Taylor Stops Drive Thursday

Savannah, Ga.- A lot of Logan Taylor and a little late offense was the winning formula for the Savannah Sand Gnats who stopped the Greenville Drive in their tracks with a 4-0 win Thursday night. The Gnats are now 3-1 on their seven game homestand. 

Taylor faced two batters over the minimum through two outs in the ninth, but working with a 4-0 lead, he walked Greeville shortstop Jimmy Rider and hit his pitch count limit, one out away from a complete game shutout. Taylor did earn his first win of 2014 for his 8.2 innings of shutout baseball with four strikeouts and one walk.

The Gnats (34-20/78-42) did all of their scoring with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Left fielder Patrick Biondi created the first run with his speed, scoring from second on a wild pitch. Then first baseman Matt Oberste brought home DH Dominic Smith with a double to the warning track in left-center field. Right fielder Victor Cruzado's double off the top of the wall in right scored Oberste. Cruzado scored on third baseman Nelfi Zapata's sharp single into left.  

The Drive (18-36/52-71) only put two runners past first base all game, and one on third. 

The Gnats will hand the ball to RHP Ricky Knapp (6-6, 3.98) Friday night against LHP Trey Ball (3-9, 4.92).

The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a free Sand Gnats playoff t-shirt thanks to St. Joseph's/Candler. All fans can also receive a special ticket discount coupon by "liking" St. Joseph's/Candler on Facebook as a part of Facebook Friday.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm. Gates to Historic Grayson Stadium open at 6 pm. The radio pre-game show on News/Talk 630 WBMQ, online at sandgnats.com and via TuneIn radio begins at 6:45 pm.