MassBrew

RHP Ryan Marion is starting the final Helena game, just underway at 8:10 Central.

Correction on the High Desert start time -- tune in to Roxy Bernstein's pre-game show at 9:00 PM Central -- let's send the Mavs home with an audience tonight...

Beloit Game Notes and Player of the Game Info: www.snappersbaseball.com/...de63c366f6 Beloit Box Score: Second baseman Will Lewis comes out of nowhere to start the final game, and doesn't miss a beat, reaching base four times... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12530 Beloit Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12530

Sports Network Huntsville Game Wrap: Tony Blanco ended the regular season with a monster game as the Chattanooga Lookouts closed the Southern League schedule with a 6-2 victory over the Huntsville Stars Monday afternoon. Chattanooga, which has won seven-of-its-last-10, improved to 49-21 in the second half of the Southern League season. Meanwhile, Huntsville, losers of seven-of-10, fell to 33-37. Blanco singled, doubled, homered and drove in three runs to pace the Lookouts, who got two walks and two runs from Edwin Encarnacion. Chattanooga's bullpen was stellar with Matt Beech (3-0) pitching two shutout innings to earn the win. Casey DeHart, Brad Salmon and Daylan Childress combined on four scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Losing pitcher Ryan Costello (8-8) was touched for six runs on nine hits in six innings. In the loss, Prince Fielder went 2-for-3 with two RBI. While Huntsville's season ends, Chattanooga will start the playoffs with a game against Tennessee Wednesday night. Huntsville Box Score: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16002 Huntsville Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16002

Final: Indianapolis 7, Louisville (Reds) 6 Indianapolis Post-Game Notes: Indianapolis failed to hold on to a 5-0 lead Monday afternoon, as the Louisville Bats stormed back for a thrilling 7-6 victory to secure second place in the International League West Division. It was the second consecutive night that the Tribe failed to hold a lead for an effective starting performance. Glenn Woolard, making his first Triple-A start , threw six shutout innings, allowing four hits, walking one batter and striking out six. Indianapolis got on the board first on Jeff Liefer?s two-run home run off Juan Cerros, his 20th home run of the season, driving home Matt Erickson. The Tribe added a run in the third inning, when Trent Durrington scored from third on an errant pickoff throw from catcher Steve Lomasney. Indianapolis stretched the lead to 4-0 in the fourth with a single run, then added another tally in the fifth on Luis Figueroa?s RBI single. Jeff Housman, making his fifth appearance for the Tribe and his second relief performance of the year, stepped in for Woolard in the seventh inning. He walked Kenny Kelly and Jim Chamblee to start the inning. Aaron Holbert then singled in Kelly for the first Louisville run. Housman then walked Lomasney, before giving up a two-run bloop single to Jermaine Alviso, cutting the lead to 5-3. Louisville manager Rick Burleson then sent Stephen Smitherman in to pinch hit for pitcher Brian Rose and he hit a three-run homer off of Housman to give the Bats a 6-5 lead. Louisville pitchers retired nine consecutive Indians before Steve Scarborough homered with one out in the ninth inning off Todd Coffey (1-0) to tie the game, 6-6. Lomasney opened the bottom of the ninth with an infield single to deep shortstop off Tribe reliever Dan Reichert (7-4), then advanced to second base on Alviso?s bouncer back to Reichert. On the third pitch from Reichert, pinch hitter Dane Sardinha punched a soft liner to center field, scoring Lomasney with the game winning hit. The Tribe finished the season 66-78 and a third place finish in the IL West Division. Indianapolis Box Score: How cool a prospect is Glenn Woolard? www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12968 Indianapolis Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=12968

Monday's Daily Menu: Eat well -- it's a long hibernation to April. Looks like the Billings broadcaster will put this minor league season to bed... All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... Indianapolis: RHP Glenn Woolard at Louisville (Reds), 12:15 PM Audio link: www.newstalk1430.com/ Alternate audio link (Bats' feed): www.sportsjuice.com/provi...name=lbats Huntsville: LHP Ryan Costello at Chattanooga (Reds), 1:15 PM Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ High Desert: RHP Travis Teeter at Lancaster (Diamondbacks), 5:15 PM Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm Beloit: TBD at home vs. Peoria (Cardinals), 2:00 PM Audio link (Chiefs' feed): www.sportsjuice.com/provi...me=pchiefs Helena: TBD at home vs. Billings (Reds), 8:05 Audio link (Mustangs' feed): www.billingsmustangs.com/ Arizona: Season's over

Wow, can't believe it's the final Link Report of the season -- no playoffs will give you that "snuck up on you, can't believe it's over" feeling. But for the players and coaches who have been in camp since February and March, I'm sure they're ready for the break. Lots of thanks to dole out: Thanks to our readers, without you there wouldn't be much point in all this, would there? We figured about four-fifths of that ridiculous post count of mine has gone toward Link Report and transaction news in three years. Yup, about 7,500 little bits of Brewer minor league box scores, articles, and what-not has been passed on to you. Is the world a better place for that? Nope, but we've all had fun, I hope. Thanks to the players, who let us rejoice or despair in analyzing numbers, usually (but not always) sight unseen. We can only imagine how many times they must roll their eyes (or throw chairs) regarding our comments. Speaking of that, thanks to our "on-site" fans, from Indy to Maryvale and all ballparks in between. Your first-hand accounts are invaluable, and your dedication to minor league baseball is frequently incredible. Thanks to the many night owls who bailed me out time and again when these East Coast eyes grew weary, and made sure that "the Report" was updated no matter what. Speaking of that, thanks to Mrs. MassBrew, just for understanding, or trying to, anyway. Thanks to the several friends and families of players who join us here on the forum -- we understand why many of you slip away quietly, but it's always a kick to hear from you as you put up with our antics. Thanks to Milwaukee personnel who have answered ever-so-quickly and politely our occasional inquiries on transaction and roster news. Thanks to the folks who write about the affiliates for a living, instead of just for fun, especially the staffs in Huntsville, Adelanto, Beloit, and Helena. Thanks to the Sports Network for game logs in 2004 -- while SN has goofed up any number of things in their inaugural season, the game logs were a nice addition to our reports. Huge thanks to David Weiser for allowing us to copy and archive his fantastic www.starsboxscore.com updates for you. Thank goodness the Milwaukee - Huntsville relationship continues at least two more seasons. Thanks to Stars' announcer Robert Portnoy and Mavs' voice Roxy Bernstein and their staffs. For all the broadcast links we promote here, we forget that it's only Robert and Roxy who bring us the game from a Brewer perspective night in and night out. Did anybody ever get the Indy audio link to work this year? I didn't.... Special thanks to High Desert General Manager Bruce Mann and all the High Desert folks -- you've been such great friends of Brewerfan. Class acts from Day One -- we truly hope that there is a wonderful relationship and a www.Rockiefan.net in your future. You will be missed around here. Thanks to Brewer voice Jim Powell, still the owner of the planet's lone Link Report T-Shirt. Your frequent plugs verified that what we do here has some significance, at least in the little baseball corner of the world. And thanks to my "co-workers" -- it must be our salaries that keep us here -- backroom discusions with Patrick (colby), Toby (950), Bill (batman), Michael (madbad), and of course our fearless leader Brian (square), help shape what you see throughout the site each day. OK, the orchestra's playing (thanks to all who I forgot) and soon I'll sound like Sally Field (you like me! you really, really like me!), so on with the show and I'll sneak off the stage http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/tongue.gif ...

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Jim Powell reports that Huntsville RHP's Glenn Woolard and John Novinsky have been promoted to AAA Indianapolis for this final weekend of action. Congrats to each. Access the Player Index or Power 50 page to view career numbers on each, the starter Woolard (Wayne Franklin deal) who began the year in High Desert, and the closer Novinsky (Mike DeJean trade).

Failed to mention earlier this week that 2004 15th round draft pick RHP David Johnson out of UCLA has returned to the Helena Brewers roster from Arizona. Johnson just turned 22, so he could still be on target for Beloit in 2005 (we'll say Beloit for the low-A affiliate unless we learn otherwise).

From the Indy Site: Infielder Luis Figueroa has been activated from the disabled list and will be ready to perform for the Tribe Thursday night at Louisville Slugger Field.

LHP Jared Theodorakos, back from the Greek squad in the Olympics (and he must have some great stories to tell), has been re-assigned to Helena. He had been placed on the Beloit roster in a paper move prior to heading overseas. Interestingly, RHP Ben Stanczyk, the non-drafted free agent out of UW-Milwaukee, 22 years old later this month, has been promoted from Helena to Beloit. So he will get a chance to pitch before the locals in at least one of the remaining six games at Pohlman Field.

From the Daily Press in Adelanto: The Milwaukee Brewers promoted right-handed pitcher Joel Needham to High Desert from Rookie League Helena. Needham was the Brewers' 2004 32nd round pick out of the Univeristy of California-Davis. Needham turned 24 two weeks ago. He also appeared in Arizona this summer -- here are his numbers from both affiliates (only a 21.2 IP sample): www.baseballamerica.com/c...dham%2C+jo

From the Indy Site: KIESCHNICK ON REHAB: RHP/OF Brooks Kieschnick is beginning a major league rehab assignment today in Indianapolis. Kieschnick has appeared in 24 games as a pitcher for Milwaukee, recording a 1-0 record with a 3.82 ERA. In 50 at-bats, he has hit .300 with one home run and seven RBI. In eight pitching appearances last year with the Tribe, Kieschnick went 1-0 with a 8.56 ERA. HERNANDEZ PUT ON INACTIVE LIST: RHP Adrian Hernandez has been put on the temporary inactive list. In 20 games for the Indians this season, Hernandez has gone 0-8 with a 5.72 ERA in 94.1 innings. Over the year, he walked 39 and struck out 83.

Ben Grieve will not find a home on a major league 25-man roster on Opening Day next year. Book it.

Ginter up, Durrington optioned until the end of the AAA season, by the way. Keith did not arrive in time to start this one...

You walk the pitcher, you deserve this. After tonight, the Brewers could go 7-29 and have a 100-loss season. Seriously.

But, how do you supposedly know otherwise, other than making the ASSUMPTION they wouldn't travel the same day? Lend, in kind of the same way we trust foamboy on news about Brewer ownership, you have to trust brewcru1 on issues involving the team, down to the slightest detail. He knows because he KNOWS http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif .

Francis Arias, we hardly knew ye -- OK, we didn't know ye. According to BA, the Brewers released 20-year-old Francis Arias. Arias had appeared in 14 Arizona Rookie League games, going 4-for-23. The Dominican native had signed his fist pro contract last November with the Brewers. He only appeared in the field in four games (three at second base). In addition, there's this: Placed SS Josh Murray and OF Chris Morris on temporarily inactive list. We know Murray was "sent home early", we don't have any news on the circumstances of Morris' leave -- he had a tough year injury-wise, but managed a .393 OBP in his 126 AB's. Several here questioned his assignment (once again to high-A ball) last April.

Because Rozier is a two-sport athlete, draft rules allow the Red Sox to spread his bonus over a five-year period. Colby, what's up with this rule -- never heard of it, how does it work? I mean, Mark Rogers played hockey, perhaps not at an elite level, but perhaps a collegiate scholarship level.

From the Daily Press in Adelanto: Mavs' LH reliever Eric Henderson, who has been nursing a sore shoulder, was placed on the disabled list.

From the earlier draft coverage on the now-turned 17-year-old Periard: Periard has been well known to Canadian scouts for awhile, but he improved his stock after he performed well at an elite 2003 junior camp in Montreal. An impressive showing with Team Canada on a trip to Florida in March elevated his status further, as he flashed three average pitches and showed a much improved curveball and change. Periard will be one of the youngest players in this year's draft, as he won't turn 17 until June 15. He has a large frame but a slender build with lots of room for development. He has a no windup delivery, and a quick arm from a high three-quarters slot. His fastball sits in the 88-91 mph range with late tailing life, but seems much harder because the ball gets on hitters in a hurry. He complements his fastball with a curve that has good depth and bite and a change with sink and fade. Periard is aggressive with mound presence beyond his years. He projects to have plus command and control of all his pitches, but will need minor mechanical adjustments. Alexandre Periard?s biggest dream is about to come true: since he was 7 years old, he fantasized about playing major-league baseball. Following a series of exhibition games in Florida against college and professional rookie-league teams, Baseball America has ranked the right-handed pitcher as the 50th best draft-eligible high school player. The 16-year-old from St. Eustache has attracted the attention of over 20 major-league teams with his 90 mile-per-hour fastball. He remains modest about his successes; though he admits he enjoys the jolt of adrenaline he experiences when he sees the scouts charting his pitches with their radar guns. ?I?m trying not to put too much pressure on myself. And I shouldn?t, because it would show,? he states. In his first game against the North Iowa Community College Trojans, he struck out five batters in his first two innings, despite it being his first taste of American competition. ?In my head, I like to challenge hitters. Just because they were pros didn?t mean I was going to change that,? he says. In games against the rookie-league teams of the Expos, Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets, hitters scored an average of 14 runs against Academie de Baseball Canada pitchers. Despite this slightly dismal statistic, Periard was able to discern some positive knowledge from the experience: ?When you pitch against those guys, you learn quick.? Because of his age, Periard is in a unique position?if he doesn?t like where he gets drafted, he can play another year in Quebec and re-enter next year?s draft. This is unlikely, as Periard has his sights set on the pros. ?My goal is to be playing pro next year,? he said, adding that if goes later than the 10th round, he would consider re-entering next year.

Helena: Alberto Segura, Tony Festa, Adam Mannon, Charlie Fermaint, Alvaro Martinez, Robert Wooley, Grant Richardson, Johnny Narron. Honorable mention only for the above -- no Brewers on the Pioneer League All-Star Team: www.minorleaguebaseball.c...r/?id=2184

And as was noted elsewhere, OF Ben Van Iderstine to Huntsville -- odd timing there, too, with a banged up and suspension-challenged Mavericks roster? But hey, unless we hear about another corresponding move, it's only High Desert, right, Reid? Apologies for the wise remark above in this case, as the Brewers did get the Mavericks another warm body. Not wanting to disrupt Beloit's outfield rotation for its playoff push, 22-year-old Helena corner outfielder Jake Serfass will get some Cal League AB's in. Serfass signed in June as an undrafted free agent out of the University of West Virginia.

From the Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes (along with others on this forum): FIGUEROA SHELVED, KNOX MOVES UP: Tribe infielder Luis Figueroa has been placed on the disabled list and will undergo an MRI today to determine the extent of his injury incurred last night in a collision with Louisville first baseman Jim Chamblee. Figueroa has appeared in 111 games, hit .266 with four home runs and 45 RBI. Outfielder Ryan Knox has been recalled from Double-A Huntsville. In 66 games with Huntsville, Knox hit .287 with four home runs and 19 RBI and swiped 10 bases. From May 5 to June 6, Knox appeared in 30 games with Indianapolis and hit .268 with one home run, 13 RBI and seven stolen bases. Luis Figueroa is cool -- 30 years old, did all he was asked to do this year at AAA, 5'9", 140 pounds dripping wet, amazing he's had a pro career that brought him to this level and sustained it. And as was noted elsewhere, OF Ben Van Iderstine to Huntsville -- odd timing there, too, with a banged up and suspension-challenged Mavericks roster? But hey, unless we hear about another corresponding move, it's only High Desert, right, Reid?