Late Homers Bite Augusta
Published on July 24, 2009 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
Kannapolis, NC - The Augusta GreenJackets allowed four Kannapolis home runs, none as costly as the two solo shots in the eighth that tied and then gave the lead to the Intimidators. Kannapolis scored five unanswered runs to pull out an 8-7 win over the GreenJackets on Friday night, Augusta's third straight loss.
Leading 7-6 in the eighth, Brandon Short's drive to left-center appeared to be caught by Francisco Peguero until he collided with left fielder Wendell Fairley. The ball rattled loose as both outfielders struggled to their feet while Short raced around the bases with the game-tying inside-the-park home run. Peguero would eventually leave the game. With one out in a tie game, still in the eighth, Dan Black's solo home run off Chris Wilson would prove to be the difference maker in the 8-7 decision.
Short's first home run of the night in the second inning gave the Intimidators the early lead. Augusta scored three times in the third to take a lead before the Intimidators tied things with a pair in the bottom of the inning to make it a 3-3 contest.
Fairley singled home a run in the fourth with two outs to break the tie and Peguero tripled home two more to give the Jackets an even more comfortable lead. Charlie Culberson singled home Peguero to make it a four-run advantage and the rout seemed to be on. However, the GreenJackets would be held scoreless the rest of the night with four scoreless innings of four-hit baseball by the Kannapolis bullpen.
The Intimidators would climb back in the sixth with back-to-back hits off Eric Stolp, the latter being a run-scoring triple form Jared Mitchell. He would score on a sacrifice fly before Shane Kaufman allowed a solo home run to Josh Phegley to bring the Intimidators to within a run in the sixth, where it stayed until the fateful eighth.
Peguero went 3-5 at the plate with a double and a triple for the GreenJackets while Wendell Fairley doubled as a part of his three-hit night. The two outfielders combined to drive in five of the seven GreenJackets runs.
Kyle Bellamy (1-0) kept the Jackets at bay with a scoreless eighth on just one hit for his first professional win. Chris Wilson (3-5) allowed two runs on the two solo home runs - the only hits he allowed - with two strikeouts in the loss. Stolp's fine outing, a five-inning effort with five runs and eight hits allowed, instead goes for a no decision.
The GreenJackets will send Mike Loree (6-6, 4.43) to the mound to try and avoid the four-game sweep, where he'll face fellow righty James Albury (0-0, 0.00). First pitch from Fieldcrest Cannon Stadium against the Intimidators is 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on WRDW AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
The GreenJackets return home for a nine-game homestand spread across ten days, starting on July 30th against the Greenville Drive. First pitch comes at 7:05 p.m. and the game will be broadcast on WRDW AM 1630 and online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. You may purchase seats by calling 706-922-WINS or online at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 24, 2009
- First Inning Dooms Drive for Second Straight Night - Greenville Drive
- Ortiz Becomes R'Dogs Saves King as Charleston Squeezes Greensboro, 5-4 - Charleston RiverDogs
- Bittersweet Night for Fans as Hot Rods Fall 8-0 to Sun - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Captains Top Legends 7-3 - Lexington Legends
- Suns to Hot for Bowling Green - Hagerstown Suns
- Braves Hang on for 4-2 Win Against Crawdads - Hickory Crawdads
- Tourists Can't Crack BlueClaws - Asheville Tourists
- Home Runs Do the Trick in 8-7 Comback Win Against GreenJackets - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Clutch Hits Pace Power to Win - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Late Homers Bite Augusta - Augusta GreenJackets
- Sanchez Goes Seven, Dominates in Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Grasshoppers to Bring Holiday Spirit to Newbridge Bank Park - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Hoppers' Bats Catch Fire to Outslug Riverdogs 11-10 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
