Link Report for Wed. 8/13 -- Jeffress' AA Debut Uneven, Brief

[Mass Haas]

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

[Mass Haas]

Wednesday's Daily Menu:

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

 

Nashville: LHP Lindsay Gulin at home vs. Oklahoma (Rangers), 11:45 AM pre-game; 12:00 PM 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: RHP's Jeremy Jeffress and Mike Jones in a doubleheader at home vs. Chattanooga (Reds), 4:50 PM pre-game; 5:05 gametime; each contest seven innings

 

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 Bobby Bramhall at Palm Beach (Cardinals), 6:05 PM gametime

 

Audio link via the Cardinals 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 Augusta (Giants), 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: LHP Brandon Ritchie at Ogden (Dodgers), 7:50 PM pre-game, 8:00 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 not-so-Giants' complex in Scottsdale, 7:00 PM local Mountain Standard Time

 

Never any audio for the Maryvale Crew

[Mass Haas]

Follow Wednesday'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_13_orhaaa_nasaaa_1

Huntsville Game One:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_13_cngaax_hunaax_1

Huntsville Game Two:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&gid=2008_08_13_cngaax_hunaax_2&cid=559&t=g_box

Brevard County:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_13_breafa_pbcafa_1

West Virginia:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_13_wvaafx_augafx_1

Helena:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_13_helrok_ogdrok_1

Arizona:

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2008_08_13_brrrok_giarok_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 71 52 .577 - 43-22 28-30 W1 Memphis 65 58 .528 6.0 31-29 34-29 W1 Omaha 53 71 .427 18.5 24-36 29-35 L2 Nashville 51 73 .411 20.5 24-36 27-37 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Carolina 33 18 .647 - 18-7 15-11 W3 Tennessee 25 26 .490 8.0 11-15 14-11 L1 Huntsville 23 27 .460 9.5 11-14 12-13 W1 Chattanooga 21 29 .420 11.5 11-14 10-15 L1 West Tenn 21 29 .420 11.5 9-16 12-13 L2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Florida State League (A+) - FSL East Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Daytona 27 20 .574 - 16-7 11-13 L3 Jupiter 28 21 .571 - 15-11 13-10 W2 St. Lucie 25 21 .543 1.5 12-11 13-10 L2 Palm Beach 26 24 .520 2.5 14-10 12-14 W3 Brevard County 23 26 .469 5.0 11-13 12-13 W1 Vero Beach 15 36 .294 14.0 6-19 9-17 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 South Atlantic League (A) - SAL Northern Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- West Virginia 34 17 .667 - 20-6 14-11 L2 Lakewood 33 18 .647 1.0 15-9 18-9 W1 Delmarva 27 23 .540 6.5 11-13 16-10 L1 Lake County 22 27 .449 11.0 12-14 10-13 W1 Hagerstown 20 30 .400 13.5 9-18 11-12 L6 Greensboro 20 31 .392 14.0 10-16 10-15 W3 Lexington 18 32 .360 15.5 9-18 9-14 L6 Hickory 15 36 .294 19.0 4-19 11-17 L7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

 Pioneer League (R+) - PIO North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Billings 12 3 .800 - 9-2 3-1 W1 Great Falls 8 7 .533 4.0 5-4 3-3 L1 Helena 5 10 .333 7.0 1-4 4-6 W2 Missoula 3 12 .200 9.0 3-2 0-10 L7 

[Mass Haas]

Arizona League Standings

[Team Canada]

Shout out from Adam. Hi Adam. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

 

"Jeffress is scheduled to pitch Game 1, and former top pitching prospect Mike Jones will start the nightcap, the team told the fan site Brewerfan.net. .."

[And That]

Jake "No Eggs" Odorizzi is due for a start with the Baby Brewers. Stosh Wawrzasek and Kristian Bueno also on schedule to get some work.

[brewmann04]

nice to see our former #1 going back to back in Huntsville. Hopefully Jones will continue his improvement and JJ gets his velocity today.

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game One: Huntsville 5, Chattanooga (Reds) 3

Huntsville Game One Box Score

All the details from the Stars' site after completion of the doubleheader; for now, we can tell you that Jeremy Jeffress worked 2.1 innings in his AA debut (two runs allowed), allowing a home run in the first inning, tossing a 1-2-3 second, and then running into control problems in the third that forced his exit. The Brewers enforce not only a game-long pitch count, but a per-inning pitch count, which Jeffress likely exceeded. Patrick Ryan came on and worked out of a huge bases-loaded, one-out jam to save Jeffress' ERA and also set himself up for the eventual Stars' win.

 

The amazing Angel Salome singled twice and walked twice, reaching all four plate appearances in this seven-inning affair. Michael Brantley, Alcides Escobar and Chris Errecart had big games. Somehow, Manager Don Money was ejected in the first inning (following an Escobar walk). Again, more details from Brett Pollock later tonight.

 

Huntsville Game One Game Log

 

Chattanooga Top 3rd

• - Chris Denove walks.
• - Travis Wood walks. Chris Denove to 2nd.
• - Sean Henry walks. Chris Denove to 3rd. Travis Wood to 2nd.
• - Justin Turner singles on a ground ball to center fielder Lorenzo Cain. Chris Denove scores. Travis Wood to 3rd. Sean Henry to 2nd.
• - Daniel Dorn strikes out swinging.
• - Pitcher Change: Patrick Ryan replaces Jeremy Jeffress, batting 9th.
• - Tonys Gutierrez strikes out swinging.
• - Chris Valaika flies out to right fielder Cole Gillespie.

[Mass Haas]

Final: Oklahoma (Rangers) 4, Nashville 2

 

Nashville Site Game Summary:

Link for Joe Dillon photo, text follows --

 

NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds lost a second consecutive, low-scoring battle against the Oklahoma RedHawks, 4-2, on Wednesday afternoon at Greer Stadium.

 

Oklahoma starting pitcher Elizardo Ramirez (10-5) came within one pitch of his first complete game of the season, tossing 8 2/3 innings while giving up only two runs on seven hits. The outing was his longest of the season, and the low-scoring output marked the 46th time this season that the Sounds have been held to two runs or less.

 

Joe Dillon went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI as the lone highlight for a Nashville offense that has only produced two runs on 12 hits in the past two games.

 

Sounds starter Lindsay Gulin (5-7) picked up his sixth quality start of the season for Nashville after giving up only three runs in seven innings of work. He only allowed six hits while striking out seven batters but picked up his seventh loss of the season. In his 20 starts this season, the Sounds have only managed to score 34 total runs of support.

 

The Sounds got out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning when Callix Crabbe scored from third base on an RBI groundout from Brad Nelson. Crabbe led the inning off with his fifth consecutive base on balls after walking four times in four at-bats in Monday night's game. Dillon then knocked a double to move him to third before he scored on the groundball.

 

Oklahoma jumped ahead in the next half inning when Ryan Roberts belted a 2-2 pitch off the scoreboard in left field. The longball was Roberts's ninth of the year and scored Nate Gold, who walked in the previous at-bat. The RedHawks added another run in the top of the fourth inning off a pair of doubles from Roberts and Ben Harrison off Gulin to push the lead to two.

 

Nashville cut the lead to one when Dillon notched his second double of the day down the left field line to score Crabbe from second base in the bottom of the sixth inning. Crabbe reached on a single then moved to second on a fielding error by Oklahoma right fielder Harrison.

 

The RedHawks manufactured another run in the top of the eighth inning off Sounds reliever Tim Dillard when Joaquin Arias led off with a single, then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Drew Meyer. Gold then singled up the middle to center field to score Arias and give Oklahoma a two-run cushion.

 

Dillard pitched two innings of relief and gave up one earned run for the Sounds while striking out two batters. Joselo Diaz picked up his first save of the season for the RedHawks after recording the last out in the ninth inning.

 

The teams continue the series on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. at Greer Stadium. Southpaw Sam Narron (7-3, 4.79) will man the bump for the Sounds against right-hander Brian Gordon (3-4, 5.24) for the RedHawks.

 

Greer Stadium will host another Thirsty Thursday during tomorrow night's game, with $1 draft beverages until the fifth inning or 8:30, whichever comes first.

 

Nashville Box Score

It's a bit surprising only six of Lindsay Gulin's 20 starts have been of the "quality" variety, but high walk totals have limited his innings in games he's otherwise thrown well; Brad Nelson a .582 OPS in 11 August games thus far...

 

Nashville Game Log

[Minigoon]

Erik Komatsu is having a night. 2 three-run homers, both no doubters, and an outfield assist. Helena up 8-0 in the 6th.

[twobrewers]

Erik Komatsu is having a night season.

[jjfanec]

Erik Komatsu is having a night. 2 three-run homers, both no doubters, and an outfield assist. Helena up 8-0 in the 6th.

With Schafer struggling now in West Virginia it would be nice to see what Komatsu could do up there. His overall numbers are great. Great BA, OBP, power numbers and he walks more than he K's.

 

[Mass Haas]

Final: Augusta (Giants) 4, West Virginia 2

Power fall into a first-place division tie...

 

West Virginia Site Game Summary:

 

POWER DROP THIRD IN A ROW

 

The West Virginia Power fell behind the Augusta GreenJackets early on Wednesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium and were never able to recover as the GreenJackets sent the Power to their third straight loss with a 4-2 victory.

 

The GreenJackets took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning for the second night in a row. Juan Ciriaco ripped a two-out single, stole second base and scored on Dayton Buller's base hit. Ciriaco singled into left-center field with Shane Jordan on base in the fifth inning.

Logan Schafer misplayed the ball in left-center field allowing Jordan to score. The Power cut the lead in half in the top of the sixth inning on Steffan Wilson's two-out base hit that scored Eric Farris.

 

Angel Villalona started the sixth inning with a base hit and scored on a triple from Andrew Davis. Augusta took a 4-1 lead in the seventh inning on Ciriaco's third base hit of the night which scored Jordan again. The Power plated their final run of the game in the eighth inning when Farris scored on Wilson's groundout.

 

T.J. Brewer (8-4) allowed a run on four hits over five and two-thirds and fanned six to earn the victory. R.J. Seidel (7-5) tossed five strong innings, allowing two runs, only one earned on six hits with four strikeouts, but was tagged with the loss.

 

The Power fell to 66-55 on the year and 34-18 in the second half with the loss. The GreenJackets improved to 75-45 on the year and 34-17 in the second half with the win. Farris and Eric Fryer paced the Power with two hits apiece. Eric Rindal singled in the second inning, bringing his hitting streak to nine games and his on-base streak to 17 games. The three-game losing skid is West Virginia's longest since they were swept in a four-game series against Lakewood on Memorial Day weekend.

 

The Power will finish the four-game series against Augusta Thursday night. The Power will right hander Michael Bowman (2-1, 4.50) and the GreenJackets will counter with right hander Oliver Odle (9-5, 3.99). The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (6:05 Central).

 

West Virginia Box Score

San Francisco's pitching staff could be something in three years -- Augusta has led the league in ERA all season (now at 3.11, West Virginia's is 4.22)...

 

West Virginia Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Palm Beach (Cardinals) 4, Brevard County 3, 11 innings

Walk-off loss...

 

Brevard County Box Score

Josh Wahpepah only faced one batter all game -- leadoff walk-off home run for the Cardinals in the 11th; Charlie Fermaint (.203) and Andy Bouchie (.201) fighting to stay over the Mendoza line; Lou Palmisano three singles; Taylor Green a night off -- perhaps per request of the Cleveland Indians -- announcement forthcoming? Don't overlook the wondrous line of starting LHP Bobby Bramhall in this one, check it out -- in his last 27 innings, Bramhall has walked only one while striking out 24...

 

Brevard County Game Log

Manatee 6th inning crucial in a bad way -- 2nd and 3rd, no outs, no runs; mild two-out threat in the 10th, but that was about it...

[Mass Haas]

Final: Helena 10, Ogden (Dodgers) 4

Nice series win, cruising to victories in the final three of four against a good team on the road...

 

Helena Box Score

As noted above, Erik Komatsu with two three-run home runs; Steven Braun hit his first professional home run in a pinch-hit appearance late; Cutter Dykstra singled twice, walked twice, reached all four times up; Brock Kjeldgaard 4-for-5, surprisingly all singles, as 31-of-57 previous hits went for extra bases for the slugger; John Delaney a huge game in the leadoff spot, reaching four times and scoring four runs; two doubles for David Fonseca; fantastic scoreless six-inning start for LHP Brandon Ritchie; things got a touch hairy in the 9th, well, not really, but Brandon Rapoza bailed out Nestor Corredor big-time to end it...

 

Helena Game Log

Ogden starter Robert Boothe is unique -- he has a Japanese interpreter with him, he was born to an American father and Japanese mother, raised in Japan and educated at Asia University in Tokyo...

[Mass Haas]

Final, Game Two: Huntsville 11, Chattanooga (Reds) 6

Huntsville Site Doubleheader Summary:

Big Innings Lead Stars to DH Sweep

A three-run third inning in game one, a four-run fourth and a five-run sixth in game two lead the Stars to their second doubleheader sweep of the year.

 

Starter Jeremy Jeffress, making his Double-A debut, lasted only 2.1 innings and allowed two runs on two hits. Chattanooga's Justin Turner hit his seventh home run of the year in the first inning and drove in Chris Denove in the third to account for each of the Lookouts' runs off Jeffress.

 

After Jeffress walked the bases loaded and allowed Turner's single he was replaced by Patrick Ryan, who would shut the door and pitch 2.2 scoreless innings to earn the win.

 

In the bottom half of the third, the Stars, trailing 2-1 would answer with three of their own and take the lead for good. Cole Gillespie doubled in Angel Salome and Mat Gamel, who had each reached on walks. Chris Errecart capped the inning by driving in Gillespie from second with a two-out single.

 

The Stars would add another run in the fourth as Salome drove in Michael Brantley with a single. David Johnson pitched a scoreless sixth, and Juan Sandoval closed out the seventh, allowing only one run, to earn his sixteenth save of the year as the Stars won 5-3.

 

The Stars would wait a little later for their big inning in game two. Trailing 3-2, the Stars plated four in the fourth inning to take the lead 6-3. Alcides Escobar drove in Guilder Rodriguez and Brantley with a bases-loaded double. Escobar's double pushed Lorenzo Cain to third, where he scored thanks to a Salome sacrifice fly. Gamel then drove in Escobar with a single to left.

 

That lead wasn't safe for long, however, as Tonys Gutierrez hit a three-run home run off reliever Donovan Hand to tie the contest at six.

 

The Stars would answer in the sixth with five runs to secure the doubleheader sweep. Gamel delivered a clutch bases-clearing double to drive in Cain, Escobar and Salome. Gillespie and pinch-hitter Freddy Parejo would each chip in with RBI singles to give the Stars the 11-6 advantage.

 

Robert Hinton pitched a perfect seventh, and Hand earned his second win of the year, in relief. The two teams will be back in action tomorrow as Brae Wright (6-9, 3.40) will get the start for Huntsville opposite Chattanooga's Sam LeCure (9-6, 3.67). 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 Game Two Box Score

Poor start for Mike Jones, who walked five in three innings; Mat Gamel drove in four with a double and single; Cole Gillespie singled three times and drove in two; Guilder Rodriguez earns a mention, reaching three times; Lorenzo Cain three singles; Michael Brantley reached three times; Angel Salome doubled and had a sacrifice fly -- so yes, it was a productive offensive effort over just six innings at-bat...

 

Huntsville Game Two Game Log

[Mass Haas]

Final: Arizona Giants 5, Arizona Brewers 2

Now 1-20 on the road, 9-33 overall...

 

Arizona Box Score

If there was ever a future Brewer destined to be known only by his first name, it's Stosh Wawrzasek, who started, allowed one run, and took the loss; it's hard to complain when Jake Odorizzi tosses another scoreless inning, but another two hitters reached and we're spoiled looking for those dominant high school-like outings; Venezuelan RHP Francisco Rivero isn't even 17-and-a-half yet, but he's tossed 5.1 scoreless innings over his first four pro outings; Jose Rangel is hitting .153, but he's stolen 13-of-15...

 

Arizona Game Log

[TheCrew07]

Fermaint showed one flash of brilliance thus far in his career, he's old for the league and putting up not so good numbers. I wonder if EDR is still following him... With the young OFs at Helena and WV, it would appear the writing is on the wall for Chuck.

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Raptors leaving town after playing 'worst series of year'

By TRENT TOONE

Ogden Standard-Examiner staff

 

OGDEN -- Mike Brumley got right to the point following Ogden's third straight loss to Helena Wednesday at Lindquist Field.

 

"Overall that was probably the worst series we've played, maybe for the year. Even when Billings swept us (July 16-18) we played better than that," said the Raptors' manager.

 

Thanks to a couple of home runs by Helena's Erik Komatsu, the Brewers soundly defeated the Raptors 10-4 to take the series 3-1.

 

Brewers' manager Rene Gonzales was so happy he laughed at the long faces on the fans as they filed out.

 

Talk about a tough three nights for Ogden.

 

After winning eight straight and 17 of 21 games, the Brewers figured out how to shut the Raptors down.

 

"Their pitching was good. We struggled to put good at-bats on them. We gave up a ton of two-out runs when we were one pitch away from getting out of certain innings," Brumley said. "We just couldn't do it this week. It was just a bad series."

 

How did the Brew Crew dominate the Raptors in the last three games?

 

Let Brumley count the ways: "They hit well. They pitched well. They hit home runs. They ran the bases well. They played a heck of a series."

 

One Helena player who really rocked the Raptors Wednesday was outfielder Komatsu. The former Cal State Fullerton star smashed two three-run homers Wednesday to account for six of the Brewers' 10 runs. His average for the series was .401. Teammate John Delaney went 3-for-4, and Brock Kjeldgaard went 4-for-5, Steven Braun added a 2-run homer, and by the eighth inning, the Brew Crew was up 10-0 as fans started heading for the exits.

 

"Yeah, the ball flies pretty good here (at Lindquist Field)," Komatsu said. "I like it."

 

Komatsu said Helena turned things around after Sunday's loss with an intense team meeting in which problems were discussed and solutions were discovered.

 

"We're playing better baseball now," Komatsu said.

 

Ogden's only highlights came in the twilight of the contest. In the bottom of the eighth, Pedro Baez hit a three-run homer to prevent the shutout. It was his first homer in three weeks.

 

The Raptors added another run in the bottom of the ninth when Ryan Arp bounced one off the left field wall for an RBI. Moments later, Ogden found a way to load the bases, but Travis Vetters struck out and Nick Buss ground out to end the game.

 

Robert Boothe (1-4) took the loss on the mound, his fourth straight.

 

Brumley took comfort in the fact that Ogden won four of the seven games in the home stand. He hopes the team can regroup as it embarks on a seven-game trip to Montana, including four games at Missoula and three at Helena.

 

"I'm glad we are going on the road. Hopefully we'll play better," Brumley said. "At some point you are going to hit a bad point. If you are going to hit a bad streak in the last three weeks. Maybe now is better than later on. Hopefully we can refocused and turn it around."

[Mass Haas]

Helena Independent Record:

Brewers get the best of Raptors

By Helena Independent Record

 

John Delaney and Cutter Dykstra set the table, with Erik Komatsu following to clear the dishes.

 

In the Helena Brewers 10-4 win over the Ogden Raptors in Utah Wednesday, Komatsu went 2-for-4, scalding a pair of three-run homers.

 

His first dinger came in the third inning, when he poled a three-run tater over the right field fence, driving in Delaney and Dykstra.

 

The Brewers big inning was the sixth, when they sent four men across home plate. David Fonseca led off with a double. Erik Miller reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second. Delaney singled, driving in Miller, and then Dykstra walked. Next Komatsu deposited another ball over the right field wall, plating Delaney and Dykstra.

 

Komatsu, who has nine dingers on the season, upped his average to .347.

 

Teammate Steven Braun added a two-run tater. Brock Kjeldgaard went 4-for-5, while Delaney was 3-for-4, with a double and four runs scored. Fonseca stroked a pair of two-baggers.

 

On the mound, Helena starter Brandon Ritchie went six scoreless innings and gave up five hits to earn the win. He struck out five Raptors' hitters. Ritchie was relieved by Liam Ohlmann, Nestor Corredor and Brandon Rapoza.

 

It was the Brew-crew's third straight win, as they improved to 6-10 for the second half. The Brewers return home Thursday night, meeting the Orem Owlz at Kindrick Legion Field at 7:05 PM (8:05 Central).

[Mass Haas]

Link while active, text follows:

 

Sounds' struggles persist against Oklahoma in loss

By MAURICE PATTON

Tennessean Staff Writer

 

Already assured of their first losing record in their four-year affiliation with the Milwaukee Brewers, the Sounds slipped further under .500 with Wednesday's 4-2 loss to visiting Oklahoma.

 

Nashville (51-74), which had won seven of its past nine games entering its series with the RedHawks, has dropped the first two games of the four-game set as its struggles against that club continue. For the season, the Sounds are 1-13 against Oklahoma.

 

After taking a 1-0 first-inning lead, the Sounds gave up a pair of runs in the second inning and never recovered.

 

"We've been playing better of late," said Brendan Katin, who snapped an 0-for-18 skid with a late base hit Wednesday. "This time, we just came up a little short."

 

Lindsay Gulin, winless in five starts since pitching in the Triple-A All-Star game July 16, gave up three runs in seven innings Wednesday and took his third loss since the break.

 

"He kept us in the game," Sounds Manager Frank Kremblas said. "We had chances - not a whole lot, but some."

 

On the move: Sounds outfielder Laynce Nix had his contract purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers prior to Wednesday's game. He will take the roster spot vacated by former Sounds infielder Russell Branyan, who was placed on the disabled list with a ribcage injury.

 

Nix, who had spent the entire season with the Sounds, was hitting .284 with 23 home runs - 10th in the Pacific Coast League - and 60 runs batted in, along with 22 doubles. Over his last 20 games, the 27-year-old had hit .364 (28-for-77) with 15 extra-base hits, including six homers. He hit safely in 17 of those 20 games.

 

Once he plays, it will mark the sixth straight season in which Nix has made a major league appearance.

 

Also, Nashville pitcher Mark DiFelice was placed on the disabled list Wednesday morning after suffering a back injury during the sixth inning of his Tuesday start.

 

Replacing Nix and DiFelice on the Sounds' roster are veteran infielder Ozzie Chavez, who had been on the temporary inactive list, and reliever Luis Pena, who had been on the DL.

 

With the roster moves, the Sounds are at 125 transactions for the season - 41 more than last year.

 

Up the charts: Nix currently ranks as the third-leading home run hitter in Sounds history, with 54 in parts of three seasons. He's tied with Drew Denson (1993-94) and three behind Mike Robertson (1994-96, '99).

 

Chad Hermansen, who played for the Sounds from 1998-2002, is the franchise's all-time leader with 92 homers.

 

Attendance lags: With Wednesday's turnout of 1,604, the Sounds have drawn 310,556 for 57 dates this season. At the current pace of 5,449 per game, the team's projected attendance for the season is 370,532. That would be the lowest cumulative attendance figure since the 2002 team drew 322,059. Nashville has drawn at least 405,000 in each of the previous four seasons.

[LouisEly]

Bramhall with a nice outing, with 4 hits, 0 walks, 8 Ks and an unearned run in 6IP. Quietly putting up a very solid year.

 

Heaven forbid if anyone else goes down in Milwaukee and they have to call up Nelson, then that Nashville team could be perhaps the worst offensive team in the history of AAA.

[battlekow]

Unsurprisingly, Komatsu was BA's Pioneer League Prospect of the Day:

Outfielder Erik Komatsu has blistered Pioneer League pitching all season, but he's been otherworldly in the month of August for Helena (Brewers). He continued his torrid pace yesterday as he blasted his eighth and ninth home runs of the season-both three-run shots coming with two outs in the inning-finishing 2-for-4 with two runs and six RBIs while adding an assist from right field. After batting .450 in his last 10 games, Komatsu's season line now stands at .347/.421/.591.