MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – The Augusta GreenJackets played their longest game of the season on Thursday, falling to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans 10-8 on the cusp of midnight. Augusta (17-18) recorded a season-high 13 walks on the day and led 7-0 at one point, but Myrtle Beach (17-18) scored nine unanswered runs in the third and fourth to take the win, according to a GreenJackets’ news release.
The game began after lengthy rain delay. Once first pitch occurred more than an hour and a half after the scheduled start time, the GreenJackets bats exploded for three first inning runs. Justin Janas drove home one and Tyler Collins plated two with a double. After a scoreless second, the GreenJackets pushed home four in the top of the third. Nick Clarno, Andrew Keck and E.J. Exposito each drove in a run, with another scoring on a wild pitch to make it 7-0.
The Pelicans answered back in the bottom of the third, scoring three runs off of GreenJackets starter Jhancarlos Lara, who departed after two and two thirds. Jason Franks came in the game and struck out a batter to end the inning, but worked himself into trouble in the bottom of the fourth, getting tagged for six runs while giving up three hits and three walks.
Trailing 9-7, the GreenJackets made it a one-run game in the top of the sixth, with Tyler Collins drawing an RBI walk. After Seth Keller departed with four innings under his belt, Myrtle Beach made it 10-8, scoring on a wild pitch from Darling Florentino in the eighth. The three hour and 15-minute run time of the game, not including the 90-minute delay, was the longest game of the year.
The GreenJackets are on the road this week for four more games against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs). The GreenJackets return to SRP Park for six games against the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Chicago White Sox) beginning Tuesday, May 23rd. For tickets, information on promotions, and more, visit greenjacketsbaseball.com.
