SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Slugfest in Hagerstown Swings Towards Suns

Published on May 8, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- The Hagerstown Suns (20-10) edged the Lexington Legends (16-14) by a score of 12-11 in a slugfest Mother's Day standoff at Municipal Stadium on Sunday. Suns RHP Chris McKenzie (2-3), who did not factor into the decision, was tagged for seven earned runs in 2.0 innings on seven hits, while walking two and fanning three.

The Legends leaped out with four runs in the top of the 1st inning as SS Jiovanni Mier ripped an RBI double to the right center field gap, RF Adam Bailey hit a two-run rocket over both tiers of signs in right field, his eighth of the season, and 1B Tyler Burnett lined a run scoring single passed a diving Michael Taylor in shallow center field.

The Suns answered the early burst of runs in the 1st frame with an RBI double deposited up the right field line by 2B Adrian Sanchez and later, C David Freitas pushed an RBI groundout towards the Legends 2B Delino DeShields, Jr.

Lexington tallied one run in the 2nd inning on another Mier RBI double over the head of Oduber in left field.

Then, an explosion of offense was casted on the Legends as the Suns sent nine men to the plate and got five runs off LHP Brad Dydalewicz, who despite giving up seven earned runs in the game, did not receive a decision. Taylor sent his second home run of the season over the right field partition before Hagerstown RF Bryce Harper laced an RBI double off the base of the right field fence. Freitas would then collect another RBI groundout on a ball sent to the right side.

Down 7-5, Lexington would crawl their way back to a tie with a two-run single to center field off the stick of LF Emilio King, who had a 2-for-4, 4 RBI afternoon at the plate.

Hagerstown bats put up another crooked number in the 3rd stanza on one big swing. Suns 3B Blake Kelso lofted his first homer of the current campaign with three men on base for the second grand slam of the series and the season. Kelso sent an offering from the losing pitcher, RHP Yordani Ramirez (1-1), who allowed four earned runs on three base hits, over the right center field fence and into the visiting bullpen.

Up 11-7, the Suns used the smooth sailing of LHP Paul Applebee, who had entered the game with no outs in the 3rd inning. Applebee pitched 4.0 innings and surrendered just one earned run without walking a batter and striking out three. Applebee, the winning pitcher, improves to 2-1 on the season.

The Legends mounted a comeback with a pair of runs in the 6th and 7th innings on a DeShields solo home run blast towards the Suns hitting tunnel in back of the left field wall and a sacrifice fly from Lexington slugging DH Chris Wallace. An inning later, the king's ransom was a 2-RBI homer, his second in as many innings for King.

The Suns would garner one run back in the 6th inning with an RBI one base knock off the bat of 1B Mills Rogers, a low liner that got done in front of Bailey in right field.

After seven stanzas, the Suns led 12-11 and the home team would not relinquish their skinny lead. LHP Chris Manno (4 SV) served up a two-inning save, striking out two. The 26th round pick in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Duke University has 22 strikeouts in 14.1 inning pitched.

The Hagerstown Suns will welcome in the Delmarva Shorebirds (19-11) for a four-game series beginning Monday night at 6:35pm. Pre-game radio coverage on the Suns flagship station will begin broadcasting at 6:20pm on the Radio Home of the Suns, WJEJ AM 1240. The starting pitcher for the Hagerstown Suns tomorrow is to be announced. The Delmarva Shorebirds will summon LHP Tim Berry (0-1, 5.95) to the mound for the series opener.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 8, 2011


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