SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

BlueClaws take 3rd straight from Suns

Published on April 18, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - A reshuffled lineup spurred the Hagerstown Suns (4-5) on to a quick 3-1 advantage in the first inning, but it proved to be their only lead of the game, as the Lakewood BlueClaws (6-4) stormed back for a 6-4 victory

Suns' first-year manager Matt LeCroy rearranged the top five spots of the batting order going into the game, but it was not enough to prevent Hagerstown from squandering an early lead to Lakewood for the third consecutive game. A flurry of BlueClaw runs between the second and seventh innings pulled them out of the early two-run hole and sent the Suns' record below .500 for the first time since Opening Day.

After the BlueClaws jumped ahead 1-0 in the top of the first, the Suns put a trio of runs on the board in the bottom of the inning against Lakewood starter Jacob Diekman (1-0). The inning showcased a new-look top of the order for Hagerstown, with several Suns shining in fresh roles. Shortstop Nick Arata, a No. 9-hitter-turned-leadoff-man, got things going with a walk, and scored two batters later on a double by catcher Derek Norris, who moved up a slot into the third spot in the order. New No. 5 hitter Michael Guerrero put Hagerstown on top with a single, and an unearned run pushed the Suns' lead to two.

Lakewood's D'Arby Myers quickly erased that lead, however, with a two-run homerun in the top of the second that cleared the wall in left field. Hagerstown starter Ricardo Pecina left the game after pitching a scoreless third, and reliever Justin Phillabaum gave up two runs - one earned -over the next three innings as the BlueClaws grabbed back the lead.

Arata led another rally in the bottom of the seventh with the Suns trailing 6-3, driving a bullet single up the middle and scoring on a single by catcher Sandy Leon. Leon entered the game in the top of the second when Norris took a foul tip off his left knee and was forced to leave the game. Leon joined Arata with two hits for Hagerstown on the evening.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorship opportunities are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.

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South Atlantic League Stories from April 18, 2009


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