Pair of early homers leads Wisconsin past Cedar Rapids

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored five runs in the first two innings and a pair of pitchers made those early runs stand up for a win. Wisconsin topped the Cedar Rapids Kernels 5-1 Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers scored four of their five runs on two home runs as the 2012 team continued its assault on the franchise single-season home run record.

Chadwin Stang put Wisconsin (73-54 overall, 29-29 second half) in front on the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning. The Rattlers center fielder drilled a home run to left and made it 1-0 with his leadoff homer.

The Rattlers used the long ball in the second inning to extend their lead. Max Walla blasted a three-run home run over the wall in right-center with two outs for a 4-0 lead. Kernels starting pitcher Frank De Jiulio walked the next two batters. Then, Nick Ramirez singled to drive in one more run for a 5-0 lead.

Ramirez went 1-for-1 on the night and drew four walks. Wisconsin hitters drew ten walks in the game.

Cedar Rapids (48-80, 16-42) got on the board in the fourth inning. Andy Workman singled. A double by Frazier Hall drove in Workman to make the score 5-1. That was the only run Cedar Rapids would get in the game.

Rattlers starting pitcher Chad Pierce pitched six innings, walked three, and struck out six to put himself in line for his seventh win of the season. He left the game in the hands of reliever Kevin Shackelford.

Shackelford tossed four scoreless inning to nail down the victory and his fifth save of the season.

Wisconsin's two home runs on Wednesday night pushed their season total to 96. The franchise record for home runs by the team is 101 and was set in 2005.

Wisconsin and Cedar Rapids continue their series on Thursday night. David Goforth (8-7, 5.04) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The Kernels have Ryan Crowley (1-4, 4.08) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05pm.

The Timber Rattlers are offering kids a chance for one last HURRAH! with a Back to School Summer Sendoff. FunPros Inflatables will be at the stadium and youngsters may also play free in the Kid Zone all night long.

Bring in a donation to the Community Clothes Closet School Supplies Drive and you will be entered into a raffle for a prize filled backpack from JanSport.

All fans can enjoy 16oz soda and beer for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Slugger's Sports Bar and 95.9 KISS FM! 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 to the ballpark, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:40pm. Thursday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.

HOME RUNS:
WIS:
Chadwin Stang (8th, 0 on in 1st inning off Frank Di Jiulio, 0 out)
Max Walla (7th, 2 on in 2nd inning off Frank Di Jiulio, 2 out)

WP: Chad Pierce (7-4)
LP: Frank De Jiulio (4-5)
SAVE: Kevin Shackelford (5)

TIME: 2:47
ATTN: 5,429