Game Notes -- 5/12

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 6-5 at Great Lakes. The Loons scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Wisconsin. Bridger Hunt tied the game with an RBI single. Then, he scored the winning run from second on a two-out throwing error.

NIGHT OF ERRORS: The Rattlers and Loons combined for seven errors. Of the eleven runs scored in the game, only four were earned.

STILL WAITING: Rattler starting pitcher Nathan Adcock left the game after a career high six innings. He was in line for his first professional win after Wisconsin took a 5-4 lead with a run in the top of the seventh. Adcock allowed four unearned runs on four hits and four walks with five strikeouts, but got a no decision.

ALEX GETS AN A: Rattler second baseman Alex Meneses had three hits, including a two RBI triple, last night. He scored also scored a run.

HE’S ONLY SEVENTEEN: Wisconsin shortstop Carlos Triunfel also had three hits last night. The 17-year old also drove in a pair of runs.

END OF THE LINE: Carlos Peguero went 0-for-3 last night and his hitting streak ended at seven games. Peguero did draw a walk and score a run in the sixth inning.

STILL GOING STRONG: Gavin Dickey extended his hitting streak to seven games with pair of hits last night. He is 10-for-24 during his current run.

GOOD TRIP: The Rattlers completed their eight game road trip to South Bend and Great Lakes with a 4-4 record. They split a four game series with the Silver Hawks and with the Loons. In both series, the Rattlers won the middle two games of the series.

BREAK WITH TRADITION: The Timber Rattlers have a chance to end a few early season tendencies with a win tonight. They have not won the first game of a series this season. Also, Wisconsin has not had just a one game losing streak this season. The first loss in a string has been followed by at least one more ‘L’.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are 18-14 and in fourth place in the Midwest League’s Western Division. The Chiefs trail the first place Clinton LumberKings by 1-1/5 games. Peoria is currently on the tail end of an eleven game road trip. They went 1-3 at Fort Wayne to start the trip, but were 3-1 in Dayton. The Chiefs are managed by Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.

LAST TIME THEY MET: The Rattlers and Chiefs were scheduled to meet in a three game series to open the 2007 season. The only game the teams got in was Opening Night on April 5. The Chiefs scored seven times in the top of the first inning and held on for a 9-5 win over the Rattlers. The Friday and Saturday games in that series were postponed by inclement weather. The Friday, April 6 game that was lost to the weather will be made up as part of a doubleheader on May 13 at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Saturday, April 7 game that was postponed will be made up at O’Brien Field on Sunday, May 27.

PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has put three players on the current Peoria roster on their list of top thirty Cub prospects. Shortstop Dylan Johnston (#19) and third baseman Josh Lansford (#20) are the two highest on the list. Peoria closer Rocky Roquet, who is tied for the Midwest League lead in saves with eight, is the other Chief on the list at #26.

OPPOSING STARTER: Mike Billek was the third round pick of the Cubs in the 2005 draft out of the University of Central Florida. Billek made his 2007 debut with the Chiefs on May 9 at Dayton. He pitched two innings in relief and allowed two runs on three hits on no walks and one strikeout. This is his third tour of duty with the Chiefs. He was 4-5 with a 5.66ERA in 15 games (10 starts) before a promotion to Daytona (Florida State League). Billek ended the 2006 season in Boise (Northwest League). He began his professional career with Boise in 2005, before being promoted to the Chiefs in late July. Billek went 2-0 with a 4.08ERA in eight starts for the Chiefs in ’05. This will be his second appearance against the Rattlers in his career. On April 8, 2006, Wisconsin got to Billek for six runs (five earned) on seven hits over four innings. Billek walked one and struck out six, but got the loss.