LAST TIME THEY PLAYED: The Rattlers lost to the Swing of the Quad Cities 6-2 on Wednesday at Fox Cities Stadium. Wisconsin starting pitcher Paul Fagan gave up three runs on six hits, but the Rattler offense scraped out two runs on five hits. Then, the Swing scored three runs in the ninth to put the game away.
RAINED OUT: Thursday’s rainout will be made up as part of a doubleheader at John O’Donnell Stadium in Quad Cities during the series between the Rattlers and the Swing June 15-18. The exact date has not been determined.
RAINY DAYS: The Rattlers have not been rained out two straight days since the first five games of the 2003 season were lost to weather. An entire four game series with the Beloit Snappers was lost to ice and snow April 3-6. The first game of a series with the Clinton LumberKings was rained out on April 9.
GOOD RIDDANCE: Randy Roth left Fox Cities Stadium with a nineteen game hitting streak. He hit a pair of home runs, knocked in three runs, and scored three.
NICE TO SEE YOU, BUT GET OUT: Former Timber Rattler closer Brian Stitt picked up the save in both Quad Cities wins in the series. He pitched 2-2/3 innings and gave up a run on a hit with a strikeout.
SEASON HIGH: Fagan struck out a season high six batters in the game against the Swing.
UNFRIENDLY CONFINES: Wisconsin went 1-2 in their series against Quad Cities. The Rattlers are 6-12 at home in 2006. The Rattlers have been outscored 79-58 and outhit 155-108 in their eighteen home games. In comparison, the Rattlers have outscored opponents 95-80 and outhit them 153-129 in fifteen road games this season.
HEADING OUT WEST: This series marks the final home games against the Eastern Division for the Rattlers in the first half. After Sunday, the Rattlers will have 28 straight games against teams in the Western Division. That streak is broken with a four game series at Lansing on the final road trip of the first half.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. They are 17-17 and in fifth place in the Eastern Division. In their most recent series, the Dragons spilt four games at home with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. On May 4th of this season, the Dragons had a record of 14-13 to put them over the .500 mark for the first time since mid-may of the 2003 season. The Dragons, who finished 2005 with a record of 60-79, are managed by Billy Gardner, Jr. in 2006.
VS. DAYTON IN ’05: Wisconsin was 2-5 against the Dragons last season. The Rattlers were 1-3 at Fox Cities Stadium and 1-2 at Fifth Third Field. One game in Dayton was lost to weather and not made up on the schedule.
BAD HISTORY: The Timber Rattlers lead the all-time series with the Dragons 24-22. But, at Fox Cities Stadium, the Dragons are 15-8 since they entered the league in 2000.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA’S Top 30 List of Red Prospects includes six current Dragons. Dayton has prospects 2, 3, & 4 in outfielder Jay Bruce, pitcher Travis Wood, and outfielder BJ Szymanski. Bruce was the first round pick of the Reds (12th overall) last year. Wood was their 2nd round pick, and Szymanski was a 2nd rounder in 2004. Also on the list are pitcher Zach Ward (#13), shortstop Paul Janish (#14), and pitcher Philippe Valiquette (#20).
LEAGUE LEADER: Janish is currently leading the MWL in hitting with a .396 batting average. He is 38-for-96 in 25 games this season.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER (GM 1): Philippe Valiquette will start game one. He was a 7th round pick in 2004 out of a Montreal, Quebec, Canada High School. He went 2-5 with an ERA over six in nineteen games (sixteen starts) for the Dragons and 2-1 in seven games (three starts) for Billings in the Pioneer League last season. Valiquette had a no decision against the Rattlers in a May 6 start against the Rattlers in 2005. He went four innings and gave up four runs on five hits. In his last start, Valiquette lost at Clinton. He lasted just two innings and gave up six runs on six hits.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER (GM 2): Johnny Cueto is the scheduled starter for game two. He was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2004. Last season, he spent most of his time with the Gulf Coast League Reds, although he did make two appearances for the Sarasota Reds of the Florida State League. In the GCL Cueto, was 2-2 in thirteen games (six starts) with a 5.02 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 43 innings. I his last start for the Dragons, Cueto went three innings and allowed four runs on six hits with four strikeouts for a no decision against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on May 8. This is Cueto’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
RE/MAX HOME RUNS: RE/MAX Valley Realtors will donate $25 to the Children’s Miracle Network for every Rattler home run in the regular season. The total for 2006 is $325.
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