(Story courtesy Augusta GreenJackets. File photo by Mike Adams)
SALEM, Va. – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) found late offense to down the Salem Red Sox Aug. 12. Salem (18-23, 48-56) scored four times in the ninth to close the gap, but Augusta (19-22, 50-56) was able to hold on for the 8-7 win in a contest that, in the words of Drake, “went zero to 100 real quick.”
Cristian Nuñez made the start for Salem, getting his first taste of Carolina League action after being promoted from the Florida Complex League. Nuñez went four innings while surrendering just one hit, keeping Augusta off the scoreboard. Meanwhile, Adam Shoemaker went stride for stride, keeping Salem without a hit in the first 4.1 innings. Salem did scrounge a run after a walk and a throwing error in the second, and that 1-0 score held through the sixth inning.
Nuñez was replaced for Salem by Nathanael Cruz in the fifth, and dealt two scoreless innings. However, he began the top of the seventh by issuing three consecutive walks, before being replaced by Caleb Bolden. With the bases loaded and nobody out, the GreenJackets got to work, as Jair Casanova and E.J. Exposito walked, Jacob Godman and Tyler Collins singled, and Drew Compton delivered a sacrifice fly to put Augusta on top 5-1.
Nolan Martinez surrendered a run to Salem in the seventh inning, before Augusta got a run back in the eighth on Godman’s sacrifice fly. Salem matched the GreenJackets again, getting a run back in the bottom of the inning, before E.J. Exposito gave Augusta some needed insurance with a two-run homer to put the GreenJackets up 8-3.
Elison Joseph entered with a five-run lead to close out the game, but surrendered four runs while recording just two outs. With the bases empty and two outs, Landon Harper entered and needed just one pitch to pick up his second save of the year, finishing off the 8-7 contest.
Augusta remains on the road during this two-week trip to the commonwealth of Virginia to take on the Salem Red Sox (Boston Red Sox) and Fredericksburg Nationals (Washington Nationals), before returning home for the final 12 games at SRP Park this year. Don’t miss out on your final chance to see the 2023 GreenJackets in action! 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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