Rattlers Coast to Victory

DAVENPORT, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers started their six-game series with the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park with an impressive 8-0 win on Tuesday night.  Justin Bullock and two relievers combined on a two-hit shutout while Zavier Warren led the 11-hit attack with two triples, a double, and three RBI.

The Timber Rattlers (51-45 overall, 15-16 second half) took advantage of a lead-off walk in the top of the fourth inning to take the lead.  Ashton McGee coaxed the free pass from Beck Way, the starting pitcher for the River Bandits.  Ethan Murray lined a double to the wall in center with one out to score McGee with the first run of the game.  Warren, who tripled with two outs in the second inning, tripled again in the fourth and this one scored Murray.  Jose Acosta followed with an RBI single to left and the Rattlers were up 3-0.

Way, who was making his River Bandits debut after coming over to the Kansas City Royals system from the New York Yankees organization in the Andrew Benintendi trade last week, walked two batters in the top of the fifth and left with two outs.  Rito Lugo entered the game from the Quad Cities bullpen and Murray welcomed him to the game with a double off the wall in right to drive in both runners for a 5-0 lead.

Warren stepped to the plate in the seventh inning with the bases loaded and smashed a double to the corner in left to drive in two runs.  Acosta plated another run in the inning with a grounder.

The River Bandits (36-61, 10-21) were held in check by Bullock over six innings.  Bullock allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out four.

Robbie Baker was the first out of the Wisconsin bullpen and he worked two perfect innings with three strikeouts.  Ryan Middendorf pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with two strikeouts in his Timber Rattlers debut to close out the game.

Murray had two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and three RBI for the Rattlers in the game.

Wisconsin is 16-3 in nineteen games against the River Bandits this season.

Game two of the series is Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park.  Israel Puello (1-3, 4.13) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Chandler Champlain (0-0, 0.00) is set to start for the River Bandits.  Game time is 6:30pm.  The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM and internet audio starting at 6:10pm.  The game is also available on MiLB.tv for subscribers.