Jim Goulart

Two feature articles in our forums today, worth your while, posted in the respective team feature threads -- Struggles in minors don’t make former Husker recruit Monte Harrison pine for football By Jon Nyatawa / Omaha World-Herald staff writer Suggested audio at the link (author interviewed about his visit with Harrison) *** Hall bringing the heat in Biloxi By Scott Adamson, independentmail.com Photos at link

Struggles in minors don’t make former Husker recruit Monte Harrison pine for football By Jon Nyatawa / Omaha World-Herald staff writer Suggested audio at the link (author interviewed about his visit with Harrison) DAVENPORT, Iowa — Prized prospect Monte Harrison, resting on the dugout’s top railing, popped out some sunflower seeds as two girls raced down the first-base line in motorized kid cars and an LED-encased ferris wheel revolved out in left field. His bat was in the rack. His glove rested in its cubby. He’d been given Thursday off. That meant Harrison had plenty of time to agonize over a devastating loss in his family. He could also ponder the missteps that have led to some frustrations at the plate (he’s struck out 44 times in 84 Class A at-bats). It’s a kind of unrelenting mental purgatory that can consume a young player with an unrealistic vision of the path to success. But the 19-year-old Harrison prepared himself for tough nights like Thursday. The one-time Nebraska football recruit, who chose pro baseball over the allure of campus stardom last summer, is a consensus top-five prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers’ organization. He secured a $1.8 million signing bonus after getting selected 50th overall in the MLB draft. Yet he didn’t break a sweat Thursday as his Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lost their seventh straight game in a beguiling ballpark nudged up against the banks of the Mississippi River. “Sometimes you have to experience the bad to appreciate the good that comes next,” Harrison said. “It’s happening now to me. That’s good, I feel like.” Things will start to click, he said. That’s the message from Wisconsin manager Matt Erickson. Every young hitter out of high school has to adjust to seeing pitchers routinely command secondary pitches. There are new things to learn each day — at the plate and in the field. Harrison certainly has the potential. “He’s really the top end of the scale,” Erickson said. “I don’t think we’ve ever had a better athlete, an all-around tool guy, than him.” Harrison just has to keep working for the breakthrough. He knows that. He’s heard all the locker-room stories. About a guy named Clint Coulter who reached Class A, got sent down, then came back up last year and started smoking the ball (he blasted 22 homers for Wisconsin last year). About one of his teammates, Tucker Neuhaus, who batted .231 in two seasons of rookie ball — and then joined the Timber Rattlers and posted the squad’s second-best batting average so far this year (.325). “If you want to be great, it takes time,” Harrison said. “Sometimes it happens quicker. Sometimes it takes eight years. Who knows what’ll happen?” This life is what he wanted, really. That’s even true during those long bus rides and those restless nights spent on a grungy motel’s lumpy bed. Some germ-conscious teammates buy sleeping bags for peace of mind. “I slept in like eight layers of clothes once,” Harrison said. That’s how you stay humble, as you position yourself for the future, he said. He said he never looks back. What’s the point? The Huskers wanted the 6-foot-3, 220-pound talent to play receiver. Harrison signed a letter of intent. Had he made it to campus, he would have roomed with De’Mornay Pierson-El, who enjoyed a breakout freshman year. “If I wanted to go to Nebraska, I would have went to Nebraska,” he said. “Yeah, I had the thought of going. But everybody knew what my dream was. Even they knew. And now that all those (coaches) are gone, it was definitely the right decision.” Harrison established some friendships along the way, though. He still chats with Pierson-El pretty often. He was on the Memorial Stadium sidelines for the Purdue game last November because he wanted to see some of his buddies. He and Michael Rose-Ivey are both from the Kansas City area. He connected with NU quarterback Tommy Armstrong. There are others, too. “You’ve got relationships that you want to keep,” Harrison said. “Now that I play baseball, it doesn’t change anything. I’m happy for them.” But he said he hasn’t picked up a football in a year. The former three-sport standout at Lee’s Summit West High School in Missouri is a full-time baseball player. “I’m living the dream,” he said. “Or trying to live the dream.” Some days are harder than others. Harrison batted .261, drew 31 walks and stole 32 bases in 50 games at the rookie ball level last year. He started slowly this season in Class A — he did have a two-homer night on April 22, but has been slumping since. Harrison tweeted Thursday that his grandmother had passed away. Moments later, he stepped into the batting cage and attempted to focus on the intricacies of his swing. He’d be placed on the temporary inactive list Friday. You can bet that whenever he rejoins the team, though, he’ll bring the same optimistic attitude that’s stabilized him through 2015. “You just have to try not to do too much,” Harrison said. “When people force, that’s when they get off track. At the beginning of the year, I feel like that kind of happened. Now I’m starting to get back on cue.”

Hall bringing the heat in Biloxi By Scott Adamson, independentmail.com Photos at link Brooks Hall had plenty of reason for optimism when he suited up for the Huntsville Stars in 2014. The T.L. Hanna High School product — and fourth round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2009 Major League Baseball draft — was entering his second season in the Double-A Southern League, and he felt good mentally as the new campaign began. Physically? There was some pain in his right elbow but he was confident he could work through it. Making five starts, the right-handed pitcher logged a 2-1 record and 2.77 earned run average, securely establishing himself in the club's rotation. But the optimism — and the opportunity to continue his upward trajectory in the minor league ranks — was derailed after just 26 innings. "Last year I got shut down after my fifth start," Hall said. "I was battling elbow issues so I got it checked out and it was a couple bone spurs in my elbow bothering me. I knew once I had surgery I wouldn't make it back for the season because they weren't going to push my recovery." The 6-5, 235-pounder then put all his efforts into getting his arm back into "pitching shape." "Rehab was basically a lot of strengthening the forearm and tricep," he said. "And I would do a lot of shoulder exercises and long static stretches to get my elbow to straighten again because after surgery it wanted to lock up. I did lower body workouts almost four days a week during that time period rehabbing." All Hall could do was work and wait as the season went on without him. A year later, though, the wait appears to be worth it. The Huntsville franchise — relocated to Biloxi and re-christened the Shuckers — is one of the hottest teams in the league and Hall is one of its best pitchers, boasting a 4-0 record and 1.32 ERA in six starts. Hall got the call for the Shuckers on Opening Day and quickly established himself as the ace of the staff, getting the decision in a 4-0 win over Pensacola. He allowed three hits, two walks and recorded five strikeouts in five innings. "Very well pitched game," Shuckers manager Carlos Subero told local media following the team's inaugural victory. "Brooks Hall was solid." The Anderson native even got to show off his offensive prowess by hitting a home run last month against Jacksonville, his first career round-tripper as a pro. Earlier in the week he was named the Brewers Minor League Pitcher of the Month for April after going 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA (22 innings pitched, 3 earned runs) over four starts in the month with five walks and 18 strikeouts. A hint of things to come this spring came when Hall played for Glendale of the Arizona Fall League. Although the primary goal was to simply get back on the mound, Hall managed a 1-0 record, 3.38 ERA and 13 strikeouts over 18.2 innings. "I think fall ball was a great time for me to get my feet wet again and pitch," he said. "Missing the whole season is tough to deal with so it was nice to throw in the Arizona Fall League and compete again." Hall says his pitching style hasn't changed since the surgery. If anything, he has more control. "I would say my pitching style is pretty much the same," Hall said. "Just have a lot sharper pitches now. I'm still using my fastball in the 90-94 range and using my changeup, which is around 78-83. I'm a fastball/ changeup pitcher … just try to change speeds and change eye levels with my fastball to use my changeup down in the zone. "I use my slider 83-86 for an early strike in the count and out pitch." Before moving up to Double-A ball Hall pitched for the Brewer rookie league team in 2010, Wisconsin of the Single-A Midwest League in 2011 and Brevard County of the High-A Florida State League in 2012-2013, which led to the call-up by Huntsville. Hall was named to the FSL North Division All-Star Team in 2013 but didn't play since he was en route to his new Double-A squad. Hall was added to the Brewer's 40-man roster prior to the 2014 season but in March was outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs so the parent club could add veteran pitcher Francisco Rodriguez. So far in 2015 Hall has gone 34 innings with 25 hits, 5 earned runs and 29 Ks, and is anxious to show how late into a game he can go. "I feel great physically," he said. "Everything feels strong but yeah, I definitely could go into late innings. My pitch count has been down this season but it's early in the season so we aren't going as late as we would like to." While Hall has been in the spotlight due to his success on the bump, the team itself has also garnered national attention. Due to construction delays, the Shuckers' home field — MGM Park — won't open until June 6. That means the team will spend its first 55 games on the road. Hall said he and his teammates have made the best of the situation. "Yeah, the whole 55 games on the road is pretty tough but we're managing it well," he said. "I have my golf clubs with me so I golf as much as I can. But the best thing about it is our team has great chemistry and we pretty much do everything together. We bought TVs for the bus so we play video games while we travel on the road late at night." Hall will be back on the bump Monday when the Shuckers take on the Jackson Generals in Jackson, Tennessee.

Final: Mississippi 5, Biloxi 2, ten innings Bullpen collapses late as Braves beat Shuckers 5-2 in 10 innings Shuckers rallied to tie the game at two, but drop to 0-3 in extras Biloxi Shuckers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/6/0/123465560/cuts/DSC_0292_tmdg9wq3_atyvj4xl.JPG Nick Shaw lays down a bunt single that put Biloxi on the board in the bottom of the fifth (Photo by Elisabetta Zengarro) PEARL, MS -The Shuckers fell for the third time in extra innings, this time in a 5-2, 10-inning contest, at the hands of the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park on Saturday night. The top of the 10th included two hits, two walks, an error and a hit batsman as the Braves scored three runs, dropping Biloxi to 0-3 in extra-inning games. The loss also meant back-to-back series defeats for the first time and the Shuckers are now 3-3 in six series' all away from Biloxi. Because Mobile also lost, the Shuckers remain tied atop the Southern League South Division with the M-Braves pursuing, just two games back. For the fourth time in as many games, the Braves struck first with a run in the first on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Ahrens to bring in Mallex Smith. Mississippi would add on another tally in the third on an RBI groundout off the bat of Emerson Landoni to put the Shuckers in a 2-0 hole. Biloxi starter Hobbs Johnson allowed eight base runners in his five innings of work in a no decision, allowing two runs, one earned on five hits with four strikeouts and three walks. Biloxi (17-12) scratched its way back with a two out rally in the fifth after a double by Tyrone Taylor (1x4, RBI, R). The Shuckers' outfielder advanced to third on a wild pitch to Adam Weisenburger (0x3, B), who walked to put runners on the corners for pinch hitter Nick Shaw (1x1, RBI). The 26-year-old put down a bunt single to bring in Taylor and move Weisenburger up to second. Nathan Orf (1x4) singled to load the bases, but Yadiel Rivera (2x5) struck out swinging to end the threat. Reliever Austin Ross continued to dominate Southern League hitting, striking out five of the six batters he faced in the eighth and ninth innings. In 17.2 innings this season, Ross has 28 strikeouts and just two walks. Reliever Mike Strong preluded that performance by Ross by tossing a perfect sixth and seventh. The Shuckers squandered chances in the sixth and seventh before punching through again in the eighth to tie the game at two. Nick Ramirez (1x4, R, BB) and Michael Reed (1x5) led off the frame with back-to-back singles and advanced 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt by Taylor Green (1x3). Green then grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Ramirez to cross the plate. Mississippi (14-13) broke out in front in a three-run 10th off of three Biloxi relievers. Wirfin Obispo (L, 0-2, 0.1 IP, 3 R - 2 ER - BB, SO) gave up a leadoff single to Eric Garcia and walked KD Kang before striking out Smith, and gave up another single to Landoni to load the bases before being pulled. Damien Magnifico (three batters, HP, BB) walked Ahrens and plunked Seth Loman to force in two runs. The hard-throwing righty induced a grounder to Ramirez at first off the bat of Andrew Robinson, but the ball was bobbled and Robinson beat Ramirez to the bag. Jaye Chapman (0.2 IP) stopped the bleeding, inducing a double-play ball from Chris O'Dowd, but the damage had already been done against the Shuckers. In total, the Shuckers committed a season-high three errors and stranded nine runners on base. The Shuckers will try to stop their three-game losing streak on Sunday afternoon, with RHP Jorge Lopez (2-2, 3.52) taking on Mississippi's RHP Victor Mateo (0-1, 5.40) in the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM, with coverage beginning at 12:45 on 1240-AM WGCM, 1580-AM WPMO and the Biloxi Shuckers Radio Network. Fans can also listen to the game using the TuneIn Radio app or by going to www.biloxishuckers.com. Biloxi Box Score LHP Hobbs Johnson still yet to pitch into the 6th inning after five starts despite a fine 2.39 ERA; LH reliever Mike Strong was overmatched in his first big league camp, but has been stellar with Biloxi; Yadiel Rivera now 7-for-12 in SB attempts, Kyle Wren 10-for-15... Biloxi Game Log Bummer of a 10th, kicked off by Wirfin Obispo, as noted above -- Inherited runners-scored: Magnifico 3-3, Chapman, J 3-0 There really needs to be a brain study of closers brought in during home games that are tied late.

Final: Colorado Springs 3, Iowa 1 Sky Sox Take Advantage Of Sloppy I-Cubs In 3-1 Win Josh Roenicke Leads the Way In Strong 5.1 Inning Performance By Ed Pearsall / Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/2/3/4/118613234/cuts/04_10_043_pk_78vyjupe_4pd1s2yc.jpg Shane Peterson drove in the game's first run with a two-out RBI single to score Matt Clark in the second. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Sky Sox rebounded nicely on Saturday night with a 3-1 win over the Iowa Cubs in front of 7,614 fans at Principal Park. Sox starter Josh Roenicke (2-0, 0.96) would impress in his first start of the season, tossing 5.1 innings of one-run ball on four hits and two walks while striking out six I-Cubs batters. The Colorado Springs offense would fare a bit better against Iowa starter Eric Jokisch (1-1, 3.38), scoring three total runs (one earned) off of the left-hander on five hits over his six innings of work. The Sox first run came in the top of the second after Matt Clark's leadoff double would eventually come around to score on a Shane Peterson two-out single to right-centerfield. The score would remain 1-0 until the top half of the sixth, when the Sky Sox would add a little insurance thanks to some sloppy I-Cubs defense. New Sox outfielder Logan Schafer lead off the frame with a bunt single down the third base line and would advance to third on a Jokisch throwing error after Pete Orr's attempted sacrifice bunt. With runners on second and third, with an out yet to be recorded in the inning, Luis Sardinas would smack a ball to shortstop Javy Baez who would not be able to corral the ball, allowing Schafer to score on the error and increase the lead to 2-0. Nevin Ashley would cap the Sox scoring later in the inning with an RBI single to drive home Orr and give his team a 3-0 lead going into the home sixth. In all, the I-Cubs' two errors in the inning made each of the runs scored unearned. Iowa would get on the board with a run in the sixth. Roenicke would allow a leadoff double to outfielder Adron Chambers before striking out Baez to end his evening. Left-hander Jed Bradley came on in relief of Roenicke with Chambers on second and one out. Bradley would walk his first batter, Rafael Lopez, before getting Junior Lake to fly out and leaving just Mike Baxter in the way of escaping the inning without any damage. Baxter wouldn't allow that to happen however, stroking a base-hit to right field to score Chambers and cut the I-Cubs deficit to two. Bradley would work out of the inning with the 3-1 score intact. The Colorado Springs bullpen would perform strongly as a unit as Michael Kirkman and David Goforth combined for two scoreless innings before turning the ball over to closer Corey Knebel in the bottom of the ninth. Knebel would retire the I-Cubs side to nail down the 3-1 victory, improving the Sky Sox record to 10-19. Tyler Cravy (2-3, 4.18) will look to build on his last outing as he strives to keep the Sky Sox on the winning track against Iowa right-hander Carlos Pimentel (1-2, 5.40) and the Cubs on Sunday afternoon at Principal Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:08 PM MDT (1:08 Central). Colorado Springs Box Score Chris Nelson debuted with a pinch-hit groundout in the 9th; veteran Bryan Petersen (.210) has been relegated to bench duty as of late... Colorado Springs Game Log Knebel's save -- Iowa Bottom of the 9th Pitching Change: Corey Knebel replaces David Goforth, batting 7th, replacing Chris Nelson. Jonathan Mota lines out to third baseman Donnie Murphy. Arismendy Alcantara grounds out, second baseman Pete Orr to first baseman Matt Clark. Adron Chambers walks. Javier Baez lines out to left fielder Bryan Petersen.

Not Brewer-related, but if you didn't see the injury A's Jarrod Parker suffered in Nashville Friday on Tommy John rehab, brace yourself, pretty horrific. Still awaiting word on his status...

Including this Brevard report from Friday night with multiple quotes -- Space Explorers come from behind to beat Tampa Donald Rieber Jr., Examiner.com http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/17/ad/17ad617389cf2d5cfa1cce3790c9700c.jpg?itok=9aCNzqEV Garrett Cooper's game-tying double highlighted the Space Explorers three-run sixth inning on Friday. They won the game 5-4. Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography The Brevard County Space Explorers won their second consecutive game Friday night over the Tampa Yankees, in front of 2,085 fans at Space Coast Stadium. Garrett Cooper’s two-run double highlighted a three-run sixth inning and carried the home team to a 5-4 victory. Tampa didn’t take long to get to Brevard County starter Wei-Chung Wang, scoring in the top of the first. With one out, Tyler Wade singled and stole second. One out later, Mike Ford stroked a single to center, putting the Yankees up 1-0. The Space Explorers (14-14) had a very quick answer in the bottom of the inning against Tampa starter Jonathan Holder. Leadoff man Chris McFarland singled and Taylor Brennan followed with a double, putting runners at second and third. Clint Coulter flew out to centerfielder Michael O’Neill, deep enough to score McFarland and tie the game. Victor Roache made it 2-1 with a double to right field. Holder got himself out of further trouble, retiring the next two hitters. The Yankees (15-14) regained the lead in the top of the third. Renzo Martini doubled and came home when Abiatal Avelino laid down a bunt that Wang fielded, but threw wildly to Cooper, hitting Avelino with the throw and allowing Martini to score from second and tie the game. After a balk got Avelino to second, Wade drove him in with a single to left, giving the Yankees a 3-2 lead. Tampa would make it a 4-2 game on a solo home run by Ericson Leonora in the top of the fourth. Wang would get through five innings, but he would leave with a no-decision. He gave up five hits, three earned runs, walked three and struck out two. “Some of his pitch selection was questionable,” said Space Explorers manager Joe Ayrault. “He fell behind with some breaking stuff where he could’ve stayed more aggressive with his fastball. He’ll make the adjustments.” Tristan Archer came on in the sixth inning in relief of Wang. He worked a solid inning, allowing one hit and Brevard County’s offense came through in the bottom of the inning to get Wang off the hook. Brennan and Coulter hit back-to-back singles and after a Roache strikeout, Cooper smoked a ball to left that touched down for a two-run double and tied the game at four. “He fouled off numerous pitches,” said Ayrault of Cooper’s at bat. “To see him battle deep in the count and come through with a big knock, was huge for us.” “I fought off about six or seven pitches,” said Cooper. “They were trying to work away and up with two strikes and then he threw a fastball in and I got barrel in. The outfielders were shaded a little to the right, so they left a gap in left center. Who knows if they were playing normal depth, but I found the gap and it got us the tie game.” Cooper’s double meant the end of the night for Holder. He was replaced on the mound by Angel Rincon, who promptly gave up a single to Jose Pena, giving Brevard County a 5-4 lead. It is the second night in a row that Pena came through with a big hit. Thursday night, he hit a solo home run to start a seven run third inning, that propelled Brevard County to an 8-4 win. Archer (1-0) came back for the seventh inning on Friday and completed his second inning of scoreless relief before handing things off to Trevor Seidenberger in the eighth. Seidenberger got some help on defense immediately to start that eighth. Mike Ford led things off for the Yankees and laced a ball that was ticketed for the gap in right center. Omar Garcia took off on a dead run from his spot in center, dove and made an unbelievable catch. He was closer to right field when he made the dive. “That was a heck of a catch,” Ayrault said. “He’s made some highlight-reel catches in the past for us and that was a huge play in the game for us. It was a sure double and he chased it down into the gap, right on the (warning) track too. It was good to see him be aggressive and do an all-out dive to make that play.” The top of the Space Explorers lineup had a big night Friday. McFarland went 2-for-4, Brennan was 3-for-4 and scored twice. Coulter went 1-for-3 with an RBI, Roache went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Cooper had the game-tying double, which extended his hit streak to six games. Seidenberger finished things up in the ninth and earned his first save of the season and earning his team their second win in their special Space Explorers jerseys. They will wear them one more time, on Saturday, when they finish up their series against these Tampa Yankees.

Nick Delmonico's suspension ended eight games into '15, yet he remains on the White Sox restricted list. Must be even more to the backstory there. No new news online since his February signing... *** Yikes, wish things were going better for him, but Hunter Morris has a .338 (!) OPS through 63 AB's w/Indy (PIT AAA). *** Caleb Gindl's spring hasn't been much better than Morris' (.506 OPS in 81 AB's; Blue Jays AAA). *** Considering the Reds' porous bullpen, hoping Donovan Hand gets a crack in '15; he's been excellent early on in AAA, all but one appearance in relief.

The Brewers announce the move, and indicate that Macias has been transferred to Biloxi. When Brandon meets up with the AA squad, the Shuckers will need to free up a roster spot. The current makeup of the team in Biloxi is 13 pitchers, 12 position players, including three catchers.

Brevard County catcher Cameron Garfield is not on the DL, but must be dinged up -- last played on the 3rd, and is not in tonight's starting lineup.

Chris Mehring provided us with an updated link that now points to the new schedule (as of today). MyNew32 TV in particular made multiple changes from the original provided. Next up are three consecutive broadcasts starting this Thursday, and we'll provide DVR alerts as those dates approach.

VIDEO: Parker Berberet knocks in two runs in Biloxi's 4-2 loss to Mississippi Now normally posting a highlight is a plus for a player, but in this case, we're with the Braves' announcer -- how did Berberet not get a double? *** AUDIO: Friday's pregame visit with pitching coach Chris Hook on Tyler Wagner and the nice start by the Biloxi staff (scroll down at link) *** AUDIO, Game Highlights: The Space Explorers (Manatees) clinch a series win with a 5-4 victory over the Yankees. *** VIDEO: Brandon Diaz goes yard in Wisconsin's 11-6 loss to Quad Cities, his 2nd HR in as many games

29-year-old MLB vet of 282 games, IF Chris Nelson (career minor and major league stats) has signed a minor league deal with the Brewers one day after his release by the Phillies (Nelson opted out, forcing the release). The Brewers will need to make room at AAA where surprise Sky Sox callup Brandon Macias, along with veterans Donnie Murphy and Pete Orr, have split time at third base. Rotoworld Nelson history notations The agent for the RH bat probably could not have identified a better landing spot for his client at this time. Milwaukee will be the 7th organization Nelson has suited up for since the start of the 2013 season - COL, ANA, NYY, SD, CIN, PHI.

Saturday's farmhand birthday: Dominican Summer League catcher Dilson Fernandez turns 21 today. He'd probably have had a better chance at the plate than Martin Maldonado did Friday night...

JERSEY AUCTION: Sea Cows as Space Explorers! Manatees on the Moon! Check it out! Clint Coulter and Victor Roache popular, you've got until 11:00 PM Central Saturday night, it appears.

Look for these just prior to the respective game times -- Colorado Springs Media Notes - 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: Des Moines, IA Pearl, MS Viera, FL Davenport, IA

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

Saturday's Daily Menu: All times are Central Colorado Springs: RHP Josh Roenicke at Iowa (Cubs), 6:38 PM pre-game, 7:08 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 Hobbs Johnson at "home" in Pearl, Mississippi vs. the M-Braves, 5:45 PM pre-game, 6:00 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 - Seven of the ten Southern League teams telecast their home games, and Biloxi staff indicates it is hopeful it will be eight when the new stadium opens. NOTE: This series is available online for MiLB.TV subscribers. ********** Brevard County: RHP Brandon Woodruff at home vs. Tampa (Yankees), 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 Milton Gomez at Quad Cities (Astros), 5:40 PM pre-game, 6:00 gametime Free Live Audio Link - WNAM NOTE: This road series is available online for MiLB.TV subscribers. 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.

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The Brevard County post from early evening has been updated, visit here. Mike Ford led off the top of the eighth with a drive to deep right centerfield and it appeared Tampa would have the tying run in scoring position to start the inning but Omar Garcia would make an incredible sprint to the ball and then went airborne, extending his arms as far as they could go to make the catch for a sensational first out of the inning. Seidenberger then struck out O'Neill and got Danny Oh to fly out to left end the inning. TWEET: Catch of the year by @therealOG_21 in right center to take away extra bases from Mike Ford to lead off the 8th! TWEET: Amazing catch by Garcia. He was on a dead run from CF, dove and made an unbelievable catch. He was closer to RF when he made the dive. TWEET (by Omar): Anyone got video of the catch from tonight's game.. *** Unfortunately Omar, it seems not. Considering all the Florida State League ballparks all serve as spring training homes of big league teams, you would think that even only a single view camera from behind home plate could be provided (at least one MiLB.TV team does this). So last night's catch will never be seen again, Omar, but at least we can relive this 2014 "oh my, Omar" moment again --

Iowa Bottom of the 5th Junior Lake strikes out swinging. Mike Baxter strikes out swinging. Jonathan Mota called out on strikes. VIDEO: Colorado Springs' Drew Gagnon strikes out the side in order in the fifth inning of a 4-0 loss at Iowa (final pitch)

Rattler Radio Blog Postgame Entry -- Sobering RISP numbers among several observations...

AUDIO: Brevard County RHP Brandon Woodruff talks about his improvements over the course of the season and his college teammate being in the opposing dugout

Final: Iowa 4, Colorado Springs 0 Sox Offense Shutout In 4-0 Loss To I-Cubs Iowa Right-Hander Shuts Down Colorado Springs Offense Colorado Springs Sky Sox http://www.milb.com/assets/images/5/4/6/119198546/cuts/04_12_028_pk_5r1iw7cy_rm8eevcj.jpg Drew Gagnon allowed three runs over 5.1 innings of work in the series-opener against the Donn Roach and the I-Cubs. (File Photo from prior game by Paat Kelly) The Colorado Springs offense could not get on the board in a 4-0 loss to the Iowa Cubs in front of 6,034 fans at Principal Park on Friday night. Sox Starter Drew Gagnon (1-3, 5.34) tossed 5.1 innings of three-run ball on six hits and one walk while striking out eight. The Sky Sox offense would collect six total hits in the scoreless effort, four of which came on two-hit efforts by Matt Clark and Shane Peterson. Nevin Ashley added a base hit along with pinch-hitter Bryan Petersen to round out the Sox offense. Iowa starter Donn Roach (4-0, 2.17) threw six impressive innings of scoreless baseball, allowing four hits and two walks while striking out three over that time before giving way to a strong bullpen in the seventh. I-Cubs relievers Armando Rivero, Drake Britton, Hunter Cervenka and Joe Ortiz combined for three scoreless innings in relief of Roach, allowing two hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Ariel Pena would allow the final Cubs run in the home seventh, pitching 1.2 total innings while allowing three hits and striking out one. David Goforth finished out the night for the Colorado Springs pitching staff, notching a strikeout in a scoreless inning. The Sky Sox will look to end a three-game skid on Saturday evening with Josh Roenicke (1-0, 0.00) taking the mound against Eric Jokisch (1-0, 4.00) in his first start of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 6:08 PM MDT (7:08 Central) at Principal Field in Iowa. Colorado Springs Box Score Night off for Luis Sardinas; Matt Clark's thoughts on AAA travel Colorado Springs Game Log

Normally not a fan of "excuses", but as Manager Rick Sweet said in his audio interview we linked earlier this week, the Pacific Coast League simply has to make changes. The Sky Sox played in Memphis Thursday night, then had 3:00 AM wakeup calls this AM for their commercial flight(s) to Des Moines. It's just ridiculous -- unlike big leaguers, who get the benefit of charter flights right after games in similar situations. Force more matinee games when necessary. Now, that's not why Colorado Springs is 9-19, but when you put up a goose-egg like Friday, well, the travel situation had to contribute. By the way -- Milwaukee 9-21 Colorado Springs 9-19 Wisconsin 8-21 That's 26-61 for those keeping score at home. Returning to three AAA leagues (why did the American Association disband in '97, anyway) makes too much sense.