Timber Rattlers pound Cougars
A 17-hit performance lifted the visiting Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, who avoided a four-game sweep by defeating the Kane County Cougars 7-4 Friday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva.
Victor Roache tripled to start the second inning against Michael Heesch (3-9) before crossing the plate on a single to right off the bat of Garrett Cooper. Two batters later, Lance Roenicke singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch while scoring on a two-out hit by Chris McFarland.
Roenicke pulled the Timber Rattlers (45-60, 16-24) in front by 3 runs with a solo homer against Heesch in the fourth, but the Cougars (43-62, 13-26) battled back to even the score at 3-3 in the fifth.
Oliver Zapata cracked a lead-off triple but remained on third with two outs. Then Dan Vogelbach was hit by a pitch and Jeimer Candelario walked to load the bases. Rock Shoulders cashed in the scoring chance with a 3-run double to the gap in left-center.
But the tie was short-lived, as the Rattlers reclaimed the lead for good in the sixth inning. Parker Berberet doubled and came home on a double-play ball off the bat of McFarland. Orlando Arcia drew a two-out walk and scored on a hit by Michael Reed.