Hoppers update from Will Cornelius

HOPPERS DROP THIRD STRAIGHT TO HAGERSTOWN

GREENSBORO, NC—The Grasshoppers scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to force a tie, but were unable to hold off Hagerstown, dropping their third straight home contest, 10-7.

The Hoppers’ three consecutive losses ties this season’s longest losing streak, as the Grasshoppers have yet to pick up a home win against Hagerstown.

Hagerstown starter Marcos Frias (1-1) pitched a gem for the Suns, giving up just one run on two hits, while fanning seven in his six innings of work. Frias retired the first six batters he faced before Joel Staples singled in the third.

After the single, Frias settled back in to mow down the next 11 hitters he faced before turning to the bullpen. Despite five scoreless innings and season highs in strikeouts and innings pitched, Frias earned a no decision in his second straight start, as the Hoppers sparked for six runs in the seventh inning.

The Grasshoppers led things off in the sixth with back-to-back base hits by Paul Gran and Jeremy Synan. After Synan scored on a fielder’s choice, the Hoppers loaded the bases with two outs before Justin Bass drove in all three runs on a basses clearing triple.

Bass led all Hoppers hitters with four RBI, going two-for-four at the plate with a solo homerun in the sixth and triple in the seventh. Kevin Mattison also had two hits for the Grasshoppers, his second multi-hit game in three days.

Andrew Loomis, Jared Yecker, and Daniel Jennings relived starter Kyle Kaminska after five innings, but were unable to slow the Sun’s bats, allowing three Hagerstown runs in the final frame.

Hagerstown right fielder Michael Guerrero shined bright for the Suns, leading all hitters with his 3-5, five RBI day.

Osvaldo Rodriguez came on for an entertaining ninth inning, loading the bases before closing the door on his fifth save of the season.

The Grasshoppers, now 18-17, have lost three straight to Northern Division foe Hagerstown, and risk being swept at home for the first time all season.

The Hoppers try to avoid the sweep in tomorrow’s series finale, taking on the Suns in a Sunday afternoon showdown. First pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m.