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SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Crunch Grasshoppers, 2-1, in Game One

August 5, 2011 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


Hagerstown, MD - The Hagerstown Suns (61-49, 21-19) edged the Greensboro Grasshoppers (58-53, 18-23) in the series opener of four games on Friday night at Municipal Stadium in front of a capacity crowd. At two hours and three minutes, it was the fastest game of the 2011 season thus far. The Suns are now (20-16) in their one-run contests and (5-7) against the Greensboro in the 2011 campaign.

Suns RHP Matt Swynenberg (5-1), the winning pitcher of record, motored through 7.0 innings and allowed seven hits, no walks, and struck out three batters. Swynenberg's only real blemish was a home run allowed to 1B Mark Canha. Swynenberg only gave up back-to-back hits once in the game.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Canha crushed a solo bomb over the left field fence and onto the roof of the Suns' hitting tunnel, his 19th longball of the season.

Greensboro RHP Kyle Winters, fresh off the disabled list, went just 2.0 scoreless stanzas and gave up one base hit, a single to C David Freitas through the left side.

Piggybacking LHP James Leverton (0-1), the losing pitcher, gave up two earned runs in the last of the 5th frame to give the Suns the advantage they would not relinquish.

1B Brett Newsome led off with a single right back up the middle before C Adrian Nieto yanked a one-base knock through the right side. With LF Wade Moore batting, Newsome danced off second base and Greensboro C Jacob Realmuto launched a pickoff attempt into center field allowing both runners to move into scoring position. Moore wrapped an RBI groundout to SS Daniel Black to plate Newsome. Then CF Michael Taylor ripped an RBI sacrifice line drive to right field summoning home Nieto. The Suns are now (42-11) when Hagerstown leads after five innings.

Hagerstown RHP Greg Holt (1 SV), earned his first save of the season after getting through 2.0 scoreless stanzas in which he allowed runners to reach base in both innings. In the 8th inning, Holt allowed a two-out double off the left center field wall by LF Christian Yelich before Canha walked. DH Aaron Dudley flew out to center field to end the 8th inning.

Once in the 9th stanza, Holt retired Realmuto on a flyout to right field, Black drew a walk, 3B Ryan Fisher went down fishing through strike three, and then CF Isaac Galloway skied out in foul territory on the warning track up the right field line into the glove of RF Kevin Keyes.

Hagerstown will host Greensboro for game two for a Saturday evening 7:05pm first pitch. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 6:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching matchup will feature LHP Matt Grace (10-5, 4.44) to the mound to face RHP Alex Caldera (NR, 0.00).

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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