Rattlers Return Home to Rout Peoria

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers returned home to Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium from a two-week road trip and it was a sweet homecoming as they defeated the Peoria Chiefs 13-1 on Tuesday night. Wisconsin had twelve hits, drew eight walks, and their two pitchers combined to strike out ten Peoria batters without issuing a single walk. The win snapped a five-game losing streak for Wisconsin.

Gabriel García put the Timber Rattlers (19-23) ahead 3-0 with a three-run home run in the bottom of the second inning. Wisconsin added to their advantage later in the frame on an RBI single by David Hamilton and a bases-loaded walk to Garrett Mitchell.

Chad McClanahan padded the lead with a two-run double in the bottom of the third.

Wisconsin starting pitcher Justin Bullock retired the first twelve batters he faced. Brady Whalen broke that streak with a lead-off single in the fifth for Peoria (17-26). Chandler Redmond was next and he doubled to left to score Whalen. Bullock got the next three batters before the Wisconsin batters went back to work.

The Rattlers scored three times in the fifth and added three more runs in the sixth to go up 13-1. Carlos Rodríguez drove in the first run in the bottom of the fifth with a double. McClanahan followed with an RBI single and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. In the sixth, Mitchell doubled off the top of the wall in left field. Je’Von Ward cleared the wall in left one out later with a two-run homer off the scoreboard. García doubled later in the inning and Nick Kahle drove him home with a single to close out the scoring in the game.

That was more than enough for Bullock. The right-hander recorded six strikeouts, walked none, and allowed one run on three hits over six innings to put himself in line for his second win in three starts with Wisconsin this season.

Carlos Luna relieved Bullock to start the top of the seventh and allowed two hits with no walks and four strikeouts over the final three innings to close out the game for his second save of 2021.

The Timber Rattlers defense played errorless an errorless game on top of everything else.

The series continues on Wednesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Victor Castañeda (1-1, 4.78) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria has named Conner Lunn (2-2, 5.45) as their starting pitcher. Game time is 12:05pm.

This game is the first weekday afternoon game of the season and it is your chance to enjoy a day of baseball in the middle of the week. Plus, fans 55 & older could choose the Silver Foxes Deal from Primrose Retirement Community of Appleton with a box seat ticket, a bucket hat or seat cushion, a beverage, and a brat or hotdog for just $17.

Wednesday is also a Bark in the Park game presented by Fox Valley Humane Association, Fleet Farm, and WVBO. Fans can bring their pups to the ballpark with a seat on the left field berm just waiting for them. Click this link for the details you need to know before bringing your canine to the game.

If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, catch all of the action on AM 1280 WNAM starting with the pregame show at 11:45am. The game will be available on internet audio and through MiLB.tv, too.