Game Notes -- 7/19

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were held scoreless in the top of the first inning. Then, the rain started. Just before the start of the bottom of the first inning, the tarp was put on the field. After just over an hour, the game was ruled suspended.

TODAY’S GROUND RULES: The Snappers are coming to the plate in a 0-0 game in the bottom of the first inning. The suspended game is scheduled for nine innings. After a thirty minute break between games, a seven-inning game will be played.

THIS WILL BE ODD: Steve Richard was the scheduled starter on Wednesday night. He only tossed a few warm up pitches before the delay, but Kyle Parker will come on in relief in the bottom of the first inning. Richard is scheduled to make the start in the second game today. If he does go in that game, Richard will get credit for starts in two straight games.

FOR THE SNAPPERS: Brian Kirwan, who made the start for Beloit last night, will return to the mound for the second inning when the Timber Rattlers bat. Cole Devries, the originally scheduled starter for the Snappers tonight, will be the starter in game two.

PROMOTED: The Seattle Mariners promoted Timber Rattler starting pitcher Nathan Adcock to the High Desert Mavericks the California League after the game last night. Adcock will stay on the Rattler roster until tomorrow. No roster move for the Rattlers was announced.

OPPOSING STARTER: Brian Kirwan was the 11th round pick of the Twins in the 2005 draft out of Santa Fe Christian High School in Solona Beach, California. He did not pitch professionally in 2005. Kirwan went 5-5 with a 5.63 ERA in 13 starts for Elizabethton in the Appalachian League in 2006. He was rated as the 14th best prospect in the Appalachian League by Baseball America. Kirwan joined the Snappers in late May and has made nine starts since then. Tonight will be his first appearance against the Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. In his last start, Kirwan got a no decision at West Michigan on July 12. He allowed four runs on seven hits over 6-1/3 innings. Kirwan struck out eight and walked one. The Whitecaps hit a pair of home runs off him that game. Kirwan has not won since a start on June 3 at Peoria.

OPPOSING STARTER GAME TWO: Cole Devries was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the University of Minnesota in August of 2006. He did not pitch professionally in 2006, but was 7-3 with a 2.42ERA for the Golden Gophers and earned second team All-Big Ten honors before signing with the Twins. In his start prior to tonight, Devries allowed one run on seven hits over eight innings in a no decision against the West Michigan Whitecaps on July 13. He faced the Rattlers on April 17 in Grand Chute. Devries got a no decision and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over 4-1/3 innings.