Gnats Take Night Cap After 22-Inning Doubleheader
Lexington, KY - Savannah and Lexington split the doubleheader on Saturday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark after 22 innings, 7-8 and 5-2. The Sand Gnats and Legends were scheduled to play 14 innings last night and did so in the first game alone.
The Gnats (6-11/45-42) homered three times in extra-innings to give Savannah the lead in the ninth, 12th, and 15th innings. Tied 2-2 at the end of seven, John Mora homered first in the ninth, but CF Brandon Downes tied the game at 3 with a solo shot of his own. In the 12th, Michael Katz went yard with a man on to give the Gnats a 2-run lead, Lexington would plate two of their own off reliever Jimmy Duff. In the 15th JC Rodriguez gave the Gnats the lead once more with his third homer of the year, but a wild pitch from Ben Griset and a fielding error by Mora would sink the Gnats in the 15th, 8-7.
The Legends (9-6/40-45) and the Gnats totaled five home runs in game one, but found themselves in more of a pitchers' duel in game two. Lexington starter Corey Ray (2-4) allowed just one run in the first four frames and Gnats' starter Ricky Knapp (3-1) had settled in after allowing two runs in the first inning of game two.
Trailing 2-1, The Sand Gnats' offense exploded for four runs in the fifth inning of game two. Singles from Joe Tuschak, Mora, and Eudor Garcia mixed with two throwing errors from Lexington gave the game its 5-2 final line.
The Gnats and Legends will conclude their marathon series Sunday at 6 PM in Lexington, KY. The Sand Gnats will start RHP Casey Delgado (3-2, 3.98), while the Legends will send LHP Emilio Ogando (4-3, 2.56) to the hill. Savannah will return home Tuesday, July 14th to take on the Asheville Tourists at 7:05 PM.