Suns notch 4-2 win over BlueClaws
HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (40-25, 78-54) used a strong starting pitching performance and two, two-run innings to defeat the Lakewood BlueClaws (28-37, 54-78) on Wednesday night 4-2. The win gives the Suns a 14-7 record against the BlueClaws this season.
Starting RHP Dakota Bacus (1-0) paced the Suns in his Hagerstown debut. He pitched six scoreless innings, giving up one hit and four walks while striking out two to earn the win. RHP Ramon Oviedo (1-4) suffered the loss for Lakewood. He went four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while walking two and striking out four. LHP Bryan Harper earned his first save of the year by pitching a scoreless ninth for the Suns.
The first two-run inning for Hagerstown came against Oviedo in the first. Center fielder Isaac Ballou began the inning by hitting a line drive single up the middle. Second baseman Tony Renda was then hit by a pitch, putting runners at first and second. Ballou was able to score from second on a single to center field by 1B Shawn Pleffner. Another single, by RF Wander Ramos, drove in Renda to make it 2-0.
The second two-run inning for the Suns came in the bottom of the fifth. Renda led off the frame with a ground ball single up the middle. Two batters later, Ramos hit a double to right, allowing Renda to score from first. Ramos was driven in by a single from DH Mike McQuillan to put Hagerstown ahead 4-0.
The Suns lead was cut in half in the eighth. With two outs and a runner at first, 3B William Carmona sent a ball sailing over the left field wall for his sixth round-tripper of the season. The homerun was the second hit in the series by Lakewood, and spoiled the Suns bid for their 17th shutout of the year.
The Suns and BlueClaws conclude their three-game series on Thursday, August 29. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05p.m. Hagerstown will send RHP Austin Voth (0-0, 5.79) to the mound for his second start of the season. He will be opposed by RHP Jon Prosinski (2-1, 3.06) for Lakewood.