D-Braves Lose 3-2 in Rain Shortened Game
July 8, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - Danville lost the opening game of a three game series tonight, 3-2. The game lasted just six innings due to heavy rains that drenched the field. The Bluefield Blue Jays scored three in the opening frame and that is all they would need to win.
After waiting nearly an hour and a half to start the game Lucas LaPoint was able to throw the first pitch of the ballgame. A few batters later with runners on first and second and two outs, Chris Hawkins singled to left-center field to score the Blue Jays first run. Cody Bartlett then doubled to right field which scored two more giving the Blue Jays a 3-0 lead after just half an inning.
The Braves snagged one run back in the bottom of the first when Brandon Drury went yard to deep left field. It was Drury's second dinger of the season. He finished the night with two hits and the one run scored. His 2-for-3 night raised his average to .333.
In the fourth inning, the Blue Jays replaced their starter, Jose Vargas with Kenllie Santana. Following two straight walks to Chase Larsson and Elmer Reyes, Kurt Fleming grounded into a fielder's choice. The play put runners at the corners and two down. Santana attempted to pick off a stealing Fleming but balked instead allowing Larsson to come home from third. It made the score 3-2 and that would be the final.
In the middle of the fifth inning the game experienced a quick seven minute rain delay and then the tarp had to be put back on at the end of the sixth when the skies opened up. The time of the short six inning game was one hour and forty three minutes. More time was spent in a delay then on the field.
Nine hundred and twelve fans stuck around the dark skies of Danville to watch the game. Jonathan Lucas (1-1), who pitched the fifth and sixth for Bluefield got the win. LaPoint (0-3) threw all six innings for Danville. He gave up three runs on five hits while striking out six.
The series continues tomorrow night at 7:00 pm with a very special night at American Legion Post 325 Field. Bobby Cox will make a special appearance at the Braves game and will be recognized on field prior to the game for his 41 years of service in Major League Baseball. For more information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, email at info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com.
Appalachian League Stories from July 8, 2011
- D-Braves Lose 3-2 in Rain Shortened Game - Danville Otterbots
- Cardinals Win Rain Shortened Game - Pulaski Mariners
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