Walker's blast gives Rattlers a doubleheader split

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Mike Walker's two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers a 2-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs in game two of Sunday's doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field.  Walker's game-ending blast completed a fine day for the Wisconsin third baseman.  He went 4-for-6 with two homers, a double, and five RBI in the two games against the Chiefs.  The Rattlers and Chiefs split the twinbill as Peoria beat Wisconsin 7-6 in game one.

Wisconsin starting pitcher Tyler Thornburg struck out eight over the first 5-2/3 innings, but he allowed a two-out RBI single to Greg Rohan in the top of the sixth inning.  That run put Peoria (4-6) up 1-0.  Thornburg hit a batter, walked a batter, allowed four hits, and had those eight strikeouts in the game.

Graham Hicks, the starting pitcher for the Chiefs, tossed six scoreless innings against the Rattlers (5-5).  Hicks allowed four hits, struck out four, and did not walk a batter.  He left the game in the hands of Eduardo Figueroa for Wisconsin's last at bat in the bottom of the seventh.

Cody Hawn started the rally with a leadoff walk.  Jason Rogers sacrificed pinch runner Robbie Garvey to second base with a bunt.  Then, Walker stepped up to the plate.

Walker drilled an 0-1 pitch deep to right field for Wisconsin's first game-ending home run since Brock Kjeldgaard hit a three-run homer to beat Kane County on June 10, 2009.

Dan Britt pitched a scoreless inning of relief and picked up his second win of the season.

The Timber Rattlers begin a three game series with the Beloit Snappers on Monday evening at Time Warner Cable Field.  Wisconsin has Austin Ross (1-0, 1.64) as the scheduled starting pitcher.  Beloit has Manuel Soliman (0-0, 0.00) as their scheduled starter.  Game time on Monday is 6:35pm.

Tickets are available, but if you can't make it to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or on timberrattlers.com.  The Miller Lite Pregame show begins at 6:15pm.

                R    H    E
PEO 000 001 0 - 1    3    0
WIS 000 000 2 - 2    5    0

1 out, 0 LOB when game ended

Click here for a complete boxscore of game two

WP: Dan Britt (1-0)
LP: Eduardo Figueroa (0-1)

TIME: 1:45
ATTN:3,325