Snappers' Bats Erupt Behind Wagman

On a 90-degree day in Beloit, the Snappers' bats caught fire as they outslugged the Whitecaps, 9-3. It was extra-base hits galore for the Snappers, as they hit six doubles and two home runs to power their way past West Michigan.

Whitecaps starter Fernando Perez (2-9, 4.12 ERA) was in trouble all day, but he did not receive much help from his defense. Despite giving up a lead-off double to Joe Bennie and walking Max Kuhn in the first, Perez escaped the jam unscathed.

He would not receive the same fate in the second inning, however. Jose Brizuela led off with a double, then Perez drilled Mikey White-- the Athletics' second round pick in the 2015 draft-- to put himself in another jam. One batter later, Perez appeared to have induced an inning-ending double play that would have allowed him to escape once again, but third baseman Zach Shepherd's throw to second baseman Francisco Contreras was off the mark. Contreras chased down the ball after it trickled into right field and, upon noticing Brizuela was attempting to score, threw home. Catcher Arvicent Perez was unable to handle the throw, allowing Brizuela to score. White and Proudfoot each advanced a base on the throw as well. Perez struck out Bennie for the second out, but then Justin Higley hit a fly ball to shallow center field. Center fielder Ross Kivett awkwardly ran towards the ball, using his glove to shield the sun. It worked to no avail, though, as the ball dropped in front of him. Higley was credited with a two-run double. Then, during Kuhn's at-bat, Higley attempted to steal third base, but the catcher Perez's throw sailed into left field, allowing Higley to score easily. Perez got Kuhn to ground out and mercifully end the inning, but the damage had been done.

In the third inning, Shawn Duinkerk hit a home run to right center for his fifth of the season to extend the Snappers' lead to 5-0. That wouldn't be it for Beloit, however, as they mounted a threat against Perez once again in the fourth inning. After walking Iolana Akau and giving up a single to Tim Proudfoot, Perez was pulled in favor of reliever Adam Ravenelle. Bennie struck out on three pitches for the first out, but Higley followed that up with his ninth home run of the season, a towering three-run shot to dead center field.

That closed the book on Perez, who went just 3+ innings while allowing seven runs (three earned) on five hits. He walked three and struck out two. 

West Michigan's bullpen held the Snappers at bay for the most part, except for Max Kuhn's RBI double off of Gabe Speier in the sixth inning to give Beloit a 9-3 lead. 

Lost in Beloit's offensive onslaught was a solid start from Joey Wagman (7-2 3.59 ERA), whose job was made much easier with nine runs of support. He went six innings while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Wagman walked one and struck out eight. His only blemishes on the day were Perez's RBI groundout, a David Gonzalez sacrifice fly, and a solo shot by Kade Scivicque.

Several Beloit hitters had stellar days at the dish. Bennie and Kuhn hit two doubles apiece, while Higley hit a double and a home run. Brizuela went 1-for-3 with a double and also made two diving plays at third base.

Beloit has an off-day tomorrow, but will start a three-game series in Peoria on Tuesday night. The Snappers' Heath Fillmyer (1-13, 5.86 ERA) will face off against Jack Flaherty (7-1, 2.52 ERA).