Rattlers Win Fifth Straight on 2-0 Shutout at Beloit

BELOIT, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers didn’t get much offense in their 2-0 win over the Beloit Snappers on Friday night at ABC Supply Stadium. Wisconsin pitchers Max Lazar and TJ Shook made sure those two runs were more than enough for the Rattlers to earn their fifth consecutive win. Shook set a new single-game high for strikeouts at a professional with ten as he picked up the victory in relief.

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Wes Clarke gave the Timber Rattlers (6-1) a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a two-out RBI single. Carlos Rodríguez set up the inning with a single and then stole second. Clarke cracked a sharp single to left to score Rodríguez. That would be Wisconsin’s last hit until the ninth inning.

Lazar was the starting pitcher for Wisconsin. It was his first start in a minor league game since August 26, 2019. Lazar allowed a one-out double in the first inning. Then, he retired the next eleven batters in a row before leaving as scheduled. Lazar had four strikeouts in his four innings.

Beloit (0-7) pitching kept the Timber Rattlers in check through the eighth inning. Dax Fulton was the starter for the Sky Carp and he only allowed the one run on two hits over 5-1/3 innings. Raul Brito was next and pitched 2-2/3 scoreless innings thanks to a pair of key double plays turned behind him by his defense.

Shook entered the game in relief of Lazar in the bottom of the fifth. He allowed a two-out single in the fifth and a one-out walk in the sixth before retiring the next nine batters in a row. Shook struck out five batters in a row at one point from the sixth through the eighth.

The Rattlers put together a rally in the top of the ninth against reliever Sean Reynolds. Joe Gray Jr. walked, stole second, and went to third on a flyout to right. Zavier Warren drew a two-out walk to extend the inning to Darrien Miller. The Rattlers designated hitter lined a single to right on a 3-2 pitch to score Gray with an insurance run for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, Shook retired the first batter he faced on a grounder, but an error let the next batter reach base and bring the tying run to the plate. Shook didn’t let the miscue rattle him as he struck out the next two batters to give him ten strikeouts in the game and close out the game.

The Timber Rattlers are 6-1 to start a season for the first time since 2005. The 2005 Timber Rattlers have the best start in team history through eight games as they began that year 7-1.

The 2022 Rattlers will have a chance to match that mark with a win on Saturday night when the teams will meet again at ABC Supply Stadium. Brandon Knarr (0-1, 1.59) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Beloit has named Evan Fitterer as their starting pitcher. First pitch is set for 6:35pm. The radio broadcast may be heard on AM1280, WNAM or internet audio starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm.