For the City Times

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – The Wisconsin Rapids Rafters (6-4) scored first, but ended up dropping game two against the Rockford Rivets (3-7) 7-3 to split the series on July 12.

The Rafters opened the scoring with an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Rockford took the lead on a three-RBI double in the third inning. The Rivets scored one run over the next two innings to take a 5-1 lead.

The Rafters cut into the deficit with another RBI by Davion Downey on a double in the sixth. Rockford extended its lead with another run in the eighth and the Rafters executed a double steal to pull within three runs again. However, Rapids could not complete the comeback.

Starter Matt Osterberg is credited with the loss in 3.1 innings of work. Izzy Fuentes had a strong outing with five strikeouts in four innings. Jarret Olson gets the win as the starter for Rockford.