LAST ACTION: The Timber Rattlers lost 6-0 to the Kane County Cougars on Sunday, June 21 to wrap up the first half. Wisconsin had just four hits in the game.
OFFENSE WANTED: The Timber Rattlers were shutout in their final two games of the first half. The Cougars beat the Rattlers 2-0 in the second game of a doubleheader on June 20. The Rattlers have not scored since they plated five runs in the third inning of the first game of the doubleheader on June 20. Wisconsin’s offense has not scored in 20-1/3 innings.
END OF THE HALF: The Timber Rattlers finished the first half with a record of 34-36. Wisconsin got to 34-34, but lost their final two games of the season. The Timber Rattlers franchise has not had a winning half since the second half of the 2005 season.
YOUR TIMBER RATTLERS ALL-STARS: All five players selected to represent the Timber Rattlers at the 2009 All-Star Game in Clinton, Iowa participated in the game. Pitchers Daniel Meadows, Wily Peralta, and Jim Henderson retired all four batters they faced. Meadows retired the only batter he faced. Peralta struck out the only batter he faces. Henderson got the final out of the eighth and the first out of the ninth. Catcher Corey Kemp and second baseman Brett Lawrie both went 0-for-2 as substitutes in the game. Lawrie also participated in the Home Run Derby on Monday and finished in second place.
NOT DONE WITH THE LAWRIE NEWS: Earlier today Lawrie was named to the World Roster for the XM Futures game. The game will be held on Sunday, July 12 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.
NOT DONE WITH THE ALL-STAR NEWS: Henderson was promoted to the Brevard County Manatees of the Florida State League. Henderson was 17-for-17 in save opportunities with the Timber Rattlers and was two shy of the franchise record for saves in a single season.
FRESH START: The Rattlers begin the second half with an eight-game homestand against two teams that just missed the playoffs in the first half. Peoria, the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, is in for a four game set from June 25 through June 28. Clinton, the Midwest League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, wraps up the homestand with a series that begins on June 30 and ends on July 3
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Peoria Chiefs are the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. First year manager Marty Pevey led his team to a first half record of 38-31. The Chiefs put on a late charge at a playoff spot, but fell just short.
SEASON SERIES: The Timber Rattlers swept a four game series from the Chiefs in April. The Rattlers won by scores of 3-2, 7-6, and 8-7 at Time Warner Cable Field. Wisconsin also won the Border Battle at Miller Park by a score of 5-3.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .248 as a team. They have scored 296 runs (4.2/game) and hit 35 home runs. The Chiefs are hitting .269 as a team. They have scored 317 runs (4.6/game) and hit 55 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.98 while allowing a total of 322 runs (4.6/game). Peoria pitchers have a team ERA of 3.74 while allowing 287 runs (4.2/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 83 errors. The Chief defense has committed 79 errors. Wisconsin is 21-15 at home this season. Peoria is 13-21 on the road in 2009.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed four current Chiefs on its Top 30 list of Chicago Cub prospects before the 2009 season. Third baseman Josh Vitters is rated at #1 on the list. Shortstop Ryan Flaherty is at #8. The Chiefs also have infielder Junior Lake (#14) and pitcher Chris Carpenter (#18) on that list.
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2008: The Cubs have placed 12 members of their 2008 draft class on the current Peoria roster. Flaherty was a supplemental first round pick in the ’08 draft. Pitchers Jeff Beliveau (18th), Justin Bristow (5th), Erik Harmen (37th), and Aaron Shafer (2nd); catcher Michael Brenly (36th); infielders Josh Harrison (6th), David Macias (19th), and Rebel Ridling (25th), and outfielder Anthony Campana (13th) were also 2008 draft picks.
HE’S A REBEL: Ridling was the winner of the Midwest League Home Run Derby in Clinton on June 22.
HEY, ISN’T YOUR DAD…? Peoria catcher Michael Brenly is the son former Major league catcher and manager Bob Brenly. Brenly currently is a television analyst for the Chicago Cubs.
PEORIA STARTING PITCHER: RHP Justin Bristow was the 5th round pick of the Cubs out of East Carolina. Bristow was 9-2 with a 3.07ERA in 16 games with the Pirates and 2-1 with a 9.00ERA in five games with Boise, the Northwest League affiliate of the Cubs in 2008. He is 3-2 with a 4.14ERA in 10 starts for the Chiefs in 2009. In Bristow’s last start, he beat Quad Cities on June 17 by allowing one run on seven hits over five innings. Tonight is his first appearance against the Rattlers.
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