Freese leads Wizards to 14-3 win over Rattlers
August 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- Fort Wayne third baseman David Freese had three hits and five RBI to pace the Wizards to a 14-3 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wednesday night. Will Venable and Mike Sansoe added three hits and two RBI for the Wizards, who sent the Rattlers to their sixth straight loss.
Fort Wayne (53-54 overall, 22-18) got four quick runs in the first inning off Rattler starting pitcher David Asher. After a single and a walk started the game, Venable drove in the first run of the night with a single. David Freese followed with a two-run double. Later in the inning, Daryl Jones made it 4-0 with an RBI single.
Wisconsin (39-71, 12-28) got a run in the bottom first on an RBI double by Ron Garth.
But, the Wizards got that run back in the top of the second on an RBI single by Freese.
Garth blasted a two run homer in the bottom of the third inning and the Rattlers were within two runs at 5-3. But, that was as close as the Rattlers would get. Fort Wayne starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc retired the next three Rattlers without much of a problem and turned it over to the Wizards hitters again.
Fort Wayne came out swinging in the top of the fourth. Ray Chang singled to start the inning. Sansoe followed with another single. Drew Davidson's single knocked in Chang. Venable followed with his third hit of the night, an RBI single that sent Sansoe across the plate, and that was it for Asher.
Reliever Juan Colon entered and promptly gave up a two-run double to Freese. The Wizard third baseman poured salt into the wound as he scored all the way from second on a wild pitch and the Rattlers found themselves on the short end of a 10-3 score. Fort Wayne loaded the bases and Sansoe drove in two more for a 12-3 lead with his second single of the inning.
It could have been worse. Fort Wayne loaded the bases again in the inning, but Colon got out of the inning without further damage.
Chang homered in the sixth and Jones had a sacrifice fly in the eighth to finish off the scoring.
LeBlanc picked up his first Midwest League win by allowing three runs on six hits over five innings for the Wizards. Grant Varnell picked up his first Midwest League save with four scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
The Rattlers and Wizards continue their series on Thursday night. Jose Escalona (5-11, 4.22ERA) will get the ball for Wisconsin. Greg Burke (3-3, 3.94ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Fort Wayne. Game time is 7:05pm.
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