Clinton's fast start stops Rattlers
Clinton (45-65 overall, 21-19 second half) stole a run in the top of the first inning. Carlos Ramirez was at second and Kevin Rivers was at first with two outs. Ramirez stole third and scored on a throwing error on throw for a 1-0 lead.
The LumberKings got a two run home run from John Hicks in the top of the second inning. Then, Anthony Phillips reached on a single. While Mike McGee was at the plate, Phillips stole second and third. McGee drew a walk to put runners on the corners.
Rattlers starting pitcher Charly Bashara, a left-hander, threw over to first to keep McGee close, but Phillips broke for the plate on the toss to first. Phillips beat the throw home by first baseman Nick Ramirez and Clinton was up 4-0.
In the third inning, Stefen Romero continued to torment the Timber Rattlers. He lined a solo homer over the wall in left to open the frame. Romero's homer was his fourth of the season against Wisconsin.
Clinton tacked on one more run in the top of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by Ramirez for a 6-0 lead.
Taijuan Walker was the starter for the LumberKings and - after getting out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning - kept the Rattlers (54-56, 16-24) quiet through the first 4-2/3 innings. But, the Rattlers got to him with two outs in the fifth.
Reggie Keen walked and Nick Shaw followed with a single. Shaw's hit extended his hitting streak to 12 games and put Keen on third base. Mike Brownstein singled to knock in Shaw. But, that was it for the offense.
Walker went five innings, struck out six and allowed three hits to put himself in line for his fifth win of the season.
The Rattlers bullpen held the line against Clinton over the final five innings. But, Clinton's relievers did the job as well.
The Timber Rattlers begin a brief four game road trip to Kane County on Saturday night. Game time is 6:00pm. Maverick Lasker (1-4, 6.68) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Yordano Ventura (2-4, 5.02) is set to start for the Cougars. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:40pm.
HOME RUNS:
CLN:
John Hicks (1st, 1 on in 2nd, off Charly Bashara, 1 out)
Stefen Romero (14th, 0 on in 4th inning, off Charly Bashara, 0 out)
WP: Taijuan Walker (5-5)
LP: Charly Bashara (4-5)
SAVE: Jonathan Arias (5)
TIME: 2:38
ATTN: 4,150