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Augusta GreenJackets

Smoltz Draws Record Crowd in 8-3 Jackets Win

May 21, 2009 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Augusta, GA - They may have come to see John Smoltz, but in the end it was the Augusta GreenJackets putting on the most explosive show, taking an 8-3 win over the Greenville Drive for their fifth straight victory. The sellout crowd of 5,828 is the largest in Augusta GreenJackets history and it is believed to be the largest gathering ever to see professional baseball in Augusta, Georgia.

Smoltz threw three clean innings, yielding just a second inning single to Juan Perez, without walking a hitter and striking out two. The Lake Olmstead Stadium crowd rose to their feet on a few occasions for Smoltz and the righty obliged the crowd as he walked off the mound after the third inning, tipping his cap to the fans and raising his glove hand in appreciation for the applause.

Paul Oseguera matched Smoltz zero-for-zero on the scoreboard, throwing four no-hit innings before yielding a single to Ryan Dent to lead off the fifth. With two outs, Oseguera allowed a walk to Oscar Tejeda to put two on. Will Middlebrooks hit a liner to right field that James Simmons misplayed. Two runners scored on the Simmons error to give the Drive a fifth inning lead.

Augusta rallied back in the sixth, sending ten to the plate and scoring six big runs to take a lead they didn't relinquish. Andy D'Alessio hit a groundball to second with the bases loaded that hit off Ryan Dent's glove to score two and tie the game on one of three Greenville errors. Juan Perez drilled one to third that Michael Almanzar booted to break the tie. With the bases reloaded and two outs, Wendell Fairley drilled a double to left center to clear the bases and give the Jackets a 6-2.

The Drive got a run back in the seventh on a throwing error by Matt Klimas when Oscar Tejeda scored on an overthrow while trying to steal third, closing the lead to three runs. Augusta tacked on two more in the eighth for extra insurance on Klimas' two-out single to right field.

Justin Fitzgerald worked a clean ninth to give the GreenJackets their fifth win in a row, their longest such streak of the season. Trey Webb (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen, allowing just an unearned run and striking out two. Stolmy Pimentel (1-3) is tagged for the loss, as well as six unearned runs in three innings in relief of Smoltz. He struck out five.

In the no decision, Oseguera struck out eight in his Augusta GreenJackets debut and allowed just one hit and two walks.

Five of the eight Augusta runs and all three Greenville runs scored with two outs. Of the 11 total runs scored in the game, just two were earned.

The GreenJackets will look to extend their winning streak to six with Eric Surkamp (2-1, 4.24) taking the mound to face Caleb Clay (1-2, 3.86). Rally, the King of Bling, will make an appearance to help entertain the fans. First pitch will come at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on WRDW AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. You may purchase seats by calling 706-922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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