Rattlers Take Down Lugnuts

Rattlers Take Down Lugnuts
Lansing Remains One-Half Game Back of West Michigan

LANSING- A two run homer by Luis Valbuena in the fifth inning proved to be the deciding blow, as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers topped the Lansing Lugnuts 4-2 at Oldsmobile before 1,697 fans Monday night. The loss keeps Lansing in second place in the Eastern Division behind West Michigan.

Wisconsin led the game 2-1 in the fifth when Casey Craig drew a one out walk to bring up Valbuena. He then cracked his first home run of the season off of the fencing that guards Larch Street above the right field wall to make the score 4-1.

Lansing tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the frame when Jacob Butler doubled home Sean Shoffit to cut the lead to 4-2.

The Lugnuts also had a chance in the eighth inning, but left two runners in scoring position as Joe Woerman retired the final two batters of the inning for the Rattlers and notched the save by tossing a scoreless ninth.

Lansing tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning when Sean Shoffit singled up the middle to plate Jesus Gonzalez.

However Wisconsin took the lead for good in the fourth when a Jairo Hernandez bases loaded sacrifice fly plated Nick Prosise to give the Rattlers a 2-1 edge.

Ruben Flores (1-5) picked up his first win in nearly two years after throwing 5 2/3 innings for Wisconsin and allowing just two runs on three hits.

Russ Savickas (2-2) suffered his second consecutive loss for the Lugnuts, throwing five innings and allowing all four of the Rattlers' runs while fannind two. Adrian Martin did throw well in relief, shutting down Wisconsin over the final four frames while scattering three hits.

Lansing (38-25) and Wisconsin (26-38) will finish the four game set on Tuesday night. Aaron Tressler (2-2, 1.60) will take the hill for the Lugnuts, while Paul Fagan (2-6, 4.48) will hurl for the Timber Rattlers. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Courtesy of the Lugnuts!