Jim Goulart

Final: Colorado Springs 3, New Orleans 1 Clark's Blast Propels Sky Sox To Series Sweep Road sweep is the first for the Sky Sox since 2009 By Nick Dobreff / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/9/9/6/120581996/cuts/04_09_038_pk_ob2hbgp4_egghdnbd.jpg Matt Clark's three run fourth inning home run proved to be the difference in a 3-1 victory over the Zephyrs. (File photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Colorado Springs Sky Sox completed a four-game series sweep of the New Orleans Zephyrs Sunday afternoon, winning 3-1 in front of 2,987 fans at Zephyr Field. All three Sky Sox runs came in the fourth inning on a three run home run by Matt Clark, his team-leading 13th long ball of the season. The home run was the lone blemish against Zephyrs' starter Kendry Flores (2-2, 2.66) who scattered four hits over 5.2 IP. Sky Sox starter Nick Additon (5-3, 5.62) picked up the win allowing just one unearned run on an error by third baseman Matt Dominguez in the fourth inning. Relievers Ariel Pena and David Goforth combined to hold the Zephyrs to just one hit over the final 4.0 innings while Goforth picked up his third save of the season. The four-game road sweep was the first for the Sky Sox since August 18-21, 2009 at Oklahoma City and the first sweep of the Zephyrs in New Orleans since July 15-18, 2004. First baseman Jason Rogers finished 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored, ending his hitting streak at 15 games. However, the Sky Sox outhit the Zephyrs 7-5 while Logan Schafer, Juan Centeno and Kyle Wren each finished with two hits apiece. With the win, the Sky Sox improved to 38-54 while the Zephyrs fell to 42-52. The Sky Sox return to Security Service Field on Monday to begin a four-game series against the Nashville Sounds. RHP Drew Gagnon (1-9, 6.67) takes the hill for the Sky Sox against LHP Brad Mills (3-9, 4.20). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score Nice flight home for the men, they deserve it, it's been a long season... Colorado Springs Game Log Col. Springs Top of the 4th Elian Herrera flies out to center fielder Marcell Ozuna. Logan Schafer singles on a ground ball to shortstop Austin Nola. Logan Schafer advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Austin Nola. Jason Rogers walks. Matt Clark homers (13) on a fly ball to right center field. Logan Schafer scores. Jason Rogers scores. Matt Dominguez grounds out, shortstop Austin Nola to first baseman Vinny Rottino. Juan Centeno flies out softly to left fielder Brady Shoemaker.

Valderrey, Otano, and Luna L-to-R with the older gentleman http://dominicansummerleague.com/www/images/sampledata//190715%20JUEGO%20DE%20ESTRELLAS%202015/ACV_5084.JPG

Saturday VIDEO via WLOX: Watch these Biloxi highlights if for nothing else to see how Orlando Arcia opened the game on defense - have mercy!

Sunday's farmhand birthdays -- The incomparable Tim Dillard turns 32 today. Biloxi RHP Tanner Poppe, who has been on the Temporary Inactive List since late April, turns 25. We hope all is well with Tanner today.

As this Reviewing the Brew tweet points out -- #Brewers farmhand @CJULIAN2509 (Carlos Luna) is 18, has a 1.16 ERA and 0.983 WHIP in the DOSL. Was named All-Star Game MVP (Most Valuable Pitcher). More details on the game and Panamanian wonder (you'll see his image with trophy at that tweet) later on. It's imperative the Brewers hit big on the occasional unheralded Latin signing (see Orlando Arcia, $90,000). Let's hope that Luna can be the pitching version of Arcia.

To see tweets as to when the Link Report has been technically "completed" with available links, as well as to know when the new day's Report has been posted, please follow @Mass_Haas on Twitter.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Biloxi Media Notes - Linked on the Shuck Dynasty blog Brevard County Media Notes - It's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Manatees' site. Wisconsin Media Notes - Linked on the Rattler Radio blog *** STANDINGS: AAA - Pacific Coast League American Northern Division AA - Southern League South Division High-A - Florida State League North Division A - Midwest League Western Division Pioneer League North Division Arizona League Central Division Dominican Summer League San Pedro de Macoris *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Maryvale DSL Brewers *** Weather.com: New Orleans, LA Biloxi, MS Viera, FL Geneva, IL Helena, MT

Follow Sunday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin Helena Dominican Summer League All-Star Game MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: LHP Nick Additon at New Orleans (Marlins), 3:30 PM pre-game, 4:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome Dan Karcher, who is the longtime play-by-play voice of the Sky Sox; follow him on Twitter @SkySoxKarch 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: RHP Jorge Lopez at home vs. Chattanooga (Twins), 4:55 PM pre-game, 5:10 gametime Free Live Audio Link We also welcome Chris Harris as the very first play-by-play voice of the Shuckers! Follow Chris on Twitter @CHarris731. We'll be linking to his fantastic "Shuck Dynasty" blog. All games, home and away, are scheduled to be radio broadcast. MiLB.TV - Eight of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi is among them! ********** Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 3:35 PM pre-game, 4:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link Dave Walkovic returns as the play-by-play voice of the 'Tees; follow the Brevard broadcast booth staff on Twitter @BCManateesRadio, as all home games and the "commuter" road games are scheduled to be broadcast in 2015. No Florida State League games are available via MiLB.TV. ********** Wisconsin: RHP Jon Perrin at Kane County (Diamondbacks), 12:40 PM pre-game, 1:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link - WNAM 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. NOTE: Forty-two (!) of the Rattlers' 70 home games will be broadcast on TV this season. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (9) and WACY-TV My NEW32 (34) will split duties. We'll let you know when and who, and remember to refer to the Rattlers' full TV schedule (scroll to bottom of link) so you can coordinate your DVR activity. So, for the $49.95 season-long package, fans in Brewer Nation can watch all Sky Sox games, most Shuckers games, and all Timber Rattlers home games and some road games. NOTE: This series at Kane County is available via MiLB.TV (Cougars' feed). *** Helena: RHP Nate Griep at home vs. Orem (Angels), 1:45 PM pre-game, 2:05 gametime Free Live Audio Link We welcome back and again look forward to hearing second-year Voice of the H-Crew Dustin Daniel (@dustin__daniel on Twitter). MiLB.TV -- When the H-Crew makes their way to Idaho Falls in August, those games will be available to watch online. *** Arizona Rookie (Maryvale): Idle *** DSL Brewers: The Dominican Summer League All-Star Game is today. Three Brewers are taking part, learn about them at this Miller Park Prospects link. RHP Carlos Luna says hi from the All-Star Game. (Tweet link)

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Final: AZL Mariners 3, AZL Brewers 2 Maryvale Box Score The Mariners scored all three of their runs in the first inning as 19-year-old 9th round Oregon HS RHP Karsen Lindell couldn't escape the first inning, mostly due to pitch count, we imagine. AZL Mariners Bottom of the 1st Ricky Eusebio walks. Julius Gaines doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Demi Orimoloye. Ricky Eusebio to 3rd. Dalton Kelly triples (1) on a fly ball to center fielder Trent Clark. Ricky Eusebio scores. Julius Gaines scores. Jose Leal hit by pitch. Gareth Morgan walks. Jose Leal to 2nd. Johmbeyker Morales pops out to first baseman Juan Ortiz in foul territory. Augustus Craig singles on a ground ball to right fielder Demi Orimoloye. Dalton Kelly scores. Jose Leal to 3rd. Gareth Morgan to 2nd. Juan Camacho strikes out swinging. Pitching Change: Shawn Clowers replaces Karsen Lindell. Taylor Perez grounds out to first baseman Juan Ortiz. My goodness, more immaculate work from the non-drafted duo of LHP's Shawn Clowers and Brad Kuntz, as they combined for 7.1 scoreless innings, two hits, no walks, nine K's. Maryvale Game Log Speaking of my goodness, cleanup RF Demi Orimoloye doubled twice, singled, and stole two more bases... So close to tying it in the 9th... AZL Brewers Top of the 9th Pitching Change: Jared West replaces Aneurys Zabala. Defensive Substitution: Dominic Blanco replaces catcher Juan Camacho, batting 8th, playing catcher. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Beau Wallace replaces Kevin Martinez. Beau Wallace singles on a line drive to left fielder Ricky Eusebio. Zach Taylor out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Jared West to second baseman Taylor Perez. Beau Wallace to 2nd. Jorge Quiterio strikes out swinging. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Yerald Martinez replaces Jonathan Oquendo. Yerald Martinez walks. With Trent Clark batting, wild pitch by Jared West, Beau Wallace to 3rd. Yerald Martinez to 2nd. Trent Clark flies out to center fielder Gareth Morgan.

Final: Helena 4, Orem 3 Gatewood Walks Off For Brewers Win Helena Brewers The Helena Brewers (14-14) got back to even on Saturday with a 4-3 win over the Orem Owlz (18-12) in walkoff fashion. It was the second time this season that Helena has won on the last play of the game. It was all defense early on, as both starting pitchers performed well. Grayson Long got his second start against the Brewers. He would go just 1 2/3 innings, giving up one hit and striking out three. Milton Gomez made it through 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and six hits. He would leave with a 2-0 deficit. The Brewers had trouble at the plate, coming up with two hits through the first five innings and not having multiple hits in a frame until the ninth. Jose Cuas added his second professional home run, a solo shot in the fifth off Travis Herrin. Herrin would be one of six pitchers that the Owlz threw on Saturday. Armed with a 3-1 lead, Orem's closer Arjenis Fernandez could not finish the job. Steven Karkenny and David Denson each hit singles to lead off the inning to put the tying run aboard. With men on the corners and nobody out, Jake Gatewood hit a three-run home run to center to seal the victory. AUDIO: Jake Gatewood's walkoff 3-run home run Bubba Blau (2-3) picked up the win, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings of one-run baseball. The Brewers have now won three straight against the Owlz. The two teams will face off in the second game of their four-game series Sunday at Kindrick Field. First pitch is set for 1:05 PM (2:05 Central). *** Helena Independent Record All week, the Brewers have been chasing .500. And, all week, Helena has fallen short, splitting a pair of doubleheaders with visiting Grand Junction. Those near misses did not, however, carry over into the weekend -- where, with one mighty swing, Jake Gatewood lifted the Brewers to a thrilling, come-from-behind win over Orem, 4-3. The Pioneer League North-leading Owlz (18-12) were in control through most of the contest, and handed closer Arjenis Fernandez a 3-1 lead with the game in the bottom of the ninth. The Helena squad, though, quickly got him in trouble when Steven Karkenny and David Denson each hit singles to lead off the inning. And, with men on the corners and no outs, Gatewood sent one out of Kindrick Legion Field, giving the home team a walk-off win to move its season record to 14-14. The clutch, ninth-inning hitting came after a slow offensive start for the Brewers. The team had just two hits through the first five innings, and didn't have a multi-hit inning until the ninth. That helped the Owlz to an early lead, with the visitors plating one in the first and another in the third. Helena got one of those runs back in the bottom of the fifth on Jose Cuas' second pro home run, a solo shot off of Travis Herrin -- one of six pitchers to throw for Orem on Saturday -- over the center field wall. Orem answered with a homer of its own, the seventh of the year for Ranyelmy Mendoza, with two outs in the eighth inning. That set the stage for the dramatic ninth for Helena. Bubba Blau (2-3) picked up the win, pitching the final 3 1/3 innings. Milton Gomez got the start for Helena and made it through 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs and six hits. Fernandez (3-1), meanwhile, took the loss, giving up three runs on three successive hits. The Brewers have now won 11 of their last 17 games, and their last three against the Owlz. The two teams will face off in the second game of their four-game series at 1:05 p.m. Sunday and Kindrick Legion Field. A win, and Helena will move above that .500 mark for the first time in two years. Helena Box Score Hopefully this launches Jake Gatewoord into a Monte Harrison-type run... Helena Game Log Great coaching getting RHP Bubba Blau to recover from his early-season woes -- kudos, Bubba, too, of course...

Many will list RHP Austin Ross as a 40-man roster candidate this fall. *** Austin Ross climbing through minors the hard way Darrell Williams, Special to The (Baton Rouge, LA) Advocate http://theadvocate.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=i093aNWOg8odmIaU5Bmlcs$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYtpGwSSr7YU55DRBwx0SR3aWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg The Colorado Springs Sky Sox's Austin Ross has made it to Triple-A after overcoming Tommy John surgery in 2012 and a nerve issue in 2013. (Photo by Paat Kelly) Austin Ross faced a difficult stretch in which it at least crossed his mind to explore his other option. Also linked in full in our season-long Sky Sox feature article thread for archiving purposes...

Austin Ross climbing through minors the hard way Darrell Williams, Special to The (Baton Rouge, LA) Advocate http://theadvocate.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=i093aNWOg8odmIaU5Bmlcs$daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYtpGwSSr7YU55DRBwx0SR3aWCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF$9l$4uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg The Colorado Springs Sky Sox's Austin Ross has made it to Triple-A after overcoming Tommy John surgery in 2012 and a nerve issue in 2013. (Photo by Paat Kelly) Austin Ross faced a difficult stretch in which it at least crossed his mind to explore his other option. Ross, who pitched on LSU’s College World Series championship team in 2009 and was drafted in the eighth round by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010, also was on the All-SEC Academic team three consecutive years, majoring in petroleum engineering. And here he was in the lower levels of minor league baseball trying to bounce back from an injury and a setback. “There were some testing times, especially being in your mid-20s,” said Ross, a 26-year-old (27 next month) relief pitcher with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, who are wrapping up their series Sunday against the New Orleans Zephyrs at Zephyr Field. “All your friends who aren’t playing baseball are starting their lives and getting jobs and starting careers. “Your friends you played baseball with are progressing through the system and getting to the big leagues, and you’re kind of sitting there spinning your wheels trying to come back from this injury. And there’s that unknown: ‘Am I going to be the same?’ ” Ross appeared primed for a big season in 2012 with Brevard County, the Brewers’ Advanced Single-A team in the Florida State League. He’d been impressive in spring training. But in his third start of the regular season, he felt “a twinge” that so many pitchers have experienced, particularly in recent years. It wasn’t the Tommy John surgery and the resulting rehab process that became frustrating to Ross. He’d talked to pitchers such as Rob Wooten, who’d had the surgery the year before and was in the Brewers’ system. They assured him he could come back even better. “I came back in 2013 and thought I’d be ready in April or May,” he said, “but in spring training, I had a nerve issue. It set me back two months.” After recovering, Ross had to go all the way back to Rookie League baseball to start over. He finished the season in Low A. Ross has been making up for lost time since then. The 2014 season was huge. It was Ross’ first time healthy since 2011, he said. He began in Advanced A as a reliever, then became a starter, and at the end of July was sent to Double-A Huntsville. “I threw the ball pretty well,” he said. He went back to Double-A, the team now in Biloxi, to start this season, but as a reliever. “I’ve been a starter most of my career, but right now, that’s where they see,” he said. “As long as you’re pitching, you get a chance to go to the big leagues. And that’s what they told me is my profile to do that.” He was promoted to Triple-A on July 3, and in six appearances with Colorado Springs he has allowed two earned runs in 7.2 innings, striking out six and walking one. “He’s really pitched well for us,” Sky Sox manager Rick Sweet said. “He’s come up and been aggressive, throwing strikes. He’s got good stuff. He was pitching really well in Double-A, and he hasn’t missed a beat. Colorado Springs’ Fred Dabney, who was Ross’ pitching coach with Brevard County when he returned at the start of the 2014 season, said Ross has become what the Brewers thought he’d be in the way of development. “For one, the fastball velocity is better, and just the life on his secondary pitches is better,” Dabney said. “His slider is really more consistent than it was at the lower levels, and obviously, the feel for the changeup.” Like a meticulous engineer, Ross said he used the rehab period and journey back up to improve his mechanics. Time has allowed him to fine-tune them. “I took the opportunity of all that down time to change a few things mechanically that I knew I had trouble with and would make me better down the road,” he said. “You take off 15 months, you don’t have that much muscle memory, so it’s easy to create a new pattern. “I think I did a good job with that, on all of my pitches. And I also think I’ve grown up a lot, pitching-wise in just talking to other guys and pitching to better hitters. I know how to approach hitters better, and I know what I’m good at, I know myself as a pitcher.” Sweet said Ross has a lot of attributes. He’s an aggressive power pitcher with a tremendous mound presence who knows no fear. He showed a glimpse of that in the series opener against the Zephyrs. Entering in the sixth inning, he allowed two one-out singles before getting Brandon Bantz to hit into an inning-ending double play. He then pitched a scoreless seventh, allowing only a two-out walk. “The only time somebody is not in the big leagues, it’s the consistency of their games,” Sweet said. “(Ross) is still not as consistent as he needs to be, but he’s getting better and better, and it won’t be long to where he’s going to get an opportunity to get there.”

Final: Colorado Springs 2, New Orleans 0 Burgos, Sky Sox Blank Zephyrs 2-0 Nevin Ashley's two-run single propels Sky Sox to series victory over New Orleans By Nick Dobreff / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/7/7/2/137355772/cuts/07_07_015_pk_9tloxv1b_5z5lrisw.jpg Hiram Burgos tossed 6.0 shutout innings Saturday as the Sky Sox blanked the Zephyrs 2-0. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Colorado Springs Sky Sox shutout the New Orleans Zephyrs Saturday by a score of 2-0 in front of 3,996 fans at Zephyr Field. It was their fourth win in a row, tying for the team's longest winning streak of the season. Locked in a scoreless tie entering the sixth inning, catcher Nevin Ashley provided the key hit of the game, delivering a two-run single against starter Adam Conley (8-3, 2.37) to give the Sky Sox a 2-0 lead. Sky Sox starter Hiram Burgos (2-1, 3.51) held the Zephyrs scoreless through 6.0 IP allowing just three hits and striking out five. Relievers Austin Ross, Michael Kirkman and Jaye Chapman combined to hold the Zephyrs scoreless over the final 3.0 innings with Chapman recording the final four outs for his seventh save with the Sky Sox in eight chances. First baseman Jason Rogers finished with one of the Sky Sox' four hits on the night going 1-for-2 with a run scored. The hit extended his hitting streak to 16 games in 16 appearances with the Sky Sox, tying him with Corey Dickerson for the longest hitting streak to begin a stint with the organization. Dickerson accomplished the feat from April 4-25, 2013. With the win, the Sky Sox improved to 37-54 while the Zephyrs fell to 42-51. The Sky Sox will look to clinch their first series sweep of the season tomorrow afternoon as LHP Nick Additon (4-3, 6.08) takes the hill against RHP Kendry Flores (2-1, 2.31). First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM MDT (4:00 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score Remember what it was like following a AAA squad (Nashville) that didn't play so many games in the Pacific Coast League's high altitude locales? This series in New Orleans reminds us... Late change in the lineup has Luis Sardinas, off the DL (transaction thread), starting after all. Jason Rogers singled and walked twice to now sport a .403/.472/.742 line (1.214 OPS) in 62 AAA at-bats this year. Pinball numbers... Colorado Springs Game Log Inherited runners-scored: Kirkman 1-0, Chapman, J 2-0. One of the first things we look for in each and every box score...

Biloxi's Michael Reed hits a two-run double in the third inning of a 5-3 loss to Chattanooga

Wisconsin's Devin Williams fans his seventh batter as the Timber Rattlers fall to Kane County, 3-1, on Saturday

Wisconsin Top of the 3rd Elvis Rubio grounds out, third baseman Joe Munoz to first baseman Marty Herum. Tucker Neuhaus flies out to right fielder Chuck Taylor. Brandon Diaz singles on a line drive to center fielder Colin Bray. Blake Allemand walks. Brandon Diaz to 2nd. Dustin DeMuth grounds out to pitcher Ethan Elias. Kane County Bottom of the 3rd Defensive Substitution: Mitch Meyer replaces third baseman Dustin DeMuth, batting 3rd, playing left field. Chris Mehring tweet: "DeMuth out of the @TimberRattlers game in Kane County after diving into first in a attempt to avoid a tag. They were checking his left hand"

Kaleb Earls (1-1, 3.34 ERA) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win. *** The 22-year-old Manatee, who jumped over Wisconsin, had his agent excited (tweet) -- "@K_Earls32 just pumped 96 & 94 to end the 9th"

Shuckers working their way through a rare rough patch Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald Baseball is always full of ups and downs and the Biloxi Shuckers have swung between both extremes in recent weeks. After playing a clean brand of baseball on their way to a first-half championship in the Southern League South Division, the Shuckers have come down to earth somewhat in the second half. Entering Saturday's contest, the Shuckers were 10-11 and two games out of first place in the Southern League South Division. That's far from reason to panic with 48 games remaining on the schedule, but the last three weeks or so have proven to be somewhat of a bumpy stretch for a talented team accustomed to winning series after series. Prior to last week's five-game stand at Montgomery, the Shuckers had won an astounding nine straight series. There have been some far from perfect performances on the mound, at the plate and in the field the last three weeks. The Shuckers' worst performance of the season came back on July 7 when their pitchers allowed a season-high 12 walks and the defense committed its most errors, four, in a 10-7 loss at Montgomery. That poor outing stands out as the worst case scenario, but you have seen some chinks in the armor of late for the Southern League's newest member. There is certainly nothing to be ashamed of with a 10-11 record headed into Saturday's game, but manager Carlos Subero admitted that the team hasn't quite played up to the high standard it set early in the season. Entering Saturday's contest, the Shuckers had committed at least one error in six consecutive games. "We're not playing the type of defense we were playing early on," Subero said Wednesday following a two a two-error performance in a 6-5 loss to the Chattanooga Lookouts in 11 innings. Also in that game, Biloxi batters stranded 17 and lost despite out-hitting the Lookouts, 15-8. It was a hitting performance that Subero described as "non-productive." The very next night, the Shuckers won 3-0. They totaled just four hits in the game, but still managed to strand 15 runners. At this point in the season, even the wins don't look all that pretty for the Shuckers. Maybe that's just more proof that this is a team of destiny that can work through struggles and still hover around around .500. Shortstop Orlando Arcia and starting pitcher Jorge Lopez have proven to be the most reliable Shuckers in recent weeks as the two roommates may very well be the best prospects in the Milwaukee Brewers' system at this moment. Arcia, the No. 8 prospect in the minor leagues according to Baseball America, is batting .314 with five homers and 49 RBIs as the Shuckers' three-hole hitter. Lopez is looking more and more like the ace of the Biloxi staff with an 8-3 record and 2.58 ERA in 16 starts. Aside from the loss of left fielder Kyle Wren to promotion, all the key pieces are still in place for the Shuckers to make a run in the second half. No matter what happens the rest of the way, Biloxi is postseason-bound thanks to an outstanding first half.

Vargas blasts the Lookouts past Biloxi, 5-3 Jeff Clark, Special to the Biloxi Sun-Herald BILOXI – Chattanooga Lookouts first baseman Kennys Vargas brought his stick to MGM Park on Saturday night and helped the Lookouts to a 5-3 victory over the Biloxi Shuckers. Saturday’s win clinched the five-game series for the Lookouts as the Shuckers have dropped two in a row. Vargas, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound powerhouse switch hitter, went 2-for-4 at the plate, with both hits leaving the park as solo home runs. “I’ve been in a slump during this series,” Vargas said. “This really helps to boost my confidence. I try to play my best every game and this makes me feel better about the series.” “This was a big win for us,” Vargas said. “As a team, we’ve made a lot of mistakes. But it’s good for us to win a series like this late in the season. We want to get better every game.” The Lookouts struck first with an RBI from designated hitter Max Kepler in the first inning. Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, the Shuckers scored two runs off of a double by right fielder Michael Reed that brought home second baseman Nathan Orf and center fielder Tyrone Taylor. The home team's lead didn't last as errors played a part in the Shuckers' demise. In the bottom of the fourth inning with a one-run lead, the Shuckers gave up two unearned runs off of an infield error. The night wasn’t without some fireworks: Trailing 5-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Shuckers shortstop Orlando Arcia brought catcher Adam Weisenburger home on a single. With two outs and the bases loaded, Reed popped up to end the game. With the win: Jason Wheeler, who pitched 6 2/3 innings would get the win for the Lookouts. Wheeler gave up seven hits and two runs to end the game with an ERA of 3.09. The Shuckers used four pitchers in Saturday's loss but starter Tyler Wagner pitched for six full innings. Wagner finished with four hits and four runs with an ERA of 2.53. The loss brings the Shuckers to 53-36 on the season but drops their second-half record to 10-12. The Lookouts, the first-half champions in the North Division, improved to 50-39 overall and 7-14 in the second half. Next up: The Shuckers will close the series with the Lookouts today at 5:10 p.m. at MGM Park before starting a home series with the Mobile Baybears next week. PHOTO GALLERY: Fourteen images from the Sun-Herald's Tim Isbell as Biloxi remains heavily photographed for each and every home game...

Chris Harris tweet: "(Tyler) Wagner strikes out the side in the top of the 2nd inning. He's been working with Wily Peralta on that sinker. It's been mighty fine so far."

At Colorado Springs, infielder Luis Sardinas, out since July 6th with what we've learned was an ankle injury, has been activated from the Sky Sox DL. Sardinas is active for tonight's game, but not in the starting lineup. To make room on the AAA roster, OF Bryan Petersen was placed on the Temporary Inactive List.

Former Neshoba Central, Ole Miss pitcher reaches Majors By Reed DeSalvo, themeridianstar.com (Mississippi) David Goforth trotted in from the bullpen at Miller Park May 26 to make his major league debut for the Milwaukee Brewers against the 2014 World Series champion San Francisco Giants. *** Also linked in full for archiving purposes in our season-long Sky Sox feature thread...

AUDIO at the link -- Listen to Chris Harris' interview with Wily Peralta as he discusses his outing on Thursday and what he hopes to accomplish on Tuesday. Also, discusses the future of the Brewers and Orlando Arcia.