SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Swept in Double-Header

July 2, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


HAGERSTOWN, MD -- With just one run over the course of their doubleheader against the Kannapolis Intimidators (5-2) on Thursday night, the Hagerstown Suns (1-7) remained stuck on just one win for the second half of the 2009 season, dropping the first game, 5-1, before suffering a 4-0 loss in the nightcap.

The Suns' losing streak reached five games -- one shy of a season high -- and Hagerstown will head into Friday night's 7:05 p.m. series finale looking to avoid a sweep in its first homestand after the All-Star break.

Kannapolis starter Charlie Leesman (6-4) hurled the first complete game at Municipal Stadium this season in the first game of the doubleheader, allowing five hits and an unearned run over seven innings.

The Intimidators offense picked up two quick runs against Suns starter Brad Peacock (2-7) in the top of the first inning, and doubled the lead in the third on a homerun, triple, and passed ball.

After Kannapolis went ahead 5-0 on a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, Hagerstown finally got on the board in the bottom of the inning when second baseman Steve Lombardozzi singled up the middle to plate shortstop Nick Arata. Lombardozzi was the only Sun with a multi-hit game in the opener, going two-for-three.

The Game One highlight for Hagerstown was the performance of relief pitcher Drew Storen, the 10th overall pick in the 2009 Major League Draft, who joined the team on June 18. Storen pitched the sixth and seventh in his best outing as a Sun, shutting out the Intimidators on one hit.

The Hagerstown offense, meanwhile, continued to struggle into the second half of the doubleheader, managing just four hits while being shut out by Kevin Asselin (2-2) and Tyson Corley of Kannapolis.

Suns starter Paul Demny (1-7) matched Asselin over the first five innings, holding the Intimidators to one lone hit. The game slipped away from Demny in the sixth, however, as Kannapolis loaded the bases with no outs on a pair of infield singles and a walk. Intimidators cleanup hitter Jorge Castillo stepped to the plate next and shot a grand slam to right center to put Kannapolis on top, 4-0.

Hagerstown brought the tying run to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh in the person of catcher Travis Reagan, but Reagan could not match Castillo's effort, and grounded out to the shortstop to end the game.

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 2, 2009


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