SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Swept by Intimidators

Published on July 3, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD -- After jumping to a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning, the Hagerstown Suns (1-8) went scoreless over the next ten frames, eventually falling, 6-2, to the Kannapolis Intimidators (6-2) following a four-run top of the fourteenth.

Behind a brilliant start from All-Star right-hander Marcos Frias, the Suns looked ready to turn back the threat of a four-game Kannapolis sweep, carrying a two-run lead into the eighth inning. Frias held the Intimidators hitless through the first four innings, and scoreless through the first seven, while walking just one and striking out six.

Frias stayed in to pitch the top of the eighth, and although he remained effective, bad luck began to eat away at the Suns lead. Frias popped up Josh Phegley to lead off the inning, but Suns leftfielder Robby Jacobsen lost the ball in the lights, and it landed for a double. Brandon Short bunted Phegley over to third, and a Eduardo Escobar groundout scored the first run of the game for the Intimidators.

With two outs, Frias allowed a pair of groundball singles, and was replaced on the mound by Osvaldo Rodriguez. Sergio Morales greeted Rodriguez with a double to left center that scored Justin Greene for the tying run, and would have put Kannapolis on top were it not for a perfect relay throw from shortstop Steven Souza that retired Drew Garcia at the plate.

The Suns and Intimidators remained tied, 2-2, over the next five innings, with Hagerstown receiving four innings of scoreless, two-hit relief from right-hander Justin Phillabaum.

Kevin Light (2-2) replaced Phillabaum in the top of the fourteenth, looking to extend his scoreless streak to 10 games, dating back to the month of May. That streak was in immediate jeopardy when Light issued a leadoff walk to Garcia, but Light retired the next two batters to ease the threat. The Intimidators fought back, however, with back-to-back with a trio of two-out singles and a walk that scored four runs and put Kannapolis ahead, 6-2.

Garrett Johnson (4-4) pitched his third inning of scoreless relief to dismiss the Suns in the bottom of the fourteenth, and the Intimidators won their sixth-straight game, sending Hagerstown to its season-high sixth-straight loss.

The four-hour, 12-minute game had looked much more promising for the Suns back in early innings, as Chris Curran delivered the first hit of the game for either team in the third inning, and scored two batters later on a single by second baseman Steve Lombardozzi.

In the fourth, Souza doubled Hagerstown's lead almost singlehandedly, lining a single to right with one out and taking second for his team-high 14th stolen base of the year. When Robby Jacobsen grounded a ball towards the pitcher's mound and forced an off-balance, off-line throw, Souza rounded third and charged home. The throw beat Souza to the plate, but he barreled over the catcher, dislodged the ball, and dove back to slap home plate for a 2-0 lead.

Suns hitters went cold for the next 10 innings, however, eventually amassing 17 strikeouts and going two-for-13 with runners in scoring position. Over the last 28 innings of the series against the Intimidators, Hagerstown managed just three runs.

The Suns will look to start reviving their second-half record during an eight-game road trip, which starts Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Hickory. Hagerstown returns home July 13 for an eight-game homestand against Greenville and Asheville.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and 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 Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 3, 2009


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