Diaz, Orta Carry Rattlers
June 24, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
GRAND CHUTE, WI -- Juan Diaz had three hits and drove in three runs to support a strong start by Ricky Orta as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Swing of the Quad Cities 6-5 Sunday afternoon. Orta allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits and did not walk a batter as he picked up his second win of the season. The Rattlers held a 6-3 lead going into the top of the ninth and held on for their second straight home victory.
Wisconsin (24-48 overall, 2-2 second half) scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning. A two out error allowed Wisconsin to load the bases. Calvin Beamon forced in a run by drawing a walk. Then, Diaz smacked a single into center to drive in two runs for a 3-0 advantage.
Jamie McOwen made his first hit as a Timber Rattler count. The 6th round pick of the Mariners in the 2007 draft singled in a run in the bottom of the third with two outs for a 4-0 lead.
Jared Schweitzer led off the top of the fifth inning with a home run to get Quad Cities on the board. Later in the inning, an RBI single by Donovan Solano drove in another run for the Swing.
A two-out RBI single by Gavin Dickey in the Rattler half of the fifth got the Rattlers a 5-2 lead.
Quad Cities crept back to within a pair of runs in the top of the sixth. Daryl Jones tripled to start the inning and scored on an RBI grounder by Chris Grossman. But, Orta would strikeout the next two batters to finish off his outing with a flourish. Orta worked six innings and struck out six before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Rattler reliever Eddy Fernandez worked two perfect innings. Then, Diaz doubled in a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to put Wisconsin up 6-3. The Rattlers needed that run.
Joe Kantakevich entered the game out of the Rattler bullpen and got the first out in the top of the ninth inning, but gave up a single and a double to put runners on second and third. A wild pitch allowed a run to score. Then, an RBI grounder by Christian Reyes plated another Swing run to make the score 6-5. Kantakevich got a strikeout to record the final out of the game for his second save of the season.
The Rattlers have won two straight home games for just the second time this season. The last time they won two straight on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium was May 21 and 22.
The Rattlers begin an eight game road trip to Peoria and Quad Cities on Monday. The first game of the trip is against the Peoria Chiefs at O'Brien Field. Justin Souza (2-2, 3.75) is the scheduled starter for the Timber Rattlers. Marco Carillo (1-2, 4.18) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:00pm.
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Midwest League Stories from June 24, 2007
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