Jim Goulart

For what it's worth, comments from the just-suspended Tampa Bay AA pitcher: Sarasota's Houser responds to suspension Sarasota High grad James Houser, a Tampa Bay Devil Rays farmhand, responded to his 50-game suspension for violating baseball's substance abuse policy to the Montgomery Advertiser on Saturday. Houser, who played for the Montgomery Biscuits, acknowledged he passed on an appeal and started the suspension immediately. He will remain with the team for the rest of the season but won't be allowed to dress for games or sit in the dugout. "What do you do?" Houser told the paper. "I knew what I was doing was wrong and I have to pay the consequences." He said that he did not test positive for steroids but would not say what substance he tested positive for. "I made a mistake and I have to pay the consequences," Houser told the paper. "I feel bad for my teammates and the organization. I'll live and learn, go on from here and come back next year."

Nashville Site: Laynce Nix Named PCL Batter-Of-The-Week

colbjyjack, Baseball America reports the Brewers signed OF Nelson Montes. Don't have anything else to go on, wondering if he was among the mid-tier "known" kids in international circles.

In addition to Cappy, Happy B-Day J.J. (a quarter-century)!

By the way, Nashville definitely got the better of the two cougar outfits Kane County had: Kane County Community --> Appearance Requests --> Ozzie T. Cougar

Hoping to continue affiliate mascot winning ways on Sunday: Nashville Sounds GM Glenn Yeager: When you came here, how was attendance? It was bad. For the first 20 years … (the Sounds) had a pretty easy run here in this market. When the Titans and the Predators did come, this product was positioned as the professional sports franchise. People were like, "No, no, no, no. We got the Titans and the Predators. If you're going to ask me if I'm going to a major league professional sports event or a minor league professional sports event, I'm going to choose the major league." There was no mascot. There were no in-between inning promotions. There was nothing fun for the kids. Have you ever wondered why we have a cougar as a mascot? I have. The mascot from Kane County is the Kane County Cougars. When we took control of the (Nashville) team in April 1997, they had no mascot. We had two (mascot) uniforms in King County. We said, "Send one down." After that year, the kids had already identified with this cougar as our mascot, so we could never change him. If we'd tried bringing some guitar player into town as our mascot, it never would have worked. And thus there's Ozzie (thanks to the Sounds' site for the copy-and-paste): http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/photo_ozzie1.jpg Ozzie has been entertaining and educating fans of all ages in and out of Greer Stadium. Whether it's dancing with a lucky fan on top of the dugout or encouraging youngsters to reach for the stars, Ozzie is always a fan favorite. He makes an immediate impact on his audience by promoting crowd enthusiasm and participation. Height: Tall Weight: Varies Bats: Dizzy Bat Races Throws: Softee Balls & T-Shirts Born: 4/11/98 Resides: Nashville, TN Email Ozzie! Ozzie Interview http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/icon_divider.gif Ozzie took some time out of his busy schedule to sit down with us for an interview so we could ask him some questions about his fun and exciting life. First off Ozzie, thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us. We know how busy you are and how you are always on the go and we appreciate this rare opportunity to actually speak with you. OZZIE: You are very welcome. We would like to ask you some questions to get to know a little bit more about you to see just how this cat ticks. So first off, where do you live? OZZIE: I live at beautiful Greer Stadium in my own little secret cave. It's pretty roomy with all the modern cat amenities. I've got a new state-of-the-art scratching post and everything. I just don't get to spend much time there because I'm always so busy. http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/photo_ozzie2.jpg You are a pretty busy cat. Not only are you at every single Sounds home game during the season entertaining the fans but you are also doing a lot of things when the season is over aren't you. OZZIE: I sure am. I spend most of my time traveling all over the place visiting schools, libraries, hospitals and a ton of other places promoting the Sounds and our exciting Reading Club. I love to entertain kids and adults but I also like to get kids reading and learning more about the world around them. I love reading and I know that all the friends I meet will love reading too. Do you have a favorite book? OZZIE: That's a really hard question. There are so many books that I like that it's hard to pick just one as my favorite. I think that every book I read becomes my favorite after I finish it. They are all so fun and full of all kinds of cool things. Well let's stick with favorites. What is your favorite food? OZZIE: Well I eat a lot of food I can tell you that but my favorite food is ballpark hot dogs. I eat them everyday along with popcorn, peanuts, and Cracker Jack. Who is your favorite baseball player? OZZIE: I've known a lot of players over the years and I'm such a huge baseball fan. My two favorite players are Ozzie Smith and Ozzie Guillen. What kind of music is your favorite? OZZIE: I like all kinds of music especially organ music at the ballpark that gets the crowd into the game. I also love to dance so any kind of dance music is good for me. My favorite song is "Take Me Out to the Ballgame". I love the seventh-inning stretch. http://www.nashvillesounds.com/images/photo_ozzie3.jpg So who are your friends here in Nashville? OZZIE: Oh, I've got friends all over the place. I make new friends everyday as I visit with all the kids at different schools and at baseball games. I meet so many interesting and fun people and can't wait to make more and more friends. I also have a bunch of friends that I work with like T-Rac from the Titans, Gnash from the Predators and people who visit the stadium during the season like the Zooperstars, ICEE Bear, the Pirate Parrot, The Famous Chicken, and Myron Noodleman. Well Ozzie we'd like to thank you again for spending some time with us we know you have to get going. We really appreciate it. OZZIE: You're welcome. And thank you for visiting with me. Go Sounds!

Will Inman with a quality start (although only one strikeout), but no run support (carryover from Brewer days), as San Antonio falls, 4-0: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_18_arkaax_sanaax_1&did=t510&sid=t510 And Joe Thatcher's back at AAA as the Padres do the yo-yo thing; Joe surrendered three unearned runs in one inning for Portland Friday night: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_srcaaa_poraaa_1

Here's your other signee, an exciting athlete who posted numbers in a very small school division -- Round 44: Shawn Zarraga - C 6'1", 218, R/R - Trinity Christian Academy (FL) Photo by Richard Graulich/The Palm Beach Post http://img.coxnewsweb.com/B/04/29/47/image_3947294.jpg NOTES & INFO: Born 1-21-89 College commitment is to UNC Greensboro. UNC Greensboro Draft Day Article "Shawn Zarraga was named the Small School Player of the Year for the second straight year by the Palm Beach (FL) Post. Zarraga, who speaks four languages including his native Aruba, hit .621 this season with five home runs, 47 RBI and 49 runs scored. He also helped out on the other side of the battery this season, working 16 innings as a pitcher with a 3-0 mark and a 0.43 ERA. He struck out 32 in those 16 innings. He fired a one-hitter in the regional finals against defending state champion Miami-Brito and followed that up with a four-hitter in Trinity Christian?s 2-1 win over Lake Mary Prep in the state semifinals." NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE: Link to June 3, 2007 article, text follows: Small schools player of the year By Steve Dorsey Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Shawn Zarraga plans to major in sports medicine at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where the Trinity Christian Academy graduate will play baseball. That's provided his current plans are not derailed by a professional contract. Zarraga is expected to be selected in the baseball amateur draft this week. What round remains to be seen, but the way Zarraga sees it, he's in a win-win situation regardless of what transpires in the next few days. "My future will be decided that day," Zarraga said, referring to draft day. "It doesn't really matter what round I go. The money I'm offered is what is going to decide for me." If the money isn't right, Zarraga gladly will pack his bags for UNC-Greensboro to play baseball and pursue his degree. He said he wants to study sports medicine because he loves science. He's also a math whiz. "I love science and I'm great with numbers," said Zarraga, who graduated from Trinity Christian with a 3.6 GPA and speaks four languages, including Papiamento, the language of his native Aruba. Zarraga certainly has figured out the science of hitting, and there's proof in his stats. Zarraga repeated as small schools baseball Player of the Year after batting .621 with five home runs, 47 RBI and 49 runs scored. Zarraga told his coach, Miguel Cuello, at the beginning of the season that he wanted to pitch any important games that had playoff ramifications. Cuello obliged and Zarraga delivered, going 3-0 with an 0.43 ERA and 32 strikeouts in just 16 innings. So there was no discussion as to who would be on the mound when Trinity reached the regional finals. Zarraga again came through, pitching a one-hitter against defending Class 1A state champion Miami-Brito, and three days later, tossed a four-hitter in Trinity's 2-1 win against Lake Mary Prep in the state semifinals in Sarasota. The following day, Trinity's bid for its first state title was denied by Jacksonville-Eagle's View. Zarraga put the disappointment in perspective in the post-game press conference. "It's just a baseball game," he said. "It's not the end of the road for any of us." The next road Zarraga will take soon will be determined. If he is as successful as the one he has traveled thus far, it promises to be a great trip. *** Link to May 2007 article, text follows: Trinity Christian's Zarraga at home anywhere on the field By Steve Dorsey Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Monday, May 14, 2007 Shawn Zarraga and Trinity Christian Academy were on their way to defeating defending state champion Miami-Brito on Tuesday when the Brito pitcher threw two pitches at Zarraga, both in the area of his head. It was the second time in the game that Brito pitchers had thrown at Zarraga to back him off the plate or perhaps just intimidate the Warriors' best hitter. The following inning, when Zarraga was on the mound, one of his pitches nicked the shirt of a Brito batter about belt-high, sending him to first base. Zarraga walked over to first and apologized to the player, telling him it was unintentional. Amid the emotion and pressure of a regional championship, Zarraga remained composed and helped carry Trinity to the Class 1A state final four tournament, which begins today in Sarasota. "A lot of guys wouldn't do that," Trinity head coach Miguel Cuello said of Zarraga's gesture. "I'm not that type of player," Zarraga said, referring to retaliation. Zarraga's statistics speak volumes about his playing ability - .615 batting average, five home runs, 52 RBI and a 4-0 pitching record with an ERA of 0.30. Cuello said it's all the other things Zarraga does that make him such a complete player. "He has all five tools: speed, hitting, everything," Cuello said. "He knows how to play the game." He's also one of the area's most versatile players and has played all nine positions. Zarraga, who has signed with UNC-Greensboro, was Trinity's starting third baseman during his freshman and sophomore years. Last year, however, the team did not have a seasoned catcher. Zarraga volunteered to fill the void, then proceeded to have a phenomenal season that earned him The Post's small schools player of the year. "It was like he had been there all his life," Cuello said of Zarraga's switch to behind the plate. "He pays attention to everything you tell him, even though he's a great player and he's got scouts looking at him all the time." Cuello said that when this season began, Zarraga told him he also wanted to be on the mound in important games, such as last week's regional championship in Miami. Cuello obliged, and Zarraga pitched a one-hitter in Trinity's 8-1 win against Brito, avenging last year's 8-0 loss to Brito in the regional finals. Cuello said a scout for the Chicago White Sox saw enough of Zarraga on the mound to suggest they might list him as a pitching prospect for next month's major-league amateur draft. "I told him, 'You should see him play third base,' " Cuello said. Many opposing teams tried to pitch around Zarraga this season, or at least not give him anything good to swing at when he was at the plate. That was not a solution to beating Trinity, however. Senior first baseman Santos Avila, who bats behind Zarraga, has a .542 batting average with 40 RBI, and six other starters have at least 27 RBI. "It's not only about me and Shawn," Avilo said. "In the beginning, there was a lot of pressure on me and Shawn to produce, but after we lost to Brito (3-1) in the fourth game, we came together as a team, and that took a lot of pressure off me and Shawn." When the pressure is on, however, Zarraga usually is at his best, as defending state champion Brito found out this past week. *** Link to June 2006 article, text follows: Palm Beach Small Schools Player of the Year Shawn Zarraga, Trinity Christian By Steve Dorsey Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Sunday, June 18, 2006 At 6-feet-1 and 205 pounds, Shawn Zarraga doesn't look like a typical table tennis player. Looks, however, can be deceiving, and Zarraga welcomes a pingpong challenge any time, anywhere. "Losing is not an option for me," Zarraga said when it comes to playing the game he learned as a kid growing up in Aruba. "My dad had a table in our house and we played all the time, but I never beat my dad." Zarraga attributes the concentration he derives from playing pingpong in part to his success as a baseball player. "It's great for hand-eye coordination," the Trinity Christian junior catcher said. Hard to argue with that assessment because Zarraga led the area this season with an eye-popping .714 batting average, a statistic so phenomenal that even Zarraga said he never imagined he'd hit that well. "I didn't dream that at all," said Zarraga, The Palm Beach Post small schools Player of the Year. "I spent a lot of time in the (batting) cage and was seeing the ball better and my confidence level was high, but I just wanted to hit over .500." Zarraga also worked out more and went on a diet, giving up most of his favorite sweets and dropping 25 pounds from the previous season. He also played soccer, another sport he learned in Aruba. In fact, "versatile" is a perfect word to describe Zarraga. His primary position is catcher, but he's played every position, including pitcher. "Wherever they want to play me, I'll play," said Zarraga, who also had 30 RBI and 13 stolen bases. No wonder college and professional scouts already have shown interest.

You may have missed the news if you're not a regular reader of the Brewerfan Draft Forum (and why aren't you?), but the Brewers signed two more draft picks just prior to this week's deadline. The following reports were cut-and-pase from the Draft Forum, some pre-signing, a bit afterwards. Here's the first update. Round 11: Cody Scarpetta - RHP 6'3", 225, R/R - Guilford HS (IL) http://www.perfectgame.org/images/profilepics/07pgind56.jpg http://cmsimg.rrstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde NOTES & INFO: Brewerfan.net Scouting Report: The Brewers selected Cody's father, Dan, in the third round of the 1982 draft. The younger Scarpetta checks in at a chiseled 6?3?, 225 pounds, and uses his size to sit consistently in the 88-92 range while touching 94. He also shows a pretty good mid-70s breaking pitch, a pitch that could use a little more bite to it, but he still shows the ability to throw strikes with it, giving him the foundation for two very solid offerings. Scarpetta is also a pretty good hitter, and he could play two ways should he honor his commitment to Creighton University, but at the pro level his future lies on the mound. Having dropped to the 11th round, signability could be an issue. Birthdate: 8/25/1988 NEWSPAPER AND WEB COVERAGE: Beloit Daily News: The Milwaukee Brewers like hard-throwing high schoolers. Rockford Guilford's Cody Scarpetta is a hard-throwing high school right-hander. A match made in heaven. The Brewers took the Rockford prep star in the 11th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Scarpetta was ranked as a four-star player (out of five) by Baseball America and has a scholarship at Creighton waiting for him if he doesn't sign with the Brewers. Scarpetta's father, Dan, was selected in the third round by the Milwaukee Brewers 25 years ago and spent a season pitching for the then-named Beloit Brewers. The report about his signing is here: http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=3342?page=1 Link, text follows: http://www.rrstar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007108170033 Scarpetta signs with Brewers ROCKFORD - Twenty minutes before he would turn into a Bluejay, Cody Scarpetta became a Brewer. The Major League Baseball deadline for signing 2007 draft picks was 10:50 p.m. Wednesday night. Scarpetta, who accepted a baseball scholarship from the Creighton Bluejays months before the Milwaukee Brewers drafted him in the 11th round, was all set to leave for college until he agreed to terms at 10:30 p.m. "We were all packed and ready to go," said Scarpetta, a right-handed pitcher from Rockford Guilford. "Then they came in and we got a deal done. They knew what our number was. They were a little short, but they raised it. They gave us what I would go for to play." In June, Scarpetta became only the seventh NIC-9 baseball player to be drafted in the first 11 rounds. His dad, Dan Scarpetta, was a left-handed pitcher from Rockford Auburn who was chosen in the third round by the Brewers 25 years ago. Scarpetta has been sidelined by a torn flexor tendon in his right index finger since late April, but is set to begin throwing "50 percent" off a mound. "I've seen two therapists, and both of them said it's the best tendon repair they've ever seen done," Scarpetta said. The plan is for Scarpetta to leave in mid-September for Tempe for six weeks in the Arizona Instructional League. In the spring, he will probably play for the Helena (Mont.) Brewers in the Pioneer League. http://cmsimg.rrstar.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=D1&Date=20070817&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=108170033&Ref=AR&MaxW=250&MaxH=200

Brewerfan extends condolences to Brent Brewer and his family. Because of a death in his family, Brewer has been placed on West Virginia's temprary inactive list. Infielder Brad Miller has been activated from the Power D.L. and will take Brewer's spot on the roster.

Nashville Media notes: It's a surprise, but figured this was going to be a tough one to make room for unless there was a phantom injury somewhere... HACKMAN RELEASED; SPURLING TO JOIN SOUNDS: Veteran reliever Luther Hackman, who ranks fourth in the PCL with 18 saves this season, has been released by the Milwaukee Brewers. He posted a 1-2 record, 3.61 ERA, and 18 saves in 21 saves during his team-leading 41 relief outings for the Sounds. Right-hander Chris Spurling, who was designated for assignment by the Brewers on Wednesday and outrighted to Nashville yesterday, will join the club during this weekend's series. He went 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA (22 ER / 40.1 IP) in 38 relief appearances for Milwaukee after being promoted from the Sounds in mid-April.

Videos from the Power: Great job by the West Virginia staff with these -- Player Profile: Taylor Green Player Profile: Brent Brewer Player Profile: Andrew Lefave Player Profile: Kenny Holmberg Player Profile: Chuckie Caufield We featured the Power mascots and their own videos in the Milwaukee "In-Game-Thread" of Saturday August 18th in the IGT Forum.

Videos from the Power: Great job by the West Virginia staff with these -- Manager Profile: Mike Guerrero Bull on Baseball with Hitting Coach Corey Hart Part I Bull on Baseball with Hitting Coach Corey Hart Part II West Virginia Power Grounds Crew

http://forum.brewerfan.net/viewtopic.php?t=900

Details on a huge Manatees jersey auction here: By the way, Brewerfan inquired about jersey sizes and Buck Rogers responded -- Jersey sizes increase with the numbers. The largest jerseys are size 52. Some of the size/laundry labels are faded and the exact size cannot be ascertained without the inventory/original order list provided by Wilson, the manufacturer, something that will happen next week when our rep gets back to his office. For those that need an exact size, please email us at info@spacecoaststadium.com http://www.bcmanatees.net/cgi-bin/dist/news.cgi?id=1

Link while active, text follows: http://www.comoxvalleyrecord.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=8&cat=40&id=1045921&more=0 Green's bat puts charge in Power lineup http://web.bcnewsgroup.com/portals/uploads/courtenay/.DIR288/green__070817.jpg COURTENAY'S (British Columbia, Canada) TAYLOR GREEN continues to give South Atlantic League chuckers fits. He is seen here at historic Golden Field. PHOTO submitted By Earle Couper Record Staff Hard-hitting third baseman Taylor Green is showing no signs of cooling off as he patrols the hot corner for the West Virginia Power. With the South Atlantic League regular season winding down, the Comox Valley Baseball Association grad and Single A rookie is third in league batting with a hefty .352 average. Through 95 games, Green had 12 homers, 24 doubles, a triple and 75 RBI. His .509 slugging percentage is among the tops in the league. "Taylor's agent has informed us that he is the youngest player (at age 20) to have accomplished this kind of offensive production in the South Atlantic League since Chipper Jones did it a number of years ago (1991) before becoming a perennial Major League all-star with the Atlanta Braves," said Taylor's dad, Bill Green. The Power, the Single A affiliate of the MLB Milwaukee Brewers, will be starting their playoff run in early September. After that, Green has been invited to the Instructional League in Phoenix, Arizona where he and other top prospects for the Brewers will work with Major League coaches until the end of October. He will be home for the offseason until early February, when he will attend early spring training. "In the offseason, Taylor will be available to work with young baseball players who want to improve their knowledge and skills in the game," Bill Green said. As he continues to lead the Power to SAL success, Green has been following in some big footsteps. Recently, West Virginia was playing the Columbus Catfish at historic Golden Field in Columbus, Georgia. "It is an amazing facility in that just about every Major League baseball player has played there," said Bill Green. That list includes such luminaries as Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Cal Ripkin Jr., Willie Mays, Ty Cobb, Mickey Mantle, Hank Aaron, Ferguson Jenkins and Frank Thomas.

Final: Arizona Angels 9, Arizona Brewers 4 Arizona Box Score: Brewer batters strike out a ridiculous 18 times while drawing just two walks; oh joy, the kids also commit five errors; newcomer Scott Houin on base three times; Brett Whiteside has been seeing a lot more time at first base than behind the plate... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_brrrok_angrok_1 Arizona Game Log: Do you really want to? http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_brrrok_angrok_1

Link while active, text follows: http://www.helenair.com/articles/2007/08/18/sports/b01081807_01.txt Are they back? Brewers blitz Owlz By CURT SYNNESS, Helena Independent Record Sports Writer The Helena Brewers bounced back from Thursday's loss to the Orem Owlz to blitz the visitors 8-1 at Kindrick Legion Field Friday night. The contest took place in front of one of the largest crowds of the season, with 1,503 in attendance. The Brewers were led by the pitching of Roque Mercedes, the hitting of Eric Farris and Jonathan Lucroy, and a plethora of web gems by their defense. Mercedes improved his record to 7-2, hurling eight innings of five-hit ball, whiffing four and not allowing a walk. The 6-foot-3, 186-pound right-hander from the Dominican Republic retired the side in order in the first, second, fourth, seventh and eighth innings. Mercedes also made several athletic defensive plays around the mound on ground balls and attempted bunts. Reliever Nick Tyson came in and closed the ninth. Helena (35-21, 9-9) out hit Orem 12-7, scoring two runs in the first, one in the fifth, two in the seventh and three in the eighth stanza. The home team's offense was spearheaded by Farris, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Lucroy was 3-4, crossing the plate twice and collecting an RBI. Farris' assault with the lumber raised his batting average 13 points from .290 to .303. Lucroy is now hitting a cool .364. Caleb Gindl and Zelous Wheeler each ripped doubles, with Gindl collecting two RBI and Wheeler plating a run. On a night that had the Brewers flashing all kinds of leather, third baseman Wheeler may have been the most impressive. In the sixth frame, he dove on a hard smash to his right, gloved the ball cleanly, popped to his feet and gunned down the runner with plenty of time to spare. And in the final inning, Wheeler climbed the ladder to haul down a smoking line drive that looked like a sure base hit to left. Shortstop Matt Cline made a great play in the fourth. Cline roamed far into the hole to his right to snag a ground ball, leaped and spun around, making a long throw in midair to first to get his man. In the seventh, Gindl made a lengthy running catch of a difficult fly in shallow right field, and catcher Lucroy fielded a tough bunt and fired a seed to first for the out even as his feet slipped out from under him. Owlz starter Chris Armstrong went four innings and gave up two runs for the loss. Orem's (26-30, 9-9) lone tally came in the sixth on a double by Hector Estrella and an RBI single by Jeremy Moore. Rian Kiniry had two hits for the L.A. Angels farm team. The two teams meet again tonight at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field.

Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Interview with RF Caleb Gindl: Be sure you're on the archive of August 17th, go to the 15:30 minute mark -- http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/multimedia/audio.jsp

Final: Helena 8, Orem (Angels) 1 Helena Site Game Summary: Mercedes Pitches Gem, Helena Defeats Orem HELENA - Brewer starter Roque Mercedes threw eight innings of one-run ball as Helena defeated the Orem Owlz one night after being shut out. Helena scored two runs in the first and added six more in the later innings, but needed just the two as the Brewers won 8-1 Friday night. Mercedes (7-2) allowed five hits and did not allow a run until the sixth inning while the Brewer batters provided plenty of support. In the first inning a fielding error allowed baserunner Eric Farris to score and Steffan Wilson singled in the eventual winning run for a 2-0 lead. The Brewers added an insurance run in the fifth inning when Mike Goetz scored on a passed ball. Helena had a two-run rally in the seventh and added the final three runs of the game in the eighth inning. Jonathan Lucroy and Caleb Gindl had RBI hits in the seventh inning while Zelous Wheeler scored on a wild pitch and Farris knocked in two runs in the eighth inning. Reliever Nick Tyson pitched the ninth inning and allowed no runs on two hits. Tyson also struck out two batters. Offensively Farris paced the Brewers with a 4-for-5 performance and two RBIs. Gindl also had two RBIs on one hit. Lucroy was the only other Brewer with a multi-hit game as he went 3-for-4. The Brewers (35-21, 9-9) and Owlz (26-30, 9-9) will wrap up their three-game series at 7:05 PM on Saturday night (8:05 Central) to determine the series winner. Helena Box Score: It's going to be awfully frustrating if Roque Mercedes falters again the next time he's promoted above Helena; Eric Farris and Jonathan Lucroy very impressive in the 2-3 spots in the lineup; speedy but struggling Lee Haydel moved to the # 9 spot, 1-for-4 Friday night, thrown out at home trying to score on a single to end the Brewer 2nd... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_orerok_helrok_1 Helena Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_orerok_helrok_1

Final: Lake County (Indians) 8, West Virginia 6 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER RALLY LATE BUT FALL SHORT The West Virginia Power erased a 6-0 deficit on Friday night at Classic Park, but still fell two runs short as the Lake County Captains took the first game of the series with an 8-6 victory. The Power committed three errors in the bottom of the first which contributed to a pair of Lake County runs. Jason Denham scored on Shawn Ferguson's throwing error and Carlos Rivero's sacrifice fly plated Matt McBride to bring in the final run of the inning. In the fourth inning, Roman Pena ripped an RBI single and Jason Denham walked with the bases loaded to give the Captains a 4-0 lead. Nick Weglarz hit a two-run homer in the fifth to put the Captains up 6-0. The Power began their comeback in the sixth inning. Andy Bouchie led off the inning with a walk before Jimmy Mojica broke up the no-hitter. Bouchie scored on Andrew LeFave's single and Taylor Green's sacrifice fly brough Mojica home. John Alonso made it a two-run game in the seventh inning with a two-run bomb, his fifth of the year. The Power tied the game with a pair of runs in the eighth inning. LeFave began the inning with a solo home run, his 15th, and Steve Chapman's sacrifice fly plated Green. Matt McBride's sacrifice fly in the eighth inning scored the first of two runs, and Nick Weglarz walked with the bases loaded to bring in the second run. Luis Perdomo (3-6) retired four of the five batters he faced in the eighth and ninth inning to get the win, and Matt Kretzschmar (0-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering a pair of runs on a hit and two walks in one inning of relief. The Power fell to 73-48 overall and 25-29 in the second half, while the Captains improved to 57-65 overall and 26-26 in the second half. Mojica and LeFave both had two hits for the Power. The Power will continue the four game series against the Lake County Captains at Classic Park on Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Jeremy Jeffress (7-5, 3.66) and the Captains will counter with right hander Paolo Espino (3-3, 3.73. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Matt LaPorta 0-for-5 with four K's, yikes; 5th HR is nice, would like to see more frequent glimpses of 21-year-old John Alonso's power bat; none of the four West Virginia pitchers effective in this one... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_wvaafx_lcoafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_wvaafx_lcoafx_1

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 4, Huntsville 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1324 Woerman and the Long Ball Wear Down Stars Joe Woerman worked seven strong innings and was supported by the long ball in West Tenn's 4-2 win over Huntsville Friday night in the fourth of a five-game set at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx won for a second time in the series to improve to 21-33 in the second half, while the Stars slipped to 33-21 in the second half and saw their lead in the North Division over Tennessee trimmed to three games. The Diamond Jaxx have hit at least two home runs in each game in the series and have clubbed nine in the four games. Stars' starter Steve Hammond retired the first four hitters he faced before Matt Tuiasosopo launched a solo home run, his seventh of the season and fourth against the Stars, to give the home side a 1-0 lead. Jeff Frazier followed with a double, moved to third base on a wild pitch and scored on a balk, the second against the Stars' starting pitcher in as many nights, to make it 2-0. Hernan Iribarren led off the fourth inning with a home run, his fourth of the year, to get the visitors on the board. However, West Tenn answered in the bottom half of the frame, as Marshall Hubbard led off with a double and scored on a one-out triple by Frazier, his first of the year. Hammond retired Mike Saunders and Erick Monzon to get out of the inning, strand a runner at third with one out for a second time in the game and keep the score at 3-1. Hubbard belted a one-out home run in the sixth to make it 4-1 West Tenn, as Hammond allowed his 16th long ball of the year, second most of any pitcher in the league. The lefty worked out of further trouble by fanning Monzon to end the inning with runners at the corners. Hammond suffered his first loss since June 21 after yielding four runs on eight hits over seven frames. He struck out three and walked one and lost to Woerman for a second time in three meetings to fall to 7-8. Woerman allowed a single run on seven hits, walking one and striking out five to earn the win and square his record at 6-6. Mumba Rivera gave up a run in the eighth on a passed ball that scored Mel Stocker from third base but struck out Adam Heether and Brendan Katin to end the frame. Michael Hrynio retired the side in order in the ninth to record his second save of the year. The series wraps up Saturday night, as left-hander Sam Narron starts for Huntsville against West Tenn right-hander Andy Baldwin. Coverage begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Welcome back, Steve Sollmann; Hernan Iribarren on base three times, still hot; Bo Hall two K's in a 1-2-3 "keep-it-close" 8th inning... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_hunaax_wtdaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_hunaax_wtdaax_1

Link while active, text follows: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070818/SPORTS0401/708180352/1328/SPORTS Sounds pitcher has his first hit in win By TYLER BLANK Tennessean Staff Writer Pitcher Seth McClung's third start with the Sounds didn't begin well but got progressively better as the game wore on. McClung allowed three runs, including two home runs, in the first two innings but recovered to record his second win with the Sounds and his first career hit in Nashville's 8-3 win over New Orleans Friday night. The 260-pound right-hander gave up five hits and finished with eight strikeouts through five innings in his third start with Nashville since coming over from the Tampa Bay organization. He also had an RBI double off the wall in a five-run fourth inning. "I know I'm only going to go about five innings," said McClung (2-0). "You've got to step up and be a man and put your team in a situation to win." McClung gave up home runs to the Zephyrs' Fernando Tatis and Chip Ambres. He had pitched 14 1/3 scoreless innings before that. "I gave up two solo shots and then they manufactured a run, and then we shut it down," McClung said. McClung allowed only one hit after the three early runs. The Sounds' Brad Nelson and Andy Abad hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth to give Nashville a lead it would not relinquish. "Nelson hit a pitch up in the zone and Abad hit a change-up," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "It was pretty good hitting." McClung hit a deep drive three batters later, but his first career hit bounced just below the top of the wall in left field. "It felt really good. I thought maybe I had gotten it," said McClung, who knocked in Ozzie Chavez for his first career RBI. "I was just pleased to get second and we scored a run to push the lead a little bit." Mike Rivera added a two-run blast to right field in the seventh for his 17th home run of the season. Reliever Steve Bray took over for McClung in the sixth inning, allowing just one hit through 2 1/3 innings with two strikeouts. Dennis Sarfate came in for the ninth inning, giving up two hits before retiring the Zephyrs' final batter Shawn Wooten. The victory gave Nashville the series win over New Orleans at three game to one. What they said: "We had a big inning. These guys (my teammates) put all of us in a situation to drive in runs." - McClung on the five-run fourth inning. *** Link while active, text follows: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070818/SPORTS0401/708180353/1328/SPORTS Sounds' magic number drops to 11 By TYLER BLANK Tennessean Staff Writer Nashville has the best record in Triple-A baseball at 76-50 after Friday's 8-3 win over New Orleans. Nashville's magic number to clinch its third consecutive division title and fourth in five seasons stands at 11. The Sounds are a season-best 26 games over .500. The highest Nashville has ever been over .500 is 28 games, set July 30 (66-38). Hit streaks: Left fielder Tony Gwynn extended his hitting streak to a season-best nine games with a single to center in the fourth inning. Gwynn has gone 15-for-33 with a .455 average since rejoining Nashville from Milwaukee July 30. Back-to-back: Sounds third baseman Brad Nelson and first baseman Andy Abad hit back-to-back home runs in the fourth inning. It marks the third occasion of the year in which Nashville batters have hit back-to-back home runs. Mike Rivera and Laynce Nix hit back-to-back shots in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Zephyrs. Rivera and former Sound Joe Dillon also accomplished the feat in a 5-2 win over Albuquerque. Strikeout kings: The Sounds' pitching staff leads the Pacific Cost League with 1,008 strikeouts. Sounds pitchers are on pace to record 1,145 strikeouts this season. That total would break the team's franchise record of 1,117, set in 2005. Nashville pitchers have recorded 1,000 strikeouts for the sixth consecutive season and the ninth overall in the team's 30-year history. Next up: Nashville goes to Round Rock, Texas, to open a four-game series today. The Express sit last in the American Conference's Southern Division. The Sounds return to Nashville Wednesday for a 10-game homestand against Oklahoma and Omaha.

Final: Nashville 8, New Orleans (Mets) 3 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Seth McClung photo, text follows -- http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2514 Sounds Wrap Homestand With 8-3 Victory NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds closed out their homestand with an 8-3 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Friday evening at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game series. With the win, Nashville (76-50) improved to a season-best 26 games over .500 and wrapped up its eighth consecutive winning homestand. The club's division lead increased to 6 1/2 games over Iowa, which lost in Omaha for the second consecutive evening. The Sounds' magic number to clinch their third consecutive PCL American Conference Northern Division title stands at 11 entering play on Saturday, August 18. Any combination of Nashville wins and/or losses by the second-place Iowa Cubs equaling this total will result in a Sounds division title. Because Nashville won the season series against Iowa by a 9-6 margin, the Sounds win advance to the playoffs if the clubs end up tied at the conclusion of the regular season. The Sounds belted three home runs in the contest to highlight the come-from-behind victory. The visitors grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on veteran Fernando Tatis' opposite-field, one-out homer to right off Sounds starter Seth McClung. The tater, his 19th of the season, accounted for the first run allowed by the Nashville right-hander in 14 1/3 innings since joining the club in late July. The Zephyrs doubled the advantage to 2-0 in the second when Chip Ambres led off with a solo homer to center off McClung, his 19th longball of the year. New Orleans added a run later in the frame when former Sound Chad Hermansen singled and scored on a one-out RBI double off the bat of former Milwaukee Brewer (1999) Robinson Cancel. Nashville rallied to grab a 5-3 lead with a five-run fourth inning that chased Z's starter Philip Humber from the contest. Humber had held the Sounds hitless through the first three frames. Sounds third baseman Brad Nelson tied the game at 3-3 with one swing of the bat in the bottom of the fourth inning when he swatted a three-run home run that sailed over the right field foul pole. The blast, which scored Tony Gwynn and Drew Anderson, was his 19th of the year. Andy Abad followed Nelson's shot with one of his own, a solo shot to right-center that gave Nashville a 4-3 lead. The back-to-back shots were the Sounds' third set this season and second in three contests. AUDIO: Nelson Game-Tying HR McClung helped his own cause later in the frame when he ripped his first career hit, an opposite-field RBI double off the left field wall that plated Ozzie Chavez. Nashville added a run in the fifth when Gwynn, who had extended his season-best hitting streak to nine games earlier in the contest, doubled to right and scored on an Anderson run-scoring single. Rivera wrapped up the Sounds' scoring in the seventh with a two-out, two-run homer to right-center off Zephyrs reliever Ambiorix Burgos, the backstop's 17th blast of the year. McClung (2-0) allowed three runs on five hits while striking out a season-high eight batters over his five innings of work. Humber (10-9) gave up five runs on four hits in just 3 2/3 innings, only the second time he failed to last at least four frames in an outing this season. The Sounds travel to Round Rock, Texas tomorrow for a four-game road series against the Express (AAA-Astros) before returning to Greer Stadium on Wednesday to open a nine-day, 10-game homestand against Oklahoma and Omaha. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey (10-5, 3.69) will man the bump for the Sounds in Saturday's 7:05 p.m. CT series opener. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Juan Gutierrez (5-9, 3.96). Nashville Box Score: The Sounds will need to make a move to accommodate RHP Chris Spurling's return; Steve Bray another strong outing, and Mitch Stetter has been wonderful in his little LOOGY-sized stints since his return from the D.L.... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_17_nozaaa_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_17_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Starting Pitcher Mark DiFelice: http://www.nashvillesounds.com/audio/2007/Interview%208-17.mp3