ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Kernels beat the Timber Rattlers 3-2. Cedar Rapids scored twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat Wisconsin.
PRE-NINTH SCORING SUMMARY: Wisconsin scored a run in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Pete Fatse. The Kernels tied the game on an RBI single by Justin Bass. Khris Davis doubled in the top of the eighth to drive in the run that put the Rattlers up 2-1.
IN THE NINTH: A walk, a bunt single and an error put runners on the corners with no outs. A stolen base and a strike out put runners on second and third with one out. An intentional walk loaded the bases. Casey Haerther’s sacrifice fly drove in the tying run. Luis Jimenez singled in the winning run.
RATTLER KILLER: Jimenez went 3-for-4 last night. He is 11-for-28 (.393) against Wisconsin this season. He has 11 RBI in the seven games vs. the Rattlers in 2010.
HIGH STRESS INNINGS: The Kernels had at least one runner in scoring position in every inning last night. They stranded 12 runners, including 10 in scoring position. Wisconsin pitchers did not record a 1-2-3 inning last night.
AND YET: Rattlers’ starting pitcher Nick Bucci saw his ERA go down. In 5-2/3 innings, Bucci allowed one unearned run despite allowing four walks and six hits. Bucci is now at a 1.59ERA and is fourth in the Midwest League ERA race.
NOT SQUADERING THEIR INHERITANCE: Caleb Thielbar took over for Bucci in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on second and third and two outs. Andre Lamontagne entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning with runners on first and second and two outs. None of the runners scored.
ONE RUN: The Rattlers are now 2-12 in one run games this season. Wisconsin is 0-3 in games decided by one run against the Kernels this season.
LAST AB: Opponents have won 11 games in their final at bat against the Rattlers. That includes three ‘walkoffs’.
SPEED: The Kernels were 5-for-6 in stolen bases last night. In seven games against the Rattlers this season, Cedar Rapids is 23-for-26 in stolen base attempts.
DO YOU KNOW THAT ‘IF’ IS THE MIDDLE WORD IN LIFE? Last night was the second consecutive game in which the Rattlers had a 2-1 lead late in the game only to drop a 3-2 decision. Prior to Thursday’s loss in Kane County, the Rattlers had won five straight games.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In 2009, the Kernels went 72-66 and made the playoffs. Cedar Rapids was 40-30 in the first half and won the Western Division Wild Card. They swept Peoria in the first round of the playoffs, but lost in three games in the Western Division Championship Series to Burlington. The Kernels are 30-18 and in first place in the Western Division in 2010. They lead Quad Cities by two games. In their most recent series, Cedar Rapids took two out of three games at Peoria. The Kernels are 9-1 in their last ten games.
2009 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin went 5-10 against the Kernels in 2009. The Rattlers were 4-4 against the Kernels on Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium last season.
2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers are 2-5 against the Kernels this season. Wisconsin beat Cedar Rapids two out of three times in a series at Time Warner Cable Field April 20-22. The Kernels swept a three-game series May 7-9 from the Rattlers. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .251 as a team. They have scored 232 runs (4.8/game) and hit 21 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 256 runs (5.3/game) and hit 30 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.38 while allowing a total of 242 runs (5.0/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.51 while allowing 198 runs (4.1/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 81 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 54 errors. Wisconsin is 6-13 in road games this season. Cedar Rapids is 15-4 on Perfect Game Field this season.
CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Tyler Skaggs was the 40th overall pick in the 2009 draft. The Angels selected him out of Santa Monica (CA) High School. He made five appearances as a professional in 2009. Skaggs made three appearances (two starts) and did not allow a run over six innings for the Arizona League affiliate of the Angels. He made two relief appearances for Orem in the Pioneer League and allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings. Skaggs struck out 13 and walked two in 10 innings as a pro last season. In his start prior to today, Skaggs beat Beloit at Pohlman Field on May 24. He allowed a run on four hits with a walk and six strikeouts over five innings. Skaggs started against the Timber Rattlers on May 8 at Time Warner Cable Field. He allowed three runs on six hits, walked two, and struck out one over five innings. Skaggs was not involved in the decision.
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