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SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends fall to Greensboro

June 5, 2008 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


APPLEBEE'S PARK (Lexington, KY)- The Legends went on a rare early scoring spree but couldn't keep pace in a late defensive stalemate as Lexington fell 5-4. With nine runs in the first four innings, Lexington and Greensboro set a pace neither could keep. After a back-and-forth battle early, Grasshopper Ryan Curry had just enough spring to put Greensboro up for good before both teams ratcheted their defense.

The Legends were much more lively Thursday at the plate and on the base paths, finishing with three steals. Lexington outfielder Collin DeLome made the most of his appearances, going 3-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in the loss.

Lexington's starter Tommy Vessella (1-1) slipped into a bad situation in his first inning. He loaded the bases on three straight hits and allowing a runner in on a sacrifice fly. Vessella was less than perfect in his third appearance with the Legends, but kept in the running thanks to an unusual barrage of run support from the dugout before leaving the game in the fifth down by one. His final line included five earned runs, one home run and two strikeouts in his full five innings.

DeLome was sent home from first after Steve Brown doubled in the bottom of the second inning to even things up. Russell Dixon then bounced a ball off the left field wall with a double of his own to score Brown. After Dixon stole third, he made it pay off by tagging home on a fly ball to stretch the lead to two runs. Joe Melton stole second in the next at-bat and scored on the third baseman's throwing error to top off the Legends' four-run third inning, setting the lead at 4-1.

After Lexington's surprising flurry, the Grasshoppers put together a quick-strike fourth to surge in front 5-4. Vessella let four more runners in during the fourth inning as the Grasshoppers wore down the recent addition. Adding the exclamation point was Ryan Curry with his two-run homer over the left field wall.

Reid Kelly came on in the sixth and despite his limited recent action performed admirably. Kelly led the Legends' defense through two scoreless innings in only his second appearance since hitting the disabled list in mid-May. Kelly didn't command enough for more than one strikeout, but didn't give up a hit or insurance runs from his eight batters faced as the Legends kept their hopes up in the middle innings.

The Legends put runners on first and second with no outs in the eighth, but failed to put the bat on the ball to drive a tying run in. Jay Pacella paved the way to a possible comeback with two innings of scoreless work, adding to his impressive recent resume.

Craig Corrado lined into left field and set up shop on second and waited for Matt Cusick to lend a helping hand on the way to home plate. Corrado dashed to third after a pitch got past Greensboro catcher Jameson Smith. With the tying run ninety feet from home, Grasshopper closer Garrett Parcell struck out Matt Cusick to wrap up his 15th save of the year and second consecutive quality outing against the Legends.

NOTES: Steve Brown was thrown out of the game after arguing he was hit by a pitch instead of striking out in the bottom of the eighth inning. Shortly after, while arguing the call, Cat Everett was ejected from the dugout for complaining to an umpire.

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