Savannah Sand Gnats @ Rome Braves
September 1, 2014
Robert Whalen @ Brandon Barker
Teams
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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6
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7
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8
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9
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R
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H
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E
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Savannah
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1
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0
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0
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0
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0
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3
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0
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0
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0
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4
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8
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0
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Rome
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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0
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1
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0
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0
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1
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5
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2
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Win: Whalen (9-1,
2.01 ERA); Loss: Barker (5-2, 3.93 ERA); Save: Acosta (1)
MiLB.com Boxscore
The Highlights:
Pitchers
Robert Whalen – 5
IP, 2 H, SO, 6 GO: 4 FO, 47 Pitches (32 Strikes)
Octavio Acosta (S,
1, 3.14 ERA) – 4 IP, 3 H, R, BB, SO, HR, HBP, 2 GO: 5 FO, 54 Pitches (35
Strikes)
Batters
Champ Stuart – 1-3, 2 R, 3B (5), BB
Dominic Smith – 1-4, R, RBI (44)
Victor Cruzado – 1-4, 2 RBI (50), SO
Stefan Sabol – 2-4, SO
Luis Guillorme – 2-4, R
Recap:
Robert
Whalen and Octavio Acosta were attacking the zone all afternoon against a Rome
team that looked ready for the season to be over, needing only 101 pitches
combined in the Gnats final regular season game of the season. The Gnats were
similarly aggressive in their at bats, but they were able to scratch together
four runs, which was more than enough for a win. Perhaps even better news than
another win on Monday, was the announcement late Monday night that left fielder
Michael Conforto, shortstop Amed Rosario, and third baseman Jhoan Urena
(pronounced Johan) would be joining the Gnats for the playoffs. The three
should provide an offensive boost to a team in desperate need of one since the
departure of Gavin Cecchini, Jeff McNeil and L.J. Mazzili at the end of the
first half (and Jared King before that). It’s unclear what the Gnats will do
with Rosario/Luis Guillorme/Yeixon Ruiz for the middle infield, as they each
bring something different to the table, although the safe bet is on Rosario
playing SS. Guillorme is the best defender of the three, with Rosario likely a
little better than Ruiz with the glove. Offensively, while Guillorme has a nice
contact swing and overall approach, he is not really an impact bat with such
little power. Ruiz finished the season with his best month for Savannah – he
had a .755 OPS in August but that jumps to .861 if you make the arbitrary cut
offs 7/29-8/28 – and Toby Hyde thinks he’s currently more advanced offensively
than Rosario, but he was moved to 2B and 3B while Guillorme took over SS for the
last weekend of the season, so he’s likely lower on the depth chart. Behind
those three are Jorge Rivero and Jonathan Johnson, who have been nice players
for Savannah but are basically non-prospects at this point. Urena offers the
Gnats their first real 3B prospect of the season, and his high contact approach
should transition successfully. Michael Conforto will likely knock Stefan Sabol
out of LF, if not the lineup. Sabol still flashes the power and speed that
could make him an interesting prospect, but he’s hit .201/.306/.342 over 805 PA
with Savannah, so Conforto should be a huge upgrade.
