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SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Notes

June 14, 2014 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


About yesterday... The Hagerstown Suns (43-25) mustered just two runs over a combined 14 innings against the Greenville Drive (33-34) on Friday night, as the Suns fell 8-2 in game one of a double- header and 2-0 in game two. The magic number for Hagerstown to clinch the South Atlantic League first half Northern Division title remains at two, with two games remaining in the half.

In game one of the double-header Greenville jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first on a two-run homerun by 1B Jantzen Witte. They added to their lead in the second on a line drive single by Witte, making it 3-0. In the bottom of the inning 2B Brennan Middleton delivered a two-run single up the middle to close the gap to 3-2, but that's as close as Hagerstown would get. The Drive put up runs in three of the next five innings to stretch out their lead. Greenville wound up out-hitting the Suns in the game 11-3.

Starting LHP Daniel McGrath (2-3) threw five innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits and two walks while striking out four to earn the win for the Drive. Starting LHP Hector Silvestre (2- 4) suffered the loss for Hagerstown. He pitched just one inning, surrendering two earned runs on three hits and one walk.

In the second game of the double-header a throwing error by Suns SS Wilmer Difo led to the only runs in the game. In the top of the third RF Zach Kapstein led off with a fly ball single to center field. Third baseman Aneudis Peralta then drew a walk, to put two on with none out. A sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. That's when SS Tzu-Wei Lin hit a ground ball to Difo, which he tossed low to first, allowing both runners to score and the final score to be set.

Both runs were charged to Suns starter RHP Nick Piveta (8-3), who had a final line of five innings pitched, two runs allowed (one earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out six.

Starting RHP Myles Smith (3-4) earned the win for Greenville. He threw six innings, surrendering just two hits and one walk while striking out two. RHP Pete Ruiz pitched the seventh for his second save of the season.

On the Mound... RHP Lucas Giolito will be heading to the hill tonight for the Suns. He is making his 10th start and appearance this season. He last pitched on June 9 at Lakewood, tossing four scoreless and hitless innings while walking three and striking out six. Giolito has not allowed a run in each of his last three outings, which spans 13 innings. Over that time he has given up just four hits and four walks while striking out 18. At home this year Giolito is 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA in four starts. Overall this season he has pitched 39.1 innings, surrendering 12 runs (nine earned) on 25 hits including two homers. He has walked 17 and has struck out 47. Tonight he goes up against RHP Joe Gunkel for Greenville.

Gunkel is making his fifth start and 17th appearance this year for the Drive. He last threw in a start on June 8 at Rome, going 6.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five. He has started each of his last four outings, and the 6.1 innings he threw in his last outing is his longest appearance of the year. On the road this season Gunkel is 1-0 with a 3.70 ERA in eight games (two starts). Overall this season he has pitched 45.1 innings, surrendering 15 runs (13 earned) on 25 hits including three homers. He has walked 10 and has struck out 56. Gunkel is originally from Boynton Beach, FL and stands 6'5", 225 lbs. He will turn 23 on December 30th .

Magic Number... The Suns magic number is down to 2 to clinch the South Atlantic League's first half Northern Division title and punch their ticket to the playoffs in September. That means either two Suns wins, two Greensboro losses, or a combination of one Suns win and one Greensboro loss over the next two games clinches the division for Hagerstown.

Gearing up for Greenville... The Suns and Drive are playing the third of eight games against each other this season and the third of eight that will take place in Hagerstown. The Suns were 3-1 against Greenville last year (teams have not played in Hagerstown since 2011). The Drive are currently 33-34 overall, good for a tie for third place in the Southern Division standings. Greenville is currently tied for third in team batting with a .272 average and 11th in pitching with a team ERA of 4.74.

Listen Live... All Suns home games this season will be broadcast live with play-by-play provided by Eli Pearlstein on hagerstownsuns.com. Just click on the "Listen Live" or "Listen Live on Tunein Radio" link on the drop down menu when you scroll over the "multimedia" tab at the top-middle of the home page. Games can also be heard on your Iphone or android phone with the Tunein Radio app.

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