MWL1 Wisconsin Timber Rattlers

Wisconsin wins big with 11-3 decision at Peoria

Published on August 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release


PEORIA, IL - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers solved Arturo Reyes on Saturday night and it led to an 11-3 victory at Dozer Park of the Peoria Chiefs. Clint Coulter hit a pair of homers and drove in five runs while Tristan Archer and Zach Quintana kept the Chiefs offense in check.

Reyes had made three appearances against the Timber Rattlers in 2014 prior to Saturday night. He had allowed three runs - two earned - and had struck out nineteen over sixteen innings versus Wisconsin. Those numbers changed in a big way in the third inning.

Wisconsin's outburst started with a bunt single by leadoff batter Johnny Davis. Chris McFarland followed with a double to the left field corner. The ball was bobbled and that was all Davis needed to race for the plate to score the first run of the game. Michael Ratterree drew a walk to put two runners on base. Arturo Reyes got the first out on a fly ball and that brought Coulter to the plate.

The Rattlers catcher hadn't homered since July 29 and the Rattlers hadn't had a home run since Taylor Brennan hit a grand slam against the Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on August 1. That changed when Coulter crushed a 3-1 pitch from Reyes nearly out of the stadium for a three-run homer and a 4-0 lead.

Taylor Brennan restarted the rally by drawing a walk after the Coulter home run. Dustin DeMuth and Halcomb followed with singles to load the bases. Jose Pena was next and his double to the wall in left drove in two runs for a 6-0 lead. That chased Reyes from the game.

Davis came back to the plate for the second time in the inning and lifted a sacrifice fly off reliever Steven Sabatino to knock in Halcomb for a 7-0 advantage.

David Denson doubled with one out in the top of the fourth inning to get Coulter back to the plate. Coulter drove a 1-0 pitch from Sabatino out of the stadium. The ball bounced on the street and came to a rest on the grass in front of the Caterpillar office building across the street. The Rattlers (64-53 overall, 28-20 second half) were up 9-0 after Coulter's nineteenth homer of 2014.

Rowan Wick got the Chiefs (61-56, 24-24) on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. The inning started with Wisconsin starter Tristan Archer issuing a four-pitch walk to Juan Herrera and Justin Ringo reaching on catcher's interference. Archer got the first out on a strikeout, but Wick lined an opposite-field homer to left. The three-run shot cut Wisconsin's lead to 9-3.

That homer snapped Archer's scoreless streak at 15-2/3 innings. But, he just started another streak as he closed out his night with 2-2/3 more scoreless innings before turning the game over to Zach Quintana for the bottom of the seventh. Archer scattered five hits, three walks, and a hit batsman over his six innings. He struck out five and earned his sixth win of the season.

The Rattlers got their tenth run of the night in the top of the sixth inning when Denson scored from third with two outs on a wild pitch by Jhonny Polanco.

Halcomb provided the final run of the night for Wisconsin. The Rattlers shortstop hit a no doubt home run to left with two outs in the ninth inning. The solo shot was the first professional home run for Halcomb, who went 4-for-5 in Saturday's game.

Quintana allowed one hit over the final three innings and picked up his second save of the season.

The final game of the series - and Wisconsin's road trip - is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at Dozer Park. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Wei-Chung Wang is scheduled to make the start for the Timber Rattlers as part of his Major League rehabilitation assignment. Kyle Helisek (0-0, 9.00) set to make his second start of the season for the Chiefs. Game time is 2:00pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 1:40pm.

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Midwest League Stories from August 9, 2014


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