MassBrew

Final: Huntsville 7, West Tenn (Cubs) 6 Roberto Giron returns to the mound and closes it out... Huntsville Box Score: RHP Ryan Miller proving that he should have been given a spot at Indy, as we demanded; 20 strikeouts vs. two walks, one run allowed, in 12 innings... GAME DATE: 4/20/04 HVL at WTE HUNTSVILLE 7 AT WEST TENN 6 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG WEST TENN AB R H BI AVG A.Gwynn CF 5 2 2 0 .205 J.Spearman 3B 5 1 3 1 .268 A.Delgado CAT 5 1 0 1 .111 R.Lewis 2B 4 2 2 1 .294 P.Fielder 1B 4 1 3 3 .268 Y.Cabrera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Weeks 2B 2 1 1 0 .333 J.Van buren PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Nelson LF 4 1 1 0 .225 P.O'Toole PH 0 0 0 0 .375 C.Barnwell 3B 4 1 1 3 .182 M.Hoffpauir 1B 2 0 0 0 .368 J.Belcher RF 4 0 0 0 .185 M.Hoffpauir RF 3 1 1 1 .368 R.Knox RF 0 0 0 0 .258 M.Dzurilla LF 4 0 1 2 .265 E.Cruz SS 3 0 0 0 .214 A.Weston CF 2 0 0 0 .382 J.Housman PIT 2 0 1 0 .500 A.Weston RF 1 0 0 0 .382 R.Rivard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Creighton 1B 3 1 2 0 .267 B.Gemoll PH 1 0 0 0 .174 B.Christense PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Novinsky PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Arteaga 2B 1 0 0 0 .412 R.Miller PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 G.Soto CAT 4 0 1 1 .267 R.Giron PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Cedeno SS 4 0 2 0 .314 B.Brownlie PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 D.Bacon CF 2 1 1 0 .225 TOTALS 35 7 9 7 TOTALS 37 6 13 6 HUNTSVILLE 0 3 0 0 1 0 3 0 0- 7 9 0 WEST TENN 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0- 6 13 1 E--R.Cedeno. DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, WEST TENN 1. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 5, WEST TENN 7. 2B--A.Gwynn (3), B.Nelson (2), R.Lewis (2), M.Dzurilla (1). 3B--A.Gwynn (1), R.Weeks (2), R.Lewis (2), M.Hoffpauir (2), M.Creighton (1). HR--P.Fielder (3), C.Barnwell (1). SB--J.Housman (1), D.Bacon (9). SF--M.Dzurilla. SH--P.O'Toole. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE J.Housman 4.2 9 5 5 1 2 0 5.56 R.Rivard 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 8.22 J.Novinsky (W,2-0) 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 4.05 R.Miller 2.0 2 0 0 0 5 0 0.75 R.Giron (S,3) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 WEST TENN B.Brownlie 5.0 6 4 4 3 6 1 5.28 B.Christense 1.0 1 2 1 1 2 0 2.84 Y.Cabrera (L,0-1) 0.1 2 1 1 0 1 1 11.12 J.Van buren 2.2 0 0 0 0 3 0 0.00 WP--Y.Cabrera. BALKS--J.Novinsky. SO--A.Gwynn, P.Fielder, B.Nelson 3, C.Barnwell, J.Belcher 2, E.Cruz, J.Housman, B.Gemoll, R.Miller, M.Hoffpauir, M.Dzurilla 2, A.Weston, M.Creighton, J.Arteaga, G.Soto, D.Bacon. BB--P.Fielder, R.Weeks 2, E.Cruz, A.Weston. T--3:00. A--1565Huntsville Game Log: Stars wasted a golden opportunity for insurance runs in the 7th, stranding Rickie Weeks at 3rd after a no-out triple; fortunately, the Stars hang on... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16075

Final: Lansing (Cubs) 8, Beloit 4 Three HR's surrendered by RHP Brian Montalbo in a rare off-night for him... Beloit Game Summary from the Lugnuts' site: Three towering homeruns highlighted an offensive showing on a rainy night at Olds Park by the Lugnuts (7-5) in an 8-4 victory over Beloit (5-7) to snap a three-game losing streak. One night after barely missing a walk-off homerun, Brian Dopirak left no questions about it tonight when he took Snappers starter Brian Montalbo (0-1) deep in the first inning into the kids' playground area over the left field wall. The Lugnuts kept the bats going in the inning after Kevin Collins walked. Ryan Fitzgerald singled to right and Jake Fox drove in Collins with an RBI single for an early 2-0 lead. Robinson Chirinos followed Dopirak's example in the third, going yard over the left-center field wall and two batters later Collins launched a solo shot, his third of the season, high off of the scoreboard to make it 4-1. The Lugnuts added another run in the 5th but the Snappers chipped away at the lead with three straight hits in the 6th to put a run across on Adam Heether's RBI double. Beloit closed the gap in the 7th to 5-4, turning four singles and a walk into two runs off of Ed Campusano, pitching in relief of Lansing starter Ronald Bay. But the Lugnuts came right back in the bottom of the inning with three runs of their own on Dopirak's RBI single, Fitzgerald's RBI double, and Fox's second RBI single to put the game out of reach, 8-4. Lansing's 2 through 6 batters each had two hits, at least one RBI and scored all of the Lugnuts runs. The eight runs are a season high for Lansing. Bay (2-0) threw six innings, giving up six hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts for his second win of the year. The Lugnuts continue the four-game series with Beloit Wednesday night as Lansing's Carlos Marmol takes the mound against the Snappers Carlos Villanueva. Game time is 5:05 p.m. Central. Beloit Box Score: GAME DATE: 4/20/04 BLT at LAN BELOIT 4 AT LANSING 8 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG LANSING AB R H BI AVG G.Rodriguez 2B 4 1 2 1 .395 C.Walker CF 4 0 0 0 .281 T.Trofholz CF 4 0 1 1 .286 R.Chirinos 2B 3 3 2 1 .286 D.Anderson LF 5 0 1 0 .295 B.Dopirak DH 3 2 2 2 .421 T.Marks CAT 5 1 2 1 .300 K.Collins 1B 3 2 2 2 .306 V.Rottino RF 4 0 1 0 .341 R.Fitzgerald LF 4 1 2 1 .281 A.Heether 3B 4 0 2 1 .225 J.Fox CAT 4 0 2 2 .300 M.Ramirez DH 4 0 0 0 .200 K.Boyer RF 2 0 0 0 .233 C.Corporan 1B 3 1 1 0 .190 T.Mcquade RF 1 0 0 0 .118 G.Acosta SS 4 1 1 0 .250 D.Larsen 3B 4 0 0 0 .069 B.Montalbo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Rojas SS 4 0 0 0 .270 D.Grybash PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Bay PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Beresford PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Campusano PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 W.O'Brien PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Willett PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 37 4 11 4 TOTALS 32 8 10 8 BELOIT 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0- 4 11 1 LANSING 2 0 2 0 1 0 3 0 X- 8 10 1 E--T.Marks, B.Bay. DP--BELOIT 1, LANSING 1. LOB--BELOIT 9, LANSING 4. 2B--A.Heether (3), C.Corporan (1), R.Fitzgerald (2). HR--R.Chirinos (2), B.Dopirak (1), K.Collins (3). SB--R.Chirinos 2 (2), B.Dopirak (1). CS--J.Fox. HBP--C.Corporan, K.Boyer. SH--G.Rodriguez. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT B.Montalbo (L,0-1) 4.1 7 5 5 2 3 3 3.86 D.Grybash 2.2 3 3 3 1 1 0 4.70 S.Beresford 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 7.04 LANSING B.Bay (W,2-0) 6.0 6 2 2 0 3 0 1.59 E.Campusano 0.1 3 2 2 1 0 0 8.31 W.O'Brien 1.2 1 0 0 0 2 0 1.42 R.Willett 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.93 HB--D.Grybash, W.O'Brien. SO--D.Anderson, A.Heether 2, M.Ramirez, C.Corporan, K.Boyer 2, T.Mcquade, D.Larsen 3. BB--T.Trofholz, R.Chirinos, B.Dopirak, K.Collins. T--2:18. A--1468Beloit Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14079

High Desert RHP Josh Alliston, who felt a twinge in his elbow in the April 10th game, was placed on the Mavericks' disabled list on April 12th. RHP Dan Kolb, who had been kept back in extended spring training, was added to the High Desert roster and has since made two appearances.

Details from the High Desert Site Game Summary: Not sure if newer Brewerfan readers realize, but the Mavericks only stay in hotel accommodations for their one visit to each of the Northern Division cities; otherwise, it's bus trips to and from each raod game on a daily basis -- quite the grind, especially when the wins aren't coming regularly... The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes scored five times in the sixth inning and held on to beat the Mavericks 5-4. The Mavs took a 1-0 lead in the first as Travis Hinton singled home Chris Morris with two outs, as Morris walked and stole second. Then High Desert added a run in the third on a sacrifice fly from Jeff Eure scoring Callix Crabbe who singled, then stole second and third. It stayed a 2-0 game until the bottom of the sixth as eventual losing pitcher Forrest Martin (0-1) was cruising for the Mavs. Rancho?s five-run sixth was started by Erick Aybar?s solo home run, but the rest of the damage came with two outs. Zach Cates added a run scoring single and against David Bradley, Reggie Willits delivered a three-run double. High Desert cut it to 5-3 when Hinton launched his third homer of the season against reliever David Austen. The Mavs got another in the eighth when Morris delivered a clutch two out RBI single scoring Mario Mendez. But Austin Bilke slammed the door shut in the ninth and recorded his first save and made a winner out of Ozzie Lugo, who?s 2-0 and both wins at the expense of the Mavericks. With the loss, the Mavs fall to 3-9 and have lost four of five to the Quakes. The Mavericks stole seven bases on the day, increasing their California League leading total to 30, as Morris had three and Crabbe swiped two. But the tough number is the Mavs stranded 11 runners, seven in the first four innings and left the bases loaded in the fourth. The Mavericks are back on the road tomorrow night in game two of a four-game series in Rancho Cucamonga against the Quakes, with Bo Hall (0-1) taking the hill for the Mavs against the Quakes counterpart Phil Wilson (0-1).

More details on the Beloit loss from the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette: The Wizards caught their biggest break in the sixth inning. Second baseman Peeter Ramos reached first base and Drew Macias advanced to third on a fielding error by Beloit first baseman Carlos Corporan. Beloit manager Don Money argued to the umpires that Macias had bumped third baseman Adam Heether on the play. Macias was ruled safe, and an error was called on Corporan, who dropped the throw from Heether. Wizards right fielder Brian Wahl-brink then doubled off the center-field wall to score Macias and Ramos. Beloit second baseman Guilder Rodriguez overthrew to home plate, and the ball bounced into the Snappers dugout, allowing Wahlbrink to score. The Wizards scored three runs, all unearned, on two hits in the inning. "I didn't see any contact," Wizards manager Randy Ready said of the no-call on Macias. "From our dugout, nobody saw any contact, so there's no interference there. . . . We caught a break for a change, and Wally ends up hitting the ball in the gap." Beloit pitching coach Rich Sauveur emerged from the dugout in the inning to argue with the umpires. He was ejected. In the fifth inning, Snappers centerfielder Terry Trofholz was ejected for arguing a called strikeout.

WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 6 3 .667[/b] LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 5 6 .455 2.0 TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 5 7 .417 2.5 COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 4 6 .400 2.5 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 6 4 .600 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 6 5 .545 .5[/b] WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 5 5 .500 1.0 MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 5 6 .455 1.5 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 3 8 .273 3.5 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 8 3 .727 INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 8 3 .727 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 6 4 .600 1.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 4 7 .364 4.0 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 3 9 .250 5.5[/b] WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 7 4 .636 CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 7 4 .636 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 6 5 .545 1.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 6 5 .545 1.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 5 6 .455 2.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 5 6 .455 2.0[/b] WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 4 7 .364 3.0 QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 4 7 .364 3.0

Tuesday's Daily Menu is light by one course: All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: Idle HUNTSVILLE: LHP Jeff Housman at West Tenn (Cubs), 6:35 PM Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ HIGH DESERT: RHP Bo Hall at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 9:15 PM Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: RHP Brian Montalbo at Lansing (Cubs), 7:05 PM, in a rematch of the 2003 Midwest League Championship Series Audio link (Lugnuts' feed): www.lansinglugnuts.com/pr...radio.html The Lugnuts' audio feed is also archived after the game -- nice if there's a momentous game-turning play you'd like to re-visit! Edited to add Bo Hall to the Mavs' notation...

Fort Wayne (Padres) 4, Beloit 1 Two-out 6th inning error a killer... Beloit Game Summary (from the Wizards' Site): In front of almost 2,000 Dollar Night fans, the Wizards rallied on a home run and a bizarre two-run double to win Monday night 4-1 over the Beloit Snappers. The Wizards received strong pitching from Eddie Bonine, who got his first win of the year, and equally strong relief pitching from Jake Upwood, Ryan Klatt, and Aaron Coonrod, who combined to not allow a single base runner in relief. Dana Eveland started and was staked to a 1-0 lead in the top of the 5th but the lead only lasted until the lead off batter in the bottom of the inning, Jordan Pickens, who homered over the short porch in right field to tie the game. In the bottom of the sixth and with two outs and Drew Macias at second, Peeter Ramos hit a grounder to the left of third baseman Adam Heether and on the play, Macias bumped into Heether, but instead of tagging Macias, Heether threw to first for the third out but the ball was dropped by first baseman Carlos Corporan. Brian Wahlbrink followed with a double off the wall in right field scoring Macias and Ramos, and on the play, Wahlbrink was allowed to score as well as the relay throw home to get Ramos bounced into the dugout. In the game, Beloit outfielder Terry Trofholz and Snapper pitching coach Rich Sauveur were thrown out of the game. The Wizards are now 3-8 on the season and the Snappers drop to 5-6. Beloit Box Score: With Steve Moss out, it seems Manny Ramirez is the emergency outfielder... GAME DATE: 4/19/04 BLT at FTW BELOIT 1 AT FORT WAYNE 4 YTD YTD BELOIT AB R H BI AVG FORT WAYNE AB R H BI AVG G.Rodriguez 2B 4 0 1 0 .382 C.Baker LF 4 0 0 0 .407 R.Deevers RF 4 0 0 0 .167 P.Ramos 2B 4 1 2 0 .325 R.Deevers CF 0 0 0 0 .167 B.Wahlbrink RF 4 1 1 0 .279 D.Anderson LF 4 0 1 0 .308 J.Pickens 1B 3 1 1 1 .269 L.Palmisano CAT 4 0 0 0 .342 B.Hogan DH 2 0 0 0 .167 V.Rottino DH 4 0 1 0 .350 C.Morton CAT 3 0 0 0 .115 A.Heether 3B 3 1 2 0 .194 G.Bochy 3B 3 0 2 0 .429 T.Trofholz CF 2 0 0 0 .289 D.Macias CF 3 1 1 0 .400 C.Corporan 1B 1 0 0 0 .167 J.Ciriaco SS 2 0 0 0 .175 M.Ramirez 1B 3 0 1 1 .238 E.Bonine PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Ramirez CF 0 0 0 0 .238 J.Upwood PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Acosta SS 3 0 1 0 .250 R.Klatt PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Eveland PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Coonrod PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 G.Moreira PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 32 1 7 1 TOTALS 28 4 7 1 BELOIT 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0- 1 7 2 FORT WAYNE 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 X- 4 7 0 E--G.Rodriguez, C.Corporan. DP--BELOIT 0, FORT WAYNE 0. LOB--BELOIT 4, FORT WAYNE 2. 2B--V.Rottino (3), A.Heether (2), M.Ramirez (2), B.Wahlbrink (4). HR--J.Pickens (1). CS--G.Rodriguez, P.Ramos, D.Macias. SH--J.Ciriaco. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BELOIT D.Eveland (L,0-1) 6.0 5 4 1 0 8 1 3.29 G.Moreira 2.0 2 0 0 1 1 0 3.27 FORT WAYNE E.Bonine (W,1-1) 6.0 7 1 1 0 9 0 2.51 J.Upwood 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.50 R.Klatt 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1.29 A.Coonrod (S,1) 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.40 WP--J.Upwood. SO--G.Rodriguez 2, R.Deevers 4, L.Palmisano 2, T.Trofholz 2, C.Corporan, G.Acosta, C.Baker, B.Wahlbrink, J.Pickens 2, B.Hogan 2, C.Morton 2, J.Ciriaco. BB--B.Hogan. T--2:16. A--1918Beloit Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=13630

Rancho Cucamonga (Angels) 5, High Desert 4 High Desert Game Summary (from the Quakes' Site): The Quakes bats were silent off starter Forrest Martin until the fifth inning when they broke out for five runs and went onto a 5-4 victory over the High Desert Mavericks. High Desert jumped on the board first with single runs in the first and third innings. The Quakes who had stranded five runners on base through the first five innings were ignited in the sixth when Erick Aybar connected for a lead off solo homerun. With two outs in the inning and a runner at first base Adam Pavkovich singled to right field keeping the inning alive. Zach Cates followed with an RBI single to tie the game and B.J. Weed was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Reggie Willits stepped up with the bases loaded and delivered a three-run double to give the Quakes their first lead of the day at 5-2. High Desert answered back with single runs off the Quakes bullpen in the seventh and eighth innings. In the ninth Austin Bilke closed out the game for his first save of the season. Ozzie Lugo picked up the win in relief. High Desert Box Score: Mavericks draw seven walks, but are stranding too many, game in, game out; solid pitching -- only one walk, but four hit batsmen (only one factored in the scoring, but hey, it was a one-run loss)... GAME DATE: 4/19/04 HD at RC 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 DH 4 1 2 1 .265 R.Willits CF 5 0 1 3 .231 C.Crabbe 2B 3 1 1 0 .262 R.Melgarejo RF 3 0 0 0 .317 D.Boyd LF 4 0 0 0 .333 E.Aybar SS 3 1 1 1 .436 T.Hinton 1B 5 1 3 2 .359 R.Budde CAT 4 0 1 0 .206 J.Eure 3B 4 0 0 1 .204 G.Porter 3B 3 1 0 0 .314 F.Villanueva CAT 5 0 1 0 .154 J.Sugden PR 0 0 0 0 .000 K.Bibbs CF 3 0 1 0 .237 J.Sugden LF 0 0 0 0 .000 M.Mendez RF 3 1 1 0 .238 D.Gates DH 4 0 0 0 .243 O.Chavez SS 2 0 0 0 .158 A.Pavkovich 2B 3 1 2 0 .417 F.Martin PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Pavkovich 3B 0 0 0 0 .417 D.Bradley PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 Z.Cates 1B 3 1 1 1 .263 B.Weed LF 4 1 2 0 .296 B.Weed 2B 0 0 0 0 .296 J.Toledo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 O.Lugo PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Austen PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Touchstone PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Bilke PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 33 4 9 4 TOTALS 32 5 8 5 HIGH DESERT 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0- 4 9 0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 X- 5 8 2 E--E.Aybar, R.Budde. DP--HIGH DESERT 0, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 1. LOB-- HIGH DESERT 11, RANCHO CUCAMONGA 8. 2B--F.Villanueva (1), R.Willits (2), A.Pavkovich (6). HR--T.Frost (3), E.Aybar (1). SB--C.Morris 3 (13), C.Crabbe 2 (7), D.Boyd (2), K.Bibbs (4), R.Melgarejo (2), B.Weed 2 (2). CS--J.Eure. HBP--R.Melgarejo, E.Aybar, G.Porter, B.Weed. SF--J.Eure. SH--O.Chavez. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HIGH DESERT F.Martin (L,0-1) 5.2 7 4 4 0 4 1 4.11 D.Bradley 2.1 1 1 1 1 1 0 3.18 RANCHO CUCAMONGA J.Toledo 4.0 4 2 2 5 3 0 1.93 O.Lugo (W,2-0) 2.0 2 0 0 1 1 0 2.25 D.Austen 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.70 N.Touchstone 0.2 2 1 1 1 0 0 3.86 A.Bilke (S,1) 1.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.18 HB--F.Martin 3, D.Bradley. WP--F.Martin. SO--C.Morris, D.Boyd 2, J.Eure, K.Bibbs, M.Mendez, R.Melgarejo, R.Budde 2, D.Gates 2. BB-- C.Morris, C.Crabbe 2, D.Boyd, K.Bibbs, M.Mendez, O.Chavez, Z.Cates. T--3:03. A--2202High Desert Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=19078

Huntsville Box Score: My thanks to pogokat and edod for posting the linked box scores earlier; Prince Fielder on base three times to inch his OBP up to .311... GAME DATE: 4/19/04 HVL at WTE HUNTSVILLE 5 AT WEST TENN 4 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG WEST TENN AB R H BI AVG A.Gwynn CF 5 0 1 2 .179 D.Bacon CF 4 0 1 0 .211 R.Knox RF 5 1 1 0 .258 R.Lewis 2B 4 0 0 0 .267 P.Fielder 1B 2 0 0 0 .216 J.Spearman 3B 4 1 1 0 .222 R.Weeks 2B 5 0 4 1 .326 M.Hoffpauir 1B 4 2 2 1 .394 B.Nelson LF 5 0 0 0 .222 A.Weston LF 4 0 1 1 .419 C.Barnwell 3B 5 1 2 0 .175 M.Mallory RF 3 1 0 0 .194 K.Johnson CAT 4 0 0 0 .348 G.Soto CAT 4 0 1 1 .269 E.Cruz SS 3 1 1 0 .240 R.Cedeno SS 4 0 2 0 .290 M.Ford PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 R.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 F.Sanchez PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 J.Raburn PH 1 1 1 1 .364 R.Rohlicek PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Novinsky PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 E.Fahrner PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 B.Gemoll PH 1 1 1 1 .182 Y.Cabrera PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 P.Stewart PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Arteaga PH 1 0 0 0 .438 TOTALS 38 5 11 5 TOTALS 33 4 8 3 HUNTSVILLE 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 2 0- 5 11 1 WEST TENN 0 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 0- 4 8 1 E--C.Barnwell, R.Cedeno. DP--HUNTSVILLE 0, WEST TENN 1. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 10, WEST TENN 5. 2B--R.Knox (1), R.Weeks (4), J.Raburn (3), B.Gemoll (1), D.Bacon (2), M.Hoffpauir (2). 3B--M.Hoffpauir (1). SB--C.Barnwell (2), D.Bacon (8). CS--R.Cedeno. HBP--P.Fielder. SH--R.Nolasco 2. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE M.Ford 5.1 7 3 3 1 5 0 2.70 B.Adams 0.2 1 1 0 0 2 0 1.50 J.Novinsky (W,1-0) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.18 P.Stewart (S,1) 2.0 0 0 0 0 3 0 2.45 WEST TENN R.Nolasco 5.2 6 1 1 1 7 0 0.77 F.Sanchez 0.1 1 2 2 1 0 0 6.23 R.Rohlicek 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 E.Fahrner (L,0-1) 0.2 1 2 0 0 2 0 1.42 Y.Cabrera 1.1 2 0 0 0 2 0 10.13 HB--R.Nolasco. WP--R.Nolasco, F.Sanchez, Y.Cabrera. BALKS--R.Nolasco. PB--G.Soto. SO--A.Gwynn 2, R.Knox 2, P.Fielder, R.Weeks, B.Nelson 2, K.Johnson, E.Cruz, M.Ford, D.Bacon 2, M.Hoffpauir, A.Weston, M.Mallory, G.Soto 3, R.Cedeno, F.Sanchez, J.Arteaga. BB--P.Fielder 2, E.Cruz, M.Mallory. T--3:12. A--1572Huntsville Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16074

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville update: A GWYNN WINThe Stars are hot once more. Not only with their third straight win, but with the first win after allowing their opponents to score first, and to come back from a 4-1 deficit makes it their biggest come-from-behind victory. In the early race for the top, that win transplants the Diamond Jaxx from 2nd place in the West......... For now. Let's face it. The Diamond Jaxx will be in the thick of this Western Division race all season, and stand an excellent chance of taking one of the two halves. They're strong enough to take both ends, as shocking as that may seem to you fans, and the reason is pitching. I can't ignore it. You shouldn't either. The Cubs have the most envied pitching crop in the minors. Three of their top four prospects are pitchers, and two of the top 10 are in the Diamond Jaxx rotation. It's the principal reason why they're 7th among the top minor league organizations in baseball......... The Chicago Cubs have so many pitching prospects, they don't know where to put them all, and it's a pleasant problem for them to find a rotation spot for someone who could easily get one with any other organization......... That depth extends all the way up to the major league organization where the Cubs, by some analysts, have the best starting corps in the major leagues........ Of their four starters, Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, and Carlos Zambrano pitched for the Diamond Jaxx, and Matt Clement has Southern League experience with the Mobile Bay Bears. You have to respect the Diamond Jaxx' pitching. They took care of a red hot Jacksonville Suns team, a team that came in 7-0, and the Jaxx took two out of three...... Tonight, Ricky Nolasco (David's younger brother), a # 20 prospect hiding in the shadow of Mark Prior and Andy Sisco in the 2001 draft, appeared unbeatable, retiring 10 straight hitters while protecting a 1-0 lead going into the top of the 5th. But as solid as the D'Jaxx pitching is, rivaling that in recent years, I think, of the Birmingham Barons, you can beat them if you can knock out their starter........ This has been true for years, going back to Philip Norton, Steve Smyth (now with Greenville), Juan Cruz, Mike Wuertz (now with the Cubs), on up to Mike Nannini last year. The Jaxx are beatable and have become easier to get to every year. In 2001, the D'Jaxx beat us 16 times and had a staff ERA of 3.74 against the Stars, almost a full run worse than the previous year....... In 2002, they won 15 games, and another season series, and their ERA had ballooned slightly to 3.86 against Huntsville......... Last year, the Jaxx were 11-9 against the Stars with a 3.95 ERA........ Now this year, we have our most powerful team (potentially) since 1997, and proved tonight, they could overcome this acclaimed pitching staff. Down 1-0 in the 6th, Rickie Weeks' single, one of his four hits in the game, drove in Ryan Knox, who doubled to lead off the inning......... The Diamond Jaxx came back in the bottom half, knocking out Matt Ford, who pitched into the 6th for the first time this season........ Pitching counts are now close to 90 for this team, if they're throwing well, and manager Frank Kremblas and pitching coach Fred Dabney have indicated that 100 pitches are not out of the question if a pitcher is throwing blanks........ Brian Adams, plenty warm, came to the rescue and struck out Ronny Cedeno and Felix Sanchez, but not before allowing Ford's runners to score, one of them an unearned run when he faced his first batter, Mike Mallory........ Mallory grounded sharply to Chris Barnwell behind the bag, whose long throw to first went wild, allowing Micah Hoffpauir to score. Mallory was running hard to first and close enough that Prince Fielder had to reach into the runner to get the ball, and Fielder's gloved wrist was knocked in a collision similar to one that ended Bucky Jacobsen's season in 2000, oddly enough against the Diamond Jaxx........ Barnwell was charged with his 6th error at 3rd base, as many as Corey Hart had in 11 games last year. Trailing 4-1 in the 7th, Felix Sanchez walked Enrique Cruz on four pitches to lead off the inning....... Stars pinch-hitters were 1-for-5 this season coming in (there hadn't been much of a need, playing the AL-affilliated Biscuits), but Johnny Raburn, 0-for-1 off the bench, lined a 1-1 pitch into the right-field corner, driving in Cruz, making it 4-2, his 2nd double of the year....... Diamond Jaxx manager Bobby Dickerson brought in left-hander Russ Rohlicek, who wasn't too effective last year with a 9.77 ERA in 13 appearances....... An 0-1 pitch to Tony Gwynn, Jr.skipped away from catcher Geovany Soto, and Raburn moved to third, setting up another run to score on a 2-1 grounder to Cedeno, making it 4-3. Brad Nelson, on his way to wearing the golden sombrero, however, left runners on first and third when he grounded out to Hoffpauir. John Novinsky, five days away from his 25th birthday, came in to retire the Diamond Jaxx in order in the bottom of the 7th, striking out Dwayne Bacon, and getting the ball to stay in the infield. In the top of the 8th, Dickerson brought Evan Fahrner on the mound...... There's a big turnover on this club this year, and Fahrner is one of the many newcomers. Fahrner last year had an 0.46 ERA in 20 innings for Class A-Daytona (Fla. St.)........ Ronny Cedeno juggled a tough grounder by Barnwell to lead off the 6th. Had he handled it cleanly, Barny would have been out, but such was not the case here........ Leaving the door open like this, Barny stole second....... After Kade Johnson fanned and Enrique Cruz struck out looking, Brandon Gemoll was called on to pinch-hit for Novinsky. Gemoll was 1-for-7 as a pinch-hitter last year, but his one hit was an RBI double that kept alive a six-run rally that beat Chattanooga, May 8........ On the first pitch from Fahrner, Gemoll slammed a double off the base of the centerfield wall at the 395-marker to tie the game........ That was all for Fahrner. In comes Yunior. Rhymes with Junior. Junior at the plate........ One more run would cap off the comeback......... Gemoll advanced 90 feet closer on a wild pitch....... On a 3-2 pitch, Gwynn lined the ball over a leaping Richard Lewis to score Gemoll with the go-ahead run. Ryan Knox flied out to end the inning, leaving it for Paul Stewart to hold the D'Jaxx. Stewart was brilliant once again. The Diamond Jaxx were impatient at the plate and Stew fed them nothing. He got the first two outs in the 8th with just six pitches........ 1-2-3 in the 8th and 1-2-3 in the 9th to get his first save for the Stars. Stewart, a 12-game winner for the Stars in 2001, is off to a good start. he now has a win, a save, and a 2.45 ERA in five relief appearances, and 13 Ks in 11 innings pitched......... Johnny Raburn, whose pinch-hit double was so important in the 7th, is 4-for-8 in his last three games, and hitting .364 for the season........ Tony Gwynn, Jr. is 4-for-15 (.267) in his last three games........ Rickie Weeks had his 2nd four-hit game as a pro tonight, eight hits over the last three days, raising his average in one day from .263 to .326. Roving instructor Vince Coleman, one-time speedster for the St. Louis Cardinals, is with the Diamond Jaxx during this series, and was on the coaching line at first base tonight.......... Roberto Giron is still suffering from a stiff lower back and is still unavailable....... The Stars are now a half-game behind Birmingham (who else would they be behind?). They send lefty Jeff Housman (0-1, 2.90) to the mound tomorrow against the Cubs' # 6 prospect, right-hander Bobby Brownlie, who was their 1st round draft pick last year. He's back to 100% they say after suffering from a sore shoulder and tired arm last July. So far, he's 1-1 with a 4.35 ERA. Derek Lee is now 0-2 for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats after losing 5-4 to Trenton on Sunday. The General went five innings and gave up three home runs, one of them to former Huntsville Stars outfielder Jackson Melian.

Huntsville 5, West Tenn (Cubs) 4 Huntsville Site Game Summary: The Stars delivered their first late-inning comeback of 2004 on Monday night at Pringles Park. Trailing 4-1 after six innings, Huntsville (6-5) scored two in the seventh and two in the eighth for a dramatic 5-4 victory over West Tenn (5-5). The Stars picked up their third straight win to grab sole possession of second place in the Southern League West. With Huntsville down 1-0 in the sixth, Rickie Weeks? single ? one of his four hits in the game ? drove in Ryan Knox with the tying run. Trailing 4-1 in the seventh, Huntsville opened with Enrique Cruz?s walk, and Felix Sanchez?s wild pitch advanced Cruz to second. Johnny Raburn pinch-hit for Brian Adams and ripped a double to right, scoring Cruz to cut the Diamond Jaxx lead to 4-2. A passed ball pushed Raburn to third, then Tony Gwynn, Jr. plated Raburn with a groundout to short. Behind 4-3 in the eighth, Star Chris Barnwell reached on shortstop Ronny Cedeno?s error to lead off the inning. Barnwell stole second, and with two outs Brandon Gemoll pinch-hit for John Novinsky. On the first pitch from Evan Fahrner, Gemoll slammed a double off the base of the centerfield wall, knocking in Barnwell to tie the game. Gwynn followed with a single to right to score Gemoll for a 5-4 lead. Paul Stewart fanned three over two perfect innings of relief for his first save, and Novinsky (1-0) notched his first win with one strikeout in a 1-2-3 seventh. Fahrner (0-1) suffered the loss, permitting two unearned runs on one hit in 2/3 inning. Stars starter Matt Ford authored 5 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits and three runs, walking one and fanning five. Jaxx starter Ricky Nolasco ? younger brother of 2003 Stars pitcher Dave Nolasco ? went 5 2/3 innings, permitting six hits and one run with one walk and seven strikeouts. Stars lefty Jeff Housman (0-1, 2.90) meets righty Bobby Brownlie (1-1, 4.35) in game two of the series at Pringles Park in Jackson, TN. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the FPH Financial Pre-game Show starts at 6:20 p.m.

Indianapolis 7, Richmond (Braves) 6 Indianapolis Game Summary: J.J. Hardy came through in the clutch twice Monday, leading the Indianapolis Indians to a 7-6 victory over the Richmond Braves at Victory Field. Hardy's broken bat single to left in the ninth scored Mark Johnson with the winning run. His grand slam in the fifth inning put the Tribe (6-3) in front 4-3. "In the ninth inning, I was just trying to put the ball into play," Hardy said. "I got a good pitch to hit. I think the pitch was a bit outside and I hit it with the end of my bat." Richmond took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on a single by Joe DePastino, an RBI triple by Mike Hessman and a sacrifice fly by Wilson Betemit. The Braves made it 3-0 in the fourth on a solo homer by Ryan Langerhans. Indianapolis loaded the bases with two out in the fifth against Braves starter Trey Hodges, who issued his only walk of the game to Matt Erickson and hit Dave Krynzel with a pitch in the inning. Hardy then cleared the bases with his second homer of the season. The Tribe went in front 5-3 in the sixth on a solo homer by Jeff Liefer. Richmond got a home run from Hessman in the seventh and added two runs in the eighth for a 6-5 lead on an RBI triple by Langerhans and an RBI single by DePastino. Liefer pulled the Tribe into a 6-6 tie in the eighth with his second homer of the game. Johnson led off the Tribe ninth with a single, took second on a sacrifice bunt by Erickson and scored the game-winner on Hardy's two-out single. Hardy was 2-for-5 on the day and drove in five. Liefer also had a big day at the plate, going 3-for-4. Jason Childers (1-0) earned the win in relief, allowing two runs on three hits in two innings for the Indians. Richmond's Mike Romano (0-2) suffered the loss. Romano allowed the winning run in the ninth, on two hits and walked one. Hessman knocked in two in the loss. DePastino had a huge day at the plate for the Braves, falling a single short of the cycle and also had two RBI. Both teams will have the day off tomorrow. Indianapolis will travel to Toledo Tuesday. Indianapolis Box Score: GAME DATE: 4/19/04 RMD at IND RICHMOND 6 AT INDIANAPOLIS 7 YTD YTD RICHMOND AB R H BI AVG INDIANAPOLIS AB R H BI AVG P.Orr LF 4 1 1 0 .370 D.Krynzel CF 3 1 1 0 .323 N.Green 2B 3 0 1 0 .276 J.Hardy SS 5 1 2 5 .233 R.Langerhans RF 4 2 3 2 .296 C.Magruder LF 4 0 0 0 .241 J.Depastino CAT 4 1 2 1 .367 C.Coste 3B 4 0 0 0 .371 R.Jackson 1B 4 0 0 0 .182 J.Liefer 1B 4 2 3 2 .400 M.Romano PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Hart RF 4 0 0 0 .343 M.Hessman 1B 0 0 0 0 .375 M.Johnson CAT 4 1 2 0 .333 M.Hessman 3B 4 2 2 2 .375 M.Erickson 2B 2 1 1 0 .120 W.Betemit 3B 1 0 0 0 .071 T.Phelps PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 W.Betemit SS 2 0 0 1 .071 M.Wise PIT 1 1 0 0 .000 C.Thomas CF 3 0 1 0 .222 B.Bowles PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 T.Hodges PIT 2 0 0 0 .000 S.Sheldon PH 1 0 1 0 .261 R.Colon PIT 1 0 0 0 .000 J.Childers PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Fesh PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 L.Figueroa PH 1 0 0 0 .176 J.Velandia SS 1 0 0 0 .138 TOTALS 33 6 10 6 TOTALS 34 7 10 7 RICHMOND 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 2 0- 6 10 0 INDIANAPOLIS 0 0 0 0 4 1 0 1 1- 7 10 0 DP--RICHMOND 1, INDIANAPOLIS 2. LOB--RICHMOND 3, INDIANAPOLIS 5. 2B--R.Langerhans (3). 3B--R.Langerhans (1), M.Hessman (1). HR-- R.Langerhans (2), M.Hessman (2), J.Hardy (2), J.Liefer 2 (3). SB-- J.Depastino (1). CS--C.Thomas. HBP--D.Krynzel. SF--W.Betemit. SH-- N.Green, M.Erickson. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA RICHMOND T.Hodges 5.0 5 4 4 1 5 1 5.87 R.Colon 1.0 1 1 1 0 1 1 10.38 S.Fesh 1.2 2 1 1 0 1 1 2.45 M.Romano (L,0-2) 1.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 4.50 INDIANAPOLIS T.Phelps 3.1 3 3 3 0 1 1 13.50 M.Wise 2.2 2 0 0 0 4 0 0.00 B.Bowles 1.0 2 1 1 0 2 1 2.25 J.Childers (W,1-0) 2.0 3 2 2 1 2 0 3.60 HB--T.Hodges. WP--S.Fesh, T.Phelps. SO--P.Orr, J.Depastino, R.Jackson 3, M.Hessman 2, W.Betemit, R.Colon, D.Krynzel 2, C.Coste, C.Hart 3, M.Johnson, L.Figueroa. BB--C.Thomas, D.Krynzel, M.Erickson. T--2:32. A--3767Indianapolis Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=14063

Edited to indicate LHP Dana Eveland goes tonight for the Snappers...

Daily Press High Desert Game Story: Cool picture continuing our theme... www.vvdailypress.com/cgi-...9151,3373, Scott Smeltzer/Staff Photographer The Blaze's Shawn Riggans (29) is forced out on a double play by High Desert shortstop Scott Candelaria (26) and second baseman Callix Crabbe during Sunday's game at Mavericks Stadium. High Desert fell 14-5 to Bakersfield and is now 3-8 this season. http://www.vvdailypress.com/storypics2/041904_mavs.jpg

WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB [b]INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (MILWAUKEE) 5 3 .625[/b] TOLEDO MUD HENS (DETROIT) 5 6 .455 1.5 COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (NEW YORK YANKEES) 4 5 .444 1.5 LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI) 4 6 .400 2.0 WEST DIVISION W L PCT GB WEST TENN DIAMOND JAXX (CHICAGO CUBS) 5 4 .556 BIRMINGHAM BARONS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX) 5 4 .556 [b]HUNTSVILLE STARS (MILWAUKEE) 5 5 .500 .5[/b] MOBILE BAY BEARS (SAN DIEGO) 4 6 .400 1.5 MONTGOMERY BISCUITS (TAMPA BAY) 3 7 .300 2.5 SOUTH DIVISION W L PCT GB INLAND EMPIRE 66ERS (SEATTLE) 8 2 .800 LANCASTER JETHAWKS (ARIZONA) 7 3 .700 1.0 RANCHO CUCAMONGA QUAKES (ANAHEIM) 5 4 .556 2.5 LAKE ELSINORE STORM (SAN DIEGO) 4 7 .364 4.5 [b]HIGH DESERT MAVERICKS (MILWAUKEE) 3 8 .273 5.5[/b] WESTERN DIVISION W L PCT GB CEDAR RAPIDS KERNELS (ANAHEIM) 7 3 .700 KANE COUNTY COUGARS (OAKLAND) 6 4 .600 1.0 PEORIA CHIEFS (ST.LOUIS) 5 5 .500 2.0 CLINTON LUMBER KINGS (TEXAS) 5 5 .500 2.0 [b]BELOIT SNAPPERS (MILWAUKEE) 5 5 .500 2.0[/b] QUAD CITY RIVER BANDITS (MINNESOTA) 4 6 .400 3.0 WISCONSIN TIMBER RATTLERS (SEATTLE) 4 6 .400 3.0 BURLINGTON BEES (KANSAS CITY) 4 6 .400 3.0

Fort Wayne Journal Gazette on the Beloit Game: Wizards' late rally falls short Clutch hit eludes Bochy in final at-bat By Stacy Clardie The Journal Gazette After a slow start at the plate, all manager Randy Ready could hope for was for his Fort Wayne Wizards to regroup and make a late push. The Wizards did, bringing the winning run to the plate in the ninth inning against the Beloit Snappers on Sunday. But with runners on the corners and two outs, Greg Bochy didn't come through in the clutch. That was a common occurrence for the Wizards during their 5-3 loss in front of 2,435 fans on a windy day at Memorial Stadium. Fort Wayne (2-8) got plenty of hits - it outhit Beloit 13-12 - but left 13 runners on base, including a pair in the second, fifth, sixth and ninth innings. "We had opportunities to score, I mean, a pitch here, a strikeout here, a base hit here, a timely hit here, was probably the difference in the game," Ready said. "But I think the kids, just as impressive, they continued to battle. That's what I ask of them." Beloit (5-5) led 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth. Fernando Valenzuela had a single down the third-base line with one out, but the next batter, George Kottaras, struck out looking. Jordan Pickens followed with a single to left that put runners on first and second for designated hitter Billy Hogan. Hogan fell behind 0-2 and then fouled a pair of pitches straight back before knocking a single to center that scored Valenzuela and moved Pickens to third. That brought up Bochy, playing in his first game since coming off the disabled list. He swung at Ty Taubenheim's first offering and popped the ball into shallow left to end the game. "I think he just missed it," Ready said of Bochy's at-bat. "We've got to be aggressive in the strike zone. I thought the pitch was up in the zone and something he could have done some damage with, and it just didn't work out. "Are we taking by any means? No. We're ready to hit." The Snappers certainly came out ready. They tagged Wizards starter Daniel Moore for three hits and two runs in the first inning. Tim Marks and Vinny Rottino had RBI singles. It was the second straight rough start in as many outings for Moore. He walked three and allowed a two-run single in the first inning of his first start of the season April 13 at Battle Creek before settling down to retire the side in order in three of the next four innings. He got the victory. On Sunday, Moore again found a groove, scattering five hits, walking one and allowing only one run from the second through fifth innings to give the Wizards plenty of time to get back into the game. "I was kind of shaky, left some balls over the plate, about belt high," Moore said of his start. "They didn't hit them that hard, but they hit them for base hits. I felt like after that I settled down. I was down in the zone." But Moore couldn't hold off Beloit for long. The Snappers, who have the second-highest batting average in the Midwest League, got their bats going again in the sixth. After Moore walked leadoff hitter Adam Heether, Gilberto Acosta and Terry Trofholz had back-to-back singles to load the bases. Moore got Guilder Rodriguez to ground to third, forcing Heether at home, but then Moore was lifted for reliever Dirk Hayhurst. "I just didn't command my fastball like I needed to," Moore said of the sixth inning. "But those middle four innings, I thought I did a pretty good job. I just have to focus next time out and kind of come out with that fastball down in the zone and then at the end of the game be able to finish it off as well." Hayhurst struck out Robby Deevers on a high fastball but couldn't completely get out of the jam. Beloit's next batter Lou Palmisano lined a 3-1 pitch down the third base line that played Acosta and Trofholz for a 5-0 lead. The Wizards managed six hits in 5 2/3 innings against Beloit starter Luis Pena (1-0). None were consecutive, but several were hard shots that Beloit infielders snagged. "I wouldn't say it was their starter, I'd say it was a late start by us," said Drew Macias, who went 2 for 3 and extended his hitting streak to six games. "I don't think any of the pitching in the league is going to stop us. "It's just a matter of us not starting out flat and playing a whole nine innings hard."

It must be "slide into second base picture day". More details from the Huntsville site: Let me selfishly say I take great pride for hopping on the Chris Saenz bandwagon long before his Power 50 re-entrance last December http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif If Sunday was a preview of things to come, Stars fans are in store for a treat. Right-hander Chris Saenz dazzled for six shutout innings, and Huntsville?s lineup pounded out a season-high 17 hits in a 14-1 rout of Montgomery (3-7) in the third-ever game at Riverwalk Stadium. On the heels of a five-game losing streak, the Stars (5-5) have won two straight to climb back to .500. Saenz had no-hit stuff, allowing only three fair balls to leave the infield. He permitted just one single and retired the last 13 batters he faced. For the second straight outing, Saenz fanned eight batters ? he has 16 strikeouts in his first 9 1/3 innings this season. Saenz (1-1) faced one batter over the minimum in six dominant frames, walking none on route for his first win. Brad Nelson paced the Stars? 17-hit barrage, slamming three-run homers in the third and fourth innings ? the first and second homeruns in the history of Montgomery?s new ballpark. The first one slammed off the side of a railcar parked beyond the leftfield wall, the second cleared a small grandstand to the right of the batter?s eye in dead center. Prince Fielder finished 3-for-4 with a double, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Kade Johnson went 3-for-4, smashed a two-run homer and scored twice. Jason Belcher was 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Tony Gywnn, Jr., Rickie Weeks and Johnny Raburn all had two-hit games. Gwynn wound up 2-for-6 with a double and one RBI, Raburn went 2-for-3, doubled, drove in one and scored two, and Weeks was 2-for-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. Jason Cromer (0-2) suffered the loss, surrendering seven runs on nine hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings. Stars reliever Reggie Rivard tossed two innings, permitting one run on two hits while fanning one, and Huntsville lefty Brian Adams threw the ninth, allowing one hit and striking out one. On Monday night, Stars lefty Matt Ford (1-1, 1.13) faces West Tenn righty Ricky Nolasco (0-0, 0.00) in the opener of a four-game series at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tennessee. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the FPH Financial Pre-game Show starts at 6:20 p.m.

David Weiser's www.starsboxscore.com Huntsville Update: An injury update included here... On this date 19 years ago, the fledgling Huntsville Stars had a slugger named Nelson who had four HRs on April 18. His name was Rob and he wound up with 32 at the end of the season, a record that remains to this day....... Brad Nelson was three years old at the time....... Now in the Stars 20th season, this Nelson reincarnate is naturally being talked about here as the slugger who could break that mark........ Who knows? We could still see a "Mantle-Maris" situation here, in which both Nelson and Prince Fielder trade knocks. Fielder, with a .242 average and two HRs, is just starting to crank up, but Brad hit his 3rd and 4th this day, MONSTER BLASTS, tying him for the Southern League lead. The Stars have never had a pair of 30 HR-hitters on their team. Hell, they've had only two --- Rob Nelson and Mike Coolbaugh in 1997 in their history, but if you look at comparisons of this team and the 1985 team, it's not so far-fetched, assuming of course, Fielder and Nelson stay with the club long enough...... Only three other Stars teams have hit as many home runs after their first 10 games The 1985 team, with 16 HRs, were the best. The 1997 team had 12, which is what this team now has....... The comparison between Rob Nelson, even in 1985, with two former # 1 Brewer prospects is still ridiculous, but Rob had as many HRs at this stage of the season as Brad now has........ For a more detailed look at how these Stars stack up with former Huntsville teams 10 games into the season, go to the standings link. http://www.starsboxscore.com/standing.html Despite the slow start (5-5) and team average of .219, the Stars now look like aroused and angry giants....... They collected eight extra-base hits among the season-high 17 they had today (the most in a 9-inning game for the Stars since June 30 of last year), and another season-high of 14 runs (also the most since last June 30) to derail Montgomery, 14-1, and win another series against this team........ The Stars now travel to Jackson, where they start a four-game series at Pringles Park. Matt Ford is scheduled to start the first game against a team that is just ½ game ahead of the Stars, and tied for first. Chris Saenz was in total command, allowing only a line drive single up the middle by Amado German on a 2-2 fastball. Along the way, Saenz mixed in fastballs and sliders to strike out eight....... The Stars, for the second day in a row, scored in the first inning. A one-out double to the left-center field alley by Fielder, where he has considerable power according to the scouting reports, scored Ryan Knox, who walked. The Stars nearly scored again in the 2nd inning after Kade Johnson walked, and Johnny Raburn singled to center........ Anthony Gwynn hit a check swing roller to third. Johnson overran the bag after sliding in safely and was tagged out. Third baseman Juan Salas landed on him after applying the tag and Kade was out --- literally --- sprawled out on his stomach for awhile, giving some worrisome moments to trainer Greg Barajas, but he was alright. Brad Nelson hit the first of his two home runs in the 3rd --- a 3-run HR that gave the Stars a 4-0 lead. The inning started with a one-out rap to left-center by Fielder, who hit a breaking ball by Montgomery starter Jason Cromer, almost to the same spot as his first inning double, and a single past Nestor Perez to left by Rickie Weeks...... Nelson then drove a fast ball over the head of Dan DeMent, clean out of the stadium, beyond the 15-ft. left field wall, beyond the railing on the walkway on that wall, and off a Union Pacific railcar parked there. The wind was blowing out, but Robert Portnoy, delivering the call, said the shot would have made it without the help of the wind. Nelson hit his 4th home run In the Stars' big five-run 4th inning...... Cromer issued a four-pitch walk to Raburn. Three more balls to Gwynn followed, before Tony Jr. lined a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner for a double advancing Raburn to third....... With one out, Fielder hit a 1-1 pitch that ate up Perez at short, scoring Raburn........ Biscuit manager Charlie Montoyo saw enough. He made the call for Chris Flinn, who already in two previous apperances, had given the Stars five runs on five hits in two innings. After he gave up an RBI single to left by Weeks, Nelson stepped up and homered to dead center....... Awesome power. Nelson is really making up for a season lost to a broken hamate bone, a small bone, which by its inherent nature, is tough to heal and takes its time....... That capped the inning. Flinn retired Chris Barnwell and Jason Belcher in order, but the Stars had a 9-0 lead....... It was all over. Aaron Clark put up the first pinch-homer in Biscuit history in the 7th inning off Reggie Rivard, but the Stars were in charge of the stockade this afternoon......... Averages went up........ Kade Johnson, who never cooled since the start of the season, is now hitting .421 (8-for-19) with two doubles, two HRs, and only four Ks........ Anthony Gwynn, Jr. raised his average to .176 after going 3-for-10 his last two games........ Prince Fielder is up over .200 (.229) for the first time since April 10. It looks like he's found his stroke....... Rickie Weeks is 4-for-10 and now hitting .263 after snapping an 0-for-21 slump........ Jason Belcher who went 3-for-5 and had his 1st extra-base hit today, is over .200 for the first time this season. The contact was always there. He has just two strikeouts in 23 at-bats....... And Brad Nelson is up to .258 with four HRs (tied with three others for the league lead) and 11 RBIs (2nd in the SL). The Stars show another poor start after 10 games, however....... The .227 average is only better than the 2002 team that started 3-7, for a record low start at the plate........ The Stars have not hit better than .240 at this stage since 1999....... After saving two of the first three games of the season, Roberto Giron is out of action for awhile, getting back treatments from trainer Greg Barajas......... In the bottom of the 1st, Chris Barnwell had Fernando Cortez's grounder dribble off his glove for an error, the 19th by the Stars after 10 games of the season, two short of the record set last year........ Cortez was batting leadoff for Joey Gathright, who was transferred to Class A-Hudson Valley (NYP) on a rehab assignment. In return, Catcher Chiaron Isenia returned to the Montgomery roster. The Colorado Rockies purchased the contract of pitcher Tim Harikkala from Class AAA-Colorado Springs (PCL). They plan to use him as a middle reliever. Harikkala was 5-3 with a 2.98 ERA in 22 games for the Stars in 2000.

How does the Indianapolis Star not have a reporter cover any of the action at home from this past weekend? No quotes, no analysis, just a wire report game blurb -- not good. Ah well, they sent a photographer, anyway... The Indianapolis Indians' Dave Krynzel makes it to second base just ahead of the tag of Richmond's Nick Green. Krynzel, the Tribe's leadoff hitter, went 3-for-5 with three runs scored. -- Adriane Jaeckle / The Star http://www.indystar.com/images/pics2/image-139410-1216.jpg

Actually from Saturday's game, but we'll link it here as we try to include the photo opportunities whenever possible -- any slide looks awkward, some more than others... Montgomery Advertiser: Biscuits infielder Fernando Cortez holds his glove up for the umpire to see the ball during Saturday's game. Huntsville's Ryan Knox was out at second base. http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/images/news_daily/041804/sports_biscuits2.jpg

Two workday listening options, then two more in the evening as the Brewers lick their wounds on their first day off of the season -- here's Monday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change; pre-game audio begins approx. 15 minutes prior to game time listed... INDIANAPOLIS: RHP Travis Phelps at home vs. Richmond (Braves), 12:00 PM; Phelps makes his second appearance and first start since coming off the Indy DL... Audio link: www.newstalk1430.com/ HUNTSVILLE: LHP Matt Ford at West Tenn (Cubs), 6:35 PM Audio link: www.espn1450.com/ HIGH DESERT: Who says the Red Sox and Yankees are the only teams to play morning baseball Monday? RHP Forrest Martin at Rancho Cucamonga (Angels), 12:30 PM Audio link: www.hdmavs.com/listen_live.htm BELOIT: LHP Dana Eveland at Fort Wayne (Padres), 6:00 PM, as the four-game series wraps up... Audio link (Wizards' feed): www.wizardsbaseball.com/t...p?pageId=4 Former Ogden announcer Terry Byrom (Brewers' Rookie Level squad, 2002) calls the action for the Fort Wayne club at the above link...

Beloit 5, Fort Wayne (Padres) 3 Beloit Box Score: Once again, no cut-and-paste; Baseball America lists the pitchers incorrectly... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=13629 Beloit Game Log: Not to pick on catcher Tim Marks (two hits today) as DH, but aren't the Snappers playing a body short if Steve Moss is going to be out approximately a month as we heard earlier? Moss isn't officially on the disabled list that we know of... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=13629

Bakersfield (Devil Rays) 14, High Desert 5 Seems to me this is just as ugly as Saturday's Brewer game lost with the same score... High Desert Site Game Summary: BLAZED BY HOMERSThe High Desert Mavericks had trouble keeping the ball in the yard on Sunday, allowing four home runs to the Bakersfield Blaze in a 14-5 loss before 1,443 at Mavericks Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Four different Bakersfield hitters went yard, amounting to 17 hits for the Blaze, with Eric Reece leading the Blaze offense with a 3-for-3 afternoon with a home run, four RBI?s, and two walks. Joey Gomes, Luis Mateo, and Irwin Centeno also homered for Bakersfield. After allowing a run each in the first and second innings, the Mavs allowed the deciding runs in the third inning, when Bakersfield tallied four runs, all off home runs, to take a 6-0 lead. Gomes launched a three-run homer off Mavericks starter Ryan Costello to begin the scoring, while Luis Mateo hit a solo homer two batters later. Travis Hinton got High Desert (3-8) on the board with his second homer of the year in the third, a solo shot off Bakersfield starter Mike Prochaska to draw the Mavs within five. Bakersfield (2-6) answered with a run in the fourth and another in the sixth, before the Mavs struck back with three in the bottom of the sixth. Hinton began the mini-rally by knocking in two runs on an RBI triple to right-center, then Mario Mendez followed by lacing an RBI single to right, scoring Hinton, drawing the Mavs within 8-4. Bakersfield put the game away with four runs in the eighth off High Desert reliever Craig Breslow, one on an RBI single by Shawn Riggins and three more on Reece?s homer to right. Irwin Centeno added a solo home-run in the ninth, followed by a Riggins RBI single to finish off the scoring. Hinton provided a bright spot for the High Desert offense, going 3-for-5 at the dish with two RBI?s. Eric Reece led the Blaze with a 3-for-3 afternoon and four RBI?s. Bakersfield takes the three-game series in their only appearance at Mavericks Stadium this season, winning two of three. Joe Yarbrough (1-0) picked up the win for Bakersfield in relief, while Costello (0-3) took the loss. The Mavericks take to the road for a brief four-game series in Rancho Cucamonga against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, with Forrest Martin (0-0) taking the hill for the Mavs against the Quakes counterpart Phil Wilson (0-1) in an early Monday morning start at 10:30 a.m. at The Epicenter. High Desert Box Score: You'll notice Nick Neugebauer was announced as the starter but never took the hill that's not good, but let's not speculate... BAKERSFIELD 14 AT HIGH DESERT 5 YTD YTD BAKERSFIELD AB R H BI AVG HIGH DESERT AB R H BI AVG I.Centeno CF 5 2 2 1 .250 C.Crabbe 2B 5 0 0 0 .256 L.De Paula 2B 6 3 3 1 .265 D.Boyd LF 3 0 1 1 .366 V.Harrison 3B 5 3 3 1 .385 J.Eure 3B 4 0 0 0 .222 J.Gomes LF 5 1 2 3 .206 J.Frost DH 5 1 2 0 .375 S.Riggans CAT 6 1 3 3 .407 S.Candelaria SS 5 0 2 0 .222 L.Mateo DH 6 2 2 1 .436 J.Vanden ber CAT 5 1 2 1 .333 M.Rico RF 5 1 1 0 .290 T.Frost 1B 5 2 3 2 .324 E.Reece 1B 3 1 3 4 .231 M.Mendez RF 3 1 1 1 .222 M.Maniscalco SS 4 0 0 0 .138 K.Bibbs CF 4 0 1 0 .229 M.Prochaska PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Neugebauer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Cromer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Costello PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 J.Yarbrough PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 D.Nolasco PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 S.Walton PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Breslow PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Slack PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 TOTALS 45 14 19 14 TOTALS 39 5 12 5 BAKERSFIELD 1 1 4 1 0 1 0 4 2-14 19 1 HIGH DESERT 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0- 5 12 1 E--V.Harrison, S.Candelaria. DP--BAKERSFIELD 1, HIGH DESERT 2. LOB--BAKERSFIELD 11, HIGH DESERT 12. 2B--L.De Paula (3), V.Harrison 3 (4), S.Riggans (3), L.Mateo (5), J.Frost (3). 3B--L.De Paula 2 (2), T.Frost (1). HR--I.Centeno (1), J.Gomes (2), L.Mateo (1), E.Reece (1), T.Frost (2). SB--J.Gomes (1), E.Reece (1), M.Maniscalco (3), D.Boyd (1), M.Mendez (1), K.Bibbs (3). HBP--J.Eure. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA BAKERSFIELD M.Prochaska 4.2 4 1 1 3 3 1 2.79 N.Cromer 1.1 4 3 3 0 1 0 15.43 J.Yarbrough (W,1-0) 1.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5.40 S.Walton 2.0 2 1 1 1 3 0 1.50 HIGH DESERT N.Neugebauer 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18.00 R.Costello (L,0-3) 3.0 9 6 5 0 2 2 19.44 D.Nolasco 4.0 4 2 2 5 5 0 12.00 C.Breslow 1.0 3 4 4 1 0 1 15.19 N.Slack 1.0 3 2 2 1 1 1 6.75 HB--S.Walton. BALKS--N.Cromer. SO--L.De Paula, V.Harrison, J.Gomes 2, L.Mateo, M.Rico 3, J.Eure, J.Frost, S.Candelaria, J.Vanden ber 2, T.Frost, K.Bibbs. BB--I.Centeno, V.Harrison, J.Gomes, M.Rico, E.Reece 2, M.Maniscalco, D.Boyd 2, M.Mendez 2. T--3:24. A--1443High Desert Game Log: www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=17892

Huntsville 14, Montgomery (Devil Rays) 1 Huntsville Game Summary: Courtesy of the Biscuits' site: Huntsville's Chris Saenz gave up just one hit over six innings of work and Brad Nelson added a pair of three-run homers as the Stars won easily over the Biscuits 14-1 on Sunday in front of 5,062 fans at Riverwalk Stadium. The win gave Huntsvile the series vicory 2-1, and pushed their lead in the season series to 5-2 against the Biscuits. The Stars struck in the first innng for the second straight day, as Ryan Knox scored from first on a Prince Fielder double to the left-center field wall. Huntsville extended its lead in the third when Nelson hit his first homer of the game, and first in Riverwalk Stadium history, a bomb that went over the left field wall and off of a train parked behind the stadium. Nelson struck again in the fourth, when he hit his second home-run of the game, this time a 415 shot to center field that landed in the outfield picnic area to push the lead to 9-0 for the Stars. He now has four dingers on the year. The Biscuits lone run came in the seventh inning when pinch hitter Aaron Clark took the first pitch he saw over the center field wall for his first home run of the season. A moment of laughter came through the stadium in the ninth when Biscuits catcher Robinson Cancel took the hill to finish the game for Montgomery. He was greeted by Huntsville's Kade Johnson who hit a mammoth shot that left the ballpark and landed over the first set of train tracks behind left field. Saenz (1-1) picked up his first win of the season while Biscuits pitcher Jason Cromer (0-2) dropped his second straight decision. Huntsville Box Score: GAME DATE: 4/18/04 HVL at MTG HUNTSVILLE 14 AT MONTGOMERY 1 YTD YTD HUNTSVILLE AB R H BI AVG MONTGOMERY AB R H BI AVG A.Gwynn CF 6 1 2 1 .176 F.Cortez 2B 4 0 0 0 .162 R.Knox RF 4 1 0 1 .269 B.Upton DH 4 0 1 0 .370 P.Fielder 1B 4 2 3 2 .229 J.Velazquez 1B 2 0 0 0 .286 B.Gemoll 1B 1 0 0 0 .143 A.Clark PH 1 1 1 1 .211 R.Weeks 2B 5 2 2 1 .263 A.Clark 1B 1 0 0 0 .211 B.Nelson LF 5 2 2 6 .258 J.Salas 3B 3 0 1 0 .357 C.Barnwell 3B 5 0 0 0 .143 D.DeMent LF 3 0 0 0 .368 J.Belcher DH 5 2 3 0 .217 A.German CF 3 0 1 0 .250 K.Johnson CAT 4 2 3 2 .421 B.Martin RF 3 0 0 0 .147 J.Raburn SS 3 2 2 1 .300 I.Franco CAT 1 0 0 0 .238 C.Saenz PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Isenia PH 1 0 0 0 .143 R.Rivard PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Isenia CAT 1 0 0 0 .143 B.Adams PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 N.Perez SS 3 0 0 0 .188 J.Cromer PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 C.Flinn PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 A.Coose PIT 0 0 0 0 .000 R.Cancel PIT 0 0 0 0 .087 TOTALS 42 14 17 14 TOTALS 30 1 4 1 HUNTSVILLE 1 0 3 5 2 0 1 0 2-14 17 1 MONTGOMERY 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0- 1 4 0 E--C.Barnwell. DP--HUNTSVILLE 1, MONTGOMERY 0. LOB--HUNTSVILLE 6, MONTGOMERY 2. 2B--A.Gwynn (2), P.Fielder (2), J.Belcher (1), K.Johnson (2), J.Raburn (2). HR--B.Nelson 2 (4), K.Johnson (2), A.Clark (1). CS-- F.Cortez. SF--J.Raburn. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA HUNTSVILLE C.Saenz (W,1-1) 6.0 1 0 0 0 8 0 3.86 R.Rivard 2.0 2 1 1 0 1 1 8.59 B.Adams 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1.69 MONTGOMERY J.Cromer (L,0-2) 3.1 9 7 7 3 2 1 12.27 C.Flinn 2.2 4 4 4 0 3 1 10.80 A.Coose 2.0 2 1 1 1 0 0 5.14 R.Cancel 1.0 2 2 2 0 0 1 18.00 SO--A.Gwynn, P.Fielder, R.Weeks, B.Nelson 2, F.Cortez 2, B.Upton 2, J.Salas, D.DeMent 2, A.German, B.Martin 2. BB--R.Knox 2, K.Johnson, J.Raburn. T--2:30. A--5062Huntsville Game Log: Those Chris Saenz innings look impressive, don't they? 16-to-1 K/BB ratio in only 9.1 IP thus far... www.sportsnetwork.com/mer...MEID=16240