Jim Goulart

Final: West Virginia 4, Lexington (Astros) 0 West Virginia Box Score and Game Log: Lefty Steve Garrison with a sparkling start, allowing four baserunners in six innings; Julian Codero and Kevin Roberts follow-up nicely; remember, Garrison won't turn 20 years old until next month; Mike Bell three hits; Darren Ford home run # 7, wow; -- this group had a fine season that was done in by a single outstanding club in the division race each half-season... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Final: Memphis (Cardinals) 2, Nashville 0 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Drew Anderson photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2128 Sounds Blanked By Redbirds In Series Finale MEMPHIS, Tenn. ? The Nashville Sounds were shut out for only the fourth time in 2006 on Sunday afternoon, falling 2-0 to the division-rival Memphis Redbirds at AutoZone Park in the finale of a five-game series. With the loss, Nashville (73-63) had its lead cut to just two games over Iowa in the American Conference Northern Division. The red-hot I-Cubs rallied late to defeat New Orleans on Sunday afternoon and have won eight of their last nine games. The Sounds? magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at six with eight games remaining in the season. Redbirds starter Anthony Reyes (6-1) combined with a pair of relievers to notch the five-hit shutout for Memphis. He allowed four hits and fanned eight batters over his seven innings. Matt Perisho worked a scoreless eighth before Andy Cavazos notched his fourth save of the year by keeping the Sounds off the board in the ninth. Nashville placed only two runners into scoring position all afternoon, none after the fourth inning. Sounds outfielder Drew Anderson went 2-for-4 on the afternoon for Nashville to account for 40 percent of the team?s hits on the day. Memphis first baseman Shawn Garrett was the hero for the second day in a row. After giving the Redbirds a 10th-inning win with a game-winning double on Saturday night, he provided all the offense the home team would need on Sunday with a two-out, two-run single off Sounds starter Carlos Villanueva. Mike Rose and John Rodriguez, who had both reached against Villanueva after there were two outs in the frame, scored on Garrett?s knock. Villanueva (7-1) suffered his first career Triple-A loss after allowing two runs on five hits while striking out five over six frames of action. The Sounds continue their final road trip of the 2006 season on Monday in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they take on the Albuquerque Isotopes (AAA-Marlins) in the 7:35 p.m. CT opener of a four-game series. Nashville has won seven of the first 12 contests between the clubs this season. Left-hander Dana Eveland (5-4, 2.15) will man the bump for Nashville in Monday?s series opener. Albuquerque will counter with left-hander Jason Vargas (2-5, 6.37). Nashville Box Score and Game Log: Steve Bray still rolling in relief... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_mrbaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Pitching Coach Stan Kyles: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-27.mp3

Huntsville Times: Here's a quirk in the Southern League schedule: Every time West Tenn loses in its final five games, it enhances its playoff chances. Every win lessens its chances. The Jaxx will be playing first-half champ Chattanooga, and a strong series against West Tenn could help the Lookouts sweep both halves. If that happens, West Tenn would make the playoffs because it has the second-best season-long record. If Huntsville or Tennessee wins the second half, West Tenn is out of luck.

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Covering the bases Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times Left-handed pitcher Joe Thatcher (3-1, 0.79 ERA at Brevard County) has joined the Stars. He played collegiately at Indiana State and played in the independent Frontier League last year. The Stars' worst-to-first turnaround could assure that a fairly impressive string continues. Since joining the Southern League in 1985, the franchise has not gone more than two seasons without reaching the playoffs. The most recent time was 2003, when the Stars lost to Carolina in the final round. ... Reflecting on Friday's bizarre 14-inning win, in which pitching-depleted Mississippi used player-coach Jon Williams, a catcher by trade, and catcher Ray Serrano to pitch in extra innings, Huntsville manager Don Money recognized that "in the first half (of the season) we lose that game. We come back, tie it up, then make a bonehead play." Of the 11 outs made against Williams and Serrano, throwing batting-practice speed, two were strikeouts and the others were fly balls. "It looked like we were trying to hit everything out of the park," Money said. Eventually Brendan Katin did that, his third homer in seven games. ... Stars pitcher Manny Parra, third baseman Ryan Braun and outfielder Steve Moss have been selected to play in the Arizona Fall League, which begins Oct. 10. The league boasts some of the top prospects in the game. Also headed there are ex-Stars Steve Bray, Dennis Sarfate, Alec Zumwalt and Vinny Rottino. Epy Guerrero, a legendary figure in baseball in the Dominican Republic, is here this weekend, visiting his son, Stars coach Sandy Guerrero. ... One of the hottest of the Stars is second baseman Callix Crabbe, who went into Saturday night's game having hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games and 26 of his last 34 and with 16 stolen bases in August. ... Money has noted the Stars' second-half home run production (up to 66 now) has been a key. Stats bear that out. They are 31-18 in games in which they have homered. ... Frank Kremblas Sr., father of former Stars manager Frank Kremblas, died Tuesday after a long bout with cancer. The elder Kremblas quarterbacked Ohio State to a co-national championship in 1957. Around the league Montgomery has assured itself a spot in the Southern League South playoffs against first-half champ Jacksonville. The Biscuits lead the division now, but even if the Suns make a clean sweep, Montgomery would have the second-best record. ... Montgomery has a great playoff record: It's 5-for-5, winning the Southern League pennant in each of its five postseason appearances. However, the last one was in 1977 (Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell were key players), with Montgomery out of organized ball between 1981 and 2004. ... The league GM's should consider a later date to vote on awards. Ballots were distributed Aug. 4, with an Aug. 21 deadline. Since the deadline, the Stars completed their worst-to-first move. Wonder how the manager of the year voting might have differed with, say, an Aug. 28 deadline? Brewings Triple-A Nashville Sounds (73-61 before Saturday's play, first place in Pacific Coast League American Division): OF Drew Anderson .321, with three RBIs in seven games since promotion from Huntsville. Single-A Brevard County Manatees (25-33, fourth in Florida State East Division this half): Derek Miller and Joe Thatcher combined on a one-hit shutout of Vero Beach on Tuesday, the last game before three consecutive rainouts. Single-A West Virginia Power (31-29, third in South Atlantic League Northern Division this half): On Monday, OF Lorenzo Cain (.307) broke West Virginia Power record for hits in a season; he has 153 now Single-A Helena Brewers (13-13, third in Pioneer League North): P Steve Palazzolo 1-1, 2.10 ERA, 5 saves On deck The Stars host Mississippi tonight at 6:05, then again Monday and Tuesday to end the regular-season home schedule. They end the season with six games at Birmingham, including a Saturday doubleheader, starting Thursday.

Huntsville catcher Carlos Lee, relegated to pinch-hit duties for some time now, was placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury to make room for Joe Thatcher. EDIT: Right shoulder injury for Lee, according to the Stars' site.

Huntsville catcher Carlos Lee, relegated to pinch-hit duties for some time now, was placed on the disabled list with an undisclosed injury to make room for Joe Thatcher. EDIT: Right shoulder injury for Lee, according to the Stars' site.

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Roving Hitting Instructor Jim Skaalen: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-26.mp3

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Roving Hitting Instructor Jim Skaalen: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-26.mp3

Standings through Saturday's action: Nashville will win the division if they and Iowa finish tied. The Pacific Coast League breaks ties based on head-to-head competition; Nashville won nine and lost seven to Iowa this year. Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 73 62 .541 - 41-27 32-35 L2[/b] Iowa 70 65 .519 3.0 42-28 28-37 W1 Memphis 54 81 .400 19.0 33-39 21-42 W2 Omaha 51 83 .381 21.5 31-37 20-46 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Huntsville 36 25 .590 - 19-12 17-13 W5[/b] Chattanooga 34 28 .548 2.5 19-13 15-15 W5 Tennessee 34 28 .548 2.5 18-12 16-16 L2 West Tenn 29 33 .468 7.5 19-11 10-22 L5 Carolina 25 37 .403 11.5 19-11 6-26 L4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 35 27 .565 - 24-13 11-14 W2 St. Lucie 34 27 .557 0.5 17-12 17-15 L2 Palm Beach 31 26 .544 1.5 18-11 13-15 L1 [b]Brevard County 25 33 .431 8.0 13-13 12-20 W2[/b] Vero Beach 22 36 .379 11.0 13-16 9-20 W1 Jupiter 22 39 .361 12.5 12-19 10-20 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lakewood 42 19 .689 - 24-7 18-12 L1 Lake County 32 27 .542 9.0 17-15 15-12 W1 [b]West Virginia 32 29 .525 10.0 19-11 13-18 W2[/b] Hickory 31 31 .500 11.5 14-18 17-13 W1 Greensboro 30 30 .500 11.5 15-18 15-12 L2 Lexington 26 36 .419 16.5 17-14 9-22 L1 Delmarva 24 36 .400 17.5 14-14 10-22 W1 Hagerstown 23 38 .377 19.0 11-18 12-20 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 19 8 .704 - 12-2 7-6 W1 Missoula 17 10 .630 2.0 10-3 7-7 W2 [b]Helena 14 13 .519 5.0 7-6 7-7 W1[/b] Great Falls 7 20 .259 12.0 6-8 1-12 L3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Angels 17 7 .708 - 5-2 12-5 W1 AZL Royals 17 8 .680 0.5 8-5 9-3 W1 AZL Padres 16 8 .667 1.0 10-4 6-4 W4 AZL Giants 15 9 .625 2.0 7-6 8-3 L2 AZL Athletics 11 13 .458 6.0 9-4 2-9 L2 AZL Mariners 11 13 .458 6.0 8-4 3-9 W1 AZL Cubs 10 14 .417 7.0 4-8 6-6 L1 AZL Rangers 8 17 .320 9.5 6-7 2-10 L1 [b]AZL Brewers 4 20 .167 13.0 3-9 1-11 L1[/b]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds and/or Huntsville Stars are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated an hour or two prior to gametime: Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf Following Nashville's lead, Huntsville now makes its media notes available as well, nice: www.huntsvillestars.com/i...eNotes.pdf

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_mrbaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1 Arizona Rookie: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Carlos Villanueva at Memphis (Cardinals), 1:55 PM pre-game; 2:10 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: RHP Yo Gallardo at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450radio.com/ Brevard County: Idle West Virginia: LHP Steve Garrison at home vs. Lexington (Astros), 3:55 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: RHP Roque Mercedes at home vs. Casper (Rockies), 4:50 PM pre-game; 5:05 gametime Audio (click on "Listen Live"): www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php Arizona: TBD at home in the Maryvale complex to face the Giants' kids, 9:00 PM Central time, never any web audio for the Arizona League

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Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...amp;coll=1 Latest Star gives team a lift Thatcher's in three hours after arrival, helps get 7-6 win By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times At approximately 6:30 Saturday afternoon, Joe Thatcher got off a plane at the airport and headed directly to Joe Davis Stadium. An eyelash over three hours later, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound relief pitcher was thrust left arm-first into the Southern League pennant race. With the Stars clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth and two lefties due up for Mississippi, manager Don Money called on his spanking new 25-year-old with the herky-jerky delivery. Seven pitches later, Thatcher had struck out Mike Rozema and Matt Young before yielding to closer Joe Valentine, who struck out Eddie Perez to secure a 7-6 win. It was one of the most exciting holds you'll ever see, and coupled with Tennessee's 6-5 loss to Jacksonville, it helped first-place Huntsville to a 2 1/2-game lead. "Every time you come to a new team, the first outing is pretty nerve-racking," said Thatcher, who had allowed just one earned run in 30 2/3 innings at Single-A Brevard County (Fla.). "I definitely had the ol' adrenaline going." Money said he'd predetermined that Thatcher would face the lefties before Valentine was brought in for Perez, a major league veteran who'd already blasted a two-run homer that gave the Braves an early 2-0 lead. Thatcher knew this, but the competitor in him wanted to keep the momentum from his two strikeouts going. "Yeah, you always want to finish an inning," he said, "but I just want to do whatever it takes to help us get to the playoffs." He did plenty in his debut. But why not? Seemingly everybody the Stars have called up this second half has helped a team that once lost 14 consecutive games before the break hold a commanding lead in the playoff chase. More than anything now, Huntsville expects to win. That much was evident against Mississippi. After Perez's shot off Steve Hammond gave the Braves a two-run lead, Steve Moss cranked the first pitch he saw from Eric Schmitt in the bottom of the first over the left-field wall to cut the lead to 2-1. Brad Nelson tied it in the second with another leadoff home run and provided the biggest blow of the night an inning later. After three walks and an RBI fielder's choice by Brendan Katin gave Huntsville a 3-2 lead, Nelson turned on a Schmitt pitch and hit a towering three-run home run over the right-field wall. Even he admired it. "That was a fun one," Nelson said. "One of those you don't feel. "Moss came out and started things off real well, especially after Eddie hit the home run. One of those things now is how we're going to react to things like that." At this stage, a win is the best reaction possible. Gerrit Simpson worked three innings in relief of Hammond to pick up the win. His only mistake came in the eighth when Michael Rosamond's two-run home run cut the lead to 7-6. Thatcher - who woke up Saturday in Florida to a ringing phone and a 10:30 call-up - and Valentine made certain it got no closer. Not only did Valentine give Thatcher an assist on the field with his ninth save, he added one in the locker room. As Thatcher was breezing through a postgame interview, Valentine sneaked up behind him with a shaving cream-filled paper plate. A second later it was all over Thatcher's face. "He's part of the team now," somebody yelled through the laughter. The Stars were glad of that Saturday night.

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...amp;coll=1 Latest Star gives team a lift Thatcher's in three hours after arrival, helps get 7-6 win By BRAD SHEPARD For The Huntsville Times At approximately 6:30 Saturday afternoon, Joe Thatcher got off a plane at the airport and headed directly to Joe Davis Stadium. An eyelash over three hours later, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound relief pitcher was thrust left arm-first into the Southern League pennant race. With the Stars clinging to a one-run lead in the ninth and two lefties due up for Mississippi, manager Don Money called on his spanking new 25-year-old with the herky-jerky delivery. Seven pitches later, Thatcher had struck out Mike Rozema and Matt Young before yielding to closer Joe Valentine, who struck out Eddie Perez to secure a 7-6 win. It was one of the most exciting holds you'll ever see, and coupled with Tennessee's 6-5 loss to Jacksonville, it helped first-place Huntsville to a 2 1/2-game lead. "Every time you come to a new team, the first outing is pretty nerve-racking," said Thatcher, who had allowed just one earned run in 30 2/3 innings at Single-A Brevard County (Fla.). "I definitely had the ol' adrenaline going." Money said he'd predetermined that Thatcher would face the lefties before Valentine was brought in for Perez, a major league veteran who'd already blasted a two-run homer that gave the Braves an early 2-0 lead. Thatcher knew this, but the competitor in him wanted to keep the momentum from his two strikeouts going. "Yeah, you always want to finish an inning," he said, "but I just want to do whatever it takes to help us get to the playoffs." He did plenty in his debut. But why not? Seemingly everybody the Stars have called up this second half has helped a team that once lost 14 consecutive games before the break hold a commanding lead in the playoff chase. More than anything now, Huntsville expects to win. That much was evident against Mississippi. After Perez's shot off Steve Hammond gave the Braves a two-run lead, Steve Moss cranked the first pitch he saw from Eric Schmitt in the bottom of the first over the left-field wall to cut the lead to 2-1. Brad Nelson tied it in the second with another leadoff home run and provided the biggest blow of the night an inning later. After three walks and an RBI fielder's choice by Brendan Katin gave Huntsville a 3-2 lead, Nelson turned on a Schmitt pitch and hit a towering three-run home run over the right-field wall. Even he admired it. "That was a fun one," Nelson said. "One of those you don't feel. "Moss came out and started things off real well, especially after Eddie hit the home run. One of those things now is how we're going to react to things like that." At this stage, a win is the best reaction possible. Gerrit Simpson worked three innings in relief of Hammond to pick up the win. His only mistake came in the eighth when Michael Rosamond's two-run home run cut the lead to 7-6. Thatcher - who woke up Saturday in Florida to a ringing phone and a 10:30 call-up - and Valentine made certain it got no closer. Not only did Valentine give Thatcher an assist on the field with his ninth save, he added one in the locker room. As Thatcher was breezing through a postgame interview, Valentine sneaked up behind him with a shaving cream-filled paper plate. A second later it was all over Thatcher's face. "He's part of the team now," somebody yelled through the laughter. The Stars were glad of that Saturday night.

And to answer a recent newly-started thread on the topic, no new news from West Virginia, Brevard County or Helena. When we know something, you will, too...

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 New lights, clubhouse means action for Stars Brewers expected to extend contract with Huntsville By MARK McCARTER Huntsville Times Sports Staff, markcolumn@aol.com The Milwaukee Brewers like Huntsville. They like having their Double-A farm team in the Southern League. They have just never liked the work environment for their employees. That's about to be rectified. And, in turn, it appears the Brewers will soon be extending their player development contract (PDC) to remain with Huntsville through the 2008 season. The Stars' players and on-field staff will be working out of an expanded clubhouse in 2007 and the Joe W. Davis Stadium lighting will be improved, general manager Tom Van Schaack said. While Milwaukee officials have expressed overall satisfaction with Huntsville, privately they have acknowledged the Brewers would have looked for a new Double-A affiliate had improvements not been made. Van Schaack said that team owner Miles Prentice is handling the negotiations with Milwaukee regarding the PDC. "It's progressing," Van Schaack said. "I feel confident in the near future we'll re-up." Last week, Scott Martens, the Brewers' business manager for player development and minor league operations, visited Huntsville, along with Brewers' equipment manager J.R. Rinaldi. They met with officials from the City of Huntsville's facilities department to figure a way to redesign the clubhouse. Rinaldi was involved because he has assisted the architects for Nashville's new stadium as they design team space in that park. Van Schaack said the Stars' clubhouse will be an addition to the current space underneath the third base grandstands and not a stand-alone building. "We need to use as much of the existing space as we can to be cost-effective, but we have to expand the main clubhouse area. It's too small and too crowded." The city of Huntsville earmarked $1 million over the next five years for improvements to the city-owned facility when it renewed the lease last spring with Prentice and the Huntsville Stars, LLC, the team's ownership group. The Stars organization drew up a wish-list of sorts that included clubhouse and lighting improvements. Those issues, Van Schaack said, "have moved up the priority list." Van Schaack said that some $200,000 of the $1 million has already been spent or earmarked for other projects. Because the stadium is in its 22nd season, and is the oldest park in the Southern League, much work is needed on the infrastructure and may only barely be noticed by fans. Van Schaack reiterated a comment from last spring, that "people may walk in and say, 'We thought you got $1 million. Where did it go?' But there are so many little things they don't notice." Prentice and his partners, who bought the team from a consortium of local owners in October 2001, agreed to a five-year lease with the city last spring. The previous lease had expired in 2003 and little significant work was done on the park for almost two years. The current lease has the Stars paying $10,000 annually, as well as making a $5,000 contribution to the $1 million capital improvements project. The lease payment is half that charged the previous ownership group, which also paid a percentage of tickets, concessions and other revenue.

West Virginia Site Game Summary: FORD STEALS RECORD, POWER WIN In the seventh inning of Saturday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park, Darren Ford drove in a big insurance run for the Power and later in the seventh he stole his 62nd base of the season, breaking former Charleston Alley Cat Mike Curry?s franchise record for stolen bases in a season set back in 1999 as the Power went on to beat the Lexington Legends 3-1. Mat Gamel hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to put the Power ahead 1-0. The home run was the 17th of the season for Gamel, only three shy of Jason Parson?s record of 20 set back in 1997. Lexington scored their only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Mitch Einertson scored on Gamel?s error. Mike Bell ripped an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Power the lead for good and Ford scored Kenny Holmberg on a fielder?s choice RBI in the seventh. Power lefty Brandon Parillo had a no-hitter going through four and two thirds, but it was broken up by Einertson?s two out single. Dave Welch has now thrown eleven consecutive scoreless innings for the Power. Welch (7-6) pitched three scoreless innings of three-hit ball and got the victory, Patrick Ryan (2) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save and Brian Bogusevic (1-5) suffered the loss. The Power are 71-59 on the year and 32-29 in the second half after the win while the Legends fell to 70-61 overall and 26-36 in the second half after the loss. The Power will finish the two-game series against the Legends Sunday evening. Right hander Sean Walker (6-9, 4.65) will make the start for Lexington and the Power will counter with left hander Steve Garrison (6-6, 3.70). The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM (4:05 Central). ***Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2006082666 Ford sets steals mark in Power win By Doug Smock Charleston Gazette Staff writer Darren Ford dashed into the Charleston baseball record books Saturday night, stealing his 62nd base as the West Virginia Power beat the Lexington Legends 3-1. Before a crowd of 4,498 at Appalachian Power Park, Ford stole second base in the sixth and seventh innings to break the franchise record of 61, set in 1999 by Mike Curry of the Charleston Alley Cats. It was the second major offensive franchise record to fall in a productive season, with Lorenzo Cain owning the hits record with 153. A second-year pro from Vineland, N.J., via Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, Ford is the top base stealer in the Milwaukee Brewers? organization, third in the South Atlantic League and No. 4 in all of minor league baseball. ?He?s probably the fastest player I?ve ever seen,? said Power manager Mike Guererro. ?I?ve seen a lot of fast players, but he?s the fastest, right from the get-go.? The Power (32-29 second half, 71-59 overall) is the Sally League?s top-hitting team at .277, but it needed to scratch out this win with the benefit of just five hits. It was a game designed for Ford to win, and he pretty much did. With the game tied at 1, Ford walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth. He stole second, then went to third on a Brian Bogusevic (1-5) wild pitch, then waltzed home on a Mike Bell single. That was his 89th run of the season, good for second in the league. Ford tacked on the insurance run in the seventh with a broken-bat grounder to deep short with one out and the bases loaded. He then stole second to set the franchise record. He was awarded the base as a memento. In center field, Ford made the game?s final out in somewhat dramatic fashion, getting turned around on a fly ball before reaching out to snag it. ?It was a ball hit to my right, but as soon as I turned, it went to my left,? he said. ?I just turned around to try to catch it, and I caught it.? The two steals helped him atone for oversliding the base on a not-that-close steal in the third. ?I went through the bag, and I kept going,? Ford said. ?I couldn?t put my foot on the bag and kept going past it. I just thought of it as it wasn?t meant to be. If I was going to get [the record], I was going to get it, and God let me get it today.? Mat Gamel scored the Power?s first run with a first-inning home run, a power-alley blast that bounded into Morris Street. It was his 17th of the season and could have stood up as the game-winner but the Legends (26-36 second half, 70-61 overall) tied the game in the fifth on an unearned run. Gamel figured in that, misplaying a short-hop grounder. It cost starter Brandon Parillo a victory. With 80 pitches, he left after the fifth inning with the game tied, leaving reliever David Welch (7-6) to get the win. Parillo?s earned-run average fell from 5.79 to 4.56, but he stayed at 3-0. He has pitched much better since being demoted to the Brewers? rookie club in Helena, Mont., and brought back up. ?A lot of the guys, especially late in the year, they?re starting to wear out,? Guerrero said. ?We want them to finish in a positive way, and also you?ve got to watch for them not to get hurt. He did an excellent job; we just made a couple of miscues back there.? BRIEFLY: Lexington cleanup hitter J.R. Towles struck out swinging in the first inning ? as the curve ball struck him on the knee. If you swing, it?s a strike. Then to make his day worse, he was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing balls and strikes. ... Welch helped himself by picking off a runner at first, Eli Iorg, in the sixth inning. ... South Atlantic League president John Henry Moss was in attendance. ... The Power?s attendance rose to 232,101 over 61 home dates, a 3,805 average. ... Cain was third in the league in batting, but fell to .305 with an 0-for-3 night. ... Gamel knocked in his 86th run, passing Angel Salome for the team lead. ... The Power just missed its 10th shutout of the year.

West Virginia Site Game Summary: FORD STEALS RECORD, POWER WIN In the seventh inning of Saturday night?s game at Appalachian Power Park, Darren Ford drove in a big insurance run for the Power and later in the seventh he stole his 62nd base of the season, breaking former Charleston Alley Cat Mike Curry?s franchise record for stolen bases in a season set back in 1999 as the Power went on to beat the Lexington Legends 3-1. Mat Gamel hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning to put the Power ahead 1-0. The home run was the 17th of the season for Gamel, only three shy of Jason Parson?s record of 20 set back in 1997. Lexington scored their only run of the game in the top of the fifth inning when Mitch Einertson scored on Gamel?s error. Mike Bell ripped an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning to give the Power the lead for good and Ford scored Kenny Holmberg on a fielder?s choice RBI in the seventh. Power lefty Brandon Parillo had a no-hitter going through four and two thirds, but it was broken up by Einertson?s two out single. Dave Welch has now thrown eleven consecutive scoreless innings for the Power. Welch (7-6) pitched three scoreless innings of three-hit ball and got the victory, Patrick Ryan (2) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn the save and Brian Bogusevic (1-5) suffered the loss. The Power are 71-59 on the year and 32-29 in the second half after the win while the Legends fell to 70-61 overall and 26-36 in the second half after the loss. The Power will finish the two-game series against the Legends Sunday evening. Right hander Sean Walker (6-9, 4.65) will make the start for Lexington and the Power will counter with left hander Steve Garrison (6-6, 3.70). The first pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM (4:05 Central). ***Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2006082666 Ford sets steals mark in Power win By Doug Smock Charleston Gazette Staff writer Darren Ford dashed into the Charleston baseball record books Saturday night, stealing his 62nd base as the West Virginia Power beat the Lexington Legends 3-1. Before a crowd of 4,498 at Appalachian Power Park, Ford stole second base in the sixth and seventh innings to break the franchise record of 61, set in 1999 by Mike Curry of the Charleston Alley Cats. It was the second major offensive franchise record to fall in a productive season, with Lorenzo Cain owning the hits record with 153. A second-year pro from Vineland, N.J., via Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, Ford is the top base stealer in the Milwaukee Brewers? organization, third in the South Atlantic League and No. 4 in all of minor league baseball. ?He?s probably the fastest player I?ve ever seen,? said Power manager Mike Guererro. ?I?ve seen a lot of fast players, but he?s the fastest, right from the get-go.? The Power (32-29 second half, 71-59 overall) is the Sally League?s top-hitting team at .277, but it needed to scratch out this win with the benefit of just five hits. It was a game designed for Ford to win, and he pretty much did. With the game tied at 1, Ford walked to lead off the bottom of the sixth. He stole second, then went to third on a Brian Bogusevic (1-5) wild pitch, then waltzed home on a Mike Bell single. That was his 89th run of the season, good for second in the league. Ford tacked on the insurance run in the seventh with a broken-bat grounder to deep short with one out and the bases loaded. He then stole second to set the franchise record. He was awarded the base as a memento. In center field, Ford made the game?s final out in somewhat dramatic fashion, getting turned around on a fly ball before reaching out to snag it. ?It was a ball hit to my right, but as soon as I turned, it went to my left,? he said. ?I just turned around to try to catch it, and I caught it.? The two steals helped him atone for oversliding the base on a not-that-close steal in the third. ?I went through the bag, and I kept going,? Ford said. ?I couldn?t put my foot on the bag and kept going past it. I just thought of it as it wasn?t meant to be. If I was going to get [the record], I was going to get it, and God let me get it today.? Mat Gamel scored the Power?s first run with a first-inning home run, a power-alley blast that bounded into Morris Street. It was his 17th of the season and could have stood up as the game-winner but the Legends (26-36 second half, 70-61 overall) tied the game in the fifth on an unearned run. Gamel figured in that, misplaying a short-hop grounder. It cost starter Brandon Parillo a victory. With 80 pitches, he left after the fifth inning with the game tied, leaving reliever David Welch (7-6) to get the win. Parillo?s earned-run average fell from 5.79 to 4.56, but he stayed at 3-0. He has pitched much better since being demoted to the Brewers? rookie club in Helena, Mont., and brought back up. ?A lot of the guys, especially late in the year, they?re starting to wear out,? Guerrero said. ?We want them to finish in a positive way, and also you?ve got to watch for them not to get hurt. He did an excellent job; we just made a couple of miscues back there.? BRIEFLY: Lexington cleanup hitter J.R. Towles struck out swinging in the first inning ? as the curve ball struck him on the knee. If you swing, it?s a strike. Then to make his day worse, he was ejected in the sixth inning for arguing balls and strikes. ... Welch helped himself by picking off a runner at first, Eli Iorg, in the sixth inning. ... South Atlantic League president John Henry Moss was in attendance. ... The Power?s attendance rose to 232,101 over 61 home dates, a 3,805 average. ... Cain was third in the league in batting, but fell to .305 with an 0-for-3 night. ... Gamel knocked in his 86th run, passing Angel Salome for the team lead. ... The Power just missed its 10th shutout of the year.

Final: Helena 8, Idaho Falls (Royals) 1 Helena Independent Record: The Helena Brewers pounded out five extra base hits as they cruised past the Idaho Falls Chukar?s 8-1 in a Pioneer League contest Saturday. Chris Errecart hit his 11th home run of the season in the first inning to post the Brewers to a 2-0 lead. Cole Gillespie knocked another round tripper in the eighth inning. Taylor Green, Andy Bouchie and Fredy De la Cruz each had a double in the contest. Green was 3-for-3 on the night. Errecart, Bouchie and Carlos De La Cruz each had two hits in the contest. Christopher Jean picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 6 2/3 and giving up one earned run. Mike McClendon finished the game without allowing an earned run. The Brewers start a four-game set with Casper today. First pitch is at 4:05 PM (5:05 Central). Helena Box Score and Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

Final: Helena 8, Idaho Falls (Royals) 1 Helena Independent Record: The Helena Brewers pounded out five extra base hits as they cruised past the Idaho Falls Chukar?s 8-1 in a Pioneer League contest Saturday. Chris Errecart hit his 11th home run of the season in the first inning to post the Brewers to a 2-0 lead. Cole Gillespie knocked another round tripper in the eighth inning. Taylor Green, Andy Bouchie and Fredy De la Cruz each had a double in the contest. Green was 3-for-3 on the night. Errecart, Bouchie and Carlos De La Cruz each had two hits in the contest. Christopher Jean picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 6 2/3 and giving up one earned run. Mike McClendon finished the game without allowing an earned run. The Brewers start a four-game set with Casper today. First pitch is at 4:05 PM (5:05 Central). Helena Box Score and Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_helrok_1

This forum has been lax in giving Vinny Rottino his just due for his July and August. Sounds media notes, adjusted for last night's 3-for-4 effort: ROTTINO ROLLIN?: Utilityman Vinny Rottino is batting .389 (56-for-144) over his last 41 contests, hitting safely in 33 of them. His .310 average sits at its highest point of the season and he is batting a team-best .422 in August (27-for-64). More thoughts, a la Toby: Middle reliever Gerrit Simpson has been a rock in the Huntsville bullpen all season, even in the worst of times for the team early on. Dude had better get a chance at AAA next year at age 27, even if just as a reward for his work since his acquisition from the Rockies last season.

This forum has been lax in giving Vinny Rottino his just due for his July and August. Sounds media notes, adjusted for last night's 3-for-4 effort: ROTTINO ROLLIN?: Utilityman Vinny Rottino is batting .389 (56-for-144) over his last 41 contests, hitting safely in 33 of them. His .310 average sits at its highest point of the season and he is batting a team-best .422 in August (27-for-64). More thoughts, a la Toby: Middle reliever Gerrit Simpson has been a rock in the Huntsville bullpen all season, even in the worst of times for the team early on. Dude had better get a chance at AAA next year at age 27, even if just as a reward for his work since his acquisition from the Rockies last season.

I think they'l look to trade the arbitration-eligible Davis this off-season.