Jim Goulart

Thursday's Daily Menu: A welcome break from Milwaukee Brewer baseball on the major league level tonight... All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Mark DiFelice at home vs. New Orleans (Mets), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at West Tenn (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: TBD at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503 West Virginia: Idle Helena: RHP Chad Robinson at home vs. Orem (Angels), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Arizona: Idle

3B Adam Heether LF Matt LaPorta C Lou Palmisano RHP Tim Dillard LHP Steve Hammond RHP David Johnson LHP Mitch Stetter As per Jim Powell on today's broadcast...

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Link while active, text follows: http://www.dailymail.com/story/Sports/2007081638/Days-off-are-important-during-seasons-grind/ Days off are important during season's grindMichael DaileyCharleston Daily Mail sportswriter Every baseball player loves Opening Day. But as the temperature and humidity climb in July and August, it's the occasional day off that quickly becomes a player's best friend. August's smothering humidity and soaring temperatures can take a toll on young baseball prospects, most of whom are playing their first extended professional baseball season. So a day off from the daily grind of a 140-game season is much appreciated on the schedule. Thursday is one such day for the West Virginia Power, who will take a day off before beginning a four-game series Friday night at Lake County. And after eight straight days with a game, including Wednesday night's 7-5 South Atlantic League win over the Charleston RiverDogs, the day of rest couldn't have come at a better time. "Sometimes you feel like an old man in the morning," said West Virginia's Andrew LeFave of the season's daily grind on the body. "People think that playing baseball isn't that physically demanding, but I've played football, basketball, and a long minor league season like this definitely puts some wear and tear on your body. "People don't understand that we come out here everyday at 12 o'clock (noon) and we're out here all day long." For LeFave, a Washington state resident, the summer humidity is the biggest foe. "I'm not used to this humidity, so it took me a while to get used to it," said LeFave, who leads all Class A hitters with a .343 batting average. "It's just the little stuff that you have to watch. Your arm can get sore, your legs get sore, and when they get sore, it's easier to tear something. "You just have to be careful and take care of yourself." Power strength coach Nate Hendrickson and trainer Jeremy Herniman help assure that the players remain ready to play during the season. "You generally see a lot of fatigue this time of year," Hendrickson said. "Guys just aren't used to this many games in a row. They've got to learn quickly how to rest, eat right and stay in shape. "You'll see some overuse problems, like little muscle aches in the legs and lower back as the season progresses. "Our trainer, Jeremy, stays real busy just working out the little bumps and bruises. There's a lot of ice after the game, heat after the game and a lot of stretching. "It's just a matter of taking care of little problems before they become big problems. It's better to have guys taking off a couple days now, than sitting out for two or three weeks later in the season." West Virginia currently has five players that have played 100-plus games this season. Chuckie Caufield (119), Brent Brewer (114), Steve Chapman (113), Kenny Holmberg (105) and LeFave (102) are all over the century mark, while Taylor Green closes in with 97 games played. Some players at the low class A level never have played more than a 70-game minor league short season or 60-game college season. Holmberg, who played 72 games here last season, also feels that "old man" feeling that has visited LeFave this season. "I do from time to time," the infielder said. "If anybody tells you they don't, then they've got (shortstop) Brent Brewer's genes. "A guy like Brewer is blessed with great strength, so it probably doesn't bother as much. But for the rest of us there may be sore arms, aches and bruises and maybe a little dehydration. "It's just little things that we can take care of just by just icing and drinking plenty of fluids. Guys just need to sleep right, eat right and drink right ... just take care of themselves and then come to the yard ready to play and ready to go." The Power was certainly ready to play Wednesday in jumping on the RiverDogs early and often. West Virginia (25-28) led 7-1 after three innings and then held off a late rally in finishing an eight-game homestand with a 6-2 record. Green paced the Power with three hits and a pair of RBI, while John Alonso added a pair of hits and two RBI. Matt LaPorta chipped in with two doubles and an RBI. Power starter Chris Toneguzzi (6-3) went six innings to pick up the win, while Donovan Hand earned his second save. "It was a good homestand for us," LeFave said. "We started to play like we can. We went through a little spell there, but hopefully, we can continue to play well." After four games at Lake County, the Power returns home Tuesday night for a three-game series against Lexington. Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Bob Wojcieszak West Virginia Power second baseman Kenny Holmberg moves into the hole to chase down a grounder during the Power's 7-5 win Wednesday at Appalachian Power Park. http://www.dailymail.com/images/POWDOG0816.jpg

He was acquired from Tampa Bay for RHP Grant Balfour in an exchange of 40-man roster players.

Link while active, text follows: http://www.thecrimson.com/article.aspx?ref=519436 Chasing A Dream Wilson charts course in minor leagues By Loren Amor, Harvard Crimson Staff Writer Many boys dream of someday becoming a Major League baseball player. As the years go by, most of those dreams dissipate, leaving only a few with the hope of making it to The Show. But for some, like former Harvard third baseman Steffan Wilson, the dream is worth holding on to, no matter how remote it may seem. After being selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 28th round of the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft on June 8, Wilson chose to sign a contract with the Brewers, thereby forgoing his senior season with the Crimson. For Wilson, it meant the opportunity to play professionally and chase a promotion to the big leagues, his goal since the first time he picked up a bat. A TOUGH DECISION Despite being named the Ivy League's best professional prospect by Baseball America before the 2007 season, Wilson's choice to leave Harvard early was hardly clear-cut. His junior campaign was subpar by his standards and failed to live up to the preseason hype. Although he batted .331, he managed only three home runs and 17 RBI with a .484 slugging percentage-all career lows for the powerful right-handed hitter. Had Wilson stayed with the Crimson another season, he might have been able to improve on those numbers and, consequently, his draft status. "It was definitely a tough decision and I talked to [Harvard coach Joe Walsh] about it," Wilson said. "He was supportive of whatever I decided to do. It's tough because I lived with some of the guys on the [Harvard] team and I loved living with those guys." But in the end Wilson made the jump. He signed a minor league contract with the Brewers and was assigned to the organization's rookie-level affiliate, the Helena Brewers, in the distant Pioneer League. Wilson's move surprised some in scouting circles. "He's not a prospect," said Keith Law, ESPN.com columnist and senior baseball analyst for Scouts Inc., via e-mail. "I was shocked that he came out early, especially after that bad junior year." But despite some negative evaluations, those closest to Wilson-including his Harvard coaches and teammates-fully endorsed his decision, insisting that by going pro Wilson is now where he belongs. "We all knew from watching him take [batting practice] every day that he's been a pro hitter ever since he showed up at Harvard," said rising senior pitcher Shawn Haviland. A NEW START Wilson made a big first impression in the Pioneer League. After mediocre showings in his first few games, Wilson went on a tear, bringing a seven-game hitting streak into Helena's July 14 game against the Casper Rockies. In his first at-bat, he smashed a two-run shot over the left field wall for his first professional home run. The next day, he hit two more longballs. By the time July came to a close, Wilson had established himself as a power threat and a mainstay in the Brewers lineup, finishing up the month batting .389 with five home runs and 22 RBI. His hitting prowess helped Helena secure a berth into the Pioneer League playoffs as the first half's North Division champs. "I've enjoyed watching him play," said Steve Wendt, Helena's Director of Broadcasting and Media Relations and the voice of the Brewers on local radio. "He plays extremely hard every day. He handles himself in a very professional manner." Wilson's torrid run has abated lately, and his batting average is down to .352 through August 14. But according to Wendt, struggling is just as much a part of the learning process for a young player as success. "He was so hot that the baseball gods aren't going to let you stay like that," Wendt said. "You can tell [Wilson] is a rookie level player because he's pressing a little bit right now, but I'm very impressed with how he handles himself." On top of adjusting to the professional game at the plate, and moving to Montana, Wilson has also had to adapt to the lifestyle of a minor leaguer. So far, it appears that the transition has been a smooth one. Without having to deal with the academic rigors that he faced at Harvard, Wilson is now able to focus solely on baseball. "I joke with him. I say, 'This must be easy now that you don't have to worry about your course load at Harvard,'" Wendt said. "You see a lot of these guys where it is kind of a weight lifted off their shoulders." Wilson has also enjoyed some of the perks of the pro game. "We clinched [the Pioneer League playoff berth] and there was champagne waiting for us in the locker room," he said. "We don't get to do that in college necessarily. Just the way pro ball is run in general is a style I really like." CLIMBING THE LADDER Although Wilson has found success with the Brewers thus far, he has no designs on playing rookie ball forever. Like every other player toiling in the minors, Wilson hopes to some day make it to the big leagues. How realistic those hopes are remains to be seen. At 6'1 and 220 pounds, Wilson certainly has the build of a major leaguer, and he has shown the ability to drive the ball with power. He has also played extensively at first base as well as third, demonstrating his versatility in the field. But with no shortage of slugging corner infielders in the minor league ranks, Wilson will have to prove himself at every level and distinguish himself from the rest of the pack. "[Playing in the majors is] everybody's dream," Wilson said. "It's tough because when you get here you see so many good players. The minor league system is absolutely necessary to see who can keep climbing the ladder." Wendt thinks that while Wilson's rise through the system may not be meteoric, he may have the talent to one day latch on with a major league team, whether it's Milwaukee or another club. "To me Steffan's a guy who can make it to the higher levels of the minor leagues and from there you never know," Wendt said. "The goal is to get to the major leagues and not always with the team who drafted you." Wilson has little to refer to in the way of precedent: There are only a handful of former Crimson players in the minor league system and the last Harvard product to reach the major leagues was Jeff Musselman '85. If Wilson wants to make it out of the Pioneer League, he will have to become somewhat of a pioneer himself and create his own identity as a pro. "Hopefully I'm able to push through it and do it," Wilson said. "Maybe only in dreams, but right now it's a dream just to be playing."

http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20070816&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=708160372&Ref=AR&Profile=1328&MaxW=525&MaxH=390&title=1 Photo of Adam Pettyjohn by DIPTI VAIDYA / THE TENNESSEAN)

Link while active, text follows: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/SPORTS0401/708160372/1328/SPORTS Pettyjohn allows one hit in victory By TYLER BLANK Tennessean Staff Writer The only thing hotter than the weather Wednesday was Sounds starter Adam Pettyjohn. Pettyjohn carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and allowed only one hit in the Sounds' 7-3 win over New Orleans at Greer Stadium. It might have been a good thing that Pettyjohn didn't record a perfect game. Few would have been there to see it. No more than 100 fans were sitting in the stands as a game-time temperature of 103 degrees reached 108 on the scoreboard by the seventh inning. "I knew about it," Pettyjohn said of the perfect game. "But I didn't care about the no-hitter, perfect game. I cared more about the defense getting out (of the inning), and getting them back swinging the bat." A double that sneaked down the left-field line by Fernando Tatis was the only play that could break up Pettyjohn's shot at perfection. "With the heat like it was, I just wanted to throw strikes and keep the defense out there as little as I could," Pettyjohn said. "Our defense did a great job." Pettyjohn lasted seven innings with three strikeouts and used only 93 pitches to record his 10th win with the Sounds this season. "I've been able to get ahead with all my pitches," Pettyjohn said. "I was able to force the issue with the hitters by throwing strikes, making them put the ball in play." The Sounds' bats were also hot. Back-to-back home runs by Mike Rivera and Laynce Nix opened the scoring in the second inning. Nashville pounced again in the fifth on a Drew Anderson double that drove in Callix Crabbe and Pettyjohn. The Sounds got some insurance in the seventh on an Jose Macias' first home run of the year, followed later in the inning by a two-RBI single by Vinny Rottino. *** Link while active, text follows: http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070816/SPORTS0401/708160371/1328/SPORTS Outfielder Gross promoted to Brewers By TYLER BLANK Tennessean Staff Writer Sounds outfielder Gabe Gross was promoted to Milwaukee prior to Wednesday's game and was expected to be in uniform for the Brewers' game against the Cardinals at St. Louis on Wednesday night. Former Sound Chris Spurling was designated for assignment. Spurling was 2-1 with a 4.91 ERA in 38 relief appearances with Milwaukee. The transaction most likely follows Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder's three-game suspension for arguing a call Sunday. Fielder app-ealed the suspension, which allows him to stay in the lineup until his appeal is heard. Tony Gwynn Jr. was activated to fill Gross' spot on the Sounds' roster. He had missed the past nine games because of a left hamstring strain. Gross hit .355 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 games with the Sounds. Double-digit wins: Adam Pettyjohn earned his 10th win Wednesday to join R.A. Dickey (10-5) as the only Sounds teammates to record double-digit win totals in the same season since 2003. Nelson Figueroa and Ryan Vogelsong had 12 wins each in 2003 (Pirates organization). What a day: The Sounds are 15-13 overall and 9-3 at home in day games this year. Solid pitching: Sounds pitchers have thrown 980 strikeouts this season, which leads the PCL. They are on pace to record 1,444 strikeouts this season, which would overtake the franchise-record of 1,117 set in 2005. Nashville pitchers also lead the PCL with a 3.56 ERA, the league's only mark lower than a 4.00 ERA. The pitching staff also leads the PCL with 10 shutouts. Back-to-back: Catcher Mike Rivera and centerfielder Laynce Nix hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning, only the second time this season the Sounds have hit back-to-back homers. Rivera has been involved with both of them. Rivera and former Sound Joe Dillon hit back-to-back shots May 20 in a 5-2 win against Albuquerque at Greer Stadium.

Pettyjohn loses perfect game, but Sounds down Zephyrs BY NATE RAU, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent On the day news broke that the city's baseball team may eventually become the Cool Springs Sounds and with temperatures eclipsing triple digits, Nashville downed New Orleans 7-3 in front of a crowd in the dozens at Greer Stadium on Wednesday. Sounds starter Adam Pettyjohn had a perfect game going before he gave up a double to Fernando Tatis with one out in the seventh. The Zephyrs scored their three runs in the ninth. "I wanted to keep my defense out there as little as I could so they were in the heat as little as possible," Pettyjohn said. With the win, Nashville (74-50) maintained a 4 1/2 game lead in the Pacific Coast League American Northern Division. The Sounds' pursuit of a third straight playoff berth only underscores the duality of the franchise's fortunes the last few years. In the last year, the Sounds' plans to build a riverfront stadium fell through and now the team is entrenched in financial disputes with Metro Nashville and First Tennessee Bank and is being sued by architectural firm HOK. Then earlier this week Nashville general manager Glenn Yaeger and Franklin mayor Tom Miller admitted the two sides have had "very, very informal" talks about the possibility of the Sounds moving to the Cool Springs area. But while the team's stadium situation has soured, the Sounds have maintained a high level of success as the Triple A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Nashville has reached the PCL playoffs the last two years, including winning the league in 2005. The team has also seen several top prospects come through Music City in the form of Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Corey Hart, Yovani Gallardo and Ryan Braun, among others. Mike Rivera and Laynce Nix hit back-to-back home runs in the second inning to get the Sounds on the scoreboard. The Sounds added two runs in the fifth and three more in the seventh. CHAVEZ HURT: Sounds third baseman Ozzie Chavez wasn't paying attention and had a ball hit his face after the team was throwing it around the horn following a routine pop fly. Chavez had a fat lip, but was OK. HEAT HURTS ATTENDANCE: The Sounds listed attendance at 2,581 but there was far less than that actually in the stands. The game time temperature was 102 degrees. GROSS PROMOTED: The Milwaukee Brewers promoted Gabe Gross on Wednesday morning and activated Tony Gwynn from the disabled list to take his place. The Brewers designated relief pitcher Chris Spurling for assignment in order to clear room for Gross. Milwaukee sent down Gross down to Nashville last month after he struggled in limited action in the big leagues. With the Sounds, Gross proved himself by hitting .355 with four homers in 20 games. Gwynn went on the disabled list Aug. 5 with a strained hamstring. He was not in the starting lineup for the Sounds but got notched a pinch hit.

MiLB.com: Manatees pitch past Hammerheads Rafael Lluberes and two relievers combined on a six-hitter as Brevard County topped visiting Jupiter, 5-2, on Wednesday. Lluberes (6-8) yielded two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out four over six innings in his first win since June 28. Kevin Roberts fanned five over two perfect frames, and Patrick Ryan pitched around a hit in the ninth inning for his third save. Freddie Parejo went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Chris Errecart smacked a solo homer, his ninth, in the second for the Manatees (26-23), who snapped a six-game losing streak. Kris Harvey smacked an RBI double in the third, and Chris Coghlan followed with a run-scoring single for the Hammerheads (22-26). James Brauer (0-4) surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and three walks over 5 2/3 innings for the loss. -- Alan Friedman/MLB.com

Final: Arizona Brewers 7, Arizona Cubs 2 Arizona Box Score: New CF Scott Houin gets his first AB's as a Brewer and reaches twice; Edgar Trejo, who just turned 18, is rounding back to his exciting early-season hot-hitting ways -- notice that he played SS in this one, nice; RHP Luis Guerrero (ERA 3.15) is limiting batters to a .228 average, but he's walked 29 and struck out only 23 in 34.1 IP -- his ground ball ratio isn't spectacular either, but since he's barely 17, he's still worth noting... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_brrrok_cubrok_1 Arizona Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_brrrok_cubrok_1

Link while active, text follows: http://www.standard.net/live/sports/111315/ Silver linings Raptors bust streak, but lose fourth straight game By Roy Burton Ogden Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN -- The Raptors brought an end to Jonathan Lucroy's 18-game hitting streak, but they couldn't avoid being swept by Helena and dropping their fourth straight game. The Brewers got strong outings from pitchers Robert Bryson and Bobby Bramhall to defeat Ogden 4-2 Wednesday at Lindquist Field. Lucroy's streak was the second-longest in the Pioneer League this season. Last year, the Raptors ended the current Pioneer League record 32-game streak of Billings' Chris Valaika. It was a relatively quiet night for a game featuring five of the Pioneer League's top 10 hitters for average, the home run leader (Ogden's Travis Vetters) and the saves leader (Bryson). Helena southpaw Bramhall (3-0) shut down the Raptors for five innings of scoreless ball in relief for the win, closing out the Brewers' three-game sweep of Ogden. "The lefty did an outstanding job for them," Carter said. Bramhall allowed just three hits while striking out four. The Raptors had runners on the corners with one out in the seventh but Bramhall struck out Yovanny Rosario and got Erik Kanaby to ground out to short. Vetters doubled in the ninth to bring the tying run to the plate, but Ogden got no closer. Austin Gallagher and Vetters collected two hits each for the Raptors. Bryson, the Pioneer League leader in saves with eight, made his second start for Helena, striking out four in four innings and allowing two runs and five hits. Ogden starter Kris Krise faced the minimum number of batters through 4 2/3 innings despite allowing four base runners in that stretch. The same Raptors defense that had committed eight errors in the first two games of the series turned double plays in three straight innings and Krise picked a runner off second in the first. Neither team committed an error in the game. After the previous defensive fiascoes, a little glovework was a pleasure to see, Ogden manager Jeff Carter said. "We did some things well, played some good defense. We just made a mistake here and there, couldn't put anything together offensively," Carter said. A hit batter and four consecutive singles in the fifth with two outs broke up Krise's streak and the shutout. Eric Fryer collected a two-RBI single with the bases loaded and Mike Goetz added another single to give Helena a 3-2 lead. Krise left after five innings, having allowed three runs on six hits and two hit batters. Raptors first baseman Jaime Ortiz scooped a throw out of the dirt for the final out of the seventh to keep Ogden within one run but Steffan Wilson drove in an insurance run in the eighth off reliever Cal Stanke. It was the only run Stanke allowed in three innings. Kalen Gearhart pitched a scoreless final inning.

Final: Helena 4, Ogden (Dodgers) 2 Brewers rally past Raptors in 5th By Helena Independent Record Staff with notes from MiLB.com OGDEN, Utah - Eric Fryer cracked a two-run single as the Helena Brewers scored three runs in the fifth to rally past Ogden 4-2 Wednesday night. Fryer's single came during a two-out rally after Steffan Wilson grounded into a double play. Curt Rindal was hit by a pitch and Zelous Wheeler and Kurt Crowell both singled before Fryer came up to bat. He placed a fly ball to center field that scored Rindal and Wheeler for the 2-2 tie. Mike Goetz batted in Crowell for the winning run with a single to right field. Bobby Bramhall secured the win on the mound. The Helena pitcher finished the final five innings, giving up just three hits while striking out four, allowing no runs. A 22-year-old southpaw, Bramhall retired the first seven batters he faced before Andre Gallagher doubled with one out in the seventh. Justin Fuller followed with a single to put runners on the corners, but Bramhall retired the next two batters to get out of the jam. Bramhall came in for Robert Bryson, who gave up five hits and two runs over four innings. He had four strikeouts and one walk. The Raptors led after Austin Gallagher and Erik Kanaby both scored on singles in the second. Kanaby batted in Gallagher with a single to center before he advanced to second on a balk by Bryson. He would be brought in on a fly ball to center field by Jaime Pedroza. Wilson added some insurance for Helena in the eighth when he hit a single to score Goetz. Goetz led the Brewers, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Fryer was 2-4 with his two RBI. Helena's Jonathan Lucroy went 0-for-4, ending his hitting streak at 18 games, two shy of the Pioneer League season high. The 21-year-old catcher / designated hitter is batting .356. The Brewers are back to .500 with an 8-8 record after winning the first half of the season crown in the Pioneer League's Northern Division. Ogden drops their record to 7-9. The Brewers will continue play against Southern Division foes but returns home today to host the Orem Owlz (8-8) at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central) at Kindrick Legion Field. Helena Box Score: Check out the Helena lineup's batting averages, with the biggest game coming from catcher Eric Fryer, hitting .216; LHP Bobby Bramhall's most recent two appearances -- 11 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 12 K's... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_helrok_ogdrok_1 Helena Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_helrok_ogdrok_1

Helena leads 3-2 after seven, and the Arizona kids lead 3-0 early on behind the most promising of the A-Crew pitchers, RHP Luis Guerrero, less than two months past his 17th birthday. Details in the AM or during the overnight, which has been a pleasant bonus on the assistance as of late -- don't feel obligated to stay up http://static.yuku.com/v2//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/smile.gif

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 7, Huntsville 3 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- http://www.huntsvillestars.com/news/news.asp?newsId=1320 Fister Fine and Dandy in Downing Stars Doug Fister tossed a complete-game eight-hitter and Brent Johnson chipped in with three hits and two runs batted in to lead West Tenn to a 7-3 win over Huntsville Wednesday night in the second of a five-game set at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx snapped a four-game skid and improved to 20-32 in the second half, while the Stars slipped to 32-20 in the second half but maintained their three-game lead in the North Division over Chattanooga, which fell at home to Tennessee earlier in the day. Johnson led off the home first with an opposite field home run to right field, his sixth of the season, before Mike Wilson tripled with one out and scored on a Marshall Hubbard sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Wilson's leadoff home run in the fourth pushed the home side's edge to 3-0 and gave him long balls in each of the first two games of the series. Fister blanked the Stars through 4 1/3 hitless innings before Brendan Katin blasted a home run to left-center field, his 22nd of the season, second in as many nights and sixth against Jaxx pitching in 16 games, to get the visitors on the board. Adam Heether singled in Alcides Escobar in the seventh, as both extended their hitting streaks to eight games in the inning, to cut the Diamond Jaxx' lead to 3-2 but was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double. That would prove costly after Katin singled and Michael Brantley beat out a bunt base hit before Ryan Crew grounded out to end the inning. The Diamond Jaxx extended the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the frame on a run-scoring single by Johnson, who collected the third of three straight singles. Miller lasted 6 2/3 innings and was lifted with runners at the corners in favor of Luis Pena, who hit Wilson to load the bases before giving up a two-run single to Hubbard that extended the Diamond Jaxx lead to 6-2. Jesus Merchan finished the scoring for the home team with a long ball in the eighth inning off Vince Perkins, the 100th home run allowed by the Stars this season. Fister gave up a run in the ninth on a single by Katin before getting Brantley to ground into a game-ending double play, the second he bounced into in the game. Fister struck out five, walked one and lasted longer than seven innings for a first time in 21 starts. He had allowed eight runs on 13 hits over seven innings in his first two starts against the Stars. The series continues Thursday night, as left-hander Lindsay Gulin takes the hill for Huntsville against West Tenn southpaw Justin Thomas. 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 Pre-Game Media Notes: http://www.huntsvillestars.com/images/pdf/GameNotes.pdf Huntsville Box Score: Brendan Katin 3-for-3 with a walk; Derek Miller allowed 10 hits, but walked none and struck out eight in his 6 2/3 inning stint... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_hunaax_wtdaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_hunaax_wtdaax_1

Final: West Virginia 7, Charleston (Yankees) 5 Thank goodness for early runs... West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER HOLD OFF RIVERDOGS The Charleston Riverdogs scored the final four runs of Wednesday night's game at Appalachian Power Park, but they were not able to overcome a 7-1 deficit as West Virginia took the final game of the series with a 7-5 victory. The Riverdogs took an early lead in the first inning when Kevin Smith grounded into a 4-6-3 double play which scored Mitch Hilligoss. The Power answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Matt LaPorta drove in the first run with a double and Andrew LeFave scored on Taylor Green's groundout. Martin Maldonado ripped a two-out RBI double in the second inning to give the Power a 3-1 edge. West Virginia scored their final four runs in the bottom of the third. Green ripped a one-out single that scored LaPorta and Green scored later in the inning on Steve Chapman's sacrifice fly. John Alonso capped the four-run frame with a two-run base hit. Hilligoss doubled in a run for the Riverdogs in the fifth inning and Joe Muich hit a solo homer in the sixth inning. Brian Aragon ripped an RBI double in the eighth inning and Muich struck again in the ninth inning with a run scoring single. Chris Toneguzzi (6-3) tossed six solid innings, allowing three runs on seven hits to get the win, Donovan Hand (2) got the save and Ivan Nova (6-7) was tagged with the loss after surrendering seven runs on ten hits through three innings. The Power improved to 73-47 overall and 25-28 in the second half, while the Riverdogs fell to 67-55 overall and 30-22 in the second half. Taylor Green went 3-for-4 and finished the home stand going 14-for-27. Matt LaPorta and John Alonso also had multi-hit games. Eight Power players hit safely. The Power are off on Thursday but will begin a four game series against the Lake County Captains at Classic Park on Friday night. The Power will start right hander Shawn Ferguson (3-1, 3.32). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Matt LaPorta two doubles, on base three times; Taylor Green (.328) has gone from # 9 hitter maniac for the early months of the season to your new Power cleanup hitter -- the kid and his .915 OPS won't be 21 until November, as Green is easily the organization's Breakout Player of the Year for 2007... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_hunaax_wtdaax_1 West Virginia Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_crdafx_wvaafx_1

Final: Brevard County 5, Jupiter (Marlins) 2 Brevard County Box Score: Starter Rafael Lluberes still walks too many, and he doesn't bail out his defense often enough (15 unearned runs allowed this season), but he manages to limit the damage more often than not; Freddy Parejo, a fan favorite in Melbourne, with three hits, including a double... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_jupafa_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: Yohannis Perez steals home as part of a successful double steal in the 2nd; RF Lorenzo Cain nails a runner at the plate in the 4th; Mat Gamel was called out on strikes to end the 7th, which prompted Manager John Tamargo's ejection; two big insurance runs in the 8th, but Parejo was picked off 3rd base to end the inning... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_jupafa_breafa_1

More from David Weiser, pre-game Huntsville: Mel Stocker led the Stars to their 12th win in 15 games, becoming the first Huntsville Star to get five hits in a game since Kevin Barker in 2001 and the first leadoff hitter on the Stars to collect five hits in a game in the Milwaukee-era....... Stocker also became the 2nd player this season to score four runs in a game. (Drew Anderson scored 4 vs. Montgomery on May 30)........ Stocker's 32nd stolen base of the year was also his 5th straight game with a stolen base, setting a club record....... He and Hernan Iribarren have a combined 20 triples this season, giving the Stars 38 for the season, and drawing them closer to the record of 42, set by the 1989 Stars......Carlos Corporan's three-run HR off reliever Craig James in the 9th was his first since May 10. That was also a three-run job....... Ryan Crew, playing regularly for the first time since he joined the Stars on June 3 when Drew Anderson was promoted, has hit safely in six straight and in nine of his last 11 games. He's 10-for-23 (.435) on his hitting streak with six RBIs and six runs scored. He's struck out just twice........ Adam Heether is working on a seven-game hitting streak (10-for-29)........ So is Alcides Escobar (13-for-31, .419)......... The Stars' pitching crew, with the best strikeout-walk ratio in the league (2.69:1), issued a season-high 10 walks, Tuesday night. They walked 10 Diamond Jaxx in the first game of a double-header on July 2, and have issued 52 walks in their last seven games at The Big Chip. *** David is amazing as usual. How he would know a record as obscure as consecutive games with a stolen base on the night it's broken is well, just David being David. Thanks as always!

LHP Rafael Lluberes your Manatee starter tonight -- 2-2 after three innings, Chris Errecart a solo HR, his 9th.

Quotes from MiLB.com: "You know, it was so hot today that I wasn't even thinking about a perfect game or a no-hitter," said Sounds' LHP Adam Pettyjohn. "I was just trying to zone in and stay focused. The heat gets to you a lot quicker than when it's just 90 degrees, or a night game. And when it really felt the worst, for me, was in between innings." Pettyjohn struck out three batters over his seven innings, and lowered his ERA to 3.43 in 14 starts with the Sounds (74-50). The Arizona native has earned a victory in seven of his last eight outings, and his 14 total victories on the season are tied for the most in the Minor Leagues. "Today was just about getting ahead and making them swing the bat," said Pettyjohn. "I had a good sinker, got my slider over, mixed in the cutter, and was able to keep them off of the fastball." "I think the main part of my success this season has been that I'm able to go out there with my whole arsenal every start. I haven't had to eliminate one of my pitches because I wasn't able to find it or locate it properly."

Joe Thatcher tossed two scoreless innings in the Padres' 8-0 victory over Colorado Tuesday night, his ERA is still at 0.00 after his first five big league appearances, covering five innings.

Helena Press Release: Topps Names Gindl Player of the Month HELENA - Topps named Helena Brewers outfielder Caleb Gindl as its Topps Player of the Month in the Pioneer League for his achievements and contributions during the month of July as Helena secured a playoff berth. The Helena Brewers earned a playoff spot by winning the first half in the Pioneer League's North Division and Gindl was a pivotal force in the Brewers' surge in the standings. Gindl, who is in his first professional season, hit .404 in July. Although Gindl played in just 15 games during the month, the 18-year-old had 23 hits and 15 RBIs. Gindl had six multi-hit games last month including a season-high four hits on July 23 against the Casper Rockies. In addition to his offensive accomplishments, Gindl did not commit an error in the field during the month. Gindl, a resident of Pace, FL, currently leads the league in batting average (.397), on-base percentage (.431) and is second in slugging percentage (.630); he also leads the Brewers with 35 RBIs.

Final: Nashville 7, New Orleans (Mets) 3 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Adam Pettyjohn photo, text follows -- http://www.nashvillesounds.com/news/news.asp?newsId=2509 Pettyjohn Dominant Again In 7-3 Sounds Victory NASHVILLE - Adam Pettyjohn carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and three Nashville batters hit home runs to lead the Sounds to a 7-3 victory over the New Orleans Zephyrs on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium. Pettyjohn (10-3) retired the first 19 batters in order before Fernando Tatis broke up his perfect game bid with a one-out double down the left field line in the top of the seventh inning that just eluded the outstretched glove of third baseman Jose Macias. It was the only hit the southpaw allowed over his seven scoreless innings of work. The left-hander picked up his seventh win in his last eight trips to the hill and earned his 14th overall win of the year to pull into a tie for the minor-league lead. He lowered his ERA to 3.43 through 14 starts with the Sounds. With the victory, Nashville (74-50) temporarily upped its lead in the PCL American Conference Northern Division to five games over Iowa, which plays at Omaha later Wednesday evening. The teams battled sweltering heat all afternoon as a 103-degree first pitch temperature rose as high as 106 during the game. The Sounds took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a pair of back-to-back homers against New Orleans starter Dave Williams. Catcher Mike Rivera led off with a line-drive solo shot to left and outfielder Laynce Nix (3-for-4) followed with a solo bomb down the right field line. The longballs were their 16th and 17th of the season, respectively, and were Nashville's second set of back-to-back jacks in 2007. AUDIO: Laynce Nix Home Run Drew Anderson doubled the Nashville advantage to 4-0 in the fifth with a two-run, two-out, opposite-field double down the left field line that plated Pettyjohn and Callix Crabbe. Nashville added three more runs against Williams in the bottom of the seventh. Macias (2-for-3) led off the frame with his first home run of the year, a solo shot to left-center. Vinny Rottino (2-for-4) plated a pair of runs with a two-run single later in the frame to up the lead to 7-0 and chase the left-hander from the contest. Zephyrs outfielder Chad Hermansen broke up the Sounds' bid for their league-leading 11th shutout of the season by belting a two-out, three-run home run to left off reliever Marino Salas to bring the score to its final 7-3. The blast was the 11th of the year for Nashville's all-time home run leader; Hermansen belted 92 roundtrippers as a member of the Sounds during parts of five seasons from 1998-2002. Williams (2-2) took the loss after giving up seven runs on 11 hits over his 6 1/3 innings of work for the Z's. The teams continue the series with a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday evening at Greer. Right-hander Mark DiFelice (2-1, 2.78) will man the bump for Nashville to face Z's southpaw Adam Bostick (5-5, 5.49). Nashville Box Score: How Mike Rivera homered on a day when he probably lost ten pounds behind the plate is beyond me; we just finished talking up Marino Salas, so it just proves how impossible it is to be great every time out; the Adam Pettyjohn story continues to be amazing... http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_nozaaa_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_log&gid=2007_08_15_nozaaa_nasaaa_1

Huntsville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_hunaax_wtdaax_1 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_jupafa_breafa_1&did=t503&sid=t503 West Virginia: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_crdafx_wvaafx_1 Helena: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_helrok_ogdrok_1 Arizona: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2007_08_15_brrrok_cubrok_1

Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller at West Tenn (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: TBD at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503 West Virginia: RHP Chris Toneguzzi at home vs. Charleston (Yankees), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Helena: RHP Robert Bryson at Ogden (Dodgers), 7:45 PM pre-game, 8:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Arizona: TBD at the baby Cubs' complex in Scottsdale, 7:00 PM local time in Arizona, 9:00 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games