MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers on wrong end of wild affair

July 24, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps scored four runs with one swing of the bat and one throwing error on the same play in the bottom of the sixth inning to snap a 4-4 tie and take an 8-5 decision over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday night at Fifth Third Ball Park. Justin Henry, who doubled on the decisive play, had two hits and three RBI for the Whitecaps.

The anticipated pitchers' duel between two of the top four ERA guys in the Midwest League never materialized. Whitecap starter Alfredo Figaro, who was 12-2 with a 1.83ERA, and Rattler starter Michael Pineda, who was 5-5 with a 2.16ERA, each gave up four runs and neither were around after five innings.

Joe White knocked in the first run of the game with a two-out single in the top of the first.

Wisconsin (7-25 second half, 38-60) scored two more runs with two outs in the bottom of the second. Daniel Carroll and Edilio Colina came through with back-to-back run scoring singles for a 3-0 lead.

The Whitecaps (16-16, 53-47) got to within a run with a couple of runs in the bottom of the third inning. Jordan Newton doubled and took third on a wild pitch. One out later Kyle Peter singled to right and Newton scored. Also on the play, Peter raced around to third base after rightfielder Maximo Mendez mishandled the ball. Peter scored moments later on an RBI grounder by Henry.

Wisconsin tacked on a run in the top of the fifth inning as Joe White delivered another RBI single and the Rattlers were up 4-2 on the Whitecaps and Figaro, the Midwest League leader in wins and ERA.

But, Pineda could not get out of the fifth inning. He issued a one out walk and a single to Henry that put runners on first and third. Pineda got the second out of the inning, but Chris Carlson lined a double to left-center and both runners scored to tie the game 4-4. Ryan Moorer relieved Pineda and got out of the inning.

Then, the Whitecaps struck big in the bottom of the sixth. They loaded the bases with a pair of one out singles and a two out walk to Peter. Brandon Douglas stepped to the plated and doubled just inside the third base bag. Two runs scored on the hit.

As the second runner headed for the plate, Rattler leftfielder Denny Almonte tried to get Douglas at second. However, Almonte's throw was wild and wound up by the Whitecap bullpen down the right field line. By the time the ball was retrieved, both Peter and Douglas had scored and the Whitecaps went up 8-4.

Wisconsin scored a run on an error that allowed leadoff batter Juan Diaz to take third base in the top of the eighth. An infield single by Israel Nunez drove Diaz home to make the score 8-5.

However, Scott Green pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his second save and Wisconsin's second loss in a row.

The final game of the series is Friday night. Brett Lorin (0-0, 0.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Jonathan Kibler (9-2, 1.94) is set to start for the Whitecaps. Game time is 6:00pm CDT.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 24, 2008


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