Augusta Falls Just Short Again
July 2, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The Augusta GreenJackets (2-6) were unable to get over the hump against the Columbia Fireworks (7-1) as their I-20 Rivals held them off once again in a 5-3 defeat on Saturday night.
Augusta was playing from behind immediately as Jean Ramirez hit a lead-off home run on the second pitch of the game to quickly put Columbia ahead 1-0.
They'd score again in the second inning on a two-out RBI double by Kyle Hayes to plate Felix Familia and take the advantage up to 2-0.
The GreenJackets would fight back in the bottom of the fourth by scoring two runs on an infield hit by Brandon Parker, followed by an RBI single by Braulio Vasquez to bring home Brandol Mezquita and make it a 2-2 game.
In the next half inning, Columbia put themselves back on top with an RBI single by Daniel Vazquez that made it 3-2 in favor of the Fireflies.
In the sixth, Augusta positioned themselves to take their first lead of the game by loading the bases with nobody out but Columbia escaped a major jam with no damage as Ryan Hennen struck out Cal Conley and then ended the inning with a line drive off the bat of Geraldo Quintero that resulted in a tough-luck double play.
Hennen continued to shut down the GreenJackets all the way into the ninth as the game remained 3-2 Columbia. With two outs in the top of the ninth, the Fireflies scored a pair of timely insurance runs on a two-run homer by Kyle Hayes to give Columbia their largest lead at 5-2.
With three outs left to work with, Augusta put up one final fight as they pulled within two on a fielder's choice by Caleb Durbin that scored Braulio Vasquez to make it 5-3. With runners at the corners and the winning run at the plate with two outs, Jack Aldrich got Cal Conley to ground out to end the ball game, denying the GreenJackets of another final-inning comeback as the Fireflies held on for the 5-3 win.
Ryan Hennen (2-1) was the winning pitcher in relief for the Fireflies with Jack Aldrich (2) earning his second save of the week. Luis Vargas (2-4) took the defeat but pitched well for Augusta by picking up his first quality start of the season by dealing six innings, allowing three runs, one being unearned while also striking out seven with no walks.
Brandol Mezquita was the leader offensively for Augusta with a three-hit performance while also scoring a run in the fourth. Braulio Vasquez finished the night with multiple hits by going 2/4 with his first knock driving in a run.
Augusta will look to salvage the final game of the series and avoid a sweep at the hands of the Fireflies on Sunday night as they send left-hander Sam Strickland to the mound with first pitch set for 6:05 pm at SRP Parl.
The GreenJackets finish their Independence Weekend homestand with one of the best fireworks shows of the year with music from Guns for Hire prior to the game as part of the White Claw Pregame concert series!
Carolina League Stories from July 2, 2022
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- Augusta Falls Just Short Again - Augusta GreenJackets
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- Columbia Fireflies July 2 Game Notes at Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
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