5/11/2008

May 11 Game Notes

ABOUT SATURDAY: The Rattlers beat the Kernels 7-4. Juan Ramirez struck out nine over 5-2/3 innings and picked up his first win as a Rattler. Maximo Mendez reached base four times and scored four runs and Gavin Dickey had three hits and three RBI for the Rattler offense.

NAUGHTY NUMBER NINE*: Ramirez has struck out nine opponents in his last three starts. He is eighth in the Midwest League in strikeouts with 40.

ANYWAY, ANYHOW: Mendez drew three walks and also doubled to reach base four times. In 15 games with the Rattlers, Mendez has 10 walks and is third on the team in that category.

ON THE RIGHT FOOT: The Rattler lead-off batter in an inning reached base six times in eight plate appearances yesterday. Mendez reached to start the first, third, fifth, and seventh. Alex Liddi reached to start the second and eighth frames. Each time the Rattler lead-off batter reached to start an inning, that runner scored.

D-FENSE! The Rattlers were up 5-0 when the Kernels rallied in the top of the sixth. Ramirez forced in a run with a bases loaded walk before leaving the game. Keith Meyer hit a batter to force in another run. Anel De Los Santos singled to right with the bases loaded to drive in one run, but Joe Dunigan stopped the rally in its tracks by throwing out Jay Brossman at the plate as he tried to score from second. Dunigan has three outfield assists on the season.

SEVEN AGAIN: The Rattlers matched their season high for runs with seven yesterday. Wisconsin has scored seven in a game three times, including twice in this series.

THIRTEEN AIN’T UNLUCKY: The Rattler pitchers matched a season high for strikeouts in a game. Ramirez had his nine, Meyer struck out one, and Justin Souza struck out three in the ninth. Wisconsin hurlers struck out thirteen West Michigan batters on April 28.

SATURDAY IN THE PARK**: The Rattlers are 6-1 in seven Saturday games this season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Kernels were 78-61 last season and made the Midwest League playoffs as the second half Western Division champions. They were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs by the Clinton LumberKings.

KERNELS IN 2008: The Kernels are 17-17 and currently in fourth place in the Western Division. Cedar Rapids is 7.5 games behind division leading Clinton. Cedar Rapids just wrapped up a three game series at home with the Peoria Chiefs in which the Kernels went 1-2. Cedar Rapids is 9-10 in road games this season.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team and have scored 103 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit eight home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.53. The Kernels are hitting .232 as a team and have scored 156 runs (4.6/game). Cedar Rapids has hit 16 home runs in 2008. The Kernel pitching staff has a team ERA of 3.89.

RUNNING MEN: Cedar Rapids leads the MWL in stolen bases with 59. They have been caught 26 times in 85 attempts.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: Trevor Reckling was the 8th round pick of the Angels out of St. Benedict’s Prep School in Newark, New Jersey in the 2007 draft. He pitched for the Arizona League affiliate of the Angels after signing. He went 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in nine games (five starts) with 55 strikeouts in 36 innings pitched. Reckling is making his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers, but made two relief appearances against the Arizona League affiliate of the Mariners last season. He went 1-0 and allowed one hit with no walks and seven strikeouts over seven shutout innings vs. the AZL M’s. In his last start for the Kernels, Reckling faced Peoria on May 6. He allowed three runs on six hits and five walks with six strikeouts over six innings for a no decision.

*-Schoolhouse rockin'
**- Chicago...Live!...from 1972

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