Jim Goulart

Final: Mobile (Diamondbacks) 10, Huntsville 6 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...ewsId=1177 BayBears Bang Out 14 Hits in Win Over Stars Carlos Gonzalez collected three hits and drove in four runs to push Mobile past Huntsville 10-6 Thursday night in the second of a five-game series at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears improved their season record to 25-22 and have claimed five out of seven against the Stars, who fell to 23-22 and remain one game behind Tennessee, which lost at home to Jacksonville, in the North Division standings. Huntsville committed a season-high three errors and issued a season-high eight walks in allowing double figures in runs for a third time this season. Mobile loaded the bases with nobody out in the seventh inning against Robert Hinton on an Adam Heether throwing error, a walk to Javier Brito and a base hit to left field by Justin Upton, who finished with three hits in five at-bats. Gonzalez then lined a 1-0 offering into centerfield for a double that cleared the bases and pushed the home team?s lead to 6-2. The highly-prized outfield prospect has knocked in nine runs in seven games against Huntsville pitching and has driven in multiple runs in a game three times. Mel Stocker and Heether singled in the eighth and both scored on a double by Drew Anderson that cut the BayBears lead to 6-5. Hernan Iribarren grounded out to second for the second out of the inning, as Anderson rounded third base thinking that was the final out of the frame. Brito, the first baseman, threw wildly past third baseman Wilkin Castillo which allowed Anderson to score to trim the deficit to 6-5. However, reliever Luis Pena could not keep the game close in the bottom half of the inning, as the first five batters all picked up a hit and produced four runs. Brito, Upton and Gonzalez all delivered run-scoring hits and Josh Ford?s double play grounder pushed across the final run in the Bay Bears highest scoring victory over the Stars this season. Mobile has scored 10 runs in three of its last five wins and leads the league with 229 runs scored. Stars? starter Manny Parra allowed single runs in the first three innings and was taken out after 5 1/3, during which he allowed two earned runs on seven hits. He issued a season-high five walks and struck out five. Hinton allowed a season-high three runs, after yielding only four in his first 16 appearances, on two hits and a season-high three walks. Trailing 3-2, Huntsville loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning and could not score, as Guilder Rodriguez bounced into a force out at the plate and Steve Sollmann grounded out and then could not score still down 3-2 in the sixth with runners at second and third base and one out when Iribarren struck out and Rodriguez grounded back to the mound. The series continues Friday night when Huntsville will send left-hander Adam Pettyjohn to the hill against BayBears? right-hander Jonathan Castellanos. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Manny Parra's roughest outing of the season just as we tried to generate some AAA buzz for him... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: Listened to most of this game, and those wasted scoring chances in the 4th and 6th were just brutal... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1

Final: Nashville 9, Memphis (Cardinals) 5 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Joe Dillon photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2338 Sounds Use Big Inning To Down Redbirds, 9-5 NASHVILLE ? The Nashville Sounds erupted for five runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium to score a 9-5 victory over the Memphis Redbirds in the finale of a four-game series. With the victory, Nashville (25-22) earned a series split with Memphis and wrapped up its eight-game homestand with a 5-3 record. Joe Dillon swung the big stick for the Sounds, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run on the evening. The Sounds struck first, plating a pair of runs against Memphis starter Mike Smith in the bottom of the second inning. Dillon got things started with a leadoff home run to left, his third longball in his last six starts. AUDIO: Joe Dillon's HR Starts The Scoring -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-24.mp3 Brad Nelson followed with a single and later scored the frame?s second run on a Charles Thomas groundout. Memphis got a run back in the fourth on a Rick Ankiel sacrifice fly before Sounds shortstop Chris Barnwell extended the Nashville lead to 4-1 in the bottom of that frame with a two-out, two-run single. Jose Capellan took a no-decision for the Sounds in his second start of the year after a mid-May promotion from the bullpen. The right-hander worked four innings and allowed one run on three hits while striking out three batters. He threw 57 pitches in the outing. The Redbirds greeted Nashville reliever R.A. Dickey with four runs in the top of the fifth to grab a 5-4 lead in the contest. Three of the four runs in the frame were unearned following a Dillon throwing error on a Smith bunt. Skip Schumaker, Brendan Ryan, and Nick Stavinoha (3-for-4) all produced RBIs in the frame. Trailing by a run in the seventh, the Sounds sent 10 runners to the plate against a trio of Redbirds hurlers. Barnwell got things started with a leadoff triple then scored the tying run when pinch-hitter Andy Abad followed with an RBI single. After Ryan Braun drew a walk, Jose Macias drilled an RBI double down the left field line to give Nashville a 6-5 lead and chase Smith from the contest. Chris Lambert took over on the hill and surrendered consecutive hits to Laynce Nix (RBI single) and Dillon (double) before intentionally walking Brad Nelson to load the bases. Mike Rivera greeted new Memphis hurler Hugo Castellanos with a two-run double off the left field wall to increase the lead to its final 9-5. Dickey (3-4) picked up the win for the Sounds. He allowed four runs (one earned) on four hits in three innings of work in relief of Capellan. Greg Aquino and Dennis Sarfate closed out the contest with a scoreless inning apiece for Nashville. Smith (5-4) took the loss for Memphis after allowing seven runs on eight hits over 6 1/3 frames of action. He walked two batters and struck out three. The Sounds travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico on Friday to open a brief four-game road trip against the Isotopes. Right-hander Tim Dillard (2-3, 3.25) will start the 8:05 p.m. CT series opener for Nashville and square off against Albuquerque southpaw Paul Mildren (3-4, 4.47). Baseball returns to Greer Stadium on Tuesday when the Sounds open an eight-game homestand during which they?ll host the Las Vegas 51s (AAA-Dodgers) and Tucson Sidewinders (AAA-Diamondbacks). Nashville Box Score: Hopefully the very last time we see Ryan Braun's name in a minor league box score... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Brewers GM Doug Melvin (Part 2 of 2): Keep in mind this was taped a couple of days ago... www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-24.mp3

For those of you haven't strayed over to the sheer mania of the Major League Forum tonight concerning Mr. Braun: www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2339 No word yet on the Nashville roster spot that needs to be filled. Eventually Greg Aquino will come off his official rehab stint and will be optioned to the Sounds, but that hasn't happened yet.

Final: West Virginia 4, Augusta (Giants) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: POWER EDGE GREENJACKETS The West Virginia Power ended an eight game stretch against first place opponents with a 5-3 record after they defeated the Augusta GreenJackets 4-2 on Thursday night at Appalachian Power Park. The Power took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Darren Ford led off with a double and scored later in the inning on Michael Brantley?s groundout. Matt Weston?s solo home run in the fifth inning tied the game and Augusta took a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning when Nestor Rojas scored on Ryan Rohlinger?s sacrifice fly. The Power loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning where Andrew Lefave and Andy Bouchie hit back-to-back RBI singles to give West Virginia the lead for good. Brent Brewer added an insurance run in the seventh inning on a two out RBI single. D.J. Lidyard (1-1) allowed just a run on three hits over two and two thirds to get the win, Omar Aguilar (3) pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get his first save since April 18th and Adam Cowart (7-3) was tagged with the loss after surrendering three runs on four hits over five and a third. J.T. King started for the Power and tossed five solid innings, allowing just a run on three hits. The Power improved to 30-14 with the win and the GreenJackets fell to 32-15 with the loss. Brent Brewer paced the Power with three hits. The Power will begin a four-game series against the Greenville Drive at Appalachian Power Park on Friday night. The Power will start left hander Luis Ramirez (1-1, 6.51) and the GreenJackets will counter with right hander Chris Jones (2-4, 3.65). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Brent Brewer added a sacrifice to his three singles, although he was caught stealing twice, and is now 15-for-20 in that category (Darren Ford is 23-for-30); Chuckie Caufield with the base hit, BB, and HBP trifecta; J.T. King's been solid, huh? www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: One of Brewer's caught stealing was third base with two already out -- ugh; closer Omar Aguilar sandwiched a 9th inning triple amid three K's... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Suspended: Brevard County 4, Sarasota (Reds) 1, bottom of the 4th at Space Coast Stadium MiLB.com: Reds-Manatees game suspended Thursday's Florida State League game between Sarasota and Brevard County was suspended due to a power outage at Space Coast Stadium. The Manatees were leading in the fourth inning, 4-1, when the game was called. Action will resume at 5 p.m. ET Friday, ahead of the regularly scheduled game. Partial Brevard County Box Score: Mike Bell and Angel Salome with solo home runs; Mat Gamel 2-for-2 (singles); LHP Rafael Lluberes four walks in four innings with minimal damage... web.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...+to+shine/ Brantley's been good with bat, but first base is spot to shine Jack Bogaczyk Charleston Daily Mail Sports Editor It was another Grand Slam School Day at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday. One of the kids that had the best time was Michael Brantley. Yes, the West Virginia Power first baseman is still a kid -- nothing resembling a goat, however. He only turned 20 last week. When he arrived in Charleston 13 1/2 months ago, he was 18 but already had experienced a solid summer of pro baseball. Still, the southpaw is a very different player than he was a year ago, when he came off the South Atlantic Leaguer disabled list (right shoulder strain) in mid-May batting .180. He's also moved from the outfield to first base, where the guy is giving the Power bigger scoops than you'll ever get in a concession stand ice cream. He finished last season batting .300, reaching the coveted mark on the final day of the season. In Wednesday's 4-2 win over Augusta, Brantley went 2-for-4 with an RBI, raising his average to .306. His 13 extra-base hits are one more than he had all of last season. Most importantly, he's not just looking for a pitch to hit. Brantley looks for the pitch to hit. Maybe it's because he's the son of a former Major Leaguer, Mickey Brantley, who is the Toronto Blue Jays' hitting coach ... maybe not. "He's more experienced as a hitter now (than last season), and he's hitting with a lot of confidence," said Milwaukee's roving hitting instructor, Mike Lum, who was the Power batting coach a year ago and is passing through Charleston this week. "Mechanically, he's not sliding through the swing, either. "Michael has a good eye. He's doesn't swing at bad pitches. He's more aggressive early in the count this year, too. He'll swing at first-pitch fastballs instead of letting it go by like he did." He's also practicing more patience under first-year West Virginia hitting coach Corey Hart. Brantley said he's always had "a good eye, back to high school (in Florida), even back in Little League. I learned what was a strike early. If you're very selective, you don't have to get a hit to get on. "Some of it (his batting average climb last season and success this season) is just being healthy. Some of it is the fact that I'm bigger, stronger." The 6-foot-2 Washington State native has moved into the three hole in the Power order after appearing mostly 7-9 on Manager Mike Guerrero's lineup card a year ago. He's gone from 185 pounds at the start of last season to 195. His walk/strikeout ratio has improved from 1.2 to 1.8 this season. He is nearly halfway (11) to his season steals total of 24 last summer. In three minor league seasons, Brantley is a career .314 hitter. Yet, it is his transition to first base that may pay the biggest dividends. Some are surprised -- but shouldn't be -- by how he handles the big mitt, saving potential infield throwing errors and understanding how to use his feet around the bag. "It's true, my dad wanted me to go into the draft as a first baseman," Brantley said. "I played there a lot as a kid, in high school, but I wanted to go as an outfielder. I liked the outfield." He was a seventh-round pick in the June 2005 draft by the Brewers, and got a $150,000 bonus to sign. Yet, the move to first could enhance and hasten his chances to get to Milwaukee. The Brewers' successful system is overloaded with outfielders -- part of the reason why Brantley and center fielder Darren Ford (.335, 22 steals) are still Power players and not at high Class A Brevard County. There's not a notable prospect field behind Brewer big man Prince Fielder at first in the Milwaukee organization. "My dad loves how I play first," Brantley said Wednesday. "I'm comfortable there or the outfield, wherever they want me, wherever I'm needed." Yeah, but it seems father knows best. Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Tom Hindman West Virginia Power first baseman Michael Brantley recently made the switch from outfield to infield, where there?s not as much of a logjam in the Milwaukee Brewers? farm system. http://www.dailymail.com/images/BRANTLEY52307.jpg

Here's your Brevard County promotion for Thursday night: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...p;sid=t503 http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2007/05/20/PUuASfiN.jpg

Here's the exact text from the Daily Mail on Thursday afternoon: Power points -- The teams (Augusta and West Virginia) will conclude their four-game South Atlantic League series at 7:05 tonight (6:05 Central). The Southern Division-leading GreenJackets (32-14) will start right-hander Adam Cowart (7-2, 1.84). The Northern Division-leading Power (29-14) is expected to throw right-hander J.T. King (4-1, 3.18) in place of left-hander Zach Braddock (3-1, 1.30), who is sidelined with a shoulder injury that could keep him off the mound for a month or more.

From Wednesday's Game: Charleston Daily Mail Photo: Tom Hindman The West Virginia Power?s Chuckie Caufield (20) is tagged out on a sliding dive to second by the Augusta GreenJackets? Marcus Sanders. http://www.dailymail.com/images/SLIDE52307.jpg

Standings through Wednesday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 26 20 .565 - 14-6 12-14 W2 Nashville 24 22 .522 2.0 14-8 10-14 L1 Memphis 23 24 .489 3.5 15-9 8-15 W1 Omaha 21 24 .467 4.5 17-9 4-15 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 24 20 .545 - 9-10 15-10 W4 Huntsville 23 21 .523 1.0 13-12 10-9 L1 Chattanooga 20 26 .435 5.0 12-13 8-13 L2 West Tenn 20 26 .435 5.0 11-10 9-16 W1 Carolina 17 30 .362 8.5 9-13 8-17 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 28 18 .609 - 15-6 13-12 W1 Palm Beach 26 20 .565 2.0 13-12 13-8 L1 Vero Beach 22 24 .478 6.0 16-9 6-15 L2 Daytona 21 24 .467 6.5 13-8 8-16 L4 Jupiter 19 27 .413 9.0 7-14 12-13 W1 St. Lucie 18 28 .391 10.0 10-15 8-13 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 29 14 .674 - 14-9 15-5 W1 Greensboro 27 19 .587 3.5 15-6 12-13 L1 Lakewood 23 20 .535 6.0 10-11 13-9 W4 Delmarva 20 24 .455 9.5 11-11 9-13 W3 Lake County 20 25 .444 10.0 12-13 8-12 L4 Lexington 20 26 .435 10.5 10-14 10-12 W1 Hagerstown 19 27 .413 11.5 10-12 9-15 L3 Hickory 17 26 .395 12.0 7-10 10-16 W1

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

Follow 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_mobaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Jose Capellan at home vs. Memphis (Cardinals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Manny Parra at Mobile (Diamondbacks), 6:55 pre-game; 7:05 PM gametime Audio link: www.huntsvillestars.com/ Brevard County: LHP Rafael Lluberes at home vs. Sarasota (Reds), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:00 PM gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp West Virginia: RHP J.T. King at home vs. Augusta (Giants), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link (game will also archive at this link): www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

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Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...wer+saver/ Submarine Shanks is a real Power saver E.J. Shanks' switch to submarine pitch has resurrected his career here Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail Sportswriter An unorthodox delivery has led to a resurrected career for West Virginia Power closer E.J. Shanks. Struggling to develop a consistent breaking ball and tired of coaches tinkering with his delivery, Shanks decided to make a change. So, in a sink-or-swim move, he switched to the submarine, a pitching style in which the baseball is delivered with a sidearm or underhand motion. "I was throwing over the top and I had a real inconsistent breaking ball," Shanks said Wednesday afternoon, a few minutes after he pitched the ninth inning to preserve West Virginia's 4-2 win over visiting Augusta (Ga.) in front of a Grand Slam School Day crowd of 6,822 at Appalachian Power Park. "I had a bunch of different pitching coaches trying to change my throwing motion. (The submarine style) was something I talked to one of my old coaches about. He suggested it, and I tried it. It has seemed to pan out so far." Indeed it has. Consider: Using a submarine delivery, he is 9-1 with a 1.66 ERA and nine saves in his last two seasons (2006-07). Using an overhand delivery, he was 2-4 with a 5.46 ERA and two saves in his first two seasons (2004-05). "It's just a matter of keeping the ball down and trying to get people to ground out and trying to take aggressive swings away from them," said Shanks, whom the San Diego Padres selected in the 29th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. "It's my second year doing it. I'm still adapting, and I'm still learning." West Virginia opponents are used to facing pitchers who use an overhand delivery, "then I come into the game and throw from a totally different release point," said Shanks, who made a rare mistake Wednesday when he surrendered a two-run homer on an inside fastball to Augusta designated hitter Matt Weston. "The run on the ball and the movement on the ball is a little bit different. It's something they don't adjust to very quickly and don't see very often. So, it helps me." Power pitching coach John Curtis is pleased with Shanks, a 6-foot-5, 230-pound right-hander whose knuckles almost scrape the dirt on the mound when he releases the baseball. "He's tough," Curtis said. "He's a guy who brings a lot of deception and fortitude, and those are ideal characteristics for a closer." Mixing a changeup and slider with an assortment of fastballs that cross the plate in various fashions and locations, Shanks is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA and six saves this season. He also has 17 strikeouts compared to four walks in 25 1/3 innings. Curtis said the most impressive statistic for Shanks, who hasn't blown a lead this season, is his groundball-to-flyball ratio: 10-1. That prompted Curtis to compare Shanks to Baltimore Orioles reliever Chad Bradford, one of the few Major League pitchers with a submarine delivery. "Late in a game, if you can bring in a guy who you know is going to get a groundball, that's fabulous," Curtis said. The Milwaukee Brewers signed Shanks, a 25-year-old Las Vegas native who attended Oklahoma City University, to a minor-league contract in January. Shanks had spent the previous two seasons in independent leagues, trying to revive his professional career after the Padres released him during spring training two years ago. "He was brought here to see what he can do, and he has done more than hold his own," Curtis said.

In order to make room for RHP Patrick Ryan on the Brevard roster, RHP Jesse Harper has been released. A June 2004 waiver claim from Toronto, he was removed from the 40-man roster in October '04, and had been battling back from major arm problems for a good portion of his Brewer career. RHP Jesse Harper Brewerfan Player Index Page: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=690 Jesse Haper's 2007 numbers at MiLB.com: web.minorleaguebaseball.c...pid=430660 Brewerfan wishes Jesse well going forward.

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/story/S...o+Brevard/ Ryan promoted from Power to Brevard Jacob Messer Charleston Daily Mail Sportswriter Manager Mike Guerrero and pitching coach John Curtis were waiting on West Virginia reliever Patrick Ryan when he walked into the home dugout after pitching his third and final scoreless inning Wednesday at Appalachian Power Park. They had good news for him, and rather than wait until they got into the clubhouse, they gave it to him in the dugout. "We're sending you to Florida after the game," they told him. With that, Ryan became the first Power player to earn a promotion in the Milwaukee Brewers' farm system this season. He is headed to Brevard County, a member of the high Class A Florida State League. "I'm pretty happy," Ryan said following West Virginia's 4-2 South Atlantic League victory over visiting Augusta. "I'm glad I'm going to get a chance to go up there and play. I wasn't really expecting it." Ryan, who will turn 24 one week from today, was 2-0 with a 3.23 ERA this season. The 6-foot, 200-pound right-hander appeared in 16 games and pitched 30 2/3 innings, allowing 23 hits with 30 strikeouts compared to 12 walks. "He had a tremendous year here last year, but because of a number of moves (the Brewers) had to make in Brevard (this year), he ended up here in Charleston (for a second season)," said Curtis, who called Ryan the most valuable pitcher on his staff last year. "He had a little trouble with it at first. He thought he had to have a better year than he had last year (to get promoted). We talked about it a number of times in the first two weeks. After he got over the emotional and mental hump, he pitched well. "Everything has a purpose. He leaves here a better pitcher than he was last year. He's actually more ready for Brevard now than he would have been in April."

Look for reports online later today, but the Charleston Daily Mail is expected to report that Zach Braddock's shoulder injury could keep him off the mound for a month or more. Of course, the worst two words in that statement are "or more".

Link while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....m3hooYU%3D Long Sounds game is lost on late HR By BRYAN MULLEN Tennessean Staff Writer It was tough to tell what was longer: the game or John Nelson's home run. The Nashville Sounds hung around for most of the nearly four-hour game, then reliever Alec Zumwalt hung a curveball to Nelson, which Nelson planted well behind the left-field wall for a three-run home run in the ninth. The blast gave Memphis (23-24) an 8-5 win against the Sounds (24-22) in front of 2,552 at Greer Stadium on Wednesday afternoon. It was another shaky performance by Nashville's bullpen, which has been inconsistent of late. "If you're winning, your bullpen is going to help you win, or they're going to help you lose," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "But they've been fine. You're going to have your ups and downs." Zumwalt has had his ups (he led the Brewers organization in saves with 20 last year) and downs (Wednesday's three-run home run). He was told after the game he had been traded to the Oakland Athletics for cash considerations. He reports to Triple-A Sacramento today. The trade was made during the game and before Zumwalt's appearance in the ninth. Sounds starter Zach Jackson was just as ineffective as Zumwalt. Jackson lasted only 3 2/3 innings, needed 95 pitches, and allowed three earned runs. "His command was off, and his pace wasn't very good," Kremblas said. "When he loses his command, he thinks too much and probably takes a little too long between pitches." The 3 hour, 42 minute game was the Sounds' longest this season. The previous longest was 3:24. What they said: "When any pitcher doesn't have a good day, it's command of the fastball more than anything and working behind in the count." ? Kremblas on Jackson. ***Link for Ozzie Chavez photo while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....m3hooYU%3D Homers come easily for new leadoff hitter By BRYAN MULLEN Tennessean Staff Writer This leadoff thing is working out for the Sounds' Ryan Braun. For the second consecutive game, Braun has led off for Nashville and the results have been stellar. The third baseman went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run Wednesday, one day after going 2-for-3 with a solo homer. Wednesday's homer was his team-leading 10th. Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said earlier in the week he made the change to give Braun a few more at-bats. On Wednesday, Kremblas said he doesn't plan on messing with a good thing. "Unless they tell me different at the top, I'll keep him there," Kremblas said. Of Braun's 39 base hits this season, 22 have gone for extra bases. Slump ended: Nashville's Vinny Rottino was looking for a bloop single, an infield hit, anything to break his long hitless streak. He settled for an extra-base hit. The catcher broke an 0-for-22 slump with a double in the sixth. It was the longest hitless streak for any Sounds players this season. Dickey perfect: Nashville native R.A. Dickey, who starred at MBA and Tennessee, worked 1-1/3 innings in relief and was perfect. He struck out three and did not allow a run, a hit or a walk.

Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=56339 Sounds reliever loses game, gets traded By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent Alec Zumwalt said he has nothing but fond memories of his two seasons with the Nashville Sounds. His final memory surely won?t be at the top of the list. Zumwalt gave up a three-run game-winning homer to Memphis? John Nelson in the ninth and was then informed he had been traded to the Oakland A?s organization when the game had ended. The Redbirds beat the Sounds 8-5 in front of 2,552 fans at Greer Stadium in a 3 hour, 42 minute tug-of-war that featured three ties. Zumwalt has been traded before ? in 2004 from the Atlanta Braves to the Brewers organization. ?I was pretty surprised, [but] this isn?t the first time I?ve been traded,? Zumwalt said as he transported his belongings from his locker to a giant garbage bag. ?It?s a new opportunity. I have had nothing but good experiences here with these guys. ?I?m just going to miss playing with this group of guys. The fun that we had, I?ll always remember.? Zumwalt was the Sounds? closer on last year?s Pacific Coast League Northern Division championship team. He collected 15 saves and a 3.69 ERA, but he hasn?t fared as well this season. He was 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA and had given up one run or more in his last four appearances. Against Memphis on Wednesday, Zumwalt entered in the ninth inning of a 5-5 game. He gave up two singles before Nelson hit his game-winning blast. ?You play this game long enough and you realize it is a business,? said Zumwalt, who will be on his way to meet up with his new River Cats teammates in Sacramento. ?That?s the harsh reality of it. There?s no hard feelings either way. ?I would have loved to have left on a better note than that. Nobody wants to lose the game in the ninth. This last week has been a rough one for me pitching-wise, but whether or not that had something to do with me getting traded is out of my control.? The Sounds trailed 1-0, 4-1 and 5-4, but battled back to tie the game each time. Ryan Braun turned in his typical heroic performance, going 3-for-4 with a homer, a double, two runs and two RBIs. Nashville (24-22) was put behind the 8-ball early because of a sub-par outing from starter Zach Jackson. Six days after using 89 pitches to throw a complete game one-hitter, Jackson lasted just 3.2 innings over 99 pitches as the Redbirds jumped to a 4-1 lead. ?[His] command, pace was not very good,? Sounds manager Frank Kremblas said of Jackson. ?He seems to do that when he loses his command, probably thinking too much out there, takes a little bit too long in between pitches.? Vinny Rottino ended an 0-for-22 slump with a double in the sixth. The Sounds will close out their series with the Redbirds (23-24) tonight at 7 p.m. at Greer.

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 8, Nashville 5 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Ryan Braun photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2336 9th-Inning Homer Leads Redbirds Past Sounds NASHVILLE ? Memphis third baseman John Nelson belted a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to give the visiting Redbirds an 8-5 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium in each club?s longest game of the season. Nelson?s blast, which came off Sounds reliever Alec Zumwalt, was his third of the season and highlighted a five-RBI afternoon. Edgar Gonzalez and Rico Washington, who had both singled, scored on the roundtripper. The three hour and forty-two minute contest featured three ties before Memphis took its final lead in the last inning. Nashville (24-22) never led in the contest. The defeat was the ninth suffered by the Sounds this season after an opponent scored the winning run in its final at-bat. The teams traded first-inning runs. Memphis shortstop Brendan Ryan scored an unearned run in the top of the frame on a Vinny Rottino passed ball. The Sounds responded in the bottom of the inning when Ryan Braun (3-for-4) led off with his team-leading 12th double of the year and tied the game when Callix Crabbe followed with an RBI single to center, which snapped a 12 at-bat hitless stretch. Memphis pulled ahead with a run in the second then two more in the third against Sounds starter Zach Jackson. Skip Schumaker gave the visitors a 2-1 lead in the second with a two-out RBI single before John Nelson increased the advantage to 4-1 an inning later with a two-run double to left. Nashville erased the three-run deficit in the fifth and sixth innings. Braun made it a 4-3 contest with a one-out, two-run homer to left off Redbirds starter Troy Cate in the bottom of the fifth. The blast was his team-leading tenth of the year and second in as many days. AUDIO: Ryan Braun Goes Deep Again -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-23.mp3 The Sounds tied the game at 4-4 in the fifth when Rottino led off with a double, stole third, and scored on an errant throw by Redbirds catcher Matt Pagnozzi. The clubs exchanged runs again in the seventh to bring the score to 5-5. Gonzalez plated Ryan with a one-out RBI single in the top of the frame before Joe Dillon evened the score with a sacrifice fly in the home half, bringing in Andy Abad from third. Neither team scored again until Nelson?s game-winning longball in the top of the ninth pushed the score to its final 8-5. Andy Cavazos (1-2) earned his first win of the season after working a scoreless inning of relief. Brian Falkenborg held the Sounds at bay in the ninth to notch his team-leading 11th save of the year. Zumwalt (0-2) took the loss after surrendering three runs on four hits in his lone inning of action. Jackson, who took a no-decision, worked his shortest outing of the season for Nashville, working only 3 2/3 innings while allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits with six strikeouts. The teams wrap up the series with a 7 p.m. finale on Thursday evening. Right-hander Jose Capellan (3-2, 3.79) will make his second start of the season for the Sounds. Memphis will counter with right-hander Mike Smith (5-3, 5.55). ZUMWALT TRADED TO A?S: Following the game, the Milwaukee Brewers announced that Sounds reliever Alec Zumwalt has been traded to the Oakland Athletics organization in exchange for cash considerations. He is expected to report to Triple-A Sacramento. Zumwalt, who took the loss in Wednesday?s game for Nashville, finished 0-2 with a 4.82 ERA in 13 relief outings for the Sounds in 2007 after leading the club with 15 saves in 2006. Nashville Box Score: Ryan Braun a triple shy of the cycle, plus he walked; interesting to see Ozzie Chavez at second base and Chris Barnwell at shortstop -- perhaps working on building Ozzie's versatility; Grant Balfour has been unreal in his peripheral numbers -- 37 K's (37!) in 22.1 IP; only 14 hits and eight walks allowed... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Brewers GM Doug Melvin (Part 1 of 2): www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-23.mp3

Final: Mobile (Diamondbacks) 3, Huntsville 1 Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- Mobile Hangs Heartbreaking Loss on Huntsville Justin Upton?s home run in a controversial at-bat sparked a three-run seventh inning rally that carried Mobile to a 3-1 win over Huntsville Wednesday night in the opener of a five-game series at Hank Aaron Stadium. The BayBears improved their season record to 24-22 and to 4-2 against the Stars, who fell to 23-21 and one game behind victorious Tennessee in the North Division standings. The Stars loaded the bases with one out in the ninth on walks to Ruben Mateo and Lou Palmisano and a single by Drew Anderson, who had his first two-hit game since rejoining the Stars on Monday. Adam Heether lined a 3-2 offering from Dustin Glant into right field that was caught by Carlos Gonzalez, who threw back to first base to double off Anderson to end the game. Mobile turned three double plays in the game, all of which ended innings. Stars? starter Sam Narron was taken out of the game after being struck by a Jarred Ball grounder that went for a base hit to load the bases with two outs in the third inning. Mark DiFelice took over and got out of the jam by retiring Javier Brito on a fly ball out and pitched scoreless relief through the sixth inning before the decisive frame took place. Upton appeared to have offered and missed a 1-2 pitch that was ruled a no-swing on appeal to the first umpire. The Diamondbacks number one rated prospect then took a 2-2 pitch that could have been called strike three and wasn?t before he hit an opposite field long ball, his fifth in 31 at-bats, to right field to tie the game. Wilkin Castillo singled with one out to chase DiFelice from the game and Ronnie Merrill then greeted Jeff Housman with a triple to center field on an 0-2 pitch that chased home Castillo with the go-ahead run. Merrill scored when Housman uncorked a wild pitch, his third of the season. Kinsey went a season-best seven innings to earn his second win of the season, both over the Stars. He allowed a run on six hits, walked one and struck out five. His wild pitch with two outs in the first scored Steve Moss, who had singled and moved to third on a base hit by Ruben Mateo. Glant earned his fifth save of the season and has protected both of Kinsey?s wins. The series continues Thursday night, as Huntsville will send left-hander Manny Parra to the hill against BayBears? right-hander Esmerling Vasquez. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: If Sam Narron's leg injury requires a DL stint, maybe Derek Miller will get the bump up, they're on the same schedule right now... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_mobaax_1

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2007052331 Bottom?s up Nine-hole hitter Green smacks two-run homer By Mitch Vingle Charleston Gazette Sports Editor If you?d like insight into why the West Virginia Power is flying high within the South Atlantic League, look at the man who bats low in the order. The lowest, in fact. Third baseman Taylor Green, batting ninth, hit his sixth home run of the season and improved his average to .318 in the Power?s 4-2 Grand Slam School Day victory over Augusta at Appalachian Power Park Wednesday. It was a battle of South Atlantic League divisional leaders. West Virginia?s victory, recorded before a packed house announced at 6,822, snapped a four-game home losing streak and moved the Northern Division-leading Power to 29-14 on the year. Augusta, atop the Southern Division, fell to 32-14. Green?s two-run shot to right field proved vital when Power submarine-style pitcher E.J. Shanks gave up a two-out, two-run homer to Augusta?s Matt Weston in the ninth inning. Green, a left-handed hitter, pounded his shot in the seventh inning with teammate Jimmy Mojica on first via a bunt single. ?I was battling up there,?? said Green, who moved to the Power after a stay in Helena last season. ?It was a full count and [GreenJacket pitcher Paul "Buster" Lussier] left the pitch up. I was lucky enough to put a good swing on it.?? Green doesn?t seem to stop battling. He was a 25th-round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2005 draft, he stands just 5-foot-10 and it?s no pat on the back to be batting last in the order. Yet the 20-year-old third baseman continues to produce. ?You can?t let [hitting ninth] get to you,?? he said. ?You have to do your job and keep trying. Do what you?re asked to do. ?I?ve batted ninth every game this year. I have no problem with it. Whatever I can do to help the team.?? The Power needed help after failing to win at the APP since May 6, especially considering Wednesday?s game setup. On the mound for Augusta, which boasts the top South Atlantic League pitching staff, was Kevin Pucetas, who entered with a 5-0 record and 1.13 earned run average. Pucetas pitched six strong innings, allowing just two runs on bloop RBI singles by Power infielders Brent Brewer and Michael Brantley. West Virginia, though, countered with another strong outing from righty Mike McClendon. In his previous start, McClendon came within two outs of throwing a no-hitter against Asheville. This time around, he zipped through five innings on 58 pitches and allowed four hits and no runs. McClendon (4-1) struck out two and walked none. ?This is two in a row for [McClendon],?? said Power pitching coach John Curtis. ?We took him out a little early because of the pitch load he carried with that no-no into the ninth.?? McClendon threw 119 pitches against Asheville. ?I knew I was going short,?? McClendon said. ?I just wanted to give them the best five innings I could.?? He did so, dropping his ERA to 2.08. ?His whole package is what makes him so exceptional,?? Curtis said. ?He doesn?t have an overpowering fastball, but he has movement on it and locates it well. He knows what he?s doing out there.?? Curtis also praised reliever Patrick Ryan, who, during one stretch over two innings against four GreenJacket batters, recorded three strikeouts and a pickoff. ?They were begging for [the pickoff] back there,?? Curtis said of Augusta. ?We were telling [Ryan] to make a throw. Finally, he did.?? Augusta had not trailed in the series until the third inning Wednesday. ?This is a game we needed,?? Curtis said. POWER POINTS: Chuckie Caufield led West Virginia with three hits and bumped his average to .317. ... Brantley reached on a pair of singles to extend his on-base streak to 19 games. ... The Power will continue the four-game series against the San Francisco Giants affiliate at 7:05 PM today (6:05 Central). The announced starter for West Virginia is lefty Zach Braddock (3-1, 1.30), but a sore shoulder may mean a start for righty J.T. King (4-1, 3.18). Augusta is expected to counter with Adam Cowart (7-2, 1.84), the Sally League co-leader in wins. West Virginia?s Chuck Caufield steals second base ahead of the tag by Augusta?s Marcus Sanders during the Power?s 4-2 victory Wednesday. Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chip Ellis http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/Power1.jpg