SAL1 Augusta GreenJackets

Augusta Escapes with Wild, Wacky 7-6 Win

Published on June 1, 2010 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release


Rome, GA - In a game filled with twists, turns and pure drama, the Augusta GreenJackets picked up a 7-6 win over the Rome Braves thanks to a daring double play in the bottom of the ninth inning on Tuesday night. The win, and Savannah's loss earlier Tuesday, gives Augusta a three-game lead in the Southern Division - their largest of the first half.

With Augusta leading by a run and one out in the ninth, the Braves had runners at first and second when Jordan Kreke smoked a drive to deep center field. Evan Crawford made the catch and Mycal Jones tagged from second to third on the inning's second out. Once Crawford's throw to the infield fell into no-man's land, Jones rounded third to score on the play. Ryan Cavan recovered the ball to throw a one-hopper to Hector Sanchez at the plate and despite the fact that Jones arrived well ahead of Cavan's throw, he was ruled out because Sanchez had blocked him from touching the plate entirely. Sanchez's staunch defense of home sealed a 7-6 Augusta win filled with numerous lead changes.

Augusta led things 3-0 through 3.5 innings, scoring once in the second on three Rome errors and twice in the fourth. Chris Dominguez's solo home run led off the fourth while Ydwin Villegas drove in his first run of the season with two outs in the inning to put the Jackets up three. In the bottom half of the frame, Rome tied it after a two-out error by Villegas extended the inning for Jace Whitmer's RBI double and Braeden Schlehuber's two-run single.

Things didn't stay tied for long as the Braves took the lead off BJ Salsbury in the fifth on a two-out RBI double by Robert Hefflinger. The GreenJackets struck back in the sixth to tie the game at four on a Ryan Lollis RBI single and reclaim a one-run lead on a sacrifice fly from Cavan later that inning.

Jace Whitmer greeted Salsbury in the bottom of the sixth with a one-run blast over the bullpen beyond the left field wall to tie the game once more at five. After a two-out fly ball fell in between Crawford and Daniel Cook, Rome reclaimed a 6-5 lead in the sixth on a Kyle Rose RBI hit. Salsbury wasn't at his best, allowing 12 hits and six runs - three earned - in 5.2 innings, his shortest start in over a month.

In the eighth, the GreenJackets would reclaim the lead in odd fashion once more. Villegas led off the inning with a single and reached third on a balk and a sacrifice bunt. Nick Liles doubled down the line in left to score Villegas and tie things at six. With two outs, Cavan grounded a one-hopper to first where Whitmer made a diving stop of the grounder. His throw to first was ahead of pitcher Jeff Lorick, who came to cover the play, and Liles scored the eventual game-winner when Whitmer's throw sailed past Lorick and toward the first base dugout.

Jose Casilla (2-0) threw a scoreless 1.1 innings of relief to get the win for Augusta, walking one and striking out one. Kline survived the wacky ninth to earn his third save of the year. Julio Surinach (0-2) put the tying and winnings runs on base before departing and takes the loss for Rome.

In the second game of the set, Jeremy Toole (2-0, 1.04) takes the mound for the GreenJackets to face Arodys Vizcaino (7-3, 2.73). First pitch from Rome will come at 7:05 p.m. with the pregame action beginning at 2:50 p.m. on WRDW AM 1630, www.greenjacketsbaseball.com and www.wrdwam.com.

Fans can purchase seats to all home games by calling the GreenJackets front office at 706-922-WINS while further information can be found online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.

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South Atlantic League Stories from June 1, 2010


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