SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Five-Run Fourth Too Much to Overcome in 7-5 Loss to Kannapolis

Published on May 31, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (25-25) couldn't overcome a five-run fourth inning on Sunday afternoon, losing to the Kannapolis Intimidators (24-26) in the final game of a four-game series by a final score of 7-5. Kannapolis won the series three games to one, making it the first series loss for the Suns since a four-game series May 1-4 at home against Greenville.

Trailing 3-2 entering the fourth, Kannapolis wound up sending nine men to the plate in the inning. Suns starting RHP Robbie Dickey (0-1) gave up a single that was sandwiched by two walks to begin the inning, and he was then replaced by LHP Brett Mooneyham with the bases loaded and no one out. Designated hitter Mason Robbins was the first batter Mooneyham faced, and he was able to lift a pitch into left field far enough to allow LF Nick Basto to tag up and score from third to tie the game at 3-3. Then, following another walk, which loaded the bases again, RF Michael Danner came to the plate. Danner was able to clear the bases by driving a double to left, giving Kannapolis a 6-3 advantage. Danner scored the final run of the inning on a ground ball single to right off the bat of 2B Christian Stringer.

The Suns were able to cut their four-run deficit in half in the fifth. With two outs Alec Keller began the rally with a line drive single up the middle. Shortstop Osvaldo Abreu then smacked a fly ball double to left, driving in Keller to make it 7-4. Right fielder Jeff Gardner drove Abreu home from second with a single to left to wind up setting the final score.

The first three Hagerstown runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the first. Keller and Abreu hit back-to-back triples to begin the frame. Following a line out by catcher Raudy Read, Gardner and CF Dale Carey hit back-to-back doubles to give the Suns three runs on four extra-base hits in the inning. The Suns out-hit the intimidators in the game 8-6.

Kannapolis had taken a 1-0 lead in the top half of the first thanks to an RBI groundout by CF Louie Lechich. In the second the Intimidators cut their deficit to one on a single to left by 1B John Ziznewski. Ziznewski was one of five different Intimidators to drive in a run.

Dickey suffered the loss for the Suns. In three plus innings of work he was charged for five earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out one. Starting RHP Yency Almonte (4-2) picked up his fourth win in a row for Kannapolis. He threw five innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three. LHP Jefferson Olacio retired the top of the Suns lineup in order in the ninth for his second save in three tries this season.

The Suns next welcome the Hickory Crawdads (33-16) to Municipal Stadium to begin a three-game series starting on Monday June 1. The Suns will send RHP Luis Reyes (1-3) to the mound for his 10th start and appearance of the season. He will square off against RHP Luis Ortiz (2-0) for Hickory. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 31, 2015


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