SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Grasshoppers sneak past Suns

Published on July 11, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


GREENSBORO, NC - The Hagerstown Suns (5-12) dropped a heart-breaker to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (5-11) 4-3 in 11 innings on Saturday.

Hagerstown took an early lead with three runs on three consecutive two-out hits in the top of the second inning, culminating with a two-RBI single by Steve Lombardozzi. However, the Grasshoppers struck back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning on a disputed home run.

With two runners on base and nobody out, Greensboro's Justin Bass hit a high fly ball to left field. Valerio Heredia, the Suns left fielder camped underneath the drive with his back to the wall and as he reached up to make the catch, a fan appeared to reach out over the fence and take the ball from Heredia.

Base umpire Jim Hutchings ruled the hit a home run, which would have tied the game 3-3. Suns' Manager Matt LeCroy protested the call, and eventually it was determined that Bass had passed the runner on first base, causing an automatic out.

The home run was still granted, but only two runs scored and one out went up on the board, leaving the Suns with a 3-2 lead.

The score stayed 3-2 until the bottom of the seventh inning when a two-out single to left field was misplayed by Heredia, allowing the hitter, Paul Gran, to reach second base. One batter later Jeremy Synan singled to left, scoring Gran and tying the game at 3-3.

After both teams were retired in order in the ninth, the Suns had a chance to take the lead in the top of the tenth as Derek Norris led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on an infield single by Tyler Moore. Two batters later, Charlie Fermaint came through with a base hit into left field, but Jeremy Synan delivered a perfect throw to the plate, just barely retiring Norris.

Greensboro took their only lead of the game in the bottom of the 11th inning as Ryan Keedy walked to lead off the inning and eventually scored on a single to center field by Emilio Ontiveros.

Hassan Pena pitched well in his second start of the season for the Suns. Pena lasted five innings and allowed just two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out five. Kevin Light relieved Pena and allowed just one unearned run in three innings of work.

Osvaldo Rodriguez (2-3) took the loss for Hagerstown, allowing the winning run in the 11th after working two scoreless innings in the ninth and tenth.

Pete Andrelczyk (2-2) got the win for Greensboro, pitching the final three innings for the home team.

After an off-day on Sunday, the Suns will return to action at Municipal Stadium for the first of a four-game series against the Greeneville Drive on Monday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM and gates open at 6:05.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and 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 Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 11, 2009


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