Torres Drives Home Go Ahead Run in Eighth in 5-3 Gnats Win
Published on August 4, 2011 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, GA - Savannah first baseman Juan Torres singled sharply into left field to bring home the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Gnats a 5-3 win over the Augusta GreenJackets in front of 1,897 fans on Thursday night at Historic Grayson Stadium. The Gnats (26-14/65-44), who have won three games in a row, have the best record in the South Atlantic League, and are now a season-high 21 games over .500.
In the eighth inning, C Albert Cordero reached on an error and Joe Bonfewalked to set up Torres. With pinch-runner Alonzo Harris at second and Bonfe at first in the eighth, Torres singled into left to plate Harris to put the Gnats ahead 4-3. Bonfe later scored an insurance run on an infield groundout by 2B Luis Nieves. Torres finished 3-for-4 with the go-ahead RBI.
Savannah reliever Gabriel Zavala worked a 1-2-3 top of the eighth inning to earn the win and improve to 2-5 in 2011. Closer Hamilton Bennett set down three GreenJackets in the ninth after a leadoff single to pick up his 11th save. Augusta reliever Austin Fleet, who allowed the Gnats' two unearned runs in the eighth inning, was charged with his fourth loss of the year.
The Gnats built a 3-0 lead through three innings. In the first, CF Darrell Ceciliani doubled, and came home on a sacrifice fly from RF Rafael Fernandez for a 1-0 lead. In the third, three straight singles from Ceciliani, SS Wilfredo Tovar and Fernandez produced a second run. C Albert Cordero brought home Tovar with a sacrifice fly for the Gnats' third run.
Savannah starter Taylor Whitenton, in his second start since returning to the rotation with a strained forearm, held the GreenJackets off the scoreboard for three innings until a rising pitch count forced him from the game. The GreenJackets evened the game at 3-3 with a single run in the fourth and two in the fifth against reliever Luis Rojas. Guillaume Leduc completed the fifth, and worked scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the game tied at 3-3.
The Gnats begin a four-game series in Charleston against the RiverDogs Friday night when they send RHP Gonzalez Germen (7-5, 3.70) to the hill against RHP Jose Ramirez (5-5, 4.24). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. The radio broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at the 7:00.
Next Home Game: Wednesday, August 10
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South Atlantic League Stories from August 4, 2011
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