SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Can't Hold Lead

Published on August 6, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


SALISBURY, MD - After tying the game in the top of the ninth inning on Tuesday, the Hagerstown Suns (14-24) scored three times in the tenth inning, but could not hold the lead and lost to the Delmarva Shorebirds (21-18) 5-4.

For eight innings, the Suns were held scoreless, as Delmarva starting pitcher Cole McCurry was very effective. McCurry lasted six innings and scattered five hits while striking out eight batters.

After McCurry left the game, Delmarva brought Cliff Flagello to pitch the seventh and eighth innings. Flagello picked up right where the starter left off, fanning three Suns in two scoreless innings of work.

Hagerstown finally got on the board in the top of the ninth inning, as Steven Souza led off with a single and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Robby Jacobsen, tying the game at 1-1.

The lone run in regulation for Delmarva came against Suns starter Paul Demny in the bottom of the fourth inning. Demny lasted just four innings, but allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out five.

Demny was replaced by Ricardo Pecina in the fifth inning, and the left-hander pitched four excellent innings of his own. Pecina struck out three and allowed no runs on just two hits.

Chris Rivera came in to work the bottom of the ninth for the Suns, and the right-hander worked around a one-out error to keep the game tied 1-1.

In the top of the tenth inning, the Suns bats came to life as Hagerstown scored three runs on two hits, two walks and a hit-by-pitch to take a 4-1 lead.

Souza had the go-ahead RBI, driving in Steven Lombardozzi on a fielders choice. Charlie Fermaint then followed with his fourth hit of the game, a single to center field that plated Derek Norris.

Souza would later score on a single to right field by Jacobsen, sending the Suns to the bottom of the tenth inning with a three run lead.

Rivera came on to work his second inning, but could not get an out. After a lead-off walk, Rivera allowed back-to-back singles to load the bases with nobody out.

Suns Manager Matt LeCroy went to the bullpen once more, bringing in Carlos Peralta in an effort to get out of the jam. Peralta was unsuccessful.

The first batter Peralta faced reached on an error by shortstop Nick Arata, allowing two runs to score and putting the tying run at third base.

The second batter Peralta faced doubled to right field, tying the game and putting the winning run 90-feet away from home plate.

After getting Greg Miclat to ground-out to first base, Peralta surrendered a singled to right fielder Ron Welty, giving the Shorebirds the 5-4 victory.

Peralta took both his sixth blown save of the season and the loss, falling to 4-4 on the season. Bret Bordes, who surrendered all three runs in the top of the ninth inning for the Shorebirds, got the win.

The Suns and Shorebirds will play the fourth game of their five-game series on Friday, August 7th at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium. The Shorebirds currently hold the series lead at two games to one.

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South Atlantic League Stories from August 6, 2009


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