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Series Preview: Fireflies Look to Outshine Suns

By Al Rabon

June 2, 2016 No comments

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The Columbia Fireflies (28-25) welcome the first place Hagerstown Suns the Washington Nationals affiliate (33-19) for a three game series. The series starting Thursday night runs through Saturday at Spirit Communications Park with game time set for 7:05 each night.

The Suns come in leading the SAL North Division while the Fireflies have been running hot and cold; a week ago they had won four in a row, then lost next three, and now have won three in a row after sweeping Rome Braves. The one area where the Fireflies have not been up and down is their pitching (3.47 ERA).

The Suns come into the series having won three in a row and 7 of their last 10 games. They have been consistent on offense (.260 AVG) fourth in SAL and their pitching has been solid with five shutouts (tied for most in SAL) and is fourth in SAL in hits allowed.

Hagerstown will be showcasing several of the Nationals top prospects including the 3rd rated prospect in their organization in Victor Robles who is 5th in the SAL with a .319 average. Max Schrock hitting (.310) is the 15th rated prospect, and starting pitcher Andrew Lee is scheduled to pitch Thursday night. Three other prospects worth watching are Kelvin Gutierrez who is hitting (.299), Rhett Wiseman hitting (.333) last ten games, and Matthew Page (.285) on the season and (.395) past ten games.

The Suns will be facing a solid Fireflies pitching staff along with several players who have gotten hot over the past seven games. Kevin Kaczmarski is hitting (.280) with three doubles and eight RBI, J.C. Rodriguez (.296, 5 RBI), Dash Winningham (.292), and Milton Ramos (.318). Even though he went 0-4 in the final game against Rome the Fireflies are glad to have David Thompson (.280) back in the lineup after missing time with a rib strain.

The Fireflies have one of the most dominating bullpens in the SAL led by Alex Palsha 2-1 (3.00) with seven saves, Tyler Bashlor (1.09) has only given up two earned runs since April 22, Craig Missigman (3.12), Seth Davis (2.63), and Christian Montgomery (3.80).

The starting pitching has been solid but there has been a slight crack with Chase Ingram 3-4, Ingram had been on a roll through the first few weeks of the season but in 4 of his last 5 starts he has struggled. In those four games he has a 12.38 ERA. Ingram will take the mound Friday night. Joe Shaw 3-2 will get the start for the opening game and P.J. Conlon 7-1 will be on the mound for the final game of the series. Conlon leads the SAL in wins and has the second lowest ERA.

Starting Pitchers
June 2 (7:05) Hagerstown: Andrew Lee (2-2, 3.66) – Columbia: Joe Shaw (3-2, 3.21)
June 3 (7:05) Hagerstown: Pedro Avila (3-3, 3.28) – Columbia: Chase Ingram (3-4, 4.40)
June 4 (7:05) Hagerstown: Jefry Rodriguez (5-2, 2.86) – Columbia: P.J. Conlon (7-1, 1.42)