September 6, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 9-4 to Kane County. Wisconsin could not hold 1-0 and 4-2 leads. The Cougars scored four times in the bottom of the fourth inning to take a 6-4 lead. They added three more in the sixth inning to account for the final score. The Cougars clinched the top second half playoff spot in the Western Division with their win last night.

OVER THE TOP: Khris Davis set a new franchise record for home runs in a season by a Timber Rattler last night. He hit his 22nd homer of the season with a third inning blast off Aaron Larsen. Before that round tripper, he had been tied for the franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). The home run, a two-out, two-run shot, put the Timber Rattlers up 3-2 at the time.

DYNAMIC DUO: Davis and Chris Dennis have combined for 39 home runs this season. That is a new standard for most home runs by Timber Rattlers teammates in a single season. Davis and Dennis were tied with 2003 Timber Rattlers Matt Hagen (21) and Jon Nelson (16) for the record before Dennis homered on Saturday night.

QUICK STARTS: The Rattlers had a 1-0 lead two batters into the game last night. Cutter Dykstra walked, went to second on an errant pickoff throw, and scored on a Kentrail Davis RBI single.

BUT…: Starting pitcher Efrain allowed a two-run double in the bottom of the second and the Cougars were in front 2-1. After the Rattlers retook the lead, Nieves did not retire a batter in the bottom of the fourth inning and all four batters that reached scored.

DON’T MEAN NOTHING: The Rattlers have scored first in both games of this series and have dropped both decisions. Wisconisn is 37-32 when scoring first in 2010.

LOW WATERMARK: Wisconsin’s current five-game losing streak has knocked them to a season-low 23 games under .500. Last night’s loss also gave the Rattlers their fifth straight season with 80 or more losses. The Rattlers have also missed out on the Midwest League playoffs for the fifth consecutive season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They missed the playoffs in the first half, but qualified for the postseason with the top spot in the second half Western Division Playoff Standings by a half game over Clinton. The Cougars are 40-29 in the second half and are coming into this series after sweeping a three-game set from Peoria at home. They open the playoffs on Wednesday night at Elfstrom Stadium against the Quad Cities River Bandits.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met 14 times this season. Wisconsin is 8-6 against Kane County in 2010. That includes a 4-3 record at Elfstrom Stadium. Wisconsin took two of three from Kane County in Geneva May 25-27. The Rattlers also swept an abbreviated two game series June 19-20. In the most recent series, Wisconsin and Kane County split four games at Time Warner Cable Field August 28-31.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 656 runs (4.8/game) and hit 80 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 669 runs (4.9/game) and hit 66 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.81 while allowing a total of 735 runs (5.4/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.87 while allowing a total of 611 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 183 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 164 errors. Wisconsin is 27-40 on the road this season. Kane County is 40-28 at home in 2010.


KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Kenny Smalley was a 24th round pick of Oakland in the 2008 draft out of Delta State University. Smalley has pitched for Vancouver, Stockton, and Kane County in the Oakland system. He is 0-1 with a 6.14ERA in 12 appearances (two starts) for Kane County this season. His last appearance before today was as a reliever on September 4 against the Rattlers. He gave up a run on three hits and struck out the side in the ninth inning of the Cougars 6-2 victory. Smalley has pitched thee times against Wisconsin this season and has allowed three runs on six hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Today is his first start since July 22 when he lost at Lansing. Smalley is not expected to go to deep into the game as the Cougars are expected to use most of their bullpen on the final day of the season.

September 5, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 6-2 to the Cougars. Wisconsin scored a run in the first inning, but Kane County scored four runs in the third and added two more in the fourth inning to take a 6-1 lead. Dan Straily struck out seven Rattlers over six innings and picked up the win.

OUT OF THE BLOCKS: Four batters into the game, Wisconsin had a 1-0 lead. Kentrail Davis doubled off the wall in left with one out. Khris Davis walked. Then, Hunter Morris singled home Kentrail Davis for the lead. Straily allowed two more hits over the five 4-2/3 innings.

MISADVENTRURES IN BASE RUNNING: In the top of the third inning, the Rattlers lost two runners on the bases. Erik Miller was thrown out at third after trying to get there from first on a single to center by Michael Marseco. Then, Marseco was thrown out trying to steal second to end the inning.

THAT’LL COST YOU: In the bottom of the third, Kane County loaded the bases on a double, a single, and a walk by the first three batters in the inning. Tyreace House doubled to left to drive in two runs and an error on Khris Davis allowed a third run to score. House took home later in the inning when he scored from third on a throw to first after a dropped third strike.

HOW MANY? The error on Davis was the 29th committed by a Timber Rattlers outfielder in 2010.

SUICIDE SOLUTION: The Cougars scored their first run of the fourth inning on an infield grounder. They got their final run when House dropped a suicide squeeze bunt to score a run from third.

GOING DEEP AND MAKING A MARK: Chris Dennis hit a leadoff home run in the top of the ninth inning. It was his 17th of the season and it also gave him 84 RBI on the season. Dennis is tied with Mike Wilson (’05) for the fifth most RBI in a single season by a Timber Rattler. The team record is held by Juan Silvestre (’99) with 107. The other three players in front of Dennis and Wilson are Bo Robinson (’99) with 102; David Ortiz (’96) with 93, and Jon Nelson (’03) with 91.

ON THE CUSP: Khris Davis has 21 home runs this season. He is tied for the Timber Rattlers franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). Davis has two homers in 13 games against the Cougars this season. He has hit homers off Chris Mederos and Aaron Larsen. Both home runs Davis has against Kane County this season were at Time Warner Cable Field.

DYNAMIC DUO: Dennis and Khris Davis have combined for 38 home runs this season. Last night’s home run by Dennis broke the record for most home runs by Timber Rattlers teammates in a single season. Davis and Dennis were tied with 2003 Timber Rattlers Matt Hagen (21) and Jon Nelson (16) for the record before last night.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They missed the playoffs in the first half, but currently hold the top spot in the second half Western Division Playoff Standings by a half game over Clinton. The Cougars are 38-29 in the second half and are coming into this series after sweeping a three-game set from Peoria at home.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met 13 times this season. Wisconsin is 8-5 against Kane County in 2010. That includes a 4-2 record at Elfstrom Stadium. Wisconsin took two of three from Kane County in Geneva May 25-27. The Rattlers also swept an abbreviated two game series June 19-20. In the most recent series, Wisconsin and Kane County split four games at Time Warner Cable Field August 28-31.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 652 runs (4.8/game) and hit 79 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 660 runs (4.9/game) and hit 65 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.79 while allowing a total of 726 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.87 while allowing a total of 607 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 181 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 162 errors. Wisconsin is 27-39 on the road this season. Kane County is 39-28 at home in 2010.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Aaron Larsen was selected out of Bethany College by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2010 draft. Larsen was 1-4 with a 3.25ERA in 13 games and was a Second Team All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selection as both a pitcher and a shortstop. Larsen went 5-2 with a 2.89ERA in 14 games (four starts) for the Arizona League affiliate of the A’s after signing with them. In his start prior to tonight, Larsen made his Midwest League debut against the Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field on August 31. Larsen allowed six runs (two earned) on five hits over 1-2/3 innings. After pitching a scoreless first inning, Larsen got knocked around for a pair of two run homers. Chris Dennis hit the first and Kentrail Davis hit the second. Larsen walked one and struck out one in the game against the Rattlers and took the loss as Wisconsin went on to a 16-4 win. Larsen made his first professional start against the Brewers Arizona League affiliate on August 5 and allowed five runs (one earned) on four hits over 2-1/3 innings. These are his only appearances against affiliates of the Milwaukee Brewers.

September 4, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Quad Cities River Bandits defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-0 in the home finale for the Timber Rattlers. Michael Blazek allowed three hits over eight scoreless innings for the win. Michael Swinson drove in three runs, including a two run homer in the top of the ninth inning.

UNFRIENDLY CONFINES: The Rattlers went 30-39 at home in 2010.

DAMON’S DAY: Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Damon Krestalude pitched six solid innings and allowed two runs on four hits. He struck out seven to match his previous professional high for a single game. But, Krestalude took the loss, his tenth of the season.

ARNETT UPDATE: Eric Arnett pitched the final three innings in relief last night for Wisconsin. He gave up two runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout. Swinson homered with two outs in the top of the ninth inning off Arnett. It was the 14th home run given up by Arnett this season. It was also a homer with a runner in scoring position and two outs. Opponents were 18-for-56 (.321) with four homers off Arnett with runners in scoring position and two out this season.

THREE: The Wisconsin hits belonged to Cutter Dykstra (1st inning single); Michael Marseco (3rd inning triple); and Chris Dennis (4th inning single). Dykstra and Dennis extended their current hitting streaks to four games and Marseco sent his hitting streak to six games.

ON THE CUSP: Khris Davis has 21 home runs this season. He is tied for the Timber Rattlers franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). Davis has two homers in 12 games against the Cougars this season. He has hit homers off Chris Mederos and Aaron Larsen. Both home runs Davis has against Kane County this season were at Time Warner Cable Field.

NOTES ABOUT ATTENDANCE: In the 2010 home finale, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers drew 4,476 fans to Time Warner Cable Field. The total attendance for 2010 was 244,331, the second largest in team history. The average attendance for 2010 was 3,759, which is the largest in team history. In 2009, Wisconsin drew 253,240 fans while averaging 3,724 fans per game. The difference was in rainouts. There were just two rainouts in 2009. There were five home rainouts in 2010.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They missed the playoffs in the first half, but currently hold the top spot in the second half Western Division Playoff Standings by a half game over Clinton. The Cougars are 37-29 in the second half and are coming into this series after sweeping a three-game set from Peoria at home.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met 12 times this season. Wisconsin is 8-4 against Kane County in 2010. That includes a 4-1 record at Elfstrom Stadium. Wisconsin took two of three from Kane County in Geneva May 25-27. The Rattlers also swept an abbreviated two game series June 19-20. In the most recent series, Wisconsin and Kane County split four games at Time Warner Cable Field August 28-31.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 650 runs (4.8/game) and hit 77 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 654 runs (4.8/game) and hit 65 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.78 while allowing a total of 721 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.89 while allowing a total of 605 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 180 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 162 errors. Wisconsin is 27-39 on the road this season. Kane County is 31-38 at home in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook five members of the current Kane County roster on their top 30 list of Athletics prospects. Catcher Max Stassi (#4) is the highest rated Cougar. Pitchers Connor Hoehn (#22), Jonathan Joseph (#23) and Justin Marks (#27) are joined by outfielder Tyreace House (#28) on the list.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Dan Straily was Oakland’s 24th round pick in the 2009 draft. He was selected out of Marshall. In his final season with the Thundering Herd, Straily went 4-3 with a 4.27ERA in 13 games. He spent his first pro season with Vancouver, Oakland’s Northwest League affiliate. He was 5-3 with a 4.19ERA in 16 games (11 starts) with the Canadians. Straily struck out 66 and walked 18 in 59 innings with Vancouver. In his start prior to this afternoon, Straily beat the Rattlers on August 30 at Time Warner Cable Field. He tossed seven innings and allowed a run on three hits with three walks and seven strikeouts. Straily made five starts in August with a 5.51 ERA, but had not been involved in a decision until the win over the Rattlers. He has started three other times against the Timber Rattlers in 2010. Straily beat the Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field on April 10, picked up a no decision at Elfstrom Stadium on May 27, and lost to Wisconsin at Kane County on June 19. In his four starts against the Rattlers, Straily has allowed eight runs (seven earned) on 17 hits and eight walks over 24 innings. Straily has struck out 26 Timber Rattlers this season, including 10 in seven innings on May 27. He is currently second in the Midwest League in strikeouts with 142, one behind the 143 for Josh Wall of Great Lakes.

September 3, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The River Bandits beat the Timber Rattlers 7-4 in 11 innings. Ross Smith broke a 4-4 tie with an RBI double in the top of the eleventh and Michael Swinson followed with a two-run single. Wisconsin sent the game to extra innings on a two-out, two-run double by pinch hitter Joey Paciorek. Four of the seven runs scored by the River Bandits last night were unearned.

ON THE WRONG FOOT: The Timber Rattlers committed errors on the first two balls put into play last night and the River Bandits scored a run. Later in the first a passed ball let another run in for the River Bandits. In the second inning, Wisconsin committed another error to let in a third unearned run.

D’VO! Rattlers outfielder D’Vontrey Richardson homered in the bottom of the third inning. It was his seventh homer and fiftieth RBI of the season. In his last 31 games (29 in August and two in September), Richardson is 36-for-113 (.319) and has raised his season batting average from .224 to .245.

HALF CENTURY: Richardson became the fourth Rattlers to reach 50 RBI for this season. Wisconsin had four players reach 50 RBI in a season in 2008 and five players make the 50 RBI mark in 2005.

NEW LEADER: Cutter Dykstra went 2-for-5 to move his season batting average to .316 to take over the team lead in batting average. Scooter Gennett saw his batting average drop to .309. Dykstra is third in the Midwest League batting race. Gennett has dropped to a tie for eighth in the category.

BIG HIT! Paciorek’s pinch hit double in the eighth inning was the first for the Timber Rattlers this season. Wisconsin pinch hitters are 1-for-7 with a sacrifice bunt, a sacrifice fly, and three RBI in 2010.

QUALITY START: The definition of a quality start is six or more innings with three or fewer earned runs by a starting pitcher. Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell pitched six innings and allowed three unearned runs on three hits with five strikeouts. But, Howell walked six in the game, too.

ON THE CUSP: Khris Davis has 21 home runs this season. He is tied for the Timber Rattlers franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). Davis has three homers in 15 games against the River Bandits this season. He has hit homers off Eric Fornataro, Michael Blazek, and Dan Calhoun. Two of the three homers against the Bandits have been at Time Warner Cable Field.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They qualified for the Midwest League playoffs as the Western Division Wild Card in the first half. They are 81-53 overall and 41-24 in the second half. The River Bandits are coming into this series against the Rattlers after winning three out of four games in a series with Cedar Rapids.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and River Bandits have met 16 times this season. Wisconsin is 6-10 against Quad Cities this season. The Rattlers are 2-6 in eight games against the Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field in 2010. Quad Cities took two of three from the Rattlers in Grand Chute during a series May 4-6. The River Bandits also took two of three from the Rattlers June 28-30. Three of the six Quad Cities wins over the Timber Rattlers in Grand Chute have been in extra innings.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .256 as a team. They have scored 650 runs (4.9/game) and hit 77 home runs. The River Bandits are hitting .257 as a team. They have scored 718 runs (5.4/game) and hit 112 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.79 while allowing a total of 717 runs (5.4/game) this season. Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 3.93 while allowing a total of 625 runs (4.7/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 180 errors. The Bandits defense has committed 174 errors. Wisconsin is 30-39 at home this season. Quad Cities is 44-27 on the road in 2010.

QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RHP Michael Blazek was selected by the Cardinals in the 35th round of the 2007 draft out of Arbor View High School in Las Vegas, Nevada. Blazek has pitched at every level below the Midwest League in the Cardinals system since 2007. He has pitched for the Gulf Coast League Cardinals (’07); Johnson City in the Appalachian League (’08), and Batavia in the New York-Penn League (’09) prior to this season and has compiled a record of 8-16 with a 4.22ERA in 38 games (24 starts) with 151 strikeouts and 53 walks in 145 innings. In his start prior to this evening, Blazek lost at Cedar Rapids on August 29. He allowed an unearned run on four hits with four strikeouts over five innings. Blazek is 0-1 with a save in four appearances (one start) against the Rattlers in 2010. He has allowed 11 runs (seven earned) on 11 hits over 11-2/3 innings with six walks and 12 strikeouts.

September 2, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The River Bandits beat the Timber Rattlers 6-1. Frederick Parejo drove in three runs for Quad Cities. Khris Davis and Chris Dennis both had two hits for Wisconsin. Kentrail Davis drove in the only run for the Rattlers.

TRADING RUNS: Quad Cities scored a run in the top of the second inning on a two-out RBI single by Colin Walsh. Kentrail Davis tied the game by driving in a run with a two-out double in the bottom of the third.

UNEARNED: Rainel Rosario reached on a one-out error in the top of the fifth inning. After a walk to Alan Ahmady, a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position. Edgar Lara drove in Rosario with a infield ground out and the Bandits went in front 2-1.

STEALING BASES: Wisconsin stole four bases last night. Cutter Dykstra and Scooter Gennett each had one steal. Khris Davis had two steals. Wisconsin is 21-for-34 in stolen bases against the River Bandits this season.

RUNNING OUT OF AN INNING: The Rattlers had four runners thrown out on the bases last night: One in the second, one in the fifth and two in the sixth.

ARMED: Hunter Morris threw out a Bandit at the plate in the top of the seventh. It was his third outfield assist of the season.

PULLING AWAY: Parejo doubled in a pair of runs in the top of the eighth and scored on a single by Ivan Castro. Parejo drove in the final run of the night with a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning.

ON THE CUSP: Khris Davis has 21 home runs this season. He is tied for the Timber Rattlers franchise record with Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003). Davis has three homers in 15 games against the River Bandits this season. He has hit homers off Eric Fornataro, Michael Blazek, and Dan Calhoun. Two of the three homers against the Bandits have been at Time Warner Cable Field.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They qualified for the Midwest League playoffs as the Western Division Wild Card in the first half. They are 80-53 overall and 40-24 in the second half. The River Bandits are coming into this series against the Rattlers after winning three out of four games in a series with Cedar Rapids.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and River Bandits have met 15 times this season. Wisconsin is 6-9 against Quad Cities this season. The Rattlers are 2-5 in seven games against the Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field in 2010. Quad Cities took two of three from the Rattlers in Grand Chute during a series May 4-6. The River Bandits also took two of three from the Rattlers June 28-30.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .256 as a team. They have scored 646 runs (4.9/game) and hit 77 home runs. The River Bandits are hitting .257 as a team. They have scored 711 runs (5.3/game) and hit 111 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.81 while allowing a total of 710 runs (5.3/game) this season. Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 3.94 while allowing a total of 621 runs (4.7/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 176 errors. The Bandits defense has committed 172 errors. Wisconsin is 30-38 at home this season. Quad Cities is 43-27 on the road in 2010.

QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RHP Shelby Miller was selected by the Cardinals with the 19th overall selection in the 2009 draft. St. Louis picked him out of Brownwood (TX) High School and Baseball America has rated him as the #1 prospect in the Cardinals’ organization. He had committed to play college baseball at Texas A&M, but signed with St. Louis at the August 17 deadline. In his start prior to tonight, Miller allowed two runs on four hits over four innings in a no decision against Cedar Rapids on August 28. He walked one and struck out five. Miller has made one start against the Timber Rattlers this season and beat them at Modern Woodmen Park on August 11. In that game, Miller allowed two runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over five innings.

September 1, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat the Kane County Cougars 16-4. All nine Timber Rattlers in the lineup had at least one hit. Eight of the nine had at least one RBI. Chris Dennis, Kentrail Davis, and Khris Davis all homered for the Rattlers.

NEW STANDARD: The sixteen runs scored last night were the most by the Timber Rattlers this season. The previous high for 2010 was 15 set on July 12 against Burlington at Time Warner Cable Field. Last night was the most runs scored by the Rattlers since August 5, 2007 when they scored 19 runs at Fort Wayne.

DEEP SIX: The Rattlers scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning. That marked the fourth time in 2010 the Rattlers have scored six runs in an inning.

RECORD HOLDERS HAVE COMPANY: Khris Davis hit a solo homer in the fifth inning. It was his 21st round-tripper of the season. Davis is tied with Juan Silvestre and Matt Hagen for the Timber Rattlers franchise record for home runs in a single season. Silvestre set the record in 1999 and Hagen matched it in 2003. Davis has hit three homers in 14 games against the River Bandits this season.

RACK THEM UP: Chris Dennis hit a two-run homer in the second inning and scored four runs. Dennis has 16 homers and 83 RBI. The 83 RBI put him tied for second in the Midwest League. Those 83 RBI are also the most by a Timber Rattler in a single season since Mike Wilson had 84 in 2005. Silvestre holds the Timber Rattlers record for RBI with 107 in 1999.

FIRST SINCE: Kentrail Davis hit a two-run homer in the second inning, too. It was his first home run since June 30, 2010.

A FOUR FOR JOEY: Rattlers second baseman Joey Paciorek drove in four runs last night. He knocked in a run with a groundout in the second inning. Paciorek drove in three runs with a bases-loaded double in the bottom of the eighth inning.

THREE IS A MAGIC NUMBER: In last night’s game: Cutter Dykstra had three hits and three RBI; Khris Davis drew three walks and scored three runs; Michael Marseco had three hits.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They qualified for the Midwest League playoffs as the Western Division Wild Card in the first half. They are 79-53 overall and 39-24 in the second half. The River Bandits are coming into this series against the Rattlers after winning three out of four games in a series with Cedar Rapids.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and River Bandits have met 14 times this season. Wisconsin is 6-8 against Quad Cities this season. The Rattlers are 2-4 in six games against the Bandits at Time Warner Cable Field in 2010. Quad Cities took two of three from the Rattlers in Grand Chute during a series May 4-6. The River Bandits also took two of three from the Rattlers June 28-30.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .256 as a team. They have scored 645 runs (4.9/game) and hit 77 home runs. The River Bandits are hitting .258 as a team. They have scored 705 runs (5.3/game) and hit 111 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.81 while allowing a total of 704 runs (5.3/game) this season. Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 3.96 while allowing a total of 620 runs (4.7/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 173 errors. The Bandits defense has committed 172 errors. Wisconsin is 30-37 at home this season. Quad Cities is 42-27 on the road in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed three members of the current River Bandits roster on their list of top 30 prospects in the St. Louis organization. Pitcher Shelby Miller, a first round pick out of Brownwood (TX) High School in 2009, is rated as St. Louis’ #1 prospect. Catcher Robert Stock, the Cardinals second round pick out of the University of Southern California in 2009, is #10. Pitcher Joe Kelley (#21) is also on the list.

QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: LHP* Daniel Bibona was the eighth round pick of the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2010 draft out of the University of California-Irvine. Bibona went 9-2 with a 2.48 ERA and 102 strikeouts in 94-1/3 innings pitched over 13 starts in his final season for the Anteaters. He was a two-time Big West Pitcher of the Year, a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, a Louisville Slugger First Team All-American, and a NCBWA Second Team All-American. Bibona made his professional debut with the River Bandits on July 31 with 2-1/3 innings of scoreless relief against Cedar Rapids on July 31. In his start prior to this evening, Bibona allowed four runs on five hits and struck out nine over six innings for a no decision on August 26 at Clinton. Tonight is his first appearance against the Rattlers and against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

*Typo! Had this as a RHP before the game.

August 31, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT MONDAY: The Cougars beat the Timber Rattlers 4-3. Wisconsin trailed 4-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning. They scored two runs and had the bases loaded with no outs, but Ryan Doolittle got the final three outs to deny the Rattlers the comeback win.

FOUR! The Cougars scored a run in the top of the second and three runs in the top of the third to grab a 4-0 lead.

IN PERSPECTIVE: Rattlers starting pitcher Hiram Burgos walked six batters in 5-1/3 innings yesterday. In his two starts prior to Monday, Burgos had pitched 14 innings without issuing a single walk.

21: One of the Kane County runs in the third inning scored on a bases loaded walk. Wisconsin pitchers have walked 21 batters with the bases loaded this season, the most in the Midwest League.

COMEBACK STARTS: Cameron Garfield doubled and took third base on an error with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Michael Marseco followed with a double to drive in Garfield.

HEATING UP: Kentrail Davis singled and Hunter Morris doubled to start the bottom of the ninth. A wild pitch on ball four to Khris Davis sent Kentrail Davis home. D’Vontrey Richardson doubled off the wall in left to drive in Morris and send Khris Davis to third with the tying run.

COOLED OFF: Doolittle came out of the bullpen and intentionally walked Chris Dennis to load the bases. Then, he got a 5-2-3 double play and a leaping grab by Leonardo Gil on a line drive to third to end the game.

DAY GAMES: Monday was the final day game at home for the Rattlers. Wisconsin is 20-20 in day games this season. There is one more day game on the schedule, Labor Day afternoon at Kane County.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Kane County is 34-28 in the second half. They currently hold the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot. Kane County is 66-65 overall. They are coming into the series with the Rattlers after taking two out of three games at Beloit August 25-27.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met 11 times this season. Wisconsin is 7-4 against Kane County in 2010. Wisconsin took two of three from the Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field April 9-10. In a three game series at Kane County May 25-27, the Rattlers won two of three. Wisconsin also swept an abbreviated two game series at Elfstrom Stadium June 19-20. Wisconsin and Kane County wrap up the 2010 season with a three game series at Elfstrom Stadium September 4-6.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 629 runs (4.8/game) and hit 74 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .253 as a team. They have scored 634 runs (4.8/game) and hit 62 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.82 while allowing a total of 700 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.89 while allowing a total of 584 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 171 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 156 errors. Wisconsin is 29-37 at home this season. Kane County is 31-37 on the road in 2010.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Aaron Larsen was selected out of Bethany College by the Oakland Athletics in the 34th round of the 2010 draft. Larsen was 1-4 with a 3.25ERA in 13 games and was a Second Team All-Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference selection as both a pitcher and a shortstop. Larsen went 5-2 with a 2.89ERA in 14 games (four starts) for the Arizona League affiliate of the A’s after signing with them. Tonight is his first Midwest League affiliate. In his start prior to tonight, Larsen pitched five shutout innings and allowed one hit against the Giants on August 26. Larsen made his first professional start against the Brewers Arizona League affiliate on August 5 and allowed five runs (one earned) on four hits over 2-1/3 innings. That is his only appearance against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers.

August 30, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT SUNDAY: The Timber Rattlers defeated the Kane County Cougars 11-10 in 11 innings. Khris Davis singled in the winning run in the bottom of the eleventh inning.

CLUB 20: Davis homered in the second inning, a two-run blast that put the Rattlers up 2-1. He becomes the fourth member of the 20 home run club in Timber Rattlers history. Juan Silvestre (21-1999); Matt Hagen (21-2003), and Brock Kjeldgaard (20-2009) are the other members.

WELL, THAT WAS INTERESTING: The Rattlers had a 9-4 lead heading into the top of the eighth inning. Kane County drew five walks in the inning, including three with the bases loaded, to score three runs. Wisconsin got a run on a Kentrail Davis two-out triple in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 10-7 lead, but the Cougars drew five more walks, including one with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth to tie the game 10-10. Five Wisconsin pitchers combined to walk 14 Kane County batters. The Rattlers pitching staff has walked 20 opposing batters with the bases loaded, the most in the Midwest League, this season.

THAT’S TWO: Yesterday was the second extra-innings victory for the Rattlers. The team is 2-10 in extra innings this season.

THAT’S TWO, TOO: Khris Davis recorded his second game-ending hit of the season yesterday. Davis had also driven in the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Great Lakes on July 19.

THAT’S THREE: Sunday was the third time the Rattlers have allowed 10 or more runs in a game and picked up a victory this season. Wisconsin is 3-17 in games in which they have allowed 10 or more runs.

THAT’S FOUR: Sunday was the fourth time in 2010 that Wisconsin has recorded a walk-off victory at home. The Rattlers beat Kane County on an RBI single by Scooter Gennett in the first game of the season on April 9. There was the hit by Davis to beat the Loons on July 19. Hunter Morris doubled in a pair of runs in the bottom of the eleventh to beat Cedar Rapids on August 14.

FOCUS ON OFFENSE: Cutter Dykstra, Kentrail Davis, Hunter Morris, and Chris Dennis all had three hits on Sunday. The Rattlers knocked out 16 hits in the game.

A BAKER’S DOZEN FOR CUTTER: Dykstra had three singles and scored three runs on Sunday to extend his hitting streak to 13 games. He is 22-for-55 (.400) and has scored 15 runs during the streak. Dykstra has bumped his season average from .294 to .313 and is currently fifth in the Midwest League batting race.

AMONG THE LEADERS: Chris Dennis drove in a run yesterday. He has 81 RBI and is third in the Midwest League in that category.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Kane County is 33-28 in the second half. They currently hold the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot. Kane County is 65-65 overall. They are coming into the series with the Rattlers after taking two out of three games at Beloit August 25-27.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met ten times this season. Wisconsin is 7-3 against Kane County in 2010. Wisconsin took two of three from the Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field April 9-10. In a three game series at Kane County May 25-27, the Rattlers won two of three. Wisconsin also swept an abbreviated two game series at Elfstrom Stadium June 19-20. Wisconsin and Kane County play seven of the last ten games of the 2010 season against each other.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 626 runs (4.8/game) and hit 74 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .253 as a team. They have scored 630 runs (4.8/game) and hit 62 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.83 while allowing a total of 696 runs (5.4/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.90 while allowing a total of 581 runs (4.5/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 169 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 155 errors. Wisconsin is 29-36 at home this season. Kane County is 30-37 on the road in 2010.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Dan Straily was Oakland’s 24th round pick in the 2009 draft. He was selected out of Marshall. In his final season with the Thundering Herd, Straily went 4-3 with a 4.27ERA in 13 games. He spent his first pro season with Vancouver, Oakland’s Northwest League affiliate. He was 5-3 with a 4.19ERA in 16 games (11 starts) with the Canadians. Straily struck out 66 and walked 18 in 59 innings with Vancouver. In his start prior to this afternoon, Straily recorded a no decision at Beloit on August 25. He allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts over five innings. Straily has made five starts in August and has a 5.51 ERA, but has not been involved in a decision. He has started three times against the Timber Rattlers in 2010. Straily beat the Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field on April 10, picked up a no decision at Elfstrom Stadium on May 27, and lost to Wisconsin at Kane County on June 19. In his three starts against the Rattlers, Straily has allowed seven runs (six earned) on 14 hits and five walks over 17 innings. Straily has struck out 19 Timber Rattlers this season, including 10 in seven innings on May 27.

August 29, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Kane County Cougars defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 8-4. Wisconsin grabbed an early 1-0 lead, but Leonardo Gil homered and drove in four runs to pace Kane County’s comeback.

ABOUT THAT START: Cutter Dykstra singled to start the bottom of the first inning. Scooter Gennett doubled in Dykstra and Wisconsin had the lead.

WALKS WILL KILL YOU: Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell walked six batters over 4-1/3 innings and three of those walks scored. Reliever Adrian Rosario walked two batters and both of those walks scored.

THE TURNING: The Rattlers trailed 3-2 heading to the top of the sixth inning. Jose Crisotomo tripled to start the inning. Two walks loaded the bases with no outs for the Cougars. Mitch Levier singled in two runs and Gil followed with an RBI single to put Kane County up 6-2.

A DOZEN FOR CUTTER: Dykstra had a pair of singles and a pair of runs scored last night. Dykstra extended his hitting streak to 12 games last night. He is 19-for-49 (.388) and has scored 12 runs during the streak.

MULTIBALL: Gennett had a pair of hits last night. He has 46 games in 2010 with two or more hits.

A NOTE ABOUT ATTENDANCE: The attendance for last night’s game was 5,341. The Timber Rattlers have drawn 14 crowds of over 5,000 at Time Warner Cable Field this season. Wisconsin has also had 17 home sellouts in 2010.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Kane County is 33-27 in the second half. They currently hold the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot. Kane County is 65-64 overall. They are coming into the series with the Rattlers after taking two out of three games at Beloit August 25-27.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met nine times this season. Wisconsin is 6-3 against Kane County in 2010. Wisconsin took two of three from the Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field April 9-10. In a three game series at Kane County May 25-27, the Rattlers won two of three. Wisconsin also swept an abbreviated two game series at Elfstrom Stadium June 19-20. Wisconsin and Kane County play seven of the last ten games of the 2010 season against each other.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 615 runs (4.8/game) and hit 73 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 620 runs (4.8/game) and hit 60 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.80 while allowing a total of 686 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.85 while allowing a total of 570 runs (4.4/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 168 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 152 errors. Wisconsin is 28-36 at home this season. Kane County is 30-36 on the road in 2010.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Chris Mederos was a 25th round pick of the Oakland Athletics out of Georgia Southern in the 2009 draft. He spent the 2009 season with the Arizona League affiliate of the A’s and went 3-1 with a 2.14ERA in 11 games (two starts). He struck out 26 and walked two in 21 innings pitched last season. Mederos was on the 2010 Opening Day roster for the Cougars, but left a game in early May against Cedar Rapids with an injury. He made two appearances for the Arizona League Athletics in early July and rejoined Kane County on July 16. He is 6-5 with a 2.63ERA in 13 games (11 starts) for the Cougars this year. In his start prior to today, Mederos allowed a run on four hits over seven innings with two walks and seven strikeouts for a win over Quad Cities on August 24. Today is the first time Mederos will face the Timber Rattlers. He did face the Arizona League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers three times in 2009. Mederos allowed two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts, but was not involved in any of the decisions in those games.

August 28, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers won 7-3 at Burlington. Chris Dennis homered and drove in four runs for Wisconsin. Efrain Nieves picked up the win and Jon Pokorny got the final four outs for his seventeenth save of the season. The Rattlers wrapped up their seven game road trip with a 4-3 record.

DENNIS THE MENACE: The Rattlers trailed 1-0 heading into the top of the third inning. Dennis started the inning with a strikeout, but reached on a wild pitch. He scored on a two-out RBI single by Cutter Dykstra. D’Vontrey Richardson put the Rattlers in front 2-1 with an RBI double in the fourth inning. Then, Dennis followed with a three-run homer. In the sixth inning, Dennis tripled in a run for his fourth RBI. Dennis has three games with four RBI and 21 multi-RBI games this season.

WELCOME BACK: Dykstra was activated off the disabled list before Friday’s game. He went 2-for-5 in his first game since Monday, August 16 and extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

SAVINGS PLAN: The Rattlers were up 7-3 with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but the Bees had the bases loaded and the tying run was at the plate. Pokorny entered the game from the bullpen and struck out Gerard Hall looking to end the threat. Pokorny pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his seventeenth save of the year. Pokorny has stranded 29 of 32 inherited base runners this season. He is two saves shy of tying the Timber Rattlers single season franchise record held by John Thompson since 1995.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Kane County is 32-27 in the second half. They currently hold the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot. Kane County is 64-64 overall. They are coming into the series with the Rattlers after taking two out of three games at Beloit August 25-27.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Cougars have met eight times this season. Wisconsin is 6-2 against Kane County in 2010. Wisconsin took two of three from the Cougars at Time Warner Cable Field April 9-10. In a three game series at Kane County May 25-27, the Rattlers won two of three. Wisconsin also swept an abbreviated two game series at Elfstrom Stadium June 19-20. Wisconsin and Kane County play seven of the last ten games of the 2010 season against each other.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 611 runs (4.8/game) and hit 73 home runs. The Cougars are hitting .253 as a team. They have scored 612 runs (4.8/game) and hit 59 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.78 while allowing a total of 678 runs (5.3/game) this season. Kane County pitchers have a team ERA of 3.87 while allowing a total of 566 runs (4.4/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 166 errors. The Cougars defense has committed 150 errors. Wisconsin is 28-35 at home this season. Kane County is 29-36 at home in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook placed five members of the current Kane County roster on their top 30 list of Athletics prospects. Catcher Max Stassi (#4) is the highest rated Cougar. Pitchers Connor Hoehn (#22), Jonathan Joseph (#23) and Justin Marks (#27) are joined by outfielder Tyreace House (#28) on the list.

KANE COUNTY STARTING PITCHER: RHP Jonathan Joseph was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2006 by the A’s. He was 0-2 in 18 games (six starts) for the Vancouver Canadians of the Northwest League in 2009. In his minor league career, Joseph was 8-8 with six saves and a 4.96ERA in 64 games (20 starts) heading into the 2010 season. In 178 career innings, he has struck out 164 hitters and walked 74. Joseph started this season with the Cougars and was 0-3 in seven games (two starts). Joseph was sent down to Vancouver and went 1-1 with a 2.68ERA in eight starts for the Canadians before being sent back to Kane County in early August. Since coming back to the Cougars, Joseph is 1-2 with a 2.45ERA and 27 strikeouts in 25-2/3 innings over five starts. Joseph was the starting pitcher on Opening Night at Time Warner Cable Field against the Rattlers. He allowed one run on three hits over three innings with a walks and four strikeouts. Joseph has also faced the Rattlers as a reliever. On May 26 at Kane County, he allowed a run on a hit over three innings and was charged with the loss. In his start prior to this evening, Joseph allowed an unearned run on three hits over five innings against Quad Cities on August 23. He struck out six, walked four, and was not involved in the decision.

August 27, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 10-3 at Burlington. Burlington scored in each of the first five innings and collected 12 hits in the game. Hilton Richardson drove in four runs and Burlington starting pitcher Keaton Hayenga snapped a personal 12-game losing streak in the win.

QUICK START: Hunter Morris gave the Rattlers an early 1-0 lead with a two-out homer in the top of the first inning. The home run was the ninth for Morris and gave him 39 RBI in 60 games since joining the Timber Rattlers.

MAVERICK TAMED: Rattlers starting pitcher Maverick Lasker allowed a two-run homer to Alex McClure, the second batter of the bottom of the first inning, and the Bees took a 2-1 lead. Lasker allowed eight runs on 11 hits over four innings. He walked one batter and threw three wild pitches in the game.

DRIP…DRIP…DRIP…The Bees added to their lead with two runs in the second, three in the third, and one in the fourth.

THREE x THREE: The Timber Rattlers matched their season high for triples in a game when they picked up three triples last night. Scooter Gennett, Chris Dennis, and D’Vontrey Richardson all had three-baggers last night. Wisconsin also had three triples in a game at Peoria on April 29.

BATTING TITLE NEWS: Scooter Gennett went 1-for-4 with a triple last night. His batting average dropped a point to .320. Mike Trout, who was promoted of the Cedar Rapids Kernels in July, has the highest average in the Midwest League at .362, but he may not qualify for the batting title (minimum 2.7 plate appearances per team game). If the Kernels play all of their remaining games, Cedar Rapids will play 138 games meaning Trout would need 373 plate appearances to qualify. Trout was promoted with 365 plate appearances. Also, Brian Cavazos-Galvez of Great Lakes (.319) and Sean Ochinko of Lansing (.318) are within striking distance of catching Gennett. Wisconsin has never had a batting champion. The last time a player for an Appleton Professional Baseball team won a Midwest League Batting title was 1966 when Grover Jones hit .364 for the Fox Cities Foxes.

HOWEVER, KEEP THIS IN MIND: Rule 10.22 (a) allows for Trout to be charged with the number of hitless at bats he needs to qualify for the Midwest League batting title. If eight hitless at bats are added to Trout’s numbers for 2010, he will be hitting .353 and could be declared this year’s batting champion.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are the two-time defending Midwest League Western Division Champions. The Bees are 20-36 in the second half of the season. They are 42-83 overall this season.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Bees have played eighteen games this season. Wisconsin leads the season series 11-7. The Rattlers went 9-1 against the Bees at Time Warner Cable Field. However, Wisconsin is just 2-6 in eight games against Burlington at Community Field. The Bees took two out of three from Wisconsin in Burlington in a first half series from April 14-16. The Bees swept a three game set from Wisconsin at Community Field July 1-3.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 604 runs (4.8/game) and hit 72 home runs. The Bees are hitting .236 as a team. They have scored 525 runs (4.2/game) and hit 59 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.79 while allowing a total of 674 runs (5.3/game) this season. Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 5.30 while allowing a total of 732 runs (5.9/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 166 errors. The Bees defense has committed 154 errors. Wisconsin is 26-38 on the road this season. Burlington is 24-40 at home in 2010.

BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Matt Mitchell was the 14th round pick of the Royals in the 2007 draft out of Barstow (CA) High School. He missed all of the 2009 season with Tommy John surgery. In 2008, Mitchell went 8-8 with a 3.47ERA in 25 games (21 starts) for the Bees. He is 1-7 in 24 games (16 starts) for Burlington in 2010. His last start was on August 15 against Quad Cities. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts over 4-2/3 innings for a no decision. Since that start, Mitchell has made a pair of relief appearances (August 21 and August 24) against the Beloit Snappers. In those two games, he allowed two runs on four hits over two innings. Mitchell has faced the Timber Rattlers twice this season. He was the starting pitcher at Community Field on April 16 and took the loss when he allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings. Mitchell walked four, hit a batter, and struck out two in that game. Mitchell pitched in relief against Wisconsin on July 12 at Time Warner Cable Field. Mitchell gave up a run on a hit with a walk and a strikeout.

August 26, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat the Bees 7-4. Michael Marseco drove in three runs and Hiram Burgos was the winning pitcher for Wisconsin. The win was the third straight for the Rattlers.

RATTLERS FIVE: The Timber Rattlers took a 5-0 lead by scoring three runs in the second and two more in the third. Marseco’s two-out, two-run single in the second inning put the Rattlers up 2-0. Kentrail Davis forced in a run by drawing a bases loaded walk later in the second. Austin Stockfisch and Marseco would drive in runs in the third inning for a five run lead.

GETTING THE JOB DONE: Davis has seven plate appearances with the bases loaded this season. He is 1-for-3 with a pair of walks and two sacrifice flies to drive in six runs in that situation.

DOING MORE: Davis also drove in a run in a two-run sixth inning with a triple after D’Vontrey Richardson doubled to start the inning. Davis is 21-for-55 (.382) with 34 RBI with runners in scoring position since joining the Rattlers.

JUST A LITTLE PATIENCE: The Rattlers drew nine walks last night. That matches a season high for the team.

BURGOS THE STARTER: Burgos is 4-0 with a 3.38ERA in six starts for the Timber Rattlers since rejoining the club in late July. Last night he allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings. Burgos struck out one and did not walk a batter.

HIGHWAY 101: The Timber Rattlers turned a pair of double plays last night. Wisconsin has 101 twin killings this season.

YO, ADRIAN! Adrian Rosario picked up the save last night. Last night was the second game in a row that Rosario picked up the save. He got the final three outs with a pair of strikeouts on Tuesday night is Cedar Rapids to complete the no-hitter against the Kernels. Last night, Rosario got the final four outs – retiring all four batters he faced – to get his second save of the season. Rosario struck out three more batters in Wednesday’s game. In his last six appearances, Rosario has struck out 24 opposing batters and walked four in 15-1/3 innings.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are the two-time defending Midwest League Western Division Champions. The Bees are 19-36 in the second half of the season. They are 41-83 overall this season.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Bees have played seventeen games this season. Wisconsin leads the season series 11-6. The Rattlers went 9-1 against the Bees at Time Warner Cable Field. However, Wisconsin is just 2-5 in seven games against Burlington at Community Field. The Bees took two out of three from Wisconsin in Burlington in a first half series from April 14-16. The Bees swept a three game set from Wisconsin at Community Field July 1-3.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 601 runs (4.8/game) and hit 71 home runs. The Bees are hitting .235 as a team. They have scored 515 runs (4.2/game) and hit 58 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.74 while allowing a total of 664 runs (5.3/game) this season. Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 5.33 while allowing a total of 729 runs (5.9/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 166 errors. The Bees defense has committed 152 errors. Wisconsin is 26-37 on the road this season. Burlington is 23-40 at home in 2010.

BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Keaton Hayenga was selected in the 31st round of the 2007 draft out of Eastlake High School in Sammamish, Washington. Hayenga did not pitch professionally until 2009 due to a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder during his senior season. He turned down a basketball scholarship to Washington State to play baseball. Hayenga made his professional debut in 2009 with the Burlington (NC) Royals of the Appalachian League. He went 4-7 with a 3.66 ERA in 13 starts. In his start prior to this evening, Hayenga took the loss against Burlington on August 21 at home. He allowed six runs on seven hits over five innings. Hayenga has faced Wisconsin four times in 2010. He lost at Wisconsin on June 26. The Rattlers scored eight runs on six hits over 5-1/3 innings and went on to an 11-7 win. The Rattlers also beat Hayenga on May 23 at Time Warner Cable Field. They got to him for seven runs (five earned) on nine hits and three walks over 4-1/3 innings. On July 1 at Community Field, Hayenga had a no decision, but allowed four runs on seven hits over five innings. Hayenga, Baseball America’s #23 rated prospect in the Kansas City organization, struck out four in that game. The last time he faced the Rattlers he had a no decision on July 12 at Time Warner Cable Field despite allowing six runs on nine hits over five innings. Hayenga has lost 12 straight decisions.

August 25, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Jake Odorizzi and Adrian Rosario combined to no hit the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field in a 3-0 Wisconsin lead. Odorizzi struck out ten over eight innings and picked up his seventh win of the season. Rosario struck out a pair of Kernels hitters in the ninth inning for his first Midwest League save.

A WORD ABOUT THE OFFENSE: Kentrail Davis drove in the first run of the game with an infield grounder in the top of the fifth inning. The Rattlers added a pair of runs in the sixth inning on a Joey Paciorek squeeze bunt and an infield single by D’Vontrey Richardson.

BIG JAKE: Odorizzi pitched a career high eight innings and matched his career high for strikeouts in a game with ten. The only base runners to reach against Odorizzi were on an error, a fielder’s choice, a hit batsman, and a walk. At one point in the game, Odorizzi retired ten straight Kernels’ hitters. No Kernel base runner went past first base. Odorizzi is tied with Maverick Lasker for the team lead in wins with seven.

YO, ADRIAN! Rosario got the first out of the bottom of the ninth inning, but walked Michael Wing. The right-hander out of the Dominican Republic struck out the final two batters to complete the no-hitter. In his last five appearances, Rosario has struck out 21 opposing batters and walked four in 14 innings.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: Last night was the third no-hitter (and first combined no-no) in Timber Rattlers history. Derrick Van Dusen tossed a no-hitter at Cedar Rapids on August 27, 2001 for the most recent no-hitter before last night. JJ Putz tossed the first no-hitter in Rattlers history when he did not allow a hit in a 7-inning victory over the Kane County Cougars in the first game of a doubleheader at Fox Cities Stadium on April 29, 2000. The last combined no-hitter in Appleton baseball history was on July 29, 1990. On that date, John Conner and Jim Smith tossed a no-hitter against the Wausau Timbers as members of the Appleton Foxes.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Burlington Bees are the Midwest League affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They are the two-time defending Midwest League Western Division Champions. The Bees are 19-35 in the second half of the season. They are 41-82 overall this season.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Bees have played sixteen games this season. Wisconsin leads the season series 10-6. The Rattlers went 9-1 against the Bees at Time Warner Cable Field. However, Wisconsin is just 1-5 in six games against Burlington at Community Field. The Bees took two out of three from Wisconsin in Burlington in a first half series from April 14-16. The Bees swept a three game set from Wisconsin at Community Field July 1-3.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 594 runs (4.8/game) and hit 71 home runs. The Bees are hitting .235 as a team. They have scored 511 runs (4.2/game) and hit 58 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.75 while allowing a total of 660 runs (5.3/game) this season. Burlington pitchers have a team ERA of 5.31 while allowing a total of 729 runs (5.9/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 165 errors. The Bees defense has committed 152 errors. Wisconsin is 25-37 on the road this season. Burlington is 23-39 at home in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed five members of the active Burlington roster as Top 30 Prospects in the Kansas City Royals organization. Pitcher Tyler Sample (#14), catcher Jose Bonilla (#21), pitchers Keaton Hayenga (#23) and Matt Mitchell (#28), and outfielder Hilton Richardson (#30) are all on BA’s list of Royals prospects.

BURLINGTON STARTING PITCHER: RHP Tyler Sample was the 3rd round pick of the Royals in the 2008 draft out of Mullen High School in Denver, Colorado. In the two seasons prior to 2010, Sample is 4-8 with a save, and a 5.07ERA in 24 games (19 starts). He pitched in the Arizona League in 2008 and briefly in 2009. He spent most of last year with Burlington (NC) in the Appalachian League. Sample pitched to a pair of batters in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on Tuesday. Sample gave up a hit and retired the other batter he faced. In his last official start prior to this evening, Sample picked up a no decision on August 14 against the River Bandits. He allowed three runs on five hits and two walks in two innings. Sample made the start on August 20 at Peoria and went three innings, but the game was rained out and the stats did not count. He has made four appearances against the Rattlers this season. On April 15, he started at Community Field and went 4-2/3 innings allowed two runs on two hits with six walks and four strikeouts. He was not involved in the decision. On May 24 at Time Warner Cable Field, Sample pitched one scoreless and hitless inning, walked one, and struck out one. On June 25 in Grand Chute, Wisconsin tagged him for the loss with four runs on six hits over 4-1/3 innings. On July 11 in Burlington, Sample also took the loss despite striking out nine and allowing two runs over five innings.

August 24, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers defeated the Kernels 6-5. D’Vontrey Richardson doubled in a pair of runs with one out in the top of the ninth inning to erase a 5-4 deficit.

D’VO’s BIG WEEK CONTINUES: Richardson went 3-for-5 with three doubles, a runs scored, and two RBI last night. Richardson had been named the Midwest League’s Offensive Player of the Week earlier on Monday after going 10-for-20 in his previous six games. Richardson’s last six hits have gone for extra bases.

THIS CAN’T BE RIGHT: A quick look back at the record books shows that the last time the Timber Rattlers won a road game when trailing after eight innings was on August 18, 2006. The Rattlers trailed the Dayton Dragons 4-3 heading to the top of the ninth inning at Fifth Third Field. Wisconsin tied the game with a run in the ninth and eventually won the game 7-5 in 14 innings.

ARNETT: Rattlers pitcher Eric Arnett came off the disabled list on Monday and pitched two scoreless innings with a hit, a hit batsman, and a strikeout. Arnett picked up the win when the Rattlers rallied to win the game. The victory was the first in the Midwest League for the right-hander out of Indiana University.

BOUNCE BACK: Closer Jon Pokorny worked around a pair of walks in the top of the ninth inning and picked up the save. Pokorny, who had blown his last two save opportunities, has 16 saves this season. He is three shy of the Timber Rattlers franchise record of 19 set by John Thompson in 1995.

NIGHT OF THE HUNTER: Hunter Morris had a hand in the Rattlers comeback last night, too. The left-hand hitting first baseman had an RBI triple and a run scored in the sixth inning. He followed that with a solo home run to left in the eighth inning. Morris has eight homers and 38 RBI in 57 games with the Rattlers this season.

THREE ALL-STARS: The Midwest League announced that three Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were elected to the 2010 Postseason All-Star Squad. Scooter Gennett was named to the team as the second baseman. Khris Davis was selected as one of four outfielders. Pokorny made the team as the left handed reliever. The team was picked in a vote by the managers of the MWL. These three are the first Rattlers to make this team since 2005. Also, the previous high for the number of Rattlers on the Postseason All-Star Team was two.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They finished the first half with a record of 43-25 and won the first half Western Division. The Kernels are currently 31-24 in the second half of the season to give them an overall record of 74-49. The Kernels dropped the final two games of their three game series with Kane County at home before starting this series with Wisconsin.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Kernels have played 19 games this season. The Rattlers are 6-13 against Cedar Rapids. The Rattlers are 2-8 at Perfect Game Field against the Kernels. Wisconsin beat Cedar Rapids two out of three times in a series at Time Warner Cable Field April 20-22. The Kernels swept a three-game series May 7-9 from the Rattlers in Wisconsin. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field. The Kernels swept a four game series from the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field from May 28-31. Wisconsin went 1-2 in a three game set at Cedar Rapids July 4-6. In their most recent series, Wisconsin took two of three from the Kernels August 14-16.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 591 runs (4.8/game) and hit 71 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .279 as a team. They have scored 681 runs (5.5/game) and hit 79 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.79 while allowing a total of 660 runs (5.3/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.81 while allowing a total of 523 runs (4.3/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 164 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 119 errors. Wisconsin is 24-37 on the road this season. Cedar Rapids is 42-21 at home in 2010.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Stephen Locke was a 22nd round pick of the Angels in the 2009 draft. He pitched college baseball at the University of Florida and was 5-2 with a 4.32ERA in 12 starts for the Gators in his senior season. He pitched in 15 games for Orem, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Angels, after signing as a professional. Locke was 6-4 with a 4.02ERA in 14 starts. Locke walked 11 and struck out 46 in 69-1/3 innings with the Owlz. In his start prior to this evening, Locke lost to Kane County at home on August 19. He allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings. Locke walked two and struck out ten in the game. Locke has faced the Timber Rattlers twice this season. The first was at Perfect Game Field on May 30 and had a no decision. In that game, Wisconsin got to him for four runs on 10 hits over six innings. Locke struck out four and walked none in what would be a 5-4 Cedar Rapids victory. On July 6 at Time Warner Cable Field, Locke pitched eight shutout innings, allowed six hits, walked two, and struck out three for the win in a 5-0 Kernels victory.

August 23, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT SUNDAY: The Rattlers lost 10-2 to the Kernels. Cedar Rapids scored twice in the first and six times in the second to build an early 8-0 lead.

MISSED OPPORTUNITY: Wisconsin had two runners on with one out in the top of the first inning. They did not cash in against Kernels starting pitcher Max Russell.

THAT WAS QUICK: Jon Karcich gave the Kernels a 1-0 lead with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the first off Efrain Nieves. The first five Kernels to bat in the first inning reached base. But, they scored just two runs.

SECOND THAT: The Kernels added six runs on six hits and two errors in the bottom of the second inning. Nieves retired the first batter of the inning, but the next six batters reached on three doubles, a triple, two singles and an error.

PUT IT ON THE BOARD: D’Vontrey Richardson homered to left with one out in the third inning to get the Rattlers their first run of the game. The homer was Richardson’s sixth of the season. In the fourth inning, Chris Dennis doubled and would score later in the frame on a Cameron Garfield sacrifice fly.

PILING ON: Cedar Rapids added two runs against Jon Pokorny in the eighth inning. The second run of the frame came on a bases loaded walk. Timber Rattlers pitchers have issued 16 bases loaded walks this season. Only Bowling Green (17) has walked more opposing batters with the sacks full.

TEN OR MORE BLUES: The Rattlers have given up 10 or more runs in a game in their last three games. They have allowed opponents to reach double digits in runs in five of the last six games. Wisconsin has allowed 10 more runs in a game 18 times this season.

A NOTE ABOUT THE SEASON SERIES: The Kernels are 13-5 against Wisconsin this season. They have outscored the Rattlers 119-77 in the 18 games. The Rattlers pitchers have an ERA of 6.32 in this series, while the Kernels staff has an ERA of 3.87.

A NOTE ABOUT THE SEASON SERIES HERE: Wisconsin is just 1-8 in nine games at Perfect Game Field this season. The Kernels have outscored the Rattlers 62-23 in those nine games. Wisconsin has a team ERA of 7.28 in Cedar Rapids. The Kernels have an ERA of 2.28 against the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They finished the first half with a record of 43-25 and won the first half Western Division. The Kernels are currently 31-23 in the second half of the season to give them an overall record of 74-48. The Kernels dropped the final two games of their three game series with Kane County at home before starting this series with Wisconsin.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Kernels have played 18 games this season. The Rattlers are 5-13 against Cedar Rapids. The Rattlers are 1-8 at Perfect Game Field against the Kernels. Wisconsin beat Cedar Rapids two out of three times in a series at Time Warner Cable Field April 20-22. The Kernels swept a three-game series May 7-9 from the Rattlers in Wisconsin. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field. The Kernels swept a four game series from the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field from May 28-31. Wisconsin went 1-2 in a three game set at Cedar Rapids July 4-6. In their most recent series, Wisconsin took two of three from the Kernels August 14-16.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .254 as a team. They have scored 585 runs (4.8/game) and hit 70 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .279 as a team. They have scored 676 runs (5.5/game) and hit 79 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.80 while allowing a total of 655 runs (5.3/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.79 while allowing a total of 517 runs (4.2/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 163 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 119 errors. Wisconsin is 23-37 on the road this season. Cedar Rapids is 42-20 at home in 2010.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Tyler Kehrer was a supplemental first round pick (48th overall) in the 2009 draft out of Eastern Illinois University. He went 3-3 with a 4.75ERA and 57 strikeouts over 55 innings in 14 starts for the Orem Owlz in 2009. In his appearance prior to this evening, Kehrer pitched three scoreless innings of relief at Beloit on June 30. In his start prior to this evening, Kehrer beat Kane County on August 18 at home. Kehrer pitched six shutout innings, allowed three hits, walked three, and struck out eight for the win. Kehrer has made four appearances (two starts) against Wisconsin this season. He is 2-1 with a save in those three games versus the Rattlers. Kehrer has allowed 13 runs (nine earned) on 15 hits with 11 walks and 14 strikeouts over 17-2/3 innings pitched against Wisconsin in 2010. In his last start against the Timber Rattlers, Kehrer picked up the win on July 5 at Perfect Game Field. He allowed four runs (two earned) on seven hits with a walk and six strikeouts over five innings in a 13-5 Cedar Rapids victory.

August 22, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 11-1 to the Kernels. Ariel Pena struck out twelve over a complete game three-hitter. Cedar Rapids scored seven runs in the first three innings and pulled away with four more in the seventh inning.

TEN OR MORE BLUES: The Rattlers have given up 10 or more runs in a game in their last two games. They have allowed opponents to reach double digits in runs in four of the last five games. Wisconsin has allowed 10 more runs in a game 17 times this season.

END OF THE LINE: D’Vontrey Richardson flew out to left on the first pitch of the game last night. That ended a streak of 11 consecutive plate appearances in which he reached base.

NIGHT OF THE HUNTER: Rattlers first baseman Hunter Morris had two of Wisconsin’s three hits last night. He also reached on a walk.

A TALE OF TWO INNINGS: The Rattlers loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the seventh inning. They scored a run on an Austin Stockfisch sacrifice fly. The Kernels loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. They scored four times with two outs on an RBI single by Jon Karcich, a walk to Jean Segura, and a two-run single by Matt Long.

REBOUND: On August 15 at Time Warner Cable Field, Ariel Pena gave up six runs on five hits and walked seven with two strikeouts over five innings in a loss to the Rattlers. Last night, Pena walked two and hit one as he struck out 12.

A NOTE ABOUT THE SEASON SERIES: The Kernels are 12-5 against Wisconsin this season. They have outscored the Rattlers 109-75 in the 17 games. The Rattlers pitchers have an ERA of 6.11 in this series, while the Kernels staff has an ERA of 3.98.

A NOTE ABOUT THE SEASON SERIES HERE: Wisconsin is just 1-7 in eight games at Perfect Game Field this season. The Kernels have outscored the Rattlers 52-21 in those eight games. Wisconsin has a team ERA of 7.03 in Cedar Rapids. The Kernels have an ERA of 2.31 against the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They finished the first half with a record of 43-25 and won the first half Western Division. The Kernels are currently 30-23 in the second half of the season to give them an overall record of 73-48. The Kernels dropped the final two games of their three game series with Kane County at home before starting this series with Wisconsin.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Kernels have played 17 games this season. The Rattlers are 5-12 against Cedar Rapids. The Rattlers are 1-7 at Perfect Game Field against the Kernels. Wisconsin beat Cedar Rapids two out of three times in a series at Time Warner Cable Field April 20-22. The Kernels swept a three-game series May 7-9 from the Rattlers in Wisconsin. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field. The Kernels swept a four game series from the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field from May 28-31. Wisconsin went 1-2 in a three game set at Cedar Rapids July 4-6. In their most recent series, Wisconsin took two of three from the Kernels August 14-16.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .255 as a team. They have scored 583 runs (4.8/game) and hit 69 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .277 as a team. They have scored 666 runs (5.5/game) and hit 78 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.76 while allowing a total of 645 runs (5.3/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.80 while allowing a total of 515 runs (4.3/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 161 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 117 errors. Wisconsin is 23-36 on the road this season. Cedar Rapids is 41-20 at home in 2010.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: LHP Max Russell was the fourth round pick of the Angels in the 2010 draft out of Florida Southern. In his final season with the Moccasins, Russell went 11-2 in 15 starts with a 4.15ERA and 109 strikeouts in 95-1/3 innings pitched. Russell started his professional career with the Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League and went 4-0 in seven games (six starts). He struck out 31 in 31-2/3 innings with the Owlz before joining the Kernels to start August. Russell is 1-2 in four starts with Cedar Rapids. In his start prior to this afternoon, Russell got a no decision at Time Warner Cable Field on August 16. The Rattlers scored six runs on eight hits over 4-2/3 innings against Russell in that game. Russell walked four and struck out two in his first ever appearance against the Timber Rattlers. Russell has made one other appearance against an affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, a start against Helena in the Pioneer League affiliate on July 26. Russell got the win at home and allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts over five innings.

August 21, 2010: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers outlasted the Beloit Snappers 14-11 at Time Warner Cable Field. There was a 101 minute rain delay that caused the game to start at 8:46pm. Kentrail Davis had three hits and three RBI and D’Vontrey Richardson reached base in all six of his plate appearances out to pace the Wisconsin offense.

MAKE A NOTE: Richardson has reached base in 11 straight plate appearances dating back to his final appearance in the game on August 18. The Midwest League record for most consecutive plate appearances reaching base is 14 and is held by Benji Simonton of Clinton during the 1994 season.

NOT WASTING ANY TIME: The Rattlers scored a run in the first, two in the second and five in the third to build an early 8-2 lead.

NIPPING AT THEIR HEELS: The Snappers scored twice in the fourth and twice in the fifth to cut Wisconsin’s lead to 8-6.

PULLING AWAY AGAIN: Wisconsin scored four runs in the fifth and a run in the sixth to go up 13-6.

YO, ADRIAN! Rattlers reliever Adrian Rosario relieved starting pitcher Maverick Lasker in the top of the fifth inning and retired nine of the first ten batters he faced. Rosario picked up his second win of the season…eventually.

DID THAT JUST HAPPEN? The Snappers loaded the bases against Rosario in the top of the eighth and Matt Costello entered the game. He walked in a run to make the score 13-7. Then, Steven Liddle sent a sinking liner to center. Richardson dove for the catch, but missed the ball and the ball rolled to the wall. Liddle circled the bases for an inside-the-park grand slam and the score was 13-11.

REDEMPTION: Richardson tripled to start the bottom of the eighth and scored on a throwing error.

WITHOUT INCIDENT: Costello worked a 1-2-3 ninth to finish the Snappers and put the game in the win column.

SECOND TIME: Last night was the second game in 2010 in which the Rattlers allowed 10 or more runs and won a game. The previous occurrence was a 15-12 win over Burlington on July 12. The Rattlers are 2-14 when giving up 10 or more runs this season.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Cedar Rapids Kernels are the Midwest League affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They finished the first half with a record of 43-25 and won the first half Western Division. The Kernels are currently 29-23 in the second half of the season to give them an overall record of 72-48. The Kernels dropped the final two games of their three game series with Kane County at home before starting this series with Wisconsin.

2010 SEASON SERIES: The Rattlers and Kernels have played 16 games this season. The Rattlers are 5-11 against Cedar Rapids. The Rattlers are 1-6 at Perfect Game Field against the Kernels. Wisconsin beat Cedar Rapids two out of three times in a series at Time Warner Cable Field April 20-22. The Kernels swept a three-game series May 7-9 from the Rattlers in Wisconsin. The May 7 game was played at Miller Park. The final two games of the series were at Time Warner Cable Field. The Kernels swept a four game series from the Rattlers at Perfect Game Field from May 28-31. Wisconsin went 1-2 in a three game set at Cedar Rapids July 4-6. In their most recent series, Wisconsin took two of three from the Kernels August 14-16.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .256 as a team. They have scored 582 runs (4.8/game) and hit 69 home runs. The Kernels are hitting .277 as a team. They have scored 655 runs (5.5/game) and hit 77 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.70 while allowing a total of 634 runs (5.2/game) this season. Cedar Rapids pitchers have a team ERA of 3.83 while allowing a total of 514 runs (4.3/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 161 errors. The Kernels defense has committed 117 errors. Wisconsin is 23-35 on the road this season. Cedar Rapids is 40-20 at home in 2010.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s 2010 Prospect Handbook placed four members of the current Cedar Rapids roster on their list of Top 30 prospects in the Angels organization before the season. Outfielder Randal Grichuck is the highest rated at #7. Also on the list are infielder Jean Segura (#13), pitcher Tyler Kehrer (#18), and catcher Carlos Ramirez (#20). Pitchers Fabio Martinez-Mesa (#6) and Jon Bachanov (#19) are currently on the DL.

CEDAR RAPIDS STARTING PITCHER: RHP Ariel Pena was signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Angels in 2007. Last season, he was 5-4 in 14 games (six starts) for the Arizona League Angels. Pena had an ERA of 3.83 and struck out 47 while walking 15 over 49-1/3 innings pitched. He joined the Kernels after making three appearances for Rancho Cucamonga, the Angels California League affiliate, to start the season. Pena was 0-1 with an 8.71 ERA for the Quakes. Pena is 6-4 with a 3.94 ERA in 14 starts for the Kernels. In his start prior to tonight, Pena made his second appearance of the season against the Rattlers this season. On August 15 at Time Warner Cable Field, he allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits over five innings and took the loss. Pena made his Midwest League debut against the Rattlers on May 28 in Cedar Rapids. He allowed a run on two hits with three walks, a hit batsman, and five strikeouts over six innings. Pena was not involved in the decision in that game.