Jim Goulart

AUDIO via the Rattler Radio Soundcloud: "The Timber Rattlers are back to start the second half of the season tonight and Matt Erickson discusses the first half, the transactions, Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar joining the team, and what he did for his All-Star Break."

Final: Colorado Springs 8, New Orleans 5 Garcia, Bullpen Lead Sox To Win Catcher drives in four runs while relievers shut down Baby Cakes By Robby Veronesi / Colorado Springs Sky Sox Rene Garcia photo from prior home game and the game details at the link above... Colorado Springs Box Score Boy, home or road, Ivan De Jesus, Jr. has been consistently fantastic Colorado Springs Game Log The sub-heading of the game summary isn't 100% accurate, here's Tom Wilhelmsen's return to Brewers baseball -- though he should have had a 1-2-3 inning, but didn't quite cover the error. New Orleans Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Tom Wilhelmsen replaces Angel Ventura, batting 9th. Cal Towey called out on strikes. David Vidal lines out to right fielder Ryan Cordell. Peter Mooney reaches on a fielding error by second baseman Nate Orf. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ramon Cabrera replaces Kyle Lobstein. Ramon Cabrera singles on a line drive to center fielder Brett Phillips. Peter Mooney to 3rd. Chad Hinshaw doubles (9) on a line drive to left fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Peter Mooney scores. Ramon Cabrera scores. Steve Lombardozzi Jr. singles on a ground ball to shortstop Yadiel Rivera. Chad Hinshaw to 3rd. Defensive Substitution: Kyle Wren replaces pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen, batting 9th, playing center field. Pitching Change: Stephen Kohlscheen replaces Tom Wilhelmsen, batting 5th. Defensive switch from left field to right field for Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Defensive switch from right field to center field for Ryan Cordell. Defensive switch from center field to left field for Kyle Wren. Tomas Telis flies out to left fielder Kyle Wren.

Catching up with T.J. Mittelstaedt

The Mudcats' Greg Young debunked the pitch counts from this box score -- mis-reported by MiLB's on-site tracker. Still a nice relief stint for Kodi.

Via Wisconsin's Media Notes -- Infielder Trever Morrison has been activated from Wisconsin’s disabled list. Infielder Trey York has been placed on Wisconsin’s disabled list.

Still time to bid!

VIDEO via WLOX: First-half Biloxi summary

And, of course, look for Ryan Braun and Jonathan Villar in Timber Rattler uniforms tonight!

Rain from Tropical Storm Cindy could alter weekend schedule With rain from Tropical Storm Cindy pelting south Louisiana the past few days and expected to continue, the New Orleans Baby Cakes are taking precautions for their four-game series against the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, which is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday. “We've got extra pumps that we've gone out and bought,” general manager Augusto “Cookie” Rojas said. “We've gotten sand to help move air underneath the tarp. Having a tarp in Louisiana, it's difficult to keep it out, especially when it's not raining. You've got to know when to take it on and off. “The latest report is that the outfield is doing well and the infield is dry. Our goal is to try to play the games coming up this weekend. They promise to be some big nights. We've had some big advance sales. We're going to have some pumps to keep water out of the dugout.”

This game has been suspended, scoreless in the bottom of the 2nd.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Linked on the Sky Sox official blog Carolina Media Notes - Linked on the Mudcats official blog Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Carolina League Southern Division A - Midwest League Western Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro Division Dominican Summer League North Division NOTE: Divisional standings for the two DSL teams point to the same shared page link. *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Carolina Wisconsin DSL Brewers DSL Brewers/Indians *** Weather.com: New Orleans, LA Woodbridge, VA Grand Chute, WI Great Falls, MT Santo Domingo, DR

Follow Thursday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Carolina Wisconsin Helena DSL Brewers DSL Brewers/Indians MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Thursday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Angel Ventura at New Orleans (Marlins), 6:30 PM pre-game, 7:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dan Karcher, the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox is on Twitter @SkySoxKarch; joining him again this season is Dan Acheson (@Dan_Acheson) MiLB.TV -- for subscribers; all Colorado Springs games, home and away, will be available to watch via MiLB.TV's $49.99 season-long package ($12.99 to pay for a single month). The audio feed is from the home team. The video of each game is archived online, which is a nice feature. All MiLB.TV details available at the link. NOTE: Notice that on MiLB.TV's page, you can click on "Filter", then "Milwaukee Brewers", and you'll see just the Crew's organizational TV lineup. ********** Biloxi: Team Press Release - Tropical Storm Cindy postpones opener with M-Braves on Thursday, Friday doubleheader scheduled ********** Carolina: RHP Jordan Yamamoto at Potomac (Nationals), 5:50 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We look forward to Mudcats audio with Greg Young (@gregyoungjr), especially after going without gameday audio for much of the Brewers' stay in Brevard County. MiLB.TV - Yes, Carolina home games will be on MiLB.TV, sweet. It appears three other Carolina League teams (Salem, Myrtle Beach, and Winston-Salem) broadcast as well. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Zack Brown at home vs. Kane County (Diamondbacks), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Chris Mehring is back to do his customary fantastic work as the Voice of the Rattlers. Follow him on Twitter @CMehring; we'll link to Chris' infamous blog often -- Rattler Radio. MiLB.TV - Eight of the 16 Midwest League teams telecast their home games, and Wisconsin, once again, is among them. We'll let you know when a road TV feed is available. In 2017, fifteen games will be broadcast on Spectrum Sports in Wisconsin, available on channel 32 and in HD on channel 1332. We'll keep you posted with our "DVR Alerts" days in advance. *** Helena: RHP Michael Petersen at Great Falls (White Sox), 7:45 PM Central pre-game, 8:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link The broadcast duo of Craig Durham (@CraigMDurham) and Garrett Greene (@Garrett_Greene) has your H-Crew coverage for 2017 *** Maryvale: Season begins Saturday 6/24 *** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Diamondbacks #2 Squad, 9:30 AM DSL Brewers/Indians: at home vs. the DSL Dodgers #2 Squad, 9:30 AM For each DSL contest, game data won't be available until later in the day We'll link to this Dominican Summer League Brewers' thread as part of the Daily Menu all season to assist you with your familiarity with these young men. You can also use that link to differentiate between Brewer and Indians' prospects on the co-op team.

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

Making the same move to the co-op team is 19 year-old Venezuelan RHP Jesus Colman, who was signed this spring. He played for the Blue Jays in 2016 and had made four appearances for the Brewers' full squad this season.

Only 23 years old but in his 7th pro season, the long-time Rangers southpaw was released on June 16th. As you'll see at the link above, he's got swingman ability, and innings are always in demand. Career WHIP of 1.40, but higher at recent AA assignments.

Final: Great Falls 8, Helena 7 Brewers Lose First Road Game Helena bats come alive but walks persist in third straight loss Payton Henry photo from earlier this week when you read the recap at the link above *** From the Great Falls Tribune, certainly with a focus on the Voyagers -- On most other nights, Anthony Villa's 9-irons that he lofted high into the air Wednesday night would have fallen short of the fence. But on this night, the wind was blowing a steady 18 miles per hour out toward the wall surrounding the diamond here at Centene Stadium, and so the Voyager first baseman's 9-irons cleared it on two occasions. *** VIDEO: Manager Nestor Corredor recalls playing days with Helena Brewers as program set to relocate in 2019 *** Helena Box Score Clean defense, balanced offense, a mound start that limited damage, all pretty much wasted by RHP Braulio Ortiz' meltdown performance - Ortiz such a unique Helena placement with a long pro history (7th pro season). Congrats to catcher Payton Henry on his first professional home run, and to 9th round 3B Dallas Carroll on his three-hit night in his professional debut. Helena Game Log What can you say to Ortiz after this -- suggestion here Great Falls Bottom of the 6th Pitching Change: Braulio Ortiz replaces Nelson Hernandez. Carlos Perez walks. Felix Mercedes hit by pitch. Carlos Perez to 2nd. Tate Blackman walks. Carlos Perez to 3rd. Felix Mercedes to 2nd. Tyler Frost grounds into a force out, first baseman Gabriel Garcia to shortstop Nick Roscetti. Carlos Perez scores. Felix Mercedes to 3rd. Tate Blackman out at 2nd. Tyler Frost to 1st. With Luis Curbelo batting, Tyler Frost steals (1) 2nd base. Wild pitch by pitcher Braulio Ortiz. Felix Mercedes scores. Luis Curbelo strikes out swinging. Luis Gonzalez walks. Anthony Villa homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Tyler Frost scores. Luis Gonzalez scores. Franklin Reyes grounds out, second baseman Franly Mallen to first baseman Gabriel Garcia. Great Falls Bottom of the 7th Justin Yurchak walks. Carlos Perez out on a sacrifice bunt to first baseman Gabriel Garcia. Justin Yurchak to 2nd. Felix Mercedes hit by pitch. Pitching Change: Andrew Vernon replaces Braulio Ortiz. Tate Blackman grounds out, second baseman Franly Mallen to first baseman Gabriel Garcia. Justin Yurchak to 3rd. Felix Mercedes to 2nd. Tyler Frost singles on a ground ball to shortstop Nick Roscetti. Justin Yurchak scores. Felix Mercedes to 3rd. Luis Curbelo lines out to second baseman Franly Mallen.

COLUMN: No one to blame but Helenans for Brewers' departure

Could be extremely tough. Hogan is a sophomore who was eligible to be picked because he’s 21 years old. Will be drafted next year without the stigma of being a senior sign with no leverage. "Hogan was the ace of the Billikens’ staff in 2017, posting a 2.70 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP in 90 innings over 15 starts. A native of Overland Park, Kansas, Hogan was also solid during his freshman season at SLU, posting a 3.27 ERA with 59 strikeouts and 22 walks over 71 2/3 innings."

I read that as it was pretty unusual on the player's/adviser's part. The word "beg" is strong, and even though it was the 35th round, that's a pick that could have been utilized elsewhere. I don't think the begging took place weeks ago, it probably was part of a very recent conversation, even during the draft. I know the Brewers have used late round picks on players that would be considered unsignable at that point, but that wasn't the case here.

Brewers Area Scout Scott Nichols -- "Kind of frustrating when a kid begs you to give him a chance and then changes his mind !!!"

Assigned to Helena, nice new feature article on 21st round RHP Dylan File.

Not pitchers, but catchers Charles Galiano (now retired) and Carolina's Max McDowell signed in late June and mid-July 2015, respectively, from their Cape Cod League teams. By the way, sweet! RHP Miller Hogan (St. Louis University) is playing for Wareham, the closest Cape League team to my home (about 35 miles). I sense a visit and a convincing to sign coming his way!

17-year-old middle infielder Elian Gonzalez, only two games into his pro career (0-for-4), has been transferred to the shared Indians/Brewers club from the DSL Brewers.

VIDEO via KTVH: Helena Tuesday night lowlights from the 13-1 loss, including one VERY wild pitch (pitcher slipped)