MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Moreland had one more

Published on August 5, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


CLINTON, IA - Mitch Moreland, the Midwest League leader in RBI, drove two runs, including the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Clinton LumberKings to a 5-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Tuesday night at Alliant Energy Field. Wisconsin had rallied to tie the game on a two-out, two-run single by Daniel Carroll in the top of the ninth inning.

Tim Smith put the LumberKings (23-21 second half, 64-47 overall) in the lead first. His solo homer with one out in the bottom of the second inning gave Clinton a 1-0 advantage.

Clinton starting pitcher Ryan Tatusko retired the first 12 batters he faced. Then, Joe Dunigan broke that streak with a lead off double in the top of the fifth. Denny Almonte followed with a single up the middle to tie the game 1-1. After some deliberation, the call was changed to an error on shortstop Davis Stoneburner. Later in the inning, Blake Ochoa singled with two outs to drive in Almonte with the go ahead run.

The LumberKings tied the game with a run in the bottom of the sixth. Rattler starting pitcher Keith Renaud walked the first two batters before giving up an RBI single to Moreland. An error on the play allowed Moreland to take second base. But, Renaud got out of the jam with a couple popups and a strikeout.

However, Renaud could not get out of the seventh. Jose Felix drew a leadoff walk. Kyle Murphy doubled to the gap in left-center and Felix hustled around to score the lead run. Joe Kantakevich relieved Renaud after Murphy's double, but would let Murphy score on a bunt single by Matt Lawson.

Tatusko turned the game and the 4-2 lead over to the Clinton bullpen in the top of the eighth. Lefty Joseph Ortiz responded by loading the bases with a double, a walk, and -- after getting the first out -- another walk. But, Ortiz kept the Rattlers (13-31, 44-66) off the scoreboard by striking out the next two batters to retire the side.

Clinton closer Adalberto Flores entered in the ninth and walked the lead off batter, but retired the next two hitters and appeared on the way to his twelfth save. But, Ochoa and pinch-hitter Joe White coaxed walks on 3-2 pitches to load the bases for Daniel Carroll.

Carroll tied the game by lining a 2-2 pitch from Flores just over short to drive in two runs.

But, in the bottom of the ninth the LumberKings quickly ended the game. Stoneburner doubled to right-center to lead off the inning against Wisconsin reliever Jose Escalona. Engel Beltre reached on a bunt single to move Stoneburner to third base. Escalona did get a strikeout for out number one, but Moreland drove a 1-1 pitch to left over the drawn-in outfield to knock in the game-winning run and his 77th RBI of the season.

Game two of the four game series is Wednesday night. Brett Lorin (0-1, 3.38) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton counters with Michael Main (1-0, 2.04). Game time is 7:00pm.

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Midwest League Stories from August 5, 2008


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