Braves stake 8-5 win in regular season finale
September 1, 2009 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
KINGSPORT, TN - Using a pitching staff consisting of entirely relievers, the Danville Braves won their regular season finale over the Kingsport Mets, 8-5. The Braves - tuning up for the Appy League Championship Series that begins Wednesday night in Elizabethton - scored four times in the seventh to put the Mets away. Danville finished the season at 47-21, just one win shy of tying the club record set in 2007, while Kingsport topped off at 30-35.
The Braves tallied a run in the first as Mycal Jones walked and scored on a single by Riaan Spanjer-Furstenburg, who wrapped up the Appy League's batting title by finishing the season with a .359 average.
The Mets tied the game in the bottom of the inning, but Danville re-gained the lead in the third with a pair of runs. Kyle Rose singled in his first appearance for the D-Braves, stole second and scored on Osman Marval's single through the left side. Marval eventually came around on Robby Hefflinger's RBI double.
Kingsport made it 3-2 in the bottom of the third, but Jones' double to score Daniel Elorriaga-Matra made it 4-2 in the fourth. Kingsport scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the game at 4-4.
The Braves, though, struck for four runs in the seventh inning. Marval singled and went to third on a single by Alberto Odreman (also making his Danville debut). Hefflinger's fielder's choice scored Marval and moved Odreman to second with two down. Elorriaga-Matra drew a walk to load the bases. Jordan Kreke delivered a sac fly to make it 6-4 and a fielding error by second baseman Ryan Mollica on Bobby Rauh's grounder allowed two more runners to score and make it 8-4.
Eric Barrett (1-0) picked up the win, tossing three innings of relief allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Dennis Accomando made the spot-start for the D-Braves, allowing three runs on five hits in five innings. Casey Hodges walked one in his scoreless ninth inning, picking up his sixth save. Julio Bello (1-2) took the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) on three hits in the seventh inning.
Marval and Rose finished with three hits while Spanjer-Furstenburg was 2-2 before manager Paul Runge lifted him for a pinch-hitter. The Appy League Player of the Year clinched the batting title, hitting .359 this season.
The Braves and Elizabethton Twins start the three-game Appy League Championship Series Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in Elizabethton. The Braves send left-hander Brett Oberholtzer (6-2, 2.01 ERA) to the mound against righty Tom Stuifbergen (5-2, 3.28 ERA). The series comes to Danville Thursday night at 7 p.m.; the Braves will host Thirsty Thursday, and they will give away Braves Rally Flags to the first 400 fans at the ballpark. The Braves were 4-2 against the Twins during the regular season.
Fans can follow all Braves play-by-play action for home games on WMNA 106.3 FM or on the station's website www.espninva.com. For other information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com.
Appalachian League Stories from September 1, 2009
- Braves stake 8-5 win in regular season finale - Danville Otterbots
- Thirsty Thursday kicks off Championship Series; Flag Giveaway also on Thursday; If necessary, Game 3 - Danville Otterbots
- D-Braves add 3 players - Danville Otterbots
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