SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends survive scare in ninth to beat Hickory, 7-5

June 5, 2010 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Rene Garcia had four hits and four RBI and Lexington escaped a bases-loaded no-out situation in the bottom of the ninth as the Legends edged the Hickory Crawdads 7-5 Saturday night in Hickory.

Lexington built an early 5-0 behind strong pitching by left-hander Luis Cruz, who was making his first start as a Legend. The Legends jumped on top with two runs in the top of the second inning. Aaron Bray's triple scored Kody Hinze, who had walked. One out later, Garcia doubled to give Lexington a 2-0 lead.

The Legends added three runs in the fifth. J.D. Martinez lined a one-out double to center field and scored when Bray singled with two outs. Jonathan Meyer doubled, sending Bray to third, and they both scored on a single by Garcia to give the Legends a 5-0 lead.

Hickory began its comeback in the bottom of the fifth against Cruz on RBI singles by Mike Ortiz and Leonel De Los Santos. The Crawdads pulled to within one run with a three-run rally in the sixth against reliever Arcenio Leon. Jared Prince singled and moved to third on two wild pitches. Miguel Velazquez walked, and two outs later, Matt West was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Edwin Garcia followed with a two-run single, and Ortiz drove in another run with a base hit to make the score 6-5.

The Legends took a two-run lead in the top of the ninth on Rene Garcia's single with the bases loaded.

In the bottom of the ninth, Clark gave up a single to Edwin Garcia, walked Michael Ortiz and hit pinch-hitter Travis Adair to load the bases with nobody out. Leury Garcia lifted a fly ball to short left field, but Jake Goebbert made a diving catch near the foul line and the runners held. Clark then fanned Jared Prince and Miguel Velazquez to end the game.

Cruz (1-0) allowed three hits and two runs in five innings to get the win. Clark picked up his 11th save. Hickory starter Joe Wieland (4-4) was the loser.

The two teams meet Sunday afternoon in Hickory. Game time is 5 p.m.

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics



South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2010


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