Top Five games of Asdrubal Cabrera as a Rattler

For the next few weeks, Top Five Tuesday is going to take a look at the best games of Timber Rattlers players who are going to be bobbleheads for the 2014 season. 

Cleveland Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was the second baseman for the Timber Rattlers during the first half of the 2005 season and he is part of the 2014 Bobblehead Series. The date of the Asdrubal Cabrera Bobblehead is Tuesday, July 29. 

Cabrera was the Opening Night starter at second for the Timber Rattlers on April 7, 2005 and was 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored, and a walk. But, he was replaced by a pinch runner after his eighth inning double that night. He missed almost three weeks as didn't get back into the lineup until April 26.

Cabrera didn't play like he missed a lot of time when got back in the lineup. He played a total of 51 games with a slashline of .318/.407/.474, committed just four errors, and would be promoted up the Seattle organizational ladder after playing in the Midwest League All-Star Game at Peoria. 

Cabrera came off the bench in that All-Star Game and went 1-for-3 with an RBI for the West. Peoria's Eric Patterson was voted in as the starter for that contest.

Here is a look at Cabrera's Top Five Games as a Timber Rattler.

5.) June 15 at Clinton LumberKings; 1-for-4, two runs, home run, 4 RBI

Cabrera was hitting third in the order by this point of the season and he stepped to the plate in the first inning with runners at first and third with no outs. He launched his fourth home run of the season and the Rattlers were up 3-0. He came up with the bases loaded in the second inning and was hit by a pitch to force in a run. He scored moments later on a three-run double by Rob Johnson and the Rattlers were on the way to a 17-5 win over the LumberKings. Cabrera would walk in the third and be retired in his final three plate appearances.

4.) June 10 vs. Cedar Rapids Kernels; 3-for-5, double, run, double, 2 RBI

In the first inning, Yung Chi Chen doubled with one out. Cabrera followed with an RBI double. In the third, Cabrera led off the frame with a single. He went first to third on a single by Rob Johnson and scored on sacrifice fly by Mike Wilson. Cabrera singled in the fourth to be 3-for-3 in his first three plate appearances. After a flyout in the sixth, Cabrera came up in the seventh and knocked in Sebastien Bouche with a grounder to second.

3.) May 17 at Lansing Lugnuts; 3-for-4, three runs, two walks

Cabrera was batting fifth in the order in this game. He led off the second inning with a single and scored his first run of the game when Marshall Hubbard sent him home with a home run. In the fourth, Cabrera started the inning with a single again. This time, Brent Johnson drove in Cabrera and the Rattlers were up 8-1. Cabrera got another plate appearance in the fourth inning with runners at first and second. He drew a walk. In the sixth, Cabrera batted with one out and none on base. He singled and scored on a single by Hubbard. In the seventh, Cabrera went down looking at strike three. In the ninth, Cabrera drew another walk to reach base for the fifth time in the game.

2.) June 13 at Clinton LumberKings; 3-for-5, triple, runs, 2 RBI

The Rattlers had two runners on and no outs in the top of the first at Clinton. Cabrera tripled to knock in both runners. He scored in the inning on a single by Rob Johnson. Cabrera singled in the third and was retired in his next two at bats. He collected his third hit of the game with a ninth inning single. The Rattlers had a 4-3 lead going to the bottom of the ninth inning. Clinton got the leadoff batter on base and sacrificed him into scoring position. The next two batters grounded out to the sure-handed Cabrera to end the game.

1.) May 1 at South Bend Silver Hawks; 3-for-5, double, 3 RBI

Another first inning hit for Cabrera. This one was a single. Cabrera had 38 first inning plate appearances in his 51 games with the Timber Rattlers. He had ten hits, five walks, and a sacrifice fly. In the second inning, Cabrera was batting with the bases loaded and two outs with the game tied 1-1. Cabrera doubled to drive in all three runners. Cabrera had just five plate appearances with the bases loaded for the Rattlers that season. He was 2-for-3 with a walk, a hit batsman, and seven RBI…I know, small sample size.

Cabrera singled in the fifth inning for another three-hit game, but was retired in his final two at bats.