Gnats Dominate Augusta 10-2 in Game One

Augusta, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats used a six-run top of the fifth to fly past the Augusta GreenJackets 10-2 Wednesday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium in Augusta, GA. The Gnats lead the best-of-three Southern Division Championship Series 1-0.

The Gnats (1-0) scored the game's first run in the third inning. With two outs, DH Eudy Pina singled, CF Brandon Nimmo walked, and then RF Maikis De La Cruz singled home Pina for the game's first run.

Savannah erupted for six runs in the fifth. The bottom of the order, C Albert Cordero and SS Philip Evans began the rally by singling and walking. Eudy walked to load the bases and a Nimmo groundout made it 2-0 Savannah. De La Cruz then stroked a single into left to drive home Evans for a 3-0 lead. After 2B Dilson Herrera walked to load the bases, LF Stefan Sabol unloaded them with a booming three-run double to straight-away centerfield and a 6-0 lead.3B Jeff Reynolds shot a single into center to chase home Sabol and complete the inning's scoring.

Meanwhile, on the mound, RHP Gabriel Ynoa faced the minimum 12 batters through four innings while rolling through the GreenJackets' lineup. Ynoa shut out Augusta through six innings before allowing a run in the seventh and eighth. He tossed 7.2 innings to earn the win.

Evans' solo home run leading off the sixth inning made it 8-0 Savannah.

The Gnats added two runs, on RBI singles from Sabol and Cordero, in the ninth to complete the game's scoring at 10-2. Sabol finished 3-for-5 with four RBI and a run scored. De La Cruz was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBI.

The Gnats scored 10 runs in a game for the first time since June 27 in a 10-3 win over Rome.

Savannah looks for a two-game sweep Friday night at Historic Grayson Stadium when they hand the ball to LHP Steven Matz (5-6, 2.62) against RHP Kendry Flores (10-6, 2.73). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. Gates open at 6 pm. The radio pre-game show on News/Talk 630 WBMQ and sandgnats.com begins at 6:45 pm.

Game three, if necessary, will be in Savannah, Saturday at 6:05 pm.

For tickets and more information, please call (912) 351-9150 or visit sandgnats.com.