The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers put some early runs on the scoreboard, received another outstanding start from Carlos Luna, and got a late grand slam from Thomas Dillard to put the game away for a 7-2 win over the South Bend Cubs on Wednesday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Wisconsin (32-35) scored twice in the first inning for the second game in a row.  Je’Von Ward and Joe Gray Jr. delivered consecutive RBI singles with two outs to put the Rattlers up 2-0.  Gray’s single also knocked South Bend starting pitcher Ryan Jensen out of the game after 2/3 of an inning and 36 pitches.

Kekai Rios added a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning for a 3-0 lead for the Rattlers.

South Bend (31-36) scored their first run on their first hit.  DJ Artis homered over the wall in center to start the fourth inning for the Cubs. 

The homer was the only run Luna allowed.  He pitched six innings, allowed two hits, walked one, and struck out nine.  The nine strikeouts was a season high for Luna and he was in line for his third win of the season.

However, there were a few nervous moments after Luna left the game.  Cristían Sierra walked Bryce Ball with one out in the top of the seventh.  Yonathan Perlaza stepped to the plate with two outs and hit a deep drive to right-center.  The ball hit off the middle of the wall for a double to score Ball and the Cubs had the tying run at second base.  Sierra got out of the inning with a groundout and the Rattlers lead was at 3-2.

The Timber Rattlers put the game away in the bottom of the seventh.  Hayden Cantrelle, who had three hits to extend his hitting streak to seven, started the frame with a single.  Then, David Hamilton walked and Korry Howell was hit by a pitch to load the bases.  That brought Dillard to the plate and he jumped on the first pitch he saw and lined the ball over the wall in left-center for a grand slam.

The slam was the fourth of the season for the Timber Rattlers.  Dillard’s home run was his team-leading twelfth of the season.  He also has 57 RBI in 2021.

Sierra tossed a scoreless eighth and John LaRossa pitched a perfect ninth to close the door on the Cubs.

The series is even at one win for each team.  The Rattlers and South Bend have split eight meetings this season with each team winning four times.

Game three of the series is Thursday night.  Dylan File (0-0, 3.86) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers.  The Cubs have named Matteo Bocchi (1-0, 3.55) as their starter.  Game time is 7:05pm.