Jim Goulart

Wooten closing out college career By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com OMAHA -- North Carolina's Rob Wooten has proven to be a workhorse -- well, as much of a workhorse as a pitcher can be playing a limited NCAA schedule. While it remains to be seen how effective he'll be on a professional level, the folks in Milwaukee are eager to see what they've got in the right-hander, whom they selected in the 13th round of the First-Year Player Draft. Wooten (6-2) appeared in his 40th game of the season on Sunday night at Rosenblatt Stadium, preserving the Tar Heels' 8-4 victory against Louisiana State and earning his fifth save with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He lowered his ERA to 1.75 in 56 2/3 innings. That follows a 2007 season in which he established a school record while leading the NCAA with 47 appearances. He was 6-1 a year ago while pitching 53 2/3 innings and posting a 2.35 ERA. While those are all impressive numbers, the ones that really stand out regarding Wooten are the ones he puts up in the games that matter the most. He's now 4-0 with two saves in 24 2/3 innings over 17 postseason appearances. Wooten set an NCAA record last year by appearing in six College World Series games. If he records one more victory this week in Omaha, he'll tie Robert Woodard and Derrick DePriest for the most NCAA victories in school history. "He puts up good numbers, but he does it a little differently," Milwaukee's vice president and assistant general manager for player personnel Jack Zduriencik said. "He's not a power-arm guy. He gets to 89-90 [mph], but he does a lot of different things with the baseball. He turns it over, he's got a slider, a turnover change, a splitter. He comes at you with different degrees of stuff and when the splitter is working, he's tough. "There are guys who can do it that way. Keith Foulke wasn't a power guy. You have to be careful, though, because this is one thing that's new to the industry, guys closing in college. These guys closing in college, where are they going to be in the future? Just because you're a college closer doesn't necessarily mean you're going to be one in the big leagues." Zduriencik said that in all likelihood Wooten will start in the bullpen once he signs, but some of what happens depends on what the staff sees from him when he does report. Zduriencik pointed to Steve Hammond, a sixth-round pick in 2005, as a perfect example of the possibilities that could await Wooten. Hammond was a reliever at Long Beach State, but was quickly converted to a starter once he joined the Brewers. He is currently 7-3 with a 3.25 ERA in 14 starts for Double-A Huntsville. Wooten certainly has displayed the ability to be versatile. He's demonstrated that he can handle a bigger workload, working at least two innings on 12 occasions this season, including throwing a career-high 4 2/3 innings at Virginia on May 10. Wooten also threw four innings against Florida Atlantic on February 23 to earn a save a day after he threw 1 1/3 scoreless innings. While Wooten gave the customary and expected answer that he would do whatever the Brewers ask of him, he did say relieving is what he enjoys. "The past two years, I've loved being a reliever," he said. "My arm recovers faster than usual and I love what I'm doing. If they want me to start, I'll start. I'm always up for the challenge. But I love what I'm doing now. "And I love pitching in situations like this [the CWS]. I'd rather be pitching in front of four million people than four people. I prefer that. And can I close? Why not? I've done it here. I don't think they'll use me that way, but I have three pitches that I can throw any time I want." Wooten certainly does thrive under pressure. He shut down an LSU rally, punctuating his effort with a fist pump and a hoot. He can't wait to take that enthusiasm to the next level, but for now he's simply worried about helping UNC get back to the championship series for a third consecutive year. After that, he'll begin contemplating in earnest what the Brewers have in store for him. "If a guy might be able to pitch in the late innings, it's a good thing," Zduriencik said. "But in this particular case, you can't say he's going to be a closer in the big leagues. I do think he's going to be a guy who can do something. No one denies his arm strength and his stuff. "But closing a Major League game has more to do with than just stuff. Everything we know about him points to the fact that he's a solid guy. He's a guy that seems to have adapted to that role. He's got real good numbers and has thrown multiple innings." It's the sure sign of a workhorse.

Your Florida State League Pitcher of the Week: Zach Braddock, Brevard County 1-0, 1.80 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 SO Braddock had one of his best efforts of the season Tuesday at Lakeland, notching his first road win by going five innings and limiting the Flying Tigers to one run on two hits with 10 strikeouts. The southpaw now has 26 punchouts in his last three games, giving him 43 on the season in just 35 innings for the Manatees.

Jim Callis at Baseball America: [tt]Which teams had the best drafts? Tom Molinari Upper Saddle River, N.J.[/tt] I have to issue the standard caveat that it's way too early to know with any great degree of accuracy how any club's draft will turn out. When judging drafts a week after the event, I'm looking at which teams got good value and also assuming that in most cases, any highly-rated prospects who didn't go in the first six rounds on the first day are going to be difficult to sign. Two drafts jump out at me. The Brewers were armed with six picks in the first two rounds, and I like their haul. They couldn't have expected sweet-swinging Canadian high school Brett Lawrie (at No. 16) and athletic Illinois prep righthander Jake Odorizzi (at No. 32) to be available with their first two choices. After those two, Milwaukee landed a big, hard-throwing lefty (San Francisco's Evan Frederickson), another top high school righty (Seth Lintz from Tennessee), another advanced prep bat (outfielder Cutter Dykstra from California) and a strong-armed college righty (Southern Illinois' Cody Adams). San Diego's Josh Romanski (fourth round) is a polished lefthander, and the Brewers already have locked up Santa Clara righty Mark Willinsky, a potential closer and a steal in the 15th round.

Final, Game One: Nashville 3, Iowa (Cubs) 1 Final, Game Two: Iowa 8, Nashville 4 Nashville Site Doubleheader Summary: Link for Lindsay Gulin photo, text follows -- Sounds Conclude Trip With Doubleheader Split DES MOINES - The Nashville Sounds closed out their road trip by splitting a doubleheader against the first-place Iowa Cubs on Monday afternoon at Principal Park. The Sounds snapped an eight-game losing streak by posting a 3-1 victory over the Cubs in the opener before Iowa plated six late runs in the second contest to hang an 8-4 defeat on Nashville. Nashville (28-43) finished just 1-8 on their nine-game trip, including dropping four of five to the front-running Cubs. Sounds catcher Vinny Rottino singled in the first game to extend his hitting streak to 24 games, matching the longest in the Pacific Coast League this season, then went 0-for-2 in the nightcap to bring it to a close. Rottino batted an impressive .368 (32-for-87) during the streak, which dated back to May 20. Outfielder Mel Stocker swung the most productive bat for the Sounds on Monday, batting from the leadoff spot in both contests and finishing 4-for-7 with three runs scored. In the day's opener, Nashville took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning with a rally against Iowa starter Randy Wells. With one out, Stocker singled then Tony Gwynn and Callix Crabbe drew consecutive walks to load the bases. Sounds cleanup hitter Brad Nelson followed with a two-run single to right to put the visitors on the board. Rottino plated the frame's third run with a sacrifice fly. Iowa scratched across an unearned run in the fifth when former Sound Luis Figueroa reached on a fielding error by Crabbe at second base, was sacrificed to second, moved to third on an Andres Torres bunt single, and scored on a Felix Pie sacrifice fly. Lindsay Gulin (3-4) made the start for the Sounds and earned the victory after he allowed one unearned run on three hits in six frames. It was the veteran southpaw's third quality start of the year. Luis Pena closed out the win with a 1-2-3 seventh to notch his tenth save for Nashville. Wells (6-2) took the loss despite turning in a quality start for the I-Cubs. He allowed three runs on six hits over six frames of action. Nashville Game One Box Score Clean inning for Luis Pena to save it -- the Brewers are having him throw about every other day regardless of save or non-save situation... Nashville Game One Game Log In the nightcap, Iowa sent 12 men to the plate during a six-run sixth against three members of the Nashville bullpen to net an 8-4 victory. The Sounds took an early 1-0 lead after loading the bases with one out in the top of the first inning against Cubs starter Gregory Reinhard. Stocker scored from third on a Laynce Nix popout to shallow left field. Crabbe was thrown out a home attempting to score from second on the bizarre play. Iowa grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame against spot starter Zach Jackson. Torres opened the game with a walk then scored the tying run from first when Pie followed with an RBI double to center. After moving to third on a flyout, Pie plated the second Cubs run of the frame following a Rottino passed ball. Nashville jumped back in front in the see-saw contest with a pair of runs in the third. Jackson, Stocker, and Gwynn opened the frame with three consecutive singles, the third of which tied the score at 2-2. Crabbe followed with a go-ahead sacrifice fly to right. The Cubs were the final team to put runs on the board, plating six runs in the bottom of the sixth as they sent 12 men to the plate against the Nashville bullpen to take an 8-3 lead. Pie made it a 3-3 game when he led off with his fourth home run of the year, a solo shot to right off Sounds reliever Mitch Stetter. Jason Dubois drew a walk and, after Stetter was replaced by Jason Shiell, Casey McGehee walked and Bobby Scales singled to load the bases with only one out. Figueroa followed with a potential double play grounder but Crabbe's throw to shortstop Chris Woodward at second was off the mark, allowing a pair of runs to score to give the Cubs a two-run lead. Three batters later, Torres reached on a two-out RBI infield single to make it a 6-3 game before Pie concluded the onslaught against Shiell with a two-run single to right. The Sounds didn't go down without a fight in the seventh, however. Nix led off with a triple to center and later scored on a Woodward single to pull the visitors within 8-4. Nashville put runners on first and second before Jim Brower induced a game-ending double play grounder from pinch-hitter Brendan Katin. Brower (2-0) was the beneficiary of the late Cubs outburst and picked up the win after allowing one run on three hits over his two frames. Stetter (0-3) took the loss after being charged with two runs in his 1 1/3 innings of work. Jackson turned in a solid spot start for the Sounds, allowing two runs on one hit over four innings of work. The Sounds return to Music City on Tuesday to begin an eight-game homestand that features visits by Oklahoma and Memphis. Rehabbing right-hander David Riske - who has been on the Milwaukee Brewers' disabled list since May 15 with a hyper-extended right elbow - is slated to start Tuesday's 7 p.m. series opener for the Sounds. He is expected to throw one inning before turning things over to right-hander Ben Howard (2-2, 3.92). The RedHawks will counter with right-hander Steve Rowe (2-2, 4.72). Nashville Game Two Box Score Tough twinbill for Callix Crabbe defensively; where was catcher J.R. Hopf today for the nightcap? Tough way for Vinny Rottino to lose the hitting streak, he walked in a seven-inning game; 31-year-old Jason Shiell has had a rough June... Nashville Game Two Game Log

Two high school RHP's, Tommy Collier (29th round) and Kyle Winkler (37th round) were expected to play in Texas All-Star games this weekend -- Collier did, mentioned here, Winkler's plans to play were mentioned here.

BrewCrewBall continues their interview series with 2008 12th round RHP Garrett Sherrill out of Appalachian State Do I even need to say continued nice work? Kudos, guys...

Al is indicating that over the years, who have the Brewers lost on waiver claims -- here's the short list: RHP Tim Bausher in '04 RHP Pedro Liriano prior to '05 RHP Greg Aquino OF Drew Anderson Doug has done a masterful job protecting the proper kids over the years, and choosing to expose them to waivers at the proper time. In the post ClosetBrewerFan made that included his list (above), he wasn't implying that all those names were necessarily worthy of 40-man inclusion, simply stating that those players were 40-man eligible.

Getting To Know Your Sounds: Steve Bray "Fire Marshall Bill", who knew?

We'll be adding Brewerfan Player Index Pages during the overnight. We're aware the pages aren't viable for statistical updates at this time (not until a planned new release of Brewerfan down the road), but hopefully at least the index provides a quick organizational roster analysis tool for you.

Look for many names to be added, especially as the College World Series wraps up -- definitely a latin flavor this season, especially on the mound. Hopefully we'll see good things fom latin bonus babies like Rolando Pascual and Wily Peralta. RHP's: - Cody Adams, 2008 2nd rounder out of Southern Illinois - Adam Arnold, 41st round pick in 2007 out of Ontario, Canada - Michael Bowman, 2008 9th round pick out of VMI - Jorge Crespo, 6'2", 195 Puerto Rican native - Nestor Corredor, just-turned 24-year-old converted catcher, from Venezuela - Santo Manzanillo, although only 19, the Dominican native signed in 2005, part of a signing class from the D.R. that included Pascual and Peralta - Rolando Pascual, listed at 6'6", 245 - Wily Peralta, coming off Tommy John surgery - Garrett Sherrill, 2008 12th rounder out of Appalachian State - Trey Watten, 2008 7th round pick out of Abilene Christian - Mark Willinsky, 2008 15th round pick out of the University of Santa Clara LHP's: - Evan Frederickson, the supplemental 2008 first round pick out of the University of San Francisco - Efrain Nieves, the very promising 18-year-old 2007 7th round draft pick out of a Puerto Rico baseball academy - Brandon Ritchie, the 6'4", 240 pound 24th round pick out of Grand Rapids (MI) Community College Catchers: - Derrick Alfonso, the 2008 26th round pick out of the University of Louisville - Corey Kemp, drafted in the 14th round this year out of East Carolina - Brett Whiteside, the 15th round pick out of an Arizona high school in 2006, graduates to Helena after two Maryvale seasons Infielders: - John Delaney, the 2008 25th round pick middle infielder out of Quinnipiac (CT) University - Jose Duran, the 2008 6th round pick second baseman out of Texas A&M, and Big 12 MVP - Brock Kjeldgaard, the 6'6", 225 pound converted pitcher, now first baseman, the Canadian product (34th round, 2005) wields a right-handed bat - Michael Marseco, the 2008 11th round middle infielder from Samford University in Birmingham, AL - Edgar Trejo, still 18 years old (until July), the exciting third base prospect out of Venezuela Outfielders: - Chris Dennis, another Canadian and a very promising left-handed bat drafted in the 13th round last year - Cutter Dykstra, the soon-to-be 19-year-old 2nd round pick out of a California high school and Lenny's son - Michael Vass, drafted in the 35th round this year out of Chapman (CA) University Are other players behind due to nagging injury? Sure thought we'd see Joey Paciorek in Helena. This isn't good news for 24-year-old catchers D.J. Neyens and Matt Czimskey. SS Miguel Vasquez? RHP Chad Robinson? We'll see what we can find out -- it may be a few days, patience, please...

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Manager Frank Kremblas Honest discussion about Brendan Katin and Brad Nelson, among other players and things...

Link Report Bonus: Of course, the Power might not even be a Milwaukee affiliate next year... Link while active, text follows -- Power executives making plans for 2009 All-Star Game by Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Although the 2009 South Atlantic League All-Star Game still is a year away, West Virginia Power front-office executives already are making preparations for hosting it. "It's still early in the process," Power General Manager Ryan Gates said. "We will probably get the ball rolling seriously in the next two months." Gates said he and his colleagues want to design and unveil a 2009 SAL All-Star Game logo before the Power plays its season finale Sept. 1. "We want to be able to generate some excitement and maybe tie that into some 2009 season ticket packages," Gates said. Palisades Baseball Executive Vice President Andy Milovich, Gates and other Power officials will travel to North Carolina this week for the 2008 SAL All-Star Game at the Greensboro Grasshoppers' NewBridge Bank Park. The three-day all-star break will begin Monday and end Wednesday. The league's 49th annual all-star game is scheduled for Tuesday at 7:00 Pm (6:00 Central). "We will take some ideas away from there to get the ball really moving," Gates said. Monthly meetings will begin soon, Gates said. Biweekly meetings will occur as the game gets closer, he said. "Personally, I would like to keep it to as few meetings as possible," Gates said. "Those meetings need to be, 'Are we getting X, Y and Z done? Are we on our way?' I'm not big on sitting there and talking about it. Let's do it. Let's get it done. "We will pretty much have a couple of people on staff who will oversee it with one point person," he added. Gates said he expects to receive assistance from the Charleston Convention & Visitors Bureau and its Sports Committee. "We will actively enlist the city and some volunteers," Gates said, "but to what extent, I can't say. We just aren't at that point yet." Gates didn't offer any financial estimates in regard to potential costs. He said the Power is searching for sponsors to help offset expenses. "With any event, you would like to be able to turn it into a moneymaker," Gates said. "But we pretty much have been told the (SAL) All-Star Game isn't about making money because a lot of teams don't. It's about showing the other teams in the league what kind of operation you put together and what kind of ballpark you have." Gates outlined the club's preliminary plans for the 2009 SAL All-Star Game this week during an interview inside the Appalachian Power Park press box. "First off, we're excited to showcase the ballpark here," Gates said of Appalachian Power Park, a $23 million facility that opened in 2005. "We consider it a gem. "We also want to showcase Charleston and West Virginia as a whole," he added. "We want to do some things to celebrate the area, the region and the state." Although the all-star break is a three-day stretch, most of the events occur on the first two days. The third day is a travel day. League officials and team members will start arriving Sunday, and the Power will have a hospitality room waiting for them. Gates said the franchise will utilize Power Alley Grill, a restaurant inside the East End stadium, and The Clubhouse, a meeting/catering room inside the Morris Street office building. Participants likely will have three entertainment options on Monday morning and afternoon. One is a golf outing - "the norm," as Gates put it. Another is whitewater rafting. "What better way to showcase the beautiful state," Gates said. The other option is a John Amos Power Plant tour. "They can learn how energy is created from start to finish," Gates said. "We want to offer something educational and something different," Milovich added. There likely will be a concert or another event at Tri-State Race Track and Gaming Center on Monday night. "We have talked about having something over at the casino if it is built at that point," he said. The Power will host the SAL Hall of Fame luncheon at the Clay Center on Tuesday morning. Next year's class will be inducted at that function. "It's an opportunity to showcase that beautiful building across the street from us," Gates said. There will be a skills competition, home run derby and autograph session before the SAL All-Star Game on Tuesday night. A post-game fireworks display and reception at Power Alley Grill will end the activities. "We're excited about it," Gates said. The low Class A circuit's owners and directors awarded the 2009 SAL All-Star Game to Appalachian Power Park in a unanimous vote last year at their annual summer meeting during the all-star break. West Virginia ran unopposed for the 2009 game, but only because Greenville, S.C., chose to run unopposed for the 2010 game at West End Field. The Charleston franchise has hosted an SAL All-Star Game only one other time in its 21 years in the league. That was in 1989, when the Northern Division defeated the Southern Division, 14-4, at Watt Powell Park in front of a crowd of 7,318 - the third-largest crowd in SAL All-Star Game history (dating to 1960).

Link while active, text follows: Power finishes strong in first half of season by Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Even without its best player and top hitter in its first-half finale against the Greensboro (N.C.) Grasshoppers, the West Virginia Power showed why it could be a second-half contender. With All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy watching his final South Atlantic League game from the bench, West Virginia hitters knocked around Greensboro pitchers for 17 hits in a 10-6 victory Sunday evening in front of a Father's Day crowd of 2,653 at Appalachian Power Park. Two of Lucroy's fellow All-Stars, utility infielder Zelous Wheeler (4-for-5) and center fielder Lee Haydel (3-for-5), combined for seven of those hits. Haydel knocked in three runs and scored one. Wheeler scored two and drove in one. The Power also received multi-hit games from Eric Farris (2-for-5), Caleb Gindl (2-for-4), Eric Fryer (2-for-3) and Curt Rindal (2-for-5). Those four also added one run and one RBI apiece. West Virginia won 13 of its last 18 games to finish the first half with a 32-37 record. "We're excited about the way we finished in the first half," said Power Manager Jeff Isom, whose team has won three in a row. "We feel like we have a pretty good team right now." "There's nothing we can do about the first half," Rindal added. "Our goal is to take the second half." West Virginia went 19-17 on the road and 13-20 at home. However, the Power was 5-2 in its final home stand. "We'll take a win at home any way we can get it," Isom said. "This was a much better performance by us. We got outstanding pitching during this entire home stand. We got some timely hitting as well. That's what we have to do and that's what we have to build on in the second half." The league began its three-day all-star break today. Lucroy, Wheeler, Haydel and pitcher Amaury Rivas will play in the SAL All-Star Game on Tuesday at 7:00 PM (6:00 Central) at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro. Lucroy will report to high Class A Brevard County (Fla.) after that. "It's a pretty good opportunity for me to go up to the next level and see how I stack up against a little bit better competition," said Lucroy, who had a team-high .310 batting average with 10 home runs, 16 doubles, 33 RBI, 45 runs and 74 hits in 65 games. "I'm not going to sit here and say this wasn't a tough league because it was. I didn't do as well as I thought I should, of course, but I'm happy to move on and see what I can do at the next level. "The guys up there are going to be older and more experienced. Hopefully, I can go up there and compete. That's all I want to do. The toughest part is having to leave these guys. They are the only team I have ever been on. All of these guys ... I came (into professional baseball) with them last year. So, it's kind of tough to move on." It was an uneventful exit for Lucroy, who watched the game from the home dugout. "I wanted to come out and do something (in my final game)," Lucroy said. "But our team is hitting. You know, let other guys play. I'm moving on. I don't need to go out there and play today. We beat them without me. There's nothing they can't do without me here." Indeed, it was good practice for West Virginia, which will begin the second half without Lucroy on Thursday at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) with the first of a five-game road series against Kannapolis (N.C.) at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium. Right-hander Evan Anundsen (5-4, 3.76) will start for the Power. "You're taking your best bat out of the lineup when that happens," Isom said of Lucroy's promotion. "You just have to have more production from somebody else in the lineup." Wheeler started the third inning with a single and advanced to third base on Gindl's ground-rule double. Steffan Wilson followed with a two-out, two-run double. The Power added four more runs in the fourth with a two-out rally. David Fonseca started the surge with a one-out single. Haydel, Harris, Wheeler and Gindl all delivered two-out, run-scoring hits. Gindl's double was the only extra-base hit during the inning. West Virginia tacked on three runs in the seventh. Wilson reached on a fielder's choice, then scored on Rindal's double. Fonseca walked and scored on Haydel's two-out, two-run double along with Rindal. Greensboro scored five off West Virginia reliever Nick Tyson in the eighth to pull within 9-6. Wilson scored the Power's final run in the home half of the same frame when Fryer smacked an 0-2 pitch down the third-base line for an RBI double. Dan Merklinger (1-5) allowed one run on three hits in five innings to earn his first victory.

LHP Randy Choate has been officially assigned to Brevard County on an injury rehab assignment (broken finger).

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):

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 40 29 .580 - 22-11 18-18 W3 Memphis 35 36 .493 6.0 15-17 20-19 L1 Omaha 33 35 .485 6.5 15-19 18-16 L2 Nashville 27 42 .391 13.0 15-16 12-26 L8 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 41 29 .586 - 22-13 19-16 L1 West Tenn 41 29 .586 - 24-11 17-18 L1 Carolina 38 32 .543 3.0 20-15 18-17 L1 Chattanooga 37 33 .529 4.0 20-15 17-18 W1 Tennessee 27 43 .386 14.0 13-22 14-21 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 41 26 .612 - 26-11 15-15 L2 Brevard County 34 32 .515 6.5 21-14 13-18 L1 Daytona 33 34 .493 8.0 15-17 18-17 W2 Vero Beach 32 34 .485 8.5 20-12 12-22 L3 Jupiter 32 35 .478 9.0 18-12 14-23 L2 St. Lucie 18 49 .269 23.0 9-26 9-23 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 41 29 .586 - 19-19 22-10 L1 Delmarva 38 31 .551 2.5 22-13 16-18 L1 Greensboro 38 32 .543 3.0 17-18 21-14 L3 Lakewood 38 32 .543 3.0 19-15 19-17 W1 Hagerstown 34 35 .493 6.5 16-20 18-15 W1 West Virginia 32 37 .464 8.5 13-20 19-17 W3 Hickory 30 40 .429 11.0 14-21 16-19 L1 Lexington 21 48 .304 19.5 10-24 11-24 L3

Follow Monday'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 Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_16_nasaaa_iowaaa_1 Nashville Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_16_nasaaa_iowaaa_2 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_06_16_breafa_vbdafa_1

Nashville's doubleheader at Iowa is also available for subscription viewing at MiLB.TV.

Monday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP's Lindsay Gulin and Zach Jackson in a doubleheader at Iowa (Cubs), 10:50 AM pre-game; 11:05 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: Idle, big game Tuesday Brevard County: TBD at Vero Beach (Devil Rays), 6:00 PM gametime Audio link, Vero Beach's broadcast (game will also archive at this link): web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503 West Virginia: Idle, details on All-Star game coverage will be posted Tuesday

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Final: West Virginia 10, Greensboro (Marlins) 6 West Virginia Press Release: POWER FINISH FIRST HALF WITH A WIN Charleston, WV - The West Virginia Power used five strong innings from Dan Merklinger and ten two-out hits to finish the first half of the 2008 season with a 10-6 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers on Sunday night at Appalachian Power Park. West Virginia snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third on Steffan Wilson's two-run single which was the first of many run-scoring hits with two outs. Ryan Curry singled in Emilio Ontiveros to cut that lead in half during the top of the fourth. West Virginia used four consecutive two-out RBI base hits in the fourth inning to pull away. Lee Haydel, Eric Farris, Zelous Wheeler and Caleb Gindl all singled in runs with two outs. The Power added three more runs in the seventh inning on Curt Rindal's RBI double and Haydel's two-run single. The Grasshoppers closed the gap with a big five-run eighth inning. Ontiveros singled in the first two runs of the inning before Justin Jacobs's two-out single plated two more. Jacobs scored the final run of the inning on Ryan Anetsberger's base hit. The Power added one final insurance run in the eighth inning on Eric Fryer's RBI double. Merklinger (1-5) allowed just a run on three hits with a pair of strikeouts over five strong innings to get his first victory of the season. Kyle Kaminska (4-3) was tagged with the loss after allowing six runs on ten hits over three and two-thirds. Pedro Lambertus, Jose Garcia and Corey Frerichs all tossed a scoreless inning of relief. The Power improved to 32-37 with the win and the Grasshoppers fell to 38-32 with the loss. Eight Power players hit safely and six Power players turned in multi-hit games. Wheeler paced the Power with a 4-for-5 performance, increasing his on-base streak to 17 games. 10 of West Virginia's 17 hits came with two outs. The victory puts the Power on a three game winning streak heading into the second half. The Power will take three days off for the All Star break and will begin the second half of the season with a five-game series against the Kannapolis Intimidators at FieldCrest Cannon Stadium in Kannapolis, North Carolina on Thursday night. Right hander Evan Anundsen (5-4, 3.76) will get the start for the Power. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). *** Link while active, text follows: Power closes half on high note By Michael Polak, Charleston Gazette Two-out RBI hits - a hallmark of good baseball - helped the Power to a 10-6 victory over the Greensboro Grasshoppers Sunday evening at Appalachian Power Park. The Power scored nine runs with two outs - two in the third, four in the fourth, two in the seventh and one in the eighth - to close out the South Atlantic League's first half with a 32-37 record and sixth place in the eight-team Northern Division. The paid crowd was 2,653. "The two-out hitting was great today," said Power manager Jeff Isom said. "We got nine of our 10 runs that way and had five straight hits in the fourth." In addition, the Power won seven of eight games against the Grasshoppers. "The key has been getting to their starting pitching early,'' said Isom. "They have one of the best bullpens in the league, if not the best. If we don't get to them early, we're in trouble." The Power collected 10 hits against Grasshopper starter Kyle Kaminska (4-3), who went 3 2/3 innings. Third baseman Stefan Wilson hit a two-run single in the third to put the Power up 2-0. The team rallied for four runs in the fourth, led by an RBI double by Caleb Gindl and RBI singles by Lee Haydel, Eric Farris and Zelous Wheeler, giving the Power a 6-1 lead. The victory gives the Power a 9-5 record in June. "It's been our focus in June to get something rolling for the second half of the season," the Power manager added. "Greensboro was in the playoff race, and we did not want to let them celebrate on our home field." Greensboro (38-32), which was eliminated from first-half contention on Saturday, dropped to third in the league's Northern Division, three games behind first-half winner Lake County. The Power's Zelous Wheeler, who has reached base in 16 consecutive games, went 4-for-5 with two stolen bases, two runs and an RBI. Wheeler, who played shortstop Sunday and was voted to the all-star team as a utility player, has been the Power's most versatile player. "He's better than average at every position we've had him in this year,'' said Isom. "He's played in the outfield, second, shortstop and third. We've relied on his bat also. He's going to be one of the keys to a successful second half of the season." The Power added three runs in the seventh to go up 9-1. Curt Rindal had an RBI double, and he and Eric Fryer scored on Haydel's two-run, two-out single. The Grasshoppers scored five runs in the eighth. Fryer's two-out RBI double in the eighth completed the scoring. POWER POINTS: SAL teams will be off the next three days to make way for the league's all-star game, which will be played Tuesday night in Greensboro. ... Power starter Dan Merklinger went five innings Sunday, allowing one run and three hits, for his first victory in six decisions this season. "He's gotten a lot better lately commanding the strike zone,'' said Isom. "We're going to rely on him a lot in the second half." ... Isom said he expects catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who will be the Northern Division's starting catcher, to be promoted soon (and we believe we know that to be the case -- Brevard on Thursday - Jim). West Virginia Box Score 17 hits as the top of the order in particular had a fantastic day; not mentioned above was a disastrous outing for Nick Tyson, really puzzling for the Power 50 member (# 33) -- he's finding the plate (no walks in this one), but batters continue to find his pitches -- big time (.377 batting average against in 33.1 innings -- ouch)... West Virginia Game Log

Final, Game One: Iowa (Cubs) 7, Nashville 0 Final, Game Two: Iowa 7, Nashville 1 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Vinny Rottino photo, text follows -- Sounds Swept By Cubs In Doubleheader DES MOINES - The first-place Iowa Cubs swept a doubleheader on Sunday afternoon at Principal Park, extending the Sounds' losing streak to eight as Nashville managed four total hits on the day. Iowa left-hander J.R. Mathes worked a two-hit, seven-inning shutout in the opener in a 7-0 victory as the Sounds failed to advance a runner to second base in the contest. The Cubs hung a 7-1 defeat on Nashville in the nightcap. One of Nashville's two hits in the opening contest came off the bat of Sounds catcher Vinny Rottino, who extended his hitting streak to 23 games with a first-inning single. The streak is one short of the best effort in the Pacific Coast League all season. Rottino did not appear in the clubs' second contest. Iowa grabbed a 1-0 lead in the afternoon's opener in the bottom of the first inning when Andres Torres singled, stole second, and scored on a Felix Pie single off Nashville starter Sam Narron. The Cubs doubled the lead in the fourth on ex-Sound Luis Figueroa's one-out run-scoring single. The I-Cubs put the contest out of reach with five two-out scores against Narron in the bottom of the sixth to increase the advantage to 7-0. Andres Blanco got things started with a run-scoring knock and Mathes helped his own cause with an RBI single in the frame before Torres drilled a two-out, two-run double to right to chase Narron from the contest. Pie greeted Mitch Stetter with an RBI single of his own to wrap up the five-run inning for the Cubs. Mathes (4-3) lowered his ERA to 2.48 on the year with his two-hit shutout for the Cubs, walking two batters and striking out two during his 88-pitch effort. Narron (3-2) took a loss for his second consecutive start after going 10 straight outings without a defeat. The left-hander gave up a season-high seven runs on nine hits over 5 2/3 frames of work, marking the first time he allowed more than four runs in a single contest. Nashville Game One Box Score Nashville Game One Game Log In the nightcap, the Cubs jumped ahead by a 1-0 count in the first inning when Jason Dubois plated Torres with a two-out RBI single off Sounds starter Derrick Turnbow. Nashville tied it in the next half-inning when Brad Nelson doubled to snap out of a season-high 19 at-bat hitless stretch then scored three batters later on Woodward's two-out RBI double to right off Mike Burns. Iowa retook a 6-1 lead in the second with a five-spot using only one hit against a pair of Sounds hurlers, who issued five walks and hit a batter in the frame. After Turnbow walked the bases loaded with only one out before being replaced on the hill by Chris Narveson, who was greeted by a go-ahead RBI groundout off the bat of Matt Murton. After walking Josh Kroeger to reload the bags with two outs, Narveson hit Dubois with a pitch to force home Burns for a 3-1 Cubs lead then walked Casey McGehee to force in another run before Bobby Scales delivered a two-run single to right to stretch the lead to five. Scales struck again in the fifth, hammering a leadoff solo homer to left. The infielder's eighth longball of the year extended the Cubs' lead to 7-1. Burns (5-4) earned the victory after allowing one run on two hits over five innings of work for the Cubs. Carmen Pigniatello and Andy Cavazos closed out the win with a scoreless inning each. Turnbow (1-1), who entered the day having worked 5 1/3 straight scoreless innings over his previous three outings to rebound from a rough start with the Sounds, was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on two hits while walking four batters and fanning two in his 1 1/3 innings. The teams wrap up the five-game series with another doubleheader beginning at 11:05 a.m. on Monday morning. Left-handers Lindsay Gulin (2-4, 3.12) and Zach Jackson (1-5, 7.63) will man the bump for Nashville to face Iowa left-hander Rich Hill (2-3, 3.91) and a yet-to-be-determined nightcap pitcher. Nashville Game Two Box Score Wow, talk about free-fall, although free-falling from a season-long last place position is hard to do -- at least the Sounds were in shouting distance earlier; no split season to save them, either, talk about a long summer... Nashville Game Two Game Log

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with Matt LaPorta Click on the WUMP audio archive of June 15th -- then go to the 3:45 minute mark; Matt discusses his 13 HBP's among other things...

Bats left, throws left. Although one of the College Softball World Series teams (Texas A&M) had a left-handed second baseman this year.

Later this morning, we'll have the updates on Nashville getting swept (badly) and West Virginia winning to end the first half. Also, we have the official Helena roster as it stood Saturday night, and we'll post that.