GENEVA, IL - Kyle Heckathorn was at it again.  The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers starting pitcher tossed six shutout innings, allowed one hit, and struck out seven to lead the Rattlers to an 8-0 win over the Kane County Cougars Saturday night at Elfstrom Stadium.  Heckathorn pitched his seventh straight quality start and picked up his fifth win of the season with his performance against the Cougars (32-36).

The Rattlers (25-42) strung together four consecutive one-out singles in the top of the first inning.  Khris Davis and Hunter Morris had the last two singles in the sequence and drove in a run each for a 2-0 advantage.

Wisconsin stole a run with runners on first and third in the top of the second.  Cutter Dykstra was at third and Michael Marseco was at first with one out after a hit-and-run single by Marseco.  D'Vontrey Richardson was at the plate when Marseco broke for second and drew a throw.  Dysktra broke for the plate and scored without a play as Marseco was tagged out.

Heckathorn took over the game at that point.  He retired 16 straight at one point.  The big right-hander allowed one hit and walked three over six shutout innings.  He also set a new professional high for strikeouts with seven.  Heckathorn left after six innings with a 3-0 lead.  In seven consecutive starts dating back to  May 16, Heckathorn has pitched at least six innings without allowing more than three earned runs.  In those last seven starts, Heckathorn has pitched 46 innings, allowed six earned runs, and struck out 33 batters.

Rattler reliever Brian Costello allowed a leadoff single in the bottom of the seventh, but nothing else.

Jon Pokorny pitched around a pair of hits in the bottom of the eighth inning to maintain the 3-0 advantage.

Wisconsin's offense gave the bullpen some breathing room in the top of the ninth inning.  Cameron Garfield doubled to start the inning and he was moved along on a grounder to the right side by Dykstra.  Pete Fatse dropped a perfect suicide squeeze bunt with Garfield charging from third.  Fatse reached base on the play that was ruled an error.

Later in the inning, Wisconsin loaded the bases.  Scooter Gennett cleared the bases with a three-run double to left.  Kentrail Davis followed with an RBI double and the Rattlers were up 8-0 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

Pokorny struck out the side to end the game.

The Rattlers and the Cougars wrap up the first half of the Midwest League schedule on Sunday afternoon.  Nick Bucci (3-3, 3.07) is scheduled to start for the Timber Rattlers.  Kane County has Justin Marks (2-7, 5.67) as their scheduled starter.  Game time is 1:00pm.  You can tune into the broadcast on AM 1280 WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:40pm.

WP: Kyle Heckathorn (5-4)

LP: Dan Straily (5-4)

SAVE: Jon Pokorny (3)

TIME: 2:46
ATTN: 10,629

Click here for a complete boxscore of Saturday's Game