Off the Schneid: D-Braves Win, 8-7
Published on July 29, 2012 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - If the Braves were going to break their eight-game losing streak it made sense for it to come against the Pulaski Mariners. The Braves swept the Mariners in their first series of the season, July 14 -16, and, on Sunday, defeated the M's 8-7 at American Legion Post 325 Field for their fourth straight win against them this season.
The bottom of the order got the Braves on the board in the second inning. The designated hitter, Trenton Moses, took a hanging curveball, which was in on the hands, out of the park for his second home run of the season. Catcher Nick De Santiago then singled to give the Braves back-to-back hits, but was doubled up on center fielder Logan Robbins double play ball.
After a scoreless third and fourth inning, left fielder Phillips Castillo tied the game at one all. Castillo muscled-up on a first-pitch fastball from Braves starter Ernesto Silva and hit a solo shot for his team-high fifth home run of the season.
Braves second baseman, Levi Hyams, hit the third solo shot of the game in the fifth inning. Hyams, who just missed a home run in his first at-bat, connected in his third plate appearance. On a full count pitch, Hyams powered-up on a ball left out over the plate, and pulled it over the wall to give the Braves a 2-1 lead.
Every run scored in the game was on a solo home run until the Mariners retook the lead in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Felipe Burin walked and advanced to second base on a passed ball, the first of three in the game. A double by right fielder Dario Pizzano scored Burin to tie the game at two. Silva's control problems persisted and his second wild pitch of the game surrendered the go-ahead run, which made it 3-2 Mariners.
But the Braves tied it for the fourth time in the game on a passed ball in the sixth. First baseman, Aris Alcantara, hit a leadoff single and reached third base on a fielding error. With two outs and right fielder Kurt Fleming at the plate, catcher Tyler Marlette couldn't dig a ball out of dirt, which went all the way to the backstop and allowed Alcantara to score and tie the game at three.
Both the Braves and Mariners scored one run each on a passed ball in the game.
Hyams, in a good piece of opposite field hitting, doubled to lead off the seventh. He went-3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run in the game. Shortstop Ronald Luna was hit-by-a-pitch before third baseman, Carlos Franco, doubled to score Hyams and put the Braves out in front, 4-3. Mariners reliever, Nolan Diaz, then issued a walk to left fielder Edison Sanchez, which loaded the bases for Alcanatara. The Braves then got back-to-back two-run doubles from Alcantara and Moses to open up the ballgame, 8-3.
Reliever Rafael Briceno issued three walks and a single as the Mariners cut the lead in half in the eighth. With the bases loaded, Briceno was lifted in favor of rightie Zach Jadofsky. The M's got a sac fly RBI and groundout RBI and crept within two, but that wouldn't be all.
In their last at-bats, the M's loaded the bases for the heart of their order. Pizzano cut the lead to one on an RBI sac fly. With the tying-run at third and the go-ahead run on second, Braves reliever Bryam Garcia induced a game-ending groundout.
Ernesto Silva worked both parts of the plate. He was in-and-out with his fastball all game and to great effect. Silva had another "quality start." He pitched 6.0 innings and allowed three runs (all earned) on five hits. M's starter Charles Kaalekahi pitched 5.0 innings and allowed two runs (both earned) on nine hits. Both starters get a no decision.
Tomorrow night's game is Dollar Dog Monday. Fans can enjoy $1.00 ballpark franks courtesy of Kunzler.
Mauricio Cabrera will toe the rubber for the D-Braves. The Mariners will hand the ball to Rigoberto Garcia. Game time is 7:00 p.m. and gates will open an hour beforehand.
Tickets can be purchased by calling the Ticket Office at (434) 797-3792 or in-person at the ALP 325 Field Box Office (Mon. - Fri., 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.).
Appalachian League Stories from July 29, 2012
- Sox Return Home, But Lose - Bristol White Sox
- Off the Schneid: D-Braves Win, 8-7 - Danville Otterbots
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