Gnats 8, Bowling Green 1

The Sand Gnats erupted for 12 hits while starter Jeurys Familia didn’t allow any through the first 6.2 innings in an, 8-1, Savannah win. Sean Ratliff was 4-for-6 with three RBI and two triples to lead the Gnats offense.

The 19-year-old Familia allowed one base runner through the first four innings and it was the leadoff man, Anthony Scelfo, reaching on an error on the first play of the game. He was subsequently caught stealing and Bowling Green wouldn’t have another baserunner until Isaias Velasquez reached on an error in the fifth. A double-play ended the fifth and sixth innings to help Familia’s no-hit bid. With two down in the seventh, Henry Wrigley homered to wreck the no-no.

Walks hurt the Hot Rods tonight as they walked 10 batters in the game with six of them coming from starter Matt Moore (2-2). More lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up four runs on four hits.

Savannah’s 12 hits in the game was more than the total of the past two night’s combined (eight) and one shy of the total for the past three games. Juan Lagares, Josh Satin and Luis Alen all had two hits apiece for the Gnats. Rafael Fernandez added a hit as well to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. He’s one shy of the team-high of 11 set by Eric Campbell, who was 1-for-2 tonight with two RBI.

Ratliff broke the game open in the third on a strange play as he singled in Satin, who doubled to start the inning. The ball rolled under center fielder Scelfo’s glove and all the way to the wall, allowing Ratliff to round the bases. Moore would walk in the Sand Gnats fourth run before the inning was over.

The Gnats (18-15) travel back into the Eastern Time Zone tomorrow for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch from Applebee’s Park in Lexington, Ky. RHP Jeff Kaplan (3-1, 1.13) looks for his fourth win of the year and third in a row when he takes the ball tomorrow against the Legends. The home club will counter will fellow RHP Arcenio Leon (3-1, 3.26).