MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers canâ??t solve Gonsalves

Published on May 26, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fell behind early and could not dig their way out of the hole at Perfect Game Field on Tuesday night. Then, Stephen Gonsalves struck out twelve over six innings as the Kernels beat Wisconsin 4-1.

The Kernels (29-17) sent eight men to the plate in the first inning against Wisconsin starting pitcher Devin Williams. Tanner English drew a leadoff walk and went to third on a hit and run single to left by Nick Gordon. The duo pulled a double steal with Gordon taking second and English racing home when the throw went to get Gordon. The return throw to the plate was late and English scored the first run. Trey Vavra continued his hot hitting with a double to left to drive in English. Jorge Fernandez capped the inning with a two-out RBI single for a 3-0 lead.

Wisconsin (13-33) had issues with Gonsalves early. The lefty retired the first nine Rattlers he faced in the game, including eight via strikeout. Dustin DeMuth and Francisco Castillo had back-to-back singles in the top of the fourth inning and when Gonsalves hit Carlos Leal with a pitch Wisconsin had the bases loaded with two outs. But, Gonsalves recorded his tenth strikeout of the game to get out of the fourth inning.

Williams walked the first two Kernels he saw on eight pitches in the bottom of the fourth inning and he was replaced by Luke Curtis. Curtis would walk Gordon to load the bases before Zach Larson's sacrifice fly drove in a run. Curtis got out of the inning without another run scoring.

The Timber Rattlers got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning with help from the Kernels defense. Sthervin Matos drew a one out walk from Gonsalves. Then, Elvis Rubio sent a slow roller towards right, but second baseman Pat Kelly cut the ball off and made a good throw to first. However, first baseman Tyler Kuresa missed the ball to allow Rubio to reach. Then, Matos rounded second base too far and was caught in a rundown. But, the throw to second was missed by Gordon and Matos wound up on third after the second error on the play.

Carlos Leal cashed in Matos with a bloop single to right field, but that was all Wisconsin would get against Gonsalves. The lefty got a force play at second and his twelfth strikeout of the game to complete his night. He walked one, hit one, and the run charged to him was unearned. In two starts against the Rattlers this season, Gonsalves is 2-0 with 23 strikeouts, four hits, two walks, and no earned runs allowed in 13 innings.

Wisconsin reliever Angel Ventura pitched well over the final three inning as he kept the Kernels off the scoreboard and struck out six while doing it.

But, the Kernels got two perfect innings - with three strikeouts - from Michael Cederoth and a 1-2-3 ninth - with one strikeout - from Cam Booser to keep the Rattlers from mounting a comeback.

Wisconsin is 0-7 against the Kernels this season.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field. Cy Sneed (2-5, 1.81) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Felix Jorge (2-2, 2.13) is set to start for the Kernels. Game time is 6:35pm.

Catch all the action on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 26, 2015


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