Fireflies Fall Short in Ninth after Taveras' Strong Start

COLUMBIA, SC - The Fireflies and GreenJackets played another tightly contested game on Thursday night at Segra Park. Columbia had the tying run at third base in the ninth inning but dropped the series opener to Augusta, 3-2.
These two teams have played four games this season decided by six total runs. Each team has won twice. On Thursday, the home team entered the ninth frame down two before rallying for a run. With the bases loaded, Chase Chambers rolled a ground ball to GreenJackets first baseman Francisco Tostado. Chambers reached on a fielder's choice and plated Ronny Mauricio in the process. With two outs, the hottest hitter in Columbia's order, Shervyen Newton , came to the plate. GreenJackets reliever Ryan Walker (S, 4) was able to retire Newton on a ground ball to short to end the game.
The Fireflies spoiled a wonderful start from right-hander Willy Taveras . The 21-year-old lasted six innings and surrendered just one hit. That one hit, though, was a loud one - Tostado struck his eighth home run of the season well beyond the right-field wall. That tied the score at 1-1 in the fifth. Tostado later went deep again against Columbia (20-33) reliever Allan Winans (L, 0-1). His nine homers lead Augusta (25-28).
Another GreenJackets insurance run in the top of the ninth wound up doing the trick on Thursday night.
Columbia did have an early lead at one point in the series opener. It was Mauricio who put the home team on the board in the third. Gerson Molina had just singled when Mauricio drilled an opposite-field line drive off of Augusta reliever, Ben Madison. The bouncing ball rolled all the way to the wall, allowing Molina to score. The Fireflies led, 1-0.
Columbia had little success offensively the rest of the way against reliever Jesus Ozoria (W, 1-3). Winans allowed just the one hit but the righty was dealt the loss. He struck out three, though, in two innings.
Mauricio, Chandler Avant and Brian Sharp all finished with a pair of hits.
Columbia and Augusta meet again on Friday evening at 7:05 ET. The first 1,500 fans through the gates on Friday will receive a Fireflies fanny pack.
The expected starting pitchers on Friday are Colin Holderman (3-0, 2.66) for the Fireflies and Keaton Winn (2-4, 3.92) for the GreenJackets. You can tune into the action on MiLB.TV.