'Dads Run Past 'Hoppers in 7-5 Win
Published on April 26, 2016 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory Crawdads CF Eric Jenkins Slides into Third
(Hickory Crawdads)
Hickory, NC - The Hickory Crawdads took their team speed to a new level Tuesday night, as the 'Dads used a season-high 6 stolen bases to run out to an early lead and eventually a 7-5 win over the visiting Greensboro Grasshoppers at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The Crawdads entered the night ranking 2nd in the South Atlantic League with 35 stolen bases through the club's first 18 games, before five different runners racked up six stolen bases over the first five innings of the game. Eric Jenkins, Chris Garia, Dylan Moore, Yeyson Yrizarri, and Jose Almonte all successfully swiped a bag on the night, with Garia stealing two to lead the way.
All the early running helped Hickory to jump ahead to a 5-0 lead over the first two frames, with the club plating three in the 1st and two more in the 2nd. Jenkins got the offense started when he was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the 1st and promptly stole second base. Garia followed with an infield knock to move Jenkins to third, before stealing second himself to put runners at the corners. One out later, Moore delivered a 2 RBI single to center to get the 'Dads on the board. Moore eventually scored as well on a throwing error by Greensboro third baseman Angel Reyes to give the Crawdads a 3-0 lead.
Hickory pushed the advantage to 5-0 in the 2nd when Almonte reached on a hit-by-pitch and came in to score one out later on an RBI, ground rule double by Jenkins. Jenkins then moved to third on another single from Garia before coming home on an RBI groundout by Ibanez for the second tally of the inning.
The score remained the same until the 4th, when the Grasshoppers jumped on Crawdads starting pitcher Brett Martin for four runs on four hits to cut the score to 5-4. Martin had allowed only two total base runners through the first three frames, before the 'Hoppers laced together four straight hits in the inning to get themselves back in the game.
The 'Dads answered with a run of their own in the home half of the frame, as Jenkins reached on a leadoff walk, took second base on a throwing error by Greensboro pitcher Nestor Bautista, was sacrifice to third on a bunt by Garia, and came in to score thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly from Ibanez to give Hickory a 6-4 lead.
The 'Hoppers stayed on the offensive in the 5th when Josh Naylor launched the first pitch he saw from Crawdads reliever Blake Bass for a solo home run to center that made the score 6-5. Bass settled down after the quick long ball however, as the 6'7" right-hander allowed only one more base runner during his three innings pitched.
The Crawdads offense tacked on one last insurance run in the 7th, when Moore walked and eventually scored on an RBI groundout by Ti'Quan Forbes to put the club on top 7-5. Lefty reliever Joe Palumbo closed the game out from there with two perfect innings out of the bullpen to secure the Hickory victory.
Bass (2-0) earned the win for Hickory with one run allowed on two hits and two strikeouts during his 3 innings pitched, while Palumbo (3) recorded the save for closing out the victory. Greensboro starter Kevin Guzman (0-2) took the loss after allowing five runs, four earned, on four hits, one walk, and 2 Ks over 2 IP.
Jenkins (1-2, 2B, RBI, BB, HBP, 3 R, SB) and Garia (2-2, 2 BB, 2 SB, R) combined to reach base 7 times and score four runs from the top two spots in the lineup to pace the 'Dads attack. Moore also had a good night, going 1-2 with 2 RBI, 2 walks, two runs scored, and a stolen base.
The Crawdads (12-7) and Grasshoppers (7-12) will play again Wednesday night in game two of their 3-game series, with first pitch set for 6:00 pm.
Images from this story
 Hickory Crawdads CF Eric Jenkins Slides into Third |
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