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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Miss Opportunities

May 24, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GENEVA, IL -- The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers saw their three game winning streak end on a long, strange night at Elfstrom Stadium in an 8-4 loss to the Kane County Cougars. Wisconsin left eleven runners on base, had two runners caught stealing, and had two more runners picked off first base in the game. The game was also marked by two delays because of power outages and rain. Four Cougar batters drove in two runs each and Henry Rodriguez pitched five shutout innings for the win.

The Cougars (12-33) scored three unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning. Greg Dowling reached on a two out error. Rattler starting pitcher Tony Butler walked the next batter. Then, Alex Valdez cranked an RBI double to left. Larry Cobb was next and his two-run single made it 3-0 Kane County.

Haas Pratt hit a two run homer in the bottom of the third inning and the Cougars had a 5-0 lead.

Wisconsin (14-30) had plenty of chances. But, they either ran themselves out of innings or could not come up with a base hit. Rodriguez walked four and allowed two hits, but struck out five over five innings.

The sixth inning was one of the stranger innings during an odd 2007 season for both teams. In the top of the inning, Wisconsin had runners at first and third with two outs. Then, Carlos Triunfel was picked off first base for the second time in the game to end the inning.

Wisconsin failed to turn an inning ending double play and Kane County added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth. Mike Massaro beat a throw home after first baseman Gerardo Avila fielded a grounder with the infield in on the grass. An infield single by Alex Valdez put Kane County up 7-0. Just before Larry Cobb stepped to the plate, there was a partial power outage that knocked out half the lights in the stadium. That led to a twenty minute delay. When play resumed, Cobb made the final out of the inning.

The Rattler bats got going thanks to a wild streak by reliever Trevor Cahill. He gave up a walk, a single, and a walk to the first three batters of the seventh inning. Alex Meneses hit a sacrifice fly to drive in the first Rattler run of the night. Later in the inning, Kuo Hui Lo drew a bases loaded walk to force in a run. Triunfel's two-run single to right got the Rattlers to within 7-4 and brought the tying run to the plate. But, TJ Franco got out of the inning.

In the eighth inning, with a slight drizzle turning into a steady rain, Wisconsin loaded the bases against Franco. Meneses drew a two-out walk to put a Rattler on every base. Cougar closer Scott Moore relieved Franco at that point and got out Greg Halman to pop out to end the frame.

Half the lights went out again in the bottom of the eighth as Rattler pitcher Rob Harmon threw an 0-2 pitch to Massaro. Just as the lights were coming back on at full strength, the Kane County grounds crew put the tarp on the field. Within two minutes of the tarp being placed on the field, the decision was made to take the tarp off the field. Before the tarp could be taken off again, the rain started falling a bit harder. The game was delayed for another 55 minutes.

When play resumed, Joe Kantakevich took over for Harmon. Kantakevich issued a one out walk to Michael Affronti, but appeared to have picked him off first. But, Kantakevich was called for a balk and Affronti was advanced to second. Dowling doubled down the first base line and Affronti scored.

Branden Dewing entered in the top of the ninth and gave up a lead off single to Lo and a one out single to Avila. But, Dewing got the next two outs to end the game.

The Rattlers continue their road trip and begin a series in Peoria on Friday night. Steve Richard (0-1, 4.05) is slated to start for Wisconsin. The Chiefs will send Alex Maestri (3-1, 2.28) to the mound. Game time at O'Brien Field is 6:30pm.

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