FIRST: Josh Prince put the Timber Rattlers in front with a leadoff homer in the top of the fourth inning. The home run was the first as a professional for Milwaukee’s third round pick in the 2009 draft.
GRIFFIN: But, the Bees answered in the bottom of the fourth. Prince committed an error to allow the Bees leadoff hitter to reach. Wisconsin starting pitcher Cody Scarpetta walked the next batter. After Scarpetta retired the next hitter, Griffin hit a three-run homer over the right field wall and the Bees never looked back.
15K: Melville, Dusty Odenbach, and Blaine Hardy combined to strikeout 15 Timber Rattlers last night. The only game in which the Rattlers have struck out more was the 14 inning game against Peoria on June 27. Wisconsin hitters struck out 16 times in that game.
FOUR: Griffin added an insurance run by drawing a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth inning.
CALL HIM ISHMAEL: Melville has made three starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. He is 2-0 and has a 1.76ERA vs. Wisconsin. Melville has given up seven runs (three earned) and has struck out 18 in 15-1/3 innings pitched against the Rattlers.
IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING: In other Midwest League Western Division action last night, Clinton lost at Cedar Rapids; Peoria beat Quad Cities; and Kane County topped Beloit in extra innings. The current Western Division Wild Card standings after last night:
CLUB..W..L...PCT..GB
BUR..27..29...482..--
CLN..25..31...446..2.0
QC...24..32...429..3.0
BEL..24..33...421..3.5
WIS..23..33...411..4.0
TAKING A LOOK BACK: Here was the starting lineup for the Timber Rattlers in the game on July 7. The players who are no longer on the active roster of the Rattlers are in bold.
Juan Sanchez......SS
Pete Fatse........RF
Lorenzo Cain......CF
Brett Lawrie......2B
Corey Kemp
Brock Kjeldgaard..LF
Martin Maldonado...C
John Delaney......3B
Jose Duran........DH
Dan Merklinger....SP
SUSPENSE: The Rattlers and Bees are tied 1-1 in the top of the sixth inning in the game that is being picked up from July 7. Jose Duran is at first after being hit by a pitch to start the inning.
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 27-29 in the second half and currently hold the Western Division Wild Card by two games over the Clinton LumberKings.
SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers are 5-6 against the Bees in 2009. Wisconsin is 4-4 against the Bees at Community Field this season.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team. They have scored 509 runs (4.0/game) and hit 59 home runs. The Bees are hitting .248 as a team. They have scored 547 runs (4.3/game) and hit 49 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.29 while allowing a total of 620 runs (4.9/game). Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 4.11 while allowing 611 runs (4.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 146 errors. The Bees defense has committed 147 errors. Wisconsin is 20-38 on the road this season. Burlington is 25-38 at home this season.
GAME TWO BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Mike Lehmann was a 20th round pick of the Royals in the 2007 draft out of Pearl River High School in Carriere, Mississippi where he was a two time all-state selection. Lehmann spent his first season of pro ball in the Arizona League and went 5-1 with a save and a 2.61ERA in 14 games (one start). Last year, Lehmann pitched for the Burlington (NC) Royals of the Appalachian League and was 4-4 with a 3.43ERA in 13 games (nine starts). In 2009, Lehmann joined the Bees in mid-May and is 4-5 with a 5.71ERA in 18 games (15 starts). In his start prior to this evening, Lehman got a no decision at Quad Cities on August 20. In that game, he allowed three runs on four hits over four innings. Lehmann has faced the Timber Rattlers twice this season. He faced them at Community Field on June 17 and gave up two runs on four hits over five innings with a walk and four strikeouts for a no decision. Lehmann was also the starting pitcher in the game on July 7 that was suspended by rain in the sixth inning. He had allowed one run through five innings and had hit Jose Duran to lead off the sixth inning just before the game was halted.
No comments:
Post a Comment