SAL1 Lexington Legends

Cruz Fires Complete Game Four-Hitter as Legends Split with Power

Published on August 16, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Left-hander Luis Cruz pitched the first complete game of the season for Lexington and Jake Goebbert drove in four runs as the Legends defeated the West Virginia Power 7-1 Monday night at Applebee's Park. Earlier, the Power won 5-3 as the teams completed a game that had been suspended Sunday due to rain. Both were seven-inning games.

In the nightcap, Cruz allowed four hits, walked one and struck out four as he improved his record to 6-3.

West Virginia took the lead in the second inning when they scored their only run against Cruz. Aaron Baker lined a single to right field to start the inning. David Rubinstein followed with a double to right, moving Baker to third. After Rogelio Noris struck out, Jairo Marquez grounded out to shortstop, scoring Baker and giving the Power a 1-0 lead.

The Legends took charge in the third inning. With one out, Grant Hogue put down a bunt for a base hit and went to second on third baseman Elevys Gonzales's errant throw. Renzo Tello beat out a slow roller to third base as Hogue advanced to third, and Jimmy Paredes lined a double into left field, scoring Hogue with the tying run. After Jiovanni Mier grounded out, Goebbert singled to left, scoring Tello and Paredes to give the Legends a 3-1 lead.

The Legends put the game away with four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Tello reached on an error, Jimmy Paredes walked, and Jiovanni Mier sacrificed the runners to second and third. With the infield playing in, Goebbert grounded a single up the middle, scoring Tello and Paredes, and extending the lead to 5-1. After Mike Williams relieved starter Brett Lorin for the Power, Kody Hinze reached on an error by shortstop Benji Gonzalez and Ben Heath walked to load the bases. Jonathan Meyer's double to right field scored Goebbert and Hinze and put the Legends up 7-1. Goebbert continued his torrid pace during the month of August. In 13 games this month, he is batting .479 (23 for 48) and has raised his season average from .261 at the end of July to .285. Goebbert's hot August includes 15 runs scored and 15 driven in. He has 80 RBI this season, which ties Hinze for the team lead.

West Virginia starter Brett Lorin (1-2) was charged with the loss.

In the opening game Monday, the teams completed a contest that started Sunday afternoon before rain forced suspension of the game. The score was tied 3-3 with one out in the top of the third inning when play began Monday afternoon. After Jarek Cunningham flied out, the Power's Evan Chambers reached first when center fielder Grant Hogue dropped a fly ball for an error. Jose Hernandez followed with a double to score Chambers and put West Virginia in front 4-3.

The Power scored their final run in the fifth. Bengie Gonzalez got an infield single when his ground ball bounced off the leg of Legends pitcher Wander Alvino. Alvino threw past first base for an error on the play, and Gonzalez went to second. Elevys Gonzalez sacrificed Bengie Gonzalez to third, from where he scored on a base hit by Jarek Cunningham.

West Virginia's Kyle Morgan hit a three-run homer in the second inning Sunday afternoon to give the Power a 3-0 lead, but the Legends came back to tie the game in the bottom of the second. Consecutive singles by Jonathan Meyer, Aaron Bray and Bubby Williams produced one run, Brian Kemp's ground out drove in another, and Hogue's single brought Williams home to even the score at 3-3 before the heavy rain began.

Kyle McPherson (7-9), who entered the game Monday in the bottom of the third, allowed only one hit over four scoreless innings to get the victory. Alvino (5-3), who took over for Sunday starter Zach Grimmett in the top of the third, was the losing pitcher.

The Legends will remain at home to take on South Atlantic League Southern Division co-leader Greenville in a four-game series that starts Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. at Applebee's Park.

Attendance at Applebee's Park - Monday: 3,052 Sunday: 3,667

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from August 16, 2010


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.

OurSports Central