May 18, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT SUNDAY: The Timber Rattlers swept a doubleheader from the Clinton LumberKings. Wisconsin won game one 7-0 and game two 8-3.

GAME ONE RECAP: Cody Scarpetta and Nick Tyson combined on a one-hit shutout of the LumberKings. Erik Miller snapped a scoreless tie with a two-out, three-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Wisconsin tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the sixth.

SCARPETTA’S WAY: Scarpetta tossed five innings, walked four, hit two, and struck out six without allowing a hit.

ONE HIT: Tyson got the first two outs in the top of the sixth inning. But, Kris Sanchez doubled to right-center on a 2-0 pitch to break up the no-hit bid.

FIRSTS: The win was Scarpetta’s first with the Timber Rattlers. The score was 3-0 when Tyson entered the game. He picked up the save, his first as a Rattler, by finishing the game.

LASTS: The Timber Rattlers have never had a combined no-hitter. The last no-hitter thrown by a Rattler at home was on April 27, 2000 when JJ Putz tossed a seven-inning no-no in the first game of a doubleheader against Kane County. The last no-hitter by a Rattler was on August 27, 2001. Derrick Van Dusen struck out 12 over a nine inning no-hitter at Cedar Rapids. The last time Clinton was no-hit on August 5, 1996.

MILLER TIME: Miller had three hits, three RBI, a stolen base, and a run scored in game one.

GAME TWO RECAP: Clinton scored one time in the first and twice in the third. The Rattlers scored twice in the first and once in the second. The Rattlers snapped the 3-3 tie with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brett Lawrie drove in the go ahead run with a single. Chris Dennis added a run on a sacrifice fly. Shawn Zarraga and Miller concluded the scoring with back-to-back RBI singles.

MEADOW’S LAND: Daniel Meadows, the game two starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers, picked up the win. Meadows is now 6-0 and leads the Midwest League in victories.

MEET THE NEW GUY: Dennis joined the Timber Rattlers yesterday from extended spring training. He appeared in both games and went 1-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Dennis was the 13th round pick of the Brewers in 2007.

THE CANADIAN PIPELINE: Dennis was selected out of St. Thomas of Villanova in LaSalle, Ontario, Canada. There are five Canadians on the current Timber Rattler roster: Pitcher Jim Henderson, Dennis, Lawrie, Taylor Green, and Brock Kjeldgaard.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Clinton LumberKings are the Midwest League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Scott Steinmann, a former player, coach, and manager of the Timber Rattlers, is in his first season as the manager of the LumberKings. Pitching Coach Lance Painter was the pitcher coach of Wisconsin in 2006 and 2007. This is the first season for Seattle to be the parent club of the LumberKings. They are off to a 20-16 and in second place in the Midwest League Western Division. In their most recent series, the LumberKings split a four game set with Beloit at home.

2009 SEASON SERIES: The season series is tied at three wins a piece. Clinton swept three games from the Timber Rattlers April 17-19 at Alliant Energy Field. The final game of the series was rained out on April 20.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .252 as a team. They have scored 150 runs (4.2/game) and hit 18 home runs. The LumberKings are hitting .249 as a team. They have scored 168 runs (4.7/game) and hit 27 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.34 while allowing a total of 184 runs (5.1/game). Clinton pitchers have a team ERA of 2.93 while allowing 144 runs (4.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 51 errors. The LumberKings defense has committed 60 errors. Wisconsin is 13-9 at home this season. Clinton is 8-8 on the road this season.

CLINTON STARTING PITCHER: Walter Suriel was signed by Seattle as a non-drafted free agent on April 20, 2006. He was a Timber Rattler in 2008 and made 11 appearances (one start) for Wisconsin. He was 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA before being sent to Everett, Seattle’s Northwest League affiliate. Suriel was 4-6 with a 6.06ERA in 15 games (14 starts) for the AquaSox. In his last start for the LumberKings, Suriel took the loss against Beloit on May 13. He allowed three runs on four hits over five innings. Today is Suriel’s first appearance against his former team and against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.