Lillie's Scoreless Start Helps Snap Slide

May 12, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greensboro Grasshoppers News Release

NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. -- Ryan Lillie dominated over 7.0 scoreless innings to pitch the Grasshoppers past the GreenJackets, 3-1, on Saturday night at SRP Park. The right-handed arm struck out eight while working around three hits and no walks to help Greensboro (16-17) end the team's season-long 6-game losing streak.

The Grasshoppers scored with two outs in the first inning for a quick 1-0 lead that they never gave up. Jhonny Santos walked, extending his on-base streak to 19 games since April 14, and Lazaro Alonso followed with an RBI-double to left field, scoring Santos from first base. Alonso paced Greensboro's offense, which totaled 13 hits on the night. The Hoppers designated hitter went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI -- including an RBI-single that scored Jose Devers in the fifth inning.

In the top of the third, Thomas Jones led off the inning with a home run (5) for a 2-0 lead. The reigning South Atlantic League Player of the Week finished 2-for-5 with a blast.

Lillie (2-1) earned the win for Greensboro while reliever Michael Mertz worked around a run over the final 2.0 innings for the save (1). Augusta starting pitcher John Gavin (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over 3.0 innings, striking out six and walking two.

The Grasshoppers continue this 4-game series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at SRP Park in North Augusta, S.C. The team returns to Greensboro on Thursday, May 17, to open an 8-game home stand, and tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.

South Atlantic League Stories from May 12, 2018

• Scudder Leads Suns in Rain-Shortened Win - Hagerstown Suns
• Manea Impresses in Series-Opening Defeat - Columbia Fireflies
• Lillie's Scoreless Start Helps Snap Slide - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• 'Birds Survive Furious Start, Squeak by Columbia - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Drive Shut out by Legends - Greenville Drive
• Tourists Battle Intimidators; Come up Short 11-8 - Asheville Tourists
• Legends Record First Shutout in 6-0 Victory over Drive - Lexington Legends
• RiverDogs Fall in Rain-Shortened Slugfest in Hagerstown - Charleston RiverDogs
• GreenJackets Can't Complete Comeback - Augusta GreenJackets
• Wallace Twirls Gem in 4-2 Win on Saturday - Charleston Dirty Birds
• BlueClaws Fall 4-2 on Bark in the Park Day - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: May 12 vs. Delmarva (Game 35) - Columbia Fireflies
• West Virginia Power: Game Notes (May 12) - Charleston Dirty Birds

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• Grasshoppers Edge the Spartanburgers, 2-1, in a Weather-Shortened Seven-Inning Game
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