Gnats Bounce Tourists 3-2 Monday

August 15, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


SAVANNAH, GA - Rafael Fernandez lined a crisp single into left field in the bottom of the seventh inning sending home CF Darrell Ceciliani with the winning run as the Gnats topped the Asheville Tourists 3-2 Monday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. With the win, the Gnats improved to 31-18 in the second half and 70-48 for the year. Since the Gnats had a game cancelled in April, and are now scheduled for 139 games this year, the team has clinched back-to-back winning seasons after finishing 75-64 in 2010.

After the Tourists (27-23/58-61) tied the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh, the top of the Savannah batting order put together the winning rally in the bottom half. Ceciliani singled and SS Wilfredo Tovar walked to put the go-ahead runs on base for Fernandez who worked the count to 3-1 before his go-ahead single.

The Gnats built a two-run lead with single runs in the first and third innings against Asheville starter Josh Slaats. In the first, Tovar was hit-by a pitch, advanced to second on a balk, took third on a fly-out and scored on C Albert Cordero's infield hit to third to put the Gnats ahead 1-0. In the third, LF Alonzo Harris singled and scored on Tovar's double into the left field corner for a 2-0 advantage. Tovar finished 1-2 with his RBI double, a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Cordero was 2-4 with an RBI.

Savannah starter Taylor Whitenton made the Gnats' two-run lead stand up over six shutout innings. He walked two batters with two outs in the first inning, and then did not issue another walk the rest of the way, while fanning six to lower his ERA to 2.81. Asheville SS Christian Adamespicked up the only two hits Whitenton allowed.

Asheville briefly tied the game in the top of the seventh inning when 3B Joey Wong doubled over the head of CF Darrell Ceciliani driving home two runs. However, Savannah reliever Michael Hebert stranded Wong at second to keep the game tied at 2-2. The Gnats' rally in the bottom half of the inning gave Hebert his second win of 2011.

The Gnats play game three of their four-game series against the Tourists Tuesday when LHP Angel Cuan (10-2, 3.18) heads to the hill against Asheville LHP Tyler Matzek (2-4, 6.25). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and gates open at 6 pm. The radio broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com will begin at 6:50 pm.

Tuesday: KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets and Two-for-Tuesday

KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets: Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Sand Gnats game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply.

Two-for-Tuesday: Two-for-One Natty Lights!



South Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2011


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.

OurSports Central