Armando Rodriguez Fans Nine In Gnats Win
August 27, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Armando Rodriguez (1-0) struck out nine GreenJackets batters through 5.2 innings of work to help lead the Sand Gnats to a, 5-1, win over Augusta in the series finale. With the win, the Gnats (62-64) now have 62 wins, which is the most of any Sand Gnats team during the Mets era.
The Gnats staked their starter to an early lead with two runs crossing the plate in the second thanks to a pair of extra base hits. Raul Reyes tripled to start the frame and was driven home by Nick Giarraputo's double for the first run of the game. After Michael Moras moved Giarraputo to third with a single of his own, Giarraputo came home on a wild pitch from 'Jackets starter Mike Loree (8-9) to make it, 2-0.
Rodriguez settled in nicely in his first start with the Gnats since being called up from rookie-level Kingsport yesterday. The 21-year-old retired 10 in a row from the first through the fourth with a single by Andy D'Alessio breaking up the streak.
After five solid innings, Rodriguez walked three in the sixth to load the bases before departing. Rhiner Cruz came in to try and end the inning but issued a walk to Juan Perez to score Augusta's only run of the game.
Savannah's five through eight batters combined to go 8-for-16 in the contest with Reyes, Giarraputo, Moras and Joey August all clubbing two hits apiece. Giarraputo has now hit in all nine games since joining Savannah and has six multi-hit games during that time.
Cruz went on to pitch 2.1 innings and permitted just one hit while Jimmy Johnson pitched the ninth and allowed one hit before striking out a pair to end the game.
Friday night is the final Fireworks Friday of the year and also Fan Appreciation Night and South University Night at Grayson Stadium. Fireworks presented by the Savannah Mall will follow the 6:30 p.m. contest with the Rome Braves. For tickets and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 27, 2009
- Drive Can't Recover From Intimidators Early Scoring, Lose 7-3 - Greenville Drive
- RiverDogs Eek By Rome, 2-1 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Intimidators run streak to 12 with 7-3 win in Greenville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Wild Suns Loss Completes Winless Series - Hagerstown Suns
- BlueClaws Sweep Suns - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Legends errors help Hickory in comeback win - Lexington Legends
- Leach Stalls Hot Rods - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Armando Rodriguez Fans Nine In Gnats Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- De Los Santos Throws Five No-Hit Innings On Thursday - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Bats Stifled in 5-1 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Crawdads score 8 straight for 8-4 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Hot Rods Surpass 200,000 Fans - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Tourists, Grasshoppers Washed Out - Asheville Tourists
- Suns' Second-To-Last Home Series Of 2009 Will Run Through Weekend - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs, Force Protection, Team Up to Salute Military - Charleston RiverDogs
- Joseph Named July's Topps Player of the Month - Charleston RiverDogs
- McMullen Traded to Kingston - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Former South Rowan High star joins Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
