Power Pitching Lights Up the Fourth
AUGUSTA, GA: On Independence day the Augusta GreenJackets (39-40) returned home for the first homestand of the second half after a nine game road trip. After a finishing up on the road with a record of (6-3) the GreenJackets welcomed in the Kannapolis Intimidators (39-40) for a four game series. LHP Matt Gage (3-4 ERA 4.48) and Yency Almonte (6-4 ERA 4.19) started the game and both went deep into the night on the mound. Almonte had a no hit bid all the way up until the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs, fortunately for the Intimidators they were able to hang out to a one run lead for the one to zero victory.
In Matt Gage's twelve starts prior to Saturday night's game. Gage's longest outing was only six innings of work. Saturday night Gage surpassed his innings max by throwing seven and two-thirds. In that time, Gage retired the first twelve batters he faced until giving up a ground ball single to center field to Alexander Simon. Gage finished the night with six strikeouts and zero runs allowed. Gage earned a no decision for his efforts tonight.
In the top of the ninth inning Eddy Alvarez singled to left field and after a wild pitch by relief pitcher Raymundo Montero, Alvarez was standing on second base. A sacrifice bunt by Mason Robbins moved Alvarez just ninety feet from home. GreenJackets manager Nestor Rojas pulled his infield in looking to catch Alvarez trying to score the go ahead run. Next batter, center fielder Louie Lechich hit a high chopping ball to second baseman Will Callaway; Callaway fired the ball home to catcher Aramis Garcia. Alvarez, who slid towards the back of the batters to go around the tag slipped by Garcia to score the go ahead run. At the end of the ninth inning the Intimidators held a one to zero lead with Almonte's no hit bid still in tacked.
If there was one batter that was a throne in Yency Almonte side tonight, it was shortstop Jeremy Sy. Early in the first inning Sy broke up any thought of a perfect game by drawing the only walk of the game. Then, it was not until the bottom of the ninth inning and one out away from a no hitter, that Sy hit a ground ball through the middle infield for a first hit of the game. Aramis Garcia followed quickly after Sy with a single of his own. Just in a blink of an eye, the no hitter was gone and the game-tying run was in scoring position. Intimidator's manager Tommy Thompson had seen enough and replaced his started for his closer Kelvis Vallerio. Vallerio struck out clean up batter Skyler Ewing to end the night.
Saturday night's final scoreboard line reads zero runs, two hits, one error for the Augusta GreenJackets (39-40) and one run, four hits, and zero errors for the victorious Kannapolis Intimidators (39-40). Yency Almonte improves to six and four on the year, Raymundo Montero picks up his fourth loss, and Kelvis Vallerio earns his third save.
On Sunday, July 5th the GreenJackets will continue the Independence Weekend Celebration with a special Sunday Mega Bowl game start time of 7:05pm. Fans are encouraged to come early for a mega pre-game concert featuring the local band Lokomotion (starting at 5:30pm by the Ahmen Korner Bar and Grill). Pre-game features a mega special happy hour drink pricing from 5:30pm - 7:00pm. The first 1,500 fans will receive mega 3-D glasses to enjoy the special mega fireworks show.
With the FIFA Women's World Cup moving along as scheduled, the GreenJackets will host a soccer night located on the SweetWater Party Deck. Guests will be able to participate in a twenty-dollar package that includes live baseball, all-you-can-eat buffet, a watch party of the FIFA World Cup Final, and access to two-dollar beers. For more information please contact Derek Herron (706)-922-WINS or e-mail at [email protected].
Every Sunday Junior 'Jackets Kids Club Members get in for FREE at Lake Olmstead Stadium courtesy of Associated Credit Union and Tum-e Yummies. All kids twelve and under who sign up for the Junior 'Jackets Kids Club prior to Sunday, July 5th will get in for FREE. Sign up today at www.greenjacketsbaseball.com/juniorjackets. Post-game the GreenJackets will light the sky with a 3-D fireworks extravaganza! The festivities will be capped off with Kids Run the Bases, and Launch-a-Ball
GreenJackets -