5/29/2007

Game Notes -- 5/29

ABOUT MONDAY: The Rattlers were swept in a double header by the Peoria Chiefs at O’Brien Field. Peoria shutout Wisconsin 7-0 in game one and topped the Rattlers 4-1 in game two.

GAME ONE RECAP: The Chiefs scored a pair of runs off starting pitcher Nathan Adcock on wild pitches (one in the third and one in the fifth). Jake Renshaw pitched five scoreless innings for the win and Jeremy Papelbon worked two innings for the save. The Chiefs put the game away with five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

GAME TWO RECAP: Marco Carrillo pitched five scoreless innings for the win. Rattler starter Anthony Varvaro allowed one run in five innings, but took the loss. Peoria scored three times in the bottom of the sixth.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES: The Rattlers left seven runners on base in the first game. They also left seven runners on base in the second game. Wisconsin’s best chance in the second game came in the top of the sixth. Down 1-0, they had runners on second and third against reliever Oscar Bernard and no outs. Jayson Ruhlman came out of the bullpen and struck out Carlos Peguero. Ruhlman walked Kalian Sams intentionally to load the bases. Ruhlman struck out Gerado Avila and Greg Halman to end the threat.

AVOIDING THE SHUTOUT: Alex Liddi hit his third home run of the season to lead off the top of the seventh inning in game two.

GOOD STARTS: The Rattler starters in the Peoria series went a combined 26 innings in the five game series against the Chiefs. They gave up seven earned runs for an ERA of 2.42.

LESS OFFENSE: The Wisconsin offense scored eight runs in the five games at O’Brien Field. The Rattlers managed two wins in the series with the Chiefs.

NEMESIS: Rattler outfielder Greg Halman had had a tough time with the Chiefs this season. He went 0-for-25 with 18 strikeouts in nine games against Peoria.

IN THE LIGHT OF DAY: The Rattlers daytime record dropped to 4-14 with their two losses yesterday.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees at the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are 20-28 and in sixth place in the Midwest League’s Western Division. They trail the first place Beloit Snappers by 11 games. Burlington beat Clinton on Monday to salvage a win in their series with the LumberKings. The Bees are 4-6 in their last ten games. They have a 13-14 record at Community Field.

LAST YEAR: The Rattlers went 4-8 in twelve games against the Bees in 2006. Wisconsin was 3-5 against Burlington at Community Field last season.

PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has put placed six members of the active Burlington roster on their top 30 list of Kansas City prospects. There is also one pitcher (#10 Brent Fisher) on Burlington’s disabled list. Shortstop Jeff Bianchi, the 2nd round pick of the Royals in 2005, is the highest active player on the list at #11. Outfielder Derrick Robinson last year’s 4th rounder is next at #21. Prospects 26-29 are all members of the Bees. Infielders Kurt Mertins and Chris McConnell; outfielder Joe Dickerson; and pitcher Jason Godin are those prospects.

LOCAL BOY: Infielder Jeremy Jirschele, a 30th round pick of the Royals in 2005, played his high school baseball in Clintonville, Wisconsin. He also played for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh before being drafted.

OPPOSING STARTER: Harold Mozingo was the 6th round pick of the Royals in the 2006 draft out of Virginia Commonwealth University. He led the Colonia Athletic Association in ERA with a 2.45. Mozingo was 7-1 in 14 games with 101 strikeouts and only 18 walks for the Rams. In his first professional season, Mozingo went 3-1 in 15 games (nine starts) for Idaho Falls, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Royals. This is his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and his first against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Mozingo snapped a personal four game losing streak with a win in his last start. He beat the Great Lakes Loons on May 24 with 5-2/3 scoreless innings. Mozingo allowed just four hits walked two and struck out five for the win.

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