It's Thirsty Thursday tonight.
$1 Miller and $1 sodas.
Plus, there is a special Thursday night Fireworks Display courtesy of Thrivent Finanacial for Lutherans.
Tickets still available.
I'll try to get a weekend primer done for....this weekend.
7/31/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (7/31)
RH KEITH MEYER was selected by the Mariners in the 15th round of the 2007 draft out of Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
THE 412: Before heading to college, Meyer attended and played for Schenley High School in Pittsburgh.
DAYS AT DUSQUENE: Meyer went 1-8 with four saves in 46 appearances (eight starts) in three seasons with the Dukes. He was just the seventh baseball player to be drafted from Dusquene.
YEAR ONE: Meyer went 1-0 with a save and a 2.62 ERA in 18 games (one start) for the Everett AquaSox in his first professional season.
BIG RELIEF: Meyer tossed 4-1/3 innings of scoreless relief against West Michigan on April 30. He allowed two hits and struck out four in the longest outing (since tied) by a Rattler reliever this season.
OPPORTUNITIES: Meyer is 3-for-6 in save opportunities this season. His first Timber Rattler save was in his second appearance with the team. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader against Dayton on April 13.
LAST WIN: Meyer beat the Eugene Emeralds on August 28, 2007 with three innings of scoreless relief. He did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out five in the game.
LAST START: Meyer made his only professional start on September 2, 2007 against the Vancouver Canadians. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out six. Meyer was not involved in the decision.
LAST APPEARANCE: Meyer took the loss against Beloit on July 27 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits over three innings as a reliever. Meyer did not walk a batter and struck out three.
VS. LANSING: Meyer faced the Lugnuts on May 3 at Lansing. He walked two, but did not allow a hit over 1-2/3 scoreless innings of relief. That appearance was Meyer’s only outing against an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 5.0 (vs. Vancouver 9/2/07)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 ({2x} Last: vs. Vancouver 9/2/07)
THE 412: Before heading to college, Meyer attended and played for Schenley High School in Pittsburgh.
DAYS AT DUSQUENE: Meyer went 1-8 with four saves in 46 appearances (eight starts) in three seasons with the Dukes. He was just the seventh baseball player to be drafted from Dusquene.
YEAR ONE: Meyer went 1-0 with a save and a 2.62 ERA in 18 games (one start) for the Everett AquaSox in his first professional season.
BIG RELIEF: Meyer tossed 4-1/3 innings of scoreless relief against West Michigan on April 30. He allowed two hits and struck out four in the longest outing (since tied) by a Rattler reliever this season.
OPPORTUNITIES: Meyer is 3-for-6 in save opportunities this season. His first Timber Rattler save was in his second appearance with the team. He pitched a scoreless seventh inning in the first game of a doubleheader against Dayton on April 13.
LAST WIN: Meyer beat the Eugene Emeralds on August 28, 2007 with three innings of scoreless relief. He did not allow a hit or a walk and struck out five in the game.
LAST START: Meyer made his only professional start on September 2, 2007 against the Vancouver Canadians. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out six. Meyer was not involved in the decision.
LAST APPEARANCE: Meyer took the loss against Beloit on July 27 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits over three innings as a reliever. Meyer did not walk a batter and struck out three.
VS. LANSING: Meyer faced the Lugnuts on May 3 at Lansing. He walked two, but did not allow a hit over 1-2/3 scoreless innings of relief. That appearance was Meyer’s only outing against an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 5.0 (vs. Vancouver 9/2/07)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 ({2x} Last: vs. Vancouver 9/2/07)
July 31 Game Notes
ABOUT WEDNESDAY: The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 4-2. Raul Barron had four hits and drove in three runs for Lansing.
OUT OF THE GATE: Wisconsin rallied with two outs and none on in the bottom of the second inning to score a pair of runs. Juan Diaz singled and Blake Ochoa drew a walk to start the rally. Maximo Mendez followed with a triple to right and both runners scored to give Wisconsin a 2-0 lead.
LUGNUT ANSWER: Barron singled in a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at two.
LORIN’S DAY: Timber Rattler starting pitcher Brett Lorin retired six of the first seven batters he faced in the game with a strikeout. He struck out seven over four innings, but left after four innings after he reached his pitch limit. He walked two and allowed four hits in his first home start for Wisconsin.
A BIT OF A DROUGHT: After Mendez tripled in the second inning, Wisconsin had only four hits the rest of the day. The Rattlers did not have two runners on base at the same time in any inning after the second.
STILL GOING: Daniel Carroll extended his hitting streak to seven games with a fifth inning single. The current streak matches Carrolll’s season-high hit streak from earlier this season.
BLOOP: Yohermyn Chavez stepped to the plate with two out and the go ahead run at second base in the top of the sixth. His singled just flared into shallow right to drive in Lansing’s third run.
DRAWN IN: Barron picked up his third RBI of the game in the seventh inning. Justin Jackson was on third with one out. Wisconsin brought the infield in, but Barron hit a soft line drive that hit just behind the second base bag.
LANSING BULLPEN: Joe Wice worked two perfect innings in relief for the Lugnuts. Tim Collins allowed one hit over the final two innings for the save.
DENIED: The Rattlers two-game winning streak came to an end with the loss yesterday. Wisconsin has not won three straight games since a five-game winning streak June 2-June 6.
GRADUATION DAY: Rattler starting pitcher Jake Wild was promoted to High Desert, Seattle’s California League affiliate, after yesterday’s game.
MEET THE NEW GUY: Pitcher Jose Jimenez joins the Timber Rattlers from Pulaski, Seattle’s Appalachian League affiliate, today. Jimenez was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Mariners in 2003 out of Venezuela. Jimenez has spent time with High Desert and Pulaski this season. He was 1-3 in five games (four starts) with an 8.72ERA for the Mavericks. Jimenez was 1-0 in three games (two starts) with a 3.21ERA for Pulaski.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 60-49 on the season. The Lugnuts ended a five-game losing streak with their win yesterday.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .240 as a team and have scored 399 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 42 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.89. Lansing is hitting .258 as a team and has scored 460 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.05.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 3-2. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: RH Trystan Magnuson was a first round supplemental pick (56th overall) of the Blue Jays out of the University of Louisville in the 2007 draft. Magnuson was 3-3 with nine saves and a 1.77ERA in 37 relief appearances in his final season with the Cardinals. He did not pitch professionally in 2007. Magnuson made his professional debut with the Lugnuts on April 3, 2008 at Fort Wayne. Magnuson is 0-8 with a 5.91 ERA in 21 starts this season. In his last start before tonight, Magnuson allowed one run on two hits over four innings against Clinton on July 26 at Oldsmobile Park. He got a no decision in that game. Tonight is Magnuson’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
OUT OF THE GATE: Wisconsin rallied with two outs and none on in the bottom of the second inning to score a pair of runs. Juan Diaz singled and Blake Ochoa drew a walk to start the rally. Maximo Mendez followed with a triple to right and both runners scored to give Wisconsin a 2-0 lead.
LUGNUT ANSWER: Barron singled in a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to tie the game at two.
LORIN’S DAY: Timber Rattler starting pitcher Brett Lorin retired six of the first seven batters he faced in the game with a strikeout. He struck out seven over four innings, but left after four innings after he reached his pitch limit. He walked two and allowed four hits in his first home start for Wisconsin.
A BIT OF A DROUGHT: After Mendez tripled in the second inning, Wisconsin had only four hits the rest of the day. The Rattlers did not have two runners on base at the same time in any inning after the second.
STILL GOING: Daniel Carroll extended his hitting streak to seven games with a fifth inning single. The current streak matches Carrolll’s season-high hit streak from earlier this season.
BLOOP: Yohermyn Chavez stepped to the plate with two out and the go ahead run at second base in the top of the sixth. His singled just flared into shallow right to drive in Lansing’s third run.
DRAWN IN: Barron picked up his third RBI of the game in the seventh inning. Justin Jackson was on third with one out. Wisconsin brought the infield in, but Barron hit a soft line drive that hit just behind the second base bag.
LANSING BULLPEN: Joe Wice worked two perfect innings in relief for the Lugnuts. Tim Collins allowed one hit over the final two innings for the save.
DENIED: The Rattlers two-game winning streak came to an end with the loss yesterday. Wisconsin has not won three straight games since a five-game winning streak June 2-June 6.
GRADUATION DAY: Rattler starting pitcher Jake Wild was promoted to High Desert, Seattle’s California League affiliate, after yesterday’s game.
MEET THE NEW GUY: Pitcher Jose Jimenez joins the Timber Rattlers from Pulaski, Seattle’s Appalachian League affiliate, today. Jimenez was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Mariners in 2003 out of Venezuela. Jimenez has spent time with High Desert and Pulaski this season. He was 1-3 in five games (four starts) with an 8.72ERA for the Mavericks. Jimenez was 1-0 in three games (two starts) with a 3.21ERA for Pulaski.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 60-49 on the season. The Lugnuts ended a five-game losing streak with their win yesterday.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .240 as a team and have scored 399 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 42 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.89. Lansing is hitting .258 as a team and has scored 460 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.05.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 3-2. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: RH Trystan Magnuson was a first round supplemental pick (56th overall) of the Blue Jays out of the University of Louisville in the 2007 draft. Magnuson was 3-3 with nine saves and a 1.77ERA in 37 relief appearances in his final season with the Cardinals. He did not pitch professionally in 2007. Magnuson made his professional debut with the Lugnuts on April 3, 2008 at Fort Wayne. Magnuson is 0-8 with a 5.91 ERA in 21 starts this season. In his last start before tonight, Magnuson allowed one run on two hits over four innings against Clinton on July 26 at Oldsmobile Park. He got a no decision in that game. Tonight is Magnuson’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Probable Pitchers (Great Lakes Series)
Here are the probable starters for the series against the Loooooons:
FRI: LHP Edward Paredes (6-9, 4.52)vs. RHP Justin Miller (3-8, 3.80)
SAT: RHP Juan Ramirez (4-8, 4.53) vs. RHP Given Kutz (3-3, 4.06)
SUN: RHP Michael Pineda (6-5, 2.36) vs. LHP Thomas Melgarejo (2-5, 4.02)
FRI: LHP Edward Paredes (6-9, 4.52)vs. RHP Justin Miller (3-8, 3.80)
SAT: RHP Juan Ramirez (4-8, 4.53) vs. RHP Given Kutz (3-3, 4.06)
SUN: RHP Michael Pineda (6-5, 2.36) vs. LHP Thomas Melgarejo (2-5, 4.02)
Transactions (7/31)
RHP Jake Wild moved to High Desert from Wisconsin.
LHP Jose Jimenez joins the Rattlers from Pulaski.
LHP Jose Jimenez joins the Rattlers from Pulaski.
Last thing for today on the brawl
I haven't seen anything yet, but fines and suspensions were supposed to come down on the Chiefs and Dragons today. But, there was this:
"I don't want to talk numbers right now," said Spelius, mindful that eight Dragons, seven Peoria Chiefs and both managers were originally ejected from the game, although all were reinstated pending Spelius' investigation.Really? From 2003:He did say Peoria pitcher Julio Castillo would not be banned for life, as some have suggested.
"I can't do that," said Spelius, who has been studying umpire reports and tapes of the brawl at Fifth Third Field. "I'm just a Class A president. I don't have the right to suspend for life."
Inland Empire, before this season known as San Bernardino, made headlines this summer, but not in the way the Mariners would have preferred.
On Aug. 18, in the 15th inning of a game against Lancaster, 66ers second baseman Evel Bastida-Martinez was hit by a pitch from Josh Kranawetter. He charged the mound -- and brought his bat.
Bastida-Martinez took a squared-up, two-handed swing at Kranawetter's lower back.
"It was the ugliest thing I've ever been a part of," said Castellano, who was on second base after doubling to put Inland Empire up by three runs. "I've been in brawls, and they're all basically the same. This wasn't like that at all. It wasn't really a brawl, it was more like a bunch of us trying to defend one guy who made a huge mistake.
"A young kid gets caught up in the moment. It could have happened to me. It could have happened to anyone."
Could it really have happened to you?
"No," Castellano admits. "There's nothing that could make me bring a bat to the mound."
Kranawetter was not injured as badly as he might have been, sustaining a deep bruise, but was lost for the season. Bastida-Martinez, who was suspended for the season by the Mariners, was arrested Friday by San Bernardino police on a warrant for assault with a deadly weapon.
The Mariners won't decide until after the season whether to release the 24-year-old Cuban, who came to America on a raft in 2000.
"We're having him evaluated by a Spanish-speaking psychiatrist for two reasons," Mariners farm director Benny Looper said. "One, so we can get some feedback from him on the potential of this happening again. Secondly, if the player needs some help, we want to provide the help for him. We'll do what we think is right."
"We felt like we had to back him up as a teammate (at the time), but then you realize that maybe he's ended his whole career," said Menchaca, who counts himself among Bastida-Martinez's friends. "What's done is done, but that's for sure an experience I'll take with me the rest of my life."
According to baseball-reference.
He was suspended indefinitely and later charged with felony assault with a deadly weapon. He was sentenced to 200 hours and community service and anger management counseling.
I'm pretty sure that indefinite turned into a lifetime ban from the California League. That was why he came back to the Rattlers in 2004.
Here's a thought or two
Marc Katz has a piece up at the Dayton Daily News website. It starts out with this...
It's time for baseball to install netting around the entire bottom bowl of every stadium.
That's not to protect the fans from players throwing objects into the stands, which is what happened at Fifth Third Field last week. It's to protect fans from foul balls, splintered bats and whole bats flying out of the slippery hands of players.
One study says about 300 people a year are hospitalized after being hit by batted balls into the stands at both minor and major league parks. Just three weeks ago in Chicago, a young boy had his skull cracked open by a foul ball.
Fans say they don't want to look through a net to view a game, but those seats behind home plate — all of them netted — don't go wanting, and the NHL hasn't seemed to suffer after enlarging the netscape in its arenas following the death of a young girl hit by a puck in a 2002 game in Columbus.
It's time to get the net.
Clinton has the protective netting all the around their grandstand. Alliant Energy Field, the trend-setter in baseball.
There is a middle part calling the decision to hold off on the suspensions a good decision.
Then, there is the blame game:
So, who was to blame for the brawl? A little of the blame should fall on everyone. Once three batters had been hit (two of them Dragons), a warning should have gone out from the umpires to both sides.
The umpires should also have nipped an argument between Dragons manager Donnie Scott and Peoria interim manager Carmelo Martinez when Scott protested that Martinez was yelling at his players. Remember, the umpires have about the same amount of experience as the players. After all, they're in the same low A league.
And don't buy the blather from Peoria broadcaster Nathan Baliva, whose voice is over most of the internet video of the incident.
Baliva said, "All (Scott) does is whine and complain. He ripped on the Chiefs last year in the Dayton newspaper."
All Scott said last year after several of his hitters backed outfielders up against the wall, just inches short of homers, "I guess we didn't eat our Wheaties."
Peoria manager and Hall of Fame player Ryne Sandberg took exception to that, buying a box of Wheaties and placing it in his dugout for the Dragons to see. And it was Sandberg who complained his players were getting no respect from Scott.
Hey, lighten up, Ryno.
When does Dayton play Peoria next year?
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have fared on July 31...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers lost 11-10 at Cedar Rapids. Sean Parnell, Sheldon Fulse, and Damien Alvarado all homered for Wisconsin. Alvardo's homer was a grand slam in the fifth inning that tied the game 7-7. But, the Kernels scored twice in the fifth and twice in the sixth and held on for the win. Rattler records after this game: 23-15 second half, 61-45 overall
2001: The Rattlers beat South Bend 9-5 at home. Jamie Bubela drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Wisconsin trailed 4-3 until they scored four runs in the seventh. Bubela gave the Rattlers the lead with a two-run single. Rattler records after this game: 24-13, 66-39
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Beloit. Florian Villaneava hit a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning off Juan Done. That was more than enough. Rattler records after this game: 11-27, 41-66
2003: The Rattlers won 5-1 at Cedar Rapids. TA Fulmer allowed one run over 8-1/3 innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 17-23, 55-51
2004: The Rattlers won 6-2 at Battle Creek. Adam Jones hit a pair of homers and drove in five runs. Jason Mackintosh allowed two runs over eight innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 16-19, 47-57
2005: The Rattlers won 4-1 at Burlington. Oswaldo Navarro had three hits and scored two runs. Aaron Jensen (7IP) and Eric O'Flaherty (2IP) combined on the victory. Rattler records after this game: 20-17, 59-48
2006: The Rattlers lost 7-6 at Beloit. Eddy Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6. Eli Tintor hit a lead-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning off Roman Martinez for the winning run. Rattler records after this game: 12-26, 39-69
2007: The Rattlers lost 2-1 at Dayton. Tony Butler retired the first 12 batters he faced. But, Jason Louwsma started the fifth with a homer to tie the game 1-1. Then, three straight singles, including an RBI safety by Denis Phipps gave the Dragons the lead. Rafael Gonzalez allowed a first inning run and got his 11th win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 12-24, 34-70
A 4-4 record. But, the Jones performance in 2004 makes this a pretty good day in Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers lost 11-10 at Cedar Rapids. Sean Parnell, Sheldon Fulse, and Damien Alvarado all homered for Wisconsin. Alvardo's homer was a grand slam in the fifth inning that tied the game 7-7. But, the Kernels scored twice in the fifth and twice in the sixth and held on for the win. Rattler records after this game: 23-15 second half, 61-45 overall
2001: The Rattlers beat South Bend 9-5 at home. Jamie Bubela drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Wisconsin trailed 4-3 until they scored four runs in the seventh. Bubela gave the Rattlers the lead with a two-run single. Rattler records after this game: 24-13, 66-39
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Beloit. Florian Villaneava hit a grand slam in the bottom of the third inning off Juan Done. That was more than enough. Rattler records after this game: 11-27, 41-66
2003: The Rattlers won 5-1 at Cedar Rapids. TA Fulmer allowed one run over 8-1/3 innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 17-23, 55-51
2004: The Rattlers won 6-2 at Battle Creek. Adam Jones hit a pair of homers and drove in five runs. Jason Mackintosh allowed two runs over eight innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 16-19, 47-57
2005: The Rattlers won 4-1 at Burlington. Oswaldo Navarro had three hits and scored two runs. Aaron Jensen (7IP) and Eric O'Flaherty (2IP) combined on the victory. Rattler records after this game: 20-17, 59-48
2006: The Rattlers lost 7-6 at Beloit. Eddy Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the top of the eighth inning to tie the game 6-6. Eli Tintor hit a lead-off homer in the bottom of the eighth inning off Roman Martinez for the winning run. Rattler records after this game: 12-26, 39-69
2007: The Rattlers lost 2-1 at Dayton. Tony Butler retired the first 12 batters he faced. But, Jason Louwsma started the fifth with a homer to tie the game 1-1. Then, three straight singles, including an RBI safety by Denis Phipps gave the Dragons the lead. Rafael Gonzalez allowed a first inning run and got his 11th win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 12-24, 34-70
A 4-4 record. But, the Jones performance in 2004 makes this a pretty good day in Rattler history.
Autumnal Plans
Look who is managing in the Arizona Fall League:
The rosters will be announced later this season. Any Mariner farmhands will be on the Javelinas.
Daren Brown, Seattle Mariners: Peoria Javelinas
A 29th-round Draft pick by the Toronto Blue Jays back in 1989, Brown's father, Paul, pitched in the big leagues in the 1960s. Brown pitched for five years in Toronto's system, then in the Texas-Louisiana League for several years (while doubling as a coach and manager) and compiled a 90-49 overall record as a pro.
He's in his seventh season in the Mariners organization and his second as the skipper of the Tacoma Rainiers, Seattle's Triple-A affiliate, after managing Double-A San Antonio in 2006. He managed Inland Empire in the Class A Advanced California League for two seasons, making the playoffs in 2004. Prior to that he worked in the Midwest League, leading the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to the playoffs in 2003. In 2001 and 2002, he managed the California League club in San Bernardino, reaching the postseason in 2002.
The rosters will be announced later this season. Any Mariner farmhands will be on the Javelinas.
Midwest League Action (7/30)
July 30 scoreboard.
Lansing 4, @Wisconsin 2: Streak ends.
@Peoria 9, Kane County 8 (12 innings): Conclusion of Wrigley Field game. "It's been a long road trip, a long six days with six losses (heading into Tuesday's game)," catcher Luis Flores said. "There's been a lot of distractions. It's good to be back home with our fans."
Kane County 12, @Peoria 1: Regularly scheduled game.
West Michigan 7, @Quad Cities 2; @Quad Cities 5, West Michigan 2: Split!
Dayton 14, @Burlington 4: "We got whipped," said Burlington manager Brian Rupp. "They came out and they found a few holes offensively and then got some pitches up and drove them out of the ball park. Before you knew it, we were fighting an uphill battle."
Fort Wayne 4, @Cedar Rapids 1: "We're fine, we're fine," Kernels Manager Keith Johnson said. "We played a solid game. Sometimes you lose."
South Bend 11, @Clinton 1: On the night, the LumberKings could only muster out two hits while committing four errors. Moreland and Beltre were the only LumberKings with hits.
@Beloit 4, Great Lakes 3 (10 innings): Greg Yersich played hero Wednesday night for the Snappers, cracking a game-tying homer in the bottom of the eighth inning and a game-winning RBI-single in the tenth.
Lansing 4, @Wisconsin 2: Streak ends.
@Peoria 9, Kane County 8 (12 innings): Conclusion of Wrigley Field game. "It's been a long road trip, a long six days with six losses (heading into Tuesday's game)," catcher Luis Flores said. "There's been a lot of distractions. It's good to be back home with our fans."
Kane County 12, @Peoria 1: Regularly scheduled game.
West Michigan 7, @Quad Cities 2; @Quad Cities 5, West Michigan 2: Split!
Dayton 14, @Burlington 4: "We got whipped," said Burlington manager Brian Rupp. "They came out and they found a few holes offensively and then got some pitches up and drove them out of the ball park. Before you knew it, we were fighting an uphill battle."
Fort Wayne 4, @Cedar Rapids 1: "We're fine, we're fine," Kernels Manager Keith Johnson said. "We played a solid game. Sometimes you lose."
South Bend 11, @Clinton 1: On the night, the LumberKings could only muster out two hits while committing four errors. Moreland and Beltre were the only LumberKings with hits.
@Beloit 4, Great Lakes 3 (10 innings): Greg Yersich played hero Wednesday night for the Snappers, cracking a game-tying homer in the bottom of the eighth inning and a game-winning RBI-single in the tenth.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/30)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 40-67 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 4-3 at Texas. The Rangers broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the bottom of the eighth as Arthur Rhodes walked three and allowed a sacrifice fly.
TACOMA (AAA: 56-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers won 8-5 over Round Rock at home. Wladimir Balentien (’04) had two hits, including a homer, and scored three runs. That homer was one of four by the Rainiers on th night. Ryan Rowland-Smith (’03) pitched seven innings solid innings for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 57-52, 16-23 4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Birmingham 6-4. Mike Wilson (’05) hit a game-ending, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-62, 15-24 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-6 to Lake Elsinore in 12 innings. Carlos Triunfel (’07) and Travis Scott (’06) homered for High Desert, but the Storm got the runs in the 12th.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-26, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox were off on Wednesday.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-16, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s lost 4-3 at Danville.
PEORIA (Rookie: 11-20, 2-2 4th Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 12-4 to the Giants.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (RA Dickey 2-6) at Texas (Matt Harrison 2-1) 7:05pm CDT
Round Rock (Josh Muecke 7-9) at Tacoma (Andy Baldwin 6-5) 9:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Lucas Harrell 2-1) at West Tennessee (Joe Woerman 0-0) 7:00pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Ernesto Frieri 6-6) at High Desert (Jake Wild? 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
Everett at Eugene 9:05pm CDT
Pulaski at Danville 6:00pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
TACOMA (AAA: 56-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers won 8-5 over Round Rock at home. Wladimir Balentien (’04) had two hits, including a homer, and scored three runs. That homer was one of four by the Rainiers on th night. Ryan Rowland-Smith (’03) pitched seven innings solid innings for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 57-52, 16-23 4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Birmingham 6-4. Mike Wilson (’05) hit a game-ending, two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-62, 15-24 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-6 to Lake Elsinore in 12 innings. Carlos Triunfel (’07) and Travis Scott (’06) homered for High Desert, but the Storm got the runs in the 12th.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-26, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox were off on Wednesday.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-16, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s lost 4-3 at Danville.
PEORIA (Rookie: 11-20, 2-2 4th Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 12-4 to the Giants.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (RA Dickey 2-6) at Texas (Matt Harrison 2-1) 7:05pm CDT
Round Rock (Josh Muecke 7-9) at Tacoma (Andy Baldwin 6-5) 9:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Lucas Harrell 2-1) at West Tennessee (Joe Woerman 0-0) 7:00pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Ernesto Frieri 6-6) at High Desert (Jake Wild? 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
Everett at Eugene 9:05pm CDT
Pulaski at Danville 6:00pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
7/30/2008
Of note today...
Just passing along a tidbit from this morning. Phillippe Aumont finished up a simulated game about 45 minutes ago.
From the very few pitches I had a chance to see, he looked good. Sorry, I do have a few other duties that keep me busy before the game.
Early reports are that it went well. I have not had time to talk to Phillippe or pitching coach Jaime Navarro, but if there is a chance, I'll have a new post later tonight or some time tomorrow.
From the very few pitches I had a chance to see, he looked good. Sorry, I do have a few other duties that keep me busy before the game.
Early reports are that it went well. I have not had time to talk to Phillippe or pitching coach Jaime Navarro, but if there is a chance, I'll have a new post later tonight or some time tomorrow.
Today's Rattler Starter (7/30)
RH BRETT LORIN was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 5th round of the 2008 draft out of Long Beach State University.
LAST START: Lorin took the loss at West Michigan on July 25. He allowed four runs on seven hits over 3-2/3 innings. Lorin walked two and struck out five, but the Rattler lost 9-4 to the Whitecaps.
LAST WIN: Lorin got his first professional win on June 22 against the Boise Hawks. He allowed one run on three hits and over six innings in a 2-1 Everett win at home. Lorin struck out 13 and did not walk a batter in the game.
VS. LANSING: Lorin is making his first appearance against the Lugnuts tonight.
VS. BLUE JAYS: This will be Lorin’s first appearance against an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0: (2x: Last 7/13 @ Fort Wayne)
STRIKEOUTS: 13: 6/22 vs. Boise
LAST START: Lorin took the loss at West Michigan on July 25. He allowed four runs on seven hits over 3-2/3 innings. Lorin walked two and struck out five, but the Rattler lost 9-4 to the Whitecaps.
LAST WIN: Lorin got his first professional win on June 22 against the Boise Hawks. He allowed one run on three hits and over six innings in a 2-1 Everett win at home. Lorin struck out 13 and did not walk a batter in the game.
VS. LANSING: Lorin is making his first appearance against the Lugnuts tonight.
VS. BLUE JAYS: This will be Lorin’s first appearance against an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0: (2x: Last 7/13 @ Fort Wayne)
STRIKEOUTS: 13: 6/22 vs. Boise
July 30 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat the Lansing Lugnuts 6-2. Denny Almonte and Joe Dunigan each had a home run in the game for Wisconsin. Michael Pineda picked up his sixth win of the season.
LUCKY OR UNLUCKY? Both teams banged out 13 hits in the game. The Lugnuts stranded 11 runners. The Rattlers stranded 10.
SCATTERED: Pineda allowed 11 hits over seven innings but allowed only two runs. He walked one and struck out eight to keep most of those runners clogging the base paths.
CAREER DAY: Pineda’s eight strikeouts were a professional high for one game.
LIKES FACING LANSING: Pineda went 2-0 in two starts against the Lugnuts this season. He struck out 15 and allowed three earned runs over 12-1/3 innings in those two victories.
NUMBERS NINE: Almonte and Dunigan each hit their ninth home runs of the season last night. They are tied for the team lead. Almonte has hit three homers in the last two games.
PAIR OF THREES: Almonte and Edilio Colina each had three hits in the game for Wisconsin. Almonte had a single and a double to go along with his homer. Colina had a pair of singles and a double.
TWO OUT BINGO: The Rattlers trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. There were two on with two out with Israel Nunez due up to bat. The Rattler catcher smacked a double to left to put the Rattlers up 2-1. Later in the inning, Colina drove in Nunez with an infield single. The Rattlers never trailed after this inning.
SPELLING RELIEF: Ryan Moorer and Jeff Dunbar each worked a scoreless inning in relief of Pineda. Moorer worked around a pair of one-out singles in the eighth to keep Lansing off the scoreboard. Dunbar walked the lead off batter in the ninth but also kept the Lugnuts from scoring.
LOOKING FOR MR. DUNBAR: The converted catcher has made six relief appearances for the Timber Rattlers and has not allowed a run over 6-1/3 innings pitched.
MEN OF QUALITY: Wisconsin starting pitchers have tossed four consecutive quality starts. The streak started with Jake Wild against Beloit on July 26 as he pitched seven shutout innings. Edward Paredes also tossed seven shutout innings against Beloit in the regularly scheduled game on July 27. Keith Renaud tossed 6-2/3 scoreless innings against the Snappers on July 28. Add in Pineda’s two-run, seven-inning performance last night and Wisconsin starters have allowed two runs (both earned) over 27-2/3 innings in the last four games for an ERA of 0.65.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 59-49 on the season. The Lugnuts have lost five straight.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .240 as a team and have scored 397 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 42 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.89. Lansing is hitting .257 as a team and has scored 456 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.06.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 3-1. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: LH Chi-Hung Cheng was signed by the Blue Jays as a non-drafted free agent out of Taiwan in 2003. This is his third tour of duty with the Lugnuts. He was 7-6 with a 3.15ERA in 26 games (25 starts) and was a midseason and postseason all-star in the Midwest League in 2005. In 2006, Cheng was 11-5 with a 2.70ERA in 28 starts for the Lugnuts. Last year, Cheng split time between the Gulf Coast League and Auburn in the New York-Penn League. In his start prior to this evening, Cheng was beaten by the Quad Cities River Bandits at home. He allowed nine runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4-1/3 innings. Cheng did not face the Rattlers when the teams met in May of this season. But, he made three starts against Wisconsin between 2005 and 2006. He is 1-0 with 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits with 22 strikeouts over 17-2/3 innings in those three starts.
LUCKY OR UNLUCKY? Both teams banged out 13 hits in the game. The Lugnuts stranded 11 runners. The Rattlers stranded 10.
SCATTERED: Pineda allowed 11 hits over seven innings but allowed only two runs. He walked one and struck out eight to keep most of those runners clogging the base paths.
CAREER DAY: Pineda’s eight strikeouts were a professional high for one game.
LIKES FACING LANSING: Pineda went 2-0 in two starts against the Lugnuts this season. He struck out 15 and allowed three earned runs over 12-1/3 innings in those two victories.
NUMBERS NINE: Almonte and Dunigan each hit their ninth home runs of the season last night. They are tied for the team lead. Almonte has hit three homers in the last two games.
PAIR OF THREES: Almonte and Edilio Colina each had three hits in the game for Wisconsin. Almonte had a single and a double to go along with his homer. Colina had a pair of singles and a double.
TWO OUT BINGO: The Rattlers trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. There were two on with two out with Israel Nunez due up to bat. The Rattler catcher smacked a double to left to put the Rattlers up 2-1. Later in the inning, Colina drove in Nunez with an infield single. The Rattlers never trailed after this inning.
SPELLING RELIEF: Ryan Moorer and Jeff Dunbar each worked a scoreless inning in relief of Pineda. Moorer worked around a pair of one-out singles in the eighth to keep Lansing off the scoreboard. Dunbar walked the lead off batter in the ninth but also kept the Lugnuts from scoring.
LOOKING FOR MR. DUNBAR: The converted catcher has made six relief appearances for the Timber Rattlers and has not allowed a run over 6-1/3 innings pitched.
MEN OF QUALITY: Wisconsin starting pitchers have tossed four consecutive quality starts. The streak started with Jake Wild against Beloit on July 26 as he pitched seven shutout innings. Edward Paredes also tossed seven shutout innings against Beloit in the regularly scheduled game on July 27. Keith Renaud tossed 6-2/3 scoreless innings against the Snappers on July 28. Add in Pineda’s two-run, seven-inning performance last night and Wisconsin starters have allowed two runs (both earned) over 27-2/3 innings in the last four games for an ERA of 0.65.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 59-49 on the season. The Lugnuts have lost five straight.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .240 as a team and have scored 397 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 42 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.89. Lansing is hitting .257 as a team and has scored 456 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.06.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 3-1. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: LH Chi-Hung Cheng was signed by the Blue Jays as a non-drafted free agent out of Taiwan in 2003. This is his third tour of duty with the Lugnuts. He was 7-6 with a 3.15ERA in 26 games (25 starts) and was a midseason and postseason all-star in the Midwest League in 2005. In 2006, Cheng was 11-5 with a 2.70ERA in 28 starts for the Lugnuts. Last year, Cheng split time between the Gulf Coast League and Auburn in the New York-Penn League. In his start prior to this evening, Cheng was beaten by the Quad Cities River Bandits at home. He allowed nine runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4-1/3 innings. Cheng did not face the Rattlers when the teams met in May of this season. But, he made three starts against Wisconsin between 2005 and 2006. He is 1-0 with 10 runs (nine earned) on 13 hits with 22 strikeouts over 17-2/3 innings in those three starts.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Rattlers have fared on July 30...since 2000:
2000: The Rattlers won 9-4 at Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids scored three in the first off Rafael Soriano. Then, the Rattlers scored twice in the third and five times in the fifth. Ryan Christianson homered and drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 23-14 second half; 61-44 overall.
2001: The Rattlers beat South Bend 4-3 at home in ten innings. Derrick Van Dusen allowed a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth to Craig Ansman. Jamie Bubela drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the tenth. Rattler records after this game: 23-13, 65-39
2002: The Rattlers beat Quad Cities 7-3 at home in a rain-shortened game. Dan Head allowed three runs over six innings for a complete game victory. Sean Peless and Jason Van Meetren both hit homers for the Rattlers. Rattler records after this game: 11-26, 41-65
2003: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Jon Nelson hit a grand slam in the third inning for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 16-22, 54-51
2004: The Rattlers won 3-1 at Battle Creek. Brandon Moorhead, Brian Stitt, and Mike Hrynio allowed one unearned run. Rattler records after this game: 15-19, 46-57
2005: The Rattlers lost 9-1 at Burlington. Kyle Crist pitched a complete game and allowed only a Marshall Hubbard homer in the eighth. Rattler records after this game: 59-47, 20-16
2006: The Rattlers lost 5-3 at Beloit. Robby Hudson's three-run homer in the fifth was pretty much it for the Wisconsin offense. Rattler records after this game: 12-25, 39-68
2007: The Rattlers won 6-1 at Dayton. Ron Garth had three RBI for the Rattlers. Wisconsin records after this game: 12-23, 34-69
A record of 6-2 with some really nice wins. Good day in Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers won 9-4 at Cedar Rapids. Cedar Rapids scored three in the first off Rafael Soriano. Then, the Rattlers scored twice in the third and five times in the fifth. Ryan Christianson homered and drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 23-14 second half; 61-44 overall.
2001: The Rattlers beat South Bend 4-3 at home in ten innings. Derrick Van Dusen allowed a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth to Craig Ansman. Jamie Bubela drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the tenth. Rattler records after this game: 23-13, 65-39
2002: The Rattlers beat Quad Cities 7-3 at home in a rain-shortened game. Dan Head allowed three runs over six innings for a complete game victory. Sean Peless and Jason Van Meetren both hit homers for the Rattlers. Rattler records after this game: 11-26, 41-65
2003: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Jon Nelson hit a grand slam in the third inning for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 16-22, 54-51
2004: The Rattlers won 3-1 at Battle Creek. Brandon Moorhead, Brian Stitt, and Mike Hrynio allowed one unearned run. Rattler records after this game: 15-19, 46-57
2005: The Rattlers lost 9-1 at Burlington. Kyle Crist pitched a complete game and allowed only a Marshall Hubbard homer in the eighth. Rattler records after this game: 59-47, 20-16
2006: The Rattlers lost 5-3 at Beloit. Robby Hudson's three-run homer in the fifth was pretty much it for the Wisconsin offense. Rattler records after this game: 12-25, 39-68
2007: The Rattlers won 6-1 at Dayton. Ron Garth had three RBI for the Rattlers. Wisconsin records after this game: 12-23, 34-69
A record of 6-2 with some really nice wins. Good day in Rattler history.
Midwest League Action (7/29)
July 29 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 6, Lansing 2: Two in a row.
Dayton 4, @Burlington 0: "Fair by a foot," said Bees manager Brian Rupp. "That's the way the bounces go sometimes."
@Clinton 3, South Bend 0: LumberKings bring the pitching.
@Beloit 7, Great Lakes 5: Snappers!
West Michigan @ Quad Cities (PPD): The rain began around 5:45 p.m. and was expected to persist throughout the evening, as a heavy downpour was falling on Modern Woodmen Park when the game was officially called at 6:30 p.m.
@Cedar Rapids 11, Fort Wayne 2: "I was pretty tired yesterday, but that's not an excuse really," he said. "I still felt pretty comfortable at the plate yesterday — I didn't feel overmatched or anything — so I just came into today and feel comfortable."
Peoris vs. Kane County at Wrigley Field: 6-6 suspended in bottom of the ninth. “It really couldn’t have gone better except for that,” Chiefs manager Ryne Sandberg said. “That makes it a little disappointing, but we’re in a good position to win the game.”
RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STAR
@Wisconsin 6, Lansing 2: Two in a row.
Dayton 4, @Burlington 0: "Fair by a foot," said Bees manager Brian Rupp. "That's the way the bounces go sometimes."
@Clinton 3, South Bend 0: LumberKings bring the pitching.
@Beloit 7, Great Lakes 5: Snappers!
West Michigan @ Quad Cities (PPD): The rain began around 5:45 p.m. and was expected to persist throughout the evening, as a heavy downpour was falling on Modern Woodmen Park when the game was officially called at 6:30 p.m.
@Cedar Rapids 11, Fort Wayne 2: "I was pretty tired yesterday, but that's not an excuse really," he said. "I still felt pretty comfortable at the plate yesterday — I didn't feel overmatched or anything — so I just came into today and feel comfortable."
Peoris vs. Kane County at Wrigley Field: 6-6 suspended in bottom of the ninth. “It really couldn’t have gone better except for that,” Chiefs manager Ryne Sandberg said. “That makes it a little disappointing, but we’re in a good position to win the game.”
RON JOHNSON/JOURNAL STARMariner System Report (Games of 7/29)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 40-66 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 11-10 at Texas. Bryan LaHair (’04) had three hits, including his second home run, and scored three runs as Seattle rallied from a 7-0 deficit to take a 10-9 lead into the bottom of the ninth. But, JJ Putz (’00) gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth to get a blown save.
TACOMA (AAA: 55-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers won 12-3 at Memphis. Luis Valbuena (’06) went 4-for-4 with two homers, four RBI, and four runs scored. Ryan Feierabend (’04) allowed two runs over seven innings for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-52, 15-23 T-4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 3-2 to Birmingham at home. Mike Wilson (’05) and Johan Limonta (’06) homered for West Tennessee, but it wasn’t enough.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-61, 15-23 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-5 to Lake Elsinore. Travis Scott (’06) hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, but High Desert couldn’t come back from an 8-0 deficit. Travis Mortimore (’08) allowed all eight runs and took the loss.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-26, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 7-6 to Spokane. Nolan Gallagher (’07) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits over 4-2/3 innings. The Indians broke a 4-4 tie with two in the eighth and one in the ninth. Everett scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to get close.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-15, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s were off on Tuesday.
PEORIA (Rookie: 11-19, 2-1 T-2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Royals 12-1.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Miguel Bautista 4-11) at Texas (Vicente Padilla 12-5) 7:05pm CDT
Round Rock (Ron Chiavacci 4-2) at Tacoma (Ryan Rowland-Smith 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Justin Cassel 7-4) at West Tennessee (Travis Chick 3-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Cesar Carrillo 1-3) at High Desert (Anthony Varvaro 3-6) 9:05pm CDT
Everett – OFF DAY
Pulaski at Danville 6:00pm CDT
AZL Giants at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 55-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers won 12-3 at Memphis. Luis Valbuena (’06) went 4-for-4 with two homers, four RBI, and four runs scored. Ryan Feierabend (’04) allowed two runs over seven innings for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-52, 15-23 T-4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 3-2 to Birmingham at home. Mike Wilson (’05) and Johan Limonta (’06) homered for West Tennessee, but it wasn’t enough.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-61, 15-23 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-5 to Lake Elsinore. Travis Scott (’06) hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth, but High Desert couldn’t come back from an 8-0 deficit. Travis Mortimore (’08) allowed all eight runs and took the loss.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-26, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 7-6 to Spokane. Nolan Gallagher (’07) allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits over 4-2/3 innings. The Indians broke a 4-4 tie with two in the eighth and one in the ninth. Everett scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to get close.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-15, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s were off on Tuesday.
PEORIA (Rookie: 11-19, 2-1 T-2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Royals 12-1.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Miguel Bautista 4-11) at Texas (Vicente Padilla 12-5) 7:05pm CDT
Round Rock (Ron Chiavacci 4-2) at Tacoma (Ryan Rowland-Smith 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Justin Cassel 7-4) at West Tennessee (Travis Chick 3-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Cesar Carrillo 1-3) at High Desert (Anthony Varvaro 3-6) 9:05pm CDT
Everett – OFF DAY
Pulaski at Danville 6:00pm CDT
AZL Giants at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
7/29/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher
RHP MICHAEL PINEDA was signed as a non-drafted free by the Mariners out of the Dominican Republic on December 12, 2005.
LAST START: Pineda got a no decision at West Michigan on July 24. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 4-2/3 innings. Pineda left the game with the Rattlers leading 5-4, but the Whitecaps went on to an 8-5 win.
VS. LANSING: Pineda beat the Lugnuts at Lansing on May 2. He pitched 5-1/3 scoreless innings in a 5-2 Wisconsin victory. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out seven in his second Midwest League start.
THE START OF 2008: Pineda won his first two appearances for the Rattlers. He picked up a win in relief in the first game of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on April 5 and another win with two innings of scoreless relief against Fort Wayne on April 16.
THE STREAK: Pineda tossed 21-1/3 consecutive scoreless innings before giving up a third inning run in the start against Burlington on May 14.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (@ Cedar Rapids 6/26)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 {2x} (Last: @ Cedar Rapids 6/26)
LAST START: Pineda got a no decision at West Michigan on July 24. He allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits over 4-2/3 innings. Pineda left the game with the Rattlers leading 5-4, but the Whitecaps went on to an 8-5 win.
VS. LANSING: Pineda beat the Lugnuts at Lansing on May 2. He pitched 5-1/3 scoreless innings in a 5-2 Wisconsin victory. He allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out seven in his second Midwest League start.
THE START OF 2008: Pineda won his first two appearances for the Rattlers. He picked up a win in relief in the first game of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on April 5 and another win with two innings of scoreless relief against Fort Wayne on April 16.
THE STREAK: Pineda tossed 21-1/3 consecutive scoreless innings before giving up a third inning run in the start against Burlington on May 14.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (@ Cedar Rapids 6/26)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 {2x} (Last: @ Cedar Rapids 6/26)
July 29 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat the Beloit Snappers 10-0. Denny Almonte hit a pair of homers and knocked in three runs for Wisconsin. Keith Renaud, Joe Kantakevich, and Jose Escalona combined on the six-hit shutout.
JUMP START: The Rattlers led 2-0 two batters into the bottom of the first inning. Daniel Carroll singled to start the inning. Almonte followed with an opposite field blast to left field.
TWO-FER: Almonte became the second Timber Rattler to hit a pair of homers in a game this season. Joe Dunigan hit two home runs at Fort Wayne on July 12.
AND ONE: Blake Ochoa homered in the eighth inning to give Wisconsin three home runs total in the game. Last night was the fourth time the Rattlers hit three homers in a game. It was also the second time this year Wisconsin hit three dingers in a game against the Snappers.
40: Last night’s long ball spree gave the Rattlers forty home runs on the season. Wisconsin has hit 16 of those at home this season.
ALL IN: All nine starters in the Timber Rattler lineup had at least one hit as Wisconsin racked up 12 hits. Almonte, Edilo Colina, and Blake Ochoa each had two hits for the Rattlers.
TOSSING ZEROES: Renaud allowed four hits and no runs over 6-2/3 innings to earn his first win with the Rattlers this season. Kantakevich got the final out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth. Escalona wrapped up Wisconsin’s second shutout in the last three days with a scoreless ninth. Last night was the eighth time Wisconsin pitchers have combined to shutout an opponent this season.
IN CONTROL: Renaud walked just two batters in the game. Neither Kantakevich nor Escalona walked a batter.
IN PLAY: Renaud recorded the only strikeout by a Timber Rattler pitcher last night.
DO NOT PASS SECOND: The Snappers did not have a base runner get past second base last night.
HOW RARE IS THIS? The Rattlers hit for the cycle as a team during a four-run sixth inning. Almonte started the inning with his second homer. Colina and Alex Liddi both singled. Then, Joe Dunigan tripled to knock Beloit starting pitcher David Bromberg out of the game. One out later, Ochoa doubled to complete the team cycle.
WIN THE SEASON: By winning last night’s game, the Rattlers won the season series against Beloit. Wisconsin went 8-7 versus the Snappers in 2008.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 59-48 on the season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team and have scored 391 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 40 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.91. Lansing is hitting .256 as a team and has scored 454 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.06.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 2-1. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook placed seven members of the current Lansing roster on their top 30 list of Toronto Blue Jay prospects. Infielder Kevin Aherns is the top rated Toronto prospect at #3. Infielders Justin Jackson (#6) and John Tolisano (#7) are also on the list. Pitchers Trystan Magnuson (#11) and Marc Rzepcynski (#21) are also in the top 30. Outfielders Yohermyn Chavez (#11), Eric Eiland (#14), and Moises Sierra (#30) are rated highly by BA.
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2007: The Lugnuts have nine players from the 2007 Toronto draft class, including six of their first ten picks, on their active roster. Kevin Aherns was Toronto’s first pick and the 21st player selected last year. Justin Jackson and Trystan Magnuson were both supplemental first-round picks in 2007. John Tollisano and Eric Eiland were both second round picks last year. Pitcher Marc Rzepcynski was the fifth round pick of the Blue Jays. The other ’07 draft picks of Toronto on the Lansing roster are: Brian Letko (19th), Frank Gailey (23rd), and Jimmy Dougher (24th).
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2008: Toronto used the 17th overall pick in the 2008 draft to select David Cooper out of the University of California.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: LH Brian Letko was picked in the 19th round of the 2007 draft by the Blue Jays out of Embry-Riddle University. Letko went 11-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for the Eagles. He pitched for the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Blue Jays last season and went 2-4 with a 1.50ERA in 12 games (10 starts). Letko joined the Lugnuts in early June and is 2-2 with a 3.62ERA in eight games (six starts). In his start prior to this evening, Letko tossed a nine-inning complete game against Quad Cities on July 24. He allowed one run on four hits; walked two and struck out four. Tonight is Letko’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers This is also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
JUMP START: The Rattlers led 2-0 two batters into the bottom of the first inning. Daniel Carroll singled to start the inning. Almonte followed with an opposite field blast to left field.
TWO-FER: Almonte became the second Timber Rattler to hit a pair of homers in a game this season. Joe Dunigan hit two home runs at Fort Wayne on July 12.
AND ONE: Blake Ochoa homered in the eighth inning to give Wisconsin three home runs total in the game. Last night was the fourth time the Rattlers hit three homers in a game. It was also the second time this year Wisconsin hit three dingers in a game against the Snappers.
40: Last night’s long ball spree gave the Rattlers forty home runs on the season. Wisconsin has hit 16 of those at home this season.
ALL IN: All nine starters in the Timber Rattler lineup had at least one hit as Wisconsin racked up 12 hits. Almonte, Edilo Colina, and Blake Ochoa each had two hits for the Rattlers.
TOSSING ZEROES: Renaud allowed four hits and no runs over 6-2/3 innings to earn his first win with the Rattlers this season. Kantakevich got the final out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth. Escalona wrapped up Wisconsin’s second shutout in the last three days with a scoreless ninth. Last night was the eighth time Wisconsin pitchers have combined to shutout an opponent this season.
IN CONTROL: Renaud walked just two batters in the game. Neither Kantakevich nor Escalona walked a batter.
IN PLAY: Renaud recorded the only strikeout by a Timber Rattler pitcher last night.
DO NOT PASS SECOND: The Snappers did not have a base runner get past second base last night.
HOW RARE IS THIS? The Rattlers hit for the cycle as a team during a four-run sixth inning. Almonte started the inning with his second homer. Colina and Alex Liddi both singled. Then, Joe Dunigan tripled to knock Beloit starting pitcher David Bromberg out of the game. One out later, Ochoa doubled to complete the team cycle.
WIN THE SEASON: By winning last night’s game, the Rattlers won the season series against Beloit. Wisconsin went 8-7 versus the Snappers in 2008.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They finished the first half with a record of 39-31 and as the first half champions of the Eastern Division. They are currently 59-48 on the season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team and have scored 391 runs (3.8/game). Wisconsin has hit 40 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.91. Lansing is hitting .256 as a team and has scored 454 runs (4.2/game). The Lugnuts have hit 58 home runs this season. The Lansing pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.06.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers lead the season series 2-1. Wisconsin took two out of three from the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park earlier this season. The Lugnuts beat the Rattlers 6-2 on May 1. Wisconsin won the final two games of the series 5-2 on May 2 and 5-2 on May 3.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook placed seven members of the current Lansing roster on their top 30 list of Toronto Blue Jay prospects. Infielder Kevin Aherns is the top rated Toronto prospect at #3. Infielders Justin Jackson (#6) and John Tolisano (#7) are also on the list. Pitchers Trystan Magnuson (#11) and Marc Rzepcynski (#21) are also in the top 30. Outfielders Yohermyn Chavez (#11), Eric Eiland (#14), and Moises Sierra (#30) are rated highly by BA.
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2007: The Lugnuts have nine players from the 2007 Toronto draft class, including six of their first ten picks, on their active roster. Kevin Aherns was Toronto’s first pick and the 21st player selected last year. Justin Jackson and Trystan Magnuson were both supplemental first-round picks in 2007. John Tollisano and Eric Eiland were both second round picks last year. Pitcher Marc Rzepcynski was the fifth round pick of the Blue Jays. The other ’07 draft picks of Toronto on the Lansing roster are: Brian Letko (19th), Frank Gailey (23rd), and Jimmy Dougher (24th).
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2008: Toronto used the 17th overall pick in the 2008 draft to select David Cooper out of the University of California.
LANSING STARTING PITCHER: LH Brian Letko was picked in the 19th round of the 2007 draft by the Blue Jays out of Embry-Riddle University. Letko went 11-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 17 games (15 starts) for the Eagles. He pitched for the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Blue Jays last season and went 2-4 with a 1.50ERA in 12 games (10 starts). Letko joined the Lugnuts in early June and is 2-2 with a 3.62ERA in eight games (six starts). In his start prior to this evening, Letko tossed a nine-inning complete game against Quad Cities on July 24. He allowed one run on four hits; walked two and struck out four. Tonight is Letko’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers This is also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Chiefs focus on something else
Non-brawl stuff for the Peoria Chiefs. Today is the day they host the Kane County Cougars at Wrigley Field.
Chiefs ready for a major experience
Cougars, Chiefs excited to play at Wrigley
Chiefs ready for a major experience
"Playing in front of (30,000) will be amazing," Chiefs shortstop Nate Samson said. "It’s going to be a lot of fun with that big of a crowd being into it."Wrigley to be Cougars' confines tonight
Not all of Jamie Richmond’s friends understand just how darn cool this is.
When the Toronto native takes the mound tonight as the Cougars starting pitcher, it won’t be in Peoria or Geneva or any other Midwest League outpost.
It’ll be in Chicago, at Wrigley Field, where the Cougars will face Peoria in what is believed will be the first minor-league game played at the Cubs’ famed ballpark.
“Yeah, I’m pretty lucky. Just getting this start and having the chance to pitch off a mound where so many legends have pitched, that’s quite an opportunity,” Richmond said Monday from Dayton, Ohio, where the Cougars wrapped up a three-game series with the Dragons.
Cougars, Chiefs excited to play at Wrigley
"I know as a team, we watch the Cubs games on TV every chance we get, which is every game at home," said Peoria manager and Cubs Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg. "Sometimes for these young guys, a place like that seems a million miles away. Now they get to play a game there and experience that. It's a chance of a lifetime."
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Rattlers have fared on July 29...since 2000:
2000: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Oscar Ramirez drove in three runs and Shawn McCorkle homered for Wisconsin. Craig Anderson allowed three runs (two earned) over eight innings for his eleventh win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 22-14 second half, 60-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers lost 8-5 to South Bend at home. South Bend broke a 3-3 tie with five runs off Erik Grunwald in the top of the seventh. Rattler records after this game: 22-13, 64-39
2002: The Rattlers lost 6-1 to Quad City at home. Eimiliano Fruto allowed six runs (two earned) over four innings for the loss. Joe Mauer had two hits and scored twice for the River Bandits. Hunter Brown drove in the only Timber Rattler run with a double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Rattler records after this game: 10-26, 40-65
2003: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Michael Garciaparra had two hits and three RBI. Gary Harris scored four runs. BOBBY! Livingston allowed two runs over eight innings for his thirteenth win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 15-23, 53-51
2004: The Rattlers lost 8-3 at Battle Creek. Ex-Rattler Jason Van Meetren went 4-for-4 with a homer for the Yankees. Ryan Feierabend allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 5-1/3 innings. Rattler records after this game: 14-19, 45-57
2005: The Rattlers won 7-0 at Burlington. Ivan Blanco and Adam Brandt combined on the 4-hit shutout. Brandon Green and Mike Wilson both drove in two runs for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 19-16, 58-47
2006: The Rattlers lost 9-3 at Beloit. Erik Lis drove in four runs for the Snappers. Jose Escalona allowed six runs (two earned) over 4-2/3 innings for the loss. Rattler records after this game: 12-24, 39-67
2007: The Rattlers lost 8-5 to Great Lakes at home. The Loooooons got to Nolan Gallagher for six runs (three earned) on seven hits over 3-2/3 innings. Rattler records after this game: 11-23, 33-69
A 3-5 record with some tough pitching performances. Plus, Jason Van Meetren haunts his old team with that game for the Yankees in 2004. It was at least an interesting day in Timber Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Oscar Ramirez drove in three runs and Shawn McCorkle homered for Wisconsin. Craig Anderson allowed three runs (two earned) over eight innings for his eleventh win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 22-14 second half, 60-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers lost 8-5 to South Bend at home. South Bend broke a 3-3 tie with five runs off Erik Grunwald in the top of the seventh. Rattler records after this game: 22-13, 64-39
2002: The Rattlers lost 6-1 to Quad City at home. Eimiliano Fruto allowed six runs (two earned) over four innings for the loss. Joe Mauer had two hits and scored twice for the River Bandits. Hunter Brown drove in the only Timber Rattler run with a double in the bottom of the ninth inning. Rattler records after this game: 10-26, 40-65
2003: The Rattlers won 6-3 at Cedar Rapids. Michael Garciaparra had two hits and three RBI. Gary Harris scored four runs. BOBBY! Livingston allowed two runs over eight innings for his thirteenth win of the season. Rattler records after this game: 15-23, 53-51
2004: The Rattlers lost 8-3 at Battle Creek. Ex-Rattler Jason Van Meetren went 4-for-4 with a homer for the Yankees. Ryan Feierabend allowed seven runs on 11 hits in 5-1/3 innings. Rattler records after this game: 14-19, 45-57
2005: The Rattlers won 7-0 at Burlington. Ivan Blanco and Adam Brandt combined on the 4-hit shutout. Brandon Green and Mike Wilson both drove in two runs for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 19-16, 58-47
2006: The Rattlers lost 9-3 at Beloit. Erik Lis drove in four runs for the Snappers. Jose Escalona allowed six runs (two earned) over 4-2/3 innings for the loss. Rattler records after this game: 12-24, 39-67
2007: The Rattlers lost 8-5 to Great Lakes at home. The Loooooons got to Nolan Gallagher for six runs (three earned) on seven hits over 3-2/3 innings. Rattler records after this game: 11-23, 33-69
A 3-5 record with some tough pitching performances. Plus, Jason Van Meetren haunts his old team with that game for the Yankees in 2004. It was at least an interesting day in Timber Rattler history.
Midwest League Action (7/28)
July 28 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 10, Beloit 0: Shut down the Snappers.
Clinton 5, @Lansing 1: "It's not going to bring us down," Jackson said. "We're just going to keep pushing on."
@Great Lakes 6, Quad Cities 2: "It just shows you how baseball is a weird game," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad.
Burlington 5, @South Bend 0: "It was just one of those innings where everything went right for them," said South Bend manager Mark Haley.
Cedar Rapids 5, @West Michigan 3 (11 innings): "This is one of the most disappointing losses this season because we played decent, but we beat ourselves on little mental mistakes all three games. They didn't beat us, we beat ourselves."
@Dayton 6, Kane County 1: "When I had bad games, I didn't throw my first pitch for a strike," Montano said. "I didn't have command. Now, I can control any pitch for a strike. I make the hitters crazy. They don't know what I'm going to throw."
@Fort Wayne 4, Peoria 2: “That was my best performance this season. I felt good from start to finish,” Pelzer said.
@Wisconsin 10, Beloit 0: Shut down the Snappers.
Clinton 5, @Lansing 1: "It's not going to bring us down," Jackson said. "We're just going to keep pushing on."
@Great Lakes 6, Quad Cities 2: "It just shows you how baseball is a weird game," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad.
Burlington 5, @South Bend 0: "It was just one of those innings where everything went right for them," said South Bend manager Mark Haley.
Cedar Rapids 5, @West Michigan 3 (11 innings): "This is one of the most disappointing losses this season because we played decent, but we beat ourselves on little mental mistakes all three games. They didn't beat us, we beat ourselves."
@Dayton 6, Kane County 1: "When I had bad games, I didn't throw my first pitch for a strike," Montano said. "I didn't have command. Now, I can control any pitch for a strike. I make the hitters crazy. They don't know what I'm going to throw."
@Fort Wayne 4, Peoria 2: “That was my best performance this season. I felt good from start to finish,” Pelzer said.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/28)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 40-65 4th American League West): The Mariners beat Texas 7-5. Adrian Beltre hit a pair of homers, including an eighth inning blast that broke a 5-5 tie. Bryan LaHair (’04) and Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94) also homered for Seattle.
TACOMA (AAA: 54-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 13-11 at Memphis. Rob Johnson (’05) went 4-for-4 with a homer. Oswaldo Navarro (’05) also homered for Tacoma, in a weird game.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-51, 15-22 T-4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-3 to Birmingham. Jon Nelson (’03) had two RBI for West Tennessee, but the Jaxx hit into three double plays that killed rallies.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-60, 15-22 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks were off on Monday.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-25, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 11-7 to Spokane. A late comeback wasn't enough for Everett.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-15, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s lost 6-1 to Princeton.
PEORIA (Rookie: 10-19, 1-1 T-3rd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Cubs 4-0.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Carlos Silva 4-12) at Texas (Luis Mendoza 2-4) 7:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Ryan Feierabend 5-1) at Memphis (PJ Walters 8-2) 7:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Aaron Poreda 1-2) at West Tennessee (Doug Fister 5-12) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Nathan Culp 10-6) at High Desert (Travis Mortimore 1-2) 9:05pm CDT
Spokane at Everett 1:05pm CDT
Pulaski – OFF DAY
AZL Mariners at AZL Royals 9:00pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 54-55, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 13-11 at Memphis. Rob Johnson (’05) went 4-for-4 with a homer. Oswaldo Navarro (’05) also homered for Tacoma, in a weird game.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-51, 15-22 T-4th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-3 to Birmingham. Jon Nelson (’03) had two RBI for West Tennessee, but the Jaxx hit into three double plays that killed rallies.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-60, 15-22 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks were off on Monday.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-25, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 11-7 to Spokane. A late comeback wasn't enough for Everett.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-15, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s lost 6-1 to Princeton.
PEORIA (Rookie: 10-19, 1-1 T-3rd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Cubs 4-0.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Carlos Silva 4-12) at Texas (Luis Mendoza 2-4) 7:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Ryan Feierabend 5-1) at Memphis (PJ Walters 8-2) 7:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Aaron Poreda 1-2) at West Tennessee (Doug Fister 5-12) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Nathan Culp 10-6) at High Desert (Travis Mortimore 1-2) 9:05pm CDT
Spokane at Everett 1:05pm CDT
Pulaski – OFF DAY
AZL Mariners at AZL Royals 9:00pm CDT
7/28/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (7/28)
RH KEITH RENAUD: Selected by Seattle in the 10th round of the 2007 draft out of Franklin Pierce College of New Hampshire.
2007 AS A RATTLER: Renaud went 2-0 with a 3.50ERA in 18 games (2 starts) with Wisconsin in 2007. He walked 18 and struck out 30 in 36 innings.
2008 SO FAR: Renaud started the year with the High Desert Mavericks. He went 3-9 with a 7.68 ERA. Renaud joined the Timber Rattlers on June 27.
LAST START: Renaud took the loss at West Michigan on July 23. He allowed six runs on eight hits over 4-1/3 innings. Renaud walked four runs and did not strikeout a batter in a 6-1 Rattler loss.
LAST WIN: Renaud beat Lake Elsinore on June 14 on the road. Renaud allowed two runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
VS. BELOIT: Renaud made the start against the Snappers on July 5. He pitched five hits over five shutout innings for a no decision in a 6-5 Rattler loss. Renaud made three relief appearances against the Snappers in 2007. He went 1-0 with a blown save. In 5-1/3 innings versus Beloit in 2007, Renaud allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (6/30 @Burlington)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 (6/30 @Burlington)
2007 AS A RATTLER: Renaud went 2-0 with a 3.50ERA in 18 games (2 starts) with Wisconsin in 2007. He walked 18 and struck out 30 in 36 innings.
2008 SO FAR: Renaud started the year with the High Desert Mavericks. He went 3-9 with a 7.68 ERA. Renaud joined the Timber Rattlers on June 27.
LAST START: Renaud took the loss at West Michigan on July 23. He allowed six runs on eight hits over 4-1/3 innings. Renaud walked four runs and did not strikeout a batter in a 6-1 Rattler loss.
LAST WIN: Renaud beat Lake Elsinore on June 14 on the road. Renaud allowed two runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts.
VS. BELOIT: Renaud made the start against the Snappers on July 5. He pitched five hits over five shutout innings for a no decision in a 6-5 Rattler loss. Renaud made three relief appearances against the Snappers in 2007. He went 1-0 with a blown save. In 5-1/3 innings versus Beloit in 2007, Renaud allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with two walks and five strikeouts.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (6/30 @Burlington)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 (6/30 @Burlington)
July 28 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers and Snappers wound up with a split in their two games. In the completion of the suspended game from July 7, the Rattlers won 8-4. In the regularly scheduled game, Beloit picked up a 3-1 win in 10 innings.
GAME ONE RECAP: Wisconsin led the game 2-1 after two innings when the game was suspended back on July 7. Juan Ramirez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the third inning on the restart. Then, the Rattlers took advantage of two errors by pitcher Michael Allen in the bottom of the third to score four unearned runs on the way to the 8-4 win. Joe Dunigan drove in three runs in the game. Ramirez struck out five over 4-1/3 innings for the win.
TECHNICALITY: The win by the Rattlers counts back on July 7. That means the Timber Rattler losing streak that had reached 13 games, actually ended at ten with this win.
SAVING THE DAY: Jose Escalona entered the game with runners at first and third with two out in the top of the ninth inning. He got the final out to pick up the save, his second of the season, but due to the way suspended games are scored, this went as his first. Escalona’s other save also came against the Snappers. That happened on July 20 at Pohlman Field.
GAME TWO RECAP: Mark Dolenc doubled in a run and scored on an error in the top of the tenth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Blake Martin, who got the final two outs of the ninth inning, pitched a perfect tenth for his first professional win.
DUELISTS: Beloit starting pitcher Mike McCardell and Rattler starter Edward Paredes kept the offense off the scoreboard through seven innings. Paredes struck out a career high eight and allowed four hits without walking a batter over seven. McCardell allowed two hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk over seven innings.
BUT IN THE EIGHTH: Dolenc tripled off Paredes to lead off the eighth inning. The next batter reached on a throwing error and Dolenc scored to go-ahead run. Paredes left the game after this play.
TIED UP: Juan Diaz drove in Alex Liddi with a one-out double in the bottom of the eighth off Santos Arias to keep the game going.
ALMOST GOT ‘EM: Wisconsin had runners at second and third in the bottom of the ninth inning. Martin entered the game and got the second out. An intentional walk loaded the bases, but Martin got the final out.
WINNING PLAY: Rene Leveret singled to start the tenth. One out later, Dolenc doubled to left-center. Leveret jarred the ball loose from Rattler catcher Israel Nunez to score the go-ahead run. Before the ball could be tracked down, Dolenc raced home from third.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They finished the first half with a record of 36-32 and missed one of the two Western Division playoff spots. The Snappers are 18-18 in the second half. They trail division leading Peoria by three games. The Snappers are behind Burlington by 2.5 games for the second half wild card. Beloit has a record of 29-26 away from Pohlman Field this season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team and have scored 381 runs (3.7/game). Wisconsin has hit 37 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.95. Beloit is hitting .259 as a team and has scored 481 runs (4.6/game). The Snappers have hit 54 home runs this season. The Beloit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.81.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The season series is tied 7-7. The Rattlers went 4-2 at Pohlman Field this season. Beloit is 5-3 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RH David Bromberg was the 32nd round pick of the Twins in the 2005 draft. He was selected out of Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California. Bromberg spent 2005 with the Gulf Coast League Twins (3-3, 2.66ERA) and 2006 with the Elizabethton Twins (9-0, 2.78ERA) in the Appalachian League. In his start prior to this evening, Bromberg took the loss at South Bend on July 23. He allowed two unearned runs on four hits over seven innings. Bromberg walked two and struck out six in that game. He has made three starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. Bromberg is 1-0 with a 6.19 ERA against Wisconsin. He has allowed 18 hits and 11 runs over 16 innings in those three starts. Bromberg has struck out 17 Rattler hitters and walked eight. Bromberg, who is 6-7 with a 4.51 ERA for the Snappers this season, was rated as the 15th best prospect in the Minnesota organization by Baseball America before the start of the 2008 season.
GAME ONE RECAP: Wisconsin led the game 2-1 after two innings when the game was suspended back on July 7. Juan Ramirez pitched a 1-2-3 top of the third inning on the restart. Then, the Rattlers took advantage of two errors by pitcher Michael Allen in the bottom of the third to score four unearned runs on the way to the 8-4 win. Joe Dunigan drove in three runs in the game. Ramirez struck out five over 4-1/3 innings for the win.
TECHNICALITY: The win by the Rattlers counts back on July 7. That means the Timber Rattler losing streak that had reached 13 games, actually ended at ten with this win.
SAVING THE DAY: Jose Escalona entered the game with runners at first and third with two out in the top of the ninth inning. He got the final out to pick up the save, his second of the season, but due to the way suspended games are scored, this went as his first. Escalona’s other save also came against the Snappers. That happened on July 20 at Pohlman Field.
GAME TWO RECAP: Mark Dolenc doubled in a run and scored on an error in the top of the tenth inning to break a 1-1 tie. Blake Martin, who got the final two outs of the ninth inning, pitched a perfect tenth for his first professional win.
DUELISTS: Beloit starting pitcher Mike McCardell and Rattler starter Edward Paredes kept the offense off the scoreboard through seven innings. Paredes struck out a career high eight and allowed four hits without walking a batter over seven. McCardell allowed two hits and struck out seven without issuing a walk over seven innings.
BUT IN THE EIGHTH: Dolenc tripled off Paredes to lead off the eighth inning. The next batter reached on a throwing error and Dolenc scored to go-ahead run. Paredes left the game after this play.
TIED UP: Juan Diaz drove in Alex Liddi with a one-out double in the bottom of the eighth off Santos Arias to keep the game going.
ALMOST GOT ‘EM: Wisconsin had runners at second and third in the bottom of the ninth inning. Martin entered the game and got the second out. An intentional walk loaded the bases, but Martin got the final out.
WINNING PLAY: Rene Leveret singled to start the tenth. One out later, Dolenc doubled to left-center. Leveret jarred the ball loose from Rattler catcher Israel Nunez to score the go-ahead run. Before the ball could be tracked down, Dolenc raced home from third.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They finished the first half with a record of 36-32 and missed one of the two Western Division playoff spots. The Snappers are 18-18 in the second half. They trail division leading Peoria by three games. The Snappers are behind Burlington by 2.5 games for the second half wild card. Beloit has a record of 29-26 away from Pohlman Field this season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team and have scored 381 runs (3.7/game). Wisconsin has hit 37 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.95. Beloit is hitting .259 as a team and has scored 481 runs (4.6/game). The Snappers have hit 54 home runs this season. The Beloit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.81.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The season series is tied 7-7. The Rattlers went 4-2 at Pohlman Field this season. Beloit is 5-3 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RH David Bromberg was the 32nd round pick of the Twins in the 2005 draft. He was selected out of Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, California. Bromberg spent 2005 with the Gulf Coast League Twins (3-3, 2.66ERA) and 2006 with the Elizabethton Twins (9-0, 2.78ERA) in the Appalachian League. In his start prior to this evening, Bromberg took the loss at South Bend on July 23. He allowed two unearned runs on four hits over seven innings. Bromberg walked two and struck out six in that game. He has made three starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. Bromberg is 1-0 with a 6.19 ERA against Wisconsin. He has allowed 18 hits and 11 runs over 16 innings in those three starts. Bromberg has struck out 17 Rattler hitters and walked eight. Bromberg, who is 6-7 with a 4.51 ERA for the Snappers this season, was rated as the 15th best prospect in the Minnesota organization by Baseball America before the start of the 2008 season.
Next stop...Beijing
Kuo Hui Lo is heading to the Olympics
Good luck, Lo.
Kuo Hui Lo came out of the High Desert Mavericks dugout and raised his arms to respond to the cheering crowd, only to slip back in after a couple of seconds.Urged on by his teammates, the 22-year-old center fielder went back out and waved his arms with a bashful smile on his face.
“I don’t like it,” Lo said. “It was my first time my name was called out like that in front of fans. I was a little bit shy I think.”
The Stater Bros. Stadium crowd was cheering for Lo after it was announced during Thursday’s game that Lo will be heading to the Beijing Olympics as a member of the Taiwanese national team. He leaves the High Desert for Taiwan tonight and won’t come back to the U.S. until Aug. 27.
Here's a quick story from Lo's roommate:
“I lived with him in Wisconsin in ’06 and he’s light years ahead of where he used to be,” Minaker said. “So we’ll play some video games and talk some trash back and forth. His communication skills are markedly better. He cooks at the apartment a lot. He’s very self-sufficient in that regard. He’ll make some noodle dishes and rice things and always offers them to us. I’ve actually never accepted the invitation.
“I trust him as a hitter, not as a cook.”
Good luck, Lo.
Dateline----Dayton
Dragons release Cabrera in first fallout from brawl
While the defining moment for most will be Thursday's bench-clearing brawl with the Peoria Chiefs, Dayton Dragons manager Donnie Scott said it was just one of several incidents that led to the release of second baseman Angel Cabrera this morning.
...
Earlier this season, Scott said, Cabrera elbowed the Chiefs first baseman twice in Peoria. He also acted a little too joyously when he hit a walk-off homer to win Wednesday's game against the Chiefs, then reacted angrily when the Chiefs hit him in the first inning of Thursday's game.When Cabrera reacted to that by sliding into second spikes high to break up a double play, tempers began to get out of control.
That last paragraph may be the understatement of the year.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have fared on July 28...since 2000
2000: The Rattlers won 8-6 in ten innings at Cedar Rapids. Wisconsin scored six runs in the top of the eighth to take a 6-4 lead.. Sean Parnell and Shawn McCorkle homered and an RBI double by Damien Alvardo with two outs plated the final run. But, the Kernels scored a run in the eighth and a run in the ninth to tie the game. In the tenth, Orlando Hernandez drove in the go ahead run with a single. Parnell added an insurance run with a suicide squeeze bunt. Rattler records after this game: 19-15 second half, 59-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers won 11-9 at Beloit in 11 innings. Joe Dusan's pinch-hit homer in the tenth put the Rattlers up 9-8. But, the Snappers scored a run in the bottom of the tenth. In the eleventh, Dusan drew a bases loaded walk and Derrick Gutierrez was hit by a pitch to force in runs. Rattler records after this game: 28-12, 64-38
2002: The Rattlers lost 6-4 to Quad City at home. Wisconsin took a 4-3 lead into the top of the eighth. But, the River Bandits scored one in the eighth to tie the game. Jaso Kubel's pinch-hit triple in the ninth made the score 5-4. He scored moments later on a Seth Davidson single. Rattler records after this game: 10-25, 40-64
2003: The Rattlers lost 8-6 to Cedar Rapids at home. Wisconsin scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but they could not come all the way back. Rattler records after this game: 14-23, 52-51
2004: The Rattlers were off. Rattler records on this date: 14-18, 45-56
2005: The Rattlers beat Kane County 5-4 at home. Chris Colton homered and drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Mike Wilson drove in the other two runs. Eric O'Flaherty pitched two scoreless innings for the save. Rattler records after this game: 18-16, 57-47
2006: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Beloit. Wisconsin managed three hits -- two by Chris Minaker -- off Yohan Pino and Eddie Morlan. Rattler records after this game: 12-23, 39-65
2007: The Rattlers split with the Great Lakes Loons at home.
GAME ONE: In the conclusion of the suspended game from 7/26, the Loons scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and get a 4-3 win.
GAME TWO: The Rattlers broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the seventh inning. Juan Beltran's two-run double was the big hit. Rattler records after this game: 10-21, 32-67
A 4-4 record with some nice wins, some ugly losses, and an off day. Yep. Even Steven day in Rattler history...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers won 8-6 in ten innings at Cedar Rapids. Wisconsin scored six runs in the top of the eighth to take a 6-4 lead.. Sean Parnell and Shawn McCorkle homered and an RBI double by Damien Alvardo with two outs plated the final run. But, the Kernels scored a run in the eighth and a run in the ninth to tie the game. In the tenth, Orlando Hernandez drove in the go ahead run with a single. Parnell added an insurance run with a suicide squeeze bunt. Rattler records after this game: 19-15 second half, 59-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers won 11-9 at Beloit in 11 innings. Joe Dusan's pinch-hit homer in the tenth put the Rattlers up 9-8. But, the Snappers scored a run in the bottom of the tenth. In the eleventh, Dusan drew a bases loaded walk and Derrick Gutierrez was hit by a pitch to force in runs. Rattler records after this game: 28-12, 64-38
2002: The Rattlers lost 6-4 to Quad City at home. Wisconsin took a 4-3 lead into the top of the eighth. But, the River Bandits scored one in the eighth to tie the game. Jaso Kubel's pinch-hit triple in the ninth made the score 5-4. He scored moments later on a Seth Davidson single. Rattler records after this game: 10-25, 40-64
2003: The Rattlers lost 8-6 to Cedar Rapids at home. Wisconsin scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, but they could not come all the way back. Rattler records after this game: 14-23, 52-51
2004: The Rattlers were off. Rattler records on this date: 14-18, 45-56
2005: The Rattlers beat Kane County 5-4 at home. Chris Colton homered and drove in three runs for Wisconsin. Mike Wilson drove in the other two runs. Eric O'Flaherty pitched two scoreless innings for the save. Rattler records after this game: 18-16, 57-47
2006: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Beloit. Wisconsin managed three hits -- two by Chris Minaker -- off Yohan Pino and Eddie Morlan. Rattler records after this game: 12-23, 39-65
2007: The Rattlers split with the Great Lakes Loons at home.
GAME ONE: In the conclusion of the suspended game from 7/26, the Loons scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and get a 4-3 win.
GAME TWO: The Rattlers broke a scoreless tie with four runs in the seventh inning. Juan Beltran's two-run double was the big hit. Rattler records after this game: 10-21, 32-67
A 4-4 record with some nice wins, some ugly losses, and an off day. Yep. Even Steven day in Rattler history...since 2000.
Midwest League Action (7/27)
July 27 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 8, Beloit 4; Beloit 3, Wisconsin 1 (10 innings): It took almost three weeks, but it was a split.
@South Bend 3, Burlington 2: "We did a good job getting bunts down,'' Haley said. "That's a plus in putting pressure on them. We executed well in that last inning. Anything can happen once you get a runner 90 feet away.''
Cedar Rapids 5, @West Michigan 0: In what should closely resemble the Whitecaps postseason lineup, the results were not encouraging Sunday.
@Fort Wayne 3, Peoria 2: “Those are the kind of plays you see at the Major League level,” Wizards manager Doug Dascenzo said. “That was something else. He put the throw right on the money.
Clinton 6, @Lansing 3: Kevin W. Fowler/For the Lansing State journal
Quad Cities 5, @Great Lakes 2: "We had everything set up perfectly," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad. "We have our closer coming in for three outs to get us out of the inning. We have to win those games, but Ramirez couldn't do the job."
Kane County 9, @Dayton 3: "I don't know what happened," Guerrero said. "The last three times I pitched, I pitched good."
@Wisconsin 8, Beloit 4; Beloit 3, Wisconsin 1 (10 innings): It took almost three weeks, but it was a split.
@South Bend 3, Burlington 2: "We did a good job getting bunts down,'' Haley said. "That's a plus in putting pressure on them. We executed well in that last inning. Anything can happen once you get a runner 90 feet away.''
Cedar Rapids 5, @West Michigan 0: In what should closely resemble the Whitecaps postseason lineup, the results were not encouraging Sunday.
@Fort Wayne 3, Peoria 2: “Those are the kind of plays you see at the Major League level,” Wizards manager Doug Dascenzo said. “That was something else. He put the throw right on the money.
Clinton 6, @Lansing 3: Kevin W. Fowler/For the Lansing State journal
Quad Cities 5, @Great Lakes 2: "We had everything set up perfectly," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad. "We have our closer coming in for three outs to get us out of the inning. We have to win those games, but Ramirez couldn't do the job."
Kane County 9, @Dayton 3: "I don't know what happened," Guerrero said. "The last three times I pitched, I pitched good."
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/27)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 39-65 4th American League West): The Mariners won 5-1 at Toronto. Former UW-Oshkosh Titan Jarrod Washburn allowed one run over eight innings for the win.
TACOMA (AAA: 54-54, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 8-3 at Memphis. Luis Oliveros (’02) drove in one of the runs for the Rainiers in the day game against the Redbirds.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-50, 15-21 5th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Birmingham 6-2. Marshall Hubbard (’05) homered and Mike Wilson (’05) drove in two runs for West Tennessee. Justin Thomas (’06) got the win with four innings of shutout relief.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-60, 15-22 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-6 at Lancaster. Carlos Triunfel (’07) homered and drove in a pair of runs. But, the JetHawks broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-24, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 5-4 to Spokane. The Indians scored twice in the top of the ninth inning and held on for the win.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-14, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s won 4-2 over Princeton.
PEORIA (Rookie: 9-19, 0-1 T-6th Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 7-1 to the Athletics in the second half opener.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Felix Hernandez 7-6) at Toronto (Scott Feldman 4-3) 7:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Sean White 6-10) at Memphis (Mike Parisi 8-2) 7:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Kyle McCulloch 6-7) at West Tennessee (Brodie Downs 5-0) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert – OFF DAY
Spokane at Everett 9:05pm CDT
Princeton at Pulaski 6:00pm CDT
AZL Cubs at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 54-54, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 8-3 at Memphis. Luis Oliveros (’02) drove in one of the runs for the Rainiers in the day game against the Redbirds.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 56-50, 15-21 5th Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Birmingham 6-2. Marshall Hubbard (’05) homered and Mike Wilson (’05) drove in two runs for West Tennessee. Justin Thomas (’06) got the win with four innings of shutout relief.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 47-60, 15-22 second half 5th California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-6 at Lancaster. Carlos Triunfel (’07) homered and drove in a pair of runs. But, the JetHawks broke a 6-6 tie with two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 16-24, 4th Northwest League Western Division): The AquaSox lost 5-4 to Spokane. The Indians scored twice in the top of the ninth inning and held on for the win.
PULASKI (Rookie: 25-14, 1st Appalachian League East Division): The M’s won 4-2 over Princeton.
PEORIA (Rookie: 9-19, 0-1 T-6th Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 7-1 to the Athletics in the second half opener.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Felix Hernandez 7-6) at Toronto (Scott Feldman 4-3) 7:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Sean White 6-10) at Memphis (Mike Parisi 8-2) 7:05pm CDT
Birmingham (Kyle McCulloch 6-7) at West Tennessee (Brodie Downs 5-0) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert – OFF DAY
Spokane at Everett 9:05pm CDT
Princeton at Pulaski 6:00pm CDT
AZL Cubs at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
7/27/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (7/27)
This is for game two
LH EDWARD PAREDES: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by Seattle in May, 2005.
RATINGS: Baseball America ranks Paredes as the #22 prospect in the Seattle Mariner system.
BRAVO: Paredes took a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning at Cedar Rapids on May 21. He allowed a two-out single to Anel De Los Santos, but finished the eighth without allowing another hit. The Rattlers beat the Kernels 1-0. Paredes struck out four and walked two for the win.
AWARD WINNER: Paredes was named the Midwest League pitcher of the week on May 26 for his performance on May 21.
LAST START: Paredes won his second consecutive start with a victory at Beloit on July 21. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits over 5-2/3 innings, but the Rattlers went on to a 12-6. Paredes gave up three first inning runs, but settled down after that.
VS.BELOIT: Paredes is 1-1 against the Snappers this season. In his other appearance against the Snappers, Paredes lost at Beloit on April 18. He allowed four runs on three hits over three innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The Rattlers lost 5-3 in a five inning, rain-shortened game.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (2x – Last: 7/16/08 vs. South Bend
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (2x – Last: 7/31/07 @ Vancouver)
LH EDWARD PAREDES: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by Seattle in May, 2005.
RATINGS: Baseball America ranks Paredes as the #22 prospect in the Seattle Mariner system.
BRAVO: Paredes took a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning at Cedar Rapids on May 21. He allowed a two-out single to Anel De Los Santos, but finished the eighth without allowing another hit. The Rattlers beat the Kernels 1-0. Paredes struck out four and walked two for the win.
AWARD WINNER: Paredes was named the Midwest League pitcher of the week on May 26 for his performance on May 21.
LAST START: Paredes won his second consecutive start with a victory at Beloit on July 21. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits over 5-2/3 innings, but the Rattlers went on to a 12-6. Paredes gave up three first inning runs, but settled down after that.
VS.BELOIT: Paredes is 1-1 against the Snappers this season. In his other appearance against the Snappers, Paredes lost at Beloit on April 18. He allowed four runs on three hits over three innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The Rattlers lost 5-3 in a five inning, rain-shortened game.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (2x – Last: 7/16/08 vs. South Bend
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (2x – Last: 7/31/07 @ Vancouver)
July 27 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat Beloit 1-0. Jake Wild, Ryan Moorer, and Jeff Dunbar combined on a 5-hit shutout. Blake Ochoa’s RBI single in the bottom of the second inning was the only run of the game.
WILD NIGHT IS CALLING: Wild won his second consecutive start with seven scoreless innings. The righty allowed four hits, two walks, and struck out six. He matched his season-high for innings pitched with the start last night.
HOLD ON: Moorer worked around a single and a walk in the eighth inning and got the first out of the ninth for his third hold of the season.
SAVINGS PLAN: Dunbar picked up his second save of the season by getting the final two outs. Dunbar is 2-for-2 in save situations with the Rattlers and 5-for-5 in save opportunities between Pulaski in the Appalachian League and Wisconsin this season.
TIP OF THE CAP: Three Beloit pitchers combined to hold Wisconsin hitters to just three hits. The Snapper trio also struck out 14 Rattlers. Shooter Hunt, who made his Midwest League debut last night, struck out nine. Blake Martin struck out four over two innings and Charles Nolte got one K in one inning.
ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER: Ochoa stepped to the plate with runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the second inning. His base hit to left dropped in to drive in the only run of the game. That single was also the last hit the Rattlers had in the game.
WITH THE ARM, TOO: Estarlin de Los Santos drew a one out walk in the top of the eighth inning. He attempted to steal second, but Ochoa threw him out. Ochoa is 26-for-69 (.377) in throwing out would-be base stealers.
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN: Last night was the seventh shutout tossed by Rattler pitching this season.
1-0: The Rattlers have been involved in three 1-0 games this season. Burlington topped the Rattlers 1-0 in ten innings on May 12 in Grand Chute. The Rattlers won 1-0 at Cedar Rapids on May 21.
ON THE SKIDS: Beloit has lost six straight games.
HITLESS: Joe Dunigan’s hitting streak ended at seven games as he took an 0-for-3 last night.
GROUND RULES: The suspended game from July 7 will be restarted with the Rattlers leading Beloit 2-1. That game was halted just after the end of the second inning. There will be a 30-minute break between the end of the suspended game and the start of the second game today. The second game is scheduled for seven innings.
CORRECTION TIME: Israel Nunez launched his first professional homer in North America on Friday night at West Michigan. The number of pro at bats before that blast was left blank on Saturday’s game notes. This is being corrected today. The leadoff blast in the eighth inning off Kelvin Cedeno was the first in 157 North American at bats for the Rattler catcher. Nunez had three homers in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2006.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They finished the first half with a record of 36-32 and missed one of the two Western Division playoff spots. The Snappers are 17-17 in the second half. They trail division leading Peoria by 3.5 games. The Snappers are behind Burlington by three games for the second half wild card. Beloit has a record of 28-25 away from Pohlman Field this season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team and have scored 372 runs (3.7/game). Wisconsin has hit 37 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.98. Beloit is hitting .259 as a team and has scored 474 runs (4.7/game). The Snappers have hit 54 home runs this season. The Beloit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.84.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The season series is tied 6-6. The Rattlers went 4-2 at Pohlman Field this season. Beloit is 4-2 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
GAME TWO BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RH Mike McCardell was the sixth round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2006 draft. McCardell pitched his college baseball for Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. He was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Pitcher of the Year in his final season at the NCAA Division II school. McCardell earned that honor by going 6-1 with 13 saves for the Golden Bears. After signing with the Twins, McCardell went 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 63 innings pitched between the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. So far this season, McCardell is 7-2 with a 3.08ERA and 88 strikeouts in 87-1/3 innings pitched for the Snappers. In his start prior to this evening, McCardell beat West Michigan despite allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings. McCardell faced the Timber Rattlers in Beloit on April 20 and picked up a no decision. He allowed one run on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The Rattlers would win that game 4-3.
WILD NIGHT IS CALLING: Wild won his second consecutive start with seven scoreless innings. The righty allowed four hits, two walks, and struck out six. He matched his season-high for innings pitched with the start last night.
HOLD ON: Moorer worked around a single and a walk in the eighth inning and got the first out of the ninth for his third hold of the season.
SAVINGS PLAN: Dunbar picked up his second save of the season by getting the final two outs. Dunbar is 2-for-2 in save situations with the Rattlers and 5-for-5 in save opportunities between Pulaski in the Appalachian League and Wisconsin this season.
TIP OF THE CAP: Three Beloit pitchers combined to hold Wisconsin hitters to just three hits. The Snapper trio also struck out 14 Rattlers. Shooter Hunt, who made his Midwest League debut last night, struck out nine. Blake Martin struck out four over two innings and Charles Nolte got one K in one inning.
ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER: Ochoa stepped to the plate with runners at first and third with one out in the bottom of the second inning. His base hit to left dropped in to drive in the only run of the game. That single was also the last hit the Rattlers had in the game.
WITH THE ARM, TOO: Estarlin de Los Santos drew a one out walk in the top of the eighth inning. He attempted to steal second, but Ochoa threw him out. Ochoa is 26-for-69 (.377) in throwing out would-be base stealers.
LUCKY NUMBER SEVEN: Last night was the seventh shutout tossed by Rattler pitching this season.
1-0: The Rattlers have been involved in three 1-0 games this season. Burlington topped the Rattlers 1-0 in ten innings on May 12 in Grand Chute. The Rattlers won 1-0 at Cedar Rapids on May 21.
ON THE SKIDS: Beloit has lost six straight games.
HITLESS: Joe Dunigan’s hitting streak ended at seven games as he took an 0-for-3 last night.
GROUND RULES: The suspended game from July 7 will be restarted with the Rattlers leading Beloit 2-1. That game was halted just after the end of the second inning. There will be a 30-minute break between the end of the suspended game and the start of the second game today. The second game is scheduled for seven innings.
CORRECTION TIME: Israel Nunez launched his first professional homer in North America on Friday night at West Michigan. The number of pro at bats before that blast was left blank on Saturday’s game notes. This is being corrected today. The leadoff blast in the eighth inning off Kelvin Cedeno was the first in 157 North American at bats for the Rattler catcher. Nunez had three homers in the Venezuelan Summer League in 2006.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They finished the first half with a record of 36-32 and missed one of the two Western Division playoff spots. The Snappers are 17-17 in the second half. They trail division leading Peoria by 3.5 games. The Snappers are behind Burlington by three games for the second half wild card. Beloit has a record of 28-25 away from Pohlman Field this season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team and have scored 372 runs (3.7/game). Wisconsin has hit 37 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.98. Beloit is hitting .259 as a team and has scored 474 runs (4.7/game). The Snappers have hit 54 home runs this season. The Beloit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.84.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The season series is tied 6-6. The Rattlers went 4-2 at Pohlman Field this season. Beloit is 4-2 on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
GAME TWO BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RH Mike McCardell was the sixth round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2006 draft. McCardell pitched his college baseball for Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. He was named the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division Pitcher of the Year in his final season at the NCAA Division II school. McCardell earned that honor by going 6-1 with 13 saves for the Golden Bears. After signing with the Twins, McCardell went 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 63 innings pitched between the Gulf Coast League and the Appalachian League. So far this season, McCardell is 7-2 with a 3.08ERA and 88 strikeouts in 87-1/3 innings pitched for the Snappers. In his start prior to this evening, McCardell beat West Michigan despite allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings. McCardell faced the Timber Rattlers in Beloit on April 20 and picked up a no decision. He allowed one run on five hits with three walks and five strikeouts. The Rattlers would win that game 4-3.
Christopherson on Aumont
Erstwhile Rattler beat writer Brett Christopherson of the Post-Crescent sat down to talk with Phillippe Aumont. Here is the result:
Rattlers' Aumont goes from troubled life to prospect
Rattlers' Aumont goes from troubled life to prospect
"I'm one of the luckiest guys on earth," Aumont said recently, staring out at the Fox Cities Stadium field. "I was doing bad stuff. God gave me a dream, and I just continued to believe in it."
That bad stuff could have derailed a career that now finds the 19-year-old a promising big league hopeful as he looks to someday join an impressive fraternity of former Appleton minor leaguers who went on to enjoy successful stints in the majors.
But a good heart kept whispering to him there was more to life than a slew of bad choices and trouble.
If that didn't make you want to click on the link, maybe this last part will
"Everybody's got some challenges in their life," Aumont said. "I didn't want to be in trouble. But I was lucky to be a first-round pick. There's not too many. I didn't spit on that. I took that, and I've just worked hard every day."
Just go read the whole thing. It's interesting reading...just like what Brett can do when he's out at the ballpark...or anywhere for that matter.
Sunday Primer
It's Faith Night tonight. Hawk Nelson concert in the parking lot begins at 3:15pm.
Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales will make an appearance:
The team will be wearing their throwback jerseys tonight, it's autograph Sunday, and the first 1,000 fans receive a Denny Almonte poster.
On-field action begins at 5:05pm with the conclusion of the suspended game from July 7. There will be a seven inning game that follows the end of that game.
Bob and Larry from Veggie Tales will make an appearance:
The team will be wearing their throwback jerseys tonight, it's autograph Sunday, and the first 1,000 fans receive a Denny Almonte poster.
On-field action begins at 5:05pm with the conclusion of the suspended game from July 7. There will be a seven inning game that follows the end of that game.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Rattlers have fared on July 27...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers won 7-2 at Clinton. Ryan Christianson drove in three runs and JJ Putz pitched five solid innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 20-14 second half, 58-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers won 6-4 at Beloit in ten innings. Jake Daubert and Sheldon Fulse drove in the runs in the tenth. Rattler records after this game: 21-12, 63-38
2002: The Rattlers won 3-2 over Kane County in Grand Chute. Wisconsin scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Chris Collins doubled in the tying run. The winning run scored when first baseman Jason Stokes dropped a throw to first that would have been the third out. Rattler records after this game: 10-24, 40-63
2003: The Rattlers won 3-1 over Cedar Rapids at home. TJ Bohn homered in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie. Cesar Jimenez pitched eighth innings and struck out seven for the win. Rattler records after this game: 14-22, 52-50
2004: The Rattlers beat Beloit 5-4 at home. Justin Ruchti drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with a single. Rattler records after this game: 14-18, 45-56
2005: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from Kane County at home.
GAME ONE: The Rattlers won 5-4. Jack Arroyo scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Jack Arroyo stole third and scored on a throwing error for the victory.
GAME TWO: The Rattlers won 7-1. Rob Johnson and Mike Wilson both homered for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 17-16, 56-43
2006: The Rattlers beat South Bend 3-2 at home. Michael Saunders drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh. Rattler records after this game: 12-22, 39-65
2007: The Rattlers beat Great Lakes 5-2 at home. The game was scoreless until Wisconsin scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rattler records after this game: 10-21, 31-67
A record of...let's see...double checking...a record of 9-0 with a trio of walk-off wins! This may be the best day...no...the Greatest Day in Rattler history...ever!
May be a bit hyperbolic.
2000: The Rattlers won 7-2 at Clinton. Ryan Christianson drove in three runs and JJ Putz pitched five solid innings for the win. Rattler records after this game: 20-14 second half, 58-44 overall
2001: The Rattlers won 6-4 at Beloit in ten innings. Jake Daubert and Sheldon Fulse drove in the runs in the tenth. Rattler records after this game: 21-12, 63-38
2002: The Rattlers won 3-2 over Kane County in Grand Chute. Wisconsin scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. Chris Collins doubled in the tying run. The winning run scored when first baseman Jason Stokes dropped a throw to first that would have been the third out. Rattler records after this game: 10-24, 40-63
2003: The Rattlers won 3-1 over Cedar Rapids at home. TJ Bohn homered in the bottom of the sixth to break a 1-1 tie. Cesar Jimenez pitched eighth innings and struck out seven for the win. Rattler records after this game: 14-22, 52-50
2004: The Rattlers beat Beloit 5-4 at home. Justin Ruchti drove in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth with a single. Rattler records after this game: 14-18, 45-56
2005: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from Kane County at home.
GAME ONE: The Rattlers won 5-4. Jack Arroyo scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Jack Arroyo stole third and scored on a throwing error for the victory.
GAME TWO: The Rattlers won 7-1. Rob Johnson and Mike Wilson both homered for Wisconsin. Rattler records after this game: 17-16, 56-43
2006: The Rattlers beat South Bend 3-2 at home. Michael Saunders drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh. Rattler records after this game: 12-22, 39-65
2007: The Rattlers beat Great Lakes 5-2 at home. The game was scoreless until Wisconsin scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Rattler records after this game: 10-21, 31-67
A record of...let's see...double checking...a record of 9-0 with a trio of walk-off wins! This may be the best day...no...the Greatest Day in Rattler history...ever!
May be a bit hyperbolic.
Midwest League Action (7/26)
July 26 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 1, Beloit 0: One is enough.
Burlington 9, @South Bend 2: "We didn't do a whole lot of good things tonight," said South Bend manager Mark Haley.
Cedar Rapids 2, @West Michigan 1: West Michigan manager Joe DePastino said. "We probably could had hit the ball better, but we've been hitting the ball well the last four or five games.
Kane County 7, @Dayton 4: The Cougars took advantage of starter Josh Ravin's wildness, scoring five runs in the first three innings as Ravin walked five and allowed two homers.
@Fort Wayne 13, Peoria 1: “It’s real easy when a team scores 13 runs. I just tried to throw my pitches down in a zone,” Hefner said. “… I got behind in the first inning and gave up a few hits, but then we answered and I tried to get ground balls from there.”
Clinton 5, @Lansing 4: But in the top of the eighth, Jonathan Greene hit his second homer of the game, this one a three-run shot to put the LumberKings in front for good.
Quad Cities 8, @Great Lakes 4: "We've been swinging the bats much better," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad. "We had just one bad inning with Rondon giving up four runs in the sixth inning. That was pretty much the difference in the game."
@Wisconsin 1, Beloit 0: One is enough.
Burlington 9, @South Bend 2: "We didn't do a whole lot of good things tonight," said South Bend manager Mark Haley.
Cedar Rapids 2, @West Michigan 1: West Michigan manager Joe DePastino said. "We probably could had hit the ball better, but we've been hitting the ball well the last four or five games.
Kane County 7, @Dayton 4: The Cougars took advantage of starter Josh Ravin's wildness, scoring five runs in the first three innings as Ravin walked five and allowed two homers.
@Fort Wayne 13, Peoria 1: “It’s real easy when a team scores 13 runs. I just tried to throw my pitches down in a zone,” Hefner said. “… I got behind in the first inning and gave up a few hits, but then we answered and I tried to get ground balls from there.”
Clinton 5, @Lansing 4: But in the top of the eighth, Jonathan Greene hit his second homer of the game, this one a three-run shot to put the LumberKings in front for good.
Quad Cities 8, @Great Lakes 4: "We've been swinging the bats much better," said Loons' manager Juan Bustabad. "We had just one bad inning with Rondon giving up four runs in the sixth inning. That was pretty much the difference in the game."
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