Vientos' Clutch Hits Help Fireflies Fend off Pesky GreenJackets
June 1, 2019 - South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Columbia Fireflies News Release
COLUMBIA, SC - Mark Vientos might be the most exciting young player on Columbia's roster. On Saturday, the 19-year-old Mets prospect proved just why. Vientos tallied three hits, plated two runs and led the Fireflies to a 3-2 win over Augusta at Segra Park.
Vientos drove in runs in each of his first two at-bats and helped Columbia (21-34) take a lead it would never relinquish on Saturday. This was the Floridian's seventh multi-RBI game of the year, a team-best. The third baseman now has three multi-hit games, too, in the last week.
Columbia got off on good footing in the first frame. Chandler Avant had just singled when Vientos came to the plate. His double brought in Avant and gave the home team a 1-0 edge.
The Fireflies then found ways to score under pressure in the third and fourth innings. Columbia plated a run with two outs in both frames. First, it was Vientos who rolled a ground ball slowly up the third-base line. Gerson Molina, who was leading off of third, quickly high-tailed it home and scored before Augusta (26-29) third baseman Shane Matheny could field and make a play anywhere.
In the fourth, Shervyen Newton led off with a single against GreenJackets starter Blake Rivera (L, 2-4). Newton soon advanced to second on a wild pitch and then came around to score on Juan Uriarte's base hit into centerfield.
The only trouble Fireflies starter Christian James (W, 2-4) ran into was in the sixth. The righty had just logged five shut-out frames before the visitors finally pestered him. James at one point in the inning allowed three straight base hits with the last two, from Ismael Munguia and Shane Matheny, bringing in runs. James buckled down and retired Diego Rincones to get out of the jam with just two runs damage. Columbia led, 3-2.
James has pitched beautifully over his last five outings. He has two wins and a 2.73 ERA over that span (25.2 IP).
Augusta threatened again in the eighth. After the first two batters reached, Jose Moreno (S, 3) was called out of the bullpen. The gutsy right-hander forced the next hitter, Frankie Tostado, to bounce into a double play. Moreno then struck out Jacob Gonzalez to retire the side. Later, Moreno shut down the GreenJackets in the ninth to clinch the win.
Newton stretched his hit streak to 10 straight on Saturday. The 20-year-old Mets prospect is hitting .400 during the streak. Newton is right on the heels of Vientos who recorded a 2019 Fireflies-best 11-game hit streak from May 14-25.
The finale between Columbia and Augusta is Sunday at 2 ET. The Fireflies must win to split the four-game set. The first six games between Columbia and Augusta this season have been decided by nine total runs.
Sunday is a Future Scholar 529 Splash Day. Right-hander Jose Butto (1-6, 4.69) is scheduled to start for the Fireflies and face lefty Seth Corry (0-2, 2.84) for the GreenJackets. You can watch the action on MiLB.TV.
South Atlantic League Stories from June 1, 2019
- Late Delmarva Runs Down Drive, 5-3 - Greenville Drive
- Legends Sweep RiverDogs in Military Appreciation Night Doubleheader - Lexington Legends
- 'Birds Outpunch Drive in Thriller - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Doubling Down, RiverDogs Swept in Saturday Twin Bill by Legends - Charleston RiverDogs
- Adon's Strong Pitching Leads Suns to Wild Victory - Hagerstown Suns
- Claws Fall 7-3 at Greensboro on Saturday - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Deja Vu; Tourists Blast Power in Second Straight Game - Asheville Tourists
- Power Smacked by Tourists, 16-1, Saturday - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Columbia Hangs on for 3-2 Victory - Augusta GreenJackets
- Vientos' Clutch Hits Help Fireflies Fend off Pesky GreenJackets - Columbia Fireflies
- Fireflies Game Notes: June 1 vs. Augusta (Game 55) - Columbia Fireflies
- Game Notes (June 1) - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Hagerstown Suns Game Notes - Hagerstown Suns
- Rome Evens Series with Convincing 6-1 Victory over Suns - Rome Emperors
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