Gnats comeback bid falls short in extras
Published on July 13, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah mounted a dramatic comeback to tie the game in the ninth inning, but two solo home runs in the 10th doomed the Gnats in their 5-3 loss to the Columbus Catfish Thursday night at Historic Grayson Stadium.
The Gnats trailed the 'Fish 3-2 entering the bottom of the ninth when John Poppert placed a two-out single into center field. Reggie Fitzpatrick came on to run for Poppert and promptly stole second and took third on an error. Down to his final strike, Jose Contreras drove in the tying run with a single up the middle to send the game into extra innings.
Back-to-back home runs by Sergio Pedroza and Russ Mitchell in the spare frame put the Gnats in a 5-3 hole from which they could not recover. Both long balls came at the expense of reliever Rudy Garza, who was charged with the loss.
Carlos Martinez started on the mound for the Gnats and gave up three runs on six hits and three walks in 5.1 innings. Martinez also struck out four in the no-decision. The Savannah bullpen was near perfect through regulation as Brett Reid and Josh Perrault combined to allow just two hits with six strikeouts in 3.2 innings.
The Gnats fell behind 3-0 early, but got two runs off three hits in the fifth inning. Poppert led off with a line single into left and then advanced to second on a perfectly placed bunt single by Contreras. Both runners moved into scoring position on a sacrifice by Francisco Plasencia and then touched home when Ofilio Castro ripped a double down the right-field line.
The Sand Gnats and Catfish conclude the season series Friday at 7:05 p.m. Savannah will send right-hander Craig Stammen to the mound to face Columbus righty Dave Horlacher. Friday is Scout Night and will also feature post-game fireworks. For tickets and a complete schedule, visit www.sandgnats.com, or call the Sand Gnats offices at 912-212-0647.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2006
- Drive need extra innings versus Tourists, win 5-4 - Greenville Drive
- Salome extends hitting streak in loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Suns drop sixth straight - Hagerstown Suns
- GreenJackets win battle of the bats - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gnats comeback bid falls short in extras - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Captains held to one unearned run in 7-1 loss to Hoppers - Lake County Captains
- Join Catfish in 'Fish with a Cause Campaign - Columbus Catfish
- Win your own promotional night with the Catfish - Columbus Catfish
- Charleston: The Buckle of the Bible Belt - Charleston RiverDogs
- BlueClaws remain atop the Northern Division - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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