Gnats pester Tourists with ninth inning rally
Published on August 12, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Savannah trailed by two in the bottom of the ninth, but Francisco Plasencia's two-run double capped a three-run rally to push the Sand Gnats over the Asheville Tourists 6-5 Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The win broke Savannah's nine-game losing streak.
Gnats starter Shairon Martis threw well in his first start at Grayson Stadium, allowing just two runs while scattering five hits over 5.1 innings. Martis also struck out five and walked just two in the no-decision. Gus Hlebovy got the win, allowing one run in 1.2 innings of relief.
Savannah was down 5-3 in the ninth when Ofilio Castro sparked the rally with a single to right and moved to third on a base hit from Tim Pahuta. With one down, Scott Schade stepped up and lined a single to left to plate Castro. Reggie Fitzpatrick followed with a single up the middle to load the bases, and Plasencia came through in the clutch with a double to the gap in left-center, bringing home Pahuta and pinch-runner Jose Contreras for the Sand Gnats win.
Plasencia finished the game 2-for-3 with two walks, three RBI and two runs scored. Logan Sorensen also highlighted the Gnats at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a walk as he celebrated his 25th birthday.
Cole Garner led the Tourists on offense with a two-run home run in the sixth that gave Asheville a short-lived 2-1 lead and an RBI ground-out in the eighth that knotted the score at 3-3.
Savannah and Asheville conclude the series Sunday at 2:05 p.m. as the Sand Gnats send right-hander Carlos Martinez to the mound to face Tourists righty Alan Johnson. Sunday is Family Fun Day, presented by the Savannah Morning News, featuring a post-game kids' bases run and autograph session. For tickets and a complete schedule, visit www.sandgnats.com, or call the Sand Gnats offices at 912-351-9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 12, 2006
- Rome Defeats Augusta in 13 - Rome Emperors
- RiverDogs Stop Intimidators in the Ninth, 5-4, For 7th Straight Home Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Gnats pester Tourists with ninth inning rally - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Lighting Failure Cancels Catfish, Drive - Columbus Catfish
- Suns beat the Greensboro Grasshoppers - Hagerstown Suns
- Crawdads defeat Captains - Lake County Captains
- Catfish Capitalize on Drive Error - Columbus Catfish
- SAL President Disappointed with Golden Park Field Conditions - Columbus Catfish
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