D-Braves Win 2-1 Thriller
Published on August 26, 2011 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - The Braves clung on to a 2-1 lead and won a thriller over the Johnson City Cardinals on Friday night in Danville. Joe Lucas had a five out save to seal the win and pulled the D-Braves within one game of the Bluefield Blue Jays for the division lead. JR Graham threw six sensational innings and Fernando De Los Santos homered to help Danville beat the Appalachian League's best team.
Nick Ahmed led off the game with a deep fly out to centerfield that required every bit of Steven Ramos's speed to catch. After Ahmed flew out to the 400 foot marker, Fernando De Los Santos powered one even further. De Los Santos's homerun traveled well over 400 feet and soared into the trees beyond the left field fence. His second homerun of the year and second within the last week put the Braves out in front 1-0.
The score remained the same until the fourth inning when the Braves tagged Eduardo Hiraldo for one more. Edison Sanchez hit his second double of the game with one out in the inning. Kirk Walker followed with a groundball to short. Shortstop, Matt Williams, fielded the ball cleanly but was forced to hurry his throw and instead sailed it into the first base line bleachers. Sanchez was given home and Walker took second. The error put the Braves on top 2-0.
After Ernesto Silva relieved starter, JR Graham, to start the seventh he got himself into trouble in the eighth. A single by David Washington and a wild pitch that Washington took two bases on gave the Cardinals a runner on third with no one out. Silva was able to get Jesus Montero to strike out but then gave up a single to Charlie Tilson. Tilson's RBI cut the Danville lead in half.
Joe Lucas was called upon to bail Silva out of the inning. Lucas was able to induce groundouts from Bryvic Valera and Matt Williams to end the inning.
Lucas returned for the ninth and provided some extra drama to an already thrilling game. Gary Apelian and Roberto De La Cruz each singled with one out. Lucas then was able to get Steven Ramos to ground out to Kyle Kubitza which put runners on second and third with two outs. Lucas, a converted shortstop, was forced to flash the leather to end the game. David Washington scorched a grounder right back at Lucas that he fielded in between his legs and flipped the ball to Beckwith to cap off the game.
JR Graham pitched brilliantly and earned his fifth win of the season. He threw six innings and gave up just four hits while striking out five. Graham retired the final seven batters he faced to end his outing. Lucas earned his seventh save of the season after pitching one and two-thirds.
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 August 26, 2011
- Lara Carries Mariners to Huge Win - Pulaski Mariners
- D-Braves Win 2-1 Thriller - Danville Otterbots
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.
