Wisconsin Wins Fifth Straight by Shutting Out Kernels

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers changed their name to the Wisconsin Brats for Saturday's game against the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Neuroscience Group Field, but they did not change the way they have been playing. Wisconsin defeated the Kernels 4-0 for their fifth straight win.
The Timber Rattlers (30-32) took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the third by taking advantage of a little wildness from Kernels starting pitcher Edwar Colina. Zach Clark started the inning by taking a walk. Devin Hairston followed with a walk. Tristen Lutz loaded the bases with an infield single. Trever Morrison unloaded the bases with a double down the line in left to score all three runners.

Wisconsin added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Morrison singled with two outs and went to third on a single by Payton Henry. A misplay by shortstop Royce Lewis on a grounder off the bat of Demi Orimoloye allowed Morrison to score for a 4-0 lead.

The Kernels (28-33) were fortunate to keep the Rattlers to one run. KJ Harrison stepped in later in the inning with the bases loaded and sent a screaming liner ticketed for the corner in left. However, third baseman Andrew Bechtold made a leaping grab to deny Wisconsin more insurance.

Starter Alec Bettinger and the two pitchers who relieved him didn't need the extra runs as no Cedar Rapids runner made it past second base in the game. Bettinger allowed three hits and struck out six over six scoreless innings for his sixth quality start of the season. He also picked up his fifth win of the season.

Michael Peterson worked around two walks and a hit over two scoreless innings to protect the lead. Matt Hardy tossed a perfect ninth inning to close out the game.

This is the third five-game winning streak of the season for the Rattlers. They have held opponents to six runs during this recent streak. Saturday was their second shutout in the last three games.
Game three of the series is Sunday afternoon. Bowden Francis (2-3, 4.84) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Cedar Rapids has named Melvi Acosta (1-1, 1.98) as their starter. Game time is 1:05pm.
Daniel Tiger is coming to our neighborhood tomorrow. Young fans of this PBS Kids' star can meet him before and during the game. Fans may also play catch on-field courtesy of Rasmussen College starting at noon.  

Celebrate the 30^th Anniversary of Bull Durham with author Jim Cryns, who wrote The Church of Baseball; Making of Bull Durham. Jim will be available for a book signing and to meet with fans before the game. 

The first 500 fans to attend this game will receive a magnet of Timber Rattlers outfielder Tristen Lutz. This is magnet number one in a series of four that will be given away during the 2018 season courtesy of Lamers Bus Lines. During the game, Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing their 2018 Brewers Sunday jerseys as part of a Brewers Sunday with Rasmussen College and Star 98. Players will be available for a postgame autograph session sponsored by Tundraland.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are many ways to catch the action. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 12:45pm. The broadcast is also available on the Tune In and IHeart Radio apps. The game will also be televised by CW14 starting at 1:00pm. Subscribers to MiLB.tv can watch the game over the internet.