D-Braves Shutout White Sox 3-0
August 6, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - The Danville pitching staff proved once again tonight why they are the best pitching team in the Appalachian League. Three D-Braves pitchers combined for 14 strikeouts on route to a 3-0 shutout of the Bristol White Sox. The win coupled with the Bluefield loss placed Danville into a first place tie in the East division.
Lucas La Point was on tonight. He pitched five scoreless innings, giving up just four hits and two walks. He struck out seven Bristol batters in the game. His stuff seemed to overpower the White Sox all night, many of them swinging after the ball was already past them. La Point gave up all four runs the D-Braves surrendered tonight before giving way to the bullpen. He earned his third win of 2011.
White Sox starter, Ryan Buch, was just as brilliant as La Point. Buch didn't give up a hit in the three innings he pitched, allowed just one base on balls, and struck out seven also. Buch is playing for the Bristol squad on a rehab assignment. The organization's decision on his pitch count tonight only allowed him to make it through three innings.
In the bottom of the fifth, the D-Braves rewarded La Point's miraculous effort by giving him the run support he needed for the victory. Darwin Matos relieved Buch to start the fourth frame, but he gave up three runs in the home half of the fifth. Billy Beckwith led off the inning with his first of two doubles on the night. After advancing to third on a fly out, Kurt Fleming singled on a dribbler down the third base line. The short hit did not allow Beckwith an attempt to score.
Kurt's brother, Kenny, was up next and drove a ball to left field to score the first run of the game. Nick Ahmed walked which gave Elmer Reyes a chance at the plate. Reyes hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Kurt to score. Brandon Drury came up next and singled through the hole at short. The hit allowed Kenny Fleming to come home to score. The Braves held a 3-0 lead after five innings of play.
Daniel Winnie came in to pitch the sixth and seventh innings. He struck out five of the seven batters he faced. He allowed one walk in his appearance tonight. Daniel Lopez pitched the eighth and ninth. Lopez was able to retire the White Sox in order in both innings and earn his third save of 2011.
Tonight was the first shutout win for the D-Braves this season. It also marked just their second win when scoring three runs or less. With the Bluefield Blue Jays losing 7-3 tonight at Johnson City, the D-Braves have now moved into a first place tie in the division.
Edison Sanchez also singled tonight to extend his hitting streak tot 11 games. Game two of the three game set is set for 4:00 pm tomorrow. Danville's Greg Ross will face off against Ethan Icard. 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.
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Appalachian League Stories from August 6, 2011
- D-Braves Shutout White Sox 3-0 - Danville Otterbots
- Mets Pitching Shuts Down Royals in Series Opener - Burlington Sock Puppets
- Mariners Drop Series Opener Against Twins - Pulaski Mariners
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