GreenJackets Win in Walk-off Fashion Thursday Night
Published on May 1, 2015 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
AUGUSTA, GA: Thursday April 30th the GreenJackets (10-11, 9-9) hosted the visiting Lakewood BlueClaws (10-11, 8-10) for the third and final time this week. GreenJackets LHP Mark Reyes (1-0, ERA 2.35) and BlueClaws RHP Tyler Viza (3-0, ERA 3.86) both made their fourth start of the year as they squared off in tonight's pitching match up.
It did not take very long for the BlueClaws to pick up where they left off with their bats from last night's four to two victory. Three straight two out singles by Carlos Tocci, Rhys Hoskins, and Damek Tomscha allowed the BlueClaws to jump out to an early two to zero lead in the top of the first inning.
It was not until the bottom of the second inning that the GreenJackets responded with runs of their own. For the second straight night Aramis Garcia the 2014 second round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants lived up to the hype. Garcia hit a solo shot to left center field for his third home run of the year. Garcia has now hit all three of his 2015 home runs in a one week span. Running off of the buzz created from Garcia's home run, designated hitter John Riley smacked a line drive double to right field. Riley soon scored on Will Callaway's fourth double of the season. The GreenJackets and BlueClaws ended the second inning with the score tied at two runs apiece.
The 2014 sixth round draft pick Skyler Ewing led off the top of the fifth inning with a single to left field. Second baseman Will Callaway followed by collecting his second hit of the night, giving lead off man Johneshwy Fargas an opportunity to break a two to two tie. Fargas made the most of his opportunity by hitting a base clearing two RBI triple to give the GreenJackets their first lead of the night. Fargas himself was able to cross home plate on a sacrifice fly by shortstop Travious Relaford. The RBI was Relaford's sixth of the year.
GreenJackets pitcher starting pitcher Mark Reyes had a rocky start to tonight's game allowing two runs in the top of the first inning. From the second inning on Reyes dominated BlueClaw batters. Despite allowing ten hits, Reyes gave up one earned run and struck out one. Reyes, however will have a no decision in tonight's box score for his efforts.
After each team went scoreless for three innings, Derek Campbell led off the top of the ninth inning with a double. Campbell was stranded at second base until the BlueClaws were down to their final out of the game. A misjudged ground ball by Travious Relaford allowed Campbell to score to cut the GreenJackets lead to two. With Trocci on first, Rhys Hoskins hit a game tying two run homer to center field off of GreenJackets closer Carlos Alvarado. After a single by Damek Tomscha, manager Nestor Rojas replaced Alavardo with Reyes Moronta who was able to end the scoring threat in the top of the ninth inning and gave the GreenJackets a shot to win the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Will Callaway was able to reach first base on a walk with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning. Callaway was soon picked off at first base by BlueClaws pitcher Joey DeNato. DeNato struck out Johneshwy Fargas to end the ninth inning and take the game into extra innings.
Thursday night was the first extra inning game of the year for the GreenJackets. The BlueClaws threatened to score in the top of the tenth inning with Carlos Tocci getting as far as third base. Reyes Moronta was able to force Grenny Cumana to pop out in foul territory to end the top of the tenth inning and set the GreenJackets up for a chance to win the game in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Travirous Relaford led off the tenth inning with a walk. A Seth Harrison sacrifice bunt was able to move Relaford into scoring position. It did not matter where Relaford was on the bases because Jonah Arenado cracked a two run walk-off home run that ended the game, giving the GreenJackets a seven to five victory. Reyes Moronta (1-1) will take home his first victory of the year and Austin Davis (0-1) receives the loss for the BlueClaws.
Friday, May 1st the GreenJackets welcome the Delmarva Shorebirds (Baltimore Orioles) to Lake Olmstead Stadium for first game of a four game series. The Augusta GreenJackets are set to welcome students of Auggie's Reading Program for the second Reading Night of the year! Students who have completed their goals set by their teachers in Auggie's Reading Program will be able to gain free admission into Lake Olmstead Stadium. Dr. Rogers & Andrews Orthodontists will host Friday night's match up against the Delmarva Shorebirds and for post-game entertainment, guests will be able to participate in Launch-A-Ball and Kids Run the Bases.
South Atlantic League Stories from May 1, 2015
- Suns Top Drive, 3-2 - Greenville Drive
- Augusta wins 5-4 - Augusta GreenJackets
- Late Rally Too Little for 'Dads in Loss - Hickory Crawdads
- GreenJackets Buzz Past Shorebirds, 5-4 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Claws Clip Gnats 2-1 Friday - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Greensboro Takes Early Lead, Hangs on to Top Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Suns Hang on for 3-2 Win over Drive in Series Opener - Hagerstown Suns
- RiverDogs Pinch Crawdads 3-2 in Opener - Charleston RiverDogs
- Lowry Takes Hard-Luck Loss against Rome - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Near No-Hitter Nets Tourists a Win over Legends - Asheville Tourists
- Hockenberry Locks Down 2-1 Win in Savannah on Friday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- No-Hit Bid Ends in Ninth as Tourists Win Series Opener - Lexington Legends
- McFarland Activated from DL; Haddad Joins RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- WV Power Game Notes - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Downtown Crawdads Bash Announced - Hickory Crawdads
- Bierfeldt's Heroics Lift 'Birds in 9th, 7-6 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Martin Mashes 'Dads to Extra Inning Win - Hickory Crawdads
- GreenJackets Win in Walk-off Fashion Thursday Night - Augusta GreenJackets
- Braves Top Legends 5-2 - Lexington Legends
- R'Dogs Silence Crowd, Salvage Series Finale 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Tourists Battle to the End; Fall 5-4 to RiverDogs - Asheville Tourists
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