Sand Gnats Sweep Doubleheader Monday
August 31, 2015 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
Savannah, GA - The Sand Gnats walk-off in the 11th inning against the Augusta GreenJackets in game one of a doubleheader on Monday at Historic Grayson Stadium, 2-1. Savannah relied on starter Casey Delgado as he shut out the 'Jackets 2-0 game two. The Sand Gnats are now 25-2-1 in the month of August.
The Gnats (42-18-1/81-49-1) scored the game's first run in the opening frame of game one after CF Patrick Biondi led off the game with a walk. RF Wuilmer Becerra ripped a double to left to move Biondi over, his 27th double of the year. 3B Eudor Garcia hit an RBI-ground out to score Biondi from third.
Augusta (29-33/62-69) catcher Matt Winn led off the third inning with a double to left. Winn came home on an RBI-single from 2B Richard Rodriguez, one of five hits on the night for Rodriguez.
Starters, Ricky Knapp for Savannah and Sam Coonrod for Augusta, traded scoreless frames through six, leave the lone runs. Knapp tossed 7.2 innings and struck out seven before handing the ball to Luis Mateo. Mateo stuck out four over his 2.1 innings of work.
What was slated as a seven-inning affair, found itself in the bottom of the 11th and 2B Jonathan Johnson at the plate with two outs. Johnson mercifully sent his fifth home run of the season over the wall in right to end the game, 2-1. The Gnats win in walk off fashion for the third time this season. Ben Griset (3-1) took home the win after his 1.0 inning of scoreless relief.
Game two started at 9:30 pm on Monday and the Gnats kept their momentum from game one rolling. Biondi led off the first inning with a single. A passed ball by catcher Jared Deacon and a ground out by Johnson moved Biondi to third. Becerra picked up his 59th RBI on a ground out to second base.
Garcia led off the fourth with a double to right. Garcia came home on a sacrifice fly by catcher Tyler Moore off 'Jackets starter Pat Young (8-5). Young takes the tough luck loss after holding the Gnats to just two unearned runs and five hits.
Gnats' starter Casey Delgado (8-3) tossed all seven innings for the Gnats earning the complete game shutout. Delgado allowed just three hits and struck out nine.
The Sand Gnats and 'Jackets will continue the Amtrak Route to the Playoffs tomorrow at Historic Grayson Stadium with another doubleheader at 5:35pm. The Gnats will send RHP Corey Oswalt (10-4, 3.44) to the hill in the first of two seven-inning games and RHP Chris Flexen (3-0, 1.42) in the second. The GreenJackets will start RHP Chris Johnson (1-4, 5.17) in game one and LHP Mark Reyes (8-6, 2.15) in game two. Tuesday will feature the Lucky Dog Giveaway, where fans will receive a prize with every hot dog purchased. Tuesday is also another Two-for-Tuesday with two-for-one drink specials all night long. Gates will open at 5pm.
• Discuss this story on the South Atlantic League message board...
South Atlantic League Stories from August 31, 2015
- Sand Gnats Sweep Doubleheader Monday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- RiverDogs Split Double Dip 1-6, 1-0; Close in on Attendance Record - Charleston RiverDogs
- Suns Fall 6-4 to Intimidators, Lose 4th Straight - Hagerstown Suns
- Bats Silent Again in Crawdads 1-0 Loss - Hickory Crawdads
- Vallot Drives in Four in Legends 8-1 Win - Lexington Legends
- Simon Leads Intimidators Rally to Dim Suns - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- BlueClaws Close August with Fourth Straight Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Drive Drop Second Straight to Braves, 6-3 - Greenville Drive
- Leyva, Jimenez Lead 'Birds to Third Straight Win, 1-0 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Rome Over Greenville 6-3 - Rome Emperors
- Power Toppled by Lexington 8-1 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Catcher O'Connell promoted to Charlotte - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Former Wildcat Reed, Former Cardinal Duvall Among Leaders for Joe Bauman Award - Lexington Legends
- WV Power Game Notes: August 31, 2015 vs. Lexington - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Trexler Named SAL Pitcher of the Week - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
