SAL1 Hagerstown Suns

Suns Win Three of Four against Legends

Published on July 13, 2014 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Hagerstown Suns News Release


LEXINGTON, KY - The Hagerstown Suns (16-9, 60-35) put together a five-run rally in the top of the ninth on Sunday evening, but still came up one-run shy as they went down to the Lexington Legends (9-15, 39-56) by a final of 6-5. Despite the loss on Sunday Hagerstown won the four-game series in Lexington three games to one, and now sits tied atop the Northern division second half standings with the Greensboro Grasshoppers (16-9, 60-35).

With two outs in the top of the ninth and the potential tying run at second base and the potential go-ahead run at first, LF Isaac Ballou grounded out to first to end the game on Sunday. It was Ballou's second at-bat in the ninth inning, as he started the frame by hitting a double to right. Ballou came around to score on an RBI single by 3B Drew Ward. The other four runs in the frame were provided by RF Narciso Mesa, who hit a grand slam over the left field wall. It was the Suns second grand slam homerun hit this season.

The late rally, however, was not enough to take starting RHP Jake Johansen (5-4) off the hook for the Suns. Johansen allowed six runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk over five innings as he dropped his fourth game of the year. LHP Luis Rico (3-6) got the win in relief for the Legends. He threw four scoreless innings, giving up just one hit while striking out three. LHP Timothy Hill tossed the final 0.1 innings to record the save and put the game away.

In the third game of the series on Saturday night 1B Jimmy Yezzo hit a pair of solo homeruns, and the Suns had a total of eight extra-base hits as Hagerstown rolled to an 8-2 victory. The Suns plated five of their runs in the seventh inning, and went up 8-0 before finally surrendering a run each in the bottom of the seventh and eighth. RHP Ronald Pena (1-0) got the win for Hagerstown in his 2014 Suns debut, throwing three innings in relief and giving up one earned run on four hits. RHP Wander Suero made his first start of the year for Hagerstown and tossed four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Starting RHP Pedro Fernandez (0-6) suffered the loss for Lexington. He pitched 5.1 innings and surrendered three earned runs on five hits while striking out four.

In game two of the series on Friday night starting RHP Nick Pivetta and LHP Justin Thomas combined to blank the Legends in a 5-0 win. Pivetta threw six innings and gave up three hits while striking out seven to earn his league-leading 11th win of the year. Thomas surrendered three hits in three innings while striking out five to pick up his third save of the season. Starting LHP Cody Reed (2-7) got tagged with the loss for Lexington. He went 4.2 innings and allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits and four walks while striking out five.

Center fielder Rafael Bautista belted a solo homerun over the left field wall to lead off the fourth inning in game one of the series on Thursday night, and that proved to be the winning run as the Suns went on to win 6-4. Bautista finished the game with four hits in five at-bats, and the Suns out-hit Lexington in the contest 13-7. Starting LHP Hector Silvestre (5-6) went a season-long eight innings for Hagerstown to earn the win. He allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out three. RHP Andrew Cooper pitched the ninth for the Suns for his first save of the year. Starting LHP Tripp Davis (2-1) suffered the loss for the Legends. He threw five innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out two.

In total Hagerstown outscored Lexington 22-12 over the course of the series, and the Suns out-hit the Legends 44-30. The Suns next head home to Municipal Stadium to begin a three-game series with the West Virginia Power (12-13, 32-61), which starts on Tuesday, July 15. RHP Justin Topa (3-6) will take the mound for West Virginia. First pitch on Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05pm.

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South Atlantic League Stories from July 13, 2014


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