Brandon Parker Drives Augusta to Sunday Victory
May 15, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: It didn't take long for the Augusta GreenJackets (20-13) to return to the win column after Saturday's defeat as they topped the Columbia Fireflies (11-22) in the series finale on Sunday, 5-2.
Augusta would have to battle back from an early deficit with the Fireflies scoring the first two runs of the game with the first coming on a solo home run by River Town in the opening inning. They'd score again on an RBI groundout by Enrique Valdez in the next frame to take a 2-0 lead into the third.
The GreenJackets would then begin their rally in the following inning as Caleb Durbin manufactured his 20th RBI of the season by dropping a hit into left-center to score *Braulio Vasquez*, trimming the deficit in half 2-1.
In the fifth, Brandon Parker went yard with his first blast of the season over the left-field wall to even the game at two.
The score would remain deadlocked at two until the eighth when the GreenJackets broke the stalemate with a three-run inning, started by a bases-loaded walk to *Stephen Paolini*, scoring Cal Conley to make it 3-2 Augusta. Brandon Parker, the next batter, upped that lead by another run with an RBI single on the first pitch to advance the lead to 4-2. The Fireflies would give the GreenJackets one additional run in the frame on a balk that forced in *Rusber Estrada*, taking the advantage to 5-2 after eight innings.
Juan Mateo handled the rest in the top half of the ninth by retiring Columbia in order to finish off a 5-2 victory in the finale, awarding the GreenJackets with a 5-1 series victory.
AJ Smith-Shawver started the game and dealt 4.2 innings with 8 more strikeouts while *Isrrael De La Cruz* relieved him for the next seven outs, striking out three on two hits and no runs allowed. Mateo completed the final two innings to earn his fourth staright-winning decision on the mound.
Brandon Parker produced a fine day at the plate finishing 2/4 with a pair of RBIs along with his first home run of the season. Braulio Vasquez also reached two times and scored a run while Caleb Durbin got aboard in two of his four plate appearances, picking up his team-best 20th RBI in the process.
The GreenJackets head back out on the road as they begin a monumental series with the Charleston River Dogs (Tampa Bay Rays) with a chance to catch one of the teams they're chasing in the standing. First pitch of the opening matchup comes from Charleston at 7:05 pm on Tuesday.
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Carolina League Stories from May 15, 2022
- Pelicans Split Series with Shutout Victory over RiverDogs - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- RiverDogs Shut out for First Time, Settle for Series Split - Charleston RiverDogs
- Cruz Totals 8 Ks in Debut; Ferrer Hits Grand Slam in 12-6 Victory - Carolina Mudcats
- Woodies Quack the Hillcats - Down East Wood Ducks
- Isaac Bellony Belts Walk-Off Three-Run Homer to Snap 'Birds Skid - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Brandon Parker Drives Augusta to Sunday Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
- Cannon Ballers Mount Late Comeback to Win Series - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Pitcher Duel Ends in Loss After Bullpen Gives up 3 in 8th - Columbia Fireflies
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes May 15 at Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
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