Princeton Holds-On to Win Rubber Match Game, 5-4
Published on July 13, 2012 under Appalachian League (ApL)
Danville Otterbots News Release
DANVILLE, Va. - The Princeton Rays won the rubber match game at American Legion Post 325 Field on Friday 5-4 and the Rays took the series 2-1. The Rays scored in their first at-bats for the second time in this three-game series. Speedy shortstop Brandon Martin singled and got a good jump off D-Braves starter Williams Perez to steal his sixth base of the season. Martin then touched the dish to open the scoring on a two-bagger by center fielder Alvin Toles, which made it 1-0.
But the D-Braves evened things up in the home half of the inning. Third baseman Carlos Franco drew a walk and advanced to second on a single by designated hitter Josh Elander. Left fielder Felix Marte then hit a clutch single to drive Franco home and tie the game at one.
After a scoreless second and third inning, the Rays batters combined to hit for the cycle in the fourth. With a hitters count, right fielder Willie Argo hit his first professional home run. Third baseman Ariel Soriano then singled and stole second, his third of the season. D-Braves catcher Troy Snitker doubled-clutched on the Soriano steal, which allowed him to easily slide into second. Catcher Oscar Hernandez pushed Soriano to third on an opposite field groundout and Soriano scored on first baseman John Alexander's double. Designated hitter Julian Morillo tripled Alexander home, which made it 4-1. Morillo then scored on a single by left fielder James Harris, Jr. to pad the Rays lead 5-1 and cap a four-run fourth.
The Rays' pitching staff retired 10 straight batters, but the D-Braves finally got back into the ballgame in the fifth. First baseman Aris Alcantara hit a leadoff double and Snitker singled him to third. Center fielder Logan Robbins hit into an RBI fielder's choice, which made it 5-2. The Braves got two more runs, one in the sixth and another in the eighth, but the Rays lead stood, 5-4.
The D-Braves did threaten in their last at-bats. Shortstop Eric Garcia lifted a bloop single to left and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Second baseman Ronald Luna then bunted Garcia to third. With the tying-run 90-feet away, the Rays issued an intentional base on balls to Franco, which put the winning run on base. The Rays then issued the second intentional walk of the inning this time to Marte, which brought Blake Brown to the plate. With the bases loaded, Brown popped-out to end the game.
The pitchers of record are Williams Perez and Kevin Brandt. Perez went 5.0 innings and allowed five runs (all earned) on eight hits and suffered the loss. Brandt went 3 2/3 innings and allowed two runs (both earned) on four hits for the win.
Tomorrow night, the D-Braves welcome the Pulaski Mariners to town for a three-game series. The games will mark the first time the two teams will have met this season. The Atlanta Braves' first round selection in the 2012 June First-Year Player Draft, Lucas Sims, will get the nod for the D-Braves. Lefty Blake Holovach will toe the rubber for the M's.
Tickets for any D-Braves game may be purchased in-person at the ALP 325 Field Box Office, by phone at (434) 797-3792, or on-line at www.dbraves.com.
Appalachian League Stories from July 13, 2012
- Princeton Holds-On to Win Rubber Match Game, 5-4 - Danville Otterbots
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.
