Kane County outlasts Rattlers to take nightcap in eleven innings

GRAND CHUTE, WI - A chilly Saturday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium turned in a cruel extra inning loss for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in game two of a doubleheader.  Willson Contreras hit a two-run home run in the top of the eleventh inning to provide Kane County with the winning margin of a 3-1 decision over the Timber Rattlers.  Wisconsin had won game one of the doubleheader 7-6 and were four outs from victory in game two, but could not complete the sweep.

The Timber Rattlers (3-4) took advantage of a Kane County error in the fourth inning to get on the board.  Chris McFarland reached on an error with two outs and stood at second base.  Brent Dean made the Cougars pay by lining an RBI single to left to drive in McFarland for a 1-0 lead.

Rattlers starting pitcher Mike Strong left the game with two outs and runners on first and second in the top of the sixth inning.  Austin Blaski entered the game and issued a walk to load the bases.  Rock Shoulders was at the plate when a passed ball eluded Dean to let the tying run score for Kane County (3-6).

The nightcap of the doubleheader was scheduled for seven innings, but the teams played well past that.  Neither team could break the deadlock until the top of the eleventh.

Willson Contreras, who was 0-for-3 with three strikeouts in game one, entered the game in the bottom of the seventh after Kane County sent in a pinch runner for their starting catcher in the top of that inning.  Contreras stepped to the plate in the eleventh with a runner at first and cracked a one-out home run off the scoreboard beyond the wall in left-center to put the Cougars up 3-1 against reliever Taylor Wall.

Wisconsin did get a one out single from Parker Berberet in the bottom of the eleventh, but the Rattlers could not rally in game two.

The teams are scheduled for another doubleheader - weather permitting - on Sunday afternoon.  Game one is set for a first pitch at 1:05pm.  The Rattlers will send Damien Magnifico and Leonard Lorenzo to the mound as the respective starters in game one and game two.  Kane County has scheduled Michael Heesch for game one and Jose Arias for game two.

Sunday is a Brewers Sunday with 107.5FM, The Fan.  Timber Rattlers players will wear Milwaukee Brewers themed jerseys during the game.  Brewers mascot Bernie Brewer will also be on hand to meet and greet fans!

Fans may play catch on the field before Sunday's game.  There is also a post-game autograph session scheduled and Time Warner Cable subscribers may purchase up to four reserved bleacher seat tickets for half price when they show their Time Warner Cable bill on Sunday.

If you can't make it out to the game, tune in to the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM beginning with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm.  Sunday's game is also available to subscribers of MiLB.tv.

HOME RUN:
Willson Contreras (1st, 1 on in 11th inning off Taylor Wall, 1 out)

WP: Justin Amlung (2-0)
LP: Taylor Wall (0-1)
SAVE: Eddie Orozzco (1)

TIME: 2:45
ATTN: 2,187