Granato has big day as Surf notch first win of 2008 with twinbill split
May 24, 2008 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Atlantic City Surf News Release
Quebec City - The Atlantic City Surf earned their first victory of the 2008 season, using a five-run fifth to win the second game of a doubleheader, 6-1, in a Can-Am League contest at Stade de Quebec on Saturday night. In the opener of the twinbill, the Surf suffered their second consecutive one-run loss, falling 3-2.
In the nightcap, Atlantic City drew first blood, using a sacrifice fly from 3B Billy Hogan to go ahead, 1-0. After the Capitales tied the game in the bottom half of the frame, the Surf exploded for five runs in the fifth inning. CF Lucas Taylor drove home C William Plaza with a double, and SS Anthony Granato followed up with a two-run double of his own. A single by 1B Joe Burke and a subsequent throwing error by Quebec starter Kevin Beavers sent Burke to third and brought Granato home; Burke then scored the last run of the inning on a wild pitch by Beavers.
It was more than enough for the Atlantic City pitching staff, which limited the Capitales to six hits. Starter Adam Cox (1-0) went five innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out five for the win. Relievers Aaron Easton and Rory Shortell then made their first appearances for the Surf, with each hurling a scoreless frame.
Granato had his second straight two-hit game for the Surf (1-2), while Burke and Taylor also chipped in with two hits apiece. For Quebec, Beavers (0-1) took the loss, allowing five earned runs in five innings. RF Mike Goss went 2-for-4 for the Capitales (2-1).
Granato's 2-for-4 evening wasn't enough in the first game, as Quebec 2B Josh Colafemina's RBI single in the seventh gave the Capitales a 3-2 victory.
The Surf jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first after Granato led off with a double and was driven in on a groundout by RF Josh Burrus. Quebec answered in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs off of Surf starter J.C. Huguet. Capitales' CF Goefrey Tomlinson drove in SS Jose Contreras with an RBI single, while Colafemina was brought home on an RBI groundout by DH Patrick Scalabrini.
The Surf tied it at two in the fifth. Taylor led off with a double, and was driven home on Granato's single to right field.
With the game still deadlocked, Capitales' LF Alex Nunez led off the seventh by reaching on an error by Surf 2B Brad Thoma. PH Greg Stevens then slapped a single to left. After Surf reliever Derek Duclos (0-1) induced Capitales' shortstop Jose Contreras to pop out to short, Duclos uncorked a wild pitch, sending the runners to second and third. Colafemina then drove a ball to left, bringing in Nunez for the winning run.
Huguet was effective in his five innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out three. Capitales' starter Michel Simard put up similar numbers. The sinkerballer tossed five innings of five-hit ball, allowing two runs and striking out three. Quebec closer Jason Schutt (1-0), who earned the save in Friday's game, picked up the win after working a scoreless top half of the seventh.
Granato was the only Surf player with more than one hit, while Tomlinson's 2-for-3 outing marked the only multiple-hit evening on the Quebec side.
The two teams finish their four-game set tomorrow at 1:05 p.m. Ben Thurmond will be on the bump for the navy and teal, while Erick Nadon makes his first start for the Capitales.
Canadian American League Stories from May 24, 2008
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