Rattlers race to the finish

MIDLAND, MI -- Wisconsin centerfielder Gavin Dickey scored the go ahead run on a wild pitch in the top of the eighth inning in a 4-2 win over the Great Lakes Loons Thursday night at Dow Diamond. Dickey scored a pair of runs and stole a base in support of another strong outing by the Rattler pitching staff. Four Wisconsin pitchers allowed just one earned run in Wisconsin's second in a row.

Carlos Peguero put the Rattlers (8-22) in front with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the first inning. The single through the left side of the infield also extended Peguero's hitting streak to seven games.

Great Lakes (13-20) tied the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Bridger Hunt reached on an error to start the inning. He eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Eduardo Perez. That was the only run allowed by Rattler starting pitcher Ricky Orta in his first start since coming off the disabled list. Orta reached his pitch limit after three innings, struck out a pair, walked two, and allowed one hit.

Wisconsin took advantage of an error by the Loons to get ahead in the top of the sixth. Dickey reached on a leadoff single. He was running on a 3-1 pitch to Alex Meneses and Meneses grounded back to Wall. The Loon pitcher tried to get the force at second and threw the ball into center. Dickey raced for third and beat the throw there. Carlos Triunfel's RBI grounder sent Dickey home with the go ahead run.

Kyle Parker relieved Orta for the fourth inning and kept the Loons off the board until the bottom of the seventh. A two-out infield single by Adolfo Gonzalez drove in the tying run. Great Lakes loaded the bases later in the inning, but Natividad Dilone got out of the frame with the game still tied at two. Parker worked 3-2/3 innings and allowed only the one run on four hits.

Dickey drew a one out walk in the top of the eighth inning and used his legs to put the Rattlers back in front. He stole second and went to third on a groundout. Then, a pitch to Triunfel trickled through the legs of Loons catcher Kenly Jansen. Dickey got a great break for home and beat the throw to the plate to give Wisconsin a 3-2 lead.

Dilone pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth and Wisconsin picked up an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Peguero tripled to start the inning. Pinch runner Greg Halman scored on a sacrifice fly by Danny Santin for a 4-2 lead.

Rattler closer Andrew Barb entered for the ninth and retired the side in order for his fourth save.

The Timber Rattlers end their eight game road trip with the series finale against the Loons on Friday night. Nathan Adcock (0-3, 4.38) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Francisco Felix (1-1, 0.91) is set to start for Great Lakes. Game time is 7:05pm EDT/6:05pm CDT.