GreenJackets Can't Swat Gnats Late in 4-2 Loss
Published on June 11, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Savannah, GA - In the same week where the Augusta GreenJackets earned their first series sweep of the year, they feel the pain of the other side. The Savannah Sand Gnats rallied late to pull away with a 4-2 win over the GreenJackets, sweeping all three games from Augusta - the first time this season the GreenJackets have been swept.
The GreenJackets carried a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning. Starter Shawn Sanford - working deeper than any other Augusta starter this season - got the first out before running into trouble. He hit Albert Cordero with a pitch before allowing a single to Wilfredo Tovar to put the go-ahead run on base. Sanford was replaced by Drew Bowlin, who gave up a double to the right field corner on a 3-2 pitch to Darrell Ceciliani that plated two and handed the Gnats a 3-2 lead. They stretched the advantage to two runs when Robbie Shields brought home Ceciliani from third on a sacrifice fly.
Savannah closer Josh Edgin retired the GreenJackets in order in the ninth to pick up his second save of the series and his 14th of the season - the second-highest save total in the South Atlantic League.
Early on, the game shaped up as a pitchers' duel between Sanford and All-Star starting pitcher Taylor Whitenton as neither team dented the scoreboard until the sixth. Whitenton walked four, one shy of a season-high, but fired five shutout innings of two-hit ball with five strikeouts. Sanford had allowed only two hits through five and had only faced one hitter over the minimum because of a double play ball. In the sixth, Ceciliani hit a two-out single and scored on Robbie Shields's RBI double to left on the very next pitch to give Savannah a 1-0 lead.
The lead didn't last long as the GreenJackets tied the game in the seventh off the Savannah bullpen. Ehire Adrianza drove an 0-2 offering from Hamilton Bennett into left-center to score Chris Lofton from first with one out to tie the game at one. Adrianza was left at second in the seventh but Augusta took a lead an inning later. Josh Mazzola opened the eighth by drawing a walk and was bunted to second. A wild pitch moved Mazzola to third and he scored on a Ryan Lollis liner off third baseman Aderlin Rodriguez's glove to give Augusta their own short-lived 2-1 lead.
In his longest start of the year, Sanford (3-5) saw his chance to win his third straight evaporate in the eighth inning after firing 7.1 innings. Sanford was charged with three runs on five hits while striking out four. He didn't walk anyone and has walked just four in his last seven starts.
Bennett (2-0) survived two innings to get the win, allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four for the Sand Gnats.
The GreenJackets return home on Sunday to host the Lexington Legends for the first time in the opener of a four-game series. Justin Schumer (2-2, 6.19) gets the ball for the GreenJackets and will face RHP Carlos Quevedo (4-3, 5.10). First pitch will come at 5:35 with pregame coverage beginning at 5:20, airing online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Single-game and Season Tickets are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS while further information can be found online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 11, 2011
- Lakewood Outlasts West Virginia 4-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 'Dads two-hit Legends, win 8-1 - Hickory Crawdads
- Five Intimidators errors help Hoppers bounce back - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Hickory takes series finale over Legends 8-1 - Lexington Legends
- Bullpen Shuts Door on Late Rally by Greenville - Rome Emperors
- Savannah Drops Magic Number To Four with Eight to Play In First Half - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Turley Turns Back Tourists as Charleston Avoids Sweep with 2-0 Win - Charleston RiverDogs
- GreenJackets Can't Swat Gnats Late in 4-2 Loss - Augusta GreenJackets
- Shorebirds and Suns Suspended Due to Weather - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Pacheco Activated from DL, Kent Released - Rome Emperors
- RiverDogs to Host Salute to Negro Leagues - Charleston RiverDogs
- West Virginia Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
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