GreenJackets win in extra innings

The GreenJackets came into the bottom of the ninth just three outs away from earning a 3-1 win against the Braves to extend their winning streak to 10. But Rome's bats came alive at the last minute.

With starter Kendry Flores still on the mound for Augusta, he started the inning by walking Rome's Kyle Wren. Then two batters later, Flores gave up a home run to Eric Garcia. The Braves' centerfielder tied the game up at 3 with his shot over the right field wall and sent the game into extra innings.

The GreenJackets (64-49) went on to score three runs in the 12th inning to win 6-3 against the Braves (56-58) at State Mutual Stadium. The GreenJackets have now won 10-straight games in the last eight days.

Augusta got ahead early in the second inning. First baseman Joey Rapp lead off the inning with a single to center field, advanced to second when right fielder Chuckie Jones drew a walk, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ben Turner and then scored when Eliezer Zambrano grounded out to shortstop.

Wren then tied the game up for the Braves in the bottom of the second when he hit a double to score Rome's Tyler Tewell. But Augusta took back the lead right away.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Andrew Cain singled, stole second and third base and scored on a throwing error on the pickoff attempt.

The GreenJackets added an insurance run in the top of the ninth when Rapp scored again after reaching base on a single.

After Flores gave up the two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, Stephen Johnson took the mound for the GreenJackets. Flores finished the night with six hits, three runs, one walk and six strikeouts in 8.1 innings pitched.

Johnson walked his first batter and was immediately replaced by lefty Mason McVay. McVay used a strikeout and a groundout to get the GreenJackets out of the inning and send the game into extra innings.

After two quiet innings, Augusta took a three run lead. Travious Relaford led off the 12th inning with a walk. But the GreenJackets quickly found themselves with two outs and a runner on second.

Mitch Delfino then hit a single to left field, which allowed Relaford to score from second. Then Rapp and Jones each hit an RBI single to give the GreenJackets a 6-3 lead.

Steven Okert then used two strikeouts and a pop out to retire the side in the bottom of the 12th and earn his second win of the season.

The GreenJackets will wrap up their three-game series against the Braves today at 1 p.m. and then will head to Greensboro to face the Grasshoppers in a four-game series.