ApL Burlington Sock Puppets

Four-Run Eighth Powers Pulaski to Series Victory

Published on August 5, 2011 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Burlington Sock Puppets News Release


Burlington, NC- The Pulaski Mariners defeated the Burlington Royals on Friday night to take the season series. The game was tied at three before the eighth inning, where the Mariners tallied four runs off Abel Gonzales to take the lead, and go on to win 7-4. Gonzales takes the loss, his first decision of the year, while David Colvin earned his first win. The game lasted three hours, and twenty three minutes, and was tied through seven innings.

Pulaski scored first, tallying two runs in their first at bat off of back-to-back RBI singles from Guillermo Pimental and Daniel Paolini. On the second pitch of the Royals' first at bat, Lane Adams hit his third home run of the year. Two batters later, Michael Antonio would single, starting a string of four straight batters to reach base, capped by a single with the bases loaded from Kenny Swab. Adrian Bringas grounded into a double play to end the threat.

The Mariners had a chance to take the lead in the second, but Efrain Nunez was gunned down at the plate from Jorge Bonifacio for his second outfield assist in three games. In the In the fourth inning, Burlington would go ahead on an RBI double from Adams, scoring Cam Connor to make it 3-2 Royals. In Pulaski's next at bat, they would respond. With runners on the corners, Patrick Brady was caught stealing from first, but ended up in a rundown, buying enough time for Jamal Austin to score from third.

The game remained tied until the top of the eighth, when the Mariners put up four runs on Gonzalez, with a two-RBI triple from Nunez scoring two of them. The Royals were able to add a tally in the bottom of the inning, as Adams scored on a sacrifice fly, and had a huge opportunity in the ninth. With runners on first and second, and no outs, Swab stepped to the plate as the tying run, but grounded into a double play, sucking the rest of the life from the home team.

Pulaski starter Ambioris Hidalgo pitched three innings, allowing two runs on three hits, while walking three. Jose Valdivia tossed two and two third innings before leaving in the sixth, with an injury, and exited with a 1-1 count on Connor, who singled off of Colvin after he entered to complete the at bat. Colvin allowed one run on five hits and struck out three in two and a third. Jose Corrales made his debut with Pulaski, giving up two hits in the ninth.

Nick Graffeo surrendered two runs on six hits in four innings in his second start. Malcom Culver walked three, and gave up a run with a hit in his two innings of work. Over an inning, Gonzales was tagged with four runs on three hits, while Tyler Graham pitched the final two innings, giving up just one hit.

Jamal Austin led the Mariners with a 2-for-4 night, scoring two runs for the visitors. Nunez and Dillon Hazlett each recorded two hits, with Nunez bringing in two runners. Six Mariners scored, as Pulaski put up four runs in the eighth, after scoring seven times in the eighth inning of Thursday night's contest.

Antonio went 3-for-5, with a run scored and a double, for his second straight multi-hit game. Adams was 2-for-2 with a double and his third home run of the season. Bonifacio and Connor each recorded multi hit games for Burlington, who left 12 men on base, and went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.

The Kingsport Mets travel to Burlington to take on the Royals for the first time this season. Saturday night is Fireworks Night at Burlington Athletic Stadium, scheduled as the make-up from the Fourth of July. Tickets are available by calling (336) 222-0223.

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Appalachian League Stories from August 5, 2011


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