Rattlers Go Extra Mile for Win In Peoria
April 24, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
PEORIA, IL - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the top of the eleventh inning on Sunday afternoon at Dozer Park to defeat the Peoria Chiefs 5-1 and make sure an outstanding pitching performance by Jordan Yamamoto wasn't wasted. David Denson drove in the go-ahead run and Jake Gatewood added a two-run double in the decisive inning to allow the Rattlers to get out of Peoria with a split in the four-game series between the teams.
Wisconsin (7-11) scored first for the first time in the series with a run in the second inning. Gatewood doubled with one out. Luis Aviles drove in Gatewood with a single to right and the Rattlers were up 1-0.
The Chiefs (9-8) tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. RJ Dennard singled to start the inning. Jose Godoy drove in Dennard with a one-out double.
That was it for the offenses against the starting pitchers.
Yamamoto pitched seven innings, allowed four hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out eight. The eight strikeouts is a new single-game high as a professional for Yamamoto.
Peoria starter Brennan Leitao went eight innings, pitched around six hits and a walk, and struck out eight.
Wisconsin knocked on the door often before the eleventh as they put the leadoff man on in the first, third, sixth, seventh, and tenth innings, but could not push a run over the plate.
The Chiefs offense was robbed of at least a run in the eighth inning on a stellar defensive play by Mitch Ghelfi, who was playing his first game as a pro at first base. Peoria had runners at first and second with two outs against reliever David Burkhalter when Eli Alvarez smacked a hard grounder down the line at first. Ghelfi made a diving back-handed grab near the line and raced to first to beat Alvarez for the final out.
Burkhalter also escaped in the tenth inning. RJ Dennard doubled to center on a misplayed fly ball to start the frame and pinch-runner Thomas Spitz took third on a flyout to right-center. Burkhalter walked the next batter intentionally and the strategy paid off as he got Vaugh Bryan to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Ghelfi started the game-winning rally in the top of the eleventh with a single against reliever Landon Beck. Max McDowell smacked a perfect hit-and-run single to right center to send Ghelfi around to third base. Lefty Sasha Kuebel came out of the bullpen to face the left-handed Denson. Denson smacked a clean single through the drawn-in infield to score Ghelfi and put the Rattlers up 2-1.
A sacrifice bunt by Elvis Rubio moved the runner up to second and third. Then, Gatewood pulled a double down the third base line to score a pair of runs and the Rattlers were up by three. An error later in the inning allowed Gatewood to score the final run of the inning.
Nate Greip took over for Burkhalter in the bottom of the eleventh. He walked the first batter on four pitches, but retired the next three hitters without incident to close out the game and give the Rattlers a two-game winning streak.
The Timber Rattlers are off on Monday before returning to action on Tuesday at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium with a game against the Great Lakes Loons. Jon Perrin (1-0, 2.60) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Loons have Nolan Long (1-1, 4.50) scheduled as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm.
Tuesday is a 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.
Tuesday's game kicks off a six-game homestand for the Timber Rattlers. Click this link to see the giveaways, special appearances, and promotions planned for fans from April 26 through May 1.
If you can't make it out to the stadium on Tuesday night, the radio broadcast is on 1280 AM, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm. The game is also available on the internet through IHeartRadio, TuneIn, and MiLB.TV.
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