MassBrew

Honors for the Brewers' 19-year-old Venezuelan product: ARIZONA LEAGUE (August 4-10) Hitter of the Week --The Brewers' Francisco Plasencia hit .444 (8-18) with 6 runs scored, 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 homer, 3 RBI and a .889 slugging percentage. Toby's Lengthy Power 50 History on Plasencia, who dropped off the list this June: www.brewerfan.net/ViewPow...ayerId=139

Latest Hot Prospect Sheet: Two of the top 10 in the nation are Brewers... www.baseballamerica.com/t...sheet.html

Monday's Daily Menu : One daytime choice, one night-time choice, so we make it easy for you... We'll be plugging in the standings for playoff-contending Huntsville, Beloit and Helena within the Daily Menu while pertinent; Huntsville's fighting for a second-half crown that would provide additional home field advantage in the playoffs; Beloit's looking to qualify with a second-half division championship -- they can also automatically qualify for the playoffs with a second-place division finish. It now appears that Helena is playing for additional home-field rights as well. All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: Idle HUNTSVILLE: LHP Jeff Hundley at West Tenn (Cubs), 12:05 PM; enjoy the game in the office -- pre-game at 11:50; these numbers are less than impressive, except that the Stars do more with less, ninth in hitting, third in runs scored: TEAM BATTING AVG AB R H HR BB SO SB CS CAROLINA .271 3840 569 1039 75 415 751 98 39 BIRMINGHAM .266 3733 446 992 56 382 729 92 68 ORLANDO .264 3831 458 1010 65 331 820 72 32 CHATTANOOGA .263 3890 555 1024 89 407 891 101 61 TENNESSEE .258 3885 482 1003 79 370 778 79 41 GREENVILLE .253 3757 468 951 71 426 890 87 41 WEST TENN .252 3843 446 970 61 388 763 79 57 JACKSONVILLE .247 3845 472 949 73 382 924 110 66 [b]HUNTSVILLE .246 3831 514 944 64 407 876 148 69[/b] MOBILE .238 3875 462 921 77 430 904 89 31Audio link: espn1450.com/ WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 26 22 .542 [b]*HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 26 23 .531 .5[/b] MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 24 25 .490 2.5 CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS (CINCINNATI) 24 25 .490 2.5 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 23 26 .469 3.5 HIGH DESERT: RHP Dan Hall at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 9:15 PM -- the only choice for your night-time audio, so give the Mavs a shout out... Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: Idle WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 33 16 .673[/b] *KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 28 21 .571 5.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 28 22 .560 5.5 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 25 25 .500 8.5 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 25 25 .500 8.5 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 25 25 .500 8.5 %WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 22 27 .449 11.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 20 30 .400 13.5 HELENA: The Brewers face their toughest Pioneer League test to date, embarking on their only "Utah" road trip of the season. Before visiting former host families and friends in Ogden, the Helena boys must take on Provo (Angels). Provo not only won the first-half Southern Division championship, but they are 12-1 thus far in the second half. We do not have a pitching matchup for this 6:05 affair, and unfortunately, there is no web audio available for this series NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]*HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 8 5 .615[/b] MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 7 6 .538 1.0 GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 7 6 .538 1.0 BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 4 9 .308 4.0ARIZONA: Idle -- will we ever see Rickie Weeks' name in an Arizona box score? Heck, will we ever see an Arizona box score at all again?

The Arizona Box Score once again fell under the dreaded "Game Not Reported" category. Arizona Linescore: ARI FINAL R H E - - - ARIZ RANGERS 9 11 0 ARIZ BREWERS 7 11 2

Beloit Game Summary (Wisconsin's Site): Remember reading about Eric Henderson's pickoff move recently? www.timberrattlers.com/pr...?recid=175

High Desert Site Game Summary: Frost, Toner & Ebert Shine in Mavs WinRANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - The High Desert Mavericks scored eight runs in the final three innings, defeating the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes by a final score of 8-2, on Sunday evening at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga. John Toner, just signed by the Brewers as a free agent, had the game-winning hit and a game-saving catch in his first start of the year. Jeremy Frost's grand slam in the eighth put the finishing touches on another masterpiece by Derrin Ebert, as the Mavs ended a two-game losing streak and avoided a three-game sweep. Both starting pitchers were excellent on Sunday, as the game was scoreless until the sixth. Quakes shortstop Tommy Murphy's eighth homer of the year broke Ebert's string of 10.1 innings of scoreless work to begin his Mavs' career, giving the Quakes a 1-0 lead in the sixth. In the seventh, the Mavs finally got something going off Quakes starter Tim Petke (1-5), who didn't even allow a base runner until a Frost hit in the fifth. Scott Candelaria and Froilan Villanueva had back-to-back singles to open the inning. With one out, Johnny Raburn picked up an RBI single to right field, scoring Candy with the tying run. Toner then picked up his first hit in a Mavs uniform, a two-run triple to right field to give the Mavs a 3-1 lead. After Ebert was replaced by Justin Gordon in the seventh, Gordon allowed a solo home run to center by David Gates, as the Quakes cut the lead to 3-2. With two on and two outs, Javy Rodriguez hit a fly ball to right field that looked as if it would drop. Instead, Toner made a running, over-the-shoulder grab in right field to preserve the 3-2 lead. Frost provided the nail in the coffin in the eighth, as he CRUSHED a Richard Thompson pitch over the left field fence for a grand slam. His seventh homer of the year and just the Mavs' second slam, gave High Desert some breathing room at 7-2. Gordon came back out and worked a scoreless eighth by striking out the side. After Todd West picked up a sac fly to score another run in the ninth, Bobby Bystrowski worked a scoreless inning to finish it off. Ebert (2-0) collected his second win in as many starts, working six innings, while allowing just one run on five hits. Ebert struck out six without walking a batter. With the win, the Mavs improve to 13-37 in the second half and 38-82 overall. The Mavs head to Lancaster on Monday for the start of a four-game set against the JetHawks. Dan Hall (6-11) throws for High Desert while Mike Shultz goes to the hill for Lancaster. The Mavs face the JetHawks in a four-game series and don?t return home until Friday, August 15th against the Bakersfield Blaze.

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville Update: SAME STORY, DIFFERENT SCRIPTThere's something about Pringles. Yeh, pretty good snack, I know, but I'm talking about Pringles Park (damn those corporate names)....... The Stars are 10-9 this season against the Diamond Jaxx, but four of the last five losses at Pringles have come in as the result of a final inning comeback by the D'Jaxx........ On May 16, Brandon Sing's two-run HR in the 9th gave them a 3-2 victory. The next night, Lukas McKnight hit a game-winning RBI single in the 11th for a 5-4 win. In their return to Jackson Friday, Blair Barbier's sac fly in the 9th gave the D'Jaxx a 3-2 victory. Sunday, it was déja vu --- same story with a different script. Jason Shelley (2-0, 2.16), starting today to get him back on normal rest, was a last minute substitution for Jeff Hundley, who will pitch Monday........ Shelley was just one out away from getting out of the 1st when he plunked Brandon Harris with a 2-1 pitch on the numbers. After a stolen base, Harris then walked on 3-and-1. Ray Sadler, a .263 hitter against the Stars, a little below his season average, blooped a 1-2 split-finger pitch into center field for a single, driving in Harris. A wild pitch sent Dubois to third, then Shelley walked Jackson Melian on four pitches to load the bases....... After Stan Kyles came out to have a little chat with his blond-haired 6'2" righthander, Shelley worked an 0-2 count to Donnie Hood before he lined out to J.J. Hardy. The Stars have made a habit of scoring in the 2nd inning. For the third straight game, they stirred up a small 2nd inning remedy that tied the game........ Leadoff hitter Brandon Gemoll, coming in with a .367 average in August, hammered a 2-2 pitch from Sergio Mitre (6-7, 3.57) into the alley in right-center field, legging out his first triple since May 26, despite a few stutter steps rounding 2nd....... With one out, Brad Nelson drove a 2-2 pitch into left-center field, caught by Weston. The throw was off-line and Gemoll scored to tie the game....... The Stars had their best opportunity to score in the 4th with runners on 1st and 2nd, but Mike Kremblas hit a 3-2 pitch to Dubois unassisted to end the inning. Despite the fact that Shelley didn't have great command of his splitter (he walked 5, threw a wild pitch, and hit a batter), he was aggressive and made the pitches he had to and he had terrific defense, as usual....... In the bottom of the 2nd inning, a bunt was expected after Casey Kopitzke walked to lead off. Gemoll was playing in at first base, but Kopitzke was not expecting Chris Barnwell to sneak behind him. Barnwell took a throw from Krembas, surprising Kopitzke, who was picked off 2-4. You don't see that a lot........ Later, Kremblas cut Weston down trying to steal to end the inning....... In the 6th, Kremblas threw out Aron Weston on a 3-2 count to Sergio Mitre -- a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play to Hardy to end that inning. The Diamond Jaxx' 9th inning game-winner started with a leadoff walk to Ray Sadler, who drew a five-pitch walk. Jackson Melian failed to move him over with a bunt and Sadler was forced out at second....... Then Donnie Hood was hit by a pitch that Kremblas vehemently argued never hit him because he caught the ball cleanly. Home plate ump Jamie Roebuck, however, said it grazed his uniform....... With runners on first and second and one out, Casey Kopitzke made Ryan Miller winless for the 7th time this season. With the runners going, Kopitzke lobbed a hit to shallow right, and Melian cruised home for the winning run........ For the Stars, it's their 4th loss on the road in their last five games........ Dave Krynzel was the beneficiary of Jason Dubois' two errors in the game, but neither amounted to anything. Krynzel is now 4-for-37 (.108) in August and .195 since July. The Stars will play the Diamond Jaxx for the last time this season on Monday, a 12:05 game because of a concert at Pringles Park later in the evening. Jeff Hundley will make his first start. We promise this time. Korean righty Jae-kuk Ryu (1-2, 5.09) will take his second look at the Stars this season..... The Stars come home Tuesday to play the Chattanooga Lookouts, who have moved up to third place in the tight Western Division race, for four games. It will be the Stars' 2nd to last homestand of the regular season. Their last vs. Birmingham, August 25-27, should have all sorts of ramifications.

Huntsville Site Game Summary: www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=269

Thanks for all the box scores, Highroller720! Indy Site Game Summary: INDIANAPOLIS -- Jason Conti's two-out single in the bottom of the 11th inning drove home Steve Scarborough with the winning run as the Indianapolis Indians defeated the Charlotte Knights 4-3 in the finale of a three-game series at Victory Field on Sunday night. Knotted at 3-3 heading into the bottom of the 11th inning, Charlotte reliever Matt Ginter (3-3) retired the first two Indians batters of the inning on a pair of ground outs to second baseman Aaron Miles. Scarborough then ripped a double down the left field line bringing Conti to the plate with the winning run on base. As Conti stepped to the plate the decision was made to intentionally walk him in order to face the righthanded hitting Richard Paz. On the first pitch to Conti, however, Ginter's throw sailed over the head of Charlotte catcher Jonathan Aceves allowing Scarborough to advance to third. With a force-out at third base no longer a possibility, the Knights elected to pitch to Conti with Scarborough standing a mere 90 feet away from home plate. On a 2-0 pitch, Conti lined Ginter's offering just beyond the glove of a leaping Ryan Hankins at first base scoring Scarborough with the winning run. Jason Childers picked up the win for the Tribe after pitching a scoreless top half of the 11th inning and improved to 4-4 on the year. Charlotte jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning against Tribe starter Nate Teut, who allowed back-to-back singles to Tim Hummel and Ross Gload before designated hitter Mike Rivera blasted a two-out, three-run home run to left field. The Indians came back with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fifth inning when Alex Delgado and Ryan Knox singled to lead off the frame and scored on Scarborough's triple to left-center field. Paz then hit a one-out single to left field to score Scarborough tying the game at 3-3. Shane Nance came on in relief for Indianapolis to start the eighth inning and worked two scoreless innings to extend his scoreless innings streak to a team-high 31.0 innings. The Indians (53-68) will have their only off day in the month of August on Monday before traveling to Norfolk on Tuesday to open a four-game road trip. Pasqual Coco (8-7, 4.90) will pitch for the Tribe on Tuesday. Indianapolis Star Game Story: Nice account here with quotes enhancing the summary above... www.indystar.com/print/ar...8-036.html

Daily Press High Desert Game Story: www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...819,18188,

From Michael Rothstein in the Daily Press: The Gold Standard J.M. Gold returned to the High Desert Mavericks this week from Arizona after yet another stint on the disabled list. Milwaukee's first-round pick in 1998 out of Toms River, N. J., Gold seems to be on the injured list more than he's available to play. Despite the latest setback, Gold never considered retirement. "I didn't have thoughts of that," Gold said. "I had thoughts of disappointment and thoughts of 'why me, again.' "I got over that and then I focused on working hard and getting better." While Gold has sat on the sidelines, he's seen pitchers drafted either in his class or after him pass him by. While seeing this frustrates the right-hander, he said he must stay positive. When he becomes negative on the situation, it's time to consider retirement. "If I sit there and cry over spilled milk, it's not going to do anything," Gold said. "It's hard to see guys that were drafted your year of after you making a name for themselves in the big leagues now. "It's tough to look at but it only makes me want to work harder. I know I'll have my time. Maybe it's not right now and it'll be a few years later in the process."

Drew Olson summarizes this week's madness. Jayson Durocher, you must be kidding us, right? www.jsonline.com/sports/b...161297.asp

We'll add more information in a bit, but here's the 2003 numbers, a bit underwhelming, for the newest High Desert Maverick, RH bat and outfielder John Toner, released by the Mets' organization -- with Port St. Lucie (high-A) and Capital City (low-A). www.baseballamerica.com/c...toner%2C+j 2002 numbers were fine, but were split between rookie ball and low-A. This link provides draft, college, and other info on Toner, who will be 24 this September: www.sports-wired.com/play...sp?ID=7253

Mike Jones has not been placed on the DL yet, thus 12 pitchers.

Sunday's Daily Menu : Lefty - lefty - lefty - lefty - righty.... We'll be plugging in the standings for playoff-contending Huntsville, Beloit and Helena within the Daily Menu while pertinent; Huntsville's fighting for a second-half crown that would provide additional home field advantage in the playoffs; Beloit's looking to qualify with a second-half division championship -- they can also automatically qualify for the playoffs with a second-place division finish. It now appears that Helena is playing for additional home-field rights as well. All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: LHP Nate Teut vs. Charlotte (White Sox) at home, 6:00 PM Audio link: www.newstalk1430.com/ HUNTSVILLE: LHP Jeff Hundley at West Tenn (Cubs), 7:05 PM Audio link: espn1450.com/ WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 26 21 .553 [b]*HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 26 22 .542 .5[/b] MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 24 24 .500 2.5 CHATTANOOGA LOOKOUTS (CINCINNATI) 23 25 .479 3.5 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 22 26 .458 4.5 HIGH DESERT: LHP Derrin Ebert at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 8:15 PM -- the only choice for your night-time audio, so give the Mavs a shout out... Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: LHP Eric Henderson at Wisconsin (Mariners), 1:05 PM Audio link (opponent's): www.sportsjuice.com/provi...wtrattlers WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 32 16 .667[/b] *KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 28 20 .583 4.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 28 21 .571 4.5 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 25 24 .510 7.5 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 25 24 .510 7.5 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 25 24 .510 7.5 %WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 22 26 .458 10.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 19 30 .388 13.5HELENA: Idle NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]*HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 8 5 .615[/b] MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 7 6 .538 1.0 GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 7 6 .538 1.0 BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 4 9 .308 4.0ARIZONA: Just 18 years old this past June, RHP Miguel Garcia faces the Rangers' rookies in Maryvale tonight

Helena Independent Record Game Story: Action Shot of Cap'n Lou Palmisano for you... www.helenair.com/articles...003_01.txt

Huntsville Times Weekly Stars' Notes Column: www.al.com/stars/huntsvil...116431.xml

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville Update: KADE LEADS THE PARADEOn Monday, the rosters will expand to 24 players....... A 23rd slot was filled today with the return of Daryl Clark from High Desert. He reported to the Stars at 4:30 Saturday, after driving all day out from the west coast........ That fills out the outfield, so the 24th will most likely be a pitcher....... Mike Jones returned to the club today, after an MRI in Milwaukee Friday. The results of that MRI are not out yet, but Milwaukee is expected to shut him down for the season and that will leave a hole in the starting rotation....... Right now, Ben Hendrickson, Pedro Liriano, Jeff Housman, and Jason Shelley are filling those roles. Either David Nolasco or Jeff Hundley could fill the last spot, but it's more likely Stan Kyles and Frank Kremblas will want them in the pen joining Brian Adams, Mike Adams, Ken Ray, Ryan Miller, and Matt Parker....... I think it will be Chris Saenz (pronounced signs) who gets the call up to Huntsville on Monday. Ignore his 5.74 ERA. He has 113 Ks in 106 2/3 innings and a 2.4:1 strikeout-walk ratio. It could be Tony Stavros or Bobby Bystrowski instead from HD, and who knows, Derek Lee could make a possible return from Indy, but I'm placing my bets on Saenz. The Stars got some bang back as they collected eleven hits, nine of them off starter Jon Leicester in five innings, marking only the 3rd time in eleven games they have broken out for double-figures in hits......... The seven runs is the most they've scored in twelve games........ Leading the parade was Kade Johnson, who broke out of a 1-for-25 slump....... In the 2nd inning, Kade came to the plate for the first time with two out and Brad Nelson on 2nd after a double. Johnson hit a ball over the head of Jason Dubois and off the wall. Dubois played it beautifully and cut down Johnson who tried to stretch his hit into a double, but he easily scored Nelson........ In the 4th inning, Noochie Varner was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to break a 1-1 tie........ After Nelson lined out to 2nd, Kade singled sharply to right to drive in another, making it 3-1........ With two out and the bases full, Alejandro Machado slammed a single to right-center field, scoring Brandon Gemoll, but Ray Sadler threw a strike to home plate, cutting down Noochie to end the inning. The Stars carried a 4-1 lead to the top of the 6th, but not before the Stars averted a disaster. An error by Corey Hart allowed Jason Dubois to reach first with two out in the home half of the 4th inning....... Blair Barbier hit a 2-1 fastball into the left field alley for a double. Nelson hit the cutoff man, halting Dubois at third....... Liriano fell behind 2-and-1 to the next hitter, Donnie Hood, but Hood flied to left to end the inning. The Diamond Jaxx left three runners on base through the first four innings. The Stars have had difficulty putting together big innings of late....... Not since July 20, vs. Jackson as it turns out, had they put together two separate innings in a game where they scored three or more runs...... Singles by Nelson and Johnson in the 6th kicked off another three-run rally. Liriano tried to get the sacrifice down and bunted it back to the mound, but Leicester, taking a look at third, threw the ball up the line down into the corner, scoring both runners to make it 6-1. Leicester's big two-base error provided the insurance the Stars would need........ The Diamond Jaxx scored their second run on a ground out by Jason Dubois in the 6th, and then made it 7-4 on a pinch-hit 2-run home run by Jackson Melian, his 2nd of the year against his former club. It's a day game Sunday and Jeff Hundley (1-0, 4.50) will make his first start for the Stars against Sergio Mitre (6-7, 3.57), who earlier this season made a spot start for the Chicago Cubs. Who's hot? Alejandro Machado is hitting .409 in his last 5 games, raising his average from .212, when the streak started, to .261........ Who's not? Dave Krynzel. While J.J. Hardy came out of his slump with two hits and a sac fly, Krynzel wore another 0-fer and is hitting just .121 --- that's right --- .121 in August. He's not scored a run or driven in a run the whole month, but he's struck out 13 times in 33 at-bats and since July, he's hit just .202....... He's hit .359 vs. the Diamond Jaxx this season, but he's 4-for-his-last 22 at-bats vs. this team....... Brandon Gemoll became the third Huntsville Star to log his 100th hit of the season......... Pedro Liriano has gotten a decision in 82.6% of his 23 starts this year. He's one of only five Huntsville starters in history with more than 20 starts to get decisions in over 80% of them. Tim Hudson, who was 10-9 in 22 starts for the 1998 Stars, is the leader in that trash statistic.

Huntsville Site Game Summary: That's Kade Johnson in the accompanying photo; quote from Frank Kremblas a bonus... www.huntsvillestars.com/s...newsId=268 You noticed in the summary that LHP Jeff Hundley is being asked to spot start just three days after relieving twice in a doubleheader. Hundley was Robert Portnoy's guest on Saturday's pre-game; very well-spoken, he knows he won't be expected to go deep into Sunday's ballgame. Hundley talked about his tenure in the Angels' system and his stay in High Desert. It's too bad that the Brewer affiliates don't make use of the "Broadcast Monsters" audio system which archives games for some of the Brewer affiliate opponents this season.

Indianapolis Star Game Story: Several quotes of interest... www.indystar.com/print/ar...5-036.html

Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5, High Desert 4 High Desert Site Game Summary: We don't say it often enough; Mike Lindskog does a nice job putting the Mavs' summaries together so quickly... RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA - The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes used a big sixth inning to rally and beat the High Desert Mavericks by a score of 5-4 on Saturday night at the Epicenter in Rancho Cucamonga. The loss is the second straight for High Desert, dropping them to 37-82 overall this year. Four runs off Mavs reliever J.M. Gold was the difference in Saturday night's game. With the Mavs up 4-1 entering the sixth, Casey Kotchman delivered his second solo shot of the night, a blast to right field, making it 4-2. After a Mike Eylward single, Justin Turner's RBI triple off the wall in left field made it 4-3. Turner scored on David Gates' RBI double off the wall in right field to tie the game at 4-4. Azarias Corbeil then lifted a fly ball to left field that went off the glove of Johnny Raburn. The play was ruled an error, scoring Gates with the game-winning run. Gold (1-1) who pitched for the first time in a Mavs uniform since May 6th, hadn't faced live hitting until Saturday night, due to right arm problems. The High Desert offense was held in check, going scoreless in the final five innings. John Rouwenhorst recorded the final four outs, working a 1-2-3 ninth for his 16th save this year. The Mavs fell behind early as Kotchman delivered his first of two homers on the game, a solo blast to right to give the Quakes a 1-0 lead. High Desert tied the game at 1-1, as Ralph Santana's two-out RBI single plated Ozzie Chavez in the third inning. Three runs in the fourth gave the Mavs a 4-1 lead against Quakes starter Steven Shell. Chavez' infield hit scored Jeremy Frost, who opened the inning with a single. With the Mavs ahead 2-1, Chris Morris picked up a two-run, two-out double to left field, scoring Raburn and Chavez. Quakes reliever Dustin Griffith (3-1) pitched a scoreless sixth inning to pick up the win. Mavs starter Chris Saenz, who gave up just one run on two hits, was removed early due to a high number of innings pitched this year. It is expected that Saenz will only throw approximately 75 pitches per start for the remainder of the year. Tony Stavros threw three scoreless innings of relief out of the Mavs bullpen to keep the game close. High Desert's newest player, John Toner, pinch hit in the eighth inning and flew out in his Mavericks debut. Toner, who was drafted by the Mets in 2001 and was signed by the Brewers as a free agent, replaces Daryl Clark on the Mavs roster. Clark was recalled to AA Huntsville after Friday night's game. The Mavs and Quakes face off for the final time in 2003 on Sunday afternoon at the Epicenter. Derrin Ebert (1-0) makes his second start for the Mavs, while Tim Petke (1-4) throws for the Quakes. Game time on Sunday is at 6:15 (8:15 Central). High Desert Box Score: Great news that the Brewers are going to be cautious with Chris Saenz the rest of the way; welcome to the organization, John Toner... GAME DATE: 8/09/03 HIGH DESERT 4 AT RANCHO CUCAMONGA 5 YTD YTD HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG RANCHO CUCAMONGA AB R H BI AVG C.Morris CF 5 0 1 2 .268 R.Melgarejo RF 4 0 1 0 .185 R.Santana RF 4 0 1 1 .284 T.Murphy SS 4 0 0 0 .272 S.Candelaria 1B 1 0 0 0 .278 C.Kotchman 1B 2 2 2 2 .320 S.Candelaria 3B 3 0 0 0 .278 M.Eylward 3B 4 1 1 0 .301 F.Villanueva DH 4 0 0 0 .298 J.Turner 2B 2 1 2 1 .256 J.Frost CAT 0 0 0 0 .241 D.Gates LF 4 1 1 1 .242 J.Frost 1B 4 1 1 0 .241 A.Corbeil DH 4 0 0 0 .250 J.Raburn 3B 0 0 0 0 .280 B.Del Chiaro CAT 4 0 0 0 .158 J.Raburn LF 3 1 2 0 .280 N.Kimpton CF 4 0 0 0 .227 T.West 2B 3 0 0 0 .241 S.Shell PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 O.Chavez SS 3 2 2 1 .243 D.Griffith PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Alvarado CAT 2 0 0 0 .133 M.O'Sullivan PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Toner PH 1 0 0 0 .000 J.Rowenhorst PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Toner LF 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Saenz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Stout PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Gold PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Stavros PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 4 7 4 TOTALS 32 5 7 4 HIGH DESERT 0 0 1 3 0 0 0 0 0- 4 7 1 RANCHO CUCAMONGA 1 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 X- 5 7 2 E--J.Raburn, M.Eylward, J.Turner. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 1. LOB--HIGH DESERT 8, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 7. 2B--C.Morris (23), D.Gates (13). 3B--R.Melgarejo (1), J.Turner (6). HR--C.Kotchman 2 (6). SB--C.Morris (61), J.Raburn (25). SH--T.West, J.Alvarado. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT C.Saenz 4.0 2 1 1 2 5 1 5.61 D.Stout 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 6.88 J.Gold (L,1-1) 0.0 4 4 3 0 0 1 7.71 T.Stavros 3.0 0 0 0 2 3 0 4.77 RANCHO CUCAMONGA S.Shell 5.0 6 4 4 2 3 0 4.24 D.Griffith (W,3-1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4.23 M.O'Sullivan 1.2 0 0 0 2 0 0 4.40 J.Rowenhorst (S,16) 1.1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.19 WP--S.Shell. SO--C.Morris 2, S.Candelaria, T.Murphy 2, M.Eylward, D.Gates 3, B.Del Chiaro 2. BB--R.Santana, S.Candelaria, J.Raburn, O.Chavez, C.Kotchman 2, J.Turner 2. T--2:49. A--5213

Outfielder Daryl Clark has been transferred back to Huntsville from High Desert. No word yet on any corresponding moves lower in the system.

Yeah, not that it matters in the draft pick race, but even the Devil Rays have a better record now. I must admit that given the state of the starting pitching and the teams remaining on the schedule, 100 losses is looking more and more like a sure thing again. It truly was an embarassment that Manning was trotted out again tonight, although I would say that this organization re-defines embarassment with each new fiasco. I'm convinced that Yost has direct orders to play veterans to beat out the Mets, Reds, Pirates, and Padres so as to lessen the draft pick bonus blow the team will have to budget for again next year. On to the Huntsville broadcast, not because I'm a minor league freak or anything. I've always listened to the major league audio feed as the first choice. But, as was the case last year, we've reached a point now where it's simply more fun to listen to a Brewer-related team that is at least competitive. So sad it's come to this yet again...

Sorry guys, had to bump and edit this to make a date correction for archive purposes...

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville Update: TURN THAT BUS AROUND!The bus had just left for Jackson, Friday morning, and was headed west on University Drive when manager Frank Kremblas got a call on his cell phone. The bus was directed back to the Stadium, 10 minutes away, to drop off Ryan Knox. He would be rejoining the Indianapolis Indians, rather than playing for the Stars that night....... The wheels were set in motion when Milwaukee put Wes Helms on the disabled list, calling up outfielder Mark Smith from Indy........ Knox hit just .128 (5-for-39) in his second stint with the Stars........ Indianapolis will have another vacancy to deal with soon enough. Luis Martinez stretched his consecutive scoreless inning streak to 26 1/3 innings Friday against Charlotte. Martinez will likely become the 140th Huntsville Star to make it to the majors. After going 8-5, 2.58 in 20 starts for the Stars, and 3-0, 0.00 in 4 starts for Indy, Luis, the flame-throwing, free-spirited Dominican lefty with the Bob Buhl bat, who started his pro career 0-18, is soon to make it. While Knox was at Indy, the Stars were having their problems with Mike Nannini tonight at Jackson. Thirteen Stars would strike out this night (16 is the season high) and Dave Krynzel wore the golden sombrero for the first time as a Huntsville Star, going down four times...... Nannini, who beat the Stars the last time he faced them, became the 5th opposing pitcher to strike out 10+ Stars in a game this season......... But the Stars hung with the D'Jaxx at 2-2. Until the 9th. The Stars erased an early 1-0 deficit on a monstrous home run in the 2nd inning by Noochie Varner that nearly reached I-40 beyond the hillside over the left field wall........ In the 5th, the Stars jumped ahead, 2-1 when Ken Ray drew a 2-out walk. After taking third on Alejandro Machado's single, he scored on a wild pitch........ The Diamond Jaxx tied it in the bottom of the 6th on an infield hit by Ray Sadler. Sadler came back to haunt the Stars as the leadoff batter in the 9th. He popped up a Matt Parker 1-1 pitch to the middle of the infield. Kade Johnson called for it, but Corey Hart called him off and dropped it in front of home plate. Speedy Sadler took second base........ Jackson Melian, the former Star, was intentionally passed. Alan West followed, and after failing twice to execute the sac bunt on two breaking balls, lined to right on a 3-2 pitch. It took Varner to the track, but Sadler failed to advance because he made the wrong break, angering his manager, Bobby Dickerson........ It was the 5th consecutive time Parker had gone 3-2 to a hitter and won the battle by delivering a strike to retire the hitter. Parker wasn't so fortunate with the next hitter, Lukas McKnight. Parker missed badly inside and hit him with a pitch to load the bases........ That set it up for .239 hitter Blair Barbier, activated by the D'Jaxx on July 26. Barbier hit a fly ball deep to center, scoring Sadler easily for the win, as Krynzel back-pedaled to the track. Ken Ray performed a magnificent clutch role from the pen, with his longest outing of his season. In his last three appearances, he has gone 11 2/3 innings, and given up just 3 runs on 14 hits, striking out nine........ Ben Hendrickson was lifted after one inning by pitching coach Stan Kyles as a precaution. Kyles had seen Hendrickson's velocity was down tonight. Hendrickson twice this season had DL stints because of soreness in his right elbow and forearm, and with the staff plagued by arm problems this year, there was no way Kyles was going to take a chance on his arm........ In the Stars' last 6 games, the bullpen has thrown 23 innings and come through with a 1.17 ERA. Half of the runs the bullpen gave up, however, were unearned. The Stars have now given up four final inning runs in their last six games........ Parker has not allowed an earned run in his last four appearances, covering 9 2/3 innings, but has now given up an unearned run in each of his last three. Alejandro Machado is 7-for-17 (.412) in his last four games....... J.J. Hardy is now batting .217 since July with 2 HRs, 13 RBI and drawn 6 walks....... Kade Johnson is 1-for-25 in his last 8 games....... The Stars have averaged 3 runs a game in their last 11 games, and have not scored more than 5 runs in a game since beating Chattanooga, 7-3, on July 28. Only twice in their last 10 games, have the Stars tallied at least 10 hits. Pedro Liriano (7-11, 3.63) will start game two of this series against Diamond Jaxx right-hander Jon Leicester (5-5, 3.74).