Snappers Win a Thriller against Lugnuts 2-1

BELOIT, WI - On a warm night in Lansing, the Beloit Snappers pulled out a close game win over eastern division foe, the Lansing Lugnuts, by a score of 2-1. The Snappers got excellent pitching from starter Bryce Nightengale and 3 Snappers relievers to secure the win, while giving up just one unearned run on the night.

Bryce Nightengale got the start for Beloit and was absolutely magnificent on the mound. Nightengale threw four brilliant innings surrendering just an unearned run, while punching out 5 and allowing just 2 hits.  
Nightengale would also get some support from his teammates at the plate tonight beginning in the second inning with the big fly.
In the top half of two, Nick Osborne would collect his second homer of the year after launching a ball over the right field wall. That homer not only put a run on the scoreboard, but it gave Beloit the early lead.
After a Lansing run in the third, a pair of doubles would get the Snappers back in the scoring column in the fifth inning and give them the lead once more. However, that run did not just give Beloit the lead, but ended up being the deciding factor in the ballgame.  
With one away in the inning, Marcos Brito would get the inning started for the Snappers with a double to put a runner in scoring position. Then, just one batter later, Lester Madden would trade places with Brito smacking a RBI double to centerfield to give the Snappers the 2-1 lead.
From there, cue the bullpen, as the hurlers out of the pen were fantastic tonight, starting with reliever Reid Birlingmair. Fresh off the injured list, Birlingmair was the piggy-back starter for Nightengale and did a fantastic job.
Birlingmair came into the game in the fifth inning and ended throwing 3 innings of scoreless baseball, while striking out five hitters and surrendering just 2 hits. Birlingmair will also be credited with the win in tonight's contest.
Michael Danielak would be tasked with bridging the gap to Eric Mariñez to the ninth inning and would throw a perfect eighth inning. Danielak would retire the Lugnuts down in order in the inning to not only send the game to the ninth, but preserve the Snappers slim lead.
The ninth was not easy for the Snappers, as the Lugnuts would get a hit and two walks to load the bases with no outs against Snappers closer Eric Mariñez.
However, Mariñez was up to the challenge, anchoring down to get a huge strikeout for out number one and keep the runners put. Just one batter later, Mariñez would use some more of his electric stuff to get a 4-6-3 broken-bat double play to not only get out of the jam, but secure the win in thrilling fashion for Beloit.
The Snappers will be back in action tomorrow night when they take on the Lansing Lugnuts in the rubber match of the series. First pitch from Cooley Law Stadium in Lansing, MI is set for 5:05 CT before the Snappers return home on Monday to open up a six-game homestand.
 
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 visit our website, www.snappersbaseball.com