Groce leads Devil Rays past Rattlers
April 17, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- Garrett Groce had three hits, including a tenth inning RBI single, to lead the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays to a 4-3 ten inning win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Monday night. Southwest Michigan starter Mike Wlodarczyk pitched five shutout innings and gave up just one hit, but got a no decision.
An unearned run in the top of the third inning allowed the Devil Rays (5-6) to take the lead. Hunter Vick was at second base with one out. John Matulia bunted up the third baseline and Rattler pitcher Jason Snyder fired wildly to first. Vick scored and the Devil Rays went up 1-0.
Southwest Michigan padded their lead with a pair runs in the top of the sixth. They loaded the bases against Snyder with a hit batsman and a pair of singles. Rhyne Hughes singled to left to drive in the first run of the inning. A wild pitch by Snyder allowed the other run to score.
Wisconsin (4-7) rallied for a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Rattlers loaded the bases against reliever Aaron Walker on a hit batsman, a single, and another hit batsman to the first three batters of the inning. Eddy Hernandez struck out swinging for the first out, but the ball bounced away from catcher Christian Lopez for a run scoring wild pitch. An RBI groundout by Bryan Sabatella brought the Rattlers to within 3-2. However, the Rattlers left the tying run at third when the inning ended.
In the ninth, Alex Gary reached on a one-out single off Devil Ray reliever Greg Dupas and moved to second on an infield grounder. A passed ball sent Gary to third base with two out. Luis Valbuena lined a single to center to tie the game. But, Valbuena was thrown out by Lopez while trying to steal second and that ended the Rattler ninth.
In the tenth, J.T. Hall singled with one out off Rattler reliever Joe Woerman. Woerman tried to keep Hall close with a pickoff throw to first, but the throw was wild and Hall wound up at third. Groce grounded a single through the drawn in infield to send Hall across the plate for a 4-3 lead.
Casey Craig started the Rattler tenth by drawing a walk against Drew Bigda. Craig moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jeff Flaig.
The 0-1 pitch to Michael Saunders was in the dirt and Craig tried to take third. But, Lopez blocked the ball and fired a strike to third to erase Craig for the second out of the inning. Saunders walked, but Bigda struck out J.B. Tucker looking to send the Rattlers to their fourth straight loss.
Game two of the four game series is Tuesday night. Justin Thomas (1-1, 0.69) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Jake McGee (0-2, 4.32ERA) is slated to start for the Devil Rays. Game time is 6:35pm.
Midwest League Stories from April 17, 2006
- Bees Bats Bust Out to Beat Wizards - Burlington Bees
- Devil Rays take down Timber Rattlers in ten - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Lugnuts continue to roll - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers Lose Second Straight - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs Score Early and Late in 6-2 Win - Peoria Chiefs
- Groce leads Devil Rays past Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Swing drop opener to Dayton - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons back on track with 6-3 win in series opener - Dayton Dragons
- LumberKings lose another low-scoring affair - Clinton LumberKings
- Whitecaps defeat Cedar Rapids 5-3 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Shields, Cougars blank South Bend - Kane County Cougars
- Rangers First Rounder Mayberry Comes to Clinton - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Go Down Under with New Pitcher - Dayton Dragons
- Phelps Promoted to Daytona, Rayborn Joins Chiefs - Peoria Chiefs
- Whitecaps comment on injuries - West Michigan Whitecaps
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.
