Braves take finale, 8-5
April 24, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Rome Braves (8-7) jumped out to an early lead that they wouldn't relinquish as the Gnats fell, 8-5, at Historic Grayson Stadium Friday night. Jordany Valdespin was 3-for-5 in a losing effort for Savannah.
LHP Robert Carson (1-2) received an unfriendly greeting from Rome in the first as they scored six runs on six hits and one Sand Gnats error to open up a, 6-0, lead. Carson battled through the next six frames and stuck it out to go six full innings. He permitted seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits.
After Rome increased its lead to 7-0, Savannah would start to make some noise in the bottom of the third. Jefry Marte hit a routine grounder to second that Joel Campusano couldn't handle and it brought Juan Lagares around to score. Jordany Valdespin was thrown out at the plate trying to score behind Lagares but Savannah had its first run.
With Carson settling in, Savannah drew closer in the fifth when Marte tripled home Rafael Fernandez and Lagares to pull Savannah within three at 7-4. The three-run inning chased returning SCAD pitcher Richard Sullivan (4-0) and the score would remain the same until the seventh.
In the seventh, a two-out dropped fly ball by Chris Shehan allowed Marte to reach second base. Capitalizing on the Braves' miscue, Sean Ratliff singled into center field to drive in Marte and pull the Gnats within two. With Ratliff on first, Eric Campbell hit a long fly ball to left-center field but it wasn't deep enough as he was retired for the third out.
Sullivan struck out nine Savannah hitters over his five innings of work. Since joining Rome last season, Sullivan is 3-0 against Savannah.
Campbell, Lagares and Jean Luc Blaquiere all collected two hits for the Sand Gnats.
The first-place Sand Gnats (10-5) will hit the road for a seven-game road trip beginning tomorrow in Charleston. RHP Kyle Allen (0-1, 10.12) takes the hill for his second start for Savannah while RHP Andrew Brackman (0-2, 5.06) throws for the RiverDogs. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 24, 2009
- Suns' bats silent in New Jersey, lose 6-0 - Hagerstown Suns
- Hot Rods double up Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Dogs Bamboozled By Jackets, 8-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Braves take finale, 8-5 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Use Balanced Attack to Steamroll Intimidators, 8-0 - Greenville Drive
- Intimidators 16 K's not enough in 8-0 loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- BlueClaws Bats, Shutout Pitching Earn Third Straight Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Legends return home to meet Bowling Green, Rome - Lexington Legends
- Team Returns Home Monday - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends, LFUCG announce 'Green' partnership - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs to Host First Senior Day at The Joe - Charleston RiverDogs
- Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson and John Mellencamp Concert at FirstEnergy Park - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Bob Dylan Show Set to Play Classic Park - Lake County Captains
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