Gnats Game Notes: Sunday, August 8 @ Charleston - 5:05 pm

from press release:
Savannah Sand Gnats vs.  Charleston RiverDogs

Game #113 - Road Game #60 - Sunday – 5:05

RHP Taylor Whitenton (5-6, 4.52) vs. RHP Mike Solbach (2-3, 4.13)

Joseph P. Riley Jr. Park, Charleston, SC

Radio: News/Talk 630 and http://www.sandgnats.com/



Tonight: The first-half-champion Gnats play game three of a five-game series in Charleston, S.C. against the RiverDogs, the SAL affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Gnats, who are now 1-5 on their nine-game road trip, return home on Thursday, August 12 to host the Kannapolis Intimidators.



Last Night: The Gnats and RiverDogs split a doubleheader with Charleston taking the opener 7-0 and Savannah grabbing the nightcap 4-1 to end a five-game losing streak. In game two, CF R.J. Harris broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run home run in the sixth inning to support Darin Gorski, who allowed just one unearned run in 5.1 innings.



Now Pitching: Taylor Whitenton will make his 13th start of the year this evening. In his last three starts, Whitenton has given up 14 runs on 16 hits and nine walks in 8.1 innings. Whitenton’s 51 walks are tied for the fourth-most in the SAL. In his seven starts since returning to the rotation over the All-Star Break, Whitenton is 2-4 with a 6.14 ERA (20 ER/29.1 IP) and 22 strikeouts against 20 walks. Whitenton earned the win against Charleston in his only appearance against the RiverDogs, fanning seven in four innings in Savannah’s 5-2 win on May 20th. The Gnats are 4-8 when Whitenton starts and have supported him with 4.2 runs per game, the fourth-lowest support of any Gnats starter. Last year, Whitenton threw five scoreless innings over four games in the Gulf Coast League, striking out seven, walking five and yielding just one hit. The Mets drafted Whitenton in the 39th round of the 2009 draft out of Darton (GA) College.



With his home run in game two yesterday as part of a 2-3 game, R.J. Harris is now 8-for-18 (.444) with a triple, two home runs and six RBI in his last five games. This outburts comes on the heels of an 0-21 skid. Harris’ four home runs are tied for second on the Gnats. Both of the other two players with four or more, Alonzo Harris (4) and Jefry Marte (6) are on the disabled list.


Cesar Puello was 0-2 with a hit-by-pitch in game one yesterday, snapping his 15-game hitting streak, but extending his consecutive games on-base streak to 30. He was 0-4 in the nightcap to snap his streak of reaching base in every game since July 5. His 30-game streak is tied for the best in the SAL this year. In those 30 games, he hit .396 (44-for-111) with a .492 OBP with six doubles, a triple, a home run, and 11 walks against 15 strikouts.


Vs. Charleston: The Gnats are 3-3 against the RiverDogs, all on the road. The RiverDogs make their only visit to Savannah August 25-28.