Gnats Outlast Drive 6-5 in 14 Innings Saturday
Published on April 16, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - In the bottom of the 14th inning, Wilfredo Tovar drove a double over the head of Greenville left fielder Brandon Jacobs to chase Savannah's Javier Rodriguez around from second with the winning run as the Gnats outlasted the Greenville Drive for a 6-5 win Saturday night. The Gnats (4-5) have now won three games in a row for the first time in 2011.
Out of fresh arms in the 14th, the Drive (6-4) asked reserve infielder James Kang, who was also a closer in college, to pitch. With one out, Rodriguez doubled into the right field corner. Tovar followed with his game winner bringing in Rodriguez.
The Gnats took a 4-2 lead with a four-run fifth inning keyed by consecutive doubles from 1B Sam Honeck, CF Cory Vaughn and DH Albert Cordero. Honeck was 3-6 with three RBI and is leading the SAL with a .457 batting average (16 H/35 AB). His five doubles are tied for the League lead and his .513 on base percentage is second.
Honeck's second run scoring double, a shot to deep center field in the seventh, gave the Gnats a 5-3 lead. However, the Drive struck back with single runs in the eighth and ninth innings off the Gnats bullpen to tie the game. In the ninth, LF Brandon Jacobs drove a single through the left side to score pinch-runner Drew Hedman with the tying run.
The Gnats did not have a hit between Honeck's double in the seventh, and Rodriguez's one out double in the 14th.
Savannah starter Erik Goeddel fought his way through three innings, fanning six while giving up just one run. Five pitchers out of the Gnats bullpen combined to hold the Drive to four runs over the subsequent 11 innings. Guillaume Leduc finished the game with two scoreless innings for the win.
The Gnats will start LHP Chase Huchingson (0-0, 0.00) Sunday against Drive LHP Manuel Rivera (2-0, 0.90). First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 pm and gates will open at 1 pm. The pregame show will begin on News/Talk 630 at 1:50 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 16, 2011
- Drive Come Up One Run Short, 6-5, in 14 Innings - Greenville Drive
- Gnats Outlast Drive 6-5 in 14 Innings Saturday - Savannah Sand Gnats
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