Wisconsin wins
Wisconsin (4-4) continued its recent stretch of scoring in the first inning with a run in their first at bat on Friday. Chadwin Stang moved his hitting streak to six games with a leadoff double. Brandon Macias dropped a sacrifice bunt to get Stang to third. Then, Jason Rogers drove in his sixth run of the season with a grounder to short. The Rattlers have scored in the first inning in three straight games and in six of their first eight games this season.
Peoria (3-5) tied the game in the top of the fourth. Eduardo Gonzalez singled with two outs on an 0-2 pitch. Marco Hernandez doubled to deep center to send Gonzalez home with the tying run. But, that was the only run off Williams, who worked four innings with a walk and three strikeouts.
Wisconsin answered right away in the bottom of the fourth. Ben McMahan and Tyler Roberts had back-to-back doubles to put runners on second and third with no outs. George singled to get McMahan home to get the Rattlers back in front. George stole second base to get into scoring position. John Dishon followed with a two-run double inside the third base bag and the Rattlers went up 4-1.
Hernandez struck again in the top of the sixth inning. His solo homer off Rattlers reliever Shackelford pulled the Chiefs to within two runs, but that was all Shackelford gave up on the night.
McMahan gave the Rattlers a three run cushion with a sacrifice fly in the seventh inning.
Peterson walked three and struck out two, but did not allow a run over the final two innings to close out the Chiefs. Peterson picked up his first professional save by getting the final six outs.
Game three of the four game series is Saturday afternoon at 1:05pm. David Goforth (1-0, 1.80) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria sends Ben Wells (0-0, 2.25) to the hill.
Fond du Lac native and former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee pitcher Chad Pierce is supposed to appear in relief during Saturday's game for Wisconsin.
There is a lot going on Saturday at the ballpark. The first 1,000 fans aged 21 and older will receive a Timber Rattlers baseball cap from Miller Lite. During the game, one lucky fan will win a pair of airline tickets from Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel. Plus, fans can purchase a half price ticket when the bring in a non-perishable food item to donate to St. Joe's Food Program.
If you can't make it to the stadium, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Saturday's game is also available on MiLB.TV.
WP: Kevin Shackelford (1-0)
LP: Jose Rosario (0-1)
SAVE: Stephen Peterson (1)
TIME: 2:42
ATTN: 3,012