Savannah 5, Augusta 2

For the second straight night the Sand Gnats defeated the Augusta GreenJackets by a three-run margin as they won, 5-2, in front of 2,125 at Historic Grayson Stadium. Chris Schwinden (1-0) notched the win with Rhiner Cruz picking up his first save.

It was a tense final two frames at the ballpark but Cruz was able to pitch his way out of a couple jams. With the bases loaded in the eighth and the Gnats up by three, Cruz battled with Charlie Culberson before striking him out to end the inning and the threat. In the ninth, Cruz got Ehire Adrianza to ground into a game-ending double play.

The Sand Gnats pulled away from the GreenJackets in the fourth when with two down and two on, Juan Lagares singled to put Savannah up 2-1. Jordany Valdespin then tripled down the right field line to clear the bases and the Gnats were up 4-1. Savannah has yet to trial in either of the first two games of the season.

Schwinden threw five frames for his first full-season victory. He allowed two runs (one earned) while striking out one. Josh Stinson pitched two innings of one-hit baseball to back Schwinden before Cruz came in to close the door.

Josh Satin was 3-for-4 and led the Gnats with three hits while Juan Lagares and Eric Campbell each went 2-for-4.

Ari Ronick (0-1) suffered the loss for Augusta after permitting four runs on seven hits in four innings of work.

The homestand continues tomorrow with a 7 p.m. contest between these same two clubs. Strolling to the hill for the Sand Gnats will be Jeurys Familia, who is making his full-season debut. Kelvin Marte takes the ball for Augusta