Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: Home runs help Sounds storm past Round Rock By STEVE SILVER Tennessean Staff Writer After waiting through a 75-minute rain delay, the Sounds wasted no time adding some thunder to an offensive firestorm Wednesday night at Greer Stadium. The Sounds blasted 18 hits, including a season-high five home runs, en route to an 11-4 dismantling of the Express. "We are hot with the bats and we're not making too many mistakes right now, which is always nice," Manager Frank Kremblas said. First baseman Brad Nelson started the scoring with a three-run home run to center field in the first inning. The next batter, Brendan Katin, launched a solo shot to center as the Sounds finished the inning with a five-run lead. The Sounds never relinquished the lead as they jumped out 9-0 before the Express scored in the sixth. Sizzling Crabbe: Callix Crabbe belted his first home run in 225 at-bats with a solo shot. His drought dated to Sept. 1 2007. His 2-for-4 performance extended his season-high hitting streak to nine games. Crabbe is now batting .522 (12-for-23) in August. Derailing the Express: The Sounds' .310 batting average against Round Rock heading into Wednesday's contest is Nashville's highest against any single opponent this season. The Sounds are now 7-5 against the Express this year and 31-29 all-time. Spotted: Country music star Keith Anderson was one of just 1,654 fans at Greer Stadium. The miniscule crowd was the Sounds' smallest at home all season. Mystery pitcher: Round Rock pitcher Ron Chiavacci (5-5, 6.66) was scheduled to start tonight, but he was placed on the disabled list prior to Wednesday's game with an arm injury. The Express will announce his replacement today.

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Reliever Richie Gardner

Final: Nashville 11, Round Rock (Astros) 4 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Brad Nelson photo, text follows -- Nelson Belts Two Homers In Sounds' 11-4 Rout NASHVILLE - Brad Nelson swatted a pair of home runs to lead an 18-hit onslaught in the Nashville Sounds' 11-4 victory over the Round Rock Express on Wednesday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a five-game series. Every Nashville position player except catcher Carlos Corporan (0-for-4) recorded at least two hits in the contest as the Sounds ripped nine of their 18 hits on the evening for extra bases, including a season-best five home runs. Nelson's two-homer night was his third of the year and increased his longball total to 16 on the season. The slugger recorded a season-high four hits and drove in four runs on the evening to up his team-leading RBI total to 71. The game had a late start following a one hour and 12-minute rain delay at the outset. Continuing a recent trend, Nashville jumped out to huge early advantage against Round Rock by plating five runs in the top of the first inning against Josh Miller. Over the last five games, the Sounds have outscored the Express by a 21-3 count in the first inning. After Callix Crabbe and Joe Dillon singled to sandwich a Tony Gwynn flyout, Nelson and Brendan Katin connected for back-to-back mammoth home runs that each cleared the 24-foot high batter's eye in center field. The blasts, the Sounds' fourth set of consecutive homers this season, were each player's 15th of the year. Adam Heether kept the inning going by narrowing missing a third consecutive tater, doubling off the top portion of the batter's eye in center, then scored when Vinny Rottino followed with an RBI single back up the middle to make it a 5-0 contest. Crabbe continued the early scoring barrage when he led off the second frame with his first home run of the year, a solo shot to right-center off Miller. The blast was his first in 225 at-bats, dating back to September 1, 2007. AUDIO: Callix Crabbe's 1st HR Of 2008 The Sounds' big night continued in the third when Gwynn lifted a bases-loaded, two-out double to left-center to plate Heether and Rottino for an 8-0 advantage. Nelson belted his second home run of the evening in the fourth, an opposite-field blast to left off Miller that led off the frame and increased the home team's lead to 9-0. Ray Sadler put the visitors on the board in the top of the sixth inning with a one-out, two-run homer to right-center off Sounds starter Chris Narveson, his 21st roundtripper of the year and second in two nights against Nashville pitching. The Express made it a 10-4 game in the seventh. Yordany Ramirez led off with a double and pinch-hitter Nick Gorneault drew a walk before Narveson retired the next two hitters. After Sadler drew a walk to load the bases, Randy Choate replaced the left-hander on the hill and was greeted by a two-run infield single by Mark Saccomanno that tipped off the end of Crabbe's glove during a diving stab just onto the outfield grass behind second base. Dillon wrapped up the evening's scoring with a solo homer to left off Express reliever Nick Regilio in the bottom of the eighth, his fourth longball of the year. Crabbe (2-for-4) and Dillon (3-for-5) extended their longest hit streaks of the season to nine and five games, respectively, for the Sounds in the win. Narveson (6-12) earned a win for the second straight start for just the second time all season. The southpaw allowed four runs on six hits while walking three batters and striking out seven in his 6 2/3 innings of work. Miller (8-8) took the loss for the Express after surrendering nine runs on 12 hits in his four frames of action. The teams continue the series with a 7 p.m. meeting on Thursday evening. Right-hander Nic Ungs (2-2, 8.20) will take the hill for the Sounds to face an undetermined Round Rock hurler. Nashville Box Score What a box score -- somehow all lined up like that, it looks like more than 18 Nashville hits... Nashville Game Log Yay, big bad Brad...

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with First Baseman Brock Kjeldgaard Click on the KCAP archive of August 20th, then browse to the 03:15 minute mark; Steve Wendt always with great questions driving the discussion towards both Brock's offensive and defensive progression, given his conversion from pitcher this season...

Link while active, text follows: Tourists pick up another win over Power By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Upon their arrival in Charleston earlier this week, the Asheville Tourists needed to brush up on a few things - like strengthening their grip on some recent momentum. Tourists manager Joe Mikulik called it swagger. They won the first-half Southern Division championship, qualifying them for September's playoffs, but had played sporadically for much of the second half. Against the Power, a momentum-filled team in search of a playoff berth, the Tourists have responded admirably. Erupting for eight consecutive hits and seven runs in the third inning, the Tourists cruised past the Power 7-2 Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park, giving them victories in the first two games of the crucial four-game series. A paid crowd of 2,200 attended. The Power loss, combined with Lakewood's victory on Wednesday, trimmed the West Virginia lead to 11/2 games in the Northern Division's second half. Eleven regular-season games remain. "We're putting it together right now,'' said Asheville right-hander Connor Graham, a former Miami of Ohio pitcher and one of the South Atlantic League's best. Facing the league's top-hitting team, Graham allowed only an infield single and four walks in 5 2/3 innings and departed after reaching 100 pitches, his allotted number. "We couldn't do anything against him,'' said Power manager Jeff Isom. "I think we got one hit, and that was questionable, although I thought it was scored correctly. He's a quality arm, there's no question about it. And then we go and give up the seven runs in the third inning.'' Graham, a fifth-round draft pick, has struggled with control this season but sometimes reaches 96-mph and on Wednesday lowered his earned run average to 2.01 - fourth-best in the league. He's 11-6. "He competes with every pitch. He's a perfectionist,'' said Mikulik. "At times, he's too intense.'' After winning the first-half title, the Tourists fell below .500 in the early weeks of the second half but seem to be regaining their first-half form. They're 32-26 in the second half. "We really didn't have momentum early in the second half,'' said Mikulik. "We gained some, then we lost it, now we've got it back. I think we've got some swagger back. We spent a lot of energy winning the first half.'' Added Graham: "We've been up and down in the second half of the season. I think it's real big for us to kind of come together and start playing like we were in the first half.'' POWER POINTS: Caleb Gindl's home run in the seventh inning spoiled Asheville's shutout bid, and Curt Rindal's sacrifice fly brought home the second run in the inning. ... For the first year since APP opened in 2005, the Power will not set an attendance record. The team entered Wednesday's game averaging a respectable 3,355 - about twice the average of most Watt Powell Park years. Last year, the Power averaged a Charleston record of 3,603. ... Playoff ticket packages are on sale. A $32 ticket would cover all possible playoff home games, as well as the 2009 home opener April 9. Individual game tickets are $8 and will go on sale Aug. 29. The Power will donate 20 percent of playoff ticket revenue to the East End Family Resource Center. ... The Power and Tourists will play the third game of the four-game series at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central). Right-hander Evan Anundsen (11-6, 3.96) will start for the Power.

Final: Asheville (Rockies) 7, West Virginia 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: ASHEVILLE BURIES POWER WITH SEVEN-RUN THIRD The Asheville Tourists recorded eight straight hits and scored seven times on nine hits in the top of the third inning to defeat the West Virginia Power 7-2 on Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park. Beau Seabury began the string of eight straight hits with a one-out single. Helder Velazquez doubled Seabury in before Bo Bowman, Darin Holcomb and Kevin Clark smacked back-to-back-to-back RBI singles. David Christensen doubled in the next two runs and he scored on Brian Lapin's two-bagger to cap the inning. West Virginia plated both of their runs in the bottom of the seventh. Caleb Gindl began the inning with his eleventh homer of the season, his second in as many days. Zelous Wheeler followed Gindl's bomb with a base hit and advanced two bags on a pair of wild pitches. Curt Rindal drove him in on a sacrifice fly. Connor Graham (11-6) tossed five and two-thirds scoreless innings of one-hit ball and fanned five in a winning effort. Dan Merklinger (7-9) was tagged for seven runs on eight hits over two and two-thirds and was tagged with the loss. Roque Mercedes, Mike Ramlow and Curtis Pasma combined to toss six and two-thirds scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Power fell to 71-57 on the year and 39-20 in the second half with the loss. The Tourists improved to 79-50 on the year and 33-26 in the second half with the win. Gindl went 2-for-3, turning in the only multi-hit game for the Power. Eric Fryer went 1-for-3 and extended his on base streak to 29 games. The Power will continue the four game series against Asheville Thursday night. The Power will start right hander Evan Anundsen (11-6, 3.96) and the Tourists will counter with left hander Christian Friedrich (0-0, 0.00) The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). *** Link while active, text follows: Tourists pitcher shuts down Power by Michael Dailey Charleston Daily Mail sports writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- When the Asheville Tourists came to Charleston for a four-game series against the West Virginia Power on Tuesday, it set up the possibility of a matchup of teams that could meet in the South Atlantic League Championship. The Tourists won the SAL South Division first-half title and have ensured themselves a spot in postseason play, while the Power are currently in first place in the SAL North Division second-half race. For the second consecutive night, Asheville showed why it already has locked up a berth in the playoffs by defeating West Virginia, 7-2, at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday evening. "We definitely tried to make a statement," Asheville starting pitcher Connor Graham said. "The way we have been playing lately, we need to start playing like we did in the first half and like we know we can." Graham, a 6-foot-7, 250-pound right-handed pitcher from Bowling Green, Ohio, dominated the high-octane Power offense, giving up only an infield single in his 5 1/2 innings of work. He has the fourth-lowest earned average in the league and improved to 11-6 on the season. Despite mowing down the Power lineup, Graham was taken out early with a 7-0 lead in an effort to rest him before the playoffs. Power Manager Jeff Isom expected a solid outing from Graham and when West Virginia allowed seven runs to Asheville in the third inning, Isom knew the home team had a difficult task of coming back. "Going into the game, we knew two or three runs could win this ball game," Isom said. "We had to do whatever we could to put up zeros and possibly scratch a run or two across. "Graham was excellent tonight and didn't give us anything. Unfortunately, we go out and give up seven and to have to come back after something like that, it's nearly impossible against a guy like Graham." Isom knows a possible championship series against Asheville would be tough and that the Tourists are trying to get prepared for their upcoming trip to the playoffs. "They are a good club and have very good starting pitching," Isom said. "They are playing well and trying to get something going into the playoffs with some momentum." With Asheville winning the first two games of the series, West Virginia's chances of making the playoffs took a hit. Its lead over second-place Lakewood is now only 1 ½ games. "The ball is in our court," Isom said. "We have to try and worry about what we have to take care of. We have to take care of our business and not worry about what they are doing. We have to win ball games, bottom line." After Power starting pitcher Dan Merklinger (7-9) got through the first two innings with relative ease, he ran into a Asheville hitting buzzsaw in the third. In the decisive seven-run frame, the Tourists had nine of their 13 hits and eight straight Asheville batters had hits off Merklinger, including back-to-back-to-back doubles. That was clearly enough runs for Graham, who throws his fastball in the low to mid 90s and his off-speed pitches in the low 70s. Despite having a seven-run cushion, Graham knew the high-powered Power offense, which leads the league in team batting average by a wide margin, still could post a comeback. "It takes a lot of pressure off when you score that many runs, but you have to remind yourself that you can't be complacent and to still pitch like it's a tie ball game," Graham said. "They have an explosive offense. I've known Steffan (Wilson) for a while, (Eric) Fryer, and a couple of their guys. They can definitely swing it. It was just one of those days I was able to get inside on some of them." The Power scored two runs in the seventh with Graham out of the game. West Virginia had a few more scoring opportunities but couldn't get any closer. Right fielder Caleb Gindl, who has been the Power's hottest hitter lately, was the only one with a multi-hit game with a 2-for-3 performance. Charleston Daily Mail Photo by Craig Cunningham West Virginia Power second baseman Eric Farris fields a ground ball Wednesday against the Asheville Tourists. http://www.dailymail.com/images/thumbs275/WEB_--_Eric_Farris_I080821103050.jpg West Virginia Box Score It's a shame three of the Power's top relievers (Roque Mercedes, Mike Ramlow, and Curtis Pasma) -- this would have been a good game for Jose Garcia to mop up, but he pitched the day before... West Virginia Game Log The first five hits among the seven consecutive surrendered by Dan Merklinger in his dreadful third inning were ground balls -- not saying they weren't hit hard -- they were followed by a fly ball double and line drive double...

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with RHP Mike Jones Click on the WUMP archive of August 20th, then browse to the 05:45 minute mark; bullpen vs. starting topic included; has kept in touch with good friend Manny Parra; congrats to Mike, getting married this fall...

Final: Birmingham (White Sox) 8, Huntsville 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Cassell and Long Balls Down Stars Huntsville Drops Second In a Row By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Justin Cassel tossed six solid innings and was supported by three home runs in Birmingham's 8-2 win over Huntsville Wednesday night in the middle of a five-game set at Regions Park. The Barons improved to 29-28 in the second half, while the Stars fell to 27-31 in the second half and 68-60 overall. The Barons scored the first two runs of the game in the first inning when Javier Castillo's line drive to right field was lost in the lights by Cole Gillespie and went for a triple that knocked in C.J. Lang. Lee Cruz then singled into center field off the left leg of starter Brae Wright to deliver Castillo and knock in his 23rd run since joining the Barons. The Stars answered with a run in the second inning when Angel Salome doubled to extend his hitting streak to a season-high 13 games, moved to third base on a ground out by Mat Gamel and scored on a Gillespie groundball out. The Barons got the run back in their half of the frame on a home run by Jared Price, his fourth and just the seventh allowed by Wright. Huntsville responded in the top half of the third when Lorenzo Cain's fielder's choice grounder with the bases loaded plated Mike Bell. Cassel worked out of further trouble and stranded the potential tying run at third base by striking out Alcides Escobar and getting Salome to fly out to deep right field. Cassel then kept the Stars hitless over the next four frames and wound up allowing three hits, while walking three and fanning five. He picked up his first win in three tries against Huntsville and his tenth of the season. Joe Torres, Kanekoa Texeira and Ryan Rote each tossed a shutout frame behind Cassel to wrap up the win for the Barons, who have beaten the Stars in eight of twelve meetings this season. Brandon Allen's leadoff long ball in the fourth, his eight with the Barons, pushed the home team's lead to 4-2. It marked the first time in 25 starts that Wright has allowed two home runs in a game. Lee Cruz belted a two-out, two-run home run in the fifth to extend the Barons' lead to 6-2 before two more runs in the seventh put the game out of reach. Wright was charged with eight runs, seven earned, on 10 hits, while striking out two. He fell to 6-10 and remains winless since June 26. The series continues Thursday night with left-hander David Welch taking the mound for Huntsville against Barons' right-hander Dewon Day. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com. Huntsville Box Score Huntsville Game Log

RHP Michael Bowman was placed on the West Virginia DL, retroactive to August 18th. RHP Wily Peralta has been promoted from Helena to take his place on the Power roster. Hopefully Bowman will be fine soon, but it is exciting to see Peralta get the bump up.

Photos by Lisa Kunkel IR staff photographer - Helena Brewers' Mike Roberts looks to his first base coach as Ogden's second baseman Tony Delmonico trips on the play during Wednesday night's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/21/sports/top/50spl_080821_brewers.jpg Helena Brewers' Cody Adams pitches a fastball as he strikes out Ogden's Travis Vetters during Wednesday night's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/21/sports/top/50spl_080821_brewers-2.jpg Helena Brewers' Mike Roberts tries to beat the ball to home plate as Ogden's catcher Matt Wallach stands at the ready during Wednesday night's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/21/sports/top/50spl_080821_brewers-3.jpg John Delaney fires the ball to first base during Wednesday night's game against the Ogden Raptors at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/21/sports/top/50spl_080821_brewers-4.jpg Helena Brewers' Steve Braun jumps over Ogden's Nick Buss after he turned the double play during Wednesday night's game at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/21/sports/top/50spl_080821_brewers-5.jpg

Final: Ogden (Dodgers) 8, Helena 3 Link while active, text follows: Raptors bite Brewers 8-3 By CLIFF PFENNING - Helena Independent Record For a team that's lost seven of its last eight games and is just 7-16 in the second half of the Pioneer League season, there's plenty of playoff drama left for the Helena Brewers as they head for the final 15 games of the regular season. Because of the league's playoff structure, the Brewers can be a playoff team with a strong finish - especially in head-to-head games against Great Falls. Helena fell four games behind Great Falls in overall wins and losses by dropping an 8-3 decision to the Ogden Raptors Wednesday at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers got solid outings from pitchers Cody Adams and Efrain Nieves, but couldn't overcome a slew of base-running errors, a passed ball and three wild pitches before a wind-blown crowd of 1,226. Helena is off today and then plays two games at Billings and two at Great Falls before returning for a pair of home games against Great Falls Tuesday. In spite of their recent play, the Brewers are still aiming for a playoff spot. "We check the standings every day," said Brock Kjeldgaard, who hit his 13th home run in the eighth inning. "We're playing okay, but we haven't been getting any breaks lately. "We've got to keep focusing on playing good fundamental baseball and not get beat by mental errors." Helena is still alive for a playoff spot because of the strong second half put together by Billings, which won the North Division first-half title and is leading the second half by two games over Great Falls. If Billings wins the second half title as well, the team with the second-best overall record would earn a playoff spot. After Great Falls beat Casper, Wyo., 8-1 Wednesday, the Voyagers improved to 31-30 overall. Helena is 27-34, four games behind. Billings seemed to be cruising to the second-half title before losing four straight games. And, the Mustangs left Idaho Falls Wednesday to play a doubleheader at Casper, Wyo., today before returning home to face the Brewers. In the final 15 games, Helena plays Great Falls six times, Billings five and Missoula four. "We think about the playoffs," Nieves said. "But it's tough to be a playoff team when you're not winning games. Lately, we haven't been winning a lot of games." The Brewers played from behind from the first inning Wednesday when Adams gave up three runs. He settled down, though, and pitched through the fifth inning, ending up with seven strikeouts while walking two. Ogden scored four runs in the sixth off reliever Santo Manzanillo before Nieves struck out six of the 10 batters he faced. The Helena offense managed seven hits, including the homer by Kjeldstaad that nearly landed on Lyndale Ave., but the team also floundered on the bases, getting thrown out three times trying to advance an extra base. Center fielder Cutter Dykstra added to that by getting ejected for arguing a called strike in the fifth inning. Manager Rene Gonzales also got tossed. Added to the pressure to win as a team is the pressure to perform as individuals to attract attention from the parent club, the Milwaukee Brewers, although Nieves said the Helena clubhouse comes first. "There's a lot of pressure on the team and on us players," he said, "but being able to play as a team and win as a team is what we're focused on." Helena Box Score Helena Game Log

Nashville wins, Huntsville and Helena fall, as does West Virginia, which sees its scant division lead fall to 1.5 games (one in the loss column). Details later today, thanks for your patience.

Final, Game One: Jupiter (Marlins) 5, Brevard County 4 Final, Game Two: Brevard County 3, Jupiter 2 JUPITER, FL- The Jupiter Hammerheads and Brevard County Manatees split their double-header Wednesday evening at Roger Dean Stadium. Jupiter took game one 5-4, but Brevard County bounced back in game two to win 3-2. Jupiter currently stays tied with Daytona for the Florida State League East Division lead. Brett Carroll, who is with Jupiter on a Major League Rehab Assignment, hit a two-run double in the fifth inning to give Jupiter a 5-4 lead in game one. Jeff Allison (9-7) allowed three-earned runs on five hits and struck out two in route to his ninth win of the season. Adalberto Mendez pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his 26th save. Brevard County Game One Box Score After a 1-2-3 first inning, LHP Derek Miller, working his way back from shoulder trouble, leaves the game after just four batters (and three runs) in the second; LHP Derrick Ellison retired all eight men he faced and has a scoreless string of 7 and 2/3 innings; with two out in the Jupiter 6th, a walk, single, and two-run double burned Zach Braddock for the loss... Brevard County Game One Game Log Pinch-runner Scott Houin caught stealing to end the game... J.R. Hopf singled off of reliever Brad Stone to break a 2-2 tie in the seventh inning of game two. He finished the game two for three. Bryan Petersen and Daron Roberts each had two hits for Jupiter in the nightcap of the double-header. Brevard County Game Two Box Score Four Manatees HBP, no Hammerheads; three of the HBP came in the first, with the final one forcing in a run; RHP Amaury Rivas recovered at the tail end of a shaky first inning to limit the damage to two runs, as Jupiter would not score again; Kenny Holmberg's sacrifice fly tied it in the 5th before J.R. Hopf's go-ahead line-drive single in the final inning, set up by Brent Brewer's leadoff double; LHP Casey Baron gets the win in relief... Brevard County Game Two Game Log Rivas played Houdini again in the 4th, escaping a 2nd and 3rd no-out jam unscathed... The two teams will square off Thursday in game three of this four-game series. 2005 first-round draft pick Sean West is slated to take the mound for Jupiter. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

Final: Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Athletics 5, ten innings Arizona Box Score Teams combined for 31 strikeouts and four walks, and there were only six pop outs / fly balls combined in ten innings; thanks, guys, for the notations above, as this Link Reporter is running on fumes as the season winds down... Arizona Game Log Only the 2nd bus ride home after a victory this season, too bad it was such a short trip (within Phoenix)...

Arizona League Standings

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):

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 77 53 .592 - 46-22 31-31 L1 Memphis 69 61 .531 8.0 33-30 36-31 L1 Omaha 56 75 .427 21.5 25-38 31-37 W2 Nashville 55 76 .420 22.5 25-38 30-38 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 36 21 .632 - 19-8 17-13 W1 Tennessee 29 28 .509 7.0 13-17 16-11 W3 Huntsville 27 30 .474 9.0 14-16 13-14 L1 West Tenn 24 32 .429 11.5 11-18 13-14 L1 Chattanooga 24 34 .414 12.5 12-16 12-18 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 31 22 .585 - 20-9 11-13 W2 Jupiter 32 23 .582 - 15-11 17-12 L2 St. Lucie 29 24 .547 2.0 12-11 17-13 W1 Palm Beach 28 27 .509 4.0 16-13 12-14 L1 Brevard County 26 30 .464 6.5 12-16 14-14 L1 Vero Beach 16 40 .286 16.5 6-22 10-18 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 39 19 .672 - 20-7 19-12 L1 Lakewood 36 21 .632 2.5 18-12 18-9 W1 Delmarva 32 24 .571 6.0 16-14 16-10 W5 Lake County 27 29 .482 11.0 12-14 15-15 L1 Greensboro 24 35 .407 15.5 11-17 13-18 W1 Hagerstown 21 36 .368 17.5 9-18 12-18 L6 Lexington 19 38 .333 19.5 9-19 10-19 L5 Hickory 18 40 .310 21.0 6-23 12-17 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 12 6 .667 - 9-3 3-3 L3 Great Falls 11 11 .500 3.0 6-4 5-7 L1 Helena 7 15 .318 7.0 2-9 5-6 L1 Missoula 5 17 .227 9.0 5-6 0-11 L1

Follow Wednesday'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.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_rreaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_hunaax_biraax_1 Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_breafa_jupafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://brevardcounty.mana...2&cid=503&t=g_box West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_ashafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_ogdrok_helrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebas...008_08_20_brrrok_athrok_1

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at home vs. Round Rock (Astros), 5:45 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebas...jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556 Huntsville: LHP Brae Wright at Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebas...imedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: LHP Derek Miller and TBD (Amaury Rivas or Josh Butler?) in a doubleheader at Jupiter (Blue Jays), 4:05 PM gametime; each contest seven innings Audio link via the Hammerheads' call, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebas....jsp?cid=503&sid=t503 West Virginia: LHP Dan Merklinger at home vs. Asheville (Rockies), 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.minorleaguebas...jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: RHP Cody Adams at home vs. Ogden (Dodgers), 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.minorleaguebas...jsp?sid=milb&cid=t433 Arizona: TBD at the baby A's crib in Phoenix, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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Link while active, text follows: Winfield native enjoys teaching Power players by Michael Dailey Charleston Daily Mail sports writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- For the past three and half decades, Jim Lett has enjoyed the highs and endured the lows associated with life as a professional baseball player, coach and front office executive. A 1969 Winfield (W.V.) High graduate, Lett began his professional playing career in the Cincinnati Reds' organization in 1973. After three minor league seasons, Lett joined the coaching ranks in 1977 and has been involved with coaching and player development ever since. He has worked for the Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates. But living out his dream also came with a price. During that span, Lett's only summer at home came in 1990, when he managed the Charleston Wheelers to the South Atlantic League title. That's what made the opportunity to join the Milwaukee Brewers' organization as the West Virginia Power's hitting coach one that was just too good to pass up. "It's a situation where I've been in the game for 35 years now and 1990 was the only year that I was able to stay at home," said Lett, who resides in Winfield with his wife, Diane. "I just thought that this was a good time to get back closer to home. "After seven straight years in the big leagues, I needed a break and some time to just recharge myself. I've been able to get back with my family and friends, and I'm able to take care of some things that needed done. It's really worked out well for everybody." Both on and off the field. Under Lett's guidance, West Virginia once again sits atop the SAL team hitting standings. After leading the league in team batting average in 2006 (.277) and 2007 (.281), the Power is setting the pace at .276 after 127 games. "The kids have done a great job," Lett said before West Virginia's 10-6 loss to the Asheville Tourists on Tuesday evening at Appalachian Power Park. "They've really worked hard at it and we have a good program here for them. "They're aggressive hitters that aren't afraid to try something different and experiment a little. Each one of the guys has done something a little different this year, and each one of them has had some success doing it. It's been a very productive year for us thus far." After the loss to Asheville (32-26), West Virginia (39-19) leads Lakewood (36-21) by 2 1/2 games in the Northern Division standings. Lett is quick to credit his hitters for their success at the plate this season, but Power players are equally willing to share the credit with their hitting coach. "He brings a lot of knowledge to us," said catcher Eric Fryer, who leads the league with a .346 batting average. "We're a young group, with a lot of us in only our second year of pro ball. "With him being around the game for so long, he's seen it all. He knows what pitchers have, what they're going to try to do and how they're going to try to get you out." Fryer especially has benefited from Lett's in-game coaching and adjustments. "If we go through the (batting) order and we haven't done very well, he'll come over and tell us what to expect the next time around," Fryer said. "And sure enough, the pitcher is trying to do what he told us to look for. He just has a lot of knowledge about what pitchers are going to do to get us out. "It's really a big asset for us to have him as a hitting coach. He's seen it all before and he knows what we're capable of doing. He really pushes us to do the best we can do and to become the best players we can be." Lett's vast experience at the Major League level also gives added credibility to what he's trying to relay to Power batters. "He's been around and he's been to the big leagues, so everything he tells us, we know that he knows what he's talking about," said outfielder Caleb Gindl, who ranks ninth in the league with a .298 average. "He knows a lot about the game, and, as a former player, he understands the daily struggles that players go through. "With his career, he has a lot of credibility, and you definitely want to take in as much as you can from him. He's watched more baseball games than any of us have, that's for sure." It's not just hitting knowledge the players seek from Lett. They also like to hear stories about his years as a Major League coach and executive. "The guys are more concerned with things like how hard a Roger Clemens or a Randy Johnson throw or how far guys like (Gary) Sheffield and (Jose) Canseco can hit the ball," Lett said. "Things like that amuse them. They like to hear stories like that, and I like to tell them. "But the thing that I'm trying to get across to them is what it's like to play and be a professional. I try to show them how to conduct themselves and how to handle themselves. They're going to have to learn things like that if they make it to the big leagues. I'm just trying to get them headed in that direction." Lett also knows that his role as a father figure to players early in their playing careers is an equally important task. "I've been at this level as a player, and a lot of these guys are coming in here after having a good college or high school career," said Lett. "Eventually they're going to go through rough spots when they realize that playing baseball isn't as easy as it looks. "When they doubt themselves, you have to be able to pump them up and tell them that everything is going to be OK and that if they just hang in there and keep working, it will all work out."

If both Augusta and West Virginia hold on to win their respective second-half titles, they would then face their own division's first-half victors (Lake County and Asheville), before a potential South Atlantic League Championship Series matchup.

Final: Arizona Padres 10, Arizona Brewers 4 Arizona Box Score Joey Paciorek a home run shy of the cycle; three other Brewers with two hits; that being said, it was 10-1 going into the 9th as the A-Crew was again non-competitive... Arizona Game Log

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with Manager Rene Gonzales Click on the KCAP archive of August 19th, right off the top...

Photos by Lisa Kunkel IR staff photographer - Helena Brewers' Brock Kjeldgaard slides safely into second base as Ogden's Tony Delmonico loses the ball during their game Tuesday night at Kindrick Legion Field. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/20/sports/top/50spl_080820_brewers.jpg Helena Brewers' Steve Braun slides easily into third base after hitting a triple. Ogden third baseman Joseph Becker looks on during their game Tuesday night at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/20/sports/top/50spl_080820_brewers-2.jpg