SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Four-Run Sixth Propels Intimidators Past Suns

Published on August 29, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (29-32, 64-65) surrendered four runs in the top of the sixth inning to the Kannapolis Intimidators (26-34, 61-68) on Saturday night, resulting in a three-run deficit and eventually a 9-4 loss in front of 2,168 at Municipal Stadium. It was the first time this season the Suns have played in front of more than 2,000 fans at Municipal Stadium.

Trailing 4-3 entering the sixth, CF Louie Lechich and 1B Alexander Simon began the frame with back-to-back singles for the Intimidators. Shortstop Toby Thomas followed with a double to left, bringing home both base runners to wind up giving Kannapolis the lead for good. Thomas had moved to third following his double on a throw to the plate to try and gun down Simon, and Thomas was able to score from third when DH Mason Robbins reached on a fielding error by Suns 2B Dan Uggla. The former National League All-Star was making his second rehab start this season with the Suns. Robbins not only reached base, but also advanced to second on Uggla's error. Robbins then advanced one base each on back-to-back groundouts to make it 7-4.

Uggla also committed an error in the third, which helped the Intimidators plate their first three runs of the game. With two on and one out in the inning, Uggla threw wide of second after cleanly scooping up a ground ball. That allowed catcher Daniel Gonzalez to score and two runners to wind up in scoring position. A wild pitch by Suns starting RHP Luis Reyes then allowed 2B Ethan Gross to score from third and RF Michael Suiter to advance to third. Suiter scored the third run of the inning on a sacrifice fly to put the Intimidators up 3-0.

However, Uggla made up for his error and the Suns stormed back to take the lead in the bottom of the third. Uggla came to the plate with two runners in scoring position and none out, and he smacked a fly ball off the left field wall, bringing both runners in with a double to make it 3-2. Later in the inning, Uggla scored on a double to right by LF Matthew Page to even the score at 3-3. Catcher Raudy Read scored the go-ahead run before the inning came to an end on a fielder's choice, giving the Suns their only lead of the night.

Kannapolis added a run each in the eighth and ninth to salt the game away. In the eighth Gonzalez hit a two-out RBI line drive single to left. Gonzalez was making his Intimidators debut and that was his first hit of the night. In the ninth Lechich hit an RBI double to right to set the final score.

Starting RHP Kelvis Valerio (2-2) earned the win for Kannapolis. He threw five innings, giving up four earned runs on seven hits while walking and striking out two. RHP Kevin Perez (0-3) suffered the loss for Hagerstown. After taking over for Reyes, who left the game due to injury in the third, Perez went 2.1 innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on four hits while striking out three. RHP David Trexler struck out nine over the final four innings for the Intimidators to collect his seventh save of the season.

These teams will continue their five-game series at Municipal Stadium with game two on Sunday, August 30. The Suns will send RHP Justin Amlung (3-3) to the mound for his seventh start and 18th appearance this season. He will square off against RHP Luis Martinez (4-13) for Kannapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm. For tickets call 301-791-6266 or go to www.hagerstownsuns.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 29, 2015


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