battlekow

Keith Law: "Luke Jackson is looking likely to go in the first round, with interest from Milwaukee, Houston (at No. 19, not No. 8), Florida, and the Yankees. However, I'm hearing lefty Jesse Biddle is atop Milwaukee's board right now." Sigh.

Frankie Piliere: "Jesse Biddle remains a primary target for the Brewers at 14, but also in the picture is prep righty out of Florida, Luke Jackson. Both players worked out for them on Saturday. Milwaukee is also believed to have a third target in mind, most likely a college arm."

Final: Nashville 9, Round Rock 6Sounds derail Express in road trip opener Nashville Sounds ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Nashville Sounds opened their road trip with a 9-6 victory over the Round Rock Express on Saturday evening at The Dell Diamond. With the win, Nashville (32-23) continued its stellar play away from Music City, improving to 18-11 in road games on the year. First baseman Erick Almonte continued to swing a red-hot stick for the Sounds, finishing 2-for-5 with a double. The veteran posted his eighth multi-hit effort in his last 10 games in which he has made more than one plate appearance and is hitting .469 (23-for-49) over his past 16 contests. Right fielder Brendan Katin returned to the Nashville lineup after missing seven weeks due to a knee injury and posted a 3-for-5 effort that included an RBI triple. The Nashville defense committed four errors in the game, including three by third baseman Mat Gamel. The Sounds took a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning against Round Rock starter Polin Trinidad. Martin Maldonado (2-for-4) and Chase Wright opened the frame with consecutive singles before advancing to second and third on a Norris Hopper sacrifice. Trent Oeltjen followed with a two-run single to center that was misplayed by ex-Sound Jason Bourgeois, allowing the speedy hitter to race all the way around the bases to give Nashville a three-run lead. After Round Rock pulled within a run with single scores in the fourth and fifth, Nashville erupted for five runs in the top of the sixth. The Sounds opened the frame with three consecutive extra-base knocks against Trinidad. Gamel and Almonte ripped consecutive doubles before Katin legged out an RBI triple that made it a 5-2 contest. Gamel's two-bagger was his third in three games since joining the Sounds. One out after Katin's triple, Johnny Raburn plated the outfielder with a single before Maldonado belted his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to left-center that extended the visitors' lead to six. Nashville tacked on a run with a two-out rally against Express reliever Gary Majewski in the seventh. After the first two batters were retired, Katin single, Luis Cruz was hit by a pitch, and Raburn contributed his second RBI single of the night to make it 9-2. The home team didn't go down quietly, rallying for four runs over the final two innings against the Nashville bullpen. Round Rock right fielder Andrew Locke belted a three-run homer off Sounds reliever Tim Dillard with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. The roundtripper, his seventh of the year, brought the score to 9-5. The Express continued its comeback attempt in the ninth against Jeff Bennett with another two-out rally. With two down, Oswaldo Navarro and Brian Bogusevic drew consecutive walks before Chris Johnson produced an RBI single to left to reduce the deficit to 9-6. Nashville closer Chris Smith was summoned from the bullpen and retired Matt Kata on a game-ending flyout to notch his PCL-leading 16th save of the year. Wright (4-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the victory for Nashville. Trinidad (3-3) took the loss after surrendering eight runs on 11 hits in 5 1/3 frames. The teams continue the series with another 7:05 p.m. contest on Sunday evening. Right-hander Mike McClendon (2-0, 1.62) makes his second start of the year for the Sounds. Round Rock will counter with right-hander Sergio Perez (1-0, 3.00). Nashville box scoreCruz was also 2-4 with a double. Nashville play-by-play Two of Gamel's errors led off innings, but only one led to a run, and that was compounded by an Almonte error: Round Rock Bottom 4th Chris Johnson reaches on fielding error by third baseman Mat Gamel. Dropped foul pop error by first baseman Erick Almonte. Matt Kata grounds out, pitcher Chase Wright to first baseman Erick Almonte. Chris Johnson to 2nd. Jason Castro singles on a line drive to left fielder Trent Oeltjen. Chris Johnson scores. Andrew Locke flies out to right fielder Brendan Katin. With Marcos Cabral batting, wild pitch by Chase Wright, Jason Castro to 2nd. Marcos Cabral strikes out swinging.

Final: Bradenton 4, Brevard County 3Brevard County box score Mike Fiers got touched up a bit, surrendering nine hits, but pitched into the 7th inning before allowing the go-ahead fourth run. His final line: 6.2 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. Dan Meadows impressively struck out four in 1.1 innings in relief of Fiers. Leading off, Erik Komatsu was 2-4 with a walk, and Sergio Miranda was 2-3 with a walk. Logan Schafer and Angel Salome had quiet Manatees debuts, 0-4 and 1-4 respectively. Josh Prince was 1-3, Shawn Zarraga started at catcher and drew a walk in four trips, and big Brock Kjeldgaard knocked his third (and only the team's fifth) homer of the year. Brevard County play-by-play Driving in the go-ahead run for Bradenton was our old buddy Eric Fryer: Bradenton Top 7th Austin McClune pops out to second baseman Matt Cline. Erik Huber grounds out, second baseman Matt Cline to first baseman Sean Halton. Greg Picart singles on a ground ball to shortstop Josh Prince. Eric Fryer doubles (12) on a fly ball to left fielder Brock Kjeldgaard. Greg Picart scores. Pitcher Change: Daniel Meadows replaces Michael Fiers. Robbie Grossman strikes out swinging.

Final: Tennessee 8, Huntsville 5Huntsville box score Huntsville's staff couldn't hold a 5-3 lead, allowing five runs between the 6th & 7th innings to give the game away. Alex Periard allowed four runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings, and uncharacteristically coaxed only three ground outs against eight air outs. He didn't walk anyone, hit a batter, and struck out three. Donovan Hand allowed a run and Mark Willinsky three in relief. Strangely, in what was still a winnable game, the Stars brought in outfielder Chuckie Caufield to get the last out of the 8th inning; he did without incident, and it would have been fun to see the Stars come back in the 9th and get him a win. Brett Lawrie was 4-5 with a double, Caleb Gindl was 1-4 with a double and a walk, and Taylor Green was 1-4 with a two-run single. Lorenzo Cain, 0-5, took the collar for the second straight night. Zelous Wheeler was 0-3 but drew two free passes, and Lee Haydel was likewise hitless but walked once. Huntsville play-by-play

Rattlers game at Lake County suspended Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers EASTLAKE, OH – Saturday’s Midwest League game between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Lake County Captains at Classic Park was halted by rain in the middle of the fourth inning. The game has been suspended and will be resumed on Sunday afternoon with the Captains leading Wisconsin 4-2. Lake County scored four times in the bottom of the first inning against Rattlers starting pitcher Eric Arnett. Chun Chen hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to drive in the first run of the game. Casey Frawley, who drove in the winning run with a single in the eleventh inning on Friday night, followed Chen with a three-run homer to left. Wisconsin struck back in the top of the third inning. Scooter Gennett singled with the bases loaded to send two Rattlers across home plate. The rain started early in the game and the teams tried to play through it. But, after the final batter was retired in the top of the fourth inning, the umpires called for the tarp to be placed on the field. The rain never let up and forced the suspension. The suspended game will be picked up at Noon CDT on Sunday and played to a conclusion. There will be a thirty minute break and the regularly scheduled game will be played. As a 7-inning affair.

The Rattlers game was suspended and will pick up tomorrow at noon, followed by the scheduled game, now trimmed to 7 innings. Eric Arnett worked three innings, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks, striking out only one (partial box score).

Final: DSL Mariners 4, DSL Brewers 1DSL Brewers box score Three 19-year-old hurlers made their professional debuts today: righties Eduard Reyes and Jairo Mejia and lefty Juan Santiago. Jose Pena was 1-4 with a walk, Hitaniel Arias 2-5 with a triple, Andres Martinez 0-4 with three strikeouts. Jose R. Garcia did not play. 17-year-old catcher Carlos Pena continued his hot start with a single and two walks in four trips. DSL Brewers play-by-play The D-Crew had a couple bases-loaded opportunities with their better hitters up to get back into the game but couldn't cash in: DSL Brewers Top 5th Erickson Salaya pops out to shortstop Noe Berro. Yonki Hernandez walks. Allixon Cequea singles on a ground ball to left fielder George Drullard. Yonki Hernandez to 2nd. With Jose Pena batting, Yonki Hernandez advances to 3rd on a balk. Allixon Cequea advances to 2nd on a balk. Jose Pena walks. Hitaniel Arias strikes out swinging. Juan De Leon grounds out, second baseman Luis Matias to first baseman Westlonder Marcelino. DSL Brewers Top 7th Yonki Hernandez called out on strikes. Allixon Cequea singles on a fly ball to left fielder George Drullard. Jose Pena strikes out swinging. Hitaniel Arias singles on a line drive to right fielder Estarlyn Morales. Allixon Cequea to 2nd. Juan De Leon walks. Allixon Cequea to 3rd. Hitaniel Arias to 2nd. Andres Martinez strikes out swinging.

To make room for the incoming players, C Mike Roberts and OF Scott Krieger were placed on the BC DL.

Another person, this time Aman Reaka, linking the Brewers to Jesse Biddle.

I can't say I'd be upset if they chose Allie, with arguably the best stuff in the draft. Plus, 6'4", 225 is the right size for Seid. RE: McGuire, Jim Callis said his breaking stuff was "solid, not spectacular, like [the] rest of his stuff."

Well, the Brewers neatly avoided the Salome bit, didn't they? Stars roster in flux Mark McCarter/Huntsville Times Chemistry a concern with 58 moves this season For the next stage of any renovation at Joe Davis Stadium, perhaps a revolving door should replace the thick, metal door to the Stars' clubhouse. The Stars have played 55 games this season, including Friday night's rain-delayed series finale against Mobile, which ended after press time after starting two hours late. http://ads.al.com/RealMedia/ads/adstream_nx.ads/www.al.com/xml/story/Huntsville/s/sstars/@StoryAd?x They have had 58 transactions this season - players being placed on the disabled list, reactivated, moved up from Single-A Brevard County, down from Triple-A Nashville or, as in the case of 25-year-old Chris Errecart on Thursday, simply released. This past week, pitcher Mark Rogers was sent to Nashville on Tuesday and back to Huntsville Thursday. Coming back with him was outfielder Chuckie Caufield, who had gone up to Nashville last Friday. For a manager like Huntsville's Mike Guerrero, who spoke so grandly of the "good chemistry" as his team was being assembled during spring training, this must feel like an experiment gone awry. "Chemistry plays a big part in baseball," Guerrero said Friday, waiting out the long rain delay. "When you get a group of guys headed in the same direction, it creates momentum. Right now, we've had so many injuries, so many guys in and out. But that's part of the game also." To some extent, it's just been shaking up the same deck. For all the transactions, 18 players on the current roster were on the opening-day roster. The Stars have had 21 every-day players (Juan Sanchez, anyone?) and 17 pitchers (not counting three position players called in to mop up) on the roster. All of last season, the Stars had only 49 different players. Some of the moves have been necessitated by a major league club still trying to find its own way, especially pitching. The Brewers are second in the league in homers and batting average, but next-to-last in ERA. They took something of a shotgun approach in signing veterans for its Triple-A team (which has had 39 different cast members itself). Guerrero noted that "chemistry means so much at catcher." Especially so with a relatively young pitching staff. When Angel Salome, the 2008 Southern League batting champ, gets a start at Tennessee tonight or later in the 10-game road trip on which the Stars have embarked, he will become the fifth catcher to start for Huntsville. "The biggest part, a lot of these guys have never been at this level before," Guerrero said. "It'll take them a while to do the adjustments they need to make." If they'll only stick around a while.

We did put him back on the Power 50...

Per McCalvy, OF Logan Schafer is finally healthy and was activated at...Brevard County. Not Huntsville? Okay. From Bill Mitchell, pitchers Jeremy Jeffress and Evan Anundsen are seeing game action in Arizona.

Final: Mobile 5, Huntsville 2Huntsville box score Josh Butler pitched poorly, allowing four runs on seven hits, five walks, and a hit batter in four innings while striking out but two. The Stars' bats couldn't get anything going against Mobile's staff, striking out a season-high 14 times; Caleb Gindl, who doubled and walked in four trips, was the only Star to avoid punching out. Brett Lawrie singled and walked, while Lorenzo Cain had a tough night, 0-4 with three whiffs. Taylor Green also took the collar and struck out twice. Angel Salome pinch hit and struck out looking. Huntsville play-by-play

Final: Albuquerque 10, Nashville 1Sounds lose 10-1, split series with Albuquerque Nashville Sounds NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Nashville Sounds lost to the Albuquerque Isotopes, 10-1, on Friday evening at historic Greer Stadium in the finale of a four-game set. With the loss, Nashville drops to 31-23 and splits the four-game series with Albuquerque. It was the fourth time the Sounds have allowed 10 or more runs, three of which coming from the Isotopes this season. Nashville also set a season-high with 13 strikeouts in the ballgame. Albuquerque starting pitcher Tim Corcoran (4-6) earned the win while striking out a season-best 12 batters over eight innings. Corcoran gave up one earned run on seven hits on the evening, fanning every batter he faced at least once, except for Luis Cruz. Albuquerque first baseman John Lindsay gave the Isotopes a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning with a two-run double to right-center, his PCL-leading 23rd two-bagger of the season. After Lindsay left the game in the next inning due to a leg injury, right fielder Jamie Hoffman hit a double to left-center for the club's next run. Michael Restovich followed with his fourth homer of the year, a two-run shot over the centerfield wall for a 5-0 Albuquerque lead. Later in the inning with the bases loaded, Prentice Redman doubled home two more runs for a 7-0 advantage. After Ray Olmedo singled in the next frame, Mat Gamel brought home Nashville's only run with a double off the center field wall that reduced the lead to 7-1. The only extra-base hit by Nashville in the game, it was Gamel's first RBI and second double in two games since joining the Sounds yesterday. The Isotopes tacked on another run in the top of the seventh inning for an 8-1 lead. With one out and the bases loaded, Restovich singled home Prentice Redman, followed by a Ramon Nivar double play that ended jam. The Isotopes took a 9-1 lead in the next frame. JD Closser singled, followed by a Chin-lung Hu reaching on a fielding error by Johnny Raburn. After Mike Jones struck out the next two batters, Ivan De Jesus Jr. singled home Closser from second base. Jones then struck out Xavier Paul for the final out of the inning. Closser brought home Hoffman for the final run in the eighth inning. Taking the loss, starting pitcher Chuck Lofgren (6-4) was roughed up for a season-high seven earned runs while scattering nine hits with one walk in 2 2/3 innings. A.J. Murray added 2 2/3 innings in relief while allowing one hit with a walk and two strikeouts. In his seventh rehab outing this season for the Brewers, David Riske allowed one earned run on two hits with two walks and one strikeout in one inning. Jones allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts in two innings. David Johnson added a scoreless inning in relief, walking three with two strikeouts. First baseman Erick Almonte went 3-for-4 in the defeat, the seventh time in his last nine contests with multiple plate appearances. The Sounds travel to Round Rock to open a four-game series with the Express (AAA-Astros) at The Dell Diamond on 7:05 pm CT on Saturday night. Left-hander Chase Wright (3-2, 3.93) takes the mound for the Sounds against Express left-hander Polin Trinidad (3-2, 4.18). Nashville box score Ugly. 12 strikeouts? At least Gamel had a nice game, 2-3 with a walk and the double (listen here). Adam Stern was 0-5 for the second straight day since arriving back in Nashville. Nashville play-by-play

Keith Law: "Also hearing the Brewers are on lefty Jesse Biddle at No. 14, as are the Angels if he gets past the Phillies."

Final: Lake County 6, Wisconsin 5 (11 innings)Captains comeback beats Wisconsin Chris Mehring/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers EASTLAKE, OH - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored five times in the top of the fourth inning to go up 5-0. But, the Lake County Captains rallied to beat Wisconsin 6-5 in 11 innings at Classic Park on Friday night. Casey Frawley drove in the winning run in the eleventh, but it was the Lake County bullpen and their 7-1/3 innings of scoreless relief that made the win possible for the leaders of the Midwest League's Eastern Division. Wisconsin (20-35) grabbed the lead by finally taking advantage of the wildness of Lake County starting pitcher Trey Haley. The right-hander had walked four batters through the first three innings, but the Rattlers did not score in any of those first three innings. That changed in the fourth. Cutter Dykstra drew a leadoff walk and scored on a Pete Fatse RBI double to start the inning. Kyle Dhanani reached on a fielder's choice but Fatse was out trying to go to third on a grounder to short. Michael Marseco walked to move Dhanani to second. But, with Franklin Romero, Jr. at the plate, Dhanani tried to advance to third on a ball in the dirt. He was out number two. Romero drew the third walk of the inning from Haley to bring D'Vontrey Richardson to the plate. The Rattlers centerfielder singled to center to score Marseco from second. The throw to the plate was cut off and an attempt to get Romero at third was mishandled for an error to let Romero score and make the score 3-0. Scooter Gennett drew the fourth walk of the inning and eighth of the game from Haley to chase the Captains starting pitcher from the game. Khris Davis greeted reliever Francisco Jimenez with a two-run double to right-center and the Rattlers were up 5-0. Wisconsin starting pitcher Del Howell struggled in the bottom of the fourth. A ground out was sandwiched around a pair of walks to set up the inning. Roberto Perez and Jeremie Tice had consecutive RBI singles to make the score 5-2. Jason Smit looked like he had plated Perez from second on a single to center. But, Richardson had other ideas. The Rattlers outfielder fired a strike to the plate to nail Perez for the second out of the frame. Howell got a weak grounder back to the mound to end the inning. Jake Odorizzi relieved Howell for the fifth inning and pitched around a walk. But, in the bottom of the sixth, a leadoff double for Chun Chen and a one-out RBI single by Tice pulled Lake County (37-18) to within 5-3. In the bottom of the seventh, Chun stepped to the plate with two on and two out. The Lake County designated hitter smacked a double down the third base line to drive in both runs and tie the game 5-5. The game remained tied until the bottom of the eleventh inning. Rattlers reliever Andy Sauter retired the first two batters of the inning. Bo Greenwell doubled and took third on a wild pitch. Frawley singled to center on the next pitch to drive in the winning run. Wisconsin is now 0-6 in extra innings this season. Game two of the series at Classic Park is Saturday night. Wisconsin has Eric Arnett (0-5, 6.80) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Clayton Cook (1-4, 5.00) is set to start for the Captains. Game time is 6:00pm CDT. Wisconsin box score Pretty tough loss, but what else is new? Great game from Richardson (though baserunning continues to be an issue); he even had a good at-bat on his strikeout, coaxing what sounded like it might have been ball four, but the call went against him. Gennett's hit streak was snapped, but he walked three times, as did Davis. Dykstra and Cameron Garfield each singled. Kind of shocking to see Odorizzi knocked around a bit, which is a testament to how good he's been. His final line: 3 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. The game also featured a fine relief appearance from Santo Manzanillo, who tossed three scoreless innings featuring two hits, a walk, and three whiffs. Andy Sauter? Not so good so far this season. This was the first time the Rattlers had ever played the Captains, who switched from the South Atlantic League after last year. Wisconsin play-by-play The Rattlers had the go-ahead run on third with one out in the 10th but couldn't score: Wisconsin Top 10th Cutter Dykstra singles on a ground ball to left fielder Bo Greenwell. Peter Fatse called out on strikes. With Kyle Dhanani batting, passed ball by Roberto Perez, Cutter Dykstra to 3rd. Kyle Dhanani strikes out swinging. Michael Marseco grounds out, second baseman Argenis Martinez to first baseman Ben Carlson.

Discuss in the Capuano/Vargas thread.

Richardson helping out on defense too, throwing out a runner at the plate to temporarily stave off further implosion from Del Howell, who's already allowed two runs. That's Richardson's 8th assist this year.

Richardson just lined a clutch two-out RBI single with the bases loaded on an 0-2 count. The Rattlers were really close to getting only one run out of the inning, which would have meant 7 walks + 3 hits = 1 run in four innings, setting them up for the heartbreak we've come to know too well this year.

It really bugs me how the guy in the commercial pronounces it arthroscopy.

Callis now has the Brewers taking McGuire as well.

Huntsville game notes

From this week's chat: [tt][/tt]