battlekow

Top pick Covey and crew meet Brewers Adam McCalvy/MLB.com ANAHEIM -- Brewers first-round draft pick Dylan Covey donned the team's uniform for the first time on Monday. The right-hander, along with his parents and his two older brothers, made a 45-minute drive south from Pasadena, Calif., to visit with Milwaukee players before their Interleague series against the Angels. Before he gets into uniform for real, Covey and the Brewers have to come to terms on a contract. Negotiations have yet to begin, said Dylan's father, Darrell Covey, who is handling talks to help preserve his son's amateur status. Dylan Covey has a scholarship offer from the University of San Diego. "Dylan wants to play and they want him," Darrell Covey said. "That's as much as I know right now. ... I just believe we are going to get it done. The Brewers feel like a great fit, I don't know why that is. Sometimes, something will happen in your life and as time goes on, you'll start having doubts. With this, as time is going on, it feels better and better every day. It's not a done deal yet, but we're very optimistic." His son echoed that enthusiasm. "Not that I look at it and try to see myself with another team, I can't do it," Dylan Covey said. "Milwaukee might be the perfect fit for me." Darrell Covey spoke Sunday morning via telephone with Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid, who is in the Dominican Republic looking at players. The Coveys are not expecting the Brewers to make an initial offer until the middle of the next week at the earliest. Previous reports have set the parameters for negotiations. The signing bonus recommended by Major League Baseball for the 14th selection is about $1.7 million. Dylan Covey told the Pasadena Star-News on Draft night that he hopes his bonus has "a two in front of it." He stood by that request on Monday. The sides have until Aug. 16 to find middle ground. "The Brewers have been pretty clear that they are not going to try to pull any strings, and we're not going to do that either," Dylan Covey said. "I think we're going to get the job done pretty quick." The Covey clan on Monday included Dylan; his parents, Darrell and Angela; and two older brothers, Brian and Nathan. Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash helped show Covey around with West Coast crosschecker Corey Rodriguez and area scout Dan Huston. The first big leaguer to walk up and offer congratulations was Trevor Hoffman. In his senior season at Maranatha High School, Covey went 7-1 with a 0.40 ERA and three saves with 138 strikeouts compared to 20 walks in 70 2/3 innings pitched. "I think I'm ready to go," he said.

Via McCalvy, Gord Ash on the demotions: "I don't think there's any question that [Arnett] is a personality who is trying to live up to the reputation of being a No. 1 Draft pick," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "Having to deal with the spotlight and the expectation, that's something that I don't think he's really comfortable with. "This will give him a nice break ... even though everyone, and I mean everyone, from the clubhouse men to the bus driver to the general manager, have told him to relax and just have some fun. We'll get him a break, get him energized, and get him back where he should be." Arnett, a hard thrower at Indiana University, worked with diminished velocity in most of his outings this year and allowed 11 home runs in 56 1/3 innings while opponents hit him at a .298 clip, including .340 by right-handed batters. He last pitched on Saturday against Dayton and allowed seven runs, only three of them earned, on nine hits in 5 2/3 innings. Arnett's velocity "is selectively down," Ash said. "If you look at the game reports, there are pitches that he throws with the same kind of velocity that out scouts saw in college. He just doesn't do it consistently, for whatever reason. There have been 94[-mph pitches] on the game reports." The Brewers also demoted their second pick in last year's Draft. Outfielder Kentrail Davis, selected in the supplemental first round out of the University of Tennessee, 39th overall, was transferred one step down from Class A Brevard County to Wisconsin. ... "He has struggled with health, staying healthy with his legs," Ash said. "[Farm director Reid Nichols'] thinking was trying to get him in a little cooler weather without the heat and humidity. See if that makes any difference."

Final: Clearwater 3, Brevard County 2Brevard County box score Evan Anundsen made his first appearance of the year and went three innings, allowing two runs on four hits and no walks, striking out one. His sinker was still working, as he got six ground outs against two air outs. R.J. Seidel relieved and tossed the next three innings, allowing naught but a hit while whiffing three. Next it was Mike Ramlow's turn; despite four of the five outs he recorded coming via strikeout, he surrendered a run on two hits and two walks. That would turn out to be a key run, because Sean Halton clubbed his fifth homer of the year, a two-run shot, in the 9th, but that was all the Manatees could manage. Trey Watten, perhaps because he'd only thrown two innings ince June 3rd, recorded the final out for BC. Halton added a single to go with his blast, and Erik Komatsu also had two singles. Josh Prince was 1-2 with a walk, a sac bunt, and his 18th steal of the year. Sergio Miranda double and walked, Logan Schafer was 1-3 before being removed, as MH detailed above, and Angel Salome--DHing--was 0-4. Brevard County play-by-play Matt Cline took a risk to try to get into scoring position in the 9th, but it didn't exactly work: Brevard County Top 9th Sergio Miranda walks. Sean Halton homers (5) on a fly ball to center field. Sergio Miranda scores. Shawn Zarraga called out on strikes. Brock Kjeldgaard flies out to left fielder Derrick Mitchell. Matt Cline singles on a line drive to left fielder Derrick Mitchell. Matt Cline out at 2nd, left fielder Derrick Mitchell to second baseman Korby Mintken.

Brewers make pitch to Matyas Chris Schuck/Lake County Reporter Scott Matyas passed on becoming a New York Yankee last spring. Can the pride of North Prairie tell the Brewers 'no thanks' as well? That's the question the University of Minnesota senior-to-be pitcher is asking himself after being selected in the 40th round (1,209th pick overall) of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Wednesday. Last year, he was picked in the 29th round by the New York Yankees but elected to go back and pitch for the Golden Gophers. College was where his heart was a year ago, and he plans on finishing school regardless of his career decision. "I guess my stock rose a lot last year, but I never seriously considered signing," said Matyas, a right-handed pitcher and graduate of Kettle Moraine High School. "I told the Yankees up front I wanted to stay in school. I knew we had a good team coming back, and I know I made the right decision. I love being at Minnesota." Matyas, who had Tommy John surgery after his junior year in high school, decided to redshirt his freshman year for the Golden Gophers. He believed that was a good move. "The coaching staff felt it was in my best interest," Matyas said. "I learned a lot and was still getting to face college hitters in practice. I have no regrets about it." After his first season on the hill for Minnesota, where he posted modest numbers (3-4 record, 4.45 earned run average in 18 appearances), he returned as the team's top reliever in 2009. It was a role he relished. "I was thrilled with the closer role," Matyas said. "I think everyone needs their role to be defined. It was really a good fit." Matyas opened eyes last year, breaking the school record with 15 saves. His 10 saves in Big 10 Conference play also set a new Golden Gophers record. His 2.22 earned run average led the team, he struck out 45 batters in 28 1/3 innings, and opponents hit just .202 against him. Little changed this season, where Matyas posted a 2.19 ERA and a 5-1 record and eight saves in 27 appearances. He fanned 60 hitters in 37 innings. "I really needed to improve my command when I got here, and I believe the past two seasons I've done that, and that's help put me on the radar I guess," Matyas said. Now it's the Brewers making a pitch. "Hopefully we can work something out," Matyas said. "I've grown up being a Brewers fan, so I think it would actually be cool to pitch professionally in their organization, but I have a price, so we'll see." The Golden Gophers led the Big Ten in ERA for the first time since 2000. Minnesota won the league's regular season and tournament championship, with Matyas named to the All-Tournament team in the process. http://media.journalinteractive.com/images/jcpg-kmi_matyas_0609.jpg (Christopher Mitchell)

Final: DSL Mariners 5, DSL Brewers 3 DSL Brewers box score Big Hitaniel Arias had a perfect day, 3-3 with a walk. Jose R. Garcia and Andres Martinez were both 0-4, while Jose Pena was 0-3 with a walk. Eliezer Montano had a rough start: 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 1 HR. DSL Brewers play-by-play

Bleacher Report has an interview with 34th-rounder (and Grafton product) Conor Fisk. Here's Fisk on signing:

Final: Carolina 6, Huntsville 3Huntsville box score Josh Butler's final line: 5 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K. Butler was hit hard in the first inning, allowing three of the first four batters of the game to score on a three-run homer and then several line-drive singles to score another run, but pitched much better thereafter, allowing only two more baserunners. Caleb Gindl knocked his sixth homer of the year, and Taylor Green was 2-4 with a double. Brett Lawrie was 1-5. Lorenzo Cain didn't start but pinch-hit in the 9th and grounded out. Huntsville play-by-play This sounds like an interesting play: Chuck Caufield doubles (3) on a sharp line drive to left fielder Sean Henry. Taylor Green scores. Chuck Caufield out at home, pitcher Ruben Medina to catcher Devin Mesoraco. That was in the 8th, and Green's run brought the Stars to within one at 4-3, but then this happened: Carolina Bottom 8th Sean Henry singles on a line drive to left fielder Chuck Caufield. Coaching visit to mound. With Mike Costanzo batting, Sean Henry steals (8) 2nd base. Mike Costanzo strikes out swinging. Pitcher Change: Nick Green replaces Lucas Luetge, batting 8th. Jake Kahaulelio strikes out swinging. Devin Mesoraco homers (4) on a fly ball to left field. Sean Henry scores. Denis Phipps flies out to right fielder Caleb Gindl.

8th-round RHP Austin Ross has signed.

My interview with 20th-round SS Shea Vucinich.

RHPs Eric Arnett, whose struggles you're well familar with, and Jose Sanchez were transferred from Wisconsin to Arizona. RHP Evan Anunsen, who's missed the whole season so far with shoulder problems, was activated off Huntsville's DL and transferred to Brevard County. OF Kentrail Davis, who wasn't on the DL but hasn't played since June 2nd, was transferred from Brevard County to Wisconsin, as was LHP Matt Costello. OF Franklin Romero was transferred from Wisconsin to Helena. OF Scott Krieger was activated from BC's DL.

For just cumulative AAA-A records, the Brewers' .431 winning percentage is only third-worst, ahead of Atlanta (.416) and Minnesota (.413). Throw in the big league club, and the organization is indeed dead last, at .428; Houston's .434 is second-worst.

Final: Dayton 8, Wisconsin 7Wisconsin drops another tough decision Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rallied from a 7-0 deficit to tie the Dayton Dragons 7-7 Sunday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field. But, Cameron Satterwhite hit a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth to give Dayton an 8-7 win and a three-game sweep of the Rattlers. Chris Dennis paced the Wisconsin comeback with three RBI. Dayton (27-36) jumped in front on a two-out RBI single by Alex Oliveras in the second inning. In the third, RBI hits by Chris Richburg and Shane Carlson made the score 3-0. The Dragons got to Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Nick Bucci again in the top of the fourth. The Midwest League All-Star gave up a three-run homer to Didi Gregorious and the Dragons pushed their lead to 6-0. Later in the fourth inning, Rattlers reliever Santo Manzanillo threw a wild pitch to allow a runner to score from third and the Rattlers trailed 7-0. Dennis started the Wisconsin comeback with an RBI triple in the bottom of the fifth. A two-out, infield single by D’Vontrey Richardson got Dennis home from third. Then, Cutter Dykstra’s double sent Richardson home to cut the lead to 7-3. The Rattlers (22-41) loaded the bases with one out in the sixth inning. But, they needed a two-out bases loaded walk to Michael Marseco and another infield single by Richardson to score a pair of runs to make the score 7-5. Dennis delivered a two-out, two-run double off the left field wall in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie the game. Wisconsin reliever Jeremy Jeffress pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning and struck out a pair. It was the first appearance for Jeffress since June 22, 2009. He had been serving a 100-game suspension. Satterwhite’s first at bat in the series against the Timber Rattlers was a leadoff homer in the first inning of the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader. For his last at bat of the series, he lined an 0-1 pitch from Wisconsin closer Jon Pokorny over the left field wall for a homer to put the Dragons up 8-7. The Rattlers were set down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning by Dayton closer Chase Ware. Wisconsin wrapped up the home portion of their first half schedule with a record of 13-22. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are off on Monday. They return to action when they start a six-game road trip on Tuesday evening in Clinton, Iowa. Game time against the Clinton LumberKings at Alliant Energy Field is 7:00pm. Wisconsin box score Jeffress touched 96 in his inning of work. Dykstra had a single to go along with his double. Scooter Gennett was 1-5. Khris Davis was 0-4 with a walk. Cameron Garfield was 1-5 with a double. Erik Miller singled twice, walked, and scored three runs. Bucci's final line was 3.0 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final: Carolina 5, Huntsville 1Stars fall in scorcher Sunday afternoon Connor Shreve Carolina’s Tom Cochran (3-2 2.62) dazzled on the mound Sunday afternoon to lead the Mudcats to their second straight victory at home, 5-1 over Huntsville (29-35). On a sizzling summer afternoon, Carolina (27-36) rallied for one big inning behind the team ace, it was all that Carolina needed to even the series at two games apiece. Huntsville’s best early chance at a score was stopped in the second with pitcher Amaury Rivas batting. Dayton Buller and Chuckie Caufield followed a Steffan Wilson leadoff walk with singles. With one out Rivas, 0-15 this season, grounded in to a 3-2-3 double play to end the frame. For the first time in four games at Five County Stadium, the Mudcats struck first. In the third inning Carolina tallied five hits to plate five runs. Rivas (5-5 3.04) was not helped by numerous Stars miscues. Buller was charged with a passed ball which interrupted a single and walk to start the inning. Kris Negron and Jose Castro followed up a foul bunt strikeout with singles to open the scoring. A visit to the mound from Stars pitching coach John Curtis apparently did nothing to calm the emotional Rivas who allowed two more RBI singles after the conference. Center fielder Lorenzo Cain committed two errors on the last hit to allow an extra run. Rivas’ day was cut short thanks to the third inning. That was the only bump, albeit a big one, on the road Rivas traveled Sunday. He delivered 69 pitches over six complete innings, the third being the only inning Rivas threw to more than three batters. Huntsville’s ace allowed five runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits while striking out five Mudcats and walking one. He is 1-5 since going 4-0 and being named the Milwaukee Brewers minor league pitcher of the Month for April. Next time out, Rivas will still be searching for his first win since May 18; The May victory was a shining one run performance that held the first placed Smokies to just one run. The Stars only run came on a seventh inning RBI single off the bat of Lee Haydel, who brought in Caufield after the left fielders one out double. Daryl Harang relieved Cochran and stranded two base runners by forcing Brett Lawrie to ground in to an inning ending double play. The current ten game road trip closes Monday in Zebulon, NC. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. (CDT). Huntsville will win its first series in eight tries with a victory in the fifth and final game of the current series. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Josh Butler (0-2 5.14) is scheduled to make his fourth rehab start with the Stars before a day off Tuesday. Monday’s contest will be streamed live on www.huntsvillestars.com and pre-game coverage begins 15 minutes before first pitch. Huntsville box score See above comments for discussion of Rivas's start. Lawrie was 2-5 with a double, Cain was 0-4 with a walk, Caleb Gindl was 1-3 with a walk. As MH mentioned recently, Butler is no longer rehabbing and is just a regular member of the Stars. Huntsville play-by-play The Stars also squandered good chances to score in the 3rd and 8th: Huntsville Top 3rd Brett Lawrie doubles (15) on a line drive to left fielder Brandon Yarbrough. Lorenzo Cain walks. Caleb Gindl strikes out swinging. Zelous Wheeler grounds into double play, shortstop Kris Negron to second baseman Jake Kahaulelio to first baseman Mike Costanzo. Lorenzo Cain out at 2nd. Huntsville Top 8th Lorenzo Cain grounds out, pitcher Daryl Harang to first baseman Mike Costanzo. Caleb Gindl walks. Zelous Wheeler grounds out, third baseman Jose Castro to first baseman Mike Costanzo. Caleb Gindl to 2nd. Steffan Wilson walks. Taylor Green walks. Caleb Gindl to 3rd. Steffan Wilson to 2nd. Chuck Caufield strikes out swinging.

Final: Omaha 2, Nashville 1Sounds close road trip with 2-1 loss in Omaha Nashville Sounds OMAHA, Neb. - Despite an outstanding start from Sam Narron, the Nashville Sounds suffered their third consecutive defeat on Sunday afternoon at Rosenblatt Stadium, a 2-1 loss to the Omaha Royals in the finale of a four-game series. With the defeat, Nashville (33-29) dropped three of four in Omaha and wrapped up its road trip with a 2-6 record. The Sounds have lost eight of their last 10 contests overall. Narron (0-2) was credited with a complete game for the Sounds after allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out three over eight strong innings, his second straight quality start since joining the club. He threw 60 of his 89 pitches for strikes. The left-hander suffered a second straight loss, though, as the Nashville offense has provided him with only two runs of support in his 14 innings pitched. Both runs scored against Narron on Sunday came with two outs in an inning. Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning with a two-out run against Narron. After the first two batters were retired, Alex Gordon, Kila Ka'aihue, and Kurt Mertins posted three consecutive singles against the left-hander, the last one plating Gordon with the game's first run. The Royals doubled their advantage to 2-0 in the fifth with another two-out score against Narron. Marc Maddox led off the frame with a single to center and later scored on Rick Ankiel's two-out RBI double to right. For the third straight evening, the Omaha starting pitcher twirled seven scoreless frames against the Sounds. Nashville finally got on the board against Royals starter Anthony Lerew in the top of the eighth, snapping a 25-inning scoreless stretch. Ray Olmedo led off the Sounds' eighth with a single to left field. When Trent Oeltjen followed with a sacrifice bunt attempt, Lerew's throw to first base sailed past the bag to allow Olmedo to come all the way around to plate the first Nashville run of the afternoon and make it a 2-1 contest. Oeltjen advanced to third with two outs in the frame but was stranded there when Royals reliever Greg Holland induced an inning-ending flyout from Erick Almonte. Lerew (5-3) picked up the win for Omaha after holding the Sounds to one run on three hits over seven-plus innings of work. The Sounds once again put the potential tying run on base in the ninth as Norris Hopper drew a one-out walk from Josh Rupe. But, the right-hander quickly struck out Patrick Arlis and retired Olmedo on a game-ending flyout to center to secure the win with his first save of the year. Nashville had runners on base in all nine innings of the contest, including men in scoring position in the third, fifth, sixth, and eighth frames, but only scored once. The Sounds return to Music City tomorrow to open a 10-game homestand at historic Greer Stadium that starts off with a six-game series against the division-leading Memphis Redbirds. Nashville is 2-0 against their cross-state rivals this season. Left-hander Chris Waters (4-3, 3.50) will man the bump for the Sounds in Monday's 7:05 p.m. series opener to face Memphis southpaw Ryan Kulik (0-1, 7.71). Nashville box scoreHopper was the only Sound to reach base more than once, 1-2 with two walks. Mat Gamel was 1-4. Nashville play-by-play

Spoiler: He allowed more runs in the 3rd inning than he threw pitches in the 2nd.

Amaury Rivas has thrown nine pitches through two innings. He had a three-pitch 2nd inning.

Including the signings mentioned above, the Brewers announced that 24 picks have signed so far, along with undrafted free agent Dexter Bobo.

Rattler Radio: Game notes Today's starting pitcher Starting lineup

X, did Heckathorn do anything different in the 6th, when he struck out the side?

Final: Dayton 3, Wisconsin 2One swing makes a difference Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Dayton Dragons scored all of their runs in the second game of a doubleheader against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on one swing of the bat. But, it was enough for a 3-2 victory to sweep the home team at Time Warner Cable Field. Chris Richburg stepped to the plate with two on and two out in the top of the third inning in a scoreless game. Rattlers starting pitcher Kyle Heckathorn had a 2-2 count on the Dayton first baseman. Richburg fouled two pitches off before lining a homer over the wall in left for a 3-0 lead. The home run, Richburg’s eighth of the season, was the fourth of the twinbill against the Rattlers. Dayton starter Tim Crabbe held the Rattlers two a pair of hits and struck out six over five scoreless innings to set the Dragons (26-36) up for the sweep. Wisconsin (22-40) got going against Dayton reliever Junior Martinez in the bottom of the sixth inning. Martinez issued a pair of walks, threw a wild pitch, and his catcher had a passed ball to put two runners in scoring position with two outs. Chris Dennis smacked a two-run single through the right side of the infield to plate both runners and get the Rattlers to within 3-2. But, Martinez pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up his first save. Dayton pitchers held Wisconsin hitters to six hits in the doubleheader. All six Wisconsin hits were two-out singles. The final game of the series is Sunday afternoon. Wisconsin will send Nick Bucci (3-3, 2.26) to the hill. Dayton has Pedro Villarreal (3-4, 3.59) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Game time is 1:05pm. Sunday is a Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5 The Fan. Timber Rattlers players will be wearing jerseys and caps based on those of the 1982 Milwaukee Brewers. Also, the first 1,000 fans into the stadium will receive a figurine of Timber Rattler mascot Fang driving a NAPA Racecar courtesy of NAPA. Additionally, fans may play catch on the field before the game and take part a post-game autograph session with the players. If you can’t make it to the game, you may tune in to the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM. The Miller Lite Pregame Show begins at 12:45pm. Wisconsin box score Heckathorn's final line: 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. He did a nice job keeping the ball on the ground (except for that pesky homer), getting 12 ground outs against only two air outs. He had only one punch out through five innings but finished with a flourish, striking out the side in the 6th, all swinging. Wisconsin play-by-play

Final: DSL Mariners 11, DSL Brewers 10 (14 innings)DSL Brewers box score Jeez, this box score looks a lot like the FSL ASG one. After seven innings, the D-Crew was down 10-4, but did a really nice job to come back while Jose Cepeda tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just a hit and a walk while striking out four, to calm things down. Cepeda's now allowed one run in 11 innings this year while striking out 10 and walking three; he's 20, too old for that success to mean much in the DSL, but maybe we'll see him stateside later this year if he keeps it up. 18-year-old CF Erickson Salaya was 2-3--surprisingly, that's the best line on the team. Jose Pena entered late as a pinch hitter and was 0-1. Hitaniel Arias, like Salaya and Pena, entered the game late and drew two walks in three trips. RF Jose R. Garcia and SS Andres Martinez played the whole game and were both 1-6, with Garcia adding a walk. I must have jinxed C Carlos Pena, who was 0-3. DSL Brewers play-by-play Figures that the winning run would score on a wild pitch DSL Mariners Bottom 14th Jordy Lara flies out to right fielder Jose R. Garcia. Ivan Brea singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose R. Garcia. Janelfry Zorrilla singles on a line drive to right fielder Jose R. Garcia. Ivan Brea to 3rd. With David Batista batting, wild pitch by Carlos Sosa, Ivan Brea scores. Janelfry Zorrilla to 2nd.

Final: Omaha 1, Nashville 0Sounds Lose To Royals, Fall Out Of First Nashville Sounds OMAHA, Neb. - The Nashville Sounds were shut out for the second straight night by the Omaha Royals, failing 1-0 on Saturday evening at Rosenblatt Stadium. Gaby Hernandez (5-4) became the second Omaha starter in two nights to toss seven scoreless innings against the Sounds, duplicating Luis Mendoza's Friday effort. Hernandez allowed five hits and struck out three batters in his 99-pitch outing to secure his second win in two starts against Nashville this season. Federico Castaneda followed with 1 2/3 hitless frames before Blaine Hardy was summoned to retire Mat Gamel on a game-ending flyout to secure the victory and earn his second save of the year. Omaha pitchers retired 13 of the final 14 Nashville batters to close out the victory. Brendan Katin, who drew a one-out walk in the final frame from Castaneda, was the lone Sounds baserunner over that stretch. Nashville (33-28) suffered its seventh loss in the last nine contests and was knocked out of first place for the first time all season when the cross-state rival Memphis Redbirds defeated Albuquerque to pull a game ahead in the American Conference Northern Division standings. The back-to-back, nine-inning shutout defeats were the first suffered by the Sounds since they were blanked by New Orleans on July 12 and 13, 2008, at Greer Stadium. It was a pitchers' duel early on as Hernandez and Sounds right-hander Mike McClendon kept the game knotted in a scoreless deadlock for the first 5 ½ innings before Omaha broke through in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Gordon led off the Royals' sixth with a single to right off McClendon and later scored the game's only run on Scott Thorman's RBI single to right. McClendon (2-2) took a tough-luck loss for Nashville despite throwing a quality start. The right-hander allowed one run on nine hits over six innings, his longest outing of the season. The Sounds had runners in scoring position in the third, fourth, and fifth frames but were unable to push a run across. Gamel went 2-for-4 on the evening to account for two of Nashville's five hits in the game. The teams wrap up the series with a 1:35 p.m. CT matinee on Sunday afternoon. Left-hander Sam Narron (0-1, 4.50) makes his second start for the Sounds in the contest. Omaha will counter with right-hander Anthony Lerew (4-3, 3.14). Nashville box score Ouch. Nice effort from McClendon regardless. One of Gamel's hits was a double. The other two hits were Katin's single and Adam Stern's double; Stern also walked. Nashville play-by-play The Sounds put a runner at second with two outs in each of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings but couldn't plate any of them.

Final: Carolina 6, Huntsville 5 (11 innings)Stars fall victim to the walk-off homer Aaron Morse/Huntsville Stars Devin Mesoraco took Jim Henderson deep in the bottom of the 11th as the Huntsville Stars (29-34) lost to the Carolina Mudcats (26-36) by a score of 6-5 Saturday night. The Stars got off to a quick start thanks to back-to-back-to-back singles from Brett Lawrie, Lorenzo Cain, and Caleb Gindl in the top of the first. Mudcats’ starter Scott Carroll proceeded to plunk Zelous Wheeler and Lawrie scored to give Huntsville the 1-0 lead. Taylor Green hit into a double-play, scoring another run, but slowing down what had the potential to be a big inning; instead the Stars settled for the 2-0 edge. The top of the order went back to work in the third. Lawrie started the inning with a double to left. Cain legged out an infield single to put runners the corners with nobody out. Gindl smacked a sacrifice fly and the Stars were up 3-0. A strike-out and a ground-out ended the inning with no further runs scoring. Stars’ starter Mark Rogers was in complete control for the first four innings, but ran into trouble in the fifth. He struck-out the lead-off hitter. Unfortunately the ball got away from catcher Dayton Buller and the Mudcats had a man on with no outs. Dave Sappelt drilled a RBI triple to make the score 3-1. Rogers responded by getting his second K of the inning. He got the next batter to hit a routine grounder to Steffan Wilson at first; Wilson fired home in an attempt to get Sappelt at the plate. Sappelt bowled over Buller causing the ball to get jarred loose and the Mudcats pulled within one. Rogers struck-out Carroll for his third K of the inning, but only the second out. Kris Negron followed with a double that landed just out of the reach of a diving Lee Haydel to tie the game. Huntsville responded right away as Green singled with one away in the sixth. Wilson doubled to put runners at second and third. At that point, Haydel grounded to shortstop. The throw to first was low and got away, allowing not only Green but Wilson to score as well. With Huntsville up 5-3, the bullpen could not hold onto the lead. Robert Hinton allowed an inherited runner to score when he balked home Sappelt in the sixth. Rogers’ final line on the evening was 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, and 7 K’s. He would take a no-decision as the Mudcats rallied to tie the score in the ninth. With Eddie Morlan on in relief, Mesoraco lined a single to left. An infield single put runners at first and second with nobody down. Denis Phipps tried to bunt the runners over. His attempt was unsuccessful as Morlan threw Mesoraco out at third. It didn’t matter though as Jose Castro drilled a RBI single to tie the game at five. Morlan got out of the inning without any further damage, but the damage was done as Huntsville headed to their third extra innings game of the year. Entering the game, Huntsville was 2-0 in extra frames, but after leaving two stranded in the top of the 11th, the Stars saw it come back to haunt them when Mesoraco crushed a Henderson offering over the left field wall. Lawrie had a big day for the Stars as he went 3-5 with two runs scored. Cain and Gindl both tallied two hits apiece. Jeremy Horst (2-2) picked up the win in relief while Henderson (2-1) suffered the loss. The Stars are back in action Sunday afternoon as they take on the Mudcats at 1:00pm central time, with the pre-game show beginning on the Stars Radio Network at 12:45. Huntsville box score Really tough luck from Rogers in that three-run inning; I'm comfortable calling this a great outing from him regardless of the run total. He threw exactly 85 pitches, 63 for strikes, a good ratio for anyone and a phenomenal one coming from Rogers. One of Lawrie's hits was a double. It really seems like he's turning on the afterburners and is primed for a huge second half. Lefty Lucas Lester Luetge worked a perfect 8th in his first AA appearance. Huntsville play-by-play The Stars had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 11th: Huntsville Top 11th Taylor Green grounds out, third baseman Jose Castro to first baseman Mike Costanzo. Dropped foul pop error by first baseman Mike Costanzo. Chuck Caufield flies out to left fielder Sean Henry. Lee Haydel reaches on fielding error by second baseman Jake Kahaulelio. Dayton Buller singles on a line drive to right fielder Denis Phipps. Lee Haydel to 3rd. Anderson Machado grounds out, third baseman Jose Castro to second baseman Jake Kahaulelio. Dayton Buller out at 2nd.

Final: FSL South All-Stars 5, FSL North All-Stars 4 (10 innings)FSL All-Star Game box score The North squad was the good guys. No Brewers prospects made much noise. Sergio Miranda started at DH and went 0-2. Matt Cline pinch-hit and replaced Miranda as DH and went 0-2 with a walk. Erik Komatsu played the whole game in LF and was 1-4. Mike Fiers was tagged with a blown save (in the 5th inning!); he went one inning, allowing a solo homer and another hit and striking out one. FSL All-Star Game play-by-play

Final: Dayton 10, Wisconsin 0Dragons shut out Rattlers in game one Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI – Jacob Johnson and two Dayton Dragons relievers held the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers a pair of singles as the Dayton offense banged three home runs on the way to a 10-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field. Cameron Satterwhite started the game with a home run to left. The Dayton leadoff batter hit his first professional homer to give the Dragons a 1-0 lead. In the top of the third inning, an error on a potential inning ending double play loaded the bases for Dayton (25-36). Chris Richburg made Wisconsin pay with a two-run double to make the score 3-0. Frank Pfister made it 4-0 with a solo homer in the top of the fourth. Three more errors and another home run let the Dragos score three more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Tommy Nurre reached on an error to start the inning. A walk to Pfister put runners on first and second with no outs. Alex Oliveras sent a grounder to first and the Rattlers got the force at second, but the return throw to first was wild. That allowed Nurre to score. An ill-advised throw to the plate to try to get Nurre was wild and into the Wisconsin dugout to let Oliveras take third base. One out later Didi Gregorious lifted a fly ball to right that cleared the wall for a two-run homer and a 7-0 Dayton lead. The Dragons added three more runs in the top of the seventh inning. The last three runs scored with two outs on back-to-back RBI hits by Pfister and Oliveras and a wild pitch. Wisconsin (22-39) managed two hits in the game. A two out single by Michael Marseco in the bottom of the second and a two out single by Austin Stockfisch in the bottom of the fourth. Wisconsin box score If you're wondering who allowed all those runs, seven of them were charged to Eric Arnett, and you'll certainly excuse Mr. Mehring for not finding that particularly newsworthy as it's become frustratingly common. Arnett's final line: 5.2 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K. As you can tell by the four unearned runs, Arnett's defense didn't help him out, but allowing three home runs is unacceptable for a pitcher of Arnett's pedigree against this level of competition. Wisconsin play-by-play Here's a fun and representative sequence: Dayton Top 6th Tommy Nurre reaches on fielding error by third baseman Kyle Dhanani. Frank Pfister walks. Tommy Nurre to 2nd. Alex Oliveras grounds into a force out, first baseman Chris Dennis to shortstop Michael Marseco. Tommy Nurre scores. Frank Pfister out at 2nd. Alex Oliveras advances to 3rd, on throwing error by shortstop Michael Marseco. Throwing error by pitcher Eric Arnett. Cameron Satterwhite grounds out, third baseman Kyle Dhanani to first baseman Chris Dennis. Didi Gregorius homers (3) on a fly ball to right field. Alex Oliveras scores. Pitcher Change: Efrain Nieves replaces Eric Arnett. Henry Rodriguez flies out to left fielder Khristopher Davis.