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Hagerstown Suns

Early Runs Sink Suns in Loss to RiverDogs

July 14, 2017 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, Md. (July 12, 2017) - The top two offensive teams in the South Atlantic League looked poised for a slugfest with nine runs scored on nine hits through the first 1 1/2 innings on Monday night, but Charleston reliever Adonis Rosa tossed seven scoreless frames out of the pen to hold off the Hagerstown Suns, 6-3, at Municipal Stadium.

The RiverDogs (13-6, 47-42) plated three runs in the top of the first against Suns starter James Bourque (Loss, 4-4), who gave up a pair of two-out RBI base hits including a two-run single by Isiah Gilliam.

Hagerstown (11-7, 49-38) answered with three steals and three runs while sending all nine batters to face Charleston starter Austin DeCarr, who struggled to escape the first inning. Sheldon Neuse opened his 3-for-4 night at the plate with an RBI grounder into center that scored Blake Perkins; the only other Suns batter to tally multiple hits with a 2-for-4 performance. Two batters later, Daniel Johnson scooted home from third on a wild pitch and DeCarr proceeded to load the bases before Anderson Franco earned an RBI with a two-out, bases-loaded walk that scored Neuse to tie up the game, 3-3.

The Suns left them loaded in the first and Charleston kept swinging in the top of the second against Bourque. The RiverDogs rallied again with two outs on an RBI double to right by Diego Castillo and a run-scoring single back up the middle by Blake Rutherford. Bourque gave up a third run in the second inning after his wild pitch scored Rutherford from third and the RiverDogs reclaimed a three-run lead, 6-3.

DeCarr exited after one inning and Rosa (Win, 3-2) began his brilliant relief outing in the second. He retired six Suns in a row and benefitted from a solid throw from center fielder Estevan Florial. With two outs in the fourth and Tres Barrera standing on second after a balk, Perkins grounded a single to center but Florial's throw beat him to the plate and despite hard contact with the base runner, catcher Donny Sands held on to the ball and maintained the 6-3 lead for Charleston.

Bourque settled things down nicely in the third and retired 13 of the next 14 batters he faced. His five shutout innings steadied the ship and he left after seven frames with four earned runs and seven hits charged against him.

Rosa struck out eight batters in his seven relief innings as the Suns managed just four hits and one walk against the hard-throwing, 22-year-old righty from the Dominican Republic. A.J. Bogucki threw two scoreless relief innings of his own and Johnson made a highlight reel catch behind him in the ninth as he went crashing head-first into the right field wall to snag a hard liner off the bat of Mandy Alvarez. Johnson hopped back up after demonstrating again why he was an All-Star starter in right field for the SAL Northern Division.

Hagerstown couldn't answer with a comeback in the ninth against David Sosebee (Save, 4), who struck out two Suns in a 1-2-3 inning as the South Atlantic League Southern Division leaders improved to 13-6 since the All-Star Break; the best record among all 14 SAL teams.

Despite the loss, Hagerstown remains atop the SAL Northern Division second-half standings with an 11-7 record. On Thursday, the Suns welcome former Major League closer and MLB single-season saves record holder Francisco Rodriguez to the bullpen. The 35-year-old reliever, who signed a Minor League contract with the Washington Nationals on July 5, is scheduled to pitch on Thursday for the Suns. SAL All-Star lefty Tyler Watson (5-3, 3.83) starts for Hagerstown against Charleston righty Nick Green (5-6, 3.73). It's Thirsty Thursday at Municipal Stadium with beer prices starting at just two dollars each. To purchase tickets, call (301) 791-6266 or visit hagerstownsuns.com.

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