Link Report for Wed. 6/9 -- Weak Pitching Outings Punctuate Another Losing Day

[Mass Haas]

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Outfielder Erik Miller helps Timber Rattlers salvage second game of doubleheader with great play

By Mike Woods, Post-Crescent staff writer

 

GRAND CHUTE — Erik Miller is more familiar with the lows than the highs in baseball.

 

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers outfielder was off to a good start last season until he took a pitch on the hand that shelved him for several weeks. He returned late in the season, found his groove, and hoped it would propel him to a solid 2010 season.

 

But after playing the first month at high Class A Brevard County, struggles at the plate led to a trip back to Appleton.

 

"Yeah, it seems like there's been a lot of things that haven't gone my way," said Miller. "I have a good, strong faith in Jesus Christ and have a good, positive attitude toward everything. My wife helps me out, gives me encouragement at night when I'm kicking the cat. She keeps me up."

 

With a batting average of .219, that attitude has been needed. More important, it has also helped him not allow his struggles at the plate to carry over into other parts of his game.

 

Take Tuesday, for instance. After the Rattlers were hammered 17-5 by Bowling Green in the first game of a doubleheader on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium, they looked to be in peril in the second game as the Hot Rods loaded the bases with two out in the top of the fifth.

 

Brett Nommensen then hit a rocket to the gap in right center that Miller was able to track down, reach up and snare for the third out and help preserve a 4-1 win.

 

"I saw it right away," said Miller. "The only thing I was worried about was (D'Vontrey Richardson) coming at me. He's a big boy."

 

The catch saved what could have been an awful day into a decent day.

 

"That play that he made there was a game-saving catch," said Rattlers manager Jeff Isom. "If that falls, they're scoring three runs probably and they're going to have a two-run lead in that situation. He makes a great running catch and puts up a zero. We took that momentum and carried it on through the rest of the game."

 

Miller also went two-for-five in the double header, hitting the ball hard his final three at-bats.

 

"I was encouraged by his last three at-bats today," said Rattlers hitting coach Matt Erickson, who said Miller's problems are part mechanical, part mental. "And he's an athlete. If we can get a little confidence with him between the ears, he's definitely capable."

 

Miller is hoping his on-field life can soon catch up to his off-field happiness. He was married last summer, got his real estate license and sold two homes in his hometown of Phoenix just before he reported for spring training.

 

While baseball is his priority, he's also preparing for the future.

 

"You have to," he said. "You have to have something to fall back on. If you put all your eggs in one basket, you end up getting hurt. Got to be smart about it and you have to have something to fall back on."

 

His goal now is rediscover his stroke and see where that takes him.

 

"They sent me down here to iron things out," he said, "and hopefully I'll get back up there (Brevard County) there by the end of the season."

[Mass Haas]

No Manatee game summary posted yet, here is the Daytona site:

 

Cubs Win Streak to Four

By Nathan Moore, Daytona Cubs

The Daytona Cubs (29-31) took the series opener against the Brevard County Manatees (22-36) Wednesday night 6-2. Brett Jackson drove in five including a grand slam in the second inning. Chris Rusin (2-2) picked up the win with six-plus shutout innings and struck out six.

 

The Manatees wasted no time getting on Cubs starter Chris Rusin. Right fielder Erik Komatsu led off the game with a single to left field. Komatsu advanced to second on an errant throw in from Jose Valdez. The speedy Komatsu then stole second base and scored on a Josh Prince groundout.

 

The Cubs blasted their way to a 4-1 lead in the second inning. Right fielder Kyler Burke led off the frame with a walk and moved all the way to third as designated hitter Smailey Borges roped a double down the line. A one-out walk to Jose Valdez loaded the bases for Junior Lake, but the Cubs shortstop lined out to left field. That brought All-Star center fielder Brett Jackson to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. He promptly sent a Cody Scarpetta offering over the left field wall for the Cubs second grand slam of the year. Jackson now has three home runs on the season.

 

Daytona added another run in the bottom of the fifth inning off Manatees reliever Matt Costello. With two-outs and the bases-loaded again Jackson strolled to the plate and singled to left field to drive Michael Brenly. Jose Valdez was on his way home, but Junior Lake was tagged out at third before Valdez could score to end the inning.

 

Oswaldo Martinez entered the game for the Daytona Cubs in the 9th inning to slam the door, but ran into some trouble late in the inning.

 

Martinez allowed a solo home run to Brock Kjeldgaard to run the score to 6-2. Martinez would eventually strike out the remaining two batters to retire the side and preserve the D-Cubs four game winning streak.

 

Scarpetta (2-7) took the loss and now has lost five starts in a row.

 

The Daytona Cubs will wrap up the series Thursday at 7:05 PM (6:05 Central) at Jackie Robinson Ballpark as the Cubs look for their fifth straight win.

[Mass Haas]

Just a notation on the Huntsville staff's write-up, technically Josh Butler is no longer on "rehab" starts, he's simply a member of the Stars.

[pete]

Sean Halton seems to like the Florida weather or something down there. It'd be nice if the power develops.

 

 

 

/reaches for a positive

[brewmann04]

The brewers Minor league starters are looking as good as the Big Club, now we all know why they loaded up on pitching.

[Mass Haas]

Brad with additional photo galleries from Wednesday's twinbill.