Despite Gouldsmith's heroics, Lugnuts drop twin bill

APPLETON, Wisc. – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (19-15, 53-43) swept a Saturday doubleheader from the Lansing Lugnuts (12-22, 41-57), 9-0 and 6-4, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Wisconsin has won four of the first five games of the series, clinching a series victory.

In Game 1, Lansing starter Steven Echavarria allowed a solo home run to the second batter he faced, Braylon Payne, but responded by striking out six batters – including Payne – while blanking the Timber Rattlers into the fifth.

In the bottom of the fifth, a two-out fielding error by third baseman Daniel Bucciero opened the door for Wisconsin to score five unearned runs, and the T-Rats added three more in the sixth against Mitch Myers to turn the game into a rout.

Wisconsin right-hander Josh Knoth struck out seven batters in six impregnable innings, combining with José Nova on four-hit shutout.

In Game 2, the Timber Rattlers jumped on Lansing lefty Tucker Novotny for four runs in the first five batters, climaxed by a Luis Castillo three-run homer.

Novotny, pitching in front of several dozen close family members loudly cheering and waving handmade signs, bore down and recorded the next 10 outs without trouble, departing the game after 3 2/3 innings.

Gunner Gouldsmith took care of the offense singlehandedly, tying the game at 4-4 with a two-run single in the second inning and a two-run double in the fourth off Wisconsin starter Jayden Dubanewicz.

But Luis Lameda broke the tie with a two-out, two-run double off Riley Huge in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Lansing was unable to rally in the seventh.

In the loss, catcher Logan Sauve finished the game 2-for-2 with a single, double and HBP.

One game remains in the six-game set, pitting Lansing right-hander Samuel Dutton against Wisconsin right-hander Ethan Dorchies on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Central / 2:10 p.m. Eastern.

The Lugnuts then return home from August 4-9, hosting the Lake County Captains. For tickets and more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit www.milb.com/lansing.

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