Timber Rattlers Take a Thriller from Kernels

July 2, 2022 – Midwest League (MWL) – Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release

GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had a 4-1 lead heading into the seventh inning against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Saturday Night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The game took many twists and turns from that point and the roller coaster ride didn’t end until the Timber Rattlers scored the winning run in the bottom of the eleventh for a 7-6 victory. The win was the fourth in a row for the Rattlers.

The Kernels (45-29 overall, 2-6 second half) took the lead in the top of the third with a two-out rally. Dylan Neuse doubled to right after Wisconsin starting pitcher Russell Smith had retired the first eight batters he faced. Kyler Fedko was next, and he lined a double just fair down the line in left to knock in Neuse for the 1-0 lead.

Wisconsin (43-30, 7-1) responded with a run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Black walked to start the inning and was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Darrien Miller. Tristan Peters knocked in Black with a two-out single to right and the game was tied 1-1.

Black gave the Rattlers the lead in the bottom of the fourth with a two-out, RBI double to score Ashton McGee.

The Rattlers added two more runs with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning after Kernels reliever Orlando Rodriguez retired the first two batters he faced. Rodriguez hit Zavier Warren and walked McGee. Then, Jose Acosta blooped a single to center on a full count to score Warren and send McGee to third.

Acosta and McGee pulled off a successful double steal with Acosta drawing a throw and McGee breaking for the plate. McGee scored without a play as the ball was dropped on the attempt to throw home.

Smith allowed one run on three hits and no walks with six strikeouts over six innings and turned the 4-1 lead over to the bullpen.

Cedar Rapids rallied in the top of the seventh against reliever Christian Tripp. A single, a walk, and a wild pitch put two runners in scoring position with one out. Jake Rucker reached on an infield single to score the first run. Dylan Neuse followed with a grounder back to the mound. Tripp got the force at second, but Neuse beat the throw to first to let the runner from third score and Wisconsin’s lead was down to one run.

That lead turned into a deficit in the top of the eighth inning. The first two Kernels reached on singles against James Meeker. The Wisconsin defense turned a 3-6-1 double play for two outs, but the tying…