Grotz Dominates, Offense Roars to Victory
Published on August 23, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Zac Grotz hurled seven brilliant innings and the offense backed up its starter on Thursday. The Fireflies defeated the Tourists, 8-5, in the series opener at Spirit Communications Park. Columbia has now won six of its last eight games.
Grotz (W, 3-5) was stupendous. The righty tossed seven shut-out innings, and if that wasn't impressive enough, Grotz struck out 10 and didn't walk a batter.
Columbia (58-64) held an 8-0 lead when Grotz finally stepped off the mound in the seventh. Zach Rheams and Jose Brizuela both went yard in the second inning. The Fireflies stretched their lead to 5-0 a frame later when Scott Manea drilled his 10th homer of the season, a three-run blast.
The Fireflies distanced themselves from Asheville (58-67) with another three-run outburst in the fifth. This time, a string of three straight RBI singles from Rigoberto Terrazas, Carlos Sanchez and Hansel Moreno did the trick.
The Tourists plated five runs in the eighth and ninth innings - including a three-run home run from Todd Czinege - but the comeback bid was futile.
Columbia and Asheville continues its series on Friday at 7:05 ET. You can watch the action on MiLB.TV or listen in on FOX Sports Radio 1400 AM, ColumbiaFireflies.com and the iHeartRadio app starting at 6:45 p.m.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 23, 2018
- Grotz Dominates, Offense Roars to Victory - Columbia Fireflies
- Defense Beats Power in Series Opener - Charleston Dirty Birds
- A Clean Sweep for GreenJackets - Augusta GreenJackets
- Late Five-Spot Not Enough as Tourists Fall to Fireflies - Asheville Tourists
- RiverDogs Blanked as Greenville Claims "Battle of the Palmetto State" - Charleston RiverDogs
- Soto's HR Not Enough to Buoy Hoppers - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Suns Hold off Legends Late Rally in 3-2 Victory - Hagerstown Suns
- Drive Shut out RiverDogs to Clinch Season Series - Greenville Drive
- Hanifee Shines, 'Birds Overwhelm 'Hoppers - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Legends Can't Close Gap in Ninth; Fall 3-2 to Hagerstown - Lexington Legends
- Braves Walk-off Win, 3-2 - Rome Emperors
- 'Dads Drop Series Opener to Lakewood - Hickory Crawdads
- Armas Dazzles, Claws Open Series with 4-1 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Reliever Anderson Severino Promoted to Tampa - Charleston RiverDogs
- Preview: Only 8 Home Hoppers Games Left - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Lexington Legends 2018 Playoff Tickets on Sale Now - Lexington Legends
- GreenJackets Team up with Savannah Riverkeeper for Clean up Event - Augusta GreenJackets
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (August 23) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Homestand Highlights: August 23-30 - Columbia Fireflies
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
