Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, August 5 at Rome

Published on August 5, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


Savannah Sand Gnats (15-24/57-52, 7th, Southern) @ Rome Braves (19-20/49-59, 6th, Southern)

Game #110 - Road Game #57 - Thursday - 7:00

RHP Collin McHugh (3-7, 3.79) vs. RHP Willie Kempf (0-1, 5.40) State Mutual Stadium, Rome, GA

Radio: News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com

Today: The first-half-champion Gnats try to avoid a sweep in the finale of their four-game series in Rome. Savannah begins a five game series in Charleston, S.C. against the Riverdogs, the SAL affiliate of the New York Yankees, Friday. The Gnats return home on Thursday, August 12 to host the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Last Game: Yesterday, Rome RF Matt Weaver's two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning snapped a 3-3 tie and gave the Braves a 5-3 win over the Gnats. Savannah CF R.J. Harris was 2-4 with a homerun and all three RBI, in his second-straight multi-hit game.

Now Pitching: Collin McHugh will make his 14th start of the year, coming off one of his worst performances of 2010 in his last start. He gave up nine runs, six of which were earned, on seven hits in 1.2 innings in Savannah's 15-2 loss to Augusta last Friday night. McHugh has thrown well against Rome this year, going 1-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 16 strikeouts against just two walks in 13 innings. The Gnats are 3-10 when McHugh starts and have supported him with 3.92 runs per game, the lowest of any Gnat pitcher. Last year, McHugh was 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 75 innings for the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York-Penn League. He struck out 79 and walked 21. McHugh was 13-9 with five saves in his career at Berry (GA) College and led the Southern States Athletic Conference in strikeout rate (9.05 K/9) in his junior year in 2008. The Mets drafted McHugh in the 18th round in 2008.

Vs. Rome: The Gnats are 14-8 against Rome this year, 9-2 at home and 5-6 in Rome. After splitting the season series 11-11 last year, tonight's game concludes the season series.

Puello Power: Cesar Puello bunted for a base hit in the sixth inning to extend his hitting streak to a Gnats' season-best 14 straight. He's hit safely in 22 of his last 23 games. Over his 14-game streak, he's hitting .462 (25-56) with three doubles, a triple, a home run, four walks and four strikeouts. Puello's 14-game streak is part of a seven-way tie for the sixth longest streak in the SAL this year. Puello has reached base safely in 28 straight games, every game since July 5th, the third longest streak in the SAL this year, and just two behind Leandro Castro of Lakewood who reached in 30 straight games from 5/26-7/2. In his 28-game on-base streak, Puello is hitting .387 with a .480 OBP.

Roster Update: Thursday, Gnats All-Star Jimmy Fuller was promoted to advanced-A St. Lucie. At the time of his promotion, Fuller (8-3, 1.93) led all active pitchers in the SAL with a 1.93 ERA. Only former Gnat Mark Cohoon, who still leads the South Atlantic League in ERA at 1.30, had a better ERA than Fuller among pitchers still eligible for the league leaders. Fuller, the only one of Savannah's six All-Stars to play for the team in the second half, was seventh in the league with 99 strikeouts. Sammy Martinez, who has been on the Savannah disabled list since July 24th with a strained right foot has been activated to take his place.

Ouch: The Gnats are 5-12 in their last 17 games. In those 17 games, Gnats pitching has given up seven runs or more eight times, and lost each game. The Gnats are 5-0 in that time when allowing three runs or fewer, but 0-12 when allowing four or more.

Still at the Top: The Gnats lead the SAL in ERA (2.91), and innings pitched (1005.1). For the third straight day, the Gnats traded the league lead in strikeouts with the Lakewood Blue Claws. Savannah is now second in the category with 921 punch-outs, three behind Lakewood's 924.

Playoffs: By virtue of winning the first half, the Gnats will have home-field advantage in the Southern Division Championship Series. The second half winner will host game one on Wednesday, September 8 before the series returns to Savannah for game two on Friday, September 10 and game three, if necessary, on Saturday, September 11.

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