Braves jump out to 1-0 series lead over Princeton Rays
August 31, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA - The Danville Braves have jumped out to a 1-0 series lead over the Princeton Rays in the East Division Series by the score of 4-3. With another win over the P-Rays either tomorrow, or (if needed) Tuesday, the D-Braves will advance to the Appalachian League Championship Series.
Things got off to a fast start in Danville Sunday as the Braves scored all four runs in the first inning. Before settling in and finding his groove, Brent Honeywell struggled mightily to start, hitting leadoff man Joe Daris on the elbow in his first batter faced. An Ozzy Albies sacrifice bunt, and fielding error on David Garcia the next at bat put runners on the corners with two out for Jordan Edgerton. In all, the Rays committed five errors in the contest.
Two errors on the same play by Princeton shortstop Cristian Toribio allowed Daris to reach home for the game's first run bringing up catcher Tanner Murphy. Murphy launched a three run home run off the scoreboard in left field for his first career playoff home run and put the D-Braves ahead 4-0 in the early going. The home run was Murhpy's only hit on the day in four at bats; Danville was held to just three hits on the afternoon.
It was a short outing to open the playoffs for starting pitcher Alec Grosser. Grosser threw just 3.2 innings, but it was the pitch count that got the righty removed from the game early. Grosser allowed two runs on six hits and three walks, but threw upwards to 70 pitches on the afternoon. Grosser struck out three Rays in his first career playoff appearance.
The game was finished by a host of relievers for Danville, including Cole Brocker who relieved Grosser for his first appearance as a Danville Braves since signing with Atlanta as a non-drafted free agent this year. Brocker threw 2.1 innings allowing just one hit while striking out two. Kyle Kinman notched the first save of the postseason for Danville, throwing 1.2 innings. Kinman did not allow a hit or walk while striking out four batters, including the entire side in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.
The Danville Braves (1-0) will look to close out the series tomorrow on the road against the Princeton Rays (0-1) in a best of three showdown. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Hunnicutt Field.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 31, 2014
- Braves jump out to 1-0 series lead over Princeton Rays - Danville Otterbots
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