News-Record.com

GREENSBORO -- The Greensboro Grasshoppers looked like they were on their way to the first two-game winning streak they have had in 20 games, but it all fell apart in the ninth inning of a 6-5 loss to the Savannah Sand Gnats.

With the Grasshoppers leading 5-2, new closer Peter Andrelczyk immediately ran into trouble in the ninth and it only got worse. Andrelczyk walked the first batter and then gave up a double to Carlos Guzman. Guzman scored on a single by Nick Giarraputo making it 5-3.

But the big blow came when Greg Veloz singled with the bases loaded, scoring two runs and tying the game at 5. Jose Jimenez would knock in the go ahead run with a single scoring B.J. Hubbert, but right fielder Justin Jacobs made a perfect throw to get Veloz at the plate and limit the damage.

The blown save ruined a good performance from starter Kyle Kaminska, who pitched five effective innings, giving up two runs and striking out eight.

Jay Voss came out of the bullpen to pitch two more scoreless innings, and Steven Cishek added another inning without allowing a run.

"It was a beauty until the ninth," said Grasshoppers manager Edwin Rodriguez. "Kaminska pitched good. Jay Voss pitched two scoreless innings, and we had nice plays from Ozzie (Martinez) and (Danny) Garcia up the middle. We had two-out RBIs. Everything was good except the end result."

Andrelczyk has only been the closer for a short time after being promoted from rookie-league ball in Jamestown. He was a fifth-round selection in the June draft.

"He was a closer, so we have to use him as a closer," Rodriguez said. "He was doing a great job there (Jamestown), but he hasn't been dominant here. I think he needs to get his confidence back. Maybe we can use him in the seventh inning or something like that."

The Hoppers had the tying run on second in the ninth inning after Tyler Belcher reached on an infield single and pinch runner Ryan Curry stole second. But Ozzie Martinez struck out looking on one of many calls that were questioned by the Grasshoppers hitters.

"I think that was too close to take," Rodriguez said. "From where I was, it looked like a strike."

Greensboro fell behind early when Savannah's leadoff batter, Greg Veloz, hit a homer to right field on the fourth pitch of the game. But Grasshoppers starter Kyle Kaminska pitched out of a one-out, first and third jam, by striking out two straight batters.

Greensboro responded immediately in the bottom of the first inning. Danny Garcia singled to right and moved to second when the Sand Gnats first baseman dropped a pick off throw. Bryan Petersen singled to center to knock Garcia in, extending his hitting streak to nine games. Petersen then stole second and scored on Matt Dominguez's single to center to give the Hoppers a 2-1 lead.

After Savannah tied it at 2, Mike Stanton gave the lead back to Greensboro with a no-doubt-about-it shot to deep center in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was Stanton's league-leading 22nd homer of the season.

The Grasshoppers added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Petersen knocked in Ozzie Martinez with a groundout and then Dominguez singled to bring home Garcia, giving Greensboro a 5-2 lead.