From the Midwest League

The latest MWL Notebook is out. The Rattlers will be facing Cedar Rapids and Kane County this week. Let's see what is going on with them. Note that the records were through Saturday's games.

Cedar Rapids

SO FAR THIS SEASON: The Kernels are 6-4 in the second half and tied for first place in the Western Division.

WHO'S HOT: 1B Mark Trumbo capped a come-from-behind win June 25 with a three-run homer in the eighth inning of the Kernels' 9-5 win over Beloit. Cedar Rapids rallied from a five-run deficit with four runs in the bottom of the seventh and five runs in the bottom of the eighth as Trumbo's seventh homer of the season gave the Kernels a 7-5 advantage. The Kernels had 11 hits in the game, led by IF Abel Nieves, who went 3-for-4 with a double, 3B Matt Sweeney, who went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and OF Julio Perez going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

SCARY MOMENT: In the top of the third inning in the June 25 game, Beloit LF Danny Santiesteban collided with Kernels C Jon Hodach on a play at the plate. Santiesteban was safe on the play, but both players remained on the ground for several minutes before Hodach was assisted from the field and taken to a local hospital for observation. He was later placed on the disabled list with a concussion and ankle sprain.

ROSTER MOVES: The Kernels had three players placed on the disabled list and replaced by another trio of players all on June 26. Hodach, IF Ryan Mount (strained quad muscle) and RHP Aaron Cook (undisclosed injury) were sidelined. LHP Kelly Shearer joined the Kernels from extended Spring Training while IF Tadd Brewer and C Brian Walker joined the club from Orem.

Kane County

SO FAR THIS SEASON: The Cougars are 2-8 in the second half and are in last place in the Western Division.

WHO'S HOT: RHP Andrew Bailey (1-4, 3.45 ERA) ranked among the league's top pitching leaders last week for his efforts in Tuesday's 2-1, 10-inning loss to visiting Burlington. Over the first 6 1/3 innings, he did not allow a run while scattering five hits and a walk and striking out six in the no-decision. ... 1B Haas Pratt led the league last week in home runs (four) and RBIs (eight) and ranked second in slugging percentage (.818).

WHO'S NOT: RHP Inoel Deaza continues to struggle, lasting just two innings Wednesday in a 9-3 loss to Burlington. In his short outing, he dished up four runs on four hits and a pair of walks to drop to 0-6 with a 6.38 ERA in 12 games (five starts).

WE'LL TAKE IT: The Bees took advantage of a wild pitch from Kane County pitcher John Herrera in the top of the 10th inning Tuesday to bring home the winning run in a 2-1 victory over the Cougars.

ROSTER MOVE: C Matt Smith joined the Cougars last week, becoming the first player from Oakland's 2007 draft class to don a Cougars uniform this season. Drafted in the 14th round (450th overall) as a junior, Smith batted .282 with 11 home runs and a team-leading 47 RBIs in his final collegiate season at Texas Tech.

MIDSEASON STRUGGLES: The Cougars' second-half struggles continued Saturday in a 5-3 loss to Cedar Rapids. Kane County has lost five consecutive games, contests in which the Cougars have not once held a lead.

Also, the Offensive Player was announced. No Rattler won or this would be a separate post. Congratulations to outfielder Scott Sizemore of West Michigan.

The Pitcher of the week is....well, they haven't gotten around to announcing a pitcher of the week yet. Will update when they get around to it.