Rattlers rally in seventh to break Whitecaps
GRAND CHUTE, WI - Mitch Haniger drove in the go ahead runs and scored an important insurance run as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers rallied for a 7-6 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps Saturday afternoon at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The victory allowed the Timber Rattlers to win the three-game series with the Whitecaps.
West Michigan (9-11) loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the first inning against Wisconsin starting pitcher Damien Magnifico. But, the Whitecaps only scored one run. A sacrifice fly by Jeff Holm gave them a 1-0 lead.
Wisconsin (8-10) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of first inning on three straight singles. An error on a grounder to first off the bat of Chris McFarland let a run in to tie the game. Parker Berberet drew a walk to force in a run and put the Rattlers up 2-1.
The Whitecaps put together a rally against Magnifico to take the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Bennett Pickar drove in the tying run with a single. David Gonzalez put West Michigan up 4-2 with a two-out, two-run double.
Jake Stewart made it 5-2 with a two-out solo home run in the top of the seventh against Wisconsin reliever Leonard Lorenzo.
Berberet started the Rattlers on the road back with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the seventh. Mike Garza singled with one out and Orlando Arcia drew a walk to put two runners on base. Tyrone Taylor sent a grounder up the middle that was bobbled for an error instead of a force out at second. That error was compounded by a missed catch on a throw to first base. By the time the dust had settled, Garza had scored and Arcia was at third base. The Whitecaps got the second out of the inning on a strikeout, but Taylor stole second on the play to get into scoring position with the go ahead run.
Haniger blooped a 2-1 pitch into shallow center to chase both Arcia and Taylor home to give Wisconsin a 6-5 lead.
Victor Roache was next and he singled to right-center for his third hit of the game. The ball was bobbled and Haniger raced for home. He scored the insurance run with a headfirst dive that got him in under the tag.
West Michigan would get to within a run on a sacrifice fly by Pickar in the top of the eighth. They had runners at first and second with two outs when Taylor Wall came on in relief of Leonard Lorenzo. Wall got the final out of the eighth and pitched a 1-2-3 ninth to nail down Wisconsin's 7-6 victory.
The Timber Rattlers begin a new home series on Sunday afternoon with a game against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Game time is 1:05pm.
Sunday is Girl Scout Day at the ballpark. The Rattlers and Troop 2355 are holding a "Write to Recover" Journal Drive to benefit the Christine Ann Center & Harbor House as part of Girl Scout Day.
Sunday is also a Brewers Sunday presented by 107.5, The Fan. Timber Rattlers players and coaches will be wearing Brewers-themed jerseys during the game. These jerseys will be up for auction after the final home game of the Sunday home game of the regular season on August 25.
Before the Rattlers and Silver Hawks play the game on Sunday, fans may play catch on-field. After the game, Timber Rattlers players will be available for an autograph session. Also, Time Warner Cable customers can receive up to four half-priced reserved bleacher tickets when showing their TWC bill at time of ticket purchase.
If you can't make it out to Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 12:45pm. Sunday's game is also available on MiLB.TV.
HOME RUNS:
WMI:
Jake Stewart (2nd, 0 on in 7th inning off Leonard Lorenzo, 2 out)
WIS:
Parker Berberet (1st, 0 on in 7th inning off Julio Felix, 0 out)
WP: Leonard Lorenzo (1-1)
LP: Julio Felix (0-1)
SAVE: Taylor Wall (1)
TIME: 2:39
ATTN: 3,644