Eighth Inning Collapse Hands Augusta Second Straight Loss

GreenJackets Media Contact:

Noah Adcock-Howeth

(803) 349-9411

[email protected]

Eighth Inning Collapse Hands Augusta Second Straight Loss

Late Rally to Tie Undone by Fireflies’ Final Offensive Effort

COLUMBIA, SC: For the second consecutive night, the Augusta GreenJackets (27-23, 62-54) entered the bottom of the eighth with a tie game, and watched the Columbia Fireflies (24-26, 58-58) score against the bullpen to steal a win and leave the Jackets hanging their heads.

Davis Polo, as usual, was the brightest spot for the GreenJackets, as he tossed his fifth consecutive quality start. Polo worked around a tough second inning that saw a pair of two-out runs cross, and worked into the seventh inning for the fourth time in five games to give his team a chance to win.

The Jackets offense was frustrated by strikeouts for the second straight night, following up a record-tying 19 strikeout performance with thirteen more tonight. The 32 Ks in 18 innings is the most in a two-game stretch all year, and limited Augusta’s chances early.

Of the three runs scored by the GreenJackets, only one came on an actual hit, as the Jackets were 1-11 with runners in scoring position and are now 4-35 in that category this week. After falling behind 2-0, Augusta got on the board in the top of the 5th thanks to a wild pitch from reliever Jhon Reyes, before tying the game in the top of the seventh. Nick Montgomery slapped an RBI groundout in his first game off the Injured List to bring Augusta within a run, before a two-out, two-strike double from Cooper McMurray tied the game against Adrien Belon.

Augusta’s luck ran out in the eighth, as Cristobal Abreu finally was rendered unable to wriggle out of a self-imposed jam. After stranding two men in the seventh, Abreu began the eighth with a walk to Roni Cabrera. Cabrera promptly stole second and took third on a fly out, though Abreu got a big strikeout to pull one out away from surviving. Abreu got to two strikes on Conor Rasmussen, but Rasmussen poked a single up the middle to put Columbia back in front for good.

The Jackets went down in order in the top of the ninth for the second straight night, unable to retaliate and tie the game in their final chance. Brandon Herbold, who was activated off the Development List today, recorded his first save in over four months as he overcame the command deficiencies that had plagued his last few outings to secure the win.

Both Augusta and Columbia have now won two of four games this series, with three more still to play in the state capital. Landon Beidelschies, who has continuously thrown well against the Fireflies, looks for his first win since May tomorrow night in what is expected to be a soggy and dreary evening at Segra Park.

About SRP Park/Augusta GreenJackets

The Augusta GreenJackets are the Single-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. 2026 Augusta GreenJackets Full, Half and 20-game season seat memberships are on sale now. To learn more about the benefits and to lock in your seat to cheer on the Braves of tomorrow, visit www.gjmembers.com or call (803) 349-WINS (9467).

For team merchandise or more information visit www.greenjacketsbaseball.com. Stay up to date on all things GreenJackets and Events at SRP Park by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and sign up for the ‘Jackets Buzz e-newsletter today by visiting https://atmilb.com/3yr4mrw

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.

-GreenJackets -