Jim Goulart

The win keeps Nashville (57-47) two games ahead of second-place Iowa, which had a late game at Tucson. The Sounds and Cubs will not meet again this season. Iowa lost, so the lead is 2 1/2 games.

Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=51188 Koonce carries first-place Sounds By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent The Pacific Coast League American Northern Division pennant race is in full swing and the Nashville Sounds did their part on Tuesday night to stay on the winning end. Graham Koonce hit a walk-off solo homer in the bottom of the tenth inning to give Nashville a 5-4 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Hawks at Greer Stadium. ?I was just looking to get on to lead off the inning, any way I could either with a walk or a base hit,? said Koonce, whose homer barely cleared both the wall and the foul pole in right field. ?I managed to get ahead in the count and got a good pitch to hit. I wasn?t sure [it cleared]. It had a little hook on it. Fortunately it was enough to get out.? The win keeps Nashville (57-47) two games ahead of second-place Iowa, which had a late game at Tucson. The Sounds and Cubs will not meet again this season. ?Iowa is playing great baseball right now,? Koonce said. ?We thought the way we?ve been playing the last two weeks we?d be able to put some distance between us, but they?ve been sticking right with us. That?s what makes the chase interesting.? A subplot to the game was the immediate future of Dennis Sarfate. The Sounds have more quality starting pitchers on their roster ? seven ? than their five-man rotation can accommodate. Sarfate knew he would be making his last start before being moved to the bullpen. Against the Sky Sox, he went five innings and allowed four earned runs. Nashville is overloaded with starters because Milwaukee had two of its best pitchers, Ben Sheets and Tomo Ohka, return from the disabled list in the past week. Their return sent Dana Eveland and Zach Jackson back down to Music City. They joined Sarfate, Ben Hendrickson, Jared Fernandez, Carlos Villanueva and Justin Lehr in a seven-man tussle for starting spots. Sarfate is the first pitcher relegated to the bullpen, but the organization has not decided who else will be left out. All seven have pitched fairly well for the Sounds this season. Sarfate?s problem has been his spotty control as he?s tied for the Pacific Coast League with 69 walks, including two against Colorado Springs. ?I think they see him in the future as a reliever,? Sounds manager Frank Kremblas said. ?And he knew this was coming.? Kremblas said the organization hadn?t decided yet how to organize the rotation. More Brew moves: The Brewers traded pitcher Jorge De La Rosa to Kansas City on Tuesday for utility infielder Tony Graffanino. After the trade, Milwaukee optioned shortstop Chris Barnwell back to Nashville. The Brewers will have to create a roster spot in Nashville to make room for Barnwell.

Final: Nashville 5, Colorado Springs (Rockies) 4, ten innings Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Graham Koonce photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=2076 Koonce Blasts Sounds To 10th-Inning Win NASHVILLE, Tenn. ? Graham Koonce led off the bottom of the tenth inning with a solo homer off Nate Field to give the Nashville Sounds a dramatic, come-from-behind 5-4 victory over the Colorado Springs Sky Sox on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a four-game series. Koonce?s blast, his ninth of the year, capped a 3-for-4 evening for the first baseman and gave Nashville (57-47) its ninth last at-bat victory of the season The game-ending homer was the Sounds? third of the campaign, following shots by Nelson Cruz on April 17 against Oklahoma and Corey Hart on May 3 versus Iowa. AUDIO: Koonce's Game-Ending HR -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...207-25.mp3 The Sounds scored runs in each of their final three frames to come back from a 4-2 deficit. Trailing 4-3 entering the bottom of the ninth and facing their fourth consecutive defeat, the Sounds rallied for a run against Field, the Sky Sox closer, to send the game to extra frames. Pinch-hitter Kennard Bibbs led off with a single and moved to second on a Zach Sorensen sacrifice. After Brent Abernathy fouled out, Dave Krynzel ripped the first pitch he saw into right field to bring home Bibbs with the tying run. The blown save was Field?s fifth of the season. Colorado Springs leadoff hitter Jeff Salazar gave the visitors a 1-0 lead when he opened the contest by driving Sounds starter Dennis Sarfate?s second pitch over the wall in right for his third home run of the season. The Sounds grabbed a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the frame by scoring two unearned runs that resulted from a fielding error by Sky Sox second baseman Jayson Nix. With one out, Abernathy doubled to snap out of an 0-for-14 slump and scored one batter later when Nix failed to handle a Krynzel grounder. Krynzel later scored the go-ahead run on Koonce?s two-out RBI double to left-center off Colorado Springs starter Sun-Woo Kim. Sarfate was on cruise control following Salazar?s early homer, allowing only two more hits through the fifth inning, before running into trouble in the sixth. The right-hander loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of walks sandwiched around a Josh Wilson single before being removed from the game. Dana Eveland, who was added to the active roster prior to the game, took the mound in relief and was greeted by an RBI infield single off the bat of former Sound Carlos Rivera (2-for-3). After Eveland fanned Danny Ardoin for the first out of the inning, Matthew Miller laced a two-run knock through the left side of the infield to put Colorado Springs back in front, 4-2. Nix reloaded the bags with a bunt single but Eveland recovered to strike out Tommy Whiteman and retire Kim on a groundout to leave the sacks full and escape further damage. Nashville threatened in the bottom of the inning, loading the bases with one out against Kim, but failed to capitalize as Jermaine Clark grounded back to the pitcher for a forceout at the plate and pinch-hitter Ozzie Chavez grounded out to short. The Sounds pulled within a run in the bottom of the eighth when Vinny Rottino scored on Chad Moeller?s two-out RBI double off Scott Dohmann to make it a 4-3 contest. Clark snapped out of an 0-for-23 funk with an infield single in the bottom of the fourth inning. Steve Bray (1-0) earned his first career Triple-A victory with a scoreless inning of relief work for Nashville. The right-hander has yet to surrender a run with the Sounds this season, working 7.0 scoreless frames in his eight outings. Field (2-3) took the loss after giving up the tying and winning runs on three hits in his lone inning of work. Kim took a no-decision for the Sky Sox, losing the victory as a result of the blown save. He held Nashville to two runs (one earned) on six hits over six innings. Sarfate took a no-decision for Nashville in his final start before moving to the bullpen. He allowed four runs on four hits in five frames of work, walking two batters and striking out four. The teams continue the series on Wednesday night with another 7 p.m. matchup. Right-hander Carlos Villanueva (2-0, 0.64), who threw the first six innings of a combined no-hitter in his last Greer Stadium appearance on July 15 against Memphis, will man the bump for the Sounds and face Sky Sox right-hander Jose Acevedo (5-6, 4.64). CHAVEZ RELEASED TO CLEAR SPOT FOR EVELAND: Right-hander Wilton Chavez was released by the Milwaukee Brewers just prior to Tuesday?s game to make room on the roster for left-hander Dana Eveland, who was optioned back to Nashville yesterday when the Brewers activated Ben Sheets. Chavez, whose final appearance for the Sounds was a spot start in Monday?s series finale in Oklahoma, went 3-1 with a 3.64 ERA (22 ER / 54.1IP) in 27 games (three starts) for Nashville this season. Nashville Box Score and Game Log Link: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Final: Billings (Reds) 7, Helena 1 Link while active, text follows: www.helenair.com/articles...606_04.txt Mustangs double up Brewers By the Helena Independent Record BILLINGS ? The Billings Mustangs turned a Pioneer League record five double plays as they handed Helena its fifth straight loss Tuesday night 7-1. The trio of Chris Valaika, Billy Rojo and Ryan Brown had a hand in three double plays. Helena was unable to get any offense going in the game as they scored a lone run in the fifth when Zach Clem scored on a groundout by David Parker. Billings had built a 4-0 lead before that run and responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to put the game away. Billings starter Travis Webb upped his record to 4-0 in the contest. He didn?t give up an earned run and struck out three in five innings of work. He lowered his ERA to 3.26 this season. Mustangs reliever Jeremy Burchett pitched four spotless innings and picked up his first save of the season. Billings rapped seven extra-base hits in the game, including two doubles by Rojo and home runs by Daniel Dorn and Logan Parker. The big inning came in the third when Billings pushed across three runs. Valaika smacked a two-RBI double in the frame and Turner drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Helena?s Jordan Swaydan was the only player with more than one hit. He was 2-for-3 at the plate in the game. Christopher Jean pitched five innings for Helena and he took the loss. His record this season is 2-2. The two teams will wrap up the three-game set with Billings today before taking on Great Falls for one game in the Electric City. Helena will return home Friday to play the White Sox. Helena Box Score and Game Log Link: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_bilrok_1

Monday's Helena KCAP Pre-Game Audio Chat with RHP Steve Palazzolo (Select date for July 24th, skip to the 13:45 minute mark) -- www.minorleaguebaseball.c.../audio.jsp

Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=938 Stars Sweat Out Win in Ninth Travis Ezi hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run and Joe Valentine worked out of a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the ninth inning to preserve Huntsville?s 4-2 win over Birmingham Tuesday night in the second of a five-game set at Joe Davis Stadium. The Stars won their third straight game to improve to 14-18 in the second half, while the Barons slipped to 15-17 in the second half. Huntsville wound up escaping a bases loaded, nobody out jam in the opponent?s final at-bat for a second time in three games. Valentine walked leadoff man Corey Smith, gave up a bloop single to Mark Quinn and walked Thomas Collaro to fill the bases. The veteran right-hander got out of trouble by retiring pinch-hitter Cory Aldridge on a shallow fly ball to left field, Micah Schnurstein on a shallow fly ball to right field and striking out Michael Myers to end the game and earn his first save with the Stars. Valentine tied a Southern League record with 36 saves pitching for the Barons in 2002. Travis Ezi hit a two-run home run with one out in the fourth inning to snap a tie and give the home team a 3-1 lead. It was Ezi?s first long ball with the Stars this season, his third overall this season and the 20th of his career. Lance Broadway, who blanked the Stars over eight innings on July 6, suffered the loss after allowing three runs on eight hits. Pedro Lopez?s infield single off of Valentine?s glove with two outs in the eighth inning scored Myers to cut the Stars? lead to 3-2. Callix Crabbe led off the home eighth with a double and scored on a two-out infield dribbler by Ron Acuna, who has knocked in 15 of his 38 runs this year against Birmingham pitching. Steve Hammond earned his third win with Huntsville after allowing one run on three hits over seven innings. He struck out nine and retired 11 of the last 12 he faced after a one-out double by Corey Smith in the fourth inning, the last hit he allowed. Hammond has been scored on in only five of the 39 innings he has started with the Stars. The series continues Wednesday night with right-hander Yovani Gallardo starting for Huntsville against Barons? right-hander Lucas Harrell. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 p.m. central time and can be heard locally on ESPN Radio 1450 AM and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Travis Ezi Photo from Stars' site: http://www.huntsvillestars.com/images/news/Ezi,%20Travis%2015t.jpg

West Virginia Site Game Summary: RIVERDOGS WALK PAST POWER The West Virginia Power walked the Charleston Riverdogs 12 times on Tuesday night at Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, and issued three walks with the bases loaded which accounted for three of Charleston?s five runs, as the Riverdogs went on to beat the Power 5-3. The Riverdogs jumped on top early on an RBI single from Reegie Corona. In the fourth inning Mario Holmann and Austin Jackson drew bases loaded walks in consecutive at bats to give the Riverdogs a 3-0 lead. Holmann walked with the bases loaded again in the fifth inning, and Corona scored on a wild pitch to put the Riverdogs up 5-0. The Power offense caught fire in the ninth inning. Mike Bell ripped a two-run double to score Mat Gamel and Lorenzo Cain. Bell scored later in the inning on a two-out base hit from Michael Brantley. With the tying run on first base, the attempt at a comeback came to an end for the Power when Nate Yoho popped out to right field and ended the game. The 12 walks established a new single game season high for the Power. Erick Abreu (4-1) pitched six scoreless innings to earn the victory, Cory Stuart (8) earned the save and Steve Garrison (4-4) got the loss. The Power are 53-47 overall and 14-17 in the second half after the loss while the Riverdogs improved to 52-50 overall and 14-18 in the second half after the win. The Power will continue the four game series against the Riverdogs Wednesday night. Left hander Garrett Patterson (0-3, 4.85) will make the start for Charleston and the Power will counter with left hander Rafael Lluberes (4-6, 3.86). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

Brevard County Site Game Summary: Corporan crushes Threshers Carlos Corporan homered and drove in a season-high five runs and Robert Hinton tossed five scoreless innings as visiting Brevard County beat Clearwater, 8-2, on Tuesday. Corporan belted a run-scoring single in the second inning, laced a two-run double in the third and crushed a two-run homer in the fifth. It was the sixth time this season the 22-year-old catcher has had at least three hits in a game. Hernan Iribarren added a three-run homer in the third for the Manatees (12-18), who snapped a two-game skid. Hinton (4-3) gave up two hits and walk while striking out six. The 21-year-old right-hander extended his scoreless streak to 16 2/3 frames as his ERA dropped to 3.05. Threshers starter Andrew Baldwin (7-7) was blasted for six runs -- five earned -- on 10 hits in 2 1/3 innings. Michael Costanzo launched a solo shot in the ninth for Clearwater (18-12), which settled for a split of the four-game set. -- Ryan McConnell/MLB.com

Final: Huntsville 4, Birmingham (White Sox) 2 Full details from Stars' site later... Huntsville Box Score and Game Log Link: Steve Hammond outstanding (again) -- three hits and nine K's in seven innings; Hernan Iribarren and Travis Ezi homer on the same night -- who had that at the sports book? This rotation now includes Hammond, Yo Gallardo, Tim Dillard, and Corey Thurman -- pretty sweet... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

Final: Charleston (Yankees) 5, West Virginia 3 Three-spot in the 9th for the Power made it close... West Virginia Site Box Score and Game Log Link: More to worry about -- why is Steve Garrison exiting after three effective innings? Power pitchers walk 12; horrible relief stint for Matt Kretzschmar, who to be honest, has been subpar all season -- you do wonder if unheralded guys like that are hurting sometimes, or simply, ineffective; Wil Laureano equally wild, and Patrick Ryan still a middle relief stud; Mike Bell error # 37, Angel Salome passed ball # 11... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_crdafx_1

Final: Brevard County 8, Clearwater (Phillies) 2 Brevard County Box Score and Game Log Link: Kudos to the guys on the forum who were touting Robert Hinton again earlier this week -- as if the higher-ups were reading; Charlie Fermaint dropped to the 7-hole and he reaches four times; Carlos Corporan 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBI; Steve Sollman three hits; the Hurricane with a three-run jack, his 2nd of the season... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_clrafa_1

OK, here we go with the night for the minor league boys -- now, remember kids, play as well as you can so that you can someday be called up and underachieve like the Brewers of today...

What are you saving Rick Helling for? You've got Jeremi for long relief. Unbelievable.

Final: Arizona Brewers 7, Arizona Royals 2 Look forward to the day when "Yo" and "Ro" are in the Milwaukee rotation... Arizona Brewer Box Score and Game Log Link: Seven economical runs on offense... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

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 Tuesday'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_hunaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_clrafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_crdafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_bilrok_1

The rest of Tuesday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Dennis Sarfate at home vs. Colorado Springs (Rockies), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: LHP Steve Hammond at home vs. Birmingham (White Sox), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450radio.com/ Brevard County: RHP Robert Hinton at Clearwater (Phillies), 6:05 gametime; sorry, no audio for this series West Virginia: LHP Steve Garrison at Charleston (Yankees), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: RHP Chris Jean at Billings (Reds), 7:50 PM pre-game; 8:05 gametime Audio (click on "Listen Live"): www.helenabrewers.net/html2/index.php

The rest of today's action is under the lights, links and starting pitchers later this afternoon...

In progress: Arizona Brewers 4, Arizona Royals 2, after six innings Rolando Pascual's best moment on the mound to date -- five solid innings...

Arizona: RHP Rolando Pascual at home vs. the the rookie Kansas City kids, 12:30 PM Central time, 10:30 AM local, never any web audio for the Arizona League Arizona Rookie: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

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

Link while active, text follows: news.bellinghamherald.com...004/SPORTS Taubenheim settles in for Blue Jays DOUG PACEY THE BELLINGHAM HERALD SEATTLE - It's 2:26 p.m. on Monday when Ty Taubenheim emerges from the visitor's clubhouse at Safeco Field. The major league pitcher with the body of an NFL tight end walks out of the tunnel and climbs the dugout steps. Taubenheim gazes around the park, taking in a 360-degree view of the empty Seattle stadium - the gates won't open for nearly three hours - before pulling out his cell phone. Hey, the 2001 Lynden High School graduate had to tell some folks he'd arrived. "I called my brother, my fiancée, my agent," Taubenheim said. "Just a bunch of friends." Actually, Taubenheim, who's been in the big leagues for more than two months, had seen his family on Sunday night after the Blue Jays arrived in Seattle at around 10 p.m. But those few steps from the clubhouse to the dugout and to the field were something special. Taubenheim was wearing a Major League uniform in the same park where he'd seen more than 20 games, not to mention the dozens he saw in the Kingdome. "I've seen a lot of games here," the 23-year-old said. "Being able to come to Safeco as a player on a Major League team is something else, a dream." There was only one thing wrong with this dream: Taubenheim couldn't play. On the disabled list, he was stuck on the bench for at least one more day. He's eligible to come off today, though, and will throw a simulated game this afternoon. If he pitches well, he could be activated. Even if he's not, Taubenheim isn't worried about not playing in front of family and friends in his home state. "I'm thinking to myself this isn't the first and last time I'm going to play in Seattle," he said. Taubenheim was sent to the DL on July 10 with a staph infection in his left little toe. He spent five days in a Toronto hospital where doctors lanced the top of his toe. He was released on July 17 but didn't throw off a mound until Sunday. He says the toe doesn't bother him, he feels fine and that he's ready to return to the field. When that happens, he'll likely go back to the bullpen as a middle-relief pitcher. Taubenheim was given a starting spot in the rotation when the Blue Jays called him up in late May, but he struggled, going 1-5 with a 4.89 ERA in 35 innings and seven starts. He got his ERA under 4.00, but a rough outing at Kansas City shot it back up. "It would have been nice to take advantage of that opportunity of being a starter," said Taubenheim, who has received the least run support of any Toronto pitcher at 3.6 runs per start. "But if the Blue Jays think I'd be better off in the bullpen, then OK. I think they might have had a plan all along that the bullpen was what I was best suited for." Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg said Taubenheim's biggest downfall is his lack of experience. "We didn't expect him to come in here and win 15 games," Arnsberg said. "He's young. He doesn't have enough Major League innings. "A year ago he was facing Single-A and Double-A hitters. Now he's in the big leagues." Arnsberg said Taubenheim has good breaking pitches, but must get better command of his fastball. Sometimes, when he tries to pitch down and away, the ball will run up and in, the coach said. But the veteran pitching coach with a dozen years of experience didn't sentence Taubenheim to a career as a reliever, though. "He's got the body size and arm strength to be a starting pitcher," he said. "He just needs the innings." Taubenheim knows as much. Pitching in the same division as offensive juggernauts like the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, he's learned quickly how advanced the game is at the major-league level. "There are no easy outs," he said. "Every batter has the potential to hurt you in various ways. If you're not throwing strikes they'll take their walks with pleasure. They're going to make you come to them and they're the judges of the strike zone for the most part. "I say it all the time, you have to get ahead early and challenge hitters; otherwise they'll just sit up there and take pitches. The mental side of it is so much more different because they know what they're doing. They can all adjust to you." Taubenheim had to do some adjusting of his own in December when the Milwaukee Brewers packaged him in a trade to the Blue Jays with All-Star first baseman Lyle Overbay, a Centralia native. At the time, Taubenheim didn't know what to expect from Toronto. He was invited to spring training, but began the season at Triple-A Syracuse. Soon after, he became a big leaguer. "That was the best thing to ever happen to me," said Taubenheim, the second-youngest Blue Jay on the 40-man roster. "You never know, but I'm pretty hard-pressed to say that I would have gotten this opportunity this soon with the Brewers. That's just how it works." ***Link while active, text follows: news.bellinghamherald.com...004/SPORTS Lynden, Washington gives pitcher hero's reception DOUG PACEY THE BELLINGHAM HERALD SEATTLE - Dozens of Lynden residents made the 100-mile trip from Lynden to Safeco Field on Monday. They caravanned and carpooled, navigating traffic snarls on Interstate-5. All to see a player whom they knew wouldn't play. Toronto pitcher Ty Taubenheim may have spent the 7-5 loss to Seattle on the bench - he's on the disabled list - but to the folks who made the trek south, seeing one of their own in a Major League uniform made the trip worthwhile. "It's exciting," said Cory White, who was Taubenheim's high school baseball coach. "I went to Denver to see his Major League debut, but seeing him here in Safeco Field against the Mariners, it's awesome." Jim Taubenheim, Ty's father, said about 50 friends and family were at Safeco Field on Monday night. More than a dozen met Ty after the game near the dugout. "It's a party down here," said Jim, beaming. "Everyone's here and it means so much to Ty and his family. We're all thrilled." Ty may have an even larger fan club at tonight's game. "My brother-in-law (David Zapien) is bringing a busload of people from his church down," Jim said. Ever since Toronto promoted Taubenheim to the big leagues in late May, folks in Lynden have been looking forward to this week. He's eligible to come off the DL today and will pitch a simulated game this afternoon. "He may not play," White said, "but he's still in that dugout with a Toronto uniform on." Most of Taubenheim's followers are long-time Mariners fans. But some, like Jim, have adjusted their allegiances in the last couple months. "Toronto is No. 1," said Jim, sporting a Blue Jays cap, "and Seattle is No. 1A."

Link while active, text follows: news.bellinghamherald.com...004/SPORTS Days off just as crucial as days on the mound I have had several people approach me about what I do after an outing and how much I must enjoy having a day off every once in a while. In actuality the off days are much more difficult and in some instances more important than "on days," and make toeing the rubber the easy part. Let's say, for instance, I throw 1 1/3 innings but throw thirty pitches. This equation would equal tomorrow being an "off" day and thus no chance of me throwing. What does this mean? It means I have that one day to keep myself in shape - and it means showing up to the field even earlier then if I was playing. You get the chance to get a good long stretch in, followed by a long and steady flush run and a quick full-body workout. Prior to the game, I have a chance to play "long toss" stretching out my arm to heal from yesterday and prepare for tomorrow. The importance of these minor steps is something I feel is underestimated and something fans don't realize. So much hard work and preparation proceeds game activity and without it fatigue and struggles will be apparent. The next time you see a pitcher - whether it be the flabby build of David Wells, or the bulky one of Kyle Farnsworth - know there were hours of preparation leading up to that moment. This is just one example of what happens behind the scenes, one of the many things that happens before the front gates open and the popcorn pops. It's what happens from a player's perspective on how, in the heat of the moment, preparation outdoes raw skill and talent. How a day off can be a powerful combination of hard work and relaxation blended together for a potent outcome. THOUGHTS ON THE GAME "The one constant through all the years has been baseball. America's rolled by like an army of streamrollers, and it's been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. It's in our past. It reminds us all of what once was good." This is a quote from the fictitious author Terrance Mann, played by James Earl Jones in the epic film "Field of Dreams." It's a reminder of a game that has been through so much in its 125-year tenure in our nation. It's played everywhere from inner-city streets to suburban yards, all the way up to mammoth stadiums. It's known as "America's pastime." It's the only sport where coaches wear the team's uniform, and the only sport not bounded by a running clock. Although the film represents dreams and concepts that are mystic and unreal, Terrance Mann's quote represents truth and all that is real and individual to baseball. Dane Renkert is a pitcher for the West Virginia Power of the Class-A South Atlantic League. Before joining the Milwaukee Brewers organization he played for Bellingham High School, Washington State and the Bellingham Bells. He will write about his experiences throughout the season.

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/sports/huntsvi...amp;coll=1 Stars on Bonds? They're still very impressed Contact Mark McCarter at markcolumn@aol.com Huntsville Times There are two Barry Bonds fantasies I have.The first, he has finally been indicted. Then he bolts. A slow chase ensues. Bonds is tucked into the backseat of a white Ford Bronco, with Victor Conte, the BALCO president, at the wheel. They slowly cruise through San Francisco, past Fisherman's Wharf, around to the Golden Gate Bridge and up to Marin County, a fleet of police cars in tow, the sky full of news helicopters bringing us every mile. In the second, Bonds comes to the plate and the umpire is Leslie Nielsen, reprising the memorable act in "Naked Gun." Bonds steps into the box. Nielsen frisks Bonds. Magically, a huge hypodermic syringe appears and Nielsen holds it up. Nielsen then whips out handcuffs and whisks him away. All very silly, I know. While I don't want Bonds to catch Hank Aaron, more than anything, I want some resolution to this whole ordeal, which has had more than its share of silliness. I suspect that's the majority opinion. We're tired of hearing about him, tired of accusations, tired of his attitude. Then I had another thought: What do those in his profession think about him? What do the Huntsville Stars think about him? Here's a sampling: Drew Anderson, OF: "The guy has the best hand-eye coordination. He's the best hitter I've ever seen. (But) All you hear about Barry Bonds is perjury, when's he going to be indicted, things like that. When he hits a home run, you don't even hear about it." Steve Moss, OF: "I don't know the guy, but as a baseball player, he's the greatest hitter that's played in our era." Brad Nelson, OF: "What comes to mind first is what everybody's talking about. But I've still got respect for how he can hit." Don Money, manager: "There's probably not been this much (scrutiny) on a player who is still playing. Today, there's so much controversy with him. People get tired of it. True or not true? Then it dies down. Two months later something else comes up, true or not true?" Ron Acuna, OF: "The best hitter in the big leagues. Not just best hitter. Best player." Rich Sauveur, pitching coach (and former teammate of Bonds with Pirates): "What do I think? Incredible athlete. Very arrogant. He was the same way back in 1986 he is now. He's the best ballplayer there ever was, but why do you have to be the way he is?" Corey Thurman, P: "One of the greatest players of all time. One of my idols when I was growing up. He's why I wore No. 24, when he was with the Pirates. (The baggage) doesn't matter to me. Being a professional athlete, I know the hardest thing to do is hit a pitched baseball." Tim Dillard, P: "He's got the best swing in baseball. He and (Albert) Pujols. Whether he's juiced or not, he can still hit." Jeff Eure, IF: "Best hitter in my lifetime. It's unbelievable how he deals with (the negative attention) and stays focused. Regardless if he took anything or not, it's not been proven one way or the other. You've still got to make contact. You've still got to have that incredible eye."

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Lees clean up, especially for Stars Huntsville's Carlos outshines brother in 8-2 victory By MARK McCARTER Huntsville Times Sports Staff, markcolumn@aol.com Now that big league pitcher Jorge de la Rosa has completed his rehabilitation stint with the Stars, leaving as the winner in Monday's 8-2 Huntsville victory over Birmingham, he heads to Milwaukee to rejoin the Brewers. As de la Rosa does so, he'll be teamed up with Carlos Lee ... after having been teamed up with Carlos Lee. The Brewers' All-Star outfielder Carlos Lee, who blasted a two-run homer in Milwaukee's romp Monday, was outdone by his brother, also named Carlos, who was employed as Huntsville's DH. Carlos Humberto Lee had a three-run homer, a pair of singles and an uncharacteristic stolen base (nine in six years), scoring twice for Huntsville against the team with which he began the season. It was part of a 10-hit barrage for the Stars - matching their average against Birmingham in their last 11 meetings. By the way, Carlos Noriel Lee, the Brewers' slugger, was also 3-for-3 - but with no stolen bases. "It's hard, because I played with the White Sox (organization) for five years and they released me," Lee said. "I knew his adrenaline would be flowing a little more," said manager Don Money, who was giving Lee only his third start since he joined the team July 12. De la Rosa, who struck out nine in five innings, allowing six hits and a pair of runs in ending his Huntsville career at 3-1, wasn't the only pitcher leaving town. The Barons' Tyler Lumsden was snoozing in his motel room Monday afternoon, the TV tuned to ESPN. He heard the voice of analyst Tim Kurkjian call his name ... or was he dreaming? His first thought, Lumsden would later tell Birmingham broadcaster Curt Bloom, was, "Is there another Tyler Lumsden?" It was no dream. It was a report that Lumsden (9-4, 2.69 ERA in 20 starts), one of best prospects in the White Sox system, had been traded to Kansas City for major league reliever Mike MacDougal, a future-mortgaging move to bolster the Chicago bullpen for the pennant drive. Lumsden was scheduled to pitch Thursday, then the ex-Clemson star was to have met with a group of Clemson alums at a picnic before Friday's game here. After falling behind 2-0, the Stars tied the game in the third. Steve Moss ended an 0-for-15 skid with a one-out double, then he and Guilder Rodriguez scored when Callix Crabbe bounced to first baseman Corey Smith, who threw wildly home. J.C. Boscan singled in Lee in the fourth, then a two-run Ron Acuna double - ending an 0-for-11 streak - and Lee's homer gave Huntsville an 8-2 lead in the fifth. Lee was 1-for-10 coming in, but had been working faithfully with hitting coach Sandy Guerrero to iron out some things. "It was fun," he said. "I hit a home run against my ex-team. It's hard (not playing regularly). I play one or two games a week, but when they put me in the lineup, I'm going to do the best I can." "You get in and do your job, it might mean you get another chance to play tomorrow," said Money. To that end, "Lee, DH," is already penciled in the Huntsville lineup.