ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost their eighth straight game with a 5-2 defeat at Southwest Michigan. Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard allowed two runs on one hit over 5-1/3 innings for the win. Matt Devins drove in a pair of runs for the Devil Rays.
WISCONSIN HIGHLIGHT: Shortstop Robby Hudson hit his first professional home run last night. Hudson hit a solo homer in the top of the fourth inning for the only hit off Reinhard. Hudson also drove in the other Rattler run.
WINLESS ROAD TRIP: The Rattlers were swept in a four game series at West Michigan and a four game set at Southwest Michigan to go 0-8. The last time the Rattlers did not win a game on a road trip of more than four games was June 20-26, 2002. That Rattler team was 0-7 in a four game series at Kane County and a three game series at Clinton.
OTHER BAD TRIPS: In 2004, the Rattlers were 1-7 on an eight game trip and 2-10 on a twelve game trip. The worst trip for the 2005 Timber Rattlers was a 3-5 trip to South Bend and Southwest Michigan April 28-May 5.
SEASON LONG LOSING STREAK: The loss last night extended the current Rattler losing streak to eight games. Wisconsin’s record has also fallen to a season low fifteen games under .500 (29-56).
APPROACHING HISTORY: The longest losing streak in Timber Rattler history was in 2002. That team had a twelve game skid from July 1-14. That team started the second half 2-20. That 2002 squad has the worst record in Timber Rattler history. They finished the season 53-86.
OFFENSIVE: The Rattlers have not scored more than four runs in any of the games in this losing streak. Only once in the first fifteen games of this half have the Rattlers scored more than four runs, in a 5-1 win over the Peoria Chiefs at Fox Cities Stadium on June 28.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost twelve straight road games. The 2002 team lost thirteen straight road games to start the second half. The next chance for the Rattlers to pick up a road win is July 12 at Peoria.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Lansing Lugnuts are the Midwest League affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Lansing was the first half Eastern Division Wild Card with a record of 40-27. The Lugnuts are off to a 6-9 start in the second half of the season. They have lost five straight games and were just swept in a four game series at home by the West Michigan Whitecaps.
VS. LANSING IN ’06: The Lugnuts lead the season series 3-1. The teams met June 10-13 at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing. The Lugnuts won the first two games of the series with 4-2 and7-4. Wisconsin won game three 4-2 and Lansing took the final game of the series 6-2.
LAST YEAR IN WISCONSIN: Lansing was 3-1 in a four game series at Fox Cities Stadium August 19-22.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA places four members of the current Lansing roster on their list of Top 30 Blue Jay Prospects. Pitcher Chi-Hung Chen is the highest rated prospect at #14. Three outfielders for Lansing are also on the list: Brian Pettway (#19), Yuber Rodriguez (#25), and Jacob Butler (#29).
WISCONSIN’S OWN: Bloomfield native Jordan Timm is a reliever for the Lugnuts. He pitched his college baseball for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and was a 14th round pick of Toronto in 2004. He pitched in eighteen games (four starts) for the Lugnuts last season. Timm was 2-0 with five saves and an ERA of 2.47.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Chi-Hung Cheng was signed as a non-drafted free agent out of Taiwan in November of 2003. He was 7-6 with a 3.15ERA for the Lugnuts last season. Cheng got a no decision against the Rattlers on June 10 at Oldsmobile Park. In that game, he went six innings and allowed two runs on four hits with seven strikeouts. Chen got a no decision in his last start. He gave up four runs (none earned) in six innings against Clinton on July 2 at home.
7/07/2006
Thursday Night in the MWL
@Southwest Michigan 5, Wisconsin 2 -- An 0-for-8 road trip for the Rattlers. A sweep for the D-Rays. But, they are talking about replacements for the Rays.
@South Bend 7, Beloit 6 (10 inn.) -- Will Crouch crack the game winning home run for the Hawks.
West Michigan 3, @Lansing 2 -- Lugnuts had chances, but lose and get swept by the Whitecaps.
@Cedar Rapids 3, Burlington 2 -- A three-run bottom of the second was enough for the Kernels to send the Bees to their sixth straight loss.
@Peoria 6, Clinton 1 -- Peoria is on a six game winning streak. Plus, they dominated the series with the L-Kings.
@Kane County 4, Dayton 3 (15 inn.) -- The Dragons tied the game with two runs in an interesting top of the ninth inning. But, in the end, Steve Kleen ended the game with a single in the fifteenth.
@Quad Cities 6, Fort Wayne 5 -- A four-run ninth for the SWING gave them the win.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@South Bend 7, Beloit 6 (10 inn.) -- Will Crouch crack the game winning home run for the Hawks.
West Michigan 3, @Lansing 2 -- Lugnuts had chances, but lose and get swept by the Whitecaps.
@Cedar Rapids 3, Burlington 2 -- A three-run bottom of the second was enough for the Kernels to send the Bees to their sixth straight loss.
@Peoria 6, Clinton 1 -- Peoria is on a six game winning streak. Plus, they dominated the series with the L-Kings.
@Kane County 4, Dayton 3 (15 inn.) -- The Dragons tied the game with two runs in an interesting top of the ninth inning. But, in the end, Steve Kleen ended the game with a single in the fifteenth.
@Quad Cities 6, Fort Wayne 5 -- A four-run ninth for the SWING gave them the win.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox.A pair of homers, including a grand slam, for the former Rattler and 2006 AL All-Star.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/6)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-44; 3rd AL West): Seattle had a break on the field Thursday. But, they were busy off the field, trading Eddie Guardado to the Reds.
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma had their doubleheader at Tucson rained out.
San Antonio (AA – 35-47; 8-6 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 1-0 to Midland. Travis Blackley allowed one run over eight innings and took the loss. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had two of the Mission’s six hits.
Inland Empire (High-A – 46-37, 7-6 second half; 2nd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Lake Elsinore 5-3. The 66ers scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. Brian Schweiger (WI ’06) homered in the eighth for the final run of the game.
Everett (Short Season-A – 10-8; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 3-0 at Vancouver. The AquaSox had eight hits, but did not score.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-4; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners were off on Thursday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/7
Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman 7-4) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-7) 9:05pm CDT
Portland (Tim Stauffer 4-8) at Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) 9:05pm CDT
Midland (Kevin Olsen 1-1) at Midland (Yorman Bazardo 4-3) 7:05pm CDT
Inland Empire at Lancaster 9:00pm CDT
Everett at Vancouver 3:05pm CDT
AZL Athletics at AZL Mariners 11:30am CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma had their doubleheader at Tucson rained out.
San Antonio (AA – 35-47; 8-6 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 1-0 to Midland. Travis Blackley allowed one run over eight innings and took the loss. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had two of the Mission’s six hits.
Inland Empire (High-A – 46-37, 7-6 second half; 2nd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Lake Elsinore 5-3. The 66ers scored two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 3-3 tie. Brian Schweiger (WI ’06) homered in the eighth for the final run of the game.
Everett (Short Season-A – 10-8; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 3-0 at Vancouver. The AquaSox had eight hits, but did not score.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-4; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners were off on Thursday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/7
Detroit (Jeremy Bonderman 7-4) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-7) 9:05pm CDT
Portland (Tim Stauffer 4-8) at Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) 9:05pm CDT
Midland (Kevin Olsen 1-1) at Midland (Yorman Bazardo 4-3) 7:05pm CDT
Inland Empire at Lancaster 9:00pm CDT
Everett at Vancouver 3:05pm CDT
AZL Athletics at AZL Mariners 11:30am CDT
7/06/2006
If Thursday's Game Were a Movie...
it would be:
Why is this Cold War Classic like tonight's game? After watching it in its entirety, it just left me kind of empty inside.
Click HERE for a complete boxscore of Thursday's game.
Why is this Cold War Classic like tonight's game? After watching it in its entirety, it just left me kind of empty inside.Click HERE for a complete boxscore of Thursday's game.
Odds & Ends...
A few links to some stories of interest:
The Seattle Times had their M's Farm report up on Monday. Mostly about Travis Blackley.
The San Bernardino Sun reports the following: Matt Hagen is having fun tormenting his old team. Also, Chad Fillinger is going back to San Antonio, Mark Lowe is headed for Tacoma, and Justin Jordan is coming back to the Sixers.
Can I say that I am a published photographer in two newspapers now?
What is in a name? The Peoria Journal-Star investigates with Peoria Chief Ryne Malone. He was named after Ryne Sandberg, not current manager Jody Davis. That brings out this anectdote from Davis:
The Mariners have made another move: Eddie Guardado to the Reds for Travis Chick. The quote that may interest Rattler fans:
Do you think the guys at Lookout Landing are happy now?
NFL Adam at The Hater Nation thinks that Major League Baseball should take a tip from the WWE in dealing with drug cases.
Deadspin is thankful for Jose Canseco. Why? Here's why:
The Seattle Times had their M's Farm report up on Monday. Mostly about Travis Blackley.
The San Bernardino Sun reports the following: Matt Hagen is having fun tormenting his old team. Also, Chad Fillinger is going back to San Antonio, Mark Lowe is headed for Tacoma, and Justin Jordan is coming back to the Sixers.
Can I say that I am a published photographer in two newspapers now?
What is in a name? The Peoria Journal-Star investigates with Peoria Chief Ryne Malone. He was named after Ryne Sandberg, not current manager Jody Davis. That brings out this anectdote from Davis:
"When I was playing, I used to get mail saying, 'We couldn't decide whether to name him Jody or Ryne; we ended up naming him Ryne,' " Davis said. "They made a good choice."
The Mariners have made another move: Eddie Guardado to the Reds for Travis Chick. The quote that may interest Rattler fans:
"Eddie had some struggles early on this season that allowed some of our young guys to run the back of the game and they got that job and haven't let go,'' said M's general manager Bill Bavasi. "We have options, such as triple-A pitcher Cesar Jimenez and double-A pitcher Mark Lowe, who can help our bullpen now. We've also acquired a prospect that on our grading system is at about the same level as Asdrubal Cabrera so we feel we're replenishing our system, helping our club both now and in the future.''
Do you think the guys at Lookout Landing are happy now?
NFL Adam at The Hater Nation thinks that Major League Baseball should take a tip from the WWE in dealing with drug cases.
Deadspin is thankful for Jose Canseco. Why? Here's why:
RENO, Nev. – Jose Canseco, making his return to professional baseball in the minor leagues, has asked to be traded from the San Diego Surf Dawgs after playing one game.
Golden Baseball League commissioner Kevin Outcalt said negotiations are under way to send the former Major League All-Star to the Long Beach Armada, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported Wednesday.
Canseco asked to be traded because of child custody responsibilities that require him to be in the Los Angeles area for more time than he anticipated, Outcalt said.“He found out today and it surprised everybody,” Outcalt said Tuesday. “He has family responsibilities.”
Game Notes for July 6
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Devil Rays scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase a 2-1 deficit and beat the Timber Rattlers 3-2. Rattler starting pitcher Nick Allen pitched a season high seven runs and allowed one run, but got a no decision.
SEASON LONG LOSING STREAK: The loss last night extended the current Rattler losing streak to seven games. Wisconsin’s record has also fallen to a season low fourteen games under .500 (29-55)
OFENSIVE: The Rattlers have not scored more than four runs in any of the games in this losing streak.
ANOTHER EARLY LEAD: Wisconsin did get a pair of runs in the second inning after loading the bases with no outs. Jeff Flaig drove in the first run with a single. Michael Saunders made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly. Wisconsin has scored first in all three games of this series with the Devil Rays.
NICE START: Allen made his fourth start as a Rattler. The only run he allowed was in the fifth inning. Neil Walton doubled with two outs. Jason St. Clair followed with a double to drive in the run.
NO SAVE: The Devil Rays scored two runs off Harold Williams on a wild pitch and a bases loaded walk. In the inning, Williams allowed a pair of infield singles, walked three, threw a wild pitch, and struck out three for a blown save. Wisconsin has blown two saves in this series and eleven this season.
NEAR COMEBACK: Travis Scott doubled with two out in the ninth inning off Devil Ray closer Greg Dupas to get the tying run to second base. But, Dupas got a strikeout for the final out of the game.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost eleven straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard was a 6th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2005 draft out of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Rattlers beat Reinhard at Fox Cities Stadium on April 21. Wisconsin got to him for nine runs (eight earned) over 3-2/3 innings. He walked four, gave up five hits, and struck out three in a 14-3 win. Reinhard got a no decision in his last start. On July 1 at C.O. Brown Stadium, he gave up five runs on eight hits with four walks and eight strikeouts against the Fort Wayne Wizards.
SEASON LONG LOSING STREAK: The loss last night extended the current Rattler losing streak to seven games. Wisconsin’s record has also fallen to a season low fourteen games under .500 (29-55)
OFENSIVE: The Rattlers have not scored more than four runs in any of the games in this losing streak.
ANOTHER EARLY LEAD: Wisconsin did get a pair of runs in the second inning after loading the bases with no outs. Jeff Flaig drove in the first run with a single. Michael Saunders made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly. Wisconsin has scored first in all three games of this series with the Devil Rays.
NICE START: Allen made his fourth start as a Rattler. The only run he allowed was in the fifth inning. Neil Walton doubled with two outs. Jason St. Clair followed with a double to drive in the run.
NO SAVE: The Devil Rays scored two runs off Harold Williams on a wild pitch and a bases loaded walk. In the inning, Williams allowed a pair of infield singles, walked three, threw a wild pitch, and struck out three for a blown save. Wisconsin has blown two saves in this series and eleven this season.
NEAR COMEBACK: Travis Scott doubled with two out in the ninth inning off Devil Ray closer Greg Dupas to get the tying run to second base. But, Dupas got a strikeout for the final out of the game.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost eleven straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Marinette, Wisconsin native Greg Reinhard was a 6th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2005 draft out of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Rattlers beat Reinhard at Fox Cities Stadium on April 21. Wisconsin got to him for nine runs (eight earned) over 3-2/3 innings. He walked four, gave up five hits, and struck out three in a 14-3 win. Reinhard got a no decision in his last start. On July 1 at C.O. Brown Stadium, he gave up five runs on eight hits with four walks and eight strikeouts against the Fort Wayne Wizards.
Probable Pitching Matchups for Lansing Series
FRI, 7/7 LHP Jose Escalona (4-7, 4.07) vs. LHP Chi-Hung Chen (6-4, 3.55)
SAT, 7/8 RHP Marwin Vega (2-5, 5.95) vs. RHP Kristian Bell (6-4, 4.23)
SUN, 7/9 LHP Paul Fagan (3-10, 4.62) vs. RHP Casey McKenzie (0-0, 2.16)
MON, 7/10 RHP Nick Allen (4-3, 2.70) vs. Aaron Tressler (5-3, 2.15)
SAT, 7/8 RHP Marwin Vega (2-5, 5.95) vs. RHP Kristian Bell (6-4, 4.23)
SUN, 7/9 LHP Paul Fagan (3-10, 4.62) vs. RHP Casey McKenzie (0-0, 2.16)
MON, 7/10 RHP Nick Allen (4-3, 2.70) vs. Aaron Tressler (5-3, 2.15)
Wednesday in the MWL
@Southwest Michigan 3, Wisconsin 2 -- One team falters. Another team rallies. It all depends on your point of view.
Dayton 4, @Kane County 1 -- The Dragons kept the Cougars quiet.
Beloit 4, @South Bend 0 -- The Snappers did the same to the Silver Hawks.
West Michigan 5, @Lansing 1 --The Whitecaps continue to play well.
@Cedar Rapids 4, Burlington 3 -- Kernels score two in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Burlington pitcher Chris Nicoll took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Bees had scored in the top of the ninth to take a 3-2 lead.
@Peoria 3, Clinton 1 -- The Chiefs edged the L-Kings, but lose Jesse Estrada for three games for a beanball incident at Fox Cities Stadium.
@Quad Cities 14, Fort Wayne 6 -- The SWING put up TEN in the SECOND on their was to a win.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
Dayton 4, @Kane County 1 -- The Dragons kept the Cougars quiet.
Beloit 4, @South Bend 0 -- The Snappers did the same to the Silver Hawks.
West Michigan 5, @Lansing 1 --The Whitecaps continue to play well.
@Cedar Rapids 4, Burlington 3 -- Kernels score two in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Burlington pitcher Chris Nicoll took a no-hitter into the seventh inning and the Bees had scored in the top of the ninth to take a 3-2 lead.
@Peoria 3, Clinton 1 -- The Chiefs edged the L-Kings, but lose Jesse Estrada for three games for a beanball incident at Fox Cities Stadium.
@Quad Cities 14, Fort Wayne 6 -- The SWING put up TEN in the SECOND on their was to a win.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Shawn Nottingham, Inland Empire
A near no-hitter for Nottingham gets him the nod for today.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/5)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-44; 3rd AL West): Seattle lost 4-0 to the Angels. Jamie Moyer allowed four runs on six hits for the loss.
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma had their game with Tucson postponed due to wet grounds.
San Antonio (AA – 35-46; 8-5 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 3-2 to Midland. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) gave up seven hits over 6-2/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts. But, he got a no decision as the bullpen gave up three runs. Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 45-37, 6-6 second half; T-2nd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Lake Elsinore 6-3. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) struck out eight and walked five and allowed three runs on two hits over seven innings for the win. Nottingham took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but allowed a pair of singles and a walk before leaving the game. Jack Arroyo (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the 66ers. Josh Womack (WI ’05) added three hits over 5-1/3 innings for the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 10-7; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett won 2-0 at Vancouver. Winning pitcher Steve Uhlmansiek went five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and two walks. Bryan Sabatella (WI ’06) had a double and an RBI for the Sox.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-4; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners lost 6-3 to the Padres. Brandon Morrow, the top pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft, worked a scoreless, hitless inning with a strikeout in his first appearance as a pro.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/6
Seattle – OFF DAY
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) at Tucson (Kevin Jarvis 2-5) 6:30pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 7-4) at Tucson (Micah Owings 4-0) – Game Two
Midland (Brad Knox 5-3) at San Antonio (Travis Blackley 6-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Cesar Ramos 4-4) at Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 4-4) 7:11pm CDT
Everett at Vancouver 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma had their game with Tucson postponed due to wet grounds.
San Antonio (AA – 35-46; 8-5 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 3-2 to Midland. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) gave up seven hits over 6-2/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts. But, he got a no decision as the bullpen gave up three runs. Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and an RBI for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 45-37, 6-6 second half; T-2nd California League South Division): Inland Empire beat Lake Elsinore 6-3. Shawn Nottingham (WI ’05) struck out eight and walked five and allowed three runs on two hits over seven innings for the win. Nottingham took a no-hitter into the eighth inning, but allowed a pair of singles and a walk before leaving the game. Jack Arroyo (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the 66ers. Josh Womack (WI ’05) added three hits over 5-1/3 innings for the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 10-7; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett won 2-0 at Vancouver. Winning pitcher Steve Uhlmansiek went five scoreless innings and allowed just two hits and two walks. Bryan Sabatella (WI ’06) had a double and an RBI for the Sox.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-4; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners lost 6-3 to the Padres. Brandon Morrow, the top pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft, worked a scoreless, hitless inning with a strikeout in his first appearance as a pro.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/6
Seattle – OFF DAY
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) at Tucson (Kevin Jarvis 2-5) 6:30pm CDT
Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 7-4) at Tucson (Micah Owings 4-0) – Game Two
Midland (Brad Knox 5-3) at San Antonio (Travis Blackley 6-5) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Cesar Ramos 4-4) at Inland Empire (Cibney Bello 4-4) 7:11pm CDT
Everett at Vancouver 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
C.O. Brown Postcard
Took the morning off.
Everything should be up in a little bit.
My eulogy to C. O. Brown Stadium is up over at RattlersReport.com in the form of a new Postcard.
Everything should be up in a little bit.
My eulogy to C. O. Brown Stadium is up over at RattlersReport.com in the form of a new Postcard.
7/05/2006
If Wednesday's Game Were A Movie
it would be:
Shocker
Assistant Director Skinner from The X-Files is a serial killer that somehow comes back from the electric chair and wreaks havoc.
The Rattlers pulled the switch, but the D-Rays survived and came back to life.
The end of the losing streak was right there. 2-1 lead. Six outs to get. But, two infield singles, three walks, and a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning put the Devil Rays up 3-2.
A two-out double in the top of the ninth was left on base and the losing streak has reached seven.
Click HERE for a complete boxscore.
ShockerAssistant Director Skinner from The X-Files is a serial killer that somehow comes back from the electric chair and wreaks havoc.
The Rattlers pulled the switch, but the D-Rays survived and came back to life.
The end of the losing streak was right there. 2-1 lead. Six outs to get. But, two infield singles, three walks, and a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning put the Devil Rays up 3-2.
A two-out double in the top of the ninth was left on base and the losing streak has reached seven.
Click HERE for a complete boxscore.
Memories
A big "Thank you" to whomever had the radio turned on at C.O. Brown Stadium today.
While setting up the computer and getting the stats ready and all that stuff, I hear the call letters of the station, WRKR.
I haven't heard those call letters since I was a Knight at this school in my hometown.
WRKR in Racine was the station of my youth. It has changed quite a bit since then.
Something interesting popped up on Google while looking for further memory jogs on WRKR.
And a little further down the page...
WSUP is where I started to really get into the whole radio thing. It seems to have worked out so far.
Enough of memory lane. Game starts in an hour and WRKR just went from Breakdown by Tom Petty into Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who. I think there is time for a little air guitar.
While setting up the computer and getting the stats ready and all that stuff, I hear the call letters of the station, WRKR.
I haven't heard those call letters since I was a Knight at this school in my hometown.
WRKR in Racine was the station of my youth. It has changed quite a bit since then.
Something interesting popped up on Google while looking for further memory jogs on WRKR.
WRKR-FM, Racine, Wisconsin
September 1977 to March 1978Reunited with some old Top 40 friends, WRKR saw the debut of Joe's first album-feature program "Benson Onna Sunday Night." Only one other jock survived from that version of WRKR: Big Marty still reigns in Las Vegas!
And a little further down the page...
WSUP-FM, Platteville, Wisconsin
August 1970 to May 1973The University of Wisconsin - Platteville featured a very ambitious radio and TV program that Joe fit right into. No peculiar show names were used for his regular Saturday, then Monday night programs — although his best friends Road Runner and Warthog made regular appearances on their "Uncle's" radio show. The range of music spanned from Deep Purple, Little Feat and Alice Cooper to early Pink Floyd and Genesis.
WSUP is where I started to really get into the whole radio thing. It seems to have worked out so far.
Enough of memory lane. Game starts in an hour and WRKR just went from Breakdown by Tom Petty into Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who. I think there is time for a little air guitar.
Game Notes for 7/5
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Devil Rays beat the Timber Rattlers 10-4. Cesar Suarez had three hits and knocked in a pair of runs for Southwest Michigan. Jackson Brennan and Colt Simmons also knocked in two runs for the Rays. Winning pitcher Wade Miller struck out a nine and broke a personal five game losing streak.
CLUTCH HITTING: Of the fifteen runs scored by the Devil Rays in the first two games of this series, ten have scored on two-out hits.
EARLY OPPORTUNITY: The Rattlers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning. Michael Saunders gave Wisconsin a brief 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly.
RATTLING THE RATTLERS: Davis has struck out sixteen Timber Rattlers in 12-2/3 innings over two starts this season.
SPEAKING OF STRIKEOUTS: Davis, Drew Bigda, and Eduardo De La Cruz combined for thirteen strikeouts last night. That matches a season high in strikeouts for Wisconsin hitters. In six games, Devil Ray pitchers have combined to strike out 56 Wisconsin hitters.
TRIPLE YOUR FUN: The Rattlers got a pair of triples last night. Ron Garth tripled with two-out in the third, but was left stranded. Robby Hudson drove in a pair of runs with his triple in the fifth inning.
STREAK ENDER: Alex Gary’s 10-game hit streak ended last night. He walked in the first inning, but went 0-for-3 the rest of the night.
HIT MACHINE: Luis Valbuena had two hits last night to give him an 8-game hitting streak. Valbuena has at least one hit in 21 of his last 23 games. During that stretch he is 34-for-90 (.378) and has raised his overall batting average from .237 to .283.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost ten straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Mike Wlodarczyk was the 7th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2005 draft out of Boston College. He split time between Princeton (Appalachian League) and Hudson Valley (New York-Penn League) last season and was 3-6 with a 2.33ERA in fifteen starts. Wlodarczyk has lost his last three starts, including a loss to Fort Wayne on June 30 at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Wizards scored seven runs on seven hits with five walks in 4-1/3 innings against Wlodarczyk. On April 17 at Fox Cities Stadium, Wlodarczyk got a no decision against the Rattlers. He gave up one hit and no runs over five innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The Devil Rays won the game 4-3 in ten innings.
CLUTCH HITTING: Of the fifteen runs scored by the Devil Rays in the first two games of this series, ten have scored on two-out hits.
EARLY OPPORTUNITY: The Rattlers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first inning. Michael Saunders gave Wisconsin a brief 1-0 lead with a sacrifice fly.
RATTLING THE RATTLERS: Davis has struck out sixteen Timber Rattlers in 12-2/3 innings over two starts this season.
SPEAKING OF STRIKEOUTS: Davis, Drew Bigda, and Eduardo De La Cruz combined for thirteen strikeouts last night. That matches a season high in strikeouts for Wisconsin hitters. In six games, Devil Ray pitchers have combined to strike out 56 Wisconsin hitters.
TRIPLE YOUR FUN: The Rattlers got a pair of triples last night. Ron Garth tripled with two-out in the third, but was left stranded. Robby Hudson drove in a pair of runs with his triple in the fifth inning.
STREAK ENDER: Alex Gary’s 10-game hit streak ended last night. He walked in the first inning, but went 0-for-3 the rest of the night.
HIT MACHINE: Luis Valbuena had two hits last night to give him an 8-game hitting streak. Valbuena has at least one hit in 21 of his last 23 games. During that stretch he is 34-for-90 (.378) and has raised his overall batting average from .237 to .283.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost ten straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Mike Wlodarczyk was the 7th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2005 draft out of Boston College. He split time between Princeton (Appalachian League) and Hudson Valley (New York-Penn League) last season and was 3-6 with a 2.33ERA in fifteen starts. Wlodarczyk has lost his last three starts, including a loss to Fort Wayne on June 30 at C.O. Brown Stadium. The Wizards scored seven runs on seven hits with five walks in 4-1/3 innings against Wlodarczyk. On April 17 at Fox Cities Stadium, Wlodarczyk got a no decision against the Rattlers. He gave up one hit and no runs over five innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The Devil Rays won the game 4-3 in ten innings.
Tuesday in the MWL
@Southwest Michigan 10, Wisconsin 4 -- Ten straight road losses for the Rattlers. Four straight wins for the Devil Rays.
@Quad Cities 11, Fort Wayne 5 -- Fireworks for the SWING in the form of three home runs.
@Kane County 12, Dayton 4 -- Fireworks for the Cougars in the form of 8 runs in their final two at bats of the night to beat the Dragons.
@Cedar Rapids 13, Burlington 5 -- Fireworks for the Kernels in the form of, oh, you get the point.
@Peoria 6, Clinton 2 -- Mitch Atkins kept the LumberKings from getting any Fireworks.
@South Bend 2, Beloit 0 -- Hawks shutout the Snappers. Cody Evans with eight shutout innings for South Bend.
West Michigan 5, @Lansing 3 -- Whitecaps rally late for a win to become the only road team to win in the MWL yesterday.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@Quad Cities 11, Fort Wayne 5 -- Fireworks for the SWING in the form of three home runs.
@Kane County 12, Dayton 4 -- Fireworks for the Cougars in the form of 8 runs in their final two at bats of the night to beat the Dragons.
@Cedar Rapids 13, Burlington 5 -- Fireworks for the Kernels in the form of, oh, you get the point.
@Peoria 6, Clinton 2 -- Mitch Atkins kept the LumberKings from getting any Fireworks.
@South Bend 2, Beloit 0 -- Hawks shutout the Snappers. Cody Evans with eight shutout innings for South Bend.
West Michigan 5, @Lansing 3 -- Whitecaps rally late for a win to become the only road team to win in the MWL yesterday.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Matt Hagen, Lake Elsinore StormThe former Rattler hit a homer against the 66ers in the Storm's 17-2 win last night.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/4)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-43; 3rd AL West): Seattle lost 14-6 to the Angels. The Mariners had a 5-1 lead after the bottom of the fourth. But, the Angels scored seven runs in the sixth inning. Julio Mateo (WI ’00) gave up four runs on four hits in the big inning for the Angels and got the loss. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez homered and drove in three runs for the Mariners.
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 4-3 at Tucson. Adam Jones (WI ’04) and Chris Snelling (WI ’00) both homered for the Rainiers. Rich Dorman (WI ’03) gave up four runs on six hits over seven innings and took the loss.
San Antonio (AA – 35-45; 8-4 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 5-4 at Frisco. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) allowed a two run homer in the bottom of the seventh that erased a 4-3 Mission lead. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-37, 5-6 second half; 4th California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 17-2 to Lake Elsinore. Chris Colton (WI ’05) hit a two run homer in the bottom of the first inning for the only 66er runs. Former Rattler Matt Hagen (WI ’03) homered and knocked in two runs for the Storm. Justin Thomas (WI ’06) gave up eleven runs over 5-1/3 innings for the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-7; T-3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 6-2 to Vancouver. Mike Schilling allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings and got the loss. The Aquasox has six hits in the game.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-3; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Rangers 17-11. Anthony Butler of Oak Creek, Wisconsin pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with five strikeouts for his first pro win. Marquise Liverpool and Marcos Villezcas each had four RBI for the M’s.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/5
Los Angeles Angels (Bartolo Colon 0-4) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer 5-7) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) at Tucson (Kevin Jarvis 2-5) 9:00pm CDT
Midland (Brad Ziegler 6-4) at San Antonio (Robert Rohrbaugh 2-0) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Manny Ayala 0-1) at Inland Empire (Shawn Nottingham 3-7) 7:11pm CDT
Everett (Steve Uhlmansiek 1-0) at Vancouver (Inoel Deaza 1-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners at AZL Padres 11:30am CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 48-37; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma lost 4-3 at Tucson. Adam Jones (WI ’04) and Chris Snelling (WI ’00) both homered for the Rainiers. Rich Dorman (WI ’03) gave up four runs on six hits over seven innings and took the loss.
San Antonio (AA – 35-45; 8-4 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 5-4 at Frisco. Mark Lowe (WI ’05) allowed a two run homer in the bottom of the seventh that erased a 4-3 Mission lead. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the Missions.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-37, 5-6 second half; 4th California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 17-2 to Lake Elsinore. Chris Colton (WI ’05) hit a two run homer in the bottom of the first inning for the only 66er runs. Former Rattler Matt Hagen (WI ’03) homered and knocked in two runs for the Storm. Justin Thomas (WI ’06) gave up eleven runs over 5-1/3 innings for the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-7; T-3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 6-2 to Vancouver. Mike Schilling allowed three runs (two earned) over five innings and got the loss. The Aquasox has six hits in the game.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 8-3; T-1st Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Rangers 17-11. Anthony Butler of Oak Creek, Wisconsin pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with five strikeouts for his first pro win. Marquise Liverpool and Marcos Villezcas each had four RBI for the M’s.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/5
Los Angeles Angels (Bartolo Colon 0-4) at Seattle (Jamie Moyer 5-7) 9:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Francisco Cruceta 7-4) at Tucson (Kevin Jarvis 2-5) 9:00pm CDT
Midland (Brad Ziegler 6-4) at San Antonio (Robert Rohrbaugh 2-0) 7:05pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Manny Ayala 0-1) at Inland Empire (Shawn Nottingham 3-7) 7:11pm CDT
Everett (Steve Uhlmansiek 1-0) at Vancouver (Inoel Deaza 1-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners at AZL Padres 11:30am CDT
7/04/2006
If Tuesday's Game Were a Movie...
it would be:
The Skydivers
This Coleman Francis "Classic" is noted for things happening for no reason and lots and lots of skydiving sequences. The chute didn't open for one of the characters and someone poured acid into the chute of another.
I prefer this version of The Skydivers
The chute isn't opening right now, but there is still time.
Complete Boxscore HERE.
EDIT: Added image and link to a better version of the movie.
Roster Move
Rattler outfielder Kevin Reynolds was promoted to San Antonio after the game last night.
No word on anyone coming here to replace Reynolds just yet.
This may be just for when Wladimir Balentien heads to the Futures Game in Pittsburgh. After Balentien returns to the Missions, we may see Reynolds back in a Rattler uniform.
No word on anyone coming here to replace Reynolds just yet.
This may be just for when Wladimir Balentien heads to the Futures Game in Pittsburgh. After Balentien returns to the Missions, we may see Reynolds back in a Rattler uniform.
Press Box Progress -- A Photo Essay
This is the final season of Midwest League Baseball at C.O. Brown Stadium in Battle Creek, Michigan. After this season, the team is moving to Midland, Michigan.
I wanted to commemorate the final trip here in a way that will honor all my brother MWL announcers who have made the trek up the stairs here at C.O. Brown over the years.
So, I give you, Press Box Progress -- A Photo Essay. Pictures only. No comments by the photographer are added.
I wanted to commemorate the final trip here in a way that will honor all my brother MWL announcers who have made the trek up the stairs here at C.O. Brown over the years.
So, I give you, Press Box Progress -- A Photo Essay. Pictures only. No comments by the photographer are added.
Game Notes for 7/4
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Devil Rays got a two-out, two-run double from Cesar Suarez in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 5-4 victory over the Timber Rattlers. Suarez drove in three runs for the Devil Rays.
TWO STRAIGHT: Last night was the second straight loss on a walk-off hit by an opponent. West Michigan broke a 4-4 tie with a single in the bottom of the tenth.
TOP OF THE NINTH: Eddy Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. That put the Timber Rattlers in front 4-3.
TWO HOMER NIGHT: Hernandez and Alex Gary each homered last night. It was the first time the Rattlers have hit two home runs in a game since June 5. That was the night Wisconsin had a pair of homers against Clinton at Fox Cities Stadium. Last night was also the first time the Rattlers have hit multiple home runs in a road game since they hit two at Fort Wayne on April 27.
A LONG DECADE: Gary’s homer extended his hitting streak to ten games. He had a six game streak before going on the disabled list on April 24. He has at least one hit in each of his four games since returning to the team.
A BAD DECADE: The Rattler bullpen blew its tenth save of the season last night. Austin Bibens-Dirkx gave up his first runs as a professional last night on the two-run double by Suarez.
ALL AFTER TWO: All five of the Devil Ray runs scored after there were two out. Alex Jamieson singled in a pair of runs with a two-out single in the bottom of the third to put the D-Rays up 2-1. After the Rattlers tied the game in the top of the fourth, Suarez knocked in a run with a two-out single in the bottom of the fifth for a 3-2 lead.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost nine straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Wade Davis was the third round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2004 draft out of Lake Wells (FL) High School. In 2005, Davis led the New York-Penn League in strikeouts with 97. This season, Davis is second in the Midwest League in strikeouts with 101. Davis has lost his last five starts for Southwest Michigan. In his last start, the Fort Wayne Wizards beat Davis at C.O. Brown Stadium. He gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits with four walks and no strikeouts on June 29. Davis got a no decision against the Rattlers on June 19 at Fox Cities Stadium. He pitched six scoreless innings and gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out seven. The Rattlers rallied to beat the Devil Rays 4-3 in that game.
TWO STRAIGHT: Last night was the second straight loss on a walk-off hit by an opponent. West Michigan broke a 4-4 tie with a single in the bottom of the tenth.
TOP OF THE NINTH: Eddy Hernandez hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning. That put the Timber Rattlers in front 4-3.
TWO HOMER NIGHT: Hernandez and Alex Gary each homered last night. It was the first time the Rattlers have hit two home runs in a game since June 5. That was the night Wisconsin had a pair of homers against Clinton at Fox Cities Stadium. Last night was also the first time the Rattlers have hit multiple home runs in a road game since they hit two at Fort Wayne on April 27.
A LONG DECADE: Gary’s homer extended his hitting streak to ten games. He had a six game streak before going on the disabled list on April 24. He has at least one hit in each of his four games since returning to the team.
A BAD DECADE: The Rattler bullpen blew its tenth save of the season last night. Austin Bibens-Dirkx gave up his first runs as a professional last night on the two-run double by Suarez.
ALL AFTER TWO: All five of the Devil Ray runs scored after there were two out. Alex Jamieson singled in a pair of runs with a two-out single in the bottom of the third to put the D-Rays up 2-1. After the Rattlers tied the game in the top of the fourth, Suarez knocked in a run with a two-out single in the bottom of the fifth for a 3-2 lead.
LONG, LONG WAY FROM HOME: The Rattlers have lost nine straight road games. The last Rattler road win was game one of a doubleheader at Quad Cities on June 15. Wisconsin lost the final four games of the series with the Swing and was swept in a four game set at West Michigan before the loss last night.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Wade Davis was the third round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2004 draft out of Lake Wells (FL) High School. In 2005, Davis led the New York-Penn League in strikeouts with 97. This season, Davis is second in the Midwest League in strikeouts with 101. Davis has lost his last five starts for Southwest Michigan. In his last start, the Fort Wayne Wizards beat Davis at C.O. Brown Stadium. He gave up four runs (two earned) on six hits with four walks and no strikeouts on June 29. Davis got a no decision against the Rattlers on June 19 at Fox Cities Stadium. He pitched six scoreless innings and gave up one hit, walked one, and struck out seven. The Rattlers rallied to beat the Devil Rays 4-3 in that game.
Random Picture From My Hotel Window (#7 in a Series)
This picture is number five on my list of fears. A ground floor hotel room. At least this sturdy screen window will protect me.
Monday in the MWL
@Southwest Michigan 5, Wisconsin 4 -- Walk-"oof" for the Rattlers. Walk-off for the D-Rays.
@Cedar Rapids 7, Burlington 1 -- Stephen Marek is 9-1. His ninth win came in a Cedar Rapids Bunnies jersey.
Beloit 13, @South Bend 5 -- Don't you just love the "Fireworks started early" lede?
@Kane County 5, Dayton 4 -- Errors hurt. Three errors in the final two innings trying to protect a lead really hurt. Three errors in the final two innings trying to protect a lead in Kane County will leave a mark.
@Quad Cities 6, Fort Wayne 1 -- Swing win the game, but lose Colby Rasmus.
West Michigan 10, @Lansing 8 -- Geez, Lansing, it's called a losing streak. It happens.
@Peoria 13, Clinton 6 -- Thirteen runs, fifteen hits, yeah, that was enough for the Chiefs.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@Cedar Rapids 7, Burlington 1 -- Stephen Marek is 9-1. His ninth win came in a Cedar Rapids Bunnies jersey.
Beloit 13, @South Bend 5 -- Don't you just love the "Fireworks started early" lede?
@Kane County 5, Dayton 4 -- Errors hurt. Three errors in the final two innings trying to protect a lead really hurt. Three errors in the final two innings trying to protect a lead in Kane County will leave a mark.
@Quad Cities 6, Fort Wayne 1 -- Swing win the game, but lose Colby Rasmus.
West Michigan 10, @Lansing 8 -- Geez, Lansing, it's called a losing streak. It happens.
@Peoria 13, Clinton 6 -- Thirteen runs, fifteen hits, yeah, that was enough for the Chiefs.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Cesar Jimenez, Tacoma.
Yes, another Rainier. But, what are you going to do? Jimenez pitched eight scoreless innings and he has given up one run over his last thirty-eight innings.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/3)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-42; 3rd AL West): Seattle lost 7-1 to the Angels. Felix Hernandez (WI ’03) gave up five runs over 6-2/3 innings to take the loss. Shin-soo Choo (WI ’02) doubled in three at bats for the Mariners as the starting centerfielder.
Tacoma (AAA – 48-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 8-1. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) pitched eight shutout innings for his fifth win of the season. Adam Jones (WI ’04) hit his twelfth home run and knocked in two runs for the Rainiers.
San Antonio (AA – 35-44; 8-3 second half; 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 7-4 at Frisco. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had a pair of RBI for the Missions. Ryan Feierabend (WI ’02) lasted just 2-2/3 innings and was tagged with the loss.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-36, 5-5 second half; T-3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 12-4 at Rancho Cucamonga. Chad Fillinger (WI ’05) allowed six runs (three earned) for the loss. The offense managed just four hits.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-6; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 8-6 to Vancouver. The Sox held a 6-5 lead heading into the eighth, but the Canadians scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth for the win. Kuo-Hui Lo homered and drove in a pair for the Sox.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 7-3; 2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Giants 8-1. Aric Van Gaalen scattered eight hits over five innings and allowed just one run for the win. Alex Meneses had a pair of hits, scored three runs, and drove in one for the Mariners.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/4
Los Angeles Angels (Ervin Santana 8-3) at Seattle (Gil Meche 7-4) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Rich Dorman 3-3) at Tucson (Adam Bass 4-0) 8:30pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 5-5) at Frisco (Daniel Haigwood 0-0) 7:00pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Evan Meek 3-3) at Inland Empire (Justin Thomas 3-0) 7:30pm CDT
Vancouver (James Heuser 1-2) at Everett (Mike Schilling 2-1) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Rangers at AZL Mariners 10:00am CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 48-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 8-1. Cesar Jimenez (WI ’03) pitched eight shutout innings for his fifth win of the season. Adam Jones (WI ’04) hit his twelfth home run and knocked in two runs for the Rainiers.
San Antonio (AA – 35-44; 8-3 second half; 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio lost 7-4 at Frisco. Mike Wilson (WI ’05) had a pair of RBI for the Missions. Ryan Feierabend (WI ’02) lasted just 2-2/3 innings and was tagged with the loss.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-36, 5-5 second half; T-3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 12-4 at Rancho Cucamonga. Chad Fillinger (WI ’05) allowed six runs (three earned) for the loss. The offense managed just four hits.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-6; 3rd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 8-6 to Vancouver. The Sox held a 6-5 lead heading into the eighth, but the Canadians scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth for the win. Kuo-Hui Lo homered and drove in a pair for the Sox.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 7-3; 2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Giants 8-1. Aric Van Gaalen scattered eight hits over five innings and allowed just one run for the win. Alex Meneses had a pair of hits, scored three runs, and drove in one for the Mariners.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/4
Los Angeles Angels (Ervin Santana 8-3) at Seattle (Gil Meche 7-4) 3:05pm CDT
Tacoma (Rich Dorman 3-3) at Tucson (Adam Bass 4-0) 8:30pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 5-5) at Frisco (Daniel Haigwood 0-0) 7:00pm CDT
Lake Elsinore (Evan Meek 3-3) at Inland Empire (Justin Thomas 3-0) 7:30pm CDT
Vancouver (James Heuser 1-2) at Everett (Mike Schilling 2-1) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Rangers at AZL Mariners 10:00am CDT
Happy Birthday, USA
And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
From Past Times Sports
Baseball on an American Flag by Bruce Corwin from art.com
7/03/2006
Former Rattlers Get Honors
Shin-soo Choo (WI '02) and Cesar Jimenez (WI '03) received the Pacific Coast League's Offensive Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week on July 3.
Jimenez’s one-hit shutout performance was all that was needed to take home Pitcher of the Week honors as he defeated the Las Vegas 51s on June 28th. Choo collected 18 hits in 31 at-bats for a .581 batting average on the week while posting a 1.032 slugging percentage en route to picking up the League’s Player of the Week award.
Choo Gets the Call
From the Mariner Website:
At the writing of this post Choo (WI '02) had a double and was 1-for-3 in Monday's game against the Angels.
Choo was 1-for-18 in ten games for the Mariners in 2005.
In a chain reaction, Adam Jones has been named as a replacement for Choo at the 2006 Triple-A ALl-Star Game at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.
...the Mariners opted to go with Shin-Shoo Choo to fill in for (Jeremy) Reed, who broke his right thumb trying to make a diving catch on Sunday and likely will miss between four and six weeks.
Why Choo? The choice was pretty simple, according the general manager Bill Bavasi.
"We went with the hot bat in Triple-A," Bavasi said of Choo, who was hitting .327 with the Rainiers but .452 in his last 24 games.
At the writing of this post Choo (WI '02) had a double and was 1-for-3 in Monday's game against the Angels.
Choo was 1-for-18 in ten games for the Mariners in 2005.
In a chain reaction, Adam Jones has been named as a replacement for Choo at the 2006 Triple-A ALl-Star Game at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio.
If Monday's Game Were a Movie....
it would be:
Remember the first time you watched The Usual Suspects?
You just knew that Kujan got what he needed out of Kint to put Keyzer Soze to rest. Then, Kint makes bail. Kujan starts looking at the bulletin board. Then, the fax of the sketch comes in as Kint is getting into the car and you realize that Soze actually won.
The Rattlers were Kujan tonight. The Devil Rays were Soze. Get 'em tomorrow.
Complete Boxscore HERE.
Probable Pitching Matchups
Here are the Pitching Matchups for the series with the Devil Rays:
MON, 7/3 RHP Marwin Vega (2-5, 6.19) vs. LHP Jake McGee (6-6, 2.64)
TUE, 7/4 LHP Paul Fagan (3-9, 4.35) vs. RHP Wade Davis (4-6, 2.60)
WED, 7/5 RHP Nick Allen (4-3, 2.89) vs. LHP Mike Wlodarczyk (6-6, 2.99)
THU, 7/6 RHP Ruben Flores (1-7, 5.93) vs. RHP Greg Reinhard (2-6, 5.38)
MON, 7/3 RHP Marwin Vega (2-5, 6.19) vs. LHP Jake McGee (6-6, 2.64)
TUE, 7/4 LHP Paul Fagan (3-9, 4.35) vs. RHP Wade Davis (4-6, 2.60)
WED, 7/5 RHP Nick Allen (4-3, 2.89) vs. LHP Mike Wlodarczyk (6-6, 2.99)
THU, 7/6 RHP Ruben Flores (1-7, 5.93) vs. RHP Greg Reinhard (2-6, 5.38)
Game Notes for 7/3
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Rattlers lost 5-4 in ten innings at West Michigan. The Rattlers trailed 4-1 going into the top of the ninth inning. Alex Gary blasted a three-run homer with one out to tie the game. The Whitecaps scored the winning run with two out in the bottom of the tenth innings on a bases loaded single by Cory Middleton.
SWEPT AWAY: The Whitecaps swept a four game series from the Timber Rattlers at Fifth Third Ballpark. That was the first four game sweep of the Rattlers this season. The only other sweep by an opponent was a three game sweep by Cedar Rapids at Fox Cities Stadium April 13-15.
NO DECISION: Rattler starting pitcher Jose Escalona got a no decision last night. He pitched five innings, allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. In his last eleven starts, Escalona is 0-6 with five no decisions.
UNEARNED: The Rattler offense committed two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs for the Whitecaps last night. The Timber Rattlers have committed 111 errors this season and opponents have scored 81 unearned runs.
NO GO ON THE O: The Rattlers scored four runs in the loss yesterday. They had scored a combined four runs in the first three games of the series with the Whitecaps. Wisconsin has scored more than four runs in a game just once this half.
EXTRA INNING BLUES: The Rattlers lost their second straight extra inning game of the second half. Wisconsin is 3-5 in eight extra inning games this season.
STILL ON THE STREAK: Gary extended his hitting streak to nine games with his home run. Gary has at least one hit in his three games since returning from the disabled list. He had a six game streak before going on the DL in late April.
POWER PLAY: The home run by Gary was the first home run the Rattlers have hit on the road since June 13 at Lansing, a stretch of eight games.
WATCH FOR THE DOUBLE PLAY: The Rattler offense had six double plays turned against them in the West Michigan series. In the first eleven games of the second half, Wisconsin had hit into twelve twin killings.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays are the Midwest League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Southwest Michigan finished the first half of the season 33-37 and missed the playoffs. Southwest Michigan is 3-8 in the second half. They won their first game of this half, but lost the next eight in a row. The Devil Rays have won two straight heading into the series with the Rattlers.
VS. WEST MICHIGAN IN ’06: The Rattlers and Devil Rays split a four game series at Fox Cities Stadium in April. Southwest Michigan won the first two games of the series and the Rattlers took the final two games. The Rattlers won the final two games of the series.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has three members of the current Southwest Michigan roster on their Top 30 list of Tampa Bay prospects. All three are pitchers. Wade Davis is the highest rated Southwest Michigan Devil Ray on the list at #6. Matt Walker is next at #9. Jake McGee is on the list at #16. The Devil Rays have six members of their 2005 draft class on the Southwest Michigan roster. Starting pitchers Greg Reinhard (6th round) and Mike Wlodarczyk (7th) round are joined by pitcher Jeff Kamrath (11th), infielder Neil Walton (16th), infielder Matt Devins (34th), and outfielder Garrett Groce (41st). The Devil Rays have no members of Tampa’s 2006 draft on their roster.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jacob McGee was the 5th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2004 draft out of Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada. In his last start, McGee lost at Dayton. The Dragons got to him for five runs on six hits over two innings on June 28. McGee beat the Rattlers in his only appearance against them. On April 18 at Fox Cities Stadium, McGee shutout Wisconsin on four hits over six innings and struck out eight in a 4-1 Southwest Michigan win. McGee was the winning pitcher in the 2006 Midwest League All-Star Game for the Eastern Division after he tossed a scoreless second inning.
SWEPT AWAY: The Whitecaps swept a four game series from the Timber Rattlers at Fifth Third Ballpark. That was the first four game sweep of the Rattlers this season. The only other sweep by an opponent was a three game sweep by Cedar Rapids at Fox Cities Stadium April 13-15.
NO DECISION: Rattler starting pitcher Jose Escalona got a no decision last night. He pitched five innings, allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits. In his last eleven starts, Escalona is 0-6 with five no decisions.
UNEARNED: The Rattler offense committed two errors that led to a pair of unearned runs for the Whitecaps last night. The Timber Rattlers have committed 111 errors this season and opponents have scored 81 unearned runs.
NO GO ON THE O: The Rattlers scored four runs in the loss yesterday. They had scored a combined four runs in the first three games of the series with the Whitecaps. Wisconsin has scored more than four runs in a game just once this half.
EXTRA INNING BLUES: The Rattlers lost their second straight extra inning game of the second half. Wisconsin is 3-5 in eight extra inning games this season.
STILL ON THE STREAK: Gary extended his hitting streak to nine games with his home run. Gary has at least one hit in his three games since returning from the disabled list. He had a six game streak before going on the DL in late April.
POWER PLAY: The home run by Gary was the first home run the Rattlers have hit on the road since June 13 at Lansing, a stretch of eight games.
WATCH FOR THE DOUBLE PLAY: The Rattler offense had six double plays turned against them in the West Michigan series. In the first eleven games of the second half, Wisconsin had hit into twelve twin killings.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays are the Midwest League affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Southwest Michigan finished the first half of the season 33-37 and missed the playoffs. Southwest Michigan is 3-8 in the second half. They won their first game of this half, but lost the next eight in a row. The Devil Rays have won two straight heading into the series with the Rattlers.
VS. WEST MICHIGAN IN ’06: The Rattlers and Devil Rays split a four game series at Fox Cities Stadium in April. Southwest Michigan won the first two games of the series and the Rattlers took the final two games. The Rattlers won the final two games of the series.
PROSPECTING: BASEBALL AMERICA has three members of the current Southwest Michigan roster on their Top 30 list of Tampa Bay prospects. All three are pitchers. Wade Davis is the highest rated Southwest Michigan Devil Ray on the list at #6. Matt Walker is next at #9. Jake McGee is on the list at #16. The Devil Rays have six members of their 2005 draft class on the Southwest Michigan roster. Starting pitchers Greg Reinhard (6th round) and Mike Wlodarczyk (7th) round are joined by pitcher Jeff Kamrath (11th), infielder Neil Walton (16th), infielder Matt Devins (34th), and outfielder Garrett Groce (41st). The Devil Rays have no members of Tampa’s 2006 draft on their roster.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Jacob McGee was the 5th round pick of the Devil Rays in the 2004 draft out of Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada. In his last start, McGee lost at Dayton. The Dragons got to him for five runs on six hits over two innings on June 28. McGee beat the Rattlers in his only appearance against them. On April 18 at Fox Cities Stadium, McGee shutout Wisconsin on four hits over six innings and struck out eight in a 4-1 Southwest Michigan win. McGee was the winning pitcher in the 2006 Midwest League All-Star Game for the Eastern Division after he tossed a scoreless second inning.
Ex-Rattlers and Ex-Midwest Leaguers on All-Star Teams
The recently released Major League All-Star teams have players who wore the Timber Rattler uniform:
AL Starting First Baseman: David Ortiz, Boston (WI '96)
NL Relief Pitcher: Brian Fuentes, Colorado (WI '97)
Also, a few former Appleton Foxes are on the rosters:
AL Starting Third Baseman: Alex Rodriguez, New York (APL '94)
NL Relief Pitcher: Tom Gordon, Philadelphia (APL '88)
Ex-Midwest Leaguers include:
AL Catcher Joe Mauer, Minnesota (Quad City, '02)
AL Pitcher Mark Buehrle, Chicago (Burlington '99)
AL Pitcher Johan Santana, Minnesota (Quad City '98, Michigan '99)
AL Pitcher Bobby Jenks, Chicago (Cedar Rapids '01)
AL Pitcher Kenny Rogers, Detroit (Burlington '84 & '85)
AL Outfielder Grady Sizemore (Clinton, '01)
AL Outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. (Clinton '95)
AL Catcher AJ Pierzynski, Chicago (Fort Wayne '96 & '97) Final Man Candidate
AL Catcher Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore (West Michigan '96) Final Man Candidate
NL Starting First Baseman Albert Pujols, St. Louis (Peoria '00)
NL Starting Outfielder Jason Bay, Pittsburgh (Clinton '01)
NL Pitcher Brandon Webb, Arizona (South Bend '00)
NL Pitcher Trevor Hoffman, San Diego (Cedar Rapids '91)
NL Infielder Dan Uggla, Florida (South Bend '02)
NL Infielder Miguel Cabrera, Florida (Kane County '01)
NL Infielder Edgar Renteria, Atlanta (Kane County '93)
NL Pitcher Chris Capuano, Milwaukee (South Bend '00) Final Man Candidate
I'll add links once I get some other things done at the stadium.
EDIT: Links added. Final Man Candidates sorted. Kenny Rogers Added. Player names take you to their MLB pages. The links for the Midwest League Team and Year take you to the BaseballCube.com. Enjoy.
AL Starting First Baseman: David Ortiz, Boston (WI '96)
NL Relief Pitcher: Brian Fuentes, Colorado (WI '97)
Also, a few former Appleton Foxes are on the rosters:
AL Starting Third Baseman: Alex Rodriguez, New York (APL '94)
NL Relief Pitcher: Tom Gordon, Philadelphia (APL '88)
Ex-Midwest Leaguers include:
AL Catcher Joe Mauer, Minnesota (Quad City, '02)
AL Pitcher Mark Buehrle, Chicago (Burlington '99)
AL Pitcher Johan Santana, Minnesota (Quad City '98, Michigan '99)
AL Pitcher Bobby Jenks, Chicago (Cedar Rapids '01)
AL Pitcher Kenny Rogers, Detroit (Burlington '84 & '85)
AL Outfielder Grady Sizemore (Clinton, '01)
AL Outfielder Gary Matthews, Jr. (Clinton '95)
AL Catcher AJ Pierzynski, Chicago (Fort Wayne '96 & '97) Final Man Candidate
AL Catcher Ramon Hernandez, Baltimore (West Michigan '96) Final Man Candidate
NL Starting First Baseman Albert Pujols, St. Louis (Peoria '00)
NL Starting Outfielder Jason Bay, Pittsburgh (Clinton '01)
NL Pitcher Brandon Webb, Arizona (South Bend '00)
NL Pitcher Trevor Hoffman, San Diego (Cedar Rapids '91)
NL Infielder Dan Uggla, Florida (South Bend '02)
NL Infielder Miguel Cabrera, Florida (Kane County '01)
NL Infielder Edgar Renteria, Atlanta (Kane County '93)
NL Pitcher Chris Capuano, Milwaukee (South Bend '00) Final Man Candidate
I'll add links once I get some other things done at the stadium.
EDIT: Links added. Final Man Candidates sorted. Kenny Rogers Added. Player names take you to their MLB pages. The links for the Midwest League Team and Year take you to the BaseballCube.com. Enjoy.
Sunday in the MWL
@West Michigan 5, Wisconsin 4 (10 inn) -- This one really hurt.
Dayton 4, @Cedar Rapids 3 -- An eighth inning rally that has to be seen to be believed wins it for the Dragons.
Kane County 2, @Beloit 0 -- Jared Lansford hates Wisconsin. He is 4-0 against the Rattlers. He is 2-1 against the Snappers.
Peoria 9, @Burlington 2 -- Yusuf Carter loves Burlington. He hits two homers in a win yesterday. On Saturday, he hit a grand slam at Community Field.
@Southwest Michigan 10, Fort Wayne 1 -- The D-Rays have won two straight.
@South Bend 4, Quad Cities 3 (10 inn) -- Orlando Mercado gets the game winning single in the tenth for the Hawks.
Clinton 10, @Lansing 6 -- Joey McLaughlin has a very weird weekend. Arrived at Oldsmobile Park as a Lugnut on Saturday. Then, got traded to the Rangers. Went over to the LumberKing clubhouse. Gets in the game on Sunday and helps Clinton beat Lansing.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
EDIT: Made the 8th inning for Dayton a bit more readable.
Dayton 4, @Cedar Rapids 3 -- An eighth inning rally that has to be seen to be believed wins it for the Dragons.
Pitcher Change: Richard Aldridge replaces Timothy Didjurgis.
Bobby Mosby walks.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch runner Josh Holden replaces Bobby Mosby.
Habelito Hernandez reaches on fielding error by shortstop Hainley Statia. Josh Holden to 2nd.
Christopher Denove strikes out on foul bunt.
Michael DeJesus reaches on fielding error by first baseman
Mark Trumbo. Josh Holden to 3rd. Habelito Hernandez to 2nd.
Michael Griffin strikes out swinging.
Adam Rosales walks. Josh Holden
scores. Habelito Hernandez to 3rd. Michael DeJesus to 2nd.
Jay Bruce hit by pitch. Habelito Hernandez scores. Michael DeJesus to 3rd. Adam Rosales to 2nd.
Pitcher Change: Brad Beck replaces Richard Aldridge.
Brandon Szymanski turns around to bat left-handed.
Brandon Szymanski turns around to bat left-handed.
Dayton Dragons Brandon Szymanski ejected by HP umpire Brad Purdom.
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Gerardo Cabrera replaces Brandon Szymanski.
Brandon Szymanski strikes out swinging.
Kane County 2, @Beloit 0 -- Jared Lansford hates Wisconsin. He is 4-0 against the Rattlers. He is 2-1 against the Snappers.
Peoria 9, @Burlington 2 -- Yusuf Carter loves Burlington. He hits two homers in a win yesterday. On Saturday, he hit a grand slam at Community Field.
@Southwest Michigan 10, Fort Wayne 1 -- The D-Rays have won two straight.
@South Bend 4, Quad Cities 3 (10 inn) -- Orlando Mercado gets the game winning single in the tenth for the Hawks.
Clinton 10, @Lansing 6 -- Joey McLaughlin has a very weird weekend. Arrived at Oldsmobile Park as a Lugnut on Saturday. Then, got traded to the Rangers. Went over to the LumberKing clubhouse. Gets in the game on Sunday and helps Clinton beat Lansing.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
EDIT: Made the 8th inning for Dayton a bit more readable.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Shin Soo Choo, Tacoma.
Three hits, another homer, and another Tacoma win.
Choo is starting to become the Ken Jennings of Rattler Alum of the Day.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/2)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-41; 2nd AL West): Seattle lost 4-3 to Colorado in eleven innings. Richie Sexson and Ichiro both homered for the Mariners. Brian Fuentes (WI ’97) got the win for the Rockies.
Tacoma (AAA – 47-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma topped Fresno 6-5. Shin-soo Choo (’02) had three more hits, including his eleventh home run of the year. Bryan LaHair (WI ’04) had three hits and drove in a run. Bobby Livingston (WI ’03) allowed four runs over six innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 35-43; 8-2 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 8-1. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) was 3-for-5 and Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) had a home run for the Missions. Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI ’03) worked 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief and got the save.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-35, 5-4 second half; T-3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 15-7 at Rancho Cucamonga. Jeff Dominguez (WI ’06) had three RBI and Casey Craig had three hits for the 66ers. Former Cedar Rapids Kernel starter Nick Adenhart got the win for the Quakes in his first California League start.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-5; T-2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 5-3 to Vancouver. The Canadians scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Chris Minaker had three hits for the Sox in the loss.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 6-3; 2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Cubs 5-2. Geraldo Avila drove in three runs for the M’s.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/3
Los Angeles Angels (Jered Weaver 4-0) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 8-7) 9:05pm CDT
Fresno (Michael Tejera 7-3) at Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 4-5) 3:35pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 5-5) at Frisco (Daniel Haigwood 2-4) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Chad Fillinger 1-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Micah Posey 2-9) 9:05pm CDT
Vancouver (Chad Lee 0-0) at Everett (Greg Nesbitt 1-1) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Giants 11:30am CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 47-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma topped Fresno 6-5. Shin-soo Choo (’02) had three more hits, including his eleventh home run of the year. Bryan LaHair (WI ’04) had three hits and drove in a run. Bobby Livingston (WI ’03) allowed four runs over six innings for the win.
San Antonio (AA – 35-43; 8-2 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 8-1. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) was 3-for-5 and Marshall Hubbard (WI ’05) had a home run for the Missions. Ryan Rowland-Smith (WI ’03) worked 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief and got the save.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-35, 5-4 second half; T-3rd California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 15-7 at Rancho Cucamonga. Jeff Dominguez (WI ’06) had three RBI and Casey Craig had three hits for the 66ers. Former Cedar Rapids Kernel starter Nick Adenhart got the win for the Quakes in his first California League start.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-5; T-2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 5-3 to Vancouver. The Canadians scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning to break a 2-2 tie. Chris Minaker had three hits for the Sox in the loss.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 6-3; 2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Cubs 5-2. Geraldo Avila drove in three runs for the M’s.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/3
Los Angeles Angels (Jered Weaver 4-0) at Seattle (Felix Hernandez 8-7) 9:05pm CDT
Fresno (Michael Tejera 7-3) at Tacoma (Cesar Jimenez 4-5) 3:35pm CDT
San Antonio (Ryan Feierabend 5-5) at Frisco (Daniel Haigwood 2-4) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Chad Fillinger 1-0) at Rancho Cucamonga (Micah Posey 2-9) 9:05pm CDT
Vancouver (Chad Lee 0-0) at Everett (Greg Nesbitt 1-1) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Giants 11:30am CDT
7/02/2006
If Sunday's Game Were a Movie...
it would be:
Yes, Braveheart!
Think about it. A courageous stand, against the odds. A battle won, but the hero defeated. But, in the end, something good comes out of the loss.
A least I hope it's Braveheart.
Complete Boxscore HERE.
Yes, Braveheart!
Think about it. A courageous stand, against the odds. A battle won, but the hero defeated. But, in the end, something good comes out of the loss.
A least I hope it's Braveheart.
Complete Boxscore HERE.
Game Notes for 7/2
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Whitecaps crushed the Rattlers 10-2. Mike Hernandez homered and drove in five runs. Josh Rainwater pitched six shutout innings, struck out six, walked one, and gave up just two hits.
MAN ON SECOND: For the third game in a row, Luis Valbuena reached second base to start the game. He doubled on Thursday, made it to second on an error on Friday, and doubled again last night. The only game in which he scored was Thursday night.
HITTING HEROES: Last night, Pedro Cotto had four hits and scored four runs for the Whitecaps. Will Rhymes had three hits, including a homer, and knocked in two runs. Seven of the nine Whitecaps in the lineup had at least one hit.
EJECT! EJECT! EJECT! Rattler shortstop Robby Hudson was tossed for arguing a call at second on a stolen base by Rhymes in the first inning. That was the first ejection of a Timber Rattler player this season.
LOOK OUT! Edgar Guaramato hit two batters in the seventh inning last night. He has hit eleven batters in 36-2/3 innings. As a staff, the Timber Rattlers lead the Midwest League in hit batsmen with 83.
GET HIM IN THERE: Pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx joined the team on Saturday and got into the game right away. The 16th round pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft pitched a scoreless eighth.
RED-HOT HERNANDEZ: Eddy Hernandez was 2-for-2 with a walk last night. He is 5-for-6 in the two games he has played in this series with West Michigan.
22 CALIBRE: The loss yesterday dropped Wisconsin to 29-51, a season low twenty-two games under .500 for the season
WHERE’S THE OFFENSE? Wisconsin got their two runs last night on a two-out, two-run double by Jeff Flaig in the top of the eighth inning. The Rattlers have scored more than four runs in only one of the first ten games of the second half. Wisconsin has been outscored 54-21 so far in half number two.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Erik Averill was the 20th round pick of the Tigers in the 2005 draft out of Arizona State University. He beat the Rattlers in game one of a doubleheader at Fox Cities Stadium on May 1. In that game, he allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings in a 9-4 Whitecap win. Averill has won his last three decisions, including his last start. He beat the South Bend Silver Hawks on June 27 at Fifth Third Ballpark. Averill allowed three runs on eight hits over 6-2/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
MAN ON SECOND: For the third game in a row, Luis Valbuena reached second base to start the game. He doubled on Thursday, made it to second on an error on Friday, and doubled again last night. The only game in which he scored was Thursday night.
HITTING HEROES: Last night, Pedro Cotto had four hits and scored four runs for the Whitecaps. Will Rhymes had three hits, including a homer, and knocked in two runs. Seven of the nine Whitecaps in the lineup had at least one hit.
EJECT! EJECT! EJECT! Rattler shortstop Robby Hudson was tossed for arguing a call at second on a stolen base by Rhymes in the first inning. That was the first ejection of a Timber Rattler player this season.
LOOK OUT! Edgar Guaramato hit two batters in the seventh inning last night. He has hit eleven batters in 36-2/3 innings. As a staff, the Timber Rattlers lead the Midwest League in hit batsmen with 83.
GET HIM IN THERE: Pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx joined the team on Saturday and got into the game right away. The 16th round pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft pitched a scoreless eighth.
RED-HOT HERNANDEZ: Eddy Hernandez was 2-for-2 with a walk last night. He is 5-for-6 in the two games he has played in this series with West Michigan.
22 CALIBRE: The loss yesterday dropped Wisconsin to 29-51, a season low twenty-two games under .500 for the season
WHERE’S THE OFFENSE? Wisconsin got their two runs last night on a two-out, two-run double by Jeff Flaig in the top of the eighth inning. The Rattlers have scored more than four runs in only one of the first ten games of the second half. Wisconsin has been outscored 54-21 so far in half number two.
OPPOSING STARTING PITCHER: Erik Averill was the 20th round pick of the Tigers in the 2005 draft out of Arizona State University. He beat the Rattlers in game one of a doubleheader at Fox Cities Stadium on May 1. In that game, he allowed four runs on eight hits over five innings in a 9-4 Whitecap win. Averill has won his last three decisions, including his last start. He beat the South Bend Silver Hawks on June 27 at Fifth Third Ballpark. Averill allowed three runs on eight hits over 6-2/3 innings with two walks and two strikeouts.
Sunday Reading
Brett at RattlersReport.com answers the question, "So you want to be an owner of a baseball team?" Also, Brett has a story from last week about Harold Williams.
Tom Hardricourt at jsonline.com goes over the AL vs. NL argument; Dusty Baker's travails; and various other items.
Larry Stone has everything that you wanted to know about SABR, but were afraid to ask. Like what the heck does SABR stand for? Society for American Baseball Research. Apparently, the conventioneers do not dress up like Klingons and speak Vulcan.
Over at the Battle Creek Enquirer there is a story about Brady Williams, the hitting coach for the Devil Rays and the son of former major league manager Jimy Williams.
Jose Canseco isn't done yet...The San Diego Surf Dogs have signed him...To DH and be a knuckleball throwing relief pitcher. I'm trying to figure out if this quote is an attempt at humor or just Jose being classy.
Stay classy, Jose.
Spare a thought for Peter Gammons.
The Wisconsin Sports Bar has a couple of posts on the Brewers loss in Minnesota last night.
EDIT: Fixed the links to the The Wisconsin Sports Bar posts.
Tom Hardricourt at jsonline.com goes over the AL vs. NL argument; Dusty Baker's travails; and various other items.
Larry Stone has everything that you wanted to know about SABR, but were afraid to ask. Like what the heck does SABR stand for? Society for American Baseball Research. Apparently, the conventioneers do not dress up like Klingons and speak Vulcan.
Over at the Battle Creek Enquirer there is a story about Brady Williams, the hitting coach for the Devil Rays and the son of former major league manager Jimy Williams.
Jose Canseco isn't done yet...The San Diego Surf Dogs have signed him...To DH and be a knuckleball throwing relief pitcher. I'm trying to figure out if this quote is an attempt at humor or just Jose being classy.
“I’m looking forward to having fun in professional baseball again, as I’ve really missed it,” said Canseco. “I love what this league is doing for players, communities, and families, and I want to be part of it. Rickey had a great experience with the Surf Dawgs last year and it will be great playing for Terry Kennedy and reminding him of the stomping my A’s gave his Giants in the ’89 World Series!”
Stay classy, Jose.
Spare a thought for Peter Gammons.
The Wisconsin Sports Bar has a couple of posts on the Brewers loss in Minnesota last night.
EDIT: Fixed the links to the The Wisconsin Sports Bar posts.
Saturday in the MWL
@West Michigan 10, Wisconsin 2 -- Ouch. Double ouch.
@South Bend 6, Quad Cities 2 -- The Silver Hawks get a big hit after a long at bat.
@Lansing 14, Clinton 4 -- Lugnuts crush L-Kings.
@Southwest Michigan 8, Fort Wayne 7 (13 inn.) -- The D-Rays break their losing streak with a come-from-behind win.
@Cedar Rapids 7, Dayton 2 -- Jordan Renz homers for the fifteenth time. Travis Wood loses for the first time.
@Beloit 7, Kane County 6 -- Snappers score three in the ninth for the win.
Peoria 12, @Burlington 7 -- The Chiefs are the only road team in the MWL to win last night. A Yusuf Carter Grand Slam will go a long way to helping that win happen.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
@South Bend 6, Quad Cities 2 -- The Silver Hawks get a big hit after a long at bat.
@Lansing 14, Clinton 4 -- Lugnuts crush L-Kings.
@Southwest Michigan 8, Fort Wayne 7 (13 inn.) -- The D-Rays break their losing streak with a come-from-behind win.
@Cedar Rapids 7, Dayton 2 -- Jordan Renz homers for the fifteenth time. Travis Wood loses for the first time.
@Beloit 7, Kane County 6 -- Snappers score three in the ninth for the win.
Peoria 12, @Burlington 7 -- The Chiefs are the only road team in the MWL to win last night. A Yusuf Carter Grand Slam will go a long way to helping that win happen.
Complete Scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
From tacomarainiers.com (Photo Credit Gordon Conger)Shin-soo Choo, Tacoma.
How can you argue with this from the Tacoma News-Tribune?
Leaning back in his chair, manager Dave Brundage swiveled his head in
amazement.Adam Jones, the young Tacoma Rainiers phenom, said the shot to center field late in Tacoma’s 6-2, come-from-behind Pacific Coast League victory over Fresno was the “hardest ball” he’s ever seen hit.
Shin Soo Choo could not explain what is happening when he swings the bat. The first half of the season has belonged to Choo, including hitting .383 in June. Just when you start asking what more can the outfielder do, he does it.
Mariner System Report (Games of 7/1)
Seattle (MAJ: 42-40; 2nd AL West): Seattle beat Colorado 8-7. Seattle trailed 7-2 after the top of the third inning. But, the Mariners rallied and took the lead on a two-out, two-run home run by Ichiro in the bottom of the sixth. Former Appleton Fox Raul Ibanez homered, his eighteenth of the season, for the Mariners. Julio Mateo (WI ’00) got the win with two innings of scoreless relief. JJ Putz (WI ’00) picked up the save, his fifteenth of the season, with a 1-2-3 ninth.
Tacoma (AAA – 46-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 6-2. Shin soo Choo (WI ’02) broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run, inside-the-park home run as part of a five run eighth inning. Choo went 3-for-4 on the night. Cha Seung Baek (WI ’00) gave up two runs over seven innings for a no decision. Emiliano Fruto (WI ’00) got the win with a pair of scoreless innings.
San Antonio (AA – 34-43; 7-2 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 8-4 in ten innings. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) drove in a pair of runs with a single in the top of the tenth to snap a 4-4 tie. The Missions trailed 4-1 with two out and nobody on in the top of the ninth, but rallied to tie the game. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) and Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) had back-to-back RBI singles in the ninth to tie the game. Navarro had three hits and three RBI. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) homered in the game and Craig James (WI ’05) got the win with 2-2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-34, 5-3 second half; T-1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 6-5 at Rancho Cucamonga. The Quakes scored four unearned runs off Justin Jordan in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 6-3 lead. Jeffery Dominguez (WI ’06) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the 66ers. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) gave up two runs on three hits over six innings for a no decision.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-4; 2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 7-1 to Salem-Keizer. Natividad Dilone gave up five runs on seven hits over two innings for the loss. The Sox did not score until the bottom of the ninth inning.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 5-3; T-2nd Arizona League): The Mariners were off on Saturday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/2
Colorado (Jason Jennings 6-6) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 4-8) 3:05pm CDT
Fresno (Matt Palmer 0-0) at Tacoma (Bobby Livingston 3-5) 3:35pm CDT
San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 3-3) at Frisco (TBA) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 1-2) at Rancho Cucamonga (Nick Adenhart 0-0) 3:05pm CDT
Salem-Keizer (Ben Jukich 0-0) at Everett (Doug Fister 1-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Cubs 11:30am CDT
Tacoma (AAA – 46-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 6-2. Shin soo Choo (WI ’02) broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run, inside-the-park home run as part of a five run eighth inning. Choo went 3-for-4 on the night. Cha Seung Baek (WI ’00) gave up two runs over seven innings for a no decision. Emiliano Fruto (WI ’00) got the win with a pair of scoreless innings.
San Antonio (AA – 34-43; 7-2 second half T-1st Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 8-4 in ten innings. Matt Tuiasosopo (WI ’05) drove in a pair of runs with a single in the top of the tenth to snap a 4-4 tie. The Missions trailed 4-1 with two out and nobody on in the top of the ninth, but rallied to tie the game. Oswaldo Navarro (WI ’05) and Sebastien Boucher (WI ’05) had back-to-back RBI singles in the ninth to tie the game. Navarro had three hits and three RBI. Yung Chi Chen (WI ’05) homered in the game and Craig James (WI ’05) got the win with 2-2/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-34, 5-3 second half; T-1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 6-5 at Rancho Cucamonga. The Quakes scored four unearned runs off Justin Jordan in the bottom of the seventh inning to take a 6-3 lead. Jeffery Dominguez (WI ’06) went 2-for-3 with two runs scored for the 66ers. Cibney Bello (WI ’05) gave up two runs on three hits over six innings for a no decision.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-4; 2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett lost 7-1 to Salem-Keizer. Natividad Dilone gave up five runs on seven hits over two innings for the loss. The Sox did not score until the bottom of the ninth inning.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 5-3; T-2nd Arizona League): The Mariners were off on Saturday.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/2
Colorado (Jason Jennings 6-6) at Seattle (Jarrod Washburn 4-8) 3:05pm CDT
Fresno (Matt Palmer 0-0) at Tacoma (Bobby Livingston 3-5) 3:35pm CDT
San Antonio (Yorman Bazardo 3-3) at Frisco (TBA) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire (Aaron Jensen 1-2) at Rancho Cucamonga (Nick Adenhart 0-0) 3:05pm CDT
Salem-Keizer (Ben Jukich 0-0) at Everett (Doug Fister 1-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners @ AZL Cubs 11:30am CDT
7/01/2006
If Saturday's Game Were A Movie...
it would be:
No, not because a rag-tag group of Rebels (the Rattlers) struggled and won out against all odds.
Because I was reminded of this one line from Princess Leia while watching the Rattlers fall 10-2 to the Whitecaps tonight:
But, Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons, you can't possibly...
Then, the Empire blew up Alderaan with the Death Star.
Complete Boxscore for Saturday's Game is HERE.
No, not because a rag-tag group of Rebels (the Rattlers) struggled and won out against all odds.
Because I was reminded of this one line from Princess Leia while watching the Rattlers fall 10-2 to the Whitecaps tonight:
But, Alderaan is peaceful! We have no weapons, you can't possibly...
Then, the Empire blew up Alderaan with the Death Star.
Complete Boxscore for Saturday's Game is HERE.
BASEBALL AMERICA Weighs in...
...on the Eduardo Perez for Asdrubal Cabrera trade at their Trade Central section HERE.
The main points they make have been made elsewhere, but in review:
The main points they make have been made elsewhere, but in review:
Perez, 36, does one thing well: hit lefthanders. The son of Hall of Famer Tony Perez is hitting .330/.355/.693 with eight homers in 88 at-bats against southpaws this year, and has tagged them to the tune of .270/.366/.522 during his career....
Cabrera, 20, is one of the better defenders in the minor leagues. Signed out of Venezuela in 2002, he has played shortstop at Triple-A Tacoma this year and also has starred at second base in the past. His range, arm, hands and instincts are all plus tools...He could factor into Cleveland's second-base mix next year if Ronnie Belliard departs as a free agent.
Random Picture from My Hotel Window (#6 in a Series)
You are so lucky. This is the first time in seven years that I have been in a room on this side of the hotel. The first six years here, I always had a view of the parking lot and the parking garage. Not a great picture.
This year I am on the side that affords a view of the Public Museum of Grand Rapids. That white, cone-shape thing is a training capsule for the Apollo Program. The people of Grand Rapids used it for a time capsule in 1976. Follow that link to A Field Guide to American Spacecraft. If anyone is still around reading this blog when they open it in 2076, let me know what was in it. If there is a Six Million Dollar Man or Evel Knievel action figure in there, I call "DIBS!"
Not in the picture, but right across the street from the hotel is the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.
Unfortunately (or fortunately), I can honestly say that I have spent more time here than at either museum. I don't know what that first reviewer is even talking about. Never had a bad experience there.
Happy Canada Day!
O, Canada.
From the Canadian Heritage Website:
From the Canadian Heritage Website:
On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.
The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.
Game Notes for 7/1
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Whitecaps beat the Rattlers 4-1 for the second night in a row. Mike Hernandez hit a two run homer off Nick Allen in the bottom of the second inning and that was all Whitecap starting pitcher Sendy Vasquez needed for his fifth win of the season.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED: Last night, the Rattlers had a runner at second with no outs in the first inning and the bases loaded with one out in the second inning. Both innings ended on double plays.
TWO-OUT BINGO: Hernandez hit his home run with two outs in the second on a 1-2 pitch. He fouled off three straight 1-2 pitches before crushing his fifth homer of the year for the Whitecaps.
LATE RALLY DENIED: The Rattlers loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, but Loren Fraser got a strikeout for the final out of the inning to squash the Rattler comeback attempt.
CLOSING TIME: Anthony Claggett struck out the side in order in the ninth to finish off the game and get his fifth save of the season.
LOWER THIRD: The 7-8-9 hitters in the Rattler lineup last night were a combined 0-for-10. Only number seven hitter Michael Saunders reached base, a second inning walk.
STILL GOING: Alex Gary had a pair of hits last night to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Gary had a six game hitting streak going before he was hurt on April 24. After missing more than two months, Gary has three hits in eight at bats in his first two games back with the Rattlers.
OPPORTUNITY KNOCKED: Last night, the Rattlers had a runner at second with no outs in the first inning and the bases loaded with one out in the second inning. Both innings ended on double plays.
TWO-OUT BINGO: Hernandez hit his home run with two outs in the second on a 1-2 pitch. He fouled off three straight 1-2 pitches before crushing his fifth homer of the year for the Whitecaps.
LATE RALLY DENIED: The Rattlers loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the eighth inning, but Loren Fraser got a strikeout for the final out of the inning to squash the Rattler comeback attempt.
CLOSING TIME: Anthony Claggett struck out the side in order in the ninth to finish off the game and get his fifth save of the season.
LOWER THIRD: The 7-8-9 hitters in the Rattler lineup last night were a combined 0-for-10. Only number seven hitter Michael Saunders reached base, a second inning walk.
STILL GOING: Alex Gary had a pair of hits last night to extend his hitting streak to eight games. Gary had a six game hitting streak going before he was hurt on April 24. After missing more than two months, Gary has three hits in eight at bats in his first two games back with the Rattlers.
GOOD-BYE TO JUNE: Wisconsin went 10-17 in June. Opponents outscored the Rattlers 121-94.
MEET THE NEW GUY: The Rattlers have added pitcher Austin Bibens-Dirkx to the roster for tonight. He was the 16th round pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft out of the University of Portland. Bibens-Dirkx was 1-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 26 games (five starts) for the Pilots. Since signing with the Mariners, Bibens-Dirkx has pitched for both the Tacoma Rainiers in the PCL and the Everett AquaSox of the NWL. He made one relief appearance for the Rainiers and pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Bibens-Dirkx made three relief appearances for a total of four innings with a save, no runs allowed, and six strikeouts for Everett before joining the Rattlers.
Roster Move
The Rattlers have added Austin Bibens-Dirkx to the roster.
He was the 16th round pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft out of the University of Portland. Bibens-Dirkx was 1-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 26 games (five starts) for the Pilots.
Since signing with the Mariners, Bibens-Dirkx has pitched for both the Tacoma Rainiers in the PCL and the Everett AquaSox of the NWL.
He made one relief appearance for the Rainiers and pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts. When he was with Everett, Bibens-Dirkx made three relief appearances for a total of four innings with a save, no runs allowed, and six strikeouts.
He is in uniform and available for tonight's game.
He was the 16th round pick of the Mariners in the 2006 draft out of the University of Portland. Bibens-Dirkx was 1-5 with a 4.19 ERA in 26 games (five starts) for the Pilots.
Since signing with the Mariners, Bibens-Dirkx has pitched for both the Tacoma Rainiers in the PCL and the Everett AquaSox of the NWL.
He made one relief appearance for the Rainiers and pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts. When he was with Everett, Bibens-Dirkx made three relief appearances for a total of four innings with a save, no runs allowed, and six strikeouts.
He is in uniform and available for tonight's game.
Friday in the MWL
@West Michigan 4, Wisconsin 1 -- Read this one or this one; it still reads the same.
@South Bend 5, Quad Cities 2 -- The Hawks Byrne the SWING.
@Lansing 6, Clinton 3 -- Clinton pitchers walked ten. The score sounds just about right.
@Kane County 9, Beloit 7 -- The Cougars take losing very personally, don't they?
Fort Wayne 11, @Southwest Michigan 2 -- Eight straight losses for the D-Rays.
Burlington 2, @Peoria 1 -- The Bees win again. Late. In Peoria.
@Cedar Rapids 8, Dayton 4 -- The Moose was a horse with a complete game for the Kernels.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
@South Bend 5, Quad Cities 2 -- The Hawks Byrne the SWING.
@Lansing 6, Clinton 3 -- Clinton pitchers walked ten. The score sounds just about right.
@Kane County 9, Beloit 7 -- The Cougars take losing very personally, don't they?
Fort Wayne 11, @Southwest Michigan 2 -- Eight straight losses for the D-Rays.
Burlington 2, @Peoria 1 -- The Bees win again. Late. In Peoria.
@Cedar Rapids 8, Dayton 4 -- The Moose was a horse with a complete game for the Kernels.
Complete scoreboard HERE.
Rattler Alum of the Day
Shin-soo Choo, Tacoma.
4-for5, 3RBI, 3 runs scored. No doubt about it for today.
Mariner System Report (Game of 6/30
Seattle (MAJ: 41-40; 3rd AL West): Seattle lost to Colorado 2-0. The Mariners managed just two hits off Josh Fogg, who threw a complete game. Jamie Moyer also tossed a complete game, but took the loss.
Tacoma (AAA – 45-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 8-3. Francisco Cruceta struck out eleven over seven innings for the win. Shin Soo Choo (WI ’02) went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
San Antonio (AA – 33-43; 6-2 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 4-2. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) pitched seven scoreless innings; allowed four hits; and struck out five for his second Texas League win. Wladimir Balentien (WI ’04) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the Missions. Mark Lowe (WI '05) got the save by getting a strikeout with the tying runs on base for the final of the bottom of the ninth.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-33, 5-2 second half; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 9-4 at Rancho Cucamonga. Brent Johnson (WI ’05) had another three-hit game and Casey Craig (WI ’06) homered for the 66ers. Shawn Nottingham (WI ‘05) gave up all nine runs on eight hits to get the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-3; 2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett beat Salem-Keizer 5-1. Leury Bonilla homered and drove in a pair of runs and Dean Zorn added three hits for the Sox. Steve Uhlmensiek gave up one run over five innings for his first win of the year.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 5-3; T-2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Angels 5-4. Carlos Peguero had a pair of homers, including the game winner in the bottom of the ninth to snap a 4-4 tie.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/1
Colorado (Byung-Hyun Kim 5-4) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-7) 9:05pm CDT
Fresno (Matt Kinney 5-5) at Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 7-4) 9:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Travis Blackley 6-5) at Frisco (Andy Walker 3-3) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire at Rancho Cucamonga 9:05pm CDT
Salem-Keizer (John Odom 1-1) at Everett (Natividad Dilone 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
Tacoma (AAA – 45-36; 2nd PCL Pacific Northern Division): Tacoma beat Fresno 8-3. Francisco Cruceta struck out eleven over seven innings for the win. Shin Soo Choo (WI ’02) went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored.
San Antonio (AA – 33-43; 6-2 second half 2nd Texas League South Division): San Antonio beat Frisco 4-2. Robert Rohrbaugh (WI ’05) pitched seven scoreless innings; allowed four hits; and struck out five for his second Texas League win. Wladimir Balentien (WI ’04) had a pair of hits and a pair of RBI for the Missions. Mark Lowe (WI '05) got the save by getting a strikeout with the tying runs on base for the final of the bottom of the ninth.
Inland Empire (High-A – 44-33, 5-2 second half; 1st California League South Division): Inland Empire lost 9-4 at Rancho Cucamonga. Brent Johnson (WI ’05) had another three-hit game and Casey Craig (WI ’06) homered for the 66ers. Shawn Nottingham (WI ‘05) gave up all nine runs on eight hits to get the loss.
Everett (Short Season-A – 9-3; 2nd Northwest League West Division): Everett beat Salem-Keizer 5-1. Leury Bonilla homered and drove in a pair of runs and Dean Zorn added three hits for the Sox. Steve Uhlmensiek gave up one run over five innings for his first win of the year.
AZL M’s (Rookie – 5-3; T-2nd Arizona League): The Mariners beat the Angels 5-4. Carlos Peguero had a pair of homers, including the game winner in the bottom of the ninth to snap a 4-4 tie.
MARINER SYSTEM SCHEDULE FOR 7/1
Colorado (Byung-Hyun Kim 5-4) at Seattle (Joel Pineiro 6-7) 9:05pm CDT
Fresno (Matt Kinney 5-5) at Tacoma (Cha Seung Baek 7-4) 9:05pm CDT
San Antonio (Travis Blackley 6-5) at Frisco (Andy Walker 3-3) 7:00pm CDT
Inland Empire at Rancho Cucamonga 9:05pm CDT
Salem-Keizer (John Odom 1-1) at Everett (Natividad Dilone 0-0) 9:05pm CDT
AZL Mariners – OFF DAY
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
