Gnats drop second in a row on late homers
Published on June 16, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Two eighth inning home runs elevated the Braves to a 5-4 win over the Gnats Saturday night. It was the second consecutive game in which Rome won by taking the lead with an eighth inning homer. Nelson Portillo (0-4) surrendered the big blasts tonight and took the loss while Rome reliever Jaye Chapman (1-1) earned his first win of the season.
Savannah took the lead, 4-3, in the seventh inning when Brahiam Maldonado hit a dramatic two-run homer. However, Yohan Silva and Robert Marcial led off the top of the eighth with back-to-back solo home runs off Portillo.
The Gnats had a chance to rally in the bottom of the eighth when they loaded the bases with only one out. However, reliever Kris Medlen came in and struck out Sean McCraw then got Francisco Pena to ground out to end the inning. Medlen then struck out two Gnats in the bottom of the ninth inning to earn his second consecutive save against Savannah. In this series, he has now faced 12 Gnats batters and struck out nine of them.
Sand Gnats starter Todd Privett kept the Gnats in the game early with a respectable performance. His only struggles came in the third inning when he allowed three runs and three hits. Those were the only runs he would allow in 5.2 innings of work. He left the game with the Gnats trailing 3-2.
Savannah was the first team on the scoreboard when they manufactured a single run in both the second and third innings. Seven of the Gnats starting nine recorded a base hit in the game.
Sunday the Gnats and the Braves finish the first half of the season with a noon doubleheader. Both games are scheduled to last seven innings. The Gnats will celebrate Father's Day with the third annual Double Deere for Daddy presented by Hendrix Machinery. Kids can register before the game to compete along with their dads in on-field competitions to win their dad a new John Deere riding mower from Hendrix Machinery.
Sunday is also CW Kids Day. Before the game kids can play catch on the field. After the game, kids can run the bases and get player autographs. For tickets and a complete schedule, call the Sand Gnats office or visit www.sandgnats.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2007
- Gnats drop second in a row on late homers - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Hook Catfish, 5-4 - Greenville Drive
- Captains sweep oubleheader - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Kannapolis Blasts its Way to Blow-Out Win over Greensboro - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Suns shutout the Lexington Legends - Hagerstown Suns
- 4-2 Win for Lakewood - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- GreenJackets Shutout Out - Augusta GreenJackets
- 'Birds Fall to 'Claws, 4-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs Stain GreenJackets, 2-0 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Asheville defeats Hickory - Asheville Tourists
- Captains Snap Skid Against Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fathers Day Auction Set To Benefit Rai Henniger Family Fund - Hagerstown Suns
- Suns Infielder Leonard Davis Named To South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Hagerstown Suns
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.
