Get the bitter taste of today's debacle out of your mouth with a heaping helping of minor league awesomeness. Steve Hammond is pitching for the Stars; opposing him is way-overrated Cubs prospect Jeff Samardzija. It's already 2-0 after an inning thanks to these two gentlemen:

Listen to the radio broadcast or follow along with the live box score. Go Stars!

Remember Saturday, when I Mugged from the road? I'm back on the road, and the Brewers are still losing. I'm sorry this Mug is late, but breakfast closed at 9, so it took full focus to finish 3 laps in time.

Win Expectancy Graph
BR Box Score
BDD Recaps

Notable by their absence yesterday: Prince Fielder, Corey Hart and Jason Kendall. Apparently it was just a scheduled off day for almost half the starting position players, though.

The Yost Infection says it's time for a managerial change, even though most of this team's problems aren't Ned's fault. The time for a change was September of last year. The story now is that it hasn't happened yet.

Speaking of looming decisions, Derrick Turnbow will clear waivers soon. Looks like he's headed to Nashville.

On a positive note, Beyond the Box Score compares Matt LaPorta to Ryan Braun.

The Cub Reporter ranks Ben Sheets 4th among NL Central aces. He wants your vote to help rank them.

Or, if watching the Brewers is too much for you to handle sober, try out this drinking game. By the fifth or so, people will be stacking cups on your head.

On injuries:

Padres reliever Kevin Cameron is on the DL with an elbow strain.
Doug Davis is free of cancer. Sighs of relief all around.
Johnny Estrada is back on the DL with an inflamed nerve in his elbow.
Orlando Hernandez is no longer in a walking boot. He's one step closer to throwing the banana.
Dodgers P Esteban Loaiza is on the DL with spasms in his shoulder.
Nats C Paul Lo Duca has a broken hand and has been DL'ed.
Twins reliever Pat Neshek will have his elbow examined today after leaving last night's game.
Mets OF Angel Pagan is day-to-day with a bruised shoulder.
Braves P Brayan Pena is on the DL with a back strain.
Twins IF Nick Punto was scratched from last night's game with tightness in his hamstring.

Despite the hubbub about the Brewers only going as far as Prince Fielder will carry them, Recondite baseball notes that no Brewers make the list of top or bottom 20 in win-loss splits.

The Marlins are hot, but there's still plenty of great seats available at their games.

Reds Insider notes that new GM Walt Jocketty will get to rework his team in a hurry - the Reds will have 13 free agents after the season.

Here's video of Richie Sexson charging the mound last night. Two notes:

1) That pitch wasn't that close.
2) Richie, you're 6'6", did you really need to throw the helmet at the guy?

That's all for today. Drink up.

I like following prospects. It's like having Christmas Eve all the time, every player a wrapped present of infinite promise, each with the potential to be a Red Ryder carbine-action BB gun with a compass in the stock. Sure, sometimes they turn out to be socks, but there's always another present to open. With that in mind, let's see how our Christmas is shaping up:

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Nashville (3-13 Record) Notes:

Season Record: 3-13, -6.5 GB, 4th place (last) in the PCL’s American North Division

Lost (10-15) @ Albuquerque
Sounds fail to come back after allowing 10 runs in the 2nd inning.
Nic Ungs (L, 1-2), 1.2 IP, 7 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 2 BB, 3 K – 10.32 ERA, Game Score: 6
Russell Branyan-3B, 3-4, HR (3), 2 R, RBI, 2 BB, K - .404 BA
Vinny Rottino-C, 2-4, HR (2), R, 3 RBI, SF - .189 BA
Brad Nelson-1B, 2-5, HR (3), 2 R, RBI, GIDP - .333 BA
Tony Gwynn-CF, 1-2, RBI, 2 BB, SB - .500 BA

Huntsville (10-6 overall) Notes:

1st Half Record: 10-6, -2.0 GB, 2nd place in the Southern League’s North Division

Won (10-2) @ Mississippi
Steven Hammond (W,2-1), 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K – 3.98 ERA, Game Score: 63
Matt LaPorta-LF, 2-3, 2B, HR (2), R, 3 RBI, BB, HBP - .275 BA
Alcides Escobar-SS, 2-5, HR (2), 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 GIDP - .210 BA
Cole Gillespie-RF, 1-2, 3B, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB, SB - .209 BA

Brevard County (10-6 overall) Notes:

1st Half Record: 10-6, +2.0 GA, tied for 1st place in the FSL’s East Division

Lost (3-8) vs. Daytona
Michael McClendon (L, 1-1), 7 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 0 BB, 1 K – 6.55 ERA, Game Score: 30
Lorenzo Cain-RF, 1-3, 2B, RBI, K, SF - .242
Chuckie Caufield-DH, 1-3, R, BB, K - .282 BA
Kenneth Holmberg-2B, 0-3, 2 K - .243 BA

West Virginia (4-12 overall) Notes:

1st Half Record: 4-12, -7.0 GB, 8th place (last) in the SAL’s Northern Division

Game rained out and will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sunday.