Timber Rattlers Score Twice in the Ninth, Walk-Off Kernels 2-1
Appleton, WI – Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Wisconsin scored on an RBI single and a third pitching disengagement as the Timber Rattlers walked off the Kernels 2-1 Friday night. In a game that began as a pitcher's dual, Zebby Matthews was dominant on the mound
Appleton, WI – Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the ninth inning, Wisconsin scored on an RBI single and a third pitching disengagement as the Timber Rattlers walked off the Kernels 2-1 Friday night.
In a game that began as a pitcher's dual, Zebby Matthews was dominant on the mound in his three innings of work. In his 13th start of the season, Matthews pitched three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and two walks with three strikeouts.
Behind him, Mike Parades and Gabriel Yanez combined to throw the next four innings scoreless, allowing just three hits and no walks with four strikeouts.
On the opposite side, Alexander Cornielle was just as productive for the Timber Rattlers. The right-hander spun seven scoreless innings, allowing two hits and one walk to go along with nine strikeouts, matching his season high.
With the two sides still deadlocked at zero, Cedar Rapids got on the board first in the top of the eighth inning. Jeferson Morales walked to begin the inning and then stole second to get into scoring position. After a flyout and a strikeout, Morales stayed on second base with two out for Noah Miller, who lifted a high fly ball to deep right field that was dropped, allowing Morales to come home to score to put the Kernels on top 1-0.
In the bottom of the eighth frame, Wisconsin tried to rally back. Two hit-by-pitches and a walk loaded the bases with just one out. But Ricardo Velez on the mound picked up a strikeout and a ground out to escape the inning to preserve the Kernels' 1-0 lead.
The 1-0 score was the tally in the bottom of the ninth inning. After a flyout to begin the frame, a Ben Metzinger walk gave Wisconsin a baserunner, and after Metzinger was pinch-run for, Eduarqui Fernández stole second. After a strikeout, Fernández stayed on second with two outs for Eric Brown Jr., who blooped a single into shallow right field to score the game’s tying run. Now, with Brown on first in a 1-1 game, Velez threw over to first base twice, and both times, Brown was back in safely. On the next pitch, the Wisconsin base runner broke for second and slid in safely while the throw went into centerfield, and Brown moved up the third. With the game-winning run now on third base, Velez stepped off for the third time in the at-bat, his third disengagement, allowing the game’s winning run to come home to propel Wisconsin to the 2-1 win.
The loss for the Kernels (82-48) is the second in the series with Wisconsin (60-68) as the Timber Rattlers even the set at two wins apiece. Game five of the series is set for Saturday at 6:40, with John Klein making his Cedar Rapids debut opposite Tyler Woessner.