SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Alexander Suffers First Defeat in 8-1 Loss to Kannapolis

Published on April 22, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - Four errors plagued the Grasshoppers Tuesday as Kannapolis used a five-run fifth to bring Greensboro's three-game win streak to an end. The Hoppers collected just five hits and scored one run in the 8-1 loss of the series-opener at NewBridge Bank Park.

Grasshoppers starter Stuart Alexander looked strong through the first two innings, but a walk, sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and sacrifice fly scored the first run of the game and put the Intimidators up 1-0.

Opposing Alexander was Kannapolis' Johnnie Lowe. Lowe did not allow a hit to the Hoppers until the fourth inning, and left the game after 5.0 innings in which he gave up no runs and struck out seven batters. The Hoppers inability to produce runs off of their two-hit fourth opened the door for Kannapolis, which took advantage of two, fifth-inning errors by Hoppers' short stop Ozzy Martinez and collected four hits including two singles, a double and a triple to take a 6-0 lead.

Greensboro's lone run of the night came in the seventh when a Martinez single plated Adam Howard who reached base on his first double of the season.

The Intimidators added to their lead with single runs in both the sixth and ninth innings and Lowe was credited with his first win of the season as his ERA dropped by nearly three runs a game.

Alexander suffered his first loss of the season after pitching just 4.1 innings.

Greensboro returns to the park for the first of two School Days scheduled at NewBridge Bank Park the season. The first pitch is scheduled for 10:45 a.m. as RHP Colby Miller (0-3, 5.17) takes the mound for the Hoppers; Kannapolis will counter with RHP Nathan Jones (0-1, 7.59)

For more information about future Grasshopper games, events and promotions, contact the Grasshoppers Box Office at 336-268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com on the World Wide Web.

The Grasshoppers have welcomed over 1,250,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for three straight years in a new ballpark. They are the proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past three years.

Postgame Quick Stats

Win - Johnnie Lowe (1-3); Loss - Stuart Alexander (3-1); Save - None

Time - 2:36; Attendance - 4,095

Postgame Notes:

- Ryan Curry: Hit in the fourth inning extends current hitting streak to five games; tied for the longest active streak on the team with Danny Garcia.

- Osvaldo Martinez: Three errors on the night are the most in a game by an individual this season... Extended hitting streak to three games with a single up the middle in the seventh inning... Recorded Hoppers' lone RBI of the game; tied season-high with one RBI.

- Danny Garcia: Hit in the seventh inning extended current hitting streak to five games; tied for the longest active streak on the team with Ryan Curry.

- Team: Pitching staff allowed the most runs in a single inning by giving up five runs in the fifth... Five doubles by Kannapolis is the most allowed by the Hoppers pitching staff this season... Seven run loss matches the largest margin of defeat this season by the Grasshoppers... Loss brings a season-long, three-game winning streak to an end; marks the second time the Hoppers have had a three-game win streak this season.

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 22, 2008


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