SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Late Charge Falls Short as Suns Eclipsed by Drive, 8-4

July 23, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- The Hagerstown Suns (56-42, 16-12) scored just one run through eight innings, and despite a late rally, would be eclipsed by the Greenville Drive (51-47, 13-15) by a score of 8-4 in the series opening contest. Greenville now owns a three games to two advantage over the Suns in 2011.

Drive RHP Kyle Stroup (2-5), a 50th round draft pick in 2008, was the winning pitcher after tossing 5.0 innings and allowing one earned run on six hits, while striking out one and walking none.

The Suns scored in the 1st inning on an RBI double to right center field off the stick of 2B Adrian Sanchez to summon home 3B Blake Kelso, who singled to center leading off the opening frame.

Hagerstown RHP Chris McKenzie (3-4), the eventual losing pitcher, gunned down the opposition through four frames before losing the lead in the 5th inning.

Neither club mustered a run until the Drive plated a pair in the 5th frame on three consecutive doubles. 1B Michael Almanzar doubled to the left field wall before 3B David Renfroe crushed a two-base hit off the left center field wall. Then, DH Wilfred Pichardo sliced a two bagger into the left center field gap to put Greenville on top 2-1.

The Drive supplemented their lead with three runs in the 6th stanza of RHP Sam Brown, who allowed three earned runs four hits. 2B Sean Coyle ripped an RBI single through the left side and LF Brandon Jacobs crushed an opposite field two-run home run that caromed off the back wall of the visiting bullpen. Jacobs' 14th long ball of the season catapulted Greenville over Hagerstown 5-1.

Greenville tacked on an additional run in the 7th stanza as Jacobs cranked a double into left center field alley way. Coyle, who singled on a blooper up the right field line, touched home.

Two innings later, in the 9th frame, Coyle launched a line drive home run over the outstretched glove of CF Chris Curran in right center, the second four-bagger that whistled into the visiting 'pen. Curran reached up and almost made the catch before a door that leads to the bullpen was forced open, literally opening the wall for the homer to pass through.

Four consecutive base hits off RHP Michael Gleason in the 9th inning for the Suns sparked a rally. C David Freitas knocked a double to the wall in right center, 1B Russell Moldenhauer skipped a liner back up the middle, and SS Jason Martinson crushed a three-run deep fly over the raised wall in center field, his eleventh home run of the season. 1B Brett Newsome hooked a single into right center before, with one out, Curran laid down a drag bunt and on a controversial call, his headfirst slide was just late as Coyle glove flipped the ball to 1B Michael Almanzar. However, the rally came too little, too late. CF Michael Taylor flew out to center field to end the contest.

Hagerstown will host Greenville for game two, a couple days after the left field light pole fell to the field due to torrential winds, for a Sunday afternoon 4:05pm first pitch. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 3:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching matchup will bring LHP Matt Grace (9-5, 4.55) to the hill to face RHP Brandon Workman (2-5, 4.23).

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 23, 2011


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