June 7, 2009: Today's Starters

Starters only. Scarpetta is scheduled to pitch in relief in game two.

GAME ONE STARTER:

LHP DANIEL MEADOWS: Selected by Milwaukee in the 49th round of the 2008 draft out of Temple Junior College in Texas.

LEOPARD SPOTS: Meadows was 9-5 in two seasons at Temple Junior College.

NO TO TECH: Meadows chose to sign with the Brewers over a scholarship offer to Texas Tech.

PRO DEBUT: Meadows started his professional career with the Arizona League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. He made three relief appearances and was 0-1 with an ERA of 0.00.

MOVIN’ ON: Meadows was promoted to the Helena Brewers of the Pioneer League in early July and would appear in 12 games (six starts). Meadows was 2-3 with a 5.45 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 39-2/3 innings.

HE’S A PLAYER…OF THE WEEK: Meadows was named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on May 11. He appeared in three games during the week of May 4 through 10 and was 2-0 and allowed one run over 10 innings with a walk and nine strikeouts.

ON TO CLINTON: Meadows was selected to pitch for the Western Division in the 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game.

LAST START: Meadows got a spot start at West Michigan on May 30. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over over six innings. Meadows won his eighth straight decision as Wisconsin rallied for a 4-3 win over the Whitecaps.

LAST APPEARANCE: Meadows took his first loss of the season with a relief outing against Cedar Rapids on June 3. He allowed three runs on three hits over 1-1/3 innings and could not protect a 1-0 lead.

VS.BELOIT: Meadows got the win on May 25 at Beloit. He pitched 1-2/3 innings in relief and gave up to hits, but no runs.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (5/30/09 at West Michigan)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 (8/28/08 at Missoula)

GAME TWO STARTER:

LHP EFRAIN NIEVES: Selected by Milwaukee in the 7th round of the 2007 draft out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.

LAST SEASON: Nieves went 6-3 with a 4.48 ERA in 16 games (11 starts) at Helena. He walked 10 and struck out 66 over 76-1/3 innings.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Nieves was fifth in the Pioneer League in innings pitched and fifth in the Pioneer League in wins.

STREAKING: Nieves won four consecutive decisions between June 22 and July 13, 2008.

AWARD WINNING: Nieves was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for his performances July 7-13.

WHAT A GAME! Nieves tossed eight innings without allowing a run and striking out nine at Great Falls on August 25. He retired the side in order in the first inning. The Voyagers picked up a leadoff double in the second inning. Then, Nieves retired the next 21 batters in a row.

WORKING VACATION: Nieves pitched for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican Winter League during the off season.

RATED: Baseball America ranked Nieves as the #23 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization before the 2009 season.

LAST START: Nieves made the start at Dayton on May 27. He took the loss in the 14-4 Dragons win. Nieves gave up eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits over 4-1/3 innings in that game.

LAST APPEARANCE: Nieves pitched three scoreless innings against Cedar Rapids in relief on June 2. He allowed three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four in a no decision.

VS. BELOIT: Nieves has never faced the Snappers.

VS. MINNESOTA: Nieves has never faced an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)