HAGERSTOWN, MD (August 5, 2019) - The Suns offense was held to only one run on four hits in their 3-1 loss to the Columbia Fireflies at Municipal Stadium Monday.Hagerstown's (50-63, 20-23) only run came on Jackson Cluff 's solo home run in the third inning that tied the game at
HAGERSTOWN, MD (August 5, 2019) - The Suns offense was held to only one run on four hits in their 3-1 loss to the Columbia Fireflies at Municipal Stadium Monday.
Hagerstown's (50-63, 20-23) only run came on Jackson Cluff 's solo home run in the third inning that tied the game at one.
Jose Butto got the start for the Fireflies (43-67, 19-25) and kept the Suns scoreless, but only over two innings of work. Alec Kisena (W, 3-2) came on in the third to follow Butto and was able to tame the Hagerstown bats. He gave up the long ball to Cluff in the third, but was strong after that. The righty worked six innings and allowed just the one run on three hits while striking out six.
Jose Moreno came on for Columbia in the ninth looking for the save, but got himself into a jam. The Suns got the first two on with an Armond Upshaw single and a Cluff walk, and then Moreno left the game game after Justin Connell moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. However, Cole Gordon (S, 1) entered the game and retired Drew Mendoza and Israel Pineda to end the game.
The Columbia offense wasn't crushing the ball either, but the Fireflies did enough against Suns starter Tomas Alastre (L, 4-11) to get the win. Jose Medina started the scoring with a solo home run the second inning-- the first long ball of the series for Columbia.
In the fourth, Chase Chambers reached on a double and got to third with two down. Alastre then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Chambers to score and gave Columbia the lead. The Fireflies got one more in the fifth on Guillermo Granadillo's sacrifice fly, but that was all Alastre gave up over six innings of work while striking out six.
Ryan Williamson came out of the Suns bullpen and did his job to keep the game close. The lefty tossed two scoreless frames and did not allow a hit while punching out three. Matt Cronin followed Williamson in the ninth and put together a scoreless outing of his own while striking out the side. That makes six consecutive scoreless appearances for Cronin.
Hagerstown concludes its four-game series with Columbia tomorrow at 10:35 a.m. and it's Summer Camp Day! The Suns send RHP Jake Irvin (6-7, 4.35 ERA) to the hill while the Fireflies counter with RHP Daison Acosta (1-2, 4.43 ERA).
The Suns are finishing up a seven-game homestand against the Rome Braves and Columbia Fireflies. After an off day Wednesday, they will head to Lexington for a four-game series before returning home to take on the Lakewood BlueClaws at Municipal Stadium August 12-14. For tickets or more information visit hagerstownsuns.com or call 301-791-6266.
