Hagerstown breaks out on top in first game against Savannah

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 09, 2013, 10:05pm

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This is one time the Nationals are happy to beat a Gnat. Low Single-A Hagerstown cruised past Savannah in Game 1 of the South Atlantic League finals 6-1 behind excellent pitching from rookie Jake Johansen and three hits courtesy of Tony Renda. Johansen went five innings, allowing three hits, no runs and two walks while striking out two for the win. Renda and Stephen Perez provided two-run doubles. Perez's hit came with two outs in the eighth. Wander Ramos had two doubles and a run scored. Bryan Lippincott went 2-for-4 with a run scored as well. Ian Dickson went three innings, allowing one run, to earn a hold. Gilberto pitched one final inning of scoreless relief. The Suns lead the best-of-five series 1-0. Hagerstown had six doubles. Isaac Ballou's double put men on second and third prior to Renda's heroics in the fifth off of Gnats starter Luis Cessa. The Suns trot out right-hander Austin Voth (1-0, 0.00) in Game 2 of the SAL championship series Tuesday night. The Gnats will offer up righty Seth Lugo for his playoff debut. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.