Bees bust Rattlers
BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers keep trying to play catch-up with the Burlington Bees. But, Burlington keeps holding on for victories over the Rattlers. Burlington grabbed a 4-1 lead on Sunday and held off a very late rally for a 5-3 victory at Community Field. Bees starter Tyler DeLoach struck out eight and allowed two runs over six innings to lead the Bees to their fourth straight win over the Timber Rattlers.
Wisconsin (35-47 overall, 6-11 second half) had early opportunities, but could not score first. They had a runner at second with one out in the first and runners at second and third with one out in the second. But, DeLoach escaped each jam.
The Bees (31-51, 5-12) took the lead in the bottom of the second. Exicardo Cayones singled and moved to second on a wild pitch. Garrett Cannizaro would follow with a single to put runners on the corners with one away. Sandy Martinez drove in Cayones with a sacrifice fly to center and Burlington was up 1-0.
The Timber Rattlers tied the game in the top of the fourth. Victor Roache walked and Mike Garza, who had three hits for the Rattlers on the day, followed with a single to right that put runners on the corners with no outs. Parker Berberet knocked in Roache with a sacrifice fly to even the score.
But, Burlington responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth to retake the lead. Wade Hinkle singled and Cayones doubled into the corner in right to give the Bees runners on second and third with no outs. A slow grounder to third off the bat Chance Ross allowed Hinkle to score and Cayones to take third. Cannizaro was next and he sent a grounder up the first baseline with some wicked spin. Rattlers pitcher Tyler Wagner came over to try for a bare-hand pick of the ball and throw to the plate, but the ball spun out of Wagner's grasp and Cayones scored. Wagner still had time to retire Cannizaro at first, but the throw was wild. Cannizaro held at first and did not score in the inning, but the damage had been done.
Ross gave the Bees a 4-1 lead in the sixth when he hit a two-out solo home run off Wagner. The home run was the third of the season for Ross.
The Rattlers came back to get a run in the seventh. Max Walla singled to start the inning. That ended the day for DeLoach. Cam Bedrosian took over and threw a wild pitch that moved Walla to second. A ground out by Tyler Roberts put Walla on third. Chris McFarland's grounder to third got Walla home and the Rattlers were down 4-2.
But , Burlington added on in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Taylor Wall. A hit batsman and a one out walk but runners set the table to Cayones. The Bees left fielder smacked a single to right to drive in a run and the Bees led 5-2.
Wisconsin tried a last gasp rally in the top of the ninth against Kurt Spomer. Roberts doubled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner Adrian Williams. McFarland singled to drive in Williams and the Rattlers were within 5-3. Alfredo Rodriguez was next and his single put the tying runs on base. But, Spomer came back to strikeout Michael Reed. The McFarland and Rodriguez pulled a double steal with Tyrone Taylor at the plate. But, Taylor popped out to center on a 2-0 pitch and the Bees held on to beat the Rattlers for the second game in a row.
The final game of the series is Monday night at Community Field. Jorge Lopez (4-6, 5.37) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ryan Crowley (7-3, 3.29) is scheduled to start for the Bees. Game time is 6:30pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.
HOME RUN:
BUR:
Chance Ross (3rd, 0 on in 6th inning off Tyler Wagner, 2 out)
WP: Tyler DeLoach (2-2)
LP: Tyler Wagner (7-7)
SAVE: Kurt Spomer (4)
TIME: 2:31
ATTN: 524