The Savannah bullpen, which was flawless on the homestand, faltered down the stretch Saturday night as they walked five batters in the last two innings in the West Virginia Power’s, 6-5, come-from-behind victory at Appalachian Power Park. John Church (0-1) takes the loss for the Gnats while Ryan Kelly (3-2) earns the win in relief.
The Sand Gnats (16-13, 51-47) led 5-2 heading into the bottom of the eighth. Starting pitcher Jeurys Familia was removed from the game after another quality start as he allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings. Manny Olivares was summoned from the bullpen and got the first out but then walked Tony Sanchez.
After he retired Kyle Morgan, Quincy Latimore hit his second triple of the game to score Sanchez and pull the Power within two. Still with two down, Olivares walked his second batter of the inning in Jeremy Farrell to put the tying run on at first.
Rhiner Cruz was summoned from the bullpen to try for his 20th save of the season and continued the trend as he walked Bobby Spain to load the bases. He then hit Danny Bomback in the foot with a two-strike pitch that allowed another run to score. With the bases still loaded, he walked Greg Picart to bring in the tying run. It was the first blown save of the season for Cruz, who had converted on 19-of-19.
Church was called in from the bullpen to face leadoff man Starling Marte, whom he struck out to end the inning. In the ninth, Church walked leadoff man Robbie Grossman who later came around to score on a walk-off hit by Latimore.
Lost in the loss were 2-for-4 games from both Josh Satin and Jefry Marte, who each had two-run home runs for the Sand Gnats. Imbewer Alvarez also added three hits from the nine spot and drove in a run.
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