Gnats Game Notes: Saturday, June 26 vs. Asheville - 6:05

from press release

Savannah Sand Gnats  vs. Asheville Tourists 

Game #73 - Home Game #38 Saturday – 6:05

RHP Colin McHugh (2-5, 3.77) vs. LHP Wes Musick (5-5, 5.08)
Historic Grayson Stadium, Savannah, GA

Radio: WBMQ News/Talk 630, http://www.sandgnats.com/

Last Night: The Gnats blew out the Tourists 9-0 behind six shutout innings from LHP Jimmy Fuller who fanned four and walked one. The Gnats scored five runs in the third inning, their most prolific third inning of the year.


Now Pitching: Collin McHugh will make his eighth start of the year, looking to snap a personal four-game losing streak over which time the Gnats have scored a combined four runs for him. In his last four starts, McHugh is 0-4 with a 5.40 ERA with the SAL hitting .318 against him (27 H/85 AB). However, his K/BB ratio of 5.33 (16 K/3 BB) has been strong. In this precise pitching matchup, McHuch versus Asheville’s Wes Musick, on June 1, the Tourists beat the Gnats 4-2. Last year, McHugh was 8-2 with a 2.76 ERA in 75 innings for the Brooklyn Cyclones in the New York-Penn League. He struck out 79 and walked 21. McHugh was 13-9 with five saves in his career at Berry (GA) College and led the Southern States Athletic Conference in strikeout rate (9.05 K/9) in his junior year in 2008. The Mets drafted McHugh in the 18th round in 2008.


With his 2-5 game last night, Pedro Zapata has hit safely in nine straight games and 19 of his last 20 contests. In his last nine games, Zapata is hitting .459 (17-for-37). He’s up to fifth in the SAL in hits (81). Zapata is one of three Gnats, alongside Wilmer Flores and Juan Lagares, with a 10-game hitting streak this year. He’s hitting .373/.429/.440 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in 18 games in June. His OPS by month: April- .645, May- .728, June- .869.


RF Cesar Puello put together his best night of the 2010 season last night by going 3-4 with two doubles, a walk, two runs scored and two RBI. His three hits, two doubles and two RBI all tied season highs in each category. After hitting .192/.259/.232 in May, Puello is up to .316/.420/.421 in June, his highest numbers in all three major rate categories. His six doubles in 17 games in June are more than the four he had in 25 games in May and 22 in April.

Vs. Asheville: The Gnats are 3-3 against the Tourists this year. The two teams are scheduled for 18 games this year, 14 of which will be played in the second half. The Gnats were 5-7 against the Tourists last year. The Gnats are 16-21 against the Tourists as a Mets affiliate.