Four Wisconsin Timber Rattlers pitchers held the Beloit Sky Carp to one run on four hits and the offense held up its end by scoring enough for a 3-1 victory at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Tuesday night.
Robert Moore wasted no time in extending his on-base streak to 22 games as he cracked a triple to start the Wisconsin half of the first inning. Joe Gray Jr drove in Moore with a double to right and the Rattlers were up 1-0.
Alexander Cornielle, making his first start since June 4, pitched 3-2/3 scoreless innings for the Timber Rattlers (6-4 second half, 32-42 overall). He struck out five and allowed two hits before leaving with two runners on base in the fourth inning as he reached 65 pitches for the game.
Karlos Morales walked the first batter he faced to load the bases but got out of the inning with the lead intact. Morales pitched two scoreless innings and would pick up the victory.
Darrien Miller lined a lead-off homer in the bottom of the fourth to double Wisconsin’s lead. It was Miller’s fifth home run of the season.
Tanner Shears took over for Morales in the top of the sixth inning with the bases loaded and two outs. Shears got the final out of the inning to maintain the shutout. He would also work a scoreless seventh and a perfect eighth inning.
Gray and the Rattlers added to their advantage in the bottom of the sixth. Gray walked, stole second, and went to third on a wild pitch. Eduardo García drew a two-out walk to allow the Rattlers to attempt a double steal. García broke for second and beat the throw for a stolen base. Gray broke for the plate on the throw through to second and scored easily for a 3-0 lead.
The Sky Carp (6-4, 33-42) got on the scoreboard in the top of the ninth on a one-out, pinch-hit homer by Cameron Barstad off Shane Smith. That was all Beloit would get as Smith closed out the game for his first save as a Timber Rattler.
Game two of the series is Wednesday night. Stiven Cruz (3-5, 6.59) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Zach King (4-5, 4.87) is set to start for the Sky Carp. Game time is 6:40pm.
