A Heavy Weight Fight in Augusta
Published on June 6, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
AUGUSTA, GA: It very well may have just been a Saturday night prime time fight with all the entertainment at Lake Olmstead Stadium. The national act Cowboy Monkey Rodeo weren't the only act that kept the GreenJackets guests on edge of their seats. A back and forth battle on the diamond between the GreenJackets and Legends made for an epic Saturday night at Lake Olmstead Stadium. Southpaw Matt Gage took the mound for his tenth start of the season and the Legends countered with RHP Torey Deshazier. The Legends blew the game open in the ninth in route to a six run lead thus securing the victory with a score of thirteen to seven.
The Lexington Legends jumped out to an early one run lead in the top of the first inning when third baseman Wander Franco hit a triple to right field to score Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado. Matt Gage was able to strike out Brandon Downes with Franco still on third base to end the inning.
Lead off man Johneshwy Fargas started tonight off offensively for the GreenJackets with a single to center field. After a Cristian Paulino fly out, Fargas took off to second to grab his twenty-fourth stolen base of the season. Aramis Garcia was able to knock in Fargas from second base with a single to left field. The RBI was Garcia's twenty-fourth of the season.
During the top of the third inning, the Legends were able to break the one to one tie by scoring a run with two outs. After a single by Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado and Ryan O'Hearn reaching first by being hit by a pitch, Wander Franco stepped up to the plate. Franco hit a screaming line drive to center field that allowed Escalera-Maldonado to score. Once again, Matt Gage struck out Brandon Downes to eat the scoring Legends scoring threat.
Andrew Cain started a big GreenJackets inning by drawing a walk from pitcher Torey Deshaizer. After Jeremy Sy grounded out into a six-three ground out, Cain made his way to second base. A wild pitch moved Cain up even further in scoring position while Johneshwy Fargas was batting. Fargas hit a ground ball left side of the infield to score Cain and tie the game at two runs per ball club. Aramis Garcia was able to draw a walk to put Fargas and himself on the base paths for designated hitter Skyler Ewing. Ewing, who has been coming on strong his past few games at the plate, rocked a ball to over center fielder Brandon Downes' head. Fargas and Garcia came around to score and Ewing slid into third base for his second triple of the year. Jonah Arenado jumped in on the GreenJackets hit parade with his tenth double of season that tacked on the GreenJackets fourth and final run of the inning when Skyler Ewing touched home plate.
Down three runs in the top of the fourth inning the Legends were not ready to call it an early night at Lake Olmstead Stadium. With only two outs to work with, the Legends were able to rally in a big way. Base hits from Samir Duenez, Corey Toups, Humberto Arteaga, and Ryan O'Hearn along with a double sprinkled in by Mike Hill, allowed the Legends to put up four runs in the inning to take the lead. By the time the top of the fourth was all said and done the Legends obtain the lead at six to five.
Once again the GreenJackets swung right back at Legends bottom of fourth inning by tying the game up for a third time. Jeremy Sy started off the inning by singling and stealing second base. After a Will Callaway fly ball moved Sy to third base, Cristian Paulino hit a RBI force to second base to allow Sy to tie the game at six to six with just only four innings of the game had been played.
The next three innings of play quieted down the crowd at Lake Omlstead Stadium. Matt Gage left the game after pitching five innings, allowing nine hits, six earned runs, but also striking out an impressive nine batters. Legends started Torey Deshazier handed the ball over to the Legends bullpen after working four and two thirds innings, allowing six hits, and six earned runs as well. Both pictures will have a no decision for the efforts Saturday night.
In the bottom of the eighth inning the GreenJackets were desperately looking for someone to step up to be a leader. With one out that leader arose from the dug out to make his way to the plate, that player was Andrew Cain. Cain took a big hack at a pitch delivered from Brennan Henry and sky rocked the ball into the Augusta night. The baseball carried over the left field wall for the go ahead run the GreenJackets was searching for. The GreenJackets would end the eighth inning with a one run lead.
During the top of the ninth inning, GreenJackets manager Nestor Rojas decided to go to his closer Reyes Moronta, after Ramon Del Orbe pitched a strong three innings of relief. As the GreenJackets were two outs away from a victory, a fire was lit inside the Lexington Legends dugout. The Legends strung together one single and two doubles to take a one run lead in the ninth. After a wild pitch that moved up Ryan O'Hearn to third base and a walk to Wander Franco, Rojas had seen enough and decided to make a pitching change. Carlos Diaz came into the game to stop the bleeding for the GreenJackets. Unfortunally, he was not able too until the Legends put up five more runs to extend there lead to thirteen to seven.
Saturday night's final scoreboard line read, thirteen runs, fifteen hits, and zero errors for the Lexington Legends (25-31) and seven runs, eight hits, and three errors for the Augusta GreenJackets (26-29).
Saturday evening the GreenJackets and Legends will return to the Lake Olmstead Stadium for the fourth and final game of the series. LHP Mark Reyes (1-2 ERA 1.50) will be starting for the GreenJackets and RHP Scott Blewett (0-0 ERA 3.00).
The first 5:05pm Sunday game at Lake Olmstead Stadium will be a Super Sunday! As all the Superheroes of the world ascend down on Lake Olmstead Stadium for Super Hero Night and Kids Day presented by WJBF Channel Six.
There will be Superheroes in attendance at the game; a pre-game Superheroes Parade, kids and guests will be able to take their picture with Superheroes at the main entrance, and so much more! Make sure to get to Lake Olmstead Stadium early to not miss out on all the great pre-game activities.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 6, 2015
- Efficient BlueClaws Hand 'Dads 3-2 Loss - Hickory Crawdads
- Legends Score Seven in Ninth, Win 13-7 - Lexington Legends
- A Heavy Weight Fight in Augusta - Augusta GreenJackets
- Drive Outslugged by Sand Gnats, 10-6 - Greenville Drive
- Shorebirds Race Past Intimidators, 7-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- 'Birds use balanced attack to beat I's - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- BlueClaws Back over .500 with 3-2 Win over Hickory - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Garcia and Becerra and Gnats Bash Drive 10-6 Saturday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- RiverDogs Trap Tourists 3-2 Saturday Night - Charleston RiverDogs
- Late Homer Seals Power Fate - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Tourists Drop Close Game to Charleston - Asheville Tourists
- Edgerton's Eighth Inning Shot Gives Rome the Win 5-4 - Rome Emperors
- WV Power Game Notes: June 6, 2015 at Rome - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Carrizales' Blast Highlights Tourists' Victory - Asheville Tourists
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