SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Long Ball Does in Suns in 7-4 Loss

Published on August 30, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (42-26, 86-52) gave up five runs via the long ball on Saturday night, falling to the Lakewood BlueClaws (52-83) by a final of 7-4. As a result the four-game series between the two clubs is now even at one game apiece.

The teams were tied at 4-4 entering the top of the ninth. Center fielder Carlos Tocci led off the frame with a single to left, and that was followed by a bunt single off the bat of SS Malquin Canelo. Then, 2B Andrew Pullin came to the plate, and after showing bunt on the first pitch he saw, he decided to swing away at the next pitch. That proved to be a great decision as he blasted a moon shot over the right field wall for his ninth homerun of the season, putting Lakewood ahead by the final margin.

The BlueClaws scored in just one other inning in the game, and that was the sixth. Down 1-0 entering the frame, Lakewood wound up sending eight hitters to the plate. Pullin drove in the first run of the inning with a double to left, and DH Andrew Knapp followed with a two-run shot over the right field wall. It was his fifth homer of the season and made it 3-1 BlueClaws. The final run of the inning for Lakewood crossed the plate thanks to an RBI double by 1B Zach Green.

The Suns answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth to pull within two. Left fielder Rafael Bautista led off the inning with a single to center field. Then, 2B Wilmer Difo hit a double off the wall in center field to drive in Bautista and make it 4-2.

Hagerstown wound up tying the score at 4-4 the next inning on a two-run shot of its own provided by RF Wilman Rodriguez. It was his third long ball of the season and his lone hit of the night. The Suns scored their first run of the game in the first inning on a double-steal, with Bautista stealing home while 3B Austin Davidson stole second. Hagerstown had three steals total in that first inning.

RHP Jesen Therrien (3-0) wound up getting the win and blown save for the BlueClaws. He worked three innings in relief, allowing two earned runs on two hits and one walk while striking out one. LHP Justin Thomas (3-5) suffered the loss for Hagerstown. He pitched the final three innings for the Suns, surrendering three earned runs on five hits while striking out three. LHP Joey Denato picked up his second save of the year by tossing a scoreless ninth.

These two teams continue their four-game series at Municipal Stadium on Sunday August 31. The Suns will send RHP Nick Pivetta (13-8) to the mound for his 25th start and 26th appearance of the year. He will square off against LHP Matt Imhof (0-2) for Lakewood. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05pm.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 30, 2014


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