Gnats Can't Keep 'Birds at Bay on Thursday
Savannah, GA - The Shorebirds (12-8) plated three runs in the first and ninth innings to take the rubber-match, 7-6. The Sand Gnats (7-13) let a 6-4 lead in the ninth slip on Thursday Night at Historic Grayson Stadium.
Delmarva CF Jay Gonzalez led the game off with a double and came around to score on an RBI double from RF Conor Bierfeldt. Bierfeldt didn't stand on second long, as LF Jamil Moquete took the 1-2 pitch and put it behind the scoreboard in center field.
With the Sand Gnats down 4-0 in the third, two errors by the Shorebirds led to a two-run inning for the Gnats. Pedro Perez scored the first Gnats run on a fielding error by 2B Guillermo Salas. 3B JC Rodriguez then scored Jonathan Johnson with an RBI single to left field.
The Gnats bats were back at it in the fourth, when Catcher Tomas Nido crushed a double to center to lead off the inning. Nido scored on RF Wuilmer Becerra's double to right. Becerra then scored on an RBI single by Luis Guillorme. Guillorme was 2-for-4 on the night and is now 4-for-11 during this home-stand.
Gnats' starter LHP Brad Wieck (0-3, 4.74) lasted four innings allowing eight hits and striking out six in his fourth start of the season.
Delmarva reliever RHP Stefan Crichton (1-1, 2.84) earned the win after replacing starter LHP John Means in the sixth. The Gnats took advantage of the new pitcher early, thanks in part to the second error from Salas. Becerra reached on the error, stole second, and scored on a line drive to right from Perez. Johnson then plated Perez with a ground ball single to Salas.
The Gnats took their 6-4 lead into the ninth, after LHP David Roseboom tossed four shutout innings in relief of Wieck. Roseboom struckout four and allowed just one hit.
LHP Shane Bay (0-2, 6.43) took the loss after loading the bases in the ninth and the Shorebirds plated three on a bases-clearing double from Cameron Kneeland, giving the 'birds a 7-6 lead. The Gnats then loaded the bases themselves, on an error, wild-pitch, and a hit-by-pitch. With two outs and the bases-loaded, Jon Leroux stranded them all with a force out to second.
The Sand Gnats begin a four-game series against the Lakewood BlueClaws tomorrow, May 1st at 7:05 PM. The Gnats will throw RHP Casey Meisner (1-1, 2.12), while the BlueClaws will start RHP Ranfi Casimiro (1-2, 5.40) in the series-opener at Historic Grayson Stadium. It will be another St. Joseph's/Candler Facebook Flashback Friday. Fans can visit St. Joseph's/Candler's Facebook page for a special offer for Friday Night's game.