Clinton defeats Rattlers 5-1
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Clinton LumberKings attacked the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with 14 hits and cruised to a 5-1 win behind eight solid innings from Scott DeCecco on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Clinton (48-53 overall, 15-17 second half) grabbed the lead in the top of the first inning. Alfredo Morales doubled with one out. Dario Pizzano singled to left and the LumberKings had runners on the corners. A chopper to third off the bat of DJ Peterson was mishandled for an error to allow Morales to score.
Wisconsin (42-55, 13-19) answered in the bottom of the first. Alfredo Rodriguez walked to start the inning. Michael Reed followed with a double to left-center and Rodriguez scored easily to tie the game 1-1.
Rattlers starting pitcher Eric Semmelhack got the first two outs in the top of the fourth inning. But, Martin Peguero got a seeing-eye single through the middle to keep the inning alive for the LumberKings. Ketel Marte followed with a double to the gap in right-center and Peguero raced home to put Clinton ahead. Alfredo Morales followed with a single to center to drive in Marte and Clinton was up 3-1.
The LumberKings used the longball to build their lead in the top of the fifth inning. DJ Peterson hit a home run to left-center to start the frame. Jordy Lara cracked a solo home run to left with two outs and Clinton was up 5-1.
That was it for the scoring.
DeCecco tossed seven innings, allowed five hits, walked three, and struck out four. DeCecco earned his eighth win of the season with the victory on Thursday.
Rodolfo Fernandez came out of the Wisconsin bullpen and tossed three scoreless frames. Taylor Wall worked a scoreless ninth in relief of Fernandez.
Mike Garza doubled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning off Jochi Ogando. Parker Berberet followed with a walk, but Ogando closed out the game with a strikeout.
The final game of the series is Friday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Tyler Wagner (8-7, 3.61) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has Tyler Pike (6-3, 2.27) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 7:05pm.
The first 1,000 fans to attend this game will receive a Fang "Bobble-TAIL" figure from U.S. Cellular. There will also be plenty of interactive and social media activities throughout the evening with the Rattlers and US Cellular hosting You Run the Show Night. Plus, kids 12 and under receive a free hot dog and soda as part of North Shore Bank Family Night. Children 14 and under may participate in Kids Run the Bases thanks to Molina Healthcare after the postgame fireworks display.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark for the game, My NEW32's Sports Showdown will have the television broadcast starting with their pregame show at 6:30pm. The radio broadcast may be heard on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Subscribers of MiLB.TV may also catch the action.
HOME RUNS:
CLN:
DJ Peterson (1st, 0 on in 5th inning off Eric Semmelhack, 0 out)
Jordy Lara (9th, 0 on in 5th inning off Eric Semmelhack, 2 out)
WP: Scott DeCecco (8-7)
LP: Eric Semmelhack (1-6)
TIME: 2:26 (1:42 Delay)
ATTN: 3,233