The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers had their chances against the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. However, the Rattlers left the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth inning and dropped a 4-3 decision in game one of the six-game series.
The Lugnuts (46-69 overall, 22-27 second half) took the lead with a two-out rally in the top of the third. Wisconsin starting pitcher Carlos Rodríguez got the first two outs in the inning before giving up a single to Shane McGuire. Then, McGuire stole second. Denzel Clarke knocked in McGuire with a bloop single to center for the 1-0 lead.
Wisconsin (59-55, 23-26) loaded the bases in the bottom of the third with one out on a single by Jose Acosta, a ground rule double by Ethan Murray, and a hit batsman to Jace Peters. Wes Clarke delivered with a two-out, two-run single to center to put the Rattlers up 2-1. Clarke has 22 RBI with the bases loaded the season.
