SAL1 Lexington Legends

Stanton Slams the Door, Legends Lose 4-3

Published on June 22, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Lexington Legends News Release


Lexington, KY - Down by one in the bottom of the ninth, Greensboro was lifted by a long home run from Michael Stanton for the 4-3 win. Though Lexington's club was able to tie the game twice, the Hoppers responded with clutch hits of their own to frustrate the Legends.

Greensboro's Daniel Garcia hit a home run in the top of the first for the early advantage. All was quiet in the third and fourth before the Grasshoppers broke the silence with Matt Dominguez's solo homerun in the top of the fourth. It was Dominguez's third homer of the season and another notch in his amazing record against the Legends. Dominguez and fellow monster masher Michael Stanton both finished the night going 1 for 5 with home runs.

Though Jeff Icenogle surrendered the early run, he was much more consistent than usual in his stay on the mound. Icenogle shook off his 7 ERA and 1-5 record putting up five strikeouts along with the two homeruns in his five innings. He finished off strong with three up and three down in the fifth before handing the reins to the bullpen.

Matt Cusick returned to the Legends after an injury Thursday and returned to the leadoff spot for the first time this month. Cusick led the Legends with three hits on the night while Craig Corrado followed in the lineup going 2-4.

The bottom of the fifth saw the Legends tie things up when the red-hot Cusick and Corrado both batted in runners. Cusick and Corrado pulled off a double steal to land both runners in scoring position, but the heart of the lineup couldn't drive in either Legend to take the lead.

Jay Pacella was feeling the pressure in the top of the seventh, facing the dynamic duo of Dominguez and Michael Stanton after allowing a run. After coming on for Mike Koons with one out facing the Hoppers' two best sluggers, Pacella plowed through both batters and three men in the eighth, paving the way for Steve Brown's heroics in the bottom frame.

With two outs and two strikes Brown let loose and sent a solo home run over the centerfield wall to the tie the game at 3-3. It was Brown's sixth homer of the season and Greensboro reliever Andrew Battisto second homerun surrendered this year. Battisto's second earned run of the year against the Legends proved to be costly.

Leandro Cespedes, a first half starter converted to relief, came into the ninth and gave up a solo homer to Greensboro's Michael Stanton. Coming into the at-bat 0-4 on the night, Stanton hit the ball past the Applebee's Park left field bleachers for his third homerun in as many games against the Legends. Cespedes, who's given up homeruns in half of his appearances in 08', finished the ninth without incident.

After a dramatic comeback just a turn before, the Legends failed to get enough steam behind their ninth inning rally. Lexington went three up and three down to end the contest 4-3. Be sure to check out the Legends as they continue their five-game series with Greensboro Sunday night. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm.

Check out the Lexington Legends Statistics

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 22, 2008


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