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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Aviles Hits Late Homer; Leads Rattlers Past Kane County

May 22, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - Luis Aviles has been red-hot for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and they needed him to continue his hot streak on Sunday afternoon against the Kane County Cougars at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Aviles, who went 3-for-5 in the game, hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to put the Rattlers up to stay in their 7-6 victory over their division rivals.

It wasn't easy, though.

A two-out error by Jake Gatewood with runners at the corners in the top of the first inning allowed the Cougars (21-20) to take a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin (21-22) came back with three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead. Aviles singled to start the inning and stole second base. Mitch Ghelfi lined a double down the line in left with one out to drive in Aviles with the tying run. Ghelfi also extended his current hitting streak to ten games with that double.

Gatewood made up for his first inning error in his first at bat as he blasted a two-out, two-run homer to center and the Rattlers were up 3-1. The round tripper was the seventh of the season for Gatewood.

The Timber Rattlers added to their lead in the fourth inning as Aviles knocked in a run with a two-out single.

Kane County would rally with two runs in the top of the fifth inning against Wisconsin starter David Burkhalter after Jason Morozowski reached on an error. Burkhalter got the first out of the inning, but gave up consecutive RBI triples to Trevor Mitsui and Joe Munoz and the Cougars were within a run. Burkhalter regrouped to get the final two outs of the inning to keep the Rattlers in front.

Wisconsin added a run to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. David Denson's high fly ball to deep center near the wall was lost in the Sun for a double to score Isan Diaz all the way from first base.

But, the defense put Burkhalter in a tough spot again in the top of the sixth. Luis Veras reached on another error to start the inning. Consecutive RBI triples by Joey Armstrong and Sergio Alcantara brought the Cougars back to even. Plus, they had the go-ahead run at third with no outs. Wisconsin called on Scott Grist to relieve Burkhalter at this point.

Grist got the first out with a tapper back to the mound, but a fly ball to left of the bat of Robelys Reyes was deep enough to score Alcantara and Kane County was up 6-5.

Burkhalter allowed six runs, but only two were earned, over five-plus innings of work. He walked none and struck out four in the game, but was on the hook for the loss. He wasn't on the hook for long.

The Rattlers responded in the bottom of the sixth. Troy Stokes, Jr. was drilled by a pitch and took first to start the frame. Aviles launched a line drive over the wall for his first home run of the season and the Rattlers were back in front, 7-6.

Aviles went 3-for-5 with a stolen base, two runs scored, and three RBI on Sunday. He is on a five-game hitting streak and is 12-for-20 (.600) during that streak.

Grist worked a scoreless seventh. But, his scoreless eighth inning was not without incident. Wisconsin's fifth error of the game came with one out in the inning and brought the go-ahead run to the plate. But, the Rattlers defense made the play to get out of the inning by turning a tough 4-6-3 double play.

Nate Griep pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning with a pair of strikeouts to collect his fifth save of the season.

The final game of the series is set for Monday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Devin Williams (0-0, 6.14) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Cody Reed (3-2, 2.13) is set to start for the Cougars. Game time is 12:05pm.

Monday is a weekday afternoon game and that means a bonus Baker Tilly Business Person Special. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $13.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog for the Business Person Special. The offer is also available to senior citizens (55 & older) courtesy of Baker Tilly, WVBO, and AM1280 WNAM.

Monday is also a Qdoba Q*Monday. Purchase an entrée at any Qdoba location in Appleton, Neenah, or Oshkosh for lunch on Monday and receive a ticket to this or any Monday home game during the 2016 season.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there will be several ways to follow the action. Time Warner Cable SportsChannel will televise the game starting at noon. The radio broadcast is on 1280 AM, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 11:45am. The game is also available on the internet through IHeartRadio, TuneIn, and MiLB.TV.

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