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Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Win Another Close One

July 2, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have won five games in the second half. Four of those wins -- including Thursday's 4-3 win over division rival Clinton -- have been by a single run. Brock Kjeldgaard doubled, homered, and drove in a pair of runs for the Rattlers. Dan Merklinger pitched 6-2/3 solid innings for the win and Nick Tyson got the final four outs for the save.

The LumberKings (43-34 overall, 3-4 second half) scored first. Terry Serrano drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on Daniel Carroll's bunt single. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners up a base. Back-to-back RBI singles by Scott Savastano and Denny Almonte put the LumberKings up 2-0.

Wisconsin (39-38, 5-2) rallied in the fourth and Brett Lawrie started it. The Rattlers second baseman beat out a grounder to short for a one-out single. Corey Kemp was next and he lined a double of the wall in left to knock in Lawrie with the first Rattlers run.

One out later, Kjeldgaard doubled on a 1-2 pitch to send Kemp home with the tying run. Michael Vass put the Rattlers in front with an RBI single to center.

Kjeldgaard struck again in the bottom of the sixth inning with a long homer to left-center. The slugger's twelfth homer of the season came with one out and put the Rattlers in front 4-2. The home run provided the Rattlers with an insurance run they would need.

Merklinger needed a little help to get out of the seventh inning. The Rattlers starting pitcher struck out two in the frame, but had walked one and allowed a two out single. Brandon Ritchie relieved Merklinger and got Savastano to fly out to left to end the inning.

In the eighth the LumberKings got a leadoff walk, a stolen base and a single to put runners on first and third. Ritchie got Steve Moss to ground into a 6-4-3 double play that let the runner from third score. He would leave after a two-out walk and Nick Tyson would enter.

The right-hander allowed a single to the first batter he faced, but got the ground out to end the inning with the Rattlers still leading 4-3.

Tyson got the first two outs of the ninth inning, but allowed a walk and a single to put the tying and lead runs on base. Tyson picked up his third save of the season by getting Jake Shaffer to flyout to right to end the game. Wisconsin's record in games decided by one run in 2009 improves to 12-7.

The final game of the four game series is Friday night. Efrain Nieves (2-4, 5.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton will send Alfredo Venegas (2-3, 3.69) to the mound. Game time on Friday night is 7:05pm.

There will be an appearance by Marvel Comics superhero Spider-Man on Friday night. He will be signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans during the North Shore Bank Family Night. Children 12 and under eat free before the game. Children 14 and under may run the bases after the scheduled post-game fireworks display.

Friday is also Military Appreciation Night at Time Warner Cable Field. Active duty or retired military personnel will receive a free reserved seat ticket by showing a military ID at the box office.

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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.

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