The Beloit Snappers started the Midwest League’s second half Friday by pitching a gem against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.
The Kernels were held to one hit — a 1st-inning single by SS Eric Stamets — and drew four walks, but otherwise were completely stifled by the Snappers. Beloit SP David Hurlbut (3-0) led the way with this line: 7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 4 K. Relief pitchers Tim Atherton and Corey Williams also threw an inning each.
The Snappers couldn’t have picked a better time to impress, as Minnesota Twins general manager Terry Ryan was in the stands watching the game. Minnesota is Beloit’s parent club.
Beloit Snappers SP David Hurlbut and 1B Steven Liddle (Photo courtesy of Jim Crikket/Knuckleballs)
The Snappers weren’t the only Midwest League team to start the second half with a pitching gem. The Great Lakes Loons threw a two-hitter against the Lansing Lugnuts, with SP Jarret Martin (4-5) leading the way with this line: 5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K. RF Chris Hawkins and DH Kevin Patterson were the only Lugnuts batters who got hits.
Three MWLers chosen as Futures
The rosters for this year’s All-Star Futures Game were announced Thursday, and three current Midwest League players made the cut: Lake County Captains SS Francisco Lindor, Burlington Bees 2B Chih-Fang Pan and Bowling Green Hot Rods LHP Felipe Rivero.
The minor-league exhibition game will take place Sunday, July 8.
All-Star Games present and future
The Eastern Division All-Stars beat the Western Division All-Stars 18-2 in Tuesday’s Midwest League All-Star Game, held at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark, home of the Kane County Cougars. You can read my post about the game here.
Next year’s Midwest League All-Star Game — the 49th annual one — will take place at Fifth Third Field, home of the Dayton Dragons. The game will be played on June 18, 2013. The Dragons hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game once before, in 2001.
