Heckathorn Helps Rattlers Snap Streak
Published on June 1, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FORT WAYNE, IN - Kyle Heckathorn pitched well again and the Wisconsin offense did just enough for a 2-1 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps Tuesday night at Parkview Field. Heckathorn allowed one run in seven innings of work and struck out six for his third win of the season. The Rattlers ended a five-game losing streak with the win.
Cutter Dykstra broke the scoreless tie with a solo homer in the top of the fourth. The long home run to left-center was the first for Dykstra since he rejoined the Rattlers in early May.
Fort Wayne (27-26) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. Jon Alia singled to start the inning with a single. One out later, Dean Anna doubled to center and Alia scored. They would not score again.
The TinCaps had a good opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. They loaded the bases with one out on two singles and an error. But, Heckathorn struck out the next two batters to keep the game tied.
Timber Rattlers catcher Cameron Garfield singled with two outs in the top of the sixth inning. Pete Fatse followed with a double to score Garfield all the way from first to put Wisconsin (19-33) back in front.
Edinson Rincon doubled to start the bottom of the seventh inning. He moved to third with the tying run on an infield grounder. Wisconsin brought the infield in and the strategy paid off. Rymer Liriano sent a grounder to second and Scooter Gennett's throw to the plate was in time for out number two. Heckathorn struck out Anna to end the inning.
The right-hander pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run for the third straight start for Wisconsin. He has struck out 16 and walked two in his last 21 innings. But, he needed the bullpen to hang on for the win.
Jon Pokorny relieved Heckathorn to start the eighth and got the first out. But a walk to Jonathan Valdez put the tying run on first. Valdez was 13-for-14 in stolen base attempts coming into Tuesday's game. He was 13-for-15 after Tuesday's game. He tried to steal second on an 0-2 pitch to Danny Payne. Garfield threw a strike to second to nip Valdez for out number two. Pokorny struck out Payne on the next pitch.
In the ninth, Pokorny added to the degree of difficulty. He walked Jason Hagerty and gave up a single to Rincon. Jeudy Valdez pinch ran for Hagerty after the walk and he was at second base with Alia at the plate.
Pokorny struck out Alia on a pitch in the dirt and Valdez thought the ball got away from Garfield. The pinch runner realized his mistake too late a tried to scramble back to second. But, he saw that Garfield's throw back would beat him to the base. Valdez desperately reversed direction and tried to make third base. But, Michael Marseco's throw to Kyle Dhanani at third was on target and the Rattlers ended the game with that unorthodox double play.
Game two of the series at Parkview Field is Wednesday night. Nick Bucci (3-1, 1.82) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Fort Wayne has Jerry Sullivan (4-2, 3.23) as their scheduled starter.
Tune in for the action on AM1280, WNAM. The Miller Lite Pregame Show begins at 5:45pm. Game time is 6:05pm CDT.
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