D-Braves Start Out Strong on Six Game Road Trip
June 25, 2014 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, VA - The D-Braves started 2014 with their first six games outside of the friendly confines at American Legion Post 325 Field at Dan Daniel Memorial Park, but it did not seem to bother them as they began the summer 4-2 over that stretch.
The big story for the D-Braves has to be the hot start for the offense. As a team, the Braves are second in the Appy League in batting average (.293), and lead the league in on base percentage (.385), slugging percentage (.447), on base plus slugging (.832), and runs (41).
Rookie shortstop Codey McElroy was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft, and has excelled in Danville since then. McElroy has started and played in five of the first six D-Braves games, and has gotten a hit in all of those games, accumulating a hit streak of five games batted .381 with three doubles, and three RBI.
Second baseman Gerald Chin started off a little slow, but as the road trip went on he became the hottest bat in the lineup. Chin finished with an average of .350 at the plate, a double, homer, and 7 RBI. Chin's best night came in the series finale against Johnson City when Chin went 3-5 with a home run, two runs scored, four RBI, and a steal.
The pitching staff also held its own on the road, allowing only two runs in three of the six games on the trip. Starting pitcher Alec Grosser made two starts over the course of six days, totaling 7.2 innings of work, allowing eight hits, three runs (all earned), and three walks while striking out twelve batters. Grosser was the opening day starter in Kingsport, when he went 3.2 innings and struck out a D-Braves' season high seven Mets.
The bullpen for the braves was also a big lift, anchored by Matt kimbrel, Matt Weaver, and Caleb Dirks on the trip. Kimbrel threw 5.1 scoreless innings in relief, Weaver led all relievers with 6 strike outs and a save, and Dirks made a key appearance for Danville in the series finale against Johnson City where he held the Cards to two scoreless innings, recording his first hold of the season.
Play resumes tonight for the D-Braves (4-2) as Andrew Waszak takes the bump for Danville for their home opener at American Legion Post 325 Field against the Greeneville Astros (3-3).
Appalachian League Stories from June 25, 2014
- Mariners Drop Series Opener at Bluefield - Pulaski Mariners
- Danville's Pitching No Match for Greeneville's Bats - Danville Otterbots
- Becerra Caps Walk off Win for K-Mets over Bluefield - Kingsport Axmen
- D-Braves Start Out Strong on Six Game Road Trip - Danville Otterbots
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