Hoppers Grab Game Two Behind Right Arm Of Dorn
July 6, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release
GREENSBORO, NC - Opening Day starter Johnny Dorn (8-5) silenced the bats of the visiting Lake County Captains on Sunday afternoon, picking up his eighth win of the year and helping the Hoppers avoid what would have been a season-high four game skid.
Dorn took control of the contest early, working past a defensive miscue in the first inning to force All-Star game MVP Karexon Sanchez to bounce into an inning-ending double play.
A pair of singles looked promising for the Captains in the second inning, but Dorn pitched around the one-baggers to log another twin killing and pull himself out of the jam and hold Lake County scoreless through two.
After allowing three hits through his first three innings or work, Dorn placed the Hoppers on cruise control, breezing past the Captains in his final five innings of work. Dorn surrendered just one more hit on the day, and finished the contest allowing one run over eight innings.
Dorn, in arguably his best start of the 2009 campaign, hurled seven scoreless innings to begin the contest, and fanned five while issuing just two free passes. Dorn induced a team-best three double play balls, and earned his team-high eighth win thanks to three early runs by the Grasshoppers' offense.
Red-hot Justin Jacobs jumped on Lake County starter Alexander Perez (5-4) quickly with a line drive home run over the left field wall in the Hoppers' first at-bat. Jacobs, who has feasted on Captains' pitching this season, blasted his second home run against Lake County tonight, and went 2-4 to add to his .480 clip against the Indians' affiliate.
Jacobs found himself in the offensive mix in the fifth as well, leading off the inning with a single and swiping second base before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Jacobs came around to score his second run of the day when Ben Lasater dropped an RBI single into centerfield to give the Hoppers a 3-0 lead.
But Jacobs wasn't the only Hopper involved in the offensive festivities, as Lasater and Jake Smolinski each grabbed two hits and an RBI on the day to join Jacobs in pacing the Hoppers' lineup. Centerfielder Kevin Mattison also notched a single in the third to jump in the hit column, and eventually came around to score the Hoppers' third run as well.
Mattison's soft liner to right not only jump-started the offense in the third, but also helped him extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Mattison has now matched Lasater for the club's longest streak, and has collected 17 hits during that span to post a .414 average.
After Dorn walked off the mound in the eighth, the Hoppers' handed the ball to closer Pete Andrelczyk for the final three outs. Andrelczyk retired Lake County in order in their last at-bat, striking out one to register his 14th save and close the door on Dorn's eighth win of the season.
The Grasshoppers (40-39) are now back above .500 for the season, and look to establish their first two-game winning streak since the All-Star break when they host the Captains for game three tomorrow.
First pitch of Monday's ballgame is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with gates opening at 6:00 p.m.
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