Jim Goulart

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Outfielder Tony Gwynn Some stance adjustments to help with power... Former Sound Nelson Cruz Named PCL MVP Final: Albuquerque (Marlins) 4, Nashville 3 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Joe Dillon photo, text follows -- Sounds Drop Final Home Game, 4-3 NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds lost a lead in the top of the ninth inning and eventually lost the game, 4-3, to the Albuquerque Isotopes in their final home game of the 2008 season. Despite holding a 3-2 lead with a Sounds bullpen that only gave up two runs in their last 26 2/3 innings, Nashville was unable to secure a victory after a blown save from Tim Dillard in the ninth inning. Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin pitched six innings and struck out five batters while only giving up one run on a solo homer. The longball was the only hit Gulin gave up while picking up his fourth quality start, but he did not factor in the decision after the blown save. The Sounds got off to a quick start when Hernan Iribarren, Tony Gwynn, and Joe Dillon all knocked consecutive singles with Iribarren scoring on Dillon's single to left field in the first inning. With that run, Nashville has outscored its opponents 32-8 in the first inning over its last 12 contests. Albuquerque evened the score with one swing in the top of the third inning when Brett Hayes crushed a 2-2 offering from Gulin over the left field wall for a solo home run. The longball was Hayes's fifth of the year. Nashville went up again in the bottom of the fourth inning when Chris Woodward scored on a wild pitch after hitting a single to lead off the inning and moving to third on a double from Vinny Rottino. Iribarren then singled up the middle to score Rottino from third and give the Sounds a two-run lead. The Isotopes scored in the bottom of the seventh inning with three consecutive two-out singles off Sounds reliever Mitch Stetter from Jason Wood, Andrew Beattie, and Hayes with Wood scoring on the last of the three, but Hayes was thrown out at second base by Jay Gibbons to end any further rally. Albuquerque tied the game in the top of the ninth inning when Dillard gave up an RBI single to Hayes that scored Wood from second base. The Isotopes then took a 4-3 lead when Jai Miller hit a sacrifice fly to score Hayes from third base. The blown save was Dillard's second of the season. Albuquerque reliever Carlos Martinez (2-2) picked up the win after pitching two innings, and Brandon Villafuerte picked up his seventh save of the year after closing out the ninth inning for the Isotopes. AUDIO: Chris Woodward Defensive Gem The Sounds travel to New Orleans to wrap up their 2008 season with a four-game series against the Zephyrs at Zephyr Field starting on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Southpaw Sam Narron (9-4, 4.73) will start for the Sounds against lefty Jon Niese (5-1, 3.65) for the Zephyrs. Nashville Box Score Sounds outhit the 'Topes, 13-7; Mat Gamel 0-for-4, three K's, left three runners in scoring position with two out; likely Lindsay Gulin's final 2008 numbers; Gulin hasn't helped himself at the plate, 1-for-29... Nashville Game Log Hot bat: Infielder Chris Woodward continued his August hot streak, going 3 for 4. Woodward is hitting .368 (35 for 95) with a team-high 22 RBIs this month. Sealing the deal: The Sounds are 10-25 in series finales.

Jim Breen and his wonderful Bernie's Crew blog with an Andy "Bull" Barch interview transcript

Josh, Taylor Green out 16 days and counting with a bruise?

Steve Hammond Wednesday Night with Fresno Darren Ford Game Log Zach Jackson pretty impressive again last Monday with Cleveland

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with 2008 2nd round pick RHP Cody Adams Click on the KCAP archive of August 27th, then browse to the 04:00 minute mark; velocity up recently, changeup has nice movement; good discussion on pitching philosophy, first pro season, etc.

Back from the Olympics with a journal entry

LHP Chris Narveson was placed on the Temp Inacive List to make room for Mark DiFelice. Certainly the minors allow for "creative" roster management.

Link while active, text follows: West Virginia Power closer to clinching division title by Jack Bogaczyk Charleston Daily Mail Sports Editor CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Pennant-race fever is a new, and welcome, malady for Manager Jeff Isom and his West Virginia Power, although the skipper and most of his players have reached their desired destination previously. A year ago, Isom's Helena Brewers -- most of whom are current Power players -- won a first-half title in the rookie Pioneer League to punch their playoff ticket early. His 2008 Power started poorly (19-32) but now has a four-game lead over Lakewood with five to play for the South Atlantic League second-half Northern Division crown. If the Charleston "Baby Brewers" are going to make the SAL postseason for a second straight season, the clincher will come at home. West Virginia (43-22) closes the regular-season with a five-game Appalachian Power Park series against Kannapolis (33-27) starting tonight. The first three games of the series start at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central), with Sunday's game at 6:05 (5:05 Central) and Monday's Labor Day finale at 1:05 (12:05 Central). Isom said left-hander Lucas Luetge (2-1) will get the mound start in tonight's series opener. If the Power wins the second-half title, the best-of-three Northern Division playoffs against Lake County would start at the East End ballpark next Wednesday night. "I go back to the beginning of the season when I said this team was going to hit, and those first couple of months we didn't," Isom said. "It's not a surprise we finally hit. It was a surprise we didn't. "When we started losing a lot of one- and two-run games I think some of the players started questioning themselves and then we'd make an error or hang a breaking ball and we couldn't overcome that." The Power's low point came May 27, when the team dipped to 19-32. Isom's club finished the first half 13-5 before an impressive second-half that's on a par with the 48-20 first half the 2007 Power had. Last year's club reached the SAL Championship Series, falling in a sweep to Columbus. The Power leads the league in team hitting (.276) by a 14-point margin and catcher Eric Fryer, who didn't make the club in April and stayed in Arizona for extended spring training, has emerged to lead the SAL in batting (.334) by 11 points. He joined the Power on May 9. Fryer, of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, is seeking to become the Power's second straight SAL batting champ, after Charleston pro baseball hadn't had a league hitting king since Jack Perconte won the Class AAA International League title at .346 for the 1983 Charlies. Andrew LeFave won the SAL hitting title last season at .345 before Milwaukee dealt him to the Washington Nationals. He's playing at Potomac in the high Class A Carolina League and batting .266. "The biggest surprise we have to me is Fryer," Isom said. "The guy didn't make the club out of spring training and the fact he's now leading the league in hitting is a credit to him. He came up here and we had Jonathan Lucroy catching before he moved up, so we had to find a spot for Eric in left field. "Now, Eric is catching every day and doing a good job. He's done a good job at both positions and he's leading the league in hitting and has 10 homers and 61 RBI (in 100 games). He's been great." Fryer is one of three Power players to make the postseason SAL All-Star Team selected by managers and front office executives of the 16 clubs and media regularly covering the SAL. Corner infielder Steffan Wilson and outfielder Caleb Gindl are the other Power all-stars. Wilson leads the league with 97 RBI -- five shy of the Charleston Class A franchise record of 102 set by Jason Parsons for the 1997 Alley Cats. Right fielder Gindl is second in the league in doubles and fifth in runs scored and is hitting .351 in August to take him into 10th place in the league at .307. Right-hander Evan Anundsen (12-7) got the win in Tuesday night's road finale at Lexington. Anundsen not only leads the club in victories, but has the most mound wins for the Charleston SAL franchise since Jimmy Gobble went 12-10 for the 2000 Alley Cats. Isom has found little to quibble about in his second-half Power surge. "To tell the truth, I expected more out of our starting pitching," said the Power manager, a former moundsman himself. "I thought we'd have a little more depth there than we do, but what's surprised me has been our bullpen. "I think that's been a big part of us winning like we have. We've been able to use the bats to get a lead early and then those guys would come in and hold things down. The bullpen has really been solid for us. "Now, we've just got to get a few more (wins) and we'll be where we want to go." Power points -- The Power has won seven of 11 meetings with Kannapolis this season ... Power right-hander Roque Mercedes had a 7.05 ERA when he was moved from the starting rotation in late May. Now, it's dipped to 4.24. In 18 innings of relief this month, Mercedes hasn't allowed a run, and only eight hits with three walks and 22 strikeouts ... Isom's 2007 Helena club finished 48-28 in the short-season Pioneer League ... The Power is 21-9 at home this half after going 13-20 at Power Park in the first half.

Arizona League Standings

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 80 57 .584 - 46-22 34-35 L2 Memphis 73 64 .533 7.0 35-30 38-34 W2 Omaha 61 78 .439 20.0 30-41 31-37 W1 Nashville 59 79 .428 21.5 29-41 30-38 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 39 26 .600 - 20-10 19-16 L1 Tennessee 33 31 .516 5.5 15-19 18-12 L1 Huntsville 30 35 .462 9.0 17-18 13-17 W1 West Tenn 28 36 .438 10.5 14-20 14-16 W1 Chattanooga 27 37 .422 11.5 13-17 14-20 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 35 22 .614 - 23-9 12-13 W6 Jupiter 38 26 .594 0.5 19-14 19-12 W2 St. Lucie 31 29 .517 5.5 13-14 18-15 W1 Palm Beach 32 31 .508 6.0 18-14 14-17 L1 Brevard County 29 35 .453 9.5 14-18 15-17 L2 Vero Beach 18 44 .290 19.5 6-22 12-22 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 43 22 .662 - 21-9 22-13 W2 Lakewood 39 26 .600 4.0 19-14 20-12 L1 Delmarva 36 28 .563 6.5 16-14 20-14 W1 Lake County 33 31 .516 9.5 18-16 15-15 W6 Greensboro 25 38 .397 17.0 12-18 13-20 L3 Hagerstown 24 41 .369 19.0 12-20 12-21 L3 Lexington 22 42 .344 20.5 12-23 10-19 L2 Hickory 20 44 .313 22.5 7-24 13-20 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 16 11 .593 - 13-5 3-6 W3 Great Falls 14 15 .483 3.0 7-7 7-8 W1 Helena 11 18 .379 6.0 3-11 8-7 L1 Missoula 7 21 .250 9.5 5-6 2-15 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 37 17 .685 - 19-7 18-10 W5 AZL Giants 34 20 .630 3.0 18-9 16-11 L1 AZL Padres 32 21 .604 4.5 18-9 14-12 L1 AZL Rangers 32 22 .593 5.0 17-10 15-12 W2 AZL Cubs 31 22 .585 5.5 20-7 11-15 L3 AZL Royals 22 32 .407 15.0 13-14 9-18 L8 AZL Mariners 21 33 .389 16.0 11-16 10-17 W2 AZL Athletics 20 34 .370 17.0 10-17 10-17 L3 AZL Brewers 12 40 .231 24.0 9-17 3-23 W2

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

Follow Thursday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, 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. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_albaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_hunaax_cngaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_jupafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_kanafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_helrok_misrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_28_brrrok_royrok_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Albuquerque (Marlins), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Audio link via WNSR, 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=t556 Huntsville: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at Chattanooga (Reds), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP John Axford at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: LHP Lucas Luetge at home vs. Kannapolis (White Sox), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime 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 Helena: LHP Daniel Meadows at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:55 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Audio link via KCAP, 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=t433 Arizona: TBD at the mini-Royals complex in Surprise, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Photos by Eliza Wiley, Helena IR photo editor - Helena Brewers' Miguel Vasquez bobbles the ball at second causing him to miss the out as Great Falls' Kent Gerst gets on base. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/28/sports/top/50spl_080828_brewers.jpg Rico Salmon throws one in during the Brewers game against Great Falls Wednesday night. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/28/sports/top/50spl_080828_brewers-2.jpg

Final: Great Falls (White Sox) 7, Helena 2 Link while active, text follows -- Voyagers stop Brewers' streak By CURT SYNNESS - Helena Independent Record The Great Falls Voyagers halted the Helena Brewers four-game winning streak Wednesday, dropping the Brewers by a 7-2 score at a chilly Kindrick Legion Field. Voyagers' starting pitcher Daniel Hudson was throwing aspirin pills, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning. Hudson allowed just two base runners through the first six frames, both of those being Corey Kemp. Kemp walked in the second frame, and then reached on an error in the fifth, but was erased from the base paths when he was thrown out at second trying to advance on a botched pickoff play. Hudson's no-hitter was spoiled in the seventh after a walk to Erik Komatsu. Erik Miller hit a squibber between the pitcher's mound and first base which snaked it's way out to second for an infield hit. But if there were any misgivings on a guy losing a no-no like that, Kemp settled the issue in the very next at bat with a screaming double down the right field line, driving in two runs. It would be the local group's only two hits of the game. Hudson (4-4) was relieved by Ronald Morales, who went the rest of the way for the Electric City. Hudson, whose fastball was clocked at 93 miles per hour, wound up with 12 strikeouts in just 6 2/3 innings. He set down the side on strikes in the sixth stanza, and had two whiffs in each of the first four frames. Rico Salmon (2-3) took the loss, going four innings and giving up six runs, two of them unearned. The Voyagers scored one run each in the first three innings to go up 3-0. The visitors registered their second run on a freaky occurance. Jordan Cheatham was attempting to steal second, when the catcher's throw went out into center field. As the Great Falls baserunner got up and sped towards third, the throw in from Cutter Dykstra struck Helena's Miguel Vasquez in the back of the shoulder and ricocheted into shallow left field, allowing Cheatham to score. The host's defense - which has been rock solid during the win streak - committed four errors in the first three innings. The Voyagers banged out 12 hits, including four doubles, led by the performances of Kent Gerst, Tyler Kuhn, Johny Celis and Cheatham. They all posted two hits apiece. The Brewers are now 11-18 for the second half, and 31-36 overall. They slipped to two games behind the Voyagers in the race to earn a berth in post season play. Helena next travels to the Garden City for a two-game series versus the Missoula Osprey, before returning home to play Great Falls on Saturday. Helena Box Score Chris Dennis ejected after getting called out on strikes in the 2nd; Nick Tyson a decent outing in relief... Helena Game Log

Looks like Nashville had to make a move to make room for Mark DiFelice. We'll know later today.

Tennessean: On the move: Nashville pitcher Mark DiFelice was activated from the disabled list prior to Wednesday's game. DiFelice retired all six hitters he faced in the seventh and eighth innings. The right-hander went on the DL after suffering a back injury during his Aug. 12 start. *** To make room for newcomer Brent Krause, Huntsville officially placed Lorenzo Cain on its DL.

Link[/url] while active, text follows: Gwynn's walk-off lifts Sounds By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Tony Gwynn admits walk-off home runs aren't his strong point. The Nashville Sounds centerfielder hit the first of his career Wednesday, leading off the ninth inning with a solo shot to give the hosts a 5-4 victory over Albuquerque. "I'd probably be second-to-last," Gwynn said in comparing his game-ending potential to his teammates. All five Nashville runs were scored on homers. "I was just trying to get on base," Gwynn said. "After the first two pitches were balls, you're not necessarily trying to hit a home run in that situation but you are looking to drive the ball. (Albuquerque reliever Carlos Martinez) came back with a backdoor slider and I was able to put a good swing on it." After taking a 1-0 lead on Mat Gamel's leadoff homer in the second inning, Nashville tied the game with a three-run sixth inning as Jay Gibbons hit a leadoff homer and Brendan Katin added a two-run pinch-hit shot. Nashville's bullpen worked four shutout innings after starter Troy Cate allowed four runs in five innings. "Our pitching did a good job," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "(Albuquerque) made the most of their hits, but we were able to come back." Guitar Hero: Gamel's first Triple-A home run caromed off the guitar-shaped scoreboard beyond the left-field wall, making him the second Nashville Sounds player to homer off the guitar this season. Chris Woodward did it on Aug. 21. Sounds players who accomplish the feat are presented a guitar by Copley Guitars. Tight lipped: Sounds owner Al Gordon was in attendance at Wednesday's game. Gordon would not discuss the stadium situation - the lease between the franchise and Metro government expires at the end of the season. Pinch him: Katin's homer off the bench was the second by a Nashville pinch-hitter this season. Adam Heether hit one in a May 28 win at Albuquerque. It was Katin's second homer in as many days and his 17th of the season. Cutting it close: Wednesday's win improved the Sounds' record in one-run games to 13-23 this season. The fewest one-run wins in franchise history for a season is 16, posted by the 1986 team.

Final: Nashville 5, Albuquerque (Marlins) 4 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for photo of home plate celebration, text follows -- 9th-Inning Gwynn Blast Provides 5-4 Win NASHVILLE - Tony Gwynn led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a solo home run to center to propel the Nashville Sounds to an exciting 5-4 victory over the Albuquerque Isotopes on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium. Gwynn's game-ending blast, which came on a 2-2 pitch from Isotopes reliever Carlos Martinez, was his second of the season and the Sounds' fourth of the afternoon. All five Nashville runs in the contest came via the longball as the Sounds (59-79) notched their 11th last at-bat victory of the year. AUDIO: Tony Gwynn's Game-Ending HR Erasmo Ramirez (3-4) was the beneficiary of Gwynn's heroics and picked up the victory as part of yet another solid day by the Nashville bullpen. He worked a scoreless top of the ninth, following Randy Choate (1.0 scoreless IP) and Mark DiFelice (2.0 scoreless IP) to the hill behind starter Troy Cate. The Sounds' relief corps have combined to allow only two runs in their last 26 2/3 innings of action. Martinez (1-2) took the loss for Albuquerque after surrendering the game-winning shot in his one-third of an inning of action. Nashville third baseman Mat Gamel put the Sounds on the board in the bottom of the second inning when he belted his first career Triple-A home run, an opposite-field shot to left-center off Bobby Keppel that caromed off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. Albuquerque grabbed the lead with a pair of longballs of its own in the fourth. Tagg Bozied led off the frame with a line drive solo shot over the left field foul pole off Nashville starter Troy Cate. The blast, which came on a 3-2 offering, was his 26th of the year. Two batters later, Mike Ryan staked the visitors to a 2-1 lead with a massive solo shot to right-center that landed on Chestnut Street. It was his seventh longball of the year and second in two days against Sounds pitching. The Isotopes tacked another pair of runs in the fifth after opening the inning with a pair of back-to-back doubles. Third baseman Lee Mitchell ripped a two-bagger off the wall in right-center before Keppel helped his own cause by bouncing an RBI double over the head of Gamel at third base. Bozied plated the second run with a sacrifice fly to center later in the frame. The home run derby continued in the sixth as the Sounds rallied to tie the contest at 4-4 with a pair of longballs. Jay Gibbons led off the inning with a solo shot to center off Keppel, his fifth blast of the year, which extended his longest hit streak of the year to six games. Later in the frame, Brendan Katin belted Nashville's second pinch-hit home run of the season, a two-out, two-run, game-tying shot off the clubhouse building in center field. The roundtripper, which scored Vinny Rottino, was his 17th of the season and second in as many days. Both Nashville pinch-hit homers this season have come against the Isotopes. Adam Heether hit the first one on May 28th at Isotopes Park. The Sounds missed a chance to pull ahead when they left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth. Gibbons singled, Rottino was hit by a pitch, and pinch-hitter Chris Woodward drew a walk to fill the bags before Isotopes reliever Carlos Martinez induced an inning-ending fielder's choice grounder from Hernan Iribarren to escape the jam unscathed. The Sounds wrap up their 2008 home schedule with Thursday's 7 p.m. series finale against the Isotopes. Left-hander Lindsay Gulin (7-7, 3.63), the current Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, will man the bump for Nashville on Thursday evening to face Albuquerque right-hander Tim Corcoran (0-0, 4.50). It will be the final Thirsty Thursday of the summer at the ballpark. All draft beverages will be $1 until the end of the 5th inning or 8:30 p.m., whichever occurs first. Nashville Box Score Vinny Rottino on base three times, but season-long OBP only .310... Nashville Game Log

Final: Arizona Brewers 4, Arizona Giants 1 Arizona Box Score With three games left in the season, the A-Crew has a chance for its first three-game winning streak next time out; three singles for Allixon Cequea; the four pitchers used here likely with their final official outing of the season, all going out on relatively high notes -- some will see instructional action this fall... Arizona Game Log

Final: Jupiter (Marlins) 6, Brevard County 1 Florida Today: In Brevard County, the Brevard County Manatees couldn't get much offense going against the Jupiter Hammerheads, losing 6-1 on Wednesday night. Lou Palmisano led the five-hit attack (attack?) with two singles. Teammate Brent Brewer scored the lone run and stole his 15th base of the season. Josh Butler took the loss, giving up three runs in three innings. Brevard County Box Score We should inquire as to why Josh Butler has been guided back to limited innings since his return from a few weeks off; it has just been painful watching the bottom half of this order struggle with Florida State League pitching and ballparks all season... Brevard County Game Log

Link while active, text follows -- Stars' home finale a 3-game affair Huntsville completes three ballgames in a day By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times, sports@htimes.com On the last baseball night of the year at Joe Davis Stadium, the Huntsville Stars endured a bizarre first in their franchise history. After rain washed out the last two nights' games, the Stars and Carolina Mudcats finished three games on Wednesday for the first time in known league history. Actually, two seven-inning games were played, and Huntsville also finished off the Mudcats 7-1 in the remainder of a suspended game that began Tuesday night. The Tennessee Smokies started the day 5 1/2 games back of Carolina. With the Smokies' final five games being against the Mudcats, Tennessee officials suggested the teams finish the games and informed the Southern League office that Rule 4:13 in the Official Baseball Handbook states that "only two championship games shall be played on one date. Completion of a suspended game shall not violate this rule." So, Mincher decided that the Stars and Mudcats needed to complete the series. "Once it was pointed out to me, I said if we're going to follow our rules, we've got to play the game," Mincher said. "I think it'd be doing a disservice for league presidents and league teams not to do our very best to play every game to its conclusion. "There are certain instances such as this one that makes it hard." Despite the tight schedule, the two teams played 17 innings. After the Stars took the first game easily, Carolina won the second game, 5-3. After the nightcap - which Huntsville won 3-0 - the Mudcats hopped a bus to take a 10-hour trip back to Zebulon, N.C., to take on the Smokies.

Final, Game One: Huntsville 7, Carolina (Marlins) 1, completion of Tuesday's suspended game Final, Game Two: Carolina 5, Huntsville 3 Final, Game Three: Huntsville 3, Carolina 0 Huntsville Site Tripleheader Summary: History Made at the Joe Two Ways Tonight Stars Stall Mudcats Drive to Division Title By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Alex Periard tossed six scoreless innings to lead Huntsville to a 3-0 win over Carolina in game three of an unprecedented triple-header at Joe Davis Stadium Wednesday night. The Stars took two of three in the trifecta and three of five in the series to finish the home portion of their schedule 39-31. Carolina left town 39-26 in the second half with a magic number of two to clinch the North Division title and could do it before the start of their last series, pending the outcome of the Tennessee-Chattanooga doubleheader. Periard allowed only two singles and retired 16 of the last 17 batters he faced to grab his second double-A win. He struck out five did not walk a batter and was followed to the hill by Juan Sandoval, who worked a scoreless seventh inning to notch his 19th save. Michael Garciaparra's run-scoring hit and a two-out, two-run double by Martin Maldonado in the fourth inning against Nick McCurdy provided all the offense. McCurdy allowed seven hits and struck out three in his four innings of work and suffered the loss. Huntsville Game Three Box Score Mudcats with only two hits as Alex Periard shines in a second consecutive outing, using the groundball to his advantage as per usual; newcomer Brent Krause makes his affiliated debut, singling in his only at-bat; Alcides Escobar now 34-of-42 in steal attempts... Huntsville Game Three Game Log Brad Davis belted a two-run home run in the fourth inning to snap a 2-2 tie and propel the Mudcats to a 5-3 win in the middle game. Ryan Tucker threw 1 2/3 shutout innings in relief of starter Brett Sinkbeil to grab the win before Chris Mobley worked a perfect seventh inning to nail down his 26th save and seventh against the Stars. David Welch started for Huntsville and suffered the loss to drop to 11-4 after allowing all the runs on seven hits, while walking three and fanning four. Huntsville Game Two Box Score Angel Salome homers, singles, throws out the only attempted base stealer; odd seven-inning game, as Stars bang out ten hits, score three runs, but strand only three; eleven baserunners allowed by David Welch in 4.1 innings... Huntsville Game Two Game Log David Johnson tossed three scoreless innings in relief after the resumption of Tuesday's suspended game to earn the win in the Stars 7-1 victory in the opener. Jacob Marceaux took the hill for Carolina when play started and allowed three runs in the home fourth to push the Stars lead to six. Angel Salome's two-run home run and run-scoring hits by Mike Bell and Freddy Parejo had staked Brae Wright to a 4-1 lead after three. Graham Taylor took the loss after yielding six hits, walking two and fanning two in three innings. Huntsville Game One Box Score (Completion of Suspended Game) Angel Salome homered here as well; reliever David Johnson brilliant since the beginning of June... Huntsville Game One Game Log Alcides Escobar collected two hits in the last game to become the Stars' single-season hits leader with 177, which also currently leads the Southern League. The Stars open their final series of the regular season at Chattanooga Thursday night with right-hander Jeremy Jeffress taking the hill against Lookouts' right-hander James Avery. Coverage begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

The Atlantic League schedule extends deep into September, while the American Association season is over. Atlantic League teams will often acquire top players who have ended their seasons in one of the five other independent leagues, and players will seek trades if they wish to extend their seasons. As for the trade taking place and the Brewers jumping in, when these indy league signings happen, they happen fast.