June 27 Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers went 1-1 against the Kernels. In the completion of a suspended game from Wednesday, the Kernels rallied to beat the Rattlers 16-15. In the regularly scheduled game, Wisconsin won 5-2 to gain a split in the four game series at Cedar Rapids.

WILLING SUSPENSION: When Wednesday’s game restarted on Thursday, the Rattlers had a 12-11 lead, one out, and a runner at second base in the top of the sixth. AJ Ford got the final two outs of the inning. Then, the Kernels scored four runs off Jose Escalona in the bottom of the sixth for a 15-12 lead. Tyler Johnson hit his third homer of the series, a two-run shot, for the final two runs of the inning. Ford retired the Rattlers in order in the seventh and eighth innings. Wisconsin rallied in the ninth against Eddie McKiernan with a pair of runs and put the tying run at third and the lead run at first with one out. But, the Kernels held on for the win.

IN PURSUIT OF A SHINY CYCLE: Rattler outfielder Denny Almonte was 4-for-4 with six RBI and a double shy of the cycle when the pause button was hit on Wednesday night. He got one plate appearance in the continuation and Ford struck him out. Since the team began in 1995, no Timber Rattler player has ever hit for the cycle.

GO TO THE TOTALS: Wisconsin’s 14 runs and 17 hits were a new season high for the team. The six extra base hits in the game tied a season high for the Rattlers.

COLD COMFORT: The last time the Rattlers reached double digits for runs in a loss was on April 29 in Grand Chute. The Fort Wayne Wizards beat the Rattlers 11-10 in that game.

REGULAR PROGRAMMING: Michael Pineda tossed eight strong innings in the regularly scheduled game and struck out seven, but Wisconsin had to rally with four runs in the eighth inning for the win.

COMEBACK KIDS: The Rattlers trailed 2-1 heading into the top of the eighth inning and had runners at first and third with one out. That was when Kernel reliever Cephas Howard entered the game. He walked the next three batters to force in two runs. Then, Howard threw a wild pitch and allowed an RBI single to Maximo Mendez. That put Wisconsin up 5-2.

INTO THE FIRE: Robbie Dominguez made his Midwest League debut in a ninth inning save situation. The new Rattler reliever allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless ninth for the save.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliates of the Kansas City Royals. They finished the first half with a record of 30-39 and out of the playoffs in the Western Division. The Bees are 4-4 to start the second half of the season. Burlington is 21-18 at home this season. They are on a three game losing streak after dropping the final three games of their most recent series, a four game set at Community Field with the Peoria Chiefs.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team and have scored 271 runs (3.7/game). Wisconsin has hit 23 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.51. The Bees are hitting .237 as a team. They have scored 293 runs (3.8/game). Burlington has hit 52 home runs this season. The Bee pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.45.

2008 SEASON SERIES: Burlington leads the season series 8-4. Burlington swept a four game series at Community Field June 9-12. The Rattlers and Bees split eight games on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook has placed five current Burlington Bees on their list of the top 30 prospects in the Kansas City organization. Shortstop Mike Moustakas is rated number one on the list. Pitcher Matt Mitchell is ranked at number nine. Pitchers Danny Duffy and Sam Runion are on the list at #6 and #12 respectively. Outfielder David Lough is on the list at #22. Pitcher Brett Fisher is on the Burlington disabled list and is ranked #19 by BA.

OUT OF THE 2007 DRAFT: The Bees have 11 members of their current roster who were members of the Kansas City draft class in 2007. Moustakas, a high school shortstop out of Chatsworth, California, was the second overall pick in the draft. Runion (2nd), Daniel Duffy (3rd) and outfielder Adrian Ortiz (5th) are the other three top ten picks on the Burlington roster. Other ’07 draftees include: Pitcher Matt Mitchell (14th); catchers Joe Billick (17th) and Ryan Eigisti (15th); infielders Clint Robinson (25th) and Kyle Martin (29th); and outfielders David Lough (11th) and Wilson Tucker (33rd).

OUT OF THE 2008 DRAFT: Kansas City’s second round pick of this year’s draft joined the Bees during the series with Wisconsin at Community Field. Johnny Giovatella, a second baseman out of the University of New Orleans, was the 49th overall pick of the 2008 draft.

BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: Eduardo Paulino was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Royals. He was 9-1 with a 1.55 ERA in the Dominican Summer League in 2006 and was named Most Valuable Pitcher of that team by the Royals. He spent 2007 with the Burlington Royals of the Appalachian League and was 3-2 with a 4.86ERA in 12 starts. Paulino has made three starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. He is 1-0 with a 1.59ERA. In 17 innings, he has allowed four runs (three earned) on 17 hits with two walks and 17 strikeouts in those three starts against the Rattlers. In his start prior to this evening, Paulino faced the Timber Rattlers in Grand Chute on June 22. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over five innings and received a no decision. He left the game with the Rattlers leading 3-2. Burlington came back to tie the game 3-3. The Rattlers would win 4-3 in ten innings.