Rattlers rout West Michigan 10-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers broke out the offense in a big way in the final game of their road trip and third baseman Jake Gatewood led the way. The Brewers prospect had a double, two homers, and drove in six runs to pace the Rattlers 18-hit attack to a 10-2 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday night.
Wisconsin (14-16) scored twice in the second inning and set up the rally with three straight hits to start the frame. David Denson singled and Carlos Belonis followed with a bloop double to right. Alan Sharkey knocked in Denson with an infield single for a 1-0 lead. Belonis scored on a wild pitch a few moments later.
The Rattlers made it 3-0 in the third inning with a two-out uprising. Gatewood extended his hitting streak to five games with a double to the corner in right with two away. Denson followed with an RBI single to left-center.
Belonis singled to start the Wisconsin fourth, took second on a wild pitch, and went to third on a ground out. Luis Aviles drove in Belonis with a single for a 4-0 lead.
The Whitecaps (14-13) got to Rattlers starting pitcher Drake Owenby with a two-out RBI double by Stephen Gonzalez in the bottom of the fifth, but that was the only run allowed by the lefty. Owenby worked six innings, allowed three hits, walked one, and struck out five.
Gatewood stepped to the plate in the eighth inning with a runner at first and sent a deep drive to right. Derek Hill raced back and appeared to make an over-the-shoulder catch before flipping the ball to centerfielder Cam Gibson, who was not expecting the ball. The umpire ruled no catch as the ball rolled on the warning track and Gatewood crossed home plate with his second home run of the road trip.
The inside-the-park homer was the first by a Rattler since Dustin DeMuth hit one against Peoria at home on April 26, 2015.
The Whitecaps scored a run against Miguel Diaz in the bottom of the eighth when Gibson tripled to start the frame. An RBI grounder by Rashad Brown drove in Gibson.
Gatewood's next at bat came in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and one out against Jon Maciel. Gatewood crushed the first pitch deep over the wall in left-center for a grand slam and a 10-2 advantage.
That was the first Timber Rattlers grand slam since Taylor Brennan hit one against Beloit on August 28, 2014.
The Rattlers managed to go 3-3 on their six game road trip with a 2-1 record at South Bend and a 1-2 record at West Michigan.
The Timber Rattlers are off for Mother's Day before returning to action at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Monday night against the Clinton LumberKings. Jake Drossner (1-4, 5.96) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Clinton has scheduled Lukas Schiraldi (2-2, 2.59) as their starter. Game time is 6:35pm.
Monday is a Qdoba Q*Monday with NASH-FM and a Teen Night presented by Tutor Doctor. Purchase an entrée at any Qdoba location in Appleton, Neenah, or Oshkosh for lunch on Monday and receive a ticket to any Monday home game during the 2016 season. Teenagers may purchase a reserved seat for $3 or a $10 ticket that includes four of the following five food and beverage items: Hotdog, 10-ounce soda, Nachos with Cheese, Small Popcorn, and Cotton Candy as part of Teen Night presented by Tutor Doctor.
The radio broadcast is on 1280 AM, WNAM starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm. The game is also available on the internet through IHeartRadio, TuneIn, and MiLB.TV.