MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Come Back For Win

Published on August 13, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers erased a 4-1 deficit and held on for a 6-5 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Thursday night. Josh Prince scored twice as part of the comeback and also knocked in the go ahead run in the ninth. Nick Tyson got out of a tough spot in the ninth to nail down Wisconsin's second straight win.

Cedar Rapids (65-52 overall, 25-22 second half) scored first. They loaded the bases against RJ Seidel on a back-to-back walks to Beau Brooks and Gabe Jacobo to start the inning and a one-out single by Angel Castillo. A sacrifice fly by Adam Younger drove in the run. Then, Seidel walked the #9 hitter for the Kernels to reload the bases before getting a strikeout to end the frame.

Wisconsin (51-65, 17-29) answered in the top of the third inning. Erik Miller reached on a bunt single to start the inning. One out later, Sean McCraw doubled to left-center to send Miller home with the tying run.

However, the Kernels took advantage of a another bout of wildness from few more walks and a throwing error from Seidel. The Rattlers right-hander got the first two outs on three pitchers. But, he walked Brooks on four pitches and walked Jacobo on a 3-2 pitch.

That brought up Darwin Perez and the Kernels shortstop sent a grounder back through the middle of the diamond. Brett Lawrie and Prince converged on the ball and appeared ready to record the final out of the frame. But, the ball hit the second base bag and caromed into center field to drive in Brooks and send Jacobo around to third.

Later in the inning, Seidel threw wildly to first on a pickoff toss to first and that allowed Jacobo to score from third for a 3-1 lead for the Kernels.

Rigoberto Almonte tossed a 1-2-3 fourth inning and Efrain Nieves came on for the fifth. The Rattler lefty retired the first two batters of the inning, but -- inexplicably -- the duo of Brooks and Jacobo drew back-to-back walks again. Perez made Nieves pay with another RBI single for a 4-1 lead.

Wisconsin took advantage of a walk given up by Kernels starter Buddy Boshers in the top of the sixth. Josh Prince drew a free pass to leadoff the inning. Pete Fatse tripled into the rightfield corner and Prince socred to cut the lead to 4-2. But, none of the next three Timber Rattlers hitters could get Fatse home from third base.

In the seventh inning, Michael Vass launched his sixth homer of the season with two outs. That solo shot pulled the Rattlers to within 4-3.

Christian Scholl replaced Boshers to start the eighth inning and promptly walked Prince and Fatse to start the frame. Prince stole third base and scored the tying run on a Brett Lawrie sacrifice fly.

In the bottom of the eighth, Nieves walked Brooks to put the go ahead run on base. Nieves got ahead of Jacobo 0-2, but the Kernels first baseman worked the count to 3-2. Then, Jacobo grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Nieves ended the inning with a strikeout.

In the ninth, Vass singled with one out and McCraw followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Prince singled to right to knock in Vass with the go ahead run. McCraw would score later in the inning on a wild pitch.

Corey Frerichs, who just joined the Timber Rattlers on Tuesday, came on to close out the Kernels in the ninth. But, he walked Castillo and gave up a single to Adam Younger to start the inning. That was all for Frerichs in his Midwest League debut and Tyson came into the game.

Nolan Brannon bunted back to the mound on a sacrifice attempt and Tyson went to third for the force out, but Castillo was ruled safe on a close play. Matt Crawford followed with a single to send Castillo home, make the score 6-5, and keep the bases loaded.

Tyson struck out Alexi Amarista for the first out, but fell behind Roberto Lopez 3-0. Tyson got strike one looking and Lopez fouled off the next pitch for a 3-2 count.

Lopez sent a hard grounder to Lawrie at second base and the Timber Rattlers escaped by turning a 4-6-3 game-ending double play. Tyson picked up his sixth save of the season for his efforts.

The Timber Rattlers conclude their eight-game road trip with Friday's game at Cedar Rapids. Trey Watten (4-12, 4.72) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ryan Chaffee (8-5, 3.14) is set to start for the Kernels.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 13, 2009


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