Rattlers score two late in game two to earn split
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers manufactured a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Peoria Chiefs at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Taylor Brennan gave Wisconsin (2-2) the lead in the bottom of the second inning. The right-handed hitter drove a 3-2 pitch from Chase Brookshire to the right of the batter's eye and into the Timber Rattlers bullpen for his first home run of the season and a 1-0 Wisconsin advantage,.
Rattlers starting pitcher Preston Gainey tossed five scoreless innings before turning the game over to the bullpen. Gainey allowed three hits, walked one, struck out four, and left with a 1-0 lead.
Peoria (2-2) tied the game in the top of the sixth. Mason Katz, who homered in the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, hit a leadoff homer to greet Wisconsin reliever Harvey Martin.
Johnny Davis, who made a pair of spectacular catches in the field during the game, started Wisconsin's rally in the bottom of the sixth. Davis beat out a bunt single with one out and stole second. Chris McFarland sent a grounder to short and the throw to first was wide to let him reach.
That brought Michael Ratterree to the plate with runners at the corners and one out. The Chiefs brought the infield in to try to get Davis at the plate. Brennan sent a soft grounder up the middle and Katz reached it after ranging to his right. Katz went home with the throw, but it was wild. Davis scored the go ahead run and McFarland went to third.
Peoria kept the infield in with runners at the corners and one out with Brennan due to bat. Brennan hit a ball that Katz had to dive for to stop. By the time Katz recovered, his only play was to first base and McFarland scored for a 3-1 lead.
Martin did not mess around in the top of the seventh. He retired the Chiefs in order to give the Rattlers the split in the twinbill and in the four game series against the Chiefs to start the 2014 season.
The Timber Rattlers are off on Monday. They will start a road trip with a game against the West Michigan Whitecaps on Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark. Zach Quintana will make the start for the Timber Rattlers. Jeff Thompson is set to go for the Whitecaps.
Tuesday's game is scheduled to start at 5:45pm CDT. Listen to the action on AM1280, WNAM or I Heart Radio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:25pm.
HOME RUNS:
PEO:
Mason Katz (2nd, 0 on in 6th inning off Harvey Martin, 0 out)
WIS:
Taylor Brennan (1st, 0 on in 2nd inning off Brookshire, 0 out)
WP: Harvey Martin (1-0)
LP: Chase Brookshire (0-1)
TIME: 1:36
ATTN: 2,244