Postgame Thoughts (June 30, 2011)

Perfect Game Field

Rattlers 3, Kernels 2
Boxscore | Game Story

• In the words of one of my co-workers, “Nice!”
• Jimmy Nelson: 8IP, 4H, 2BB, 7K, 0R.
• In a statement that would drive Bob Gibson crazy – if I remember, October, 1964 correctly – it appeared that Nelson got stronger as the game went longer.
• He was still in the 90s with the fastball, but threw some very nice change ups for swinging strike threes late in the game.
• Plus, a nifty defensive play on a line drive back through the middle that he turned into a double play.
• Enjoy this one, @Jimmy_J_Nelson.  Then, follow it up with another just like it in Beloit on the last day of this trip.
• No pressure.
• Cody Hawn CRUSHED that homer in the 7th.  Click the picture up top .  Hawn’s homer hit the scoreboard about ten feet above the 390′ foot sign.
• He’s got some pop.
• Weird.  Heat Index of 103 and the kids from the South had good games tonight.
• Speaking of Heat Index of 103…Joey Paciorek! Welcome to catching!
• I asked if he weighed himself after the game, he said no.  But, he will be drinking a lot of water tonight…and tomorrow morning…and tomorrow afternoon.
• Welcome back, @jasonrogers3000!  He went 2-for-4 with a double.  Looked good swinging the bat and made a nice running catch in left.
• Greg Holle made it interesting, but closed it down with a smart defensive play by Mike Brownstein.
• Here’s the deal: Two runs are already across the plate the bottom of the ninth and there is a runner at first with no outs.  Ricky Alvarez sent a liner towards Brownstein that looked like it could be caught on a fly.  The runner at first started back to the bag.  Brownstein let the ball bounce and Wisconsin easily turned a double play to stop the rally in its tracks.
• By the way, Holle is 16-for-17 in save situations.  The Rattlers franchise record is 19 (John Thompson – 19 in 1995)
• By the way, Nick Shaw drew a pair of walks to give him 51 this season.  Shaw leads the MWL in walks.
• He will need to draw a lot more to get at the top of the Rattlers record book.  Bo Robinson drew 108 in 1999.
• Two in a row…that’s a winning streak.  Del Howell’s turn tomorrow.