battlekow

In a shocking development, the Mariners have signed RHP Alex Periard.

Final (game one): Omaha 4, @Nashville 1 (7 innings) Omaha Defeats Sounds In Twinbill Opener, 4-1Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost the opener of Wednesday's doubleheader at Greer Stadium, falling 4-1 to the division-leading Omaha Storm Chasers.Daniel Meadows made his first start since the 2009 season when he took the bump for the Sounds. The left-hander allowed one run on five hits over 3 2/3 innings, throwing a season-high 59 pitches in a no-decision. After Meadows worked into and out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning, striking out Lance Zawadzki to escape the jam, the Sounds squandered a bases-loaded opportunity of their own in the second when Zelous Wheeler bounced into an inning-ending double play with the bags full. Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the third when Johnny Giovatella singled with one out, moved to third on a Clint Robinson single to right, and scored on a Kila Ka'aihue sacrifice fly. The Sounds rallied to tie the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the third when Brandon Boggs led off with a single against Omaha starter Luis Mendoza and later scored on Wil Nieves' RBI infield single off the outstretched glove of Zawadzki, the Storm Chasers' third baseman. The Storm Chasers pulled back in front in the fifth by plating three runs against Mike McClendon (1-1), who took the loss. Robinson (3-for-4) singled with one out and was joined on the basepaths by Ka'aihue, who walked, before scoring the go-ahead run when Cain ripped a double down the left field line. Zawadzki (2-for-3) followed with an RBI single before Cain scored the third run of the inning on a Cody Clark groundout to make it a 4-1 game. The Sounds again squandered a one-out, bases-loaded scoring opportunity in the sixth. After Nashville filled the bags against Mendoza, Omaha reliever Jesse Chavez came on to pop up Boggs and Edwin Maysonet in succession to escape the jam unscathed. Mendoza (5-3) picked up the win for Omaha after allowing one run and scattering 10 hits over 5 1/3 frames of action. Chavez recorded the final five outs to nail down his eighth save of the year. Nashville box scoreWell, Jesse Chavez may have gotten them today, but he'll have to rack up a few hundred more saves against the Sounds for Brewers fans to remember him any way other than fondly. On the other hand, Danny Herrera could toss perfect innings of relief with two strikeouts, as he did tonight, from now until eternity and I doubt I'd forget the carnage he wrought at Fenway on Friday. Nice job by Meadows gutting it out (or getting lucky) to allow just one run in a spot start. He threw 59 pitches and found the zone with 43 of them, a very healthy percentage. Taylor Green and Caleb Gindl each had two hits.; Gindl had gone five games without a hit. However, Wil Nieves was also credited with two hits, so take the box score with a grain of salt since it's obviously wrong. Mat Gamel chipped in with a hit and a walk, and Jordan Brown and Wheeler also each had a hit. Nashville play-by-play

Final: DSL Brewers 5, @DSL Indians 4 DSL Brewers box scoreThe Cerveceritos scored two runs each in the 8th and 9th to take a 5-2 lead and then hung on as the Nativos Americanitos almost tied the game in the bottom of the 9th. 17-year-old righty Gian Rizzo continues to pitch pretty well, giving up two runs with a 4/1 K/BB in five innings, though he did allow eight hits. After three shutout innings from Juan Francisco, Carlos Sosa picked up the save but made things interesting. 16-year-old OF Elvis Rubio, who hadn't played since the 13th, returned to the lineup--briefly. He was hit by two pitches and lifted for a pinch hitter in the 8th. The pinch hitter was 18-year-old OF Jose Pena, who went 0-1 with a sac fly. Your other 16-year-old of interest, SS Orlando Arcia, did not start but knocked a pinch-hit double in the 8th; he's now slugging .475, the highest mark on the team. 18-year-old OF Raul Mondesi, whom the Brewers like, had two hits, including his second homer. 18-year-old C Carlos Pena, who's been exceptionally quiet this year, had a nice game, 2-3 with a double and a walk. Yonki Hernandez and Deivi Mejia, too old to be prospects, nevertheless had nice games, each with two hits. DSL Brewers play-by-playDSL Brewers Top of the 8thDeivi Mejia singles on a fly ball to left fielder Felix Lora.Dionis Hinojosa out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Juan De La Cruz to second baseman Juan Herrera. Deivi Mejia to 2nd.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Jose Pena replaces Elvis Rubio.With Jose Pena batting, passed ball by Juan De La Cruz, Deivi Mejia to 3rd.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Raphachel Colatosti replaces Deivi Mejia.Jose Pena out on a sacrifice fly to left fielder Felix Lora. Raphachel Colatosti scores.Carlos Pena doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder Felix Lora. Carlos Pena advances to 3rd, on missed catch error by third baseman Amauri Castillo.Pitcher Change: Frangy Colon replaces Edward Estrella.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Orlando Arcia replaces Joan Abreu.Orlando Arcia doubles (3) on a line drive to left fielder Felix Lora. Carlos Pena scores.Francisco Castillo pops out to third baseman Amauri Castillo in foul territory. DSL Brewers Top of the 9thPitcher Change: Juan Nivar replaces Frangy Colon.Yonki Hernandez walks.With Alejandro Mendoza batting, Yonki Hernandez steals (8) 2nd base.Alejandro Mendoza flies out to center fielder Joel Mejia.Raul Mondesi homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Yonki Hernandez scores.Raphachel Colatosti grounds out, shortstop Joel Caraballo to first baseman Fermin Galvez.Dionis Hinojosa walks.With Jose Pena batting, Dionis Hinojosa steals (9) 2nd base.Jose Pena strikes out swinging. The Indians' near-rally in the bottom of the 9th isn't yet posted.

Per Jimmy Nelson on Twitter, RHPs Tyler Thornburg and Austin Ross will get much-deserved bumps up to Brevard County tomorrow.

Wrap-ups for the Stars' and Rattlers' All-Star Games can be found in their respective team threads.

Timber Rattlers in the Midwest League All-Star Game (box score): Chris Dennis: 1-2, HRMike Walker: 1-1, BB, 2 RTyler Thornburg: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K, 26 pitches, 17 strikes. Kevin Goldstein reported that Thornburg was 89-94 with his fastball and had a "quality breaking ball", and Chris Mehring was also impressed with Thornburg's changeup.Austin Ross: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 5 pitches, 4 strikes. Mehring reports that Ross topped out at 90 with his fastball and got a swinging strikeout on his change. The West team (the one with the guys you care about) won 8-3. Thornburg's inning: MID East All-Stars Top of the 2ndPitcher Change: Tyler Thornburg replaces Trevor Rosenthal.Yazy Arbelo pops out to first baseman Michael Gonzales.Jake Blackwood singles on a ground ball to center fielder Travis Witherspoon.With Derek Dietrich batting, Jake Blackwood steals (1) 2nd base.Derek Dietrich walks.Michael Crouse called out on strikes.Marcus Knecht called out on strikes. Ross's: MID East All-Stars Top of the 8thPitcher Change: Austin Ross replaces Dakota Robinson.Dominic D'Anna flies out to left fielder Daniel Ortiz.Matt Helm strikes out swinging.Pitcher Change: Chase Boruff replaces Austin Ross.Zachary Walters grounds out, second baseman Starlin Rodriguez to first baseman Michael Walker. Picture from Chris: http://cdnmo.coveritlive.com/media/image/201106/phpbHVVWV2011All-StarGame013.JPG Dennis, Ross, Thornburg, Walker Lots more pictures at the link above.

Stars in the Southern League All-Star Game (box score): Steffan Wilson: 3-4, 2B, 2 RBIErik Komatsu: 1-4Wily Peralta: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 23 pitches, 11 strikes.Michael Bowman: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 3 pitches (!), 2 strikes. The North side (the good guys) won 6-3. Peralta's inning: SOU South All-Stars Top of the 3rdPitcher Change: Wily Peralta replaces Will Savage.Tyler Kuhn lines out to first baseman Scott Van Slyke.A. J. Pollock walks.With Paul Goldschmidt batting, A. J. Pollock steals (1) 2nd base.Paul Goldschmidt strikes out swinging.Luke Montz singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jake Shaffer. A. Pollock scores.Christian Marrero doubles (2) on a sharp ground ball to right fielder Matthew Spencer. Luke Montz to 3rd.Daniel Mayora strikes out swinging. Bowman's: SOU South All-Stars Top of the 8thPitcher Change: Michael Bowman replaces Cole St. Clair.A. J. Pollock singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brett Jackson.Paul Goldschmidt grounds into double play, shortstop Marwin Gonzalez to second baseman Ryan Flaherty to first baseman Scott Van Slyke. A. J. Pollock out at 2nd.Pitcher Change: Rafael Dolis replaces Michael Bowman.Stephen Vogt flies out to right fielder Kyle Russell.

Final: Omaha 7, @Nashville 0 Suppan Blanks Sounds With Two-Hit ShutoutNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Longtime Major Leaguer Jeff Suppan fired a complete-game, two-hit shutout to lead Omaha to a 7-0 victory over the Sounds on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium in the opener of a five-game series. Suppan (6-4) tossed the sixth shutout in the Pacific Coast League this season with his 99-pitch effort. He retired the final 13 Nashville batters in succession to close out the virtuoso performance. Eric Farris and Mat Gamel each doubled to account for the Sounds' lone hits on the night. Omaha broke a scoreless deadlock in the top of the fourth inning. The visitors took a 1-0 lead on Lance Zawadzki's two-out ground-rule double to left-center off Sounds starter Amaury Rivas that bounded over the outfield wall to plate Clint Robinson, who drew a one-out walk earlier in the frame. The Storm Chasers padded their lead in the fifth with three more runs against Rivas, all scoring before a batter was retired. Cody Clark opened with a double and moved to third on a Paulo Orlando single before scoring on a David Lough single to center. Johnny Giovatella plated a pair of runs when he followed with a two-run double down the left field line to make it a 4-0 game. Omaha tacked on two more runs in the eighth to up its advantage to 6-0. Robinson led off with a walk and moved to third on Kila Ka'aihue's line drive double down the right field line, which chased Rivas from the contest. Right-hander Zack Segovia took over on the hill and was greeted by a first-pitch, two-run single to right-center by former Sound Lorenzo Cain. The visitors closed out the evening's scoring in the ninth when Robinson scored his third run of the night on Cain's one-out RBI single against Segovia. Rivas (5-7) took the loss for Nashville after allowing six runs on eight hits over seven-plus innings of work. He walked five batters and struck out two in his season-high 109-pitch effort. The teams continue the series with a 5:35 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday that will make up an April 26 rainout. Both contests of the twinbill will be seven-inning affairs. Left-hander Daniel Meadows (0-1, 6.75) will start Tuesday's opener for the Sounds to face Omaha right-hander Luis Mendoza (4-3, 3.00). Right-hander Frankie De La Cruz (1-4, 4.18) will start the nightcap for Nashville and square off against Kansas City Royals right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, who will make the first appearance of a rehabilitation assignment for the Storm Chasers. Nashville box scoreUgh. What more to say? I don't even feel like posting the William Shatner picture. Rivas got a lot of grounders (11/3 GO/FO) but it hardly mattered. 109 pitches, 60 strikes; I dunno if five walks from a 55% strike rate is normal, but it looks a little off. Taylor Green and Caleb Gindl were a combined 0-7. Nashville play-by-play

Final: @DSL Brewers 5, DSL Athletics 2 DSL Brewers box scoreThe Cerveceritos entered the 6th down 2-0 but got a run, three more in the 7th, and another in the 8th to cap a nice comeback. Strong start for towering lefty Eliezer Montano, who allowed two runs in six innings with a 4/0 K/BB (though he hit three batters). He was backed up capably by 19-year-old righty Orlando Torrez, who struck out five over the last three frames. 19-year-old middle infielder Alejandro Mendoza had a great day with a double, walk, and his first career homer, a two-out, three-run shot. Dionis Hinojosa was perfect with a single, double, walk, and HBP. Jose Pena also doubled and walked. Orlando Arcia was 0-4. All told, six batters between the two teams were plunked. So DSL. DSL Brewers play-by-playIf not for Mendoza, they might have gotten nothing out of a promising inning: DSL Brewers Bottom of the 7thDionis Hinojosa walks.Natanael Mejia singles on a ground ball to center fielder Alfredo Sosa. Dionis Hinojosa to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Jose Castillo replaces Yordy Alejo.Raphachel Colatosti out on a sacrifice bunt, third baseman Renato Nunez to second baseman Rodolfo Penalo. Dionis Hinojosa to 3rd. Natanael Mejia to 2nd.Yonki Hernandez reaches on a fielder's choice out, first baseman Wilman Martinez to catcher Argenis Raga. Dionis Hinojosa out at home. Natanael Mejia to 3rd.With Alejandro Mendoza batting, Yonki Hernandez steals (7) 2nd base.Alejandro Mendoza homers (1) on a fly ball to left field. Natanael Mejia scores. Yonki Hernandez scores.Orlando Arcia grounds out, third baseman Renato Nunez to first baseman Wilman Martinez.

Brewers, Jungmann to start negotiations soonAdam McCalvy and Audrey Snider/MLB.com MILWAUKEE -- When the University of Texas was bounced from the College World Series on Monday, it opened the door for negotiations between the Brewers and their top Draft pick, junior right-hander Taylor Jungmann. The Brewers have until 11 p.m. CT on Aug. 15 to agree to signing bonuses with their remaining unsigned picks from the First-Year Player Draft. That list includes Jungmann, the 12th overall selection, and Georgia Tech left-hander Jed Bradley, the 15th overall pick. "We have talked with [Jungmann] since he was drafted, and our scout has been in contact with him through the regionals and [College World Series], so naturally the door opens up to start negotiating," Brewers scouting director Bruce Seid wrote in an e-mail. "He had a more-than-normal workload, so we understand the need for him to catch his breath, and we look forward to sitting down shortly." Jungmann's 141-inning workload paid off when he was honored Tuesday with college baseball's version of the Heisman --- the Dick Howser Trophy, presented for the last 25 years to the collegiate player of the year. He was 13-3 with a 1.60 ERA, five complete games and 125 strikeouts while leading Texas back to the College World Series. Jungmann's sensational season ended on a low note, with losses in his final three starts, including an 8-4 loss to Florida on Saturday in the Longhorns' opening game of the College World Series. His 4 1/3-inning stint was his shortest start of the season, and he allowed five runs (four earned) on two doubles and a single, four walks, a hit batsman and two wild pitches.

RHP Tyler Cravy and LHP Tom Keeling transferred from Wisconsin to Helena.

The Austin American-Statesman's Kirk Bohls:

Herrera cleared waivers and was outrighted to Nashville yesterday.

With the Arizona League kicking off today, the AZL Brewers' MiLB.com page has finally been updated with a partial roster. It's, uh, interesting (20 pitchers, seven catchers, two infielders, no outfielders), but it does have some revelations, including some names we haven't seen in awhile. The following players are assigned there on rehab: RHP Andre LamontagneLHP Mike RamlowLHP Brae WrightC Cameron GarfieldC Rafael NedaC Shawn Riggans We also finally have confirmation that 22-year-old LHP Manny Ruiz was indeed promoted from the DSL, along with 19-year-old RHP Jeffrey Saba, whose numbers last year in his first pro season were undistinguished. DSL players still missing in action:1B Hitaniel AriasOF Jose GarciaOF Ronny PuelloSS Andres MartinezLHP Jose Ramos Additionally, MiLB.com player pages note that RHP Jose Cepeda and DH Orton Rodriguez were released, and it's certainly possible that fate befell some of the players listed above, especially Arias and Garcia, who were healthy in spring training. Ramos hasn't played since 2009 but is still listed as "active" on the DSL Brewers by MiLB.com, so we'll keep him around until we hear otherwise. Finally, RHPs Leonard Lorenzo and Eduard Reyes also do not appear, but that's because they were both suspended last summer for steroid use. EDIT: To follow up, the following players finished last year on the AZL roster but are also MIA so far this year: LHP Dane AmedeeRHP Morgan BrinsonOF Derrick Shaw They might show up later today or tomorrow, since recent draftees OF Malcolm Dowell, OF Matt Franco, 3B Jalen Harris, and SS Renaldo Jenkins, plus recently promoted OF Ruben Ozuna, are all also missing from the MiLB.com roster.

This is what was written about Thornburg in the Hot Sheet:

Final: @Memphis 5, Nashville 4 Sounds Come Up Short In Memphis, Lose 5-4Nashville Sounds MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost 5-4 to the state-rival Memphis Redbirds on Monday evening at AutoZone Park in the finale of a four game set. With the loss, Nashville (31-39) dropped three of four to the Redbirds in the series. Nashville has played a PCL-high 33 one-run games this season, going 12-21 in those contests. Seven of the Sounds' last nine games have been one-run affairs. Nashville's 20 one-run losses are most in the PCL and account for more than half of the club's total defeats Jordan Brown and Taylor Green each went 3-for-4 for the Sounds. Brett Carroll went 0-for-5 to snap a season-high eight-game hitting streak. The center fielder also didn't reach base safely, ending a PCL-high 26 road-game on-base streak. The Redbirds quickly jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning as the first three hitters singled off Sounds starter Sam Narron. After a Nick Stavinoha RBI single, Matt Carpenter crushed a bases-clearing three-run double to right field. The Sounds scored their first run in the top of the second inning. Green snapped out of an 0-for-10 skid with a single and moved to second on a two-out base hit by Edwin Maysonet. Eric Farris then drove home the third baseman off a base hit to centerfield which deflected off Memphis shortstop Donovan Solano. Memphis got a run back in the third on Stavinoha's 10th home run of the season, a solo shot over the wall in left field. Nashville pulled within two runs at 5-3 in the top of the fifth as Brandon Boggs worked a one-out walk to begin the rally. Brown singled Boggs to third with a base hit, followed by an RBI single by Mat Gamel. Green then lined a hard-hit single to centerfield to score Brown for the club's other run. The Sounds came within one run at 5-4 in the top of the eighth inning. Green's third hit of the game put him on first with one out, followed by a double by catcher Wil Nieves. Maysonet would then lay a bunt down the first base line that stopped on the chalk halfway up the line, which allowed Green to score from third. Narron (4-3) scattered 11 hits for five runs (four earned) in eight innings pitched for the loss, the longest effort by a Sounds pitcher this season. The left-hander also struck out three while walking two in 109 pitches. Memphis starter Lance Lynn (7-3) worked a quality start for the win, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings. Victor Marte worked around two hits to pick up his 10th save. The Sounds return to Music City to host a nine-game, eight-day homestand that includes a Wednesday doubleheader. Nashville will host Omaha (AAA-Royals) and New Orleans (AAA-Marlins) during the homestand. Nashville righty (5-6, 3.96) makes the start against Omaha right-hander and former Sound Jeff Suppan (5-4, 5.70). Nashville box scoreStart of another hot streak from Green. I'm glad they're becoming so frequent that we don't need to make Emmylou Harris jokes to explain them. Gamel had two hits, and Boggs walked twice. Caleb Gindl did not play. Nashville play-by-play

Final: Brevard County 10, @Dunedin 8 Brevard County box score The 'Tees overcame a four-run 1st inning by the D-Jays and scored three runs in the 7th to go up 10-5, but had to hang on after giving the three runs right back in the bottom of the inning. Kentrail Davis led the way with three hits, finishing a triple short of the cycle, plus a walk; the homer was his fourth of the year. Shea Vucinich, Juan Sanchez, and Josh Prince all had three hits as well, and the Manatees had 16 all told. Brock Kjeldgaard socked his 18th homer, tying the team record with many games left to play. Scooter Gennett singled and walked, and Hunter Morris and Khris Davis each doubled. Shawn Zarraga was 0-5, and D'Vontrey Richardson did not play. Adrian Rosario started and allowed five runs in four innings; despite allowing three in 2.2 frames, R.J. Seidel backed into a win. Jon Pokorny and Santo Manzanillo stanched the hemorrhaging with 2.1 combined perfect innings to end the game. Brevard County play-by-play Not exactly what you want to see from your reliever: Brevard County Top of the 7th Khristopher Davis doubles (16) on a line drive to center fielder Brad McElroy. Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging. Shea Vucinich singles on a line drive to right fielder Brad Glenn. Khristopher Davis scores. Shawn Zarraga flies out to right fielder Brad Glenn. Juan Sanchez singles on a line drive to center fielder Brad McElroy. Shea Vucinich to 2nd. Josh Prince walks. Shea Vucinich to 3rd. Juan Sanchez to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Dumas Garcia replaces Frank Gailey. With Scooter Gennett batting, wild pitch by Dumas Garcia, Shea Vucinich scores. Juan Sanchez to 3rd. Josh Prince to 2nd. Scooter Gennett walks. Kentrail Davis walks. Juan Sanchez scores. Josh Prince to 3rd. Scooter Gennett to 2nd. Hunter Morris grounds out, second baseman Ivan Contreras to first baseman Jon Talley.

More signings, this time actual draft picks! 6th-round RHP Danny Keller, 19th-round SS Renaldo Jenkins, and 39th-round LHP Elliot Glynn all join the AZL Brewers.

Final: @DSL Mariners 2, DSL Brewers 1 DSL Brewers box score19-year-old starter Joel Dicent pitched very well, taking a shutout and a lead into the 8th, but two unearned runs sank him and the Cerveceritos. He fanned seven, walked two, allowed four hits, and posted a 9/2 GO/FO. Carlos Sosa inherited a sticky situation from Dicent and was charged with his first blown save. Raul Mondesi doubled, the Brewers' only extra-base hit. Only three walks between the two teams, and none for the Brewers. Orlando Arcia was 0-4. Maybe instead of a silent letter (like "knife"), Arcia's last name has an invisible one, and it's pronounced "Garcia". Just a thought.DSL Brewers play-by-play DSL Mariners Bottom of the 8thAlexander Capriata singles on a ground ball to center fielder Yonki Hernandez.Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Randy Perez replaces Alexander Capriata.Noe Berro out on a sacrifice bunt, pitcher Joel Dicent to first baseman Juan De Leon. Randy Perez to 2nd.Ketel Marte walks.Pitcher Change: Carlos Sosa replaces Joel Dicent.Luis Matias strikes out swinging.With Janelfry Zorrilla batting, Randy Perez steals (9) 3rd base. Ketel Marte steals (5) 2nd base.Janelfry Zorrilla reaches on fielding error by shortstop Orlando Arcia. Randy Perez scores. Ketel Marte scores.Axel Wel walks. Janelfry Zorrilla to 2nd.Estarlyn Morales singles on a ground ball to shortstop Orlando Arcia. Janelfry Zorrilla to 3rd. Axel Wel to 2nd.Gabriel Guerrero called out on strikes. Maybe that invisible letter is actually an "E".

As expected, OF Ruben Ozuna gets the bump from the DSL to the AZL. Excited to see what he can do. We were first!

More catchers! The Brewers signed former TCU backstop Jimmie Pharr as an undrafted free agent.

Chris's postgame thoughts include midseason leaders and an interview with Mike Walker discussing his All-Star Game selection:

Another undrafted free agent: the Brewers signed former UC Santa Barbara LHP Connor Whalen. As far as I can tell, he's not related to 42nd-round pick Caleb Whalen.

Helena Brewers opener: Starting pitcher ‘excited’ to be backAmber Kuehn/Helena Independent Record Eric Arnett’s shot at redemption begins tonight. The Helena Brewers right-hander was followed by high expectations when he first entered the league in 2009 as Milwaukee’s top draft pick. But the hurler out of Indiana University quickly learned there was a larger leap between college and professional baseball than he thought. “It’s definitely been a learning experience,” said the 23-year-old, who finds himself back where his career began. “I was almost a little disappointed about coming to Helena again at first, but then after talking to some people, I realized this is going to be good for me. Now I’m excited about being here, whether it’s for a short time or a whole season.” Arnett gets the nod in tonight’s season opener for Helena, going up against Missoula’s Robby Rowland. The first pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. The last time he stood on the mound at Kindrick Legion Field — in a late August game in ’09 — Arnett’s fastball reached 93 mph, he fanned two batters and he gave up three hits in three innings. But the Pataskala, Ohio, native, who split time between the bullpen and starting rotation, finished the year winless (0-4) with a 4.41 ERA. It meant starting the 2010 campaign in low-rookie ball with the Arizona League Brewers, where he was 2-0 through five games. Arnett was then promoted to Class A Wisconsin, where he was 1-9 with a 6.70 ERA through 20 games and a strikeouts-to-walks ratio of 60-to-39. “There were high expectations that I put on myself and from the organization, and in a way I felt like I let them down,” Arnett said. “But like I had before in life, I gained confidence from struggling.” Although he previously struggled with his command and consistency, and recently suffered another setback two weeks into spring training when he tore the rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder [this injury was previously reported as rotator cuff tendinitis], Arnett’s mentors have noticed improvements and an uptick in his velocity. Helena pitching coach Elvin Nina said Arnett’s delivery is cleaner than it has been in the past and he is finding the strike zone more often now. “I think I’ve matured physically and mentally,” said Arnett, adding that he was able to put on some weight while doing strength and conditioning. “The shoulder’s 100 percent now.” While his fastball is what originally caught the eye of professional scouts and his slider has been solid, Arnett is working on perfecting a pair of new pitches to add to his arsenal. “Recently, my split-finger and changeup have really come a long way,” he said. This will be Arnett’s first time on the rubber in live game action this year, after spending the spring rehabbing his shoulder at the Brewers’ spring training complex in Phoenix. Though he tries not to dwell on what happened in past outings, he’s not ready to put them entirely in the past. “I don’t think you ever wanna completely forget it,” Arnett said, noting that those experiences can serve as a reminder of how far he’s come. “I think it’s gonna be a great year.” Rowland, the Osprey right-hander taking the field tonight, was 4-6 with a 5.67 ERA last year in Missoula after being taken by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third round of the 2010 draft. In last year’s curtain-raiser against Missoula, Helena overcame a 4-0 deficit and won 7-6 on a walkoff triple. The Brewers went on to sweep the series and start the season on a four-game win streak. “Last year we played a little flat to start the game and ended up coming back and winning,” said Brewers catcher Brent Dean. “I’m sure they remember that and aren’t gonna let it happen again.” The Osprey haven’t won a season-opening game since 2002. Helena has won the last two, with both victories coming against Missoula. KXLH’s Richy Melby and Evan Weborg are scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitches, along with Austin Dunlap, a young boy who is currently battling cancer.

Final: Birmingham 6, @Huntsville 5 Huntsville box scoreThe Stars were down 6-2 entering the bottom of the 9th and rallied for three runs, but it wasn't quite enough. Logan Schafer (triple, single, walk), Lee Haydel (three singles), and the lost-in-the-shuffle Matt Cline (two singles and a walk) had big nights. The triple was just Schafer's fifth extra-base hit in 130 at-bats this year. Haydel was picked off, which goes as officially his 11th caught-stealing of the year, against just eight successful steals--bizarre. Sean Halton was 1-5, and Erik Komatsu did not play. Jesus Sanchez was your starter and allowed two runs in four innings, striking out five. Huntsville play-by-playSchafer committed a key error to allow the Barons to extend their lead in the top of the 9th: Birmingham Top of the 9thPitcher Change: Robert Wooten replaces Darren Byrd.Greg Paiml grounds out, first baseman Sean Halton to pitcher Robert Wooten.Alden Carrithers flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer.Justin Greene walks.Christian Marrero singles on a line drive to center fielder Logan Schafer. Justin Greene scores. Christian Marrero to 2nd. Fielding error by center fielder Logan Schafer.Josh Phegley flies out to center fielder Logan Schafer. So close: Huntsville Bottom of the 9thMatt Cline walks.Hainley Statia lines out to left fielder Christian Marrero.Logan Schafer walks. Matt Cline to 2nd.Lee Haydel singles on a ground ball to center fielder Justin Greene. Matt Cline scores. Logan Schafer to 3rd.Sean Halton grounds out softly, third baseman Kyle Shelton to first baseman Seth Loman. Logan Schafer scores. Lee Haydel to 2nd.Brandon Jones doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Christian Marrero. Lee Haydel scores.Angel Gonzalez flies out to right fielder Kenneth Williams.