8/21/2010

August 21, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers outlasted the Beloit Snappers 14-11 at Time Warner Cable Field. There was a 101 minute rain delay that caused the game to start at 8:46pm. Kentrail Davis had three hits and three RBI and D’Vontrey Richardson reached base in all six of his plate appearances out to pace the Wisconsin offense.

MAKE A NOTE: Richardson has reached base in 11 straight plate appearances dating back to his final appearance in the game on August 18. The Midwest League record for most consecutive plate appearances reaching base is 14 and is held by Benji Simonton of Clinton during the 1994 season.

NOT WASTING ANY TIME: The Rattlers scored a run in the first, two in the second and five in the third to build an early 8-2 lead.

NIPPING AT THEIR HEELS: The Snappers scored twice in the fourth and twice in the fifth to cut Wisconsin’s lead to 8-6.

PULLING AWAY AGAIN: Wisconsin scored four runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to go up 13-6.

YO, ADRIAN! Rattlers reliever Adrian Rosario relieved starting pitcher Maverick Lasker in the top of the fifth inning and retired nine of the first ten batters he faced. Rosario picked up his second win of the season…eventually.

DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? The Snappers loaded the bases against Rosario in the top of the eighth and Matt Costello entered the game. He walked in a run to make the score 13-7. Then, Steven Liddle sent a sinking liner to center. Richardson dove for the catch, but missed the ball and the ball rolled to the wall. Liddle circled the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam and the score was 13-11.

REDEMPTION: Richardson tripled to start the bottom of the eighth and scored on a throwing error.

WITHOUT INCIDENT: Costello worked a 1-2-3 ninth to finish the Snappers and put the game in the win column.

SECOND TIME: Last night was the second game in 2010 in which the Rattlers allowed 10 or more runs and won a game. The previous occurrence was a 15-12 win over Burlington on July 12. The Rattlers are 2-14 when giving up 10 or more runs this season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They finished the first half with a record of 43-25 and won the first half Western Division. The Kernels are currently 29-23 in the second half of the season to give them an overall record of 72-48. The Kernels dropped the final two games of their three game series with Kane County at home before starting this series with Wisconsin.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Kernels have played 16 games this season. The Rattlers are 5-11 against Cedar Rapids. The Rattlers are 1-6 at Perfect Game Field against the Kernels. 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 in Wisconsin. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field. The Kernels swept a four game series from the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field from May 28-31. Wisconsin went 1-2 in a three game set at Cedar Rapids July 4-6. In their most recent series, Wisconsin took two of three from the Kernels August 14-16.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .256 as a team. They have scored 582 runs (4.8/game) and hit 69 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .277 as a team. They have scored 655 runs (5.5/game) and hit 77 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.70 while allowing a total of 634 runs (5.2/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.83 while allowing a total of 514 runs (4.3/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 161 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 117 errors. Wisconsin is 23-35 on the road this season. Cedar Rapids is 40-20 at home in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s 2010 Prospect Handbook placed four members of the current Cedar Rapids roster on their list of Top 30 prospects in the Angels organization before the season. Outfielder Randal Grichuck is the highest rated at #7. Also on the list are infielder Jean Segura (#13), pitcher Tyler Kehrer (#18), and catcher Carlos Ramirez (#20). Pitchers Fabio Martinez-Mesa (#6) and Jon Bachanov (#19) are currently on the DL.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Ariel Pena was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Angels in 2007. Last season, he was 5-4 in 14 games (six starts) for the Arizona League Angels. Pena had an ERA of 3.83 and struck out 47 while walking 15 over 49-1/3 innings pitched. He joined the Kernels after making three appearances for Rancho Cucamonga, the Angels California League affiliate, to start the season. Pena was 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA for the Quakes. Pena is 6-4 with a 3.94 ERA in 14 starts for the Kernels. In his start prior to tonight, Pena made his second appearance of the season against the Rattlers this season. On August 15 at Time Warner Cable Field, he allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits over five innings and took the loss. Pena made his Midwest League debut against the Rattlers on May 28 in Cedar Rapids. He allowed a run on two hits with three walks, a hit batsman, and five strikeouts over six innings. Pena was not involved in the decision in that game.

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