Wisconsin batters Peoria

GRAND CHUTE, WI - Shaun Marcum pitched six strong innings and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers offense hammered out twelve hits in an 8-1 win over the Peoria Chiefs Monday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Marcum picked up the win in his third rehabilitation start for the Rattlers. Ben McMahan led the way for the offense with three hits, three runs, and two RBI.

Wisconsin (72-53 overall, 28-28 second half) scored three times in the bottom of the first inning. Peoria was charged with two errors in the inning to help the Rattlers get off to the fast start. Chadwin Stang reached on an infield single and Max Walla both reached on an error to start the inning. A sacrifice fly by Brandon Macias drove in Stang for the 1-0 lead.

McMahan followed with a single to right. Walla, who was running on the pitch, would score when the Peoria right fielder overran the ball. Greg Hopkins doubled later in the frame to send McMahan home for a 3-0 lead.

McMahan hit a two-run homer in the third inning to extend the Rattlers lead to 5-0. In the fourth inning, Rafael Neda led off with a double. Yadiel Rivera followed with an RBI single and Wisconsin was up 6-0.

Peoria (56-69, 21-35) got a run off Marcum in the top of the fifth. Jacob Rogers drew a walk with one out. A two out double by Bijan Radamacher drove in Rogers.

The Rattlers got that run back in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI grounder from Hopkins and took a 7-1 lead.

Marcum tossed a scoreless sixth inning before calling it a night. He allowed one run on four hits, walked one, and struck out three. Marcum, who was on a 75 pitch limit, threw 71 pitches - 50 for strikes - and was in line for the win.

Wisconsin added one more run. Macias tripled with one out in the seventh and scored on a passed ball.

That was more than enough for reliever Jacob Barnes. The Rattlers right-hander tossed three scoreless innings, struck out three, and earned his third save of the season.

The final game of the four game series is Tuesday afternoon. Mark Williams (7-9, 3.86) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Jeff Antigua (1-2, 1.99) is set to start for the Chiefs. Game time is 12:05pm.

Tuesday is a Baker Tilly Business Persons Special. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $11.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage and your choice of brat or hot dog. This offer is also available to senior citizens.

One fan in attendance will win a 32" flat-screen TV from American TV of Appleton on American TV Tuesday!

If you can't make it out to the ballpark tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show starting at 11:45am.

HOME RUN:
Ben McMahan (12th, 1 on in 3rd inning off Joe Zeller, 1 out)

WP: Shaun Marcum (1-0)
LP: Joe Zeller (2-4)
SAVE: Jacob Barnes (3)

TIME: 2:40
ATTN: 2,735