(Story courtesy The Augusta GreenJackets. File photo Mike Adams/Augusta Good News)
NORTH AUGUSTA – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) got stellar relief work from Sam Strickland and three hits from Kade Kern, but the Charleston RiverDogs (33-19, 60-58) capitalized on four Augusta errors to take the game 6-4. The GreenJackets (23-28, 54-63) gave up five unanswered runs in the middle innings and could not mount the comeback, as the RiverDogs recorded 17 strikeouts on the day.
Adam Shoemaker sent down the side in order in the first, before Augusta pounced on the debuting Gary Gill Hill with a pair of RBI singles from Will Verdung and Kade Kern. Adam Shoemaker would give the two runs right back in the second after giving up three walks and a hit-by-pitch, ending his outing after two frames with the score tied at 2-2.
Estarlin Rodriguez was the first reliever used for the GreenJackets, and after a scoreless third inning he stumbled in the fourth, giving up three runs on a wild pitch and a single from Cooper Kinney. Samuel Strickland took over in the fifth for Rodriguez and retired the side in order, while Trevor Martin, the league leader in ERA, entered in relief of Gill Hill in the third and did not allow a run through the fifth.
In the bottom of the sixth, the GreenJackets found life, as E.J. Exposito hit his second double of the day before Kade Kern knocked him home. Meanwhile, Strickland was dominant on the bump for Augusta, striking out five consecutive men in the sixth and seventh and not surrendering a hit over four scoreless innings as the score remained 5-3.
The RiverDogs added insurance against Chad Bryant in the ninth, scoring a run on Tavarez’ second error of the game. Kade Kern doubled to lead off the bottom of the ninth, his third hit of the game, and Nick Clarno doubled him home to make it 6-4, but Gerlin Rosario closed the game out with the tying run at the plate as the RiverDogs evened up the series with the win.
Augusta wraps up the 2023 home slate from now until Sept. 3. The GreenJackets take on the Charleston RiverDogs and the Salem Red Sox over the next 10 days. To purchase tickets and learn more about the upcoming promotions, games, and more, visit https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview..
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