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Big Crowd Sees Bush and Rattlers Win

July 10, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1) - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI -- A crowd of over 5,400 were on hand at Time Warner Cable Field to see Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dave Bush make a rehab start for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on his way back to the big leagues. They got to see that and a Rattlers 5-2 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps on Friday night. Brett Lawrie homered to break a 1-1 tie and give the Rattlers a lead they would not relinquish.

Wisconsin (43-41 overall, 9-5 second half) scored a first inning run without the benefit of a hit. West Michigan starter Brandon Hamilton walked Juan Sanchez to start the inning. Lorenzo Cain drew a one out walk and Corey Kemp was issued a two-out free pass to load the bases. Brock Kjeldgaard drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to force in the go ahead run.

Sanchez saved a run in the top of the fourth inning. Brent Wyatt tried to score from second on a single to right by Billy Nowlin, but the throw from Sanchez to catcher Martin Maldonado at the plate was in time for the out.

But, the Whitecaps (52-33 overall, 9-6 second half) tied the game against Bush in the top of the fifth inning. Ben Guez reached on an error to start the frame. A two out single by Angel Flores sent Guez home with the tying run. Cody Adams relieved Bush and got the final out of the frame.

Bush allowed one unearned run over 4-2/3 innings. He gave up four hits, did not walk a batter, struck out five, and wrapped up his night just under his pitch limit of 55.

The game did not stay tied long. Lawrie lined his ninth homer of the season over the left field wall with two outs in the bottom of the fifth against reliever Victor Larez. The homer was Lawrie's first since June 5 and gave the Rattlers a 2-1 lead.

Wisconsin added to their lead in the sixth inning. Maldonado scored from second when the Whitecaps shortstop Gustavo Nunez threw wildly to first on an attempt at an inning ending double play.

Guez homered off Adams in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to one run, but Wisconsin answered again in the bottom of the inning. The West Michigan defense gave a little help.

Sanchez was at second base with two outs and Lawrie sent a grounder to the hole at short. Nunez kicked the ball into the Timber Rattlers bullpen and Sanchez scored. Then, Nunez just left the ball in the bullpen and returned to his defensive thinking the play was dead. Lawrie kept running and didn't stop until he had scored to put the Rattlers up 5-2.

West Michigan had one last chance as they loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the eighth inning against Adams. Brandon Ritchie relieved Adams and got out of the jam in style. He struck out Jordan Lennerton and got Guez to ground into a nifty 4-3 double play turned by Lawrie at second.

Ritchie pitched a scoreless ninth and picked up his first save as a Rattler. He recorded the final out of the game with a strikeout as 5,433, the second biggest home crowd of the season stood and cheered.

Wisconsin finished the season series against the Whitecaps 5-1. West Michigan qualified for the Midwest League playoffs as the wild card in the Eastern Division and has the second best record in the league.

The Timber Rattlers welcome the South Bend Silver Hawks to town for the start of a three game series on Saturday night. Evan Frederickson (3-4, 4.55) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Silver Hawks have Randy Rodriguez (1-7, 5.40) set to start. Game time is 6:35pm.


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Midwest League Stories from July 10, 2009


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