Jim Goulart

These links will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally they are updated an hour or two prior to gametime, with Nashville's usually earlier: Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf Huntsville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

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". 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=2007_09_03_nasaaa_mrbaaa_1 Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_03_hunaax_biraax_1 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_03_gboafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_03_helrok_misrok_1

Monday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at Memphis (Cardinals), 12:55 PM pre-game; 1:10 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Steve Hammond at Birmingham (White Sox), 12:50 PM pre-game; 1:05 gametime Audio link: http://www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: Idle, playoffs begin Tuesday West Virginia: RHP Patrick Lawler at home vs. Greensboro (Marlins), 11:55 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Helena: RHP Evan Anundsen at Missoula (Diamondbacks), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Arizona: Season complete

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Will Inman will also see playoff action with San Antonio. On Sunday, he took the loss, allowing four runs in six innings, but he also struck out 10: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_02_sanaax_coraax_1

Nashville Media Notes: JACKSON, SARFATE ACTIVATED: Sounds hurlers Zach Jackson and Dennis Sarfate were reinstated to the club's active roster today after spending the past three days on the temporary inactive list. The additions return the Nashville roster to a full 24 players. *** By the way, Jackson starts the Labor Day regular season finale.

Below is the complete Brewer Alumni Report for 2007. Please be aware that players are shown within each organization, so that if a player appeared with more than one organization, their stats for each will be linked in each team's group. Also, some of these players were released mid-season, and of course, many will be available to join new clubs this offseason. If a player was on the Brewer 40-man roster but never appeared in a game for the organization (Javier Valentin, for instance), they will be listed. But if a player was once Brewer property but not on the 40-man and never appeared in an official game (spring training cut), they will not be listed. This is simply a reference for you to see how former Brewers fared in 2007. The years listed in parentheses are the years the players were with the Brewers chain. A complete list of independent league player stats will be compiled in a couple of weeks as well. Baltimore: Paul Bako, MLB Orioles (2002) Boston: Craig Breslow, AAA Pawtucket (2002-2004) Brady Clark, AAA Pawtucket (2003 - 2006) Junior Spivey, AAA Pawtucket (2004 - 2005) Royce Clayton, MLB Red Sox (2003) Royce Clayton, AAA Pawtucket (2003) Alex Ochoa, AAA Pawtucket (1999, 2002) White Sox: Scott Podsednik, MLB White Sox (2003 - 2004) Scott Podsednik, AAA Charlotte (2003 - 2004) Mike Myers, MLB White Sox (1998-1999) Alex Sanchez, AAA Charlotte (2001 - 2003) Jason Childers, AAA Charlotte (1997 - 2004) Jeremy Frost, AA Birmingham (2002 - 2004) Cleveland: Keith Ginter, AAA Buffalo (2002 - 2004) Trent Durrington, AAA Buffalo (2004 - 2005) Russell Branyan, AAA Buffalo (2004 - 2005) Detroit: Gary Sheffield, MLB Tigers (1986 - 1991) Jose Capellan, MLB Tigers (2005 - 2007) Jose Capellan, AAA Toledo (2005 - 2007) Jackson Melian, AA Erie (2002) Jeremy Lewis, High-A Lakeland (2005 - 2007) Kansas City: Jorge de la Rosa, MLB Royals (2004 - 2006) Jorge de la Rosa, AA Wichita (2004 - 2006) Graham Koonce, AAA Omaha (2006) Ben Hendrickson, AAA Omaha (2000 - 2006) Roberto Giron, AAA Omaha (2001 - 2004) Jeff Eure, AA Wichita (2001 - 2007) Tim Bausher, AA Wichita (2003 - 2004) Justin Barnes, AA Wichita, High-A Wilmington (2004 - 2006) John Foster, AA Wichita (2003) Angels: Pedro Liriano, AAA Salt Lake (2003 - 2004) Chris Saenz, AA Arkansas (2001 - 2006) Eric Thomas, High-A Rancho Cucamonga (2002 - 2005) Minnesota: Jeff Cirillo, MLB Twins (1991 - 1999, 2005 - 2006) Jeff Cirillo, High-A Fort Myers (1991 - 1999, 2005 - 2006) Yankees: Luis Vizcaino, MLB Yankees (2002 - 2004) Mike Myers, MLB Yankees (1998 - 1999) Ron Villone, MLB Yankees (1996 - 1997) Ron Villone, AAA Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (1996 - 1997) Mike Kinkade, AAA Scranton / Wilkes-Barre, AA Trenton (1995 - 1998) Andrew Beattie, AAA Scranton / Wilkes-Barre (2006) Oakland: Marco Scutaro, MLB Athletics (2000 - 2001) Ruddy Lugo, MLB Athletics (1999 - 2001) Ruddy Lugo, AAA Sacramento (1999 - 2001) J.D. Closser, AAA Sacramento (2007) Josh Alliston, AAA Sacramento, AA Midland, High-A Stockton (2002 - 2006) Seattle: Richie Sexson, MLB Mariners (2000 - 2003) Justin Lehr, AAA Tacoma (2005 - 2006) Tomo Ohka, AAA Tacoma (2005 - 2006) Tampa Bay: Raul Casanova, MLB Devil Rays (2000 - 2002) Raul Casanova, AAA Durham (2000 - 2002) Gary Glover, MLB Devil Rays (2004 - 2005) Al Reyes, MLB Devil Rays (1995 - 1999) Al Reyes, High-A Vero Beach (1995 - 1999) Grant Balfour, MLB Devil Rays (2007) Ruddy Lugo, AAA Durham (1999 - 2001) Texas: Nelson Cruz, MLB Rangers (2005 - 2006) Nelson Cruz, AAA Oklahoma (2005 - 2006) Jamey Wright, MLB Rangers (2000 - 2003) Jamey Wright, AAA Oklahoma, AA Frisco (2000 - 2003) Derek Lee, AAA Oklahoma (1997 - 2003) Luther Hackman, AAA Oklahoma (2006 - 2007) Toronto: Royce Clayton, MLB Blue Jays (2003) Lyle Overbay, MLB Blue Jays (2004 - 2005) Lyle Overbay, AA New Hampshire (2004 - 2005) Matt Stairs, MLB Blue Jays (2002) Sal Fasano, MLB Blue Jays (2002) Sal Fasano, AAA Syracuse (2002) Tomo Ohka, MLB Blue Jays (2005 - 2006) Brian Wolfe, MLB Blue Jays (2005) Brian Wolfe, AAA Syracuse (2005) Ty Taubenheim, MLB Blue Jays (2003 - 2005) Ty Taubenheim, AAA Syracuse, AA New Hampshire (2003 - 2005) Jeremi Gonzalez, AAA Syracuse (2006) Kevin Barker, AAA Syracuse (1996 - 2001) Kyle Phillips, High-A Dunedin (2006) National League: Arizona: Doug Davis, MLB Diamondbacks (2003 - 2006) Jeff Cirillo, MLB Diamondbacks (1991 - 1999, 2005 - 2006) Dana Eveland, MLB Diamondbacks (2003 - 2006) Dana Eveland, AAA Tucson, High-A Visalia (2003 - 2006) Bob Wickman, MLB Diamondbacks (1996 - 2000) Mark Johnson, AAA Tucson (2004, 2006) Matt Erickson, AAA Tucson (2004 - 2005) Dave Krynzel, AAA Tucson (2000 - 2006) Atlanta: Bob Wickman, MLB Braves (1996 - 2000) Julio Franco, MLB Braves (1997) Julio Franco, AAA Richmond, Low-A Rome (1997) Jeff Bennett, MLB Braves (2003 - 2005) Jeff Bennett, AAA Richmond, AA Mississippi (2003 - 2005) Chad Paronto, MLB Braves (2005) Chad Paronto, AAA Richmond (2005) Joe Winkelsas, AAA Richmond, AA Mississippi (2006) Graham Koonce, AAA Richmond (2006) Cubs: Henry Blanco, MLB Cubs (2000 - 2001) Henry Blanco, AAA Iowa, Low-A Peoria (2000 - 2001) Mike Kinkade, AAA Iowa (1995 - 1998) Cincinnati: Javier Valentin, MLB Reds (2002-2003 offseason) Victor Santos, MLB Reds (2004 - 2005) Victor Santos, AAA Louisville (2004 - 2005) Enrique Cruz, MLB Reds (2003 - 2005) Enrique Cruz, AA Chattanooga (2003 - 2005) David Weathers, MLB Reds (1998 - 2001) Chad Moeller, MLB Reds (2004 - 2006) Chad Moeller, AAA Louisville (2004 - 2006) J.C. Boscan, AAA Louisville, AA Chattanooga (2006) Colorado: Elmer Dessens, MLB Rockies (2007) Elmer Dessens, AAA Colorado Springs (2007) Tim Harikkala, MLB Rockies (2000 - 2002) Tim Harikkala, AAA Colorado Springs (2000 - 2002) Dan Serafini, MLB Rockies (2001) Dan Serafini, AAA Colorado Springs (2001) Mike DeJean, AAA Colorado Springs, AA Tulsa (2001 - 2003) Florida: Wes Obermueller, MLB Marlins (2003-2005) Wes Obermueller, AAA Albuquerque (2003 - 2005) Scott Seabol, AAA Albuquerque (2003) Johnny Raburn, AAA Albuquerque, AA Carolina (2002 - 2004) Andrew Beattie, AAA Albuquerque (2006) Zach Sorensen, AAA Albuquerque (2006) Agustin Septimo, High-A Jupiter (2003 - 2005) Houston: Carlos Lee, MLB Astros (2005 - 2006) Mark Loretta, MLB Astros (1995 - 2002) Dennis Sarfate, MLB Astros (2001 - 2007) Danny Klassen, AAA Round Rock (1993 - 1997) Travis Phelps, AAA Round Rock, AA Corpus Christi (2004, 2006) Noochie Varner, AA Corpus Christi (2003) Dodgers: Brady Clark, MLB Dodgers (2003 - 2006) Mark Sweeney, MLB Dodgers (2000 - 2001) Chad Moeller, MLB Dodgers (2004 - 2006) Chad Moeller, AAA Las Vegas (2004 - 2006) Travis Smith, AAA Las Vegas (1995 - 2000) Kelly Stinnett, AAA Las Vegas (1996 - 1997) Mets: Jose Valentin, MLB Mets (1991 - 1999) Jose Valentin, High-A St. Lucie (1991 - 1999) Jorge Sosa, MLB Mets (2001-2002 offseason) Jorge Sosa, AAA New Orleans (2001-2002 offseason) Robinson Cancel, AAA New Orleans, AA Binghamton (1994 - 2001) Philadelphia: Russell Branyan, MLB Phillies (2004 - 2005) Wes Helms, MLB Phillies (2003 - 2005) Chris Coste, MLB Phillies (2004) Chris Coste, AAA Ottawa, AA Reading, High-A Clearwater (2002) Kane Davis, MLB Phillies (2000, 2005) Kane Davis, AAA Ottawa (2000, 2005) Brian Mazone, AAA Ottawa (2003) Lou Collier, AAA Ottawa (1999 - 2001) Brent Abernathy, AAA Ottawa (2006) Dusty Wathan, AAA Ottawa, AA Reading (2002) Jim Rushford, AAA Ottawa (2001 - 2003) Matt Childers, AAA Ottawa (1997 - 2004) Allan Simpson, AA Reading (2006) Luis Villarreal, High-A Clearwater (2007) Pittsburgh: Dan Kolb, MLB Pirates (2003 - 2004, 2006) Dan Kolb, AAA Indianapolis (2003 - 2004, 2006) Jose Hernandez, AAA Indianapolis (2000 - 2002) Peter Bergeron, AA Altoona (2004) Ron Davenport, High-A Lynchburg (2007) San Diego: Russell Branyan, MLB Padres (2004 - 2005) Joe Thatcher, MLB Padres (2005 - 2007) Joe Thatcher, AAA Portland (2005 - 2007) Brady Clark, MLB Padres (2003 - 2006) Brady Clark, AAA Portland (2003 - 2006) Manny Alexander, AAA Portland (2002) Will Inman, AA San Antonio (2005 - 2007) Steve Garrison, High-A Lake Elsinore (2005 - 2007) San Francisco: Mark Sweeney, MLB Giants (2000 - 2001) Eliezer Alfonzo, MLB Giants (2000 - 2002) Eliezer Alfonzo, AAA Fresno, Arizona Rookie Giants (2000 - 2002) Luis Figueroa, MLB Giants (2004) Luis Figueroa, AAA Fresno (2004) Matt Kinney, AAA Fresno (2003 - 2004) Brian Bowles, AAA Fresno (2004) Gerry Oakes, High-A San Jose, Low-A Augusta (2001 - 2002) St. Louis: Russell Branyan, MLB Cardinals (2004 - 2005) Gary Bennett, MLB Cardinals (2004) Kelly Stinnett, MLB Cardinals (1996 - 1997) Kelly Stinnett, AAA Memphis (1996 - 1997) Tomo Ohka, AAA Memphis (2005 - 2006) Washington: Ronnie Belliard, MLB Nationals (1994 - 2002) Saul Rivera, MLB Nationals (2004) Saul Rivera, AAA Columbus (2004) Ray King, MLB Nationals (2000 - 2002, 2007) Ray King, AA Harrisburg (2000 - 2002, 2007) Brent Abernathy, AAA Columbus (2006) Manny Alexander, AAA Columbus (2002) Chris Michalak, AAA Columbus (2004) Cristian Guerrero, AAA Columbus, AA Harrisburg (1999 - 2003) Dan J. Kolb, AAA Columbus, AA Harrisburg, High-A Potomac (2001 - 2004) Francisco Plasencia, High-A Potomac, Low-A Hagerstown (2001 - 2003)

Steve Garrison one run in three innings in a playoff tune-up: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_09_01_inlafa_lesafa_1 Joe Thatcher needed only seven pitches to wrap up Jake Peavy's 7-0 win Saturday night.

29-year-old RHP Matt Ginter, who pitched in the big leagues with the White Sox (2000-2003), the Mets (2004), and the Tigers (2005), all split between minor league duty in those seasons, has been signed as a free agent for Nashville. Ginter, as the Nashville media notes for Saturday indicates, spent the majority of this season with Memphis (Cardinals' system) and posted a 2-6 record, two saves, and a 4.06 ERA in 31 games (eight starts). He last appeared in a game August 13th before his release by St. Louis. RHP Matt Ginter Career Statistics

Helena Independent Record: Brewers muster win over Mustangs The Helena Brewers finally got their win against the Billings Mustangs. After dropping four straight to their cross-state foe, the Brewers started early, getting a three-run lead after the first three innings to win 5-1 Friday night at Kindrick Legion Field. Kurt Crowell did much of the dirty work. The Brewers' left fielder scored in the second inning after hitting a triple, then hit a two-run double in the third to score Caleb Gindl and Steffan Wilson. Gindl drove in Eric Farris with a double in the first and the Brewers leapt to a 4-1 lead after the third inning. Billings' lone run came off a wild pitch by Helena starter Robert Bryson. Francis Meade scored the run after getting on by a walk. It was a tough inning in an otherwise flawless game for Bryson. He went seven innings, giving up just two hits while walking one and striking out eight. Brewers' relievers Craig Langille and Nick Tyson went an inning apiece, neither giving up a run. Tyson had two strikeouts. The Brewers had 11 hits. Gindl led them, going 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI. Crowell was 2-4 with the extra-base hits and had two RBI and a run. The Brewers are now 15-16 and in third place of the Pioneer League's Northern Division standings. They host Billings (16-15) again tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

Link Report Bonus: Link while active, text follows: http://www.wvgazette.com/section//2007083150 Braun, Gallardo quickly climbed the ladder By Mike Whiteford Charleston Gazette Staff writer A couple of West Virginia Power alumni have been contributing some early riches to the baseball heritage of Appalachian Power Park. By reaching the big leagues so quickly and hinting of stardom, they're on the road to earning niches in local lore. One of the reasons we remember Watt Powell Park so fondly is that it produced so many big-league players. Just two years ago in the inaugural season of our East End ballpark, 21-year-old third baseman Ryan Braun and 19-year-old right-hander Yovani Gallardo were delivering glimpses of impending National League success. Now, just a few months into their rookie seasons with the parent Milwaukee Brewers, long and successful careers seem in the offing. In their 2005 season here, their talents were a bit overlooked amid praise for the new ballpark and the glorious surge in attendance. In addition, the Power lost 20 of its first 25 games that year, casting doubts on the possibility that exceptional big-league talent would emerge. But Braun, having been promoted to the Brewers on May 24, is contributing at a pace that translates to about 50 home runs and 120 RBIs in a full season. He's been hitting in the .330s, too. Gallardo, who was promoted on July 3, already has pitched himself into the Brewers' rotation and, though he's been up and down, he blanked the Diamondbacks on five hits in a six-inning stint Aug. 20. In their Power playing days - Braun for 37 games late in the season and Gallardo for the full season - both demonstrated the necessary talent, work ethic and mindset. Predicting big-league talent, however, is not easy at the South Atlantic League level, where maybe 10 percent of the players ever reach the majors. And besides, reaching the big leagues from here generally requires at least three more years. Braun's quick bat and strength set him apart. As a Power player, the 6-foot, 200-pound former Miami Hurricane hit eight home runs, one in particular that caught the eye of Power pitching coach John Curtis, who's in his third season with the team. "The one I remember the most,'' Curtis recalled, "is the one he hit at Lakewood, where it's fairly tough to hit a home run. He hit a shot to left-center that had no arc to it. It was a line drive that bore into the hillside beyond the fence. I'd never seen anything like it [at this level].'' Braun hit .355 that year and split the 2006 season between the Brewers' high-Class A team in Brevard County of the Florida State League and Class AA Huntsville of the Southern League. He hit just 22 home runs in 118 games last year, a respectable total but not one that would indicate this season's production. The thing Curtis remembers most about Gallardo is his knowledge of pitching, despite his youth. "This kid had an incredible intuitive grasp of pitching,'' he said. "He never showed at any time any surprise or any discomfort. In every situation that presented itself, he had a solution. You knew he was something special.'' Although it's commonplace for Class A pitchers to confer with their pitching coaches and ask for suggestions between innings, Gallardo apparently never felt the need. "He was not the kind of guy who would come back to the dugout and say, 'What do you think with this guy? Should I curve him or keep throwing fastballs or whatever?' He knew,'' said Curtis. "He could see a hitter's swing, for example, and understand exactly how his stuff would be called upon to beat it.'' As a Power pitcher, he used a cut fastball that moved away from right-hand hitters at the last instant and a fastball that reached the low 90s (mph) and baffled hitters with its pinpoint location. "His ability to spot his fastball,'' said Curtis, "was unbelievable.'' When Curtis would point out an occasional mechanical flaw, Gallardo would listen and adjust. That's not always the case with young pitchers, especially those accustomed to success. "You have know-it-alls who say, 'Don't tell me. I know what I'm doing out there,''' said the veteran pitching coach. "In Yo's case, he was open-minded enough to be curious and hear what I had to say.'' Another recent Power alumnus, reliever Joe Thatcher, who pitched here last year, is already in the big leagues, pitching in the Padres bullpen after a midseason trade. He has allowed just one run in five innings and, like Braun and Gallardo, is bidding for a place in local lore.

Huntsville Site: Stocker Speeds His Way to "the Show" The Milwaukee Brewers have promoted Stars' outfielder Mel Stocker to the major leagues and promoted outfielder Mike Goetz from Helena to Huntsville. Stocker is expected to be in uniform for the Brewers Saturday night when they continue their series at home against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will be his first opportunity to play at the major league level after having never played above double-A ball. Stocker leaves Huntsville having batted .255 in 112 games with 23 runs batted in and 35 stolen bases. He stole 24 bases in a row from May 16 until July 12 and another nine in a row from July 24 through August 11. Stocker had five hits at West Tenn on August 14, one of only two five-hit games for a Stars' batter this season. Goetz, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was a 25th round selection by the Brewers in 2006 and spent his first professional season in the Arizona Rookie League, where he batted .289 with a home run and 14 RBI. He played in 46 games this season in the Pioneer League, batting .318 with three long balls and 27 knocked in.

Eveland heads to majors after tumultuous year -- gets starting nod Saturday Matt Mieske reflects on minor league days

MiLB.com: Perez, Manatees pound Cards Yohannis Perez homered and drove in three runs to power host Brevard County over Palm Beach, 11-2, on Friday. Perez smacked an RBI groundout in the first inning and blasted a two-run homer, his first of the season, in the eighth. Anderson De La Rosa's two-run single snapped a 2-2 tie and sparked a four-run sixth for the Manatees (33-34). Chris Errecart, Lorenzo Cain and Cole Gillespie had an RBI apiece. Brevard County's Mike McClendon (5-7) surrendered two runs on eight hits and struck out five in six innings to snap a personal five-game winless streak. Rusty Tucker scattered four hits and a walk while striking out five over three frames to notch his first save. Dan Nelson went 5-for-5 with an RBI single in the first for the Cardinals (34-34), who were eliminated from postseason contention. Brandon Yarborough drove in the other run with a sacrifice fly. Palm Beach starter Adam Ottavino (12-8 ) had his three-game winning streak snapped after allowing six runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks with six strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. -- Michael Avallone/MLB.com

Final: Helena 5, Billings (Reds) 1 Helena Site Game Summary: Helena Ends Four Game Losing Streak The Helena Brewers ended a four game winless streak Friday night, as they rode the pitching performance of Robert Bryson to a 5-1 victory over the Billings Mustangs. Bryson was nearly flawless on the night, going seven innings, giving up only one run on two hits. Billings managed to get their first run without getting a single hit, managing to score off of a wild pitch. Caleb Gindl, who's 19th birthday was Friday, provided the hits for the Brewers, managing to crank out three hits in four at bats, with one RBI. Helena got on the board early, scoring four runs in the first three innings off of Billings starter Luis Montano. The Mustangs only run came at the top half of the third inning, and beyond that, Bryson shut them down. Montano got the loss for the 'Stangs, going 5.2 innings, and giving up four runs on eight hits. Bryson got the win for the Brewers. The two teams will face off again in the rubber match of this three game series at 7:05 PM Saturday night (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Field. Helena Box Score: Caleb Gindl rocks... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_31_bilrok_helrok_1 Helena Game Log: A tidy two hours, 19 minutes... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_31_bilrok_helrok_1

Final: Huntsville 6, Birmingham (White Sox) 3, 7 1/2 innings, rain Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1346 Escobar Helps Stars to Weather-Shortened Win Alcides Escobar singled in the go-ahead run during a three-run seventh inning rally that carried Huntsville past Birmingham 6-3 Friday night in a weather shortened affair at Regions Park in the second of a five-game series to close the regular season. The Stars improved to 36-30 in the second half and maintained their half-game lead over victorious Tennessee in the North Division, while the Barons dropped to 29-38 in the second half. The Stars won for just a fifth time in their last 16 games to take a nine to eight lead in the season series with Birmingham. Escobar delivered a two-out single to plate Guilder Rodriguez to give the Stars a 4-3 lead against Barons' starter Wes Whisler, who was making his third start against Huntsville. Steve Sollmann singled to move Escobar to second base and chase Whisler, who was replaced by Carlos Torres. The right-hander uncorked a wild pitch that advanced the runners and they both scored on a looping single to right field by Adam Heether to push the visitors' advantage to 6-3. Whisler suffered his league-high 13th loss after allowing six runs, only earned, on a season-high 10 hits. Sollmann led off the fourth inning with a double and scored on a base hit to center field by Heether, who gave the Stars the lead for a second straight night. However, the lead didn't last long, as Cory Aldridge blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the inning to put the Barons on top 3-1. It was the 18th home run allowed by Stars' starter Corey Thurman, the second most of any pitcher in the league. The veteran right-hander has yielded a long ball in 11 of his 12 starts. He did not give up a hit over the rest of his performance and was taken out after walking David Cook to open the seventh. He allowed four hits, walked three and fanned three to pick up his fifth win of the season and just his second as a starter. Robert Hinton took over and retired all three hitters he faced in the seventh before giving up a leadoff single to Sean Smith in the eighth inning. With lightning visibly increasing and moving closer and closer to the stadium and with the impending threat of rain, play was halted with a 1-2 count on Victor Mercedes. The skies opened up shortly thereafter and the game was eventually canceled 30 minutes after play was stopped. Birmingham shortstop Victor Mercedes committed a throwing error on a Michael Brantley ground ball that could have led to a double play and instead allowed Brendan Katin to score all the way from first base to trim the home side's lead to 3-2 and for Brantley to advance to third. He scored to tie the game on a fielder's choice grounder by Escobar, who knocked in his 24th run with the Stars. The series continues Saturday night with left-hander Derek Miller taking the hill for the Stars against Barons' left-hander Ryan Wing. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Stars hit 16 ground ball outs against the Barons' starter vs. two fly balls -- still won, though... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_31_hunaax_biraax_1 Huntsville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_31_hunaax_biraax_1

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 4, Nashville 3 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Mike Rivera photo, text follows -- http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2542 Sounds Drop Road Trip Opener To Redbirds MEMPHIS - The Nashville Sounds dropped a 4-3 decision to the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds on Friday evening at AutoZone Park in the opener of a four-game series. With the defeat, the Sounds (86-55) fell to just 13-23 in series openers this season. Ten of Nashville's last 13 losses have come by one run. Catcher Mike Rivera gave the Sounds a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer to left-center off rehabbing Redbirds starter Mark Mulder in the top of the second inning. The blast was the backstop's 19th of the season. AUDIO: Mike Rivera Home Run Memphis rallied to tie the contest in the bottom of the fifth. Sounds starter Mark DiFelice retired the first 13 batters of the game in order before Joe Mather drew a one-out walk in the frame. Nick Stavinoha followed with a single to break up the right-hander's no-hitter. Brian Barden made it a 2-1 game when his sacrifice fly plated Mather with the Redbirds' first run of the evening. After Danny Ardoin hit a ground-rule double and pinch-hitter Travis Hanson was hit by a pitch, Skip Schumaker evened the score with an RBI single to left. Sounds leftfielder Drew Anderson prevented Memphis from taking the lead when he threw out Ardoin at the plate to end the inning. The Redbirds took their first lead of the night in the sixth by plating a pair of runs. Edgar Gonzalez singled with one out, stole second, and scored to give the home team a 3-2 lead on Tagg Bozied's single to left, which chased DiFelice. Alec Zumwalt took over on the Nashville hill and walked Mather before giving up a Stavinoha RBI single, making it a 4-2 contest. The Sounds made things interesting in the ninth against Redbirds reliever Christopher Perez. After Jose Macias drew a four-pitch walk to open the inning, Ozzie Chavez plated him with a double to center to reduce the Nashville deficit to 4-3. Chavez went 3-for-4 in the contest to extend his season-best hitting streak to 11 games. After Charles Thomas sacrificed Chavez to third with only one out in the frame, Perez recovered to strike out Callix Crabbe then induced a game-ending groundout from Chris Barnwell to preserve the victory and notch his eighth save of the year. Mike Maroth (1-0) earned the win for Memphis after working 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief behind Mulder. DiFelice (4-2) took the loss for the Sounds after giving up four runs on six hits in 5 1/3 frames of action. Recently-added reliever Kenny Ray made his Nashville debut with a scoreless eighth inning. The teams continue the series with a 6:10 p.m. meeting on Saturday evening. PCL Pitcher-of-the-Year R.A. Dickey (12-6, 3.80) will take the hill for Nashville to face Memphis right-hander Brad Thompson (0-0, 10.80). Nashville Box Score: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_31_nasaaa_mrbaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_31_nasaaa_mrbaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Returning Reliever Alec Zumwalt: http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%208-31.mp3 Alec's interviews are always a treat -- he's a well-spoken, enthusiastic young man. Don't gloss over this one -- but hey, you listen to all our links, right?

Fun Night in Charleston Despite the score... http://deadspin.com/assets/resources/2007/08/rundmc.jpg

Final: Brevard County 11, Palm Beach (Cardinals) 2 The Manatees come through on their "Guaranteed Win Night"... Brevard County Box Score: 2-2 game as they went to the bottom of the 6th; when do you see this? Palm Beach 2B Dan Nelson went 5-for-5 in a nine-run loss. Three Manatees HBP -- meanwhile, Mike McClendon's conrtrol was impeccable; Yohannis Perez his first HR, he had none in Huntsville; Cole Gillespie on base three times... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_31_pbcafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_31_pbcafa_breafa_1 Buck Rogers, Manatees GM: It's officially over. The St Lucie Mets, by virtue of the Manatees victory over the Palm Beach Cardinals tonight, have clinched the Eastern Division's 2nd Half Championship and will host the Manatees in Game #1 of a Best-of-Three Game Series on Tuesday, September 4th, at 7:00 PM (6:00 Central) at Tradition Field in Port St Lucie. Games #2, and #3, if necessary, will be played at Space Coast Stadium on Wednesday, September 5th & 6th, respectively. The Manatees made tonight Guaranteed Win Night and the team delivered an 11-2 knockout punch to the Cardinals. Tomorrow night (Saturday), the Manatees host the Daytona Cubs for the final regular season home game. It's been a wild ride and we're on the verge of the playoffs. You can feel it in the air, and I know a lot of you are nervous because we've lost some games in the past three weeks, but I said it before and I'll say it again: We haven't seen this team running on all cylindars and when JT (Manager John Tamargo) starts shoveling coal this train can't be stopped.

Final: Lexington (Astros) 6, West Virginia 3 West Virginia Site Game Summary: LEGENDS RALLY LATE AGAIN One night after erasing a four-run deficit to defeat the West Virginia Power, the Lexington Legends scored five times in the seventh inning in a come from behind victory at Appalachian Power Park, defeating the Power 6-3. Jimmy Van Ostrand ripped an RBI double with two outs in the top of the first inning to give the Legends a 1-0 lead. Matt LaPorta hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to tie it. It was his eighth with the Power and his fifth in six games against Lexington. The Power took their only lead of the game on Chuckie Caufield's two-run double with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Legends scored five times in the seventh to take the lead for good. Nick Moresi and Tyler Evans tied the game with back-to-back RBI singles before Ronald Ramirez smacked a two-run double to give Lexington the lead. Ramirez scored the final run of the inning on Greg Buchanan's base hit. Dave Qualben (11-8) allowed three runs on four hits over six innings to get the win, Santo Luis (9) struck out all four batters he faced to get the save and Chris Toneguzzi (6-5) was tagged with the loss after giving up five runs on seven hits over five innings of relief. Toneguzzi had retired ten in a row at one point and 12 of 13 before allowing all five runs in the seventh. The Power fell to 79-54 overall and 31-34 in the second half, while the Legends improved to 59-78 overall and 28-39 in the second half. Matt LaPorta has now hit safely in eleven straight games. The Power but will begin a three game series against the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Appalachian Power Park on Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Shawn Ferguson (4-1, 3.09) and the Legends will start right hander Kyle Winters (8-3, 3.83). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Power musters only four hits as Taylor Green and Andrew Lefave with the night off; Alex Periard only goes two innings in his start, but that appears to be planned as the Power sets up the playoff rotation; Brent Brewer walks and scores, but is otherwise 0-for-3 with two K's; rough night for Charlie Fermaint (three K's) as well; 104 pro AB's, 19 extra base hits, including ten HR's, for Matt LaPorta -- wow! http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_31_lexafx_wvaafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_31_lexafx_wvaafx_1

CF Scott Houin, who dazzled at Maryvale in his recent brief stint there, has been promoted to Helena and is leading off for the H-Crew Friday night.

Came over along with Matt Kinney from the Twins -- he was out of options, the Brewers couldn't squeeze him onto the Opening Day roster and traded him to the Devil rays for OF Jason Conti. He never appeared in a regular season game with Milwaukee.

Ok, who had Mel Stocker to Milwaukee in the September 1st call-up pool? Joining Greg Aquino (thus far) will be RHP's Carlos Villanueva and Chris Spurling, UT/C Vinny Rottino, LHP Mitch Stetter and Huntsville speedster Mel Stocker (35 steals in 41 attempts). Congrats to Mitch and Mel, who will make their major league debuts. For discussion on the callups, please see this thread on the Major League Forum, as we'll close the thread in this forum. The major league thread includes quotes from Stetter during his drive from Nashville this afternoon. http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=7085

Link while active, text follows: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070831/SPORTS0401/708310418/1328/SPORTS Two relief pitchers put on Sounds roster By MIKE ORGAN Tennessean Staff Writer The Sounds added a pair of relievers to their pitching staff just before the start of Thursday's game against Omaha. Right-handers Alec Zumwalt and Kenny Ray were put on the roster as the Sounds leave today for their final road trip of the regular season, a four-game series at Memphis. Both pitchers spent their entire seasons in the Pacific Coast League. Zumwalt, 26, started the year with the Sounds before being traded to the Oakland Athletics organization in May. In 13 relief innings with the Sounds, Zumwalt went 0-2 with one save and a 4.83 ERA. He joined Sacramento and posted an 0-3 record with a 9.96 ERA in 20 games with one start in 20 games before being released July 20. Ray, 32, spent most of the season with Omaha, where he went 3-4 with two saves and a 4.15 ERA in 35 relief appearances. He was released by Kansas City on Aug. 18. Ray spent the entire 2006 season in the Atlanta Braves bullpen. To make room for the new players on the roster, Zach Jackson and Dennis Sarfate were placed on the temporary inactive list. Attendance increase: With Thursday's attendance of 3,983, the total attendance number for the Sounds' games at Greer Stadium in the regular season was 411,959. That is up from last year's total of 410,569. It was 7,453 shy of the 2005 total attendance of 419,412, which was the most in 12 years. The average attendance per game this year was 5,885. The Sounds start the PCL playoffs with two games on the road Wednesday. They return to Greer on Sept. 7, but attendance for playoff games does not count toward the yearly total. Streak extended: Sounds second baseman Ozzie Chavez extended his longest hitting streak of the year to 10 games Thursday with a single as the leadoff batter in the seventh inning. Wrapping up: The Sounds have won eight of the 12 games they've played against Memphis this season.