Martin walks it off in 12 after controversy

BELOIT, Wisc- A questionable call by home plate umpire Ricardo Estrada nearly cost the Snappers the game during Tuesday night's 12-inning fiasco, but they managed to avoid that fate thanks to some clutch offense and defeated the Chiefs 4-3. Trace Loehr's game-tying RBI double in the bottom of the eleventh eliminated Estrada's controversial call on Chris Chinea's go-ahead ground-rule double in the top of the inning, and then Mike Martin's bases-loaded single in the bottom of the twelfth sent the Snappers home victorious.

Peoria drew first blood on Tuesday thanks to Brian O'Keefe's RBI groundout in the fourth. The Snappers quickly answered back in the bottom of the inning, however, as an Edwin Diaz RBI single followed by Jordan Devencenzi's sacrifice fly put them up 2-1.

That was all Chiefs starter Juan Perez (3-1, 2.65 ERA) would allow, but, despite not allowing the Snappers to make much contact, he labored all night, needing 94 pitches to make it through just 4 1/3 innings of work. He gave up just the two runs on three hits and struck out four, but he also walked six batters, which led to his early departure.

Beloit starter Evan Manarino (6-3, 2.26 ERA), meanwhile, cruised through his seven innings of work. The only runs he allowed were on RBI groundouts: O'Keefe's in the fourth and Jose Godoy's in the seventh. The Snappers' ace walked one and struck out four as he continues to build a case for a promotion to High-A Stockton.

With both starters far from factoring into the decision, it became a battle of the bullpens. Beloit and Peoria's relievers were both spotless until the eleventh inning: Andrew Tomasovich and Armando Ruiz combined for three scoreless innings for Beloit while Peoria righties Gerwuins Velazco, Nick Frey, and Steven De La Cruz held the Snappers at bay after Perez's early exit.

In Ruiz's second inning of work-- the eleventh-- things took a wild turn. Cardinals No. 4 prospect Magneuris Sierra led off the inning with an infield single, and No. 5 prospect Edmundo Sosa advanced him with a sacrifice bunt. After an intentional walk to Eliezer Alvarez, Ruiz rallied to strike out O'Keefe, and then the next batter, Chinea, hit a towering fly ball down the right field line. Right fielder Brett Siddall gave a valiant diving effort at the ball, but could not come up with it. The home plate umpire Estrada called the ball fair, much to the dismay of the Snappers' dugout and crowd, who thought it was the opposite. Chinea was rewarded a ground-rule double, driving in the go-ahead run. Snappers manager Fran Riordan got his money's worth with Estrada, who had drawn the ire of both dugouts throughout the game for his strike zone, before getting ejected for just his second time since arriving in Beloit.

The Snappers did not let Estrada's call define their night, however. Devencenzi reached on an infield single to lead off the bottom of the eleventh, and then moved to second on Martin's sacrifice bunt. Loehr followed that with a booming RBI double off the center field wall to tie the game at 3-3.

The Chiefs managed to escape the eleventh without any further damage, but they wouldn't have the same luck in the twelfth. Justin Higley led off the inning with a double off Jorge Rodriguez, who then intentionally walked Ryan Howell and drilled Jose Chavez to load the bases. With just one out, Peoria decided to go with a five-man infield, but Martin made them pay by walking it off with a line drive down the left field line.

The Snappers had a stellar night offensively, as J.C. Rodriguez, Higley, and Edwin Diaz all had two-hit performances. Martin, who has provided an electric boost to Beloit's lineup since his call-up, led the way with his three-hit game. Peoria recorded ten hits on the night: Sierra, Sosa, and Chinea had three apiece.

Beloit will look to take the series from the Chiefs tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. CT. Michael Murray (2-1, 2.86 ERA) is set to take the hill for the Snappers while Peoria will counter with Brennan Leitao (4-6, 2.61 ERA).

The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and are a fourth year Class-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Stay tuned to the team website and social media for all up to date information. For ticket information, contact the Snappers' offices at 608-362-2272 or visit our website at www.snappersbaseball.com.

Written by: Bradley Star