Snappers win suspended game, drop nightcap in Appleton

The Snappers started their weather-induced five-game series in Appleton with two contests on Friday night. Beloit took down the Timber Rattlers 4-3 in the completion of a suspended game from April 17, but then lost 5-0 in the nightcap.

The continuation of the April 17 game involved some strange circumstances for the Snappers. As the Snappers and Timber Rattlers started play at Pohlman Field in Beloit on April 17 but were rained out after four innings, the Snappers remained the home team despite the venue changing to Fox Cities Stadium. Several Snappers who were in the lineup on April 17 are no longer on the active roster, which resulted in substitutes needing to be made before the game could resume.
Beloit came into the continuation of the game on Friday night with a 3-2 lead, as Cobie Vance contributed a solo home run and RBI double on April 17. Chase Calabuig, who is now playing for Double-A Midland, knocked in the other run with a single.
The Snappers and Timber Rattlers exchanged zeros for several innings as the game resumed. Michael Murray, technically relieving the game's original starter in Bryce Conley, had his best outing since returning from Tommy John surgery, tossing 3 2/3 scoreless innings. However, Wisconsin tied the game in the ninth on Jesus Lujano's RBI single off Beloit closer and Midwest League All-Star Eric Mariñez. The Snappers immediately replied, as Vance, who started the game on April 17 with a home run, ended it tonight with a walk-off single.
Perhaps the craziest storyline of the suspended game, though, is Wisconsin starter and Brewers No. 9 prospect Aaron Ashby's outing. He threw the first four innings of the contest on April 17, and then continued his start on Friday. Ashby's final line was an odd one for a minor league pitcher: he threw an eight-inning complete game, allowing four runs while walking five, striking out 13 and throwing a whopping 127 pitches.
The Timber Rattlers retaliated in the nightcap, shutting out the Snappers on just five hits. Wisconsin starter Wilfred Salaman (4-3, 5.57 ERA) fired five innings of four-hit ball before Robbie Hitt and Michael Mediavilla finished off the seven-inning contest. Beloit starter Reid Birlingmair (2-2, 3.12) worked through traffic all night, allowing eight hits and two walks, but controlled the damage to the tune of three runs (two earned) over five innings. Wisconsin received two-hit performances from Lujano, David Fry, Brent Diaz and Brewers No. 3 prospect Brice Turang in the nightcap.
The Snappers continue the lengthy series in Appleton tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. CT. Conley (1-3, 3.55 ERA) will take on Rattlers starter Reese Olson (2-3, 5.18 ERA).