Jim Goulart

Final, Game One: Carolina (Marlins) 6, Huntsville 3 Final, Game Two: Huntsville 3, Carolina 0 Huntsville Site Doubleheader Summary: Huntsville Back to Within a Game of Top Spot By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars David Welch and Juan Sandoval combined on a one-hitter in Huntsville's 3-0 win in game two that gave the visitors a doubleheader split Thursday night at Five County Stadium. The Stars improved to 18-15 in the second half and moved to within a game of division leading Tennessee, while the Mudcats dipped to 17-16 in the second half and fell two games off the pace. Carolina has taken nine of the 14 games between the two teams this season. Lorenzo Cain led off game two with a triple and Guilder Rodriguez walked before Willie Glen fanned Mat Gamel and Angel Salome in succession. Jay Gibbons then singled into center field to plate Cain and Cole Gillespie followed with a ground rule double to deliver Rodriguez to make it 2-0 Huntsville. Glen was taken out after three innings, giving up the two runs on four hits, walking one and striking out six. Gillespie led off the fourth with a single, stole second and moved to third base on a wild pitch by Tim Corcoran on the same offering and scored on a base hit by Michael Garciaparra to extend the visitors lead to 3-0. Garciaparra took over in game one for an injured Alcides Escobar, who left with an apparent finger injury after the third inning. John Raynor's two-out single in the third was the only hit allowed by Welch, who picked off the league's leader in stolen bases to end the inning. The left-hander had allowed only two base runners through five before Raynor reached on an error and Dante Brinkley walked with two outs in the sixth. Welch then got Lee Mitchell to bounce into a force out at second to end the inning and close his performance, as he became the first 10-game winner in the league. Welch walked two and matched a season-high with six strikeouts before Sandoval worked a scoreless seventh to earn his 13th save. Huntsville Game Two Box Score Angel Salome gunned down the one baserunner who tried to steal; Cole Gillespie is so solid in so many aspects -- he's 12-of-13 in stolen base attempts now; hopefully word trickles out on the status of Alcides Escobar's finger injury Friday or Saturday... Huntsville Game Two Game Log Huntsville got the scoring started in game one in the second on a bases loaded walk to Guilder Rodriguez before pitcher Donovan Hand grounded into a double play to end the inning. The Mudcats answered in the bottom of the inning when Gaby Sanchez singled and came in to score on a double by Mitchell, who moved to third base on a throwing error to the plate by Rodriguez and scored on a Bryan Peterson sacrifice fly. The Stars regained the lead in the third on a run-scoring single by Mat Gamel, who broke an 0-for-16 drought, and a sacrifice fly by Gibbons, making his first start since he joined the team at the start of the series. Carolina tied the game in the bottom half of the frame when Raynor led off with a double and then, with one out, stole third base and scored on a throwing error on the play by catcher Angel Salome. The Mudcats took the lead for good in the fourth when Mitchell walked, moved to third base on a Peterson single and scored on a Brad Davis sacrifice fly. Chris Coghlan's lead off long ball and another Davis scoring fly ball in the sixth pushed the lead to 6-3. Hand finished what he started, giving up six runs, four earned, on seven hits and suffered the loss to fall to 1-4. He walked three and struck out one over his six innings of work. Anibel Sanchez retired eight in a row before a Rodriguez single to lead off the seventh inning. Cain walked with one out before Garciaparra lined out to first base on a leaping catch by Gaby Sanchez, who tagged out Cain to end the game. Sanchez went the distance, yielding seven hits, walking four and fanning seven to earn the win in his second rehab start with the Mudcats, as he tries to make it back to the major leagues. The series continues Friday night with Stars' right-hander Nic Ungs taking the hill against Mudcats right-hander Brett Sinkbeil. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com. Huntsville Game One Box Score Lorenzo Cain and Guilder Rodriguez on base three times each in this seven-inning contest, but Guilder committed two errors at second base, and Lo was picked off first; oddities tonight -- Angel Salome caught both games (no Martin Maldonado) and no Mike Bell at second base in either game because he's serving his post-brawl suspension; learning curve for Donovan Hand -- he'll be back at AA next summer to continue his progression... Huntsville Game Two Box Score

Final: Tacoma (Mariners) 9, Nashville 1 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- Rainiers' Four Homers Too Much For Sounds NASHVILLE - The Tacoma Rainiers belted four home runs, including two by designated hitter Victor Diaz, in hanging a 9-1 defeat on the Nashville Sounds on Thursday evening in front of 7,394 fans at Greer Stadium. Tacoma grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning without recording a hit against Sounds starter Richie Gardner. With one out, Luis Valbuena drew a walk, then stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Carlos Corporan, before scoring in unearned fashion on a Tug Hulett sacrifice fly. The Rainiers increased the lead to 7-0 in the fifth with a six-run rally against Gardner that was highlighted by back-to-back two-out home runs to right-center by Diaz and ex-Sound Craig Wilson that both careened off the clubhouse building beyond the wall in right-center. Diaz's three-run homer was the slugger's team-leading 17th of the year. Wilson followed with a solo shot, his third longball of the year, which chased Gardner. Tacoma added another run in the seventh when Diaz belted his second home run of the evening, a two-out solo shot to right off Nashville reliever Randy Choate that made it an 8-0 game. The Sounds got on the board in the home half of the seventh. Brad Nelson greeted Rainiers reliever Oscar Villarreal with a double and moved to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a Vinny Rottino groundout. Hulett wrapped up the evening's scoring in the top of the ninth with a one-out solo homer to right off Troy Cate, his 11th roundtripper of the year. Nashville (41-64) finished 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the contest, including failing to score with the bases loaded and none out in the bottom of the ninth as Jon Huber induced a flyout from Brendan Katin then Rottino hit into a game-ending double play. Tacoma starter Ryan Feierabend (5-1) picked up the win after working six scoreless frames in his first start for the club since mid-May. He allowed three hits and struck out four batters in his return from the disabled list. Gardner (6-4) drew the loss after he surrendered a season-high seven runs (six earned) on six hits in his 4 2/3 frames and drew a loss for the second straight outing. The teams wrap up the four-game set with a 7 p.m. finale on Friday evening. Left-hander Sam Narron (6-3, 4.50) will make the start for the Sounds to face Tacoma southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith (NR), who will make his first Triple-A appearance of the season. Nashville Box Score Brad Nelson and Tony Gwynn each reached twice -- that's about it, folks... Nashville Game Log

Nashville Pre-Game Chat with First Baseman Brad Nelson Brad remains so darn humble and likable in these interviews -- discussion includes his outstanding defense at first base this season...

D'oh! I'm going to stop predicting the TBD's for now -- I'm slumping badly...

Nice job by Matt with his latest effort

battlekow with a fun Cutter Dykstra interview

The staff appreciates your kind words, everyone, believe me. We'll never please everyone, but so far in July, nearly 4,500 of you are making us part of your day, every day. Yes, we are smashing records, and we can only imagine we'll continue to do so with the Crew rolling on. Thanks again. Brewerfan Statitude And for fun -- we're bigger in Russia than Canada, how'd that happen? Top 30 of 75 Total Countries # Hits Files KBytes Country 1 2306261 43.39% 1661130 42.86% 15637978 42.38% US Commercial 2 1979808 37.25% 1440052 37.16% 13541593 36.70% Network 3 836361 15.74% 615528 15.88% 6223582 16.86% Unresolved/Unknown 4 82218 1.55% 70237 1.81% 664659 1.80% US Educational 5 20647 0.39% 12936 0.33% 121798 0.33% Non-Profit Organization 6 13680 0.26% 10138 0.26% 87523 0.24% US Military 7 13499 0.25% 13375 0.35% 181632 0.49% Russian Federation 8 13262 0.25% 11688 0.30% 96252 0.26% Canada 9 13206 0.25% 8833 0.23% 85098 0.23% United States 10 9608 0.18% 8533 0.22% 80355 0.22% US Government 11 4015 0.08% 3740 0.10% 30895 0.08% Japan 12 3618 0.07% 3518 0.09% 30862 0.08% Netherlands 13 3605 0.07% 2375 0.06% 12634 0.03% Germany 14 2126 0.04% 1507 0.04% 12719 0.03% Taiwan 15 1946 0.04% 1897 0.05% 13761 0.04% Ireland 16 1443 0.03% 1370 0.04% 10763 0.03% Old style Arpanet (arpa) 17 1333 0.03% 1317 0.03% 13385 0.04% Australia 18 1153 0.02% 1102 0.03% 9160 0.02% United Kingdom 19 810 0.02% 764 0.02% 4176 0.01% New Zealand (Aotearoa) 20 708 0.01% 634 0.02% 4993 0.01% Italy 21 689 0.01% 338 0.01% 2950 0.01% Belize 22 439 0.01% 438 0.01% 5160 0.01% Greece 23 370 0.01% 363 0.01% 2800 0.01% Belgium 24 275 0.01% 275 0.01% 1459 0.00% Dominican Republic 25 266 0.01% 256 0.01% 1455 0.00% France 26 245 0.00% 189 0.00% 1229 0.00% Aruba 27 230 0.00% 226 0.01% 1557 0.00% Czech Republic 28 219 0.00% 216 0.01% 1342 0.00% Croatia (Hrvatska) 29 210 0.00% 208 0.01% 1141 0.00% Switzerland 30 209 0.00% 201 0.01% 4071 0.01% Norway

Final: Arizona Giants 4, Arizona Brewers 3 Walk off loss keeps the Maryvale boys winless on the road this season, now 0-12 -- man, that bus ride home is going to be craptastic, hope the air conditioning doesn't break down... Arizona Box Score Giants only had four hits, but played clean defense -- meanwhile, Brewers commit five errors, three of them in the outfield; continue to keep an eye on 17-year-old OF Jose Garcia (2-for-4) -- in terms of prominence, only Rolando Pascual was a higher profile signing in terms of competition among other organizations; RHP Jake Odorizzi and LHP Kristian Bueno certainly with solid performances; to keep Odorizzi's campaign in perspective, see Mark Rogers' Maryvale stats in 2004. (Mike Jones opened in the Pioneer League in 2001). And the best of all -- do you remember Yovani Gallardo's six Maryvale appearances in 2004? What a stud. Hope all is going well, Yo. Arizona Game Log

RHP Ben Howard goes on the Nashville DL, retroactive to the 21st, with an undisclosed "injury". This makes room for LHP Mitch Stetter.

To fill two openings on the Power roster, RHP Rob Wooten and LHP Lucas Luetge get promoted from Helena. That's a nice infusion of talent for the West Virginia staff, although Helena could have used their arms this week as the first-half season ends. Newly signed infielder Steve Braun will make his debut in Helena, not Arizona, and RHP Brandon Rapoza moves up from Maryvale, to fill the Helena spots. Also, catcher Brett Whiteside's roster spot has been re-assigned to Maryvale, as he has been officially diagnosed with a broken left hand. Keep in mind you can always review transaction data via our Brewerfan Transaction Index, available via any top-of-page Brewerfan banner.

Helena's first half-season ends this Sunday, actually in the midst of a series at Missoula. Helena trails Billings by three games in the standings with four games to play, so they will need to sweep the two game series against the Mustangs beginning tonight, and then get some help from Great Falls this weekend.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 62 43 .590 - 38-18 24-25 L2 Memphis 57 47 .548 4.5 27-22 30-25 W1 Omaha 48 56 .462 13.5 22-29 26-27 L1 Nashville 41 63 .394 20.5 20-28 21-35 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 19 13 .594 - 10-7 9-6 W1 Huntsville 17 14 .548 1.5 8-7 9-7 L2 Carolina 16 15 .516 2.5 6-5 10-10 W1 Chattanooga 13 18 .419 5.5 6-10 7-8 L2 West Tenn 12 19 .387 6.5 4-11 8-8 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 18 12 .600 - 8-5 10-7 W3 Daytona 17 12 .586 0.5 9-5 8-7 W1 Jupiter 16 14 .533 2.0 9-6 7-8 W2 Palm Beach 15 16 .484 3.5 10-6 5-10 W1 Brevard County 13 19 .406 6.0 6-10 7-9 L1 Vero Beach 11 21 .344 8.0 5-12 6-9 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 21 13 .618 - 10-3 11-10 L1 Helena 18 16 .529 3.0 9-9 9-7 L1 Great Falls 17 17 .500 4.0 10-9 7-8 L1 Missoula 7 27 .206 14.0 3-15 4-12 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 16 9 .640 2.0 8-5 8-4 W6 AZL Cubs 15 10 .600 3.0 10-2 5-8 L1 AZL Giants 14 12 .538 4.5 7-6 7-6 W2 AZL Royals 14 12 .538 4.5 10-4 4-8 W1 AZL Padres 12 13 .480 6.0 7-5 5-8 L3 AZL Athletics 9 16 .360 9.0 4-8 5-8 L6 AZL Mariners 9 16 .360 9.0 5-6 4-10 L2 AZL Brewers 6 18 .250 11.5 6-7 0-11 W1

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

Follow Thursday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_tacaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_hunaax_cmcaax_1 Huntsville Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_hunaax_cmcaax_2 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_breafa_pbcafa_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_bilrok_helrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_24_brrrok_giarok_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Richie Gardner 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 Donovan Hand and LHP David Welch in a double-dip at Carolina (Marlins), 4:45 PM pre-game; 5:00 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 (most likely RHP Alex Periard on five days' rest) 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: Idle Helena: RHP Trey Watten 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: RHP Jake Odorizzi at the not-so-Giants complex in Scottsdale, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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

Adam McCalvy of MLB.com with an update on Derrick Turnbow's DL situation.

Link while active, text follows: No matter the position, De La Rosa gets it done for Power by Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter For the record, West Virginia Power utility player Anderson De La Rosa can't pitch. That, however, is the only thing he can't do on a baseball field. "I can play any position," De La Rosa said a few minutes after he helped West Virginia battle back and hold on for a 12-10 South Atlantic League win over Rome (Ga.) on Wednesday at Appalachian Power Park. "I told the manager (Jeff Isom), 'Wherever you put me, I'll play hard.'" De La Rosa was 2-for-5 with two runs and four RBI, including three on a second-inning home run and one on a third-inning double. The 6-foot, 190-pound De La Rosa has played all but four of the nine positions (catcher, first baseman, left fielder, center fielder and right fielder) in his four minor league baseball seasons. He also has been used as a pinch hitter, pinch runner and designated hitter. He also takes ground balls at second base, shortstop and third base before every game, and he can play any of those positions if necessary. "That's why he's so valuable," Isom said. "You can put him anywhere in the outfield or behind the plate and he does a great job. Even at first base, he does a good job. He's a guy who can play multiple positions, and there's value to that." It is a matter of necessity, De La Rosa said. "If you want to stay here in the United States," the Venezuela native said, "you need to be able to play everything." De La Rosa was demoted from high Class A Brevard County (Fla.) to low Class A West Virginia on June 19. "I'm fine with this," said De La Rosa, who will turn 24 next week (Aug. 1). "It's good for me. It's good for the team. I get to play every day. This is way better. I like when I get to play. This is good. I'm fine because I want to play." "The value is getting in there and playing the game," Isom added. "That's how you learn. That's how you get your experience. Whether it's Arizona or Helena or West Virginia, it doesn't matter. "You have to be out there playing to get yourself better. Sitting on the bench doesn't help you out. You can sit and watch and learn, but the actual playing experience ... that's what you have to get." De La Rosa is hitting .280 with three home runs, five doubles, 12 runs and 15 RBI in 21 games with the Power this season. "The way he has been swinging the bat lately, close to .300, we're going to find a way to get him in the lineup," Isom said. The teams combined for 22 runs and 28 hits Wednesday. "I don't know if it was the afternoon game and the pitchers were still waking up or what," said Isom, whose team rallied from a 5-0 first-inning deficit. "But, boy, those bats came alive. Both sides swung it very well. It was a dogfight." The Northern Division-leading Power (56-46 overall and 24-9 in the second half) got on the board in the home half of the first when Caleb Gindl had an RBI single. West Virginia rallied for five runs in the second. De La Rosa did most of the damage, smacking a three-run home run over the left-field wall. Matt Cline provided an RBI double and scored on an RBI single by Eric Farris later that inning to cap the comeback, which gave West Virginia a 6-5 lead after two. The Power extended its advantage to 8-5 in the third on an RBI double by De La Rosa and an RBI fielder's choice by Cline. Logan Schafer hit a two-run double in the sixth for a 10-7 lead. Clinging to a 10-9 lead, the Power added two more runs in the eighth on a pair of two-out hits -- an RBI double by Eric Fryer and an RBI single by Schafer -- to clinch the win. In addition to De La Rosa, Farris (3-for-5 with one RBI and two runs), Schafer (3-for-5 with one run and three RBI), Cline (2-5 with two runs and two RBI) and Fryer (2-for-4 with one RBI and three runs) each had multiple hits for the Power. Fryer, by the way, played first base for the first time this season. He normally plays in left field or behind the plate. First baseman/third baseman Steffan Wilson suffered a wrist injury, prompting Isom to put Fryer at first. "We feel comfortable wherever we put him," Isom said. "We just need his bat in the lineup." Rome dropped to 37-65, 15-18. South Atlantic League teams are off Thursday. West Virginia will start an eight-game road swing with a four-game series against Northern Division first-half winner Lake County (Ohio) Friday night.

Steve Garrison with a fantastic effort Wednesday night. Game Story

Matt LaPorta doubled and scored a run, one K, in four AB's. Darren Ford 0-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt.

Link while active, text follows: Is something brewing at Fox Cities Stadium? Timber Rattlers hold off talks with Mariners as Brewers remain possible link to Fox Cities Stadium By Brett Christopherson Appleton Post-Crescent staff writer No news is supposed to be good news, but that might not be the case for the Seattle Mariners' partnership with the minor league Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Mariners' four-year player development contract with the Timber Rattlers - which keeps the Rattlers playing at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute - expires in September, and Rattlers officials are holding off on a new deal despite ongoing talks with Seattle. Wisconsin has served as Seattle's low Class-A affiliate since 1993. The Rattlers' delay in re-signing with the Mariners is curious considering the current pact was signed in January 2004 with one season still remaining on the previous deal, and the past two contracts have been for the four-year maximum instead of the two-year minimum. "We're seeing how this season goes," Rattlers president Rob Zerjav said. "There are different factors this time going into this decision." Adding to the intrigue, the Milwaukee Brewers are in the final year of a two-year deal with the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League, and so far have declined to negotiate a new contract with the Power that would keep them grounded at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W. Va. If the Rattlers decide to not re-sign with the Mariners and the Brewers abandon West Virginia, both organizations would be free to discuss a deal when the major league-mandated negotiating period begins in September. Minor league teams, which mostly are locally owned, benefit from major league affiliation because of the high profile of the professional franchise and the players the organization provides, who have talent but need improvement. Brewers, T-Rats pairing logical A partnership with the Rattlers makes sense for the Brewers. Miller Park and Fox Cities Stadium are close to one another, making rehab starts for major leaguers convenient. And the Brewers already are familiar with the Midwest League through a 22-year affiliation with Beloit that ended in 2004. It also makes sense for the Rattlers, who could increase their fan base by tapping into the heightened interest in Brewers baseball. Major and minor league groups already affiliated are free to renew a contract at any time, but neither can begin negotiating a deal with a different partner until Sept. 16. Major league rules allow negotiations to run until Sept. 30. Major League Baseball has strict guidelines that prohibit big league and minor league teams not bound by contract from discussing their future intentions - publicly or with each other. Violations, if discovered, result in tampering charges and stiff fines: $500,000 at the major league level and up to $100,000 at the minor league level. Seattle still pursuing deal Seattle apparently remains interested in re-signing with the Rattlers. "We've had some discussions, and I feel like they've been positive," said Mariners director of player development Greg Hunter, in town last week for the Rattlers' series with South Bend. "I feel like I have a good relationship with the people here. I trust and believe in them. They've been straightforward with me, and I think they'll continue to be. "We'll see where it goes. We'd like to be here. This is a good spot." Agreeing to a new contract with any major league club requires a majority vote by the Rattlers' 12-person board of directors, based on a recommendation made by Zerjav and the board's four-person executive committee. Though the Mariners remain an option, board chairman Craig Dickman doesn't expect the Rattlers will make a decision until the two-week negotiating period in September. "I think the Mariners are a great club," he said. "Well run. Good people. It's been a great relationship. We'll assess the Mariners and go through and assess anyone that might be a possibility." Losing ways a problem Wisconsin's recent wave of losing baseball and turmoil within the Seattle organization could be sticking points. The Rattlers have enjoyed just two winning seasons since 2002, limping to showings of 53-86 ('02), 57-82 ('04), 54-86 in ('06) and 53-85 ('07) during that span. They are 38-59 overall this season, including a dismal 7-24 in the second half, and Zerjav admits there are fans who have expressed their disappointment over shoddy play. Still, attendance remains steady, with Wisconsin ranking ninth out of the 14 Midwest League teams at a per-game average of 2,529. Meanwhile, the situation isn't much brighter with the Mariners, who were thought to be contenders this season in the American League West but instead are in last place. In June, the club fired general manager Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren. "I think whenever we make a decision, it's important that we look at what the fans want," Zerjav said. "They're the ones buying the tickets. You want to give them what they want. So it's one aspect of how we make the decision." Brewers delaying W.V. affiliate As the open negotiation period nears, West Virginia officials are feeling frozen out by the Brewers. "They indicated to us that their new policy is to now wait until the end of season before discussing (a new player development contract)," said Andy Milovich, executive vice president of Palisades Baseball, the management company that oversees the Power. "That's a change from the last time we negotiated, but it's something they're doing on an organizational-wide basis with all of their affiliates." Two years ago the Brewers wanted West Virginia to sign the contract in force now while the season was ongoing, but the Power waited until the offseason to renew the deal. "The fact that the Brewers haven't said, 'We're happy, but we want to wait until the end of the season,' indicates to me that maybe their minds might be made up," Milovich said. "I could be completely off base, I don't know. "We would certainly be interested in continuing that relationship. If they want to come back, fantastic." Brewers director of player development Reid Nichols could not be reached for comment. Expert sees merit in pairing Baseball America news editor Josh Leventhal, who follows business trends throughout the minor leagues, thinks re-signing with the Mariners makes the most sense for the Rattlers. "They've been together 15 years now, the Mariners have sent some pretty good prospects through Wisconsin and they rank in the middle of Midwest League attendance," he said in an e-mail. Leventhal sees little benefit for the Rattlers to pair with another major league team - with one exception: "a deal with the hometown Brewers." The sun sets over Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute during a game Friday between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the South Bend Silver Hawks. The sun may be setting on the Seattle Mariners' affiliation with the Rattlers when their contract expires in September. Post-Crescent photo by M.P. King http://cmsimg.postcrescent.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=U0&Date=20080724&Category=APC0101&ArtNo=807240516&Ref=AR&Profile=1003&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Link while active, text follows: Power rallies, belts Braves 12-10 By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Any lingering memories of the Power's abysmal April should be fading into obscurity. Back then, a .200 team batting average would have been an ambitious goal, and any thoughts of a division title would have been laughable. "We were down there next to the Mendoza line, I know that,'' recalled Power hitting coach Jim Lett. Nowadays, even a five-run deficit is not a problem for a team that leads the South Atlantic League in batting average and runs and enters the season's final six weeks as a good bet to win a second-half division championship and earn a spot in the postseason. After surrendering five runs in an interminable first inning Wednesday afternoon, the Power bounced back with five runs of its own in the second and finished with a 12-10 victory over the Rome Braves at Appalachian Power Park. "Early in the year,'' said Power outfielder Lee Haydel, "if we'd fall behind 5-0, we'd pack it up. But in the second half, we're in the game no matter what the score is.'' A three-run homer by catcher Anderson De La Rosa helped cut the deficit to 5-4 in the second and, later in the inning, the Power scored two more runs on hits by Uly Snijders, Matt Cline and Eric Farris to take a 6-5 lead. The Power never trailed again and totaled 15 hits, including six for extra bases. The victory improved the team's second-half record to 24-9 and was its 14th victory in the last 18 home games. In addition, the offensive onslaught boosted the team's batting average to .272 and its season run total to 533, both of which rank first in the 16-team league. Three months ago, by contrast, the Power stood last in team hitting at .194 and owned a 3-12 record. "It's a long summer. We all know that,'' said Lett. "You'll see guys go up and down, up and down. With 140 games, you're going to have those little spurts where you say, 'Whew, we're scuffling.' '' The Braves, meanwhile, stayed in contention and trailed only 8-7 through four innings, prompting Power manager Jeff Isom to summon right-hander Michael Bowman from the bullpen. Bowman, a recent acquisition, entered in the fifth and did not allow a hit and walked just one in two innings to pick up the victory, his first with the Power. Bowman, a Richmond, Va., native and former Virginia Military Institute pitcher, was taken by the Brewers in the ninth round of last month's draft and, after a few appearances at Helena of the Pioneer League, earned a promotion to West Virginia. "I just got ahead and tried to keep it down in the zone and let my defense work behind me,'' said Bowman. "Things went well.'' Said pitching coach John Curtis, "He did a beautiful job the other night in four innings, and we were a little worried about bringing him back on two days' rest. But he held his own. He left a few balls up, but when he had to, he pounded the ball in there pretty good.'' Power right fielder Logan Schafer, another recent acquisition, contributed three hits and three RBIs and raised his batting average to .333 in 39 at-bats. In addition to his three-run homer, De La Rosa had an RBI double in the third inning. Farris also had three hits. POWER POINTS: After an off-day today, the Power will open a four-game series at Lake County on Friday and, beginning on Tuesday, will visit Lakewood for what looks like a critical four-game series. The Power lead Lakewood by three games in the Northern Division. ...The Power finished 6-2 on the homestand. ...Wednesday's game was the first weekday afternoon game at APP since 2005, other than the traditional Grand Slam School Days. Paid attendance was 1,654, but on a day in which dark clouds accompanied the game's 12:05 p.m. start, actual attendance was about 500. Power general manager Ryan Gates said the team may try another weekday afternoon game next season. ...Wheeler Bob has sold all but a few of his 12-dozen shipment of Wheeler Bob T-shirts. He also sold 12 dozen last year. All proceeds go to charity. Charleston Wheeler owner Dennis Bastien introduced the Wheeler Bob T-shirts in 1988, although the design was noticeably different. ...WCHS-TV sportscaster Josh Lewis documented his recent tryout with the Power (Brewers' scouts held an area open tryout) and produced a segment that will air as part of Eyewitness News on Sunday night.

Link while active, text follows: Sounds will get pitcher back from Milwaukee By STEVE SILVER Tennessean Staff Writer Left-handed reliever Mitch Stetter will rejoin the Sounds' roster prior to tonight's game. Stetter was optioned back to Nashville for the third time this season after the Milwaukee Brewers activated pitcher Jeff Suppan from the disabled list on Tuesday afternoon. A 72-hour grace period is applied to this type of transaction because the Sounds will have to open a spot for Stetter with a roster move. Stetter posted a 2.78 ERA while holding opponents to a .160 batting average in 23 appearances with the Brewers this year. In his previous two stints with the Sounds, Stetter is 0-3 with a 3.52 ERA in 16 appearances. Escape artist: Sounds starting pitcher Lindsay Gulin gave up a two-out double to Rainiers outfielder Wladimir Balentien, then walked the bases loaded in the first inning. Despite the rough start, Gulin struck out Michael Saunders to escape the jam. "At first, he was a little uncomfortable and he couldn't really find his rhythm," said Manager Frank Kremblas. "But I call him Gu-dini because he always finds a way to get out of that stuff early." Gulin threw 61 pitches in the first two innings before settling down. Welcome back: Former Sounds infielder Craig Wilson made his first appearance of the series at Greer Stadium. After not dressing Tuesday, Wilson went 0-for-3 with one walk and three strikeouts for the Rainiers. Wilson was also hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. Crafty running: Tony Gwynn stole second base in the top of the first inning, giving the Sounds a Pacific Coast League-high 114 stolen bases on 152 attempts. Tough sell: Wednesday's noon starting time kept many fans away, aside from youth campers. The official attendance of the game was 2,786. Beerfest: Tonight's game will mark the first time the Sounds have played at home on a Thursday night since June 19, which means $1 dollar draft beers until the fifth inning. There will also be an hour-long concert prior to the game as part of the Miller Lite Concert Series. Famous family: Tacoma third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, who went 0-for-3 Tuesday, is the son of former NFL player Manu and the brother of current Oakland Raiders' quarterback Marques.

Link while active, text follows: Nelson's late HR gives Sounds win Two-run blast in 8th lets team claim rare comeback victory By STEVE SILVER Tennessean Staff Writer Nashville Sounds first baseman Brad Nelson batted cleanup Wednesday - and he did just that. After scoring the Sounds' first run of the game in the seventh inning, Nelson smashed a two-run home run to right-center field in the eighth to give the Sounds a 3-2 lead and a victory over Tacoma. The game-winning hit was Nelson's 13th home run of the season and first in 22 games. "I've been waiting a long time for that," said Nelson who had just one hit in his last 13 at-bats entering Wednesday's game. "I finally got that homer and, well, I'm just trying to get something going." Nelson's blast marked only the second time all season that the Sounds have come back from a deficit in the final three innings. The Sounds are 2-57 when trailing after seven innings. Nelson, however, did not win the game alone. After leading off the seventh inning with a double, Nelson scored the Sounds' first run on Adam Heether's deep fly ball to center field. In the eighth, designated hitter Joe Dillon drew a two-out walk after falling behind 0-2 to set-up Nelson's game-winning shot. "Offensively, we have been kind of struggling, but that was a big two-out walk by (Dillon) up there," Manager Frank Kremblas said. "He worked it to a walk and that took out some of that mound energy out of (Jared Wells). Then Wells gave a fastball to Nelson and it got up in that wind and carried out." Wells, who dropped to 0-3 with the Rainiers, entered the game in the eighth inning to relieve starter Andy Baldwin. Baldwin pitched seven innings, retiring 11 consecutive batters beginning in the second inning. "Baldwin mixed his pitches up well," Kremblas said. "We had pitches to hit, but he is sneaky. He has a deceptive fastball." Once Nelson's blast put the Sounds on top, closer Luis Pena struck out two batters and picked up his 15th save . Pena is tied for second in the Pacific Coast League in saves. The Sounds (41-63) are 2-3 since the All-Star break and trail the American North-leading Iowa Cubs by 21 games. Nashville is back in action Thursday at 7 p.m. for the third game of their series with Tacoma. What they said: "With the wind blowing today, if you get it up in the air and you have some power like Nelson does, then it's going to go out," - Kremblas. Sounds first baseman Brad Nelson hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth inning of the Sounds' 3-2 win Wednesday. (JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN) http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20080724&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=807240356&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

I'm afraid if someone wishes to continue the Lenny Dykstra discussion, they'll need to start a new thread in the Major League Forum, link to it here if you wish, as we'll keep this thread focused on Transactions. I will say, though, that Lenny will never live down his 30-pound documented off-season weight gain, showing up at spring training with literally no neck, and explaining that he had taken those "really good vitamins". Just google 'Lenny Dykstra vitamins' for various accounts.