D-Braves Win Fourth Straight Home Game, 7-3
Published on July 1, 2012 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - No one threw harder heat than the weather, but the D-Braves managed to outpitch the Royals early on in the Sunday matinee to win the first game of this three-game series 7-3 at American Legion Post 325 Field.
In their first at bats, the D-Braves got on the board. Third baseman Carlos Franco took a letter-high fastball the opposite way for a two-out triple, his second of the season. Catcher Josh Elander then drew a walk, which put men at the corners. With the infield drawn-in, first baseman Aris Alcantara hit a lawn dart over the head of Royals right fielder Fred Ford for a two-run double. Alcantara was thrown out at third trying to stretch it to three.
The Royals rallied for a pair in the second. Left fielder Chris Elder went all the way to the wall with a leadoff double. First baseman Henry Moreno singled Elder to third before Braves starter Frank LaFreniere threw the ball away, on a would-be pickoff move, which scored Elder and advanced Moreno to third. Third baseman Adrian Morales then plated Moreno on an RBI groundout to knot the score at two.
Wild pitches and errors were the bane of the Braves in the fifth inning. The Royals got a leadoff single from their leadoff man, Terrance Gore. Gore advanced to second on a wild pitch by LaFreniere and the Royals further benefitted from a fielding error by Franco. With men at first and second, LaFreniere, for the second time in the game, again threw the ball away on a pickoff move, which scored Gore from third and gave the Royals a 3-2 lead.
The Braves tied it at three in the fifth, appropriately on a wild pitch. Center fielder Logan Robbins worked a walk and then stole second, his third of the season. Robbins tagged and advanced to third on second baseman Levi Hyams long fly out to right. Royals reliever Brian Edelen then threw a wild pitch, which scored Robbins from third and tied the game at three.
The Braves retook the lead in the sixth. Elander just missed the home run, but got a one-out triple instead. Right fielder Blake Brown, in a good piece of hitting, went the opposite way with an RBI single to score Elander from third and make it 4-3. Thanks to a perfectly executed hit-and-run, the Braves were able to add three insurance runs in the seventh.
LaFreniere went four and 2/3 innings with five hits, three runs (one earned) and three strikeouts. Reliever Carlos Perez (1-1) pitched two innings of scoreless relief to qualify for the win. Bryam Garcia also threw two innings of scoreless relief and is credited with the save. Royals reliever Daniel Stumpf (1-1) pitched two innings with two hits, one run (earned) and is tagged with the loss.
The D-Braves and Royals play the second game of this three-game series tomorrow at ALP 325 Field. The July 2 game is Dollar Dog Monday courtesy of Kunzlers. Celebrate Independence Day with the Braves on July 3 with the annual post-game fireworks show. First Pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. on both nights 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 1, 2012
- White Sox Shut out Cardinals - Bristol White Sox
- D-Braves Win Fourth Straight Home Game, 7-3 - Danville Otterbots
- White Sox end losing streak - Bristol White Sox
- Astros bounce back with a bang, beat the Danville Braves 13-4 - Greeneville Astros
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