Late Surge Lifts Braves Past Gnats, 5-2
August 28, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - A two-run double by Braves catcher Matt Kennelly broke the deadlock in the eighth and put Rome ahead for good in its, 5-2, win over the Savannah Sand Gnats on the final Friday Night Fireworks game of the season at Grayson Stadium. Sand Gnats starter Eric Beaulac took a no decision in the game despite racking up 11 strikeouts in six innings a work. The 11 strikeouts are a new career high.
With Beaulac dealing early, a two-run single by Raul Reyes looked like it would be enough for the Gnats. Reyes came to the plate in the bottom of the second with the bases loaded and singled back through the middle to drive in Evan LeBlanc and Sean Ratliff to secure Savannah's, 2-0 lead.
Rome gradually chipped away at the slim advantage, scoring runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game. The 22-year-old Beaulac finished six innings and permitted two runs on eight hits with one walk and the career-high 11 punch outs.
Phillips Orta (1-3) was on the mound in the eighth and struck out Adam Milligan to start the frame. Back-to-back walks of Luis Sumoza and Samuel Sime put two on and caused Orta to depart in favor of John Church. Church induced an infield fly from Derek Wiley but could not get Kennelly out as he doubled in the go-ahead runs. Rome added an insurance run in the ninth.
The Sand Gnats had their opportunities, stranding 12 men on the bases throughout the game. They put two on with one out in the bottom of the eighth but could not get either run to come across. Nick Giarraputo was 2-for-4 and extended his hitting streak to 10 games. He's had multi-hit games in seven of hits 10 games since rejoining the Gnats.
Saturday night is Military Appreciation Night presented by Beaufort Memorial Hospital, Coca-Cola and Budweiser. Savannah will wear camouflage jerseys during the 7 p.m. game that will be auctioned off throughout the game.
The second-to-last home game of the season also marks the night of the annual Sand Gnats Silent Auction to benefit the Sand Gnats Scholarship Fund. Both auctions will be open throughout the contest.
Atlanta Braves first-round pick Mike Minor (0-0, 0.00) will take the hill versus the Gnats on Saturday night. Minor was the seventh overall pick in this year's draft out of Vanderbilt. Kyle Allen (8-6, 3.72), who has a 2.57 ERA in August, pitches for the Sand Gnats.
For tickets and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 351.9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from August 28, 2009
- Grasshoppers Sweep Tourists, Take Series - Asheville Tourists
- Lavarnway Powers Drive Past Intimidators, 7-5, in Series Finale - Greenville Drive
- Grasshoppers Sweep Tourists, Take Series - Asheville Tourists
- Winning streak no more after 7-5 loss in Greenville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- GreenJackets, RiverDogs Postponed - Augusta GreenJackets
- Shortstop scores only run in 6-2 loss to West Virginia - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Pitching prevails in Power victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Legends win 6-2, take three of four from Hickory - Lexington Legends
- Late Surge Lifts Braves Past Gnats, 5-2 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Crawdads fall in finale in Lexington, 6-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Rain Washes Out Series Opener - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Charleston-Augusta Postponed Due to Rain - Charleston RiverDogs
- Friday Night's Suns-Shorebirds Game Postponed - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs, Braves to Play Twinbill on September 1 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Grasshoppers on Verge of Yet Another Milestone - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Hot Rods Release 2010 Midwest League Schedule - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Braves First Rounder Minor To Start Against Gnats On Saturday - Rome Emperors
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