Ex Gnat pitcher, Stammen helps Nationals beat the Braves

Former Savannah Sand Gnat pitcher, Craig Stammen, helped the Washington Nationals beat the Atlanta Braves, 7-2 Tuesday evening in Atlanta, Georgia. He pitched 71/3 innings, gave up 2 runs on 5 hits, 2BB and struck out 4. In the 8th, Stammen drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. He was recently called up from Syracuse(AAA). Stammen improved his record to 2-2.
Another Gnat player in 2005,3b Ryan Zimmerman, drove in two runs for the Nationals with a ground rule double in the 5th. rfRoger Bernadina, who played for the Gnats in 2005, hit a single and stole a base for Washington.

During the Savannah Sand Gnat season in 2006, Stammen, appeared in 21 games, won 6 and lost 9, and had an ERA of 3.58.

Ashville Tourists 2 Sand Gnats 0

The final game of the 5 game set between the Ashville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Monday evening. The 7 inning game was the second game of the double headed and 2,374 fans were at Grayson Stadium.
Starting Tourists pitcher, Chris Balcom-Miller, who is ranked as the 16th best prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization by the Baseball America Prospect Handbook(2010), pitched a complete game(7 innings) and shutout the Gnats on two hits. He struck out 6 and walked one.
Both Gnats hits occurred in the 3rd inning on back to back singles by dhTravis Ozga and1bAlex Gregory.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Taylor Whitenton, had a shutout going into the 6th inning. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 2 runs on 4 hits, walked 3, and struck out 4. Relivers Michael Powers and Samuel Martinez allowed only one hit in the final two innings.

Tourists 9 Gnats 0

The game Sunday, which was suspended, resumed Monday between the Ashville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats with the Tourists batting in the fourth and leading 2-0.
Tourists scored one run in the 4th on a double by 3bNolan Arenado and a single by 1bJared Clark. In the 7th, Ashville scored 2 runs. A three run home run by cfDelta Cleary Jr. in the 9th, highlighted the 4 run inning.
The Gnats were limited to 6 hits for the game. ssWilfredo Tovar, who entered the game with a .375 batting average, went 3-for-3. A double by Pedro Zapata in the 6th, was the Gnats only extra base hit.
Darin Gorski, Marcos Tabata, and Brandon Sage pitched for Savannah.

Gnats and Tourists game suspended

The Ashville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats played three innings Sunday evening and then heavy rains suspended play with the Tourists leading 2-0. The game will be resumed Monday starting at 5:05.
The Monday regularly scheduled game will start one half hour after the suspended game is completed and the second game will be a seven inning contest.

Ashville Tourist 5 Sand Gnats 0

The third game of the five game series between the Ashville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of 2,658 fans. Tourist pitchers shut out the Gnats and allowed 7 hits.
Ashville scored 5 runs in the 6th inning, highlighted by a 3 run homer by dhJared Clark(his 10th).
Gnats had opportunities to score and left 7 men on base. ssWilfredo Tovar was 2-for-3. cDock Doyle was 2-for-4. A double in the 9th by dhNick Santomauro was the only Gnat extra base hit.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Collin McHugh(2-6) took the loss. He pitched 6 innings, 3K, 7 hits, and gave up 5 runs(1 earned run). The bull pen did not allow a hit the final three innings(Luis Rojas, Lance Hoge, Michael Powers).

Sand Gnats 9 Ashville Tourist 0

The second game of the series between the Ashville Tourist and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played at Grayson Stadium Friday evening. The Gnats scored 9 runs on 13 hits and 4 Gnats pitchers shut out the Tourist.
Savannah scored 5 runs in the 3rd inning on 5 hits: Wilfedo Tovar and Pedro Zapata singled. Tovar scored on a single by R. J. Harris. Jefry Marte doubled to score Zapata and Harris. Cesar Puello drove in a run with a single and would score on a throwing error. Puello was 3-for-4 with 2 doubles, 2RBI, and two runs scored.
The Gnats scored 3 runs in the 5th: Nick Santomauro doubled and scored on a double by Puello. A single by Travis Ozga scored Puello. Ozga scored on a single by Pedro Zapata.
In the 8th Gnats scored their final run when Santomauro hit his second double of the game and later scored on a throwing error.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Jimmy Fuller, improved his record with the win to(7-2). He pitched 6 innings, gave up 6 hits, 1BB, and struck out four. Gabriel Zavala, Luis Rojas, and Samuel Martinez, each pitched an inning in relief and did not allow a hit.
The announced attendance was 1,752.

Ashville Tourist 2 Sand Gnats 0

The Ashville Tourists returned to Grayson Stadium Thursday evening to start the first game of a 5 game series with the Savannah Sand Gnats.
Tourist starting pitcher, Tyler Matzek, did not allow a hit in his 52/3 innings of work and walked 5 and struck out 5(he struck out the side in the 4th). Matzek is ranked by Baseball America Prospect Handbook(2010) as the number one prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization.
The Gnats managed only two hits from the 4 Tourist relievers:2bAlonso Harris got the first hit when he singled in the 7th and cfPedro Zapata doubled in the 8th inning.
The Tourist scored their first run in the 5th when cJose Gonzales singled and would score on a throwing error by the catcher. Ashville added another run in the 9th inning.
The announced attendance was 2,712.

North All-Stars 5 South All-Stars 5

The South Atlantic League All-Star game was played Tuesday evening at beautiful Fluor Fields in downtown Greenville,S.C. The game, which was sold out, was played in front of 6,537 fans. The game was called after 10 inning of play, ending in a 5-5 tie.
Six Savannah Sand Gnats players were on the roster for the South team.

ssWilmer Flores, doubled down the left field corner to drive in two runs for the South. Flores went 1-for-5.
Before the game, p Mark Cohoon, told me "each pitcher will pitch one inning". In the second, Cohoon walked one, struck out two, and retired the side on a fly out to center.
Although lf Juan lagares struck out three times, he doubled down the left field line in the 2nd, and scored on a double by Mesa.
In the 5th inning,pBrandon Moore, entered the game for the South and struck out the side.
In the top of the 7th,Kai Gronauer, entered the game to catch for the South. Gronauer hit a fly ball to right field in the 9th, and the right fielder made a sliding catch.
pJimmy Fuller was in the bull pen in the late innings but was not called upon to pitch.
Both Flores and Lagares played the entire game.
It was reported their were more than a dozen scouts attending the game.
The home run contest was won by Greenjacket third baseman, Chris Dominguez,-he won a replica of the "Black Betsy" baseball bat used by Shoeless Joe Jackson during his major league career.

Cohoon&Zapata lead Gnats to a12-0 win over Rome

The final game of the 3 game set between the Rome Braves and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium in front of 1,364 fans. With the win, the Gnats moved into first place one game ahead of Augusta with four games to play in the seasons first half.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Mark Cohoon, won his third consecutive complete game shutout. In 9 innings of work, Cohoon only allowed 4 hits, 2BB, and struck out seven. Cohoon improved his record to 7-1 and lowered his ERA to 1.30.
Gnats score two runs in the 3rd inning:Cesar Puello singled and stole second(his 22 stolen base of the year). Dock Doyle walked. Pedro Zapata doubled to score Puello. Michael Fisher's ground out scored Doyle. Savannah scored 4 runs in the 4th, 1 run in the 6th, 4 runs in the 7th, and 1 run in the 8th.
Gnats had 14 hits for the game. Pedro Zapata had one of the best hitting performances I have seen in six years of watching Sand Gnats baseball-he went 5-for5, one run scored, and drove in 4 runs. Fisher had a double and triple and 3 RBI's. Puello and Gregory had two hits apiece. Doyle drove in three runs.

Savannah 3 Rome 1

The Rome Braves and Savannah Sand Gnats played the second game of the series Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. With the 3-1 win over over Rome, the Gnats are now tied for first place with Augusta.
Gnats scored their first run in the 4th, Juan Lagares singled and scored on a triple by Jefry Marte.
Rome scored their only run in the 7th when Matt Weaver reached base on throwing errors, and scored when Kyle Rose doubled.
In the 7th inning, the Gnats scored two runs to break the 1-1 tie and take the lead. Nick Santomauro and Alonso Harris reached base on errors and moved to second and third. Michael Fisher singled to score Santomauro-Harris was thrown out at the plate on the play. Wilmer Flores singled to score Fisher.
For the game, the Gnats had 8 hits. Marte had a single and triple, and one RBI. Lagares scored a run and was 2-for-4 raising his batting average to .300.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Jimmy Fuller went 6 2/3 innings, struck out five, 1BB, allowed only 4hits and the run allowed was unearned. Erik Turgeon(3-1) picked up the win, gave up 3 hits in 1 1/3 innings. Michael Powers earned his 7th save closing out the 9th inning.

Sand Gnats 10 Rome Braves 4

The Rome Braves visited Grayson Stadium Monday evening to play the Savannah Sand Gnats in the first game of a three game set. Entering the contest the Gnats were one game behind Augusta and after beating Rome 10-4, they were still one game behind in the standings.
Rome scored two runs in the first inning without getting a hit, as the Gnats committed two errors.In the 3rd inning, Rome scored a run and they scored their final run in the 8th inning.
Gnats answered in the first inning scoring 5 runs on 6 hits. Pedro Zapata walked and Michael Fisher hit his second home run of the season to left field. Wilmer Flores and Juan Lagares singled. Flores scored when Jefry Marte doubled. Kai Gronauer doubled to score Lagares and Marte. Gnats scored 1 run in the 3rd and 3 runs in the 5th. Juan Lagares hit a home run(his 5th) in the 6th inning for the final run for Savannah.
The Sand Gnats bats were as hot as the weather, banging out 15 hits. Marte led the way with two doubles, 3 runs scored, 1RBI, and was 3-for-4. Gronauer was 2-for-3, 1 run scored and 3RBI's.
Getting 2 hits for the game were, Fisher, Lagares, Flores, and Gregory.
Starting Sand Gnats pitcher,Brandon Moore, pitched well in the heat completing 6 innings. He allowed only 4 hits, gave up 3 runs(1 earned), 3K, 1BB. John Church, Erik Turgeon, and Michael Powers each pitched one inning in relief:combined they allowed only one run, 3 hits and struck out three.
The announced attendance was 2.507.

Gnats 8 Intimidators 7 in 10 innings

The final game of the series between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium. Gnats played another extra inning game, winning 8-7.
In the first inning, Savannah scored when Michael Fisher doubled and scored on a single by Juan Lagares.The Gnats scored in the second, as consecutive hits by Rafael Fernandez, Cesar Puello, Luis Rivera, Alonso Harris, helped the Gnats push across 3 runs runs. Savannah scored one run in the 3rd, one run in the 6th, and tied the score with one run in the 9th. Kai Gronauer reached first base on an error by the shortstop, reached third on a sac bunt and throwing error, and scored the winning run in the 10th on a single by Puello.
The Gnats had 12 hits. Gronauer went 2-for-5, scored 2 runs and had 1RBI. Fernandez was 2-for-4, Rivera went 2-for-4, and Puello was 2-for-4.
Starting Gnat pitcher, Jimmy Fuller, had an off night performance, being taken out in the 4th with no one retired. He gave up 5 runs(4earned), 3K, 4BB, and gave up 5hits. Making his first appearance this season, Samuel Martinez went 2 1/3, 2hits, 2runs, 1BB and 1K. John Church 1 2/3, 2K, 1BB, 1hit. Michael Powers(3-3) won the game pitching 3 innings, and did not allow a run and gave up a hit.

Game two of double header:Gnats 7 Intimidators 1

The second game of the double header between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Monday at Grayson Stadium.
Savannah scored their first run in the 1st inning when Michael Fisher tripled and scored on a single by Juan Lagares.
Kannapolis scored their only run in the 2nd inning when Ian Gac hit a home run over the left center field fence. The powerful first baseman, who was 2-for-3, homered against the Gnats during his previous visit to Grayson.
In the 4th inning, Gnats scored 4 runs. Rafael Fernandez doubled and scored on a single by Dock Doyle. Luis Rivera singled. Alonso Harris reached first on an error by the third baseman to load the bases. A double by Pedro Zapata drove in three runs.
Gnats had 13 hits for the contest: Fisher went 3-for-4, Lagares was 2-for3 with 2RBI's, Zapata was 2-for3 with 2 doubles, and Doyle was 2-for3.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Armando Rodriquez (3-4) looked good picking up the win. He went 5 innings, gave up 1 run on 2hits, 0BB, and 3 strikeouts. John Church pitched 1 inning, 0runs, 1K, 1BB and allowed one hit. Erik Turgeon pitched the final inning and did not allow a run or hit.
The announced attendance for the double header was 2,381.

Gnats edge Intimidators 4-3 in 11 innings

The first game of the double header between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Monday afternoon at Grayson Stadium. The game, scheduled for 7 innings, went 11 innings with the Gnats winning 4-3.
Kannapolis scored their first run in the 2nd inning when Brady Shoemaker hit a 400ft blast over the center field wall for a home run. Shoemaker went 3-for-5 and had all 3 RBI's for the Intimidators.
Gnats scored two runs in the 5th:Alonso Harris tripled to score Michael Fisher who singled and scored Cesar Puello who singled.
The winning run was scored by the Gnats in the 11th inning. Kai Gronauer was hit by a pitch and moved to second on a sac bunt by Fisher. Walks to Nick Santomauro and Puello loaded the bases. A ground out by Harris scored pinch runner Luis Rivera. Pedro Zapata hit a line drive off the glove of the first baseman to score Santomauro with the winning run.
Sand Gnats had 9 hit for the game: Juan Lagares had a triple and was 2-for-5, and Zapata was 2-for-4.
All-star pitcher for the Gnats, Brandon Moore had another quality performance completing 7 innings. He only allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, 2BB, and struck out twelve. Darin Gorski picked up the win in relief going 4 innings, allowed 1 run on 4hits, 1BB, and struck out two. Gorski is now (2-2).

Kannapolis Intimidators 2 Sand Gnats 0.

The first game of the series between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Sunday afternoon at Grayson Stadium.
Kannapolis got off to a quick start scoring their two runs in the first inning: 2bDaniel Wagner reached first on an infield single and advanced to third on a double by lf Kyle Colligan. Both runners scored when 1bIan Gac doubled.
Savannah had numerous opportunities to score with 10 hits(all singles) and left 13 men on base. Juan Lagares was 3-for-5. Pedro Zapata had two hits and Jefry Marte had two hits.
Considering the temperature was over 90 degrees for the entire game, starting Sand Gnat pitcher Collin McHugh pitched admirably completing eight innings. He gave up six hits, 1BB, and struck out seven. Tyler Whitenton did not allow a run or a hit pitching in relief in the 9th inning. McHugh took the loss and now is (2-3).
Monday the two teams will play a double header(both games will be 7 inning games) with the starting time at 5:35.

Fun at Grayson Stadium.

Saturday evening I went to Grayson Stadium with my friend, Lon, to watch the game between the Sand Gnats and the Kannapolis Intimidators. Prior to the heavy rains postponing the game, Lon went down to the first base gate to get a baseball autographed by Sand Gnat players. Unexpectedly, Gnats second baseman, Alonso Harris, gave Lon a Louisville Slugger bat. Lon was surprised and thankful. It was a nice gesture by Alonso.

Rain postpones Gnats/Kannapolis opener

The first game between the Kannapolis Intimidators and the Savannah Sand Gnats Saturday evening at Grayson Stadium was postponed by heavy rains causing wet grounds.
The teams will play their regular schedule game tomorrow at 2:00 pm.
On Monday the Sand Gnats and Kannapolis Intimidators will play a double header starting at 5:30.

Gnats shutout Tourists 6-0

The final game of the four game series between the Asheville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Friday evening at Grayson Stadium.
Fans (1,542) saw starting Sand Gnat pitcher, Mark Cohoon pitch a complete game and only allowed three hits(Tourists ss Joey Wong had a single and two doubles and went 3-for-3). Cohoon was outstanding and struck out 10 in the shutout performance. With the win, Cohoon improved his record to 5-1 and tied Fuller for the most wins for the Sand Gnats.
Gnats scored two runs in the 5th: back to back walks to cDock Doyle and 1bAlex Gregory, both scored on a double by cfPedro Zapata.
In the 7th inning, Gnats scored four runs: Cesar Puello doubled followed by an infield hit by Doyle. Gregory doubled to score Puello. 2bAlonso Harris tripled to drive in two runs. A single by cfJuan Lagares scored Harris.

Asheville Tourists Tyler Matzek

Last evening lefty Tyler Matzek pitched 6 strong innings for the Tourists. He allowed the Sand Gnats only one run(a home run by Harris in the first), walked 2, gave up 4 hits and struck out eight. For someone out of high school, he showed poise and had good mechanics. Baseball America ranks him the number 1 prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization.
Matzek reminded me of the 2008 season when Augusta came to Grayson Stadium and a left handed pitcher, Madison Bumgarner, pitched well against the Sand Gnats. Baseball America ranks Bumgarner as the 2nd best prospect in the San Francisco Giants organization. Last year Bumgarner appeared in 4 games for the Giants, was 0-0, and had an ERA of 1.80. Not sure where Bumgarner is pitching at the moment.

Gnats edge Tourists 2-1 in 11 innings.

Game three of the four game series between the Asheville Tourist and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium. The fans(1,697) witnessed great pitching from both teams.
Sand Gnats scored in the 1st inning when 2b Alonzo Harris led off the inning with his second home run of the season, a line drive over the left field wall.
Tourists scored their lone run in the 6th: DH Eliezer Mesa led off the inning with a single, stole second and moved to third base on a throwing error by the catcher. Mesa scored on a single by 3b Nolan Arenado to tie the score at 1-1.
Gnats won the game in the 11th inning when cDock Doyle led off the inning with a walk and moved to second on a bunt by Harris. ss Wilmer Flores hit a double to score Doyle with the winning run.
Tourists starting pitcher, Tyler Matzek, looked good pitching 6 strong innings:giving up 1 run, 4hits, 2BB and striking out eight. Baseball America Prospect Handbook(2010) ranks Matzek as the number 1 prospect in the Colorado Rockies organization.
Sand Gnat starting pitcher, Jimmy Fuller, had another quality start pitching 7 innings: giving up only one run(unearned), 1BB, 4 hits and striking out seven.
For the game the Gnats had 7 hits. Flores had two doubles and went 2-for-5. rf Rafael Fernandez had two singles and was 2-for-4. Juan Lagares pinch hit in the 10th and hit a double.
Gnats relievers, Erik Turgeon and Michael Powers combined pitching a 4 inning shutout, allowed 2hits, 3BB, 2 strike outs. Powers(2-3) was the winning pitcher

Fuller vs. Matzek

Fans will get to see an excellent pitching match up Thursday evening at Grayson Stadium.
Jimmy Fuller(5-2, 1.90ERA) will start tonight for the Sand Gnats. The lefty pitches well every outing.
Starting for the Asheville Tourist, Tyler Matzek(0-0, 3.00). Baseball America Prospect Handbook(2010) ranks Matzek as the number 1 prospect in the entire Colorado Rockies organization. According to Baseball America, the lefty Matzek, passed up a scholarship to play at Oregon in order to receive a club-record $3.9 million bonus.

Asheville Tourist 5 Sand Gnats 2

Game two of the four game series between the Asheville Tourist and the Savannah Sand Gnats was played Wednesday evening at Grayson Stadium.
The Tourist got off to a fast start when their lead off hitter,Eliezer Mesa, hit a home run over the left field wall. They scored again in the 6th inning when Avery Barnes hit a triple and scored on a single by Nolan Arenado.
With the scored tied at 2-2 going into the 8th inning, Asheville loaded the bases and Barnes hit another triple to knock in 3 runs.
Sand Gnats scored a run in the first inning on a Juan Lagares double and he scored on a single by Jefry Marte. Gnats scored in the 4th inning on a double by Marte who scored on a single by Nick Santomeuro(2-for-4).
Marte had a single, double, and triple and went (3for-4).Lagares had a single and double and was (2-for-4). Alonso Harris hit a triple with two outs in the 5th, but did not score.
Starting Sand Gnat pitcher Brandon Moore, took the loss, pitching 7 1/3 innings, 5 runs, 0BB, 8hits and struck out nine. John Church pitched 1 inning: 1K, 2BB and did not give up a run or hit. Brandon Sage pitched 2/3 of an inning and did not allow a hit or run.

Asheville Tourists 4 Sand Gnats 2

The Asheville Tourists came to town Tuesday evening at Grayson Stadium to play the Savannah Sand Gnats in the opening game of a four game series.
Asheville scored their first run in the 5th inning:rf Kent Matthes led off the inning with a double and scored when ss Helder Velazquez singled. In the 6th inning, the Tourists scored two runs:
dh Joe Sanders reached first on a throwing error by Marte and scored on a sacrifice fly by 1b Jared Clark. A single by Matthes scored 3b Nolan Arenado who earlier doubled.
Sand Gnats scored their two runs in the 6th inning: consecutive singles by2b Michael Fisher, cfPedro Zapata, and Juan Lagares loaded the bases. Wilmer Flores hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Fisher and runners advanced to second and third. Jefry Marte hit a sac fly to left center to score Zapata.
Sands Gnats had six hits for the game. Michael Fisher, playing his third game of the season and his first game at Grayson, hit two singles and went 2-for-3. The switch hitting Fisher, hit a single right handed in the 6th and hit a single batting left handed in the 8th.
Sand Gnat starting pitcher, Collin McHugh, pitched six strong innings but took the loss. He gave up 3 runs(one earned) 0BB, 6 hits, and struck out four. Lance Hoge pitched the final three innings and did not allow a hit, gave up 1 run, 1BB, and struck out four.

Bunny Ware@ Grayson Stadium

Bunny Ware was spotted taking pictures of fans at the game Tuesday evening between the Asheville Tourists and the Savannah Sand Gnats at Grayson Stadium. Go to spotted.savannahnow.com to view the pictures. Look for "Bunny in the city" section in the Savannah Morning News this Sunday to see the pictures.