Wisconsin Bullpen Baffles Loons
Published on May 9, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
MIDLAND, MI -- A 4-0 deficit after the bottom of the first inning and a nearly two hour rain delay were not a problem for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Wednesday night at Dow Diamond. It was no problem because three Rattler relief pitchers combined to pitch eight hitless innings. Andy Hargrove came through with a home run and three RBI to lead the offense in the 6-4 Rattler win over the Great Lakes Loons.
Great Lakes (13-19) took an early lead with four runs in the bottom of the first inning. They loaded the bases on a walk, a dropped flyball, and an infield single. Eduardo Perez singled off the foot of Rattler starting pitcher Chris Tillman and the ball deflected into left field. By the time the ball was tracked down, two runs scored. Matt Berezay followed with an RBI single that sent Perez around to third base. Later in the inning, a mishandled pickoff throw to first base by Leury Bonilla allowed Perez to score.
A light rain began to fall as the Ratlers (7-22) went down in order in the top of the third inning. The groundscrew raced to get the tarp on after the third out. They got the field covered just before the rain started falling harder. Play was delayed for one hour and fifty-one minutes.
When play resumed, the Rattlers loaded the bases with one out against Loons reliever Michael Gardner in the top of the third inning, but Gardner got out of the inning with a strikeout and a fly out.
Wisconsin got to Gardner in the top of the fourth inning. Hargrove sent a 2-0 pitch deep into the night for a leadoff home run. A walk, single, and hit batsman loaded the bases for the Rattlers. Gavin Dickey delivered a two-run single to center. The Rattlers reloaded the bases on a walk to Alex Meneses. Ougi Diaz grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, but the runner from third scored to tie the game.
Rattler relievers Steve Uhlmansiek and Joe Kantakevich did yeoman's work giving the Rattler bats a chance to win the game. The duo combined to pitch seven innings of hitless and scoreless baseball. Uhlmansiek pitched 3-2/3 innings, walked two, and struck out six. Kantakevich retired all ten batters he faced and struck out one.
In the eighth, Wisconsin had Alex Menese at first and Dickey at second with two outs. Diaz grounded a single off the glove off Loon third baseman Josh Bell. The ball trickled into left field and Dickey headed for the plate. Shortstop Francisco Lizarraga tracked down the ball. His throw home appeared late, but Dickey was called out and the game remained tied 4-4.
Hargrove came through with the big hit in the top of the ninth. Leury Bonilla singled to start the inning. Carlos Peguero appeared to have grounded into a double play, but the Loons committed an error to put runners on second and third. Hargrove lined a single off the glove of Bell and no one could track the ball down in time to get either Bonilla or Peguero.
Wisconsin closer Andrew Barb came on in the ninth and pitched a 1-2-3 frame for his third save of the season.
Game three of the series is Thursday night at Dow Diamond. Ricky Orta (1-1, 6.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Josh Wall (1-4, 5.04) is set to be the starter for the Loons. Game time is 7:05pm/6:05pm CDT.
Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2007
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