Wisconsin earns first win of 2015 with a shutout of Burlington

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are in the win column in 2015. The Rattlers defeated the Burlington Bees 4-0 Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium to snap a six-game losing streak to start the season. Angel Ventura and Cy Sneed provided the pitching while Jake Gatewood and Greg McCall chipped in for the offense in the victorious effort.

McCall put Wisconsin (1-6) in front with a two-out single in the bottom of the second inning. Carlos Leal singled with one out and took second on an errant pickoff throw. An infield grounder sent Leal to third with two outs. McCall singled to left on a 3-2 pitch to drive in Leal for the 1-0 lead. The hit by McCall was the first by a Timber Rattlers hitter with two outs and a runner in scoring position this season. Wisconsin hitters were 0-for-19 in that situation before McCall's timely hit.

Gatewood stepped to the plate with runners at second and third with one out in the fourth inning and lined a double to left to drive in two runs for a 3-0 lead.

In the sixth inning, Gatewood reached second with two outs after a dropped fly ball in right field. He would steal third base and score on a wild pitch for Wisconsin's last run.

Burlington (4-3) got an infield single from Jake Yacinich to start the game. Ventura retired the next eleven batters he faced in the game. The right-hander out of the Dominican Republic tossed five innings, allowed three hits, walked none, and struck out four to earn his first win of the season.

Sneed took over in the top of the sixth and retired the Bees in order. Sneed worked four innings, allowed two hits, walked none, and struck out three to get his first save of the season.

Game two of the series is Thursday night. Zach Hirsch (0-1, 3.00) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington will send Jeremy Rhoades (1-0, 1.59) to the mound. Game time is 6:35pm.

Thursday is an Arty's Old Fashioned Thirsty Thursday. Soda, beer, and Arty's Old Fashioned drinks will be available for $2.

If you can't make it to the game, there are several ways to catch the action. 

MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game beginning at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280 WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. The game is also available on TuneIn Radio and MiLB.TV.

WP: Angel Ventura (1-0)
LP: Michael Bolaski (0-1)
SAVE: Cy Sneed (1)

TIME: 2:26
ATTN: 1,511