Rattlers Triumph in Ten over Burlington

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers concluded their long homestand with a 2-1 walkoff victory over the Burlington Bees on Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Payton Henry knocked in the winning run with a two-out single in the bottom of the tenth to give the team a little boost before they head out on an long road trip on Monday.
The Timber Rattlers (20-23) had the best early scoring opportunity. KJ Harrison doubled to start the second inning and moved to third on a grounder off the bat of Gilbert Lara. However, Bees starting pitcher Luis Madero struck out the next two batters to end the threat.

Madero pitched five scoreless innings, allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out three.
The Bees (17-23) broke the ice when Jo Adell cracked a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning. The homer was the sixth of the season for Adell, the number one prospect in the Los Angeles Angels system.

That was the only run allowed by Rattlers starting pitcher Bowden Francis, who gave up just three hits over 5-1/3 innings.

Wisconsin got the game back to even in the eighth inning. Nick Roscetti singled with one out, but was still at first base with two away. Then, Tristen Lutz delivered for the Rattlers...again. The Wisconsin outfielder lined a 1-2 pitch from reliever Kida De La Cruz just fair down the line in left for a double to send Roscetti home with the tying run.

Lutz has driven in at least one run in eight of the last nine games he has played. This RBI on Sunday did two things. It tied the game and kept the Rattlers from being shutout for the first time this season.

The game remained tied and went the Rattlers went to extra innings for the third time this season, but for the first time at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

As per the new rules for minor league baseball this season, the Bees started the tenth inning with a runner at second base. Wisconsin reliever Gab Friese retired the first batter on a fly ball to right that was deep enough to move the lead runner to third, but he escaped the inning with a popup and a grounder to keep the game tied.

Wisconsin sent pinch-runner Zach Clark to second base to start the bottom of the tenth with Bees reliever Austin Krzeminski on the mound. The Bees infield was set up for a bunt by Roscetti and Clark attempted to steal third. He was unsuccessful and when Roscetti popped out, it looked like the game was heading to the eleventh inning.

Demi Orimoloye had other ideas as he extended the tenth inning by drawing a walk on a 3-2 pitch. Lutz followed with a single to center that brought Henry to the plate.

Henry sent a soft liner to right on a 3-2 pitch and Orimoloye, who was running on the pitch, scored easily and the Rattlers celebrated their second straight win.

Three Wisconsin relievers - Matt Hardy, Cody Beckman, and Friese - combined to pitch 4-2/3 scoreless innings and allowed just one hit to give the offense a chance to win the game.

Wisconsin concluded their 14-game homestand with an 8-6 record. The homestand started with a walkoff win over the Lansing Lugnuts on May 7 and ended on Sunday with the walkoff win over the Bees.
The Timber Rattlers hit the road on Monday to start an eleven-game road trip that begins with game one of a four-game series at Modern Woodmen Park against the Quad Cities River Bandits. Nelson Hernández (5-2, 4.43) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The River Bandits have named Yohan Ramirez (3-2, 3.38) as their starter. 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 the Tune In and IHeart Radio apps. Subscribers to MiLB.tv can watch the game over the internet.