Results tagged ‘ Mickey Wiswall ’
Thursday Notes (6/30)
Eyeing a second-straight series win to start the second half, the LumberKings instead suffered one of their worst defeats of the season last night as the Beloit Snappers, led by Michael Gonzales’s 3-for-5, two-homer, five-RBI performance, routed the Kings 14-5 last night at Alliant Energy Field. Jairo Perez also capped a monster series going 3-for-5 with a solo homer and three RBI for the Snappers.
There were bright spots in the form of the first back-to-back home runs hit by LumberKings this season, as Carlos Ramirez and Mickey Wiswall each lifted solo homers off Beloit left-hander Ryan O’Rourke in the fourth (listen: Ramirez and Wiswall Go Back-to-Back 6.29.11). Wiswall added another RBI single in the eighth inning, while Matt Browning singled home a run and then scored on an RBI triple by Mike McGee to make the score more respectable. Still, right-hander Jandy Sena suffered his worst performance of the year with 10 runs, six earned over just 2.2 innings and lefty Edlando Seco took another step backwards with three runs allowed on two homers.
It’s back to the road for the first time this half now for Eddie Menchaca’s Kings, but they’ll only have to travel to neighboring Quad Cities for the next three games. The Bandits swept the series here at Modern Woodmen Park back in early May, but the LumberKings are 10-8 on the road since then.
Right-hander George Mieses (1-9, 5.58) hasn’t won since April 30 but hasn’t been as bad as the numbers look over his last three starts…he’s gone at least five innings all three times with fewer than three earned runs, but the offense has not scored him a run of support that entire time (17.0 innings). Quite simply, it’s time to start putting up some runs behind Mieses.
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.30.11 kingsnotes
No pregame interview tonight as I will be airing the second part of my Tony Blengino conversation at long last. The broadcast begins at 6:45 PM, listen online at 1390kcln.com.
-DL
2011 First Half Highlight Reel
James Paxton's All-Star-worthy performance (3-3, 2.70 ERA, 73 K in 50.0 IP) was one of the bright spots for Clinton in the first half.
Sometimes, first halves go by in the blink of an eye. Sometimes, they drag on. The 2011 first half falls somewhere in the in-between for me. I’ve seen some impressive things so far out of these LumberKings (a red-hot week by Kalian Sams, the dominant outings of James Paxton and Taijuan Walker, the resurgence of Mickey Wiswall in June, the impressive range at short for Anthony Phillips, the emergence of Keli’i Zablan and Jonathan Arias out of the pen, etc.), yet also a lot of struggles as evidenced by a current 23-46 record.
But, as hitting coach Terry Pollreisz reminded me on our way into Elfstrom Stadium today, anything can happen in the second half. Polls cited his 2002 San Antonio club that finished 25-45 and 17 games out of first place in the Texas League West Division in the first half. That club (including for just six games a 21-year-old Eddie Menchaca) rebounded to win the division with a 43-27 second-half record and went on to win the Texas League title in seven games over Tulsa. Something to keep in mind as we head to the second half of 2011 on Friday.
While looking forward here on the half’s last day, it’s also time to look back at some of the high points of the season so far (unfortunately last night’s game-winning homer by Matt Browning just missed the cut). With that, I present the third-annual “First Half Highlight Reel”.
Listen Here: 2011 First Half Highlight Reel
Today’s Game Notes: 6.19.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (23-46): Julio Morban/CF, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Matt Browning/1B, Kevin Rivers/LF, Kalian Sams/RF, Shaver Hansen/2B, Carlos Ramirez/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, Carlton Tanabe/C, Anthony Fernandez/LHP.
Kane County Cougars (28-40): Angel Franco/2B, Geulin Beltre/CF, Cheslor Cuthbert/3B, Brian Fletcher/LF, Brett Eibner/DH, Jake Kuebler/1B, Orlando Calixte/SS, Travis Jones/C, Julio Aparicio/RF, Jason Adam/RHP.
Happy Father’s Day as well to you regular readers. After today’s 1 PM game at Kane County, I’ll be heading home to Oak Creek, Wisconsin to spend my All-Star Break with family. I won’t be covering James Paxton’s All-Star appearance in the Quad Cities on Tuesday, but you can follow along at with the MiLB Gameday Feature on MiLB.com.
I’ll be back on Friday to start with a clean slate. Can’t wait.
-DL
Tonight’s Interview: Rick Waits
After allowing a career-high five earned runs in his previous start, it’s clear that left-hander James Paxton had a rebound outing last night against Quad Cities. He set a new career high with 13 strikeouts and yielded just one run on four hits over 6.1 innings as the LumberKings beat the River Bandits, 5-1 at Alliant Energy Field. Paxton struck out six-straight batters at one point in the game (listen: Paxton 11th Strikeout 6.16.11), but left in the seventh with the bases loaded and one out. Right-hander Tyler Burgoon came on and left them loaded as he induced a highlight-reel double play started by second-baseman Jorge Agudelo (listen: Agudelo Flip to Ramirez for DP 6.16.11). Burgoon did not allow a run over 2.2 innings to secure his seventh save, making Paxton a winner for the third time. Mickey Wiswall had the clutch hit of the night, singling home two runs to open up a 4-1 lead in the fourth (listen: Wiswall 2-R single 6.16.11).
The efforts for K-Pax and Burgoon were well-timed as they took place in front of Mariners’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator Rick Waits. After coaching for 15 seasons with the New York Mets (including 2003 as their Major League Bullpen Coach), Waits has inherited a minor league system chock full of potential impact arms. Waits is my pregame guest tonight, and he shares plenty of his own insight into Paxton, tonight’s starter Taijuan Walker, Burgoon and the Clinton bullpen, former LumberKing and current Tacoma Rainier right-hander Blake Beavan and how close he is to a Seattle call-up, the outstanding arms in double-A Jackson including Andrew Carraway, Erasmo Ramirez, Anthony Vasquez, Kenn Kasparek and Tom Wilhelmsen and more. It’s definitely a worthy listen.
Listen Here: Rick Waits (Minor League Pitching Coord) Interview 6.17.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.17.11 kingsnotes
Today’s Roster Move: Despite the potential game-saving play last night, Agudelo has been sent to short-A Everett to clear space for infielder Shaver Hansen, who has been reinstated from the DL and will play tonight in Kane County.
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (22-45): Julio Morban/CF, Mickey Wiswall/1B, Tim Morris/D, Matt Browning/3B, Kalian Sams/RF, Shaver Hansen/2B, Robbie Anston/LF, Billy Marcoe/C, Anthony Phillips/SS, Taijuan Walker/RHP
Kane County Cougars (27-39): Angel Franco/2B, Ryan Stovall/3B, Brett Eibner/CF, Brian Fletcher/LF, Jake Kuebler/1B, Geulin Beltre/DH, Orlando Calixte/SS, Travis Jones/C, Julio Aparicio/RF, Leonel Santiago/RHP
First pitch is at 7:00 PM here at Elfstrom Stadium, listen to the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Saturday Notes (6/11)
The LumberKings fell behind 5-3, waited through an hour and 17 minute rain delay, put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the ninth and still lost 6-4 to the Bowling Green Hot Rods last night. Left-hander James Paxton allowed a career-high five earned runs over 5.1 innings, while Mickey Wiswall homered (listen: Wiswall Solo HR (#6) 6.10.11) and went 2-for-4 in the losing cause for Clinton.
Arias, Nava, Reed and Sena bring it in for "pitchers" on three.
I’d say more about last night, but fatigue is setting in. We un-tarped the field at 9:30 this morning for the 13th Annual Youth Clinic, sponsored by David Sunflower Seeds, which, went off without a hitch thanks to Jorge Agudelo, Robbie Anston, Jonathan Arias, Jabari Blash, Matt Browning, Shaver Hansen, Julio Morban, Jessie Nava, Anthony Phillips, Carlos Ramirez, Nate Reed, Kalian Sams and Jandy Sena.
Tonight is the first-ever “Country Night” at Alliant Energy Field featuring a post-game concert by Levi Fraley. First things first, right-hander Forrest Snow looks to make sweet music on the mound as he starts for the 13th time this season, the first time against the Hot Rods and a Tampa Bay Rays affiliate. Snow pitched 8.0 innings of one-run baseball his last time out in a win at Lake County and is 2-7 despite a solid 3.77 ERA and a team-high seven quality starts.
More on Snow and company in tonight’s Game Notes: 6.11.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
Bowling Green Hot Rods (34-28): Cody Rogers/RF, Hector Guevara/2B, Phil Wunderlich/1B, Julio Cedeno/DH, Derek Dietrich/SS, Robby Price/3B, Nick Schwaner/LF, Luke Bailey/C, Kevin Kiermaier/CF, C.J. Riefenhauser/LHP
LumberKings (21-41): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/LF, Tim Morris/1B, Stefen Romero/DH, Jabari Blash/RF, Steven Baron/C, Carlos Ramirez/3B, Robbie Anston/CF, Anthony Phillips/SS, Forrest Snow/RHP
First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM, join me for the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Today’s Interview: James Paxton (Vol. 2)
I’m forced to keep it brief today with a 1:00 PM eastern time start closing in fast as the LumberKings finish off the series and road trip today in Lake County. The LumberKings beat the Captains 7-2 last night behind a two-homer night from Mickey Wiswall (listen: Wiswall 2-R HR to Center, 2nd of game (#5) 6.4.11), another homer from Kalian Sams (listen: Sams 2-R HR (#7) 6.4.11) and five scoreless innings from left-hander James Paxton (listen: Paxton Strikes Out Gallas 6.4.11).
Paxton, just announced two days ago as Clinton’s lone All-Star representative, is 2-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 48 strikeouts over his last six outings dating back to his debut loss vs. Peoria. He’s most deserving of the All-Star nod as he’s now 2-2 with a 2.11 ERA over his first seven starts as a pro. “K-Pax” weighs in on last night’s outing including his hammer curveball that was the key to nine strikeouts, his thoughts on the All-Star selection and more.
Listen Here: Paxton Interview 6.5.11
Today’s Game Notes: 6.5.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (18-39): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/LF, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Stefen Romero/3B, Steven Baron/C, Matt Browning/DH, Robbie Anston/CF, Anthony Phillips/SS, Forrest Snow/RHP
Lake County Captains (26-30): LeVon Washington/CF, Carlos Moncrief/RF, Giovanny Urshela/3B, Anthony Gallas/LF, Alex Monsalve/DH, Jesus Aguilar/1B, Alex Lavisky/C, Argenis Martinez/2B, Ronny Rodriguez/SS, Cole Cook/RHP
Forrest Snow starts for the 12th time today in search of some elusive run support and his second win. Last time the Snowman pitched at Classic Park, he was getting the win in relief of Game 4 of the MWLCS, sending us to a decisive Game 5. Today, he’ll be looking to secure Clinton’s second-straight series victory and a 5-1 road trip.
First pitch is at 12:00 PM central time, join me for the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Tonight’s Interview: Mickey Wiswall
Two-out magic was the name of the game last night for the LumberKings as they plated all six of their runs with two away to beat the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 6-4 at Parkview Field. Kalian Sams started the trend with a two-out double scoring Tim Morris in the first inning, then scoring on a base hit by Stefen Romero. Mickey Wiswall belted an opposite-field two-run homer with two gone in the fifth for a 4-3 lead, and Romero snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-out double to left scoring Sams in the eighth (listen: Romero RBI double 6.1.11). As a result of the clutch hits (Kings were 4-for-9 with RISP), Clinton has won back-to-back games for just the third time all season.
Wiswall’s blast didn’t win it (listen: Wiswall 2-R HR (#3) 6.1.11), but it shifted momentum back in the LumberKings’ favor. You could say that momentum is back with Wiswall as well after a dismal April. The Mariners’ 2010 seventh-round pick hit a solid .265 with 15 RBI in May and is 1-for-5 with a HR and two RBI so far in June.
Today, I catch up with the 2010 playoff hero on the pregame interview. We talk about his rare opposite-field homer from last night, working with hitting coach Terry Pollreisz after the slow start, baseball being “fun again” for these LumberKings lately, his newfound role as the #2 hitter in Eddie Menchaca’s lineup, teaming up with fellow Boston College alum Robbie Anston, his thoughts on a very successful 2010 season, his Stanley Cup Finals rivalry with Jon Hesketh and James Paxton (Mickey is a Boston Bruins fan) and more.
Listen Here: Wiswall Interview 6.2.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.2.11 kingsnotes
Daily Roster Move: NONE!
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (16-38): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Kevin Rivers/LF, Steven Baron/C, Jabari Blash/CF, Matt Browning/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, Edlando Seco/LHP
Fort Wayne TinCaps (23-29): Rico Noel/CF, Rymer Liriano/RF, Luis Domoromo/LF, Jake Blackwood/3B, Tommy Medica/1B, Jose Dore/DH, Cole Tyrell/C, Pat McKenna/2B, B.J. Guinn/SS, Matt Branham/RHP
The LumberKings have not swept a series of any kind this season, but they’re poised for a shot tonight in Fort Wayne. Join me for the broadcast beginning at approximately 5:45 PM central time on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Tonight’s Interview: Shaver Hansen
It was a character-building win for the LumberKings yesterday in Peoria as they overcame 3-1 and 4-3 deficits over the eighth and ninth innings to beat the Chiefs, 5-4 in 14 innings. Shaver Hansen (pictured left) went a career-best 4-for-6 with a two-run homer that tied the game in the eighth, and Ramon Morla doubled to score Mickey Wiswall to tie the game again in the ninth.
Finally in the top of the 14th, two walks and Wiswall’s infield single loaded the bases against Chiefs’ right-hander Bryce Shafer. With two outs, Steven Baron worked the count to 3-2 and took a pitch high from Shafer for a go-ahead bases-loaded walk. The relief work of right-handers Jandy Sena (3.0 scoreless innings for the win) and Willy Kesler (scoreless bottom of the 14th for the save) helped make Baron’s team-leading 12th RBI stand up.
Yesterday’s Highlights:
Tonight, I catch up with Hansen, Seattle’s sixth-round pick out of Baylor University in 2009 and a third-year member of the LumberKings. We talk about yesterday’s monster effort, his thoughts on stint #3 in the black and green, shaking off an 0-for-14 start at the plate, his growth as a player in the last three seasons and more.
Listen Here: Hansen Interview 5.7.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 5.7.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
Burlington Bees (20-7): Tyreace House/CF, Royce Consigli/RF, Nino Leyja/2B, Jose River/DH, Yordy Cabrera/SS, Josh Whitaker/1B, Douglas Landaeta/LF, Ryan Pineda/3B, John Nester/C, Tyler Vail/RHP
LumberKings (9-20): Julio Morban/CF, Shaver Hansen/2B, Tim Morris/1B, Stefen Romero/LF, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Ramon Morla/3B, Jabari Blash/RF, Steven Baron/C, Carlos Ramirez/SS, Brandon Maurer/RHP
First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM, listen online at 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Friday Notes (5/6)
After an 8:00 alarm, a couple of blueberry muffins from the continental breakfast and an 8:45 bus ride to O’Brien Field I’m about set for day baseball here in Peoria. The LumberKings and Chiefs close up a three-game series starting at 11:00 AM.
In case you missed it, Mariners’ 2010 first-round pick, right-hander Taijuan Walker made his first professional start in his LumberKings’ debut last night. He looked rocky at the onset, giving up four runs on six hits over the first two innings, but found command of his fastball and curveball over his final two innings to finish with a respectable line. Walker went 4.0 frames, allowed the four runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out five. He also turned a fantastic 1-6-3 double play to get himself out of what could have been an even nastier first inning.
Left-hander Edlando Seco also pitched well, striking out five of the nine he faced over 3.0 scoreless innings (I took to calling the evening “Seco De Mayo” during the effort). Right-hander Tyler Burgoon turned ina scoreless eighth.
Highlights:
You’ll notice no offensive highlights from last night. The Kings did score once against left-hander Eric Jokisch as Stefen Romero doubled and scored on a single by Mickey Wiswall, but way too many offensive chances slipped through their grasp again as Clinton went 1-for-7 as a club with RISP. The Chiefs aren’t exactly lighting it up offensively in this series either (with a combined 7 runs in 2 games), but they are now outscoring the LumberKings 38-7 over five meetings and are not surprisingly 5-0 as a result.
Today’s Game Notes: 5.6.11 kingsnotes
There’s not one element to single out right now about this 8-20 club, but if they’re going to avoid the sweep today, they’ll need a second-straight solid outing out of right-hander George Mieses and they’ll need to score him some runs. Mieses went 5.0 innings and won up in Wisconsin his last time out, but even then received just two runs of support. Should the Kings get to left-hander Austin Kirk early, I like their chances today.
Today’s Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (8-20): Julio Morban/CF, Shaver Hansen/2B, Tim Morris/1B, Stefen Romero/LF, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Ramon Morla/3B, Jabari Blash/RF, Marcus Littlewood/SS, Steven Baron/C, George Mieses/RHP
Peoria Chiefs (14-13): Matt Szczur/RF, Elliot Soto/2B, Rubi Silva/CF, Richard Jones/1B, Smaily Borges/DH, Sergio Burruel/C, Arismendy Alcantara/SS, D.J. Fitzgerald/LF, Anthony Giansanti/3B, Austin Kirk/LHP
First pitch is at 11:00 AM, listen online at 1390kcln.com.
-DL
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