Sounds notebook
by Greg Sullivan, The Tennessean

Brewers prized pitching prospect Tyler Thornburg will join the Sounds today in Nashville, but plenty in the Sounds clubhouse were already talking about the 23-year-old right-hander and his unorthodox delivery on Thursday.

“He’s got a little bit of (Tim) Lincecum in (his delivery), but he’s got some Robb Nenn in there, too, and some other people. He’s unique,” Sounds pitching coach Fred Dabney said. “We’re excited.”

The Milwaukee Brewers promoted Thornburg from Double-A Huntsville to make a surprise major-league debut on Tuesday. He missed the Southern League All-Star Game to make the spot start for the Brewers.

He will make his Sounds debut with a start Sunday in Albuquerque.

The Brewers’ No. 4 prospect got a standing ovation after he was pulled from Tuesday’s start at Miller Park. After a strong start, the former Charleston Southern player allowed five runs and received a no-decision after running into trouble in the sixth inning.

“I would much rather this (outing) have happened than not happened,” Thornburg told MLB.com following his debut. “Now I can go back to Triple-A and work on some things that I need to do up here.”

Thornburg was 8-1 record with a 3.00 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 75 innings for Huntsville.

“He did well (against the Blue Jays). He kept us in the ballgame, but he also found out when you make mistakes up there, (batters) don’t miss ‘em,” Brewers executive Dan O’Brien said with a smile.

O’Brien has been in Nashville this week observing the Sounds.

“But this is a situation where he’s earned this (promotion) by virtue of how he’s pitched,” O’Brien said. “I think he’s just going to carry it forward from here. There’s a pretty good probability of that because he’s got three above-average pitches. On top of that, he’s a very good competitor. All of that says you’re going to enjoy what you see.”

“I played with him in Huntsville for a month and he impressed me,” said Sounds shortstop Jeff Bianchi. “He attacked the hitters, attacked the strike zone. He had a perfect game into the eighth (this April). He deserves this. He’s made it.”

Gibbons finds power: After a lack of power to start the season, Sounds slugger Jay Gibbons seems to have rediscovered his home-run swing.

The former major league slugger hit his fifth home run in nine games in the fourth inning on Thursday against Oklahoma City after starting the spurt with his first homer of the season on June 13.

“I think anywhere, minor leagues, major leagues…I don’t think I’d ever gone so long into a season without a homer,” Gibbons said prior to Thursday’s game. “I was starting to doubt myself there a little bit. I’m glad I hit a couple so I feel like I can still play this game.”

Gibbons has 127 major-league homers in parts of nine seasons.

It might get loud: Sounds first baseman Jordan Brown said he ran into a big White Stripes fan on the diamond in the first game of last Saturday’s doubleheader against the Omaha Royals in Nashville. First-base umpire Kellen Levy is a fan of the rock band.

Levy pointed into the third row of seats at Greer Stadium near the first-base dugout, as Brown jogged onto the field. Seated there was musician Jack White, who lives in Franklin, taking in a game.

“The umpire goes, ‘That’s Jack White. I can’t help myself, that’s Jack White.’ I said, ‘Yeah, that’s definitely Jack White,’ ” Brown said. “I feel like this is a city where you see a bunch of different musicians, but it’s tough to mistake Jack White.”

It may be the last White spotting for awhile, the local rocker, who released a solo album in April, is currently touring in Europe and follows that with tours of Australia and the US.

Is that Thunder?: The Oklahoma City RedHawks, who wrap up a four-game series with the Sounds today, have been more than a bit overshadowed on the Sooner State’s sports scene so far this summer.

But RedHawks manager and former Sound Tony DeFrancesco said there are no hard feelings about the Oklahoma City Thunder advancing so deeply in the NBA Playoffs. The RedHawks had a nine-game winning streak snapped earlier this month.

“No, no. The Thunder deserve all the attention. It’s a great story. They really brought the whole state together. I had a chance to go to a playoff game myself and see what it’s about,” DeFrancesco said. “I’m a big Thunder fan myself right now.”

Clemens connection: When former star major league pitcher Roger Clemens was acquitted Monday of all charges in his lengthy perjury trial stemming from accusations of using performance-enhancing drugs, it meant a huge sigh of relief for one former RedHawk.

Clemens’ eldest son Koby Clemens, 25, is currently playing in the Blue Jays’ organization but played first base all of last season for Oklahoma City.

“I know it bothered Koby probably all last season, his family life, but he didn’t show it. He was a good kid, very professional, and I really enjoyed having him,” DeFrancesco said. “He went out every day and competed. (The decision) is good for the whole family. It’s good for baseball. Koby’s a good guy. The family’s good people. They were around a lot last year and we wish them well.”

Nice to see the Stars and Manatees foil the respective league first-half champs and give them a taste of last place after one night.

Brevard's win was just the Manatees second in 10 meetings against Dunedin this season.

I had a huge "Mallory" crush as a teen, so this was an easy link from the Rattler Radio blog.