Kane County routs Rattlers 6-0

GENEVA, Ill. - Franklin Hernandez provided the only offense Shawn Haviland needed to help the Kane County Cougars clinch the first half Western Division title. The outfielder hit a grand slam in the second inning for a 4-0 lead over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Haviland pitched six scoreless innings, allowed three hits, and struck out five in the 6-0 win.

Rattler starting pitcher Cody Adams walked three batters in the second inning to load the bases. Hernandez unloaded the bases with a homer to left on an 0-2 pitch. That blast gave the Cougars (41-29) a lead that was never threatened.

In the third, Rattlers reliever Daniel Meadows walked the leadoff batter. After a stolen base, Petey Paramore's two-out RBI single was enough to get the run home for a 5-0 advantage.

Jason Christian launched a 3-2 pitch from Meadows onto the right field deck for a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth.

The Rattlers (34-36) stranded ten runners in the game, including the top of the ninth. Justin Murray issued a pair of walks and gave up a single to load the bases with no outs. But, Murray kept the Rattlers off the scoreboard with a couple of strikeouts and a game ending force out.

The Timber Rattlers are off for the Midwest League All-Star Break until Thursday when they begin an eight game homestand at Time Warner Cable Field. Wisconsin hosts the Peoria Chiefs, the Midwest League affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, from June 25 through June 28. The Clinton LumberKings, the new Midwest League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, are in town from June 30 to July 3.