7/01/2009

July 1, 2009: Game notes (REVISED AND EXTENDED)

Thanks to the coaching staff for pointing out a glaring error. It's about development for the radio announcer, too. Corrections at the bottom in bold.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT:
The Timber Rattlers lost 4-2 to the Clinton LumberKings. Clinton broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the top of the eighth inning.


THE OFFENSE: Rattlers catcher Corey Kemp had three of Wisconsin’s six hits. He drove in one Rattler run and scored the other.

HERE’S THE DEAL: Kemp drove in a run with a two out single in the bottom of the first. Clinton scored the tying run on an RBI grounder by Scott Savastano in the third and took the lead on a Blake Ochoa sacrifice fly in the fourth. Wisconsin tied the game 2-2 when Kemp scored all the way from first on a throwing error in the sixth inning.

OPPORTUNITY LOST: John Delaney was at third with one out in the sixth just after Kemp had scored the tying run. However, the Rattlers could not push him across with the go ahead run.

THE SETUP: Rattlers reliever Liam Ohlmann hit Savastano and walked Kris Sanchez with one out in the eighth. Brandon Ritchie relieved and got the second out with a strikeout. That brought Nate Tenbrink to the plate.

THE PIVOTAL PLAY: Tenbrink lined the first pitch from Ritchie to right to drive in Savastano. A throwing error on the play allowed Sanchez to score the run that made the score 4-2.

THERE WAS A CHANCE: Wisconsin put two runners on in the bottom of the ninth against Clinton closer Ruben Flores. Brock Kjeldgaard drew a leadoff walk and Peter Fatse singled with one out. But, Flores got Michael Vass to fly out deep to right and struck out Juan Sanchez to end the game.

BB:K Kjeldgaard struck out twice and walked once for the Rattlers last night. He leads the team in both categories. Kjeldgaard has drawn 38 walks and has struck out 90 times in 293 plate appearances.

WORTH MENTIONING: The Timber Rattlers wrapped up June with a 13-12 record. Wisconsin went 16-15 in May. This marks the first time since 2005 the Rattlers have had two consecutive winning months. During the 2005 season, Wisconsin went 18-11 in July and 15-12 in August.

A STEP BACK: Last night’s loss knocked the Timber Rattlers back below the .500 mark to 37-38. Wisconsin is 3-2 to start the second half and is tied for the Western Division lead with two other teams eligible for a second half playoff spot.

2009 SEASON SERIES: The Timber Rattlers lead the season series 5-4. 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. Wisconsin swept a five game series from the LumberKings at Time Warner Cable Field from May 16-19.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .244 as a team. They have scored 313 runs (4.2/game) and hit 36 home runs. The LumberKings are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 365 runs (4.9/game) and hit 49 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.94 while allowing a total of 345 runs (4.6/game). Clinton pitchers have a team ERA of 3.06 while allowing 300 runs (4.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 89 errors. The LumberKings defense has committed 113 errors. Wisconsin is 24-17 at home this season. Clinton is 20-17 on the road this season.

CLINTON STARTING PITCHER: Maikel Cleto joined the Mariners organization as part of the trade that sent former Timber Rattler JJ Putz to the New York Mets. The native of the Dominican Republic was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2005. He went 5-11 with a 4.25 in 25 games (22 starts) for the Savannah Sand Gnats in the South Atlantic League last season. Cleto also made one appearance in the Florida State League with the St. Lucie Mets. In his last outing before today, Cleto made his Midwest League debut with a start against the Beloit Snappers on June 26. He pitched 4-1/3 innings allowed one run on two hits and walked three while striking out three for a no decision. Today is the first time Cleto will face the Timber Rattlers. Cleto faced the West Virginia Power in 2008 when the Power were the SAL affiliate of the Brewers. West Virginia knocked around the right hander for five runs (three earned) on seven hits over three innings on July 10. Cleto walked one, struck out none, and took the loss.


BONUS NOTE: Timber Rattlers catcher Sean McCraw was a teammate of Cleto last year in Savannah!!!

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