Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, April 14 at Hickory
Published on April 14, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah Sand Gnats (1-5, 7th, Southern) @ Hickory Crawdads (5-2, 3rd, Northern)
Game #7 - Road Game #7 - Thursday - 7:00
RHP Taylor Whitenton (0-0, 3.86) vs. RHP Nick Tepesch (0-0, 0.00)
LP Frans Stadium, Hickory, NC
Radio: News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com
Tonight: The Gnats will try to snap a five-game losing streak in the final game of a four-game series in Hickory, NC against the Hickory Crawdads, the SAL affiliate of the Texas Rangers. The Gnats have lost five straight since winning 8-0 on Opening Night.
Home Opener: The Gnats will return to Savannah for their home opener on Friday, April 15th against the Greenville Drive. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM. Fireworks follow the game on Opening Night and gates will open two hours prior to game time. The first 5,000 fans to visit Grayson Stadium on Opening Weekend will receive a Magnet Schedule courtesy of the US Coast Guard.
Yesterday: A two-out, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off the bat of C Tomas Telis propelled Hickory past Savannah, 7-5. The Gnats had leads of 4-1 after the second inning, and 5-1 after the fifth, but could not hold either advantage. The big shot in the Savannah second was a two-run home run off the bat of C Blake Forsythe.
Now Pitching: RHP Taylor Whitenton will make his first start of the year. Whitenton's first outing of the year came in relief on Sunday, April 10 in the first game of the Gnats' doubleheader in Hickory which the team lost 9-1. Whitenton stranded an inherited runner at second in the fourth inning, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the fifth and gave up a solo home run in the sixth inning. Whitenton finished the 2010 regular season with 68 walks, the second-most in the SAL. In 2009, Whitenton threw five scoreless innings over four games in the Gulf Coast League, striking out seven, walking five and yielding just one hit. The Mets drafted Whitenton in the 39th round of the 2009 draft out of Darton (GA) College.
Hot Honeck: 1B Sam Honeck, who was 3-4 with a double and a walk last night, has hit safely in five of the Gnats' six games. His .476 batting average is 4th in the SAL and his .542 on base percentage is second. Yesterday was his second three-hit game. He is the only Gnat with a three-hit game this year.
Five Down: The Gnats have been outscored 33-8 on their current five-game losing streak. During their five-game losing streak, the Gnats have hit .185 (27 H/146 AB) while allowing their opponents to hit .299 (44 H/147 AB). The Gnats have earned 16 walks, one more than opponents who have drawn 15 free pases. The Gnats have 10 extra-base hits in their last five games while their opponents have 12. Five of Savannah's extra-base hits came in Wednesday's loss, the first game in the losing streak in which the Gnats scored more than two runs.
In Japan, Four is Unlucky Too: In the fourth inning of games this year, the Gnats have been outscored 16-1.
Who Needs Singles' Javier Rodriguez has six hits this year, four of which have gone for extra bases, including a double, a triple and two home runs. His .652 slugging percentage leads the team. Blake Forsythe has three hits, including two extra base hits, a double and a home run and is slugging .583, second on the team.
Win Everywhere: In 2010, the Gnats won at least one game in every stadium where they played. Tonight is the last game in Hickory for the Gnats in the regular season, so to keep that streak alive, the Gnats will need to win tonight.
Vs. Hickory: The Gnats are now 0-3 against Hickory in 2011. The Gnats and Crawdads split the 2010 season series 2-2 with all four games played at Historic Grayson Stadium. In 2011, the two teams are scheduled for eight games. The Crawdads visit Savannah May 9-12.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 14, 2011
- 'Gnats Avoid Sweep Against 'Dads In Series Finale - Hickory Crawdads
- Gnats Stop Skid, Head Home With 6-1 Win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Legends Shut Out Suns 7-0 - Lexington Legends
- Power Fall To Tourists, 4-2 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Patience at the Plate Pays off for Intimidators - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- First Home Stand Ends with Braves Victory - Rome Emperors
- Drive Cap Homestand with Third Shutout - Greenville Drive
- Kannapolis Completes Sweep with 9-5 Win in Finale - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Doubles, Lack of Clutch Hits Doom Jackets - Augusta GreenJackets
- Dogs Muzzled Again, Greenville Wins 3-0 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Lakewood Splits Doubleheader Against Greensboro Wednesday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, April 14 at Hickory - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Sanchez Placed on DL, McCoy Promoted from Staten Island - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats Opening Night Is Tomorrow - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Alvarez Sent to Danville - Rome Emperors
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Add Third Baseball Camp Session - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Minor League Baseball⢠and KRAFT Singles Partner for Third Consecutive Season - Hagerstown Suns
- Intimidators First Home Stand Begins Friday - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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