MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Extra Innings Unkind To Wisconsin

May 15, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - Game two of Friday's doubleheader between the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and the Beloit Snappers was a game of defense and missed opportunities. When it ended, the Snappers had a 2-1 win in 10 innings at Time Warner Cable Field to complete a twinbill sweep. Yosmil Pinto knocked in both Beloit runs in game two.

Wisconsin (11-24) took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. The Rattlers loaded the bases with one out on a pair of walks and an error. Michael Marseco knocked in the run with a single to left. But, Wisconsin couldn't convert another run in the frame as Carlos George grounded into an inning ending double play.

It looked like Rattlers starting pitcher Jake Odorizzi would make that 1-0 lead stand. He faced the minimum through four innings. He had allowed a hit and a walk, but the Rattlers defense turned a pair of double plays in the first two innings. The defense also delivered in the top of the fifth.

A leadoff walk to Steven Liddle and a one out single by Anderson Hidalgo put runners at the corners with Michael Gonzales at the plate. Hildalgo broke for second on a pitch to the plate. Rattlers catcher Austin Stockfisch pump faked a throw to second and Liddle bit on the fake. The Rattlers caught Liddle in a rundown for out number two. Odorizzi struck out Gonzales to end the inning.

However, defense could not prevent the Snappers (21-14) from tying the game in the top of the sixth. Pinto hit a leadoff homer to even the game 1-1.

The game remained tied past the scheduled seven innings. In the ninth, Beloit had a runner at third with one out against Wisconsin reliever Caleb Thielbar. Liddle worked the count full and sent a screamer to third. Marseco calmly caught the line drive and stepped on third to turn an inning ending, unassisted double play.

In the bottom of the ninth, Marseco almost won the game for the Rattlers. Cutter Dykstra walked with one out and took second on a ground out. The Snappers elected to walk Stockfisch intentionally top face Marseco. The Rattlers third baseman had driven in two runs in the opening game of the doubleheader and drove in the first run of game two for Wisconsin.

Marseco lined a 1-2 pitch to center and Dykstra lit out for home. Angel Morales came up throwing after getting to the ball on one hop, and just nipped Dykstra at the plate to send the game to the tenth.

Efrain Nieves relieved Thielbar to start the tenth inning and retired the first two batters. But, the Wisconsin lefty would walk lefty Michael Gonzales, a .134 who was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in game two, on four pitches. It would cost him.

Pinto was next and he lined a 2-1 pitch to the right field corner. Pinch runner Wang Wei Lin scored all the way from first on the double for a 2-1 Beloit lead. Reggie Williams was next and he singled to center, but D'Vontrey Richardson threw out Pinto at the plate to end the inning.

George started the bottom of the tenth with a single and went to third with the tying run on Scooter Gennett's one out single. But, Khris Davis grounded into a game-ending 6-3 double play.

The Rattlers are now 0-4 in extra inning games and 1-9 in games decided by one run.

The series between the in-state rivals continues on Saturday afternoon. Eric Arnett (0-3, 9.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Beloit has Edgar Ibarra (3-2, 3.92) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 1:05pm at Time Warner Cable Field.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, you can tune into the game on AM 1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm.




Midwest League Stories from May 15, 2010


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