COLUMBIA, SC: Luke Sinnard turned in the most dominant performance by an Augusta pitcher this season, firing six scoreless innings, but Columbia’s bullpen won the war late as the Fireflies outpaced the GreenJackets 3-1.
Sinnard posted career bests in a handful of categories, tallying nine strikeouts in six innings, both of which tied for the highest totals by a GreenJacket pitcher this season.
The big righty allowed just three hits, all to Derlin Figueroa. Sinnard’s ERA has now dropped to an astounding 1.13, which would be the lowest among active Carolina League arms.
While Sinnard masterfully carved through Columbia, Firefly starter David Shields was just as impressive against the Jackets. Making his Single-A debut, Shields allowed two hits and struck out five in four scoreless innings despite being just 18 years old.
When the game turned to the bullpens, the advantage turned to the Fireflies. Yeri Perez and Dennis Colleran each worked two scoreless innings behind Shields, allowing just one hit between the two of them. Conversely, Columbia jumped on David Rodriguez in the 7th to break the scoreless tie for good.
With two outs in the 7th, second baseman Josi Novas scorched a hanging changeup from Rodriguez just over the wall in left field, giving Columbia their first homer since May 3rd and first run of the day.
A single, error, and base hit from Gabriel Silva doubled the lead in the 7th, and Rodriguez would walk in a run in the 8th to put the Fireflies handedly in front.
The Jackets seemed poised to be shut out for the 3rd time this season, especially when Henson Leal retired the first two men of the 9th, but Augusta’s rookies refused to quit.
Owen Carey beat out an infield single, took second on defensive indifference, and scored on an RBI double from Eric Hartman.
The swing brought the tying run to the plate in Nick Montgomery, but he was outdueled as Leal earned the game winning strikeout and his first save since 2022.
The win ties the week’s series at one game apiece with four games to go, setting up an intriguing Thursday matchup between Jeremy Reyes and Hiro Wyatt on May 15.
Augusta still leads the season series 3-2, but now falls to 2.5 games behind the Fireflies in the South Division standings.
