D-Braves Ninth Inning Come-Back Comes up Short
July 3, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA - D-Braves lose second straight to Princeton after squandering a one run first inning lead that held until the top of the sixth inning when the P-Rays plated two runs. Starter Patrick Weigel pitched 4 scoreless innings, only three hits and recorded three strikeouts with a no decision.
The D-Braves picked up an early 1-0 lead thanks to the bat of first baseman Carlos Castro, who extended his hitting streak to four game, and singled home second baseman Luke Dykstra. Dykstra, the son of former big leaguer Lenny Dykstra, had his second multi-hit game of the season and has now hit safely in two straight.
Rays left fielder Landon Cray started the sixth inning rally with a single to left center field. Brett Sullivan then stepped up to the plate and delivered a doubled on a ball that Braves first baseman Ian Hagenmiller nearly caught on a diving effort. With runners at second and third, Rays designated hitter David Rodriguez singled home both Cray and Sullivan to put the Rays on top 2-1.
On Military appreciation night, Naval Academy graduate Stephen Moore pitched three scoreless innings allowing only two hits to keep the Braves alive for a late inning come-back. Reliever Chase Johnson-Mullins picked up the loss as he surrendered the two runs to the Rays in the top of the sixth inning, Johnson-Mullins only gave up two runs on three hits while striking out two Rays batters, but the Braves offense could not produce late inning runs.
In the bottom of the 9th inning Dykstra lead off the inning with a single to center field. Castro came up to the plate and was asked to bunt Dykstra over to second base to take away the double play and have a runner in scoring position, but he failed to do so as he fouled of a two strike bunt for a strike out. With short stop Kurt Hoekstra batting and Dykstra still on first base, Rays catcher Jose Rojas made a throwing error. The error by Rojas allowed Dykstra to advance to third base with only one out. Hoekstra struck out swinging and the Braves were down to their final out. Jacob Lanning ended the game by grounding out to the third baseman.
The D-Braves will make the trip to Princeton as part of a split series tomorrow. Game time is set for 7:00 P.M. with right hander Josh Graham getting the start for the D-Braves. The Princeton Rays will counter with a right hander of their own, Jose Mujica.
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