MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Hang On to Beat Burlington

Published on June 14, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers edged the Burlington Bees 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Community Field. Brock Kjedlgaard's two-run triple in the top of the sixth inning broke a 2-2 tie. Wily Peralta struck out eight in five innings and picked up his first Midwest League win. Jim Henderson got his sixteenth save of the season, but not without an interesting final out.

Michael Vass gave the Timber Rattlers (31-32) a 1-0 lead with a two-out double in the top of the second.

Burlington (26-37) scored a run in the bottom of the third inning against Peralta. But, it could have been much worse. A bunt single by Patrick Norris with runners at the corners sent the tying run home from third base. A walk to the next batter would load the bases with no outs. Peralta escaped from the jam by striking out the next three hitters.

The Rattler right-hander cruised through the next five batters, but a two out double by Nick Van Stratten in the fifth was followed by an RBI single by Eric Hosmer to give the Bees a 2-1 lead.

Wisconsin rallied in the top of the sixth to take the lead again. Burlington starting pitcher Bryan Casey had two outs and a runner at first with John Delaney at the plate. Casey threw a pair of wild pitches and walked Delaney to put runners at first and third with two outs. Burlington elected to go to the bullpen and bring lefty Blaine Hardy into the game to face left-hand hitting Chris Dennis.

Dennis smacked the first pitch from Hardy into left to drive in the tying run. Kjeldgaard was next and he fell behind Hardy 0-2 in the count. But, Kjeldgaard hammered the next pitch over the head of Norris in center for a two-run triple and a 4-2 lead.

Evan Frederickson relieved Peralta in the bottom of the sixth and allowed a run. Jose Bonilla tripled with one out and scored on an Antonio Jimenez sacrifice fly. That run ended the scoreless streak of Timber Rattler relievers at 21 innings. Juan Rivera was next and he singled but, Frederickson would get the final out of the sixth inning. Frederickson retired the side in order in the seventh and eighth innings to keep the Wisconsin lead at 4-3.

Henderson entered in the bottom of the ninth. He gave up a lead off single to Jimenez. Rivera tried to bunt the tying run into scoring position, but popped the ball up in front of the mound. Henderson made a diving catch and threw to first to double off Jimenez. But, that didn't completely stop the Bees.

Fernando Garcia doubled to right-center to get into scoring position. The speedy Norris was next and he sent a slow grounder to short. The usually slick fielding Michael Marseco hurried his throw and pulled Kjheldgaard off the base and Norris reached. Garcia never stopped and he tried to score on the play. But, Kjeldgaard threw a strike to the plate and catcher Corey Kemp never let Garcia reach the plate until he had tagged him out for the final out of the game.

Henderson is now 16-for-16 in save opportunities this season. He is tied with Brian Stitt for fourth place on the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers single season saves list. Stitt had 16 saves in 2004.

Game two of the series is Monday night. Alex Periard, rated by Baseball America as the #13 prospect in the Milwaukee Brewers organization, will get the start for the Timber Rattlers in his 2009 debut. Burlington will counter with Tim Melville (1-3, 4.5). Melville is rated as the #5 prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization by Baseball America. Game time is 6:30pm.

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Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2009


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