Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: www.dailymail.com/news/Sp...005082435/ Struggling Power shows some life in victory J.T. Simms Charleston Daily Mail sportswriter Just when most of the doctors at nearby CAMC General Division would have been ready to pull the plug on the West Virginia Power's season, the team showed a faint heartbeat Tuesday night. Playing in front of a Two-for-Tuesday crowd of 3,807, the Power broke a seven-game losing streak with a 5-2 win over Lake County. "It felt like everybody was kind of coming back," left fielder William Lewis said. Trailing by nine games with 15 to play, the Power may have "come back" too late, though. Only a week earlier, the Power was only 4 1/2 games out of first place and opening a three-game homestand against a mediocre Lakewood squad that West Virginia had beaten in 11 of 17 meetings up until then. The parent Milwaukee Brewers had left hot prospect Ryan Braun in Charleston and moved several promising youngsters to town from Rookie League a couple of weeks earlier. Not just because they deserved the promotion, but because "we wanted to help this team," said Brewers Director of Player Development Reid Nichols. Then, the Power dropped all three home games to the BlueClaws and, then, four more to Southern Division leader Kannapolis on the road. "(The race) made us want to work harder," Lewis said. "When we lost those four games (at Kannapolis) it hurt us." The second-half pennant hopes all but fell from sight as the players seemed to be throwing in the collective towel. Then, on Tuesday, the organization performed the minor league equivalent of raising the white flag by sending Braun up a rung to Brevard County in the Florida State League. "Right now, we're just trying to go out on a positive note," Lewis said. He is one of several Power hitters that have experienced a rough stretch lately. Hitting .271 a week ago, Lewis had seen his average drop seven points. Against the Captains, however, Lewis gave the Power a 2-1 lead with a two-run, two-out, double. "Our bodies are getting really tired," Lewis said. "I know some guys, myself too, come back in saying, ?I thought I had that pitch. I would have had it back in April or May.' " Starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (6-3) has had to suffer through the losing streak in a different way, because he was unable to do anything about it. Prior to Tuesday's start his only other outing over the last week was rained out after 3 1/2 innings. "It is a little frustrating," said Gallardo. "You just want to get out there and help your team. It's just one of those things, you have to wait your turn." When his came, the right-hander made the most of it. In six innings and over 90 pitches of work, Gallardo scattered four hits and yielded no earned runs. POWER PLUGS: So why does replacing Braun with Matthew Gamel on the Power roster possibly signal the Brewers giving up on the Charleston team's pennant hopes? There are over two million reasons -- plus change. A first-round pick and No. 6 in the overall draft, Braun received a $2.4 million signing bonus while Gamel, a fourth-round pick and the third overall player chosen by the Brewers, picked up an estimated $350,000 bonus. Braun was hitting .355 with eight home runs and 35 RBI in 37 games with the Power. He was considered one of the top college players in the country coming out of powerhouse Miami (Fla.). Gamel, the 115th overall pick in the draft, came out of Chipola Junior College in Florida. He has put up respectable numbers since joining Rookie League Helena, hitting .328 and driving in 37 runs in 49 games. Right-hander Mark Rogers (1-8. 5.49 ERA) was scheduled to start for the Power in Wednesday's series finale.

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2005082350 Power breaks out of slump By Nick Scala Charleston Gazette Staff writer With a South Atlantic League playoff berth a virtual ? although not mathematical ? impossibility, the West Virginia Power is approaching the final weeks of the season with one united thought. ?We just want to finish strong and go out on a positive note,? said outfielder Will Lewis. ?We don?t want to leave anything on the field.? The Power had a strong finish Tuesday night, getting a two-run home run from Carlos Corporan in the bottom of the eighth to provide insurance in a 5-2 win over the Lake County Captains. A paid crowd of 3,807 at Appalachian Power Park saw the Power snap a seven-game losing streak by scoring all five of its runs on two-out hits. Lewis contributed a two-run double in the third inning, Agustin Septimo went 3-for-3 and starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (6-3) pitched six strong innings as the Power improved to 27-28 in the second half of the Sally League season. The Power went into the night in fifth place in the Northern Division, nine games behind division-leading Delmarva. With just 13 games left on the schedule, manager Ramon Aviles understands how unlikely it is to make up that much ground, but said his team should not be without motivation down the stretch. ?We need to finish strong and start building toward next year,? Aviles said. ?Next year, when they get to this part of the season, they have to know what it takes to finish strong.? Both runs off Gallardo were unearned due to passed balls. The 19-year-old right-hander from Texas allowed just four hits in six innings, walking two and striking out four. Lake County (28-27) got on the board first in the top of the second when Marshall Szabo reached on a fielder?s choice, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a single up the middle by Chris De La Cruz. The Power answered with two in the bottom of the third when Lewis hit a hanging 3-2 curveball down the left-field line, scoring Septimo and Alcides Escobar, who had both reached on singles. The hit came off losing pitcher Chuck Lofgren (5-4), who had struck out five straight Power hitters ? including Lewis ? the first time through the order. ?I was thinking I had to protect the plate, not strike out, put the ball in play,? said Lewis, who increased his team-high RBI total to 53. ?He threw me a curveball, and it was right where my bat was.? The Power added a run in the fourth when Grant Richardson led off with his team-high 30th double and scored on Hasan Rasheed?s two-out line single to right. Szabo scored Lake County?s second and final run in the fifth on another passed ball, and Gallardo and relievers Dane Renkert (two innings) and Ben Stanczyk (the ninth inning for his eighth save) shut out the Captains the rest of the way. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, the switch-hitting Corporan, batting left-handed against reliever Brandon Rickert, lofted a two-run homer onto Morris Street. The blast was Corporan?s ninth of the year, tying him with Richardson for most on the team. ?I got beaten the last time I faced him on a changeup, so I was looking for it,? Corporan said. ?I was able to do some damage.? The brief two-game homestand ends Wednesday night. Mark Rogers (1-8, 5.49 ERA) is scheduled to pitch for the Power, and the Captains will counter with lefty Reid Santos (4-7, 5.18). Power points Matt Gamel, promoted from rookie-league Helena, struck out as a pinch-hitter in his Power debut in the eighth inning. Aviles said Gamel will be the team?s regular third baseman down the stretch, but he wasn?t quite ready to start Tuesday night because he flew out of Montana early Tuesday. ?He left Helena at 6 a.m. their time, 9 a.m. here,? Aviles said. ?He said he was a little jet-lagged.? Gamel fills the roster spot created when slugging sensation Ryan Braun was promoted to Brevard County. The versatile Septimo, who has played third, shortstop, second base and in the outfield this season, started at third Tuesday. ?He?s done a good job,? Aviles said of Septimo. ?We?ll keep moving him around, finding him a place to play.? The Power leads the season series with Lake County 6-5. After tonight?s game, the Power plays four games at Lexington, then closes out the home portion of the schedule next week (Monday through Thursday) with four games against Delmarva before finishing the season on the road with four games at Lake County (Sept. 2-5). Tag, you?re out. Power third baseman Agustin Septimo retires Josh Noviskey, who was caught off second on a ball hit to shortstop. Charleston Gazette Photographer: Kenny Kemp http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/OUT1.jpg

Link while active, text follows: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...amp;coll=1 Stars get triple play,little else Mobile's five-run outburst in seventh beats Huntsville By SKIP VAUGHN For The Times skipv@htimes.com Welcome to the Huntsville Stars, Mr. Heether. Infielder Adam Heether was promoted to the Stars on Tuesday from Single-A Brevard County where he batted .305 with six homers and 54 RBIs. He replaced infielder Vinny Rottino, who was called up to Triple-A Nashville. Heether saw the Stars record a defensive triple play but lose to the Mobile BayBears 7-4 before an announced crowd of 1,205 at Joe Davis Stadium. Mobile out-hit the Stars 15-10. Heether pinch-hit in the ninth and singled to right off BayBears closer Dale Thayer, who earned his 25th save. "We took a 2-1 lead, then they tied it," Stars manager Don Money said. "We had an opportunity to get more but we didn't. But then in the (Mobile five-run) seventh inning we couldn't stop the bleeding." Mobile's Luis Cruz greeted Stars starter Ty Taubenheim with his second homer in the first for a 1-0 lead. The Stars (23-34 in the second half) took a 2-1 lead in their half against Mobile starter Jared Wells. Tony Gwynn Jr. got a leadoff single, advanced to second on Callix Crabbe's sacrifice bunt and scored on Brandon Gemoll's double. Gemoll scored on Enrique Cruz's two-out hit. The BayBears loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth but were denied with a rare 1-2-3-5 triple play. Steve Baker grounded to Taubenheim who threw to catcher Jeff Winchester who threw to first baseman Gemoll who threw to third baseman Nelson Castro. "That helped us out of a big situation at the time," Money said. Mobile (26-32) tied the score 2-all in the fifth, but the Stars retook a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Gemoll delivered his second run-scoring double of the game and Castro added a sacrifice fly RBI. Mobile went up 7-4 with five runs in the seventh, including Joe Gerber's 14th homer. Taubenheim (1-5) went 6 1/3 innings.

Link while active, text follows: tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....328/SPORTS Sounds can't catch break, but don't help themselves By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer After playing through three calls that went against them last night, the Nashville Sounds were unable to overcome their own shortcomings in an 8-6 loss to Oklahoma. The game-winning run scored on a seventh-inning pickoff play gone awry. Julio Mosquera's throw to second set off a series of throws that eventually caught Jason Botts going from first to second, but not before Ian Kinsler scored from second. The Sounds had their fourth consecutive losing series at Greer Stadium and fifth in their last six tries. Their magic number for clinching the PCL American North division title remained at 10. "We're throwing away a pretty good season up to now, because we're mentally weak," Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas said after the loss, which dropped the team to 16-24 at home since June 1. "Things happened during the game that, in my opinion, people didn't give their best effort. And not one person ? I could probably pick out quite a few." Nashville took a 1-0 lead on Trent Durrington's first-inning leadoff home run, but may have missed an opportunity for more runs when Nelson Cruz's bloop into right field was called foul by Angel Campos. With the Sounds ahead 2-0 ? following Mosquera's second-inning homer ? Chris Richard's drive near the right-field foul pole was ruled fair by Ramon Armendariz for a three-run go-ahead homer. In the fourth, the Sounds' Vinny Rottino ? making his Class AAA debut ? hit a bouncer down the third base line and was called out at first by Armendariz to end the inning. The Sounds may have caught a break when Ryan Knox was ruled safe at second stretching a base hit into a double in the fifth inning. The next batter, Steve Scarborough, hammered a three-run homer to give Nashville a 5-4 lead. Movin' on up: Rottino, a Southern League all-star this season and the Brewers' 2004 Minor League Player of the Year, was reassigned from Double-A Huntsville to the Sounds prior to yesterday's game. Rottino, a 25-year-old Racine, Wisc., native, was hitting .296 with six home runs and 52 RBIs along with 20 doubles and six triples for the Stars. He singled in the sixth for his first Triple-A base hit. With his arrival, the Sounds' roster is at the maximum 24 active players. Leading the way: Durrington's home run to lead off the first was the fourth game-opening homer of the year for the Sounds. Dave Krynzel hit a pair earlier in the season and Knox hit one as well. A different first: Mosquera's solo homer in the second was the veteran catcher's fourth of the season but his first at Greer Stadium. K's for days: With nine strikeouts in Monday's loss, Nashville's pitching staff went over the 1,000 mark for the fourth straight season. With five strikeouts last night, the Sounds have 1,013, trailing only Sacramento (1,044) in the PCL. The Sounds are on pace for 1,117 strikeouts, which would surpass the franchise record of 1,080 set in 2002. What they said: "When you as a team don't play hard, are selfish, crybabies, pouters, I'm not going to waste my energy fighting for you if you're not going to fight for our team." ? Kremblas, who questioned three calls by the umpiring crew but avoided being ejected. Maurice Patton covers the Sounds for The Tennessean. He can be reached at mopatton@tennessean.com. ***Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=43869 Sounds fall to RedHawks By Nate Rau, nrau@nashvillecitypaper.com The Nashville Sounds are staggering to the finish line in their race for the PCL American Northern Division title. The team lost for the sixth time in its last seven games Tuesday, falling 8-6 to Oklahoma before 3,206 fans at Greer Stadium. The Sounds now lead the division by just four games over Omaha. After the game, Sounds manager Frank Kremblas blasted his team for being ?selfish? and ?crybabies? and criticized their effort. ?I think things happened during the game that in my opinion, guys didn?t give their best effort,? Kremblas said. He wouldn?t specify which players or which instances players didn?t give their best effort. Nashville lost the game on an unusual play for the second time this week. Oklahoma scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning, when Ian Kinsler took home while teammate Jason Botts was caught in a run-down between first and second on a stolen-base attempt. Oklahoma (71-59) added an insurance run in the ninth. Nashville (70-61) got home runs from Trent Durrington, Julio Mosquera and Steve Scarborough in the losing effort. Pitcher Tommy Phelps was given another controlled start, after sitting out roughly a month with nagging injuries. Phelps fared well again, throwing three shutout innings before giving way to Jeff Housman, who was scheduled to start. Housman erased Phelps? strong work immediately, surrendering a three-run homer to Chris Richard. The ball hooked around the right field foul pole and was initially ruled foul. After a conference, the umpiring crew changed the call and ruled it a homer. Manny Alexander followed with a solo shot. Housman was removed after the homer, having allowed four earned runs in an inning of work. Next, Nashville heads to Texas for a five-game series with a strong Round Rock club. As the team enters the home stretch, Kremblas said his team is wasting its season. ?We?re throwing away a pretty good season, because we?re mentally weak,? Kremblas said. ?The only thing I can think of is guys are too selfish to play hard for the team.? Cirillo out of lineup again Milwaukee third baseman Jeff Cirillo, who was in Nashville through the homestand rehabbing, was out of the lineup for the second straight night. Kremblas said Cirillo?s injured left ring finger is improving.

Final: Helena 7, Casper (Rockies) 1 Helena Box Score: Home run for Michael Bell, but this one's all about RHP Tyler Morrison and LHP Brandon Parillo; 19-year-old Parillo has been just fine or better in each of his 14 appearances this season -- he coaxed seven ground balls (no fly balls) in his three innings... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1 Helena Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1

Final: Oklahoma (Rangers) 8, Nashville 6 Nashville Site Game Summary: NASHVILLE ? The Nashville Sounds closed out their eight-game homestand on a down note on Tuesday evening, falling 8-6 to the Oklahoma RedHawks in the finale of a four-game series at Greer Stadium. With the loss, Nashville (70-61) had its lead in the PCL American Conference Northern Division reduced to four games over Omaha, its smallest margin since July 18. The Sounds, who have dropped nine of their last 11 contests, finished 2-6 for the second consecutive homestand at Greer Stadium. Leadoff hitter Trent Durrington ? who went 3-for-5 and added two outfield assists on the evening ? put the Sounds up 1-0 with a leadoff homer off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning. The blast, his fifth, came off Oklahoma starter A.J. Murray. AUDIO: Trent Durrington Leadoff Homer www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-23.mp3 Catcher Julio Mosquera doubled the lead in the second with a solo shot to right-center off Murray. The tater was his fourth of the year and first at Greer Stadium. Left-hander Tommy Phelps made a spot start for Nashville as he stretches out his arm and tossed three scoreless innings, allowing two hits while fanning three. RedHawks first baseman Chris Richard put the visitors in the lead with one swing of the bat against scheduled starter Jeff Housman in the top of the fourth when he roped a three-run homer down the right field line. Manny Alexander followed with a roundtripper of his own, lining a 3-2 offering out to left for a 4-2 Oklahoma lead. Housman was pulled after only one inning of work; he surrendered four runs on four hits, including a pair of homers. Nashville shortstop Steve Scarborough continued the longball barrage in the bottom of the fifth when he re-staked the Sounds to a 5-4 lead with a one-out, three-run homer to left off Murray. Chris Barnwell, who singled, and Ryan Knox, who doubled, scored on the blast, Scarborough?s 11th of the season. The Sounds added a run in the sixth against RedHawks reliever Matt Roney when Vinny Rottino, who opened the frame with a single to left for his first Class AAA hit, scored on Durrington?s two-out, bases-loaded RBI infield single. Oklahoma second baseman Ian Kinsler greeted Sounds reliever Mike Adams with a game-tying two-run single to knot the score at 7-7 in the top of the seventh. Adams relieved Alec Zumwalt, who had allowed a Jason Conti single and issued a walk to Rashad Eldridge to open the frame. The RedHawks took the lead later in the seventh when Kinsler scored from second while Jason Botts, who had walked, was caught in a rundown between first and second base and was eventually caught stealing after the run had scored. Oklahoma added an insurance run in the ninth against Jeff Bennett on Esteban German?s two-out single. Roney (4-0) picked up the victory after allowing one run and striking out two in his lone inning of work. Adams (3-4) took the loss after suffering his third blown save of the season and allowing the go-ahead run in his 1 1/3 frames of action. Jose Veras worked a scoreless bottom of the ninth to pick up his 20th save of the year and extend his RedHawks single-season record. The Sounds begin a nine-game road trip on Wednesday evening in Round Rock, Texas, where they?ll take on the Express in the 7:05 p.m. CT opener of a five-game series. Right-hander Wes Obermueller (3-0, 2.52) takes the mound for Nashville to square off against Round Rock right-hander Brandon Duckworth (7-5, 4.84). Nashville Box Score: None of the five pitchers following Tommy Phelps did their job; Jeff Housman's season hits a new low -- they can't possibly trot him back out for additional starts, can they? What a horrible lost season for Mike Adams -- who figured? Nelson Cruz 0-for-5, three K's; so easy to root for Steve Scarborough... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Nashville Pre-Game Coaches Chat with Manager Frank Kremblas: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...208-23.mp3

Final: Mobile (Padres) 7, Huntsville 4 TP: (Gemoll-Castro-Winchester-Gemoll). Huntsville Site Game Summary: Seventh Inning Surge Sends Mobile Past StarsCorey Smith delivered a two-run single to put Mobile ahead to stay in the midst of a five-run seventh inning rally that lifted Mobile to a 7-4 win over Huntsville Tuesday night in the second game of a four-game series at Joe Davis Stadium. The BayBears won for a sixth time in their last eight games to improve to 26-32 in the second half, while the Stars fell for a twelfth time in their last 16 home games to drop to 23-34 in the second half and 26-35 on home soil. Mobile has won four of the last five games in Huntsville and seven of the last eight between the two teams to draw within 11-10 in the season series. Joe Gerber led off the seventh inning with a solo home run just over the right field wall to pull the visitors to within 4-3. It was the second long ball of the night for Mobile and the fourth allowed by Huntsville starter Ty Taubenheim in his last two starts. Luke Carlin came through with a one-out, pinch-hit single and advanced to second base on a single by Kennard Jones that chased Taubenheim from the game. Brian Wolfe took over and yielded a single to Luis Cruz which was overrun in right field by Kennard Bibbs, allowing Carlin to score to tie the game, Jones to advance to third and Cruz to move to second base. Jeff Duncan was intentionally walked to load the bases and Smith lined a 1-2 offering from Wolfe into center field to plate Jones and Cruz, who ran through a stop sign at third base. Steve Baker completed the rally with a two-out single to score Duncan. Paul Abraham tossed shutout relief behind starter and winner Jared Wells in the seventh and eighth innings before giving way to Dale Thayer, the Mobile closer. Adam Heether opened the home ninth with a pinch-hit single in his first double-A at-bat and moved to second base on a Brandon Gemoll single with two outs before Brad Nelson flied out to end the game. Thayer earned his league-best 25th save, his second in as many nights and his sixth against the Stars. Duncan led off the fourth inning with a single before Smith and George Kottaras walked to load the bases with nobody out. Baker hit a bouncing ball back to the mound that Taubenheim fielded and threw to the plate for the force on Duncan and catcher Jeff Winchester threw to first to double up Baker for what seemed to be a rally-killing double play. However, Smith rounded the bag too far at third base and Gemoll threw from across the diamond at first to Nelson Castro, who tagged out Smith diving back to the bag to complete the second triple play in Stars history. Wells gave up two runs in the first inning and another pair in the fifth to fall behind 4-2. The right-hander picked up his second double-A win after yielding four runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings. He has lasted at least six innings in five of his six starts for Mobile. Taubenheim suffered the loss to drop to 1-5 after permitting five runs on a season-high nine hits over 6 1/3 frames. He has lasted at least six innings in seven of his nine starts with Huntsville. The series continues Wednesday night with left-hander Josh Habel starting for the Stars against BayBears? right-hander Brian Whitatker. Coverage of the game gets underway at 6:50 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com. Huntsville Box Score: Pretty safe to say Adam Heether will get the start on Wednesday; Brandon Gemoll's .295 is pretty for the Southern League, but will his lack of walks and first-base power get him back to AAA in 2006? Ty Taubenheim has thrown 157.2 innings this year -- his previous high was 92.1 last season... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Huntsville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

Brevard County Game Summary (Dodgers' Site): The Vero Beach Dodgers jumped out to a 7-0 lead and held on for a 9-8 victory at Brevard County Tuesday night. Matt Kemp and Chin-lung Hu each tallied three hits while Anthony Raglani slugged his 19th home run of the season. Chuck Tiffany earned his team-leading 11th win of the year with five solid innings. The rubber match of the series is Wednesday night at 7:00 PM (6:00 Central) at Space Coast Stadium. Vero got off to a quick start. Hu singled to center with one out in the first inning, stole second and scored on Kemp's first hit. Raglani followed with a towering rainbow blast to right field, making it 3-0. The offense continued to roll in the second inning. A.J. Ellis drew a leadoff walk and Travis Denker doubled him home. One out later, Xavier Paul doubled to center, making it 5-0. That knocked Brevard County starter Eric Thomas out of the game, but the Dodgers kept at it against reliever Forrest Martin. Hu singled in Paul, then Cory Dunlap rapped a base hit to center to score Hu. The Dodgers seemed in control with a 7-0 lead. However, the Manatees were quick to retalliate. In the bottom of the second, Lou Palmisano reached after a line drive knocked down Tiffany. The ball hit him on the left shoulder and he stayed in the game. Yet he walked Jeff Eure and Wandel Campana doubled in Palmisano. Ozzie Chavez then singled in two more runs. After one of Tiffany's five strikeouts, Travis Ezi walked and Steve Sollman reached on a fielder's choice. Steve Moss singled in Chavez, while Sollman scored on an error that would have ended the inning. With the Dodgers lead down to two runs, Vero gained some breathing room in the fourth. Xavier Paul was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Hu then bounced a ball to Eure at third for an infield hit and the throw to first base went wild. Manatees first baseman Josh Brady then tried to throw out Hu at second, but the throw sailed into center for the second error of the play and scored Paul in the process. Cory Dunlap then grounded out to third to bring home Hu and put the Dodgers ahead 9-5. The Manatees loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the fifth, but Tiffany coaxed Campana into an inning-ending double play. In the 7th, though, Brevard again loaded the bases and this time would capitalize. Eure drew a bases-loaded walk from Casey Hoorelbeke to bring in one run. Campana singled in another and Chavez hit into a fielder's choice to make it a one-run game. Brevard County put a runner at second with one out in the 8th when Dodgers closer Mark Alexander entered the game. He immediately struck out Moss and Drew Anderson to end the threat. Alexander pitched around a ninth-inning single from Eure to close out the Vero Beach victory - just their second in the last ten games. The win also improved the Dodgers to 6-7 against Brevard County this year.

Final: Vero Beach (Dodgers) 9, Brevard County 8 Nice try on the comeback, but a loss is a loss, and this one stings... Brevard County Box Score: Manatees draw eight walks and only issue one freebie -- normally, there's your guaranteed win right there; RHP Kenny Durost has salvaged his season; LHP Joe Thatcher a nice little undrafted find thus far; Josh Brady now 7-for-81 with two walks while with the Manatees... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1 Brevard County Game Log: Killer bases-loaded GIDP in the Manatee 5th, but it all comes back to those first two innings... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1

Thanks Colby -- nitpicking's always fair, since I'm half-asleep when putting together these comments -- passed balls are kind of tucked deep in the box scores. Regardless, Ramon Aviles saw fit to go to a "defensive" catcher with a one-run lead in the 8th. Look for Carlos Corporan to catch Rogers tomorrow, as Power announcer Andy Barch indicated that the team has tried to pair him with Mark Rogers as much as possible. And I know I've mentioned this previously, but shortly after the 2004 draft I had the opportunity to discuss Angel Salome with another organization's area scout, and the comment was simply that Salome "couldn't catch the ball". You would think that could be an easily correctable skill, but we're seeing some proof that it's otherwise.

Final: West Virginia 5, Lake County (Indians) 2 West Virginia Site Game Summary: Power snap seven-game skidCharleston, WV ? The West Virginia Power went into Tuesday night?s game against the Lake County Captains searching for their first win since August 13th. The Power received a few clutch hits and a great pitching performance from Yovani Gallardo to beat the Lake County Captains 5-2, snapping their seven-game losing streak. The Captains scored first on an RBI single from Chris De La Cruz in the top of the second inning. Will Lewis delivered the first of three clutch hits for the Power on a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the third inning to give the Power a 2-1 lead. Hasan Rasheed contributed with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning making it 3-1 Power. Marshall Szabo scored on a passed ball in the fifth inning to pull Lake County within a run. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, Carlos Corporan blasted his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot to give the Power a 5-2 advantage. Gallardo (6-3) earned the victory, Ben Stanczyk (8) earned the save and Chuck Lofgren (5-4) obtained the loss. The Power are 27-28 in the second half with the win and the Captains move to 28-27 after the loss. The Power will end the brief two-game series with Lake County at Appalachian Power Park on Wednesday night. The Power will throw RHP Mark Rogers (1-8, 5.49) and the Captains will counter with LHP Reid Santos (4-7, 5.18). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central). West Virginia Box Score: Matt Gamel strikes out in a pinch-hit appearance in his low-A debut; awesome pitching, clean defense (including Angel Salome behind the dish, although Carlos Corporan took over in the eighth), nice way to break the losing skid... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 West Virginia Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Link Report Trivia tonight: Before becoming "Manny" the Manatee, Brevard County's mascot was known by another first name. Hold off if you think you know -- answer in the AM...

In progress: Vero Beach (Dodgers) 7, Brevard County 0, bottom of the 2nd at Space Coast The "feel-good" return of RHP Eric Thomas has hit some speedbumps lately -- big ones; Ryan Braun not in the starting lineup... In progress: West Virginia 2, Lake County (Indians) 1, after three innings Yo Gallardo on so far -- no earned runs; Matt Gamel not in the starting lineup In Nashville: Vinny Rottino is in the starting lineup, the "other" Corey Hart also starting in CF tonight, and Chris Barnwell at first base In Huntsville: No Adam Heether, let's go Ty Taubenheim, flash some of that Florida State League dominance!

As noted in the Minor League Forum: Brewer Press Release: The Brewers agreed to terms with their 21st round selection for the 2005 Free Agent Draft, RHP Justin Stires . . . Stires recently completed his first season at Saddleback Junior College in Mission Viejo, Calif . . . Justin is 6-2 and 190 lbs . . . the signing marks the 22nd of the 49 Brewers draftees from the 2005 Free Agent Draft. We know virtually nothing about Stires except that he was a teammate of 28th round draft pick infielder Scott McKnight, now at Helena. Unclear as to whether Stires can be expected to pitch this season, or perhaps in fall instructionals at Maryvale.

Brewer Press Release: The Brewers agreed to terms with their 21st round selection for the 2005 Free Agent Draft, RHP Justin Stires . . . Stires recently completed his first season at Saddleback Junior College in Mission Viejo, Calif . . . Justin is 6-2 and 190 lbs . . . the signing marks the 22nd of the 49 Brewers draftees from the 2005 Free Agent Draft. We know virtually nothing about Stires except that he was a teammate of 28th round draft pick infielder Scott McKnight, now at Helena. Unclear as to whether Stires can be expected to pitch this season, or perhaps in fall instructionals at Maryvale.

Nashville Media Notes for Tuesday (PDF format): www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

The Manatees have a big three-game series at home vs. Palm Beach later this week...

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Nashville 70 60 .538 - 33-34 37-26 L2[/b] Omaha 65 65 .500 5.0 29-33 36-32 L1 Memphis 63 66 .488 6.5 33-31 30-35 L1 Iowa 59 67 .468 9.0 38-28 21-39 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 32 23 .582 - 19-11 13-12 L1 West Tenn 31 25 .554 1.5 17-11 14-14 L1 Tennessee 25 31 .446 7.5 13-14 12-17 W1 [b]Huntsville 23 33 .411 9.5 8-16 15-17 L1[/b] Chattanooga 22 34 .393 10.5 14-18 8-16 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Palm Beach 35 23 .603 - 17-13 18-10 W2 Vero Beach 33 24 .579 1.5 19-12 14-12 L1 [b]Brevard County 31 26 .544 3.5 13-14 18-12 W1[/b] St. Lucie 30 27 .526 4.5 13-13 17-14 W1 Daytona 27 29 .482 7.0 18-13 9-16 L1 Jupiter 22 34 .393 12.0 15-13 7-21 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Atlantic League (A) - Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Delmarva 35 19 .648 - 20-6 15-13 W3 Lexington 30 25 .545 5.5 18-13 12-12 W2 Lake County 28 26 .519 7.0 14-13 14-13 W3 Hickory 28 27 .509 7.5 16-12 12-15 L2 [b]West Virginia 26 28 .481 9.0 14-13 12-15 L7[/b] Lakewood 26 29 .473 9.5 15-14 11-15 L3 Greensboro 24 32 .429 12.0 10-16 14-16 L3 Hagerstown 20 32 .385 14.0 11-14 9-18 W2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Pioneer League (R+) - North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [b]Helena 15 6 .714 - 7-3 8-3 L2[/b] Missoula 11 10 .524 4.0 7-5 4-5 L1 Billings 9 12 .429 6.0 4-5 5-7 W3 Great Falls 9 12 .429 6.0 5-6 4-6 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Arizona League (R) - Arizona League Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AZL Athletics 15 7 .682 - 9-3 6-4 W1 AZL Mariners 13 8 .619 1.5 8-4 5-4 L1 AZL Giants 12 9 .571 2.5 4-6 8-3 L1 AZL Royals 11 9 .550 3.0 6-4 5-5 L1 AZL Rangers 12 10 .545 3.0 7-5 5-5 W1 [b]AZL Brewers 9 11 .450 5.0 3-8 6-3 L5[/b] AZL Cubs 8 13 .381 6.5 4-7 4-6 W3 AZL Angels 8 14 .364 7.0 2-4 6-10 W1 AZL Padres 7 14 .333 7.5 2-9 5-5 L2Stats and League Leaders, USA Today (or go to MILB.com): www.usatoday.com/sports/b.../index.htm

Follow Tuesday's action as it happens: Nashville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1 Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1 Helena: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_casrok_1 Arizona: Not updated live, but usually later during the overnight... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_pdrrok_1

Tuesday's Daily Menu: All starts Central Time except for Arizona Rookie; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: LHP Jeff Housman at home vs. Oklahoma (Rangers), 6:40 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime -- we get that Victor Santos "everything has to go just right" feeling when Jeff's on the mound... Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Nashville Site Gamecast Feed: www.nashvillesounds.com/live/xlive.htm Huntsville: RHP Ty Taubenheim at home vs. Mobile (Padres), 6:50 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ If that link is down for bandwidth, use: specs.eyecentric.com/pres...opup.shtml Brevard County: RHP Eric Thomas at home vs. Vero Beach (Dodgers), 6:00 PM; no audio for this series West Virginia: RHP Yo Gallardo at home vs. Lake County (Indians), 6:05 PM Audio link: www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=wvpower. Helena: RHP Tyler Morrison at Casper (Rockies), 8:05 PM Audio link (opponent's): www.casperrockies.com/ Arizona: TBD at the pint-sized Padres, 7:00 PM local time; never any web audio for Arizona Rookie ball...

Final: Arizona Athletics 15, Arizona Brewers 2 Well, that result wasn't worth the wait, although the Lil' Unit, Ryan Anderson, joins RHP Josh Alliston on the rehab trail... Weather: 100 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 7 mph, In from CF. T: 3:15. Att: 25. Arizona Box Score: Jhonathan Blanc and Oscar Emeterio, two non-pitchers, fared the best on the mound in this one; Roque Mercedes is Mark Rogers, just two levels down in the chain -- Mercedes' line was saved from further abuse by Blanc, who stranded three runners; lefty Julio Guzman is just 17 years old; only three of OF Michael Brantley's 53 hits have gone for extra bases -- when the power comes, watch out... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1 Arizona Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...k_brrrok_1

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Huntsville Press Release: Huntsville, AL- The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that Stars utility man Vinny Rottino has been promoted to Triple-A Nashville of the Pacific Coast League. Rottino, signed by the Brewers as a non-drafted free agent in 2003, was hitting .296 with six home runs and 52 RBI in 120 games for Huntsville and will join the Sounds tonight during their series against Oklahoma. Rottino, in his third season of professional baseball, knocked in 124 runs in 2004 for the former Brewers Single-A affiliate Beloit Snappers. He was also named to the mid-season Southern League All-Star North team. His spot on the Stars roster will be taken by Adam Heether. Heether, selected by the Brewers in the 11th round of the 2003 draft, was batting .305 with six home runs and 54 RBI in 93 games with the Brevard County Manatees. The 23 year-old will join the Stars tonight during their series against the Mobile BayBears.

Big third baseman shuffle announced: Adam Heether moves to Huntsville from Brevard County Ryan Braun moves to Brevard County from West Virginia Mat Gamel moves to West Virginia from Helena As far as impacts elsewhere -- Vinny Rottino will play elsewhere on the field for Huntsville, I'm sure, and no word yet on a Helena reinforcement. That Helena squad has sent a slew of folks forward, both position players and pitchers, without getting a likewise boost from Arizona.