SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Drop Series to Lakewood for First Time this Year

Published on July 3, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


LAKEWOOD, NJ - The Hagerstown Suns (9-6, 53-32) fell in the rubber game of a three-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws (5-10, 32-53) on Thursday night 4-1. It marked the first time all season that the BlueClaws have taken a series from the Suns, though Hagerstown still controls the season series against Lakewood 12-4.

The BlueClaws took control of Thursday's game with a three-run fourth inning. Lakewood hit two triples in the frame before the first out was made. Right fielder Herlis Rodriguez got the first three-bagger to leadoff the inning. He scored on an RBI single by SS Malquin Canelo. Then, CF Carlos Tocci sent a triple to right, driving in Canelo to make it 3-1 Lakewood. Tocci wound up scoring from third on a wild pitch.

That one big inning of offense was enough for starting RHP Tyler Viza (3-11) to earn the win. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out four. Starting RHP Jake Johansen (4-3) was tagged with the loss for Hagerstown. He pitched four innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out four. RHP Ulises Joaquin tossed a scoreless ninth for the BlueClaws to earn his sixth save of the season.

The one Suns win in the series was an 8-1 victory in game two on Wednesday night. The game was called after the top of the ninth inning due to rain. Hagerstown pounded out 12 hits in the contest, and everyone in the lineup reached base. Three of the 12 hits belonged to DH Carlos Lopez, who finished with his first three-hit game of the year. He also scored two runs and was one of two players to have a multi-RBI game.

Starting RHP Lucas Giolito (4-2) kept the Lakewood bats silent for most of the night to earn his second win in-a-row. He threw a season-high seven innings, allowing one earned run on four hits while striking out five. Starting RHP Ranfi Casimiro (2-7) suffered the loss for the BlueClaws. He pitched seven innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks while striking out three.

In game one of the series on Tuesday night Hagerstown was held to just one run on two hits in a 2-1 loss. Despite allowing two runs over seven innings, starting RHP Nick Pivetta (10-4) suffered the loss for the Suns. He gave up eight hits and one walk while striking out four. One of the hits was a solo homerun hit by BlueClaws RF Dylan Cozens in the sixth inning, which turned out to be the winning run. Starting RHP Yacksel Rios (2-0) picked up the win for Lakewood. He went eight innings, allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks while striking out four. RHP Matthew Hockenberry pitched the ninth to earn his first save of the season.

In total Hagerstown outscored Lakewood 10-7 over the course of the series, but the BlueClaws out-hit the Suns 22-20. The Suns next head home to Municipal Stadium to begin a three-game series with the Kannapolis Intimidators (11-4, 40-42), which starts on Friday, July 4. LHP Brett Mooneyham (0-0) will take the mound for the Suns in his third start and appearance with Hagerstown this season. He will match up against LHP Jeff McKenzie (1-0) for Kannapolis. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 5:05pm.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 3, 2014


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