There was a rain storm that rolled through the area from 5pm until 6pm. The scheduled start time has been bumped back to 7:50pm CDT.
Click on the link at the left to listen to the game.
7/24/2006
Game Notes for 7/24
ABOUT SUNDAY: The Rattlers lost 2-1 in ten innings to the Bees at Community Field in Burlington, Iowa. A throwing error by Wisconsin reliever Lance Beus allowed the winning run to score.
FINISHING OFF A SERIES: The Rattlers have lost the last game of a series six times in a row. This season, Wisconsin is 7-19 in the final game of a series.
THINK HE LIKES TO START? Rattler starting pitcher David Asher set a career high for innings pitched for the third start in a row. Yesterday, he gave up one run over seven innings on two hits with a pair of walks and a pair of strikeouts. In his three starts for Wisconsin, Asher has pitched eighteen innings allowed two runs on nine hits with ten strikeouts. As a reliever for the Rattlers, Asher pitched 26-1/3 innings, allowed 33 hits, and 13 earned runs.
MAKING HIS FIRST START: Juan Guzman made the start at second base for the Rattlers yesterday. He went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and scored the only Rattler run. By starting at second base, Guzman became the fifth different Rattler to make a start at second this season.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: The Rattlers and Bees played four extra inning games this season. The teams split the four extra inning games.
CLOSE, TOO CLOSE: Wisconsin and Burlington played six games that were decided by one run. They split those six games.
SPLITSVILLE: The Rattlers wound up with a split in the four game series at Burlington over the weekend. The two games the Rattlers lost were 1-0 on Thursday and yesterday’s 2-1 ten inning defeat. Wisconsin has a split in their last two series.
LONG GONE: The Rattler pitching staff has given up a homer in each of the last five games.
ROSTER MOVE: Outfielder Kevin Reynolds was sent to Everett, the Northwest League affiliate of the Mariners, after the team arrived back at Fox Cities Stadium last night. Reynolds spent two short stints with the Rattlers this season, hitting .206 in fourteen games.
AFTER A CENTURY: The Rattlers played their 100th game of the season yesterday. They are 37-63. Last year, Wisconsin was 54-46 after 100 games. In 2004, the team was 44-56 after playing their 100th game.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The South Bend Silver Hawks are the Midwest League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are the defending Midwest League Champions. The Hawks did not qualify for the playoffs in the first half, but they are off to a 20-9 record in the second half. They have a 6-1/2 game lead on Fort Wayne for the top Eastern Division playoff spot in the second half and a 7 game lead on Dayton for the second half Wild Card in the Eastern Division. South Bend has an overall record of 53-42.
VS. SOUTH BEND IN ’06: The Rattlers and Hawks split a four game series at Coveleski Regional Stadium in South Bend April 21-24. Wisconsin won the first game of the series 6-3. The Hawks won the next two games by scores of 9-7 and 5-4. The Rattlers won the final game of the series 8-4.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA’s Top 30 list of Diamondback prospects has no members of the current Silver Hawk roster on it. However, Justin Upton, the top overall pick in the 2005 draft did not sign with the Diamondbacks until after the list had been published for the season. Upton made his professional debut with the Hawks against the Timber Rattlers on April 21. In the series against Wisconsin, Upton was 4-for-16 with a pair of RBI. Including Upton, the Hawks have seven members of Arizona’s 2005 draft class on their roster. There are no 2006 draftees on the South Bend roster.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Adam Howard was a 44th round pick out of Walters State (TN) Junior College in 2004. He split time between Yakima of the Northwest League and South Bend last season. In Yakima he made thirteen starts and was 4-5 with a 4.29ERA. With the Hawks, Howard was 2-2 in twenty appearances (one start) with a 2.56ERA. In his last start for the Hawks, he went seven innings against Peoria and gave up one unearned run on two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts for a no decision. Howard made two relief appearances against the Rattlers earlier this season. He pitched a total of three innings without allowing a hit or a run and striking out three.
FINISHING OFF A SERIES: The Rattlers have lost the last game of a series six times in a row. This season, Wisconsin is 7-19 in the final game of a series.
THINK HE LIKES TO START? Rattler starting pitcher David Asher set a career high for innings pitched for the third start in a row. Yesterday, he gave up one run over seven innings on two hits with a pair of walks and a pair of strikeouts. In his three starts for Wisconsin, Asher has pitched eighteen innings allowed two runs on nine hits with ten strikeouts. As a reliever for the Rattlers, Asher pitched 26-1/3 innings, allowed 33 hits, and 13 earned runs.
MAKING HIS FIRST START: Juan Guzman made the start at second base for the Rattlers yesterday. He went 1-for-4 with a stolen base and scored the only Rattler run. By starting at second base, Guzman became the fifth different Rattler to make a start at second this season.
GOING THE EXTRA MILE: The Rattlers and Bees played four extra inning games this season. The teams split the four extra inning games.
CLOSE, TOO CLOSE: Wisconsin and Burlington played six games that were decided by one run. They split those six games.
SPLITSVILLE: The Rattlers wound up with a split in the four game series at Burlington over the weekend. The two games the Rattlers lost were 1-0 on Thursday and yesterday’s 2-1 ten inning defeat. Wisconsin has a split in their last two series.
LONG GONE: The Rattler pitching staff has given up a homer in each of the last five games.
ROSTER MOVE: Outfielder Kevin Reynolds was sent to Everett, the Northwest League affiliate of the Mariners, after the team arrived back at Fox Cities Stadium last night. Reynolds spent two short stints with the Rattlers this season, hitting .206 in fourteen games.
AFTER A CENTURY: The Rattlers played their 100th game of the season yesterday. They are 37-63. Last year, Wisconsin was 54-46 after 100 games. In 2004, the team was 44-56 after playing their 100th game.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The South Bend Silver Hawks are the Midwest League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. They are the defending Midwest League Champions. The Hawks did not qualify for the playoffs in the first half, but they are off to a 20-9 record in the second half. They have a 6-1/2 game lead on Fort Wayne for the top Eastern Division playoff spot in the second half and a 7 game lead on Dayton for the second half Wild Card in the Eastern Division. South Bend has an overall record of 53-42.
VS. SOUTH BEND IN ’06: The Rattlers and Hawks split a four game series at Coveleski Regional Stadium in South Bend April 21-24. Wisconsin won the first game of the series 6-3. The Hawks won the next two games by scores of 9-7 and 5-4. The Rattlers won the final game of the series 8-4.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA’s Top 30 list of Diamondback prospects has no members of the current Silver Hawk roster on it. However, Justin Upton, the top overall pick in the 2005 draft did not sign with the Diamondbacks until after the list had been published for the season. Upton made his professional debut with the Hawks against the Timber Rattlers on April 21. In the series against Wisconsin, Upton was 4-for-16 with a pair of RBI. Including Upton, the Hawks have seven members of Arizona’s 2005 draft class on their roster. There are no 2006 draftees on the South Bend roster.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Adam Howard was a 44th round pick out of Walters State (TN) Junior College in 2004. He split time between Yakima of the Northwest League and South Bend last season. In Yakima he made thirteen starts and was 4-5 with a 4.29ERA. With the Hawks, Howard was 2-2 in twenty appearances (one start) with a 2.56ERA. In his last start for the Hawks, he went seven innings against Peoria and gave up one unearned run on two hits with four walks and seven strikeouts for a no decision. Howard made two relief appearances against the Rattlers earlier this season. He pitched a total of three innings without allowing a hit or a run and striking out three.
Sunday in the MWL
@Burlington 2, Wisconsin 1 -- Bees got some help to score the winning run.
@Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 1; @Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 5 -- SWING SWEEP!
@West Michigan 6, Dayton 5 -- The Whitecaps make mistakes, still win.
Kane County 12, @South Bend 3 -- It was a long day at the Cove for the Hawks.
Lansing 4, @Peoria 0 -- Jeff Samardzija's MWL debut didn't go to plan for the Chiefs.
Beloit 5, @Clinton 2 -- L-Kings miss on a chance to catch the Rattlers.
@Southwest Michigan 3, Fort Wayne 0 -- All you need to know about this game are the following two items: 1.) Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard got the win. 2.)
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 1; @Quad Cities 6, Cedar Rapids 5 -- SWING SWEEP!
@West Michigan 6, Dayton 5 -- The Whitecaps make mistakes, still win.
Kane County 12, @South Bend 3 -- It was a long day at the Cove for the Hawks.
Lansing 4, @Peoria 0 -- Jeff Samardzija's MWL debut didn't go to plan for the Chiefs.
Beloit 5, @Clinton 2 -- L-Kings miss on a chance to catch the Rattlers.
@Southwest Michigan 3, Fort Wayne 0 -- All you need to know about this game are the following two items: 1.) Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard got the win. 2.)
Fort Wayne (14-16, 45-52) lost three players to injury on Saturday and traded two of its starting pitchers on the same day. That meant Saturday's starting pitcher Jarrett Gardner was forced to start Sunday's game in right field before new addition A.J. Davidiuk arrived at the park around the second inning.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
AP PHOTOTerrmel Sledge, San Diego Padres.
Game tying homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Padres get an extra inning win at San Francisco gets Sledge the Rattler Alum of the Day.
Game tying homer in the top of the ninth inning to help the Padres get an extra inning win at San Francisco gets Sledge the Rattler Alum of the Day.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/23)
Seattle (MAJ: 47-51; 4th AL West): The Mariners beat the Red Sox 9-8. Richie Sexson ended the contest with a game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to break an 8-8 tie. JJ Putz (WI ’00) blew the save, but got the win thanks to the blast by Sexson. Adrian Beltre and Eduardo Perez each homered and drove in three runs for the M’s. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) pitched another scoreless inning in relief and Adam Jones added a pair of hits.
Tacoma (AAA – 54-46; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 3-1 at Fresno. Hunter Brown (WI ’02) drove in the only run of the game as the Rainiers scratched out just four hits.
San Antonio (AA – 45-53; 18-12 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 6-5 to Corpus Christi. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) was 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Missions. San Antonio tied the game 4-4 with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Hooks scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth and held on for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 53-45, 14-14 second half; 3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 7-2 to Rancho Cucamonga. The Quakes broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the seventh and three runs in the eighth. Aaron Jensen (WI ’05) gave up one earned run over six innings with six strikeouts, but got a no decision.
Everett (Short Season-A – 15-19; 4th Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 3-1 at Salem-Keizer. The Sox had three hits in the game.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 13-12; T-4th Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Giants 6-4.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/24
Toronto (Casey Janssen 6-9) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-8) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 8-6) at Fresno (Nick Pereira 1-2) 9:05pm CDT
Corpus Christi (Chance Douglass 6-4) at San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 7-7) 7:05pm
Inland Empire at Lancaster 9:00pm CDT
Everett at Salem-Keizer 8:35pm CDT
AZL Rangers at AZL Mariners 12:30pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 54-46; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 3-1 at Fresno. Hunter Brown (WI ’02) drove in the only run of the game as the Rainiers scratched out just four hits.
San Antonio (AA – 45-53; 18-12 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 6-5 to Corpus Christi. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) was 3-for-3 with an RBI for the Missions. San Antonio tied the game 4-4 with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Hooks scored a pair of runs in the top of the ninth and held on for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 53-45, 14-14 second half; 3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 7-2 to Rancho Cucamonga. The Quakes broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the seventh and three runs in the eighth. Aaron Jensen (WI ’05) gave up one earned run over six innings with six strikeouts, but got a no decision.
Everett (Short Season-A – 15-19; 4th Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 3-1 at Salem-Keizer. The Sox had three hits in the game.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 13-12; T-4th Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Giants 6-4.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/24
Toronto (Casey Janssen 6-9) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-8) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 8-6) at Fresno (Nick Pereira 1-2) 9:05pm CDT
Corpus Christi (Chance Douglass 6-4) at San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 7-7) 7:05pm
Inland Empire at Lancaster 9:00pm CDT
Everett at Salem-Keizer 8:35pm CDT
AZL Rangers at AZL Mariners 12:30pm CDT
Probable Pitching Matchups for South Bend Series
Is this thing on?
Apparently. Okay, lots to get caught up on, including:
7/24 LHP Jose Escalona (5-9, 3.73) vs. RHP Adam Howard (5-2, 3.30)
7/25 RHP Marwin Vega (3-7, 5.09) vs. RHP Anthony Cupps (6-4, 4.69)
7/26 LHP Paul Fagan (4-11, 4.69) vs. RHP Kyle Wright (5-2, 3.60)
7/27 RHP Nick Allen (5-3, 3.14) vs. RHP Vince Bongiovanni (4-0, 2.68)
Apparently. Okay, lots to get caught up on, including:
7/24 LHP Jose Escalona (5-9, 3.73) vs. RHP Adam Howard (5-2, 3.30)
7/25 RHP Marwin Vega (3-7, 5.09) vs. RHP Anthony Cupps (6-4, 4.69)
7/26 LHP Paul Fagan (4-11, 4.69) vs. RHP Kyle Wright (5-2, 3.60)
7/27 RHP Nick Allen (5-3, 3.14) vs. RHP Vince Bongiovanni (4-0, 2.68)
Roster Move
Outfielder Kevin Reynolds has been sent down to Everett. It doesn't look like there will be a replacement for him, because Ron Garth is due to come off the DL in a couple of days.
Also, Blogger appears to be acting up today. There will be more when I can finish.
Also, Blogger appears to be acting up today. There will be more when I can finish.
7/23/2006
If Sunday's Game Were a Movie...
it would be:
Yep, Wild Rebels.
Not a lot of time to explain except to say the winning run for the Bees scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the tenth.
Sunday's Complete boxscore HERE.
Yep, Wild Rebels.
Not a lot of time to explain except to say the winning run for the Bees scored on a throwing error in the bottom of the tenth.
Sunday's Complete boxscore HERE.
Sunday Reading
Brett at RattlersReport.com had a chance to talk with Frank Mattox, the Director of Player Development for the Mariners, during the last homestand. Two topics of interest to Rattler fans Brandon Morrow, the top pick of Seattle in the 2006 draft, and Anthony Butler, the Oak Creek, Wisconsin pitcher taken in the 4th round.
Here are two quotes pulled completely out of context.
About Morrow:
Here are two quotes pulled completely out of context.
About Morrow:
"We're going to build him up," Mattox said. "And I would say the present plan is probably for him to go to (high Class A) Inland Empire."About Butler:
"Everett's probably the right jump for him," Mattox said. "He may still have that opportunity (to play at Wisconsin). We're not ruling it out. I'm sure he and his family would like to have that happen, and that would be great if we could accommodate him. But our first and foremost thing is to make sure we continue with his development.Also, in the notebook this week are notes about the roster moves and the Teddy Bear Toss on August 17.
The SWING are getting the Cardinals #1 pick in the 2006 draft, Adam Ottavino.
Never get into a spitting contest with an official scorer. Former Rattler manager Gary Thurman had one recently with the Lake Elsinore OS.
The next meeting between the 66ers and Storm is August 15th.After the game, Sixers manager Gary Thurman talked to the official scorer, who said the first ball was ruled a hit because it bounced off Johnson awkwardly and had to have been hit hard. Thurman explained the ball, in fact, hit the player in the foot, which is why it caromed off in another direction.
Thurman left with the impression that the first call would be changed to an error. When Thurman looked into the matter the next day, he found that not only had the first call not been changed, but the second ball, which was originally ruled an error on Johnson, was changed to a hit after considerable lobbying from the Storm coaching staff.
Thurman also said the Storm coaches were heckling him from the third base dugout when he was coaching third because they heard he questioned the calls. First base coach and hitting coach Tom Tornincasa also was heckling the Sixers dugout on the first base side when he was coaching first.
Also in that above story is this little nugget:
This AP Photo captures the Brewers recent road trip perfectly.The Stockton Ports' trip home from San Jose on Saturday night had a bizarre ending.
Their departure was delayed almost two hours because their bus driver was arrested after accidentally hitting a city light pole while backing the bus up during the game. A scan of his driver's license revealed a prior misdemeanor.
With the Trade Deadline looming, Tom Hardricourt looks at bad deadline deals, top players on the market, Jason Marquis taking one for the team, and a few more items at jsonline.com.
Primal Scream Therapy was hot for awhile. Now, there is blogging. The guys at The Wisconsin Sports Bar are venting HERE, HERE, HERE, & HERE.
With the Trade Deadline looming, Larry Stone of the Seattle Times also looks at buyers, sellers, and a trip down memory lane:
Seattle fans still recoil in horror at David Arias for Dave Hollins in 1996 (Arias later changed his name to David Ortiz and has done quite well for himself in recent years), and Jason Varitek and Derek Lowe for Heathcliff Slocumb in 1997. But Ken Phelps for Jay Buhner in 1988 didn't work out too badly for Seattle, nor did Darren Bragg for Moyer in '96, or Randy Johnson for Freddy Garcia, Carlos Guillen and John Halama in '98.
I'm not sure if he meant to do it, but my reading of the article lumped Dontrelle Willis in as a deadline deal. That wasn't a deadline trade that sent Willis from the Cubs to the Marlins for Antonio Alfonseca. It was a panic trade near the end of spring training in 2002. The reason I know this is Willis was like 15-0 with a 0.02ERA and 500 strikeouts against the Rattlers for Kane County in 2002.
I can't believe, I am about to do a Berman rip-off, but The Times They Are A-Changin' for the Tacoma Rainiers.
A representative of the Texas-based group that has signed a purchase agreement for the Pacific Coast League team spoke for the first time Friday, promising a jolt of energy for the franchise that has called Tacoma home since 1960.
“We’re not coming in there with the idea that we’re going to move the team,” said Mike McCall, president of Schlegel Sports Group. “But we’re also not coming in there with the idea that we’re going to keep things stagnant and the way they are. We want to make it a vibrant environment. We’re not looking for a handout. We’re the type of group that will bring something to the table.” McCall said primary owner Kirby Schlegel of Dallas wants to quickly sign a new Cheney Stadium lease.
He said the lease would be for more than one season, but also implied that the 46-year-old ballpark is the centerpiece of his vision of change.
To cleanse the thought of that I give you The MightyMJD's A Letter from Chris Berman's Bull Mastiff
You gotta get me the hell outta here. You got a phone book? Go get it, call an animal shelter, and tell them a dog is being abused. I’m not using the word “abuse” lightly here. Why don’t you live with this obnoxious jerk for a week or two, and we’ll see how you like it. Seriously, do whatever you have to do, but get me the hell out of here.
Why, you ask? Well, for starters, my name is “Chris Berman.” I kid you not. And that’s just a nickname, my full name is actually, “International Superstar, The Beloved Chris Berman of the Worldwide Leader In Sports, ESPN.” Seriously, that’s what the guy named me. Lucky for me,
he only uses my full name sometimes, like when he’s mad at me. But that happens pretty often, because I try to run away three or four
times a week.
No Lance at the Tour d' France? No d' Problemo for another American to step in and win. Floyd Landis makes it 8 straight Americans in the Yellow Jersey at the end of the race. USA! USA!
From Velonews.com
Game Notes for 7/23
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat the Bees 5-3. Chris Minaker homered and drove in a pair of runs for Wisconsin. The Rattlers scored four times in the top of the seventh inning to erase a 3-1 deficit for their second straight win over the Bees.
PUSHING ZEROES: Four Rattler relievers combined to toss five scoreless innings last night. That quartet of pitchers – Roman Martinez, Juan Colon, Lance Beus, and Austin Bibens-Dirkx – did not allow a hit, did not walk a batter, and struck out two. Wisconsin’s bullpen has not allowed a run in nine innings of work in this series. It has been 10-1/3 innings since a Wisconsin reliever last gave up a run.
FIRST MWL WIN: Martinez picked up his first Midwest League victory with two scoreless innings last night. Martinez was 0-2 in nineteen appearances for Wisconsin last season and 0-4 in his first nineteen appearances for the Rattlers in 2006.
THE OPPOSITE: Wisconsin has scored six runs against the Burlington bullpen in their eight innings of work.
NEED SOME ICE? There were six hit batsmen in the game last night. Both pitching staffs hit three batters. Jeremy Jirschele was hit twice by Rattler pitchers.
RATTLER RALLY: Burlington starting pitcher Chris Nicoll left after six innings and gave up one run on three hits. In the seventh, Wisconsin went to work against on the Bees bullpen. Robby Hudson and Alex Gary reached against Yovany Damico. Mike Saunders singled in the first run of the inning to get the Rattlers to within one run. Then, Cody Harkcom entered the game. Minaker’s sacrifice fly tied the game. Limonta doubled in Saunders to put Wisconsin in front for the first time in the game. An RBI single by Travis Scott plated the final run of the inning.
TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW: Limonta has driven in the go ahead run in back-to-back games against the Bees. On Thursday night, it was a ninth inning homer. Last night it was the seventh inning RBI double.
STEALING BASES: Saunders stole two bases last night to give him seventeen on the season. Saunders is Wisconsin’s active leader in the stolen base category. Only Luis Valbuena – with 21 – has more steals for the Rattlers this season.
GETTING TWO: After losing nine straight games from June 29-July 7, Wisconsin has won at least two games in each of their last four series.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Erik Cordier was a 2nd round pick in 2004 out of Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wisconsin. He missed all of 2005 with an injury. Cordier was 2-4 with a 5.11ERA in eleven starts for the AZL Royals in 2004. He began 2006 with Idaho Falls in the Pioneer lead and went 1-0 in three starts. He struck out nineteen over sixteen innings for the Chukars. He is 1-1 since joining the Bees. In his last start for Burlington, Cordier pitched five shutout innings to beat Kane County at Elfstrom Stadium. He gave up three hits and walked four but picked up the win. This is his first appearance against the Rattlers, but he faced the AZL Mariners twice in 2004 going 0-1 allowing five runs (two earned) over 8-2/3 innings.
PUSHING ZEROES: Four Rattler relievers combined to toss five scoreless innings last night. That quartet of pitchers – Roman Martinez, Juan Colon, Lance Beus, and Austin Bibens-Dirkx – did not allow a hit, did not walk a batter, and struck out two. Wisconsin’s bullpen has not allowed a run in nine innings of work in this series. It has been 10-1/3 innings since a Wisconsin reliever last gave up a run.
FIRST MWL WIN: Martinez picked up his first Midwest League victory with two scoreless innings last night. Martinez was 0-2 in nineteen appearances for Wisconsin last season and 0-4 in his first nineteen appearances for the Rattlers in 2006.
THE OPPOSITE: Wisconsin has scored six runs against the Burlington bullpen in their eight innings of work.
NEED SOME ICE? There were six hit batsmen in the game last night. Both pitching staffs hit three batters. Jeremy Jirschele was hit twice by Rattler pitchers.
RATTLER RALLY: Burlington starting pitcher Chris Nicoll left after six innings and gave up one run on three hits. In the seventh, Wisconsin went to work against on the Bees bullpen. Robby Hudson and Alex Gary reached against Yovany Damico. Mike Saunders singled in the first run of the inning to get the Rattlers to within one run. Then, Cody Harkcom entered the game. Minaker’s sacrifice fly tied the game. Limonta doubled in Saunders to put Wisconsin in front for the first time in the game. An RBI single by Travis Scott plated the final run of the inning.
TWO NIGHTS IN A ROW: Limonta has driven in the go ahead run in back-to-back games against the Bees. On Thursday night, it was a ninth inning homer. Last night it was the seventh inning RBI double.
STEALING BASES: Saunders stole two bases last night to give him seventeen on the season. Saunders is Wisconsin’s active leader in the stolen base category. Only Luis Valbuena – with 21 – has more steals for the Rattlers this season.
GETTING TWO: After losing nine straight games from June 29-July 7, Wisconsin has won at least two games in each of their last four series.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Erik Cordier was a 2nd round pick in 2004 out of Southern Door High School in Brussels, Wisconsin. He missed all of 2005 with an injury. Cordier was 2-4 with a 5.11ERA in eleven starts for the AZL Royals in 2004. He began 2006 with Idaho Falls in the Pioneer lead and went 1-0 in three starts. He struck out nineteen over sixteen innings for the Chukars. He is 1-1 since joining the Bees. In his last start for Burlington, Cordier pitched five shutout innings to beat Kane County at Elfstrom Stadium. He gave up three hits and walked four but picked up the win. This is his first appearance against the Rattlers, but he faced the AZL Mariners twice in 2004 going 0-1 allowing five runs (two earned) over 8-2/3 innings.
Saturday in the MWL
Wisconsin 5, @Burlington 3 -- Two comeback wins in a row for the Rattlers.
@South Bend 7, Kane County 6 -- A shaky start in the ninth for a closer isn't a good sign. But, Kyle Newby held off the Cougars for a Hawk win.
@Southwest Michigan 4, Fort Wayne 2 -- Mike Wlodarczyk didn't get the win, but he was happy that his D-Rays did.
@Lansing 3, Peoria 1 -- You don't have to read about a ninth loss in a row for the Lugnuts. Read instead about Aaron Tressler's good night.
@Clinton 3, Beloit 2 -- L-Kings win with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Again.
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (DH; PPD) -- Soggy grounds force a postponement of one game and the cancellation of the other. They will try again today.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@South Bend 7, Kane County 6 -- A shaky start in the ninth for a closer isn't a good sign. But, Kyle Newby held off the Cougars for a Hawk win.
@Southwest Michigan 4, Fort Wayne 2 -- Mike Wlodarczyk didn't get the win, but he was happy that his D-Rays did.
@Lansing 3, Peoria 1 -- You don't have to read about a ninth loss in a row for the Lugnuts. Read instead about Aaron Tressler's good night.
@Clinton 3, Beloit 2 -- L-Kings win with a run in the bottom of the ninth. Again.
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities (DH; PPD) -- Soggy grounds force a postponement of one game and the cancellation of the other. They will try again today.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
From ie66ers.comJustin Jordan, Inland Empire.
Jordan pitched five scorless innings, allowed one hit, walked one, and struck out five for the win for the 66ers.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/22)
Seattle (MAJ: 46-51; 4th AL West): The Mariners beat Boston 5-2. Felix Hernandez (WI ’03) pitched seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits for his ninth win. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) pitched a scoreless eighth and JJ Putz (WI ’00) worked a scoreless ninth for his nineteenth save. Ichiro and Eduardo Perez each drove in two runs for the Mariners.
Tacoma (AAA – 54-45; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma split a doubleheader in the oven that was Fresno last night. In game one, TJ Bohn (WI ’03) hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Rainiers a 7-5 win. The Grizzlies won game two 7-5. Rob Johnson (WI ’05) and Bryan LaHair (WI ’04) both homered in the second game for the Rainiers. Fresno scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 5-5 tie.
San Antonio (AA – 45-52; 18-11 second half 1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 5-1. Travis Blackley gave up one run over 8-2/3 innings and struck out nine for the win. Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) drove in a run and Eric O'Flaherty got the final out for a save for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 53-44, 14-13 second half; 3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Rancho Cucamonga 4-3. Justin Jordan (WI ’05) pitched five scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out five. Casey Craig (WI ’06) and Omar Falcon (WI ’05) each homered for the 66ers.
Everett (Short Season-A – 15-18; 4th Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 6-1 at Salem-Keizer. Everett had six hits in the game. Natividad Dilone allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over 4-2/3 innings for the loss.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 13-12; T-4th Arizona League): The Mariners lost 6-3 to the Cubs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/23
Boston (Jon Lester 5-0) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 4-10) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 5-7) at Fresno (Matt Palmer 1-1) 8:05pm CDT
Corpus Christi (Josh Muecke 0-4) at San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 5-3) 6:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Nick Adenhart 2-1) at Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 1-6) 8:11pm CDT
Everett at Salem-Keizer 7:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Giants 12:30pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 54-45; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma split a doubleheader in the oven that was Fresno last night. In game one, TJ Bohn (WI ’03) hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning to give the Rainiers a 7-5 win. The Grizzlies won game two 7-5. Rob Johnson (WI ’05) and Bryan LaHair (WI ’04) both homered in the second game for the Rainiers. Fresno scored a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth to break a 5-5 tie.
San Antonio (AA – 45-52; 18-11 second half 1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 5-1. Travis Blackley gave up one run over 8-2/3 innings and struck out nine for the win. Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) drove in a run and Eric O'Flaherty got the final out for a save for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 53-44, 14-13 second half; 3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Rancho Cucamonga 4-3. Justin Jordan (WI ’05) pitched five scoreless innings and gave up one hit while striking out five. Casey Craig (WI ’06) and Omar Falcon (WI ’05) each homered for the 66ers.
Everett (Short Season-A – 15-18; 4th Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 6-1 at Salem-Keizer. Everett had six hits in the game. Natividad Dilone allowed three runs on six hits and five walks over 4-2/3 innings for the loss.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 13-12; T-4th Arizona League): The Mariners lost 6-3 to the Cubs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/23
Boston (Jon Lester 5-0) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 4-10) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 5-7) at Fresno (Matt Palmer 1-1) 8:05pm CDT
Corpus Christi (Josh Muecke 0-4) at San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 5-3) 6:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Nick Adenhart 2-1) at Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 1-6) 8:11pm CDT
Everett at Salem-Keizer 7:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Giants 12:30pm CDT
7/22/2006
If Saturday's Game Were a Movie
it would be:
This John Wayne movie is from late in his career. The Duke takes on a group of youngsters to help him with a cattle drive that needs to be completed or that there will be the end of the ranch, I reckon. After some fits and starts, they get the job done.
The Rattlers were down 3-1 heading into the seventh inning and it was a combo of the old guys and the new guys getting the job done to save the ranch. Robby Hudson, Alex Gary, and Mike Saunders, who have been with the team all season, contributed. New guys Chris Minaker, Johan Limonta, and Travis Scott also helped out in the four run seventh.
The bullpen held on and the Rattlers won their second straight.
One more game on this road trip, then home against the Silver Hawks.
Complete Boxscore for Saturday's game HERE.
Game Notes for 7/22
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat the Bees 6-5. Johan Limonta homered twice and drove in four runs in the game for Wisconsin. Limonta’s second homer was a lead-off blast in the top of the ninth inning to break a 5-5 tie.
LIMONTA’S BIG NIGHT: The Rattler first baseman had a double to go along with his pair of homers. Limonta boosted his average from .235 to .256 with his three hits. Limonta also became just the second Rattler this season to connect for two homers in a game. JB Tucker hit a pair of homers at Beloit on April 11.
BIG STEAL, BIG HIT: Kuo Hui Lo singled with two out in the seventh and stole second to get into scoring position. Adam Moore delivered an RBI single to tie the game 5-5.
HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF? Harold Williams and Brian Kappel combined to toss three perfect innings out of the Rattler bullpen last night. Williams pitched a pair of shutout innings with five strikeouts and got the win. Kappel earned his second save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth and a pair of strikeouts.
I GOT IT! NO, I GOT IT! There were five lead changes in last night’s game. Wisconsin was up 1-0 in the first. Then, the Bees went up 2-1. Wisconsin went up 4-2, but the Bees rallied for a 5-4 lead. Limonta’s homer in the ninth was the final lead change of the night.
MORE THAN FIVE: Including last night, Wisconsin has scored five or more runs in a game thirty-one times this season. They are 24-7 in games in which they score five or more.
MORE THAN FIVE (PT II): Last night was also the fifty-first time this season the Rattlers have allowed five or more runs. Wisconsin is 9-42 when they allow five or more runs.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: The Rattlers and Bees have played ten games this season. Five of the games have been decided by one run. The Rattlers have won three of those one run games. Also, Wisconsin and Burlington have gone to extra innings three times this season. The Rattlers have won two of those extra inning games.
TWO FROM WISCONSIN: The Bees have two players on their roster from the Badger State. Infielder Jeremy Jirschele, a native of Clintonville, has been with the Bees all season ad was a 30th round pick in the 2005 draft out of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Pitcher Erik Cordier was a 2nd round pick in 2004 out of Southern Door High School in Brussels, resides in Sturgeon Bay. Cordier will make the start against the Timber Rattlers on Sunday.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Chris Nicoll was a third round pick of the Royals in the 2005 draft out of the University of California-Irvine. He was 0-3 in seven starts for Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League in his first professional season last year. He beat the Rattlers on May 23 at Fox Cities Stadium by allowing one run on two hits over seven innings with no walks and four strikeouts. In his last start for the Bees, Nicoll lost at Fort Wayne on July 16. He went six innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
LIMONTA’S BIG NIGHT: The Rattler first baseman had a double to go along with his pair of homers. Limonta boosted his average from .235 to .256 with his three hits. Limonta also became just the second Rattler this season to connect for two homers in a game. JB Tucker hit a pair of homers at Beloit on April 11.
BIG STEAL, BIG HIT: Kuo Hui Lo singled with two out in the seventh and stole second to get into scoring position. Adam Moore delivered an RBI single to tie the game 5-5.
HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF? Harold Williams and Brian Kappel combined to toss three perfect innings out of the Rattler bullpen last night. Williams pitched a pair of shutout innings with five strikeouts and got the win. Kappel earned his second save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth and a pair of strikeouts.
I GOT IT! NO, I GOT IT! There were five lead changes in last night’s game. Wisconsin was up 1-0 in the first. Then, the Bees went up 2-1. Wisconsin went up 4-2, but the Bees rallied for a 5-4 lead. Limonta’s homer in the ninth was the final lead change of the night.
MORE THAN FIVE: Including last night, Wisconsin has scored five or more runs in a game thirty-one times this season. They are 24-7 in games in which they score five or more.
MORE THAN FIVE (PT II): Last night was also the fifty-first time this season the Rattlers have allowed five or more runs. Wisconsin is 9-42 when they allow five or more runs.
TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: The Rattlers and Bees have played ten games this season. Five of the games have been decided by one run. The Rattlers have won three of those one run games. Also, Wisconsin and Burlington have gone to extra innings three times this season. The Rattlers have won two of those extra inning games.
TWO FROM WISCONSIN: The Bees have two players on their roster from the Badger State. Infielder Jeremy Jirschele, a native of Clintonville, has been with the Bees all season ad was a 30th round pick in the 2005 draft out of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Pitcher Erik Cordier was a 2nd round pick in 2004 out of Southern Door High School in Brussels, resides in Sturgeon Bay. Cordier will make the start against the Timber Rattlers on Sunday.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Chris Nicoll was a third round pick of the Royals in the 2005 draft out of the University of California-Irvine. He was 0-3 in seven starts for Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League in his first professional season last year. He beat the Rattlers on May 23 at Fox Cities Stadium by allowing one run on two hits over seven innings with no walks and four strikeouts. In his last start for the Bees, Nicoll lost at Fort Wayne on July 16. He went six innings and allowed four runs (three earned) on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts.
Whatever Happened to...
Ryan Ketchner.
(Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/Dodgers)People who aren't in baseball see that name and if they recognize it at all it is because they remember him as "the deaf pitcher." Well, he is more than that.
Ketchner was a member of the 2002 Timber Rattlers and was 3-6 with a save that year. He went on to win 14 games for Inland Empire and gain All-Star status in the California League in 2003.
But, on April 3, 2004 Ketchner was traded to the Dodgers organization with Aaron Looper for Jolbert Cabrera.
That season, Ketchner was 8-7 for with an ERA of 3.02 for Jacksonville in the Southern League and got a call up to AAA Las Vegas where he made one start.
He missed all of 2005 with an injury, but I saw his name in a boxscore for the Gulf Coast League Dodgers on July 18. One inning, one hit, two strikeouts. Good to see him back on the mound. Good luck, Ryan.
Check out his wikipedia page and this story on mlb.com from Spring Training last year that goes along with the picture above.
Sox & Hawks Go Out Swinging
It was referred to below in the Mariner System Report for Friday, but it deserves its own stand alone post. A brawl took place between the Everett AquaSox and the Boise Hawks in the seventh inning.
Here is the story from the Sox website:
From the Everett Herald game story by Nick Patterson:
Read the whole thing to catch up on all of that acrimony. Remember, these a lot of these players will be with the Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs in 2007.
Oddly, no mention of the incident in the Idaho Statesman. Must not have been important. Or, more likely, they got the story off the box score and game log on milb.com.
Here is the story from the Sox website:
Tempers flared for the third consecutive night, this time resulting in punches. Hawk right fielder Alfred Joseph hit a ground ball to short stop Ogui Diaz. Diaz’s throw pulled first baseman Joe White off the bag, making White swipe at Joseph and incidentally hit him in the helmet.I think the word they are looking for is accidentally, not incidentally. But, I've had days and opponents wrong in game stories before, so it's not like I'm perfect or anything.
From the Everett Herald game story by Nick Patterson:
...A series' worth of chirping, squaring up and beanings finally spilled over in an ugly way Friday night at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Bad blood, which had been festering between the Everett AquaSox and the Boise Hawks, finally reached the boiling point with a bench-clearing brawl during Everett's 4-3 loss to Boise.
The manager reactions:The incident came at the start of the seventh inning. Boise's Alfred Joseph grounded to short, and when Ogui Diaz's throw pulled first baseman Joe White up the line, White slapped the tag on as Joseph ran by, getting the out.
Joseph, taking exception to White's tag, turned around, pulled off his helmet and bopped White in the head with it. That incited the melee. Everett catcher Jair Fernandez, backing up the play, confronted Joseph, the benches emptied and punches were thrown.
"Their guy overreacted to the tag, that was the only thing Joe could do to get the out," was Everett manager Dave Myers' take. "He wanted to play tough guy or whatever, and that started the whole thing. That's a big problem because he couldn't control himself."
"Our guys was out of line," (Boise manager Steve) McFarland said. "I got to be honest. Obviously he thought the hard tag wasn't justified, but he didn't understand that the guy was off the bag and that was the only way to get him out.
Read the whole thing to catch up on all of that acrimony. Remember, these a lot of these players will be with the Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs in 2007.
Oddly, no mention of the incident in the Idaho Statesman. Must not have been important. Or, more likely, they got the story off the box score and game log on milb.com.
Sox & Hawks Go Out Swinging
It was referred to below in the Mariner System Report for Friday, but it deserves its own stand alone post. A brawl took place between the Everett AquaSox and the Boise Hawks in the seventh inning.
Here is the story from the Sox website:
From the Everett Herald game story by Nick Patterson:
Read the whole thing to catch up on all of that acrimony. Remember, these a lot of these players will be with the Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs in 2007.
Oddly, no mention of the incident in the Idaho Statesman. Must not have been important. Or, more likely, they got the story off the box score and game log on milb.com.
Here is the story from the Sox website:
Tempers flared for the third consecutive night, this time resulting in punches. Hawk right fielder Alfred Joseph hit a ground ball to short stop Ogui Diaz. Diaz’s throw pulled first baseman Joe White off the bag, making White swipe at Joseph and incidentally hit him in the helmet.I think the word they are looking for is accidentally, not incidentally. But, I've had days and opponents wrong in game stories before, so it's not like I'm perfect or anything.
From the Everett Herald game story by Nick Patterson:
...A series' worth of chirping, squaring up and beanings finally spilled over in an ugly way Friday night at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Bad blood, which had been festering between the Everett AquaSox and the Boise Hawks, finally reached the boiling point with a bench-clearing brawl during Everett's 4-3 loss to Boise.
The manager reactions:The incident came at the start of the seventh inning. Boise's Alfred Joseph grounded to short, and when Ogui Diaz's throw pulled first baseman Joe White up the line, White slapped the tag on as Joseph ran by, getting the out.
Joseph, taking exception to White's tag, turned around, pulled off his helmet and bopped White in the head with it. That incited the melee. Everett catcher Jair Fernandez, backing up the play, confronted Joseph, the benches emptied and punches were thrown.
"Their guy overreacted to the tag, that was the only thing Joe could do to get the out," was Everett manager Dave Myers' take. "He wanted to play tough guy or whatever, and that started the whole thing. That's a big problem because he couldn't control himself."
"Our guys was out of line," (Boise manager Steve) McFarland said. "I got to be honest. Obviously he thought the hard tag wasn't justified, but he didn't understand that the guy was off the bag and that was the only way to get him out.
Read the whole thing to catch up on all of that acrimony. Remember, these a lot of these players will be with the Rattlers and the Peoria Chiefs in 2007.
Oddly, no mention of the incident in the Idaho Statesman. Must not have been important. Or, more likely, they got the story off the box score and game log on milb.com.
Last Night in the MWL
Wisconsin 6, @Burlington 5 -- Johan Limonta had a big night for the Rattlers. The Hawkeye agrees.
@West Michigan 4, Dayton 0 -- Whitecap starting pitcher Luke French took a no-hitter into the ninth before giving up a lead off double to Mike Griffin.
Kane County 3, @South Bend 2 (10 inn.) -- Cougars stop a late steal of home and win on an infield single that scored the winning run from second base. Oh, and KC manager Aaron Nieckula got tossed again.
Fort Wayne 9, @Southwest Michigan 5 -- Things aren't going well for the D-Rays.
Peoria 7, @Lansing 3 -- That's eight straight losses for the Lugnuts.
@Clinton 3, Beloit 2 (10 inn.) -- Can the LumberKings only win on Fridays? At Home? In their last AB?
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities -- The game and the Clyde the Orangutan bobblehead giveaway were rained out at John O'Donnell Stadium. You decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Because when I think baseball, I think Orangutans and Jazz music. But, that's just how my mind works.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@West Michigan 4, Dayton 0 -- Whitecap starting pitcher Luke French took a no-hitter into the ninth before giving up a lead off double to Mike Griffin.
Kane County 3, @South Bend 2 (10 inn.) -- Cougars stop a late steal of home and win on an infield single that scored the winning run from second base. Oh, and KC manager Aaron Nieckula got tossed again.
Fort Wayne 9, @Southwest Michigan 5 -- Things aren't going well for the D-Rays.
Peoria 7, @Lansing 3 -- That's eight straight losses for the Lugnuts.
@Clinton 3, Beloit 2 (10 inn.) -- Can the LumberKings only win on Fridays? At Home? In their last AB?
Cedar Rapids @ Quad Cities -- The game and the Clyde the Orangutan bobblehead giveaway were rained out at John O'Donnell Stadium. You decide if that's a good thing or a bad thing.
Because when I think baseball, I think Orangutans and Jazz music. But, that's just how my mind works.Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
From Seattle TimesDavid Ortiz, Boston Red Sox.
Hit his major league leading 33rd homer and drove in his major league leading 91st run last night against the Mariners.
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