If you looked at the game notes below, you will have noticed that there is a possibility of a double header on Sunday in the series between the Rattlers and the Cougars.
Here is the pitching matchup for the three games that are scheduled to be played.
SAT: RHP Matthew Renfree (AZL M’s: 3-1, 2.57) vs. RHP Henry Rodriguez (5-8, 3.21)
SUN: RHP Steve Richard (6-4, 3.57) vs. RHP Travis Banwart (2-1, 2.25)
MON: LHP Fabian Williamson (AZL M’s: 6-2, 3.43) vs. LHP James Heuser (11-8, 4.35)
If there is doubleheader on Sunday, it will be
RHP John DuRocher (AZL M's 3-2, 5.03) vs. TBA
8/31/2007
Game Notes -- 8/31
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat Clinton 5-4. Wisconsin scored four runs in the top of the third inning to snap a 1-1 tie. The Rattlers held on for the win.
GOING CYCLING: The Timber Rattlers hit for the cycle as a team in the third inning. Ron Garth singled and Reed Eastley followed with a home run. Later in the inning, Kuo Hui Lo doubled. Leury Bonilla completed the cycle with a triple.
PITCHING RELAY: Harold Williams was the starting pitcher for the Rattlers last night and he worked three innings and allowed one run. Kyle Parker came on in relief and pitched 3-2/3 innings. He retired the first ten batters he faced before allowing back-to-back singles. He retired one more batters before turning the game over to Mike Wagner. Wagner allowed two hits and both of Parker’s runs to score to let the L-Kings to get to within 5-3. Wagner pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Andrew Barb entered in the ninth and allowed a one-out, pinch-hit home run to Chris Kemp that pulled Clinton to within 5-4. Barb struck out the next two batters to close out the LumberKings.
SAVING THE DAY: Barb is 10-for-10 in save opportunities this season.
ROAD WARRIORS: Wisconsin is 4-3 in the first seven games of their last road trip of the season. Wisconsin is 26-43 on the road this season. The Rattlers were 25-46 in 2006.
MAKE A NOTE: Back on July 9, the Timber Rattlers had a game at Kane County rained out. At the time, it was decided that the game would only be made up if it would have an effect on the playoff standings. The Cougars currently trail Cedar Rapids by 1-1/2 games for the second half Western Division wild card. Here are the current playoff standings in the West.
TEAM..........RECORD.......GB
QC.................40-25............--
CR.................38-28............2.5
PEO..............37-29............3.5
KC.................36-29............4.0
Tonight’s schedule is Beloit at Kane County; Peoria at Quad Cities; and Cedar Rapids at Burlington. If the game from July 9 needs to be made up, it will be part of a double header on Sunday at Time Warner.
MATCHING UP WITH THE PAST: The Rattlers are 50-83 (.376) this season. The worst record in team history was 53-86 (.381) by the 2002 squad. Last year’s Rattlers went 54-86 (.386).
CLINTON STARTER: Zach Phillips was a 23rd round pick of the Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Sacramento City College. This is his third tour of duty with the LumberKings. Phillips made a pair of regular season relief appearances at the end of the 2005 season without a decision. Phillips went 5-12 with a 5.96ERA in 28 starts in 2006. In his last start for the LumberKings in 2007, Phillips allowed one run on five hits with 12 strikeouts over seven innings, but took a loss at Kane County on August 28. Phillips has faced the Rattlers three times. In the 2005 playoffs, Phillips allowed three runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning as a reliever on September 10. In his lone start against the Rattlers in 2006, Phillips took the loss as he gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over five innings on August 26 at Grand Chute. Wisconsin beat Phillips on August 16 at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers got to him for six runs (two earned) on eight hits over 5-2/3 innings.
GOING CYCLING: The Timber Rattlers hit for the cycle as a team in the third inning. Ron Garth singled and Reed Eastley followed with a home run. Later in the inning, Kuo Hui Lo doubled. Leury Bonilla completed the cycle with a triple.
PITCHING RELAY: Harold Williams was the starting pitcher for the Rattlers last night and he worked three innings and allowed one run. Kyle Parker came on in relief and pitched 3-2/3 innings. He retired the first ten batters he faced before allowing back-to-back singles. He retired one more batters before turning the game over to Mike Wagner. Wagner allowed two hits and both of Parker’s runs to score to let the L-Kings to get to within 5-3. Wagner pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Andrew Barb entered in the ninth and allowed a one-out, pinch-hit home run to Chris Kemp that pulled Clinton to within 5-4. Barb struck out the next two batters to close out the LumberKings.
SAVING THE DAY: Barb is 10-for-10 in save opportunities this season.
ROAD WARRIORS: Wisconsin is 4-3 in the first seven games of their last road trip of the season. Wisconsin is 26-43 on the road this season. The Rattlers were 25-46 in 2006.
MAKE A NOTE: Back on July 9, the Timber Rattlers had a game at Kane County rained out. At the time, it was decided that the game would only be made up if it would have an effect on the playoff standings. The Cougars currently trail Cedar Rapids by 1-1/2 games for the second half Western Division wild card. Here are the current playoff standings in the West.
TEAM..........RECORD.......GB
QC.................40-25............--
CR.................38-28............2.5
PEO..............37-29............3.5
KC.................36-29............4.0
Tonight’s schedule is Beloit at Kane County; Peoria at Quad Cities; and Cedar Rapids at Burlington. If the game from July 9 needs to be made up, it will be part of a double header on Sunday at Time Warner.
MATCHING UP WITH THE PAST: The Rattlers are 50-83 (.376) this season. The worst record in team history was 53-86 (.381) by the 2002 squad. Last year’s Rattlers went 54-86 (.386).
CLINTON STARTER: Zach Phillips was a 23rd round pick of the Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Sacramento City College. This is his third tour of duty with the LumberKings. Phillips made a pair of regular season relief appearances at the end of the 2005 season without a decision. Phillips went 5-12 with a 5.96ERA in 28 starts in 2006. In his last start for the LumberKings in 2007, Phillips allowed one run on five hits with 12 strikeouts over seven innings, but took a loss at Kane County on August 28. Phillips has faced the Rattlers three times. In the 2005 playoffs, Phillips allowed three runs on three hits in 1/3 of an inning as a reliever on September 10. In his lone start against the Rattlers in 2006, Phillips took the loss as he gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over five innings on August 26 at Grand Chute. Wisconsin beat Phillips on August 16 at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers got to him for six runs (two earned) on eight hits over 5-2/3 innings.
Rattler Roster moves (8/31)
Lots of them....
RHP Ricky Orta & Joe Kantakevich placed on the DL
RHP Anthony Varvaro transferred to the AZL Mariners from Wisconsin
RHP Matthew Renfree transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
RHP John DuRocher transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
LHP Fabian Williamson transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
RHP Ricky Orta & Joe Kantakevich placed on the DL
RHP Anthony Varvaro transferred to the AZL Mariners from Wisconsin
RHP Matthew Renfree transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
RHP John DuRocher transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
LHP Fabian Williamson transferred to Wisconsin from the AZL Mariners
Midwest League Action -- 8/30
Complete 8/30 scoreboard HERE.
Rattlers 5, @Clinton 4: Wisconsin untied the game in the top of the third and hit for the cycle as a team for good measure.
@Kane County 6, Beloit 3; @Kane County 4, Beloit 1: One hundred thirty-two games into a grueling Midwest League season, the Cougars were faced Thursday with the prospect of a virtual must-have doubleheader sweep of the Beloit Snappers in order to stay in the thick of the Western Division wild card race.
@South Bend 9, Fort Wayne 6: Collect at least one hit in every inning -- 14 in all -- mix in nine walks and you should have a pretty good offensive game.But it wasn't all that easy for the South Bend Silver Hawks Thursday night
Lansing 4, @Dayton 3: (F/10): Two days ago, the job [winning the MWL Playoffs] was made tougher as the parent Cincinnati Reds plucked All-Star second baseman Justin Turner from the roster, promoting him to Sarasota.
@West Michigan 4, Great Lakes 2: With four runs in their final three offensive innings, the Whitecaps rallied past Great Lakes for a fifth consecutive victory
@Cedar Rapids 10, Burlington 3: The Cedar Rapids Kernels reduced their ‘Magic Number’ to four and moved closer to clinching a playoff spot
Peoria 3, @Quad Cities 1: For a second straight game, the Swing could have clinched a berth in the upcoming Midwest League playoffs. But like Wednesday when Burlington dealt Q-C a 1-0 loss, a lack of hitting cost the Swing again.
Rattlers 5, @Clinton 4: Wisconsin untied the game in the top of the third and hit for the cycle as a team for good measure.
@Kane County 6, Beloit 3; @Kane County 4, Beloit 1: One hundred thirty-two games into a grueling Midwest League season, the Cougars were faced Thursday with the prospect of a virtual must-have doubleheader sweep of the Beloit Snappers in order to stay in the thick of the Western Division wild card race.
@South Bend 9, Fort Wayne 6: Collect at least one hit in every inning -- 14 in all -- mix in nine walks and you should have a pretty good offensive game.But it wasn't all that easy for the South Bend Silver Hawks Thursday night
Lansing 4, @Dayton 3: (F/10): Two days ago, the job [winning the MWL Playoffs] was made tougher as the parent Cincinnati Reds plucked All-Star second baseman Justin Turner from the roster, promoting him to Sarasota.
@West Michigan 4, Great Lakes 2: With four runs in their final three offensive innings, the Whitecaps rallied past Great Lakes for a fifth consecutive victory
@Cedar Rapids 10, Burlington 3: The Cedar Rapids Kernels reduced their ‘Magic Number’ to four and moved closer to clinching a playoff spot
Peoria 3, @Quad Cities 1: For a second straight game, the Swing could have clinched a berth in the upcoming Midwest League playoffs. But like Wednesday when Burlington dealt Q-C a 1-0 loss, a lack of hitting cost the Swing again.
Mariner System Report (Games of 8/30)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 73-59; 2nd AL West): The Mariners lost 6-5 at Cleveland. Adam Jones (’04) homered and drove in a pair of runs for Seattle. The Mariners tied the game 5-5 with a run in the top of the ninth. But, Rick White walked Kenny Lofton with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth to force in the winning run.
TACOMA (AAA: 66-74; 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-9 in ten innings at Las Vegas. Kevin Reynolds (’07) had two hits and two RBI for Tacoma. The Rainiers led 9-6, but the 51s scored three times in the ninth to tie the game and once in the tenth for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-75 overall; 29-36 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 2-1 to Chattanooga. Joe Woerman (’06) allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings and took the loss. Jon Nelson (’03) homered for the only Diamond Jaxx run.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 53-83 overall; 22-44 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-7 to Rancho Cucamonga. Travis Scott (’06) homered and drove in three runs for High Desert. The Mavs scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning, but could not hold the lead.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 32-38; T-3rd Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox beat Eugene 4-1. Kalian Sams (’07) had two hits, scored a run, and drove in a run for Everett. Alfredo Venegas pitched six shutout innings for the win.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 38-19 Arizona League Champions): The AZL M’s beat the Giants 8-5 to win the Arizona League Championship. Jake Wild struck out fourteen and allowed one run over eight innings for the win.
Mariner system schedule 8/31:
Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 9-11) at Toronto (Shaun Marcum 11-5) 6:07pm CDT
Colorado Springs at Tacoma 9:05pm CDT
Chattanooga (Carlos Fisher 5-9) at West Tennessee (Andy Baldwin 5-12) 7:05pm CDT
Lancaster (Kris Johnson 8-7) at High Desert (Jose Escalona 4-9) 9:05pm CDT
Vancouver at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – Season over
TACOMA (AAA: 66-74; 3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-9 in ten innings at Las Vegas. Kevin Reynolds (’07) had two hits and two RBI for Tacoma. The Rainiers led 9-6, but the 51s scored three times in the ninth to tie the game and once in the tenth for the win.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-75 overall; 29-36 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 2-1 to Chattanooga. Joe Woerman (’06) allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings and took the loss. Jon Nelson (’03) homered for the only Diamond Jaxx run.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 53-83 overall; 22-44 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 8-7 to Rancho Cucamonga. Travis Scott (’06) homered and drove in three runs for High Desert. The Mavs scored six runs in the bottom of the first inning, but could not hold the lead.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 32-38; T-3rd Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox beat Eugene 4-1. Kalian Sams (’07) had two hits, scored a run, and drove in a run for Everett. Alfredo Venegas pitched six shutout innings for the win.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 38-19 Arizona League Champions): The AZL M’s beat the Giants 8-5 to win the Arizona League Championship. Jake Wild struck out fourteen and allowed one run over eight innings for the win.
Mariner system schedule 8/31:
Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 9-11) at Toronto (Shaun Marcum 11-5) 6:07pm CDT
Colorado Springs at Tacoma 9:05pm CDT
Chattanooga (Carlos Fisher 5-9) at West Tennessee (Andy Baldwin 5-12) 7:05pm CDT
Lancaster (Kris Johnson 8-7) at High Desert (Jose Escalona 4-9) 9:05pm CDT
Vancouver at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – Season over
Baseball History -- August 31
Complete entry for August 31 is HERE.
Highlighted entry:
Highlighted entry:
1993They do keep stats on everything.
3B Gary Gaetti of the Royals hits the 239th HR of his career in KC's 6-5 win over Milwaukee. By doing so‚ he becomes the all-time HR leader for players who homered in their 1st big league at bat‚ moving past Hall of Famer Earl Averill.
8/30/2007
Thursday Motivation (8/30)
I tried my hand at the Do It Yourself Motivator at despair.com. The result is both hilarious and depressing. Maybe one day I'll share it in this space...but, not today.
So to successories.com we go:
"Be unafraid to fail and you will undoubtedly succeed."
So to successories.com we go:
"Be unafraid to fail and you will undoubtedly succeed."
Once and Future Rattlers?
The Northwest League announced their post-season all-star team the other day.
Greg Halman ('07) and left-handed starter Edward Paredes made the squad.
Greg Halman ('07) and left-handed starter Edward Paredes made the squad.
The Everett AquaSox also boast two All-Stars. Outfielder Gregory Halman spent time earlier in the season with Class A Wisconsin and has shown impressive speed and power with the AquaSox. The 6-foot-4, 192-pounder has 14 roundtrippers and 15 steals with a .289 batting average, 33 RBIs and 35 runs scored in 59 games. Edward Paredes, Everett's only starter with a winning record, is the All-Star left-hander. He's 7-5 with a 3.64 ERA over a league-leading 76 2/3 innings in 14 games, including 13 starts.That release was written before Halman had two homers in one game to put himself into a tie for the Northwest League lead with 16.
Balentien: Top PCL Rookie
Wladimir Balentien ('04) was voted as the top rookie in the Pacific Coast League. Rainier radio broadcaster Mike Curto has the writeup in the Tacoma News Tribune.
Balentien voted PCL’s top rookie
Balentien voted PCL’s top rookie
LAS VEGAS – In a gesture that shows just how far he has come this season, Tacoma Rainiers outfielder Wladimir Balentien was voted the Pacific Coast League’s Rookie of the Year.
Balentien won the vote of the league’s managers and media members, it was announced Tuesday. The 23-year-old outfielder from Cura[c]ao is batting .295 with 24 home runs and 80 RBI this season.
“It’s an honor that shows that you put in the hard work all year,” Balentien said.
...
The list of past winners includes Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, who won it in 2005, Houston Astros infielder Chris Burke (New Orleans, 2004) and Oakland Athletics shortstop Bobby Crosby (Sacramento, 2003). Last year’s winner was Salt Lake’s Howie Kendrick, now the Los Angeles Angels’ starting second baseman.“I’ve seen the names of the players who won it before, and anytime you are mentioned with the people on that list, it’s a big honor,” Tacoma manager Daren Brown said.
...
Balentien’s progress from all-or-nothing slugger to disciplined hitter has garnered attention from scouts throughout baseball. Where he fits in with the Mariners, though, remains to be seen.
Playoff Preview
Some potential future Rattlers are getting ready for the one game playoff for the Arizona League Championship tonight.
MiLB.com has the preview HERE. A preview of the, um, preview.
Plenty more at the link. Game time is 9:00pm CDT tonight.
MiLB.com has the preview HERE. A preview of the, um, preview.
It has been a tale of two seasons for one club and a season that defines consistency for the other. The Giants, after an even keel, 14-14, in the AZL's first half, exploded down the stretch to steal the second-half honors from the Mariners, who were looking to run away with both regular-season titles. The Mariners dominated the league from start to finish, posting the best overall record at 37-19, but the Giants were red hot in August, including taking all three games against the Mariners. Now, the Giants look to steal a championship that the Mariners no doubt feel is rightfully theirs in a winner-take-all meeting between the AZL's hottest teams.
The Mariners won the season series four games to three, but that stat hardly tells the whole story. The Giants rebounded from four losses to the Mariners in July by taking all three of their August games against the first-half division winners, outscoring the Mariners, 19-6, in doing so.
There was no room for error down the stretch for the Giants, who warded off the Mariners -- winners of seven of their last 10 games -- by ending the regular season with 10 straight victories. The batch of victories allowed the Giants to clinch the second-half division title and force a championship game with the Mariners, who would have won the AZL outright had they won both halves of the season.
Plenty more at the link. Game time is 9:00pm CDT tonight.
Midwest League Action -- 8/29
Complete 8/29 scoreboard HERE.
@ Clinton 6, Rattlers 3: After Marcus Lemon started the LumberKings' third with a double and Jose Vallejo singled, Rattlers reliever Justin Souza got Chad Tracy to send a tailor-made double play ball to short, but it was bobbled and Lemon scored.
@West Michigan 6, Fort Wayne 1: "As long as I'm pitching well, I won't shave it off. I decided to grow a mustache four starts ago to switch up things a bit and see what could happen," Below said. "I did well in the first start after and I was going to shave it off the next day, but the guys said I had to keep it."
@Great Lakes 7, South Bend 5: "It doesn't matter what point in the season it is -- when you win, it's fun," Loons' manager Lance Parrish said. "It's encouraging to everybody and they're excited that they're playing pretty well and winning a few games. Hopefully we can finish up the season well."
@Lansing 4, Dayton 1: The Dragons and Lugnuts stayed scoreless through five innings before Lansing finally broke the tie in the sixth when Matt Lane blasted a solo homer to right field that gave the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead.
@Peoria 5, Kane County 0: With the victory, the Chiefs put a game between themselves and Kane County in the wild-card race. However, both teams still trail Cedar Rapids in the wild-card race, the Chiefs by one game and the Cougars by two games.
Cedar Rapids 8, @Beloit 4: The game remained a 4-3 Snappers’ advantage until the top of the seventh inning. Cedar Rapids got to Beloit reliever Jose Lugo with two runs off a home run from Mark Trumbo. Trumbo’s blast scored P.J. Phillips and pushed the Kernels ahead 5-4.
@Burlington 1, Quad Cities 0 (F/10): "I guess that's the best way to go out, right?" said [Michael] Thompson as he and [Jesus] Soto, along with the rest of the team, signed autographs and thanked fans as they left the ballpark. "That's the way you want to end it for the fans and us. It's a great win. That's what baseball's all about, the 1-0 victories in the bottom of the 10th."
@ Clinton 6, Rattlers 3: After Marcus Lemon started the LumberKings' third with a double and Jose Vallejo singled, Rattlers reliever Justin Souza got Chad Tracy to send a tailor-made double play ball to short, but it was bobbled and Lemon scored.
@West Michigan 6, Fort Wayne 1: "As long as I'm pitching well, I won't shave it off. I decided to grow a mustache four starts ago to switch up things a bit and see what could happen," Below said. "I did well in the first start after and I was going to shave it off the next day, but the guys said I had to keep it."
@Great Lakes 7, South Bend 5: "It doesn't matter what point in the season it is -- when you win, it's fun," Loons' manager Lance Parrish said. "It's encouraging to everybody and they're excited that they're playing pretty well and winning a few games. Hopefully we can finish up the season well."
@Lansing 4, Dayton 1: The Dragons and Lugnuts stayed scoreless through five innings before Lansing finally broke the tie in the sixth when Matt Lane blasted a solo homer to right field that gave the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead.
@Peoria 5, Kane County 0: With the victory, the Chiefs put a game between themselves and Kane County in the wild-card race. However, both teams still trail Cedar Rapids in the wild-card race, the Chiefs by one game and the Cougars by two games.
Cedar Rapids 8, @Beloit 4: The game remained a 4-3 Snappers’ advantage until the top of the seventh inning. Cedar Rapids got to Beloit reliever Jose Lugo with two runs off a home run from Mark Trumbo. Trumbo’s blast scored P.J. Phillips and pushed the Kernels ahead 5-4.
@Burlington 1, Quad Cities 0 (F/10): "I guess that's the best way to go out, right?" said [Michael] Thompson as he and [Jesus] Soto, along with the rest of the team, signed autographs and thanked fans as they left the ballpark. "That's the way you want to end it for the fans and us. It's a great win. That's what baseball's all about, the 1-0 victories in the bottom of the 10th."
Mariner System Report (Games of 8/29)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 73-58; 2nd AL West): The Mariners lost 8-2 to the Angels. Felix Hernandez (’03) allowed six runs on thirteen hits over seven innings for the loss. The Angels swept the three game series at Safeco Field.
TACOMA (AAA: 66-73; T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-3 at Las Vegas. Wladimir Balentien (’04) and Bryan LaHair (’04) each had three hits and an RBI for Tacoma. The Rainiers had 17 hits in the game, but managed three runs.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-74 overall; 29-35 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx were rained out at Huntsville. The game will not be made up.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 53-82 overall; 22-43 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks beat Rancho Cucamonga 2-1. Chris Tillman (’07) struck out thirteen over six scoreless innings for the win.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 31-38; 4th Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox lost 10-2 to Eugene. Everett batters struck out 17 times in the game.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 37-19 overall; 17-11 second half 2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Royals 3-1 to end the regular season in the AZL.
Mariner system schedule 8/30:
Seattle (Horacio Ramirez 8-4) at Cleveland (Aaron Laffey 2-1) 6:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Jorge Campillo 9-6) at Las Vegas (D.J. Houlton 3.68) 9:11pm CDT
Chattanooga at West Tennessee 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Tim Schoeninger 6-3) at High Desert (Juan Zapata 1-4) 9:05pm CDT
Eugene at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Giants at AZL Mariners (Arizona League Championship game) 9:00pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 66-73; T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 6-3 at Las Vegas. Wladimir Balentien (’04) and Bryan LaHair (’04) each had three hits and an RBI for Tacoma. The Rainiers had 17 hits in the game, but managed three runs.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-74 overall; 29-35 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx were rained out at Huntsville. The game will not be made up.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 53-82 overall; 22-43 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks beat Rancho Cucamonga 2-1. Chris Tillman (’07) struck out thirteen over six scoreless innings for the win.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 31-38; 4th Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox lost 10-2 to Eugene. Everett batters struck out 17 times in the game.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 37-19 overall; 17-11 second half 2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s beat the Royals 3-1 to end the regular season in the AZL.
Mariner system schedule 8/30:
Seattle (Horacio Ramirez 8-4) at Cleveland (Aaron Laffey 2-1) 6:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Jorge Campillo 9-6) at Las Vegas (D.J. Houlton 3.68) 9:11pm CDT
Chattanooga at West Tennessee 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Tim Schoeninger 6-3) at High Desert (Juan Zapata 1-4) 9:05pm CDT
Eugene at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Giants at AZL Mariners (Arizona League Championship game) 9:00pm CDT
Baseball History -- August 30
Complete entry for August 30 is at BaseballLibrary.com HERE.
Highlighted entry
Of the four players listed, whose autograph did I get as a youngster along the rail near the tarp at County Stadium?
If you guessed Frank DiPino, you would be correct!
Highlighted entry
1982
In an effort to bolster its pitching staff for the pennant race‚ Milwaukee trades minor leaguers Kevin Bass‚ Frank DiPino‚ and Mike Madden to the Astros for veteran starter Don Sutton. Sutton has won 13 games for Houston this year. The Brewers are 4 1/2 games ahead of the Red Sox.
Of the four players listed, whose autograph did I get as a youngster along the rail near the tarp at County Stadium?
If you guessed Frank DiPino, you would be correct!
8/29/2007
Game Notes -- 8/29
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers defeated the LumberKings 4-2. Calvin Beamon had three hits, stole three bases, and scored twice for the Rattlers. Starting pitcher Steve Richard worked five shutout innings and Mike Wagner pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
STEALING IT: Beamon’s three stolen bases were the most in a game by an individual Rattler this season. The Rattlers swiped six bases as a team last night – Kuo Hui Lo, Ron Garth, and Guy Welsh had one each – to set a new team high in a game this season.
WALKING THE LINE: Lo coaxed three walks last night. Rattler hitters drew a total of nine walks last night, one off their season high.
SCORELESS STRING: Richard pitched five scoreless innings for the second consecutive game. His scoreless string has reached 11-1/3 straight innings.
SPLIT: Richard is 6-1 with a 3.28ERA in 15 starts this season. In eight games a reliever, he is 1-2 with a save and an ERA of 3.78.
OUT OF THE GATE: Beamon singled to start the game and stole second. Lo followed with an RBI single and the Rattlers were up 1-0 two batters into the game. Wisconsin is 35-31 when they score first.
CLOSING THE DOOR: Wagner entered in the bottom of the ninth with the Rattlers leading 4-2. Wagner recorded a pair of strikeouts in setting the LumberKings down in order. Wagner is 2-for-3 in save opportunities.
THREE IN A ROW: The Rattlers have won three straight games. A win tonight would match their longest winning streak of the season. Wisconsin has won four straight two times this season.
AN UNCRUEL MONTH: Wisconsin is 15-12 in August. There are three games remaining this month. The Rattlers have already clinched their first month (not including September) with at least a .500 record for the first time since August of 2005. The Rattlers were 3-1 in September of 2006.
MATCHING UP WITH THE PAST: The Rattlers are 49-82 (.374). The worst record in team history was 53-86 (.381) by the 2002 squad. Last year’s Rattlers went 54-86 (.386).
OUT OF THE DRAFT: The LumberKings have four members of the 2007 Texas draft class on their active roster. Pitchers Evan Reed (3rd round), Jared Hyatt (33rd round), and Josh Lueke (16th round) are both on the roster. Infielder Kenny Smith (20th round) joined the LumberKings on Tuesday.
CLINTON STARTER: Beau Jones originally in the Atlanta Braves organization as a supplemental first round pick in the 2005 draft out of Destrehan (LA) High School. Jones was the 10th rated prospect in Atlanta’s organization by Baseball America before the season. He joined the Ranger organization in the trade that sent Mark Texeira and Ron Mahay to Atlanta for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three others on July 31. Jones started the season with Myrtle Beach (Carolina League), but struggled to no record and an ERA of 15.26. He was 5-0 with three saves and a 2.96ERA in Rome (South Atlantic League) before the trade. In his last start for the LumberKings he gave up four runs (three earned over 4-1/3 innings to Kane County on August 24. This is his first appearance against the Ratters and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
STEALING IT: Beamon’s three stolen bases were the most in a game by an individual Rattler this season. The Rattlers swiped six bases as a team last night – Kuo Hui Lo, Ron Garth, and Guy Welsh had one each – to set a new team high in a game this season.
WALKING THE LINE: Lo coaxed three walks last night. Rattler hitters drew a total of nine walks last night, one off their season high.
SCORELESS STRING: Richard pitched five scoreless innings for the second consecutive game. His scoreless string has reached 11-1/3 straight innings.
SPLIT: Richard is 6-1 with a 3.28ERA in 15 starts this season. In eight games a reliever, he is 1-2 with a save and an ERA of 3.78.
OUT OF THE GATE: Beamon singled to start the game and stole second. Lo followed with an RBI single and the Rattlers were up 1-0 two batters into the game. Wisconsin is 35-31 when they score first.
CLOSING THE DOOR: Wagner entered in the bottom of the ninth with the Rattlers leading 4-2. Wagner recorded a pair of strikeouts in setting the LumberKings down in order. Wagner is 2-for-3 in save opportunities.
THREE IN A ROW: The Rattlers have won three straight games. A win tonight would match their longest winning streak of the season. Wisconsin has won four straight two times this season.
AN UNCRUEL MONTH: Wisconsin is 15-12 in August. There are three games remaining this month. The Rattlers have already clinched their first month (not including September) with at least a .500 record for the first time since August of 2005. The Rattlers were 3-1 in September of 2006.
MATCHING UP WITH THE PAST: The Rattlers are 49-82 (.374). The worst record in team history was 53-86 (.381) by the 2002 squad. Last year’s Rattlers went 54-86 (.386).
OUT OF THE DRAFT: The LumberKings have four members of the 2007 Texas draft class on their active roster. Pitchers Evan Reed (3rd round), Jared Hyatt (33rd round), and Josh Lueke (16th round) are both on the roster. Infielder Kenny Smith (20th round) joined the LumberKings on Tuesday.
CLINTON STARTER: Beau Jones originally in the Atlanta Braves organization as a supplemental first round pick in the 2005 draft out of Destrehan (LA) High School. Jones was the 10th rated prospect in Atlanta’s organization by Baseball America before the season. He joined the Ranger organization in the trade that sent Mark Texeira and Ron Mahay to Atlanta for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and three others on July 31. Jones started the season with Myrtle Beach (Carolina League), but struggled to no record and an ERA of 15.26. He was 5-0 with three saves and a 2.96ERA in Rome (South Atlantic League) before the trade. In his last start for the LumberKings he gave up four runs (three earned over 4-1/3 innings to Kane County on August 24. This is his first appearance against the Ratters and against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Slight adjustment to the rotation
Harold Williams is getting the start on Thursday against the LumberKings. Kyle Parker, the orginally scheduled starter, should be the first out of the bullpen in relief of Williams.
Wednesday Movie Quote (8/29)
Big Horse Borelli: You know, a lot of people said that Stan only looked out for himself, that he wasn't a team player. But I'm here to tell you, if you get 3000 hits, you don't have to be a team player. If you have a lifetime .314 average, you don't have to be a good guy. If you lead the league in batting for three years, you can be the biggest jerk in the world!
Best individual season in Rattler history
#1: Bo Robinson - 1999
.329 batting average, 101 runs, 164 hits, 50 doubles, 3 triples, 13 home runs, 102 rbi, 4 stolen bases
When he wasn't hitting, he was walking. His 108 walks are 21 more than any other Timber Rattler, which led to an on base percentage of .446, which is 29 points better than second place Shin Soo Choo in '02.
...
His 50 doubles are the best in team history by 12. He is one of only two Rattlers to crack 100 RBI in a season and is the only one to score 100 runs. His 259 total bases and 164 hits are also team records, and his slugging percentage (.519) and batting average are both second all time.
MWL Post Season All-Stars
The Midwest League website has announced the Post-Season All-Star team. The Whitecaps took away a few individual honors. Gorkys Hernandez of West Michigan was named the MVP. Tom Brookens of West Michigan was named Manager of the Year.
About that Post Season All-Star team
The Post-season All-stars are:
C: James Skelton, West Michigan
1B: Brad Miller, South Bend
2B: Justin Turner, Dayton
SS: Chris Valaika, Dayton
3B: Juan Francisco, Dayton
OF: Gorkys Hernandez, West Michigan
OF: Gerardo Parra, South Bend
OF: Travis Snider, Lansing
DH: Michael Thompson, Burlington
RH Starter: Jeff Manship, Beloit
LH Starter: Clayton Kershaw, Great Lakes
RH Reliever: Rob Delaney, Beloit
LH Reliever: Barrett Browning, Cedar Rapids
About that Post Season All-Star team
Dayton Dragons infielders Chris Valaika, Justin Turner and Juan Francisco were among 13 players named Tuesday to the Midwest League postseason All-Star Team.
The trio, which helped the Dragons capture the first-half Eastern Division title, are joined by two members each of the West Michigan Whitecaps, South Bend Silver Hawks and Beloit Snappers. The Great Lakes Loons, Lansing Lugnuts, Burlington Bees and Cedar Rapids Kernels all have one player on the team.
The Post-season All-stars are:
C: James Skelton, West Michigan
1B: Brad Miller, South Bend
2B: Justin Turner, Dayton
SS: Chris Valaika, Dayton
3B: Juan Francisco, Dayton
OF: Gorkys Hernandez, West Michigan
OF: Gerardo Parra, South Bend
OF: Travis Snider, Lansing
DH: Michael Thompson, Burlington
RH Starter: Jeff Manship, Beloit
LH Starter: Clayton Kershaw, Great Lakes
RH Reliever: Rob Delaney, Beloit
LH Reliever: Barrett Browning, Cedar Rapids
Midwest League Action -- 8/28
Complete 8/28 scoreboard HERE.
Rattlers 4, @Clinton 2: Calvin Beamon stole three bases and scored two runs to lead the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers over the Clinton LumberKings in a Midwest League baseball game in Clinton, Iowa, on Tuesday night.
@West Michigan 7, Fort Wayne 6; @West Michigan 4, Fort Wayne 1: Beating Fort Wayne in the opener meant the Whitecaps' past four wins had come on a hit batsman that drove in the winning run, a game-winning sacrifice fly, a bloop single, and in the case of Tuesday's 7-6 win, a two-run, walk-off, bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh by Jordan Newton won the game.
@Great Lakes 2, South Bend 1: "I've been struggling a little bit with the command on my fastball," [Tim] Sexton said. "(Pitching coach Glen Dishman) Dish helped me out a little bit and I felt great coming out here."
@Lansing 10, Dayton 5: Lansing won its sixth straight contest by thumping the Dayton Dragons 10-5 at Oldsmobile Park Tuesday night. It also marks the ninth consecutive victory at home for the Lugnuts.
Kane County 10, @Peoria 9: The Chiefs trailed 9-0 after seven innings but scored five in the seventh and four more in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game. Three of those runs came on wild pitches by Kane County closer Andrew Carignan.
Cedar Rapids 5, @Beloit 4: Tyler Johnson scored the game winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a throwing error by Beloit catcher Danny Berg...
Quad Cities 4, @Burlington 3 (F/10): With Burlington trailing 3-0 and Kurt Mertins on first base, Brady Everett smashed the ball over the left-field foul pole. Everett began a home-run trot and Mertins jogged around the bases as the Community Field fans began celebrating the home run. Home plate umpire Travis Hatch squashed the cheers, ruling the ball foul to the heated protests of the Bees' bullpen and Gabella.
Rattlers 4, @Clinton 2: Calvin Beamon stole three bases and scored two runs to lead the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers over the Clinton LumberKings in a Midwest League baseball game in Clinton, Iowa, on Tuesday night.
@West Michigan 7, Fort Wayne 6; @West Michigan 4, Fort Wayne 1: Beating Fort Wayne in the opener meant the Whitecaps' past four wins had come on a hit batsman that drove in the winning run, a game-winning sacrifice fly, a bloop single, and in the case of Tuesday's 7-6 win, a two-run, walk-off, bases-loaded double in the bottom of the seventh by Jordan Newton won the game.
@Great Lakes 2, South Bend 1: "I've been struggling a little bit with the command on my fastball," [Tim] Sexton said. "(Pitching coach Glen Dishman) Dish helped me out a little bit and I felt great coming out here."
@Lansing 10, Dayton 5: Lansing won its sixth straight contest by thumping the Dayton Dragons 10-5 at Oldsmobile Park Tuesday night. It also marks the ninth consecutive victory at home for the Lugnuts.
Kane County 10, @Peoria 9: The Chiefs trailed 9-0 after seven innings but scored five in the seventh and four more in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game. Three of those runs came on wild pitches by Kane County closer Andrew Carignan.
Cedar Rapids 5, @Beloit 4: Tyler Johnson scored the game winning run in the top of the eighth inning on a throwing error by Beloit catcher Danny Berg...
Quad Cities 4, @Burlington 3 (F/10): With Burlington trailing 3-0 and Kurt Mertins on first base, Brady Everett smashed the ball over the left-field foul pole. Everett began a home-run trot and Mertins jogged around the bases as the Community Field fans began celebrating the home run. Home plate umpire Travis Hatch squashed the cheers, ruling the ball foul to the heated protests of the Bees' bullpen and Gabella.
Mariner System Report (Games of 8/28)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 73-57; 2nd AL West): The Mariners lost 10-6 to the Angels. Seattle scored five times in the first inning, but the Angels took a 6-5 lead. The Mariners tied the game at six, but Los Angeles scored four times in the eighth inning for the winning margin.
TACOMA (AAA: 66-72; T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Las Vegas 8-5 in eleven innings. Oswaldo Navarro (’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for Tacoma. Rob Johnson ('05) scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-74 overall; 29-35 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Huntsville 9-6. Matt Tuiasosopo (’05) homered. Mike Hrynio (’04) pitched 2-1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win in an 'entertaining game' in Huntsville.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 52-82 overall; 21-43 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-4 to Rancho Cucamonga. Jeff Dominguez (’05) homered and drove in two runs for High Desert, but it was the fourth loss in a row for the Mavs.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 31-37; 4th Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox beat Eugene 9-4. Greg Halman (’07) had four hits – including a pair of homers – and four RBI for Everett.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 36-19 overall; 16-11 second half T-2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 9-3 to the Giants.
Mariner system schedule 8/29:
Los Angeles (Jered Weaver 9-6) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 10-6) 3:35pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 1-0) at Las Vegas (Phillip Pinango 8-7) 9:11pm CDT
West Tennessee (Joe Woerman 7-6) at Huntsville (Sam Narron 7-8) 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Steve Marek 8-9) at High Desert (Chris Tillman 5-6) 9:05pm CDT
Eugene at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Royals at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 66-72; T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Las Vegas 8-5 in eleven innings. Oswaldo Navarro (’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for Tacoma. Rob Johnson ('05) scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 60-74 overall; 29-35 second half; 5th second half Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx beat Huntsville 9-6. Matt Tuiasosopo (’05) homered. Mike Hrynio (’04) pitched 2-1/3 innings of scoreless relief for the win in an 'entertaining game' in Huntsville.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 52-82 overall; 21-43 second half; 5th second half California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-4 to Rancho Cucamonga. Jeff Dominguez (’05) homered and drove in two runs for High Desert, but it was the fourth loss in a row for the Mavs.
EVERETT (Short Season-A: 31-37; 4th Northwest League West Division): The AquaSox beat Eugene 9-4. Greg Halman (’07) had four hits – including a pair of homers – and four RBI for Everett.
AZL Mariners (Rookie: 36-19 overall; 16-11 second half T-2nd Arizona League): The AZL M’s lost 9-3 to the Giants.
Mariner system schedule 8/29:
Los Angeles (Jered Weaver 9-6) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 10-6) 3:35pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 1-0) at Las Vegas (Phillip Pinango 8-7) 9:11pm CDT
West Tennessee (Joe Woerman 7-6) at Huntsville (Sam Narron 7-8) 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Steve Marek 8-9) at High Desert (Chris Tillman 5-6) 9:05pm CDT
Eugene at Everett 9:05pm CDT
AZL Royals at AZL Mariners 9:00pm CDT
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