Rattlers rally, but fall short 5-4 to Cedar Rapids
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers fell behind 4-0 in the first inning to the Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers rallied thanks to a pair of home runs by Monte Harrison, but fell short in a 5-4 loss to the Kernels.
Wisconsin starter Kodi Medeiros struggled in the first inning. The Hawaiian left-hander allowed hits to Zack Granite and Nick Gordon to start the game. He hit Zack Larson to load the bases.
Cedar Rapids (10-4) took the lead when Max Murphy drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch to force in Granite.
The Kernels added runs on an RBI single by Trey Vavra, a fielder's choice by TJ White, and a successful double steal pulled off by White taking second and Murphy stealing home on the throw to second,.
Medeiros rallied after getting out of the first inning. The #1 pick of the Brewers in the 2014 draft, allowed one more hit and struck out eight from the second through the fifth inning. The eight strikeouts set a new single game high as a professional for Medeiros.
Harrison started Wisconsin's comeback with a solo home run in the second inning. Harrison, Milwaukee's second round pick in 2014, launched a 1-0 pitch deep to left for his first home run of the game.
The Rattlers (3-11) scored again in the fourth inning when David Denson tripled with one out and scored on an RBI grounder by Elvis Rubio.
Harrison was in the middle of another Wisconsin rally in the fifth. He drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a wild pitch, and took third on a grounder to the right side of the infield by Sthervin Matos. Gregory Munoz drove in Harrison with a two-out single and the Rattlers were down 4-3.
The Kernels picked up an important insurance run in the top of the sixth inning when David Burkhalter took over on the mound for Medeiros. Vavra doubled on a sinking line drive to left that got by Brandon Diaz with one out. White was next and he singled to left to knock in Vavra.
The Rattlers pulled within 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh on Harrison's second long drive to left of the game. The multi-homer game was the first of the season by a Rattler and the first of Harrison's career.
But, Wisconsin could not get the game back to even and they dropped their second straight game of the series to the Kernels.
The series finale between the Rattlers and Cedar Rapids is Thursday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Luis Ortega (0-1, 5.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels will counter with Stephen Gonsalves (1-0, 1.38). Game time is 12:05pm.
Thirsty Thursday means 16oz soda, beer, and Arty's Old Fashioned drinks are available for just $2. Since this is a weekday afternoon game, it is a BONUS Business Person & Senior Citizen Special from Baker Till, WVBO and WNAM. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $13.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog. This offer is also available to seniors aged 55 & older.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark, The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio and MiLB.TV.
HOME RUNS:
WIS:
Monte Harrison (1st, 0 on in 2nd inning off Zack Tillery, 1 out)
Monte Harrison (2nd, 0 on in 7th inning off Randy LeBlanc, 1 out)
WP: Randy LeBlanc (1-0)
LP: Kodi Medeiros (0-1)
SAVE: Cam Booser (2)
TIME: 2:37
ATTN: 702