Cedar Rapids scores in ninth to beat Wisconsin

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie their game with the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night. But, Rafael Valera hit a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth and the Kernels beat the Rattlers 3-2.

Max Murphy gave Cedar Rapids (45-32 overall, 4-3 second half) the early lead. He tripled with one out in the top of the second inning to drive in Alex Real from second base. Murphy has thirteen RBI in eleven games against Wisconsin this season. He has a total of 28 RBI in 65 games this season.

Rattlers starting pitcher Zach Hirsch eleven of the next twelve batters he faced. In the top of the sixth, Edgar Corcino reached on an error to start the inning. He moved to second on a wild pitch and - after a Hirsch strikeout - took third on a grounder. Real got Corcino home with a single and the unearned run gave the Kernels a 2-0 lead.

Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Felix Jorge allowed four hits over six scoreless innings despite allowing the leadoff man to reach in the first three innings. Two of those three leadoff hits were doubles.

Michael Theofanopoulos entered the game for the Kernels in the bottom of the seventh and retired the Rattlers (22-52, 2-5) in order. But, it was a different story in the bottom of the eighth.

Greg McCall singled to start the Wisconsin eighth and Alan Sharkey drew a walk with one out. Brandon Diaz lined a double to left on a 3-1 pitch and McCall scored. The ball was misplayed in left and that allowed Sharkey to score the tying run.

Khris Davis, who is with Wisconsin on a rehabilitation assignment from the Milwaukee Brewers, was the next batter for the Rattlers. However, the Kernels elected to walk Davis intentionally. Theofanopoulos got out of the inning by retiring the next batter on a ground out.

Davis went 0-for-3 with a walk in the game. He is scheduled to appear in four more games for the Timber Rattlers on his rehabilitation assignment.

Gian Rizzo gave the Rattlers a chance to get back into the game with a perfect seventh and a perfect eighth.

In the top of the ninth, Scott Lieser allowed a leadoff single to Real, the third hit of the night for Real. Tanner English came on to pinch run for Real and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt.

Lieser got the second out on a popout, but Valera lined a single to left and English scored the go-ahead run.

Trevor Hildenberger retired the Rattlers in order in the bottom of the ninth for his ninth save of the season.

The Kernels are 11-1 against the Timber Rattlers this season, including 9-0 against Wisconsin at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

The Timber Rattlers begin a short two-game road trip with a game against the Beloit Snappers on Thursday night. Devin Williams (2-4, 3.12) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Brett Graves (6-3, 4.89) is scheduled to start for the Snappers. Game time is 7:00pm.

Catch the radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40. The broadcast may also be heard on Tune In Radio and IHeartRadio.

WP: Michael Theofanopoulos (2-2)
LP: Scott Lieser (0-2)
SAVE: Trevor Hildenberger (9)

TIME: 2:25
ATTN: 3,072