Hoppers get split with Gnats/Winters gets complete-game shutout

from Scott Gierman Savannah Sand Gnats:

SAVANNAH, Ga. – Savannah (13-24) split its twin bill with the Greensboro Grasshoppers at Historic Grayson Stadium winning the first game, 3-0, and losing the second game, 3-0. In Game 1, Julio Polanco (2-7) came within one out of a seven-inning complete game to pick up his second win of the season while Tom Cowley (4-4) took the loss. In the second game, Kyle Winters (6-1) did pitch a complete game while Nelson Portillo (3-7) took the loss.

In the first game, Hector Pellot provided most of the Sand Gnats offense as he hit his sixth home run of the season to give the Gnats a 2-0 lead after three innings. Savannah pushed an insurance run across in the sixth when Francisco Pena hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Brahiam Maldonado.

Polanco struck out eight batters, a Gnats’ season-high, in the first game in 6.2 innings while allowing just 3 hits. Jeramy Simmons picked up his second save.

In Game 2, Savannah could only muster two hits, which tied a season-low. Scott Cousins scored two of Greensboro’s three runs and also clubbed a home run. Portillo lasted 5.0 innings, allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, on five hits with six strikeouts.

In the fifth inning of the second game, Winters began the inning by throwing a pitch inside to Gnats right fielder Jonathan Sanchez. Benches cleared but no punches were thrown and no one was ejected from the game. Two Grasshoppers batters were hit by Portillo prior to the incident.

The Gnats and Grasshoppers will play the third game of this four-game series Wednesday beginning at 7:05 p.m. Jeremy Mizell (3-10, 5.18) is scheduled to start for Savannah while Cristhian Martinez (5-3, 3.45) is scheduled to start for Greensboro. It’s a Working Women’s Wednesday at the ballpark with drink specials and $1 admission for women who bring in their business card or employee badge.