Season-Bests Give Braves Win, 8-1
Published on July 21, 2010 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - The Danville Braves took the lead in the first and never looked back tonight in their 8-1 domination of the Pulaski Mariners. With the same score as the previous night, the D-Braves got the win this go-around, and improve to 15-14 on the season. Having taken the lone lead of the Appalachian League East last night, the loss puts the Mariners at 16-13 and in a tie with Burlington for first, with the Braves just a game behind.
Danville starter on the mound Aaron Northcraft set the tone of the game early, shutting down the side in the first, and recording his first two strikeouts of the night. On the opposite end, D-Braves batters set a tone of their own, tallying their first two runs of the evening on an RBI single by catcher Evan Gattis and RBI double by third baseman Joey Terdoslavich.
Pulaski's righty Yovanny Olivero regained his control after giving up the early runs, holding the Braves to only one additional run through the rest of his five-inning outing, despite giving up ten hits. The story was different for righty Northcraft, as he went to work setting a few personal, and D-Braves season-bests. In his season-long seven innings of work, Northcraft struck out a personal and 2010 pitching staff season-best ten batters. He also allowed no runs for his second consecutive shutout and third consecutive win tonight.
Relieving Olivero in the sixth, Yao Wen Chang entered the game with a 3-0 deficit, which expanded to an overwhelming 8-0 by the end of the eighth. After putting down the first three batters he faced, Chang gave up a quick run in the seventh off Gattis' second RBI single of the night, putting the Braves up 4-0.
But Danville batters weren't done yet, as they tacked on another four runs in the eighth on four singles and two doubles. Batting around in the bottom of the inning, designated hitter Jakob Dalfonso and Gattis both knocked in runs, while shortstop Andrelton Simmons started off the damage in the nine-batter inning with a two-RBI double.
Not wanting to be overshadowed by the record-setting night had by their starting pitcher, Braves sluggers knocked a season-best 18 hits to tie their largest margin of victory set on June 26 at Bluefield with a seven-run advantage.
The lone Pulaski run came on a throwing error by Gattis in the ninth that allowed first baseman Matt Browning to reach first after striking out swinging, and sent right fielder Jorge Agudelo across home. At the end of eight and a half innings, Northcraft was credited with the win, while Pulaski's Olivero got the loss after he gave up three runs with one strike out, and falls to 0-4 on the season.
Every D-Brave batter contributed a hit tonight, with six recording runs, and five tallying RBIs. Leading the pack of hot bats was Gattis, who, in his 4-5 performance, drove in three runs and crossed home plate himself, improving his average to .361. The five Pulaski hits were evenly distributed across the bottom half of the line up tonight, with Agudelo singled out as the only Mariner to reach home.
The Braves and Mariners are back in action tomorrow night as they wrap up their three-game stint at American Legion Post 325 Field, and their six-game overall series. Game time is 7 p.m. Tomorrow night is also Thirsty Thursday. Fans, come on out to Dan Daniel Memorial Park and cheer on your D-Braves, while enjoying discounted beverages!
Johnson City will come to Danville for the second half of the six-game home stand, starting their second series with the Braves on July 23. Featured in this portion of the stand are Dr. Bryan Spurrier, DDS Night on Friday and Can Koozie Give-Away Night sponsored by First Citizens Bank on Saturday, July 24.
Appalachian League Stories from July 21, 2010
- Season-Bests Give Braves Win, 8-1 - Danville Otterbots
- Astros Defeat Sox - Greeneville Astros
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