Jim Goulart

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Zach Jackson at Las Vegas (Dodgers), 8:45 PM pre-game, 9:05 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: RHP Carlos Villanueva at Tennessee (Diamondbacks), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ Brevard County: RHP Josh Wahpepah at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 PM; sorry, no audio for this series -- will the Manatees avoid the sweep? West Virginia: RHP Kevin Roberts at Asheville (Rockies), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower.

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Lefty Zach Braddock's most recent two starts in New Jersey for his junior college: 6 IP, 2 R, 8 K's 5 no-hit innings (game called after five), 10 K's, one walk -- postseason game Still one of the highlights of the DFE class this year...

Final: Tuscon (Diamondbacks) 9, Nashville 8 Nashville Site Game Summary: Link for Jermaine Clark photo, text follows -- www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1946 Sounds Close Tucson Series With 9-8 Loss TUCSON, Ariz. ? The Nashville Sounds? slide continued on Friday evening with a 9-8 loss to the Tucson Sidewinders at Tucson Electric Park in the finale of a four-game series. Trailing 6-0 at one point, Nashville rallied with five runs over the last three innings but fell just short as the club dropped to 1-6 in one-run road contests this season. The defeat, Nashville?s sixth in its last eight games, resulted in a three games to one series victory for Tucson and dropped the Sounds? record to 21-14 on the year. Five of the nine Tucson runs in the contest were unearned due to three costly Nashville errors. Every Sounds starter, including pitcher Justin Thompson, recorded at least one hit in the losing effort as Nashville out-hit the Sidewinders, 14-11. Sidewinders left fielder Scott Hairston staked the home team to a 2-0 advantage with a two-out, two-run homer to left off Thompson. The blast, which came on a 3-2 pitch, was Hairston?s team-leading eighth longball of the season and tied him for the PCL lead. Tucson doubled its lead in the second on Alberto Callaspo?s two-run single to right that scored Kenny Perez and Robby Hammock, who had walked and singled, respectively, to open the frame. The Sidewinders upped the cushion to 6-0 in the third with two more runs resulting from a pair of Nashville fielding errors. Chris Barnwell put Nashville on the board in the top of the fourth inning when he extended his on-base streak to a PCL-best 27 straight contests with a two-run single off Sidewinders starter Neal Musser. Enrique Cruz followed with an RBI groundout to halve the Tucson lead to 6-3. All three runs in the frame were unearned. Tucson added to its lead in the bottom of the sixth with three more unearned runs resulting from a two-out fielding error by Barnwell at shortstop. The flurry extended the home team?s lead to 9-3. The Sounds rallied in the late innings against the Sidewinders bullpen. After Corey Hart delivered a seventh-inning RBI double off Mike Bacsik, Nashville pulled within 9-7 an inning later against Jeff Bajeranu on a run-scoring two-bagger by Enrique Cruz, who finished 2-for-4 to match his longest hit streak of the year at four games, and a two-run single off the bat of Jermaine Clark. AUDIO: Corey Hart RBI Double -- www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-12.wma Nashville put the potential tying run on in the ninth against Randy Choate courtesy of back-to-back one-out singles by Mike Rivera and Vinny Rottino. Barnwell followed with a fielder?s choice groundout that, coupled with a throwing error by Callaspo at shortstop, allowed pinch-runner Dave Krynzel to score from second to make it a one-run game at 9-8. Choate struck out Enrique Cruz for the final out of the game to quell the rally and notch his third save of the year. Musser (1-3) picked up his first win of the season, allowing three unearned runs on five hits over six innings of work. Thompson (2-2) took a loss for the second straight start after giving up six runs (four earned) on seven hits over four frames. Sounds first baseman Brent Abernathy extended his season-best hitting streak to five games with a 2-for-5 evening. The Sounds travel to Las Vegas on Saturday to complete their road trip with a four-game series against the 51s (AAA-Dodgers). Left-hander Zach Jackson (0-2, 3.00) looks for his first victory of the year when he makes the start for Nashville on his 23rd birthday in the 9:05 p.m. CT series opener at Cashman Field. Las Vegas will send left-hander Eric Stults (3-2, 4.88). Nashville Box Score: Mike Rivera 2-for-5... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_tucaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_tucaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game (Thursday) Audio Chat with Reliever Alec Zumwalt: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-11.wma Nashville Pre-Game Audio Coaches Chat with Pitching Coach Stan Kyles: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...205-12.wma

Final: West Virginia 12, Asheville (Rockies) 10 West Virginia Site Game Summary: Power outslug Asheville The West Virginia Power scored runs in the first six innings of Friday night?s ballgame at McCormick Field in Asheville and beat the Tourists by the final tally of 12-10 in a game that saw 22 runs, 28 hits and seven errors. Ryan Crew knocked in the first run of the game on an RBI groundout in the top of the first inning. Chris Nelson tied the game in the bottom of the first with a sacrifice fly. The Power scored three times in the second to regain the lead. Ned Yost scored the first run of the inning on Brad Willcutt?s double to center field -- the ball was bobbled by Dexter Fowler and the error allowed Yost to score. Darren Ford ripped a run-scoring triple and scored later in the inning on Lorenzo Cain?s RBI single. Cole Garner scored in the bottom of the second inning on Yost?s throwing error to pull the Tourists within two runs. The Power plated two runs on back-to-back RBI doubles from Yost and Mike Bell in the top of the third. Down 6-2, the Tourists took their only lead of the game, scoring five times in the bottom of the third inning. Nelson knocked in the first run on a single; Garner drove in the second run, reaching on a fielder?s choice. Daniel Carte drove in his first run of the series on an RBI groundout and the scoring finished on back-to-back RBI doubles from Phillip Cuadrado and Travis Becktel. The Power answered with a three-run fourth inning to regain the lead and never looked back. Crew doubled in the first run of the fourth, Bell was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Willcutt walked with the bases loaded to plate the final run of the inning. The Power added to the lead in the fifth inning on Angel Salome?s RBI single. The scoring stopped for West Virginia after a two-run sixth inning. Bell belted the only home run of the game, a solo shot, which was his third of the season. Nate Yoho knocked in the final run on a base hit. Asheville inched closer with a three-run seventh inning. Fowler knocked in the first run on an RBI double, Eric Young Jr. drove a run in on a single and Nelson?s second sacrifice fly of the game plated the game?s final run. Brandon Parillo (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn the victory, Joe Thatcher (6) earned the save and Brandon Durden (1-1) obtained the loss. The Power are 17-16 after the win and the Tourists fell to 19-15 with the loss. The Power will finish the four game series against the Tourists in Asheville Saturday night. Asheville will start left hander Jake Postlewait (1-3, 3.97) and West Virginia will counter with right hander Kevin Roberts (2-4, 4.88). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Much-needed outing for lefty Brandon Parillo, inducing ground balls, where he excelled last season; it'd be a shame if Lorenzo Cain were sidelined for any length of time; Ned Yost on base four times; Power turn three double plays... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_ashafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_ashafx_1

Huntsville Site Game Summary: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=826 Big Inning Lifts Smokies Past Stars Miguel Montero collected four hits and knocked in a pair of runs to back the strong six inning stint by Micah Owings as Tennessee handed Huntsville a 5-1 loss Friday night in the opener of a five-game set at Smokies Park. The Smokies won their second straight game to improve to 17-19, while the Stars dropped a season-high fourth game in a row to fall to 17-18. The Stars have been held to four runs on 18 hits during their losing streak. Phil Avlas led off the home second inning with a double, moved to third on a base hit by Alex Frazier and scored the game?s first run on a double by Alberto Gonzalez that sent Frazier to third base. Smokies? starting pitcher Micah Owings, who hit 30 home runs in two seasons at Georgia Tech, chased home Frazier with a ground ball to make it 2-0 and moved Gonzalez to third base. Jerry Gil then doubled to drive in Gonzalez and scored on a two-out single by Montero to complete the four-run rally. Huntsville starter Matt Yeatman had been scored on in only two of his first nine appearances and had allowed only three runs in 21 1/3 prior innings of work. The Stars lone run came in the fourth against Owings when Drew Anderson doubled to lead off the frame and scored on a one-out single by Lou Palmisano, who knocked in his 11th run of the season. Anderson doubled twice and singled and put together his first three-hit game of the season and became the first Stars' hitter to collect two extra base hits in a game this year. Owings allowed five hits, walked two and fanned a season-high 11, including at least two in five of the six frames he finished. Doug Slaten retired all six hitters he faced and Matt Wilkinson tossed a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win. Montero singled home a run with two outs in the eighth to complete the first four-hit night for a Smokies hitter since Jarred Ball did it on July 31 of last season. Avlas and Gil had three hits apiece to help pace a 14-hit attack. The series continues Saturday night when the Stars will send right-hander Carlos Villanueva to the mound against Huntsville native and Smokies? right-hander Adam Bass. Coverage of the game begins at 6:00 p.m. central time and can be heard on ESPN Radio 1450 AM locally and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

Brevard County Site Game Notes: Julio De La Cruz pitched seven innings of one-hit ball to lead visiting Clearwater past Brevard County, 3-1, on Friday. De La Cruz (1-2) struck out eight and did not walk a batter for the Threshers (19-16), who have won six straight and are off to the best start in franchise history. Charlie Fermaint led off the first with a double off De La Cruz, moved to third on a sacrifice and scored on a groundout. The right-hander did not allow another base runner until throwing a wild pitch on a third strike in the seventh. Joseph Bisenius pitched a hitless eighth and Brian Reed worked the ninth for his sixth save. Tuffy Gosewisch snapped a 1-1 tie with a two-run homer in the fifth as the Threshers took the lead for good. Brevard County starter Yovani Gallardo (2-3) allowed three runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out nine and walked two, raising his ERA to 2.08 in seven starts.

MLB.com with a detailed Travis Phelps story: milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com...p;c_id=mil

Final: Tennessee (Diamondbacks) 5, Huntsville 1 That meeting Don Money held for his batters doesn't bear fruit this evening -- one lonely run on six hits... Huntsville Box Score: Drew Anderson hit like a # 3 man tonight -- 3-for-4, two doubles; Steve Moss' average has dropped about 50 points in less than two weeks; props to rubber-armed reliever Gerrit Simpson, called on often, and almost always effective... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: In Guilder Rodriguez's limited role, he has to get the job done on a bunt -- he hasn't lately, including in the 5th tonight; Joe Winkelsas pitched around two errors in the 7th -- nice job... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1

Final: Clearwater (Phillies) 3, Brevard County 1 Make that nine straight home losses for the 'Tees -- Manager Ramon Aviles can repeat yesterday's interview statement: "When we pitch, we don't hit, when we hit, we don't pitch." One hit for the Manatees tonight. Brevard County Box Score: Yo Gallardo with only two wins in his seven starts -- where's the support? Relievers Jeremy Lewis and Dave Johnson with eight K's over the final three innings -- 17 K's combine for Brevard hurlers; only one fly ball out in Gallardo's six innings; utility man Scotty McKnight 4-for-34 since his call-up... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 Brevard County Game Log: Ryan Braun strikes out as a pinch-hitter in the 8th representing the tying run... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1

Here are three articles on new Huntsville RHP Matt Smith. They detail his signing by the White Sox after a release from the Mets early in his career and his rise in the ChiSox system (he was a 40-man roster player at one point). It appears he signed with St. Louis as a minor league free agent this past offseason. Decent background info here: 12/18/2003: www.zwire.com/site/index....&rfi=8 07/15/2004: www.zwire.com/site/index....&rfi=8 11/29/2004: www.zwire.com/site/index....&rfi=8 http://images.zwire.com/local/Z/Zwire1719/zwire/images/SP1_O148.jpg

Link while active, text follows: www.hernandotoday.com/spo...5I3NE.html Pro climb continues for ex-Bear Ryan By MARTY MILLER Hernando (Fla.) Today correspondent BROOKSVILLE -- It is a long way from pitching for Central High School to throwing for the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. But former Bear Patrick Ryan is applying his trade with the Class A Milwaukee Brewers minor league system and hoping that some day he we?ll be donning a uniform in the big leagues. Ryan, who played his college ball at Embry-Riddle University in Daytona Beach and was drafted by the Brewers in the 15th round of last year's summer draft, is now a middle reliever for the West Virginia Power who play their games in Charleston, W.V. After pitching last summer in Helena, Mont., in Rookie ball, Ryan has moved up a notch in the Brewers system to full season Class A ball. And he says that all he really wants to concentrate on is doing well each time he's called on. "I have no idea about moving up," Ryan said in a recent interview. "I'm not really worried about that because I can't really control that and what they have planned for me. Whenever I get into a game, I just have to worry about getting people out." This year, Ryan has appeared in 10 games as of May 9 and has a 0-1 won-lost record with a 2.65 earned run average while giving up only three walks and striking out 18. "I've been doing pretty good actually," he said. "It's all the same, whenever you go out there; you have to get people out." As a 15th round draft choice, Ryan right now doesn't get the big push from the organization in making the big league roster in a year or two. "Usually, the time table seems to be five years to be in the big leagues. Since this is my first full season, they are getting to know me like I'm getting to know pro baseball. Now, I pretty much go out and if I put up good numbers, then good things will happen to me. If I don't, then I won't be playing pro anymore." Ryan says that he was a little surprised about living in Charleston. "It's a bigger town than you think,? said the 22 year-old right-hander. "It's bigger than Brooksville and it's a lot better than I thought it would be, I thought it was going to be a lot more country but the people around here are super nice." "They pretty much treat us like kings. Everyone knows who you are and you get discounts for just about everything. And the host families do absolutely just about everything for you. It's awesome." During the past winter, Ryan got a chance to watch some spring training games and saw it from a different standpoint. "I was watching someone throw in the bullpen and every pitch was at the knees," he said."They don't throw anything above the belt. That's were the consistency comes in with getting the ball down." "If there is one word that separates the minor leagues from the majors it's consistency," he said. "In their game preparations, in what they do in the off-season and even pitch-to-pitch." In his second season of pro baseball, Ryan says the one difference he's noticed from college ball to the pros is the ability of the hitters. "When I was in college, there were one or two guys you had to worry about. But now, it's one through nine in the batting order and you have to make sure that you are on top of your game."

Another reinforcement for the depleted Huntsville staff: Huntsville site: Link, text follows -- www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=825 Veteran Hurler Added to Roster The Milwaukee Brewers have acquired right-hand pitcher Travis Phelps from Camden of the Atlantic League and assigned him to Huntsville. He will join the team in Sevierville, TN and will be in uniform Friday night when the Stars open a five-game series against the Tennessee Smokies. The veteran appeared in 75 games, all in relief, in the major leagues for the Devil Rays in 2001 and 2002 and made four relief outings for the Brewers in 2004. He owns a career record of 3-5 with five saves and a 4.34 earned run average. Last season, he pitched for Iowa and Colorado Springs in the triple-A Pacific Coast League, Louisville in the triple-A International League and Chattanooga in the Southern League. Phelps went a combined 4-2 with one save in his four stops. Tampa Bay originally drafted Phelps in the 89th round of the 1996 draft. He made 21 starts for Orlando in the Southern League in 2000 and went 7-8 with an ERA of 3.00. He was released by the Devil Rays in spring training in 2003, signed with Atlanta and pitched at triple-A Richmond and was then released following that season. Travis Phelps Brewerfan Player Index Page: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPla...ayerId=617

With the Huntsville staff down to eight healthy arms (Khalid Ballouli has not been placed on the DL, but left Thursday's game with shoulder tightness), the Brewers have traded with St. Louis and acquired RHP Matt Smith from the Cardinals' AAA Memphis club, and assigned him to the Stars. No news on the terms of the deal, likely a PTBNL (by the way, no news on final terms of the Greg Sain and Matt Yeatman trades from earlier this off-season.) Smith, 27 years old and 6'5", 240, made 66 relief appearances for the White Sox AAA team in Charlotte last season, and has Southern League experience with Birmingham in 2004. Smith was originally drafted by the Mets in the 18th round of the 1999 draft out of Southwest Michigan State. Matt Smith Career Statistics through 2005 (Brewerfan Player Index Page): www.brewerfan.net//ViewPl...ayerId=938 Smith has struggled with a 7.71 ERA in seven appearances (one start) thus far in 2006. 2006 Statistics: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...pid=434599

Standings through Thursday's action: Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 21 13 .618 - 11-5 10-8 L1[/b] Omaha 15 18 .455 5.5 9-8 6-10 L1 Iowa 13 19 .406 7.0 7-9 6-10 W1 Memphis 11 21 .344 9.0 8-8 3-13 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chattanooga 24 11 .686 - 15-5 9-6 L1 West Tenn 21 14 .600 3.0 8-7 13-7 W3 [b]Huntsville 17 17 .500 6.5 9-10 8-7 L3[/b] Tennessee 16 19 .457 8.0 9-6 7-13 W1 Carolina 15 20 .429 9.0 8-7 7-13 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- St. Lucie 21 12 .636 - 9-8 12-4 L1 Palm Beach 18 15 .545 3.0 7-7 11-8 L1 [b]Brevard County 17 16 .515 4.0 5-9 12-7 L2[/b] Daytona 14 20 .412 7.5 8-9 6-11 L3 Jupiter 14 20 .412 7.5 7-13 7-7 L2 Vero Beach 11 23 .324 10.5 7-12 4-11 L6 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lexington 19 14 .576 - 12-5 7-9 W1 Delmarva 18 14 .563 0.5 8-8 10-6 W2 Greensboro 17 15 .531 1.5 11-6 6-9 W1 Lake County 17 16 .515 2.0 8-9 9-7 L3 [b]West Virginia 16 16 .500 2.5 7-8 9-8 W1[/b] Hagerstown 15 17 .469 3.5 9-6 6-11 W3 Lakewood 15 18 .455 4.0 10-6 5-12 L2 Hickory 12 19 .387 6.0 5-8 7-11 L2

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 Friday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Activate the Nashville Gameday. For the other links, 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. It's sweet! Nashville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_tucaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_tenaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_breafa_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_ashafx_1

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF! All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Justin Thompson at Tuscon (Diamondbacks), 8:10 PM pre-game, 8:30 gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Huntsville: RHP Matt Yeatman at Tennessee (Diamondbacks), 6:00 PM pre-game, 6:15 gametime; first time this season Carlos Villanueva doesn't open a series on the mound... Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ Brevard County: RHP Yo Gallardo at home vs. Clearwater (Phillies), 6:00 PM; sorry, no audio for this series West Virginia: RHP Ronny Malave at Asheville (Rockies), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower.

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No day games Friday; Link Report out this afternoon...

Asheville Coverage of the West Virginia Game includes a Darren Ford photo: www.citizen-times.com/app...002/SPORTS

Link for Hasan Rasheed photo while active, text follows: www.floridatoday.com/apps...20341/1002 Manatees drop eighth straight home game BY SCOTT BROWN FLORIDA TODAY VIERA - The Brevard County Manatees couldn't lose at the beginning of the season. Now they can't seem to win, especially at Space Coast Stadium. Starting pitcher Mark Rogers got an early hook, and the offense didn't come alive until late as the Manatees lost 9-5 Thursday to the visiting Clearwater Threshers before a season-high crowd of 6,106, mostly school kids. Brevard County has dropped eight consecutive games at home. After winning 10 of their first 11 games, the Manatees now stand just one game over .500 (17-16) going into today's 7 p.m. game against Clearwater. "When we pitch, we don't hit," Manatees manager Ramon Aviles said. "When we hit, we don't pitch." Rogers, the fifth overall pick of the 2004 amateur baseball draft, failed to make it out of the first inning. Meanwhile, a late rally by the Manatees -- they scored one run in the seventh inning and three more in the eighth -- only made the final score a little more respectable. Highly-regarded third base prospect Ryan Braun had three hits and a pair of RBI to lead the Manatees offensively. "Education Day" at Space Coast Stadium had the ballpark teeming with elementary-school students. The children who took part in the promotion were required to answer questions including some dealing with math. Simple arithmetic is all that is needed to pinpoint one of the main causes of the Manatees' current slide. Brevard County has scored 27 runs in nine games this month. That's an average of three per game, and even in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League, that is not enough offense to win consistently. "I think the guys are trying to do too much and not stay within themselves," Aviles said. What is perplexing to Aviles is the Manatees have been swinging well during batting practice and in the cages at Space Coast Stadium. In games, he said, the tendency to do too much leads to overswinging. The Manatees took the FSL's second-highest batting average (.266) into Thursday's game. Brevard County pitchers lead the league in strikeouts (316), and starters Josh Wahpepah and Yovani Gallardo have ERAs of 1.31 and 1.64, respectively, ranking among the league leaders in the category. After the game tonight, the teams close their four-game series Saturday at Space Coast Stadium. Fireworks will follow the contest. Aviles hopes to see some from his hitters during the game as well.

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com/ SHORT GAME FOR KIDS, LONG DAY FOR THE STARSIt had more starts and stops than a Paris Hilton engagement, but for hundreds of schoolkids who looked forward to this day, it was an unexpected divorce statement......... Like a double-scoop of ice cream on a cone that's fallen to the pavement, the anticipation of a day at the ballpark, a reward for thousands of schoolkids who probably looked forward to this day very much, was soured by an unusual turn of events........ Huntsville had a wet week. Tuesday's game was delayed by 89 minutes because of a heavy downpour that started at about 6 pm...... Wednesday was a total washout...... So the grounds were pretty saturated once daybreak hit Thursday.......... But the three fronts that came through were gone and no one was expecting it to rain again, so the tarp was not put on the infield....... But rain it did. At about 7 am. Not for long. Not as heavy. But enough that it would affect what would happen later. Minor league baseball's recap of this game is very misleading, other than the fact their box left out Montgomery's Marcos Carvajal........ There was no rain delay and rain did not cause the cancellation of the second game........ It was windy and a bit cool, but the sun was out and shining all day, hiding only when the large white clouds above created shadows......... The grounds crew had a difficult time drying out the infield, which was soft because of the early morning rain, so things got underway a half-hour later than scheduled. Elliot Johnson, Montgomery's leader in on-base pct., led off with a double to center. Matt Maniscalco sacrificed him over to third, and then protests led to a second game delay, this one for 15 minutes as the crew came out to try and dry the infield......... Once play began again, Jason Pridie, a .183 hitter in the three-hole for the Biscuits this season, singled on Khalid Ballouli's first pitch, scoring Johnson........ After a walk to Michael Coleman, Gabriel Martinez singled to left , loading the bases for Ryan Christenson, but Don Money came storming out of the dugout......... Adam Heether had slipped on the infield dirt trying to go back on Martinez's bloop hit, and the teams were taken off the field......... They would stay off or nearly 2½ hours. By the time it was allowed to restart, most of the kids who came to see a game, were shuffled back to school, getting only to see the first five batters in the game come to the plate. A busful remained in the upper deck on the left field side, but for all those kids, I have to feel sorry their day was spoiled, not by rain, but by the lack of preparedness for today's game.......... The decision was made by Southern League president Don Mincher, who just happened to be at the ballpark this day, to cancel the second game because of the unsatisfactory field conditions, not as Benjamin Hill of MILB implied in the game recap, of a rainout. Ryan Christianson came to the plate at 1:20 pm. On a 2-2 pitch from Steve Bray, now in for Ballouli, Christianson belted the ball solidly over the left field wall for his league-leading 9th home run of the season, the first grand-slam HR hit by an opponent this year at the Joe........ It was the first home run off Bray since April 13. Bray's string of 12 2/3 scoreless innings was gone, and Ballouli would suffer the loss, raising his ERA to 4.91. Bray's pitching became more characteristic after the game-winning home run. He would retire eight straight hitters before giving way to Andy Pratt, who pitched four scoreless, scattering three hits..... The Stars, plagued by the worst offense I have seen at the start of a season ever, blew what few chances they had........ In the 1st inning after leadoff hitter Callix Crabbe reached on an error, Ozzie Chavez erased him on a double play grounder........ In the 2nd inning, the Stars put runners on 1st and 2nd with one out, but Ron Acuna hit a soft liner to Elliot Johnson at second, who backhanded the ball for the out and then turned the double play........ Leading off the 4th, Greg Sain and Heether both managed to reach via an uncharacteristic bout of wildness on Mike Prochaska's part, but all the Stars got out of the inning was one run on a ground ball fielder's choice by Drew Anderson....... In the 5th, Chavie doubled into the left field corner with two out, but Steve Moss struck out on Prochaska's last pitch --- an 89 mph fast ball......... Anderson doubled to the right field wall to lead off the 7th, but Carvajal retired Acuna, Jeff Eure, and Callix Crabbe in order to end the game. The Stars now open a five-game series at Smokies Park in Tennessee tomorrow with Carlos Villanueva (3-2, 3.99) facing Micah Owings (3-1, 2.89), 12th among Southern League ERA leaders.

Thanks to Huntsville's David Wesier for the following: Brandon Gemoll, who was ready to play for the Coastal Bend Aviators of the independent American Association, has been signed by the Philadelphia Phillies and has been assigned to Class AA-Reading (East.). With Jim Rushford as a teammate, he went 0-for-4, Wednesday in the Phillies' 4-2 loss to New Hampshire. Gemoll made an error on a missed catch in the game, which the Fisher Cats did not capitalize on. He is 2-for-10 for Reading so far. Good luck to Brandon who deserves a shot with the Phillies' organization.