RHP TREY WATTEN: Selected by Milwaukee in the 7th round of the 2008 draft out of Abilene Christian University.
LAST SEASON: Watten was 3-2 with a save and a 5.40 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) at Helena. He walked 25 and struck out 40 over 55 innings.
COLLEGIATELY: At Abilene Christian, Watten was 20-3 with a 2.74 ERA over two seasons. He also struck out 188 batters over 167-1/3 innings pitched for the Wildcats.
LONE STAR ALL-STAR: Watten was a First Team All-Lone Start Conference South Division selection as both a pitcher and a utility player in 2007. Watten also played shortstop for the Wildcats.
OLD DAYS: Watten pitched high school baseball for Coppel (TX) High and earned First Team Class 5A All-State selection and a District 6-5A Offensive Player of the Year in 2005.
SAVING THE DAY: Watten earned his first professional save on August 30, 2008. He worked three scoreless innings against Great Falls. Watten walked a two and struck out two to close out the Voyagers. Watten also picked up a save in his first appearance as a Timber Rattler. Watten pitched four scoreless innings and struck out a career high six as the Rattlers beat Quad Cities on April 10.
LAST SEASON: Watten was 3-2 with a save and a 5.40 ERA in 15 games (10 starts) at Helena. He walked 25 and struck out 40 over 55 innings.
LAST APPEARANCE: Watten made his first Midwest League start on April 16. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over four innings at Clinton and took the loss. All three runs scored in the professional high in a game for Watten.
LAST START: Watten took the loss at Clinton on April 16. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over four innings. Watten walked one and struck out five in a 4-1 loss to the LumberKings.
VS. QUAD CITIES: Watten got a save with four scoreless innings against the River Bandits on April 10 at Time Warner Cable Field. Watten set a professional single game high for strikeouts with six in a 10-1 Rattler win.
VS. CARDINALS: The save against the River Bandits was the only time Watten has faced an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (6/20/08 vs. Missoula)
STRIKEOUTS: 6 (4/10/09 vs. Quad Cities)
4/26/2009
April 26, 2009 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers lost 9-8 to the River Bandits. Quad Cities rallied from deficits of 5-2 and 8-6 for the victory. The loss ended Wisconsin’s four-game wining streak.
WALKED-OFF: The River Bandit were down 8-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Quad Cities scored a run on a double play in the eighth. They scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
IN THE NINTH: Domnit Bolivar homered to tie the game with a leadoff the bottom of the ninth. Niko Vasquez drove in the winning run with a single after a single, a strikeout, and a walk.
THEY WON? Quad Cities was charged with five errors and stranded 13 runners in last night’s game.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Rattlers scored eight runs and banged out 10 hits last night. Over the last five games, the Rattlers have scored 31 runs and have tallied 46 hits.
MIGHT AS WELL JUMP: The Rattler team batting average has gone from .189 to .228 over the last five games.
YARD WORK: Brett Lawrie hit a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to put the Rattlers in front 8-6.
POWER SURGE: In 22 games during April of the 2008 season, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hit three home runs. The Rattlers have hit three homers in the last three games. In 14 games during April of 2009, this Timber Rattler team has hit seven homers.
RATTLERS ELEVEN: Four Timber Rattler pitchers combined to walk 11 River Bandits last night. Wisconsin starter Michael Bowman walked four over five innings. Reliever Liam Ohlmann walked three in one inning. Brian Meadows gave out two free passes in one inning. Kris Dabrowiecki walked two of the 10 batters he faced.
ROUGH FIRST NIGHT: Dabrowiecki, a 2009 non-drafted free agent, made his professional debut last night. He gave up a triple to Vasquez and an RBI single to Chris Swauger in the eighth.
CLOSE SHAVES: Eight of Wisconsin’s games this season have been decided by one run. Five games have been decided in the last at bat with the Rattlers winning three of those games. Last night was the first walk-off win by an opponent of the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin has one walk-off victory this year.
2009 SERIES: The Rattlers swept a season opening series from Quad Cities at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers won by scores of 2-1, 10-1, and 3-2. Wisconsin leads the season series 3-1.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .228 as a team. They have scored 56 runs (4.0/game) and hit seven home runs. The Bandits are hitting .234 as a team. They have scored 74 runs (5.3/game) and hit eight homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.92 while allowing a total of 61 runs (4.4/game). Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 4.15 while allowing 70 runs (5.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 15 errors. The River Bandit defense has committed 27 errors. Wisconsin is 0-4 on the road this season. The River Bandits are 5-2 at Modern Woodmen Park this season.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RH Adam Veres was the 49th round selection of the Cardinals in the 2008 draft out of St. Petersburg Junior College in Florida. Veres split time between Johnson City (Appalachian League) and Batavia (New York-Penn League) last season. He went 2-2 in eight games (three starts) with a 2.38ERA and 32 strikeouts in 22-2/3 innings for Johnson City. He was promoted to Batavia and was 1-1 in six games (three starts) with a 4.35ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20-2/3 innings. Veres walked 14 in 43-1/3 innings. In his last appearance, Veres allowed one unearned run on three hits over 3-1/3 innings in a start at Beloit on April 21. Veres walked two and struck out five in a no decision. Veres made the Opening Night start at Time Warner Cable Field for his only appearance against the Rattlers. Veres allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out two over three scoreless innings for a no decision.
WALKED-OFF: The River Bandit were down 8-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Quad Cities scored a run on a double play in the eighth. They scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth for the win.
IN THE NINTH: Domnit Bolivar homered to tie the game with a leadoff the bottom of the ninth. Niko Vasquez drove in the winning run with a single after a single, a strikeout, and a walk.
THEY WON? Quad Cities was charged with five errors and stranded 13 runners in last night’s game.
GETTING OFFENSIVE: The Rattlers scored eight runs and banged out 10 hits last night. Over the last five games, the Rattlers have scored 31 runs and have tallied 46 hits.
MIGHT AS WELL JUMP: The Rattler team batting average has gone from .189 to .228 over the last five games.
YARD WORK: Brett Lawrie hit a two-out, three-run home run in the top of the eighth inning to put the Rattlers in front 8-6.
POWER SURGE: In 22 games during April of the 2008 season, Wisconsin Timber Rattlers hit three home runs. The Rattlers have hit three homers in the last three games. In 14 games during April of 2009, this Timber Rattler team has hit seven homers.
RATTLERS ELEVEN: Four Timber Rattler pitchers combined to walk 11 River Bandits last night. Wisconsin starter Michael Bowman walked four over five innings. Reliever Liam Ohlmann walked three in one inning. Brian Meadows gave out two free passes in one inning. Kris Dabrowiecki walked two of the 10 batters he faced.
ROUGH FIRST NIGHT: Dabrowiecki, a 2009 non-drafted free agent, made his professional debut last night. He gave up a triple to Vasquez and an RBI single to Chris Swauger in the eighth.
CLOSE SHAVES: Eight of Wisconsin’s games this season have been decided by one run. Five games have been decided in the last at bat with the Rattlers winning three of those games. Last night was the first walk-off win by an opponent of the Rattlers this season. Wisconsin has one walk-off victory this year.
2009 SERIES: The Rattlers swept a season opening series from Quad Cities at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers won by scores of 2-1, 10-1, and 3-2. Wisconsin leads the season series 3-1.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .228 as a team. They have scored 56 runs (4.0/game) and hit seven home runs. The Bandits are hitting .234 as a team. They have scored 74 runs (5.3/game) and hit eight homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.92 while allowing a total of 61 runs (4.4/game). Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 4.15 while allowing 70 runs (5.0/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 15 errors. The River Bandit defense has committed 27 errors. Wisconsin is 0-4 on the road this season. The River Bandits are 5-2 at Modern Woodmen Park this season.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RH Adam Veres was the 49th round selection of the Cardinals in the 2008 draft out of St. Petersburg Junior College in Florida. Veres split time between Johnson City (Appalachian League) and Batavia (New York-Penn League) last season. He went 2-2 in eight games (three starts) with a 2.38ERA and 32 strikeouts in 22-2/3 innings for Johnson City. He was promoted to Batavia and was 1-1 in six games (three starts) with a 4.35ERA and 26 strikeouts in 20-2/3 innings. Veres walked 14 in 43-1/3 innings. In his last appearance, Veres allowed one unearned run on three hits over 3-1/3 innings in a start at Beloit on April 21. Veres walked two and struck out five in a no decision. Veres made the Opening Night start at Time Warner Cable Field for his only appearance against the Rattlers. Veres allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out two over three scoreless innings for a no decision.
A tradition like no other
If it's a Sunday on the road, it must be raining. The last time the Rattlers were on the road for a Sunday game was last Sunday in Clinton. That got rained out.
This Sunday, we are in Quad Cities and the tarp just went on the field. It's raining pretty hard here. It may be raining for a while. If there is an update, I will pass it along.
For now, the game notes and today's pitcher posts will be next.
Carl may be along at some point, but only Roudha knows.
This Sunday, we are in Quad Cities and the tarp just went on the field. It's raining pretty hard here. It may be raining for a while. If there is an update, I will pass it along.
For now, the game notes and today's pitcher posts will be next.
Carl may be along at some point, but only Roudha knows.
Not nice
I finally got around to checking the Baseball America Transactions from last Monday this morning. I found this:
Tampa Bay RaysJames was the Rattler closer in the first half of the 2005 season. He made it as high as Double-A with the Mariners from 2006 until his release during the 2008 season. Then, he spent the rest of '08 and the beginning of '09 in the Florida State League with the Rays.
Released: RHP Craig James
Nice...
I was checking out Mariner Minors -- yes, I still check out the Mariner sites -- and Jay had this neat item about an ex-Rattler player.
Even when the short season leagues haven't opened yet, there's still news to be reported. I have in my inbox a press release, sent to me by Aquasox broadcaster Pat Dillon and forwarded again by the USSM crew, announcing that long-time farmhand Rich Dorman will be taking over as the Aquasox pitching coach to start the season. There's nothing on the Aquasox site yet, but a glance at the roster would seem to confirm it.Dorman was a Rattler in 2003.
The press release informs us that Dorman is presently in Peoria, rehabbing from shoulder surgery. This would explain why he was not among the spring training spaghetti auditioning for a part in the bullpen, nor was he granted a courtesy call-up to end the season.
Midwest League Action: April 25, 2009
Complete scoreboard
@Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 8: "It's crazy how baseball works. I had the same opportunity (Friday) at Beloit and flew out. I wasn't going to let that chance get away again,'' Vasquez said.
@South Bend 9, Dayton 3: "Cook was great," said South Bend hitting coach Francisco Morales, who stepped in so Silver Hawks manager Mark Haley could attend his daughter's first communion. "Cook's pitching was outstanding. He really battled and he controlled the zone. That's what we preach.
Burlington 3, @Clinton 1: Bees version | L-Kings version
@Peoria 6, Cedar Rapids 5: Chiefs version | Kernels version
Beloit @ Kane County: PPD
Lansing @ West Michigan: PPD
Fort Wayne @ Great Lakes: PPD
@Quad Cities 9, Wisconsin 8: "It's crazy how baseball works. I had the same opportunity (Friday) at Beloit and flew out. I wasn't going to let that chance get away again,'' Vasquez said.
@South Bend 9, Dayton 3: "Cook was great," said South Bend hitting coach Francisco Morales, who stepped in so Silver Hawks manager Mark Haley could attend his daughter's first communion. "Cook's pitching was outstanding. He really battled and he controlled the zone. That's what we preach.
Burlington 3, @Clinton 1: Bees version | L-Kings version
@Peoria 6, Cedar Rapids 5: Chiefs version | Kernels version
Beloit @ Kane County: PPD
Lansing @ West Michigan: PPD
Fort Wayne @ Great Lakes: PPD
Milwaukee Brewer Report: Games of April 25, 2009
MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 8-9; 5th National League Central): The Brewers won 9-8 in eleven innings at Houston. Prince Fielder hit a pair of homers and drove in three runs and Bill Hall knocked in four runs for Milwaukee. The Brewers have won four straight.
NASHVILLE (AAA: 10-7; 3rd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds beat Iowa 6-3. Mat Gamel had a homer and two RBI and Brendan Katin had three RBI for Nashville.
HUNTSVILLE (AA: 9-7; 1st Southern League South Division): The Stars won 5-4 at Chattanooga. Jeremy Jeffress allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight over five innings for the win. Jonathon Lucroy knocked in a pair of runs for Huntsville.
BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 10-5; 1st Florida State League East Division): The Manatees beat Dunedin 3-0. Amaury Rivas and three other pitchers combined on a seven hit shutout. Rivas allowed three hits and struck out five over five innings for the win.
BREWER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Milwaukee (Manny Parra 0-3) at Houston (Russ Ortiz 1-1) 1:05pm CDT
Iowa (Esmailin Caridad 2-1) at Nashville (Chase Wright 1-1) 2:00pm CDT
Huntsville (Chris Cody 1-0) at Chattanooga (Tim Corcoran 0-0) 1:00pm CDT
Brevard County at Dunedin 12:00pm CDT
NASHVILLE (AAA: 10-7; 3rd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds beat Iowa 6-3. Mat Gamel had a homer and two RBI and Brendan Katin had three RBI for Nashville.
HUNTSVILLE (AA: 9-7; 1st Southern League South Division): The Stars won 5-4 at Chattanooga. Jeremy Jeffress allowed one run on three hits and struck out eight over five innings for the win. Jonathon Lucroy knocked in a pair of runs for Huntsville.
BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 10-5; 1st Florida State League East Division): The Manatees beat Dunedin 3-0. Amaury Rivas and three other pitchers combined on a seven hit shutout. Rivas allowed three hits and struck out five over five innings for the win.
BREWER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Milwaukee (Manny Parra 0-3) at Houston (Russ Ortiz 1-1) 1:05pm CDT
Iowa (Esmailin Caridad 2-1) at Nashville (Chase Wright 1-1) 2:00pm CDT
Huntsville (Chris Cody 1-0) at Chattanooga (Tim Corcoran 0-0) 1:00pm CDT
Brevard County at Dunedin 12:00pm CDT
4/25/2009
Pre-game show guest tonight -- April 25, 2009
Cutter Dykstra is the pre-game show guest tonight. Game time is 6:00pm. Pre-game starts in....HOLY SMOKES! Now!
Enjoy the game on AM 1280 WNAM and the internet.
Enjoy the game on AM 1280 WNAM and the internet.
April 25, 2009 Starting Lineup
Cutter Dykstra....CF
John Delaney......LF
Brett Lawrie......2B
Brock Kjeldgaard..1B
Corey Kemp........DH
Juan Sanchez......3B
Erik Miller.......RF
Shawn Zarraga......C
Michael Marseco...SS
Michael Bowman....SP
John Delaney......LF
Brett Lawrie......2B
Brock Kjeldgaard..1B
Corey Kemp........DH
Juan Sanchez......3B
Erik Miller.......RF
Shawn Zarraga......C
Michael Marseco...SS
Michael Bowman....SP
April 25, 2009 Timber Rattler Pitcher
RHP MICHAEL BOWMAN: Selected by Milwaukee in the ninth round of the 2008 draft out of Virginia Military Institute.
AS A KEYDET: Bowman was 4-6 in 18 games (13 starts) in his final season at VMI. Bowman struck out 82 and walked 25 in 91-2/3 innings while picking up an ERA of 3.44.
NICE COLLEGE CAREER: In three seasons at VMI, Bowman won 14 games, struck out 209 batters, and compiled an ERA of 3.32. All of those numbers are top five in the career categories at VMI.
BIG IN THE BIG SOUTH: Bowman was Second Team All-Big South Conference as a sophomore in 2007. He was also named Big South Pitcher of the Week on May 19, 2008.
ALL-AROUND: Was a three-year letter winner and earned Honorable mention all-district and all-academic at Deep Run High School in Richmond, Virginia. Also won a pair of letters as a high school quarterback at DRHS.
LAST SEASON: Bowman made four starts for the Helena Brewers before being promoted to West Virginia. He made eight appearances (four starts) for the Power. Combined for a 4-2 record with a 3.68ERA on the two stops in the Milwaukee system in 2009.
LAST START: Bowman made his Timber Rattler debut on April 14 against Fort Wayne. He allowed two runs on three hits over four innings for a no decision. He walked two and struck out four. The Rattlers lost 3-2.
VS. QUAD CITIES: Tonight is Bowman’s first appearance against the River Bandits.
VS. CARDINALS: Bowman has never faced an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (vs. Missoula 6/29/08)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 (@Great Falls 6/24/08)
AS A KEYDET: Bowman was 4-6 in 18 games (13 starts) in his final season at VMI. Bowman struck out 82 and walked 25 in 91-2/3 innings while picking up an ERA of 3.44.
NICE COLLEGE CAREER: In three seasons at VMI, Bowman won 14 games, struck out 209 batters, and compiled an ERA of 3.32. All of those numbers are top five in the career categories at VMI.
BIG IN THE BIG SOUTH: Bowman was Second Team All-Big South Conference as a sophomore in 2007. He was also named Big South Pitcher of the Week on May 19, 2008.
ALL-AROUND: Was a three-year letter winner and earned Honorable mention all-district and all-academic at Deep Run High School in Richmond, Virginia. Also won a pair of letters as a high school quarterback at DRHS.
LAST SEASON: Bowman made four starts for the Helena Brewers before being promoted to West Virginia. He made eight appearances (four starts) for the Power. Combined for a 4-2 record with a 3.68ERA on the two stops in the Milwaukee system in 2009.
LAST START: Bowman made his Timber Rattler debut on April 14 against Fort Wayne. He allowed two runs on three hits over four innings for a no decision. He walked two and struck out four. The Rattlers lost 3-2.
VS. QUAD CITIES: Tonight is Bowman’s first appearance against the River Bandits.
VS. CARDINALS: Bowman has never faced an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
PROFESSIONAL BESTS:
INNINGS PITCHED: 6.0 (vs. Missoula 6/29/08)
STRIKEOUTS: 7 (@Great Falls 6/24/08)
April 25, 2009 Game Notes
ABOUT LAST NIGHT: The Timber Rattlers beat the Peoria Chiefs 5-3 at Miller Park. Wisconsin knocked out 14 hits and rallied from a 3-1 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Brock Kjeldgaard homered and knocked in three runs for the Rattlers. John Delaney and Brett Lawrie each had three hits in the game.
SWEEPS SEASON: Friday’s win helped the Rattlers conclude a four game sweep of the Chiefs. There have been sweeps in each of Wisconsin’s first four series this season. The Rattlers swept a three game set from Quad Cities to start the season. Fort Wayne and Clinton both swept the Timber Rattlers in the next two series.
GETTING AHEAD: The Rattlers scored a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. That run marked the first time the Timber Rattlers scored first in a game since April 14, a streak of seven games.
FALLING BEHIND: The Chiefs responded with two runs in the third and one more in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. One run scored on an error. The other two came in on infield groundouts.
BACK IN FRONT: Michael Marseco doubled to start the Wisconsin fifth. Cutter Dykstra followed with an RBI double. Kjeldgaard hit his homer, a 415’ blast, to right field with two outs and the Rattlers took a 4-3 lead.
INSURANCE: Kjeldgaard drove in an insurance run with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth.
DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM: Rattler closer Jim Henderson pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for his fourth save in four opportunities this season.
WALKING THROUGH THE MINEFIELD: Four Timber Rattler pitchers issued eight walks last night. Starter Wily Peralta walked three in four innings. Brandon Ritchie walked one in one inning. Cody Adams gave out three free passes in three innings. Henderson walked a batter with two out in the ninth. Of those eight walks, only one scored.
HOME RUN HISTORY: Kjeldgaard’s homer was the first hit by a Timber Rattler in three games at Miller Park. In the 2004 Miller Park game, Robbie Devers hit a pair of homers for the Beloit Snappers.
GOING THE EXTRA BASE: Wisconsin had six extra base hits last night. There were five doubles – Delaney with a pair, Marseco, Dykstra, and Erik Miller. – to go along with the home run by Kjeldgaard.
A LOT OF THANK YOUS: The attendance for last night’s game was 17,880. That was the largest number of fans to ever see the Timber Rattlers play.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. This is the fifth season of the partnership between the River Bandits and the Cardinals. Last season, Quad Cities missed the playoffs. They were 33-31 in the first half and 35-35 in the second half for an overall record of 68-66. They are off to a 6-7 start this season. In their most recent series, Quad Cities split a four game set at Beloit. The River Bandits won the first two games, but they blew a pair of early leads in the last two games of the series at Pohlman Field and took losses in both games.
2009 SERIES: The Rattlers swept a season opening series from Quad Cities at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers won by scores of 2-1, 10-1, and 3-2.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .225 as a team. They have scored 47 runs (3.6/game) and hit six home runs. The Bandits are hitting .227 as a team. They have scored 65 runs (5.0/game) and hit seven homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.49 while allowing a total of 52 runs (4.0/game). Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 4.08 while allowing 62 runs (4.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 14 errors. The River Bandit defense has committed 22 errors. Wisconsin is 0-3 on the road this season. The River Bandits are 4-2 at Modern Woodmen Park this season.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed just one member of the current River Bandit roster as a Top 30 prospect in the St. Louis system. Infielder Niko Vasquez is ranked at #18.
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2008: The Cardinals have placed 11 members of their 2008 draft class on the River Bandit roster. Pitchers George Brown (28th round), Scott McGregor (15th), Kevin Thomas (33rd), and Adam Veres (49th) are joined by catchers Charlie Cutler (14th) and Blake Murphy (42nd); infielders Alex Castellanos (10th), Brett Liley (29th), and Niko Vasquez (3rd), and outfielder Chris Swauger (26th).
ALUMNI: There are ten members of the current roster for the River Bandits who spent part of the 2008 season in Quad Cities. Pitchers Dave Carpenter, Chuckie Fick, McGregor, and Andres Rosales, catchers Roberto Espinoza and Blake Murphy, infielders Domnit Bolivar, Osvaldo Morales, and Vasquez, and outfielder John Edwards.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RHP Gary Daley was the third round pick of the Cardinals in the 2006 draft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Daley started the 2008 season with Palm Beach in the Florida State League, but ran into control issues before being sent to extended spring training. He joined the Gulf Coast League Cardinals after their season started and walked 32, hit 9, and threw 19 batters in 10-1/3 innings over 17 appearances. In 2009, Daley has made four appearances – all in relief. He was walked three and struck out 10 over 5-2/3 innings. In his last outing, Daley allowed four runs on four hits in three innings against Peoria on April 18 in Davenport. Three of the four hits that Daley allowed were home runs. Tonight is Daley’s second appearance against the Timber Rattlers. He pitched in relief on April 10 at Time Warner Cable Field and did not allow a hit or a run while striking out one and walking none in 1-1/3 innings.
SWEEPS SEASON: Friday’s win helped the Rattlers conclude a four game sweep of the Chiefs. There have been sweeps in each of Wisconsin’s first four series this season. The Rattlers swept a three game set from Quad Cities to start the season. Fort Wayne and Clinton both swept the Timber Rattlers in the next two series.
GETTING AHEAD: The Rattlers scored a run in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead. That run marked the first time the Timber Rattlers scored first in a game since April 14, a streak of seven games.
FALLING BEHIND: The Chiefs responded with two runs in the third and one more in the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. One run scored on an error. The other two came in on infield groundouts.
BACK IN FRONT: Michael Marseco doubled to start the Wisconsin fifth. Cutter Dykstra followed with an RBI double. Kjeldgaard hit his homer, a 415’ blast, to right field with two outs and the Rattlers took a 4-3 lead.
INSURANCE: Kjeldgaard drove in an insurance run with a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth.
DON’T MESS AROUND WITH JIM: Rattler closer Jim Henderson pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for his fourth save in four opportunities this season.
WALKING THROUGH THE MINEFIELD: Four Timber Rattler pitchers issued eight walks last night. Starter Wily Peralta walked three in four innings. Brandon Ritchie walked one in one inning. Cody Adams gave out three free passes in three innings. Henderson walked a batter with two out in the ninth. Of those eight walks, only one scored.
HOME RUN HISTORY: Kjeldgaard’s homer was the first hit by a Timber Rattler in three games at Miller Park. In the 2004 Miller Park game, Robbie Devers hit a pair of homers for the Beloit Snappers.
GOING THE EXTRA BASE: Wisconsin had six extra base hits last night. There were five doubles – Delaney with a pair, Marseco, Dykstra, and Erik Miller. – to go along with the home run by Kjeldgaard.
A LOT OF THANK YOUS: The attendance for last night’s game was 17,880. That was the largest number of fans to ever see the Timber Rattlers play.
ABOUT THE OPPONENTS: The Quad Cities River Bandits are the Midwest League affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. This is the fifth season of the partnership between the River Bandits and the Cardinals. Last season, Quad Cities missed the playoffs. They were 33-31 in the first half and 35-35 in the second half for an overall record of 68-66. They are off to a 6-7 start this season. In their most recent series, Quad Cities split a four game set at Beloit. The River Bandits won the first two games, but they blew a pair of early leads in the last two games of the series at Pohlman Field and took losses in both games.
2009 SERIES: The Rattlers swept a season opening series from Quad Cities at Time Warner Cable Field. The Rattlers won by scores of 2-1, 10-1, and 3-2.
COMPARE AND CONTRAST: The Timber Rattlers are hitting .225 as a team. They have scored 47 runs (3.6/game) and hit six home runs. The Bandits are hitting .227 as a team. They have scored 65 runs (5.0/game) and hit seven homers. Wisconsin pitchers have a team ERA of 3.49 while allowing a total of 52 runs (4.0/game). Quad Cities pitchers have a team ERA of 4.08 while allowing 62 runs (4.8/game). The Timber Rattler defense has committed 14 errors. The River Bandit defense has committed 22 errors. Wisconsin is 0-3 on the road this season. The River Bandits are 4-2 at Modern Woodmen Park this season.
PROSPECTING: Baseball America’s Prospect Handbook listed just one member of the current River Bandit roster as a Top 30 prospect in the St. Louis system. Infielder Niko Vasquez is ranked at #18.
OUT OF THE DRAFT 2008: The Cardinals have placed 11 members of their 2008 draft class on the River Bandit roster. Pitchers George Brown (28th round), Scott McGregor (15th), Kevin Thomas (33rd), and Adam Veres (49th) are joined by catchers Charlie Cutler (14th) and Blake Murphy (42nd); infielders Alex Castellanos (10th), Brett Liley (29th), and Niko Vasquez (3rd), and outfielder Chris Swauger (26th).
ALUMNI: There are ten members of the current roster for the River Bandits who spent part of the 2008 season in Quad Cities. Pitchers Dave Carpenter, Chuckie Fick, McGregor, and Andres Rosales, catchers Roberto Espinoza and Blake Murphy, infielders Domnit Bolivar, Osvaldo Morales, and Vasquez, and outfielder John Edwards.
QUAD CITIES STARTING PITCHER: RHP Gary Daley was the third round pick of the Cardinals in the 2006 draft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Daley started the 2008 season with Palm Beach in the Florida State League, but ran into control issues before being sent to extended spring training. He joined the Gulf Coast League Cardinals after their season started and walked 32, hit 9, and threw 19 batters in 10-1/3 innings over 17 appearances. In 2009, Daley has made four appearances – all in relief. He was walked three and struck out 10 over 5-2/3 innings. In his last outing, Daley allowed four runs on four hits in three innings against Peoria on April 18 in Davenport. Three of the four hits that Daley allowed were home runs. Tonight is Daley’s second appearance against the Timber Rattlers. He pitched in relief on April 10 at Time Warner Cable Field and did not allow a hit or a run while striking out one and walking none in 1-1/3 innings.
Probable Pitchers (@Quad Cities)
Weather Permitting:
4/25: RHP Michael Bowman (0-0, 4.50) v. RHP Gary Daley (1-0, 11.12)
4/26: RHP Trey Watten (1-1, 2.45) v. RHP Adam Veres (1-0, 0.00)
4/27: RHP Cody Scarpetta* (0-0, 1.54) v. RHP Kevin Thomas (0-0, 0.00)
4/28: LHP Evan Frederickson (1-0, 8.49) v. RHP Scott McGregor (0-1, 10.38)
*-Efrain Nieves is scheduled to pitch in relief in this game.
ALSO NOTE: The River Bandits run a tandem for all five of their spots in the rotation. Their second starters in this series are:
Sat: LHP George Brown
Sun: RHP Arquimedes Nieto
Mon: LHP Hector Cardenas
Tue: RHP Miguel Tapia
Got it? Good.
4/25: RHP Michael Bowman (0-0, 4.50) v. RHP Gary Daley (1-0, 11.12)
4/26: RHP Trey Watten (1-1, 2.45) v. RHP Adam Veres (1-0, 0.00)
4/27: RHP Cody Scarpetta* (0-0, 1.54) v. RHP Kevin Thomas (0-0, 0.00)
4/28: LHP Evan Frederickson (1-0, 8.49) v. RHP Scott McGregor (0-1, 10.38)
*-Efrain Nieves is scheduled to pitch in relief in this game.
ALSO NOTE: The River Bandits run a tandem for all five of their spots in the rotation. Their second starters in this series are:
Sat: LHP George Brown
Sun: RHP Arquimedes Nieto
Mon: LHP Hector Cardenas
Tue: RHP Miguel Tapia
Got it? Good.
Midwest League Action: Games of April 24, 2009
Wisconsin 5, Peoria 3, @ Miller Park: For the record, Wisconsin beat the Chiefs 5-3, and while the outcome capped a sweep, it certainly wasn't the cherry on the sundae.
@Dayton 7, Great Lakes 5: “I didn’t even notice,” said Wiley of the standing ovation from 9,001 fans on the first perfect-weather night of the season. “It was good to be put in that situation. Sooner or later, it (a victory) was going to happen.”
@Lansing 10, South Bend 8: The way the season's started for the Lugnuts, they'll take a win any way they can get one.
West Michigan 8, @Fort Wayne 3: The play slowed the Whitecaps’ momentum down, for a moment. West Michigan scored four runs, all with two outs, in the inning,
Kane County 8, @Burlington 1: "I'll tell you what, player-development wise, he did a lot of good things," said Gabella. "That's what we look for. At times, his fastball was down hill. His breaking ball was much better than it had been in the past. Just to see a little bit of improvement here and there is a positive thing. And he showed some."
@Beloit 7, Quad Cities 5: “Starting out 1-5 on the road is never a good thing, but we bounced back. We played better defense, got better pitching and our hitters are starting to come around.”
@Cedar Rapids 3, Clinton 2: “Second chances,” Crawford said. “They gave me a second chance, and I was able to take advantage of it. We battled all game. I was just looking to end it there.”
@Dayton 7, Great Lakes 5: “I didn’t even notice,” said Wiley of the standing ovation from 9,001 fans on the first perfect-weather night of the season. “It was good to be put in that situation. Sooner or later, it (a victory) was going to happen.”
@Lansing 10, South Bend 8: The way the season's started for the Lugnuts, they'll take a win any way they can get one.
West Michigan 8, @Fort Wayne 3: The play slowed the Whitecaps’ momentum down, for a moment. West Michigan scored four runs, all with two outs, in the inning,
Kane County 8, @Burlington 1: "I'll tell you what, player-development wise, he did a lot of good things," said Gabella. "That's what we look for. At times, his fastball was down hill. His breaking ball was much better than it had been in the past. Just to see a little bit of improvement here and there is a positive thing. And he showed some."
@Beloit 7, Quad Cities 5: “Starting out 1-5 on the road is never a good thing, but we bounced back. We played better defense, got better pitching and our hitters are starting to come around.”
@Cedar Rapids 3, Clinton 2: “Second chances,” Crawford said. “They gave me a second chance, and I was able to take advantage of it. We battled all game. I was just looking to end it there.”
Milwaukee Brewer Report: Games of April 24, 2009
MILWAUKEE (MAJ: 7-9; 5th National League Central): The Brewers won 5-2 at Houston. Yovani Gallardo pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts for the win. Rickie Weeks homered as the Brewers rallied from a 2-0 deficit to win their third straight.
NASHVILLE (AAA: 9-7; T-3rd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds lost 2-1 at Memphis. Nashville starter Lindsay Gulin (’98) pitched five innings without allowing a hit or a run, but he walked four. Tony Gwynn drove in the lone run for the Sounds, but Memphis broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the bottom of the ninth.
HUNTSVILLE (AA: 8-7; 1st Southern League South Division): The Stars beat Carolina 12-9. Jonathon Lucroy had three RBI to help the Stars rally from a 5-0 deficit. Huntsville scored three runs in the ninth inning to break a 9-9 tie.
BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 9-5; T-1st Florida State League East Division): The Manatees beat Dunedin 5-3. Caleb Gindl went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI for Brevard County.
BREWER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Milwaukee (Jeff Suppan 1-2) at Houston (Mike Hampton 1-1) 6:05pm CDT
Iowa (Jose Ascanio 0-0) at Nashville (Mike Burns 2-0) 6:00pm CDT
Huntsville (Jeremy Jeffress 0-1) at Chattanooga (Jesus Castillo 0-1) 6:15pm CDT
Brevard County (Mike Jones 1-0) at Dunedin (Ryan Page 0-2) 6:00pm CDT
NASHVILLE (AAA: 9-7; T-3rd Pacific Coast League American North Division): The Sounds lost 2-1 at Memphis. Nashville starter Lindsay Gulin (’98) pitched five innings without allowing a hit or a run, but he walked four. Tony Gwynn drove in the lone run for the Sounds, but Memphis broke a 1-1 tie with a run in the bottom of the ninth.
HUNTSVILLE (AA: 8-7; 1st Southern League South Division): The Stars beat Carolina 12-9. Jonathon Lucroy had three RBI to help the Stars rally from a 5-0 deficit. Huntsville scored three runs in the ninth inning to break a 9-9 tie.
BREVARD COUNTY (High-A: 9-5; T-1st Florida State League East Division): The Manatees beat Dunedin 5-3. Caleb Gindl went 3-for-4 with a homer and four RBI for Brevard County.
BREWER SYSTEM SCHEDULE TODAY
Milwaukee (Jeff Suppan 1-2) at Houston (Mike Hampton 1-1) 6:05pm CDT
Iowa (Jose Ascanio 0-0) at Nashville (Mike Burns 2-0) 6:00pm CDT
Huntsville (Jeremy Jeffress 0-1) at Chattanooga (Jesus Castillo 0-1) 6:15pm CDT
Brevard County (Mike Jones 1-0) at Dunedin (Ryan Page 0-2) 6:00pm CDT
Before getting started...
Check out this MiLB.com story by friend of the blog Ben Hill. It's about Clubhouse Managers in the minor leagues. And, yes, there is a tie-in with the Rattlers.
Bob "Pops" Estes (Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, Midwest League)Read on, crazy diamonds.
Bob Estes worked 30 years as a railroad engineer, but after retiring from that job he decided to remain in the workforce.
"I'd always been a Timber Rattlers fan, and I saw on their Web page that they needed a clubhouse manager," said Estes. "I had no clue what it was all about, but I got the job."
He also got a nickname.
PC Take
The Prodigal Beat writer's game story may be found here.
It's a good thing I didn't get to meet Robin Yount. All I would have been able to get out would have been, "OhmigodOhmigodOhmigod."
Somebody has to have video of Fang going down the slide after the game. Anybody?
"This is what I'm going to work for. This is my dream," said Wisconsin center fielder Cutter Dykstra, whose belly-flop dive and snare to retire the first batter of the game drew an approving ovation from the 17,880 fans in attendance.Hey, Brock Kjeldgaard. How about that homer? What were you thinking?
"This is what I'm going to bust it for every day, give everything I've got. I look at it as a goal. Everyone wants to get here, and you've got to work hard to get here."
"When I hit it and was rounding the bases, I thought I was going to trip," he said with a smile following a three-RBI night. "The only word to describe it is exciting. … Hopefully, it's not the last one (I'll hit) in a big league park. That's the goal, obviously, to make it to the big leagues and stay out here for a long time."Here is the Post-Crescent Photo Gallery. Two that I like.
It's a good thing I didn't get to meet Robin Yount. All I would have been able to get out would have been, "OhmigodOhmigodOhmigod."
Somebody has to have video of Fang going down the slide after the game. Anybody?
Yeah, that two hours before game time posting schedule
Wow. Long day yesterday. I must have been tired or something.
One post is coming up in a minute. The rest will be up at some point before game time. Bus to the ballpark is at 2:00pm. Game is at 6:00pm.
One post is coming up in a minute. The rest will be up at some point before game time. Bus to the ballpark is at 2:00pm. Game is at 6:00pm.
The day after
Good morning.
That
was
a
lot
of
fun.
I need to get a little sleep, so I'll either be posting more in 20 minutes....or three hours...or two hours before game time.
Thank you to the Brewers for being great hosts. Thank you to everyone who showed up for the game. Thank you to Robin Yount for throwing out the first pitch. If you ever want to come up to Appleton for a game, let us know. I'll show off my Robin Yount 3,000 hit collectible Coca-Cola can.
That
was
a
lot
of
fun.
I need to get a little sleep, so I'll either be posting more in 20 minutes....or three hours...or two hours before game time.
Thank you to the Brewers for being great hosts. Thank you to everyone who showed up for the game. Thank you to Robin Yount for throwing out the first pitch. If you ever want to come up to Appleton for a game, let us know. I'll show off my Robin Yount 3,000 hit collectible Coca-Cola can.
4/24/2009
April 24, 2009 Starting lineup
Cutter Dykstra....CF
John Delaney......3B
Brett Lawrie......2B
Brock Kjeldgaard..1B
Erik Miller.......LF
Corey Kemp........DH
Michael Vass......RF
Sean McCraw........C
Michael Marseco...SS
Wily Peralta......SP
John Delaney......3B
Brett Lawrie......2B
Brock Kjeldgaard..1B
Erik Miller.......LF
Corey Kemp........DH
Michael Vass......RF
Sean McCraw........C
Michael Marseco...SS
Wily Peralta......SP
Forgot
The latest TWITRB has been posted. Enjoy.
This week's open:
The weather in the Midwest -- well what I can I say;
Sometimes it so bad, you really want to make somebody pay.
In Clinton, there were enough flashbacks to freak out the Dead;
Well, at least for me, the team they were busy trying to get the offense ahead.
Back home again and there were plenty of last minute rallies;
No mater the level, it's fun to beat the Cubs like Brooklyn would like to do to the O'Malleys.
Now, on the day when we hear Miller Park's call;
Time for this edition of This Week in Timber Rattler Baseball.
This week's song: Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs.
This week's open:
The weather in the Midwest -- well what I can I say;
Sometimes it so bad, you really want to make somebody pay.
In Clinton, there were enough flashbacks to freak out the Dead;
Well, at least for me, the team they were busy trying to get the offense ahead.
Back home again and there were plenty of last minute rallies;
No mater the level, it's fun to beat the Cubs like Brooklyn would like to do to the O'Malleys.
Now, on the day when we hear Miller Park's call;
Time for this edition of This Week in Timber Rattler Baseball.
This week's song: Like the Weather by 10,000 Maniacs.
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