Jimenez Leads Comeback, Gnats Win 11-7
Published on April 13, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - First baseman Jose Jimenez sparked a late inning rally for the Sand Gnats as he clubbed two home runs in consecutive innings to help lead the Gnats to an 11-7 victory over Columbus. Jimenez finished the game 2-for-5 with 5 RBI.
Savannah fell behind early just like in the first two games of this series but this afternoon was different. Trailing 7-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Matt Bouchard hit a one out single to right and scored on a Richard Lucas triple to center. With the score at 7-3, Jimenez hit his first home run of the day, this one a two-run shot, to make it 7-5 Catfish.
After Edgar Ramirez set down the 'Fish in order in the top of the eighth, the Gnats would finish the comeback in the bottom half. Darren Clark would be retired by the new Columbus pitcher John Baird, but Jordan Abruzzo and Jake Eigsti would both draw walks to put two on. Daniel Stegall delivered a single to load the bases for Bouchard.
Baird would issue his third walk of the inning to Bouchard, allowing Abruzzo to score and pull the Gnats within one. Lucas kept the inning going with a single of his own that drove in Jake Eigsti and Daniel Stegall to give Savannah its first lead of the series. With the score at 8-7, Jimenez went yard again and it was 11-7 Sand Gnats.
Ramirez would earn his first win of the season after pitching a perfect ninth. The Gnats set season highs with 14 hits and 11 runs in the victory. Abruzzo was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day while the Gnats one through four hitters were 8-for-18 in today's contest.
Savannah will look to draw this series even tomorrow with the series finale set for to 7 p.m. from Historic Grayson Stadium. It will be a rematch of Opening Day starters as Michael Antonini (1-1, 3.12) throws for Savannah while Alex Cobb (1-1, 1.54) hurls for Columbus. For tickets and more information, call 912-351-9150 or visit www.sandgnats.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2008
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- Grasshoppers Jump on Kuo and Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Lasater, Five-Run First Powers Greensboro Past Asheville, 12-2 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Intimidators Score Five Runs In The Eighth To Beat Hickory 5-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Captains take the finale in Hagerstown - Lake County Captains
- Brown drives in game-winner to give BlueClaws a 7-4 win in 11 innings - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Villalona's Grand Slam Leads Augusta Past Lexington - Augusta GreenJackets
- Lakewood Wins 7-4 in 11 Innings - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Seventh Inning Slam Propels Augusta To Victory - Lexington Legends
- Late Rally Falls Short, Suns Lose To Captains - Hagerstown Suns
- Jimenez Leads Comeback, Gnats Win 11-7 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Drive Rally Past Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Bradley Suttle Goes on DL, Medina Rejoins RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- 'Birds Win on Wild Pitch, 2-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Craft to the Disabled List; Drive Receive Matsuo - Greenville Drive
- Captains Shutout in Doubleheader - Lake County Captains
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