Beloit spoils Taylor’s big day

Loons’ third baseman Brandon Taylor had four hits with a home run and two doubles and drove in four runs, but the Beloit Snappers jumped all over Great Lakes starter Thomas Melgarejo early en route to a 7-5 victory Tuesday night at Pohlman Field.

With the Loons trailing 2-1 in the top of the second, Taylor drove a pitch from Beloit starter Steven Hirschfeld over the wall in right-center for two run home run to give the Loons the lead. The blast was his fifth of the year, with all five coming away from Dow Diamond.

The Snappers tied the score in the second on a base hit to left by Jeanfred Brito. They then took the lead in the third on an errant throw by Preston Mattingly on an attempted double play turn on a ground ball hit by Juan Richardson, the first of three Beloit runs in the third off Melgarejo.

Taylor notched his second double and third extra base hit of the game in the sixth inning to straight-away center field to score Mattingly and pull the Loons to within two at 6-4.

In the eighth a Taylor hit scored pinch runner Jovanny Rosario, who ran for Kenley Jansen, who led off the inning with a double, to make the score 6-5 Beloit. The Snappers tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth.

Eduardo Perez also recorded a four-hit game for the Loons. Designated hitter Chris Cates had three hits to lead Beloit.

Miguel Sanfler was the story on the mound for the Loons. He pitched a season-high five innings in relief, allowing one run and four hits. Sanfler retired the first 11 batters he faced. Melgarejo (2-5) pitched two innings, allowing nine hits and six runs.

Hirschfeld (7-3) recorded the win, despite surrendering nine hits and four runs through 5 2/3 innings.

The Loons continue their six-game series with their second game against the Snappers Wednesday night at Pohlman Field. Game time is 8:00 p.m.