SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

McKenzie Dazzles in Return to Suns

Published on July 16, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Lexington, KY - In just two hours and 18 minutes at Whitaker Bank Ballpark on Saturday night, the Hagerstown Suns (53-39, 13-9) downed the Lexington Legends (43-50, 8-15) in their series opening game by a score of 4-2 on the wings of terrific starting pitching by RHP Chris McKenzie, a 13th round draft pick out of San Jacinto Community College (TX).

McKenzie (3-3), the winning pitcher of record, who was recalled from the Gulf Coast League Nationals to make tonight's start, tossed 6.0 stanzas and surrendered just two base hits, while walking one, fanning one, and giving up one home run.

Hagerstown struck first with one run in the 1st frame. 2B Adrian Sanchez roped a single into center field and the ball went through the legs of Lexington CF Jay Austin allowing Sanchez to get to third base. C David Freitas knocked an RBI groundout to the deep hole at shortstop to plate Sanchez.

The Suns supplemented their attack with a single run in the 3rd frame when Freitas lofted his tenth home run of the season, a left center field lazer beam off LHP Luis Cruz (1-2), the losing pitcher of record, who threw 6.1 innings and allowed four runs, three earned on eight hits and one walk, while fanning five and giving up two four-baggers.

Lexington got their first run of the contest on a solo home run from LF Bryce Lane, his first long-ball of the season into the left field grandstands off McKenzie.

The Suns answered with two runs on four hits in the 7th stanza. CF Michael Taylor, after striking out in his first two at-bats, crushed a two-run home run blast into the left center field scoreboard riding home the single of 1B Mills Rogers to give Hagerstown a 4-1 lead.

Lexington received another home run from Lane to the exact same spot as the first in the 8th inning off RHP Sam Brown (3 SV), who made just that one mistake en route to his third save of the season. Brown went 3.0 innings and allowed three hits and no walks, while fanning one.

Hagerstown turned three double plays in the middle of the infield, including a 4-6-3 twin killing in the 9th inning induced by Brown to erase the leadoff single of Austin.

Hagerstown will look to win their three game road series on Sunday afternoon in Lexington.Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage for series game two will begin with a 4:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240 in preparation for a 5:05pm first pitch. The pitching matchup will feature Suns LHP Matt Grace (9-5, 4.87) squaring off with RHP Carlos Quevedo (6-4, 4.45).

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.

Check out the Hagerstown Suns Statistics

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



South Atlantic League Stories from July 16, 2011


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