Rattlers cap comeback with a win

GRAND CHUTE, WI -- The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers took advantage of eight West Michigan errors and recorded a 7-5 win on Tuesday night on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The Rattlers, who led 3-0 early, rallied from a 4-3 deficit with three runs in the bottom of the seventh on the way to the victory. Ron Garth had three hits and two RBI for the Rattler offense.

Wisconsin (8-13) scored single runs in the first and second innings. Alex Liddi's two-out infield single knocked in Edilio Colina from second in the first inning. Garth doubled in Joe Dunigan in the second frame.

Garth gave the Timber Rattlers a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Juan Diaz started the inning with a triple. One out later, Garth singled through the drawn-in infield for his second RBI of the night.

Rattler starter Edward Paredes kept the Whitecaps (14-10) off the board until the top of the fifth. That inning did not start well for the Rattlers. A dropped popup, a hit batsman, and a bunt single loaded the bases with no outs. Justin Henry's RBI fielder's choice knocked in the first West Michigan run. Jordan Newton followed with an RBI single. Later in the inning, an RBI grounder by Ron Bourquin drove in the tying run.

The Rattlers loaded the bases in both the fifth and sixth innings, but could not score. It would cost them for a moment.

Kyle Peter reached on an error by Rattler pitcher Travis Mortimore. A balk by Mortimore sent Peter to second base. A triple by Newton drove in the run and gave West Michigan their first lead of the game at 4-3.

But, the West Michigan defense completely deserted them in the bottom of the seventh. Liddi drew a lead-off walk and went to second on a slow grounder. He took off for third on a pitch in the dirt and would score the tying run when Newton's throw sailed into left field.

Diaz drew a walk, but was still at first base with two out. Garth lined a single to left and the ball got by Joe Tucker to the wall. Diaz just beat the throw to the plate to score the go ahead run. Garth would score later in the inning on a throwing error by shortstop Audy Ciriaco after a grounder off the bat of Blake Ochoa.

Wisconsin tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth on a two-out RBI double by Eddy Hernandez for a 7-4 lead.

The Whitecaps scored a run in the top of the ninth inning with back-to-back, two-out doubles off Shawn Kelley. But, the Rattler closer finished off the Whitecaps for his third save of the season.

The Rattlers and Whitecaps complete their three game series on Wednesday afternoon. Jake Wild (0-1, 2.70) get the spot start for the Timber Rattlers. West Michigan has Lauren Gagnier (0-2, 7.45) as their scheduled starter. Game time on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium is 12:05pm.