MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

McMahan blasts game-winning homer in tenth for Rattlers

Published on July 18, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - Ben McMahan drilled a two-out solo home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to propel the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 5-4 win over the Great Lakes Loons Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. McMahan also drove in the tying run with a double as Wisconsin started a six-game homestand with their ninth 'walkoff' win of the season.

Nick Ramirez put the Rattlers (57-37 overall, 13-12 second half) on the board in the first inning. The slugging first baseman cracked a two-run homer that landed on the beach beyond the wall in right-center for a 2-0 lead. The homer was the tenth of the season for Ramirez.

But, the Loons (45-50, 11-14) rallied back with two runs in the second and two more in the third off Rattlers starting pitcher Chad Thompson. Pedro Guerrero tied the game with a two-out, two-run double in the second. Joe Winker put Great Lakes in front with a one out triple to drive in a run in the third. A single by O'Koyea Dickson made it 4-2.

Wisconsin went to the bullpen in the fourth inning and Jacob Barnes responded to the call. The right-hander scattered six hits and struck out six over 6-1/3 innings to keep the Loons at four runs.

Cameron Garfield brought the Rattlers to within a run with a leadoff home run in the fourth inning.

There were two outs and none on for Wisconsin in the bottom of the sixth when Ramirez drew a walk and Greg Hopkins singled. McMahan tied the game by pulling a 1-0 pitch inside the third base bag for a double into the left field corner to score Ramirez with the tying run.

Barnes left the game after getting Darnell Sweeney to bunt foul with two strikes with a runner at first in the top of the tenth. Lefty Stephen Peterson replaced Barnes and retired the next two Great Lakes batters - both left-handed hitters - to set the stage for McMahan in the bottom of the tenth.

Matt Shelton, the fifth Loons pitcher of the night, retired the first two batters in the bottom of the tenth. Then, McMahan jumped on the first pitch of his at bat against Shelton and lined it over the wall in left-center for his eighth home run of the season.

The blast was the third 'walkoff' home run of the season for the Timber Rattlers.

Game two of the series is Thursday night. Matt Miller (7-6, 4.29) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Loons have Greg Wilborn as their starter and he will make his first Midwest League start. Game time is 7:05pm.

There is a lot going on at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Thursday night. Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy is scheduled to make the first of four appearances on a rehabilitation assignment for the Timber Rattlers.

Thursday is Knights Jewelry Ladies Night. The first 500 ladies to attend the game will receive a gift bag including a nail file, special offers and candy compliments of Vande Walle's Candies. Ladies Night will also feature wine tasting, massages and salon/spa offers. The evening will wrap up with a diamond dig where a select number of ladies will compete to find a half-carat diamond in the sand beach area.

All fans can enjoy 16oz soda and beer for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Slugger's Sports Bar! After the game, those in attendance can take their ticket stub to Sluggers Sports Bar - located in Super Bowl on Northland Avenue - to win Miller Lite drinks and prizes.

If you can't make it to the ballpark there are many ways to follow the action. Time Warner Cable subscribers can watch the broadcast on Sports32. The radio call is on AM1280, WNAM and timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Fans with subscriptions to MiLB.TV can watch the internet video of the game.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from July 18, 2012


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