Lowery doesn't let Rattlers rally
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon to defeat the Burlington Bees 6-5. Wisconsin did not get a chance to repeat that feat on Monday night. Burlington starting pitcher Patrick Lowery took a 5-1 lead into the bottom of the ninth at Time Warner Cable Field at retired Wisconsin in order for the first complete game of his professional career.
Burlington (40-61 overall, 14-22 second half) scored first. Pedro Tiribio doubled to left with one out. Wade Hinkle doubled to center with two outs to drive in Tiribio for the 1-0 lead.
The Bees threatened in the top of the fourth. Exicardo Cayones tripled to start the inning. But, Rattlers starter Ryan Gibbard stranded Cayones at third by striking out the next two batters and getting the final out with a popup on the infield.
Lowery allowed one hit through 4-1/3 innings and had retired nine straight Wisconsin batters. Then, Garrett Cooper stepped to the plate with one out in the fifth. Cooper cracked a 2-1 pitch well over the left field wall for his first Midwest League home run. The solo shot tied the game 1-1.
Parker Berberet extended his hitting streak to thirteen games with a single and took second on an error immediately after the home run by Cooper. But, that would be it for the Wisconsin offense.
But, the Bees responded in the top of the sixth. Toribio singled with one out and stole second. He went to third on a throwing error. Wisconsin brought the infield in with Wade Hinkle at the plate. Cayones hit a hard one-hopper to the left of Chris McFarland at second. McFarland lunged for the ball and threw to the plate. But, the ball short-hopped the plate and bounced off the mask of catcher Parker Berberet. Toribio scored and Cayones took second base.
Hinkle was next and he lined a ball off the foot of Gibbard. Gibbard went to the ground as the ball rolled down the mound and onto the grass back toward the plate. Berberet charged out to field the ball, but that left the plate uncovered. Cayones broke for the plate from third base as Berberet retraced his steps. Gibbard limped after the ball and got to it, but flipped it high and to the backstop. Cayones scored and Hinkle wound up at second base.
Gibbard left the game in favor of Preston Gainey after the play. Zach Wright welcomed Gainey to the game with a two-run home run to the Bees bullpen. That put Burlington up 5-1.
Wisconsin (44-57, 15-21) couldn't get anything going against Lowery after the single by Berberet in the fifth inning. Lowery retired the final fourteen batters of the game to earn the complete game victory for the Bees. He allowed three hits, walked none, and struck out six for his fourth win of the season.
The Timber Rattlers begin a four game road trip to the Chicago suburbs on Tuesday night. Wisconsin takes on the Kane County Cougars in Geneva, Illinois. Eric Semmelhack (1-6, 5.44) is scheduled to start for the Timber Rattlers. Kane County has not announced a starter for Tuesdays game. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30pm. Tune for the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:10pm.
HOME RUNS:
BUR:
Zach Wright (1st, 1 on in 6th inning off Preston Gainey, 1 out)
WIS:
Garrett Cooper (1st, 0 on in 5th inning off Patrick Lowery, 1 out)
WP: Patrick Lowery (4-6)
LP: Ryan Gibbard (4-3)
TIME: 2:20
ATTN: 2,687