SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Hoppers beat Crawdads 4-2f or 3rd straight win

July 8, 2006 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


GREENSBORO, N.C. - When the Greensboro Grasshoppers needed some clutch play Saturday night, Andy Jenkins and Mauro Zarate delivered.

Jenkins hit a two-run homer in the fifth inning and Zarate pitched two sharp innings of relief to lead the Hoppers past the Hickory Crawdads 4-2 at First Horizon Park.

Zarate earned his third save of the season, helping starter ChrisVolstad improve to 8-7 with his third straight win. Joe Bauserman (3-7) took the loss, although he threw well in seven innings, giving up just two earned runs and striking out seven.

The game was tied 1-1 when Jenkins drove a ball over the fence in right center for his fourth homer of the year, bringing his RBI total to 48.

"He's been getting clutch hits all season," said Hoppers manager Brandon Hyde. "He's a gap-to-gap hitter right now and he'll hit with more power as he gets older."

Brett Hayes picked up an RBI with a sacrifice fly in the first inning and Gary Roche drove in an insurance run in the seventh.

Volstad, limited to five innings because of pitch count, allowed only one hit - a solo home run by Andrew McCutchen in the first inning. It was McCutchen's ninth homer of the year and fourth against the Hoppers.

Rafael Galbizo pitched the sixth and seventh innings and allowed one run, on Mike McCuistion's fourth homer of the year.

Zarate came in to begin the eighth and promptly gave up a single to Wanell Macia and a walk to Eddie Prasch. Cameron Blair attempted to bunt the runners over, but Zarate pounced on the ball and got the force at third. He then struck out Shelby Ford and retired McCutchen on a fly to center.

In the ninth, McCuistion led off with a single, but Zarate struck out Brad Corley, Jason Delaney and Steve Lerud to end the game.

"The key for Zarate is getting strike one," said pitching coach Steve Foster. "He's got some nasty out pitches - changeup, splitter and slider - when he can get to them. Tonight he did."

The Hoppers wrap up this home stand with a game against the Crawdads Sunday at 5 p.m.

Check out the Greensboro Grasshoppers Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from July 8, 2006


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