Braves End Road Trip with Loss, 8-7
Published on July 19, 2010 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
PULASKI, Va. - The Danville Braves wrapped up their road trip tonight with a loss to the Pulaski Mariners, 8-7. Tonight's loss is their second of the away stint, winning four of their last six games, and keeps them two games out of first at 14-13. The Mariners advance to 15-12, and are the lone second place team in the Appy League East.
For the first time since this road trip began, Danville found itself behind early on, thanks to a three-run first inning by Pulaski. It was also the first time this season that Braves lefty ace Carlos Perez found himself in any trouble.
After quickly drawing two outs, RBI singles by Jose Rivero and James Wood, alongside an RBI triple by Jorge Agudelo put the Mariners on the board quickly. The tallies were also the first earned runs Perez had given up since his first outing at Princeton on June 22.
Perez quickly recovered from the early threat, throwing a one-hitter for the next six consecutive innings and putting out the Mariners' spark at the plate. D-Braves batters, too, hit their stride after being shut out in the first three innings with a three runs of their own in the fourth.
First baseman Jakob Dalfonso got the rebound started with a lead-off double, and quickly found himself a short 90 feet away from putting the Braves on the board thanks to a wild pitch by Pulaski's starting pitcher, Jessie Nava. Dalfonso scored on yet another wild pitch, and catcher Evan Gattis, who had walked, advanced to second with third baseman Joey Terdoslavich at the plate.
Putting Terdoslavich on with the second walk of the inning, two more wild pitches by Nava advanced Gattis and the Braves third baseman into scoring position, and then pushed both across home to tie the game at 3-3.
With Perez still in control through the fifth, Danville took a 5-2 lead in the top of the sixth on the back of a two-RBI single by second baseman Barrett Kleinknecht. With the batters he pushed across the plate tonight, Kleinknecht now has nine so far this season - six of which have come in the last four consecutive games.
Tim Griffin took the mound for Pulaski in relief of Ryan Kiel who was credited with the damaged in the sixth, Danville tallied another two runs in the seventh. Andrelton Simmons nabbed his first two RBIs of the night with a two-out, two-RBI double.
Down 7-3, Pulaski came back with vengeance in the bottom of the eighth, putting four on the board to tie the game. Danville reliever Kyle Mertins took over in the eighth with the lead established by Perez, and left the inning having given up three hits and two walks, with a passed ball and wild pitch adding to the damage.
Blanked in the ninth, tenth and eleventh on both sides, the game was pushed deep into extra innings. Nearing the four-hour mark, Pulaski finally ended the game in the bottom of the twelfth with a walk-off RBI single by Wood.
Surrendering the final run, Braves reliever Dalton Acord received the loss, while Mariners closer Bryan Leigh got the win after holding the Braves scoreless in the twelfth and striking out one.
Simmons led the D-Braves offense tonight with a 3-6 performance, including a run, a double and two RBIs. Pulaski right fielder Wood had another good game at the plate, batting .500 with a run, two RBIs and a walk.
The Braves and Mariners now both head to Dan Daniel Memorial Park to continue their series in a different venue. The game will begin at 7 p.m. with Willie Kempf on the mound for Danville. The Braves will face the Mariners for another three-game stint, before taking on the Johnson City Cardinals at home on July 23-25.
Featured in Danville's next home stand is another round of great promotions, with a KRAFT Singles Tuesday Night Tickets deal to kick it all off. The third Family Night of the season, and another crowd-favorite Thirsty Thursday will follow. Fans, don't miss out on all of the action and great deals coming up at American Legion Post 325 Field!
Appalachian League Stories from July 19, 2010
- Astros Rally for 7-6 Win Over Orioles - Greeneville Astros
- Braves End Road Trip with Loss, 8-7 - Danville Otterbots
- Astros 5K Road Race to be held Saturday, July 24th - Greeneville Astros
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