ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Kane County beat the Rattlers 5-1. Trey Shields pitched seven innings, allowed one run on seven hits, walked one, and struck out seven for the win. Paul Fagan allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits over seven innings for the loss.
HOW THEY SCORED: Kane County batters had only one RBI last night. Jeff Baisley’s two-out ground-rule double in the first inning knocked in Wes Long for a 1-0 Cougar lead. Kane County got a pair of runs on a throwing error by Fagan in the second and tacked on another run in that inning when Mike Massaro grounded into a double play. The Cougars got their final run in the ninth on a throwing error by third baseman Jeff Flaig.
WALKS’LL KILL YA! Fagan walked four last night and is fourth in the Midwest League in that category with 36. The first three Cougars to reach on a walk from Fagan scored. Long drew a one out walk in the first on four pitches. Nick Blasi and Raul Padron drew back-to-back free passes to start the second inning and came in on Fagan’s throwing error on a sacrifice bunt.
BUNTING: The Rattlers had three bunt hits last night. Casey Craig had a pair of bunt singles. Michael Saunders also had a bunt single. Bryan Sabatella was retired on a bunt attempt in the fourth inning.
PUTTING ON ERRS: The Rattlers had a total of four errors in last night’s game. That was the most they have had in a game since May 31 at Burlington. The Rattlers have committed 85 errors in 2006. Quad Cities have the most errors in the league with 97. Both Beloit and Clinton have been charged with 86 errors. The Rattlers and Southwest Michigan are tied with 85 errors this season.
TURNING TWO: The Rattler defense did turn three double plays last night to give them 51 twin killings this season.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jared Lansford was a second round pick of the Athletics in 2005 draft out of Santa Clara (CA) High School. He was 0-1 with a 1.27ERA for the AZL Athletics in 2005. In 21-1/3 innings he struck out 20 and walked just five. Lansford is 2-0 against the Rattlers this season. In two starts against Wisconsin, he has not allowed a run and only three hits over thirteen innings. He has walked eight and struck out six Rattlers this season. Lansford has lost his last two starts. His last time out, he gave up six runs on five hits with four walks over 4-2/3 innings against the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays on June 4 at Kane County. On May 14th, Lansford tossed a seven inning no-hitter against the Beloit Snappers in the first game of a doubleheader at Pohlman Field. Lansford is the son of former major leaguer Carney Lansford.
6/09/2006
Last Night in the MWL
Kane County 5, @Wisconsin 1 -- Trey Shields got some early runs thanks to some walks and the the Rattlers got one run for the whole game.
Southwest Michigan 5, @South Bend 1 -- Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard gets his first Midwest League win.
@Quad Cities 7, Cedar Rapids 3 -- QC keeps the Kernels scuffling along. That's six straight losses by CR.
@Lansing 3, Dayton 1 -- Dayton had a late 1-0 lead. Lansing scored three in the eighth with one swing of the bat.
Peoria 3, @Burlington 0 -- The Chiefs continue their mastery of the Bees.
West Michigan 10, @Fort Wayne 3 -- Fort Wayne's home struggles continue. Plus, their frustrations boiled over:
Michael Hernandez hit for the cycle for the Caps.
@Clinton 1, Beloit 0 -- This one only took 1:57 to play. Clinton got a run in the bottom of the eighth to end their six game losing streak.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
Southwest Michigan 5, @South Bend 1 -- Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard gets his first Midwest League win.
@Quad Cities 7, Cedar Rapids 3 -- QC keeps the Kernels scuffling along. That's six straight losses by CR.
@Lansing 3, Dayton 1 -- Dayton had a late 1-0 lead. Lansing scored three in the eighth with one swing of the bat.
Peoria 3, @Burlington 0 -- The Chiefs continue their mastery of the Bees.
West Michigan 10, @Fort Wayne 3 -- Fort Wayne's home struggles continue. Plus, their frustrations boiled over:
Michael Hernandez hit for the cycle for the Caps.
@Clinton 1, Beloit 0 -- This one only took 1:57 to play. Clinton got a run in the bottom of the eighth to end their six game losing streak.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Jon Nelson, Tacoma.
Lots of good candidates from last night, but the nod goes to Nelson for a 4-hit day in his Triple-A debut.
Lots of good candidates from last night, but the nod goes to Nelson for a 4-hit day in his Triple-A debut.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/8)
Seattle (MAJ: 28-33; 4th AL West): Seattle lost 7-3 to Minnesota. Joel Pineiro (WI ’98) allowed seven runs on nine hits over 5-2/3 innings to get the loss. Not a great way to start a long road trip. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez and Ichiro both had three hits in the game for Seattle.
Tacoma (AAA – 30-29; T-2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma crushed Las Vegas 18-8. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) made his Triple-A debut and went 4-for-5 with a triple, four runs scored, and three RBI. Adam Jones (WI ’04) knocked in five runs for the Rainiers. Clint Nageotte (WI ’01) was the beneficiary of a ten-run third inning and got his seventh win of the season. Nageotte allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings and struck out one.
San Antonio (AA – 22-36; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 5-2 to Frisco in eleven innings. Two throwing errors by pitcher Mike Flannery led to three runs for the RoughRiders in the top of the eleventh. Frisco tied the game with a run in the top of the ninth off Stephen Kahn (WI ’05). Jason Mackintosh (WI ’04) gave up one run over 6-2/3 innings and was in line for the win. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and knocked in a run for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 34-26; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire ended their six game losing streak with a 12-3 win over Lancaster. The 66ers erased a 3-2 deficit with an eight-run seventh inning. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) had three hits and knocked in two runs for Inland Empire. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) got the win and Tom Oldham (WI ’04) worked 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief to finish up the game.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/9
Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 3-7) at Los Angeles Angels (Kelvin Escobar 5-6) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 4-3) at Las Vegas (Eric Stults 4-5) 9:05pm CDT
Frisco (Paul Kometani 0-1) at San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 1-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lancaster at Inland Empire 9:11pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 30-29; T-2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma crushed Las Vegas 18-8. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) made his Triple-A debut and went 4-for-5 with a triple, four runs scored, and three RBI. Adam Jones (WI ’04) knocked in five runs for the Rainiers. Clint Nageotte (WI ’01) was the beneficiary of a ten-run third inning and got his seventh win of the season. Nageotte allowed two runs on eight hits over six innings and struck out one.
San Antonio (AA – 22-36; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 5-2 to Frisco in eleven innings. Two throwing errors by pitcher Mike Flannery led to three runs for the RoughRiders in the top of the eleventh. Frisco tied the game with a run in the top of the ninth off Stephen Kahn (WI ’05). Jason Mackintosh (WI ’04) gave up one run over 6-2/3 innings and was in line for the win. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and knocked in a run for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 34-26; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire ended their six game losing streak with a 12-3 win over Lancaster. The 66ers erased a 3-2 deficit with an eight-run seventh inning. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) had three hits and knocked in two runs for Inland Empire. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) got the win and Tom Oldham (WI ’04) worked 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief to finish up the game.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/9
Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 3-7) at Los Angeles Angels (Kelvin Escobar 5-6) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 4-3) at Las Vegas (Eric Stults 4-5) 9:05pm CDT
Frisco (Paul Kometani 0-1) at San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 1-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lancaster at Inland Empire 9:11pm CDT
6/08/2006
Programming note
Barring any outages from Blogger, tomorrow will be back to a regular day of posting.
Plus, there is something that I have been working on in my head for the last few weeks. If there is time, I will unveil it before the game.
I think there are enough of the things that I am thinking of to make a new weekly feature.
Wait until tomorrow.
Plus, there is something that I have been working on in my head for the last few weeks. If there is time, I will unveil it before the game.
I think there are enough of the things that I am thinking of to make a new weekly feature.
Wait until tomorrow.
Thursday's game in a word
Rough.
Rough start Paul Fagan. Three walks in the first two innings and all three score.
Rough night for the Rattler bats. Seven hits, but three of them were bunt singles and I can't recall one hard hit ball for them tonight.
Rough night for the defense. Four errors, including two on one play by rightfielder Eddy Hernandez. Oddly, those two errors didn't lead to a run. The other two led to three unearned runs.
Get 'em tomorrow.
Thursday's box score is HERE.
Rough start Paul Fagan. Three walks in the first two innings and all three score.
Rough night for the Rattler bats. Seven hits, but three of them were bunt singles and I can't recall one hard hit ball for them tonight.
Rough night for the defense. Four errors, including two on one play by rightfielder Eddy Hernandez. Oddly, those two errors didn't lead to a run. The other two led to three unearned runs.
Get 'em tomorrow.
Thursday's box score is HERE.
Is this thing on?
Sorry about the silence today.
The part of the job (sales) that allows me to do the other part of the job (radio) and gives me the opportunity to do this had a lot of things that needed to be taken care of this morning.
After a quick run in the afternoon, Blogger was down everytime I went to post.
Back to the game.
More later.
The part of the job (sales) that allows me to do the other part of the job (radio) and gives me the opportunity to do this had a lot of things that needed to be taken care of this morning.
After a quick run in the afternoon, Blogger was down everytime I went to post.
Back to the game.
More later.
6/07/2006
Mariner Draft Picks
Here are a few places to go for a rundown of day one draft picks by the Mariners.
BaseballAmerica.com -- All 18 picks, plus a quick scouting report on number one pick Brandon Morrow.
Devin at Lookout Landing has a one word reaction to the Morrow selection (he does admit that it is an early impression): dumb. He does have a quick write up on picks 1-7.
If I could get trackback URL, I send you right to J's write up on the draft at Mariner Minors. But, I can't so go there and scroll for the (Incomplete) Draft Notes 2006.
How can you not read a story headlined, Get ready for Mariner baseball, grandma? The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners got the guy they wanted in Morrow.
I was thinking that jsonline.com would have a bit more on Mariner 4th rounder Tony Butler out of Oak Creek. But he just got a quick throwaway line at the end of a story about Luke Hochevar going number one overall.
Day two of the draft will be happening during today's doubleheader. More later.
BaseballAmerica.com -- All 18 picks, plus a quick scouting report on number one pick Brandon Morrow.
Devin at Lookout Landing has a one word reaction to the Morrow selection (he does admit that it is an early impression): dumb. He does have a quick write up on picks 1-7.
If I could get trackback URL, I send you right to J's write up on the draft at Mariner Minors. But, I can't so go there and scroll for the (Incomplete) Draft Notes 2006.
How can you not read a story headlined, Get ready for Mariner baseball, grandma? The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners got the guy they wanted in Morrow.
I was thinking that jsonline.com would have a bit more on Mariner 4th rounder Tony Butler out of Oak Creek. But he just got a quick throwaway line at the end of a story about Luke Hochevar going number one overall.
Day two of the draft will be happening during today's doubleheader. More later.
Mariner Draft Picks
Here are a few places to go for a rundown of day one draft picks by the Mariners.
BaseballAmerica.com -- All 18 picks, plus a quick scouting report on number one pick Brandon Morrow.
Devin at Lookout Landing has a one word reaction to the Morrow selection (he does admit that it is an early impression): dumb. He does have a quick write up on picks 1-7.
If I could get trackback URL, I send you right to J's write up on the draft at Mariner Minors. But, I can't so go there and scroll for the (Incomplete) Draft Notes 2006.
How can you not read a story headlined, Get ready for Mariner baseball, grandma? The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners got the guy they wanted in Morrow.
I was thinking that jsonline.com would have a bit more on Mariner 4th rounder Tony Butler out of Oak Creek. But he just got a quick throwaway line at the end of a story about Luke Hochevar going number one overall.
Day two of the draft will be happening during today's doubleheader. More later.
BaseballAmerica.com -- All 18 picks, plus a quick scouting report on number one pick Brandon Morrow.
Devin at Lookout Landing has a one word reaction to the Morrow selection (he does admit that it is an early impression): dumb. He does have a quick write up on picks 1-7.
If I could get trackback URL, I send you right to J's write up on the draft at Mariner Minors. But, I can't so go there and scroll for the (Incomplete) Draft Notes 2006.
How can you not read a story headlined, Get ready for Mariner baseball, grandma? The Seattle Times reports that the Mariners got the guy they wanted in Morrow.
I was thinking that jsonline.com would have a bit more on Mariner 4th rounder Tony Butler out of Oak Creek. But he just got a quick throwaway line at the end of a story about Luke Hochevar going number one overall.
Day two of the draft will be happening during today's doubleheader. More later.
Game Notes for 6/7
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers game with the Cougars was rained out. Wisconsin and Kane County will have a doubleheader today.
RAIN OUTS: Last night was the fifth rainout of the season at Fox Cities Stadium.
DÉJÀ VU: Last season when the Cougars visited Fox Cities Stadium, the first game of a series was rained out. That game was made up as part of a doubleheader that began at 11:35am.
HEY, NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: The Midwest League announced their All-Star Teams yesterday. Ron Garth was named the starting third baseman for the Western Division. Pitchers Harold Williams and Edgar Guaramato were also named to the team along with Craig, who was named as a reserve ourfielder.
BACK-TO-BACK: Cougar Third baseman Jeff Baisley won the Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week two consecutive weeks. He was named OPW for hitting .500 (13-for-26) with 14 RBI for the week ending June 4.
GAME ONE OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jason Ray was an 8th round pick out of Asuza Pacific University in the 2005 draft. Ray was 5-2 with an ERA of 3.58 in his final season with the APU Cougars. Last season as a member of the Vancouver Canadians, Ray went 0-1 with a 2.12 ERA in twenty relief appearances. Ray is 2-0 in two starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. He has allowed five runs (three earned) on ten hits with nine strikeouts over eleven innings vs. Wisconsin this season. Ray has won five straight decisions. His last start was on June 2 and it was a win over the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. He pitched seven innings allowing four hits, one unearned run, and walking two walks and striking out seven.
GAME TWO OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jeff Gray was a 32nd round pick of the Athletics in 2004 out of Southwest Missouri State University. Last season Gray was 4-2 with a 2.51ERA for the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. This is his third start against the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin beat him on May 16 at Elfstrom Stadium by getting four runs on six hits over six innings off the righty. He got a no decision against the Rattlers on May 27. Gray gave up five runs (four earned) over 5-1/3 innings, but left with a 6-5 lead. The Rattlers rallied for three runs in the ninth to beat the Cougars. In his last start for the Cougars, Gray allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for a no decision at Peoria on May 31st.
RAIN OUTS: Last night was the fifth rainout of the season at Fox Cities Stadium.
DÉJÀ VU: Last season when the Cougars visited Fox Cities Stadium, the first game of a series was rained out. That game was made up as part of a doubleheader that began at 11:35am.
HEY, NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR: The Midwest League announced their All-Star Teams yesterday. Ron Garth was named the starting third baseman for the Western Division. Pitchers Harold Williams and Edgar Guaramato were also named to the team along with Craig, who was named as a reserve ourfielder.
BACK-TO-BACK: Cougar Third baseman Jeff Baisley won the Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week two consecutive weeks. He was named OPW for hitting .500 (13-for-26) with 14 RBI for the week ending June 4.
GAME ONE OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jason Ray was an 8th round pick out of Asuza Pacific University in the 2005 draft. Ray was 5-2 with an ERA of 3.58 in his final season with the APU Cougars. Last season as a member of the Vancouver Canadians, Ray went 0-1 with a 2.12 ERA in twenty relief appearances. Ray is 2-0 in two starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. He has allowed five runs (three earned) on ten hits with nine strikeouts over eleven innings vs. Wisconsin this season. Ray has won five straight decisions. His last start was on June 2 and it was a win over the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. He pitched seven innings allowing four hits, one unearned run, and walking two walks and striking out seven.
GAME TWO OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jeff Gray was a 32nd round pick of the Athletics in 2004 out of Southwest Missouri State University. Last season Gray was 4-2 with a 2.51ERA for the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. This is his third start against the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin beat him on May 16 at Elfstrom Stadium by getting four runs on six hits over six innings off the righty. He got a no decision against the Rattlers on May 27. Gray gave up five runs (four earned) over 5-1/3 innings, but left with a 6-5 lead. The Rattlers rallied for three runs in the ninth to beat the Cougars. In his last start for the Cougars, Gray allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for a no decision at Peoria on May 31st.
Rattler Alum of the Day
From Seattle Times Felix Hernandez, Mariners. Fifth win of the season for Hernandez. Looking at the box score (see below) it was a pretty good outing.
Tuesday in the MWL
Kane County @ Wisconsin (PPD) -- Playing two today.
@Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 0 (12 inn) -- Scoreless game ends on two-run homer by Casey Rowlett. Three QC pitchers retired the final 27 Kernel hitters in the game.
Beloit 7, @Clinton 1 -- If a Midwest League Game is played and the only write up on line at 9:30am the next day is the MiLB.com wrapup, did it really happen?
@Lansing 3, Dayton 2 -- Lansing needed to give the bullpen a rest. Kristian Bell went seven innings. If only it were that simple.
Peoria 6, @Burlington 4 -- The Chiefs are up two games on the Bees for the Western Division Wild Card after the win last night. They are also 5-0 against Burlington this season.
Southwest Michigan 9, @South Bend 4 -- D-Rays beat S-Hawks. Garett Groce homers twice.
West Michigan 8, @Fort Wayne 2 -- The Wizards came home with a three game winning streak and five all-stars. Didn't help them beat the Whitecaps.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@Quad Cities 2, Cedar Rapids 0 (12 inn) -- Scoreless game ends on two-run homer by Casey Rowlett. Three QC pitchers retired the final 27 Kernel hitters in the game.
Beloit 7, @Clinton 1 -- If a Midwest League Game is played and the only write up on line at 9:30am the next day is the MiLB.com wrapup, did it really happen?
@Lansing 3, Dayton 2 -- Lansing needed to give the bullpen a rest. Kristian Bell went seven innings. If only it were that simple.
Peoria 6, @Burlington 4 -- The Chiefs are up two games on the Bees for the Western Division Wild Card after the win last night. They are also 5-0 against Burlington this season.
Southwest Michigan 9, @South Bend 4 -- D-Rays beat S-Hawks. Garett Groce homers twice.
West Michigan 8, @Fort Wayne 2 -- The Wizards came home with a three game winning streak and five all-stars. Didn't help them beat the Whitecaps.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/6)
Seattle (MAJ: 27-33; T-3rd AL West): Seattle beat Minnesota 4-2. Felix Hernandez (WI ’03) gave up one run over seven innings and struck out five for his fifth win of the season. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez had an RBI and Michael Morse drove in a pair for the M’s.
Tacoma (AAA – 29-29; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 8-4 at Colorado Springs. Shin-soo Choo (WI ’02) had a pair of RBI for the Rainiers.
San Antonio (AA – 20-35; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 2-1 to Frisco. Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and scored a run in the bottom of the first. Frisco scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning off Travis Blackley and held on for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-25; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 4-3 in ten innings at High Desert. The 66ers scored three times in the top of the ninth inning, but the Mavericks won the game with a run in the bottom of the tenth. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) allowed two runs over 6-2/3 innings for a no decision. Brent Johnson (WI ’05) had three hits for Inland Empire.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/7
Minnesota (Boof Bonser 1-1) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer 3-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma – Off Day
Frisco (Thomas Diamond 5-1) at San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 2-2) 6:05pm CDT
Frisco (Fabio Castro 0-1) at San Antonio (Nate Mateo 2-5) – Game Two
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 0-1) at High Desert (Billy Buckner 6-1) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 29-29; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 8-4 at Colorado Springs. Shin-soo Choo (WI ’02) had a pair of RBI for the Rainiers.
San Antonio (AA – 20-35; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 2-1 to Frisco. Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and scored a run in the bottom of the first. Frisco scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning off Travis Blackley and held on for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-25; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 4-3 in ten innings at High Desert. The 66ers scored three times in the top of the ninth inning, but the Mavericks won the game with a run in the bottom of the tenth. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) allowed two runs over 6-2/3 innings for a no decision. Brent Johnson (WI ’05) had three hits for Inland Empire.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/7
Minnesota (Boof Bonser 1-1) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer 3-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma – Off Day
Frisco (Thomas Diamond 5-1) at San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 2-2) 6:05pm CDT
Frisco (Fabio Castro 0-1) at San Antonio (Nate Mateo 2-5) – Game Two
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 0-1) at High Desert (Billy Buckner 6-1) 9:05pm CDT
6/06/2006
In the words of that great philosopher
RATS! The Rattlers have to wait until Wednesday to try and extend their winning streak. Tuesday's game with Kane County was rained out.Playing two tomorrow. Start time for game one is 11:35am. Game two will follow thirty minutes later.
Rattler All-Stars (2006)
Four Rattlers made the Western Division All-Star squad this year, including one as a starter.
Ron Garth will be the starting third baseman for the West. He should be back from his injury in time to play.
LHP Harold Williams and RHP Edgar Guaramatro will be in the bullpen for the West.
Casey Craig is a reserve outfielder.
Before anyone asks, Jeff Baisley, the third baseman for the Kane County Cougars and MWL co-leader in homers and the leader in RBI, was not going to be the starter for the Western Division.
The way the Midwest League works is this:
There are 14 teams (8 in the West Division & 6 in the East)
To balance the sides out for the All-Star game one Western Division team is designated as an Eastern Division squad for that day.
This is Kane County's year to be with the East for the All-Star Game.
Now, I haven't seen the complete list (The league is notorious for not having stuff up on their website quickly) but I am guessing the Baisley is starting at third for the East.
When something is posted, I'll have more.
Ron Garth will be the starting third baseman for the West. He should be back from his injury in time to play.
LHP Harold Williams and RHP Edgar Guaramatro will be in the bullpen for the West.
Casey Craig is a reserve outfielder.
Before anyone asks, Jeff Baisley, the third baseman for the Kane County Cougars and MWL co-leader in homers and the leader in RBI, was not going to be the starter for the Western Division.
The way the Midwest League works is this:
There are 14 teams (8 in the West Division & 6 in the East)
To balance the sides out for the All-Star game one Western Division team is designated as an Eastern Division squad for that day.
This is Kane County's year to be with the East for the All-Star Game.
Now, I haven't seen the complete list (The league is notorious for not having stuff up on their website quickly) but I am guessing the Baisley is starting at third for the East.
When something is posted, I'll have more.
Pitching Matchups for Kane County Series
There has been a change to the Rattler rotation. Justin Thomas was promoted to Inland Empire today. Justin Ockerman steps into that spot in the rotation for Wednesday morning.
6/6 RHP Ruben Flores (0-4, 6.10) vs. RHP Jeff Gray (2-4, 5.77)
6/7 RHP Justin Ockerman (first appearance since 2003) vs. RHP Jason Ray (5-1, 3.25)
6/8 LHP Paul Fagan (2-5, 4.70) vs. RHP Trey Shields (5-5, 5.66)
6/9 LHP Harold Williams (1-2, 3.40) vs. RHP Jared Lansford (4-3, 2.72)
6/6 RHP Ruben Flores (0-4, 6.10) vs. RHP Jeff Gray (2-4, 5.77)
6/7 RHP Justin Ockerman (first appearance since 2003) vs. RHP Jason Ray (5-1, 3.25)
6/8 LHP Paul Fagan (2-5, 4.70) vs. RHP Trey Shields (5-5, 5.66)
6/9 LHP Harold Williams (1-2, 3.40) vs. RHP Jared Lansford (4-3, 2.72)
Game Notes for 6/6
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers defeated Clinton 9-6 for a four-game sweep of the LumberKings and fifth win in a row. Nick Prosise hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth to erase a 6-5 Clinton lead and put the Rattlers up 7-6. Rollie Gibson, Edgar Guaramato, and Roman Martinez combined for 3-1/3 shutout innings out of the bullpen to allow for the comeback.
GET OUT THE BROOM: The Rattlers sweep of the LumberKings was their first four game sweep of an opponent at Fox Cities Stadium since the 2003 team won four games from the West Michigan Whitecaps May 31-June 2. The last time the Rattlers swept a for game series before their recent achievement against the LumberKings was May 23-26 at Kane County against the Cougars.
IT’S A STREAK: The Rattlers are on their longest winning streak this season. Wisconsin’s longest win streak last year was a six game run of victories from April 9 through April 15.
HOME COOKIN’: The Rattlers have also won four straight home games. This is the longest home winning streak for Wisconsin since they won five straight from July 27 through August 4 with three consecutive wins over Kane County and a pair of wins over South Bend.
SAVING THE DAY: Roman Martinez, who joined the Rattlers on June 1st, pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save since he was a member of the Mariner’s Dominican Summer League team in 2002. He gave up a one out single and struck out a pair for the Rattlers last night.
KEEP ROLLING: Gibson retired all five batters he faced last night, including the first batter he faced. That makes two appearances in a row in which he has got the first batter he faced to make an out after not doing that in twelve straight games.
RBI GUY: Casey Craig homered last night in the third inning. Craig has driven in at least one run in each of his last eight games.
LATE BLAST: Wisconsin entered the eighth inning trailing the LumberKings 6-5. Prosise gave the Rattlers a 7-6 lead with his homer and Jeff Dominguez had a two-run double later in the inning. Wisconsin is now 3-23 when trailing after seven innings. The last time the Rattlers rallied to win after trailing going into the eighth was an 8-6 win at Kane County on May 27. The Rattlers scored three times in the top of the ninth for the victory.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They are 35-22 and in first place in the Western Division with a four game lead on Peoria. In their most recent series, the Cougars took three out of four games from the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays at Elfstrom Stadium. Kane County has the best record in the Midwest League.
VS. KANE COUNTY IN ’06: The Timber Rattlers are 2-6 against the Cougars this season. All eight games in the series so far have been played at Elfstrom Stadium. In the most recent series, Kane County took three out of four games from the Rattlers May 25-28.
WELCOME BACK: This is Kane County’s first visit to Fox Cities Stadium since July of 2005. The Rattlers took three out of four games from the Cougars in that series.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA’S Top 30 list of Oakland prospects includes five members of the current Cougar roster. Pitchers Vince Mazzaro (#10), Jared Lansford (#12), and Jason Ray (#22) are joined on the list by infielders Justin Sellers (#17) and Jeff Baisley (#30). Craig Italiano, number eight on Oakland’s Top 30 list, is currently on the disabled list. The Cougars have thirteen members of Oakland’s 2005 draft class on their current roster, not including Italiano. Lansford (2nd) and Mazzaro (3rd) are the highest of the ’05 draftees. Also from last year’s class are: Sellers (6th), Ray (8th), Trey Shields (9th), John Herrera (10th), Steve Kleen (11th), Baisley (12th), Mike Massaro (13th), Isaac Omura (17th), Anthony Recker (18th), Ron Madej (26th), and TJ Franco (30th).
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jeff Gray was a 32nd round pick of the Athletics in 2004 out of Southwest Missouri State University. Last season Gray was 4-2 with a 2.51ERA for the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. This is his third start against the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin beat him on May 16 at Elfstrom Stadium by getting four runs on six hits over six innings off the righty. He got a no decision against the Rattlers on May 27. Gray gave up five runs (four earned) over 5-1/3 innings, but left with a 6-5 lead. The Rattlers rallied for three runs in the ninth to beat the Cougars. In his last start for the Cougars, Gray allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for a no decision at Peoria on May 31st.
GET OUT THE BROOM: The Rattlers sweep of the LumberKings was their first four game sweep of an opponent at Fox Cities Stadium since the 2003 team won four games from the West Michigan Whitecaps May 31-June 2. The last time the Rattlers swept a for game series before their recent achievement against the LumberKings was May 23-26 at Kane County against the Cougars.
IT’S A STREAK: The Rattlers are on their longest winning streak this season. Wisconsin’s longest win streak last year was a six game run of victories from April 9 through April 15.
HOME COOKIN’: The Rattlers have also won four straight home games. This is the longest home winning streak for Wisconsin since they won five straight from July 27 through August 4 with three consecutive wins over Kane County and a pair of wins over South Bend.
SAVING THE DAY: Roman Martinez, who joined the Rattlers on June 1st, pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save since he was a member of the Mariner’s Dominican Summer League team in 2002. He gave up a one out single and struck out a pair for the Rattlers last night.
KEEP ROLLING: Gibson retired all five batters he faced last night, including the first batter he faced. That makes two appearances in a row in which he has got the first batter he faced to make an out after not doing that in twelve straight games.
RBI GUY: Casey Craig homered last night in the third inning. Craig has driven in at least one run in each of his last eight games.
LATE BLAST: Wisconsin entered the eighth inning trailing the LumberKings 6-5. Prosise gave the Rattlers a 7-6 lead with his homer and Jeff Dominguez had a two-run double later in the inning. Wisconsin is now 3-23 when trailing after seven innings. The last time the Rattlers rallied to win after trailing going into the eighth was an 8-6 win at Kane County on May 27. The Rattlers scored three times in the top of the ninth for the victory.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Kane County Cougars are the Midwest League affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. They are 35-22 and in first place in the Western Division with a four game lead on Peoria. In their most recent series, the Cougars took three out of four games from the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays at Elfstrom Stadium. Kane County has the best record in the Midwest League.
VS. KANE COUNTY IN ’06: The Timber Rattlers are 2-6 against the Cougars this season. All eight games in the series so far have been played at Elfstrom Stadium. In the most recent series, Kane County took three out of four games from the Rattlers May 25-28.
WELCOME BACK: This is Kane County’s first visit to Fox Cities Stadium since July of 2005. The Rattlers took three out of four games from the Cougars in that series.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA’S Top 30 list of Oakland prospects includes five members of the current Cougar roster. Pitchers Vince Mazzaro (#10), Jared Lansford (#12), and Jason Ray (#22) are joined on the list by infielders Justin Sellers (#17) and Jeff Baisley (#30). Craig Italiano, number eight on Oakland’s Top 30 list, is currently on the disabled list. The Cougars have thirteen members of Oakland’s 2005 draft class on their current roster, not including Italiano. Lansford (2nd) and Mazzaro (3rd) are the highest of the ’05 draftees. Also from last year’s class are: Sellers (6th), Ray (8th), Trey Shields (9th), John Herrera (10th), Steve Kleen (11th), Baisley (12th), Mike Massaro (13th), Isaac Omura (17th), Anthony Recker (18th), Ron Madej (26th), and TJ Franco (30th).
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jeff Gray was a 32nd round pick of the Athletics in 2004 out of Southwest Missouri State University. Last season Gray was 4-2 with a 2.51ERA for the Vancouver Canadians in the Northwest League. This is his third start against the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin beat him on May 16 at Elfstrom Stadium by getting four runs on six hits over six innings off the righty. He got a no decision against the Rattlers on May 27. Gray gave up five runs (four earned) over 5-1/3 innings, but left with a 6-5 lead. The Rattlers rallied for three runs in the ninth to beat the Cougars. In his last start for the Cougars, Gray allowed one run on five hits over seven innings for a no decision at Peoria on May 31st.
Monday in the MWL
@Wisconsin 9, Clinton 6 -- This winning thing is starting to get fun.
Burlington 6, @Cedar Rapids 5 -- Just ask the Bees. They are one game out of the wild card spot.
Fort Wayne 6, @Peoria 2 -- Don't ask the Chiefs. They are the team that was up four games on the Bees for the wild card a few days ago.
Beloit 8, @Dayton 7 (10) -- Beloit was up 7-0 in this game. There was a heck of a collision at home plate with Beloit catcher Caleb Moore the collisionee and Dragon Josh Holden the collisioner. Moore held on and the Snappers won in the tenth.
@South Bend 5, Lansing 1 -- South Bend kept the Lugnuts from going nuts.
@West Michigan 6, Quad Cities 5 (11 inn) -- Caps losing streak crashes to a halt along with the winning streak for the SWING.
@Kane County 7, Southwest Michigan 6 -- And the Cougars were nestled all snug in their beds; visions of All-Star roster spots dancing in their head.
The Offensive Players of the Week and the Pitchers of the Week were named yesterday. In the Midwest League, Cougar Third baseman (and T-Rat Tormentor) Jeff Baisley won the offensive award for the second consecutive week and Beloit's David Shinskie was the pitcher of the week.
Monday's Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Burlington 6, @Cedar Rapids 5 -- Just ask the Bees. They are one game out of the wild card spot.
Fort Wayne 6, @Peoria 2 -- Don't ask the Chiefs. They are the team that was up four games on the Bees for the wild card a few days ago.
Beloit 8, @Dayton 7 (10) -- Beloit was up 7-0 in this game. There was a heck of a collision at home plate with Beloit catcher Caleb Moore the collisionee and Dragon Josh Holden the collisioner. Moore held on and the Snappers won in the tenth.
@South Bend 5, Lansing 1 -- South Bend kept the Lugnuts from going nuts.
@West Michigan 6, Quad Cities 5 (11 inn) -- Caps losing streak crashes to a halt along with the winning streak for the SWING.
@Kane County 7, Southwest Michigan 6 -- And the Cougars were nestled all snug in their beds; visions of All-Star roster spots dancing in their head.
The Offensive Players of the Week and the Pitchers of the Week were named yesterday. In the Midwest League, Cougar Third baseman (and T-Rat Tormentor) Jeff Baisley won the offensive award for the second consecutive week and Beloit's David Shinskie was the pitcher of the week.
Monday's Complete Scoreboard HERE.
The More Important D-Day
From Encyclopedia Britannica.com
I wish I could find better pictures. They deserve better pictures.
Today is the 62nd anniversary of D-Day. The liberation of Europe began in the early morning of June 6, 1944.
My dream vacation is to walk Omaha, Utah, Sword, Juno, and Gold beaches in Normandy. I want to walk them and try to understand the courage that it took to do what they did and to honor their sacrifices.
Today, all I can do is go to the websites for the National D-Day Memorial and the National D-Day Museum and ask you to go there, too.
After the game, I will probably go home to watch parts of three movies: The Longest Day, Saving Private Ryan, and Midway.
Why Midway? That crucial battle in the Pacific Ocean happened from June 4-7, 1942. This is the 64th annivesary of that clash between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the US Navy.
The actions of the men during the invasion of Europe and the push to Japan have allowed me to do whatever it is that I do.
I thank them all for that.
Draft Day 2006
The draft is already underway 2006 MLB entry draft is underway.
Haven't posted much about it because the only thing that I like about the two or three weeks leading up to draft day is mocking the Mock Drafts.
As Jerry said to Elaine when inviting her to a wedding, "There will be a lot of people to mock."
Really. Just let it happen. Spill as much ink or take up as much bandwidth as you want after the players are selected.
Go to three main sites to follow all the action:
milb.com
baseballamerica.com
mlb.com
The Mariners have selected a college pitcher with their first round pick (5th overall). Brandon Morrow of UC-Berkely.
More later on the picks and the draft.
Haven't posted much about it because the only thing that I like about the two or three weeks leading up to draft day is mocking the Mock Drafts.
As Jerry said to Elaine when inviting her to a wedding, "There will be a lot of people to mock."
Really. Just let it happen. Spill as much ink or take up as much bandwidth as you want after the players are selected.
Go to three main sites to follow all the action:
milb.com
baseballamerica.com
mlb.com
The Mariners have selected a college pitcher with their first round pick (5th overall). Brandon Morrow of UC-Berkely.
More later on the picks and the draft.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/5)
Seattle (MAJ: 26-33; T-3rd AL West): Seattle beat Kansas City 4-1. Gil Meche (WI ’98) got the win. He allowed one run on four hits with six strikeouts over seven innings for his fifth win of the season. JJ Putz (WI ’00) pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his eighth save. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez went 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the M’s.
Tacoma (AAA – 29-28; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost the completion of their suspended game with Colorado Springs from May 4th 4-3. The SkySox scored a run in the eighth to tie the game and a run in the ninth to win. Rich Dorman (WI ’03) had a no-hitter going into the sixth, but walked eight and did allow two hits over 5-2/3 innings for a no decision. The Rainiers bounced back to win the regularly scheduled game 9-0. Adam Jones (WI ’04) hit his tenth homer of the season. TJ Bohn (WI ’03) was 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) allowed two hits and struck out three over five shutout innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 20-34; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio was off last night. They are getting ready for a couple of things. 1.) A televised game on Sunday against Corpus Christi. 2.) Roger Clemens is making the start against them on that night. If you have it, the game will be on Fox Sports Southwest at 6:00pm CDT. ALso, the Texas League All-Star Teams were announced. Wladimir Balentien (WI '04) and Bryan LaHair (WI '04) are the former Rattlers to make the squad. Joining them on the team is pitcher Yorman Bazardo.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-24; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 6-0 at High Desert. The loss was the fourth straight for the 66ers. Inland Empire’s offense had four hits in the loss. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) gave up all four runs in 5-1/3 innings to take the loss.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/6
Minnesota (Francisco Liriano 4-0) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 3-6) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 5-3) at Colorado Springs (Jose Acevedo 0-4) 8:05pm CDT
Frisco (Andrew Walker 2-2) at San Antonio (Travis Blackley 5-3) 7:05pm CDT
Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 3-3) at High Desert (John Gragg 0-3) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 29-28; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost the completion of their suspended game with Colorado Springs from May 4th 4-3. The SkySox scored a run in the eighth to tie the game and a run in the ninth to win. Rich Dorman (WI ’03) had a no-hitter going into the sixth, but walked eight and did allow two hits over 5-2/3 innings for a no decision. The Rainiers bounced back to win the regularly scheduled game 9-0. Adam Jones (WI ’04) hit his tenth homer of the season. TJ Bohn (WI ’03) was 3-for-5 with a homer and two RBI. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) allowed two hits and struck out three over five shutout innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 20-34; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio was off last night. They are getting ready for a couple of things. 1.) A televised game on Sunday against Corpus Christi. 2.) Roger Clemens is making the start against them on that night. If you have it, the game will be on Fox Sports Southwest at 6:00pm CDT. ALso, the Texas League All-Star Teams were announced. Wladimir Balentien (WI '04) and Bryan LaHair (WI '04) are the former Rattlers to make the squad. Joining them on the team is pitcher Yorman Bazardo.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-24; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 6-0 at High Desert. The loss was the fourth straight for the 66ers. Inland Empire’s offense had four hits in the loss. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) gave up all four runs in 5-1/3 innings to take the loss.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/6
Minnesota (Francisco Liriano 4-0) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 3-6) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 5-3) at Colorado Springs (Jose Acevedo 0-4) 8:05pm CDT
Frisco (Andrew Walker 2-2) at San Antonio (Travis Blackley 5-3) 7:05pm CDT
Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 3-3) at High Desert (John Gragg 0-3) 9:05pm CDT
6/05/2006
Monday's Game in a Word
V
I can't think of a lot of good things with a Roman Numeral V after the title.
There was Rocky V:
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier:
Jason X was so bad it should should have been Jason V + V:
Rattler Win V: The Comeback was just fine.
Nick Prosise with a two run homer in the bottom of the eighth to erase a 6-5 Clinton lead and Roman Martinez tossing a scoreless ninth means five wins in a row. The Evil Empire is in next for a four game series.
Box score of Monday's game is HERE.
I can't think of a lot of good things with a Roman Numeral V after the title.
There was Rocky V:
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier:
Jason X was so bad it should should have been Jason V + V:
Rattler Win V: The Comeback was just fine.
Nick Prosise with a two run homer in the bottom of the eighth to erase a 6-5 Clinton lead and Roman Martinez tossing a scoreless ninth means five wins in a row. The Evil Empire is in next for a four game series.
Box score of Monday's game is HERE.
Game Notes for 6/5
ABOUT SUNDAY: The Rattlers won their fourth straight game with a 9-4 win over the LumberKings. Jeff Flaig had three hits, Casey Craig drove in three runs, Bryan Sabatella homered, and Harold Williams got his first Midwest League win.
GOT IT: Williams allowed two runs on three hits; walked four and struck out six for his first win since September 1, 2005 as a pitcher for the Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League.
TEAM LEADER: Craig is the team leader in RBI. His three RBI yesterday gives him 29 on the season.
YARDWORK: Sabatella’s homer was his second home run in the last four games. He has three home runs this season.
OFF THE LIST: Flaig went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI yesterday in his second game back from the disabled list. Flaig is 4-for-8 with three RBI in those two games.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The Rattlers set a new season high for extra base hits in a game yesterday. The Rattlers had five doubles (also a high for a game), a triple, and a homer.
TRIPLE TIME: Robby Hudson’s RBI triple in the third inning was his second day in as many days. That triple also extended Hudson’s hitting streak to Seven games (11-for-35; .314). That is the longest current streak on the team.
FOUR IN A ROW: The Rattlers are currently on their longest winning streak of the season. The last time the Rattlers won four straight games was the 2005 Midwest League Playoffs, when they won the final two games of the series with Beloit and both games of the series with the LumberKings. The last regular season 4-game winning streak for Wisconsin was July 31 through August 4 of last year with two wins in a row at Burlington and two wins in a row at home against South Bend.
HOME COOKIN’: The Rattlers have also won three straight home games. This is the longest home winning streak for Wisconsin since they won five straight from July 27 through August 4 with three consecutive wins over Kane County and a pair of wins over South Bend.
STILL SCORELESS: Rattler reliever Joe Woerman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning yesterday. That performance extended his scoreless streak to 14-1/3 innings.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Kyle Rogers was a 13th round pick of the Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. He was 6-10 with a 6.01ERA and 95 strikeouts in 130-1/3 innings for the LumberKings last season. He faced the Rattlers three times as a starter in the regular season last year. Rogers was 0-1 and gave up ten runs (five earned) on seventeen hits over eleven innings. Rogers got a no decision in his last outing. He struck out nine in five innings and allowed one run on six hits against Cedar Rapids on May 31 at Alliant Energy Field.
GOT IT: Williams allowed two runs on three hits; walked four and struck out six for his first win since September 1, 2005 as a pitcher for the Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League.
TEAM LEADER: Craig is the team leader in RBI. His three RBI yesterday gives him 29 on the season.
YARDWORK: Sabatella’s homer was his second home run in the last four games. He has three home runs this season.
OFF THE LIST: Flaig went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBI yesterday in his second game back from the disabled list. Flaig is 4-for-8 with three RBI in those two games.
EXTRA! EXTRA! The Rattlers set a new season high for extra base hits in a game yesterday. The Rattlers had five doubles (also a high for a game), a triple, and a homer.
TRIPLE TIME: Robby Hudson’s RBI triple in the third inning was his second day in as many days. That triple also extended Hudson’s hitting streak to Seven games (11-for-35; .314). That is the longest current streak on the team.
FOUR IN A ROW: The Rattlers are currently on their longest winning streak of the season. The last time the Rattlers won four straight games was the 2005 Midwest League Playoffs, when they won the final two games of the series with Beloit and both games of the series with the LumberKings. The last regular season 4-game winning streak for Wisconsin was July 31 through August 4 of last year with two wins in a row at Burlington and two wins in a row at home against South Bend.
HOME COOKIN’: The Rattlers have also won three straight home games. This is the longest home winning streak for Wisconsin since they won five straight from July 27 through August 4 with three consecutive wins over Kane County and a pair of wins over South Bend.
STILL SCORELESS: Rattler reliever Joe Woerman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning yesterday. That performance extended his scoreless streak to 14-1/3 innings.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Kyle Rogers was a 13th round pick of the Rangers in the 2004 draft out of Ball High School in Galveston, Texas. He was 6-10 with a 6.01ERA and 95 strikeouts in 130-1/3 innings for the LumberKings last season. He faced the Rattlers three times as a starter in the regular season last year. Rogers was 0-1 and gave up ten runs (five earned) on seventeen hits over eleven innings. Rogers got a no decision in his last outing. He struck out nine in five innings and allowed one run on six hits against Cedar Rapids on May 31 at Alliant Energy Field.
Sunday in the MWL
@Wisconsin 9, Clinton 4 -- Everybody had a hit for the Rattlers.
@South Bend 10, Lansing 8 -- The Lugnuts were just too far behind.
Beloit 6, @Dayton 5 -- The Snappers got to Johnny Cueto for four runs & the Dragons bullpen couldn't hold a lead.
@Quad Cities 6, @West Michigan 5 -- That's six straight wins for the SWING. Or four straight losses for the Caps.
Burlington 13, @Cedar Rapids 4 -- Wow. Kernel starter Nick Adenhart gave up nine runs over two innings his recird is 7-2. But, Bee starter Matt Kniginyzky did not get out of the fifth inning.
Southwest Michigan 6, @Kane County 4 -- Tough day for aces. Cougar starter Jared Lansford gets beat.
Fort Wayne 6, @Peoria 0 -- The Chiefs haven't scored in 22 innings.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@South Bend 10, Lansing 8 -- The Lugnuts were just too far behind.
Beloit 6, @Dayton 5 -- The Snappers got to Johnny Cueto for four runs & the Dragons bullpen couldn't hold a lead.
@Quad Cities 6, @West Michigan 5 -- That's six straight wins for the SWING. Or four straight losses for the Caps.
Burlington 13, @Cedar Rapids 4 -- Wow. Kernel starter Nick Adenhart gave up nine runs over two innings his recird is 7-2. But, Bee starter Matt Kniginyzky did not get out of the fifth inning.
Southwest Michigan 6, @Kane County 4 -- Tough day for aces. Cougar starter Jared Lansford gets beat.
Fort Wayne 6, @Peoria 0 -- The Chiefs haven't scored in 22 innings.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
David Ortiz of the Red Sox. 16th homer of the season for Ortiz in a win over the Tigers.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/4)
Seattle (MAJ: 25-33; T-3rd AL West): Seattle lost 9-4 to Kansas City. Jarrod Washburn gave up seven runs over 4-1/3 innings for the loss. Adrian Beltre had a pair of hits, including a homer, and drove in two runs.
Tacoma (AAA – 28-27; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 4-3 at Colorado Springs. Bobby Livingston (WI ’03) allowed three runs on nine hits over six innings for a loss.
San Antonio (AA – 20-34; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 1-0 at Wichita. The Missions managed just four hits. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) had two of the four hits for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-23; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 10-9 to Rancho Cucamonga in ten innings. The 66ers scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 9-5 lead. But, the Quakes scored four in the bottom of the ninth and one in the bottom of the tenth for the victory. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) homered and drove in four runs. Josh Womack (WI ’05) had three hits and scored three runs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/5
Kansas City (Mike Wood) at Seattle (Gil Meche 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma at Colorado Springs 6:00pm CDT (Completion of suspended game from 5/4)
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 1-5) at Colorado Springs (Jon Asahina 2-3) -- Game Two
San Antonio – Off Day
Inland Empire at High Desert 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 28-27; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 4-3 at Colorado Springs. Bobby Livingston (WI ’03) allowed three runs on nine hits over six innings for a loss.
San Antonio (AA – 20-34; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 1-0 at Wichita. The Missions managed just four hits. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) had two of the four hits for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-23; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 10-9 to Rancho Cucamonga in ten innings. The 66ers scored four runs in the top of the eighth inning to take a 9-5 lead. But, the Quakes scored four in the bottom of the ninth and one in the bottom of the tenth for the victory. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) homered and drove in four runs. Josh Womack (WI ’05) had three hits and scored three runs.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/5
Kansas City (Mike Wood) at Seattle (Gil Meche 4-4) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma at Colorado Springs 6:00pm CDT (Completion of suspended game from 5/4)
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 1-5) at Colorado Springs (Jon Asahina 2-3) -- Game Two
San Antonio – Off Day
Inland Empire at High Desert 9:05pm CDT
6/04/2006
Game Notes for 6/4
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers won their third straight game with a 7-2 victory over the LumberKings. Paul Fagan allowed two runs on five hits and struck out five to be the winning pitcher. Casey Craig and Nick Prosise each had three hits and drove in two runs for the offense.
TRIFECTA: The Rattlers have won three straight games for the first time since they won the final three games of the series at Fort Wayne April 26-28.
TWO IN A ROW AT HOME, TOO! By winning the first two games of this series from the LumberKings, the Rattlers have won two games in a row at home for the first time since winning the final two games of the series against Southwest Michigan April 19 & 20.
END OF THE SLIDE: Fagan stopped a personal four game losing streak by getting the win last night. The last time he was on the winning side of the ledger was April 24 at South Bend.
KEEPING THEM OFF THE BOARD: Last night, Nick Allen and Joe Woerman combined for three scoreless innings. Both extended their current scoreless streaks. Allen has not allowed a run in 9-1/3 innings. Woerman, who struck out the side in the ninth, has his scoreless streak up to 13-1/3 innings.
THE K-MAN: Woerman is up to 46 strikeouts in 27-1/3 innings. He is third on the team in strikeouts behind Justin Thomas (51 in 61 innings) and Harold Williams (48 in 37-1/3 innings).
AND THE PEOPLE CAME: In the last six home games, the Rattlers have drawn crowds of 4,000 or more. Three of those games the attendance was over 5,000.
ROSTER MOVES: The Seattle Mariners have announced a pair of roster moves before today’s game. Infielder Ron Garth, who was hurt in Friday night’s game against the LumberKings, has been placed on the disabled list. Taking his spot on the roster is reliever Justin Ockerman.
MEET THE NEW GUY: Ockerman was the 6th round pick of the Mariners in 2001 out of Garden City (MI) High School. In 2001, he was 1-4 with a 4.91ERA in ten starts for the AZL Mariners. He missed 2002 with an injury. Ockerman appeared in twenty-two games as a reliever for the Everett AquaSox in 2003 with a 1-2 record and a 4.88ERA. He played college basketball at Michigan State during the 2003-2004 season and missed 2005 with an injury.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Omar Poveda signed with the Rangers as a sixteen year old out of Venezuela in July of 2004. Last season, he was 2-6 with a 5.71ERA for the AZL Mariners in fourteen games (nine starts). In his last start for the LumberKings, Poveda gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Alliant Energy Field. He struck out eight and walked just one for a no decision. This is Poveda’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
TRIFECTA: The Rattlers have won three straight games for the first time since they won the final three games of the series at Fort Wayne April 26-28.
TWO IN A ROW AT HOME, TOO! By winning the first two games of this series from the LumberKings, the Rattlers have won two games in a row at home for the first time since winning the final two games of the series against Southwest Michigan April 19 & 20.
END OF THE SLIDE: Fagan stopped a personal four game losing streak by getting the win last night. The last time he was on the winning side of the ledger was April 24 at South Bend.
KEEPING THEM OFF THE BOARD: Last night, Nick Allen and Joe Woerman combined for three scoreless innings. Both extended their current scoreless streaks. Allen has not allowed a run in 9-1/3 innings. Woerman, who struck out the side in the ninth, has his scoreless streak up to 13-1/3 innings.
THE K-MAN: Woerman is up to 46 strikeouts in 27-1/3 innings. He is third on the team in strikeouts behind Justin Thomas (51 in 61 innings) and Harold Williams (48 in 37-1/3 innings).
AND THE PEOPLE CAME: In the last six home games, the Rattlers have drawn crowds of 4,000 or more. Three of those games the attendance was over 5,000.
ROSTER MOVES: The Seattle Mariners have announced a pair of roster moves before today’s game. Infielder Ron Garth, who was hurt in Friday night’s game against the LumberKings, has been placed on the disabled list. Taking his spot on the roster is reliever Justin Ockerman.
MEET THE NEW GUY: Ockerman was the 6th round pick of the Mariners in 2001 out of Garden City (MI) High School. In 2001, he was 1-4 with a 4.91ERA in ten starts for the AZL Mariners. He missed 2002 with an injury. Ockerman appeared in twenty-two games as a reliever for the Everett AquaSox in 2003 with a 1-2 record and a 4.88ERA. He played college basketball at Michigan State during the 2003-2004 season and missed 2005 with an injury.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Omar Poveda signed with the Rangers as a sixteen year old out of Venezuela in July of 2004. Last season, he was 2-6 with a 5.71ERA for the AZL Mariners in fourteen games (nine starts). In his last start for the LumberKings, Poveda gave up two runs on four hits over seven innings against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Alliant Energy Field. He struck out eight and walked just one for a no decision. This is Poveda’s first appearance against the Timber Rattlers and also his first appearance against an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
Sunday Reading
EDIT: Added link to Seattle Times article about major league announcers and added a block quote format to the excerpt from the article.
The draft is near! So, Brett talks about draft day memories with David Asher and Bryan Sabatella over at RattlersReport.com. There are also notes on the recent mound appearances by Robby Hudson and Chao Kuan Wu; the umps getting back to work; and a certain Midwest League Radio announcer....No, not me, UW-Oshkosh grad and LumberKing announcer Dave Lezotte.
With the Brewers struggling, Tom Hardricourt leads off his column at jsonline.com with Bruce Froemming, who is approaching his 5,000th game as a major league umpire. It must have been a rough week, that takes up almost the whole article. There is a note about the front office not pushing the panic button and picking a college pitcher in the first round and rushing him to the big leagues.
That Johnny Cueto with the Dragons is a pretty good pitcher. The Dayton Daily News catches up with him taking English lessons at Fifth Third Field.
Go over to the Seattle Times Today. I don't know what brought this on, but Larry Stone has a big story today on major league radio announcers. How can you miss on a story with one paragraph that goes like this:
Ten Stops on the Radio Dial -- Enough announcer stories to make you want to be one, or least a better one.
Current Announcers and their catchphrases -- I don't see "Track it down, Marge!" anywhere on that list. (I'll explain on a day I have more time)
Former Announcers and their catchphrases -- I do see "Go to war, Miss Agnes" on this list. (I'll explain on a day when I have more time)
Not an announcer, but a classic Tommy LaSorda tirade about Dave Kingman is the lead-off hitter in the MLB Notes. High-larious.
I had this the other day, but if you did not see it, the sale of the Devil Rays is official. Midland, Michigan here they come.
The draft is near! So, Brett talks about draft day memories with David Asher and Bryan Sabatella over at RattlersReport.com. There are also notes on the recent mound appearances by Robby Hudson and Chao Kuan Wu; the umps getting back to work; and a certain Midwest League Radio announcer....No, not me, UW-Oshkosh grad and LumberKing announcer Dave Lezotte.
With the Brewers struggling, Tom Hardricourt leads off his column at jsonline.com with Bruce Froemming, who is approaching his 5,000th game as a major league umpire. It must have been a rough week, that takes up almost the whole article. There is a note about the front office not pushing the panic button and picking a college pitcher in the first round and rushing him to the big leagues.
That Johnny Cueto with the Dragons is a pretty good pitcher. The Dayton Daily News catches up with him taking English lessons at Fifth Third Field.
Go over to the Seattle Times Today. I don't know what brought this on, but Larry Stone has a big story today on major league radio announcers. How can you miss on a story with one paragraph that goes like this:
Melded, it creates what broadcasting historian Curt Smith calls "the hypnotic tapestry of radio on the air," what Bob Costas calls "the soundtrack of your summer" — all played out, as former baseball commissioner Bart Giamatti put it so memorably, "in the enclosed green fields of the mind."Also at the Times today:
Ten Stops on the Radio Dial -- Enough announcer stories to make you want to be one, or least a better one.
Current Announcers and their catchphrases -- I don't see "Track it down, Marge!" anywhere on that list. (I'll explain on a day I have more time)
Former Announcers and their catchphrases -- I do see "Go to war, Miss Agnes" on this list. (I'll explain on a day when I have more time)
Not an announcer, but a classic Tommy LaSorda tirade about Dave Kingman is the lead-off hitter in the MLB Notes. High-larious.
I had this the other day, but if you did not see it, the sale of the Devil Rays is official. Midland, Michigan here they come.
Saturday in the MWL
@Wisconsin 7, Clinton 2 -- Craig and Prosise lead the way.
@Dayton 12, Beloit 1 -- The Dragons did everything right.
Burlington 3, @Cedar Rapids 1 -- The Bees pull out of their funk. Penn didn't need Teller last night.
Fort Wayne 2, @Peoria 0 -- That Mark Prior guy? Yeah, he probably can't wait to get back to the big leagues. He's 0-2 in the Midwest League this year.
Lansing 5, @South Bend 3 (17 inn) -- Now, that is a long night at the stadium! Jacob Butler with a two-out, two-run triple in the 17th won it for the Lugs, leading to the obvious lede in the South Bend Tribune.
Quad Cities 3, @West Michigan 2 -- What is going on with the Caps? What has gotten into the SWING?
@Kane County 8, Southwest Michigan 3 -- And the Evil Empire just keeps rolling. Eight runs on four hits to beat the D-Rays.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@Dayton 12, Beloit 1 -- The Dragons did everything right.
Burlington 3, @Cedar Rapids 1 -- The Bees pull out of their funk. Penn didn't need Teller last night.
Fort Wayne 2, @Peoria 0 -- That Mark Prior guy? Yeah, he probably can't wait to get back to the big leagues. He's 0-2 in the Midwest League this year.
Lansing 5, @South Bend 3 (17 inn) -- Now, that is a long night at the stadium! Jacob Butler with a two-out, two-run triple in the 17th won it for the Lugs, leading to the obvious lede in the South Bend Tribune.
Quad Cities 3, @West Michigan 2 -- What is going on with the Caps? What has gotten into the SWING?
@Kane County 8, Southwest Michigan 3 -- And the Evil Empire just keeps rolling. Eight runs on four hits to beat the D-Rays.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
A homer and two RBI for Jones and the Rainiers are back to two games over .500.
Mariner System Report (Games of 6/3)
Seattle (MAJ: 25-32; T-3rd AL West): Seattle beat Kansas City 12-1. Richie Sexson homered twice and drove in five runs to power the offense. Joel Pineiro (WI ’98) allowed one run on seven hits over seven innings to even his record at 5-5.
Tacoma (AAA – 28-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma won 5-4 at Colorado Springs. Adam Jones (WI ’04) was 2-for-4 with his team-leading ninth home run of the season. Renee Cortez (WI ’03) got the save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
San Antonio (AA – 20-33; 4th Texas League South Division): Wichita beat San Antonio 5-4. Ryan Feierabend (WI ’04) allowed five runs in four innings to take the loss. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) pitched two scoreless innings in relief to make his Double-A debut. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) snapped an 0-for-13 slide with a pair of hits and a pair of RBI.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-22; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 4-2. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) gave up just three runs on eight hits over 5-1/3 innings and lost for the first time this season. The 66ers offense was held to just seven hits in the game & the Quakes moved to within four games of the first place 66ers.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/4
Kansas City (Mark Redman 0-4) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 3-6) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Bobby Livingston 1-3) at Colorado Springs (Miguel Asencio 3-3) 2:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Adam Pettyjohn 1-2) at Wichita (Juan Cedeno 0-5) 6:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Ivan Blanco 5-3) at Rancho Cucamonga (Francisco Rodriguez 1-5) 4:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 28-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma won 5-4 at Colorado Springs. Adam Jones (WI ’04) was 2-for-4 with his team-leading ninth home run of the season. Renee Cortez (WI ’03) got the save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
San Antonio (AA – 20-33; 4th Texas League South Division): Wichita beat San Antonio 5-4. Ryan Feierabend (WI ’04) allowed five runs in four innings to take the loss. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) pitched two scoreless innings in relief to make his Double-A debut. Jon Nelson (WI ’03) snapped an 0-for-13 slide with a pair of hits and a pair of RBI.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-22; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 4-2. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) gave up just three runs on eight hits over 5-1/3 innings and lost for the first time this season. The 66ers offense was held to just seven hits in the game & the Quakes moved to within four games of the first place 66ers.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/4
Kansas City (Mark Redman 0-4) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 3-6) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Bobby Livingston 1-3) at Colorado Springs (Miguel Asencio 3-3) 2:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Adam Pettyjohn 1-2) at Wichita (Juan Cedeno 0-5) 6:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Ivan Blanco 5-3) at Rancho Cucamonga (Francisco Rodriguez 1-5) 4:05pm CDT
6/03/2006
Saturday's Game in a Word
Three.
It's a Magic Number, according to Schoolhouse Rock.
It's a sacred number to the Minbari.
It's how many games in a row the Rattlers have won after a 7-2 victory over Clinton tonight.
Complete boxscore HERE.
It's a Magic Number, according to Schoolhouse Rock.
It's a sacred number to the Minbari.
It's how many games in a row the Rattlers have won after a 7-2 victory over Clinton tonight.
Complete boxscore HERE.
Game Notes for 6/3
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat Clinton 8-2. Justin Thomas struck out a career high nine batters over six shutout innings for his fifth win of the season. The Rattlers blew open a 2-0 game with six runs in the seventh inning. The Rattlers managed those six runs on just three hits and sent eleven men to the plate in the big frame.
IT’S BEEN AWHILE: The win yesterday was the second consecutive victory for the Rattlers. Wisconsin had not won two straight games since May 5-6 at Cedar Rapids.
IT’S BEEN AWHILE (PT II): The Rattlers will be trying for their second straight home win tonight. Wisconsin hasn’t won two consecutive games at Fox Cities Stadium since April 19-20 when they won the final two games of the series from the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays.
THOMAS TERRIFIC: Thomas bounced back from a game in which he did not get out of the second inning to shutout the LumberKings over six innings. The lefty gave up only five hits and did not walk a batter.
A LOT OF K’s: Not only was last night a career high for Thomas in strikeouts, it was also the most K’s by a Rattler pitcher since Julio Santiago struck out ten Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field on August 31, 2005. The last time a Rattler pitcher struck more than nine opposing batters in a game at Fox Cities Stadium was August 18, 2004. Brian Stitt struck out ten Lansing Lugnuts over six innings in that game.
NEW RELIEVERS BRING RELIEF: Roman Martinez and Lance Beus wasted no time getting into action. They arrive in Appleton in time for last night’s game and both worked a scoreless inning. Martinez struck out a pair and gave up two hits in the seventh. Beus worked a 1-2-3 ninth to sew up the win.
ENDING A STREAK: Rattler reliever Rollie Gibson retired the first batter he faced last night when he entered the game to start the eighth inning. It was the first time since April 19th that he retired the first batter he faced in a game, a streak of eleven games.
DON’T FORGET THE OFFENSE: Chao Kuan Wu had three hits and his fourth inning RBI single put the Rattlers up 1-0. Eddy Hernandez knocked in a pair of runs for the Rattlers.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Juan Jimenez originally signed as a non-drafted free agent with San Diego in 2003. The Rangers acquired him in a trade for Manny Alexander on August 31, 2005. He pitched last season for the AZL Padres and the Eugene Emeralds and did not appear in a game for the Rangers organization. In his last start, the Cedar Rapids Kernels beat Jimenez at Alliant Energy Field on May 29. Jimenez gave up just two runs on two hits and struck out ten over six innings, but took the loss. This is his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers, but he did make two starts against the AZL Mariners last season. He was 0-1 with an ERA of 4.97. He struck out 13 over 12-2/3 innings against the AZL M’s.
IT’S BEEN AWHILE: The win yesterday was the second consecutive victory for the Rattlers. Wisconsin had not won two straight games since May 5-6 at Cedar Rapids.
IT’S BEEN AWHILE (PT II): The Rattlers will be trying for their second straight home win tonight. Wisconsin hasn’t won two consecutive games at Fox Cities Stadium since April 19-20 when they won the final two games of the series from the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays.
THOMAS TERRIFIC: Thomas bounced back from a game in which he did not get out of the second inning to shutout the LumberKings over six innings. The lefty gave up only five hits and did not walk a batter.
A LOT OF K’s: Not only was last night a career high for Thomas in strikeouts, it was also the most K’s by a Rattler pitcher since Julio Santiago struck out ten Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field on August 31, 2005. The last time a Rattler pitcher struck more than nine opposing batters in a game at Fox Cities Stadium was August 18, 2004. Brian Stitt struck out ten Lansing Lugnuts over six innings in that game.
NEW RELIEVERS BRING RELIEF: Roman Martinez and Lance Beus wasted no time getting into action. They arrive in Appleton in time for last night’s game and both worked a scoreless inning. Martinez struck out a pair and gave up two hits in the seventh. Beus worked a 1-2-3 ninth to sew up the win.
ENDING A STREAK: Rattler reliever Rollie Gibson retired the first batter he faced last night when he entered the game to start the eighth inning. It was the first time since April 19th that he retired the first batter he faced in a game, a streak of eleven games.
DON’T FORGET THE OFFENSE: Chao Kuan Wu had three hits and his fourth inning RBI single put the Rattlers up 1-0. Eddy Hernandez knocked in a pair of runs for the Rattlers.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Juan Jimenez originally signed as a non-drafted free agent with San Diego in 2003. The Rangers acquired him in a trade for Manny Alexander on August 31, 2005. He pitched last season for the AZL Padres and the Eugene Emeralds and did not appear in a game for the Rangers organization. In his last start, the Cedar Rapids Kernels beat Jimenez at Alliant Energy Field on May 29. Jimenez gave up just two runs on two hits and struck out ten over six innings, but took the loss. This is his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers, but he did make two starts against the AZL Mariners last season. He was 0-1 with an ERA of 4.97. He struck out 13 over 12-2/3 innings against the AZL M’s.
Friday in the MWL
@Wisconsin 8, Clinton 2 -- Rattlers pitch, hit, field, & win!
Beloit 3, @Dayton 2 -- Remember that old song by the Boomtown Rats I Don't Like Mondays? The Dragons don't like Fridays, they are 0-8 to kick off the weekend. And it is just me or is Roger Clemens everywhere these days? He just happened to be in the area on a personal matter and showed up at Fifth Third Field last night with his son.
@Cedar Rapids 4, Burlington 2 -- Tommy Mendoza held the Bees in check for eight innings after a pair of homers in the first gave him a lead.
Fort Wayne 7, @Peoria 0; @Peoria 4, Fort Wayne 1 -- Splitsville at O'Brien Field again. Mark Prior pitches again tonight for the Chiefs.
@South Bend 1, Lansing 0 -- Lugnuts had three hits and lose on a sac fly in the bottom of the eighth. Vincent Bongiavanni got the win in relief.
Quad Cities 4, @West Michigan 3 (11 inn) -- A two-out, two-run homer by Randy Roth in the top of the ninth tied the game and the SWING beat the Caps in extra innings. Former Rattler Brian Stitt got the save.
@Kane County 10, Southwest Michgan 1 -- Good hitting beats good pitching. Check that. Good hitting beats up good pitching.
Complete Scoreboard for Friday HERE.
Beloit 3, @Dayton 2 -- Remember that old song by the Boomtown Rats I Don't Like Mondays? The Dragons don't like Fridays, they are 0-8 to kick off the weekend. And it is just me or is Roger Clemens everywhere these days? He just happened to be in the area on a personal matter and showed up at Fifth Third Field last night with his son.
@Cedar Rapids 4, Burlington 2 -- Tommy Mendoza held the Bees in check for eight innings after a pair of homers in the first gave him a lead.
Fort Wayne 7, @Peoria 0; @Peoria 4, Fort Wayne 1 -- Splitsville at O'Brien Field again. Mark Prior pitches again tonight for the Chiefs.
@South Bend 1, Lansing 0 -- Lugnuts had three hits and lose on a sac fly in the bottom of the eighth. Vincent Bongiavanni got the win in relief.
Quad Cities 4, @West Michigan 3 (11 inn) -- A two-out, two-run homer by Randy Roth in the top of the ninth tied the game and the SWING beat the Caps in extra innings. Former Rattler Brian Stitt got the save.
@Kane County 10, Southwest Michgan 1 -- Good hitting beats good pitching. Check that. Good hitting beats up good pitching.
Complete Scoreboard for Friday HERE.
What Ever Happened to...
Aquilino Lopez?
While looking through the PCL scoreboard this morning, I saw the name Aquilino Lopez show up as the winning pitcher for Portland in their 7-4 win over Colorado Springs.
Lopez was a member iof the 2000 Timber Rattlers. He was 6-1 with a complete game shutout and 17 saves that season. He appeared in 39 games and made five starts that season.
He made his way through the Mariner system and got to Tacoma in 2002. Then, in the 2002 Major League Rule V Draft, the Toronto Blue Jays selected Lopez. In 2003, he appeared in 72 games and had 14 saves for the Jays.
The next season Lopez split time between Toronto and their Triple-A team in Syracuse.
After 2004, he was granted free agent status and signed with the Dodgers organization.
In 2005, he started the season with Las Vegas, the Dodgers PCL affiliate. LA let him go in June and Lopez signed with Colorado, where he made it back to the majors for one game. But, the Rockies waived him shotrly after that and the Phillies picked him up and he made it up for ten games with Philadelphia.
In the past off-season, Lopez signed with the Padres and he is 2-0 with a pair of saves for the Beavers.
The Padres love former Mariner farm hands. Joining Lopez on that team are Justin Leone (WI '00) and Termel Sledge (WI '01).
Rattler Alum of the Day
Clint Nageotte, Tacoma Rainiers. One run on two hits with six strikeouts over five innings for a win at Salt Lake.
Seattle System Report (Games of 6/2)
Seattle (MAJ: 24-32; 4th AL West): The Mariners beat Kansas City 4-0. Jamie Moyer pitched a complete game 2-hit shutout for the win. Jose Lopez and former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez hit back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to break a scoreless tie. Lopez drove in two more runs in the eighth inning for three RBI on the night.
Tacoma (AAA – 27-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Salt Lake 5-2. Asdrubal Cabrera (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Clint Nageotte (WI ’01) gave up one run on two hits and struck out three over five innings for the win. Jeff Heaverlo (WI ’99) got the loss for the Bees.
San Antonio (AA – 20-32; 4th Texas League South Division): Wichita beat San Antonio 7-1. Jason Mackintosh (WI ’04) allowed three runs (one earned) in five innings for his first loss of the year. Luis Oliveros (WI ’02) went 3-for-4 and drove in the only San Antonio run of the game. Zach Greinke, made the start and got the win for the Wranglers.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-21; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 2-0 at Rancho Cucamonga. Aaron Jensen (WI ’05) gave up one run in the first inning to take the loss, but struck out six over four innings. Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI ’03) pitched a pair of scoreless innings. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) and Brent Johnson (WI ’05) each had a pair of hits for the 66ers.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/3
Kansas City (Seth Etherton 1-0) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 4-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 3-3) at Colorado Springs (Mike Esposito 2-5) 8:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 1-4) at Wichita (Seung Song 3-5) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Robert Rohrbaugh 4-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Anthony Ortega 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 27-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Salt Lake 5-2. Asdrubal Cabrera (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI. Clint Nageotte (WI ’01) gave up one run on two hits and struck out three over five innings for the win. Jeff Heaverlo (WI ’99) got the loss for the Bees.
San Antonio (AA – 20-32; 4th Texas League South Division): Wichita beat San Antonio 7-1. Jason Mackintosh (WI ’04) allowed three runs (one earned) in five innings for his first loss of the year. Luis Oliveros (WI ’02) went 3-for-4 and drove in the only San Antonio run of the game. Zach Greinke, made the start and got the win for the Wranglers.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-21; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 2-0 at Rancho Cucamonga. Aaron Jensen (WI ’05) gave up one run in the first inning to take the loss, but struck out six over four innings. Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI ’03) pitched a pair of scoreless innings. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) and Brent Johnson (WI ’05) each had a pair of hits for the 66ers.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/3
Kansas City (Seth Etherton 1-0) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 4-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 3-3) at Colorado Springs (Mike Esposito 2-5) 8:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 1-4) at Wichita (Seung Song 3-5) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Robert Rohrbaugh 4-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Anthony Ortega 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
6/02/2006
Friday's Game in a Word
Streak.
Two consecutive wins makes a streak for the Rattlers. It is the first two game winning streak for the team since May 5 & 6.
They will go for three straight tomorrow night against the LumberKings.
Box score HERE.
Two consecutive wins makes a streak for the Rattlers. It is the first two game winning streak for the team since May 5 & 6.
They will go for three straight tomorrow night against the LumberKings.
Box score HERE.
Gremlins Taking Over?
The Internet Feed was down for the first few innings tonight, but it is back up and running....Just in time for a rain delay.
A rain delay that happens with the sun still shining, blue skies all around, and one bug, gray cloud. It rained hard for five minutes, but that was enough to have the grounds crew and the front office working this hard to get the field ready again.
The shame is that Justin Thomas is pitching a heck of a game (two hits, no runs, 6 K's in 3-1/3 innings) but the delay may be too long for him to come back out. I only have him for 48 pitches.
Forget that, Thomas is warming up on the mound and it looks like he will be back.
Yeah, he's back. Struck out his seventh of the game and got the next batter. Back to action.
Latest Postcard is available
The Community Field Postcard is up over at RattlersReport.com.
Rambling through an eight-day road trip.
Enjoy.
Rambling through an eight-day road trip.
Enjoy.
Game Notes for 6/2
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers beat the Burlington Bees at Community Field 7-6 in eleven innings. Robby Hudson scored the winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the eleventh. Joe Woerman pitched a scoreless bottom of the eleventh with a walk and three strikeouts for his fifth save of the season. Nick Allen ran his record to 3-0 with two perfect innings in the ninth and tenth.
SPOILERS: The Bees were going for a ten game home winning streak last night. But, the Rattlers rallied from a 5-3 deficit to stop the Bees.
SCORELESS: Woerman extended his current scoreless streak to 12-1/3 innings with his outing last night. Woerman has also struck out 43 opponents on just 26-1/3 innings.
ALLEN WRENCH: Allen is 2-0 in his last four appearances and has not allowed an earned run over the span, which has lasted 7-2/3 innings.
GOING YARD: Bryan Sabatella hit his second home run of the season with a second inning blast that put the Rattlers up 2-0. Wisconsin has hit 20 home runs this season.
BACK HOME AGAIN: The Rattlers went 2-6 on their recent eight game road trip. Wisconsin was 1-3 at Kane County and 1-3 at Burlington. Tonight, Wisconsin starts an eight game home stand with Clinton and Kane County both in for four games. Wisconsin will try to improve on their current home record of 8-18.
ROSTER MOVES: The Seattle Mariners made several roster moves today for Wisconsin. Catcher JB Tucker was promoted to Inland Empire of the California League. Reliever Jeff Gilmore was released by the organization. Starting pitcher Jason Snyder was placed on the 7-day disabled list. Infielder Jeff Flaig was taken off the DL and activated for tonight’s game. Two new pitchers will be joining the team today. Lance Beus and Roman Martinez are arriving in town today and will be available for action.
MEET THE NEW GUYS: Beus, a 28th round pick of the Mariners in the 2005 draft, was 1-2 with a save and an ERA of 3.68 for Everett last season. Beus was selected out of Brigham Young University after going 3-1 with a 5.06ERA for the Cougars. Martinez, a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic, started the 2005 season with the Rattlers and was 0-2 in nineteen games (one start) with an ERA of 3.66. Martinez went down to Everett in the Northwest League and was 1-2 in thirteen games (four starts) with a 4.86ERA.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Clinton LumberKings are the Midwest League affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They are 19-34 and in 8th place in the Midwest League Western Division. Former major leaguer Andy Fox is first year manager of the LumberKings. Clinton is 9-17 away from Alliant Energy Field.
VS. CLINTON IN ’05: Wisconsin was 7-4 in the regular season against the LumberKings last season. At Fox Cities Stadium, the Rattlers were 5-3. The teams also met in the Midwest League Western Division Championship Series. Wisconsin won Game One at Clinton 8-7 in ten innings. The Rattlers wound up with a series sweep after a 16-0 victory at home in Game Two.
MATCHING UP: The Timber Rattlers are 12th in the Midwest League in hitting with a .231 team batting average and 14th in the MWL in ERA with a 4.57 team ERA. The LumberKings are 10th in the league in hitting at .236 and 13th in the league in pitching at 4.25. Clinton pitchers are second in the league in strikeouts with 427. Rattler pitchers lead the league in walks with 242. Clinton hitters have 21 homers; Wisconsin hitters have twenty.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has placed four players on the current Clinton roster on their list of Top 30 Prospects in the Rangers organization. Outfielder John Mayberry is the highest rated prospect at #10. Infielders John Whittleman (#11) and Jose Vallejo (#20) and pitcher Omar Poveda (#29) are also on the list. There are six members of the 2005 Ranger draft class on this roster. Mayberry, a former first round pick of the Mariners, was the first round pick of the Rangers (19th overall) last year. Whittleman (2nd round), Jacob Rasner (7th), Brian Valichka (19th), Ben Crabtree (26th), and Tuan Mehl (30th) were also drafted by the Rangers in 2005.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jake Rasner of was the 7th round pick of the Rangers in the 2005 draft. The graduate of Earl Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada was ready to attend the University of Reno, but signed with the Rangers. He went 1-5 with an 8.37ERA for the Rangers affiliate in the Texas League. He appeared in fourteen games and started ten in the AZL. In his last start, the Peoria Chiefs beat Rasner at Alliant Energy Field on May 28. The Chiefs got to him for four runs on seven hits over six innings. Rasner struck out seven in the game and has accumulated 53 K’s over 55-1/3 innings. This is his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers, but he did make seven appearances (four starts) against the AZL Mariners. In those seven games, he was 0-3 with a 9.58 ERA.
SPOILERS: The Bees were going for a ten game home winning streak last night. But, the Rattlers rallied from a 5-3 deficit to stop the Bees.
SCORELESS: Woerman extended his current scoreless streak to 12-1/3 innings with his outing last night. Woerman has also struck out 43 opponents on just 26-1/3 innings.
ALLEN WRENCH: Allen is 2-0 in his last four appearances and has not allowed an earned run over the span, which has lasted 7-2/3 innings.
GOING YARD: Bryan Sabatella hit his second home run of the season with a second inning blast that put the Rattlers up 2-0. Wisconsin has hit 20 home runs this season.
BACK HOME AGAIN: The Rattlers went 2-6 on their recent eight game road trip. Wisconsin was 1-3 at Kane County and 1-3 at Burlington. Tonight, Wisconsin starts an eight game home stand with Clinton and Kane County both in for four games. Wisconsin will try to improve on their current home record of 8-18.
ROSTER MOVES: The Seattle Mariners made several roster moves today for Wisconsin. Catcher JB Tucker was promoted to Inland Empire of the California League. Reliever Jeff Gilmore was released by the organization. Starting pitcher Jason Snyder was placed on the 7-day disabled list. Infielder Jeff Flaig was taken off the DL and activated for tonight’s game. Two new pitchers will be joining the team today. Lance Beus and Roman Martinez are arriving in town today and will be available for action.
MEET THE NEW GUYS: Beus, a 28th round pick of the Mariners in the 2005 draft, was 1-2 with a save and an ERA of 3.68 for Everett last season. Beus was selected out of Brigham Young University after going 3-1 with a 5.06ERA for the Cougars. Martinez, a non-drafted free agent out of the Dominican Republic, started the 2005 season with the Rattlers and was 0-2 in nineteen games (one start) with an ERA of 3.66. Martinez went down to Everett in the Northwest League and was 1-2 in thirteen games (four starts) with a 4.86ERA.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Clinton LumberKings are the Midwest League affiliate of the Texas Rangers. They are 19-34 and in 8th place in the Midwest League Western Division. Former major leaguer Andy Fox is first year manager of the LumberKings. Clinton is 9-17 away from Alliant Energy Field.
VS. CLINTON IN ’05: Wisconsin was 7-4 in the regular season against the LumberKings last season. At Fox Cities Stadium, the Rattlers were 5-3. The teams also met in the Midwest League Western Division Championship Series. Wisconsin won Game One at Clinton 8-7 in ten innings. The Rattlers wound up with a series sweep after a 16-0 victory at home in Game Two.
MATCHING UP: The Timber Rattlers are 12th in the Midwest League in hitting with a .231 team batting average and 14th in the MWL in ERA with a 4.57 team ERA. The LumberKings are 10th in the league in hitting at .236 and 13th in the league in pitching at 4.25. Clinton pitchers are second in the league in strikeouts with 427. Rattler pitchers lead the league in walks with 242. Clinton hitters have 21 homers; Wisconsin hitters have twenty.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has placed four players on the current Clinton roster on their list of Top 30 Prospects in the Rangers organization. Outfielder John Mayberry is the highest rated prospect at #10. Infielders John Whittleman (#11) and Jose Vallejo (#20) and pitcher Omar Poveda (#29) are also on the list. There are six members of the 2005 Ranger draft class on this roster. Mayberry, a former first round pick of the Mariners, was the first round pick of the Rangers (19th overall) last year. Whittleman (2nd round), Jacob Rasner (7th), Brian Valichka (19th), Ben Crabtree (26th), and Tuan Mehl (30th) were also drafted by the Rangers in 2005.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jake Rasner of was the 7th round pick of the Rangers in the 2005 draft. The graduate of Earl Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada was ready to attend the University of Reno, but signed with the Rangers. He went 1-5 with an 8.37ERA for the Rangers affiliate in the Texas League. He appeared in fourteen games and started ten in the AZL. In his last start, the Peoria Chiefs beat Rasner at Alliant Energy Field on May 28. The Chiefs got to him for four runs on seven hits over six innings. Rasner struck out seven in the game and has accumulated 53 K’s over 55-1/3 innings. This is his first appearance against the Timber Rattlers, but he did make seven appearances (four starts) against the AZL Mariners. In those seven games, he was 0-3 with a 9.58 ERA.
Last Night in the MWL
Wisconsin 7, @ Burlington 6 -- I don't know if the "at last" is appropriate, but it was a win.
Kane County 2, @Peoria 1 (12 inn); @Peoria 7, Kane County 6 (8 inn) -- Splitsville in Peoria and extra innings in both games to boot.
Dayton 4, @West Michigan 2 -- A second straight day game was too much for the Whitecaps, apparently.
Quad Cities 8, @Beloit 5 -- Snapper errors lead to SWING win.
South Bend 3, @Fort Wayne 1; @Fort Wayne 5, South Bend 0 -- Wizards win game two to get the monkey off their back. Don't believe me? Read the headline.
Southwest Michigan 4, @Lansing 2 -- Lugnuts get cooled off by a late D-Ray rally. There was no late rally to keep the team in BC after this season. The sale to the Midland, Michigan group was completed yesterday.
@Clinton 1, Cedar Rapids 0 -- L-Kings stay one game back of the Rattlers with a four-hit shutout.
Complete Scoreboard HERE
Kane County 2, @Peoria 1 (12 inn); @Peoria 7, Kane County 6 (8 inn) -- Splitsville in Peoria and extra innings in both games to boot.
Dayton 4, @West Michigan 2 -- A second straight day game was too much for the Whitecaps, apparently.
Quad Cities 8, @Beloit 5 -- Snapper errors lead to SWING win.
South Bend 3, @Fort Wayne 1; @Fort Wayne 5, South Bend 0 -- Wizards win game two to get the monkey off their back. Don't believe me? Read the headline.
Southwest Michigan 4, @Lansing 2 -- Lugnuts get cooled off by a late D-Ray rally. There was no late rally to keep the team in BC after this season. The sale to the Midland, Michigan group was completed yesterday.
@Clinton 1, Cedar Rapids 0 -- L-Kings stay one game back of the Rattlers with a four-hit shutout.
Complete Scoreboard HERE
Rattler Alum of the Day
Gotta go with Chris Snelling of the Tacoma Rainiers. Homer, couple of RBI, and a Tacoma win.
Mariners System Report (Games of 6/1)
Seattle (MAJ: 23-32; 4th AL West): The Mariners were off on Thursday.
Tacoma (AAA – 26-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Salt Lake 12-2. Chris Snelling (WI ’00) was 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI. Cha Seung Baek (WI ’00) allowed on unearned run over seven innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 20-31; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 3-1 to Tulsa. Bryan LaHair (WI '04) drove in the only run of the game for the Missions. The Drillers broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the seventh.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-20; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Visalia 7-5. Brian Schweiger (WI ’06) was 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the 66ers. Chris Colton (WI ’05) added a homer for Inland Empire. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) pitched five scoreless innings for the win.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/2
Kansas City (Bobby Keppel 0-0) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer (2-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Clint Nageotte 5-2) at Salt Lake (Jeff Heaverlo 0-1) 8:00pm CDT
San Antonio (Jason Mackintosh 3-0) at Wichita (Zack Greinke 0-0) 6:30pm CDT
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 0-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Micah Posey 1-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 26-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Salt Lake 12-2. Chris Snelling (WI ’00) was 2-for-4 with a homer and four RBI. Cha Seung Baek (WI ’00) allowed on unearned run over seven innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 20-31; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 3-1 to Tulsa. Bryan LaHair (WI '04) drove in the only run of the game for the Missions. The Drillers broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the seventh.
Inland Empire (High-A – 33-20; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Visalia 7-5. Brian Schweiger (WI ’06) was 3-for-3 with a pair of RBI for the 66ers. Chris Colton (WI ’05) added a homer for Inland Empire. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) pitched five scoreless innings for the win.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/2
Kansas City (Bobby Keppel 0-0) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer (2-5) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Clint Nageotte 5-2) at Salt Lake (Jeff Heaverlo 0-1) 8:00pm CDT
San Antonio (Jason Mackintosh 3-0) at Wichita (Zack Greinke 0-0) 6:30pm CDT
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 0-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Micah Posey 1-5) 9:05pm CDT
Breaking Radio Silence for Today
Sorry for the lack of posting today.
The bus rolled into the parking lot at the Stadium about 5:15 (great song by The Who) this morning.
After getting home, it was a load of laundry, finished an article for PLAYBALL!, a quick nap, and back to the stadium.
After taking care of a few things here, it's time to finish game notes and set up the radio equipment.
I'll be updating with regular features shortly.
The bus rolled into the parking lot at the Stadium about 5:15 (great song by The Who) this morning.
After getting home, it was a load of laundry, finished an article for PLAYBALL!, a quick nap, and back to the stadium.
After taking care of a few things here, it's time to finish game notes and set up the radio equipment.
I'll be updating with regular features shortly.
6/01/2006
Thursday's Game in a Word
Home.
The Rattlers are going home with a 7-6 eleven inning win over the Bees under their belts. 2-6 on an eight game road trips doesn't sound good, but it is a heck of a lot better than 1-7.
Box score HERE.
The Rattlers start an eight game homestand Friday night. Come on out to the Stadium. Lots of great stuff happening.
The Rattlers are going home with a 7-6 eleven inning win over the Bees under their belts. 2-6 on an eight game road trips doesn't sound good, but it is a heck of a lot better than 1-7.
Box score HERE.
The Rattlers start an eight game homestand Friday night. Come on out to the Stadium. Lots of great stuff happening.
Probable Pitchers for Clinton Series
FRI, 6/2 LHP Justin Thomas (4-5, 3.44) vs. RHP Jake Rasner (3-4, 3.90)
SAT, 6/3 LHP Paul Fagan (1-5, 4.89) vs. RHP Juan Jimenez (1-1, 3.63)
SUN, 6/4 LHP Harold Williams (0-2, 3.38) vs. RHP Omar Poveda (1-5, 3.69)
MON, 6/5 LHP Jose Escalona (4-5, 3.70) vs. RHP Kyle Rogers (0-4, 4.94)
Friday, Saturday, and Monday are all 7:05pm starts.
Sunday, is a 1:05pm start.
SAT, 6/3 LHP Paul Fagan (1-5, 4.89) vs. RHP Juan Jimenez (1-1, 3.63)
SUN, 6/4 LHP Harold Williams (0-2, 3.38) vs. RHP Omar Poveda (1-5, 3.69)
MON, 6/5 LHP Jose Escalona (4-5, 3.70) vs. RHP Kyle Rogers (0-4, 4.94)
Friday, Saturday, and Monday are all 7:05pm starts.
Sunday, is a 1:05pm start.
Game Notes for 6/1
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: Burlington broke a 2-2 tie with an RBI single by Miguel Vega in the bottom of the fifth inning on their way to a 6-3 win over the Timber Rattlers. Vega had a pair of RBI for the Bees and Carlos Rosa got his fifth win of the season for the Bees.
OUT IN FRONT: Luis Valbuena’s two out RBI double in the top of the first inning gave the Rattlers a 1-0 lead. Valbuena was hitting fourth again last night. In four games as the Wisconsin clean up hitter, Valbuena is 5-for-15 with three RBI.
BACK BEHIND: The Bees scored two runs off Rattler starter Jose Escalona. The first scored on a throwing error by Escalona. Three times on this road trip the Rattlers have scored to take the lead in the top half of an inning, only to have the opponents come back and score at least run in the bottom of that same inning.
HELPING HAND: Ron Garth was thrown out at the plate when he tried scoring from first on a double by Casey Craig in the third inning. Had he scored, Garth would have been the tying run.
TIED UP AGAIN: Craig stole third and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game later in the third. Craig stole a pair of bases in the game for the Rattlers.
THROWN AWAY: The Rattlers committed four more errors last night. They have been charged with 77 errors this season. Only the Swing of the Quad Cities (82) have been charged with more.
FRIGID: The 6-9 hitters in the Timber Rattler lineup were a combined 0-for-15 on Tuesday night. Last night, hitters 5-9 in the Rattler lineup were 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts, a hit batsman, and four walks. In the first three games of this series, hitters 5-9 in Wisconsin’s lineup is 3-for-52 with two single, a triple, and one RBI.
SPEAKING OF WALKS: Rattler right fielder Jairo Hernandez drew his first walk of the season in the fourth inning. It was his first walk is 77 at bats this season.
ICE COLD: Rattler shortstop Jeffery Dominguez was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored last night. He is now hitless in his last twenty-three at bats. The last hit by Dominguez was a fourth inning single off Burlington starting pitcher Michael Penn on May 22.
GOOD-BYE, CRUEL MONTH! Wisconsin was 8-21 in May. As a team, the Rattlers hit .213. Opponents hit .286 against Wisconsin pitchers. Wisconsin’s team ERA was 5.50 in May and the team was outscored 181-96.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: David Henninger was selected in 21st round of the 2005 draft by the Royals out of Messiah College (PA). He was 8-0 as a junior and 18-4 in his career with the Falcons. Last season, Henninger went 5-1 with a save and an ERA of 3.60 in 21 relief appearances for Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. Henninger’s last start was against the Beloit Snappers on May 27 at Pohlman Field. Henninger got a no decision, despite pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on three hits. On May 21 at Fox Cities Stadium, Henninger gave up one unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts for a no decision against the Rattlers.
OUT IN FRONT: Luis Valbuena’s two out RBI double in the top of the first inning gave the Rattlers a 1-0 lead. Valbuena was hitting fourth again last night. In four games as the Wisconsin clean up hitter, Valbuena is 5-for-15 with three RBI.
BACK BEHIND: The Bees scored two runs off Rattler starter Jose Escalona. The first scored on a throwing error by Escalona. Three times on this road trip the Rattlers have scored to take the lead in the top half of an inning, only to have the opponents come back and score at least run in the bottom of that same inning.
HELPING HAND: Ron Garth was thrown out at the plate when he tried scoring from first on a double by Casey Craig in the third inning. Had he scored, Garth would have been the tying run.
TIED UP AGAIN: Craig stole third and scored on a wild pitch to tie the game later in the third. Craig stole a pair of bases in the game for the Rattlers.
THROWN AWAY: The Rattlers committed four more errors last night. They have been charged with 77 errors this season. Only the Swing of the Quad Cities (82) have been charged with more.
FRIGID: The 6-9 hitters in the Timber Rattler lineup were a combined 0-for-15 on Tuesday night. Last night, hitters 5-9 in the Rattler lineup were 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts, a hit batsman, and four walks. In the first three games of this series, hitters 5-9 in Wisconsin’s lineup is 3-for-52 with two single, a triple, and one RBI.
SPEAKING OF WALKS: Rattler right fielder Jairo Hernandez drew his first walk of the season in the fourth inning. It was his first walk is 77 at bats this season.
ICE COLD: Rattler shortstop Jeffery Dominguez was 0-for-2 with a pair of walks and a run scored last night. He is now hitless in his last twenty-three at bats. The last hit by Dominguez was a fourth inning single off Burlington starting pitcher Michael Penn on May 22.
GOOD-BYE, CRUEL MONTH! Wisconsin was 8-21 in May. As a team, the Rattlers hit .213. Opponents hit .286 against Wisconsin pitchers. Wisconsin’s team ERA was 5.50 in May and the team was outscored 181-96.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: David Henninger was selected in 21st round of the 2005 draft by the Royals out of Messiah College (PA). He was 8-0 as a junior and 18-4 in his career with the Falcons. Last season, Henninger went 5-1 with a save and an ERA of 3.60 in 21 relief appearances for Idaho Falls in the Pioneer League. Henninger’s last start was against the Beloit Snappers on May 27 at Pohlman Field. Henninger got a no decision, despite pitching seven innings and allowing just one run on three hits. On May 21 at Fox Cities Stadium, Henninger gave up one unearned run on five hits with six strikeouts for a no decision against the Rattlers.
If I were...
This is not a Rattler related or even a baseball related article, but when I saw the story about Lance Armstrong in USA Today this morning there was a need to say something.
So, I begin a series of posts that I will call If I were...
Today, If I were Lance Armstrong, I would react to this:
and this:
I'm not Lance Armstrong. I can barely ride thirty minutes on a stationary bike and I'll never have a shot at Sheryl Crow. But, that's what I'd do if I were Lance Armstrong.
So, I begin a series of posts that I will call If I were...
Today, If I were Lance Armstrong, I would react to this:
An investigation launched by the international cycling federation has cleared Lance Armstrong of accusations he used the performance-enhancing drug EPO in the 1999 Tour de France.
Dutch attorney Emile N. Vrijman led the investigation at the request of the Union Cycliste Internationale, the sport's governing body responsible for disciplinary action. His 130-page report also raises the issue of misconduct and collusion among the World Doping Agency, a
French lab and L'Equipe, the Paris-based newspaper that broke the story in August 2005.
The report said WADA, the lab and the French Ministry of Sport should be investigated by legal authorities and forced to produce documents the groups refused to present to the Vrijman probe.
and this:
The French sports newspaper that accused Lance Armstrong of doping stood by its reporting Thursday, a day after an investigator cleared the seven-time Tour de France champion.Like this:
"There is nothing to retract from the revelations," L'Equipe said in an editorial that concluded: "For our part, we remain convinced of the need to battle without compromise against the mafialike tendencies that
still and always threaten the sport of cycling. Both in the method and the substance, L'Equipe stands firm."
That whole retirement thing. Forget it. I'm going to race this year with no training, beat the crap out of you, and win number 8. How do you like that, Nancy?
I'm not Lance Armstrong. I can barely ride thirty minutes on a stationary bike and I'll never have a shot at Sheryl Crow. But, that's what I'd do if I were Lance Armstrong.
Random Picture from My Hotel Window (#2 in a Series)
This is the kind of view that makes you want to go to the ballpark.
Repressed Memories Surfacing Again
Clinton Herald columnist Scott T. Holland sat down with LumberKing manager Andy Fox for a regular feature called On the Job.
He had too much information to fit into that article so he used the leftovers to craft a colum for yesterday.
Holland is a member of the Brotherhood of Long-Suffering Cub Fans. Fox was a member of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins.
The Marlins that beat the Cubs inthe 2003 National League Championship Series. The Cubs that were up 3-1 in that series. The Cubs that lost Game Five at Florida. The Cubs that had Prior and Wood throwing in Game Six and a potential Game Seven. The Cubs that led Game Six and had five outs to get for their first World Series since 1945. The Cubs that totally fell apart after Steve Ba....Oh, God, I can't write about it anymore.
Fox remembers is like this:
Fox thinks that Clinton is a perfect place to get future Ranges ready for the next level:
Fox should have seen it for the last seven years.
Holland also spoke with Peoria Manager Jody Davis and comes off as a bit more of a fanboy than I was when I met Davis Opening Weekend at Fox Cities Stadium.
All I could think when I met Davis was "Ohmigodit's Jody Davis. Ohmigodit's Jody Davis. Ohmigodit's Jody Davis."
Yeah, he's a bit more professional.
He had too much information to fit into that article so he used the leftovers to craft a colum for yesterday.
Holland is a member of the Brotherhood of Long-Suffering Cub Fans. Fox was a member of the 2003 World Series Champion Florida Marlins.
The Marlins that beat the Cubs inthe 2003 National League Championship Series. The Cubs that were up 3-1 in that series. The Cubs that lost Game Five at Florida. The Cubs that had Prior and Wood throwing in Game Six and a potential Game Seven. The Cubs that led Game Six and had five outs to get for their first World Series since 1945. The Cubs that totally fell apart after Steve Ba....Oh, God, I can't write about it anymore.
Fox remembers is like this:
“Talk about a memory,” Fox told me. “You talk about an unbelievable sight. Not only after game six (the Steve Bartman game) where there’s people crying in the stands (as the Marlins were) walking off that field. After game seven, I mean, it was unreal. You would not believe the people… literally devastated.”
I told him I wanted to call in sick to work the next day. I sucked it up and punched in and the editors had me call other Cubs fans to write a story about how miserable we all felt. Best assignment ever.
“We were celebrating, walking off,” Fox said. “That’s a pretty loud place. That place has got some energy to it, got some atmosphere. It was like a funeral. To be able to silence a place like that…”
Well, that’s enough of that, don’t you think?
Yes, I think that is more than enough. Make it stop. Please.
Fox grew up a Giants fan (The Giants that beat the Cubs in the 1989 NLCS. The Cubs that couldn't get Will Clark out. The Cubs that...Oh, the heck with it) and got to play with a couple of his favorite players.
As a student, Fox looked up to Giants third baseman Matt Williams, only to end up with a locker next to the slugger in the Arizona Diamondbacks clubhouse.
He also enjoyed watching Giants outfielder Mike Aldrete, ended up playing with him on the Yankees and invited him to be in his wedding.
If he’s around long enough, he may manage the children of guys he played with.
Fox thinks that Clinton is a perfect place to get future Ranges ready for the next level:
“With the facility the way it is, you couldn’t ask for a better place to play baseball. The No. 1 thing you’re here to do is work. … We’ve got everything we need to get better as a team and players. … The town is perfect for what we need to get done.”
Fox should have seen it for the last seven years.
Holland also spoke with Peoria Manager Jody Davis and comes off as a bit more of a fanboy than I was when I met Davis Opening Weekend at Fox Cities Stadium.
I also got the chance to meet Peoria (Ill.) Chiefs Manager Jody Davis, who was my first favorite Cub. I cried the day he got traded to Atlanta to make room for top draft choice Damon Berryhill. As I told him last week, after he got traded I decided to follow future Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg.
All I could think when I met Davis was "Ohmigodit's Jody Davis. Ohmigodit's Jody Davis. Ohmigodit's Jody Davis."
Yeah, he's a bit more professional.
Wednesday Night in the MWL
@Burlington 6, Wisconsin 3 -- The Bees have won nine straight at Community Field. The Rattlers are still looking for their 20th win of the season.
@West Michigan 4, Dayton 3 (12 inn.) -- Michael Hernandez fills in for JUSTICE! by hitting a game-winning homer to start the bottom of the 12th inning.
Quad Cities 7, @Beloit 3; Quad Cities 3, Beloit 0 -- SWING sweep!
@Lansing 5, Southwest Michigan 0; @Lansing 2, Southwest Michigan 1 (9 inn.) -- Lugnuts sweep! Nah, it just doesn't have the same ring to it. But, the folks in Lansing will take it.
Cedar Rapids 4, @Clinton 2 --Stephen Marek pitched 8-2/3 innings to beat the LumberKings. Ryan Aldriges gets one out for the save.
Kane County @Peoria -- Cougars and Chiefs got suspended after two innings last night with the Chiefs leading 1-0. The story is about Mark Prior returning to pitch on Saturday for the Chiefs against Fort Wayne. The question I take away from that story is this: Is Mark Prior ready for Myron Noodleman?
South Bend @ Fort Wayne (DH) -- The doubleheader scheduled for yesterday was rained out. One of the games won't be made up. The other will be part of a doubleheader tonight. No word on which of the games in yesterday's doubleheader was cancelled.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@West Michigan 4, Dayton 3 (12 inn.) -- Michael Hernandez fills in for JUSTICE! by hitting a game-winning homer to start the bottom of the 12th inning.
Quad Cities 7, @Beloit 3; Quad Cities 3, Beloit 0 -- SWING sweep!
@Lansing 5, Southwest Michigan 0; @Lansing 2, Southwest Michigan 1 (9 inn.) -- Lugnuts sweep! Nah, it just doesn't have the same ring to it. But, the folks in Lansing will take it.
Cedar Rapids 4, @Clinton 2 --Stephen Marek pitched 8-2/3 innings to beat the LumberKings. Ryan Aldriges gets one out for the save.
Kane County @Peoria -- Cougars and Chiefs got suspended after two innings last night with the Chiefs leading 1-0. The story is about Mark Prior returning to pitch on Saturday for the Chiefs against Fort Wayne. The question I take away from that story is this: Is Mark Prior ready for Myron Noodleman?
South Bend @ Fort Wayne (DH) -- The doubleheader scheduled for yesterday was rained out. One of the games won't be made up. The other will be part of a doubleheader tonight. No word on which of the games in yesterday's doubleheader was cancelled.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Sebastien Boucher, San Antonio.
San Antonio got one hit, Boucher didn't have it, but he did drive in both runs as the Missions beat Tulsa for the second night in a row.
San Antonio got one hit, Boucher didn't have it, but he did drive in both runs as the Missions beat Tulsa for the second night in a row.
Mariner System Report (Games of 5/31)
Seattle (MAJ: 23-32; 4th AL West): The Mariners beat Texas 14-5. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez homered and drove in four runs to lead the offense. Felix Hernandez (WI ’03) got the win with six innings of work and five runs on seven hits with a walk and four strikeouts. Julio Mateo (WI ’00) worked two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
Tacoma (AAA – 25-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 12-4 at Salt Lake. Chris Snelling (WI ’00) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI for the Rainiers. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) got the loss. Jimenez was hit hard for seven runs on eight hits over 5-2/3 innings.
San Antonio (AA – 20-30; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Tulsa 2-1. The Missions managed just one hit, but managed to hold on for the victory. Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) was 0-for-3 but drove in a pair of runs. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) had the only Mission hit. Travis Blackley allowed a run on six hits over six innings for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 32-20; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Visalia 11-6. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs. Omar Falcon (WI ’05) was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) got the win with five innings as the starter allowing five hits, four runs (one earned), and five strikeouts. The San Bernardino Sun has a quick notebook on the 66ers pitching depth with some quotes from former Rattler pitching coach Scott Budner, Matt Tuiasosopo switching to third base for yesterday's game, and Visalia having the 66er's number (um, would that be 66?) at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/1
Seattle – Off Day
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 1-4) at Salt Lake (Stephen Shell 1-2) 8:00pm CDT
Tulsa (Juan Morillo 4-2) at San Antonio (Nate Mateo 2-4) 7:05pm CDT
Visalia (Brandon Mann 2-5) at Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 2-3) 1:00pm CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 25-26; 3rd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 12-4 at Salt Lake. Chris Snelling (WI ’00) went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI for the Rainiers. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) got the loss. Jimenez was hit hard for seven runs on eight hits over 5-2/3 innings.
San Antonio (AA – 20-30; 4th Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Tulsa 2-1. The Missions managed just one hit, but managed to hold on for the victory. Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) was 0-for-3 but drove in a pair of runs. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) had the only Mission hit. Travis Blackley allowed a run on six hits over six innings for the win.
Inland Empire (High-A – 32-20; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Visalia 11-6. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a pair of runs. Omar Falcon (WI ’05) was 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBI. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) got the win with five innings as the starter allowing five hits, four runs (one earned), and five strikeouts. The San Bernardino Sun has a quick notebook on the 66ers pitching depth with some quotes from former Rattler pitching coach Scott Budner, Matt Tuiasosopo switching to third base for yesterday's game, and Visalia having the 66er's number (um, would that be 66?) at Arrowhead Credit Union Park.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 6/1
Seattle – Off Day
Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 1-4) at Salt Lake (Stephen Shell 1-2) 8:00pm CDT
Tulsa (Juan Morillo 4-2) at San Antonio (Nate Mateo 2-4) 7:05pm CDT
Visalia (Brandon Mann 2-5) at Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 2-3) 1:00pm CDT
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