Hoppers hold off West Virginia 6-5
Published on August 24, 2006 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release
GREENSBORO, N.C. - With a flair for the dramatic, the Greensboro bullpen pulled the Grasshoppers through to a 6-5 win over the West Virginia Power Thursday night at First Horizon Park.
Some excellent defense didn't hurt, either.
Not to mention the clutch hitting of Andy Jenkins, who picked up four RBIs on a pair of two-run singles. That pushed his team-leading RBI total to 70.
"He thrives on those situations," said manager Brandon Hyde.
The Hoppers took advantage of the wildness of Power starter Shawn Ferguson, who walked seven in four innings, to build a 4-1 lead. Greensboro starter Sean West cruised through the first five innings, giving up three hits and a solo home run to Darren Ford. But the Power surged back in the sixth inning, touching West for four runs and five hits. Michael Bell's three-run homer was the big blow.
That's when Jason Iehl came to the rescue. With Power runners on second and third and one out, Iehl got Ryan Barba to fly out to left field. When Kenny Holmberg tried to score from third, he was thrown out by Brad Correll. Catcher Brett Hayes absorbed the collision at home plate.
"You've got to be a shutdown pitcher in that situation," Iehl said, "so you've got to have your stuff right away."
That ended the inning the held the score at 5-4, and the Hoppers immediately regained the lead when Jenkins' second single drove in James Guerrero and Agustin Septimo.
West Virginia threatened in the seventh with runners on first and second with one out, but Iehl caught Bell's line drive up the middle and threw to first to double off Mat Gamel. In the eighth, the Power loaded the bases with two outs, so Brad Stone relieved Iehl and struck out Ford to quell that threat.
"You can't be thinking about failure there," Stone said. "You've got to be thinking success and you've got to get nasty right away. I threw a first-pitch fastball and then all sliders."
The ninth inning was also anything but routine. With one out, Gamel sent a long drive to center that Greg Burns caught with a leap at the top of the fence. His glove hit the fence after the catch, but he held the ball for the second out.
"Burnsie bailed me out on that one," Stone said.
A pair of singles put runners on first and third, but Stone got Holmberg to hit into a fielder's choice to end the game and record his fourth save. Iehl (3-3) got the win.
The teams meet for the third game in the series Friday at 7 p.m. at First Horizon Park.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 24, 2006
- Hoppers hold off West Virginia 6-5 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
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- Four run sixth not enough in Power loss - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws down Captains - Lake County Captains
- Gnats and Braves rained out, doubleheader Friday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Columbus, Charleston postponed Due To Unplayable Field Conditions - Columbus Catfish
- Catfish Honor Soldiers with Military Appreciation Night - Columbus Catfish
- Sand Gnats to hold drive benefitting Locks of Love - Savannah Sand Gnats
- BlueClaws close to clinching - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
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