ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Kernels beat the Timber Rattlers 8-3. Wisconsin held a 2-0 lead, but the Kernels scored three runs in the fifth inning and four runs in the sixth inning to pull away from the Rattlers. Cedar Rapids banged out 12 hits and took advantage of three Wisconsin errors.
OUT IN FRONT: The Rattlers grabbed the lead with single runs in the first and third innings. Chris Dennis tripled with two outs in the first to drive in Scooter Gennett in the first inning. Khris Davis grounded into a double play in the third inning to get a runner home from third.
KERNELS KOMEBACK: Rattlers starting pitcher Maverick Lasker kept the Kernels off the scoreboard until the fourth inning. A two-out single by Justin Bass send Jean Segura home. In the fifth, the Kernels took a 4-2 lead as they scored three runs. Jon Karcich drew a leadoff walk and scored the tying run on a double by Jose Jimenez. One out later, Matt Long doubled in Jimenez. Later in the inning an error let Long score.
DÉJÀ VU: Karcich drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday night to start the Kernels game winning rally, too.
LONG GONE: Davis started the Rattlers sixth inning with his fifth home run of the season. Davis has tied Dennis for the team lead in that category.
PUT IT AWAY: The Kernels first four Kernels to face Efrain Nieves in the bottom of the sixth. All four crossed home plate. After that, the Rattlers offense managed one hit over the final three innings.
SPEED: The Kernels were 4-for-4 in stolen bases last night. In eight games against the Rattlers this season, Cedar Rapids is 27-for-30 in stolen base attempts.
GRADUATION DAY: Both teams announced roster moves before today’s game. Infielder Luis Jimenez has been promoted from the Kernels to Rancho Cucamonga in the California League. Rattlers closer Andre Lamontagne has been promoted to Brevard County in the Florida State League.
MEET THE NEW GUY: The Rattlers will welcome pitcher Jose Sanchez to the roster today. He is traveling to Cedar Rapids from extended spring training in Arizona and should be arriving at the ballpark during the game. Sanchez was signed out of the Dominican Republic as a non-drafted free agent in 2007. He pitched the last two seasons in the Arizona League. Sanchez is 0-2 with two saves and a 5.30ERA in 26 games during his career in the Milwaukee system. All 26 games for Sanchez have been as a reliever.
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 31-18 and in first place in the Western Division in 2010. They lead second place Quad Cities by two games. In their most recent series, Cedar Rapids took two out of three games at Peoria. The Kernels are 11-1 in their last 12 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 2-6 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 235 runs (4.8/game) and hit 22 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 264 runs (5.4/game) and hit 30 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.45 while allowing a total of 250 runs (5.1/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.50 while allowing 201 runs (4.1/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 84 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 54 errors. Wisconsin is 6-14 in road games this season. Cedar Rapids is 16-4 on Perfect Game Field this season.
CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Stephen Locke was a 22nd round pick of the Angels in the 2009 draft. He pitched college baseball for Florida and was 5-2 with a 4.32ERA in 12 starts for the Gators in his senior season. He pitched in 15 games for Orem, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Angels, after signing as a professional. Locke was 6-4 with a 4.02ERA in 14 starts. Locke walked 11 and struck out 46 in 69-1/3 innings with the Owlz. His appearance for the Kernels before today was his Midwest League debut. On May 25 at Peoria, he allowed a run on two hits in three innings as a reliever. Locke is making his first appearance against the Rattlers today. Last season, he faced Helena, the Milwaukee Brewers’ affiliate one time. On August 21 in the second game of a doubleheader, Locke allowed four runs on nine hits in 6-2/3 innings. The Brewers hit three homers off Locke in the game. Cameron Garfield is the only current Rattler to have homered against Locke in that game.
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