GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored one run in both ends of Saturday’s doubleheader with the South Bend Cubs at Neuroscience Group Field. The home team dropped a 4-1 decision in game one, but a run was all they needed in the nightcap for a 1-0 victory over the Cubs. The shutout was the tenth of the season for Wisconsin.
Jose Acosta put the Timber Rattlers (64-36 overall, 22-12 second half) in front with a solo home run to center in the bottom of the third inning. Acosta’s drive over the wall in center was his first with Wisconsin this season.
Brian Fitzpatrick, the Wisconsin starting pitcher, allowed three hits, and struck out seven over five scoreless innings to turn over the 1-0 lead to the bullpen.
South Bend (40-61, 13-22) had their first two batters in the top of the sixth inning retired by reliever Tyler Bryant. Then, Jefferson Rojas put a scare into the 6,225 fans in attendance. Rojas hit an 0-2 pitch off the top of the wall in left field for a double. It looked like Bryant would escape the situation when Ed Howard popped up a ball in foul territory. Byrant would need to make a few more pitches with the tying run in scoring position as first baseman Tayden Hall dropped the ball for an error to extend the inning. Fortunately, Bryant was able to bounce back and get the strikeout to end the inning.
There would be no drama in the seventh as Bryant pitched a perfect inning with a routine flyout to left, a grounder back to the mound, and a strikeout to earn his first Midwest League save in his second appearance with the Timber Rattlers.
Wisconsin is tied with West Michigan for the most shutouts in the Midwest League this season. Both teams have ten. The shutout in game two was the third time the Timber Rattlers have pitched a shutout against the Cubs in 2024. It was also the second time this season have beaten the Cubs 1-0. Wisconsin won 1-0 in game one of a doubleheader at Four Winds Field on April 12.
In the first game, the South Bend Cubs broke a 1-1 tie with two runs in the top of the fifth inning and went on to a 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in game one of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Ethan Hearn gave the Cubs (40-60 overall, 13-21 second half) the lead with a solo home run in the top of the second inning. The homer was Hearn’s second of the series and sixth of the season.
Wisconsin (63-36, 21-12) tied the game in the bottom of the third. Luke Adams drew a walk with two outs and stole second. Tayden Hall ripped a single to right on a 2-2 pitch to drive in Adams with the tying run.
South Bend scored twice in the top of the fifth to go back in front of the Timber Rattlers. Back-to-back singles by Jordan Nwogu and Reivaj Garcia started the rally. Then, Brett Bateman missed a bunt and Nwogu was off second base with his secondary lead. Wisconsin catcher Ramόn Rodríguez threw down to second thinking that Nwogu would scramble to get back to second. However, Nwogu went for third and made it without a play. Bateman flew out to center deep enough to score Nwogu with the go-ahead run. Rafael Morel added a run later in the inning with a double to score Garcia from first.
Hearn just missed a home run in the top of the sixth inning when his deep drive to right hit the top of the wall and stayed in the park for a lead-off double. A one-out bloop single to left put runners on the corners for Nwogu. Rattlers reliever Aidan Maldonado got Nwogu to hit a soft grounder to short. Wisconsin was able to get the force play at second, but Nwogu beat the throw to first to avoid the double play and let Hearn score for a 4-1 lead.
The Rattlers offense never got going after they tied the game. South Bend starter Jaxon Wiggins worked a perfect fourth inning. Reliever Luis Devers gave up a single and struck out three over two scoreless frames. Yovanny Cabrera gave up a harmless two-out single during a scoreless seventh inning to close out the game and earn his sixth save of the season.
Hall had two hits to pace the Rattlers offense in game one.
The series finale is Sunday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field. Alexander Cornielle (6-4, 3.82) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Erian Rodriguez (0-2, 4.32) is set to start for the Cubs. Game time is 1:10pm CDT.
Sunday is game two of Shantymen Weekend at the stadium with a ticket package that includes a ticket to the game and a Shantymen Replica Jersey. Current players and coaches will wear their Shantymen jerseys again for this game with the jerseys available in an online auction at this link.
All dogs are welcome to attend this Bark in the Park Game presented by Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Seating is set aside for your good dog on the left field berm. Admission for dogs is free!
Be one of the first 1,000 fans to attend this game and you will receive a Shantymen-themed reversible bucket hat from BOLDT. You are also invited to play Catch on the Field presented by TruGreen from noon to 12:30pm. The postgame player autograph session for fans is courtesy of Fox Cities Cards.
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