Sanabia, Bullpen Combine to Shut Out Savannah

Martinez Kicks Off Four-Run First Inning for Greensboro; Finishes 3-for-4

GREENSBORO – Only time will tell if Friday’s shut out of Savannah is the start of a new trend for the Grasshoppers; in the meantime they did their best to entertain the 8,302 fans at NewBridge Bank Park with one of the finest pitching performances of the season.

Greensboro starter Alex Sanabia faced only three batters to start the game before the Hoppers gave him a comfortable four-run lead en route to the 5-0 victory.

Ozzie Martinez led off the home half of the first with a single which sparked a string of three consecutive hits for the Hoppers including an RBI-single by Bryan Petersen. Back-to-back doubles by Ryan Curry and Danny Garcia plated Greensboro’s other three runs in the inning.

The game then turned into a pitcher’s dual as both teams pitched seven scoreless innings before Matt Dominguez capped off the Greensboro gem with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth inning; it was his sixth of the season.

After Sanabia left the game, Eric Basurto, Kevin Gunter and Corey Madden each provided an innings worth of work to secure Greensboro’s third shutout of the season. Madden struck out three Sand Gnats in the ninth inning and caught the final batter of the game looking to bring it to an end.

Martinez led the offensive attack from the start and finished the night 3-for-4 at the plate.

The victory ensured Greensboro it would not lose its sixth consecutive series, snapping a skid that dated back to June 26.

Postgame Quick Stats
Win – Alex Sanabia (3-3); Loss – Manny Olivares (0-1); Save – None
Time – 2:49; Attendance – 8,302
*****from Justin Stottlemyre Hoppers’ media assistant*****