Raul Duke

I do have to ask...where is Bell, Holmberg and Chapman? All three have been hitting the ball well lately, and shouldn't sit despite any roster crunches. Bell has a broken finger, Kenny was hit on the hand yesterday and Chappy probably had the day off.

Where would you play Kenny? I think the Hurricane has 2B locked down.

Braun leaves respectable first impression By KEVIN SHIVELY - IR Sports Writer - 6/27/05 The Helena Brewers seemed to cool off a bit after a one-hour rain delay Sunday afternoon, but were able to pick things up in the final innings to secure their 10-4 win over the Great Falls White Sox. The win kept the Brewers perfect on the season with a 6-0 record. First-round draft pick Ryan Braun had a very respectable outing in his first professional game. Braun was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a sacrifice fly as the Helena club's designated hitter. The Brewers were down 1-0 after the top half of the first when Braun hit the sac-fly to land his first RBI and spark a hitting streak by the Brewers that led to six runs on six hits. In the bottom of the third, the rain came down and the tarps came out, suspending play for over an hour. After the delay, Helena didn't score again until the seventh inning when Braun hit an RBI single to score center fielder Charlie Fermaint. White Sox pitcher James Casey walked in the second run of the inning. Fermaint was 3-for-5 in the game with three runs scored. In the eighth, Helena catcher Angel Solome picked up his fourth hit, second double and second and third RBI with a hard double off the left field wall. Christopher Jean started on the mound for the Brewers, pitching three complete innings before the rain delay and allowing only four hits and one run. Rafael Lluberes relieved Jean after the rain let up and pitched four innings of five-hit baseball, posting his first win of the season. Yunior Novoa gave up six runs in his two innings on the mound and collected his second loss of the season. Brandon Allen led the White Sox at the plate, collecting three RBI. Evan Tartaglia scored on a fielder's choice from Allen in the first, and then Allen sent a 3-1 pitch over the wall in the fifth to score twice more. Helena will look to keep its perfect record tonight as they play host to the Missoula Osprey. Tyler Morrison (1-0, 3.00) will take the mound for Helena and Derik Nippert (0-0, 10.80) will pitch for the Osprey. The first pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. www.helenair.com/articles/2005/06/27/sports_top/b01062705_01.txt

Top pick Braun sent to Helena By IR Staff and Associated Press - 06/19/05 TORONTO (AP) ? The Milwaukee Brewers signed first-round draft pick Ryan Braun on Saturday. Braun, the fifth overall selection out of the University of Miami, received a $2.45 million signing bonus. The third baseman hit .388 with 18 home runs and 76 RBI in 58 games for the Hurricanes. Braun will work out at Miller Park next Saturday before he reports to the Brewers' rookie ball affiliate in Helena, Mont. ??We are pleased to come to an agreement with Ryan. He understands the value of joining the organization immediately,'' said Jack Zduriencik, Milwaukee's director of scouting. Braun was a second team All American selection by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. The junior was the ACC player of the year and is one of five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award given to baseball's best player. He was named national freshman player of the year in 2003 when he hit .364 with 76 RBI and 17 home runs. As a high school player at Granada Hills High in Granada Hills, Calif, Braun was a three-time team MVP and holds the school record for career home runs with 25. he hit .421 or better in each of his final three seasons with a high of .456 as a sophomore. Braun joins fellow third baseman Matt Gamel with the Brewers. Gamel was a fourth round draft choice this spring. Helena opens the season in Missoula against the Osprey on Tuesday and has its first home game Saturday against the Great Falls White Sox at 7:05 p.m. at Kindrick Legion Field.

Rumor has is it that Katin is reporting to Helena.