Beloit reliever Jesus Zambrano's 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak came to an end during his blown save on Friday night, but a late Snappers rally secured their 5-3 victory over Kane County, as well as a series win. Athletics No. 5 prospect Austin Beck lined an RBI single off of Cougars
Beloit reliever Jesus Zambrano's 21 1/3-inning scoreless streak came to an end during his blown save on Friday night, but a late Snappers rally secured their 5-3 victory over Kane County, as well as a series win. Athletics No. 5 prospect Austin Beck lined an RBI single off of Cougars reliever Kyler Stout in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Beloit the lead.
The Snappers got on the board early with Hunter Hargrove's two-run shot in the first inning. That was the only blemish on the line of Kane County starter Franklyn Soriano (0-1, 3.38 ERA), who settled down to fire six innings of three-hit ball. He walked one and struck out four.
Beloit righty Jean Ruiz (4-8, 4.19 ERA), meanwhile, had one of his best starts of the year, as he need just 81 pitches to get through seven innings. He gave up one run- coming on Jose Caballero's RBI double in the fifth- on five hits while walking one and striking out three.
Zambrano entered in the top of the eighth not having allowed a run since June 26 at Cedar Rapids, but the Cougars had other plans. Caballero and Yoel Yanqui reached on back-to-back one-out singles, putting runners on first and third. Zambrano rallied to strike out Yan Sanchez, but then uncorked a wild pitch with Tim Susnara at the plate, allowing Caballero to score from third. Susnara immediately followed with a game-tying single on a seeing-eye grounder to left field.
Beloit would answer back in the bottom of the inning, however. Jesus Lage led off with a single before Nick Allen reached on a throwing error by reliever Abraham Almonte. Athletics No. 6 prospect Lazaro Armenteros then grounded into a fielder's choice to set the stage for Beck's game-winning hit. Logan Farrar added insurance with an RBI single for Beloit's fifth run.
The Snappers begin a three-game set in Cedar Rapids tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. CT. Lefty Ivan Andueza (1-8, 5.27 ERA) will toe the rubber against Kernels right-hander Jordan Balazovic (5-2, 3.74 ERA).
The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and have been the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics since 2013. For more ticket information, contact the Snappers office at (608) 362-2272 or on our website, www.snappersbaseball.com.
