battlekow

He got out of it, but not exactly a promising start for Jimmy Nelson: Quad Cities Top of the 1stMichael Swinson grounds out, shortstop Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn.Ronny Gil flies out to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt.Nicholas Longmire walks.Chris Edmondson singles on a ground ball to center fielder Chad Stang. Nicholas Longmire to 2nd.Jonathan Rodriguez walks. Nicholas Longmire to 3rd. Chris Edmondson to 2nd.Cody Stanley grounds out, second baseman Gregory Hopkins to first baseman Cody Hawn.

Haudricourt:

Brewers likely will summon hitterTom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel During our pre-game briefing today, manager Ron Roenicke said the Brewers are strongly considering summoning a hitter from Class AAA Nashville next week for consecutive interleague series in New York and Minnesota in which the DH will be used. "It's a possibility," said Roenicke. "There has been that conversation." The obvious choice is Mat Gamel, who is on the 40-man roster and is batting .319 with 16 homers and 52 RBI in 74 games, with a .380 on-base percentage and .561 slugging. Gamel has been playing first base for the Sounds this season. Third baseman Taylor Green also is swinging the bat well at Nashville (.308, 11 HRs, 38 RBI) but is not on the 40-man roster. The Brewers have an opening they could use but Gamel still appears to be the leading candidate.

Manatees postponed again, so Thornburg will have to wait to make his High-A debut. There will be doubleheaders on 8/7 and 8/8.

http://www.great-music.net/mudcats.jpg I think that's Doug Davis on the left, after he gave up.

Final: @Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities 3 Wisconsin wins in a walkoff to start the second halfChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers got the second half of their season off on the right foot. The Rattlers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to rally for a 4-3 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Tyler Roberts, who doubled and scored an important run in the bottom of the eighth inning, drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth. Mike Brownstein got the Rattlers (39-32 overall, 1-0 second half) on the board first. His two-out RBI single in the bottom of the second sent Greg Hopkins home from third for a 1-0 lead. But, that was all the Rattlers could manage against Cardinals prospect Carlos Martinez. The River Bandits starting pitcher gave up one more hit over his final 4-1/3 innings. Martinez struck out seven and left the game with a 3-1 lead. While Martinez was shutting down the Rattlers offense, Quad Cities (40-30, 0-1) scraped together an unearned run in the top of the fifth inning against Wisconsin starting pitcher Brooks Hall. Jonathan Rodriguez singled and was balked to second, but was still there with two outs. Rodriguez took third on a wild pitch and scored the tying run on the play when Roberts threw wildly to third. Rodriguez stepped up in the sixth inning with two runners on and two outs. He lined a 3-1 pitch from Hall to left-center for a 2-run double and the River Bandits took a 3-1 lead. Roberts got a little redemption against Quad Cities reliever Ryan Copeland in the eighth inning with a leadoff double. He took third on a grounder and scored on a TJ Mittelstaedt single to center to cut the Quad Cities lead to 3-2. In the ninth, The River Bandits sent closer Aidan Lucas to the mound. Lucas was 5-for-5 in save opportunities coming into Friday's game. Wisconsin marred that perfect record in textbook fashion. Mike Walker singled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner Franklin Romero, Jr. Romero took off for second on a pitch to Chris Dennis at the plate. Romero got in safely with his eleventh stolen base of the season. Dennis promptly singled to center to send Romero home just ahead of the throw to the plate to tie the game 3-3. Dennis, who took second on the throw home, would also take third on a wild pitch. The River Bandits elected to walk Brownstein intentionally to set up a double play possibility with Roberts coming back into the box. Roberts would just get enough of a 2-2 pitch from Lucas to stay alive. On the next pitch he lined a pitch to right. Michael Swinson made the catch with his back to the infield. That allowed Dennis to score the winning run without a play and the Rattlers celebrated a good start to the second half. Game two of the series is Saturday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Jimmy Nelson (2-6, 5.20) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Seth Blair (3-3, 4.96) is scheduled to start for the River Bandits. Game time is 6:35pm. It's Meet a Storybook Princes Night on Saturday as fans will get to meet princesses from their favorite fairy tales. Saturday is also US Cellular Night. Fans may to present their US Cellular bill or US Cellular phone at the box office to purchase a reserved bleacher seat at regular price and receive a second reserved bleacher seat for free. After the game, FOX 11 presents a Saturday Night fireworks display. If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Wisconsin box scoreWay to start off the second half on the right foot, and happy birthday to Franklin Romero. Hall's line: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3/9 GO/FO, 82 pitches and 48 strikes. Not the control we're used to seeing from Hall--he'd walked just one batter in all of his starts except for one, and then he walked two. Nice game for Roberts; he also was hit by a pitch (by Martinez--I hope he hit Roberts with a breaking ball). The All-Star break didn't cool off Mittelstaedt, who was on three times with a single and two walks. Wisconsin play-by-playWeird play here: Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rdChad Stang singles on a fly ball to center fielder Nicholas Longmire. Chad Stang out at 2nd, pitcher Carlos Martinez to shortstop Ronny Gil.T. J. Mittelstaedt walks.Nick Shaw grounds out, second baseman Starlin Rodriguez to first baseman Jonathan Rodriguez. T. Mittelstaedt to 2nd.Cody Hawn grounds out, shortstop Ronny Gil to second baseman Starlin Rodriguez. Chris fills us in: "Stang tripled to start the @TimberRattlers 3rd inning. BUT, he was out on an appeal to second. He missed the base."

Final: DSL Brewers 2, @DSL Athletics 1 DSL Brewers box scoreFive different Cerveceritos pitchers combined to hold the Atleticitos to one run on five hits; perhaps more impressively, they only walked three and hit one batter. The two youngest pitchers in the system, 17-year-olds Milton Gomez and Marcos Padilla, got into just their fourth and third games of the year, respectively. Gomez pitched a scoreless 1st inning, striking out two and walking one. Padilla pitched the 4th & 5th, allowing no runs but also fanning no one. 19-year-old closer Carlos Sosa padded his gaudy numbers with a perfect 9th featuring one punch-out. 16-year-old Orlando Arcia again led the way on offense, reading three times on two hits and a HBP and also contributing a sac fly. Joan Abreu had three hits, and Dionis Hinjosa singled twice and walked twice. DSL Brewers play-by-playThe Cerveceritos were fortunate that they didn't have to look back with regret on these ugly innings: DSL Brewers Top of the 2ndRaul Mondesi grounds out, shortstop Gabriel Santana to first baseman Jose Rosario.Juan De Leon singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jesus Rivas.Dionis Hinojosa singles on a ground ball to right fielder Vicmal De La Cruz. Juan De Leon to 2nd.Carlos Pena singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jesus Rivas. Juan De Leon to 3rd. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.Jorge De La Cruz walks. Juan De Leon scores. Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd.Francisco Castillo strikes out swinging.Joan Abreu lines out to shortstop Gabriel Santana. DSL Brewers Top of the 6thJuan De Leon strikes out swinging.Dionis Hinojosa walks.Carlos Pena reaches on fielding error by third baseman Renato Nunez. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.With Jorge De La Cruz batting, wild pitch by Darwin Gonzalez, Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Carlos Pena to 2nd.Jorge De La Cruz strikes out swinging.Francisco Castillo pops out to catcher Diego Ledezma. DSL Brewers Top of the 7thJoan Abreu singles on a fly ball to left fielder Jesus Rivas.With Orlando Arcia batting, Joan Abreu steals (2) 2nd base.Orlando Arcia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Joan Abreu to 3rd.Jose Pena grounds into double play, second baseman Wilman Martinez to shortstop Gabriel Santana to catcher Diego Ledezma. Joan Abreu out at home. Orlando Arcia out at 2nd. Jose Pena to 1st.Raul Mondesi walks. Jose Pena to 2nd.Juan De Leon flies out to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. DSL Brewers Top of the 8thDionis Hinojosa walks.With Carlos Pena batting, Dionis Hinojosa steals (11) 2nd base.Carlos Pena walks.Pitcher Change: Alex Nolasco replaces Jose Castillo.With Jorge De La Cruz batting, Dionis Hinojosa caught stealing 3rd base, pitcher Alex Nolasco to third baseman Renato Nunez.With Jorge De La Cruz batting, wild pitch by Alex Nolasco, Carlos Pena to 2nd.Jorge De La Cruz flies out to right fielder Jose Sayegh.Francisco Castillo pops out to second baseman Wilman Martinez.

Final: @Nashville 3, Omaha 2 Sounds Score Early, Win 3-2 Over OmahaNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds topped the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers, 3-2, on Friday evening at Greer Stadium in the finale of a five-game set.Nashville (33-42) has now played in a PCL-high 35 one-run games this season, going 14-21 in those contests. Sounds starter Chase Wright (5-4) produced his first quality start of the season for the win. The southpaw scattered nine hits on two runs while inducing 13 groundouts in a season-best 7 2/3 innings. The win was Wright's 22nd of his Sounds career, moving him into a tie with teammate Sam Narron for 10th place. Eric Farris lead the charge going 3-for-4, the fifth time on the year the infielder has collected three hits. Brett Carroll, Taylor Green, and Mat Gamel each added two hits. The Sounds scored all three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Farris smoked a double down the left field line, advanced to third on a Jordan Brown sacrifice, and scored as Carroll hit a slow grounder to the shortstop. Gamel followed a two-run bomb over the centerfield wall, his team-leading 16th homer of the season. Omaha trimmed the Nashville lead to 3-1 in the top of the fourth inning with two consecutive singles. With Mike Aviles on third, Clint Robinson hit an infield RBI groundout to second for Omaha's first run. The Storm Chasers' final run came in the top of the sixth inning to pull within one run at 3-2 as Wright allowed three consecutive singles to load the bases. After Kila Ka'aihue knocked in a run with a one-out single to right field, Carroll earned his PCL-leading 12th outfield assist with a run-saving bullet throw at home plate. Sean Green converted his fifth save with 1 1/3 perfect innings. For the fifth time on the year, Nashville did not surrender a walk. Omaha starter Kevin Pucetas (4-4) allowed three runs on five hits in five innings of work for the loss. The Sounds welcome the New Orleans Zephyrs (AAA-Marlins) to Greer Stadium for a four-game set beginning at 6:35 pm CT on Saturday. Coming into the contest the with PCL's fourth-best ERA, left-hander Sam Narron (4-3, 3.68) takes the mound for the Sounds against Zephyrs right-hander Elih Villanueva (4-6, 5.06). Nashville box scoreThose hits were the only baserunners (so another hitless game for Caleb Gindl), so the recap's got you covered. Love to see Carroll showing off the arm (and hitting quite well). Nashville play-by-play

Final: Huntsville 6, @Carolina 5 Huntsville box scoreThe Stars noodled for this one, snatching victory from the Mudcats' jaws with a five-run 9th-inning rally. Reigning Southern League Pitcher of the Week Cody Scarpetta probably won't be repeating: 4.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K, 1 HR, 97 pitches, 56 strikes. The bullpen, though, was great: Jesus Sanchez with a 3/0 K/BB in 2.1 shutout innings, and Rob Wooten and Jim Henderson each turned in a scoreless frame. Andy Gonzalez had a fun night at the plate, 3-3 with a walk and his third homer. Sergio Miranda was on three times with a hit and two walks, and Anderson de la Rosa contributed two hits. Matt Cline, a late defensive replacement, also had a big two-run double in the 9th in his only at-bat. The big names were pretty quiet: Logan Schafer was 0-5, Erik Komatsu 1-5, and Sean Halton 1-5, though it was an RBI double. No Lee Haydel tonight. Huntsville play-by-playThe unearned runs against Scarpetta were pretty legitimately unearned: Carolina Bottom of the 4thFelix Perez flies out to right fielder Erik Komatsu.David Cook reaches on fielding error by third baseman Steffan Wilson. David Cook to 2nd.Jose Castro singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Brandon Jones. David Cook scores.James Avery out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Anderson De La Rosa to second baseman Sergio Miranda. Jose Castro to 2nd.Denis Phipps singles on a fly ball to center fielder Logan Schafer. Jose Castro scores.Henry Rodriguez strikes out swinging. http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/09/photogalleries/noodling/images/primary/noodling3.jpg Huntsville Top of the 9thPitcher Change: Donnie Joseph replaces Travis Webb, batting 9th.Brandon Jones walks.Angel Gonzalez walks. Brandon Jones to 2nd.Anderson De La Rosa singles on a ground ball to left fielder David Cook. Brandon Jones to 3rd. Angel Gonzalez to 2nd.With Sergio Miranda batting, wild pitch by Donnie Joseph, Brandon Jones scores. Angel Gonzalez to 3rd. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd.Sergio Miranda walks.Pitcher Change: Tim Hamulack replaces Donnie Joseph, batting 9th.Matt Cline doubles (7) on a sharp fly ball to center fielder Denis Phipps. Angel Gonzalez scores. Anderson De La Rosa scores. Sergio Miranda to 3rd.Logan Schafer strikes out swinging, catcher Yasmani Grandal to first baseman Neftali Soto.Erik Komatsu singles on a sharp line drive to center fielder Denis Phipps. Sergio Miranda scores. Matt Cline to 3rd.Sean Halton grounds into a force out, second baseman Henry Rodriguez to shortstop Jose Castro. Matt Cline scores. Erik Komatsu out at 2nd. Sean Halton to 1st.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Martin Maldonado replaces Robert Wooten.Martin Maldonado flies out to center fielder Denis Phipps. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wC3QaavviFo/Td02wlIIwdI/AAAAAAAAESM/40AkltybR6o/s1600/4c2d14e9bec88.image.jpg

Via Baseball America's Transactions Blog (h/t Uecker Powell), we learn that the Brewers have also signed 3rd-round RHP Drew Gagnon (read four different scouting reports on our draft forum). Gagnon takes the title of highest signed pick from Ramirez. Other transactions yet to be noted: RHP Blake Billings, promising enough to receive a $200K bonus as a 19th-round pick in 2008 but yet to escape the AZL, begins the year on the DL. He only pitched one inning last year, so he probably is recovering from arm surgery of some kind. Also, 2010 41st-round OF Derrick Shaw, one of those missing from the AZL roster earlier this week, was released. Still no word on the other two, LHP Dane Amedee and RHP Morgan Brinson.

Well, the full slate didn't last long. Sea Cows rained out; doubleheader tomorrow.

Brew Crew Ball reports that 4th-round 1B Nick Ramirez has signed. Check out his scouting reports in the draft forum. Ramirez is the highest pick to sign so far.

RHP Damon Krestalude activated off the Wisconsin DL, filling the Rattlers' last open roster spot.

Scarpetta named Player of the Week: June 13-19Huntsville Stars HUNTSVILLE, AL – The Huntsville Stars starting pitcher Cody Scarpetta has been given the Southern League’s Pitcher of the Week honors for June 13-19. In that span, Scarpetta has won both of his starts, striking out 14 batters in 14.0 innings of work. He walked six and allowed just seven hits for a 1.29 ERA during those starts. Both 7.0 inning starts were Scarpetta’s longest of the 2011 season. On June 13, the Brewers’ top two prospect, as ranked by Baseball America, allowed just four hits in seven innings to the second-place Jackson Generals. He struck out five of the 28 batters he faced and didn’t allow a run. On June 18, he allowed just three hits to the Birmingham Barons and was tagged with two earned runs. He fanned nine of 26 batters and only walked two. Scarpetta threw 202 pitches between those two starts, 128 for strikes. Scarpetta is 4-3 with a 3.97 ERA this season in 14 starts for the Stars. He’s struck out 68 batters in 70.1 innings of work. The Rockford, IL native was drafted by the Brewers in the 11th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. The Stars continue a five-game road trip to start the second half of the season at Carolina. They return home on Wednesday, June 29 for a six-game series against the Mississippi Braves. There will be post-game fireworks for Independence Day on Sunday, June 3. All games start at 6:43 p.m. with the exception of a double header on Thursday, June 30 that starts at 4:43. Visit huntsvillestars.com for more information!

Smooth Jalen Harris, bothered by wind, not hard ground ballsKevin Glew/Canadian Baseball Network The windy days are the most challenging for Jalen Harris on the field. On those days, the soon-to-be, 19-year-old third baseman can’t hear anything but the whistle of the breeze. But that hasn’t prevented the Toronto native, who was born deaf, from chasing his baseball dreams. Equipped with cochlear implants since he was three, Harris has been impressing big league scouts with his never-say-die attitude, expert lip-reading abilities and natural athletic gifts over the past few years. His combination of speed, soft hands and a strong arm were enough to convince the Milwaukee Brewers to select him in the 41st round of this year’s First-Year Player Draft. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound infielder quickly signed with the Brewers and has reported to the club’s training facility in Phoenix, Az. And when Harris tells you that his heroes are trailblazers like Jackie Robinson and Fergie Jenkins, it’s not surprising that he has readily embraced his role model status. Over the past couple of years, he has spoken at schools and hospitals about what he has had to overcome to be successful. “My message is that the deaf or hard of hearing can do everything that hearing people can do,” said Harris, who can hear his teammates when they’re close to him. The promising teen’s agent, Joshua Kusnick, says that Harris is type of person who will inspire others. “I know some players that have to face different things on a daily basis and they don’t talk about them. Nobody knows about them,” he said. “But Jalen is the kind of guy that, I think, the day after the draft he was at the school for the deaf, trying to talk to everybody. He’s that kind of person where you just really pull for him.” Raised in Etobicoke, Ont., Harris first picked up a bat when he was two and his parents, Terry and Sandra, signed him up for his first team when he was five. The Canuck prospect also benefited from competition with his brother, Jesse, who is three years older and currently a catcher at Niagara University. A Yankees fan as a youngster, Harris played at Northern Secondary School in Toronto and honed his skills at the Ontario International Baseball Academy. In 2010, he played for Canada’s Junior National Team (JNT). “Jalen plays the game easy,” said Greg Hamilton, JNT head coach. “For a big man, he runs well. He’s got an easy arm that has arm strength and carry and his hands work real well and his speed works real well. He’s a really athletic kid.” Primarily a third baseman, Harris also played first base with the Canadian squad. The newly signed prospect says that playing for his country was one of the highlights of his career. “I had so much fun,” he said of his JNT stint. “I wish I was still under 18, so I could still play for the national team.” After his tenure with Team Canada, he finished high school at Lambrick Park Secondary School in Victoria, B.C., which is noted for its baseball program. He also suited up for the Victoria Mariners and coach Mike Chewpoy, of the B.C. Premier Baseball League. “It’s better weather than Toronto,” said Harris, when asked how the move to Victoria helped his career. “And it’s a better league to play in. There are more games.” Kusnick says that Harris turned down a scholarship to Stetson University in DeLand, Fla. to sign with the Brewers. “I’ve always wanted to play professionally,” explained Harris. “I would love to have gone to Stetson. I think it’s a great school … but I’ll take (playing in) the pros over school any day.” Harris reported to the Brewers’ training facility on June 12 and is likely destined for the club’s rookie-class affiliate in the Arizona League. Being drafted in the 41st round makes him a long shot to make the big leagues in some people’s eyes, but those who know him would never bet against him. “I think with Jalen it’s all going to come down to the bat,” said Hamilton. “He’ll certainly find a home defensively. There’s a lot of places you could put him and he’s athletic enough. His hands work and his arm strength is there . . . everything works from an athletic perspective.” Kusnick says Harris’s “makeup” is bound to elevate him to the big league level one day. “His makeup is off the charts. He’ll work through anything. This isn’t a kid who’s going to go through an 0 for 30 slump and then just quit,” said Kusnick. And being drafted by Milwaukee should help, adds Kusnick, because the Brewers have a track record of developing and promoting late-round picks. “Jalen is going to be a guy that if he went somewhere else I’m not sure that he would’ve gotten the opportunity that he’s going to be getting with the Brewers,” he said. http://www.canadianbaseballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/jalenharris-590x393.jpg

Final: Omaha 8, @Nashville 2 Sounds Fall To Storm Chasers, 8-2Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Omaha Storm Chasers continued their recent dominance of the Sounds on Thursday evening at Greer Stadium, handing Nashville an 8-2 loss.The Sounds (32-42) have lost nine of their 11 meetings with the division-rival Storm Chasers this season. Omaha took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning when former Sound Lorenzo Cain tripled off the center field wall then scored when Lance Zawadzki crushed a 1-0 Josh Butler offering over the wall in right-center for a two-run homer, his fifth roundtripper of the year. The home run extended Zawadzki's hitting streak to 14 games for the Storm Chasers. Caleb Gindl put the Sounds on the board in the fifth when he led off the inning with a massive solo homer to dead center which cleared the 24-foot high batter's eye. The blast, which came against Omaha starter Vin Mazzaro, was the outfielder's eighth of the year. The Sounds tied the score at 2-2 in the sixth when Edwin Maysonet's two-out single to center off Mazzaro plated Mat Gamel, who earlier reached on a one-out single. The Storm Chasers quickly regained the lead with a four-run outburst against Butler in the top of the seventh, taking a 6-2 advantage. Catcher Cody Clark (2-for-4) led off the Omaha seventh by roping a line-drive homer over the left field wall to give the visitors a 3-2 advantage. The big fly was his third of the year. Later in the frame, shortstop Mike Aviles belted his fifth homer of the year, a solo shot to left. The next two Storm Chasers scored in unearned fashion later in the frame after Maysonet was unable to handle a two-out Kila Ka'aihue grounder at short. Omaha added two runs in the ninth against Sounds reliever Zach Braddock. Aviles led off by drawing a walk, moved to third on a Giovatella single, and scored on a Braddock wild pitch. Giovatella later scored on a Cain sacrifice fly to bring the score to its final 8-2 standing. Mazzaro (4-0) earned the victory with a quality start for Omaha, holding the Sounds to two runs on six hits while striking out six batters over his six frames of action. Blake Johnson worked the final three innings in scoreless fashion for the Storm Chasers, allowing only one hit, to earn his first save of the year. Butler (4-5) drew the loss after giving up six runs (four earned) on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out five in his 102-pitch effort. Milwaukee Brewers reliever Takashi Saito worked a clean eighth inning for the Sounds, throwing 11 pitches (eight for strikes) with one strikeout. The teams wrap up the five-game series with a 7:05 p.m. meeting on Friday. Left-hander Chase Wright (4-4, 5.65) will toe the rubber for the Sounds to take on Omaha right-hander Kevin Pucetas (4-3, 5.18). Nashville box scoreAt least Butler only walked one, I guess. At least Braddock struck out two, I guess. At least...Jeff Suppan didn't shut the, out again, I guess. Nice to see the slumping Gindl continue to demonstrate surprising pop from his "smurf"-y frame. Brandon Boggs had two hits out of the leadoff spot (not that the lineup made any sense, as per usual). Taylor Green was 0-4. Nashville play-by-play

Final: @Brevard County 4, Lakeland 2 'Tees top Lakeland 4-2 to open second halfFrank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- The Brevard County Manatees opened the second half of the season with a 4-2 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers on Thursday night at Space Coast Stadium. The Manatees (1-0 second half, 28-43 overall) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first when Kentrail Davis hit a solo homer and then later in the inning Khris Davis drove in Hunter Morris with a RBI double. Sean McCraw would made it a 3-0 game in the second with a solo homer of his own. Lakeland (0-1, 36-35) cut it to a 3-2 game with a run in both the fourth and fifth and subsequently chased Manatees starting pitcher Nick Bucci from the game. Bucci went 4 2/3 innings and gave up two runs on seven hits, while walking two and striking out two. Brevard County would get one run back in the bottom of the fifth as McCraw led the inning off with a single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Josh Prince and then scored on a RBI single to left by Scooter Gennett. Jon Pokorny picked up the win in relief of Bucci as he threw 2 1/3 shutout innings. Santo Manzanillo earned his eight save of the season by throwing a scoreless eighth and ninth. Both Gennett and McCraw had two hits and one RBI each. The Manatees and Flying Tigers will continue their three-game series on Friday night at 7:05 p.m. Brevard County's starting pitcher has yet to be determined, while Lakeland will send Cole Nelson (3-9, 5.17) to the mound. Nelson has been roughed up in three starts against the 'Tees as he is 0-2 with an 8.10 ERA against Brevard County this season. Brevard County box scoreBucci's been struggling lately; this was his first start since the ten-run disaster on the 13th. In their combined 4.1 innings, neither Pokorny nor Manzanillo walked anyone (Pokorny did hit a batter); Pokorny fanned two and Manzanillo one. Maybe, a year later, Kentrail Davis is finally getting the hang of the Florida State League? He's been hot, and it's not been just a bunch of singles, either. Morris and D'Vontrey Richardson (welcome back, D'Vo!) each had a hit. Shawn Zarraga missed his third straight game. Brevard County play-by-playBucci's evening ended with his control wavering: Lakeland Top of the 5thJulio Rodriguez singles on a ground ball to center fielder D' Vontrey Richardson.Brent Wyatt grounds into a force out, first baseman Hunter Morris to shortstop Josh Prince. Julio Rodriguez out at 2nd. Brent Wyatt to 1st.William Bergolla walks. Brent Wyatt to 2nd.Tony Plagman singles on a pop up to shortstop Josh Prince. Brent Wyatt to 3rd. William Bergolla to 2nd.Jordan Lennerton pops out to second baseman Scooter Gennett on the infield fly rule.Wade Gaynor walks. Brent Wyatt scores. William Bergolla to 3rd. Tony Plagman to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Jonathan Pokorny replaces Nicholas Bucci.Avisail Garcia flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.

Final: @Carolina 3, Huntsville 2 Huntsville box scoreWily Peralta was the schedule starter, but because of Peralta's All-Star Game appearance, Michael Fiers bumped it instead. Fiers turned in a vintage Zack Greinke line: 6 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 2 HR, 79 pitches, 53 strikes. Homers are proving to be a bit of a problem for Fiers--he's allowed six now in 47.1 innings for the Stars. Erik Komatsu had three of Huntsville's seven hits. Logan Schafer and Lee Haydel each had a hit, with Haydel's being a triple, as did Martin Maldonado, who's quietly been really hot at the plate. I'd like to see Maldonado starting regularly at Nashville; not sure what Wil Nieves really offers besides "better than George Kottaras" defense, and you'd get that and much more from Maldonado anyway. Sean Halton was 0-4.Huntsville play-by-play Down 3-0 in the 7th, the Stars got two back, but it could have been so much more: Huntsville Top of the 7thSteffan Wilson singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Eric Campbell.Erik Komatsu singles on a sharp ground ball to center fielder Denis Phipps. Steffan Wilson to 2nd.Angel Gonzalez walks. Steffan Wilson to 3rd. Erik Komatsu to 2nd.Martin Maldonado singles on a sharp ground ball to left fielder Eric Campbell, deflected by third baseman Mike Costanzo. Steffan Wilson scores. Erik Komatsu to 3rd. Angel Gonzalez to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Justin Freeman replaces Matt Klinker, batting 9th.Hainley Statia grounds into a force out, second baseman Cody Puckett to shortstop Henry Rodriguez. Erik Komatsu scores. Angel Gonzalez to 3rd. Martin Maldonado out at 2nd. Hainley Statia to 1st.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Sergio Miranda replaces Michael Fiers.Sergio Miranda reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Mike Costanzo to catcher Yasmani Grandal to third baseman Mike Costanzo to pitcher Justin Freeman. Angel Gonzalez out at home. Hainley Statia to 3rd on the throw.Pitcher Change: James Adkins replaces Justin Freeman, batting 9th.Logan Schafer grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Henry Rodriguez. Sergio Miranda out at 2nd.

Final: DSL Mariners 2, @DSL Brewers 1 DSL Brewers box scoreMH highlighted in the intro how close the two teams are in record, but after beating the Marineritos in their first three meetings of the year, the Cerveceritos have now lost to their division rivals five straight times. Despite the outcome, righty starter Jorge Ortega was quite impressive, going all nine innings while allowing the two runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out six, walking none, and hitting one. The Brewers had nine hits, but they were not evenly distributed; four players had two each: Orlando Arcia, Yonki Hernandez, Dionis Hinojosa, and Deivi Mejia. Jose Pena and Raul Mondesi were each 0-4, and as expected after leaving yesterday's game following two HBPs, Elvis Rubio did not play. Based on the fact that this was a full nine-inning game, I'm going to assume there was no doubleheader. DSL Brewers play-by-playHinojosa temporarily prevented the Mariners from taking a 2-0 lead in the 3rd: DSL Mariners Top of the 3rdDiego Mina doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Jose Pena.Ketel Marte flies out to center fielder Dionis Hinojosa. Diego Mina to 3rd.Noe Berro reaches on a fielder's choice, fielded by second baseman Alejandro Mendoza. Diego Mina scores.Janelfry Zorrilla singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jose Pena. Noe Berro to 3rd.Axel Wel flies into double play, center fielder Dionis Hinojosa to catcher Natanael Mejia. Noe Berro out at home on the throw. ...but was himself thrown out at home trying to get the Brewers on the board in the 5th: DSL Brewers Bottom of the 5thNatanael Mejia strikes out swinging.Dionis Hinojosa singles on a ground ball to center fielder Janelfry Zorrilla.Yonki Hernandez singles on a line drive to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.Alejandro Mendoza flies out to right fielder Gabriel Guerrero.Orlando Arcia singles on a line drive to left fielder Estarlyn Morales. Dionis Hinojosa out at home on the throw, left fielder Estarlyn Morales to catcher Alexander Capriata. Just what you want when you're down by a run in the bottom of the 9th: DSL Brewers Bottom of the 9thNatanael Mejia walks.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Francisco Castillo replaces Natanael Mejia.With Dionis Hinojosa batting, Francisco Castillo picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Oliver Garcia to first baseman Axel Wel.Dionis Hinojosa strikes out swinging.Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging. I guess Roenicke-ball is trickling down the organizational ladder.

Chris with a friendly confirmation that RHPs Matt Miller and Dan Britt were indeed activated from the DL at Wisconsin, on Monday.

From SLAM! Sports: You can check out a couple scouting reports on Houle in the draft forum.

RHP Tyler Thornburg was the only Brewers farmhand named to the initial Futures Game rosters (full list: US/World). The game is on 7/10.

Final (game two): @Nashville 5, Omaha 4 (7 innings) Sounds Split Doubleheader With Omaha With 5-4 WinNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds split a doubleheader with the division-rival Omaha Storm Chasers on Wednesday night at Greer Stadium. Nashville dropped the first game, 4-1, and won the nightcap, 5-4. The doubleheader split was Nashville's (32-41) fourth of the season, which moved to 4-4 in twinbill play. The win was just Nashville's second of the season against the first place Storm Chasers. The one-run victory was Nashville's 13th of the season, which has played a PCL-high 34 one-run games this season. The Sounds jumped on the board and put two runs up in the bottom of the first in the nightcap. Leadoff hitter Eric Farris singled to start the rally, moved to second on a wild pitch, advanced to third on a Brett Carroll single, and scored as Erick Almonte hammed a base hit to center. Mat Gamel then knocked the second run with a base hit to right field. Nashville moved it to 4-0 in the next frame. Taylor Green crushed his 11th homer over the wall in right field to lead off the inning. Zelous Wheeler scored the second runoff the inning on a wild pitch, who previously reached on a double. Omaha scored two unearned runs in the top of the fifth to trail 4-2. Paulo Orlando doubled off the wall in center to leadoff and scored on a fielding error by Almonte. Later in the frame with two outs, Johnny Giavotella singled home Falu for the club's second run. The Storm Chasers came within one run at 4-3 in the top of the sixth. Kila Ka'aihue hit a leadoff double to left field, advanced to third on a deep flyout, and scored on a Joaquin Arias sacrifice fly. Gamel put the Sounds back up by two runs at 5-3 when the slugger hammered a solo shot off former Brewers prospect Jeremy Jeffress. Gamel's 15th homer also produced his 50th RBI, both team highs. Omaha scored a late run in the top of the seventh to pull within one run at 5-4, but Sean Green closed the door and picked up his fourth save. Frankie De La Cruz continued his dominance from the mound. Following seven scoreless innings in his last start in Memphis, De La Cruz moved his scoreless innings streak to a team-best 11 straight frames before allowing two unearned runs in the top of the fifth. The 27-year-old earned his team-leading eighth quality start while surrendering four runs (two earned) on seven hits with two strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings. In his first rehab appearance for the Royals, Omaha starter Sean O'Sullivan (0-1) allowed four runs on six hits in 2 1/3 innings. Nashville box scoreI continue to like de la Cruz and wonder what he'd do with a spot in the Brewers' bullpen. Green is hitting .309/.377/.551, and Gamel's line is .318/.380/.556. Kinda good. Caleb Gindl was 0-3 to snap his one-game hit streak. Nashville play-by-play

Manatees drop first half finaleFrank Longobardo/Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. -- The Brevard County Manatees fell 6-3 to the Dunedin Blue Jays on Wednesday night in the final game of the first half. 'Tees hitters struck out nine times, left seven men on base and did not record a single extra-base hit. Manatees starter Kyle Heckathorn dropped to 4-6 on the season as he allowed three runs on five hits, while walking one and striking out four in 5 2/3 innings of work. Brevard County had a chance to jump out to an early lead in the first, thanks to back-to-back two-out singles by Hunter Morris and Khris Davis and then a walk by Brock Kjeldgaard to load the bases. But Shea Vucinich struck out looking to end the inning and leave the bases loaded. In the third, Dunedin was able to capitalize with a two-out RBI as Ryan Schimpf singled home two runs, to give the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. The Manatees got one run back in the fourth as Vucinich reached on a one-out single, stole second and then went to third on a throwing error by catcher A.J. Jimenez. Scott Krieger grounded out to second to drive in Vucinich to cut it to a 2-1 game. Brevard County knocked out Dunedin starter and All-Star Deck McGuire in the fifth, when Scooter Gennett singled of McGuire's leg with one out. Gennett then got to second on an error on a pick-off attempt and then reached third on a ground out by Khris Davis, but was left stranded. Dunedin made it 3-1 in the sixth when Brian Van Kirk hit a two-out solo homer off of Heckathorn. Heckathorn would be relieved by Rolando Pascual who finished out the sixth, but would give up a run on a wild pitch in the seventh, to make it 4-1 in favor of Dunedin. The Blue Jays padded their lead to 6-1 in the eighth, with a two-run homer by Kevin Ahrens off of new reliever Mark Willinsky. Brevard County led the eighth off with back-to-back singles by Kentrail Davis and Morris. Khris Davis's RBI single brought home Kentrail Davis and then a Kjeldgaard ground out scored Morris as the 'Tees cut the lead to 6-3. The rally would end there as Vucinich struck out and Krieger flew out to end the eighth and the Manatees would go 1-2-3 in the ninth. Both Khris Davis and Morris had two hits each and the top four in the 'Tees batting order had six of the team's nine hits. Brevard County closes the first half of the 2011 season with a 27-43 record. The Manatees will open the second half at home on Thursday as they begin a three-game series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. All-Star Nick Bucci (4-5, 4.23) will take the hill for the Manatees, while the Flying Tigers will counter with Trevor Feeney (5-6, 4.36). Thursday's game can be seen live in the Central Florida area on Bright House Sports Network.

Final: Dunedin 6, @Brevard County 3 Brevard County box scoreSo far the home team has lost all four games in the system today. Kyle Heckathorn made his first full start since the 1st and wasn't especially good: 5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HR, 8/5 GO/FO, though he did only allow about a baserunner an inning. Still waiting for Heckathorn to bust out and dominate. He's still giving up a surprising amount of homers given how many grounders he gets. Hunter Morris and Khris Davis were your offensive stars, each 2-4. Scooter Gennett and Kentrail Davis each had a hit. All singles tonight for the Sea Cows. No D'Vontrey Richardson or Shawn Zarraga. The last thing Richardson needs, given how raw he is at his fairly advanced age, is to have a season lost to injury. Rolando Pascual walked two and hit another in 1.1 innings of work--sounds about right.Brevard County play-by-play On one of the plays highlighted below, Khris Davis robbed a homer, preventing Heckathorn's rate from climbing even higher.: Dunedin Top of the 2ndSean Ochinko flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.Brian Van Kirk singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis.A. J. Jimenez strikes out swinging.Kevin Ahrens grounds into a force out, third baseman Shea Vucinich to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Brian Van Kirk out at 2nd. Dunedin Top of the 4thBrian Van Kirk called out on strikes.A. J. Jimenez flies out to right fielder Kentrail Davis.Kevin Ahrens singles on a ground ball to left fielder Khristopher Davis.Chris Hopkins flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.