Winaker Homers in Series Opener on Tuesday
June 5, 2018 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Matt Winaker smashed his third professional home run in a 5-1 loss to the RiverDogs on Tuesday night at Spirit Communications Park. Raphael Gladu also extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the fourth inning. Gladu holds the fourth longest active hitting streak in all of professional baseball (MiLB & MLB).
Despite the loss, Jake Simon (L, 0-4) was solid in his seventh start for Columbia (28-27) this season. The southpaw lasted five frames, allowed just one run (unearned), issued zero walks, and posted four strikeouts. It's the fifth time the 21-year-old has tossed five or more innings in 2018.
Aside from Winaker's solo homer, Columbia had only one other strong chance to score. Gladu started the fourth with a single and then Blake Tiberi was hit by pitch. The next batter, Ali Sanchez, struck out for the first in the frame. This scoring chance disappeared when Jeremy Vasquez bounced into an inning-ending double play.
Two home runs powered Charleston's (27-29) offense in this game. Eduardo Navas blasted a two-run homer in the seventh and Dermis Garcia did the same - a two-run shot - in the eighth.
Trey Cobb pitched a scoreless inning in the ninth and punched out one batter. Cobb has not given up a run over his last five outings (five innings).
The Fireflies aim to snap a five-game skid on Wednesday night at Spirit Communications Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Right-hander Tony Dibrell (2-2, 3.88) takes the ball for Columbia and Charleston counters with lefty J.P. Sears (0-4, 5.14). You can listen to the game starting at 6:45 p.m. on FOX Sports Radio 1400 AM or online at columbiafireflies.com. The is game is available to watch live on MiLB.tv.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 5, 2018
- Home Cookin', Tourists Take Care of the Braves - Asheville Tourists
- Early Blasts Fuel 'Hoppers in Opener - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Drive and GreenJackets Split Tuesday's Doubleheader - Greenville Drive
- First-Inning Homers Drop Delmarva - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Junk Breezes, Dogs Roll Past Columbia in Series Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
- Logan Baldwin's Walk-Off Home Run Wins Game 1 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Winaker Homers in Series Opener on Tuesday - Columbia Fireflies
- 'Dads Slug Their Way to a Pair of Victories over Kannnapolis - Hickory Crawdads
- Suns-BlueClaws Rained out on Tuesday - Hagerstown Suns
- Mitchell and Stafford Named South Atlantic League All-Stars - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Four Fireflies Named to SAL All-Star Team - Columbia Fireflies
- All-Star Worthy, Hess and Sensley to Represent RiverDogs in Greensboro - Charleston RiverDogs
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (June 5) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 5 vs. Charleston (Game 55) - Columbia Fireflies
- Intimidators Welcome MLB's 25th Overall Prospect, Luis Robert, to Kannapolis - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Drive Sending Five Representatives to South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Greenville Drive
- Manuel Geraldo Named SAL Player of the Month - Augusta GreenJackets
- Rome Sends Six Players to All Star Game - Rome Emperors
- South Atlantic League Announces Rosters for 59th Annual All-Star Game - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Raquet, Banks, Anderson Named 2018 SAL All-Stars - Hagerstown Suns
- 8 Intimidators Selected to South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Three Shorebirds Headed to SAL All-Star Game - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Three Tourists Selected for the South Atlantic League All-Star Game - Asheville Tourists
- Three Crawdads Named to SAL All-Star Team - Hickory Crawdads
- Six BlueClaws Named South Atlantic League All-Stars - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Four Lexington Legends Named to South Atlantic League All-Star Team - Lexington Legends
- Three GreenJackets Named to 2018 All-Star Team - Augusta GreenJackets
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