Gnats Rally Ends 90 Feet Short in 5-4 Loss Thursday

Published on July 7, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats mounted a furious four-run ninth inning rally, but came up 90 feet short in a 5-4 loss to the Greensboro Grasshoppers Thursday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. Gnats' CF Darrell Ceciliani struck out to end the game with LF Alonzo Harris, carrying the tying run, perched at third base.

The Gnats (12-3/51-33) trailed 5-0 heading to the ninth with an offense that had collected four singles in the first eight innings. RF Rafael Fernandez led off with a double, and C Blake Forsythe followed by blasting a two-run home run to left-center field to get the Gnats on the scoreboard at 5-2. It was the first home run that the Gnats have hit at home since April 23rd, 33 games ago. The Gnats have hit five home runs in Savannah in 2011 compared to 32 on the road.

After Forsythe's homer, the Gnats got the rally going again when DH Albert Cordero was hit by a pitch and 3B Aderlin Rodriguez drew a walk to bring the tying run to the plate. At that point, the Grasshoppers called on their closer, Michael Brady. After a strikeout, Harris punched a single into right field. Cordero scored on the play, Rodriguez advanced to third, and Harris followed the play into second on the throw to third. Pinch-hitter Juan Torres brought home Rodriguez with a groundout to shortstop to bring the Gnats within a run at 5-4. However, Ceciliani struck out with Harris at third to end the game. Ceciliani and Harris each finished with two hits.

Greensboro drew first blood on two singles and an infield groundout against Savannah starter Gonzalez Germen in the fourth. Germen held the Grasshoppers to one run on three hits in five innings, fanning one without issuing a walk, but took the loss to fall to 6-4.

The 'Hoppers added two runs, one of which was unearned, in the seventh against reliever Chase Huchingson. Greensboro added a second unearned run in the eighth to make the score 4-0. Grasshoppers 2B Noah Perio drove home the eventual deciding run against reliever Gabriel Zavala with a double into the right field corner in the ninth to put the Marlins' affiliate up 5-0.

Greensboro starter Robert Morey shutout the Gnats through 7.1 innings to earn the win and improve to 4-6. Brady picked up the save, his 12th.

The Gnats will hand the ball to LHP Angel Cuan (6-1, 3.19) against Greensboro RHP Rett Varner (4-2, 3.72) Friday night. 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: BASEBALL CARD GIVEAWAY & FRITOS FAMILY FRIDAY

Baseball Card Giveaway presented by Coca-Cola

The first 1,000 fans through the gates at Historic Grayson Stadium will receive a set of 2011 Sand Gnats' baseball cards thanks to Coca-Cola.

Family Friday presented by KIX96 & E93

Kids Run the Bases after the game.

FRITOS Family Friday

Randomly selected fans will be selected to participate in special ballpark activities. You just might get to throw out the first pitch or be a co-radio broadcaster. Show a FRITOS corn chip wrapper to receive a 10% discount in the Sand Lot, the Gnats' merchandise store.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 7, 2011


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