Costly Errors Doom D-Braves in 13-5 Loss to Royals
Published on July 2, 2012 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - Bubba Starling hit two home runs and the Burlington Royals benefitted from five costly errors to snap the D-Braves four game home win streak with a 13-5 victory Monday night at American Legion Post 325 Field.
The Royals scored in their very first at bats to lead off the game the same way the D-Braves did in yesterday's Sunday matinee. Lead off man, left fielder Terrance Gore, dribbled a ball down the third base line and beat the throw to first to leg out the infield hit. Gore reached second on an errant pickoff throw by Braves starter Rafael Briceno, the third such error in the series. Starling, the Royals' 2011 first round draft pick, homered Gore in on his first professional home run to open the scoring, 2-0.
The D-Braves mounted a two-out comeback in their first hacks. Second baseman Levi Hyams and designated hitter Josh Elander teamed up for back-to-back singles, which extended their hit streaks to three games a piece. With a full count and the runners going, first baseman Aris Alcantara doubled Hyams and Elander home to tie the game on his third double of the series.
Designated hitter Chris Elder drew a walk to get aboard in the Royals second. Briceno issued the fourth errant pickoff throw of the series and then a wild pitch, which advanced Elder all the way to third. First baseman Mark Threlkeld singled Elder home and the Royals retook the lead, 3-2.
In the third, Starling struck again and the Royals blew it open after loading the bases with no outs. Shortstop Humberto Arteaga doubled to lead off the frame. Starling then singled Humberto home to make it 4-2 and the Royals began to pull away. With nobody out, third baseman Patrick Leonard hit a comebacker to the pitcher, but Briceno couldn't field it cleanly, which allowed Leonard to reach base and advanced Starling to third. Braves shortstop Eric Garcia ranged to his right and tried to throw Starling out on the play, but mishandled the ball and threw it away, which let Leonard go to second and Starling to third. Right fielder Fred Ford singled Starling home to pad the Royals lead, 5-2. Another wild pitch by Briceno, which allowed Ford to take second, and then a hit batsman, was enough to chase him from the game. With the bases loaded, reliever Williams Perez struck out back-to-back batters before plunking second baseman Adrian Morales, which scored Leonard and gave the Royals a four run cushion.
The Royals blew the lid off the game in the seventh. Ford singled and designated hitter Chris Elder worked the walk. With runners at first and second, catcher Beau Maggi singled to load the bases. Morales then lobbed a sac fly to deep right, Gore reached on a fielder's choice, and Arteaga singled to again load the bases. With the table set, Starling hit his second home run of the game, a three-bagger, and the Royals added six insurance runs in the seventh. Ford went yard in the eighth to make it 13-2.
The D-Braves showed signs of life in their last at bats. Left fielder Edison Sanchez hit a tape-measure shot to left, which made it 13-3. The Braves then got back-to-back hits from right fielder Felix Marte and catcher Nick De Santiago. With men at second and third, a wild pitch advanced Marte home to make it 13-5. But it was too little too late as the Braves could not overcome the eight run deficit.
Briceno (1-1) labored hard and soldiered through two innings. He allowed six runs (all earned) on eight hits and suffered his first loss of the season. D-Braves long relief man Williams Perez (1-1) pitched three innings of scoreless relief and fanned five. Royals starter Daniel Hernandez (1-0) pitched five and a third and allowed two runs (all earned) on five hits to earn the win.
The D-Braves and Royals play the rubber game of this three-game series tomorrow at ALP 325 Field. Following tomorrow's finale, the D-Braves kick off the first leg of a six-game road trip with stops in Bluefield (July 4 - 6) and Princeton (July 7 - 9). Ernesto Silva will get the ball for the D-Braves tomorrow and the Royals will counter with Yender Caramo.
Come out to the ballpark and enjoy a free Fourth of July fireworks show in observance of Independence Day. First Pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. and gates will open at 6:00 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at (434) 797-3792 or in-person at the ALP 325 Field Box Office (Mon. - Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).
Appalachian League Stories from July 2, 2012
- Costly Errors Doom D-Braves in 13-5 Loss to Royals - Danville Otterbots
- Williams Launches Walk-Off Winner - Bristol White Sox
- Astros shutout Mets 12-0 - Greeneville Astros
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