MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Peoria Rallies to Top Timber Rattlers

August 23, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - Brian O'Keefe hurt the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers early and late on Tuesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The catcher helped the Peoria Chiefs rally from an early 4-1 deficit with three hits, two runs, and two RBI to beat the Rattlers 5-4. His eighth inning homer broke a 4-4 tie and dealt Wisconsin's playoff hopes a setback.

Peoria (67-60-1 overall, 27-30-1 second half) took the lead in the first inning with an unearned run. Wisconsin starting pitcher Corbin Burnes retired the first two batters of the inning and struck out Eli Alvarez, but a dropped third strike allowed Alvarez to reach base and keep the inning alive. Alvarez stole second and took third on a throwing error. O'Keefe took advantage of the Wisconsin miscues with a single to center to drive in Alvarez for a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin (63-65, 29-29) stormed back with four runs in the bottom of the second. Jake Gatewood and Lucas Erceg started the rally with back-to-back singles. They both moved into scoring position on an infield grounder. Gatewood scored the tying run on a wild pitch by Daylin Martinez.

Martinez got the second out on a strikeout, but hit Max McDowell to extend the inning. Carlos Belonis singled to center to knock in Erceg and by the time the play was over McDowell was at third and Belonis at second. Trent Clark knocked in both runners with a single to right and the Rattlers were up 4-1.

Peoria scored one run in the top of the fourth after reliever Alex Farina retired the first two hitters he faced. A walk to Jose Godoy and a single by Leobaldo Pina brought RJ Dennard to the plate and the Chiefs first baseman singled to send Godoy home.

The Chiefs tied the game with two runs off Farina in the top of the sixth. O'Keefe and Godoy started the rally with a pair of one-out singles. Pina singled to center to get O'Keefe home and a misplay allowed Godoy to take third. Farina got Dennard to send a grounder to second for a potential inning-ending double play. Wisconsin got the force at second, but the throw to first could not be handled and Godoy scored the tying run.

Wisconsin's offense had just two hits after the second inning, but they did have a chance to go back in front in the bottom of the sixth. Isan Diaz singled to start the inning and he would be at third with two outs after two wild pitches by Martinez. But, Wisconsin could not get the key hit to drive in Diaz to retake the lead.

Martinez struck out nine over seven innings to put himself in line for his fifth win of the season.

O'Keefe stepped in to face Zack Brown with one out in the top of the eighth and he lined a home run to the right of the batter's eye in straight away center field to put the Chiefs in front 5-4. O'Keefe, who also homered in Monday's game against the Rattlers, has 13 home runs this season. He has hit four home runs against Wisconsin in 2016.

Josh Wirsu closed out the game with two perfect innings for his second save of the season - both against the Rattlers.

The loss dropped the Timber Rattlers to 1.5 games behind the Burlington Bees in the second half Western Division Wild Card race with twelve games left on their schedule. The Bees have a chance to push their lead over the Rattlers to two games if they beat Kane County at home later tonight.

Game three of the series is Wednesday night. Trey Supak (1-2, 3.73) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Jorge Rodriguez (2-1, 2.26) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 7:05pm.

The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a team photo poster of the 2016 Timber Rattlers courtesy of Van Lanen Printing. This is the tenth and final poster of the 2016 poster series. All fans may enjoy Cher-Make hotdogs and Pepsi products for $1. Fans 21 and older may purchase 12-ounce domestic beers for $1 as a part of Bang for Your Buck Night at the ballpark with Y100!

Fan may also pick up a magnet schedule for the 2017 season courtesy of Lappen Security Products at this game.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 23, 2016


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central