ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers dropped a 6-5 decision to the Loons. Great Lakes scored twice in the top of the ninth inning to erase a 5-4 Wisconsin lead.
TRADING PLACES: The Loons and Rattlers each scored a run in the third inning – Great Lakes on an RBI triple by Jaime Ortiz; Wisconsin on an RBI single by Kyle Dhanani. Great Lakes took the lead with three solo home runs in the top of the third. The Rattlers rallied to take a 5-4 lead with four runs in the bottom of the third on an RBI double by Kentrail Davis and a three-run homer by Chris Dennis.
IT HADN’T HAPPENED MUCH: Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi gave up the three solo homers in the top of the third. Odorizzi had given up one home run in the first 80-2/3 innings he had pitched this season going into the frame. Gorman Erickson, Angelo Songco, and Blake Smith all went deep in the third inning last night.
AMONG THE LEADERS: Odorizzi struck out seven in six innings last night to give him 103 strikeouts on the season. He is fourth in the Midwest League in that category.
AAAAARRRRGGHHH! Rattlers closer Jon Pokorny had been 8-for-8 in save opportunities going into last night. He retired the side in order in the eighth, but a leadoff single, a sacrifice bunt, a stolen base, and an RBI single by Jaime Ortiz tied the game. An RBI double by pinch hitter JT Wise sent the go ahead run home.
NUMBERS: Wisconsin’s bullpen has 15 blown saves this season. The Rattlers are 5-24 in games decided by one-run. Last night was the 21st time an opponent has won a game in their last at bat. Last night was the fifth time the Rattlers have lost a game that they lead heading into the ninth inning.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Great Lakes Loons are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are 61-30 on the season and have the best record in the Midwest League. They finished the first half of the season in second place in the Eastern Division with a 43-26 record to earn the first half Wild Card. The Loons are 18-4 to start the second half. In their most recent series, Great Lakes went 2-1 in a series at Beloit. The Loons are 11-5 in 16 games against the Western Division this season.
2009 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Loons played six games in 2009. Wisconsin went 2-4 against Great Lakes. The Rattlers took two of the three games played at Time Warner Cable Field from April 29-May 1. The Loons swept a three game series at Dow Diamond on July 15-17.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 435 runs (4.8/game) and hit 52 home runs. The Loons are hitting .272 as a team. They have scored 464 runs (5.1/game) and hit 90 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.44 while allowing a total of 452 runs (5.0/game) this season. Great Lakes pitchers have a team ERA of 3.18 while allowing a total of 324runs (3.6/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 129 errors. The Loons defense has committed 78 errors. Wisconsin is 21-27 in home games this season. Great Lakes is 35-14 away from home in 2010.
GREAT LAKES STARTING PITCHER: RHP Josh Wall was the second round pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2005 draft out of Central Private School in Baker, Louisiana. Wall pitched for the Loons in 2007 and went 6-10 with a 4.18ERA in 26 games 924 starts). Wall spent the 2008 and 2009 seasons with the Inland Empire 66ers of San Bernadino, the High-A affiliate of the Dodgers in the California League, and went 14-14 up there. Wall is the reigning Midwest League pitcher of the week after he tossed a complete game, three-hit shutout with six strikeouts against Lansing on July 7. In his start prior to this afternoon, Wall beat Dayton at Dayton on July 12. He gave up four runs on seven hits with five strikeouts over seven innings. Wall has won six straight starts and is fifth in the Midwest League in strikeouts with 102. Today is the third time Wall will face the Timber Rattlers. Back in 2007, he made two starts against Wisconsin when the Rattlers were an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. He allowed five runs (two earned) on nine hits over eight innings, but did not have a decision in those two starts. Wall is also making his third appearance against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers today. In 2006, he made two starts against Helena as a member of the Ogden Raptors in the Pioneer League. He was not involved in the decision in either of those starts back in 2006.
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