Braves Win Opening Series at Pulaski
June 26, 2016 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - The Danville Braves opened their 2016 season with a series victory in Pulaski, winning two of three games against the Yankees. Danville won the first two game of the series, playing a pseudo-double header Friday after rain caused the season opener to be suspended in the fourth inning Thursday night.
Carlos Martinez powered the Braves offense with five RBIs in the series, while Elias Arias knocked in three base runners. Both went 3-9 over the three games. J.B. Moss led the way with five hits en route to a .500 average during the Opening Series. Danville's 19 total RBI are good for second in the Appalachian League, behind 21 from Princeton.
The Braves will continue their road trip with a three game series at Princeton Sunday through Tuesday before returning home for their season opener at American Legion Post 325 Field at Dan Daniel Memorial Park on Wednesday, June 29 at 7 p.m.
Game 1: Danville 14, Pulaski 6 The Danville offense got going in the top of the third inning, when the Braves scored five runs via RBIs from Moss, Ramon Osuna (2), and Martinez (2). Starting pitcher Jaret Hellinger preserved the lead, despite giving up two home runs in the bottom of the fourth that allowed the Yankees to cut the deficit to 5-3. Play was suspended in the same inning due to weather. When the game resumed Friday afternoon, the Yankees took a 6-5 lead before the Braves tied the game at 6 in the top of the eighth. With the score still tied in the ninth, Danville's offense erupted to score eight runs, as Jared James singled home two runs, Martinez knocked a two RBI double, Arias blasted a two-run triple, and Marcus Mooney reached on an error that allowed Arias to score before crossing the plate himself on a single from Moss. On the mound, Corbin Clouse picked up the win for the D-Braves, his first professional victory.
Game 2: Danville 2, Pulaski 1 Game two Friday night was a low scoring affair, as starting pitcher Luis Gamez hurled six innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run. The Braves jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, which proved to be all the offense Gamez would need. He struck out three Yankees and did not allow a walk in route to earning the victory. Zach Rice closed out the game in the seventh inning of the shortened contest, earning his first professional save. The two teams combined for just five hits in the matchup.
Game 3: Pulaski 9, Danville 5 In the series finale Saturday night, the Braves once again got off to a hot start, scoring three runs in the first inning and two in the second to take a 5-1 lead into the third inning. Kevin Josephina, Matt Gonzalez, and Martinez all recorded RBIs for Danville, and two of the team's five runs came as the team was able to capitalize on Yankee errors. Braves No. 4 prospect LHP Kolby Allard took the mound for Danville and recorded six strikeouts over four innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs. The Braves took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning but were unable to maintain the upper hand, as Pulaski plated four runs in the bottom of the inning, followed by three more runs in the 7th. Danville dropped the series finale by a final score of 9-5, but still earned the series victory, winning two of three games.
Appalachian League Stories from June 26, 2016
- Rays Dominate in Home Opener - Princeton WhistlePigs
- Braves Win Opening Series at Pulaski - Danville Otterbots
- Greeneville Astros July 4th Post-Game Celebration to be Free Event Featuring Benefit Concert - Greeneville Astros
- Castro, Arauz lead way but Astros fall short - Greeneville Astros
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