Jim Goulart

From MiLB.com: Meet the Future: U.S. Corner Infielders -- Gamel, LaPorta, Hodges to play at Yankee Stadum on July 13 Gamel, LaPorta take act to Futures Game

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 56 37 .602 - 34-16 22-21 W2 Memphis 51 41 .554 4.5 23-20 28-21 W3 Omaha 43 48 .473 12.0 19-25 24-23 L1 Nashville 37 56 .398 19.0 18-24 19-32 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 14 7 .667 - 7-4 7-3 W3 Huntsville 11 10 .524 3.0 5-5 6-5 W2 Carolina 10 11 .476 4.0 5-5 5-6 L3 Chattanooga 10 11 .476 4.0 5-6 5-5 L2 West Tenn 6 15 .286 8.0 1-9 5-6 L5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 10 7 .588 - 8-3 2-4 W2 Daytona 10 8 .556 0.5 5-2 5-6 W1 Palm Beach 9 8 .529 1.0 7-5 2-3 W1 Vero Beach 9 9 .500 1.5 3-4 6-5 L1 Jupiter 8 8 .500 1.5 3-2 5-6 W2 Brevard County 7 11 .389 3.5 3-7 4-4 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 14 5 .737 - 8-2 6-3 W4 Lakewood 11 8 .579 3.0 5-3 6-5 W1 Hagerstown 10 9 .526 4.0 4-5 6-4 L1 Lake County 9 9 .500 4.5 3-5 6-4 W2 Delmarva 9 10 .474 5.0 2-6 7-4 L1 Hickory 6 12 .333 7.5 3-6 3-6 L2 Greensboro 6 13 .316 8.0 2-8 4-5 L4 Lexington 5 14 .263 9.0 2-9 3-5 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 14 7 .667 - 8-4 6-3 W4 Billings 13 8 .619 1.0 5-1 8-7 L1 Helena 10 11 .476 4.0 5-7 5-4 L2 Missoula 4 17 .190 10.0 1-11 3-6 L7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 10 4 .714 - 4-3 6-1 W3 AZL Cubs 8 6 .571 2.0 6-1 2-5 W4 AZL Giants 8 6 .571 2.0 5-3 3-3 L2 AZL Rangers 8 6 .571 2.0 4-3 4-3 W1 AZL Royals 8 6 .571 2.0 6-1 2-5 W1 AZL Padres 7 6 .538 2.5 6-1 1-5 W1 AZL Athletics 6 8 .429 4.0 3-3 3-5 L1 AZL Mariners 5 9 .357 5.0 3-4 2-5 L3 AZL Brewers 2 11 .154 7.5 2-4 0-7 L2

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

Follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Log" or "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_09_nasaaa_omaaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_09_hunaax_cngaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_09_lakafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_09_wvaafx_savafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_09_idarok_helrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_07_09_giarok_brrrok_1

Wednesday's Daily Menu: All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Chris Narveson at Omaha (Royals), 1150 AM pre-game; 12:05 PM gametime Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556 Huntsville: LHP Troy Cate at Chattanooga (Reds), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: LHP Chris Cody at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 6:00 gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: LHP Evan Frederickson at Savannah (Mets), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 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 Santo Manzanillo at home vs. Idaho Falls (Royals), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Audio link via KCAP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t433 Arizona: TBD vs. the not-so-giant Giants in Maryvale, 10:30 AM local Mountain Standard Time Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

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Link while active, text follows: Chukars clip Brewers By CURT SYNNESS - Helena Independent Record The Helena Brewers always seemed to be one run behind the Idaho Falls Chukars at Kindrick Legion Field Tuesday, despite a big night at the plate by second baseman David Fonseca. Fonseca belted two solo homers, one in the first and another in the sixth, but the Brewers (10-11) came up one short anyway, dropping a close 4-3 decision to the Chukars (7-14) in front of a crowd of 1,048. It was the first battle the Brewers had seen with a Pioneer League Southern Division this year. The locals fell behind 2-1 after two innings, caught up with Idaho Falls 2-2 thanks to Fonseca in the sixth, and then dropped back again by one in the seventh, 3-2. Lead-off hitter Patrick Norris scored twice for the visitors. The Chukars next went up by two tallies in the top of the eighth, 4-2, on a home run by Carlo Testa. Then in the bottom of the eighth, the Brew crew put together their biggest threat of the evening. Fonseca singled for his third hit of the game, and then advanced to third on a hit-and-run base knock to right field by Erik Komatsu. Big Brock Kjeldgaard brought home Fonseca with a single, giving Helena runners on first and second with one out. Next up, Chris Dennis lined a rope to left-center that had base hit written all over it, which would have plated at least one run, and possibly two. But Chukars' centerfielder Patrick Norris made a spectacular diving catch to rob Dennis of a hit, and preserve his club's 4-3 lead. In the top of the ninth frame, Brewer reliever Nestor Corredor set the visitors down in order, striking out the first two men and inducing a fly ball out to right. But Idaho's James Thompson was even more overpowering in the locals' last at-bat, striking out the side to nail down the one-run victory. Helena actually outhit their guests, 7-6, but committed an error, compared to the Chukars' flawless effort in the field. "I just don't think we came out with any intensity for the first part of the game," said Brewers' manager Rene Gonzales. "We couldn't keep their leadoff hitter off base, and he scored two of their four runs. And another thing that killed us, was they kept scoring with two outs. We've got to be able to put them away in those situations." Efrain Nieves started on the bump for the Capital City group, going six innings and giving up two runs on four hits. He set six batters down on strikes. Garrett Sherrill relieved and was stuck with the loss. The winning hurler was Jesse Carver. Fonseca, who hails from Managua, Nicaragua, scored three times and finished with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate, upping his season average to .333. "David hasn't been playing much, but he's going to get his chance now," Gonzales said. "He's put on some weight and gained some strength, and he's getting more comfortable at the plate. We're looking for him to help us out a lot." The Brewers take on Idaho again tonight at Kindrick Field, game time being 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

Do the Helena Brewers make use of the widest variety of uniforms every season? Fantastic, these are sharp -- Photos by Lisa Kunkel Helena IR staff photographer Helena Brewers' David Fonseca gets a congratulatory fist bump from manager Rene Gonzales after Fonseca hit his second home run of the game Tuesday night at Kindrick Legion Field. The Brewers took on Idaho Falls for the first time this season. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2008/07/09/sports/top/50spl_080709_brewers.jpg Helena Brewers pitcher Efrain Nieves throws in a pitch during the Brewers game against Idaho Falls Tuesday night at Kindrick Legion Field. Nieves (3-1) finished six innings giving up two runs on six hits while striking out six and walking two batters. http://images.townnews.com/helenair.com/content/articles/2008/07/09/sports/top/50spl_080709_brewers-2.jpg

Gulin throws another one-hitter By Alan Friedman / Special to MLB.com Lindsay Gulin knows what it's like to be in a groove. During a 13-year career, he has tossed two no-hitters and figures he's got a few one-hitters "in there somewhere." The 31-year-old left-hander was at it again Tuesday, going the distance and limiting the Omaha Royals to one hit as the Nashville Sounds posted a 3-1 victory to earn a split of their doubleheader. Gulin, whose travels include two seasons in Japan, got rid of the drama early as he gave up a one-out solo homer to Mitch Maier in the first inning. "I didn't think he'd swing at a first pitch curveball, but he did and he hit it pretty good," the veteran hurler said. Gulin (5-4), who fanned six, allowed just one walk the rest of the way and retired the final 14 batters he faced. "I felt good. I had good command of my pitches and the defense played great," he said. "I was able to do a good job of moving the ball in and out and changing speeds. It was a good win for us." Gulin, who signed a Minor League contract with the Brewers in December 2007 to re-sign with them, pitched a no-hitter in 1997 for Class A Columbus in the Braves organization. He repeated the feat in 2003 for Triple-A Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League. "I'm having a good year," the Long Island, N.Y., native said. "I'm trying to build on each start, just enjoy each start and have fun when on the mound." Moving in and out of the Sounds' rotation, Gulin has won his last four decisions, allowing 10 earned runs over 39 2/3 innings since the end of May. He's second in the PCL with a 2.89 ERA The Sounds (37-56) scored all their runs in the top of the first. After they loaded the bases on two singles and a walk, Adam Heether delivered a two-run single, with Brendan Katin coming home on center fielder Maier's error. Tyler Lumsden (3-9) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on six hits over four innings, fanning one and walking one, for the Royals (43-48). Omaha won the opener, 5-1. Lindsay Gulin will pitch for the Pacific Coast League in the Triple-A All-Star Game. (Nashville Sounds photo) http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2008/07/09/nbMHLwhm.jpg

Tidbits from Omaha: In game two, Nashville pitcher Lindsay Gulin was one pitch away from something special, giving up only one run on one hit - a first-inning solo home run by Mitch Maier. The lefty, who entered Tuesday with the second best ERA in the Pacific Coast League, struck out six in a seven-inning, complete-game win. "I thought we were mixing pitches, changing speeds well," Gulin said. "And we got some runs early, which is always nice." Gulin allowed only one base runner - a one-out walk to Mike Stodolka in the third - after the Maier homer. "He kept our hitters off stride," Omaha manager Mike Jirschele said. "He was able to throw strikes, he kept the ball down and he got us out." Photo by JEFF BEIERMANN/THE WORLD-HERALD Omaha's Ryan Shealy slides safely past Nashville catcher Carlos Corporan during the opener of Tuesday's doubleheader. The Royals went on to win the first game 5-1, but lost game two to drop their record to 5-11 in eight doubleheaders this season. http://www.omaha.com/neo-images/photos/large/070908jlroy.jpg

Link while active, text follows: Bryson brings power to Captains' 'pen Pitcher acquired in Sabathia trade likely will be closer during time in Lake County David S. Glasier, DGlasier@News-Herald.com Trades are a fact of life in professional baseball. Hard-throwing pitcher Rob Bryson understood that when the Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 31st round of the June 2006 draft. Bryson signed one year later as a draft-and-follow out of Seminole Community College in Florida. He understood that when he started playing for pay last season in Montana with the rookie-league Helena Brewers. The 6-foot-1, 200-pound right-hander with the fastball topping out in the mid-90s and sharp-breaking slider understood that when he put up eye-opening numbers this season as a starter-turned-reliever with the full-season Class A West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. In 22 appearances with the Power covering 55 innings, Bryson was 3-2 with a 4.25 ERA and 73 strikeouts. Then late last week, Bryson became aware of reports that his name was coming up in trade talks between the Brewers and Indians regarding CC Sabathia, the Tribe's All-Star southpaw. On Sunday afternoon, the rumors became reality when West Virginia manager Jeff Isom called Bryson into his office after a game and told him he had, indeed, been sent to the Indians in the deal that brought the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner to the Brewers. Also sent to Cleveland were slugging Class AA outfielder Matt LaPorta, journeyman Class AAA pitcher Zach Jackson and a player to be named later. "It was definitely a shock to hear I'd been traded. I didn't really expect it to happen at this stage of my career, but this is a business," Bryson said Tuesday in the Lake County clubhouse at Classic Park before rain washed away the Captains' scheduled game against the Hickory Crawdads. The teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader of seven-inning games beginning at 5:05 tonight (4:05 Central). The odd part of Sunday's sequence of events, Bryson said, was Isom had told him 45 minutes previously that he was headed to Florida thanks to a promotion to the advanced-Class A Brevard County Manatees. "Once it sank in, I was excited and anxious to get started in the Cleveland organization," Bryson said. "It's definitely an honor to be traded for a Cy Young Award winner." The bad news for Bryson on Sunday was he had say goodbye to a lot of guys on the Power's roster who had been his teammates for 1 1/2 seasons. The good news on Tuesday was he joined the Captains, who play in the SAL's Northern Division with the Power. Bryson had started the second game of a May 21 doubleheader at Classic Park while with the Power, getting a no-decision after giving up two runs on four hits in five innings in a 3-2 Lake County victory. He was a newcomer in the locker room Tuesday, but at least he was in somewhat familiar surroundings. "I'm adapting to a new group of guys and I'm sure things run differently here than in West Virginia, but everybody has been very welcoming so far," Bryson said. Captains manager Aaron Holbert said Bryson will work at the back end of his bullpen. "I like coming out of the bullpen more than starting. You're only going to face a limited number of guys, so you can throw your best stuff and really challenge batters," Bryson said. With former Lake County closer and SAL All-Star Vinnie Pestano having been promoted to upper-Class A Kinston late last month, Bryson figures to get some work in the closer's role for as long as he's with the Captains.

Link while active, text follows: Rough trip caps memorable deal; Cain speaks about deal By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times After his first day in Akron, Ohio, things can only go up for Matt LaPorta. First, the former Huntsville Stars right fielder waited out a flight delay. Once he finally arrived in Akron, he learned that the baggage containing his clothes didn't arrive with him. Then, the newest member of the Cleveland Indians organization rushed to the stadium, ready to greet a horde of reporters eager to watch the prospect the Indians got in the CC Sabathia trade. But rain postponed Tuesday night's game and there was a power outage at the park. "It's been kind of crazy," LaPorta said. Rob Sinclair can commiserate. The media coordinator for the Akron Aeros, Cleveland's Double-A affiliate, has been swamped since Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro said LaPorta would report to Akron, only 40 miles outside of Cleveland. Sinclair said an estimated 35 media members booked credentials, and the ticket numbers also shot up. "We've seen a dramatic jump in ticket sales," Sinclair said. "I mean, this is a Tuesday night in Akron. This is my seventh year in pro baseball, and this is the busiest I've ever been on any given day." LaPorta spoke to some of his teammates briefly Tuesday night, and he was penciled in to play left field and bat third in the Aeros order. When asked if he preferred playing first base or the outfield, LaPorta shrugged it off. "It doesn't make a difference to me," he said. "I think I can play both just as well." Meanwhile, the Huntsville Stars replaced LaPorta with a player who feels like he has something to prove. Lorenzo Cain was among the Brewers' prized outfield prospects - at least until the Brewers drafted LaPorta in the first round of last year's draft. As LaPorta escalated to become Baseball America's No. 1 prospect in the Milwaukee organization, he leap-frogged Cain, who was spending his second season in Single-A Brevard County. When LaPorta was dealt Sunday, Cain got a call from Manatees manager Mike Guerrero. "I was at home, and he told me he needed to see me in his office," Cain said. "He made me drive all the way to the ballpark. I was thinking, 'Oh man, I just got traded.' "They signed (LaPorta) last year, and he kind of jumped ahead of me. It set me back, but I had to keep playing my game, and now he's in Cleveland and I'm here." LaPorta is not quite in Cleveland, but he isn't that far away. Though he is excited about looking toward the future even though the Tribe hasn't told him when he may make it to the big leagues, LaPorta offered a fond farewell to his three-month stay in Huntsville. "They were a great staff," LaPorta said. "The main guy I really worked with was (hitting coach) Sandy Guerrero. He wasn't just a coach - he was more of a mentor and a brother to me." And even if LaPorta's trip to Akron didn't go smoothly, he said it was fun being part of such a memorable trade. "CC's an outstanding player, and he's going to be great for the Milwaukee Brewers," LaPorta said. "It's part of the business, part of the game. We're both ballplayers, and we're out there to do a job, and I'm thankful for the opportunity. "It was neat to be part of such a big thing going on right now in baseball."

Jonathan Lucroy featured, also Chuckie Caufield in photos from Floridatoday.com

Savannah catcher Sean McCraw tries to make it back to first base but is tagged out by West Virginia Power first baseman Curt Rindal. (John Carrington/Savannah Morning News) http://cms.images.morris.com/savannah/mdControlled/cms/2008/07/08/301508210.jpg

Final, Game One: Omaha (Royals) 5, Nashville 1 Final: Game Two: Nashville 3, Omaha 1 Nashville Site Doubleheader Summary: Link for Lindsay Gulin photo, text follows -- Gulin Gem Leads Sounds To Twinbill Split OMAHA - The Nashville Sounds split a doubleheader with the division-rival Omaha Royals on Tuesday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium. Sounds All-Star left-hander Lindsay Gulin worked a one-hitter in a seven-inning complete game in the nightcap to lead Nashville to a 3-1 victory. Omaha posted a 5-1 win in the evening's first contest. Gulin (5-4) allowed only a Mitch Maier solo homer in notching his fifth win of the year, lowering his ERA to 2.89 in the process. The southpaw threw 92 pitches (60 strikes) and struck out six batters in the outing. The Sounds got off to a quick start in the nightcap, scoring three first-inning runs off Tyler Lumsden. Tony Gwynn and Brad Nelson singled one batter apart before Brendan Katin drew a walk to load the bases. Shortstop Adam Heether followed with an RBI single to center that plated a pair of runs. Katin scored from first on the play when Omaha centerfielder Mitch Maier misplayed the ball. Maier atoned for his mistake in the home half of the inning when he belted a one-out solo homer to right off Gulin, his seventh longball of the year, which made it a 3-1 contest. Neither team scored the remainder of the contest. Lumsden (3-9) took the loss for Omaha after allowing three runs (two earned) in four innings of work. Nashville Game Two Box Score Tony Gwynn on base three times -- OBP .388, he has value, folks; Chris Woodward's first action in July; Lindsay Gulin just has to be a major leaguer someday, it'd be too good a story not to... Nashville Game Two Game Log In the opener, Royals right-hander Carlos Rosa (4-2) turned in a solid start, allowing one run on eight hits over 6 2/3 innings, to lead Omaha to a 5-1 victory. The Royals jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning against Sounds starter Steve Hammond on Brian Buchanan's two-out, three-run double. Maier and Shane Costa opened the contest with consecutive singles before Ryan Shealy drew a one-out walk to load the bags for Buchanan. Tony Gwynn stifled the Royals' attempt to add to the lead in the third when he gunned down Brayan Pena at the plate as he tried to score from second on a Jason Smith single. The Sounds plated their run in the top of the fifth when Brendan Katin singled with one out, moved to second on an Adam Heether single, advanced to third on a Carlos Rosa wild pitch, and scored on Callix Crabbe's groundout to make it a 3-1 contest. Omaha responded in the bottom of the frame with two runs off Sounds reliever Joe Bateman on Pena's one-out, two-run single to right, extending its lead to 5-1. Hammond (0-3) took his third loss in three starts since joining Nashville. He allowed three runs on five hits while striking out six batters over three innings in his first outing since returning from the disabled list. The southpaw threw 55 pitches, 35 for strikes. The teams continue the series with a 12:05 p.m. matinee on Wednesday afternoon. Nashville left-hander Chris Narveson (2-11, 5.64) will man the bump to face Omaha right-hander Brandon Duckworth (3-8, 4.43). Nashville Game One Box Score Nashville Game One Game Log

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Pitching Coach Stan Kyles (Part 1) Detailed Zach Jackson discussion...

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 4, Helena 3 Helena Site Game Summary: Idaho Falls outlasts Brewers The Idaho Falls Chukars, currently in last place of the Pioneer League South Division, defeated the Helena Brewers 4-3 Tuesday night. The Brewers, who out-hit Idaho Falls 7 to 6, fell short despite a fine offensive effort by David Fonseca who had two solo home runs in the contest. Fonseca ended the night going 2-for-3 and scored three runs. Erik Komatsu also had a multi-hit game for Helena, picking up two hits in four at-bats. Garrett Sherrill picks up the loss for the Brewers, allowing two runs on two hits in two innings of work. Jesse Carver blew the save for Idaho Falls in the sixth inning but held on to earn his first win of the season. James Thompson picks up the save for the Chukars, going 1.1 innings and striking out three Brewer hitters while not allowing a hit. Antonio Jimenez led the way for the Chukars offensively, as he collected two hits including a double. Carlo Testa had a home run in the contest for Idaho Falls. The Brewers look to get back on the winning track Wednesday, as they take on the Chukars again at Kindrick Field. Helena Box Score More details in the morning press reports; Appalaichian State RH reliever Garrett Sherrill has really struggled, now 0-4; LHP Efrain Nieves won't be 19 until November, yet seems polished already; real nice to see catcher Brett Whiteside make his first appearance since June 19th, as he was the DH; David Fonseca should be raking at this level, and he is, but his first-inning error was costly... Helena Game Log Go down 1-2-3 in the 9th on swinging strikeouts, ugh...

Final: Lakeland (Tigers) 9, Brevard County 0 Brevard County Box Score Not as bad as the final score looks, because RHP Alex Periard came on in the 3rd inning and pitched six innings of two-run ball; starter Rafael Lluberes allowed the cycle (plus an extra double thrown in for good measure) to the first five batters he faced -- ouch, ouch, ouch; Jonathan Lucroy a single and a walk, Taylor Green 0-for-4; reserve outfielder Scott Houin was 0-for-3 in his high-A debut; as noted above, highly touted Detroit RHP Rick Porcello was the Manatee nemesis, MiLB.com story here... Brevard County Game Log Lakeland Top 1st - Jeramy Laster doubles (14) on a line drive to left fielder Charlie Fermaint.- James Skelton hits a ground-rule double (5) on a fly ball to left field. Jeramy Laster scores.- Cale Iorg triples (5) on a fly ball to right fielder Chuck Caufield. James Skelton scores.- Ryan Strieby singles on a ground ball to left fielder Charlie Fermaint. Cale Iorg scores.- Brennan Boesch homers (6) on a fly ball to right field. Ryan Strieby scores.- Pitcher Change: Travis Wendte replaces Rafael Lluberes.

Listen to the three consecutive hits that formed the Power's winning rally Click on the WSWW archive of July 8th, then browse to the 04:25:00 hour / minute mark...

Final: West Virginia 3, Savannah (Mets) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: FRYER'S CLUTCH HIT PUTS POWER PAST 'GNATS The West Virginia Power trailed the Savannah Sand Gnats by a run with two outs in the eighth inning of Tuesday night's game at Grayson Stadium until Eric Fryer belted a two-run double off the wall in right field to plate the tying and winning runs as the Power defeated the Sand Gnats 3-2. Both teams had scoring chances early in the game but couldn't cash in. The Sand Gnats had runners on second and third with one out in the second inning but Dan Merklinger worked out of the jam by striking out Richard Pena before inducing a fly ball out from Joaquin Rodriguez to end the inning. The Power had runners at second and third with nobody out in the third inning, but Savannah starter Scott Moviel retired Matt Cline and Lee Haydel on line-drive outs before Eric Farris grounded out to end the inning. The Sand Gnats scored their first run in the third when Carlos Guzman scored on Casey Craig's sacrifice fly. The Power responded quickly and tied the game in the fourth inning when Caleb Gindl scored on Steffan Wilson's two-out double off the wall in right field. In the seventh, the Sand Gnats took their second lead of the game when Jose Jimenez scored on a wild pitch from Corey Frerichs. The Power had been held hitless since Wilson's fourth inning double until Haydel ripped a two-out single in the eighth inning. Farris followed with a single to center field and they both scored on Fryer's two-bagger off the right field wall. Frerichs (4-6) allowed a run on no hits and walked two in one inning of action and got the victory. Curtis Pasma (2) pitched two scoreless innings of relief to get the save. Rhiner Cruz (0-1) allowed a pair of runs on three hits in two innings of relief and was tagged with the loss. Merklinger tossed six sensational innings for the Power, allowing just an unearned run on three hits and he fanned four in the process. The Power improved to 46-42 on the year and 14-5 in the second half with the win. The Sand Gnats fell to 40-49 on the year and 7-12 in the second half with the loss. Farris extended his hitting streak to 11 games while Fryer extended his to nine. Wilson's double extended his road hitting streak to 14 games. The Sand Gnats have hit into five double plays in the first two games of the series. The Power will continue the four-game series against Savannah Wednesday night. Left hander Evan Frederickson (0-0, 6.75) will make the start for the Power and the Sand Gnats will counter with right hander Elvin Ramirez (6-6, 3.43). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM (6:00 Central). West Virginia Box Score Consecutive fine starts for Dan Merklinger, that's encouraging; unlike the Huntsville game above, only 11 combined hits in this one... West Virginia Game Log

Final: Huntsville 5, Chattanooga (Reds) 4 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Sandoval Closes the Door in Ninth to Preserve Stars' Win Late Inning Heroics Lead Stars to Victory By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Mat Gamel singled in the winning run in the ninth inning to give Huntsville a 5-4 come from behind win over Chattanooga Tuesday night in the opener of a five-game set at AT&T Field. The Stars improved to 11-10 in the second half but could gain no ground on victorious Tennessee in the North Division, while the Lookouts dropped to 10-11 and fell four games behind the Smokies. The Stars won for just a second time in 28 games when trailing after seven innings. Chattanooga took its first lead of the game in the home seventh against Jason Shiell when Michael DeJesus singled with one out, moved to third on a base hit by Sean Henry and came in to score on a Justin Turner sacrifice fly to make it 3-2 Lookouts. The Stars benefited from some poor defensive plays by the Lookouts in the top of the eighth to regain the lead. Danny Dorn misplayed Gamel's leadoff routine fly ball into a two-base error before Cole Gillespie doubled into left field with one out to plate Gamel with the tying run, advanced to third on a throwing error by DeJesus and scored on a base hit by J.R. Hopf against a drawn-in infield to make it 4-3 Stars. The Lookouts came right back in the bottom half of the inning to tie the game on a two-out single by Chris Denove that scored Eric Eymann. Freddy Parejo doubled with one out in the ninth against Carlos Fisher, moved to third base on a base hit by Alcides Escobar and scored when Gamel singled past the shortstop Chris Valaika, who was breaking towards second base with Escobar going. It was Gamel's league-leading 76th run batted in of the season. Fisher struck out Angel Salome and Gillespie with runners at the corners to end the frame. Juan Sandoval retired the side in order in the bottom of the inning to earn his 10th save of the season. Escobar singled with one out in the first and moved to third base on a single by Gamel but remained there after Jordan Smith struck out Salome and Gillespie to end the inning. Henry led off the home first with a single and moved to third base on a Turner single before he was thrown out at the plate by Hopf on a bouncing ball hit by Dorn, as both teams wasted great opportunities to score. Smith retired nine of the next 10 hitters before Mike Bell led off the fifth with a home run, his seventh of the season and fifth on the road. Lorenzo Cain then singled, for his first double-A hit, moved to second base on a David Welch sacrifice bunt, to third on a looping single by Parejo and scored on a fly ball by Escobar, who knocked in his 55th run. Smith was taken out after five frames after being hit by a Gamel line drive that turned into the final out of the inning. He gave up six hits, struck out five and did not issue a walk and was not involved in the decision. Salome was thrown out trying to score from second base on a Bell single to end the top half of the sixth before the Lookouts rallied to tie the game in the bottom half of the inning. Dorn belted a one-out home run, his eighth, to get the home team on the board and Tonys Gutierrez singled in Valaika with two outs to even the score. Welch was lifted after six innings, allowing six hits, walking one and fanning four. He was not involved in the decision for a fifth straight start and remains winless since June 7. The series continues Wednesday night with left-hander Troy Cate taking the hill for Huntsville against Lookouts' left-hander Travis Wood. 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 55 RBI for Escobar? Wow, what you don't notice sometimes; Lorenzo Cain in center with Freddy Parejo in right; 25 hits in the game, 14 for the Stars... Huntsville Game Log

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio with RHP Donovan Hand Click on the WUMP archive of July 8th, interview is right off the top; we miss the beginning of the interview, but still a worthwhile couple of minutes...

Chattanoogan Photo by Tim Evearitt Sean Henry, who tried to score on a grounder in the field, is tagged out at the plate by Huntsville catcher Angel Salome. http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_131130_large.jpg

Link while active, text follows: Whirlwind week for Tribe's LaPorta By Andrew Gribble / MLB.com AKRON, Ohio -- Think Indians general manager Mark Shapiro has had a busy week? Step into Matt LaPorta's shoes. LaPorta -- the highlight and centerpiece of the trade that sent CC Sabathia to the Brewers -- first heard his name swirling in the trade winds last week on a road trip in Tennessee with his former Double-A club, the Huntsville Stars. As his name kept popping up in newspapers, and even on SportsCenter, LaPorta sat down on Saturday with Stars manager Don Money, who told LaPorta to tune it all out and just keep hitting the cover off the ball. The next day, LaPorta, the Southern League's leading home run hitter and second-leading RBI man, was scratched from the lineup -- a telling sign that he was soon to be on the move. The horde of reporters and photographers surrounding LaPorta's locker after the game verified it. He was headed north. That's when LaPorta's manic week kicked into overdrive. LaPorta stayed up until 4 a.m. ET on Tuesday to pack all his stuff away in boxes only to wait at the airport for hours as the weather delayed his flight to Akron. To top it off, when LaPorta finally landed, one of his bags didn't make it -- the one with all his clothes. Oh yeah, his cell phone has been broken for the past five days, too. "It's been kind of crazy," said LaPorta, shrugging off the calamity with an ear-to-ear grin. So perhaps it was a blessing in disguise that LaPorta's scheduled debut with the Akron Aeros was delayed a day after a late-afternoon thunderstorm forced the game to be moved to Wednesday as part of a twi-night doubleheader. For the former Florida Gator who grew up shagging balls at Texas Rangers Spring Training, life as of late has certainly been hectic, but nothing to get too frazzled about. "It's pretty cool," said LaPorta, sporting a brand new Aeros cap with a completely flat brim. "It's always neat to be a part of such a big thing going on in baseball." It may not get any bigger than this. While it is uncertain what will come of Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson and the mysterious player to be named later in the five-player deal, LaPorta is viewed as the guaranteed stud. He's the reason, in theory, why Shapiro was justified in parting with Sabathia, the reigning American League Cy Young Winner, three months before his contract ended. And just to add more reason for LaPorta to feel like he will have the 6-foot-7, 300-pound left-hander riding his shoulders until he makes an impact at the big league level, Shapiro said he was "the single best player" offered to the Tribe in trade talks. LaPorta, though, looks at it in a different way. "It's a great honor to be traded for CC," LaPorta said. "He's an outstanding player and he's going to be great for the Milwaukee Brewers. I just don't really look at it that way. We're both ballplayers and we're both out here to do a job and I'm just thankful for this opportunity." Added pressure is nothing new to LaPorta. After being selected in the 14th round of both the 2003 and 2006 First-Year Player Drafts, LaPorta came into professional baseball last year as the seventh overall pick. "That's a challenge," Shapiro said. "It's one he's risen to both in college and now. It's one I don't expect will derail him, but that will be an additional challenge for him. He just needs to relax and focus on settling in and playing his game. If he does that, his talent alone will overcome that." LaPorta has overcome the first round of pressure quite easily since his first action with the Rookie League Helena Brewers last June. Since then, the 23-year-old right-handed slugger has clubbed 32 home runs -- 20 coming this season with the Stars -- and driven in 92 runs while batting .294. He was a shoe-in for the Southern League All-Star Game, will participate in Sunday's XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium and is one of 60 players under consideration for the 24-man U.S. Olympic Team roster. LaPorta, a self-proclaimed perfectionist who spends hours watching film of Albert Pujols and other favorite players, said he didn't expect to be doing this good this fast, but he really hasn't thought about it much. "You just have to go out there and do your job," LaPorta said. "You can't worry about the expectations people put on you." Neither Shapiro nor LaPorta will speculate on how soon he is expected to move up to the big leagues and neither will pinpoint an ideal position for the outfielder/first baseman -- LaPorta said he's equally comfortable at both. "I try not to put goals like that on myself," LaPorta said. "Again, you can only go out there and work hard every day to get better. For now, LaPorta has a little time to catch his breath -- and find some new clothes.

From Jim Powell's blog: Brewers' GM Doug Melvin told me a great story tonight about what happened to him right after he finalized the Sabathia trade. You can hear why he suddenly panicked by clicking HERE. Same story, in print: What's Brewin': For Melvin, trade came with heart-stopping moment Todd D. Milewski Dave Yeager, the athletic trainer for the Huntsville Stars, just about gave Brewers general manager Doug Melvin a heart attack via e-mail recently. In a pregame interview with Jim Powell of the Brewers Radio Network, Melvin talked about how he briefly thought the trade for CC Sabathia was going to have to be nixed because of an injury to Matt LaPorta. Here's Melvin, responding to a question about how trades go down: "There's so much involved with deals anymore. You have to contact the players, you have to make sure the players involved aren't injured, you've got to exchange medical information, you've got to exchange contract information, you have your agreements that have to be typed up and checked out by your lawyers. It's not as easy as picking up the phone and exchanging players in Fantasy Baseball. That's what happens, and that's why with the media, they might catch wind of something but there's so much more. "I never feel comfortable about a deal until the players have been told by the opposing club and the players have been told by us. Because something can happen. For example, on Matt LaPorta, I got an e-mail from our Double-A trainer, and the e-mail from David Yeager read, 'Matt LaPorta has broken his (slight pause) cell phone.' And I read the e-mail and I thought Matt LaPorta has broken his foot. And I thought, oh my God. It completely tore me up until I saw 'cell phone. You won't be able to reach him. I'll find out a number for him.' "I looked at that and I said to Gord (Ash, the assistant GM), did you have the same feeling when you read that? And we had just completed the deal. And I looked on my e-mail from our Double-A trainer that said Matt LaPorta has broken - and all I saw was broken. My blood started changing colors. Anyways, it was his cell phone. The deal was completed. It was his cell phone. If it would have been his foot, it would have been different."