Jim Goulart

The Brewers have released 2004 4th round pick RHP Josh Baker, who was drafted out of Rice University, and has battled injury the last year plus. Even prior to his injury, Baker's 2005 season at West Virginia was disappointing. That was the Brewers' pitching heavy draft at the top -- Mark Rogers in the first round and Josh Wahpepah in the 3rd. That draft has a chance to be very promising still, as evidenced by names like Salome, Cain and Ford on the linked list below. And oh yeah, some kid with an unusual first name taken in the 2nd round: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPic...;draftId=5

Saturday's Helena KCAP Audio Pre-Game Interview with Manager Jeff Isom: Be sure you're on the July 14th archive, then go to the 15:00 minute mark -- web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Covering the bases Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times Twice since the second half of the season began, Stars manager Don Money has admonished his team about complacency. Huntsville won the first-half Southern League North title, but in the words of Yogi Berra, it ain't over till it's over. "I swear (a letdown) was happening," Money said of the early stages in the second half. A low point was a doubleheader loss July 2 at West Tenn. The Stars then won seven of their next eight, going into Saturday night's game at Chattanooga. "It's been a good year so far, but the goal is to win, to have the best year you can," Money said Saturday at his team hotel. "The pitching and the offense still have to improve. The goal is to get to the big leagues and they can't forget that. But it's so easy to have that letdown." ... Stars coach Sandy Guerrero and brother Mike were the winning managers in their respective league's all-star games, with Sandy leading the North over the South last Monday in the Southern League game and Mike, the manager for Milwaukee's West Virginia Power, winning the South Atlantic League game. There have been countless brother acts playing on the same winning team, but there's no record to be found if two brothers have managed winning All-Star teams the same year. ... New shortstop Alicides Escobar won Thursday's game in Chattanooga with a clutch triple, but two subtle but difficult defensive plays saved Friday's win. He's a free swinger who'll stick at No. 8 in the lineup as he adapts to Double-A pitching. ... Lou Palmisano was 21-for-51 against Chattanooga pitching this season going into Saturday's game, with four of his nine homers against the Lookouts. ... Money's experience as a coach in last Sunday's Futures Game at San Francisco was a tremendous one -- until the trip home. "Mechanical problems" canceled his connecting flight from Dallas into Huntsville and delayed his arrival home eight hours. ... Money reports that the U.S. team manager, Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, "seems like a good guy. He's an old-school guy, like me." Money spent some time with Winfield bemoaning some of the changes in the game, like the lack of emphasis on pregame infield practice these days. ... Surely Money's selection as coach will elevate his profile throughout baseball, though he says he is content in the Brewers organization, where he spent much of his major league playing career. ... The Stars' trading card set is now available at the stadium and online through huntsvillestars.com. Around the league Chin-Lung Hu, arguably the first-half MVP, has been promoted from Jacksonville to Triple-A. The Korean shortstop was also MVP in last Sunday's Futures Game. ... Jay Bruce, who played for the U.S. team in the Futures Game, was also just promoted from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A this week. He's one of a number of top-flight players in the Southern League promoted around the All-Star break. Others include: Chattanooga infielder Paul Janish, Mobile pitcher Greg Smith, Mississippi pitchers Jose Ascanio and Joey Devine and Tennessee outfielder Josh Kroeger. ... And what is Evan Longoria (.306, 18 HR, 63 RBIs) still doing at Montgomery? ... Birmingham's Jack Egbert added to his league-leading strikeout total with a season-high 13 Ks against Jacksonville, giving him 114 in 116 innings. Brewings Triple-A Nashville Sounds (56-36 before Saturday's play, first place in Pacific Coast League American Division): 1B Brad Nelson .265, 12 HRs, 38 RBIs. Single-A Brevard County Manatees (13-9, first place in second half in Florida State East Division): 3B Mat Gamel, who had a 33-game hit streak ended on July 8, .307, 3 HRs, 37 RBIs, 29 doubles Single-A West Virginia Power (12-10, second in South Atlantic League Northern Division this half): P Jeremy Jeffress, the Brewers' No. 1 pick in '06, 5-3 with 2.85 ERA On deck The Stars are at Chattanooga today at 1 p.m. to end the road trip, then are off Monday. They open a five-game homestand Tuesday against Tennessee. Saturday's 7:05 game will be Youth Jersey Night.

Standings through Saturday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 57 36 .613 - 31-14 26-22 W1 Iowa 50 43 .538 7.0 29-19 21-24 L3 Omaha 45 49 .479 12.5 30-16 15-33 W5 Memphis 40 54 .426 17.5 21-27 19-27 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Huntsville 13 11 .542 - 5-5 8-6 W6 Chattanooga 12 12 .500 1.0 6-8 6-4 L5 Tennessee 12 12 .500 1.0 9-5 3-7 W1 Carolina 11 13 .458 2.0 5-5 6-8 W3 West Tenn 8 16 .333 5.0 6-8 2-8 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 13 10 .565 - 5-3 8-7 L2 Palm Beach 11 11 .500 1.5 5-8 6-3 L1 Jupiter 10 12 .455 2.5 5-4 5-8 L3 Daytona 10 13 .435 3.0 5-6 5-7 L1 St. Lucie 9 13 .409 3.5 4-9 5-4 L2 Vero Beach 5 17 .227 7.5 2-7 3-10 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 15 7 .682 - 8-2 7-5 W3 West Virginia 13 10 .565 2.5 7-4 6-6 W2 Lake County 12 10 .545 3.0 6-6 6-4 W1 Hickory 12 11 .522 3.5 8-6 4-5 L2 Delmarva 10 12 .455 5.0 5-7 5-5 L1 Lexington 10 13 .435 5.5 8-6 2-7 W1 Hagerstown 7 15 .318 8.0 3-7 4-8 L2 Greensboro 7 16 .304 8.5 4-5 3-11 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 17 8 .680 - 11-3 6-5 W6 Helena 15 10 .600 2.0 5-6 10-4 W1 Billings 11 14 .440 6.0 7-6 4-8 W2 Missoula 10 15 .400 7.0 5-7 5-8 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 13 5 .722 - 11-3 2-2 W1 AZL Mariners 13 6 .684 0.5 7-2 6-4 L3 AZL Padres 12 6 .667 1.0 6-2 6-4 W2 AZL Cubs 11 8 .579 2.5 6-3 5-5 W5 AZL Giants 9 10 .474 4.5 5-4 4-6 L1 AZL Rangers 8 11 .421 5.5 4-5 4-6 W1 AZL Royals 8 11 .421 5.5 3-5 5-6 W1 AZL Athletics 6 13 .316 7.5 3-6 3-7 L1 AZL Brewers 4 14 .222 9.0 1-8 3-6 L6

Follow Sunday'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: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_gboafx_1 Helena: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1 Arizona: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_mrnrok_1

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

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Mark DiFelice at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 5:45 PM pre-game; 6:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Sam Narron at Chattanooga (Reds), 1:00 PM pre-game; 1:15 gametime Audio link: www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: LHP David Welch at home vs. Dunedin (Blue Jays), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503 West Virginia: LHP Mike Ramlow at Greensboro (Marlins), 3:50 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at Casper (Rockies), 4:50 PM pre-game, 5:05 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Arizona: TBD in Peoria at the Mariners' complex, 10:30 AM local time in Arizona, 12:30 Central; never any audio for Arizona Rookie League games

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Perhaps they're just thinking about Manny's innings for the season as well. Take advantage of the AAA All-Star break, that type of thing. Nashville's media notes list Parra as the starter Monday in New Orleans.

Where is the best place to get up to date box scores for Helena? Be sure to check out our "Link Reports" each and every day. The Link Report threads are featured prominently in this forum, thanks.

Link while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....328/SPORTS Sounds' big first inning holds up for win By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Baseball is a nine-inning game, but the Sounds needed only one to get past visiting Memphis on Saturday night. Joe Dillon doubled with the bases loaded and scored on a wild pitch to key a four-run first inning as the Sounds won 5-2. The victory, in front of a Greer Stadium announced crowd of 9,327, was the sixth in Nashville's last seven outings. The Sounds now have a season-high seven-game lead over Iowa in the Pacific Coast League's American Northern Division. Dillon paced a nine-hit attack for the Sounds; every offensive starter had a hit. "You always want to jump on a guy early," Dillon said of Nashville's early success against Memphis starter Mike Smith (8-8). "It's nice to go out in the first inning and score a few runs." The Sounds answered Nick Stavinoha's second-inning leadoff homer against starter Adam Pettyjohn (5-2) with a run in the bottom of the inning. Pettyjohn reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Drew Anderson's double. That was the extent of the offense for Nashville, which stranded seven runners ? three in scoring position. "We wasted some opportunities," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "We were 0-for-4 with runners at third base and less than two outs." Added Dillon: "We didn't do a very good job of situational hitting. We should have had 10 or 12 runs." Pettyjohn scattered five hits over 5 2/3 innings to win his second straight start. "(After the home run) I just wanted to continue to throw strikes," said Pettyjohn, who had thrown 14 scoreless innings against the Redbirds in two previous career starts. Pettyjohn and relievers Steve Bray and Luther Hackman combined for three walks. The Sounds pitching staff issued eight walks in Friday's 10-5 loss, which stopped a five-game winning streak. ***Link while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....328/SPORTS Dillon usually provides runs in bases-loaded situations By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Joe Dillon has made the most of his opportunities with the bases loaded this season. In seven such at-bats, the Nashville Sounds veteran infielder has driven in 20 runs. "I'd like to hit every time with the bases loaded," Dillon said after hitting a three-run double in the first inning of Saturday's 5-2 win over visiting Memphis. "That's when you get to drive in runs." Dillon is 6-for-7 with four doubles and a home run with the bags jammed. He's also had a pair of sacrifice flies and a pair of walks. The Sounds are hitting .392 with the bases loaded. Fourteen and counting: Brad Nelson extended his hitting streak to a Nashville season-high 14 games with his ground-rule double in the third inning. The hit cost Nashville a run, as Andy Abad would likely have scored from first base on the play. Abad was eventually stranded at third. Fan injured: A fan was struck in the face by a foul ball off the bat of Memphis center fielder Rick Ankiel during the seventh inning. The fan was removed from the seating area near first base on a stretcher by medical personnel, and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. Armed Forces Day set: The Sounds will observe Armed Forces Day tonight, as part of their military appreciation weekend. Prior to Saturday's game, a number of first pitches were thrown by family members of military personnel killed in combat. Tonight, all active military members and their immediate families will be admitted free upon presentation of valid military identification at the Greer Stadium ticket office. Prior to the game, a parachute team from the 101st Airborne unit at Fort Campbell will land on the playing field and some local soldiers will take part in a re-enlistment ceremony. Titan alert: Titans placekicker Rob Bironas was in the Greer Stadium crowd for Saturday's Sounds win.

MiLB.com: Tyson tames Rockies Nicholas Tyson pitched five solid innings in his first professional start as visiting Helena edged Casper, 3-2, on Saturday. Tyson ( (1-0), a 2006 32nd-round draft pick by Milwaukee who signed as a draft-and-follow in 2007, allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts to lower his ERA to 2.25. The 19-year-old right-hander had a 2.45 ERA in five relief appearances. Curtis Pasma gave up two hits and fanned three in three scoreless frames before Daniel Merklinger yielded a run in the ninth for his first save. Steffan Wilson went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer, his first, in the first for the Brewers (15-10). Casper starter Jeff Fischer (0-4) remained winless after surrendering three runs on six hits in six frames, fanning three. Christopher Vasami belted a solo homer, his first, and Orlando Sandoval went 3-for-4 with an RBI double for the Rockies (5-20). -- Marc Jimenez/MLB.com ***Link while active, text follows: www.casperstartribune.net...1b798b.txt Rockies' rally falls short in loss to Helena By ERIC SCHMOLDT Casper Star-Tribune staff writer Chris Vasami's home run blasted the scoreboard, but Steffan Wilson's shot made the most noise. Wilson's two-run homer in the first inning carried over the left field foul pole and helped lift the Helena Brewers to a 3-2 win over the Casper Rockies Saturday night at Mike Lansing Field. The 2,144 fans had barely settled into their seats before their complaints rang loud. After getting two outs to start the game, Casper starter Jeff Fischer gave up a double to Kurt Crowell before Wilson stepped into the batter's box. The designated hitter pulled an 0-1 pitch down the left field line that left the ballpark above the foul pole. The fans disagreed with the call by home plate umpire Jason Bertschy, and so did Casper manager Tony Diaz, who came out of the dugout to plead his case. "It's one of those calls that I guess could've gone either way," Diaz said. "We didn't get the break, (but) I don't think we've gotten any breaks the whole year, so it didn't surprise me." It was the third straight game the Rockies gave up two runs in the first frame. All three ended in Casper losses. Vasami cut the deficit in half in the bottom half of the second with a laser of his own. His first professional home run sailed to left-center field, crashing into the top portion of the announcement board. "It felt good," Vasami said. "I wish it could've come in a win, but we battled and came up one run short." Fischer was saddled with his fourth loss in what Diaz called his best outing of the season thus far. Helena's Nick Tyson picked up his first win of the year and Dan Merklinger got his first save. Crowell doubled again in the fourth inning and scored what turned out to be the game-winning run after the Rockies put together a ninth-inning rally. Austin Rauch led off with a strikeout, but reached when the third strike bounced to the backstop. David Christensen came on as a pinch runner and moved to second base when Vasami grounded out. That brought up Orlando Sandoval. Already 2-for-3 on the night, he took a 2-2 pitch to right field for an RBI double to make it 3-2. "Sandoval, once again, he's showing me something and I'm going to give him more playing opportunities," Diaz said. The center fielder represented the game-tying run at second base, but the rally ended there. Chad Lembeck struck out looking and Carlos Martinez followed by going down swinging in an at-bat that Diaz said represents his team's current hitting funk. Martinez watched three straight balls to start his at-bat, fouled off the 3-0 pitch and then took two more swings, both at pitches that most likely would have been ball four. "We tried to muster something at the end, but . . . we just struggled offensively," Diaz said. "To put the icing on the cake, Martinez's at-bat right there was pretty much the epitome of the whole game."

Link while active, text follows: www.news-record.com/apps/...1021/GTCOM Losing Grasshoppers pack in crowds By Rob Daniels Greensboro News-Record Staff Writer GREENSBORO -- In case you needed more proof, Saturday night at First Horizon Park again demonstrated that in minor league baseball, a team's attendance is to its record as a lemur is to an avocado. Sporting the South Atlantic League's worst second-half record, the Grasshoppers continued a remarkable month at the gate in a 7-2 loss to the West Virginia Power. A throng of 8,079 showed up, helping the franchise cement its league lead in attendance and stay on course toward an interesting distinction. If they keep going at this rate, they'll become the first minor league franchise to increase attendance in each of the first three years in a new stadium. (I believe the Power are on pace to do the same -- Mass Haas) In five dates this month, the Hoppers (7-16 second half, 45-48) have attracted more fans than four Florida State League teams have drawn all season. The Hoppers have topped the 8,000 mark in four of five opportunities, including a gathering of 9,309 on July 4 that was bigger than nine major league games have amassed this season. Only the Midwest League's Dayton Dragons, who have sold out nearly every home game in their existence, top Greensboro among the 60 full-season teams in Class A baseball. Surpassing the 427,890 attendance total from 2006 looked statistically improbable back in April, but it has proven possible. Now averaging 6,637 fans a night, the Grasshoppers are on track to break the mark with three home games to spare. As for Saturday's game, Stephen Chapman's two-run home run in the fifth inning put the Power on top 3-2, and Taylor Green added a clinching three-run shot off the scoreboard in right-center in the eighth. The Power's Andrew Lefave, who ranks among the top 10 hitters in all the minors, went 3-for-5 and raised his average to .349, and the Power did what it normally does. West Virginia's average of 6.4 runs a game is good for third among the minors' 120 full-season teams, trailing only a pair of absurd California League outfits, the Lancaster JetHawks and the Lake Elsinore Storm. On May 18, by the way, the Storm defeated the JetHawks 30-0. "That's a team that really knows what it's doing - pitching, defense, hitting," said Hoppers manager Edwin Rodriguez. The Power improved its overall record to 61-30 (13-10 in the second half).

MiLB.com: Kroski, Gutierrez buck Manatees Chris Kroski drove in three runs and Tonys Gutierrez went 4-for-4 to help Sarasota top visiting Brevard County, 8-6, on Saturday. Kroski lined a two-run double in the fourth inning and came home on a fielder's choice to give the Reds a 5-2 lead. He also smacked an RBI double in the sixth and scored on Josh Holden's two-run triple. Gutierrez, who scored three times, hit three singles and a double to raise his average to .300. B.J. Szymanski laced a two-run single in the second for Sarasota (12-11), which has won four of its last five games. Reds reliever Dushan Ruzic (1-1) allowed a hit and a walk in 2 1/3 innings for the win and Derrik Lutz struck out one in the ninth for his 11th save. Starter Sean Watson allowed two runs on four hits and two walks, striking out four over four innings. Manatees starter Mike McClendon (3-1) was ripped for seven runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts over five frames. Chris Errecart hit a three-run homer, his seventh, in the fifth and Mike Bell hit a solo blast, his eighth, in the second, for Brevard County (13-10). -- Danny Wild/MLB.com

Final: Helena 3, Casper (Rockies) 2 Helena Box Score: It wasn't easy vs. the ultra-young Rockies; RHP Nick Tyson and LHP Curtis Pasma continue to shine; Harvard's Steffan Wilson a two-run HR, his first, in the opening frame... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1 Helena Game Log: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1

Final: Sarasota (Reds) 8, Brevard County 6 Brevard County Box Score: Mike McClendon was overdue for a rough outing; Mike Bell a solo shot, as noted above, and Chris Errecart with a three-run HR; Darren Ford on base three times, steals two bases; nights coming off the bench for Lorenzo Cain and Angel Salome... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: Ford grounded out with the tying runs on base in the 9th to end it... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1

Final: Nashville 5, Memphis (Cardinals) 2 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Joe Dillon photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2450 First-Place Sounds Knock Off Redbirds, 5-2 NASHVILLE ? The Nashville Sounds got back on the winning track on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium, posting a 5-2 victory over the division-rival Memphis Redbirds in front of 9,327 excited fans. Nashville (57-36) recorded its sixth win in the last seven games with a team effort. Every Sounds starting position player had a hit by the fifth inning. The Nashville offense got started early, plating four runs in the bottom of the first inning against Memphis starter Mike Smith. Sounds cleanup hitter Joe Dillon gave the home club a 3-0 lead with a bases-clearing, three-run double. The veteran improved to 6-for-7 with 20 RBIs in bases-loaded plate appearances for Nashville this season. AUDIO: Joe Dillon Bases-Clearing Double -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...207-14.mp3 After moving to third on an Andy Abad flyout, Dillon made it a 4-0 contest when he scampered home on a Smith wild pitch. Redbirds leftfielder Nick Stavinoha put the visitors on the board in the top of the second inning when he led off with a solo homer to left off Adam Pettyjohn, his tenth roundtripper of the year. The run was the first allowed by Pettyjohn in three career starts against Memphis, snapping a 15 2/3 inning scoreless stretch against the club. Drew Anderson extended his hitting streak to seven games in the second inning with an opposite-field, one-out RBI double into the left field corner that plated Pettyjohn to increase the lead to 5-1. Memphis got a run back in the seventh against Sounds reliever Steve Bray when Brendan Ryan scored from first on a two-out single off the bat of Edgar Gonzalez, who paced the Redbirds with a 4-for-5 evening. Nashville rightfielder Brad Nelson extended his career-best hitting streak to 14 games with a third-inning double. Sounds catcher Vinny Rottino later pushed his hitting streak to nine contests with a fifth-inning single. Pettyjohn (5-2) picked up his seventh win in his last 10 outings after he allowed one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. Luther Hackman worked a scoreless ninth to notch his team-leading 12th save of the year for Nashville. Smith (8-8) was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs on seven hits over only three frames for the Redbirds. The teams wrap up the series with a 6 p.m. finale on Sunday at Greer. Right-hander Mark DiFelice will make his Sounds debut when he mans the bump for Nashville. Memphis will counter with right-hander Anthony Reyes (1-1, 3.38). Nashville Box Score: Callix Crabbe on base three times; Steve Bray strands three inherited runners in the 6th; Andy Abad his first start after the lengthy D.L. stint (wrist)... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Brewers Director of Amateur Scouting Jack Zduriencik (Part 2 of 2): www.nashvillesounds.com/a...207-14.mp3

Final: Huntsville 7, Chattanooga (Reds) 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1267 Hammond and Home Runs Help Stars Win Steve Hammond worked seven strong innings in his return to the rotation and was supported by three long balls in Huntsville?s 7-1 win over Chattanooga Saturday night in the fourth of a five-game set at AT&T Field. The Stars won their season-high sixth straight game, and for a seventh time in eight tries, to improve to 13-11 in the second half and move into sole possession of first place in the North Division one game ahead of the Lookouts, who fell to 12-12 in the half and 42-52 overall. The Stars have won seven of the nine games in Chattanooga and have matched their longest win streak on the road with five consecutive wins dating back to July 3 at West Tenn. Hammond allowed only a leadoff single by Tyrell Godwin in the third inning through the first six frames before Adam Rosales and Enrique Cruz singled with one out in the seventh. Jay Garthwaite flied out for the second out of the inning before an Adam Heether throwing error on a Luis Bolivar grounder allowed Rosales to score the home team?s lone run. Hammond, who had appeared three times in relief prior to the All-Star break, earned his first win as a starter since May 10 after allowing three hits, walking two and fanning four. Vince Perkins worked two scoreless innings, and left the bases loaded in the ninth, in his first appearance with the Stars. Lookouts? starter Johnny Cueto, who had allowed a home run to Hernan Iribarren, the first batter he faced at the double-A level on June 26 in Huntsville, and since tossed 20 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings saw that streak come to an end when Adam Heether blasted a one-out home run to right-center field to give the visitors a 1-0 lead, marking the fourth straight game in which the team that scored first did so with a second inning long ball. Hernan Iribarren led off the third with a double and scored when Michael Brantley followed with a chopping single into center field to make it 2-0. Heether then drew a two-out walk before Steve Moss unloaded a three-run home run, his eighth of the year, off the top of the scoreboard in left field to push the visitors? advantage to 5-0. Brendan Katin clubbed a two-run home run, his 16th of the season, to right-center field in the seventh to complete the scoring for Huntsville. The series wraps up Sunday afternoon with southpaw Sam Narron taking the mound for the Stars against Lookouts? right-hander Steve Kelly. Coverage of the game begins at 1:00 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Congrats on the home run, but another four-K game for Brendan Katin; it'd be nice to see a Steve Hammond resurrection of sorts... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1

Final: West Virginia 7, Greensboro (Marlins) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER GO DEEP THREE TIMES IN WIN OVER GREENSBORO Brent Brewer, Taylor Green and Steve Chapman all homered in Saturday night?s game at First Horizon Park as the West Virginia Power took the first game of the series, defeating the Grasshoppers 7-2. Brewer?s bomb was a solo shot in the top of the first inning, his fifth of the year, to give the Power an early lead. The Grasshoppers responded quickly with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Logan Morrison and Spike McDougal ripped back-to-back two-out, RBI doubles to give the ?Hoppers their only lead of the game. Andy Bouchie extended the fifth inning with a two-out walk before Chapman hit a two-run homer, his 13th of the season. The Power added to their lead in the sixth inning on Kenny Holmberg?s run-scoring single, and Green hit his tenth homer of the season, a three-run shot in the top of the eighth inning to put the ?Hoppers away. Alex Periard (5-1) allowed a pair of runs on five hits and struck out three to get the win while Tom Cowley (4-3) was tagged with the loss. Omar Aguilar and Travis Wendte combined to toss four scoreless innings out of the bullpen. The Power improved to 61-30 overall and 13-10 in the second half, while the Grasshoppers fell to 45-48 overall and 7-16 in the second half with the loss. Four Power players had multi-hit games, including Andrew Lefave who led the team with three hits. The Power will continue the three game series against Greensboro Sunday evening. The Power will start left hander Mike Ramlow (4-3, 6.57) and the Grasshoppers will counter with right hander Kyle Winters (2-1, 5.06). The first pitch is scheduled for 5:00 PM (4:00 Central). West Virginia Box Score: It's amazing how the remaining core of this team has kept on chugging long after previous callups took place -- just proves how truly deep this squad was back in April and May; RHP Omar Aguilar's going to get stretched out a bit while RHP Travis Wendte takes on the more traditional closer's role; Andrew Lefave has raked since the calendar turned to May -- dude, you've earned your Power 50 spot next time around... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_gboafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_gboafx_1

Actually....I think Periard really was the starter Thank you, MiLB.com, for playing box score games earlier...

Interesting note from Jim Callis at BA: www.baseballamerica.com/t...64492.html The Futures Game obviously has showcased several future major league stars. But how many exactly have gone on to the major league All-Star Game? Three 2005 Futures Gamers already have done so: Francisco Liriano, Russell Martin and Justin Verlander. Mark L. Peel Arlington Heights, Ill. One-third of the 66 players selected for the 2007 All-Star Game were former Futures Gamers. Josh Beckett, Prince Fielder, J. J. Hardy, Orlando Hudson, Martin, Justin Morneau, Jose Valverde and Verlander all made their first midsummer classic appearance. Fourteen repeat all-stars had Futures Game experience: Miguel Cabrera, Francisco Cordero, Carl Crawford, Victor Martinez, Brad Penny, Jose Reyes, Alex Rios, Francisco Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Grady Sizemore, Alfonso Soriano, Chase Utley and David Wright. Though the Futures Game started only in 1999, it already has spawned 39 big league all-stars. The 17 others are: Lance Berkman, Hank Blalock, Mark Buehrle, Robinson Cano, Adam Dunn, Rafael Furcal, Marcus Giles, Ryan Howard, Liriano, Felipe Lopez, Jose Lopez, Joe Mauer, Mark Mulder, Aramis Ramirez, B.J. Ryan, Vernon Wells and Barry Zito. Soriano (1999), Reyes (2002) and Sizemore (2003) all were named MVP of past Futures Games.

A check of past media guides would confirm it, but the Arizona Brewers, to my recollection, have had one winning half-season, and no postseason appearances, since Brewerfan's inception in 2001. That would be explainable if it was a situation like the Casper Rockies, Helena's opponent tonight. For Colorado, Casper is the lowest rung in their chain, so it's like the Helena kids going up against an Arizona Rookie League team. Not fun year in and year out for Casper fans.

RHP Matt Kretzschmar, not Alex Periard, your Power starter tonight -- hopefully Periard's OK. Joe Dillon a bases-loaded double for the Sounds, man he'd be of so much more value than Tony Gwynn right now against lefty starters in Milwaukee.

Final: Arizona Padres 19, Arizona Brewers 3 Sigh... Arizona Box Score: 3B Edgar Trejo 3-for-4; 17th round pick OF Erik Miller, one of four Miller's now in the organization, also with three hits; Brewer pitchers (term used loosely) walk 12, hit three, throw two wild pitches... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_pdrrok_1 Arizona Game Log: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_pdrrok_1