TheCrew07

Kris Bryant, Tyler Glasnow, and our own Jimmy Nelson make the cut. Minor League All-Star Team 2014 September 3, 2014 by Matt Eddy

Cards outlast E-Twins, rain to make Finals Johnson City will face off with Danville for Appalachian League crown

Schwarber powers Daytona to Game 1 win Late addition aids run toward third straight Florida State League title

Wow this season just keeps getting worse, I thought Seid's last 3 drafts have been pretty strong. Way too young for this to happen, my thoughts are with his family.

Zach Hirsch takes home Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week honors.

Offensive Players of the Week For the week ending Sept. 1 Pitchers of the Week For the week ending Sept. 2

Of the position players discussed prior to the draft Trea Turner has been much better than I thought he would be. Pitching wise Touki Toussaint about what would have been expected, Luis Ortiz pitched himself to LoA already, Foster Griffin with a high walk total which isn't uncommon for this year's 1st RD HS class, Jack Flaherty (Cardinals) has the most impressive total line with a 1.59 ERA, 28/4 SO/BB ratio in 22.2 IP just inching out Ortiz. All of the college pitchers are pretty much pitching to expectations. From the division Kyle Schwarber has been all over this thread since draft day and finished the season at High A for the Cubs posting a .953 OPS at that level, Nick Howard is pitching well for the Reds in LoA (1.16 WHIP), Cole Tucker of the Pirates hit to a 265/.367/.354 line with 26 walks to 38 strike outs in the GCL, and Jack Flaherty was discussed above. A recent article out of Chicago quoted that the Cubs think Schwarber has a realistic shot to stick behind the dish, we'll have to see. 2014 First-Rounders So Far September 2, 2014 by Vince Lara-Cinisomo

This post will kick off the 2015 thread. Subscriber content. 2014 Team USA Top Draft Prospects September 2, 2014 by Clint Longenecker Subscriber content. 2014 Sunbelt League Top 10 Prospects August 29, 2014 by Staff Report Subscriber content. Cape Cod League Top 30 Prospects August 28, 2014 by Aaron Fitt The longest response to a question I've read in some time, worth a read even though we won't be drafting anywhere near the top of the draft. Ask BA: Who’s In The Running To Go 1-1 Next Year? September 1, 2014 by J.J. Cooper

Who would have thought on draft day 2011 that neither 1st rounder would have been included in rule 5 talk because they weren't on the 40 man yet?

Wang has a legit MLB future if he continues to improve, his velocity was down a bit from what I would have expected (according to stadium guns) but he would have spent this season between West Virginia (A) and Bradenton (A+) if he was still in the Pirates system. He's pitching way over his head in MLB as we've said all along, but he's definitely intriguing as a pitcher. It will be interesting to see where the Brewers place him next season. He still only has 44 IP this year, which is less than the the 47.1 he accumulated last year for the Pirates, he just hasn't had a chance to get settled into a professional rotation yet.

I believe the original poster said since they went 20-7... the Brewers have fewer wins but a higher winning percentage because the Cubs played more games. Here's the April 28th chart. edit. corrected myself.

Baseball-Reference.com is pretty awesome for that kind of stuff, here's the May 1st chart. Here's the link to the search.

Baseball America Prospect Report (Sept. 2) Pitcher of the Day—Austin Gomber, lhp, short-season State College (Cardinals). The Cardinals’ fourth-round pick from Florida Atlantic in June, Gomber ended his first stint as a pro on a high note, dealing seven scoreless innings without a walk against Williamsport. Gomber, 20, gave up only five hits to finish at 2-2, 2.30 with a 36/18 SO/BB ratio in 47 innings. When at his best, Gomber features two solid-average pitches in his 88-91 mph fastball that touches 93, and a changeup that earns above-average grades.

That's depressing and pretty much says it all. I was actually just going to look that up... remember the whole gambler's fallacy argument on the MLB forum from earlier in the season? That's why I hate the "if the team only plays .XXX baseball from here on out we win the division" type talk, it's always brought up after the most extreme hot streak of the team, and it never works out that way. That would be a much better argument around the all-star break.

Rattlers drop regular season finale 11-5 to Beloit Coulter homers twice to tie franchise record By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BELOIT, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers lost 11-5 to the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Monday afternoon in the regular season finale for both teams. Clint Coulter homered twice for Wisconsin to match a franchise record for home runs in a season. The Timber Rattlers move on to the postseason in a series that starts Wednesday at home. Coulter gave the Timber Rattlers (72-67 overall, 36-34 second half) a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. He drove the first pitch of his at bat against Joe Michaud over the wall in right-center for a solo homer. Wisconsin tacked on a pair of unearned runs in the top of the second. A pair of errors and a stolen base put runners on second and third with one out. Jose Pena drove in the first run with a sacrifice fly. Steve Halcomb followed with an RBI single and the Rattlers were up 3-0. Beloit (55-84, 25-44) struck back in the bottom of the second inning against Wisconsin starting pitcher Zach Quintana. Phil Pohl cracked a two-run home run with one out. Later in the inning, Josh Ludy hit a two-run home homer and the Snappers were up 4-3. Omar Garcia doubled to start the Wisconsin half of the third inning to bring Coulter to the plate. The Wisconsin designated hitter cracked a line drive over the wall in left-center for a two-run homer to give the Rattlers a 5-4 lead. Coulter's second home run was his 22nd of the season and tied the single-season home run record for the Timber Rattlers franchise. Khris Davis set the mark in 2010. Victor Roache matched the record with 22 home runs in 2013. Beloit went back in front in the bottom of the third inning. Michael Soto hit a two-run home run against Wisconsin reliever Harvey Martin and the Snappers were up 6-5. Ludy added to Beloit's lead in the fourth on an infield grounder that scored a run. BJ Boyd knocked in a run in the fourth with a two-out single. Boyd made it 9-5 with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth against Brandon Moore. The Snappers tacked on their final two runs in the seventh inning as Luis Baez singled to drive in one run and Brandon Cogswell grounded into a 4-6-3 double play with the bases loaded and no outs. Coulter, who was named the DH for the Midwest League's postseason All-Star Team last week, finished the day 3-for-5 to give him an average of .287. Coulter ended the regular season with an on base percentage of .408 and a slugging percentage of .505. The Timber Rattlers begin the 2014 postseason with a first round best-of-three series against the Kane County Cougars. Game One is Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Clint Terry (3-5, 2.49) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Kane County will counter with Jen-Ho Tseng (6-1, 2.40) as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm. Game One will be a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night with soda, hotdogs, and Miller Beer products available for $1. Tickets for Game One are available online. Fans may also purchase tickets online or in person at the ballpark when the Timber Rattlers ticket office opens at 9am on Tuesday, September 2. If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. Wednesday's game will also be available to subscribers of MiLB.TV. HOME RUNS: WIS: Clint Coulter (21st, 0 on in 1st inning off Joe Michaud, 2 out) Clint Coulter (22nd, 1 on in 3rd inning off Joe Michaud, 0 out) BEL: Phil Pohl (6th, 1 on in 2nd inning off Zach Quintana, 1 out) Josh Ludy (3rd, 1 on in 2nd inning off Zach Quintana, 2 out) Michael Soto (7th, 1 on in 3rd inning off Harvey Martin, 1 out) WP: Sam Bragg (4-0) LP: Harvey Martin (5-6) TIME: 2:26 ATTN: 1,049 Wisconsin Boxscore I'm unable to decide who I'm more disappointed in, Harvey Martin or Zach Quintana, they both have similar stuff on the mound, and both should be better than they are, but neither pitcher can consistently find the strike zone. In early June I had reached the point where I figured Clint Coulter breaking the HR record was just a mere formality, then he went cold and I'm completely thrilled that a just turned 21 year old HS draftee is at least a co-holder of the record. When he went homerless over the weekend I had actually given up on him even tying it... just goes to show... Coulter's (3-5,2 HR) day led the way with Paul Eshleman (2-3,2B), Angel Ortega (2-4), and Steven Halcomb (2-4) contributing multi-hit efforts of their own. I'll have a wrap up post on the 2014 T-Rats here in the next couple of days. Wisconsin Recap

Sounds Rout Express For 13-6 Win In Season Finale Halton, Hermida, Morris Homer To Power Nashville Offense Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/0/3/2/91451032/cuts/Sean_Halton_517_11_Large_hur5su3r_m80q1hn4.jpg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) ROUND ROCK, Texas - Sean Halton, Jeremy Hermida, and Hunter Morris each homered to power the Nashville Sounds to a 13-6 victory over the Round Rock Express in their season finale on Monday afternoon at The Dell Diamond. Nashville (77-67), which gained a split of the season-ending six-game series against Round Rock, finished the year with the 23rd winning campaign in the franchise's 37-year history. The Sounds spent 100 of the 152 days of the 2014 PCL season in first place. The 13 runs scored were one shy of the Sounds' season-best effort. Hermida belted a grand slam to key a seven-run, eighth inning and Halton went 3-for-5 with a game-tying two-run shot earlier in the contest to pace the Nashville offense. Round Rock grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a pair of doubles against Jay Jackson. Luis Sardinas (3-for-4) blooped a one-out double to shallow center and scored two batters later on Bryan Petersen's two-bagger off the base of the center field wall. The Express doubled their lead to 2-0 in the third when Sardinas singled with two outs, stole second, and scored on a Drew Robinson RBI knock to right. Halton (3-for-5) leveled the contest at 2-2 in the top of the fourth when he slugged his eighth home run of the year, a two-run shot to left off Express starter Jimmy Reyes. Hermida, who preceded Halton by legging out his 20th double of the year, also scored on the blast. Halton finished the season on a tear, recording a hit in 21 of his final 28 games at a .327 clip (33-for-101). Round Rock loaded the bases against Jackson with two outs in the fifth but failed to score as the Nashville right-hander retired Petersen on an inning-ending flyout to keep it a tied game. Nashville took its first lead in the sixth with a run against Express reliever Martire Garcia. After loading the bases with one out on a pair of walks sandwiched around a Halton single, Eugenio Velez scooted home from third with the go-ahead run on a wild pitch to give the visitors a 3-2 advantage. After Hunter Morris walked to reload the bases, Irving Falu ripped an RBI infield single to third and Caleb Gindl followed with a sacrifice fly to center to up the lead to 5-2. Jackson held the Express to two runs on seven hits over five innings of work and departed in line for his first victory with the Sounds, but the right-hander was left with a no-decision following a late Round Rock rally. Round Rock designated hitter Cory Patton cut the Sounds' lead to one at 5-4 in the home half of the sixth with a two-out, two-run homer to center off Dustin Molleken, his first longball at the Triple-A level. Petersen (2-for-4) powered the Express back into the lead an inning later, when he smashed a go-ahead, two-run homer to center off Molleken to give the home team a 6-5 advantage. It was the outfielder's 13th roundtripper of the season. The Sounds took control of the game with a seven-run outburst against Ryan Feierabend in the eighth, sending 10 batters to the plate during the frame. Halton led off with a double and Nashville loaded the bases when Hector Gomez drew a walk and Falu singled before Gindl was hit by a pitch to force home the tying run. Lucas May lifted a sacrifice fly to left to give the Sounds a 7-6 lead and Pete Orr plated an insurance run with an RBI single to left, which helped the veteran finish the season with a .301 average. After Velez reached on an error to refill the bases, Hermida smashed a grand slam to right to make it a 12-6 Nashville lead. The big fly was his 16th of the year, tying Matt Clark for the team lead, and the Sounds' second slam of the season. Morris closed out the afternoon's scoring in the ninth when he tattooed a one-out solo homer to right-center, his 11th tater of the year. Baseball returns to Music City in April 2015 when the Sounds begin their 38th season of competition at the brand-new First Tennessee Park in North Nashville. Season tickets are available by calling 615-690-HITS or visiting the Greer Stadium box office. Nashville Boxscore If in fact this is the last hoorah with Nashville I'd like to pass along my sincere thanks for everything they've done over the years. When I first really started following the minors my nights were always Nashville/Helena, I'd start with Nashville and close with Helena on my way to bed. They were the first franchise to archive their audio for us, and I believe they were the first to offer daily media notes online. My interest in following the AAA team waned as it became barren of prospects over the last 5-6 seasons but that doesn't diminish the quality of the broadcasters they've had over the years including current voice of the Sounds Jeff Hem who's been fantastic. Speaking of Jeff, I listened to the game today hoping he'd drop a nugget on the possible affiliation switch but of course he didn't let anything slip (if he knows anything). At any rate, thanks again for all of the hard work over the years and best of luck with the new ballpark. Arcenio Leon struck out the side in the 8th and a pitched a clean 9th, he had been struggling of late so that was a nice way for him to end his season. I'll have a wrap up post for the 2014 Nashville Sounds either tomorrow or Wednesday depending on how things go which will have additional thoughts for every player. Nashville Recap Nashville Gameday

So he should say "this team is terrible, they're not going to make the playoffs, you might as well stop watching the team." Not everyone wants to bask in self pity 24-7. I understand that the announcers have to be homers to a certain extent, but I would rather they would tell it like it is instead of the over top positive Brewer spin they put on everything. If it's a bad play, call it such, don't say it was a tough chance just because a Brewer player booted it. The Brewers have been bad lately, the team needs to turn it around, being in 1st place most of the year doesn't mean anything if they tank, so just state the obvious. I don't don't mind BA all that much but Rock drives me friggen insane and has for years. He's the reason I rarely watch a Brewer game with sound anymore.

... and here's the story. Timber Rattlers open 2014 playoffs at home on September 3 Tickets available online By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers http://www.milb.com/assets/images/8/6/4/92498864/cuts/JumpWeb2_pvmty382_edrtreh5.jpg The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have jumped into the 2014 playoffs! Wisconsin hosts Kane County in Game One on Wednesday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. First pitch is 6:35pm. GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have reached the 2014 Midwest League playoffs. Wisconsin will open a best-of-three series against the Kane County Cougars on Wednesday, September 3 at 6:35pm at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Timber Rattlers won on Sunday by a score of 13-2 to eliminate the Quad Cities River Bandits, who won 9-4 at Burlington. That left the Peoria Chiefs as the only team with a chance to catch the Timber Rattlers. But Peoria lost 9-2 at Kane County on Sunday night to allow the Rattlers to claim the Second Half Western Division Wild Card spot. Kane County, the First Half Western Division Champions, is 91-48 after their win over Peoria on Sunday. The Timber Rattlers were 6-12 against Kane County during the regular season. Game Two is scheduled for Kane County on Thursday night at 6:00pm. If Game Three is necessary, that game will be at Kane County on Friday night at 6:00pm. Game One will be a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night with soda, hotdogs, and Miller Beer products available for $1. Tickets are available online. Fans may purchase tickets over the phone at (920) 733-4152 or (800) WI-TIMBER or in person at the Timber Rattlers ticket office at the stadium when it opens on Tuesday, September 2 at 9:00 am. Rain checks, vouchers, and coupons from the 2014 regular season may not be exchanged for postseason tickets.

Kane County knocks off Peoria so the Rattlers have clinched a postseason berth. Chris said during the game broadcast that in the event KC won the bullpen would likely handle the pitching load tomorrow so Erickson can move pitchers around for the playoffs which start Wednesday.

Orf does it all in Manatees' season finale Brewers prospect plays all nine positions, coaches first, gets promoted By Kelsie Heneghan / MiLB.com http://www.milb.com/assets/images/4/7/4/92491474/cuts/orf640_8qyfikzx_2121ac5e.jpg Nathan Orf played 68 games in the outfield and 55 at second base this season. (Cliff Welch/MiLB.com) On Sunday at Space Coast Stadium, it was the lineup card, not the scoreboard that brought excitement to Brevard County. About an hour and a half before game time, Manatees manager Joe Ayrault informed Nathan Orf that he planned to play him at all nine positions in the regular-season finale against Dunedin (a game Brevard County lost, 7-3). "His face lit up, there was a big smile on his face. He was bouncing around the clubhouse. ... Even his teammates were excited," Ayrault said. "Nathan is very versatile; he's the perfect guy to do it. ... He's just a guy where you know he's going to go out and make the plays, no matter what position he's at." Ayrault had always wanted to have one of his players try all nine positions in a game. A few years ago with Class A Advanced Sarasota, he was a couple days away from putting that plan into action until Justin Tordi -- now a coach with Class A Charleston -- broke his nose. With Orf, who'd already seen action at six different positions this season, Ayrault knew he could make it happen. So he called Brewers director of player development Reed Nichols to get the organization's stamp of approval, then delivered the good news to his utility player. "It's the last game with the guys and something fun to remember forever. I was so excited," Orf said. "Before the game I didn't know what to do, I was pumped. Since I was going to start at catcher, I saw some pitches from [starter Jorge] Lopez." Ayrault determined that Orf would play each position in numeric order -- with one exception: he'd pitch last. And while he had not caught since college at Baylor University, he was excited to be behind the plate. "It was a blast first of all, but we gave up more runs than I hoped for," Orf said. "I was hoping for a nice quick inning, [but] it was just fun to be back there. I [called the pitches], but I guess I didn't do a good job." The first four Blue Jays reached base and Orf got a front row seat as they scored five times. Then it was on to his next assignment as he moved to first, the position he most looked forward to playing. "[First base is] not comfortable, but when you get thrown into a situation, you have to prepare as best as you can," the 5-foot-9 Missouri native said. "It was a fun game, but at the same time you don't want to take the focus away from the game or the pitcher. And I'm vertically challenged, as the opposing coach told me." Orf made his way around the infield, stopping at his favorite position -- second base -- before playing third, then shortstop for the first time since the Brewers signed him as a non-drafted free agent in June 2013. He moved to the outfield for the next three innings and took the mound for the first time since his sophomore year at Francis Howell High School in St. Charles, Missouri. "I had no clue what I was doing up there," Orf admitted. "I was trying to throw strikes and throw them somewhat down in the zone. I was just hoping they didn't hit a home run. Hoppy [third baseman Greg Hopkins] made a great play, and it was a great way to end the game and the season." Orf retired Nick Baligod -- the only batter he faced -- on a grounder to Hopkins, but his day wasn't over. In bottom of the ninth, he served as the Manatees' first-base coach. "For me, [the best part] was getting off the field after the final out and tipping my hat to the crowd. It was a special moment and it was a special season," he said. "We have a great group of guys and even though we didn't make the playoffs, we had a great season. It was cool way to cap off an ideal summer." Orf went 0-for-2 with a walk in the season-ending loss, but his once-in-a-career experience got even better when Ayrault informed him he was promoted to Double-A Huntsville in time for the Southern League playoffs. "It is exciting to get to play more baseball and move up to the next level; you're always looking to move up," Orf said. "We will have a good environment. I get to learn from some more guys -- there's a lot for me to learn." Indians prospect Justin Toole was the last Minor Leaguer to play all nine positions in a game, accomplishing the feat for Class A Advanced Carolina on Aug. 25, 2012.

Kuhl, Marauders wrap up division early Pirates righty delivers in morning start to clinch FSL second-half title

Aquino's five RBIs help Mustangs earn berth Pioneer League All-Star smacks two homers, reaches base four times

Sounds Lose To Round Rock, 3-2 Game Ends As Potential Tying Run Thrown Out At Plate For Nashville Nashville Sounds http://www.milb.com/assets/images/1/0/6/77280106/cuts/DSC_0039_Large_e9wxx2h2_37n7c13g.jpg (Mike Strasinger / Nashville Sounds) ROUND ROCK, Texas - The Round Rock Express defeated the Nashville Sounds by a 3-2 count in the penultimate game of the season on Sunday evening at The Dell Diamond. With the Sounds trailing by two with two on and two outs in the top of the ninth inning, Irving Falu laced a double into the right-center gap. Sean Halton scored on the play and Matt Clark attempted to follow him with the tying run but was gunned down at the plate by a perfect Round Rock relay to bring an end to the contest. Round Rock took a 1-0 lead against Taylor Jungmann in the bottom of the third inning when a leadoff walk came back to haunt the Sounds right-hander. Bryan Peterson drew a free pass, moved to second when J.R. Towles walked after him, and scored the night's first run on a two-out Luis Sardinas single to left. Sounds reliever Brent Leach kept it a one-run game in the bottom of the sixth after the southpaw inherited a bases-loaded, no-out mess from Jungmann. The left-hander struck out a pair of batters sandwiched around a popup to keep it a 1-0 contest. Jungmann matched his career high with nine strikeouts but took a no-decision after giving up one run on three hits in five-plus frames of work. The right-hander also walked six batters, one shy of his career high. Clark (2-for-4) knotted the contest at 1-1 when he led off the seventh with his team-leading 16th homer of the year, a solo shot to straightaway center off Lisalverto Bonilla. Clark has smashed 12 of those roundtrippers during the month of August. Round Rock wasted no time reclaiming the lead, pulling in front by a 2-1 margin in the home half of the frame with a run off Leach. Sardinas drilled a one-out double to left-center and came home on a two-out Nicholas RBI single to center. Bonilla (4-2) picked up the win for Round Rock after limiting the Sounds to one run on six hits while fanning six in his seven frames of action. Josh Wilson added an insurance run for the Express in the eighth when he golfed a one-out homer to left off Tim Dillard, the infielder's fifth tater of the year. Despite allowing a run in the ninth, Matt West notched his first save of the year for Round Rock. Third baseman Pete Orr went 0-for-4 for the Sounds to snap his season-best seven-game hitting streak. The teams wrap up the 2014 season with a 12:05 p.m. matinee finale on Monday afternoon. Right-hander Jay Jackson (0-3, 5.40) will man the bump for the Sounds to face Round Rock left-hander Jimmy Reyes (1-2, 9.00). Nashville Boxscore Brent Leach saved Taylor Jungmann from a potentially horrible day, regardless it wasn't good from a peripherals perspective, the walks were pretty awful, but he did lower his AAA ERA with the save from Leach. Tim Dillard is a good dude but the AAA portion of his season has been abysmal. Nashville Recap Nashville Gameday

Rattlers inch closer to a clinch with 13-2 win at Beloit Pena drives in four, Ratterree, Brennan, & Neda homer By Chris Mehring / Wisconsin Timber Rattlers BELOIT, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers aren't in the playoffs yet, but their 13-2 win over the Beloit Snappers Sunday afternoon at Pohlman Field moved them in the right direction. Tristan Archer hurled six scoreless innings as the Timber Rattlers offense clubbed fourteen hits in the victory. The Wisconsin hitters were silent in their first 3-2/3 innings on Sunday. Beloit starting pitcher Hunter Adkins retired the first eleven batters he faced. Clint Coulter broke that streak with a two-out single to center in the fourth. David Denson was next and he hit a high fly ball to center that looked like a routine play for the final out. But, BJ Boyd lost the ball in the Sun at the last moment and the ball dropped in behind him. Coulter hustled all the way around from first to score on the play, which was ruled an error on Boyd, for a 1-0 lead. The Timber Rattlers (72-66 overall, 36-33 second half) started to pour in on offensively in the fifth inning. Taylor Brennan and Rafael Neda drew walks to start the inning. Angel Ortega sacrificed them into scoring position. Jose Pena followed with a line drive double to the gap in left-center to drive in both runners for a 3-0 advantage. Chris McFarland padded the lead with a two-out RBI single and the Rattlers were up 4-0. In the sixth, Denson singled and Michael Ratterree doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Brennan rifled a single through the center of the diamond to drive in both runners. Neda would reach on an error against Adkins and that was all for the Beloit starting pitcher. Snappers reliever Lee Soto got the first out, but Pena came through with a double to almost the exact spot of his hit in the fifth inning. This two-run double gave Pena four runs batted in for the game and the Rattlers an 8-0 lead. Wisconsin starting pitcher Tristan Archer tossed six scoreless innings, allowed four hits, walked one, and struck out six. Oakland Athletics first baseman Nate Freiman, who went 3-for-5 with a double and home run against the Timber Rattlers on Saturday night, was 1-for-3 with a double and two strikeouts against Archer on Sunday and 1-for-4 in the game. Ratterree struck again for the Timber Ratters in the top of the seventh when he launched a three-run home run to right-center. The blast, Ratterree's eighteenth of the season, made it 11-0. Beloit (54-84, 24-44) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh inning against reliever Barrett Astin. Justin Higley walked to start the inning and went to second on a grounder. Branden Cogswell singled to drive in Higley. Later in the inning, Boyd doubled to knock in Cogswell. The Rattlers scored their final runs of the game on back-to-back solo home runs by Brennan and Neda in the top of the ninth inning. Brennan's homer was his third in the last four games to give him sixteen home runs this season. Neda's homer was his third of the year. Astin walked a pair in the bottom of the ninth, but he induced a game-ending 4-6-3 double play to seal the victory. The Quad Cities River Bandits won their game on Sunday afternoon by a 9-4 score at Burlington to prevent the Timber Rattlers from clinching the second half Western Division Wild Card. However, Quad Cities was eliminated from the playoffs with the Wisconsin victory. The Rattlers can still clinch on Sunday if the Peoria Chiefs lose their game at Kane County. That game is scheduled to start at 6:30pm. If Peoria wins tonight, the playoff spot will go down to the final day of the 2014 regular season on Monday. Wisconsin is at Beloit on Monday afternoon. Clint Terry (3-5, 2.49) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers on Sunday if they are not in the playoffs. If the Rattlers are in the playoffs, they will name another starting pitcher for the game on Labor Day. Beloit will send Kyle Finnegan (7-9, 3.69) to the mound on Monday. Game time is 2:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 1:40pm. HOME RUNS: WIS: Michael Ratterree (18th, 2 on in 7th inning off Lee Sosa, 0 out) Taylor Brennan (16th, 0 on in 9th inning off Trevor Bayless, 1 out) Rafael Neda (3rd, 0 on in 9th inning off Trevor Bayless, 1 out) WP: Tristan Archer (7-6) LP: Hunter Adkins (1-6) SAVE: Barrett Astin (4) TIME: 2:51 ATTN: 1,520 Wisconsin Boxscore Tristan Archer was pretty darn good in August pitching a 2.35 ERA, in 28 IP allowing 7 runs, on 23 hits, 9 walks, and 3 hit batsmen against 25 strike outs. He pitched to a 2.28 ERA in the second half including action from June and July. On the other hand Barrett Astin continues to struggle effectively locating his pitches on a consistent basis, he allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and 3 walks with no strike outs in 3 IP. Once the score got ridiculous I was hoping the Rattlers would save some of those XBH hits for tomorrow but maybe Kane County will make it a moot tonight later tonight. The T-Rats erupted for 14 hits, 7 of which went for extra bases. Clint Coulter (2-4), Michael Ratterree (2-5,2B,HR), Taylor Brennan (3-4,HR), and Jose Pena (2-5,2 2B) all had multi hit games, in fact poor Johnny Davis was the only Wisconsin starter without a hit. Manager Matt Erickson subbed pretty freely at the end of the game to get as many players ABs as possible which is why there are so many defensive replacements in the boxscore and game log. Wisconsin Recap

T-Rats win an easy one and will clinch if Kane County (Cubs) can beat Peoria (Cards) tonight... it's too bad both teams can't lose in that series.