Gnats' Bats Beat Back Drive 16-4 Friday
August 15, 2014 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, Ga.- The Gnats bats erupted for a season-high 16 runs in a 16-4 thrashing of the Greenville Drive Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The Gnats tied season highs with three homeruns in the game and 11 walks drawn.
The Gnats (35-20/79-42) broke the game open early with nine runs in the first two innings against Greenville starter Trey Ball. DH Jonathan Leroux got the scoring started with a grand slam off the foul pole in the left field corner with two outs in the first inning. The ball bounced back onto the field, and was initially ruled a double, until the umpiring team met, coaxed by Savannah manager Luis Rojas, and reversed themselves.
In the second, right fielder Victor Cruzado lashed a three run home run just inside the same foul pole as part of the Gnats' five-run inning that put Savannah in front 9-0.
Greenville (18-37/52-72) starter Trey Ball, the seventh overall pick in the 2013 draft was pulled after allowing two homeruns and nine runs in the first two innings.
The Gnats kept the attack going against reliever Sergio Gomez with a four-run fourth inning and a three-run fifth. Second baseman Jorge Rivero blasted a two run homer in the fifth, his third of the year.
The Drive chased Savannah starter Ricky Knapp from the ballgame with three runs in the top of the sixth. Shortstop Tzu-Wei Lin brought home two runs with a sharp double to the right-centerfield gap. Centerfielder Cole Sturgeon's solo homerun in the top of the eighth completed the game's scoring.
Looking for their fourth straight win, the Gnats will hand the ball to LHP Alex Panteliodis (4-3, 3.90) Saturday night against RHP Jamie Callahan (3-11, 6.57). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm . Gates to Historic Grayson Stadium open at 5 pm . The radio pre-game show on News/Talk 630 WBMQ, online atsandgnats.com and via TuneIn radio begins at 5:45 pm .
Sand Gnats team president John Katz will receive a prostate exam while singing the seventh inning stretch classic, "Take Me Out to the Ballgame."
The promotion is an effort to gain Facebook "likes" for "Fierce Fallon," as well as "Team Alexa- Fight Back." Alexa, a five-year-old brain tumor patient, formed a close connection with several Sand Gnats players during a recent hospital visit, and spent the day Tuesday playing with her new friends at the ballpark.
Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure organization will also be on hand, distributing information on prostate cancer and the importance of screening for the dangerous disease. A Sand Gnats team autographed baseball bat will be raffled off by Ed Randall's Bat for the Cure.
Fans can also stay for a spectacular fireworks show brought to you by Pruitt Health.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2014
- Sand Gnats Fly Past Drive, 16-4 - Greenville Drive
- Gnats' Bats Beat Back Drive 16-4 Friday - Savannah Sand Gnats
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- Sand Gnats Team President to Get Prostate Exam While Singing 'Take Me out to the Ballgame' - Savannah Sand Gnats
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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