Nine after nine – April 19, 2012

Final on April 19, 2012
Wisconsin 8
West Michigan 4
Boxscore | Game Story

Find the speed of a David Goforth pitch on the scoreboard.

I felt it was time to start up with the postgame post.  But, I need to keep it short or I will never find time to reboot….I mean sleep. So, I thought I would be good with nine things to match the number innings in a regulation game.

1. Hand operated scoreboards are cool.
2. The Rattlers have outscored their opponents 21-3 in the first inning this season.
3. Brandon Macias had four RBI in the first two innings
4. Macias in the last three games: 6-for-10, 4 runs, 5RBI
5. The Rattlers had seven hits in the first two innings, they had two hits the rest of the game
6. According the scoreboard, David Goforth hit 98 - on a pitch to the backstop, but still – one time, 97 a  couple of times, 96 a few more times, and 94 to 95 several more times.  His one big mistake was a hanging breaking ball to Curt Casali in the third inning that was hit for a homer.
7. If you are looking at the game log you will see this play right after the home run:
   Colin Kaline called out on strikes, catcher Tyler Roberts to third baseman Brandon Macias to first baseman Gregory Hopkins.
   If I understood Tyler Roberts on the elevator, he dropped the ball and thought strike three was a ball.  Then, he heard the umpire call strike three – by reflex – he fired the ball down to third. Fortunately, Macias fired the ball to first in time to get Kaline for the K, 2-5-3 putout.
   That really happened.
8. Defense has been very good for the Rattlers of late.  Yadiel Rivera ranged behind second to rob Casali of an RBI single in the sixth, John Dishon made a diving catch to save a run in the seventh, and Greg Hopkins snared a liner and turned it into a game ending double play in the ninth.  Team fielding percentage is up to .977, they have committed 12 errors and turned 13 double plays in 14 games.
9. Max Walla is 0-for-8 in his three games with the Rattlers. But, he has drawn five walks and scored three runs.

It’s been a long day that started with a 5am arrival at Time Warner Cable Field, a stop at the beautiful Hinsdale Oasis, and a cool, rainy evening in Grand Rapids that wrapped up with an arrival at the hotel at 11pm local time.

Sleep well. Work hard in the morning.