08/11/05 - South Atlantic League (SAL) Greenville Bombers

GREENVILLE, SC - A baserunning gaffe nearly cost Greenville dearly Thursday night. But a Savannah error combined with a timely hit by Austin Easley capped a four-run eighth inning to lift the Bombers to a 4-3 victory over the Sandgnats at Municpal Stadium. The win gave Greenville a fourth straight victory and a sweep of the series.

After getting shutout through the first seven innings by the combination of Ricardo Morales and Chris Goodman (1-4), the Bombers came to life in the eighth. Trailing 3-0, Jeff Corsaletti and Jeff Natale opened the frame with back-to-back ground ball singles off Goodman.

John Otness then hit what appeared to be an RBI double, but miscommunication on the basepaths got in the way. On a ball driven off the left-center field wall, Corsaletti got an extremely late break off second base. When the carom off the fence was played by center fielder Rogearvin Bernadina, both Corsaletti and Natale were standing on second base. Corsaletti was eventually thrown out at home on the relay by shortstop Seth Bynum, while Natale and Otness were forced to stop and second and first base.

Things looked bleak after Goodman struck out Chuck Jeroloman for the second out of the inning. However, Claudio Arias drew a walk to load the bases.

Then the Sandgnats made a miscue of their own. Chris Turner stroked a ground ball to second baseman Brad Ditter. Ranging to his left on the fringe of the outfield grass, Ditter's errant throw pulled first baseman Steve Mortimer off the bag, allowing a run to score and extending the inning.

Easley followed with a sharp ground ball inside the third base bag for a three-run double to put the Bombers ahead, 4-3.

Both starting pitchers turned in strong efforts in gaining no decisions. Greenville's Gary Galvez allowed three unearned run over six and two-third innings, while Morales worked six shutout frames with eight strikeouts for Savannah.

Bombers reliever Brian Marshall (1-0) earned the win. Righthander Harvey Garcia pitched a scoreless ninth inning to notch his sixth save of the season.

Greenville travels to Rome, GA, Friday to open a four-game series and roadtrip at 7:00pm. Righthander Henry Cabrera (0-2) is scheduled to pitch.

NOTES: In his last 4 starts, GALVEZ has allowed a combined 2 earned runs over 25.1 innings for an ERA of 0.71......CORSALETTI went 2-for-3 with a walk. He has hit safely in 9 of his last 10 games going 19-42 (.452)......OTNESS went 1-for-3 and has now hit in 9 of his last 10 games, batting .385 (15-42)......TURNER has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games......Bombers 3b ANDREW PINCKNEY was ejected in the fourth inning by plate umpire BRIAN ST. CLAIR......prior to Thursday's game, Lhp BRANTLEY JORDAN rejoined Greenville, as he was reassigned from "AA" Portland. Jordan spent one day with the SeaDogs, pitching one-third of an inning on Wednesday night......the Bombers next play at home on Tuesday, August 16th, when they host Augusta in the opener of a 4-game series and homestand at 7:05pm......