Rodriguez's Mad Dash Wins It for Beloit
July 1, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Beloit Sky Carp News Release
BELOIT, Wisc- After a messy fifth inning in which the Snappers blew their early lead, their chances of a comeback against the Kernels looked dim, especially with Kuo Hua Lo-- the best reliever in the Midwest League this season-- looming in the Cedar Rapids bullpen. However, a wild eighth inning in which the go-ahead run, JC Rodriguez, scored all the from first on Skye Bolt's RBI single, giving Beloit a thrilling win over Cedar Rapids.
Boomer Biegalski (4-4, 3.24 ERA) didn't have his best stuff on Friday night, but he still turned in a quality start and managed to keep the Snappers in the game. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits while walking one and striking out two. Although he wasn't particularly dominant against the Kernels, Biegalski seems to have climbed out of the rough spell he experienced in early June prior to the All-Star break.
Beloit drew first blood in the third on Mike Martin's RBI single. They tallied one more in the inning thanks to Trent Gilbert's RBI groundout, which could have been an extra-base hit down the right field line if not for first baseman Zander Wiel's diving stop.
Wiel gave the Kernels their first run with an RBI single in the fourth, setting the stage for a big fifth inning. Biegalski walked Rainis Silva to start the inning, and then Daniel Kihle singled to right. Two batters later, Luis Arraez tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI single. Biegalski then ran into some bad luck: Sean Miller hit a sharp ground ball off of Biegalski's foot, sending it into no man's land in right field. Kihle scored, but then first baseman Ryan Howell, who recovered the ball in right field, tried to throw out Miller at second base. However, his throw was errant and rolled into left field, allowing another run to score and advancing Miller to third. The Snappers found themselves down 4-2 when the dust settled.
Beloit got one back in the sixth on Brett Siddall's RBI single. That signaled the end of the night for Cedar Rapids starter Cody Stashak (4-5, 3.51 ERA), who was solid over his six innings of work. He gave up three runs on six hits while walking three and striking out four.
The Snappers had an eventful eighth against righty Tom Hackimer, the Twins' fourth round pick in the 2016 draft. Siddall drew a one-out walk, followed by a single from Rodriguez. Bolt then singled to right fielder J.J. Fernandez, driving in the game-tying run, Siddall. However, Fernandez attempted to throw out Siddall at the plate, and his throw got past the catcher Silva. Third base coach and manager Fran Riordan made a bold move, sending Rodriguez home on the throw despite the fact he hadn't even rounded third until the throw got past Silva. The throw back to the plate appeared to have Rodriguez beat, but he avoided the tag with a great slide, scoring the go-ahead run for the Snappers. The Kernels finally brought in their ace reliever, Lo, to record the final two outs of the eighth inning. After leaving runners on first and second base Lo still hasn't allowed an inherited runner to score this season.
Beloit deployed right-hander Tyler Willman in the ninth inning as opposed to the usual closer, Cody Kurz. Willman struck out two in a dominant inning for his first career save.
Everyone in the Snappers' lineup reached base at least once on Friday night. Martin, Gilbert, Siddall, and Bolt all had RBIs.
Beloit will look to take the three-game set from the Kernels tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. CT. Lachlan Wells (1-0, 0.00 ERA) will go for Cedar Rapids while the Snappers will counter with James Naile (3-6, 2.92 ERA).
The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and are a fourth year Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Stay tuned to the team website and social media for all up to date information. For ticket information, contact the Snappers' offices at 608-362-2272 or visit our website at www.snappersbaseball.com.
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Midwest League Stories from July 1, 2016
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