Suns get knocked around early in 16-7 loss to Asheville

ASHEVILLE, NC - The Hagerstown Suns (2-1, 87-53) fell behind by 14 runs after four innings on Monday night in game one of the South Atlantic League Championship Series, eventually falling to the Asheville Tourists (3-0, 89-49) by a final of 16-7. The 16 runs were the most allowed by Hagerstown in a game this season.

 

The Asheville onslaught began in the bottom of the third. The tourists sent 13 men to the plate in the inning, and totaled eight runs on eight hits, two walks, and one error. Three of the eight hits were doubles, and the rest singles. Hagerstown used three different pitchers in the frame, with each of the pitchers recording just one out in the inning.

 

The hits kept on coming the next inning for the Tourists, when they put together a six-run frame to go up 14-0. This time Asheville sent 12 to the plate and totaled the six runs on seven hits, one walk, and one hit batsmen. The extra-base hits in the inning included a leadoff triple by RF Jordan Patterson, a two-run homerun by catcher Jose Briceno, and a double from 3B Ryan McMahon.

 

Each team scored a run in the sixth to keep the margin at 14. In the top half of the frame back-to-back singles by RF Wilman Rodriguez and CF Rafael Bautista led off the inning. A fielding error by 1B Correlle Prime allowed 2B Wilmer Difo to reach base and loaded the bases with no one out. Then LF Narciso Mesa grounded into a 4-6-3 double-play, which scored Rodriguez from third to make it 14-1. In the bottom half of the inning Asheville answered with an RBI groundout of its own.

 

The Suns were finally able to cut into their deficit over the final two innings, out-scoring Asheville 6-1 in the eighth and ninth. Hagerstown put up a four spot in the eighth when they sent eight men to the plate, four of whom came away with hits. Three errors in the inning also helped keep the line moving for the Suns. In the ninth both Hagerstown runs crossed the plate following a double to right by Austin Chubb. The Tourists wound up out-hitting the Suns in the contest 23-12. The 23 hits were the most allowed by Hagerstown in a game this season.

 

It was RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1) who started for Hagerstown and he got tagged with the loss. He threw 2.1 innings, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk while striking out four. RHP Konner Wade (1-0) started and got the win for Asheville. He pitched five scoreless innings, giving up three hits while striking out six.

 

These two teams play game two of the South Atlantic League Championship Series on Tuesday September 9 in Asheville. RHP Wander Suero (0-0) will take the mound for the Suns. He will go up against RHP Johendi Jiminian (0-0) for the Tourists. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05pm.