Four-Run Eighth Pulls Gnats to the Brink of Playoffs
Published on June 12, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats broke a 1-1 tie with four runs in the eighth inning to defeat the Rome Braves 5-1 Sunday to move to the brink of clinching their-second straight South Atlantic League Southern Division First-Half Championship.
The Gnats (36-26) now have a magic number of two over the Greenville Drive to clinch the title. Savannah has a 5.5 game lead over Greenville with seven games to play for both teams. Greenville lost 6-4 in Charleston to the RiverDogs on Sunday. The 5.5 game lead is a new season-high for Savannah.
The Gnats are 10 games over .500 for the first time in 2011 and have won 17 of 21 games. Starting on April 30, the Gnats are 29-12, a .707 winning percentage.
In a 1-1 game in the 8th inning, Wilfredo Tovar drew a walk and Darrell Ceciliani was hit by a pitch to start a four-run inning. 2B Robbie Shields followed by dropping a bunt in front of home plate that Braves' starter Caleb Brewer threw down the left field line allowing Tovar to score the go-ahead run for a 2-1 lead. An out later, Rafael Fernandez blasted a triple to deep right field driving home Ceciliani and Shields to put Savannah ahead 4-1. Fernandez scored on an Aderlin Rodriguez sacrifice fly to complete the game's scoring.
Tovar drove home the Gnats' first run with an RBI double in the third inning, extended his personal-season best hitting streak to 11 games. In those 11 games, Tovar is hitting .432 (16-for-37) with three doubles.
Savannah starter Yohan Almonte held the Braves (25-38) to one run in five innings. LHP Chase Huchingson, working out of the bullpen for the first time since May 13, tossed four scoreless innings for his fourth win of the year. He allowed one hit, walked two and struck out two.
The Gnats will start RHP Ryan Fraser (3-4, 3.25) against RHP Willie Kempf (0-0, 0.00) Monday at 7:05 pm. Gates will open at 6 pm and the broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com will begin at 6:50 pm.
Dollar Monday presented by Kroger, the Savannah Morning News and E93 & Exxon/Mobil Tour
Dollar Monday: General Admission tickets are just $1 with Kroger Plus Cards or with coupons available in area Kroger locations, in the Savannah Morning News, or online at savannahnow.com and e93fm.com.
Hot Dogs, small Natty Lights, small sodas, and chips are all $1 at the game.
The first 100 families will receive a free reusable grocery bag courtesy of Kroger.
Exxon/Mobil Tour: Go the Distance with Mobil Super motor oil at Historic Grayson Stadium. Come on out for a grand slam of contests, prizes, and fun.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 12, 2011
- Augusta Scores in 10th, Beats Legends 4-3 - Lexington Legends
- Four-Run Eighth Pulls Gnats to the Brink of Playoffs - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Adrianza Wins It in Ten for GreenJackets - Augusta GreenJackets
- Intimidators Overwhelm Shorebirds - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Kannapolis Blanks Delmarva 12-0 in Game One - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Crawdads Power Past Tourists, 12-3 - Hickory Crawdads
- De Leon Derails Drive as 'Dogs Claim 6-4 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Lakewood Wins 2nd Straight, Tops Hagerstown 5-4 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
- West Virginia Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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