Gnats Squeeze Ends Five-Game Losing Streak
Published on August 26, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA
- Luis Nieves dropped down a bunt in the bottom of the ninth to bring home Blake Forsythe with the winning run as the Gnats executed a suicide squeeze to snap a five-game losing streak with a 7-6 win over the Charleston RiverDogs Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium.
Third baseman Aderlin Rodriguez launched his 16th home run of the year, setting a new high by a Gnat as a Mets affiliate, a relationship that began with the 2007 season.
The 19-year old Rodriguez's 16 home runs are the most any Gnats' batter since Luke Montz hit 19 in 2005 in the summer in which he turned 22.
The Gnats' win coupled with a 3-0 Greenville Drive win over the Augusta GreenJackets in Greenville gives the first half-champion Gnats sole possession of first place in the Southern division in the second half with nine games to play.
If the playoffs started today the Gnats would face the Greenville Drive who hold the second-best record overall in the Southern Division.
The GreenJackets are now one game behind the Gnats for first place, while the Drive are two back.
Blake Forsythe
began the game-winning rally for the Gnats (75-55/36-25) in the bottom of the ninth by drawing a leadoff walk. Rodriguez followed by bunting through strike one.
On the second pitch of the at-bat, Rodriguez bluffed a bunt and then pulled his bat back and ground a single up the middle to send Forsythe to third with the winning run.
After a strikeout, the Gnats put the squeeze on for Nieves who bunted towards shortstop, allowing Forsythe to score the winning run.
Both Forsythe and Rodriguez had big games for the Gnats in the win.
The pair combined to hit back-to-back homers for the Gnats in the fourth inning.
Forsythe finished 2-for-3 with two walks, three runs scored and an RBI.
Rodriguez was 3-for-5 with a double in addition to his homer, and two runs scored.
The Savannah bullpen of Chase Huchingson and Ronny Morla combined on three scoreless hitless innings in relief of Angel Cuan.
Morla earned the win to improve to 3-3, for his 1-2-3 top of the ninth.
Reliever Michael Recchia was tagged with the loss for Charleston to fall to 2-1.
The Gnats and RiverDogs (24-37/50-81) will play game two of their five-game series Saturday at 6:05 pm when the Gnats will send RHP Erik Goeddel (2-4, 3.39) to the hill against LHP Vidal Nuno (1-1, 2.67).
Gates open at 6 pm and the radio broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com will begin at 5:50 pm.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 26, 2011
- Gnats Squeeze Ends Five-Game Losing Streak - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Matzek Gem Carries Tourists Past Suns in Opener - Hagerstown Suns
- Crawdads Pinch BlueClaws, 2-1 - Hickory Crawdads
- Nieves Nixes 'Dogs Hopes in 7-6 Gnats Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power Take Series Opener Over Legends, 7-5 - Lexington Legends
- BlueClaws Come up Just Short on Friday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power beat Legends 7-5 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Workman Dazzles as Drive Defeat 'Jackets, 3-0 - Greenville Drive
- Garcia Leads the Way as Rome Tops Kannapolis - Rome Emperors
- Garcia Leads the Way as Rome Tops Kannapolis - Rome Emperors
- Grand Slam Leads Greensboro to 5-4 Win Over Delmarva - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Bats Frozen in 3-0 Loss to Greenville - Augusta GreenJackets
- Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Gnats Game Notes: Friday, August 26 Vs. Charleston - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Saturday's Game Postponed; Double-Header Monday & Tuesday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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