MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers Crack Kernels in Ten Innings

Published on May 13, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rallied from a 4-0 deficit to defeat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 6-5 Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Mitch Ghelfi tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth and Isan Diaz drove in the winning run with a two-out single in the tenth.

The Kernels (18-15) took a 4-0 lead with single runs in the second and third innings and two runs in the fourth. JJ Fernandez doubled to start the second against Wisconsin starter Devin Williams. He took third on a grounder. Daniel Kihle drove in Fernandez with another ground out. In the third, the Kernels loaded the bases with no outs against Williams. LaMonte Wade would ground into a 4-6-3 double play to get the runner home from third for a 2-0 lead.

The Kernels added to their lead in the fourth with two runs. Fernandez started the inning with another double and moved to third on a grounder to the right side. Williams hit Kihle to put runners at the corners. Then, Jermaine Palacios singled to drive in Fernandez and knock Williams out of the game. Later in the inning, Luis Arraez knocked in Kihle with an RBI grounder against reliever David Lucroy.

The Rattlers (16-18), who drew a total of eleven walks in the game, got within striking distance in the fifth inning with a lot of help from Cedar Rapids. Trent Clark drew a leadoff walk and was at third with two outs after a pair of wild pitches and a walk to Ghelfi. Jake Gatewood would send a fly ball to left that was dropped for an error to let two runs score. A wild throw home in an attempt to get Ghelfi allowed Gatewood to take third base. David Denson, who walked three times on Thursday, drew a walk before Max McDowell made it 4-3 with an RBI single to knock in Gatewood.

The first time Ghelfi tied the game happened in the sixth inning. He was up with the bases loaded and one out. The Wisconsin first baseman got the tying run home with a sacrifice fly to even the game 4-4.

Cedar Rapids went back in front against Wisconsin reliever Jordan Yamamoto. AJ Murray doubled and Fernandez singled to set up runners on the corners. Zander Weil got Murray home with a ground out to second.

The second time Ghelfi tied the game was a bit more dramatic. He was the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the ninth and hammered a 2-1 pitch from CK Irby over the beach beyond the wall in right-center for his first professional home run to even the score 5-5.

Alex Farina, who relieved Yamamoto to get the final out in the top of the ninth, was in a jam in the top of the tenth as the Kernels had two on with one out. But, Farina escaped when he got Sean Miller to send a grounder near the bag at second. Diaz came over from short to pick up the ball, step on the base, and throw to Ghelfi at first for an inning-ending double play.

Carlos Belonis started the game-winning rally with an infield single with one out in the bottom of the tenth. Clark was next and he drew his third walk of the game to move Belonis into scoring position. Irby got the second out, but needed to get by Diaz to send the game to the eleventh. He couldn't do it.

Diaz looped a 1-2 pitch into center for a hit and Belonis raced home just ahead of the throw to score the winning run.

Game two of the series is Friday night. Miguel Diaz (0-2, 2.35) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Cedar Rapids will send Sam Clay (2-1, 0.95) to the mound. Game time is 6:35pm.

Avengers Assemble! You won't have to choose a side for Superhero Night at the stadium. Captain America and Iron Man will be at this game to meet with everyone. The first 1,000 fans to attend this game receive a special superhero-themed poster of Timber Rattlers catcher Max McDowell courtesy of Van Lanen. This is poster number two in a series of ten that are being given away this season. Arty's Old Fashioned drinks will be available to fans 21 and over for $3 as part of Arty's Old Fashioned Friday. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the game.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action. MyNEW32's Sports Showdown will have the broadcast starting at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is on 1280 AM, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm. The game is also available on the internet through IHeartRadio, TuneIn, and MiLB.TV.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 13, 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