They’re still in first place with a 14-8 record, though.
From our friends in Media Relations…
The Danville Braves could not overcome an outstanding outing by Elizabethton Twins starter Tom Stuifbergen, who tossed a complete game in Danville’s 4-2 loss before 789 fans at Legion Field Wednesday night. The loss snapped Danville’s five-game winning streak. The Braves are 14-8, in first place in the AL East Division, while the Twins improved to 18-4 as the leaders in the West.
The Twins grabbed a pair of runs in the first inning off Braves starter Brett Oberholtzer, who had his 14 scoreless inning streak snapped. Two singles put runners on first and second and designated hitter Josmil Pinto ripped a two-run double into the left-center field gap to give the Twins a 2-0 lead.
In the second inning, Jhon Goncalves reached on an error by Danville shortstop Mycal Jones and moved to second on an Oberholtzer wild pitch. Derek McCallum followed with an RBI single to left, making it 3-0. A sacrifice fly by Michael Gonzalez in the sixth inning made it 3-0.
It took the Braves until the ninth inning to post any kind of rally off Stuifbergen, who tossed just the second complete game in the Appalachian League this season. Jones led the inning off with a single to right and Cory Harrilchak ripped a triple down the right-field line, bringing Jones home to end Stuifbergen’s shutout. An RBI groundout by designated hitter Kuyaunnis Miles created the second out and made it 4-2. Derek Wiley’s groundout to shortstop ended the game and snapped the Braves’ season-long five-game winning streak.
Stuifbergen (3-0) earned the win, going all nine innings, allowing just two runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out seven. Oberholtzer (1-1) took the loss, going six innings, allowing four runs (three earned) with no walks and one strikeout. It was his third straight quality start. Luis Avilan was perfect in three innings of relief, striking out two.
Harrilchak was the lone Brave with multiple hits, going 3-4 with a double, triple, run scored, and an RBI. He raised his batting average to .316. Travis Adair was the only other Brave to reach twice, going 1-2 with a walk. Robbie Hefflinger had his 10-game hitting streak snapped with an 0-4 night, while L.V. Ware continued his hitting streak, which now stands at 10 games. He also stole his 11th base of the season in the sixth inning.
The Braves are home Thursday night at 7 p.m. to continue this series with the Twins. Danville sends southpaw Chris Masters (2-2, 1.62 ERA) to the hill against Elizabethton’s Brad Stillings (0-0, 5.73 ERA). It will be Thirsty Thursday at Dan Daniel Memorial Park with select beer and all fountain sodas offered at discounted prices.
Fans can follow all Braves play-by-play action for home games on WMNA 106.3 FM or on the station’s website www.espninva.com. For other information on the schedule, tickets, group nights, and/or partnership opportunities please contact the Danville Braves office at (434) 797-3792, info@dbraves.com, or log on to www.dbraves.com
Complete games are rarities now, and tonight’s performance by Elizabethton’s pitcher was very impressive.
Every win streak is bond to become a losing streak!