MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Hunt Tracks Down Rattlers

Published on August 6, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN -- Jeremy Hunt drove in six runs for the Fort Wayne Wizards on Monday night in a 9-8 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Monday night. Hunt's biggest hit was a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to erase an 8-6 Wisconsin lead. The Fort Wayne slugger hit a two-run homer early in the game and added an RBI single in the fifth. The win allowed Fort Wayne to salvage one game in the four game set with Wisconsin.

Gavin Dickey gave the Rattlers (37-73, 15-27) the early lead with a solo homer in the top of the second inning.

The Wizards (47-64, 16-26) took the lead with a two-run homer by Hunt in the bottom of the third.

Wisconsin went back in front with a three run fourth. Ron Garth doubled and Alex Liddi singled to put runners on first and third to start the inning. Joe White tied the game with an RBI double. Dickey followed with a sacrifice fly to knock in Liddi and give Wisconsin a 3-2 lead. Later in the frame, Jamie McOwen singled to drive in White.

Fort Wayne rallied in the bottom of the fifth. Javis Diaz reached on a bunt stole second and scored on an RBI single by Hunt. That was all for Rattler starting pitcher Anthony Varvaro as he reached 95 pitches. Drew Fiorenza relieved and got King to fly out and Sam Carter to ground into an inning ending double play.

White singled in a run in the top of the sixth. Then, Fiorenza pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Garth launched a two-out solo homer to center in the seventh for a 6-3 Rattler lead.

Michael Wagner entered for the Rattlers in the bottom of the seventh inning. He walked Cedric Hunter to start the inning, but got pinch hitter Keith Conlon to hit a grounder near second. Shortstop Leury Bonilla stepped on second for the first out, but his throw to first was wild. Wagner got Hunt, the next batter, to send a grounder near second. Bonilla again stepped on second, but threw wildly to first and the Wizard inning kept going.

Tom King made the Rattlers pay with a two-run homer to left and pulled Fort Wayne to within 6-5. The next three Wizards reached to load the bases, but Wagner got out of the inning.

Wisconsin added to their lead in the top of the eighth. Back-to-back two-out RBI singles from McOwen and Blake Ochoa made it 8-5. But, it wasn't enough.

Rollie Gibson relieved Wagner to start the eighth and walked Robert Perry to start the inning. Hunter followed with a single. Conlon singled to right-center to knock in Perry and send Hunter around to third and cut the Rattler lead to 8-6.

Gibson fell behind Hunt 2-0 and the Wizard first baseman turned on the next pitch for a no-doubt, three-run home run to left field to give Fort Wayne a 9-8 lead. Gibson retired the next three batters.

In the ninth, Wizard closer RJ Rodriguez got the first two batters, but gave up a double to Liddi and walked White. But, Rodriguez struck out Dickey for the final out and his eighteenth save of the season.

Wisconsin completes the eight game road trip with a 4-4 record.

The Rattlers return home to begin a sixteen game home stand on Tuesday night. The Beloit Snappers are in tomorrow to kick off a four game series. Ricky Orta (3-4, 5.24) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Beloit sends Brian Kirwan (2-3, 4.36) to the mound. Game time is 7:05pm.

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Midwest League Stories from August 6, 2007


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