Sand Gnats And Braves Game Day

Published on August 4, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


Today: The first-half-champion Gnats play game three of their four-game series in Rome after dropping the first two. The Gnats return home on Thursday, August 12 to host the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Last Night: For the second straight night, the Braves scored multiple runs in the first inning to take an early lead. Last night, Rome scored three times against starter Taylor Whitenton on their way to a 7-4 victory. Cesar Puello extended his hitting streak to 13 games.

Now Pitching: John Church is scheduled to make his seventh start of the year for the Sand Gnats after 22 relief appearances. Church gave up four runs, three earned, on six hits in four innings in his last start, which Savannah lost 4-1 to Augusta. In his last three starts, Church has allowed 10 runs, seven earned in 12.2 innings for a 5.12 ERA. He's walked nine and struck out 11 while allowing opponents to hit .306 (15 H/49 AB). Church did not allow a run of any kind in his first 16 innings as a starter. Church's 1.78 ERA would be good enough for second in the SAL, behind former Gnat Mark Cohoon, but Church is 21 innings short of qualifying for the league leaders. Church made 21 relief appearances with Savannah last year and one with Brooklyn in the New York-Penn League. With Savannah last year, Church was 1-4 with a 5.28 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 14 walks in 29 innings. The Mets drafted Church in the 23rd round of the 2009 amateur draft out of the University of West Florida.

Vs. Rome: The Gnats are 14-7 against Rome this year, 9-2 at home and 5-5 in Rome. After splitting the season series 11-11 last year, the two teams are scheduled for 23 games this year.

Puello Power: After a 2-5 game last night, Cesar Puello has hit safely in a season-best 13 straight and 21 of his last 22 games. Over his 13-game streak, he's hitting .462 (24-52) with three doubles, a triple, a home run, four walks and three strikeouts. Puello's hitting streak is one of 19 in the SAL this year of 13 games or longer. Puello has reached base safely in 27 straight games, reaching safely in every games since July 5th, tied for the third such streak this year. In his 27-game on-base streak, he's hitting .392 with a .488 OBP.

Bottoms Up: The bottom four hitters in the Gnats order last night were a combined 7-for-15 with a double and two runs scored. Every one of Savannah's hitters, except leadoff man Wilfredo Tovar had a basehit.

Ouch: The Gnats are 5-11 in their last 16 games. In those 16 games, Gnats pitching has given up seven runs or more eight times, and lost each game. The Gnats are 5-0 in that time when allowing three runs or fewer, but 0-11 when allowing four or more.

Protected by the Shields: Robbie Shields was 1-5 last night to extend his hitting streak to five straight games. Shields, the Mets' third-round pick last year out of Florida Southern last year, is the highest draft pick to play for the Sand Gnats this year.

New Half: While going 42-28 in the first half, the Gnats scored 4.7 runs per game and allowed 3.3. In the second half, the team is scoring 3.9 runs per game and is allowing 4.6.

Still at the Top: The Gnats lead the SAL in ERA (2.89), and innings pitched (997.1). The Gnats regained the League strikeout lead from Lakewood last night and now lead by two, 917 to 915.

Playoffs: By virtue of winning the first half, the Gnats will have home-field advantage in the Southern Division Championship Series. The second half winner will host game one on Wednesday, September 8 before the series returns to Savannah for game two on Friday, September 10 and game three, if necessary, on Saturday, September 11.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2010


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