Snappers And Rattlers Fun Ends In Rain

BELOIT, Wisc.- Just when tonight's game between the Beloit Snappers and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers was shaping up to be a back-and-forth, action packed affair tied at two, Mother Nature intervened.

Down 2-0 in the bottom of the fourth with only one hit, the Snappers began to put the pieces together on the puzzle that was Rattlers' starter Luis Ortega. First baseman Sandber Pimentel got things started with a single with one out in the inning as the first of five Snappers to reach base in the fourth. Beloit loaded the bases on back to back singles from catcher Iolana Akau and third baseman Jose Brizuela, but almost squandered the opportunity when Justin Higley hit a hard ground ball to Wisconsin second baseman Tucker Neahaus. Neahaus quickly flipped to second to start a potential double play, but the Snappers dodged a bullet when Blake Allemand fired high to first base and pulled the fielder off the bag.

After the botched double play attempt, the Snappers had runners at the corners with designated hitter Argenis Raga at the plate. Raga, who has nine hits in just seven games since being recalled from Short Season Vermont, continued to show signs of progress at the plate when he lined a ball into centerfield to tie the game.

The Snappers found themselves in a two run hole because of the beginning and very end of starter Joey Wagman's three and a third inning outing. Wagman gave up three hits in the first, allowing the Rattlers to secure a one-run lead early, before settling in to retire nine straight batters, four of which he struck out.

Wagman lost just about all of what he had during those nine outs in the fourth, however. The trouble started when Wisconsin right fielder Elvis Rubio absolutely crushed a ball that cleared the left field wall by at least twenty feet to make it 2-0. Wagman then allowed a double and a walk before being pulled for recently called-up Mike Fagan, who shined in his return to Pohlman Field, striking out the two batters he faced and stranding two as well.

The festivities quickly ended after that when the skies opened up on Beloit after the Snappers tied the game. The tarp was pulled over the field under some truly frightening skies and tonight's game was postponed.

Beloit and Wisconsin will pick this one up where the left off on August 7 in Appleton, time yet to be determined.

After a league-wide day off, Beloit will head to Peoria to take on the Chiefs in a three game series.

The Beloit Snappers are 34-54 on the season and 8-10 in the second half. The next home games for the Beloit squad with a fireworks night against the Clinton LumberKings on July 18 at 7 pm. To buy tickets, stop by the office at Pohlman or call (608) 362-2272. Stay tuned to www.snappersbaseball.com and the Snappers' Facebook and Twitter accounts for all up to date news.