SAL1 Greensboro Grasshoppers

Hoppers, Hickman Smash BlueClaws

Published on May 15, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release


Greensboro, N.C. - This entire homestand has been a story of Greensboro falling behind early and coming on strong late; so it should come as no surprise that Thursday's finale saw the Hoppers battle back from a three-run deficit to sweep Lakewood, 8-5.

The Hoppers (23-17), now winners of five straight, fell behind in the second by allowing one run before responding with back-to-back home runs by Ryan Anetsberger and Tom Hickman in the home-half of the second to take a 2-1 lead. But it was short-lived as Lakewood countered with two in the third, another in the fourth and one in the fifth for a 5-2 advantage after six and a half innings of play.

For the fourth consecutive night manager Edwin Rodriguez's squad found themselves trailing by three runs and four the fourth consecutive night, his team was able to battle at the plate late in the game to earn the win.

Anetsberger walked to lead off the inning and the Hoppers quickly made it a one-run game behind Hickman's second home run of the night. The next batter, Torre Langley, wasted no time getting into scoring position as he hit a triple to center field before the BlueClaws lifted the reigning South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week, Drew Naylor.

Jameson Smith doubled and Ryan Curry hit his fourth home run of the season as the Hoppers plated three more runs in the inning to take their second lead of the game-this time for good. After adding an additional run in the eighth inning, the Hoppers placed the ball in the hands of Garrett Parcell who picked up his fourth save in the last five games.

After a 10 minute rain delay before the game was started, the Hoppers changed their starting pitcher and send Matt Mallory to the mound. Mallory tossed two innings before giving way to scheduled starter Kyle Kaminska.

In 4 1/3 innings of work, Kaminska allowed four runs and struck out four batters and left after allowing Lakewoods lone run in the seventh inning. Steven Cishek relieved Kaminska and earned his first win of the season thanks to Greensboro's five-run seventh; Parcell threw the ninth inning and picked up his league-leading 11th save.

The win gave Greensboro its second series sweep of the season and its first at home. The Hoppers ended their eight-game homestand with a 5-3 record and on a season-long, five-game win streak.

Greensboro returns to action Friday on the road as the Hoppers jump on the bus for Delmarva. The first game of the series begins 7:05 and will see RHP Cristhian Martinez (4-1, 4.67) take the mound for the Hoppers.

The Hoppers will play eight on the road before returning home Saturday, May 24 to play eight games in nine days.

For more information about upcoming Grasshopper games, events and promotions, contact the Grasshoppers Box Office at 336-268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com on the World Wide Web.

The Grasshoppers have welcomed over 1,250,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for three straight years in a new ballpark. They are the proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past three years.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 15, 2008


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