South Bend Tops Rattlers 3-2 on Tuesday Night

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timbers took an early lead, but could not hold on as they dropped a 3-2 decision to the South Bend Cubs in game one of the six-game series at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Tuesday night.

Click here for Tuesday's Boxscore

Wisconsin (31-35) powered its way to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Hayden Cantrelle hit a lead-off home run to the deck in right-center. Korry Howell hit a solo home run over the wall in left with one out. Cantrelle’s homer was his seventh of the season. Howell’s home run was his eleventh of the season.

South Bend (31-35) had an opportunity in the top of the third inning on a lead-off double by Yonathan Perlaza. Rattlers starting pitcher Reese Olson stranded Perlaza at second by retiring the next three batters and keeping Wisconsin up 2-0.

The Cubs got a run in the top of the fourth, Nelson Velazquez singled and stole second to start the inning. A grounder to second moved him to third. Ryan Reynolds weak grounder up the first baseline was enough to get Velazquez home and Wisconsin’s lead was down to one run.

Olson gave up a one-out single to Velazquez in the top of the sixth and walked the next batter on a 3-2 pitch. That was the end of the night for Olson. Reliever Evan Reifert struck out Reynolds for the second out of the inning, but a wild pitch and a hit batsman on a 3-2 pitch loaded the bases. Reifert walked Harrison Wenson on another 3-2 pitch to force in the tying run.

Delvin Zinn started the top of the seventh with a triple and DJ Artis blooped a single over the drawn-in infield to score Zinn with the go-ahead run.

Wisconsin had chances to tie.

Joe Gray Jr. singled and took second on an error in the bottom of seventh but was left stranded.

Nick Kahle doubled to start the bottom of the eighth and replaced by pinch runner LG Castillo. The inning ended with Castillo at third base.

Thomas Dillard drew a walk with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but the game ended on a 4-6-3 double play.

Game two of the series between the Cubs and Timber Rattlers is set for Wednesday afternoon. Carlos Luna (2-1, 1.83) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Ryan Jensen (2-5, 4.99) is set to start for South Bend. Game time is 12:05pm.

Wednesday is the final Peanut-Free Game of the season for the Timber Rattlers and their fans. No peanuts or peanut-based products will be allowed in the stadium for this game. This game is Kids Rock the Ballpark with free use of the inflatables in the Kids’ Zone and plenty of other specials for the kids.

Fans 55 & older may 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. You must purchase the Silver Foxes Deal in advance over the phone or in person on the day of the game as part of your ticket order. This is not offered as an add-on to a ticket that you have already purchased. Wednesday is a day for the dogs, too, as fans can bring their pups to the ballpark with a seat on the left field berm waiting for them for a Bark in the Park game presented by Fox Valley Humane Association, Fleet Farm, and WVBO.

If you can’t make it out to the ballpark on Wednesday, the game is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 11:45am. The broadcast is also available on internet audio and MiLB.tv.