Matos & Leal homer in Rattlers 5-1 win over Peoria
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers defeated the Peoria Chiefs 5-1 on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Sthervin Matos broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run home run in the fourth inning and a trio of Wisconsin pitcher made that lead hold up to break a four-game losing streak.
Carlos Leal started the scoring with a two-out opposite field home run to left field in the second inning. The homer was the first of Leal's professional career. He was drafted as a pitcher by the Brewers in 2014 and spent his first pro season on the mound in the Arizona League.
The Chiefs (8-8) came back in the top of the third inning with a fluky run off Rattlers starting pitcher Orlando Torrez. The first two Chiefs to bat in the inning were retired, but Andrew Sohn doubled to keep the inning alive. Danny Diekroeger sent a grounder towards first base, but the ball hit the bag and bounced over the head of first baseman David Denson and into right field for an RBI single as Sohn scored on the play.
Wisconsin (4-12) broke back in front in the fourth. Brandon Diaz singled to start the inning, but he was still at first with two away. Matos, who just joined the Timber Rattlers last Saturday, lined an 0-1 pitch from Fernando Baez past the scoreboard in left-center for a two-run homer and a 3-1 lead.
Luke Curtis entered the game in relief of Torrez to start the top of the fifth and pitched two scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts.
The Rattlers added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. Denson singled, his first of two hits on the evening, with two outs and Matos followed with a double. Leal sent a slow grounder to short for an infield single to knock in Denson and an errant throw to first on the play sent Matos home for a 5-1 lead.
Angel Ventura took over for Curtis to start the top of the seventh and he loaded the bases with three walks, but kept the Chiefs from scoring. Ventura pitched a perfect eighth and a perfect ninth to close out Peoria and pick up his first professional save.
The win snapped Wisconsin's four game losing streak and sent the Chiefs to their fourth consecutive loss.
Wisconsin and Peoria play again Saturday afternoon in game two of the series. Cy Sneed (0-1, 1.42) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Peoria has named Will Anderson (2-0, 2.08) as their starting pitcher. Game time is 1:05pm.
Saturday is Frozen Day presented by Dairy Queen and Cupcake Couture at the stadium. There will be royalty here to meet the princesses from the Fox Cities and special surprises during the game.
The first 1,000 fans to attend the Festival Foods Saturday at the ballpark will receive a Timber Rattlers fleece cap from Dairy Queen.
If you can't make it out to the game, there are several ways to catch the action. MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown will televise the game starting at 1:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio and MiLB.TV.
HOME RUNS:
WIS:
Carlos Leal (1st, 0 on in 2nd inning off Fernando Baez, 2 out)
Sthervin Matos (1st, 1 on in 4th inning off Fernando Baez, 2 out)
WP: Luke Curtis (2-1)
LP: Fernando Baez (1-2)
SAVE: Angel Ventura (1)
TIME: 2:31
ATTN: 2,356