July 3, 2009: Tonight's Pitchers

SCHEDULED 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 pitched five innings as a starter at Burlington on June 17. He allowed two runs on five hits and struck out six, but was not involved in the decision.

LAST APPEARANCE: Nieves pitched four innings in relief on June 27 against the Peoria Chiefs. He allowed one run on two hits with a pair of walks and three strikeouts.

VS. CLINTON: Nieves beat the LumberKings on May 18. He scattered nine hits over five runs and allowed four runs without a walk. Nieves struck out a pair of Clinton batters in the game.

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

SCHEDULED RELIEVER
RHP CODY SCARPETTA: Selected by Milwaukee in the 11th round of the 2007 draft out of Guilford (IL) High School.

LAST SEASON: Scarpetta started his first pro season with the Arizona League affiliate of the Brewers. He went 1-0 in six games (five starts) with a 0.57ERA and struck out 27 with eight walks over 15-2/3 innings. He did not allow a run over his final 15 innings in the Arizona League. Scarpetta was 1-0 with a 3.48 ERA in six games (three starts) after being promoted to Helena. Struck out 31 and walked eight in 20-2/3 innings for the Brewers.

FAMILY AFFAIR: Scarpetta’s father Dan was drafted by Milwaukee in the 3rd round of the 1982 draft and pitched in the Brewer organization from 1982-1983 and 1985-1988.

ONE OF 40: Scarpetta is on Milwaukee’s 40-Man Roster

BASEBALL IN PARADISE: Scarpetta pitched for the West Oahu CaneFires in Hawaii Winter Baseball after the 2008 regular season.

RATED: Baseball America ranked Scarpetta as the #15 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization before the 2009 season.

LAST APPEARANCE: Scarpetta pitched five scoreless innings in a start against the Peoria Chiefs on June 27 at Time Warner Cable Field. He allowed four hits, walked none, and struck out six. Scarpetta was not involved in the decision as the Rattlers won 2-1 in 14 innings.

VS. CLINTON: Scarpetta pitched five no-hit innings against the LumberKings in the first game of a doubleheader on May 17. Scarpetta walked four and struck out six to pick up the win, his first Midwest League victory.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 IP (4/22/09 vs. Peoria)
STRIKEOUTS: 10 (2x - 8/2/08 vs. AZL Athletics & 4/22 vs. Peoria)