Jim Goulart

Link while active, text follows: www.wvgazette.com/section...2005060740 Power wins on homer in 11th, 2-1 By Jim Workman For The Charleston Gazette It turned out to be a walk in the park for Hasan Rasheed. Rasheed pounded a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the 11th inning to lift the West Virginia Power to a 2-1 victory over the Lexington Legends in a South Atlantic League game at Appalachian Power Park before 3,575 fans on Tuesday. Rasheed wasn?t looking to go deep, but was pleased with the results. ?It felt great, being my first home run,? said Rasheed, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound outfielder who is playing in his 11th game with the Power (20-38). ?I was just looking to get on base. I just had to get around on it and get out of here so they could hit me on the head. I wanted to go celebrate.? Despite Rasheed?s small stature, Power manager Ramon Aviles wasn?t caught off guard by his late-game heroics. ?It didn?t surprise me,? said Aviles. ?He?s small, but he is strong.? ?We?ve been playing well, but our problem has been hitting in the clutch,? Aviles said. ?Finally we got some clutch hits. ?We?re struggling right now, so we?re trying to get a win the best way we can.? The Power have now won four of its last five contests. Lexington starter Jimmy Barthmaier pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two hits and no runs, striking out six while not giving up a walk. Mark Rogers, who started for the Power, lasted only two innings but was limited to a low number of pitches due to a prior finger injury. After eight scoreless innings, Kevin Vital had smacked an RBI single to right field in the top of the ninth off Power reliever Yovani Gallardo, giving Lexington a 1-0 lead. Aviles called upon reliever Ben Stanczyk to silence the Legends rally, and he responded. Stanczyk worked out of a bases-loaded jam by striking out Lou Santangelo. In the bottom of the ninth, Hernan Iribarren came through in the clutch for the Power, blasting a game-tying RBI triple into the right-field corner. The hit came with two outs and scored Will Lewis, who had drawn a walk, making it 1-all. Ryan Thompson (1-3) got the loss for Lexington (35-24), while Stanczyk (2-1) was credited with the win. Lexington first base coach Rodney Linares was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning. With no outs and runners on first and second, Legends outfielder Mitch Einertson hit a grounder to Power first baseman Grant Richardson, who threw to third, forcing out Lexington runner Hunter Pence on a close play. Linares and manager Tim Bogar, who was coaching third base, voiced their objections to the field umpire John Conrad, who gave Linares the heave-ho. POWER NOTES: Rogers and utility player Will Lewis were both activated from the disabled list. Utility player Agustin Septimo and pitcher Simon Beresford were sent to Helena of the Pioneer League, and catcher Nestor Corredor was promoted to the Class AAA Nashville Sounds ... The Power played its second 11-inning game in a row, sandwiched between a bus trip from Lakewood, N.J. All that, and the Power must play at 1:05 p.m. today (12:05 Central) ... Actually, the game Monday isn?t over ? it was suspended in the 11th with the teams tied at 1. It will resume when Lakewood visits over the weekend... Today?s game is a ?Businessman?s Special? with a golf towel giveaway. West Virginia Power first baseman Grant Richardson concentrates on a pop fly hit by Lexington?s Jonny Ash. Charleston Gazette Photographer: Chris Dorst http://www.wvgazettemail.com/images/stories/popup.jpg

Links to follow Wednesday's action as it happens: Huntsville: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_cngaax_1 Brevard County: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_sluafx_1 West Virginia: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

Wednesday's Daily Menu: Again, draft, what draft? There's daytime baseball today, folks (the Power)! All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: Idle Huntsville: LHP Ryan Costell at Chattanooga (Reds), 7:00 PM pre-game, 7:15 PM gametime Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ If that link is down for bandwidth, use: specs.eyecentric.com/pres...opup.shtml Brevard County: TBD at St. Lucie (Mets), 7:00 PM; no audio for this series West Virginia: RHP Brian Montalbo at home vs. Lexington (Astros), 12:05 PM Audio link: www.wlxg.com/WLXG.asx

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

Final: Jupiter (Marlins) 3, Brevard County 2, 11 innings Twice as many hits as the Hammerheads, but no victory... Brevard County Box Score: Uh-oh, why did Steve Moss leave this game early? Very untimely Steve Sollman error allows the visitors to tie things up... YTD YTD JUPITER AB R H BI AVG BREVARD COUNTY AB R H BI AVG A.De Aza LF 5 0 0 0 .278 T.Ezi RF 0 0 0 0 .250 L.Mitchell 3B 5 0 1 0 .244 T.Ezi CF 5 1 1 0 .250 A.Molina RF 4 0 0 0 .274 D.Anderson LF 4 0 1 1 .284 R.Abercrombi CF 5 0 0 0 .286 A.Heether 3B 5 0 3 0 .308 J.Figueroa DH 5 0 1 0 .323 C.Medlin DH 5 0 0 0 .289 R.Bear 1B 3 2 2 1 .309 S.Moss CF 2 0 0 0 .270 P.Arlis CAT 4 1 0 0 .196 R.Deevers RF 3 0 0 0 .173 M.Brock SS 5 0 1 0 .170 L.Palmisano CAT 5 1 3 1 .258 R.Schade 2B 2 0 0 0 .000 J.Eure 1B 3 0 0 0 .212 K.Randel PH 0 0 0 0 .233 O.Chavez SS 3 0 1 0 .235 K.Randel 2B 1 0 0 1 .233 S.Sollmann 2B 4 0 1 0 .232 P.Mildren PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Anderson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Olivera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hall PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Hoff PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Pena PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 Z.Lerch PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Wolfe PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Tillman PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Stockman PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 39 3 5 2 TOTALS 39 2 10 2 JUPITER 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1- 3 5 0 BREVARD COUNTY 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0- 2 10 2 E--O.Chavez, S.Sollmann. DP--JUPITER 1, BREVARD COUNTY 1. LOB-- JUPITER 8, BREVARD COUNTY 7. 2B--A.Heether (8). 3B--T.Ezi (6). HR--R.Bear (1), L.Palmisano (3). SB--A.Molina (2), M.Brock (3), A.Heether (1). CS--O.Chavez, S.Sollmann. HBP--O.Chavez. SF--D.Anderson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA JUPITER P.Mildren 6.0 5 1 1 1 6 0 3.04 M.Olivera 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 3.27 B.Hoff 1.0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 Z.Lerch (W,1-0) 2.0 0 0 0 0 4 0 3.00 D.Tillman (S,3) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.69 BREVARD COUNTY R.Anderson 2.2 1 0 0 0 5 0 0.00 B.Hall 1.1 0 0 0 2 2 0 4.21 L.Pena 2.1 1 2 1 2 3 0 4.02 B.Wolfe 1.2 1 0 0 0 3 0 0.00 L.Stockman (L,0-3) 3.0 2 1 1 1 3 1 3.71 HB--P.Mildren. SO--A.De Aza 2, A.Molina 3, R.Abercrombi 3, J.Figueroa 3, P.Arlis 2, M.Brock 2, R.Schade, T.Ezi, D.Anderson 2, A.Heether 2, C.Medlin 3, R.Deevers 2, L.Palmisano, J.Eure 3. BB--A.Molina, R.Bear 2, P.Arlis, K.Randel, J.Eure. T--3:22. A--1363Brevard County Game Log: Newcomer Brian Wolfe's first six Brewer outings have been scoreless; bases loaded, one out in the 2nd -- no runs; www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_breafx_1

Final: West Virginia 2, Lexington (Astros) 1, 11 innings Hasan Rasheed leads off the 11th with a walk-off blast -- insert jumping up and down and banging on Hasan's helmet here)... West Virginia Box Score: How about UW-Milwaukee's Ben Stanczyk -- stranding three inherited runners and later getting the win; the Hurricane's two-out game-tying triple in the 9th must have been just as exciting as Rasheed's gamewinner... YTD YTD LEXINGTON AB R H BI AVG WEST VIRGINIA AB R H BI AVG J.Ash 2B 5 0 0 0 .333 W.Lewis CF 3 1 0 0 .285 B.Triplett 3B 5 0 3 0 .246 H.Iribarren 2B 4 0 1 1 .311 H.Pence CF 5 0 1 0 .343 J.Brady DH 4 0 0 0 .254 B.Zobrist SS 5 1 1 0 .291 C.Corporan CAT 4 0 1 0 .240 M.Einertson LF 4 0 1 0 .220 A.Festa SS 4 0 0 0 .000 K.Vital DH 4 0 1 1 .188 G.Richardson 1B 4 0 0 0 .242 O.Sheldon 1B 4 0 1 0 .286 H.Rasheed LF 4 1 2 1 .297 F.Caraballo RF 4 0 0 0 .279 J.Murray 3B 2 0 0 0 .185 L.Santangelo CAT 3 0 1 0 .234 F.Parejo RF 3 0 0 0 .232 J.Barthmaier PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Rogers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Murdy PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Barnes PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Thompson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 Y.Gallardo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Stanczyk PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 39 1 9 1 TOTALS 32 2 4 2 LEXINGTON 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0- 1 9 0 WEST VIRGINIA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1- 2 4 0 DP--LEXINGTON 1, WEST VIRGINIA 1. LOB--LEXINGTON 10, WEST VIRGINIA 2. 2B--O.Sheldon (1). 3B--H.Iribarren (5). HR--H.Rasheed (1). SB-- K.Vital (1), H.Rasheed (2). CS--B.Triplett. SH--J.Murray. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA LEXINGTON J.Barthmaier 7.0 2 0 0 0 6 0 1.93 G.Murdy 1.2 1 1 1 1 3 0 3.38 R.Thompson (L,1-2) 1.1 1 1 1 0 0 1 3.10 WEST VIRGINIA M.Rogers 2.0 0 0 0 2 3 0 4.65 J.Barnes 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3.09 Y.Gallardo 4.2 6 1 1 2 4 0 3.57 B.Stanczyk (W,2-1) 2.1 2 0 0 0 2 0 2.59 PB--C.Corporan. SO--J.Ash, H.Pence 2, B.Zobrist, M.Einertson 2, K.Vital, O.Sheldon, F.Caraballo, L.Santangelo, H.Iribarren, J.Brady 2, A.Festa, G.Richardson 2, H.Rasheed, J.Murray, F.Parejo. BB--M.Einertson, K.Vital, O.Sheldon, F.Caraballo, L.Santangelo, W.Lewis. T--2:55. A--3575West Virginia Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_wvaafx_1

New Jersey high school LHP Zach Braddock made his first start April 15th of this year, he underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2004

We should know more by Wednesday AM, but it appears that the Brewers may have said goodbye to 22-year-old RHP Simon Beresford and 21-year-old utility IF/OF Agustin Septimo, each removed from the West Virginia roster. Hopefully that's not the case with our Aussie pal Simon, who showed glimpses last year in Beloit (84 hits allowed in 92 IP with 87 K's, but 50 BB's). Beresford had really struggled in recent weeks, however. We'll provide career numbers for review if the news is confirmed. EDIT: Beresford and Septimo are apparently still Brewers, in Maryvale for now...

More activity, a busy time: West Virginia's Will Lewis has been activated from the disabled list (shoulder). He's starting in CF and hitting leadoff Tuesday night. Also, welcome to West Virginia, Tony Festa! Helena's primary third baseman last summer is apparently recovered from his hand injury, and is starting at shortstop tonight, as we await an injury update on Alcides Escobar.

DHonks linked to this on the Major League Forum: Link while active, text follows: www.azcentral.com/arizona...t0606.html Local draftees still trying to hit it big Jose E. Garcia The Arizona Republic If there's a glamorous side to playing professional baseball, 14 former Arizona high school stars still are waiting to see it. Injuries, slumps and the daily grind of playing in the minor leagues define this group, selected in the first five rounds of the previous eight major league drafts. This group's journeys highlight the difficult climb that future Arizona draftees may experience once they get drafted this week during the annual major league draft. The only Arizona high school player drafted in the first five rounds in the past 11 years who is prospering in the majors is the Chicago White Sox's Paul Konerko. The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Konerko with the 13th pick in the 1994 draft out of Scottsdale Chaparral. J.J. Hardy, the only other Arizona high school star drafted in the first five rounds in the past decade who is on a major league team, is struggling at the plate as a rookie for the Milwaukee Brewers. "(High school) players think if you're not drafted in the top 10 rounds that you'll get pushed aside," said Shane Loux, drafted in the second round out of Gilbert Highland in 1997. "You may get a few more chances to make it if you're drafted in the first rounds, but once you get (to the minor leagues), you get a jersey with a number. On the first day it doesn't matter who you are. It doesn't matter where you get drafted." Hardy made his major league debut with the Brewers with a lot of fanfare. The Tucson Sabino star became the Brewers' first rookie to start at shortstop on Opening Day since Hall of Famer Paul Molitor did it in 1978. Hardy's glove work helped him reach the big time, and he led the major leagues in fielding percentage as recently as May 23. It took Hardy four seasons to reach the majors after getting drafted in the second round as the 56th overall pick. Hardy was scheduled to become a Brewers starter last year as a 21-year-old, but a shoulder injury sidelined him. As he rehabilitated, Hardy lived with his older brother, Logan, at their Valley home. Logan, an Army veteran, suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after returning from the war in Iraq. The Hardys helped each other cope through their downtime. "(Logan) is doing well," Hardy said. Hardy returned from his injury in time to record a successful Opening Day major league start in April. He collected his first major league hit (a bases-loaded single) and RBIs in his third at-bat. Since then, Hardy has struggled. He's hitting .182 with only three multihit games after two months. "I have to keep a positive attitude even though I'm struggling," Hardy said before a recent game. "It gets old when you get asked why you're struggling. What's the deal? Are you not seeing the pitches? "This is dream come true for me. When you're here, you want to work harder because you want to stay longer." Bumps in the road Two pitchers in the Brewers organization would like to be where Hardy, their former minor league teammate, is. Instead, former first-round draft picks Mike Jones and Ben Diggins are in the Valley recovering from arm surgeries. Jones, the 12th overall pick out of Thunderbird High in 2001, is seven weeks removed from his second right shoulder surgery in nine months. "It's tough to put it in words what I'm going through," Jones said. "It's frustrating, disappointing. There are a lot of things I think about. Am I good enough to come back? Am I ever going to play baseball again? "I ran into an obstacle, but you haven't heard the end of me. This makes for a great comeback story." Luckily for Jones, 22, he's back home rehabilitating at Maryvale Baseball Park. Jones received a $2.075 million signing bonus out of high school, but the money hasn't changed the affable Jones. He still has the same cellphone number he had in high school. "Don't let the business end get in the way of why you love the game," is Jones' advice for players who will get drafted this week. Helping the former Double-A All-Star cope with his injury is another Arizona product and friend, Diggins, who is recovering at Maryvale from Tommy John surgery. The St. Louis Cardinals drafted Diggins with the No. 32 pick out of Prescott Valley Bradshaw Mountain in 1998, but Diggins decided to attend the University of Arizona for two seasons. "They were the best two years of my life," Diggins said, when asked whether he had any regrets of going to UA instead of signing out of high school. "The college experience was very valuable." The Dodgers drafted Diggins as the 17th overall pick in 2000 before Diggings was traded to Milwaukee in 2002. Diggins made his major league debut with the Brewers, pitching 24 innings in 2002 with a 0-4 record and an 8.63 ERA. The 6-foot-7 Diggins is working on his mechanics as he prepares for his comeback. "They always say it's harder to stay in the big leagues," Diggins said. Bryan Opdyke, Catalina Foothills Fifth-round pick, Brewers Fact: Is moving to Helena (Mont.) Brewers from Arizona Brewers. Quotable: "I'm where God wants me to be." Ex-Thunderbird pitcher Mike Jones, drafted by the Brewers in 2001, is rehabilitating after a second shoulder surgery. Catherine J. Jun/The Arizona Republic http://www.azcentral.com/sports/preps/pics/0606prepbig.jpg

Huntsville Site Game Summary: Braves Burst Through in Eighth to Down StarsOnil Joseph singled in the tying and go-ahead runs in a five-run ninth inning rally to lift Mississippi to a 10-8 comeback victory over Huntsville Tuesday afternoon at Joe Davis Stadium. The Braves took three out four in Huntsville and seven of the eight games played between the teams over the last eight days to improve to 31-28, while the Stars slumped to 23-36 and lost for a 14th time in their last 17 games at home. The Braves have won 10 out of 11 overall and 10 of the last 11 against the Stars to take an 11-3 lead in the season series. Khalid Ballouli, who had tossed three scoreless innings in relief of starter Glenn Woolard, allowed a leadoff single in the eighth to Brian McCann, walked Juan Velasquez and allowed a single to Jon Schuerholz to load the bases. Luis Hernandez singled to right field to plate McCann to trim the Stars lead to 8-6 and knock Ballouli out of the game. Matt DeWitt, who had surrendered five runs in the ninth inning and suffered the loss on Sunday, took over and faced pinch-hitter Wes Timmons, who hit a high pop up on a 2-1 pitch that landed uncaught after first baseman Brandon Gemoll came down the line and could not make the play while battling the sun. Timmons walked to force in a run to make it 8-7 before Gregor Blanco popped up for the first out of the frame. Joseph then singled into right field on a 3-2 pitch to score Velasquez and Hernandez to put the visitors on top 9-8. Jeff Francoeur followed with a base hit and Scott Thorman capped the rally with a single to right field to chase home Joseph and knock in his 51st run of the season and 16th against the Stars. The Braves have put together a five-run rally in each of the last three games, matching the total of five run frames the Stars had allowed in their first 56 games. Jorge Vasquez, the Braves fifth pitcher of the game, took over in the eighth inning. He allowed an infield single to Guilder Rodriguez with one out in the eighth before setting down the next five hitters to end the game and record his ninth save of the year and fourth during the eight-game stretch between the two teams. The Stars scored three runs in the second inning, two on a home run by Vinny Rottino, to take a 3-1 lead only to see the Braves come back to post four runs in the fourth to move out to a 5-3 lead. Rottino?s two-run single finished off a three-run fifth inning rally that put the home team back on top 6-5. The Stars third baseman matched a season-best with four runs driven in and collected three hits in a game for the sixth time. Huntsville tacked on two runs in the sixth inning on run-scoring singles by Kennard Bibbs and Nelson Cruz to increase its lead to 8-5. Nelson Cruz has hit safely in 10 of the last 11 games and has knocked in a run in six of the last seven games and 10 of the last 12. Enrique Cruz doubled twice and singled, scored a run and knocked in a run and tallied three hits in a game for the sixth time this season. The Stars open a two-game series in Chattanooga Wednesday night with left-hander Ryan Costello getting the starting assignment against Lookouts left-hander Ben Kozlowski. Coverage of the game gets underway at 7:00 p.m. central time on ESPN 1450 AM and via the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com.

Final: Mississippi (Braves) 10, Huntsville 8 Deja vu -- yet another five-run inning put up against the Stars bullpen... Huntsville Box Score: Khalid Ballouli was rolling along with a stellar relief effort until the first four Braves reached in the 8th; Brandon Gemoll with two of the three Stars' errors, Glenn Woolard the other... YTD YTD MISSISSIPPI AB R H BI AVG HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG G.Blanco CF 5 2 2 2 .220 K.Bibbs LF 5 1 1 1 .281 O.Joseph LF 5 1 3 2 .251 A.Gwynn CF 3 1 0 0 .286 J.Francoeur RF 5 0 1 0 .265 N.Cruz RF 5 1 2 1 .295 S.Thorman 1B 4 0 1 1 .316 B.Gemoll 1B 5 2 3 1 .232 B.McCann CAT 4 2 1 1 .265 V.Rottino 3B 5 1 3 4 .280 J.Velazquez 3B 4 2 1 0 .214 J.Vandn Berg CAT 3 0 0 0 .250 J.Schuerholz 2B 5 2 2 1 .275 C.Crabbe 2B 4 1 1 0 .236 L.Hernandez SS 5 1 2 2 .222 M.Dewitt PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Wright PIT 1 0 0 0 .091 D.Bradley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Basner PIT 1 0 1 0 .200 E.Cruz SS 4 1 3 1 .287 S.Kent PIT 0 0 0 0 1.000 G.Woolard PIT 1 0 0 0 .059 G.Tucker PIT 0 0 0 0 .500 B.Vn Idrstne PH 1 0 0 0 .267 W.Timmons PH 0 0 0 1 .310 K.Ballouli PIT 1 0 0 0 .200 J.Vasquez PIT 0 0 0 0 .250 G.Rodriguez 2B 1 0 1 0 .240 TOTALS 39 10 14 10 TOTALS 38 8 14 8 MISSISSIPPI 1 0 0 4 0 0 0 5 0-10 14 0 HUNTSVILLE 0 3 0 0 3 2 0 0 0- 8 14 3 E--B.Gemoll 2, G.Woolard. DP--MISSISSIPPI 2, HUNTSVILLE 0. LOB-- MISSISSIPPI 7, HUNTSVILLE 6. 2B--J.Velazquez (6), B.Gemoll 2 (8), E.Cruz 2 (12). HR--G.Blanco (4), V.Rottino (3). SB--G.Blanco (10), O.Joseph (8), K.Bibbs (11), A.Gwynn (23), E.Cruz (9). SF--B.McCann. SH--M.Wright. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA MISSISSIPPI M.Wright 4.1 9 6 6 2 5 1 6.31 R.Basner 1.1 2 2 2 0 0 0 4.14 S.Kent 0.1 1 0 0 1 1 0 4.26 G.Tucker (W,2-2) 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2.96 J.Vasquez (S,10) 2.0 1 0 0 0 3 0 1.15 HUNTSVILLE G.Woolard 4.0 7 5 2 1 7 1 5.34 K.Ballouli (L,2-5) 3.0 4 4 4 1 3 0 5.60 M.Dewitt 1.0 3 1 0 1 1 0 4.45 D.Bradley 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.47 SO--G.Blanco 2, O.Joseph, J.Francoeur 3, S.Thorman 2, B.McCann, J.Velazquez 2, M.Wright, N.Cruz 3, B.Gemoll, V.Rottino 2, J.Vandn Berg, E.Cruz, G.Woolard. BB--S.Thorman, J.Velazquez, W.Timmons, A.Gwynn 2, J.Vandn Berg. T--2:48. A--1345Huntsville Game Log: Gee, the team that played errorless ball won -- what a surprise; runners on 1st and 2nd -- how does Enrique Cruz get picked off first in the 4th? Stars ground into two big double plays... www.minorleaguebaseball.c...x_hunaax_1

Pre-Game Nashville Audio Chat with Mike Adams: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%206-7.mp3 Final: Omaha (Royals) 7, Nashville 3 What an ugly series at home for the Sounds... Nashville Site Game Summary: NASHVILLE ? The Omaha Royals completed a four-game sweep of the Nashville Sounds with a 7-3 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game series. The sweep was the first suffered this season by the Sounds, who dropped their fourth consecutive game. With the loss, Nashville (30-30) drops back to .500 and falls into a temporary tie for the PCL American Conference Northern Division lead with Memphis, pending later league action. Sounds designated hitter Prince Fielder provided all the offense on the afternoon, driving in all three Nashville runs and belting his co-team-leading 12th home run of the season. The visitors struck first, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning against Nashville starter Justin Lehr. Former Sound Adrian Brown opened the game with an infield single and later scored on Aaron Guiel?s RBI double. With two outs, Royals catcher Scott Walter belted his third home run of the season, a two-run shot down the left field line off Lehr. Nashville answered quickly, plating a pair of runs against Omaha starter Chris George in the bottom of the frame. With runners on second and third and one out, Fielder grounded out to second to plate Trent Durrington and Steve Scarborough, who hustled home from second on the play. Omaha pulled ahead 6-2 with a three-run fourth against Lehr. Justin Gemoll started the scoring with an RBI single, Alejandro Prieto added a two-out RBI double, and Brown contributed a two-out, run-scoring single. Fielder pulled into a tie with Rickie Weeks for the Nashville team lead with he crushed his 12th home run of the season off George in the bottom of the seventh inning. The leadoff solo shot to right pulled the Sounds within 6-3. Audio Link for Prince Fielder's Blast: www.nashvillesounds.com/a...%206-7.mp3 Walter struck again for the Royals in the eighth, ripping an RBI double to center to score Ken Harvey and stretch the lead to 7-3. George (4-3) improved to 7-1 in nine career starts against the Sounds, picking up the win after allowing three runs over his seven innings of work. After giving up a pair of runs in the first, the left-hander allowed only one hit over the next five frames until Fielder's seventh-inning blast. Lehr (5-5) surrendered six runs on seven hits in four frames to absorb the loss. The Sounds join the entire Pacific Coast League for an off day tomorrow before traveling to Iowa for to open a four-game series against the division-rival Cubs on Thursday evening in Des Moines. Nashville right-hander Jose Capellan (4-2, 4.39) will start the 7:05 p.m. CT series opener and face Iowa right-hander Raul Valdez (3-2, 3.41). Nashville Box Score: Andy Pratt's best showing this season... YTD YTD OMAHA AB R H BI AVG NASHVILLE AB R H BI AVG A.Brown CF 5 1 2 1 .261 T.Durrington LF 3 1 1 0 .260 D.Hocking DH 4 0 0 0 .301 S.Scarboroug SS 4 1 1 0 .250 A.Guiel RF 3 1 1 1 .276 R.Weeks 2B 4 0 0 0 .315 K.Harvey 1B 4 1 1 0 .357 P.Fielder DH 4 1 1 3 .257 S.Walter CAT 4 1 2 3 .338 K.Orie 1B 3 0 1 0 .304 C.Santos LF 4 1 1 0 .262 C.Hart RF 3 0 0 0 .267 J.Gemoll 3B 4 1 1 1 .312 M.Rivera CAT 2 0 0 0 .231 L.Ugueto 2B 4 0 0 0 .210 R.Knox CF 3 0 0 0 .220 A.Prieto SS 4 1 1 1 .279 C.Barnwell 3B 3 0 1 0 .239 C.George PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Lehr PIT 0 0 0 0 .750 J.Cerda PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Pratt PIT 0 0 0 0 .333 S.Ramirez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Meyers PIT 0 0 0 0 .500 K.Davis PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 36 7 9 7 TOTALS 29 3 5 3 OMAHA 3 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0- 7 9 0 NASHVILLE 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0- 3 5 1 E--C.Barnwell. DP--OMAHA 2, NASHVILLE 0. LOB--OMAHA 4, NASHVILLE 1. 2B--A.Guiel (18), S.Walter (7), C.Santos (13), A.Prieto (9), T.Durrington (8). HR--S.Walter (3), P.Fielder (12). SB--A.Guiel (3), J.Gemoll (3). SH--D.Hocking, T.Durrington. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA OMAHA C.George (W,4-3) 7.0 5 3 3 1 2 1 5.74 J.Cerda 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 17.47 S.Ramirez 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5.40 NASHVILLE J.Lehr (L,5-5) 4.0 7 6 6 0 4 1 6.53 A.Pratt 3.0 0 0 0 1 6 0 8.23 M.Meyers 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 6.23 K.Davis 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.67 WP--C.George. SO--D.Hocking 4, A.Guiel, K.Harvey 2, C.Santos, L.Ugueto 2, A.Prieto 2, R.Weeks, P.Fielder, C.Hart. BB--A.Guiel, M.Rivera. T--2:37. A--3317Nashville Game Log: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...a_nasaaa_1

Gamel a teammate of recent DFE signee Darren Ford at Chipola...

Nashville Media Notes for Tuesday: www.nashvillesounds.com/pdf/notes.pdf

any of you fellas know why escobar hasn't been in the lineup for WV the last few games? We should get a report in Wednesday's Charleston newspapers now that the Power is back home; he left the game for a pinch-runner the other night after hitting a double.

Just turned 21-year-old catcher Nestor Corredor is the choice to serve as Nashville's backup catcher, at least for a bit, in a move that reflects the least upheaval among all the catchers in the organization. Corredor was one of four catchers on the West Virginia roster. Corredor also saw fill-in time last season at Huntsville, so he must have a maturity about him that allows him to be placed on these short-term backup assignments.

The Brewers released four RHP's within the past month, according to Baseball America. The most prominent name is that of Greg Moreira, who turned 22 years old last month. Moreira was a high-school 10th round pick in 2001 -- he started 20 games (27 appearances) in Beloit last year. Greg Moreira Career Numbers: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...eira.shtml The other RHP's: Joel Needham, the 2004 32nd round pick out of UC-Davis -- he'll be 24 years old this coming August. Basically, if you're drafted as a 22-23 year old, and you're a late draft pick, you need to make an immediate impression. Joel Needham Career Numbers: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...dham.shtml Brandon Hundt, 23 years old, was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Washington State last spring, and made 10 relief appearances for Helena. Mike Adams took the non-drfated route to the majors, but wow, that's rare... Brandon Hundt Career Numbers: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...undt.shtml Miguel Garcia will turn 20 years old in a couple of weeks. Signed out of Venezuela, Garcia spent portions or all of the past three summers in Maryvale -- talk about setting up residence. He struggled in five Helena appearances last summer. Miguel Garcia Career Numbers: www.thebaseballcube.com/p...ia_1.shtml

Link while active, text follows: www.nashvillecitypaper.co...s_id=41989 Mistakes doom Sounds again By Nate Rau, Nashville City Paper Sports Correspondent The Nashville Sounds strengthened their grip on the Pacific Coast League lead for errors, committing a season-worst four for the second straight night. The sloppy defensive effort, coupled with a sub-par pitching performance from starter Rick Helling, combined to see the Sounds drop their third-straight game to visiting Omaha, 9-5, in from 2,939 at Greer Stadium. The Royals go for the sweep today at noon. The Sounds lead the Pacific Coast League in errors with 77, 18 more than any other PCL team. ?[The most frustrating aspect of the loss] has to be the errors,? Sounds manager Frank Kremblas said. ?Those are not tough errors. Those are plays that have got to be made.? Helling allowed eight runs, five earned, in the loss. He made a curtain call for all the wrong reasons between the sixth and seventh innings. After being removed, Helling came to the steps of the dugout to argue balls and strikes with home plate umpire Todd Tichenor. The encore came after a frustrating night in which Helling?s defense did him no favors. Rickie Weeks and Corey Hart each committed costly errors during a five-run third inning for the Royals. Weeks? throwing error is his third in the past two games. Shortstop Steve Scarborough also committed his third error in two days. ?[scarborough] is just as mad as anyone else, and I?m sure Rickie is too,? Kremblas said. Twenty-two year old J.P. Howell did the job on the mound for Omaha, picking up the win in 5.1 innings and allowing just two earned runs in his first ever Triple-A start. Nashville had its chances to put more runs on the scoreboard, but left the bases loaded in the fifth and sixth innings. ***Link while active, text follows: www.tennessean.com/apps/p...328/SPORTS Durrington's versatility proving key for Sounds Utility man has played five positions this year By MAURICE PATTON Tennessean Staff Writer Trent Durrington ? coming soon to a position near you. After seeing time at third base, shortstop, second base and first base for the Nashville Sounds this season, the Australian native made his first outfield start Sunday night. And with yesterday's transaction that saw catcher Julio Mosquera go to Milwaukee, Durrington is the Sounds' backup backstop behind Mike Rivera. "It's really not a problem," Durrington said prior to Nashville's 9-5 loss to visiting Omaha last night. "I've caught the last three years, and quite a bit three years ago. It's one of my preferred positions, really. I look forward to the opportunity. I love catching." Spending most of his 12-year career in the Angels' organization as an infielder/outfielder, Durrington went back to the Class AA level in 2002 to learn to catch ? thus adding to his versatility. It paid off over the next two seasons. He got back to the majors in both '03 and '04 after a two-year absence. Although he hasn't caught in an official game this year, Durrington did get some time behind the plate in the Sounds' preseason exhibition against Belmont. He has also caught some in the bullpen. "He's caught some guys down there on his day off, that sort of thing," said Nashville Manager Frank Kremblas, also a utilityman during his minor league playing career. "The difference (between he and I) is that I was drafted as a catcher, and I'd always catch down in the 'pen just to stay fresh. Also, he pretty much plays every day. It'd be less trying on him if he didn't play every day and he was able to get down there just for practice." Durrington tries to get a little work at all the spots to stay sharp ? but that's a lot of spots. "I try to get some ground balls and some fly balls at every position, catch in the bullpen or catch a side session," he said. "But come game time, it's the same preparation, the same approach at every position." Tough days for Weeks: Second baseman Rickie Weeks made his third error in two games last night when his throw on a third-inning grounder by Omaha catcher Paul Phillips pulled Prince Fielder off first base and opened a five-run rally. In Sunday's loss, Weeks bobbled a Phillips grounder in the fourth inning as he was attempting to start a double play, then threw wide of first on a Denny Hocking grounder in the ninth. "I'd say he probably learned that you should probably just go to first on that one," Kremblas said of the first Sunday error. "The other one, he tried to throw on the run and probably didn't need to; he didn't set himself. "Those are things he's got to figure out. I think that's why they want him down here ? to learn those things." It's not just Weeks that has struggled defensively for the Sounds. Shortstop Steve Scarborough also committed a pair of miscues Sunday. Right fielder Corey Hart also had a bobbled ball in last night's five-run third inning, while Fielder muffed a fifth-inning pickoff attempt by Rick Helling and Scarborough misplayed a ninth-inning grounder. Game at a glance ?Losing pitcher: Rick Helling (4-3). ?Big stick: Corey Hart, 2-for-3. ?How they lost: For the second consecutive night the Sounds had trouble defensively. Four errors led to three unearned runs in a five-run third inning. However, Nashville didn't do much with the sticks, either. The Sounds stranded eight baserunners ? including leaving the bases loaded in the fifth. ?What they said: "Those are plays that have got to be made. We've got to turn outs into outs. I'm not picking on Rickie; he didn't try to make an error. He just didn't make the play." ? Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas on an error by infielder Rickie Weeks, after his team committed four errors for the second night in a row, including one by Rickie Weeks - his third in two games. ?Today's pitchers: Sounds ? RHP Justin Lehr (5-4, 5.63 ERA). Royals ? LHP Chris George (3-3, 5.97).

Heading into Tuesday's activity: AM-NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]NASHVILLE SOUNDS (MILWAUKEE) 30 29 .508[/b] MEMPHIS REDBIRDS (ST.LOUIS) 29 29 .500 .5 OMAHA ROYALS (KANSAS CITY) 26 33 .441 4.0 IOWA CUBS (CHICAGO CUBS) 25 34 .424 5.0 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB CAROLINA MUDCATS (FLORIDA) 39 18 .684 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 38 20 .655 1.5 TENNESSEE SMOKIES (ARIZONA) 23 34 .404 16.0 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 23 35 .397 16.5[/b] CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS (CINCINNATI) 22 36 .379 17.5 EAST DIVISION W L PCT GB VERO BEACH DODGERS (LOS ANGELES DODGERS) 32 23 .582 JUPITER HAMMERHEADS (FLORIDA) 31 25 .554 1.5 DAYTONA CUBS (CHICAGO CUBS) 27 26 .509 4.0 PALM BEACH CARDINALS (ST.LOUIS) 27 29 .482 5.5 [b]BREVARD COUNTY MANATEES (MILWAUKEE) 22 35 .386 11.0[/b] ST. LUCIE METS (NEW YORK METS) 20 33 .377 11.0 NORTHERN DIVISION W L PCT GB LEXINGTON LEGENDS (HOUSTON) 35 22 .614 HAGERSTOWN SUNS (NEW YORK METS) 34 22 .607 .5 LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS (CLEVELAND) 33 25 .569 2.5 KANNAPOLIS INTIMIDATORS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 29 29 .500 6.5 DELMARVA SHOREBIRDS (BALTIMORE) 25 33 .431 10.5 HICKORY CRAWDADS (PITTSBURGH) 21 34 .382 13.0 LAKEWOOD BLUECLAWS (PHILADELPHIA) 19 38 .333 16.0 [b]WEST VIRGINIA POWER (MILWAUKEE) 19 38 .333 16.0[/b]

Links to 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

West Virginia RHP Mark Rogers is being activated from the disabled list today (Tuesday the 7th) to make the start tonight for the Power.

Tuesday's Daily Menu: Draft, what draft? There's daytime baseball today, folks! All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Nashville: RHP Justin Lehr at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 11:40 AM pre-game; 12:00 PM gametime Audio link: www.nashvillesounds.com/listenlive/ Nashville Site Gamecast Feed: www.nashvillesounds.com/live/xlive.htm Huntsville: RHP Glenn Woolard at home vs. Mississippi (Braves), 11:50 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ If that link is down for bandwidth, use: specs.eyecentric.com/pres...opup.shtml Brevard County: LHP Ryan Anderson at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 7:00 PM Audio link (opponent's): www.live365.com/cgi-bin/m...2747300015 West Virginia: RHP Mark Rogers at home vs. Lexington (Astros), 6:05 PM Audio link: www.wlxg.com/WLXG.asx

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

Link while active, text follows (follow link for photo as well): www.floridatoday.com/apps...70324/1002 Baseball draft here with no guarantees Manatees' Anderson patiently waits to pitch in major leagues BY SCOTT BROWN FLORIDA TODAY VIERA - Ryan Anderson's belief that he would be playing in the big leagues had he stayed healthy is as strong as he is tall. Anderson, however, won't go as far to say that he would have pitched in a couple of All-Star games by now. "I would hope so," one of the newest members of the Brevard County Manatees said, "but you never know." You never know. Anderson is walking, talking, 6-foot-10 proof of that. A former first-round draft pick and can't-miss-player -- Baseball America rated him as the Seattle Mariners' No. 1 prospect for four years in a row -- Anderson recently got released by the organization that gave him a $2.175 million signing bonus. His story is especially timely since Major League Baseball's 50-round amateur draft starts today and concludes Wednesday. Anderson's setbacks show that no matter how much a prospect brims with promise, there is no guarantee he will ever make it to the big leagues. Not that the uncertainty makes MLB's draft any different than the ones conducted annually by the NBA and the NFL. It is higher when it comes to baseball for a host of reasons. Those range from hitters making the transition from aluminum to wooden bats, the strong presence of high school players in the draft and the fact that triple plays are more common than someone immediately joining the big-league club that drafted him. These factors are why MLB organizations make nothing more than educated guesses during the draft even though considerable time and money is put into scouting prospects. If projecting how good a player is going to be several years down the road -- not to mention at the highest level of competition in the world -- was an exact science Mike Piazza would have gone before the 62nd round in the 1988 draft. And the Chicago White Sox wouldn't have taken a catcher named Kurt Brown right ahead of Barry Bonds in the 1985 draft. And Albert Pujols wouldn't have lasted until the 13th round of the 1999 draft. The examples are endless. Draft still important That is not to minimize the importance of the draft, especially since it can shape the course of a franchise. Take 1999. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays selected outfielder Josh Hamilton. The Marlins followed by snapping up right-handed pitcher Josh Beckett. Bedeviled by personal problems, including substance abuse, Hamilton currently is serving a MLB suspension and he may never play a day in the big leagues. Beckett, meanwhile, won the World Series MVP in 2003 and is in the top 10 in just about every major National League pitching category this season, including wins, ERA and strikeouts. The remarkable thing about the Joshes' divergent career paths: both were considered so close going into the draft that only the flip of a coin separated them. "If Tampa Bay would have taken Beckett, we would have taken Hamilton," said John Boles, who worked for the Marlins in a variety of different capacities, including manager, from 1993-2001. ""There's no question about it." There were few, if any, questions about Anderson going into the 1997 draft. In 51 1/3 innings, he struck out 133 of the 154 batters he got out, allowed seven hits and walked 33 his senior season at Divine Child High in Dearborn, Mich., and tossed three no-hitters. He lasted until the 19th pick of the first round only because most teams were scared off by Anderson's asking price to sign (in addition to his enormous talent, he was able to use the scholarship he had to the University of Michigan as leverage). The Mariners gladly took Anderson and the two appeared to be a perfect fit. Anderson's size and the fact that he was a hard-throwing lefthander led to the comparison with then-Mariners ace Randy "Big Unit" Johnson (he had been given the nickname "Lil Unit" before the Mariners drafted him). It seemed possible, heck even probable, that "Big Unit" and "Lil Unit" would one day pitch in the same rotation. Anderson rocketed through the Mariners' farm system, and by his third season in professional baseball he had advanced to Triple-A. In July of 2000, Anderson struck out 13 batters in 6 2/3 innings of a Pacific Coast League game. Unfortunately for Anderson that proved to be a turning point in his career. Setbacks don't deter The day after mowing down the Calgary hitters like they were overmatched high schoolers, Anderson tried to play catch to "flush out" his arm. He couldn't throw the ball more than five feet. "I thought 'Oh, I must have slept on my arm wrong, I'll just take the next day off,' " Anderson said. But he had torn his rotator cuff and essentially had to take five years off due to a series of shoulder injuries and surgeries After the Mariners released him following extended spring training this year, Anderson took the hill for the first time since 2000 for an independent league team in Arizona. He needed just one inning to convince the Milwaukee Brewers to sign him and assign him to their high Class-A team in Viera. "I think it was high-reward, low-risk," said Baseball America's John Manuel, who specializes in prospects. "There was no reason to think that guy wasn't going to be a big leaguer." Given the injuries he's had, it would be unfair to label Anderson a bust. He is yet another example of why there is no such thing as a can't-miss prospect, especially in baseball. Anderson, who turns 26 in July, doesn't throw as hard as he once did, though the Brewers did clock him at 93 miles per hour before signing him. "I haven't changed the way I pitch, the way I go at hitters, but my stuff isn't as hard as it was before," said Anderson, who is scheduled to start today's game between the Manatees and Jupiter Hammerheads at Space Coast Stadium. "That could be a good thing because it will make me learn how to pitch instead of just throwing." In addition to a fastball, Anderson throws a changeup and a "spike" curve (he digs the nail on his index finger into a seam to produce more bite). Perhaps the most dangerous thing in his arsenal is the motivation Anderson takes with him to the mound these days. His release by the Mariners surprised Anderson to put it mildly. "I was very excited to get picked up because I just wanted to get right back out there and get to the big leagues and prove them wrong," Anderson said. "I love competing in the game of baseball. I'll keep (playing) until they take the jersey away from me."