Jim Goulart

Still too many unidentified player photos (in many cases, you can make educated guesses), but also several Brett Lawrie photos in the latest gallery from the Post-Crescent.

To make room for Chris Errecart in Brevard, catcher Brett Whiteside was transferred to extended spring training and the Helena roster.

David Weiser's starsboxscore.com Ryne and then Rain Sandberg comes to Huntsville, and so does the weather If there's nothing to talk about, they say, you can always talk about the weather. And that's all there is...... For the first time since 1986, the Stars have been rained out on three consecutive dates and this is the first time in club history that the Stars have been rained out at home for three consecutive days! Rain prevented the Stars from playing at Columbus on May 27, 28, and 29, 1986. It is the only other time that rain has forced the postponement of a game on three consecutive dates. In 2002, wet grounds and rain had a hand in games at the Joe on April 30, May 2, and May 3 (May 1 was an off-day), but they did play Orlando to a 7-7 tie on May 2 before rain suspended the action. It doesn't get any better..... The clouds will linger Monday and more rain is forecast, though the chances "slip" to 50%, but it's supposed to clear as the evening wears on..... Just to give you an idea of what it's been like, Media Relations director Brian Massey is standing barefoot in a pot of muck at second base...... This photo was taken before the afternoon storm hit because that smile sure went south in a hurry. http://www.starsboxscore.com/Brian%20Massey,%20532009.JPG The crew ran power cords onto the field, then laid down the tarp and now have four or five box fans from Wal-Mart circulating air under the tarp trying to dry the infield surface while it's raining on top of the tarp........ The grounds crew is going to be playing under the lights though, trying to get this field in shape for Monday's double-header, scheduled to begin at 5:00 PM....... It's supposed to clear by Tuesday morning. Of course, that's when the Stars hit the road again. And that's when the Stars are supposed to get a new tarp. Monday was scheduled to be a 1:00 PM game..... Always with his thinking cap on, GM Buck Rogers declared Monday "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" Day........ Becasue it's also a school/work day, Buck remarked to the staff that he'd shave his head if he could get 1,000 people to cut school or work and take in this game. So this was the deal. Print the e-mail announcement sent out by Buck and bring it to the game and get in for a buck. If 1,000 fans make it out to Monday's game, one of them gets to shave his head and win two tickets for every remaining Stars home game. Buck was betting most of you in Huntsville are like Ferris's buddy, Cameron, the worry-wart who freaked over everything, especially his father's Ferrari. The folks at WHNT sent it out to 68,000 people in their database. When the Stars do hit the road, they do so with another veteran, Adam Heether, who was reassigned from Nashville for Saturday's non-game. Chris Errecart, who was hitting just .149, had left 15 runners on base in his last 17 at-bats covering four games...... Heether was hitting .375 in eight games, but he was playing behind Mat Gamel, who is hitting .385 (5th in the PCL) and tied for 3rd in HRs (7). His playing time will come at the expense of shortstop Yohannis Perez, according to manager Bob Miscik..... Heether hit .299 for the Stars in 2007 in 120 games after hitting just .213 the year before. He also hit .314 in a late call-up in 2005, his first year for the Stars...... Michael Garciaparra was activated off the disabled list, last Thursday and assigned to Nashville. The Stars finished April with a 10-11 record and 9th in batting (.233) and 9th in ERA (4.56) -- but a club record eight games won by a one-run margin....... Last year, there were five .300 hitters, including Freddy Parejo's record .421 as the month ended. This year, Freddy's hitting .200 and only Adam Stern and Drew Anderson are hitting over .300...... Not that any of this matters cause the Stars didn't make it to the post-season anyway despite a record 18-8 start...... Stern, the brightest star so far, leads with a .321 average, 11th best in the league, and 10 stolen bases. He's the first hitter since Kevin Ward in 1989 to steal 10 bases in April....... The pitching breaks down this way. The starting rotation is 3-6 with a 6.19 ERA in 84 1/3 innings. The bullpen is 7-5 with six saves and a 3.44 ERA....... Last year, the team had an aggregate 3.48 ERA in April...... The team made 16 errors this month, six fewer than April of last year, but they played in five more games in April of last year.

Final: Lansing (Blue Jays) 8, Wisconsin 6 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Lansing holds off Rattlers By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers knocked out a season high 17 hits on Sunday afternoon against the Lansing Lugnuts. But, it was Lansing that picked up an 8-6 victory on Time Warner Cable Field. Wisconsin had a pair of base runners thrown out at the plate and Lansing scored five runs with two outs in the win. Juan Sanchez and Brett Lawrie each had four hits to pace the Wisconsin attack. Mike McDade and Yohermyn Chavez each homered for the Lugnuts. McDade put Lansing (7-15) in front with a leadoff homer in the top of the second inning. Wisconsin (9-13) scored the tying run with a two-out rally in the bottom of the third. Sanchez singled to get on base. Lawrie doubled down the third base line to chase Sanchez home. Brock Kjeldgaard singled to left and Lawrie tried to score, but Chavez threw him out with a strike to the plate to end the inning. The Lugnuts went right back in front in the top of the fourth, but the rally came out of nowhere. There was a runner at first and two out when designated hitter Justin McClanahan seemed to have popped out to second to end the inning. But, McClanahan made contact with catcher Corey Kemp's glove on the swing and catcher's interference was called to keep the inning alive. Lugnut catcher Jon Talley made the Rattlers pay immediately. He doubled to right-center on the next pitch to drive home both runs and the Lugnuts were up 3-1. Lansing wasn't done as Markus Brisker singled to send Talley home for a 4-1 advantage. The Rattlers rallied in their half of the fourth. Two batters reached with one out and Cutter Dykstra drove them both home with a triple to make the score 4-3. But, Dykstra was left stranded at third. The Lugnuts kept swinging when they got their turn in the fifth. Chavez lined a one-out homer to left. The home run was his fifth of the season and gave Chavez the Midwest League lead in that category. McDade was next and he walked. A two out double by McClanahan gave Lansing a 6-3 lead. Solo runs in the sixth and eighth inning gave the Lugnuts an 8-3 advantage. Wisconsin got a run in the bottom of the eighth on a Michael Marseco two-out RBI single to left. But, Dykstra was thrown out at third as he tried to advance from first to third on the play. The Rattlers gave themselves a chance in the bottom of the ninth. After reliever Yorman Mayora got a strikeout against the first batter he faced, Sanchez and Lawrie each picked up their fourth hit of the game with singles. Kjeldgaard loaded the bases with another single. Then, Kemp drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run and cut the Lugnut lead to 8-5. Lansing reliever Matt Daly entered the game and promptly threw a wild pitch with Michael Vass at the plate that allowed Lawrie to score from third and the tying runs to move into scoring position. Another pitch from Daly got away from Tally behind the plate and Kjeldgaard headed for the plate. However, Tally got to this ball quickly and the flip to Daly covering was in time to get Kjeldgaard for the second out. Daly would walk Vass to give the Rattlers a chance, but he got the final out to preserve the Lugnut win. The final game of the three game series is Monday afternoon. Wily Peralta (1-1, 1.69) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Lansing will counter with Josh Wells (0-2, 9.26). Game time is 12:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score Wow, did you get all that? Hearts sink when lefty Efrain Nieves isn't effective, the kid is ripe with talent; over 3,600 in Appleton on a day when Miller Park was packed -- impressive... Wisconsin Game Log There are some game logs you just need to take a big gulp and prepare to digest -- this is one of them...

Final: Brevard County 4, Lakeland (Tigers) 1 Brevard County Box Score The Manatee bullpen follows up Evan Anundsen's five-inning effort with four scoreless innings -- LHP Rafael Lluberes came in with men on 2nd and 3rd and none out in the 9th and did not allow a run to score; bullpen mates Mark Willinsky and Roque Mercedes continued their stellar season-long work; Brevard baserunners 6-for-6 in stolen bases, including two for Brent Brewer; Eric Farris and Caleb Gindl with back-to-back "jack-jackety-jacks" with one out in the 1st (in case you're wondering, announcer Andy Barch's West Virginia Power are 6-17 and in last place with a young crop of Pirates kids); fans must have a ball with "Look out Below" chants (Lakeland's starting pitcher)... Brevard County Game Log

From Huntsville: Due to unplayable field conditions and the threat for more heavy rain throughout the afternoon and into the evening, the Sunday doubleheader between Huntsville and Tennesse has been postponed. The teams are scheduled to play two seven inning games Monday afternoon beginning at 5:00 PM. Coverage of the twinbill can be heard through the internet at www.huntsvillestars.com and will begin at 4:45 PM central time.

Three hits and a run in the 4th, still, way to go, Evan.

Let's just say that one-third of the way through the game in Brevard, Evan Anundsen has picked up where he left off http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif.

Rattler Radio Blog: May 3, 2009 Game Notes OVER THE CENTURY MARK: Three Wisconsin pitchers combined to walk six Lugnut batters last night. The Rattlers have walked 106 opponents this season and they lead the league in that category. May 3, 2009 Timber Rattler Pitchers (Nieves / Frederickson) May 3, 2009 Starting Lineup

Always tough for the affiliate audio going up against the big league boys, so just a reminder that Brett and Huntsville have the live feed to themselves late this afternoon and this evening.

Pacific Coast League (AAA) - PCL American North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Memphis 13 8 .619 - 9-4 4-4 W3 Iowa 13 9 .591 0.5 6-2 7-7 L3 Omaha 13 9 .591 0.5 4-3 9-6 L1 Nashville 12 11 .522 2.0 6-9 6-2 W1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Southern League (AA) - SOU North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tennessee 11 9 .550 - 5-4 6-5 W2 Huntsville 10 11 .476 1.5 5-6 5-5 L4 West Tenn 10 12 .455 2.0 5-4 5-8 W1 Carolina 9 14 .391 3.5 3-5 6-9 W1 Chattanooga 8 15 .348 4.5 5-5 3-10 L1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Florida State League (A+) - FSL North Division Standings ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Team W L PCT GB HOME ROAD STREAK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brevard County 16 6 .727 - 9-2 7-4 W5 Clearwater 13 9 .591 3.0 7-5 6-4 W2 Dunedin 10 12 .455 6.0 3-7 7-5 W3 Daytona 9 13 .409 7.0 5-6 4-7 L5 Lakeland 9 13 .409 7.0 6-5 3-8 L2 Tampa 9 13 .409 7.0 4-7 5-6 L4

Follow Sunday's action as it happens: Here's what you do, right click on each of the links below and choose "Open in New Tab or New Window". Choose "Recap". While you're listening to your minor league game of choice (or watching/listening to the big league Crew when they are playing), simply refresh your game log browsers every so often. MiLB.com now has Gameday available for AA as well as AAA this season. Nashville: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_03_omaaaa_nasaaa_1 Huntsville Game One: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_03_tenaax_hunaax_1 Huntsville Game Two: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t559&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_03_tenaax_hunaax_2 Brevard County: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=t503&t=g_box&gid=2009_05_03_lakafa_breafa_1 Wisconsin: http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?t=g_box&gid=2009_05_03_lanafx_wisafx_1&did=t572&sid=t572

This link will be included in each daily report when the Nashville Sounds are scheduled to play. Normally it is updated a few hours prior to gametime. Nashville Media Notes (Adobe .pdf format):

Midwest League Standings

Sunday's Daily Menu: All times Central; pitchers subject to change -- Link here for the live audio choices - audio will no longer archive. Sorry, no audio for this Brevard County series. Nashville: RHP Nick Green at home vs. Omaha (Royals), 1:45 PM pre-game; 2:00 gametime Huntsville: LHP Chris Cody and TBD (it's Bobby Bramhall's turn) in a twinbill at home vs. Tennessee (Cubs), 4:45 PM pre-game; 5:00 gametime; each contest seven innings Brevard County: RHP Evan Anundsen at home vs. Lakeland (Tigers), 12:05 PM gametime Wisconsin: LHP Efrain Nieves at home vs. Lansing (Blue Jays), 12:50 PM pre-game, 1:05 gametime

http://www.brewerfan.net/images/store/dailylinkreport.jpg

Link while active, text follows: Pitchers can go to majors with offense Designated hitter rule delays some By Maurice Patton, The Tennessean Hitters hit and pitchers pitch. But for Nashville Sounds' pitchers hoping to play in the National League, being able to swing the bat can mean the difference between pitching more innings, or getting pulled out of a game in favor of a pinch-hitter. Unlike the major leagues, where the designated hitter rule is used only in American League parks, minor league pitchers are allowed to hit at the Double-A and Triple-A levels, but only in games involving two National League affiliates. As a result, Sounds pitchers are often torn between wanting the crucial at-bats they need to develop into offensive contributors, or playing under the DH system, where they can remain in the game as long as they're pitching well. "I sometimes look forward to playing American League teams because I'm going to get more innings in, instead of getting pinch-hit for," said Tim Dillard, who leads Sounds pitchers with a .333 batting average in nine at-bats this season. A former junior college catcher, Dillard hit .368 with seven homers and 37 RBIs as a high school senior. "Hitting's fun," he said, "but the chance to be able to pitch another inning or two innings because you're not getting pinch-hit for - that has its upside, too." A pitcher who can provide even the slightest offensive threat, can often extend his mound appearance, Sounds pitching coach Chris Bosio said. "That's one of the things the Brewers really hammered on in spring training. After batting practice was done for the team, the pitchers would hit for 30-45 minutes," said Bosio, whose staff is hitting a respectable .162 - fourth among the 10 PCL teams that are National League affiliates. "It's something we practice very hard on. "That's not to say pitchers are going to hit home runs, but just being able to sacrifice, put the ball in play, gives your club a better opportunity and puts pressure on the defense - and it keeps you in games longer." One of the basic supports of the designated hitter rule - that a stronger offensive player replaces a typically weak-hitting pitcher in the batting order - took a blow this week. Milwaukee's Yovani Gallardo, a former Sound, became one of just three pitchers ever to strike out 10 or more batters, hit a home run and win a 1-0 decision with his eight-inning, 11-strikeout outing Wednesday. The homer was his second of the season, giving him one less than Milwaukee position players Prince Fielder, Corey Hart, J.J. Hardy and Bill Hall. Sounds' coaches wish their pitchers could get even more preparation for big-league plate appearances. Of the Sounds' 144-game Pacific Coast League schedule, 48 games are against American League affiliates - games in which pitchers don't go to the plate. "Our pitchers don't get the at-bats, and we're looking to get them some at-bats," Nashville Manager Don Money said. "It affects us for when they get to the big leagues." One implication of the rule is the perception that pitchers who hit aren't as likely to throw at opposing hitters if they know they'll have to stand in the batter's box during the same game. "Some in the American League may be a little more likely to pitch inside," Brewers Director of Player Development Reid Nichols said. "But there's still a respect for the game, respect for hitters. Obviously, when a pitcher has to take a bat up there, it's a little different." Sounds pitcher Tim Dillard likes being able to contribute to the offense, but the designated hitter rule can keep him on the mound longer. (Photo by Shelley Mays / The Tennessean) http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20090503&Category=SPORTS0401&ArtNo=905030343&Ref=AR&Profile=1031&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

Nashville Pre-Game Audio Chat with Reliever Matt Ginter Final, Game One: Omaha (Royals) 8, Nashville 0 Final, Game Two: Nashville 4, Omaha 0 Nashville Site Doubleheader Summary: Link for Mike Burns photo, text follows -- Sounds Split Twinbill With Royals NASHVILLE - The Nashville Sounds split a double-header with the division-rival Omaha Royals after two outstanding pitching performances by each team on Saturday evening at Greer Stadium. Sounds starter Mike Burns (3-0) picked up the win in the nightcap after throwing a three-hit, seven-inning shutout, striking out seven in the process. Nashville got off to a quick start, scoring two first-inning runs off Omaha starter Lenny DiNardo. Alcides Escobar recorded his first Triple-A triple of his career, and was brought home by Mat Gamel to make the score 1-0. Later in the inning, Erick Almonte singled in Brendan Katin to make it 2-0. After a leadoff double by Hernan Iribarren in the second inning, Tony Gwynn hit a sacrifice fly that gave the Sounds a 3-0 lead. Iribarren tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with his second double of the game that drove home Joe Koshansky, making the score 4-0. DiNardo (1-1) took the loss, allowing three runs over four innings for the Royals. Right-hander Luke Hochevar (5-0) was on his game for Omaha in the evening's first contest, tossing a two-hit, seven-inning shutout for the visitors in an 8-0 victory. He walked three batters and struck out five in his 79-pitch effort. Omaha took an early lead in the opener with a 4-0 outburst in the top of the first inning against Nashville starter Chase Wright. Royals right fielder Irving Falu delivered the big blow with a bases-loaded, two-run bloop double with two outs. The Royals tacked on three more in the sixth against Wright to increase the advantage to 7-0. Travis Metcalf and Chris Lubanski contributed run-scoring knocks in the frame for Omaha. Falu wrapped up the Omaha scoring in the top of the seventh with a sacrifice fly that scored Metcalf. Wright (1-3) took the loss for the Sounds in the opener after giving up seven runs on six hits and walking six batters over 4 2/3 innings of work. The teams wrap up the series with a 2:00 PM finale on Sunday afternoon. Right-hander Nick Green (1-2, 4.70) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Omaha southpaw Heath Phillips (1-2, 6.38). Nashville Game One Box Score / Game Log Only two Sounds singles in the seven innings; despite three walks earned, Nashville stranded only two because of three GIDP's; Chase Wright now with one outstanding start, two OK, and two clunkers -- Chris Bosio must have seen trouble right away with a very early 1st inning mound visit that did not help Wright at all... Nashville Game Two Box Score / Game Log Mike Burns has been outstanding, walking only one here; two more doubles for Hernan Iribarren, slugging .522; Cole Gillespie finding it tough at AAA: 2-for-22 with three walks; catcher Patrick Arlis (0-for-3) made his Brewer organization debut...

Final: Brevard County 5, Lakeland (Tigers) 1 Manatees jolt Flying Tigers BY FLORIDA TODAY Lucas Luetge pitched four strong innings of relief as the Brevard County Manatees defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers 5-1 Saturday in a Florida State League baseball game. Luetge allowed just one run on three hits. Steffan Wilson had three hits and scored one run for the Manatees. Logan Schafer, Caleb Gindl and Sergio Miranda had two hits apiece for Brevard County, which will host the Flying Tigers at 1:05 PM (12:05 Central) today. Brevard County Box Score Manatee pitchers hold the Flying Tigers to 0-for-8 with RISP; it's a ten-game hitting streak for Logan Schafer; Caleb Gindl's OPS is .991 -- that's immense for the FSL; Steffan Wilson has hit in 7-of-8 games (13-for-24); Sergio Miranda is 7-for-12 with three doubles in his last three games; LHP Rafael Lluberes strands two inherited runners and maintains his 0.00 ERA; this team is thoroughly fun to follow, even if simply though the numbers without audio or media coverage... Brevard County Game Log Three runs in the eighth inning to put the game out of reach as Wilson, Lee Haydel and Miranda each had RBI singles during the rally...

Consider Yohannis Perez your new version of Guilder Rodriguez.

Link while active, text follows: Heether rolls with demotion Back from Triple-A, infielder hopes Stars will provide at-bats By PAUL GATTIS Huntsville Times Sports Staff, paul.gattis@htimes.com It seemed ironic that Adam Heether met for more than 30 minutes with Huntsville Stars manager Bob Miscik on Saturday afternoon. After all, the Stars' first-year skipper is more a stranger to Huntsville than Heether. But after spending 2008 and the first month of this season with Triple-A Nashville, Heether has returned to the Stars - where he spent parts of 2005, 2006 and all of 2007 - with the promise of more playing time. "Even though you don't want to go back a level, it's what he should do," Miscik said. "And I think he realizes it." Heether's 2009 debut with the Stars was rained out Saturday. A doubleheader against the Tennessee Smokies is scheduled for 5:00 PM today at Joe Davis Stadium. To make room for Heether on the roster, struggling first baseman Chris Errecart was demoted to Single-A Brevard. Though the 27-year-old Heether is dropping down to Double-A, he's bringing a positive outlook. "I don't really feel like it's a step back," he said. "It's another step closer to where I want to be. It's the only way I can process it. I'm just looking forward to playing baseball." An 11th-round selection by the Brewers out of Long Beach State in 2003, Heether was one of the Stars' top hitters in 2007, batting .299 with nine home runs and 62 RBIs. He posted similar numbers last year for Nashville at .272 with 11 homers and 51 RBIs. Playing time grew scant this season with the Sounds, as Heether got only 24 at-bats in the first month - though he was hitting .375. So Heether accepted a demotion at the suggestion of Nashville manager Don Money, who was the Stars' manager when Heether played in Huntsville. "Don Money threw it out there and when I thought about it, I said I'm all for it," Heether said. It's not unlike the decision Stars infielder Vinny Rottino made at the end of spring training. He was offered the chance for occasional playing time in Nashville or to play every day with the Stars. "It was by choice," Heether said. "I'm here to play and I want to play. If this is where I need to be and this is where they want me, let's play." The Stars can use an offensive spark, ranking last in the Southern League in runs (87) and home runs (five) and next-to-last in batting average (.232). Defensively, Heether, has moved to shortstop after playing third base during his earlier stint with the Stars. Heether's arrival in Huntsville will come at the expense of Yohannis Perez, whose playing time "will be diminished," Miscik said. Said Heether: "It's kind of opened some eyes and let some people know I can play middle infield."

Link while active, text follows: Timber Rattlers falter against Lansing in fifth after strong start By Cory Jennerjohn Post-Crescent staff writer GRAND CHUTE - Looks like Lansing second baseman Jon Del Campo will be wearing his pant legs low for awhile. "I've been wearing them up. I'm going to wear them down now," said Del Campo with a smile after going three-for-four with a double and four RBI as the Lugnuts beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 11-3 at Fox Cities Stadium on Saturday night. The smile was warranted because the sixth batter in Lansing's lineup notched his first RBI since April 18 and his four RBI were the same total he had coming into the ballgame. "Jonny's a guy we know that's capable of having some nights like that," said Lugnuts manager Clayton McCullough. "He got himself into good counts to hit tonight and was able to take advantage of some pitches with people in scoring position." Both starting pitchers were cruising early as Wisconsin's Trey Watten and Lansing's Henderson Alvarez each retired nine of 10 batters through three innings. Henderson tallied six straight outs through two innings. "I look up and we're about an hour and 10 minutes into the game and we're already through five innings," said Timber Rattlers manager Jeff Isom. "And then that sixth inning had to come around for us." Lansing (6-15) scored five runs on four hits - three straight - and batted around the order in that fateful sixth. Watten was given a challenge to extend his pitch count past his normal 75 pitches. He finished with 91 pitches in 5 1/3 innings, as his record falls to 1-3 after allowing six earned runs and walking four. "The wheels fell off right there," Isom said. "We ended up allowing the five runs and didn't have the lead. I mean we're a different ballclub when we don't have the lead. We hope next time he gets out there he's more aggressive in the strike zone and now he's ready to go for those 75-100 pitches now." The Timber Rattlers (9-12) are now 1-8 when trailing entering the eighth inning. Shortstop Tyler Pastornicky ignited the Lugnuts' sixth inning scoring spree with an RBI double over center fielder Cutter Dykstra's head. After a ground out to second, the next three batters scored, while the next five got on base. "We've been struggling swinging it lately," said Pastornicky, whose Lugnuts were hitting .223 entering Saturday's game. "It's always good to put up 11. It's always a good feeling." Aside from getting outhit 11-6, the Timber Rattlers showcased their speed. Dykstra legged out a bunt single placed perfectly down the third base line in the third and Brett Lawrie smacked a one-out sliding triple to left center in the sixth. However that's where he remained. The Timber Rattlers were just one-for-five with runners in scoring position. "We just didn't do a good job of getting him in," Isom said. (With one out, Corey Kemp was called out on strikes.) "We talk about situational hitting, when you got a guy at third you do whatever it takes. Hit a groundball to short, the infield is back right there. There's a lot of opportunities to score runs and we got to execute in those situations."

Final: Lansing (Blue Jays) 11, Wisconsin 3 Wisconsin Site Game Summary Del Campo drives Lansing to victory By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Lansing Lugnuts entered Saturday's game with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with an offense that averaged just three runs per game through the first 20 games of the 2009 season. Jon Del Campo drove in four runs to lead the Lugnuts to an 11-3 win over the Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field. Lansing (6-15) got the lead on an RBI double by Yorermyn Chavez in the top of the fourth inning. The Rattlers (9-12) wasted no time coming back. Juan Sanchez and Brett Lawrie reached to start the bottom of the fourth. Corey Kemp lined a double to the wall in center to drive in both runners. The Rattler designated hitter took third on the throw to the plate. Brock Kjeldgaard knocked in Kemp with a sacrifice fly for a 3-1 lead. But, the Rattler offense would collect just three hits over the final five innings. Wisconsin starting pitcher Trey Watten cruised through the first five innings, but he ran into trouble in the sixth. Leadoff batter Kenny Wilson walked on four pitches to start the inning. Tyler Pastornicky was next and he doubled to drive in Wilson. Watten got a groundout for the first out but walked the next two batters to load the bases. A single by Del Campo drove in the tying run and an error by Lawrie on the play allowed the go ahead run to score. Jon Talley was next and his two-run double made the score 6-3 Lansing. The Lugnuts scored three more times in the top of the seventh inning. Mark Sobolewski singled in the first run. Chavez tripled to knock in Sobolewski. Then, Del Campo's RBI single chased Chavez home for a 9-3 Lansing lead. Del Campo struck again in the top of the ninth inning. His two-run double pushed the Lugnuts to an 11-3 lead. And that was where the score stayed to the final out. Henderson Alvarez was the beneficiary of the offense. The Lugnut starter pitched seven innings and allowed three runs on four hits to pick up his second win of the season. Alvarez walked two and struck out four. Game two of the series is Sunday afternoon. Efrain Nieves (1-1, 4.96) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Lansing has John Anderson (0-1, 1.96) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 1:05 PM. Wisconsin Box Score TimberRattlers fall to 9-12; newcomer Juan Sanchez has a seven-game hit streak in which he's 13-for-28, his OPS is up to .852; other than Sanchez and Brett Lawrie, everyone has cooled offensively (again); Cutter Dykstra and his .596 OPS moved to 7th from leadoff, he had a bunt single... Wisconsin Game Log A one-out Lawrie triple (his 4th and 11th extra-base hit among his 21 hits overall) wasted in the 6th; Rattlers line into two more double plays, and hit into a 3rd traditionally...

TheCrew07 wrote: Has anyone else noticed the relative ease that opposing batters are swiping bases against WI this season? Is there a site with updated defensive numbers for 2009? I'm really curious about the percentages in the running game but my usual sites baseball ref, cube, minor league splits, all have nothing for 2009. The TimberRattlers' Chris Mehring does his best to document defensive stats for catchers, so for now, we can post his update every so often. Corey Kemp has thrown out 1-of-8, Sean McCraw 3-of-12, Shawn Zarraga 1-of-6. Of course, the young pitchers have to help as well.

Thanks, Louis. I'm very serious when I say thanks to everyone for their contributions. The Link Report is a community effort in that way. I can't possibly always remeber details such as the one here (although I try), and when folks like you bring them to our attention and remind us of such, it adds to the overall Report. Awesome...