Hot Rods outlast Gnats in extras
May 20, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - A sacrifice fly by first baseman Mike Sheridan in the top of the 12th inning lifted the Bowling Green Hot Rods (21-18) to a, 4-3, win over the Savannah Sand Gnats at Historic Grayson Stadium Wednesday night. The knuckleballer Diego Echeverria (2-1) picked up the win for the Hot Rods while Rhiner Cruz (0-1) is saddled with the loss for the Sand Gnats.
The Gnats (21-17) never led in the contest but fought valiantly throughout the evening coming from behind twice. After the Hot Rods scored two in the third, it was an RBI-double by Josh Satin in the fifth that tied the game at two.
Savannah had opportunities to push the go-ahead run across in the sixth and ninth innings but was unable to do so before extra innings. An Eric Campbell single started Savannah's 10th-inning rally when the Gnats were down by one. Wilmer Flores and Rafael Fernandez placed bunt singles down the third base line to load the bases with no one out and it appeared as if the Gnats had the momentum.
Kai Gronauer knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to center and all the runners moved up placing the winning run 90 feet away at third with less than two outs. Reliever Josh Satow battled to strikeout Jefry Marte and Jordany Valdespin to end the inning and the threat. The Gnats re-loaded the bases in the 11th off Echeverria but the knuckleballer induced an inning-ending fly out by Rafael Fernandez to strand all three runners.
All told, the Sand Gnats left 16 men on the bases tonight. Valdespin, Campbell, Flores and Juan Lagares each collected two hits for Savannah. Starting pitcher Jeurys Familia pitched five innings and allowed two runs on three hits.
These same two teams will mix it up tomorrow when RHP Jeff Kaplan (4-1, 1.15) and RHP Shane Dyer (0-2, 4.04) face off at Historic Grayson Stadium. It's a Thirsty Thursday along with Pirate Night at Historic Grayson Stadium. Fans that come to the game dressed a as a pirate will receive $2 off a general admission ticket. First pitch is at 7 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
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South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2009
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