April 15, 2010: Tonight's starting pitcher

LHP EFRAIN NIEVES: Selected by Milwaukee in the 7th round of the 2007 draft out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.

LAST SEASON: Nieves spent all of 2009 with the Timber Rattlers. He went 5-7 with a 5.70ERA in 27 appearances. Nieves made 11 starts for Wisconsin in 2009.

LAST START: Nieves made the start against Kane County on April 10, 2010 at Time Warner Cable Field. He allowed five runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks over 3-2/3 innings. Nieves struck out one and was charged with the loss as the Cougars won 10-5.

WORLD CUP: Nieves pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Cup of Baseball after the 2009 regular season. He made three starts and was 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA. In 14.1 innings pitched, Nieves walked six and struck out 17.

VS. CUBA: Nieves got the call to be the starting pitcher against Cuba on September 18 during the World Cup. He allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts over 4-2/3 innings. Nieves was not involved in the decision, but Puerto Rico would win the game 5-2.

A PRODUCTIVE WINTER: Nieves pitched for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican Winter League after the World Cup. Nieves also went on to pitch for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series.

BREWERS CAREER: Nieves was 14-14 with a 5.08 ERA in his first three seasons as a pitcher in the Milwaukee minor league system. He has made 58 appearances (29 starts) since 2007 and has pitched.

INTO THE PAST: Nieves was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for his performance July 7-13, 2008 while pitching for Helena.

VS. BURLINGTON: Nieves made two appearances (one start) against the Bees in 2009. He was 0-1with a 3.38 ERA vs. Burlington. In eight innings against the Bees, Nieves allowed three runs on nine hits with one walk and seven strikeouts.

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