Game Notes -- 6/15

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 5-1 at Quad Cities. Nathan Adcock allowed two runs over seven innings, but took the loss. Wisconsin trailed 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning. Luke Gorsett hit a two-out, three-run home run in that inning to give the Swing a 5-1 lead. The loss ended Wisconsin’s brief two game winning streak.

A MAN OF QUALITY: Despite the loss, Adcock recorded a quality start last night. A quality start is considered six innings pitched with three or fewer earned runs. Of the 13 quality starts by Timber Rattler starters this season, Adcock has tossed four.

SWING LOW: Adcock has made two starts against Quad Cities this season. He has pitched 14-1/3 innings and allowed four runs on 13 hits with three walks and ten strikeouts. Adcock is 0-1 with a 2.51 ERA against Quad Cities.

FULLY FURNISHED: Swing starter Brad Furnish pitched six shutout innings for his first win of the season. He retired the first thirteen batters he faced in the game. Carlos Peguero doubled with one out in the fifth inning for the first hit of the game.

THE LONE RUN, MAN: Peguero drove in the only Rattler run with a seventh inning fielder’s choice.

WHO’S IN RIGHT? Peguero started in right field last night. It was his first start in the outfield this season. He had been the designated hitter in his first 43 starts with the Rattlers this season.

EIGHT-BALL: Rattler reliever Drew Fiorenza retired the first two batters he faced in the bottom of the eighth. Then, Brandon Buckman drew a walk and Chris Grossman singled. Gorsett hit his homer deep to left to put the game out of reach. Gorsett has three home runs and 13 RBI this season. He has two homers and six RBI against the Rattlers.

JUAN MORE: Rattler shortstop Juan Diaz had a single in the eighth inning. He has a hit in eight straight games. Diaz is 8-for-22 during the streak.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They are currently 38-28 and in third place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. They trail the second place Clinton LumberKings by two games with three games remaining in the first half. Cedar Rapids is still alive in a chance for the first half Western Division Wild Card. In their most recent series, the Kernels split a six game series at Pohlman Field against the Beloit Snappers. Cedar Rapids is 18-11 at home this season. Their manager is Ever Magallanes.

LAST YEAR: The Rattlers and Kernels played 11 times in 2006. Wisconsin was 3-8 against Cedar Rapids in that season series. The Rattlers were 3-5 at Veterans Memorial Stadium versus the Kernels in 2006.

THE SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers are 1-3 against the Kernels this season. Cedar Rapids took three out of four games at Veterans Memorial Stadium April 13-16. The Kernels make their only appearance at Time Warner Cable Field July 3-6.

PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has placed 10 members of the active Kernel roster on their Top 30 list of prospects in the Angel organization. Those players are: Catcher Hank Conger (#6); pitcher Sean O’Sullivan (#9); pitcher David Herndon (#11); infielder PJ Phillips (#13); infielder Matt Sweeney (#16); pitcher Jeremy Haynes (#17); infielder Ryan Mount (#20); pitcher Trevor Bell (#21); pitcher Barret Browning (#28); and infielder Mark Trumbo (#29). Outfielder Peter Bourjos (#12) is currently on the disabled list.

OPPOSING STARTER: Vladimir Veras was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Angels in 2003 out of the Dominican Republic. He pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2004 and 2005 and compiled a record of 7-3 in 26 games (13 starts). Last season, Veras pitched in the Arizona League and went 8-2 with a 1.35ERA in 12 starts. He struck out 58 in 60 innings. Veras joined the Kernels in early June and has made two starts. His last time out was a loss at Quad Cities on June 10. He allowed one run on six hits over five innings in that start. This is his first appearance against the Rattlers, but, his second appearance against an affiliate of the Mariners. Veras beat the AZL M’s on August 22, 2006 with six shutout innings. In that game, Veras allowed three hits, struck out seven, and walked none.