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SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Harper Grand Slam Propels Suns to 11-5 Win Over Shorebirds

May 12, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- Despite surrendering five runs in the 3rd inning, the Hagerstown Suns (22-11) won decidedly after an 11-5 final score over the Delmarva Shorebirds (20-13) in Game 3 on Wednesday night at Municipal Stadium. The Suns entered and exited the ballpark in first place of the South Atlantic League's northern division, and own the best record in the entire SAL landscape. RHP Taylor Jordan (6-0), the winning pitcher, remained spotless in the 2011 season after going 6.0 innings, while allowing five runs, although just two were earned, on seven hits with no walks or strikeouts.

Delmarva leaped out with a five run spot. The Shorebirds brought nine men to the plate and received five RBI in the frame. With the bases loaded, 3B Ty Kelly singled to right field, scoring 2B Mychal Givens, who reached on an error by Suns 3B Blake Kelso, and RF Brenden Webb who ripped a single to right field. Then, with the sacks loaded again, RF Kipp Schutz yanked a low liner into shallow right field passed Hagerstown 2B Adrian Sanchez which summoned home CF Mikey Planeta, who singled the other way to right field to get on board. Finally, 1B Mike Flacco, after Kelly was cut down on an outfield assist from Suns RF Michael Taylor, wrapped a 2-run single that was sliced into shallow center field. Shorebirds SS Jonathan Schoop, who lazered a single to right field, came around to score along with Schutz right behind him. This would be the entire body of offense for Delmarva in the contest.

In the bottom half of the 3rd inning, after Taylor reached on a bunt single, 3B Blake Kelso singled to the opposite field in right, and Sanchez turned around a fastball into left field to load the bases. Suns CF Bryce Harper would then hit a mammoth grand slam home run over both tiers of signage in right center field on the first pitch he saw from Shorebirds RHP Tim Adleman (3-2), the losing pitcher. The Ruthian blast was Harper's first Minor League Grand Slam, a part of his 4-for-5, 5 RBI night at the plate. Adleman would go on to give up six earned runs on ten hits, while walking one and fanning three.

The Suns supplemented their offensive attack with two runs in the 4th frame as Sanchez, who, like Harper, went 4-for-5 to complement four runs scored in the game, lined an RBI triple passed a tumbling Planeta in center field. Sanchez was plated on a Harper frozen rope on a couple hops to center field.

Two more runs came to fruition in the 6th stanza as 1B Brett Newsome lofted his third home run of the season off RHP Ryan Palsha, a solo shot into the visiting right center field bullpen. Later in the inning with one out, Harper went the other way with a hard groundball into the deep hole at shortstop, which got Sanchez to third base. An errant throw from Flacco intended for the Kelly at third base was wild and allowed Sanchez to cross home plate. Flacco was charged with an error on the play.

Hagerstown hitters poured on the last of the insurance with three runs in the 8th inning off RHP D.J. Ferguson. C David Freitas lined an RBI single through the six hole to score Kelso, who got on after a Givens error at second base. DH Randolph Oduber got underneath an RBI sacrifice fly to center field, plating Harper, who got his fourth single on the ground through the left side. Then SS Jason Martinson sat back and knocked a hard skip shot through the right side to send home Harper.

RHP Neil Holland (1 SV), entered the ballgame in the 7th inning, in a save situation, and although the final score was 11-5, he also qualified for the save because he went 3.0 innings in a Suns victory in the relief role. Holland, who was called up earlier on the homestand, got his first save after giving up three base hits and striking out two.

The Suns and Shorebirds will finish their confrontation as this inter-state SAL rivalry continues on Thursday night at 6:35pm. Pregame radio coverage on the Suns flagship radio station, WJEJ AM 1240, will commence at 6:20 with the Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pregame Show. In the series finale it will be LHP Matt Grace (3-3, 4.31) for the Suns dueling against 'Birds LHP (3-0, 2.89). Thirsty Thursday at Municipal Stadium will showcase "Jersey Shore Night" where fans who dress up as cast members from the popular MTV Network show will receive a buy one-get one general admission ticket to the ballgame.

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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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.

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