Rattler Alumni Report: MiLB Playoffs September 12, 2009

AAA:

PCL:

Tacoma loses 13-6 at Sacramento and is out of the PCL playoffs.

Following a season marked by comebacks, the Tacoma Rainiers’ 2009 season came to an end despite one last rally on Saturday night.

The Rainiers began winning must-win games on Aug. 21, when they began their improbable rally from 71/2 games back to win the division title and head into the Pacific Coast League playoffs for the first time since 2005.

But Tacoma quickly fell into a six-run hole in the first inning Saturday against the River Cats, and despite a bold comeback the Rainiers lost, 13-8, to lose the PCL Pacific Conference Championship.

The Rainiers lost the best-of-five series in four games. Sacramento advances to face the Memphis Redbirds in the PCL championship series. For the River Cats, it’s their third consecutive season advancing to the championship, having won it in 2007 and 2008.

Ex-Rattlers for Tacoma:
Matt Tuiasosopo ('05): 1-for-4, 2 RUNS, 3RBI, HR
Bryan LaHair ('04): 1-for-5
Mike Wilson ('05): 1-for-3, RUN
Adam Moore ('06): 1-for-4, 2 RUNS
Oswaldo Navarro ('05): 2-for-4, RBI
Denny Stark ('97): 4.1IP, H, R, 2BB, 3K
Justin Thomas ('06): .1IP, 3H, 4R, BB

AA:
Southern League:
Huntsville lost and trails 2-1 in their best-of-five series.

Marquez Smith doubled and Welington Castillo walked. Jonathan Mota's ground ball caromed off third base to Huntsville shortstop Michael Garciaparra to fill the bases.

[Tennessee manager Ryne] Sandberg didn't hesitate to go to his bench.

"[Russ] Canzler has been the guy this last month," the Hall of Famer explained. "I felt we needed a punch right there. What a piece of hitting."

Canzler, who was batting for starting pitcher Andrew Cashner, jumped on Holliman's first pitch. Left fielder Anderson made a valiant effort to snare the sinking line drive but the ball got down and bounced past him to clear the bases.

"It was good to contribute," Canzler said. "I'm trying to do whatever I can coming off the bench. Luckily I got an opportunity tonight and took advantage of it."

Ex-Rattlers for Huntsville:
Lorenzo Cain ('09): 1-for-4, RUN
Taylor Green ('09): 2-for-4
Michael Garciaparra ('03): 0-for-3

Eastern League:
Ex-Rattler manager Steve Roadcap's Reading Phillies lose 9-3 to Akron and are knocked out of the playoffs.

With the grueling, pressure-packed playoff push he saw his club go through over the final weeks of the season, Reading manager Steve Roadcap hoped his team would be ready for the postseason rigors that awaited them.

The energy and fight they summoned over the final days in order to hold off Bowie and Erie just wasn't there once they went head-to-head with Southern Division champion Akron, and the Aeros rolled over them.

The Aeros finished the Phils off quickly Saturday, building an early seven-run lead en route to a 9-3 victory and three-game sweep of the Southern Division series.

"I'm not gonna make any excuses," said Roadcap, who never has. "They played better than us. That's a good ballclub over there. They're hot. They've won 11 in a row. They're pitching well. They're making the plays on defense and they're swinging the bats very well."

...

The Phils once again found themselves in an early hole, only this time the culprit was a new starting pitcher - Clay Condrey.

The Philadelphia Phillies reliever was in Reading Saturday on a rehab assignment due to a strained oblique. With the weather iffy the Phillies wanted to make sure the right-hander got his inning in, so he took the hill to start the game and showed he's not yet ready to get big leaguers out.

A-Advanced:

California League:

High Desert leads their series with Rancho Cucamonga 1-0 after winning 5-0 last night.

Steven Hensley pitched a three-hit shutout as High Desert cruised past Rancho Cucamonga 5-0 Saturday night in the opening game of the second-round series.

Hensley worked nine innings and struck out 10 while giving up just one walk. The right-handed starter from Asheville, N.C., finished with a 9-3 record during the regular season with a 4.21 ERA. His WHIP was an impressive 1.18.

How impressive last night? Well, according to the Mavs home page...

It's the first complete game shutout by a Maverick since 2005, and the first thrown at Mavericks Stadium since Manny Parra did it in 2004.

Ex-Rattlers for High Desert:
Jeffery Dominguez ('06): 2-for-4, RUN
Jamie McOwen ('07): 2-for-4, RUN, 2RBI, HR
Carlos Peguero ('07): 0-for-3, RUN
Alex Liddi ('08): 0-for-3, RUN
Joe Dunigan ('08): 3-for-4, RUN, RBI
Travis Scott ('06): 1-for-3
Brent Johnson ('05): 0-for-2, RBI
Juan Diaz ('07): 1-for-4