Jim Goulart

Further detailed updates on Nasgville, Huntsville, and Brevard later this morning, thanks for your patience today. Of course, box scores are linked in the early posts above.

Final: West Virginia 8, Lake County (Indians) 1 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER CLOBBER CAPTAINS Eric Farris smacked a pair of two-run doubles and Dan Merklinger turned in six solid innings at Classic Park on Friday night as the West Virginia Power defeated the Lake County Captains 8-1 for their fourth straight victory. Farris snapped a scoreless tie with his first two-run double of the night in the top of the third inning. Eric Fryer reached on Ron Rivas's fielding error later in the inning which allowed Farris to score. Caleb Gindl brought in the final run of the four-run frame with an RBI single. Farris struck again in the fourth inning with another two-run double to make it a 6-0 Power lead. The Captains got their first run in the bottom of the fifth. Rivas reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded and nobody out to score Jeff Hehr. Merklinger fanned the next two batters to end the inning. Logan Schafer singled in Lee Haydel in the sixth inning and Haydel drove in West Virginia's final run with an RBI single in the ninth. Merklinger (4-7) retired the first eight batters he faced and allowed just a run on four hits over six innings with six strikeouts to get the victory. Reed Dickert (2) tossed three scoreless innings of relief and got the save. Ryan Morris (7-4) surrendered seven runs on seven hits over five innings and was tagged with the loss. The Power improved to 57-46 on the year and 25-9 in the second half with the win. The Captains fell to 53-51 on the year and 12-22 in the second half with the loss. Five Power players turned in multi-hit games. Curt Rindal and Farris paced the Power with three hits apiece. Matt Cline reached twice and extended his on-base streak to 15 games. Farris went 3-for-6 and has hit safely in ten straight games since his 15-game hitting streak was snapped. Gindl went 2-for-4, extending his on-base streak to 17 games and his hitting streak to six games. The Power have recorded double digit hits in five straight games, and nine out of their last ten. The Power will continue the four-game series against Lake County at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio on Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Evan Anundsen (9-4, 3.68) and the Captains will counter with left hander Ryan Miller (7-5, 2.56). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score You look at the offensive numbers up and down the lineup and realize that April was so, so long ago -- that's player "development", kudos to the coaching staff; lefty Dan Merklinger has been inconsistent, but when he's on, he's been excellent... West Virginia Game Log

Final: Billings (Reds) 3, Helena 2 Link while active, text follows: Brewers' comeback falls short By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers set a season-high attendance record for their game with Billings Friday night, and they had pretty much every one of the 1,425 in attendance stomping by the bottom of the ninth. Trailing 3-2 into the final stanza, the Brewers (18-18) got a shot from Corey Kemp past the second baseman to lead off the inning. He was replaced by pinch runner John Delaney, and with Michael Vass' sacrifice bunt, Helena suddenly found itself with one out and the tying runner in scoring position. A bad pick-off throw to second by Billings (22-13) closer Steven Otterness and Delaney was staring down home plate, just waiting for the crack of the bat to send the game into overtime or finish it off with a win. Unfortunately for Delaney, and the raucous hometown crowd backing him, it never came. Jose Duran and Derrick Alfonso both went down swinging and the Brewers suffered their third straight loss, tying their season-high streak. At least it was a better effort than the night before when the Brewers were clobbered by the Mustangs 17-2. But, the five-hit, two-error performance still left the Brew Crew dissatisfied. "I wasn't really happy with our situational hitting. We had a lot of opportunities, but we just failed," said Brewers manager Rene Gonzales. Three times the Brewers had a runner on third with one out and couldn't bring him home. In the sixth, Steven Braun, little brother of Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Ryan Braun, hit a flair to right field for the first hit of his professional career. Erik Miller walked and David Fonseca singled to left to load the bases. Erik Komatsu hit a fielder's choice, which got Fonseca out at second but also allowed Braun to score the first run of the game. With runners at the corners, Chris Dennis struck out for the second out, and at the same time the Brewers attempted a double steal. Komatsu made it safely at second, but Miller hesitated going home before turning back toward third. His mix-up gave Billings shortstop Miguel Rojas enough time to throw home and catcher Chris McMurray to make the throw to third to get Miller out on the slide. The run scored made the game 2-1, but the Mustangs fired right back as Tyler Stovall cracked a solo home run to lead off the seventh inning. It was the second homer of the game and the first at-bat Brewers reliever Santo Manzanillo saw in the game. Efrain Nieves had given up a solo home run to Tony Brown in the first inning before finishing up six innings allowing two runs on three hits while striking out three. The Brewers brought the game back within one as Billings' Enrique Garcia walked the first two batters before being relieved by Will Hudgens in the bottom of the seventh. Duran hit an RBI grounder to right field, bringing home Kemp, and the Brewers worked the bases once again. Alfonso laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance runners to second and third, but as before, the final outs came as Braun struck out swinging on a pay-off pitch and Miller grounded out. "We couldn't come through; we just couldn't execute," Gonzales said. At least for the Brewers the game had no bearing on league standings. Billings' win the night before clinched the Northern Division first-half championship, giving them a berth in the playoffs at the end of the year. The Brewers have just two games left in the first half of the season before they try to make a run at the playoffs. With a weight off the Brewers shoulders, Gonzales decided to rest a few starters, jumbling the line up and putting some players in positions they haven't been at all season. First baseman Brock Kjeldgaard, shortstop Michael Marseco and Delaney were all resting for the game. "I'm just giving these guys some breaks. Kjeldgaard, Delaney and Marseco have played just about every inning of every game," Gonzales said. Of course, that led to a few concerns in the infield, where two errors in a row that allowed a run in the second inning. The first came off the glove of Fonseca at shortstop, then Kemp - one of three catchers - missed a bouncer that hit off his glove and allowed Stovall to score. The players quickly collected themselves and on the next at-bat turned a 4-6-3 double play. Kemp, normally a catcher, also proved he could field with the best of them when he darted in from third base on a slow-rolling grounder by David Sappelt. Kemp bare-handed the ball and made an impressive throw to first, but it just wasn't in time. "He's a good athlete. He does surprise you," Gonzales said about Kemp. "He said he felt comfortable over there, so we put him out there." Stovall led the Mustangs, going 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. Five Helena batters combined for their five hits. Garcia (2-0) picked up the win, allowing two runs on two hits over four innings. He walked three and struck out two. Nieves' outing dropped him to 4-2 on the season, however he remain possibly Helena's best starting pitcher. His four wins leads the team and came into the game with a 3.78 ERA. At 39 1/3 innings, he has the most playing time of any Brewers pitcher. "He's having an outstanding year, I think he's only had one poor outing," Gonzales said. "He's as solid as they come." The second-place Brewers head back on the road for tonight's game against the cellar-dwelling Missoula Osprey (9-27). Helena will try to use momentum facing off with the worst team in the Pioneer League as they begin the second half of the season on Monday at Missoula. "It's gonna happen, we've been streaky, and we'll get going," Gonzales said. Helena Box Score Efrain Nieves wonderful, as noted above, and 19-year-old RHP Wily Peralta has been very good in relief, allowing just one run in his last 12 innings... Helena Game Log

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with Manager Rene Gonzales Click on the KCAP archive of July 25th, then browse to the 13:00 minute mark; worthwhile discussion if you haven't been tempted to listen to a manager's chat as of yet...

Matt LaPorta 0-for-2 with a K, but walked twice and scored a run San Jose scored 11 runs in a wild win, but leadoff man Darren Ford was 0-for-5, but did walk once and scored a run; committed an error as well

Josh's criss-cross schedule has me tired -- awesome that he's going to San Jose, I would imagine to meet with Darren Ford, but Josh, what will you accomplish in that meeting that you couldn't do over the phone? California in a day? Yikes.

LHP Bobby Bramhall starting for the 'Tees tonight.

Final: Arizona Royals 4, Arizona Brewers 3, 11 innings Arizona Box Score Chris Errecart 0-for-4 with a walk; newcomer Bobby McEwen charged with the blown save, surrendering two (unearned) runs in the 9th; RHP Jose Sanchez took the loss; walks kill -- RHP's Adrian Rosario and Damon Krestalude combined to walk only one over the first eight innings -- McEwen and Sanchez walked five combined; yes, Carlos George committed the Brewers' only error, his 17th, but his error pace is way down since the opening two weeks -- unfortunately, this 9th inning error, the team's only one this game, was ultra-costly; 19-year-old Venezuelan catcher Jonathan Requena with his first pro home run... Arizona Game Log Brewers loaded the bases, one out in the 1st -- no runs; in the 3rd, Brewers loaded the bases with no outs and did not score -- sigh; this Carlos George error was a baserunning one -- leadoff double, bottom of the 9th, chance to win the game -- picked off! Double sigh. Chance to tie it, bottom of the 11th, man on 2nd, one out -- team is now 6-20. Triple sigh...

LHP Lucas Luetge interviewed at BCB

Wow, I sure mis-spoke yesterday. Nice surprise, Chris Errecart is your designated hitter in Maryvale today. Fantastic six-inning start for Adrian Rosario as well.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 63 43 .594 - 38-18 25-25 W1 Memphis 58 47 .552 4.5 28-22 30-25 W2 Omaha 48 57 .457 14.5 22-29 26-28 L2 Nashville 41 64 .390 21.5 20-29 21-35 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 19 14 .576 - 10-8 9-6 L1 Huntsville 18 15 .545 1.0 8-7 10-8 W1 Carolina 17 16 .515 2.0 7-6 10-10 L1 Chattanooga 14 19 .424 5.0 7-11 7-8 W1 West Tenn 13 20 .394 6.0 4-11 9-9 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 18 12 .600 - 9-5 9-7 W2 St. Lucie 18 13 .581 0.5 8-6 10-7 L1 Jupiter 17 14 .548 1.5 9-6 8-8 W3 Palm Beach 15 17 .469 4.0 10-7 5-10 L1 Brevard County 14 19 .424 5.5 6-10 8-9 W1 Vero Beach 11 22 .333 8.5 5-13 6-9 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 24 9 .727 - 14-4 10-5 W3 Lakewood 21 12 .636 3.0 9-5 12-7 L2 Delmarva 19 14 .576 5.0 6-8 13-6 W4 Hagerstown 15 18 .455 9.0 5-10 10-8 W1 Greensboro 13 20 .394 11.0 7-11 6-9 L1 Lake County 12 21 .364 12.0 5-10 7-11 L5 Hickory 11 22 .333 13.0 3-14 8-8 L9 Lexington 10 22 .313 13.5 7-12 3-10 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 22 13 .629 - 10-3 12-10 W1 Helena 18 17 .514 4.0 9-10 9-7 L2 Great Falls 17 18 .486 5.0 10-9 7-9 L2 Missoula 8 27 .229 14.0 4-15 4-12 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 18 7 .720 - 9-4 9-3 L1 AZL Rangers 17 9 .654 1.5 8-5 9-4 W7 AZL Cubs 16 10 .615 2.5 11-2 5-8 W1 AZL Giants 15 12 .556 4.0 8-6 7-6 W3 AZL Royals 14 13 .519 5.0 10-4 4-9 L1 AZL Padres 13 13 .500 5.5 8-5 5-8 W1 AZL Athletics 9 17 .346 9.5 4-8 5-9 L7 AZL Mariners 9 17 .346 9.5 5-7 4-10 L3 AZL Brewers 6 19 .240 12.0 6-7 0-12 L1

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_07_25_tacaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_25_hunaax_cmcaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_25_breafa_pbcafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_25_wvaafx_lcoafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_25_bilrok_helrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_25_royrok_brrrok_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 Sam Narron at home vs. Tacoma (Mariners), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556 Huntsville: RHP Nic Ungs at Carolina (Marlins), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: TBD at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:05 gametime Audio link via MiLB.com (Palm Beach feed), 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: LHP Dan Merklinger at Lake County (Indians), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: LHP Efrain Nieves, "The Phenom" as per play-by-play man Steve Wendt, at home vs. Billings (Reds), 7:50 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: 18-year-old RHP and ground-ball machine Adrian Rosario vs. the Royals Lil' Dumplings in Maryvale, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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

Link while active, text follows: Big inning hands Sounds another loss By STEVE SILVER Tennessean Staff Writer Richie Gardner would love to call a mulligan on his fifth-inning performance Thursday night. After giving up just three hits in the first four innings, Gardner allowed six earned runs in the top of the fifth inning as the Tacoma Rainiers shelled the Sounds 9-1 in front of 7,394 fans at Greer Stadium. Gardner (6-4) is winless in his last six outings, with a 7.26 ERA in that stretch. He was 6-2 at one point and his season ERA is 4.91. "I felt great then I got into the fifth and I don't know," Gardner said. "I don't know what you call it. The ball was flat and the ball was up and guys hit it real hard when you do that." Tacoma's Shawn Garrett started the fifth inning with a slow-rolling single between the shortstop and third baseman. Gardner then hit Rob Johnson in the back with a pitch. Two batters later Gardner walked the bases loaded, then walked in Rainiers' second run. The Rainiers then took a 3-0 lead off of Wladimir Balentien's sacrifice fly to center field. The Sounds' only offense appeared in the seventh inning. Vinny Rottino drove in designated hitter Brad Nelson with a grounder to second base to cut Tacoma's lead to 8-1. "(Tacoma starter Ryan Feierabend) did a real nice job," Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas said. "It's hard to tell, but he does a good job. We hit some balls hard, but we couldn't get into a good rhythm." Howard goes to DL: Sounds pitcher Ben Howard was placed on the disabled list Thursday to make room for left-handed reliever Mitch Stetter. Howard was 2-6 with a 4.73 ERA in 31 appearances with the Sounds. The transaction is retroactive to Monday. Stetter, who was sent down to Nashville this week after the Milwaukee Brewers activated pitcher Jeff Suppan, saw some action late in Thursday's game. Stetter pitched the eighth inning, recording one strikeout while throwing just eight pitches. Missing out: Sounds batters are hitting just .132 (5-for-38) with runners in scoring position since the All-Star break. Designated difficulty: The Sounds' loss Thursday drops them to 10-20 against American League affiliates. Sounds designated hitters are batting a cumulative .271 (29-for-107) with five home runs in those games. What they said: "Their big hitter came up and I hung a flat slider and that's pretty much what happens against good hitters," - Gardner, on Victor Diaz's three-run home run in the fifth.

Link while active, text follows: Billings throttles Helena By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers were certainly hoping for a better homecoming than they received Thursday night. After a day off from their seven-day stint in the Pioneer League's Southern Division, where the Brewers were able to sneak into the North's second-place spot, the home team were decimated by Billings 17-2 at Kindrick Legion Field. The loss drops Helena to 18-17 on the season, but more importantly, allows the Mustangs (22-13) to clinch the first half of the season championship. That means they will have an automatic berth in the playoffs at the end of the summer. "We have been playing pretty good as of late and we got some timely hits early and were able to put the game away early," said Billings manager Julio Garcia. "It's a combination. We've been able to pitch well and at times we've been able to hit as well. "Tonight we put it all together." There's no doubt about that. Starting pitcher Jamie Arneson allowed just two runs on five hits over the first six innings, then shut the Brewers down. The southpaw also picked up five strike outs without giving up a walk. By the time he was finished with the Brewers, only two more would get hits - both on reliever Junior Martinez - before Justin Freeman closed out the bottom of the ninth with three straight strike outs. Billings' batters, meanwhile, put up a season-high 20 hits and lead-off batter Andrew Means had two home runs, including a grand slam, to lead the Mustangs with seven RBI. That nearly emptied the park of the 1,216 in attendance. Means' second blast, which brought in all four runs in the eighth inning, only proved how rough the Brewers had it going. For starters, he shouldn't have even been up to bat. After walking the first two batters, Helena pitcher Rolando Pascual struck out Byron Wiley and forced Jose Gualdron to fly out to first base. Pascual then struck out Miguel Rojas swinging, however, the ball went into the dirt and away from catcher Mike Roberts. Roberts hustled toward the backstop, but couldn't turn in time to get a good throw to first and Rojas advanced on the wild pitch. That allowed Means back up to bat and, after drawing a full count, he parked it high off the left field safety net. "He's a football player so he's really just learning how to play. He got a couple pretty good pitches to hit tonight and he did something with it," Garcia said. While it certainly put the Brewers out of contention, Helena manager Rene Gonzales didn't quite see it that way. "Quite honest, we were never in it," he said. "I'm kind of disappointed, I thought we came out ready to play." The Brewers looked like they would be able to stay with Billings after collecting two runs on three hits in the bottom of the second. Michael Vass and Roberts hit back-to-back singles before advancing to third and second, respectively, on a passed ball. Derrick Alfonso followed it up with a two-out single to left field to bring in both runners and the score to 4-2. "That was it, those two runs and then there was nothing near coming close," Gonzales said. Helena did manage to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth when Vass walked on with two out, but Roberts went down swinging to record the third. Seven different Brewers recorded each of their hits while David Sappelt led the Mustangs with a 4-for-6 performance that included a double and two RBI. Teammate Byron Wiley went 3-for-6 with two doubles, a triple and three RBI. The Brewers have three more games before the completion of the first half of the season including another against Billings today at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). "We're not going to concede this half, we're still going to have to play good ball. We have been to a point and the effort's been great," Gonzales said. "We've just got to continue to get ready for the division in the second half. We've got to continue to win." Diamond notes: Steve Braun, little brother of Milwaukee's National League Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun, made his pro debut Thursday subbing for Michael Marseco at the shortstop position in the top of the seventh. He was welcomed with a grounder from Rojas that went off his glove and into the left field on the first at-bat. Billings' Tony Brown was the only Mustang not to get a hit in the game. He went 0-for-6 and scored a run, reaching on an error and a fielder's choice.

Please guys, petition management for the blue jerseys -- throw back the throwbacks!

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with Strength and Conditioning Coach Jake Marx Click on the KCAP archive of July 24th, then browse to the 12:00 minute mark; Wisconsin kid and UW-Milwaukee alum...

We believe he's likely done for the season with that broken bone in his hand. If not, then he'll be back very late August.

Matt LaPorta 0-for-4 with a K, two stranded in scoring position Matt now sporting a .537 OPS in 42 AB's. Darren Ford 1-for-4 with a walk, run scored, RBI, stolen base, two K's.

A baseball fired at the opposition's dugout results in the arrest of pitcher Julio Castillo and the hospitalization of a fan. Midwest League game in Dayton...

Final: Billings (Reds) 17, Helena 2 So much for the first-half title... Helena Box Score Brock Kjeldgaard the only Brewer to reach twice (single, HBP), and the pitching, well, left a bit to be desired, with Cody Adams faring the "best" in his two innings (3 R, 1 ER - his own error led to that); newspaper coverage in the AM... Helena Game Log

Final: Brevard County 4, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 3 Hmmm, 4-3 over the Cardinals, sounds familiar... Brevard County Box Score Can you guess what this number represents -- 0.89? That's LHP Chris Cody's WHIP this year in 76.2 IP -- his lines are always fun to follow, 69 K's as well; it would have been fun to see LHP Derrick Ellison's debut tonight (two scoreless for the save), to see what type of gas he was throwing; Jonathan Lucroy at it again -- another gunned down at second base; Taylor Green a two-run HR -- he is just on fire, 12 HR's at this point in the season in the Florida State League is fantastic (for the Brewers or Indians?); Chuck Caufield with two singles, including a huge one, detailed below... Brevard County Game Log Here's your winning rally, the three-run 8th -- - Pitcher Change: Kenneth Maiques replaces Mark Diapoules. - Yohannis Perez strikes out swinging. - Mel Stocker walks. - With Brent Brewer batting, Mel Stocker steals (2) 2nd base. - Brent Brewer singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Henley. Mel Stocker to 3rd. - Jonathan Lucroy walks. Brent Brewer to 2nd. - Taylor Green walks. Mel Stocker scores. Brent Brewer to 3rd. Jonathan Lucroy to 2nd. - Pitcher Change: Blake King replaces Kenneth Maiques. - Charlie Fermaint strikes out swinging. - Chuck Caufield singles on a line drive to center fielder Tyler Henley. Brent Brewer scores. Jonathan Lucroy scores. Taylor Green out at 3rd on the throw, center fielder Tyler Henley to first baseman Matthew Arburr to third baseman Brian Cartie.

The audio did not pick up until the 4th inning of Game One, but the game log indicates that Alcides Escobar left after scoring on a sacrifice fly -- perhaps it was a play at the plate.