Jim Goulart

I'm not sure if folks have read any of the Sons of Sam Horn (Red Sox) threads. What you have to keep in mind is that the Red Sox have their AAA team (Pawtucket), AA team (Portland, ME) and Rookie Level team (Lowell, MA) within easy driving distance. So some of their threads are more active because local owners can actually see the players fairly regularly. ***One thing I wanted to point out that folks may not know about our Player Index pages is that starting a couple of years ago, whenever there's a story about a player that we link to in the Article Crawler secton of our Home Page, well, that article also becomes part of the player's individual index page. Somebody mentioned earlier they would look up and find all the hometown or feature articles on West Virginia RHP Omar Aguilar. Well, there's only one (believe me), and it's been linked on his player page since November '06: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=858 The one problem we have is I need to go back and check for dead links on the Index, of which I'm sure there's many. In fact, I stopped placing Huntsville Times articles on the Player Index (they're just on the Home Page), because their links go dead within a couple of weeks. So an FYI, check our Player Index for older articles.

Link for R.A. Dickey photo, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....YdQ80RA%3D Dickey makes most of second chance Sounds pitcher leads win over Memphis By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer For R.A. Dickey, the second time has been the charm. Since returning to the Sounds' starting rotation, the veteran right-hander has been virtually unhittable. He posted his sixth consecutive quality start Thursday night, allowing just one run in seven innings in a 7-1 win over visiting Memphis. "I just think it's about me maturing a little as a knuckleballer, believing in what you've got, thinking it's good enough to get people out," said Dickey (7-4), who has given up seven earned runs in 39 innings since re-entering the rotation June 17. Dickey has won each of his last three decisions. "I think I leaned on my fastball in tough situations before, but this last two-and-a-half months, I've tried to commit to throwing (the knuckleball). I think it's paid off. It moves a little better and I've got a better feel for it. I think that's the difference." The former Montgomery Bell Academy and Tennessee standout, who was 1-4 when he was removed from the rotation, held Memphis scoreless through six innings, allowing his offensive teammates to break through against Redbirds starter Randy Keisler with a fifth-inning leadoff home run by Joe Dillon. Nashville tacked on a pair of runs in the sixth, cashing in on doubles by Chris Barnwell and Laynce Nix. Memphis broke up Dickey's shutout bid in the seventh, with Joe Mather hitting a leadoff double and scoring on a fielder's choice. However, Dickey stranded runners at first and second to avoid any further damage. "R.A. pitched around some walks, made some pitches when he needed to," said Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas, who was in his first game back with the team since his mother's death July 5. "He got some plays behind him, and a couple of double plays always helps." With the victory, and Omaha's 11-inning 4-3 win over visiting Iowa, the Sounds extended their lead to a season-high six games over Iowa in the Pacific Coast League's American Northern Division. In the top of the eighth, reliever Grant Balfour created a bases-loaded, one-out situation before getting an infield fly from Jarrett Hoffpauir; catcher Mike Rivera then threw behind Mather at first base for an inning-ending pickoff. Nashville scored four runs in its half of the eighth to break the game open. Memphis relievers Hugo Castellanos and Kelvin Jimenez each hit a Sounds batter before Vinny Rottino doubled to drive in a pair of runs. Memphis threatened in the ninth, putting a pair of runners on against reliever Luther Hackman with two outs, before Hackman struck out Rick Ankiel for the final out of the game. What they said: "These guys are mature enough; they don't necessarily need a manager out there during games. They know what they need to do, and they do a good job of doing it." ? Kremblas. ***Link while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....YdQ80RA%3D Sounds call up DiFelice to replace Oxspring By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Chris Oxspring's spot on the Sounds' roster was filled by former Huntsville pitcher Mark DiFelice, a move made prior to the Sounds' game Thursday against visiting Memphis. Oxspring, who had been scheduled to start for the Pacific Coast League in Wednesday's Triple-A All-Star game in Albuquerque, had his contract sold by the Milwaukee Brewers to the LG Twins of the Korean Professional Baseball League on Monday and did not participate in the game. DiFelice, meanwhile, started for the North Division in Monday's Southern League All-Star game after going 6-1 with a 1.62 ERA in 26 appearances. Monday's start was just his fourth of the season, as he had come out of the bullpen for Huntsville for the majority of the season. He moved into the starting rotation in late June and allowed just two earned runs in 16 1/3 innings (1.10 ERA). At Huntsville, DiFelice struck out 60 hitters in 66 2/3 innings while issuing just six walks. He is scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against Memphis.

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2007071259 Power?s Thursday streak stopped By Tommy R. Atkinson Charleston Gazette Staff Writer In general, baseball players are a superstitious lot, but don?t count West Virginia Power?s Andrew Lefave among those. The Power saw its streak of seven straight Thursday-night wins come to an end as the Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads took a 7-3 decision to earn their first victory at Appalachian Power Park this season. A paid crowd of 6,267 attended the South Atlantic League matchup. Lefave, the Power?s first baseman, was unaware of the team?s unusual winning streak, much less that today is Friday the 13th. ?I don?t even know what day it is half the time,?? said Lefave, who finished 2-for-5 and entered Thursday as the Sally League?s top hitter with a .344 average. ?I was kind of surprised [about the winning streak]. ?I try not to look at my stats for the most part. I don?t even like to know what I?m doing. I try to keep all that stuff out of my head. When it comes down to it, it?s just going out there and playing the game hard. I thought we played hard [Thursday night].?? The Power?s luck ran out on a Thursday night, where the team had posted a 14-1 record. Power starter Jeremy Jeffress, the Milwaukee Brewers? No. 1 pick in last year?s amateur draft, seemed to be working on a special outing through the first three innings. Jeffress needed only 32 pitches in setting down the first nine Crawdads batters in order, striking out five with a fastball that was clocking in the mid-90s. It all fell apart in the fourth inning as Jeffress was roughed up for three runs, including a two-run home run by Hickory?s Jonel Pacheco that caromed off the top of the main scoreboard, giving the Crawdads a 3-0 lead. Jeffress, who allowed one run on three hits in six innings in his previous start, regained his composure and only allowed one more run the rest of the way. The Power bullpen, however, served up three earned runs over the final 2 1/3 innings. Hickory (12-9 in the second half) took the lead for good in the top of the seventh on Jim Negrych?s two-out, run-scoring single for a 4-3 edge. The Power (11-10) knotted the game at 3-all in the bottom of the sixth on Steve Chapman?s sacrifice fly and seemed to be on its way to one of its trademark come-from-behind victories. From the seventh on, the Power stranded half of its 10 baserunners, leaving four in scoring position. Lefave said because of the Power?s success this year, the team doesn?t get discouraged when the hits fail to come. Wednesday night the Power rallied for a 9-8 win after falling behind 4-0 after the top of the fourth. ?We know we can win under any circumstance,?? he said. ?I think this is the kind of team that will come out the next day with a little bit more.?? Jeffress (5-3) took the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings with seven punchouts and six walks with three of those free passes scoring. The Power?s Chuckie Caufield went 2-for-5 with a double and scored two runs and Taylor Green pounded out a pair of hits and drove in a run. A trio of Hickory relievers shut out the Power over the last three innings. The Power will play host to Hickory at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central) in the final game of the three-game series. The Power will start left-hander Brae Wright (6-4, 5.70 ERA) while the Crawdads will counter with righty Jared Hughes (7-6, 4.04 ERA). There will be fireworks after the game, weather permitting. How will Lefave deal with playing on Friday the 13th? ?It probably won?t effect me too much,?? he said. ?I?ll just go out there and take it like another day.?? Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chris Dorst Power outfielder Charlie Fermaint is tagged out by Hickory?s Jim Negrych on a stolen-base attempt. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/WVP1.jpg

Helena KCAP Audio Pre-Game Interview with OF Kurt Crowell: Be sure you're on the July 12th archive, then go to the 21:00 minute mark -- web.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Final: Helena 6, Idaho Falls (Royals) 3 MiLB.com: Brewers double up Chukars Evan Anundsen tossed seven scoreless innings as visiting Helena defeated Idaho Falls, 6-3, on Thursday. Anundsen (2-2) surrendered two hits and a walk while striking out three. The 19-year-old right-hander is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA in his last four starts. Robert Bryson notched his fourth save, despite yielding three runs -- two earned -- on two hits with three strikeouts over the final two frames. Lee Haydel singled and scored the game's first run on shortstop Manni Juan's throwing error in the sixth. He added an RBI single in the seventh and scored in the ninth. Mike Goetz knocked in two runs and Jonathan Lucroy went 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs for the Brewers (14-9). Chukars starter Benjamin Norton (1-1) took the loss after giving up an unearned run on two hits and two walks while fanning four in 5 2/3 innings. Todd Balduf ripped a two-run homer, his first, to put Idaho Falls (16-7) on the board in the eighth and Nick Van Stratten tripled and scored in the ninth. Adrian Ortiz went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. -- Ryan McConnell/MLB.com Helena Box Score: We noted in the new Power 50 about Evan Anundsen's excellent ground ball ratio -- 16 ground ball outs in his seven innings vs. two fly balls in this one, nice! Ratio now at a Brandon Webb-like 4.36 on the season... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_idarok_1 Helena Game Log: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_idarok_1

Final: Nashville 7, Memphis (Cardinals) 1 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for R.A. Dickey photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2448 Sounds Take Down Redbirds In Series Opener NASHVILLE ? Nashville native R.A. Dickey continued his recent dominance from the hill, working seven strong innings to lead the Sounds to a 7-1 victory over the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. The victory was the fifth in a row for Nashville (56-35) and increased the club's lead to a season-high six games in the PCL American Conference Northern Division as second-place Iowa fell in extra innings. The Sounds have won 13 of their last 16 contests overall to improve upon the best record in Triple-A baseball. Dickey (7-4) earned the victory after allowing one run on five hits over seven innings of work. In six starts since rejoining the Sounds? rotation in mid-June, the knuckleballer has posted a 3-0 record and 1.62 ERA (7 ER / 39.0 IP) while working quality starts in each of the outings. Memphis starter Randy Keisler was perfect through four innings before Sounds cleanup hitter Joe Dillon belted his team-leading 19th home run of the year, a line-drive solo shot to left that opened the fifth. Dillon has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 contests for Nashville. AUDIO: Dillon's Team-Leading 19th HR -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...207-12.mp3 The Sounds increased the lead to 3-0 in the sixth with a pair of runs off Keisler. Jose Macias dropped a squeeze bunt that plated Chris Barnwell, who had opened the inning with a double, from the frame?s first run. Laynce Nix followed with a double and Dillon was intentionally walked to load the bases with two outs. With Mike Rivera at the plate, Keisler uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Macias to race home with Nashville?s third run of the evening. Rivera drew a walk to re-load the bags for Vinny Rottino, who ripped a line drive to right that was snagged by a diving Joe Mather to end the inning. Memphis put its lone run on the board in the seventh when Mather opened the frame with a double off Dickey and later scored on a Brian Esposito groundout. Sounds reliever Grant Balfour worked into and out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the top of the eighth inning, stifling the Redbirds? best scoring opportunity of the evening. He induced an infield fly popout from Jarrett Hoffpauir then got some assistance from Rivera behind the plate as the catcher picked Mather off first base to escape the inning unscathed. Nashville iced the game in the bottom of the eighth with a four-run inning against the Memphis bullpen. Rottino got things started by ripping a two-run double into the left field corner off Memphis reliever Kelvin Jimenez to plate Nix and Dillon for a 5-1 Sounds lead. The second pair of runs scored later in the inning when Rivera scored on a Barnwell RBI groundout and Rottino followed him to the plate when Redbirds first baseman Tagg Bozied committed a throwing error. Keisler (7-6) took the loss for Memphis after he allowed three runs on three hits while walking three batters and striking out six over his six innings of action. The teams continue the series with another 7 p.m. meeting on Friday evening at Greer. Left-hander Zach Jackson (9-4, 4.81), who co-leads the Pacific Coast League with nine victories, will man the bump for the Sounds and face Memphis right-hander Mike Parisi (5-7, 5.13). It will be another Purity Faith Night at Greer Stadium. Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kent Bottenfield, now a contemporary Christian recording artist, will take the stage as the opening act before headliner Jeff Deyo takes the stage. The pre-game concert begins when gates open at 5:30 p.m. Fans are invited to stay for a postgame fireworks show presented by Your Select Buick-Pontiac-GMC dealers. Nashville Box Score: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Manager Frank Kremblas: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...207-12.mp3

Final: Huntsville 8, Chattanooga (Reds) 5 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1265 Escobar Delivers Decisive Blow in Stars' Win Alcides Escobar tripled in two runs and scored in a three-run eighth inning rally that lifted Huntsville to an 8-5 come-from-behind win in a see-saw affair Thursday night over Chattanooga in the second of a five-game set at AT&T Field. The Stars won their fourth straight and for a fifth time in six games to improve to 11-11 in the second half and 48-42 overall, while the first place Lookouts dropped to 12-10 in the second half but maintained their one game lead over Tennessee after the Smokies fell at home to Mobile. The Stars have won five of seven in Chattanooga and lead the season series 10-8. Justin Mallett, who had thrown 10 scoreless innings against the Stars over four prior appearances, took over in the eighth in a 5-5 game and gave up a leadoff double to Lou Palmisano and walked Adam Heether before Brendan Katin bunted into a force out at third base. Ryan Crew flied out to right field to advance Heether to third and Escobar followed with his first extra-base hit since joining the Stars to plate the go-ahead runs. Mel Stocker laid down a perfect bunt to chase home Escobar and drive in his third run as a pinch-hitter. Luis Pena worked two scoreless, hitless innings to record his third save of the season and protect the win for Bo Hall, who worked two perfect innings in relief of starter Derek Miller. Jay Garthwaite?s leadoff long ball in the second staked the Lookouts to the early lead before Lou Palmisano?s two-run home run, his second in as many nights, second of the year against Chattanooga starter Camilo Vazquez and ninth of the season, tied the game at two in the fourth inning. The Lookouts regained the lead in the home half of the fourth on a fielding error by Heether at third base that allowed Craig Tatum to score. A Tatum passed ball allowed Crew to score from third to tie the game and a Guilder Rodriguez sacrifice fly plated Escobar to give the Stars their first lead at 4-3 in the fifth. However, the lead was short-lived, as Garthwaite walloped his second home run of the game, a two-run shot, in the bottom of the inning to put the home team back on top. The Stars tied the game at five in the top of the sixth on a run-scoring single by Crew but left Katin stranded at third when Escobar and pinch-hitter Michael Brantley struck out. Miller was charged with five runs, four earned, on nine hits, while striking out seven over five innings, while Vazquez was tagged with four runs, three earned, on four hits and a pair of walks in his five inning stint. The series continues Friday night with southpaw Lindsay Gulin taking the mound for the Stars against Lookouts? right-hander James Avery. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Adam Heether's numbers more impresive remembering his .132 April; Ryan Crew with back-to-back multi-hit games... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1

Final: Hickory (Pirates) 7, West Virginia 3 West Virginia Site Game Summary: HICKORY SURGES LATE TO DEFEAT POWER The Hickory Crawdads outscored the West Virginia Power 4-0 in the final three innings of Thursday night?s game, defeating the West Virginia Power 7-3, getting their first victory of the year at Appalachian Power Park to set up the rubber match on Friday night. Jonel Pacheco hit a towering two-run blast to snap a scoreless tie in the top of the fourth inning. Later in the inning Albert Laboy?s sacrifice fly plated Jared Keel to give the ?Dads a 3-0 lead. Chuckie Caufield doubled with two outs and scored on Taylor Green?s RBI single in the bottom of the fourth. The Power tied the game with a pair of runs in the sixth inning. John Alonso walked with the bases loaded and Steve Chapman?s sacrifice fly scored Caufield. Jim Negrych ripped an RBI single to snap the 3-3 tie in the seventh inning. Eddie Prasch hit a two-run bomb with two outs in the top of the eighth inning and Bobby Kingsbury drove in the final run with a single in the ninth. Steve McFarland (3-2) got the win, and Jeremy Jeffress (5-3) was tagged with the loss despite another strong outing, allowing four runs on five hits with seven strikeouts over six and two thirds. The Power fell to 59-30 overall and 11-10 in the second half, while the Crawdads improved to 39-49 overall and 12-9 in the second half with the win. Andrew Lefave, Caufield and Green all had two hits for the Power. The Power will finish the three game series against Hickory Friday night. The Power will start left hander Brae Wright (6-4, 5.70) and the Crawdads will counter with right hander Jared Hughes (7-6, 4.04). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Productive middle of the order, no surprise there... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: Lots of Power balls in play -- only one K... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Final: Brevard County 11, Sarasota (Reds) 3 Brevard County Box Score: Nice to remember LHP Steve Garrison won't be 21 years old until September; ten Manatees came to the plate in the 1st... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: Robert Hinton with a scoreless inning in which he allowed three baserunners and was aided by a line drive double play; yes; closer E.J. Shanks did get a double play grounder... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1

Young C/OF Anderson Delarosa with another D.L. stint to make room for Nestor Corredor's return with Brevard (injury not disclosed).

Catcher Nestor Corredor is in the Manatees' lineup Thursday evening, so he's been activated from the Brevard disabled list. We'll have to find out how the Manatees made room on their 25-man roster.

Standings through Wednesday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nashville 55 35 .611 - 29-13 26-22 W4 Iowa 50 40 .556 5.0 29-19 21-21 W4 Omaha 42 49 .462 13.5 27-16 15-33 W2 Memphis 39 52 .429 16.5 21-27 18-25 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 12 9 .571 - 6-5 6-4 L2 Tennessee 11 10 .524 1.0 8-3 3-7 W1 Huntsville 10 11 .476 2.0 5-5 5-6 W3 Carolina 8 13 .381 4.0 5-5 3-8 L3 West Tenn 8 13 .381 4.0 6-5 2-8 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 12 8 .600 - 5-3 7-5 L1 Jupiter 10 9 .526 1.5 5-4 5-5 W2 Palm Beach 10 9 .526 1.5 4-6 6-3 L3 St. Lucie 8 11 .421 3.5 3-7 5-4 L2 Daytona 8 12 .400 4.0 5-6 3-6 L1 Vero Beach 4 15 .211 7.5 2-7 2-8 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 12 7 .632 - 7-2 5-5 L1 Lake County 11 8 .579 1.0 6-4 5-4 W1 Hickory 11 9 .550 1.5 8-5 3-4 L1 West Virginia 11 9 .550 1.5 6-3 5-6 W1 Delmarva 9 10 .474 3.0 4-6 5-4 W1 Lexington 8 12 .400 4.5 7-5 1-7 L1 Hagerstown 6 13 .316 6.0 3-6 3-7 L1 Greensboro 6 14 .300 6.5 4-4 2-10 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Falls 14 8 .636 - 8-3 6-5 W3 Helena 13 9 .591 1.0 5-6 8-3 L1 Billings 9 13 .409 5.0 5-5 4-8 W1 Missoula 8 14 .364 6.0 5-7 3-7 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Mariners 13 3 .813 - 7-1 6-2 W4 AZL Angels 12 4 .750 1.0 10-2 2-2 W1 AZL Padres 10 6 .625 3.0 5-2 5-4 L1 AZL Cubs 8 8 .500 5.0 5-3 3-5 W2 AZL Giants 7 9 .438 6.0 4-4 3-5 L1 AZL Royals 7 9 .438 6.0 3-4 4-5 W1 AZL Rangers 6 10 .375 7.0 2-5 4-5 L5 AZL Athletics 5 11 .313 8.0 3-4 2-7 W1 AZL Brewers 4 12 .250 9.0 1-7 3-5 L4

Follow Thursday'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_sarafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 Helena: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_idarok_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

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP R.A. Dickey at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Derek Miller at Chattanooga (Reds), 6:00 PM pre-game; 6:15 gametime Audio link: www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: LHP Steve Garrison at Sarasota (Reds), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime NOTE: Sorry, no audio for this Brevard County series West Virginia: RHP Jeremy Jeffress at home vs. Hickory (Pirates), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Helena: RHP Evan Anundsen at Idaho Falls (Royals), 8:00 PM pre-game, 8:15 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp Arizona: Idle

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

One thing I would point out is that if you're going to be an owner, you should be a regular Link Report reader, which I imagine most would be. Notice the final game story in the Link Report for Wednesday July 11th: www.dailymail.com/story/S...g+strides/ Yes, it's a game story. But moreso it's a feature on RHP Chris Toneguzzi. Someone who would want to follow the prospects via a monthly visit to the Adopt-A-Prospect Forum, but not read the Daily Link Reports, would want to know about details on Toneguzzi such as were listed there. So an owner needs to keep up with any linked stories we provide in case their player is included in an update. I would also say that if your prospect is a starting pitcher, one should listen to their starts, which could prove difficult during the Brewer playoff stretch. At least the West Virginia and Helena (and some Brevard) audio is archived http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif .

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...g+strides/ Power pitcher making strides Michael Dailey Charleston Daily Mail Sportswriter The transition from amateur baseball player to minor leaguer is a tough one. Often thousands of miles from home, long bus rides and 100-plus game seasons can quickly take their toll on aspiring Major Leaguers. Add to these hurdles, a change of playing position, and the already long road to the bigs can become even longer. That's the road that West Virginia Power pitcher Chris Toneguzzi is currently traveling as he navigates through the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system. Toneguzzi, a 6-foot-5, 250 pound right-hander, made a name for himself at the collegiate level as a steady force in the Purdue University bullpen. The Thunder Bay, Ontario, resident started for the Boilermakers as a freshman and sophomore before making the transition to closer for his junior and senior seasons. When selected in the 13th round of the 2006 June draft, Toneguzzi left Purdue ranked third on the school's career saves list with 12, and with 78 appearances, good for second on that all-time list. As a rookie at Helena last season, Toneguzzi remained in the bullpen, going 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA and three saves in 19 relief appearances. This season, however, Toneguzzi has spent time as a reliever and a starter in splitting time between Arizona and West Virginia. On Wednesday night at Appalachian Power Park, Toneguzzi's transition to the starting rotation continued in a 9-8 Power win over the visiting Hickory Crawdads. A crowd of 4,765 looked on as the Power improved to 11-9 in the South Atlantic League's second half. While Toneguzzi's numbers were a bit shaky - he allowed nine hits and six runs through five innings -- he did pick up the win in improving his record to 3-1 on the season. After a rough first inning, in which the Crawdads (11-9) scored four runs on six hits, Toneguzzi settled down, tossing scoreless innings in the second, third and fourth innings. The Crawdads plated two more runs in the fifth inning before Toneguzzi retired for the evening. "I think he did a good job making an adjustment tonight," said Brewers Director of Player Development Reid Nichols, who watched the game from the seats behind home plate. "They (Hickory) were free swinging early in the game and he wasn't working the plate. He was getting too much of the plate most of the time. "Then he made an adjustment and started throwing his changeup and his slider. We had a need at starter and he's worked hard to get to where he is now. We just expect him to get better." Toneguzzi was also pleased with his outing, aside from the first inning. "I think I was getting too much of the plate," Toneguzzi said. "I felt good out there, but my balls were finding the middle of the plate and they were putting the barrel on it. "I cut the plate in half and starting hitting the corners after the first inning. Keeping them scoreless when we started scoring runs was also big for me in this game." Power pitching coach John Curtis has been pleased with Toneguzzi's work since the right-hander's arrival in mid-June. "He's been used exclusively as a starter here and we plan to keep him there," Curtis said. "He's done very good work there. Tonight they jumped on him early with four quick runs in the first. "We've been working on a few things to try to get him down in the zone consistently. But the kid's a bulldog who goes out and gives you everything he's got. "Now we're just trying to extend him a little bit to get him past that fifth inning. I think what he can learn from being a closer is to stay aggressive on the mound. "When you're a closer, there's very little room for error. As he found out tonight, had he closed and the first inning been the ninth, he'd have had a big ?L' on his record. He's just got to continue to be aggressive." Power hitters certainly remained aggressive in piling up nine runs and nine hits against four Crawdad pitchers. West Virginia entered the game with a .367 average against Hickory this season, and was tagging Crawdad pitchers with an 8.85 ERA. The Power did nothing to hurt those numbers. After falling behind 4-0 in the first, Chuckie Caufield got the Power rolling in the bottom half of the inning with a three-run blast to left field. The Power tied the game at 4 in the third inning and took the lead for good at 7-4, with three runs in the fourth inning. Andrew Lefave added a pair of hits for the Power, while designated hitter Taylor Green chipped in with a pair of RBI. Charlie Fermaint, Brent Brewer and Kenny Holmberg also collected RBI for West Virginia. Power reliever Travis Wendte surrendered a pair of unearned runs in the ninth before recording his third save. Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Tom Hindman West Virginia Power Manager Mike Guerrero sends in a signal during the team?s 9-8 win over Hickory on Wednesday. http://www.dailymail.com/images/MIKE0712.jpg

Topps Player of the Month in the Florida State League for June: Mat Gamel (21 years old) of Neptune Beach, FL, had two hits in a May 28 game. Gamel added two more the next two games. He kept on hitting and hitting for the Brevard County Manatees the entire month of June. The third basemen wound up hitting in all 26 June games and 33 straight Florida State League games overall. Gamel hit .421 last month with a dozen multi-hit games, 12 doubles, four triples, two homers and 20 RBIs. The Milwaukee Brewers selected Gamel in the 4th round out of Chipola (FL) Junior College in 2005.

MiLB.com's AAA All-Star Recap: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=milb Nashville Site: Link, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2447 PCL Stars Fall To IL In All-Star Game, 7-5 ALBUQUERQUE -- The International League All-Stars posted four runs in the top of the first inning against Tacoma right-hander Justin Lehr, a former Sound, en route to a 7-5 victory over the Pacific Coast League All-Stars on Wednesday evening at Isotopes Park. Nashville catcher Vinny Rottino started for the PCL, batting from the eighth position, and drew walks in each of his two plate appearances. He caught the first five innings before being replaced by Tucson backstop Mark Johnson, another former Sound. Rottino threw out one of three runners attempting to steal against him. Sounds reliever Steve Bray was the final PCL pitcher to take the hill on the evening and retired the lone batter he faced, inducing a flyout from Justin Ruggiano. The game featured four home runs that accounted for the majority of the scoring, including one by PCL longball leader Craig Brazell of Omaha. Veteran outfielder Timo Perez of Toledo led all players with a 3-for-4 evening that included a double and two RBIs for the International League.

Final: Huntsville 8, Chattanooga (Reds) 2 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1264 Hot-Swinging Heether Leads Stars to Win Adam Heether knocked in a season-high four runs and finished a triple shy of hitting for the cycle in Huntsville?s 8-2 win Wednesday night over Chattanooga in the opener of a five-game set at AT&T Field. The Stars won their third straight and for a fourth time in five games to improve to 10-11 in the second half and 47-42 overall, while the first place Lookouts dropped to 12-9 in the second half and saw their lead shrink to a game over Tennessee. Lookouts? starter Sam LeCure retired the side in order in the first inning before his streak of 22 consecutive Huntsville hitters retired dating back to the first inning on June 28 was brought to an end by a Lou Palmisano leadoff home run in the second inning. Heether followed with his fourth long ball of the season, marking the first time the Stars had hit back-to-back home runs in a game this season. Michael Brantley walked with one out in the third, stole second base and scored on a double by Steve Sollmann to push the Huntsville lead to 3-0. LeCure worked out of further trouble in the inning when Heether was thrown out at second on the back end of a double steal try and was taken out after giving up three runs on five hits and four walks over four frames. He suffered his second loss of the season, both to the Stars. Will Inman struck out Tyrell Godwin and Craig Tatum with the bases loaded to end the first inning and stranded two runners in each of the next three frames before being lifted from the game. He allowed four hits, walked five and struck out five and was followed to the hill by Corey Thurman, who picked up his first win since May 31. The veteran right-hander retired nine of the 10 batters he faced, save for a Craig Tatum home run in the fifth inning that got the Lookouts on the board. David Johnson took over in the eighth and issued back-to-back two out walks to Luis Bolivar and Canaobo Cosme before Marland Williams? pinch-hit single plated Bolivar to cut the visitors lead to 4-2. Huntsville tacked on four runs in the ninth against Brock Till on a Sollmann fielder?s choice grounder, a two-run double by Heether and a run-scoring double by Brendan Katin, who had struck out in each of his first four at-bats. The Stars have now scored at least six runs in eight of their last ten games. Marino Salas gave up three straight singles to open the ninth before getting Godwin to bounce into a home to first double play and getting Tatum to fly out to end the game. The Lookouts left 13 runners on base and stranded at least two in six of the nine innings. The series continues Thursday night with left-hander Derek MIiller taking the mound against Lookouts? southpaw Camilo Vazquez. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Chattanoogan Photo by Tim Evearitt Huntsville starting pitcher, Will Inman, is one of the top pitching prospects for the Milwaukee Brewers. http://images.chattanoogan.com/article_images/article_109994_large.jpg

Final: Sarasota (Reds) 4, Brevard County 1 Link while active, text follows: www.heraldtribune.com/art...9/SPORTS05 Reds top Brevard on 2-hitter BY PHIL DENIS, Sarasota Herald-Tribune Correspondent SARASOTA -- Three Sarasota pitchers combined on a two-hitter and Chris Kroski unloaded a mammoth three-run home run Wednesday night when the Reds earned a 4-1 victory over the Brevard County Manatees in the opener of a four-game series. First-half West Division champion Sarasota evened its record at 10-10 during the second half and is 53-37 overall, while the Milwaukee Brewers' affiliate, which won the East's first half, dropped to 12-8 and 53-36. SaraReds left-handed starting pitcher Ben Jukich (2-1), obtained in the trade that sent Cincinnati's Chris Denorfia to the Oakland A's, allowed the two singles and one run over the first six innings. Sarasota relief pitchers Thomas Pauley (first hold) and closer Derrik Lutz (10th save) were perfect as Pauley worked the seventh and eighth innings and Lutz came on to finish the game in the ninth in front of 543 spectators at Ed Smith Stadium. Offensively, Eric Eymann led off the bottom of the second with a double to left-center field and Tonys Gutierrez followed with a single to center that set up Kroski's third homer of the season, a shot high over the right-field wall. Sarasota scored its other run in the fifth when Mike Griffin doubled to left, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Eymann's single to left. Chris Cody (1-2) surrendered four runs on nine hits while fanning eight and walking two over 5 2/3 innings in his second start for the Manatees (12-8). Yohannis Perez stroked a run-scoring single in the fourth for Brevard County. SaraReds notebook The teams will continue the series here through Saturday. ... Brevard County's pitching coach is Fred Dabney, a Venice resident. ... In 41 openings, the Reds are averaging 623 spectators. Brevard County Box Score: Darren Ford and Lorenzo Cain 0-for-8 with five K's at the top of the order; Josh Wahpepah strands two inherited runners in a nice relief effort... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_sarafa_1

Final: Idaho Falls (Royals) 7, Helena 2 MiLB.com: Leonard stifles Brewers IDAHO FALLS, Idaho ?The best in the south got the better of the best in the north Wednesday. John Leonard pitched six strong innings as Idaho Falls smacked three homers in a 7-2 victory over visiting Helena on Wednesday. Leonard (2-1) yielded a run on four hits and a walk with three strikeouts to lower his ERA to 3.38. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed six scoreless frames in his last outing on July 5. Clint Robinson, who had two homers and seven RBIs on Sunday, crushed a solo shot, his fifth, in the fourth for the Chukars (16-6), who have won three straight. Ryan Eigsti launched a two-run homer in the fourth and Nick Van Stratten delivered a two-run blast in the eighth. Brewers starter Jose Garcia (3-1) surrendered five runs -- four earned -- on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts in four frames. Kurt Crowell launched a solo homer and Zelous Wheeler belted a run-scoring double for Helena (13-9). The two teams meet again today in Idaho Falls, First pitch is at 7:15 PM (8:15 Central). -- Ryan McConnell/MLB.com Helena Box Score: Lee Haydel's 13-game hit streak ends; nice relief stint for RHP Craig Langille... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_idarok_1 Helena Game Log: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_idarok_1

Final: West Virginia 9, Hickory (Pirates) 8 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER OVERCOME EARLY DEFICIT TO DEFEAT CRAWDADS The Hickory Crawdads took an early 4-0 lead on the first inning of Wednesday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park, but West Virginia rallied back, took the lead in the fourth inning, and took the first game of the series 9-8. Jim Negrych tripled in the first of four runs in the first. Negrych scored on Bobby Kingsbury?s single and Kingsbury scored along with Jonel Pacheco on Eddie Prasch?s double to cap the big inning. Chuckie Caufield brought the Power within a run on a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, his seventh of the season. West Virginia tied the game in the third when Caufield scored on Kenny Holmberg?s groundout. The Power took the lead in the fourth inning on an RBI single from Charlie Fermaint. Brent Brewer?s sacrifice fly plated Brad Miller and Fermaint scored on Kent Sakamoto?s fielding error at first base. Pacheco got the Crawdads within a run on a two-run homer in the fifth inning. Taylor Green provided West Virginia with a pair of much-needed insurance runs on a double in the seventh inning. In the ninth, Negrych and Kingsbury both brought in runs on groundouts but it was not enough. Chris Toneguzzi (3-1) allowed six runs on nine hits through five innings to get the win, Travis Wendte (3) got the save and Dustin Craig (0-2) was tagged with the loss. The Power improved to 59-29 overall and 11-9 in the second half, while the Crawdads fell to 38-49 overall and 11-9 in the second half with the loss. Andrew Lefave and Caufield paced the Power with two hits each. Caufield scored three times and knocked in three runs. The Power will continue the three game series against Hickory Thursday night. The Power will start right hander Jeremy Jeffress (5-2, 2.36) and the Crawdads will counter with right hander Brad Clapp (3-7, 6.61). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). ***Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2007071128 Power erases another lead Confidence breeds rally, 9-8 victory By Tommy R. Atkinson Charleston Gazette Staff Writer No lead is safe against this West Virginia Power offense. The Hickory (N.C.) Crawdads jumped out to a 4-0 lead after the top of the first inning Wednesday night but the Power showed why it?s the top hitting team in the South Atlantic League, clubbing its way to a come-from-behind 9-8 victory. A paid crowd of 4,765 attended at Appalachian Power Park. Hickory (11-9) sent nine batters to the plate in the top of the first, scoring four runs as the first four batters rapped out hits. The Power didn?t waste any time chipping away, starting with Chuckie Caufield?s three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the first that pulled his team to 4-3. ?It?s just confidence,?? said Caufield, the All-Star who finished 2-for-3 with three runs scored and three RBIs Wednesday. ?You never feel like you?re out of a game. I don?t feel there?s any lead we can?t come back from. I?ve seen us score over 10 runs in an inning.?? The Power knotted the game at 4-all on Kenny Holmberg?s run-scoring groundout in the bottom of the third. The Power took the lead for good the next inning on leadoff hitter Charlie Fermaint?s RBI double for a 5-4 edge, then added two more runs on Brent Brewer?s sacrifice fly and an error that allowed Fermaint to come around for a 7-4 advantage. Jonel Pacheco?s two-run homer to left field helped the Crawdads cut the Power?s lead to 7-6 in the fifth, but the Power fired up its bats again. Taylor Green laced a two-run double off the left-center field wall as the Power went ahead 9-6. ?We?ve had a lot of success early in the season coming back so [the players] believe in themselves and they know they can do it,?? said Power hitting coach Corey Hart, who has overseen the team?s league-high .295 batting average. ?We stress to them all the time don?t try to do it all in one swing. These guys know we?ve got a lot of game left [and they] don?t press.?? The Power (11-9) needed the three-run lead as Hickory rallied in the top of the ninth. Jim Negrych and Bobby Kingsley each had run-scoring groundouts, pulling the Crawdads to 9-8 with two out. Power reliever Travis Wendte struck out Pacheco swinging to pick up his third save. Power starter Chris Toneguzzi (3-1) earned the win despite allowing six earned runs on nine hits in five innings. After the first inning, Toneguzzi settled down and retired eight straight batters and 10 of 11 spanning the first to fourth innings. Toneguzzi?s only other miscue was the two-run round-tripper by Pacheco in the fifth. Power relievers Jose Romero and Omar Aguilar held Hickory in check until the ninth, combining for three innings of two-hit, shutout ball. The Power will play host to Hickory at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central) in the second game of the three-game series. Power points Wednesday?s crowd pushed the season attendance total over the 160,000 mark to 162,763. ...Entering Wednesday?s play, the Power was seventh in attendance in the 16-team Sally League, averaging 3,854 for 41 home dates. ... The Power?s Andrew Lefave, who tops the league with a .341 batting average, went 2-for-4. ...The Power will start right-hander Jeremy Jeffress (5-2, 2.36 ERA) tonight while the Crawdads will counter with righty Brad Clapp (3-7, 6.61 ERA). In Jeffress? last outing, he allowed only an earned run on three hits in six innings, with six strikeouts. West Virginia Box Score: Taylor Green on base three times... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis Chuckie Caufield (right) is congratulated after his three-run homer in the first that wiped out most of an early 4-0 Hickory lead. http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/Power1.jpg