HOME RUNS POWER SUNS PAST LEGENDS

LEXINGTON, KY – The Hagerstown Suns (17-20) used a pair of two-run home runs from their double play combination to beat the Lexington Legends (14-26) 4-3 at Applebee’s Park.

Shortstop Dan Lyons started the scoring for the Suns in the top of the third inning as he homered with centerfielder Boomer Whiting on base to give Hagerstown a 2-0 lead. The home run was Lyons’ third of the season.

The Legends got one run in the bottom of the fifth inning off Suns starting pitcher Jeff Mandel (3-2), it was the only run Mandel allowed. The right hander pitched six innings, allowed six hits and walked two while striking out four batters to earn the win.

Mandel also benefitted from three double plays turned by the Suns while he was pitching. The Suns did not commit an error in the game.

Hagerstown’s second two-run shot came in the top of the seventh inning, as second baseman Jake Smolinski’s third home run of the season drove in rightfielder Michael Burgess.

Lexington made it close in the ninth, as they scored two runs off relievers Ryan Harrison and Kyle Gunderson, but Gunderson struck out pinch-hitter Steve Brown with the tying run aboard to earn his second save of the season.

The Suns and Legends will play the final game of their four game series on Wednesday, May 15th at 7:05 P.M.

The Hagerstown Suns play at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, MD and are a Class “A” affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Ticket packages and sponsorships are available by calling the Suns at 301-791-6266. Visit the Suns on the web at www.hagerstownsuns.com. The Suns are owned by Los Angeles based Mandalay Baseball Properties.