Thomas Delivers Walkoff Pinch-Hit in 2-1 Win
Published on June 6, 2012 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Augusta, GA - The Augusta GreenJackets didn't lead until after the final pitch was thrown on Wednesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Ben Thomas drilled a pinch-hit, two-run double to left-center to drive home the tying and winning runs to give the GreenJackets a thrilling 2-1 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Shawn Payne singled and then stole his team-leading 17th base of the year to move to second base with one out. After Wes Hodges struck out, Jose Flores drew a walk to put the winning run at first with the tying run already standing at second. Greensboro made a pitching change, lifting Greg Nappo (0-3) in favor of Brad Mincey. After Mincey fell behind 2-1 in the count on pinch hitter Ben Thomas, Thomas drilled a line-drive double into the left-center field gap that rolled to the fence - scoring Payne and Flores uncontested to give the GreenJackets their second straight win and their third this year in walkoff fashion.
The late-game Augusta heroics cancelled out a dominant pitching performance by Greensboro starter Jose Fernandez, the league-leader in ERA coming into play today and the scheduled starter for this year's South Atlantic League All-Star Game. Fernandez held the GreenJackets to just three hits in seven scoreless innings, walking one and striking out seven. He's now fanned seven or more in nine of his 12 starts this year. Fernandez was especially dominant through the first 5.1 innings, retiring 16 of the first 18 hitters he faced.
The Grasshoppers took the first lead of the game in the fourth on one of the two hits allowed by Augusta starter Chris Marlowe in the contest. After Brent Keys walked to lead off the inning and took second on a wild pitch, he scored on Ryan Rieger's one-out double to put the 'Hoppers up 1-0 in the fourth. Marlowe threw well for Augusta in the no decision, allowing a run on two hits and four walks while striking out five.
Though the Greensboro lead stood until the ninth, the GreenJackets started to break the ice in the sixth. Jesus Galindo was stranded at second after a one-out double in the sixth. In the seventh, Flores hit a one-out single before a double play ended the inning. The GreenJackets also failed to capitalize on a leadoff single in the eighth. Likewise, Greensboro had chances to extend their lead in the late innings and failed - stranding runners at third in the seventh and eighth innings. The late-game heroics made a winner out of Derek Law (3-0), who allowed a hit in 1.2 scoreless innings of relief while striking out one.
The GreenJackets will look for the three-game series sweep on another Thirsty Thursday, presented by The Library, with dollar soft drinks and draft beers available throughout. Kyle Crick (1-4, 4.05) takes the ball for the GreenJackets with Josh Hodges (4-2, 3.50) looking to lead Greensboro to the win that will allow them to avoid the sweep. First pitch comes at 7:05 p.m. with radio pregame coverage beginning at 6:50 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1340 AM and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
Single-game tickets for any GreenJackets home game are currently available by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 6, 2012
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- Legends Starter Wednesday: Armando Galarraga, "Perfect" Game Pitcher - Lexington Legends
- Shorebirds Game Notes at West Virginia - Delmarva Shorebirds
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- Shorebirds Game Notes at West Virginia - Delmarva Shorebirds
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