Jim Goulart

Man says he's eaten 23,000 Big Macs since 1972 Is it just me, or do 3/4 of these "Oddball News" stories originate in Wisconsin? What's with you people? http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/laugh.gif

Ugh - Bumgarner tonight. Nothing particularly Power-related in the MiLB or local Augusta coverage of the game.

Final: Augusta (Giants) 9, West Virginia 3 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER FALL BEHIND EARLY IN 9-3 LOSS TO AUGUSTA The West Virginia Power dropped game one of the 2008 South Atlantic League Championship at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Monday night, as the Augusta GreenJackets scored six times in the first inning and never looked back, taking the first game of the best of five series with a 9-3 victory. The GreenJackets sent ten batters to the plate in the bottom of the first inning and scored six times on six hits. Juan Ciriaco followed back-to-back singles from Shane Jordan and Nick Noonan with a three-run homer to start the scoring. James Simmons belted a two-run single and Dom Duggan singled in the final run of the inning. Angel Villalona's RBI single in the bottom of the second gave the GreenJackets a 7-0 lead. Garrett Baker's sacrifice fly scored Ciriaco and Dayton Buller scored the final run of the inning on Simmons's groundout. Zelous Wheeler, Curt Rindal and Matt Cline recorded three straight hits to start the fifth inning. Wheeler scored after Shane Jordan's fielding error on Rindal's base hit. Rindal scored later in the inning on Eric Farris' sacrifice fly. The Power scored the final run of the game on Cline's run scoring single in the ninth inning. Craig Clark (1-0) allowed a pair of runs on six hits and struck out eight batters over six innings of work to get the victory. R.J. Seidel (0-2) was not able to get out of the second inning. He allowed nine runs on seven hits over an inning of work and was tagged with the loss. Jose Garcia, Reed Dickert, Curtis Pasma and Corey Frerichs combined to toss seven scoreless innings of relief. The GreenJackets now have a 1-0 lead in the best of five game series. The franchise has now lost ten straight games in the Championship Round, a stretch that goes all the way back to 1991. Eric Fryer, Wheeler, Rindal and Cline all turned in multi-hit games for the Power. The Power will continue the best of five game Championship Series against the Augusta GreenJackets at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Tuesday night. Left hander Dan Merklinger (7-9, 5.75) will start for the Power and GreenJackets will counter with left hander Madison Bumgarner (15-3, 1.46). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score The Power can't throw R.J. Seidel if this gets to Game Five, can they? Jose Garcia couldn't prevent three inherited runners from scoring with none out in the 2nd, but cruised after that, but he's not really a Game Five option, either; Erik Komatsu got his feet wet with a pinch-hit walk... West Virginia Game Log

From the Power: RHP Wily Peralta has been placed on the disabled list and OF Erik Komatsu has been promoted from Helena to take his spot on the roster. Another bat to assist against the tough Augusta staff.

MiLB.com's series preview

Link while active, text follows: Power thrived under pressure SAL championship series begins tonight at Augusta By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer In two crucial playoff games in Eastlake, Ohio, during the weekend, the Power seemingly took a liking to postseason pressure, apparently stimulated by the do-or-die predicament. After losing the opening game of the best-of-three playoff series last week, the Power responded with exquisitely played victories on Friday and Saturday to defeat the Lake County Captains and earn a berth in the South Atlantic League's best-of-five championship series. Having won the Northern Division title, the Power will face the Augusta GreenJackets, winners of the Southern Division, at 7:05 tonight and Tuesday in Augusta and, after a travel day on Wednesday, resume the series at Appalachian Power Park at 7:05 Thursday night and, if necessary, Friday and Saturday. (All times 6:05 Central). If the Power plays as it did Friday and Saturday, manager Jeff Isom will be more than pleased. "It was a great team performance by everybody,'' he said. "We got clutch hitting, played excellent defense and the pitching was outstanding. Our starting pitching went deep into games. They were just all-around great team wins.'' Helped by a five-run first inning on Friday, the Power won 10-0 and, after rallying for three runs to break a 1-1 tie in the eighth inning Saturday, collected a 4-1 victory in the decisive third game. In the two games, the Power outhit the Captains 21-9 and did not commit an error. "I like how we played up in Lake County,'' said Isom. In the eighth inning Saturday, the Power began its title-winning rally with two out and no one on base. Following a two-out error and a walk, Zelous Wheeler delivered an RBI single for a 2-1 lead, and Curt Rindal followed by hitting an 0-2 pitch for a two-run double. As he awaited the 0-2 pitch, Rindal made an educated guess. "He was looking for a slider,'' said Isom, "and ended up getting it and hit a double in the gap.'' The two victories reflected the Power's excellent play in the season's second half, in which it compiled a 45-25 record after finishing 32-37 in the first half. Whatever happens this week, the manager noted, the team has been successful. "There's nothing to lose. We've had a great season,'' he said. "You can't take that away from us. You're not always judged by the playoffs; you're going to be judged by the regular season. The key is to go out there and have fun. There's no reason to play tight. We plan to do the same thing against Augusta.'' POWER POINTS: Shortly after Saturday night's game, the Power boarded the bus and made a 13-hour trip to Augusta, arriving at about noon Sunday. "We're going to be getting our sleep right now. It's well-needed at this point in the season,'' Isom said early Sunday afternoon. "It's tough to sleep on those buses.'' ... Augusta pitchers, performing in a pitcher-friendly park, clearly have been the league's best, compiling a 2.95 earned run average compared to the Power's 4.18, which ranked ninth in the 16-team league. Madison Bumgarner, Augusta's 19-year-old left-hander who was 15-3 with a 1.46 ERA, was voted the SAL's most outstanding pitcher. He had 164 strikeouts in 141 innings and allowed just 111 hits. The GreenJackets have not announced their pitching rotation for the series. R.J. Seidel (9-5, 4.51) will start for the Power tonight. ... Power hitters, performing in a hitter-friendly park, led the league with 747 runs and a .276 batting average. ... The GreenJackets, who were 47-22 in the second half, are a Giants affiliate.

Monday's Daily Menu: West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at Augusta (Giants), 5:55 PM Central Time pre-game, 6:05 PM gametime; Game One of a Best-of-Five Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 *** Box Score / Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_08_wvaafx_augafx_1

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Huge games for Matt LaPorta (and Travis Hafner!?) lead Akron to the Eastern Laegue finals.

Giants bring up 2008 pick Gillaspie By Chris Haft / MLB.com SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants accelerated their youth movement toward warp speed Saturday by purchasing the contract of third baseman Conor Gillaspie, who has all of 24 games of professional experience. Gillaspie, a left-handed batter, was the 37th overall selection in this year's First-Year Player Draft and is the Draft's first player to reach the Majors. Bobby Evans, the Giants' director of player personnel, explained Gillaspie's promotion by citing his offensive potential and the team's void at third base, where no certain regular is penciled in for 2009. "We know it's a big adjustment," Evans said. "Just getting his feet wet is a big help for us, especially as we see him as a guy who needs to be on the fast track." Manager Bruce Bochy said that Gillaspie wouldn't start a game immediately but might be available sooner for pinch-hitting. The 21-year-old spent the previous few weeks batting a combined .269 with no home runs and 15 RBIs for the Giants' Rookie-level Arizona League affiliate and short-season Salem-Keizer, so playing in the Majors would be an ambitious leap. "We want him to get settled in and give our staff a chance to work with him," Bochy said. Gillaspie, an All-America selection this year at Wichita State, seemed relatively unfazed by the whirlwind he had experienced. "When my name's called, I'm going to do it the way I've done it my whole life," he said.

The best-of-five championship series starts Monday night at Augusta, Ga., when the Power takes on the Augusta Green Jackets (Giants), who won the Southern Division playoff. The second game is scheduled for Tuesday in Augusta, with the third game set for Thursday at Appalachian Power Park. If necessary, games four and five would also be in Charleston Friday and Saturday.

Andy Barch's Game Summary: POWER advance to SAL championship with 4-1 win The West Virginia Power scored three times with two outs and snapped a 1-1 tie in the top of the eighth inning of Saturday night's game at Classic Park to defeat the Lake County Captains 4-1 and advanced to the South Atlantic League Championship. Eric Farris walked on five pitches to begin the contest. The Power executed the hit-and-run to perfection with two outs when Steffan Wilson singled to right field with Farris off and running on the pitch. With runners at the corners and two outs, Erik Berger balked and allowed Farris to score. The Captains tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. After Dustin Realini's one-out single, Matt Brown smashed a double into right-center field, allowing Realini to score the tying run. West Virginia scored three times with two outs in the eighth inning to re-gain the lead. Wilson reached on Karexon Sanchez's errant throw with two outs. Caleb Gindl walked on four pitches and Zelous Wheeler belted an RBI single to score Wilson. Curt Rindal capped the inning with a two-run double. Mike Ramlow (1-0) tossed three and a third scoreless innings of relief to get the victory. Rob Wooten fanned three and allowed just a hit over an inning and a third to get the save. Jonathan Holt allowed a three unearned runs over two and third and was tagged with the loss. Lucas Luetge allowed just a run on five hits over four and a third. The Power took the best of three game series 2-1 to advance to the South Atlantic League Championship for the second year in a row. Wheeler paced the Power with a 2-for-3 performance and reached three times. Seven Power players reached safely in the victory. The Power will begin the best of five game Championship Series against the Augusta GreenJackets at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Monday night. The starting pitchers have not been announced. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Errors -- Lake County 4, West Virginia 0... West Virginia Game Log

Take this mojo to the minors by listening in (create free account) as West Virginia is tied at 1-1 in the 7th in their deciding playoff game. Link Report link

Still 1-1, bottom of the 7th as of 8:20 Central -- listen in now that Benny has completed his masterpiece at Miller Park!

Incredible Houdini job by Mike Ramlow in the bottom of the 5th to get out of a one-out bases-loaded jam upon entering the game to preserve a 1-1 tie. C'mon, boys! Lake County Bottom 5th - Juan Valdes pops out to third baseman Zelous Wheeler in foul territory. - Mark Thompson singles on a line drive to left fielder Lee Haydel. - Karexon Sanchez hit by pitch. Mark Thompson to 2nd. - Matt McBride walks. Mark Thompson to 3rd. Karexon Sanchez to 2nd. - Pitcher Change: Mike Ramlow replaces Lucas Luetge. - Todd Martin grounds into a force out, third baseman Zelous Wheeler to catcher Eric Fryer. Mark Thompson out at home. Karexon Sanchez to 3rd. Matt McBride to 2nd. Todd Martin to 1st. - Dustin Realini flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.

Saturday's Daily Menu: West Virginia: LHP Lucas Luetge at Lake County (Indians), 5:55 PM Central Time pre-game, 6:05 PM gametime; Game Three of a Best-of-Three; series tied, 1-1 Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 *** Box Score / Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_09_06_wvaafx_lcoafx_1

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I think if you look throughout baseball, college 2nd round draft picks who exhibit good control and command will not normally spend all or even most of their age-22 seasons in low-A ball. That's why I made the point, I guess I should have backed it up like that at the time.

That's still only 6 regular guys and 2 taxi guys. Teams are required to send 7 guys, taxi guys don't count against that. If Brantley is so hard to believe, then who else would you like to see go? It's not a matter of believing it or not believing it. We've seen about three or four so-called "official" lists now, haven't we? And not one has had Michael Brantley's name on it. So we're just having some fun with the silly semantics the Brewers and Indians have gotten themselves into.

Final: Helena 3, Billings (Reds) 2 Helena Independent Record: Brewers top Mustangs in last game of season A three-run second inning was all the Helena Brewers needed to keep the Billings Mustangs at bay Friday night, as they came away with a 3-2 win in their final game of the season. Corey Kemp scored Chris Dennis on a suicide squeeze to start the second. Then, with Michael Roberts on base, Miguel Vasquez hit his first triple of the year, scoring Roberts. Erik Miller followed with a line-drive single to score Vasquez. Billings clawed closer in the fifth inning with a sacrifice grounder by Chris McMurray to score Kyle Day. In the seventh, the Mustangs got another one back when Day singled to score Michael Konstanty, who had just doubled. Cody Adams pitched eight innings, giving up five hits and two earned runs. The Brewers finished the season 35-41 under first-year coach Rene Gonzales. Helena Box Score Once he got himself healthy, 2nd round pick Cody Adams out of Southern Illinois University was pretty darn impressive down the stretch, allowing us to feel better about that pick heading into next season -- excited about it, in fact; he'll be 22 when next season starts, so he's got a chance to skip Appleton for Brevard County... Helena Game Log

Final: West Virginia 10, Lake County (Indians) 0 West Virginia Site Game Summary from Andy Barch: POWER EXTEND SERIES WITH 10-0 WIN The West Virginia Power offense plated ten runs on 14 hits while Evan Anundsen, Mike Ramlow and Rob Wooten combined to toss a two-hit shutout at Classic Park on Friday night as the West Virginia Power forced a decisive game three with a 10-0 victory over the Lake County Captains, evening the best of three series at 1-1. The Power made a statement in the first inning, scoring five times on five hits. Steffan Wilson's base hit scored Eric Farris and Logan Schafer. Caleb Gindl followed Wilson's base hit with a single of his own before Zelous Wheeler delivered a big three-run homer to cap the big inning. West Virginia added four more runs in the second inning. With two on and one out, Eric Fryer hit a ground ball down the first base line. First baseman Chris Nash made a diving stop and tossed the ball to first to get Fryer, but Chris Archer's throw to the plate in an attempt to nail Lee Haydel bounced away from the catcher Richard Martinez, allowing Haydel and Schafer to score. Wilson scored the next run on a wild pitch and Curt Rindal knocked in the final run of the inning on a two-out single. Haydel started the sixth inning with a solo homer, his first of the year, to plate the final run of the contest. Anundsen (1-0) was simply phenomenal over seven scoreless innings. He retired 13 in a row at one point, and allowed just a pair of hits, while fanning six to earn the victory. Chris Archer (0-1) was tagged for nine runs on seven hits over an inning and two-thirds in a losing effort. Ramlow and Wooten each tossed a scoreless inning of relief. The Series is now tied 1-1 and the winner will face the Augusta GreenJackets (Giants) in the South Atlantic League Championship Series. Five Power players turned in multi-hit games, including Gindl who paced the Power with a 3-for-5 performance. He and Haydel have both hit safely five times in the series. Eight out of the starting nine hit safely while seven scored at least once. The Power will finish their best of three game series in the first round of the playoffs against Lake County at Classic Park on Saturday night. The Power will start left hander Lucas Luetge (2-1, 3.72) and the Captains will counter with left hander Erik Berger (0-0, 2.08). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Sure, it's easier to pitch with a lead, but wow to Evan Anundsen's performance -- kid turned 20 in May; with his ground ball ratio all season being so high, many of Evan's innings must have been considered "easy", allowing him to be extended as much as he has... West Virginia Game Log

That series in Philly is looking ridiculously scary right now.

Do the Brewers, and Prince in particular, work on even a single fielding drill even once after spring training? He has regressed so much in the field this season, and that's hard to do, because last year was no great shakes.

In what is probably an all-time Milwaukee record, there are 39 Brewers in the big league dugout. The only 41-man (Capuano 60-day) roster players, non-injured, not in Milwaukee are Hernan Iribarren and Luis Pena.

As most of you have seen in this Major League Forum thread, catcher Lou Palmisano was designated for assignment to make room for Mike Lamb. Should Palmisano clear waivers, the Brewers would still own his rights through 2009. If Palmisano were to impress next year, he could be re-added to the 40-man late next season, and thus the Brewers could control him for more than the traditional seven seasons, as has been the case with Brad Nelson. Palmisano has been named to the Arizona Fall League taxi squad (two games a week), and should see his first action behind the plate this season in that league.