SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Lexington Rolls Past Suns 7-4

Published on August 22, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (27-28, 62-61) were held without a base runner for five consecutive innings on Saturday night, and during that time the Lexington Legends (21-32, 52-71) plated five runs to roll to a 7-4 win. The win gives Lexington a 2-1 edge in the series and a 4-3 edge in the season series.

The five innings in which the Suns were held without a base runner spanned from the fourth through the eighth. The game was tied at 2-2 entering the fourth inning, but by the end of the eighth Lexington had taken a commanding 7-2 advantage. The Legends were able to take the lead for good in the sixth when CF Anderson Miller and RF Brandon Downes hit back-to-back doubles to begin the frame. The Legends hit two doubles again in the seventh to add another run to their lead and go up 4-2.

Then in the eighth, the margin widened to the largest it would be all night. With one out LF Samir Duenez reached on a fielding error by Suns 1B Matthew Page. DonAndre Clark entered the game as a pinch runner for Duenez, and two batters later he was able to advance to second on a passed ball. Following a walk drawn by SS Luis Valenzuela, 2B Austin Bailey drove Clark in with a single to left to make it 5-2. Another walk, this one drawn by DH Chad Johnson, loaded the bases. That's when 3B Wander Franco stepped to the plate, and he delivered a line drive single to right, driving in two to stretch Lexington's lead to five.

The Suns were able to mount somewhat of a comeback in the ninth as the first three batters in the inning all collected hits. Designated hitter Jose Marmolejos led off with a single, and catcher Raudy Read followed with a double off the center field wall to put two in scoring position with none out. Then Page delivered a single to right, driving in Marmolejos to make it 7-3. Following a pitching change, RF Dale Carey grounded into a force out at second, which brought Read home from third and wound up setting the final score.

Each of the first two runs for Hagerstown erased what was a one-run deficit at the time. In the second inning LF Wilman Rodriguez had an RBI single to left to drive in Page from second and even the score at 1-1. In the third Read plated a run with a single to right, evening the score at 2-2.

Lexington collected its first run of the game on a solo homerun over the right field wall by Bailey. It was his first homerun of the season and was the start to a tremendous night offensively for Bailey where he finished with four hits and was a triple shy of hitting for the cycle. Baily also drove in three runs in the game, with one of his RBI coming in the top of the third thanks to a sacrifice fly. That made it 2-1 Legends.

It wound up being RHP Kevin Perez (0-2) who suffered the loss for Hagerstown. He threw two innings in relief and gave up two earned runs on four hits and one walk while striking out three. Starting LHP Foster Griffin (3-5) earned the win for the Legends. He matched a season-long by going six innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits while walking two and striking out a season-high seven. RHP Jake Newberry recorded the final three outs for Lexington to earn his sixth save in eight chances this season.

These teams will conclude their four-game series at Municipal Stadium on Sunday, August 23. The Suns will send RHP Luis Reyes (5-7) to the mound for his 23rd start and appearance this season. He will square off against RHP Yunior Marte (4-2) for Lexington. First pitch is scheduled for 3:05pm. For tickets call 301-791-6266 or go to www.hagerstownsuns.com.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



South Atlantic League Stories from August 22, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central