Gnats Come Back for 7-4 Win Saturday
Published on May 19, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats were all smiles after overcoming a 4-0 first-inning deficit to defeat the Augusta GreenJackets 7-4 Saturday night snapping a three-game losing streak in the process.
Savannah first baseman Brian Harrison reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances going 3-3 with a pair of singles, a double, a run scored and four RBI. In his last 11 games, he is hitting .425 (17-for-40) with five doubles, a triple and a home run with 12 RBI.
The GreenJackets (19-21) drew first blood against Savannah starter Michael Fulmer in the top of the first. Fulmer ran into immediate trouble after walking the leadoff batter, who scored a batter later on Fulmer's own throwing error. After a pair of singles, cleanup hitter Mark Minicozzi's three run home run to left field gave the 'Jackets a 4-0 lead before Fulmer had recorded his first out. The 29-year old Minicozzi is 10 years older than the 19-year old Fulmer.
The Gnats (25-16) answered back with a three-spot in the bottom of the first. After two walks, 3B Aderlin Rodriguez brought home the first run with a line drive double into left field. Harrison followed by lining the first pitch he saw into left-center for a two run single. Rodriguez extended his personal hitting streak to seven games.
Savannah took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fourth against GreenJackets' starter Kyle Crick. With runners at second and third and two out, SS Luis Nieves tripled over the head of rightfielder Michael Mergenthaler to put the Gnats in front.
The Gnats added two runs in the seventh on Harrison's two-run double up the left-centerfield gap.
Savannah starter Michael Fulmer lasted just two innings, his shortest outing in seven starts as a Gnat. However, the Savannah bullpen of Carlos Vazquez, Chasen Bradford and TJ Chism combined for seven scoreless, one-hit innings behind Fulmer. The 'pen struck out nine and walked two. Vazquez earned the win for his four innings of relief with four strikeouts. Chism improved to 4-for-4 by retiring the side in order in the ninth inning.
GreenJackets' pitchers walked nine Gnats, five of whom came home to score.
The Gnats look for the split in the four-game series in Sunday's matinee when they send RHP Rafael Montero (2-2, 3.05) to the hill against Augusta's RHP Kevin Couture (2-1, 1.50). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm, and gates open at Historic Grayson Stadium at 1 pm. The radio broadcast, presented by Subway, begins at 1:45 on News/Talk 630 WBMQ and online at sandgnats.com.
Sunday is Kids Day
Kids eat free at Historic Grayson Stadium every Sunday. All kids, 12 years old and younger, who attend Sunday's game, will receive a free hot dog, chips and a small soda.
Kids run the bases after the game thanks to Papa Murphy's Pizza.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 19, 2012
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- Tourists Sweep Double-Header from Crawdads - Asheville Tourists
- Arcia Comes up Big Again in 7-6 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Legends Hold off Intimidators 7-5 - Lexington Legends
- Reneau, Wolin Earn Top Spots in Run Forrest Run 5k - Charleston RiverDogs
- Vance Strikes out Career-High Seven in Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- 'Hoppers' 16-Game Streak Snapped, 'Claws Win 4-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gnats Come Back for 7-4 Win Saturday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Shorebirds Drop Suns 9-1 in Game Three - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Suns' Streak Snapped at Six in 9-1 Loss to Delmarva - Hagerstown Suns
- Early Lead Not Enough in 7-4 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Early Lead Not Enough in 7-4 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Shorebirds Game Notes at Hagerstown - Delmarva Shorebirds
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