Rattlers get fast start to earn split

LANSING, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored four runs in the first inning and built a 7-0 lead in game two of Thursday's doubleheader against the Lansing Lugnuts. Tyler Wagner pitched six solid innings as the starter for the Rattlers and the team picked up a doubleheader split with a 9-3 win at Jackson Field at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Wisconsin (9-14) jumped on Lansing starting pitcher Ben White with four runs in the top of the first inning. Tyrone Taylor and Michael Reed singled to start the game. Victor Roache singled with one out to drive in Taylor with the first run of the frame.

The Timber Rattlers loaded the bases on a walk to Adam Giacalone. Then, Alfredo Rodriguez popped to short right field for an infield fly out. Second baseman Christian Lopes made the catch, but then threw to third base for some reason. The throw was wild and Michael Reed scored. Roache and Giacalone also moved into scoring position on the throw. Parker Berberet drew a walk to reload the bases for Mike Garza.

Garza, who had two hits and an RBI in game one of the doubleheader, delivered a sharp single to center that knocked in two runs for a 4-0 advantage.

Giacalone made it 5-0 with an RBI double in the top of the third inning.

Mitch Haniger launched a two-run home run to left field in the top of the fourth inning. Haniger's third home run of the season put the Timber Rattlers up 7-0.

Lansing (8-16) scored a run in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI single by Lopes. They added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth on consecutive RBI singles by Dalton Pompey and Lopes.

The Rattlers added a pair of runs in the top of the sixth to push their lead back out to 9-3. Orlando Arcia scored on a two-out error and Haniger scored from third on a wild pitch.

Wagner finished his night with a 1-2-3 sixth inning. The right-hander out of Utah allowed three runs on six hits, walked none, and struck out six. He is now 2-1 on the season.

The final game of the three game series is Friday night. Leonard Lorenzo (1-1, 6.75) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Lansing has Javier Avendaño (2-1, 3.91) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 6:05pm CDT. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 5:45pm.

HOME RUN:
WIS:
Mitch Haniger (3^rd, 1 on in 4^th inning off Arik Sikula, 2 out)

WP: Tyler Wagner (2-1)
LP: Ben White (0-2)

TIME: 2:11
ATTN: 4,125