Rattlers Fall 3-1 to Kernels in Series Finale

GRAND CHUTE, WI - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers dropped a 3-1 decision to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium despite outhitting the Kernels 9-5 in the game.

Christian Cavaness started the game with a double to left against Chase Anderson, the Milwaukee Brewers pitcher who made a rehabilitation start for the Timber Rattlers. A wild pitch allowed Cavaness to take third base. Hank Morrison beat out a slow roller up the third base line with two outs to drive in Cavaness and the Kernels (59-56 overall, 20-25 second half) were up 1-0.

Anderson would not allow another hit in his time on the mound. He worked 3-1/3 innings, walked one, and struck out three as he tossed 47 pitches - 31 strikes - in his first start since leaving a game against the Cincinnati Reds on June 28.

Kernels starter Bryan Sammons retired the first ten Rattlers he faced in the game before Joantgel Segovia singled with one out in the fourth. Ronnie Gideon singled with two outs in the fourth, but was out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

Wisconsin (46-67, 20-25) got a leadoff single from Demi Orimoloye in the bottom of the fifth inning and Devin Hairston drew a walk with two outs. But, Sammons worked out of the jam to keep the Kernels up 1-0.

Sammons tossed five innings, allowed three hits, and struck out eight before leaving the game.

Cedar Rapids added to their lead in the seventh inning with a two-out rally against Braden Webb. The Wisconsin right-hander retired the first five batters he faced after entering to start the sixth inning. However, Shane Carrier extended the seventh with a single. Trey Cabbage followed with a line drive to right-center for a two-run homer and a 3-0 lead.

Wisconsin rallied with two outs in the eighth with reliever Max Cordy on the mound. Segovia and Keston Hiura singled to put runners on first and second. Gideon made it three singles in a row and this one scored Segovia to cut into the Kernels advantage. 

Hector Lujan replaced Cordy from the Cedar Rapids bullpen and got the final out of the inning.

Webb rebounded after the homer and retired the final seven batters he faced, including the final five via the strikeout. Webb recorded seven strikeouts over his four innings of work to match his single-game high as a pro.
Hairston singled with two outs against Lujan in the ninth inning, but the Kernels closer picked up his twelfth save of the season by getting the final out.

Wisconsin and Cedar Rapids split the four-game series and the Timber Rattlers went 3-4 in their seven-game homestand. Wisconsin's home record fell to 21-38 with the loss on Tuesday night.
The Timber Rattlers are off on Wednesday. They will return to action on Thursday against the Kane County Cougars with the first game of an eight-game road trip. Wisconsin has named Victor Diaz (1-3, 5.55) as their scheduled starting pitcher. Kane County plans to send Riley Smith (0-0, 2.70) to the mound. Game time is 6:30pm.
The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Potawatomi Hotel & Casino Pregame Show at 6:10pm. The broadcast is also available on TuneIn Radio, IHeartRadio, and MiLB.tv.