Rattlers shut out Loons for fourth straight win

MIDLAND, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers are rolling. Victor Roache hit a first inning home run to give the Timber Rattlers a lead at Dow Diamond on Sunday afternoon. Pitchers Ryan Gibbard and Jorge Lopez combined on a five-hit, 5-0 shutout as Wisconsin won their fourth straight game.

Roache put the Timber Rattlers (12-14) in front in the top of the first inning. Mitch Haniger coaxed a two-out walk against Great Lakes starter Lindsey Caughel. That free pass was the first issued by Caughel in his first 21-2/3 innings pitched this season. Roache was next and he unleashed a line drive to right-center that easily cleared the wall for a two-run homer. The dinger was the second of the season for Roache.

Wisconsin plated two more runs in the top of the second. Caughel walked Alfredo Rodriguez with two outs and Orlando Arcia singled to put runners on the corners. Arcia would steal second with Tyrone Taylor at the plate to get two runners into scoring position. Taylor sent a wicked line drive past the glove of third baseman Paul Hoenecke into left to score two runs. The play was originally ruled a two-run single for Taylor. But, was switched to an error on Hoenecke before the start of the bottom of the third.

Gibbard worked five scoreless innings as the starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. He allowed three hits, walked two, and struck out three. The Wisconsin offense gave him one more run as a parting gift.

In the top of the sixth inning, Haniger doubled to start the frame. Adam Giacalone drove in Haniger with a one out single for a 5-0 lead.

Lopez took over for Gibbard in the bottom of the sixth inning and kept the Loons (12-17) off the scoreboard over the last four innings. Lopez allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out three to earn his first save of the season.

The final game of the series at Dow Diamond is Monday morning. Eric Semmelhack (1-0, 5.40) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Great Lakes has Angel Sanchez (1-3, 5.88) as their scheduled starter. Game time is 9:35am CDT.

Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 9:15am.

Monday's game is also available on MiLB.TV.

HOME RUN:
WIS:
Victor Roache (2^nd, 1 on in 1^st inning off Lindsey Caughel, 2 out)

WP: Ryan Gibbard (2-1)
LP: Lindsey Caughel (0-3)
SAVE: Jorge Lopez (1)