Clinton comes back to get the split

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Clinton LumberKings snapped Wisconsin's six-game winning streak with a 4-2 win in game two of a doubleheader at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Wednesday night. The LumberKings erased a 2-1 Timber Rattlers lead by scoring three times in the top of the sixth inning and holding on for the win.

The Timber Rattlers (14-15) manufactured a run in the bottom of the first inning. Alfredo Rodriguez drew a leadoff walk and went to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Michael Reed moved Rodriguez to third with a sacrifice bunt. Mitch Haniger drove Rodriguez home with a sacrifice fly to right.

Wisconsin made the score 2-0 in the bottom of the third. Mike Garza tripled to start the inning. Rodriguez drove him in with a one out single.

Clinton (14-16) broke through against the Timber Rattlers in the top of the fifth inning. Guillermo Pimentel doubled with two outs to drive in Pat Kivlehan. That run cut the Rattlers lead to 2-1. That run was also the first scored by the LumberKings in 11-2/3 innings of the doubleheader. Wisconsin had shutout Clinton 5-0 in the first game.

The LumberKings rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth inning. Dario Pizzano doubled to start the inning. Tyler Marlette followed with a triple to right-center field. That triple drove in the tying run and knocked Wisconsin starting pitcher Mike Strong out of the game.

Jono Armold took over for Strong and broke the bat of Gaby Guerrero, but the ball dropped into left field for an RBI single to give Clinton a 3-2 lead. Later in the frame, an error allowed Guerrero to score a run that put the LumberKings up 4-2.

Wisconsin would attempt a couple of rallies to keep their winning streak alive. The Rattlers had two outs and none on in the sixth inning when an error, a walk, and a wild pitch put the tying runs in scoring position. But, Oliver Garcia escaped the inning. In the seventh, Wisconsin again had two outs with none one against Clinton closer Grady Wood when a hit batsman, a passed ball, and an infield single put runners on the corners. But, Wood got the final out to pick up his fifth save and earn the split in the twinbill.

Game three of the series is Thursday night. The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers outfielder Victor Roache, a 2012 first round draft pick of the Milwaukee Brewers, courtesy of Dunkin Donuts. All fans can enjoy 16oz soda, beer, or Arty's Old Fashioned drinks for just $2 as part of Thirsty Thursday presented by Arty's Old Fashioned and 95.9 KISS FM.

If you can't make it to the stadium, the game is available to Time Warner Cable subscribers on Time Warner Cable SportsChannel. Fans may also tune in on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. 

Thursday's game is also available on MiLB.tv.

WP: Matt Vedo (2-1)
LP: Mike Strong (0-1)
SAVE: Grady Wood (5)

TIME: 2:08
ATTN: 3,605