UPDATE AND BUMP:
Donnie Hume is getting the start on Friday instead of Michael Pineda. Everything else stays the same.
WED: RHP Nathan Adcock (1-3, 3.47) vs. RHP Scott Hodsdon (2-4, 3.80)
THU: RHP Phillippe Aumont (2-3, 1.74) vs. RHP Scott Mitchinson (4-1, 1.71)
FRI: LHP Donnie Hume (4-0, 2.02) vs. RHP Craig Italiano (6-0, 0.72)
SAT: RHP Juan Ramirez (3-3, 3.51) vs. RHP Jamie Richmond (4-3, 3.21)
5/28/2008
Bye-Bye Baek
Cha Seung Baek ('00) is now in the San Diego Padre organization.
M's trade for Padres' WellsThis is the same Jared Wells who pitched for Fort Wayne in 2004. He tossed a seven-inning complete game against the Rattlers in the first game of a doubleheader on May 2, 2004 and gave up one run on four hits.
Ah, that headline would have excited a little more 12 months ago. After all, a guy like David Wells could have kept things interesting around here for what promises to be a dismal four months to come. But no, it's not David making his way to Seattle. A guy named Jared Wells has been picked up in exchange for Cha Seung Baek. He's a living, breathing body. What else? Well, actually, all snarkiness aside, there is some potential here. But a lot has to happen first.
Championship Tuesday
slQuite a day on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium to wrap up the NCAA Division III College Baseball Championships.
First, Johns Hopkins ended Trinity's quest for an undefeated season with a win in the first game.
Johns Hopkins faced history in the taking
But, this being a double elimination tournament, Trinity had another chance for the Championship. If there is one thing The Matrix taught me, it's don't give Trinity a second chance.
Trinity satisfied to walk away with NCAA title
Mike Woods has a good column on the Guy who drew the Championship winning walk.
The tournament returns next year. But as for after that, here is Brett Christopherson's article:
NCAA tourney a hit at the old ballpark
First, Johns Hopkins ended Trinity's quest for an undefeated season with a win in the first game.
Johns Hopkins faced history in the taking
But, this being a double elimination tournament, Trinity had another chance for the Championship. If there is one thing The Matrix taught me, it's don't give Trinity a second chance.
Trinity satisfied to walk away with NCAA title
Mike Woods has a good column on the Guy who drew the Championship winning walk.
Next time your kid is having a tough year, losing his starting spot to a kid who is only marginally better, and asks if he can pack it in, tell him the story of Guy Gogliettino.The money line from today's NCAA D-III coverage is this one from Mike to sum up Gogliettino's situation. It's one that anyone of us can find ourselves in:This is a kid playing his senior year at Trinity College. His teammates thought enough of him to select him as a tri-captain. He was coming off a decent season in which he was the regular third baseman and started the first 19 games of his final season.
Then he was asked to take a seat on the bench in favor of Tim Bourdon.
It may never have come had he sulked. It never would have come if he had walked away. But he accepted his fate, kept working and did as his coach instructed and waited for his opportunity.I'm going bold that, italicize that, put it up in 32 point font and hang it up somewhere at the trailer.
The tournament returns next year. But as for after that, here is Brett Christopherson's article:
NCAA tourney a hit at the old ballpark
More later
There are some things that need to be done before the bus leaves. I'll try to check in from the hotel or the ballpark before the game tonight.
The pitching matchups for the Kane County series will be up top for a while.
The pitching matchups for the Kane County series will be up top for a while.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have fared on May 28…since 2000
2000: The Rattlers won 19-8 at Dayton. This was the GUNDRUM game. First, the Rattlers put the game away with eight runs in the second inning. Gundrum, the Rattler right fielder had a sacrifice fly in that inning. In the third, he had an RBI single. In the fourth, he had a three-run homer. In the sixth, he hit a two-run homer to make seven RBI for Gundrum in the game. Chris Snelling and Kevin Robles both went 4-for-5. Justin Leone hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth. Gorky Estrella also homered in that game. In all, Wisconsin had 23 hits in the game. Rattler record after this game: 25-23
2001: The Rattlers won 5-1 at West Michigan. Clint Nageotte pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight for the win. Guillermo “Bill” Martinez had three hits and two RBI for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 28-20
2002: The Rattlers won 6-3 in 13 innings at Dayton in 3 hours and 57 minutes. Wisconsin hit four homers in the game. Corey Freeman and Dan Floyd went back-to-back in the sixth and Sean Peless homered in the seventh for a 32 lead. But, Dayton tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Jason Rainey singled in the top of the thirteenth and Shin-soo Choo scored all the way from first after an error by the left fielder. Greg Dobbs followed with a homer to account for the final two runs. Unsung hero of this game: Jeff Perez with 4-1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief. Rattler record after this game: 24-26
2003: The Rattlers lost 6-4 at Fort Wayne. Steve Shirley’s three-run double in the third inning broke a 3-3 tie. Wisconsin couldn’t rally. Rattler record after this game: 26-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 10-0 at Peoria. Eric O’Flaherty allowed eight runs on 12 hits over 3-2/3 innings. Three Peoria pitchers combined on the 5-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 20-27
2005: The Rattlers lost 7-1 at Quad Cities. Casey Abrams allowed four runs over six innings, but the Rattler offense only scored on a two-out, RBI single by Sebastien Boucher in the seventh. Mike Parisi (8 IP) and Mike Sillman (1IP) combined to beat the Rattlers. Rattler record after this game: 28-21
2006: The Rattlers lost 19-5 at Kane County. Wisconsin had a run in the top of the first inning. Then, the Cougars scored three in the first, seven in the second, and four in the third. Rattler record after this game: 19-30
2007: The Rattlers were swept in doubleheader at Peoria.
GAME ONE:
Peoria won 7-0.This was a 2-0 game until the Chiefs scored five in the seventh inning. Wisconsin had five hits in the game.
GAME TWO:
Peoria won 4-1. Peoria scored three runs in the sixth inning to go up 4-0. Alex Liddi hit a homer in the top of the seventh to keep the Rattlers from getting shutout in the twinbill. Rattler record after these games: 16-33
A 3-6 record, with an 0-6 record since 2003 make this a crummy day. Even with the GUNDRUM game, a Bill Martinez appearance, and an extra-inning marathon for the wins.
2000: The Rattlers won 19-8 at Dayton. This was the GUNDRUM game. First, the Rattlers put the game away with eight runs in the second inning. Gundrum, the Rattler right fielder had a sacrifice fly in that inning. In the third, he had an RBI single. In the fourth, he had a three-run homer. In the sixth, he hit a two-run homer to make seven RBI for Gundrum in the game. Chris Snelling and Kevin Robles both went 4-for-5. Justin Leone hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in the ninth. Gorky Estrella also homered in that game. In all, Wisconsin had 23 hits in the game. Rattler record after this game: 25-23
2001: The Rattlers won 5-1 at West Michigan. Clint Nageotte pitched six scoreless innings and struck out eight for the win. Guillermo “Bill” Martinez had three hits and two RBI for Wisconsin. Rattler record after this game: 28-20
2002: The Rattlers won 6-3 in 13 innings at Dayton in 3 hours and 57 minutes. Wisconsin hit four homers in the game. Corey Freeman and Dan Floyd went back-to-back in the sixth and Sean Peless homered in the seventh for a 32 lead. But, Dayton tied the game with a run in the bottom of the eighth. Jason Rainey singled in the top of the thirteenth and Shin-soo Choo scored all the way from first after an error by the left fielder. Greg Dobbs followed with a homer to account for the final two runs. Unsung hero of this game: Jeff Perez with 4-1/3 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief. Rattler record after this game: 24-26
2003: The Rattlers lost 6-4 at Fort Wayne. Steve Shirley’s three-run double in the third inning broke a 3-3 tie. Wisconsin couldn’t rally. Rattler record after this game: 26-24
2004: The Rattlers lost 10-0 at Peoria. Eric O’Flaherty allowed eight runs on 12 hits over 3-2/3 innings. Three Peoria pitchers combined on the 5-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 20-27
2005: The Rattlers lost 7-1 at Quad Cities. Casey Abrams allowed four runs over six innings, but the Rattler offense only scored on a two-out, RBI single by Sebastien Boucher in the seventh. Mike Parisi (8 IP) and Mike Sillman (1IP) combined to beat the Rattlers. Rattler record after this game: 28-21
2006: The Rattlers lost 19-5 at Kane County. Wisconsin had a run in the top of the first inning. Then, the Cougars scored three in the first, seven in the second, and four in the third. Rattler record after this game: 19-30
2007: The Rattlers were swept in doubleheader at Peoria.
GAME ONE:
Peoria won 7-0.This was a 2-0 game until the Chiefs scored five in the seventh inning. Wisconsin had five hits in the game.
GAME TWO:
Peoria won 4-1. Peoria scored three runs in the sixth inning to go up 4-0. Alex Liddi hit a homer in the top of the seventh to keep the Rattlers from getting shutout in the twinbill. Rattler record after these games: 16-33
A 3-6 record, with an 0-6 record since 2003 make this a crummy day. Even with the GUNDRUM game, a Bill Martinez appearance, and an extra-inning marathon for the wins.
Not the only one
Edward Paredes was not the only player with Rattler ties to be named Pitcher of the Week. Rich Dorman ('03) picked up Southern League honors.
The 29-year-old Dorman pitched a three-hitter with 10 strikeouts in Thursday’s 5-1 win against Chattanooga as West Tenn climbed into a tie with Huntsville atop the division.Dorman won again last night. He's 6-1 and has an ERA of 2.13.
Mariner System Report (Games of 5/28)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 19-34 4th American League West): The Mariners beat Boston 4-3. Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94) drove in a pair of runs. Jose Lopez drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the M’s snap a seven game losing streak.
TACOMA (AAA: 25-26, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Fresno 3-2. Bryan LaHair (’04) went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Eric O’Flaherty (’05) allowed a run, but got the final four outs for a save.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 33-19, 1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx won 4-1 at Mississippi. Rich Dorman (’03) allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for his sixth win. Mumba Rivera (’05) pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. Adam Moore (’06) had three hits and an RBI.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 24-28, T-1st California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 7-3 to Rancho Cucamonga. Chris Minaker (’06) scored two of the three High Desert runs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Boston (Tim Wakefield 3-3) at Seattle (Erik Bedard 3-3) 9:10pm CDT
Tacoma (Andrew Baldwin 1-3) at Fresno (Matt Palmer 2-5) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Travis Chick 2-1) at Mississippi (Todd Redmond 4-1) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert at Stockton 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 25-26, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers beat Fresno 3-2. Bryan LaHair (’04) went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI. Eric O’Flaherty (’05) allowed a run, but got the final four outs for a save.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 33-19, 1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx won 4-1 at Mississippi. Rich Dorman (’03) allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for his sixth win. Mumba Rivera (’05) pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save. Adam Moore (’06) had three hits and an RBI.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 24-28, T-1st California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 7-3 to Rancho Cucamonga. Chris Minaker (’06) scored two of the three High Desert runs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Boston (Tim Wakefield 3-3) at Seattle (Erik Bedard 3-3) 9:10pm CDT
Tacoma (Andrew Baldwin 1-3) at Fresno (Matt Palmer 2-5) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Travis Chick 2-1) at Mississippi (Todd Redmond 4-1) 7:05pm CDT
High Desert at Stockton 9:05pm CDT
5/27/2008
Pitcher of the Week
Congratulations to Edward Paredes. He is the first Rattler pitcher to earn Midwest League Pitcher of the Week since Marwin Vega won the final MWL Pitcher of the Week award in 2006.
Edward Paredes, WisconsinOh, and Roger Tomas of West Michgian was the MWL Offensive Player of the Week.
1-0, 0.00 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 8.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
Paredes had a few rough outings in April -- including a start in which he gave up eight earned runs -- but his last few starts have shown significant improvement. Paredes took a no-hitter into the eighth inning against Cedar Rapids on Wednesday, and ended up tossing eight shutout innings in the 1-0 win. Paredes is now 4-3 with a rapidly shrinking 4.08 ERA.
Roger Tomas, West Michigan
.550 (11-20), 6 R, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 2 BB, 2 SO, 2 SB, .600 SLG
As difficult as it is to raise a .375 batting average, Tomas was up to the task last week. Tomas has hit consistently all season, but batting over .500 with a few clutch hits over a week's span will always draw attention. He delivered the game-winning RBI in the ninth inning of West Michigan's 5-2 victory over South Bend on Thursday. Then he was at it again Friday, stroking a walk-off single to give the Whitecaps a 3-2 win over Dayton. Signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent just under a year ago, Tomas has been a valuable acquisition. In just 88 at-bats this season, he has come around to score 15 times, bumping that total significantly last week with six runs.
Lineup Cards
On yesterday's post-game show, I wondered why Thomas Eager faced only one batter in the game against Kane County. I wonder no longer.
Quad Cities got to Cougars' starter Ryne Tacker in the top of the first, spoiling the Rice product's professional debut. Pete Kozma and Charlie Kingrey reached base on back-to-back singles, and Paul Vazquez drew a two-out walk that loaded the bases. Matt Arburr followed suit with another free pass that forced in a run, and Domnit Bolivar added a two-run double that pushed the score to 3-0.
In the bottom of the opening frame, a mistake on manager Steve Dillard's lineup card might have cost the River Bandits the lead. Although [Eduardo] Sanchez was the scheduled starter, his piggyback partner Thomas Eager was written as such on the lineup card. Kane County skipper Aaron Nieckula pointed it out to the umpires moments before first pitch, forcing Quad Cities to send Eager to the mound in a pinch. Eager hastily warmed up and walked the first batter of the game, while Sanchez was then brought in out of the bullpen. Sanchez promptly hit a batter with the first pitch he threw, putting two men aboard and eventually allowing the Cougars to mount a three-run rally that tied the score.
It all turned out okay, though.
A follow up from Fort Wayne
Chad from Baseball in Fort Wayne checked in with a comment on the post about Fort Wayne below.
He goes much deeper into the issue of a potential name change (among other things) for the Fort Wayne franchise in his post titled: What Does Harrison Square Mean for the Wizards' Future
He goes much deeper into the issue of a potential name change (among other things) for the Fort Wayne franchise in his post titled: What Does Harrison Square Mean for the Wizards' Future
In 1993, the Wizards came to Fort Wayne and Wayne the Wizard was Grand Marshall of the metaphoric parade. Years later, when General Sports purchased the team, they sent Wayne into virtual retirement where he has been a miserly hermit. He’s lost a step or two in his dance moves, but he is still seen from time to time on special occasions. In his place, Dinger the Dragon appeared and has been the mascot mainstay since that time.As pointed out by WhatsGoingDown(Town), the mascot and the team name have very little linking to local affinity. I suggested they name Dinger “Mad Anthony” when General Sports held a suggestion contest, but apparently, the NBADL liked it better.
Also of note at the post is Chad answering questions about potential league and level changes. Short story. It is much more likely for the Wizards to change their name than to change league or levels.
Rattler History...Since 2000
Here is how the Timber Rattlers have fared on May 27...since 2000.
2000: The Rattlers won 7-2 at Dayton. The team meeting helped. A four run seventh inning pushed the Rattlers out to a 7-2 lead. Seven different Rattlers had an RBI and JJ Putz pitched seven innings and scattered eight hits for the win. Rattler record after this game: 24-23.
2001: The Rattlers lost 3-0 at West Michigan. Pablo Arias tossed eight shutout innings and gave up four hits. Matt Walker homered, tripled, and scored twice. Rattler record after this game: 27-20
2002: The Rattlers lost 14-3 in Battle Creek to the Battle Cats. Michigan had 18 hits, the Rattlers committed three errors. Corey Freeman's third inning homer was the highlight for Wisconsin. Kerry Hodges was 5-for-5 and Randy Rojas drove in four runs for Michigan. Rattler record after this game: 23-26
2003: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Fort Wayne. Paul McAnulty had a two-run single in the third inning off Cesar Jimenez. But, the story was Fort Wayne starter Brian Whitaker. He took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. Tomo Aoki drew a lead-off walk. Tim Merritt was retired on a fly ball to right. Then, Dustin Delucchi singled to break up the no-no. Dale Thayer came into the game and got the final two outs. Rattler record after this game: 26-23
2004: The Rattlers lost 1-0 at Quad Cities. The SWING got a homer by Dusty Gomon off Nibaldo Acosta in the bottom of the second inning, one of only three hits allowed over seven innings by Acosta. Adam Harben and Julio DePaula combined on the five-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 20-26
2005: The Rattlers won 12-5 at Quad Cities. Sebastien Boucher homered and drove in three runs. Marshall Hubbard also drove in three runs. Rick Ankiel homered for the SWING off Jason Snyder, but Snyder got the victory. Rattler record after this game: 28-20
2006: The Rattlers won 8-6 at Kane County. Nick Prosise hit a homer and drove in four runs for Wisconsin. The Rattlers scored three runs in the ninth inning to rally from a 6-5 deficit. Rattler record after this game: 19-29
2007: The Rattlers split a doubleheader at Peoria.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers lost 4-1. The Chiefs scored four runs (one earned) in the third inning off Kyle Parker. Parker pitched a complete game in a losing effort.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 3-1. Dylan Johnston homered in the first inning off Justin Souza. Kuo Hui Lo drove in two runs with a single in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Carlos Peguero hit a ball out of the stadium to right that wound up rolling down the street and may still be going. Rattler record after this game: 16-31
The Rattlers are 4-5 on May 27...since 2000. Weird day. Against: Almost no-hit, shutout two other times, and blown out in Michigan. For: Big win in Dayton, 9th inning comeback in Kane County, and a loooooooong home run in Peoria. At least May 27 is memorable.
2000: The Rattlers won 7-2 at Dayton. The team meeting helped. A four run seventh inning pushed the Rattlers out to a 7-2 lead. Seven different Rattlers had an RBI and JJ Putz pitched seven innings and scattered eight hits for the win. Rattler record after this game: 24-23.
2001: The Rattlers lost 3-0 at West Michigan. Pablo Arias tossed eight shutout innings and gave up four hits. Matt Walker homered, tripled, and scored twice. Rattler record after this game: 27-20
2002: The Rattlers lost 14-3 in Battle Creek to the Battle Cats. Michigan had 18 hits, the Rattlers committed three errors. Corey Freeman's third inning homer was the highlight for Wisconsin. Kerry Hodges was 5-for-5 and Randy Rojas drove in four runs for Michigan. Rattler record after this game: 23-26
2003: The Rattlers lost 2-0 at Fort Wayne. Paul McAnulty had a two-run single in the third inning off Cesar Jimenez. But, the story was Fort Wayne starter Brian Whitaker. He took a no-hitter into the ninth inning. Tomo Aoki drew a lead-off walk. Tim Merritt was retired on a fly ball to right. Then, Dustin Delucchi singled to break up the no-no. Dale Thayer came into the game and got the final two outs. Rattler record after this game: 26-23
2004: The Rattlers lost 1-0 at Quad Cities. The SWING got a homer by Dusty Gomon off Nibaldo Acosta in the bottom of the second inning, one of only three hits allowed over seven innings by Acosta. Adam Harben and Julio DePaula combined on the five-hit shutout. Rattler record after this game: 20-26
2005: The Rattlers won 12-5 at Quad Cities. Sebastien Boucher homered and drove in three runs. Marshall Hubbard also drove in three runs. Rick Ankiel homered for the SWING off Jason Snyder, but Snyder got the victory. Rattler record after this game: 28-20
2006: The Rattlers won 8-6 at Kane County. Nick Prosise hit a homer and drove in four runs for Wisconsin. The Rattlers scored three runs in the ninth inning to rally from a 6-5 deficit. Rattler record after this game: 19-29
2007: The Rattlers split a doubleheader at Peoria.
GAME ONE:
The Rattlers lost 4-1. The Chiefs scored four runs (one earned) in the third inning off Kyle Parker. Parker pitched a complete game in a losing effort.
GAME TWO:
The Rattlers won 3-1. Dylan Johnston homered in the first inning off Justin Souza. Kuo Hui Lo drove in two runs with a single in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Carlos Peguero hit a ball out of the stadium to right that wound up rolling down the street and may still be going. Rattler record after this game: 16-31
The Rattlers are 4-5 on May 27...since 2000. Weird day. Against: Almost no-hit, shutout two other times, and blown out in Michigan. For: Big win in Dayton, 9th inning comeback in Kane County, and a loooooooong home run in Peoria. At least May 27 is memorable.
Day Four
The NCAA Division III College Baseball Championships have reached Championship Tuesday.
Monday's games:
Wisconsin-Whitewater 13, Adrian 11 (Adrian eliminated)
Johns Hopkins 12, Wisconsin-Whitewater 11 (UW-W eliminated)
JHU-UWW game story.
Great Game and some credit to the Grounds Crew!
44-0 Trinity is the focus of this story.
The Championship game is going on right now.
If Trinity wins, they are the champs. If Johns Hopkins wins, they play another game this afternoon.
Monday's games:
Wisconsin-Whitewater 13, Adrian 11 (Adrian eliminated)
Johns Hopkins 12, Wisconsin-Whitewater 11 (UW-W eliminated)
JHU-UWW game story.
Great Game and some credit to the Grounds Crew!
Notebook.[JHU Coach Bob Babb] was also glad for the diligence of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers grounds crew, which has been responsible for the field's upkeep throughout the double-elimination tournament.
That's because perhaps the game's key moment turned out to be a slow-rolling, pinch-hit bunt single by junior Dan Merzel on a 0-2 offering that hugged the third-base line and appeared to be headed foul but instead came to a stop in the dirt in fair territory.
That loaded the bases with nobody out and was followed by a fielder's choice force out at home before Fester's hit.
"The groundskeepers are fantastic," Babb said. "They're the only ones I've ever seen who (rake) the line and then come back over a second time so that the line is actually elevated a little bit. That might have been the difference."
44-0 Trinity is the focus of this story.
The Championship game is going on right now.
If Trinity wins, they are the champs. If Johns Hopkins wins, they play another game this afternoon.
Midwest League Action (Game of 5/26)
May 26 scoreboard.
@Peoria 5, Wisconsin 2: Chiefs earn an off-day.
Dayton 6, @West Michigan 0: Shhhhhhhhh.
Quad Cities 9, @Kane County 5: Cougars lack steam?
Burlington 12, @Beloit 8: Pohlman Field Slugfest.
Clinton 7, @Cedar Rapids 2: Monsters of the Midwest League? Kernels need the break.
Great Lakes 5, @Fort Wayne 3: Cue Night Gallery Opening.
@Peoria 5, Wisconsin 2: Chiefs earn an off-day.
Dayton 6, @West Michigan 0: Shhhhhhhhh.
Quad Cities 9, @Kane County 5: Cougars lack steam?
Burlington 12, @Beloit 8: Pohlman Field Slugfest.
Clinton 7, @Cedar Rapids 2: Monsters of the Midwest League? Kernels need the break.
Great Lakes 5, @Fort Wayne 3: Cue Night Gallery Opening.
South Bend 6, @Lansing 5: Lugs have their win streak snapped at seven.Trailing by two in the seventh inning, the Wizards’ Drew Cumberland lined a single to right. Luis Martinez tried to advance from first to third on the play, but Alfredo Silverio’s throw beat him to bag. As Pedro Baez applied the tag, the ball appeared to come loose. After initially signaling safe, the umpire ruled him out.
“I knew the ball was coming so I dove and I dove right into the third baseman,” Martinez said. “When I got up and looked, there’s a ball (on the ground). I thought I was safe and he still called me out. I asked ‘what’s going on?’ ”
What happened was a second ball fell out of home plate umpire Jared Gary’s bag as he raced over to make a ruling on the play. Baez had the live ball all along.
Thinking the ball on the ground was the one in play, Cumberland took off for second. Baez took the live ball out of his glove, wheeled around and fired to second, cutting down Cumberland to end the inning.
Mariner System Report (Games of 5/26)
SEATTLE (MAJ: 18-34 4th American League West): The Mariners lost 5-3 at home to Boston. Boston broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the top of the eighth inning. David Ortiz (’96) homered early in the game for the Red Sox. Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94) drove in a run for the M’s, but Seattle has lost seven straight.
TACOMA (AAA: 24-26, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-9 at Colorado Springs. Tacoma scored a run in the top of the ninth for a 9-8 lead. But, the Sky Sox scored twice in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Jeff Clement (’05) homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Rainiers. Tacoma also had an 8-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the Sox scored five times to tie the game.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 32-19, 1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 2-1 at Mississippi. West Tennessee scored a first inning run, but managed five hits in the game. The Braves scored two runs off Doug Fister in the bottom of the sixth.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 24-27, T-1st California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-6 to Rancho Cucamonga. Greg Halman (’07) had three hits, including his 14th home run of the season for High Desert. Carlos Peguero (’07) also homered for the Mavs, but High Desert could not get out of a 8-1 hole and they had their five game winning streak ended.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Boston (Daisuke Matsuzaka 8-0) at Seattle (Miguel Batista 3-6) 9:10pm CDT
Tacoma (Joe Woerman 1-3) at Fresno (Brad Hennessey 3-0) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Rich Dorman 5-1) at Mississippi (James Parr 3-3) 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Sean O’Sullivan 4-4) at High Desert TBA 9:05pm CDT
TACOMA (AAA: 24-26, T-3rd Pacific Coast League Pacific Northern Division): The Rainiers lost 10-9 at Colorado Springs. Tacoma scored a run in the top of the ninth for a 9-8 lead. But, the Sky Sox scored twice in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Jeff Clement (’05) homered and drove in a pair of runs for the Rainiers. Tacoma also had an 8-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, but the Sox scored five times to tie the game.
WEST TENNESSEE (AA: 32-19, 1st Southern League North Division): The Diamond Jaxx lost 2-1 at Mississippi. West Tennessee scored a first inning run, but managed five hits in the game. The Braves scored two runs off Doug Fister in the bottom of the sixth.
HIGH DESERT (High-A: 24-27, T-1st California League South Division): The Mavericks lost 9-6 to Rancho Cucamonga. Greg Halman (’07) had three hits, including his 14th home run of the season for High Desert. Carlos Peguero (’07) also homered for the Mavs, but High Desert could not get out of a 8-1 hole and they had their five game winning streak ended.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Boston (Daisuke Matsuzaka 8-0) at Seattle (Miguel Batista 3-6) 9:10pm CDT
Tacoma (Joe Woerman 1-3) at Fresno (Brad Hennessey 3-0) 9:05pm CDT
West Tennessee (Rich Dorman 5-1) at Mississippi (James Parr 3-3) 7:05pm CDT
Rancho Cucamonga (Sean O’Sullivan 4-4) at High Desert TBA 9:05pm CDT
5/26/2008
Today's Rattler Starter (5/26)
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 START: 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.
ON A ROLL: Paredes has won three straight starts.
VS. PEORIA: Paredes is making his first appearance against the Chiefs today.
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: 8.0 (5/21/08 @ Cedar Rapids)
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 START: 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.
ON A ROLL: Paredes has won three straight starts.
VS. PEORIA: Paredes is making his first appearance against the Chiefs today.
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: 8.0 (5/21/08 @ Cedar Rapids)
STRIKEOUTS: 8 (7/31/07 @ Vancouver)
May 26 Game Notes
ABOUT SUNDAY: The Timber Rattlers beat the Peoria Chiefs 3-2. Juan Ramirez allowed one run over seven innings and struck out six for his third win of the season. Edilio Colina, Gavin Dickey, and Ron Garth each had RBI for the Rattler. Rob Harmon got the final four outs for his third save.
AFTER TWO THEY GO: Garth and Colina had two-out RBI singles in the second and third inning respectively to give Wisconsin an early 2-0 lead.
RAMIREZ RETURNS: In his last start, Ramirez lasted just 3-2/3 innings and allowed six runs (one earned). He bounced back nicely for the win yesterday. Ramirez allowed just four hits and walked only one to go along with his six K’s.
SIX PACK: Colina’s third inning single extended his current hitting streak to six games. The Rattler second baseman is 8-for-22 (.364) during this streak. He is hitting .313 on the season and is currently sixth in the Midwest League in hitting.
*TIGHTEN UP: The Chiefs scored a run on an RBI double by Luis Bautista in the top of the seventh inning. Colina made a fine play on a grounder to short right to retire Cliff Andersen for the final out of the seventh to keep the Rattlers in front 2-1.
DICKEY DOUBLES DOWN: Rattler outfielder Gavin Dickey had three hits yesterday. An RBI double, his final hit of the day, in the top of the eighth inning gave the Rattlers a 3-1 lead.
**ALWAYS BE CLOSING: The Chiefs scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning and had the tying run on third and the lead run on second with two outs. Rattler reliever Rob Harmon entered the game and struck out Dylan Johnston for the final out of the eighth. In the ninth, Harmon worked around a one out walk and picked up his third save.
IN THE MERRY, MERRY MONTH OF MAY: Harmon has made seven relief appearances in May. He is 3-for-3 in save opportunities and has allowed two runs and struck out 10 and walked five over nine innings in those seven games. He has also not allowed any of the three inherited runners to score this month.
ON THE ROAD: The Rattlers are 2-5 in the first seven games of their current 12-game road trip.
THE ROAD AHEAD: Wisconsin has Tuesday off, before heading out to Kane County for a four-game series with the Cougars on Wednesday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Chiefs went 71-68 in 2007. They missed out on the Midwest League playoffs on a tie-breaker despite a 40-30 record in the second half. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is in his second season as the manager of the Chiefs.
CHIEFS IN 2008: The Chiefs are 19-31 and tied for seventh place in the Midwest League Western Division. They trail first place Clinton by 17 games. The Chiefs are 9-14 at O’Brien Field. Peoria had their five game winning streak ended by the Rattlers yesterday. They had won the final three games of a four game series at Quad Cities against the River Bandits.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .234 as a team and have scored 150 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 12 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.34. Peoria is hitting .240 as a team and has scored 187 runs (3.7/game). The Chiefs have hit 25 home runs this season. Their pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.63.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Chiefs played 17 times in 2007. Wisconsin went 8-9 against the Peoria. The Rattlers went 4-5 in nine games at O’Brien Field last season.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Peoria leads the series 2-1. These are the first four meetings of the season between the Rattlers and Chiefs. Wisconsin and Peoria will play a total of 15 times this season: Seven times at O’Brien Field and eight times on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers host the Chiefs in Grand Chute June 1-4 for the next meeting between the teams.
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 this afternoon, Muldowney got a no decision at Quad Cities on May 21. In that game against the River Bandits, Muldowney allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts over 5-1/3 innings for a no decision.
*-Archie Bell & The Drells
**-MAJOR LANGUAGE WARNING!! It is Mamet after all.
AFTER TWO THEY GO: Garth and Colina had two-out RBI singles in the second and third inning respectively to give Wisconsin an early 2-0 lead.
RAMIREZ RETURNS: In his last start, Ramirez lasted just 3-2/3 innings and allowed six runs (one earned). He bounced back nicely for the win yesterday. Ramirez allowed just four hits and walked only one to go along with his six K’s.
SIX PACK: Colina’s third inning single extended his current hitting streak to six games. The Rattler second baseman is 8-for-22 (.364) during this streak. He is hitting .313 on the season and is currently sixth in the Midwest League in hitting.
*TIGHTEN UP: The Chiefs scored a run on an RBI double by Luis Bautista in the top of the seventh inning. Colina made a fine play on a grounder to short right to retire Cliff Andersen for the final out of the seventh to keep the Rattlers in front 2-1.
DICKEY DOUBLES DOWN: Rattler outfielder Gavin Dickey had three hits yesterday. An RBI double, his final hit of the day, in the top of the eighth inning gave the Rattlers a 3-1 lead.
**ALWAYS BE CLOSING: The Chiefs scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning and had the tying run on third and the lead run on second with two outs. Rattler reliever Rob Harmon entered the game and struck out Dylan Johnston for the final out of the eighth. In the ninth, Harmon worked around a one out walk and picked up his third save.
IN THE MERRY, MERRY MONTH OF MAY: Harmon has made seven relief appearances in May. He is 3-for-3 in save opportunities and has allowed two runs and struck out 10 and walked five over nine innings in those seven games. He has also not allowed any of the three inherited runners to score this month.
ON THE ROAD: The Rattlers are 2-5 in the first seven games of their current 12-game road trip.
THE ROAD AHEAD: Wisconsin has Tuesday off, before heading out to Kane County for a four-game series with the Cougars on Wednesday.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. The Chiefs went 71-68 in 2007. They missed out on the Midwest League playoffs on a tie-breaker despite a 40-30 record in the second half. Baseball Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg is in his second season as the manager of the Chiefs.
CHIEFS IN 2008: The Chiefs are 19-31 and tied for seventh place in the Midwest League Western Division. They trail first place Clinton by 17 games. The Chiefs are 9-14 at O’Brien Field. Peoria had their five game winning streak ended by the Rattlers yesterday. They had won the final three games of a four game series at Quad Cities against the River Bandits.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .234 as a team and have scored 150 runs (3.3/game). Wisconsin has hit 12 home runs this season. The Timber Rattler pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.34. Peoria is hitting .240 as a team and has scored 187 runs (3.7/game). The Chiefs have hit 25 home runs this season. Their pitching staff has a combined ERA of 3.63.
2007 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Chiefs played 17 times in 2007. Wisconsin went 8-9 against the Peoria. The Rattlers went 4-5 in nine games at O’Brien Field last season.
2008 SEASON SERIES: Peoria leads the series 2-1. These are the first four meetings of the season between the Rattlers and Chiefs. Wisconsin and Peoria will play a total of 15 times this season: Seven times at O’Brien Field and eight times on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers host the Chiefs in Grand Chute June 1-4 for the next meeting between the teams.
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 this afternoon, Muldowney got a no decision at Quad Cities on May 21. In that game against the River Bandits, Muldowney allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts over 5-1/3 innings for a no decision.
*-Archie Bell & The Drells
**-MAJOR LANGUAGE WARNING!! It is Mamet after all.
Walking around the stadium (Peoria)
A few sights from yesterday at O'Brien Field.
Other teams do pull tarp.
Final pitch of the game. See. The day turned out okay.
A statue of Pete Vonachen, Mr. Baseball in Peoria.
Palm Trees!
Threatening Skies
Other teams do pull tarp.
Final pitch of the game. See. The day turned out okay.
A long road
Michael Anton of the Cedar Rapids Kernels has a pair of 9-inning shutouts against the Timber Rattlers. May 9 and May 19.
Jeff Johnson of the Cedar Rapids Gazette has more on Anton. It's an interesting story.
Jeff Johnson of the Cedar Rapids Gazette has more on Anton. It's an interesting story.
Jesse Smith was working out at a Phoenix area gym one day during the winter of 2006. It was an LA Fitness, to be exact.That young man was Anton.
The former Cedar Rapids Kernels pitcher was wearing a Los Angeles Angels T-shirt, which caused a curious young man of about 20 to approach him and introduce himself.
"He came up to me and asked 'Do you play pro baseball?'" Smith remembered. "Then he asked me if I needed a catch partner. I told him 'Yeah, I could always use a catch partner.'"
Anton was a sophomore at Virginia Military Institute the winter of 2005 when he went home to visit family in Maryland over Christmas break. Out driving alone one night, a deer ran out in front of his car. He swerved to miss it, barreling through an intersection and crashing into a hill.He's made the most of it.
Thanks to a prematurely deployed air bag, Anton said, he ending up suffering a compound fracture to his right arm. The trauma eventually forced him to quit playing baseball and leave VMI altogether.
"I tried to play that season in college, but I was hurt and ended up having to have another surgery," Anton said. "So I was pretty much out of baseball. School, it messed me up there, too. My mind wasn't where it had to be because I was always in pain every day — I'd just be laying in bed, kind of feeling sorry for myself and just trying to get through the day every day.
"But I got a second chance."
The Tiki Bar is Open
Actually, not yet. But soon at Modern Woodmen Park.
One of the brand new additions to Modern Woodmen Park is the one-of-a-kind TIKI BAR that is being built on the right field berm! Check out the River Bandits' own version of "Margaritaville,' complete with a thatched roof and Polynesian wood carvings. It will feature plenty of Jimmy Buffett music for all you Parrotheads, as well as some of the coolest and most refreshing adult beverages this side of the Mississippi!I prefer John Hiatt:
Thank God the tiki bar is openOh, and there's a bed, too.
Thank God the tiki torch still shines
Thank God the tiki bar is open
Come on in and open up your mind
There's a full moon over Daytona beach
There's a full moon in my mind
And my suntan dream is still out of reach
And the strip malls are robbing me blind
If a more private and laid-back atmosphere is what you enjoy, then you will want to reserve your tickets immediately for the most comfortable seat in all of sports - the River Bandits Tiki Bed. That's right... a TIKI BED! You and your closest friends will enjoy the comforts of home while watching the Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park from our new Tiki Bed located outside the right field fence.
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