Unearned Runs Haunt GreenJackets in Close Defeat

For Immediate Release

GreenJackets Media Contact: Mitchell Speltz

(803) 349-9467

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Columbia Ends Augusta's Winning Streak

Unearned Runs Haunt GreenJackets in Close Defeat

NORTH AUGUSTA, SC: The Augusta GreenJackets (19-13) six-game winning streak came to a tough close on Saturday night versus the Columbia Fireflies (11-21) as their rivals held on for a 5-3 to earn their first win of the series.

Augusta's bats produced the first run of the game, specifically, Geraldo Quintero cranked his third home run of the season in the third inning to put the GreenJackets ahead 1-0 after the solo homer.

Columbia would then even the game in the top of the fifth on a game-tying home run by Erick Peña, locking the score in at one apiece.

In the following half-inning, the GreenJackets got that run back thanks to a fly ball by Geraldo Quintero to left field that was misplayed, allowing Kadon Morton to score, giving Augusta the lead right back, 2-1.

That score would hold until the seventh inning when Columbia took their first lead on a throwing error, followed by a wild pitch to give the Fireflies a 3-2 advantage.

In the ninth, Columbia added two key insurance runs. A triple by River Town produced the first run, and then an error on an infield pop-up scored the second, which helped push the Fireflies to the finish line.

The GreenJackets put together a quick threat in the ninth as they loaded the bases for Kadon Morton with one out as he came up as the winning run. He would bounce into a fielder's choice to score Adam Zebrowski, giving Brian Klein one last chance to extend the game, but Luis Barroso struck out Klein to end the game and snap the GreenJackets' six-game win streak.

Heribert Garcia earned the victory for the Fireflies in the 5-3 win, while Kris Anglin suffered his first loss with Luis Barroso notching his third save.

Geraldo Quintero picked up his eighth multi-hit game of the season with his two hits, one being a homer and his two RBIs. Brian Klein also collected a multi-hit performance with a 2/4 night while Luis Vargas dealt a career-best 5.1 innings on the mound with 4 strikeouts and 1 run allowed in the no-decision.

Augusta will look to finish the series against the Fireflies strong on Sunday afternoon as AJ Smith-Shawver takes the mound for the second time in the series versus left-hander Noah Cameron, his Tuesday night mound opponent. First pitch of the finale comes from SRP Park at 1:35 pm.

The third homestand of the season for the Augusta GreenJackets concludes on Sunday with Bark in the Park, Sunday Funday, Sunday Savings, and Jr. Jackets Kids Club.

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About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Carolina League Single-A Affiliate of the Atlanta Braves playing in the state of the art SRP Park located in North Augusta, SC. The GreenJackets 2022 Game and promotional schedule is out and available online at www.Green-JacketsBaseball.com. 2022 Augusta GreenJackets season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to get in on the action, visit www.gjmembers.comor call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

SRP Park is the anchor piece of Riverside Village, a live, work, "playball" development which includes apartment living, retail, restaurants, class "A" office space, and a Crowne Plaza Hotel and Conference Center. To learn more about SRP Park and hosting events and availability, visit www.thesrppark.com.

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