Savannah Sand Gnats Game Notes

June 5, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release


Today: The first place Gnats, SAL affiliate of the New York Mets, begin a three-game series in Asheville against the second-place Asheville Tourists, SAL affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. The Gnats finished their recent home stand at 5-2.

Last Night: The Intimidators used a three-run fourth inning and a two run seventh against starter Gonzalez Germen to take a 6-2 decision from the Gnats. 3B Aderlin Rodriguez was 2-4 with a double.

Now Pitching: RHP Greg Peavey, who is seventh in the SAL in ERA (2.85), is scheduled to make his 12th start tonight. Peavey has the second-lowest unintentional walk rate among starters in the South Atlantic League with just 1.50 BB-IBB/9 IP (10 BB/60 IP). In his last two starts, Peavey has thrown 13 scoreless innings, yielding just nine hits and a walk while striking out 11. The Mets drafted Peavey in the 6th round in 2010 out of Oregon State. As a Beaver in 2010, Peavey was an All-Pac-10 Honorable Mention and a two-time conference Player of the Week. Peavey had been drafted twice before: in the 24th round in 2007 out of Hudson's Bay High School by the New York Yankees and in the 32nd round in 2009 by the Houston Astros. In high school, he was named Washington's Class 3A baseball Player of the Year in 2007. Peavey had national-level success before high school, helping the Hazel Dell Metro Little League team to the Little League World Series in 2000, and the Hazel Dell Metro Babe Ruth Championship teams in 2001 and 2002. The Gnats are 5-6 when Peavey starts and have supported him with 4.55 runs per game.

Standings Update: The Asheville Tourists have won three games in a row and five of six, and have pulled into a three-way tie for second behind the Gnats. Asheville, Greenville and Lexington are all 3.5 games behind the Gnats for first place with 14 to play in the first half. Greenville and Lexington begin a three-game series today.

Cory Crushing It: Cory Vaughn leads the Gnats in all three major rate categories: average (.325), on-base percentage (.446) and slugging percentage (.467). He is tied with teammate Darrell Ceciliani for the team lead in stolen bases (8). He is ninth in the SAL in average, second in on-base percentage, sixth in walks (31) and tops in HBP (13). Vaughn has played in every one of the Gnats' 55 games.

Where the Homers Happen: The Gnats have hit 29 home runs in 27 games on the road this year and four in 28 games at home. Aderlin Rodriguez hit the Gnats' last homer at home on April 23, 19 games ago. Vaughn hit the Gnats' last home run overall, May 26th in a 6-0 win in Augusta, nine games ago. The Tourists have hit 35 homers and given up 40 in 28 home games at homer-friendly McCormick Field.

Strong Arms: The Gnats have the SAL's best ERA (3.17) and WHIP (1.23). The Gnats are second in the League in strikeouts (479). The Gnats are tied for the fifth-fewest walks (168). The Gnats are the only team in the top five in most strikeouts and fewest walks. Savannah's staff has given up 441 hits, the third-fewest in the SAL.

Weak Bats: The Gnats are last in the SAL in runs scored (211), 37 behind 13th place Lakewood. The Gnats are last in batting average (.237) and slugging (.360), 12th in on-base percentage (.317) and 13th in home runs (33).

Versus Asheville: This is the first and only series between the Gnats and Tourists in the first half. The division rivals play just seven games against each other in 2011. Asheville's only visit to Savannah is August 14-17.



South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2011


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