The Savannah Sand Gnats head to Augusta to play a four-game series Thursday-Sunday with a one game lead for first over Augusta and the first half Championship on the line.
Players to Watch
Savannah
RHP Brandon Moore - #9 in the SAL in ERA (2.25)... #1 in strikeouts (91) ... #4 in WHIP (0.94)
LHP Jimmy Fuller - #6 in the SAL in ERA (1.95) ... #2 in strikeouts (77) ... #4 in innings pitched (78.1)
OF Juan Lagares - #9 in the SAL in AVG (.299)... #2 in hits (82) ... #2 in triples (9) ... #2 in total bases (127)
OF Cesar Puello - has hit safely in eight straight games over which time he is batting .428 (12 H/28 AB)
SS Wilmer Flores - 18-year-old shortstop leads the Gnats with 7 home runs, 17 doubles and OPS (.788) for all Gnats with 50+ AB.
Augusta
C Nick Liles - #8 in the SAL in AVG (.304)...hardest hitter in the SAL to strikeout (10.22 PA/SO)
RHP Jorge Bucardo- #2 in the SAL in ERA (1.57)...Lowest opponent batting average among SAL starters (.179)
3B Chris Dominguez - leads the GreenJackets in home runs (10) and tied for the team lead in total bases (118)
Series Preview
The Savannah Sand Gnats head to Augusta to play a four-game series Thursday-Sunday looking to win the first half Championship. After blowing out Rome 12-0 Wednesday, Savannah now leads the GreenJackets by one game for first place. The Gnats need a split or better to earn their first playoff berth since winning the South Atlantic League Championship as the Savannah Cardinals in 1996.
The Gnats enter Augusta red-hot having won four games in a row, eight of nine and 10 of their last 12 games. During their 12-game hot streak, the Gnats have gone from three games behind the GreenJackets to one game ahead, because Augusta played .500 baseball at 6-6. Augusta enters the series losers of two games in a row and three of their last five. During their 12-game run, the Gnats have outscored their opponents by a 71-32 margin, while hitting .300 as a team (124 H/413 AB).
Savannah is 4-8 against Augusta this year, 3-5 in Augusta. The Gnats won three of four from Augusta in a four-game series in April, outscoring the GreenJackets 41-19. However, Savannah’s last visit to Augusta, May 16-20, was a different story as GreenJackets pitching held Savannah to one run over 45 innings in four games on their way to a four-game sweep. That series turned the tide in the Southern Division. The Gnats had entered Augusta in May leading the GreenJackets by three games for first place, but left down a game. Savannah returned to sole possession of first place Wednesday night for the first time since May 18th.
Gnats’ pitching has best ERA (2.46) in the South Atlantic League and all of Minor League Baseball. Savannah also leads all of minor league baseball with 590 strikeouts.
Savannah, which made the playoffs as a wild card in 1996, last won a half championship in 1994. The Mets last won a half championship in the SAL when Hagerstown won the first half in 2006 at 42-28.
Probable Starters
Day Time Savannah Sand Gnats (40-26) Augusta GreenJackets (26-39) Radio
Thu 7:05 RHP Armando Rodriguez (4-4, 3.26) RHP Chris Heston (2-6, 5.74) News/Talk 630, sandgnats.com
Fri 7:05 RHP Collin McHugh (2-4, 3.79) RHP Jorge Bucardo (6-2, 1.57) News/Talk 630, sandgnats.com
Sat 7:05 RHP Brandon Moore (3-4, 2.25) TBA News/Talk 630, sandgnats.com
Sun 2:05 LHP Jimmy Fuller (5-2, 1.95) RHP Jeremy Toole (2-2, 2.47) News/Talk 630, sandgnats.com
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