Limonta launches Rattlers to win
July 21, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
BURLINGTON, IA -- Wisconsin Timber Rattler Johan Limonta hit a pair of home runs, including a game winning solo blast in the top of the ninth, and drove in four runs to give the Rattlers a 6-5 win over the Burlington Bees Friday night at Community Field. The game was back-and-forth all night with five lead changes and clutch hits for both sides.
The Rattlers (9-19 second half, 36-62 overall) got a fortunate bounce to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Mike Saunders was at second with two outs when Kuo Hui Lo struck out, but the ball bounced away from Burlington catcher Brady Everett. Lo beat the throw to first and Saunders raced for home as the Bees failed to cover the plate.
Burlington (12-16, 47-48) scored a pair of unearned runs off Wisconsin starter Paul Fagan in the bottom of the first inning. After an error put runners at first and third with no outs, Mario Lisson singled in a run to tie the game. Later in the inning, a sacrifice fly by Brady Everett put the Bees up 2-1.
The Rattlers retook the lead on a two-run homer by Limonta. Then, Limonta made it 4-2 with an RBI double in the top of the fifth inning.
The Bees jumped back in front with a three-run homer from an unlikely power source in the bottom of the sixth. Fagan walked the first batter of the inning and gave up a single to put the first two runners on base. A sacrifice bunt by Jeremy Jirschele put runners on second and third. Fagan got in front of Omar Pena 1-2, but hung the next pitch to Pena and the Bee shortstop crushed it to left for a home run and a 5-4 lead. Pena had been just 2-for-21 with no extra base hits in his first seven games with Burlington.
But, Wisconsin answered in the top of the seventh. Lo singled with two outs off Rayner Oliveros. Bee reliever Chris Hayes entered the game to face Adam Moore. Then, Lo stole second base to get into scoring position. Moore made that strategy pay off with a single to leftcenter that drove in Lo with the tying run.
Rattler reliever Harold Williams replaced Fagan for the bottom of the seventh inning and pitched a pair of perfect innings with five strikeouts to keep the game tied.
Limonta led off the ninth inning and fell behind 1-2 against Kraig Schambough, the fifth Bee pitcher of the night. After fouling a pitch off, Limonta cracked a deep line drive over the right field wall for his second homer of the night and gave the Rattlers a 6-5 lead.
Brian Kappel came on for the bottom of the ninth inning and struck out two while retiring all three batters he faced for his second save of the season.
Game three of the series is Saturday night. Nick Allen (5-3, 3.14ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Chris Nicoll (4-6, 2.70ERA) is slated to start for the Bees. Game time is 7:00pm.
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