battlekow

Final (game one): @Wisconsin 6, Beloit 1 (7 innings) Thornburg and Rattlers take game oneChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – Tyler Thornburg tossed six shutout innings and struck out seven as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Beloit Snappers 6-1 in game one of a doubleheader on Thursday night. Thornburg won his third straight decision as he walked one and allowed three hits. Wisconsin (20-18) put three runs on the board in the bottom of the third inning. Chris Dennis singled and stole second to start the inning. Mike Walker followed with an RBI single. One out later Franklin Romero tripled to left-center to chase Walker home. An RBI grounder by Robbie Garvey sent Romero home for a 3-0 lead. Dennis made the score 4-0 with an RBI double in the bottom of the fourth. The Snappers (21-18) threatened to score on Thornburg only one time. Beloit had runners at first and second with one out in the top of the fifth. But, Thornburg snared a liner off the bat of Tobias Streich and doubled the runner off first for an inning ending double play. Thornburg pitched a scoreless sixth inning and the Rattlers rewarded him with another run. Dennis singled to start the bottom of the sixth. Walker followed with an RBI double and Wisconsin went up 6-0. Both Dennis and Walker went 3-for-3 in the game. Beloit did get on the scoreboard in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Lance Ray off Rattlers reliever Brian Garman. The Snappers looked primed to put something together in the seventh after a walk put runners at first and second with one out. But, Garman ended the game with a 6-4-3 double play. Wisconsin box score (game one)Just an awesome game from Thornburg. Chris was a little surprised that Thornburg wasn't given a chance to complete the game, given that his pitch count was only at 86 (55 strikes). Glad to see him bounce back from the 2 K/4 BB hiccup last time out; he's now got 41 punch-outs in 36 innings. Just for fun, Thornburg also posted a 6/1 GO/FO. Dennis and Walker should also be commended for great games. Always nice to see Tyler Roberts draw a walk. Cody Hawn was lifted for a pinch hitter in the 5th; anyone know why? Wisconsin play-by-play (game one)

I just realized that Lasker has, over his last three starts, pitched a total of three innings, with 12 walks. Maybe he'd rather spend the summer in Appleton?

Slight change of plans. Hall was transferred back to Helena, along with struggling RHP Jimmy Nelson; Chris expects Hall to be "back" tomorrow and Nelson soon as well. RHPs Damon Krestalude and Jameson Dunn join the Rattlers, Krestalude from the DL and Dunn from extended spring. EDIT: Chris indicates that when he said Nelson would be back soon, he meant that Nelson was getting Arlis'd--a paper move to get another arm in the bullpen and that Nelson is still with the team and not being "demoted".

Listening to Chris in these videos, especially the second, makes my sinuses hurt and explains why he wasn't able to put up his post-doubleheader thoughts until today.

MWL notes: Ross matured in hot seatCurt Rallo/Special to MLB.com As far as Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher Austin Ross is concerned, a roiling sea of purple and gold in steamy Baton Rouge is perfect preparation for the pressure cooker of pro baseball. Ross, a 6-foot-2, 200-pound right-hander, endured the intensity of SEC baseball and is thriving for the Timber Rattlers. The 22-year-old eighth-round Draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 is a sizzling 5-1 with a 1.64 ERA. Midwest League opponents are only hitting .176 against Ross. Helping LSU win the College World Series in 2009 and standing up to the heat of Tiger Nation helped forge Ross' precious mettle on the mound. "It's a huge help in pro ball to have played at LSU," Ross said. "There's no place like it. There's a lot of pressure to perform. You play in front of 10,000 fans every night. There's tons of press coverage. You're under the microscope." "If you're throwing bad and the team is not doing well, everybody calling for your head," said Ross, a native of Shreveport. "If you're throwing well, you're on the front page of the paper and everybody loves you. You learn to get a thick skin pretty quick. LSU prepares you for a lot of things in baseball. With LSU fans, it's College World Series or bust. They expect the best from you." Another tremendous asset for Ross is growing up as a pitcher under the tutelage of former San Francisco Giants pitcher Scott Garrelts, who also makes Shreveport home. Ross' father golfed with Garrelts one day and asked the former big leaguer if he would give his then-10-year old son a few tips. Garrelts went beyond a few tips. He mentored Ross through high school, and still stays in touch. "Even in college, we'd talk every few weeks," Ross said. "He'd watch games at LSU on the internet. He knows my tendencies and knows if I'm getting out of sync. Now, we talk about the experience, because he's been through this. In the offseason, I threw three or four bullpens with him watching. He knows me better than anybody. It's a huge advantage. I'm thankful to have somebody like him help me." Transitioning from college to pro ball has been exceptional for Ross. "Pitching every fifth day has helped," Ross said. "In the college game, you had metal bats, hot weather, small parks. ... I gave up a lot of hits. The entire pro ball thing has helped me. I'm real confident right now." "I'm throwing a lot more changeups," Ross said. "Teams know that I have it and have to respect it. I'm not just a fastball-slider guy." http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/05/19/r4b6xL8H.jpg Ross is tied for third in the Midwest League with 48 strikeouts. (Paul R. Gierhart/MiLB.com)

Brewers send Rogers to Class APaul Betit/Portland Press Herald The Milwaukee Brewers sent pitcher Mark Rogers from the Nashville Sounds, their Triple-A affiliate, to the Brevard County Manatees in the Class A Florida State League. "It's a situation where Mark hasn't been able to get back on track since spring training because of various ailments," Milwaukee Assistant General Manager Gord Ash said. "This will enable him to get back into 100 percent pitching shape while doing his work in a more comfortable, less stressful environment." Some media reports characterized the move as a demotion, but Jack Toffey, Rogers' agent, said it was more of a rehabilitation assignment. "The Brewers just want to get him down to warmer weather," Toffey said. Earlier this month, Rogers, 25, was put on the disabled list because of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which caused him to lose feeling in his fingers. Rogers, from Orrs Island and Mt. Ararat High School, began the season by allowing one earned run while pitching a total of 10 innings in his first two starts, but he's allowed 21 runs in five innings in three starts since. Rogers pitched for the Manatees in 2006 and 2009. "The plan is have him make four or five (Class A) starts, then two or three starts at Double-A, then have him return to Triple-A," Ash said. "We want to get him ready for the second half of the season." Since he was drafted by the Brewers in the first round in 2004, Rogers has had two shoulder surgeries. He made his major league debut last fall, starting twice while pitching in four games with a 1.80 ERA while striking out 11 and walking three in 10 innings.

Final: @Fort Myers 6, Brevard County 5 Brevard County box scoreMaverick Lasker, as detailed above, walked all five batters he faced in the 1st inning and was summarily removed; replacement Evan Anundsen fared much better, recording five scoreless frames as the de facto starter. With Anundsen holding the Miracle at bay, BC was able to hand a 5-3 6th-inning lead to Trey Watten--who promptly allowed the tying runs to score. He gave up another in the 8th, giving the Manatees a come-from-ahead loss. Even though Anundsen pitched well, the ERA column of the box score is frightening indeed--Lasker: 7.58; Anundsen: 8.10; Watten: 9.77. It's like a perverse countdown (count-up, I guess)--and when it hits 10, we all lose. At the plate, the news is again D'Vontrey Richardson, who, after homering and singling as described above, walked in his next trip to run his on-base streak to nine plate appearances. Unfortunately, he was retired in his final at-bat; still, a two-day OBP of .900 ain't too shabby. Logan Schafer, making his season debut, was 1-4 with a walk. Hunter Morris had a single and a double in five trips. Khris Davis singled and walked twice. Scooter Gennett and Kentrail Davis were each 1-5. Mike Brownstein chipped in with two hits and a walk. Brevard County play-by-playEven though they scored five runs combined in the 2nd and 3rd innings, the 'Tees still left a few on the field, including Brownstein getting thrown out at home: Brevard County Top of the 2ndHunter Morris singles on a ground ball to center fielder Aaron Hicks.Khristopher Davis walks. Hunter Morris to 2nd.D' Vontrey Richardson homers (2) on a fly ball to right field. Hunter Morris scores. Khristopher Davis scores.Shea Vucinich flies out to right fielder Steven Liddle.Sean McCraw strikes out swinging.Mike Brownstein singles on a line drive to center fielder Aaron Hicks.With Scooter Gennett batting, Mike Brownstein steals (5) 2nd base.Scooter Gennett singles on a line drive to left fielder Ramon Santana. Mike Brownstein out at home on the throw, left fielder Ramon Santana to catcher Daniel Rams. Brevard County Top of the 3rdLogan Schafer singles on a fly ball to right fielder Steven Liddle.With Kentrail Davis batting, Logan Schafer advances to 2nd on a balk.Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.Hunter Morris doubles (15) on a line drive to right fielder Steven Liddle. Logan Schafer scores. Hunter Morris advances to 3rd, on fielding error by right fielder Steven Liddle.Khristopher Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Aaron Hicks. Hunter Morris scores.D' Vontrey Richardson singles on a ground ball to third baseman Anderson Hidalgo. Khristopher Davis to 2nd.Shea Vucinich grounds out, second baseman James Beresford to first baseman Nathan Hanson. Khristopher Davis to 3rd. D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd.Sean McCraw grounds out, second baseman James Beresford to first baseman Nathan Hanson. At least they went down, um, swinging: Brevard County Top of the 9thLogan Schafer walks.Kentrail Davis strikes out swinging.With Hunter Morris batting, wild pitch by Blake Martin, Logan Schafer to 2nd.Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.Pitcher Change: Dakota Watts replaces Blake Martin.Khristopher Davis strikes out swinging.

Interesting goings-on in the Manatees game. First of all, Logan Schafer is playing center field, pushing D'Vontrey Richardson to right. Richardson has responded to the slight by homering and singling in his first two at-bats; he's now 8 for his last 8 after yesterday's 6-6 performance. Lastly, Maverick Lasker had a bit of a problem in the first inning: Fort Myers Bottom of the 1stAaron Hicks walks.With James Beresford batting, Aaron Hicks steals (4) 2nd base.James Beresford walks.Brian Dozier walks. Aaron Hicks to 3rd. James Beresford to 2nd.Nicholas Romero walks. Aaron Hicks scores. James Beresford to 3rd. Brian Dozier to 2nd.Nathan Hanson walks. James Beresford scores. Brian Dozier to 3rd. Nicholas Romero to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Evan Anundsen replaces Maverick Lasker.Daniel Rams strikes out swinging.Anderson Hidalgo grounds into a force out, third baseman Mike Brownstein to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Brian Dozier scores. Nicholas Romero to 3rd. Nathan Hanson out at 2nd. Anderson Hidalgo to 1st.Ramon Santana grounds into a force out, shortstop Shea Vucinich to second baseman Scooter Gennett. Anderson Hidalgo out at 2nd. Great job by Anundsen there getting it out of it with just one more run scoring. That's allowed the Manatees to come back from what was a 3-0 deficit; they're now leading 5-3 after three innings.

WBAY:

Final (game two): Beloit 4, @Wisconsin 2 (8 innings) Beloit prevails in extra innings in nightcapChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Beloit Snappers earned a split in Wednesday’s doubleheader with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers by winning game two 4-2 in eight innings. Andy Leer drew a bases loaded walk in the top of the eighth to drive in the winning run. The loss spoiled a fantastic spot start by Dan Britt of the Timber Rattlers. Beloit (21-17) grabbed an early lead in the first inning. There were two Snappers on when Michael Gonzales singled to center. One run scored on the single by Gonzales. A second scored on an error on the play. Britt would allow a hit in the second and a leadoff double in the top of the third. After that double in the third, he retired the next 15 batters he faced. Britt struck out eight and walked one over seven innings. The number of strikeouts and the innings pitched were game highs as a professional for Britt. Wisconsin (19-18) rallied to tie the game with single runs in the third and fourth innings. Mike Walker drove in the run in the third with an RBI grounder. Tyler Roberts singled in a run in the fourth. The Rattlers had a great opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the seventh when they loaded the bases with one out. Reggie Keen singled and Cody Hawn and Walker drew walks to put the winning run on third base. Chris Dennis appeared to have won the game, but his line drive headed to left field was snared with a diving catch by third baseman Gunner Glad. Franklin Romero was next and he just missed beating out a slow roller to shortstop. The Snappers cashed in their bases loaded opportunity in the top of the eighth. Lefty Tom Keeling came on to start the inning against a pair of left handed hitters for the Snappers. Unfortunately, he hit both batters to put two runners on base,. Eric Marzec relieved Keeling at this point of the eighth. Jamaal Hawkins bunted and Marzec looked to third before throwing to first. The speedy Hawkins beat out the throw to first to load the bases. Marzec walked Leer on a 3-2 pitch to force in the go-ahead run. Gonzales followed with a single to center that scored a run for a 4-2 lead. Jose Gonzalez struck out the side in order in the bottom of the eighth inning to earn his fourth save of the season. The teams have another doubleheader scheduled on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Tyler Thornburg (2-0, 2.10) and Matt Miller (2-3, 4.03) are the scheduled starters for the Timber Rattlers. Adrian Salcedo (3-1, 2.57) and Michael Tonkin (1-1, 6.98) are set to start for the Snappers. Both games are scheduled for seven innings on Thursday. Game one begins at 5:05pm. The second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Wisconsin box score (game two)Remarkable work by Britt. He threw 84 pitches (54 strikes). Keen was a perfect 4-4 with a double. Roberts had two hits and was also hit by a pitch--best offensive game he's had in awhile. Hawn also had a hit and a sac bunt(?). Keeling's walkless streak continues, but I'd say two hit batters counts as a huge asterisk. Wisconsin play-by-play (game two)Wisconsin Bottom of the 3rdNick Shaw singles on a fly ball to left fielder Daniel Ortiz.Reggie Keen singles on a fly ball to right fielder Lance Ray. Nick Shaw to 2nd.Cody Hawn out on a sacrifice bunt, catcher Matt Parker to first baseman Michael Gonzales. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Reggie Keen to 2nd.Michael Walker grounds out, shortstop Jamaal Hawkins to first baseman Michael Gonzales. Nick Shaw scores. Reggie Keen to 3rd.Chris Dennis lines out to shortstop Jamaal Hawkins.I appreciate the sentiment, Cody, but c'mon! This inning was full of fail: Wisconsin Bottom of the 5thReggie Keen singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Gunner Glad. Reggie Keen out at 2nd, second baseman Derek McCallum to shortstop Jamaal Hawkins.Cody Hawn singles on a ground ball to center fielder Wang-Wei Lin.Michael Walker strikes out swinging and Cody Hawn caught stealing 2nd, catcher Matt Parker to second baseman Derek McCallum to first baseman Michael Gonzales to shortstop Jamaal Hawkins.

Stars swept by GeneralsHuntsville Stars Jackson, TN – The Huntsville Stars (19-20) dropped their seventh straight game with a 6-4 loss at Jackson Wednesday afternoon. With this loss, the Stars dropped below .500 for the first time all season. The Stars were behind 3-0 until the top of the seventh inning. Outfielder Brandon Jones drew a leadoff walk from reliever Stephen Penney. Chuckie Caufield capitalized on the situation with a two-run home run on a 1-1 pitch, making it 3-2 Generals. Matt Cline got on base with a throwing error by Carlos Triunfel. He advanced to second on a single by Hainley Statia and scored on a single by Lee Haydel to tie the game. The Generals’ Kuo Hui Lo hit a three-run bomb in the bottom of the eighth off reliever Michael Fiers. The Stars scored one more run in the top of the ninth with a RBI-single from Statia to score Anderson de la Rosa. It wasn’t enough for a comeback and the Stars were handed their first series sweep since August of last year at Tennessee. Reliever Dan Meadows (3-2) took the loss, giving up one run in two innings of work. Meadows replaced Cody Scarpetta in the sixth inning. Scarpetta went 5.1 innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He walked four and struck out two. Caufield, Haydel, Statia and Erik Komatsu all recorded multi-hit games. It was the second consecutive multi-hit game for Caufield. The Stars compiled a 2-8 record on the 10-game road trip, falling to fourth in the Southern League North Division standings. The Stars return home Thursday for a five-game series against the Montgomery Biscuits. The homestand kicks off with Bud Light’s Thirst-Aid Thursday and post-game party at Sammy T’s Music Hall downtown Huntsville! All 20-ounce drafts are just $2 through the seventh inning and your ID wristband will get you free admission at Sammy T’s after the game! Gates open at 6 p.m.! Visit huntsvillestars.com for more information!

Final (game one): @Wisconsin 1, Beloit 0 (7 innings) Rattlers beat Beloit 1-0Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – Chris Dennis provided all the offense that Austin Ross needed on Wednesday afternoon. Dennis hit a solo homer in the bottom of the second inning for a 1-0 victory over the Beloit Snappers in game one of a doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field. Dennis put the Rattlers (19-16) up 1-0 with a leadoff home run in the second inning. The homer was the 25th for Dennis in his Timber Rattlers career. He is now second on the career homer list for the franchise behind just Juan Silvestre (36 career homers with Wisconsin). That home run by Dennis was also the last hit for the Rattlers in the game. Snappers starter BJ Hermsen tossed a complete game and allowed two hits, but he took the loss. Ross worked out of jams in the first and second innings before settling down. However, he would need help to get out of the sixth inning. Ross walked Wang Wei Lin to start the inning. A sacrifice bunt and a ground out moved Lin to third. Ross would walk Michael Gonzales to put runners on the corners. The call went to the bullpen for Thomas Keeling. The lefty came on to face left-handed batting Daniel Ortiz. Keeling got Ortiz to ground out to third to end the inning. Rattlers closer Greg Holle looked like he would have an easy save as he retired the first two Beloit batters in the top of the seventh. But, the Snappers (20-17) made the game interesting as the next two batters reached on singles and Lin drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to load the bases. Jamaal Hawkins stepped in and worked the count full on Holle again. Holle got Hawkins to fly out to right to end the game. Ross went 5-2/3 shutout innings, gave up three hits, walked three, and struck out three to pick up his fifth win of the season. Holle earned his ninth save with the scoreless seventh inning. Wisconsin box score (game one)Good results for Ross but certainly not the dominant peripherals he's spoiled us with in the past; a 9/4 GO/FO always helps, though. TJ Mittelstaedt had Wisconsin's other hit; Nick Shaw and Cody Hawn each drew a walk. Another one-batter outing extends Keeling's walkless streak to five games (4.2 innings). Wisconsin play-by-play (game one) Ross's first two innings: Beloit Top of the 1stWang-Wei Lin flies out to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt.Jamaal Hawkins singles on a line drive to center fielder Reggie Keen.Nate Roberts flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen.With Michael Gonzales batting, Jamaal Hawkins steals (8) 2nd base.Michael Gonzales walks.Daniel Ortiz flies out to center fielder Reggie Keen. Beloit Top of the 2ndLance Ray grounds out, second baseman Nick Shaw to first baseman Cody Hawn.Andy Leer doubles (5) on a line drive to left fielder T. J. Mittelstaedt.Tobias Streich grounds out, pitcher Austin Ross to first baseman Cody Hawn. Andy Leer to 3rd.Daniel Santana strikes out swinging.

Final: @Jackson 6, Huntsville 4 Huntsville box scoreI said in yesterday's Link Report that the best thing about MiLB schedules is that you can lose four in a row to the same team and still not get swept, but that only works if you win the last game. The Stars didn't and have now dropped seven in a row. They were down 3-0 but rallied to tie in the 7th; however, Dan Meadows and Michael Fiers combined to give up three more runs in the 8th and the Stars' chances winked out of existence. Cody Scarpetta was again not very good: 5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 91 pitches, 49 strikes. Needs to find the strike zone way more often. Fiers has a pretty solid 17/6/2/14 K/BB/HBP/H in 16.2 innings but has somehow given up ten runs. Erik Komatsu of course went 2-4 (he struck out for the third day in a row!), and Lee Haydel also had two hits. Hainley Statia contributed three base knocks and Chuckie Caufield a big two-run homer. Huntsville play-by-playMeadows was close to getting Scarpetta out of the 6th with only two runs on his tab but thanks to some wildness couldn't quite pull it off: Jackson Bottom of the 6thKyle Seager walks.Rich Poythress pops out to shortstop Hainley Statia.Eddy Martinez-Esteve singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Chuck Caufield. Kyle Seager to 2nd.Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Cody Scarpetta.Johermyn Chavez strikes out swinging.Nate Tenbrink walks. Kyle Seager to 3rd. Eddy Martinez-Esteve to 2nd.With Kuo Hui Lo batting, wild pitch by Daniel Meadows, Kyle Seager scores.Kuo Hui Lo walks. Eddy Martinez-Esteve to 3rd. Nate Tenbrink to 2nd.Brandon Bantz called out on strikes. Huntsville got one back in the 9th but needed to put a couple more runners on to get Komatsu back up with a chance to drive in the tying runs: Huntsville Top of the 9thChuck Caufield hit by pitch.Anderson De La Rosa grounds into a force out, third baseman Nate Tenbrink to second baseman Kyle Seager. Chuck Caufield out at 2nd. Anderson De La Rosa to 1st.Matt Cline grounds out, third baseman Nate Tenbrink to first baseman Scott Savastano. Anderson De La Rosa to 2nd.Hainley Statia singles on a line drive to center fielder Kuo Hui Lo. Anderson De La Rosa scores.Lee Haydel grounds out, second baseman Kyle Seager to first baseman Scott Savastano.

Daily Dish: Brett Lawrie Crushing Triple-A For JaysJim Shonerd/Baseball America It's understandable if a player struggles when he gets moved up to a level that may be advanced for his age, which makes it all the more impressive when a player in that situation excels. And then there's Brett Lawrie. With the Brewers' Double-A Huntsville affiliate last year, Lawrie was the Southern League's second-youngest regular while hitting .285/.346/.451. For an encore, the 21-year-old has torn up the Triple-A Pacific Coast League after coming over to the Blue Jays in the offseason trade that sent Shaun Marcum to Milwaukee. Lawrie, the PCL's youngest position player and second-youngest player overall to 20-year-old Astros righthander Jordan Lyles, has hit .337/.395/.615 through 169 at-bats for Las Vegas. Lawrie's latest feat came Tuesday afternoon against Round Rock, going 3-for-3 with a walk and finishing a double short of the cycle. Lawrie hit an opposite field home run in the third inning, his ninth of the season, and added his third triple of the year in the eighth, helping spark a rally that saw the 51s overcome an 8-3 deficit for a 9-8 win. Lawrie walked and went on to score the winning run in the ninth. While Cashman Field in Las Vegas is one of the minors' most noted launching pads—six of his nine homers have come at home—he's still been plenty productive on the road. Lawrie's hitting .377/.434/.638 away from Vegas, compared to .310/.367/.600 at home. Lawrie's also making the adjustment to third base in Triple-A after having played second base during his time with the Brewers. He went through some initial struggles with six errors (four fielding, two throwing) in his first 12 games at third, but he's gotten more comfortable since. Lawrie's made only one error since April 20, a span of 27 games.

Maybe I'm reading too much into it but that sounds like a shot. Strikeouts are fascist. The great thing about five-game MiLB series--you can lose four in a row to a team and still not get swept.

Kevin Goldstein has (free) write-ups on his top 20 draft prospects. Some of the guys we've talked about:

Chris's postgame thoughts make Jimmy Nelson sound like Yovani Gallardo when he's not going right:

Final: @Jackson 5, Huntsville 3 Huntsville box scoreJesus Sanchez gave up three runs in the 2nd and two more in the 3rd, and that was too much for the Stars to overcome. Sanchez issued six walks in three innings. Roque Mercedes finally had a nice outing, striking out four over two scoreless innings. Darren Byrd also tossed two scoreless, and Michael Fiers contributed a perfect 8th. Erik Komatsu did his thing, singling, walking, and reaching on catcher's interference in four trips. The one out he made was a strikeout--that's two days in a row, Erik; don't let it happen again. Lee Haydel was 0-3 but walked twice. Steffan Wilson and Chuckie Caufield had two hits. Huntsville play-by-playThe Stars closed the gap to two runs on Cool Breeze's RBI single here but a potential rally was short-circuited: Huntsville Top of the 5thLee Haydel walks.With Matt Cline batting, throwing error by Anthony Vasquez on the pickoff attempt, Lee Haydel to 3rd.Matt Cline walks.Erik Komatsu singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Jake Shaffer. Lee Haydel scores. Matt Cline to 2nd.Steffan Wilson flies out to right fielder Johermyn Chavez. Matt Cline to 3rd.Brandon Jones lines into double play, right fielder Johermyn Chavez to catcher Ralph Henriquez. Matt Cline out at home on the throw.

Final: Beloit 7, @Wisconsin 0 Soliman and the Snappers silence RattlersChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Manuel Soliman struck out 11 over six innings to lead the Beloit Snappers to a 7-0 shutout over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Tuesday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Soliman and two Beloit relievers combined to strike out 16 Rattlers batters and held Wisconsin to just three hits. The evening started with Milwaukee Brewers reliever Zach Braddock making a rehab start for the Timber Rattlers (18-17). Braddock tossed three scoreless and hitless innings with a walk and a pair of strikeouts. The lefty tossed 33 pitches (24 strikes) in his outing. But, Beloit (20-16) jumped on reliever Jimmy Nelson in the fourth inning. The first three Snappers to bat reached to start the fourth on a pair of singles and a walk. Daniel Ortiz drove in the first run with a fielder's choice. Then, Lance Ray tripled to drive in two runs. The Snappers struck again in the fifth. There were two outs with none on base when Nelson gave up a double to Jamaal Hawkins and a walk to Nat Roberts. Michael Gonzales and Ortiz followed with consecutive RBI singles to make the score 5-0. Nelson would hit Roberts with the bases loaded in the top of the sixth to force in a run and Beloit was up 6-0. Roberts and Ortiz combined to score the final run of the game when Roberts tripled with one out in the ninth and Ortiz followed with an RBI double. Wisconsin stranded nine runners on the evening. But, only Franklin Romero, Tyler Roberts, and Yadiel Rivera had hits - all singles - for the Rattlers. Clinton Dempster struck out three in two innings and Jose Gonzalez struck out a pair in the ninth inning to shut out the Rattlers. The Rattlers have been held off the scoreboard four times this season. Wisconsin and Beloit continue the series at Time Warner Cable Field on Wednesday afternoon with a doubleheader. Austin Ross (4-1, 1.85) will start game one for the Rattlers and face BJ Hermsen (3-4, 4.46) in game one. Game two will feature Dan Britt (2-1, 7.50) as the starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Beloit has Michael Tonkin (1-1, 6.98) as their starter in the nightcap. Game one starts at 12:05pm. The second game will start thirty minutes after the conclusion of game one. Both games are scheduled for seven innings. Wisconsin box scoreMan, three of the last four starters the Rattlers have faced have just dropped the hammer on them. On Friday, James Paxton struck out ten in six innings, then Taijuan Walker struck out 11 in 6.1 on Sunday, and now Soliman. Wisconsin got two runs total off those three pitchers. Chris mentioned that Braddock was 91-93 with his fastball. Nelson's had a tough year; with four more free passes handed out today, he's walked 22 in 33.1 innings, against just 20 strikeouts. Not what you want from your second-round, SEC-pedicured pitching prospect. Wisconsin play-by-play

I'm not the Brewers, but no.

Logan Schafer activated from the DL at Brevard County--where he, somewhat mysteriously, will play, at least for the time being. Why the Brewers would want to put their two best center fielders (D'Vontrey Richardson being the other) at the same level, when Schafer's already had success at BC, is confusing. Hopefully he'll just be there to knock the rust off at which point he'll get bumped up to Huntsville (and perhaps then Erik Komatsu to Nashville).

Wisconsin game notes and lineup: Nick Shaw – 2BReggie Keen – CFCody Hawn – 1BChris Dennis – LFMike Walker – DHFranklin Romero – RFGreg Hopkins – 3BTyler Roberts – CYadiel Rivera – SS Zach Braddock – SP (relieved by Jimmy Nelson)

Kjeldgaard leads Manatees' outburstDanny Wild/MLB.com It's hard to have a better day at the plate than Brock Kjeldgaard enjoyed on Tuesday, although a few of his teammates certainly tried. Kjeldgaard's monster day was just one of many bright spots in a slugfest for Brevard County, which totaled 23 hits in a 19-9 win over St. Lucie in a Florida State League game that more resembled a video game. Kjeldgaard went 3-for-6 with two homers and seven RBIs and was one of three Manatees to knock in at least four runs in the rout. Shawn Zarraga also went deep, Khristopher Davis plated four and former fourth-round pick Hunter Morris drove in four and scored five times. The day belonged to Kjeldgaard, though, who drove in runs even when he didn't reach base. The designated hitter capped Brevard County's three-run outburst in the first with an RBI ground out, knocking home Morris. He hit an RBI single in the third, smashed a three-run homer in the seventh and added a two-run shot in the eighth. The effort matched Kjeldgaard's previous high, which he set on July 16, 2010, when he went 4-for-5 with two longballs and seven RBIs against Charlotte, his first of three two-homer performances last year. On the season, the Edmonton, Alberta, native is batting .227 with five homers and 21 RBIs. He went .245 with 17 homers and 75 RBIs last year with the Manatees after blasting 20 home runs for Wisconsin in '09. Morris, an Auburn product who saw time with Team USA, had an RBI double in the first, a single in the seventh, another RBI double in the eighth and a two-run two-bagger in the ninth. Zarraga went deep in the fifth, his second of the year. Brevard County was 11-for-20 with runners in scoring position. The offense was enough to give reliever R.J. Seidel a win, despite the right-hander allowing five runs over two innings of work. http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/05/17/NrxczqqI.jpg Kjeldgaard (Scott Jontes/MiLB.com)

About Jungmann: And Mahtook: He has Spangenberg going with the previous pick to the Marlins. We talked about Mahtook a bit last month in the other thread; colby wasn't a fan of taking him.

Final: @Nashville 11, Sacramento 10 Taylor Green's Three-Run Homer Gives Nashville An 11-10 Victory Over SacramentoNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Taylor Green hit a go-ahead, three-run homer [audio] in the bottom of the seventh inning to power the Nashville Sounds to a 11-10 victory over the visiting Sacramento River Cats in front of 7,975 screaming kids on Tuesday afternoon at Greer Stadium. With the win, Nashville (14-24) earned a season-split with Sacramento. All four games of the series were decided by one run. Four Nashville hitters recorded multiple-hit contests in the victory. Outfielder Brett Carroll continued to stay hot against Sacramento, adding his second three-hit performance in the series while scoring three runs. Carroll, Edwin Maysonet and Green all drove in three runs on the afternoon. The Sounds sent all nine hitters to the dish in the bottom of the first inning and plated four runs on Sacramento starter Guillermo Moscoso. The River Cats' right-hander gave up a leadoff double to Eric Farris and walked the bases loaded before allowing a two-run single to Carroll. Moscoso then balked to put both runners in scoring position before allowing another two-run single to catcher George Kottaras. Sacramento plated two runs to trim the Nashville lead to 4-2 in the next frame, all with two outs. Josh Butler surrendered a solo homer to catcher Josh Donaldson, his third of the season. Three batters later, the River Cats plated their next run when Jemile Weeks hit an RBI base knock. The River Cats went ahead 5-4 in the next inning, beginning with Matt Carson hitting his sixth home run just inches above the glove of Jordan Brown in left field. With two outs again in the inning, Sacramento plated two more runs, highlighted by an RBI double from Donaldson and RBI single from Michael Taylor. Nashville knotted the contest at 5-5 in the next frame. Carroll doubled to left field and later scored when Maysonet knocked a two-out single to right field. Sacramento scored the last of its run in the top of the six inning, plating five runs to take a 10-5 lead. Outfielder Michael Taylor singled and scored on the ensuing Shane Petersen triple down the left field line. Reliever Jim Henderson came into the contest and allowed Weeks to single home Petersen for the next run. After a walk, Carson belted his second home run of the game, this time a three-run shot over the left field wall. Nashville went ahead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning, again sending all nine batters to the plate for six runs. Sacramento reliever Jerry Blevins began the inning by hitting Brown and giving up a double to Brendan Katin, his team-leading 18th extra-base hit of the season. Carroll followed by driving in his third run of the contest with an RBI base hit to right field. Blevins intentionally walked Kottaras before being replaced by Willie Eyre (3-2), who quickly offered up a base-loaded, two-run single to Maysonet. Green then blasted the first pitch he saw from Eyre over the center field wall and off the clubhouse. Giving Nashville the 11-10 lead, the three-run homer was Green's fourth of the year and first since April 17. Both starters took no decisions. Butler gave up a season-high seven runs while scattering 10 hits with two walks in five plus innings. Moscoso lasted three innings for Sacramento, surrendering five runs on six hits with three walks. Henderson (1-1) backed into the win with two innings. Donovan Hand contributed a scoreless frame while Mark DiFelice converted his fourth save with a perfect ninth. After an off day on Wednesday, the Sounds travel west to begin an eight-game road trip with the Salt Lake Bees (AAA-Angels) and Tacoma Rainiers (AAA-Mariners) of the Pacific Conference Northern Division, the teams' only meetings this season. Left-hander Chase Wright (0-3, 7.50) makes the start at 7:35 pm CT on Thursday for Nashville against Salt Lake right-hander (0-3, 10.67). Nashville box scoreWhat a rally! Per Toby, Green just missed another three-run homer in the 1st inning. Terrible start for Butler, who's watched whatever glimmer of prospect-ness he had entering the year disappear. In the midst of all the fireworks, Jeremy Reed went 0-5 in the three hole; Mat Gamel was also hitless, but he walked twice. Katin must be a little frustrated watching Mike Rivera get called up to serve as a right-handed bench bat, which is essentially his own job description; hopefully he takes out his frustrating by clubbing ten more homers between now and the end of June. Brown had a big day with two hits, a walk, and the HBP; the walk is his first as a Sound. Two more steals off Kottaras. Nashville play-by-play