Greensboro Grasshoppers Finally Win at Home, Top Lakewood BlueClaws 7-4
Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 09:38AM MLN - THE RAW FEED - www.mlntherawfeed.com - Greensboro, N.C. – The same Grasshoppers team that ended a nine-game, home losing streak Sunday has now rattled off a season-long, four-game win streak with Greensboro’s 7-4, come-from-behind victory over Lakewood Thursday afternoon.
Greensboro fell behind 4-0 after five innings, but the crowd of 8,742 at NewBridge Bank Park for the AIG United Guaranty School Day game cheered on a Hoppers rally that included all seven Greensboro runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
“I love being able to play in front of all the kids,” said Greensboro’s Hunter Mense following the victory. “They’re always extremely supportive and they love you whether you get a hit or strikeout. It’s not every day you hear the ballpark get that excited for a routine groundout.”
ADVERTISEMENT Mense didn’t have to worry about any sympathy cheers though; he went 3-for-4 from the plate and excited the patrons with his two-run double in the seventh inning that plated the game-winning run.
With its first lead of the game, Hoppers’ reliever Corey Madden returned to the mound for his second inning of work en route to his second win of the season.
“It seems like when we get the lead and hand it to our bullpen its kind of a done deal,” said Mense. “Those guys have been so strong for us all year and they continue to perform night in and night out.”
Garrett Parcell entered the game from the bullpen in the ninth inning and faced just three batter in earning his league-leading 10th save; he also credited the Greensboro batter for never quitting when the team gets down.
“This team never gives up,” said Parcell. “Down four or five runs our hitters always find a way to get it done and we have to give them a lot of credit.”
After giving up four runs in six-plus innings of work, Hoppers’ starter Colby Miller was in line for his seventh loss of the season, but got off the hook thanks to a five-run fifth inning.
With the win, Greensboro captured its second home series victory of the year and will try for the sweep against Lakewood on Thursday when RHP Kyle Kaminska (0-1, 11.57) faces the reigning South Atlantic League Player of the Week, RHP Drew Naylor (3-2, 2.04), in the series finale. The first pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. as the Hoppers end an eight-game homestand on Thirsty Thursday.
For more information about upcoming Grasshopper games, events and promotions, contact the Grasshoppers Box Office at 336-268.2255 or visit www.gsohoppers.com on the World Wide Web.
The Grasshoppers have welcomed over 1,250,000 fans to NewBridge Bank Park, becoming the only Class A team in the history of Minor League Baseball to draw over 400,000 fans and grow its attendance for three straight years in a new ballpark. They are the proud recipients of both the South Atlantic League's Club Merit Award and the General Manager of the Year Award for the past three years.
Postgame Quick Stats
Win – Corey Madden (2-0); Loss – Joe Rocchio (2-4); Save – Garrett Parcell (10)
Time – 2:21; Attendance –8,742
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