GRASSHOPPERS JUMP ALL OVER SUNS 14-7

HAGERSTOWN, MD– For the second straight night the Greensboro Grasshoppers (16-14) were too much offensively for the Hagerstown Suns (15-16). It was back and forth early, but the Hoppers pulled away in the middle innings to take game three of the series 14-7.

Suns starter Brad Peacock (0-3) was touched up for a run in the first inning off a sacrifice fly by centerfielder Bryan Petersen that brought in Hunter Mense.

Hagerstown battled back with two runs in the bottom half of the first frame. Newcomer Boomer Whiting welcomed himself to the ball club with a bloop single to lead things off. Second baseman Jake Smolinski followed that with a ground rule double. South Atlantic Player of the Week Bill Rhinehart then continued his hot hitting with a two-RBI double.

Greensboro came back though with two runs in the top of the second to regain the lead. After a Ryan Curry walk shortstop Ozzie Martinez hit a home run to left field for his second of the year.

The Suns took the lead right back with three runs of their own in the second inning. With runners on first and second, Whiting ripped a double down the left field line to bring in two. The relay throw to home plate ended up in the Suns dugout, so Whiting was awarded home plate.

From there on it was all Grasshoppers. Greensboro scored 11 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Right fielder Mike Stanton highlighted the scoring with a two run blast over the wall in centerfield. It was Stanton’s fourth home run of the year.

Greensboro relief pitcher Brett Durand (4-0) picked up the win, while Brad Peacock took the loss for Hagerstown.

The Grasshoppers had at least one base runner in all nine innings.

The Suns and Grasshoppers complete their four game series tomorrow morning at 10:35 at Municipal Stadium.