Trace Loehr had a two-hit, four-RBI night and the Beloit Snappers (30-34) also had solid pitching from their bullpen in their 6-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs (36-29) in game one of a three-game series at Dozer Park.
Trace Loehr had a two-hit, four-RBI night and the Beloit Snappers (30-34) also had solid pitching from their bullpen in their 6-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs (36-29) in game one of a three-game series at Dozer Park.
Loehr began his career night with an RBI double in the third inning, as he and Mickey McDonald hit back-to-back two-baggers to tie the game at 1. Austin Beck plated Loehr with an RBI single, giving the Snappers a 2-1 lead that they would not relinquish.
After a walk to JaVon Shelby, a fielders choice by Nick Allen and Mickey McDonald walked, Loehr notched his second RBI of the night. With the bases loaded, the Snappers second basemen sent a sacrifice fly to right field, deep enough for Shelby to score from third to up the Snappers lead to 3-1.
Loehr then picked up his third, and career-high fourth RBI in the sixth inning, as Shelby and Allen were both hit by pitches to begin the frame before McDonald put down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to advance both runners into scoring position.
The 23-year-old Loehr then sent a two-run single to right-center field to score both Shelby and Allen to give the Snappers a 5-3 lead at the time.
Prior to Loehr extending the Snappers lead, the Chiefs tied the game with runs in the fourth and fifth inning as Julio Rodriguez plated Yariel Gonzaled in the fourth, and Gonzalez plated Nick Plummer in the fifth.
Snappers starter Mitchell Jordan pitched well yet again, but did not factor into the decision as he left with two outs in the fourth after surrendering the tying run.
Heath Bowers then took over for Jordan in the fifth with two outs and runners at second and third. The Campbell University product struck out Julio Rodriguez to end the Chiefs threat and keep the game tied at 3.
Bowers continued his outing into the sixth, as he got a ground ball out, and then struck out Bryce Denton and JR Davis to end his outing while picking up his fourth win of the season in 1.1 innings while striking out three batters.
Ty Damron then came on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings for the Snappers, as the southpaw picked up where Bowers left off. The left hander struck out the side in the seventh, but did yield one base hit in between strikeouts to Irving Lopez. He came on in the eighth and struck out two of the three batters he faced and picked up his fourth hold.
Seth Martinez then came on to go for his eighth save of the season, and he did just that. Retiring the side in order and striking out Jose Martinez to end the game and give the Snappers a 6-3 series opening win.
McDonald went a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate, while Loehr, Beck and Jesus Lopez each notched two-hit games. For Beck, he now has a team-leading 18 multi-hit games, with McDonald trailing him by two with now 16 multi-hit games.
The series continues with game two Wednesday, as the Snappers send right-hander Bryce Conley (3-2, 4.07) to the mound, as he will be opposed by Chiefs right-hander Johan Oviedo (2-5, 5.87).
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.
