In a clash of unbeaten teams, the Braves outlasted the Red Sox last night in a 12-7 six inning contest. The win earns the Braves sole possession of 1st place in the Minor Division with the Red Sox slipping to 2nd. The Braves maintained a slim lead through the early innings. The Red Sox battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the 5th. Both teams played well with the Braves excelling in defense and base running, and the Red Sox making their mark with their bats and solid pitching. Spring Break vacation plans played a toll on both teams as the Braves suited up 9 and the Red Sox depended on the aid of pool players to fill out the line up.
1st Inning
Tristan Williams (1-0, 7.71 ERA) got the start for the Red Sox and went 3 strong innings. The Braves got on the board early when Devin walked and was singled in by Robert to make the score 1-0. Tristan struck out 1 and handled a sharply hit line drive up the middle for out 2. Out 3 was recorded by Jonathan throwing out a Braves runner attempting to steal 2nd (put out by Grant).
The Red Sox countered in the bottom of the 1st. Grant Craddolph (.667 BA .733 OBP) singled against Braves starter Jerrod and was brought home on an RBI infield single by Jonathan Phelps (.700 BA .769 OBP). At the end of 1, the score was tied 1-1.
2nd Inning
The Braves scrambled for 3 runs on 3 walks, aggressive base running, and a controversial no-call by the Blue. Red Sox pitcher, Tristan, remained calm on the mound and struck out 2 batters and handled a come-backer to the mound throwing to Lawrence Gilliam at 1st to get out of the inning.
The Red Sox kept pace in the second with Desmond Box drawing a walk and advancing to 2nd on a passed ball. Kyle Reece followed up with a double. Lawrence collected an RBI on a ground ball to short. Pool player, Akia from the Dodgers, followed with a walk. Bailey Goldstein followed with a solid lick up the middle that was handled by the Braves pitcher for an out. Kyle stole home to make the score 4-3 Braves. Grant delivered an infield single but was called out a first when he rounded towards second as opposed to running through on the close play.
3rd Inning
The Braves continued their scoring streak with 2 runs in the top of the 3rd. Jalen reached on a ground ball to second. Devin followed with a double to left. Both runners would score on Red Sox overthrows. Tristan remained strong on the mound handling another line drive up the middle for out number 1, striking out a batter for out number 2, and picking up an assist on a dribbler up the middle with the put out going to Lawrence at first. That would close the book on Tristan. In 3 strong innings, he threw 30 of 66 pitches for strikes, walked 4, struck out 4, and allowed 3 hits and 3 runs.
The Red Sox answered with 1 run in the 3rd. Jonathan legged out a grounder to 3rd for an infield single. The Braves turned in a superb 1-6-3 double play (Jerrod to Jalen to Devin). With the bases cleared from the double play, Tristan singled and proceeded to score on aggressive base running – taking home on a wild pitch.
At the end of 3, the score was 6-4 Braves.
4th Inning
Both teams tightened up the defense and pitching in the 4th inning as no runs were scored. Lawrence (1-0, 6.0 ERA) relieved Tristan on the mound for his 4th appearance this year. He struggled with control early as he issued walks to the first 3 batters he faced to load the bases. He was the benefactor of a Web Gem play by Jonathan and Kyle and they combined to nail the runner at third who had taken a huge lead off. At the time, the count on the number 4 batter was 3 balls 0 strikes, The great defensive play inspired Lawrence as he regained form and struck out the number 4 and 5 batters on the next 6 pitches to get out of the inning unharmed.
Braves starter, Jerrod, stayed on the mound and continued to perplex Red Sox hitters with his off speed array of pitches. After striking out the first batter, Lawrence reached on an infield single. The Braves defense proved its mettle as it turned in another 1-6-3 double play (again Jerrod to Jalen to Devin) to squelch the Red Sox.
5th Inning
Lawrence continued his tight rope act in the 5th as he again walked the first 2 batters he faced. This time the Braves capitalized on the charity by scoring a run on a wild pitch. Lawrence recovered to strike out the next 2 Braves batters on 7 pitches (with 4 of the strikes called). The third out was recorded on a coach interference play. This would close the book on Lawrence. In 2 innings of work, he threw 18 of 24 pitches for strikes, walked 5, struck out 4, gave up 0 hits, and allowed 1 run.
Needing 3 runs to tie and the "game clock" ticking, the Sox showed true grit in the bottom of the 5th. Grant got things started with a walk. Jonathan stepped to the plate and awed the crowd with a towering fly ball triple to left center field to score Grant. Dominic Vasquez (.333 BA, .455 OBP) followed with a walk. Jonathan scored on a wild pitch to make it a 1 run game. Tristan stepped to the plate and delivered a double to left field with Dominic getting caught at 3rd for out 1. Tristan used his quickness to score on a wild pitch to tie the game. Desmond walked but was caught in a pickle on an attempted steal and was called out (2-4-3-4-3-6) – another sound defensive play by the Braves.
6th Inning
The marathon affair continued into the sixth (and late into the night). Jonathan relieved Lawrence on the mound. Lawrence did Jonathan no favors as he failed to handle a toss from Bailey on a routine ball hit to second (E3). Joshua followed with an infield single to 3rd base. The Braves would scramble for 5 runs in the bottom of the 6th using sound base running and benefiting from a few Red Sox Tee Ball moments. Jonathan stayed focused on the mound and got himself out the inning striking out 3 batters.
Braves closer Jalen settled in to close the show. The Red Sox refused to wilt but came up short. Kyle lead off with a walk but the Red Sox could not convert as Lawrence followed with a shot to 3rd that was handled by sure fielding Braves third baseman Robert Togia. Following a strike out, the Braves recorded the final out of the game on a ground ball (6-5).
Game Notes
The Red Sox would like to thank Justin and Akia from the Dodgers for participating as pool players.
Current Standings
Braves 4-0
Red Sox 3-1
Dodgers 1-2
DBacks 1-3
Mets 1-3
Nationals 1-3
I have attached the game summary and box score. As always, they can also be found on the blog.
I have also updated the stats site.
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Lawrence Gilliam
Red Sox Schedule
http://LaderaRedSox.shorturl.com - Stats
http://LaderaRedSox.blogspot.com - Blog
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