Snappers Come Up Just Short In 3-2 Series Finale Loss

In a game of slow offense and mistakes, the Beloit Snappers (58-53) couldn't muster enough runs against the Cedar Rapids Kernels (60-53) in a 3-2 loss Monday afternoon at Perfect Game Field.

It was a much different story Monday than the previous day. Both teams combined for just 10 hits, as opposed to Sunday where both teams combined for 26 hits and 17 runs. Both teams Monday combined to go 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Both teams combined for five errors, four coming from Cedar Rapids, compared to zero combined in Sunday's game.
The Kernels took the lead for good in the third inning, when Michael Davis led off with a solo home run to tie it at 1-1. Ben Rodriguez would reach on a throwing error from Ryan Gridley a couple batters later, but Ariel Montesino scored his first of two runs on the fielder's choice from the Snappers.
Then in the fifth, Montesino would come home to score again on a wild pitch from Snappers pitcher Jared Poché and extend the Kernels lead to 3-1.
Beloit would cut it to one on a Lage RBI double in the eighth, the lone extra-base hit for the Snappers Monday, to score Gridley again and make the score 3-2.
The Snappers got the scoring going in the top of the third. Ryan Gridley singled and went to second on a throwing error to first by shortstop Davis. One batter later, Jesus Lage grounded out but a throwing error from first baseman Trey Cabbage allowed Gridley to come home and make the score 1-0 Snappers. Cabbage would have two of the Kernels four errors.
Getting the start for the Snappers was the right-hander Brady Feigl, who was just called up to Beloit on August 4^th. Feigl, a fifth-round pick in this years draft, went just two innings and allowed three hits, two earned runs and struck out two while taking the loss.
Poché pitched the final six innings, giving up just one run and striking out six Kernels.
Almost going the distance for Cedar Rapids was their starter Edwar Colina, who picked up his sixth win of the season in eight full innings of work. He gave up just four hits, two runs, zero earned runs and punched out eight Snappers.
Kevin Marnon pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to get his third save of the season and salvage the final game of this three-game series for the Kernels.
This was just the 15^th loss for the Snappers this season when they score first. Lage's double also gave them at least one extra-base hit in 39 of their last 44 games.
The Snappers will now enjoy a league-wide day off Tuesday before beginning a seven-game homestand. The homestand will kick off on Wednesday, August 8^th. Before the regularly scheduled game one against the Quad Cities River Bandits can begin that day, the Snappers/Bandits game on July 3^rd that was suspended due to lighting issues will be made up. The game was heading into the top of the sixth inning and will be resumed there, with game one of the scheduled series with Quad Cities beginning shortly after the conclusion of the resumed game.
Starting the resumed game for the Snappers will be right-hander Bryce Conley (3-7, 4.99). On the mound for Beloit in the second game will be left-hander Jhenderson Hurtado, making his first start as a Snapper this season.
Wednesday is a Kids Eat Free and Craft Beer Night. Kids 12 and under will receive a hot dog and soda voucher to be redeemed at the main concession stand. All 12-oz. craft beer drafts are just $2.
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.