Wisconsin stops skid with 3-0 win over Dayton
GRAND CHUTE, WI - Clint Terry and Barrett Astin gave the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers just what they needed to snap a three-game losing streak. The Timber Rattlers pitching tandem combined on a four-hit shutout in a 3-0 victory over the Dayton Dragons Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Chris McFarland put the Timber Rattlers (51-47 overall, 15-14 second half) into the lead. McFarland singled up the middle with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the third inning. The hit drove in Jose Pena and Steve Halcomb for a 2-0 advantage.
Michael Ratterree lined a solo homer just inside the left field foul pole with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning to extend Wisconsin's lead to 3-0. The home run gave Ratterree the team lead in homers over Clint Coulter, who has 16. Ratterree is second in the Midwest League in homers behind South Bend's Daniel Palka, who has 18.
That was all the Wisconsin pitchers needed.
Terry allowed three hits, walked two and struck out five over his six scoreless innings. That put him in line for his third win of the season.
Astin took over in the top of the seventh and retired the first six batters he faced.
Dayton (50-47, 14-15) made it interesting in the top of the ninth against Astin. Robert Ramirez was hit by a pitch to start the inning and Phillip Ervin followed with a single to bring the tying run to the plate. Then, Astin fell behind Avain Rachal 3-1, but closed the game and earned his third save of the season by getting Rachal to ground into a 6-4-3 double play and Joe Hudson to ground out to third.
The shutout was the fifth of the season for the Timber Rattlers.
The final game of the homestand is Monday afternoon. Taylor Williams (7-1, 2.72) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Dayton will counter with Amir Garrett (4-5, 3.86). Game time is 12:05pm.
The first 500 fans to attend this game will receive a magnet featuring Timber Rattlers All-Star catcher Clint Coulter from Lamers Bus Lines. This is player magnet number three in a series of four that are being given away this season.
You can earn a free ticket to this game - or any other Monday home game remaining in the regular season - by purchasing a lunch entrée at either Qdoba location in Appleton (3813 E. Calumet Street or 4343 W. Wisconsin Avenue) as part of Qdoba Q*Monday.
Monday is also a day for a Baker Tilly Business Person Special. Show your business card when you purchase a ticket and for $13.50 you will receive a box seat ticket, a beverage, and your choice of brat or hot dog. The offer is also available to senior citizens (55 & older) courtesy of WVBO and AM1280 WNAM.
If you can't make it out to the game, tune into the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 11:45am. Monday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.TV.
HOME RUN:
WIS:
Michael Ratterree (17th, 0 on in 6th inning off Jackson Stephens, 1 out)
WP: Clint Terry (3-2)
LP: Jackson Stephens (2-2)
SAVE: Barrett Astin (3)
TIME: 2:21
ATTN: 5,162