Minaker leads the way to a Wisconsin win
August 14, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- Chris Minaker went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs to pace the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers to a 6-5 win over the Peoria Chiefs Monday night. Minaker snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-run homer in the sixth inning to give the Rattlers a lead they would not surrender.
Peoria outfielder Yusuf Carter, who also went 4-for-4 on the night, launched a two-out, two-run home run in the top of the second inning to give the Chiefs the lead. In the third, Ryan Norwood made the score 3-0 with a sacrifice fly.
Wisconsin (44-77 overall, 17-34 second half) got their first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Minaker in the bottom of the third.
The Chiefs (65-55, 24-27) tacked on another run on an RBI double by Norwood with two-outs in the top of the fifth.
Gerardo Avila got the Rattlers back to within a pair of runs with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the fifth.
Then, the Rattlers blew by the Chiefs with a sudden four run sixth inning. Curt Ledbetter scored on an error. Eddy Hernandez drove in the tying run with an RBI grounder. Minaker lined a two-run homer to left and Wisconsin had a 6-4 lead.
The Chiefs got a run back on the fourth hit of the night by Valdez. His one out single in the top of the seventh inning pulled the Chiefs to within 6-5.
Rattler reliever Austin Bibens-Dirkx came into the game after the single and kept the Chiefs off the board over the next 1-2/3 innings.
Wisconsin closer Brian Kappel came on in the ninth and issued a lead off walk, but retired the next three batters in order to close out the Chiefs for his fourth save.
Game two of the series is Tuesday night. Nick Allen (6-4, 4.05ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Todd Blackford (9-6, 5.36ERA) is slated to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05pm.
Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2006
- Hochevar arrives at the hive - Burlington Bees
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- Single A Mascot gets called up to "The Show" - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Swing Inching Closer to Playoffs - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Mexican League Pitcher Joins Wizards - Fort Wayne TinCaps
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