battlekow

Darren Ford arrested, charged with theft Vineland Daily Journal VINELAND - Minor league baseball player Darren Ford turned himself into police and was arrested on charges of making a false police report, theft and other offenses. In November, Ford had reported he was robbed of a bank deposit bag from RK Chevrolet, where he was employed at the time, during an errand stop at the Department of Motor Vehicles office. See tomorrow's The Daily Journal for the full report.

Final: @Brevard County 7, Dunedin 4Brevard County box score Darren Byrd made his first start, allowing two runs in four innings. Josh Prince, Erik Komatsu, and Sergio Miranda all had two hits, while Sean Halton and Mike Roberts both doubled and walked. Prince and Komatsu both stole two bases, 27 now for Prince and 19 for Komo. Andre Lamontagne pitched a perfect 9th with two strikeouts for the save. Brevard County play-by-play Halton came up big twice: Brevard County Bottom 3rd Josh Prince singles on a line drive to left fielder Brad McElroy. With Matt Cline batting, Josh Prince steals (26) 2nd base. Matt Cline bunt pops out to pitcher Ryan Page. Erik Komatsu singles on a ground ball to shortstop Tyler Pastornicky. With Sean Halton batting, Josh Prince steals (27) 3rd base. Erik Komatsu steals (18) 2nd base. Sean Halton doubles (3) on a line drive to right fielder Welinton Ramirez. Josh Prince scores. Erik Komatsu scores. Sergio Miranda reaches on a fielder's choice out, pitcher Ryan Page to third baseman Mark Sobolewski to shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to third baseman Mark Sobolewski to pitcher Ryan Page. Sean Halton out at 3rd. Sergio Miranda to 2nd on the throw. Brock Kjeldgaard grounds out, third baseman Mark Sobolewski to first baseman Jon Talley. Brevard County Bottom 5th Erik Komatsu singles on a fly ball to left fielder Brad McElroy. With Sean Halton batting, Erik Komatsu steals (19) 2nd base. With Sean Halton batting, throwing error by Ryan Page on the pickoff attempt, Erik Komatsu to 3rd. Sean Halton out on a sacrifice fly to center fielder John Tolisano. Erik Komatsu scores. Pitcher Change: Chad Beck replaces Ryan Page. Sergio Miranda singles on a line drive to left fielder Brad McElroy. With Brock Kjeldgaard batting, Sergio Miranda steals (7) 2nd base. Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging. Scott Krieger strikes out swinging. ...but Miranda saved his bacon here: Brevard County Bottom 6th Michael Roberts walks. Steve Braun walks. Michael Roberts to 2nd. Josh Prince singles on a bunt ground ball to pitcher Chad Beck. Michael Roberts to 3rd. Steve Braun to 2nd. Matt Cline singles on a ground ball to left fielder Brad McElroy. Michael Roberts scores. Steve Braun to 3rd. Josh Prince to 2nd. Erik Komatsu strikes out swinging. Sean Halton strikes out swinging. Sergio Miranda singles on a ground ball to right fielder Welinton Ramirez. Steve Braun scores. Josh Prince scores. Matt Cline to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard strikes out swinging.

Final (game one): @Oklahoma City 11, Nashville 6Sounds Fall To RedHawks In Twinbill Opener Nashville Sounds OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 11-6, in the high-scoring opener of a doubleheader on Wednesday evening at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. After rallying from an early four-run deficit to take a third-inning lead, the Sounds surrendered six late runs to the RedHawks in suffering the loss. Nashville took a short-lived 1-0 lead in the opener against Oklahoma City starter Tanner Scheppers. Lorenzo Cain (3-for-4) tripled in the top of the first frame and scored when Mat Gamel followed with an RBI single to right. The Sounds missed an opportunity to do more damage, leaving the bases loaded as Scheppers retired shortstop Luis Cruz on a flyout to escape the jam. Oklahoma City responded immediately in the home half of the initial frame, scorching Sounds starter Chris Waters for five two-out runs to grab a 5-1 advantage. A pair of walks came back to haunt the Nashville lefty as Gregorio Petit and Chris Davis each drew a free pass before trotting home on Chad Tracy's three-run homer to left, the infielder's team-leading 17th roundtripper of the year. After a fielding error by Gamel at third base extended the inning, former Sound Hernan Iribarren plated the other two runs in the frame with a two-run single off Waters. Cain continued his solid night in the second when he drove home Ray Olmedo with an RBI single to make it a 5-2 contest. Olmedo had opened the inning by drawing a walk from Scheppers. Nashville stormed back into the lead at 6-5 in the third with a four-run frame against Scheppers. After Brendan Katin led off with a single, Erick Almonte (3-for-3) ripped a one-out RBI double to right to pull Nashville within 5-3. After a Cruz single, Almonte came around to reduce the deficit to one when RedHawks left fielder Matthew Brown mishandled Olmedo's fly ball. Cruz tied the game when he hustled home on a Scheppers wild pitch before catcher Anderson De La Rosa lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly to center to bring home Olmedo. The RedHawks pulled back in front in the fifth against Waters. After Davis led off with a double to center, Cruz booted Ryan Garko's grounder to short, allowing Davis to come plateward with the game-tying run on Nashville's third error of the evening. Jarrod Saltalamacchia (3-for-4) followed with a go-ahead RBI double to the wall in left. Later in the frame, with runners on the corners, reliever Tim Dillard struck out Kevin Richardson but Oklahoma City executed a double steal on the play, with Saltalamacchia swiping home to increase the lead to 8-6. Oklahoma City put the game out of reach in the sixth with three more runs against the Sounds' bullpen, stretching the lead to 11-6. Saltalamacchia's two-run single off David Johnson highlighted the frame. Reliever Warner Madrigal (1-0) worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings behind Scheppers to pick up his first win of the year for Oklahoma City. Waters (5-5) took the loss for the Sounds after giving up eight runs (four earned) on eight hits in his 4 1/3 innings of action. It marked just the third time in 16 starts that the left-hander surrendered more than three runs. Nashville box score Guess Cain isn't going to let his brush with a call-up get to him. Gamel also made another error, this one throwing. Eight now on the season in total. Nice to see the Sounds knock around a really good pitching prospect in Scheppers at least. Nashville play-by-play

I really like Michael Bowman, but... RHP Michael Bowman named to North Division All-Star TeamHuntsville Stars HUNTSVILLE, ALA. – Huntsville has added another Star to the North Division All-Star Team. RHP Michael Bowman will join Stars second baseman Brett Lawrie and RHP Amaury Rivas on the roster as a late addition. In 2010, Bowman is 7-7 with a 5.82 ERA (50 ER in 77.1 innings) in 16 starts. He threw one complete game (five innings) on June 27 in a rain-shortened loss to Jacksonville, 6-0. Stars and North Division manager Mike Guerrero said, “I’m extremely happy for him. He’s been working hard to make progress with his pitching. This experience [of being an All-Star] can keep motivating him to continue improving.” Outfielder Lorenzo Cain and pitcher Brandon Kintzler were also selected to the All-Star team but due to promotions to Triple-A Nashville, they will not play in the midsummer classic. Tickets to the 2010 Southern League All-Star Game are on sale now! General admission is $10 and reserved tickets are $12. Show your Redstone Federal Credit Union check or credit card at the ticket office to receive four FREE general admission tickets. Limit four per household. First pitch is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. but the gates open at 5 for an exhibition game with the Miracle League at 5:30 p.m. Visit www.huntsvillestars.com for more information.

Darren Byrd starting for the Manatees.

The voodoo hex we placed on Liam Hendriks is finally kicking in.

What's next in store for Angel Salome? For now, a trip to the Brevard DL. Sean McCraw goes to BC from Huntsville to take his spot.

Final: AZL Brewers 1, @AZL Athletics 0 (11 innings)AZL Brewers box score What a game! Wish I could have listened to it. Both pitching staffs were dominant--30 strikeouts and only three walks between them. Dane Amedee and Jose Oviedo each turned in four innings of shutout, one-hit ball, the former striking out six and walking one and the latter five and none. Skyler Crawford fanned four and walked none in two perfect innings to pick up the win, and Jose Sanchez worked around a walk in the 11th for the save. Tyler Robers, really bucking for a promotion with a .483 batting average, was 2-4 with a HBP. Robbie Garvey was 2-5 with a double and drove in Joey Paciorek for the game's only run. Nick Shaw also had two hits. Max Walla was 1-5 with three strikeouts, and Yadiel Rivera had an even tougher night, 0-6 with two punch-outs. AZL Brewers play-by-play The difference in the 11th was that the Brewers got a two-out RBI hit and the A's didn't: AZL Brewers Top 11th Maxwell Walla strikes out swinging. Joseph Paciorek singles on a ground ball to third baseman Jensi Peralta. Nick Shaw singles on a line drive to right fielder Kelvin Rojas. Joseph Paciorek to 2nd. Derrick Shaw flies out to center fielder Elvis Garcia. Robert Garvey singles on a ground ball to second baseman Neudy Clime. Joseph Paciorek scores. Nick Shaw to 2nd. Yadiel Rivera grounds into a force out, shortstop Hiram Martinez to second baseman Neudy Clime. Robert Garvey out at 2nd. AZL Athletics Bottom 11th Pitcher Change: Jose Sanchez replaces Skyler Crawford. Jonatan Santana grounds out, shortstop Yadiel Rivera to first baseman Joseph Paciorek. Kelvin Rojas grounds out, third baseman Thomas Mittelstaedt to first baseman Joseph Paciorek. Elvis Garcia walks. With Diomendes Lopez batting, Elvis Garcia steals (3) 2nd base, . Elvis Garcia advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Tyler Roberts. Diomendes Lopez strikes out swinging.

Final: Tampa 4, @Brevard County 2Brevard County box score It looks like Dan Merklinger deserved a better fate. He struck out six and walked none in 5.2 innings, but allowed three runs (two earned) on seven hits, a single run scoring in three different innings. With Franklin Romero manning center field, Erik Komatsu DHed and went 2-4 with a double. Josh Prince was back in the leadoff spot and went 1-4. Matt Cline was 1-2 with two walks. Angel Salome and Shawn Zarraga did not play. Brevard County play-by-play You could pretty much bet Scott Krieger, representing the go-ahead run, was either going to clobber a walk-off homer or strike out swinging here: Brevard County Bottom 9th Erik Komatsu doubles (19) on a ground ball to right fielder Raymond Kruml. Sean Halton reaches on fielding error by third baseman Bradley Suttle. Erik Komatsu to 3rd. Sergio Miranda grounds out, second baseman Corban Joseph to first baseman Trent Lockwood. Erik Komatsu scores. Sean Halton to 2nd. With Brock Kjeldgaard batting, wild pitch by Jonathan Ortiz, Sean Halton to 3rd. Brock Kjeldgaard walks. Scott Krieger strikes out swinging. Michael Roberts strikes out swinging.

Huntsville’s starters heating up in the summer months Aaron Morse Normally as the weather gets hotter, hitters really get into the swing of things. But for the Huntsville Stars, it’s been their starting pitching in recent weeks that has stood-out thanks to a series of impressive performances. In the recent series against Chattanooga and Tennessee, Huntsville’s starters went a combined 4-1 with a 1.29 ERA. The team itself has been up and down, going 5-4 during that time span. For the starting pitching it’s been quite the hot streak, something the Stars hope can be maintained as the second-half of the SL season rolls along. Josh Butler epitomizes the turnaround. The former second round pick by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2006 draft has moved quickly up the Brewers’ farm system since being acquired in a trade for Gabe Gross in April of 2008. Last year he started the season in High-A Brevard County and ended it in “The Show” where he made three appearances, all out of the bullpen. “It was awesome, it was a dream come true,” Butler said. “It’s more than words can say; it was everything I hoped for and more.” An impingement in his elbow prevented him from starting 2010 in Double or Triple-A as he was supposed to do; so it was off to Brevard County for a rehab assignment. The 25-year old right hander was hit hard there before coming to Huntsville and throwing four shutout innings in his first outing with the Stars. But he dropped his next three starts, giving up four runs each time and walking eight batters in 15 innings. Even when he pitched well, such as a June 19 win over Montgomery, his control remained an issue as he walked five batters in 5.2 innings despite not giving up a run. All of a sudden though in his last two starts it’s like he’s flipped the switch and he’s looked too good for Double-A. Butler’s only walked two batters in his last 13 innings of work and has not surrendered an earned run in his last two outings. “Over the last couple starts I’ve been feeling a lot better,” Butler said. “My velocity has been getting back up there and my control has been a lot better than how I started off this year, and the combination of the two has put me where I am now.” It’s not like he’s been doing it against cupcake lineups either. Chattanooga and Tennessee are two of the three top run-producing offenses in the league, and Butler was able to shut both of them down. “Focusing on my two-seam fastball, making sure I get the sink on it (is important),” Butler said. “With that comes the sharpness on my breaking pitches, and that should carry me back to where I was last year.” Amazingly, Butler does not own the most dominating performance during the recent run of success. LHP Chris Cody turned in arguably the best pitching performance of the year in a July 2 win over Chattanooga. He went eight shutout innings, matching staff ace Amaury Rivas for the longest pitching performance of the year for the Stars. He struck-out eight, the most batters he’s whiffed this year, while only walking two and surrendering four hits. It seemingly came out of nowhere. Cody, 26, entered the game coming off one of his worst outings of the year as he gave up seven runs in 3.1 innings against Jacksonville on June 26. In response, pitching coach John Curtis suggested a key adjustment prior to the game that might just help the lefty turn his season around. “Before the game started Coach Curtis and I spoke about what we can do differently than in previous outings,” Cody said. “(He suggested) the use of the cutter.” Primarily, Cody uses a two-seam fastball to try and locate low in the zone. “For whatever reason that hasn’t been working for me lately, so I went in and changed it up; I used my cut fastball as my primary weapon,” Cody said. “It kept them off-balance, made them a little uneasy and that made all the other pitches that much more effective.” Cody’s experienced success at the Southern League level before as he went 5-1 with a 2.30 ERA last year for the Stars. He says that he hopes his most recent start can be a springboard to a turnaround this season. He’s recently been placed on the temporary inactive list, but when he returns he’ll continue to be a key to the Stars’ success in the second half. Hard-throwing right-hander Mark Rogers and Southern League Mid-Season All-Star Amaury Rivas probably have the most potential for long major league careers among the Stars’ starters. Rogers, 24, a former first round draft pick by the Brewers, has battled injuries over the years. But his velocity is back up this year; it’s only been a matter of getting his control in line. He walked five against Tennessee on July 4, but you can get away with that when the opposition only manages one hit. Moving forward, Rogers, who generally only goes five innings, needs to figure out a way to avoid slow starts. His ERA in the first inning sits at 7.20, compared to his season ERA, which is 3.78. Rivas, 24, has been as dominating as usual in recent weeks, tossing a complete game (seven innings) shutout June 30 against Chattanooga and beating the Smokies for the second time this year on July 5. He’s been Mr. Consistency; his ERA has only been over 3.00 in one start this year, and he currently sits at eighth in the Southern League with a 2.66 ERA in 2010. 23-year old Lucas Luetge, recently promoted from Brevard County, got a spot start during the two most recent series and only gave up one earned run. Meanwhile Michael Bowman, 23, was the only starter really to suffer a hiccup, surrendering four earned runs in 5.1 innings of work July 3 against Chattanooga. But even Bowman’s start is a little deceiving. His first five innings were excellent, as he only gave up one run, but in the sixth inning things unraveled a bit as the Lookouts scored three to take the lead. Can the Stars’ starters’ recent success continue? It won’t be easy. They face a red-hot Chattanooga squad for four games before the All-Star break. Recently promoted Michael Fiers takes the hill on Wednesday and Bowman will look to join the run of dominating performances on Thursday. After that Rogers and Rivas will look to help the Stars get their second consecutive series win. Fans won’t see Butler or Cody until after the All-Star break. The other question that will have to be answered is who loses their spot in the rotation once Alex Periard, who has been very consistent this year, comes off the DL? Promotions for Butler and Rivas remain a distinct possibility as well. There’s still a lot of work to be done if the Stars want to make a run to the Southern League Play-Offs, but recent returns from the starting rotation should give fans a lot of hope.

Final: @DSL Cardinals 9, DSL Brewers 6DSL Brewers box score Jose Cepeda, who worked eight scoreless innings last time out, got tuned up today for six runs in three innings. On the bright side, Jose Pena smacked his first career home run, and Jose R. Garcia homered as well. "Walking Man" Julio Sotelo singled and drew two more free passes--the backup backstop now has nine on the year in only 38 PA. Ruben Sanchez and Hitaniel Arias were both hitless, but both walked and were hit by a pitch. Andres Martinez, back in the lineup after missing yesterday's doubleheader, was 0-4 with three strikeouts. DSL Brewers play-by-play Let's highlight the four-run 6th, featuring back-to-back jacks from Pena and Garcia: DSL Brewers Top 6th Raul MondesiJr. grounds out, second baseman Robelys Reyes to first baseman Luis Perez. Allixon Cequea singles on a fly ball to center fielder Domingo Diaz. With Hitaniel Arias batting, wild pitch by Willy Paulino, Allixon Cequea to 2nd. Hitaniel Arias hit by pitch. Juan De Leon doubles (3) on a fly ball to center fielder Domingo Diaz. Allixon Cequea scores. Hitaniel Arias scores. With Jose Pena batting, Willy Paulino picks off Juan De Leon at 2nd on throw to Daniel Barbuena. Jose Pena homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Jose R. Garcia homers (2) on a fly ball to center field. Julio Sotelo singles on a fly ball to center fielder Domingo Diaz. Pitcher Change: Eduardo Hiraldo replaces Willy Paulino. Andres Martinez strikes out swinging.

Sounds-RedHawks Doubleheader Washed Out Nashville Sounds OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Tuesday evening's doubleheader between the Nashville Sounds and Oklahoma City RedHawks at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark was postponed due to rain. One of the contests will be made up as part of a 5:05 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday. The other game is expected to be made up during the Sounds' second series in Oklahoma City from August 30 to September 2. Left-hander Chris Waters (5-4, 3.31) will start Wednesday's first contest for the Sounds against RedHawks right-hander Tanner Scheppers (1-0, 2.86). Right-hander Marty McLeary (2-6, 10.38) will man the bump for Nashville in the nightcap to face Oklahoma City right-hander Elizardo Ramirez (4-3, 5.53).

Katin blasting in obscurity David Dorsey/Fort Myers News-Press Brendan Katin has slugged 105 home runs and counting. There is just one problem. The homers have all been belted in the minor leagues. "It means absolutely nothing to me," Katin said of his home run total, which is more than David Ortiz and Joe Mauer hit - combined - in the minors. "It just means that I've been playing in the minor leagues too long." Katin, 27 and a 2001 Fort Myers High School graduate, joined the Milwaukee Brewers organization as a 23rd round draft pick out of the University of Miami in 2005. Katin previously played for Lake Sumter Community College. After steadily rising through the Class A levels, Katin played for two seasons in a row at Double A. He has been stuck with the Triple-A Nashville Sounds for the past three seasons. "In this game, you have to make adjustments to the pitcher," Nashville manager Don Money said. "He has to make the adjustment to the pitchers. "If they find a weak point, they'll exploit it. And they'll do that more in the big leagues than here. "And that's why these guys are here. They can't command the slider or the curveball as well as they can in the big leagues." But Katin has had little trouble hitting the longball. Katin entered Monday's game with a .280 average, a team-high 12 home runs, 36 RBI and one stolen base. He missed six weeks earlier this season after undergoing surgery to repair his ailing right knee. Last year, when the Brewers needed help at Katin's primary position of right field, he could have been called up but for another problem: a slump. "Corey Hart went down with appendicitis," Katin said of Milwaukee's starting right fielder. "It just so happens that I was playing terrible. It was a two-month slump. "I ended up hitting four home runs in my last three games, so I went out on top that year. It salvaged the season for me." Katin makes slightly more than the minimum Triple-A salary of $2,500 a month. He will become a free agent following the 2011 season. If he has not broken into the big leagues by then, he has an idea that might further his career. "I wouldn't be surprised if sometime I ended up over in Japan," said Katin, who is single. "They love their power hitters over there." Since 2006, Katin never has hit fewer than 17 homers each season. He slugged 24 in 2007 and again in '09 despite that two-month slump. "I think he's had a big year so far," said Mary Katin, a Fort Myers resident and Brendan's mom. "He has made great plays in the outfield. He has a very good arm. My feeling is if they don't bring him up there this year, they should trade him. But they would never listen to me." Mary and Michael Katin have eight grown children, four boys and four girls, ages 23 to 35. The children grew into quite a mix of careers: an accountant, an engineer, a state department employee, a veterinarians technician, an environmentalist and a recent masters' degree graduate in biotechnology. And one professional baseball player. Katin is not on Milwaukee's 40-man roster. Money has no idea when or if that might change — or if Katin will get an opportunity to finally hit a home run in the majors. "Who knows what's going to happen up there?" Money said. "We'll see what happens. He can hit the ball out of anywhere in the ballpark." http://cmsimg.news-press.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=A4&Date=20100706&Category=SPORTS&ArtNo=7060359&Ref=AR&Profile=1010&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Final: @AZL Giants 7, AZL Brewers 0AZL Brewers box score Pretty blah box score here. Mystery man Michael Schaub started and pitched decently: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K. The immortal Dexter Bobo also worked a perfect inning. fdfg's own Travis Stortz wasn't so lucky, surrendering four runs in his one inning of work. As you would expect, not much going on on offense, though it's great to see Yadiel Rivera go 2-4 with another double. Max Walla also doubled and walked. Demetrius McKelvie struck out three times in four at-bats--that's 25 in 51 plate appearances now. Former hey-you're-not-Angel-Salome Nashville catcher Ben Johnson, last seen going on the Sounds' DL on 6/1, resurfaced here for the Baby Brewers (do we need to rename them now that there's a baby-er team?) and went 0-3. AZL Brewers play-by-play Rivera twice was on second with no outs but couldn't score either time: AZL Brewers Bottom 6th Yadiel Rivera doubles (3) on a fly ball to right fielder Johnathan DeBerry. Ben Johnson lines into double play, left fielder Jose De La Cruz to second baseman Carlos Willoughby. Yadiel Rivera doubled off 2nd. Joseph Paciorek called out on strikes. AZL Brewers Bottom 9th Yadiel Rivera singles on a soft fly ball to right fielder Johnathan DeBerry. Tyler Roberts walks. Yadiel Rivera to 2nd. Joseph Paciorek strikes out swinging. Maxwell Walla grounds out to first baseman Jose Cuevas. Yadiel Rivera to 3rd. Tyler Roberts to 2nd. Demetrius McKelvie strikes out swinging.

Final: Nashville 10, @Oklahoma City 5Koshansky Homers Twice In Nashville's 10-5 Win Nashville Sounds OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. - Joe Koshansky homered twice as the Nashville Sounds grounded the Oklahoma City RedHawks, 10-5, on Monday evening at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in the opener of a four-game set. It was first time Koshansky has hit a pair of homers in a game as a member of the Nashville Sounds and his fifth homer in the last seven games. Koshansky's two homer night marked the third time a Sounds player has hit two dingers in a game this season, while also extending Nashville's home run streak to 10 consecutive games, the longest stretch by the club this season. Nashville (44-38) posted a season-high 19 hits in the win with six Sounds recording multi-hit contests. Norris Hopper had four hits for the second time in his last four games while Luis Cruz and Anderson De La Rosa each had three hits. In his second straight quality start, Sam Narron (3-3) picked up the win after fanning a season-high eight batters while allowing one run in seven innings pitched. Chris Davis put Oklahoma City on the board in the bottom of the first inning. After Esteban German led off the inning with a double, the RedHawks third baseman hit a two-out single to center field to plate German for a 1-0 lead. The Sounds tied the ballgame at 1-1 in the following frame and didn't look back as Koshansky crushed an opposite-field solo home run over the left field wall to lead off the inning, his 11th homer of the season. Later in the same inning, Johnny Raburn, De La Rosa, and Hopper recorded three straight two-out base hits, as Hopper singled home Raburn from second base for an early 2-1 Nashville advantage. Nashville added two more runs in the top of the fifth inning for a 4-1 lead. After De La Rosa reached on a fielding error and Hopper recorded his third base hit, Ray Olmedo advanced each runner in scoring position with his PCL-leading 11th sacrifice of the season. Third baseman Mat Gamel then smacked a line drive two-run single to center to plate both runners. Olmedo added to the Nashville lead in the next inning with an RBI base knock to right field that plated Cruz for a 5-1 lead, who singled earlier in the inning. The Sounds tacked on four more runs in the next frame, as Koshansky's second solo homer started the damage for Nashville. After Erick Almonte walked and scored on a throwing error by Oklahoma City for the next run, De La Rosa smacked a two-run double that made it 9-1. De La Rosa's RBIs were the first in his Triple-A career. De La Rosa added another RBI to his night with another single to score Almonte in the next frame, adding an insurance run for a 10-1 lead. Oklahoma came back in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring four runs on reliever Jeff Bennett. Walking the first two hitters to begin the inning, Bennett allowed a single to Max Ramirez and then a grand slam to Ryan Garko that cut the Nashville lead to 10-5. It was Garko's eighth homer on the year and the second grand slam allowed by the Sounds this season. Bennett was charged for four runs in 1/3 of an inning, while David Johnson ended the contest with 1 2/3 shutout frames in relief. Matt Harrison (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) while scattering nine hits with four strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings in his first start for Oklahoma City. The Sounds and RedHawks will play a scheduled doubleheader beginning at 5:05 pm CT on Tuesday evening at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. Left-hander Chris Waters (5-4, 3.31) takes the mound for Nashville in he first game. Right-hander Marty McLeary (2-6, 10.38) will start the twinbill finale. Nashville box score Gamel ended up 1-5 with a walk. Minor League Splits has Koshansky with a hellacious 28.3% line drive rate rate this year--he should be hitting way better than .258. Brendan Katin walked two more times, though one was intentional. Nashville play-by-play

Final (game two): @Brevard County 4, Tampa 1 (7 innings)Brevard County box score Well, Jeremy Jeffress finally gave up a run, but he still hasn't allowed a hit. Jeffress worked the final two innings tonight, allowing a run on two walks and a wild pitch with three strikeouts. R.J. Seidel started and tossed five shutout frames, surrendering two hits and a walk and fanning two. Both pitchers did a good job keeping the ball on the ground, Seidel with a 9/3 GO/AO and Jeffress with a 3/0. Scott Krieger continues to make the most of his few hits, this time with a two-run triple. Erik Komatsu was 1-3. Angel Salome DHed and, after doubling once in two trips, was lifted for a pinch hitter. Brevard County play-by-play BC's four-run 4th: Brevard County Bottom 4th Sergio Miranda hit by pitch. Erik Komatsu singles on a line drive to left fielder Ramon Flores. Sergio Miranda to 2nd. Angel Salome grounds out, shortstop Jose Pirela to first baseman Bradley Suttle. Sergio Miranda to 3rd. Erik Komatsu to 2nd. Sean Halton reaches on fielding error by first baseman Bradley Suttle. Sergio Miranda scores. Erik Komatsu to 3rd. Scott Krieger triples (1) on a line drive to center fielder Raymond Kruml. Erik Komatsu scores. Sean Halton scores. Michael Roberts singles on a line drive to right fielder Abraham Almonte. Scott Krieger scores. Michael Roberts out at 2nd, right fielder Abraham Almonte to shortstop Jose Pirela. Steve Braun called out on strikes. Jeffress's two innings: Tampa Top 6th Pitcher Change: Jeremy Jeffress replaces R. Seidel. Ramon Flores strikes out swinging. Ryan Baker grounds out, shortstop Matt Cline to first baseman Sean Halton. Raymond Kruml strikes out swinging. Tampa Top 7th Jose Pirela walks. With Corban Joseph batting, Jose Pirela steals (11) 2nd base. Corban Joseph walks. With Bradley Suttle batting, wild pitch by Jeremy Jeffress, Jose Pirela to 3rd. Corban Joseph to 2nd. Bradley Suttle grounds out, shortstop Matt Cline to first baseman Sean Halton. Jose Pirela scores. Abraham Almonte strikes out swinging. Trent Lockwood grounds out, shortstop Matt Cline to first baseman Sean Halton.

Final (game one): @DSL Brewers 1, DSL Athletics 0 (7 innings) DSL Brewers box score Wow, what's gotten into the pitchers here? This time, it was 18-year-old Jeffrey Saba going the distance for the shutout, allowing only two hits and a walk while striking out eight. Hitaniel Arias was reached in all three plate appearance, tallying a single, walk, and HBP. The Brewers had only four other baserunners. Jose Pena was 0-2. DSL Brewers play-by-play Of course, Arias didn't even bat in the one inning the Brewers scored: DSL Brewers Bottom 2nd Jose Pena called out on strikes. Jose R. Garcia singles on a fly ball to center fielder Anderson De La Rosa. With Carlos Pena batting, Jose R. Garcia steals (7) 2nd base, . Garcia advances to 3rd, on throwing error by catcher Reynaldo Mateo. Carlos Pena strikes out swinging, catcher Reynaldo Mateo to first baseman Jose Rosario. With Joan Abreu batting, wild pitch by Edward Almonte, Jose R. Garcia scores. Joan Abreu grounds out, shortstop Wilfredo Solano to first baseman Jose Rosario. The A's biggest threat was in the 6th, when Saba gave up the only two hits he'd allow: DSL Athletics Top 6th Anderson De La Rosa lines out to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Alfredo Sosa singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Franklin Contreras singles on a fly ball to center fielder Ruben Sanchez. Alfredo Sosa to 2nd. With Wilfredo Solano batting, Alfredo Sosa caught stealing 3rd base, catcher Carlos Pena to third baseman Juan De Leon. Wilfredo Solano grounds out, third baseman Juan De Leon to first baseman Hitaniel Arias.

Final (game one): Tampa 2, @Brevard County 1Brevard County box score Wily Peralta was strong: 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 9/6 GO/AO. As usual, though, the Manatees' offense struggled, and the solo homer Mike Ramlow allowed in the 9th inning proved to be decisive. The play-by-play only goes through the 5th at the moment, but it looks like Franklin Romero replaced Pete Fatse in right field at some point; Romero made the most of it, going 2-2 in his first FSL action. Matt Cline led off and was 2-4; Josh Prince batted last and was 1-4. Angel Salome was 1-4 with a double and three strikeouts, Shawn Zarraga was 0-3 with a HBP, and Erik Komatsu was 0-4. Brevard County play-by-play The one run: Brevard County Bottom 3rd Peter Fatse flies out to right fielder Zoilo Almonte. Josh Prince singles on a ground ball to second baseman Corban Joseph. Matt Cline singles on a line drive to center fielder Melky Mesa. Josh Prince to 3rd. Sergio Miranda lines out to shortstop Jose Pirela. Josh Prince scores. Matt Cline to 2nd. Throwing error by shortstop Jose Pirela. Erik Komatsu called out on strikes.

Rattlers won't be getting underway until 6:30.

Final: AZL Brewers 8, @AZL Indians 0AZL Brewers box score Nice pitching. Dan Britt got the start and went five innings, giving up three hits and a walk and striking out three. Eric Arnett took the last four frames, fanning three, walking two, and surrendering two safeties. Yadiel Rivera smacked two doubles--the first two extra-base hits of his career--as part of a 3-5 night, and 2009 draftees Max Walla and Tyler Roberts both homered. Nick Shaw was very effective in the leadoff spot, reaching base four times the strength of a single, two walks, and a HBP and also stealing a base. T.J. Mittelstaedt has only six hits thus far in his first pro season, but three of them are triples. AZL Brewers play-by-play Most of the damage came in the 4th: AZL Brewers Top 4th Joseph Paciorek singles on a ground ball to left fielder Donnie Webb. Maxwell Walla homers (1) on a fly ball to center field. Joseph Paciorek scores. Demetrius McKelvie strikes out swinging. Pitcher Change: Orlando Pereira replaces Felix Sterling. Thomas Mittelstaedt singles on a ground ball to left fielder Donnie Webb. Robert Garvey singles on a fly ball to left fielder Donnie Webb. Thomas Mittelstaedt to 2nd. With Nick Shaw batting, wild pitch by Orlando Pereira, Thomas Mittelstaedt to 3rd. Robert Garvey to 2nd. Nick Shaw walks. Yadiel Rivera doubles (2) on a fly ball to right fielder Anthony Gallas. Thomas Mittelstaedt scores. Robert Garvey scores. Nick Shaw to 3rd. Kenneth Allison singles on a line drive to right fielder Anthony Gallas. Nick Shaw scores. Yadiel Rivera scores. With Tyler Roberts batting, Kenneth Allison steals (3) 2nd base. Tyler Roberts grounds into double play, shortstop Nicholas Bartolone to first baseman Nate Recknagel to catcher Juan Aponte. Kenneth Allison out at home.

Now would be a good time to tune into the Timber Rattlers game. This is what happened in the 12th: Wisconsin Top 12th Pitcher Change: Onassis Sirrett replaces Mitch Hodge Nielsen. Michael Marseco pops out to third baseman Fernando Cruz. D' Vontrey Richardson walks. With Ryan Gennett batting, wild pitch by Onassis Sirrett, D' Vontrey Richardson to 2nd. Onassis Sirrett intentionally walks Ryan Gennett. Khristopher Davis walks. D' Vontrey Richardson to 3rd. Ryan Gennett to 2nd. Hunter Morris walks. D' Vontrey Richardson scores. Ryan Gennett to 3rd. Khristopher Davis to 2nd. Pitcher Change: Brandon Barrow replaces Onassis Sirrett. Cameron Garfield grounds into double play, third baseman Fernando Cruz to second baseman Gerard Hall to first baseman Joey Lewis. Hunter Morris out at 2nd. Burlington Bottom 12th Pitcher Change: Andrew Sauter replaces Jonathan Pokorny. Rene Oriental singles on a ground ball to third baseman Cutter Dykstra. Luis Del Rosario called out on strikes. Fernando Cruz singles on a ground ball to right fielder Erik Miller. Rene Oriental to 3rd. Drew Robertson walks. Fernando Cruz to 2nd. Hilton Richardson walks. Rene Oriental scores. Fernando Cruz to 3rd. Drew Robertson to 2nd. Gerard Hall grounds into a force out, shortstop Michael Marseco to catcher Cameron Garfield. Fernando Cruz out at home. Drew Robertson to 3rd. Hilton Richardson to 2nd. Gerard Hall to 1st. J. D. Alfaro strikes out swinging. The Rattlers went to five infielders there for Gerard Hall's at-bat. I feel like this season must be taking years off Chris Mehring's life.

Final: @DSL Mariners 3, DSL Brewers 0DSL Brewers box score Second straight day with a you-don't-see-that-every-day-in-the-DSL performance--this time it's 19-year-old Eduard Reyes going seven innings while striking out ten and walking none. Unfortunately, he allowed two runs on five hits, which was two too many today. Jose Pena was the only Brewer on base more than one, pulling out of his slump a bit with a single and a double in four trips. Personal favorites Ruben Sanchez and Carlos Pena were 0-3 with a walk and 0-2 with a walk, respectively. Hitaniel Arias was 0-4 with two strikeouts, Andres Martinez was 1-4 with two strikeouts, and Jose R. Garcia did not play. DSL Brewers play-by-play Mariners scored their first run on a double-steal in the 2nd; Reyes surrendered a solo home run in the 6th for his other run allowed...

Final: New Orleans 3, @Nashville 1 Sounds End Homestand With 3-1 Loss Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds ended their homestand on the short end of a 3-1 loss to the New Orleans Zephyrs on Saturday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the finale of a three-game series. It was a pretty good crowd for a Saturday, as 9,575 fans took in the loss then watched the Sounds' Independence Day Weekend fireworks spectacular following the on-field action. With the defeat, Nashville (44-38) suffered just its second home series loss of the season, dropping two of three to the Z's. The Sounds finished their homestand with a 4-3 mark. New Orleans starter Tom Mastny (2-0) twirled an outstanding outing for the visitors, holding Nashville to just one run on four hits over seven strong innings. He walked two batters and struck out three in his quality start. Outfielder Brendan Katin homered for the second straight night for Nashville to provide the club's lone run on the evening. The slugger leads the Sounds with 12 long balls this season. Sounds starter Chase Wright worked into and out of a no-out, bases-loaded jam in the top of the second inning. After Brett Carroll, Danny Richar, and Tim Torres opened the frame with three straight singles to jam the bags, the Nashville southpaw struck out Scott Cousins for the first out then induced an inning-ending 1-2-3 from Neil Wilson to escape the jam unscathed (audio available via this link). The Zephyrs broke through against Wright an inning later, taking a 3-0 lead in the top of the third. Mastny led off with a single, moved to third on a Gookie Dawkins double, and scored on Logan Morrison's sacrifice fly in foul territory. The next two runs scored on consecutive throwing errors by Nashville shortstop Ray Olmedo, who misfired to first on ground balls hit by Carroll and Richar. The second and third runs of the frame were unearned as a result of the miscues. Katin put the Sounds on the board in the bottom of the fourth with a mammoth two-out homer the careened off the top of the guitar-shaped scoreboard in left-center field. The solo blast, which came on an 0-1 offering from Mastny, was Katin's team-leading 12th round tripper of the year. Nashville put the potential tying runs on base in the ninth as Katin and Joe Koshansky drew back-to-back one-out walks from Matt Peterson. Dan Meyer was summoned from the New Orleans bullpen and induced a ground out from Olmedo for the second out before popping up Johnny Raburn to end the contest and nail down his first save of the season. Wright (6-4) took the loss for the Sounds after allowing three runs (one earned) on seven hits over his five innings of work. The Sounds embark on an eight-day, nine-game road trip on Sunday as they head to Oklahoma City for a four-game series with the RedHawks (AAA-Rangers). Nashville will conclude the trip with a five-game stop in Memphis before heading into the Triple-A All-Star break. Left-hander Sam Narron (2-3, 3.64) will start Sunday's 7:05 p.m. series opener at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark to face Oklahoma City right-hander Elizardo Ramirez (4-3, 5.53). Baseball returns to Music City on Thursday, July 15, when the Sounds welcome the division-rival Omaha Royals to town for a four-game series. Nashville box score Mat Gamel was 1-3 with a walk and is now hitting .286/.373/.443 in 30 games with the Sounds this year. Lorenzo Cain was 0-4. Brandon Kintzler worked a perfect 9th with two strikeouts. Nashville play-by-play

OF Franklin Romero was promoted from Helena to Brevard County.

Here's Lo Cain in a Sounds uni from his debut yesterday: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/images/2010/07/02/ciJcvnda.jpg (Mike Strasinger/Nashville Sounds)