SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Win First Game Against Bowling Green

Published on July 22, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


BOWLING GREEN, KY - The Hagerstown Suns made their first- ever trip to face the Bowling Green Hot Rods, and came away with an 8-5 victory behind six strong innings from starting pitcher Marcos Frias.

The Suns offense took an immediate liking to the new ballpark with a run in the top of the first inning as Tyler Moore drove in Steve Lombardozzi with a double down the left-field line, giving the Suns a 1-0 lead.

Hagerstown doubled their in the second as Charlie Fermaint hit a solo home run right down the left field line, and doubled it again with two runs in the top of the third inning. Valerio Heredia led-off the third with a bunt base hit, stole second, and after Lombardozzi walked, the duo pulled off a double-steal, putting runners at second and third with nobody out. The homer was Fermaint's third of the season.

Two batters later, Steven Souza came through with a single to left, plating Heredia and Lombardozzi then stole home after Souza drew a throw in his attempt to steal second. Both runners were safe, and the Suns had a 4-0 lead.

The Hot Rods did get one back in the bottom of the fourth on three base hits against Frias. It was the only run the right-hander allowed in six innings of work. Frias (6-3) struck out just one batter, and scattered eight hits and one walk to earn the win for the Suns.

Hagerstown did not let off the gas pedal, scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings before tallying twice in the top of the ninth while Justin Phillabaum pitched two scoreless innings in relief for the Suns.

It appeared as if the Suns would cruise to victory with an 8-1 lead going into the bottom of the ninth, but reliever Carlos Peralta walked three consecutive batters with one out to load the bases. Chris Lugo then took the ball from Peralta and after getting a pop-out to shallow center field, Lugo surrendered a grand slam to right field by Tim Beckham. For Beckham, the first overall pick in the 2008 draft, it was the fifth home run of the season.

Lugo settled down, and got the final out of the game on a strikeout, giving the Suns an 8-5 win.

Hagerstown and Bowling Green will play the second game of their four-game series at Bowling Green Ballpark on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. in Kentucky, 8:05 p.m. in Hagerstown.

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 22, 2009


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