SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Greensboro Hops Over Hagerstown with Late Rally in Game Two

Published on June 7, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- In a series that could help decide the first-half Northern Division title race in the South Atlantic League, the Hagerstown Suns (35-23) were defeated by the Greensboro Grasshoppers (33-24) by a score of 3-2 on Monday night at Municipal Stadium. The Greensboro win came on the wings of C Wilfredo Gimenez's first home run of the season. Greensboro moves to 1.5 games back of the Suns, the SAL's best ballclub after a pitcher's duel in the penultimate contest of the three-game series.

Hagerstown LHP Robbie Ray, gunning for his third win in professional start number six, was terrific through 6.0 scoreless innings. Ray surrendered just one hit, a single to 2010 first round pick, LF Christian Yelich in the 2nd inning. Ray did not factor into the decision.

Greensboro RHP Zach Neal, who also did not receive a decision, went 5.1 innings and surrendered two runs, one of them earned, on two walks, seven strikeouts, and one home run allowed.

The Suns received their first run of support in the 6th inning on a solo home run blast off the stick of RF Bryce Harper, who crushed an offering from Neal over both tiers of signage on top of the visiting bullpen in right center field. The long ball was Harper's 14th homer of the 2011 campaign. The number one overall draft pick from the 2010 First-Year Player Draft out of the College of Southern Nevada is now tied for the most home runs in the SAL with Augusta's Adam Duvall.

The Suns added another run in the same frame on an RBI fielder's choice by 1B Brett Newsome which scored C David Freitas, who walked to get aboard. Freitas was on base four times during a 3-for-3 night at the plate.

In the top of the 7th inning as Ray was spelled due to pitch count, RHP Shane McCatty gave up a leadoff walk to RF Marcell Ozuna, and then a double to right center field by 3B Ryan Fisher. Next, C Wilfredo Gimenez rocketed a three-run four bagger that scraped the back of the left field wall to give the Grasshoppers a go-ahead run with one swing. Gimenez's first long ball of the season would stand as the winning swing.

Grasshoppers LHP Grant Dayton (5-0), the winning pitcher, worked 1.0 scoreless frame in relief without giving up a hit or walking a batter, while fanning two.

McCatty (0-1), the losing pitcher of record, gave up the three earned runs on the Gimenez big fly.

The Suns will host the Grasshoppers for a critical game three finale on Tuesday night at Municipal Stadium. Pre-game radio coverage on the Suns flagship radio station, WJEJ AM 1240, will begin at 6:50pm with the Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show. In the final game of the series the Suns will bring RHP Taylor Jordan (6-1, 2.48) to the mound to face Grasshoppers RHP Kyle Winters (5-3, 4.96). First pitch is slated for 7:05pm.

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 June 7, 2011


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