Two Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitchers allowed one hit to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Thursday Night at Perfect Game Field. Four Kernels pitchers gave up three hits to the Rattlers in the game. The only hit that scored a run went to the Kernels as Mikey Perez hit a lead-off home run in the bottom of the fifth inning and the Kernels handed Wisconsin a 1-0 defeat.
The Timber Rattlers (58-52 overall, 22-23 second half) had a chance to get on the board early with back-to-back singles by Eduardo García and Joe Gray Jr in the top of the second inning against Tyler Palm, who was making his first start since 2019. However, Palm got a strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play to escape the inning. Palm would work three innings before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Jon Olsen, who would pick up the win for the Kernels, walked one over 2-2/3 innings.
Wisconsin starting pitcher Stiven Cruz was impressive in his Midwest League debut. He only made one mistake over six innings.
Perez gave the Kernels a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Perez hit an 0-1 pitch from Cruz that just cleared the high wall in left for a home run.
Cruz walked two and struck out six over six innings and took the tough luck loss.
Wisconsin’s best scoring opportunity after the second inning happened in the sixth. Ernesto Martinez singled with two outs against Matthew Swain, the Kernels third pitcher of the night. Martinez stole second and went to third on a throwing error on the play. However, Swain got the final out of the inning.
Taylor Floyd pitched two innings out of the Wisconsin bullpen and struck out five without allowing a hit.
The Rattlers could not stage a late rally. Darrien Miller was hit by a pitch with two outs in the top of the eighth inning by Bradley Hanner, who got the final out on a grounder to second. Hanner closed out the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his second save.
Game four of the series is Friday night at Perfect Game Field. Brady Schanuel (0-1, 3.76) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Kernels will counter with Luis Rijo (0-1, 6.75). Game time is 6:35pm.
