Jim Goulart

Link Report Bonus: LHP Chris Cody's Manhattan College Blog Entry from the 9th -- Hello Jasper Fans, First off, I want to say congratulations to Ryan Darcy on his promotion. I'm looking forward to following another successful year for the Jaspers. August is going by quickly, along with the remainder of the season. Only 22 days left. It looks like its going to be a battle down the stretch for a playoff spot in the Florida State League's East Division. With all the East teams playing each other, things could get interesting. My team is in the middle of a week long road trip, sort of. We've been playing Daytona and Vero Beach, which are commuter trips. We ride the bus an hour and 15 minutes there, play the game, then we drive right back and sleep at home. Commuter trips are ok every once in a while, but a week straight can get a little monotonous. We're playing pretty well lately, so who knows what will happen. Talk to you all soon. Chris

Final: Brevard County 6, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 4, 12 innings Brevard County Box Score Jonathan Lucroy's two-run home run in the top of the 12th the deciding blow -- that's 18 home runs between West Virginia (10 there) and Brevard; Brent Brewer a triple shy of the cycle -- the dude's been legitimately very good for a month and a half now, ever since I compared him to infamous failed Brewer 2nd round pick Josh Murray, so I take full credit for the kid's improved play; Yohannis Perez three singles in the 9-hole; all five Manatee pitchers contributed with solid peformances... Brevard County Game Log Leadoff walk in the 9th hurt Mike McClendon for the save, but he did bounce back in extras...

Final: West Virginia 3, Augusta (Giants) 1 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER AVOID SWEEP IN AUGUSTA The West Virginia Power scored early and often at Lake Olmstead Stadium on Thursday night and avoided a four game sweep with a 3-1 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets in the series finale. West Virginia took their first lead of the series in the top of the first inning. Eric Farris and Logan Schafer began the inning on back-to-back base hits. Farris scored on Steffan Wilson's groundout. Lee Haydel ripped a two-out single in the second, stole second base and scored on Matt Cline's first base hit since August 5th to give the Power a 2-0 lead. Eric Fryer ripped a two-out single in the third inning and stole second before Wilson brought him home a few pitches later with a base hit. It was Wilson's fourth RBI of the series, giving him 90 on the season. The GreenJackets were down to their final out in the ninth inning when Elio Sarmiento delivered an RBI single to score their first run and put the tying runs on base. Rob Wooten fanned the next batter with runners at the corners to end the game. Michael Bowman (3-1) delivered a masterful performance, tossing five and two-thirds scoreless innings of three-hit ball in a winning effort, but Bowman left the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with a forearm cramp. Wooten (3) allowed just a run on two hits and fanned six over three and a third in relief to get the save. Oliver Odle (9-6) allowed three runs on nine hits over seven innings and was tagged with the loss. The Power improved to 67-55 on the year and 35-18 in the second half with the win. The GreenJackets fell to 75-46 on the year and 34-18 in the second half with the loss. Farris and Fryer paced the Power with two hits apiece for the second night in a row. Curt Rindal singled in the fourth inning, bringing his hitting streak to ten games and his on-base streak to 18 games. The victory snapped West Virginia's longest losing streak of the second half. The Power will begin a four-game series against the Greenville Drive at Fluor Field on Friday night. The Power will pitch left hander Dan Merklinger (6-8, 5.87) and the Drive will counter with right hander Brock Huntzinger (1-1, 10.13). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central). *** Link while active, text follows: West Virginia attack powers past Augusta By Billy Byler | Augusta Chronicle Staff Writer Thursday night's Augusta GreenJackets game saw the West Virginia Power do in three innings what it took them three previous games to accomplish: They scored three runs. The Power, statistically the top offensive team in the South Atlantic League, bowed down to Augusta for the first three games of the series, but West Virginia avoided a sweep with a 3-1 win. "We're definitely happy to be leaving town," West Virginia manager Jeff Isom said. "Our park plays completely different than theirs, and it took us too long to figure that out." The Power ditched the long ball for the small ball and scored one run in each of the first three innings. Steffan Wilson, who went 2-for-11 with four strikeouts over the first three games of the series, drove in a run in the first and third innings. Matt Cline came through with the other RBI single in the second inning. The GreenJackets failed to match the West Virginia offense for the first time this series. "We decided not to show up on offense," GreenJackets manager Andy Skeels said. "The pitching was there. We threw well enough to have a chance, and I was a little disappointed that we didn't compete better than we did." West Virginia starter Michael Bowman, who shut out the GreenJackets through 5 2/3 innings, left in the sixth with what Isom said was a cramp in his forearm. Reliever Rob Wooten picked up where Bowman left off with a two-hit performance over the final 3 1/3 innings. The GreenJackets' bats, which totaled 12 runs on 24 hits on West Virginia pitching in the first three games of the series, were shut out until the final inning. Elio Sarmiento, a late addition to the starting lineup to give catcher Dayton Buller a rest, drove in the Jackets' lone run with a two-out single in the ninth inning. GreenJackets starter Oliver Odle (9-6) gave up three runs over seven innings and didn't walk a batter, but he still picked up the loss. Bowman (3-1) got the win, while Wooten earned his third save of the season. Photo by Michael Holahan / Augusta Chronicle Staff After getting caught in a rundown, West Virginia's Matt Cline (right) ducks down as he tries to avoid the tag by Augusta shortstop Juan Ciriaco on Thursday at Lake Olmstead Stadium. http://i.spotted.augusta.com/user/1/gallery/558874.jpg West Virginia Box Score Lakewood was victorious, there's still a tie atop the division, but at least this tough road series is over... West Virginia Game Log

Final: Oklahoma (Rangers) 2, Nashville 0 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for new Sam Narron photo, text follows -- RedHawks Blank Sounds With Five-Hitter NASHVILLE - Three Oklahoma hurlers combined on a five-hit shutout in the RedHawks' 2-0 victory over the Nashville Sounds in front of 5,207 fans on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium. RedHawks starter Brian Gordon (4-4) allowed three hits over seven scoreless innings to record his first victory in his last five starts. Kei Komentani followed with a scoreless frame before turning things over to Bill White, who notched his fifth save by working the ninth. The loss was the league-leading ninth shutout suffered this season and second this series by Nashville, which played its seventh consecutive game decided by one or two runs (3-4). Oklahoma second baseman Joaquin Arias got things started with a bang, leading off the contest by driving a 1-0 Sam Narron offering over the left field wall for his seventh home run of the year and a 1-0 RedHawks lead. Sounds catcher Carlos Corporan kept it a one-run contest in the top of the second inning with a super block of the plate to prohibit Ben Harrison from scoring as left fielder Hernan Iribarren threw a frozen rope to the plate after fielding Kevin Richardson's single bare-handed on a hop. AUDIO: Runner Thrown Out At Plate Chris Shelton doubled the Oklahoma lead to 2-0 in the sixth when he led off the frame with his eighth home run of the year, a solo shot off Narron that struck the neck of the guitar-shaped scoreboard. The Sounds squandered a golden opportunity to get back into the game in the bottom of the sixth when they failed to score in a one-out, bases-loaded situation against Gordon. After walks to Iribarren and Callix Crabbe followed by a Tony Gwynn single filled the bags, Gordon escaped the jam by inducing a popout from Joe Dillon and an inning-ending flyout to right from Brad Nelson. Narron (7-4) took a hard-luck loss for the Sounds after working his fifth quality start of the year. He allowed two runs (both on solo homers) on five hits while striking out five batters over seven innings. The two runs allowed were Narron's fewest given up in an outing in his last eight starts, dating back to early July. The teams will wrap up the series with a 7 p.m. finale on Friday evening at Greer. Left-hander Chris Narveson (4-12, 5.23) will man the bump for the Sounds to face right-hander Steve Rowe (4-5, 4.87). *** Link while active, text follows: Oklahoma shuts down Sounds By GREG SULLIVAN Tennessean Staff Writer Joaquin Arias hit the second pitch of the game over the left-field wall to give the Oklahoma RedHawks the only run they would need in a 2-0 win over Nashville on Thursday. It was Oklahoma's first leadoff home run in more than three years. Chris Shelton tacked on another homer, helping the RedHawks to a win in the third of a four-game series. Nashville will look to avoid a sweep today at Greer Stadium, after scoring only two runs in the first three games. "(Starting pitcher) Sammy (Narron) did fine," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "He had two mistakes. He had two pitches that stayed high and (Oklahoma) hit two out." The Sounds had been 8-0 in Narron's last nine appearances, and he added another quality start, going seven innings and giving up two runs on seven hits. Narron did get some help from his defense. Outfielder Hernan Iribarren threw out Ben Harrison at home to end the top of the second. However, Nashville left the bases loaded in the sixth inning. On the move: Sounds catcher J.R. Hopf was transferred to Single-A Brevard County on Thursday. Hopf batted .340, going 16-for-47 with two home runs and six RBI for Nashville this season. Filling holes: Reliever Troy Cate is slated to fill the spot left in the Sounds' starting rotation by Mark DiFelice, who sustained a back injury in Tuesday night's game. DiFelice was placed on the disabled list Wednesday. Cate joined the Sounds from Huntsville on July 22. He hasn't allowed a run in his last five relief appearances, totaling 9 2/3 innings. Shutouts: Thursday's loss was the second shutout loss in three games for the Sounds. It was also the ninth shutout loss of the season for the team, which is the most in the Pacific Coast League. Nashville Box Score Joe Bateman a perfect 8th, Luis Pena allowed two baserunners (one more walk) in a scoreless 9th; the team's nightmarish season can't end soon enough... Nashville Game Log

Final: Chattanooga (Reds) 5, Huntsville 4 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Late Rally Leads Looks to Win Stars Rally in Ninth Falls Short By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Tonys Gutierrez knocked in the winning runs in the ninth inning to lead Chattanooga to a 5-4 win over Huntsville in a see-saw affair Thursday night in the middle of a five-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The Lookouts improved to 22-31 in the second half, while the Stars fell to 25-28. Huntsville leads the season series 11-7. Juan Sandoval opened the ninth inning on the hill for Huntsville and was greeted by a leadoff single by Danny Dorn. Pinch-hitter Michael DeJesus dropped down a sacrifice bunt attempt that was fielded by third baseman Mat Gamel, who threw wildly into center field allowing Dorn to reach third and DeJesus to advance to second base. After a ground out, Gutierrez chopped a single over a drawn-in infield to score both runners to give the Lookouts a 5-3 lead. Former Stars' closer Joe Valentine was called on to protect the lead in the bottom of the inning and gave up a two-out, run-scoring line-drive single to Angel Salome that trimmed the lead to 5-4. Gamel followed with an infield hit before Cole Gillespie lined out to end the game. The Stars dropped to 16-27 in games decided by one run. Gamel reached on a fielder's choice in the eighth, moved to second on a Gillespie base hit and scored to tie the game at three on a two-out single by Chris Errecart. Mike Bell was hit by a pitch to load the bases but pinch-hitter Guilder Rodriguez fanned to end the inning. Robert Manuel was charged with the run on three hits over three innings in relief of starter Sam LeCure. B.J. Szymanski's home run and a Chris Valaika sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 2-0 lead in the third before Alcides Escobar doubled in a run and Salome singled home a run to get the game tied in the bottom half of the inning. Salome had his first four-hit game of the season and has driven in 19 of his 76 runs this season against Chattanooga. Chris Heisey's run-scoring double in the fifth put the Looks back on top 3-2. Stars' starter Brae Wright went seven innings, giving up seven hits, walking one and striking out a season-high ten. He remains winless since June 26 and has not won at home since May 24. LeCure allowed eight hits and fanned five over his five frames. The Stars series continues Friday evening with left-hander David Welch taking the mound against Lookouts' southpaw Pedro Viola. 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. *** Link while active, text follows: Stars let one slip away to Lookouts Chattanooga scores two runs in ninth for 5-4 win By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times One night after Mat Gamel appeared to break out of his month-and-a-half slump, the Huntsville Stars third baseman fought back frustration again Thursday. He went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts, one with a runner on third and one out. With the game tied and no outs in the ninth, Gamel fielded a sacrifice bunt attempt from Michael DeJesus and threw wide of second base trying to get the lead runner. Everybody was safe, and two batters later, Lookouts first baseman Tonys Gutierrez bounced a two-run single over a drawn-in infield to give Chattanooga a two-run lead and eventual 5-4 win in front of 1,686 fans at Joe Davis Stadium. "I think he's making good progress defensively," Stars manager Don Money said of Gamel. "It's just a work in progress. You just have to continue improving. Even when the ball is wet, you've still got to make that play. "The play in the ninth is not the reason we lost that game. We lost that game because we failed to get runners home from third base twice again tonight." Despite Gamel's plummeting batting average since the beginning of July, which is down some 50 points, his glove work has drastically improved. Entering the game, he had just two errors since July 18, but the error on Thursday, his 28th of the year, stung. Huntsville rallied for a run off Angel Salome's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth, but after Gamel's infield single, Cole Gillespie popped out to the third baseman to end the game. Gamel was visibly frustrated afterward. "I threw the ball into center field," he said. "You've got to get an out on a bunt, and I tried to get the lead runner because he was slower, but the ball was a little wet. That's not an excuse, though." Though Gamel may be scuffling at the plate, he has still had an MVP-caliber season. His error total is still high with 17 games left, but he can take solace in the fact that it's much better than the 53 he committed last year. When asked how much better he is in the field at this stage, even a frustrated Gamel replied, "a lot." The loss spoiled another stellar performance by starting pitcher Brae Wright, who tossed six innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out 10. Though Wright's record stands at 6-9, he owns a solid 3.41 earned run average. And though his last win came on June 26, of his eight starts during that stretch, seven have been quality outings. "He's been very solid," Money said. "He's probably the most improved starter from the beginning of the season until the end." Huntsville Box Score Opposing baserunners stole three bases in as many attempts on Huntsville pitchers and Angel Salome; a bit surprising this is Angel's first four-hit game -- just shows how consistent he's been, I mean .356 average, .950 OPS, those are pinball numbers for anyone, never mind a catcher; Michael Brantley and Cole Gillespie three hits apiece, Gillespie doubled; great quote just above from Don Money on Brae Wright, the kid can surely feel good about his 2008 season... Huntsville Game Log

Final: Orem (Angels) 7, Helena 3 Link while active, text follows: Owlz rip Brewers By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers might as well have strung themselves a rope ladder, otherwise they weren't going to pull themselves out of an early hole Thursday. Helena once again fell victim to the Orem Owlz, who picked up their 11th straight win 7-3 at a packed Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers have made up four of the losses in Orem's streak. With attendance at 1,904, the highest its been since 2004, the Owlz leapt ahead with three-run innings in the first and third to take a 6-2 lead. "The first inning we're down 3-0, that's disheartening to say the least," said Brewers manager Rene Gonzales. After walking two to start the game, Brewers' starter Trey Watten (2-2) gave up an RBI double to Roberto Lopez, who scored the team's third run on a blooper by Ryan Groth to centerfield. Lopez, who leads the Pioneer League with a .410 batting average and 84 hits, would prove to be a hazard as the game went on. He finished with identical solo home runs over the left field wall in the third and fourth innings and finished 4-for-5 on the game, a triple short of the cycle. The Brewers weren't without their own big hitters as Erik Komatsu and John Delaney each hit solo home runs. Lopez's first homer led off the third before Luis Jimenez walked and Angel Castillo brought him home on a double to the centerfield wall. Castillo scored the final run on a single by Groth to right. Lopez's second home run in the top of the fourth capped the runs scored for the night and Watten's time on the mound. "Lopez is a good hitter, a good cripple hitter, he hit a 2-0 home run today," Gonzales said. Watten, who has struggled in the first and third innings - he had an ERA of 5.00 in the first and 9.00 in the third coming into the game - finished with seven runs allowed on six hits and one strike out, but what proved to be his downfall were the five walks he gave up. Reliever Garrett Sherrill would come in to start the fifth and immediately strike out the side. Two of them were looking, and all of them at the bottom of the Orem lineup. Sherrill was able to survive the dangerous middle four hitters (3-7) who accounted for eight hits and all seven RBI. Sherrill finished with three hits and four strikeouts over the three innings, while Wily Peralta closed to shut out the Owlz over the last five innings in total. He gave up one hit, one walk and struck out two. While the Brewers defense started to cool down Orem's hitting, they picked up a few runs of their own. Delaney led off the bottom of the first with a single to left field and advanced to second on a bad throw by Groth. Erik Miller followed it up with a double, which he can thank the south-facing stadium for. Miller's rocket to the left field warning track went high and came down right in the glare of a setting sun, prompting Groth to hold out a glove that was at least a foot away from where the ball fell. Komatsu, who leads the team with a .350 batting average, hit his 10th homer of the season in the third while Delaney picked up his sixth over-the-wall blast - which also cruised over the safety netting and out of the park, striking a truck in the neighboring parking lot - in the fifth, before Orem's tough bullpen cut a Brewers' rally short. Komatsu and Delaney both went 2-for-4 while David Fonseca went 3-for-4, but the shortstop who batted in the No. 6 spot couldn't get support from the bottom of the lineup, which went 0-for-11. Orem starter Will Smith (6-2) gave up seven hits and all three runs over the first five innings while striking out five for the win. Christian Scholl went another three innings with two strike outs while Jeremy Thorne closed out the game with a hit a walk and a strike out. The Brewers, who swept the Ogden Raptors on the road for a three-game win streak heading into Thursday, play Orem three more times, beginning with a game Friday night at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Efrain Nieves is expected to start on the mound for the Brewers. Helena will be searching hard for a way to beat their foe. "We dominated Ogden and played a lot better than we do against these guys, we're just going to have to change that," Gonzales said. "How do we beat a team like that? We (shouldn't have) to play catch-up all the time." Photos by Lisa Kunkel IR staff photographer - Brewers' Erik Komatsu, left, gets a fist bump from teammate Brock Kjeldgaard after hitting a home run during their game against the Orem Owlz Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/15/sports/local/100spl_080815_brewers.jpg Brewers' Miguel Vasquez fields an infield hit during their game against the Orem Owlz Thursday night at Kindrick Legion Field. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/08/15/sports/local/100spl_080815_brewers-2.jpg Helena Box Score Only four Brewers combined on the team's eight hits; Trey Watten just didn't give his mates a chance on this night, and the five combined innings of Garrett Sherrill and the extra-promising Wily Peralta go wasted... Helena Game Log

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with LHP Brandon Ritchie Click on the KCAP archive of August 14th, then browse to the 06:30 minute mark; Ritchie threw six shutout innings Wednesday...

Link Report Bonus: Scott Houin, now with Brevard, crashes into the catcher on a play at the plate while with West Virginia back in May. Amazingly, the catcher, who had appeared to be down for the count, pops up and nearly nails the baserunner advancing to third base. To be honest, I'm not sure if Houin was out or safe on the play...

Did that get ruled safe on fielder's choice? Cool. Is there audio with that, battlekow, or is it just my PC somehow? Thanks a lot.

Huntsville Press Release: The Milwaukee Brewers announced today the release of Stars' RHP Jason Shiell. Also RHP Steve Bray has been reinstated from the Temporary Inactive list. It wasn't a good sign for the 31-year-old Shiell when he underperformed at Nashville and found his way to AA earlier. The Brewers didn't hit many home runs with their veteran minor league free agent signings this past offseason.

At Brevard County, 3B Taylor Green has been placed on the seven-day DL retroactive to the 13th. Tuesday night Green took a pitch to the wrist in the 13th inning. We believe the organization may be awaiting test results because no formal news has been released, although with minor leaguers, we rarely see formal injury updates. The Florida State League media coverage is so weak we'll hardly get updates there. It sure seems like every monkey wrench is being thrown into the Cleveland Indians' decision, isn't it? What if it's a hamate? Does that affect their decision? NOTE: I want to make it clear that we have no idea what the test results will indicate. The fact that Green remained on the basepaths that inning and that his DL stint is backdated are both good signs. It may just be general soreness and we'll see him in six days. We are hopeful that this will have Adam McCalvy or the Journal-Sentinel guys (heck, the Cleveland Plain Dealer) place a phone call or two to get an update from the Brewer front office, as we don't believe this has been reported elsewhere. And let's not forget our agent friend Josh represents Taylor Green. Update, Josh? Thank you to our unnamed fan in the Brevard stands. We received formal word from the Manatees on the DL stint, but since the game wasn't available via audio, we had a little help from outside the organization. By the way, J.R. Hopf continues his world tour and joins the 'Tees to fill the roster spot.

Various updates from Helena: RHP Liam Ohlmann left Wednesday's game when a line drive hit his right biceps. No word on his short- or long-term status at this time. RHP Nestor Corredor left the game with an undisclosed injury, partly explaining the struggles with control Wednesday for the converted catcher. This MiLB.com linked article on Erik Komatsu's huge night Wednesday (two three-run home run bombs) includes an audio link to announcer Steve Wendt's two home run calls. Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with RHP Brandon Rapoza Click on the KCAP archive of August 13th, then browse to the 17:00 minute mark; a full six and a half minutes with the Brewers' 2008 31st round pick out of Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida

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 72 52 .581 - 44-22 28-30 W2 Memphis 66 58 .532 6.0 32-29 34-29 W2 Omaha 53 72 .424 19.5 24-37 29-35 L3 Nashville 51 74 .408 21.5 24-37 27-37 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 33 19 .635 - 18-7 15-12 L1 Tennessee 26 26 .500 7.0 12-15 14-11 W1 Huntsville 25 27 .481 8.0 13-14 12-13 W3 West Tenn 22 29 .431 10.5 10-16 12-13 W1 Chattanooga 21 31 .404 12.0 11-14 10-17 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jupiter 29 21 .580 - 15-11 14-10 W3 Daytona 27 20 .574 0.5 16-7 11-13 L3 St. Lucie 25 21 .543 2.0 12-11 13-10 L2 Palm Beach 27 24 .529 2.5 15-10 12-14 W4 Brevard County 23 27 .460 6.0 11-13 12-14 L1 Vero Beach 15 37 .288 15.0 6-20 9-17 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 34 18 .654 - 16-9 18-9 W2 West Virginia 34 18 .654 - 20-6 14-12 L3 Delmarva 27 24 .529 6.5 11-14 16-10 L2 Lake County 24 27 .471 9.5 12-14 12-13 W3 Greensboro 21 31 .404 13.0 10-16 11-15 W4 Hagerstown 21 31 .404 13.0 9-18 12-13 L1 Lexington 18 33 .353 15.5 9-18 9-15 L7 Hickory 15 37 .288 19.0 4-20 11-17 L8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 12 4 .750 - 9-3 3-1 L1 Great Falls 9 7 .563 3.0 6-4 3-3 W1 Helena 6 10 .375 6.0 1-4 5-6 W3 Missoula 3 13 .188 9.0 3-2 0-11 L8

Arizona League Standings

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_14_orhaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_cngaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_breafa_pbcafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_wvaafx_augafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_orerok_helrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_14_royrok_brrrok_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Sam Narron at home vs. Oklahoma (Rangers), 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: LHP Brae Wright at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 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.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP Amaury Rivas at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:05 PM gametime Audio link via the Cardinals broadcast, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503 West Virginia: RHP Michael Bowman at Augusta (Giants), 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: RHP Trey Watten at home vs. Orem (Angels), 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 vs. the Royals' runts at home in Maryvale, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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Link while active, text follows: Lawrie digging for gold Leith Dunick, Thunder Bay Source He came, he saw, he conquered. And while he was at it, Brett Lawrie put a fright into guests at the Super 8 hotel across the street from Port Arthur Stadium, bashing three baseballs into Darryl Strawberry territory during last month's Warm Up to the Worlds friendly against Chinese-Taipei with the ease of a seasoned veteran. But unlike Strawberry, who turned the trick during the Thunder Bay Whiskey Jacks Northern League days as a member of the St. Paul Saints, Lawrie is not on the downside of a drug-fueled career, working his way back for one last gasp in the big leagues. No, the 18-year-old Lawrie is definitely a star on the rise. Having impressed scouts since donning the tools of ignorance behind the plate, the Langley, B.C. native in June became the highest Canadian position player yet selected in the annual Major League Baseball draft - and just the sixth first rounder ever - going 16th overall to the Milwaukee Brewers. "He's an exceptional talent, obviously," said Greg Hamilton, the Canadian junior coach lucky enough to be able to ensconce a talent the likes of Lawrie into the clean-up spot every time the national team hits the field. "From a team perspective he gives you a guy that just has incredible athletic confidence. It's always nice to go into a ballgame knowing he's probably better than anyone they have over there. His teammates know that most days, and he delivers every day." It's that consistency, mixed with tremendous power, above-average base running abilities, hand strength and a quick bat that attracted MLB scouts. As many as six teams were considering taking him, and at the time Lawrie would have been happy to have any of them remove him from the talent pool. As it stands, he's pretty excited to be joining the Brewers organization. "I couldn't be more thrilled. It's a once-in-a-lifetime moment that happened and I'll never forget the moment I heard my name called. Leading up to it, there was a lot of hard work done, but there's still a lot of hard work to be done, so I just have to carry it on, keep squaring it up and just try to help Milwaukee win," said Lawrie, who is trying to push his professional career out of his head until summer's end, after the Beijing Olympic Games. Yes, Lawrie is the youngest member of the Canadian Olympic baseball team, joining the likes of former Major Leaguers Rheal Cormier, Stubby Clapp, Adam Stern and Chris Reitsma on Terry Puhl's squad that hopes to win gold starting Aug. 13 against China. How could they say no, given Lawrie's pedigree and the likelihood he'll be leading Canada into international competitions for the next decade or so. Last year he hit .421 with four doubles and five RBI at a world junior qualifier in Mexico. This summer he hit at a .500 clip with eight homeruns and 24 RBI in eight games in the Dominican summer league, including five dingers in a double-header against Seattle Mariners prospects. "There are not too many people who get the chance, let alone at any age, get to play in the Olympics," Lawrie said. It's just an honor to be on the team and be asked to go with the guys there. We're going to go after the win, we're going after a gold," said Lawrie, who hopes the Midas touch runs in the family. "I'm going to be there with my sister (Danielle). She plays for the national softball team. So she's going to be there, my mom and dad will be there, so it's going to be a lot of fun." Lawrie isn't sure what his role will be in Beijing, stating he'll suit up at any position he's asked if it means contributing on the field. "I don't care. I'm just real glad I'm on the team and that they want me there," he said. Days before leaving for the Olympics Lawrie signed a deal with the Brewers, a contract that included a $1.7-million signing bonus. They plan to introduce him to Brewer fans in September. Larry Walker, look out. Your place in the Canadian baseball record books could soon be in jeopardy.

Link while active, text follows: Stars' Jeffress seeing clearly on, off mound Post-rehab pitcher doesn't want to repeat mistakes By BRAD SHEPARD For The HuntsvilleTimes Wednesday was a good day for Jeremy Jeffress. Even though he struggled through 2 1/3 innings in his first Double-A start with Huntsville, the Milwaukee Brewers' top minor-league pitching prospect wasn't complaining. It was a good day because it was Day No. 265 Jeffress has been clean. After spending a month in rehab for marijuana use following a 50-game suspension last year, Jeffress said he has a clear mind and a clear path to realizing his potential. "I took it head-on," the 20-year-old prospect said. "Some people, when they fall down, it's hard for them to get back up. But rehab was the biggest experience of my life. It has opened my eyes wide." As the 16th overall pick of the first round in 2006, the South Boston, Va., native was a coveted commodity with a fastball reaching 100 mph on the radar gun and a knee-buckling curve. But he was also an 18-year-old with a $1.55 million signing bonus and little guidance. "Coming from a small town - and I'm not blaming my hometown for anything - but that's what I was around," Jeffress said of marijuana. So, he smoked. And though his arm impressed everyone, his series of failed drug tests spelled caution. Since exiting an Arizona rehab facility last Thanksgiving, however, he has focused on pitching. At Single-A Brevard County this season, Jeffress missed the first 40 games as part of the suspension. He posted a 3-6 record with a 4.63 ERA, but had 92 strikeouts and just 32 walks in 68 innings. He had a 2.96 ERA during the final 12 starts before his promotion to Huntsville. Though Jeffress struggled Wednesday - striking out two while allowing two runs, two hits and three walks - his previous manager said Stars fans will enjoy the talented right-hander. "Jeffress' fastball velocity - there's no one to compare to him," Brevard County manager Mike Guerrero said. "He has a really, really good curveball and his fastball can overmatch any hitter, to go along with a good change. He's done all we've asked him to do on the field and off the field in order to be a professional." Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik wouldn't comment on the drug issues, but said Jeffress projects as a major league starter. "He's got a very gifted arm," Zduriencik said. "He's got a chance to be a solid, three-pitch pitcher." In an organization lacking pitching depth, Jeffress stands out - especially if his drug woes are licked. "If I ever got the opportunity to speak to anybody, (drugs) might be the first thing I talked about," Jeffress said. "If you trust in God, He'll make you strong. Everybody tells me if I stay clean, the sky's the limit. "Now, I play the game and stay focused and sober till midnight and go to sleep. Baseball is stressful enough. I heard someone to say this game is all about sacrifices, and smoking is one thing I could sacrifice. I found out I don't need it at all."

Link while active, text follows: Sounds' struggles persist against Oklahoma in loss By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Already assured of their first losing record in their four-year affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Sounds slipped further under .500 with Wednesday's 4-2 loss to visiting Oklahoma. Nashville (51-74), which had won seven of its past nine games entering its series with the RedHawks, has dropped the first two games of the four-game set as its struggles against that club continue. For the season, the Sounds are 1-13 against Oklahoma. After taking a 1-0 first-inning lead, the Sounds gave up a pair of runs in the second inning and never recovered. "We've been playing better of late," said Brendan Katin, who snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a late base hit Wednesday. "This time, we just came up a little short." Lindsay Gulin, winless in five starts since pitching in the Triple-A All-Star game July 16, gave up three runs in seven innings Wednesday and took his third loss since the break. "He kept us in the game," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "We had chances - not a whole lot, but some." On the move: Sounds outfielder Laynce Nix had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers prior to Wednesday's game. He will take the roster spot vacated by former Sounds infielder Russell Branyan, who was placed on the disabled list with a ribcage injury. Nix, who had spent the entire season with the Sounds, was hitting .284 with 23 home runs - 10th in the Pacific Coast League - and 60 runs batted in, along with 22 doubles. Over his last 20 games, the 27-year-old had hit .364 (28-for-77) with 15 extra-base hits, including six homers. He hit safely in 17 of those 20 games. Once he plays, it will mark the sixth straight season in which Nix has made a major league appearance. Also, Nashville pitcher Mark DiFelice was placed on the disabled list Wednesday morning after suffering a back injury during the sixth inning of his Tuesday start. Replacing Nix and DiFelice on the Sounds' roster are veteran infielder Ozzie Chavez, who had been on the temporary inactive list, and reliever Luis Pena, who had been on the DL. With the roster moves, the Sounds are at 125 transactions for the season - 41 more than last year. Up the charts: Nix currently ranks as the third-leading home run hitter in Sounds history, with 54 in parts of three seasons. He's tied with Drew Denson (1993-94) and three behind Mike Robertson (1994-96, '99). Chad Hermansen, who played for the Sounds from 1998-2002, is the franchise's all-time leader with 92 homers. Attendance lags: With Wednesday's turnout of 1,604, the Sounds have drawn 310,556 for 57 dates this season. At the current pace of 5,449 per game, the team's projected attendance for the season is 370,532. That would be the lowest cumulative attendance figure since the 2002 team drew 322,059. Nashville has drawn at least 405,000 in each of the previous four seasons.

Helena Independent Record: Brewers get the best of Raptors By Helena Independent Record John Delaney and Cutter Dykstra set the table, with Erik Komatsu following to clear the dishes. In the Helena Brewers 10-4 win over the Ogden Raptors in Utah Wednesday, Komatsu went 2-for-4, scalding a pair of three-run homers. His first dinger came in the third inning, when he poled a three-run tater over the right field fence, driving in Delaney and Dykstra. The Brewers big inning was the sixth, when they sent four men across home plate. David Fonseca led off with a double. Erik Miller reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second. Delaney singled, driving in Miller, and then Dykstra walked. Next Komatsu deposited another ball over the right field wall, plating Delaney and Dykstra. Komatsu, who has nine dingers on the season, upped his average to .347. Teammate Steven Braun added a two-run tater. Brock Kjeldgaard went 4-for-5, while Delaney was 3-for-4, with a double and four runs scored. Fonseca stroked a pair of two-baggers. On the mound, Helena starter Brandon Ritchie went six scoreless innings and gave up five hits to earn the win. He struck out five Raptors' hitters. Ritchie was relieved by Liam Ohlmann, Nestor Corredor and Brandon Rapoza. It was the Brew-crew's third straight win, as they improved to 6-10 for the second half. The Brewers return home Thursday night, meeting the Orem Owlz at Kindrick Legion Field at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

Link while active, text follows: Indians to get look at pitcher Zach Jackson Joe Maxse, Cleveland Plain Dealer Reporter A change of scenery never hurts. That's how Zach Jackson approached the news of being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to the Indians on July 7 as part of the CC Sabathia deal. That will be his mind-set tonight when the left-hander starts against the Baltimore Orioles after being called up from Class AAA Buffalo to replace traded Paul Byrd in the Tribe's starting rotation. "I'm very excited just to start over halfway through the season," said Jackson, who had spent most of the last three seasons at Class AAA Nashville. "I look at it as a blessing in disguise with new scenery. "I was shocked by the trade, what with all the names being thrown around and I wasn't one of them. But I guess you can't be too surprised in this game. You just have to embrace it and go with it." The 6-5 Jackson was drafted by Toronto as the 32nd player overall in 2004. He was traded to Milwaukee in 2005 and went 2-2 with the Brewers in seven starts in 2006. But other than two brief relief appearances with the Brewers this May, he looked to have fallen off the big-league club's radar. He said this move was probably the best thing for him. "I wouldn't say it was getting stale," said Jackson, who was 3-1 (4.05 ERA) in eight appearances (four starts) at Buffalo. "But when things aren't going your way, it couldn't come at a more perfect time. "At Buffalo, the coaches told me to just see what you're about and bring it to the table. The game's easier when you simplify things." Not much has been that simple during this trying Tribe season. Manager Eric Wedge was asked why Jackson got the call instead of Aaron Laffey, another left-hander. "We wanted to take a look at him," said Wedge, who is considering Jackson for some bullpen use down the line. "He threw the ball decent down there and, obviously, we liked him because we traded for him. We wanted to give Laffey a few more starts [at Buffalo]." Jackson, 25, said he had been a starter throughout his career before going to the pen this season with the Brewers. "I got a couple weeks in the bullpen [at Milwaukee] and I wouldn't take back what I've learned," he said. "I bounced back well and learned some things about myself. I'm a young guy and excited about the future and ready to go. What better place to get started than Cleveland." A native of Latrobe, Pa., Jackson said he remembers coming to Jacobs Field to watch a game with his father. "I think I was a freshman in high school," he said. "You think about this. This is a dream come true."

Link while active, text follows: Raptors leaving town after playing 'worst series of year' By TRENT TOONE Ogden Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN -- Mike Brumley got right to the point following Ogden's third straight loss to Helena Wednesday at Lindquist Field. "Overall that was probably the worst series we've played, maybe for the year. Even when Billings swept us (July 16-18) we played better than that," said the Raptors' manager. Thanks to a couple of home runs by Helena's Erik Komatsu, the Brewers soundly defeated the Raptors 10-4 to take the series 3-1. Brewers' manager Rene Gonzales was so happy he laughed at the long faces on the fans as they filed out. Talk about a tough three nights for Ogden. After winning eight straight and 17 of 21 games, the Brewers figured out how to shut the Raptors down. "Their pitching was good. We struggled to put good at-bats on them. We gave up a ton of two-out runs when we were one pitch away from getting out of certain innings," Brumley said. "We just couldn't do it this week. It was just a bad series." How did the Brew Crew dominate the Raptors in the last three games? Let Brumley count the ways: "They hit well. They pitched well. They hit home runs. They ran the bases well. They played a heck of a series." One Helena player who really rocked the Raptors Wednesday was outfielder Komatsu. The former Cal State Fullerton star smashed two three-run homers Wednesday to account for six of the Brewers' 10 runs. His average for the series was .401. Teammate John Delaney went 3-for-4, and Brock Kjeldgaard went 4-for-5, Steven Braun added a 2-run homer, and by the eighth inning, the Brew Crew was up 10-0 as fans started heading for the exits. "Yeah, the ball flies pretty good here (at Lindquist Field)," Komatsu said. "I like it." Komatsu said Helena turned things around after Sunday's loss with an intense team meeting in which problems were discussed and solutions were discovered. "We're playing better baseball now," Komatsu said. Ogden's only highlights came in the twilight of the contest. In the bottom of the eighth, Pedro Baez hit a three-run homer to prevent the shutout. It was his first homer in three weeks. The Raptors added another run in the bottom of the ninth when Ryan Arp bounced one off the left field wall for an RBI. Moments later, Ogden found a way to load the bases, but Travis Vetters struck out and Nick Buss ground out to end the game. Robert Boothe (1-4) took the loss on the mound, his fourth straight. Brumley took comfort in the fact that Ogden won four of the seven games in the home stand. He hopes the team can regroup as it embarks on a seven-game trip to Montana, including four games at Missoula and three at Helena. "I'm glad we are going on the road. Hopefully we'll play better," Brumley said. "At some point you are going to hit a bad point. If you are going to hit a bad streak in the last three weeks. Maybe now is better than later on. Hopefully we can refocused and turn it around."

Final: Arizona Giants 5, Arizona Brewers 2 Now 1-20 on the road, 9-33 overall... Arizona Box Score If there was ever a future Brewer destined to be known only by his first name, it's Stosh Wawrzasek, who started, allowed one run, and took the loss; it's hard to complain when Jake Odorizzi tosses another scoreless inning, but another two hitters reached and we're spoiled looking for those dominant high school-like outings; Venezuelan RHP Francisco Rivero isn't even 17-and-a-half yet, but he's tossed 5.1 scoreless innings over his first four pro outings; Jose Rangel is hitting .153, but he's stolen 13-of-15... Arizona Game Log