Bullpen Bends But Doesn't Break as Augusta Grabs Series Split in Columbia
April 28, 2024 - Carolina League (CarL)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The GreenJackets had two separate six-run leads over the course of the first seven innings, but the final was decided by a one run score with the tying run at second base. Augusta held on for a 9-8 win that ensured the second series split in as many road trips.
Facing starter Ethan Bosacker for the second time this week, Augusta jumped out to an early lead as they found more patience than they had in Tuesday's ballgame. Joe Olsavsky worked a leadoff walk in the 3rd, and was promptly brought home on an RBI double from Will Verdung. Verdung scored one batter later on a Jace Grady single, and just like that Augusta had more runs in one inning than Bosacker had allowed all year long.
The GreenJackets appeared to break the game open in the top of the 4th, as Augusta scored four unearned runs to chase Bosacker from the game. With the bases loaded, Alexander Martinez hit a rocket that slid under the glove of third baseman Austin Charles, which was ruled an error despite leaving the bat at 106 miles per hour. Because the error came with two outs, both those runs and the subsequent runs batted in from Verdung and Grady all went unearned against Bosacker, who still ended up taking his first professional loss.
Columbia is a never a team to go quietly, and they pieced together 3 runs in the middle innings against starter Riley Frey to cut the deficit in half. Frey struck out a career high 8 batters in 5.1 innings, but ran into a few barrels late in his start that blemished his final line.
With the score 6-3 in the 7th, Augusta responded to push the lead back to six against reliever Logan Martin, who had worked four scoreless with a save in Tuesday's ballgame. Augusta saw RBI singles from Drew Compton and Robert Gonzalez, along with a run-scoring groundout from Joe Olsavsky to take the game to 9-3 at the stretch.
While Augusta may have felt that winning was close at hand, the Fireflies had other plans. Reliever Zack Austin walked the bases loaded with one out, bringing Will Silva on to play fireman. Silva nearly tightroped out of danger, but an error and an infield single plated three in the inning. Tacking two more on the 8th, the Fireflies set the stage for an exciting ninth inning.
Righty Giomar Diaz was brought on to attempt his 3rd save of the season, as the 2nd year GreenJacket has yet to allow a run this year. Diaz's command was suboptimal, walking two with two outs to allow the tying run to reach scoring position and put the winning run on first, but Diaz locked in and struck out Erick Peña with a slider to seal a stressful victory for the GreenJackets.
The GreenJackets will be back home at SRP Park Tuesday, April 30th, for a six-game homestand against the Charleston Riverdogs. The fun-filled week includes Country Night, Star Wars Night, and Pavos Salvajes de Augusta Night, when Augusta takes the field in their Copa de la Diversion jerseys on Cinco de Mayo. More info about all the exciting occurrences can be found here: https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview.
Carolina League Stories from April 28, 2024
- Woodpeckers Erase Early Deficit But Fall in Series Finale - Fayetteville Woodpeckers
- Bullpen Bends But Doesn't Break as Augusta Grabs Series Split in Columbia - Augusta GreenJackets
- Fireflies Six-Run Comeback Falls One-Run Short - Columbia Fireflies
- Birds Take Final Game of Series 12-8 - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Shorebirds Fall in 13-Inning Thriller to Nationals - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Nationals Win 13-Inning Thriller - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Hillcats Fall in Scorefest - Lynchburg Hillcats
- Shin Drives in Winning Runs in Ninth as RiverDogs Close Series with 6-4 Victory - Charleston RiverDogs
- Guilarte, Garcia Homer as Mudcats Snap Losing Streak in Series Finale - Carolina Mudcats
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes 4.28 vs Augusta - Columbia Fireflies
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.
