HR Hands 'Dads 4-3 Loss in Greenville
June 14, 2016 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
Hickory Crawdads Pitcher Jonathan Hernandez
(Hickory Crawdads)
Greenville, SC - The Hickory Crawdads and Greenville Drive battled back-and-forth Monday night with three lead changes and a tie over the first 3 innings, before a solo home run by Kyri Washington severed the deadlock and held up for the remainder of the game for a 4-3 'Dads defeat at Fluor Field.
The Crawdads and Drive both jumped on the opposing starting pitchers early, with Hickory scoring 3 runs on 5 hits over the first 3 innings while Greenville countered with 3 runs on 4 hits over the same time frame. In a game in which both bullpens held steadfast, the difference in the contest came down to 'Dads starter Jonathan Hernandez staying for the 6th inning where his first pitch was crushed over the green monster in left field by Washington for the night's decisive tally.
The 'Dads took the game's initial lead in the top of the 1st, when Dylan Moore reached on a one-out walk, stole second base, and scored on a 2-out, RBI single to left by Tyler Sanchez. The Drive quickly responded in the bottom of the inning with a leadoff single by Chad De La Guerra, a one-out, RBI double off the left-center field fence from Josh Ockimey, and an RBI base knock by Washington for a 2-1 Greenville advantage.
Following a scoreless 2nd frame, Hickory struck for 2 runs on 4 hits in the top of the 3rd to re-take the lead at 3-2. Frandy De La Rosa and Eric Jenkins kick started the rally with consecutive singles to open the inning before Josh Altmann delivered a one-out, RBI single off the glove of Drive third baseman Michael Chavis. One out later, Ricky Valencia drove in the frame's second tally with an RBI base knock to center to put the Crawdads on top by a run.
The advantage was quickly wiped away by Greenville in the home half of the frame however, as Hernandez issued three straight walks before Washington came through with an RBI single to right. The 'Dads were able to escape the frame with the score tied at 3-3 when Tate Matheny ground into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
The tie game held until the 6th, when Washington launched the first pitch of the inning to left for a solo home run and a 4-3 Drive lead. The Crawdads threatened to tie the score in both the 7th and 8th innings, but both times the Greenville bullpen held and the 'Dads left the tying runner in scoring position for the final 4-3 Hickory loss.
Drive reliever Jake Cosart (2-1) earned the win with two scoreless innings pitched on no hits, 2 walks, and 3 strikeouts, while teammate Adam Lau (2) earned the save with scoreless frames in the 8th and 9th to close out the game. Hernandez (6-5) took the loss for the Crawdads after allowing 4 runs on 7 hits, 3 walks, and 2 Ks over 5 IP.
Sanchez paced the 'Dads bats with a 2-4 game including a double and an RBI, while Valencia finished 1-3 with an RBI and a walk. Both Moore and De La Rosa went 1-3 with a walk and a run scored.
The loss snaps the Crawdads (37-26) 4-game win streak and 7-game road win streak. Hickory remains 2.5 games back of first place Hagerstown in the South Atlantic League Northern Division with 7 games remaining in the first half. The 'Dads and Drive (33-30) will play again Tuesday night at 7:05 pm in game 2 of their 3-game series.
Images from this story
 Hickory Crawdads Pitcher Jonathan Hernandez |
South Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2016
- Moore's Big Night Powers Columbia to Victory - Columbia Fireflies
- West Virginia Takes 7-3 Win over Legends - Lexington Legends
- Delmarva Dodges Disaster in Nail-Biting Win - Delmarva Shorebirds
- BlueClaws Blow Open Close Game with Five Run 8th in 9-3 Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- RiverDogs Clinch Playoff Berth with 3-0 Shutout of Augusta - Charleston RiverDogs
- Power Jumps out Early, Cruises to 7-3 Victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 14 vs. Rome (Game 65) - Columbia Fireflies
- Acevedo and Spencer Get the Call to Tampa as Trio of Righties Join RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes for Tuesday, June 14 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Miracle League Night at Lake Olmstead Stadium Saturday - Augusta GreenJackets
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Sullivan's Defense, Bat Spark Hoppers - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- HR Hands 'Dads 4-3 Loss in Greenville - Hickory Crawdads
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.
