July 30, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT YESTERDAY: The Rattlers lost 4-3 to the TinCaps. Robert Lara drove in the winning run with an eighth inning RBI grounder.

OUT FRONT: Michael Marseco gave the Timber Rattlers a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning with a two-out RBI double.

BEHIND: Rattlers starting pitcher RJ Seidel worked two scoreless innings, but allowed three runs on four walks in the bottom of the third inning. Daniel Robertson drove in two runs with a double to give the TinCaps the lead. Jaff Decker followed with an RBI single and Fort Wayne was up 3-1.

JUST A NOTE: The Rattlers have led in three of the first five games of this road trip. But, the leads have lasted a total of 2-1/3 innings.

COMEBACK: Erik Miller drove in a run with a sac fly in the top of the fourth. Brett Lawrie’s RBI single in the seventh inning tied the game 3-3.

NOT WITH A BANG: The TinCaps had runners at first and third with one out against Efrain Nieves in the bottom of the eighth inning. Robert Lara sent a slow roller up the third baseline and the only play was to first base. The run gave the TinCaps a 4-3 lead.

A LITTLE INTERESTING: Juan Sanchez singled in the top of the ninth inning against Fort Wayne closer Brad Brach. The single was the third hit of the day for Sanchez. But, Brach got a double play and a strikeout to end the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: In five games against the TinCaps this season, Wisconsin is hitting .154 (24-for-156) and has scored eight runs. The TinCaps are hitting .203 (31-for-153) against the Rattlers and have scored 19 runs.

A ROUGH STRETCH: The Rattlers are 2-12 in their last 14 games. Including in that time frame are 11 road games and the Rattlers are 1-10 in those games away from Time Warner Cable Field.

WRAP IT UP: Tonight is the final game the Rattlers have against an Eastern Division opponent this season. Wisconsin is 13-22 against the East this season. The Rattlers won the season series against West Michigan, split the season series with South Bend, and lost the season series with the other four teams in the East.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Fort Wayne TinCaps are the Midwest League affiliate of the San Diego Padres. They won the first half Eastern Division title with a record of 45-25. They have continued their outstanding record through to the second half as they are 26-6. Fort Wayne is 22-5 in July. The TinCaps are in their first season at new Parkview Field in downtown Fort Wayne after playing at Memorial Coliseum from 1993 through 2008. The TinCaps entered the Midwest League in 1993 after moving from Kenosha, Wisconsin. They are managed by former major league outfielder Doug Dascenzo.

SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 0-5 against Fort Wayne this season. The Rattlers were swept in a three game series by the TinCaps April 13-15 at Time Warner Cable Field. For Wayne won game one 2-1 in ten innings by scoring a run in the top of the ninth to tie the game and a run in the tenth for the win. The TinCaps won game two of the series 3-2. Fort Wayne got the sweep with a 6-0. That three game sweep was part of the TinCaps going 10-0 to start the season.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team. They have scored 4063 runs (4.0/game) and hit 49 home runs. The TinCaps are hitting .266 as a team. They have scored 551 runs (5.4/game) and hit 74 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.24 while allowing a total of 495 runs (4.9/game). Fort Wayne pitchers have a team ERA of 3.23 while allowing 391 runs (3.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 119 errors. The TinCaps defense has committed 101 errors. Wisconsin is 16-32 in road games this season. Fort Wayne is 37-14 at home this season.

FORT WAYNE STARTING PITCHER: RHP Chris Fetter was a ninth round pick of the Padres in the 2009 draft out of the University of Michigan. He was 7-3 with a 3.26ERA and 103 strikeouts in 94 innings pitched for the Wolverines. After signing with the Padres, Fetter made five starts for Eugene in the Northwest League and was 1-0 with a 2.38ERA and 24 strikeouts in 22-2/3 innings. Tonight is his third start for the TinCaps. In his start prior to this evening, Fetter lost at Burlington on July 25. He allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings with two walks and six strikeouts. Tonight is the first time Fetter will face the Timber Rattlers. It is also the first time he is facing an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.