June 12, 2010: Game Notes

Check yesterday's notes in case you missed anything.

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The game between the Timber Rattlers and the Dayton Dragons was rained out. It is being made up as part of a doubleheader today.

LAST ACTION: The Timber Rattlers lost 7-6 in 10 innings to the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The loss dropped Wisconsin to a season low 16 games under .500 at 22-38. It also put the Rattlers at 0-7 in extra innings and 3-16 in one-run games.

NOTES ABOUT THE WEATHER: Friday was the second rainout in the first four days of the current homestand for the Timber Rattlers. During the entire 2009 season, Wisconsin was rained out twice in 70 home games. In 2010, the Timber Rattlers have been rained out four times out of 33 possible home games. Also, the team has had one home game suspended by rain.

ADD IT UP: Including road games, Wisconsin has been rained out seven times in 2010. They have also had two games suspended. Tonight will be the sixth doubleheader of the season for the Timber Rattlers.

DOUBLEHEADER STATS: Wisconsin is 4-6 in their previous five twin bills of the season. Wisconsin has swept one, been swept in two, and split the other two. The Timber Rattlers have lost game one in four of their five doubleheaders this season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Dayton Dragons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. In 2009, the Dragons finished the season 59-80. They were 28-42 in the first half and 31-38 in the second half. The Dragons did not make the playoffs last season. In 2010, Dayton is 24-36 and in seventh place in the Midwest League’s Eastern Division. They are 4-6 in their last ten games. In their most recent series, the Dragons went 1-2 at Beloit. In their nine games against the Western Division, Dayton is 4-5.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .245 as a team. They have scored 278 runs (4.6/game) and hit 30 home runs. The Dragons are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 245 runs (4.1/game) and hit 37 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.53 while allowing a total of 306 runs (5.1/game) this season. Dayton pitchers have a team ERA of 3.74 while allowing 280 runs (4.7/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 97 errors. The Dragons defense has committed 77 errors. Wisconsin is 13-19 at home this season. Dayton is 8-20 in road games this season.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook placed two members of the current Dragons roster on their list of top 30 prospects in the Cincinnati organization before the 2010 season. Infielder Didi Gregorius (#15) and pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (#25) are the pair of Reds prospects on the list.

DAYTON STARTING PITCHER (GAME ONE): RHP Jacob Johnson was the 11th round pick of the Reds in the 2009 draft out of Trinity Christian High School in Lake Worth, Florida. Johnson pitched for Cincinnati’s affiliate in the Gulf Coast League in 2009 and was 2-3 with a 2.83ERA in 11 games (nine starts). Johnson struck out 37 and walked 17 in 47-2/3 innings last season. In his start prior to this evening, Johnson beat Clinton on June 5. He allowed five runs (two earned) on three this over five innings with five strikeouts. Johnson has won his last two starts. Tonight, he is making his first appearance against the Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

DAYTON STARTING PITCHER (GAME TWO): Tim Crabbe was the 14th round pick of the Reds in the 2009 draft out of Westmont College. He was 3-8 with a 5.35ERA for the NAIA school before being drafted by Cincinnati. Last season, Crabbe made 14 starts and was 1-7 with a 4.86ERA with 27 walks and 53 strikeouts in 50 innings for the Billings Mustangs of the Pioneer League. Crabbe has joined the Dragons from extended spring training twice this season and has no record in two appearances (one start) with a 3.12ERA. He faced the Helena Brewers, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, three times last season and was 0-2 with a 5.19ERA.