Jim Goulart

Sunday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1877 Sounds Fall Again To I-Cubs, 4-2 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Iowa Cubs continued their spring dominance of the Nashville Sounds on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park, posting a 4-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers' Triple-A affiliate. It was Iowa's third win in three spring contests against the Sounds this year. With the loss, the Sounds fell to .500 in spring action with a 5-5 record. Second baseman Rickie Weeks started the contest for the Sounds while getting in some extra at-bats and went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple, Nashville's lone RBI on the day. Weeks and Tony Gwynn, Jr. scored the club's two runs in the contest. Brewers closer Derrick Turnbow made the start for Nashville while getting in some extra work away from major-league camp. The fireballer tossed a scoreless inning and was followed by Stephen Bray, who also posted a goose egg in his lone frame of work. Dennis Sarfate (2.0 IP, 1 R), Josh Habel (3.0 IP, 2 R), and Mike Meyers (2.0 IP, 1 R) also pitched in the game. Nashville continues its spring slate on Monday afternoon with a trip to Peoria for a meeting with the Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners).

Saturday and Sunday's AA Games (link while active, text follows): www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=769 Stars Have Successful Weekend The Huntsville Stars continued their winning ways over the weekend, downing the Wichita Wranglers, 8-1, on Friday and defeating Norwich 3-1 on Saturday. The Stars are slated to play the San Antonio Missions, the double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, Monday in Peoria. Tim Dillard spun five shutout innings on Friday, allowing four hits to the Kansas City Royals double-A affiliate. The right-hander has now yielded only one run in 12 spring innings and has not walked a batter. Mike Meyers, who compiled a 1.71 earned run average in 21 frames with Huntsville last season, blanked the visitors over the next two frames before Gerrit Simpson finished up by allowing one run on one hit in two innings. Kennard Bibbs and Kade Johnson each tripled and knocked in two runs to pace the 15-hit attack. Bibbs, Callix Crabbe, Drew Anderson, Jeff Eure and Ozzie Chavez each collected a pair of hits, while Anderson, Eure and Lou Palmisano each scored twice. Corey Thurman, a Texas League All-Star in 2001, tossed three scoreless frames and permitted just one hit in Saturday's contest with the San Francisco Giants double-A affiliate in Scottsdale, Arizona. The right-hander struck out two and walked two and was followed by Khalid Ballouli, who worked two scoreless innings. The former Texas A&M right-hander, who pitched for the Stars last season, gave up three hits and fanned a pair. Bo Hall came on to throw two shutout innings and Andy Pratt finished up, giving up one unearned run on three hits over two frames. Steve Moss knocked in two runs to lead the offense and Guilder Rodriguez chipped in with a run-scoring double and a pair of stolen bases. Bibbs singled, scored twice and also swiped a pair of bases.

Saturday and Sunday's AA Games (link while active, text follows): www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=769 Stars Have Successful Weekend The Huntsville Stars continued their winning ways over the weekend, downing the Wichita Wranglers, 8-1, on Friday and defeating Norwich 3-1 on Saturday. The Stars are slated to play the San Antonio Missions, the double-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, Monday in Peoria. Tim Dillard spun five shutout innings on Friday, allowing four hits to the Kansas City Royals double-A affiliate. The right-hander has now yielded only one run in 12 spring innings and has not walked a batter. Mike Meyers, who compiled a 1.71 earned run average in 21 frames with Huntsville last season, blanked the visitors over the next two frames before Gerrit Simpson finished up by allowing one run on one hit in two innings. Kennard Bibbs and Kade Johnson each tripled and knocked in two runs to pace the 15-hit attack. Bibbs, Callix Crabbe, Drew Anderson, Jeff Eure and Ozzie Chavez each collected a pair of hits, while Anderson, Eure and Lou Palmisano each scored twice. Corey Thurman, a Texas League All-Star in 2001, tossed three scoreless frames and permitted just one hit in Saturday's contest with the San Francisco Giants double-A affiliate in Scottsdale, Arizona. The right-hander struck out two and walked two and was followed by Khalid Ballouli, who worked two scoreless innings. The former Texas A&M right-hander, who pitched for the Stars last season, gave up three hits and fanned a pair. Bo Hall came on to throw two shutout innings and Andy Pratt finished up, giving up one unearned run on three hits over two frames. Steve Moss knocked in two runs to lead the offense and Guilder Rodriguez chipped in with a run-scoring double and a pair of stolen bases. Bibbs singled, scored twice and also swiped a pair of bases.

OF Bobby Darula, Brewer property between '96 and '01, has landed in independent ball with Bridgeport (CT) in the Atlantic League after a long affiliated career. Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...rula.shtml

Still rooting for Chris Coste -- he's this close: hosted.ap.org/dynamic/sto...TE=DEFAULT

Tom Haudricourt of the JS: Surprise, Ariz. - Right-hander Tomo Ohka will take the mound this afternoon as the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Texas Rangers in a Cactus League exhibition game. The Brewers' starting lineup: Brady Clark cf J.J. Hardy ss Corey Koskie 3b Carlos Lee lf Prince Fielder 1b Jeff Cirillo 2b Gabe Gross rf Corey Hart dh Chad Moeller c Tomo Ohka p 2B Rickie Weeks, who has been out of action for two weeks with a strained oblique muscle, is scheduled to play five innings in a minor league game today. If he tolerates that, Weeks could be in the lineup Monday night when the Brewers take on Colorado in a game that will be televised in Milwaukee.

If you're a subscriber, you can watch the MLB.TV feed of the Rangers' broadcast today. Otherwise, it's Bob and Jim on WTMJ, also available to MLB.com audio subscribers.

Saturday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1876 Sounds Drop 2nd Straight, 5-3 To Grizzlies SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds lost their second straight spring contest on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-3 to the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) at Indian School Park. Wilton Chavez made the start for the Sounds and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames before Alec Zumwalt took over and allowed three runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss. Chris Demaria finished the game on the hill and allowed two runs (one ER) in 2 1/3 innings. Offensively, Nashville was out-hit 10-5 in the contest and no Sounds player recorded a multiple-hit effort. Tony Gwynn, Jr., Jean Boscan, and Scott McKnight each drove in a run. Boscan recorded the club's lone extra-base hit with a double. The Sounds (5-4) take on the Iowa Cubs in a home contest on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park. It will be the teams' third spring meeting; Iowa captured wins with a pair of shutouts last week.

Saturday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1876 Sounds Drop 2nd Straight, 5-3 To Grizzlies SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds lost their second straight spring contest on Saturday afternoon, falling 5-3 to the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) at Indian School Park. Wilton Chavez made the start for the Sounds and tossed 3 1/3 scoreless frames before Alec Zumwalt took over and allowed three runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings to take the loss. Chris Demaria finished the game on the hill and allowed two runs (one ER) in 2 1/3 innings. Offensively, Nashville was out-hit 10-5 in the contest and no Sounds player recorded a multiple-hit effort. Tony Gwynn, Jr., Jean Boscan, and Scott McKnight each drove in a run. Boscan recorded the club's lone extra-base hit with a double. The Sounds (5-4) take on the Iowa Cubs in a home contest on Sunday afternoon at Maryvale Baseball Park. It will be the teams' third spring meeting; Iowa captured wins with a pair of shutouts last week.

More on Jermaine Clark as his hometown paper follows him -- actually some fun quotes here: www.thereporter.com/sports/ci_3639476 Clark hopes to tap into future plans of Brewers By Tim Roe/Sports Editor TheReporter.Com Experts can tell the difference between major-league baseball and Class AAA out on the field. Players look in the clubhouse. Jermaine Clark is in minor-league spring training with the Milwaukee Brewers organization, but his heart ... and his stomach ... long for the days of major-league spring training, where he spent the last five Marches. "The biggest difference is, major-league spring training is a catered meal. Minor-league spring training is two pieces of wheat bread and a piece of ham," Clark said with a laugh. "I just forgot about that. Hopefully this will make me even more hungry to get back to the big leagues." Clark, the Will C. Wood High School graduate who played briefly with five different major-league teams the last five years, is trying to make a big enough impression with the Brewers to reach "the show" once again. So far, the 29-year-old has started most of the Cactus League season at second base with the Nashville Sounds, the Brewers AAA affiliate. He struggled at the plate initially, but has been solid defensively at second, where he has played most of his career. Clark, a late signee by the Brewers, doesn't know how the rest of the spring will play out. The Sounds leave for Nashville on April 3, and start the AAA season on April 6. But the current Sounds roster could change drastically. The Brewers won't make their final cuts until next week, and some of those late major-league casualties could end up battling with Clark for minor-league playing time. "I still don't know very much, but I did get paid (on Tuesday)," he said. "That means I'm around for another week. They never pay you any extra money, so when they pay you that means you're not going to get cut, at least for another week." Clark has played in the majors with the Oakland A's, Cincinnati Reds, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres and Detroit Tigers. But he knows the Brewers may not be team No. 6 on his big-league resume. "They've got a some guys up on the big club that probably are going to come down, and a couple of those are middle infielders," he said. "I just have to do all I can, and hopefully somebody will see me."

From this week's Doug Melvin chat (with Vinny getting the start today): John_Morey: What are Vinny Rottino's chances of making the squad? He has had a great spring. Melvin: Vinny had a very good Spring Training and we all root for him. I would be surprised if he's not in the big leagues sometime during the season.

From Drew Olson of the JS: Phoenix - The Milwaukee Brewers assigned left-hander Jason Kershner and right-hander Allan Simpson to minor-league camp today, bringing the number of players in camp to 35. Kershner, who signed a minor-league contract on Dec. 1, appeared in six exhibition games and was 0-1 with a 5.40 earned run average. He allowed 11 hits and five runs in 8 1/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out five. Simspon, who signed after being released by Cincinnati last week, made his first appearance for the Brewers Friday and allowed an unearned run and a hit. He walked a batter and struck out one.

Remember, Talkin' Brewers at noon! Drew Olson: Phoenix - Utility man Bill Hall will the starting centerfielder today as the Milwaukee Brewers face San Diego at Maryvale Baseball Park. Manager Ned Yost plans to use Hall in center three times in the final week of camp, beginning today. "I just want to give Billy some experience out there,'' Yost said, noting that center field is considered the easier of the three outfield spots to play. "In case we have to make a double-switch (during the season), we want him to be ready.'' Here are the lineups for today's game: San Diego 1, Dave Robersts, lf 2, Mike Cameron, cf 3, Brian Giles, rf 4, Doug Mirabelli, c 5, Ryan Klesko, 1b 6, Mark Bellhorn, 2b 7, Geoff Blum, ss 8, Justin Leone, 3b 9, Shawn Estes, p Milwaukee 1, Bill Hall, cf 2, J.J. Hardy, ss 3, Geoff Jenkins, rf 4, Carlos Lee, lf 5, Prince Fielder, 1b 6, Jeff Cirillo, 2b 7, Damian Miller, c 8, Vinny Rottino, 3b 9, Chris Capuano, p.

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1875 Sounds Fall To Royals, 7-6 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Omaha Royals scored three late runs to come from behind and post a 7-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday afternoon at the Maryvale Baseball Park. Rick Helling made the start for Nashville and allowed one run in three innings of work before left-hander Dana Eveland took over. The young southpaw, projected to open the season in the Sounds' rotation, surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits over five innings to take the loss. Former Sound Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless inning to close out the contest. Brandon Gemoll led the offense with a 2-for-4, two-RBI afternoon. Catcher C.J. Medlin tallied a pair of RBIs with a 1-for-3 effort that included a double. Brad Nelson contributed a triple during a 1-for-3 outing. Jermaine Clark (double), Dave Krynzel (double), and Enrique Cruz (single) also posted hits for the Sounds. Nashville (5-3 in spring action) hits the road on Saturday for an afternoon contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) in Scottsdale.

Friday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1875 Sounds Fall To Royals, 7-6 PHOENIX, Ariz. -- The Omaha Royals scored three late runs to come from behind and post a 7-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Friday afternoon at the Maryvale Baseball Park. Rick Helling made the start for Nashville and allowed one run in three innings of work before left-hander Dana Eveland took over. The young southpaw, projected to open the season in the Sounds' rotation, surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits over five innings to take the loss. Former Sound Mitch Stetter tossed a scoreless inning to close out the contest. Brandon Gemoll led the offense with a 2-for-4, two-RBI afternoon. Catcher C.J. Medlin tallied a pair of RBIs with a 1-for-3 effort that included a double. Brad Nelson contributed a triple during a 1-for-3 outing. Jermaine Clark (double), Dave Krynzel (double), and Enrique Cruz (single) also posted hits for the Sounds. Nashville (5-3 in spring action) hits the road on Saturday for an afternoon contest against the Fresno Grizzlies (AAA-Giants) in Scottsdale.

Lefty Zach Braddock's latest start in New Jersey: Garrett Mull had three hits and Andrew Lydon added a pair, as the Burlington County College baseball team defeated Camden County, 5-2. Mull drew a walk and scored four runs. Lydon drove in a pair. Zach Braddock was the winning pitcher. He struck out 15 over eight innings of one-hit ball.

RHP Mike Crudale update (Mike DeJean trade, RHP John Novinsky still Brewer property); even includes a Todd Erdos mention -- Erdos' was an ugly Brewer stay: www.liducks.com/index.cfm...ction=news Last season, Crudale set an Atlantic League pitching record for appearances in a single season (64). The Danville, Calif. native was originally selected by the Cardinals in the 24th round of the 1999 draft. Last year, the former big leaguer picked up four saves while fanning 41 in 62.2 innings of work. The 29-year old righthander last appeared in the major leagues during the 2003 season with the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. He owns a career big league mark of 3-1 with a 2.09 ERA in 71 appearances. In 2002 with St. Louis, Crudale went 3-0 with a 1.88 ERA in 49 appearances (one start).

From David Weiser at www.starsboxscore.com/ Jeff Pickler (11th round, '98) apparently has closed the book on his playing career........ According to cbssportsline from an e-mail sent to me by Steve Kornya, Pickler has been hired by the Arizona Diamondbacks as an advance scout. Pick is the Stars' season record-holder for singles, hitting 131 in 2001, breaking by four the record held by Darryl Vice in 1992. Last year, he hit .331 for the Colorado Springs, the Colorado Rockies' top farm club, finishing 8th among PCL batting leaders. 103 of his 140 hits were singles. Jeff Pickler Career Statistics: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...kler.shtml

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1873 Sounds Beat Beavers With 9th-Inning Rally PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to hang a 9-8 defeat on the Portland Beavers on Wednesday afternoon. Brad Nelson led the 14-hit Nashville attack with a 3-for-4 effort. Enrique Cruz (two RBIs) and Kade Johnson (2-for-2) each homered for the Sounds. Jeff Housman made the start and surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits in two innings of work. Alec Zumwalt and Brett Evert each followed with two scoreless frames apiece before Stephen Bray gave up a pair in his lone inning of work. Chris Demaria was the final Nashville pitcher of the afternoon and tossed two scoreless frames to pick up the win. The Sounds (5-2) will participate in intrasquad action on Thursday afternoon before resuming their spring competition with a home contest against the Omaha Royals (AAA-Royals) on Friday afternoon.

Wednesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1873 Sounds Beat Beavers With 9th-Inning Rally PEORIA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning to hang a 9-8 defeat on the Portland Beavers on Wednesday afternoon. Brad Nelson led the 14-hit Nashville attack with a 3-for-4 effort. Enrique Cruz (two RBIs) and Kade Johnson (2-for-2) each homered for the Sounds. Jeff Housman made the start and surrendered six runs (four ER) on five hits in two innings of work. Alec Zumwalt and Brett Evert each followed with two scoreless frames apiece before Stephen Bray gave up a pair in his lone inning of work. Chris Demaria was the final Nashville pitcher of the afternoon and tossed two scoreless frames to pick up the win. The Sounds (5-2) will participate in intrasquad action on Thursday afternoon before resuming their spring competition with a home contest against the Omaha Royals (AAA-Royals) on Friday afternoon.

Tuesday's AA Game (link while active, text follows): www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=767 Stars Strong Spring Start Continues Josh Habel tossed three scorless innings as a starter and Travis Ezi and Jeff Eure continued their hot hitting, as the Stars downed West Tenn 5-3 in exhibition play Tuesday afternoon in Mesa, Arizona. Huntsville won its' second straight game, both over the Diamond Jaxx, to improve to 4-2 in spring training. Habel, who went 3-7 with a 5.65 earned run average in 21 games for the Stars last season, yielded just one hit in his first Stars' start of the spring. The southpaw struck out one and did not walk a batter. After Ryan Costello allowed three runs on four hits over two frames, three relievers combined to blank the home side the rest of the way. Andy Pratt, who compiled a 2.96 earned run mark in 21 relief appearances for Huntsville in 2005, took over and worked a pair of shutout innings and was followed by Joe Thatcher and Jeremy Lewis, who each tossed a scoreless frame. Ezi singled in three at-bats and has now hit safely in five of six games, while Eure singled twice, scored twice and knocked in a run and has three multiple hit games in his last four contests. Adam Heether and Alcides Escobar each singled, scored and drove in a run in four at-bats. Huntsville hammered out 10 hits in the win, as eight different players picked up at least one safety.

Tuesday's AA Game (link while active, text follows): www.huntsvillestars.com/n...newsId=767 Stars Strong Spring Start Continues Josh Habel tossed three scorless innings as a starter and Travis Ezi and Jeff Eure continued their hot hitting, as the Stars downed West Tenn 5-3 in exhibition play Tuesday afternoon in Mesa, Arizona. Huntsville won its' second straight game, both over the Diamond Jaxx, to improve to 4-2 in spring training. Habel, who went 3-7 with a 5.65 earned run average in 21 games for the Stars last season, yielded just one hit in his first Stars' start of the spring. The southpaw struck out one and did not walk a batter. After Ryan Costello allowed three runs on four hits over two frames, three relievers combined to blank the home side the rest of the way. Andy Pratt, who compiled a 2.96 earned run mark in 21 relief appearances for Huntsville in 2005, took over and worked a pair of shutout innings and was followed by Joe Thatcher and Jeremy Lewis, who each tossed a scoreless frame. Ezi singled in three at-bats and has now hit safely in five of six games, while Eure singled twice, scored twice and knocked in a run and has three multiple hit games in his last four contests. Adam Heether and Alcides Escobar each singled, scored and drove in a run in four at-bats. Huntsville hammered out 10 hits in the win, as eight different players picked up at least one safety.

Brian, awesome summary post. Let's end this on this note. Don certainly stated his case, others chimed in, and it's too darn close to the regular season to let this circle around again. Except for my little blurb here, Brian, you had the last word on this, as it should be. Thread closed. Play ball!

Independent League Updates for each: Catcher Tim Marks (Beloit, 2004): www.northernleague.com/news/?id=3538 LHP Ricky Stover hasn't pitched professionally since he threw for Helena in 2003. He signed with Coastal Bend (Texas) of the American Association. The fact I recognized his name on the transaction wire scares me http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif . All 2B Rich Paz has ever done is reach base, including his 2003 stint with Huntsville and Indianapolis. 28 years old, now scrambling with Alexandria (Louisiana) of the new United League of Baseball: Rich Paz Career Stats: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...-paz.shtml RHP Kevin Rival signed with the Saint Paul Saints of the American Association. Rival was released from Brevard County last spring and pitched in low-A for the Yankees for the remainder of the season. SS Chas Terni turned in a forgettable shortstop season at Beloit in 2003: www.cuttersbaseball.com/news/?id=3869 Hopefully a few of the current players browsing this thread enjoy the updates on even the most obscure of players and former teammates. We'll try to include everyone, obscure or not, when the totally new alumni thread with statistical links is unveiled in mid-April (the independent league seasons begin later in May and June.

Tuesday's AAA Game (link while active, text follows): www.nashvillesounds.com/n...ewsId=1872 Sounds Drop 2nd Straight To I-Cubs MESA, Ariz. -- The Nashville Sounds were shut out by Iowa Cubs pitching for the second straight afternoon on Tuesday, falling 5-0 to their PCL division rivals. Rick Helling, who is in the running for a starting spot on the Brewers this spring, made the start for Nashville and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Khalid Ballouli hurled three scoreless frames following Helling before Iowa finally broke through against Mike Meyers, who surrendered five runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work and took the loss. The Sounds' offense was held scoreless on seven hits by Cubs pitching. Brad Nelson continued his solid spring with a 2-for-4 effort that included a double. Chris Barnwell went 2-for-2 with a double. Tony Gwynn, Jr. (1-for-3), Brandon Gemoll (1-for-3), and Jean Boscan (1-for-2) contributed the other Nashville hits. Nashville (4-2) continues its spring slate on Wednesday with a road game against the Portland Beavers (AAA-Padres) in Peoria, Ariz.