Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (8/25)

LH JOSE JIMENEZ was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Seattle Mariners in July, 2003 out of Venezuela.

DOWN IN VENEZUELA: Jimenez spent four seasons pitching for Seattle’s Venezuelan Summer League affiliate in Aguirre. He compiled a career record of 7-7 in 80 games (six starts) with 109 strikeouts and 71 walks over 125-1/3 innings pitched and an ERA of 2.80.

RECOGNITION: Last year, Jimenez was 1-1 with 15 saves and an ERA of 1.57 in 28 games with 23 strikeouts and 12 walks in 28 innings pitched. He was named Aguirre’s Most Valuable Pitcher by the Mariners.

INSTRUCTION: Jimenez took part in the 2007 Mariner Instructional League.

LIVING OUT OF THE SUITCASE: Jimenez began his 2008 season with the Pulaski Mariners on June 19 and made a pair of starts for Seattle’s Appalachian League affiliate. He was transferred to High Desert in early July and made five appearances (four starts) for the California League affiliate of the Mariners. He was sent back to Pulaski in late July and made a relief appearance for them on July 28. Jimenez was transferred to the Timber Rattlers after that appearance and has been pitching out of the Wisconsin bullpen ever since.

LAST WIN: Jimenez got the victory as a starter for the High Desert Mavericks on July 1 in a game against the Lancaster JetHawks. This was the California League debut for Jimenez. He allowed to runs on five hits over 5-1/3 innings with one walk and five strikeouts.

LAST START: Jimenez lost to Inland Empire in a California League start on July 23. He gave up four runs on eight hits over four innings with a hit batsman, two wild pitches, three walks, and four strikeouts.

LAST APPEARANCE: Jimenez came on in relief against the Kane County Cougars on August 19 at Elfstrom Stadium. He pitched 2/3 of an inning and loaded the bases on a hit, a hit batsman, and a walk. But, he did not allow a run.

VS. CEDAR RAPIDS: Tonight is the first time Jimenez is facing the Kernels.

VS. ANGELS: Jimenez faced Rancho Cucamonga, the California League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim twice (both starts) this season as a member of the High Desert Mavericks. He was 0-1 and allowed nine runs (all earned) on 13 hits over 8-1/3 innings. Jimenez walked three and struck out seven in those games against the Quakes.

PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 5.2 (vs. Rancho Cucamonga 7/8/08)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (@Princeton 6/19/08)