Here is how the Rattlers have fared on June 6...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers lost 4-2 at Fort Wayne. I see nothing of note in this game. Rattler record after this game: 32-25.
2001: The Timber Rattlers were off. Rattler record on this date: 34-23
2002: The Rattlers lost 3-0 at Fort Wayne. Wisconsin had just three hits. Rattler record after this game 27-32.
2003: The Rattlers and Fort Wayne tied 1-1 in a rain-shortened game in Grand Chute. The Wizards scored a run in the top of the sixth inning on a pair of errors. Matt Hagen homered in a steadily increasing downpour to start the bottom of the sixth. The tarp went on the field after the end of the sixth. Since it was the last game of the series and there were no other meetings in the half, this one was called a draw. Rattler record after this game: 34-24
2004: The Timber Rattlers were off. Rattler record on this date: 24-31
2005: The Rattlers were swept at home in a day-night doubleheader by the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays.
GAME ONE: D-Rays 12-2. James Houser pitched five shutout innings. Aaron Jensen allowed seven runs on nine hits in five innings. It was 12-0 until Wisconsin scored twice in the bottom of the eight. Jahn Jaso had four hits and scored four runs for the Devil Rays.
GAME TWO: D-Rays 17-4. It got worse in the night game. Southwest Michigan led 4-2 heading into the top od the sixth. They scored 11 runs on eight hits. Julio Santana allowed a lead-off double and got the first out. Then, Cibney Bello entered. He faced nine batters without retiring any of them. A grand slam by Shawn Cumblerland was one of the big hits in the inning. Rattler record after this game: 32-26.
2006: The Rattlers game with Kane County was rained out. Rattler record on this date: 23-33
2007: The Rattlers were off. Rattler record on this date: 17-40
An 0-4-1 record with ugly losses and a bunch of off days make this, if not THE most, then definitely one of the crummiest days in Rattler history...since 2000
6/06/2008
Midwest League Action (Games of 6/5)
June 5 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities 3 (10 innings): Whoo-hoo!
South Bend 10, @Dayton 3: Rocked or WROCKED?
Fort Wayne 4, @Lansing 2: You can't come home again?
@Great Lakes 9, West Michigan 3: Looooooooooooooooooooooons!
Beloit 8, @Kane County 6: Fizzzzzzzzled.
@Cedar Rapids 1, Burlington 0: Again with the Anton?
@Peoria 6, Clinton 5: Here comes the BOOM!
@Wisconsin 4, Quad Cities 3 (10 innings): Whoo-hoo!
South Bend 10, @Dayton 3: Rocked or WROCKED?
Fort Wayne 4, @Lansing 2: You can't come home again?
@Great Lakes 9, West Michigan 3: Looooooooooooooooooooooons!
Beloit 8, @Kane County 6: Fizzzzzzzzled.
@Cedar Rapids 1, Burlington 0: Again with the Anton?
@Peoria 6, Clinton 5: Here comes the BOOM!
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/5)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-39 4th American League West): The Mariners were off on Thursday.
TACOMA (AAA: 28-31, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-2 to Fresno. Matt Tuiasosopo (’05) homered for Tacoma, but Sean White allowed four runs on eleven hits over 6-2/3 innings for the loss.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 36-25, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 3-1 at Huntsville. Luis Valbuena drove in the only West Tennessee run as Huntsville took over sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-34, T-3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks were off on Thursday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Felix Hernandez 3-5) at Boston Bartolo Colon 3-0) 6:05pm CDT
Fresno at Tacoma 9:00pm CDT
West Tennessee (Doug Fister 5-4) at Huntsville (Derek Miller 5-1) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore at High Desert 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 28-31, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-2 to Fresno. Matt Tuiasosopo (’05) homered for Tacoma, but Sean White allowed four runs on eleven hits over 6-2/3 innings for the loss.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 36-25, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 3-1 at Huntsville. Luis Valbuena drove in the only West Tennessee run as Huntsville took over sole possession of first place in the Southern League North Division.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-34, T-3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks were off on Thursday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle (Felix Hernandez 3-5) at Boston Bartolo Colon 3-0) 6:05pm CDT
Fresno at Tacoma 9:00pm CDT
West Tennessee (Doug Fister 5-4) at Huntsville (Derek Miller 5-1) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore at High Desert 9:05pm CDT
6/05/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (6/5)
RH JUAN RAMIREZ: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Nicaragua by Seattle in July 2005.
LAST START: Ramirez lost at Kane County on May 31. He allowed three runs over 3.2IP on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in a 6-4 Rattler loss.
ON THE ROAD: Ramirez is 1-3 with an ERA of 4.15 in five starts on the road this season. He has struck out 20 and walked seven over 26.0 innings pitched.
AT HOME: Ramirez is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.41 in five starts at home this season. He has struck out 32 and walked 10 in 29 innings pitched.
NUMBER NINE: Ramirez struck out nine batters in three consecutive starts. The streak started against West Michigan on April 28; continued with a start at Great Lakes on May 4; and reached three against Cedar Rapids.
VS. QUAD CITIES: This is the first time Ramirez is facing the River Bandits.
VS. ST. LOUIS: This is the first time Ramirez is facing an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (3x) Last: 5/25 @ Peoria
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (3x) Last: 5/10 @Great Lakes
LAST START: Ramirez lost at Kane County on May 31. He allowed three runs over 3.2IP on four hits with three walks and two strikeouts in a 6-4 Rattler loss.
ON THE ROAD: Ramirez is 1-3 with an ERA of 4.15 in five starts on the road this season. He has struck out 20 and walked seven over 26.0 innings pitched.
AT HOME: Ramirez is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.41 in five starts at home this season. He has struck out 32 and walked 10 in 29 innings pitched.
NUMBER NINE: Ramirez struck out nine batters in three consecutive starts. The streak started against West Michigan on April 28; continued with a start at Great Lakes on May 4; and reached three against Cedar Rapids.
VS. QUAD CITIES: This is the first time Ramirez is facing the River Bandits.
VS. ST. LOUIS: This is the first time Ramirez is facing an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (3x) Last: 5/25 @ Peoria
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (3x) Last: 5/10 @Great Lakes
June 5 Game Notes
ABOUT WEDNESDAY: The Timber Rattlers beat the Peoria Chiefs 6-1. Denny Almonte had three hits – a single, double, and triple – and a pair of RBI to pace the offense. A quartet or Rattler pitchers allowed one unearned run on seven hits.
TRIFECTA: The Rattlers won the final three games of the series with the Chiefs to win the four game set 3-1. Wisconsin is on their second winning streak of three or more games this season.
TWO-OUT BINGO: Peoria starting pitcher Chris Siegfried retired the first two Wisconsin batters of the first inning. Edilio Colina and Ron Garth would each draw walks. Gavin Dickey and Joe Dunigan followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Almonte was next and he doubled off the left field wall to drive in the final two runs of the inning.
*FIVE: Hume allowed two hits and one unearned run with two walks and two strikeouts over five innings for his fifth win of the season. Hume did not give up a hit until a two-out RBI single by Elvis Lara in the fifth.
OPERATION SHUTDOWN: Three Timber Rattler relievers – Jose Escalona (IP), Michael Pineda (2IP), and Justin Souza (IP) – followed Hume into the game and kept the Chiefs off the scoreboard. The Rattler bullpen pitched 15 innings in the four game series against Peoria. They allowed four runs over those 15 innings.
ESCALONA’S RUN: Escalona, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning yesterday, has not allowed a run over his last eight outings. The lefty has pitched 8-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
DOZEN FOR MENDEZ: Rattler outfielder Maximo Mendez went 2-for-4 with a walk yesterday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is 20-for-48 (.417) during the streak. The 12-game streak is the longest current hitting streak in the Midwest League.
STILL A WAYS TO GO: Evan Frey of South Bend has the longest streak in the Midwest League this season. The Silver Hawk outfielder had a 23-game hit streak from April 9 through May 5 of this year.
DROUGHT: Mendez hit a lead-off homer against the Peoria Chiefs on May 26. That was the last time a Rattler batter went deep. The last time a Rattler homered at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium was May 17, when Scott Robinson hit a game winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat Kane County.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are currently 30-27 and tied with the Beloit Snappers for third place in the Midwest League Western Division. Both Quad Cities and Beloit trail division leading Clinton by 10 games. The River Bandits and the Snappers are both 4.5 games behind the Kane County Cougars for the first half wild card spot in the Western Division. Quad Cities is 15-15 in 30 road games this season.
FAMILIAR FACE: River Bandit manager Steve Dillard has managed in the Midwest League before this season. Dillard was the first manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks in 1988. He also managed the Davenport, Iowa Midwest League franchise in 1993 and 1994 when they were known as the Quad City River Bandits and were an affiliate of the Houston Astros.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team and have scored 184 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.29. The River Bandits are hitting .237 as a team and have scored 232 runs (4.0/game). Quad Cities has hit 36 home runs this season. The River Bandit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.76.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and SWING of the Quad Cities (as they were known last year) played 16 times in 2007. The Rattlers went 6-10 against Quad Cities, including a 2-6 record at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin and Quad Cities split a four game series at Modern Woodmen Park to open the 2008 season. After a rainout on April 3, the River Bandits won on April 4 by a score of 4-3. The Rattlers swept a doubleheader on April 5, winning both games by a score of 2-0. Quad Cities won the series finale on April 6 by a 6-1 score.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook places three current River Bandits on their Top 30 Cardinal Prospect lists. Shortstop Pete Kozma, the 18th overall pick in the 2007 draft, is the highest rated Bandit on the list at #7. Pitcher Blake King, a member of the Swing in 2007, checks in at #26. Catcher Luis De La Cruz is #30.
OUT OF THE DRAFT: Ten members of the River Bandits were selected by St. Louis in the 2007 draft: Pitchers Brian Broderick (21st), Thomas Eager (5th), Chuckie Fick (15th), and Dylan Gonzalez (31st); infielders Mike Folli (42nd) and Kozma (1st); and outfielders Matthew Arburr (17th), Adron Chambers (38th), and Charlie Kingery (22nd) were all picked in the ’07 draft.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: Brian Broderick was a 21st round pick out of Grand Canyon (AZ) University in the 2007 draft. He was 6-5 with a 3.65ERA in 14 games (all starts) for the Antelopes. His first pro season was with split between Batavia (New York-Penn) and Johnson City (Appalachian) and he was 3-3 with a 2.55ERA in 16 games (9 starts). Tonight is his first appearance against the Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. In his last appearance, Broderick allowed two runs on four hits over three innings of relief work at Beloit on June 1.
QUAD CITIES RELIEVER: The Bandits employ a tandem starter system. Also scheduled to pitch tonight for the Bandits is Josh Wilson, a second round pick out of Whitehouse (TX) high school in 2005, is 1-1 with a 4.98ERA in six games (three starts) for the Bandits this season. He faced the Timber Rattlers on May 9, 2006 and took the loss. In his last appearance this season, Wilson started at Beloit on June 1 and allowed seven runs on seven hits over two innings to take the loss.
*-Under-rated Peanuts character
TRIFECTA: The Rattlers won the final three games of the series with the Chiefs to win the four game set 3-1. Wisconsin is on their second winning streak of three or more games this season.
TWO-OUT BINGO: Peoria starting pitcher Chris Siegfried retired the first two Wisconsin batters of the first inning. Edilio Colina and Ron Garth would each draw walks. Gavin Dickey and Joe Dunigan followed with back-to-back RBI singles. Almonte was next and he doubled off the left field wall to drive in the final two runs of the inning.
*FIVE: Hume allowed two hits and one unearned run with two walks and two strikeouts over five innings for his fifth win of the season. Hume did not give up a hit until a two-out RBI single by Elvis Lara in the fifth.
OPERATION SHUTDOWN: Three Timber Rattler relievers – Jose Escalona (IP), Michael Pineda (2IP), and Justin Souza (IP) – followed Hume into the game and kept the Chiefs off the scoreboard. The Rattler bullpen pitched 15 innings in the four game series against Peoria. They allowed four runs over those 15 innings.
ESCALONA’S RUN: Escalona, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning yesterday, has not allowed a run over his last eight outings. The lefty has pitched 8-2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.
DOZEN FOR MENDEZ: Rattler outfielder Maximo Mendez went 2-for-4 with a walk yesterday to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. He is 20-for-48 (.417) during the streak. The 12-game streak is the longest current hitting streak in the Midwest League.
STILL A WAYS TO GO: Evan Frey of South Bend has the longest streak in the Midwest League this season. The Silver Hawk outfielder had a 23-game hit streak from April 9 through May 5 of this year.
DROUGHT: Mendez hit a lead-off homer against the Peoria Chiefs on May 26. That was the last time a Rattler batter went deep. The last time a Rattler homered at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium was May 17, when Scott Robinson hit a game winning homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat Kane County.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are currently 30-27 and tied with the Beloit Snappers for third place in the Midwest League Western Division. Both Quad Cities and Beloit trail division leading Clinton by 10 games. The River Bandits and the Snappers are both 4.5 games behind the Kane County Cougars for the first half wild card spot in the Western Division. Quad Cities is 15-15 in 30 road games this season.
FAMILIAR FACE: River Bandit manager Steve Dillard has managed in the Midwest League before this season. Dillard was the first manager of the South Bend Silver Hawks in 1988. He also managed the Davenport, Iowa Midwest League franchise in 1993 and 1994 when they were known as the Quad City River Bandits and were an affiliate of the Houston Astros.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .238 as a team and have scored 184 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.29. The River Bandits are hitting .237 as a team and have scored 232 runs (4.0/game). Quad Cities has hit 36 home runs this season. The River Bandit pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.76.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and SWING of the Quad Cities (as they were known last year) played 16 times in 2007. The Rattlers went 6-10 against Quad Cities, including a 2-6 record at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin and Quad Cities split a four game series at Modern Woodmen Park to open the 2008 season. After a rainout on April 3, the River Bandits won on April 4 by a score of 4-3. The Rattlers swept a doubleheader on April 5, winning both games by a score of 2-0. Quad Cities won the series finale on April 6 by a 6-1 score.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook places three current River Bandits on their Top 30 Cardinal Prospect lists. Shortstop Pete Kozma, the 18th overall pick in the 2007 draft, is the highest rated Bandit on the list at #7. Pitcher Blake King, a member of the Swing in 2007, checks in at #26. Catcher Luis De La Cruz is #30.
OUT OF THE DRAFT: Ten members of the River Bandits were selected by St. Louis in the 2007 draft: Pitchers Brian Broderick (21st), Thomas Eager (5th), Chuckie Fick (15th), and Dylan Gonzalez (31st); infielders Mike Folli (42nd) and Kozma (1st); and outfielders Matthew Arburr (17th), Adron Chambers (38th), and Charlie Kingery (22nd) were all picked in the ’07 draft.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: Brian Broderick was a 21st round pick out of Grand Canyon (AZ) University in the 2007 draft. He was 6-5 with a 3.65ERA in 14 games (all starts) for the Antelopes. His first pro season was with split between Batavia (New York-Penn) and Johnson City (Appalachian) and he was 3-3 with a 2.55ERA in 16 games (9 starts). Tonight is his first appearance against the Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. In his last appearance, Broderick allowed two runs on four hits over three innings of relief work at Beloit on June 1.
QUAD CITIES RELIEVER: The Bandits employ a tandem starter system. Also scheduled to pitch tonight for the Bandits is Josh Wilson, a second round pick out of Whitehouse (TX) high school in 2005, is 1-1 with a 4.98ERA in six games (three starts) for the Bandits this season. He faced the Timber Rattlers on May 9, 2006 and took the loss. In his last appearance this season, Wilson started at Beloit on June 1 and allowed seven runs on seven hits over two innings to take the loss.
*-Under-rated Peanuts character
Draft Day 2008
If you aren't already doing so, mlb.com has a draft tracker going on their website.
The Mariners took Josh Fields with the 20th overall pick. Fields is a closer at the University of Georgia and pitches in the low to mid-90s.
Jay at Mariner Minors has a draft primer that I meant to post this morning and is doing a live blog of the draft right now.
I'm sure that Jason at Prospect Insider will have a few things up later today.
The Mariners took Josh Fields with the 20th overall pick. Fields is a closer at the University of Georgia and pitches in the low to mid-90s.
Jay at Mariner Minors has a draft primer that I meant to post this morning and is doing a live blog of the draft right now.
I'm sure that Jason at Prospect Insider will have a few things up later today.
From the Mariners Site
The Mariner website has this story about last year's #1 pick.
Aumont progressing nicely at Class A
Minor Leaguer pitching well for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
Aumont progressing nicely at Class A
Minor Leaguer pitching well for Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
It's been a full year now since the Mariners took Aumont with their first-round pick -- No. 11 overall -- in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft. Currently with the Class A Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, the young Canadian's last 12 months have been a whirlwind of appearances in the 2007 Arizona Instructional League, 2008 Spring Training and now finally his entrance into the Mariners farm system.
And while there's no doubt this first level will test his skills and sky-high potential against quality competition, it's also a leap into a completely different world for a young man who is away from home and entering a full-time job despite being just a year removed from high school.
"Getting used to going to the ballpark every day, this is now your profession, and what you do every day," Mariners player development director Greg Hunter said. "We want to get him through the season, and get him through the season healthy, and get him acclimated to playing professional baseball and the routines and rituals that we do."
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Rattlers have fared on June 5...since 2000
2000: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 4-0 in Grand Chute. Gorky Estralla was 4--for-4 with two RBI. Danny Delgado, Juan Ramos, and Aquilino Lopez combined on a six-hitter. Rattler record after this game: 32-24
2001: The Rattlers lost 11-3 at Quad City. The River Bandits had 16 hits. Not even back-to-back homers by Dan Floyd and Joe Dusan could salvage this one. Rattler record after this game: 34-23
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-6 in 12 innings at Fort Wayne. Rattler record after this game: 27-31
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 13-3 in Grand Chute. BOBBY! Livingston scattered ten hits over seven innings and allowed one run to move his record to 9-1. Tim Merritt had four hits and three RBI. Rattler record after this game: 34-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Lansing. Brian Dopirak hit a pair of homers for the Lugnuts. Carlos Marmol went six shutout innings for the win. Wladimir Balentien hit a two-run homer in the ninth to help the Rattlers avoid the shutout. Rattler record after this game: 24-30
2005: The Rattlers were off. Record on this date: 32-24
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 9-6 in Grand Chute. A four run eighth inning brought the Rattlers back from a 6-5 deficit. Nick Prosise hit a two-run homer. Jeff Dominguez gave some insurance with a two-run double. Rattler record after this game: 24-33
2007: Quad Cities swept a doubleheader from the Rattlers in Grand Chute.
GAME ONE:
The SWING won 13-5. Tony Butler allowed ten runs on 12 hits in four innings for the loss.
GAME TWO:
The SWING scored one time in the fifth to tie the game and one time in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Rattler record after this game: 17-40
A 3-5 record. The comeback win over Clinton in 2006 doesn't balance out some real blowouts and the SWING doubleheader sweep. Crummy day in Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 4-0 in Grand Chute. Gorky Estralla was 4--for-4 with two RBI. Danny Delgado, Juan Ramos, and Aquilino Lopez combined on a six-hitter. Rattler record after this game: 32-24
2001: The Rattlers lost 11-3 at Quad City. The River Bandits had 16 hits. Not even back-to-back homers by Dan Floyd and Joe Dusan could salvage this one. Rattler record after this game: 34-23
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-6 in 12 innings at Fort Wayne. Rattler record after this game: 27-31
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 13-3 in Grand Chute. BOBBY! Livingston scattered ten hits over seven innings and allowed one run to move his record to 9-1. Tim Merritt had four hits and three RBI. Rattler record after this game: 34-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Lansing. Brian Dopirak hit a pair of homers for the Lugnuts. Carlos Marmol went six shutout innings for the win. Wladimir Balentien hit a two-run homer in the ninth to help the Rattlers avoid the shutout. Rattler record after this game: 24-30
2005: The Rattlers were off. Record on this date: 32-24
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 9-6 in Grand Chute. A four run eighth inning brought the Rattlers back from a 6-5 deficit. Nick Prosise hit a two-run homer. Jeff Dominguez gave some insurance with a two-run double. Rattler record after this game: 24-33
2007: Quad Cities swept a doubleheader from the Rattlers in Grand Chute.
GAME ONE:
The SWING won 13-5. Tony Butler allowed ten runs on 12 hits in four innings for the loss.
GAME TWO:
The SWING scored one time in the fifth to tie the game and one time in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead. Rattler record after this game: 17-40
A 3-5 record. The comeback win over Clinton in 2006 doesn't balance out some real blowouts and the SWING doubleheader sweep. Crummy day in Rattler history.
Midwest League Action (Games of 6/4)
June 4 Scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 6, Peoria 1: Rattler Rally Time!
Lansing 4, @South Bend 3: EJECT! EJECT! EJECT!
@Dayton 4, West Michigan 3: Dragons get help from a Cheesehead to end losing streak.
Fort Wayne 4, @Great Lakes 3: Late Wizard homer zaps Looooooooons.
@Burlington 5, Clinton 1: Dan-ee Duff-ee! Clap Clap Clapclapclap!
@Cedar Rapids 4, Kane County 3: Late Kernel win
Quad Cities 11, @Beloit 6: Bandits take one from Snappers.
@Wisconsin 6, Peoria 1: Rattler Rally Time!
Lansing 4, @South Bend 3: EJECT! EJECT! EJECT!
@Dayton 4, West Michigan 3: Dragons get help from a Cheesehead to end losing streak.
Fort Wayne 4, @Great Lakes 3: Late Wizard homer zaps Looooooooons.
@Burlington 5, Clinton 1: Dan-ee Duff-ee! Clap Clap Clapclapclap!
@Cedar Rapids 4, Kane County 3: Late Kernel win
Quad Cities 11, @Beloit 6: Bandits take one from Snappers.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/4)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-39 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 5-4 to the Angels. Jose Lopez homered and drove in three runs, but Seattle lost their fourth game in a row.
TACOMA (AAA: 28-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers were off on Wednesday.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 36-24, T-1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Tennessee 10-6. Johan Limonta (’06) drove in four runs and Mike Wilson (’05) homered for West Tennessee. The Diamond Jaxx trailed 5-3, but scored once in the sixth, three times in the seventh, and four times in the eighth. Jason Mackintosh (’04) pitched 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-34, T-3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 6-5 at Modesto in eleven innings. Carlos Peguero (’07) homered and drove in three runs for the Mavs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle – OFF DAY
Fresno (Nick Pereira 5-5) at Tacoma (Sean White 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Ryan Ketchner 4-1) at Huntsville (Steve Hammond 5-3) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert – OFF DAY
TACOMA (AAA: 28-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers were off on Wednesday.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 36-24, T-1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Tennessee 10-6. Johan Limonta (’06) drove in four runs and Mike Wilson (’05) homered for West Tennessee. The Diamond Jaxx trailed 5-3, but scored once in the sixth, three times in the seventh, and four times in the eighth. Jason Mackintosh (’04) pitched 1-2/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-34, T-3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 6-5 at Modesto in eleven innings. Carlos Peguero (’07) homered and drove in three runs for the Mavs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Seattle – OFF DAY
Fresno (Nick Pereira 5-5) at Tacoma (Sean White 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Ryan Ketchner 4-1) at Huntsville (Steve Hammond 5-3) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert – OFF DAY
Pitching Matchups (Quad Cities 6/5-8)
THU: RHP Juan Ramirez (3-4, 3.76) vs. RHP Brian Broderick (2-3, 3.88)
FRI: LHP Edward Paredes (4-5, 4.38) vs. RHP Mark Diapoules (4-0, 1.83)
SAT: RHP Nathan Adcock (1-4, 3.41) vs. RHP Chuckie Fick (1-2, 1.93)
SUN: RHP Phillippe Aumont (4-3, 1.47) vs. RHP Eduardo Sanchez 5-1, 3.60)
Quad Cities is still doing the tandem starter thing. Their first scheduled relievers are:
THU: RHP Josh Wilson
FRI: LHP Nick Additon
SAT: RHP Blake King
SUN: RHP Thomas Eager
FRI: LHP Edward Paredes (4-5, 4.38) vs. RHP Mark Diapoules (4-0, 1.83)
SAT: RHP Nathan Adcock (1-4, 3.41) vs. RHP Chuckie Fick (1-2, 1.93)
SUN: RHP Phillippe Aumont (4-3, 1.47) vs. RHP Eduardo Sanchez 5-1, 3.60)
Quad Cities is still doing the tandem starter thing. Their first scheduled relievers are:
THU: RHP Josh Wilson
FRI: LHP Nick Additon
SAT: RHP Blake King
SUN: RHP Thomas Eager
Brick is back
Hey. Mehring wanted to apologize for not updating the site until now, but he doesn't do that very often. He said something about Brick needs to learn to apologize more than Mehring does. Brick thinks Mehring is an idiot.Brick thinks the main thing to do here is to keep the stormy weather away for the weekend.
Brick wishes that Mehring could just come out and say what he's thinking.
Anyway, Mehring will be along in a bit with the day of posting.
6/04/2008
Saunders in Tennessee
Jason Churchill takes a look at ex-Rattler Michael Saunders in his M's Farm Report.
Go read the whole thing.
It didn't hurt, because Saunders is near the .300 mark and had 22 extra-base hits going into yesterday's action.After a promising debut at short-season Class A Everett in 2005, Saunders met his match in the Class A Midwest League in 2006 before turning things around in the High Class A California League in 2007.
"It seemed he was searching for a way to become productive," an AL East scout said. "He's got a lot of ability, but baseball isn't a game of raw talent, it's a game of developed skills, and he was still trying to find a happy medium with his tools. But he wasn't lost, and it obviously didn't hurt him to go through that."
Go read the whole thing.
Today's Rattler Starter (6/4)
LHP DONNIE HUME: Selected by the Mariners in the 8th round of San Diego State University.
FIRST PRO START: Hume is made his professional debut as the starting pitcher in the second game of the doubleheader against the Quad Cities River Bandits on April 5, 2008. He pitched five shutout innings for the victory in the 2-0 Rattler win. The only hit he allowed was a one out double in the bottom of the fifth. He struck out five and walked a pair for the win.
LAST WIN: Hume won his fourth straight decision with six strong innings against Cedar Rapids on May 8. He allowed one run on two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
LAST START: Hume lost at Kane County on May 30. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over three innings with a walk and two strikeouts. The Rattlers lost 4-2 in Hume’s first start off the disabled list.
STRETCHING OUT: Hume’s six innings against Cedar Rapids set a new career high for him.
VS. PEORIA: This is Hume’s first appearance against the Chiefs. It is also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (5/8 vs. Cedar Rapids)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (5/2 @Lansing)
FIRST PRO START: Hume is made his professional debut as the starting pitcher in the second game of the doubleheader against the Quad Cities River Bandits on April 5, 2008. He pitched five shutout innings for the victory in the 2-0 Rattler win. The only hit he allowed was a one out double in the bottom of the fifth. He struck out five and walked a pair for the win.
LAST WIN: Hume won his fourth straight decision with six strong innings against Cedar Rapids on May 8. He allowed one run on two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
LAST START: Hume lost at Kane County on May 30. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits over three innings with a walk and two strikeouts. The Rattlers lost 4-2 in Hume’s first start off the disabled list.
STRETCHING OUT: Hume’s six innings against Cedar Rapids set a new career high for him.
VS. PEORIA: This is Hume’s first appearance against the Chiefs. It is also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (5/8 vs. Cedar Rapids)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (5/2 @Lansing)
June 4 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat the Peoria Chiefs 4-2. Phillippe Aumont allowed one run over seven innings for the victory. Edilio Colina drove in a pair of runs with a single in the seventh inning to snap a 1-1 tie. Keith Meyer pitched a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts for the save.
AUMONT UPDATE: Seattle’s first round pick of the 2007 draft earned his fourth win of the season. He pitched a career-high seven innings and matched his career-high for strikeouts with six. He allowed six hits and did not walk a batter.
*IT GOES TO ELEVEN: Maximo Mendez had a pair of hits last night to move his hitting streak to 11 games. Mendez is 18-for-44 (.409) during the streak. The hitting streak is the longest current streak in the Midwest League.
**HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: Aumont, Colina, and Juan Diaz were named to the Midwest League Western Division All-Star team on Tuesday. Colina and Diaz will be reserves at the All-Star Game in Midland, Michigan on June 17.
DON’T WALK: Aumont, Ryan Moorer, and Meyer did not issue a walk last night.
THREE DECADES: Rattler pitchers have allowed four or fewer runs in a game thirty times in 2008. Wisconsin is 21-9 in those games.
WILD AND OUTSIDE: Wisconsin scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the second inning. Peoria tied the game with a run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth.
BREAKING THE TIE: Wisconsin had runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Colina delivered a two-run single to center to put Wisconsin up 3-1. Ron Garth was next and his single to left drove Colina across the plate for a 4-1 lead.
MY FIVE: The Rattlers collected five hits in the sixth inning. That is a new season-high for hits in an inning for the team.
SOMETHING FAMILIAR: The Rattlers lost the first game in June and have won the next two. Wisconsin lost the first game in April and won the next two. The Rattlers lost the first game in May and won the next two.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-34 and tied for sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League with the Burlington Bees. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria had won four straight games before the Rattlers beat them on Monday. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team and have scored 178 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.35. Peoria is hitting .248 as a team and have scored 226 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 33 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.68.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 3-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Chris Siegfried was an 11th round pick of the Cubs out of Jesuit High School in McMinnville, Oregon in the 2007 draft. He split time between Boise (Northwest League) and Peoria after signing with the Cubs. In Boise, Siegfried was 0-1 with four saves and an ERA of 3.00 in 14 relief appearances. His first appearance for the Chiefs was on July 30 at West Michigan and he picked up the win with two scoreless innings. Overall, Siegfried was 2-0 in 10 games (one start) with a 5.59ERA. That one start for the Chiefs was his only appearance against the Rattlers last season. This year Siegfried allowed one unearned run on three hits over three innings on May 23 in a no decision against the Rattlers. In his last start, Siegfried allowed two runs on four hits over four innings against Cedar Rapids on May 30 for a no decision.
*-This is....
**-Smash!
AUMONT UPDATE: Seattle’s first round pick of the 2007 draft earned his fourth win of the season. He pitched a career-high seven innings and matched his career-high for strikeouts with six. He allowed six hits and did not walk a batter.
*IT GOES TO ELEVEN: Maximo Mendez had a pair of hits last night to move his hitting streak to 11 games. Mendez is 18-for-44 (.409) during the streak. The hitting streak is the longest current streak in the Midwest League.
**HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: Aumont, Colina, and Juan Diaz were named to the Midwest League Western Division All-Star team on Tuesday. Colina and Diaz will be reserves at the All-Star Game in Midland, Michigan on June 17.
DON’T WALK: Aumont, Ryan Moorer, and Meyer did not issue a walk last night.
THREE DECADES: Rattler pitchers have allowed four or fewer runs in a game thirty times in 2008. Wisconsin is 21-9 in those games.
WILD AND OUTSIDE: Wisconsin scored their first run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the second inning. Peoria tied the game with a run scored on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth.
BREAKING THE TIE: Wisconsin had runners at second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth. Colina delivered a two-run single to center to put Wisconsin up 3-1. Ron Garth was next and his single to left drove Colina across the plate for a 4-1 lead.
MY FIVE: The Rattlers collected five hits in the sixth inning. That is a new season-high for hits in an inning for the team.
SOMETHING FAMILIAR: The Rattlers lost the first game in June and have won the next two. Wisconsin lost the first game in April and won the next two. The Rattlers lost the first game in May and won the next two.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-34 and tied for sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League with the Burlington Bees. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria had won four straight games before the Rattlers beat them on Monday. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team and have scored 178 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.35. Peoria is hitting .248 as a team and have scored 226 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 33 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.68.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 3-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Chris Siegfried was an 11th round pick of the Cubs out of Jesuit High School in McMinnville, Oregon in the 2007 draft. He split time between Boise (Northwest League) and Peoria after signing with the Cubs. In Boise, Siegfried was 0-1 with four saves and an ERA of 3.00 in 14 relief appearances. His first appearance for the Chiefs was on July 30 at West Michigan and he picked up the win with two scoreless innings. Overall, Siegfried was 2-0 in 10 games (one start) with a 5.59ERA. That one start for the Chiefs was his only appearance against the Rattlers last season. This year Siegfried allowed one unearned run on three hits over three innings on May 23 in a no decision against the Rattlers. In his last start, Siegfried allowed two runs on four hits over four innings against Cedar Rapids on May 30 for a no decision.
*-This is....
**-Smash!
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Rattlers have fared on June 4...since 2000.
2000: Cedar Rapids beat the Rattlers 11-1 in Grand Chute. Rattler record after this game. 31-24
2001: The Rattlers won 8-2 at Quad City. Rattler record after this game: 34-22
2002: The Rattlers had an off day. Rattler record on this date: 27-30
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 2-1 in 14 innings at home. Rattler record after this game: 33-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Lansing. Rattler record after this game: 24-30
2005: The Rattlers beat Southwest Michigan 7-3. Rattler record after this game: 32-24.
2006: The Rattlers lost 9-4 to the LumberKings at home. Rattler record after this game: 22-34
2007: The Rattlers and Quad Cities were rained out at home. Rattler record on this date: 17-38
2000: Cedar Rapids beat the Rattlers 11-1 in Grand Chute. Rattler record after this game. 31-24
2001: The Rattlers won 8-2 at Quad City. Rattler record after this game: 34-22
2002: The Rattlers had an off day. Rattler record on this date: 27-30
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 2-1 in 14 innings at home. Rattler record after this game: 33-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 7-2 at Lansing. Rattler record after this game: 24-30
2005: The Rattlers beat Southwest Michigan 7-3. Rattler record after this game: 32-24.
2006: The Rattlers lost 9-4 to the LumberKings at home. Rattler record after this game: 22-34
2007: The Rattlers and Quad Cities were rained out at home. Rattler record on this date: 17-38
Midwest League Action (Games of 6/3)
June 3 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 4, Peoria 2: All-stars.
Lansing 5, @South Bend 2: One bad inning was all it took.
West Michigan 5, @Dayton 2 (6 innings): LEDE OF THE WEEK: Only about half a game was played, so the Dayton Dragons allowed only half the runs they've become used to surrendering.
@Burlington 9, Clinton 4: Bees roll.
Kane County 1, @Cedar Rapids 0: Curve balls at 60'-6".
@Beloit 5, Quad Cities 0: The headline should be Beloit Snaps Back, but that's just me.
@Great Lakes 9, Fort Wayne 4: Wizards lose. Never thought that would happen again.
@Wisconsin 4, Peoria 2: All-stars.
Lansing 5, @South Bend 2: One bad inning was all it took.
West Michigan 5, @Dayton 2 (6 innings): LEDE OF THE WEEK: Only about half a game was played, so the Dayton Dragons allowed only half the runs they've become used to surrendering.
@Burlington 9, Clinton 4: Bees roll.
Kane County 1, @Cedar Rapids 0: Curve balls at 60'-6".
@Beloit 5, Quad Cities 0: The headline should be Beloit Snaps Back, but that's just me.
@Great Lakes 9, Fort Wayne 4: Wizards lose. Never thought that would happen again.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/3)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-38 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 5-4 to the Angels. Seattle fell behind 5-1 and could not come all the way back.
TACOMA (AAA: 28-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Salt Lake 6-2. Yung Chi Chen (’05) had a pair of hits and drove in three runs for Tacoma. Robert Rohrbaugh (’05) allowed two runs and struck out eight over 7-1/3 innings.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 35-24, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Tennessee 10-9 in 11 innings. Michael Saunders (’06) hit a pair of homers for West Tennessee. Luis Valbuena (’06) tied the game at eight with a homer in the bottom of the ninth. The teams traded runs in the tenth before the Diamond Jaxx scored once on a Jeffrey Dominguez (’06) sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eleventh for the win to snap a losing streak.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-33, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-5 at Modesto. Gerardo Avila (’08) homered, tripled, and drove in a pair of runs for High Desert, but the Nuts scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally from a 5-4 deficit.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Jered Weaver 4-6) at Seattle (Carlos Silva 3-5) 3:40pm CDT
Tacoma – OFF DAY
Tennessee (Mitch Atkins 4-5) at West Tennessee (Denny Stark 1-2) 12:05pm CDT
High Desert (Anthony Varvaro 2-4) at Modesto (Simon Ferrer 2-8) 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 28-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Salt Lake 6-2. Yung Chi Chen (’05) had a pair of hits and drove in three runs for Tacoma. Robert Rohrbaugh (’05) allowed two runs and struck out eight over 7-1/3 innings.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 35-24, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Tennessee 10-9 in 11 innings. Michael Saunders (’06) hit a pair of homers for West Tennessee. Luis Valbuena (’06) tied the game at eight with a homer in the bottom of the ninth. The teams traded runs in the tenth before the Diamond Jaxx scored once on a Jeffrey Dominguez (’06) sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eleventh for the win to snap a losing streak.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-33, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-5 at Modesto. Gerardo Avila (’08) homered, tripled, and drove in a pair of runs for High Desert, but the Nuts scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally from a 5-4 deficit.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Jered Weaver 4-6) at Seattle (Carlos Silva 3-5) 3:40pm CDT
Tacoma – OFF DAY
Tennessee (Mitch Atkins 4-5) at West Tennessee (Denny Stark 1-2) 12:05pm CDT
High Desert (Anthony Varvaro 2-4) at Modesto (Simon Ferrer 2-8) 9:05pm CDT
6/03/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (6/3)
RHP PHILLPE AUMONT: Selected by the Mariners in the first round (11th overall) in the 2007 draft out of Ecole Du Versant in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada.
LAST HOME START: Aumont made his second start (and first at home) of the season on May 18 against the Kane County Cougars. Aumont allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings and took the loss. Both runs scored by Kane County off Aumont were on wild pitches with runners at third base. The Rattlers lost 4-0 to the Cougars.
LAST START: Aumont pitched five shutout innings at Kane County in a 2-1 Wisconsin victory on May 29. Aumont gave up three hits, walked a pair and struck out a career high six batters.
FIRST: The runs scored by Burlington off Aumont on May 13 were the first earned runs allowed by Aumont this season. He did allow four unearned runs in a loss to Fort Wayne on April 14.
SAVINGS PLAN: Aumont is 2-for-3 in save opportunities. His two saves were outings of three innings in length.
VS. PEORIA: Aumont allowed three runs on five hits over 5-2/3 innings at O’Brien Field on May 23. He walked one, struck out three, and took the loss in a 5-2 Peoria victory.
CAREER HIGHS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 5.2 (5/23 @Peoria)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 (5/29 @ Kane County)
LAST HOME START: Aumont made his second start (and first at home) of the season on May 18 against the Kane County Cougars. Aumont allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts over four innings and took the loss. Both runs scored by Kane County off Aumont were on wild pitches with runners at third base. The Rattlers lost 4-0 to the Cougars.
LAST START: Aumont pitched five shutout innings at Kane County in a 2-1 Wisconsin victory on May 29. Aumont gave up three hits, walked a pair and struck out a career high six batters.
FIRST: The runs scored by Burlington off Aumont on May 13 were the first earned runs allowed by Aumont this season. He did allow four unearned runs in a loss to Fort Wayne on April 14.
SAVINGS PLAN: Aumont is 2-for-3 in save opportunities. His two saves were outings of three innings in length.
VS. PEORIA: Aumont allowed three runs on five hits over 5-2/3 innings at O’Brien Field on May 23. He walked one, struck out three, and took the loss in a 5-2 Peoria victory.
CAREER HIGHS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 5.2 (5/23 @Peoria)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 (5/29 @ Kane County)
June 3 Game Notes
ABOUT MONDAY: The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Peoria Chiefs 9-6. Calvin Beamon and Denny Almonte each had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI to lead the offense. Jake Wild allowed a run in relief and got the win. Walter Suriel and Rob Harmon closed out the Chiefs with a scoreless inning a piece.
*SKY HIGH: The nine runs by the Rattlers are the most in a game this season. The previous high had been eight runs.
THREE LITTLE RUNS: The Rattlers rallied from a 5-2 deficit for the 9-6 win. That marked the third time in 2008 the Rattlers have comeback to win a game after being down three runs in a game.
AWARD WINNER: Peoria infielder Marquez Smith was named the Midwest League offensive player of the week before Monday’s game. He celebrated with three more hits, including a home run in the top of the seventh off Wild that tied the game 6-6.
MANUFACTURING SECTOR: The Rattlers were batting in the bottom of the seventh with Gavin Dickey at third, Almonte at first, and Israel Nunez at the plate with one out and the score tied. Almonte ran on a pitch to Nunez, who sent a grounder back to the mound. Pitcher Craig Muschko turned and threw to second, but the ball arrived just behind Almonte. Dickey scored on the play as Nunez was thrown out at first. Instead of an inning-ending double play, the Rattlers had a 7-6 lead.
PERFECT TEN: Maximo Mendez is singled in the seventh to drive in Almonte. The RBI single extended Mendez’s current hitting streak to ten games. He is 16-for-40 (.400) during the streak.
THE CLOSER: Rob Harmon is 4-for-4 in save opportunities since the beginning of May. In those four save opportunities, Harmon has allowed one hit and no runs with two walks and three strikeouts over four innings.
OFF THE BOARD: Suriel allowed at least one to score in each of his first six outings for the Timber Rattlers. He has not allowed a run in each of his last two stints out of the bullpen.
**MONDAY, MONDAY: The Rattlers won their first Monday game of 2008 yesterday. Wisconsin is now 1-8 in nine games on Monday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-33 and in sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria had won four straight games before the Rattlers beat them yesterday. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .235 as a team and have scored 174 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.38. Peoria is hitting .248 as a team and have scored 224 runs (4.0/game). Peoria has hit 33 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.68.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 2-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Robert Hernandez was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in July 2005. Tonight is his first start of the season for the Chiefs. Hernandez was scheduled to be the starting pitcher for the Chiefs on Opening Night at Burlington on April 3. But, he failed a test for performance enhancing drugs and had to serve a 50-game suspension. The suspension ended on May 31. In 2007, Hernandez was 8-9 with a 4.34 ERA for the Chiefs. He made one start against Wisconsin last season. On June 26, he beat the Rattlers at O’Brien Field. In that game, Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts over seven innings. Hernandez is rated as the #17 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system by Baseball America.
*, **-Yes.
*SKY HIGH: The nine runs by the Rattlers are the most in a game this season. The previous high had been eight runs.
THREE LITTLE RUNS: The Rattlers rallied from a 5-2 deficit for the 9-6 win. That marked the third time in 2008 the Rattlers have comeback to win a game after being down three runs in a game.
AWARD WINNER: Peoria infielder Marquez Smith was named the Midwest League offensive player of the week before Monday’s game. He celebrated with three more hits, including a home run in the top of the seventh off Wild that tied the game 6-6.
MANUFACTURING SECTOR: The Rattlers were batting in the bottom of the seventh with Gavin Dickey at third, Almonte at first, and Israel Nunez at the plate with one out and the score tied. Almonte ran on a pitch to Nunez, who sent a grounder back to the mound. Pitcher Craig Muschko turned and threw to second, but the ball arrived just behind Almonte. Dickey scored on the play as Nunez was thrown out at first. Instead of an inning-ending double play, the Rattlers had a 7-6 lead.
PERFECT TEN: Maximo Mendez is singled in the seventh to drive in Almonte. The RBI single extended Mendez’s current hitting streak to ten games. He is 16-for-40 (.400) during the streak.
THE CLOSER: Rob Harmon is 4-for-4 in save opportunities since the beginning of May. In those four save opportunities, Harmon has allowed one hit and no runs with two walks and three strikeouts over four innings.
OFF THE BOARD: Suriel allowed at least one to score in each of his first six outings for the Timber Rattlers. He has not allowed a run in each of his last two stints out of the bullpen.
**MONDAY, MONDAY: The Rattlers won their first Monday game of 2008 yesterday. Wisconsin is now 1-8 in nine games on Monday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-33 and in sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria had won four straight games before the Rattlers beat them yesterday. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .235 as a team and have scored 174 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.38. Peoria is hitting .248 as a team and have scored 224 runs (4.0/game). Peoria has hit 33 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.68.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 2-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Robert Hernandez was signed by the Cubs as a non-drafted free agent out of Venezuela in July 2005. Tonight is his first start of the season for the Chiefs. Hernandez was scheduled to be the starting pitcher for the Chiefs on Opening Night at Burlington on April 3. But, he failed a test for performance enhancing drugs and had to serve a 50-game suspension. The suspension ended on May 31. In 2007, Hernandez was 8-9 with a 4.34 ERA for the Chiefs. He made one start against Wisconsin last season. On June 26, he beat the Rattlers at O’Brien Field. In that game, Hernandez allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits with one walk and four strikeouts over seven innings. Hernandez is rated as the #17 prospect in the Cubs’ minor league system by Baseball America.
*, **-Yes.
Your 2008 Timber Rattler All-stars
There is no release up on the Midwest League website yet and I'll link to it when it is out there. But, since there are three Timber Rattlers on the Western Division squad this year, I thought that I'd post them.
Pitcher Phillippe Aumont
Shortstop Juan Diaz
Second Baseman Edilio Colina
Diaz and Colina are both on the team as reserves.
More later.
UPDATE: Link to Rattler story added.
Pitcher Phillippe Aumont
Shortstop Juan Diaz
Second Baseman Edilio Colina
Diaz and Colina are both on the team as reserves.
More later.
UPDATE: Link to Rattler story added.
I didn't want to be back yet
Greetings, Timber Rattler fans. Carl, the Rain-hating Camel here.I had plans today. But, the cursed weather has taken a turn. Now, I have to cancel my afternoon plans. That's okay, though. The Timber Rattler pitchers are about to take batting practice. I'm just going to park myself out on the Miller High Life Home Run Porch and see if any of them can hit a souvenir to me.
I was planning on coming out to the game for a 'Bang for Your Buck' night anyway. So I'll just be spending more time at the ballpark than I would have. Hope to see you tonight.
Notebook
The Midwest League Notebook is available. Here is the latest on Quad Cities, the next Rattler opponent.
WHO'S HOT: OF Charles Kingrey ranked second in the league in batting last week, hitting .500 (12-for-24) with two home runs and five RBIs. Over his last 10 games he's batting .410 (16-for-39) with two home runs, five RBIs and seven runs scored. ... C Paul Vazquez is batting .375 (6-for-16) with seven RBIs and two runs scored over his last four games, raising his season average to .294 (20-for-68) with five doubles, two triples and 11 RBIs.WHO'S NOT: OF Thomas Pham is batting just .147 (5-for-34) over his last nine games, lowering his season average to .224 (17-for-76) with 28 strikeouts in 20 games.
DID YOU KNOW: Half the River Bandits' 10 hits went for home runs in a 7-4 win over Burlington on Friday, including OF Matt Arburr's eighth-inning inside-the-park homer.
Over at the main website....
Some updated material at the main Timber Rattler website.
Timberrattlers.com Player of the Month and Pitcher of the Month
Joe Dunigan and Michael Pineda
Mehring Monday has to do with autographs.
Timberrattlers.com Player of the Month and Pitcher of the Month
Joe Dunigan and Michael Pineda
Mehring Monday has to do with autographs.
Hall of fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg is here for a few more days and it has been neat watching him sign autographs for fans before games. It takes me back to some of the autographs I have picked up through the years.Just a few.
MWL Awards
The Midwest League announced their Pitcher of the Week and Player of the Week yesterday.
Pitcher:
Pitcher:
Christian Beltre, South BendPlayer:
2-0, 3.00 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 1 CG, 15.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 15 SO
Beltre picked up his fourth and fifth wins of the season last week to take the team lead. Beltre book-ended the Silver Hawks' five-game winning streak, beginning with an admirable six-inning, four-run, eight-strikeout performance against the Lansing Lugnuts. Saturday, he was much better when he faced the West Michigan Whitecaps and allowed a run on two hits -- one being a solo homer -- while whiffing seven and walking one in a complete-game effort. Beltre has already surpassed his career high for strikeouts in a season with 48. His previous high was 41.
Marquez Smith, Peoria
.429 (9-21), 6 R, 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO, 0 SB, .952 SLG
A slugger at Clemson University, the 5-foot-10 third baseman had only hit 12 home runs in three seasons of Minor League ball. But that was before last week. Smith powered three balls out of the yard and ran his season-high hitting streak to 10 games before having it snapped Saturday. The Panama City, Fla. native now has seven home runs and has already hit four triples this season.
Brett and Sandberg
Post-Crescent writer Brett Christopherson caught up with Peoria manager Ryne Sandberg for a Q&A.
A line of about 30 fans, a smattering draped in Chicago Cubs jerseys and others wearing royal blue caps adorned with the classic block, red C on the front, have filled an aisle near the first base dugout at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday.
Some are clutching baseballs. Some are holding photos. A few have cameras.
And all want just two things: A few seconds with that guy who's casually swinging the fungo bat — and his autograph, for sure.
"It's great. It's all Cubs fans," Cubs legend, Hall of Famer and Peoria Chiefs skipper Ryne Sandberg said with a smile when asked if he ever gets comfortable with the amount of attention his visits throughout the Midwest League continue to generate.
Nice use of the word 'smattering', Brett.
Plenty of good Q's and good A's in that link. Here's a taste.
Head over for the whole thing.Q: Last month, you were suspended three games by the league following a bench-clearing incident at Clinton, Iowa. You were also suspended two games last season for an altercation with an umpire and have been ejected a total of eight times as Peoria's manager. According to an ESPN.com article, you were ejected just twice during your entire major league career. You have the reputation of being a 'nice guy,' so what's the deal? Are you getting ornerier?
A: It's all part of the job. Everybody's here to learn. I'm competing. I think I compete with passion, and that's part of it. Sticking up for my players. When I see a couple of calls go against my team and we're trying to win a ballgame, I'll go out and get verbal and see what's going on. That's all.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have done on June 3...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 12-1 in Grand Chute. The Rattlers scored eight runs in the second inning to put the game away early. Chris Snelling went 3-for-3 with a homer, three runs, and two RI. Caleb Balbuena pitched six innings and allowed one unearned run. This was the eighth win in a row for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 31-23
2001: The Rattlers won 3-2 at Quad Cities. Pedro Liriano's RBI triple in the eighth broke a 2-2 tie. Tim Burton got the win with two scoreless innings. Rattler record after this game: 33-22.
2002: The Rattlers were swept in a day-night doubleheader at home by South Bend.
GAME ONE:
South Bend won 11-3. The Rattlers committed eight errors. Renee Cortez was the losing pitcher as he allowed seven runs -- all unearned.
GAME TWO:
South Bend beat the Rattlers 3-0. Kyle Nichols drove in three runs with a bases loaded double in the third inning. Jon Castellanos pitched a complete game two-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 27-30
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 7-4 at home. Wisconsin scored three runs in the sixth and two runs in the eighth. Rene Rivera and Michael Garciaparra drew bases loaded walks in the sixth to put the Rattlers in front. Rattler record after this game: 32-24
2004: The Rattlers won 5-3 at Lansing. Josh Womack and Adam Jones drove in a pair of runs for the Rattlers as Wisconsin built a 5-0 lead in the first two innings. Tom Oldham struck out eight and got the win. Rattler record after this game: 24-29
2005: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Cedar Rapids. Casey Abrams allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings, but the Rattlers could not score against the trio of Jesse Smith, TJ Stanton, and Frederic Loizaga-Carney. Rattler record after this game: 31-24
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 7-2 at home. Nick Prosise had three hits and two RBI. Paul Fagan allowed two runs on five hits over six innings for the win. Rattler record after this game: 22-33
2007: The Rattlers lost 4-2 to Quad Cities at home. Brandon Buckman hit a two-run homer to put the SWING up 3-1. Alex Meneses scored one Rattler run and drove in the other. Anthony Varvaro took the loss. Rattler record after this game: 17-38
A 5-4 record with a Day-Night doubleheader on a crummy day in 2002. Crummy day in Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 12-1 in Grand Chute. The Rattlers scored eight runs in the second inning to put the game away early. Chris Snelling went 3-for-3 with a homer, three runs, and two RI. Caleb Balbuena pitched six innings and allowed one unearned run. This was the eighth win in a row for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 31-23
2001: The Rattlers won 3-2 at Quad Cities. Pedro Liriano's RBI triple in the eighth broke a 2-2 tie. Tim Burton got the win with two scoreless innings. Rattler record after this game: 33-22.
2002: The Rattlers were swept in a day-night doubleheader at home by South Bend.
GAME ONE:
South Bend won 11-3. The Rattlers committed eight errors. Renee Cortez was the losing pitcher as he allowed seven runs -- all unearned.
GAME TWO:
South Bend beat the Rattlers 3-0. Kyle Nichols drove in three runs with a bases loaded double in the third inning. Jon Castellanos pitched a complete game two-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 27-30
2003: The Rattlers beat Fort Wayne 7-4 at home. Wisconsin scored three runs in the sixth and two runs in the eighth. Rene Rivera and Michael Garciaparra drew bases loaded walks in the sixth to put the Rattlers in front. Rattler record after this game: 32-24
2004: The Rattlers won 5-3 at Lansing. Josh Womack and Adam Jones drove in a pair of runs for the Rattlers as Wisconsin built a 5-0 lead in the first two innings. Tom Oldham struck out eight and got the win. Rattler record after this game: 24-29
2005: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Cedar Rapids. Casey Abrams allowed two runs (one earned) over seven innings, but the Rattlers could not score against the trio of Jesse Smith, TJ Stanton, and Frederic Loizaga-Carney. Rattler record after this game: 31-24
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 7-2 at home. Nick Prosise had three hits and two RBI. Paul Fagan allowed two runs on five hits over six innings for the win. Rattler record after this game: 22-33
2007: The Rattlers lost 4-2 to Quad Cities at home. Brandon Buckman hit a two-run homer to put the SWING up 3-1. Alex Meneses scored one Rattler run and drove in the other. Anthony Varvaro took the loss. Rattler record after this game: 17-38
A 5-4 record with a Day-Night doubleheader on a crummy day in 2002. Crummy day in Rattler history.
Midwest League Action (Games of 6/2)
June 2 scoreboard.
@Wisconsin 9, Peoria 6: Nine for the Appleton Nine.
Lansing 4, @South Bend 1: Yep. It was the fault of the gloves.
West Michigan 10, @Dayton 6: Go figure. One homer by one guy wasn't enough for the Dragons.
Fort Wayne 5, @Great Lakes 4 (10 innings): The Wizards are playing like Gandalf the White after playing most of the season like Radagast the Brown.
@Cedar Rapids 9, Kane County 8: Squeeze caps three run bottom of the ninth for Cedar Rapids.
Clinton 9, @Burlington 7 (7 innings): Even the rain helps the LumberKings.
Quad Cities 4, @Beloit 2: QC wins.
@Wisconsin 9, Peoria 6: Nine for the Appleton Nine.
Lansing 4, @South Bend 1: Yep. It was the fault of the gloves.
West Michigan 10, @Dayton 6: Go figure. One homer by one guy wasn't enough for the Dragons.
Fort Wayne 5, @Great Lakes 4 (10 innings): The Wizards are playing like Gandalf the White after playing most of the season like Radagast the Brown.
@Cedar Rapids 9, Kane County 8: Squeeze caps three run bottom of the ninth for Cedar Rapids.
Clinton 9, @Burlington 7 (7 innings): Even the rain helps the LumberKings.
Quad Cities 4, @Beloit 2: QC wins.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/2)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-37 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 4-2 to the Angels. Jarrod Washburn allowed four runs on nine hits to take the loss.
TACOMA (AAA: 27-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-5 to Salt Lake. Yung Chi Chen (’05) and Jeff Clement (’05) both homered and drove in two runs for Tacoma.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-24, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-4 to Tennessee. The Smokies scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-32, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 1-0 to Modesto. The Nuts scored a run in the bottom of the first inning off Nick Hill.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Joe Saunders 8-2) at Seattle (Erik Bedard 4-3) 9:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Nick Green 4-1) at Tacoma (Robert Rohrbaugh 3-4) 9:00pm CDT
Tennessee (James Russell 2-0) at West Tennessee (Justin Thomas 3-5) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert (Keith Renaud 2-7) at Modesto (Keith Weiser 3-7) 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 27-30, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-5 to Salt Lake. Yung Chi Chen (’05) and Jeff Clement (’05) both homered and drove in two runs for Tacoma.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-24, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-4 to Tennessee. The Smokies scored an unearned run in the top of the ninth inning to break a 4-4 tie.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-32, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 1-0 to Modesto. The Nuts scored a run in the bottom of the first inning off Nick Hill.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Joe Saunders 8-2) at Seattle (Erik Bedard 4-3) 9:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Nick Green 4-1) at Tacoma (Robert Rohrbaugh 3-4) 9:00pm CDT
Tennessee (James Russell 2-0) at West Tennessee (Justin Thomas 3-5) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert (Keith Renaud 2-7) at Modesto (Keith Weiser 3-7) 9:05pm CDT
6/02/2008
Today's Rattler Starter (6/2)
RHP NATHAN ADCOCK: Selected by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2006 draft out of North Hardin (KY) High School.
LAST SEASON: Adcock started 2007 with the Timber Rattlers. He was 2-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). Opponents scored 60 runs in 87-2/3 innings pitched, but only 36 of those runs were earned. He was promoted to High Desert on July 20 and went 1-3 with an 8.84 ERA in five starts. In his two stops in the Mariner system, Adcock struck out 77 and walked 60 in 106 innings.
LAST WIN: Adcock picked up his first win of the season with seven shutout innings at Great Lakes on May 6. He struck out a career high nine batters and walked just one in a 6-0 win over the Loons.
LAST START: Adcock allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits in the first inning at Kane County on May 28. He gave up one more hit over the remainder of his seven inning start. But, Adcock took the loss in a 3-1 Cougar victory. Adcock struck out eight and walked three in the game.
SCORELESS SKEIN: Adcock went 17-2/3 innings without allowing a run from the second inning of his start at Lansing on May 1 through two outs in the first inning of his start against Kane County on May 17.
VS. PEORIA: Adcock faced the Chiefs twice in 2007 and went 0-2. He pitched 10-1/3 innings and allowed seven runs 9five earned) on 10 hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Both starts against the Chiefs were at O’Brien Field.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 (6/2/07 vs. Quad Cities)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 {2x} (Last: 5/12/08 vs. Burlington)
LAST SEASON: Adcock started 2007 with the Timber Rattlers. He was 2-8 with a 3.70 ERA in 17 appearances (16 starts). Opponents scored 60 runs in 87-2/3 innings pitched, but only 36 of those runs were earned. He was promoted to High Desert on July 20 and went 1-3 with an 8.84 ERA in five starts. In his two stops in the Mariner system, Adcock struck out 77 and walked 60 in 106 innings.
LAST WIN: Adcock picked up his first win of the season with seven shutout innings at Great Lakes on May 6. He struck out a career high nine batters and walked just one in a 6-0 win over the Loons.
LAST START: Adcock allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits in the first inning at Kane County on May 28. He gave up one more hit over the remainder of his seven inning start. But, Adcock took the loss in a 3-1 Cougar victory. Adcock struck out eight and walked three in the game.
SCORELESS SKEIN: Adcock went 17-2/3 innings without allowing a run from the second inning of his start at Lansing on May 1 through two outs in the first inning of his start against Kane County on May 17.
VS. PEORIA: Adcock faced the Chiefs twice in 2007 and went 0-2. He pitched 10-1/3 innings and allowed seven runs 9five earned) on 10 hits with three walks and five strikeouts. Both starts against the Chiefs were at O’Brien Field.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 (6/2/07 vs. Quad Cities)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 {2x} (Last: 5/12/08 vs. Burlington)
June 2 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Peoria Chiefs beat the Timber Rattlers 6-4. Tyler Johnston had three hits, including a homer, and drove in a pair of runs for the Chiefs. Peoria banged out 14 hits as each of their starters had at least one hit in the game.
TRADING PUNCHES: Both teams scored in the first two innings. Peoria score a run in the top of the first. The Rattles came back on a two-out RBI single by Gavin Dickey in the bottom of the first. Johnston homered in the second and that was followed by a Cliff Andersen RBI single later in the inning. Wisconsin pulled to within 3-2 on an RBI double by Scott Robinson in the bottom of the second.
ONE FOR CHEN: Peoria starting pitcher Hung-Wen Chen picked up his first win of the season as he allowed two runs on five hits with two walks over five innings.
PADDING: The Chiefs tacked on a run in the fifth, one in the seventh, and one in the ninth to provide the final three runs.
MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH: The Rattlers got to within 5-4 after a two-out, two run single by Edilio Colina in the bottom of the seventh. Wisconsin left the tying and lead runs aboard in the inning.
PATTERNS: The Rattlers would get the tying run aboard in the bottom of the ninth, but Blake Parker struck out his fifth batter of the game to end the game and get his first save of the season. During their current three-game losing streak, the Rattlers have had the tying run on base or at the plate in the eighth or ninth inning.
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME: The Rattlers have not scored more than four runs in a game since an 11-6 loss at Cedar Rapids on May 20. In the 11 games since that game, Wisconsin is 3-8 and has been outscored 43-25.
CLOUD NINE: Maximo Mendez is had a pair of hits yesterday to move his hitting streak to nine games. He is 15-for-38 (.395) during the streak.
EVEN AT HOME: After the loss last night, Wisconsin is 12-12 in games on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium this season.
*BLUE MONDAY: Heading into today, the Rattlers are 0-8 in eight games on Monday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-32 and tied with the Timber Rattlers for fifth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 16 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria has won four straight games and are 8-2 in their last ten games. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .234 as a team and have scored 165 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.37. Peoria is hitting .247 as a team and have scored 218 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 32 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.59.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 1-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Billy Muldowney was an eighth round pick of the Cubs in the 2006 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. Last season, Muldowney was the opening night starter against the Timber Rattlers on April 5 in Grand Chute. He picked up the win with nine strikeouts over five innings. The Rattlers did get to him for four runs (three earned) on eight hits. Muldowney would go 2-3 with a 5.24 ERA in six starts, before going on the disabled list in May. He would make a pair of starts for the Arizona League affiliate of the Cubs before being shutdown for the remainder of 2007. In his start prior to today, Muldowney beat the Timber Rattlers on May 26 at O’Brien Field. He allowed two runs on three hits over five innings with no walks and four strikeouts in a 5-2 win.
*-Guess
TRADING PUNCHES: Both teams scored in the first two innings. Peoria score a run in the top of the first. The Rattles came back on a two-out RBI single by Gavin Dickey in the bottom of the first. Johnston homered in the second and that was followed by a Cliff Andersen RBI single later in the inning. Wisconsin pulled to within 3-2 on an RBI double by Scott Robinson in the bottom of the second.
ONE FOR CHEN: Peoria starting pitcher Hung-Wen Chen picked up his first win of the season as he allowed two runs on five hits with two walks over five innings.
PADDING: The Chiefs tacked on a run in the fifth, one in the seventh, and one in the ninth to provide the final three runs.
MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH: The Rattlers got to within 5-4 after a two-out, two run single by Edilio Colina in the bottom of the seventh. Wisconsin left the tying and lead runs aboard in the inning.
PATTERNS: The Rattlers would get the tying run aboard in the bottom of the ninth, but Blake Parker struck out his fifth batter of the game to end the game and get his first save of the season. During their current three-game losing streak, the Rattlers have had the tying run on base or at the plate in the eighth or ninth inning.
IT’S BEEN A LONG TIME: The Rattlers have not scored more than four runs in a game since an 11-6 loss at Cedar Rapids on May 20. In the 11 games since that game, Wisconsin is 3-8 and has been outscored 43-25.
CLOUD NINE: Maximo Mendez is had a pair of hits yesterday to move his hitting streak to nine games. He is 15-for-38 (.395) during the streak.
EVEN AT HOME: After the loss last night, Wisconsin is 12-12 in games on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium this season.
*BLUE MONDAY: Heading into today, the Rattlers are 0-8 in eight games on Monday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 24-32 and tied with the Timber Rattlers for fifth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 16 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria has won four straight games and are 8-2 in their last ten games. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .234 as a team and have scored 165 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.37. Peoria is hitting .247 as a team and have scored 218 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 32 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.59.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Wisconsin is 1-4 against Peoria this season. Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Billy Muldowney was an eighth round pick of the Cubs in the 2006 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh. Last season, Muldowney was the opening night starter against the Timber Rattlers on April 5 in Grand Chute. He picked up the win with nine strikeouts over five innings. The Rattlers did get to him for four runs (three earned) on eight hits. Muldowney would go 2-3 with a 5.24 ERA in six starts, before going on the disabled list in May. He would make a pair of starts for the Arizona League affiliate of the Cubs before being shutdown for the remainder of 2007. In his start prior to today, Muldowney beat the Timber Rattlers on May 26 at O’Brien Field. He allowed two runs on three hits over five innings with no walks and four strikeouts in a 5-2 win.
*-Guess
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here’s how the Rattlers have fared on June 2…since 2000
2000: The Rattlers won 4-1 over Cedar Rapids at home. Craig Anderson with six scoreless innings and RBI for Sean Parnell, Kevin Robles, Shawn McCorkle, and Ruben Castillo were exactly what the Rattlers needed for their seventh straight win. Rattler record after this game: 30-23
2001: The Rattlers lost 6-1 to Peoria at home. John Gall hit a three-run homer off Clint Nageotte for the only runs that the Chiefs would need. Rattler record after this game: 32-22
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-5 to South Bend at home. The Silver Hawks scored four runs after the second out of the top of the ninth inning to go up 7-4. A run in the bottom of the ninth wasn’t enough for the Rattlers. Rattler record after this game: 27-28
2003: The Rattlers beat West Michigan 8-4 at home. TJ Bohn homered and drove in five runs for the Rattler offense. Rattler record after this game: 31-24
2004: The Rattlers beat Lansing 7-5 in Lansing. Chris Colton homered and drove in four runs and Brent Metheny and Wladimir Balentien added homers for Wisconsin. Eric O’Flaherty got the win with seven solid innings. Rattler record after this game: 23-29
2005: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 6-2 at Cedar Rapids. Marshall Hubbard homered, Jason Snyder pitched seven solid innings, and Eric O’Flaherty got a two inning save in the Rattler victory. Rattler record after this game: 31-23
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 8-2 at home. Wisconsin led 2-0 before scoring six times in the bottom of the seventh inning. Justin Thomas pitched six scoreless innings for the win and to beat Jake Rasner. Rattler record after this game: 21-33
2007: The Rattlers lost 7-2 to Quad Cities at home. Alex Liddi gave the Rattlers a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the fifth. But, the QC scored twice in the eighth and took advantage of three Rattler errors in the ninth inning to score five runs. Rattler record after this game: 17-37
A 5-3 record, but no real memorable games, except for that 2002 loss. That was a tough one on a pretty crummy day -- weather-wise.
2000: The Rattlers won 4-1 over Cedar Rapids at home. Craig Anderson with six scoreless innings and RBI for Sean Parnell, Kevin Robles, Shawn McCorkle, and Ruben Castillo were exactly what the Rattlers needed for their seventh straight win. Rattler record after this game: 30-23
2001: The Rattlers lost 6-1 to Peoria at home. John Gall hit a three-run homer off Clint Nageotte for the only runs that the Chiefs would need. Rattler record after this game: 32-22
2002: The Rattlers lost 7-5 to South Bend at home. The Silver Hawks scored four runs after the second out of the top of the ninth inning to go up 7-4. A run in the bottom of the ninth wasn’t enough for the Rattlers. Rattler record after this game: 27-28
2003: The Rattlers beat West Michigan 8-4 at home. TJ Bohn homered and drove in five runs for the Rattler offense. Rattler record after this game: 31-24
2004: The Rattlers beat Lansing 7-5 in Lansing. Chris Colton homered and drove in four runs and Brent Metheny and Wladimir Balentien added homers for Wisconsin. Eric O’Flaherty got the win with seven solid innings. Rattler record after this game: 23-29
2005: The Rattlers beat Cedar Rapids 6-2 at Cedar Rapids. Marshall Hubbard homered, Jason Snyder pitched seven solid innings, and Eric O’Flaherty got a two inning save in the Rattler victory. Rattler record after this game: 31-23
2006: The Rattlers beat Clinton 8-2 at home. Wisconsin led 2-0 before scoring six times in the bottom of the seventh inning. Justin Thomas pitched six scoreless innings for the win and to beat Jake Rasner. Rattler record after this game: 21-33
2007: The Rattlers lost 7-2 to Quad Cities at home. Alex Liddi gave the Rattlers a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer in the fifth. But, the QC scored twice in the eighth and took advantage of three Rattler errors in the ninth inning to score five runs. Rattler record after this game: 17-37
A 5-3 record, but no real memorable games, except for that 2002 loss. That was a tough one on a pretty crummy day -- weather-wise.
Midwest League Action (Games of 6/1)
June 1 scoreboard.
Peoria 6, @Wisconsin 4: Homecoming wrecked.
Lansing 1, @South Bend 0: 'Flubbed' right there in the headline
@Burlington 3, Clinton 1: Bees give canine fans something to bark about
Kane County 4, @Cedar Rapids 3: Just a bit short for the Kernels
Fort Wayne 4, @Great Lakes 0: Wizards win! Again!
@Beloit 10, Quad Cities 5: Olson slams Bandits
West Michigan 10, @Dayton 0: Figaro was more than a little tired of the Caps losing.
Peoria 6, @Wisconsin 4: Homecoming wrecked.
Lansing 1, @South Bend 0: 'Flubbed' right there in the headline
@Burlington 3, Clinton 1: Bees give canine fans something to bark about
Kane County 4, @Cedar Rapids 3: Just a bit short for the Kernels
Fort Wayne 4, @Great Lakes 0: Wizards win! Again!
@Beloit 10, Quad Cities 5: Olson slams Bandits
West Michigan 10, @Dayton 0: Figaro was more than a little tired of the Caps losing.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/1)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-36 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 7-5 to the Tigers. Detroit broke a 3-3 tie with four runs in the top of the ninth inning off JJ Putz (’00).
TACOMA (AAA: 27-29, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-4 to Salt Lake. Joe Woerman (’06) allowed two runs on two hits and five walks in four innings for the loss. Bryan LaHair (’04) had three hits and two RBI for Tacoma.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-23, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 9-5 to Tennessee. The Smokies scored three runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth to erase a 4-3 West Tennessee lead. Johan Limonta (’06) drove in a pair of runs for West Tennessee.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-31, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-5 at Modesto. Greg Halman (’07) hit his sixteenth homer of the season and added a pair of doubles for High Desert. But, it wasn't enough.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Ervin Santana 7-2) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 2-6) 9:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Dustin Moseley 0-2) at Tacoma (Andrew Baldwin 2-3) 9:00pm CDT
Tennessee (Jeff Samardzjia 3-5) at West Tennessee (Travis Chick 2-2) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert (Nick Hill 1-5) at Modesto (Aneury Rodriguez 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 27-29, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-4 to Salt Lake. Joe Woerman (’06) allowed two runs on two hits and five walks in four innings for the loss. Bryan LaHair (’04) had three hits and two RBI for Tacoma.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-23, 2nd Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 9-5 to Tennessee. The Smokies scored three runs in the eighth and three runs in the ninth to erase a 4-3 West Tennessee lead. Johan Limonta (’06) drove in a pair of runs for West Tennessee.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-31, 3rd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-5 at Modesto. Greg Halman (’07) hit his sixteenth homer of the season and added a pair of doubles for High Desert. But, it wasn't enough.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Los Angeles (AL) (Ervin Santana 7-2) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 2-6) 9:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Dustin Moseley 0-2) at Tacoma (Andrew Baldwin 2-3) 9:00pm CDT
Tennessee (Jeff Samardzjia 3-5) at West Tennessee (Travis Chick 2-2) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert (Nick Hill 1-5) at Modesto (Aneury Rodriguez 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
6/01/2008
Tonight's Rattler Starting Pitcher (6/1)
LH EDWARD PAREDES: Signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic by Seattle in May, 2005.
DSL: Paredes started his pro career with Seattle’s team in the Dominican Summer League in 2005 with a 3-0 record, a save, and a 2.02ERA in 12 games.
REPEAT: In 2006, Paredes went back to the DSL and was 3-3 with 14 saves and a 2.63ERA in 24 games.
WHAT A WAY TO START: Paredes came on in relief for Tacoma (PCL) on June 14, 2007 for his first appearance in the US. He pitched five no-hit innings with a walk, a hit batsman, and five strikeouts vs. Tucson on June 14. Paredes would get a no decision in the game as the Rainiers would lose 3-1 in twelve innings.
UP IN EVERETT: Paredes went 7-6 in 16 appearances (15 starts) for Everett in 2007. He led the Northwest League in wins and innings pitched (85.2). He was named to the Northwest League All-Star squad. Paredes was also honored as the Most Valuable Pitcher on Everett by Seattle.
RATINGS: Baseball America ranks Paredes as the #22 prospect in the Seattle Mariner system.
LAST WIN: Paredes took a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning at Cedar Rapids on May 21. He allowed a two-out single to Anel De Los Santos, but finished the eighth without allowing another hit. The Rattlers beat the Kernels 1-0. Paredes struck out four and walked two for the win.
AWARD WINNER: Paredes was named the Midwest League pitcher of the week on May 26 for his performance on May 21.
VS. PEORIA: Paredes last start prior to this evening was against the Chiefs on May 26. He allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings at O’Brien Field. He walked two and struck out one as his three game winning streak came to an end.
VS. CUBS: Paredes made two starts against Boise, the Northwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in 2007. He was 0-1 and allowed 11 runs (seven earned) over 5-2/3 innings with eight walks and five strikeouts in those two starts.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (4x – Last: 8/21/07 vs. Spokane)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (7/31/07 @ Vancouver)
DSL: Paredes started his pro career with Seattle’s team in the Dominican Summer League in 2005 with a 3-0 record, a save, and a 2.02ERA in 12 games.
REPEAT: In 2006, Paredes went back to the DSL and was 3-3 with 14 saves and a 2.63ERA in 24 games.
WHAT A WAY TO START: Paredes came on in relief for Tacoma (PCL) on June 14, 2007 for his first appearance in the US. He pitched five no-hit innings with a walk, a hit batsman, and five strikeouts vs. Tucson on June 14. Paredes would get a no decision in the game as the Rainiers would lose 3-1 in twelve innings.
UP IN EVERETT: Paredes went 7-6 in 16 appearances (15 starts) for Everett in 2007. He led the Northwest League in wins and innings pitched (85.2). He was named to the Northwest League All-Star squad. Paredes was also honored as the Most Valuable Pitcher on Everett by Seattle.
RATINGS: Baseball America ranks Paredes as the #22 prospect in the Seattle Mariner system.
LAST WIN: Paredes took a no-hitter into the bottom of the eighth inning at Cedar Rapids on May 21. He allowed a two-out single to Anel De Los Santos, but finished the eighth without allowing another hit. The Rattlers beat the Kernels 1-0. Paredes struck out four and walked two for the win.
AWARD WINNER: Paredes was named the Midwest League pitcher of the week on May 26 for his performance on May 21.
VS. PEORIA: Paredes last start prior to this evening was against the Chiefs on May 26. He allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings at O’Brien Field. He walked two and struck out one as his three game winning streak came to an end.
VS. CUBS: Paredes made two starts against Boise, the Northwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, in 2007. He was 0-1 and allowed 11 runs (seven earned) over 5-2/3 innings with eight walks and five strikeouts in those two starts.
PROFESSIONAL HIGHS
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (4x – Last: 8/21/07 vs. Spokane)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (7/31/07 @ Vancouver)
June 1 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Kane County Cougars beat the Rattlers 6-4. Kane County scored three runs in the fourth and three runs in the fifth to support Jamie Richmond’s seven inning performance. Chad Kerfoot and Nick Walters pitched the final two innings to nail down the win.
TAKING THE SERIES: Kane County took three out of four games from the Timber Rattlers in the series at Elfstrom Stadium.
ONE SHORT OF THE CYCLE: Wisconsin centerfielder Maximo Mendez had three hits last night: A third inning single, a fifth inning triple, and a seventh inning double. No Timber Rattler has ever hit for the cycle.
FIGURE EIGHT: Mendez is currently on a season high hitting streak of eight games. He is 13-for-34 (.382) during the streak.
EARLY LEAD: Wisconsin took a 1-0 lead when Juan Diaz drove in Mendez with a double in the top of the third. Diaz also had three hits and drove in a pair of runs last night.
RBI GUY: Diaz drove in five of Wisconsin’s nine runs in the four game series with the Cougars.
SEVEN: The Timber Rattler record of 22-29 matches their season low watermark. Wisconsin has been seven under .500 two other times this season: Once at 8-15 after a May 1 loss at Lansing and once at 10-17 after a May 5 loss at Great Lakes.
*31 DAYS IN MAY: The Timber Rattlers completed the first full month of the season with a 14-15 record. Wisconsin hit .233 and had a team ERA of 2.95 during the month. Joe Dunigan led the team in hitting with a .356 average and three home runs over 18 games. Diaz led Wisconsin hitters in the month with 15 RBI. Edward Paredes and Juan Ramirez both won three games to tie for the team lead in that category. Rob Harmon was 3-for-3 in save opportunities.
ROAD TRIP WRAP-UP: The Rattlers went 3-9 on their just concluded 12-game road trip. The Rattlers dropped three out of four games at Cedar Rapids and Peoria before the series at Kane County. They hit .214 (83-for-387) and scored 27 runs (2.3/game) on the trip. Opponents hit .232 (86-for-371) and scored 50 runs (4.2/game) against the Rattlers in the last 12 games.
ROUGH ROAD: The 3-9 record on the trip dropped the Wisconsin record to 10-18 on the road this season.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 23-32 and in sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria has won three straight games and are 8-2 in their last ten games. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .233 as a team and have scored 161 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.35. Peoria is hitting .245 as a team and have scored 212 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 30 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.59.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Chiefs played 17 times in 2007. Wisconsin went 8-9 against the Peoria. The Rattlers went 4-4 in eight games versus the Chiefs on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
ABOUT THAT SERIES: Dylan Johnston and Marquez Smith led the Peoria offense. Each player was 5-for-13 (.385) in four games against the Rattlers. Johnston and Nate Samson both had three RBI against the Rattlers. Wisconsin hitters were led by Maximo Mendez, who was 5-for-15 (.400) in the series. Edilio Colina drove in three runs to be the top Rattler run producer in that series.
DROUGHT: Mendez hit a lead-off homer against the Chiefs on May 26. That was the last time a Rattler batter went deep.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook has placed three members of the current Peoria roster on their list of the top 30 prospects in the Chicago Cub organization. Catcher Josh Donaldson is rated at #7. Pitchers Dae-Eun Rhee (#16) and Robert Hernandez (#17) are also on the list.
OUT OF THE DRAFT: The Chiefs have 10 members of the 2007 Chicago Cub draft class on their current roster. Pitchers Zach Ashwood (16th); Craig Muschko (22nd); Dustin Sasser (21st); Chris Siegfried (11th); and Steve Vento (23rd) are joined by catchers Luis Bautista (32nd); Josh Donaldson (1st – supplemental); infielder Marquez Smith (8th); and outfielders Brandon Guyer (5th) and Leon Johnson (10th).
VETERANS: There are six members of the current Peoria team who played for the Chiefs in 2007.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Hung-Wen Chen was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Taiwan by the Cubs in April of 2007. He split time between Mesa (Arizona League) and Boise (Northwest League) last season. He appeared in two games (one start) for the Mesa Cubs and was 0-0 with a 10.12ERA. He went up to Boise to end the season and made two relief appearances, going 1-0 with a 3.60ERA. Today is his thirteenth appearance (eighth start) for the Chiefs this season. His last start was against the Timber Rattlers on May 25 at O’Brien Field. In that game, Chen allowed two runs on six hits, no walks, and four strikeouts over six innings, but took the loss.
*-Another movie from the Douglas family
TAKING THE SERIES: Kane County took three out of four games from the Timber Rattlers in the series at Elfstrom Stadium.
ONE SHORT OF THE CYCLE: Wisconsin centerfielder Maximo Mendez had three hits last night: A third inning single, a fifth inning triple, and a seventh inning double. No Timber Rattler has ever hit for the cycle.
FIGURE EIGHT: Mendez is currently on a season high hitting streak of eight games. He is 13-for-34 (.382) during the streak.
EARLY LEAD: Wisconsin took a 1-0 lead when Juan Diaz drove in Mendez with a double in the top of the third. Diaz also had three hits and drove in a pair of runs last night.
RBI GUY: Diaz drove in five of Wisconsin’s nine runs in the four game series with the Cougars.
SEVEN: The Timber Rattler record of 22-29 matches their season low watermark. Wisconsin has been seven under .500 two other times this season: Once at 8-15 after a May 1 loss at Lansing and once at 10-17 after a May 5 loss at Great Lakes.
*31 DAYS IN MAY: The Timber Rattlers completed the first full month of the season with a 14-15 record. Wisconsin hit .233 and had a team ERA of 2.95 during the month. Joe Dunigan led the team in hitting with a .356 average and three home runs over 18 games. Diaz led Wisconsin hitters in the month with 15 RBI. Edward Paredes and Juan Ramirez both won three games to tie for the team lead in that category. Rob Harmon was 3-for-3 in save opportunities.
ROAD TRIP WRAP-UP: The Rattlers went 3-9 on their just concluded 12-game road trip. The Rattlers dropped three out of four games at Cedar Rapids and Peoria before the series at Kane County. They hit .214 (83-for-387) and scored 27 runs (2.3/game) on the trip. Opponents hit .232 (86-for-371) and scored 50 runs (4.2/game) against the Rattlers in the last 12 games.
ROUGH ROAD: The 3-9 record on the trip dropped the Wisconsin record to 10-18 on the road this season.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are currently 23-32 and in sixth place in the Western Division of the Midwest League. The Chiefs are currently 17 games behind division leading Clinton. Peoria has won three straight games and are 8-2 in their last ten games. The Peoria manager is Hall of Fame second baseman Ryne Sandberg.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .233 as a team and have scored 161 runs (3.2/game). Wisconsin has hit 13 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.35. Peoria is hitting .245 as a team and have scored 212 runs (3.9/game). Peoria has hit 30 homers. The Chief pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.59.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Chiefs played 17 times in 2007. Wisconsin went 8-9 against the Peoria. The Rattlers went 4-4 in eight games versus the Chiefs on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
2008 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers dropped three out of four games at O’Brien Field over Memorial Day weekend. The Chiefs won 5-2 on 5/23, 5-4 on 5/24, and 5-2 on 5/26. The Rattlers won 3-2 on 5/25.
ABOUT THAT SERIES: Dylan Johnston and Marquez Smith led the Peoria offense. Each player was 5-for-13 (.385) in four games against the Rattlers. Johnston and Nate Samson both had three RBI against the Rattlers. Wisconsin hitters were led by Maximo Mendez, who was 5-for-15 (.400) in the series. Edilio Colina drove in three runs to be the top Rattler run producer in that series.
DROUGHT: Mendez hit a lead-off homer against the Chiefs on May 26. That was the last time a Rattler batter went deep.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook has placed three members of the current Peoria roster on their list of the top 30 prospects in the Chicago Cub organization. Catcher Josh Donaldson is rated at #7. Pitchers Dae-Eun Rhee (#16) and Robert Hernandez (#17) are also on the list.
OUT OF THE DRAFT: The Chiefs have 10 members of the 2007 Chicago Cub draft class on their current roster. Pitchers Zach Ashwood (16th); Craig Muschko (22nd); Dustin Sasser (21st); Chris Siegfried (11th); and Steve Vento (23rd) are joined by catchers Luis Bautista (32nd); Josh Donaldson (1st – supplemental); infielder Marquez Smith (8th); and outfielders Brandon Guyer (5th) and Leon Johnson (10th).
VETERANS: There are six members of the current Peoria team who played for the Chiefs in 2007.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: Hung-Wen Chen was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Taiwan by the Cubs in April of 2007. He split time between Mesa (Arizona League) and Boise (Northwest League) last season. He appeared in two games (one start) for the Mesa Cubs and was 0-0 with a 10.12ERA. He went up to Boise to end the season and made two relief appearances, going 1-0 with a 3.60ERA. Today is his thirteenth appearance (eighth start) for the Chiefs this season. His last start was against the Timber Rattlers on May 25 at O’Brien Field. In that game, Chen allowed two runs on six hits, no walks, and four strikeouts over six innings, but took the loss.
*-Another movie from the Douglas family
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have fared on June 1 since 2000
2000: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader at Clinton to move their winning streak to six games.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 5-1. Rafael Soriano pitched a complete game six-hitter with four strikeouts. Oscar Ramirez, Chris Snelling, and Gorky Estrella had back-to-back-to-back RBI hits in the top of the fifth inning.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 6-5 in 8 innings. The Rattlers tied the game 5-5 with a four run sixth inning. A pair of two-run homers by Ryan Christianson and Gorky Estrella (as a pinch-hitter) would eventually send the game to extra innings. A Kris Gundrum two-out RBI single in the eighth would provide the winning margin. Rattler record after these games: 29-23
2001: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from Peoria in Grand Chute.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 3-2. Rett Johnson allowed one run on six hits with seven strikeouts over six innings for the win. Wilfredo Quintana hit a homer in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 3-1 lead. Chad Wiles allowed a homer in the seventh, but finished off the Chiefs for save number nine.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 6-2, despite being the visitors. This was a game that was a make up for a game that was postponed in Peoria on April 16. The Rattlers – hitting first in the first inning – scored three runs without a hit. Two walks and an error loaded the bases. A pair of sacrifice flies and an error drove in the runs. Dan Head (4.1IP) and Hawkeye Wayne (2.2IP) combined for the win. Rattler record after this game: 32-21
2002: The Rattlers lost 1-0 at home to South Bend. Justin Weschler and Brian Bruney combined on a one-hitter. The only Rattler hit was a sixth inning single by Shin-soo Choo. The Silver Hawks scored their run on a two-out RBI double by Bryan Loeb. Rattler record after this game: 27-27
2003: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from West Michigan at home.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 4-1. TA Fulmer pitched a complete game, struck out eight, and allowed four hits.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers also won this game 4-1. Miguel Martinez allowed one run in the top of the first. Martinez (5IP) and Oscar Delgado (2IP) combined on the four-hitter. Three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Rattler record after this game: 30-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 10-6 at Lansing. Wisconsin led 4-0 through the top of the fourth. But, the Lugnuts scored six times in the bottom of the fourth. The Rattlers tied the game on a two-run double by Eric Blakeley in the fifth inning. But, Lansing scored twice in the sixth and twice in the eighth. Rattler record after this game: 22-29
2005: The Rattlers lost 4-3 in ten innings at Cedar Rapids. Yung Chi Chen homered in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game 3-3. A bad hop RBI single by Michael Collins in the bottom of the tenth was the game winning hit. Rattler record after this game: 30-23
2006: The Rattlers won 7-6 in 11 innings at Burlington. Bryan Sabatella hit a homer and scored two runs for the Rattlers. Robby Hudson scored the winning run on a two out wild pitch in the top of the eleventh. Joe Woerman struck out the side in the bottom of the eleventh. Rattler record after this game: 20-33
2007: The Rattlers beat Burlington 2-1 in 13 innings. Wisconsin scored a run in the top of the first on an RBI single by Alex Liddi. Chris McConnell homered in the sixth for the Bees. A bases loaded sacrifice fly by Kuo Hui Lo in the thirteenth won the game for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 17-36
An 8-3 record with three doubleheader sweeps, extra inning wins, and some really good pitching performances. Pretty good day in Rattler history.
2000: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader at Clinton to move their winning streak to six games.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 5-1. Rafael Soriano pitched a complete game six-hitter with four strikeouts. Oscar Ramirez, Chris Snelling, and Gorky Estrella had back-to-back-to-back RBI hits in the top of the fifth inning.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 6-5 in 8 innings. The Rattlers tied the game 5-5 with a four run sixth inning. A pair of two-run homers by Ryan Christianson and Gorky Estrella (as a pinch-hitter) would eventually send the game to extra innings. A Kris Gundrum two-out RBI single in the eighth would provide the winning margin. Rattler record after these games: 29-23
2001: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from Peoria in Grand Chute.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 3-2. Rett Johnson allowed one run on six hits with seven strikeouts over six innings for the win. Wilfredo Quintana hit a homer in the bottom of the sixth inning for a 3-1 lead. Chad Wiles allowed a homer in the seventh, but finished off the Chiefs for save number nine.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 6-2, despite being the visitors. This was a game that was a make up for a game that was postponed in Peoria on April 16. The Rattlers – hitting first in the first inning – scored three runs without a hit. Two walks and an error loaded the bases. A pair of sacrifice flies and an error drove in the runs. Dan Head (4.1IP) and Hawkeye Wayne (2.2IP) combined for the win. Rattler record after this game: 32-21
2002: The Rattlers lost 1-0 at home to South Bend. Justin Weschler and Brian Bruney combined on a one-hitter. The only Rattler hit was a sixth inning single by Shin-soo Choo. The Silver Hawks scored their run on a two-out RBI double by Bryan Loeb. Rattler record after this game: 27-27
2003: The Rattlers swept a doubleheader from West Michigan at home.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers won 4-1. TA Fulmer pitched a complete game, struck out eight, and allowed four hits.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers also won this game 4-1. Miguel Martinez allowed one run in the top of the first. Martinez (5IP) and Oscar Delgado (2IP) combined on the four-hitter. Three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning broke a 1-1 tie. Rattler record after this game: 30-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 10-6 at Lansing. Wisconsin led 4-0 through the top of the fourth. But, the Lugnuts scored six times in the bottom of the fourth. The Rattlers tied the game on a two-run double by Eric Blakeley in the fifth inning. But, Lansing scored twice in the sixth and twice in the eighth. Rattler record after this game: 22-29
2005: The Rattlers lost 4-3 in ten innings at Cedar Rapids. Yung Chi Chen homered in the top of the seventh inning to tie the game 3-3. A bad hop RBI single by Michael Collins in the bottom of the tenth was the game winning hit. Rattler record after this game: 30-23
2006: The Rattlers won 7-6 in 11 innings at Burlington. Bryan Sabatella hit a homer and scored two runs for the Rattlers. Robby Hudson scored the winning run on a two out wild pitch in the top of the eleventh. Joe Woerman struck out the side in the bottom of the eleventh. Rattler record after this game: 20-33
2007: The Rattlers beat Burlington 2-1 in 13 innings. Wisconsin scored a run in the top of the first on an RBI single by Alex Liddi. Chris McConnell homered in the sixth for the Bees. A bases loaded sacrifice fly by Kuo Hui Lo in the thirteenth won the game for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 17-36
An 8-3 record with three doubleheader sweeps, extra inning wins, and some really good pitching performances. Pretty good day in Rattler history.
Midwest League Action (Games of 5/31)
May 31 action.
@Kane County 6, Wisconsin 4: Nothing to add.
@Fort Wayne 6, Dayton 3;
@Fort Wayne 10, Dayton 4: Wizards are +1 on the season.
@Peoria 7, Cedar Rapids 3;
@Peoria 3, Cedar Rapids 1: Chiefs sweep!
Burlington 3, @Quad Cities 2 (10 innings): Bungle is appropriate in this headline.
@Lansing 7, Great Lakes 4: Playoff-ready Lugnuts.
@Clinton 8, Beloit 6: Late LumberKing rally.
@Kane County 6, Wisconsin 4: Nothing to add.
@Fort Wayne 6, Dayton 3;
@Fort Wayne 10, Dayton 4: Wizards are +1 on the season.
@Peoria 7, Cedar Rapids 3;
@Peoria 3, Cedar Rapids 1: Chiefs sweep!
Burlington 3, @Quad Cities 2 (10 innings): Bungle is appropriate in this headline.
Quad-Cities reliever Wayne Daman had all-but worked himself out of a 10th inning jam, but after coaxing Bees stolen base leader Adrian Ortiz to tap a grounder to the mound for what would have been the third out of the inning, the ball fell out of Daman’s hand as he took several steps toward first base before attempting to throw to the bag.South Bend 5, @West Michigan 1: 'Measly' is used to describe Whitecaps offense.
That allowed pinch runner Antonio Jimenez — who had taken third on a sacrifice by Alvin Perez after Shawn Hayes opened the inning with a double — to sprint home with what proved to be the winning run.
@Lansing 7, Great Lakes 4: Playoff-ready Lugnuts.
@Clinton 8, Beloit 6: Late LumberKing rally.
Mariner System Report (Games of 5/31)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 21-35 4th American League West): The Mariners beat Detroit 5-0. Felix Hernandez allowed two hits over seven shutout innings with no walks and seven strikeouts.
TACOMA (AAA: 27-28, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Salt Lake 9-3. Jeff Clement (’05) and Rob Johnson (’05) both had a pair of RBI. Clement homered, his tenth of the year.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-22, T-1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-3 to Tennessee. The Smokies broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Michael Saunders (’06) drove in a run for West Tennessee.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-30, T-2nd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 4-0 at Stockton. Carlos Peguero (’07) had two of High Desert’s eight hits.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman 3-4) at Seattle (Miguel Batista 3-6) 3:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Nick Adenhart 4-3) at Tacoma (Joe Woerman 1-3) 3:30pm CDT
Tennessee (Tanner Watson 1-1) at West Tennessee (Rich Dorman 6-1) 1:05pm CDT
High Desert at Modesto 3:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 27-28, 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Salt Lake 9-3. Jeff Clement (’05) and Rob Johnson (’05) both had a pair of RBI. Clement homered, his tenth of the year.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 34-22, T-1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 5-3 to Tennessee. The Smokies broke a 1-1 tie with a pair of runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Michael Saunders (’06) drove in a run for West Tennessee.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 26-30, T-2nd California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 4-0 at Stockton. Carlos Peguero (’07) had two of High Desert’s eight hits.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman 3-4) at Seattle (Miguel Batista 3-6) 3:10pm CDT
Salt Lake (Nick Adenhart 4-3) at Tacoma (Joe Woerman 1-3) 3:30pm CDT
Tennessee (Tanner Watson 1-1) at West Tennessee (Rich Dorman 6-1) 1:05pm CDT
High Desert at Modesto 3:05pm CDT
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