Rattlers Beat Bees 2-1

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had a key call go their way during Wednesday's game at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium and they would pick up a 2-1 victory in the opening game of the three-game series.

Burlington (44-67 overall, 14-28 second half) took the lead with a run in the top of the second inning. Tim Millard doubled with one out in the inning. Julio Garcia blooped a single to center with two outs to drive in Millard and the Bees had a 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin (53-61, 22-23) tied the game with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Eddie Silva doubled with one out. Payton Henry drove in Silva with a two-out double to the corner in right.

The Timber Rattlers loaded the bases with three walks in the bottom of the third inning, but could not take the lead.

The Bees appeared to take the lead with a leadoff homer by Kiki Menendez in the top of the fifth inning. Menendez hit a ball that cleared the wall just to the left of the 405' sign in right-center. But, the hit was ruled a ground-rule double. There was a brief discussion, but no argument about the call from the Bees. Wisconsin starter Dylan File retired the next three batters to strand Menendez at second and keep the game tied 1-1.

Darren Seferina put the Rattlers up in the bottom of the seventh inning. He singled and stole second to start the inning. Seferina advanced to third on a passed ball and scored when the throw to third went into left field.

Clayton Andrews relieved File to start the top of the eighth inning. He retired the first batter he faced, but gave up a double off the wall in left to Leonardo Rivas. Andrews bounced back to retire the next two batters and maintain the lead at 2-1.

Robbie Hitt took over to start the top of the ninth inning and retired the first two batters he faced before giving up back-to-back singles. Hitt closed out the game by getting a routine fly out to center for his seventh save in seven chances.

File allowed one run over seven innings, walked none, and struck out six to pick up his seventh win of the season.

Wisconsin is 5-4 against the Bees this season. All five of Wisconsin's wins in the series have been by one run. Three of Burlington's four wins in the series have also been by one run.
Game two of the series is Thursday night. Aaron Ashby (1-0, 1.69) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Burlington has named Denny Brady (0-3, 4.32) as their starter. Game time is 7:05pm.
The first 1,000 fans to attend Thursday's game will receive a Timber Rattlers baseball cap courtesy of Eagle Point Senior Living. Fans of legal drinking age may enjoy 12-ounce craft beers for $2. Cher-Make brats are also just $2 and they are available for everyone. Beers from Fox River Brewing Company, Badger Club Amber, and many, many more will be available courtesy of The Score, 95.3 & 99.1.

Also, the Timber Rattlers Concert Series continues with Happy Hour Heroes performing in the Fox Communities Credit Union Fox Club for ninety minutes starting at the end of the seventh inning.

If you can't make it out to the ballpark, there are many ways to catch the action. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 6:45pm. Subscribers to Spectrum Cable may watch the game on Spectrum Sports beginning at 7:00pm. The broadcast is also available on the Tune In and IHeart Radio apps. Subscribers to MiLB.tv can watch the game over the internet.