CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers edged the Cedar Rapids Kernels 2-1 on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Tucker Neuhaus delivered a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie and give the Rattlers a victory in game one of
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers edged the Cedar Rapids Kernels 2-1 on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Tucker Neuhaus delivered a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to break a 1-1 tie and give the Rattlers a victory in game one of the series with the Kernels.
Cedar Rapids (45-38 overall, 6-7 second half) took the lead in the bottom of the first inning. Aaron Whitefield started the frame with a single and was on third base with one out after a ground out and a wild pitch. Lewin Diaz would drive in Whitefield with a sacrifice fly and the Kernels were up 1-0.
Wisconsin (31-49, 6-7) tied the game in the fourth inning. Devin Hairston, the 6th round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2017 draft, lined a leadoff home run. The homer was Hairston's first as a professional.
Those were the only runs allowed by the starting pitchers. Wisconsin starter Thomas Jankins scattered four hits and one walk with one strikeout in five innings. Kernels starter Eduardo Del Rosario went seven innings and held the Rattlers to three hits with one walk and six strikeouts.
The Rattlers nearly took the lead right after the homer by Hairston. Weston Wilson doubled and promptly went to third on a ground out. However, Del Rosario stranded Wilson at third by retiring the next two batters on a strikeout and a foul pop.
Hairston was in the midst of the rally that put the Rattlers up in the top of the ninth as he drew a walk to start the inning against Max Cordy. Wilson bunted to move Hairston into scoring position, but Hairston was still there with two outs. Neuhaus did not waste the opportunity as he grounded a single into left and Hairston raced home ahead of the throw to put the Rattlers up 2-1.
Parker Berberet, who pitched three scoreless innings out of the Wisconsin bullpen, gave way to Luke Barker in the ninth. Barker tossed a 1-2-3 inning to close out the Kernels and earn his fifth save of the season.
Game two of the series is Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field. Braden Webb (3-5, 5.02) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Evan Sanders (0-1, 11.25) is scheduled to start for the Kernels. Game time is 6:35pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio, IHeartRadio, and MiLB.tv.
