Late-inning walks down Gnats
Published on May 8, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - A three-run seventh by the Greenville Drive gave them a one-run lead they would not surrender as they downed the Sand Gnats, 4-3, in front of 1,928 on Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. Wendy Rosa (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Sand Gnats while Fabian Williamson (2-1) won his second game of the season.
After Rosa struck out Kade Keowen to start the seventh, he gave up a double to David Marks and then walked the next two hitters to load the basses with just one out. He battled with lefty Anthony Rizzo to strike him out and it seemed he might get out of the inning unscathed. Catcher Tim Federowicz had other plans as he singled in two to tie the game. After Rosa fell behind Michael Almanzar, he was lifted in favor of Erik Turgeon.
Turgeon didn't fare much better as he walked Almanzar to re-load the bases and then walked-in the eventual winning run with a walk to David Mailman. He would strikeout Zach Gentile, the ninth batter of the inning, to end the seventh.
The Sand Gnats (15-13) threatened in the ninth when Juan Lagares walked with two outs and moved to second on a wild pitch by Williamson. With the tying run on second, Rafael Fernandez struck out to end the game.
Savannah couldn't ask for more from 19-year-old starter Jeurys Familia who turned in a six-inning, one-run performance. He walked just one and struck out five in his six innings of work.
Jefry Marte and Raul Reyes each had two hits to lead the Gnats while Sean Ratliff was 1-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. First baseman Eric Campbell had his team-leading 11-game hitting streak come to an end tonight as he was 0-for-3.
The series concludes tomorrow with Savannah looking to draw a split. It's Breast Cancer Awareness Night at Historic Grayson stadium with first pitch coming at 7 p.m. Savannah will wear pink jerseys and auction them off during the game with proceeds from the auction benefiting the Transformation Station at the Nancy N. & J.C Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion at St. Joseph's/Candler.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 8, 2009
- Legends fall to Braves, 4-0 - Lexington Legends
- RiverDogs Nip Tourists, 2-1, in 10 Innings - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive Grab Share of First Place with 4-3 Win - Greenville Drive
- Late-inning walks down Gnats - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Power strike out twelve times in loss to Delmarva - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Four-run sixth spurs Grasshoppers past Suns - Hagerstown Suns
- Rome Shuts Out Lexington - Rome Emperors
- Intimidators Achieve Split with Eight-run Output - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Garcia, Intimidators slug way to 8-1 win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Crawdads sweep DH against Lake County - Hickory Crawdads
- Sunday Doubleheader Forms Heart Of Five-Game Home Series - Hagerstown Suns
- Yuengling Release Party at Appalachian Power Park - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fluor Field to Host Clemson-South Carolina Rivalry in 2010 and 2011 - Greenville Drive
- Riverdogs Bite Back in Extras - Charleston RiverDogs
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