De Santiago and Ahmed fuel Braves' victory with two RBIs each
August 27, 2011 - Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
Danville, VA - The Braves pulled away late in Saturday night's game on route to a 5-2 win over the Johnson City Cardinals. Danville won the rubber game of the three game series and put themselves in a first place tie with the Bluefield Blue Jays. Nick Ahmed and Nick De Santiago helped fuel the win with two RBIs each.
Danville got out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning off of Cardinals starter Jose Pasen. With two outs in the inning, Chase Larsson and Sam Munson hit back-to-back doubles for the first Danville run. Nick De Santiago followed with his first of three hits on the night and his first run batted in.
The Cardinals were able to score a run a piece in the fourth and fifth innings. Danville's starter, Rafael Briceno had two down in the fourth inning before giving up two straight walks. Johnathan Keener then singled to center bringing the Cardinals first run in.
Steven Ramos kicked off the top of the fifth with a bunt single, but Nick De Santiago attempted to throw him out at first on the play and instead sent the ball down the first base line. Ramos took second on De Santiago's fourth error of the year. Ramos tagged up and took third on a Neil Pritchard fly out to right field. The next batter, Roberto De La Cruz sent a rocket back at Briceno which ricocheted off Briceno's forearm over to third base. Brandon Drury didn't have a play and De La Cruz had himself an RBI single. The game was tied 2-2.
Briceno had to be taken out of the game and was replaced by Lucas La Point who had not pitched since August 6 due to shoulder issues. He gave up a single but was able to get out of the inning when he got Kolby Byrd to strike out swinging.
In the sixth inning Pasen had two outs when Chase Larsson popped the ball up to the right of the pitcher's mound. Three Cardinals converged on the ball, including Pasen, but the ball hit Pasen's glove and dropped to the ground. Pasen was charged with an error and Chase Larsson stood at second base. Pasen then walked Sam Munson and was removed from the game by manager, Mike Shildt.
Johnson City brought in southpaw, Matt Rein. De Santiago came through in the clutch and drove a pitch through the hole at second to allow Chase Larsson to score the Braves third run.
The Braves got themselves some insurance runs in the eighth. The Cardinals relieved Rein to start the eighth inning in favor of Heath Wyatt. With runners at first and second and no one out, De Santiago singled again, this time to load the bases. Kenny Fleming grounded into a force out, Chase Larsson was out at home but the bases remained full. Nick Ahmed did his part and lined a single into left-center field for two runs. The Braves led 5-2 after eight.
John Cornely, who had taken over for La Point to start the seventh, allowed a walk to start the ninth but then proceeded put the Cardinals down in order. La Point was awarded the victory for his inning and one third. Cornely earned a three inning save in which he struck out six batters. It was his first save of the year.
Bluefield lost to Elizabethton for the third night in a row and now come to Danville for the final three games of the year. The series carries lots of meaning. It will be a best of three; the winner is crowned the division champion and will play the second place team in the West division to start the playoffs.
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 27, 2011
- Danville Tied for First with Win - Danville Otterbots
- De Santiago and Ahmed fuel Braves' victory with two RBIs each - Danville Otterbots
- Mariners Take the Field for the Last Time at Calfee Park - Pulaski Mariners
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