SAL1 Lexington Legends

Pestana's Walkoff Homer Caps Six-Run Ninth as Legends Win 6-3

Published on July 26, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Reinaldo Pestana's three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth capped a six-run rally by the Lexington Legends as they came from behind to beat the Hagerstown Suns 6-3 at Applebee's Park Sunday.

Going into the bottom of the ninth, the Legends trailed 3-0. They had only three hits in the first eight innings, and had struck out 15 times. Chris Jackson was hit by a pitch to start the ninth. Albert Cartwright followed with a single, sending Jackson to second. After Brian Pellegrini struck out, Eric Suttle singled, scoring Jackson with Lexington's first run, and moving Cartwright to third. Suttle stole second, but when Andy Simunic grounded to shortstop, Suttle was caught in a rundown between second and third for the second out. Cartwright scored on the play to pull the Legends to within a run at 3-2, and Simunic reached second. Freddie Hernandez, pinch-hitting for Steve Brown against sidearming righthander Chris Rivera, doubled off the wall in right field, scoring Simunic with the tying run.

Jeff Hulette followed with an infield single, on which third baseman Nick Arata made a game-saving back-handed stop, holding Hernandez at third.

Pestana then hit his game-winner into the bleachers in left field. It was his first home run and second extra-base hit in 32 at-bats as a Legend.

The Legends' rally overcame two home runs by Hagerstown's Michael Guerrero. Guerrero, a former Ole Miss star who hit a walkoff home run to beat Kentucky in the 2008 SEC tournament, homered in the second and again in the fourth with the bases empty against Lexington starter Brad Dydalewicz. The Suns added a third run in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Travis Reagan.

Arcenio Leon (4-2) got the win in relief. Rivera (0-1) took the loss. Pestana hit his home run off lefthander Austin Garrett, but Rivera was responsible for the runners on base.

The series continues Monday night at Applebee's Park. Game time is 7:05 p.m.

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 26, 2009


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