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GREENSBORO -- The Grasshoppers (10-18) started off strong Friday night, just like on Thursday, but they ended the game with a better result, a 5-0 victory over the Savannah Sand Gnats.

Right-hander Alejandro Sanabia (3-3) came into the game with a 2-3 record and 6.41 ERA. He pitched six shut-out innings -- the most by a starter since Brett Durand threw seven scoreless innings on June 2.

"It felt great," Durand said. "Coming off a couple bad ones and coming out of here with a win today felt good."

In three previous appearances against Southern Division teams this season, Sanabia had a 0-1 record with a 10.12 ERA. He logged 102/3 innings in those three starts.

Manager Edwin Rodriguez noted that sometimes you don't what to expect with a 19-year-old pitcher. But Friday night, Sanabia stepped up.

"Pitching is everything, and they showed that tonight," Rodriguez said. "Alejandro Sanabia did an outstanding job pitching tonight the first six innings, and then the bullpen he took over.

"If we got good starting pitching, we're in the game. "

Relievers Eric Basurto, Kevin Gunter and Corey Madden helped close out the game, taking one inning apiece.

Madden ended the night with three consecutive strikeouts.

Rodriguez's thoughts about Madden striking out the last three hitters?

"Oh, he was outstanding."

Basurto had a tough outing in the seventh. But with two outs and two Sand Gnats on base, Savannah center fielder Carlos Guzman grounded into a double play.

The Hoppers scored four runs off five hits, opting to score on the manufactured run instead of the homer.

With shortstop Ozzie Martinez on second and left fielder Tom Hickman on first, centerfielder Bryan Petersen popped a single underneath a diving Savannah second baseman Greg Veloz. Martinez easily scored the first run.

Then second baseman Ryan Curry and designated hitter Danny Garcia hit back-to-back, two-out RBI doubles.

The inning helped ease Sabania's mind.

"It definitely helps when you come out in the first inning and you already have four runs to support you throughout the whole game," he said.

Third baseman Matt Dominguez sealed the win with a solo home run off Jason Lavrogna's first pitch of the eighth inning.

Since opening the second half with a three-game win streak against the Lexington, the Hoppers have failed to string two consecutive wins.

"We're in a slump right now, but all we have to do is take one game at a time," Rodriguez said. "(We have a) one-game winning streak. Take tomorrow, two-game winning streak. We're going to take one inning at a time, one pitch at a time."

Contact Dioni L. Wise at 373-7016 or dioni.wise@news-record.com