Cougars overwhelmed by Wisconsin power surge

Appleton, Wis. - Yielding the most runs in a single start during his professional career, Justin Donatella (5-3) allowed 3 solo home runs to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (27-29) as the Cougars (26-29) dropped the contest 5-1 in Appleton.

Former Chicago Cubs right-hander Matt Garza (0-1) made his second rehab start for the Timber Rattlers against the Cougars, going 4⅓ innings on 2 hits and 1 run falling short of receiving a decision.

The Cougars have started this six-game road trip with two losses and are 2-4 overall at Fox Cities Stadium in 2016.

The scoring started in the home half of the second inning when Monte Harrison blasted a solo home run against Donatella. It was his second home run surrendered in the last two games, after having given up no home runs in his entire professional career prior.

Fernery Ozuna responded with a home run for the Cougars in the away half of the third against Garza, his first of the season to tie the game, 1-1 in the middle of the third.

It was a short-lived lead as the Timber Rattlers responded with three unanswered runs in the third and fourth frames. Adding to the home run party, Isan Diaz socked his second home run of the series. And then Harrison sent his second home run of the game past left field. Wisconsin added a final run on a Blake Allemand sac-fly RBI to lead 4-1 heading to the fifth inning.

The Timber Rattlers added another tally in the seventh inning and rolled to a victory as the Cougars have now dropped two in a row overall.

Reliever Alex Farina (1-2) garnered the victory for the Timber Rattlers, Justin Donatella lost for the Cougars, as Conor Harber (1) collected the save.