Scouts Drool Over SP Domingo Tapia

Behind anoutstanding outing from Domingo Tapia,the Savannah Sand Gnats defeated the Rome Braves 5-1 Sunday to earn a split oftheir four-game series at Historic Grayson Stadium. Tapia took a no-hitter intothe seventh inning and allowed just one unearned run in his seven innings.

TheBraves (16-14/34-66) scored their only run in the top of the first without ahit. CF Tony Mueller walked, stolesecond, went to third on a passed ball, and scored on an RBI grounder.

TheGnats (13-17/54-43) answered back with three runs in the bottom of the first. RFGregory Pron evened the game with anRBI single into rightfield and then 1B ColeFrenzel ripped a double down the rightfield line to put the Gnats ahead3-1.

The20-year old Tapia did not allow a hit through the first six innings. However,Braves’ LF Robby Hefflinger beganthe seventh by singling cleanly through the left side for Rome’s first hit.Hefflinger was eliminated when the next batter, Kyle Kubitza grounded into a3-6-1 double play.

TheGnats completed the game’s scoring with two runs in the fifth inning on onehit. The runs scored on a fielders’ choice groundout and a wild pitch.

Savannahwill send RHP Logan Verrett (3-2,3.43) to the mound Monday in game one of a four-game series against theKannapolis Intimidators. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. Gates open at 6 pm.The radio broadcast, presented by Subway, begins on News/Talk 630 and online atsandgnats.com at 6:45 pm.