Lexington 2, Savannah 0

The Savannah Sand Gnats got a great pitching performance from starter Steven Matz Saturday night, but Lexington’s Christian Binford was just as tough as the Legends pulled out a 2-0 victory.

Matz, a 22-year-old left-hander out of Stony Brook, N.Y., York, was masterful in six innings of work. He allowed just two hits, while striking out nine and walking two — without allowing a run.

But Binford turned this game into a pitcher’s duel with an equally stellar effort. The 6-foot-6 right-hander scattered seven hits over six innings, while striking out nine and walking two. He didn’t allow the Gnats to score, allowing just one extra base hit — a double to Cole Frenzel in the fourth inning, a frame in which Binford struck out the side.

Lexington broke through for a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth of Savannah reliever Julian Hilario, who was tagged with the loss.

Mark Threlkeld led off the inning with a walk and scored on a double to left by Lexington’s Bubba Starling, who promptly stole third base. Michael Antonio brought him home with an RBI single to left to make it 2-0.

Aroni Nina picked up his fourth win of the season for the Legends with two innings of scoreless relief, as he struck out three.

Kevin Allen allowed two-out hits to Phillip Evans (2 for 4) and Chad Zurcher (2 for 4) in the bottom of the ninth, as the Gnats made things interesting. But Allen notched his first save of the season by striking out Eudy Pina swinging to end the threat and the game.

The teams will meet for the final game of the four-game series today at 1:35 p.m. The Gnats continue their road trip Monday with a 7:05 p.m. start at Augusta.

Key Stats

Chad Zurcher: 2-for-4, 1 BB

Cole Frenzel: 2-for-4, 1 2B

Greg Pron: 1-for-4, 1 SB

Phillip Evans: 2-for-4

Steven Matz: 6.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 0 ER, 9 K

Julian Hilario: 1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 ER, 4 K

Paul Sewald: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 BB

(Team Report)