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Cedar Rapids halts Rattlers’ six-game winning streak with late rally
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Cedar Rapids halts Rattlers’ six-game winning streak with late rally

Wisconsin Timber Rattlesnakes

July 19, 2024 – Midwest League (MWL)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Press Release

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers tried to hold off the Cedar Rapids Kernels all Friday night at Rise 2 Greatness Field. The Rattlers took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but the Kernels kept the pressure on and eventually broke through with two runs in the seventh inning. Cedar Rapids had to escape a late jam of its own in the eighth inning before eventually posting a 2-1 victory over the Rattlers in the first action between the teams since Sunday.

Wisconsin (56-31 overall, 14-7 bottom half) came back with two outs in the top of the second inning to take the lead. Tayden Hall and Jesús Chirinos both singled with two outs to put runners at the corners. Eduarqui Fernández followed with an infield single to drive in Hall for the 1-0 lead.

Cedar Rapids (51-35, 14-8) put its first two runners on base with a hit and a hit batsman in the bottom of the second against emergency starter Stiven Cruz. The Kernels failed to capitalize, as Cruz got the first out on a force play at second before escaping the jam with an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play. Cruz was forced into action when scheduled starting pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick was scratched earlier in the day due to illness.

Cruz and reliever Tyler Wehrle pitched in and out of trouble several times through the first six innings. The duo held on to a 1-0 lead with help from three defensive double plays and making some good pitches when they needed them.

The Kernels came back in the seventh inning against Aidan Maldonado, who had joined the Timber Rattlers from Carolina earlier in the day. A single and a hit batsman led off the inning. Maldonado struck out before a walk loaded the bases. Kyle Hess, who had doubled in the fifth inning, hit a ball to deep right-center field for a sacrifice fly to score the tying run and advance the other runners.

That was crucial, as Maldonado threw a wild pitch, allowing the go-ahead run to score.

The Rattlers got a chance in the eighth inning. Luke Adams was hit by a pitch to start the inning. An errant throw on a potential double play ball off the bat of Matt Wood ended up in left field, giving the Rattlers runners at the corners with no outs. However, the next two batters struck out Kyle Bischoff. Gabriel Yanez was called into the game and got the final out of the inning. Yanez would work a perfect ninth inning to end the game and Wisconsin’s streak of six straight wins.

Adams tied the Timber Rattlers franchise record for most times hit by a pitch in a season, tying Darrien Miller, who was hit by 24 pitches in 2022.

Wisconsin’s defense turned four double plays, while Rattler’s pitchers hit five Cedar Rapids batters in the game.

All seven of the Timber Rattlers’ hits came after they had two outs in an inning. The Kernels allowed their leadoff batter to reach base in six of the eight innings they batted. However, Wisconsin was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position, while the Kernels were 0-for-11 in the same situation.

Game 2 of the series at Rise 2 Greatness Field is Saturday night. Tate Kuehner (4-2, 3.02) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Darren Bowen (2-4, 6.23) is scheduled to start for the Kernels. The game starts at 6:35 p.m. The broadcast will be on AM1280, WNAM, beginning with the Community Blood Center Pregame Show at 6:15 p.m. The game will also be available on the web and the Bally Live App.

RHE

WIS-010 000 000 – 1 7 1

CR 000 000 20x – 2 7 1

Click here for the box score

Click here for the score games

WP: Kyle Bischoff (5-2)

LP: Aidan Maldonado (0-1)

SAVE: Gabriel Yanez (7)

TIME: 2:08

NOTE: 3,756

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