Bees build big lead to beat Wisconsin
Timber Rattlers starting pitcher Charly Bashara got out of a jam in the top of the second inning to keep the game scoreless. The Bees (57-48 overall, 12-23 second half) put the first two runners on base with a walk and a single, but Bashara got a pop up, a strikeout, and a fly out to end the inning.
Bashara retired the first two batters he faced in the top of the third. Then, Royce Consigli doubled and Josh Whitaker singled to put runners on the corners. AJ Kirby-Jones, who drove in five runs on Saturday night, hit a three-run homer and Burlington was up 3-0.
In the fourth, Douglas Landaeta doubled and moved up on a throwing error after a fly out to right. The Rattlers had Landaeta picked off third, but the throw from the plate was missed. Landaeta trotted home for a 4-0 lead.
Consigli made it 5-0 Burlington with a one out solo homer in the top of the fifth. Wisconsin reliever Greg Holle came into the game after that home run. He and two other Rattlers relievers allowed just one hit the rest of the way.
Wisconsin (51-54, 13-22) missed an opportunity in the bottom of the sixth inning. Bees starting pitcher Blake Hassebrock allowed three hits over five innings with five strikeouts. Blake Tenholder came on to start the sixth and walked the first three batters he faced. Then, Tenholder got a strikeout and a 4-6-3 double play to end the Rattlers threat.
Wisconsin got on the board in the eighth inning thanks to a pair of Burlington errors. Nick Shaw reached on an error and took off for second without a play for defensive indifference. Mike Brownstein singled into the hole at short and a high throw went into the stands to let Shaw score.
In the ninth, Nick Ramirez - the 4th round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 2011 - started the inning with a home run. The Rattlers first baseman blasted the first pitch of the inning to the bullpen in right-center for his first Midwest League home run.
Chad Stang followed with a double. A pair of grounders - the second by Franklin Romero - got Stang home to make the score 5-3. Shaw followed with another double to bring the tying run to the plate, but the Bees held on and sent Wisconsin to its fifth straight loss.
The final game of the series is Monday night. Maverick Lasker (1-4, 6.16) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington has Jonathan Joseph (2-4, 6.85) is the scheduled starter for Burlington. Game time is 7:05pm.
The Timber Rattlers have a Social Media Special on Monday. If you are a fan of the team on facebook or a follower of the team on twitter, mention that when you purchase tickets and receive half price tickets for patio tables, box seats, reserved bleachers, or the grass berm.
If you can't make it to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM, timberrattlers.com or milb.tv starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm.
HOME RUNS:
BUR:
AJ Kirby-Jones (12th, 2 on in 3rd inning, off Charly Bashara, 2 out)
Royce Consigli (6th, 0 on in 5th inning, off Charly Bashara, 1 out)
WIS:
Nick Ramirez (1st, 0 on in 9th inning, off Blake Treinen, 0 out)
WP: Blake Hassebrock (6-6)
LP: Charly Bashara (4-4)
TIME: 2:51
ATTN: 2,423