Jim Goulart

Audio archive link -- a little more understated than you might think, but worthwhile (38 minutes, commercial free) Hour Two (also with John Miller of the Giants and ESPN)

Help make Milwaukee's pick at minorleagueball.com -- poll will be over soon in mock draft

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): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omaha 12 7 .632 - 8-4 4-3 W2 Iowa 10 10 .500 2.5 5-7 5-3 W3 Memphis 9 13 .409 4.5 2-6 7-7 L2 Nashville 4 16 .200 8.5 2-5 2-11 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 16 6 .727 - 8-2 8-4 W1 Huntsville 14 8 .636 2.0 10-2 4-6 W3 West Tenn 14 8 .636 2.0 8-2 6-6 W4 Chattanooga 12 10 .545 4.0 7-5 5-5 L1 Tennessee 9 13 .409 7.0 5-7 4-6 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 16 6 .727 - 11-3 5-3 W7 Brevard County 13 9 .591 3.0 7-4 6-5 W2 Daytona 13 9 .591 3.0 6-5 7-4 W3 Jupiter 12 10 .545 4.0 7-1 5-9 L2 Vero Beach 10 12 .455 6.0 7-4 3-8 L3 St. Lucie 2 20 .091 14.0 2-9 0-11 L11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 15 7 .682 - 5-3 10-4 W2 Greensboro 12 10 .545 3.0 5-7 7-3 L4 Delmarva 11 11 .500 4.0 6-6 5-5 L1 Hickory 11 11 .500 4.0 6-5 5-6 W1 Lakewood 11 11 .500 4.0 5-7 6-4 W4 Hagerstown 10 12 .455 5.0 3-5 7-7 W2 West Virginia 8 14 .364 7.0 4-8 4-6 W1 Lexington 6 16 .273 9.0 1-11 5-5 L5

Follow Saturday'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_04_26_nasaaa_omaaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_26_jaxaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_26_vbdafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_26_delafx_wvaafx_1

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at Omaha (Royals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP David Welch at home vs. Jacksonville (Dodgers), 1:50 PM pre-game; 2:05 gametime Audio link via WUMP (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP Donovan Hand at home vs. Vero Beach (Rays), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Delmarva (Orioles), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (games will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

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More Zeroes: Steve Garrison had four shutout innings (seven K's) wiped out by rain Wednesday Will Inman 5 2/3 shutout ball of his own Friday

Final: West Virginia 5, Delmarva (Orioles) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: CLUTCH HITS PROVIDE POWER VICTORY West Virginia scored three of their five runs with two-outs on Friday night at Appalachian Power Park as they defeated the Delmarva Shorebirds 5-2 to take the second game of the series. Kurt Crowell put West Virginia on the board in the bottom of the second inning on a clutch two-out RBI single. Delmarva tied the game in the top of the fourth inning when Joe Nowicki scored on Jonathan Lucroy's throwing error. The Shorebirds took advantage of another Power error to take the lead in the top of the sixth inning when Kieron Pope scored on David Fonseca's errant throw. With two outs and a man on in the bottom of the sixth inning, Zelous Wheeler hit a two-run homer, his second of the season, to put West Virginia ahead. Lee Haydel knocked in a pair of insurance runs on a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh to score Crowell and Scott Houin. Jose Garcia (1-1) offered an inning and two thirds of scoreless relief and was rewarded with the victory. Cole McCurry (0-2) allowed five runs on eight hits over six and a third and was tagged with the loss. Wes Etheridge (3) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get the save. Roque Mercedes allowed a couple of runs on nine hits over five and a third. The Power improved to 8-14 with the win and the Shorebirds fell to 11-11 with the loss. The victory snapped an eight game losing streak against the Shorebirds at Appalachian Power Park. Caleb Gindl and John Alonso paced the Power with two hits a piece. Delmarva manager Ramon Sambo was ejected in the third inning for arguing a check swing with field umpire Eric Underwood. The Power will continue the four game series with Delmarva Saturday night. Right hander Evan Anundsen (2-1, 2.82) will get the start for the Power and the Shorebirds will counter with right hander John Mariotti (2-1, 1.50). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score Caleb Gindl 8-for-14 in the last three games... West Virginia Game Log

West Virginia Pre-Game Audio Interview with LHP Zach Braddock Go to the WSWW audio archive of April 25th, then the 55:30 minute mark...

Final: Huntsville 5, Jacksonville (Dodgers) 4 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Stars Rally to Win in Bottom of the Ninth By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars Shane Justis' throwing error with two outs in the bottom of the ninth allowed Freddy Parejo to score the winning run in Huntsville's 5-4 comeback win over Jacksonville Friday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars improved to 14-8 on the season and stayed within two games of front-running Carolina in the North Division, while the Suns dropped to 10-12. Parejo opened the ninth as a pinch-hitter and reached on a throwing error by shortstop Ivan DeJesus, Jr. before advancing to second base on an Angel Salome sacrifice bunt and moving to third base on a ground ball out. Michael Brantley was intentionally passed to bring the right-hand swinging Alcides Escobar to the plate to face right-hand pitcher Brian Akin, who started the ninth on the hill for the Suns. Escobar cracked a sharply hit ground ball to the third baseman Justis, who knocked it down and threw wildly past the first baseman Aldolfo Gonzalez to allow Parejo to score the decisive run in the Stars' first walk-off win of the season. Jacksonville carried a 4-0 lead into the home eighth before Escobar singled in a run and Mat Gamel doubled home a pair against Tanyon Sturtze to trim the lead to one. The veteran right-hander, who threw for the Stars in 1993-94, gave up a two-out single to Chris Errecart that delivered Gamel with the tying run. Sturtze, who had retired the side in order in the seventh with five pitches, made his first appearance of the season as he continues his comeback from rotator cuff surgery two years ago. Clayton Kershaw, the Dodgers top-rated prospect, spun six shutout innings, allowing only two singles, while walking two and fanning eight. He stranded Cole Gillespie at third in the fifth by striking out Salome and retiring pinch-hitter Ryan Crew on a come backer and left with a 2-0 lead. DeJesus doubled in two runs in the eighth to push the visitors lead to 4-0 but their failure with runners in scoring position early in the game proved costly. Jacksonville stranded 14 runners, including at least a pair in each of the first five frames. Derek Miller started for the Stars and allowed one unearned run on eight hits and four walks in five innings. He has not yielded an earned run over 15 frames in his three home turns and has left the mound each time in a 1-0 game. The series continues Saturday afternoon with Huntsville left-hander David Welch taking the mound against Suns' southpaw Marlon Arias. Coverage of the game begins at 1:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com. Huntsville Box Score Alcides Escobar on base three times; that Kershaw kid's the real deal for the Dodgers; reliever Patrick Ryan rolls on... Huntsville Game Log You really have to review the game log to appreciate Derek Miller's five-inning Houdini act -- living dangerously...

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio with LHP Steve Hammond Go to the WUMP audio link of the 25th, right off the top...

Final: Brevard County 4, Jupiter (Marlins) 1 Brevard County Site Game Summary: Manatees Shut Down Hammerheads By Tyler Stover / MLB.com It was a new night, but a similar result for Brevard County Friday night, as they once again came from behind to defeat Jupiter, 4-1. The Manatees have now come from behind in 9 of their 13 wins this season. Newly acquired pitcher Josh Butler was very effective in his Manatees debut, pitching four scoreless innings, but it was Rafael Lluberes who picked up the win in relief, improving to 1-2 on the season. Jupiter took the early lead in controversial fashion in the fifth inning. With former Brewer farmhand Agustin Septimo on second base, Hammerheads left fielder Dante Brinkley faced a full count and two outs. He appeared to foul a pitch into the glove of Manatees' catcher Anderson De La Rosa for strike three, and was initially called out. However, after a conference between the two umpires, the play was ruled a foul ball, and the Manatees were called back onto the field. Brinkley took advantage of the extra opportunity, singling to right field to bring in the first run of the game. The lead would be short-lived, as the Manatees quickly responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Stephen Chapman doubled to lead off the inning, and then came around to score on De La Rosa's sacrifice fly. The Manatees tacked on another run in the sixth frame, as Yohannis Perez opened the inning with a double. He later scored on a throwing error on a botched pickoff attempt. The Manatees came up with two insurance runs in the eighth behind a Perez double, a Darren Ford single, and a Lorenzo Cain double, providing the final margin. Shawn Ferguson pitched two scoreless innings to earn his second save of the season. Jeff Allison (0-4) was the tough-luck loser once again for the Hammerheads. He pitched six innings, allowing just two runs on three hits and striking out six Manatee batters. Allison has lost all four decisions this season despite posting a 2.38 ERA. The Manatees scored their other two runs off Jupiter reliever Timothy Wood. Brevard County opens a three-game set with Vero Beach Saturday. Donovan Hand (2-1, 2.59) will take the mound for the Manatees, facing the Devil Rays' Heath Rollins (0-0, 6.00). The Manatees look to keep pace with the FSL East-leading Palm Beach Cardinals, who have opened a three-game lead. Brevard County Box ScoreWelcome to the Link Report, Josh Butler... Brevard County Game Log

This is actually the third Hot Prospect Sheet thread of the Baseball America season, but the first Brewer mention. And it's a biggie. Remember as always, this is not a re-ranking of BA's Top 100 Prospects list. Instead, it's a snapshot of who are the hottest prospects in baseball right now. And the Why He's Here line in the writeups refers to each player's stats for the past week. http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-hot-sheet/2008/265947.html Matt LaPorta Team: Double-A Huntsville (Southern) Age: 23 Why he's here: .429/.469/1.036, 12-for-28, 2 2B, 5 HR, 13 RBIs, 7 R, 2 BB, 4 SO The Scoop: The University of Florida, Helena, West Virginia, Huntsville . . . LaPorta has hit for power wherever he's been. His incredible raw power and strong plate coverage have enabled him to lead all Southern League batters in home runs (six) and RBIs (22). To some, it seemed like the Brewers reached last year to grab the first baseman-now left fielder-with the seventh overall pick. But with a home run every 10.4 at-bats as a pro, it's hard to argue now with Milwaukee's selection. The last college hitter to make such a strong first impression with wood bats was Evan Longoria, but he was a relative slacker when compared with LaPorta. Longoria went deep only once every 16.7 at-bats in the minors through the 2007 season.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Omaha 12 7 .632 - 8-4 4-3 W2 Iowa 9 10 .474 3.0 4-7 5-3 W2 Memphis 9 12 .429 4.0 2-6 7-6 L1 Nashville 4 16 .200 8.5 2-5 2-11 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 15 6 .714 - 8-2 7-4 L1 Huntsville 13 8 .619 2.0 9-2 4-6 W2 West Tenn 13 8 .619 2.0 8-2 5-6 W3 Chattanooga 12 9 .571 3.0 7-4 5-5 W4 Tennessee 9 12 .429 6.0 5-6 4-6 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 15 6 .714 - 10-3 5-3 W6 Brevard County 12 9 .571 3.0 6-4 6-5 W1 Daytona 12 9 .571 3.0 6-5 6-4 W2 Jupiter 12 9 .571 3.0 7-1 5-8 L1 Vero Beach 10 11 .476 5.0 7-4 3-7 L2 St. Lucie 2 19 .095 13.0 2-8 0-11 L10 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lake County 14 7 .667 - 5-3 9-4 W1 Greensboro 12 9 .571 2.0 5-6 7-3 L3 Delmarva 11 10 .524 3.0 6-6 5-4 W2 Hickory 10 11 .476 4.0 5-5 5-6 L1 Lakewood 10 11 .476 4.0 5-7 5-4 W3 Hagerstown 9 12 .429 5.0 3-5 6-7 W1 West Virginia 7 14 .333 7.0 3-8 4-6 L1 Lexington 6 15 .286 8.0 1-10 5-5 L4

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): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

Follow Friday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "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_04_25_nasaaa_omaaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_25_jaxaax_hunaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_25_jupafa_breafa_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_04_25_delafx_wvaafx_1

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at Omaha (Royals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller at home vs. Jacksonville (Dodgers), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link via WUMP (game will also archive at this link): http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559 Brevard County: RHP Josh Butler at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 6:00 PM gametime Sorry, no audio for this series... West Virginia: RHP Roque Mercedes at home vs. Delmarva (Orioles), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (games will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

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LHP Edwin Walker, the Brewers 9th round pick out of a San Antonio high school in 2002 whose Brewer career was ruined by arm problems, has signed with the Chillicothe (OH) Paints of the independent Frontier League. He last pitched with the Brewers organization in '05, and in indy ball in '06. RHP Dane de la Rosa, released in spring training, is returning to the independent Golden Baseball League with Yuma (AZ). RHP Vince Perkins signed with Camden (NJ) of the independent Atlantic League.

Link while activ, text follows: Shorebirds add to string of success at Power's home Power falls 8-5 by Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter A four-run fifth inning helped the Delmarva Shorebirds continue their home-away-from-home success at Appalachian Power Park. With its 8-5 victory over host West Virginia on Thursday, Delmarva won its eighth consecutive game at the 4-year-old East End stadium. The Shorebirds haven't lost a game at Appalachian Power Park since a 4-1 Opening Day defeat on April 6, 2006. A Buck Night crowd of 5,024 watched Delmarva end West Virginia's three-game winning streak in the first of a four-game South Atlantic League series. Leading 3-2 entering the top of the fifth, the Shorebirds used a two-run double by Matt Tucker and a two-run homer by Joe Mahoney off West Virginia reliever Rob Bryson to unplug the Power. Tucker went 3-for-5 with two runs and two RBI. Mahoney was 1-for-5. Anthony Martinez (3-for-5 with one run) and Pedro Silveren (2-for-3 with one run, one RBI and one walk) also had multi-hit performances in the series opener. "Guys competed tonight," West Virginia Manager Jeff Isom said. "That one inning just really hurt us." Delmarva, in third place in the eight-team SAL Northern Division, improved to 11-10. Seventh-place West Virginia dropped to 7-14. The Power collected 10 hits but stranded four runners. Kurt Crowell, Caleb Gindl and Zelous Wheeler all went 2-for-4 and were the only West Virginia players with multiple hits. One of Crowell's hits was a solo homer - his first this season - that cut the Shorebirds' lead to 7-5 in the seventh. But Delmarva added an insurance run in the eighth, when Joseph Nowicki hit a first-pitch leadoff home run off Bryson. It was a rough outing for Bryson, who pitched four innings and allowed five runs - all earned - on two walks and five hits, including two home runs. He fanned six batters. "We were down by five runs, but we didn't feel like we were out of this ballgame by any means," Isom said. "We cut it within two runs, and anything can happen if you get a guy on at that point. "Unfortunately, we gave up the one run. "But we didn't give in. I guess that's a consolation - we were in the ballgame. But still we were playing from behind, which is tough to do.'' Power starter Amaury Rivas (1-1) took the loss. He went four innings and gave up three runs (all earned) on six hits. He struck out three batters. "It's a matter of getting the pitching in sync with the hitting," said Isom, whose team has scored 40 runs and collected 60 hits in its last five games. "Defensively, we have been strong. "There were a couple of hiccups there in the beginning. For the most part, we are right there defensively. Day in and day out, we aren't making a whole lot of errors and we are giving ourselves opportunities." Delmarva starter Tony Butler (1-1) got the win. He scattered eight hits and four runs over six innings, fanning three and walking none. Shorebirds reliever Zach Clark earned the save - his first this season - with a one-run, two-hit, three-inning effort. The teams will continue their series tonight at 7:05 (6:05 Central). The Power will start right-hander Roque Mercedes (0-1, 9.72). The Shorebirds will counter with left-hander Cole McCurry (0-1, 3.60).

Brady Clark outrighted by the Mets, Ray King sent to AAA by Washington

Link, text follows: Nashville's Nelson sounds like a hitter By Steve Conley / MLB.com It's been a rough start to the season for the Nashville Sounds, but that hasn't slowed Brad Nelson down. And Thursday's loss to the Omaha Royals serves as a microcosm of that. Nelson went 3-for-5 with two home runs and had a season-high five RBIs for the Sounds, but Chris Lubanski's two-run homer in the seventh inning propelled the Royals to a 12-11 win at Rosenblatt Stadium. After a rehabbing Mike Cameron went deep two batters into the game, the 25-year-old first baseman whacked a two-run blast to make it 3-0. "I've been seeing the ball in slow motion," Nelson said. "I couldn't even tell you the pitches I hit. These nights don't come along too often." Nelson singled in the third, and after the Royals scored seven times that frame for a 7-4 lead, he cranked a three-run homer -- his sixth -- to give his team a 9-7 lead. "It's still early in the year, so we have some time to get it together," he said. "I'm definitely enjoying myself though." It was the sixth multi-homer game in Nelson's career, the most recent one Aug. 7 against Tacoma. After batting .263 with 20 homers and 65 RBIs for Nashville a year ago, Nelson is off to a hot start in 2008, hitting .339 with six dingers. "I've learned to make the most out of every opportunity," said Nelson, Milwaukee's fourth-round pick in 2001. "The ultimate goal is obviously to get to the next level and stay there. One step at a time, though." Nashville (4-16) led, 11-10, before Lubanski went deep in the seventh to put the Royals ahead for good. Mike Aviles hit a solo homer and drove in three runs, Damon Hollins blasted a three-run shot, Mike Stodolka hit a solo homer and scored three times and Lubanski went 3-for-4 for Omaha (12-7), which has won three of four. Brendan Katin hit a two-run homer, his second, for Nashville and Hernan Iribarren had two hits and now has a .348 average. Chin-hui Tsao (1-0) tossed two scoreless frames for the win, and Neal Musser threw a perfect ninth for his fourth save. Steve Bray (0-2) gave up two runs on one hit and one walk while recording four outs. MiLB.com Photo of Brad Nelson by Brent Asay http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2008/04/24/UFDvi9W3.jpg

Branyan Gets Off To Great Start by Chip Cirillo, Tennessean Russell Branyan is red hot even though the Nashville Sounds are ice cold. The Sounds third baseman ranks sixth in the Pacific Coast League with a .400 batting average, but the two-time defending American North Division champions are in last place with a 4-15 record. "I started swinging the bat well the last week of camp, and it's carried over here so far this season," said Branyan, who lives in Franklin. "Hopefully, we can turn this around from a team standpoint, because we haven't been winning many ballgames. If you're getting hits, it's no good if you're not winning." Patience and pitch selection have been two of the big keys for Branyan, who also ranks in the PCL's top 10 in slugging percentage (.709) and doubles (eight.) "It's a combination of your swing being where you want it to be and getting a good pitch to hit, because guys get to know you," Branyan said. "They know what you can and can't hit, and at that point, it becomes a waiting game. You fight off their pitches that are close, and you try to get a pitch that you can handle. If you don't get that pitch, you've got to be patient enough to take your walks." Branyan, 33, takes an eight-game hitting streak into tonight's game at Omaha. "He made a little adjustment in spring training with where his hands were starting, and I think that helped free up his swing a little bit," Sounds manager Frank Kremblas of Nolensville said. "He's able to drive the ball to all fields. Russell is a veteran guy, and he knows how to take a change and not think about it too much in a game." Over the past 10 seasons, Branyan has played in the major leagues for seven teams. He hopes to earn another big-league opportunity. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers, the Sounds' major-league affiliate, in 2004 and 2005. "We had some good teams there," Branyan said. "In 2005, it was the first year they finished .500 in (13) seasons. They had what they called their breakthrough year, and it was kind of a plateau. Then last year they had a great year and just missed the playoffs." Milwaukee third baseman Bill Hall was struggling with a .185 batting average, and backup Craig Counsell was hitting .333 entering Wednesday night's game against Philadelphia, but it's hard to predict when Branyan might get a call-up to the big leagues. He can also play first base, left field, right field and has been the designated hitter. "Being left-handed with power is always good, too," Kremblas said. "He's the type of guy that not only the Brewers, but other clubs are looking for: a guy that can play a corner position with power and be a left-handed power guy off the bench." He has hit 322 career homers with 121 in the majors and 201 in the minors. Branyan had trouble finding a rhythm off the bench last season as he hit .196 with San Diego, Philadelphia and St. Louis. "My job the in the last couple years has been being a guy coming off the bench and not getting that much playing time," Branyan said. "It's very tough to get that rhythm, but thus far when I'm putting the ball in play I'm getting my knocks and my average is where I'd like it to be. "My main goal is to get back to the big leagues, and my bat is going to get me there. I know what they want to see is a more consistent bat, and that's what I'm down here working on."

Final: Omaha (Royals) 12, Nashville 11 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Brad Nelson photo, text follows -- Two Nelson Homers Not Enough In 12-11 Loss OMAHA - The Nashville Sounds gave up two late runs and dropped their series opener in Omaha, falling 12-11 on Thursday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium. Offense was the name of the game throughout the evening as the clubs combined for seven home runs and each team posted a seven-run inning in the contest. For the second straight game, the Sounds used the longball to fuel their offensive attack, matching their season high with four roundtrippers including two by first baseman Brad Nelson. Nelson, who leads the club with six taters this season, finished 3-for-5 with a Nashville season-high five RBIs in the contest. With the loss, Nashville (4-16) fell to 0-14 in night games, 0-6 in series openers, and 0-8 in games decided by one or two runs this season. The Sounds scored in the top of the first inning for the fifth straight game, taking an early 3-0 lead against Royals starter Tyler Lumsden. Outfielder Mike Cameron (1-for-4) fought off a pair of two-strike pitches before belting a home run in his first at-bat of the 2008 season, a solo shot to deep left. After a Joe Dillon walk, Nelson hit the first of his two longballs, a two-run shot to center that increased the visitors' lead to three. After Nashville added a run in the third, Omaha rallied for seven runs in the home half of the frame to grab a 7-4 advantage and send Sounds starter Nic Ungs to the showers. The Royals sent 10 men to the plate in the frame and recorded six hits against the right-hander, including home runs off the bats of Damon Hollins and Mike Stodolka. Ungs, who surrendered seven runs on eight hits in 2 2/3 innings, failed to reach the end of the third inning for the second consecutive outing. He lasted only 1 2/3 frames in his previous outing on Saturday at Albuquerque. The Sounds responded with seven runs of their own in the top of the fourth, sending 10 men to the plate and chasing Lumsden. A three-run Nelson homer and a two-run Brendan Katin big fly highlighted the outburst. Lumsden exited with a no-decision after giving up nine runs on nine hits in only 3 1/3 innings of action. AUDIO: Brad Nelson's 2nd Homer Omaha scored three runs over the next two frames against Sounds reliever Tim Dillard to pull within a run at 11-10 at the conclusion of the fifth inning. Two of those runs were unearned due to a fielding error by shortstop Abraham Nunez. The Royals' bullpen slowed down the Nashville bats after the fourth inning, combining to allow only two baserunners over the final five frames and did not allow a runner into scoring position after Ozzie Chavez was stranded at second following a leadoff double in the fifth. Omaha left fielder Chris Lubanski (3-for-4) put the home team in front with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the seventh, drilling a 3-2 Steve Bray offering over the wall in right for a two-run homer that gave the Royals a 12-11 lead. Bray has given up five home runs in his 8.0 innings of work this season and carries a 12.38 ERA. Sounds designated hitter Russell Branyan went 0-for-5 in the contest to snap his eight-game hitting streak, which matched the club's longest of the year. Royals reliever Chin-hui Tsao (1-0) was the beneficiary of the last Omaha comeback and earned the win following two scoreless innings of work. Neal Musser kept the Sounds off the board in the ninth to notch his fourth save of the year. Bray (0-2), who has allowed a run in each of his last four outings, took the loss after surrendering the game-deciding home run in his 1 1/3 frames and suffering his second blown save of the year. The teams continue the series with a 7:05 p.m. meeting. Left-hander Zach Jackson (1-3, 7.04) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Omaha right-hander Matt Wright (0-1, 5.40). Nashville Box Score Steve Bray's struggles disappointing, but plenty of positives to look at here despite the loss... Nashville Game Log