Jim Goulart

Final: Tampa (Yankees) 6, Brevard County 4 Walk-off HR loss... Brevard County Box Score E.J. Shanks the losing pitcher; Jeremy Jeffress OK -- 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K; lefty Casey Baron, who has been very solid, struggled in the 7th, losing the lead; Jonathan Lucroy threw out two of four baserunners, still doing well in that regard; Yohannis Perez replaced Brent Brewer at short in the 8th, apparently for defense, and immeditely committed an error, which did not lead to a score; if Cleveland is indeed watching closely, they'll see that Taylor Green has a nine-game hit streak going, hitting .419 (13-for-31, two walks, only four K's) in that stretch... Brevard County Game Log

Huntsville rained out at Carolina -- while it's up, here's what the lineup would have been.

Wow, rain delay again in Tampa -- just a brutal stretch of interruptions for the Manatees and staff the past month or so...

BrewCrewBall Interview with Cole Gillespie Personally, I was introduced to peanut butter and Frito sandwiches 35 years ago -- fantastic, potato chips won't work, they get too soggy; sorry for the note, you'll understand when you visit the link -- unfortunately, let's not turn this into a sandwich thread, Off-Topic Forum if you wish...

Good organizational vibes from the kids this afternoon -- three wins -- not that CC and the boys in St. Louis tonight need extra vibes right now...

Final: Arizona Brewers 6, Arizona Angels 4 Arizona Box Score A-Crew survives a shaky 9th inning to hang on, thanks to a throw to the plate from 17-year-old right fielder Hitaniel Arias; Cody Scarpetta with a nice effort (again), as noted above; the Brewers like just-turned 18-year-old RHP Luis Guerrero quite a bit and this was his best outing since his Opening Day starting nod; CF Cutter Dykstra played three innings as he eases his way back into action, flew out twice; we're still waiting for our first attendance notation in one of these Arizona box scores this year... Arizona Game Log

Final: West Virginia 12, Rome (Braves) 10 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER WIN SLUGFEST AGAINST ROME The West Virginia Power and Rome Braves combined to score 22 runs on 28 hits on Wednesday afternoon at Appalachian Power Park. The Power erased an early 5-0 deficit and came back to win their third game in a row with a 12-10 victory to close out their eight-game home stand. The Braves plated five runs in the top of the first to take the early lead. Carlos Lee scored on Eric Fryer's fielding error at first base before Adam Coe doubled in Jason Heyward. Michael Fisher singled in the next two runs and Samuel Sime scored on Matt Cline's throwing error. Caleb Gindl singled in West Virginia's first run in the bottom of the first. The Power scored five in the second to take the lead and never looked back. Anderson De La Rosa hit a three-run homer, his third of the season, before Cline doubled in Uly Snijders to tie the game and Eric Farris singled in Cline to give the Power the lead. They plated two more runs in the third. De La Rosa doubled in the first run and Cline reached on a fielder's choice to plate the next run. The Braves' David Berres made it a one-run game in the fourth inning with a two-run double. West Virginia plated their final four runs with two outs. Logan Schafer doubled in a pair of runs in the sixth inning and two innings later, he and Fryer ripped back-to-back two-out RBI singles. The Braves got two more in the seventh on Cody Johnson's RBI double and Fisher's RBI groundout. Jason Heyward scored their final run on a wild pitch in the ninth. Michael Bowman (1-0) tossed two scoreless innings of relief and fanned three batters to get the victory. Corey Frerichs (8) came in with one out in the ninth inning and recorded the final two outs in the ninth to get the save. Jeff Locke (4-10) allowed eight runs on ten hits over four innings and was tagged with the loss. The Power improved to 56-46 on the year and 24-9 in the second half with the win. The Braves fell to 37-65 on the year and 15-18 in the second half with the loss. Eight Power players hit safely, and five turned in multi-hit games. De La Rosa and Farris paced the Power with three hits apiece. Cline reached three times and extended his on-base streak to 14 games. Farris went 3-for-5 and has hit safely in nine straight games since his 15-game hitting streak was snapped. The Power are off on Thursday but will begin a four-game series against Rob Bryson and the Lake County Captains at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio on Friday night. The first pitch will be delivered at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score This was strictly a chance to rest Steffan Wilson and Curt Rindal, so Eric Fryer with a spot start at first base; Matt Cline with a nice offensive contribution, but we should note he's up to 29 errors now bouncing around the Brevard and West Virginia infields; great to see Logan Schafer acclimating to A-ball so quickly (13-for-39, seven extra-base hits)... West Virginia Game Log

Final: Nashville 3, Tacoma (Mariners) 2 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for photo from the winning hit, text follows -- Late Nelson Homer Gives Sounds 3-2 Win NASHVILLE - Brad Nelson crushed a go-ahead, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Nashville Sounds a 3-2 comeback victory over the Tacoma Rainiers on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium. The longball was Nelson's 13th on the year and helped the Sounds to only their second win when trailing after seven frames this season (2-57). It also gave them their eighth win in a one-run game, the second-lowest total in the PCL. Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin pitched five innings and only gave up one unearned run on three hits with seven strikeouts but did not factor in the decision. After allowing six baserunners through the first two innings, Gulin settled in and only allowed only one hit while striking out four through his final three innings to lower his ERA to 3.48 on the season. Andy Baldwin threw seven innings of one-run ball off only four hits for his sixth quality start for the Rainiers but was unable to get the win. At one point, Baldwin retired 11 consecutive Sounds batters before allowing a walk in the sixth inning. The Rainiers scored their first run in unearned fashion in the top of the second inning. After a walk by Luis Valbuena and a single from Oswaldo Navarro, Matt Tuiasosopo was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Gulin then induced a groundball from Wladimir Balentien to third base, but Chris Woodward was unable to field the ball cleanly, and all runners were safe including Valbuena, who scored on the play. Tacoma tacked on another run in the top of the sixth inning when Oliveros scored on a sacrifice fly from Tuiasosopo off Nashville reliever Erasmo Ramirez. The Sounds plated their first run in the bottom of the seventh when Nelson led off with a double then moved to third on a single from Laynce Nix. Nelson scored in the next at-bat on a sacrifice fly from Adam Heether, the infielder's ninth RBI in the last 16 games. Nashville completed the comeback in the bottom of the eighth inning with the two-run blast from Nelson off Tacoma reliever Jared Wells (1-4). Joe Dillon, who scored on the homer, took a two-out walk to keep the inning alive in the previous at-bat. AUDIO: Brad Nelson Go-Ahead HR Sounds reliever Tim Dillard (5-0) picked up the win after contributing two innings of scoreless relief, and Luis Pena picked up his 15th save on the season with a perfect ninth inning to cap the Nashville comeback. The teams continue the series tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. at Greer Stadium. Right-hander Richie Gardner (6-3, 4.57) will man the bump for the Sounds against lefty Ryan Feierabend (4-1, 2.15) for the Rainiers. It will be Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark with $1 draft beverage until 8:30 p.m. or the end of the fifth inning, whichever occurs first. Nashville Box Score Yay Brad! Fantastic season for Tim Dillard... Nashville Game Log

Living up to the hype -- RHP Cody Scarpetta is your Maryvale starter today and is dealing through three innings thus far. Nice to see Shawn Zarraga back behind the plate after leaving the game earlier this week with an apparenly minor hand/wrist injury. West Virginia audio is back, 8-7 Power in the 6th, listen in! Sounds trail, 1-0, time running short.

Wild one in Charleston, as the Power rally from 5-0 down to take an 8-5 lead, still very early on. Too bad the audio cut out -- should it return, someone please post the update here, thanks. Nashville audio is functioning for those office lunch breaks today.

Tyler Stover, Brevard's Media Director: Milwaukee purchases LHP Derrick Ellison from the Atlantic League and assigns him to Brevard County. RHP Travis Wendte is placed on the DL retro to July 21. Manatees roster is at 25. This will be Wendte's third stint on the DL this season. With reports out of Brevard scarce, and affiliates instructed to be mum (for the most part) on minor league injuries (HIPPA issues), we really don't know about the nature of Travis' injuries. It would be interesting to know why minor leaguers are so protected by HIPPA injury privacy rules, yet we know every single detail of major leaguer's playing situations. My initial thought was that, incredibly, sports books demand details, and that major leaguers must sign some sort of waiver in these situations.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 62 42 .596 - 38-18 24-24 L1 Memphis 56 47 .544 5.5 26-22 30-25 L1 Omaha 48 55 .466 13.5 22-29 26-26 W2 Nashville 40 63 .388 21.5 19-28 21-35 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 18 13 .581 - 9-7 9-6 L1 Huntsville 17 14 .548 1.0 8-7 9-7 L2 Carolina 16 15 .516 2.0 6-5 10-10 W1 Chattanooga 13 17 .433 4.5 6-9 7-8 L1 West Tenn 11 19 .367 6.5 4-11 7-8 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 17 12 .586 - 9-5 8-7 W1 St. Lucie 17 12 .586 - 8-5 9-7 W2 Jupiter 15 14 .517 2.0 8-6 7-8 W1 Palm Beach 14 16 .467 3.5 10-6 4-10 L7 Brevard County 13 18 .419 5.0 6-10 7-8 W1 Vero Beach 11 20 .355 7.0 5-11 6-9 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 23 9 .719 - 13-4 10-5 W2 Lakewood 21 11 .656 2.0 9-5 12-6 L1 Delmarva 18 14 .563 5.0 6-8 12-6 W3 Hagerstown 14 18 .438 9.0 5-10 9-8 L2 Greensboro 13 19 .406 10.0 7-10 6-9 W3 Lake County 12 20 .375 11.0 5-10 7-10 L4 Hickory 11 21 .344 12.0 3-13 8-8 L8 Lexington 9 22 .290 13.5 6-12 3-10 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 6 .750 - 9-4 9-2 W3 AZL Cubs 15 9 .625 3.0 10-2 5-7 W5 AZL Rangers 15 9 .625 3.0 7-5 8-4 W5 AZL Giants 13 12 .520 5.5 6-6 7-6 W1 AZL Royals 13 12 .520 5.5 9-4 4-8 L1 AZL Padres 12 13 .480 6.5 7-5 5-8 L3 AZL Athletics 9 15 .375 9.0 4-8 5-7 L5 AZL Mariners 9 15 .375 9.0 5-6 4-9 L1 AZL Brewers 5 18 .217 12.5 5-7 0-11 L3

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_23_tacaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_23_hunaax_cmcaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_23_breafa_tbyafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_23_romafx_wvaafx_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_23_angrok_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):

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Tacoma (Mariners), 11:45 AM pre-game; 12:00 PM 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 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 (most likely RHP Jeremy Jeffress on five days' rest) at Tampa (Yankees), 6:00 gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Rome (Braves), 10:55 AM pre-game, 11:05 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: Idle Arizona: TBD vs. the cute lil' Angels 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: Plan B serves Power well in win over Rome by J.T. Simms Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- In sports, or life in general for that matter, going to Plan B is usually a sign of trouble. It is a fallback position, a way to simply try and survive or a desperate attempt to just get the job done. But when West Virginia Power pitcher Roque Mercedes resorted to his Plan B Tuesday night it was visiting Rome that looked desperate. Making a spot start for recently called up Amaury Rivas the lanky 21-year-old settled down after a rough first inning to throw seven scoreless frames as the Power rolled to a 7-0 win in front of a paid crowd of 3,384. It did not look like the Power's night early on though. As storm clouds passed and then circled the park the visiting Braves came out swinging. Leadoff hitter David Berres lined the first pitch of the game to left field. Cole Miles followed with a well-hit flyout to center. With the hit-and-run on the next batter, Jason Heyward, lined another Mercedes fastball to left to put runners at the corners. Something then happened that would later make Manager Jeff Isom say he was proud of the youngster. He used his head. "They were hitting the fast pitch," Mercedes said. "I saw this and went directly to my Plan B." That meant more off-speed pitches, especially sliders. The next Braves hitter struck out swinging and the next looking. From there it was smooth sailing for Mercedes. "What an adjustment he made going to his off speed pitches," said Isom. "The big thing with him was his placement." While Brave batters were off balance the Power bats came alive with single runs in the second and third. An inning-long downpour in the fifth was not enough to halt play and a pitching change by the Braves in the same inning did not slow down the Power batters as they pounded out 15 hits on the evening. "It was a great offensive performance for us," said Isom. "The guys are having quality at-bats and tonight it came down to two-out RBI." The Power scored six of their seven runs after there were two outs in the inning. The lone exception coming on Logan Schafer's sacrifice fly RBI with one out in the second. Pedro Lambertus came on to allow just one hit and a walk while striking out three over the last two innings. Like the Power as a team Mercedes has seemed like a different player in the second half of the season. Actually a different player from even the last half of last season when he went 0-4 with a 7.26 earned run average. This season the right-hander had put up a 2-4 record with an earned run average of 6.81 in the first half. After starting his first 10 appearances Mercedes had made only one start since May 24th. Rivas' call-up opened a spot in the rotation and recent games had made the Power go deep into its bullpen. "We were a little thin in the pen tonight," said Isom. "We were hoping to get six innings (from him)." Mercedes allowed just one more hit after the first inning while fanning nine and walking none in going seven innings. "His performance was outstanding, a heck of a job for a spot start," Isom said. "This is by far his best outing of the season for us." Since the second half began Mercedes is 3-0 with an earned run average of just 0.85. "We're proud of him," said Isom. "He's a hard worker." One who hopes to be back in the starting rotation soon. "Going to relieving then coming back to starting helped me," Mercedes said. "I like starting better, I'm more comfortable." For right now though he will have to wait and see. "It's up in the air at this point," Isom said. The Power and Braves wind up their four-game set with a noon game Wednesday.

Link while active, text follows: Sounds fans endure despite stadium disputes By STEVE SILVER and MICHAEL CASS Tennessean Staff Writers The stadium is dilapidated. The team is lousy. And it seems Nashville city officials and Sounds management can't help but squabble about every little development involving the aging South Nashville attraction. Yet attendance at Greer Stadium has held strong. The Sounds average 5,574 fans per game, a slight drop from 2007 but well above the 4,667 of 2002. "This is still really a great bargain for great entertainment," said Nashville's Kim Ray, 65, a Sounds' season ticket holder. "I love the intimacy of this ballpark... It's high-level baseball." While leaning in to watch every pitch at the 30-year-old park, few fans appear to be paying much attention to the governmental soap opera unfolding between the team's owners and city leaders, whose relationship remains soured after a failed attempt to build a new downtown stadium 15 months ago. In the latest drama, Sounds officials missed a July 1 deadline to give six months' notice if they wanted to extend the lease beyond its Dec. 31 expiration date. Though both sides seem to agree the lease is likely to be extended, questions remain about who will pay a possible $1 million bill to bring the facility into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act standards. "We're not doing anything until they bring it in compliance with ADA," Metro Finance Director Rich Riebeling said. "We'd be very happy for them to play baseball here, but we think it's time they fulfill their obligations under the lease." Riebeling said he didn't know what it would cost to make the ADA improvements, but the city expects the Sounds to pay for them. He said the Sounds asked Metro in the past to reimburse the team for $2 million in prior improvements. "We, frankly, did not consider that a real proposal," he said. "The lease says they're responsible for maintaining the stadium." Glenn Yaeger, chief operating officer of the AmeriSports ownership group and former general manager of the Sounds, said in an e-mail response to an interview request that he was on vacation in Europe until Aug. 3. Jeff Diamond, a consultant for the Sounds, downplayed any talk of a widening rift and said talks with the city "are proceeding amicably." "There's a clear understanding of both parties' desire to renew the lease," said Diamond, former president of the Tennessee Titans. ADA repairs to be costly Metro government's ADA Compliance Division completed a review of Greer in August 2007. It found problems with parking spaces and signs, entrances, skybox seating, Sluggers Restaurant, the Kids Zone, restrooms, concession counters, and other areas, according to a letter the division sent to Tom Cross, a Metro attorney. Joe Hart, the Sounds' general manager, said he is working with a contractor to estimate the cost of ADA repairs, which he said could approach $1 million. "We're trying to get a defined number," Hart said. He said he didn't know whether the Sounds would agree to foot the bill and that a decision would have to await Yaeger's return. Metro contributes $250,000 a year toward Greer's maintenance, with the Sounds covering any expenses above that amount. The Sounds had a deal with the city to build a new stadium along the Cumberland River, but that fell apart when the team and its development partner failed to reach financial agreements about 15 months ago. City officials blamed the Sounds, and it seems unlikely the team will get a new deal from Mayor Karl Dean's administration as long as the current, Chicago-based ownership group is in place. Fans still turn out Quibbling aside, the fact that attendance has held up is quite remarkable, considering the Sounds are mired in the Pacific Coast League basement more than 20 games back from the American North Division-leading Iowa Cubs. Last season, the Sounds posted the PCL's best record of 89-55 and advanced to the league finals. "I believe winning is the best promotion, but in minor-league baseball, it is the one thing we don't have much control over," said Brandon Vonderharr, the Sounds' executive director of business operations. "We have to prepare each night, each season as if we are going to have a horrible team, because our goal is to have fans walk away from a loss still feeling like they had a great time," Vonderharr said. Making sure fans enjoy their time at Greer Stadium is becoming increasingly difficult in a stadium that underwent $1 million worth of upgrades earlier this year just to meet minimum operational standards, team officials said. "The ballpark in Nashville, well, you just lose that baseball adrenaline," said Sacramento, Calif., River Cats' radio broadcaster Johnny Doskow. The River Cats, who play at eight-year-old Raley Field, have led all of Triple-A in attendance since joining the PCL in 2000, averaging about 10,400 fans per game. "A lot of players and a lot of people in baseball are hoping they can get a new ballpark in Nashville. It is really a great city. I always wish I could travel there more. I know the fans would come out and support the team with a new facility. Greer is just outdated," Doskow said. Greer is sixth oldest park Greer Stadium, which seats 10,052 people, was built in 1977 as a Double-A facility. It is the sixth oldest ballpark of 30 Triple-A homes. The five elder stadiums are either slotted to be replaced (Omaha, Neb., and Columbus, Ohio) or have been extensively renovated in the past 10 years (Portland, Ore., Tacoma, Wash., and Pawtucket, R.I.). Next season, 13 Triple-A teams will play in stadiums built in 2000 or later. "The stadium plays a huge, huge rule in attracting fans," PCL President Branch Rickey said. "The places topping attendance charts are the places that have new facilities… Look, our fans want bright, clean, upbeat outings to the ballpark. People don't go out and buy broken down recreation equipment and they don't go to rundown movie theaters. We have to be competitive and you can only do that with high quality facilities," Rickey said. The Sounds' average attendance is ninth in the 16-team PCL and 20th in Triple-A. "You still can't beat this," said Old Hickory resident Kenny Hunt, 40. "I always cherish an opportunity to come to a game because I can spend time with my whole family. When that moment happens in a game when my son asks, 'Hey dad, why or how did that happen?' Well, you can't replace that bond with anything." Sounds fans don't seem concerned about the age of Greer Stadium or the team's spot in last place. Average attendance this season is 5,574, just slightly less than last year's average. (JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN) http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20080723&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=807230402&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Link while active, text follows: Durham trade affects Sounds' roster By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Milwaukee's weekend acquisition of veteran infielder Ray Durham had a trickle-down effect on the Nashville Sounds. To make room for the longtime White Sox and Giants second baseman - a member of the Sounds' 1994 team - the Brewers optioned infielder Joe Dillon back to Nashville. Outfielder Mel Stocker was reassigned to Single-A Brevard County to fill the roster spot vacated there when Darren Ford was included in the trade. It's Dillon's second stint with the Sounds this season, following a nine-game stay from April 21-May 1. In an unrelated move, left-handed reliever Troy Cate was also added to the Nashville roster prior to Tuesday's game. Cate opened the season with Sacramento (Athletics) but was released after posting a 7.27 earned run average in 12 appearances. He then pitched in the independent Golden League before the Brewers purchased his contract and assigned him to Double-A Huntsville, where he was 3-0, 2.36 in four starts. Cate took the roster spot opened when struggling reliever Derrick Turnbow was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to Thursday, and sent to the Brewers' spring training complex in Phoenix to recover. In 18 appearances since joining the Sounds in mid-May, Turnbow was 2-2, 10.50 with 28 strikeouts and 41 walks in 18 innings. Cate was the losing pitcher in Tuesday's 5-2 loss to Tacoma. He allowed four hits and two runs in 1 1/3 innings. The Sounds are expected to add reliever Mitch Stetter to the roster this week, as he was optioned by Milwaukee on Tuesday to make room for Jeff Suppan to come off the disabled list. To activate Stetter, another move will have to be made. Nashville's 103 transactions are 19 more than the team had all of last season. Brewers' brass in full force: Milwaukee assistant general manager Gord Ash is in town for the Sounds' series with visiting Tacoma, along with special assistant Dan O'Brien, player development business manager Scott Martens and minor league field coordinator Charlie Greene. The group will be in town for varying lengths of time, possibly making personnel evaluations with the July 31 draft deadline approaching. Fender-bender: Following the game, Sounds infielder Callix Crabbe's parked Honda Accord was hit outside the clubhouse by a bus. The left front fender was damaged in the collision. According to eyewitnesses, the bus did not stop as it proceeded off the stadium property. "That's why you don't have an expensive car," Crabbe said. Crossed ties: Craig Wilson, whose 33 home runs in 2000 were one short of the Sounds' single-season record, is on the Tacoma roster but did not play Tuesday. Since coming to the Rainiers in a trade from the Pirates' organization on July 10, Wilson has reached base in seven of his first eight games, hitting .357 with a pair of homers. In 71 games with Triple-A Indianapolis - where he was reunited with Trent Jewett, the Sounds' winningest manager - Wilson hit .230 with 10 homers. Also, Tacoma reliever Jason Kershner spent part of the 2006 season with the Sounds. Rainiers pitching coach and former Milwaukee Brewer Dwight Bernard played at Belmont (1971-74) and is a member of the school's athletic hall of fame. Rainiers outfielder Prentice Redman is the younger brother of ex-Sounds outfielder Tike Redman (2000-03), who is with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, Va.

Link while active, text follows: Two errors by Gwynn cost Sounds By MAURICE ATTON Tennessean Staff Writer In 55 games with the Nashville Sounds this season, outfielder Tony Gwynn had been charged with just one error all season - and by all accounts, it was a questionable call. There was no doubting either of his two miscues in Tuesday night's series opener against visiting Tacoma. Both were a factor into the 5-2 loss. "I'm disappointed, but they're occasionally going to happen," Gwynn said. "I know I'm still a good centerfielder. You don't like to make 'em, but it happens sometimes." Gwynn dropped a two-out flyball in the first inning, allowing one run to score and setting up a second. After Nashville rallied to tie the game with a pair of sixth-inning runs, Gwynn bobbled Rob Johnson's seventh-inning leadoff double to allow Johnson to reach third base. Johnson scored on the second of Tacoma's four doubles in the inning. "Unfortunately, they cost us," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said of Gwynn's errors, which helped the hosts get their sixth loss in their last seven games. "Hopefully, we could pitch around those." The two unearned runs were the only ones allowed by Nashville starter Mark DiFelice, whose earned run average dropped to 2.97 with his five innings. "The first one, I just took my eye off the ball," Gwynn said. "It would have been the third out, and (DiFelice) had to throw some more and they got some knocks. The second one, it took so long to come down that I hurried it and kicked it off my glove." Nashville had three doubles as part of its 10-hit attack. But the Sounds stranded nine runners, five in scoring position. "You've got to do something with those doubles," Kremblas said. "We had a couple of strikeouts (behind them); we've got to do better. We've got to put the ball in play." Tacoma's four doubles in the seventh inning gave the Rainiers six for the game - matching a season high for doubles allowed by the Sounds, who gave up six at Oklahoma in an 8-6 loss on June 11. What they said: "Either we don't get hits, or we get a lot of hits and don't get them with runners in scoring position. You hate to say it, but there are years when that's just how your team is going to roll." - Gwynn, after five Nashville baserunners were left in scoring position.

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with closer Rob Wooten Click on the KCAP archive of July 22nd, then browse to the 11:30 minute mark; classic North Carolina accent, big-time enthusiasm...

Final: Casper (Rockies) 3, Helena 2, ten innings Lengthy rain delay led to this partial game report -- Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers (18-12) rallied from a two-run deficit Tuesday night before their road game with Casper, Wyo., was pushed late by a rain delay. The two teams were tied 2-2 in the top of the seventh at press time. Helena's Erik Komatsu scored both of the Brewer's runs to tie the game up, thanks to a few Ghosts (20-12) errors. Komatsu came home first on a wild pitch by Marco Duarte in the fourth inning. Then, after a double steal with Brock Kjeldgaard that landed Komatsu on third base, the runner scored a second time when teammate Michael Vass reached on a throwing error by Casper shortstop Carlos Martinez. Casper built up their lead with runs scored in the first and third innings. Like the Brewers, a single player scored both of their runs. Carlos Martinez scored first on a sacrifice fly by Nick Valdez before Wilin Rosario brought him in again on a line drive to right field. Both Komatsu and Martinez led their team, going 2-for-3 in the game. Brandon Ritchie started on the mound for Helena, giving up two runs on four hits while striking out four. He did not walk a batter in his five innings of play. Duarte gave up one run on three hits while striking out six over five innings pitched. The Brewers, who are currently second in the Pioneer League's Northern Division, will have an off day today before returning home to face off with the Billings Mustangs on Thursday at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central). Helena Box Score A one-out Ghost single handed the H-Crew a walk-off loss -- Garrett Sherrill walked the leadoff man in the 10th, recipe for destruction that led to his 5th loss; LHP Brandon Ritchie (five innings, two unearned runs, one on his own error), RHP Liam Ohlmann (one inning) and RHP Rob Wooten (a powerful three innings, six K's) did not allow an earned run between them; Brewers never really threatened at all late; only four hits, all singles, for Helena, two by Erik Komatsu, who reached three times... Helena Game Log

Remember, Charleston has two newspapers, so there will be some duplication in reporting -- Link while active, text follows: Brewers in no rush to renew deal with Power Club's player development contract expires in September By Tommy R. Atkinson Charleston Gazette Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The Milwaukee Brewers have thrown the West Virginia Power a curve. The Power's low Class A player development contract with the Brewers expires in September. The Brewers have told Power management they do not want to hold any discussions about renewal until the season is over. Power general manager Ryan Gates said the Brewers are taking a different tact in negotiations than in previous years. The Brewers have signed a pair of two-year agreements with the Power since Appalachian Power Park opened in 2005. "During September of '06 whenever a Brewers associate was in town they always asked us what the status was [of a new contract],'' the GM said. "We told them let the year play out and discuss it at the end of the year. We wanted to at least check what's out there. When it was said and done we had a good relationship with the Brewers. "When the Brewers have been in town [this year] they haven't been saying that. They might have had one conversation with [Palisades Baseball executive vice president] Andy [Milovich], but it didn't go anything beyond let's wait until the end of the year and discuss it then which seemed to be a direct departure from their approach two years earlier.'' Gates said the Power may negotiate with the Brewers at any time, but the Power can't seek a new affiliate with another major league team until after Sept. 15. The Brewers are one of 17 major league teams whose player development contracts with low Class A affiliates runs out this fall. "I feel like we've had a good relationship over the last four years,'' he said. "We'd like to know what we're up against. It would put you in a bind if a lot of the teams renew with the existing affiliates.'' The Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and New York Mets have expiring player development contracts in the South Atlantic League, the same one the Power plays in. The Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners have expiring contracts in the Midwest League. "That's a pretty solid list of teams that are open at the end of the year,'' said Gates. "Around the league [the APP is] one of the top facilities. We won't be left with one choice. We will have some options going into next season. There definitely would be appeal to major league teams.'' The Brewers have always sent their best prospects to the Power, including Ryan Braun, who was last year's National League rookie of the year. Evan Frederickson, one of this year's first-round draft choices of the Brewers, is currently on the Power's roster. "With the talent they sent through here, you've got a lot of people in Charleston who keep an eye on the Brewers and what they're doing,'' Gates said. It's hard to figure why the Brewers would want to end the affiliation with the Power. The Power has had an above .500 record in five of the seven halves it has played since 2005. The Power is currently in first place in the Northern Division and last year played in the Sally championship game. And the Power has drawn fans, setting attendance records the past three seasons. Gates said no matter what happens, Charleston will have minor league baseball next spring and beyond. "We will have minor league baseball, quality minor league baseball at the end of the year,'' he said. "There's no question about that. We're in absolutely no danger of not fielding a team next year.'' Gates said the Power is a little bit below last year's attendance average, but not much. "300 to 500,'' he said. "Our challenge has been Mother Nature. We've had five rainouts and just countless games that have been affected by rain. There's nothing worse for us than a storm at 5 or 6 o'clock.'' The Power ranks fifth in the 16-team league in average attendance this season, attracting 4,295 per game and 210,478 total. "I kind of look at where we were last year at this time and it's the next couple of homestands where we got our numbers up,'' he said. "I think if this team keeps winning we're going to make a push in the final 20 [home games].'' Briefly Gates said the Power expects to get a few more of the Brewers' June draft picks in the coming weeks. ... The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders will make an appearance at the APP on Aug. 9. Gates said a cheerleading clinic is scheduled in conjunction with the event.

Link while active, text follows: Power blanks Braves 7-0 By Tommy R. Atkinson Charleston Gazette Staff writer CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- West Virginia Power manager Jeff Isom enjoys watching his ballclub. And why not? The Power has been on a roll in the South Atlantic League's second half and gaining confidence with each victory. "It's definitely a great team effort,'' said Isom, who is in his first year with the Power. "It's not one guy you can really key on in our lineup. It's going to be a number of guys show up and carry the load for us. It's fun to watch these guys play.'' The Power's cast of characters was on display again Tuesday night as six different players drove in a run apiece in taking a 7-0 victory over the Rome (Ga.) Braves. A paid crowd of 3,384 braved rain and lightning at Appalachian Power Park. West Virginia (23-9) extended its lead in the Northern Division to two games over the Lakewood (N.J.) BlueClaws. The Power, which has won 13 of its last 16 games, begins a pivotal eight-game road trip Friday with four games each against the Lake County (Ohio) Captains and Lakewood. The Power had 11 hits and drove in five of its six runs with two outs Tuesday. Caleb Gindl went 4-for-4 with a double and RBI as five different players turned in multiple hits. West Virginia starter Roque Mercedes and reliever Pedro Lambertus combined for a four-hit shutout. Mercedes (5-4) was masterful in earning the win, allowing three singles and no walks with nine strikeouts in seven innings. He set down the Braves in order in the final four innings. Lambertus fired two scoreless innings, fanning the last three batters to end the game. "Our pitchers have done a very good job of getting us the lead,'' said Isom, who led Helena (Mont.) to a division title in the short-season rookie Pioneer League last year. "When we have the lead we're a different ballclub than when we're trailing. Guys did a very good job with two outs. When you get a team that's rolling and guys feel comfortable at the plate, that's what happens.'' The Power held a 2-0 lead after three innings, but came up with clutch hits for some breathing room. Lee Haydel scored on an error in the fifth and Zelous Wheeler added a two-out single to give the Power a 4-0 advantage. Haydel, Matt Cline and Eric Farris strung together three straight two-out doubles in the sixth to plate three more runs and grab a 7-0 edge, which was more than enough. "Everybody did his job,'' said Gindl. "At some point everybody contributed. A guy gets on [and] get him over. We're just starting to play better as a team. Nobody on this team likes to lose.'' Power points Farris extended his hitting streak to eight in a row after seeing his 15-game streak come to an end recently. ... The Power will play host to Rome at 12:05 PM Wednesday (11:05 AM Central) in the finale of the four-game series. West Virginia will send right-hander R.J. Seidel (7-4, 4.80 ERA) to the mound while the Braves will counter with lefty Jeff Locke (4-9, 3.82).

Final: West Virginia 7, Rome (Braves) 0 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER BLANK BRAVES The West Virginia Power used a number of clutch hits and seven strong innings from Roque Mercedes on Tuesday night at Appalachian Power Park as they recorded their third shutout of the season and defeated the Rome Braves 7-0. Eric Fryer began the second inning with a double and moved to third base on a groundout from Steffan Wilson before Logan Schafer's sacrifice fly brought him home to give the Power the lead. Caleb Gindl ripped a two-out single in the third inning to double the Power lead. West Virginia plated two more runs with two outs in the fifth. Gindl reached on an infield single with two men on and an errant throw on the play from Richard Sullivan allowed Lee Haydel to score. Zelous Wheeler singled in the next run to put the Power up 4-0. In the sixth inning, Haydel, Matt Cline and Eric Farris ripped back-to-back-to-back RBI doubles with two outs. Mercedes (5-4) delivered a masterful performance to get the victory. He tossed seven scoreless innings, allowed just three hits, fanned nine and retired the final 14 batters he faced. Sullivan (1-2) allowed four runs on eight hits over four and two-thirds and was tagged with the loss. Pedro Lambertus tossed a pair of scoreless innings in relief. The Power improved to 55-46 on the year and 23-9 in the second half with the win. The Braves fell to 37-64 on the year and 15-17 in the second half with the loss. Seven Power players hit safely, and five turned in multi-hit games. Gindl paced the Power with a 4-for-4 performance and reached in all five of his plate appearances. Matt Cline reached two times and extended his on base streak to 13 games. Eric Farris went 3-for-5 and has hit safely in eight straight games since his 15-game hitting streak was snapped. The shutout was West Virginia's first since June 24th. The Power will finish the four game series against Rome Wednesday afternoon. Right hander R.J. Seidel (7-4, 4.80) will make the start for the Power and the Braves will counter with left hander Jeff Locke (4-9, 3.82). The first pitch is scheduled for 12:05 PM (11:05 AM Central). West Virginia Box Score Lakewood finally loses, as despite the Power's great second half, their division lead is only two games now; it was not a small sample that had many of us souring on Roque Mercedes -- wow, what a turnaround, in a growing good sample now; Lee Haydel has been thriving since being moved to a secondary "leadoff" spot in the 9-hole; Manager Jeff Isom's lineups never repeat, but the kids are doing fine for the most part... West Virginia Game Log