Globe iconLogin iconRecap iconSearch iconTickets icon

Fraser and Hebert Combine on Four-Hit Shutout Wednesday

Gnats Tie Season-High Mark at 20 Games Over .500
August 3, 2011
SAVANNAH, GA - Savannah starter Ryan Fraser and reliever Michael Hebert combined on a four-hit shutout to propel the Gnats to a 2-0 victory over the Augusta GreenJackets at Historic Grayson Stadium Wednesday night.

The Gnats (25-14/64-44) tied a season high by moving 20 games over .500 for the second time in the 2011 season. With a record of 51-31, Savannah was last 20 games over .500 at the conclusion of the team's 11-game winning streak after beating Rome 1-0 on July 5.

Fraser held the GreenJackets (20-18/51-57) off the scoreboard for the first five innings, yielding just three hits. He struck out five and walked two and evened his record at 7-7 with a 3.44 ERA. Hebert struck out four batters in his four innings to earn his first save of 2011. After allowing a leadoff single to the first batter he faced in the sixth inning, he set down 10 GreenJackets in a row through one out in the ninth inning.

The Gnats scored the evening's first run in the bottom of the second inning. Back-to-back singles from C Blake Forsythe and DH Albert Cordero set up the inning for 1B Joe Bonfe, who brought home Forsythe with an RBI groundout. Cordero, the only Gnat with two hits in the game, finished 2-for-3, and is now hitting .325/.359/.447 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 123 at bats in the second half.

The Gnats took a 2-0 lead in the fifth inning. Third baseman Aderlin Rodriguez doubled and Bonfe singled to put runners at the corners. Reserve infielder Jet Butler, who started at second Wednesday, singled cleanly into centerfield to score Rodriguez.

The Gnats finish their four-game series against the Augusta GreenJackets on Thirsty Thursday when RHP Taylor Whitenton (4-2, 2.61) takes on 'Jackets RHP Taylor Rogers (7-9, 3.20). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 pm and gates open at 6 pm. The radio broadcast on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at the 6:50.

****************************************************
Tomorrow: Thirsty Thursday and Happy Hour
Thirsty Thursday - Half-price on all small sodas and small beers all night long, presented by Budweiser & I-95
Happy Hour - $0.50 Natty Lights & $3.00 Captain and Cokes from 6pm to first pitch on Land Shark Landing at the Captain Morgan's Cove Bar, presented by Tubby's of Thunderbolt.