Nine after 9 for May 15, 2012

Wisconsin 5
Kane County 11
Boxscore | Game Story

That homer from Nick Ramirez wound up out by that white sign to the right of the hitter’s background in center.

1. David Goforth had 27 pitches – 19 strikes – in the first two innings.  I had him at 33 pitches – 14 strikes in the third inning.  The three straight walks were tough.  Two of them were four pitch strikes, one came on a 3-1 count and, the last one walked in a run.  He walked four in the inning.
2. Yet, he almost got out of the inning with the game tied 4-4.  There were two outs and a 1-2 count on Justin Trapp when a pitch got up in the zone and Trapp put it over the wall in left for a grand slam.
3. I believe that I have mentioned how much I hate that place.  Still stands. I hate that place.
4. The Cougars outscored the Rattlers 20-7 in the last two games of the series.
5. This is the third straight loss for the Rattlers.  The only other time they lost three in a row this season was when they were swept in a three game series at South Bend.
6. Not going to say that Nick Ramirez is locked in, but he is getting there.  His home run in the fifth inning was to a place that most guys don’t reach in that ballpark – wind or no wind.  He put it out on the deck to the right of the hitting background.
7. I got a response from Matt Erickson as to why the Rattlers played the infield in with a runner at third yesterday when they were down 7-1 in the fourth inning on Sunday.  It went something like this: The way the wind was blowing and as early as it was, we wanted to make it tough for them to score runs and give ourselves a chance to come back.  We’re not going to play back and give up a run for an out just so you can get on the bus back to the hotel faster.  I’m pretty sure he was kidding about that last part.
8. Yadiel Rivera had the day off Tuesday.  He was hitting .209 in May with 14 strikeouts and nine hits in 13 games.  He should be back in there Wednesday.
9. Quick preview for the Burlington series: The Bees just got swept in a four game series by the Peoria Chiefs on the road.  The Rattlers dropped two of three in Burlington earlier this season.UPDATED: Probable Pitchers:
   WED: Andy Moye v. Brent Powers (instead of Macias)
   THU: Matt Miller v. Raul Alcantara
   FRI: Drew Gagnon v. Sean MurphySee you there.