Ramirez Pitches Gem, Crawdads Chop Braves, 3-2
Published on May 20, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hickory Crawdads News Release
HICKORY, NC - Hickory Crawdads starter RHP Neil Ramirez dealt a gem and the 'Dads scored just enough to pick up a 3-2 victory over the Rome Braves before 3,535 fans at L.P. Frans Stadium on Thursday night. Hickory still controls first place in the Northern Division with a 2.5 game lead over the Hagerstown Suns.
Ramirez (4-3, 6.00 ERA) dealt seven scoreless frames for Hickory (25-16), giving up just three hits while striking out eight to pick up the win for the Crawdads. At one point this evening, he retired 17 in a row and is now tied for the team lead in wins with RHP Matt Thompson and LHP Robbie Ross.
The Crawdads got on the board first in the fifth inning against Braves starter RHP Cory Rasmus (1-3, 2.25 ERA), the younger brother of St. Louis Cardinals CF Colby Rasmus. With one out in the inning, SS Edwin Garcia lined a single to left. 1B Mike Ortiz followed with a single to right. On the play, RF Cory Harrilchak attempted to throw out Garcia at third, but the throw deflected down the left field foul line, enabling Garcia to score with Ortiz stopping at second.
The 'Dads added two more runs in the seventh against reliever RHP Julio Surinach. With runners at second and third and just one out, Surinach unleashed a wild pitch, allowing Garcia to score from third. Surinach then walked the bases full before giving way to RHP Andrew Wilson. Wilson promptly allowed the fifth walk of the inning, drawn by CF Miguel Velazquez, to bring in Ortiz from third and expand the Hickory lead to 3-0.
Rome (16-24) rallied against reliever RHP Braden Tullis in the eighth inning, scoring two unearned runs against him to pull within a run, 3-2. However, RHP Josh Lueke came to the rescue, getting out of the eighth and pitching a quick and scoreless ninth to pick up his league-leading 10th save of the season. Rasmus was handed the loss for the Braves.
Crawdads Clippings: The Crawdads continue their four-game series with the Rome Braves on Friday. All fans will be treated to a postgame fireworks show presented by 1290 WHKY. It's also Salute to Veterans Night, sponsored by Bradley Ingels and Armstrong Ford, with all current and former member of the military receiving FREE tickets for themselves and immediate family. The first 1,000 fans through the gate on Friday will recieve a set of Crawdads team cards courtesy of Disabled American Veterans. Gates open at 6 p.m., first pitch is at 7 p.m.
Get Tickets: Single game tickets for all Crawdads games are on sale now at the Crawdads Ticket Office and online at www.hickorycrawdads.com and start at just $6! Season tickets, mini-plans and group outings are available at the Crawdads office, located at 2500 Clement Blvd. NW or by calling (828) 322-3000.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2010
- Legends Drop Series Opener in Greensboro, 7-4 - Lexington Legends
- Early Runs Drop Shorebirds in Game 1 of Series, 10-6 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Gnats Snap Skid with 5-2 Win over RiverDogs - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Ramirez Pitches Gem, Crawdads Chop Braves, 3-2 - Hickory Crawdads
- Fuentes, Butler-Led Drive Swat GreenJackets, 11-4 - Greenville Drive
- Jackets Winning Streak Halted in 11-4 Setback - Augusta GreenJackets
- Intimidators Set Season Highs in 12-8 Win - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Sand Gnats Fly Past RiverDogs, 5-2 - Charleston RiverDogs
- BlueClaws Edged by Power, 4-3 - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gnats Game Notes - Savannah Sand Gnats
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Petersen Honored As Good Samaritan - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Rome Sends Two Pitchers To Myrtle Beach - Rome Emperors
- Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
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