MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers' road trip ends with 7-5 loss in Cedar Rapids

Published on July 10, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers dropped a 7-5 decision to the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday night at Perfect Game Field. Logan Wade's two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning put the Kernels up 5-4 and Cedar Rapids tacked on two more runs for insurance in the eighth as part of their game winning rally.

Things started out great for the Timber Rattlers (46-43 overall, 10-10 second half). Johnny Davis singled with one out in the top of the first inning. Chris McFarland dropped a bunt up the third base line and the throw to first was wild allowing Davis to take third and McFarland to reach second. Michael Ratterree was next and his grounder towards short was cut off by third baseman Wade. Wade also threw wildly to first base. Both Davis and McFarland scored for a 2-0 lead as Ratterree went to second base.

Ratterree was out at third on a grounder back to the mound off the bat of Rafael Neda for the second out. Taylor Brennan kept the inning going with a single. Omar Garcia singled to left to drive in Neda. The throw to the plate was wild and the third Cedar Rapids error of the inning allowed Brennan and Garcia to each move up a base.

Steve Halcomb followed with a single to right that scored Brennan. Garcia was out at the plate for the final out of the inning, but the Rattlers were up 4-0.

The Kernels (38-51, 7-12) got a pair of runs off Wisconsin starting pitcher Taylor Williams in the bottom of the third. Bo Altobelli singled to start the inning. Tanner Vavra tripled to right-center to send Altobelli home. Wade's fly out to left was deep enough to score Vavra from third and Wisconsin's lead was down to 4-2.

Williams worked seven innings and struck out eight to set a new single-game high for strikeouts as a professional. He allowed two runs on four hits and was in line for his seventh win of the season.

Wisconsin had a chance to extend their lead in the top of the eighth inning. Dustin DeMuth and Davis singled to start the inning, but the Rattlers could not cash in any insurance. It would cost them.

Tyler Alexander came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth inning and struck out the first batter he faced. Altobelli was next and he doubled off the top of the wall in left-center on a 3-2 pitch. Then, Vavra was hit by a pitch to bring the tying run to the plate. Alexander got Ryan Walker for the second out on a fly ball to shallow center.

Wade stepped in and cracked a three-run home run to left and the Kernels were up 5-4. The homer was the second of the season by Wade. It was also only the second home run allowed by Alexander in 59-2/3 innings.

Alexander hit Christensen on a 2-2 pitch to keep the inning going. Mitch Garver lined a 1-2 pitch off Alexander's ankle for an infield single. The ball caromed to foul territory on the first base side of the diamond and Alexander had to leave the game with runners at the corners.

Tyler Spurlin entered the game to face Alex Swim and got to a 2-2 count. Swim sent a sinking liner to center and Davis couldn't make the diving catch. The ball got behind Davis for a double that allowed both Christensen and Garver to score and the Kernels were up 7-4.

Dallas Gallant dispatched the first two Rattlers he faced in the top of the ninth with strikeouts. Halcomb reached on an error and Angel Ortega singled to left on a 1-2 pitch to keep the inning alive. DeMuth singled to left to knock in Halcomb and get the Rattlers to within 7-5. But, Gallant got the final out with a strikeout to end the game.

Wisconsin finished their six game road trip with a 2-4 record. The Rattlers had the lead in three of the four losses. Two of the losses on the trip came on the final at bat of their opponents.

The Timber Rattlers return home to begin a four-game series with the Quad Cities River Bandits. Preston Gainey (2-5, 3.86) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Andrew Thurman (4-5, 4.92) is set to start for the River Bandits. Game time is 7:05pm.

Friday is Ultimate Tailgate Night. Grill masters Mad Dog & Merrill are hosting Ultimate Tailgate Night and the first 500 fans to enter the ballpark will receive a bottle of Da Works Brat Sauce. Make sure you bring your grill and your decorations to show that you are an Ultimate Tailgater before the game for a chance to win great prizes from Cher-Make and Mad Dog & Merrill.

All children 12 and under receive a free hot dog and soda as part of North Shore Bank Family night. There will be a postgame fireworks display. Kids 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the fireworks. Plus, Potawatomi Bingo Casino presents Baseball Bingo, a chance to win prizes by playing a baseball-themed bingo game.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are several ways to catch the action. MyNEW32 will have the television broadcast beginning at 7:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM and IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. The game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from July 10, 2014


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