Braves rally again, but drop game two
Published on July 31, 2008 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA- For the second consecutive night the Braves brought Mike Elkerson to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with two away and runners in scoring position in a tight ballgame vs. the Pulaski Mariners. But after delivering in heroic fashion on Wednesday night, Mariners closer Phillip Roy shut the door on Elkerson and the Brave's with a game-ending strikeout that handed Danville a 2-1 loss at a packed American Legion Post 325 Field Thursday night.
The Braves (23-20) will surrender a game to the Pulaski Mariners (26-16) and move to 3 ½ back in the Eastern Division after they gained a game in last night's 4-3 victory.
A night after the Braves rallied in the ninth inning for a comeback victory at home with a walk-off hit by Elkerson, the stage looked certainly set for a sequel here in Danville.
Down 2-1 going into the ninth inning, Chris Shehan ripped a one-out single to put the tying run at first base. Speedster Will White replaced him as a pinch-runner. L.V. Ware then hit a pop-out to second-baseman George Soto for the second out. A costly error by Pulaski next almost cost the Mariners the win.
With two outs away, Jesus Sucre lofted a routine flyball directly to Pulaski right-fielder Jose Rivero. But Rivero let the ball drop out of his glove for an error, and White advanced to third base. White had a full head of steam rounding third base but Manager Paul Runge held him up. Elkerson would strike out to end the aspirations of a Braves rally.
Braves starter Casey Hodges (3-3) was handed the loss in a well-pitched effort. Hodges, a native of local Rocky Mount, Va., pitched five innings, surrendering three hits and one unearned run. He struck out three and walked three. His only bluff came in the second inning when he gave up a Gabriel Noriega single that put the Mariners up, 1-0.
Relievers Rico Reid and Clayton McMillan shored up the relief duties for Danville. Reid threw 2 2/3 innings and allowed one earned run on two hits, while striking out four and walking one. In the sixth inning, Reid allowed a deep homer to left-center off the bat of Mariners slugger Guy Welsh that doubled Pulaski's lead. McMillan retired the last batter in the eighth and pitched a perfect ninth in a dominant performance, striking out all four batters he faced.
For the Braves, their offensive struggles continue. Although the Braves notched seven hits on the board, they went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left eight men stranded.
Jesus Sucre drove in the Braves' only run in the seventh inning on a fielder's choice groundout that plated Chris Shehan from third base. Shehan had singled with one away in the inning to left field and was advanced to third base on a double by L.V. Ware.
Shayne Moody and Shehan led the way for Danville with two-hit games. The Braves' heart of their line-up have struggled this series- as clean-up hitter Gerardo Rodriguez and no. 5 hitter Jon Gilmore have gone 1-for-16 in the two games.
Pulaski pitcher Blake Lewis (1-3) will pick up his first win of the season in a dynamic performance. Lewis pitched six innings, allowing four hits on no runs. He struck out two and walked two. Phillip Roy will pick up the save for Pulaski, his fourth of the season.
The teams will play a rubber-match Friday here at Dan Daniel Park. The Braves will send Paul Clemens to the mound. He will be opposing Nick Czyz. AT &T will be hosting AT&T Night and will be giving away free t-shirts to the first 500 fans who enter the gates. They will also be hosting a raffle for a lucky fan to win an opportunity to go down to Atlanta for two nights and watch the Atlanta Braves play!
Appalachian League Stories from July 31, 2008
- Braves rally again, but drop game two - Danville Otterbots
- D-Braves To Set Up Speed Pitch Wed. at Danville Science Center - Danville Otterbots
- Braves earn walk-off win - Danville Otterbots
- Braves re-schedule baseball camp - Danville Otterbots
- Runge Moves into fifth on All-Time Appy Win List - Danville Otterbots
- D-Braves Re-Schedule Baseball Camp For August 12 - Danville Otterbots
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
