Postgame Thoughts (August 24, 2011)

Eric Arnett - photo credit Ann Mollica/Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Kane County 4, Wisconsin 1
Boxscore | Game Story

• Well, shoot.
• First, we will not have highlights the rest of the season.  The computer with the capability to do that task in the control room, um, stopped working.  Sorry.
• To the game:
• How different is Wednesday’s game if the throw from Arnett to second is on target in the top of the first inning.  Double play, two outs, none on…
• Arnett’s velocity was up, his slider looked as good as I’ve seen it, and he retired 11 in a row two different times.
• No walks, two hit batsmen, and eight strikeouts.
• Unofficially he had 99 pitches (65 strikes) and deserved better than he got.
• I know the game doesn’t owe anybody anything, but Joey Paciorek is owed at least a double and a game-tying RBI at some point before the end of the season because of what happened in the bottom of the seventh.
• Nick Ramirez doubled to start the inning with the Cougars up 2-1.  Ramirez was still at second with two outs.  Then, Paciorek lined a pitch to the gap in right-center.
• Right fielder Geulin Beltre ran over, reached up for a back handed catch…and  made one fantastic catch.
• Dang it.
• Then, in the eighth Arnett gets the first two outs, gives up a single and a hit batsman, and leaves the game.
• Wild pitch, two-run single, 4-1 lead.
• Heckfire.
• Oh, three more hits and two more stolen bases for TJ Mittelstaedt.
• For informational purposes only: Clinton won tonight.  Kane County and the LumberKings are both 33-25 in the second half.
• The Rattlers are 24-34 in the second half.  That puts them at nine games behind the teams that are tied for the playoff spots in the Western Division.
• There are 12 games left in the regular season.
• One of those games is Thursday night with a performance by Team Ghost Riders…I think this video will give you the best idea of what the Cowboy Monkeys are all about: