Sand Gnats Rally for One-Run Win
Published on June 25, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Savannah, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats scored four big runs in the sixth inning off a trio of Augusta GreenJackets pitchers to slip past the GreenJackets with a 6-5 victory on Saturday night. For the Sand Gnats, the win is their second one-run win of the series.
Augusta carried a 5-2 lead into the sixth before starter Taylor Rogers ran into trouble. He allowed back-to-back singles to open the inning before walking the third batter of the frame to load the bases. After a fielder's choice play resulted in the inning's first out, Rogers issued a bases loaded walk to Luis Nieves to cut the Augusta lead to two.
Rogers was lifted for Ryan Bradley, who walked Rafael Fernandez to force in another run and make it a one-run game. Drew Bowlin came on to follow Bradley and surrendered a two-run single to Wilfredo Tovar to give the Sand Gnats a 6-5 lead they wouldn't lose.
Rogers (6-7) allowed six runs - five earned - on a season-high nine hits and three walks while striking out two in only his second loss in the last two months.
The Sand Gnats got an early lead off Rogers as a result of an Adam Duvall error in the first to bring home an unearned run. Savannah made it a 2-0 game in the second when the Gnats got a run on a Rogers wild pitch.
The GreenJackets tied the game and later took the lead with two outs in the third and fourth innings respectively. Duvall's two-run triple in the third tied things while Chris Lofton's RBI double an inning later gave the GreenJackets a 3-2 edge. Josh Mazzola pushed the lead to three in the fifth by crushing his second home run in as many nights - a two-run shot - to give Augusta a 5-2 advantage.
Todd Weldon (2-1) benefitted from the four-run Savannah sixth, getting the win in relief after firing two scoreless frames for the Sand Gnats. Ronny Morla struck out three over the final two innings to earn his fifth save of the season.
The GreenJackets send Mike Kickham (1-4, 4.41) to the mound as they try and salvage a split in the second-half opening series with Savannah. The Sand Gnats will oppose with right-hander Taylor Whitenton (3-1, 3.34). First pitch will come at 2:05 p.m. with radio pregame coverage beginning at 1:50, airing on WRDW-AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com .
Single-game tickets are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS while further information can be found online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com .
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