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Final: Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 10, High Desert 2 And so begins the second half; once again, no box score yet -- Daily Press game story later today as well...

Helena Box Score: Perhaps later today, none available as of "press time"...

Helena Independent Republic Game Story: Brewers battle back By TOM COTTON - IR Sports Editor - 06/22/04 Adam Mannon didn't put the ball exactly where he wanted to, but his hit was exactly what the Helena Brewers needed Monday night. Mannon hit a single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth inning to score Grant Richardson and lift the Brewers to a 9-8 Pioneer League win over Missoula in their home opener. "He (Missoula pitcher Emmanuel Duran) gave me a decent pitch," Mannon said. "I was trying to go the other way, but I hit the ball up the middle." The game-winning hit topped off an outstanding evening for Mannon, who went 3-for-5 and drove in four runs. He hit his first Pioneer League home run in the fourth inning and also had a double. The Brewers needed every bit of Mannon's offensive prowess as they trailed by five runs in the fourth inning and fell behind 8-4 in the sixth. The Osprey jumped on Brewers' starter Josh Baker early as Derek Bruce hit a two-run home run in the first. The Lewis-Clark State product took a 1-1 pitch by Baker over the left-field wall for his first professional home run. He hit seven last year for the Warriors. Missoula extended its lead in the fourth with another two-run bomb. This one came courtesy of Travis Gulick. Gulick's shot just stayed fair and hit the left-field foul pole. The Osprey would add another in the fourth on an RBI double by Francisco Rodriguez and it looked like the 5-0 lead was safe in the hands of second-year Osprey pitcher Ben Krantz. Krantz's last appearance in Helena came in August and he gave up six runs in a 16-0 Helena win. Krantz didn't give up hit over the first three innings, but he began to show cracks in the fourth. Tony Festa and Richardson each hit back-to-back singles in the fourth with one out setting up Mannon's home run. Krantz gave Mannon a fastball that the the right-hander jumped on and ripped over the left-center field wall. That hit sparked an offensive outburst by Helena where it scored at least one run in each the next five innings. Jake Serfass, a recent addition to the team from the University of West Virginia, drove in two on fielder's choices. Charlie Lozada and Festa each picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly. Missoula, however, was able to keep pace, thanks to a three-run sixth, with RBI singles by Marcus Townsend, Bruce and Wilkin Castillo. Osprey pitcher Hipolito Guererro started the eighth inning holding an 8-6 lead and after inducing Mannon to ground out, he watched the lead dissipate. Guererro gave up a double to Lozada and a single to Bates to put runners on the corners. Bates stole second and later came home on a wild pitch by Guerrero, tying the game at 8. That marked the first time Missoula didn't hold the lead in the contest and set up Mannon's game-winning hit. The win went to Helena's Justin Wilson who was sharp in three innings of relief. He gave up one hit and moved his record to 1-1. The win moves Helena's record to 2-2 on the season. Tonight, the two teams meet for the second game in a four-game set. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m (8:05 Central). The speed of 17-year-old Helena Brewers shortstop Alcides Escobar (53) was quite evident on this play while chasing down a foul ball Monday at Kindrick Legion Field during the home opener for the Brewers against the Missoula Osprey. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2004/06/22/sports_top/b01062204_01.jpg

Helena Independent Republic Opening Day Coverage: The Brewers are back - Post 9-8 win in home opener against Missoula By MARTIN J. KIDSTON - IR Staff Writer - 06/22/04 Hundreds of baseball fans soaked up the sun Monday night at Kindrick Legion Field, cheering the Helena Brewers through some exciting innings during their season's home opener. Last year, 2,077 fans turned up to watch the Brewers down Missoula 4-2 on an equally splendid evening. This year, the crowd was smaller, 1,500, but the outcome was the same. The Brewers came back from an 8-4 deficit to beat the Missoula Osprey 9-8. Those sun-soaked baseball loyalists who turned up Monday night were eager to get the season rolling. They happily cheered minor-league baseball in Helena off to another rousing start. Before the game, singer Karen Keith, a member of Forte, prepared to take the field for the national anthem. Along with members of the Helena Chamber Singers, she looked forward to the opportunity to open the season with a song. "We've picked an arrangement that has a little twist to it," she said of the anthem. "Singing to the crowd is the easy part. The hard part is singing for a small group." The Brewers sprinted onto the field, ready to chalk up a win for their hometown fans. Missoula, clad in black, endured the late-evening sun as it bore down, unobstructed, into the team's dugout. Above that dugout, Sean McCurry worked the stadium, helping fans find their seats. Dressed in his Ace Hardware vest, the 15-year-old Capital High freshman was just glad to have a summer job. "The best part - I get paid to come to the games," he admitted, smiling as the realization struck him. "I needed the money. I had a friend who was going to apply for the job, so I came down and applied, too." McCurry held his ground as Helena walked Missoula's leadoff batter on six pitches, then gave up a towering two-run homer over the left field wall, a good 390 feet away. The crowd broke for hotdogs and beer, hoping the hometown boys could find their bats and answer Missoula's big inning. By the end of the second, however, the Brewers were still down 2-0. Cloycie Mann, a.k.a. "Co-Chise," was on the ballpark's maintenance crew in 1984. He remembered Helena's eight-game losing skid that year and how he hung the outfield banners upside down in hopes of changing the team's luck. "They won eight in a row after that," he smiled. "We had good pitching, or we had good hitting, but we never had both." Mann has since retired from the maintenance crew, but not from second-guessing the Brewers' manager. As the innings pressed on Monday night, Mann looked on through the home-plate netting, musing how the season opener ranks among the best games of the year. "Everyone is anxious to come out to the ballpark," he said. "We've got great fans here in Helena." Back on the field, the night was full of shenanigans, like the Dairy Queen Mystery Misty contest, the frozen T-shirt race, and the escapades of Lewis the Lion and Clark the Cougar - the hometown mascots. At times, however, Jakota Platts, age 14, had the best seat in the house. He stood out in the parking lot racing for foul balls. By the top of the third inning, he already had one to his name. Platts boasted how, just last year, he fetched nearly 300 foul balls by working the parking lot and the outfield fence.

Final: Helena 9, Missoula (Diamondbacks) 8 What a great walk-off win! Local baseball fans were thrilled to see the Helena Brewers back on the field Monday during their home-opener at Kindrick Legion Field, but the young fans in the crowd were probably more excited to greet team mascot Lewis the Lion. http://www.helenair.com/content/articles/2004/06/22/top/a01062204_01.jpg

In progress: Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5, High Desert 1, Quakes still batting, bottom of the third Jesse Harper with his first poor performance since being claimed on waivers from Toronto...

Final: Buffalo (Indians) 8, Indianapolis 7 Matt Childers with the ugliest of blown saves; then again, the Indy offense with exactly one hit over the final seven innings... Indianapolis Box Score: GAME DATE: 6/21/04 IND at BUF INDIANAPOLIS 7 AT BUFFALO 8 YTD YTD INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG BUFFALO AB R H BI AVG P.Bergeron CF 4 2 2 0 .228 G.Sizemore CF 5 1 2 0 .285 M.Erickson 2B 4 2 2 1 .259 J.Peralta 3B 5 0 0 0 .333 C.Magruder LF 4 0 0 0 .265 R.Branyan 1B 3 1 1 0 .275 C.Hart RF 2 0 0 1 .292 E.Young DH 5 0 1 2 .307 W.Helms 3B 2 1 0 0 .000 A.Escobar RF 4 1 2 1 .208 T.Durrington 3B 1 0 0 0 .074 B.Phillips SS 3 2 1 0 .286 M.Johnson 1B 3 1 1 1 .262 M.Little LF 3 1 2 3 .312 B.Gemoll 1B 0 0 0 0 .227 C.Clapinski 2B 3 1 1 0 .272 C.Coste DH 3 1 0 0 .270 D.Wathan CAT 3 0 0 1 .273 A.Delgado CAT 4 0 2 3 .189 S.Martinez PH 1 1 1 1 .254 S.Scarbrough SS 4 0 0 0 .231 B.Wickman PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.De La Rosa PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Cressend PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Hernandez PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Robbins PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Reichert PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Stewart PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 31 7 7 6 TOTALS 35 8 11 8 INDIANAPOLIS 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0- 7 7 2 BUFFALO 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 4- 8 11 1 E--T.Durrington, A.Delgado, R.Branyan. DP--INDIANAPOLIS 2, BUFFALO 0. LOB--INDIANAPOLIS 4, BUFFALO 7. 2B--P.Bergeron (3), M.Erickson (16), M.Johnson (10), A.Delgado (4), B.Phillips (13), M.Little (15), S.Martinez (6). HR--M.Little (11). SB--P.Bergeron (3), M.Erickson (8). HBP--B.Phillips. SF--C.Hart, M.Little. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA INDIANAPOLIS J.De La Rosa 1.2 1 1 1 0 4 0 6.42 A.Hernandez 5.1 3 2 2 2 6 0 6.46 D.Reichert 1.0 2 1 1 0 1 0 2.81 M.Childers (L,2-2) 0.1 5 4 4 1 0 1 5.40 BUFFALO B.Wickman 0.2 3 4 4 1 1 0 54.00 J.Cressend 4.1 3 3 3 2 4 0 2.60 J.Robbins 3.0 0 0 0 2 2 0 2.82 S.Stewart (W,2-0) 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 7.36 HB--J.De La Rosa. WP--D.Reichert. SO--M.Erickson, C.Hart 2, W.Helms, T.Durrington, M.Johnson, C.Coste, S.Scarbrough, G.Sizemore, J.Peralta 2, R.Branyan 2, E.Young 2, A.Escobar, B.Phillips, D.Wathan 2. BB-- P.Bergeron, M.Erickson, C.Hart, W.Helms, M.Johnson, C.Coste, R.Branyan 2, C.Clapinski. T--2:51. A--6135Indianapolis Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...AMEID=9376

Thanks for sticking with that Indy game, bullox -- what a brutal loss. In progress: Missoula (Diamondbacks) 4, Helena 0, after three innings Took a bit of experimentation, but got the audio to work. Missed who started, but Robert Hinton's on now. Time to root High Desert on to an undefeated second half http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif .

Let us know if anyone's able to listen to the Missoula broadcast of the Helena game. Can't get it despite downloading their "abacast" software.

In progress: Indianapolis 7, Buffalo (Indians) 1, still in the bottom of the 2nd in Buffalo Jorge de la Rosa strikes out the side 1-2-3 in the first -- he's expected to go three or four innings only; Buffalo announcers commenting that unlike most southpaws, de la Rosa comes at batters with hard stuff -- his fastball hitting 92 and a slider in the 81-82 range. All nine Indianapolis batters came to the plate in the first (five runs) -- catcher Alex Delgado's three-run double was the big blow. Most of the damage came against a rehabbing Bob Wickman. Two more Tribe runs in the second, one on a sacrifice fly from Corey Hart -- he's driven in six runs in nine plate appearances this series thus far. Wes Helms worked a walk his first time up, struck out in at-bat # 2. Bottom of 2nd update: vs. JDLR -- deep fly to RF snagged by Hart; another K, an HBP, an RBI double, Adrian Hernandez in as pitch count is reached -- if Adrian can't earn this victory given the lead, he may not get one all season.

SportsNetwork Weekly Recap: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS - The Indians struggled this past week, dropping five of seven games to fall to an even 34-34 on the year, which places them in third place of the West Division in the International League. Corey Hart is 10-for-31 with five runs scored, four doubles, four home runs and eight RBI over the last seven games. Chris Magruder also supplied some offense for Indy by collecting nine hits, two runs, two triples and a pair of RBI in 27 at- bats. Jon Nunnally has not had the same success at the plate, going just 3- for-24 with six strikeouts during his recent slump. Ace pitcher Ben Hendrickson won his second straight outing on June 17th. In that contest, Hendrickson allowed just three runs on seven hits in six innings of work against Durham. The victory brings the youngster's record to 6-2 on the season. After losing four straight games, Pedro Liriano was finally victorious in a 4-2 win over Buffalo on June 20th. In that matchup, Liriano allowed just two runs on six hits and struck out eight batters in seven innings of work. HUNTSVILLE STARS - The Stars had a horrible week, dropping four of six games to push their season record to 32-38. At six games under .500, the team is in fourth place in the West Division of the Southern League. Despite the poor overall effort, the offense was solid for the most part, especially Tony Gwynn, Jr. who collected seven hits in 28 at-bats. Prince Fielder, who is the catalyst of the Huntsville offense, was just 2-for-23 with four strikeouts this past week. Brad Nelson brought the lumber, going 6-for-21 with three runs scored, two home runs and six RBI. After suffering his first loss of the season, Ryan Costello suffered his worst outing of the season in his last start on June 17th. In that game, Costello allowed five runs on eight hits in just four innings of work. Despite the subpar effort, Costello did not factor in the decision. HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS - The Mavericks split six contests this past week, lowering their record to 25-45 on the season. The horrid mark places the squad in last place in the South Division of the California League. Travis Hinton continues to be the offensive spark plug for the club. In the past week, Hinton was 7-for-24 with five runs, two home runs and four RBI. Dan Boyd also supplied an offensive boost for the Mavericks, going 8-for-24 with six runs, one long ball and two RBI. Second baseman Callix Crabbe tallied six hits, three runs, three doubles, a home run and four RBI in 26 at-bats for the Stars. As for the pitching staff, Khalid Ballouli finally snapped his four- game losing streak with a 12-7 victory over San Jose on June 20th. In that contest, Ballouli allowed just three runs on four hits and struck out seven batters in six innings of work. Bo Hall was defeated by San Jose on June 18th, for his second straight setback. In that contest, Hall had his worst performance of the year as he allowed seven runs on nine hits in six innings. BELOIT SNAPPERS - The Snappers split six contests this past week to bring their record to 33-30 on the season. That mark is good for fifth place in the West Division in the Midwest League. Lou Palmisano and Vinny Rottino continue to provide much of the team's offensive power. Rottino was 6-for-24 during the week, scoring six runs. Rottino has struggled a bit here in the month of June, posting a .257 batting average, which is a heavy drop off from the .313 average in May. Palmisano was equally as good, if not better, posting an eight-game hitting streak. During that span, Palmisano is 12-for-34 with six runs scored, three doubles, one long ball and five RBI. After dropping two of his last four outings, Luis Pena finally got back on the winning track this past week. Pena was victorious on two occasions, defeating Clinton on June 15th and Quad Cities on June 20th. Against Clinton, the young hurler allowed just two runs on four hits while striking out a season-high 12 batters in seven innings of work. On June 20th against Quad Cities, he was practically untouchable, tossing five scoreless innings while scattering two hits. HELENA BREWERS - The Brewers dropped two of three games to the Billings Mustangs to start the 2004 season. The 1-2 mark places them in a tie for third place with Missoula in the North Division of the Pioneer League. Grant Richardson brought the lumber to the plate this weekend, going 6-for-10 with two runs scored, a double, one home run and four RBI. Charlie Lozada chipped in with five hits and two runs in 14 at-bats. The Helena pitching staff had a rough opening series against Billings. In three games, the squad allowed 16 runs on 29 hits and 14 walks in just 25 2/3 innings of work.

Indianapolis Pre-Game Notes: www.indyindians.com/pdf/gamenotes.pdf

Tonight's Indianapolis game just became a whole lot more interesting, as LHP Jorge de la Rosa has been activated form the DL and is starting tonight. He'll likely be on a strict pitch count. Wes Helms begins his week with Indy tonight as well. So hopefully some Brewerfan.net readers will tune in to this one after all... And the High Desert kids must be pumped; 0-0 heading into tonight; heck, the Devil Rays have won 11 and counting -- anything's possible!

James P. McCoy/Buffalo News Buffalo's Brandon Phillips turns a double play over Indianapolis' Corey Hart http://www.buffalonews.com/graphics/2004/06/21/actualsize/0621bisons.jpg

Daily Press High Desert Game Story: Power hitting lifts Mavs to victory H.D. homers six times; Candelaria tossed By TIM HARAN/Staff Writer ADELANTO ? How's that for an electrifying finish to the first half? With a breeze blowing out, six different High Desert Mavericks homered on Sunday to propel the team to a 12-7 victory over the San Jose Giants in the first-half finale at Mavericks Stadium. The offensive onslaught snapped an eight-game drought in which the Mavs had batted just .229 while averaging 3.6 runs per outing. "You figure a day game with the wind blowing out, there's going to be some runs scored," High Desert manager Mel Queen said. But the home runs weren't the game's only theatrics. Following Scott Candelaria's groundout in the sixth inning, home plate umpire Aaron Banks ejected the High Desert third baseman. Already in the dugout, Candelaria rushed toward Banks and voiced his displeasure with what he said had transpired during his at-bat. While in the batter's box, the umpire asked Candelaria if he had attended baseball chapel before the game, the third baseman said. "I said no, I didn't and he said, 'Well, you don't seem like that kind of guy. I didn't think so,' " Candelaria said. "Whenever someone questions my religion ... when I step in the box I felt it was completely unnecessary so I let him know that was the most unprofessional thing I've seen out of any umpire in my life. It justified me getting thrown out, I think." Banks refused to comment after the game. After being tossed, Candelaria threw bats, baseballs and an orange water cooler onto the field. Later, the usually mild-mannered Candelaria issued an apology to the fans but remained visibly upset with Banks' comments. "Mainly I want to apologize to the fans because I lost my temper," Candelaria said. "That's not the kind of guy I am ... It's Father's Day, a family day. I really didn't want that to happen." Though Candelaria questioned a few of Banks' calls earlier in the game, he didn't feel his comments were out of line. "I definitely let him know about the pitches that he called," Candelaria said, referring specifically to a called third strike in an earlier at-bat. "I might have thrown a couple curse words at him, but nothing out of the ordinary. I don't lose it very easily, but that was something that triggered it." The Mavericks blasted five home runs in the first four innings and added another in the sixth. All-star second baseman Callix Crabbe launched a solo shot to lead off the first. Mario Mendez homered in the second, while Eric Henderson, John Vanden Berg and all-star first baseman Travis Hinton went deep in the fourth. Enrique Cruz hit one out in the sixth. For Henderson, a Mavs' relief pitcher who has been in the lineup recently as the team's designated hitter, it was his first career home run. The left-hander, who hasn't swung a bat regularly since college, launched a two-run shot over the left field wall. He went 2-for-4 from the plate with two RBIs. San Jose (37-33), which hit two home runs of its own, entered Sunday's game with a 3.74 team ERA, the best in the California League. The Mavs' Khalid Ballouli (4-8) kept the Giants hitless through three innings but surrendered back-to-back doubles to Dan Trumble and Brad Vericker to start the fourth. Trumble scored to cut into the Mavs' lead. Ballouli also allowed a pair of solo home runs in the fifth and sixth. Ballouli, who has struggled as of late, provided the Mavs with a quality start. In six innings, the right-hander gave up three runs on just four hits. He struck out seven and walked two. "Ballouli threw the ball well," Queen said. "It was hot out there and he probably got a little tired around the fifth, but he stayed within himself and got the job done." NOTES: Mavericks general manager Bruce Mann said the Giants destroyed 17 plastic chairs and put two holes in the wall in Mavericks Stadium's visiting clubhouse throughout the three-game series, causing about $300-$400 worth of damage. ... Ballouli, who hit two San Jose batters Sunday, now leads the team in hit batsmen with seven. ... The Mavericks' 12 runs were the most the team had posted since its 12-run effort against Stockton on May 27. ... Before Sunday, three was the most home runs the Mavericks had hit in a single game this season. Scott Smeltzer / Victor Valley Daily Press Staff Photographer Mario Mendez hits an RBI single in the seventh inning at Mavericks Stadium. Mendez was one of six Mavericks who homered in a 12-7 victory on Sunday. http://www.vvdailypress.com/storypics2/062104_mavs.jpg

Helena Game Story from the Billings Gazette: Billings comes to life after rain delay By MIKE SCHERTING Maybe it was the rain delay, maybe it wasn't. Whatever the reason, the Billings Mustangs finally showed some life after a rain shower moved across Cobb Field Sunday afternoon. Following the 48-minute break, the Mustangs went on a hitting tear and beat the Helena Brewers 15-7 in their biggest offensive showing in three games. The game was halted at 1-1 in the top of the fifth, and after Helena took a 3-1 lead when the game resumed, the Mustangs struck back. They scored six times in the fifth, twice in the sixth, and six more in the seventh, an inning in which the first six Mustangs hitters reached base and scored. "I don't know exactly what happened," the Mustangs' Bobby Mosby said when asked to explain the jump-started offense. "We just came in here and said we needed to start swinging the bats, and that's what we did." Helena starter Edwin Walker had held the Mustangs to one run on five hits up until the rain delay. That meant, all told, that Billings had scored just seven runs in its first 22 innings of the Pioneer League season. But that changed almost immediately after the delay. The Mustangs took advantage of Miguel Garcia's lack of control (three hit batters, one walk, a wild pitch and a throwing error to first base on a Cory Strait bunt attempt) to take the lead for good. The big hit was a two-run double by Chad Ziemendorf, which put the Mustangs up 7-3. They didn't need much help the rest of the way. Mosby, who drove in four runs on the game, hit the team's first homer of the season with a two-run line drive to left-center in the sixth. In the seventh, Eyoxy Esparragoza had an RBI double; Drew Anderson drew a bases-loaded walk; Strait hit a bases-clearing double; and Bradley Key singled home the final run. In all, Billings collected 12 hits ? three each from Strait and Ziemendorf ? and by the time the game was over, the Brewers had used infielder Carlos De La Cruz to throw the last inning. And this is how tough a day it was for Brewers' pitchers: De La Cruz was the only one of the five Helena pitchers not to give up a run. Sunday's Mustangs' effort was a far cry from their previous game, a 6-2 loss on Saturday which saw Helena pitchers strike out 13 batters. "Our kids started swinging at better pitches, and that's something we didn't do (Saturday)," Billings manager Luis Aguayo said. "We chased a lot of pitches out of the strike zone. Today they did a lot better, they selected better pitches and got better swings." It wasn't all good for the Mustangs, though. They committed four errors (leading to three unearned runs) and their six pitchers allowed 10 hits and seven walks. Adam Gillihan (1-0), the fifth Mustangs' pitcher, was awared the win after throwing 1 1/3 innings without giving up an earned run. Brad Morenko threw a scoreless eight and ninth. "We still have a lot of work to do," Aguayo said. "I need my pitchers to throw more strikes, to pitch to contact. And I need my fielders to make the routine play."

Beloit Game Story from the Quad City Times: Swing's streak snapped By Steve Batterson The Swing of the Quad-Cities should have saved a few hits for Sunday?s game. ?We took a good batting practice before the game. We looked good and hit the ball hard. But once the game started, we never looked comfortable at the plate,?? Swing manager Kevin Boles said. ?We just didn?t hit.?? Beloit pitcher Luis Pena had plenty to do with that. With a crowd of 4,044 looking on at John O?Donnell Stadium, Pena faced just one more than the minimum in a five-inning start that led the Snappers to a 4-0 victory. The loss ended a five-game winning streak by Quad-Cities and forced the Swing to settle for a 33-33 record at the midpoint of the Midwest League season. ?It was Pena. He didn?t allow us to string anything together,?? Boles said. ?He showed us some pretty good stuff. He had a loose arm and a good fastball.?? The 6-foot-5 right-hander from Venezuela, who struck out two batters, used good movement and a strong fastball to quiet Quad-Cities. ?His pitches were a little deceptive,?? Swing first baseman Brock Peterson said. ?He got on you quick, but his pitches had good life on them, especially at the end. All of a sudden it would tail off or move.?? Pena teamed with three relievers to limit the Swing to five hits. Quad-Cities managed more than one baserunner in just one inning, the eighth, when Kyle Geiger reached on a two-out walk and took second on a single by Alex Garcia. A fly out by J.R. Taylor ended the Swing?s only scoring threat of the game. Beloit scored the only run it needed in the top of the first when Lou Palmisano drove home William Lewis with a two-out single to right, the only hit allowed by Quad-City starter Scott Tyler in five innings of work. Tyler combined with four relievers in a six-hit effort, but three of Beloit?s hits came in a two-run sixth that left the Snappers in control. ?If you want to put runs on the board, you have to bunch some hits together, and we didn?t do that today,?? Boles said. ?I don?t think it was our guys as much as it was Pena. This was his day.??

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville update: NOTHING TO WIN, NOTHING TO LOSEFather's Day at Hoover Met and Happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there, and to all those who still have your fathers --- take time to treasure every moment. The first half of the season is done. The Mobile Bay Bears (Padres) and Tennessee Smokies (Cardinals) have earned post-season berths........ The Stars at least finish on some positive notes........ Mike Jones and Jeff Housman combine on a 2-hitter over the hated Birmingham Barons. You always want to go out like that. In addition, they split this series with Birmingham and for the first time this month, they avoided losing a series. That's damning with faint praise, but that's still a positive. Finally, Jones won his first game, giving up just one hit that didn't come until the 5th inning, but the last two innings were gut-wrenching....... Jones, for as long as I've observed him, can break into spells where he'll inexplicably lose control and then get it back just as mysteriously. I remember seeing it in his very first Double-A start. The 4th inning was as strange an inning as I've ever heard Jones have. Nate Murphy led off and sent Tony Gwynn, Jr. near the track in dead center on an 0-1 pitch for the first out. After that, Jonesy just couldn't find the strike zone, throwing 14 straight balls. He finally got a strike on a fastball to Richard Paz, the former Huntsville Stars 2nd baseman who was known for his keen and discriminating eye at the plate, but he walked him in to tie the game, 1-1......... Manager Frank Kremblas and pitching coach Fred Dabney kept a close eye on Jones, but wisely left him in to work out his problem, but they got Housman up in the pen, just in case he got too close to his pitch count....... Fortunately, Jones did work out of it, striking out Normand Martel swinging on an 0-2 breaking ball and Guillermo Reyes on a big 1-2 overhand curve to end the inning. Facing the Stars for the third time this season was Heath Phillips....... Phillips' success against the Stars has been mixed, but they were hitting him hard today........ Opening the scoring the same way as they did Saturday --- with a leadoff HR in the 2nd inning, Brad Nelson took him deep to left-center on an 0-1 pitch. So many of Brad's HRs have gone out this way....... In the 4th inning, the Stars took back the lead with one out........ Chris Barnwell, 19-for-46 (.413) since June 4, hit a 2-2 pitch into the left field corner for a double. Phillips was ahead 0-and-2 on Johnny Raburn, but Raburn lined the next pitch through the left side for a single to score Barnwell, making it 2-1. Ozzie Chavez followed with a single sending Raburn to second, but he was picked off....... With two out and runners on first and second after a walk to Joel Alvarado, Rickie Weeks chopped a single to left, scoring Raburn, who was going on the pitch........ That finished the day for Phillips....... In came Enemencio Pacheco, just sent down from Charlotte, someone Stars fans remember too well....... Last year, Pacheco was 2-1 with a 2.11 ERA in seven appearances for the Barons, including a two-hitter in the first game of the Western Division Playoffs. He got Gwynn to fly out to end the inning and held the Stars hitless for 2 1/3 innings....... Pacheco still had his voodoo, but the Stars had a 3-1 lead. The Stars scored their final run on an exciting double steal in the 9th......... With one out and Matt Smith on the mound for Birmingham, Ryan Knox reached on an error, then Smith walked Barnwell. Raburn's fly ball on the first pitch to him moved Knox to third........ With Chavez at the plate, Barnwell did a terrific job of distracting Smith, and give credit to Chavez for staying alive by fouling off three pitches. Barney was going on both of them........ On a 1-and-2 pitch to Chavez, Barney faked out the pitcher and Smith threw to second in a pickoff attempt, but he had completely forgot about Knox, who as we all know, has this reckless, aggressive reputation on the basepaths....... Smith had started to chase Barnwell, who was halfway between first and second, and then finally realized he had a runner on third who had broken on the play. Smith threw to the plate, but too late, as Knox slid in with a beautiful slide........ Chavez struck out to end the inning. Normand Martel homered underneath the scoreboard to give Birmingham their final run, Martel's 6th RBI against the Stars this year....... The gopher ball situation this month has not gone under Frank's nor Dabs' radar....... The staff has given up 24 home runs just this month alone, 17 by the starting staff (compared to five in April and 14 in May)....... The Stars are 12-31 this season when they give up a home run and 3-15 when they allow two or more in a game........ The Barons alone had 12 HRs against the Stars this year and a slugging percentage of .439 coming into this game..... The pitching staff has given up 63 home runs, 4th in the league. The Stars finish the first half 32-38........ By coincidence, two years ago, they had a 31-38 1st half and four years ago, 31-39........ In odd years under Brewer management, the Stars had first halves of 38-33, 42-29, and 41-27. Hmmmm........ The Stars must now win the second half to earn a playoff spot. They've done this only once in their history --- in 1997, the season this was compared to in the early weeks of the season....... Of course, there is the wild card, which the Stars have won twice, but after a 32-38 half, they'll have to have a damn good second half to have the second best record if they are to face Mobile for the title, and that's only if Mobile wins the second half, as well........ Best bet is just to win this on their own........ Kremblas had told his team, "This is your last practice day. You get one more free day and then it's on Wednesday at Joe D.". The signs are all there for a successful second half....... Mike Jones will have 75 pitches when he gets his next start. Matt Ford will have 75, as well. The rest of the rotation will be made up of Chris Saenz, Ryan Costello, and Jeff Housman in a rotation with Dennis Sarfate for the five spot........ The pitching staff is one man crowded and anyone can still go........ Sarfate is actually an odd man here, and if he continues to come up with poor starts (6.19 ERA in June, nine Ks, 10 walks in 16 IP), he could get a ticket to High Desert, where Manny Parra waits......... Parra, who started the season on the Stars' roster, had a five-hitter with nine Ks for High Desert in a shutout victory Saturday ........ The Stars also expect better production out of you know who...... Rickie Weeks, Tony Gwynn, and Prince Fielder hit .202 in the Stars' 18 losses in June and .280 in their five victories, in both cases with just a combined six RBIs. The Stars will have a second half without Ryan Miller....... He is opting for surgery to remove a bone spur from his elbow and will be seeing Dr. James Andrews. He will be out two to three months, but will be ready for winter ball.

Huntsville Site Game Summary: Sparked by solid pitching from Mike Jones and Jeff Housman, Huntsville downed Birmingham (35-34), 4-2, on Sunday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The Stars (32-38) split a series for the first time in June and gained needed momentum entering the second half. Huntsville finished fourth in the Southern League West first-half race, eight games back of division winner Mobile. Brad Nelson gave the Stars a 1-0 lead with a second-inning leadoff homer, his 13th of the season and second in the series. Barons starter Heath Phillips responded to Nelson?s homer by retiring the next ten Stars hitters in succession. Jones stifled Birmingham?s offense, making his third start since returning from the disabled list, throwing 65 pitches and allowing only one hit and one run over five innings. Jones retired 10 of the first 12 hitters he faced before walking four straight batters in the fourth, the first three on 12 pitches total. Former Star Richard Paz walked to force in the tying run, but Jones fanned Norm Martel and Guillermo Reyes to strand three runners. Jones did not permit a hit until Brian Becker?s two-out single in the fifth. Huntsville retook the lead with a two-run fifth against Phillips. Chris Barnwell?s one-out double snapped Phillips? string of retiring 10 straight batters. Johnny Raburn singled home Barnwell and Ozzie Chavez singled Raburn to second. After Chavez was picked off first, Joel Alvarado drew a walk, then Rickie Weeks singled home Raburn for a 3-1 lead. Martel?s seventh-inning homer brought the Barons within 3-2, but the Stars added an insurance run with a double steal in the ninth. Barnwell broke early from first, attracting the attention of pitcher Matt Smith, who stepped off the rubber. Smith took a few steps toward Barnwell, who stopped halfway to second. Ryan Knox broke from third, and Smith reacted too late to the plate. Knox?s deft slide eluded catcher Jonathan Aceves? tag to make it 4-2, Huntsville. Jones (1-4) picked up his first win in six starts this season, fanning two and walking four while allowing just one hit and one run through five frames. Housman notched his first save, striking out four while permitting one run on one hit, Martel?s homer, with no walks over four innings. Phillips (5-6) suffered his sixth loss, surrendering three runs on five hits and one walk with no strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Huntsville opens second-half play Wednesday night at Joe Davis Stadium against the Tennessee Smokies. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Righty Chris Saenz (4-4, 4.35) takes the mound for the Stars.

End of first-half standings for Huntsville, High Desert and Beloit; no split season for Indianapolis: WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 37 31 .544 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 37 34 .521 1.5 [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 34 34 .500 3.0[/b] LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 33 37 .471 5.0 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 40 30 .571 WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 37 32 .536 2.5 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 35 34 .507 4.5 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 32 38 .457 8.0[/b] MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 29 41 .414 11.0 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 43 25 .632 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 39 31 .557 5.0 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 33 36 .478 10.5 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 33 37 .471 11.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 25 45 .357 19.0[/b] WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 43 26 .623 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 42 27 .609 1.0 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 38 31 .551 5.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 38 32 .543 5.5[/b] CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 35 33 .515 7.5 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 33 33 .500 8.5 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 31 38 .449 12.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 22 48 .314 21.5 NORTH DIVISION W L PCT GB GREAT FALLS WHITE SOX (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 2 1 .667 BILLINGS MUSTANGS (CINCINNATI) 2 1 .667 MISSOULA OSPREY (ARIZONA) 1 2 .333 1.0 [b]HELENA BREWERS (MILWAUKEE) 1 2 .333 1.0[/b]

Monday's Daily Menu: Two interesting choices for your evening listening pleasure on another Brewer Monday off... All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Adrian Hernandez at Buffalo (Indians), 6:05 PM; due to the injuries to David Krynzel and J.J. Hardy, the Tribe, as in years' past, is a tough audio sell -- and when you're forced to listen to the opponent's feed all season and then you've got Adrian Hernandez on the mound, it's just that much less palatable for our menu tastes... Audio link: www.newstalk1430.com/ Alternate audio link (Bisons' feed): www.sportsjuice.com/provi...e=bbisons/ HUNTSVILLE: IDLE -- a rare two-day break in the schedule not related to the All-Star Game... HIGH DESERT: RHP Jesse Harper at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 9:15 PM; the fact that Mr. Harper is on the mound makes this a nice audio option... Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: IDLE; Midwest League All-Star Game is Tuesday HELENA: TBD at home vs. Missoula (Diamondbacks), 8:05 PM; fortunately, Missoula's another Pioneer League club with online audio... Audio link (Ospreys' feed): www.1340kylt.com/

The Rockies and their 8-25 road record are in next. Nothing less than another two out of three is acceptable. An 8-4 homestand would be just fine. The most depressing thing about today's game is that the Crew will have to face Santana again next weekend. What is it with MLB and these "same team twice within ten day" series? I hate the back-to-back, although in this case, it's the interleague "super-matchup" and a bit more understandable.

Final: Billings (Reds) 15, Helena 7 Brewer infielder Carlos de la Cruz was brought in to pitch the eighth inning, and ironically, recorded the only 1-2-3 frame for Helena all night; hopefully SS Alcides Escobar is OK -- he left the game after colliding with OF Dallas Bates on a shallow fly ball Helena Box Score: There was some mention that the Brewers tied a Pioneer League record by hitting five batters... GAME DATE: 6/20/04 HEL at BIL HELENA 7 AT BILLINGS 15 YTD YTD HELENA AB R H BI AVG BILLINGS AB R H BI AVG H.Rasheed CF 3 1 1 0 .364 D.Anderson 2B 2 3 0 1 .000 J.Serfass PH 1 0 0 0 .000 W.Strait DH 4 3 3 3 .462 J.Serfass LF 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Key 3B 4 1 1 1 .286 S.Sollmann 2B 5 2 1 1 .273 R.Mosby 1B 4 1 2 4 .417 A.Festa 3B 4 1 0 0 .111 T.Kaats CF 4 1 1 0 .375 G.Richardson 1B 3 1 2 1 .600 T.Campos RF 3 1 1 0 .500 C.Blevins CAT 4 0 0 1 .000 E.Esparragoz LF 5 1 1 1 .200 A.Segura Cor CAT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Ziemendorf CAT 4 2 3 2 .429 A.Mannon RF 4 0 1 1 .231 D.Phillips SS 3 2 0 0 .143 C.Lozada DH 5 0 2 0 .357 R.Feliz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Bates LF 5 2 2 0 .357 A.Lingenfelt PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Bates CF 0 0 0 0 .357 A.Jenson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Escobar SS 3 0 1 0 .300 T.Johnson PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Septimo SS 1 0 0 0 .000 A.Gillihan PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Walker PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Morenko PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Garcia PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Berger PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Murray PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.De La Cruz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 38 7 10 4 TOTALS 33 15 12 12 HELENA 0 0 1 0 2 3 1 0 0- 7 10 2 BILLINGS 1 0 0 0 6 2 6 0 X-15 12 4 E--C.Blevins, M.Garcia, D.Anderson, T.Campos, C.Ziemendorf, D.Phillips. DP--HELENA 1, BILLINGS 1. LOB--HELENA 13, BILLINGS 6. 2B--G.Richardson (1), A.Mannon (3), D.Bates (1), W.Strait (1), E.Esparragoz (1), C.Ziemendorf (1). 3B--R.Mosby (1). HR--R.Mosby (1). SB--S.Sollmann (1), D.Anderson (1). CS--T.Kaats. HBP--A.Festa, W.Strait, B.Key, T.Kaats, C.Ziemendorf, D.Phillips. SF--C.Blevins, R.Mosby. SH--D.Anderson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HELENA E.Walker 4.0 5 1 1 0 3 0 2.25 M.Garcia (L,0-1) 0.1 2 6 3 0 0 0 81.00 G.Berger 1.2 3 7 7 5 1 1 37.80 B.Murray 1.0 2 1 1 0 2 0 9.00 C.De La Cruz 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 BILLINGS R.Feliz 4.0 5 1 1 2 5 0 2.25 A.Lingenfelt 0.0 0 1 1 1 0 0 4.50 A.Jenson 1.0 1 1 1 0 2 0 9.00 T.Johnson 0.2 2 3 1 1 1 0 13.50 A.Gillihan (W,1-0) 1.1 1 1 0 2 0 0 0.00 B.Morenko 2.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.00 HB--E.Walker, M.Garcia 3, G.Berger, T.Johnson. WP--M.Garcia, G.Berger, B.Murray, A.Jenson, B.Morenko. BALKS--R.Feliz 2. SO--H.Rasheed, S.Sollmann, A.Festa, C.Blevins 2, C.Lozada 2, D.Bates, A.Escobar, A.Septimo, D.Anderson, R.Mosby, T.Kaats, E.Esparragoz 2, C.Ziemendorf, D.Phillips. BB--H.Rasheed, J.Serfass, S.Sollmann, G.Richardson 2, A.Mannon, A.Escobar, D.Anderson 2, T.Campos 2, D.Phillips. T--3:13. A--1826Helena Game Log: I was listening -- these are some painful details in those middle inings (for both clubs, actually)... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16521

Indianapolis Post-Game Notes: The Indians snapped two-game losing streak Sunday afternoon with a 4-2 victory against the Buffalo Bisons. Corey Hart?s twelfth home run of the season, the second in as many days and his third in four games, sparked a three-run second inning. Steve Scarborough doubled in Chris Coste, then scored on Alex Delgado?s single. The Indians added another run in the top of the third. Matt Erickson reached on an error, advanced to second on a bunt, headed to third on a Hart single and scored on a double play ball. The Bisons scored one run off of a Brandon Phillips home run in the second and Grady Sizemore scored on Ernie Young?s double in the third, but Indians starter Pedro Liriano (3-5) only allowed three hits the rest of the way, finishing with two runs on six hits in seven innings, walking one and striking out eight. Chris Michalak pitched a perfect eighth inning before Matt Childers came on in the ninth to earn his second save, striking out the final batter to end the game. Erickson extended his current hitting streak to ten games, going 2-5 with one run scored and two strikeouts. After hitting a fastball Saturday for a home run, Corey Hart explained, ?I was expecting to see fastballs away, so I was looked for something offspeed up in the zone that I could get a hold of. On a 2-2 count, he [bisons starter Chad Durbin] left a changeup a little in. A lot of guys try to sneak something in, but I look for that and I can hit that pitch well.? The Indians (34-34) continue Monday at 6:05 p.m. with the third of a four-game series with Buffalo as Adrian Hernandez (0-4, 7.11 ERA) takes the mound.

The Brewers have confirmed for us that RHP Tommy Hawk has been transferred from the Beloit to the Arizona roster. There will be no official word on any injury-related issues from the organization.