SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Early and late flurries not enough for Suns

Published on August 15, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD -- Like a microwaved entrée, the Hagerstown Suns (15-31) were hot at the top and bottom, but too cold in the middle to carry the day, falling 5-4 to the Augusta Green Jackets (29-19) on Saturday night after going scoreless between the second and eighth innings.

Catcher Derek Norris got the Suns off to a quick start in the bottom of the first inning, lining a single to center to score second baseman Steve Lombardozzi, then scampering home himself on a passed ball to put Hagerstown up 2-0.

Suns' starter A.J. Morris (0-2) could not preserve that lead for long, however, letting the GreenJackets get on the scoreboard with a run in the second, then surrendering the lead for good in a three-run fourth inning. Augusta's Josh Mazzola tied the game leading off the fourth with a home run that cleared Municipal Stadium's mammoth centerfield wall, then Juan Perez gave the GreenJackets the lead with a two-run double to left.

Augusta tacked on another run in the sixth against Hagerstown reliever Chris Lugo, with Mazzola coming home on a Johnny Monell single. The Suns, meanwhile, were stymied after the first inning by GreenJackets' starter Aaron King (6-5) and relief pitcher Kyle Woodruff, who shut Hagerstown down in the seventh and eighth.

With Augusta closer Chris Wilson on the mound for the ninth, the Suns finally rediscovered their offensive form, as third baseman Nick Arata clocked his second double of the day to get things going with one out. After designated hitter Valerio Heredia walked, centerfielder Chris Curran lined a sharp grounder up the middle that struck Wilson, but which the pitcher scooped up in time to make a play. Instead of looking to retire Curran at first, Wilson rushed a throw to second in an effort to put out the speedy Heredia, but the ball sailed into center and Arata came around to score.

Wilson was shaken up on the play and replaced by Edwin Quirarte, who allowed a single to the first batter he faced, second baseman Steve Lombardozzi. The hit plated Heredia, but Curran was gunned down at third by Augusta right fielder James Simmons for the second out of the inning.

With the Suns trailing 5-4, Curran's out proved costly, as Quirarte retired Hagerstown first baseman Tyler Moore two batters later to strand Lombardozzi at second and end the game.

The Suns and GreenJackets will play the third game of their four-game series on Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m., with gates at Municipal Stadium opening at 1:05 p.m.

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 August 15, 2009


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