Wisconsin starts second half with 2-0 win

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers started the second half of the Midwest League schedule with a 2-0 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Thursday night. A trio of Rattlers pitchers held the River Bandits to one hit in the game.

Both starting pitchers pitched well. Jose Hernandez pitched around three doubles in his five shutout innings, didn't walk a batter, and struck out five for the River Bandits. Conor Harber pitched five no-hit innings, walked two, and struck out seven. The seven strikeouts was a new single-game high as a professional for Harber. Neither starter would figure into the decision.

The Timber Rattlers (35-36 overall, 1-0 second half) broke the scoreless deadlock in the seventh inning. Isan Diaz, who had two hits and drew a walk on Thursday, started the frame with a single against River Bandits reliever Elieser Hernandez. He was still at first base with one out when Hernandez tried a pickoff throw. The throw was wild and Diaz raced around to third base. Jake Gatewood drove in Diaz with a sacrifice fly to left and the Rattlers were up 1-0.

Wisconsin added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Luis Aviles singled to center with two outs to score Alan Sharkey from second base.

Nate Griep entered the game in the top of the ninth and retired the River Bandits (31-39, 0-1) in order to close out the victory. Griep has converted his last eleven save opportunities.

Jake Drossner tossed three scoreless innings in relief for the Timber Rattlers and picked up the win. He allowed a two-out single to Myles Straw in the sixth inning for the only hit given up by the Rattlers.

The series continues on Friday night. The Timber Rattlers have named Miguel Diaz (1-6, 3.38) as their starting pitcher. The River Bandits will go with Chris Murphy (3-4, 4.02) as their starter. Game time is 7:05pm.

Friday is the second of two Peanut Free Nights and we invite you to attend the game in costume as YouthGo and the Rattlers present Halloween in June. There will be a costume contest, a visit from the Ghostbusters, and many more frightful surprises. Stop by the Special Memories Petting Zoo display outside the stadium on the way into the ballpark.

Arty's Old Fashioned drinks will be available to fans 21 and over for $3 as part of Arty's Old Fashioned Friday presented by WIXX. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the game.