Late HR saves Grays

​6/19/14

By: Anna Dunlavey

They say good things come to those who wait. And the DC Grays certainly waited a long time to score in last night’s home game against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. But a pitcher’s duel gave way to a burst of offense in the late innings, and the result was a 3-2 win for the Grays. The win brought the Grays (6-6) back to .500 for the season.

The first T-Bolts batter of the game hit a single up the middle that zipped just past diving second baseman David Kimbrough (Delaware State). That batter came around to score later in the inning, giving the T-Bolts a 1-0 lead before the Grays had even come to bat. That was the only run on the scoreboard for seven innings.

Grays’ starter Joe Kinee (West Chester) kept the T-Bolts at bay for six innings.  Sherman Graves (Savannah State) pitched scoreless relief in the seventh and eighth.

But the Grays weren’t scoring, either, and going into the bottom of the eighth, their fate seemed decided. Then, after Michael Breen (San Jose State) singled, Joe Tietjen (UNC-Asheville) hit a two-run homer over the left field fence and into the Grays’ bullpen. Later on the inning, Brandon Chapman (George Washington) scored Austin Sanders (University of Alabama-Huntsville) on a double.

That insurance run came in handy when the T-Bolts answered with a home run in the top of the ninth.  However, Grays closer James Lengal (Brigham Young) struck out the final batter of the game for his league-leading fourth save. Graves was credited with the win.

Tonight, the Grays begin a three-day stretch of away games, starting with a double header in Glen Burnie with Youse’s Orioles. Colin Kelly (Catholic University) is the projected as starting pitcher for the Grays in the opener.