Gnats Game Notes: Tuesday, June 28 at Rome

Published on June 28, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


Savannah Sand Gnats (4-1/43-31, t-1st, Southern) @ Rome Braves (1-4/26-49, t-5th, Southern)

Game #75 - Road Game #36 - Tuesday - 7:00

LHP Angel Cuan (5-1, 3.42) vs. RHP Willie Kempf (0-1, 6.75)

State Mutual Stadium, Rome, GA

Radio: News/Talk 630 WBMQ & sandgnats.com

Tonight: The Gnats play game two of a four-game series and seven-game road trip against the Rome Braves, SAL affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. The Gnats return home for an Independence Day Fireworks Spectacular on Monday, July 4.

Last Night: The Gnats set a new season-high with 13 runs scored in a 13-8 victory over Rome. The big hit in a five-run eighth inning was a three-run triple from CF Rafael Fernandez. RF Joe Bonfe was 4-4 with three runs scored and three RBI.

Now Pitching: LHP Angel Cuan is scheduled to make his second start of 2011 tonight. Last Friday, in his first 2011 start, Cuan threw three perfect innings with one strikeout in game one of a doubleheader that the Gnats won 2-1. Cuan will be starting today on three days' rest, something he did four times out of bullpen in the first half. Cuan appeared on three-days rest in three straight appearances June 5-13. In 47.1 innings this season, Cuan has struck out 41 batters and walked just six for a K/BB of 6.83. His walk rate as a reliever of 1.22 BB-IBB/9 IP was the fourth-best among relievers in the SAL. Cuan was second only to teammate Yohan Almonte in the New-York Penn League in ERA last year with a 2.03 mark. He was fifth in the NYP in strikeouts (64) and fourth in innings pitched (79.2) and fewest baserunners/9 IP (9.94). Cuan went five innings or more in 13 of his 14 starts in Brooklyn in 2010. Cuan pitched for his native Panama in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.

Rafael's Rips: Rafael Fernandez, who tripled last night, has hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games going 16-for-42 (.381) in that time. He is hitting .342/.416/.506 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 22 games in June. His OPS has increased every month from .751 in April to .803 in May and .922 in June.

Beating on the Braves: The Gnats set a new season-high by scoring 13 runs in a game last night. Savannah's previous high was 12, set at Rome on May 14. The Gnats have scored 4.9 runs per game against Rome (64 runs/13 games) and just 3.6 runs per game against the rest of the South Atlantic League (222 runs/61 games).

Bonfe's Big Night: Joe Bonfe set personal season-highs in hits (4), runs (3) and RBI (3) last night. Bonfe has played in four of the Gnats' five games since the All-Star Break, going 6-for-13 (.462). In 22 games before the break, the 23-year old Bonfe hit .221/.294/.260.

Happier Honeck: Sam Honeck collected his first three-hit game last night since April 17. He had four three-hit games in his first 10 games in 2011. Through his first 11 games, he hit an even .500 (21-for-42). Since that time he is hitting .155 (30-for-193).

Two More for Tovar: Last night, for the second time in three games, Wilfredo Tovar had two hits and two RBI. The two RBI tie a personal season-high, now set three times. He is hitting .359/.425/.436 in 22 games in June with six walks against five strikeouts.

Strong Arms: The Gnats have the SAL's best ERA (3.31), 36 hundredths of a run better than second-place Lakewood. The Gnats have the second-best WHIP (1.23) in the SAL, and have allowed the fewest hits (584), 10 fewer than second-best Hickory.

Vs. Rome: The Gnats are 10-3 against Rome this year, 6-1 at home and 4-1 on the road. Savannah was 14-9 against Rome a year ago, 9-2 on the road and 5-7 in Rome.

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