Wisconsin wins 3-2 over Lake County

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke a 2-2 tie with an eighth inning run and it was enough for a 3-2 over the Lake County Captains on Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. David Burkhalter earned his first professional victory with four shutout innings and seven strikeouts.

Kodi Medeiros made the start for the Timber Rattlers (16-37) and retired the first six batters he faced in the game. The Captains (25-27) would get to Medeiros in the third inning.

Francisco Mejia started the third inning with a walk and David Armendariz followed with a single. Ordomar Valdez bunted the runners over to second and third. Greg Allen cashed in one run with a grounder. Claudio Bautista made it 2-0 with a two-out single to drive in Armendariz.

Wisconsin rallied with two unearned runs in the bottom of the third. Alan Sharkey reached on an error and was balked to second base, but he was still at second with two outs. Francisco Castillo drove in the first Rattlers run with a single. Matos tied the game with an double.

Burkhalter took the mound in the top of the sixth inning and allowed a one out double to Bautista. Burkhalter would strike out the next two batters to end the sixth. He would strike out the side in order in the top of the seventh.

The winning rally for the Timber Rattlers came in the bottom of the eighth. Brandon Diaz reached on a single and a passed ball allowed him to take second base. Castillo bunted for a hit to put runners at the corners. Matos sent a chopper over the mound. Bautista charged from his second base position and fired home, but Diaz beat the throw to score the go-ahead run.

Diaz made a diving catch on a sinking line drive off the bat of Yu-Cheng Chang to start the top of the ninth. Burkhalter struck out the next two batters to close out the win. The seven strikeouts by Burkhalter set a new single-game high for him as a professional.

The win snapped Wisconsin's three-game losing streak and extended Lake County's losing streak to four games.

Game two of the series is Thursday night. Luis Ortega (1-4, 4.08) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Anderson Polanco (2-5, 3.78) is set to start for the Captains. Game time is 7:05pm.

The tradition continues on Thursday night as the Timber Rattlers host their annual Salute to Cows Night with plenty to honor the industry that makes Wisconsin America's Dairyland! Players and coaches will wear the specially-designed jerseys with a cow pattern. The jerseys will be available in a silent auction during the game with proceeds going to Freedom Food Pantry. Lamers Dairy will hand out samples of their products to fans after the game.

Additionally, the first 1,000 fans to enter the game will receive a bobblehead featuring former Timber Rattler Clint Coulter wearing the cow-patterned jersey. The bobblehead and Salute to Cows are courtesy of Milk Source. A 95.9 KISS-FM Thirsty Thursday means 16oz soda, beer, and Arty's Old Fashioned drinks are available for just $2.

WP: David Burkhalter (1-3)
LP: David Speer (2-3)

TIME: 2:23
ATTN: 4,796