battlekow

Haudricourt reveals that SS Edwin Maysonet strained his right hamstring and will probably be placed on the DL and miss 1.5-2 weeks. We also learn that IF Zelous Wheeler's injury is a sprained right knee that will keep him out for six weeks.

Final: @Nashville 6, Oklahoma City 1 Sounds Continue Winning Ways With 6-1 VictoryNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds continued their winning ways on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium, posting a 6-1 victory over the Oklahoma City RedHawks in the third game of a four-game series. With the win, the Sounds (5-2) notched a winning record during their opening homestand, which concludes tomorrow evening. Nashville pitchers permitted just one unearned run in the contest to lower the team's ERA to 2.08 through seven games of action. In all five of the Sounds' victories, they have held the opposition to exactly one run. Oklahoma City took a 1-0 lead in the second inning with an unearned run off right-hander Mark Rogers, the Milwaukee Brewers' top prospect, who made his second start of the year for the Sounds. With one out, Nashville center fielder Brett Carroll dropped a fly ball hit by Tommy Manzella, who scored one batter later on a fielder's choice RBI grounder from Anderson Hernandez. Rogers allowed just the one unearned run on three hits over his 5 1/3 innings and took a no-decision in his third career Triple-A start. He walked four batters and struck out three, throwing 97 pitches (50 strikes). Nashville - which failed to score after having a one-out, bases-loaded opportunity in the fourth - rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth against Oklahoma City starter Sergio Perez, taking advantage of a double error on RedHawks third baseman Oswaldo Navarro. After Brendan Katin flew out to open the inning, Carroll hit a routine ground ball to third, which was bobbled by Navarro. Then, the infielder tried to glove scoop the ball back to the pitcher and misfired past the home plate circle, allowing a hustling Carroll to reach third on the play. Brandon Boggs followed with a game-tying single to right as Carroll scored in unearned fashion. Catcher Martin Maldonado (3-for-4) followed with a go-ahead double to right that plated Boggs for a 2-1 advantage. The Sounds padded their cushion against the Oklahoma City bullpen in the sixth, plating four runs to extend the lead to 6-1. Carroll's one-out, bases-loaded bloop single to shallow left-center off Ross Wolf plated a pair of runs. Carroll (1-for-3) has hit safely in six of Nashville's seven contests this season. Boggs (2-for-3) followed with an RBI single through the right side of the infield. The final run of Nashville's four-run sixth was scored when, with runners at the corners and one out, Maldonado struck out while Boggs broke for second and got caught in a rundown. Carroll again was alert on the basepaths and raced home before the RedHawks' defense applied the tag on Boggs to complete the double play. Sounds right-hander Tim Dillard (2-0) retired his only two batters faced to record the victory in relief of Rogers. The victory was Dillard's 32nd all-time for the Sounds, moving him to second place in franchise history (trailing Keith Brown's 35 wins). Perez (0-1) took a hard-luck loss following a quality start for Oklahoma City. The right-hander allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits while striking out seven in his six innings of work. Nashville third baseman Mat Gamel went 0-for-4 with a walk on the afternoon to bring his team-best four-game hit streak to a close. The teams wrap up the series with a 7:05 p.m. finale on Thursday evening. Right-hander Josh Butler (1-0, 0.00) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Oklahoma City southpaw Ryan Rowland-Smith, who will make his first Triple-A appearance of the season. It will be Taco Bell Throwback Thursday at the ballpark. The Sounds will wear their 1980s style retro jerseys on the field, while fans can enjoy discounted pricing on several concessions items ($2 hot dogs, $2 beers, $2 soft drinks, $2 popcorn, $2 nachos). Nashville box scoreObviously Rogers is still battling his control. No word yet on how hard he was throwing. Listen to Maldonado's RBI double here. Boggs also drew a walk, but that caught-stealing was already his third of the year against just one successful theft. Taylor Green doubled and walked, as did Eric Farris in his return to the lineup. In addition to the mixed bag mentioned above, Carroll also had an outfield assist. Nashville play-by-playRogers walked the first batter of the game and then didn't issue another free pass until the 6th, when he walked three consecutive men with one out before being removed for Dillard, who got him out of the jam; however, it's not as if he was a paragon of control in the interim, throwing 30 balls and only 27 strikes on pitches not put in play (h/t Alex Tomter for the idea).

Finally, the Jeremy Reed Crisis is resolved: Reed has accepted the assignment to Nashville. I know it's been a rough 15 minutes, but you can finally relax, Brewers fans.

Haudricourt corrects himself: Reed hasn't decided whether or to accept the assignment.

Chris Mehring's three quick(ish) thoughts notes that Austin Ross had a 37-pitch 3rd inning, plus some interesting sniping between Kane County and Burlington.

Final: Wisconsin 8, @Cedar Rapids 5 Walker's big night at the plate helps Rattlers win second straightChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - Mike Walker had an up and down evening for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Walker drove in an early run and committed an error that would eventually let the Cedar Rapids Kernels tie the game. But, Walker finished the evening on a big upswing as his three-run homer in the top of the eighth inning put Wisconsin in front 7-5. Wisconsin went on to an 8-5 win. Walker went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI to pace a 12-hit Rattlers attack. The Kernels (2-4) scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the third after they loaded the bases with no outs against Wisconsin starting pitcher Austin Ross. A wild pitch scored the first run. An RBI grounder by Wes Hatton tallied the second. Wisconsin (4-2) went in front in the top of the fourth by sending eight men to the plate. Jason Rogers started the rally with a one out triple. Cameron Garfield walked to put runners on the corners. Walker doubled to left to drive in Rogers and send Garfield to third. Tyler Roberts was next and he sent a grounder to short. Garfield scored the tying run when the throw home was dropped by the Kernel catcher. The Rattlers took a 4-2 lead on back-to-back RBI singles by Carlos George and Franklin Romero, the next two batters in the fourth. Cedar Rapids tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The first run scored on a grounder through the legs of Walker at third base. A two out single by Ricky Alvarez plated the tying run. The Kernels grabbed a brief lead with a run in the bottom of the seventh when the Wisconsin defense could not turn a potential inning ending double play. But, the Rattlers bounced back in the top of the eighth. Cody Hawn drew a leadoff walk. Rogers followed with a single. One out later - with Walker at the plate - the runners moved into scoring position on what was ruled a wild pitch. The left-handed hitting Walker would line a 1-2 pitch to left field. The ball cleared the wall for a three-run homer and a 7-5 lead. Garfield gave Wisconsin an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning on an infield grounder. Greg Holle, who worked out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth, pitched two scoreless frames to pick up his first professional save. Game three of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field. Matt Miller (0-1, 11.25) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Cedar Rapids sends Suammy Baez (0-1, 7.71) to the hill. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or www.timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The Timber Rattlers return home on Friday night to start a three game series against the Peoria Chiefs. Game time on Friday at Time Warner Cable Field is 6:35pm. Tickets are available for all six games of the homestand between April 15 and April 20. Call the Timber Rattlers box office at 800-WI-TIMBER or (920) 733-4152 during regular business hours. Wisconsin box scoreMehring said Ross was "a bit off with his control" and fell behind a lot of hitters. His line line: 5+ IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 84 pitches, 51 strikes, 8/4 GO/FO. Tyler Cravy allowed two runs, one earned, in two innings for the win. True to his name, and putting the cherry on top of a phenomenal game, Walker also drew a free pass. Romero also contributed three hits from the nine hole. I was wondering how Rogers would handle the outfield, but I guess he's fast enough to triple. Seeing that Travis Witherspoon stole two more bases off Roberts gave me flashbacks to Mike Trout's one-man demolition squad both on the bases and with the bat, but thankfully Witherspoon was 0-4. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final: Brevard County 4, @Tampa 2 T-Yanks Fall Just Short to the ManateesJeremy Ventura & Jessica Lack/Tampa Yankees Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees played the Brevard County Manatees tonight at George M. Steinbrenner Field. In a close game, the Manatees came out on top 4-2. Toeing the rubber for Tampa was Brett Marshall (0-2, 9.00 ERA) and for Brevard County was Kyle Heckathorn (1-0, 1.50 ERA). Brevard County got on the scoreboard first tonight in the top of the second when Brock Kjeldgaard doubled and scored on a Chris Dennis single. Dennis advanced to second on the throw to the plate. Shea Vucinich bunted to move Dennis to third and Rafael Neda followed with a bunt to bring Dennis home for a 2-0 lead. In the bottom of the third, Neil Medchill stepped up to the plate and hit his first homerun of the season over the right field fence. The Manatees quickly retaliated in the top of the fourth when Khris Davis hit his first homerun of the season, giving the Manatees a 3-1 lead. The game stayed close, but Brevard County extended their lead to three in the top of the eighth. Ryan Gennett singled and stole second base. Kentrail Davis grounded out to move Gennett to third. Hunter Morris hit a sacrifice fly scoring Gennett and putting the Manatees up 4-1. In the bottom of the eighth, the Manatees called to the bullpen and brought out Santo Manzanillo for Heckathorn. Heckathorn threw seven innings and gave up seven hits, one earned run, and struck out six batters. Carmen Angelini tripled and scored off of a Rob Lyerly single to inch the Yankees closer, but it would not be enough as the T-Yanks lose 4-2. The third and final game of the series will be played Wednesday, April 13th at 7:00pm. It's Kids Night at the ballpark which means kids 14 and under get a free hot dog, soda, and ice cream with the purchase of a reserved ticket. Brevard County box scoreHeckathorn did his best Amaury Rivas impersonation, including keeping the ball on the ground with a 9/3 GO/FO. Wonderful to see him miss some bats. Except for the struggling Kentrail Davis, every Sea Cow in the lineup, including Shawn Zarraga, who replaced Neda after Neda's injury (see above), had at least one hit--which is a good thing, because they drew no walks. Gennett is slowing getting it going, posting his first multi-hit game of the year. Zarraga also had two hits. Khris Davis has more home runs than the entire Manatees team did at this point last year, I think. Brevard County play-by-playFour of Heckathorn's six punch-outs were looking.

Final (game two): @Nashville 2, Oklahoma City 1 (7 innings) Sounds Split Doubleheader With 2-1 Win Over RedHawksNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds edged the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 2-1, in the doubleheader nightcap behind Brendan Katin's two-run homer and another fine pitching effort from Sounds starter Amaury Rivas (2-0). The damage came in the bottom of the fourth inning, as first baseman Mat Gamel led off the frame with a double down the left field line, extending his consecutive-game streak with a double to three games. Katin then jacked a two-run homer over the wall in right-center, for his second long ball of the doubleheader. Oklahoma City trimmed the lead to 2-1 in the top of the next frame, breaking a string of 10 2/3 scoreless frames by Rivas leading back his previous start. It was the only run the 25-year-old would allow on the night in his five innings pitched, allowing four hits and with five strikeouts for the win. Mike McClendon shut the door with two perfect innings behind Rivas, picking up the club's first save of the season. RedHawks starter Jordan Lyles (0-1) allowed two runs on six hits with four strikeouts in four innings pitched for the loss. Nashville box scoreNice game from Rivas: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 87 pitches, 54 strikes, and a 7/1 GO/FO. Great job. Edwin Maysonet did not play after injuring his hamstring in game one, meaning that Anderson Machado had to play shortstop, which left second base duties to Taylor Green. I doubt he'll see more time there unless Maysonet misses time, but it's nice to know he's at least a backup option there still. Any versatility greatly increases his chances of an MLB career--as does continuing to pound out the extra-base hits, which he did with a double after homering in the first game. Brandon Boggs was hit by a pitch in both games of the doubleheader. Nashville play-by-playRivas saved a run by deflecting a base hit in the 3rd: Okla. City Top of the 3rdOswaldo Navarro lines out to center fielder Brett Carroll.Jordan Lyles strikes out swinging.Collin DeLome doubles (1) on a ground ball to right fielder Brendan Katin.Tommy Manzella grounds out, pitcher Amaury Rivas to second baseman Taylor Green to first baseman Mat Gamel. You can listen to the play here.

Final (game one): Oklahoma City 7, @Nashville 6 (8 innings) RedHawks Come Back To Edge Sounds In Twinbill OpenerNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Oklahoma City shortstop Tommy Manzella clubbed an opposite-field home run in the top of the eighth inning to power the visiting RedHawks to a come-from-behind, 7-6 victory over the Nashville Sounds in the first game of a doubleheader on Tuesday evening at Greer Stadium. The game-winning blast, which came against Sounds reliever Jim Henderson, was the infielder's first big fly of the year as the RedHawks rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to record the win. The Sounds didn't go down without a fight, however. After RedHawks reliever Jose Valdez retired the first two batters in the bottom of the frame, Nashville loaded the bases when Taylor Green singled before Anderson Machado and pinch-hitter Chris Nowak drew back-to-back walks. Casey Fien was brought to the hill by Oklahoma City skipper Tony DeFrancesco and induced a hard grounder to short from Edwin Maysonet, who looked like he would beat the throw to first but pulled up lame on the basepaths while grabbing his right hamstring and was out by a half-step. Fien recorded his first save of the season. It was Nashville's second consecutive extra-inning contest (0-2). The Sounds played 14 innings against New Orleans on Sunday before Monday's rainout interrupted the on-field action. The Sounds took advantage of a friendly wind blowing out to center as they touched Oklahoma City starter-hander Henry Villar for five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Four of the five runs scored in the frame came via three longballs off the southpaw, who made his career Triple-A debut in the contest. After Maysonet (2-for-4, 2 doubles) led off the frame by doubling off the center field wall, Mat Gamel plated him two batters later with a two-bagger of his own. Nashville cleanup hitter Brendan Katin followed with a two-run homer over the 24-foot high batters eye in center field. It was the first home run to skip off the speaker box behind the wall since Oklahoma's Hank Blalock accomplished the feat on June 3, 2002 (off the Sounds' Salomon Torres). After Brandon Boggs walked and was thrown out trying to steal second, catcher Mike Rivera and third baseman Green increased the Nashville lead to 5-0 with back-to-back home runs off Villar. Green's roundtripper was his first career Triple-A hit. The RedHawks jumped on the board in the second with a pair of two-out runs against Sounds starter Sam Narron that made it a 5-2 contest. Manzella blooped a two-out RBI double to left-center then came around to score when Oswaldo Navarro (3-for-4) followed with a single to left. Nashville got a run back in the home half of the frame when Narron hit a leadoff single and later scored on a Brett Carroll sacrifice fly to up the lead to 6-2. Villar took a beating in his Triple-A debut, surrendering six runs on seven hits in just two innings of action for the RedHawks. Six of his seven knocks allowed went for extra bases. Following Villar's departure, three Oklahoma City relievers combined to hold the Sounds hitless over the next 5 2/3 innings before Green recorded a two-out single in the bottom of the eighth. Oklahoma City cut the Sounds' advantage to 6-3 in the third when Koby Clemens singled and later scored on a Manzella sacrifice fly. Boggs, the Nashville left fielder, squelched the RedHawks' attempt to add another run when he threw out Drew Locke at the plate to end the inning as the runner tried to score on a Navarro single. Narron, who left in line for a win in his first start of the year before the late blown save by the Sounds' bullpen, allowed three runs on nine hits over five innings of work, throwing 70 pitches. Left-hander Manny Parra made his first rehab appearance for the Sounds and worked a spotless sixth inning, throwing eight of his 10 pitches in the frame for strikes, then ran into trouble in the seventh. After fanning Manzella to open his second frame of action, he allowed a Navarro double followed by an RBI single off the bat of Jose Vallejo, which made it a 6-4 contest. Consecutive walks to J.B. Shuck and Brian Dopirak loaded the bases with only one out in the inning and prompted Don Money to summon Henderson from the bullpen. Bogusevic greeted the right-hander by smashing his 1-0 offering to the wall in right-center for a game-tying, two-run double that knotted the score at 6-6. An intentional walk to Clemens re-loaded the bases with still one out but Henderson rallied to strike out ex-Sound Carlos Corporan and Locke in succession to escape the frame without further damage. Parra ultimately allowed three runs on two hits in his 1 1/3 innings of work. He walked two batters and struck out three, while throwing 35 pitches, 17 for strikes. Henderson (0-1) took the loss for Nashville after giving up the winning run in his 1 2/3 frames of work. RedHawks reliever Jose Valdez (1-0) worked 1 2/3 scoreless frames to earn the victory. Nashville box scoreMH covered Parra's outing above. Heartbreaking detail there on the Maysonet play to end the game. Big ups (do people still say that?) to Green, and here's hoping for a resurgent season from him. Listen to Gamel's RBI double here. Boggs was hitless but walked twice and was hit by a pitch; he also had an additional outfield assist to go with the one mentioned in the recap. Nashville play-by-playA little passive here in the 3rd, no? Nashville Bottom of the 3rdBrandon Boggs hit by pitch.Mike Rivera called out on strikes.Taylor Green called out on strikes.With Anderson Machado batting, wild pitch by Fernando Rodriguez, Brandon Boggs to 2nd.Anderson Machado called out on strikes

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The Rattlers have come through with archives of Chris Mehring's pre-game interviews:4/7: 4/8: 4/9: 4/10: 4/11:

Rattler Radio has the game notes and lineup: Reggie Keen CFGreg Hopkins 2BCody Hawn 1BJason Rogers LFCameron Garfield DHMike Walker 3BTyler Roberts CCarlos George SSFranklin Romero RF Austin Ross SP Switching it up a bit. Both catchers are in the lineup, as are both first baseman/designated hitters, which means big Jason Rogers makes his first pro appearance in the outfield.

Actually, in order for it to count as an option year, the player has to spend 20 days in the minors on optional assignment; since Kintzler has only spent six so far, his option year won't officially be used until he's down for two more weeks. However, this is dead on. Kintzler beat out McClendon in spring training and nothing much has happened to change their minds since.

Final: @Tampa 7, Brevard County 3 Everybody Chips In For T-Yanks WinJeremy Ventura & Jessica Lack/Tampa Yankees Tampa, Fla. - The Tampa Yankees started a three game series against the Brevard County Manatees tonight at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The T-Yanks took game one with a 7-3 win. Starting on the mound for Tampa was Jairo Heredia (1-0, 3.00 ERA), and for Brevard County was Maverick Lasker (0-1, 5.79 ERA). The Yankees took an early 2-0 lead in the first when Abe Almonte singled and advanced to second on a Walter Ibarra ground out. Rob Lyerly doubled scoring Almonte. Taylor Grote reached base on second baseman Ryan Gennett's wild throw bringing Lyerly all the way around to score. Keeping the bats heated up in the third, Luke Murton singled, followed by a double from Grote. Zoilo Almonte hit a sacrifice fly scoring Murton. Kyle Higashioka came up next with a single and Grote crossed the plate to give the Yankees a 4-0 lead. The Manatees got on the scoreboard in the fourth after Josh Prince and Gennett hit back-to-back doubles scoring Prince. Kentrail Davis grounded out moving Gennett to third. Hunter Morris also grounded out to bring home Gennett and make the game 4-2. Tampa extended their lead in the sixth after Brevard County made a second pitching change on the night putting in LaTroy Hawkins for Efrain Nieves. With one out on the board, Abe Almonte singled followed by another single from Ibarra. A wild throw scored Almonte and advanced Ibarra to second. Lyerly hit a two-run homer over the right field fence putting Tampa up 7-2. In the top of the seventh, the T-Yanks called upon Chase Whitley from the bullpen. Heredia threw six innings, and gave up three hits, two earned runs, and struck out seven batters. Kentrail Davis moved to first after being hit by a pitch and teammate Khris Davis came up with a double scoring the runner. Francisco Gil came into pitch a scoreless night and secured a 7-3 victory. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/11/uqcoOrrq.jpg Wouldn't it be Lyerly if the 'Tees could win a game? (Mark LoMoglio) Brevard County box scoreLasker was not very good, allowing eight hits and a walk in 4.2 innings. He's been pretty hittable so far in his pro career; if that velocity bump the Brewers project(ed) ever comes about, it will be helpful in that regard. Jon Pokorny and Rob Wooten finished the game with 2.1 combined scoreless frames. Khris Davis had two hits, and Scott Krieger singled and walked. Chris Dennis, who hadn't played since Friday, finally got his first hit of the year, but was also caught stealing and committed a throwing error. Gennett, Prince, and Wooten also had fielding miscues, so it was a pretty sloppy game. Brevard County play-by-playWith Khris Davis on third and one out in the 7th, the Sea Cows couldn't put a ball in play: Brevard County Top of the 7thKentrail Davis hit by pitch.Hunter Morris strikes out swinging.Khristopher Davis doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Abraham Almonte. Kentrail Davis scores.With Scott Krieger batting, wild pitch by Chase Whitley, Khristopher Davis to 3rd.Scott Krieger walks.Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.Chris Dennis called out on strikes. This would have been a good time for Dennis to park one: Brevard County Top of the 9thKentrail Davis flies out to left fielder Zoilo Almonte.Hunter Morris grounds out, shortstop Emerson Landoni to first baseman Luke Murton.Khristopher Davis singles on a ground ball to center fielder Abraham Almonte.Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to shortstop Emerson Landoni. Khristopher Davis to 2nd.Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a ground ball to shortstop Emerson Landoni. Khristopher Davis to 3rd. Scott Krieger to 2nd.Chris Dennis strikes out swinging.

Final: Wisconsin 3, @Cedar Rapids 1 Rattlers win, by GeorgeChris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers spoiled the home opener of the Cedar Rapids Kernels with a 3-1 victory on Monday night at Perfect Game Field. Rattlers shortstop Carlos George led the way with a pair of RBI and about twice that many fine defensive plays for the Rattlers. Travis Witherspoon gave the Kernels (2-3) a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Rattlers starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg had struck out the first two batters he faced. But, he grooved a 2-0 pitch to the Kernels center fielder. Witherspoon drove the ball over the 400’ sign in center for his second homer of the season and a 1-0 Cedar Rapids lead. Both teams had great chances to score in the third inning. Kernels starter Brian Diemer walked the first three Rattlers in the top of the frame. But, he got out of the inning with no runs scoring…barely. Jason Rogers appeared to have been hit by a pitch with one out to force in a run. However, the plate umpire ruled that Rogers did not attempt to get out of the way. Rogers was retired on a popup and the third out of the inning was recorded a few pitches later. Cedar Rapids had runners at second and third with one out against Thornburg in the bottom of the third. Carlos Ramirez lined a 2-0 that was ticketed for leftcenter. But, George made a leaping grab and the shortstop prevented the Kernels from adding onto their lead. Thornburg retired the next batter to keep Wisconsin within a run. George doubled with two outs in the fourth inning to tie the game. Wisconsin (3-2) loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth inning and cashed in to take the lead. Cameron Garfield was hit by a pitch to force in a run. Dan Britt relieved Thornburg to start the bottom of the fourth after the Wisconsin starter had reached his pitch limit. Britt tossed four scoreless innings and allowed one hit to position the Rattlers for the lead. George struck again with an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning to give the Rattlers a 3-1 cushion. Cedar Rapids loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Eric Marzec, who got the first two outs of the inning, walked the next two. Then, Brian Garman hit a batter. Garman got out of the jam with – what else – a grounder to George at short. Garman worked a perfect ninth to nail down the win and his second save of the season. Game two of the series is Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Austin Ross (1-0, 1.50) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Max Russell (0-0, 1.50) is set to start for the Kernels. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or www.timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Wisconsin box scoreThis just feels like a game the Rattlers would have lost last year. I tease Carlos George for his error totals a lot, but he played a great game today. Thornburg struck out five, walked one, hit a batter, and allowed three hits in his three innings. Mehring had him with 50 pitches, 31 of them strikes. The stadium gun wasn't working, so no reports on how hard Thornburg was throwing. As an aside, he apparently has a somewhat unconventional pickoff move that Mehring described as a "jump stop". How about Dan Britt with four scoreless? Not too shabby, even if he only fanned one. Robbie Garvey had a perfect evening with three singles and a walk. Garvey and Keen were both thrown out easily trying to steal in the early going. George was also picked off first, possibly intentionally, in the 8th with Cameron Garfield on third; Garfield was "caught stealing" trying to sneak home after the throw to first. Cody Hawn struck out with the bases loaded and none out immediately preceding Rogers' not-hit-by-pitch in the 3rd. Kernels center fielder Travis Witherspoon came up to bat to "Power" by Kanye West, same as Ryan Braun, and then proceeded to smash a home run, same as Ryan Braun. He also stole three bases. No one man should have all that power/speed. Wisconsin play-by-play

Trenni breaks the news. So much for Saito being healthy yesterday.

Final: Huntsville 4, @Jacksonville 1 Suns fall late to Stars 4-1Jacksonville Suns JACKSONVILLE, Fla.- A four-run ninth inning propelled the Huntsville Stars (3-2) to a 4-1 victory over the Jacksonville Suns (2-3) on Monday afternoon at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville. The Suns led 1-0 going into the ninth, before the Stars struck for four runs off of Jacksonville reliever Peter Andrelczyk (1-1), who took the loss. Huntsville reliever Michael Fiers (1-0) earned the victory while Roque Mercedes worked a perfect ninth to earn the save as Huntsville takes the series three games to two. Suns starter Darin Downs was superb in his first start in a Jacksonville uniform. Downs fired six shutout innings against the Stars, only surrendering four hits while walking one batter and striking out four. All of the Suns offense occurred in the first inning. Kevin Mattison led off the frame with a single before stealing his Southern League-leading sixth base of the year to advance to second. After Chris Gutierrez moved him to third on a ground out, Alex Romero hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score Mattison to give Jacksonville a 1-0 lead. However after Mattison’s single, the Suns offense would not record another base hit on the afternoon. Beginning with Gutierrez’s groundout, Stars starter Michael Bowman went on a streak where he retired 17 consecutive Suns. Jorge Padilla was the only other base-runner in the contest for Jacksonville, as he was walked by Stars reliever Lucas Luetge in the seventh. Chuckie Caufield hit a ground-rule double to left field to tie the game at a run apiece with no one out in the top of the ninth off Andrelczyk. Two batters later, pinch-hitter and reserve Stars catcher Anderson De La Rosa hit a triple to center field to score two runs to put the score at 3-1 Stars. De La Rosa scored on a single by Sergio Miranda to give the Stars their final score of 4-1. Huntsville box scoreGreat performance from Bowman. His final line: 5.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 73 pitches, 50 strikes, 5/6 GO/FO. It was actually Darren Byrd who walked Padilla in the 7th; Luetge, Fiers, and Mercedes each turned in perfect innings. Lee Haydel keeps on doing his thing, on base twice with a single and a walk in five trips. Miranda had three hits, Caufield was on three times with a single and a walk to go with his double, and Sean Halton singled twice. Haydel and Caufield were each picked off first by Downs. Huntsville play-by-playThe Stars squandered a leadoff triple in the 5th: Huntsville Top of the 5thMatt Cline triples (1) on a fly ball to left fielder Alex Romero.Michael Bowman grounds out, shortstop Chris Gutierrez to first baseman Ben Lasater.Lee Haydel reaches on a fielder's choice out, third baseman Paul Gran to catcher Kyle Skipworth. Matt Cline out at home.With Sergio Miranda batting, Lee Haydel picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Darin Downs to first baseman Ben Lasater to shortstop Chris Gutierrez. The full 9th-inning rally: Huntsville Top of the 9thSean Halton singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla.Brandon Jones singles on a fly ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Sean Halton to 2nd.Chuck Caufield hits a ground-rule double (2) on a fly ball to left field. Sean Halton scores. Brandon Jones to 3rd.Dayton Buller pops out to second baseman Ryan Curry.Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Anderson De La Rosa replaces Michael Fiers.Anderson De La Rosa triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Kevin Mattison. Brandon Jones scores. Chuck Caufield scores.Yancarlos Ortiz pops out to shortstop Chris Gutierrez in foul territory.Lee Haydel walks.Sergio Miranda singles on a ground ball to right fielder Jorge Padilla. Anderson De La Rosa scores. Lee Haydel to 2nd.Steffan Wilson strikes out swinging.

Sounds, RedHawks Postponed On Monday NightNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Tonight's scheduled 7:05 p.m. series opener between the Nashville Sounds and Oklahoma City RedHawks at Greer Stadium has been postponed due to unplayable field conditions resulting from heavy rains throughout Middle Tennessee. The game will be made up as part of a 5:35 p.m. CT doubleheader tomorrow evening (April 12). Both contests of the twinbill will be scheduled for seven innings. Left-hander Sam Narron (NR) will take the hill for the Sounds in Tuesday's opener to face Oklahoma City right-hander Henry Villar. Both hurlers will make their 2011 debuts in the contest. In the nightcap, Nashville right-hander Amaury Rivas (1-0, 1.29) will take on RedHawks right-hander Jordan Lyles (0-0, 6.75). Tickets for tonight's game (April 11) may be exchanged for tickets of equal or lesser value, pending availability, to any remaining 2011 Sounds regular-season home game. Please visit the Greer Stadium box office to exchange your tickets.

How do we feel about Mikie Mahtook? From the BA chat today: Colby had Mahtook rated #54 overall on 1/9.

Brad Krause has another Rattlers report, including the observation that Del Howell was only touching 86 on the stadium gun.

Chris Mehring's three quick thoughts on the Rattlers game: Throwing a runner out from your knees is not recommended…But is sure is impressiveWalks WILL may not kill you…But 10 walks by Rattlers pitching sure didn’t helpIn the 16 innings NOT pitched by Manny Parra over the last two games, Kane County put their leadoff batter on base in 14 of those innings….Let that sink in for a bit. That first one refers to Tyler Roberts, which makes the second time in as many days that Roberts' arm behind the plate has impressed Mehring. The highlights:

Final: @Jacksonville 7, Huntsville 4 Pitching Hands Stars Second LossRyan Edwards/Huntsville Stars Jacksonville, FL- After falling behind 6-0 after the second inning, the Huntsville Stars weren’t able to recover on Sunday afternoon after the Suns picked up the 7-4 win. Stars starter Cody Scarpetta was tagged for six runs (five earned) in just 1.1 innings of work. Reliever Chase Wright came in to replace Scarpetta in the second and pitched 4.1 innings of one-run ball, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Suns from earning their second victory of the 2011 season. Leading the Stars offense were Sergio Miranda, who went 2-for-5 with two RBI’s and Lee Haydel who went 3-for-5. Miranda also belted the Stars first triple of the season. The Suns’ Kevin Mattison went 3-for-4 with an RBI and Luke Montz chipped in a home run and two hits to pave the way for the Suns offense. Joseph O’Gara (1-0) took the win for the Jacksonville Suns throwing five innings and giving up four runs. Sandy Rosario recorded his first save of the year striking out one batter in an innings worth of work. The Stars (2-2) send 2010 Southern League All-Star RHP Michael Bowman to the mound against the Suns (2-2) LHP Darin Downs in the final game of the series at 12:05 p.m. CST tomorrow. The Stars return home on Wednesday, April 13 for a five-game series against the Carolina Mudcats. Single game tickets are now on sale and can be purchased by calling (256) 882-2562 or stopping by the ticket office at Joe Davis Stadium. For more information, visit www.huntsvillestars.com! Huntsville box scoreOuch. Well, it can only get better for Scarpetta; I doubt he'll finish the year with a 33.75 ERA. Adding insult to injury, the unearned run was as a result of his own fielding error. He threw 57 pitches, 30 for strikes. Haydel's making me look good; he also stole two bases to go with his three hits. Lucroy, still too good for Huntsville, had two hits, a walk, a stolen base, and picked a runner off first; he did, however, allow four stolen bases, though three were to Kevin Mattison, who stole two on Friday and has 109 in his 3+ year career. Huntsville play-by-playThe entirety of Scarpetta's afternoon: Jacksonville Bottom of the 1stKevin Mattison walks.With Chris Gutierrez batting, Kevin Mattison steals (3) 2nd base.Chris Gutierrez walks.With Jim Negrych batting, Kevin Mattison steals (4) 3rd base. Chris Gutierrez steals (1) 2nd base.Jim Negrych grounds out, second baseman Sergio Miranda to first baseman Sean Halton. Kevin Mattison scores. Chris Gutierrez to 3rd.Jorge Padilla grounds out, third baseman Steffan Wilson to first baseman Sean Halton. Chris Gutierrez scores.Ben Lasater strikes out swinging. Jacksonville Bottom of the 2ndJake Smolinski grounds out, shortstop Juan Sanchez to first baseman Sean Halton.Paul Gran singles on a line drive to center fielder Lee Haydel.Luke Montz walks. Paul Gran to 2nd.Joseph O'Gara hits a sacrifice bunt. Fielding error by pitcher Cody Scarpetta. Paul Gran scores. Luke Montz to 3rd. Joseph O'Gara to 1st.Kevin Mattison singles on a ground ball to right fielder Chuck Caufield. Luke Montz scores. Joseph O'Gara to 2nd.With Chris Gutierrez batting, wild pitch by Cody Scarpetta, Joseph O'Gara to 3rd. Kevin Mattison to 2nd.Chris Gutierrez singles on a ground ball to center fielder Lee Haydel. Joseph O'Gara scores. Kevin Mattison scores.Pitcher Change: Chase Wright replaces Cody Scarpetta, batting 9th.Jim Negrych strikes out swinging.With Jorge Padilla batting, Jonathan Lucroy picks off Chris Gutierrez at 1st on throw to Sean Halton. The Stars did bring the tying run to the plate in the 7th: Huntsville Top of the 7thMatt Cline strikes out swinging.Lee Haydel singles on a line drive to right fielder Jorge Padilla.Sergio Miranda flies out to center fielder Kevin Mattison.With Jonathan Lucroy batting, Lee Haydel steals (2) 2nd base.Jonathan Lucroy walks.Sean Halton pops out to second baseman Jim Negrych.

Final: Daytona 11, @Brevard County 7 'Tees drop to 0-4 after 11-7 loss to CubsFrank Longobardo / Brevard County Manatees VIERA, Fla. --The Manatees took a 5-0 lead after one inning, but were held in check the rest of the way as Daytona rallied to beat Brevard County 11-7 on Sunday evening at Space Coast Stadium. Brevard County batted around in the first, scoring five times, racking up five hits and benefiting from two Daytona errors. For a moment, it looked like the Manatees were going to get into the win column. That moment was short-lived as the Cubs scored twice in the second, once in the third and three times in the fourth, to take a 6-5 lead and chase Brevard County starter Adrian Rosario from the game. Counting Rosario's start, Manatees starting pitchers have an 8.59 earned run average in the first four games of the season. A Khris Davis sacrifice fly that scored Kentrail Davis in the fifth would tie the game at 6-6, but the Manatees would never be that close the rest of the way. Offensively, it was the most runs and hits that the Manatees have had in a game this season. Scott Krieger went 2-for-4 with a double, triple, RBI and two runs scored. Khris Davis also notched two hits and Rafael Neda drove in two runs. But through the first four games of the season, Brevard County is tied with Charlotte for the worst ERA in the Florida State at 5.56. Brevard County will hit the road for a three-game series with the Tampa Yankees. The Yankees split their opening series of the season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. The Manatees will return home on Thursday to start a six-game home stand, beginning with a three-game set with the Clearwater Threshers. http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2011/04/10/npA8id7k.jpg Kentrail Davis (Dennis Greenblatt/Hawk-Eye Sports Photography) Brevard County box scoreThe big-league Brewers took their series from the big-league Cubs, but not so here. We can only hope the Sea Cows will be 5-2 over their next seven, just like the Brew Crew. Rosario struck out five and walked just one in four innings but got battered, allowing nine hits. Trey Watten struggled in relief, surrendering three runs on six hits in two innings. R.J. Seidel actually pitched the best of the three BC hurlers, but the two unearned runs he gave up in three innings were enough to saddle him with the loss. Scooter Gennett finally got on the board, and on base, with a single and a HBP. Kentrail Davis was also on twice with a single and a walk, and Khris Davis had a single and a double to go with his sac fly. Hunter Morris continues to display the thunder in his bat, adding another double. Neda committed his second error of the young season but also picked a runner off second. As Toby mentioned above, great to see Mike Brownstein back. Brevard County play-by-playThe 'Tees big 1st: Brevard County Bottom of the 1stJosh Prince singles on a ground ball to center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha.Ryan Gennett singles on a line drive to center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Ryan Gennett to 2nd. Josh Prince advances to 3rd, on fielding error by center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha.Kentrail Davis reaches on fielding error by pitcher Brett Wallach. Josh Prince scores. Ryan Gennett scores.Hunter Morris pops out to third baseman Matthew Cerda.Khristopher Davis doubles (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Nelson Perez. Kentrail Davis to 3rd.Shea Vucinich out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Kentrail Davis scores.Scott Krieger doubles (2) on a line drive to center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha. Khristopher Davis scores.Rafael Neda singles on a ground ball to second baseman David Macias. Scott Krieger scores.Mike Brownstein grounds into a force out, third baseman Matthew Cerda to second baseman David Macias. Rafael Neda out at 2nd. After tying the game on Khris Davis's sac fly in the 5th, BC almost took the lead on another: Brevard County Bottom of the 5thKentrail Davis singles on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Perez.Hunter Morris doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Nelson Perez. Kentrail Davis to 3rd.Khristopher Davis out on a sacrifice fly to right fielder Nelson Perez. Kentrail Davis scores. Hunter Morris to 3rd.Shea Vucinich walks.Pitcher Change: Jordan Latham replaces Brett Wallach.Scott Krieger flies into double play, center fielder Jae-Hoon Ha to catcher Michael Brenly. Hunter Morris out at home on the throw. Neda's errant throw must have been pretty impressive:With Evan Crawford batting, David Macias steals (1) 2nd base, David Macias scores. Throwing error by catcher Rafael Neda. And they say Khris Davis has a bad throwing arm:Evan Crawford singles on a line drive to left fielder Khristopher Davis. Michael Brenly scores. David Macias scores. Evan Crawford out at 2nd, left fielder Khristopher Davis to shortstop Mike Brownstein to second baseman Ryan Gennett.

Final: New Orleans 4, @Nashville 3 (14 innings) Zephyrs Edge Sounds In 14 Innings To Avoid SweepNashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - New Orleans catcher Brad Davis drew a bases-loaded walk from Sounds reliever Zack Segovia in the top of the fourteenth inning to give the visiting Zephyrs a dramatic 4-3 victory over Nashville on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon series finale. With the win, New Orleans avoided a season-opening sweep by the Sounds (3-1). The contest was the first extra-inning affair of the year for both teams and the second in the Pacific Coast League. It was Nashville's longest game since a 15-inning affair in Albuquerque on June 24, 2009. Nashville relievers retired 15 consecutive Zephyrs batters from the ninth through thirteenth frames before Ozzie Martinez opened the fourteenth with an infield single off Segovia. Ruben Gotay followed with a bunt up the third base line that Sounds infielder Taylor Green let roll past him. The ball stayed fair and New Orleans had runners on first and second. After a subsequent sacrifice bunt attempt by Joe Thurston was fielded by Green and erased Martinez at third, Segovia uncorked a wild pitch to move the runners to second and third with only one out. Aaron Mathews was intentionally walked to load the bags for Davis, who drew the game-winning free pass after falling behind 0-2 in the count to start the at-bat. New Orleans reliever Jose Ceda (1-0) worked around a one-out single by Brett Carroll (3-for-6) to blank the Sounds in the bottom of the fourteenth to secure the win and pick up his first victory of the year. The right-hander worked two scoreless frames in the contest. Segovia (0-1) was saddled with the Sounds' first loss of the season after surrendering the game-deciding run in his two innings of work. The right-hander has allowed both runs allowed by Nashville relievers this season; the other six members of the Sounds' relief corps have combined for 14 1/3 scoreless innings through the club's first four games. Sounds starter Frankie De La Cruz held New Orleans hitless for the first four frames before running into trouble in the fifth. After Z's catcher Brad Davis led off with a single and Mike Cervenak drew a four-pitch walk, former Vanderbilt star Ryan Klosterman drove the first pitch he saw from the right-hander over the left field wall to give the visitors a 3-0 lead. The blast was the infielder's first of the year. The three runs in the New Orleans fifth matched the club's run total from their first 31 innings of play against the Sounds to start the season. They were held to just one run per game by Nashville pitching in each of the previous three contests between the clubs. Sounds right fielder Brendan Katin put the home team on the board in the sixth when his two-out single to right off New Orleans starter Tom Koehler drove in Mat Gamel, who preceded Katin with a double. Carroll, the Sounds' center fielder, kept the deficit at two runs in the top of the eighth when he fielded a two-out Josh Kroeger single and threw out ex-Sound Vinny Rottino at the plate to end the inning as he attempted to score from second on the knock. The Sounds evened the score at 3-3 with a pair of runs against the Z's bullpen in the home half of the eighth. Edwin Maysonet blooped a one-out single down the right field line off Jay Buente then moved to third when Carroll followed with a single, which extended the outfielder's hit streak to four games. Left-hander Victor Garate was summoned to the mound to face Gamel and walked the Nashville slugger to load the bases for Katin, who drew a six-pitch free pass from the southpaw to force in Maysonet and make it a 3-2 contest. Garate recovered to fan Chris Nowak for the second out but then walked Brandon Boggs to allow Carroll to trot home with the tying run. Neither starting pitcher factored in the decision despite a pair of quality starters. The Zephyrs' blown save took away a potential win for Koehler in his first career Triple-A outing. The 24-year-old held the Sounds to one run on four hits while fanning four over six frames. De La Cruz authored a quality start in his Sounds debut, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks and six strikeouts over six innings of work. The Sounds missed an opportunity to end it in the twelfth frame, when they had the bases loaded with one out against Z's reliever Steve Cishek. The right-hander recovered to induce a fielder's choice groundout from pinch-hitter Eric Farris that erased Carroll at the plate, then struck out Brandon Boggs on a 3-2 offering to escape the jam unscathed. Green made his career Triple-A debut for the Sounds in the contest and went 0-for-4. The Sounds continue their opening homestand on Monday evening with the 7:05 p.m. opener of a four-game series against the Oklahoma City RedHawks, the new Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Veteran left-hander Sam Narron will make his 2011 debut with a start for Nashville. Oklahoma City will counter with right-hander Henry Villar. It will be Dollar Dog Night at the ballpark as well as the first Money Monday of the 2011 season; all fans in the attendance can register to win prizes and experiences revolving around third-year Sounds skipper Don Money. Nashville box scoreThe game was played in an even four hours, which is a good clip for 14 innings. Decent debut for de la Cruz; he also hit a batter and threw 54 strikes in 87 pitches while keeping the ball down to the tune of an 8/1 GO/FO. Tim Dillard, Justin James, and Mark DiFelice each authored two scoreless innings of relief. Great game from Carroll, who was on four times and saved a run with his arm. Gamel singled, doubled, and walked in seven trips, and Katin singled and walked twice. Keep that walk rate up, Brendan. Boggs was also on three times with a double and two free passes. Nashville play-by-play