Jim Goulart

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_18_nasaaa_iowaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_tenaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clrafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clrafa_breafa_2 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_clmafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_helrok_idarok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_18_mrnrok_brrrok_1

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Richie Gardner at Iowa (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556 Huntsville: LHP David Welch at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP Alex Periard and LHP Bobby Bramhall (we believe, in some order) in a doubleheader at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 4:00 gametime; each contest seven innings Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Columbus (Rays), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: RHP Trey Watten at Idaho Falls (Royals), 8:00 PM pre-game, 8:15 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 Luis Guerrero in Maryvale against the mini-Mariners, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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

Evan Anundsen Photo Gallery -- Matt Cline / Eric Farris

Logan Schafer and Lee Haydel featured in this Charleston Daily Mail photo gallery.

Link while active, text follows: Promotion forces Power outfielder to adjust to tougher competition by Michael Dailey Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It seems the third time was the charm for West Virginia Power outfielder Logan Schafer. Schafer, was drafted for the third consecutive year when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the third round with the 94th overall pick in last month's Major League Baseball Draft. And after spurning offers from the Boston Red Sox, who picked Schafer in the 31st round (943rd) in 2006, and from the Colorado Rockies, who selected him in the 47th round (1,376th) in 2007, the speedy, left-handed outfielder finally decided to sign his name to a professional contract. Schafer, who received a $404,000 signing bonus from the Brewers, knew he was gambling with his future by not signing the first two times he was drafted, but he felt he was better off improving his skills at the collegiate level. "When I was drafted before, it was pretty tempting," said Schafer, who played two seasons at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. "I thought about it a lot, but I knew I still had a long way to go with my mental approach and my physical build before I got here. "I knew that I could develop as a pro on the way up through the system, but I felt that the college way was the best way for me to go. I kind of took my chances, went back to college and things worked out well for me." Schafer, an All-Big West Conference first-team center fielder in 2008, already might have benefited from his choice to attend college over going professional out of high school. After just eight games at Helena (Mont.) in the rookie Pioneer League, Schafer was promoted to West Virginia, where he earned his first Class A outfield start in the Power's 11-4 win over the Columbus, (Ga.) Catfish on Thursday evening at Appalachian Power Park. After collecting two hits in his first 11 at-bats with the Power as a designated hitter, Schafer made the most of his first positional start in going 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. West Virginia, which leads the South Atlantic League's Northern Division, improved to 20-7, while Columbus dropped to 16-9. "He's a little bit older," Power Manager Jeff Isom said of the 21-year old Schafer. "He's a college guy and we've (the Brewers) had a lot of success moving those guys up through the ranks. "He fits that mold. He played at a very good and very competitive college. So, a lot of the pitching he'll see here is comparable to what he's been seeing. "That will help him make the jump, but it is still going to be a little bit of a jump for him. He's going to have to make some adjustments and we're interested to see if he can make them." In his short stint in the Mountain State, Schafer has noticed a discernable difference between the rookie league and the Class A circuit. "A lot of players at Helena have a bunch of talent, but they're just not as polished as they are here," Schafer said. "These guys are much more polished. "They've got a little swagger and they know how to play the game right. They work hard every day and they know what it takes to be successful." Although he's still getting to know his newest outfielder, Isom has heard and noticed good things about Schafer's game. "Everything that I've heard about him is that he can flat-out play in the outfield," Isom said. "He does a good job of tracking down fly balls and he'll make some spectacular plays. "Offensively, I like his swing. He runs very well, so he'll be a nice addition to our offense with the way we like to move base runners. He'll be a welcome addition to our lineup in that respect." Schafer certainly looked at home against the Catfish with a pair of singles in the Power's 10-run, eight-hit fifth inning. The Power outburst chased Columbus starter Jeremy Hall (4-3) after 4 1/3 innings in which he allowed 10 hits and eight earned runs. Lee Haydel highlighted the Power's fifth with a three-run triple to left center, while Caleb Gindl added an RBI double off the base of the wall in center field. Gindl finished with two RBI, as did middle infielders Zelous Wheeler and Eric Farris. Power pitcher Amaury Rivas (8-3) bounced back from allowing first-inning homers to Maiko Loyola and Reid Fronk to pitch four scoreless innings and earn the win. Curtis Pasma and Pedro Lambertus tossed the final three innings to finish off the Catfish.

Thanks for the find, bk, you had placed it in Wednesday's Link Report by mistake...

Florida Today: Myers to start against Manatees Major-league veteran pitcher Brett Myers is expected to start for the Clearwater Threshers tonight in a Florida State League game against the Brevard County Manatees. The Threshers and Manatees are scheduled to play a pair of seven-inning games at Space Coast Stadium Friday, starting at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central). Information regarding which game Myers will pitch was not released at press time. Myers is 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA in 17 starts for the Philadelphia Phillies this season. The 27-year-old right-hander, who is in his seventh season with the Phillies, was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on July 1. Tonight's start will be Myers' fourth straight -- and first with Clearwater -- at the minor-league level. He is expected to rejoin the Phillies' rotation next week. For his major-league career, Myers is 62-56 with a 4.49 ERA.

Final: Clearwater (Phillies) 3, Brevard County 0 Game Summary from the Threshers' Site: [align=center] THRESHERS TAKE FIRST GAME, SECOND GAME POSTPONED [/align] VIERA, Fla. - Without Adrian Cardenas and Matt Spencer, the Threshers carried on and took the first game of a doubleheader with the Brevard County Manatees Thursday night, winning 3-0. Drew Naylor pitched six strong innings as the Threshers improved to 8-15 for the second half while Brevard County fell to 8-17. Cardenas and Spencer were traded late Thursday afternoon to the Oakland Athletics along with Josh Outman, a former Thresher who was with Reading (AA) at the time, in return for pitcher Joe Blanton. Naylor did not allow a run in his six innings, scattering seven hits and allowing a walk while also striking out seven Manatee batters. With the solid performance, the native of Australia picked up his first win since joining the Threshers in June. Matt Smith, with the Threshers on a rehab assignment, pitched a scoreless seventh to earn the save. The scoring started for the Threshers in the third when Michael Taylor picked up an RBI by knocking in Gary Cates who had led off the inning by being hit by a pitch. Taylor, who joined the team at the same time as Naylor, had one of his best offensive days yet as a Thresher. He finished 2-4, including a double in the fifth that scored Clearwater's other two runs of the game. The two teams were scheduled to play a second seven-inning game Thursday night, but that game was postponed due to lingering rain in the area. Brevard County Box Score E.J. Shanks did a nice job behind Jeremy Jeffress, but no runs equals no win; Darren Ford singled and walked, stole two bases (47-for-58); Taylor Green singled twice... Brevard County Game Log

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with LHP Daniel Meadows Click on the KCAP archive of July 17th, then browse to the 20:00 minute mark...

Final: Helena 10, Idaho Falls (Royals) 7 Brewers overpower Chukars Helena Independent Record IDAHO FALLS - The Helena Brewers picked up a win Thursday, knocking off the Idaho Falls Chukars 10-7 after a strong showing at the plate. Helena's Chris Dennis hit his eighth homer in the ninth inning, and the Brewers scored seven runs in the fifth to power the offense. John Delaney also hit his eighth homer, while starting pitcher Liam Ohlmann pitched three innings (two runs) while striking out five. Ohlmann's only gaff came in the second, when Idaho Falls' Devery Van De Keere hit a long ball to put the home team up two. The Chukars tried to answer Helena's big fifth, but could only come up with four runs. Helena's Wily Peralta came on in the eighth and hung on, striking out the side in the ninth, but not before giving up a run-scoring single to Sean McCauley. The Brewers are now 15-14 on the year. They play again tonight against the Chukars starting at 7:15 PM (8:15 Central). Helena Box Score Delaney, Dennis, David Fonseca (three singles), Erik Komatsu (triple), Mike Roberts (three hits including a double), and Michael Marseco (double) all reached base at least twice; big lefty Brandon Ritchie is scuffling; RHP Adam Arnold bounced back from his only uneven performance of the season to grab the relief win; the H-Crew is 6th in the eight-team league in steals (only 17 in 32 attempts), so this isn't the speediest rookie Brewer squad we've seen... Helena Game Log

Final: West Virginia 11, Columbus (Rays) 4 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER SCORE TEN IN THE FIFTH TO BEAT COLUMBUS The West Virginia Power sent 14 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs on eight hits in the bottom of the fifth inning of Thursday night's game at Appalachian Power Park to defeat the Columbus Catfish 11-4. The Catfish took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Maiko Loyola and Reid Fronk both hit solo home runs to give Columbus the early edge. The Power cut the deficit in half when Caleb Gindl singled with two outs in the fourth inning to score Steffan Wilson. The Power trailed 2-1 before they began their rampage in the fifth. Logan Schafer began the inning with a single and scored the tying run on an infield single from Eric Farris. Wilson ripped a bases loaded single to score the go-ahead run. Zelous Wheeler singled in two more runs and an error on the catcher Mike McCormick allowed a third run to score on the play. Gindl's double scored Wheeler before Lee Haydel cleared the bases with a three-run triple. Farris brought in the final run of the inning on a sacrifice fly. All nine batters reached and scored. The Catfish scored their final two runs in the eighth inning on a home run from Quinn Stewart. Amaury Rivas (8-3) settled down after throwing 33 pitches in the first inning. He allowed a pair of runs on six hits over five innings and fanned four to get the win. Jeremy Hall (4-3) retired the first six batters he faced but allowed eight runs on ten hits over four and a third and was tagged with the loss. The Power improved to 52-44 on the year and 20-7 in the second half with the win. The Catfish fell to 43-52 on the year and 16-9 in the second half with the loss. Five Power players turned in multi-hit games. Haydel paced the Power with a 3-for-3 performance. The 6-9 batters combined for nine hits and knocked in five runs. Wilson extended his hitting streak to 11 games and he has reached safely in his last 16. The Power will continue the four game series against Columbus Friday night. Right hander R.J. Seidel (6-4, 4.65) will make the start for the Power and the Catfish will counter with right hander Jesse Darcy (4-1, 2.66). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Manager Jeff Isom has been able to get his two raw 20-year-old Dominican RHP's, Jose Garcia and Pedro Lambertus, low-pressure stints with all the Power blowout wins as of late... West Virginia Game Log I was going to copy the 5th inning explosion here, but Bull described it well above...

Link while active, text follows: Huntsville to host 2010 SL All-Stars League event returns to city for first time since '86 By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times The Southern League All-Star game is coming to Huntsville in 2010. Stars general manager Buck Rogers said the organization made its pitch during the league meetings at last weekend's All-Star game in Zebulon, N.C., with support from the city. He learned the good news on Thursday. "This is absolutely huge news for us going into the future here," Rogers said. "We're trying to make improvements in the stadium, and we've had a great relationship with the city through all of this." Since Rogers has been on the job, vast improvements have been made to Joe Davis, including a brand new sound system and extensive painting across the stadium. Now, they have a major event to look forward to, as does the league president. "I'm very excited that the All-Star game is coming to my hometown and to Joe Davis Stadium," said Don Mincher, who was also a longtime owner and general manager of the Stars. "But my concentration right now is on the 2009 All-Star game in Birmingham. Then, we can look forward to this." This will be the first time Huntsville has hosted the Southern League All-Star game since 1986 when the team played the Nashville Sounds and the first time it has hosted any professional all-star baseball game since 1991 when the Double-A event was held at Joe Davis Stadium. Players such as Terry Steinbach, Jim Thome, Bret Boone, Bill Ripken and Glenallen Hill participated in those games. This past weekend, the Carolina Mudcats hosted the game, and 5,667 fans attended a 6-1 win by the North Division. Rogers said it helped matters to have Mincher on the Stars' side during the meetings. "Mr. Mincher went in there fighting for us," Rogers said. "After next year's All-Star game, somebody's going to say, 'the Huntsville Stars are on the clock,' and we're proud of it."

Link while active, text follows: Four Stars suspended By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times Four Huntsville Stars have been suspended three games by the Southern League for their part in a benches-clearing brawl with Chattanooga on Saturday night, and every member of the team was fined at least $100, multiple players said. The four suspended players - Michael Brantley, Angel Salome, Mike Bell and David Welch - were fined $300, an amount that several players and hitting coach Sandy Guerrero said was too steep. "I think the fine is a little bit too high for the amount of money they're making," Guerrero said. "Some guys are making $1,200 a month. After taxes ... some guys can't even pay rent. That's a lot of money for a kid." According to the on-field behavioral policy in the minor leagues, there is a minimum three-game suspension and $300 fine for instigators or respondents in an on-field fight and a minimum $100 fine for any other participant, Southern League president Don Mincher said. Brantley served the second game of his suspension Thursday night in Huntsville's 9-3 win over first-place Tennessee in front of 2,706 fans at Joe Davis Stadium. The Chattanooga Lookouts also were dealt four three-game suspensions and fines. Pitcher Sam LeCure - who threw inside to Patrick Ryan and Brantley prior to the fight - Craig Tatum, Sean Henry and Justin Turner will all miss three games. Lookouts manager Mike Goff was fined an undisclosed amount. "You fight, you're suspended, you pay a fine and hopefully it's over with," Mincher said. "Then you go play baseball." Mincher said the suspensions did not all have to be served at one time because, according to league bylaws, a suspended player cannot be replaced on the roster, and both teams needed enough players to compete nightly. He also said the fine money will go to charity. Welch will not miss a start while serving his suspension, but he still felt plenty of the sting from the fine. Though he would not divulge his monthly salary, Welch said the $300 was a "chunk of change." "We're making 500 bucks every couple of weeks or around that; those who haven't negotiated their contracts in a while," Welch said. "I thought it was a big fine on what we make, but they don't want fighting on the field, which they made obvious. "All we were doing was protecting our teammate. Brantley was out there by himself. What were we going to do? I think they should fine guys for not coming out of the dugout." Saturday's fight occurred after Ryan hit the Lookouts' Tonys Gutierrez in the leg following a home run. Gutierrez had hit a grand slam earlier in the game. When LeCure retaliated in the next inning, he threw several times inside to Ryan before walking him. After two inside pitches to Brantley, the Stars center fielder walked toward the mound, pointing his bat at LeCure, before being pushed from behind by Tatum. The benches then cleared. Brantley chose not to discuss the suspension or fine in detail, as did manager Don Money, who said he wasn't arguing with a league policy. "Whatever they decide is up to them," Money said. The two teams meet again Aug. 12 at Joe Davis Stadium. "We talked to them about the next time they play, and they're aware that we'll be looking," Mincher said. "That's our concern: That this carries over. Hopefully it's over."

Final: Huntsville 9, Tennessee (Cubs) 3 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Big Innings Push Stars Past Smokies Huntsville Back to Within Two of Tennessee By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Troy Cate worked seven solid innings and benefited from a pair of four-run frames in Huntsville's 9-3 win over Tennessee Thursday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 15-12 in the second half and pulled to within two games of the North Division leading Smokies, who dropped to 17-10. The Stars have won eight of the 11 games between the teams this season. For a second straight night the game was scoreless through three innings before the Smokies posted a pair of runs in the fourth. Tyler Colvin and Doug Deeds singled and came into score on a Wellington Castillo double. Huntsville responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the lead for good. Alcides Escobar was hit by Grant Johnson to open the frame, advanced to second on an infield hit by Mat Gamel and moved to third base when Angel Salome walked to fill the bases. Cole Gillespie hit what looked like it was going to be a sacrifice fly to center field until Colvin lost it in the changing night sky and overran the ball, allowing it to drop for a two-run single to tie the game. Salome and Gillespie advanced on a Mike Bell sacrifice bunt and scored on a two-out single by Michael Garciaparra. Salome's single with the bases loaded in the fifth brought home two runs to make it 6-2. On the play, Gamel rounded the bag at second base and third baseman Josh Lansford threw wildly past the bag at second in an attempt to get him going back, allowing Gamel to score and Salome to reach third. Johnson was then lifted from the game and replaced by Mark Holliman, who uncorked a wild pitch to allow Salome to score to make it 8-2. Johnson was charged with the loss in his first double-A start, allowing six earned runs, seven hits and walking two to fall to 1-2. Bell's throwing error in the seventh allowed Lansford to score to make it 9-3 before Cate closed his performance, giving up seven hits, striking out two and not walking a batter. The veteran left-hander improved to 3-0 and wound up stranding a runner in each of his last six innings, including a runner at second in each of the last three. David Johnson worked a shutout eighth inning to extend his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 15 1/3 and Juan Sandoval retired the side in order in the ninth with three ground ball outs. The series continues Friday with left-hander David Welch making the start for the Stars against Smokies' southpaw James Russell. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com. Huntsville Box Score Lorenzo Cain bumped from 8th to leadoff, particularly in Game Two of Michael Brantley's suspension; Alcides Escobar (double), Angel Salome and Cole Gillespie reach three times each, Mat Gamel two hits; David Johnson has struck out 46 in 36.1 innings; Mat Gamel handled three of four ground balls, Troy Cate pitched around Gamel's leadoff fielding error in the 2nd... Huntsville Game Log

Lawrie aims to swing big bat in BeijingBy Gary Ahuja - Langley Times Published: July 17, 2008 5:00 PM At just 18 years old, Brett Lawrie will be facing players with professional experience either at the Major League level, or one step below at the AAA level. But judging by his track record so far, Lawrie should have no problem fitting in. "The talent is exceptional for his age," said Greg Hamilton, the director of the national teams for Canada's baseball program. "He is a very special talent. "A kid that we think has the ability to contribute at the Olympic level." Lawrie was named to Canada's men's baseball team, adding some firepower from the right-side of the plate. His selection makes him the second member of the Lawrie household who will be attending the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing next month: older sister Danielle, 21, is a star pitcher for the women's softball team. And much like Danielle said, Brett agrees that playing multiple sports growing up helped him become a better athlete. "I think playing different sports has helped me," he explained. "I was always active." But baseball was always the game of choice. "As a little guy, I always had a ball in my hand," Lawrie said. His father Russ likes to joke that Brett came out of the womb hitting. Whatever the case, the youngest of the Lawrie clan always showed an ability to smack the ball. It probably began on family camping trips where he would go down to the water and spend hours hitting rocks with a racket, developing good hand-eye co-ordination. Lawrie excelled through the ranks of organized baseball and has been a big part of the Langley Blaze baseball program and with the Canadian junior national team. All of that helped Lawrie earn a scholarship to noted-baseball powerhouse Arizona State University and to be a first round draft pick (16th overall) of the Milwaukee Brewers. If Lawrie does not sign with the Brewers, he will attend Arizona State in the fall. In limited action with the Blaze this season - he has been away at junior national camps a few times - Lawrie has hit .435, with 11 of his 20 hits going for extra bases. His slugging percentage is an outstanding .870, more than 300 points higher than his closest teammate. That includes for four home runs. And these home runs are not just going out of the park, but striking cars in the parking lot at McLeod Park, as was the case when he accomplished that feat twice in the same game. Now Lawrie will take his game to the Olympics, where his teammates range in age from 20 to 41. "He has proved he can hit pro pitching and I think he should fit in fine with that team," predicts Blaze coach Doug Mathieson. Hamilton said that while Lawrie is young, he should be a factor for the Canadians. "We are not expecting him to carry the load, we are not expecting him to be the saviour," Hamilton said. "We realize he is 18, but we respect the fact that he is a pretty special kid." To succeed, a mature, competitive personality is needed. "The make-up is a big reason why he is here," Hamilton said. "He is one of those kids we feel can deal with it and handle that kind of environment." http://media.bclocalnews.com/images/320*465/NewS.47.20080717161326.BrettLawrie_0534BW_20080718.jpgRob NEWELL/Langley Times Brett Lawrie, just 18 years old, will hope to provide the Canadian offence with some pop from his bat at the Beijing Olympic Games next month. Lawrie is first helping the Canadian junior national team at the world junior baseball championships in Edmonton later this month.

Turned on the audio just in time to listen to a six-run (so far) Power fifth inning -- this team is fun, Andy Barch is having a ball with the call... Huntsville scoreless early. Jeremy Jeffress goes 4 1/3, three runs on six hits, three walks, six K's. Manatees trailing 3-0 late. EDIT: Still just one out in the 5th, nine runs in -- Lee Haydel a bases-loaded triple -- the only play more exciting in baseball an inside-the-park grand slam. 10-2 Power, still working for more.

I couldn't find where it was posted, but earlier this week someone questioned Frank Kremblas for backing out of his PCL All-Star Game managing job this week. To be fair to Frank, it was subsequently written in media elsewhere that is was related to a family member's health. We wish Frank well whatever the situation.

Erik Komatsu interview at BrewCrewBall Thanks for your efforts in putting these together, battlekow...

Link Report Bonus: Courtesy of the Nashville site, All-Star Nicknames

Some additional notes from David Weiser at www.starsboxscore.com -- Esmailin Caridad worked seven scoreless innings and held off threats in the 3rd and 4th innings to push Tennessee's lead in the Northern Division to three games over the Stars......... The Smokies improve to 17-9, while the Stars, in losing their second straight game, fall to 14-12. Lorenzo Cain, buried in the 8-hole in the lineup, smashed two long doubles, one of which nearly carried over the fence in left field in the 8th inning, and drew a walk to lead the Stars offense........ Cain has hit safely in six straight games (9-for-24) after going 0-for-4 in his Stars debut, July 7. ....... His first double in the 3rd, which took a bounce off the fence in left-center, came with one out, but Wright and leadoff hitter Freddy Parejo grounded out to strand him in scoring position. Caridad, like Wright, forced a lot of ground ball outs, getting seven in the first three innings. Forcing the Stars to swing early (he went to a full count just twice in 7 innings), he struck out just two....... Brae Wright got the Tennessee Smokies to hit into four double plays and induced 16 ground outs, but runs win games, and the Smokies put up a pair in the 4th inning to give them all they needed in a 3-1 win on a clear and comfortable 88° night........ A hard-luck loss for Wright, who got all his outs on either ground balls or strikeouts. The Smokies did not hit for the kind of power the Stars found, but they hit the ball often enough in the 4th inning to give them a 2-0 lead. Matt Camp led off with a single up the middle on a 2-2 pitch, moved to second on a Nate Spears sac bunt, and scored the first run on Tyler Colvin's single to center........ Colvin, who advanced to second on the throw to the plate, scored when Jake Fox also followed with a single to center. The lead held as the Stars squandered scoring opportunities in the 4th and 5th innings..... With two out in the 4th, Angel Salome singled to right and went to third on Cole Gillespie's double deep to right, but J.R. Hopf left them in scoring position with a fly out to right-center. In the 5th, Cain walked and was sacrificed to second, but Freddy Parejo popped out to end the inning........With closer Jose Ceda now on the mound for Tennessee, the Stars finally got on the scoreboard in the 8th, and threatened to add more after Lorenzo Cain led off with a double and scored on a two-out single by Alcides Escobar, who has now strung together 7 straight games with two hits or more......... Mat Gamel, hitless in his first three at-bats, singled on a couple of hops to right on a 2-0 pitch, sending Escobar to third, but Salome flied out to right-center on a 1-2 pitch. Ceda retired the side in the 9th on 11 pitches to end the game and pick up his 6th save. Wright (6-8) took the hard-luck loss after throwing 103 pitches in eight innings, striking out seven. Jason Shiell pitched the 9th, allowing a double to Jason Fox, who stole third and scored when a routine ground ball to first went through the legs of Hopf........ Mike Bell made a similar error on a routine grounder in the 6th, allowing Nate Spears to get on base, but he was quickly thrown out by Salome trying to steal on a 1-0 pitch to Colvin. Caridad (4-1) gave up just 4 hits in 7 innings and won for the 4th time in his last 5 starts Thursday, Stars left-hander Troy Cate (2-0) will be opposed by Smokies' southpaw James Russell (4-4, 4.75). Suspensions were served to all four Stars involved in last Saturday's brawl with the Lookouts at AT&T Field......... Michael Brantley, David Welch, Angel Salome, and Mike Bell were fined $350 and will miss three games, staggered over the next couple of weeks. Brantley is serving his now. Welch will serve his after Friday's start. Salome and Bell will follow........ Mike Bell has switched his uniform number from #5 to #1. Uniform No. 5 will be retired by the Stars. It is a number worn by Stars hopefuls, mostly catchers such as Dean Borrelli, Danny Ardoin, Kade Johnson, Brian Moon, but also Scott Shockey, Ryan Knox, and Bill Hall. Former GM and owner Don Mincher wore the number, and the honor is in deference to him.

David Weiser in Huntsville with the update -- Suspensions were served to all four Stars involved in last Saturday's brawl with the Lookouts at AT&T Field......... Michael Brantley, David Welch, Angel Salome, and Mike Bell were fined $350 and will miss three games, staggered over the next couple of weeks. Brantley is serving his now. Welch will serve his after Friday's start. Salome and Bell will follow.

Link while active, text follows: Ball in the Family By Mike Hardman, Hanson (MA) Town Crier The sounds of baseball fill the Delaneys' household on a nightly basis. Of course, the Boston Red Sox are must viewing. There's nothing unusual about that here in Red Sox Nation, but the voices coming out of their computer is an entirely different story. If it's early in the evening, the Altoona Curve are booming through the computer speakers, with Jason Dambach calling the games on WHPA in western Pennsylvania. Naturally, that's followed by Steve Wendt doing the Helena Brewers in Montana on KPAC later in the evening. Why is a family in Hanson following the Altoona Curve and the Helena Brewers on the Internet? It's because their sons, Jason and John, are playing minor league baseball this summer. "Every night, we have Jason on," Gary Delaney said during an early evening interview. "We'll click on John later on and we have the Red Sox on TV." With Jason's Eastern League game with the Curve vs. the Trenton Thunder playing in the background, Gary and Terry Delaney are in the middle of listening to the game as Jason went one for four with a double in an 8-0 loss in New Jersey. Even losses, though, don't take away from what the Delaneys are experiencing. "It's wonderful," said their mother. "Not too many families get to experience this." Gary jokes about having their lives revolved around listening to their sons' game, but out in the Pioneer League in the West, there is one player who really appreciates it. "We're two hours behind out here," John said. "They probably hear my first two at-bats, but then it gets too late. I know they have the computer speakers up real loud so they can hear it in the bedroom." On the same night Jason's team lost to Trenton, John's Brewers dropped a tough 4-3 to the Idaho Falls Chukars. John went 0-3 with a walk and almost beat out a ground ball to second base in the eighth inning before being called out on a close play. Jason has been playing in the Pittsburgh Pirates' organization and will be playing in the Eastern League All-Star Game at first base. He was batting .300 last week in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, with six homers and 38 RBI. In June, John was drafted in the 25th round by the Milwaukee Brewers after a standout career at Quinnipiac College. While the Delaneys have been through this before when Jason was drafted, it didn't make John's selection any less of an accomplishment. Watching at the house, the father and son celebrated after they saw John was headed for a summer in the Brewers' farm system. "It was pretty exciting, to say the least," Gary said. "I had gone through it before, but I had forgotten what (it) was like." After a stint at the Brewers' mini-camp at their spring training site in Arizona, John was sent to Helena to play for the Brewers' team in the Pioneer League. He's starting at third base and batted leadoff last week against Idaho Falls. Playing in Maryvale, Arizona was a different experience for the former Xaverian High standout. "We were up at 5:30 (a.m.) and at the ballpark by 7," said John, a 5-10, 185-pounder infielder. "It was hot, but not humid. It was like it would be a 110 here (Hanson). "It's nice out here (in Montana). The temperatures are in the mid-80s and very comfortable." With his brother going through the experience before him, John knew what to expect in his first year of professional baseball. It also helped that he spent last summer playing in the Northwoods Summer League in Michigan. "My college coach (Dan Gooley) told me that it would be a chance to see a different part of the country," John said. "I really enjoyed it." The experience of playing a 65-game schedule over the summer got him used to the long bus rides all over Michigan and the upper Midwest. He also adapted well to the grind of playing every day, something that already is paying off this year in Montana. Besides, his brother is only a phone call away. "He's been a big plus me," John said. "I can talk to him about what I'm going through. You have to stay positive, no matter if you go 0-4." His brother made what can be a very difficult transition from playing a full schedule in the spring and then going right into professional baseball games every day. "Jason wore down quickly after the long college season and then it went into the short (professional) season," Gary said. "John is a little more durable and he was used to the long bus rides and long days (from being in Michigan). John learned a lot from that experience." For John, the adjustment to pro ball has been making sure he gets his rest, eats right and gets in his off the field workouts. In the meantime, he's getting another chance to experience living in another part of the country. "It's a beautiful out here," he said. "There are two mountains right behind the ballpark. "The air is really thin out here. The ball flies off the bat." Going into last Tuesday afternoon, John already had the first two homers of his career, while playing in the infield and batting in the lead off spot for the Brewers. "It was good to get the homer out of the way early," John said. "Like all of the hitters going from college baseball to the professional league, it's a matter of switching from the aluminum bats to wooden ones. "The biggest adjustment is the old wooden bats," John said. "This level is the first time we are using wood and the pitchers have the advantage. The college players aren't use to the wooden bats." After playing shortstop for the Quinnipiac Bobcats, where he batted .463 for All-New England Conference first team honors, Delaney is playing more of a utility role with the Brewers (although he has started every game at third base after an early season injury to a teammate). "I was expecting to do that," he said. "I have no problem with it. I knew I was going to have to learn the different positions." There also was the matter of getting used to the pros. After the loss to Idaho Falls, John's batting average dropped to .195, with two homers and 11 RBI. (Having since hit .359 in his last ten games, he's at .274 for the season.) His 6-foot-3, 220-pounder older brother went through the same thing after signing with the Pirates in 2005 after a standout career at Boston College High and Boston College. Playing in the rookie league at Williamsport that year, Jason batted .213 in 55 games. "Playing baseball, whoever you are, you're going to have 0-4 days," John said. "It was a little tough lately, but I had a lot of bad luck. I've been hitting the ball hard." Still, he's in a position he's dream about since roaming the Hanson fields as a youngster. "It's not bad to be playing professional baseball in Montana," said John with a laugh. And it all started with the youth baseball games in his hometown. "I played with the same guys growing up and we always had a good team, always competitive," he said. "I had a lot of coaches who all knew a lot about baseball." When it was time for high school, John went to Xaverian Brothers in Westwood where he was named Unsung Hero as a senior on the 2004 Division 1 state championship team. "(Head coach) Gerry Lambert had played over at Holy Cross and he knew what was going at the college level," John said. "Quinnipiac helped me learn more. It was very good for all four years." After his junior year at Quinnipiac and the summer in Michigan, pros were taking a close look at John during the Bobcats' winter sessions. "I had a good year and I tried not to worry about the scouts," he said. "It was a positive year for me when the season ended. I was expecting to get drafted." Both the Brewers and the Atlanta Braves showed the most interested. Delaney was expecting to go around the 25th round. After he saw he was drafted, the Brewers called right away and told him that they were ready to sign him. "It was a big relief," John said. "Rene Mons (the Brewers' East Coast scout) called me and then came down and signed me." And that's when the sounds of baseball in the Delaney household extended all the way to Montana. *** John's brother Jason is having a nice season for Pittsburgh's AA squad -- stats.

RHP Wes Etheridge, fresh off a rehab stint in Maryvale for his injured ankle, has been activated from the DL and returns to West Virginia. To make room, LHP Mike Ramlow gets a well-deserved promotion to high-A Brevard County. Unfortunately, the reason there's room at Brevard County is that LHP Zach Braddock has been placed on the Manatee seven-day DL. The posting is back-dated to July 15th, so hopefully that's an indication that whatever Zach is dealing with is minor.

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview from Wednesday with Mat Gamel Click on the WUMP archive of July 16th, then browse to the 02:30 minute mark -- Mat talks about taking part in the Futures Game at Yankee Stadium...