Rattlers win a close one in Cedar Rapids to open road trip
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers kicked off their seven-game road trip with a 4-3 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Monday night at Perfect Game Field. Michael Ratterree drove in a pair of runs, including the eventual game-winner in the top of the ninth inning.
Chris McFarland singled in the top of the fourth inning to start the inning for Wisconsin. Ratterree drew a walk and - one out later - Omar Garcia drew a walk to load the bases. Cedar Rapids starting pitcher Lewis Thorpe threw a wild pitch with David Denson at the plate to allow McFarland to score. An error on a grounder off the bat of Rafael Neda allowed Ratterree to score for a 2-0 lead.
The Kernels (59-60 overall, 25-18 second half) also scored two runs in their half of the fourth inning. Wisconsin starter Zach Quintana got the first out, but walked Chad Christensen and hit Mitch Garver to put two runners on base. Alex Swim singled up the middle to drive in Christensen. Quintana hit Max Murphy to load the bases, but struck out the next batter for the second out. Quintana had two strikes out Engelb Vielma, but threw a wild pitch to allow Garver to score the tying run.
McFarland started another Rattlers rally in the fifth inning. He singled with two outs and went to second on an errant pickoff throw. Ratterree delivered McFarland home with a single to center to give Wisconsin (60-51, 24-18) a 3-2 lead.
Cedar Rapids tied the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Christensen lined a home run to left against reliever Luke Curtis to lead off the sixth and the game was tied 3-3.
The Rattlers went back in front in the top of the ninth inning. Johnny Davis singled and Angel Ortega doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs against Kernels reliever Dallas Gallant. After getting a strikeout, Gallant walked McFarland intentionally to load the bases. Ratterree lifted a flyball to right that was deep enough for Davis to score the go ahead run.
Wisconsin reliever Tristan Archer, who came on in the eighth inning, pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the Kernels. Archer picked up the win, his fifth of the season, with two scoreless innings.
Game two of the series is scheduled for Tuesday night. Barrett Astin (7-5, 4.74) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Ricky Nolasco will start for the Kernels on a Major League rehabilitation assignment for the Minnesota Twins. Game time is 6:35pm. Tune in for the broadcast on AM1280, WNAM or IHeartRadio starting with the Miller Lite Pregame Show at 6:15pm.
HOME RUN:
CR:
Chad Christensen (8th, 0 on in 6th inning off Luke Curtis)
WP: Tristan Archer (5-5)
LP: Dallas Gallant (1-1)
TIME: 3:13
ATTN: 1,902