Sand Gnats Win In Ninth, 2-1
Published on May 1, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. -The Sand Gnats (13-9) scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice by Sean Ratliff in the top of the ninth and the bullpen shut it down in the bottom of the ninth as Savannah hung on for a, 2-1, win in front of 5,707 at Fluor Field at the West End. Jimmy Johnson (1-0) secured his first win while Erik Turgeon notched his third save.
Savannah took the 1-0 lead in the eighth when Josh Satin hit a ball to the hole at short that bounced off the glove of Drive shortstop Ryan Dent and into left field allowing Jefry Marte to score. Not to be outdone though, Greenville tied the game in the bottom half and it was Dent doing the damage. With two down and runners at first and second, Dent hit a ball under the glove of Satin and into right field.
Juan Lagares came up firing and put the throw right at home plate but it was just behind David Mailman, who scored from second and the stage was set for the Gnats ninth-inning heroics.
It was a classic pitcher's duel through the first seven innings as neither side could muster a run. Elvin Ramirez was lights-out for Savannah, allowing just one hit over six innings while striking out six. Manny Olivares pitched a perfect seventh before running into trouble in the eighth.
The Sand Gnats collected 12 hits in the game but only pushed across the two runs as they left a season-high 12 men on base in the win. All but two members of the Gnats lineup had at least one hit in the game while five Sand Gnats collected two hits apiece.
With the win, Savannah keeps pace with first-place Lexington (14-8), who defeated Rome earlier in the evening.
After a seven-game road swing, the Gnats finally return home to Historic Grayson Stadium to open up an eight-game homestand with the first four coming against the Asheville Tourists. The ZOOperstars will be performing throughout tomorrow night's game as well. For tickets and more information, please visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912.351.9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2009
- Suns overpower West Virginia - Hagerstown Suns
- Sand Gnats Edge Drive, 2-1, in Series Finale - Greenville Drive
- Dogs Bite Back, Avoid Sweep - Asheville Tourists
- Power comeback falls short - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Dogs Bite Back, Avoid Sweep - Asheville Tourists
- RiverDogs Hammer Tourists, 6-3 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Crawdads crack BlueClaws with 6-3 win - Hickory Crawdads
- Sand Gnats Win In Ninth, 2-1 - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Intimidators give up 18 hits in 8-4 loss to Lake County - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Legends sweep Braves with 4-1 victory - Lexington Legends
- Home Runs, Pitching Help Crawdads Past BlueClaws - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Roster Move - Charleston Dirty Birds
- BlueClaws Begin Eight-Game Homestand on Tuesday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Captains Return Home on May 5 for Eight Game Homestand Featuring Food Specials and Mother's Day - Lake County Captains
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