Timber Rattlers Pick up 6-2 Win

PEORIA, IL – Brandon Knarr became the first Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitcher to go six innings in a game this season when he tossed six scoreless frames with seven strikeouts to pick up the win in Wisconsin’s 6-2 win over the Peoria Chiefs Thursday night at Dozer Park.  The Rattlers broke open a close game with five runs in the top of the seventh and snapped a three-game losing streak with the win.

Wes Clarke put the Timber Rattlers (12-6) in front with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning.  Clarke’s second home run of the season came with one out in the frame.

Knarr walked just one and the only two hits he allowed were an infield single in the third and bloop double in the fourth.

The offense provided plenty of cushion for the bullpen with a five-run uprising in the top of the seventh.  Carlos Rodríguez started the inning with a single and took second on an error.  The Chiefs were playing Antonio Piñero to bunt.  Instead, Piñero put a charge into a 3-1 pitch from reliever Levi Prater and crushed a two-run home run to left and the Rattlers lead was 3-0.

Wisconsin added to their lead as Prater issued two walks and hit a batter with one out to load the bases.  Wes Clarke greeted reliever Nick Trogrlic-Iverson with a sharp single to right to score two more runs.  Zavier Warren capped the inning with a ringing double off the wall in right to score a run for a 6-0 lead.

Clarke is 3-for-6 with nine RBI in seven plate appearances with the bases loaded this season.

Peoria (9-9) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the seventh on a two-out, RBI single by Francisco Hernandez.  They would get another run in the ninth on a two-out, RBI single from Mack Chambers, but the Chiefs would get no closer as Cam Robinson got the final out on a grounder to Piñero.

Game four of the series is scheduled for Friday night at Dozer Park.  Antoine Kelly (1-0, 2.63) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  Austin Love (0-2, 9.00) is set to start for the Chiefs.  Game time is 6:35pm.  The radio broadcast can be heard on AM1280, WNAM and internet audio starting with the pregame show at 6:15pm.