Miller time for the Timber Rattlers
Beloit (58-57 overall, 20-25 second half) went in front in the first inning without a hit. The first two batters reached on walks issued by Miller. A fly ball to right moved a runner to third. Then, Jairo Perez knocked in the run with a slow grounder up the third base line.
Miller didn't give up much else over the rest of his 7-2/3 innings.
The Rattlers (57-58, 19-26) responded in the bottom of the first inning. Nick Shaw drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, and took third on a grounder. TJ Mittelstaedt's grounder to short got Shaw home with the tying runs.
Chad Stang was next and he manufactured a run with one swing of the bat. The Rattlers centerfielder drove the first pitch of he saw in the first over the wall in left-center to put Wisconsin up 2-1.
Mike Brownstein knocked in a run with a two out single in the bottom of the fifth to make it 3-1.
Miller set a single game high as a professional for innings pitched with his 7-2/3 innings. He walked four, hit a batter, allowed three hits, and struck out six.
Alan Williams was called on in the eighth inning with a runner at first and two outs. Williams allowed a single to the first batter he faced, but struck out the next batter to close out the eighth.
Adrian Rosario came on for the top of the ninth and struck out the side in order on eleven pitches for his second save of the season.
Game two of the series is Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Del Howell (1-6, 5.59) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ryan O'Rourke (3-3, 3.00) is set to start for Beloit. Game time is 7:05pm.
Break out the bell-bottoms, leisure suits, and disco moves because it's That 70's Night at the ballpark on Thursday night with special Guest Denny Diamond presented by West Business Services.
Thursday is also a Thirsty Thursday with 22 ounce Pepsi products and 16 ounce Miller products are available for $2. Additionally, The Great Safety Adventure Tour from Kohl's Cares will be in the parking lot to allow families to learn about safety risks inside and outside the home.
Plus, the first 1,000 fans to Time Warner Cable Field will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers outfielder TJ Mittelstaedt. Also, Harbor House will be accepting donations of bath products and new bed linens as part of a drive to support their residents.
HOME RUN:
WIS:
Chad Stang (2nd, 0 on in 1st inning, off Blayne Weller, 2 out)
WP: Matt Miller (5-6)
LP: Blayne Weller (4-5)
SAVE: Adrian Rosario (2)
TIME: 2:27
ATTN: 2,807