SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Blast Intimidators 12-6, Even Series

Published on May 29, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (25-23) put together two different five-run innings on Friday night, easily dismantling the Kannapolis Intimidators (22-26) by a final of 12-6. The win evened the four-game series at one win apiece, and ensured Hagerstown of having a winning record in the month of May.

The first five-run frame for the Suns came in the fourth. Down 3-1 entering the inning, the Suns were able to load the bases with one out thanks to a single and two walks. That's when SS David Masters came to the plate, and he was able to draw the third walk of the inning to force in a run and make it 3-2. The next hitter, 3B Austin Davidson, then cleared the bases with one swing as he drove a fly ball over the front right field fence for Hagerstown's first grand slam of the season. That made it 6-3 Suns and gave Hagerstown the lead for good.

Kannapolis was able to tighten the gap, however, in the fifth. A hit batsman and a walk put two aboard with one out in the inning, and a balk allowed both baserunners to get into scoring position. Then, LF Nick Basto lifted a fly ball into right, driving home 2B Christian Stringer from third to make it 6-4. Following a pitching change, catcher Brett Austin struck out swinging on a wild pitch that allowed RF Louie Lechich to score from third and make it a one-run game.

The second five-run frame for Hagerstown occurred in the sixth and made sure that's as close as the Intimidators would get the rest of the way. In the bottom of the sixth the Suns sent 11 hitters to the plate and came up with five runs on five hits, two walks, and an error. The Intimidators went through three different pitchers in the inning, as LHP Tanner Banks began the inning by giving up three straight singles. He was then replaced by RHP Connor Walsh, who recorded just two outs while allowing two hits and two walks and getting charged for two runs. RHP Brad Salgado was brought in to replace Walsh and he managed to strike out the only hitter he faced to end the frame.

Neither Banks, Walsh, or Salgado factored in the decision for Kannapolis, as it was starting RHP Luis Martinez (1-5) who wound up suffering the loss. His final line read 3.1 innings pitched, six earned runs allowed on four hits and four walks while striking out two. Two of the hits he gave up were homers, as DH Brennan Middleton hit an inside the park homerun for the Suns first run in the third. It was the team's second inside the park homerun hit this season.

RHP Mario Sanchez (1-2) picked up the win for Hagerstown. In 3.1 innings of work in relief, Sanchez gave up just one hit and struck out two while not allowing a run. All five Intimidators runs were charged to starting RHP Jefry Rodriguez. In his seventh start of the season he allowed five earned runs on three hits and five walks while striking out four over 4.2 innings.

These teams will continue their four-game series at Municipal Stadium on Saturday May 30. The Suns will send LHP Connor Bach (1-0) to the mound for his seventh start and 10th appearance this season. He will square off against RHP Thad Lowry (4-2) for Kannapolis. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm. For tickets call 301-791-6266 or go to www.hagerstownsuns.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2015


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