Gnats Blow Out Jackets 8-1 Friday

SAVANNAH, GA - The Savannah Sand Gnats used a pair of big innings to blow out the Augusta GreenJackets 8-1 at Historic Grayson Stadium Friday night in front of 2,181 fans. 2B Wilfredo Tovar was 1-4 to extend his hitting streak to nine straight games.

The Gnats scored eight runs at home for the first time in 2011.

The Gnats' lead over the Greenville Drive remains at 3.5 games with nine games to play in the first half after Greenville beat Rome 4-3 in 10 innings Friday. The Gnats (34-26) finish the first half with four games in Greenville.

Trailing 1-0 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Gnats took control with a three-run inning. 3B Aderlin Rodriguez brought home the first Gnats' run of the night with a single through the hole on the left side, and then C Blake Forsythe lifted a sacrifice fly to center field to put the Gnats in front. 1B Joe Bonfe's RBI double made it 3-1 Savannah.

The Gnats blew the game open with a five-run sixth. After Rodriguez doubled to put runners at second and third, Forsythe brought both home with a double deep to center field. DH Albert Cordero singled home Forsythe to give Savannah a 6-1 lead. Robbie Shields completed the game's scoring by ripping a two run double off the base of the center field wall. Seven of the nine Gnats in the starting lineup had hits and all nine batters reached base safely either by hit or walk.

Starter Greg Peavey yielded just one run on four hits in six innings to earn his sixth win of the year. Peavey retired the final ten batters he faced.

Savannah has taken the first two games of the three-game series from the GreenJackets (26-35).

Looking for the sweep Saturday, the Gnats will hand the ball to RHP Taylor Whitenton (3-1, 3.74) against RHP Shawn Sanford (3-4, 2.59) in the finale of this three-game series Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 pm and gates open at 5 pm. The pre-game show on News/Talk 630 and sandgnats.com begins at 5:50 pm.

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Saturday: Canned Food Drive, Effingham/Rincon Community Night and Saturday Night Fireworks
Effingham/Rincon Community Night & Canned Food Drive presented by St. Joseph's/Candler
Bring canned food for the St. Mary's Community Center to receive a FREE ticket to the game thanks to St. Joseph's/Candler.
Saturday Night Fireworks
Stay late for an awesome post-game Fireworks display presented by KIX96!