Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. – A towering home run from the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters’ (4-9) newest player wasn’t enough to power them to a victory as they lost 8-5 against the visiting Green Bay Rockers (7-6) in the final game of the homestand. It was Andre Modugno who launched a rocket over the left field wall on a two-run shot while starter Seth Spencer pitched four one-run innings, but it wasn’t enough.
The Rockers scored first thanks to an RBI grounder from Jalan Jones off Spencer in the top of the second, but the Rafters responded with a run of their own on Spencer Davis’ RBI single off Green Bay starter Alex LePage.
The Rafters built up a lead in the bottom of the third, scoring a trio of runs to make it 4-1. It started with the two-run splash from Modugno off Rockers’ LePage, chasing him from the game after just two innings of work. Simon Aluko then came in and Wisconsin Rapids’ Davis picked up another RBI on a grounder. The Rafters kept going, loading the bases, but couldn’t send any more home.
Neither team scored again until the sixth inning, but in the top of the frame, Rafters’ Trevor Moeck couldn’t hold back the runs, letting one come home on an Eli Selga RBI single, another on an error from Wisconsin Rapids shortstop Mason Onate, and one more on Jones’ RBI single, knotting it 4-4.
Wisconsin Rapids quickly broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth thanks to an RBI sac fly from Modugno off Rockers reliever Drew Aguilar, grabbing a 5-4 lead.
From there, the Rafters were held scoreless while the Rockers added another run and tied it 5-5 in the top of the eighth on David Ballenilla’s RBI single off Wisconsin Rapids reliever Tony Torres.
With the game on the line, an error from Rafters second baseman Luke Skinner allowed a run to score and extended the inning before Eli Selga smashed a two-run blast off Wisconsin Rapids closer Jafet Martinez (1-2).
Once again, the Rafters had the tying runner at the plate in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a pair of walks, but Green Bay’s Tate Strickland struck out back-to-back batters to end the game and earn the save (1).
The Rafters stayed in fifth place in the Great Lakes West after the loss while the Rockers stayed half a game ahead of the Dock Spiders for third. The two teams will run it back in Ashwaubenon Sunday afternoon where the Rafters will look to snap a three-game losing streak. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05pm and will be broadcast on NWL+ for video and WFHR 97.5 FM/1320 AM on radio.