Kernels Beat the Rattlers 4-1
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were victimized by the home run for the entirety of their just-completed series with Cedar Rapids Kernels at Rise 2 Greatness Field. Sunday’s game was no different. Kala’i Rosario’s three-run homer capped a four-run third inning, and the Kernels went on to
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers were victimized by the home run for the entirety of their just-completed series with Cedar Rapids Kernels at Rise 2 Greatness Field. Sunday’s game was no different. Kala’i Rosario’s three-run homer capped a four-run third inning, and the Kernels went on to a 4-1 victory over the Rattlers.
Cedar Rapids (31-17 second half, 71-43 overall) loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the third inning. Wisconsin starter Edwin Jimenez walked Carson McCusker to start the frame. Jeferson Morales hit a slow grounder to second baseman Mike Boeve tried to get McCusker at second. The throw to second was late and the ensuing throw to first was also late. Noah Miller singled with one out to load the bases before Ben Ross knocked in McCusker with a sacrifice fly.
Rosario was next, and he hit a three-run home run to left field to give the Kernels a 4-0 lead. Rosario has his six of his eighteen homers in the 2023 campaign against the Timber Rattlers.
Wisconsin (22-26, 48-64) staged a two-out rally in the top of the fourth inning to get on the scoreboard. Hendry Mendez doubled, and Matt Wood followed with a single up the middle to drive in Mendez. Then, Joe Gray Jr singled and an error on the play put runners at second and third, but Kernels starter Zebby Matthews got the final out to maintain the three-run lead.
Ben Metzinger singled as the lead-off batter in the top of the fifth and Brock Wilken walked with two outs to chase Matthews from the game. Reliever Mike Paredes got the final out of the inning on a flyout to center. Paredes retired the Timber rattlers in order in both the sixth and seventh innings.
Wilken singled with one out in the eighth against Matt Swain and Wood was hit by a pitch to start the ninth, but the Rattlers couldn’t rally and dropped their fourth straight game.
Cedar Rapids took five of six from the Timber Rattlers in the series and now leads the season series 10-8. The Kernels hit eight homers in the six-game series and have hit nineteen homers in eighteen games against Wisconsin this season.
The Timber Rattlers are off on Monday. They return to action on Tuesday evening at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium for game one of a six-game series with the Quad Cities River Bandits. Game time is 6:40pm with Nate Peterson (0-2, 5.74) as the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin.
Be one of the first 1,000 fans to attend Tuesday’s game and you will receive a poster of Timber Rattlers infielder Robert Moore from Blue Print Service Company. Tuesday is also a Bang for Your Buck Night courtesy of NEW Manufacturing Alliance with Cher-Make hotdogs and 16-ounce Pepsi Products for $2. Plus, fans who are 21 or older may purchase 16-ounce domestic beers for $2.
If you can’t make it out to the ballpark, the radio broadcast on AM1280, WNAM starts with the Community Blood Center Pregame Show at 6:20pm. Fans can listen on the radio, on the First Pitch app, or at this link. The internet video feed is available on Bally Live.