SAL1 Lexington Legends

Legends Sweep Drive in Game Three Victory

Published on April 11, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Marten Gasparini of the Lexington Legends
Marten Gasparini of the Lexington Legends
(Lexington Legends)

WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) - The Lexington Legends trailed twice in the series finale facing the Greenville Drive, but came away with the series sweep after a three-run eighth inning to put the Legends on top 9-6. The Legends improve their record to 6-1 and the Drive drops to 2-5 overall.

The Drive reached base in the first inning after Kevin Suarez hit a groundball into right field. He then advanced to second base after Michael Osinski reached on an error by Legends shortstop, Oliver Nunez. Suarez scored on an RBI single by Pedro Castellanos and the Drive led 1-0.

The Legends answered in the fourth after MJ Melendez hit a leadoff triple off the wall in right field. Vance Vizcaino advanced to first on a fielder's choice, while scoring Melendez and the Legends tied the game at one.

In the sixth inning, the Drive plated five runs with just one recorded hit. Cole Brannen reached on a one-out walk then moved to second after Frankie Rios was hit by a pitch. Brannen moved to third, and Rios to second when Isaias Lucena was also hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded with two outs, Kervin Suarez drew a walk, scoring Brannen, putting the Drive ahead, 2-1. Osinski then stepped up and hit an inside-the-park grand slam off the centerfield wall, extending the Drive's lead to 6-1.

Trailing 6-1 in the seventh, the Legends reached base on a leadoff single to centerfield by Vance Vizcaino. Ricky Aracena then had a flyout to left field and Sebastian Rivero struck out. With two outs and one on, Oliver Nunez and Seuly Matias both drew walks to load the bases. Travis Jones then smacked a 3-run double to right centerfield to pull the Legends within one run of the Drive. Melendez then ripped his second triple of the ballgame into right centerfield, scoring Jones and tying the game at six.

In the eighth inning, Aracena reached on a leadoff double down the right field line, his first hit of the game. He advanced to second on a bunt by Rivero and a sacrifice fly to right field by Nunez put the Legends ahead 7-6. Matias then advanced to second on a fielding error by Campana. Marten Gasparini then blasted a two-run home run to further extend the Legends lead 9-6. Led by a strong ninth inning with Tyler Zuber on the mound, the Legends were able to hold for the 9-6 victory.

Garrett Davila tossed 5.2 innings for the Legends allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out four. Julio Pinto earned the win for the Legends, pitching 2.1 innings without allowing a run on four hits. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Tyler Zuber pitched 1.0 perfect inning, earning the save.

The Legends head out on their first road trip of the season, visiting the Augusta GreenJackets for a four game series then the Hickory Crawdads for three games. LHP Holden Capps (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will be on the mound for game one versus the GreenJackets and Augusta is TBA.

The Legends return to Whitaker Bank Ballpark on Thursday, April 19 at 7:05 p.m. to face the Hagerstown Suns. The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, play all home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.

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Marten Gasparini of the Lexington Legends
Marten Gasparini of the Lexington Legends
   



South Atlantic League Stories from April 11, 2018


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