NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (May 12, 2018) -- Ryan Lillie dominated over 7.0 scoreless innings to pitch the Grasshoppers past the GreenJackets, 3-1, on Saturday night at SRP Park. The right-handed arm struck out eight while working around three hits and no walks to help Greensboro (16-17) end the team's season-long
NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (May 12, 2018) -- Ryan Lillie dominated over 7.0 scoreless innings to pitch the Grasshoppers past the GreenJackets, 3-1, on Saturday night at SRP Park. The right-handed arm struck out eight while working around three hits and no walks to help Greensboro (16-17) end the team's season-long 6-game losing streak.
The Grasshoppers scored with two outs in the first inning for a quick 1-0 lead that they never gave up. Jhonny Santos walked, extending his on-base streak to 19 games since April 14, and Lazaro Alonso followed with an RBI-double to left field, scoring Santos from first base. Alonso paced Greensboro's offense, which totaled 13 hits on the night. The Hoppers designated hitter went 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI -- including an RBI-single that scored Jose Devers in the fifth inning.
In the top of the third, Thomas Jones led off the inning with a home run (5) for a 2-0 lead. The reigning South Atlantic League Player of the Week finished 2-for-5 with a blast.
Lillie (2-1) earned the win for Greensboro while reliever Michael Mertz worked around a run over the final 2.0 innings for the save (1). Augusta starting pitcher John Gavin (1-1) took the loss, allowing two runs on four hits over 3.0 innings, striking out six and walking two.
The Grasshoppers continue this 4-game series on Sunday at 2:05 p.m. at SRP Park in North Augusta, S.C. The team returns to Greensboro on Thursday, May 17, to open an 8-game home stand, and tickets are available online at gsohoppers.com.
