Bringas Helps Power Royals to Series Win
Burlington opened the game with an opportunity in the bottom of the first, as they had the bases loaded with no outs, but could only generate two runs, and ended the inning as Michael Antonio was picked off third base on a snap throw from catcher Jake DePew. The Rays would put up two runs in both the second and third innings helped by a Burlington error in the second, and a home run from Justin O'Connor in the third.
The Royals would climb back after Bringas hit his first career home run, a solo shot, over the left field fence to make it 4-3. An inning later, Antonio would knock his third long-ball of the season to tie the game at four. After the Rays retook the lead in the top of the sixth, Burlington again answered. Justin Trapp's sacrifice fly to center scored Kenny Swab, who made his Royal debut. One batter later, Jose Rodriguez would find a big gap in right-center field and send a ball to the wall, two runs would score, and manager Nilson Liriano waived Rodriguez around third. The relay throw was on time, as Rodriguez was gunned down trying for the inside the park home run. Though he was the third out, he knocked in two runs to give Burlington a 7-5 lead.
The Royals would make it a three run lead after seven innings, and in the bottom of the eighth, with a man on and the score 12-5, Bringas took a Pedro Silvestre pitch over the right-center field fence for his second homer of the night, setting a new season high in runs for Burlington, with 14.
Alex Rivers gave up a run in the top of the ninth, but pitched two and two third innings to record his first save of the season. Robinson Yambati pitched two and a third innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits, and walked two. Jason Mitchell entered in relief in the third inning, and put in four innings of work, surrendering three hits and one run.
For Princeton, Ian Kendall allowed three runs on three hits and walked four Royals. In relief, Jensen coughed up four runs, including a home run, and falls to 1-1. Pedro Silvestre gave up seven runs in two innings, though just three earned.
At the plate, the Royals were led by Bringas who went 3-for-5, recording a new career high for hits in a game, and knocked his first two home runs in a three RBI effort. Antonio added three hits, including his home run, and scored three runs on the night. Javon Pickett recorded two hits, while Jorge Bonifacio finished with one, extending his hit streak to 11.
Ryan Terry's 3-for-4 night led Princeton, who falls in consecutive games for the third time this season. Joshua Sale went 2-for-3 and scored two runs for the Rays. Taylor Motter had two hits, and extended his on-base streak to 13, second best in the league in 2011.
Burlington's win gives them back-to-back wins for the first time this year, and improves their record to 5-12, while the Rays gave up a season high in runs, and drop to 10-7. Princeton will face the Bristol White Sox in the first game of a three game series starting on Friday night with the first pitched scheduled for 7:00. Tickets are available by calling (336) 222-0223.