Snappers beat Rattlers 3-2 for a three-game sweep
GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Beloit Snappers completed their three-game sweep of the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 3-2 win at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Tyrone Taylor went 3-for-3 with a walk for the Timber Rattlers, but Wisconsin could not avoid their fourth straight loss.
The Snappers (35-25) took advantage of a Rattlers miscue in the second inning. Ryan Mathews reached on a two-out error. Nick Rickles was next and he lined a 3-2 pitch off the scoreboard for a home run and a 2-0 lead.
Wisconsin (24-32) cut Beloit's lead in half with a two out rally in the bottom of the third. Orlando Arcia singled to left with two outs and none on base. Tyrone Taylor continued his hot hitting by lacing a double inside the bag at third. Arcia raced in to score and the Rattlers were down 2-1.
But, that was the only run Wisconsin would get off Beloit starter Michael Ynoa. The tall righty out of the Dominican Republic scattered six hits, didn't walk a batter, and struck out three to put himself in position for his first win of the season.
John Wooten put the Snappers back up by two runs in the top of the sixth inning. He blooped in a single to shallow center with two outs to drive in Bruce Maxwell for a 3-1 lead.
Milwaukee Brewers closer Jim Henderson entered the game in the top of the ninth inning as part of his rehabilitation assignment. Henderson struck out the first two batters. Brett Vertigan looped a 1-2 pitch from Henderson just fair inside the left field line for a double. Henderson came back and struck out the final batter of the inning. He tossed 19 pitches and 14 were for strikes.
The Rattlers tried to cobble together a rally in the bottom of the ninth. Adam Giacalone singled to left with two outs to extend the game. The hit also extended Giacalone's hitting streak to eight games. Adrian Williams entered the game as a pinch runner for Giacalone and noticed that he was not being held on with Alfredo Rodriguez at the plate. Williams moved up to second on defensive indifference. Rodriguez fouled off a couple of 3-2 pitches to stay alive before lining a single to right-center to drive in Williams and cut the Beloit lead to a single run.
But, Snappers reliever Andres Avila finished off the game with a strikeout. Avila tossed the final four innings and struck out four to pick up his first save of the season.
Wisconsin has lost four games in a row, are 1-6 in the first seven games of this homestand, and have fallen to eight games under .500 for the first time this season.
The Timber Rattlers host the Clinton LumberKings on Saturday night. Jorge Lopez (2-4, 8.33) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Clinton has Scott DeCecco (4-5, 4.03) is set to start for the LumberKings. Game time is 6:35pm.
Saturday night is Star Wars Night. Timber Rattlers players will wear jerseys based on the science fiction classic. There will be a silent auction during the game and you could take one of those jerseys home with you. Plus, there will be characters from the movies on hand to meet fans and pose for pictures. Proceeds from the jersey auction go to Make-A-Wish Wisconsin.
It's a Fly Away Saturday, too. One fan will win charter airfare for two courtesy of Funjet Vacations and Fox World Travel.
If you can't make it out to the game, tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or timberrattlers.com starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm. This game is also available those who subscribe to MiLB.TV.
HOME RUN:
BEL
Nick Rickles (3rd, 1 on in 2nd inning off Mike Strong, 2 out)
WP: Michael Ynoa (1-1)
LP: Mike Strong (0-2)
SAVE: Andres Avila (1)
TIME: 2:42
ATTN: 3,053