Home Runs Carry Crawdads to 5-1 Win
June 7, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory, NC - On the same day that the Hickory Crawdads lost their team home run leader Andy Ibanez to a promotion the 'Dads bats responded with a season-high 4 home runs, as Tyler Sanchez, Josh Altmann, Jose Almonte, and Eric Jenkins all went deep Tuesday night to lead Hickory to a 5-1 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers at L.P. Frans Stadium.
The long ball outburst led the way for an 11-hit game for the Crawdads, with newcomers Carlos Arroyo (3-4) and Connor McKay (2-4, 2 2B) both posting multi-hit games while making their 2016 'Dads debut. All the offense provided more than enough support for starting pitcher Jonathan Hernandez and the Hickory bullpen, as the right-hander tossed 5 shutout innings while the pitching staff combined to hold Greensboro to 1 run on 6 hits on the night.
The big fly onslaught began in the bottom of the 2nd, when Sanchez unloaded on a solo home run to left to give the Crawdads an early 1-0 lead. The advantage doubled to 2-0 the next inning when Altmann lined a solo shot to left.
Two frames later, Ti'Quan Forbes led off the home-half of the 5th with an infield single before Almonte clubbed a 2-run homer to left to stretch the 'Dads lead to 4-0. The Grasshoppers got on the board in the top of the 7th with a leadoff double from Angel Reyes and an eventual RBI groundout by Giovanny Alfonzo to make the score 4-1, but the 'Dads responded in the bottom of the inning when Jenkins lined a solo shot over the right field fence for the last Hickory homer of the night and the final 5-1 score.
Hernandez (6-4) earned the win for the Crawdads with 5 scoreless innings pitched on 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts, while Grasshoppers' starter Steven Farnworth took the loss after giving up 4 runs on 8 hits, 3 homers, and 3 Ks over 5 IP.
'Dads relievers Adam Choplick, Joe Palumbo, and John Werner combined to toss 4 innings out of the bullpen with 1 run allowed on 4 hits and 5 strikeouts.
The Crawdads (33-24) and Grasshoppers (30-28) will play the decisive rubber match of their 3-game series Wednesday morning, with first pitch scheduled for 10:30 am.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 7, 2016
- Hagerstown Bests Columbia on Saturday - Columbia Fireflies
- McClure Clutch in Extra-Inning Walk off Win - Asheville Tourists
- Drive Take Two from Intimidators on Tuesday - Greenville Drive
- Mendick Collects 3 Hits But Greenville Sweeps - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- RiverDogs Clinch Series with Comeback Win over Braves - Charleston RiverDogs
- Home Runs Carry Crawdads to 5-1 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Strong Start by Toussaint Not Enough, Rome Falls 4-2 - Rome Emperors
- BlueClaws Shut out Legends 2-0 - Lexington Legends
- Martinez Spins First Complete Game in Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Palma Joins RiverDogs in Midst of Playoff Push - Charleston RiverDogs
- Ibanez Promoted to Double-A Frisco - Hickory Crawdads
- LHP Bobby Strader transferred to Delmarva - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes for Tuesday, June 7 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 7 Doubleheader at Augusta (Games 57 and 58) - Columbia Fireflies
- First Place RiverDogs Back Home to Unite in a Special Way for Larry Doby Weekend - Charleston RiverDogs
- Four Hoppers Selected for SAL All-Star Game - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Mundell, Rodgers Highlight Tourists All-Star Selections - Asheville Tourists
- 4 Crawdads on 2016 SAL All-Star Team - Hickory Crawdads
- Ogando, Vallot Named SAL All-Stars; Ramirez on Coaching Staff; Keiser to Serve as Trainer - Lexington Legends
- Drive Place Five Players in South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Greenville Drive
- Three Power players named to 2016 SAL All-Star Team - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Eight Suns Named to South Atlantic League All-Star Team - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Skipper Luis Dorante to Lead Southern Division All-Star Team - Charleston RiverDogs
- 2016 South Atlantic League All Stars Announced - Five Rome Braves Named to Team - Rome Emperors
- Four Shorebirds Named to SAL All-Star Roster - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Four Intimidators Make SAL All-Star Game - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- SAL Announces 2016 All-Star Roster - Augusta GreenJackets
- Pujols, Tobias Named South Atlantic League All-Stars - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Three Fireflies Named South Atlantic League All-Stars - Columbia Fireflies
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