Drive Nip Gnats, 4-3
Published on April 28, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. - The Sand Gnats (10-9) came up just short tonight as they fell to the Greenville Drive, 4-3, in front of 3,055 at Fluor Field. Jeff Kaplan suffered (1-1) the loss for Savannah.
All of the game's offense would come in the first two innings but it was Greenville striking first. Mitch Dening hit a two-out double to score Ryan Dent and Oscar Tejeda to give the Drive a, 2-0, cushion in the bottom of the first.
Answering right back in the next inning, the Sand Gnats rallied with two away to score three runs to take the lead. Three consecutive hits by the bottom third of the order plated two runs and set the table for Rafael Fernandez. With a tie game, Fernandez hit a weak grounder to first that first baseman Anthony Rizzo flipped to Greenville starter Casey Kelly. Kelly ended up dropping the ball and Jake Eigsti scored on the play to give Savannah the lead.
It was short-lived as Michael Almanzar hit a solo home run in bottom of the second to tie the game. Later in the inning, Tejeda singled in what turned out to be the deciding run.
Savannah had a chance to tie the game in the fifth when Jefry Marte singled with Wilmer Flores on second base but he was thrown out at the plate trying to score for the final out of the inning.
Kelly (3-0) earned the win despite allowing three runs (two earned) on nine hits. He hadn't allowed a run in three previous starts. Fabian Williamson pitched the final four innings for his first save. He did not allow a hit.
Kaplan takes a tough loss as he also went five innings but allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits. He struck out six batters in his five innings of work.
Edgar Alfonzo turns to LHP Robert Carson (1-2, 4.91) to stop the losing streak tomorrow when he faces off with RHP Yeiper Castillo (0-1, 5.40). First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 28, 2009
- Errors Seal Tourists Comeback Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Bullpen Secures Drive's 4-3 Victory Over Sand Gnats - Greenville Drive
- Asheville Walks Off Victorious - Asheville Tourists
- Legends win opener with Rome, 4-2 - Lexington Legends
- Grasshoppers score early and often to defeat Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Crawdads fall 4-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Suns drop sixth straight, fall 5-3 to Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- Intimidators jump out to 4-2 win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Nip Gnats, 4-3 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Winning Streak Snapped as Bats Go Silent - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- BlueClaws Ninth Annual Celebrity Waiter and Auction Benefit on May 27th - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fourth Annual "Fun Is Good" Golf Tournament Set for May 19 - Charleston RiverDogs
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