The Beloit Snappers scored twice in the top of the eighth inning to rally past the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a 2-1 win at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Adam Hill was on his game for the Timber Rattlers (29-33) . The starting pitcher tossed six shutout innings, allowed three, hits, walked two, and struck out four. But, he was not involved in the decision.
The Rattlers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Connor McVey singled with one out and stole second. Brice Turang followed with a single to center to drive in McVey.
Beloit (24-37) rallied in the top of the eighth against the Wisconsin bullpen. Victor Castaneda, who had pitched a scoreless seventh, gave up singles to John Jones and Cobie Vance and a sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position.
Anthony Bender was called into the game from the Wisconsin bullpen to try to protect the lead. But, his first pitch went to the backstop for a wild pitch to score Jones. The next pitch was hit off the plate by Ryan Gridley. The ball bounced high into the air and the only play to be made when it came down was a 3-1 putout at first. That let Vance score the go-ahead run.
Wisconsin put two runners on base with one out in the top of the eighth inning as McVey singled and Turang walked against Beloit reliever Brandon Withers. The Snappers called for Charlie Cerny to escape the inning and he retired the next two batters to maintain the lead.
In the ninth, Gabriel García singled with one out and stole second before Yeison Coca walked. Korry Howell hit a slow roller up the third base line and was called out on a close play at first. Cerny got the final out to strand the tying and winning runs in scoring position.
The Timber Rattlers stole five bases in the game, but they fell to 7-13 in games decided by one run in 2019.
Beloit’s win moved their road record to 15-17 this season.
The final game of the series is scheduled for Monday afternoon at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. Scott Sunitsch (4-5, 3.92) is the scheduled starting pitcher for Wisconsin. The Snappers have named Aiden McIntyre (1-4, 2.70) as their starter. Game time is 12:05pm.
