9/05/2010

September 5, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 6-2 to the Cougars. Wisconsin scored a run in the first inning, but Kane County scored four runs in the third and added two more in the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead. Dan Straily struck out seven Rattlers over six innings and picked up the win.

OUT OF THE BLOCKS: Four batters into the game, Wisconsin had a 1-0 lead. Kentrail Davis doubled off the wall in left with one out. Khris Davis walked. Then, Hunter Morris singled home Kentrail Davis for the lead. Straily allowed two more hits over the five 4-2/3 innings.

MISADVENTRURES IN BASE RUNNING: In the top of the third inning, the Rattlers lost two runners on the bases. Erik Miller was thrown out at third after trying to get there from first on a single to center by Michael Marseco. Then, Marseco was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

THAT’LL COST YOU: In the bottom of the third, Kane County loaded the bases on a double, a single, and a walk by the first three batters in the inning. Tyreace House doubled to left to drive in two runs and an error on Khris Davis allowed a third run to score. House took home later in the inning when he scored from third on a throw to first after a dropped third strike.

HOW MANY? The error on Davis was the 29th committed by a Timber Rattlers outfielder in 2010.

SUICIDE SOLUTION: The Cougars scored their first run of the fourth inning on an infield grounder. They got their final run when House dropped a suicide squeeze bunt to score a run from third.

GOING DEEP AND MAKING A MARK: Chris Dennis hit a leadoff home run in the top of the ninth inning. It was his 17th of the season and it also gave him 84 RBI on the season. Dennis is tied with Mike Wilson (’05) for the fifth most RBI in a single season by a Timber Rattler. The team record is held by Juan Silvestre (’99) with 107. The other three players in front of Dennis and Wilson are Bo Robinson (’99) with 102; David Ortiz (’96) with 93, and Jon Nelson (’03) with 91.

ON THE CUSP: Khris Davis has 21 home runs this season. He is tied for the Timber Rattlers franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). Davis has two homers in 13 games against the Cougars this season. He has hit homers off Chris Mederos and Aaron Larsen. Both home runs Davis has against Kane County this season were at Time Warner Cable Field.

DYNAMIC DUO: Dennis and Khris Davis have combined for 38 home runs this season. Last night’s home run by Dennis broke the record for most home runs by Timber Rattlers teammates in a single season. Davis and Dennis were tied with 2003 Timber Rattlers Matt Hagen (21) and Jon Nelson (16) for the record before last night.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They missed the playoffs in the first half, but currently hold the top spot in the second half Western Division Playoff Standings by a half game over Clinton. The Cougars are 38-29 in the second half and are coming into this series after sweeping a three-game set from Peoria at home.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met 13 times this season. Wisconsin is 8-5 against Kane County in 2010. That includes a 4-2 record at Elfstrom Stadium. Wisconsin took two of three from Kane County in Geneva May 25-27. The Rattlers also swept an abbreviated two game series June 19-20. In the most recent series, Wisconsin and Kane County split four games at Time Warner Cable Field August 28-31.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 652 runs (4.8/game) and hit 79 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 660 runs (4.9/game) and hit 65 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.79 while allowing a total of 726 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.87 while allowing a total of 607 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 181 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 162 errors. Wisconsin is 27-39 on the road this season. Kane County is 39-28 at home in 2010.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Aaron Larsen was selected out of Bethany College by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2010 draft. Larsen was 1-4 with a 3.25ERA in 13 games and was a Second Team All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selection as both a pitcher and a shortstop. Larsen went 5-2 with a 2.89ERA in 14 games (four starts) for the Arizona League affiliate of the A’s after signing with them. In his start prior to tonight, Larsen made his Midwest League debut against the Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field on August 31. Larsen allowed six runs (two earned) on five hits over 1-2/3 innings. After pitching a scoreless first inning, Larsen got knocked around for a pair of two run homers. Chris Dennis hit the first and Kentrail Davis hit the second. Larsen walked one and struck out one in the game against the Rattlers and took the loss as Wisconsin went on to a 16-4 win. Larsen made his first professional start against the Brewers Arizona League affiliate on August 5 and allowed five runs (one earned) on four hits over 2-1/3 innings. These are his only appearances against affiliates of the Milwaukee Brewers.

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