5 on the evening and was held hitless in a game for the first time all season, snapping his hit streak at eight. Dillard (2-0) picked up his second victory of the year with a quality start for Nashville. The right-hander allowed one run on four hits over six innings of work. Chris Smith became the third Sounds hurler to notch a save this season by working the final three frames, allowing one run on three hits. Barone (0-1) absorbed the loss after surrendering two runs on seven hits over his five innings of work. The teams continue the series with a 2:00 PM matinee on Sunday afternoon in the Crescent City. Left-hander Lindsay Gulin (1-0, 15.19) will make his first start of the year for Nashville and face Z's right-hander Mike Wood (0-0, 0.00). *** Link while active, text follows: New Orleans Zephyrs offense stymied by Nashville Sounds by Bob Fortus, The Times-Picayune For the second consecutive game, home wasn't so sweet for the Zephyrs. Nashville starter Tim Dillard and reliever Chris Smith combined on a seven-hitter, and the Sounds pounded out 13 hits in a 5-2 victory Saturday night at Zephyr Field. New Orleans, which scored 48 runs on an eight-game, season-opening road trip, have scored two runs in two games in the first home series. "We were swinging good before this series here," Zephyrs Manager Edwin Rodriguez said. "Maybe they're pressing playing at home in front of the fans." "Maybe," said Zephyrs shortstop Andy Gonzalez. "The first week at home, you try to do more than you're supposed to do, but we'll be all right. We've got a lot of talented players here." Hernan Iribarren had three hits, scored two runs and drove home two to pace the Nashville offense. The Sounds took a 2-0 lead in the second against Zephyrs starter Daniel Barone. Joe Koshansky led off with a single and advanced to third when Irabarren grounded a hit off the glove of first baseman Gaby Sanchez. Jason Bourgeois hit a drive off the left-field wall, scoring Koshansky, but Irabarren misjudged the hit and held at second base. Carlos Corporan blooped a single to center, scoring Irabarren. Runners wound up at second and third on an error when center fielder Alejandro De Aza couldn't come up with the ball cleanly. But Barone escaped further damage, retiring Dillard, Tony Gwynn Jr. and Alcides Escobar. "Tonight, Barone did a good job keeping us in the game, " Rodriguez said. "We had our chances to score, but that clutch hit never came." Gonzalez made two sharp plays to throw out the first two batters in the fourth. He moved quickly to his left to grab a chopper hit by Bourgeois and made a quick throw for the out. Then, Gonzalez ranged far into the hole to field a grounder hit by Corporan and made a long throw, getting the out when first baseman Gaby Sanchez made a nice pickup. In the bottom of the inning, the Zephyrs scored their first run at home this season. Chris Coghlan led off with a triple to left center, and Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly to left. Facing reliever Willie Collazo, Nashville scored two runs in the sixth to lead 4-1. Brendan Katin led off with a double off the wall in right center. De Aza then raced a long way to the wall in straightaway center to catch Koshansky's towering drive, and Katin advanced to third after the catch. Irabarren ripped a hard grounder down the right field line for an RBI double. He scored on an error by third baseman Manny Mayorson. Irabarren hit a two-out, RBI single in the seventh off Nate Field to up the lead to 5-1. The Zephyrs cut it to 5-2 with a run in the seventh against Smith. Mayorson singled with one out and scored on a two-out double to right field by John Purdom. New Orleans took three of four games at Nashville but needs victories today and Monday to earn a split of this series. "This series, the pitching, they're really picked it up, plus we're getting some timely hitting, " Sounds Manager Don Money said of his team. Dillard (2-0) allowed one run and four hits in six innings to earn the victory, and Smith finished for his first save this season. Barone (0-2) allowed two runs in five innings. Nashville Box Score Tim Dillard (nine groundouts, only 75 pitches through six innings) remains an intriguing prospect; both Brendan Katin and Hernan Iribarren join Mat Gamel (1.278) with OPS' well north of .900 in the early going; Joe Koshansky leads the club with six walks... Nashville Game Log The Sounds' two-run 2nd inning could have been more, failed to capitalize on a 2nd and 3rd, no-out situation; Dillard's day looks even more impressive in the log...

Link while active, text follows: Thanks to the Rattlers' Chris Mehring for the heads-up... Sherrard's Adams makes Midwest League starting debut tonight in Clinton By Matt Veto, mveto@qconline.com A five-year-old's prediction never held much water until Cody Adams. "At five years old, he said, `I am going to be a professional ball player when I grow up,'" remembered his mother Diana Adams. "We said, `Of course you are,' and rolled our eyes." But in the summer of 2008, Cody Adams -- a former Sherrard (Illinois) High School standout and second-round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers -- made good on his youthful promise when he debuted for the Pioneer League's Helena Brewers. Tonight, he brings that prediction-fulfilled closer to home. Adams, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher, will make his first Single-A start for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers when they battle the LumberKings at Clinton's Alliant Energy Field at 6:30 p.m. It won't be his first contest at the Minor League ballpark, but this game will be played under slightly more significant circumstances. "I played travel ball as a kid and we played in Clinton when I was 12," Adams explained. "But I've never played at Modern Woodmen Park." That second thought will also change soon when Adams and the Timber Rattlers take on the River Bandits April 26-28 at the Quad-Cities stadium. No doubt, the moment will bring to mind the word both he and his mother uttered in describing the journey of a five-year-old's transformation into a 22-year-old pro. "It's beyond words -- surreal at times," said Diana Adams. But never too surreal that it impedes on reality. Diana Adams said her son is the same kid he was before the draft call that changed his life -- willing to offer her a smile and a hug before a game, and secure in his skill set as a competitive player. Cody Adams said he doesn't feel he's changed, even though he admits others seems to treat him differently. "I'm trying to stay as humble as possible," he said. "Some people tell me you're still the same and others say I've changed a little. I'm trying to act the same, and keep in touch with my friends. I consider myself a non-changed person." No matter the effort to remain unchanged, he still carries the undeniable torch of a role model -- a small-town kid who dreamed a dream and achieved it. "It doesn't happen a lot," he said of rising to the pro ranks. "I'm trying to take advantage of that and lead by example for the kid that never thought it would be possible." And also the kid that makes a similarly bold prediction for his future. Cody Adams Age: 22. Hometown: Viola, Ill. High school: Sherrard. College:Southern Illinois University. Became a pro: Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the second round of the 2008 June Draft. As a pro: Appeared in 14 games with the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League in 2008. He went 5-4 with a 3.48 ERA. He started five contests. He has pitched one inning of relief this season for the Timber Rattlers. He surrendered two hits and a run. Photo: submitted http://photos.qconline.com/bignails/04-12-09_04-18-09/04-17-09/Adams_Cody.jpg?TB_iframe=true&height=1250&width=400

Rattler Radio Blog: April 18, 2009 Starting lineup April 18, 2009 Game Notes April 18, 2009 Timber Rattler Pitchers (Adams / Peralta) Probable Pitchers (vs. Peoria) (Starting on Tuesday)

The Nashville media notes indicates that the Brewers have signed 28-year-old catcher Patrick Arlis, a long-time Marlin farmhand who played independent ball in 2008 (career stats at link). For now, he is on the Temporary Inactive List, with an assignment pending after spending some time in Maryvale, most likely. No idea what's in store or what's pending for players like J.R. Hopf or Anderson Delarosa, it's probably unfair to toss those names out there, but they occupy roles where Arlis would eventually plug in.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 6 2 .750 - 5-2 1-0 W2 Iowa 6 3 .667 0.5 1-0 5-3 W2 Omaha 5 4 .556 1.5 0-1 5-3 L2 Nashville 4 5 .444 2.5 3-5 1-0 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 5 4 .556 - 5-4 0-0 W4 Tennessee 4 4 .500 0.5 2-1 2-3 W2 Carolina 4 5 .444 1.0 0-0 4-5 L3 West Tenn 4 5 .444 1.0 0-0 4-5 L4 Chattanooga 3 6 .333 2.0 2-2 1-4 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clearwater 5 3 .625 - 3-3 2-0 L2 Brevard County 4 4 .500 1.0 4-1 0-3 W3 Daytona 4 4 .500 1.0 3-3 1-1 W1 Dunedin 4 4 .500 1.0 0-2 4-2 L1 Tampa 4 4 .500 1.0 2-0 2-4 W1 Lakeland 3 5 .375 2.0 2-1 1-4 L1