Gnats Move One Win from Division Title
Published on June 13, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats moved within a single game of clinching the South Atlantic League Southern Division First-Half Championship with a 2-1 win over the Rome Braves in front of 2,448 fans at Historic Grayson Stadium on Monday. Savannah (37-26) is 11 games over .500 for the first time in 2011.
The Gnats, who lead the Greenville Drive by 5.5 games with six to play in the first half, now have a magic number of one to eliminate the Drive and clinch their second-consecutive First-Half Championship. Greenville beat the Charleston RiverDogs 3-0 in Charleston Monday to stay alive. The Gnats play two more games with Rome before heading to Greenville for four games Thursday through Sunday to finish the first half.
The Gnats scored single runs in the second and sixth innings to build a 2-0 lead. In the second, with 3B Aderlin Rodriguez at first, C Blake Forsythe lined a single into left field where Braves' LF Hilton Richardson overran the ball, allowing Rodriguez to score from first for a 1-0 lead. In the sixth, Cory Vaughn tripled to left-center and scored Savannah's second run on Rodriguez's RBI single to left. Rodriguez, who finished 2-4, was the only Gnat with a multiple-hit game Monday.
The Gnats have won six games in a row for the second time 2011 and have won 18 of their last 22 games.
Wilfredo Tovar extended his hitting streak to 12 games with a fifth inning single. Tovar, who is hitting .425 (17 H/40 AB) over his hitting streak, tied Robbie Shields for the longest hitting streak by a Gnat this season.
Savannah starter Ryan Fraser worked around seven hits, to toss six shutout innings picking up his fourth win of the year. The Braves (25-39) scored their only run in the seventh inning off reliever Angel Cuan. Closer Josh Edgin shut the door in a 1-2-3 ninth for his 15th save. Edgin has gone 15 appearances without allowing a single run.
The Gnats will try to clinch a playoff berth Tuesday, when they send RHP Gonzalez Germen (4-2, 3.57) to the hill against Rome RHP Aaron Northcraft (2-1, 2.30). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Gates will open at 6 pm. The broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com will begin at 6:50 pm.
Tuesday: Flag Day, Teacher Appreciation Night, KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets and Two-for-Tuesday
Flag Day: The first 1,000 fans to Historic Grayson Stadium will receive a free miniature American Flag in honor of Flag Day.
Teacher Appreciation Night: The Gnats are offering $2 General Admission tickets for teachers with valid school issued ID at Tuesday's game.
KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets: Buy 1 Ticket, Get 1 Free from KRAFT Singles with purchase. Bring your package wrapper to a Sand Gnats game on Tuesdays for a steal of a deal! Visit kraftsingles.com for more info! Exclusions apply.
Two-for-Tuesday: Two-for-One Natty Lights!
South Atlantic League Stories from June 13, 2011
- Crawdads Take Slugfest in Asheville, 10-7 - Hickory Crawdads
- Augusta Takes Second Straight Win Over Legends, 8-3 - Lexington Legends
- Gnats Move One Win from Division Title - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Lakewood Holds off Hagerstown 3-1 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Rogers Twirls Gem; GreenJackets Win Second Straight - Augusta GreenJackets
- Couch Relaxes RiverDogs' Bats in 3-0 Drive Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Intimidators Power Past Shorebirds 6-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Arroyo Protects Early Lead, Shuts Down Shorebirds - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Gnats Game Notes: Monday, June 13 Vs. Rome - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Tyler Stovall Off Suspended List - Rome Emperors
- 12th Annual "Kindness Beats Blindness" Auction on June 25 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads Sweep SAL Weekly Awards - Hickory Crawdads
- BlueClaws to Host Phanatic, Troop Supply Drive June 23rd - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hagerstown Drops Series Opener in Lakewood, 5-4 - Hagerstown Suns
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