SAL1 Augusta GreenJackets

GreenJackets Game Notes

Published on July 19, 2007 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Augusta GreenJackets (50-20, 17-10) South Atlantic League Affiliate of the San Francisco Giants vs. Savannah Sand Gnats (20-50, 10-16) South Atlantic League Affiliate of the New York Mets

Game No. 98 -- Road Game No. 48 --- Grayson Stadium --- Thursday, July 18, 2007 --- 7:05 p.m.

PREVIOUS DAY RECAP: The GreenJackets (50-20, 17-10) lost for the first time this season to the Savannah Sand Gnats (20-50, 10-16) with a 1-0 loss on Wednesday afternoon. Starter Adam Cowartrecorded the hard-luck loss and the GreenJackets were shutout for the sixth time this year. Savannah scored the only run of the game in the fourth inning when D.J. W abick connected for a one-out RBI double scoring Jonathan Sanchez from second. Sanchez led off the inning with a bunt single then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Brahiam Maldonado. Cowart (11-5) worked 7.1 innings and allowed one run on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out three. Cowart left in the eighth inning with one out and the bases loaded but Ryan Shaver was able to get a double-play ground out to end the inning.

BACK-TO-BACK LOSSES: Cowart lost back-to-back games for just the second time in his professional career, with the last time coming on May 19 and May 24 of this season.

SINGLE HITS: The GreenJackets had just five base runners in yesterday's loss connecting for five base hits and failed to get a runner into scoring position.

SHUTOUT: Augusta was shutout for the sixth time this season and it was the second time this season an opponent shut out Augusta the day after the GreenJackets shut them out. The last time was on April 18 with Augusta blanked Columbus 1-0 and the Catfish came back the next night with a 6-0 shutout.

FIRST LOSS: The GreenJackets suffered their first loss of the season to Savannah. When Savannah scored in the fourth inning yesterday it was Savannah's first lead against the GreenJackets in 74.1 innings played this year.

PUTTING ON THE HITS: Mike McBryde has hit safely in 14 straight games and is 23-for-52 (.442) with nine runs scored, three home runs and nine RBIs. McBryde has raised his average from .250 to .284.

JULY HEAT: Despite the shutout yesterday, the GreenJackets bats have not sweltered under the July heat in Georgia. Augusta has posted its highest batting average of any month so far with a .272 average and is 11-6. Augusta batted .271 in April and went 21-4.

ERA RISING: The GreenJackets pitching staff in July has a combined ERA of 3.31 over 17 games and 155 innings pitched, the highest out of the previous three months played. Augusta's worst month before July was May in which the staff had a 3.11 ERA in 29 games played and 254.2 innings thrown.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM: Right-handed pitchers Adam Paul and Adam Ortiz were added to the GreenJackets team today. Augusta placed starter Dan Griffin on the DL along with right-hander reliever Paul Lussier.

THE FOUR HORSEMEN OF THE SAL: Augusta has four pitchers with double- digit wins in the SAL. Kevin Pucetas (11-1, 1.41) and Ben Snyder (11-2, 1.87) are ranked first and second in the league. Adam Cowart(11-5, 2.32) is fourth in the league and Clayton Tanner (10-4) is ranked 10th.

PLAYOFF BOUND: Augusta clinched the Southern Division First-Half Titleon June 12 assuring themselves a spot in the post season come September.

Tonight's Probables

AUG: RHP Kevin Pucetas (11-1, 1.41) vs. SAV: RHP Jonathan Castillo (1-3, 5.51)

WHAT'S ON TAP: Right-hander Kevin Pucetas goes to the hill tonight looking to become the second GreenJacket pitcher to 12 wins. Pucetas is coming off back-to-back wins, both at home, and has worked seven innings his last three times out. Pucetas is 6-0 over his last nine starts and has not lost since May 23. This is the right-handers second start and third appearance against Savannah, having gone 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA over 10 innings pitched against Savannah. Pucetas has not walked a Sand Gnat while striking out 10.

Right-hander Jonathan Castillo makes the spot start for Savannah, just his second start of the season. In his only start of the season Castillo took a loss allowing two runs on six hits over five innings pitched at Charleston. Castillo is making his 23 appearance of the season for Savannah and his third against Augusta. In his previous two outings against the GreenJackets Castillo has thrown a total of 7.1 innings and has allowed four runs, three earned, on nine hits.

Augusta vs. Savannah

The GreenJackets and Sand Gnats meet for the first time in Savannah in 2007. This is the one and only trip to Savannah for the GreenJackets and finishes up the season series between the two teams. Augusta has had the upper hand in the season series so far winning all eight meeting against Savannah. All eight games have been at home in Augusta against Savannah and the GreenJackets pitching staff has recorded two shutouts against the Sand Gnats. Augusta has out scored the Sand Gnats 65-12 over the first eight games of the season. The Rome Braves are the only other team the GreenJackets have yet to lose a game two, sweeping the Braves in a four game series in Rome to open the 2007 season.

Upcoming Promotions at Lake Olmstead Stadium

- July 21 - T-Shirt Giveaway

- July 28 - Cal Ripken Jr. Hall of Fame Plaque Giveaway

- August 10 - Friday Night Lights Night

Check out the Augusta GreenJackets Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 19, 2007


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