Big Innings Sink Suns in Loss

HAGERSTOWN, MD (July 10, 2019) - The Suns allowed big innings in the first and the sixth, which were the difference in their 7-4 loss to the Lexington Legends at Municipal Stadium Wednesday. 
The Legends (45-44, 8-12) jumped on Hagerstown (36-54, 6-14) starter Tomas Alastre (L, 3-9) early as Eric Cole greeted him with a three-run homer in the first. Alastre then settled in for the next four innings, but things unraveled on him in the sixth when he allowed four more to score.

Lexington loaded the bases with one away against Alastre in the sixth, and then Freddy Fermin's RBI fielder's choice made it a 4-2 game. Reed Rohlman followed with an RBI single that knocked the righty from the game. Trey Turner came in and allowed a two-run single to John Rave that closed the line on Alastre, who ended up allowing six earned runs over 5.2 innings. However, he did tie his career-high with eight strikeouts. 
Matt Cronin came on for his professional debut out of the Suns bullpen in the seventh and worked a scoreless inning while recording a strikeout. Ryan Tapani followed and was strong over two scoreless innings, as the Hagerstown bullpen was able to keep the team in the game. 
But, unlike Tuesday's game, the late runs did not come for the Suns. Hagerstown first got on the board in the fourth against Lexington starter Jon Heasley (W, 7-4). Trey Vickers delivered an RBI single for the first run and Phil Caulfield followed with an RBI sacrifice fly to make it a 3-2 game. 
The Suns went back to work in the sixth when an RBI groundout off the bat of Vickers cut into the lead and chased Heasley from the game. The right-hander allowed four runs on three hits over 5.2 innings and picked off three runners at first base in the ballgame, which stunted a few Hagerstown rallies. Reliever Tyler Gray (S, 2) came on and Caulfield laced an RBI single into center field against the righty to make it a 7-4 game. 
Gray, however, settled down after that and finished off the Legends's series-clinching victory. He tossed 3.1 scoreless frames and allowed only two baserunners in that span. 
Hagerstown finishes its series with Lexington tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Jake Irvin (4-6, 4.72 ERA) takes the hill for the Suns while the Legends have not yet named a starting pitcher. 
The Suns are in the midst of a three-game series against the Lexington Legends July 9-11. The three games are riddled with promotions, including Bark in the Park Night and Thirsty Thursday. For tickets or more information, visit hagerstownsuns.com or call 301-791-6266.