Columbia Fireflies Game Notes July 4 vs Myrtle Beach
July 4, 2022 - Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
FIREFLIES RALLY IN NINTH TO COMPLETE SWEEP: The Fireflies rallied with two runs in the ninth to beat the Augusta GreenJackets and complete their first series sweep of the year at SRP Park Sunday evening. The Fireflies were down to their final out in the ninth inning with Omar Hernandez at the plate and the tying run at third base. Hernandez was able to line a ball up the middle, scoring Omar Florentino to tie the game 4-4. The inning didn't end there though. After Hernandez stole second, Carter Jensen dribbled a base knock to the left side to bring home Hernandez and put the Fireflies in front 5-4. After starter Wander Arias spun five innings, allowing three runs, the bullpen took over. Matt Stil offered a pair of frames in relief, allowing a single run and Marlin Willis (W, 2-1) closed out the game with two scoreless innings.
NO QUIT IN QUINTANA: Columbia's first baseman has been on an absolute tear, as he's hit in a 2022 Fireflies-best seven consecutive games. During his streak, Guillermo Quintana is 11-29 over the stretch (.379) and has driven in five RBI. This is the fourth time that a Fireflies player has had a hitting streak of six or more games this season. Quintana has accomplished the feat twice and River Town has also done it two times.
WE'RE GOING STREAKING: The Fireflies are currently on their longest winning streak while they've been affiliated with the Kansas City Royals. The last time Columbia won six consecutive games was August 4-9, 2019, when they were in the South Atlantic League. They won the first four against the Hagerstown Suns prior to beating the Greenville Drive in a pair of games. The franchise's longest winning streak was a nine-game stretch June 4-12, 2017. During the stretch, they won their last game of a series vs Hagerstown before sweeping Lexington in a three-game set and then taking five-consecutive against the Charleston RiverDogs.
NEW YEAR, NEW ME: The second half of the season started last Thursday, which reset each team's record to 0-0. The Fireflies finished the first half (66 games) 28 games back of Myrtle Beach, who had the best record in Minor League Baseball. After starting the second-half 8-1, the Fireflies are in first place and possess a magic number of 55 to clinch the first playoff berth in franchise history.
PANZINI POPS: When Shane Panzini starts a game, the Fireflies have had a lot of success. The Fireflies have their best record when the New Jersey native starts a game this season, a 5-2 record.
CLOSING IT OUT: Since coming back to Columbia on the last road trip, Jack Aldrich has occupied a different type of role than when he first was in the Soda City. Initially, the southpaw acted as an inning-eating reliever, regardless of the leverage in the situation. Last week against Augusta, he was the defacto closer for the Fireflies, twice coming in for a save opportunity, and both times not allowing a hit. Aldrich is the fourth Fireflies player to record a save this season, and Luis Barroso leads the club with five saves.
THIS WEEK'S JERSEY AUCTION: The Fireflies will be wearing special military jerseys both tonight and Thursday night for Military Appreciation night. The proceeds from the jerseys will go to the non-profit Folds of Honor that helps provide for families of fallen or disabled vets.
Carolina League Stories from July 4, 2022
- Sibrian Homers as Mudcats Win Fifth Straight 4-3 - Carolina Mudcats
- Fireflies Stay Hot with Walk-Off Winner - Columbia Fireflies
- Manzueta's Slam Puts Exclamation Point on Largest Comeback Win of Season - Charleston RiverDogs
- Ten-Run Seventh Inning by Charleston Dooms Augusta - Augusta GreenJackets
- 'Birds Ring in the 4th of July with Walk-Off Win over Salem - Delmarva Shorebirds
- FredNats Extend Win Streak on 4th of July - Fredericksburg Nationals
- Delmarva Shorebirds Game Notes - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Columbia Fireflies Game Notes July 4 vs Myrtle Beach - 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.
