Rattlers End Kernels Win Streak
June 5, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
GRAND CHUTE, WI - Dan Merklinger returned to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers just in time. The lefty out of Seton Hall made his first start since April 17 a very good one as he tossed six shutout innings to help the Rattlers defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 5-2 Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Brett Lawrie and Michael Vass both homered for the Rattler offense. The Wisconsin win ended the Kernels winning streak at 13 games.
Lawrie, who had been named to the Western Division All-Star squad for the 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game earlier on Friday, lined a two-run homer to right in the bottom of the first inning to give the Rattlers a 2-0 lead. Vass extended the lead with a solo homer in the second inning.
Corey Kemp, another Rattler All-Star in 2009, doubled to start the Rattler fourth. Brock Kjeldgaard followed with an RBI double for a 4-0 advantage.
Merklinger, who went on the disabled list after a start at Clinton on April 17, struck out six, allowed four hits, and kept the Kernels off the scoreboard over six innings.
Juan Sanchez padded the Rattler lead to 5-0 with an RBI double in the seventh.
Cedar Rapids (33-21) would not go quietly. A two-out, two-run triple by Matt Crawford off Rattler reliever Rigoberto Almonte cut the Wisconsin run to 5-2. Brandon Ritchie got the final out of the inning to keep the Rattlers in front.
Jim Henderson, the Rattlers All-Star closer, converted his thirteenth save in thirteen opportunities by pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He punctuated the end of the Kernels winning streak by striking out the final two batters of the game.
The Timber Rattlers continue their 12-game homestand on Saturday night when they begin a series with the Beloit Snappers. Daniel Meadows (8-1, 3.62) gets the start for Wisconsin. Daniel Berlind (1-5, 4.08) is the scheduled starter for the Snappers. Game time is 6:35pm.
Saturday is Star Wars Night at Time Warner Cable Field. Timber Rattler players and coaches will be wearing jerseys based on the science fiction classic. Fans may bid on the jerseys during the game and the proceeds from the auction go to Make-A-Wish Foundation Wisconsin.
Characters from the movie will be available for pictures before and during the game. Fans are encouraged to dress in costume and to stick around for the post-game fireworks display.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2009
- Late Lansing Flurry Sends TinCaps to 9-2 Loss - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Bees Allow Two in the Ninth in Loss to Quad Cities - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Squander Late Lead - Kane County Cougars
- Whitecaps Pummeled By Loons - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Lugnuts Explode Late, Trounce TinCaps, 9-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Bandits' All-Star Leads Charge in 7-5 Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Rattlers End Kernels Win Streak - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Chiefs Sweep Series Against Snappers, 5-1 - Peoria Chiefs
- Pedroza's Cycle Highlights 16-4 Loons Win - Great Lakes Loons
- Dayton Wins Game and Series - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Dragons Win Third Straight over South Bend - Dayton Dragons
- Five Rattlers named to 2009 Midwest League All-Star Game - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Kernels put six on MWL All-Star team - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Left Hander Joe Testa Named All-Star - Beloit Sky Carp
- Cutler Named MWL All-Star - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Fairel, Coddington Selected to Play in All-Star Game - Dayton Dragons
- Eight LumberKings Named to 2009 MWL All-Star Game - Clinton LumberKings
- Record Seven Loons Named to All-Star Team - Great Lakes Loons
- LumberKings Team Up with Missouri Department of Tourism - Clinton LumberKings
- First Place Cougars Field Seven All-Star Game Nods - Kane County Cougars
- Four Hawks Named to All-Star Roster - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Long Joins Roster - Dayton Dragons
- Dragons GameDay - Dayton Dragons
- Six Whitecaps Named to MWL All-Star Team - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Rosters Announced for Donald Driver Charity Softball Game - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Four Bees Selected to All-Star Game - Burlington Bees
- Six Chiefs to Represent Peoria in MWL All-Star Game - Peoria Chiefs
- Five TinCaps Named MWL All-Stars - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Lugnuts' Alvarez, Van Kirk Named MWL All-Stars - Lansing Lugnuts
- INF Gabe Jacobo placed on DL - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Midwest League Announces 2009 All-Star Rosters - MWL1
- Kernels cruise into first place with 8-0 win over Wisconsin - Cedar Rapids Kernels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
