2009 Timber Rattlers Records

Head-to-Head
...................ALL..HOME..ROAD
Beloit.............7-7...5-3...2-4
Burlington.........5-9...1-2...4-7
Cedar Rapids.......7-12..3-8...4-4
Clinton............7-5...7-2...0-3
Kane County........7-12..3-5...4-7
Peoria.............8-7...7-1...1-6
Quad Cities........4-6...4-2...0-4
Western Division..45-56.30-23.15-33

Dayton..............2-4..1-2..1-2
Fort Wayne..........0-6..0-3..0-3
Great Lakes.........2-4..2-1..0-3
Lansing.............1-5..0-3..1-2
South Bend..........3-3..2-1..1-2
West Michigan.......5-1..2-1..3-0
Eastern Division:..13-23.7-11.6-12

MONTH
April:......8-11
May:.......16-15
June:......13-12
July:......10-19
August:....11-18
September:..0-6

DAY:
Sunday:....11-10
Monday:.....6-12
Tuesday:....6-9
Wednesday:..8-12
Thursday:...9-13
Friday:.....9-12
Saturday:...9-13

2009 Timber Rattlers Lineups and Pinch Hitters

2009 STARTS BY BATTING ORDER
1st: Dykstra (18), Miller (20), Marseco (14), Sanchez (57), Prince (30)
2nd: Marseco (24), Miller (3), Delaney (15), Sanchez (27), Duran (10), Fatse (47), Komatsu (2), Brownstein (11)
3rd: Lawrie (80), Kjeldgaard (18), Green (6), Duran (3), Kemp (17), Cain (15)
4th: Komatsu (8), Kjeldgaard (42), Kemp (41), Vass (1), Lawrie (23), Dennis (5), Delaney (10), Sanchez (1), Fatse (1), Dhanani (4), Sizemore (4)
5th: Kjeldgaard (43), Vass (7), Delaney (13), Kemp (31), Miller (4), Duran (10), Dykstra (1), Trejo (1), Dennis (13), Maldonado (1), Komatsu (5), Fatse (6), Brownstein (1), Alfonso (1), Sizemore (1), Dhanani (1)
6th: Vass (23), Delaney (12), Trejo (6), Sanchez (7), Zarraga (1), Kemp (15), Miller (6), Duran (18), Dykstra (1), Dennis (10), Kjeldgaard (24), Maldonado (2), Komatsu (3), Dhanani (8), McCraw (1), Fatse (1), McPhearson (1)
7th: Delaney (10), Trejo (14), Zarraga (6), Vass (29), Kemp (1), McCraw (12), Sanchez (4), Duran (27), Miller (8), Dykstra (2), Dennis (7), Braun (1), Kjeldgaard (6), Maldonado (3), Komatsu (2), McPhearson (2), Dhanani (2), Alfonso (3)
8th: McCraw (37), Sanchez (1), Zarraga (5), Trejo (6), Marseco (6), Miller (25), Zarraga (3), Dykstra (2), Duran (10), Dennis (2), Vass (18), Delaney (8), Braun (3), Fatse (1), McPhearson (8), Dhanani (3), Maldonado (1), Alfonso (1)
9th: Miller (21), Zarraga (2), Marseco (49), Dykstra (4), McCraw (22), Vass (2), McPhearson (26), Braun (8), Duran (2), Alfonso (1)

2009 STARTS BY POSITION:
C: McCraw (70), Zarraga (11), Kemp (45), Maldonado (7), Alfonso (6)
1B: Kjeldgaard (79), Zarraga (1), Trejo (5), Kemp (43), Dhanani (3), Duran (3), Sizemore (5)
2B: Lawrie (99), Duran (5), Sanchez (5), Delaney (1), Braun (9), Fatse (8), Brownstein (10), Dhanani (2)
3B: Delaney (43), Trejo (16), Sanchez (22), Duran (38), Green (5), Fatse (7), Dhanani (6), Brownstein (2)
SS: Marseco (93), Sanchez (14), Prince (30), Duran (2)
LF: Miller (2), Vass (13), Delaney (5), Sanchez (15), Dykstra (4), Kjeldgaard (30), Dennis (20), McPhearson (26), Fatse (21), Komatsu (3)
CF: Dykstra (19), Miller (71), Sanchez (27), McPhearson (6), Fatse (2), Cain (14)
RF: Komatsu (5), Miller (17), Vass (48), Sanchez (11), Dykstra (3), Dennis (17), McPhearson (2), Fatse (18), Kjeldgaard (18)
DH: Vass (18), Delaney (18), Trejo (6), Zarraga (5), Kemp (16), Dykstra (2), Duran (33), Sanchez (1), Green (1), Lawrie (3), Kjeldgaard (6), Dennis (1), Braun (3), McPhearson (4), Maldonado (1), McCraw (1), Komatsu (11), Fatse (2), Dhanani (7)

2009 TIMBER RATTLER PINCH HITTERS
Brownstein....0-for-1
Delaney.......0-for-1
Duran.........1-for-3 (HBP)
Kemp..........0-for-1
Lawrie........0-for-2 (BB)
Prince........0-for-1
Sizemore......0-for-1
Trejo.........0-for-1 (K)
Vass..........1-for-7 (3K, 2B, BB)
Total.........2-for-18 (.111)

2009 Timber Rattlers at a glance

2009 SEASON AT A GLANCE
Current Streak:...........L6
Last 5 Games:.............0-5
Last 10 Games:............1-9
2009 Best Mark:..........45-42
2008 Worst Mark:.........58-81
First Half:..............34-36
Second Half:.............24-45
Home Record:.............37-34
Road Record:.............21-47
Daytime Record:..........18-20
Night Record:............40-61
Starters:................30-59
Relievers:...............28-22
Quality Starts:..........30
Saves/Chances:...........38/47
Longest Win Streak:.......6
Longest Losing Streak:....8
Rattlers Score First:....34-30
Opp. Score First:........24-51
Comeback Wins:...........29
Lead Entering 8th:.......44-4
Tied Entering 8th:........3-9
Trail Entering 8th:.......4-63
Lead Entering 9th:.......46-3
Tied Entering 9th:........5-4
Trail Entering 9th:.......0-69
Wins in last AB:..........9
Opp. Wins in last AB:....12
Extra Innings:............3-4
Double headers:...........7-5
Shutouts:.................5-8
One-run game:............19-18
Scoring 4 or less:.......23-64
Scoring 5 or more:.......35-17
Allowing 4 or less:......47-31
Allowing 5 or more:......11-50

2009 Midwest League Playoff Previews

South Bend:

Tunnel vision can be a baseball player’s best friend. And when the South Bend Silver Hawks look over their season numbers against tonight’s first-round playoff opponent, Fort Wayne, they may want to wear blinders.
...
The Tincaps, a San Diego affiliate, whacked the Silver Hawks in 15 of their first 16 meetings. Fort Wayne hit .304 as a team against South Bend (with 18 homers), and South Bend hit .214 against Fort Wayne (with three homers).

It goes downhill from there for the Hawks.

Fort Wayne’s league leaders include Simon Castro (strikeouts, 157), Erik Davis (wins, 16) and Brad Brach (saves, 33). South Bend’s league leader is Brett Moorhouse (tied for most losses, 14).

Fort Wayne took the season series 16-4, winning 15 of the first 16 meetings. But in the last four meetings, South Bend won three.

Fort Wayne:

Fort Wayne finished with a franchise-record 94 wins. The team had the best record in all of minor league baseball and the best regular-season mark in the Midwest League in 22 years.

[Daniel] Robertson played a major role in the success.

“His teammates love him. Plus, he’s a pretty good ballplayer,” Dascenzo said. “He can swing the bat. He can play defense. He can steal a base. He can do just about anything to help the team win. He’s a very important part of the team.”

Robertson had a .296 average in the regular season with five home runs, 65 RBI and 20 stolen bases. Robertson finished second on the team in hits (128) and tied for second in runs scored (78).

And he’s been productive all throughout the lineup. Robertson has hit everywhere but fourth for Fort Wayne.

See also these two links for the TinCaps

West Michigan:

The West Michigan Whitecaps head to the Midwest League playoffs on a downturn, scoring just two runs in their season-ending series against Fort Wayne.

But Gary Bond says the Whitecaps have a chance against Great Lakes in the first round, which opens Wednesday night in Midland. Game 2 is Thursday at West Michigan.

Great Lakes:

Wednesday's 7:05 p.m. series opener will feature two lefthanded starters: the Loons' Aaron Miller (3-1, 2.08 ERA) and the Whitecaps' Casey Crosby (10-4, 2.41), who is the Detroit Tigers' No. 3 prospect in the minor leagues.

Kane County:

Dusty Napoleon unveiled his vaunted eephus pitch on the Midwest League during the ninth inning of the Cougars’ Aug. 27 home loss to Beloit. The Snappers led, 9-1, at the time, the kind of score that necessitates a designated take at the mound.

Getting two quick strikes against Beloit first baseman Nathan Hanson, Napoleon looked to Cougars manager Steve Scarsone for approval before lofting the ball high in the air. Hanson watched it arc down right over home plate, and Kane County had an unlikely rallying point for the postseason.

“It took a loss,” Napoleon said, “and allowed us to kind of start having fun with it. The next day, people weren’t dwelling on it as much as they might be. We just started to get focused in on the playoffs and on playing better.”

Bonus excerpt

The Cougars planned to leave Elfstrom Stadium for their 31⁄2-hour trip to Burlington, Iowa, at 10 a.m. today. Scarsone cited temptation as the reason the club did not stay overnight Tuesday. The Cougars would have stayed in an entertainment and casino resort.

“Fun City,” Napoleon said. “Yeah. It’s a good time there. A casino and a waterpark, good restaurants, but we won’t stay there. It’s better that way.”

Left-handed reliever A.J. Huttenlocker expressed concern that players would have to wake up earlier than usual, but still noted they could sleep on the bus. (Editor's note: Earlier than 9:30 for a 10am bus? What a tough life.)

Burlington: N/A

Cedar Rapids:

It’s the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Peoria Chiefs in the first round of the Midwest League playoffs. Game 1 of the best-of-3 series is Wednesday night in Peoria (6:30 first pitch), with Games 2 and 3, if needed, in Cedar Rapids on Thursday and Friday nights (6:35 first pitches).

Here are a few numbers and other tidbits about the series:

- Peoria won the regular-season series, 8-3. That included sweeping a four-game home series in late April, the only time the teams played in Illinois.

- Peoria beat Cedar Rapids three of four games at Memorial Stadium two weeks ago. That included winning games by scores of 16-5 and 11-1.

- Kernels Game 1 starter Will Smith gave up 12 hits and 10 runs (7 earned) in three innings Aug. 30, his only start this season against the Chiefs. Peoria Game 1 starter Austin Bibens-Dirkx allowed five hits and a run over 6 2/3 innings a day earlier, his only start against Cedar Rapids.

- Bibens-Dirkx was signed as a free agent by the parent Chicago Cubs after being released from the Seattle Mariners organization. He pitched for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in 2006.

Peoria:

Winning, while definitely nice, isn’t the primary goal in the lower levels of minor league baseball, where player development rules the day-to-day process more than victories and losses. But once September hits, teams hang on every win and loss.

So it is now for the Peoria Chiefs.

The Chiefs begin the best-of-3 opening round of the Midwest League playoffs in what they are hoping will be a week-and-a-half sprint to a potential Midwest League title.

“We’re trying to do what (high-Class A) Daytona did last year and bring a ring to the (Chicago Cubs) organization,” Chiefs catcher Michael Brenly said. “That was fun to see those guys’ rings in spring training, so that’s what we’re trying to do here.”

Rattler Radio Picks:

Fort Wayne over South Bend in two
West Michigan over Great Lakes in three
Burlington over Kane County in three
Peoria over Cedar Rapids in three

Rattler Alumni Report: MiLB Games of September 8, 2009

Brevard County:
Martin Maldonado (’09): 1-for-3, RUN
Dan Merklinger (’09): 2.1IP, 2H, 3R, 2BB
Brandon Ritchie (’09): .1IP, 3H, RUN

Rattler Alumni Report: MLB Games of September 8, 2009

Cleveland (Game one):
Asdrubal Cabrera (’05): 2-for-5, 2 RBI
Shin-soo Choo (’02): 2-for-5, RBI
Luis Valbuena (’06): 1-for-4, RUN, RBI

Cleveland (Game two):
Cabrera: 1-for-5, RUN, 2 RBI, HR #6
Choo: 1-for-4
Valbuena: 1-for-4

Seattle:
Rob Johnson (’05): 0-for-3
Felix Hernandez (’03): 7IP, 3H, 2R, ER, 4BB, 3K
Mark Lowe (’05): 2IP, H, 0R, 2BB, K

New York (AL):
Alex Rodriguez (Foxes, ’94): 1-for-4, RBI
Damaso Marte (’95): .1IP, 0H, 0R

Boston:
David Ortiz (’96): 2-for-3, 2 RUNS, RBI, HR #23

Cincinnati:
Wladimir Balentien (’04): 1-for-3

Pittsburgh:
Ramon Vazquez (’97): 2-for-4, RBI

Philadelphia:
Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94): 3-for-4, 2 RUNS, 2 RBI, 2 HRs #29 & 30

Atlanta:
Rafael Soriano (’00): IP, 3H, R, SAVE #22

Milwaukee Brewers Report: Games of September 8, 2009

MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 66-72; 4th National League Central): The Brewers lost 4-3 to St. Louis. Milwaukee had a 3-0 lead after the second inning. But, the Cardinals got to within 3-2 heading and Matt Holliday hit a two-run homer off Trevor Hoffman in the top of the ninth.

HUNTSVILLE (AA: 63-75 overall, 25-44 second half; 5th Southern League North Division): The Stars were off on Tuesday and begin their playoff series with Tennessee tonight.

BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: Florida State League): The Manatees lost game one of their playoff series with Tampa. The Yankees won 11-5 by breaking open a 3-2 game with three runs in the fifth and four in the seventh.

HELENA (SHORT SEASON ROOKIE: 31-42; 11-24 second half; 3rd Pioneer League North Division): The Brewers lost the completion of a suspended game with Great Falls 4-2. Helena won the regularly scheduled game 4-3.

BREWERS SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
St. Louis (Adam Wainwright 17-7) at Milwaukee (Jeff Suppan 6-8) 1:05pm CDT
Nashville – Season over 75-69
Huntsville – Regular season over; 63-75
Brevard County – Regular season over; 79-48
Helena (Eric Arnett 0-4) at Great Falls (Garrett Johnson 0-3) 8:05pm CDT
AZL Brewers – Season over; 25-31

PLAYOFFS
Tennessee (Jeremy Papelbon) at Huntsville (Josh Butler) 7:00pm CDT
Tampa (DJ Mitchell) at Brevard County (Amaury Rivas) 6:05pm CDT

Season ender

Forget #6 on that last post

The Prodigal Beat Writer has a season ending story over at the PC website.

Wisconsin Timber Rattlers-Milwaukee Brewers combo hits home run at the box office

I'll pick up the quotes in the middle, so make sure to go over and read it all.

"It surpassed our expectations," said [Team President Rob] Zerjav, who noted dry and comfortable weather conditions helped in luring more folks to the ballpark, as well. "The reach of fans that we're now getting from Milwaukee and the Upper Peninsula and Sheboygan, they're just coming from all over to see this team.

"I think initially it was because they wanted to see the Brewers, but I think they're coming back because they see how much fun it is and everything that's going on out here. You give it up to the fans for coming out and supporting the team."

Zerjav said the increased attendance will mean an even more robust bottom line for the franchise, which in turn should also mean the opportunity to buck a sagging economy by pouring even more money back into the organization as officials continue to eye possible stadium upgrades.

"What's nice about it is, we're a community-owned team, so anything that goes into our coffers goes back into the ballpark and the experience fans have here," he said. "So it's great to be able to have a little bit more, hopefully, to play with and be able to do some really exciting and new things here at the ballpark in 2010."

I can't wait.

A few things from the end of the '09 season

First of all. Thank you for listening, reading, and coming out to the games this season. It means a lot.

Second, I will be updating the blog daily during the off-season - unless I go on vacation or want to sleep in for the day.

Third, There will be some posts up tomorrow that will have some notes about the season stats for the 2009 Timber Rattlers. You'll know them when you see them.

Fourth, In the past Mehring Monday on the Rattlers website has been an in-season feature. It will now be weekly all year long. You have been warned.

Fifth, I won't be making a lot of changes around here. But, I will hopefully be adding a few features and I need to figure out a new device for counting down to Opening Night 2010.

Sixth, I'll be back in the morning.

Talkin' playoffs

Let's see...

In the Brewers system:
Brevard County is in the Florida State League Playoffs

Huntsville is in the Southern League Playoffs

In the Mariners system (with a lot of Rattlers alums):

High Desert is in the California League Playoffs

Tacoma is in the Pacific Coast League Playoffs

Other teams with some kind of Timber Rattlers tie-in

Midland (Justin Souza on their DL) is in the Texas League Playoffs

Birmingham (Robbie Hudson) is in the Southern League playoffs

Reading (Manager Steve Roadcap) is in the Eastern League playoffs

Just a note: Sacramento is in the PCL playoffs against Tacoma. But, Yung Chi Chen ('05) is on the roster of the Stockton Ports, Oakland's California League affiliate. Stockton did not make the playoffs.

I'll try to keep you updated on theses games along with the Midwest League Playoffs.

Did you notice below that...

I bolded a certain player in the AAA and AA alumni report. That player skipped over AA and was promoted from Lakeland in the Florida State League to Toledo in the International League.

Ryan Ketchner of the 2002 Timber Rattlers. You may have noticed that he had a pretty good day yesterday.

Ryan Ketchner made a winner of Mike Hessman in his "managerial debut."

Ketchner threw a complete-game, six-hit shutout in pitching the Mud Hens to a 3-0 victory Monday over Columbus.

Ketchner got 24 batters to fly out with no groundouts and threw just 89 pitches.
That was his second win with the International League affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

Since I missed it, here is the story from his first start for Toledo.

Mud Hens starter Ryan Ketchner, who was promoted to Toledo from Single-A Lakeland on Saturday, earned his first Triple-A victory. Ketchner pitched seven innings and gave up just five hits and one earned run. He also struckout four.

And here is the story on Ketchner when the Mud Hens returned home.

Most pitchers called up to Toledo from Single-A might be intimidated by a promotion to Triple-A.

But left-hander Ryan Ketchner isn't most pitchers.

"I kind of knew [a promotion] was coming," Ketchner said. "I knew a lot of guys get called up at this time of year."

Yes, Ketchner has already spent time in Triple-A before this season. But Ketchner has bigger goals than just advancing to Triple-A.

Ketchner is striving to become the first deaf player in the major leagues since former Hen Curtis Pride, an outfielder. If Ketchner reaches his goal, he'll be the first deaf pitcher in the big leagues since Luther Taylor, who last pitched for the New York Giants in 1908.

Ketchner said his focus isn't on earning a call-up to Detroit.

"My goal is to stay healthy," Ketchner said. "If I stay healthy, I know I can pitch well enough to earn an opportunity to pitch in the big leagues."

Plus, I just noticed that Ketchner was named the International League Pitcher of the Week.

Mud Hens LHP Ryan Ketchner was named International League pitcher of the week, the league office announced Tuesday.

Ketchner won the award based on his only two starts of the season for Toledo. Ketchner won both of those road starts, allowing just 11 hits and one earned run in 16 innings for a 0.56 ERA.

The Rattler Alumni of the Day is usually reserved for major league players. I'm making an exception today.

Rattler Alumni Report: AAA and AA Games of September 7, 2009

AAA:

International League:

Indianapolis:
Jeff Clement (’05): 0-for-2

Toledo:
Ryan Ketchner (’02): 9IP, 6H, 0R, 2K WIN #2

PCL:

Tacoma:

Matt Tuiasosopo (’05): 1-for-3, 2 RUNS, RBI
Bryan LaHair (’04): 0-for-4, RUN
Mike Wilson (’05): 1-for-4, RUN, RBI
Adam Moore (’06): 2-for-4, RUN, 2 RBI
Oswaldo Navarro (’05): 1-for-3

AA:

Southern League:

Huntsville:
Mike Brownstein (’09): 0-for-1
Corey Kemp (’09): 0-for-1
Taylor Green (’09): 1-for-3, RUN
Lorenzo Cain (’09): 0-for-4
Michael Garciaparra (’03): 1-for-3
Cody Scarpetta (’09): 0-for-1
Scarpetta: 5IP, 5H, 3R, BB, K

West Tennessee:
Carlos Triunfel (’07): 1-for-5, RBI
Johan Limonta (’06): 1-for-3
Greg Halman (’07): 0-for-3
Mumba Rivera (’05): 2IP, H, 0R, K
Anthony Varvaro (’07): 2IP, H, 0R, BB, 4K

Birmingham:
Robbie Hudson (’07): 2-for-4, RUN, RBI

Rattler Alumni Report: MLB Games of September 7, 2009

New York (Game one):
Alex Rodriguez (Foxes, ‘94): 3-for-3, RUN, RBI

Chicago (AL):
Matt Thornton (’00): IP, 0H, 0R, K

Pittsburgh:
Ramon Vazquez (97): 0-for-1

Philadelphia:
Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94): 1-for-3, RUN, RBI, HR #28

Midwest League Action: Games of September 7, 2009

Complete scoreboard

@Beloit 5, Wisconsin 1: Snappers version | Rattlers version

Fort Wayne 3 @West Michigan 1:

There wasn't much riding on the Midwest League regular-season finale at Fifth Third Ballpark between the West Michigan Whitecaps and the Fort Wayne TinCaps.

So both teams decided to have a little fun.

In the seventh and eighth innings, the two teams shared gloves in the field and the Whitecaps hitters used the same bat at the plate until it broke, which happened three times.

@South Bend 4, Lansing 3: "This is big for us," Elmore said. "Missoula and Yakima, that's where we all were last year, and we both were bad. We came from two bad programs, and we were used to losing. That was one of the things we wanted to turn around. We've had our ups and downs, but getting to the playoffs is big for us. This is meaningful for us. We were hungry for this. We have some young guys who've never tasted the playoffs."

@Kane County 4, Quad Cities 2: Their opponents given to gimmickry throughout most of Monday's regular season finale, the playoff-bound Cougars happily stayed in character.

Peoria 4 @Clinton 3: LumberKings version

@Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 4: Kernels version | Bees version

Dayton 4 @Great Lakes 3: Dragons version | Loons version

Milwaukee Brewers Report: Games of September 7, 2009

MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 66-71; 4th National League Central): The Brewers lost 3-0 to St. Louis. Chris Carpenter pitched a one-hitter for the Cardinals.

NASHVILLE (AAA: 75-69; 2nd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds beat New Orleans 8-3. Joe Koshansky homered and drove in three runs for Nashville. Brendan Katin also homered for the Sounds in the season finale.

HUNTSVILLE (AA: 63-75 overall, 25-44 second half; 5th Southern League North Division): The Stars lost 9-5 to Jacksonville. The Suns broke a 5-5 tie with four runs in the top of the eighth inning in the season finale.

BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 79-48 overall, 39-24 second half; 2nd Florida State League North Division): The Manatees wrapped their regular season on Sunday. They open their playoff series with Tampa tonight.

HELENA (SHORT SEASON ROOKIE: 30-41; 10-23 second half; 3rd Pioneer League North Division): The Brewers lost to Great Falls 3-1 in 11 innings.

BREWERS SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
St. Louis (John Smoltz 1-1) at Milwaukee (Manny Parra 10-10) 7:05pm CDT
Nashville – Season over 75-69
Huntsville – Regular season over; 63-75…Playoffs start Wednesday
Brevard County – Regular season over; 79-48
Brevard County at Tampa, Game One FSL Playoffs 6:00pm CDT
Helena 0 at Great Falls 0 completion of suspended game from 8/31 7:00pm
Helena at Great Falls – regularly scheduled game
AZL Brewers – Season over; 25-31

September 7, 2009: Starting Lineup

Josh Prince........SS
John Delaney.......3B
Brock Kjeldgaard...RF
Brandon Sizemore...1B
Jose Duran.........2B
Kyle Dhanani.......DH
Michael Vass.......LF
Derrick Alfonso.....C
Erik Miller........CF

Evan Frederickson..SP

September 7, 2009: Opposisiton Research

From the game notes of the Beloit Snappers...

Welcome to Beloit, Mr. Williams: In only two games with the Snappers, infielder Reggie Williams has five hits in eight at-bats with two RBI's and a double.

September 7, 2009: Starting pitcher

LHP EVAN FREDERICKSON: Selected by Milwaukee as a supplemental first round pick (35th overall) in the 2008 draft out of the University of San Francisco.

THE DON: Frederickson transferred to the University of San Francisco for his junior season. He was 5-3 with a 4.54 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) for the Diamond Dons. Frederickson walked 61 batters and struck out 109 over 75-1/3 innings for USF.

THE HOKIE: Frederickson began his college career at Virginia Tech. He compiled a 2-4 record and struck out 68 batters in 56-2/3 innings for the Hokies.

MY OLD SCHOOL: Frederickson was a two-time First Team All-Region and All-District selection as a high school player for Oakton (VA) High.

NOT A TWIN: The Minnesota Twins drafted Frederickson with a selection in the 27th round of the 2005 draft. He did not sign.

RATED: Baseball America ranked Frederickson as the #24 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewer organization before the 2009 season.

LAST SEASON: Frederickson began his pro career with three starts for Helena, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Brewers. He had no record, walked five and struck out 16 over 11-2/3 innings. Frederickson was promoted to West Virginia and wrapped up his season with the Power in the South Atlantic League by going 0-1 over nine games (four starts) with a 6.20 ERA. He struck out 18 and walked 26 in 20-1/3 innings for the Power

LAST START: Frederickson took the loss against Cedar Rapids at Time Warner Cable Field on September 2. He allowed four runs on four hits over five innings. Frederickson walked two and struck out five in the game.

VS. BELOIT: Frederickson has faced the Snappers three times (one start) this season. He is 0-1 with a save. In12 innings against the Snappers, Frederickson has allowed six runs (three earned) on 10 hits with eight walks and 11 strikeouts.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 IP (6/9/09 vs. Beloit)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 (3x – Last: 4/10/09 vs. Quad Cities)

September 7, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers were beaten 4-3 by the Snappers. Bruce Pugh struck out 10 over five shutout innings for the win. The loss was the fifth straight for Wisconsin.

SURPRISE START: Nick Tyson made an emergency start for the Timber Rattlers yesterday when Daniel Meadows was a late scratch due to illness. Tyson went 5-2/3 innings and allowed three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts.

THREE BATTERS IN: The Snappers had a 2-0 lead three batters into the bottom of the first inning. Aaron Hicks singled; Drew Thompson tripled; and Nate Hanson had a sacrifice fly.

MEANWHILE: The Rattlers had one hit in five innings against Pugh. Wisconsin did draw four walks – two in the second and two in the third – but, Pugh’s 10 strikeouts kept the Timber Rattlers off the board.

AND ONE: Angel Morales singled in a run to make the score 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth inning.

ON THE BOARD: Kyle Dhanani knocked in a run with a grounder in the top of the sixth.

INSURANCE: The Snappers added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a throwing error.

COMEBACK: Michael Vass drove in a run in the top of the eighth with a double and scored on an error. Both runs scored after two outs to get the Rattlers to within 4-3.

FALLING SHORT: The Rattlers lost by one run yesterday. Wisconsin has lost the last five games that have been decided by one run.

RUN, RATTLERS, RUN: Wisconsin set a new season high for stolen bases in a game yesterday. They stole seven bases against the Snappers. Jose Duran led the way with three. Derrick McPhearson had a pair and Derrick Alfonso and Brandon Sizemore each had one.

RITCHIE RICH: Brandon Ritchie allowed one unearned run on two hits over 2-1/3 innings out of the Wisconsin bullpen. Ritchie appeared in 48 games, had an ERA of 1.54, and opponents hit .190 against him. His 48 appearances tied Joe Kantakevich for seventh in that category on the single season Timber Rattlers list.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Beloit has missed the Midwest League playoffs. The Snappers were 27-43 in the first half. They are 29-40 in the second half to give them an overall record of 56-83.

SEASON SERIES: The Timber Rattlers are 7-6 against Beloit in 2009. Wisconsin is 2-3 against the Snappers at Pohlman Field.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team. They have scored 545 runs (3.9/game) and hit 61 home runs. The Snappers are hitting .251 as a team. They have scored 601 runs (4.3/game) and hit 66 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.34 while allowing a total of 686 runs (5.0/game). Beloit pitchers have a team ERA of 4.30 while allowing 700 runs (5.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 168 errors. The Snappers defense has committed 171 errors. Wisconsin is 21-46 on the road. Beloit is 28-40 at Pohlman Field this season.

BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: LHP Daniel Osterbrock was the seventh round pick of the Twins in the 2008 draft out of the University of Cincinnati. Osterbrock’s first pro season was with Elizabethton last season and he was 7-2 with a 3.00ERA, eight walks, and 104 strikeouts in 75 innings pitched. He was an Appalachian League Post-season All-Star and the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year. Ostrerbrock is 6-10 with a 5.40 ERA in 27 games (25 starts) for the Snappers this season. He has walked 35 and struck out 131 in 130 innings. In his start prior to today, Osterbrock got a no decision at Quad Cities on September 2. He allowed one run on four hits and struck out 11 over six innings. Osterbrock has made two starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. He was the starter in the second game of a doubleheader against the Timber Rattlers on June 7 and pitched a 7-inning complete game for the win. He gave up one run on four hits, did not walk a batter, and struck out six for the win. On August 15 at Time Warner Cable Field, Osterbrock beat the Rattlers again. He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits over five innings. Osterbrock struck out seven in that game. Osterbrock is third in the Midwest League in strikeouts. He trails Kenn Kasparek of Clinton (134) and Simon Castro of Fort Wayne (157) in that category.

Rattler Alumni Report: AAA and AA Games of September 6, 2009

AAA:

International League:

Buffalo:
Rene Rivera (’03): 1-for-4

Indianapolis:
Jeff Clement (’05): pinch hit; 1-for-1

PCL:

Nashville:
Lindsay Gulin (’98): 6IP, 4H, 0R, 3BB, 6K, WIN

Tacoma:
Matt Tuiasosopo (’05): 1-for-4, RUN, RBI, HR #11
Bryan LaHair (’04): 2-for-4
Mike Wilson (’05): 0-for-4
Oswaldo Navarro (’03): 0-for-3

AA:

Southern League:

Huntsville:
Corey Kemp (’09): 0-for-3
Lorenzo Cain (’09): 0-for-1
Mike Brownstein (’09): 1-for-4

West Tennessee:
Greg Halman (’07): 1-for-3
Marshall Hubbard (’05): 0-for-3
Johan Limonta (’06): 0-for-3
Kyle Parker (’07): IP, 3H, R, K

Rattler Alumni Report: MLB Games of September 6, 2009

Boston:
David Ortiz (’96): 0-for-4

Seattle:
Michael Saunders (’06): 0-for-3
Shawn Kelley (’08): 2IP, 3H, 4R, 2K, BS, Loss

Cleveland:
Asdrubal Cabrera (’05): 2-for-3, RBI
Shin-soo Choo (’02): 0-for-4
Luis Valbuena (’06): 2-for-3, RUN

Cincinnati:
Wladimir Balentien (’04): 0-for-0, BB

Atlanta:
Rafael Soriano (’00): IP, 0H, 0R, K

St. Louis:
Joel Pineiro (’98): 6IP, 8H, 4R, 3K
Ryan Franklin (Foxes, ’94): .1IP, 3H, 2R, BS, Loss

Philadelphia:
Raul Ibanez (Foxes, ’94): 2-for-4

Midwest League Action: Games of September 6, 2009

Complete scoreboard

@Beloit 4, Wisconsin 3: Snappers version | Rattlers version

Lansing 11 @South Bend 10:

When news arrived that the South Bend’s Silver Hawks had clinched the final playoff spot in the Midwest League’s Eastern Division, the only sounds coming from the Silver Hawks’ clubhouse were those of the attendants picking up worn uniforms off the gray concrete floor to put in the laundry cart.

South Bend’s players left the clubhouse shortly after Sunday’s 11-10 loss to Lansing in minor-league baseball action.

“I told them to go home, and if it works out for us, we’ll pop the corks (Monday),” South Bend manager Mark Haley said of staying by himself around an hour and a half after the South Bend game finished to find out if the Hawks reached the playoffs.

@Great Lakes 8, Dayton 2: The Dragons scored again in the top of the third to pull to within 3-2, but the Loons tacked on three more runs in the third on three hits, a walk, and an error to extend to a 6-2 edge. Great Lakes added two more runs in the sixth on an RBI-double by Jerry Sands and an RBI-single by Buss.

Fort Wayne 6 @West Michigan 0:

"I was trying to do too much instead of staying with my game," he said. "But I've had a great season, I can't be mad. Whatever. I've been a good team player and helped the team win games. It's about that and not individual performances."

[Billy] Nowlin's average dropped three points to .312 heading into today's regular-season finale against Fort Wayne. Cedar Rapids' Alexia Amarista took a .316 mark into Sunday's late game against Wisconsin. [Editor's note...The Rattlers had to play the Kernels yesterday, too?]

Nowlin, Nunez and Amarista were hitting .316 heading into Saturday. Nunez, who had played in 16 consecutive games, didn't play Sunday. It was a move decided a couple weeks ago and was affirmed by Whitecaps' manager Joe DePastino and Nunez. [Editor's note...See below because it appears to be moot anyway]

@Cedar Rapids 5, Burlington 3:

Alexi Amarista won’t play today in the Cedar Rapids Kernels’ regular-season finale. It’ll be good to get him an extra day of rest leading up to that playoff series with Peoria that begins Wednesday night.

And it’ll boost little Lexi’s bid for the Midwest League batting title.

Amarista went 2-for-3 Sunday in Cedar Rapids’ 5-3 win over Burlington at Memorial Stadium, boosting his average to .319. That leads the MWL, with West Michigan’s Gustavo Nunez second at .315 and West Michigan’s Billy Nowlin third at .312.

“I’m aware of it,” Amarista said through teammate Roberto Lopez. “I always check up on my numbers and other players in the league … We’ll see how it ends up.”

Kernels Manager Bill Mosiello pinch hit for Amarista in the top of the sixth inning because he wanted to preserve his average. If Nunez and Nowlin go 4-for-4 against Fort Wayne today, they would finish at .321.

@Clinton 5, Peoria 4: LumberKings version | Chiefs version

@Kane County 4, Quad Cities 1: Cougars version | River Bandits version

Milwaukee Brewers Report: Games of September 6, 2009

MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 66-70; T-3rd National League Central): The Brewers beat San Francisco 2-1 in 12 innings. Prince Fielder hit a game-ending solo homer in the bottom of the twelfth and the Brewers turned a triple play, too.

NASHVILLE (AAA: 74-69; 2nd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds beat New Orleans 9-1. Brendan Katin hit a pair of homers and drove in three runs for Nashville. Lindsay Gulin (’98) pitched six scoreless innings for the win.

HUNTSVILLE (AA: 63-74 overall, 25-43 second half; 5th Southern League North Division): The Stars lost 7-1 to Jacksonville. Huntsville had 10 hits in the game.

BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 79-48 overall, 39-24 second half; 2nd Florida State League North Division): The Manatees split a doubleheader with Tampa to wrap up their 2009 regular season. Brevard County won game on 11-6. Steffan Wilson homered twice and knocked in three runs for the Manatees in the opener. The Yankees won game two 5-4 in eight innings. Tampa scored twice in the top of the eight and withstood a homer by Wilson in the bottom of the eighth for the win.

HELENA (SHORT SEASON ROOKIE: 30-40; 10-22 second half; 3rd Pioneer League North Division): The Brewers beat Great Falls 8-7. Helena scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to erase a 6-3 deficit.

BREWERS SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
St. Louis (Chris Carpenter 16-3) at Milwaukee (Dave Bush 3-6) 1:05pm CDT
Nashville (Mike Burns 7-3) at New Orleans (Andrew Miller 1-2) 2:00pm CDT
Jacksonville at Huntsville 1:00pm CDT
Brevard County – Regular season over; 79-48…Playoffs start Tuesday
Great Falls at Helena 8:05pm CDT
AZL Brewers – Season over; 25-31

September 6, 2009: Starting Lineup

Erik Miller.........CF
John Delaney........3B
Brock Kjeldgaard....RF
Brandon Sizemore....1B
Kyle Dhanani........2B
Michael Vass........DH
Jose Duran..........SS
Derrick McPhearson..LF
Derrick Alfonso......C

Nick Tyson..........SP

September 6, 2009: Opposition Research

From the game notes of the Beloit Snappers...

Taking [Ramon] Santana's spot will be infielder Reggie Williams, who was the Twins 4th round selection in the 2007 draft. In 2009 with Elizabethton, Williams has 19 extra base hits -- with seven of them being home runs -- in 43 games. He also drove in 25RBI's and walked 13 times.

September 6, 2009: Tonight's starting pitcher

RHP Nick Tyson was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 32nd round of the 2006 draft from Lake City Community College in Florida.

YEAR ONE: Tyson appeared in 17 games (three starts) for the Helena Brewers, the Pioneer League affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, in 2007. He was 4-1 with a pair of saves and a 2.48ERA. Tyson was 3-0 in his three starts for the Brewers.

SPLITTING TIME: Tyson began the 2008 season with the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League and was 2-2 with an 8.74ERA in 16 games (one start). He was transferred to Helena to finish up the year and went 1-3 with a save and an ERA of 3.48.

WELCOME TO WISCONSIN: Tyson began the 2009 season at extended spring training. He joined the Timber Rattlers in mid-May. He has gone 4-4 with six saves and a 3.14ERA in 37 relief appearances for the Rattlers this season.

LAST START: On August 22, 2008, Tyson made the start for Helena against the Billings Mustangs. He gave up five runs on seven hits over four innings with five strikeouts and took the loss as the Mustangs beat the Brewers 5-0.

LAST APPEARANCE: Tyson pitched two innings of relief against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Time Warner Cable Field on September 3. He gave up one unearned run on four hits with a walk and a strikeout.

VS. BELOIT: Tyson has made three relief appearances against the Snappers this season. He has no record and no saves in those three appearances. Tyson has pitched 8-1/3 shutout innings, allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out six against Beloit in 2009.

SEASON HIGHS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 4.2IP (8/15 vs. Beloit)
STRIKEOUTS: 4 (2x; Last: 8/15 vs. Beloit)

September 6, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 19-8 at Beloit. Ozzie Lewis drove in five runs and the Snappers pounded out 16 hits on the way to the win. The loss was the fourth straight for the Timber Rattlers.

THE MOST: The 19 runs allowed by the Timber Rattlers was the most allowed this season. The previous high was 17 in a 17-7 loss in the second game of a doubleheader against the Quad Cities River Bandits on April 27 at Modern Woodmen Park.

GOOD START: Wisconsin grabbed a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Michael Vass and Shawn Zarraga had back-to-back RBI singles and Brock Kjeldgaard forced in a run by drawing a bases loaded walk.

UM, YEAH…: The Snappers scored in six straight innings take charge. Beloit scored a run in the second, six in the third, four in the fourth, one in both the fifth and sixth, and six more in the seventh inning. In the third inning, the first six Beloit batters reached before the first out was recorded. In the seventh, the first seven Snappers hitters reached before the first out. Beloit sent 10 men to the plate in the third and 12 to bat in the seventh.

WHOA: Four of the Beloit runs scored on wild pitches.

IN ADDITION: Five Rattlers pitchers combined to walk 10 in the game

THAT’S A LOT: Out of the 16 hits for Beloit last night, nine were for extra bases. The Snappers had seven doubles, a triple, and a home run.

NEMESIS: Jon Waltenbury is 14-for-36 (.389) against the Timber Rattlers this season.

BRIGHT SPOT: Michael Vass had three hits, two RBI, and his seventh homer of the season for the Rattlers.

ANOTHER BRIGHT SPOT: The Rattlers offense had 12 hits last night for their first game with 10 or more hits since August 25, a streak of eight games.

HARD WAY: In the top of the ninth inning, Beloit pitcher Billy Bullock struck out the first two batters he faced. He proceeded to hit the next three batters to load the bases. A wild pitch let a run score. Then, a walk reloaded the bases. Bullock got a strikeout to end the game.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Beloit has missed the Midwest League playoffs. The Snappers were 27-43 in the first half. They are 28-40 in the second half to give them an overall record of 55-83.

SEASON SERIES: The Timber Rattlers are 7-5 against Beloit in 2009. Wisconsin is 2-2 against the Snappers at Pohlman Field.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team. They have scored 542 runs (4.0/game) and hit 61 home runs. The Snappers are hitting .251 as a team. They have scored 597 runs (4.3/game) and hit 66 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.34 while allowing a total of 682 runs (5.0/game). Beloit pitchers have a team ERA of 4.33 while allowing 697 runs (5.1/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 165 errors. The Snappers defense has committed 168 errors. Wisconsin is 21-45 on the road. Beloit is 27-40 at Pohlman Field this season.

BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RHP Bruce Pugh was the 19th round pick of the Minnesota Twins in the 2008 draft out of Hillsborough Community College. Pugh made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League affiliate of the Twins in 2008. He went 1-2 with a pair of saves and a 3.20ERA over 13 relief appearances. Pugh is 3-5 with a 3.04ERA in 34 games (seven starts) for the Snappers in 2009. Pugh has made one appearance against the Timber Rattlers in 2009. He pitched one inning in relief on June 9 at Time Warner Cable Field. In that game, he allowed a run on two hits. In his start prior to this evening, Pugh was beaten by the Burlington on August 31 at Pohlman Field. In that game against the Bees, Pugh allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings. He walked two and struck out seven.

Change in the rotation

Daniel Meadows is a scratch. He was feeling sick yesterday and did not come to the ballpark. He was on the bus, but was told to go back to his room and get some rest.

Nick Tyson is the starter today and this will be his first start for the Timber Rattlers.

Rattler Alumni Report: AAA and AA Games of September 5, 2009

AAA:

International League:
Rene Rivera ('03): 0-for-1

PCL:

Nashville:
Juan Sandoval ('03): IP, 0H, 0R

Tacoma:
Matt Tuiasosopo ('05): 1-for-3, 3 RUNS
Bryan LaHair ('04): 2-for-4, 2 RUNS, 3RBI, HR #26
Mike Wilson ('05): 1-for-4, RUN
Adam Moore ('06): 2-for-4
Justin Thomas ('06): 2IP, H, 0R, WIN #2

AA:

Southern League:

West Tennessee:
Greg Halman ('07): 0-for-3
Johan Limonta ('06): 1-for-3
Marshall Hubbard ('05): 0-for-4
Carlos Triunfel ('07): 0-for-3

Huntsville:
Taylor Green ('09): 0-for-2
Lorenzo Cain ('09): 1-for-3
Michael Garciaparra ('03): 0-for-3
Michael Brownstein ('09): 1-for-1

Birmingham:
Robbie Hudson ('06): 1-for-3

Rattler Alumni Report: MLB Games of September 5, 2009

Seattle:
Rob Johnson ('05): 1-for-3, 2RBI

Los Angeles (AL):
Brian Fuentes ('97): IP, H, 0R, SAVE #39

Boston:
David Ortiz ('96): 0-for-3

Cleveland:
Asdrubal Cabrera ('05): 0-for-2
Luis Valbuena ('06): 0-for-4

New York (AL):
Alex Rodriguez (Foxes, '94): 2-for-4, RBI

Pittsburgh:
Ramon Vazquez ('97): 0-for-1

St. Louis:
Ryan Franklin (Foxes, '94): IP, 0H, 0R, 2BB, K, SAVE #37

Cincinnati:
Wladimir Balentien ('04): 0-for-4

Atlanta:
Rafael Soriano ('00): IP, 0H, 0R

Washington:
Jorge Sosa ('01): IP, H, 0R

Philadelphia:
Raul Ibanez (Foxes, '94): 1-for-4, RUN

Midwest League Action: Games of September 5, 2009

Complete scoreboard

@Beloit 19, Wisconsin 8: Snappers version | Rattlers version

@Great Lakes 9, Dayton 2: Loooons version | Dragons version

Fort Wayne 7 @West Michigan 1: With the Midwest League playoffs right around the corner, the West Michigan Whitecaps picked a bad time Saturday night to play one of their ugliest games of the season.

Peoria 8 @Clinton 3: Chiefs version | LumberKings version

Burlington 4 @Cedar Rapids 0: Bees version | Kernels version

Quad Cities 7 @Kane County 3: River Bandits version | Cougars version

Milwaukee Brewers Report: Games of September 5, 2009

MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 65-70; T-3rd National League Central): The Brewers lost 3-2 to San Francisco. Yovani Gallardo allowed three runs over six innings and the Brewers scored just two off Matt Cain.

NASHVILLE (AAA: 73-69; 2nd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds lost 6-5 at New Orleans. The Zephyrs scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 3-3 tie.

HUNTSVILLE (AA: 63-73 overall, 25-42 second half; 5th Southern League North Division): The Stars lost 2-0 to Jacksonville. The Stars managed six hits in the game.

BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 78-47 overall, 38-23 second half; 2nd Florida State League North Division): The Manatees had their doubleheader with Tampa rained out.

HELENA (SHORT SEASON ROOKIE: 29-40; 9-22 second half; 4th Pioneer League North Division): The Brewers beat Billings 3-0.

BREWERS SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
San Francisco (Jonathan Sanchez 6-11) at Milwaukee (Braden Looper 11-6) 1:05pm CDT
Nashville (Lindsay Gulin 6-10) at New Orleans (Chris Volstad 0-0) 6:00pm CDT
Jacksonville at Huntsville 1:00pm CDT
Tampa at Brevard County 12:05pm CDT
Tampa at Brevard County – Game two
Great Falls at Helena 5:05pm CDT
AZL Brewers – Season over 25-31

Working on it....(UPDATED)

The radio broadcast is in a slight delay right now. The equipment is not connecting proper;y to the studio....Hopefully, this will be fixed by game time.

Sorry.

UPDATE:

We are on the air...but the quality of the signal sounds a little dodgy...sorry.

September 5, 2009: Starting Lineup (UPDATED)

Erik Miller........CF
John Delaney.......3B
Brock Kjeldgaard...RF
Brandon Sizemore...1B
Jose Duran.........SS
Derrick McPhearson.DH
Kyle Dhanani.......2B
Michael Vass.......LF
Shawn Zarraga.......C

Maverick Lasker....SP

Fatse is a late scratch. McPhearson takes over at DH and in the #6 spot.

September 5, 2009: Opposition Research

From the game notes of the Beloit Snappers...

Current streak:.-4
One run games:..11-21
Extra innings:...2-9

September 5, 2009: Tonight's Pitcher

RHP MAVERICK LASKER: Selected by Milwaukee in the 5th round of the 2008 draft out of Sandra Day O’Connor High School in Phoenix, Arizona.

LAST SEASON: Lasker did not pitch professionally in 2008. He was placed on the disabled list of the Arizona League affiliate of the Brewers in July and was not activated until September.

WHERE EAGLES DARE: Lasker’s team made it to the Arizona State Baseball Championship Game for Class 4A-I

PRO DEBUT: Lasker made his first appearance as a professional as a reliever for the Arizona League Brewers on June 27, 2009 against the Angels. He pitched two innings, allowed two runs on two hits, walked two and struck out one in his relief appearance.

IN THE DESERT: Lasker went 5-1 with a 3.26ERA with Milwaukee’s Arizona League affiliate this season. He appeared in 13 games (one start) and struck out 39 while walking nine over 47 innings.

LAST START: Lasker made his Midwest League debut on August 31 at Kane County. He pitched seven scoreless innings and picked up the win. Lasker allowed four hits, walked two, and struck out three.

VS. BELOIT: Lasker is making his first ever appearance against the Snappers.

VS. MINNESOTA: Lasker is making his first ever appearance against an affiliate of the Minnesota Twins.

PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 7.0 (2x; Last: 8/31 @Kane County)
STRIKEOUTS: 10 (8/11 @AZL Athletics)

September 5, 2009: Game Notes

ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 5-2 to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Cedar Rapids swept the three game series from the Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin finished the 2009 season series with the Kernels at 7-12.

ONE TOUGH INNING: Gabe Jacobo stepped to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded in the top of the third inning. He tripled to right-center to break a scoreless tie and put the Kernels up 3-0. Matt Crawford followed with an RBI double to knock in Jacobo for a 4-0 lead.

I AM LEGEND: Will Smith was the starting pitcher for the Kernels and picked up his tenth win of the season. He allowed one run on two hits over eight innings. Smith struck out five and walked one.

BREAKING IT: Smith retired the first 11 batters he faced. Brock Kjeldgaard hit a two-out solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to give Wisconsin their first hit.

MILESTONE: Kjeldgaard’s homer was his 20th of the season. He is the third player in Timber Rattlers history to reach 20 home runs in a single season. Juan Silvestre (1999) and Matt Hagen (2003) are the other two Rattlers in that club. Both Silvestre and Hagen share the franchise record for homers in a season with 21.

ONE THIRD: Kjeldgaard’s 20 homers is 1/3 of the Timber Rattlers team total of 60 in 2009.

DESERVED BETTER: Rattlers starting pitcher Trey Watten pitched six innings allowed five runs on nine hits and took the loss. Watten finished the year with a record of 5-14, one save and an ERA of 4.71. The 14 losses tie Paul Fagan (2006), Nibaldo Acosta (2004), and Roy Smith (1995) as the most in a season in franchise history. Watten will finish the 2009 season as the team leader in innings pitched with 133-2/3. His 24 starts this year were also a team high.

AN INTERESTING NINTH: Andy Taylor relieved Smith in the bottom of the ninth to protect a 5-1 lead. A one out walk, and back-to-back singles by Kjeldgaard and Brandon Sizemore loaded the bases. John Delaney drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-2. Taylor got a strike out to end the inning.

HE’S THE GUY: Delaney has 22 RBI this season. Eleven of those RBI are with the bases loaded.

HOME RECORD: The Timber Rattlers finished the home portion of their schedule with a record of 37-34.

20 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA: The Rattlers have reached a season low 20 games under the .500 mark with the loss last night. The Rattlers need to win two of their final three games to avoid their fourth consecutive 80 loss seasons.

OVER A QUARTER MILLION SERVED: The Timber Rattlers drew 5,452 fans to their final home game of the season. They finished the season at 253,240 in 68 home games to set a new single season attendance record.

ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Beloit Snappers are the Midwest League affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Beloit has missed the Midwest League playoffs. The Snappers were 27-43 in the first half. They are 24-42 in the second half to give them an overall record of 54-83.

SEASON SERIES: The Timber Rattlers are 7-4 against Beloit in 2009. Wisconsin is 2-1 against the Snappers at Pohlman Field.

COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .236 as a team. They have scored 534 runs (3.9/game) and hit 60 home runs. The Snappers are hitting .250 as a team. They have scored 578 runs (4.2/game) and hit 65 homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 4.24 while allowing a total of 663 runs (4.9/game). Beloit pitchers have a team ERA of 4.30 while allowing 689 runs (5.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 163 errors. The Snappers defense has committed 168 errors. Wisconsin is 21-44 on the road. Beloit is 26-40 at Pohlman Field this season.

PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed two member of the current Beloit roster on their top 30 list of Twins prospects. Outfielder Aaron Hicks was rated as the #1 prospect in the Twins organization before the season. Fellow outfielder Angel Morales is rated as the #10 prospect in the Minnesota organization. Pitcher Shooter Hunt, who is currently on Beloit’s disabled list, is the #7 prospect.

OUT OF THE DRAFT 2009: The Snappers have two members of the 2009 Minnesota Twins draft class on their roster. Pitcher Billy Bullock was the second round pick out of the University of Florida. Pitcher Brad Stillings was the seventh round pick of the Twins out of Kent State.

ALL-STARS: The Snappers had one player make the Western Division squad for the Midwest League All-Star game in Clinton. Reliever Joe Testa was on the squad and has since been promoted in the Twins organization.

BELOIT STARTING PITCHER: RHP Daniel Berlind was a seventh round pick of the Twins in the 2007 draft out of Los Angeles Pierce Junior College where he was the Western State South All-Conference Pitcher of the Year. Berlind began 2008 with Beloit and went 4-4 with a 4.47ERA in 11 games (10 starts). In June, Berlind was sent to Elizabethton in the Appalachian League where he was 2-3 with a 10.98 ERA in 14 games (eight starts). As a Snapper in 2009, Berlind is 4-13 with a pair of saves and a 3.66 ERA in 30 games (20 starts) with 90 strikeouts and 53 walks over 123-2/3 innings. In his start prior to this evening, Berlind beat Burlington in the second game of a doubleheader on August 30. He allowed one run on four hits over five innings. Belind has faced the Timber Rattlers twice this season as a starter. His first start was in game one of a doubleheader on June 7. Berlind allowed two runs on four hits with three walks and five strikeouts over six innings for a loss in a complete game. On August 18, Berlind allowed one run on four hits in five innings with three strikeouts. He has lost both starts against the Timber Rattlers this season. Berlind has pitched two complete games this season and has lost both of them. He also lost the first game of a doubleheader at Cedar Rapids on August 8.