SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

McKenzie Gem Carries Suns to Fifth Consecutive Victory

Published on May 2, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Rome, GA- The Hagerstown Suns (16-9) garnered their second shutout victory in as many games over the Rome Braves (6-19) by a score of 5-0 on Monday afternoon at State Mutual Stadium. After overtaking the Braves 4-0 in Game Two of the series on Sunday, the Suns utilized terrific starting pitching in Game Three from RHP Chris McKenzie to propel Hagerstown to their fourth series triumph of the 2011 season. This was the fifth consecutive win for Hagerstown subsequent to the Suns taking the final two contests in Charleston, WV on the first leg of the road trip. The Suns are now (6-0) against the Braves this season.

McKenzie (2-3), the winning pitcher, tossed a gem through 7.0 scoreless innings, scattering four base hits, while walking one and fanning two. McKenzie's effort was backed by eleven Suns hits to produce five runs. McKenzie retired Rome in order in four of his seven stanzas, and broke out of a three-start losing slide with the win.

In the 3rd inning, Suns sticks put three runs on the scoreboard. C David Freitas, during a 3-for-4 day at the plate, drove home 3B Blake Kelso with a single back up the middle. A groundout to SS Edward Salcedo off the bat of DH Randolph Oduber would plate RF Bryce Harper, who knocked a bunt single up the third base line to get aboard. Suns SS Jason Martinson would then rock a hard liner back to Braves RHP Tyler Hess (0-2), the losing pitcher of record. The ball ricocheted off the cleat of Hess towards 3B Elmer Reyes. There was no play for Reyes. The rocketed line drive scored Freitas to put the Suns on top 3-0.

Hess, in his first start of the season, would go just 3.2 innings, allowing four runs, three earned on five hits amidst four walks and four strikeouts.

Hagerstown supplemented their offensive attack with individual run tallies in the 4th and 8th innings as Freitas lined his second RBI single back up the box into center field, scoring Kelso, who punched a one-base knock into shallow right field to get on base. Later, LF Wade Moore led off the 8th with a stand-up double into the right field corner. Moore advanced to third base on a botched pickoff attempt by RHP Aaron Northcraft that sailed into center. Then, on a wild pitch from Northcraft that caromed to the backstop, Moore raced home to give Hagerstown a 5-0 advantage they would not relinquish.

Suns reliever, RHP Wilson Eusebio pitched a perfect 8th inning to set up RHP Matt Swynenberg an inning later. In a non-save situation Swynenberg induced a flyout to Reyes, surrendered a double to Salcedo on a high drive to the left center field gap, but would leave Salcedo stranded after forcing groundouts to C Christian Bethancourt and RF David Rohm.

The Suns will collide with the Braves in the Game 4 finale on Tuesday for another Education Day at the ballpark in Rome, GA. First pitch is scheduled for 10:30am with pregame broadcast coverage to begin at 10:15am aboard the Hagerstown Suns Baseball Network on MiLB.com.

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 May 2, 2011


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