8/24/2009

August 24, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT SUNDAY: The Timber Rattlers beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 8-5. Kyle Dhanani and Josh Prince each had two RBI and the Rattlers took advantage of several Kernels miscues to snap a two game losing streak.

HOW MANY MISCUES? Cedar Rapids pitchers hit five batters, walked five more, threw three wild pitches, and committed a balk. There was also an error on a throw into the infield that allowed the first Wisconsin run to score.

NICK TYSON’S PUNCHOUT: Nick Tyson got the win in relief of Wily Peralta. He allowed two runs on two hits over 2-1/3 innings with no walks and a strikeout. Tyson is now 4-3 on the season.

GUY COULD GET USED TO THIS: Evan Frederickson picked up a save in his second straight appearance. He tossed three scoreless innings to finish the game. Frederickson walked two, struck out three, and allowed two hits for his second career save.

HUSTLE: Dhanani stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the third inning with the score tied 1-1. His grounder to short was turned into a force play, but Dhanani beat the relay to first. That allowed two runs to score and the Rattlers to take the lead.

PUT IT AWAY: In the fifth inning with the Rattlers and Kernels tied 3-3, Cedar Rapids reliever Francis Cabrera threw two run scoring wild pitches. Later in the frame, Prince singled to drive in a pair of runs.

IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: Clinton won at Peoria yesterday. Burlington beat Quad Cities and Kane County edged Beloit. The current Western Division Wild Card standings after last night:

CLUB..W..L...PCT..GB
BUR..26.29...473..--
CLN..25.30...455..1.0
QC...24.31...436..2.0
BEL..24.32...429..2.5
WIS..23.32...418..3.0

A NOTE ABOUT ATTENDANCE: The crowd of 5,459 for Sunday’s Timber Rattlers game pushed the season attendance for Wisconsin to a new single season record of 238,852 for an average of 3,675. The old franchise record for single season attendance is 233,797. If the Rattlers just draw their average attendance of the last 3 home games they will have a total attendance of 249,877.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. The Bees missed the playoffs in the first half with a record of 29-41. They are 26-29 in the second half and currently hold the Western Division Wild Card by on game over the Clinton LumberKings.

SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers are 5-5 against the Bees in 2009. Wisconsin is 4-3 against the Bees at Community Field this season.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .239 as a team. They have scored 508 runs (4.0/game) and hit 58 home runs. The Bees are hitting .249 as a team. They have scored 542 runs (4.3/game) and hit 48 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.29 while allowing a total of 615 runs (4.9/game). Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 4.14 while allowing 610 runs (4.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 143 errors. The Bees defense has committed 147 errors. Wisconsin is 20-37 on the road this season. Burlington is 24-38 at home this season.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed four members of the current Burlington roster on its list of top 30 prospects in the Royals organization. Pitcher Tim Melville (#5) is in the top ten. Outfielder Adrian Ortiz (#22), catcher Jose Bonilla (#26) and pitcher Sam Runion (#28) are also on the list.

OUT OF THE DRAFT 2009: The Bees have three players on their current roster from the ’09 draft class of the Kansas City Royals. Pitchers Cole White (6th round, New Mexico) and Dusty Odenbach (8th round, Connecticut) and infielder Ryan Wood (11th round, East Carolina) were all selected this year.

ALL-STARS: Burlington had four Midwest League All-Stars for the Western Division in 2009. Nick Francis and Nick Van Stratten were starting outfielders. Pitchers Barry Bowden and Bryan Casey were also on the squad. Of the four, only Francis is on the current Burlington roster.

BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Tim Melville was selected by the Royals in the 4th round of the 2008 draft out of Wentzville (MO) High School. Melville did not pitch professionally in 2008. He is rated by Baseball America as the #5 prospect in the Kansas City organization. Melville is 5-7 with a 4.10 ERA in 18 starts for the Bees this season. Melville won his last start, a game against the Kane County Cougars on August 18 at Community Field. He allowed one run on four hits over five innings with three walks and four strikeouts. Melville has faced the Timber Rattlers twice this season. On June 15, he allowed four runs (one earned) on six hits and three walks over 3-1/3 innings for a no decision. On July 6, Melville got the win over the Rattlers. He allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits with two walks. Melville also matched his career high for strikeouts in a game with seven. Both of his starts against the Rattlers have been at Community Field.

No comments:

Site Meter