Brennan belts Bees in 9-5 Wisconsin win
GRAND CHUTE, WI - Taylor Brennan got a second chance with the bases loaded on Thursday night and made it count. The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers third baseman hit a bases loaded home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to snap a 5-5 tie and lead Wisconsin to a 9-5 victory over the Burlington Bees Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Brennan drove in five runs in the game as the Rattlers picked up a much-needed win in their push for a playoff spot.
But, it wasn't easy. Burlington leadoff hitter Bo Way walked on four pitches to start the game. He would steal second to get into scoring position. Brandon Bayardi singled to right with two outs to drive in Way for a 1-0 lead.
Wisconsin (70-64 overall, 35-31 second half) answered in the bottom of the first. Chris McFarland and Johnny Davis singled to start the inning. Clint Coulter stepped to the plate with one out and sent a grounder to third. Zach Houchins bobbled the ball, but still managed to step on third for the force on McFarland. However, Houchins made an ill-advised throw to first and the ball sailed into the stands behind first base. This allowed Davis to score the tying run and move Coulter to second base.
Michael Ratterree followed with a single to center on a 3-2 pitch and Coulter scored on the play to put Wisconsin up 2-1. Then, Taylor Brennan hit a sinking line drive to right. Bayardi tried to make a diving catch but the ball glanced off his glove for an RBI triple and a 3-1 lead.
Paul Eshleman added to Wisconsin's lead with a solo home run to center in the bottom of the fourth. Coulter tacked on another run for the Rattlers with a two-out RBI single to drive in McFarland in the bottom of the fifth for a 5-1 lead.
Wisconsin had a chance to bust the game wide open in the bottom of the fifth as they loaded the bases with two outs and Brennan was at the plate. Burlington went to reliever Cole Swanson, who struck out Brennan to keep the Bees down by four.
Burlington (66-69, 28-38) started their comeback when they loaded the bases against Wisconsin starter Chad Thompson with no outs in the top of the sixth inning on two walks and a bloop single to right. The Rattlers called Zach Quintana out of the bullpen to take over for Thompson.
A weak grounder to third off the bat of Stephen McGee allowed a run as the only play was to first base. Then, Ismael Dionicio smacked a singled up the middle on an 0-2 pitch to drive in two runs to cut Wisconsin's lead to a single run.
The Bees tied the game in the top of the seventh. Way singled to start the inning and went from first to third on a wild pitch with Kody Eaves at the plate. Quintana threw a wild pitch on a 1-2 offering to Eaves and that allowed Way to score the tying runs. Eaves would ground out for the first out, but the next two batters singled to put runners on first and second. Quintana got out of the inning when he got Zach Houchins to ground into an inning-ending 6-3 double play.
Swanson, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning, got the first out of the seventh inning. Then, he walked David Denson, Coulter, and Ratterree to load the bases. Ben Carlson was summoned from the Burlington bullpen to face Brennan with the bases loaded in a tie game.
Brennan fell behind in the 1-2 in the count. He lined the next pitch over the wall in left for a grand slam to put the Rattlers up 9-5. The slam was the third of the season by Brennan, who is now 7-for-16 with 26 RBI when he bats with the bases loaded this season. Brennan is the first Timber Rattlers player to hit three bases loaded homers in a single season. The Midwest League record is four and was set by Peter Koegel of the Burlington Bees in 1966.
The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers have hit seven grand slams as a team this season. The record in the league is ten and was set by the Wisconsin Rapids Twins in 1981.
Seth Harvey pitched a scoreless eighth and a scoreless ninth to close out the Bees.
Wisconsin added a half game to their lead in the second half Western Division Wild Card race. The Peoria Chiefs and the Quad Cities River Bandits were both rained out on Thursday night. Wisconsin leads both teams by 2-1/2 games. The Rattlers have four games remaining in the season. The Chiefs and River Bandits both host doubleheaders on Friday and both have five games remaining in the season.
The final home game of the regular season is set for Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Preston Gainey (5-8, 4.20) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington has named Victor Alcantara (6-6, 3.83) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05pm.
If you have enjoyed the 1995 uniforms the Timber Rattlers have been wearing on Appvion Throwback Nights as part of the 20th Anniversary Season presented by Bergstrom Automotive, this game will be your opportunity to take one home. The Timber Rattlers are holding a silent auction during the game and if you have the high bid, you take home the jersey and the pants. Proceeds from the auction will go to assist the family of former Timber Rattlers pitcher Jorge Lopez.
The first 1,000 fans to attend the game will receive a tree sapling from Boldt.
Friday is a North Shore Bank Family Night which means all children 12 and under will receive a free hot dog and soda. Stick around after the game for the final fireworks display of the season. Then, kids 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the fireworks. Plus, Potawatomi Bingo Casino presents Baseball Bingo for the final time this season.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Friday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.
HOME RUNS:
WIS:
Paul Eshleman (2nd, 0 on in 4th inning off Ryan Etsell, 2 out)
Taylor Brennan (14th, GRAND SLAM in 7th inning off Ben Carlson, 1 out)
WP: Zach Quintana (4-5)
LP: Cole Swanson (1-3)
TIME: 3:08
ATTN: 3,961