Gnats Ninth Inning Hustle Produces 3-2 Win Thursday
Published on July 21, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning on a throwing error on West Virginia Power third baseman Eric Avila for a 3-2 win in front of 2,301 fans Thursday night. The Gnats (16-11/55-41) snapped a four-game losing streak.
Savannah catcher Blake Forsythe led off the bottom of the ninth by muscling a single into shallow left field. He advanced to second a bunt from DH Albert Cordero and third on a passed ball. With two outs, 1B Joe Bonfe bounced a ball to Avila at third. With Bonfe running hard to first, Avila's throw was high, pulling first baseman Chase Lyles off the base allowing Bonfe to slide in safely and Forsythe to score from third with the winning run. Forsythe finished 3-for-4, his first three hit game of 2011.
The Gnats took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Forsythe doubled with one out and then 3B Aderlin Rodriguez blasted a home run just to the right of straightaway centerfield off Power starter Jameson Taillon, the Pittsburgh Pirates' top pitching prospect, for his 12th home run of 2011.
The Power (10-17/45-50) evened the game at 2-2 with two runs in the fifth off Savannah starter Angel Cuan. LF Rogelio Noris and 2B Kevin Mortboth doubled to combine for the first run. After Avila singled to put runners at the corners, a fielder's choice and throwing error on Savannah shortstop Wilfredo Tovar allowed the second run to score.
Savannah reliever Adam Kolarek allowed just a walk in the final three innings while facing the minimum nine batters to earn his fourth win of the year. Cuan finished six innings for the fifth straight start, and for the fourth time in those five, allowed two earned runs or fewer. Taillon fanned six and walked one in his five innings, yielding two runs on four hits.
The Gnats finish their three-game series with the Power Friday night by handing the ball to RHP Yohan Almonte (3-5, 3.82) against Power RHP Tyler Waldron (6-5, 4.87). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and gates open at 6 pm. The pre-game show on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at 6:50 pm.
FRIDAY, JULY 7: NINE INNINGS OF TV & FAMILY FRIDAY
Nine Innings of TV Giveaway
The Sand Gnats will give away one TV an inning, culminating in our grand prize in the 9th inning.
Family Friday presented by KIX96 & E93
Kids Run the Bases after the game.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 21, 2011
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- Gattis' Ninth Inning Collision Lifts Braves to Walk Off Victory - Rome Emperors
- Gnats Ninth Inning Hustle Produces 3-2 Win Thursday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Lakewood Walk off Winners 5-4 Thursday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Endure 5-4 Walk-Off Loss to BlueClaws - Greenville Drive
- Clark Hits Two Homers, 'Dads Top 'Hoppers 5-4 - Hickory Crawdads
- RiverDogs Win Second Straight Over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Suns Sweep Doubleheader, Control Series Vs. Augusta - Hagerstown Suns
- Asheville Bats Hot in 8-4 Win - Asheville Tourists
- Feliz Flourishes Again as 'Dogs Defeat Legends, 8-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Streaking Days Over; GreenJackets Swept in Twinbill - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gnats Game Notes: Thursday, July 21 Vs. West Virginia - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Brown Promoted from Staten Island; Higashioka Placed on 7-Day DL - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Charlie T. RiverDog to Steal Spotlight at American Idol Tryout - Charleston RiverDogs
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