SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Matzek Gem Carries Tourists Past Suns in Opener

Published on August 26, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Asheville, NC- The Hagerstown Suns (71-59, 31-29) were outhit and outpitched in the series opener at McCormick Field by the Asheville Tourists (63-67, 32-29) by a score of 7-1. The Tourists blasted 13 hits to the Suns' five and took advantage offensively with a pair of multi-run frames to garner the victory. Tourists LHP Tyler Matzek, the number one prospect in the Colorado Rockies Minor League system, taken in the first round of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft was stellar in a 13-strikeout performance, his season high.

Matzek (4-4), the winning pitcher, allowed just one earned run on two hits, both collected by LF Randolph Oduber, and a pair of base-on-balls.

The Suns struck first with one run in the 3rd inning as CF Michael Taylor drew a two-out walk and Oduber smacked a single off the scoreboard in right center field scoring Taylor.

Asheville responded with two runs in the bottom of the 3rd frame when CF Rafael Ortega dribbled a single into center field and stole second base, SS Cristhian Adames lined an RBI single into center to bring home Ortega. Then, RF Corey Dickerson blooped an RBI single off the glove of Suns SS Jason Martinson into shallow left field allowing Adames to fleet home giving the Tourists a 2-1 lead.

Suns RHP Chris McKenzie (4-6), the losing pitcher of record, surrendered three earned runs on seven hits, including a home run, while walking a pair and fanning four.

The Tourists scored individual runs in the 5th and 6th innings on an inside-the-park home run by Adames that ricocheted off the right center field scoreboard towards the batter's eye. This was the first home run to stay in the park hit against Suns' pitching all year. 1B Mark Tracy hit a wall scraping solo blast an inning later off RHP Greg Holt, who allowed four earned runs in 2.0 relief innings on five hits and one walk. Tracy lofted a ball that knocked off the top of the "blue monster" in right field and over to the base of the tree line to give Asheville a 4-1 advantage.

Holt allowed three more runs in the 7th inning in what became a big two-out cushion producing frame for the home team. 2B Brett Tanos walked, DH Kyle Parker lined a single into left field, and Dickerson cranked an RBI double off the scoreboard to score Tanos. Then, Tracy sprayed a two-run single into left to summon home Parker and Dickerson and provide the 7-1 hometown lead that would not be altered.

In the 9th inning, Asheville RHP Taylor Reid, despite walking Martinson and DH Adrian Nieto, and allowing a single to 1B Mills Rogers, struck out 3B Justino Cuevas to end the game and cement the game one win.

The Suns continue their final road trip of the season in Asheville facing the Tourists at 6:05pm on Saturday night. Hagerstown will summon LHP Robbie Ray (2-2, 2.09) to the hill to face Asheville RHP Nick Schnaitmann (5-1, 2.30) in series game two. Live radio broadcast coverage will begin with the 5:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on the Radio Flagship of Suns Baseball, WJEJ AM 1240.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 26, 2011


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