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MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Rattlers survive, beat Swing 7-6 in 10

May 25, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


DAVENPORT, IA -- Justin Ruchti had a sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth inning to help the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the Swing of the Quad Cities 7-6. Wisconsin short stop Adam Jones had a grand slam that put the Rattlers in front 5-2, but the Swing tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Swing (19-24) came out swinging. Dusty Gomon blasted a two-run homer to left in the bottom of the first inning for a 2-0 lead.

Swing starter Errol Simontisch gave up five hits in the first five innings, but kept the Rattlers off the scoreboard. Rattler starting pitcher Jason Mackintosh settled down after the first inning, struck out six and kept the Rattlers close.

Wisconsin (20-24) rallied against Simonitsch in the top of the sixth. Chris Colton and Michael Cox had back-to-back singles with one out to put runners at first and third. Wladimir Balentien sent a double play grounder to short, but JR Taylor booted the ball, Colton scored and Cox and Balentien were safe. After Simonitsch got the second out of the inning, but Ruchti broke an 0-for-17 slide with an infield single to load the bases for Jones. Jones drilled a 2-2 pitch over the rightfield wall for his third homer of the season and a 5-2 Rattler lead.

Quad Cities got a run in the bottom of the seventh off reliever Kenly Change on an RBI fielder's choice by Brock Peterson.

The Rattlers got that run back in the top of the eighth on an RBI double by Ruchti.

Quad Cities pulled back to within two on a Scott Whitrock triple in the bottom of the eighth.

Rattler closer Brian Stitt came into the game with Whitrock on third and no outs. He struck out the first two batters he faced and got a 6-3 ground out to protect the 6-4 Wisconsin lead.

But, in the bottom of the ninth, the Swing loaded the bases with three straight one out singles against Stitt. Omar Burgos singled through the left side of the infield to drive in two and tie the game at 6-6. The hit was the fourth of the night for Burgos.

Balentien and Womack had back-to-back singles to start the tenth to put runners at first and third. Ruchti sent a fly deep enough to left field to score Balentien with the go ahead run.

In the bottom of the tenth, Kyle Phillips singled, moved to second on a balk by Stitt, and took third on a sacrifice bunt by Ryan Spataro. Stitt struck out Taylor and Ben Pattee to help the Rattlers hang on for the 7-6 win.

The third game of the series is Wednesday night. The Rattlers have scheduled Ryan Feierabend (5-2, 3.47ERA) as the starting pitcher. Quad Cities will send Chris Schutt (1-5, 4.54ERA) to the hill. Game time is 7:00pm.

Check out the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 25, 2004


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