Sand Gnats And RiverDogs Game Day

Published on August 6, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


Today: The first-half-champion Gnats begin a five-game series in Charleston, S.C against the RiverDogs, the SAL affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Gnats return home on Thursday, August 12 to host the Kannapolis Intimidators.

Last Night: Rome completed a four-game sweep of the Gnats with a 1-0 victory. The Braves scored the game's only run on a throwing error by pitcher Collin McHugh in the fifth inning. RF Cesar Puello was a perfect 3-3 with a walk, while CF R.J. Harris was 2-4.

Now Pitching: Armando Rodriguez, who started the last Gnats' win, a 5-0 shutout of Augusta on Sunday, is scheduled to make his team-leading 22nd start for Savannah. Rodriguez fired seven shutout innings in last start with seven strikeouts against one walk and four hits. Rodriguez is now 10th in the SAL in ERA (3.18), fifth in strikeouts (102), fourth in WHIP (1.11) and third in opponents' batting average (.211). The Gnats are 11-10 when Rodriguez throws and have supported him with 4.80 runs per game, the third-most among the eight pitchers who have started for Savannah in 2010. With Kingsport a year ago, he was 3-1 with a 2.96 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 20 walks in 45.2 innings. Promoted to Savannah on August 27th, he finished the year with a dominant three-start performance in which he allowed just five hits in 16.2 innings and struck out 24. The Mets signed Rodriguez as a non-drafted free agent June 6, 2007.

Puello Power: Cesar Puello was 3-3 with a walk to extend his hitting streak to a Gnats' season-best 15 straight. His 15-game hitting streak is tied for fifth-best in the SAL this year. He's hit safely in 23 of his last 24 games, and has reached base safely in 29 straight, tied for the second-best streak in the league this year. Over his 15-game streak, he's hitting .475 (28-59) with three doubles, a triple, a home run, five walks and four strikeouts. In his 29-game on-base streak, Puello is hitting .404 with a .496 OBP.

Vs. Charleston: The Gnats are 2-2 against the RiverDogs, having split a series in Charleston in May. The RiverDogs make their only visit to Savannah August 25-28.

Hotter Harris: After an 0-21 skid, R.J. Harris has three-straight multi-hit games over which time he is 6-12 (.500) with a triple and a home run.

Sweep Story: The Braves took four games in a row from the Gnats and outscored Savannah 17-8 in the four games. Gnats pitchers put up a 3.94 ERA (14 ER/32 IP) while the offense hit .233 in scoring eight runs, or two per game.

Roster Update: Thursday, Gnats All-Star Jimmy Fuller was promoted to advanced-A St. Lucie and RHP Sammy Martinez was activated from the disabled list. After making just 29 transactions in the first half, the Gnats are up to 34 with a month to play in the second half.

Ouch: The Gnats are 5-13 in their last 18 games. In those 18 games, Gnats pitching has given up seven runs or more eight times, and lost each game. The Gnats are 5-1 in that time when allowing three runs or fewer, but 0-12 when allowing four or more.

Still at the Top: The Gnats lead the SAL in ERA (2.89), and innings pitched (1013.1). Savannah is now tied with Lakewood for the lead in strikeouts with 930. Savannah pitching has allowed just 45 home runs this year, tied for the third-fewest in the League.

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 6, 2010


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