June 15, 2009: Tonight's pitchers

SCHEDULED STARER

RHP ALEX PERIARD: Selected by Milwaukee in the 16th round of the 2004 draft out of Polyvalente Deux Montagnes High School in Deux Montagnes, Quebec.

DOWN IN THE DESERT: Periard pitched for the Arizona League Brewers in 2005 and 2006. In those two seasons, he was 3-2 with two saves over 24 games (eight starts). Periard struck out 47 and walked 28 in 71 innings.

OFF TO WEST VIRGINIA: Periard pitched for the West Virginia Power in 2007 and was 7-7 with two saves in 23 games (18 starts).

THE 2008 SEASON: Periard split his 2008 season between the Florida State League and the Southern League. He started last year with the Brevard County Manatees and was 9-6 with a 3.51ERA over 19 games (18 starts). In late July, Periard was promoted to Huntsville and was 2-4 in eight starts with a 5.68ERA.

2009 DEBUT: Tonight is the first appearance for Periard in a minor league game.

LAST APPEARANCE: Periard made the start at Chattanooga for the Huntsville Stars on September 1, 2008. In that game, he allowed two runs on five hits over five innings with a pair of walks and three strikeouts and took the loss.

VS. BURLINGTON: Periard has never faced the Burlington Bees.

VS. KANSAS CITY: Periard has not faced an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals since 2005. He pitched five times against the Arizona League affiliate of the Royals. Over 12-1/3 innings Periard allowed 12 runs (eight earned), walked four and struck out 12. Periard was 0-1 with a save against the AZL Royals.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (vs. Fort Myers 6/26/08)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (vs. Vero Beach 4/28/08)

SCHEDULED RELIEVER

LHP DAN MERKLINGER: Selected by Milwaukee in the sixth round of the 2007 draft out of Seton Hall University.

LAST SEASON: Merklinger went 7-9 with the West Virginia Power in 2008. He compiled a 5.75 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 97 innings.

TURNAROUND: Merklinger lost his first five decisions last season. Before the South Atlantic League All-Star Break, Merklinger was 1-5. After the break, Merklinger went 6-4 and had a pair of three game winning streaks.

STARTING OUT: Merklinger made his professional debut with the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League during the 2007 season. He went 1-0 with a save and an ERA of 3.95 in 13 games (0 starts). Merklinger struck out 40 over 27-1/3 innings for the Brewers.

THE HALL: Merklinger played his college ball at Seton Hall and struck out 199 batters over three seasons for the Pirates.

WITH HONORS: Merklinger was Big East Pitcher of the Week three times in his college career, the Seton Hall Sophomore Male Athlete of the Year, and Seton Hall’s Junior Male Athlete of the Year.

PREP: At Seton Hall Prep, Merklinger was named to the All-Conference, All-Area, All-County, and All-State high school teams.

LAST APPEARANCE: Merklinger made the start against the Kane County Cougars on June 10 at Time Warner Cable Field. Merklinger allowed four runs on five hits over 6-2/3 innings, walked two, and struck out five for a no decision. Merklinger allowed three runs in the first inning, but just one over his final 5-2/3 frames. The Rattlers rallied to win the game 7-4. Merklinger set a career high for innings pitched in a game as a professional with his 6-2/3 inning outing.

ON THE SHELF: Merklinger went on the disabled list after the start at Clinton on April 17.

VS. BURLINGTON: Tonight is Merklinger’s first appearance against the Bees.

VS. KANSAS CITY: Merklinger has never faced an affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.2 (vs. Kane County 6/20/09)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (vs. Hagerstown 7/3/08)