The Savannah Sand Gnats (20-12) came from behind with two runs in the top of the eighth inning to sidle past the BlueClaws 2-1 Monday night in Lakewood, New Jersey. The Gnats split their only series of the year against Lakewood (17-15) and remain one game ahead of the Augusta GreenJackets for first place in the SAL Southern Division.
Down 1-0 entering the eighth, Gnats’ catcher Dock Doyle, representing the tying run, drew a leadoff walk from Lakewood reliever Ebelin Lugo. 2B Alonzo Harris advanced Doyle to second base with a sacrifice bunt. Doyle held at second when CF Pedro Zapata grounded back to the pitcher. However, RF Juan Lagares singled cleanly into right field to drive home Doyle with the tying run. SS Wilmer Flores following by singling into right to chase Lagares to third. Lagares scored on 3B Jefry Marte’s infield single. Lagares was 2-4 with a double and Flores was 2-4 with a pair of singles.
Gnats starter Armando Rodriguez walked home a run in the first inning, but settled in after that. He worked through four innings, fanning five, yielding just one hit. Lefthander Chris Hilliard, who was added to the Savannah roster Monday, dealt four shutout, hitless innings behind Rodriguez to earn the win in his first Gnats appearance. Hilliard struck out three BlueClaws and walked one.
Erik Turgeon worked around a leadoff single to pick up his first save in the ninth. Gnats pitching allowed just two hits all evening, the fewest in any game yet in 2010.
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