SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Bass goes deep twice, but Hoppers still fall to Suns

Published on July 11, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


GREENSBORO, NC--Justin Bass blasted two home runs for the Hoppers Friday night, his second multi-home run game this season, but couldn't help the Hoppers top the Hagerstown Suns' offensive display, ultimately falling to the visiting Suns 10-5.

The Grasshoppers jumped on Hagerstown starter Patrick Arnold (3-1) early in the contest, striking for two quick runs in the first inning. Isaac Galloway led the charge with a line single to left field, and hustled to third after Jeremy Synan shot the gap in right centerfield for his 21st two-bagger of the year. With two runners in scoring position and two outs, Paul Gran fought off a tough two-strike pitch for a single up the middle, bringing in both runners to give the Hoppers the early two-run lead.

Hagerstown responded in the third to plate three runs, erasing their two run deficit to take a two-run lead of their own. A walk led things off for the Suns before the South Atlantic League's leader in home runs, Derek Norris, came to the plate and jacked his 21st dinger of the year, a towering two-run shot to left. A double off the bat of Tyler Moore kept the rally alive, while Charlie Fermaint singled up the middle to bring home the third run of the inning.

The Suns kept their foot on the gas after blanking the Grasshoppers in the home half of the third, tacking on four additional runs in the fourth inning. Another free pass followed by a single put runners on the corners for Steve Lombardozzi, who doubled in the first two runs of the inning in the ensuing at-bat. Norris earned himself an intentional walk after the double, bringing up Moore who connected with his second hit of the ballgame, a two RBI double to bring in the inning's final two runs.

Bass responded with his best attempt to rally troops, hammering Arnold's fourth inning offering over the left field wall for a solo home run. The line shot pulled the Grasshoppers back within four, and was Bass's first home run since June 28th, and only his second in the last 19 games.

The Hoppers added one more run in the following inning when Synan picked up his second hit and RBI of the evening, singling up the middle to plate Emilio Ontiveros for the Hoppers fourth run of the contest.

Each bullpen held the opposing offense scoreless over the next three innings, seeing the 7-4 score carry into the final inning of play.

The Suns, however, found their groove again in their final at-bat, banging out three runs to extend their total to 10 runs. Hagerstown tallied just two hits in the 9th frame, but used a walk and an error to keep the inning alive long enough to grab their final three runs of the ballgame.

Bass blasted his second homer of the day in the Hoppers 9th, but it was all for naught, as his second solo shot of the day proved to be the only run in their final at-bat, locking up the Suns win in game three by a final of 10-5.

Bass's two home run day was his first multi-homer game since May 26th, and made him the second Hopper to turn in two long balls in a single game this series. Recall Synan churned out two big flys in the Hoppers' 8-1 win in the opener.

Oddly enough, it was Synan and Bass who paved the way in tonight's loss as well, each gathering two hits to account for exactly half of the Hoppers' eight total hits. Second basemen Daniel Pertusati collected two of his own, but failed to get much else from the rest of the club, as the remaining six hitters combined for just two hits.

The loss takes the Hoppers to 41-44 on the year, and forces them to a 2-1 deficit in the current series. They will try to salvage the split in tomorrow's contest when they host the Suns for the series finale.

First pitch of the Hoppers and Suns final game is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with fireworks to immediately follow the Saturday evening match up.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 11, 2009


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