Jim Goulart

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 6, Huntsville 5 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Jaxx Grab Walk-Off Win Over Stars Sandoval Cannot Close Door in Ninth By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Jeffrey Dominguez drove in the winning run with an infield hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to push West Tenn past Huntsville 6-5 Friday night in the middle of a five-game series at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx won their second straight to raise their record to 20-27 in the second half, while the Stars dipped to 22-26 in the half. West Tenn has won 11 of the 19 games in the season series, including six of eight at home. Juan Sandoval opened the ninth on the mound for Huntsville with a 5-4 lead and retired the leadoff man before Marshall Hubbard's pinch-hit double to center field off the glove of Lorenzo Cain. Mike Wilson walked and Johan Limonta followed with a single to drive in Hubbard to tie the game and move Wilson to second base. Adam Moore struck out for the second out before Sandoval issued a wild pitch on a 1-1 offering to Dominguez that moved the runners up a base. The West Tenn second sacker then squibbed a ground ball past a diving third baseman Guilder Rodriguez that shortstop Alcides Escobar tried to play with the bare hand and could not, allowing Wilson to score the decisive run. Sandoval suffered his fifth blown save of the season and dropped to 2-5. Angel Salome led off the second inning with a double and stayed put when Chris Errecart was hit by Gaby Hernandez with one out. Mike Bell walked to load the bases before Cain and Martin Maldonado delivered singles to drive in runs to make it 2-0. The rally was capped by a Michael Brantley sacrifice fly, his first of the season. Stars' starter Brae Wright had blanked the Jaxx on two hits through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Dominguez led off with a single before Matt Mangini hit a ground ball to second that should have been turned into a double play and instead resulted only in a force out at second. Mark Kiger legged out an infield hit and both runners scored on a triple by Brent Johnson that cut the lead to 3-2. Greg Halman singled in Johnson to tie the game and scored on a Limonta sacrifice fly to give the Jaxx their first lead. Wright was removed after five frames, in his shortest outing since June 20, and charged with four runs on six hits, while walking three and fanning four. Salome started the sixth inning with a single, moved to second base when Cole Gillespie was hit by a pitch and to third after an Errecart sacrifice bunt. Bell's ground ball out plated Salome to tie the game and move Gillespie to third base before Hernandez uncorked a wild pitch that brought in the Huntsville right fielder with the lead run. Hernandez lasted six innings in his second start with the Jaxx, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out a pair. Jason Shiell took over for Wright and threw a scoreless sixth inning before exiting with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. David Johnson came on and got Dominguez to ground into an inning-ending double play. Johnson threw a scoreless eighth inning and has now allowed only one run in his last 29 2/3 innings of work. Marwin Vega tossed two shutout innings behind Hernandez and was followed by Nelson Payano, who grabbed the win with a shutout ninth inning. The series continues Saturday night with left-hander David Welch taking the hill against West Tenn right-hander Luis Munoz. Coverage of the game 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 Mat Gamel a needed night off; Lorenzo Cain on base three times; Angel Salome a double and single on another productive evening for him; David Johnson bailed out Jason Shiell's line big-time, as Shiell earned a "hold" despite walking four... Huntsville Game Log

Final: Omaha (Royals) 6, Nashville 1 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- Sounds Open Homestand With 6-1 Loss NASHVILLE - The Omaha Royals used the power of the longball on Friday evening at Greer Stadium, scoring all of their runs on three homers in a 6-1 victory over the Nashville Sounds in the opener of a five-game series. The loss snapped the Sounds' season-best four-game winning streak. Omaha starter Brandon Duckworth (4-11) held Nashville bats in check for the majority of the evening, limiting the home club to one run on four hits in his seven innings of action to pick up the win. Outfielder Laynce Nix (2-for-2) - who posted two of Nashville's four hits on the evening - put the Sounds up 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning when he drilled a 3-1 Duckworth offering the other way for a solo homer to left, his team-leading 23rd roundtripper of the year. Nix has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games, adding 14 extra-base hits over that stretch. AUDIO: Laynce Nix Solo Homer Omaha first baseman Kila Ka'aihue tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth with a one-out solo homer to right off Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin, his fifth longball of the season. The visitors increased their lead to 6-1 in the fifth with a pair of mammoth home runs off Gulin. Royals catcher Brayan Pena got things started when he belted a two-run homer to left-center that careened off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. The blast, which came against Gulin, was the backstop's second of the year. After a pair of walks issued to Ka'aihue and Ryan Shealy, Omaha right-fielder Damon Hollins slugged a three-run shot deep over the wall in left, his 11th homer of the year, to extend the lead to five. Gulin (5-6) was saddled with the loss for the Sounds after giving up six runs, all on homers, over his five innings of work. Richie Gardner followed Gulin with four hitless innings of relief to close out the contest for Nashville. The teams continue the series on Saturday evening with a 6 p.m. doubleheader that will consist of two seven-inning games. Left-hander Sam Narron (6-3, 4.78) will start the opener for Nashville and face Omaha right-hander Roman Colon (3-5, 4.64). Left-hander Troy Cate (2-2, 5.22) will man the bump in the nightcap for the Sounds to square off against Royals righty Matt Wright (3-7, 5.86). Nashville Box Score Hernan Iribarren dropped to 8th in the order, slugging a purtrid .328 (OBP .330); bullpen work agreed with Richie Gardner, at least on this night... Nashville Game Log

West Virginia "Bull on Baseball" Pre-Game Show opens with discussion on the current Power squad -- Click on the WSWW archive of August 8th, discussion begins right at the top... Listen to Caleb Gindl and Curt Rindal's 2nd inning "Back-to-Back Jack-Jackety-Jack's" at the 01:30:00 hour / minute mark at the same audio link above -- I can never get enough of that call... Hickory simply worked R.J. Seidel hard, pitch count issue after three innings (73 pitches) despite no earned runs allowed. Eric Farris with a season-worthy web gem call at the 01:59:00 hour / minute mark.

Westwood (Phillies) wins again, keeping the pressure on the Power...

Final: West Virginia 4, Hickory (Pirates) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: GINDL GOES NUTS ON CRAZY 8'S NIGHT Crazy Eight's was the theme of Friday night's game at Appalachian Power Park and number eight for West Virginia, Caleb Gindl, went 4-for-4 and hit his eighth home run as the Power took the second game of the series with a 4-2 victory over the Hickory Crawdads. Gindl and Curt Rindal smacked back-to-back home runs with two-outs in the bottom of the second inning to give the Power a 2-0 lead. Ironically, it was the eighth homer of the season for Rindal as well. The Crawdads answered quickly in the top of the third inning as Jordy Mercer tied the game with a two-run homer. Eric Fryer was hit by a pitch to start the sixth inning and he scored on Gindl's two-out triple to right center field. Rindal singled in Steffan Wilson to plate West Virginia's final run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Reed Dickert (2-2) pitched four perfect innings of relief and fanned four batters to earn the victory. Corey Frerichs became the first Power player to get to double digit saves as he pitched two scoreless innings of relief to snag his tenth save of the season. Rodolpho Aguirre (0-3) allowed three runs on seven hits over five and two-thirds and was tagged with the loss. Dickert and Frerichs combined to retire 17 out of the final 18 batters in the game. The Power improved to 64-52 on the year and 32-15 in the second half with the win. The Crawdads fell to 45-72 on the year and 15-32 in the second half with the loss. Gindl paced the Power with his four-hit performance while Rindal and Lee Haydel turned in two hits apiece. Fryer went 0-for-3, bringing his hitting streak to an end at 12 games. The Power will continue the four-game series against Hickory Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Michael Bowman (1-1, 5.82) and the Crawdads will counter with right hander Rafael De Los Santos (2-8, 5.89). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). Photo of Logan Schafer (Byline should read "Gindl's Perfect Night") West Virginia Box Score That's a brief three-inning start for R.J. Seidel -- we'll have to poke around to see if he's OK; RHP Reed Dickert turned 24 in June, the only thing taking away from his season-long dominance and importance to the Power; closer Corey Frerichs' season-long numbers dazzle; Lee Haydel has his average at .300 after 440 AB's; let's remember, folks, Caleb Gindl won't even be 20 years old until August 31st... West Virginia Game Log

colbyjack's Cape Cod League All-Star Game Review and Analysis

We really need to hear if the Brewers are trying to escape their commitment to the Nashville market through 2010 -- what a sad mess... Metro and Sounds bicker with lease set to expire Nate Rau, nrau@nashvillecitypaper.com http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/files/image/article/full_61984.jpg Although the opportunity for reconciliation is still there, the Nashville Sounds and Metro could be on a course for a messy break-up. Ever since the Sounds' deal for a new downtown ballpark unraveled at the seams last year, the two sides haven't been able to agree on much. First there was the 'he-said, she-said' gossip surrounding why the riverfront ballpark deal went south. Both Metro and the project's developer, Struever Bros., Eccles and Rouse, pointed the finger at the ball club. The bickering came to a roar earlier this year when the Sounds went around new Mayor Karl Dean's office and filed a piece of state legislation to help fund a new ballpark. Dean rebuked the Sounds' efforts and by way of lobbying from Metro legislative liaison Eddie Davidson managed to kill the team's bill. The latest Sounds-versus-Metro battlefront is the issue of Greer Stadium's compliance with the Americans with Disability Act. Metro claims the Sounds are in default of their Greer lease because of about a dozen lingering ADA compliance issues. In the meantime, the deadline for the Sounds to extend the lease has come and gone and uncertainty has settled in. Metro has offered the Sounds a one-year lease extension at Greer, provided the team agrees to pay for 100 percent of the cost to get the 32-year-old stadium ADA compliant. So far the Sounds, who have about 20 games left in their season, have not extended the lease, which expires at the end of the year. "I don't know what higher road to take," Sounds Chief Operating Officer Glenn Yaeger said. "I've said to them, 'We are willing to sign a lease, willing to contribute to ADA compliance.' "They're offering us a one-year lease and they're asking us to make 100 percent of the ADA improvements. Now, play this out. Say in six months we've make all the ADA improvements and still have no long-term commitment. Then what happens?" Asked point blank whether the Sounds would be playing in Nashville next season, Mayor Dean would not give a firm answer. "I sure hope so," Dean said. "They didn't exercise their renewal of the lease. Long-term there will be baseball in Nashville. Nashville is a great baseball market. We have a long history of baseball in Nashville and we will continue to have baseball in Nashville. I'm a huge fan - it's my favorite sport. "But at the same time, I have an obligation to make sure the city's protected and the taxpayers are protected. People who have leases with the city have to live up to the terms of the leases." ADA issues remain Yaeger said the team doesn't have a firm estimate for how much it will cost to move Greer into ADA compliance, but it's apparent the Sounds don't feel they should be on the hook for 100 percent of the bill. The team invested $1 million of its own money into new free-standing locker rooms, which knocked two of the remaining issues off the ADA to-do list Metro submitted to the team in April. Metro maintains the terms of the lease state the Sounds are responsible for bringing the stadium into ADA compliance. "We want to be in Nashville, to play baseball in Nashville and to do what's right to contribute our fair share to ADA compliance," Yaeger said. "But if our lease expires and we are out of there, who's responsible for getting the stadium ADA compliant then? Metro is." Yaeger points to the enlarged subsidy Metro gave the new Nashville Predators ownership group this year and the logic many officials used in supporting the deal. Yaeger said the Sounds are asking for much less than Metro gave to the new Predators owners. The Sommet Center subsidy increased to $7.4 million under the agreement reached by Dean with the David Freeman-led group. "They wanted to make sure [the Predators] could operate profitably, even when the Predators don't have any facility-related capital costs," Yaeger said. "What they're willing to do is subsidize their business operation. "And here all we're asking for is to help us contribute to a facility, which they own." Owners need to put their own 'skin in the game' Although Dean insists the issue of getting every Metro facility, like Greer, into ADA compliance is important to him, it's reasonable to believe he views the issue as a litmus test for how committed the Sounds are financially. The previous stadium deal fell apart following bickering between the Sounds and Struever Brothers over predevelopment costs for the $40 million-plus ballpark. If the Sounds aren't willing to foot the bill for ADA compliance, then Dean wonders what sort of partner they will be for a new stadium. "Any agreement… in terms of building a new stadium will have to be a deal that makes sense for the citizens of Nashville and everyone involved will have to put some skin in the game," Dean said. Yaeger counters that the Sounds have put some of their own "skin in the game," beginning with the $1 million upgrade to Greer this season. Yaeger estimated team owner Al Gordon has invested upwards of $5 million into the team's operation, many of it coming in a stadium that has become progressively more rundown with each passing season. League wants baseball to stay in Nashville In an interview with The City Paper, Pacific Coast League President Branch Rickey Jr. sung the praises of Nashville as a Triple A baseball market and said it's his hope the team and Metro can work out their differences. Rickey pointed out it's in the best interests of both sides in the short term for the Sounds to be playing in Greer. Metro would have an empty 32-year-old baseball stadium without the Sounds as tenants and the team would seemingly have nowhere else to go. "The Pacific Coast League has an abiding, unflinching enthusiasm about having PCL baseball continue in Nashville," Rickey said. "We're unflinching in that. We'll do everything we can to make sure that happens." Yaeger said the team's goal is to negotiate new lease terms for Greer and then to revisit the issue of a new ballpark in Nashville. But while the Sounds insist their top priority is to continue playing in Nashville, Dean has done nothing to guarantee that will happen. While he waxes poetic about the future of baseball in Nashville, the mayor remains hazy about whether that future includes the Sounds, or not. "What I've asked from them, in terms of building a new stadium, would be that they come forward with a proposal that doesn't start with us finding ways to give them tax breaks or government money," Dean said. "[i've asked them to present a deal] that starts with them telling us what they're willing to invest and what they envision. They have never done that. "That being said, I look forward to a long, glorious [future] of baseball in Nashville. It's one of those things that people are just going to have to speculate about."

Link Report Bonus (PCL Travel Costs): Consider the problems for minor league baseball: The Pacific Coast League is spread out among 16 teams in three time zones, and the league's 144-game schedule makes bus travel nearly impossible. Though some teams receive financial help from their big-league partners, it's not nearly enough to offset the soaring cost of getting a group of about 30 players, coaches and support staff across half the country. "We are irrevocably married to commercial transportation," said Branch Rickey, president of the PCL and grandson of the legendary Dodgers executive. "There is no room for divorce. We can't get into Priuses or onto buses and solve our problems." Most teams were able to lock in good deals for the current season before the recent price surge, but they weren't prepared for the new baggage surcharges some airlines began imposing to offset jet fuel costs. Tacoma Rainiers president Aaron Artman estimates the baggage fees will cost his team at least $100,000 this season. Some teams may even ship equipment overnight next year rather than throwing it on the plane with the team. The league is considering extensive changes beginning with the 2010 season to cope, including a heavily unbalanced schedule that would focus more on regional travel or on realigning divisions to cut down on lengthy road trips. And as struggling airlines trim flight schedules, teams have fewer options for getting from one city to the next, said Albuquerque Isotopes general manager John Traub. "Airlines don't have marketing people now, so we're dealing with some 800 number or getting some group desk," Traub said. "You hope to get a deal, but it's something that is never going away." Minor league baseball bills itself as an affordable, family-friendly experience and can't afford to raise prices too much. Fans could just easily stay home or go to the movies. So far, the economic downturn hasn't hurt the PCL at the gate, but don't be surprised if the price of nachos and a cold one goes up 50 cents. "We're just trying to stay one step ahead," Traub said.

Jeff Sackmann takes his own stab at analyzing the park effects of Space Coast Sttadium, including this note: Not nearly as dramatic, but it continues to drive home the point about right-handed power. The conventional wisdom is right on the money. The FSL is a pitcher's league, and for righties, hitting at Space Coast is worse than MLBers have it at Petco. Take a gander.

The St. Paul Saints of the independent American Association have signed recently released infielder Jimmy Mojica.

Nashville Media Notes: GARDNER SHIFTED TO BULLPEN: To accommodate Nic Ungs' return to the Nashville starting rotation, right-hander Richie Gardner has been moved to the club's bullpen. The 26-year-old went 4-5 with a 6.21 ERA (58 ER / 84.0 IP) in 17 starts for Nashville; PCL opponents batted .324 against him in his starts. In five relief outings this season, Gardner is s 2-0 with one save and 3.66 ERA (8 ER / 19.2 IP). He went winless over his final ten starts (0-4, 7.20 ERA, 36 ER / 45.0 IP), dating back to a victory on June 2 against Iowa.

Nashville Media Notes: PENA PLACED ON D.L.: Sounds closer Luis Pena has been placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday. In his last eight appearances, the fireballer has been touched for an 18.00 ERA (18 ER / 9.0 IP) while opponents batted .400 against him (16-for-40). He is 1-3 with one save and three blown saves over that stretch. Pena opened the year by posting a 3.47 ERA in his initial 38 outings. No details on the nature of the injury...

Thanks AJ, we covered it in some detail in our Transaction thread.

Owlz second baseman Ivan Contreras throws to first base to make a double play after outing Brewers right fielder Cutter Dykstra during the Owlz game against the Helena Brewers Thursday, August 7, 2008 in Orem. Photo By CELIA TOBIN/Daily Herald http://2008.heraldextra.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=130379&g2_serialNumber=2

Arizona League Standings

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 69 49 .585 - 42-22 27-27 W1 Memphis 64 54 .542 5.0 30-25 34-29 L1 Omaha 51 67 .432 18.0 24-35 27-32 L3 Nashville 48 70 .407 21.0 21-33 27-37 W4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 30 17 .638 - 16-6 14-11 W6 Tennessee 24 23 .511 6.0 11-14 13-9 L1 Huntsville 22 25 .468 8.0 11-14 11-11 L1 West Tenn 19 27 .413 10.5 7-14 12-13 W1 Chattanooga 19 28 .404 11.0 9-13 10-15 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 26 17 .605 - 15-6 11-11 W1 Jupiter 25 19 .568 1.5 12-9 13-10 L1 St. Lucie 23 19 .548 2.5 12-9 11-10 W1 Palm Beach 22 23 .489 5.0 14-10 8-13 L1 Brevard County 20 24 .455 6.5 9-12 11-12 W3 Vero Beach 14 32 .304 13.5 6-17 8-15 L9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 31 15 .674 - 17-6 14-9 W1 Lakewood 30 17 .638 1.5 14-8 16-9 W2 Delmarva 25 21 .543 6.0 10-12 15-9 L1 Lake County 20 26 .435 11.0 11-13 9-13 W1 Hagerstown 20 27 .426 11.5 9-16 11-11 L3 Lexington 18 27 .400 12.5 9-15 9-12 L1 Greensboro 17 29 .370 14.0 9-14 8-15 L1 Hickory 15 31 .326 16.0 4-17 11-14 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 9 1 .900 - 6-0 3-1 W3 Great Falls 5 5 .500 4.0 2-2 3-3 W2 Helena 3 7 .300 6.0 1-4 2-3 L3 Missoula 3 7 .300 6.0 3-2 0-5 L2

Follow Friday'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_08_omaaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_hunaax_wtdaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_breafa_dbcafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_hicafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_helrok_orerok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_brrrok_rngrok_1

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):

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 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 West Tenn (Mariners), 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: LHP Derek Miller at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime Audio link via Daytona 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 R.J. Seidel at home vs. Hickory (Pirates), 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 Liam Ohlmann at 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 at the Rangers' 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

Zach Jackson bounces back from his lone poor Buffalo outing and Darren Ford's last few game stats available here.

Link while active, text follows: Power happy to have Ramlow back from Brevard Tall southpaw works three hitless innings in romp past Hickory by Christopher Wade For the Charleston Daily Mail In sports and all aspects of life, getting a demotion is never a good thing and can sometimes cause a negative reaction and backlash. When pitcher Mike Ramlow was sent by the parent Milwaukee Brewers back to the West Virginia Power from high Class A Brevard County in the Florida State League, some would consider that a demotion. It clearly isn't the case. Ramlow pitched the majority of the season for the Power and did so very effectively before getting called up to the Manatees due to some of their pitchers going on the disabled list. Just as he did with the Power, Ramlow was solid on the mound for Brevard, but when the injured pitchers returned, a crowded roster ensued. Add to that fact that the Power is in a stretch run for a possible South Atlantic League playoff berth and needed pitching help ... it all led to Ramlow being sent back to Charleston on Wednesday night. Power Manager Jeff Isom and pitching coach John Curtis are certainly glad to have Ramlow back and wasted little time in getting the Toledo, Ohio, native back on the mound less than one day later against Hickory. If Ramlow's performance against the Crawdads on Thursday night was any indication of things to come, then his return to the Power might be pivotal to the team's hopes of making the playoffs for a second straight season. Ramlow pitched three shutout innings to earn his eighth save of the season without even allowing a hit in leading the Power to a 13-2 win over Hickory (15-31) at Appalachian Power Park in the opener of a four-game series. "He did a lot of great things for us and the organization felt the way he was pitching, he deserved an opportunity," Isom said. "They had some openings where they needed a pitcher up there so they moved him up." "It's definitely not a demotion for him by any means. It ends up being where they (Brevard County) had some guys become healthy and come off the disabled list." Added Curtis, "After some of their pitchers returned from the disabled list, they got a little crowded there in Brevard and we needed some pitching help here." With the win, the Power moved to 31-15 in the second half (63-52 overall), with just a 1½-game lead over second-place Lakewood in the SAL Northern Division. "All of a sudden, we are in the middle of a playoff run," Isom said. "He pitched very well up in Brevard but they just felt with us in the playoff hunt, we could use a little bit of extra help." "It's a chance for him to come pitch for a club he was a big part of our success and he's going to be a big key to our success the rest of the way through the season with this final stretch run." Ramlow is very versatile on the mound, serving both as a starter and reliever for both the Power and Brevard County this season. He is 4-3 this season with the Power with a 2.96 earned run average in 24 games, including six starts, and was 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA with Brevard County in five games (two starts). While Ramlow would rather be in Brevard, he realizes why he is back with the Power and is ready to do whatever is needed to try and help the team make a return visit to the playoffs. "I was pretty excited to get to move up and I wish I was still up there, but they told me they needed some help down here," Ramlow said. "Whatever I can do to make the team better, I'll do." "As long as I can put a jersey on, I don't care. It's tough to go through but you just try to do whatever you can for the team. Whatever they ask you to do, you just try to go out and do it." The Power pitching staff vacancy came when Milwaukee announced that West Virginia reliever Wes Etheridge had been placed on the temporary inactive list. The Power had been playing one man short, so outfielder Mike Vass was moved up from Helena of the Pioneer League. Vass was hitting .242 with seven homers and 28 RBI in 43 games with Helena. Etheridge, a right-hander, is 0-1 with four saves and a 5.14 ERA for the Power. The Power plans to keep Ramlow in the bullpen for the rest of the season but whatever way they decide to use him, Isom is very excited to have the 6-foot-6 left-hander back. "When the game is on the line, there's not a guy better suited to have the ball in his hand than Mike Ramlow," Isom said. "We see this as a very good thing for our club and we couldn't be happier."

Final: Orem (Angels) 5, Helena 4, ten innings Jimenez spurs Owlz to extra-innings win By Ryan Comer For the Deseret News OREM - With the Orem Owlz and the Helena Brewers tied 4-4 in the bottom of the tenth and runners on second and third with just one out, the Brewers had a decision to make. Face the league hits leader or the league RBI leader. The Brewers chose the latter - and lost. The Brewers intentionally walked Roberto Lopez, who entered Thursday night's contest leading the Pioneer League with 70 hits, and chose instead to pitch to Luis Jimenez, who entered the game leading the league with 39 RBIs. The Brewers almost got lucky, inducing a grounder to short. But Jimenez beat the double-play attempt and the Owlz won 5-4. "Ground ball, I think I hit it good," said a smiling Jimenez afterward. "We won." Beau Brooks led off the bottom of the tenth with a seven-pitch walk before being lifted for pinch-runner Rian Kiniry. Darwin Perez was then hit by Garrett Sherrill's first pitch to him. Kiniry and Perez pulled off a double-steal, but Ivan Contreras grounded out to short, bringing up Lopez. Owlz manager Tom Kotchman agreed with the decision to walk Lopez. "Pick your poison," Kotchman said. "Jimenez is a lot more pitchable. I wouldn't pitch to Lopez either." The Owlz jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth on Jimenez's 10th home run of the season. Despite being shut down by Owlz starter Jayson Miller most of the evening, the Brewers finally got a run across in the top of the sixth to tie the score. With one out, John Delaney ripped a double into left field. One out later, Chris Dennis smacked an RBI triple into the right-center field gap that ended up bouncing all the way to the wall. The Brewers took advantage of a strange series of plays in the top of the seventh to jump ahead 4-1. Cutter Dykstra, son of former major leaguer and three-time all-star Lenny Dykstra, led off the inning with a single to center. Mike Roberts came up next and grounded one to Perez at short. Perez, who charged in to make the play, couldn't get a firm grip on the ball and both Dykstra and Roberts were safe. After Derrick Alfanso laid down a sacrifice bunt to move both runners up 90 feet, Steve Braun rolled one to Jimenez at third. Jimenez, who appeared to want to throw home on the play to try and get Dykstra, bobbled the ball. Miraculously, Jimenez was able to see Roberts heading to third and regroup in time to throw to Perez, who scampered over from short on the play. After a bloop single by Erik Miller moved Braun to third, Delaney came up, setting up another strange play. On a 2-1 pitch, Miller took off for second. When the throw to second got there, Miller froze. Perez, who was covering second on the play, looked at third to make sure Braun didn't try to score and then dove to try and tag Miller. Once he dove, Braun came racing home. Perez ended up being late on the tag to Miller, who dove into the second-base bag at the same time. Perez's throw home was late and Braun scored. Five pitches later, Delaney dunked one into right-center field, allowing Miller to score and bringing Kotchman out of the dugout to make a pitching change. Steven Geltz came in and walked Miguel Vasquez before getting the final out. "Miller's the type of guy you've got to play defense behind and we didn't do that," Kotchman said. "He did his normal job tonight. One earned run." The Owlz tied the game back up in the bottom of the seventh on a three-run drive deep to right-center field by Tyson Auer. It was the first homer of the season for Auer, who went 4-for-11 in the Owlz' recent three-game sweep at Casper. "I was just trying to stay consistent in my approach," Auer said. "I was just hoping it would fall over the outfielder's head." The game remained tied until the bottom of the tenth. The Owlz have now won four straight since losing four of six to open the second half. The Owlz and Brewers will meet again tonight for the second of a three-game series at Brent Brown Ballpark. *** Orem beats Brewers in 10th inning Helena Independent Record Orem's Rian Kiniry scored the winning run on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the 10th inning and the Owlz defeated the Helena Brewers 5-4 Thursday night before 2,727 fans. It was a rough start to the Brewers' (3-7) journey to the Pioneer League's Southern Division. Helena will be on the road six more games before returning to the friendly confines of Kindrick Legion Field on Aug. 14. Helena was able to pick up 10 hits in the contest, two more than their opponents, but couldn't make them when they counted most. Orem's (6-4) final run came when Luis Jimenez grounded to Helena's Miguel Vasquez at shortstop. He was able to throw out Roberto Lopez at second but Kiniry slipped home. Though no Orem player had more than one hit, both Jimenez and Tyson Auer hit home runs for the Owlz that would prove costly for the Brewers. Jimenez's solo blast in the fourth gave them an early lead, but after Helena tied it up in the sixth when Chris Dennis tripled to bring in John Delaney then took a 4-1 lead in the seventh, Auer's three-run blast gave them life in the bottom of the inning. Helena's Cutter Dykstra, Steven Braun and Erik Miller all scored in the top of the seventh. Braun's came on a double steal that also advanced Miller to second. Delaney and Dykstra both went 3-for-5 with a run. Delaney also picked up an RBI. Helena's Garrett Sherrill (1-6) picked up the loss after giving up one earned run over the final 2 2/3 innings. He struck out two and walked two. Orem's Chris Scholl (3-1) closed out the game with one batter left to pick up the win. Helena Box Score John Delaney 3-for-5, two doubles; Cutter Dykstra singled three times in five AB's; starter Daniel Meadows pitched well; Cody Scarpetta was the victim of that key three-run Orem home run... Helena Game Log

Boy Jeenius, very cool with a first-hand report from Maryvale! Final: Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Mariners 0, six innings, rain Arizona Box Score 18-year-old RHP Luis Guerrero with sweet innings; six Brewers had base hits, Cam Robulack with two; Hitaniel Arias singled, walked, and sacrificed... Arizona Game Log

Pitching duel in Maryvale tonight, Rolando Pascual is pitching in relief; Helena now in the 10th... Final "official" updates in the AM -- good night...