ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 7-4 to the Burlington Bees. Wisconsin rallied from a 3-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth. But, the Bees rallied with a run in the fifth and three in the sixth to go up 7-4. They held on for the win.
BACK IN ACTION: Alex Periard was the starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. It was his first appearance since September 1, 2008. He pitched three innings, allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits with a strikeout and no walks.
BACK IN ACTION (PT II): Brett Lawrie came off the disabled list on Monday and made his first start since game two of a doubleheader against Beloit on June 7. Lawrie committed an error on the first ball hit to him in the game, but went 3-for-5 with a double and an RBI.
FIRST THINGS: That error on Lawrie was on Burlington leadoff hitter Patrick Norris’s grounder to second in the first inning. A stolen base and a single put runners at the corners. Eric Hosmer tripled both runners in and Nick Francis hit a sacrifice fly to send Hosmer home for a 3-0 lead.
COME ON BACK NOW: Lawrie doubled with two outs in the third to knock in the first Rattler run. In the fourth, Burlington committed three errors on three consecutive balls put into play. Two runs scored on those plays to tie the game. A Michael Marseco double drove in the go ahead run.
YEOMAN’S WORK: Burlington reliever Derrick Saito entered the game after a walk to Corey Kemp put runners at first and second with one out in the fourth. Saito struck out the next two hitters to get out of the inning. He pitched 3-1/3 scoreless innings allowed two hits and struck out five.
UNBROKEN: Rattler reliever Nick Tyson pitched a scoreless fourth inning after entering the game. Tyson retired the side in order and recorded a strikeout. In eight appearances – totaling 10 innings – Tyson has allowed no runs on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts.
BACK TO EVEN: Antonio Jimenez tripled to welcome Dan Merklinger to the mound in the bottom of the fifth inning. Norris singled him in to tie the game.
ONE SIXTH: The Bees scored two unearned runs in the sixth inning. Merklinger got the first out, but dropped a throw from Brett Lawrie while covering first for what should have been the second out. Salvador Perez followed with an RBI double and a single from Jimenez put the Bees up 6-4.
A FINAL CUT: Burlington scored one more time in the game. A run scored on a double play in the bottom of the eighth.
VERY INTERESTING: The Rattlers loaded the bases with no outs against James Thompson on a leadoff single and back-to-back walks in the top of the ninth inning. But, Thompson struck out the next three batters to end the game.
A SMALL VILLAGE: The Rattlers stranded 14 runners on base in last night’s game. That is a season high for Wisconsin. Rattler hitters were 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position.
A MIGHTY WIND: Rattler hitters struck out 14 times last night. That is a season high for Wisconsin.
WALK THE LINE: Rattler hitters drew seven walks last night. That matches a season high for Wisconsin, set twice before this year.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Wisconsin is closing out their first half schedule with an eight-game road trip. They are 1-1 with two games left in Burlington and four games at Kane County June 18-21.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are the defending Midwest League Champions. The Bees are 27-37 and have been eliminated from playoff contention in the first half. Burlington ended a four game losing streak with their win last night.
SEASON SERIES: The Bees lead the season series 3-2. Burlington took two out of three from the Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field May 5-7.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .247 as a team. They have scored 269 runs (4.2/game) and hit 34 home runs. The Bees are hitting .239 as a team. They have scored 264 runs (4.1/game) and hit 24 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.03 while allowing a total of 297 runs (4.6/game). Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 4.10 while allowing 310 runs (4.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 80 errors. The Bees defense has committed 80 errors. Wisconsin is 10-18 in road games. The Bees are 10-23 at Community Field this season.
ALL STARS: The Bees have four members of their team on the Western Division team for the 2009 Midwest League All-Star game. Nick Van Stratten and Nick Francis were voted on as starting outfielders. Pitchers Barry Bowden and Bryan Casey will also represent the Bees.
BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Sam Runion was a second round pick of the Royals out of A.C. Reynolds High School in Ashville, North Carolina in the 2007 draft. He is 2-4 with a 6.60 ERA in 12 starts for the Bees this season. Runion split time between the Appalachian League and the Midwest League last season. Runion went 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA in nine games (five starts) for the Bees to start last year. He was 3-4 with a 3.35ERA in 10 starts after being transferred to the Burlington (NC) Royals. In his start prior to this evening, Runion got a no decision against Beloit on June 11. Runion allowed one run on six hits over 5-1/3 innings. He beat the Timber Rattlers on June 21 in his only appearance against Wisconsin. Runion has never faced an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.
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