Torra Strong as BayBears Open Homestand with Win
Published on May 26, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Mobile BayBears News Release
MOBILE, Ala. - Matt Torra tossed seven solid innings while Orlando Mercado and Cyle Hankerd combined for six hits and five runs batted in to hoist the BayBears past the Jacksonville Suns 5-1 on Tuesday night at Hank Aaron Stadium.
Hankerd's first smash was a double to left-center field in the bottom of the second against Pensacola native Derell McCall (0-1) who made his Double-A debut. Hankerd came home two batters later as Mercado drilled a two-run homer, his first blast in nearly a year.
Mercado wasn't done supporting the BayBears (26-20) who grabbed their fourth straight victory. In the fourth, Hankerd singled off the glove of third baseman Lee Mitchell and was brought home all the way from first on a double down the third base line by Mercado.
Torra (2-5) was in cruise control from there as he scattered five hits. He even flexed his muscle at the plate with a single off the right field wall. He was thrown out at second, trying to stretch it into a double. The only tally Torra allowed came in the seventh as Ryan Klosterman smacked a ground-rule double to left-center, bringing home Bryan Petersen, putting the Suns (23-23) on the board.
Hankerd added some insurance in the seventh with a two-out, two-run single to score Yunesky Sanchez and Pedro Ciriaco. Sanchez singled and walked, seeing his first game action in two weeks because of a tender hamstring.
Southern League Stories from May 26, 2009
- Barons Earn First Tuesday Win - Birmingham Barons
- Torra Strong as BayBears Open Homestand with Win - Mobile BayBears
- Walk-off Gets Smokies a Split in Doubleheader - Knoxville Smokies
- Biscuits Drop Opener to Cats, 5-4 - Montgomery Biscuits
- Huntsville Bounces Back From Tough Loss in Opener - Huntsville Stars
- BayBears Power Past Suns on Tuesday - Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp
- Mudcats Take Sixth Straight - Carolina Mudcats
- Jaxx and Lookouts Washed Out on Tuesday - Jackson Generals
- Barons Off To Best Start Since 1989 - Birmingham Barons
- Barons Announce Hall of Fame Class of 2009 - Birmingham Barons
- Bucci Joins Stars - Huntsville Stars
- Smith Wins Southern League 'Hitter of the Week' Award - Knoxville Smokies
- Southern League Announces Hitter and Pitcher of the Week - SL1
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