Kane County holds off the Rattlers
Published on May 30, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
GENEVA, IL - The Kane County Cougars built an early lead and held off a furious Wisconsin Timber Rattler rally for a 4-2 win Friday night at Elfstrom Stadium. Craig Italiano moved his record to 7-0 with five scoreless innings and the Cougar bullpen got out of a couple of late jams for the win.
The Cougars (32-21) got on the board with two runs off Timber Rattler starter Donnie Hume in the bottom of the third. A potential double play ball with runners at first and second was booted and Adam Klein scored from second. Later in the inning, Larry Cobb singled in a run for a 2-0 lead.
The Cougars added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly by Michael Richard.
Italiano continued his mastery of the Midwest League. The righty entered the game with a 6-0 record and a league leading ERA of 0.72. On top of that, he had not allowed an earned run since April 21. He extended his streak to seven straight starts without an earned run as he pitched five scoreless innings, allowed one hit, and struck out five.
Wisconsin (22-28) broke through in the eighth inning against relievers Brad Hertzler and Justin Friend. Blake Ochoa and Maximo Mendez had back-to-back singles to set up the inning. Juan Diaz doubled to left drive in Ochoa and chase Hertzler from the game.
Edilio Colina greeted Justin Friend with an infield single that scored Mendez from third to pull the Rattlers to within 32. But on the play, Diaz was unable to take third base.
Gavin Dickey was next and his grounder to short took a bad hop and got Richard on the shoulder. Richard recovered in time to get the force at second, but Wisconsin had runners at the corners with one out. Friend struck out Dunigan for the second out. Then, a bounce and a call went against the Rattlers.
Ron Garth was at the plate with a 1-1 count and appeared to foul the ball of his foot. Garth did not run, but home plate umpire Jared Gary did not call the play dead. Garth was out at first base and the inning ended.
Kane County tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI grounder by pinch hitter Michael Lissman for a 4-2 lead. But, Wisconsin wasn't done yet.
Scott Robinson singled with one out in the ninth and pinch hitter Denny Almonte doubled into the left field corner to put runners on second and third.
Nick Walters relieved Friend and got the final two outs and picked up the save.
The Timber Rattlers conclude their twelve-game road trip on Saturday night with the final game of their series at Kane County. Juan Ramirez (3-3, 3.51) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. Kane County counters with Jamie Richmond (4-3, 3.21). Game time is 6:00pm.
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