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Augusta GreenJackets

Jackets Erase Early Deficit, Win 8-6

June 6, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets led early and were felled by their most disastrous inning of the season before clawing back for an 8-6 win in a series opener with the Savannah Sand Gnats Saturday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium.

Leading 3-0 and with one out in the third, the GreenJackets committed four errors on three consecutive hitters. A frustrated Ari Ronick allowed four hits to the next five Sand Gnats and when the dust cleared, Savannah sent ten to the plate in the third to take a 5-3 lead. The lead grew an inning later when Sean Ratliff tripled to score Josh Satin from second. The inning ended when Ratliff was thrown out at the plate trying to stretch the hit into an inside-the-park home run. It was the last Savannah hit until the ninth inning.

Josh Mazzola's one-out home run in the fifth made it a two-run game, setting the stage for Augusta's onslaught in the sixth. Ehire Adrianza doubled with one out and scored on Charlie Culberson's single. Johnny Monell was hit by a pitch and Culberson advanced to third on an errant pickoff throw that put the tying run on third with one out. Dom Duggan bounced into a fielder's choice, beating out a double play ball at first that scored Culberson with the tying run.

With the game knotted at six, Wendell Fairley played hero for the Jackets. Fairley drilled his second home run of the year over the fence in left-center to give the GreenJackets their first lead since the third inning at 8-6.

Shane Kaufman and the GreenJackets bullpen kept Augusta in the game until the hitters got the bats moving. Kaufman (1-1) allowed just one run in 3.2 innings of two-hit relief with a pair of strikeouts. Justin Fitzgerald followed with a scoreless inning and a third and Daniel Runzler yielded just one hit with a walk and a strikeout over the final 1.2 innings to pick up his tenth save in as many tries.

The Jackets picked up a second-inning lead off Savannah starter Jeurys Familia, who took the no decision. Juan Perez drove in a run with two on to give the Jackets their first lead. After Ehire Adrianza singled to load the bases, Culberson drew a bases-loaded walk to give the Jackets another. Johnny Monell's double play ball scored Perez to complete the three-run frame.

Familia threw 5.1 innings and was in line for the win until the sixth inning rally. He allowed five runs on seven hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Manny Olivares (0-3) takes the loss after firing 1.2 innings with three runs on three hits with a walk and no strikeouts.

In the no decision, Ronick allowed five runs - all unearned - on six hits without a walk and with a strikeout.

Game two of the series features Aaron King (1-3, 5.17) taking the hill for the Jackets to face Chris Schwinden (3-2, 3.67) of Savannah. First pitch comes at 2:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on WRDW AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. You may purchase seats by calling 706-922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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