August 31, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitcher

RHP JAKE ODORIZZI: Selected by Milwaukee as a supplemental 1st round pick (32nd overall) in the 2008 draft out of Highland (IL) High School.

LAST SEASON: Odorizzi made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League. He was 1-4 with a 4.40 ERA and struck out 43 while walking nine over 47 innings pitched.

LAST START: Odorizzi pitched eight no-hit innings and struck out 10 Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field on August 23. Odorizzi walked one, hit one, and got the win when Adrian Rosario got the final three outs without allowing a hit in a 3-0 Wisconsin win.

HIGHLAND HIGH: Odorizzi was 14-0 with three saves in his senior season with the Bulldogs. He allowed one earned run over 89-1/3 innings pitched to put up an ERA of 0.08 and struck out 146 batters while walking just six in his final season as a Bulldog and helped lead the team to its first ever Class 3A State Championship.

AWARDS: In his senior season, Odorizzi was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois; a Louisville Slugger Pre-season All-American; a Rawlings/Perfect Game All-American; and a member of USA Today’s All-USA Team.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Odorizzi faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22. He struck out Danny Payne of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the second out of the inning.

NOT IN THE CARDS: Odorizzi had committed to playing baseball and football at the University of Louisville before signing with the Brewers.

IN THE RANKINGS: Baseball America rated Odorizzi as the #2 prospect in the Pioneer League after the 2009 season. The publication placed him at #9 in the Brewers organization heading into the 2010 season.

BREWERS CAREER: In 23 games (14 starts) before this season, Odorizzi was 2-6 with a 4.12 ERA. He had walked 18 and struck out 62 in 67-2/3 innings as a Brewers farmhand before this season.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED: In five starts (and one relief appearance) by Odorizzi, the game has gone into extra innings.

LEAST SURPRISING: Odorizzi was named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week on August 30 for his performance against the Kernels on August 23

VS. KANE COUNTY: Odorizzi has made one start against the Cougars this season. He pitched seven shutout innings at Elfstrom Stadium on May 25 for the win. Odorizzi walked two and struck out seven in that game.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 8.0 (8/23 @Cedar Rapids)

STRIKEOUTS: 10 (2x: Last 8/23 @Cedar Rapids)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY
DATE..OPP...W/L/S IP..H R ER BB K ERA
4/11..CLN...Save..4.0 1 0 0..1..4 0.00
4/16..@BUR*.Win...5.0 0 0 0..1..8 0.00
4/21..CR*.........4.0 3 2 2..3..7 1.50
4/28..@PEO..Loss..2.0 5 4 3..0..1 3.21
5/3...@BEL*.......3.0 3 5 4..5..5 4.76
5/8...CR*.........5.2 4 2 2..0..8 4.37
5/14+.BEL*........6.0 3 1 1..2..6 3.77
5/20..PEO*........5.0 6 4 4..2..6 4.28
5/25..@KC*..Win...7.0 5 0 0..2..7 3.54
5/30..@CR*........6.0 5 2 2..1..8 3.47
6/4...@LC.........3.0 5 3 3..1..4 3.81
6/10..BG*.........4.0 4 4 3..4..0.4.02
6/16..@CLN*.Win...5.0 4 1 0..1..5 3.68
6/26..BUR*..Win...6.0 4 0 0..0.10 3.34
7/1...@BUR*.......7.0 8 1 1..1..8 3.14
7/11..BUR...Win...7.0 4 0 0..2..9 2.86

7/17..GL*.........6.0 4 4 4..3..7.3.08
7/25..@SB...Win...6.0 3 1 1..2..8 2.98
8/2...CLN*..Loss..7.0 6 4 3..2..2 3.04
8/8...@CLN* Loss..6.0 8 4 4..2..4 3.21
8/16..CR*.........4.1 7 6 6..1..3 3.58
8/23..@CR*..Win...8.0 0 0 0..1 10 3.34

*-Start
+-Second game of a doubleheader

No-Hitter roundup (Bumped to the top)

This post has been bumped to the top of the blog.  Please scroll down for the rest Game Notes, Tonight's Pitcher, and Tonight's Lineup Post.

What a night last night!

Before getting to the meat of this post, a word from my sponsor. Remember that Jake Odorizzi bobblehead night is September 2! Tickets are available.

A picture to start it:

Jake Odorizzi with eight scoreless, hitless innings and 10 strikeouts. Adrian Rosario completes the first no-hitter by the Timber Rattlers since August 27, 2001.

Two questions:

When did you know something special was happening?

Did you say anything about it?

Two answers:

Believe it or not, I thought in there was something going on after the error in the bottom of the second inning. Just the way that Jake shook that off and went after the next three hitters had me think something special was going to happen. Also, credit is due to Jim Breen of Bernie's Crew. He put out this on twitter in the fourth inning last night.

As I said on my twitter account later in the game, I'll hint at it, but I won't come right out and say it. Of course, this guy came right out and said it. But, he used the #twitterjinx hashtag...I have no idea what those last two words meant.

Two odd facts:
The last no-no in Rattlers history was at Cedar Rapids.

Jake Odorizzi pitched five no-hit innings at Burlington on April 16, 2010. The Rattlers were within one strike of a combined no-hitter against the Bees on that night.

Two Random observations:

This was the song that was played right before Cedar Rapids starter Stephen Locke threw his first pitch. If he is superstitious, Jake may want to look into that one. In retrospect maybe they should have played this Richard Marx classic.

No spectacular plays were needed in this no-hitter. The hardest hit ball for the Kernels was when Randal Grichuk lined out right to Joey Paciorek at third for the final out of the seventh inning.

Two toughest plays:

Justin Bass tried to bunt his way on base in the fifth and popped the ball to the first base side of the mound. Odorizzi made a nice running catch.

There were two outs in th sixth inning when Michael Wing sent a popup to shallow center and second baseman Connor Lind, who has had some issues with similar popups this season, raced back and got to the ball in plenty of time. He made sure that he squeezed that ball for the final out of the inning.

Two things about Adrian Rosario:

Unfazed. He walked Michael Wing on four pitches with one out in the ninth. He just went right after the next two batters. Kudos to Rosario for finishing it off.

On the final out of the game, Jose Jimenez struck out swinging on a pitch in the dirt. The ball bounced a little in front of the plate and Rosario knew the job wasn't done yet. He was pointing the ball out to catcher Cameron Garfield as he was running in to the plate. The way he was charging, I thought that if Garfield didn't get the ball and tag out Jimenez, Rosario would have picked up that ball and raced after Jimenez for the final out.

Two things about the aftermath:

There was no dogpile and no over the top celebration by the Rattlers. There was a little extra jumping around and everyone got to the handshake line more quickly than usual, but no exotic touchdown celebrations.

As the coaching staff walked out to the third base line, I noticed manager Jeff Isom point in recognition to the Kernels dugout. I haven't had a chance to talk with Jeff about this, but I am guessing that the Kernels coaching staff - even after being no-hit - shouted out something congratulatory to the Rattlers.  Classy.

Two things about Big Jake:

When he couldn't finish off Alliman in the bottom of the eighth inning, he didn't try anything cute. Alliman fouled off five different two-strike pitches and worked the count full. Even as he was up near 120 pitches, Odorizzi just kept saying, "Here it is. Hit it if you can." He blew a fastball by him to end the inning. How can you not like that?

The kid stuck around and signed autographs for about 10 minutes for fans by the Rattlers dugout after the game. How can you not like that?

Four stories:

Rattlers website: Odorizzi and Rosario no-hit Kernels.

Kernels website: Wisconsin no-hits Kernels

MiLB.com website: Odorizzi, Wisconsin deliever no-hitter.

"Everything was working," he said. "Everything clicked, I could throw anything in any count, it's nice to have that when it comes around."

Odorizzi ended his night by striking out Terrell Alliman after an 11-pitch at-bat. In doing so, he matched the career high in strikeouts he set during the Timber Rattlers' June 26 11-7 victory over Burlington.

"It was pretty satisfying (ending it with a strikeout)," he said. "I was throwing a lot of fastballs, because if he was going to get a hit, I wanted him to earn it. He really battled, hats off to him."

The 20-year-old, who also throws a slider, curveball and a changeup, had struggled in his previous start Aug. 16. He allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings in an 11-10 loss, also against Cedar Rapids.

"I knew it was going to be the last time I would face these guys this year. I wanted to come out and have a good outing, but I never imagined it would be this good," Odorizzi said.

Cedar Rapids Gazette story: Odorizzi’s eight-inning gem leads to combined no-hitter against Kernels

Jake Odorizzi will gladly sacrifice a chance to be alone in the record books, if it results in a long stint in professional baseball.

The 19-year-old Wisconsin Timber Rattler right-handed pitcher wasn’t upset long when he was pulled after throwing eight no-hit innings against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. If a possible future in the Major Leagues meant turning over his gem to a teammate then so be it.

“I’d take the long career over one no-hitter to my record,” Odorizzi said. “It’s no big deal.”

Oh, but it turned out to be a very big deal. Odorizzi’s gem was capped by reliever Adrian Rosario and the pair teamed to no-hit the Kernels in 3-0 Midwest League game last night at Memorial Stadium in front of 2,127 fans.

“It was fun for me to pitch. It was fun for everyone to watch,” Odorizzi said. “It was a great time out there. My teammates played great behind me and made plays for me. I had a blast out there it was awesome.”

Awesome is a sometimes over used word. But, Awesome fits perfectly in this situation.

The last word here goes - fittingly, I think - to Rosario.

“Team no-hitters are a great accomplishment,” Odorizzi said. “It was great that I did good and it was great he came in and finished it out. It was an all-around good game.”

Rosario was grateful for a chance to close out the game, which became his first no-hit experience. he wasn’t worried with everything at stake.

“I don’t feel nervous,” Rosario said. “I just threw strikes and got outs.”

Yes he did.

Five Pictures:

Jake Odorizzi in the dugout in the  bottom of the ninth.

A modest celebration.

I just missed the handshake and the hug for Odorizzi from Lee Tunnel.

Hey, can I get your autograph?

Jake obliges.

August 24, 2010: Tonight's Starting Pitcher

RHP JAKE ODORIZZI: Selected by Milwaukee as a supplemental 1st round pick (32nd overall) in the 2008 draft out of Highland (IL) High School.

LAST SEASON: Odorizzi made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League. He was 1-4 with a 4.40 ERA and struck out 43 while walking nine over 47 innings pitched.

LAST START: Odorizzi got a no decision on August 16 at Time Warner Cable Field against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He was staked to a 6-0 lead, but allowed six runs on seven hits with a walk and three strikeouts over 4-1/3 innings pitched. Odorizzi gave up a pair of homers and was not involved in the decision, an 11-10 Kernels victory.

HIGHLAND HIGH: Odorizzi was 14-0 with three saves in his senior season with the Bulldogs. He allowed one earned run over 89-1/3 innings pitched to put up an ERA of 0.08 and struck out 146 batters while walking just six in his final season as a Bulldog and helped lead the team to its first ever Class 3A State Championship.

AWARDS: In his senior season, Odorizzi was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois; a Louisville Slugger Pre-season All-American; a Rawlings/Perfect Game All-American; and a member of USA Today’s All-USA Team.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Odorizzi faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22. He struck out Danny Payne of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the second out of the inning.

NOT IN THE CARDS: Odorizzi had committed to playing baseball and football at the University of Louisville before signing with the Brewers.

IN THE RANKINGS: Baseball America rated Odorizzi as the #2 prospect in the Pioneer League after the 2009 season. The publication placed him at #9 in the Brewers organization heading into the 2010 season.

BREWERS CAREER: In 23 games (14 starts) before this season, Odorizzi was 2-6 with a 4.12 ERA. He had walked 18 and struck out 62 in 67-2/3 innings as a Brewers farmhand before this season.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED: In five starts (and one relief appearance) by Odorizzi, the game has gone into extra innings.

VS. CEDAR RAPIDS: Odorizzi has made four starts against the Kernels this season. He does not have a decision in any of the starts. Odorizzi has allowed 12 runs on 19 hits over 20 innings with five walks and 26 strikeouts against the Kernels in 2010.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (5/25 @Kane County)

STRIKEOUTS: 10 (6/26/10 v. Burlington)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY
DATE..OPP...W/L/S IP..H R ER BB K ERA
4/11..CLN...Save..4.0 1 0 0..1..4 0.00
4/16..@BUR*.Win...5.0 0 0 0..1..8 0.00
4/21..CR*.........4.0 3 2 2..3..7 1.50
4/28..@PEO..Loss..2.0 5 4 3..0..1 3.21
5/3...@BEL*.......3.0 3 5 4..5..5 4.76
5/8...CR*.........5.2 4 2 2..0..8 4.37
5/14+.BEL*........6.0 3 1 1..2..6 3.77
5/20..PEO*........5.0 6 4 4..2..6 4.28
5/25..@KC*..Win...7.0 5 0 0..2..7 3.54
5/30..@CR*........6.0 5 2 2..1..8 3.47
6/4...@LC.........3.0 5 3 3..1..4 3.81
6/10..BG*.........4.0 4 4 3..4..0.4.02
6/16..@CLN*.Win...5.0 4 1 0..1..5 3.68
6/26..BUR*..Win...6.0 4 0 0..0.10 3.34
7/1...@BUR*.......7.0 8 1 1..1..8 3.14
7/11..BUR...Win...7.0 4 0 0..2..9 2.86

7/17..GL*.........6.0 4 4 4..3..7.3.08
7/25..@SB...Win...6.0 3 1 1..2..8 2.98
8/2...CLN*..Loss..7.0 6 4 3..2..2 3.04
8/8...@CLN* Loss..6.0 8 4 4..2..4 3.21
8/16..CR*.........4.1 7 6 6..1..3 3.58

*-Start
+-Second game of a doubleheader

Stories about some Rattlers

Both of these stories are from Bob Brainerd at Fox Sports Wisconsin's website.

The first, about Hunter Morris, is from early July, but I just found it:

Waiting in the Wings

Hunter Morris found the Miller Park air refreshing and breathable. The roof panels were open, and sunny skies splashed down upon his chestnut hair while he was noticeably perched on the top seat of the home team dugout, watching Prince Fielder work at the position he hopes to anchor someday.

“It’s some big shoes to fill, definitely,” said first baseman Hunter Morris, the Brewers fourth round draft pick out of Auburn. “And hopefully everything works out best for him, for the organization and it all take its course as it may.”

The breathing exercise was a welcome exhale for a player who was anxious to sink his teeth into the opportunity for advancement through the Brewers food chain. His selection by Milwaukee came on a Tuesday, setting Hunter Morris in motion.

“I left my house on Sunday afternoon, drove almost all the way to Milwaukee, got my physical Monday morning, got into Appleton Monday night, and then 7:30 the next morning I’m on a four-hour bus ride to Clinton, Iowa,” recalls Morris. “So, it was a good couple of days before I got my feet settled.”

This one is on Rattlers pitcher Jake Odorizzi:

Future's Market

Butchering Jake Odorizzi’s name over the public address speakers has become commonplace anytime he takes to the bump. “A regular occurrence,” said Odorizzi, who no longer bothers to politely redirect and reel someone in with the proper pronunciation: Oh-duh-RIZZ-ee. “Some people pronounce letters that aren’t even in my last name. I just go along with it. It’s better to have your name announced wrong than not at all.”

Two summers ago, Jake was antsy for any major league team to call his name, phonetics aside, during the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. With the Illinois State Tournament set to open a day after the draft, the 18-year-old senior pitcher and shortstop didn’t have the option of relaxing at home. “We drove out to Joliet and sat in the hotel for about four hours watching the draft going on,” recalls Odorizzi. “The hotel didn’t have any air conditioning in the lobby. So we were sitting there sweating it out, literally.”

The Milwaukee Brewers ceased the drama, and the perspiration, by selecting the Highland, Illinois product right out of high school with a supplemental pick, the 32 overall.

“Once my name got called it was a relieving feeling and then I had to get ready and concentrate on the game for the next day,” said Odorizzi.

Head over to read both stories.

August 16, 2010: Today's Starting Pitcher

RHP JAKE ODORIZZI: Selected by Milwaukee as a supplemental 1st round pick (32nd overall) in the 2008 draft out of Highland (IL) High School.

LAST SEASON: Odorizzi made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League. He was 1-4 with a 4.40 ERA and struck out 43 while walking nine over 47 innings pitched.

LAST START: Odorizzi lost his second straight start with a loss at Clinton on August 8. He allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings with a pair of walks and four strikeouts.

HIGHLAND HIGH: Odorizzi was 14-0 with three saves in his senior season with the Bulldogs. He allowed one earned run over 89-1/3 innings pitched to put up an ERA of 0.08 and struck out 146 batters while walking just six in his final season as a Bulldog and helped lead the team to its first ever Class 3A State Championship.

AWARDS: In his senior season, Odorizzi was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois; a Louisville Slugger Pre-season All-American; a Rawlings/Perfect Game All-American; and a member of USA Today’s All-USA Team.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Odorizzi faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22. He struck out Danny Payne of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the second out of the inning.

NOT IN THE CARDS: Odorizzi had committed to playing baseball and football at the University of Louisville before signing with the Brewers.

IN THE RANKINGS: Baseball America rated Odorizzi as the #2 prospect in the Pioneer League after the 2009 season. The publication placed him at #9 in the Brewers organization heading into the 2010 season.

BREWERS CAREER: In 23 games (14 starts) before this season, Odorizzi was 2-6 with a 4.12 ERA. He had walked 18 and struck out 62 in 67-2/3 innings as a Brewers farmhand before this season.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED: In five starts (and one relief appearance) by Odorizzi, the game has gone into extra innings.

VS. CEDAR RAPIDS: Odorizzi has made three starts against the Kernels this season. He does not have a decision in any of the starts. Odorizzi has allowed six runs on 12 hits over 15-2/3 innings with four walks and 23 strikeouts against the Kernels.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (5/25 @Kane County)

STRIKEOUTS: 10 (6/26/10 v. Burlington)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY
DATE..OPP...W/L/S IP..H R ER BB K ERA
4/11..CLN...Save..4.0 1 0 0..1..4 0.00
4/16..@BUR*.Win...5.0 0 0 0..1..8 0.00
4/21..CR*.........4.0 3 2 2..3..7 1.50
4/28..@PEO..Loss..2.0 5 4 3..0..1 3.21
5/3...@BEL*.......3.0 3 5 4..5..5 4.76
5/14+.BEL*........6.0 3 1 1..2..6 3.77
5/20..PEO*........5.0 6 4 4..2..6 4.28
5/25..@KC*..Win...7.0 5 0 0..2..7 3.54
5/30..@CR*........6.0 5 2 2..1..8 3.47
6/4...@LC.........3.0 5 3 3..1..4 3.81
6/10..BG*.........4.0 4 4 3..4..0.4.02
6/16..@CLN*.Win...5.0 4 1 0..1..5 3.68
6/26..BUR*..Win...6.0 4 0 0..0.10 3.34
7/1...@BUR*.......7.0 8 1 1..1..8 3.14
7/11..BUR...Win...7.0 4 0 0..2..9 2.86

7/17..GL*.........6.0 4 4 4..3..7.3.08
7/25..@SB...Win...6.0 3 1 1..2..8 2.98
8/2...CLN*..Loss..7.0 6 4 3..2..2 3.04
8/8...@CLN* Loss..6.0 8 4 4..2..4 3.21

*-Start
+-Second game of a doubleheader

August 8, 2010: Today's Starting Pitcher

RHP JAKE ODORIZZI: Selected by Milwaukee as a supplemental 1st round pick (32nd overall) in the 2008 draft out of Highland (IL) High School.

LAST SEASON: Odorizzi made 12 appearances (10 starts) for the Helena Brewers in the Pioneer League. He was 1-4 with a 4.40 ERA and struck out 43 while walking nine over 47 innings pitched.

LAST START: Odorizzi had his five game winning streak snapped with a loss to Clinton at Time Warner Cable Field on August 2. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits over seven innings. The Rattlers lost 5-0.

HIGHLAND HIGH: Odorizzi was 14-0 with three saves in his senior season with the Bulldogs. He allowed one earned run over 89-1/3 innings pitched to put up an ERA of 0.08 and struck out 146 batters while walking just six in his final season as a Bulldog and helped lead the team to its first ever Class 3A State Championship.

AWARDS: In his senior season, Odorizzi was the Gatorade Player of the Year in Illinois; a Louisville Slugger Pre-season All-American; a Rawlings/Perfect Game All-American; and a member of USA Today’s All-USA Team.

ALL-STAR ACTION: Odorizzi faced one batter in the 2010 Midwest League All-Star Game on June 22. He struck out Danny Payne of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the second out of the inning.

NOT IN THE CARDS: Odorizzi had committed to playing baseball and football at the University of Louisville before signing with the Brewers.

IN THE RANKINGS: Baseball America rated Odorizzi as the #2 prospect in the Pioneer League after the 2009 season. The publication placed him at #9 in the Brewers organization heading into the 2010 season.

BREWERS CAREER: In 23 games (14 starts) before this season, Odorizzi was 2-6 with a 4.12 ERA. He had walked 18 and struck out 62 in 67-2/3 innings as a Brewers farmhand before this season.

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED: In five starts (and one relief appearance) by Odorizzi, the game has gone into extra innings.

VS. CLINTON: Odorizzi has made three appearances against the LumberKings in 2010. On April 11 at Time Warner Cable Field he allowed one hit over four shutout innings for a save. On June 16 at Clinton, Odorizzi allowed an unearned run on four hits over five innings for the win. He took the loss on August 2 at home. In 16 innings against the LumberKings this season, Odorizzi has struck out 11 and walked four.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:

INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (5/25 @Kane County)

STRIKEOUTS: 10 (6/26/10 v. Burlington)

............2010 DAY-BY-DAY
DATE..OPP...W/L/S IP..H R ER BB K ERA
4/11..CLN...Save..4.0 1 0 0..1..4 0.00
4/16..@BUR*.Win...5.0 0 0 0..1..8 0.00
4/21..CR*.........4.0 3 2 2..3..7 1.50
4/28..@PEO..Loss..2.0 5 4 3..0..1 3.21
5/3...@BEL*.......3.0 3 5 4..5..5 4.76
5/14+.BEL*........6.0 3 1 1..2..6 3.77
5/20..PEO*........5.0 6 4 4..2..6 4.28
5/25..@KC*..Win...7.0 5 0 0..2..7 3.54
5/30..@CR*........6.0 5 2 2..1..8 3.47
6/4...@LC.........3.0 5 3 3..1..4 3.81
6/10..BG*.........4.0 4 4 3..4..0.4.02
6/16..@CLN*.Win...5.0 4 1 0..1..5 3.68
6/26..BUR*..Win...6.0 4 0 0..0.10 3.34
7/1...@BUR*.......7.0 8 1 1..1..8 3.14
7/11..BUR...Win...7.0 4 0 0..2..9 2.86

7/17..GL*.........6.0 4 4 4..3..7.3.08
7/25..@SB...Win...6.0 3 1 1..2..8 2.98
8/8/2 CLN*..Loss..7.0 6 4 3..2..2 3.04

*-Start
+-Second game of a doubleheader