Valdespin powers Gnats to victory
April 23, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Second baseman Jordany Valdespin ended up a double short of the cycle as he went 3-for-4 with three RBI in a, 5-2, Savannah win in front of 2,046 on a Thirsty Thursday at Historic Grayson Stadium.
Valdespin, who is now hitting .377, hit a home run to right field to start off the game for the Sand Gnats in the first. After being retired in the third, the 21-year-old singled in the fifth and cleared the bases with a triple to right-center field in the seventh.
Not to be outdone, Jeff Kaplan (1-0) pitched five shutout innings and struck out eight Rome batters en route to his first win. Rhiner Cruz picked up his third save of the season by pitching a perfect ninth inning. The Savannah pitching staff struck out 12 Braves batters, a new season high.
With the win, the Sand Gnats have now reached the 10-win plateau in just 14 games. It is the quickest that the Sand Gnats have gotten to 10 wins in over six years.
Randal Delgado (0-2) suffered the loss for Rome in a tough spot as he gave up just one earned run in five innings.
Josh Satin was the only other Gnat with multiple hits as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Satin is hitting .405 through 14 games thus far.
The Sand Gnats (10-4), winners of two straight and seven of 10, will send LHP Robert Carson (1-1, 3.12) to the bump on a Fireworks Friday at Grayson Stadium. Carson is coming off an outing where he took a no-hitter through 5.2 innings in Augusta. First pitch is slated for 6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit www.sandgnats.com or call 912-351-9150.
South Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2009
- Umpire released from hospital after suffering concussion - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Drive Squeak Out 2-1 Win Over Intimidators - Greenville Drive
- Suns drop first game of series - Hagerstown Suns
- Legends top Crawdads 3-0 - Lexington Legends
- Augusta Survives Charleston's Late Surge, 8-7 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Hot Rods beat Power 5-1 - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Valdespin powers Gnats to victory - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Intimidators held in 2-1 loss to Greenville - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Timely Hitting, Strikeout Pitching Lead 'Claws to Victory - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Power Returns for the Weekend - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Charity Auction to benefit Ed Quijada - Asheville Tourists
- Intimidators Announce Time Warner Cable Nights for 2009 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
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