Jim Goulart

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview from Wednesday with Helena Manager Rene Gonzales Click on the KCAP archive of July 16th, then browse to the 18:45 minute mark -- gushing praise of 18-year-old LHP Efrain Nieves, nice discussions on John Delaney and Chris Dennis as well...

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 60 40 .600 - 36-17 24-23 L2 Memphis 54 44 .551 5.0 26-21 28-23 W1 Omaha 45 52 .464 13.5 20-26 25-26 L1 Nashville 39 60 .394 20.5 19-27 20-33 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 17 9 .654 - 9-6 8-3 W1 Huntsville 14 12 .538 3.0 5-6 9-6 L2 Carolina 13 13 .500 4.0 5-5 8-8 W1 Chattanooga 11 15 .423 6.0 6-9 5-6 L1 West Tenn 9 17 .346 8.0 2-9 7-8 W3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 15 10 .600 - 7-3 8-7 W2 St. Lucie 13 9 .591 0.5 8-5 5-4 L2 Palm Beach 14 10 .583 0.5 10-6 4-4 L1 Jupiter 13 10 .565 1.0 6-2 7-8 W3 Vero Beach 10 15 .400 5.0 4-9 6-6 L5 Brevard County 8 16 .333 6.5 3-9 5-7 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 19 7 .731 - 9-2 10-5 W1 Lakewood 16 10 .615 3.0 9-5 7-5 W1 Delmarva 13 13 .500 6.0 6-8 7-5 L2 Hagerstown 11 15 .423 8.0 5-10 6-5 L1 Hickory 11 15 .423 8.0 3-7 8-8 L2 Lake County 11 15 .423 8.0 5-10 6-5 L4 Greensboro 9 17 .346 10.0 3-8 6-9 W1 Lexington 5 20 .200 13.5 2-10 3-10 L6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 17 11 .607 - 6-1 11-10 W2 Great Falls 16 12 .571 1.0 9-4 7-8 W1 Helena 14 14 .500 3.0 9-9 5-5 L1 Missoula 6 22 .214 11.0 3-15 3-7 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 14 5 .737 - 7-3 7-2 W3 AZL Padres 11 8 .579 3.0 7-2 4-6 L2 AZL Royals 11 9 .550 3.5 8-2 3-7 W1 AZL Cubs 10 9 .526 4.0 7-2 3-7 L3 AZL Rangers 10 9 .526 4.0 5-5 5-4 L1 AZL Giants 10 10 .500 4.5 5-5 5-5 L1 AZL Athletics 9 10 .474 5.0 4-5 5-5 W3 AZL Mariners 8 12 .400 6.5 5-5 3-7 W1 AZL Brewers 4 15 .211 10.0 4-6 0-9 W1

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". 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. Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_17_tenaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_17_clrafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_17_clrafa_breafa_2 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_17_clmafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_17_helrok_idarok_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: Idle Huntsville: LHP Troy Cate 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 Jeremy Jeffress and LHP Bobby Bramhall in a doubleheader at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 4:00 gametime; each contest seven innings Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP Amaury Rivas at home vs. Columbus (Rays), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: RHP Liam Ohlmann at 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: Idle

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

The Brevard County affiliate (non-player specific) is featured this week at MiLB.com.

Luis Pena came on in the bottom of the 8th to strand a runner (via K, 98 MPH fast ball, 94 MPH splitter) and keep the International League up by a 2-0 score. (Pena's team trailed, 2-0). Amazingly, the PCL scored six runs in the top of the 9th to set up Pena for the win. Then, asked to finish up as well, Pena allowed three runs in the bottom of the 9th, but held on for the 6-5 win. Pena described as filthy and devastating when he enters the game in the 8th at the 02:36:00 hour / minute mark (video, free -- no charge, select July 16th). Pena's bottom of the ninth begins at the 03:07:00 hour / minute mark. Vinny Rottino lined out and grounded out in two at-bats. LHP Lindsay Gulin allowed a leadoff hit in a scoreless third inning (two K's). Watch him at the 46:00 minute mark. This will be the first time many of you see Gulin, and particularly Pena, pitch. Nice opportunity.

We'll collect all of Wednesday's audio interviews for you later this morning. Enjoy your day.

Video available on the Power victory

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 5, Helena 3 Helena Independent Record Idaho Falls scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth to pull away from a close game, defeating the Helena Brewers 5-3 on Wednesday. The Chukars' Carlo Testa scored the winning run on a single by Neder Severino, followed by Devery Van De Keere's run on a single by Patrick Norris to finish the game. The Brewers (14-14) are now 1-4 on the season against the Chukars (11-17), who are at the bottom of the Pioneer League Southern Division. Helena remains in third place in the North. Helena held a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth inning. John Delaney tripled and was batted in on an RBI groundout by David Fonseca in the first. Michael Marseco tripled in the next inning to bring in Erik Miller, but the Chukars answered right back by scoring their first run in the bottom of the inning. That came when Van De Keere singled in Sean McCauley. The Brewers scored their final run when Delaney came home on a wild pitch by Ivor Hodgson in the top of the fifth to make it 3-1. Again, the Chukars had an answer, scoring the tying runs on John Alfaro's double to center field. Delaney finished the game 3-for-4 with two runs and a home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Van De Keere was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored to lead Idaho Falls. Idaho Falls' Colby Beach pitched three innings with five strike outs and only one hit to claim the win. The Brewers remain on the road as they face the Chukars again Thursday at 7:15 PM (8:15 Central). Helena Box Score 5'9" John Delaney, moved to third base when Edgar Trejo went down for the season early on, now sports an .846 OPS out of the leadoff spot; slugging outfielder Chris Dennis sports an OBP (.357) well above his average (.232) -- on base three times in this one; don't run, big fella -- Brock Kjeldgaard now 3-for-8 in SB attempts; Rolando Pascual with a confidence-boosting 1-2-3 inning; Nick Tyson's struggles inexplicably continue... Helena Game Log

Link while active, text follows: Anundsen continues to provide first-place Power with reliability West Virginia opens homestand with 14-4 victory over Catfish by Michael Dailey Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Evan Anundsen isn't blessed with the best pitching arm in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system. He doesn't have best breaking ball or the biggest contract either. However, the 6-foot-3, 200-pound, right-hander has quickly developed into a dependable, workhorse on the mound in his first two and half professional seasons. Chosen by the Brewers in the fourth round from Columbine (Colo.) High School in the 2006 Major League Draft, Anundsen appeared in 12 games as a rookie for the Arizona Brewers. Anundsen's arm proved stronger last season at Helena (Mont.) in the rookie Pioneer League with a team best 15 starts. Now in his third season as a pro, Anundsen is again gobbling up starts and innings as a key member of the West Virginia Power pitching staff. On Wednesday night, Anundsen, who leads the Power with 19 starts and 101 2/3 innings pitched, picked up his sixth consecutive win in pitching West Virginia to a 14-4 win over the Columbus (Ga.) Catfish at Appalachian Power Park. The South Atlantic League Northern Division-leading Power improved to 19-7 with the win, while the Southern Division leading Catfish dropped to 16-8. Anundsen (9-4) went seven innings, allowing six hits and three runs in front of a paid crowd of 2,536. Overall, the Power has won nine straight games in which Anundsen has started. "Along with Amaury Rivas (18 starts), Evan has been right up there with being our most reliable pitcher," Power pitching coach John Curtis said. "By that I mean he answers the bell every time and goes out there and gives us five or six quality innings." A newly found confidence in his off speed pitches has helped Anundsen make a seemingly easy transition to the SAL. "I've been working with JC (John Curtis) over and over and I think it just took about a half a season to get things turned around," Anundsen said of his winning streak. "Right now, things are just a little bit finer than what it was at the beginning of the season. "The biggest thing that's changed for me personally is that my off speed stuff has gotten a lot better. I've been able to throw my change up for strikes consistently and on most counts. That's helped me out a lot. "My breaking ball is getting a little better too, but mostly it's just a lot of consistent practice and locating my pitches." Curtis, a 15-year Major League veteran, has also seen a great improvement in Anundsen's off-speed pitches. "When he came here he needed a little work on his curveball and he's made great progress with that," Curtis said. "But the biggest thing for me is his ability to change speeds. He's using his change up brilliantly; he's changing speeds now with his curveball, and even with his fastball. "He's been throwing a few in there pretty hard and then taking a little off. He's making it difficult for guys to get good swings at him." Anundsen also gives credit to his team's offensive firepower, which has helped lead the Power to 22-8 record in the last 30 games. "Team morale is at a high right now," Anundsen said. "Everybody is enjoying it (winning) as much as we can. Winning is always much better and it reflects in the team's attitude. "Right now we're at a point that even we do give up a couple of runs early, we know that this team has been able to bounce back." West Virginia's firepower was in full display against the Catfish in the first of a four-game series, as Power batters punished four pitchers for 17 hits and 11 earned runs. Starter Brian Flores (7-5) took the loss for Columbus in allowing eight hits and five runs in 3 2/3 innings. Steffan Wilson had four hits, including a double and three RBI for the Power, while Caleb Gindl had two doubles and two RBI en route to a four hit evening. Power second baseman Eric Farris collected three hits, while Anderson De La Rosa had three RBI, followed by Curt Rindal and Logan Schafer with two RBI apiece.

Link while active, text follows: Power pounds out 17 hits in 14-4 win over Catfish By Michael Polak, Charleston Gazette CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- The West Virginia Power took advantage of one its best hitting nights of the season, pounding the Columbus (Ga.) Catfish 14-4 Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park. In a rematch of last year's South Atlantic League championship series, the Power dominated, putting up 17 hits. Eight different players got at least one hit, five had multiple-RBI games and seven scored. Center fielder Caleb Gindl and right fielder Steffan Wilson led the way, each going 4-for-5. "[in the second half] we've had solid pitching, good hitting and defense," Power manager Jeff Isom said. "We're pleased with the way things are coming together." The Power (19-7 in the second half) maintained a three-game lead over Lakewood in the Northern Division. The Power has won 10 of its last 13 games. "The guys in the clubhouse know we're in first," Isom said. "But we don't really talk a lot about it. We're not worried about the standings." The Power put the game away in the sixth Wednesday, putting up five runs to go up 10-1. Eleven hitters came up to plate in the inning. Gindl hit an RBI double and Logan Schafer drove in two runs with a base hit. The scoring onslaught continued in the seventh, as the Power racked up four more runs to make it 14-3. Gindl, Anderson De La Rosa and Curt Rindal hit back-to-back-to-back doubles into right-center field. "We did a good job keeping focus with the lead," Isom said. "We had a great run late that put the game away. The great thing about this lineup is there's not just one guy teams can focus on shutting down. Anyone can catch fire. Wilson picked up four hits for us tonight. Gindl, who'd been 0-for-10 coming into tonight, had four. You have to worry about the whole lineup." Starting pitcher Evan Anundsen (9-4, 3.54 ERA) went seven innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs and striking out two. "Evan's been great for us," Isom said. "Whenever the team's in a lull, he's been a great spark." Catfish starter Brian Flores (7-5) was tagged with the loss. Flores went 3 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits, five runs and striking out two. Catfish center fielder Maiko Loyola was a bright spot for his team, going 2-for-3. Loyola was the only player for Columbus (16-8) with multiple hits. The Power took a 1-0 lead in the first, loading the bases with no outs. Matt Cline scored on an infield error, but the Power stranded three runners on base as the inning ended. "I've been managing for eight-to-nine years and one of the things I kind of harp on is getting that early lead," Isom said. "We've been very successful playing with the lead this season."

Final: West Virginia 14, Columbus (Rays) 4 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER CRUSH CATFISH In a rematch of the 2007 South Atlantic League Championship, the West Virginia Power scored 14 runs on 17 hits and took the first game of the series by landslide with a 14-4 victory over the Columbus Catfish on Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park. Zelous Wheeler reached on Greg Sexton's fielding error with the bases loaded in the first inning to score Matt Cline. The Catfish tied the game in the third inning after throwing errors from Eric Fryer and Caleb Gindl allowed Henry Wrigley to score. The Power scored three times in the bottom of the third to take the lead and never looked back. Steffan Wilson ripped an RBI single, Anderson De La Rosa walked with the bases loaded and Curt Rindal knocked in the last run with a sacrifice fly. Wilson struck again in the fourth inning with a two-out double that scored Cline. The Power sent 11 batters to the plate and scored five runs on four hits in the sixth inning. An errant throw from Wrigley allowed Cline to score the first run of the inning. Wilson drove in his third run of the game on a run-scoring single before Gindl doubled in Fryer and Logan Schafer finished the inning with a two-run base hit. Stephen Vogt doubled in a run in the top of the seventh and scored on Mike McCormick's base hit. The Power answered with four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Gindl drove in the first run on his second double of the night before De La Rosa doubled in a pair of runs and scored the final run of the inning on Rindal's two-bagger. The Catfish scored their final run in the eighth on Sexton's sac fly RBI. Lost in all of the offense was a great pitching performance by Evan Anundsen. Anundsen (9-4) allowed three runs on six hits over seven innings and struck out two batters to get the victory. Brian Flores (7-5) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits over three and two-thirds. The Power improved to 51-44 on the year and 19-7 in the second half with the win. The Catfish fell to 43-51 on the year and 16-8 in the second half with the loss. Four Power players turned in multi-hit games. Eric Farris went 3-for-6 for the second game in a row while Wilson and Gindl each paced the Power with four hits. The 6-9 batters for West Virginia combined to knock in nine of West Virginia's 15 runs. Wilson extended his hitting streak to 10 games and he has reached safely in his last 15. The Power will continue the four game series against Columbus Thursday night. Right hander Amaury Rivas (7-3, 3.49) will make the start for the Power and the Catfish will counter with right hander Jeremy Hall (4-2, 3.86). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Andy Barch commented on how Manager Jeff Isom has used the 6th spot in the order to seemingly bust slumps for Power players -- in this case, Caleb Gindl, in real need of a big game, was moved from cleanup to 6th, which has been a particularly productive spot in the order this season as players rotate in and out of that spot; what else can we say about just-turned (May) 20-year-old Evan Anundsen? West Virginia Game Log

Link while active, text follows: Gamel left off Olympic roster Stars third baseman not headed to Beijing, but LaPorta will be By SKIP VAUGHN For The Huntsville Times, skip.vaughn@htimes.com Huntsville Stars third baseman Mat Gamel isn't devastated about missing out on the ultimate road trip - the Beijing Olympics. "I don't really like flying as it is," Gamel joked, "and being stuck on a plane for that long is not really my cup of tea." Gamel wasn't selected Wednesday to the U.S. baseball team headed to Beijing. However, the roster does include former Stars outfielder Matt LaPorta, traded by Milwaukee to Cleveland this month in the CC Sabathia deal. Davey Johnson will manage the squad of mostly minor leaguers. "I know there's a reason I didn't make it," Gamel said while dressing before the Stars' 3-1 loss to the Tennessee Smokies. "I'd just as soon stay here the season with these guys, finish with them, see if we can win a (Southern League) ring. "It would've been a good opportunity, but it's still a good opportunity for me here." Asked to describe his disappointment, Gamel said, "I'm not heartbroken. I wasn't really getting my hopes up for it. I would've loved to go, but in the same breath I'd love to be here with these guys, too." Gamel, 22, from Neptune Beach, Fla., plans to watch the games on television. The team's first game is against Korea on Aug. 13. Team USA, which won gold in Sydney in 2000, is back in the Olympics after missing out on a bid in 2004. "I think it's better for me to be here," Gamel said regarding his baseball development. "To stay and keep working with (Stars manager) Don Money." Entering the five-game series against Tennessee, Gamel was leading the Southern League in batting (.375) and RBIs (81). He also had 15 home runs. Gamel went 1-for-4 in the series opener as the Smokies beat the Stars 3-1 before an announced crowd of 1,711 at Joe Davis Stadium. Brae Wright (6-8) took the loss for Huntsville (14-12) against first-place Tennessee (17-9). Money was asked about Gamel's non-selection to the U.S. team. "Put it this way, it's good for us," Money said. "When I say us I mean organization and team and Huntsville. "To me it's a shame because I think the man's leading all minor leagues, maybe all of baseball, in hits. I feel bad for him because I know his name's been surfacing the last month or so. But you never know. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise. You just never know. He'll be with us all year now. We might win a championship. You never know. I mean I know he would've loved to be on it but it didn't work out this time." Money praised Gamel's offense but said he needs more work on his defense. "I think he's made tremendous progress," Money said. "It still at times seems he falls into funks sometimes. You've got to feel that every ball's coming to you. "Offensively he's ready to go (to the majors). Is he a .300 hitter? I wouldn't doubt it one bit."

Final: Tennessee (Cubs) 3, Huntsville 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Caridad Silences Stars in Tennessee Win Smokies Grab Game One in Big Five-Game Set By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Esmailin Caridad worked seven scoreless innings to pitch Tennessee past Huntsville 3-1 Wednesday night in the opener of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Smokies improved to 17-9 in the second half and pushed the Stars to 14-12 and to three behind in the North Division pennant race. The Smokies have won three of the last five meetings after being swept in the first five-game encounter in mid-May. Matt Camp led off the fourth inning with a single, moved to second base on a Nate Spears sacrifice bunt and scored the game's first run on a single by Tyler Colvin, who moved to second base on the throw home. Jake Fox followed with a base hit to plate Colvin to extend the lead to 2-0. Stars' starter Brae Wright kept the visitors off the board over the next four frames and took the hard-luck loss after matching a season-high with eight innings of work, during which he allowed seven hits, walked two and equaled a season-high with seven strikeouts, set against the Smokies on May 13. Wright was aided by four inning-ending double play balls but fell to 6-8 on the season. Caridad stranded runners at second and third in the fourth by getting J.R. Hopf to fly out and ended his performance by setting down the last five batters he faced. He gave up four hits, struck out two and walked one to improve to 4-1 and beat a team other than West Tenn for the first time. Lorenzo Cain led off the home eighth against Jose Ceda with a double and scored on a two-out single by Alcides Escobar that cut the lead to 2-1. Mat Gamel singled to push Escobar to third base but the rally ended when Angel Salome flied out. Jake Fox doubled with one out in the ninth against Jason Shiell, stole third and scored to make it 3-1 when Hopf at first base could not cleanly field a Doug Deeds ground ball. Ceda then retired the side in order in the home ninth to end the game and earn his sixth save. The series continues Thursday with left-hander Troy Cate 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 Huntsville Game Log

Still early, but six up, six down, for Evan Anundsen with five ground balls. Kid is so darn predictable http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

Taylor Green interview via battlekow at BrewCrewBall Do I even need to tell you it's a fun read? We bow in your general direction, bk -- and Taylor seems as classy a guy as we're read previously...

Brevard County Press Release: Manatees-Threshers Rained Out, Doubleheader Tomorrow (Viera, FL) Tonight's game between the Clearwater Threshers and the Brevard County Manatees has been postponed due to heavy rain in the area. The game will be rescheduled as part of a doubleheader Thursday, with the first game beginning at 5:00 PM (4:00 Central). Jeremy Jeffress is scheduled to start the first game for Brevard County, with Bobby Bramhall on the mound for the second game.

Final: Arizona Brewers 9, Arizona Cubs 8 Yee-hah! Whoop those Cublets! Arizona Box Score 17-year-old highly regarded Hitaniel Arias ("Hit" for short, of course) has made the most of his 8-for-40 thus far with 11 RBI and four extra-base hits; A-Crew scored nine runs on only six hits (six walks and an HBP); Seton Hall's Greg Miller with a tough outing, but Brandon Rapoza strands the tying run on third base to end it; this was the level Carlos Villanueva was plucked from in the infamous Franklin / Estrella deal -- something, huh? Arizona Game Log The Cub starter was also making his season debut, and faced only three batters before being lifted (K, K, BB)...

In progress: Arizona Brewers 7, Arizona Cubs 0, bottom of the 4th in Maryvale Hitaniel Arias with a three-run HR, his 2nd of the summer; interesting collection of pitchers thus far -- Seth Lintz works around a single, walk, passed ball, and gets out of a 2nd and 3rd, one-out jam in his one scoreless inning; rehabbing West Virginia RHP Wes Etheridge works a scoreless 2nd inning; two scoreless innings thus far for RHP Cody Scarpetta (five K's) in his second outing this season. Oddity, thanks to shoddy defense by the Cubbies -- inside-the-park (naturally) bunt HR Luis Sanchez singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman John Contreras. Luis Sanchez scores. Throwing error by right fielder Nelson Perez. Throwing error by third baseman John Contreras. Only in the Arizona League...

Charleston Gazette: Power begins eight-game home stand tonight vs. Catfish CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- It'll be a battle of first-place teams when the West Virginia Power opens an eight-game home stand against the Columbus Catfish at 7:05 tonight at Appalachian Power Park. The Power (18-7) sits in first place in the South Atlantic League's Northern Division second-half standings while Columbus (16-7) is setting the pace in the Southern Division. Right-hander Evan Anundsen (8-4, 3.52 ERA) will make the start for the Power tonight and the Catfish will counter with lefty Brian Flores (7-4, 3.62). The Power had its eight-game winning streak snapped Sunday night at Charleston, S.C., and closed out its eight-game road trip with a 9-8 loss to the Riverdogs Monday night. But the winning streak, including the first six games of the road trip - a four-game sweep at Savannah and the first two games against Charleston - firmly entrenched the Power in first place. West Virginia's lead over second-place Lakewood is three games, while Columbus holds a slim one-game edge over Asheville in the Southern Division. Both the Power and Catfish have seen their seasons turned around after struggling through the first half. The Power went 32-37 in the first half, finishing 8 1/2 games behind Lake County, while Columbus was 27-43 before the break, 19 games behind first-half Southern Division champion Asheville. The Power brings some hot bats into the home stand. Steffan Wilson, who drove in 12 runs during the just-completed road trip, has reached safely in 14 straight games and has a 20-game road hitting streak. Wilson has a team-high 15 home runs and 63 RBIs. Eric Fryer's batting average is up to .352 after hitting .372 over the last 10 games, including a 5-for-5 performance against Hagerstown on July 6. After games with Columbus the next four days, the Power plays another Southern Division team, Rome, for a four-game set starting Sunday afternoon. Columbus Site Series Preview

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 60 40 .600 - 36-17 24-23 L2 Memphis 54 44 .551 5.0 26-21 28-23 W1 Omaha 45 52 .464 13.5 20-26 25-26 L1 Nashville 39 60 .394 20.5 19-27 20-33 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 16 9 .640 - 9-6 7-3 L2 Huntsville 14 11 .560 2.0 5-5 9-6 L1 Carolina 12 13 .480 4.0 5-5 7-8 L2 Chattanooga 11 14 .440 5.0 6-9 5-5 W1 West Tenn 8 17 .320 8.0 1-9 7-8 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 14 9 .609 - 10-6 4-3 W1 St. Lucie 13 9 .591 0.5 8-5 5-4 L2 Daytona 14 10 .583 0.5 6-3 8-7 W1 Jupiter 12 10 .545 1.5 5-2 7-8 W2 Vero Beach 10 14 .417 4.5 4-9 6-5 L4 Brevard County 8 16 .333 6.5 3-9 5-7 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 18 7 .720 - 8-2 10-5 L2 Lakewood 15 10 .600 3.0 9-5 6-5 L1 Delmarva 13 12 .520 5.0 6-8 7-4 L1 Hagerstown 11 14 .440 7.0 5-10 6-4 W1 Hickory 11 14 .440 7.0 3-6 8-8 L1 Lake County 11 14 .440 7.0 5-10 6-4 L3 Greensboro 8 17 .320 10.0 2-8 6-9 L1 Lexington 5 19 .208 12.5 2-9 3-10 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 16 11 .593 - 5-1 11-10 W1 Great Falls 15 12 .556 1.0 8-4 7-8 L1 Helena 14 13 .519 2.0 9-9 5-4 W3 Missoula 6 21 .222 10.0 3-15 3-6 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 13 5 .722 - 6-3 7-2 W2 AZL Padres 11 7 .611 2.0 7-1 4-6 L1 AZL Cubs 10 8 .556 3.0 7-2 3-6 L2 AZL Rangers 10 8 .556 3.0 5-5 5-3 W2 AZL Royals 11 9 .550 3.0 8-2 3-7 W1 AZL Giants 10 10 .500 4.0 5-5 5-5 L1 AZL Athletics 8 10 .444 5.0 4-5 4-5 W2 AZL Mariners 8 12 .400 6.0 5-5 3-7 W1 AZL Brewers 3 15 .167 10.0 3-6 0-9 L4

Matt LaPorta Makes Beijing Olympic Team; Mat Gamel Does Not Just announced on BaseballChannel.TV -- details later...

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". 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. Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_16_tenaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_16_clrafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_16_clmafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_16_helrok_idarok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_16_cubrok_brrrok_1

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: Idle -- AAA All-Star Game on ESPN2 tonight -- details here Huntsville: LHP Brae Wright 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: TBD (it's RHP Josh Butler's turn) at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Columbus (Rays), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525 Helena: LHP Daniel Meadows 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: 2008 2nd round RHP Seth Lintz makes his professional debut in Maryvale against the bratty Cubbie kids, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew