DANVILLE, Va. - The Danville Braves were just one out away from another disheartening series loss, but a surprising hero stepped in and saved the day, giving the Braves a 7-6 win over the Greeneville Astros on Thursday night. The win gave Danville (14-14) their first series win since June
DANVILLE, Va. - The Danville Braves were just one out away from another disheartening series loss, but a surprising hero stepped in and saved the day, giving the Braves a 7-6 win over the Greeneville Astros on Thursday night. The win gave Danville (14-14) their first series win since June 28-30 and lifted them back to .500.
At the onset, it seemed that the night would be a long one for Braves' starter Kyle Muller. After recording two quick outs in the 1st, Muller surrendered home runs to Roman Garcia and Brody Westmoreland to put the Braves in an early 3-0 hole. Greeneville would add another run in the 3rd, when a Martin Figueroa base hit scored Westmoreland, making it 4-0 in favor of the Astros.
Danville would score a run in both the 4th and 5th innings to cut the deficit in half. In the 4th, Nick Shumpert would score on a groundout and in the 5th, Drew Lugbauer would crush his sixth home run of the season to pull Danville to within two, 4-2. But off of Braves' reliever Taylor Hyssong, the Astros (16-11) would get both runs back in the 6th. In the bottom of the 7th, Lugbauer would hit his seventh home run, tying Elizabethton's Brent Rooker for the Appalachian League lead, and would once again pull the Braves to within two runs.
In the 8th, a Danville rally was extinguished on a controversial call at the plate. With one run in and the Braves only trailing 6-5, Derian Cruz laced a single to center field, and Nick Shumpert was waved home where he was easily tagged out. Danville skipper Nestor Perez quickly approached home plate umpire Ben Fernandez and argued that Astros' catcher Figueroa had blocked the plate illegally. Despite his efforts, Perez could not sway the opinions of the umpiring crew and the Braves went to the 9th, still trailing by a run.
William Contreras led off the bottom of the 9th with a single, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. Up stepped Lugbauer, hoping to end the game with one swing, but instead he popped out to the third baseman in foul territory. Perez sent in Bradley Keller to run for Contreras, and the Braves proceeded to load the bases with two outs for Griffin Benson. Benson, who came into the game wielding a meager .197 batting average, picked on the first pitch he saw, sending it in the right-center gap, past a diving Frankeny Fernandez, allowing the tying and winning runs to score. It is the third walk off win for the Braves this season.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Braves hit the road for a six game trip, beginning in Johnson City before heading to Kingsport. They return home next Thursday, July 27th, for another Thirsty Thursday presented by Buffalo Wild Wings as well as Goodwill night. Fans can bring items to donate to Goodwill and receive discounted tickets. For tickets call 434-797-3792 or order online at dbraves.com.
