September 6, 2010: Today's Starting Pitcher

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci took the loss against Quad Cities at Time Warner Cable Field on September 1. He gave up two runs (one earned) on two hits and five walks over six innings. Bucci struck out four in a 6-1 loss.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. KANE COUNTY: Bucci has made two starts against the Cougars in 2010. He does not have a decision in either the start in the second game of the doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field on April 9 or in a start on June 20 at Elfstrom Stadium. He has pitched six innings against the Cougars this season and has allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and eight walks. Bucci has struck out two Cougars in his two starts.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)
STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

"Like a shark at feeding time"

The Post-Crescent has this story on Rattlers pitcher Nick Bucci.

Nick Bucci's on-the-mound mentality is like a shark at feeding time.

It's a go-right-after-them type of game plan.

Bucci's aggressiveness has made him one of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers' best starting pitchers and a legitimate major league prospect. It's also an area he has to learn to channel to continue climbing in the Milwaukee Brewers' organization.

The 20-year-old right-hander kept the Timber Rattlers in Wednesday's game with Quad Cities by allowing just two hits and one earned run with four strikeouts in six solid innings of work. His only negative was five walks, which pushed his season total to 65 — the highest on the staff.

"Nick is super-aggressive and that's a positive and a negative," said Wisconsin pitching coach Chris Hook after the Rattlers' bullpen crumbled in the late innings leading to a 6-1 loss to Quad Cities. "He's in an attack mode at all times. Sometimes that attack mode gets him off-kilter in terms of his delivery and his command suffers. But you have to like that aggressiveness. If he can learn to control his intensity, he's going to be fine. He's had a good year."

Click through to read it all.

September 1, 2010: Tonight's Pitcher

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci took the loss at Quad Cities on August 11. He gave up seven runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4-2/3 innings. Bucci walked two and struck out six.

LAST APPEARANCE: Bucci pitched in relief against Cedar Rapids on August 16. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks. Two of the three hits were home runs.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. QUAD CITIES: Bucci has made four appearances (three starts) against the River Bandits in 2010. He has allowed 12 runs (ten earned) on 16 hits over 15-1/3 innings against Quad Cities. Bucci has walked ten and struck out 14 in his games against the Bandits.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

........2010 GAME-BY-GAME

DATE..OPP...DEC..IP...H R ER BB K ERA

4/9+..KC*........3.0..1 2 0..5..5 0.00

4/14..@BUR.......4.0..1 1 0..0..5 0.00

4/19..@QC*.......4.1..4 1 1..5..2 0.79

4/24..BEL........2.0..2 3 3..1..1 2.70

5/1+..@BEL* Loss 4.1..3 3 2..4..1 3.06

5/6...QC.........3.0..1 0 0..0..2 2.61

5/13..BEL*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..3..7 2.03

5/18..PEO*..Win..6.0..1 0 0..3..3 1.65

5/23..BUR*..Win..7.0..7 2 2..2..6 1.82

5/28..@CR*.......5.2..6 1 0..4..4 1.59

6/2...@FW*..Loss 6.2..7 3 2..3..7 1.74

6/9^..BG*...Loss 4.0..4 4 4..4..3 2.26

6/13..DAY*.......3.0 10 6 6..1..2 3.07

6/20..@KC*.......1.0..1 1 1..3..0 3.06

6/28..QC*........3.1..4 4 4..3..4 3.46

7/3...@BUR*......6.0..6 4 3..3..8 3.55

7/8...@BEL* Win..7.0..4 3 3..1..2 3.58

7/15+ LAN*..Loss.6.2..5 4 4..3..8 3.72

7/21..@WMI*.Save 2.0..2 0 0..2..1 3.63
7/26+ @SB*..Loss 5.0..5 4 3..2..5 3.73
8/1...CLN*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..2..8 3.50
8/5...PEO........3.0..1 0 0..2..4 3.40
8/11..@QC* Loss..4.2..7 7 5..2..6 3.67
8/16..CR.........2.1..3 3 3..2..1 3.85


*-Start
^-Game one of a doubleheader
+-Game two of a doubleheader

August 22, 2010: Today's Starting Pitcher (UPDATED)

The original post had the Nick Bucci information for today's start.  HOWEVER, Bucci was scratched last night and we just got the word about that fact 10 minutes ago.

Efrain Nieves is starting today for the Rattlers.

LHP EFRAIN NIEVES: Selected by Milwaukee in the 7th round of the 2007 draft out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy.

LAST SEASON: Nieves spent all of 2009 with the Timber Rattlers. He went 5-7 with a 5.70ERA in 27 appearances. Nieves made 11 starts for Wisconsin in 2009.

LAST START: Nieves made the start on August 15 against Cedar Rapids at Time Warner Cable Field.  He allowed four runs on six hits over 4-2/3 innings.  Nieves allowed one run through the first four innings and got the first two outs of the fifth.  However, he allowed the next five batters to reach base and could not get out of the inning to qualify for the win.  He walked two, hit a batter, struck out five, and was not involved in the decision.  The Rattlers would win the game 10-7.

WORLD CUP: Nieves pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Cup of Baseball after the 2009 regular season. He made three starts and was 1-1 with a 2.51 ERA. In 14.1 innings pitched, Nieves walked six and struck out 17.

VS. CUBA: Nieves got the call to be the starting pitcher against Cuba on September 18 during the World Cup. He allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts over 4-2/3 innings. Nieves was not involved in the decision, but Puerto Rico would win the game 5-2.

A PRODUCTIVE WINTER: Nieves pitched for Arecibo in the Puerto Rican Winter League after the World Cup. Nieves also went on to pitch for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Series.

BREWERS CAREER: Nieves was 14-14 with a 5.08 ERA in his first three seasons as a pitcher in the Milwaukee minor league system. He has made 58 appearances (29 starts) since 2007 and has pitched.

INTO THE PAST: Nieves was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for his performance July 7-13, 2008 while pitching for Helena.

VS. CEDAR RAPIDS: Nieves has made five appearances (one start) against the Kernels in 2010. He is 2-0 with a 4.12 ERA versus Cedar Rapids. In 19-2/3 innings, he has allowed ten runs (nine earned) on 20 hits. Nieves has walked six and struck out 14 Kernels over those 19-2/3 innings.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (8/25/08 at Great Falls)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY
DATE..OPP....DEC..IP..H R ER BB K ERA

4/10..KC*....Loss 3.2 2 5 2...4 1 4.91

4/15..@BUR*..Loss 3.0 8 8 6...3 3 10.80

4/21..CR.....Win..4.0 2 0 0...2 2 6.75

4/28..@PEO*.......5.0 3 0 0...3 5 4.60

5/3...@BEL........4.0 4 2 2...2 0 4.58

5/8...CR..........3.1 5 2 2...0 2 4.70

5/14+ BEL....Loss 1.0 2 1 1...1 1 4.88

5/20..PEO.........3.0 3 0 0...0 4 4.33

5/29..@CR.........3.0 6 4 3...1 3 4.80

6/3...@FW.........0.1 0 0 0...1 0 4.75

6/5...@LC.........4.0 6 3 3...4 2 4.98

6/12..DAY.........1.1 3 3 3...1 1 5.55

6/27..BUR.........2.0 1 1 1...1 0 5.50

6/30..QC.....Save 2.0 0 0 0...3 2 5.22

7/4...@CR....Win..4.2 1 0 0...1 3 4.67

7/10..BUR....Win..4.2 2 0 0...2 5 4.22

8/4...PEO.........1.0 1 0 0...0 2 4.14

8/7...@CLN........3.0 3 2 2...3 3 4.25

8/11..@QC.........2.1 3 1 1...2 4 4.23
8/15..CR*.........4.2 6 4 4...2 4 4.50

*-Start

August 11, 2010: Tonight's starting pitcher

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci pitched six shutout innings against Clinton on August 1 at Time Warner Cable Field and picked up the win. Bucci walked two and struck out eight.

LAST APPEARANCE: Bucci allowed a hit in three scoreless innings of relief against Peoria on August 6. He allowed two walks and struck out four, but was not involved in the decision.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. QUAD CITIES: Bucci has made three appearances (two starts) against the River Bandits in 2010. He has pitched 10-2/3 innings and allowed five runs on nine hits against Quad Cities. Bucci has walked eight and struck out eight in the three appearances against the River Bandits.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

........2010 GAME-BY-GAME

DATE..OPP...DEC..IP...H R ER BB K ERA

4/9+..KC*........3.0..1 2 0..5..5 0.00

4/14..@BUR.......4.0..1 1 0..0..5 0.00

4/19..@QC*.......4.1..4 1 1..5..2 0.79

4/24..BEL........2.0..2 3 3..1..1 2.70

5/1+..@BEL* Loss 4.1..3 3 2..4..1 3.06

5/6...QC.........3.0..1 0 0..0..2 2.61

5/13..BEL*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..3..7 2.03

5/18..PEO*..Win..6.0..1 0 0..3..3 1.65

5/23..BUR*..Win..7.0..7 2 2..2..6 1.82

5/28..@CR*.......5.2..6 1 0..4..4 1.59

6/2...@FW*..Loss 6.2..7 3 2..3..7 1.74

6/9^..BG*...Loss 4.0..4 4 4..4..3 2.26

6/13..DAY*.......3.0 10 6 6..1..2 3.07

6/20..@KC*.......1.0..1 1 1..3..0 3.06

6/28..QC*........3.1..4 4 4..3..4 3.46

7/3...@BUR*......6.0..6 4 3..3..8 3.55

7/8...@BEL* Win..7.0..4 3 3..1..2 3.58

7/15+ LAN*..Loss.6.2..5 4 4..3..8 3.72

7/21..@WMI*.Save 2.0..2 0 0..2..1 3.63
7/26+ @SB*..Loss 5.0..5 4 3..2..5 3.73
8/1...CLN*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..2..8 3.50
8/5...PEO........3.0..1 0 0..2..4 3.40


*-Start
^-Game one of a doubleheader
+-Game two of a doubleheader

August 1, 2010: Today's pitcher

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci started the first game of a doubleheader at South Bend on July 26. He allowed four runs (three earned) on five hits over five innings and took the loss as the Silver Hawks won 4-3.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. CLINTON: Bucci has never faced the LumberKings before today.

VS. SEATTLE: Bucci has made a pair of appearances (one start) against affiliates of the Seattle Mariners. He faced the Arizona League Mariners on August 24, 2008 and tossed three scoreless, hitless innings with five strikeouts as a starter. On June 7, 2009, Bucci pitched 1-1/3 innings at West Tennessee, the Southern League affiliate of Seattle, and gave up three runs on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

........2010 GAME-BY-GAME

DATE..OPP...DEC..IP...H R ER BB K ERA

4/9+..KC*........3.0..1 2 0..5..5 0.00

4/14..@BUR.......4.0..1 1 0..0..5 0.00

4/19..@QC*.......4.1..4 1 1..5..2 0.79

4/24..BEL........2.0..2 3 3..1..1 2.70

5/1+..@BEL* Loss 4.1..3 3 2..4..1 3.06

5/6...QC.........3.0..1 0 0..0..2 2.61

5/13..BEL*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..3..7 2.03

5/18..PEO*..Win..6.0..1 0 0..3..3 1.65

5/23..BUR*..Win..7.0..7 2 2..2..6 1.82

5/28..@CR*.......5.2..6 1 0..4..4 1.59

6/2...@FW*..Loss 6.2..7 3 2..3..7 1.74

6/9^..BG*...Loss 4.0..4 4 4..4..3 2.26

6/13..DAY*.......3.0 10 6 6..1..2 3.07

6/20..@KC*.......1.0..1 1 1..3..0 3.06

6/28..QC*........3.1..4 4 4..3..4 3.46

7/3...@BUR*......6.0..6 4 3..3..8 3.55

7/8...@BEL* Win..7.0..4 3 3..1..2 3.58

7/15+ LAN*..Loss.6.2..5 4 4..3..8 3.72

7/21..@WMI*.Save 2.0..2 0 0..2..1 3.63
7/26+ @SB*..Loss 5.0..5 4 3..2..5 3.73

*-Start
^-Game one of a doubleheader
+-Game two of a doubleheader

July 26, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitchers

GAME ONE

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci took the loss against Lansing on July 15 in the second game of the doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field. Bucci allowed four runs on five hits over 6-2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out eight, but Lansing won 4-2.

LAST APPEARANCE: Picked up his first professional save with two scoreless innings at West Michigan on July 21. Bucci allowed two hits with a pair of walks and a strikeout.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. SOUTH BEND: Bucci has never faced the Silver Hawks.

VS. DIAMONDBACKS: Bucci made three starts against Missoula, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in 2009. He went 1-0 with a 5.14 ERA and allowed nine runs on 13 hits over 14 innings with six walks and nine strikeouts. Bucci allowed four homers to the Osprey in 2009, but only one to a current Silver Hawk (Keon Broxton).

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

........2010 GAME-BY-GAME

DATE..OPP...DEC..IP...H R ER BB K ERA

4/9+..KC*........3.0..1 2 0..5..5 0.00

4/14..@BUR.......4.0..1 1 0..0..5 0.00

4/19..@QC*.......4.1..4 1 1..5..2 0.79

4/24..BEL........2.0..2 3 3..1..1 2.70

5/1+..@BEL* Loss 4.1..3 3 2..4..1 3.06

5/6...QC.........3.0..1 0 0..0..2 2.61

5/13..BEL*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..3..7 2.03

5/18..PEO*..Win..6.0..1 0 0..3..3 1.65

5/23..BUR*..Win..7.0..7 2 2..2..6 1.82

5/28..@CR*.......5.2..6 1 0..4..4 1.59

6/2...@FW*..Loss 6.2..7 3 2..3..7 1.74

6/9^..BG*...Loss 4.0..4 4 4..4..3 2.26

6/13..DAY*.......3.0 10 6 6..1..2 3.07

6/20..@KC*.......1.0..1 1 1..3..0 3.06

6/28..QC*........3.1..4 4 4..3..4 3.46

7/3...@BUR*......6.0..6 4 3..3..8 3.55

7/8...@BEL* Win..7.0..4 3 3..1..2 3.58

7/15+ LAN*..Loss.6.2..5 4 4..3..8 3.72

7/21 @WMI*..Save 2.0..2 0 0..2..1 3.63

GAME TWO

RHP HIRAM BURGOS: Selected by Milwaukee in the 6th round of the 2009 draft out of Bethune-Cookman University. When he takes the mound in game two, Burgos will be making his first Midwest League start.

LAST SEASON: Burgos started his professional career with Helena, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Burgos was 3-2 with a 5.62 ERA in 14 games (seven starts) with Helena.

LAST START: Burgos beat the Orem Owlz in a Pioneer League game on July 18. Burgos allowed one run on four hits with eight strikeouts over eight innings for Helena. The Pioneer League named Burgos as their Pitcher of the Week on July 19 for this performance.

LAST TIMBER RATTLERS APPEARANCE: Burgos tossed four innings of relief at Time Warner Cable Field on May 15 against the Beloit Snappers and took the loss. Burgos gave up a two-out RBI single in the top of the eighth inning that allowed the Snappers to take a 4-3 lead. He walked two and struck out two as the Rattlers lost by that 4-3 score.

AT B-CU: Burgos won 21 games and struck out 250 batters in a four year career with Bethune-Cookman. In his final season with the Wildcats, Burgos was 6-3 with a 3.74ERA and 94 strikeouts over 79-1/3 innings pitched. He was part of four straight MEAC championship teams and was a Second Team All-MEAC selection in 2007.

WINTER BALL: Burgos went on to pitch for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rican Winter League this past offseason. He made 10 appearances (nine starts) and was 3-2 with a 2.27ERA. Burgos was named the PRWL Rookie of the Year for his performance.

START OF 2010: Burgos worked (mainly as the closer) out of the Timber Rattlers bullpen at the start of the season. He went 1-5 with a 5.40ERA and was 0-for-3 in save opportunities. Burgos was sent down to Helena after the appearance against Beloit on May 15. He was recalled from Helena after the start against Orem on July 18.

VS. SOUTH BEND: Tonight is the first time Burgos is facing the Silver Hawks.

VS. DIAMONDBACKS: Burgos has made four appearances (two starts) against the Missoula Osprey, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, in his career. Burgos was 0-1 in three games (one start) against Missoula in 2009 and allowed 14 runs (10 earned) on 19 hits over 8-1/3 innings with five walks and 11 strikeouts. Burgos also faced Missoula on June 22 of this season and allowed six runs on nine hits over four innings, but was not involved in the decision.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (7/18/10 v. Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 10 (7/12/10 @Billings)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY

........Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

DATE OPP..DEC..IP..H R ER BB SO ERA

4/9+ KC...Win..4.0 2 1 1..1..6..2.25

4/15 @BUR......1.0 0 0 0..0..0..1.80

4/19 @QC.......1.0 0 0 0..0..0..1.50

4/20 CR...Loss 2.0 4 3 2..1..1..3.38

4/24 BEL..Loss 2.0 4 2 2..1..1..4.50

4/29 @PEO......2.0 4 2 2..0..1..5.25

5/3..@BEL Loss 1.1 3 2 1..0..2..5.40

5/6..QC...Loss 0.2 2 2 2..1..1..6.43

5/9..CR........2.0 2 1 1..0 .1..6.19

5/15 BEL..Loss 4.0 2 1 1..2..2..5.40

..............2010 DAY-BY-DAY

..............Helena Brewers

DATE OPP...........DEC IP..H R ER BB SO ERA

6/22.Missoula*.........4.0 9 6 6..0...6 13.50

6/27 @Great Falls* Win 6.1 4 1 1..1...9 6.10

7/2..@Billings*....Win 7.0 4 1 1..0...8 4.15

7/7..Great Falls*......5.2 7 2 1..1...7 3.52

7/12.@Billings*........7.0 3 0 0..2..10 2.70

7/18.Orem*.........Win 8.0 4 1 1..1...8 2.37

^-Game one of a doubleheader

+-Game Two of a doubleheader

*-Start

"I played hockey from (ages) 6 to 12 and then I gave it up"

That's a quote from Nick Bucci in this Bob Brainerd story over at Fox Sports Wisconsin.

The rest of the quote...and some of the story...

"Hockey-wise, it's kind of expensive in Canada, and everyone takes it seriously. It was almost like hockey or baseball, and baseball is kind of the way I went."

Besides easing the Bucci family budget, baseball in the Great White North was no longer a novelty act when Nick was growing up anddeciding which passion to pursue.

"It's developed over the last 10, 15 years, more and more major leaguers come out every year --it's crazy!" Bucci exclaimed, shaking his head over the thought of how far the sport has advanced in the last two decades in his homeland."We actually went to the World Cup and ended up in third (place) which was our best placing ever there. So it's definitely developing Canada."

And so is the former 18th-round pick by Milwaukee in 2008, who pitched for Team Canada to help earn that bronze medal. Thanks to the "Canadian Pipeline" established by a pair of Canucks in General Manager Doug Melvin and Assistant GM Gord Ash, players like Bucci were discovered, brought in to compete and move upthe Brewers food chain. The big club saw the same things in Bucci that Nick discovered playing the game at a young age.

"My dad saw it in me, I felt like I had more passion and more desire to play baseball, go out there and enjoy it a lot more," said Bucci."When I was younger, I was playing everywhere, shortstop, outfield, you name it.But I think my calling was on the mound.I had good arm strength, and I felt I could compete every four or five days out there as a starter."

Go and read it all.

July 15, 2010: Tonight's Pitchers

Del Howell is the scheduled starter in game one.  His information may be found here.  Nick Bucci is the scheduled game two starter:

RHP NICK BUCCI: Selected by Milwaukee in the 18th round of the 2008 draft out of St. Patrick High School in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.

LAST SEASON: Bucci went 6-3 with a 4.31ERA in 13 games (12 starts) for the Helena Brewers in 2009.

LAST START: Bucci picked up the win at Beloit on July 8. He allowed three runs on four hits over seven innings. Bucci struck out two and walked one for his fourth win of the season.

THAT’S A STREAK: Bucci had a 15-1/3 inning scoreless streak end in the first inning against Burlington on May 23.

DOUBLING UP: Before moving to Helena for the 2009 Pioneer League season, Bucci made three relief appearances for Huntsville, the AA Southern League affiliate of the Brewers. In three games with the Stars, Bucci went 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. However, two of those appearances for Huntsville were scoreless.

O, CANADA! Bucci pitched for Team Canada in the 2009 World Cup of baseball and helped them to the bronze medal in the competition. It was Canada’s first medal in the World Cup.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Bucci faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22 in Fort Wayne. He got Bo Greenwell of Lake County to ground out to first base.

LEAGUE AWARD: The Pioneer League recognized Bucci as their pitcher of the week on July 20 for his performance for the week of July 13-19.

ORGANIZATION AWARDS: The Brewers named Bucci their minor league pitcher of the month for July, 2009. Bucci went 5-0 with a 2.13ERA during July last season. Bucci was also named the Brewers minor league pitcher of the month for May, 2010 by the Brewers. Bucci was 3-1 with a 1.13ERA in six games (five starts) for the Rattlers during May.

RATED: Baseball America rated Bucci as the #29 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization in their 2010 Prospect Handbook. He was also ranked as the #17 prospect in the Pioneer League by BA after the 2009 season.

VS. LANSING: Bucci has never faced the Lugnuts. Tonight is also the first time he is facing an affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.1 - (8/22/09 @ Orem)

STRIKEOUTS: 9 (2x - Last: 7/15/09 @ Idaho Falls)

..........2010 DAY-BY-DAY

DATE..OPP...DEC..IP...H R ER BB SO ERA

4/9+..KC* .......3.0..1 2 0..5..2 0.00

4/14..@BUR ......4.0..1 1 0..0..5 0.00

4/19..@QC* ......4.1..4 1 1..5..2 0.79

4/24..BEL .......2.0..2 3 3..1..1 2.70

5/1+..@BEL* Loss 4.1..4 3 2..4..1 3.06

5/6...QC.........3.0..1 0 0..0..2 2.61

5/13..BEL*..Win..6.0..3 0 0..3..7 2.03

5/18..PEO*..Win..6.0..1 0 0..3..3 1.65

5/23..BUR*..Win..7.0..7 2 2..2..6 1.82

5/28..@CR*.......5.2..6 1 0..4..4 1.59

6/2...@FW*..Loss 6.1..7 3 2..3..7 1.74

6/9^..BG*...Loss 4.0..4 4 4..4..3 2.26

6/13..DAY*.......3.0 10 6 6..1..2 3.07

6/20..@KC*.......3.0..1 1 1..3..0 3.06

6/28..QC*........3.1..4 4 4..3..4 3.46

7/3...@BUR*......6.0..6 4 3..3..8 3.55

7/8...@BEL* Win..7.0..4 3 3..1..2 3.58

+-Game two of a doubleheader

^-Game one of a doubleheader

*-Start