Bees Sting Rattlers with Late Rally to Win Game One

BURLINGTON, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers jumped to a 4-0 lead against the Burlington Bees in game one of a doubleheader at Community Field on Thursday night, but they could not hang on for the win. Burlington tied the game with four runs in the fifth and scored the go-ahead runs on an error in the sixth to defeat the Rattlers 6-4.

The Timber Rattlers (26-38) scored three runs in the top of the second inning to take the lead in game one. Ronnie Gideon and Ryan Aguilar each singled to start the inning. Jose Cuas bunted the runners into scoring position. Then, Nathan Rodriguez dropped a single into short center to drive in Gideon. Later in the inning, Gilbert Lara made it 3-0 in favor of the Rattlers with a two-run single.

Wisconsin added to their lead in the fourth inning. Ryan Aguilar singled to start the inning, but was at second base with two outs. Caleb Whalen delivered the two-out hit, a double to the corner in left, to drive in Aguilar and the Rattlers were up 4-0.

Rattlers starting pitcher Nattino cruised through the first four innings as he kept the Bees (29-36) off the scoreboard. That changed with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Derek Jenkins started the Burlington rally when he drew a four-pitch walk, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. Then, Jahmai Jones drew a walk and stole second. Jack Kruger was next and his hot grounder made it to left to send Jenkins home for the first Burlington run of the inning. Diplan's day ended after he walked Keith Grieshaber to load the bases.

Wisconsin reliever Andrew Vernon took over for Diplan and got the second out on a deep fly to center off the bat of Jordan Zimmerman. The sacrifice fly was deep enough to advance all three runners. Jones scored to make it 4-2 while Kruger and Grieshaber moved into scoring position.

Sam McDonnell followed with a two-run single to right and the game was tied 4-4.

The Bees had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning against Vernon after Jenkins and Jones singled and Kruger walked. Vernon got the double play ball he needed off the bat of Grieshaber, but the ball was missed by Lara at short and two runs scored to put the Bees up 6-4.

Wisconsin had a pair of hits in the top of the ninth inning. Demi Orimoloye singled to start the inning, but was erased on a 4-6-3 double play. Joantgel Segovia also singled in the ninth, but he was left stranded when the game ended.

The Bees have won six games in a row. The Rattlers have lost six games in a row.