Kane County earns split with 1-0 win over Rattlers
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Kane County Cougars split Tuesday's doubleheader with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium with a 1-0 victory in game two. Ben Carhart drove in the only run of the game with a two-out RBI single in the top of the ninth.
The game belonged to the pitchers, especially the starters. Barrett Astin made the start for Wisconsin and allowed two hits while striking out seven and walking none over seven shutout innings. Justin Amlung gave up three hits and struck out five without walking a batter as he match Astin with seven scoreless frames.
Wisconsin (21-23) got a first inning single from Angel Ortega in the bottom of the first and he stole second with two outs. But, was left stranded by Amlung. Ortega was the only Timber Rattler to reach second base in the game.
The other hits for Wisconsin were a one out single by Taylor Brennan in the fifth and a two out single by Johnny Davis in the sixth. Brennan was wiped out on a 6-4-3 double play. Davis was picked off in a rundown.
Kane County (29-16) got their first hit in the third inning on a leadoff single by Cael Brockmeyer, but he was erased on a force play.
Astin matched his longest outing and the most strikeouts in a single game as a professional with his performance on Tuesday.
The bullpens took over in the eighth inning. Mark Williams put a zero on the board in the top of the eighth and James Pugliese tossed a perfect bottom of the eighth.
Williams appeared headed for another scoreless inning in the ninth when he retired the first two batters. But, he walked Carlos Penalver on four straight pitches. Penalver stole second to get into scoring position on the first pitch to Carhart. Williams got ahead of Carhart 0-2. Carhart fouled off one two-strike pitch, took another, and fouled off one more pitch. Then, he sent a broken-bat liner to center and Penalver scored the run to put the Cougars up 1-0.
Pugliese set Wisconsin down in order in the bottom of the ninth.
Wisconsin was shutout for the first time this season in the second game of the doubleheader - their 44th game of the 2014 season.
The nightcap of the twinbill was the fourth extra inning game in the last five games for the Timber Rattlers. Wisconsin is 1-3 in those last four games that have gone past regulation.
The final game of the series is set for Wednesday night. Victor Diaz (1-1, 3.77) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Duane Underwood (0-1, 2.92) is set to start for the Cougars. Game time is 6:35pm.
A player magnet featuring Timber Rattlers pitcher Taylor Williams will be given to the first 500 fans to attend this game. This is magnet number one in a series of four that will be given away during the 2014 season from Lamers Bus Lines. Enjoy Cher-Make hotdogs, Pepsi products, and Miller beer for $1 on a WIXX Bang for Your Buck Night on Wednesday, too.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are many ways to catch the action. MyNEW 32's Sports Showdown is set to televise the game beginning with their pregame show at 6:00pm. The radio broadcast may be heard on AM1280 or IHeartRadio starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm. MiLB.TV subscribers may tune in on the internet.
WP: James Pugliese (2-0)
LP: Mark Williams (0-2)
TIME: 2:01
ATTN: 3,517