LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2018) -- Daniel Castano struck out eight batters but suffered a hard-luck loss as the Grasshoppers fell to the Legends, 2-1, on Monday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The left-hander matched his season-long outing with 7.0 innings on the mound but allowed a pair of runs
LEXINGTON, Ky. (July 9, 2018) -- Daniel Castano struck out eight batters but suffered a hard-luck loss as the Grasshoppers fell to the Legends, 2-1, on Monday night at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The left-hander matched his season-long outing with 7.0 innings on the mound but allowed a pair of runs in the third inning to sully the day.
Carlos Hernandez (6-3) earned the win by striking out a career-best 12 batters over 7.0 innings for Lexington. He allowed one unearned run on four hits with two walks. Hernandez's dozen strikeouts are the most by an individual pitcher against Greensboro this season, coming two days after his teammate Andres Sotillet matched the previous high with 10 strikeouts against the Hoppers in the series opener.
Hernandez joined Legends relievers Danny Hrbek and Jacob Condra-Bogan, who each tossed a scoreless inning of relief, to strikeout 17 batters on the day, the most against the Grasshoppers this season.
Castano (2-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on five hits and walking none. Colton Hock tossed a clean eighth inning for the Hoppers.
Greensboro (43-44, 9-9 Second Half) scored the game's first run in the second inning when Will Allen reached second base on an error by right fielder Seuly Matias. Garvis Lara followed with an RBI-single for a 1-0 lead.
Martin Gasparini helped the Legends jump the Hoppers in the home half of the third. He smacked a 1-out double to right field and moved to third on Ricky Aracena's bunt-single before stealing home to tie the game, 1-1. Brewer Hicklen added a solo home run (11) for what proved to be the deciding run.
The Grasshoppers are off on Tuesday before opening a 7-game home stand against the Kannapolis Intimidators and Asheville Tourists starting on Wednesday. Tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.
