Savage Shines In Afternoon Win
September 19, 2009 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Lancaster Stormers News Release
With Lancaster out of the playoff race, some of the younger members of the pitching staff had an opportunity to step to the forefront on Saturday afternoon.
Will Savage carried a one-hit shutout into the seventh inning, and Joanniel Montero struck out the side in the ninth for his first save as the Lancaster Barnstormers knocked off the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 6-3, in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.
Savage (1-0), made his first official start after getting rained out at York last Saturday, two innings into his Barnstormers debut. The right-hander retired 17 of the first 18 hitters he faced, with only a leadoff single to right by Michael Tucker in the fifth inning interrupting perfection. Rich Giannotti earned a two-out walk in the sixth, and Savage avoided any trouble there by striking out Brent Krause to end the inning.
Lancaster supported Savage with the long ball. The Barnstormers reached knuckleballer Joe Gannon (9-17) for three homers, all from the left side of the plate. L.J. Biernbaum cracked the first, leading off the second inning with a blast that landed on the rear of the right field picnic deck. One inning later, Lloyd Turner's fly ball was lost in the sun by Krause for a double, and Jason Cooper followed with a homer onto the canopies.
Jed Morris gave Lancaster the rest of its runs. He ripped a two-run homer in the fourth and followed a Matt Watson double to center with an RBI single in the sixth for a 6-0 lead. Gannon, who was making his third start in six days, retired the final seven batters he faced, tossing his fifth complete game of the year.
Savage's shutout bid was broken up by Travis Garcia with a booming homer to left leading off the seventh. Tucker walked and took second on a ground out by Cesar Nicolas. Jeremy Owens beat out an infield single, and Lance Burkhart ripped a sidearm offering into left center to score Tucker. Owens came across on a looping single to center by Mike Just. Aaron Herr, who put on a day-long exhibition defensively, saved any further damage by spearing a sharp grounder by Chuck Jeroloman and turning it into a 5-3 double play.
Ross Peeples worked a scoreless eighth before walking Nicolas to start the ninth. Tommy Herr went to Montero who fanned Owens and Just swinging and Burkhart looking to record his first Atlantic League save.
The two teams meet again at 6:30. Reymond Cruz (1-0), like Savage a former Phillies farmhand schooled by Lancaster pitching coach Bill Bliss, will square off against lefty John Halama (8-1), who will be making his first start since returning from the Atlanta Braves' Class AAA affiliate in Gwinnett County, GA.
NOTES: The Barnstormers are 11-7 against the Blue Crabs on the year...Lancaster is 11-4 in day games in the second half...The Barnstormers can still reach .500 for the second half by winning the remaining two games on the schedule...Montero has struck out 22 and walked only one in his last 17 innings...Watson has reached base in 21 consecutive games...Gannon eclipsed 200 innings for the season.
Atlantic League Stories from September 19, 2009
- Nicolas, Crabs blast 'Stormers for DH split - Lancaster Stormers
- Camden uses two-run seventh to edge Ducks - Long Island Ducks
- Patriots come out on Top 6-2 - Somerset Patriots
- Savage Shines In Afternoon Win - Lancaster Stormers
- LHP John Halama Returns To Blue Crabs For Playoffs - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Join the Bluefish at Harbor Yard for fireworks - Bridgeport Bluefish
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