Silva's Two Homer Night Propels the Fireflies to Victory
Published on August 21, 2026 under Carolina League (CarL)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
Columbia Fireflies' Gabriel Silva on game night
(Columbia Fireflies)
COLUMBIA, SC - Gabriel Silva tallied his second-career multi-homer game for the Fireflies to propel the team to a 5-4 win over the Augusta GreenJackets Friday night at Segra Park. Silva homered to tie the game in the bottom of the third and hit a round-tripper to score a pair and push Columbia in front 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh.
It was the Fireflies fourth multi-homer game of the season and first since JC Vanek accomplished the feat July 25 at Kannapolis. Silva also had a two-homer game in 2025 against the Hickory Crawdads June 8.
After Silva's second homer, Andy Basora locked things down with three innings of scoreless relief off just 38 pitches. Basora earned his team-leading sixth save on the season with the outing.
Play-by-Play
The Fireflies got their fourth two-homer game of the season off the bat of Gabriel Silva. The first baseman came up in the seventh inning with Jhonayker Ugarte on first base. After mashing a ball foul, Silva turned and hooked his second homer of the game around the foul pole to give the Fireflies a 5-4 advantage.
He hit his first to churn the Fireflies ahead in the bottom of the third inning. Gabriel Silva clubbed a lead-off homer 107 MPH off the bat and 396 feet to left field to tie the game 1-1. After that, Daniel Lopez legged out an infield single to second before stealing second and third base. After a Josh Hammond walk, the two runners executed a double steal to plate Lopez and push the Fireflies in front 2-1.
The Fireflies added on in the bottom of the fourth frame. Roni Cabrera punched a double down the left field line to set the table. He came around on a single from Connor Rasmussen to increase Columbia's lead to 3-1.
Coleman Picard steadied things for the Fireflies rotation. He became the first starter to work five innings this week and he only allowed one run off three hits. The righty struck out four batters and left the game with a 3-1 lead.
Augusta fought back in the top of the sixth inning. Juan Mateo drew a lead-off walk off Dalton Hill (BS, 1), then with one out, Jacob Jarrell was hit by a pitch and Cooper McMurray drew a free pass.
After that, Andy Basora (S, 6) locked things down. The righty twirled three scoreless innings with efficiency, using just 38 pitches. He retired the side in order in the seventh and through his first two innings struck out three of the seven GreenJackets that came up to the dish. In the ninth inning, Basora worked around a walk to keep the GreenJackets off the board.
Dominic Kibler got the GreenJackets on the board first Friday night. The outfielder lined a solo homer to kick-off the third inning past the right field fence to break the scoreless tie. On-Deck
Columbia continues their series with the Augusta GreenJackets tomorrow night at Segra Park at 6:05 pm. RHP Jose Gutierrez (9-4, 4.07 ERA) takes the bump for Columbia and Augusta counters with RHP Luis Arestigueta (3-3, 7.93 ERA).
Tomorrow night is Grateful Dead Night at Segra Park. The first 1,000 fans through the gates at 6 pm will receive a Grateful Dead-themed t-shirt. There will be live music from Grateful Head tribute fan Stillhouse and a drum circle playing during the game. Tickets are available at FirefliesTickets.com.
Images from this story
 Columbia Fireflies' Gabriel Silva on game night |
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