WHITAKER BANK BALLPARK (Lexington, KY) – The Lexington Legends were unable to complete a late inning comeback as they fell 6-3 to the Augusta GreenJackets in the second game of the three-game series. The Legends now drop to third place in the Southern Division of the South Atlantic League, 1.5 games out of first place with 5 games to play in the first half.
The GreenJackets first scored in the top of the fifth inning. Dalton Combs led off with a single to right field then advanced to third when Jeffry Parra drew a walk and Nico Giarratano was hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Ismael Munguia popped up a sacrifice fly to centerfield and Augusta was on the board, 1-0.
In the top of the sixth inning, Diego Rincones led off with a single to the shortstop, Jeison Guzman then advanced to second on a throwing error. Jacob Gonzalez lined a double down the left field line and Augusta extended their lead, 2-0. An RBI single by Parra plated Gonzalez and the GreenJackets led 3-0.
Augusta plated two more in the top of the seventh inning. Anyesber Sivira lined a single to right field then scored on an RBI double by Munguia. Munguia advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Shane Matheny. Rincones then hit a sacrifice fly to left field allowing Munguia to score and the Legends continued to trail, 5-0.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Michael Gigliotti led off with a single to left centerfield then moved to second base on a Kyle Kasser single to right field. Nate Eaton then hit a groundball to the shortstop who threw Kasser out at second base while Gigliotti moved to third base. Freddy Fermin then bounced a ball to the shortstop allowing Gigliotti to score and the Legends were on the board, 5-1. Eric Cole then smashed his 6th triple of the season, plating Eaton and Lexington trailed 5-2. Cole then came home to score on a wild pitch by Luis Amaya and the Legends trailed 5-3.
The GreenJackets plated their final run in the top of the ninth inning. Sivira drew a leadoff walk then was doubled home by Munguia and Lexington fell, 6-3.
Keaton Winn was awarded the victory tossing 6.0 shutout innings allowing three hits while walking one and striking out six. Jon Heasley was given the loss pitching 6.0 innings allowing three runs on six hits while walking one and striking out nine.
The Legends and GreenJackets meet for the series finale tomorrow, June 12 at 12:05pm. Lexington will send LHP Evan Steele (1-1, 1.62 ERA) to the bump while Augusta is TBD.
The Legends, a Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals and member of the South Atlantic League, play all home games at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Kentucky. For ticket information, call (859) 422-7867 or visit LexingtonLegends.com.
