*North Augusta, SC* – The Augusta GreenJackets (Atlanta Braves) fell to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans (Chicago Cubs) by a score of 7-3, leaving the bases loaded in the ninth after mounting a brief comeback effort. Augusta (26-27) lost their fifth straight game, their longest such streak of the season, while Myrtle Beach (30-22) won their sixth contest in a row to extend their lead at the top of the division.
Myrtle Beach picked up where they left off after Tuesday’s drubbing, belting two solo home runs off of Spencer Schwellenbach in the top of the first. In the bottom of the first, Justin Janas reached on an error, but Augusta would strand him at third. The Pelicans added another run to their total in the second, after Jefferson Rojas doubled on the first pitch he saw in affiliated baseball and scored on a sacrifice fly. A solo home run for Felix Stevens in the third made it 4-0.
Spencer Schwellenbach left the game in the top of the fifth with runners on the corners. Jason Franks entered and allowed both runners to score, as well as one batter of his own, as the GreenJackets fell behind 7-0 before the halfway point of the contest. Jared Johnson pitched a scoreless sixth inning, while Samuel Strickland entered in the seventh and went the final three innings without allowing a run.
Augusta was held scoreless until the bottom of the ninth. E.J. Exposito doubled home Bryson Worrell, before Cory Acton brought home a pair of runs after forcing an error with his speed to make it 7-3. The GreenJackets loaded the bases with one out, but Saul Gonzalez entered and retired the side to strand the tying run at the plate.
The GreenJackets are home this week and next, taking on Myrtle Beach (Chicago Cubs) for four more games and then playing six against Carolina (Milwaukee Brewers). This week’s promotions include a Vaughn Grissom bobblehead giveaway Friday, a meet and greet with former UGA quarterback David Greene on Thursday, and more! For tickets, information on the meet and greet, and a full promotional schedule for the upcoming series with Myrtle Beach, click here: https://www.milb.com/augusta/fans/gj-homestand-preview!
