Lexington Grand Slam Too Much to Overcome
Published on July 27, 2019 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Augusta GreenJackets News Release
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY: John Rave hit the 2nd home run of his professional career in the 4th inning for the Lexington Legends (53-51, 16-19) and that was plenty for the Legends on Saturday evening at Whitaker Bank Ballpark as they rolled to a 6-1 win over the Augusta GreenJackets (56-48, 20-16).
For the 2nd consecutive night, Lexington struggled to play defense and the Jackets scored the first run of the game. In the 4th inning, Frankie Tostado reached base on a strikeout and a wild-pitch. He came around later in the frame to score when Jose Layer hit a ground-ball that 3rd baseman Nate Eaton could not handle. It was an error on Eaton, and the Jackets grabbed a 1-0 lead.
Lexington came back with a vengeance in the home-half of the 4th inning. Reed Rohlman tied the score with a RBI single, but the big hit in the inning came off the bat of John Rave. With the bases loaded, Rave hit the 2nd home run of his professional career off Adam Oller, and the grand slam lifted Lexington to a 5-1 lead. It was the first grand slam GreenJackets pitching has allowed in 2019.
Rave delivered another big hit in the 6th inning as he finished 2-4 with five RBI's. With Reed Rohlman on 1st base for Lexington, Rave doubled off the wall scoring Rohlman, and it was a 6-1 advantage for Lexington. Oller ends his night after 5.2 innings, and he allows six runs.
The Jackets could not make a comeback, and they fall in the 2nd game of the series on Saturday by a final of 6-1. The loss snaps Augusta's three game winning streak.
Player of the Game: JJ Santa Cruz, 2.1 IP, 0 ER, 3 K
JJ Santa Cruz delivered a splendid performance out of the Jackets bullpen. He ends his night going 2.1 innings and he does not allow a run, while striking-out three. Santa Cruz lowered his ERA to 2.43 for the season.
Tomorrow's Game: 2:05 PM @ Lexington Legends (Kansas City Royals), Whitaker Bank Ballpark, Lexington, Kentucky
Pitching Matchup: (LEX) RHP Charlie Neuweiler (3-9, 4.63 ERA) vs (AUG) RHP Keith Weisenberg (1-2, 3.92 ERA)
Keith Weisenberg will make the start for the GreenJackets on Sunday afternoon. The right-hander has shifted between a bullpen and starting role for much of 2019. He has pitched in 13 games this season and six of those were starts. In his last start against Columbia on July 23rd, he tossed three-innings and allowed only one-run. He was not scheduled to start that day, but after the game started in a delay, the Jackets decided to plop Weisenberg on the slab that night. He was a 14th round selection in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves. After he was released in May of this year, the San Francisco Giants signed him to a Minor League contract.
Charlie Neuweiler prepares for his 22nd start of the season, and it will be his 4th against the GreenJackets this year. He has a 5.23 ERA vs the Jackets this season over 17.2 innings. Neuweiler last faced Augusta on June 10th, and he couldn't make it through the 5th inning. He finished after 4.2 innings, and he allowed seven runs. He is tied for the team lead with 105 strikeouts this year. The 20-year old was a 5th round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2017 out of Monsignor McClancy High School in East Elmhurst, New York.
Next Homestand: Wednesday July 31st -Tuesday August 6th
July 31st -August 2nd vs Lakewood BlueClaws (Philadelphia Phillies)
August 3rd -August 6th vs Hickory Crawdads (Texas Rangers)
The Augusta GreenJackets return home on Wednesday, July 31st to begin a seven-game homestand. The Jackets will welcome the Lakewood BlueClaws to town for Casino Night to kick-off the homestand. Fans can come celebrate Dodgeball night at the ballpark on August 1st as we honor Average Joe's gymnasium and their Dodgeball victory from 15 years ago. It will also be Thirsty Thursday, which means $1 PBR and Natty Light's all night long. On Friday, August 2nd and Saturday, August 3rd, it's two of the most highly anticipated nights in GreenJackets history. The Jackets will transform into the Augusta Pimento Cheese wearing those slick Pimento Cheese uniforms that have had the Hive Pro Shop buzzing since the logo was released in June! Sunday August 4th will be Little Rascals Night as we highlight another great film on this homestand. Monday, August 5th will be a Bark in the Park Day so bring your four-legged friends to SRP Park and cheer the GreenJackets on. The last day of the homestand will be our Tuesday Brew & Q presented by Maurice's BBQ. The GreenJackets will have a $3 special on beer and BBQ and there will be a Happy Hour Select Beer Special from 6-8 PM! It will also be Chamber Night for the Augusta Metro.
South Atlantic League Stories from July 27, 2019
- Dawkins' Three-Hit Day Not Enough in Friday Loss - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
- Walk this Way: Claws Draw 10 in 5-3 Saturday Win - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- 'Birds Arms Baffle 'Dogs for Clean Sheet - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Road Trip Turnaround Evades RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
- Mauricio Stays Hot on Saturday Night at Segra Park - Columbia Fireflies
- John Rave's Grand Slam Exterminates GreenJackets - Lexington Legends
- Lexington Grand Slam Too Much to Overcome - Augusta GreenJackets
- Suns Bats Pick-Up Rutledge in Shortened Debut - Hagerstown Suns
- Anchia Goes Deep as Comeback Falls Short Saturday - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Whatley and Gonzalez Homer in Win - Hickory Crawdads
- Two Hits Match Season Low for Tourists - Asheville Tourists
- Fireflies Roster Move and Game Notes: July 27 vs. Hagerstown (Game 102) - Columbia Fireflies
- Hagerstown Suns: Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Langeliers Flexes as Braves Top Power 5-4 in Extras - Rome Emperors
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.
