Royals Drop Middle Game to Twins

ELIZABETHTON, TENN.- The Burlington Royals dropped the middle game of their three-game series at the Elizabethton Twins by a 10-5 final score on Friday night at O'Brien Field in Elizabethton.
The Twins (27-15) struck first with three runs in the home half of the second inning. LF Mark Contreras was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame, and 3B Ariel Montesino and C Robert Molina each singled to load the bases. CF T.J. Dixon stepped up and laced a two-RBI single to put the Twins on the board by scoring Contreras and Montesino. Molina would score on a sacrifice fly from SS Wander Javier for the inning's third run.
Burlington (19-23) would trim into the advantage with two runs in the fourth inning. 1B Reed Rohlman and 3B Dennicher Carrasco each singled, and were on with two out when C Sebastian Rivero hit a single of his own which scored Rohlman. DH Jose Marquez walked to load the bases, and another walk to 2B Oliver Nunez drove in Carrasco.
Elizabethton broke the game open with three runs in the sixth. DH Akil Baddoo singled with two out, and a Javier double moved him to third. 2B Jose Miranda walked to load the bases, and an error plated Baddoo and kept the bases loaded. 1B J.J. Robinson stepped up and laced a two-RBI double, allowing Javier and Miranda to score and putting the Twins up 6-2.
The final four Twins runs all scored in the seventh. Montesino drew a leadoff walk, and quickly scored on a Molina double. Dixon walked to put two aboard, and a Baddoo single drove in Molina. An error on the play pushed Baddoo up to second and sent Dixon to third. Dixon scored on a passed ball, and an RBI groundout by Miranda plated Baddoo to extend the lead to 10-2.
PH Max Bartlett drew a leadoff walk in the ninth for Burlington, and Nunez singled with two out. CF Michael Gigliotti stepped up and launched a three-run home run, his first long ball since Opening Night in June. A groundout one batter later ended the game and preserved the win for Elizabethton.
Rivero and Nunez notched two-hit games for the Royals in the loss.
The two clubs will play the rubber game of the series on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. at O'Brien Field. LHP J.C. Cloney (3-1, 3.55) starts for the Royals against Twins RHP Bailey Ober (1-0, 0.00). The game can be heard at www.elizabethtontwins.com.
Burlington will return home on Wednesday, August 9 to face the Pulaski Yankees at 7:00 p.m. It will be Reader Appreciation Night! Children who complete the Alamance County Public Libraries and B-Royals' Reading Program will be celebrated with an on-field parade before the game. The game is the start of a season-long seven-game homestand. The homestand will feature a Thirsty Thursday, a Fireworks Saturday, and a Dollar Monday! For tickets, call (336) 222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com.
 
Elizabethton 10, Burlington 5
WP: Brusdar Graterol (1-0)
LP: Carlos Hernandez (1-3)
SV: Randy Dobnak (1)
HR: BUR- Michael Gigliotti (3)
Box Score