Sam Spangler pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief and Hawai'i snapped a 2-2 tie with a three-run sixth inning to beat Minnesota, 6-2, yesterday at the Metrodome in Minneapolis.

Jayson Kramer (1-1), armed primarily with just a fastball early, pitched 5 2/3 innings in his second collegiate start. He allowed two runs, nine hits and two walks with one strikeout for the Rainbows (2-3).

Tim Ryan (0-1) was tagged for three runs and five hits — four of them in succession in the three-run sixth — for the Golden Gophers (2-2).

But it was Spangler who settled the game, earning his first save of the season. He replaced Kramer in the sixth inning with two outs and runners at first and second and UH leading 5-2. His first pitch was wild, putting runners in scoring position, but he recovered to strike out Michael Kvausnicka.

Spangler, a left-handed redshirt sophomore, gave up two hits and struck out five while walking none.

"When he throws strikes, he's able to be very effective," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

Spangler also was backed by some nice plays from newcomers Kolten Wong in center and Christian Johnson in right. Wong hauled in a deep drive to center with an over-the-shoulder catch in the ninth and Johnson tracked down a deep drive to right-center in the seventh.

"Both made some nice catches," Trapasso said.

Kramer gave up four hits in the first inning, but only one run thanks in part to a double play. Although Vinnie Catricala's two-run single in a four-walk third inning by UM starter Dustin Klabunde gave him a momentary lead, Kramer allowed a run on two hits and a walk in the fourth that tied the score at 2.

"Kramer didn't have great stuff, but he battled," Trapasso said. "He was able to get us into the sixth inning when early I didn't think he was going to last more than a couple. He had fastball command, but he just didn't have any other off-speed pitches he could locate. (He) found his change-up late in the game (and) found his curveball. He gutted his way through it."

With the score 2-2, the Rainbows tagged Ryan in the sixth.

Catricala started it with a single off third baseman Kyle Geason and took third on Jeffrey Van Doornum's double to right-center. Kevin Macdonald followed with an RBI single to right, putting runners at the corners and giving UH a 3-2 lead. Johnson's RBI single to right made it 4-2, with Macdonald stopping at second.

After Landon Hernandez struck out, Ryan was lifted for Austin Lubinsky. Sean Montplaisir greeted him with a double to right-center that scored Macdonald, but Johnson was gunned down at the plate. Ryan Morford popped out to third to end the inning with UH ahead 5-2.

The Rainbows added a run in the seventh. Wong led off with a double to right and took third when Greg Garcia grounded out to first. Catricala hit a check-swing dribbler in front of the plate that catcher Kyle Knudson fielded and threw to first for the out. Wong broke for the plate, beating the throw home from first to the pitcher covering the plate.

"That was a great play on his part," Trapasso said of Wong.

Spangler's ability to finish saved the rest of the bullpen for next three games. But having thrown more than 40 pitches, he is not likely to be available until Sunday and probably for no more than an inning, Trapasso said.

The Rainbows play Washington (1-2) at 8:15 a.m., Hawai'i time, today in the opener of the Minnesota-sponsored Dairy Queen Classic. The Huskies lost 2 of 3 to defending Western Athletic Conference and College World Series champion Fresno State last weekend.

Hawai'i will start right-hander Nate Klein (0-1) today, while Washington is slated to start its ace in right-hander Jorden Merry (0-0). Merry gave up two runs (one earned) in five innings in a no-decision start of a 5-4 loss to Fresno State.