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SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Cruise Past BlueClaws in Series Opener

June 28, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD- In their series opener with the visiting Lakewood BlueClaws (3-2, 36-37) on Monday night, the Hagerstown Suns (3-2, 43-32) used solid pitching, timely hitting, and the experience of a Major League righthander to cruise to victory, 5-2 at Municipal Stadium. Making his first ever professional appearance in the Washington Nationals system, after being signed as a free agent in the 2009 offseason, and in the aftermath of terrific seasons in 2006 and 2007 with the New York Yankees, RHP Chien-Ming Wang made a rehabilitation start with the Suns. Wang, who is on the return from shoulder surgery, had not pitched in a pro game since July 4, 2009 as a member of the Yankees.

Wang, who did not factor into the decision, threw 49 pitches through 3.0 innings, while striking out three, walking none, and hitting one batter. Wang recorded six groundouts out of the nine he recorded and reportedly topped out on the radar gun at 90 mph.

RHP A.J. Cole (2-4), the winning pitcher, piggybacked Wang's outing and tossed a 5.0 inning gem, scattering two hits, walking one, and fanning six.

The BlueClaws scored first on a bloop RBI single off the bat of CF Zach Collier to score the infield single of SS Edgar Duran in the 1st inning.

The Suns answered right away by tying the contest in the home half of the 1st frame as 2B Adrian Sanchez tripled passed RF Domingo Santana before 3B Blake Kelso laced an RBI single up the middle.

Two Hagerstown runs were plated in the 2nd stanza when RF Kevin Keyes ripped a run-scoring double off the center field wall to bring in SS Jason Martinson, who singled as part of a 3-for-4, three runs scored night at the plate. Then, DH Sean Nicol yanked an RBI single in front of LF Miguel Alvarez to summon home Keyes.

The second and final Lakewood run scored in the 3rd inning as Santana lashed a double passed Kelso at the hot corner to plate the triple of Collier.

Hagerstown added cusion with individual runs in the 4th and 6th stanzas as CF Michael Taylor drilled an RBI single into right center field and Martinson lined a solo home run shot over the right field wall.

RHP David Buchanan (8-5), the losing pitcher of record, allowed five earned runs on eight hits, while surrendering one walk.

Suns LHP Chris Manno (10 SV) entered the game in the closer's role in the 9th inning and slammed the door shut, allowing just a single to C Cameron Rupp, before inducing a game-ending groundout to third base off the bat of pinch-hitter Carlos Perdomo for his tenth save.

The Suns will host the BlueClaws for a 7:05pm first pitch on Tuesday night. The radio flagship of the Hagerstown Suns, WJEJ AM 1240, will provide wall-to-wall radio coverage beginning with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show. The Suns will bring LHP Matt Grace (8-5, 5.00) to the mound to face Lakewood LHP Jessie Biddle (3-6, 3.70), a first round draft pick in the 2010 MLB First-Year Player Draft out of Germantown Friends School in Philadelphia, PA.

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 June 28, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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