June 15, 2007
Game time is 7:00 p.m. (CDT)
Audio Broadcasts of today's game at www.railcatsbaseball.com or www.sportsjuice.com Scoring updates at www.northernleague.com
Gary RH Jim Paduch (3-0, 3.77) vs. Kansas City RH Chris Krawczyk (0-0, 2.59)
Today's Game: The RailCats look for their seventh consecutive victory and club record-breaking 10th straight home win tonight as they host the T-Bones in the first of a three game set. Season Series: Kansas City 3, Gary 0 (all in Kansas City).
Tonight's promotion: Post-game fireworks, sponsored by Krazy Kaplans and the Post-Tribune.
Standings: The RailCats are in first place with a nine game lead in the South Division with 22 games to play in the first half.
Last Game: Thursday: Josh Habel tossed his first career shutout, a five hitter as he struck out five and walked no one while allowing only one runner past second base. Steve Haake had a two-run single in the first inning and Tanner Townsend added an RBI double in the fifth. Nate Price had three hits and a stolen base.
Today's Gary Starting Pitcher: Jim Paduch began the season in the RailCats bullen before moving into Travis Kerber's spot in the starting rotation after Kerber went on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. He is 2-0, 4.33 in five starts. Paduch played four seasons in the Cincinnati Reds organization from 2003-'06. He was the Reds Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2003 after going 7-1, 1.94 in 15 starts with Billings. He also threw a no-hitter in the championship-clinching game of the Pioneer League playoffs. Paduch played college baseball at Concordia University Chicago.
Individual Notes: Relief pitcher Chad Blackwell is 3-0 with one save over his last seven outings, throwing 10.2 scoreless innings…Tanner Townsend has hit in nine straight games, batting .382 during the hitting streak…Jermaine Allensworth has hit in six straight (.391)…Dale Mueller is batting .409 over his last 14 games.
Leaderboard: Dale Mueller is fourth in the Northern League in batting average (.354) while Jermaine Allensworth is sixth (.348), Jay Pecci is eighth (.343) and Tanner Townsend is 10th (.333)…Townsend leads the league in doubles (11) and is second in extra base hits (14)…Pecci is first in triples (4) and Steve Haake is second in the league (3)…On the mound, Willie Glen and Chad Blackwell are two of five Northern League pitchers tied for the league lead in wins with four…Tony Cogan leads the league in saves (8)…Glen is eighth in ERA (3.43) and Jim Paduch is ninth (3.77)…Glen leads the league in strikeouts with 45, 11 more than anyone else…Glen also leads the league in innings pitched while Josh Habel is second….Habel is one of four pitchers in the league to have a shutout…The RailCats are second in team batting at .301, third in runs scored, first in stolen bases, and last (eighth) in home runs…The RailCats are second in team ERA (4.27) and have allowed the fewest hits in the league while their pitchers lead the league in strikeouts.
Team Misc. Notes
The RailCats have won six straight overall and nine straight at home (matching club record at home).
The RailCats are 13-2 at home this season and 21-2 at home over the last 23 regular season games dating back to 2006.
13 of the RailCats 26 games have been one-run games. They are 10-3 in those games.
The RailCats have come from behind in 12 of their 20 wins. They have won six games when trailing after six innings.
RailCats pitchers posted a 1.58 ERA in the last six games after allowing 19 runs last Thursday in Kansas City.
RailCats relievers have allowed only one run in 14 innings during the last six games.
RailCats starting pitchers have allowed one run or less in four of the last six games, posting a 1.88 ERA in those games.
The RailCats bullpen is a combined 10-2 with nine saves in 11 save opportunities.
STREAKS/NOTES
Allensworth Has hit in six straight: 9 for 23, .391. 342 MLB games with KC, NYM, PITTS.
Blakeley Former Indiana Univ. and Mariners prospect made '07 debut Thurs.
Detienne Last 8 G: 5 for 26, .192. Spent 7 yrs. in Dodgers, Mets systems.
Haake Last 18 G: 24 for 73, .329. RailCats career leader in hits, 2B, RBI, SB.
McNamee Last 3 G: 0 for 11. Hit .264 in 117 games with 'Cats 2005-06.
Mueller Last 15: 18 for 44, .409. Spent last season with Evansville (.245-1-24).
Pecci Last 24 G: 34-95, .358. Has 11 multi-hit games among first 26.
Price Has snapped 1 for 16 slump with 4 for 6 last two nights.
Reese Last 9 G: 8 for 25, .320. Hit .306 in three years in the Frontier League.
Townsend Has hit in nine straight: 13 for 34, .382. Only RailCat to play every inning of '07.
Wallace Has four starts. Made club with impressive spring out of West Chester U.
Yepez Last 7 G: 5 for 29, .172.
Upcoming Probable Pitchers (All game times are Gary time; all statistics are from 2007)
Saturday (6:00 p.m.): Gary RH Steve Obenchain (1-0, 2.51) vs. Kansas City RH Kenny Durost (2-0, 4.11)
Sunday (2:00 p.m.): Gary RH Willie Glen (4-0, 3.43) vs. Kansas City TBA