Wizards whack Wisconsin with three-run ninth
August 4, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- The Fort Wayne Wizards erased a late deficit with a three run rally in the top of the ninth to defeat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6-4 Friday night. Mike Baxter delivered the go ahead RBI with a two-out double. The Wizards took three out of four games in the series from the Rattlers.
Robby Hudson put Wisconsin (40-72 overall, 13-29 second half) in front with an RBI double in the bottom of the third. Mike Saunders followed with an RBI triple for a 2-0 Rattler lead.
Wisconsin had runners at second and third with no outs in the bottom of the fourth inning, but could not push a run across the plate to pad their lead. It would cost them.
Fort Wayne (54-55, 23-19) had runners on second and third with no outs in the top of the fifth inning and got both runs home to tie the game. An RBI single by Josh Alley and a sacrifice fly Baxter evened the game.
The Wizards took the lead in the top of the sixth on an RBI single by Jose Lobaton.
Wisconsin rallied to tie the game on a sacrifice fly by Travis Scott in the bottom of the sixth.
The first two Rattlers of the bottom of the seventh inning were retired by Wizard reliever Brandon Higelin. But, Hudson singled to keep the inning alive. With Saunders at the plate, Hudson stole second and went to third on a throwing error. Saunders sent Hudson home with the go ahead run on a single to center.
In the top of the ninth, Austin Bibens-Dirkx came into the game to close out the Wizards. But, Fort Wayne had other ideas. Jose Lobaton started the inning with a double. AJ Davidiuk followed with an RBI single to tie the game. A sacrifice bunt and a grounder moved Davidiuk to third base. Baxter doubled just out of the reach of Saunders in center to drive in the go ahead run. Will Venable added to the Fort Wayne lead with an RBI triple to make the score 6-4.
Fort Wayne closer John Madden walked Saunders with two out in the bottom of the ninth, but closed out the Rattlers with a strikeout of Chris Minaker to end the game.
The Rattlers continue their home stand with a four game series against the Beloit Snappers that begins Saturday night. Paul Fagan (4-11, 4.78ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Ryan Mullins (2-6, 3.72ERA) is set to start for the Snappers. Game time is 7:05pm.
Midwest League Stories from August 4, 2006
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