Wisconsin Timber Rattlers take down Peoria in Midwest League home opener
GRAND CHUTE – On a beautiful 76-degree night in front of 3,180 fans, the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers secured an 8-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs on Tuesday in the warmest home opener in franchise history.
“Great win for the home opener here in Appleton,” said Rattlers manager Joe Ayrault. “Facilities were incredible, the fans were out in full effect with the great weather. It was an awesome night.”
Eric Brown Jr., the Milwaukee Brewers’ first-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, made his Timber Rattlers debut by leading things off with a single to right field in the first inning. Brown came around to score after advancing to second on a passed ball, a sacrifice bunt from Robert Moore, and an RBI groundout from Joe Gray Jr.
In the next frame, the Rattlers loaded the bases with no outs for Je’Von Ward – returning to the team after missing all of last season – who fought back from down two strikes to draw a full count before knocking in a pair of runs on a double that bounced over the right field wall to give Wisconsin a 3-0 advantage.
In the third inning, Ernesto Martinez Jr. hit a two-run home run over the new seating area in left field that extended the lead to 5-0. Later in the game, he followed up his offense with a flashy play on defense – going full splits to secure an out at first base.
Ayrault noted Martinez, who has homered in back-to-back games, not only has a big bat but can flash the leather too.
“He’s one of those guys with crazy power,” Ayrault said. “The ball he hit to left field – renovations are still going on and there were some things there where he could have hit the cargo container and the ball gets shot back onto the field, but with his strength he just put it over everything and made it easy for us. As far as his web gem, he’s very flexible – kind of like Gumby – and if I did that I’d probably pull a lot of things.”
Martinez, who finished 2-for-4 and scored twice, said his big moments in the game were all for the home crowd on a fun-filled opening night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
“It felt great,” Martinez said. “That’s what I play for – I play for the fans. I play to get the team going, everybody going, and I like the pressure in tough moments. That’s what I live for. I always tell all the Latin players that have never played here, ‘Hey guys, this is probably one of the most beautiful parks to play at.’ I like the people and it’s always good weather when we play here, so it’s perfect to play here.”
Peoria plated three runs in the fourth on an RBI single from first baseman Thomas Francisco, followed by a couple of defensive errors that brought in two more runs, but the Timber Rattlers pitching kept the Chiefs’ bats quiet for the most part throughout.
Starting pitcher Tyler Woessner earned his first professional win after going five innings, giving up only three hits, two walks and an earned run while striking out five batters. Woessner retired nine of the first 10 batters he faced and pitched around a one-out walk in the fifth inning to qualify for the victory.
“I had a lot of confidence in all my pitches,” Woessner said. “I felt like I could throw everything for a strike, so when you feel like that – when you’re in a groove – it felt good. Definitely a great feeling for sure. Last year I went 1⅔ (innings), so to be able to go five today and get the win is pretty cool. I worked myself up in spring training so my body is ready. It’s just the mental factor. Today I was fully ready to go five innings or even more. I’ve just got to stay aggressive and attack hitters. Instead of trying to strike everyone out, let them get themselves out.”
“Outstanding job,” Ayrault said of Woessner’s performance. “Mixed his pitches in his High-A debut and had a real good spring. Outstanding job working with (catcher Darrien) Miller.”
Not only did Miller handle calling the game well, he added to the team’s lead in the seventh inning with an RBI single to right field.
Robert Moore, the Brewers’ No. 11 ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline, delivered the final blow in the eighth on a two-run single to right field that brought in Micah Bello and Jose Acosta. Moore collected the lone hit in three at-bats, drew a walk, stole a base and scored in his home debut with the Rattlers.
“It was fun playing here, fun atmosphere,” Moore said. “Unbelievable leadership from our coaching staff with Joe Ayrault and (hitting coach) Ken Joyce. Whenever you have people like that in your life, it makes everything a lot easier.”
Russell Smith earned the hold, striking out five and giving up three hits in 2⅔ innings. Karlos Morales picked up his first save of the season, striking out one batter and giving up a hit in 1⅓ innings.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Wisconsin Timber Rattlers top Peoria in Midwest League home opener
