Rattlers Rally for Fifth Straight Win

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers missed on their first two prime scoring opportunities in game one of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Beloit Snappers. The Rattlers did not waste their third as Jay Feliciano smacked a two-run single with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth to snap a 2-2 tie at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers would close out the game and match their season-high winning streak with a 4-2 victory over their in-state rivals.
The Snappers (13-19) grabbed the lead in the first inning of game one. Wisconsin starting pitcher Bowden Francis walked back-to-back hitters with one out in the first inning. Hunter Hargrove blooped a single to right with two outs to chase home the run to put Beloit in front.

Wisconsin (18-19) had great opportunities in both the second and third innings. They loaded the bases with one out in the second, but Feliciano hit into an inning-ending double play. The Rattlers got the first two batters on base in the third, but a popup on a bunt attempt and another inning-ending double play stopped the rally in its tracks.

The Rattlers evened the score in the bottom of the fourth. Gabriel García reached on a double with two outs. Gilbert Lara was next and he dropped a single into shallow center to score García with the tying run.

Beloit went back in front in the top of the fifth inning. Nick Allen singled and stole second. Trace Loehr doubled to the gap in right-center and Allen scored for a 2-1 lead.

Tristen Lutz brought the Rattlers back to even in the bottom of the fifth with a two-out solo home run. The homer was his third of the season.

The Rattlers loaded the bases again in the bottom of the sixth inning and this time they cashed in the chance. The frame started with a single by Demi Orimoloye. Pat McInerney attempted to bunt Orimoloye into scoring position and reached on an error. García was next and he bunted both runners into scoring position. The Snappers elected to walk Lara intentionally to load the bases for Feliciano.

Feliciano also had to face a new pitcher when he stepped to the plate in the sixth inning as reliever Seth Martinez entered the game. Feliciano made the most of his second opportunity as he lined a single to left to score two runs and give the Rattlers a 4-2 lead.

Robbie Hitt, who relieved for Francis at the start of the sixth inning, took the mound in the top of the seventh inning and closed out the game with a perfect frame to earn his first professional save.

The win was the fifth in a row for the Rattlers. The loss was the sixth in a row for the Snappers.