Wilson's slam enough for Wisconsin, 4-2

LANSING, Mich. - Weston Wilson's sixth-inning grand slam provided the difference in a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (11-12, 37-54) 4-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (7-16, 44-45) on Saturday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

A crowd of 8,960 was in attendance, watching the pre-game induction of Ty Cobb and the 1959 Hamtramck Little League champions into the Michigan Baseball Hall of Fame, followed by an entertaining contest.

Lansing starter Osman Gutierrez (Loss, 2-7) held the Rattlers off the board for the first five innings, but loaded the bases with none out in the sixth on a pair of walks sandwiched around a bunt single. Wilson followed by crushing a fly ball well over 400 feet to left-center, his fourth home run of the year.

The Lugnuts made things dramatic in the ninth on a two-out, two-run double by Rodrigo Orozco off reliever Jordan Desguin. Joshua Palacios greeted new reliever Andrew Vernon(Save, 1) with a hot grounder up the middle , but shortstop Devin Hairston was in position to glove it and throw to first, ending the game.

Thomas Jankins(Win, 4-6) earned the victory with four innings of hitless relief for the Rattlers, striking out three. He followed starter Drake Owenby, who threw the first three innings and limited the Lugnuts to just a Palacios third-inning single.

The Nuts received expert relief work in defeat. Connor Eller fired 1 2/3 shutout innings, allowing one hit and one walk and striking out one. Denis Diaz took care of the eighth and ninth, setting down six straight following a leadoff walk - including four strikeouts.

Sunday is a special Delta Dental Kids Day celebrating Minions! Play Catch on the Field before the game, and Kids Run the Bases after the game, with first pitch at 2:05 p.m. Nuts right-hander Andy Ravel (5-4, 7.48) starts against Rattlers lefty Cameron Roegner (4-2, 4.47). Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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