Beckwith Blasts Walk-Off Homer in 12th
August 8, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - In one swing of the bat, Billy Beckwith sent the White Sox packing, won the game for the D-Braves, and gave Danville sole possession of first place in the Appalachian League East Division. The Braves were down by one run in the bottom of the twelfth when Beckwith launched an Andrew Virgili pitch over the right field wall to win the game. The three run homer gave the Braves a 5-2 walk-off win; their first this year.
The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when Edison Sanchez drove Brandon Drury in from second base with two outs. The D-Braves lost the 1-0 lead in the very next half inning.
Brad Salgado got the inning started for the White Sox when he reached on a throwing error by Kirk Walker at third base. David Filak then gave up a walk to Brent Tanner. Daurys Mercedes bunted into a double play that left Tanner standing on second. Tyler Williams ripped a double to right field that Tanner scored on easily. The game was tied at one.
Dan Jurik replaced Filak to start the sixth and allowed Bristol to take the lead. A double by Grant Buckner was followed two batters later by a Kyle Robinson triple to right field. The sixth would be the only inning that Jurik pitched. The White Sox held a 2-1 lead.
That lead lasted until the eighth inning when the Braves got to Jason Van Skike. Nick Ahmed singled to begin the inning which was followed by a Fernando De Los Santos sacrifice bunt. Brandon Drury grounded a ball to the left side of third base that shortstop, Brad Salgado booted into the outfield. Ahmed was able to come around to score and tie the game at two. It was Van Skike's first blown save of the year.
The Braves rode AJ Holland's arm for four innings. Holland pitched his best game of the season. In the four innings he pitched, he allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out eight batters. After he pitched, Ryne Harper came in for two innings. Harper allowed a run but eventually earned the his first win of the season.
The White Sox scored off of Harper in the top of the twelfth to take a 3-2 lead. In the bottom of the twelfth, De Los Santos walked off of Virgili with one out. Brandon Drury singled to left field to give Billy Beckwith a chance with two men on and one out. Beckwith, who was hitless in the game, took advantage of the situation and struck a no-doubter over the right field wall. The team greeted him at home and later with a shaving cream pie to the face.
The Braves extended their winning streak to five games on Monday night. Johnson City had a comeback win over the Blue Jays. The Braves win gave them sole possession of first place with 21 games left to play.
Danville will welcome the Elizabethton Twins to town tomorrow for the start of a three game set. The Braves were able to sweep the Twins last week in Elizabethton. For more information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, email at info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 8, 2011
- Beckwith Blasts Walk-Off Homer in 12th - Danville Otterbots
- Villasuso's Homer Lifts Mariners Past Twins - Pulaski Mariners
- Mets Overpower Royals to Sweep the Series - Burlington Sock Puppets
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