D-Braves Lose Playoff Bid, 3-2
Published on August 30, 2010 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - The Danville Braves dropped its third-straight nail biter to the Burlington Royals tonight, 3-2. The loss drops the Braves to 33-34 on the season, and they officially concede their Appalachian League East wild card spot to the Royals, who advance to just a game above .500 at 34-33.
Unlike the previous two games, Burlington was the first to strike, as they went after Danville southpaw starter Ronan Pacheco early on. The Royals kicked off the first with back-to-back singles, before Pacheco induced three ground outs in a row. On the second slow roller, however, second baseman Luis Piterson was able to cross home for the first run.
Burlington jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the very next round of at bats, as a sacrifice bunt by center fielder Alex Llanos and single by catcher Edul Escobar drove two more Royals base runners across home plate.
Quiet at the hands of Burlington starter Crawford Simmons, it took the Braves until the fifth inning to get onto the scoreboard in tonight's contest. After stranding a pair in the first, and another duo in the third, Danville finally cashed in on having runners in scoring position in the home half thanks to an RBI sacrifice fly by shortstop Andrelton Simmons.
The Braves made it a game in the sixth as they narrowed the lead to a harrowing one run, courtesy of a bases-loaded golden opportunity. With Royals reliever JJ Leaper on the mound, Danville put two on before the first out was in the books. Looking to hold the two-run lead, Burlington quickly yanked Leaper for lefty Claudio Bavera. Before the inning was out, however, the Braves had tacked on another tally on an RBI ground out by right fielder Jakob Dalfonso.
On the hill for Danville, relievers Stephen Foster and Chasen Shreve threw lights-out, and finally gave the team the closing innings that it has craved this season. Allowing just four additional hits, while giving up no more runs, and striking out a combined six batters. Unfortunately, the Braves could do no more damage with Burlington ace Robert Penny on the mound, and took the knock-out loss, 3-2.
Despite only giving up three runs, two earned, in his five-inning start, Danville's Pacheco was credited with tonight's loss. The marks came on six hits, and the lefty whiffed four. Burlington starting hurler Simmons got his sixth win for his own five innings of work, during which he allowed just one run on four hits, and struck out six D-Braves.
With a single in the seventh inning, Appy League All-Star shortstop Simmons extended his hitting streak to a personal season-long nine games, and finished the night at 1-for-3 with an RBI and walk. Danville center fielder Keenan Wiley was also solid at the plate, going 2-for-4, and crossing home plate once during the contest. Burlington catcher Edul Escobar also went 2-for-4 on the night, knocking in a run and striking out twice.
The Danville Braves wrap up the season tomorrow night against the Burlington Royals at 7 p.m. With the win tonight, the Burlington Royals have secured the second playoff spot in the Appalachian League East, regardless of the result of the fourth, and final game of the series. Tomorrow is also Grab Bag Give-A-Way Night and KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets at Dan Daniel Memorial Park, so come out to the ballpark to cheer on the D-Braves and enjoy in these final great promotions!
Fans can follow all Braves play-by-play action for home games on WMNA 106.3 FM or on the Braves' website at www.dbraves.com. For other information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, info@dbraves.com, or log on to the D-Braves website.
Appalachian League Stories from August 30, 2010
- D-Braves Lose Playoff Bid, 3-2 - Danville Otterbots
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