Ellison's Three Run Homerun the Difference, Braves Win 6-5
August 22, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA- The Danville Braves got back on the winning track with a 6-5 win over the Greeneville Astros. Starter Patrick Weigel went four innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out four Astros.
Greeneville would strike first in the top of the first inning as Astros left fielder Myles Straw led off the game with an infield single to the third base side that he beat out with his tremendous speed. The very next batter, center fielder Daz Cameron, son of former one time Seattle Mariner Mike Cameron, would ground out to second base as Straw advanced to second on the play. With Astros third baseman Randy Cesar batting, Straw would steal third base easily and the go ahead run was just 90 feet away. Cesar then grounded out to third baseman Austin Riley, and Straw would score to give the Astros the early 1-0 lead.
The Astros would add two more in the top of the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. Astros catcher Christian Correa walked to lead off and was thown out at second as Astros short stop Ford Stainback grounded into the 4-6 fielder's choice. With Stainback on first, Straw doubled to right field advancing Stainback to third base. Stainback would tag up and score on a sac fly to deep left by Cameron to make the score 2-0 Astros. The Astros would plate another run as Cesar's infield single scored Straw to make the score 3-0 Astros going into the bottom of the third inning.
Danville would answer in the bottom frame as the Braves rallied to score three runs and tie the score at 3-3. Braves short stop Yeudi Grullon would strikeout to lead off the inning, however, the third strike would get away from Astros catcher Christian Correa, which allowed Grullon to reach first base safely. With Grullon at first, center fielder Ray Didder's sacrifice bunt attempt turned into a bunt single as no one covered first base on the play, and the Braves had runners on first and second with no outs. Braves right fielder Jose Morel sent an infield chopper to second baseman Arturo Michelena who could not get a handle on the ball to throw to first base. With the bases loaded, first baseman Jeff Campbell doubled down the right field line scoring two runners to put the Braves on the board, still trailing 3-2. With Braves left fielder Justin Ellison batting, a wild pitch by Astros pitcher Salvador Montano allowed Morel to score to tie the game at 3-3.
The score would remain tied until the top of the seventh inning when the Astros plated two runs to take the 5-3 lead. Astros Arturo Michelena lead off the inning by sending a playable fly out to right field, however Braves right fielder Jose Morel misplayed it and could not record the out allowing Michelena to stand up safely at third base. Astros catcher Christian Correa who was hurt in the bottom of the sixth inning was replaced by Gabriel Bracamonte who grounded out to third base, scoring Michelena to put the Astros back on top 4-3. Stainback then doubled to right field, putting himself in scoring position for Straw. Straw then laced a single into shallow right field scoring Stainback to make the score 5-3 Astros.
The Braves then had their second three run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to take the lead 6-5. Austin Riley would lead off the inning with a single to left field, Riley's single would later be followed by another single by designated hitter Juan Yepez. With runners on first and second, left fielder Justin Ellison would jump on a 2-1 changeup and drive it 398 feet over the right center field wall to give the Braves a 6-5 lead and eventual win.
Reliever Ben Libuda earned his second win of the season, as he went two 1/3 innings giving up two hits and two unearned runs while also striking out five Astros. Matt Custred picked up his second save of the season as he came in to strike out the final two batters of the game to secure the Braves win. Tomorrow the Braves will welcome the Johnson City Cardinals for the first of a three game series. On the mound for the D-Braves will be 2015 first round pick Mike Soroka. At the time of publication the starter for Johnson City had yet to be announced. Game time is set for 4 pm and it is a Virginia 529 Day at the ballpark. Students enrolled in a Virginia 529 Plan receive free general admission with a Virginia 529 ID card. It is also Blooper Star Kids Club run the bases day as well.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 22, 2015
- Astros fall 6-5 in series finale - Greeneville Astros
- Ellison's Three Run Homerun the Difference, Braves Win 6-5 - Danville Otterbots
- Astros shut out Braves, 5-0, to win series - Greeneville Astros
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