LHP Grace Spins Gem, Hagerstown Offense Surges
Grace now joins RHP David Buchanan as the only South Atlantic League pitchers who own ten victories. The Suns provided one early run of support in the 3rd inning as CF Michael Taylor led off with a long triple off the center field wall. 3B Blake Kelso knocked a grounder to Greenville SS Xander Bogaerts, which he bobbled as Taylor fleeted to home plate. Kelso was credited with the RBI because Taylor would have scored regardless of the error.
Drive RHP Brandon Workman (2-6), the losing pitcher, tossed 6.0 innings and surrendered three earned runs on four hits, while walking a pair and fanning six.
The Suns added to their 1-0 lead in the 6th frame with two runs on a double cued down the first base line by LF Wade Moore, who was 2-for-4 in the contest. DH David Freitas, who ripped an infield single through the six-hole, and RF Kevin Keyes, who shot a single back up the middle to get aboard.
Greenville got on the board in the 7th inning with a pair of runs when LF Brandon Jacobs yanked a ground-rule double over the left field wall, the first hit off Grace. C Christian Vazquez drew a walk and then with CF Henry Ramos batting, Grace left the game with leg stiffness. RHP Wilson Eusebio entered the game and inherited a 3-2 count on Ramos, who rocketed a ground ball off the glove of the pitcher. Eusebio threw to home plate and Leonida ran Jacobs back to third base and threw a dart to Kelso, who then summoned Jacobs back to home plate and on a dive for the tag, the ball popped out and Jacobs was safe. An error was accessed to Kelso on the dropped ball. Then, Vazquez came home on an RBI sacrifice fly off the bat of Bogaerts to left center field.
Hagerstown poured on two runs in both the 7th and 8th frames respectively. Leonida lined a shot to left center field to score 1B Russell Moldenhauer after he doubled to deep center leading off the inning. Taylor then crushed a solo home run off RHP Dennis Neuman over everything in left field, the second ball to leave the ballpark entirely on the current homestand. This was Taylor's 11th long-ball of the season.
Eusebio (5 SV), credited with his fifth save, went 2.2 scoreless innings and allowed just two hits, while fanning three.
Hagerstown will welcome Greenville for game three for a Monday afternoon 3:05pm first pitch. Wall-to-wall radio broadcast coverage will begin with a 2:50pm Break Away 2 Sports Lounge Pre-game Show on WJEJ AM 1240. The pitching matchup will feature LHP Robbie Ray (2-1, 2.12) to the hill to face RHP Keith Couch (3-3, 3.19).
The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class "A" affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Season ticket packages, group outings, and corporate sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Hagerstown Baseball, LLC.
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