GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the weather and the Cedar Rapids Kernels by snapping a tie game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers swept the brief, two-game series against
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers beat the weather and the Cedar Rapids Kernels by snapping a tie game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning on Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers swept the brief, two-game series against the Kernels with a 4-2 victory in the rain-shortened contest.
Wisconsin (3-1) scored first with a tally in the third inning. Jesús Lujano and Brent Díaz had consecutive singles with one out. Yeison Coca knocked in Lujano with a sacrifice fly to right and the Rattler were up 1-0.
Brice Turang added a run for the Timber Rattlers in the bottom of the sixth. Lujano started the inning with a single and he stole second, but he was still at second base with two outs. Turang made sure the scoring opportunity didn't go to waste as he cracked a single up the middle to score Lujano and Wisconsin was up 2-0.
A gray day turned wet in the middle of the contest as a slight drizzle turned into a steady rain.
Cedar Rapids (1-3) was held to one hit through the first five innings, but they broke through with two runs in the top of the sixth inning against Wisconsin starter Aaron Ashby. Joe Cronin started the inning with a walk and Michael Davis followed with a single. Gilberto Celestino was next and he put the Kernels on the board with an RBI single. DaShawn Keirsey, Jr. tied the game with an RBI single. Ashby retired the next batter on a flyout to center before leaving the game.
Sal Biasi relieved Ashby and closed out the inning by getting Ben Rodriguez to ground into a 6-4-3 double play.
The Rattlers went back in front in the top of the sixth as the rain increased in intensity. Chad McClanahan reached on an error and Connor McVey drew a walk to start the inning. The runners were at second and third with two outs when Kernels reliever Joe Record uncorked a wild pitch to allow McClanahan to score. An errant throw to first after a grounder by Lujano let McVey home and the Rattlers were up 4-2.
The tarp went on the field after the error and the game was called just over 30 minutes later.
The Timber Rattlers begin a four-game series with the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park in Peoria, Illinois on Monday evening. Adam Hill is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria has named Dionis Zamora as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm. The broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM and the TuneIn Radio app starting with the Papa John's Pizza Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.tv.
