Late Comeback Leads Suns to Fifth Straight Victory

COLUMBIA, SC (July 28, 2019) - The Suns rallied late, scoring two runs in the seventh and two in the eighth, to extend their winning streak to five with a 5-3 victory over the Columbia Fireflies at Segra Park Sunday.
Hagerstown (47-59, 17-19) trailed 3-1 heading into the seventh, but rallied for two runs to tie it. After Kyle Marinconz was hit by a pitch with one away, Phil Caulfield launched his third home run of the season to even the score.

Cole Daily then started the eighth with a single, and Israel Pineda drove him home with a go-ahead RBI knock. The Suns later loaded the bases against Columbia (39-64, 15-22) reliever Cole Gordon (L, 1-1) and Trey Vickers drew a walk to force in another run. 
After taking the lead, Hagerstown went to Angel Guillen (S, 5) out of the bullpen, and the right-hander shut the door. Guillen tossed two scoreless innings with five strikeouts to lock down the victory and clinch the series for the Suns. 
All of Columbia's scoring in this one came in the first inning as the Fireflies offense jumped on Suns starter Jackson Stoeckinger. After back-to-back singles to start the attack, Walter Rasquin came home to score on an error that stemmed from a pickoff play at first base. Mark Vientos followed with an RBI double and then Chase Chambers delivered an RBI single to make it a 3-0 game. 
Stoeckinger worked his way out of the jam and then settled down over the next few innings. The lefty was able to get through six solid frames and allowed just those three runs (only two were earned) on eight hits. He did not walk or whiff any batters.
Christian James got the start on the hill for Columbia and allowed only one run on two hits over four innings of work. The one blemish against the righty came in the third inning when Daily reached on an error and Armond Upshaw came across home plate on the play. Danny Hrbek took over for James in the fifth and tossed two scoreless frames before coughing up those two runs in the seventh.
Christian Vann (W, 3-2) came on in the seventh after Stoeckinger left the game and was able to keep the score tied. The lefty pitched a scoreless frame and did not allow a hit. 
The Suns conclude their four-game series against Columbia tomorrow at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tomas Alastre (3-10, 6.44 ERA) gets the ball for Hagerstown while the Fireflies send RHP Willy Taveras (5-9, 5.44 ERA) to the mound. 
After wrapping up a seven-game roadtrip tomorrow, the Suns have an off day Tuesday and then return to Municipal Stadium Wedneday to kick off a seven-game homestand against the Rome Braves and Columbia Fireflies. The stretch includes plenty of exciting promotions, including Bark in the Park, Thirsty Thursday, a Juan Soto Bobblehead giveaway, Sunday Funday and Summer Camp Day. For tickets or more information visit hagerstownsuns.com or call 301-791-6266.