Braves Rally in Eighth, Win 4-3
August 24, 2015 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA- The Danville Braves continued their late push for a wildcard spot in the playoffs by defeating the Johnson City Cardinals 4-3 in the second game of the three game series. Starter Daniel Cordero went five innings allowing only one run on five hits while striking out three Cards batters.
The Cardinals would strike first in the top of the third inning to take a 1-0 lead. Cardinals first baseman Hunter Newman doubled to left field to lead off the inning. The next batter, Anthony Ray then singled to right field advancing Newman to score, and the Cardinals had runners on the corners with no outs. Right fielder Deandre Asbury-Heath grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice, however, Newman would score to give the Cardinals the lead 1-0.
The Braves would answer back in the bottom of the third inning and take the lead 2-1. Second Baseman Jacob Lanning would strike out to begin the inning, however, the third strike rolled to the backstop and Lanning was safe at first base. With Ray Didder batting, Lanning would advance to second on a wild pitch and eventually score on Didder's single to left field to tie the game at 1-1. Didder would advance all the way from first base to third on a wild pitch to the backstop that ricocheted back to the Braves dugout, and the Braves had yet another runner in scoring position. Left fielder Justin Ellison then sent a sacrifice fly to left field scoring Didder to give the Braves a 2-1 lead after three innings.
On to the top of the seventh inning, where Braves pitcher Luis Gamez threw four wild pitches and the Cardinals scored two runs to take a 3-2 lead. Cardinals designated hitter Ryan McCarvel sent a one out single to left field, he later advanced to third base on two straight wild pitches, the second being a chased strike three by Hunter Newman who reached first safely. Ray then grounded into a 4-6 fielder's choice, scoring McCarvel to tie the game at 2-2. Ray also would advance to third on two consecutive wild pitches to put the go ahead run 90 feet away for the Cardinals. Ricardo Bautista, who replaced Asbury-Heath in the sixth inning reached on an infield single, scoring Ray to put the Cardinals ahead 3-2.
The D-Braves then put on their rally caps in the eighth inning, scoring two runs to take the lead 4-3. Riley would single to left center field to get things started for the D-Braves in the eighth. Riley's single was followed by another single by designated hitter Jeff Campbell to put runners on first and second with no outs. Riley was then picked off at second base, however, Ronald Acuna would eventually walk and runners were back at first and second. The Braves tied the game on a bloop single to right field by first baseman Juan Yepez, scoring Morel who was pinch running for Campbell, and the Braves tied the game at 3-3. After Acuna had advanced to third on the bloop single, Trey Keegan sent a sacrifice fly to deep center field scoring Acuna to give the Braves the 4-3 lead heading into the top of the ninth.
In the top of the ninth, Braves closer Luis Miranda would retire the Cardinals in order striking out two of the three batters to preserve the 4-3 win for the D-Braves. Tommorow the Braves will play at 11 AM, a special start time due to DARE day at the park. On the mound for Danville will be Matt Withrow, and on the mound for the Cardinals, right hander Brennan Leitao.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 24, 2015
- Ayarza's Sac Fly Lifts Astros to 3-2 Win over Twins - Greeneville Astros
- Braves Rally in Eighth, Win 4-3 - Danville Otterbots
- Rays Lose to Royals - Princeton WhistlePigs
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