Suns sweep BlueClaws for 2nd time with 11-6 win

HAGERSTOWN, M.D. - The Hagerstown Suns (12-4) scored at least one run in each of the first six innings on Saturday to cruise to an 11-6 win over the Lakewood BlueClaws (4-11). The Suns have now swept the BlueClaws in the first two series the teams have played against each other this season.

 

Trailing 5-4 heading to the bottom of the fourth, Hagerstown put up four runs in the inning to take control of the game. Back-to-back walks to RF Rafael Bautista and CF Isaac Ballou began the frame, and a passed ball allowed both men to move into scoring position with no one out. Second baseman Wilmer Difo brought Bautista home with a sacrifice fly to left. A single by 1B John Wooten then scored Ballou, and a single by LF Estarlin Martinez moved Wooten to third. Both Wooten and Martinez wound up scoring on a double to left by 3B Drew Ward to make it 8-5 Hagerstown.

 

The Suns took their first lead of the game in the first inning. Difo singled home Ballou from second with no one out to put Hagerstown ahead 1-0. Later in the inning catcher Spencer Kieboom knocked a ground ball single up the middle with two outs to drive in Wooten and give the Suns a two-run lead.

 

That lead was erased when Lakewood plated four in the top of the second. With the bases loaded and no one out LF Samuel Hiciano hit a two-run double to left. An RBI groundout by catcher Gabriel Lino followed to make it 3-2. The final run of the frame scored on a bunt single by 2B Robinson Torres.

 

Starting RHP Jake Johansen (2-0) earned the win for the Suns despite allowing five earned runs on eight hits and three walks. RHP Manny Martinez (0-1) suffered the loss for the Lakewood. He pitched 1.2 innings in relief, surrendering five earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two. RHP John Simms pitched the final three innings for Hagerstown without allowing a run and giving up just one hit to record his second save of the year.

 

After an off day on Sunday, the Suns will head to Augusta, GA to begin a three-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets (9-7) on Monday April 21. Hagerstown will send RHP Nick Pivetta (2-1) to the mound for his fourth start and appearance of the year. He will square off against LHP Christian Jones (0-1) for Augusta. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00pm.