GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 12, 2018) -- The Grasshoppers committed four errors in a hard-luck loss to the Hickory Crawdads, 5-1 in seven innings, in Game 1 of a doubleheader. Dustin Beggs (2-1) struck out a career-high 10 batters over 5.0 innings in a spot start, taking the loss despite not allowing
GREENSBORO, N.C. (June 12, 2018) -- The Grasshoppers committed four errors in a hard-luck loss to the Hickory Crawdads, 5-1 in seven innings, in Game 1 of a doubleheader.
Dustin Beggs (2-1) struck out a career-high 10 batters over 5.0 innings in a spot start, taking the loss despite not allowing an earned run. The right-handed hurler allowed three unearned runs on five hits while walking none in his first start since May 26. Beggs set a new individual high by a Hoppers pitcher for strikeouts in a game, surpassing Taylor Braley's nine on April 20 against Charleston.
In the top of the first, Greensboro made two errors on one play to allow Hickory to get on the board. Yonny Hernandez led off with a double, putting the Crawdads in scoring position. Beggs turned to pickoff the runner but misfired, sending the ball into left field. Hernandez raced to third, and left fielder slipped when fielding the ball, giving Hernandez an opening to break for home and a 1-0 Hickory lead.
Thomas Jones put Greensboro on the board in the bottom of the third with a solo home run (7).
Hickory again took advantage of Greensboro miscues in the top of the fourth. Bubba Thompson led off with a base hit, and Kole Enright followed with a single to center field. Jhonny Santos allowed the ball to get past him, and it rolled all the way to the center field wall, allowing both Thompson and Enright to score on the 3-base error for a 3-1 Crawdads lead.
In the sixth, Hickory added two more runs on back-to-back sacrifice fly balls. With Gabriel Castellanos taking over on the mound, Yohel Pozo singled, and Ryan Dorow followed with a double to put both men in scoring position. Tyreque Reed and Sam Huff drove in their teammates on consecutive fly balls for a 5-1 advantage.
Noah Bremer (1-1) earned the win with a complete-game performance, limiting Greensboro to a run on three hits while walking two and striking out five.
The Grasshoppers and Crawdads will play Game 2 of the doubleheader Tuesday evening followed by another doubleheader on Wednesday beginning at 12:00 p.m. One ticket is good for both games of Wednesday's doubleheader -- comprising two 7-inning games -- and tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.
