Erwin named MWL Pitcher of the Week

Snappers left-handed starter Zack Erwin was on Monday named the Midwest League's Pitcher of the Week for a second time in 2017. Erwin made a pair of starts for Beloit during the week of July 10-17, hurling a combined 11 shutout innings while allowing just six hits in the process.

He fanned a career-high eight batters in his start on July 10th against Kane Country, restricting one of the better teams this season to just five base hits before bettering that with only a single knock across five innings at Great Lakes on Sunday. It marks the first time this year that he didn't allow a run in back-to-back starts.
A fourth round selection in the 2015 draft by the White Sox, Erwin came to the Oakland A's organization as part of a December 2015 swap that saw major league second baseman Brett Lawrie land in Chicago. He had a 6.32 ERA in 98 1/3 innings between Stockton and Beloit last year, but has seemingly turned a corner in 2017 by allowing three runs or less in nine of his 10 starts.
Erwin has increased his strikeout percentage from 19.3% with Beloit last season to 25.4% this year, while lowering his walk rate to just 6.7%. Opposing hitters also currently have just a .222 batting average against Erwin, whose July ERA of 0.56 is the lowest of any Snapper with at least eight innings pitched this month.
The Snappers welcome the West Michigan Whitecaps and South Bend Cubs to Beloit during their next homestand that kicks off tomorrow. Promotions include Christmas in July, Saturday Fireworks, and the Chris Bosio bobblehead giveaway. Tickets for these events at Pohlman Field and all individual game tickets can be found here.