Fireflies Press Box: June 1 at Rome (Game 52)
Published on June 1, 2018 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies (28-23) @ Rome Braves (31-22)
LHP Anthony Kay (2-2, 3.59) vs. RHP Mike Soroka (1-1, 3.68 w/ ATL Braves)
Fri., June 1, 2018 - State Mutual Stadium (Rome, GA) - First Pitch 7:00 p.m. - Game 52
LISTEN: Fox Sports Radio 1400 AM / ColumbiaFireflies.com / iHeartRadio App
ABOUT LAST GAME: The Fireflies dropped the series finale to the RiverDogs 5-4 at Joe Riley Park on Thursday night. Columbia and Charleston were tied 4-4 after eight frames and the home team won on a walk-off wild pitch. Ali Sanchez was the Terminix Pest Player of the Game (two hits and two RBIs).
GREAT OPPORTUNITY: Columbia gets a crack at 20-year-old phenom Mike Soroka in its series opener against Rome. Soroka is making a rehab start for the Braves. He made his MLB debut with the Braves on May 1 against the Mets (6 IP, 1 ER, 5 K). Soroka pitched for Rome in 2016 and actually faced the Fireflies 5 times:
- Five starts vs. COL: 28.0 IP, 2.89 ERA, 5 BB, 23 K
STREAKIN': Outfielder Raphael Gladu extended his franchise-record hit streak to 16 straight games on Wednesday. Only Asheville's Shael Mendoza has hit safely for a longer stretch of time in the SAL this year (17 games, April 17-May 10). Gladu is hitting .350 (20-for-57) during the hit streak.
Longest Fireflies Hit Streaks (2016-pres.):
1. 16-Raphael Gladu ... May 9-pres.
T-2. 11-Rigoberto Terrazas ... April 9-20, 2018
T-2. 11-David Thompson ... April 7-17, 2016
STREAKIN' x 2: There have been three different Fireflies this season to record on-base streaks of 16 games or longer:
1. 29, Jeremy Vasquez (April 5-May 6)* *SAL & franchise-best
2. 21, Raphael Gladu (May 2-present)
3. 16, Scott Manea (April 21-May 12)
MAY MADNESS: 22 of Columbia's 27 games in May (and 30 of the last 37 overall) have been decided by three runs or fewer. Sixteen of those 27 games were decided by a single run.
MAY STARS: Raphael Gladu led the team with a .325 batting average in May, but Blake Tiberi (.294) and Matt Winaker (.284) were not far behind. Tiberi (.415) and Winaker (.410) led the club in on-base percentage. Columbia's starters posted a 2.97 ERA in the month, led by David Peterson: 1.10 ERA (4 ER, 32.2 IP).
SUPERB VISON: Columbia is the only team in MiLB with three players leading their respective league in total walks:
South Atlantic League (Low A)
1. Blake Tiberi (COL) - 34
2. Jeremy Vasquez (COL) - 30
3. Matt Winaker (COL) - 29
South Atlantic League Stories from June 1, 2018
- Suns Fall 5-3 in Kannapolis on Friday - Hagerstown Suns
- Mitchell Homers in 10-3 Loss to Greensboro - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Lexington Legends Split Doubleheader with Augusta GreenJackets - Lexington Legends
- Soroka Strong, Rome Defeats Columbia 7-1 - Rome Emperors
- Doubleheader Split in Lexington - Augusta GreenJackets
- Gladu Extends Hit Streak to 17 Games - Columbia Fireflies
- Scherff Throws Gem as Drive Defeat Tourists - Greenville Drive
- 'Dogs Nip 'Birds in Opener - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Olivares Robs Game-Tying Homer in Ninth as Charleston Bests Delmarva - Charleston RiverDogs
- Boswell Knocks in Three in Another Road Loss - Asheville Tourists
- Crawdads Top Claws 8-2 in Series Opener Friday Night - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fireflies Press Box: June 1 at Rome (Game 52) - Columbia Fireflies
- West Virginia Power: Game Notes (June 1) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Holder Promoted as Yankees Alter RiverDogs Roster - Charleston RiverDogs
- Jake Owen Life's Whatcha Make It Tour Visits North Augusta - Augusta GreenJackets
- Preview: Rogers Returns to the Mound - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Greensboro Grasshoppers Set SAL All-Star Game Festivities - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Logan Woodside to Throw out First Pitch at Legends Game - Lexington Legends
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