Beloit Finishes First Half With Close Loss

BELOIT, Wisc- The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers edged Beloit, 6-5, in the first half finale on father's day at a packed stadium.

The Timber Rattlers drew first blood in the top of the second. Mitch Ghelfi knocked in David Denson with a RBI single to give Wisconsin an early 1-0 lead.

The Snappers tied the game in the bottom of the third. Jean Carlo Rodriguez laced a one-out double to set up the scoring threat. Moments later Trent Gilbert delivered a RBI base hit to tie the game at one.

Wisconsin brought out the power sticks in the top of the fourth to take a 3-1 lead. David Denson blasted a solo bomb to deep center field with one out to put the Timber Rattlers up. Ghelfi continued the power display as he drilled a solo home run to right field to extend the lead to 3-1.

The snappers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Rodriguez led off the inning with a ringing double to ignite the offense. Michael Soto hit a RBI double past the third baseman to cut the deficit to 3-2. Beloit then got some help from sloppy Rattlers defense as Ryan Howell hit a fly ball to right that was misplayed and Soto came in to score to even up the contest.

The Timber Rattlers regained the lead in the top of the eighth. Nine-hole hitter Troy Stokes Jr. drew a walk to open the frame. Blake allemande drilled one-out double to put runners on second and third. Isan Diaz then delivered a sacrifice fly to give Wisconsin a 4-3 lead.

The Snappers immediately responded in the bottom half of the inning. Beloit showed off their power as Howell smoked a solo home run to center field to tie the game at four.

Denson opened the top of the ninth with the dreaded leadoff walk. Jake Gatewood then hit a ball into left field for a base hit to put runners on first and second. The Timber Rattlers then were aggressive on the bases as they executed a double steal. Ghelfi then hit a chopper to Snappers' second baseman with the infield drawn in and Gilbert got the out at first. The pinch runner, Carlos Belonis, froze at third but Gatewood went to third and had to scramble back to second and drew a throw to second. This allowed Belonis to race home and beat the throw to put Wisconsin up 5-4. Sthervin Matos added a RBI base hit to tack on a key insurance run.

The Snappers mounted a scoring threat in the bottom of the ninth. Higley ripped a base hit with one out. Rodriguez then hit a chopper that wasn't fielded cleanly allowing the tying run to reach base. Nathan Griep uncorked a wild pitch to put runners on second and third with one out. Gilbert plated Higley with a sacrifice fly to cut the Rattlers' lead to 6-5. Soto flew out to center field to end the game.

Higley went 3-for5 and a run scored to lead the Snappers' offensive charge. Rodriguez also had a big day at the plate going 2-for-5, two runs scored and two doubles. The Snappers banged out 10 hits as a team.

Beloit starter Dustin Hurlbutt went four innings giving up four hits, no walks and three earned runs while punching out four in a no decision. Cody Kurz took the loss in relief going one inning giving up two hits, two walks and three earned runs while striking out one. Victor Veliz pitched three solid innings of relief giving up no hits, one walk and no earned runs while punching out three.

The Snappers finish the first half with a 32-37 mark.

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.           

Written by: Derek Hoesly