Jim Goulart

Hall's recent dominance helps Shuckers close out 1st half title Patrick Magee, Biloxi Sun-Herald PHOTOS AT LINK With 58 of their first 63 games spent on the road, it's easy to understand why the Biloxi Shuckers found cause Sunday to celebrate their Southern League South Division first-half championship. The Shuckers did the traditional Gatorade dump on manager Carlos Subero and the party worked its way into the locker room at Trustmark Park in Pearl after the 9-0 victory over the Mississippi Braves. "The post-game celebration was great," Shuckers pitcher Brooks Hall said. "There was a lot of beer and champagne poured on each other. "It felt great not to have a care in the world. I partied with all the boys. It was really fun." Hall has played a big role in the Shuckers' playoff pursuit with a 7-3 record and a 3.05 ERA in 12 starts. On Sunday, he was the winning pitcher with two hits allowed in an eight-inning outing. He struck out five and walked one. Hall was named the Southern League Pitcher of the Week on Monday after picking up a pair of wins in the span of seven days, holding opponents to a total of one run on five hits in the two games. Hall is tied with Chattanooga's Jose Berrios for the Southern League lead in victories with seven, but he was somehow neglected when the Southern League All-Star teams were announced last week. It was a baffling omission and Hall admitted he was "a little bit" annoyed by being left off the team. "I don't really get to choose that kind of thing," Hall said. "I just have to keep pitching." Shuckers starting pitchers Tyler Wagner (5-2), Hobbs Johnson (4-3) and Jorge Lopez (4-2) are all on the Southern League South All-Star Team. Hall is currently throwing the best he has all season, putting together back-to-back dominating performances against the M-Braves and Mobile BayBears. The 6-foot-5 pitcher credits his recent performance to the development of a new pitch. "I've been kind of messing around with a new pitch the last two starts. Maybe that has helped me," Hall said. "It's a variation on my fastball. I get a little more sink on my four-seam fastball." Shuckers pitching coach Chris Hook helped Hall develop the pitch during bullpen work. "It's opened up everything else," Hall said. Hall is healthy again after bone spurs in his right elbow ended his 2014 season early. The right-hander was a fourth-round draft pick by the Brewers in 2009 out of Hanna High School in Anderson, S.C. Hall has already equaled his season high in victories after going 7-5 at Class A Wisconsin in 2011. The Shuckers have an off day Tuesday before returning to MGM Park in Biloxi for a 7:10 PM game Wednesday against the Montgomery Biscuits to begin a five-game series. Hall and the Shuckers can return to Biloxi as first-half champions with a guaranteed spot in the Southern League playoffs. How have the Shuckers managed to overcome such a difficult stretch of road games to win a first half championship? "It's more about just having fun," Hall said. "We have fun in the clubhouse and keep each other relaxed. This is the first time I've been on a team where everybody likes each other. There are no enemies. It's great." The Shuckers will take on the second-half champion in the Southern League South playoffs in September. If they manage to win the second half also, they will play the team with the second-best record in the South this year. "It's been a great season so far," Hall said. "Hopefully we can keep this thing going and win the Southern League."

When Denson was pulled from the Wisconsin roster, he then went to Maryvale to join the extended spring training guys. To my knowledge, the "taxi/reserve" guys have only been part of the travelling squads at AAA and AA.

Signed -- 11th round LHP Drake Owenby, Tennessee 19th round Steven Karkenny, 1B, The Master's College (CA)

Adam Rygg of @BrewerNation has posted this preliminary Helena roster. Four 2015 draft picks are included -- 8th round RHP Nate Griep, Kansas State -- 5th round SS Blake Allemand, Texas A&M -- 11th round 3B/SS Jose Cuas, Maryland -- 19th round 1B Steve Karkenny, The Master's College (CA) Switch-hitting OF Jose Cotto of USC the first non-drafted free agent signing. *** Where is RHP Miguel Diaz? That means the Top 30 prospect (#14), listed as a "rehab" participant of extended spring training, is still hurting with an undisclosed injury. Bummer...

LINK: 22nd round RHP Willie Schwanke of Wichita State leaning toward going back to school, as of June 11th, anyway.

Via Jeff Levering -- Latest from his Minor Details Blog *** Southern League Player and Pitcher of the Week -- Sweet graphic from the Shuckers: And how about this observation from Chris Harris, so accurate!

23rd round Oklahoma State SS Donnie Walton has been playing in the Cape-Cod League with Yarmouth-Dennis. Played as recently as last night (stats through six games). Tell you what, those Helena and Maryvale rosters won't be over-stuffed. Still too many non-signings, it appears, although that can change. Figured Walton would be in the fold by now for sure.

Crazy to think that the Helena Brewers open this Thursday, Maryvale on Saturday. Have to believe we'll have the rosters by end-of-day Tuesday.

Crazy to think that the Helena Brewers open this Thursday, Maryvale on Saturday. Have to believe we'll have the rosters by end-of-day Tuesday.

So it now turns out (tweet) that two of the four catchers the Brewers drafted, both juniors out of Northeast colleges, 13th round Max McDowell of UConn (earlier update) and 40th round Charles Galiano of Fordham, will be playing for the same team (Bourne) in the Cape Cod League this summer. We haven't seen confirmations about the other catchers drafted, Zach Taylor of Scottsdale CC (AZ), 15th round and Mitch Ghelfi of UW-Milwaukee, 28th round, other than Ghelfi was still considering what route he'll take. Normally the Brewers sign at least one non-drafted catcher each year at this time, simply to help handle the large number of arms that will find themselves in Maryvale. No news on any undrafted signees yet. One last thought: maybe McDowell changed his mind, thus freeing up a spot for Galiano on the Cape squad. We'll see...

AUDIO via WTMJ: Scout.com's MLB writer Jeff Ellis joined Justin Garcia on Wisconsin Sports Weekend to take a look back at what the Brewers did in last weeks MLB Draft. *** AUDIO via @BrewerNations' blog -- Nearly two hours of podcast, interviews back-to-back-to-back beginning around the 38:30 minute mark: Biloxi RHP Brooks Hall 8th round RHP Nate Griep out of Kansas State 9th round RHP Karsen Lindell, an Oregon high schooler Podcast was taped last Wednesday, both draft picks indicated, as we've since learned elsewhere, that they've signed with the Crew.

If you DFA him, he still has two minor league options left, and in my opinion, he'd be snatched up quickly based on that and his LH-ness alone. Heck, the Pirates would probably gladly have him back in their system. All this concern after 12 starts? I'm a bit surprised...

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - Home games only, it's a unique link each day, but look for it under the "Multimedia" banner on the Sky Sox' site. 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 *** Sortable individual stat pages: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin *** Weather.com: Colorado Springs, CO Pearl, MS Viera, FL Bowling Green, OH Boca Chica, DR

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.

Follow Monday's action as it happens with box score / game log links: Colorado Springs Biloxi Brevard County Wisconsin DSL Brewers MiLB.com feature -- organizational scoreboard, Brewers

Monday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Josh Roenicke at home vs. Oklahoma City (Dodgers), 7:35 PM pre-game, 8:05 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: LHP Brent Suter at Mississippi (Braves), 6:45 PM pre-game, 7:00 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 looking off to his very promising "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! NOTE: The Mississippi video/audio feed is available for this series to MiLB.TV subscribers. ********** Brevard County: RHP Jorge Ortega at home vs. Jupiter (Marlins), 5:05 PM pre-game, 5:35 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 Angel Ventura at Bowling Green (Rays), 11:45 AM pre-game, 12:05 PM gametime; expect LHP Luis Ortega to see action in a tandem role 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. *** DSL Brewers: at the DSL Pirates, 9:30 AM, although 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.

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

Eventually the bonuses fo the Top 10 rounds will be announced, but for now, Jim Callis tweet: 8th-rder Nate Griep's bonus w/@Brewers=$150k (241 pick value=$171,100). Kansas St Redshirt Soph RHP, TJ in past, to 94 & good spin at best

Saturday's Game: Colorado Springs' Matt Clark belts a solo home run in the fourth inning of a 4-1 win at Iowa

The Sky Sox game ended with four minutes to spare -- explanation.

Final: Iowa 8, Colorado Springs 7, ten innings Sox Rally But Fall To Iowa In Extras Offense Scores Six to Take Late Lead After Early Deficit, Bullpen Cant Hold By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/6/1/4/123760614/cuts/04_27_034_pk_l5qozhh8_ubpi66ka.jpg Matt Long led Colorado Springs' offensive rally with three hits, two RBIs and two runs scored on Sunday afternoon. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) Sunday's series finale in Iowa proved to be a tale of two games, thanks in part to a 2:15 minute rain delay, in the Sox eventual 8-7 extra-inning loss to the I-Cubs before a patient crowd of 7,326 at Principal Park. Sox starter Tyler Thornburg was welcomed to the ballgame rather rudely in the home half of the first as the I-Cubs offense collected four, one out runs. The inning's biggest blows came courtesy of back-to-back long balls by Christian Villanueva and Taylor Teagarden. Villanueva's was a three-run shot, catalyzing Iowa's fast four-run start. Thornburg allowed one more run in the next frame thanks to a two out John Andreoli RBI single before settling down to keep the I-Cubs off the board over his final three innings of work. Already with a single on the day, Matt Long's strong offensive showing would continue in the third as he got the Sox on the scoreboard with a solo blast to right-centerfield off of Iowa starter Dallas Beeler. The homer cut the Colorado Springs deficit to four after three. The 5-1 score would remain until the seventh inning as Beeler and Thornburg were able to ride their grooves into a lengthy rain delay that followed the conclusion of the fifth inning. Both starters were pulled by the time play resumed in the top of the sixth over two hours later. Thornburg finished his afternoon having allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and a walk over five frames. His counterpart Beeler left in much better position after five innings of work, allowing just the one run on seven hits while striking out six. With Beeler now out of the ballgame, the Sox offense took full advantage of reliever Joe Ortiz in his second inning of relief, chasing the lefty before he could record an out in the top of the seventh. Colorado Springs' offense strung together seven straight hits, six of them being singles, against Ortiz and right-hander Blake Cooper before the frame's first out. Long, Pete Orr and Elian Herrera each collected RBI singles before Matt Clark brought home two on an RBI double down the left-field line. Nevin Ashley plated a sixth run in the following at bat with an RBI sacrifice fly, giving the Sox a 7-5 lead by the end of the away seventh. Rob Wooten tossed a scoreless sixth to help the Sox resume the ballgame before Wirfin Obispo and Michael Kirkman each allowed a run in the seventh and eighth respectively, allowing Iowa to knot the game at seven after eight. Gonzalez Germen (4-0, 3.91) gave the I-Cubs two scoreless frames in the ninth and tenth to maintain the tie ballgame and give his team the chance at a Sunday, series-ending walk-off win. David Goforth gave the Sox two scoreless frames despite allowing the tying run to score on a wild pitch in the eighth before handing the ball over to Jim Henderson (0-1, 5.65) in the bottom of the tenth. Henderson allowed a leadoff double to Villanueva before a fielding error by Logan Schafer allowed the Iowa infielder to advance to third. Henderson intentionally walked his next two batters to load the bases with no out before getting pinch hitter Rafael Lopez to ground into a force out at home. With one out and the bases still full of I-Cubs, Chris Valaika came through with a clutch RBI single to left field to score Taylor Teagarden with the game's winning run. Despite the 8-7 loss, the Sox outhit Iowa 14-8 with four different starters collecting multi-hit games. Long and Herrera led the way with three hits a piece with Long driving in two and scoring two. Unfortunately, the team's three errors wound up being the ultimate difference the extremely close contest. The walk-off win improves the I-Cubs to 33-29 as the Sox fall to 25-36 in disappointing fashion. The Sky Sox return home to begin a short three-game series with the Oklahoma City Dodgers on Monday night. Josh Roenicke (3-2, 4.38) looks to get Colorado Springs back in the win column before the home crowd as he faces off with Dodgers lefty Eric Surkamp (1-2, 8.18). First pitch is slated for 7:05 PM MDT (8:05 Central) at Security Service Field. Colorado Springs Box Score Elian Herrera's AAA line still amazing after 78 AB's - .423/.477/.590 (1.067 OPS)... Colorado Springs Game Log RHP David Goforth's AAA return -- Iowa Bottom of the 8th Pitching Change: Michael Kirkman replaces Wirfin Obispo, batting 9th, replacing Chris Nelson. Rubi Silva walks. Offensive Substitution: Pinch-hitter Ryan Dent replaces Blake Cooper. Pitching Change: David Goforth replaces Michael Kirkman, batting 9th. Ryan Dent out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Juan Centeno to first baseman Nevin Ashley. Rubi Silva to 2nd. With Chris Valaika batting, wild pitch by David Goforth, Rubi Silva to 3rd. Rubi Silva scores. Throwing error by catcher Juan Centeno. Chris Valaika flies out to right fielder Matt Long. Jonathan Mota grounds out, second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Nevin Ashley. Iowa Bottom of the 9th Arismendy Alcantara grounds out to first baseman Nevin Ashley. John Andreoli strikes out swinging. Matt Szczur pops out to second baseman Pete Orr.

Shuck Dynasty Blog: Shuckers Postgame – First Half Title Highlights and Postgame Audio *** VIDEO Via WLOX: More offensive Shuckers highlights

Biloxi's wild first half culminates in clinch Hall spins eight two-hit frames to seal Southern League South crown By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com Around the seventh inning, Shuckers manager Carlos Subero could tell his players were starting to taste a title. "What do we do? What do we throw on each other?" he heard them asking in the dugout. Soon the planning turned into a celebration as Subero's Double-A Biloxi blanked Mississippi, 9-0, to clinch the Southern League South Division first-half title Sunday at Trustmark Park. "You could see them getting together water and gum and sunflower seeds and just getting ready for out No. 27, and when it came down, they went out on the field and had some fun," the skipper said. "When we started the year with a [54]-game road trip, to be able to grind it out and push through and not use it as an excuse to perform … it shows the type of character and the great group of players that they are to win this first half. So that to me was a special one personally and also from a staff standpoint." Biloxi's big win came on its first road trip since finally playing a true home game. With MGM Park not being ready until June 6 in its inaugural season, the Shuckers played their first 54 games on the road. Subero said the hardest part of the schedule was not being able to have a pregame or workout routine. But amid the hotel rooms and bus rides, his players made him proud. "It's like we told them in Spring Training, it's not about wins and losses, it's how we're going to measure if you guys did a good job after the [54] games, it's about the type of character you built and they had it," the manager said. "The way they carry themselves on and off the field. … You could easily make a mistake being [54] games on the road in hotel [after] hotel. You can try to do something crazy at night, but being able to pass it without any little mark is great for them." The Shuckers secured the title with their sixth shutout and fourth time scoring at least nine runs. After five innings of goose eggs, top Brewers prospects Kyle Wren (No. 16), Nathan Orf, Orlando Arcia (No. 1) and Michael Reed (No. 17) began the sixth with four straight hits. "We hit the ball hard today and [starter Brooks Hall] was unbelievable on the mound," said Milwaukee's second-ranked prospect Tyrone Taylor said. "I am honestly so excited right now, I don't know what to say." Hall (7-3) dominated on the mound in eight two-hit frames. The southpaw issued just one walk while striking out five to earn his third straight win. Hall allowed singles in his first and final frames, while forcing 10 groundouts. Your browser does not support iframes. "I'm pitching well right now and being consistent on the mound, throwing strikes," Hall said. "To throw eight innings like that in a clinching win is just incredible." After Jacob Barnes pitched a 1-2-3 ninth, the Shuckers raced onto the field to celebrate with the water, seeds and gum. Subero avoided getting doused outside, then took part in the festivities once it moved to the clubhouse, where even a scout and the bus driver got in on the action. "I'm blessed to be in many playoff clinchings and this one is special because of what the kids went through," the skipper said. "It's easy for people to hear a manager say so many great things about players, because it's cliché or you have to say it, but I told them, I mean this from the bottom of my heart; if not, I wouldn't be saying it. They are a special group and it's the type of character that they got and you can see it. "So many tough games, 1-1 games, the other team takes the lead and they bounce back. It wasn't just being on the road ... they never used it as an excuse." Subero said now the challenge will be to make sure players are still focused on development and not coasting because the playoff berth has been secured. "We can rest easy for the rest of the first half, because we have clinched the half, but that doesn't mean we will play any less hard," Wren said. "We just want to continue this into the second half." Braves' No. 11 prospect Jason Hursh (2-5) -- Mississippi's starter -- allowed five runs on 10 hits while striking out five in six frames.

FULL AT-BAT: Biloxi's Brooks Hall fans Mississippi's Rio Ruiz as the Shuckers win, 9-0

RH reliever Martin Viramontes has been placed on the Helena "taxi squad" of the Shuckers.