Burlington beats Wisconsin
The Bees (7361 overall, 28-36) got on the board first with three runs in the second inning. Consecutive singles by AJ Kirby-Jones and Douglas Landaeta out runners at the corners to start the frame. Beau Taylor grounded into a force play at second that got Kirby-Jones home.
Taylor was at second with two outs and Wade Kirkland singled to left. The throw home by Jason Rogers was a bit off line, but Rattlers catcher Rafael Neda acted as if he had tagged Taylor at the plate for the third out. But, Taylor was ruled safe for a 2-0 lead.
On that scoring play, Kirkland had moved up to second base. He would score the third run of the inning on a single by Tyreace House.
Burlington, a team headed to the Midwest League playoffs based on winning the first half Western Division Championship, added a run in the third inning. Kirby Jones grounded out to short to drive in a run from third base to make it 4-0 Bees.
The Rattlers (66-69, 28-37) were held to two hits by Burlington starter Jose Macias through seven innings. No Rattlers runner made it past second base with Macias in the game.
TJ Mittelstaedt cracked a one-out homer in the top of the ninth off Bees reliever TJ Walz to help the Rattlers avoid the shutout. Mittelstaedt, who also had a single in the first inning, had two of Wisconsin's three hits. He also walked and stole a base.
But, it wasn't enough for Wisconsin as they dropped their third straight game.
Game two of the series is Thursday night at Community Field. Del Howell (3-8, 5.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Jonathan Joseph (5-4, 5.88) is scheduled to start for the Bees. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.
HOME RUN:
WIS:
TJ Mittelstaedt (11th, 0 on in 9th inning, off TJ Walz, 1 out)
WP: Jose Macias (8-3)
LP: Brooks Hall (7-5)
TIME: 2:34
ATTN: 511