SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Grasshoppers Burn Suns in Series Finale

Published on August 8, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD-The Greensboro Grasshoppers (60-54, 20-24) hopped on the Hagerstown Suns (62-51, 22-21) early and often in a Monday night rout at Municipal Stadium to win 9-3. Greensboro collected four multi-run offensive frames on ten base hits and limited their defensive mistakes, while receiving terrific starting pitching from the winning pitcher, RHP Robert Morey.

Morey (7-7) tossed 7.0 stanzas and allowed just one unearned run on three hits and one walk, while tying a season-high with nine strikeouts.

The Grasshoppers leaped out with two unearned runs against Suns LHP Ryan Demmin (2-2), the losing pitcher of record, in the 1st frame. 2B Noah Perio led off the game and reached first base on a throwing error by 2B Sean Nicol. RF Marcell Ozuna doubled up the left field line to race Perio to third base before LF Christian Yelich wrapped an RBI groundout to Nicol summoning home Perio. Ozuna scored on an RBI sacrifice fly by 1B Mark Canha.

Demmin went 6.0 innings and gave up five runs, two of them earned, on five hits without walking a batter, and fanning four.

The Suns tallied their first run of the game in the bottom half of the 1st inning. It would be the only run scored until the bottom of the 9th frame. LF Michael Taylor skipped a bouncer behind the second base bag and SS Daniel Black airmailed the throw in the third row of the reserved seating bowl allowing Taylor to advance into scoring position. A passed ball through C Jacob Realmuto allowed Taylor to scamper to third base and then CF Chris Curran lifted an RBI sac fly into center field caught by Isaac Galloway.

The ‘hoppers plated two more in the 5th inning as Ozuna laced his second double of the game up the third base line to score 3B Ryan Fisher, who was hit by a Demmin pitch, and Galloway, who doubled to the barrier in left field. Ozuna went 3-for-5 with two runs, two doubles, and two RBI in the contest.

The Grasshoppers poured on another run in the 6th inning when 3B Justin Cuevas threw a ball over the head of 1B Brett Newsome to allow Canha to reach first base. Canha would score after Realmuto blooped a single into right field and a sacrifice bunt attempt by Black resulted in a second error for Cuevas, this time on a low throw to first base.

Hagerstown RHP Colin Bates gave up two runs in the 7th stanza on a two-RBI double into the left center field gap by Realmuto that scored Ozuna, who swept an infield single to the six hole, and Canha, who drew a walk.

In the 9th inning, Greensboro laid another floor to their huge advantage with two more runs off RHP Ben Graham, in his first appearance off the disabled list. Graham surrendered an opposite field double to Canha up the right field line to score Perio, who singled to center field, and a passed ball through C Adrian Nieto brought Yelich to the plate. Yelich bulleted a single into right center field to get aboard.

The Suns went down swinging in the bottom of the 9th with a pair of runs brought to fruition on a high arching double off the batter's eye in center field off the stick of Nieto and a sacrifice fly by Nicol to right center field. However, Newsome popped up in foul ground up the third base line to end the ballgame and ensure a series share.

Hagerstown finishes their 2011 meetings with the Greensboro Grasshoppers at a record of (6-9)

After an off-day on Tuesday, the Suns will embark on a four-game road trip against the Delmarvs Shorebirds in Saliusbury, Maryland. Game One on Wednesday night features a 7:05pm first pitch. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching matchup is to be determined.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 8, 2011


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