GreenJackets Rally From Two Runs Down for Victory
Published on May 27, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
AUGUSTA, GA: After Tuesday, May 26th match up between the Augusta GreenJackets (22-22) and Greenville (26-19) Drive was postponed due to rain, the GreenJackets and Drive played a double header on Wednesday, May 27th. The first game featured pitchers Sam Coonrod and Jeffry Fernandez. The GreenJackets fought back from a two run deficit by putting up four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to win game one with a score of five to two.
Mauricio Dubon began game one with a single to left field and then made his way to second base after another Drive base hit by Rafael Devers. With Nick Longhi batting, Dubon took off in stride for third base the throw down third base was to high for Jonah Arenado's to put his glove on from catcher Jared Deacon. The overthrow allowed Dubon to score easily to put the Drive up a run in the top of the first inning.
Another throwing error cost the GreenJackets again in the top of the fourth inning. Pitcher Sam Coonrod attempted to pick off the Drive's runner Joseph Monge and Coonrod's throw ended up going past first baseman Skyler Ewing. Monge trotted from first base all the way third base to put himself in scoring position. A single by Mike Meyers allowed Monge to easily score and increase the Drive's lead to two runs.
If there could be one word to describe Nestor Rojas's GreenJackets team, that word would be scrappy. On several occasions this year the GreenJackets have faced run deficits and fought their way back into games. Wednesday evening was no different; being down two runs with nine outs to work with the GreenJackets had just started to get to work. In the bottom of the fifth inning Cristian Paulino hit a double that bounced its way to the left field wall to begin the comeback. A wild pitch later had Paulino standing on third base. Until, Will Callaway hit in Paulino for this thirteenth RBI of the season to draw the score at two to one in favor of the Drive for the time being.
At the bottom of sixth inning the GreenJackets led off with the top of the their batting order. Johneshwy Fargas did what any good lead off batter is supposed to do, get on base by any means necessary. A pitch that got away from Drive pitcher Jeffry Fernandez hit Fargas hard. After rubbing dirt on the spot where Fargas was hit at, he then hit the bases running even harder for the GreenJackets. A wild pitch moved Fargas to second base and then Fargas stole third base all while Travious Relaford was batting. Relaford drew a walk and that left runners on the corners for shortstop Jeremy Sy. With Sy batting and the tying run on third base, Greenville manager Darren Fenster went to his bullpen for right hander Mario Alcantara. Alcantara threw a pitch that went all the way to the backstop behind home plate and Fargas easily scored from third to tie the game for the GreenJackets.
A fielding error on the part of third baseman Michael Chavis for the Drive allowed Skyler Ewing to reach first base safely to load the bases with zero outs. Cristian Paulino drew a walk and Travious Relaford strolled his way past home plate to give the GreenJackets their first lead of the evening. With the bases still full and one out Will Callaway hit a sacrifice fly to right field for his second RBI of the evening to give the GreenJackets an insurance run. With the GreenJackets down to their last out of the inning and runners on second and third they were still looking to add some breathing room for their bullpen. Catcher Jared Deacon was able to do just that, with a RBI that made it through the hole between the shortstop and third base positions. The GreenJackets would end the sixth inning having scored four runs and jumped out to a five to two lead.
Carlos Alvarado came in for the save opportunity in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Drive were able to get a runner to put a runner on first base but Alvarado was able to close the door for game one and secure the five to three victory. Raymundo Montero worked one third of an inning but that was enough for him to claim the victory. Montero now improves to two and two on the season. The Drive's starting pitcher Jeffry Fernandez will take his fifth loss of the season and Carlos Alvarado added another save to his resume for his seventh of the year.
GreenJackets Fall in Extra Innings
Greenville Sneaks Past GreenJackets in Eighth inning Victory
AUGUSTA, GA: In game two of a Wednesday night's double header, the GreenJackets and Drive both were fighting to take home the series victory after the first two games were split between the teams. Mark Reyes who was the scheduled to pitch Tuesday night's game started on the mound for the GreenJackets and the Drive chose to go with the right-handed pitcher Michael Kopech. After a dead locked game that went into extra innings, the Drive squeezed out two runs in the top of the eighth inning to secure the three to one win victory.
Other than the GreenJackets having Cristian Paulino reach third base in the bottom of the second inning, neither team could get much done offensively against the starting pitchers in the early goings of the game. In the bottom of the third inning the GreenJackets finally struck a run on the board when Travious Relaford hit in Johneshwy Fargas from second base. The Drive we're able to respond right back with a run of their own in the top of the fourth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, a pitch that managed to get by catcher Brad Moss allowed Ben Moore to cross home plate for the game tying run.
Both team's pitchers were dominate for the most part of the game. Inning after inning Mark Reyes and Michael Kopech were able to answer the bell when they were knocked around on the mound. Both pitchers would walk away from the night with a no decision for their efforts. Kopech pitched four innings, struck out eight, allowed three hits, and only one earned run. Reyes pitched a strong five innings, allowing only two hits, and a single earned run as well.
In the bottom of the seventh inning with the score still tied at one. Jonheshwy Fargas reached first base after being hit by a pitch from Jake Drehoff. During the next at bat, Fargas took off for second base, as Fargas slid safely into second the throw from catcher Ben Moore ended up in center field. Fargas tried taking advantage of the throwing error by attempting to make it to third base. The throw for center fielder Joseph Monge beat Fargas just in time to the bag and Fargas was called out for the final out of the seventh inning, thus sending the game into extra innings.
In the top of the eighth inning Derek Miller started the Drive off with a single to center field. Rafael Devers hit a long double to right center field. Even though, center fielder Johneshwy collected the ball after one bounce, the ball was hit too deep to stop Miller from scoring from first base for the go ahead run. Before the inning was over the Drive were able to tact on an insurance run to take a three to one lead.
With their backs against the wall the GreenJackets tried to rally one last time for this homestand. But the Drive's closer Ryan Harris had another idea in his mind for the outcome of the second game. Harris was able to retire the side and secure the three to one victory over the GreenJackets. Reliever Jake Drehoff receives the win for his efforts, Reyes Moronta will be the losing pitcher, he is now one and three overall and Ryan Harris picks up his first save of the year.
Tomorrow night the GreenJackets will be in Asheville to start a four game series and a seven-day road trip. The probable pitcher for the GreenJackets will be Nick Gonzalez. The GreenJackets will return home on June 4th against the Lexington Legends (Royals) for a four game weekend series.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 27, 2015
- GreenJackets Rally From Two Runs Down for Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
- Crawdads Clip Shorebirds, 4-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- RiverDogs Can't Rebound in Finale, Swept by Braves - Charleston RiverDogs
- Drive and GreenJackets Split Doubleheader - Greenville Drive
- Meisner Spins Seven in 7-2 Win Wednesday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Tourists Stumble in Road Trip Finale - Asheville Tourists
- Legends Score Two in Ninth, Beat Kannapolis 4-3 - Lexington Legends
- Adams career night squandered in ninth - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Crawdads Sweep Delmarva with 4-2 Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Suns Take Two of Three in Greensboro - Hagerstown Suns
- Lakewood Dodges Power Sweep in Extras - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Fisher, BlueClaws Walk-Off Winners in 11th Inning - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Fur Circus, Replica Jersey Among Legends Homestand Highlights - Lexington Legends
- Legends Return Thursday - Lexington Legends
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hacksaw Jim Duggan Highlights 80s Night on June 18 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Shorebirds Begin Seven-Game Homestand Thursday - Delmarva Shorebirds
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