SAL1 Augusta GreenJackets

Early Lead Not Enough in 7-4 Loss

Published on May 19, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Savannah, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats scored the final seven runs of the game, overcoming a four-run first inning from the Augusta GreenJackets to defeat the GreenJackets 7-4 on Saturday night at Historic Grayson Stadium.

The GreenJackets took an early lead with just two hits in the first inning. Kelby Tomlinson walked, stole second and then scored when Carlos Willoughby reached on a throwing error to make it a 1-0 game. After Ben Thomas singled to put runners at the corners, Mark Minicozzi made his first hit as a GreenJacket count. He deposited a 2-1 fastball from Sand Gnats starter Michael Fulmer over the left-field fence for a three-run homer to give the GreenJackets a 4-0 lead before Savannah recorded the game's first out.

With an early four-run lead, Kyle Crick was poised to have one of his better outings of the year, but command failed him again. He put a pair on the bases with first inning walks before Savannah got on the board with two outs. Aderlin Rodriguez drilled a double to make it a 4-1 game. On the next pitch, Brian Harrison's two-run single pulled the Sand Gnats to within a run.

The failure to get the third out of an inning haunted Crick again in the fourth when the Sand Gnats came back to take the lead for good. With two outs and men on second and third, Luis Nieves drilled Crick's 0-2 offering to right-center for a two-run triple to give the Gnats a 5-4 edge.

After Crick struck out the first two hitters of the fifth inning, he walked the bases full and departed shortly thereafter. Crick (1-3) walked a season-high six in 4.2 innings, allowing five runs on five hits and striking out six.

Savannah added two more runs in the seventh off DeMondre Arnold after Arnold walked back-to-back hitters to open the innings. Harrison's two-run double - capping a three-hit, four-RBI night - pushed the Sand Gnats' lead to 7-4.

Fulmer departed after just two innings for the Sand Gnats, but the Savannah bullpen was dominant over the game's final seven frames. Carlos Vazquez (4-1) retired 12 of the 13 hitters he faced in his four scoreless innings of one-hit ball, striking out four. Chasen Bradford walked just two in two scoreless, hitless innings before turning the game over to TJ Chism, who worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his fourth save of the year.

All five runs surrendered by Crick scored with two outs in the inning and Savannah would score five of their seven runs on their three extra base hits - which accounted for just half of the Sand Gnats' six hits in the contest.

The GreenJackets will send Kevin Couture (2-1, 1.50) to the mound in the series finale on Sunday with the chance to take three of four from the Gnats. Savannah counters with righty Rafael Montero (2-2, 3.05). First pitch from Savannah comes at 2:05 p.m. with radio pregame coverage beginning at 1:50 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1340 AM and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

The GreenJackets return home on Thursday May 24th to open a four-game set with the Sand Gnats on another Thirsty Thursday, presented by The Library. First pitch comes at 7:05 p.m. with gates opening at 6. Fans can enjoy dollar domestic drafts and soft drinks throughout the night. Single-game tickets for any GreenJackets home game are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2012


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