Fireflies Game Notes: June 16 at Hagerstown (Game 66)
June 16, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies (33-32) @ Hagerstown Suns (26-40)
RHP Chris Viall (2-3, 3.14) vs. RHP Matthew DeRosier (2-4, 4.19)
Sat., June 16, 2018 - Municipal Stadium (Hagerstown, MD) - First Pitch 6:05 p.m. - Game 66
LISTEN: Fox Sports Radio 1400 AM / ColumbiaFireflies.com / iHeartRadio App
ABOUT LAST GAME: Zac Grotz made his return to affiliated baseball on Friday and nearly pitched Columbia to victory. Alas, the Fireflies fell to Hagerstown in 10 innings, 3-2. Grotz was signed by the Mets nearly two years after he last pitched in the minor leagues and tossed a career-high 7.2 innings against the Suns while striking out eight and walking no one.
WHAT'S AT STAKE: The Fireflies must win just one of its final two games against the Suns at Municipal Stadium to clinch an above-.500 first half of the season.
#NOWALKS: Zac Grotz and Aaron Ford did not walk any hitters on Friday. That's the 3rd time Columbia pitchers have done that this week (in six games)! Fireflies pitchers have walked 1 or fewer batters in seven of the last 12 games.
#NOWALKS, Pt. II: In fact, over those last 12 games, Fireflies pitchers have walked just 18 total batters and have struck out 113.
REINFORCEMENTS: Since we're on the subject, let's continue with the praise of Columbia's pitchers. It's been the bullpen, too, that's been particularly reliable over the last eight games:
- 20.0 IP, 11 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 18 K ... *0.45 ERA*
WELCOME TO THE TEAM: The South Atlantic League announced Fireflies reliever Stephen Villines has been added to the Southern Division All-Star roster (making him the sixth Firefly named to the team). That's on the heels of Thursday's announcement of Trey Cobb being added to the squad (see below for more information). Villines has been one of the most clutch relievers out of Columbia's bullpen this season as he's retired the first batter he's faced in 18 of his 22 games and also has allowed just one inherited runner to score all year. The side-arm righty has struck out 52 hitters in just 31.1 IP - that's the third-best strikeout rate in the league among relievers.
WALK IT LIKE I TALK IT: Columbia is the only team in MiLB with three players leading their respective league in total walks (the next closest being the Fresno Grizzlies - HOU, AAA - with three in the top four in the PCL).
South Atlantic League (Low A)
1. Blake Tiberi (COL) - 41
2. Jeremy Vasquez (COL) - 35
3. Matt Winaker (COL) - 34
South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2018
- Jones Sharp, Ortiz Homers, Claws Keep Playoffs Hopes Alive with 4-2 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Banks and Meregildo Lead Suns to 12-6 Victory on Saturday - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Even Series with 10-4 Win over Drive - Greenville Drive
- Hess Jolts out of Slump with 4-For-4, 5 RBI Night to Lead RiverDogs Past Drive - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crash Doubles, Hit by a Pitch in 7-6 Loss - Asheville Tourists
- Cruz Lifts Power to 10-8 Win in Back-And-Forth Affair - Charleston Dirty Birds
- 'Birds Can't Keep up with Power - Delmarva Shorebirds
- GreenJackets Win Close Game in Asheville - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fermin and Moreno Impressive at Plate on Saturday - Columbia Fireflies
- Matias and Melendez Lift Legends over Braves - Lexington Legends
- Braves Fall Again to Legends 7-4 - Rome Emperors
- Dietz Added to SAL All-Star Roster - Delmarva Shorebirds
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (June 16) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 16 at Hagerstown (Game 66) - Columbia Fireflies
- Promo Preview: Margaritaville, Tee Shirt Giveaway, and More - Hickory Crawdads
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.
