SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Hagerstown Drops Game Two, Creates Rubber Match

Published on July 17, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Lexington, KY- On Sunday afternoon at Whitaker Bank Ballpark after a 40-minute pre-game delay due to rainfall, the Hagerstown Suns (53-40, 13-10) fell to the Lexington Legends (44-50, 9-15), 6-2, as the result of a four-run surge in the 8th inning for the home club.

Suns LHP Matt Grace, who did not factor into the decision, gunned down the Legends through 6.0 innings, earning the quality start, and allowed just one earned run on six hits and three walks, while striking out six.

Likewise, Legends RHP Carlos Quevedo pitched very well but received the no-decision in the contest. Quevedo tossed 7.0 innings and surrendered one earned run on six base hits amidst two walks and four strikeouts.

After a scoreless stalemate through the first five frames, Hagerstown hung one run in the 6th stanza on an RBI single ripped to left field by SS Jason Martinson which plated the double of RF Kevin Keyes, who went 2-for-3, with a walk, a solo four-bagger, and two runs scored in the game.

Lexington answered right away by tallying one run in their half of the 6th inning on a bases loaded RBI infield single by SS Ben Orloff in which a spinning liner ricocheted off the glove of Suns 1B Russell Moldenhauer, allowing DH Mike Kvasnicka, who singled, to score.

In the last of the 7th inning, the Legends got to RHP Tyler Hanks, in his Suns debut. 2B Delino DeShields, Jr. wrapped a bunt single up the third base line to get on base. A wild pitch from Hanks advanced the first round 2010 draft pick into scoring position at second base. Then, on a fly ball to medium depth center field off the bat of CF Jay Austin, Suns CF Michael Taylor caught the ball and slipped in the moist outfield. When Taylor got to his feet, DeShields, Jr. ran down-angle around the third base bag and was able to score giving Austin a two-base RBI sacrifice fly. The Legends led 2-1 after seven innings.

With two outs in the 8th inning and no one aboard against Houston Astros 40-man roster member, RHP Jorge De Leon, Keyes, who was knocked down with some chin music the previous pitch, crushed a moon shot that traveled over 400 feet passe everything in left center field to tie the contest. This was Keyes' ninth homer of the 2011 campaign. De Leon blew his fourth save of the season.

The 2-2 tie traveled to the home half the 8th inning with Hanks remaining on the mound to face a barrage of offense from the Legends that included nine hitters, four runs, all earned, on four hits. With the bases chucked, C Roberto Pena yanked a two-RBI double into the left field corner to score 1B Tyler Burnett and Orloff, who both singled. The next hitter, DeShields, Jr. went the other way with a two-run lazer into right center field chasing home RF Bryce Lane, who walked, and Pena.

Hanks (0-1), the losing pitcher of record, threw 2.0 innings and gave up five earned runs on six hits with two walks and one strikeout.

De Leon (5-4), the winning pitcher, made it through the 8th and 9th innings to overcome the blemish of the Keyes rocket, while walking none and fanning a trio.

Hagerstown still has the opportunity to win their road series with a game three rubber match. Hagerstown is now (1-4) on the current road trip. The finale on Monday night will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240 leading up to a 7:05pm first pitch. The pitching matchup will bring Suns LHP Robbie Ray (2-1, 1.76) to the mound against LHP Alex Sogard (1-3, 3.98).

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 July 17, 2011


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