Bees break tie late to beat Rattlers

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Aaron Shipman tripled in a pair of runs in the top of the ninth inning to give the Burlington Bees a 3-1 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night. Both starting pitchers were good, but neither were around for the decision.

Max Muncy put the Bees (53-54 overall, 21-17 second half) in front in the second inning. He hit a home run to right-center off Rattlers starting pitcher David Goforth and the solo shot made it 1-0.

The Rattlers (63-44, 19-19) were primed to tie the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Chadwin Stang extended his hitting streak to sixteen games with a leadoff triple against Bees starting pitcher Drew Granier. But, Granier got out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts around a line out to third base.

Goforth left the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning and faced the same situation with two outs in the top of the sixth. He stranded three Bees in the sixth, too.

Wisconsin tied the game in the bottom of the sixth. Stang tripled with one out to set up the inning. Wednesday marked the second time Stang has had two triples in a game this season. It was also the third time he's had two triples in a game in his Rattlers career.

Lance Roenicke drove in Stang with a sacrifice fly to even the game 1-1. That was the only run allowed by Granier. The Bees starting pitcher struck out eight and walked one over six innings.

Goforth would toss seven innings and strike out four. He worked around four walks and five hits to allow just one run.

Nick Rickles started the Burlington ninth inning with a single off reliever Tyler Cravy. Chi-Fang Pan dropped a bunt in front of the plate that left an opportunity to get Rickles, the Bees catcher, at second base. However, the throw sailed into center for an error and the Bees had a pair of runners in scoring position and no outs.

Cravy got the first out, but Shipman lined a triple to right-center to put Burlington up 3-1.

Bees closer Jonathan Joseph retired the Rattlers in order in the bottom of the ninth inning to finish off the Rattlers.

Game three of the series is Thursday afternoon. Eric Semmelhack (0-0, 4.50) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Rattlers. AJ Cole (5-2, 2.06) is set to start for the Bees. Game time is 12:05pm.

Thursday is a Baker Tilly Business Persons Special. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $11.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog. This offer is available to senior citizens, too.

All fans can enjoy 16oz soda and beer for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Slugger's Sports Bar! After the game, those in attendance can take their ticket stub to Sluggers Sports Bar - located in Super Bowl on Northland Avenue - to win Miller Lite drinks and prizes.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. Thursday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

HOME RUN:
BUR:
Max Muncy (3rd, 0 on in 2nd inning off David Goforth, 1 out)

WP: Seth Frankoff (3-7)
LP: Tyler Cravy (1-5)
SAVE: Jonathan Joseph (10)

TIME: 2:12
ATTN: 4,585