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 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Kernels continue hold over the Rattlers in 6-5 win

July 23, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Cedar Rapids Kernels defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6-5 on Thursday night at Perfect Game Field. The Kernels have won fourteen of the fifteen meetings between the Midwest League clubs this season. Wisconsin had a pair two-run leads in the game, but could not hang onto either advantage.

Greg McCall put Wisconsin (31-66 overall, 8-19 second half) in front in the first inning. The Wisconsin catcher lined a two-out double to left-center to drive in Alan Sharkey and Elvis Rubio for a 2-0 lead.

The Kernels (57-41, 16-12) took the lead in the bottom of the third. Rattlers starting pitcher Eric Hanhold hit Tanner English to start the inning. English stole second and scored on an single by Nick Gordon. Hanhold got the first out of the inning on a strikeout, but Zack Larson tripled to drive in Gordon and tie the game. Cedar Rapids went in front on a sacrifice fly by Rafael Valera.

The Timber Rattlers responded with a two-out rally in the top of the fourth against Kernels starter Zack Tillery. Luis Aviles started the charge with a double. Gregory Munoz cracked a single to center and Aviles scored on the play while Munoz took second on the throw to the plate. Blake Allemand was next and his single to center scored Munoz with the go-ahead run. Sharkey kept the rally going with a triple into the corner in right and Allemand scored for a 5-3 lead.

Cedar Rapids came back in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game against reliever Luke Curtis. English hit a home run to left to lead off the inning and Wisconsin's lead was down to a run. Curtis got the next two outs, but hit Zack Larson. A wild pitch put Larson in scoring position. Then, Valera drove in Larson with a single and the game was even.

Devin Williams, who took over for Curtis in the bottom of the sixth, got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh. Gordon drew a walk to start the frame. Daniel Corcino followed with a double to put runners on second and third with no outs. Williams got the first out with a strikeout. The, the Rattlers elected to intentionally walk Valera to load the bases and set up a double play. The strategy was foiled when Williams grazed Pat Kelly on a 1-2 pitch to force in Gordon with the run to give the Kernels a 6-5 lead.

Williams would retire the next two batters, but the damage had been done.

Wisconsin couldn't muster a threat to score the tying run in the final three innings and they fell to once again to the Kernels.

The Timber Rattlers return home to take on the Clinton LumberKings in the first game of a three-game series on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Luis Ortega (1-7, 5.14) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Tyler Herb (4-7, 4.70) is set to start for the LumberKings, who were no-hit by the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night. The LumberKings have also lost thirteen of their last fourteen games and are 6-22 in the second half. Game time is 7:05pm.

Calling all crime fighters! Batman and The Flash are bringing together the Justice League in the Fox Communities Credit Union Fox Club before Friday's game. Contact the Timber Rattlers Box Office to learn how you can meet The Dark Knight and The Fastest Man Alive. They will be around during the game to meet fans and pose for pictures, too. The first 1,000 children 12 & under to attend the game will receive a cape from Neuroscience Group. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the postgame Fireworks display on this North Shore Bank/Y100 Family Night.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action.

MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio. Subscribers to MiLB.TV may watch the game on that platform.


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Midwest League Stories from July 23, 2015


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