Link Report for Games of Friday, August 8th

[Mass Haas]

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

[Mass Haas]

Friday's Daily Menu: TGIF!

All times Central except Arizona League; pitchers subject to change --

 

Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 6:45 PM pre-game; 7:00 gametime

 

Audio link via WNSR, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t556

Huntsville: LHP Brae Wright at West Tenn (Mariners), 6:50 PM pre-game; 7:05 gametime

 

Audio link via WUMP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?sid=t559

 

Brevard County: LHP Derek Miller at Daytona (Cubs), 6:05 PM gametime

 

Audio link via Daytona broadcast, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/multimedia/audio.jsp?cid=503&sid=t503

 

West Virginia: RHP R.J. Seidel at home vs. Hickory (Pirates), 5:55 PM pre-game, 6:05 gametime

 

Audio link via WSWW, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t525

 

Helena: RHP Liam Ohlmann at Orem (Angels), 7:55 PM pre-game, 8:05 gametime

 

Audio link via KCAP, be sure to select the proper date (game will also archive at this link):

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/clubs/ip_index.jsp?sid=milb&cid=t433

 

Arizona: TBD at the Rangers' complex in Surprise, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time

 

Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

[Mass Haas]

Follow Friday's action as it happens:

Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Window". Open the Nashville Gameday. For the others, choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often.

 

Nashville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_omaaaa_nasaaa_1

 

Huntsville:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_hunaax_wtdaax_1

 

Brevard County:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_breafa_dbcafa_1

 

West Virginia:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_hicafx_wvaafx_1

 

Helena:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_helrok_orerok_1

 

Arizona:

 

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_08_brrrok_rngrok_1

[Mass Haas]

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated several hours prior to gametime.

 

Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

 

[Mass Haas]

 Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Iowa 69 49 .585 - 42-22 27-27 W1 Memphis 64 54 .542 5.0 30-25 34-29 L1 Omaha 51 67 .432 18.0 24-35 27-32 L3 Nashville 48 70 .407 21.0 21-33 27-37 W4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 30 17 .638 - 16-6 14-11 W6 Tennessee 24 23 .511 6.0 11-14 13-9 L1 Huntsville 22 25 .468 8.0 11-14 11-11 L1 West Tenn 19 27 .413 10.5 7-14 12-13 W1 Chattanooga 19 28 .404 11.0 9-13 10-15 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 26 17 .605 - 15-6 11-11 W1 Jupiter 25 19 .568 1.5 12-9 13-10 L1 St. Lucie 23 19 .548 2.5 12-9 11-10 W1 Palm Beach 22 23 .489 5.0 14-10 8-13 L1 Brevard County 20 24 .455 6.5 9-12 11-12 W3 Vero Beach 14 32 .304 13.5 6-17 8-15 L9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 31 15 .674 - 17-6 14-9 W1 Lakewood 30 17 .638 1.5 14-8 16-9 W2 Delmarva 25 21 .543 6.0 10-12 15-9 L1 Lake County 20 26 .435 11.0 11-13 9-13 W1 Hagerstown 20 27 .426 11.5 9-16 11-11 L3 Lexington 18 27 .400 12.5 9-15 9-12 L1 Greensboro 17 29 .370 14.0 9-14 8-15 L1 Hickory 15 31 .326 16.0 4-17 11-14 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 9 1 .900 - 6-0 3-1 W3 Great Falls 5 5 .500 4.0 2-2 3-3 W2 Helena 3 7 .300 6.0 1-4 2-3 L3 Missoula 3 7 .300 6.0 3-2 0-5 L2 

[Mass Haas]

Arizona League Standings

[Mass Haas]

Owlz second baseman Ivan Contreras throws to first base to make a double play after outing Brewers right fielder Cutter Dykstra during the Owlz game against the Helena Brewers Thursday, August 7, 2008 in Orem.

Photo By CELIA TOBIN/Daily Herald

 

http://2008.heraldextra.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=130379&g2_serialNumber=2

[Mass Haas]

Nashville Media Notes:

 

GARDNER SHIFTED TO BULLPEN: To accommodate Nic Ungs' return to the Nashville starting rotation, right-hander Richie Gardner has been moved to the club's bullpen. The 26-year-old went 4-5 with a 6.21 ERA (58 ER / 84.0 IP) in 17 starts for Nashville; PCL opponents batted .324 against him in his starts. In five relief outings this season, Gardner is s 2-0 with one save and 3.66 ERA (8 ER / 19.2 IP). He went winless over his final ten starts (0-4, 7.20 ERA, 36 ER / 45.0 IP), dating back to a victory on June 2 against Iowa.

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus (PCL Travel Costs):

Consider the problems for minor league baseball: The Pacific Coast League is spread out among 16 teams in three time zones, and the league's 144-game schedule makes bus travel nearly impossible.

 

Though some teams receive financial help from their big-league partners, it's not nearly enough to offset the soaring cost of getting a group of about 30 players, coaches and support staff across half the country.

 

"We are irrevocably married to commercial transportation," said Branch Rickey, president of the PCL and grandson of the legendary Dodgers executive. "There is no room for divorce. We can't get into Priuses or onto buses and solve our problems."

 

Most teams were able to lock in good deals for the current season before the recent price surge, but they weren't prepared for the new baggage surcharges some airlines began imposing to offset jet fuel costs.

 

Tacoma Rainiers president Aaron Artman estimates the baggage fees will cost his team at least $100,000 this season. Some teams may even ship equipment overnight next year rather than throwing it on the plane with the team.

 

The league is considering extensive changes beginning with the 2010 season to cope, including a heavily unbalanced schedule that would focus more on regional travel or on realigning divisions to cut down on lengthy road trips.

 

And as struggling airlines trim flight schedules, teams have fewer options for getting from one city to the next, said Albuquerque Isotopes general manager John Traub.

 

"Airlines don't have marketing people now, so we're dealing with some 800 number or getting some group desk," Traub said. "You hope to get a deal, but it's something that is never going away."

 

Minor league baseball bills itself as an affordable, family-friendly experience and can't afford to raise prices too much. Fans could just easily stay home or go to the movies.

 

So far, the economic downturn hasn't hurt the PCL at the gate, but don't be surprised if the price of nachos and a cold one goes up 50 cents.

 

"We're just trying to stay one step ahead," Traub said.

[wvpowerblkwel]

Gindl was awesome tonite. 4-4, 2 RBI, Solo HR first at bat, 2 singles, and a triple. Needed a double in the final AB for the cycle and hit a shot into the gap that was played well in the outfield or he gets the cycle! 4 hard hit balls in 4 AB's. Average back up to .297....I know he's been busting it trying to get to .300. Everytime he gets into this range he's had a tough couple games follow...here's hoping for another 4-4 tomorrow!

[DHonks]

I wonder if Wahpepah might be stagnating...3 years in A+? He's had good numbers each time, and is a groundball machine. Come on now, give him a chance

[bullox]

Am I seeing things or did Ben Jeffers really have 7 Ks in 2 2/3 IP for AZ?

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Virginia 4, Hickory (Pirates) 2

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

GINDL GOES NUTS ON CRAZY 8'S NIGHT

 

Crazy Eight's was the theme of Friday night's game at Appalachian Power Park and number eight for West Virginia, Caleb Gindl, went 4-for-4 and hit his eighth home run as the Power took the second game of the series with a 4-2 victory over the Hickory Crawdads.

 

Gindl and Curt Rindal smacked back-to-back home runs with two-outs in the bottom of the second inning to give the Power a 2-0 lead. Ironically, it was the eighth homer of the season for Rindal as well. The Crawdads answered quickly in the top of the third inning as Jordy Mercer tied the game with a two-run homer.

 

Eric Fryer was hit by a pitch to start the sixth inning and he scored on Gindl's two-out triple to right center field. Rindal singled in Steffan Wilson to plate West Virginia's final run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

 

Reed Dickert (2-2) pitched four perfect innings of relief and fanned four batters to earn the victory. Corey Frerichs became the first Power player to get to double digit saves as he pitched two scoreless innings of relief to snag his tenth save of the season. Rodolpho Aguirre (0-3) allowed three runs on seven hits over five and two-thirds and was tagged with the loss. Dickert and Frerichs combined to retire 17 out of the final 18 batters in the game.

 

The Power improved to 64-52 on the year and 32-15 in the second half with the win. The Crawdads fell to 45-72 on the year and 15-32 in the second half with the loss. Gindl paced the Power with his four-hit performance while Rindal and Lee Haydel turned in two hits apiece. Fryer went 0-for-3, bringing his hitting streak to an end at 12 games.

 

The Power will continue the four-game series against Hickory Saturday night. The Power will start right hander Michael Bowman (1-1, 5.82) and the Crawdads will counter with right hander Rafael De Los Santos (2-8, 5.89). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

Photo of Logan Schafer (Byline should read "Gindl's Perfect Night")

 

West Virginia Box Score

That's a brief three-inning start for R.J. Seidel -- we'll have to poke around to see if he's OK; RHP Reed Dickert turned 24 in June, the only thing taking away from his season-long dominance and importance to the Power; closer Corey Frerichs' season-long numbers dazzle; Lee Haydel has his average at .300 after 440 AB's; let's remember, folks, Caleb Gindl won't even be 20 years old until August 31st...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Westwood (Phillies) wins again, keeping the pressure on the Power...

[Mass Haas]

West Virginia "Bull on Baseball" Pre-Game Show opens with discussion on the current Power squad --

Click on the WSWW archive of August 8th, discussion begins right at the top...

 

Listen to Caleb Gindl and Curt Rindal's 2nd inning "Back-to-Back Jack-Jackety-Jack's" at the 01:30:00 hour / minute mark at the same audio link above -- I can never get enough of that call...

 

Hickory simply worked R.J. Seidel hard, pitch count issue after three innings (73 pitches) despite no earned runs allowed.

 

Eric Farris with a season-worthy web gem call at the 01:59:00 hour / minute mark.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Omaha (Royals) 6, Nashville 1

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link, text follows --

 

Sounds Open Homestand With 6-1 Loss

 

NASHVILLE - The Omaha Royals used the power of the longball on Friday evening at Greer Stadium, scoring all of their runs on three homers in a 6-1 victory over the Nashville Sounds in the opener of a five-game series.

 

The loss snapped the Sounds' season-best four-game winning streak.

 

Omaha starter Brandon Duckworth (4-11) held Nashville bats in check for the majority of the evening, limiting the home club to one run on four hits in his seven innings of action to pick up the win.

 

Outfielder Laynce Nix (2-for-2) - who posted two of Nashville's four hits on the evening - put the Sounds up 1-0 in the bottom of the second inning when he drilled a 3-1 Duckworth offering the other way for a solo homer to left, his team-leading 23rd roundtripper of the year. Nix has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games, adding 14 extra-base hits over that stretch.

 

AUDIO: Laynce Nix Solo Homer

 

Omaha first baseman Kila Ka'aihue tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth with a one-out solo homer to right off Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin, his fifth longball of the season.

 

The visitors increased their lead to 6-1 in the fifth with a pair of mammoth home runs off Gulin. Royals catcher Brayan Pena got things started when he belted a two-run homer to left-center that careened off the guitar-shaped scoreboard. The blast, which came against Gulin, was the backstop's second of the year. After a pair of walks issued to Ka'aihue and Ryan Shealy, Omaha right-fielder Damon Hollins slugged a three-run shot deep over the wall in left, his 11th homer of the year, to extend the lead to five.

 

Gulin (5-6) was saddled with the loss for the Sounds after giving up six runs, all on homers, over his five innings of work.

 

Richie Gardner followed Gulin with four hitless innings of relief to close out the contest for Nashville.

 

The teams continue the series on Saturday evening with a 6 p.m. doubleheader that will consist of two seven-inning games. Left-hander Sam Narron (6-3, 4.78) will start the opener for Nashville and face Omaha right-hander Roman Colon (3-5, 4.64). Left-hander Troy Cate (2-2, 5.22) will man the bump in the nightcap for the Sounds to square off against Royals righty Matt Wright (3-7, 5.86).

 

Nashville Box Score

Hernan Iribarren dropped to 8th in the order, slugging a purtrid .328 (OBP .330); bullpen work agreed with Richie Gardner, at least on this night...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Huntsville Pre-Game Audio Interview with Strength and Conditioning Coach Eric McMahon

Click on the WUMP archive of August 8th, then browse to the 08:45 minute mark; discussion about fighting season-end fatigue...

[Mass Haas]

Final: West Tenn (Mariners) 6, Huntsville 5

 

Huntsville Site Game Summary:

 

Jaxx Grab Walk-Off Win Over Stars

Sandoval Cannot Close Door in Ninth

By Brett Pollock / Huntsville Stars

 

Jeffrey Dominguez drove in the winning run with an infield hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to push West Tenn past Huntsville 6-5 Friday night in the middle of a five-game series at Pringles Park. The Diamond Jaxx won their second straight to raise their record to 20-27 in the second half, while the Stars dipped to 22-26 in the half. West Tenn has won 11 of the 19 games in the season series, including six of eight at home.

 

Juan Sandoval opened the ninth on the mound for Huntsville with a 5-4 lead and retired the leadoff man before Marshall Hubbard's pinch-hit double to center field off the glove of Lorenzo Cain. Mike Wilson walked and Johan Limonta followed with a single to drive in Hubbard to tie the game and move Wilson to second base. Adam Moore struck out for the second out before Sandoval issued a wild pitch on a 1-1 offering to Dominguez that moved the runners up a base. The West Tenn second sacker then squibbed a ground ball past a diving third baseman Guilder Rodriguez that shortstop Alcides Escobar tried to play with the bare hand and could not, allowing Wilson to score the decisive run. Sandoval suffered his fifth blown save of the season and dropped to 2-5.

 

Angel Salome led off the second inning with a double and stayed put when Chris Errecart was hit by Gaby Hernandez with one out. Mike Bell walked to load the bases before Cain and Martin Maldonado delivered singles to drive in runs to make it 2-0. The rally was capped by a Michael Brantley sacrifice fly, his first of the season.

 

Stars' starter Brae Wright had blanked the Jaxx on two hits through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth. Dominguez led off with a single before Matt Mangini hit a ground ball to second that should have been turned into a double play and instead resulted only in a force out at second. Mark Kiger legged out an infield hit and both runners scored on a triple by Brent Johnson that cut the lead to 3-2. Greg Halman singled in Johnson to tie the game and scored on a Limonta sacrifice fly to give the Jaxx their first lead. Wright was removed after five frames, in his shortest outing since June 20, and charged with four runs on six hits, while walking three and fanning four.

 

Salome started the sixth inning with a single, moved to second base when Cole Gillespie was hit by a pitch and to third after an Errecart sacrifice bunt. Bell's ground ball out plated Salome to tie the game and move Gillespie to third base before Hernandez uncorked a wild pitch that brought in the Huntsville right fielder with the lead run. Hernandez lasted six innings in his second start with the Jaxx, giving up four hits, walking three and striking out a pair.

 

Jason Shiell took over for Wright and threw a scoreless sixth inning before exiting with the bases loaded and one out in the seventh. David Johnson came on and got Dominguez to ground into an inning-ending double play. Johnson threw a scoreless eighth inning and has now allowed only one run in his last 29 2/3 innings of work. Marwin Vega tossed two shutout innings behind Hernandez and was followed by Nelson Payano, who grabbed the win with a shutout ninth inning.

 

The series continues Saturday night with left-hander David Welch taking the hill against West Tenn right-hander Luis Munoz. Coverage of the game begins at 6:50 pm central time and can be heard locally on SportsRadio 730 WUMP and through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and www.730ump.com.

 

Huntsville Box Score

Mat Gamel a needed night off; Lorenzo Cain on base three times; Angel Salome a double and single on another productive evening for him; David Johnson bailed out Jason Shiell's line big-time, as Shiell earned a "hold" despite walking four...

 

Huntsville Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Daytona (Cubs) 7, Brevard County 3

 

Game Summary from the Cubs' Site:

 

[DAYTONA BEACH, FL] Wearing tropically styled jerseys in lieu of Jimmy Buffet night, the Daytona Cubs came from behind to crank out a late inning comeback win, 7-3. The Cubs batted around and put up five runs, including a go-ahead RBI single by Steve Clevenger.

 

The game began as a pitcher's duel. Brevard County starter Derek Miller and Daytona starter Hung-Wen Chen were both effective early and neither offense was able to put anything together in the first three innings. Miller was relieved in the fourth by Cub killer Bobby Bramhall.

 

Brevard County finally broke through for some offense in the fifth inning. With no outs and the bases loaded, Yohannis Perez smacked a bases-clearing triple. After inducing a ground out, Mike Cooper came in and retired two straight to end the inning. The Manatees jumped ahead, 3-0.

 

The Cubs got to Bramhall for the first time this season in the bottom of the sixth. Bramhall pitched 18 scoreless innings against Daytona before finally coughing up some runs. Russ Canzler and Robinson Chirinos drove in a pair of runs on back-to-back one out singles, chasing Bramhall from the game. Cubs closed in to just one run back, 3-2.

 

Jonathan Mota walked with one out in the seventh. Manatee reliever Josh Wahpepah threw over to check on Mota and the ball got away, advancing Mota to third. This set things up for Cubs centerfielder Jim Adduci, who smacked a hard ground ball up the middle through a drawn in infield to tie the ballgame. After a walk to Ty Wright, Clevenger pounded out an RBI base hit to give Daytona a lead. Canzler added on with an RBI ground out. Chirinos kept it going, as he stroked an RBI single. Ryan Harvey completed the monster inning with another RBI single, and the Cubs turned the tables on Brevard County, going up 7-3.

 

The Cubs finish their series against the Manatees Saturday beginning at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

 

Brevard County Box Score

Mel Stocker continues to toy with Florida State League pitching, but not their catchers (only 5-for-10 in FSL steal attempts) -- trivia: Mel's full name is Myreon Romel Stocker; tough to win when Jonathan Lucroy and Taylor Green combine to go 0-for-8; Brent Brewer, hitting 6th, singled twice; welcome back to action, Derek Miller...

 

Brevard County Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Helena Pre-Game Audio Interview with RHP Rico Salmon

Click on the KCAP archive of August 8th, then browse to the 07:45 minute mark; playing with an injured toe, banging it just as many of us might, in our bedroom; didn't realize the late-round Brewer pick was previously a 10th round selection by the Nationals; well-spoken, nice job with the initial interview...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Orem (Angels) 9, Helena 3

Helena Box Score

Brewers allowed runs in the 3rd through 7th innings; Brock Kjeldgaard and Cutter Dykstra went deep, Dykstra also doubled; Jose Duran doubled and singled twice; Chris Dennis and Corey Kemp each reached twice -- all that being said, offensively, only three runs, two coming on the solo shots; Erik Komatsu back in the lineup -- if I remember correctly from previous audio, he was nursing a sprained wrist, correct me if I'm mistaken; catcher Mike Roberts must have been dizzy, seven Brewer wild pitches (no passed balls), four by LHP Brandon Ritchie in just 1.2 innings -- surprisingly given that stat, no walks for the southpaw; four more K's in two innings for Wily Peralta...

 

Helena Game Log

RHP Cody Adams will start Saturday with Trey Watten to piggyback -- good news as Adams' shoulder strengthens...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Rangers 7, Arizona Brewers 2

Arizona Box Score

Tough outing for starting LHP Kristian Bueno, his infield defense didn't help; RHP Ben Jeffers, as noted above, with a stellar effort; it was 7-2 after two innings, and stayed that way; the A-Crew scored two first-inning runs keyed by Joey Paciorek's triple and Shawn Zarraga's double; Lou Palmisano's knee even allowed him to steal a base -- he's still DH'ing only; Jake Odorizzi two scoreless but not dominant innings; RHP Stosh Wawrzasek is back from Canadian Juniors play, and also tossed two scoreless...

 

Arizona Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Link Report Bonus for FSL Fans:

Vero Beach moving to Port Charlotte, leaving a lot of history behind

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds start homestand with ugly loss to Omaha

By STEVE SILVER

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

A disastrous fifth inning derailed the Sounds' season-long four-game win streak Friday night.

 

The Omaha Royals blasted two home runs and drove in five runs in the fifth to topple the Sounds 6-1 in front of a sellout crowd of 10,072 fans at Greer Stadium.

 

Although Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin retired the first seven batters he faced, the lefty ran into trouble early in the fifth. Omaha catcher Brayan Pena launched a deep, two-run home run off the guitar-shaped scoreboard in center field to put the Royals on top 3-1.

 

Gulin walked the next two batters before surrendering a homer to Damon Hollins. That put the Sounds in a 6-1 hole.

 

"I think they did a good job of adjusting to what (Gulin) was doing and they made him throw strikes early in the count," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "He then got behind some guys and had to come to them and then they hit the ball well."

 

Nashville never recovered as its bats went silent the rest of the game.

 

Laynce Nix provided the only sign of offense, blasting a solo home run to left field in the second inning to give the Sounds an initial 1-0 lead. He also tripled in the fourth - his 14th extra-base hit in his last 16 games.

 

Ungs returns: The Sounds called up right-handed pitcher Nic Ungs from Double-A Huntsville on Friday. Ungs started the season in Nashville and went 1-2 with a 10.86 ERA over four starts. He was placed on the disabled list at the end of April with a right shoulder injury.

 

Ungs returned in late June with the Stars, where he went 4-1 with a 1.96 ERA, holding Huntsville opponents to a .221 batting average. He will rejoin the starting rotation Monday.

 

To make room for Ungs in the rotation, right-hander Richie Gardner moved to the bullpen. Gardner is 4-5 with a 6.21 ERA in 17 starts this season.

 

Pena on D.L.: The Sounds placed closer Luis Pena on the disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, to open a roster spot for Ungs. In his last eight appearances Pena has blown three saves and posted a 1-3 record with an 18.00 ERA. Opponents have hit .400 (16-for-40) off the 2008 All-Star during that stretch.

 

"It was for more of a mental break than anything," Kremblas said.

 

Long ball Laynce: Nix's 23rd home run of the season moved him into a tie for third on the Sounds' all-time list with 54.

[Never Outhustled]

I can't believe I'm the only one on the Cutter Dykstra bandwagon. His OPS in Helena is over 1.000 , and has done that despite battling injury. He's athletic, fast, and explosive, with great desire. At #39, he is the most misplaced player in the history of the P50, at least 25 spots off. He is the opposite of Tony Gwynn, as Gwynn was only a prospect because of his name, Cutter seems to be hurt here as some are either annoyed by bloodlines or personally don't like Lenny Dykstra. If he was Cutter Smith, I'm guessing he'd be the rage of the board.