Jim Goulart

LaPorta Delivers with Glove, Bat in 3-2 Win READING, PA - Matt LaPorta socked a two-run homer with two outs in the top of the ninth and drove in all three runs as Akron earned a 3-2 comeback win over Reading before 7,681 fans at FirstEnegery Stadium Friday night. The game remained scoreless until the top of the fifth, when Josh Rodriguez led off with a triple to dead center field. Two batters later, LaPorta rolled a grounder to third to score Rodriguez and give the Aeros a 1-0 advantage. Reading got the run back in the bottom of the frame, as Neil Sellers led off with a double to right. Brad Harman grounded out however, and then LaPorta saved a run with a magnificent catch in deep left, timing his leap perfectly and hauling in Mike Eylward's drive before crashing into the wall. LaPorta was shaken briefly, but remained in the game. Akron was undeterred however, and the top of the ninth got off to an auspicious start when Golson slipped in center field as Brandon Pinckney's routine fly ball turned into a leadoff double. A wild pitch moved Pinckney to third with one out, but Phillies closer Patrick Overholt struck out Bronson Sardinha looking for the second out. After taking a strike however, LaPorta crushed Overholt's next offering way over the fence in left-center for the winning margin and his first home run as a member of the Indians organization.

Link while active, text follows: Called-up catcher hits walk-off homer for Sounds By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Carlos Corporan's first Triple-A home run was a big one. Called up from Double-A Huntsville on June 30, the Sounds catcher drilled a one-out solo shot in the ninth inning Friday night to give his team a 5-4 win over New Orleans in the opening game of a three-day, four-game series at Greer Stadium. "It's exciting; it means a lot to me," said Corporan, who had been hitting just .136 (3-for-22) before capping his 3-for-4 effort with the winner. "I'd been struggling a little offensively. To get a walk-off to help my team win means a lot. "I'd been working hard in the cage, trying to see the ball better and be aggressive. When you practice, good things happen. Everything I practiced, I put in the game." The home run helped seal the pitching victory for Corporan's former Huntsville teammate, reliever Joe Bateman. Entering the game in the sixth inning, Bateman struck out the only batter he faced and stranded a pair of runners to hold the deficit at 4-1, then threw three more shutout innings. His seven strikeouts matched a season high by a Sounds reliever. "He hit all his spots, threw the first pitch for strikes, and good things happened," Corporan said of Bateman, who went 2-1 with four saves at Huntsville before joining the Sounds just four days ahead of Corporan. While Bateman was holding the visiting Zephyrs in check, the Nashville offense picked up three runs in the bottom of the sixth - all with two outs. Brendan Katin's two-run double keyed the rally, and Adam Heether drove Katin home with a check-swing single through the right side of the infield to tie the score. Said Manager Frank Kremblas: "We were able to make a nice comeback." The win was the Sounds' fifth in their final at-bat this season but their first in the ninth inning. Their previous last-at-bat victories have come in the eighth (of a regulation seven-inning contest), 10th, 12th and 13th innings. Kremblas out: Kremblas will not manage the Pacific Coast League team in next week's Triple-A All-Star Game, citing personal reasons. "I feel horrible," Kremblas said. "I was looking forward to it. I've never seen Louisville's stadium; I've heard it's nice. I was looking forward to managing all those guys and seeing them on one team." Kremblas notified PCL officials earlier on Friday. His replacement has not been named. One out, one in: Kremblas' announcement came just hours after Nashville reliever Luis Pena was added to the PCL team for the July 16 game. Pena, whose 14 saves are tied for the second-highest total in the PCL, joins right-hander Lindsay Gulin and catcher Vinny Rottino on the team. Trainer Jeff Paxson also will represent the Sounds at the game, which will will be televised on ESPN2 beginning at 6 p.m. From the Big Easy to the Big Apple: Since their last visit to Nashville on May 15-18, the Zephyrs have added a new manager and pitching coach. Marty Scott replaced Ken Oberkfell as manager, and Rick Waits replaced Dan Warthen as pitching coach. Both Oberkfell and Warthen joined the New York Mets coaching staff following last month's dismissal of Manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson - who held that position with the Sounds during the mid-1990s - and first-base coach Tom Nieto. Web gem: Sounds second baseman Callix Crabbe - a late addition to the lineup in place of Hernan Iribarren - ended the second inning with a sprinting and diving backhanded catch of Gustavo Molina's flare into center field. New Orleans' John Rodriguez writhes in pain after fouling a ball off his leg Friday as Sounds catcher Carlos Corporan goes out to talk to pitcher Sam Narron. (Photo by JOHN PARTIPILO / THE TENNESSEAN) http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20080712&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=807120364&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=180&Border=0

Link while active, text follows: Simply put, Lucroy a hit Manatees' catcher shows signs of consistent slugger BY JIM CAWLEY FLORIDA TODAY The Brevard County Manatees' coaching staff heard a lot of good things about catching prospect Jonathan Lucroy before he joined the team last month. So far, Lucroy is showing his reputation is well-deserved. Since being called up from the South Atlantic League's West Virginia Power on June 19, Lucroy has been impressive at the plate, batting .338 with four home runs and 18 RBIs in just 21 games. The 22-year-old catcher is slugging a whopping .558. "We knew he could hit, and he hasn't let us down," Manatees hitting coach Corey Hart said. "He came in with everything we've heard, and showed us exactly what everybody's always said about him." Lucroy already has posted a number of multiple-hit games, including Sunday, when he belted a pair of home runs in a 7-4 loss to the Daytona Cubs. "He's got a good approach at the plate. When he gets a good pitch to hit, he doesn't miss it," Brevard County manager Mike Guerrero said. "He's a pretty mature kid. He trusts his ability, and he knows what he wants to do. He's not going out there and trying to do too much." According to Lucroy, keeping it simple has been his simple formula for success. "I just came here and expected to compete -- that's really about it," Lucroy said. "I'm not a big ego guy, I don't think I'm anything special. I just try to be consistent and hit the ball hard. I try to keep it as simple as I can." Lucroy was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. That season, he played for the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League, posting a .342 average. He started this season with the Power, where he batted .310 with 10 homers and 33 RBIs in 65 games. He had 16 doubles and stole eight bases, while being caught just once. Upon joining the Manatees, Lucroy was inserted into the No. 3 spot -- and has more than held his own in what is considered a key position in any batting order. "You'd expect a younger kid that comes in at the halfway point from a lower level to maybe be a little timid," Hart said. "But he came right in with some confidence and he has really made our lineup better. "A lot of hitting is confidence -- and he's got it." Milwaukee Brewers Scout Doug Reynolds identified Lucroy as a player to watch in the organization. "An offensive catcher makes you pretty attractive," Reynolds said. Batting in front of FSL All-Star third baseman Taylor Green, Lucroy has been leading the way with a .400 on-base percentage. In 77 at-bats, he has just nine strikeouts, while also walking nine times. "He's got really quick hands. And when he lets the ball travel, he's as good as anybody out there," Hart said. "He's shown some signs of pop, too -- some power." Guerrero said he also likes the way his young catcher has looked behind the plate -- a position that requires a player to be a leader, regardless of his tenure with the team. "Defensively, this is a lot tougher league because the pitchers are better; the pitches break harder," Lucroy said. "The baserunners are faster; they're smarter, they don't do stupid stuff on the bases. You just gotta be consistent behind the plate, too. That's really all this game is about -- being consistent." If Lucroy can keep up that consistency, he may not be in Brevard County long. "He is a kid with tremendous ability offensively, and defensively he looks pretty good," Guerrero said. "I think he's got a bright future in front of him." Jonathon Lucroy is batting .338 with four home runs in 21 Manatees games. (Photo by Craig Rubadoux, FLORIDA TODAY) http://cmsimg.floridatoday.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A9&Date=20080712&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=807120321&Ref=AR&Profile=1002&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Audio alley: Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with RH reliever Patrick Ryan Click on the WUMP archive of July 11th, then browse to the 03:45 minute mark... Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with RHP Nick Tyson Click on the KCAP archive of July 11th, then browse to the 14:00 minute mark...

Link while active, text follows: Chukars sneak by Brewers By JEFF WINDMUELLER - Helena Independent Record Apparently no one liked Thursday's one-hitter. One night after Idaho Falls blanked the Helena Brewers 3-0, holding them to just one hit, the two teams tangoed in the highest scoring Brewers game of the season. Unfortunately for the home team, Idaho Falls' J.D. Alfaro scored on a bases-loaded infield sacrifice by Antonio Jimenez in the top of the 10th inning and the Chukars won the game 14-13 before a late-night crowd of 922. Twice the Brewers (11-13) led and at one time by as much as five runs, going 7-2 into the top of the fourth inning. But in a game that featured six home runs - four by the Brewers - the ones that really counted came from the Chukars (9-15). Neder Severino cracked a grand slam over the left field wall and the Chukars batted through the order in the top of the fourth to score eight runs and take a 10-7 lead. Idaho Falls scored once more in the top of the fifth, but the Brewers didn't give up. With two outs and bases loaded in the bottom of the inning, John Delaney popped up a shot into right field. By the time the ball finally fell, Delaney was halfway to second and the runners were crossing home plate. By the time the ball finally fell, Severino had apparently lost it in the sky. Moments before it came down to earth, Severino made a last-second dive for the crashing meteor as it landed just inches away from his glove. Delaney was credited with a double and three RBI on the play to make it 10-11. One inning later, Brock Kjeldgaard doubled and Corey Kemp brought him home with a grounder through the left-side pocket to tie the game up 11-11. Helena finally took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh when Erik Komatsu hit a two-run double to the warning track at left-center to make it 13-12. But once again, a single home run took its toll. Devery Van De Keere pulled a ball over the right field fence to tie up the game and spoil what would've been closer Adam Arnold's fifth save of the year. The Brewers weren't able to answer and in the top of the 10th Jimenez cracked a shot back at Arnold, who bare-handed it, knocking it down for Delaney at third to make the throw out at first. Alfaro went 4-for-6 with two RBI and three runs scored to lead the Chukars. Van De Keere was 3-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. Delaney was 4-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored, and was a home run shy of batting for the cycle. David Fonseca, Kjeldgaard, Michael Vass and Jose Duran all had homers for the Brewers. Helena Box Score John Delaney's four hits helped bring his OBP to .382, which is why he hits leadoff most nights; six other Brewers had two hits apiece, and the boys drew eight walks as well; RHP Liam Ohlmann (6'0", 241) made his Helena debut (2 IP, 1 R) and RHP Nestor Corredor stranded three baserunners in the 10th to keep it close for the bottom of the inning, to no avail; Canadian RH closer Adam Arnold had been on a nice run before getting swooped up in this game's offensive fireworks... Helena Game Log How'd you sleep last night? All rested and ready to take in this recap for a big breakfast?

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 14, Helena 13, ten innings Details in the AM...sigh

That is so clutch, good for him. It'll get plenty of attention in Cleveland, would be more so if it had happened in a home game in Akron. Wow.

Final: West Virginia 12, Charleston (Yankees) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER OFFENSE ERUPTS The West Virginia Power scored 12 runs on 14 hits and plated eight of their 12 runs with two outs on Friday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Ballpark as they won their seventh game in a row and 13th game in their last 14 with a 12-2 victory over the Charleston Riverdogs. Zelous Wheeler ripped a run-scoring double with two outs in the first inning to give West Virginia the early lead. The Power scored six runs on five hits and sent ten batters to the plate in the fourth inning. Steffan Wilson began the inning with a triple and scored on Curt Rindal's infield single. Rindal scored on a base hit from Eric Farris and an errant relay throw on the play brought in Anderson De La Rosa. Caleb Gindl's groundout allowed Lee Haydel to score the fourth run of the inning and Wheeler singled in the final two runs. Carmen Angelini scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning to get the Riverdogs on the board. Wilson smacked a two-run double with two outs in the sixth inning to increase the Power lead. Brandon Laird hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to plate Charleston's final run. West Virginia scored three more times with two outs in the ninth inning. Matt Cline started the two-out rally with a double and scored on Haydel's base hit. Farris finished the inning with a two-run homer, his first of the season. Amaury Rivas (7-3) made his first start in 10 days and delivered a winning performance, holding the Riverdogs to a pair of runs on seven hits over seven innings. Jairo Heredia, (4-3) the reigning South Atlantic League Pitcher of the week was attacked by the Power offense as he allowed seven runs on seven hits over four innings and was tagged with the loss. Michael Bowman and Pedro Lambertus both tossed a scoreless inning of relief. The Power improved to 49-42 on the year and 17-5 in the second half with the win. The Riverdogs fell to 53-37 on the year and 8-12 in the second half with the loss. Five Power players turned in multi-hit games and every Power player hit safely. Wilson has reached safely in 11 consecutive games and extended his road hitting streak to 17 games. Eric Fryer went 2-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games and Eric Farris went 2-for-5 to push his hitting streak to 14 games. The seven-game winning streak for the Power is their longest of the season and is seven short of the franchise record which was established last year. The Power will continue the four-game series against Charleston Saturday night. Right hander R.J. Seidel (6-4, 4.42) will make the start for the Power and the Riverdogs will counter with right hander Lance Pendleton (6-4, 2.64). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Leadoff man Lee Haydel on base four times, scored thrice -- it's been way too long since I worked in "thrice"; Zelous Wheeler a double, single, two walks, three RBI, a run scored and a partridge in a pear tree; Eric Fryer on base three times, guess working behind the plate won't slow him down; Caleb Gindl on base three times; RHP Michael Bowman struck out two and walked one in a scoreless debut inning for the Power; Amaury Rivas is capable of creating very pretty pitching lines, as he did tonight... West Virginia Game Log

They head to extra innings in Helena tied at 13; this is after a 3-0 game last night when the H-Crew mustered one single all game...

Final: Sarasota (Reds) 3, Brevard County 1 Brevard County Box Score Single runs allowed by Jeremy Jeffress and the Manatees in each of the first three innings, one unearned; Jeffress struck out five, walked three, and allowed six hits -- most nights in the low-scoring FSL, that won't equate to a team win; LHP Rafael Lluberes bounced back from his disastrous spot start with two scoreless innings; Brent Brewer and Jonathan Lucroy with two singles apiece; Lucroy has five passed balls since his promotion to high-A; # five hole hitter Charlie Fermaint down to .216 and a .603 OPS -- not exactly Corey Hart-like, this guy was # 9 on the Power 50 as recently as December 2006... Brevard County Game Log Taylor Green K'd with runners on the corners and one out in the 1st; Chuck Caufield was thrown out at third base advancing on a base hit to end the 4th -- ugh; Brent Brewer caught stealing third base to end the 6th -- are you kidding; Manatees left the base loaded in a scoreless 7th; add it all up - the 'Tees didn't deserve this one...

Final: Huntsville 10, Chattanooga (Reds) 3 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Bell, Gamel Pace Another Offensive Explosion Stars With 39 Runs on 65 Hits In Taking First Four in Series By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Mike Bell drove in three runs, including the tie-breaking two-run double in the fifth, as Huntsville continued its offensive assault in a 10-3 win over Chattanooga Friday night in the fourth of a five-game set at AT&T Field. The Stars won their fifth straight game to improve to 14-10 in the second half and moved to within two games of Tennessee in the North Division, while the Lookouts dropped to 10-14 and remain six games behind the Smokies. The Stars have collected 48 runs on 78 hits during their win streak and have plated at least nine runs in four of the games and at least 13 hits in all five contests. Justin Turner belted a one-out home run in the first inning to give the Lookouts the lead to mark the seventh time in the last eight games the Stars opponent has scored first and the sixth time with a home run. Chris Valaika's leadoff long ball in the second pushed the lead to 2-0 before Chris Denove doubled home a run with one out to make it 3-0 Looks. Huntsville got on the board in the third against Ben Jukich on a two-out, run-scoring hit by Alcides Escobar that plated Freddy Parejo and advanced Lorenzo Cain to second base. Mat Gamel walked to load the bases before Cole Gillespie struck out to end the inning. Stars' starter Nic Ungs led off the fifth with a double, moved to third on a bunt base hit by Parejo and scored on a throwing error on the play by third baseman Eric Eymann to cut the lead to 3-2. Cain followed with a triple and Escobar walked before Gamel singled to right to tie the game and knock in his league-leading 80th run of the season. Gillespie walked to load the bases and Bell followed with a double down the left-field line to drive in two to give the Stars their first lead of the night and knock Jukich out of the game. Sean Watson then struck out Michael Garciaparra and Martin Maldonado to end the inning. Jukich was charged with five runs on eight hits, while walking five and fanning two and took the loss to drop to 8-4. Watson was removed after a scoreless 1 2/3 innings and replaced by Lee Tabor, who gave up back-to-back doubles to Gamel and Gillespie, the top two in that category in the league, that extended the lead to 6-3. Gillespie would then score on a Garciaparra single but Tabor worked out of further trouble by getting Parejo to pop up and striking out Cain with the bases loaded to end the inning. Bell knocked in a run with a groundout in the eighth and Garciaparra followed with a run-scoring hit to make it 9-3 and knock Tabor out of the game. The Stars scored in the ninth against Pedro Viola on a two-out, RBI hit by Gamel, who had three hits and scored twice. Ungs settled down after the first two innings and allowed only two hits over the next four and departed after six innings, giving up three runs on six hits and striking out six. He earned his second win in three starts and combined with Steve Bray to retire the last 12 Lookouts hitters. Bray fanned six to earn his first save with Huntsville. The series wraps up Saturday night with right-hander Donovan Hand going for Huntsville against Lookouts' right-hander Sam LeCure. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com. Huntsville Box Score 17 hits, eight walks drawn, no errors committed -- plenty to like; Steve Bray's three perfect innings included six K's, his best effort of the season; even starting pitcher Nic Ungs got in on the action at the plate -- double, single, walk... Huntsville Game Log

Nashville Pre-Game Chat with Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Reporter Tom Haudricourt (Part 2 of 2) Wrapping up the Sabathia talk...

Final: Nashville 5, New Orleans (Mets) 4 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for new "walk-off" photo of Carlos Corporan, text follows -- NASHVILLE - Hitting your first career Triple-A home run is a special moment for a player. For Sounds catcher Carlos Corporan, he wanted to make it more special. Corporan belted his first home run for the Sounds this year in dramatic fashion, hitting a game-ending homer in the bottom of the ninth to give the Nashville Sounds a 5-4 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Friday night at Greer Stadium. The longball came on a 1-1 pitch with one out off Zephyrs reliever Tim McNab and broke a 4-4 tie. Brendan Katin also contributed two RBIs to the Sounds offensive attack, and Joe Bateman (1-0) earned the win after pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings and notching seven strikeouts, tying a season-high for Sounds relievers. AUDIO: Corporan's Game-Winning Blast The win was Nashville's fifth of the year in their last at-bat and first win with the at-bat coming in the ninth inning. The Sounds led off the scoring in the bottom of the second inning after Adam Heether hit his 17th double of the season off Zephyrs starter Ruddy Lugo to center field and scored on a single from Chris Woodward in the next at-bat. New Orleans responded in the top of the fourth inning when John Rodriguez belted his fourth home run of the year for the Zephyrs off Nashville starter Sam Narron. They added their second run in the top of the fifth inning when Anderson Hernandez knocked a one-out triple to right field and scored on a single from former Sound Abraham Nunez. The Zephyrs added two more runs in the top of the sixth inning with a rally that started with back-to-back singles from Andy Green and Rodriguez. Valentino Pascucci followed with a walk, and Michel Abreu knocked Green in with a sacrifice fly. Gustavo Molina then singled to right field to score Rodriguez from third to cap the rally. Nashville answered in the bottom of the inning with a three-run rally to tie the score at four. Laynce Nix got things started with a two-out walk, and Brad Nelson followed with a double to right field. Katin then continued his seven-game hitting streak with a double to left field to score both Nix and Nelson. Katin's recent offensive tear includes 10 RBIs in his last eight games. Heether added a check-swing, RBI single to score Katin and tie the score for the Sounds. Narron pitched 5 2/3 innings and gave up four earned runs while ending up with a no-decision for Nashville. Lugo matched his start with four earned runs over 5 2/3 innings as the starter for New Orleans. Tim McNab (2-1) took the loss for the Zephyrs after giving up the home run to Corporan in the ninth inning with one out, and Casey Hoorelbeke contributed 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief. The teams continue the series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 6:00 p.m. at Greer Stadium. Mark Difelice (4-0, 3.55) will start for the Sounds in the opener against right-hander Brian Stokes (8-8, 4.94) for the Zephyrs. Southpaw Steve Hammond (0-3, 8.31) takes the mound for the Sounds in the nightcap against fellow lefty Willie Collazo (4-6, 4.32) for New Orleans. Nashville Box Score Carlos Corporan finished 3-for-4 as the bottom of the order led the way; reliever Joe Bateman's been pretty solid all year, both at AA and now AAA... Nashville Game Log

In progress: Idaho Falls (Royals) 12, Helena 11, bottom of the 7th in Helena As of 10:45 Central, there's your audio choice while we detail the other games for you...

Link while active, text follows: Bryson relieved to return to relief By Andrew Gribble / MLB.com EASTLAKE, Ohio -- When Rob Bryson has too much time to think, too much time for his nerves to twitter or, simply, too much time to stretch, he gets a little antsy. So it makes sense that Bryson, one of four prospects the Tribe acquired from the Brewers for CC Sabathia, didn't like the four- to five-day buildup that came with being a starting pitcher. "I think having preparation is what messes me up," Bryson said. "I like getting the call 'Hey, you're getting the ball right now.' You go in there and your adrenaline's going, and you give them what you got for however long is left in the game." With the Class A Lake County Captains, Bryson will get that adrenaline boost often, although he will somewhat see it coming. The 20-year-old right-hander will pitch in a "priority role," getting the call every third day to throw at least two innings per outing. Captains manager Aaron Holbert said Bryson, who saved five games with the low Class A West Virginia Power, will not step in as the team's closer right away, but did not rule it out in the near future. Indians farm director Ross Atkins said that the team abstains from "grooming closers," so even if Bryson does pick up a save or two, fans shouldn't view it as an omen. Atkins also wouldn't rule out the possibility of Bryson returning to a starting role at some point. Regardless, Bryson certainly has the makings of a closer. His fastball hums in around the mid-90s and his slider serves as his out pitch. But that's it for now, at least. Bryson said he is trying to develop a changeup, but he remains a ways from being a legitimate three-pitch pitcher. It hasn't stopped Bryson from being effective. In 22 appearances, five starts, with the Power this season, Bryson walked just 20 batters while striking out 73, an average of 11.9 per nine innings pitched. "Youth, strikeouts, power, athleticism. Those are the things that jumped out of us," Atkins said. "You don't typically find that type of power with those strikeout numbers." Bryson was drafted out of high school by the Brewers in the 31st round of the 2006 Draft and signed one year later as a draft-and-follow out of Seminole Community College in Florida. He didn't see any bullpen action until joining the rookie league Helena Brewers last summer, but has started sparingly since then. He doesn't particularly miss it. "As a starter, you have to pace yourself, pitch to contact and not give them your best stuff until you're in a jam," Bryson said. "As a bullpen guy, what you see is what you get. I just give them my best stuff right off the bat." The pressure to give the Captains his best stuff off the bat certainly weighs on Bryson, especially with him being part of the trade for Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner. "Obviously, I'm kind of under the microscope right now," Bryson said. "If I don't succeed and don't have success and don't pitch well, then obviously the Indians made a mistake." Holbert, who sees a number of players come in and out of his clubhouse throughout the year, said he and his coaching staff will pay close attention to Bryson, making sure he's comfortable in his new environment and not trying too hard to impress. "There's a lot of expectations on the kid for being in that trade," Holbert said. "But even if he was just traded for a box of baseballs, you want to prove to your new team that you're worthy of being traded for that box of baseballs." Shortly before Bryson found out he was headed to Ohio, Power manager Jeff Isom called Bryson into his office to tell him he had been promoted to the Brevard County Manatees, the Brewers' advanced Class A team. Atkins said it was in Bryson's "best interests" to start with the Indians at lower Class A so that his playing field could be "as level as possible" in coming to a new organization. Bryson said he has no hard feelings about the demotion of sorts, because he's still a long way from making the big leagues. "The way I look at it, no matter where I go, I have to put up numbers," Bryson said. "If I just do it again here, hopefully I'll be back up [to advanced Class A]. "I want to give the Indians what they traded for."

Two pitchers have swapped spots, as RHP Liam Ohlmann, 2008's 20th round pick, takes four strong relief appearances in Maryvale to Helena. RHP Jorge Crespo, in his second year in the system, has been sent to Maryvale from Helena. Crespo is a 22-year-old undrafted signee out of Puerto Rico. Helena is balancing action for 17 pitchers on their staff, not unusual for that level.

Outfielder Erik Miller, a 2007 17th round pick, had struggled in Maryvale this year and last, but he's making his Helena debut in their starting lineup tonight. Good luck, kid, make the most of the change of scenery.

Jeremy Jeffress starting from inning one, not inning four, tonight -- that experiment may have ended quickly, or is on hiatus. Some different position choices tonight for West Virginia -- Haydel LF Farris 2B Fryer C Gindl CF Wheeler 3B Wilson RF Rindal 1B De La Rosa DH Cline SS Rivas P

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/prospects/?p=1311

Nashville site with the news of Luis Pena's All-Star nod, as his agent Josh was kind of enough to break here...

Kansas City Royals recalled pitcher Ryan Braun from Omaha and placed him on the 60-day disabled list.

Huntsville Press Release: The Milwaukee Brewers have activated Stars' INF Guilder Rodriguez from the Disabled List. Rodriguez's right hamstring sent him to the DL on July 4th. With his activation, the Stars' roster is currently at its 24-man maximum. Rodriguez will be in uniform and active for tonight's game against the Chattanooga Lookouts. Sometimes a transaction makes you say "wow", and sometimes Guilder Rodriguez comes back after a week off.

Heh-hey, beat you by less than 60 seconds...

All three Arizona League games, including the Brewers / A's in Phoenix, were postponed today by wet grounds.

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):