battlekow

Final: @DSL Athletics 4, DSL Brewers 3DSL Brewers box score The Brewers had only four hits. They got two in the 9th to make it close, but no cigar. Rolando Pascual, pitching for the first time since 7/2, allowed four runs (three earned) in five innings while managing to let slip four wild pitches. The only Brewer to reach base more than once was Yonki Hernandez, 1-4 with a walk. Jose Pena did not play. DSL Brewers play-by-play Explain this one to me: DSL Brewers Top 6th Yonki Hernandez strikes out swinging, catcher Abraham De Leon to first baseman Jose Rosario. Ruben Sanchez strikes out swinging, catcher Abraham De Leon to first baseman Jose Rosario. Jose R. Garcia singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jonesy Zarraga. Juan De Leon singles on a fly ball to center fielder Jonesy Zarraga. Jose R. Garcia scores. Raul MondesiJr. called out on strikes. By the way, Jonesy Zarraga is one of only two other players ever, and the only one active, to share Shawn's last name.

Third-hand hearsay Chad Jones update from LSU message board TigerDroppings.com.

Baseball America confirmed that the Brewers did indeed need to burn an option on Jeffress after adding him to the 40-man.

As trwi7 reported in the Transactions thread, Arnett was promoted back to Wisconsin.

MLB Bonus Baby's pre-draft scouting report on Tyler Thornburg:

Final: Ogden 6, @Helena 5Helena box score Evan Frederickson started and, unsurprisingly, struggled with his control: 3 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 1HBP, 0 K. Hey, no wild pitches though! Kind of surprisingly, Seth Lintz managed to then pitch three innings without allowing a walk or, relatedly, a run. He lost some steam in his fourth inning of work, issuing his first free pass and allowing a run, but hey, baby steps. Tony Butler took the loss, allowing the go-ahead run in the 8th. Brian Garman deserves mention for striking out the last four Raptors to bat. Brent Dean was 3-4, Carlos George was 2-3 with a walk, Johnny Dishon was 2-5 with a double, and Cody Hawn was 1-4 with a walk. You know you've been going well when getting on twice in five trips lowers your on-base percentage. Dishon's former outfield mate at LSU, Leon Landry, started in center field for Ogden. Helena play-by-play Lintz's first three innings: Ogden Top 4th Casio Grider strikes out swinging. Leon Landry grounds out to first baseman Cody Hawn. Jake Lemmerman singles on a line drive to left fielder John Bivens. Michael Pericht strikes out swinging. Ogden Top 5th Jonathan Garcia reaches on fielding error by shortstop Carlos George. Robert Coyle flies out to left fielder John Bivens. Pedro Guerrero flies into double play, center fielder Franklin Romero to first baseman Cody Hawn. Chance Gilmore doubled off 1st. Ogden Top 6th Chris Henderson flies out to left fielder John Bivens. Pedro Tavarez grounds out, third baseman Michael Walker to first baseman Cody Hawn. Casio Grider pops out to first baseman Cody Hawn.

Final: @Huntsville 9, Mississippi 5Huntsville box score Josh Butler started and was decent: 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 5 K. His sinker was sinking, as his 8/2 GO/AO attests. He threw 96 pitches, only 51 for strikes--hence the four walks. The Stars picked up him up with a big five-run 5th inning, though, and rode that to victory. Taylor Green had a big day, 2-4 with a two-out three-run homer in that 5th inning and a sac fly. Zelous Wheeler and Steffan Wilson were both 2-3 with two walks. Brett Lawrie was 1-5 and committed his 15th error. Caleb Gindl didn't start but pinch hit in the 7th and struck out. Huntsville play-by-play Wow, the Stars scored all five runs in the 5th with two outs and were a wild pitch away from going down in order: Huntsville Bottom 5th Josh Butler pops out to second baseman Eric Duncan. Brett Lawrie flies out to right fielder Willie Cabrera. Lee Haydel strikes out swinging. Wild pitch by pitcher Tim Gustafson. Lee Haydel to 1st. With Zelous Wheeler batting, wild pitch by Tim Gustafson, Lee Haydel to 2nd. Zelous Wheeler singles on a fly ball to left fielder Michael Daniel. Lee Haydel scores. Zelous Wheeler to 2nd on the throw. Drew T. Anderson singles on a line drive to center fielder Antoan Richardson. Zelous Wheeler scores. Drew T. Anderson to 2nd on the throw. Steffan Wilson walks. Coaching visit to mound. Taylor Green homers (5) on a fly ball to right center field. Drew T. Anderson scores. Steffan Wilson scores. Pitcher Change: Richard Sullivan replaces Tim Gustafson, batting 9th. Anderson Machado walks. Dayton Buller grounds into a force out, fielded by shortstop Alejandro Machado. Anderson Machado out at 2nd.

MLB Bonus Baby's pre-draft scouting report on Jimmy Nelson:

The DSL Brewers were postponed.

Luis Cruz was 0-2 and Mike McClendon tossed a scoreless inning of relief in the All-Star Game.

Final: Charlotte 3, @Brevard County 1Brevard County box score The game was scoreless until the 10th, when the Stone Crabs got three in the top and the Manatees could only manage one in the bottom. Still, two of the Brewers' best pitching prospects shone, as Cody Scarpetta went five shutout innings, striking out six while walking only one and allowing two hits, while Jeremy Jeffress struck out four in his two scoreless frames, giving up two hits and--best part--walking none. Sean McCraw was a perfect 3-3 with a walk, and Shawn Zarraga was 2-3 before being lifted for a pinch runner in the 7th. Erik Komatsu was 0-5. Brevard County play-by-play Both teams squandered opportunities in the 3rd: Charlotte Top 3rd Michael Sheridan strikes out swinging. Matthew Hall doubles (7) on a line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Christopher Murrill singles on a line drive to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Matthew Hall to 3rd. With Tim Beckham batting, Christopher Murrill steals (6) 2nd base. Tim Beckham strikes out swinging. Stephen Vogt flies out to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Brevard County Bottom 3rd Shawn Zarraga singles on a line drive to center fielder Isaias Velasquez. Sean McCraw singles on a line drive to center fielder Isaias Velasquez. Shawn Zarraga to 2nd. Josh Prince strikes out swinging. Matt Cline hit by pitch. Shawn Zarraga to 3rd. Sean McCraw to 2nd. Erik Komatsu strikes out swinging. Sean Halton grounds out to first baseman Michael Sheridan. The Manatees did again in the 7th: Brevard County Bottom 7th Scott Krieger strikes out swinging. Shawn Zarraga singles on a ground ball to center fielder Isaias Velasquez. Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Peter Fatse replaces Shawn Zarraga. Sean McCraw walks. Peter Fatse to 2nd. Josh Prince singles on a line drive to center fielder Isaias Velasquez. Peter Fatse out at home on the throw, center fielder Isaias Velasquez to catcher Jake Jefferies. Sean McCraw to 3rd. With Matt Cline batting, Josh Prince steals (30) 2nd base. Matt Cline grounds out, third baseman Greg Sexton to first baseman Michael Sheridan. ...and, perhaps most punishingly, again in the 9th. Josh Prince just needed to put it in play to win the game but couldn't: Brevard County Bottom 9th Scott Krieger singles on a line drive to right fielder Reid Fronk. Peter Fatse ground bunts into a force out, pitcher Zachary Quate to shortstop Tim Beckham. Scott Krieger out at 2nd. Peter Fatse to 1st. Sean McCraw singles on a line drive to left fielder Christopher Murrill. Peter Fatse to 3rd. Josh Prince strikes out swinging. Matt Cline called out on strikes.

Final: AZL Brewers 9, @AZL Reds 8AZL Brewers box score Quite a comeback by the Maryvale Crew--they scored five runs in the top of the 9th to pull out the win. That news, however, is probably overshadowed by a dismal performance from Eric Arnett: 3 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 2 K, 1 HR. I know I cautioned that his AZL performance might be meaningless--for all I know, they're having him throw all changeups or something--but come on. T.J. Mittelstaedt led the offense with a 3-4 performance; Yadiel Rivera, Kenny Allison, Joey Paciorek, and Robbie Garvey all had two hits. Tyler Roberts was 1-5 and committed his third passed ball. Eric Farris started again and went 0-3 before being relieved at second base by Derrick Shaw, who saw his first non-outfield action and went 1-1 with a walk. Max Walla did not play. AZL Brewers play-by-play Wow, huge two-run error by the opposing third baseman with two outs in the 9th: AZL Brewers Top 9th Thomas Mittelstaedt singles on a line drive to left fielder Jaren Matthews. Robert Garvey singles on a line drive to right fielder Juan Silva. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 2nd. Derrick Shaw singles on a line drive to center fielder Drew Poulk. Thomas Mittelstaedt scores. Robert Garvey to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera singles on a ground ball to shortstop Samuel Diaz. Robert Garvey to 3rd. Derrick Shaw to 2nd. Kenneth Allison singles on a ground ball to left fielder Jaren Matthews. Robert Garvey scores. Derrick Shaw scores. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. Tyler Roberts flies out to right fielder Juan Silva. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Jason Rogers strikes out swinging. Joseph Paciorek reaches on fielding error by third baseman Danny Hernandez. Yadiel Rivera scores. Kenneth Allison scores. Joseph Paciorek to 3rd. Justin Parker flies out to right fielder Juan Silva.

Final: @DSL Cardinals 4, DSL Brewers 2DSL Brewers box score Juan Francisco, the newest pitcher on the team, made his first start and went five shutout innings, but Leonard Lorenzo allowed two runs in the 7th and Jose Cepeda let in two more in the 8th. Carlos Pena and Ruben Sanchez, each 2-4, were the only Brewers with multiple hits. Yonki Hernandez was on three times on the strength of a single, a walk, and a HBP. Jose Pena was 1-4 with three strikeouts. The green light was on all day, as they stole five bases and were thrown out three times (twice on pickoffs). Sanchez and Pena both threw a runner out at third. DSL Brewers play-by-play Getting picked off third is an interesting way to kill a rally: DSL Brewers Top 4th Ronny Puello grounds out, third baseman Jose Agustin to first baseman Rafael Medina. Jose Pena singles on a ground ball to center fielder Victor Encanacion. With Jose R. Garcia batting, wild pitch by Victor De Leon, Jose Pena to 2nd. Jose R. Garcia strikes out swinging. Carlos Pena singles on a ground ball to center fielder Victor Encanacion. Jose Pena scores. Andres Martinez singles on a ground ball to shortstop Robelys Reyes. Carlos Pena to 3rd. With Yonki Hernandez batting, Andres Martinez steals (11) 2nd base. With Yonki Hernandez batting, Carlos Pena picked off and caught stealing home, catcher Fernando Baez to shortstop Robelys Reyes to catcher Fernando Baez.

Waiting in the wings Bob Brainerd/foxsportswisconsin.com Hunter Morris found the Miller Park air refreshing and breathable. The roof panels were open, and sunny skies splashed down upon his chestnut hair while he was noticeably perched on the top seat of the home team dugout, watching Prince Fielder work at the position he hopes to anchor someday. “It’s some big shoes to fill, definitely,” said first baseman Hunter Morris, the Brewers fourth round draft pick out of Auburn. “And hopefully everything works out best for him, for the organization and it all take its course as it may.” The breathing exercise was a welcome exhale for a player who was anxious to sink his teeth into the opportunity for advancement through the Brewers food chain. His selection by Milwaukee came on a Tuesday, setting Hunter Morris in motion. “I left my house on Sunday afternoon, drove almost all the way to Milwaukee, got my physical Monday morning, got into Appleton Monday night, and then 7:30 the next morning I’m on a four-hour bus ride to Clinton, Iowa,” recalls Morris. “So, it was a good couple of days before I got my feet settled.” “It was a little bit of a struggle trying to figure out which way was up. But now that I’ve settled in, it’s nice to kind of collect myself and figure out where I’m at and enjoy everything.” Now suited up for the Brewers Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the recent Midwest League All Star break allowed Morris to venture south to the big ball yard and eye-ball not only Fielder, but the place he hopes to call home in the major leagues. No one has anointed him the chosen one at first base, and Morris, who is well versed in the Fielder saga, isn’t circling like a vulture ready to pounce on its prey. “I’m not trying to push anybody out,” said Morris. “It’s just my job to show up and play baseball. And I’m happy about having that opportunity.” It just makes good business sense for the Brewers to have a backup plan in place if Prince garners riches too steep for Milwaukee to match. Morris isn’t the immediate answer, but could be a future fixture if his numbers at Auburn are any indication. As a junior, the SEC Player of the Year and First Team All-American led the Tigers and the conference hitting .386 with 23 home runs and 76 RBI. “Professional baseball is a different life, especially coming out of high school,” said Morris, who was a second-round prep pick of the Red Sox in 2007. “But I feel like I’ve had enough experience between all the baseball I played and being away for three years in college, I think I know what to expect for the most part being away, being alone, and having that responsibility.” “(I’m) just trying to be mature about it and handle everything the right way.” You can’t let the freckle faced looks fool you. Morris still may be young on his driver’s license (21), but this native of Huntsville, Alabama certainly has his head screwed on straight as he maps out his future. With maturity oozing in every direction, even money matters seem to be in check. “I’m going to try to be as responsible as I can with the money and put it away,” Morris said proudly. “It takes a lot to get to the big leagues and make a very comfortable living and I definitely plan to do that. But just to be on the safe side, I’m not going to go out and spend my entire signing bonus or anything like that. I’m going to try to be smart about it.” His odyssey is underway in Class A, and Morris is already beginning to get the lay of the land in Appleton and the type of ballplayers he now has to measure up against. “You’re seeing some superior arms and superior hitters every weekend in the SEC, and I haven’t heard a whole lot about the difference, I think it’s pretty similar,” said Morris “I think you see better arms in pro ball than in college, I think you see better arms college than you see at this level right now. It just depends on which day and who you are looking at. So across the board, I really can’t compare them yet. Play a little more, get some more at bats under my belt and them kind of get a feel for where it stands and prepare.” This vagabond bus trip lifestyle suits Morris just dandy. And if you mention that the Brewers Class AA team just happens to be back in his hometown of Huntsville, the kid’s eyes light up with the thought of playing in front of family and friends perhaps as early as next season. “It is exciting to get going,” said Morris. “I was ready to start playing. I had a couple weeks there where I wasn’t doing much…got a little bored. I was definitely ready to start playing and didn’t have any interest in missing the whole summer in negotiating and all that stuff so I’m excited about being out there.” Like his career track, Morris planned on taking baby steps in approaching Fielder when batting practice concluded. He won’t allow himself to be a pest and obnoxiously grill Prince to provide a blueprint on playing first base in the majors. But Morris has every right to dream at night. “Dream? Yeah, hopefully sooner than later I’d like to be putting on the uniform and being out here playing every day,” said Morris. “That’s everybody’s goal in any organization. Every kid wants to get to the big leagues as fast as possible.” “It’s exciting to be out here and watch everything that goes on and knowing that it’s right there in front of you and know that opportunity is not far down the road.”

RHP Amaury Rivas goes on the DL; a Huntsville Times report said he "has been evaluated by a doctor but isn't seriously hurt." Rivas's spot will be taken by LHP Chris Cody, who was activated from the temp. inactive list. EDIT: Utilityman Juan Sanchez goes from Huntsville to Brevard County as well.

Lawrie part of a 'tremendous honor' Skip Vaughn/Huntsville Times Huntsville Stars second baseman Brett Lawrie fulfilled his goals of playing in both the Futures Game and the Southern League All-Star game - but it wasn't easy. On Sunday, he went 0-for-3 for the World Team in its 9-1 loss to the U.S. Team in the Futures Game at Angels Stadium in Anaheim. Then he flew back to Huntsville in time to join two of his teammates for the North Division in Monday night's Southern League All-Star game at Joe Davis Stadium. Lawrie entered the game to a nice ovation in the seventh inning with the North leading 3-1. With a runner on second, he struck out swinging to end the bottom of the seventh. His cross-country weekend culminated with the North's 3-2 win. "It's obviously a tremendous honor," Lawrie said of his All-Star experience. "Obviously this isn't my top goal. My real goal is a September call-up (to the majors). That's what I'm working toward all year. "If I continue what I'm doing right now, I should be a September call-up. There's no doubt in my mind. I just knew I'd be an All-Star and I'd be in the Futures Game if I just continued playing hard and do what I do." Huntsville Stars pitcher Michael Bowman entered in the third inning and retired all three batters, including one strikeout. "It was exciting to come out here in front of all these fans in the All-Star game to represent the (Milwaukee) Brewers and the Huntsville Stars," Bowman said. Bowman is in his first year with Double-A Huntsville after spending last year at High-A Brevard. "Definitely, on a personal level, it was my goal to make the All-Star game," he said. "I was a late put-in (on the All-Star roster). First half of the season I would've liked to have started off a little bit better. But I'm going to use this as a springboard for the second half." Stars pitcher Amaury Rivas didn't play. He missed his last start and has been evaluated by a doctor but isn't seriously hurt. Lawrie left Chattanooga on Saturday and made the long-distance flight to Anaheim for his second year as a player in the Futures Game. "Just having an opportunity to go for the second time, it was obviously fun for me," he said. Lawrie's next goal is to experience Milwaukee with the Brewers this fall. "I feel I deserve it coming up here in September," he said. "If I continue just playing hard, I feel I should be up there with those guys."

Smokies fuel North in Southern League All-Star Game win Brad Shepard/Huntsville Times Matt Dominguez may have seized the Southern League All-Star spotlight, but the Tennessee Smokies stole the show. The Jacksonville Suns third baseman belted two long solo home runs that provided Kodak moments for the loud crowd of 7,782 fans taking in Huntsville's first SL All-Star Game in 24 years. But it was three players who play their baseball in Kodak, Tenn., who provided the difference for the North in a 3-2 win. The trio of Smokies in the North Division starting lineup - Robinson Chirinos, Blake Lalli and Tony Campana - put their hand prints on every run scored by their team and led the North to its sixth consecutive victory. Since the league split into those divisions in 2005, the South has never won a midseason classic. "It was great to get the win tonight, and that's kind of the way we've done it all year," said Lalli, who was 1-for-3 with an RBI. "We played a team game to win the game, and we all (the Smokies) had a piece of it. It was nice." Chirinos drove in the game's first run with a second-inning single, followed by Lalli's RBI. Then in the fifth, Campana scored what proved to be the North's decisive run after a two-out single. Chattanooga relief pitcher Kenley Jansen made things interesting in the ninth when he hit Orlando Mercado and allowed an infield single by Dominguez to put two on with one out. But he struck out Willie Cabrera and got Mauro Gomez to ground out to end the game. "I wasn't nervous at all," Jansen said. "I had the ball; I controlled the game. I was trying to be aggressive with Dominguez." As was the case all night, Dominguez got the best of the North, but this time it was only by legging out a harmless infield single. Still, in a game of individual stars, Dominguez - rated the Marlins' No. 4 prospect overall by Baseball America after being picked in the first round of 2007 draft - shone the brightest, going 3-for-4 with two homers and both RBIs. He earned the MVP honors, a Tag Heuer watch and a pie in the face for his banner night. "I just came in here to have fun, enjoying it," he said. "But winning that watch and being MVP is a great honor. It's fun being here. "It's a process, and I've got to learn a lot of stuff mentally and mature physically, and it's starting to happen. It's starting to go my way this year." The only other player who contested Dominguez for MVP honors was Mobile's Josh Collmenter. Collmenter - who throws for a South Division team - began the game as the North's starting pitcher because of a pitching shortage on that side. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder worked two scoreless innings for the win. He left to a nice applause from the Joe Davis fans, who were in turn appreciated by the players and managers. "Every time you have this type of fan support, it's big," said North manager Mike Guerrero of the Stars. "That just motivates the players, and it was an awesome night. They were really in the game."

Final: AZL Indians 6, @AZL Brewers 5 (11 innings)AZL Brewers box score The Brewers blew a 5-2 lead in the 8th and lost in the 11th. Kevin Shackelford started and allowed a run in three innings, but the main attraction was Brooks Hall, who posted the following line: 4 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 HBP, 3 K. Eric Farris started at second base, his first appearance since 6/25; he went 1-2 before taking what I hope was a planned early exit. Robbie Garvey and Joey Paciorek were each 2-5 with a triple. Tyler Roberts was 0-1 after entering the game as a defensive replacement for Steve Felix, who was 0-2 with a walk in his pro debut. Max Walla was 1-5 with three strikeouts. AZL Brewers play-by-play Farris did leave immediately after some baserunning, so he might have aggravated his knee injury: AZL Brewers Bottom 3rd Steve Felix flies out to center fielder Henry Dunn. Derrick Shaw grounds out, third baseman Nicholas Bartolone to first baseman Jesus Aguilar. Robert Garvey triples (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Anthony Gallas. Eric Farris singles on a line drive to right fielder Anthony Gallas. Robert Garvey scores. Jason Rogers singles on a line drive to center fielder Henry Dunn. Eric Farris to 3rd. Joseph Paciorek triples (1) on a fly ball to right fielder Anthony Gallas. Eric Farris scores. Jason Rogers scores. Maxwell Walla strikes out swinging, catcher Alex Monsalve to first baseman Jesus Aguilar. AZL Indians Top 4th Defensive Substitution: Justin Parker replaces second baseman Eric Farris, batting 2nd, playing third base. Defensive switch from third base to second base for Joseph Paciorek.

Brett Lawrie was 0-1 with a strikeout as a late sub, Michael Bowman tossed an inning of scoreless relief with a strikeout, and Amaury Rivas did not pitch as the Southern League North All-Stars (the good guys) defeated the South All-Stars 3-2 (box score/play-by-play).

Romanski tonight: 7.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR, 11/3 GO/AO

Final: Brevard County 11, @Tampa 8 (10 innings)Brevard County box score The Manatees held a 7-2 lead in the 3rd and an 8-4 lead in the 4th but slowly let the Yankees back in the game before rallying to plate three in the top of the 10th to win it. Corey Frerichs again got the win after pitching two scoreless innings. Darren Byrd did indeed start and did not pitch well, surrendering six runs in 3.2 innings of work. Lots of pretty offensive lines in this one (not as pretty as in the Rattlers' box score, but hey, it's Brevard County). Erik Komatsu and Sean Halton were both 3-5 with walks, with one of Halton's hits being a double. Shawn Zarraga was 2-4 with his second homer of the year, plus a sac fly, while Matt Cline, Brock Kjeldgaard, and Scott Krieger all had two hits in six trips. Brevard County play-by-play The winning rally came off former big leaguer John Van Benschoten, the 8th overall draft pick in 2001, who was in MLB as recently as 2008: Brevard County Top 10th Pitcher Change: John Van Benschoten replaces Craig Heyer. Matt Cline strikes out swinging. Erik Komatsu singles on a fly ball to center fielder Raymond Kruml. Sean Halton doubles (5) on a fly ball to left fielder Ramon Flores. Erik Komatsu scores. Sergio Miranda grounds out, shortstop Walter Ibarra to first baseman Trent Lockwood. Sean Halton to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard singles on a fly ball to right fielder Zoilo Almonte. Sean Halton scores. With Scott Krieger batting, Brock Kjeldgaard steals (3) 2nd base. Scott Krieger singles on a ground ball to second baseman Jose Pirela. Brock Kjeldgaard scores. Fielding error by second baseman Jose Pirela. Scott Krieger out at 2nd on the throw, second baseman Jose Pirela to catcher Jose Gil to shortstop Walter Ibarra.

Final: DSL Athletics 8, @DSL Brewers 7DSL Brewers box score 18-year-old Jeffrey Saba, last seen tossing seven shutout innings on the 5th, got hit around today, allowing five runs in six innings. Ronny Puello and my man Carlos Pena both homered for the Brewers; that's the first pro homer for Pena. Hitaniel Arias was 1-3 with two walks. He's walking a lot this year but not really doing much else. Jose Pena, 0-3 today with two strikeouts, is the same story, though it's a lot more tolerable given that Pena's just 17. DSL Brewers play-by-play Nothing like an attempted steal of home in the first inning to wake everyone up: DSL Athletics Top 1st Luis Osorio walks. With Wilfredo Solano batting, Luis Osorio steals (13) 2nd base. Wilfredo Solano grounds out, second baseman Yonki Hernandez to first baseman Hitaniel Arias. Luis Osorio to 3rd. With Reynaldo Mateo batting, Luis Osorio caught stealing home. Reynaldo Mateo strikes out swinging.

Caleb Thielbar making the most of opportunities Nick Hartley/Brookings Register APPLETON, Wisc. - Last summer, Caleb Thielbar began a whirlwind tour of the minor league system when he was drafted in the 18th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Milwaukee Brewers. Prior to the draft, the Brewers faintly registered on his radar, as the Twins and Tigers were among the suitors that had heavily pursued the lefty ace of the Jackrabbits. Thielbar was told by Jackrabbit head coach Ritchie Price and several scouts to be expecting a call during the draft. "It was a surprise," said Thielbar of the Brewers call. "I didn't even talk to the Brewers until the day of the draft. I had seen one of their scouts at one of our games and talked to him briefly. But after that I didn't have any contact with them during the next two months." Coming in with no idea of what to expect, Thielbar relied on former teammates Craig Parry and Jake Rogers, along with Price, to understand the ropes of the minor league systems. Starting off with the Helena Brewers, Thielbar pitched in only two games during his stint with Helena. The Randolph, Minn., native shook off the dust of not pitching on a consistent basis and showed the Brewers what he was made of in the Arizona League. Posting an Arizona League-best 1.59 ERA and tying for first in the league with six wins, Thielbar saw action in 14 games, making two starts while striking out 46 batters in 45 1-3 innings. "My first couple times out weren't good," Thielbar said. "I think a lot of that was due to not pitching during the layoff. Once I got back in the swing of things, I was able to pitch better. It was just about pitching well and facing a lot of inexperienced hitters that helped out last summer. This summer they are better. They don't chase as many balls out of the strike zone and are more disciplined at the plate." During the fall, Thielbar was on campus and using the weight room to work out on a daily basis. Once the fall semester ended, he trained back home, running, lifting and throwing to get ready for his first spring training with the Brewers. "It (spring training) was a completely new experience," Thielbar said. "You had the chance to meet a lot of guys throughout the farm system at the different levels. My locker was next to Triple A, Double A and Single A guys. We"d pitch every two or three days. It was basically baseball all the time and nothing more." In his time at SDSU, Thielbar pitched some in middle relief, while making several starts. With the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers of the Midwest League, the 6-foot lefty made an easy transition from starter to middle reliever. Added into the mix this year is the wear and tear of the 140-game schedule. "With the short season last summer, you would get a little worn down," said Thielbar. "But it wasn't like every single day for five to six months. It is the biggest thing that everyone goes through." Just past the midway point of the season with the Timber Rattlers, the former 556th pick of the Brewers has seen action in 26 games. With an 0-2 record, two saves and an earned run average of 5.32, it takes just one bad outing to inflate the ERA and many good ones to deflate. He also has 39 strikeouts and 10 walks in 45 2-3 innings. Since the league"s All-Star break two weeks ago, the lefty has seen action in three games which have ballooned the ERA. And while there have been more bad outings than good as of late for Thielbar, the ability to forget the bad outings has pushed him on. "It is basically a cycle with everyone," Thielbar said. "Our pitching coach told us, "Everyone is going to have good streaks and bad streaks." It is all a matter of keeping the good streaks going as long as possible. I wasn't getting lucky at the start of the season and I got hit pretty hard. I started to figure out to get the ball down and throw breaking balls and changeups for strikes. Ever since then, I feel like I have been pitching well just getting a few bad breaks here and there." Not letting the game pass him by, the former Jackrabbit has enjoyed his "full-time" job with the Timber Rattlers so far. A normal day consists of getting to the ball park by 2 or 3 p.m. for 7 p.m. games, and not leaving the ballpark until 11 p.m., if lucky. Conditioning, weight training and running are the norm for Thielbar, occasionally followed up by throwing sessions and batting practice. "There"s really not a whole lot of free time," said Thielbar. "(Recently), I got up early to go golfing. There are usually a lot of courses around that cater to us. But people look at it and say, "They only work for three hours a day." That"s not really the whole truth. It isn't exactly what people on the outside looking in think it is." While the ultimate goal is a promotion to the Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League, a High A club, or the Huntsville Stars of the Double A Southern League, Thielbar has taken things in stride during this dream experience. The fan base of 4,000 to 5,000 is a far cry from that witnessed at Erv Huether Field or Miller Park, but it keeps Thielbar motivated "There are just so many different things that happen on a daily basis," Thielbar said. "It is hard to even think about the promotions. "It is a great experience, and I wouldn't trade it for anything right now. You get to play baseball for fun. What else do you want to do? It was the thing I wanted to do most, and I am finally getting a chance to do it."

I wonder what Keeling's bonus was.

On the other hand, Dykstra walked three times. On the other other hand, he committed two errors.