KANNAPOLIS, N.C. – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) picked up their fourth straight win on May 5, scoring six runs in the third inning en route to a 6-5 victory over the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.
The Cannon Ballers scored first, getting one run in each of the first two innings off of Augusta starter Owen Murphy. In the top of the third, Ambioris Tavarez doubled, Ethan Workinger drove him home with a triple and then scored on a balk by Tanner McDougal (L, 0-1) to tie the game. With the bases loaded, Mahki Backstrom stroked the first pitch he saw over the right-field wall to make it 6-2.
The Cannon Ballers added two more in the fourth. Tyree Thompson pitched a scoreless fifth inning, before Jorge Bautista (W, 2-1) came in and pitched four innings of one-run ball. He retired the side in order in the ninth inning to secure the victory. The win gives the GreenJackets their first series win on the season.
Kannapolis (12-11) made it a one-run game going into the ninth, but Augusta (11-13) came away with the close win.
The GreenJackets won their fourth straight game for the first time this year. Away from home, Augusta is now 8-4. On Saturday, Augusta takes on Kannapolis at 7 p.m. Braves’ No. 3 overall prospect JR Ritchie is the scheduled starter for Augusta. As always, the game can be heard on the GreenJackets Radio Network at bit.ly/GJRadio.
The GreenJackets are on the road to take on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers (Chicago White Sox) this week, before returning to SRP Park to take on the Charleston RiverDogs (Tampa Bay Rays) the week of May 9. The series with Charleston will include an Education Day Game presented by SRNS, a STEM T-Shirt Giveaway presented by Aiken Technical College.
