Fort Wayne sends Rattlers to fifth straight loss
September 4, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- George Kottaras had four hits and drove in two key runs for the Fort Wayne Wizards in a 6-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Saturday night. Brian Wahlbrink and Fernando Valenzuela, Jr. also drove in a pair of runs for the Wizards and Sean Thompson pitched seven innings allowing just four hits for his ninth win of the season.
Wisconsin (57-80 overall, 26-42 second half) took the early lead on a solo homer by Eric Blakeley in the bottom of the second. The homer was his second in as many games. Blakeley made the score 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fourth.
Fort Wayne (70-68, 37-31) tied the game three batters into the fifth. Chris Kohlkhorst, who had tripled and singled earlier in the game, doubled to start the inning. Wahlbrink tripled to drive in Kohlkhorst. Kottaras singled in Wahlbrink to tie the game 2-2.
The Wizards took the lead in the top of the seventh. Kottaras doubled with one out. Then, Valenzuela doubled to rightcenter to knock in the go ahead run.
Rattler starting pitcher Brandon Moorhead left the game after the double by Valenzuela. He recorded nine strikeouts over 6-2/3 innings to move into third place on the Rattler's single season strikeout list with 163. But, Thompson was just a little bit better. He retired the final twelve batters that he faced and left after seven innings allowing just four hits.
Fort Wayne pushed three runs across in the top of the ninth inning on back-to-back-to-back RBI singles by Wahlbrink, Kottaras, and Valenzuela.
The Rattlers loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning with two out to bring the tying run to the plate, but Leo Rosales got the final out to record his twenty-fifth save of the season.
The Rattlers and Wizards meet in game three of the series on Sunday afternoon. Jason Mackintosh (6-8, 3.91ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Vern Sterry (2-0, 1.82ERA) is the scheduled starter for the Wizards. Game time is 1:05pm.
Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2004
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