Hernandez strong, but Cougars still come up short
Playing the first of six on the road, the Cougars (26-28) offense could not solve the puzzle that was Miguel Diaz (1-5) in a game defined by defense and solid starting rotation work as the Timber Rattlers (26-29) beat the Cougars, 2-0.
Carlos Hernandez (3-3) logged his second quality start of the season tossing 6 innings on 3 hits and 1 run with 8 strikeouts, a season high. He also just walked two Wisconsin swingers.
This game throughout was a consummate pitcher's duel. The Cougars had right-hander Hernandez on the mound against fellow Dominican countryman, right-hander Miguel Diaz.
In the first four innings, Hernandez had 6 strikeouts while Diaz had eight. Diaz did not allow a single hit during the time frame as Hernandez only surrendered one.
No base runner advanced past first in front of a lively Appleton crowd until the home half of the fourth.
In the fourth inning, the Timber Rattlers also laid claim to a 1-0 lead. Despite a sensational grab from Jason Morozowski, former Diamondbacks farm hand, Isan Diaz, struck a sacrifice fly RBI. The run was scored by Blake Alleman after he singled to start the go-ahead inning.
The Cougars first hit was a leadoff base hit in the fifth inning for Trevor Mitsui, but Diaz settled in and proceeded to end the frame without a run scored, protecting a Timber Rattlers' 1-0 advantage.
The seventh inning was the first real offensive threat from the Cougars. After a one-out single from Austin Byler and free pass issued to Mitsui, Diaz exited after a career high six and one-thirds innings tossed. But new pitcher, right-hander Scott Grist (3-1), ended the inning unscathed also notching a strikeout.
Unloading a home run against new pitcher Drew Muren, Isan Diaz made it 2-0 Timber Rattlers lead in the home half of the seventh. Muren was effective thereafter striking out five straight Wisconsin batters into the eighth frame.
But the Cougars only managed three hits and were shutout with Drake Owenby (1) notching the save with two scoreless to end the game. Miguel Diaz picked up his first win of 2016 and Carlos Hernandez suffered the loss.